Abstract: Liquid dispensing module and methods for dispensing a heated liquid onto a substrate. The dispensing module includes a dispenser body receiving liquid from a heated liquid distribution manifold and an actuator having a housing with an air piston movable in an air cavity and a solenoid valve for pressurizing the air cavity. Movement of the air piston controls a flow-regulating mechanism for selectively dispensing liquid from the dispenser body. A thermally insulating shield may be provided for reducing heat transfer from the manifold and/or dispenser body to the actuator so that the solenoid valve can be mounted directly to the housing and the effective volume of the air cavity can be reduced. The cycle time of the liquid dispensing module may be specified by selecting an initial volume of the air cavity and an effective valve flow coefficient for the actuator that characterizes the air flow to the air cavity.

Abstract: A guide and method for use in coating of an elongated band with liquid material prior to its attachment to a substrate. The guide supports the band in a tilted orientation relative to a dispensing outlet of a liquid dispenser. The liquid dispenser dispenses a continuous bead or filament of adhesive that wraps around the band to coat the band while it is separate from the substrate. The coated band is thereafter bonded to the substrate.

Abstract: A die for dispensing a fluid onto a substrate, wherein the die has an movable lip adjacent a fixed lip to form a die opening therebetween. An actuator is mechanically connected to the movable lip and is operable to automatically move the movable lip with respect to the fixed lip in association with a fluid dispensing process, thereby changing a volume of the die opening. The adjustable die is often a slot die and is used with a fluid dispensing valve having an upstream valve ball. The actuator can be an electromechanical actuator such as a piezoelectric actuator or a fluid operated actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing one or more liquid beads on a substrate utilizes a liquid dispenser with one or more liquid dispensing outlets and one or more movable electrostatic point sources. Liquid material dispensed from an outlet is attracted to, or otherwise electrostatically influenced by, the electrostatic point source(s) resulting in controlled placement of the liquid material on a substrate passing or positioned between the outlet(s) and the point source(s).

Abstract: An electrically operated fluid dispenser for dispensing a pattern of viscous fluid onto a substrate during a run mode. The dispenser is turned off and does not dispense the viscous fluid during a standby mode of operation. The dispenser includes a dispenser body having an outlet and an armature disposed in the dispenser body for movement between an opened position allowing a fluid flow from the outlet and a closed position preventing the fluid flow from the outlet. A coil is mounted adjacent the armature and selectively generates an electromagnetic field for moving the armature between the opened and closed positions. A controller includes different apparatus and methods for using the coil as a heater as well as providing other heat transfer devices on the dispensing valve to maintain a constant temperature either, during only the run mode or, during both, the run and the standby modes.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a speed of a motor of a metering pump providing pressurized fluid at a dispensing gun. The dispensing gun is opened and closed to dispense fluid onto a substrate being carried by a conveyor past the dispensing gun. The apparatus has a pressure control producing first motor speed signals as a function of changing speeds of the conveyor and changing fluid pressures in the dispensing gun when the dispensing gun is open. A flow control produces second motor speed signals as a function of the changing speeds of the conveyor. During changes in conveyor velocity, a motor speed control provides the first motor speed signal to the pump motor which operates the motor at speeds causing the pump to provide fluid to the dispensing gun at pressures changing at a rate tracking a rate of change of the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing unit and method for sensing temperature of an electric valve. In one embodiment, the liquid dispensing unit includes a manifold which has a liquid passageway adapted to connect to a source of heated liquid. An electrically operated dispensing valve is coupled to the manifold. The dispensing valve includes an external surface and a liquid passageway which is in fluid communication with the liquid passageway of the manifold. The dispensing valve is selectively operative to dispense the heated liquid. The liquid dispensing unit further includes a temperature sensing device operatively associated with the dispensing valve. The temperature sensing device has a sensing element contacting the external surface of the dispensing valve to measure the temperature of that external surface and thereby indirectly measure the temperature of the heated liquid within the dispensing valve.

Abstract: An electrically operated fluid dispenser for dispensing a pattern of viscous fluid onto a substrate during a run mode. The dispenser is turned off and does not dispense the viscous fluid during a standby mode of operation. The dispenser includes a dispenser body having an outlet and an armature disposed in the dispenser body for movement between an opened position allowing a fluid flow from the outlet and a closed position preventing the fluid flow from the outlet. A coil is mounted adjacent the armature and selectively generates an electromagnetic field for moving the armature between the opened and closed positions. A controller includes different apparatus and methods for using the coil as a heater as well as providing other heat transfer devices on the dispensing valve to maintain a constant temperature either, during only the run mode or, during both, the run and the standby modes.

Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid material with different configurations of air assisted fiberization or filament movement (e.g., meltblowing, controlled fiberization). In particular, front access for mounting a selected nozzle only requires adjustment of one lever and one fastener. Features of the lever and nozzle allow assisted ejection of the nozzle, even when the nozzle has become adhered to a die body through use. In addition, a nozzle mounting surface of the die body provides a universal interface to the various types of nozzles. An air cavity in the die body and air troughs in selected types of nozzles balance and adjust air flow.

Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid material with different configurations of air assisted fiberization or filament movement (e.g., meltblowing, controlled fiberization). In particular, front access for mounting a selected nozzle only requires adjustment of one lever and one fastener. Features of the lever and nozzle allow assisted ejection of the nozzle, even when the nozzle has become adhered to a die body through use. In addition, a nozzle mounting surface of the die body provides a universal interface to the various types of nozzles. An air cavity in the die body and air troughs in selected types of nozzles balance and adjust air flow.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing module and nozzle or die tip for discharging at least one liquid filament. The nozzle includes a wedge-shaped member having a pair of side surfaces converging to an apex. A liquid discharge passage extends along an axis through the wedge-shaped member and through the apex. The wedge-shaped member extends in a radially asymmetrical manner around the liquid discharge passage. Four air discharge passages are positioned at the base of the wedge-shaped member. At least one air discharge passage is positioned adjacent each of said side surfaces and 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.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing module and nozzle or die tip for discharging at least one liquid filament. The nozzle includes a wedge-shaped member having a pair of side surfaces converging to an apex. A liquid discharge passage extends along an axis through the wedge-shaped member and through the apex. The wedge-shaped member extends in a radially asymmetrical manner around the liquid discharge passage. Four air discharge passages are positioned at the base of the wedge-shaped member. At least one air discharge passage is positioned adjacent each of said side surfaces and 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.

Abstract: An electrically operated fluid dispenser for dispensing a pattern of viscous fluid onto a substrate during a run mode. The dispenser is turned off and does not dispense the viscous fluid during a standby mode of operation. The dispenser includes a dispenser body having an outlet and an armature disposed in the dispenser body for movement between an opened position allowing a fluid flow from the outlet and a closed position preventing the fluid flow from the outlet. A coil is mounted adjacent the armature and selectively generates an electromagnetic field for moving the armature between the opened and closed positions. A controller includes different apparatus and methods for using the coil as a heater as well as providing other heat transfer devices on the dispensing valve to maintain a constant temperature either, during only the run mode or, during both, the run and the standby modes.

Abstract: An electrically operated fluid dispenser for dispensing a pattern of viscous fluid onto a substrate during a run mode. The dispenser is turned off and does not dispense the viscous fluid during a standby mode of operation. The dispenser includes a dispenser body having an outlet and an armature disposed in the dispenser body for movement between an opened position allowing a fluid flow from the outlet and a closed position preventing the fluid flow from the outlet. A coil is mounted adjacent the armature and selectively generates an electromagnetic field for moving the armature between the opened and closed positions. A controller includes different apparatus and methods for using the coil as a heater as well as providing other heat transfer devices on the dispensing valve to maintain a constant temperature either, during only the run mode or, during both, the run and the standby modes.

Abstract: An electrically operated fluid dispenser for dispensing a pattern of viscous fluid onto a substrate during a run mode. The dispenser is turned off and does not dispense the viscous fluid during a standby mode of operation. The dispenser includes a dispenser body having an outlet and an armature disposed in the dispenser body for movement between an opened position allowing a fluid flow from the outlet and a closed position preventing the fluid flow from the outlet. A coil is mounted adjacent the armature and selectively generates an electromagnetic field for moving the armature between the opened and closed positions. A controller includes different apparatus and methods for using the coil as a heater as well as providing other heat transfer devices on the dispensing valve to maintain a constant temperature either, during only the run mode or, during both, the run and the standby modes.

Abstract: A temperature monitor for monitoring a temperature of an electrically operated fluid dispenser having a coil mounted adjacent an armature within the dispenser. The coil selectively generates an electromagnetic field to move the armature between opened and closed positions. The temperature monitor includes current measuring apparatus for measuring a current in the coil and a comparator for comparing a measured current value to a desired current value. An indicator provides an indication representing a relationship between the measured current value and the desired current value. The temperature monitor also has different indicators for providing different indications representing different values of the measured current relative to a desired current value.

Abstract: An electrostatic dispensing system for dispensing flowable liquid material onto a moving substrate. The electrostatic dispensing system includes multiple liquid dispensers that are aligned along a common axis and supported in spaced, non-contacting relationship on one side of the moving substrate. Each of the liquid dispensers includes a valve to control the flow of fluid through the dispenser. An electrostatic field generator is supported in spaced, non-contacting relationship on the opposite side of the moving substrate to generate an electrostatic field through the moving substrate. The electrostatic field operates to attract flowable liquid material from dispensing outlets associated with the multiple liquid dispensers as a series of spaced, continuous streams or beads which intersect a surface of the moving substrate facing the liquid dispensers.