Provided is a method and an apparatus for indicating minimum exposure of a surface to UVC light emitted by a source during a decontamination process to achieve a desired level of pathogen reduction. The apparatus includes a photochromic material to be applied to, or applied adjacent to the surface. The photochromic material is to exhibit a visible response to receiving the minimum exposure to the UVC light, and exhibit the visible response to a lesser extent after the photochromic material ceases to be exposed to the UVC light emitted by the source. A protective layer of material that is substantially transparent to the UVC light emitted by the source is positioned over the photochromic material to be disposed between the source and the photochromic material during the decontamination process.

One embodiment of a container for transferring, storing, and dispensing paint indefinitely for touch-up painting by the use of a plurality of open-ably close-able apertures (310, 320) that cause transferring, storing, and dispensing of paint, in conjunction with a plurality of paint storage areas (1391, 153) that are independently open-ably sealable to allow for various functions such as, sealed storing of paint in one paint storage area while doing touch-up painting from another paint storage area, moving paint from external paint source to a paint storage area, moving paint between paint storage areas. Using standard (180, 190), as well as custom paint applicators allowing for ease of use, and with various features that allow for use with no clean up needed, such as replaceable components (121, 130, 170, 180, 190, 191, 192, 250) non-stick components (121, 130, 141), integral paint tray (130), paint containment features such as paint retaining walls (130) and paint catching recesses (130, 140). Carrying Tray (210) prevents spilling and holds replaceable parts (121, 130, 170, 180, 190, 191, 192, 250) for storage and transport. Other embodiments are described and shown.

In an embodiment, a paint roller manufacturing system and method uses a fabric-coating applicator to apply a fabric adhesive onto a portion of a perforated paint roller cover fabric material having a plurality of perforations through which adhesive may flow, and into the plurality of perforations and into interstitial spaces of the fabric material, to yield a length of coated fabric. An inner strip and an outer strip are wound about a mandrel in offset relation. A strip-coating applicator is used to apply a strip adhesive to the outer strip as it is wound about the mandrel. Simultaneously with the step of applying the strip adhesive to the outer strip, a portion of the coated paint roller fabric material is received at the outer strip and the length of coated fabric is wound about at least the outer strip to form a paint roller tube.

A paint roller manufacturing system and method are described. In an embodiment, an inner strip of material and an outer strip of material are wound about a mandrel in offset relation. The inner strip of material and the outer strip of material each comprise material that results in a final paint roller which shrinks by less than 2.5 percent of the final paint roller axial length, or which has shrinkage that varies by less +/0.1%, upon hardening and setting. An adhesive is applied to at least a portion of the outer strip as it is wound about the mandrel. A length of fabric is wound about at least the outer strip to form a paint roller tube, and compression is applied to the paint roller tube while advancing the paint roller tube in a direction parallel to the mandrel. A precision measuring or sensing device is used to control a cutting device causing the cutting device to cut the advancing paint roller tube into pre-selected lengths prior to the paint roller tube hardening and setting.

An applicator includes a closure cap including inner retaining members; an application head including a housing, a support, and a coupling member wherein the housing includes an axial channel with the support substantially disposed therein, an inclined surface having an application face and holes, and roller-balls disposed in the holes respectively; the support includes a stair adjacent to the holes, and the coupling member includes a neck member at a first end and being urged against the support, an internally threaded member adjacent to a second end and disposed through the neck member, a mating retaining member disposed on an outer surface of the neck member between the inclined surface and the internally threaded member, the mating retaining member being secured to the retaining members; and a container assembly including an externally threaded neck at one end and threadedly secured to the internally threaded member.

An applicator includes a closure cap including inner retaining members; an application head including a housing, a support, and a coupling member wherein the housing includes an axial channel with the support substantially disposed therein, an inclined surface having an application face and holes, and roller-balls disposed in the holes respectively; the support includes a stair adjacent to the holes, and the coupling member includes a neck member at a first end and being urged against the support, an internally threaded member adjacent to a second end and disposed through the neck member, a mating retaining member disposed on an outer surface of the neck member between the inclined surface and the internally threaded member, the mating retaining member being secured to the retaining members; and a container assembly including an externally threaded neck at one end and threadedly secured to the internally threaded member.

A paint applicator configured for use in combination with a hollow-core paint roller cover includes a handle and a pair of pivot arms extending therefrom. Each pivot arm includes a proximate end rotatably mounted to the handle and an opposite, distal end to which is pivotably mounted a hub assembly. A pivot arm actuator is cooperatively linked to the pivot arms such that movement of the actuator in opposed first and second directions causes the pivot arms to rotate toward and away from one another. Each hub assembly includes a rotatable hub frictionally engage the inside surface of the roller cover such that, when the pivot arms are rotated toward one another, the hubs enter and retain the roller cover therebetween. An actuator lock carried by the handle assembly includes a lock slide displaceable between locked and unlocked positions that, respectively, prevent and permit movement of the pivot arm actuator.

A paint roller frame and cage assembly and method of manufacturing includes providing an assembly having a handle and a shaft extending from the handle, and forming a unitary cage having a radially outward surface for supporting a roller cover. The cage includes a first cavity located at an end of the cage proximate the handle and a second cavity located at an opposite end of the cage. Each cavity is defined within the radially outward surface and has a radially opening slot. A cover retainer is receivable through a first slot and into the first cavity. The cover retainer includes radially extending fingers that extend through the slot to engage an inner diameter of the roller cover and secure the cover to the cage. A fastener is receivable through a second slot and into the second cavity to hold the cage on the shaft.

A paint roller frame and cage assembly and method of manufacturing includes providing an assembly having a handle and a shaft extending from the handle, and forming a unitary cage having a radially outward surface for supporting a roller cover. The cage includes a first cavity located at an end of the cage proximate the handle and a second cavity located at an opposite end of the cage. Each cavity is defined within the radially outward surface and has a radially opening slot. A cover retainer is receivable through a first slot and into the first cavity. The cover retainer includes radially extending fingers that extend through the slot to engage an inner diameter of the roller cover and secure the cover to the cage. A fastener is receivable through a second slot and into the second cavity to hold the cage on the shaft.

A pre-packaged paint sample includes a sealed package, paint sealed within the package, and a new paint applicator sealed within the sealed package. For use, the package is shook to apply the paint to the paint applicator. The sealed package is opened, and the paint applicator is removed from the package. The paint applicator and used to apply the relatively small amount of the paint t. The pre-packaged paint sample can be useful in applications where only a small amount of paint is needed such as, for example but not limited to, paint sampling, paint touch up, and the like.