A method for making crayons is provided. The method employs an apparatus which includes a base that houses a heating component, a melt pan disposed to absorb heat from the heating component, a mold, and a cover. The melt pan receives crayon material and contains it as the heating component increases the temperature, causing the crayon material to liquefy. The liquefied crayon material can then be drained by the user of the device, into a mold with crayon-shaped cavities. A timer and a cover prevents access to the melt pan and the mold during particular operating conditions of the apparatus.
1. A method for making molded items comprising:
providing a molding apparatus comprising,
a base,
a melt pan mounted to the base,
a cover, the cover having an open position and a closed position wherein access to the melt pan is blocked by the cover in its closed position,
a heat source,
a mold mounted to the base,
a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism includes a timer, the locking mechanism secures the cover in its closed position for a predetermined time;
placing material in the melt pan;
activating the timer which activates the heat source to heat the melt pan and the timer prevents access to the melt pan
moving the material in the melt pan into the mold when access to the melt pan is prevented.
2. The method as in claim 1 wherein the material is crayon material.
3. The method as in claim 1 wherein the melt pan is configured to receive material to be melted and to facilitate the drainage of the melted material from the melt pan.
4. The method as in claim 1 wherein the mold includes two components.
5. The method as in claim 1 wherein the melt pan has a melting position, wherein material is melted, and a pouring position from which the melted material drains into the mold.
6. The method as in claim 5 wherein a knob operates a linkage that moves the melt pan between the melting position and the pouring position.
7. The method as in claim 5 wherein the melt pan is pivotally attached to the base.
8. The method as in claim 1 wherein the cover is pivotally attached to the base.
9. The method as in claim 1 wherein access to the melt pan is controlled by a locking mechanism that includes a spring-operated timer.
10. The method as in claim 1 wherein the timer controls the operation of the heat source.
11. The method as in claim 1 wherein the heat source comprises an electric bulb.
12. The method as in claim 1 wherein the heat source is powered by alternating current.
13. The method as in claim 1 wherein the heat source is powered by direct current.
14. The method as in claim 1 wherein the mold has a cavity and the cavity has the shape of a crayon.
15. The method as in claim 1 wherein the mold has a cavity, the cavity has a top and the cavity is tapered at the top to create a funnel.
16. The method as in claim 4 wherein one of the mold components has a bead and the other mold component has a channel.