Abstract: A thermoplastic material processing method and system including an integrated melting, pressurizing and dispensing unit and a regulated feed supply system to improve overall performance by only heating the amount of material needed and minimizing the time it is at raised temperatures. The system includes a compact heat exchanger consisting of a plurality of thin heater plates arranged primarily parallel and spaced closely together to form small spaces therebetween. This puts all thermoplastic material in close proximity with the heated surfaces thus improving the overall melting process. The heat exchanger can include heater plates arranged in a radial or fan orientation and a grid of thin heated fins set within a heated enclosure.

Abstract: A thermoplastic material processing method and system including an integrated melting, pressurizing and dispensing unit and a regulated feed supply system to improve overall performance by only heating the amount of material needed and minimizing the time it is at raised temperatures. The system includes a compact heat exchanger consisting of a plurality of thin heater plates arranged primarily parallel and spaced closely together to form small spaces therebetween. This puts all thermoplastic material in close proximity with the heated surfaces thus improving the overall melting process. The heat exchanger can include heater plates arranged in a radial or fan orientation and a grid of thin heated fins set within a heated enclosure.

Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid material onto a moving substrate includes a liquid dispenser fluidly connected to a source of liquid material and a source of pressurized air. The liquid dispenser includes a pair of outer liquid material outlets and a plurality of inner liquid material outlets therebetween spaced along a common axis at one end of the dispenser for dispensing a plurality of strands of liquid material toward the substrate. The liquid dispenser further includes a pair of air outlets associated with each of the inner liquid material outlets and a single air outlet associated with each of the outer liquid material outlets for emitting pressurized air that is operable to oscillate the dispensed strands in directions predominantly parallel with the common axis of the liquid material outlets during flight toward the substrate to form an overlapping pattern of liquid material on the moving substrate. Methods for dispensing liquid material onto a moving substrate are also disclosed.