A marking device with multiple structures that enable the user to adjust the device to make it more ergonomic. The device has an adjustable forearm support attached to a trigger grip at an adjustable wrist angle to reduce stress on the user's forearm, wrist, and trigger finger. The spray angle is adjustable and the length of the device is adjustable. The device can hold at least one can of spray paint or spray chalk, and has an engagement mechanism that moves perpendicular to the spray can valve to work with multiple configurations of spray valves. A paint deflector at the distal end of the distal paint can holster prevents overspray from building up on the actuator. The device has additional removable spray can holsters and removable flag holders. The device has multiple loops for hanging it up on a wall or attaching a carrying sling or strap.

First ticket information is electronically received relating to at least one locate request ticket pertaining to a locate and/or marking operation, in which a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area planned to be excavated or disturbed is detected and/or marked. A process guide for the locate and/or marking operation is executed and/or generated based at least in part on the first ticket information.

A fluid dispensing apparatus may be used to dispense a paint fluid from a paint container that is under pressure and that has a pierceable membrane. The fluid dispensing apparatus may include a valve body having a bore, an adaptor having a bore and a piercing member, and a nozzle having a bore. The fluid dispensing apparatus may be operable to pierce the pierceable membrane to communicate the paint within the paint container with the adaptor bore and with the valve body bore. The nozzle may be operable to permit the paint to flow under the pressure out of the paint container, through the adaptor bore, through the valve body bore and through the nozzle bore to ambient.

Marking apparatus and methods, in which first ticket information relating to a locate request ticket is received, and second ticket information derived from the first ticket information is displayed on a display device of the marking apparatus. A field technician may provide some input to generate an electronic record or log of technician activity during a marking operation. In one example, a checklist may be generated (e.g., based at least in part on the first ticket information) and displayed locally to the technician as a guide to perform and verify various aspects of the operation. In another example, a set of instructions or workflow may be generated to guide the technician through a sequence of steps to perform the marking operation. Performance via a process guide (e.g., checklist or workflow) may be interactive in that the technician may provide input, or automated/semi-automated by analyzing various information collected by the marking apparatus with respect to the ticket information and/or other available information germane to the operation.

A fluid dispensing apparatus may be used to dispense a paint fluid from a paint container that is under pressure and that has a pierceable membrane. The fluid dispensing apparatus may include a valve body having a bore, an adaptor having a bore and a piercing member, and a nozzle having a bore. The fluid dispensing apparatus may be operable to pierce the pierceable membrane to communicate the paint within the paint container with the adaptor bore and with the valve body bore. The nozzle may be operable to permit the paint to flow under the pressure out of the paint container, through the adaptor bore, through the valve body bore and through the nozzle bore to ambient.

A remotely controlled material delivery system having at least one canister, for containing a material; a nozzle; a manifold to direct movement of the material from the canister to the nozzle; a valve mechanism to control the flow of material; a signal receiver; a power source; a mounting adapter; and a remote controller operable to generate a signal wherein the signal is transmitted from the remote controller to the signal receiver, wherein the receiver can open and close the valve in response to the remotely generated signal and wherein the signal can be transmitted through a wired connection, an optical connection, or wirelessly from the remote controller to the signal receiver.

A marking paint applicator for a portable electronic locator that locates buried cables and pipes via electromagnetic emissions is disclosed. The marking paint application may include an elongated support structure and a trigger mechanism, along with a bracket assembly, a receptacle for holding paint, and an actuating mechanism for selectively controlling release of the paint in response to operator actuation of the trigger mechanism.

A fluid dispensing apparatus may be used to dispense a fluid from a container that is under pressure and that has a pierceable membrane. The fluid dispensing apparatus may include a valve body having a bore, an adaptor having a bore and a piercing member, and a nozzle having a bore. The fluid dispensing apparatus may be operable to pierce the pierceable membrane to communicate the fluid within the container with the adaptor bore and with the valve body bore. The nozzle may be operable to permit the fluid to flow under the pressure out of the container, through the adaptor bore, through the valve body bore and through the nozzle bore to ambient.

A fluid dispensing apparatus may be used to dispense a fluid from a container that is under pressure and that has a pierceable membrane. The fluid dispensing apparatus may include a valve body having a bore, an adaptor having a bore and a piercing member, and a nozzle having a bore. The fluid dispensing apparatus may be operable to pierce the pierceable membrane to communicate the fluid within the container with the adaptor bore and with the valve body bore. The nozzle may be operable to permit the fluid to flow under the pressure out of the container, through the adaptor bore, through the valve body bore and through the nozzle bore to ambient.

Location systems and methods for locating paint and other markings on a surface are disclosed. A paint marking stick may include a magnetic field sonde that is actuated in conjunction with dispensing of paint or other markers, where the sonde generates a magnetic field signal in conjunction with dispensing of paint or placement of a marker. A corresponding utility locator may receive the sonde magnetic field dipole signal and determine and store positional information and type information associated with the paint or other marker.