Patents by Inventor GRACO MINNESOTA INC.

GRACO MINNESOTA INC. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20130206867
    Abstract: An airless spray tip comprises a body, a barrel and a needle. The body has an axial fluid passage, and a tip bore extending transversely through the axial fluid passage. The barrel extends into the tip bore and includes a tip passage fluidly connected to the axial fluid passage. The needle is disposed in the axial fluid passage to engage the tip passage. An airless spray tip comprises a barrel, a fluid passage, a spray orifice and a tip seat. The barrel extends in an axial direction. The fluid passage extends through the barrel transverse to the axial direction. The spray orifice is disposed in the fluid passage. The tip seat is disposed in the fluid passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130206856
    Abstract: A portable airless sprayer comprises a housing, a motor, a pump, a spray tip and a trigger. The motor is mounted to the housing. The pump is mounted to the housing and is driven by the motor. The spray tip assembly receives pressurized fluid from the pump. The trigger is configured to actuate the spray tip assembly and activate the motor. A method of operating a portable airless sprayer comprises moving a lever over a stroke, displacing a valve pin, and activating a motor. The valve pin is displaced with the lever to actuate a spray valve. The motor is activated with the lever to drive a pump that provides fluid to the spray valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
  • Publication number: 20130153604
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing valve comprises a module, a discharge orifice, a valve stem and a filter. The module has a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a fluid passage connecting the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The discharge orifice is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. The valve stem extends into the fluid passage to close-off the discharger orifice. The filter is disposed within the fluid passage and surrounds the valve stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.