Abstract: A quality-control device comprises a housing, a biasing member disposed within the housing, and a reciprocating puncturing member that is configured and oriented to selectively move inwardly of the housing in opposition to the biasing member. A maximum-compression indicator is configured to move inwardly of the housing in tandem with the puncturing member and a gauge serves to correlate a particular location of the maximum-compression indicator to a corresponding measure of compression as corresponds to a material being tested for quality. By one approach the indicator moves in response to inward movement of the puncturing member but is also configured to not move when the puncturing member moves outwardly of the housing. So configured the maximum-compression indicator will remain located at a point that corresponds to the furthest inward incursion of the puncturing member in opposition to the biasing member when the user presses the puncturing member against the material.

Abstract: An applicator includes a puncture protrusion disposed on an inner surface of an internal chamber of a handle of the applicator. The puncture protrusion is configured to puncture an end surface of a cartridge within the internal chamber, which cartridge contains a liquid that is resultantly allowed to flow through a passageway in the puncture protrusion toward an applicator pad for application onto a surface. Puncturing is achieved in response to rotation of an advancer including a pinion portion that tangentially engages a surface of the cartridge, which rotation is translated to longitudinal advancement of the cartridge toward the puncture protrusion.

Abstract: An applicator includes a puncture protrusion disposed on an inner surface of an internal chamber of a handle of the applicator. The puncture protrusion is configured to puncture an end surface of a cartridge within the internal chamber, which cartridge contains a liquid that is resultantly allowed to flow through a passageway in the puncture protrusion toward an applicator pad for application onto a surface. Puncturing is achieved in response to rotation of an advancer including a pinion portion that tangentially engages a surface of the cartridge, which rotation is translated to longitudinal advancement of the cartridge toward the puncture protrusion.

Abstract: A quality-control device comprises a housing, a biasing member disposed within the housing, and a reciprocating puncturing member that is configured and oriented to selectively move inwardly of the housing in opposition to the biasing member. A maximum-compression indicator is configured to move inwardly of the housing in tandem with the puncturing member and a gauge serves to correlate a particular location of the maximum-compression indicator to a corresponding measure of compression as corresponds to a material being tested for quality. By one approach the indicator moves in response to inward movement of the puncturing member but is also configured to not move when the puncturing member moves outwardly of the housing. So configured the maximum-compression indicator will remain located at a point that corresponds to the furthest inward incursion of the puncturing member in opposition to the biasing member when the user presses the puncturing member against the material.