Abstract: A hot-melt adhesive applicator with a heating block features a flow maze for the hot-melt adhesive, arranged between heating block and applicator nozzle, which is formed, for one, by parts of the heating block, and, for another, by a detachable maze attachment, and causes the hot-melt adhesive to flow through thin ribbon or disk-shaped spaces in intimate contact with heated surfaces, with all essential adhesive channels being easily accessible for cleaning upon removal of the maze attachment.

Abstract: A firing safety for a pneumatic nailer or stapler is disclosed. The tool has an inlet or firing valve for pressurized air, and a trigger valve which, upon actuation, connects said inlet valve with the pressurized air through a passageway. The passageway has a opening or port leading to atmosphere, and a manually operable flap valve is provided to close said opening. Thus, when said flap valve is open actuation of the trigger valve and/or a nose-piece sensor safety will not cause the nailer to fire, unless the manually operable flap valve is also operated to close said opening.

Abstract: A firing safety for a pneumatic nailer or stapler is disclosed, which safety, by itself cannot operate as a means to actuate the pneumatic device, even if the trigger and/or work responsive safety device remains in activated positions. The safety of the present invention requires a specific hand movement by the operator in order to reactivate the tool.

Abstract: A valve for hot melt adhesives is provided with a spring pressed piston urged open by adhesive pressure. A nozzle on the valve has an outlet channel of predetermined volume. Upon termination of fluid pressure the piston retracts through a volume less than the predetermined nozzle outlet channel volume to suck back a limited amount of adhesive to prevent dripping of adhesives.

Abstract: In a fluid operated tool of the type having firing control means comprising two separate and independent triggering means shiftable independently and in any order between normal and firing positions and requiring both triggering means to be concurrently in their firing positions to actuate the tool, safety means introducing into the firing sequence of the firing control means a time limit within which both triggering means must achieve their firing positions. If both triggering means do not achieve their firing positions within the time limit, the firing sequence must be reinitiated with a selected one or both of the triggering means initially in their normal positions.