Abstract: A container comprising a body portion and a neck portion, the neck portion having a pump dispenser thereon, the pump dispenser comprising a pump mechanism, a dip tube on one end of the pump mechanism, a pump outlet on another end of the pump mechanism, the dip tube extending from the pump mechanism into the body portion, the body portion containing a liquid, and a motion element, the motion element being captive within the dip tube and adapted to be movable within the dip tube under the action of liquid flow through the dip tube, and at least a portion of the body portion being transparent, a decorative effect resulting from the motion of the motion element being visible from an exterior of the container. Also disclosed is a method of providing an enhanced display by a dispensing container during dispensing of a liquid from the container.

Abstract: A container comprising a body portion and a neck portion, the neck portion having a pump dispenser thereon, the pump dispenser comprising a pump mechanism, a dip tube on one end of the pump mechanism, a pump outlet on another end of the pump mechanism, the dip tube extending from the pump mechanism into the body portion, the body portion containing a liquid, and a motion element, the motion element being captive within the dip tube and adapted to be movable within the dip tube under the action of liquid flow through the dip tube, and at least a portion of the body portion being transparent, a decorative effect resulting from the motion of the motion element being visible from an exterior of the container. Also disclosed is a method of providing an enhanced display by a dispensing container during dispensing of a liquid from the container.

Abstract: A dispensing cap is disclosed for mixing a primary flowable substance, such as a soap, lotion, or the like, with a small dose of a secondary flowable substance, such as a fragrance. The dispensing cap includes a plurality of reservoirs containing a plurality of secondary flowable substances. Each of the reservoirs is associated with a secondary piston that, when actuated, causes the secondary flowable substance to be expelled from the reservoir into a mixing chamber in the cap, where it is mixed with the primary flowable substance. Upon mixing the two are dispensed together from a dispensing end of the cap. A selector ring is provided to enable the user to select one of the plurality of reservoirs. The selector ring has an actuation flange that aligns with the secondary piston that is associated with the selected reservoir.

Abstract: A dispensing cap is disclosed for mixing a primary flowable substance, such as a soap, lotion, or the like, with a small dose of a secondary flowable substance, such as a fragrance. The dispensing cap includes a plurality of reservoirs containing a plurality of secondary flowable substances. Each of the reservoirs is associated with a secondary piston that, when actuated, causes the secondary flowable substance to be expelled from the reservoir into a mixing chamber in the cap, where it is mixed with the primary flowable substance. Upon mixing the two are dispensed together from a dispensing end of the cap. A selector ring is provided to enable the user to select one of the plurality of reservoirs. The selector ring has an actuation flange that aligns with the secondary piston that is associated with the selected reservoir.

Abstract: A method of applying texture material to an untextured portion of a destination surface. Texture material comprising a base, a carrier, and particulate material is arranged within a tube member defining a container opening. A sponge member defining an applicator surface is secured relative to the tube member. The texture material is forced out of the tube member onto the applicator surface. With the applicator surface of the sponge member substantially parallel to the destination surface, the sponge member is displaced towards and away from the destination surface along a dispensing axis. The texture material on the applicator comes into contact with the untextured portion of the destination surface to transfer texture material from the applicator surface to the destination surface. The texture material is allowed to harden such the hardened texture material substantially matches the existing texture pattern on the destination surface.

Abstract: An aerosol system for dispensing texture material to substantially match a preexisting texture pattern, comprising an aerosol assembly, a plurality of dispensing tubes, and an accessory storage system. The aerosol assembly comprises a container member defining a container outer surface, a cap member, and an actuator member. The accessory storage system comprises an accessory retaining portion and an engaging portion for engaging the container outer surface. Each of the dispensing tubes may be in a first configuration or in a second configuration. In its first configuration, a dispensing tube is secured relative to the actuator member of the aerosol assembly. In its second configuration, a dispensing tube is detachably attached to the accessory storage system to secure the dispensing tubes relative to the aerosol assembly. The texture material is dispensed through a selected dispensing tube. A texture pattern formed by the dispensed texture material substantially matches the preexisting texture pattern.

Abstract: An aerosol system or method for mixing first and second materials comprising first and second container assemblies and a coupler. The first container assembly contains the second material and a propellant material that pressurizes the second material. The second container assembly contains the first material and at least a partial vacuum. The coupler comprises first and second coupler connecting portions and is arranged such that the first coupler connecting portion engages the first container assembly and the second coupler connecting portion engages the second container assembly. The propellant material and the partial vacuum in the second container assembly cause a portion of the propellant material and at least a portion of the second material to flow into the second container assembly to form a mixture in the second container assembly. The propellant material within the second container assembly forces at least a portion of the mixture from the second container assembly.

Abstract: A patch system for patching a hole in a wall surface. The system comprises an original plate member, a surface sheet, and adhesive material. At least one scored line is formed on the original plate member. The original plate member may be broken along the at least one scored line to obtain a plurality of sub-plate members. The sub-plate members are smaller than the original plate member. The surface sheet defines first and second surfaces. The adhesive material secures the original plate member or one of the sub-plate members to the first surface of the surface sheet. The adhesive material further secures at least a portion of the first surface of the surface sheet to the wall surface such that the rigid plate and the surface sheet are held in a desired position relative to the hole.

Abstract: An aerosol texturing system for forming a textured surface on drywall material. The aerosol texturing system comprises an aerosol assembly defining a product chamber and acoustic texture material and propellant material disposed within the product chamber. The aerosol assembly is selectively operable in a first mode in which the product chamber is sealed and in a second mode in which fluid is allowed to flow out of the product chamber along a dispensing passageway. The acoustic texture material comprises a base portion and a particulate portion. The particulate portion comprises at least one particulate material selected from the group consisting of urethane foam and melamine foam. At least a portion of the propellant material exists in a gaseous state such that, when the aerosol assembly is in the second mode, the propellant material forces the acoustic texture material out of the aerosol assembly along the dispensing passageway.

Abstract: A dispensing system for patching a destination surface to match an existing texture pattern. The dispensing system comprises a tube member and a sponge member. The tube member defines a container opening and a container chamber, with stucco material being arranged in the container chamber. The stucco material comprises a base, a carrier, and particulate material. The sponge member defines an applicator surface and a sponge opening. The stucco material is forced out of the tube member through the container opening and the sponge opening and onto the applicator surface. The applicator surface of the sponge member is displaced such that the stucco material on the applicator comes into contact with the untextured portion of the destination surface to transfer texture material in flowable form from the applicator surface to the destination surface. The stucco material is allowed to dry.

Abstract: An aerosol system for dispensing liquid material. An aerosol system for dispensing texture material, comprising an aerosol assembly, a cover member, a plurality of dispensing tubes, and an accessory storage system. The aerosol assembly defines a cap member and an actuator member. Each dispensing tube is associated with a predetermined texture pattern. Each of the dispensing tubes may be in a first configuration in which the dispensing tube is secured relative to the actuator member of the aerosol assembly and a second configuration in which the dispensing tubes is secured relative to the aerosol assembly by the accessory storage system. When the cover member covers the actuator member and the dispensing tubes are in the second configuration, the cap member further covers the accessory storage system and the dispensing tubes.

Abstract: An aerosol system or method for mixing first and second materials comprising a coupler, an actuator, and first and second containers that support first and second valve assemblies. The first container contains the second material and a propellant material. The second container contains the first material. The second container contains the first material. The first and second valve assemblies define first and second valve connecting portions. The coupler comprises first and second coupler connecting portions. The actuator defines an actuator connecting portion. In use, the coupler is arranged such that the first coupler connecting portion engages the first valve connecting portion and the second coupler connecting portion engages the second valve connecting portion. The coupler allows a mixture of the first and second materials to be formed in the second container. The actuator allows the propellant material within the second container to force at least a portion of the mixture from the second container.

Abstract: A tensioning device for applying tension to a line extending between first and second objects. The tensioning device comprises a first engaging portion, a support surface, and first and second gripping portions defining a gripping notch. The first engaging portion is adapted to be connected to the first object. The support surface is adapted to support the line. The gripping notch is located adjacent to the support surface. The support surface supports the line to define a first line portion extending in a first direction, a second line portion in contact with the support surface, and a third line portion extending in a second direction. The third line portion is adapted to support the second object. The first line portion is pulled to place the line under tension. The gripping notch is arranged to engage the first line portion to inhibit movement of the line relative to the support surface.

Abstract: A texturing system for applying a desired texture pattern on a patched portion of a surface. The texturing system comprises texture material, a dispensing system for dispensing the texture material, and a selecting system. The texture material comprises a carrier, a binder, a filler, and a change material. The texture material changes from a wet form to a solidified form when exposed to air. The change material changes appearance when the texture material changes from the wet form to the solidified form. The selecting system is supported by the dispensing system such that texture material dispensed from the dispensing system is dispensed through an outlet opening in the desired texture pattern. The dispensing system is used to deposit the texture material onto the patched portion of the surface in the desired texture pattern.

Abstract: An aerosol system for dispensing liquid material. The aerosol system includes an aerosol assembly, a plurality of accessory members, and an accessory storage system. The aerosol assembly contains and dispenses liquid material. The accessory members are used in conjunction with the dispensing of the liquid material. The accessory storage system allows the one accessory members to be removably secured relative to the aerosol assembly using the deliberate application of manual force. Each accessory member operates in a first configuration in which the accessory member is not secured relative to the aerosol assembly and in a second configuration in which the accessory member is secured relative to the aerosol assembly. Optionally, the accessory members may operate in a third configuration in which the accessory member is integrally formed with the accessory storage system.

Abstract: An aerosol system for dispensing liquid material. The aerosol system comprises an aerosol assembly, at least one accessory member, and an accessory storage system. The aerosol assembly contains and dispenses liquid material. The at least one accessory member is used in conjunction with the dispensing of the liquid material. The accessory storage system allows the at least one accessory member to be removably secured relative to the aerosol assembly using the deliberate application of manual force. The aerosol system operates in a first configuration in which the at least one accessory member is not secured relative to the aerosol assembly and in a second configuration in which the at least one accessory member is secured relative to the aerosol assembly. Optionally, the aerosol system may operate in a third configuration in which the at least one accessory member is integrally formed with the accessory storage system.

Abstract: Dispensing systems and methods for stucco and similar materials. The system comprises a dispensing assembly and a cartridge assembly. The dispensing assembly comprises a piston pushing assembly, an outlet assembly, and a structural assembly for holding the piston pushing assembly in a fixed relationship to the outlet assembly. The cartridge assembly can contain the material to be dispensed and is mounted within the dispensing assembly. Operation of the piston pushing assembly forces stucco or other material to move from the cartridge assembly to a mixing chamber portion defined by the outlet assembly. At the mixing chamber portion, the stucco material is mixed with a stream of pressurized air which carries the mixture out of the system and deposits the material onto a surface to be coated. The system allows substantial control over the manner in which the stucco or other material is sprayed.