Patent Publication Number: US-10766298-B2

Title: System for aesthetically dispensing melted wax

Description:
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/582,014 filed on Nov. 6, 2017 and a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/587,625 filed on Nov. 17, 2017. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to artistic instruments. More specifically, the present invention is a system for aesthetically dispensing melted wax for the purposes of drawing, coloring, sketching and artwork. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Crayons, a coloring aid, is made up of different formulations and colors of waxes. For the purposes of drawing, coloring, sketching and artwork, these are held by a human hand and scrubbed directly on the art surface which can be paper, canvas, cloth, etc. The general traits of this manual process are: The coloring patterns are generally random with lots of in-between white spaces. The artwork does not look to be uniformly colored, vibrant, or striking. It is slow process. The crayons break leaving shorter lengths behind, and they generally go waste are discarded. Additionally, once the crayon gets shorter than a length where it cannot be held comfortably in the hand, it has to has to be discarded. Consequently, a complete crayon is almost never utilized. The manual process of holding crayons transfers wax and color on to the hands and make them messy. Only a single color can be used at a time and different colors cannot be mixed to create new colors. 
     The present invention provides an automated pen where crayons are inserted into cold or warm cartridges placed in a docking case. These cartridges are then picked up by the present invention and heated rapidly to deliver liquid wax via its tip. The present invention thus helps the user complete any artwork or other project with liquid wax. The processes of changing colors or wax materials can be achieved by switching cartridges using a docking case. This process overcomes the unfavorable traits listed previously. The specific benefits of the present invention include, but are not limited to: liquid wax yields uniform, vibrant and striking wax paintings. The process is relatively much faster. Melted crayons do not break and are consumed in its entirety. If a melted crayon is not completely consumed, the cartridge can be re-inserted, and the remaining portion can be completely consumed in the future. As such there is no waste. Since the crayon is not held in the bare hand, there is no wax or color transfer onto the hands and fingers. Different colored crayon pieces can be inserted into the same cartridge to create new colors of liquid wax. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram illustrating the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the elongated heating case. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the wax cartridge. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective of the transfer canisters, the pen-docking canister, and the docking panel. 
         FIG. 6  is perspective view illustrating the internal mechanisms of the elongated heating case. 
         FIG. 7  is schematic diagram illustrating the internal components of the elongated heating case. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal components of the transfer canister. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram illustrating the electronic connections of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical connections of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     The present invention is a system for aesthetically dispensing melted wax. In further detail, the present invention provides a pen that can dispense melted wax. In reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention comprises a plurality of elongated heating cases  1 , a plurality of wax cartridges  17 , and a plurality of transfer canisters  24 . The plurality of elongated heating cases  1  is used to heat up wax or similar crayon material which is placed inside of the plurality of wax cartridges  17 . The plurality of wax cartridges  17  is used to hold wax or similar crayon material. The plurality of transfer canisters  24  is used to store the plurality of wax cartridges  17  when not in use and to transfer a wax cartridge from the plurality of wax cartridges  17  into an elongated heating case of the plurality of elongated heating cases  1 . 
     The general configuration of the aforementioned components allows the present invention to efficiently and effectively dispense melted wax for artistic purposes. With reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the plurality of wax cartridges  17  comprises at least one selected cartridge  171  and a plurality of unselected wax cartridges  172 . The at least one selected cartridge  171  is heated to dispense melted wax. The plurality of unselected cartridge  171   s  is on standby to be used for dispensing melted wax. The user can insert any color or type of wax or similar crayon material into the at least one selected cartridge  171 . Each of the plurality of unselected wax cartridges  172  is mounted within a corresponding canister from the plurality of transfer canisters  24 . This arrangement allows each of the unselected wax cartridges  172  to be properly stored. The at least one selected cartridge  171  is operatively engaged into at least one activated case form the plurality of elongated heating cases  1 , wherein the at least one activated case is used to hold and heat the at least one selected cartridge  171 . This arrangement allows the at least one selected cartridge  171  to be fully secured into the at least one activated case. The at least one selected cartridge  171  can be operatively engaged into the at least one activated case through various fastening methods such as, but not limited to, latch fasteners or threaded fasteners. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , each of the plurality of wax cartridges  17  further comprises a heat-receiving tube  18 , a drawing tip  19 , and a plurality of strike plates  20 . The heat-receiving tube  18  is used to hold wax or similar crayon material that will be heated. The drawing tip  19  provides a means to dispense the melted wax. The plurality of strike plates  20  is a set of fastening features that allows the at least one selected cartridge  171  to be engaged into the at least one activated case. The heat-receiving tube  18  comprises a first open end  33  and a second open end  34 . The first open end  33  and the second open end  34  are reference ends of the heat-receiving tube  18 . The drawing tip  19  being in fluid communication with the heat-receiving tube  18  in order to allow the melted wax or similar crayon material to flow from the heat-receiving tube  18  and be dispensed by the drawing tip  19 . The drawing tip  19  is mounted adjacent to the first open end  33 . This arrangement properly positions the drawing tip  19  at the bottom of the heat-receiving tube  18 . The plurality of strike plates  20  is connected around the drawing tip  19  and oriented towards the second open end  34 . This arrangement properly positions and orients the plurality of strike plates  20  in order for at least one selected cartridge  171  to be engaged into the at least one activated case. In order for the plurality of unselected wax cartridges  172  to be properly secured within the corresponding canister and with reference to  FIGS. 2B and 8 , the drawing tip  19  for each of the plurality of unselected wax cartridges  172  is mounted onto a base  26  of the corresponding canister. In more detail and in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of unselected wax cartridges  172  is mounted onto the base  26  of the corresponding canister by an O-ring. The O-ring provides a resistance force which maintains each of the plurality of unselected wax cartridges  172  onto the base  26  of the corresponding canister. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , each of the plurality of elongated heating cases  1  comprises a heating tube  2 , a prong-actuated push mechanism  9 , a cam-type rotation mechanism  35 , and a plurality of spring-loaded latches  5 . The heating tube  2  is used to receive the heat-receiving tube  18  of the selected cartridge  171  when engaged to the activated case. The plurality of spring-loaded latches  5  is a set of fastening features that allows the activated case to readily engage with the selected cartridge  171 . The heat-receiving tube  18  of the selected cartridge  171  is sleeved by the heating tube  2  of the activated case in order for the activated case to heat the selected cartridge  171 . The drawing tip  19  of the selected cartridge  171  is terminally positioned to the heating tube  2  of the activated case in order for the drawing tip  19  to properly dispense melted wax from inside of the activated case. The prong-actuated push mechanism  9  is operatively coupled to the cam-type rotation mechanism  35 , wherein the prong-actuated push mechanism  9  is used to input linear motion into the cam-type rotation mechanism  35 . The cam-type rotation mechanism  35  is operatively coupled to each of the plurality of spring-loaded latches  5 , wherein the cam-type rotation mechanism  35  is used to output motion to selectively engage or disengage each of the plurality of the spring-loaded latches  5  of the activated case to a corresponding plate from the plurality of strike plates  20  of the selected cartridge  171 . In more detail, the prong-actuated push mechanism  9  comprises a plurality of push rods, and the cam-type rotation mechanism  35  comprises an upper cam and a lower cam. Each of the plurality of push rods is laterally connected to the lower cam. This arrangement allows the push rods to move the lower cam in order to engage the upper cam. Each of the plurality of spring-loaded latches is laterally connected to the upper cam. When the upper cam is engaged by the lower cam, the upper cam begins to rotate and moves to either a first discrete rest state or a second discrete rest state. This consequently allows each of the plurality of spring-loaded latches  5  of the activated case to be engaged to or disengaged from a corresponding plate from the plurality of strike plates  20  of the selected cartridge  171 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , each of the plurality of wax cartridges  17  further comprises a drawing barrel  21 . Additionally and with reference to  FIG. 7 , each of the plurality of heating cases  1  comprises a heat-insulated shell  6 , a cam-type retraction mechanism  7 , and an actuation button  8 . The drawing barrel  21  is used to mount the drawing tip  19  to the first open end  33 . The heat-insulated shell  6  allows a user to grip the at least one activated case without getting burned by the heating tube  2 . The drawing barrel  21  is connected adjacent to the first open end  33  in order to properly mount the drawing tip  19 . The drawing tip  19  is slidably mounted within the drawing barrel  21  in order for the drawing tip  19  to freely be retracted into or extend out from the drawing barrel  21 . The cam-type retraction mechanism  7  is mounted within the heat-insulated shell  6  in order to be properly maintained inside the at least one activated case. The actuation button  8  is externally integrated into the heat-insulated shell  6  in order to be easily accessed by a user. The second open end  34  of the at least one selected cartridge  171  is operatively engaged to the cam-type retraction mechanism  7  of the at least one activated case, wherein the cam-type retraction mechanism  7  is used to retract the drawing tip  19  into the drawing barrel  21  or issued to extend the drawing tip  19  out of the drawing barrel  21 . This arrangement allows the user to retract the drawing tip  19  when not being used for safety purposes and to extend the drawing tip  19  in order to dispense melted wax. The actuation button  8  is operatively coupled to the cam-type mechanism retraction mechanism  7 , wherein the actuation button  8  is used to actuate the cam-type retraction mechanism  7 . This arrangement allows a user to easily and conveniently actuate the cam-type retraction mechanism  7  which further retracts or extends the drawing tip  19  into or from the drawing barrel  21 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , each of the plurality of wax cartridges  17  further comprises a ballpoint valve  22  in order to prevent unwanted melted wax from leaking out from the drawing tip  19 . The ballpoint valve  22  is operatively integrated into the drawing tip  19 , wherein the ballpoint valve  22  is used to selectively dispense melted wax from the drawing tip  19 . This arrangement properly positions the ballpoint valve  22  in order for the ballpoint valve  22  to prevent unwanted melted wax from leaking out from the drawing tip  19 . This adds a safety feature to the present invention where melted wax is not accidentally dispensed to burn a user. In further detail, the ballpoint valve  22  includes a spring-loaded ball. When the user presses the drawing tip  19  against a surface thereby applying pressure to the ballpoint valve  22 , the spring-loaded ball moves into an opened state which allows melted wax to flow from the drawing tip  19 . When pressure is released from the ballpoint valve  22 , the spring-loaded ball moves into a sealed state which prevents melted wax from flowing out of the drawing tip  19 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , each of the plurality of wax cartridges  17  may further comprise a tracking sensor  23 , and each of the plurality of elongated heating cases  1  comprises a controller  10 . The tracking sensor  23  is used to digitally track the location of the drawing tip  19  on paper and the color of the wax or similar crayon material being used. The tracking sensor  23  may be a pressure sensor or motion tracking sensor  23  that can digitally record the strokes made when using the present invention. The tracking sensor  23  is integrated into the drawing tip  19 . This arrangement properly positions the tracking sensor  23  in order to effectively track the stroke information when the present invention is used. The controller  10  is used to manage the electronic components of the present invention. Furthermore, the tracking sensor  23  is electronically connected to the controller  10  in order for the controller  10  to receive and process the date collected by the tracking sensor  23 . Additionally, the controller  10  stores information recorded by the tracking sensor  23  in order to reproduce artwork that is created by the user through the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , each of the plurality of elongated heating cases  1  further comprises a plurality of first heaters  11 . The plurality of first heaters  11  may be any type of heating devices used to heat the wax or similar crayon material placed inside the at least one selected cartridge  171 . The heating tube  2  comprises a receiving end  3  and an exhaust end  4 . The receiving end  3  and the exhaust end  4  are reference ends of the heating tube  2 . The plurality of first heaters  11  is laterally mounted within the heating tube  2 , distributed along the heating tube  2 , and positioned offset from the exhaust end  4 . This arrangement properly positions and distributed the plurality of first heaters  11  in order to provide heat to wax or similar crayon material that is most near the drawing tip  19  of the at least one selected cartridge  171 . With reference to  FIG. 9 , the controller  10  and the heating tube  2  are mounted within the heat-insulated shell  6 . This arrangement properly maintains the heating tube  2  and the controller  10  inside of the heat-insulated shell  6 . The controller  10  is electronically connected to each of the plurality of first heaters  11  in order for the controller  10  to properly manage the plurality of first heaters  11  when the present invention is in use. In order for the present invention to be used as quickly as possible after the wax or similar crayon material is heated, the plurality of first heaters  11  is configured to increase in temperature from the exhaust end  4  to the receiving end  3 . In more detail, the wax or similar crayon material most near the drawing tip  19  is heated at higher temperatures in order for melted wax to be readily and quickly dispensed by the drawing tip  19 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , each of the plurality of elongated heating cases  1  further comprises at least one temperature sensor  12  and a display device  13 . The at least one temperature sensor  12  is used to monitor the heat produced by the plurality of first heaters  11  and to monitor the temperature of the wax or similar crayon material placed inside the at least one selected cartridge  171 . The display device  13  is used to notify the user when the wax or similar crayon material is at a melting temperature therefore also notifying the user when the present invention is ready to use. The at least one temperature sensor  12  is mounted within the heating tube  2  in order to properly maintain the temperature sensor inside the heating tube  2 . The display device  13  is integrated into the heat-insulated shell  6  in order for the user to visually be notified when the present invention is ready to use. In further detail and in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display device  13  is a light-emitting diode (LED) light. The LED light may be used to notify the user when the activated case is heating the selected cartridge  171  or when the present is ready to use. For example, the LED may pulse when the activated case is heating the selected cartridge  171  and be solid when the present invention is ready to use. Furthermore, the at least one temperature sensor  12  and the display device  13  are electronically connected to the controller  10  so that a temperature reading can be made by the at least one temperature sensor  12 , process by the controller  10 , and then received and displayed by the display device  13 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , each of the plurality of elongated heating cases  1  further comprises a code scanner  14 . The code scanner  14  is used to scan codes of the wrappers of the wax or similar crayon material. The codes may be any type of codes such as, but not limited to, quick response (QR) codes or barcodes that can be scanned by the code scanner  14 . The codes may contain information such as, but not limited to, the type of wax or similar crayon material or the color of the wax or similar crayon material. The code scanner  14  is mounted within the heating tube  2  in order to properly maintain the code scanner  14  inside the heating tube  2 . Furthermore, the code scanner  14  is electronically connected to the controller  10  in order for the controller  10  to manage and communicate with the code scanner  14 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , each of the plurality of elongated heating cases  1  further comprises a spring-loaded gravity-activated sealing mechanism  15  that prevents melted wax from spilling or leaking out of the at least one activated case when the present invention is tilted from 45 degrees to an upside-down orientation. The spring-loaded gravity-activated sealing mechanism  15  comprises a first mechanism end  37  and a second mechanism end  38 . The first mechanism end  37  is a spring that is mounted within the heat-insulated shell. The second mechanism end  38  is a silicone plug that is positioned adjacent to the exhaust end. This arrangement properly positions the spring-loaded gravity-activated sealing mechanism  15  in order to prevent spilling or leakage of melted wax. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spring-loaded gravity-activated sealing mechanism  15  includes a barbell in the silicon plug. The barbell is positioned at the center of the silicone plug and can move freely up and down. The barbell is composed of heat-conductive material such that if any wax is stuck to a sealing point or a small ball of the barbell, the wax can melt off the barbell when heated. The conical shape of a cavity of the barbell allows a heavy ball of the barbell to slide sideways and out as the present invention is turned 45 degrees. This arrangement also moves the small ball, since it&#39;s connected via the bar, to plug the air hole, thus preventing any wax from escaping. When the present invention is upright again, the heavy ball moves back down into the cavity and thus moves the small ball down, opening the seal. So, if the present invention is slowly turned 45 degrees or rapidly turned upside down, the spring-loaded gravity-activated sealing mechanism  15  will keep things sealed. Wax only touches one hemisphere of the small ball and prevents gumming up of the spring-loaded gravity-activated sealing mechanism  15 . 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, to substitute the spring-loaded gravity-activated sealing mechanism  15 , the present invention may further comprise a plug made of a semi-permeable membrane. In this embodiment, the plug blocks melted wax from flowing outside of the at least one selected cartridge  171  when the present invention is tilted or held upside down. Furthermore, the plug lets air flow into the at least one selected cartridge  171  when the melted wax is dispensed from the drawing tip  19  in a right-side up orientation and prevents the formation of a vacuum inside the at least one selected cartridge  171 . It is important to prevent this vacuum from forming inside the at least one selected cartridge  171  as it would prevent a smooth outflow of melted wax from the drawing tip  19 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 10 , each of the plurality of heating cases further comprises a power source  16  that is used to power the electronic components of the present invention. The plurality of first heaters  11  and the controller  10  are electrically connected to the power source  16  in order to receive electrical energy from the power source  16 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the power source  16  may a power input which can receive any type of power cord in order to receive and provide electrical energy. In another embodiment of the present invention, the power source  16  may be a replaceable or rechargeable battery. The replaceable or rechargeable battery may be mounted inside the heat-insulated shell  6  in order to properly maintain the power source  16  inside the elongated heating case  1 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the present invention may further comprise a docking panel  30  which provides a flat structure in order to rest the present invention on a table or other flat surface. The base  26  of each of the plurality of transfer canisters  24  is connected onto the docking panel  30 . This arrangement properly positions the plurality of transfer canisters  24  to receive the plurality of unselected wax cartridges  172 . The present invention may further comprise at least one pen-docking canister  31 . The at least one pen-docking canister  31  is used to hold the at least one activated case while the user waits for the at least one activated case to heat the at least one selected cartridge  171  in order the present invention to be ready to use. Additionally, the at least one pen-docking canister  31  is used to store a corresponding elongated heating case that is not being used. 
     The docking panel  30  may further comprise a female connection and a male connection. The female connection and the male connection allow multiple docking panels  30  to be connected to each other. The female connection and the male connection are integrated into the docking panel  30 . Furthermore, the female connection and the male connection are positioned opposite to each other. This arrangement allows the user to connect multiple docking panels  30  in series with each other through the female connection and the male connection. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 8 , each of the plurality of transfer canisters  24  comprises a tubular wall  25 , a base  26  and a plurality of prongs  36 . The tubular wall  25  and base  26  are structural parts of the transfer canister. The base  26  is terminally positioned to the tubular wall  25 , and the tubular wall  25  is perimetrically connected around the base  26 . This arrangement forms the proper structural shape of a transfer canister. The plurality of prongs  36  is connected normal onto the base  26 . The plurality of prongs  36  is used to actuate the prong-actuated push mechanism  9  for the activated case to be engaged to or disengaged from the selected cartridge  171 . In further detail, the plurality of prongs  36  provides an upward force to the push rods when the activated case is pressed into the corresponding canister of the selected cartridge  171 . This consequently actuates the cam-type rotation mechanism  35  to move into a first rest state which engages each of the plurality of spring-loaded latches  5  of the activated case to the corresponding plate from the plurality of strike plates  20  of the activated case. This allows the user to pull the activated case from the corresponding canister of the selected cartridge  171  with the selected cartridge  171  engaged to the activated case. In order for the user to disengage the selected cartridge  171 , the user may press the activated case, with the selected cartridge  171  engaged, into the corresponding canister of the selected cartridge  171 , which provides an upward force to the push rods and consequently actuates the cam-type rotation mechanism  35  to move in a second rest state. This disengages each of the plurality of spring-loaded latches  5  of the activated case from the corresponding plate from the plurality of strike plates  20  of the selected cartridge  171 . Moreover, the spring from the spring-loaded gravity-activated sealing mechanism  15  provides a force which aids to eject the selected cartridge  171  from the activated case. Furthermore, the selected cartridge  171  is maintained in the corresponding canister by the O-ring which prevents friction between the activated case and the selected cartridge  171  when the user removes the activated case from the corresponding canister of the selected cartridge  171 . 
     Furthermore and with reference to  FIG. 5 , each of the plurality of transfer canisters  24  comprises a lid  27  and an opening  28 . The opening  28  is positioned opposite to the base  26  along the tubular wall  25 . This arrangement properly positions the opening  28  as a reference point of the transfer canister. The lid  27  is hingedly connected to the tubular wall  25 , adjacent to the opening  28 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the hinged connection between the lid  27  and the tubular wall  25  is spring loaded which automatically closes the lid  27  for safety purposes when the user is not manually lifting the lid  27 . This arrangement allows the user to reveal and conceal the opening  28  by rotating the lid  27  onto or away from the opening  28 . Additionally, each of the plurality of transfer canisters  24  may further comprise a stick-receiving opening  28 A. The stick-receiving opening  28 A allows a user to safely insert wax or similar crayon material into a wax cartridge. The stick-receiving opening  28 A traverses through the lid  27  and is centrally positioned to the lid  27 . This arrangement properly positions the stick-receiving opening  28 A in order for wax or similar crayon material to be easily inserted into a wax cartridge. 
     Moreover and with reference to  FIG. 5 , the plurality of transfer canisters  24  comprises a plurality of guide rails  29  in order to properly guide the activated case into the corresponding canister of the selected cartridge  171  in order to engage the selected cartridge  171  with the activated case. The plurality of guide rails  29  is positioned within and along the tubular wall  25  and laterally connected to the tubular wall  25 . This arrangement properly positions the plurality of guide rails  29  within the transfer canister. Moreover, each of the plurality of elongated heating cases  1  further comprises a plurality of guide slits. The plurality of guide slits laterally traverses into the heat-insulated shell  6 . Each of the plurality of guide slits may be engaged to a corresponding rail of the plurality of guide rails  29 . The plurality of guide slits and the plurality of guide rails  29  allow the user to properly insert the activated case into the corresponding canister of the selected cartridge  171 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , each of the plurality of transfer canisters  24  further comprises a plurality of second heaters  37 . The plurality of second heaters  37  is used to heat the inside of each of the plurality of transfer canisters  24 . In further detail, the wax or similar crayon material may be inserted into any wax cartridge from the plurality of wax cartridges  17  and be heated by the plurality of second heaters  37  while inside a corresponding canister. The plurality of second heaters  37  is mounted within the tubular wall  25  and distributed along the tubular wall  25 . This arrangement properly positions the plurality of second heaters  37  inside each of the plurality of transfer canisters  24  in order to uniformly heat the corresponding wax cartridge from the plurality of unselected wax cartridges  172 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the present invention may further comprise a wrapper cutter  32  which is used to peel of the wrapper paper from the wax or similar crayon material. The wrapper cutter  32  is connected in between two specific canisters from the plurality of transfer canisters  24  and positioned offset from a base  26  for each of the two specific canisters. This arrangement tactically positions the wrapper cutter  32  in order to peel of the wrapper paper from the wax or similar crayon material in order for it be inserted inside of a wax cartridge. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.