Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods for refilling a refillable fluid applicator, such as but not limited to a refillable dry erase marker. The devices, systems, and methods of the present invention advantageously allow the fluid applicator to be refilled quickly, easily, and inexpensively, and provide the benefit of significantly reducing the quantity of solid plastic waste associated with conventional disposable dry erase markers and other fluid applicators.

Abstract: A strawberry core removing assembly and method includes a tube having a first end, a second end and perimeter wall extending between the first and second ends. The first and second ends are open. A bulb is in fluid communication with the tube. Air is forced out of the bulb, through the tube and outwardly of the first end when the bulb is compressed. The first end is receives a tip of a strawberry such that the tube is extended through the strawberry and a core of the strawberry is retained within the tube. The bulb is configured to be compressed to eject the core from the tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system including a handheld implement having a handle and a head. The system also includes a base having a basin, a pump, and a product container. The basin includes vertical walls forming mouth opening to an inner cavity that receives the head of the handheld implement. The product container includes a reservoir of product. The pump conveys the product from the reservoir to the inner cavity via at least one through-hole in the basin.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser for dispensing a liquid such as a hand sanitizer uses a receptacle that is dimensioned to properly fit within a typical vehicle cup holder. A receptacle cap is attached to the top of the receptacle. A pumping system passes through the receptacle cap so as to have a dip tube disposed within the receptacle and an actuator located above the receptacle cap. Actuation of the actuator draws liquid from the receptacle and dispenses the liquid onto a user's hand through a discharge portion of the actuator. Spilled liquid is captured within a collection pool defined on a upper surface of the receptacle cap. An protective dome cap is attached to an upper portion of the receptacle cap, has an opening therein for access to the discharge port, and can be pressed downwardly to actuate the pumping system.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser having a fluid reservoir, a fluid suction chamber of variable volume that defines an extraction and application space; a dip tube that connects the reservoir to the chamber at an injection orifice that defines an injection axis; and a suction mechanism for sucking, during a suction stage, fluid from the reservoir into the chamber through the injection orifice. The injection orifice is situated a little way inside or outside the extraction and application space, such that the fluid is injected in the form of an axial jet into the extraction and application space and fills it, at least in part, without the injection orifice penetrating into the space.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser having a fluid reservoir, a fluid suction chamber of variable volume that defines an extraction and application space; a dip tube that connects the reservoir to the chamber at an injection orifice that defines an injection axis; and a suction mechanism for sucking, during a suction stage, fluid from the reservoir into the chamber through the injection orifice. The injection orifice is situated a little way inside or outside the extraction and application space, such that the fluid is injected in the form of an axial jet into the extraction and application space and fills it, at least in part, without the injection orifice penetrating into the space.

Abstract: In one example an ink tank cap is provided. In another example an ink tank body is provided. For example, in assembled condition, the cap is affixed to the body in a predefined rotational orientation.

Abstract: A paint storage kit is provided for storing and dispensing paint in a manner that minimizes mess and loss of paint. The paint storage kit includes a larger storage container, a funnel, and a smaller touch-up container. The storage container includes a removable, flexible pour spout that reversibly connects with the opening of the storage container and facilitates clean transfer of paint into the touch-up container(s) or alternate location. The touch-up container includes a plastic tube, storage cap, and applicator pad. Paint is transferred to the storage container where it stored. The paint can then be transferred to one or more touch-up containers. The touch-up containers can apply small amounts of paint directly via an applicator pad affixed to the top of the touch-up container.

Abstract: A paint dispensing nozzle arrangement for dispensing paint into a paint applicator, the paint applicator having a base plate, an interface material to allow the paint to adhere to the base plate, and a removable paint mold, the nozzle arrangement comprising a dispensing nozzle for dispensing paint into the paint mold, and a displacement member, the displacement member arranged relative to the dispensing nozzle such that the nozzle can dispense paint into the paint mold without coming into contact with the interface material.

Abstract: A system for charging pressurized aerosol cans with liquid is provided combining a disposable syringe and filling machine. The syringe is loaded with a liquid, then placed in the filling machine and connected to the inlet of the pressurized container. The filling machine is activated and an electric motor or a hydraulic piston exerts force on the syringe to inject the liquid into the aerosol container.

Abstract: A station for reloading a sprayer is disclosed that includes a tank coupled to at least one coating material circuit by a coupler, a docking unit that is adapted to receive a sprayer; and at least one accumulator having a volume that is greater than or equal to the volume of the tank. Each accumulator is connected to at least one circuit by the coupler. The station also includes a mechanism for pressurizing the accumulator. The accumulator is connected to the docking unit which is, in turn, connected to the tank.

Abstract: A liquid container includes a liquid chamber, and a liquid supply chamber at least partially defined by at least one wall having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening formed therethrough. A method of filling such a liquid container includes the steps of closing the third opening, positioning the liquid container in a predetermined orientation, and introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber via the second opening. The method also includes the step of introducing liquid into the liquid chamber after the step of introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber.

Abstract: A filling head gun includes a housing; a handle assembly connected to the housing; a filling head attached to the housing; a plunger extends through an opening of the housing and an activator reservoir attached to the plunger, wherein the reservoir is moved into contact with the filling head via the plunger to manually feed activator through the filling head depressing a valve of the aerosol can.

Abstract: An arm of a coating robot is used to prevent external leakage of a high voltage. A tank is installed on a robotic arm and contains water as an actuating liquid. The water is supplied to a paint cartridge by a pump controlled by a controller. The water sent from the pump under pressure is supplied to the paint cartridge by a conduit tube. A high voltage generator and a bleeder resistor are combined with the tank such that a high voltage generated by the high voltage generator is supplied to the electrostatic paint applicator via the water. For replenishment of water to the tank is attained by relatively connecting a nozzle in communication with a water source to a main pipe. While the high voltage generator generates a high voltage, the nozzle and the main pipe are kept disconnected to maintain electrical insulation between the nozzle and the main pipe.

Abstract: A paint supplying system and apparatus for delivering paint to a container system from a supply of paint at a remote location by a paint delivery system to permit application of the paint delivered to the container by a separate coating implement is provided. The container system includes a vessel having a bottom and a peripheral side wall, the peripheral side wall and the bottom define an open interior space. A connector includes a body with opposed first and second ends, a first port on the first end, a second port on the second end, and a through passage connecting the first and second ports, the body being attached at the first end to the bottom such that the first port is in fluid communication with the open interior space, and connectable at the second end to the hand wand such that the second port is in fluid communication with the supply passage.

Abstract: According to the present invention, even though the paint is filled or discharged repetitively to or from the paint bag (5), so that bursting of a coating bag (5) or lack of coating material during coating are not caused by accumulation of error between the filling amount and the using amount. That is, before a predetermined amount of the coating material is supplied to the coating material bag (5), the remaining coating material in the coating material bag (5) is extruded to empty it, since the coating material bag (5) is squashed by the pressure of fluid which was supplied to the hydraulic fluid chamber (6) outside of the bag.

Abstract: A quantitation setup mechanism (58) is composed of a piston (62) which is incorporated into a quantitation tank (61) to define therein a metering chamber (63), a quantitation setup portion (65) for presetting a quantity of paint replenishment, and a sensor (66) adapted to detect a displacement of the piston (62) preset by the quantitation setup portion (65). In this instance, paint is replenished into a paint chamber (19) of a cartridge (16) by means of a paint feed mechanism (32). In the course of the paint replenishment, an equivalent amount of an extruding liquid is displaced and discharged from an extruding liquid chamber (20). The displaced extruding liquid is introduced into the metering chamber (63) of the quantitation setup mechanism (58), detecting a quantity of displacement of the extruding liquid by replenished paint by the sensor (66) through the piston (62) to exactly quantitate the paint replenishment.

Abstract: For providing a coating material cartridge capable of reliably discharging air and coating material stagnated in a hydraulic fluid chamber, a coating material cartridge has a cartridge main body, a partition body, a coating material transfer path and a plurality of hydraulic fluid transfer paths. The cartridge main body is detachably attached to a coating material filling device. The partition body partitions the inner region of the cartridge main body into a coating material chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber. The coating material transfer path communicates the coating material chamber and the outer region of the cartridge main body, and each of the hydraulic fluid transfer paths communicates the hydraulic fluid chamber and a outer region of the cartridge main body. Each of the hydraulic fluid transfer paths has a plurality of openings that opens in the hydraulic fluid chamber and the distance for each of the openings from the connection end face is different from each other.

Abstract: Coloring apparatus comprises a first marker pen having a housing including an absorbent nib containing a liquid or dye of a first color, and a second marker pen having a housing including an absorbent nib containing a liquid or dye of a second color. The housings of the marker pens are dimensioned and shaped to engage opposing end portions of a tubular docking member with their absorbent nibs spaced one from the other. Means are provided to enable relative movement to take place between the pens while in position within the docking member thereby causing the absorbent nibs selectively to make contact with one another within the docking member and to be released from such contact.

Abstract: A paint dispensing nozzle arrangement for dispensing paint into a paint applicator, the paint applicator having a base plate, an interface material to allow the paint to adhere to the base plate, and a removable paint mould, the nozzle arrangement comprising a dispensing nozzle for dispensing paint into the paint mould, and a displacement member, the displacement member arranged relative to the dispensing nozzle such that the nozzle can dispense paint into the paint mould without coming into contact with the interface material.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and distributing sauce is disclosed. The apparatus may include a mixing-pump device coupled a linear arm for distributing sauce over a rotating turntable. The turntable may include an improved gripping device for coupling to a pan. The apparatus may also include a self-expelling concentrated sauce vat which couples to the mixing-pump device. The apparatus may also include a self-expelling concentrated sauce cassette which couples to the mixing-pump device.

Abstract: A filling device for a writing instrument has a reservoir positioned in a housing (for a refillable liquid. A wick-like section of a writing tip exposed on one end of the housing projects into this reservoir. A filling spout for the liquid is able to be attached to the other end of the housing. A movable dosing cap is provided on the filling spout in order to expose at least one filling opening for supplying the liquid before reaching an end position of the dosing cap.

Abstract: A paint cartridge is provided with a wash fluid passage in communication with a paint chamber, along with a wash fluid valve adapted to open and close the wash fluid passage. Provided on the side of a replenishing stool are a replenishing valve which supplies or discharges paint to or from the paint chamber, an extruding thinner feed/discharge valve which supplies or discharges paint-extruding thinner to or from an extruding thinner chamber, and a wash fluid supply valve which supplies a wash fluid to the paint chamber through the wash fluid passage. Accordingly, upon opening the replenishing valve, wash fluid supply valve and wash fluid valve, a wash fluid from the wash fluid supply valve is allowed to flow into the paint chamber through the wash fluid passage and discharged through a feed tube to wash away deposited paint therefrom.

Abstract: A lid assembly for a paint reservoir includes a lid, a first rigid suction tube, and a second rigid suction tube. The lid includes a cover member and a flange that extends downwardly from the periphery of the cover member. A suction opening, vent hole opening, and bypass opening extend axially through the cover member. A first tubular member is positioned in the suction opening and a second tubular member is positioned in the bypass opening. The first suction tube extends through the first tubular member. The second suction tube is coupled to and extends downwardly from the first suction tube. The second suction tube is configured to extend near the bottom surface of the paint reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for replenishing paint into a paint cartridge (25), which is capable of putting paint in respiratory circulation while the cartridge is in a waiting state. The apparatus includes a replenishing valve (61) which is capable of feeding paint to and from a paint chamber (30) of the paint cartridge (25) which is set on a replenishing stool (52), and a respiratory paint circulation valve (91) which is capable of feeding paint-extruding thinner to and from a thinner chamber (31) of the cartridge. After switching the replenishing valve (61) to a drain or discharge side, paint-extruding thinner is supplied from the respiratory paint circulation valve (91) to push paint out of the paint chamber (30) of the cartridge (25). Then, after switching the replenishing valve (61) to the side of a paint supply source, paint-extruding thinner is discharged by way of the respiratory paint circulation valve (91) to suck paint into the paint chamber (30).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of pressurizing enclosures having bi-stable valves. The valve has an invertible element having a port therethrough, and is converted from an open mode into a closed mode by a sudden change of pressure across the valve. The method is particularly suited for pressurization of enclosures en masse.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a bi-stable valve especially useful for pressurizing pen refills. Pen refills so equipped may be inflated en masse in a pressure chamber, with a sudden drop in chamber pressure causing the bi-stable element to move from a valve open to a valve closed position.