Abstract: A liquid dispensing module for alternately dispensing and recirculating liquid including a module body having a valve stem mounted for reciprocating movement within a main passage of the body. The valve stem includes first and second valve members for respectively engaging first and second valve seats in the main passage. A recirculation passage communicates with the main passage. When the valve stem is in a dispensing position, liquid is prevented from flowing into the recirculation passage and instead flows out of one end of the module. However, when the valve stem is in a recirculation position, liquid is prevented from flowing out of the module and instead enters the recirculation passage where it may flow back to a main pump or supply in a recirculation loop. Apparatus and methods incorporating the liquid dispensing module are further described and encompass similar concepts.

Abstract: A slot nozzle die for use with a coating dispenser includes a first die body having a tapered projection and a deflectable tab member horizontally spaced from the tapered projection to define a die seat therebetween. A second die body having a tapered projection is slidably received in the die seat formed in the first die body. The tapered projections of the first and second die bodies define an extrusion slot therebetween which receives coating material from the coating dispenser. A pair of air blocks are respectively mounted to lower ends of each die body to define a pair of air channels disposed at an angle relative to the extrusion slot. One of the air blocks is slidably received intermediate the deflectable tab member and the tapered projection of the second die body and cooperates with the deflectable tab member for translating the tapered projection of the second die body toward the tapered projection of the first die body to seal the first and second die bodies.

Abstract: A system for supplying melted thermoplastic material to a dispenser comprises a hopper for storing the thermoplastic material, the hopper having an outlet. A heating grid is at the outlet of the hopper for heating and melting the thermoplastic material. A reservoir is provided into which the melted material flows from the grid. A manifold assembly is connected to the reservoir. The melted material flows into the manifold assembly from the reservoir. The manifold assembly includes connections for supplying the material to a dispenser. The manifold assembly also includes a pump cavity. A pump is mounted in the pump cavity and is capable of being removed from the pump cavity. A drive assembly is connected to drive the pump. A movable carriage supports the drive assembly. The carriage is capable of movement toward and away from the manifold assembly to remove the pump from the cavity and to replace the pump into the cavity.

Abstract: A nozzle adapter for spraying liquid hot melt adhesive which includes a mounting plate, an adapter body fastened to the mounting plate and a nozzle unit received for rotation between the mounting plate and the adapter body. The nozzle unit may be rotated between a first position which is operative to dispense liquid and a second inoperative position which preferably redirects the liquid out of the adapter so that the liquid may be recirculated. The first position is also operative to discharge air against the liquid being dispensed to create, for example, a swirling bead pattern. In the second position, the air discharge of the nozzle unit is blocked.

Abstract: A variable restrictor valve for use in an intermittent dispensing system having a recirculation loop. The restrictor valve establishes a more linear relationship between the amount of adjustment made thereto and the resulting pressure drop over the restrictor valve in the recirculation loop. A first embodiment of the restrictor valve changes the length of the flow path created by a helical groove to thereby adjust the flow resistance through the valve. A second embodiment uses a valve member in the form of a perforated cylindrical tube which is adjustable to present a varying number of perforations as the inlet to the tube and thereby allow adjustment of the flow resistance. A third embodiment utilizes a helical spring as a valve member in which adjustable spacing between the coils of the spring provides adjustability of the flow rate through the spring.

Abstract: A one-piece nozzle adapted for use within an adhesive dispenser includes a nozzle body formed with a throughbore having a discharge outlet within a nozzle tip portion which emits a bead of adhesive. A nozzle cap mounts the nozzle body to the adhesive dispenser such that an adhesive passageway within the dispenser communicates with the throughbore in the nozzle body and a plunger valve associated with the adhesive dispenser extends into the nozzle body in position to engage a seat formed at the nozzle tip. A number of air jet bores are drilled in the nozzle body, each communicating with an air passage formed between an outer surface of the nozzle body and an inner surface of the nozzle cap, which discharge jets of air into contact with the adhesive bead producing an elongated adhesive fiber deposited in a spiral pattern onto a substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for spraying an adhesive onto a moving surface with a plurality of gun modules which are attached to a transition plate which in turn is secured to adhesive and air service manifolds. The gun modules are secured to movable plates which can be connected to the transition plate in a manner that enables the gun modules to be individually shifted laterally with respect to the transition plate so that the location at which the adhesive is sprayed onto the moving surface is shifted.

Abstract: A spray head attachment adapted for use with a flow metering device such as a metering gear head is effective to discharge a plurality of spiral spray patterns of hot melt adhesive, in elongated strands or fibers, onto the backing sheet of a hygienic article. The spray head attachment includes a manifold having adhesive passageways connected to outlets of the metering gear head, air passageways connected to a source of pressurized air and recirculation passageways connected to a source of hot melt adhesive. Outlets of the adhesive and air passageways, and inlets of the recirculation passageways, are formed on a discharge surface of the manifold in groups or arrays, so that nozzles mounted to the manifold are each connected to one array of adhesive, air and recirculation passageways.

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying heated hot melt adhesive in elongated strands or fibers in a controlled, spiral pattern upon a substrate comprises a spray gun having a nozzle formed with an adhesive delivery passageway and an air delivery passageway both of which terminate at the base of the nozzle. A nozzle attachment in the form of an annular plate is mounted to the base of the nozzle by an end cap. The annular plate is formed with a throughbore which receives hot melt adhesive from the adhesive delivery passageway and ejects an adhesive bead through a nozzle tip formed on the plate. An annular groove formed in the plate facilitates the drilling of air jet bores therein at an angle relative to the throughbore and adhesive bead ejected therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for dividing a single row of articles into two rows comprises a pair of complementary closely spaced parallel screws arranged to receive a single row of articles from an infeed conveyor so that alternate articles are engaged by the thread of each screw and moved laterally into the groove of the other screw to form two rows of articles, the thread of one screw being cut away at the outfeed end thereof, an outfeed conveyor arranged to receive articles from the outfeed end of the screws and to move the articles at a velocity approximately one-half the velocity of movement of the articles longitudinally between the screws so that the two rows of articles are automatically aligned transversely, and a dead plate interposed between the infeed and outfeed conveyors.

Abstract: A package preferably of cube shape is supported and moved by a series of notched rollers (5-9) and a film (F) is disposed in overlying relation to the package with its leading part (FL) underneath the leading part of the package and a movable tucking bar (23) is arranged to move into engagement with the trailing part (FT) of the film and movable in sequence through the notches (11, 25, 27, 29, 31) in the rollers so as to tuck the trailing part (FT) of the film (F) underneath the trailing part of the package and in overlapping relation with respect to the leading part (FL) of the film (F).

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying heated hot melt adhesive in elongated strands or fibers in a controlled, spiral pattern upon a substrate comprises a spray gun having a nozzle formed with an adhesive delivery passageway and an air delivery passageway both of which terminate at the base of the nozzle. A nozzle attachment in the form of an annular plate is mounted to the base of the nozzle by an end cap. The annular plate is formed with a throughbore which receives hot melt adhesive from the adhesive delivery passageway and ejects an adhesive bead through a nozzle tip formed on the plate. An annular groove formed in the plate facilitates the drilling of air jet bores therein at an angle relative to the throughbore and adhesive bead ejected therefrom.