Abstract: A device, method, and system for creating a design on a design surface are provided. The device includes a first compartment that includes a receiving and positioning component and a channel configured to receive and position a wax stick at the receiving and positioning component. The device includes a second compartment having a melting component that includes a heating element, a temperature measurement element, and a nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle opening configured to receive the wax stick, the nozzle directly aligned with the channel of the receiving and positioning component. The nozzle also includes a nozzle tip configured to transfer melted portions of the wax stick from the nozzle to a design surface on a spinning component in a third compartment of the device.

Abstract: A putty paint compound for marking on a substrate, and a method and system of manufacturing a putty paint compound for marking on a substrate, are provided. In embodiments, the putty paint compound has a putty-like consistency that provides a delivery system for dye. In embodiments, a dye is dispersed into an elastic, pliable compound that maintains a putty-like form. When the compound is applied to a substrate having an activator, the dye dispersed in the compound creates a marking on the substrate that corresponds to the shape of the compound contacting the substrate. In further embodiments, the shape of the putty paint compound may be manipulated to provide a desired marking on a substrate, which may be altered by repeated or varied applications of one or more putty paint compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides dissolvable films for customizing art materials, such as inks, paints, and modeling doughs. The invention also provides methods and kits for delivering artistic effects to art materials. The dissolvable films comprise one or more cellulose compounds, propylene glycol, glycerin, and one or more artistic components. The dissolvable film imparts an artistic effect following administration of the film to the art material. In exemplary embodiments, the artistic components of the film comprise one or more colorants which provide a coloring effect. A kit for delivering one or more artistic effects to an art material includes dissolvable films of various colors and shapes, and one or more art materials, such as ink, paint, or modeling dough.

Abstract: A mixing and paint-making device and method for making paint are described. Embodiments of the paint-making device include a first and second palette hingedly coupled to a base. The base includes a paint pot shaking component configured to agitate and/or translate a paint pot. The paint pot shaking component includes a series of gears and pistons that interact to produce a shaking motion for a paint pot coupled to the paint pot shaking component. In one embodiment, the paint pot shaking component includes a crank gear adjacent a combination gear that contacts a slide crankshaft. The slide crankshaft is coupled to a slide crank arm that is secured by slide bracket coupled to the base. A paint pot harness holds a paint pot during agitation and moves in an upward and downward motion corresponding to the motion of the slide crank arm.

Abstract: A marking system comprises a substrate having a surface coated with a color-triggering developer and a deactivating ink composition; and a marking composition comprising at least one color precursor. At least one “non-color developing portion” of the surface is coated with both the color-triggering developer and the deactivating ink composition, and at least one “color-developing portion” of the surface is coated with the color-triggering developer and is not coated with the deactivating ink composition. Color development occurs at the color-developing portion(s) and does not occur at the non-color developing portion(s) upon application of the marking composition to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A handheld digital drawing and projection device is provided. The device includes a screen for receiving a user input. In embodiments, a stylus tethered to the device provides the user input at the screen. The device further includes a determining component for determining an output corresponding to the received user input. A projector for projecting the determined output onto an external projection surface is also included. In some embodiments, the projector further projects a display environment, which includes one or more projected elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed an animation kit including a template page with at least one template design, an armature that moves between at least a first position and a second position, and an animation application that generates an animated segment corresponding to the template design and at least one pose of the armature. In further embodiments, a method for generating an animated segment is provided. In another embodiment, a system for generating an animated sequence includes a template design and an application that receives an image of the template design and animates at least one three-dimensional image corresponding to the captured template design.

Abstract: A marker airbrush device for transferring marking solution from a marking device onto a writing surface using air is provided. The airbrush device includes a housing with an air outlet, a trigger for controlling an amount of air travelling through the air outlet, and a marker positioner coupled to the housing. The marker positioner positions a marking device relative to the air outlet such that air traveling through the air outlet contacts at least one surface of the marking device to transfer marking solution onto a writing surface. In embodiments, rotation of a portion of the marker positioner advances and/or retracts the marking device with respect to the flow of air through the air outlet, thereby altering the angle and/or amount of air that contacts the marking device during spraying. In another embodiment, the marker positioner includes a locking lever for engaging against the marker device nib and/or housing.

Abstract: A package for containing items having a flip-open package closure is provided. In some embodiments, the package includes a rigid package body and a flexible closure flap. The flexible closure flap is coupled to a hangtab portion of the package body such that the flexible closure flap moves from a closed position to an open position with respect to the package body based on a position of the hangtab portion. An upper edge of a front side of the package body engages the lower portion of the closure flap when the package is closed, while the lower edge of the closure flap is released from the upper edge upon pivoting backward of the hangtab portion. Such pivoting of the hangtab portion, and corresponding manipulation of the closure flap, may occur without directly contacting the closure flap.

Abstract: The invention provides, among other things, methods and systems for creating a customized colorable image of a user. An exemplary method may include receiving an indication of a selected colorable background. The method may further include capturing a real-time image of the user, where the user is adjacent to a predetermined background. An image of the predetermined background may be filtered out of the real-time image of the user to generate a filtered real-time image of the user. Then, the filtered real-time image of the user against the selected colorable background may be presented.

Abstract: An apparatus, kit, and methods for forming a bead between bead-forming blocks having internal bead-forming channels are provided. The bead-forming channels of adjacent bead-forming blocks are slidably engaged to manipulate a measured amount of modeling compound between the bead-forming blocks and within an internal space between the opposing channels. In one embodiment, the bead-forming blocks maintain orientation with respect to an axis of travel based on a block guide. Further, the measured amount of modeling compound is determined using an integrated measuring feature coupled to at least one of the pair of bead-forming blocks. The internal volume of an integrated measuring feature corresponds to a threshold amount of modeling compound for manipulating between the pair of blocks and forming a bead while contacting at least a portion of the mated bead-forming channels. In further aspects, a molded bead may be coated with a multicomponent bead-coating mixture.

Abstract: Multi-purpose digital coloring tools for interacting with a touchscreen are described. A pattern-making device provides for patterned input from a digital marking tool on a touchscreen device. The pattern-making device guides the digital marking tool with a plurality of gear teeth on an internal edge of a template frame secured to a touchscreen device using a base unit. Light images are created by a light stylus that interacts with a touchscreen device or an emulsion-surface device. An easel support structure holds a touchscreen device in an upright position during marking with the digital marking tool. Digitally animated coloring book pages are adapted to interact with a touchscreen device. Digital crayons, digital stamping devices, a digital paintbrush, a dual-tip digital stylus for creating 3-dimensional (3-D) images, and a pair of 3-D glasses are provided for interacting with a touchscreen device.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for chemically embossing and debossing fabric. A composition comprising polyvinyl alcohol is applied to fabric in the shape of a design, and the fabric is dried. Upon the fabric drying, the surface of the fabric is embossed and/or debossed in the shape of the design. In particular embodiments, the composition comprises polyvinyl alcohol that is at least about 90% hydrolyzed. A kit for embossing and/or debossing fabric includes a composition comprising polyvinyl alcohol inside of a container, and one or more applicators.

Abstract: The present invention provides moldable compositions that are capable of drying and hardening if left in open air at room temperature for a period of time. Embodiments of the moldable compositions comprise water, at least one polar polymeric resin (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol), at least one thickening agent (e.g., boric acid, borate salt, or hydrate of a borate salt), at least one humectant (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.), at least one filler (e.g., corn starch, tapioca, or arrowroot), optionally at least one releasing agent (e.g., mineral oil) and optionally at least one additive.

Abstract: A greeting card tissue box cover is provided. In one embodiment, the greeting card body is arranged in a single plane, having first, second, third, and fourth panels that are foldable along multiple fold lines to arrange the greeting card body into a plurality of folded positions. In a first, collapsed position, the greeting card is folded such that each of the multiple panels is parallel to a single plane, thereby enabling mailing of the folded greeting card. In a second, expanded position, the once-collapsed greeting card is configured such that the first, second, third, and fourth panels contour to the exterior of a tissue box, providing a cover thereto. At least two flaps of the greeting card body adjoin a top surface of the tissue box while permitting access to the contents of the tissue box.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for chemically embossing and debossing fabric. A composition comprising polyvinyl alcohol is applied to fabric in the shape of a design, and the fabric is dried. Upon the fabric drying, the surface of the fabric is embossed and/or debossed in the shape of the design. In particular embodiments, the composition comprises polyvinyl alcohol that is at least about 90% hydrolyzed. A kit for embossing and/or debossing fabric includes a composition comprising polyvinyl alcohol inside of a container, and one or more applicators.

Abstract: A marking system comprises a substrate having a surface coated with a color-triggering developer and a deactivating ink composition; and a marking composition comprising at least one color precursor. At least one “non-color developing portion” of the surface is coated with both the color-triggering developer and the deactivating ink composition, and at least one “color-developing portion” of the surface is coated with the color-triggering developer and is not coated with the deactivating ink composition. Color development occurs at the color-developing portion(s) and does not occur at the non-color developing portion(s) upon application of the marking composition to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for coloring threaded material. A payout support member of the apparatus is configured to support a payout spool. A drive member is configured to rotate a takeup spool. A coloring assembly comprises a colorant applicator holding portion that is configured to receive a colorant applicator. The coloring assembly also includes a passage configured to receive a thread and to dispose the thread against the colorant applicator as the thread is wound onto the takeup spool. The coloring assembly is positioned to direct the thread drawn through the passage toward a portion of the takeup spool.

Abstract: A customized crayon label creation and dispensing system and methods are provided. The system may include an activation component, a user interface, a printing component, a label generating component, and a crayon dispensing component. In embodiments, the system dispenses a customized crayon label and a crayon body in response to receipt of an indication of activation (e.g., a token) and indications from a user interface. The indications from a user interface may include crayon label template selections and input user content to be included in the generated customized crayon label. The generated customized crayon label and a corresponding crayon body are dispensed. In some embodiments, instructions are provided to a user for wrapping the dispensed crayon body with the generated customized crayon label.

Abstract: The present invention relates to moldable sand compositions, methods for making the moldable sand compositions, and methods for using the moldable sand compositions. In a particular embodiment, the moldable sand composition comprises between about 70% to about 95% sand, between about 5% to about 30% water, a polar polymeric resin, a crosslinking agent, and a humectant. In an exemplary embodiment, the composition contains no oils, waxes, glycols, or rubbers. The composition is capable of becoming hardened over time in order to maintain the achieved shape, and can be re-wetted and molded again after becoming hardened.