Patent ID: 8851332

Claim:
An adhesive filtration system comprising: a) a heater for heating an adhesive comprising a heater housing and an adhesive exit aperture located in the heater housing for dispensing an adhesive; b) a valve assembly comprising a valve assembly heater housing, a valve assembly adhesive entrance aperture for allowing the adhesive to enter the valve assembly housing, a valve assembly adhesive exit aperture for allowing the adhesive to exit the valve assembly housing, and a valve, the valve having an open position in which the valve permits the adhesive to exit the valve assembly housing via the valve assembly adhesive exit aperture and a closed position in which the valve prevents the adhesive from exiting the valve assembly housing via the valve assembly adhesive exit aperture; and c) a filter plate positioned between the heater and the valve assembly, the filter plate comprising a proximal surface facing the heater housing, a distal surface facing the valve assembly housing, a filter plate adhesive recess extending from the proximal surface towards the distal surface, a filter plate adhesive exit aperture located in a wall of the filter plate forming the adhesive recess and extending through the distal surface, a filter plate thickness extending from the proximal surface to the distal surface, a rib comprising a rib base attached to a wall of the filter plate forming the adhesive recess and a rib apex extending proximally from the base, and a filter screen located in the adhesive recess, wherein said filter plate adhesive exit aperture has a proximal end located in said adhesive recess, a distal end located at said distal surface, and a length extending from said proximal end to said distal end; and further wherein said proximal end of said filter plate adhesive exit aperture is located adjacent to said rib base.