United States Patent (19) [11] 3,744,921

Weller et al. (45) July 10, 1973

54 GLUE GUN CONSTRUCTION 2,995, 159 8/1961 Berggren...... ........ 219/227 X
3,208,142 9/1965 Osrow............................. 219,229 X
75 Inventors: Carl E. Weller, Easton, Pa.; Alden J. 2,577,721 12/1951 Belak.............................. 401/259 X
Brassaw, Phillipsburg, N.J.
73) Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc., Houston, Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves
Tex. Assistant Examiner-Francis J. Bartuska
22 Filed: May 7, 1971 Attorney-Mason, Fenwick & Lawrence
21 Appl. No.: 141,110 57 ABSTRACT
An electrically heated glue gun having an elongated tu
52 U.S. Cl............... 401/2, 401/180, 222/146 HE, bular melt chamber for receiving a solid adhesive rod
222/340 near one end thereof and having a convergently taper
(51) int. Cl............................ B05c 5/02, B67d 5/62 ing portion at is other end, a nozzle coupled on the
58) Field of Search.................... 222/146 R, 146 H, other end of the melt chamber having a bore defining
222/146 HE, 386,340, 163,387, 325, 326, a discharge orifice and a valve seat, a heating element
327, 324; 401/1, 2, 259, 260, 180; 219/221, for heating the adhesive in the melt chamber to a mol
227, 229, 230, 241,421; 228/52, 53; 184/45 ten state, a plunger movable axially through the melt
56 References Cited
chamber for pressing the adhesive forwardly, a valve in
the nozzle bore for normally closing against the valve
UNITED STATES PATENTS seat and having a pin extending through the discharge
2,567,960 9/1951 Myers et al......................... 222/146 orifice to be engaged by the work for opening the valve,
2,576,393 - 1 1/1951 Flanagan.................. 222/146 HE X and a spring mechanism to be releasibly coupled with
3,612,357 10/1971 Ruskin............................ 219/230 X the plunger to urge the plunger forwardly.
3,154,811 1 1/1964 Gardener..... w w a was a a as a 219/230
2,648,757 8/1953 . Harper............................ 219/227 X 15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures
Patented July 10, 1973 3,744,921
3 Sheets-Sheet

INVENTORS
CArle. WELLER s
ALDs N. J. 3R.Assaw
to-twich issue. ATTORNEYS
Patented July 10, 1973 3,744,921
3 Sheets-Sheet 2

-ACT)

INVENTORS
CARL E. Wells a s
Alosin .bRASSAW
surveu
ATTORNEYS
Patented July 10, 1973 3,744,921
3 Sheets-Sheet 3

INVENTORS
CAel E.Weller t
Alden JBRAssaw
smastew...fuucsl. ATTORNEYS
 3,744,921
2
GLUE GUN CONSTRUCTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glue gun or adhesive
INVENTION dispensing hand tool embodying the present invention;
The present invention relates in general to devices 5 FIG. 2 is a vertical section view of the glue gun, taken
for dispensing hot melt adhesives, and more particu substantially along the center line of the tool;
larly to hand held devices having a heated melt cham FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the electrical heat
ber through which a hot melt thermoplastic adhesive is ing circuit for the tool;
forced to melt and dispense the adhesive through a noz FIGS. 4 and 5 are vertical transverse section views
zle to a work surface. Such devices are now commonly 10 through the glue gun, taken along the lines 4-4 and
referred to as glue guns. 5-5 of FIG. 2;
Hot melt adhesives in the form of thermoplastics and FIG. 6 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view
the like have been found to be well suited for a wide va illustrating the removable nozzle, the converging por
riety of uses and have come into popular use. A number tion of the melt chamber, and the valve components of
of hand held gun type dispensing devices for such hot 15 the glue gun;
melt adhesives have been developed, wherein the adhe FIG. 7 is a horizontal longitudinal section view, taken
sive in a solid rod form is supplied to a heating passage along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2;
way in which it is melted and extruded through a nar FIG. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal section view
row opening onto the surface to be adhered. Various through the melt chamber and discharge nozzle por
arrangements have been resorted to for applying force 20 tions of a modified embodiment;
to the adhesive rod to move the molten adhesive FIG. 9 is a vertical section view taken along the line
through the discharge nozzle and apply it to the desired 9-9 of FIG. 8;
surface, such as by arranging the glue gun so that the FIG. 10 is a fragmentary section view through the
thumb of the user can press against the exposed rear 25 melt chamber and discharge nozzle portions of another
end of the adhesive rod to force it toward the discharge modified embodiment; and
nozzle, or by use of rotating feed wheels, feed ratchets, FIG. 11 is a vertical section view taken along the line
or similar devices. Difficulties have been encountered 11-11 of FEG. 10.
in minimizing the expense of glue guns while providing DETALEED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
satisfactory mechanical feed mechanisms for applying 30 EMBODEMENTS
force urging the adhesive rod toward the discharge noz
zle and in preventing leakage or drip from the nozzle Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference
during non-use. One type of glue gun which has been characters designate corresponding parts throughout
offered commercially employs a ratchet and trigger the several figures, the glue gun of the present inven
mechanism for advancing the adhesive rod and has a 35 tion is indicated generally by the reference character
nozzle which must be rotated by a wrench to close or 12 and comprises a pistol-like housing 13 formed of
open a valve mechanism in the nozzle to control leak mating housing halves 13A and 13B and including an
age or drip during non-use. upper body portion 14 and a pistol grip 15. Supported
An object of the present invention is the provision of within the housing halves 13A and 13B in the upper re
a glue gun or thermoplastic adhesive dispensing hand gion thereof is an elongated tubular melt chamber 16
tool of novel construction which has a spring urged 40 having a cylindrical tubular portion 16A over the major
force mechanism for continuously urging the solid ad part of its length and a converging truncated conical or
hesive rod toward the forward or discharge end of the tapered forward portion 16B at its forward end project
heating chamber and which provides a convenient ar ing forwardly from the gun housing 13 and terminating
rangement for loading new charges of adhesive in rod 45 in an externally threaded annular end portion 16C sur
form into the glue gun. rounding a small diameter outlet opening 17. In the
Another object of the present invention is the provi rear portion of the uniform diameter cylindrical barrel
sion of a novel glue gun having a heating chamber and portion 16A is an upwardly facing loading opening 18
discharge nozzle into which an adhesive charge in rod communicating with a loading well 19 defined by the
form is urged, and including a valve mechanism which housing halves 13A and 13B and opening through the
automatically closes to prevent leakage of glue from 50 top of the housing 13, through which a glue charge in
the discharge opening except when a portion of the solid form in the shape of a cylindrical rod or stick, in
valve mechanism which projects through the discharge dicated at 20 in FIG. 2, can be manually inserted into
opening in the nozzle is pressed against a surface on the uniform diameter barrel portions 16A of the melt
which glue is to be deposited. 55
chamber 16.
Another object of the present invention is the provi A discharge nozzle 21 is threaded onto the end por
sion of a novel glue dispensing hand tool as described tion 16C of the melt chamber 16, and has a bore 22
in either of the two preceding paragraphs, including a therethrough, having a smaller diameter outlet section
plunger or piston mechanism for urging the charge of 22A at the forwardmost end of the nozzle, and interme
solid adhesive into the heating chamber and discharge diate diameter middle section 22B, and a larger diame
nozzle, wherein the plunger mechanism can be easily ter internally threaded rear section 22C which threads
removed for cleaning of the tool or for replacement of onto the annular end portion 16C. A valve pin 23 has
the plunger assembly. a smaller elongated cylindrical portion 23A within the
Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the bore portion 22 which projects forwardly from the noz
present invention will become apparent from the fol zle, an enlarged valve portion 23B having a truncated
lowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with conical surface confronting the annular transition wall
the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred em between the bore portions 22A and 22B defining a
bodiment of the invention. valve seat, and having a shank portion 23C extending
 3,744,921
3 4.
rearwardly through the tapered portion 16B of the melt In order to load the glue gun, the spring biased pull
chamber and maintained in generally centered position device 32 is pulled rearwardly against the force of the
within the outlet opening 17 by the triangular valve spring 30 until the cavity 32C therein is withdrawn
washer 24. Staked or otherwise formed outwardly pro from about the plunger knob 27A, and the pull device
truding formations 23C' on the shank portion 23C be 5 32 is then rotated about the axis of the spring tube 31
tween the valve portion 23B and the valve washer 24 so that the portion having the cavity 32C therein ex
engage the valve washer when the valve pin 23 is forced tends laterally from the axis of the boss portion 32A.
rearwardly by pressing the projection 23A against the The plunger rod 27 is then pulled rearwardly as far as
work surface to limit the extent of rearward axial move it will go, withdrawing the piston 27 to a position just
ment of the valve pin 23 and thereby define its open O rearwardly of the loading opening i8, as determined by
limit position. the limit stop screw 37, and a glue stick or rod 20 is in
Projecting forwardly through the open rearmost end serted manually through the loading well 19 and open
of the melt chamber 16 is a plunger 25 having a cylin ing 18 into the melt chamber 16. The plunger 25 is
drical teflon piston 26 at its forwardmost end whose 15 manually pushed forwardly to begin advancing the rod
outer diameter corresponds to the inner diameter of toward the nozzle, and the spring pull device 32 is then
the uniform barrel portions 16A of the melt chamber, withdrawn to a point rearwardly of the plunger knob
constrained by plunger washers 26A on a plunger rod the plunger knobupwardly
27A and rotated to align the cavity 32C with
27A, and the pull device 32 is then
27 which is held in coaxial relation with the barrel por allowed to be drawn
tions 16A by a guide plate 28 fixed to the housing 13 ceive the plunger knobforwardly by the spring 30 to re
27A in the cavity 32C and exert
and having a guide aperture through which the plunger a spring force on the plunger
rod extends. A plunger knob 27A is provided on the forwardly to advance the gluerodstick 27 forcing the plunger
rearmost end of the plunger rod 27 at a location rear go toward the tapered portions 16B 20 as far as it will
of the melt cham
wardly and external of the housing 13.
A spring 30 supplies the force to expel hot glue from 25 ber 16. When the heating element 34 is energized as
described hereinafter, to heat and melt the glue in the
the nozzle 21. The spring 30 is located within a cylin melt chamber
drical spring tube 31 for guidance, positioned below plunger assembly16,25the spring force exerted on the
by the spring 30 forces the glue
and parallel to the axis of the plunger rod 27. The for forwardly into the tapered chamber portions 16B and
wardmost end of the spring 30 is anchored, as indicated into the bore portion 22B of the nozzle 22, where a hy
at 30A, to a post or anchoring formation on the housing draulic pressure within the melt chamber is created and
13, and the rearmost end of the spring 30 is anchored
to a forwardly projecting cylindrical boss 32A on a acts valve
internally on the valve pin 23 to force the enlarged
portion 23B against its seat formed by the transi
manual spring pull device 32 having a finger hole 32B tion wall between the nozzle bore sections 22A and
therein. The boss 32A is positioned within the rearmost 22B. When the forwardly projecting portion 23A of the
end portion of the spring tube 31 and the spring tube 35 valve pin is pressed against a surface on which glue is
is secured to it, for example, by the inwardly deformed to be deposited, the enlarged valve portion 23B is
indentation 31A. The forwardmost end of the spring moved rearwardly from its seat and glue is allowed to
tube is outwardly flared as indicated at 31B so that the pass through and exit from the nozzle 22.
circular outermost edge of the outwardly flared portion The glue gun is designed so that approximately one
is slidably guided in the cylindrical cavity indicated at 40 and one-half sticks of glue are required to fill that por
33 defined by confronting portions of the housing tion of the melt chamber 16 of an empty glue gun ex
halves 13A, 13B. The forwardmost end of the spring tending forwardly of the loading opening 18. The
pull device 32 is inclined upwardly and forwardly to length of the stroke of the plunger 25 from the location
correspond to the inclination of the rearmost end of the disposing the piston 26 at the forwardmost end of the
upper body portion 14 of the housing 13, and has a for 45 loading opening 18 to the forwardmost end of the
wardly opening cavity 32C therein sized to releasibly stroke is such that when the tool is in use, a volume of
receive the plunger knob 27A. glue equivalent to one stick is all that can be dispensed.
Surrounding the region of the barrel portion 16A of Because of this, when the plunger reaches the forward
the melt chamber between the loading opening 18 and most end of its stroke, the glue gun can be reloaded
the tapered portion 16B is an electrical heating element 50 with another glue stick and immediately used again,
34 encompassed by a tubular metallic sleeve defining since there is still melted glue in the forwardmost por
an element cover 35 for the heating element and also tion of the melt chamber.
providing an elongated generally cylindrical thermostat It will be understood that internal pressure exerted by
well 35A along the bottom of the element cover to re 55 the glue against the enlarged valve portion 23B of the
movably receive a cylindrical probe portion 36A of a valve pin 23 normally keeps the valve closed. When the
thermostatic switch 36. The heating element is formed plunger piston 26 has moved to its forwardmost posi
of a wrap of mica sheeting, wrapped for example in spi tion, it could no longer generate pressure in the glue if
ral fashion about the barrel portion of the melt cham the valve is in opened condition, and the valve pin 23
ber 16, with a first winding layer of resistance wire, 60 could then locate randomly, either open, nearly closed,
such as nichrome wire, forming a 150 watt winding or completely closed. To avoid this possible problem,
HW-1 between successive layers of the mica sheeting, provision has been made to insure positive closure of
and a second outer winding HW-2 forming a ballast the valve when the plunger piston 26 reaches its for
winding, as hereinafter described with reference to the wardmost limit position. This is achieved by dimension
schematic electrical circuit. Nickel strips or similar thin 65 ing the cylindrical extension or shank portion 23C of
conductor strips may also be provided between layers the valve pin extending rearwardly from the valve por
of the mica sheeting to make electrical connections tion 23B so that the piston 26 comes into contact with
with the windings as required. the shank portion 23C and exerts spring force on it
 3,744,921
5 6
shortly before the piston 26 reaches the forwardmost ON continuously when it was plugged into a power
end of its travel. This force then holds the valve pin in source, would take much longer to heat up, but would
closed position with the valve portion 23C against its not overheat.
seat until the glue gun is reloaded. It will be observed that by the particular construction
The thermostat switch or thermally actuated switch of the glue gun as hereinbefore described, wherein the
mechanism 36 having the probe portion extending into plunger piston 26 is normally limited against with
the lower well 35A of the element cover 35 is prefera drawal from the melt chamber by the screw 37, and the
bly of the type wherein the probe includes a ceramic guide 28 is removably supported on the housing by the
sleeve which houses a thermally expandable metallic screw 28A, the plunger rod 27 and piston 26 can be
rod located coaxially within the sleeve and secured to O easily removed for cleaning of the tool or to replace the
or in abutment with the sleeve at the forwardmost end plunger assembly. The operator merely draws the pull
of the probe portion. The rod projects from the other device 32 rearwardly to withdraw the socket 32C from
end of the ceramic sleeve and engages a spring-like the plunger knob 27A and rotates the pull device 32
switch arm or similar switch member when the rod has through about 90 to a laterally extending position, and
expanded to a selected extent to open a pair of switch 5 then removes the screws 28A and 37 to permit com
contacts which are normally closed until they are plete removal of the plunger assembly.
forced open by expansion of the rod. If desired, still further assurance that the valve por
A schematic diagram of the electrical circuit is illus tion 23B will close against its seat whenever the valve
trated in FIG. 3. It will be noted that in the preferred pin 23 is withdrawn from contact with the work may be
form of the circuit illustrated in FIG. 3, the first or prin attained by providing an extension spring 40 surround
cipal heating element winding HW-1 is connected ing the shank portion 23C between the valve portion
across the supply line through the over-temperature 23B and the valve washer 24 and bearing against these
protector OTP and the therstat switch 36, the latter two elements, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. The ex
shunting the second or ballast heating element winding tension spring 40 will therefore exert a resilient biasing
HW-2 and the indicator lamp IL. The thermostat is 25 force forwardly against the valve portion 23B of the
closed until the glue gun has heated to the preset tem valve pin 23 to urge the valve portion 23B to closing
perature of the thermostat, which is approximately position engaging the valve seat and the nozzle and
350°F in one practical embodiment. thereby coact with the hydraulic pressure of the melted
When the glue gun is coupled to an appropriate glue in the forward portion of the melt chamber 16
30 which also exerts a valve closing force on the valve por
power source, the heating element HW-1 is connected
across the supply line through the closed thermostat 36 tion 23B of the valve pin whenever the inwardly dis
and causes a rapid heatup of the melt chamber 16. In placing force exerted on the valve pin by engagement
one practical example, the first heating element dissa with the work is removed.
pates approximately 130 watts to effect rapid heating Yet another modification is illustrated in FIGS. 10
of the melt chamber. The thermostat is thermally cou 35 and 11, in which a valve guide and accelerator member
pled to the heating element HW-1 by being located in 42 is provided in the tapered or converging portion 16B
the well 35A immediately adjacent the heating element of the melt chamber. This valve guide and accelerator
windings, and opens when the melt chamber tempera member 42 is an aluminum member having a cylindri
ture reaches approximately 350 F. After the thermo 40 cal tubular core portion 43 to encircle and slidably re
stat switch 36 opens, the current must then flow ceive the shank portion 23C of the valve pin 23 and
through the heating element winding HW-1 and the having substantially right triangular or truncated trian
second heating element windings HW-2 and the illumi gular vane portions 44 radiating at 90 positions rela
nating lamp IL. The illumination of the lamp IL indi tive to each other from the core portion 43 with their
cates to the user that the tool is ready for use. The sec 45 outer edges in intimate contact with the inside surfaces
ond or ballast heating element winding is designed so of the tapered portions 16B of the melt chamber 16.
that the tool stabilizes at a temperature higher than the Thus the aluminum member 42 facilitates transfer of
switching temperature of the thermostat switch 36 so heat from the heating element 34 and walls of the melt
that the thermostat switch stays open and the lamp IL chamber through the vane portions 44 to the glue in the
stays lit. For example, the second heating element 50 converging or tapered portions 16B of the melt cham
winding HW-2 may be of such value as to make the ber. In the illustrated embodiment, the rearmost por
total current about 0.27 amperes, reducing the total tion of the tubular core portion 43 has a slightly con
wattage to about 31 watts, including the wattage dis stricted neck defining an aperture which is sized to
sapated by the lamp. The lamp IL functions both as an closely approximate the diameter of the shank portion
indicator to show that the melt chamber has been 23C of the valve pin for slidably supporting the rear
heated up to the proper temperature for operation and 55 most portions of the valve pin in centered position.
also as an illuminating work light. Also, FIG. 10 illustrates another construction for pro
The over-temperature protector OTP is thermally viding a limit stop limiting the extent of inward move
coupled to the heating elements and functions by melt ment of the valve pin 23. In the form shown in FIG. 10,
ing at a selected over-temperature level to permanently 60 instead of using the pinched formations 23C', a short
open the supply circuit and cause the glue gun to no length of steel tubing 45 surrounds the shank portion
longer function until it has been repaired. If desired, 23C of the valve pin immediately rearwardly of the
the over-temperature protector could be located in se valve portion 23B, its length being such that the piece
ries with the thermostat switch 36 in the line which by of tubing 45 would engage the valve washer 24 when
passes the second winding HW-2 and the lamp IL, so 65 the valve pin has reached the selected inward limit po
that if the thermostat switch failed the over sition to prevent further inward movement of the valve
temperature protector could open the thermostat cir pin. Similarly, a close wound spring having a total
cuit permanently. In such a case, the glue gun would be length corresponding to the length of the tube 45 may
 3,744,921
7 S
be employed instead of the tubing 45, to surround the thereof guided by the surface of said guideway to main
shank portion 23C and have a total length so as to en tain a selected attitude of the abutment member rela
gage the valve washer 24 when the valve pin 23 has tive to said housing.
reached the selected inward limit position to prevent 6. A glue gun as defined in claim 5, wherein said
further inward movement of the valve pin. plunger includes a piston movable within said melt
What is claimed is: chamber and a piston rod extending rearwardly there
1. A glue gun for dispensing hot melt adhesive onto from to a position exposed rearwardly of the housing
a work surface, comprising a housing member, a tubu member, and said abutment member having a for
lar melt chamber having an elongated cylindrical por wardly opening well therein for removably receiving
tion for receiving forwardly adjacent a rearward end O the rearmost end portion of said piston rod.
thereof a solid rod of thermoplastic adhesive, heating 7. A glue gun for dispensing hot melt adhesive onto
element means for heating the melt chamber and adhe a work surface, comprising a housing member, a tubu
sive rod therein, a nozzle removably mounted on a for lar melt chamber having an elongated cylindrical por
ward end of said melt chamber having a bore there tion for receiving adjacent a rearward end thereof a
through defining an outlet orifice for discharge of mol 15 solid rod of thermoplastic adhesive, heating element
ten adhesive and a valve seat therein, a movable valve means for heating the melt chamber and adhesive rod
member coactive with the valve seat and an actuator therein, a nozzle removably mounted on a forward end
pin projecting through said orifice to engage the work of said melt chamber having a bore therethrough defin
surface and be moved thereby to displace the valve ing an outlet orifice for discharge of molten adhesive
member from said valve seat, a plunger slidable in said 20 and a valve seat therein, a movable valve member coac
melt chamber for reciprocative movement axially tive with the valve seat and an actuator pin projecting
therein between rearward and forward limit positions through said orifice to engage the work surface and be
within said cylindrical portion of said melt chamber, moved thereby to displace the valve member from said
said cylindrical portion having a lateral loading opening valve seat, a plunger slidable in said melt chamber for
forward of said rearward end thereof located between 25 reciprocative movement axially therein, spring means
said rearward and forward limit positions for introduc movable between coupled and decoupled relation with
tion of the adhesive rod into said cylindrical portion said plunger to resiliently urge the plunger forwardly
along a path extending radially of the axis of the cylin when coupled therewith to urge the adhesive rod for
drical portion, and a forwardly spring urged movable 30 wardly and cause molten adhesive to exert pressure on
abutment member located rearwardly of the plunger said valve member tending to close the latter against
and guided for movement along said axis through ad said valve seat, said spring means including a coil spring
vancing and retracting strokes, the abutment member which is expandable and contractable along a spring
being supported for lateral movement relative to said axis paralleling the axis of said melt chamber, means
axis from spaced decoupled relation to the plunger to providing a stationary anchor for a forward end portion
35 of said coil spring, and a movable abutment member
coupled relation therewith to resiliently urge the
plunger forwardly when coupled therewith to urge the guided for advancing and retracting movement along
adhesive rod forwardly and cause molten adhesive to said spring axis and supported for angular movement
exert pressure on said valve member tending to close about said spring axis from a first position in abutting
the latter against said valve seat. 40
relation to said plunger to a second position laterally
2. A glue gun as defined in claim 1, wherein said displaced therefrom.
valve member includes a stem portion projecting rear 8. A glue gun as defined in claim 7, wherein said
wardly to a position to be engaged by said plunger at plunger includes a piston movable within said melt
its forward limit position and forced thereby to closed chamber and a piston rod extending rearwardly there
position against said valve seat. 45
from to a position exposed rearwardly of the housing
3. A glue gun as defined in claim i, including a coil member, and said abutment member having a for
spring which is expandable and contractable along a wardly opening well therein for removably receiving
spring axis paralleling the axis of said melt chamber, the rearmost end portion of said piston rod.
means providing a stationary anchor for a forward end 9. A glue gun as defined in claim 7, wherein said
portion of said coil spring, and said movable abutment 50
housing includes a cylindrical guideway concentric
member being guided for advancing and retracting with said spring axis and opening rearwardly of said
movement along said spring axis and supported for an housing, and said abutment member having a cylindri
gular movement about said spring axis from a first posi cal tube projecting forwardly therefrom surrounding
tion in abutting relation to said plunger to a second po said coil spring and having cylindrical surface portions
sition laterally displaced therefrom. 55 thereof guided by the surface of said guideway to main
4. A glue gun as defined in claim 3, wherein said tain a selected attitude of the abutment member rela
plunger includes a piston movable within said melt tive to said housing.
chamber and a piston rod extending rearwardly there 10. A glue gun as defined in claim 8, wherein said
from to a position exposed rearwardly of the housing heating element means comprises a first heater winding
member, and said abutment member having a for 60
of a selected wattage rating for producing rapid heating
wardly opening well therein for removably receiving of adhesive in the melt chamber to molten condition
the rearmost end portion of said piston rod. when connected across a supply circuit, a first brance
5. A glue gun as defined in claim 3, wherein said circuit including a thermostatic switch connected in se
housing includes a cylindrical guideway concentric ries circuit relation with said first heater winding and a
with said spring axis and opening rearwardly of said 65 side of the supply circuit for connecting the first heater
housing, and said abutment member having a cylindri winding across the supply until a selected temperature
cal tube projecting forwardly therefrom surrounding is reached in the melt chamber, and a second branch
said coil spring and having cylindrical surface portions circuit including a second heating element winding
 3,744,921
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forming a ballast winding and a lamp connected in se sure on the adhesive in the melt chamber to cause the
ries with said first heater winding and paralleling the pressurized adhesive to force closed the valve member
first branch circuit to reduce current flow through the against said valve seat, said plunger being movable be
first heater winding when the thermostatic switch tween rearward and forward limit positions, and said
opens to a value causing the heating element means to valve member including a stem portion projecting rear
stabilize at a temperature slightly above the switching wardly to a position to be engaged by said plunger at
temperature for the thermostatic switch and cause the the forward limit position of the plunger and forced
lamp to become illuminated. thereby to closed position against said valve seat, said
11. A glue gun for dispensing hot melt adhesive onto spring means including a coil spring which is expand
a work surface, comprising a housing member, a tubu O able and contractable along a spring axis paralleling the
lar melt chamber having an elongated cylindrical por axis of said melt chamber, means providing a stationary
tion for receiving adjacent a rearward end thereof a anchor for a forward end portion of said coil spring,
solid rod of thermoplastic adhesive, heating element and a movable abutment member guided for advancing
means for heating the melt chamber and adhesive rod and retracting movement along said spring axis and
therein, a nozzle removably mounted on a forward end 15 supported for angular movement about said spring axis
of said melt chamber having a bore therethrough defin from a first position in abutting relation to said plunger
ing an outlet orifice for discharge of molten adhesive to a second position laterally displaced therefrom.
and a valve seat therein, a movable valve member coac 13. A glue gun as defined in claim 12, wherein said
tive with the valve seat and an actuator pin projecting plunger includes a piston movable within said melt
through said orifice to engage the work surface and be 20 chamber and a piston rod extending rearwardly there
moved thereby to displace the valve member from said from to a position exposed rearwardly of the housing
valve seat, a plunger slidable in said melt chamber for member, and said abutment member having a for
reciprocative movement axially therein, and a spring wardly opening well therein for removably receiving
urged abutment member for driving the plunger mov the rearmost end portion of said piston rod.
able parallel to said axis and transversely of said axis 25
14. A glue gun as defined in claim 12, wherein said
between coupled and decoupled relation with the housing includes a cylindrical guideway concentric
plunger to resiliently urge the plunger forwardly when with said spring axis and opening rearwardly of said
coupled therewith to exert such pressure on the adhe housing, and said abutment member having a cylindri
sive in the melt chamber to cause the pressurized adhe cal tube projecting forwardly therefrom surrounding
sive to force closed the valve member against said valve 30
said coil spring and having cylindrical surface portions
seat, said plunger being movable between rearward and thereof guided by the surface of said guideway to main
forward limit positions, and said valve member includ tain a selected attitude of the abutment member rela
ing a stem portion projecting rearwardly to a position
to be engaged by said plunger at the forward limit posi tive to said housing.
tion of the plunger and forced thereby to closed posi 35 15. A glue gun as defined in claim 12, wherein said
tion against said valve seat. heating element means comprises a first heater winding
12. A glue gun for dispensing hot melt adhesive onto of a selected wattage rating for producing rapid heating
a work surface, comprising a housing member, a tubu of adhesive in the melt chamber to molten condition
lar melt chamber having an elongated cylindrical por when connected across a supply circuit, a first branch
tion for receiving adjacent a rearward end thereof a 40 circuit including a thermostatic switch connected in se
solid rod of thermoplastic adhesive, heating element ries circuit relation with said first heater winding and a
means for heating the melt chamber and adhesive rod side of the supply circuit for connecting the first heater
therein, a nozzle removably mounted on a forward end winding across the supply until a selected temperature
of said melt chamber having a bore therethrough defin is reached in the melt chamber, and a second branch
ing an outlet orifice for discharge of molten adhesive 45 circuit including a second heating element winding
and a valve seat therein, a movable valve member coac forming a ballast winding and a lamp connected in se
tive with the valve seat and an actuator pin projecting ries with said first heater winding and paralleling the
through said orifice to engage the work surface and be first branch circuit to reduce current flow through the
moved thereby to displace the valve member from said first heater winding when the thermostatic switch
valve seat, a plunger slidable in said melt chamber for opens to a value causing the heating element means to
reciprocative movement axially therein, and spring stabilize at a temperature slightly above the switching
means movable between coupled and decoupled rela temperature for the thermostatic switch and cause the
tion with said plunger to resiliently urge the plunger lamp to become illuminated.
forwardly when coupled therewith to exert such pres 2k x k six

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