Patent ID: 7172360

Claim:
An art instrument having a self-contained reservoir for storing and dispensing ink, and an ink-dispensing assembly for distributing the ink onto a desired surface to be painted, the art instrument comprising: a reservoir body for containing ink, the reservoir body having an open end and an opposite closed end portion, the open end having means for connecting the reservoir body to an ink dispensing assembly; an ink-dispensing assembly communicably linking the reservoir body to a brush assembly, wherein the ink-dispensing assembly comprises: an outer capillary tube; an inner capillary tube nested inside the outer capillary tube; an open plug inserted into one end of the outer capillary tube and acting as a travel stop for the inner capillary tube; a secondary orifice restrictor that includes a tube-receiving end having a recessed stepped portion for receiving an unencumbered end of the inner capillary tube, and having a stepped outer surface with a cross-sectional diameter that permits the tube-receiving end to be inserted into the unencumbered end of the outer capillary tube, wherein the secondary orifice restrictor further includes an axial channel that protrudes along the entire axial length of the secondary restrictor; wherein the axial channel is generally cylindrical, and includes at least one stepped portion for receiving a pin having a first large-diameter end and an opposite small-diameter end, wherein the large-diameter end is inserted into the axial channel adjacent the tube-receiving end and extends through the channel to a channel step provided adjacent the opposite end of the secondary orifice restrictor, so that the large-diameter end is substantially flush with the terminal end of the axial channel adjacent the second end of the secondary orifice restrictor; wherein the small-diameter end of the pin protrudes into the axial channel of the inner capillary tube; wherein the ink-dispensing assembly further includes a primary orifice restrictor having a protruding tube end, an opposite end, and an axial channel linking the two ends; wherein the protruding tube end is configured so as to penetrate the axial channel of the secondary orifice restrictor and to displace the large-diameter end of the pin upon activation of the ink-dispensing system by a user; and a brush assembly including a bristle assembly surrounded by a valve body comprising an unvented sidewall, the valve body surrounded by a nozzle portion, the nozzle portion having a first end for connection to the open end of the reservoir body, and an opposite open end disposed adjacent the opposite end of the primary orifice restrictor so that ink flowing from the primary orifice restrictor meets the bristle assembly, and wherein the ink flows through and around the bristle assembly for distribution onto a surface to be painted.