Abstract: Writing compositions capable of undergoing a color development when brought into contact with a specific substrate including a color change-inducing compound are provided. Writing instruments comprising such writing compositions are also provided. Application of the writing compositions to surfaces other than the intended substrate will avoid color development and prevent staining of the unintended surfaces. The writing compositions include at least one filler; at least one leuco dye; at least one lipid including at least one wax, at least one fatty acid, at least one fatty acid ester; an antioxidant; and optionally at least one additive.

Abstract: Writing compositions capable of undergoing a color development when brought into contact with a specific substrate including a color change-inducing compound are provided. Writing instruments comprising such writing compositions are also provided. Application of the writing compositions to surfaces other than the intended substrate will avoid color development and prevent staining of the unintended surfaces. The writing compositions include at least one mineral filler, at least one leuco dye, one or more lipids including one or more waxes, one or more fatty acids, or one or more fatty acid esters or fatty amides, titanium dioxide, and optionally at least one additive.

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to a system and device for saturating an absorbent wicking nib with at least two inks transferred from at least two ink donor structures, to provide a multicolor marker nib. In aspects, a wicking nib device is configured to orient the saturated marking nibs of two different-colored, saturated marker nibs directly adjacent opposing side portions of a porous wicking nib, such that the porous wicking nib simultaneously wicks ink from both contacted marker nibs to create a dual-color marking nib. The wicking nib device may include an aperture for viewing the wicking action.

Abstract: Devices and kits for making crafts are disclosed herein. The crafts disclosed herein are able to be personalized by coloring them with desired colors using a color-transfer wicking art kits. Further, the kits and devices disclosed herein demonstrate physical phenomena, such as capillary action, to spark artistic play and scientific curiosity.

Abstract: The present invention provides moldable compositions that are capable of resisting slumping and cracking when allowed to dry and harden. Embodiments of the moldable composition comprise water, fillers including arrowroot and kaolin clay, at least one polar polymeric resin (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol), at least one thickening agent (e.g., ammonium pentaborate tetrahydrate), one or more pH adjusters (e.g., triethanolamine, sodium bicarbonate), a humectant (e.g., propylene glycol, glycerin), optionally at least one releasing agent (e.g., mineral oil), and optionally at least one additive.

Abstract: An integrated highlighting marker includes a multi-component marker ink comprising a base colorant and a tinting colorant. The marking system also includes a highlighting component configured to transform the base colorant from a first colored state to a second colored state based on the tinting colorant. The highlighting component may be configured to transform the primary base colorant from a colored state to a transparent state to reveal the tinting colorant.

Abstract: A thermoplastic writing composition includes at least one particulate filler including one or more of days, silicates, or carbonates, at least one thermoplastic binder material including one or more of high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene, one or more waxes chosen from soy wax, paraffin wax, and beeswax, at least one colorant, and optionally, at least one surfactant.

Abstract: A writing utensil container formed from a single plastic mold, including a container front panel, a front bottom component, a container back panel, a back bottom component, and a container lid component. A bottom integral hinge component may pivotally couple the back bottom component and the front bottom component, allowing the container front and back panels to pivot toward and away from each other. A lid integral hinge component may pivotally couple to the container back panel with the container lid component for opening and closing thereof. The container front and back panels may have coupling mechanisms that selectively engage with each other to prevent pivoting about the bottom integral hinge component to retain crayon boxes between the container front and back panels. A front closure feature of the front panel may selectively engage with a lid closure feature for selectively retaining the container lid component in a closed position.

Abstract: A non- or low-boron putty base includes a crosslinked reaction product of at least one polydiorganosiloxane that has at least two reactive functional groups and at least one crosslinker capable of reacting with the reactive functional groups to form the crosslinked reaction product. The putty base is dilatant and comprises 0 to 0.1 weight percent of a boron-containing compound. Dilatant putties made from the putty base and fillers are also provided. A method of making a dilatant putty includes: providing at least one polydiorganosiloxane comprising at least two reactive functional groups; providing an additive; providing at least one crosslinker capable of reacting with the reactive functional groups; and combining the polydiorganosiloxane, the filler, and the crosslinker to form the dilatant putty having less than 0.1 wt % boron.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a nesting storage container comprising: a plurality of upright walls surrounding an internal cavity; at least one de-nesting feature in the internal cavity, said de-nesting feature comprising an offset height with respect to a bottom surface of the internal cavity; and at least one handle having a concave handle offset oriented along a vertical axis of at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of upright walls.

Abstract: A marking system includes a composition having at least one color precursor, a moldable substrate having a color developer, and a marking instrument for applying the composition to the moldable substrate to form at least one mark on the moldable substrate. A method of producing a colored three-dimensional molded object includes the steps of manipulating a moldable substrate having a color developer into a molded shape having an outer surface; and applying, on the outer surface of the molded shape, a first composition having at least one color precursor to a first portion of the molded shape.

Abstract: A moldable eraser kit includes a first silicone polymer, a second silicone polymer, an abrasive agent, a catalyst configured to catalyze a reaction between the first silicone polymer and the second silicone polymer at room temperature, and at least two containers such that the first silicone polymer, the second silicone polymer, and the catalyst are not all present in the same container. Also disclosed herein is a method of making an eraser including the steps of mixing a first silicone polymer, a second silicone polymer, a catalyst, an abrasive agent, and optionally one or more additives to form a mixture, the mixture being free of polyvinyl chloride. The method also includes molding the mixture to form a shape and curing the mixture in the shape at room temperature to form a molded eraser.

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to a spiral art device that allows a user to create and recreate spiral art designs with chalk, and in particular with sidewalk chalk. The spiral art device in accordance with aspects herein comprises one or more stencil pieces and a motor piece. The motor piece is configured to move the stencil piece a predetermined distance around the motor piece, as many times as desired to form the spiral art design. The stencil piece is configured to have multiple securing points that allow the stencil piece to be secured to the motor piece at different angles, further allowing the user to add additional variations to their spiral art design. Design variations may be exponentially multiplied when multiple stencils having differently shaped traceable margins are provided with the spiral art device in accordance with aspects herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to quick-assembly, articulating easel that moves from a planar orientation to an extended orientation with minimal manual manipulation. The easel components are movably interconnected, both in a compressed position during storage and in an extended position after assembly. The opposing writing surfaces of the easel may be oriented in upward positions parallel to the upward-facing bottom tray when in the compressed and/or disassembled position. Based on disengaging at least a portion of the interconnected easel components, such as by raising at least a portion of the easel components in an upward direction, the opposing writing surfaces may then be shifted in orientation to provide outward-facing writing surfaces in the assembled easel position. The articulating legs may then follow an arcuate curvature in travel between the various positions.