US 7,467,907 B2
Valve mechanisms for paint or ink brush with integrated reservoir
Steven Gaynes, Wonderlake, Ill. (US); Leighton Davies-Smith, Oswego, Ill. (US); Howard Danzyger, South Elgin, Ill. (US); Michael Flader, Vernon Hills, Ill. (US); and Jason Cantu, Vernon Hills, Ill. (US)
Assigned to Sanford, L.P., Oak Brook, Ill. (US)
Filed on Jul. 22, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/896,560.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/496300, filed on Aug. 19, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2005/0042019 A1, Feb. 24, 2005
Int. Cl. B43M 11/06 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 401—186  [401/273; 401/206] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A liquid applicator comprising:
a flexible reservoir for accommodating liquid, the reservoir comprising an open end connected to a ferrule with a valve assembly disposed therebetween,
the valve assembly comprising a collar comprising a proximal end facing the reservoir and a distal end facing the ferrule, the collar comprising a stepped passageway providing communication between the reservoir and the ferrule, the stepped passageway having a narrow middle portion between the proximal and distal ends of the collar,
the proximal end of the collar receiving a valve member and a retainer with the valve member trapped between the retainer and the narrow middle portion of the collar; and
the distal end of the collar receives a pin seal, the pin seal comprising a shaft comprising a solid proximal end directed towards the reservoir and a distal end directed towards the ferrule, the distal end of the shaft comprising an axial slot,
the distal end of the shaft of the pin seal is connected to a flange that is accommodated in the distal end of the collar,
wherein the pin seal is movable between a closed position with proximal end of the shaft being disposed in the narrow middle portion of the stepped passageway and blocking flow therethrough and an open position where at least a portion of the axial slot is disposed in the narrow middle portion of the stepped passageway thereby permitting restricted flow therethrough.