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.

In a pencil lead manufactured through a baking step regardless of being a black lead or a colored lead, the mechanical strength of the pencil lead is further increased by coating a surface thereof with a resin. A pencil lead includes a baked lead body whose surface is covered by a covering layer made of resin that has a scratch hardness of HB or greater. The scratch hardness of the resin as a subject resin is defined as a lowest hardness index of a tester pencil that is able to form an indentation on a surface of a horizontal flat plate coated with a 5-m thick film of the subject resin, when the surface is scratched by the tester pencil being pressed onto the surface at an angle of 45 with a load of 7.355 N.

In a pencil lead manufactured through a baking step regardless of being a black lead or a colored lead, the mechanical strength of the pencil lead is further increased by coating a surface thereof with a resin. A pencil lead includes a baked lead body whose surface is covered by a covering layer made of resin that has a scratch hardness of HB or greater. The scratch hardness of the resin as a subject resin is defined as a lowest hardness index of a tester pencil that is able to form an indentation on a surface of a horizontal flat plate coated with a 5-m thick film of the subject resin, when the surface is scratched by the tester pencil being pressed onto the surface at an angle of 45 with a load of 7.355 N.

A crayon wrapping system for exposing a crayon that becomes shorter from usage includes a crayon that may be manipulated for coloring. A wrapper is wrapped around the crayon such that the wrapper forms a helical coil on the crayon. Moreover, the wrapper is selectively peeled away from the crayon as the crayon becomes shorter from usage.

A pencil for applying a coloring and/or cosmetic substance, having a pigment core composed of the substance that is to be applied and a one-piece injection-molded casing encompassing the pigment core that is composed of a thermoplastic material that consists of a mix of a first plastic phase and a second plastic phase, wherein the casing, respectively viewed in the radial direction, has an outer enrichment zone with a higher concentration of the first plastic phase than in the middle region and the casing, respectively viewed in the radial direction, has an inner enrichment zone with a higher concentration of the first plastic phase than in the middle region.

A pencil for applying a coloring and/or cosmetic substance, having a pigment core composed of the substance that is to be applied and a one-piece injection-molded casing encompassing the pigment core that is composed of a thermoplastic material that consists of a mix of a first plastic phase and a second plastic phase, wherein the casing, respectively viewed in the radial direction, has an outer enrichment zone with a higher concentration of the first plastic phase than in the middle region and the casing, respectively viewed in the radial direction, has an inner enrichment zone with a higher concentration of the first plastic phase than in the middle region.

A novel method for making decorative structures, specifically for use as writing instruments composed of a novel material composition that scatters and reflects light to exhibit a particular visual effect, i.e. a glitter effect. The composition is made of one or a combination of a number of different resins combined with a mica dust and/or a diamond dust. The resin is an organic compound and in composed partially or entirely from epoxide, polyester and/or polyurethane. Other additives can be added to the resin to enhance the visual effect including ground glass and dyes or pigments.

A crayon wrapping system for exposing a crayon that becomes shorter from usage includes a crayon that may be manipulated for coloring. A wrapper is wrapped around the crayon such that the wrapper forms a helical coil on the crayon. Moreover, the wrapper is selectively peeled away from the crayon as the crayon becomes shorter from usage.

Writing compositions capable of undergoing a color development when brought into contact with a specific substrate including a color change-inducing compound are provided. Application of the writing compositions to surfaces other than the intended substrate will avoid color development and prevent staining of the unintended surfaces. The writing compositions include at least one particulate filler including a clay, at least one leuco dye, one or more waxes chosen from a group consisting of polyethylene wax, soy wax, paraffin wax, and beeswax, at least one thermoplastic binder material including a polyethylene, titanium dioxide, and optionally at least one additive.

Writing compositions capable of undergoing a color development when brought into contact with a specific substrate including a color change-inducing compound are provided. Application of the writing compositions to surfaces other than the intended substrate will avoid color development and prevent staining of the unintended surfaces. The writing compositions include at least one particulate filler including a clay, at least one leuco dye, one or more waxes chosen from a group consisting of polyethylene wax, soy wax, paraffin wax, and beeswax, at least one thermoplastic binder material including a polyethylene, titanium dioxide, and optionally at least one additive.