Abstract: In one example, a filtering device has a housing that defines an inlet opening, first and second bores with first and second pistons therein, respectively, first and second inlet channels that extend from the inlet opening to the first and second bores, respectively first and second outlet channels in communication with the first and second bores, respectively, and a first backflush channel. The first piston defines a filter cavity in fluid communication with the first inlet and outlet channels when the first piston is in a production mode. The second piston defines a filter cavity in fluid communication with the second inlet and outlet channels when the second piston is in the production mode. The device has a backflush valve that compresses fluid into the filter cavity of the first piston via the first backflush channel to increase pressure in the cavity during a backflushing operation.

Abstract: A slip luer assembly includes a hub member and a latch member coupled to the hub member. The hub member includes an outer hub surface, an inner hub surface and a window surface. The window surface defines a window extending from the outer hub surface to the inner hub surface. The latch member includes at least one blade. The latch member is configured to be actuated between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the at least one blade is not positioned within the window of the hub member. In the second position, the at least one blade is positioned at least partially within the window of the hub member.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling movement of a moving part of an applicator for jetting material from the applicator are disclosed. The method includes actuating a piezoelectric device operatively connected to a needle by providing a voltage waveform to the piezoelectric device, such that the needle translates along a positional path in a first dispensing operation. The method also includes sensing positions of the moving part over a period of time, where the positions define a time-dependent positional profile of the moving part, and receiving parameters for a second dispensing operation. The method also includes determining a required voltage waveform to be applied to the piezoelectric device to perform the second dispensing operation, and adjusting the voltage waveform provided to the piezoelectric device to match the required positional profile.

Abstract: A valve having a valve housing and a shut-off element, the valve housing having a cavity for receiving the shut-off element, at least one inlet opening for a fluid to flow into the cavity and at least three outlet openings for the fluid to flow out of the cavity, the shut-off element having a guide body and being arranged in a movable manner at least partially in the cavity of the valve housing, the shut-off element having at least one shut-off projection for shutting off at least one of the outlet openings.

Abstract: An air manifold for a material dispensing applicator is described. The air manifold has an inlet to receive pressurized air from a pressurized air source, a channel extending therethrough from the inlet, and a plurality of passages in fluid communication with the channel. The air manifold also includes a plurality of pneumatic bolts, 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 the plurality of dispensing modules 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: Methods and apparatus for electrostatic dispensing fluid onto food products are disclosed. An electrostatic dispense system includes a material supply, a voltage block, and a power supply to electrostatically charge a coating material. The electrostatic dispense system further includes a dispense assembly, a conveyor through or by which a food product is configured to be conveyed, and a support that supports at least one liquid outlet of the dispense assembly. The dispense assembly dispenses the electrostatically charged coating material from the at least one liquid outlet onto the food product. The voltage block provides electrical isolation, and includes a pump that pumps the electrostatically charged coating material to the dispense assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling adhesive application are disclosed. The systems and methods may include a controller and one or more sensors configured to measure an amount of adhesive applied to a plurality of substrates by a pump, detect a number of the substrates, determine an amount of adhesive applied per substrate, compare the adhesive applied per substrate to a target value, and adjust a pressure of the pump based on the comparison. The sensor(s) may include one or more of a valve sensor coupled to an adhesive supply, a flow rate sensor coupled to a manifold, a flow rate sensor coupled to one or more hoses, and a flow rate sensors coupled to a gun.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive system includes an adhesive supply for receiving solid or semi-solid hot melt adhesive, and a heater associated with the adhesive supply for melting the solid or semi-solid hot melt adhesive into liquid hot melt adhesive. An adhesive tracking system monitors an output of the liquid hot melt adhesive, and includes a flow meter having a flow inlet and a flow outlet. The flow meter measures an amount of the adhesive flowing out of the flow outlet. A product detector may be used to sense a presence of a product to which the adhesive is applied. A controller then determines the total amount of the liquid adhesive dispensed and the average amount of liquid adhesive dispensed per product.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for adjusting thickness of an extrudate in an extrusion die system. A lip adjustment assembly includes an engagement member connected to a movable lip of an extrusion die and being movable in a first and second direction opposite the first direction; an actuator configured to move the engagement member in the first and second directions; a coupler connected to both the engagement member and the actuator and disposed between the engagement member and the actuator; and an insulator on the coupler and configured to impede conduction of heat from the engagement member to the actuator. When the engagement member is moved in the first direction, the movable lip is moved toward a second lip of the extrusion die, and when the engagement member is moved in the second direction, the movable lip is moved away from the second lip.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with an applicator, systems for dispensing fluids, methods of using a nozzle (52), and a nozzle (52). The nozzle (52) includes a communication device (60) having a memory (86). The memory (86) stores data relating to the operational history and configuration of the nozzle (52). In response to receiving a query signal (90) from an interrogation device (24), the communication device (60) transmits the data residing in the memory (86). The communication device (60) also receives and stores data in the query signal (90) to the memory (86) so that the operational history of the nozzle (52) is maintained in the memory (86) of the communication device (60). The transmitted data may be received by the interrogation device (24) and used to adjust a fluid dispensing operation, determine when the nozzle (52) has reached the end of its operational life, for process improvement, or for inventory tracking.

Abstract: An adhesive dispensing device (10) includes a melt module (12) including a housing (78) that defines a receiving space to receive adhesive and a heater (114) to heat the housing to melt the adhesive, and a control module (14) releasably connected to the melt module. The control module includes a controller (36) to automatically recognize a characteristic associated with the melt module and operate the melt module using instructions stored on the controller that correspond to the characteristic of the melt module. A method of operating the adhesive dispensing device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Multilayer tubes including an inner layer and a tie layer are described. The inner layer includes a fluorinated polymer, and has an inner surface defining an inner diameter of the multilayer tube and an outer surface separated from the inner surface by a thickness of the inner layer. The tie layer includes a functionalized styrene block copolymer and is disposed on the outer surface of the inner layer. When the multilayer tube further includes an outer layer, the multilayer tubes exhibit improved peel strength as compared to multilayer tubes including the inner layer and outer layer alone. Methods of manufacturing the multilayer tubes and articles comprising the multilayer tubes are also described.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a liquid onto a substrate is disclosed. The dispenser includes a liquid supply and a dispenser module. The dispenser module includes a nozzle body having an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber for receiving the liquid. The dispenser module also includes a central valve body attached to the nozzle body that defines a piston chamber and a valve member having a piston portion disposed within the piston chamber of the central valve body and a needle portion extending form the piston portion into the chamber of the nozzle body. The dispenser further includes a heater block for heating the nozzle body. The heater block defines a liquid passage for transporting liquid from the liquid supply to the dispenser, a first surface of the heater block directly contacts the nozzle body, and the entirety of the central valve body is spaced from the heater block.

Abstract: An adhesive dispenser having a pump and a slotted nozzle assembly is disclosed. The pump includes a pump body assembly having a nozzle body defining a recess that extends into the body, and a fluid channel with an inlet to receive adhesive and an outlet open to the recess. The pump includes a valve member movably disposed in the fluid channel and configured to selectively block the adhesive from flowing to the outlet. The slotted nozzle assembly includes a baffle plate having a slot that extends through the plate and a cover plate attached to the plate. The slotted nozzle assembly is received in the recess of the nozzle body, such that an input channel extending from the outlet of the body to the slot is defined between the baffle plate and the nozzle body, and an output channel extending from the slot to a dispensing outlet is defined between the baffle plate and the cover plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating and cleaning coating systems are disclosed. A method of applying a material to a substrate includes dispensing the material onto a substrate using an applicator, the applicator being configured to receive the material therein and to discharge the material therefrom toward the substrate; measuring a parameter of the material being dispensed via the applicator; determining whether the parameter is within a predetermined range; when the parameter is not within the predetermined range, stopping the dispensing of the material onto the substrate and cleaning the applicator such that the parameter is within the predetermined range; and after cleaning the applicator, resuming dispensing the material.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing a fluid material onto a substrate includes a jet dispenser configured to receive the fluid material therein, the jet dispenser having a jet cartridge operably connected thereto, the jet cartridge being configured to receive the fluid material from the jet dispenser and having a nozzle through which the fluid material is discharged towards the substrate; a camera configured to acquire a digital image of the jet dispenser; and a controller having a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to: identify, on the digital image of the jet dispenser, an identified pattern of features present on the jet dispenser; compare the identified pattern with a stored pattern, the stored pattern being stored in the memory; calculate the similarity between the identified pattern and the stored pattern; and provide an identifier value associated with the stored pattern.

Abstract: A multi-layered hot melt adhesive transfer hose is provided. The transfer hose has a barrier layer that prevents or minimizes the ingress of oxygen and other gases into a conduit of the hose. The transfer hose has at least one structural layer overlaying an exterior surface of the barrier layer to help the hose withstand a high fluid pressure. The barrier layer prevents the hot melt adhesive being transported in the hose from discoloring and charring when the adhesive is heated from about 250° F. up to and including 450° F. for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A coating device includes at least one applicator configured to coat a glue onto two opposite sides of an electrode sheet; at least one roller assembly configured to guide the electrode sheet past the at least one applicator; and at least one support bar arranged under the at least one applicator.