Patents by Inventor Michael E. Bloom

Michael E. Bloom 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: 20220396466
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser system is disclosed herein that is configured to switch between an open position in which fluid flows through a fluid channel and a closed position in which fluid is prevented from flowing through the fluid channel. The fluid dispenser system includes a valve disposed along the fluid channel and configured to move between the open valve position and the closed valve position, a trigger actuatable between an open trigger position and a closed trigger position which move the valve between the open valve position and the closed valve position, a trigger latch configured to move between a latched position in which the trigger latch fixes the trigger in the open trigger position and an unlatched position in which the trigger latch does not constrain movement of the trigger, and a solenoid with a solenoid pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Michael E. Bloom, Bradley G. Kahler
  • Patent number: 11359736
    Abstract: A variable flow poppet valve includes a first stage, a second stage, a bushing disposed in the second stage, and a cap configured to actuate the valve open. The first stage includes an inner valve plug having a head with a first tapered portion and a shaft extending downstream from the head, and a first stage spring disposed within the bushing and extending around the shaft. The shaft is attached to the cap to allow the cap to actuate the inner valve plug to the open position. The second stage includes an outer valve plug having an upstream portion and a second tapered portion extending downstream from the upstream portion. The bushing includes a shoulder, and the cap is configured to engage the shoulder to actuate the outer valve plug to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Ebben, Anthony J. Kuschel, Michael E. Bloom
  • Patent number: 11306836
    Abstract: A variable flow poppet valve includes a first stage, a second stage, a bushing disposed in the second stage, and a cap configured to actuate the valve open. The first stage includes an inner valve plug having a head with a first tapered portion and a shaft extending downstream from the head, and a first stage spring disposed within the bushing and extending around the shaft. The shaft is attached to the cap to allow the cap to actuate the inner valve plug to the open position. The second stage includes an outer valve plug having an upstream portion and a second tapered portion extending downstream from the upstream portion. The bushing includes a shoulder, and the cap is configured to engage the shoulder to actuate the outer valve plug to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Ebben, Anthony J. Kuschel, Michael E. Bloom
  • Patent number: 11292710
    Abstract: A fluid management system includes a fluid management controller and a fluid dispenser. The controller authorizes control of the one or more fluid management components over a wireless interface. A dispensing meter can be activated by an authentication device. The fluid meter includes a cartridge valve with a valve cartridge and a valve stem. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Paar, Bradley G. Kahler, Chad G. Igo, Gregory D. Sieckert, Mark L. Bauck, James R. Ebben, David J. Lorden, Michael E. Bloom, Shane A. Norman, Anthony J. Kuschel, Glenn E. Highland
  • Patent number: 11078069
    Abstract: A handheld fluid meter includes a cartridge valve controlling the flow of fluid through the handheld meter. The cartridge valve includes a valve cartridge and a valve stem disposed within the valve cartridge. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The overmolded stem tip is a compliant material. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Bloom, Mark L. Bauck, James R. Ebben, David J. Lorden, Bradley G. Kahler, Anthony J. Kuschel
  • Patent number: 11040869
    Abstract: A handheld fluid meter includes a cartridge valve controlling the flow of fluid through the handheld meter. The cartridge valve includes a valve cartridge and a valve stem disposed within the valve cartridge. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The overmolded stem tip is a compliant material. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Bloom, Mark L. Bauck, James R. Ebben, David J. Lorden, Bradley G. Kahler, Anthony J. Kuschel
  • Publication number: 20210140552
    Abstract: A variable flow poppet valve includes a first stage, a second stage, a bushing disposed in the second stage, and a cap configured to actuate the valve open. The first stage includes an inner valve plug having a head with a first tapered portion and a shaft extending downstream from the head, and a first stage spring disposed within the bushing and extending around the shaft. The shaft is attached to the cap to allow the cap to actuate the inner valve plug to the open position. The second stage includes an outer valve plug having an upstream portion and a second tapered portion extending downstream from the upstream portion. The bushing includes a shoulder, and the cap is configured to engage the shoulder to actuate the outer valve plug to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: James R. Ebben, Anthony J. Kuschel, Michael E. Bloom
  • Publication number: 20210107783
    Abstract: A fluid management system includes a fluid management controller and a fluid dispenser. The controller authorizes control of the one or more fluid management components over a wireless interface. A dispensing meter can be activated by an authentication device. The fluid meter includes a cartridge valve with a valve cartridge and a valve stem. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Bradley G. Kahler, Mark L. Bauck, Joshua R. Holmstadt, Glenn E. Highland, Benjamin J. Paar, Chad G. Igo, Gregory D. Sieckert, James R. Ebben, David J. Lorden, Michael E. Bloom, Shane A. Norman, Anthony J. Kuschel
  • Publication number: 20200048069
    Abstract: A fluid management system includes a fluid management controller and a fluid dispenser. The controller authorizes control of the one or more fluid management components over a wireless interface. A dispensing meter can be activated by an authentication device. The fluid meter includes a cartridge valve with a valve cartridge and a valve stem. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Paar, Bradley G. Kahler, Chad G. Igo, Gregory D. Sieckert, Mark L. Bauck, James R. Ebben, David J. Lorden, Michael E. Bloom, Shane A. Norman, Anthony J. Kuschel, Glenn E. Highland
  • Publication number: 20200048068
    Abstract: A handheld fluid meter includes a cartridge valve controlling the flow of fluid through the handheld meter. The cartridge valve includes a valve cartridge and a valve stem disposed within the valve cartridge. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The overmolded stem tip is a compliant material. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Michael E. BLOOM, Mark L. BAUCK, James R. EBBEN, David J. LORDEN, Bradley G. KAHLER, Anthony J. KUSCHEL
  • Patent number: 10442678
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid includes a nozzle stem that controls the flow of fluid out of a dispensing end of the nozzle. The nozzle stem includes an overmolded stem tip on a reduced diameter portion of the nozzle stem. The overmolded stem tip is formed from a compliant material and includes a sealing portion and a tip cone extending from the sealing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Shane A. Norman, Michael E. Bloom, Anthony J. Kuschel
  • Publication number: 20190084823
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid includes a nozzle stem that controls the flow of fluid out of a dispensing end of the nozzle. The nozzle stem includes an overmolded stem tip on a reduced diameter portion of the nozzle stem. The overmolded stem tip is formed from a compliant material and includes a sealing portion and a tip cone extending from the sealing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Shane A. Norman, Michael E. Bloom, Anthony J. Kuschel
  • Patent number: 9656833
    Abstract: A hose reel includes a hose reel frame, a hose reel spool rotatably mounted on the hose reel frame for rotation about a rotational axis, a drive coupling attached to the hose reel spool and aligned with the rotational axis, a drive mount attached to the hose reel frame, and a drive module mounted on the drive mount that has a drive shaft connected to the drive coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Michael E. Bloom, Daniel J. Rogers, Anthony J. Kuschel, Daniel L. Medina
  • Publication number: 20160122155
    Abstract: A hose reel includes a hose reel frame, a hose reel spool rotatably mounted on the hose reel frame for rotation about a rotational axis, a drive coupling attached to the hose reel spool and aligned with the rotational axis, a drive mount attached to the hose reel frame, and a drive module mounted on the drive mount that has a drive shaft connected to the drive coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Michael E. Bloom, Daniel J. Rogers, Anthony J. Kuschel, Daniel L. Medina
  • Patent number: 9322429
    Abstract: A hose reel bearing arrangement supports a rotatable swivel shaft on a stationary hose reel frame. The bearing arrangement comprises a stationary bearing race, a rotating bearing race and a bearing. The stationary bearing race is anchored to the stationary hose reel frame, and has a stationary arcuate land for bearing an axial load, a stationary cylindrical land for bearing a radial load, and a stationary frustoconical intervening portion. The rotating bearing race is anchored to the rotatable swivel shaft, and has a rotating arcuate land for bearing the axial load, a rotating cylindrical land for bearing the radial load, and a rotating frustoconical intervening portion. The bearing is bracketed axially by the stationary arcuate land and the rotating arcuate land, and radially by the stationary cylindrical land and the rotating cylindrical land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Michael E. Bloom, Daniel L. Medina
  • Publication number: 20150337895
    Abstract: A hose reel bearing arrangement supports a rotatable swivel shaft on a stationary hose reel frame. The bearing arrangement comprises a stationary bearing race, a rotating bearing race and a bearing. The stationary bearing race is anchored to the stationary hose reel frame, and has a stationary arcuate land for bearing an axial load, a stationary cylindrical land for bearing a radial load, and a stationary frustoconical intervening portion. The rotating bearing race is anchored to the rotatable swivel shaft, and has a rotating arcuate land for bearing the axial load, a rotating cylindrical land for bearing the radial load, and a rotating frustoconical intervening portion. The bearing is bracketed axially by the stationary arcuate land and the rotating arcuate land, and radially by the stationary cylindrical land and the rotating cylindrical land.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Michael E. Bloom, Daniel L. Medina
  • Patent number: D850505
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Bloom, Joshua R. Holmstadt, Bradley G. Kahler, Benjamin J. Paar, Anthony J. Kuschel, James R. Ebben, Shane A. Norman
  • Patent number: D861759
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Bloom, Joshua R. Holmstadt, Bradley G. Kahler, Benjamin J. Paar, Anthony J. Kuschel, James R. Ebben, Shane A. Norman
  • Patent number: D872828
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Bloom, Joshua R. Holmstadt, Bradley G. Kahler, Benjamin J. Paar, Anthony J. Kuschel, James R. Ebben, Shane A. Norman
  • Patent number: D872829
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Bloom, Joshua R. Holmstadt, Bradley G. Kahler, Benjamin J. Paar, Anthony J. Kuschel, James R. Ebben, Shane A. Norman