Patents by Inventor Robert W. Kinne

Robert W. Kinne 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: 20150367362
    Abstract: A handheld sprayer includes a housing, a turbine, a spray tip, and a hopper. An air flow passage extends through the housing. The turbine is configured to generate an airflow within the air flow passage. The spray tip is positioned to receive airflow from the air flow passage. The hopper is connected to the housing and configured to discharge a fluid into the air flow passage. In one embodiment a valve is positioned within the air flow passage and configured to control the airflow from the turbine to the spray tip. In another embodiment, a voltage limiting circuit is configured to control voltage to an electric motor of the turbine to control speed of the turbine. In another embodiment, an air inlet control device is configured to control the air intake of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Eric J. Finstad, Jeromy D. Horning, Robert W. Kinne, Bret A. Deneson, Steve J. Wrobel, David M. Larsen, Barry W. Mattson
  • Publication number: 20150330089
    Abstract: A handheld sprayer comprises a housing, a turbine, a spray tip, a hopper and a bleed line. An air flow passage extends through the housing. The turbine is configured to generate an airflow within the air flow passage. The spray tip is positioned to receive airflow from the air flow passage. The hopper is connected to the housing and is configured to discharge a fluid into the air flow passage. The bleed line is configured to direct a portion of the airflow from the turbine to the hopper. Additionally, a method for spraying a fluid from a handheld sprayer comprises directing a portion of an airflow from a turbine into a hopper to assist in discharging fluid from the hopper into a passage connected to a spray tip and the airflow from the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Eric J. Finstad, Jeromy D. Horning, Robert W. Kinne, Bret A. Deneson
  • Publication number: 20150322681
    Abstract: A handheld sprayer comprises a housing, a turbine, a spray tip, a hopper and a trigger. An air flow passage extends through the housing. The turbine is configured to generate an airflow within the air flow passage. The spray tip is positioned to receive airflow from the air flow passage. The hopper is connected to the housing and is configured to discharge a fluid into the air flow passage. The trigger is mounted to the housing to control discharge of the hopper into the flow passage and airflow form the turbine. In different embodiments, the trigger controls airflow from the turbine to the spray tip or the hopper or both. Additionally, a method for spraying a fluid from a handheld sprayer comprises controlling airflow from a turbine and discharge from a hopper into a passage using a combined actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Bret A. Deneson, Eric J. Finstad, Jeromy D. Horning
  • Publication number: 20150283566
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device includes an electrostatic discharge protection system. Accumulation and discharge of electrostatic energy created by operation of the device is reduced or prevented by the electrostatic discharge protection system without an earth ground connection. The electrostatic discharge protection system may include a number of features, such as a static wick, nonconductive components that electrically isolate the spray tip of the device, nonconductive isolation barriers, nonconductive fluid reservoir and suction tube components, a nonconductive coating of a control valve component, and a nonconductive spring retainer of the control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Steven R. Kuczenski, Bradley H. Hines, Dale C. Pemberton, Jimmy W. Tam
  • Patent number: 9085008
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device includes an electrostatic discharge protection system. Accumulation and discharge of electrostatic energy created by operation of the device is reduced or prevented by the electrostatic discharge protection system without an earth ground connection. The electrostatic discharge protection system may include a number of features, such as a static wick, non-conductive components that electrically isolate the spray tip of the device, nonconductive isolation barriers, nonconductive fluid reservoir and suction tube components, a nonconductive coating of a control valve component, and a nonconductive spring retainer of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Steven R. Kuczenski, Bradley H. Hines, Dale C. Pemberton, Jimmy W. Tam
  • Publication number: 20130240641
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device includes an electrostatic discharge protection system. Accumulation and discharge of electrostatic energy created by operation of the device is reduced or prevented by the electrostatic discharge protection system without an earth ground connection. The electrostatic discharge protection system may include a number of features, such as a static wick, non-conductive components that electrically isolate the spray tip of the device, nonconductive isolation barriers, nonconductive fluid reservoir and suction tube components, a nonconductive coating of a control valve component, and a nonconductive spring retainer of the control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Steven R. Kuczenski, Bradley H. Hines, Dale C. Pemberton, Jimmy W. Tam
  • Patent number: D651691
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Pamela J. Muetzel, Robert W. Kinne, Dale C. Pemberton, Bradley H Hines