Untitled record

ES 2 364 239 T3

DESCRIPTION

Multicolored marker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a marker or marker that allows the user to draw simultaneous marks of different colors (including different hues of a particular color), side by side or with a selected spacing between them.

Previous technique

US-A-6155733 relates to a writing instrument with three or more optionally selectable non-coaxial writing tips brought into contact with each other in both the extended position and the retracted position.

Various multi-color markers or markers have been proposed previously in which marking tips in close proximity to each other, with relatively small cross-section, are held at one end of a marker or marker housing and are fed with ink of different colors, or shades. different from one color, from separate ink reservoirs in the marker or marker housing. The following US patents describe such markers or markers: 5,368,405 to Sixiong; 3,887,287 to Rosh and 5,116,153 to Tully.

Chao document 5,388,924 discloses a drawing pen in which separate reservoirs in the instrument barrel feed inks of different hues to adjoining drawing tips, bonded to one another by an impermeable bonding agent.

Document 4,580,918 to Baker et al. describes a pen with coaxial tips of small cross section, one of which can be retracted so that the pen can draw lines of different predetermined widths.

Ahmed 5,971,643 discloses a multi-color marker or marker with a single housing that separately holds a plurality of marking liquids destined for respective contiguous segments of a marking tip.

Jenq 5,306,092 describes a marking pen with a single marking head for receiving different colored inks from various tubes to generate multi-color effects.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION

The present invention consists of a multi-color marker or marker with a plurality of identical marker or marker modules that can be selectively positioned so that they extend juxtaposed with their marking tips exposed side by side and that allow contiguous colored markings to be drawn. or different hues on the marking surface or to trace different color or tint marks with selected widths and gaps, close to each other.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a newly constructed multi-color marker or marker pen that allows greater adjustability to achieve a selected diversity of multi-color marking effects.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new multi-color marker or marker with several identical marker or marker modules that can be selectively held in juxtaposition relationship to achieve the desired multi-color marking.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of various presently preferred embodiments thereof, illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a marker or marker module according to a first embodiment of this invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of this marker or marker module with an associated cap covering the marking tip;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2, with the cap removed;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a multi-color marker or marker with three of the marker or marker modules of Figure 1 attached to one another, in juxtaposition, with their respective marking tips arranged end-to-end;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a two-color marker or marker with two of the marker or marker modules of Figure 1 attached to one another, and their marking tips parallel;

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a simple marker or marker module according to a second embodiment of this invention;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the marking tip of the marker or marker module of Figure 6 attached to its housing and the end cap removed from the marker or marker module;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the same parts of the marker or marker module shown in Figure 7 but with the end cap covering the marking tip;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of three of the marker or marker modules of Figure 6 partially assembled to form a tri-color marker or marker;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of three marker or marker modules of Figure 6, fully assembled, and forming a tri-color marker or marker;

Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of three marker or marker modules according to a third embodiment of this invention, and an end cap of the three modules intended to position them for use as a marker or tri-color marker;

Figure 12 is a similar view showing the marker or marker modules held together in their respective marking positions by the end cap;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the marker or marker modules and the support assembly of Figures 11 and 12 when the end cap is used as a cover for the marking tips of the marker or marker modules. ;

Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the end cap positioned on the marking tips of the three marker or marker modules of the type shown in Figure 11;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a tri-color marker or marker according to a fourth embodiment of this invention showing devices for extending and retracting marker or marker modules individually, showing three extended marker or marker modules. all the way to their marking positions, side by side;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the marker or marker of Figure 15 with one of the marker or marker modules fully extended relative to the other two;

Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view of the marker or marker of Figures 15 and 16;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary exploded view, in perspective, of this fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing the marking tips of the three modules, the individual sliding carriers that allow these marking tips to be extended and retracted, and a part slotted housing of the marker or marker that receives, sliding, these carriers;

Figure 19 is another fragmentary exploded perspective view of this slotted housing part with two of the marking tips and their sliding adjustable carriers;

Figure 20 is a bottom perspective view of the slotted housing portion and the three slide-adjustable carriers of the marking tips;

Figure 21 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing other parts of the marker or marker housing of this fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view of a multi-color marker or marker according to a fifth embodiment of this invention, showing a position of its operating parts;

Figure 23 is a similar view showing the operating parts of the marker or marker of Figure 22 in a different position;

Figure 24 is a longitudinal sectional view of a multi-color marker or marker according to a sixth embodiment of this invention, showing a position of its operating parts; and Figure 25 is a similar view showing the operating parts of the marker or marker of Figure 24 in a different position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is noted that it is not limited in its application to the particular provisions shown and described in this document, other embodiments may be envisaged. Furthermore, the terminology used in this document is descriptive and not limiting.

Figures 1-3 show a marker or marker module, according to a first embodiment of the invention, which presents a new and advantageous construction that allows any desired number of points to be joined to one another or to be separated from each other, laterally. such modules in order to provide a corresponding number of marking tips, which can be positioned with their elongated marking surfaces either end to end or parallel and spaced apart.

The marker or marker module according to this embodiment of the invention comprises an elongated hollow housing or body 30 of square cross section containing an ink reservoir intended to be fed, in any suitable way, to a tapered marking tip 31 of suitable porosity located at one end of the housing. Figures 2 and 3 show this cylinder-like ink reservoir 32 containing ink of a particular color or hue. A plug P, which can be placed and removed manually, closes the opposite end of housing 30 to keep ink cylinder 32 positioned so that it can feed ink to marking tip 31.

ES 2 364 239 T3

On two of its four sides, the housing 30 of the marker or marker module has a projection 33 of rectangular cross section, elongated in the longitudinal direction of the housing (Figure 1). On each of the remaining sides (opposite the sides with the projections) the housing has a complementary recess 34 intended to tightly receive a projection 33 of a second marker or marker module identical to that shown in Figures 1-3.

The modules that make up any particular multi-module marker or marker are joined to one another laterally (that is, by moving them together perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of each marker or marker) such that a protrusion 33 of a module is received in a recess 34 of a contiguous module. Thus, the projections 33 and recesses 34 constitute retention means to keep the modules juxtaposed. The marker or pen modules can be detached manually by pulling them sideways.

As shown in Figure 1, the marking face 35 exposed at the apex of each marking point 31 extends from side to side coinciding with the width of the module housing 30, without considering either the projection 33 or the recess 34. The figure 1 shows this marking face 35 with a small width perpendicular to its length but, if desired, it may be in the shape of a sharper, or rounded V-edge, or any other desired shape.

At the end of the housing 30 of the marker or marker module in which the marking tip 31 is located, this housing has a tapered end segment 36 with a rounded lip 37 protruding outward from one side (Figures 1 and 2) and a complementary slot 38 on the opposite side, in the same longitudinal position of the marker or marker module, designed to receive the lip 37 of an adjoining module that can be inserted and separated manually by means of a snap fit. On the side where the groove 38 is located, the marking tip 31 has an outwardly projecting lip 39, just below the groove 38, intended to engage, tightly, with the underside of the lip 37 of the tip. marking of a contiguous module when the modules are positioned with their marking tips arranged end to end (figure 4). Each lip 39 has an outer surface 40 adapted to engage, in abutting relationship, with a flat peripheral surface 41 of the marking tip of an adjoining marker or marker module, below the lip 37 thereof.

As Figure 2 shows, the marking tip 31 of this marker or marker module has a stepped configuration, with a pointed inner end segment 42 penetrating the ink container 32 to receive ink from it, an intermediate segment 43 plus wide, and an even wider outer end segment 44 terminating at the marking edge 35. This end of the housing 30 of the marker or marker module has an opening 46, 47 configured in a complementary way with the segments 42 and 43 of the inner and intermediate end of the marking tip 31, destined to keep the marking tip in position in such a way secure and watertight in housing 30. A cap 48, capable of being manually put on and removed, can be applied to this end of the marker or marker module housing to cover the marker tip 31 when this marker or marker module is not in use.

Figure 4 shows three such marker or marker modules (with the caps 48 removed) joined together to form a unitary assembly with their marking tips 31 positioned end-to-end, so that the marking edge 35 of one is continuation of the marking edge of its contiguous one, to allow a continuous wide line to be drawn whose color (or shade of color) changes from one marking point 31 to the next. According to this embodiment, the lip 37 of a marker or marker module cooperates with the recess 38 of an adjoining marker or marker module.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, the marker or marker modules can be attached such that their marker or marker edges 35 are positioned parallel, spaced from each other, in order to allow separate parallel lines to be drawn, each with a width that corresponds to the small dimension of the respective marking edge. According to this embodiment, lips 37 and adjoining marker module grooves 38 do not cooperate, but a projection 33 of one module housing 30 cooperates with a recess 34 of the adjoining module housing. It should be understood that any desired number of marker or marker modules may be joined to one another in the manner shown in Figure 5, so that a corresponding number of parallel marks can be traced.

If desired, instead of using projections 33 and recesses 34 on the sides of each marker or marker module, the modules can be attached and separated manually by means of various other types of snap fasteners, flat permanent magnetic strips, or "" strips. Velcro ”®, on their respective sides.

Figure 6 shows a marker or marker module according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which consists of a new and advantageous construction that allows such modules to be juxtaposed, or separated from one another, thanks to the longitudinal displacement of a module , by sliding in relation to its adjoining module.

According to this embodiment, each marker or marker module comprises an elongated hollow housing or body 50 with eight equally sized longitudinal sides S, separated by narrow connecting segments C. One of every two sides S has a projection 51 which may consist of a joined band,

ES 2 364 239 T3 by adhesive, with that side of the housing, or it can be integrally formed with the side. Although this projection 51 is shown to be rectangular in cross section, it can have any other suitable cross section. The remaining sides S of the housing 50 (that is, those without protrusions 51) are formed with longitudinal grooves 52 complementary to the protrusions 51, so that each of such modules can be joined to another by aligning the protrusion 51 of one with a slot 52 of the other by the rear end of the latter (the right end in figure 6), and by sliding the two modules longitudinally, one in the direction of the other, to form a unitary marker or marker with the two interconnected modules. Thus, the projections 51 and the interconnection grooves 52 constitute retention means that make it possible to keep the modules side by side.

Any desired number of such modules can be joined in this way, for example the three modules shown, partially assembled, in Figure 9.

In addition to housing 50, the marker or marker module of Figure 6 has a nib holder 53 with a reduced inner end segment 54, which can be slidably inserted into the front end of housing 50 (the left end in figure 6) and can be held there by a tight fit. Bracket 53 has a tapered outer end segment 55 formed with a circular axial opening 56.

The marking tip 57 of this marker or marker module has a slightly conical inner end segment 58 that can be manually forced into the opening 56 of the holder. At the outer end of the segment 58 the marking tip has an annular transverse shoulder 59 intended to be engaged with the end face of the support 53, around the opening 56 thereof, and a cylindrical stem 60 extending outward from this shoulder and that adjusts tightly, but in a rotary way, in the support opening 56 and allowing the marking tip to be rotated about the axis of the support 53 (which coincides with that of the housing 50 of the marker or marker module) to place it in different angular positions.

The marking tip has a porosity suitable for passing ink to a flat marking surface 61 at its outer end, which is elongated in one direction and narrow perpendicular to that direction.

An end cap 62 fits tightly around the marking tip 57 and its holder 53 when the marker or pen module is not in use, as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows three of the modules of Figure 6 connected to one another, and with their marking tips aligned end-to-end to allow a continuous line to be drawn whose color or hue changes from one marking tip to the next. But it should be understood that each marking point 57 may be rotated, as described, to separate the particular color segment it draws from the color segments drawn by the other marking points of the unit assembly, and to reduce the width of the markings. its color segment according to the angular position of each marking tip.

It should be understood that, if desired, the laterally associable marker or pen modules of Figures 1-5 may be provided with respective rotatably adjustable marking tips, as shown in the longitudinally associable marker or pen modules of Figures 6- 10.

Figures 11-14 show a third embodiment of the invention, similar in many respects to the embodiment of Figures 6-10, except that there are neither protrusions nor grooves on the sides of the marker or marker module housings. In this case, the marker or marker modules are held in position by an end cap, common to all of them. The elements of each marker or marker module of Figures 11-14 that correspond to the elements of the module of Figure 6 are given the same reference numerals increased by 100, so that it is not necessary to repeat a detailed description of these corresponding items.

As shown in Figure 11, the end cap 70 is formed with three longitudinal recesses 71 to receive tightly, but slidingly, the housings 150 of the marker or marker modules, at either end of them.

Figure 12 shows three marker or marker modules held in their respective operating (marking) positions by end cap 70, which constitutes the retention means for holding the modules side by side. This figure shows the porous marking tips 157 of the marker or pen modules aligned end-to-end to draw a continuous mark whose color (or hue) changes from one marking tip to the next. But it should be noted that any of the marking tips 157 can be rotated on its holder 153, as has been described in detail in connection with the embodiment of Figures 6-10, in order to establish some separation between the color segment that draws a given point and the contiguous segments, and to narrow the color segment drawn by said point according to its rotation setting on its holder 153. In addition, if the tip of a marker or marker pen and its support are made as a single unit, without the possibility of adjusting between them, the marker or marker module 150 as a whole can

ES 2 364 239 T3 be rotated prior to insertion into end cap 70 so that its marking tip is angled relative to adjacent marking tips and is not aligned with them end to end.

As Figure 13 shows, when the multi-color marker is not in use, the non-marker ends of its modules can be removed from the end cap 70 and the modules can be reversed, end to end, so that their respective marking tips 157 and their supports 153 can be inserted into the respective recesses 71 of the end cap. Figure 14 shows the final position of the parts of the marker or marker assembly in their inoperative condition, with the end cap 70 housing and covering the marking ends of the three marker or marker modules.

Figures 15-21 show a fourth embodiment of the invention showing a plurality of marker or marker modules that, individually, can be extended to a marking position and retracted from that position relative to a housing that houses to all of them.

As shown in Figure 17, the marker or marker housing has a main upper part 80 and a similar main lower part 82, which can be secured, one on the other, by any suitable means, such as adhesive or screws, to define between they are three longitudinally elongated chambers 82, 83 and 84 destined to house respective ink reserves, such as ink containers of different colors or shades. The marker or marker housing has an inverted upper front piece 85, of generally ribbed cross section, which fits over the front end of the main upper piece 80. Furthermore, the marker or marker housing is provided with a lower front piece 86, of generally ribbed cross section, which fits under the front end of the lower main piece 82 so as to mate with the upper front piece 85 and abut against it. .

The upper front piece 85 of the marker housing has, at its front end, opposing side segments 87 and 88 that extend downwardly and taper inwardly and forwardly. Similarly, the lower front piece 86 of the housing is provided, at its front end, with vertical side segments 89 and 90 that are similarly tapering and which coincide, respectively, with the tapered side segments 87 and 88 of the front piece. higher. Between its side segments 87 and 88, at the front, the upper front piece 85 has a pair of vertical dividers 91 and 92 (Figure 20), slightly rounded and laterally spaced, extending downward. Similarly, as shown in Figure 17, the lower front piece 87 has a pair of similar dividers 93 and 94 that extend upward, mate with the dividers 91 and 92 of the upper front piece, and bear against them just inside the front end of marker or pen housing. The tapered side front segments 87 and 88 on the same side as the upper and lower front pieces 85 and 87 of the marker housing, the aligned dividers 91 and 93 of these front pieces of the housing, and the upper and lower walls of the pieces The front faces define, together, on one side of the front end of the marker or pen housing, a first passage for a first retractable and extensible marking tip 96. The aligned dividers 91 and 93, the aligned dividers 92 and 94, and the upper and lower walls of the upper and lower face pieces of the marker or pen housing together define a second passage for a second retractable and extensible marking tip on the middle of the front end of the marker or pen housing. The aligned dividers 92 and 94, the tapered front side segments 88 and 90 of the upper and lower front pieces 85 and 86 of the marker housing, and the top and bottom walls of the front pieces together define a third pass for a third retractable and extensible marking tip at the front end of the marker or marker housing, on the opposite side.

The marker or marker modules are identical, each consisting of a marking tip 96 at the outer end (Figure 17) and a cylindrical pin 97 extending behind the marking tip and communicating with the ink reservoir. corresponding, in the main accommodation. Both the marking tip 96 and the pin 97 are made of a porous material suitable for passing ink from the ink reservoir in the corresponding chamber 82, 83 and 84 of the marker or marker housing to the outer marking face 98 of the tip. marking. Each marking module is supported by a carrier 99 provided with an elastic clip 100 at its lower end that grips the pin 97 of the marker or marker module, a thin rigid stem 101 that extends upwardly from the elastic clip, and a slide 102 , with a wavy upper face, at the upper end of the stem.

The marker or marker housing also has upper and lower guide members 113 and 114 (FIG. 17) that closely fit within the upper and lower face pieces 85 and 86 of the housing. The upper guide member 113 extends behind the vertical spacers 91 and 92 directed downward from the upper front piece 85 of the marker or marker housing, and on both sides of these spacers has three longitudinal recesses 115, semi-cylindrical, oriented downwards and laterally separated, each one intended to slidely receive the upper half of the pin 97 of the corresponding marker or marker module. The two recesses 115 on each side converge at an angle slightly forward (ie, to the left, in Figure 17). The lower guide member 114 is, essentially, a mirror image of the upper guide member 113, presenting three semi-cylindrical longitudinal recesses, oriented upwards and laterally spaced, each destined to slidingly receive the lower half of the pin. 97 of the corresponding marker or pen module. The lower guide member fits closely within the

ES 2 364 239 T3 lower front piece 87 of the marker or marker housing, behind its vertical upright dividers 93 and 94. As the upper and lower halves of the marker or marker housing come together, the upper and lower guide members 113 and 114 abut against each other so that their upper 115 and lower 116 grooves coincide, in order to form guide passages. cylindrical for the pins 97 of the corresponding marker or marker modules.

The upper wall of the upper front part 85 of the marker or marker housing has three narrow openings 117 (figure 17), elongated, extending longitudinally, each one destined to receive the stem 101 of the corresponding holder 99, with the carrier chute 102 positioned just above the upper wall of the upper front piece. The openings 117 on each side converge in the same manner as the corresponding recesses 115 and 116 of the upper and lower guide members 113 and 114. The main upper part 80 of the marker housing is formed with three laterally spaced slots 118 that they extend longitudinally rearward from its front edge and individually aligned with corresponding openings 117 in upper front piece 85. The upper guide member 113 is formed with corresponding grooves 119 extending forward from its trailing edge, as continuations or extensions of the grooves 118 of the main upper part 80 of the housing, as can be seen in FIG. 21.

By virtue of this arrangement, the slide 102 of each carrier 99 can be individually adjusted along the respective longitudinal opening 117 of the upper front piece 85 of the marker or marker housing to move the corresponding marker tip away from the front end of the marker housing. or marker, or bring it closer to him. When the marking tips are fully retracted, their marking faces are slightly apart. When the marking tips are fully extended, their leading edges (on their marking faces) abut against each other, as shown in Figure 15, so as to apply their respective ink colors juxtaposed on the drawing surface. Figure 16 shows one of the marking tips extended relative to the others so that only its ink is applied to the drawing surface.

Figures 22 and 23 show a fifth embodiment of this invention, in which the marker or marker housing 200 contains three separate ink tanks 201, 202 and 203 that feed marking ink of different colors or shades to tips 204, 205 and 206 corresponding individual porous markings. A tapered annular support 207 of the three prongs is longitudinally adjustable relative to the housing 200, between a retracted position (FIG. 22) and an extended position (FIG. 23). In the retracted position, a rounded annular lip 208 protruding from holder 207 engages behind a first lip 209 protruding inwardly within marker or marker housing 200. In the extended position of the bracket 207 the inner lip 208 thereof engages behind a second lip 210 that protrudes inwardly into the interior of the housing 200, located closer to the front end of the housing 200 (the upper end in Figures 22 and 2. 3). Tip holder 207, when moved from one of these positions to the other, snaps into position with an audible click.

At the open front end of tip holder 207, a rounded divider 211 separates tips 204 and 205, and a similar divider 212 separates tips 205 and 206. The outer side of tip 204 is slidingly engaged with the rounded inner surface 213 of the tip holder 207, on this side of its open front end. Similarly, the outer side of the tip 206 is slidingly engaged with the rounded inner surface 214 of the tip holder 207, on this side of its front end. Due to the inner taper of the tip holder 207 toward its front end, the tips 204 and 206 on each side converge toward the central tip 205.

When the tip holder 207 snaps into its retracted position (FIG. 22), the marking tips 204, 205, and 206 will be in their operative marking positions, abutting against each other, in succession, in the front end of marker or marker.

When the tip holder snaps into its extended position (Figure 23) its dividers 211 will move forward along the adjoining sides of tips 204, 205 and 206, slightly separating them at their front ends. . In the extended position of the tip holder, its open front end is slightly ahead of the marking surfaces of the tips, this position being its inoperative, non-marking position.

Thus, in the embodiment of Figures 22 and 23 there is only slight lateral movement of the tips 204 and 206 and there is no movement of the center tip 205 between the marked and unmarked positions of the tips. In this case, the nib holder 207 is moved significantly relative to the marker or marker housing 200 to establish the marking position or the non-marking position of the nibs.

Figures 24 and 25 show a sixth embodiment of the invention, generally similar to the embodiment of Figures 22 and 23, except that it has separate holders for the three marking tips.

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In this sixth embodiment of the invention the central tip 225 is held by a ring 240, fixedly attached to the marker or marker housing 220 in any suitable manner. Thus, the central tip 225 is fixedly positioned relative to the marker or marker housing.

Marking tip 224, located to one side of the marker or marker, is mounted on a single holder 241 adjustable to slide in the longitudinal direction of the marker or marker housing, between a retracted position (figure 24) and an extended position (figure 25). Bracket 241 has a rounded outer lip 242 at its rear end that engages behind a first rounded inner lip 243 of the marker or marker housing in the retracted position of bracket 241 (Figure 24) and engages behind a second inner lip. rounded 244 of the marker housing in the extended position of the holder 241.

Marking tip 206, on the other side, is mounted on a single bracket 245 that exhibits mirror symmetry relative to bracket 241. Bracket 245 has a rounded outer lip 246 intended to engage behind first and second lips. 247 and 248 of the marker housing in the retracted and extended positions of the holder 245.

When both tip supports 241 and 245 are retracted, tips 224 and 226 on each side abut against central tip 225 at their front ends, and their marking surfaces extend, in succession, contiguous to each other.

By extending the holder 241 of the point 224, the front end of that point is slid forward, past the front end of the central point 225, so that the point 224 would be in its marking position but the central point do not. Likewise, extending the support 245 of the tip 226 causes the front end of that tip to slide forward, past the front end of the central tip 225. Figure 25 shows both supports 241 and 245 in their extended positions, with their tips 224 and 226 in their respective marking positions, so as to allow parallel marks of different colors or shades to be traced on the drawing surface, with a small separation between they.

By this embodiment, the three marking tips may be in their respective marking positions (Figure 24), or the tips 224 and 226 on both sides may be in their marking positions and the central point is not (Figure 25), or only one tip 224 or 226 may be in its marking position and the others may not.

Each of the foregoing embodiments of the present invention overcomes the difficulties I have experienced as an artist by using a single, one-inch-wide, wool-felt tipped watercolor brush and striking different parts of it in three to five different colors. of water-based paint and then apply the different colors with the brush on a drawing surface, in order to represent animals, plants, insects and landscapes. Typically, I can use six such brushes to generate different color combinations and various color spectrum effects. The paint is in small containers, each provided with a protruding sponge that absorbs paint, by capillarity, from the bottom of the container. These sponges require careful maintenance to avoid drying out and hardening. Also, containers have to be refilled often, and your paint thinning has to be adjusted as the solvent evaporates. All of this consumes the artist's time and diverts his or her attention from the task at hand, and is particularly problematic in the case of children's artwork.

The present invention overcomes these difficulties and offers a very flexible and easy-to-use arrangement that allows the user to conveniently select different colors and generate a variety of pleasing artistic effects, particularly multi-colored lines with no gaps between adjacent colors.