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.

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 digital collage creation kit is provided. The digital collage creation kit may include a digital photo cutter, a digital stamper, and a digital transforming tool. The digital photo cutter, the digital stamper, and the digital transforming tool may be configured to interact with a touch-screen surface of a computing device executing the digital collage creation kit application. Upon executing the digital collage creation kit application by the computing device, the digital collage creation kit may generate a digital collage creation environment, in which a digital collage may be created based on input received from one or more of the digital photo cutter, the digital stamper, and the digital transforming tool.

Abstract: A bead-forming apparatus and method for its use are described. The bead-forming apparatus includes a base with a pair of legs extending from a top surface. First ends of the legs couple to respective eccentric elements. The eccentric elements removeably and rotatably couple to a platen. Second ends of the legs are rotatably and slideably mated with a gear train disposed within the base. The legs are slideably translatable into the base and the gear train maintains a rotational orientation of the legs and the eccentric elements coupled thereto. The platen is thus moveable through a circular path defined by the rotation of the eccentric elements and legs. As such, a plug of moldable material placed between the base and the platen and in contact with the platen, is formed into a double-cone shape by movement of the platen through the circular path.

Abstract: A digital template animation kit is provided for generating a three-dimensional animation corresponding to a captured two-dimensional template. In embodiments, a template animation kit includes a template portfolio having template designs for coloring in by a user. A computing device executing a template animation kit application, such as a digital fashion portfolio kit application, may then capture an image of the user-completed drawings on each template design. In some embodiments, capturing an image of a template design includes identifying a coloring figure identifier, an upper page guide identifier, and a lower page guide identifier. In further embodiments, the captured images of two-dimensional template designs are applied to three dimensional digital templates for animation within a digital template animation environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides kits and methods for selectively transferring a portion of an image from a substrate (e.g., paper) to a dough (e.g., Silly Putty®) comprising pressing the dough onto an image printed on the substrate. The image comprises transferable ink and non-transferable ink. At least a portion of the image comprising transferable ink transfers from the substrate to the dough and the non-transferable ink does not transfer from the substrate to the dough. The dough can be used to reveal an image that was “hidden” within the visible image printed on the substrate. The present invention also provides methods for making a substrate with an image comprising transferable ink (e.g., cold-set web ink) and non-transferable ink (e.g., sheet-fed offset ink) printed thereon, comprising using a sheet-fed offset press to print the image onto the substrate.

Abstract: An enhanced washability ink composition has enhanced rinsability and/or washability from fabric, walls, or skin. The composition may comprise about 70 wt % to about 95 wt % water; about 5 wt % to about 35 wt % one or more sugars (e.g., dextrins); about 1 wt % to about 40 wt % one or more optional dye blockers; about 0.1 wt % to about 15 wt % one or more dyes; and one or more optional additives. The rinsable ink composition is usable in a variety of instruments, including markers or pens. A method for making the rinsable ink composition comprises dissolving one or more sugars (e.g., dextrins) in water to form a sugar solution; subsequently adding one or more dyes to the sugar solution to form a sugar-dye solution; and subsequently adding one or more optional dye blockers to the sugar-dye solution.

Abstract: A drawing stylus that transmits data to a base unit using high-frequency audio or radio frequency signals is described. The stylus includes a color selector that enables a user to select a color to be associated with inputs from the stylus. A pressure sensor is also included to detect a pressure applied to the tip of the stylus. The selected color and pressure data are transmitted over high-frequency audio or radio frequency signals to a base unit for processing. The base unit may use the data received via the transmission along with one or more other data elements as inputs to an application executing on the base unit.

Abstract: A roller ball pen for use with metallic inks, and a method for assembling the roller ball pen for use with metallic inks, is described herein. The pen body includes a housing that encloses a reservoir, a collet, a feed rod, and a tip. The feed rod transfers ink from the reservoir to a roller ball tip at a tapered end of the pen housing. In embodiments, the feed rod is embedded at a threshold distance inside the reservoir to provide an increased surface area for transfer of a metallic ink suspension. In further embodiments, a method of assembling the roller ball pen includes saturation of the reservoir with a metallic ink based on inserting a particular injection needle at a particular depth inside the reservoir.

Abstract: A marker-making kit for assembling a marking device having a user-determined mixture of marking solution is provided. The kit includes a base unit coupled to a marker positioning mechanism and a press mechanism. A mixing tube holder secures a mixing tube used for collecting a desired amount of one or more marker fluids. A mixed marker solution is combined, including any number of different colors of marker fluid, and used to saturate a marker reservoir. The saturated reservoir may then be transferred to a maker barrel positioned near the press mechanism. By applying an amount of force with a marker compression arm, a completed marker is secured, enclosing the marker reservoir inside a marker barrel.

Abstract: Multi-purpose digital coloring tools for interacting with a touch screen are described. A pattern-making device provides for patterned input from a digital marking tool on a touch-screen 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 touch-screen device using a base unit. Light images are created by a light stylus that interacts with a touch-screen device or an emulsion-surface device. An easel support structure holds a touch-screen device in an upright position during marking with the digital marking tool. Digitally animated coloring book pages are adapted to interact with a touch-screen 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 touch-screen device.