UV-LIGHT DRAWING ACTIVITY

Abstract

An invisible tracing or drawing activity utilizes a universal self-adjusting UV lamp which forms part of or can attach to a grip which slides onto most writing instruments. The grip is flexible and can stretch to adjust so as to accommodate various sizes of drawing utensils. Blueish (UV) light will reveal hidden artwork that can be traced, drawn, or colored within. Coloring books act as collections of different and unique hidden artwork that can occupy a child's attention for hours, days, or in some circumstances, even weeks.

Claims

1. A kit (120) for a drawing activity comprising: a grip (100) comprising a silicone body (102), said grip (100) configured encompass at least a portion of a utensil; a UV-light fixture (104) made integral with, or removable with respect to, the grip (100); a crafting material having a distinct object and/or pattern (116) revealed when UV-light is shone thereon; and at least one drawing utensil (110).

2. The kit (120) of claim 1 wherein the UV-light fixture (104) is powered by a battery (106).

3. The kit (120) of claim 2 further comprising a spare battery.

4. The kit (120) of claim 1 wherein the grip (100) is a snap-on grip.

5. The kit (120) of claim 1 wherein the grip (100) is ornamentally shaped or comprises an ornamental design printed thereon.

6. The kit (120) of claim 1 wherein the grip (100) comprises an elastic material and a cavity (108) such that the grip is configured to: (a) stretch beyond an outer perimeter of the drawing utensil (110); (b) pull over the silicone body (102) to a desired position before the drawing activity commences; and (c) elastically revert to a configuration which snuggly contacts the outer perimeter of the drawing utensil (110).

7. The kit (120) of claim 6 wherein a frictional force of the grip substantially resists movement of the grip (100) in the axial direction of the drawing utensil (110) during use.

8. The kit (120) of claim 1 wherein the distinct object and/or pattern (116) revealed depicts an animal.

9. The kit (120) of claim 1 wherein the distinct object and/or pattern (116) revealed is a color by symbol system.

10. The kit (120) of claim 9 wherein the symbol system includes alphanumeric characters.

11. The kit (120) of claim 1 further comprising stickers, glitter, and/or beads.

12. The kit (120) of claim 1 further comprising packaging for housing components of the kit (120).

13. The kit (120) of claim 12 wherein the packaging includes a product or source identifier.

14. The kit (120) of claim 12 wherein the packaging includes a viewing window (92).

15. The kit (120) of claim 12 wherein (a) printed somewhere on the packaging or (b) included therewithin are instructions for performing the drawing activity.

16. The kit (120) of claim 12 wherein the packaging includes a hang tab.

17. The kit (120) of claim 12 wherein the packaging includes perforations.

18. The kit (120) of claim 1 wherein the utensil comprises the drawing utensil (110) and further wherein the drawing utensil (110) comprises utensils which deliver opaque markings selected from the group consisting of: washable markers, colored pencils, lead pencils, pens, and crayons.

19. The kit (120) of claim 1 wherein the utensil comprises a magnifying glass.

20. The kit (120) of claim 1 wherein the drawing utensil (110) comprises a UV marker for delivering other UV-sensitive invisible markings and/or lines (116) onto a collection of pages.

21. A method of play comprising: fitting a grip (100) comprising a UV-light fixture (104) attached thereto or located therewithin onto a drawing utensil (110); shining UV-light with a UV-light fixture (104) onto a crafting material so as to reveal a distinct object and/or pattern (116); and tracing and/or coloring the distinct object and/or pattern (116).

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising assigning colors to symbols revealed within the distinct object and/or pattern (116).

23. The method of claim 21 claim further comprising, for the crafting material, initially providing a page within a coloring book, pocketbook, or pamphlet.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising removing the page by ripping a perforation located near a binding of the coloring book, pocketbook or pamphlet.

25. The method of claim 21 further comprising recording one or more steps of the method within an electronic recording device.

26. The method of claim 21 further comprising broadcasting one or more steps of the method via social media.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

[0022] Several embodiments in which the present invention can be practiced are illustrated and described in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like components throughout the several views. The drawings are presented for exemplary purposes and may not be to scale unless otherwise indicated.

[0023] The FIGURE shows an illustrative view of a UV-light drawing system and/or activity.

[0024] An artisan of ordinary skill need not view, within isolated FIGURE(s), the near infinite number of distinct permutations of features described in the following detailed description to facilitate an understanding of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present disclosure is not to be limited to that described herein. Mechanical, electrical, chemical, procedural, and/or other changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. No features shown or described are essential to permit basic operation of the present invention unless otherwise indicated.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows components which are used for a UV-light drawing activity. In particular, a grip 100 having a silicone body 102, a UV-light fixture 104, battery 106 for the UV-light fixture 104, and a cavity 108 for a drawing utensil 110 is shown. The grip 100 can slide onto most writing instruments by stretching, via the silicone body 102, until the cavity 108 is large enough to fit snuggly around any such drawing utensil 110. Alternatively, the grip can be a snap-on grip.

[0027] In some embodiments, the grip 100 is a “gummy” which utilizes aesthetics to grab the child's interest and/or attention. Such aesthetics may comprise kid friendly shapes (e.g. hearts, stars, moons, suns, etc.), depictions of animals (either in shape or by way of a printed design), other primarily ornamental designs printed thereon, and the like.

[0028] It is also to be appreciated there exist embodiments where the UV-light fixture is located within utensils or apparatuses other than the drawing utensil 110 which complement said drawing utensil 110. For example, such a utensil or apparatuses can comprise, but is not limited to a magnifying glass, an eraser, a glue stick, a roll of tape, scissors, a pencil sharpener, a stapler, a calculator, a ruler, a utensil case (often referred to as a pencil case or a pencil box), protractor, highlighter, ring binder, and the like.

[0029] The UV-light fixture 104 will include a switch or button to control turning the light on and off, either attached to the lamp body or to the grip 100. Fixtures require an electrical connection to a power source, and thus a battery is preferably used. The UV-light fixture 104 utilizes a blacklight lamp and/or UV LEDs used to read the message written by UV ink and/or markers and emits near-ultraviolet light. This near-ultraviolet radiant energy is also called black light which fall just outside the visible spectrum with a wavelength of 380 nm. Such wavelength are very narrow and will fall within a much broader band than regular fluorescent black lights. Therefore, UV LEDs are completely safe for children to use. It will cause no damage to eyes nor risks of skin cancer. When the black light falls upon the UV-visible ink, it makes the ink fluoresce, where it emits visible light and make the message readable for human eyes. UV-light generally appears blue or violet to the human eye because the lamp typically includes a blue or violet filter material, either on the bulb or in a separate glass filter in the lamp housing, which blocks most visible light and allows through UV, so the lamp has a dim blue or violet glow when operating.

[0030] To further enhance safety, the drawing utensils 110 are of the type for use in play and/or crafts and are preferably non-toxic, and may comprise washable markers, colored pencils, crayons, and any other suitable instrument for delivering color to any appropriate receivable medium, typically paper included within a coloring book. It is also to be appreciated that there will exist at least some embodiments where the child is given possession of a UV marker to give the child greater customizability in their play experience.

[0031] The individual coloring pages will each have distinct, potentially-colored pattern(s) which result from where invisible, UV-sensitive lines 116 are located on the coloring page. The individual coloring pages can be of virtually any dimensional area (pocket book, standard 8.5×11 paper, A4 paper, etc.), thickness, shape (e.g., the outline of the paper can form objects, such as stars or hearts, or even animals, such as elephants or tigers), color, and/or material which is consistent with the functions and goals of the invention outlined herein. In embodiments where gummies are used for grip 100, the individual coloring pages can be similarly themed (e.g., the individual coloring pages might reveal a Safari theme, and the gummy may take the appearance of a lion). In some embodiments, the individual coloring pages can be removed from the coloring book by way of perforations, and the perforations may be located near the binding of the coloring book.

[0032] In particular, the UV-sensitive lines 116 can be formed with UV-invisible ink made by a fluorescent. The UV-invisible ink can be derived from things in nature that glow when exposed to an ultraviolet light or from dilute laundry detergent, body fluids, tonic water, and vitamin B-12 dissolved in vinegar. Although, there might be some circumstances where different types of UV-invisible ink are used: including opaque, semi-opaque and translucent inks. The aforementioned three types of ink can contain acrylic monomers which contain a diluent and a photoinitiator to participate in the curing reaction and to respond to UV radiation. Photoinitiators are a very important element for making the ink as it is the substance that absorbs the UV mission of a UV light, which enable UV markers to work.

[0033] The UV-light fixture 104 can shine UV-light onto the UV-sensitive lines 116 so as to reveal virtually any object, pattern, and the like by way of fluorescence. Fluorescence is caused by a conversion of energy; when the invisible ultraviolet falls on the fluorescent surface, it is absorbed and re-emitted as visible light radiation. The absorption of energy by the electrons in the UV-visible ink enables this to happen. When an extra amount of energy is absorbed, the electrons jump into higher energy orbital patterns surrounding the nucleus. Eventually, the energy is released as visible light when they fall back to their normal orbital shell. The difference between the original electron orbital and the new orbital pattern will determine the color of the fluorescent. After such UV-sensitive lines 116 are revealed, a child may then trace and/or color within those UV-sensitive lines 116 with the drawing utensil 110.

[0034] Children lacking the ability to draw more complex figures may be able to produce such figures with increased accuracy. Furthermore, it will mean that the child may also have the ability to opt not to “outline” a portion before coloring it in and thus being forced to include such an outline in the finished drawing. Particularly advantageously, the numbers of color by number systems can also form the invisible UV-sensitive lines 116. The numbers suggesting certain colors to be used to color portions of the coloring page can thus only temporarily revealed and can similarly not be included in the child's final work product (unless of course further UV-light is shone onto the coloring page).

[0035] It is to be appreciated the present disclosure contemplates the use of UV-sensitive lines 116 sensitive to UV-light of only a limited range of frequencies. If multiple UV-sensitive lines 116 are thus used which do not have overlapping ranges of frequencies, the use of distinct UV-light fixtures 104 may be required and/or desired. For example, children could use a first UV-light fixture 104 to reveal a first set of UV-sensitive lines they trace with a pencil of a certain thickness and/or know to color a certain color (e.g. red). Then, could use a second UV-light fixture 104 to reveal a second set of UV-sensitive lines they trace with a pencil of a different thickness and/or know to color a certain color (e.g. blue). In this way, near-infinite permutations of puzzles and/or activities can be achieved through use of the present invention.

[0036] A kit 120 including the grip 100, markers 110, coloring book, individual coloring pages, and the like, can be provided such that children do not have to individually aggregate the items featured in the UV-light drawing activity unless they so choose (e.g. because they already own some of the materials). In such kits 120, collectables, such as stickers, glitter, beads, and the like, can be used in combination with or aggregated into the coloring/tracing activity kit 120, so as to provide children with a third, optional step to enhance the options a child has when creating a drawing.

[0037] Plastic surface mats can also be included to facilitate cleanliness of the surface which lies under the child's coloring experience. For example, the plastic surface mat can be of a dark color so as to better contrast the invisible lines 116 located on the individual coloring pages. Product packaging 90 can also be included with the kit 120 disclosed herein. Such product packaging 90 may be useful for shipping kits to children in a compact manner prior to first play. The product packaging 90 may completely subsume the coloring book and all of the components therein or may only encompass a portion thereof. The product packaging 90 will typically include plastics, thermoplastics, glass, wood, wood wool, paper, paperboard, corrugated cardboard, other biodegradable or recyclable materials, and/or the like. Optionally, the product packaging 90 can include a product and/or source identifier, such as a word or trade mark, on the packaging; a viewing window 92 for viewing at least one component and/or the entirety of the toy system or kit on or near the product packaging; instructions for assembling and/or using the grip 100 in connection with the UV-light drawing activity; a hang tab from which the packaging can hang from shelves in public stores; and/or perforations, folds, pull strings, and/or other predefined points of failure which facilitate ripping, cutting, and/or opening the product packaging. The product packaging should be selectively placed on shelves and/or in store locations such that the kit is best marketed to/for children.

[0038] The present disclosure is not limited to the specific kits 120 shown and described above. Those kits not shown which remove or add/substitute other crafting materials for those components in kit 120 are expressly envisioned. For example, crafting materials such as paper, plastic, textiles (wool, silk, cotton, flax, jute, bamboo, nylon, polyester, acrylic, rayon), polar fleece, flannel, tartan, denim, leather and artificial leather, felt, fiber, chenille yarn, cork, plush, soil, paperboard, etc., can be used in lieu of or in addition to the coloring book and coloring pages. Additionally, suitable mediums other than those crafting materials previously listed, such as some types of toys, can be used and can include invisible, UV-sensitive lines 116.

[0039] Still yet other systems and/or kits exist which employ similar inventive principles with other crafting materials and UV-light fixtures. For example, where plastic sheets are substituted for coloring pages, a slide (overhead) projector such as the common opto-mechanical device for showing photographic slides commonly employed in U.S. schools in the 1990s can be used. Said overhead projector adapted with a black-light so as to capably reveal distinct UV-sensitive objects and/or patterns which are formed from invisible, UV-sensitive lines 116 on said plastic sheets.

[0040] A person may be broadcasted by way of an electronic recording device on a social media platform engaging in the UV-light drawing activity. For example, children can share with other children finished drawings, which may potentially lead to the children comparing and/or trading their finished drawings of their collection with other children. Said sharing may occur via any suitable wireless/wired electronic network and/or social media platforms.

[0041] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0042] The following reference characters and descriptors are not exhaustive, nor limiting, and include reasonable equivalents. If possible, elements identified by a reference character below and/or those elements which are near ubiquitous within the art can replace or supplement any element identified by another reference character. [0043] 90 product packaging [0044] 92 viewing window [0045] 100 grip [0046] 102 silicone body [0047] 104 UV-light fixture [0048] 108 cavity for drawing utensil [0049] 110 drawing utensil (e.g. marker, colored pencil, etc.) [0050] 116 invisible, UV-sensitive lines [0051] 120 UV-light drawing activity kit

Example Embodiments

[0052] The inventions are defined in the claims. However, the below paragraphs provide a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting embodiments. Any one or more of the features of these embodiments may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0053] 1. A kit (120) for a drawing activity comprising: [0054] a grip (100) comprising a silicone body (102), said grip (100) configured encompass at least a portion of a utensil; [0055] a UV-light fixture (104) made integral with, or removable with respect to, the grip (100); [0056] a crafting material having a distinct object and/or pattern (116) revealed when UV-light is shone thereon; and [0057] at least one drawing utensil (110)..fwdarw.

[0058] 2. The kit (120) of paragraph 1 wherein the UV-light fixture (104) is powered by a battery (106).

[0059] 3. The kit (120) of paragraph 2 further comprising a spare battery.

[0060] 4. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 1-3 wherein the grip (100) is a snap-on grip.

[0061] 5. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 1-4 wherein the grip (100) is ornamentally shaped or comprises an ornamental design printed thereon.

[0062] 6. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 1-5 wherein the grip (100) comprises an elastic material and a cavity (108) such that the grip is configured to: [0063] (a) stretch beyond an outer perimeter of the drawing utensil (110); [0064] (b) pull over the silicone body (102) to a desired position before the drawing activity commences; and [0065] (c) elastically revert to a configuration which snuggly contacts the outer perimeter of the drawing utensil (110).

[0066] 7. The kit (120) of paragraph 6 wherein a frictional force of the grip substantially resists movement of the grip (100) in the axial direction of the drawing utensil (110) during use.

[0067] 8. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 1-7 wherein the distinct object and/or pattern (116) revealed depicts an animal.

[0068] 9. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 1-8 wherein the distinct object and/or pattern (116) revealed is a color by symbol system.

[0069] 10. The kit (120) of paragraph 9 wherein the symbol system includes alphanumeric characters.

[0070] 11. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 1-10 further comprising stickers, glitter, and/or beads.

[0071] 12. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 1-10 further comprising packaging for housing components of the kit (120).

[0072] 13. The kit (120) of paragraph 12 wherein the packaging includes a product or source identifier.

[0073] 14. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 12-13 wherein the packaging includes a viewing window (92).

[0074] 15. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 12-14 wherein (a) printed somewhere on the packaging or (b) included therewithin are instructions for performing the drawing activity.

[0075] 16. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 12-15 wherein the packaging includes a hang tab.

[0076] 17. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 12-16 wherein the packaging includes perforations.

[0077] 18. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 1-17 wherein the utensil comprises the drawing utensil (110) and further wherein the drawing utensil (110) comprises utensils which deliver opaque markings selected from the group consisting of: washable markers, colored pencils, lead pencils, pens, and crayons.

[0078] 19. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 1-18 wherein the utensil comprises a magnifying glass.

[0079] 20. The kit (120) of any one of paragraphs 1-19 wherein the drawing utensil (110) comprises a UV marker for delivering other UV-sensitive invisible markings and/or lines (116) onto a collection of pages.

[0080] 21. A method of play comprising: [0081] fitting a grip (100) comprising a UV-light fixture (104) attached thereto or located therewithin onto a drawing utensil (110); [0082] shining UV-light with a UV-light fixture (104) onto a crafting material so as to reveal a distinct object and/or pattern (116); and [0083] tracing and/or coloring the distinct object and/or pattern (116).

[0084] 22. The method of paragraph 21 further comprising assigning colors to symbols revealed within the distinct object and/or pattern (116).

[0085] 23. The method of any one of paragraphs 21-22 claim further comprising, for the crafting material, initially providing a page within a coloring book, pocketbook, or pamphlet.

[0086] 24. The method of paragraph 23 further comprising removing the page by ripping a perforation located near a binding of the coloring book, pocketbook or pamphlet.

[0087] 25. The method of any one of paragraphs 21-24 further comprising recording one or more steps of the method within an electronic recording device.

[0088] 26. The method of any one of paragraphs 21-25 further comprising broadcasting one or more steps of the method via social media.

Glossary

[0089] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used above have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the present invention pertain.

[0090] The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents.

[0091] The term “or” is synonymous with “and/or” and means any one member or combination of members of a particular list.

[0092] The terms “invention” or “present invention” are not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompass all possible embodiments as described in the specification and the claims.

[0093] The term “about” as used herein refer to slight variations in numerical quantities with respect to any quantifiable variable. Inadvertent error can occur, for example, through use of typical measuring techniques or equipment or from differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of components.

[0094] The term “substantially” refers to a great or significant extent. “Substantially” can thus refer to a plurality, majority, and/or a supermajority of said quantifiable variable, given proper context.

[0095] The term “generally” encompasses both “about” and “substantially.”

[0096] The term “configured” describes structure capable of performing a task or adopting a particular configuration. The term “configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases, such as constructed, arranged, adapted, manufactured, and the like.

[0097] Terms characterizing sequential order, a position, and/or an orientation are not limiting and are only referenced according to the views presented.

[0098] The term “play” can be used herein as an adjective, a verb, a noun, or any other suitable part of speech given proper context. As an adjective, “play” means relating to an activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation, especially by children. As a verb, “to play” means to engage in a game or activity for enjoyment or recreation. As a noun, “play” means an activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation.

[0099] The term “craft” concerns an activity involving skill in making things by hand. A “crafting material” as used herein refers to a raw product used for children's arts and crafts and/or play activities.

[0100] A “light fixture”, “light fitting”, or “luminaire” is an electrical device that contains an electric lamp that provides illumination. All light fixtures have a fixture body and one or more lamps. The lamps may be in sockets for easy replacement—or, in the case of some LED fixtures, hard-wired in place.

[0101] The “scope” of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The scope of the invention is further qualified as including any possible combination of any of the aspects of any of the embodiments disclosed to result in additional embodiments, combinations, subcombinations, or the like that would be obvious to those skilled in the art.