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 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: 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 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: 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: Ink delivery systems to provide ink from a reservoir to an applicator pad for marking a surface. Ink is stored in a reservoir within a marker body. A valve system controls the flow of ink to the applicator pad to prevent puddling of ink on the marking surface. The reservoir is a hollow body with free flowing ink or may contain a fiber reservoir at least partially saturated with ink. The reservoir may also contain capillary channels and ribs to aid in transporting ink to the valve system. The valve system includes a plug and a spring to bias the plug in a closed position. The plug includes at least one contact surface to contact a housing, and thereby control the flow of ink from the reservoir to the applicator pad. The spring may be a coil spring or a compressible foam-like spring.

Abstract: Ink delivery systems to provide ink from a reservoir to an applicator pad for marking a surface. Ink is stored in a reservoir within a marker body. A valve system controls the flow of ink to the applicator pad to prevent puddling of ink on the marking surface. The reservoir is a hollow body with free flowing ink or may contain a fiber reservoir at least partially saturated with ink. The reservoir may also contain capillary channels and ribs to aid in transporting ink to the valve system. The valve system includes a plug and a spring to bias the plug in a closed position. The plug includes at least one contact surface to contact a housing, and thereby control the flow of ink from the reservoir to the applicator pad. The spring may be a coil spring or a compressible foam-like spring.

Abstract: An illuminated-display unit useable to provide artwork with rotating, glowing effects is described. The illuminated-display unit includes a base, a plate, and a dome. The base has a top surface with a central receptacle and an annular channel, a control panel, and light sources housed therein. The plate is disposed within the receptacle and the dome is disposed on the base to engage the annular channel and thereby accept the plate within its interior. Ink drawings or artwork are drawn on surfaces of the plate and the dome. The light sources are illuminated to provide internally reflected light within the plate and base. The ink on the plate and base refracts the internally reflected light and/or chemically or physically reacts thereto to provide a glowing effect. The dome and/or the plate are rotatable manually or mechanically to provide an animated effect to the illuminated display.

Abstract: A self-sealing stamping device suitable for use with non-alcohol based inks is described. The stamping device includes an applicator that has raised features for providing a stamped design. The applicator also includes sealing features that mate with sealing features on an inkpad housing to provide one or more airtight seals therebetween. The inkpad housing provides an enclosure for an inkpad with one or more apertures. Sealing features are provided circumscribing the apertures for mating with sealing features of the applicator. In a closed position, the stamping device provides an airtight enclosure for the inkpad comprised of the inkpad housing and the applicator.

Abstract: Ink delivery systems to provide ink from a reservoir to an applicator pad for marking a surface. Ink is stored in a reservoir within a marker body. A valve system controls the flow of ink to the applicator pad to prevent puddling of ink on the marking surface. The reservoir is a hollow body with free flowing ink or may contain a fiber reservoir at least partially saturated with ink. The reservoir may also contain capillary channels and ribs to aid in transporting ink to the valve system. The valve system includes a plug and a spring to bias the plug in a closed position. The plug includes at least one contact surface to contact a housing, and thereby control the flow of ink from the reservoir to the applicator pad. The spring may be a coil spring or a compressible foam-like spring.

Abstract: Ink delivery systems to provide ink from a reservoir to an applicator pad for marking a surface. Ink is stored in a reservoir within a marker body. A valve system controls the flow of ink to the applicator pad to prevent puddling of ink on the marking surface. The reservoir is a hollow body with free flowing ink or may contain a fiber reservoir at least partially saturated with ink. The reservoir may also contain capillary channels and ribs to aid in transporting ink to the valve system. The valve system includes a plug and a spring to bias the plug in a closed position. The plug includes at least one contact surface to contact a housing, and thereby control the flow of ink from the reservoir to the applicator pad. The spring may be a coil spring or a compressible foam-like spring.

Abstract: Ink delivery systems to provide ink from a reservoir to an applicator pad for marking a surface. Ink is stored in a reservoir within a marker body. A valve system controls the flow of ink to the applicator pad to prevent puddling of ink on the marking surface. The reservoir is a hollow body with free flowing ink or may contain a fiber reservoir at least partially saturated with ink. The reservoir may also contain capillary channels and ribs to aid in transporting ink to the valve system. The valve system includes a plug and a spring to bias the plug in a closed position. The plug includes at least one contact surface to contact a housing, and thereby control the flow of ink from the reservoir to the applicator pad. The spring may be a coil spring or a compressible foam-like spring.

Abstract: A self-sealing stamping device suitable for use with non-alcohol based inks is described. The stamping device includes an applicator that has raised features for providing a stamped design. The applicator also includes sealing features that mate with sealing features on an inkpad housing to provide one or more airtight seals therebetween. The inkpad housing provides an enclosure for an inkpad with one or more apertures. Sealing features are provided circumscribing the apertures for mating with sealing features of the applicator. In a closed position, the stamping device provides an airtight enclosure for the inkpad comprised of the inkpad housing and the applicator.

Abstract: A tool assembly is disclosed that provides reciprocating motion to a tip of the assembly. The tool assembly has a drive assembly, a shaft assembly and a retraction mechanism contained within a housing. The tip of the shaft assembly protrudes from the housing during a portion of the stroke of the drive mechanism and upon disengagement of a motor of the drive assembly, the tip of the shaft assembly is recessed within the housing of the tool assembly.

Abstract: A toy-building unit. The building unit includes a six armed structure having a ball portion at a distal end of each arm. The arms are arranged about a central body formed by their intersections and each arm extends from the central body perpendicularly to adjacent arms. A socket is formed by each set of three adjacent arms. The ball portion of a first building unit is inserted into the socket of a second building unit to removeably, rotatably, and pivotally engage the two building units.

Abstract: Ink delivery systems to provide ink from a reservoir to an applicator pad for marking a surface. Ink is stored in a reservoir within a marker body. A valve system controls the flow of ink to the applicator pad to prevent puddling of ink on the marking surface. The reservoir is a hollow body with free flowing ink or may contain a fiber reservoir at least partially saturated with ink. The reservoir may also contain capillary channels and ribs to aid in transporting ink to the valve system. The valve system includes a plug and a spring to bias the plug in a closed position. The plug includes at least one contact surface to contact a housing, and thereby control the flow of ink from the reservoir to the applicator pad. The spring may be a coil spring or a compressible foam-like spring.

Abstract: An illuminated-display unit useable to provide artwork with rotating, glowing effects is described. The illuminated-display unit includes a base, a plate, and a dome. The base has a top surface with a central receptacle and an annular channel, a control panel, and light sources housed therein. The plate is disposed within the receptacle and the dome is disposed on the base to engage the annular channel and thereby accept the plate within its interior. Ink drawings or artwork are drawn on surfaces of the plate and the dome. The light sources are illuminated to provide internally reflected light within the plate and base. The ink on the plate and base refracts the internally reflected light and/or chemically or physically reacts thereto to provide a glowing effect. The dome and/or the plate are rotatable manually or mechanically to provide an animated effect to the illuminated display.

Abstract: A self-sealing stamping device suitable for use with non-alcohol based inks is described. The stamping device includes an applicator that has raised features for providing a stamped design. The applicator also includes sealing features that mate with sealing features on an inkpad housing to provide one or more airtight seals therebetween. The inkpad housing provides an enclosure for an inkpad with one or more apertures. Sealing features are provided circumscribing the apertures for mating with sealing features of the applicator. In a closed position, the stamping device provides an airtight enclosure for the inkpad comprised of the inkpad housing and the applicator.