Abstract: Devices and kits for organizing, storing, and dispensing crayons are described herein. The crayon storing and dispensing device(s) described herein allow a user to access a crayon located at any retaining/dispensing holder by rotation of one or more components of the crayon storing and dispensing device(s). In accordance to aspects herein, the retaining/dispensing holders of the crayon storing and dispensing device(s) are arranged in one or more concentric rows of retaining/dispensing holders such that rotation of the crayon storing and dispensing device gives access to different crayons located at different positions.

Abstract: Devices and kits for organizing, storing, and dispensing crayons are described herein. The crayon storing and dispensing device(s) described herein allow a user to access a crayon located at any retaining/dispensing holder by rotation of one or more components of the crayon storing and dispensing device(s). In accordance to aspects herein, the retaining/dispensing holders of the crayon storing and dispensing device(s) are arranged in one or more concentric rows of retaining/dispensing holders such that rotation of the crayon storing and dispensing device gives access to different crayons located at different positions.

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.

Abstract: A writing implement having a magnetic component is disclosed. The writing implement may be a pen, pencil, marker, highlighter, or other type of writing implement, and may include a writing tip, a reservoir for providing a writing fluid, a housing, and at least one magnetic component. The magnetic component may be sized and shaped so that it can be at least partially enclosed within the housing. The magnetic component may include one or more magnets and may be movably coupled to the housing to allow for alignment of the magnets with a ferromagnetic surface.

Abstract: Aspects herein relate to an applicator wand that is configured to melt a solid marking material and apply the melted marking material onto a receiving medium. Aspects of the applicator wand include a heating and melting element enclosed within an external casing, a receiving compartment configured to receive one or more solid marking materials, and an applicator tip for applying the melted marking material onto a receiving medium to create a design, drawing, picture, sketch, and the like on the receiving medium.

Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods for making a carved crayon are provided. In one aspect, a crayon carving device includes a base, a pantograph armature coupled to the base, a crayon positioner, and at least one guide template parallel to the crayon positioner. The pantograph armature includes a motorized drive shaft with a drill tip for carving an outside surface of a crayon body, as well as a guide tip for tracing along a guide template that directs where the drill tip carves. In some embodiments, the guide template includes a stationary bridge support and a plurality of removable carving bucks that insert into one of multiple openings on the bridge support. The surface features of each of the carving bucks may be traced by the guide tip to generate a corresponding carving on the surface of a crayon body.

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.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparatus and method for creating pixelated artwork composed of coloring element pixels. In some embodiments, a system converts the millions of pixels and colors of a digital image to a simplified color template with numbers assigned to particular colors. In one embodiment, a plastic grid is configured to cover the color template and receives crayons whose arrangement is determined by the numbers/colors of the color template.

Abstract: A writing implement having a magnetic component is disclosed. The writing implement may be a pen, pencil, marker, highlighter, or other type of writing implement, and may include a writing tip, a reservoir for providing a writing fluid, a housing, and at least one magnetic component. The magnetic component may be sized and shaped so that it can be at least partially enclosed within the housing. The magnetic component may include one or more magnets and may be movably coupled to the housing to allow for alignment of the magnets with a ferromagnetic surface.

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 dual-action trigger for controlling an amount of air travelling through the air outlet, and a marker positioner coupled to the housing. The dual-action trigger may be either pushed down or pulled back to control air flow through the air outlet. 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. The marker positioner may include a rotatable collar that couples the marking device within the marker position and creates a seal around the marking device to prevent pressurized air from escaping around the marking device.

Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods for making a carved crayon are provided. In one aspect, a crayon carving device includes a base, a pantograph armature coupled to the base, a crayon positioner, and at least one guide template parallel to the crayon positioner. The pantograph armature includes a motorized drive shaft with a drill tip for carving an outside surface of a crayon body, as well as a guide tip for tracing along a guide template that directs where the drill tip carves. In some embodiments, the guide template includes a stationary bridge support and a plurality of removable carving bucks that insert into one of multiple openings on the bridge support. The surface features of each of the carving bucks may be traced by the guide tip to generate a corresponding carving on the surface of a crayon body.

Abstract: Aspects herein relate to an applicator wand that is configured to melt a solid marking material and apply the melted marking material onto a receiving medium. Aspects of the applicator wand include a heating and melting element enclosed within an external casing, a receiving compartment configured to receive one or more solid marking materials, and an applicator tip for applying the melted marking material onto a receiving medium to create a design, drawing, picture, sketch, and the like on the receiving medium.

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.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparatus and method for creating pixelated artwork composed of coloring element pixels. In some embodiments, a system converts the millions of pixels and colors of a digital image to a simplified color template with numbers assigned to particular colors. In one embodiment, a plastic grid is configured to cover the color template and receives crayons whose arrangement is determined by the numbers/colors of the color template.

Abstract: A mess-free sand play device is disclosed herein. The mess-free sand play device in accordance with aspects herein has a tray having a planar base and an upstanding wall rising from a perimeter of the planar base. A quantity of loose, granular sand and a moveable device or internal stylus are enclosed within the tray and a cover, the cover having a clear or transparent window through which the loose, granular sand and the moveable device or internal stylus are visible. The moveable device or internal stylus has a foam tip and a magnetic top, which allows for it to be manipulated with an external stylus having a magnetic tip. The foam tip of the moveable device or internal stylus, when pulled through the layer of loose, granular sand, forms a path in the layer of loose, granular sand, the path forming a desired pattern in the layer of loose, granular sand.

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 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 dual-action trigger for controlling an amount of air travelling through the air outlet, and a marker positioner coupled to the housing. The dual-action trigger may be either pushed down or pulled back to control air flow through the air outlet. 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. The marker positioner may include a rotatable collar that couples the marking device within the marker position and creates a seal around the marking device to prevent pressurized air from escaping around the marking device.

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.

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 writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.