Abstract: An advertising and product information display device. The advertising and product information display device including a rotatable drum presenting a display surface, an elongate shaft coupled to the rotatable drum and extending along the longitudinal axis of the rotatable drum, and a weight component coupled to a portion of the rotatable drum to bias the rotatable drum to a preselected rest position when an external force is removed.

Abstract: Novel appliances for the application, distribution, manipulation and/or removal of different types of media, including art and craft media, may be removably attached to conventional and commonly-available tools, such as palette/painting knives, brushes with hair/filament tips, and other media manipulators such as those having a polymeric contacting surface on their working end. The appliances are adapted for superimposition over the media-engaging working-head formations of the tools, and have media-engaging characteristics which differ from the native media-engaging characteristics of the working-head formations of the tools. Tools to which such appliances are attached in accordance with the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer painting system is provided for a graphic computer system that has at least one touch screen apparatus and at least one display. A stylus having a tip formed of a solid piece of a resiliently compliant non-conductive material is used to apply variable pressure on the surface of the touch screen apparatus. Software executing on the computer system interprets the variable pressure applied to the surface of the touch screen apparatus and generates corresponding graphic images on the display. Preferably, the tip of the stylus is formed of a silicone material that allows the tip to easily move across the touch screen apparatus in a way that simulates a conventional painting brush stroke but without leaving a buildup of material on the touch screen apparatus. In one embodiment, the touch screen apparatus and the display are incorporated together in the same device.

Abstract: A computer painting system is provided for a graphic computer system that has at least one touch screen apparatus and at least one display. A stylus having a tip formed of a solid piece of a resiliently compliant non-conductive material is used to apply variable pressure on the surface of the touch screen apparatus. Software executing on the computer system interprets the variable pressure applied to the surface of the touch screen apparatus and generates corresponding graphic images on the display. Preferably, the tip of the stylus is formed of a silicone material that allows the tip to easily move across the touch screen apparatus in a way that simulates a conventional painting brush stroke but without leaving a buildup of material on the touch screen apparatus. In one embodiment, the touch screen apparatus and the display are incorporated together in the same device.

Abstract: A silicone paint brush artist's tool includes a handle and a novel painting tip. The painting tip is made of a resilient silicone having a generally three-dimensional paint contacting working surface that has a maximum cross-sectional diameter no larger than a maximum cross-sectional diameter of the handle. The tip is preferably attached to the handle using a ferrule and expansively locking the tip into a cavity of the ferrule by insertion of an insert. The insert may be a common screw or a barbed, fluted extension of the handle. The tips may include an insert cavity and have various shapes and hardnesses and may be optionally color coded. A formation method for the tool is disclosed with simultaneous insert insertion and joining of ferrules to handles. The ferrules also may be reversibly attached to the handle, in which case a kit comprising multiple interchangeable painting tips may be provided.

Abstract: A handheld dental tool has a removable silicone tip. The tool includes a handheld shaft having at least one working end. The working end preferably includes a shoulder defined on the working end of the shaft and a spade member extending from the shoulder. The spade member has a longitudinal axis along a length of the spade member that has a generally uniform aspect ratio perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of between 2:1 and 4:1. A tip member comprised of a resilient silicone material that is removably mounted on the spade member. The tip member has a longitudinal axis along a length of the silicone tip and a cavity defined in a rear end of the silicone tip along the longitudinal axis. The cavity is adapted to receive the length of the spade member. The ratio of the length of the silicone tip member to the length of the spade member is greater than 1:1 and less than 2:1. Preferably, the surface of the spade member is smooth and the tip member slides on to and off of the spade member.

Abstract: A silicone paint brush artist's tool includes a handle and a novel painting tip. The painting tip is made of a resilient silicone having a generally three-dimensional paint contacting working surface that has a maximum cross-sectional diameter no larger than a maximum cross-sectional diameter of the handle. The tip is preferably attached to the handle using a ferrule and expansively locking the tip into a cavity of the ferrule by insertion of an insert. The insert may be a common screw or a barbed, fluted extension of the handle. The tips may include an insert cavity and have various shapes and hardnesses and may be optionally color coded. A formation method for the tool is disclosed with simultaneous insert insertion and joining of ferrules to handles. The ferrules also may be reversibly attached to the handle, in which case a kit comprising multiple interchangeable painting tips may be provided.

Abstract: A silicone paint brush artist's tool includes a handle and a novel painting tip. The painting tip is made of a resilient silicone. In one embodiment, the painting tip has a series of longitudinal slits defined in the tip. In another embodiment, the painting tip has a durometer hardness value of between 20 Shore A to 70 Shore A. In a further embodiment, the painting tip has a generally three-dimensional working surface that includes a concave surface. In still another embodiment, the painting tip has a peripheral, sharp edge for removal of paint. In a still further embodiment, the painting tip has a concave surface for manipulation of paint. The tip is preferably attached to the handle using a ferrule and expansively locking the tip into a cavity of the ferrule by insertion of an insert. The insert may be a common screw or a barbed, fluted extension of the handle. The tips may include an insert cavity and have various shapes and hardnesses and may be optionally color coded.

Abstract: A device for the application and manipulation of paint includes a handle having a distal end and a proximal end and a working tip. The working tip is comprised of a flexible, polymer material and has a proximal end that includes structure defining at least one aperture or channel. A cavity is located at the distal end of the handle into which the proximal end of the working tip is inserted. The working tip is secured in the cavity by a flowable adhesive material which at least partially penetrates the aperture or channel prior to curing. The cured adhesive material adheres to at least a portion of an interior surface of the cavity and forms solid pins in the apertures or corresponding ridges in the channels of the proximal end of the working tip, thereby securing the working tip within the cavity. Methods for creating a device in accordance with the present invention, either with or without a ferrule are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for application and manipulation of paint on a substrate includes a handle having a distal end and a proximal end, and a working tip attached to the distal end of the handle. The working tip is a flexible, non-porous extruded material having a distal working edge which is formed by an extrusion process, with the working edge being parallel to a longitudinal orientation of the extrusion process. In one embodiment, one of the working tip and the handle includes a rib along an end which interfaces the other and the other of the working tip and the handle includes a corresponding slot in an end which interfaces the one for mating with the rib. Preferably, the working tip is made of silicone.

Abstract: A silicone paint brush artist's tool includes a handle and a novel painting tip. The painting tip is made of a resilient silicone having a generally three-dimensional paint contacting working surface that has a maximum cross-sectional diameter no larger than a maximum cross-sectional diameter of the handle. The tip is preferably attached to the handle using a ferrule and expansively locking the tip into a cavity of the ferrule by insertion of an insert. The insert may be a common screw or a barbed, fluted extension of the handle. The tips may include an insert cavity and have various shapes and hardnesses and may be optionally color coded. A formation method for the tool is disclosed with simultaneous insert insertion and joining of ferrules to handles. The ferrules also may be reversibly attached to the handle, in which case a kit comprising multiple interchangeable painting tips may be provided.

Abstract: A silicone paint brush artist's tool includes a handle and a novel painting tip. The painting tip is made of a resilient silicone having a generally three-dimensional paint contacting working surface that has a maximum cross-sectional diameter no larger than a maximum cross-sectional diameter of the handle. The tip is preferably attached to the handle using a ferrule and expansively locking the tip into a cavity of the ferrule by insertion of an insert. The insert may be a common screw or a barbed, fluted extension of the handle. The tips may include an insert cavity and have various shapes and hardnesses and may be optionally color coded. A formation method for the tool is disclosed with simultaneous insert insertion and joining of ferrules to handles. The ferrules also may be reversibly attached to the handle, in which case a kit comprising multiple interchangeable painting tips may be provided.