Abstract: An applicator for dispensing adhesive is disclosed. The applicator includes a manifold, at least one dispensing module coupled to the manifold, a supply channel configured to contain at least a portion of the adhesive, a recirculation channel configured to contain at least a portion of the adhesive, and a recirculation pump assembly connected to the manifold. The recirculation pump assembly includes an inlet in fluid communication with the recirculation channel, an outlet in fluid communication with the supply channel, a gear assembly, and a drive motor coupled to the gear assembly and operable to pump the adhesive, where the drive motor is configured to operate at an adjustable number of revolutions per minute (RPM).

Abstract: A contact nozzle for simultaneously coating a plurality of elastic strands moving in a machine direction with an adhesive is described. The contact nozzle includes a single fluid inlet for receiving the adhesive from a fluid module, a first inverted V-shaped notch, a second inverted V-shaped notch, a third inverted V-shaped notch, and a mounting surface configured to abut the fluid module when the contact nozzle is coupled to the fluid module. Each inverted V-shaped notch extends along the contact nozzle in the machine direction, has an open bottom end, a circular closed top end. Each inverted V-shaped notch includes an adhesive orifice in fluid communication with the single fluid inlet for receiving the adhesive for directing the adhesive into contact with an upper surface of an elastic strand.

Abstract: An applicator for dispensing liquid material onto a substrate includes a body, a valve module, and a backpressure control device having a device passage. The body includes an inlet passage, a dispensing outlet passage, and a recirculation outlet passage. The valve module has a dispensing mode and a recirculation mode, and directs the liquid material through the dispensing outlet passage in the dispensing mode and directs the liquid material through the recirculation outlet passage in the recirculation mode. The backpressure control device directs the liquid material through the device passage in the recirculation mode such that a backpressure of the liquid material in the recirculation mode is substantially equal to a backpressure of the liquid material in the dispensing mode. A method of adjusting a backpressure experienced by liquid material is also disclosed.

Abstract: An applicator for dispensing multiple adhesives on a substrate is disclosed. The applicator includes a manifold that includes a first dispensing module and a second dispensing module. The first dispensing module has a first inlet and a first nozzle. The first inlet receives a first adhesive and the first nozzle applies the first adhesive to the substrate. The second dispensing module is adjacent the first dispensing module and has a second inlet and a second nozzle. The second inlet receives a second adhesive that is different from the first adhesive. The second nozzle applies the second adhesive to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of contact coating at least one elastic strand with an adhesive is disclosed. A first strand has a periphery with an upper surface. The first strand is moved in a machine direction relative to a contact nozzle, the adhesive is discharged from the contact nozzle into contact with the upper surface of the first strand, and pressurized air is discharged at the adhesive on the first strand to cause the adhesive to spread around the periphery of the first strand without blowing adhesive off the first strand.

Abstract: A contact nozzle for coating an elastic strand with an adhesive. Air is discharged at the adhesive in contact with the strand, causing the adhesive to spread around the periphery of the strand. The air assists with release of the adhesive from the nozzle and also cleans the nozzle to discourage adhesive build-up on the nozzle.

Abstract: An applicator for dispensing adhesive and a method of diverting flow in an applicator are disclosed. The applicator includes a plurality of pump assemblies each having an inlet and an outlet, a plurality of dispensing modules each having an inlet, and a flow diverter plate in fluid communication with the plurality of pump assemblies. The flow diverter plate defines a body having a first surface in fluid communication with the plurality of pump assemblies, a second surface opposite the first surface in fluid communication with the plurality of dispensing modules, and a plurality of diverter passages extending from the first surface to the second surface. Each of the plurality of diverter passages has a first opening on the first surface and a second opening on the second surface, and the first opening is in fluid communication with the outlet of one of the plurality of pump assemblies, and the second opening is in fluid communication with the inlet of at least one of the plurality of dispensing modules.

Abstract: An applicator for dispensing liquid material onto a substrate includes a body, a valve module, and a backpressure control device having a device passage. The body includes an inlet passage, a dispensing outlet passage, and a recirculation outlet passage. The valve module has a dispensing mode and a recirculation mode, and directs the liquid material through the dispensing outlet passage in the dispensing mode and directs the liquid material through the recirculation outlet passage in the recirculation mode. The backpressure control device directs the liquid material through the device passage in the recirculation mode such that a backpressure of the liquid material in the recirculation mode is substantially equal to a backpressure of the liquid material in the dispensing mode. A method of adjusting a backpressure experienced by liquid material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing liquid material while attenuating the liquid material or controlling the pattern of the liquid material with process air has a plurality of process air passages for providing process air to one or more liquid dispensing modules or nozzles. The flow rate of process air provided to one or more of the modules or nozzles may be separately controlled to be different from the flow rate provided to other modules or nozzles on the dispenser. Accordingly, the flow rate provided to each module or nozzle can be optimized to accommodate a particular dispensing nozzle or die.

Abstract: An applicator for dispensing liquid material onto a substrate includes a body, a valve module body having a valve stem, and a backpressure control device provided in the and having a device passage. The body includes an inlet passage, a dispensing outlet passage, and a recirculation outlet passage. The valve module has a dispensing mode and a recirculation mode, and directs the liquid material through the dispensing outlet passage in the dispensing mode and directs the liquid material through the recirculation outlet passage in the recirculation mode. The valve stem is movable between an open position in the dispensing mode and a closed position in the recirculation mode. The backpressure control device directs the liquid material through the device passage in the recirculation mode such that a backpressure of the liquid material in the recirculation mode is substantially equal to a backpressure of the liquid material in the dispensing mode.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing liquid material while attenuating the liquid material or controlling the pattern of the liquid material with process air has a plurality of process air passages for providing process air to one or more liquid dispensing modules or nozzles. The flow rate of process air provided to one or more of the modules or nozzles may be separately controlled to be different from the flow rate provided to other modules or nozzles on the dispenser. Accordingly, the flow rate provided to each module or nozzle can be optimized to accommodate a particular dispensing nozzle or die.

Abstract: An applicator for dispensing adhesive is disclosed. The applicator includes a manifold, at least one dispensing module coupled to the manifold, a supply channel configured to contain at least a portion of the adhesive, a recirculation channel configured to contain at least a portion of the adhesive, and a recirculation pump assembly connected to the manifold. The recirculation pump assembly includes an inlet in fluid communication with the recirculation channel, an outlet in fluid communication with the supply channel, a gear assembly, and a drive motor coupled to the gear assembly and operable to pump the adhesive, where the drive motor is configured to operate at an adjustable number of revolutions per minute (RPM).

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is an applicator for dispensing adhesive onto a substrate. The applicator includes a manifold and at least one dispensing module coupled to the manifold. The applicator may include a least one pump assembly removably mounted the manifold. Each pump assembly having an outlet in flow communication with the manifold, and an inlet in flow communication with the adhesive. The pump assembly includes a gear assembly for pumping adhesive from said inlet to said outlet and a drive motor with a drive shaft connected to the gear assembly. The drive motor has a shaft with an axis that intersects said front surface of the pump assembly. In another example, the shaft has an axis that does not intersect both of a first side and a second side of said manifold.

Abstract: An adhesive dispensing system for applying liquid adhesive to a substrate using different nozzles with the same manifold is disclosed. The adhesive dispensing system includes a manifold having a body, a first clamp configured to engage the body of the manifold, a second clamp configured to engage the body of the manifold, and a nozzle. The first and second clamps secure the nozzle to the body of the manifold. The body of the manifold has a first contact surface that engages the first clamp and a second contact surface that engages the second clamp and the nozzle, where the second contact surface is angularly offset from the first contact surface.

Abstract: A remote metering station for pumping a flow of adhesive to a dispensing module is disclosed. The remote metering station includes a manifold having a front surface, a back surface opposite to the front surface, a first side surface, a second side surface opposite the first side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite to said top surface. The remote metering station also includes a modular pump assembly removably mounted to the manifold, where the modular pump assembly includes a bottom surface, an outlet on the bottom surface, the outlet being in fluid communication with the manifold, and an inlet for receiving the adhesive. The modular pump assembly further includes a gear assembly and a drive motor coupled to the gear assembly. The gear assembly is operable for pumping the adhesive from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: An applicator for dispensing adhesive and a method of diverting flow in an applicator are disclosed. The applicator includes a plurality of pump assemblies each having an inlet and an outlet, a plurality of dispensing modules each having an inlet, and a flow diverter plate in fluid communication with the plurality of pump assemblies. The flow diverter plate defines a body having a first surface in fluid communication with the plurality of pump assemblies, a second surface opposite the first surface in fluid communication with the plurality of dispensing modules, and a plurality of diverter passages extending from the first surface to the second surface. Each of the plurality of diverter passages has a first opening on the first surface and a second opening on the second surface, and the first opening is in fluid communication with the outlet of one of the plurality of pump assemblies, and the second opening is in fluid communication with the inlet of at least one of the plurality of dispensing modules.

Abstract: A method for controlling a recirculation pump assembly is disclosed. The method includes receiving a process-dependent characteristic and determining a recirculation flow rate of adhesive that flows to the recirculation pump assembly based on the process-dependent characteristic. The method further includes determining a recirculation pump speed of the recirculation pump assembly for pumping the adhesive to a supply channel using the recirculation flow rate, and adjusting an operating speed of the recirculation pump assembly to match the recirculation pump speed. A system and storage device for performing the above method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of dispensing adhesive onto a stretched elastic strand includes applying a first volume of adhesive onto a first portion of the elastic strand, applying a second volume of adhesive onto a second portion of the elastic strand, and applying a third volume of adhesive onto a third portion of the elastic strand. The second volume is less than the first and third volumes. When the elastic strand is adhesively secured to a substrate to form a personal disposable hygiene product, the first and third portions of the elastic strand define opposing ends of the elastic strand, which are adhered with a larger amount of adhesive capable of limiting movement of the strand at the opposing ends, thereby maintaining the integrity of the bond between the substrate and the elastic strand.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing module and nozzle or die tip for discharging at least one liquid filament. The nozzle includes a strand guide for guiding a substrate past the nozzle and a frustoconical protrusion disposed on a surface of the nozzle adjacent the notch. A liquid discharge passage extends along an axis through the frustoconical protrusion and forms an acute angle with a machine direction corresponding to movement of the strand past the nozzle. Four air discharge passages are positioned at the base of the frustoconical protrusion. Each of the air discharge passages is angled in a compound manner generally toward the liquid discharge passage and offset from the axis of the liquid discharge passage to create the controlled pattern of liquid material on the strand.

Abstract: A method and devices for dispensing adhesive onto an elastic strand are configured to apply first, second, and third volumes of adhesive onto first, second, and third portions of the elastic strand, respectively. When the elastic strand is adhesively secured to a substrate to form a personal disposable hygiene product, the first and third portions of the elastic strand define opposing ends of the elastic strand, which are adhered with a larger amount of adhesive or a stronger adhesive material capable of limiting movement of the strand at the opposing ends. The method and devices advantageously use a module and nozzle which maintain separation between first and second adhesive streams received from different adhesive supplies at least until flow within the nozzle. This arrangement enables use of different adhesives to form the first, second, and third volumes, as well as “wet-on-wet” contact dispensing using multiple nozzle outlets.