Patents Assigned to Graco Minnesota
  • METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING LINEAR PUMP SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20130142672
    Abstract: A method for synchronizing pistons within linear pumps of a variable dispense ratio system comprises operating first and second pistons, controlling the first and second pistons, and reversing direction of one of the first and second pistons. The first and second pistons are operated within first and second cylinders so that the first piston moves at a slower speed than the second piston to produce a variable dispense ratio. The first and second pistons are controlled to reverse directions whenever one piston reaches an end of its respective cylinder to produce pumping. One of the first and second pistons reverses direction before either piston reaches an end of its respective cylinder to adjust the synchronicity of the pistons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Christopher R. Blackson
  • Helix heated hose
    Patent number: 8455800
    Abstract: The helix heated hoses 10 and 12 use two features to increase the flexibility. The first feature is a braided-copper heating element 14, which has increased flexibility over the prior art solid copper heating element. The element is spiral wound around the hose and held in place with a moisture barrier 16. The second feature is the helix twist 18 located just before the point where the hoses 10 and 12 attach to the manifold 20. The helix feature is created with the helix support 22, which initiates the twist around 24 inches back from the point of termination. The helix feature works to reduce the moment of inertia about the neutral axis 26 of the two supply hoses 10 and 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Tix, Mark T. Weinberger, Douglas S. Ryder
  • PISTON BORES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING PISTON BORES FOR A SERIES PROGRESSIVE DIVIDER VALVE
    Publication number: 20130118603
    Abstract: A series progressive divider valve comprises a valve body and pistons. The valve body comprises a fluid inlet, piston bores, outlet bores and porting. The fluid inlet extends into an exterior of the valve body. The piston bores extend through the valve body from a first end to a second end, wherein the piston bores are arranged along a first circular path intersecting each of the piston bores. Each piston bore includes a piston. The outlet bores extend into the valve body, and each outlet bore comprises a first set of outlet bores, and a second set of outlet bores. The porting forms a plurality passageways connecting the piston bores to each other and with the outlet bores such that when high pressure fluid is applied to the inlet each of the pistons reciprocates from the first end to the second end in sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klaphake, Anthony J. Kuschel, Dain D. Thul, Andrew J. Johnson
  • DIRECT AIR MOTOR DRIVEN PUMP TO DISPENSE VALVE
    Publication number: 20130112711
    Abstract: A hot melt system includes a melt system, a feed system, and a dispensing system. Unlike traditional hot melt systems, the melt system is directly connected to a motor-driven pump of the dispensing system, without an intervening accumulation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
  • COOLING SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20130112710
    Abstract: A hot melt dispensing system includes a container for storing solid hot melt material, a melt system, a feed system for transporting solid hot melt material from the container to the melt system, a dispensing system for administering liquid hot melt material from the melt system, and removable insulating material positioned to enclose a portion of the melt system during a dispensing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • AUTOMATIC GATE VALVE FOR HOT MELT ADHESIVE LINES
    Publication number: 20130112280
    Abstract: A hot melt system includes a melt system, a feed system, a dispensing system, and a pump. The melt system melts the pellets to produce a liquid, and the pump delivers the liquid to the dispensing system. The feed system is coordinated with the operation of the pump to control the amount of pellets delivered to the melt system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
  • QUICK CHANGE HOPPER
    Publication number: 20130115016
    Abstract: An adhesive melt system includes a hopper, a feed system, a valve, and a releasable coupling. The hopper stores hot melt pellets and the valve regulates movement of the pellets from the hopper to the feed system. The feed system delivers the hot melt pellets from the hopper. The releasable coupling allows for connection and disconnection of the hopper to and from the feed system. In one embodiment, the hopper is interchangeable with a second hopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • HOT MELTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20130112279
    Abstract: A system for melting adhesive comprises a melter, a feed system, a pump, and a controller. The melter has a melting volume, and receives and melts adhesive. The feed system supplies unmelted adhesive to the melter, while the pump pumps melted adhesive from the melter. The controller directs the pump to pump melted adhesive at a throughput rate such that the ratio of the melting volume to the throughput rate is a dwell time less than a discoloration time of the adhesive. In some embodiments, the controller also directs the feed system to replenish adhesive in the melter as a function of adhesive level in the melter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • HOT MELT TANK AND CHECK VALVE
    Publication number: 20130112294
    Abstract: A hot melt dispensing system includes a hot melt tank having a tank outlet, a flow passage extending from the tank outlet, and a check valve. The flow passage has a first end and a second end. The first end is adjacent the tank outlet. The check valve is positioned at the first end of the flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • REVERSIBLE FLOW INDUCER
    Publication number: 20130112312
    Abstract: A hot melt dispensing system includes a container for storing adhesive pellets, a melt system for heating adhesive pellets into a liquid, and a feed system connecting the container to the melt system. The feed system includes a reversible flow inducer having a first position for directing air flow toward the melt system. The reversible flow inducer also has a second position for directing air flow toward the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
  • MELTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20130112709
    Abstract: A hot melt dispensing system includes a container for storing solid hot melt material, a hot press melter having a loading position for receiving solid hot melt material and a melting position for applying heat and pressure to liquefy the hot melt material, a feed system for transporting solid hot melt material from the container to the hot press melter and a dispensing system for administering the liquefied hot melt material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • MELTER CARTRIDGE
    Publication number: 20130105517
    Abstract: A system includes a base, a melter, and a heater. The base defines a basin with an outlet connected to the basin. The melter is above the base and has an upper end for receiving hot melt pellets and a lower end adjacent to the basin so that hot melt liquid can flow from the melter through the basin to the outlet. The heater is attached to at least one of the base and the melter, and the melter is releasably attached to at least one of the base and the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • MELTER
    Publication number: 20130105005
    Abstract: A melt system capable of heating hot melt pellets into a liquid includes a melter including a body, a chamber, a collector, channels, and a heater. The thermally conductive body forms an interior with a surface area. The chamber is at an upper end of the body for receiving the pellets. The collector is within the body and located below the chamber for receiving the liquid from the melted pellets. The channels extend between the chamber and the collector to increase the surface area of the interior, and the walls of the channels form heat exchange surfaces. The heater is for transferring heat to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • VACUUM SYSTEM FEED ASSIST MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20130105526
    Abstract: A hot melt dispensing system including a container for storing adhesive pellets, a feed system for transporting adhesive pellets from the container, and a blower. The blower is positioned with respect to an inlet of the feed system for applying a flow of air for agitating the adhesive pellets and moving the adhesive pellets toward the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MELTING
    Publication number: 20130105039
    Abstract: A method of operating a melt system includes melting, flowing, pumping, and replenishing. Hot melt pellets are melted in channels of a melter into a melt liquid that has an upper surface that represents a melt level of the melt liquid in the melter. The melt liquid is flowed downward through the channels to a melt system outlet. The melt liquid is pumped from the melt system outlet. The melter is replenished with hot melt pellets until the melt level is proximate to a top end of the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
  • HEATED ARTICULATING TUBING
    Publication number: 20130105003
    Abstract: A hot melt dispensing system comprises a container, a melter, a feed system, a dispensing system and a fluid line. The container stores hot melt pellets. The feed system transports hot melt pellets from the container to the melter. The melter is capable of heating hot melt pellets into liquid hot melt adhesive. The fluid line connects the melter and the dispensing system. The dispensing system administers liquid hot melt adhesive from the melter. The fluid line comprises a rigid segment and a heating element connected to the rigid segment. In another embodiment, the fluid line comprises first and section portions connected by an articulating joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
  • HOT MELT DISPENSING SYSTEM WITH HEATED ACCUMULATOR
    Publication number: 20130105004
    Abstract: An accumulator for a hot melt dispensing system includes an accumulator body; a flow passage through which hot melt adhesive flows to a dispenser; an energy storage device for storing energy based on pressure of the hot melt adhesive in the flow passage and using stored energy to apply pressure to the hot melt adhesive when pressure in the flow passage decreases; and a heating element for heating the hot melt adhesive in the accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • SPRAYER FLUID SUPPLY WITH COLLAPSIBLE LINER
    Publication number: 20130105598
    Abstract: A fluid supply for a liquid sprayer includes a collapsible liner for holding the liquid; a cup for supporting the collapsible liner; a lid for connecting to the cup; and an air relief valve. The collapsible liner is secured relative to the lid and the cup. The lid includes an opening for connecting the lid to the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • Self contained lubricant dispenser
    Patent number: 8424722
    Abstract: An integrated design for dispensing lubricants and similar fluids from bulk containers incorporates a dispense valve (8), a meter (1), a hose (7), a DC powered electric pump (2), power cord (18) and adjustable fluid suction tube (5), all packaged in one portable unit The unit is capable of dispensing fluids such as standard SAE grade automotive motor oils, automatic transmission fluid, gear lube, hydraulic oil and engine coolant (antifreeze) The pump motor will shut down at completion of dispense; and emergency shut-off to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: D. Christian Koch, Blade R. Wilson, Mark A. King, Thomas C. Neese
  • Diaphragm pump
    Patent number: D682316
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Rogne, David L. Breeser