Abstract:
A contact nozzle (2) for coating an elastic strand (12) with an adhesive (14). Air (1 8) is discharged at the adhesive (14) in contact with the strand (12), causing the adhesive (14) to spread around the periphery of the strand (12). The air (18) assists with release of the adhesive (14) from the nozzle (2) and also cleans the nozzle (2) to discourage adhesive build-up on the nozzle (2).
Abstract:
A melting system for converting solid material into molten material is disclosed. The melting system includes at least one melt unit that includes a reservoir, a hopper, and a melt grid disposed between the hopper and the reservoir. The melt grid heats the solid material into the molten material such that the molten material flows to the reservoir. The melt grid includes a plurality of melting rails that extend along a longitudinal direction, where the plurality of melting rails are spaced apart along a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The melt grid also includes a plurality of flow channels, where each of the plurality of flow channels extends between a first melting rail and a second melting rail of the plurality of melting rails.
Abstract:
A melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form is disclosed. The melter includes a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. A flexible hopper holds a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive and a particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allows the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the flexible hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device. A flexible bag system can dispense particulate hot melt adhesive. The flexible bag system includes an articulation device in contact with the flexible bag body and manipulates the flexible bag body to maintain fluidity of the particulate hot melt adhesive out of the outlet.
Abstract:
A melting unit melts a solid material into a molten material. The melt unit includes a reservoir, a hopper, and a melt grid disposed between the hopper and the reservoir. The melt grid heats the solid material into the molten material such that the molten material flows from the hopper to the reservoir. The melt unit includes a plurality of guide members, where the molten material flows through plurality of flow channels defined by the melt grid and along the plurality of guide members as the molten material flows from the hopper to the reservoir.
Abstract:
A melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form is disclosed. The melter includes a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. A flexible hopper holds a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive and a particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allows the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the flexible hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device. A flexible bag system can dispense particulate hot melt adhesive. The flexible bag system includes an articulation device in contact with the flexible bag body and manipulates the flexible bag body to maintain fluidity of the particulate hot melt adhesive out of the outlet.
Abstract:
A buffer unit (10) is configured to store and transfer adhesive particulate to at least one adhesive melter. The buffer unit (10) includes a buffer bin (12) defining an interior space (IS) configured to hold a bulk supply of adhesive particulate with an agitator plate (20) positioned within the housing (14) at a non-horizontal orientation. A vibration generating mechanism (26) is coupled to the agitator plate (20) so that vibration is transmitted into the adhesive particulate to form a flow of fluidized adhesive particulate which flows toward at least one pump inlet (22). The buffer unit (10) breaks up clumps of coalesced adhesive particulate to avoid clogging the pump inlet (22), while also ensuring that all adhesive particulate in the buffer bin (12) can be removed at the pump inlet (22). Additionally, makeup air used by pumps (24) to generate vacuum at the pump inlet (22) does not need to be drawn through the entire bulk supply of adhesive particulate.
Abstract:
An air manifold (202) for a material dispensing applicator (10) is described. The air manifold has an inlet (208) to receive pressurized air from a pressurized air source (125), a channel (216) extending therethrough from the inlet, and a plurality of passages (220) in fluid communication with the channel. The air manifold also includes a plurality of pneumatic bolts (250), where each of the plurality of pneumatic bolts is disposed in a respective one of the plurality of passages and attached to a respective one of a plurality of dispensing modules (75) of the applicator. Each of the plurality of pneumatic bolts directs the pressurized air from the channel of the air manifold to the respective one of the plurality of dispensing modules.
Abstract:
Melt system (10) including at least one melt unit (20, 22) having a reservoir (30); a melt grid (40) positioned above said reservoir, said melt grid configured to expose said solid polymer to a temperature sufficient to form a molten polymer and to deposit said molten polymer into said reservoir; a hopper (60, 61) disposed above said melt grid and configured to hold a supply of the solid polymer; and a thermal isolation region (50) disposed below said melt grid and above said molten polymer in said reservoir, said thermal isolation region configured to thermally isolate said solid polymer in said hopper from molten polymer in said reservoir.
Abstract:
A dispensing module includes a needle and an actuator housing defining an actuator cavity with an actuator disposed therein, a body cavity, and a needle passageway connecting the actuator cavity and the body cavity. A lower end of the needle defines a valve element, and an upper end of the needle is secured to the actuator. The dispensing module also includes a nozzle adapter releasably coupled to the actuator housing, where the nozzle adapter defines a seal seat, a fluid inlet, a fluid channel, and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid channel. The nozzle adapter is configured to be releasably coupled to the actuator housing using one or more fasteners, such that the needle extends into the fluid channel.
Abstract:
A melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form is disclosed. The melter includes a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. A flexible hopper holds a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive and a particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allows the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the flexible hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device. A flexible bag system can dispense particulate hot melt adhesive. The flexible bag system includes an articulation device in contact with the flexible bag body and manipulates the flexible bag body to maintain fluidity of the particulate hot melt adhesive out of the outlet.