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(11) | EP 3 653 307 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | PAINT SPRAYER AND TIP ASSEMBLY FOR PAINT SPRAYER |
| (57) A paint sprayer and a tip assembly for a paint sprayer. The tip assembly is configured
to be coupled to a paint sprayer. The paint sprayer includes a housing having an actuator,
a pump positioned within the housing, an outlet valve fluidly coupled to the pump,
and a motor configured to drive the pump. The motor is configured to be operatively
coupled to the power source. The tip assembly includes a tip housing removably coupleable
to the housing of the paint sprayer, and a tip. The tip housing has a first opening
that is configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet valve along a spray
axis. The tip has a body with a second opening. The tip is movable between a retracted
position and an operative position in which the second opening is in communication
with the first opening. The tip is configured to be moved from the retracted position
to the operative position by engagement of the actuator and the tip is configured
to be moved from the operative position to the retracted position by disengagement
of the actuator.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
BACKGROUND
[0002] Paint sprayers are used by professionals and laymen alike to evenly apply paint to a variety of surfaces. The tip of the paint sprayer determines the amount that the paint that is applied. Also, the tips are used to achieve a variety of spray patterns based on the geometry and airhole patterns of the tip.
SUMMARY
[0003] In a first aspect, there is provided a tip assembly that is configured to be coupled to a paint sprayer and that includes a housing that is configured to be coupled to paint sprayer, a magnet positioned within the housing, and a tip that is positioned within a housing and movable within the housing as a result of changes in a magnetic field generated by the magnet.
[0004] In a second aspect, there is provided a tip assembly that is configured to be coupled to a paint sprayer. The tip assembly includes a housing that is configured to be coupled to paint sprayer and a tip positioned within the housing. The tip is movable within the housing as a result of changes in a pressure applied within the housing.
[0005] In a third aspect, there is provided a paint sprayer including a housing having an actuator, a pump positioned within the housing, an outlet valve fluidly coupled to the pump and extending from the pump through the housing, a motor configured to drive the pump to move paint from a container to the outlet valve, and a tip assembly. The motor is configured to be operatively coupled with a power source. The tip assembly includes a tip housing that is coupleable to the housing of the paint sprayer and that is configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet valve along a spray axis, and a tip positioned within the tip housing and movable within the housing between a retracted position and an operative position. The tip is in communication with the actuator such that engagement of the actuator moves the tip from the retracted position to the operative position and disengagement of the actuator moves the tip from the operative position to the retracted position.
[0006] In one embodiment of the third aspect, the tip assembly may further include a magnet. The tip may be magnetically coupled to the magnet in the retracted position and decoupled from the magnet in the operative position.
[0007] In one embodiment of the third aspect, the magnet may be a permanent magnet and the tip assembly may further include a solenoid and a biasing mechanism. The solenoid and the biasing mechanism may be positioned within the tip housing. The solenoid may be positioned adjacent the permanent magnet.
[0008] In one embodiment of the third aspect, engagement of the actuator may be configured to actuate the power source and direct current in a first direction through the solenoid thereby creating a magnetic field that opposes a magnetic field of the permanent magnet and decoupling the tip from the permanent magnet such that the biasing member biases the tip from the retracted position to the operative position.
[0009] In one embodiment of the third aspect, disengagement of the actuator may be configured to disengage the power source such that current runs in a second direction through the solenoid thereby creating a magnetic field that attracts the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, overcomes the bias of the biasing mechanism, and moves the tip from the operative position to the retracted position.
[0010] In one embodiment of the third aspect, the magnet may be an electro-permanent magnet and the tip assembly further includes a solenoid and a biasing mechanism. The solenoid and the biasing mechanism are positioned within the tip housing. The solenoid is positioned around the electro-permanent magnet.
[0011] In one embodiment of the third aspect, when the actuator is disengaged and current is not supplied by the power source, a magnetic field of the electro-permanent magnet may attract the tip to retain the tip in the retracted position.
[0012] In one embodiment of the third aspect, actuation of the actuator may be configured to actuate the power source and directs current through the solenoid thereby reversing the direction of the magnetic field of the electro-permanent magnet such that the biasing mechanism biases the tip from the retracted position to the operative position.
[0013] In one embodiment of the third aspect, disengagement of the actuator may be configured to disengage the power source such that current does not run through the solenoid thereby reversing the direction of the magnetic field of the electro-permanent magnet, overcoming the bias of the biasing mechanism, and moving the tip from the operative position to the retracted position.
[0014] In one embodiment of the third aspect, the magnet may be a first magnet and the tip assembly may further include a second magnet that is rotatable relative to the first magnet and a biasing mechanism. The second magnet and the biasing mechanism may be positioned within the tip housing.
[0015] In one embodiment of the third aspect, in the retracted position, north poles of the first magnet and the second magnet may be aligned, and in the operative position, the north poles of the first magnet and the second magnet may be spaced apart from one another.
[0016] In one embodiment of the third aspect, the tip housing may include a first chamber and a second chamber. The tip may be positioned within and movable relative to the first chamber and configured to allow communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber may be in communication with the outlet valve.
[0017] In one embodiment of the third aspect, the paint sprayer may further include a biasing mechanism that biases the tip into the retracted position in which the tip prevents communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. Actuation of the actuator may allow paint to flow into the second chamber thereby increasing a pressure of the paint on the tip to move the tip against the bias of the biasing mechanism and into the operative position. Disengagement of the actuator may stop paint flow thereby decreasing the pressure of the paint on the tip such that the biasing mechanism moves the tip to the retracted position.
[0018] In one embodiment of the third aspect, the tip may define a longitudinal axis, the tip may be movable along the longitudinal axis between the retracted position and the operative position and the tip may be rotatable about the longitudinal axis.
[0019] In one embodiment of the third aspect, the paint sprayer may further include the power source. The power source may include a removable battery pack.
[0020] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a tip assembly for a paint sprayer. The tip assembly is configured to be coupled to a paint sprayer including a housing having an actuator, a pump positioned within the housing, an outlet valve fluidly coupled to the pump and extending from the pump through the housing, and a motor configured to drive the pump to move paint from a container to the outlet valve. The motor is configured to be operatively coupled with a power source. The tip assembly includes a tip housing that is removably coupleable to the housing of the paint sprayer, and has a first opening that is configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet valve along a spray axis. The tip assembly further includes a tip having a body including a second opening. The tip is movable between a retracted position in which the second opening is positioned within the tip housing and spaced apart from the first opening and an operative position in which the second opening is in communication with the first opening. The tip is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the operative position by engagement of the actuator and the tip is configured to be moved from the operative position to the retracted position by disengagement of the actuator.
[0021] In one embodiment of the fourth aspect, the tip assembly may further include a magnet positioned within the tip housing. The tip may be movable within the tip housing as a result of changes in a magnetic field generated by the magnet.
[0022] In one embodiment of the fourth aspect, the tip may be movable within the tip housing as a result of changes in a pressure applied to the tip within the tip housing.
[0023] In one embodiment of the fourth aspect, the tip may define a longitudinal axis. The tip may be movable along the longitudinal axis between the retracted position and the operative position. The tip may be rotatable about the longitudinal axis.
[0024] The tip assembly of the fourth aspect may include one or more features of the tip assembly of the paint sprayer of the third aspect.
[0025] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. Any feature(s) described herein in relation to one aspect or embodiment may be combined with any other feature(s) described herein in relation to any other aspect or embodiment, as appropriate and applicable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026]
FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a paint sprayer including a tip assembly according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tip assembly including a housing, a tip, and a magnet according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tip assembly of FIG. 2 along the line 3--3.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tip assembly of FIG. 2 along the line 3--3, the tip being in a first position.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tip assembly of FIG. 2 along the line 3--3, the tip being in a second position.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a tip assembly according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a tip assembly according to another embodiment of the invention and including a tip in a first position.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a tip assembly shown in FIG. 7 and including the tip in a second position.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tip assembly according to another embodiment of the invention and including a tip.
FIG. 10 is cross-sectional view of the tip assembly of FIG. 9 along the line 10--10.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the tip assembly of FIG. 9 along the line 10--10 with the tip in a first position.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the tip assembly of FIG. 9 along the line 10--10 with the tip in a second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
[0028] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of a paint sprayer 10 including a tip assembly 14. The paint sprayer 10 includes a housing 18 that has an actuator 26 and a removably attachable paint container 30 for holding paint to be sprayed. Positioned within the housing 18 is a pump 34 (e.g., a gear pump or any suitable pump). An outlet valve 38 is fluidly coupled to and extends from the pump 34 through the housing 18. The paint sprayer 10 further includes a motor 42 and a transmission 48 (e.g., a multi-stage planetary transmission) to drive the pump 34 to displace the paint from the paint container 30 and move paint from the container 30 to the outlet valve 38. A power source is operatively coupled to the motor 42. In the illustrated embodiments, the power source is a battery pack 52 that is removably coupled to the paint sprayer 10 and configured to actuate the motor 42. The paint sprayer 10 includes a printed circuit board ("PCB") 56 that has a controller 60, which communicates with the battery pack 52 and the actuator 26.
[0029] FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the tip assembly 14 according to one embodiment of the invention. The tip assembly 14 includes a housing 100 that defines a longitudinal axis A (FIG. 3) and tip 102 that is movable within the housing 100. The housing 100 includes an opening 104, a first channel 108, a second channel 112, and a third channel 116. The opening 104 defines a spray axis B and is aligned with the outlet valve 38. The first and second channels 108, 112 are arranged generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A. The third channel 116 is arcuate and couples the first and the second channels 108, 112 to one another. A permanent magnet 120 and a solenoid 124 (i.e., wrapped motor coil) are positioned within the housing 100. The solenoid 124 is configured to communicate with the battery pack 52 and the controller 60. A biasing mechanism 128 (i.e., spring) is positioned within the housing 100 adjacent to the permanent magnet 120. The spring 128 is preferably biased away from the permanent magnet 120.
[0030] The tip 102 includes a body 140 that has an opening 144 extending therethrough and a projection 148 extending therefrom. The tip 102 is received within the body 140 along the longitudinal axis A. The spring 128 is positioned between the permanent magnet 120 and the tip 102. The projection 148 of the tip 102 is received in and slideable within either the first channel 108 or the second channel 112.
[0031] The tip 102 is movable (i.e., translatable or slideable) within the housing 100 to move the opening 144 into and out of alignment with the opening 104 in the housing 100. That is, the tip 102 is movable within the housing 100 between a first, operative position (FIG. 4) and a second, retracted position (FIG. 5). In the operative position, the opening 144 of the tip 102 is aligned with the opening 104 in the housing 100, and in the retracted position, the opening 144 of the tip 102 is out of alignment with (i.e., spaced apart from) the opening 104 in the housing 100. Also, in the retracted position, the opening 144 in the tip 102 is positioned within the housing 100 to prevent the opening 144 from being in contact with ambient air, and thereby preventing the opening 144 from becoming clogged.
[0032] The tip 102 is movable by current supplied from the battery pack 52 to the solenoid 124. In the retracted position, the tip 102 is latched onto the permanent magnet 120. The tip 102 moves from the retracted position to the operative position by actuating the actuator 26 to activate the sprayer 10 to spray the paint. Actuation of the actuator actuates the battery pack 52 and directs current, via the controller 60, in a first direction through the solenoid 124 thereby creating a magnetic field that opposes the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 120. Accordingly, the tip 102 unlatches or releases from the permanent magnet 120. When unlatched from the permanent magnet 120, the tip 102 is subject to the force of the spring 128, which pushes the tip 102 upwards and the opening 144 of the tip 102 into alignment with the opening 104 in the housing 100. The controller 60 may also include a timing feature that delays actuation of the pump 34 until the tip 102 is in the operative position such that paint does not spray until the tip 102 is in the operative position.
[0033] When the actuator 26 is released to cease spraying, the tip 102 moves from the operative position to the retracted position. Release of the actuator 26 disengages the battery pack 52 and therefore current runs in a second, opposite direction through the solenoid 124 thereby creating a magnetic field that attracts the magnetic field of permanent magnet 120. Accordingly, the magnetic field pulls the tip 102 towards the permanent magnet 120 such that the tip 102 latches onto the permanent magnet 120 and the opening 144 of the tip 102 is moved into the housing 100 and out of alignment with the opening 104 in the housing 100.
[0034] The tip 102 is also rotatable within the housing 100 by 180 degrees. In particular, the body 140 of the tip is rotatable about the longitudinal axis A such that the projection 148 moves between the first channel 108 and the second channel 112 via the third channel 116. That is, the body 140 rotates in a first direction (designated by arrow 150) to move the projection 148 from the first channel 108 to the second channel 112, and the body 140 rotates in a second, opposite direction to move the projection 148 from the second channel 112 to the first channel 108. Rotating the body 140 helps the user to clear clogs within the tip assembly 14.
[0035] In the embodiment of FIGS. 2-5, the magnetic field is generated by a solenoid 124 and a permanent magnet 120, but the magnetic field may be generated by other configurations. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the magnetic field may be generated by an electro-permanent magnet (EPM). When an electro-permanent magnet is used, the configuration described relative to FIGS. 2-5 differs in that the solenoid 124 is positioned around an electro-permanent magnet 120 rather than adjacent the permanent magnet 120. Because the solenoid 124 surrounds the electro-permanent magnet, the direction of magnetization is towards the electro-permanent magnet. The magnetic field of the electro-permanent magnet is also constant. The magnetic field of the electro-permanent magnet is switched off by a pulse of current. Accordingly, when the actuator 26 is disengaged and current is not supplied by the battery pack 52, the electro-permanent magnet attracts the tip 102 to retain the tip 102 in the retracted position. When the actuator 26 is actuated, current supplied by the battery pack 52 through the solenoid 124 reverses the direction of the magnetic field such that the direction of magnetization is away from the electro-permanent magnet. Accordingly, the tip 102 unlatches from the electro-permanent magnet. While unlatched, the tip 102 is subject to the force of the spring 128, which pushes the tip 102 upwards and the opening 144 of the tip 102 into alignment with the opening 104 in the housing 100.
[0036] In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-8, the magnetic field may be generated by first and second rotating magnets 160, 164 that turn the magnetic field on and off, rather than the permanent magnet 120 and the solenoid 124 of FIGS. 2-5. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 7-8, the two diametrically magnetized magnets 160, 164 are positioned within the housing 100 of the tip 102 adjacent one another. When the tip 102 is in the retracted position, the north poles of the first and second magnets 160, 164 (FIG. 7) are pointing in the same direction (e.g., aligned with one another). Accordingly, in the retracted position, the first and second magnets 160, 164 are magnetized in the same direction and pull the opening 144 of the tip 102 into the housing 100. When the tip 102 is in the operative position, the direction of one of the first and second magnets 160,164 is switched or rotated such that the north poles face in opposite directions (e.g., are spaced apart from one another). Accordingly and with respect to FIG. 8, in the operative position, the first and second magnets 160, 164 are magnetized in the opposite directions and release the tip 102 such that the spring 128 biases the tip 102 away from the magnets 160, 164 and the opening 144 of the tip 102 into alignment with the opening 104 in the housing 100.
[0037] FIGS. 9-12 illustrate a tip assembly 200 according to another embodiment of the invention. The tip assembly 200 includes a housing 204 that is configured to be coupled to a paint sprayer 10 and a tip 208 that is positioned within and movable relative to the housing 204. The housing 204 is coupled to a paint adapter 212, which is in communication with the outlet valve 38 of the paint sprayer 10.
[0038] Further with respect to FIGS. 9 and 10, the housing 204 includes an opening 202 and a first portion 220 coupled to a second portion 224. A first chamber 228 extends through both the first portion 220 of the housing 204 and the second portion 224 of the housing 204 and defines a first axis C. A second chamber 232 extends through the second portion 224 of the housing 204 and defines a second axis D that is perpendicular to the first axis C. Thereby, the second chamber 232 intersects with the first chamber 228. The paint adapter 212 is coupled to housing 204 and fluidly coupled to the second chamber 232 and aligned with second axis D of the housing 200.
[0039] The tip 208, a tip bushing 240, a biasing mechanism 244 (i.e., spring), and a compression screw 248 are positioned within the housing 204. The tip 208 includes an axis A, an opening 252 extending therethrough and a tip guide 256 coupled to one end. The tip guide 256 prevents the tip 208 from rotating within the first chamber 228. The tip bushing 240 has a channel 260 extending along one side.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 10, the tip bushing 240 is positioned within the second portion 224 of the housing 204 such that one end of the tip bushing 240 abuts the first portion 220 of the housing 200. The tip bushing 240 is positioned adjacent the first chamber 228 and the channel 260 of the tip bushing 240 extends parallel to the first axis C. The compression screw 248 engages the tip bushing 240 on the opposite side of the channel 260. The tip 208 is positioned in and movable relative to the first chamber 228 and the tip bushing 240. Accordingly, the axis A of the tip 208 is aligned with the axis C of the first chamber. In particular, the tip 208 is movable between a first, operative position (FIGS. 10 and 11) and a second, retracted position (FIG. 12). In the retracted position, the tip 208 is positioned between the first and the second chambers 228, 232 such that there is no fluid communication between the first chamber 228 and the second chamber 232. As shown in FIG. 12, the tip 208 engages (i.e., is seated against) an end of the first chamber 228 in the retracted position. Also, the opening 252 in the tip 208 is hidden within the housing 200 and spaced apart from the opening 202 in the housing 200 when the tip 208 is in the retracted position. The opening 252 in the tip 208 is hidden within the housing 204 to prevent the opening 252 from being exposed to ambient air and from becoming clogged. The tip 208 is retained in the retracted position by the bias of the spring 244.
[0041] In the operative position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the tip 208 is spaced apart from the end of the first chamber 228 and the second chamber 232. Because the tip 208 is spaced apart from the second chamber 232, there is a pathway that allows fluid communication between the first chamber 228 and the second chamber 232. Also, the opening 252 in the tip 208 is aligned with the opening 202 in the housing 200. Therefore, paint can flow into and out of the tip 208 and via the pathway.
[0042] The tip 208 moves from the retracted position to the operative position when pressure is applied in the second chamber 232. When the pump 34 is engaged and pressure is applied by pumping paint into the second chamber 232, the tip 208 overcomes the bias of the spring 244 and moves to the operative position. When the pump 34 is disengaged, the pressure reduces and the bias of the spring 244 returns the tip 208 to the retracted position.
1. A paint sprayer comprising:
a housing having an actuator;
a pump positioned within the housing;
an outlet valve fluidly coupled to the pump and extending from the pump through the housing;
a motor configured to drive the pump to move paint from a container to the outlet valve, the motor being configured to be operatively coupled with a power source; and
a tip assembly including
a tip housing that is coupleable to the housing of the paint sprayer and that is configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet valve along a spray axis; and
a tip positioned within the tip housing and movable within the housing between a retracted position and an operative position,
wherein the tip is in communication with the actuator such that engagement of the actuator moves the tip from the retracted position to the operative position and disengagement of the actuator moves the tip from the operative position to the retracted position.
2. The paint sprayer of claim 1, wherein the tip assembly further includes a magnet,
the tip being magnetically coupled to the magnet in the retracted position and decoupled
from the magnet in the operative position.
3. The paint sprayer of claim 2, wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet and the tip
assembly further includes a solenoid and a biasing mechanism, the solenoid and the
biasing mechanism being positioned within the tip housing, the solenoid being positioned
adjacent the permanent magnet.
4. The paint sprayer of claim 3, wherein engagement of the actuator is configured to
actuate the power source and direct current in a first direction through the solenoid
thereby creating a magnetic field that opposes a magnetic field of the permanent magnet
and decoupling the tip from the permanent magnet such that the biasing member biases
the tip from the retracted position to the operative position, and optionally, disengagement
of the actuator is configured to disengage the power source such that current runs
in a second direction through the solenoid thereby creating a magnetic field that
attracts the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, overcomes the bias of the biasing
mechanism, and moves the tip from the operative position to the retracted position.
5. The paint sprayer of claim 2, wherein the magnet is an electro-permanent magnet and
the tip assembly further includes a solenoid and a biasing mechanism, the solenoid
and the biasing mechanism being positioned within the tip housing, the solenoid being
positioned around the electro-permanent magnet.
6. The paint sprayer of claim 5, wherein when the actuator is disengaged and current
is not supplied by the power source, a magnetic field of the electro-permanent magnet
attracts the tip to retain the tip in the retracted position.
7. The paint sprayer of claim 6, wherein actuation of the actuator is configured to actuate
the power source and directs current through the solenoid thereby reversing the direction
of the magnetic field of the electro-permanent magnet such that the biasing mechanism
biases the tip from the retracted position to the operative position, and optionally,
disengagement of the actuator is configured to disengage the power source such that
current does not run through the solenoid thereby reversing the direction of the magnetic
field of the electro-permanent magnet, overcoming the bias of the biasing mechanism,
and moving the tip from the operative position to the retracted position.
8. The paint sprayer of claim 2, wherein the magnet is a first magnet and the tip assembly
further includes a second magnet that is rotatable relative to the first magnet and
a biasing mechanism, the second magnet and the biasing mechanism being positioned
within the tip housing, and optionally, in the retracted position, north poles of
the first magnet and the second magnet are aligned, and in the operative position,
the north poles of the first magnet and the second magnet are spaced apart from one
another.
9. The paint sprayer of claim 1, wherein the tip housing includes a first chamber and
a second chamber, the tip being positioned within and movable relative to the first
chamber and configured to allow communication between the first chamber and the second
chamber, the second chamber being in communication with the outlet valve.
10. The paint sprayer of claim 9, further comprising a biasing mechanism that biases the
tip into the retracted position in which the tip prevents communication between the
first chamber and the second chamber, and wherein actuation of the actuator allows
paint to flow into the second chamber thereby increasing a pressure of the paint on
the tip to move the tip against the bias of the biasing mechanism and into the operative
position, and disengagement of the actuator stops paint flow thereby decreasing the
pressure of the paint on the tip such that the biasing mechanism moves the tip to
the retracted position.
11. The paint sprayer of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the tip defines a longitudinal
axis, the tip being movable along the longitudinal axis between the retracted position
and the operative position and the tip being rotatable about the longitudinal axis.
12. The paint sprayer of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising the power source,
and optionally, the power source comprises a removable battery pack.
13. A tip assembly for a paint sprayer, the tip assembly being configured to be coupled
to a paint sprayer including a housing having an actuator, a pump positioned within
the housing, an outlet valve fluidly coupled to the pump and extending from the pump
through the housing, and a motor configured to drive the pump to move paint from a
container to the outlet valve, the motor being configured to be operatively coupled
to a power source, the tip assembly comprising:
a tip housing that is removably coupleable to the housing of the paint sprayer, the tip housing having a first opening that is configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet valve along a spray axis; and
a tip having a body including a second opening, the tip being movable between a retracted position in which the second opening is positioned within the tip housing and spaced apart from the first opening and an operative position in which the second opening is in communication with the first opening;
wherein the tip is configured to be moved from the retracted position to the operative position by engagement of the actuator and the tip is configured to be moved from the operative position to the retracted position by disengagement of the actuator, and optionally,
the tip defines a longitudinal axis, the tip being movable along the longitudinal axis between the retracted position and the operative position and the tip being rotatable about the longitudinal axis.
14. The tip assembly of claim 13, further comprising a magnet positioned within the tip
housing, the tip being movable within the tip housing as a result of changes in a
magnetic field generated by the magnet.
15. The tip assembly of claim 13, wherein the tip is movable within the tip housing as
a result of changes in a pressure applied to the tip within the tip housing.