Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced hot melt liquid dispensing system management are disclosed. In an example method for determining an operating instruction for a hot melt liquid dispensing system having an applicator and a heater, the operating instruction is determined based on a filtered applicator parameter value associated with gun cycle counts of the applicator and a filtered heater parameter value associated with duty cycle values of the heater. The filtered applicator parameter value is determined based on historic applicator parameter values that are updated according to a current applicator parameter value. The filtered heater parameter value is determined based on historic heater parameter values that are updated according to a current heater parameter value.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array that includes pixel array circuitry; and a read path that includes read path circuitry. The image sensor includes one or more of a capacitive element and a capacitive enable circuit, a temperature sensor, a number of pixel types, and/or selectable pixel characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved liquid dispensing system communications are disclosed. In an example method for communicating control data between a plurality of component of a liquid dispensing system, a controller of a first component of a liquid dispensing system publishes a control data message to a composite controller associated with the plurality of component. Based on a classification of the control data message, a second component is determined to be a subscriber for the control data message. The composite controller then transmits the control data message to a controller of the second component.

Abstract: An extrusion die has first and second die bodies that define an extrusion cavity therebetween. The extrusion cavity has an inlet, a primary manifold that extends from the inlet along a flow direction, and an outlet that defines an elongate slot. In some examples, cavity has an intermediate chamber that extends from the primary manifold along the flow direction, the intermediate chamber having a back line and a front line that taper away from one another as they extend outwards towards opposing ends of the die. The primary manifold has a front end portion that is defined between opposing inner surfaces, at least one of inner surface tapering towards the other as it extends along the flow direction. In some examples, the inner surface has first and second curved portions that curve to provide a smoother transition from the primary manifold to a downstream chamber of the extrusion cavity.

Abstract: In one example, an application system has a material supply system, a plurality of dispensers, a plurality of pumps, and a controller. The supply system can supply the liquified material to the pumps. The pumps can pump the liquified material to the plurality of dispensers, and the dispensers can dispense the liquified material onto a substrate. The controller can receive, for the pumps, measures of electrical current drawn by the pumps. The controller can determine an average electrical current by averaging the measures of the electrical current drawn by the pumps. The controller can generate, for each of one or more of the pumps, a metric based on the average current, wherein the metric is indicative of how soon the pump is likely to fail. Maintenance and/or replacement of the pump can then be scheduled based on the metric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a die assembly for a pelletizing apparatus, the die assembly having a pressure regulating device that has a base member, a flow channel, and an annular channel. The base member has a fluid inlet side and a fluid outlet side. The flow channel is formed in the base member to provide a fluid-conducting connection between the fluid inlet side and the fluid outlet side. The annular channel section is connected to the flow channel in a fluid-conducting manner and formed in the region of the fluid outlet side. The invention is characterized by a flow cross-section regulating element for influencing a flow cross-section of the annular channel section. The regulating element is movable relative to the annular channel section and/or the flow channel.

Abstract: A flexible bag dispenser includes a port configured to transfer a liquid material, a seal that seals the flexible bag dispenser so as to prevent the liquid material from discharging through the seal, and at least one vent configured to permit gases entrapped in an interior space of the flexible bag dispenser to discharge therethrough to the exterior of the flexible bag dispenser. An inner surface defining the vent may be tapered. An inner edge of the seal may be tapered toward the first end of the flexible bag dispensing container. The vent may be defined by a malleable tube disposed in the seal or by a bleeder valve. A method of forming a flexible bag dispenser according to one example includes sealing a flexible bag of the flexible bag dispenser and forming at least one vent in the seal.

Abstract: Inspection devices and methods for inspecting an adhesive pattern on a substrate are disclosed. The inspection device includes at least one sensor having a heat sensor head for detecting a pattern of the adhesive bead, and a controller. Reference data representing a desired adhesive pattern is initially provided to a controller. A predetermined tolerance range for the desired adhesive pattern is also provided to the controller. An adhesive bead is discharged onto a substrate from a nozzle. A pattern of the discharged adhesive bead is then detected by the sensor when the substrate moves. Signals representing the detected pattern are received from the sensor at the controller. Finally, the signals representing the detected adhesive pattern are compared to the tolerance range of the desired adhesive pattern.

Abstract: An applicator system for applying a material to a substrate is disclosed, the applicator system having a nozzle assembly that includes a nozzle having a nozzle head. The nozzle assembly also includes a baffle plate including a cutout that extends through the baffle plate, where the baffle plate is received by the nozzle head such that the nozzle head and the baffle plate define a cavity. The nozzle assembly further includes a cover plate attached to the nozzle head such that the cover plate secures the baffle plate within the nozzle head, where an outlet passage is defined between the baffle plate and the cover plate, the outlet passage being fluidly connected to the cavity through the cutout of the baffle plate.

Abstract: A cap for sealing a cartridge includes a cap body, a plug, and a biasing member. The cap body includes a cap wall and an annular wall extending from the cap wall. The annular wall defines a channel within and includes a retention member having a barb, a stop spaced apart from the barb, and a base extending circumferentially about a portion of the annular wall from the barb to the stop. The barb, the stop, and the base define a retention channel. The plug is positioned within the channel of the cap body. The plug includes a plug wall and a plug member extending from the plug wall. The biasing member is positioned within the channel of the cap body between the plug wall and the cap wall. The biasing member is configured to provide a biasing force to bias the cap wall away from the plug wall.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a seal member onto a substrate from a material is disclosed. The system includes a mold comprising an ultraviolet transmissible material, the mold having a first portion and a second portion operatively coupled to the first portion, the first portion having a first cavity, a second cavity, and a channel extending from an outer surface of the mold to the second cavity. The first cavity has a first shape that is complementary to a first side of the substrate and the second cavity has a second shape that is complementary to the seal member. The system also includes an applicator in fluid communication with the channel, where the applicator is configured to provide the material to the second cavity through the channel, and an ultraviolet irradiation device configured to irradiate the mold with ultraviolet light to cure the material when the material is provided to the second cavity, such that the seal member is formed on the substrate.

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 metering distribution assembly and a coating system. The metering distribution assembly includes a volumetric cavity pump that comprises a flow passage plate having flow passages, a nozzle plate with a flow passage, a gear fixing plate attached between the flow passage plate and the nozzle plate, and a gear set located in an aperture of the fixing plate. The gear set has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet on a side of the gear set opposite to the fluid inlet. The fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the flow passages of the flow passage plate, and the fluid outlet is in fluid communication with the flow passage of the nozzle plate. A part of the flow passages of the flow passage plate, which is in direct fluid communication with the fluid inlet, extends in a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the gear set.

Abstract: A melting unit melts a solid material into a molten material. The melt unit includes a reservoir, a hopper, and a melt grid disposed between the hopper and the reservoir. The melt grid heats the solid material into the molten material such that the molten material flows from the hopper to the reservoir. The melt unit includes a plurality of guide members, where the molten material flows through plurality of flow channels defined by the melt grid and along the plurality of guide members as the molten material flows from the hopper to the reservoir.

Abstract: System for conveying and dispensing material may include a heated supply of the material, one or more heated hoses, a heated dispenser, and a pump having a heating device internal the pump. A pump for conveying liquid or liquefied material, for example chocolate, may include one or more heating devices disposed within the pump. A filter may also be provided with an optional internal heating device.

Abstract: An applicator system for applying a material to a substrate is disclosed, the applicator system having a nozzle assembly (28) that includes a nozzle having a nozzle head (108). The nozzle assembly (28) also includes a baffle plate (101) including a cutout (144) that extends through the baffle plate (101), where the baffle plate (101) is received by the nozzle head (108) such that the nozzle head (108) and the baffle plate (101) define a cavity. The nozzle assembly (28) further includes a cover plate (102) attached to the nozzle head (108) such that the cover plate (102) secures the baffle plate (101) within the nozzle head (128), where an outlet passage is defined between the baffle plate (101) and the cover plate (102), the outlet passage being fluidly connected to the cavity through the cutout (144) of the baffle plate (101).

Abstract: A system and method for forming a seal member onto a substrate from a material is disclosed. The system includes a mold comprising an ultraviolet transmissible material, the mold having a first portion and a second portion operatively coupled to the first portion, the first portion having a first cavity, a second cavity, and a channel extending from an outer surface of the mold to the second cavity. The first cavity has a first shape that is complementary to a first side of the substrate and the second cavity has a second shape that is complementary to the seal member. The system also includes an applicator in fluid communication with the channel, where the applicator is configured to provide the material to the second cavity through the channel, and an ultraviolet irradiation device configured to irradiate the mold with ultraviolet light to cure the material when the material is provided to the second cavity, such that the seal member is formed on the substrate.

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, and 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: A static mixer 10 for mixing a fluid flow having at least two components is disclosed, as well as a method for mixing first and second components with the static mixer 10. The static mixer 10 includes a mixing conduit 20 having a first inner surface 38a, a second inner surface 38b that extends from the first inner surface 38a, and a third inner surface 38c that extends from the first inner surface 38a to the second inner surface 38b. The first, second, and third inner surfaces 38a, 38b, 38c define a mixing passage receiving the fluid flow. The first and second inner surfaces 38a, 38b are offset by a first acute angle, the first and third surfaces 38a, 38c are offset by a second acute angle, and the second and third surfaces 38b, 38c are offset by a third acute angle. The static mixer 10 includes a mixing element 100 positioned in the mixing passage.