Abstract: A loader may be provided having two or more shell segments or sections separable from each other, wherein the shell segments help define an internal chamber of the loader that is capable of housing a quantity of ammunition for a connected gun. A spacer ring can be provided to fit between at least two of the shell segments. The spacer ring may include connection mechanisms replicating connection mechanisms of the shell segments. When the loader shell segments are reattached having the spacer ring arranged therebetween, the capacity of the loader may be increased.

Abstract: A loader and drive system are provided. The loader is preferably configured to house a quantity of projectiles (such as paintballs) in a chamber and supply the quantity of projectiles from the chamber to an attached pneumatic gun when in operation. The loader preferably includes an outlet configured to supply projectiles from the chamber to the pneumatic gun when the loader is operatively connected to the pneumatic gun. A drive system may be arranged in the loader and include a non-rotating cone arranged above the outlet and having an opening in a side thereof to provide an entrance. A way is arranged configured to direct projectiles into the outlet from the chamber through the entrance. A cover may be connected to the non-rotating cone and have an arm that directs projectiles into the entrance. A driving ring may surround the non-rotating cone and rotate around the non-rotating cone. The driving ring urges projectiles from the chamber into the way and toward the outlet during operation of the loader.

Abstract: A loader may be provided having two or more shell segments or sections separable from each other, wherein the shell segments help define an internal chamber of the loader that is capable of housing a quantity of ammunition for a connected gun. A spacer ring can be provided to fit between at least two of the shell segments. When the loader shell segments are reattached having the spacer ring arranged therebetween, the capacity of the loader may be increased.

Abstract: A loader may be provided having two or more shell segments or sections separable from each other, wherein the shell segments help define an internal chamber of the loader that is capable of housing a quantity of ammunition for a connected gun. A spacer ring can be provided to fit between at least two of the shell segments. The spacer ring may include connection mechanisms replicating connection mechanisms of the shell segments. When the loader shell segments are reattached having the spacer ring arranged therebetween, the capacity of the loader may be increased.

Abstract: A loader may be provided having two or more shell segments or sections separable from each other, wherein the shell segments help define an internal chamber of the loader that is capable of housing a quantity of ammunition for a connected gun. A spacer ring can be provided to fit between at least two of the shell segments. When the loader shell segments are reattached having the spacer ring arranged therebetween, the capacity of the loader may be increased.

Abstract: A paintball drive system of a paintball loader and includes a board having a hole with which a driving ring is engaged. A gear ring is connected to the driving ring. A friction ring is located at the inside of the gear ring. A base is located beneath the board and has a cone which has an outlet and an entrance. A power unit is connected to one end of the loader and rotates the gear ring. The paintballs are received in the paintball loader and is moved by the friction ring which is driven by the gear ring to guide the paintballs to move through the entrance and be fed into the paintball gun via the outlet.

Abstract: A paintball or other gelatin capsule has a printed image applied to its shell before encapsulation using a gelatin ribbon printing machine. The printing machine includes a motor driven cylindrical casting drum, a cylindrical print roll having a pattern formed on and around its outer periphery, said print roll being positioned relative to said casting drum so that said gelatin ribbon is sandwiched in between and in contact with both said casting drum and said print roll and so that the print roll is rotary driven by said casting drum solely through frictional contact with the gelatin ribbon. A rotary ink roller is in contact with the print roll to drives the ink roller solely through frictional contact between said print roll the inking roller. A doctor blade is configured to scrape excess ink from said inking roller. A method of printing on a gelatin capsule is also provided.

Abstract: A paintball or other gelatin capsule has a printed image applied to its shell before encapsulation using a gelatin ribbon printing machine. The printing machine includes a motor driven cylindrical casting drum, a cylindrical print roll having a pattern formed on and around its outer periphery, said print roll being positioned relative to said casting drum so that said gelatin ribbon is sandwiched in between and in contact with both said casting drum and said print roll and so that the print roll is rotary driven by said casting drum solely through frictional contact with the gelatin ribbon. A rotary ink roller is in contact with the print roll to drives the ink roller solely through frictional contact between said print roll the inking roller. A doctor blade is configured to scrape excess ink from said inking roller. A method of printing on a gelatin capsule is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for printing pattern or indicia onto a gelatin ribbon. It comprises a transfer station with a print roll and a motor-driven casting roll provided for forming a gelatin ribbon. The transfer station is positioned in relation to the casting roll in such a way that the gelatin ribbon is sandwiched between the casting roll and the transfer station; elastic tackiness of a passing gelatin ribbon causes the rotation of the print roll. The apparatus further comprises an adjustment means, wherein the adjustment means are adapted to provide finely-tuned positioning of the transfer station in relation to the casting drum, and balance pressure exerted by the transfer station on the passing gelatin ribbon thus facilitating on optimal printing result.

Abstract: A paintball loader for supplying a plurality of substantially similar paintballs a paintball marker. The loader comprises a housing adapted to receive the plurality of paintballs, the housing defining a feeder tube in a base thereof, the feeder tube dimensioned to allow single passage of the paintballs, a paintball receiving member comprising an elongate receiving channel spiraling radially outward in a direction of rotation from the feeder hole and having an outlet adjacent the feeder tube, the channel comprising a pair of opposing side walls spaced to allow single passage of the paintballs, and a feeder arm positioned across at least a portion of the channel walls such that the feeder arm comes into contact with one of the plurality of the paintballs when in the channel. The channel is rotatable relative to the feeder arm about the feeder hole in the direction of rotation.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and kits for loading paintballs into a feed tube of a paintball gun are disclosed. A loader includes a chamber for holding paintballs, a feed mechanism having a rotational feeder within the chamber that feeds paintballs from the chamber along a feed channel when rotating to fill the feed tube, and a drive mechanism that drives the rotational feeder of the feed mechanism, ceases to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempts to rotate the stopped rotational feeder. Paintballs are loaded from a loader into a feed tube of a paintball gun by driving a rotational feeder within the loader, the rotational feeder configured within the loader to feed paintballs into the feed tube when rotating, ceasing to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempting to rotate the stopped rotational feeder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective mask adapted to be worn by a person engaging in the game of paintball. The mask has a main body to cover the front, sides, mouth and ears of a user's face. It also has a removable flexible transparent lens that locks into a rigid support frame formed in the mask. The mask also has a strap to securely support the mask on a wearer's head, and a removable face engaging element provided to accommodate a face of the wearer. This face engagement element evenly engages around the wearer's face in a cushioned manner because its face engagement portion is made of foam that engages the user's face along the entire perimeter of the face engagement element. The face engagement element is securely locked onto the mask by locking clips that fit into openings on both sides of the face engagement element.

Abstract: According to principles of this invention, flour can be used as a filler for either an oil-based or PEG-based paintball fill material. In one embodiment of the present invention, a paintball fill material preferably comprises flour. More particularly, a paintball according to principles of the present invention can comprise a gelatin capsule defining an interior chamber which, upon formation of the paintball, houses a fill material. The fill material can comprise, for instance, 1%-65% polyethylene glycol, 25%-45% flour, and up to 0.5% dye, with the balance water. Accordingly, unlike conventional paintballs, the paintball fill material of the present invention preferably contains flour rather than starch to reduce the amount of polyethylene glycol required for the fill material. In alternative formulations, an oil can be used in addition to, or instead of, polyethylene glycol. According to another aspect of the present invention, the gelatin capsule for the paintball can also utilize flour in its composition.