Abstract: A paint applicator, kit and methodology for using the same is disclosed. For example, a paint applicator that allows a user to load a desired amount of paint, such as a water based or other low VOC paint, into the paint applicator and an advancement mechanism that dispenses paint at a rate controllable by the user is disclosed. The advancement mechanism can include a system that translates a rotational force applied to an end cap of the applicator into a linear force that advances a piston which in turn applies paint to an applicator portion. The paint applicator may be reusable or may include a ratchet system that allows for only one time use. The methodology and kit can incorporate a syringe for loading paint into the paint applicator, thus reducing the loss of paint through spilling.

Abstract: A refilling system for use in refilling a container with a fluid from a fluid source. The container having an air space above a fluid space. The fluid having a fluid level within the container. The refilling system comprising: a pilot-operated fluid flow control valve fluidly connected with a fluid level sensor via a pressure line and a bleed line.

Abstract: An apparatus diverts the flow of bulk solids into a bin from a discharge of a bulk solids conveyor. The apparatus contains a fitting that attaches to the discharge, a frame with a vertical conduit, at least two baffles that pivot on rotating shafts and are capable of variable positioning between a substantially vertical position that opens the vertical conduit of the frame and a substantially horizontal position that substantially closes the vertical conduit of the frame, and a drive motor to rotate the baffles.

Abstract: An ice flap device (10) for a refrigerator comprises a flap unit (14) movable between an open position and a closed position, which unit releases a dispenser aperture for dispensing ice in its open position and blocks the dispenser aperture against dispensing ice in its closed position, as well as a motorized drive mechanism for driving the flap unit (14) between its open and closed position. According to the invention the drive mechanism comprises an a.c. motor (12) as well as a first electrical switch (26), which lies in the supply circuit of the a.c. motor and switches depending on the introduction of a receptacle into an ice dispenser compartment of the refrigerator, and by means of which the a.c. motor (12) can be turned on when the receptacle is introduced into the ice dispenser compartment for a movement of the flap unit (14) from the closed position in the direction of the open position.

Abstract: A system for accurately measuring and delivering a predetermined amount of fuel to a vehicle for a specified mission. This system rapidly refuels vehicles to a specific wet vehicle weight. The fuel loading value is determined based upon an algorithm, which accounts for interactions of mission duration, and/or mission payload weight, and/or mission environmental effects. The fuel loading is accomplished by using one or more measuring tubes with a floating valve, which precludes the continued flow of fuel into the tank when the predetermined amount of fuel is delivered. The measuring tubes can be of specific lengths each corresponding to an output of the algorithm or a single telescoping tube that enables varying the length of the tube. Each unique tube length corresponding to a unique output of the algorithm. An alternative system comprises different sized fuel bladders. These systems enable a rapid foolproof method of refueling.

Abstract: A drop tube segment is adapted for use with a liquid reservoir. The drop tube segment includes a conduit with an end portion and a sidewall including a sidewall portion at least partially defining an interior housing area. The drop tube segment further includes a valve assembly comprising a valve member attached to the end portion of the conduit, a float, and a linkage device pivotally connected to the valve member. The valve assembly further includes a driver member at least partially disposed in the interior housing area. An adjustment of the float may rotate the driver member to engage the linkage device to facilitate in adjusting the position of the valve member with respect to the end portion of the conduit. The valve assembly further includes a structure adapted to inhibit, such as prevent, fluid from leaking into the interior housing area.

Abstract: A drop tube segment includes a conduit with a first end portion and a second end portion. The drop tube segment further comprises a valve assembly with a valve member associated with the first end portion, a float, and a linkage device pivotally connected with respect to the valve member. The linkage device is adapted for communication with the float such that the float may facilitate in adjusting the position of the valve member with respect to the first end portion of the conduit in response to a liquid level in a liquid reservoir. The drop tube segment further includes a fastening section located at the second end portion of the conduit for fluid tight fastening with an end portion of another drop tube segment. The fastening section comprises a sealing surface and a threaded portion adapted for threaded engagement with a threaded portion of another drop tube segment.

Abstract: A shut off valve is provided for use in an aircraft lavatory system during maintenance sanitizing operations. The shut off valve includes an inlet passage in intermittent fluid communication with an outlet passage and a magnetic flapper body movable between a rest position and a seal position between said inlet passage and said outlet passage. The flapper body is moved by a magnetic actuator whereby upon placing said magnetic actuator within the proximity of the flapper body, the flapper body is moved from the rest position and, with the assistance of fluid flow within the valve, into the seal position, thus, preventing fluid communication between the inlet passage and the outlet passage.

Abstract: A paint brush assembly includes a control valve, a first rubber, a control rod, a connecting pipe, and a second rubber. Thus, the paint brush assembly has a two-stage anti-reverse effect, so that the paint contained in the container can be supplied into the barrel conveniently and can be supplied into the connecting pipe conveniently. In addition, the paint brush assembly has a two-stage anti-reverse effect, thereby preventing the paint from leaking.

Abstract: Methods and devices for dispensing fluids are provided, including a method of dispensing a fluid into an elongated chamber having a bottom that is at least partially closed. The method includes (a) inserting a dispensing tube into the chamber until a delivery end of the tube is adjacent the bottom of the chamber; (b) dispensing a predetermined quantity of the fluid through the delivery end into the chamber; and (c) moving the delivery end away from the bottom of the chamber, during dispensing, at a rate that maintains the delivery end on the surface of the fluid in the chamber throughout dispensing.

Abstract: A fountain applicator handle includes a body having a side part extending laterally therefrom the body, the side part communicating with the body. A neck section is defined in the first passage of the body and has a tapered shoulder defined in the first passage, the tapered shoulder located near the front end of the body to which a roller is attached. A control device has a bar extending radially from the first end thereof and an insert extends from the bar. An aperture is defined between the bar and the insert. The control device is movably inserted into the body and the insert is movably inserted into the side part. The bar normally close the second passage. A block has a tapered end thereof engaged with the tapered shoulder and is fixedly connected to the second end of the control device.

Abstract: A refillable pen having a writing reservoir for supplying a writing tip with ink and an additional supply reservoir for refilling the writing reservoir by operating a first valve. The additional supply reservoir is refilled from outside of the pen through a second valve by an accompanying refill container. The accompanying refill container has an injection needle with a valve and a wall of the refill container forms bellows for increasing the pressure on the liquid inside the refill container.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser bottle with reservoirs for droppers comprising a bottle having cylindrical side walls with a flat circular bottom and an open cylindrical top, the top being formed with external screw threads. A dropper has a cylindrical cap with downwardly extending sidewalls with internal screw threads removably couplable with the exterior screw threads of the bottle, a squeeze ball operatively coupled to the cap thereabove, and a cylindrical tube therebelow terminating in a spherical end with an aperture at its lowermost point for receiving and dispensing liquid through the squeezing and releasing of the bulb, the lower end of the cylinder having a diameter less than fifty percent of the diameter of the open cylindrical top of the bottle to allow insertion of the tube into the bottle at a predetermined angle, the length of the tube being less than the length of the cylinder but greater than the distance to a reservoir.

Abstract: A device for filling a converter with writing fluid, including a connector designed to be sealingly engaged with the orifice of a converter. The connector has an orifice in the shape of an orifice of a conventional ink cartridge. The device also includes a pipe-shaped conduit segment, connecting to the connector and extending into the interior of a reservoir containing writing fluid. The pipe-shaped conduit segment extends from the connector in an inclined fashion to a free end proximate to the bottom of the reservoir.

Abstract: An applicator for fluid products includes a bottle enclosed by a cap having a partition defining in the cap an enclosed chamber. The partition includes an aperture which forms a passage between the enclosed chamber in the cap and the interior of the bottle. Rotating the cap for assembly to the bottle will place this passage in an unoccluded condition. As the bottle is inverted or shaken prior to use, the fluid contents of the bottle will travel through the passage and into the enclosed chamber in the cap. As the cap is rotated for removal from the bottle, a valve element will occlude the passage, trapping the fluid in the cap. Squeezing the cap to deform the sidewalls will force the fluid through a narrow bore in a supply stem leading to a dispensing tip.

Abstract: Described is a refilling container for refilling a writing, painting or drawing implement, a cosmetic applicator implement or the like, wherein the implement (44) comprises an applicator member (48) which projects out of a casing and which has a capillary conveying action, for a fluid of relatively low viscosity, a reservoir for the fluid, which is in fluid communication with the applicator member (48), and a vent passage (78) in the vicinity of the applicator member (48). The refilling container (10) is provided with a neck portion (58). The implement (44) to be refilled can be inserted with its applicator member (48) and with a casing portion (46) adjoining the applicator member (48), into the neck portion (58) of the refilling container, in such a way that the neck portion (58) is sealed off by the casing portion (46) and a fluid communication is formed through the vent passage (78) between the refilling container (10) and the reservoir in the implement (44).

Abstract: An applicator for fluid products includes a bottle enclosed by a cap having a partition defining in the cap an enclosed chamber. The partition includes an aperture which forms a passage between the enclosed chamber in the cap and the interior of the bottle. Rotating the cap for assembly to the bottle will place this passage in an unoccluded condition. As the bottle is inverted or shaken prior to use, the fluid contents of the bottle will travel through the passage and into the enclosed chamber in the cap. As the cap is rotated for removal from the bottle, a valve element will occlude the passage, trapping the fluid in the cap. Squeezing the cap to deform the sidewalls will force the fluid through a narrow bore in a supply stem leading to a dispensing tip.

Abstract: A float actuated valve for automatically shutting off the flow of fluid into a storage tank when the tank is filled to a predetermined level includes a pair of shutter plates movable transversely across the flow passage from an open position wherein the plates are retracted clear of opposite sides of the passage and a fully closed position in which the plates project into and cooperatively block the passage. A spring biased rotary trip plate underlying the shutter plates controls actuation of the shutter plates and may be held by first and second detents in rotative positions locating the shutter plates in the fully closed or a partially closed position. A lower float located within the tank releases the first detent to cause the trip plate to drive the shutter plates from the fully closed to the partially closed position when the level of fluid in the tank rises to a first level.

Abstract: A container for liquid floor treatment preparations adapted to be mounted at its back to the handle of a long-handled floor wiper, wherein the container includes a return flow cutoff funnel with an inlet, and a lower outlet tube with an exit port coupled to one end of a flexible hose that is selectively kinked to prevent fluid flow from the container to the floor, or unkinked to obtain such fluid flow.

Abstract: A hand held device for coating a fastener with a coating and which includes a first body with a free end and which defines a first chamber that is placeable over the fastener, apparatus for supplying the coating under a pressure to the first chamber for coating the fastener with the coating, a second body with a free end and which is disposed external to the first body so as to form a second chamber therebetween, the second body is rigidly attached to the first body and the free end of the second body is displaced a distance below the free end of the first body so as to form a passageway therebetween, and apparatus for reducing pressure in the second chamber, the reducing apparatus draws the coating from the first chamber where the fastener is initially coated with the coating from the supply apparatus through the passageway and into the second chamber which causes the second chamber to fill with the coating so that when the pressure of the supply apparatus is eliminated the coating is drawn back from the sec

Abstract: A filling nozzle which is releasably secured to a container through which liquid can be dispensed from the container into another receptacle when the nozzle is directed downwardly in a liquid dispensing position. The nozzle contains a butterfly valve for automatically shutting off the flow of liquid from the container to the receptacle when the receptacle is substantially filled.

Abstract: A cap (10) for accumulators suited for the automatic refill of distilled water includes a main body (20) inside which there is a chamber (13) suited for the distribution of the distilled water through a hole (14). The hole is shut by a valve (32) controlled by a float (30) and connected to the float by means of a toggle joint. The toggle joint consists of a right-angled lever (35) and of a shaft (34) connected by a hinge to the lever and to the valve. The toggle joint ensures a very high force for the shutting of the valve, such as to stand high deliveries of liquid even under pressure. The cap is also equipped with a float (30) in the shape of an upside-down glass, that is, open at the bottom on the side of the liquid upper surface, so that the push on the float is determined by the over-pressure of the air and the gasses contained in the interior of the float. The overpressure increases in direct relation to the rising of the electrolyte level.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a liquid to a surface comprising an applicator and a body member. The applicator is secured to an end of the body member, the body member defining a reservoir for housing a fluid. The body member includes a piston member for exerting a force on the fluid in the reservoir, and two channels, a first channel being in fluid communication with a channel in the applicator and a second channel being in fluid communication with an area outside the body member. The body member further including a valve for allowing fluid communication between the reservoir and either the first channel or second channel. An additional one-way valve which can be manually deactivated may be included in the second channel.

Abstract: A filling nozzle which is releasably secured to a container through which liquid can be dispensed from the container into another receptacle when the nozzle is directed downwardly in a liquid dispensing position. The nozzle contains a butterfly valve for automatically shutting off the flow of liquid from the container to the receptacle when the receptacle is substantially filled.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording head formed from a base and a vibrating plate attached to the base with the surfaces therebetween defining a plurality of ink passageways terminating in a nozzle at one end of the head is provided. The base and the plate are both formed from a synthetic resin with the surfaces activated by a surface treatment to increase the polar groups and unsaturated bonds to increase the wetting property. Surface treatment includes treating with a K.sub.2 Cr.sub.2 O.sub.7 --H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 or H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 --SO.sub.3 solution, SO.sub.3 gas, ultraviolet rays, plasma, corona discharge, electron beam, or flame. A process for making the head is also disclosed.

Abstract: A recording instrument comprises a recording device for recording with an ink, an ink storage container and an ink supplying system for supplying ink from the ink storage container to the recording device characterized in that the ink supplying system has a liquid contacting surface comprising at least one of the components in a dye or at least one compound having at least one hydrophilic group, adsorbed on or penetrated into the surface.

Abstract: A fountain applicator handle is disclosed for providing a continuous supply of a liquid coating to an applicator head for application onto a surface. The fountain applicator handle includes an elongated hollow reservoir with sliding displacement piston disposed therein. A valve body is attached thereto and adapted for attachment to a coating supply, with the valve body allowing the communication of the coating into the reservoir while preventing the outflow of the coating to the applicator, and controllably communicating the coating from the reservoir to the applicator.

Abstract: A passive flow control valve assembly for controlling the flow of fuel through the fill pipe of an underground fuel storage system is disclosed comprising a valve housing mounted to the discharge end of the fill pipe, a valve assembly for controlling flow through the housing which is mounted for movement between a first open position permitting substantially unrestricted flow through the housing and at least a second position substantially restricting the flow through the housing, an actuator arm assembly for moving the valve between the first and second positions with the actuator arm being interconnected to the valve so as to progressively correspondingly move the valve from the first open position to the second closed position as the actuator arm moves from a first position to a second position, and a float assembly connected to the actuator arm for moving the arm responsive to the liquid level in the storage tank.

Abstract: A ball point pen cartridge capable of being pressurized in a pressure vessel including an end stopper having an enlarged section shaped to seal the end of a cartridge tube, a narrower section connected to the enlarged portion and extending into the cartridge, an axial tube running completely through the enlarged section and partly through the narrower section, a radial tube in the narrower section that intersects the axial tube and a flexible, gas impervious tube surrounding the narrower section to form a check valve with the radial tube.

Abstract: A block-like tool has a hole in its upper surface and contains a hollow needle projecting at one of its ends into said hole and opening at its other end to the atmosphere. Said hole is disposed removably to receive and stably support therein the lower end of an empty, tubular ampule, which is hermetically sealed at its lower end by an elastic diaphragm. Said needle pierces said diaphragm when the ampule is mounted on the tool, whereby the interior of the ampule is also brought to atmospheric pressure through said needle thus enabling the withdrawal of an elastic plug from the ampule, and the refilling of the ampule with a solid alginate without encountering pneumatic resistance.