Patent Publication Number: US-2022227165-A1

Title: Marker pixel wicking apparatus

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/134,722, filed May 7, 2021 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/128,426, filed Dec. 21, 2020, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed to a marker pixel wicking apparatus that allows users to create dimensional pixelated art using a method of applying colored ink from a marker directly onto a blank white surface featuring small vertical cylinders. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Blank coloring substrates provide a marking surface for users to create limitless marker artwork, but do not provide boundaries for guiding marker ink application for segmented or pixelated art effects. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to a marker pixel wicking apparatus that allows a user to create pixelated art using a simple method of applying safe marker ink onto a specially designed 3D surface. The user will not need to use heat while being supervised by an adult as most competitive products require. 
     Also provided herein is system for creating pixelated marker art using a porous substrate and frame structure and any number of fluid ink marking instruments. 
     The present disclosure is also directed to method for creating pixelated artwork on a prepared substrate where a user contacts a fibrous nib of a marking device against a fibrous protrusion on a pixelated substrate. The pixelated substrate may also be secured within a pixel frame structure that further isolates individual porous segments of the underlying substrate. 
     More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a marker wicking apparatus comprising a planar base made from a first material, at least one wicking protrusion extending outward from the planar base, the at least one wicking protrusion being made from a second material, the at least one wicking protrusion comprising a wicking surface; wherein the first material and the second material may be the same or different; and wherein a wicking ability of the first material is less than a wicking ability of the second material. 
     A further aspect of the present disclosure is a marker wicking apparatus comprising a hydrophobic base; and a plurality of hydrophilic columnar wicking posts coupled to and extending upward from the hydrophobic base, the wicking posts configured to receive and wick a donor solution throughout the post, wherein the hydrophobic base is configured to resist wicking the donor solution wicked through the wicking post. 
     Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of one pixel of an embodiment of the marker pixel wicking apparatus. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the marker pixel wicking apparatus with cylindrical columns. 
         FIG. 2B  is an exploded perspective view of the marker pixel wicking apparatus of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a marker pixel wicking apparatus without an outside frame. 
         FIG. 3B  is an exploded perspective view of the marker pixel wicking apparatus of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of an embodiment of the marker pixel wicking apparatus. 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of an embodiment of the wicking apparatus. 
         FIG. 5B  is a side view of another embodiment of the wicking apparatus. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top perspective view of a wicking apparatus with a frame structure and artwork. 
         FIG. 6B  is an exploded perspective view of the wicking apparatus and frame structure of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a porous marker wicking apparatus having rectangular vertical wicking posts, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8A  depicts a top plan view of the porous marker wicking apparatus of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 8B  depicts a side plan view of the porous marker wicking apparatus of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a vertical wicking post with sharp edges. 
         FIG. 10 . is a perspective view of a vertical wicking post with rounded edges. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a porous marker wicking apparatus having removable rectangular vertical wicking posts in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrating use of tweezers to insert a vertical wicking post; and a close-up view of a marker coloring a vertical wicking post. 
         FIG. 12A  is a side view of an eraser tool in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12B  is a perspective view of the porous marker wicking apparatus of  FIG. 7  with a sponge eraser tool in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12C  is a close-up of the eraser tool erasing color from a vertical wicking post. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the porous marker wicking apparatus of  FIG. 7  with an art guide with handles in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrating use of a marker to color a vertical wicking post. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the porous marker wicking apparatus of  FIG. 7  with an art guide without handles in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrating use of a marker to color a vertical wicking post; a close-up view of the marker coloring a vertical wicking post; and a top plan view showing the pixel art that is created on the porous marker wicking apparatus. 
         FIG. 15A  is a top plan view of the porous marker wicking apparatus of  FIG. 7  with an art guide without handles and having a central opening for the wicking apparatus in portrait orientation. 
         FIG. 15B  is a top plan view of the porous marker wicking apparatus of  FIG. 7  with an art guide without handles and having a central opening for the wicking apparatus in landscape orientation. 
         FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of the porous marker wicking apparatus of  FIG. 7  with a light board. 
         FIG. 16B  is an exploded perspective view of the light board and porous marker wicking apparatus of  FIG. 16A   
         FIG. 16C  is a side view of the porous marker wicking apparatus and light board of  FIG. 16A . 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of a modular frame for use with a porous marker wicking apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  is an exemplary kit containing porous marker wicking apparatuses of  FIG. 7 , adhesive, image guide, markers, an art guide of  FIG. 15A  and matte framing. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is related to a marker pixel wicking apparatus that allows a user to create dimensional pixelated art using a method of applying a colored ink marker directly onto the top white surface of a specifically designed substrate. The substrate has been molded specifically with an array of small vertical flat-topped cylinders covering nearly the entire surface. Any color marker nib is placed directly onto the cylinders&#39; top surface to activate the ink transfer to create a colorful image. A user can select any desired colors and/or placement across the array of cylinders to create a colorful image. An unlimited amount of images can be created simply by arranging the colors across the array of white cylinders. The Pixel Art surface may be washable allowing repeated use if desired. Washing the surface using clean water removes any transferred color returning the surface to its original blank white color. The wicking substrate is typically molded or co-molded using two separate materials that will allow the protruding vertical cylinders to easily absorb the marker ink using a porous material. Selective laser sintering can also be used. This allows for brighter, more vibrant colors in the finished pixel art. The base layer below the cylinders is molded in a denser, less absorbing material to limit the spread of color, mitigating any color contamination. 
     In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6 , various views of the marker pixel wicking apparatus are shown. In some aspects, the substrate surface is a wicking, porous material similar to that of a marker nib. In further aspects, the pixel wicking substrate has a first porosity proximate the outer surface of the substrate, and a second porosity proximate the base plate, such that the flow of wicked ink into the contacted wicking substrate surfaces does not flow below the higher density, second porosity structure. As further shown in the examples of  FIGS. 1-6 , the staggered, honeycomb orientation of the individual “pixel” columnar segments of the porous substrate indicate individual components for coloring with a washable ink, such as a washable, water-based ink from a broadline marker. The base and/or frame structure may be configured to support the wicking porous substrate along one or more surfaces, such as the bottom surface along a solid panel parallel to the substrate, and a top surface perforated with openings corresponding to the individual pixel protrusions of the top surface of the wicking substrate. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7-11 , another embodiment of the marker pixel wicking apparatus is generally indicated at reference numeral  110 . Wicking apparatus comprises a base  112  and a plurality of vertical wicking posts (protrusions)  114  extending upwardly along the upper surface of base  112 . Vertical wicking posts  114  can be any desired shape, such as cylindrical (see  FIGS. 2-6 ), rectangular (see  FIGS. 7-11 ), or any other suitable shape known to those skilled in the art. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the vertical wicking post  114  can be a circle, square, rectangle, oval, star, heart, polygon, or any desired shape or combination thereof. In certain embodiments, wicking posts  114  can have a width w 1  and/or depth d 1  of less than about 0.2 inches (e.g., 0.15 inches), for example, from about 0.1 inches to about 0.2 inches, in some embodiments about 0.15 inches. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the vertical wicking posts  114  have a square cross-section such that the width w 1  and/or depth d 1  are equal. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the edges of wicking posts  114  are rounded. Alternatively, in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the edges of wicking posts  114  are sharp (i.e., not rounded). 
     In certain embodiments, wicking posts  114  can have a height h 1  (measured from the top surface of the base  112  to the top surface of the wicking post  114  of from about 0.1 inches to about 0.2 inches, in some embodiments about 0.12 or about 0.15 inches. In various aspects, wicking posts  114  are uniformly spaced across base  112  to form evenly spaced columns and rows of wicking posts  114 . Wicking posts  114  are also uniformly spaced from each other. In some embodiments the distance between wicking posts  114  can be less than about 0.1 inches, for example about 0.06 inches, or from about 0.03 inches to about 0.1 inches. The wicking posts  114  can generally comprise perimeter wicking posts  114   a  around the perimeter of the base  112  and central posts  114   b  in the center area of the base  112 . Central posts  114   b  are generally separated from adjacent posts  114 , whether a perimeter or another central post, by a first distance (e.g., the distances recited above). The distance between the perimeter posts  114   a  and the nearest edge(s) of the base  112  is about one half of the first distance. This allows for a combination of multiple apparatuses  110  without any visible gap between distinct panels. 
     A sufficient number of wicking posts  114  are included on base  112  to generally cover its surface area with the wicking posts  14  positioned substantially equally apart across the surface, the number of wicking posts  114  varying based on the size and dimensions of base  112 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the surface area of the base is approximately 20 inches (e.g., approximately 5 (4.83) inches by 4 (3.99) inches). In this embodiment, the base  112  includes 19 wicking posts  114  in a column orientation and 23 wicking posts  114  in a row orientation. 
     In another embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 11 , wicking posts  114  can be removable from base  112 . In this embodiment, base  112  includes a plurality of wells  116  sized and shaped to receive wicking posts  114 . Wells  116  are deep enough to allow insertion and stable retention of the wicking posts  114  but do not fully encapsulate wicking posts  114 . For example, wells  116  may be from about 0.05 inches to about 0.1 inches deep, such as 0.08 inches deep, compared to an overall height of individual wicking posts  114  measured from the base of the well  116  to the top surface of the wicking post  114  of from about 0.1 inches to about 0.3 inches (e.g., approximately 0.2 inches). 
     Wicking posts  114  are made of a substrate that is molded or co-molded using materials that allow the wicking posts  114  to absorb a donor solution (e.g., marker ink). The apparatus  110  itself can be formed by selective laser sintering, molding, or any other appropriate means known in the art. Thus, wicking posts  114  may be made from a porous and/or hydrophilic material to facilitate wicking or absorption of the donor solution. In contrast, base  112  is typically made of (molded in) a denser/less porous and/or hydrophobic material such as a molded plastic to inhibit the spread of the donor solution through base  112 . Alternatively, both the base  112  and wicking posts  114  can be made from the same material. Typically, when this is the case, the base  112  is treated with a hydrophobic substance and/or the wicking posts  114  are treated with a hydrophilic substance. In various aspects, the porosity of the wicking posts  114  is higher than the porosity of the base  112 . In some aspects, the porosity of the base  112  is increased in order to improve the washability of the apparatus  110 . The increased porosity can be across the entire base  112  or only sections thereof (for example, the upper surface of base  112 ) in order to reduce flow of donor solution deeper into base  112 , which in turn makes it easier to clean apparatus  110  and reduces the chance of donor solution leaching into the base  112  or reappearing in the base  112  after being washed. For example, the wicking posts  114  can have a porosity of from about 20 microns to about 40 microns. The porosity of the base  112  is less than or equal to the porosity of the wicking posts  114  and can be, for example, from about 0 microns to about 40 microns. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the apparatus  110  may also be provided with a pair of tweezers  118  to allow a user to easily grasp the individual wicking posts  114  for placing them into and removing them from well  116 . It may also optionally and independently be provided with one or more markers  120  to be used in coloring the wicking posts  114 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more surfactants are incorporated in the top (surface) portion of wicking posts  114  in order to enhance absorption of the donor solution into the wicking posts. In these embodiments, repeated use and cleaning of the apparatus may cause the surfactants to be washed out of the wicking post  114 . Additional surfactant to replenish the lost surfactant can be provided with the apparatus for adding to the top portion of wicking post  114 . In various embodiments, additional surfactant is adding to the wicking posts  114  during standard washing with soap (e.g., dish soap), acting as the surfactant, and water. After use of the apparatus  110 , the user can simply wash the apparatus  110  with soap and water, thereby washing away any color on the posts  114  and delivering additional surfactant to aid in the wicking action. 
     A delivery device or system could additionally be provided for evenly applying the additional surfactant such as via a brush, a dropper, or a surfactant marker. In various aspects, the additional surfactant is provided in a surfactant marker (e.g., a marker having a reservoir and a saturated nib comprising the surfactant). The surfactant can be replenished in the top of the wicking post  114  by contacting the marker nib with the wicking post for a sufficient amount of time to saturate the top surface of the wicking post with surfactant. In other embodiments, the top portion of wicking posts  114  may not originally contain a surfactant solution, but optionally, the user can apply surfactant solution if desired to wicking posts  114  in the manner described above. 
     In various embodiments, more than one pixel wicking apparatus  110  can be combined to create a larger drawing surface. Any desired number of pixel wicking apparatuses  110  can be placed side-by-side to enlarge the drawing surface. The pixel wicking apparatuses  110  can be joined by any appropriate method known in the art. For example, multiple pixel wicking apparatuses  110  can be joined by adhering an adhesive sheet to the underside (i.e., bottom) of the bases of the apparatuses  110 . Wicking apparatuses  110  can also be joined using fusable plastic beads placed on the bottom face of the apparatuses  110  (either across the majority of the surface area of the bottom face or on joining edges) and fused together using heat, water, or any other appropriate means. Wicking apparatuses  110  can also be placed side-by-side on a substrate and secured by any known means to said substrate using, for example, adhesive (glue dots, glue, hot glue, tape, hook and loop-type fasteners etc.). 
     The wicking apparatus  110  can also be treated with a protectant that provides UV protection, fading or ink transfer protection (e.g., a fixative), or any other desired characteristic. The protectant can be in a spray, liquid, or solid form. A fixative seals in the image created on the wicking apparatus by closing the open pores of the wicking posts. The fixative can be a resin, spray, or any other suitable substance and application method known in the art. 
     Thus, provided herein is a method of drawing using the pixel wicking apparatus. A user places a donor solution source (e.g., a saturated marker nib) onto the top surface of at least one vertical wicking posts for a sufficient amount of time to saturate the top surface of the vertical wicking post with the donor solution. This step can be repeated any desired number of times on different vertical wicking posts and with different donor solution sources (e.g., saturated marker nibs of differing ink colors) to produce any desired image. In various embodiments, when the drawing is completed, the user can seal the drawing using a fixative in order to create a waterproof barrier and/or reduce the fading of ink. Without the fixative in place, the donor solution can be washed from the vertical wicking posts to create a clean, uncolored drawing surface. Washing with clean water removes any transferred donor solution to return the vertical wicking posts to their original color (e.g., white) for re-use in creating a new pixel artwork. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 12 , also provided herein is a sponge eraser tool  122  for use with the pixel wicking apparatus  110 . As illustrated, the eraser  122  comprises an absorbent sponge  128  having the same geometry (e.g., same cross-sectional dimensions) as the individual vertical wicking posts  114 . For example, in embodiments where the vertical wicking posts  114  are cylindrical, the sponge  128  will have a circular cross-section that is the same diameter as the vertical wicking posts  114 . In other embodiments where the vertical wicking posts  114  are square or rectangular, the sponge  128  will have a square or rectangular cross-section that has the same width and depth as the vertical wicking post  114 . In general, the absorbent sponge  128  is made from a material that has a greater absorbency than that of the wicking post&#39;s  114  porous material. For example, in some aspects, the sponge  128  may be made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or cellulose. The absorbent sponge can be partially inserted into a barrel  126  for ease of use, such that one end of the sponge  128  in secured within the barrel  126  and an opposite end of the sponge  128  is exposed for use. 
     In some embodiments, pixel wicking apparatus  110  can be provided with and/or used in conjunction with pixel templates that serve as guides to assist the user in creating specific artwork images. For example, the pixel templates may be provided in the form of printed sheets of paper where a top view of the pixel wicking apparatus is printed on each sheet displaying the tops of the vertical wicking posts. Each template may have a different image (e.g. design or picture) printed on it wherein the image is created by the specific arrangement of colored vertical posts on the sheet. This template may identify different colors to be used in creating the image, and may identify the specific position/location of each vertical wicking post that is colored to create the design or picture with reference to a reference number or other position locator. In other embodiments, the pixel templates may be provided in electronic form such as by accessing the templates on-line via a website. In this embodiment, a library of different images can be made available for user selection, wherein the user can select the desired image and then print or display the template for that image on a screen for use as a guide in making a similar image with the pixel wicking apparatus. In other embodiments, custom templates may be made by or for the user that provide a guide for making a specific image that the user desires to create. For example, a custom template may be made by using a software application that functions to receive an image (such as by uploading a scanned drawing or photograph) and converts or translates that image into a pixelated map. In this way, a user can recreate a desired image with the map produced by the software. The pixelated map can also indicate appropriate marker colors to recreate the image. The software may also generate a guide to provide the user the ability to translate the image to specific marker colors. The pixelated map and/or the guide may be printed by the user or referenced on-line for use in creating the image with the pixel wicking apparatus. Thus, a user uploads an image desired to be recreated in pixel art to the software. The user then crops and fits the image to the size of base of the pixel wicking apparatus. Once this step is complete, the software creates a guide that can be optionally printed by the user or viewed on screen. The guide provides codes and colors to match available markers and indicates which wicking post receives which color to recreate the uploaded image. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , another aspect of the present disclosure is an art guide generally indicated at reference numeral  130 . The art guide  130  comprises a base  132  having an opening  136  sized and shaped to receive the base  112  of the pixel wicking apparatus  110 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the opening  136  comprises a slot on one outside edge  134  of the base  132  (e.g., the lower edge). In other embodiments, such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , the opening  136  can be located in a central portion of the base  132  such that the perimeter of the opening  136  abuts the outer perimeter of the base  112  of the pixel wicking apparatus  110 . In embodiments where the height and width dimensions of the apparatus  110  differ, the art guide  130  can be in a portrait orientation ( FIG. 15A ), a landscape orientation ( FIG. 15B ), or interchangeable. In various embodiments, the art guide  130  can also include at least one handle  138 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base  132  defines two openings  140  on opposing sides that comprise two handles  138 . Another handle  138  is located near the top edge of base  132  in the illustrated embodiment. The top edge handle  138  protrudes from base  132 , allowing a user to easily pick up the art guide  130  from a flat surface. The base  132  also includes pixel indicia  142 , such that each row and/or column of vertical wicking posts is individually indicated. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each column of vertical wicking posts is marked by a distinct letter  142   a  and each row of vertical wicking posts is marked by a distinct number  142   b , although it will be understood that any number of identification systems can be used. In some aspects, the art guide  130  is used in conjunction with the above-described pixel template (printed, on-line or custom pixelated map and guide), where the pixel template provides a color for an indicated vertical wicking post  114  using the art guide indicia (e.g., A 1  in the illustrated embodiment), providing a user reference points to recreate a desired image. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 16A to 16C , also provided herein is a light-board pixel system generally indicated at reference numeral  230 . The light-board generally comprises a drawing surface  232  and a light source (not shown) operable to emit light. The drawing surface  232  can comprise a transparent or translucent sheet-like large surface area optical waveguide to mix the wavelengths of light emitted from light emitting diodes (LEDs) to uniformly illuminate the drawing surface with the light. The LEDs can be edge-mounted. The light-board also contains a power switch that supplies power to the LEDs when in the “on” position. In operation, a user places an image (or image guide)  236  she wishes to recreate on top of the light board, with the light board in the “on” position. Then, a wicking apparatus  110  can be placed on top. It is generally preferable for the wicking apparatus base to have a transparent or semi-transparent base  112  when used in this application. In this way, the user can see the color of the picture surrounding the pixel illuminated through the apparatus base by way of the light board and determine appropriate colors to use in order to recreate the picture. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 15 , also provided herein is a modular frame generally indicated at reference numeral  210 . Modular frame  210  comprises a plurality of modular panels  212 . Modular panels  212  comprise a base portion  214  having at least one joining edge  218  and optionally, a framing portion  220 . The framing portion  220  is raised and is located at the perimeter of the modular panel  212 . The presence or absence of a raised edge (framing portion  220 ) is determined by the panel&#39;s  212  anticipated location in the assembled modular frame  210 . For example, a panel  212  anticipated to be located at the corner of the frame  210  will have two raised edges at the corner of the assembled frame  210 , a panel  212  located at a non-corner perimeter will have one raised edge at the edge of the assembled frame  210 , and a panel  212  located in a central non-perimeter location will have no raised edges. Modular panels  212  can be joined by any means known in the art. In the illustrated example, modular panels are joined via a mating connection using a mating piece  224 . In this way, each modular panel has at least one cut-out  226  on each joining edge  218 . A mating piece  224  is inserted at the aligned cut-outs  226  of the two modular panels  212  to secure the modular panels  212  together. In this way, mating piece  224  is sized and shaped to be received within the aligned cut-outs  226  of two modular panels  212 . Once the full modular frame  210  is assembled, a pixel wicking apparatus (or multiple pixel wicking apparatuses, as desired) can be placed within the frame  210 . A mat can also be placed around the wicking apparatuses. In other embodiments, a standard frame can also be used. 
     Various kits including components described herein are also envisioned by the present disclosure. For example, a first kit includes at least one wicking apparatus as described herein (e.g., one, two, three, four, etc.) and at least one marker for use with the apparatus (e.g., at least two, at least five, etc.). The kit may also include a sponge eraser tool, adhesive, modular framing components, art guides, and inspiration or guide pictures to assist a user in creating a design. The kit illustrated in  FIG. 18  contains a plurality of wicking apparatuses  110  (e.g., two, four, or six wicking apparatuses), a plurality of writing instruments  120 , more specifically markers, an art guide  130 , an adhesive component  180 , an image guide  182 , and matte framing  184 . In the illustrated embodiment, the matte framing comprises single sheet of substrate having perforations or other guides thereon that allow a user to punch out the desired size of framing. The kit may include some or all of these components, or additional components as necessary. 
     Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. 
     When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved, and other advantageous results attained. 
     As various changes could be made in the above products and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.