A pencil lead and a pencil containing the pencil lead wherein the pencil lead is polymer-based, extrudable, non-expanded, non-calcined and comprises graphite, of which 25% to 100% by weight or 50% to 100% by weight of the graphite, in relation to the total weight of the graphite, is expanded graphite.

A pencil lead and a pencil containing the pencil lead wherein the pencil lead is polymer-based, extrudable, non-expanded, non-calcined and comprises graphite, of which 25% to 100% by weight or 50% to 100% by weight of the graphite, in relation to the total weight of the graphite, is expanded graphite.

A pencil device includes a body and a disposable cap. The disposable cap is selectively positionable so as to cover the first end of the body. The disposable cap includes a proximal end body portion having an opening, an opposite distal body portion having a storage cavity, and a built-in sharpener fixed between the proximal end body portion and the opposite distal body portion. The storage cavity is sealed for permanent storage of the shavings, A biasing member can be coupled to a side wall of the proximal end body portion configured to switch the disposable cap between a capping position and a sharpening position. Additional pressure is required to push the disposable cap from the capping position to the sharpening position. Upon release of the additional pressure, the disposable cap automatically returns to the capping position from the sharpening position.

A pencil device includes a body and a disposable cap. The disposable cap is selectively positionable so as to cover the first end of the body. The disposable cap includes a proximal end body portion having an opening, an opposite distal body portion having a storage cavity, and a built-in sharpener fixed between the proximal end body portion and the opposite distal body portion. The storage cavity is sealed for permanent storage of the shavings, A biasing member can be coupled to a side wall of the proximal end body portion configured to switch the disposable cap between a capping position and a sharpening position. Additional pressure is required to push the disposable cap from the capping position to the sharpening position. Upon release of the additional pressure, the disposable cap automatically returns to the capping position from the sharpening position.

The present invention provides writing compositions that are capable of being erased or changed in color chemically. The present invention also provides erasing media for erasing or changing the color of marks produced with the writing compositions, as well as writing systems and incorporating the erasing media and the writing compositions. The present invention further provides writing instruments produced using the writing compositions.

A description is given of a wood-encased pencil comprising a casing and a core, the casing consisting of wood material impregnated with a saccharide component, the saccharide component comprising at least one mono-, di- or oligosaccharide in solution in a vehicle.

A description is given of a wood-encased pencil comprising a casing and a core, the casing consisting of wood material impregnated with a saccharide component, the saccharide component comprising at least one mono-, di- or oligosaccharide in solution in a vehicle.

The present invention provides a writing or coloring pencil comprising the following three layers obtained by co-extrusion: an unexpanded polymer-based lead; an unexpanded intermediate protective layer surrounding the lead and comprising an ethylene (C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl) acrylate copolymer, alone or as a blend with a styrene polymer; and an expanded styrene polymer-based synthetic wood material surrounding the intermediate protective layer.

The present invention provides a writing or coloring pencil comprising the following three layers obtained by co-extrusion: an unexpanded polymer-based lead; an unexpanded intermediate protective layer surrounding the lead and comprising an ethylene (C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl) acrylate copolymer, alone or as a blend with a styrene polymer; and an expanded styrene polymer-based synthetic wood material surrounding the intermediate protective layer.

The present invention relates to a multifunctional clay composition which can be used as a clay capable of performing various functions before drying and which can be used as writing instruments similar to crayons, pastels or colored pencils after drying, and to a process for preparing the same. The multifunctional clay composition may comprise an extender material; a binder; a multifunctional crosslinking agent including a compound having a hydroxyl group of two or more functionality, or forming an ion having a hydroxyl group of two or more functionality in a water solvent; a wax and a pigment.