Abstract: Calibrating a plurality of fluid sensors of a remote metering system is disclosed. The system includes a material supply device including a main pump and a main flow sensor for monitoring an output of the main pump. The application system also includes a remote metering system for receiving the material flowing from the material supply device and applying the material to substrates. The remote metering system includes a first applicator assembly including a first applicator and a first flow sensor for monitoring an output of the first applicator, and a second applicator assembly including a second applicator and a second flow sensor for monitoring an output of the second applicator. The remote metering system further includes a controller in signal communication with the remote metering station and the material supply device. The controller performs a first and second calibration operations on the first and second flow sensors, respectively.

Abstract: A method for controlling a recirculation pump assembly is disclosed. The method includes receiving a process-dependent characteristic and determining a recirculation flow rate of adhesive that flows to the recirculation pump assembly based on the process-dependent characteristic. The method further includes determining a recirculation pump speed of the recirculation pump assembly for pumping the adhesive to a supply channel using the recirculation flow rate, and adjusting an operating speed of the recirculation pump assembly to match the recirculation pump speed. A system and storage device for performing the above method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ionizing radiation shielding panel comprising a core layer, a first layer on a first side of the core layer and a second layer on a second side of the core layer, opposite to the first side. The core layer comprises radiation attenuation material which may be particles of barite. The first and second layers each comprise a permeable reinforcement structure and each of the first, second and core layers are permeated with a binder. In the construction of the panel, the binder is infected into a mould containing the other constituents of the panel. The ionizing radiation shielding panel can be used in the housing of an x-ray inspection apparatus.

Abstract: A light assembly coupled to a spray gun for spraying electrostatically charged coating material is disclosed. The spray gun includes a gun body comprising a barrel, a nozzle assembly extending from the barrel in a longitudinal direction, a voltage multiplier, and an actuator assembly configured to transition the voltage multiplier between an activated state and a deactivated state. The light assembly includes a light and circuitry electrically connected to the light. The circuitry is configured to supply electrical energy inductively obtained by the circuitry to the light when the voltage multiplier is in the activated state. The light assembly can also include a housing, a lens cover releasably attached to the housing, and a control member for changing a characteristic of the light.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a needle motion of a material applicator are disclosed. The system includes an actuator assembly that contains a piezoelectric device, where the actuator assembly is connected to a needle and translates the needle along a vertical direction, and a sensor assembly that includes an emitter for emitting light, where a portion of the actuator assembly occludes a portion of the light. The sensor assembly also includes a receiver for receiving a non-occluded portion of the light and a sensor holder that secures the emitter and the receiver. The system further includes a controller in electrical communication with the piezoelectric device, emitter, and receiver, where the controller adjusts operation of the actuator assembly based on feedback received from the receiver.

Abstract: A distribution system for storing and conveying a supply of material is described. The distribution system includes a bin for storing and conveying a supply of material. The bin includes a housing defining an internal chamber configured to receive the material, at least one outlet configured to direct the material from the bin, a plate defining a lower end of the internal chamber and supporting and directing the material to the at least one outlet, an agitation device attached to the plate, and a gasket disposed between the plate and the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying a liquid coating to a substrate are disclosed herein. One exemplary method includes calibrating flow rate of a material through a coating system. A target flow rate for the material through a spray nozzle is received, a first operating pressure of the coating system based upon the target flow rate is calculated, and the material is ejected onto a least part of a surface with the material flowing through the spray nozzle at the first operating pressure of the coating system. Subsequent to a comparison between an operating flow rate and the target flow rate, the operating pressure is adjusted to a second operating pressure and at least part of the substrate is sprayed with the material flowing through the spray nozzle at the second operating pressure of the coating system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for coating with shear and moisture sensitive materials are disclosed. A method of coating a product includes filling an inner bellows chamber of a bellows, which is provided within and isolated from an outer bellows chamber of a tank, with a predetermined amount of the coating material. The method of coating the product further includes supplying a pressurized material to the outer bellows chamber to pressurize the coating material within the inner bellows chamber to an operating pressure, and supplying the coating material within the inner bellows chamber to a spray gun at the operating pressure. The method of coating also includes determining that a measured actual pressure is within a predetermined control range of the target pressure and subsequently coating the product by spraying the product with the coating material from the spray gun.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting a separated-outlet fluid cartridge to a single-inlet static mixer includes a locking portion and a connecting portion. The locking portion has at least one locking element to lockingly engage the mixer housing so as to inhibit rotation between the locking portion and the housing. The connecting portion is received within the locking portion and has first and second fluid inlet members to be coupled to respective first and second fluid outlets of the cartridge for receiving fluid from the cartridge, and a fluid outlet member is sealingly coupled to the mixer for directing fluid into the mixer. The locking portion is selectively rotatable about the connecting portion between unlocked and locked positions relative to the cartridge when the connecting portion is coupled to the cartridge. Consequently, the adapter advantageously enables dispensing with a separated-outlet fluid cartridge in combination with a single-inlet static mixer.

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 jetting dispenser includes an actuator with a piezoelectric unit that lengthens by a first distance in response to an applied voltage, and an amplifier operatively coupled to the piezoelectric unit. The amplifier includes first and second ends and the second end moves through a second distance, larger than the first distance under the applied voltage. First and second springs are positioned on opposite sides of the piezoelectric unit. The springs are coupled to the piezoelectric unit in a manner that maintains the piezoelectric unit under constant compression. A fluid body includes a movable shaft operatively coupled with the second end of the amplifier and includes a fluid bore and an outlet orifice. The movable shaft is moved by the second end of the amplifier under the applied voltage and jets an amount of fluid from the fluid bore through the outlet orifice.

Abstract: A dispensing system receives liquid material and process air. The dispensing system includes a manifold body having a liquid material passage and a process air passage. The dispensing system includes a heating member received in the manifold body. The heating member has an upper portion, a lower portion, an outer surface, and a groove in the outer surface. The groove may extend between the upper portion and the lower portion and form at least a portion of the process air passage. The dispensing system may further include a nozzle configured to dispense the liquid material. The heating member may be configured to heat the process air as the process air passes through the groove and heat the liquid material through contact of the outer surface of the heating member with the manifold body.

Abstract: An applicator system for extrusive dispensing of work material from a flexible pre-charged portion of a cartridge unit is provided. The system comprises a body portion having an actuator and a housing coupled thereto. The housing includes a cartridge bay and an arresting member displaceably coupled thereto. The cartridge bay is configured to receive the cartridge unit and defines at least one containment compartment for receiving the pre-charged cartridge. The arresting member is displaceable between open and closed configurations for releasably retaining the cartridge unit. The actuator, coupled to the housing in communication with the cartridge bay, includes a drive member engaging the pre-charged cartridge within the containment compartment. The body includes a handle and an activation member coupled thereto.

Abstract: A tamper-evident closure assembly includes a connector, a tamper element removably affixed to the connector, and a cap having an interior surface defining a receptacle, where a portion of the connector is within the receptacle and the cap is configured to engage with the tamper element. The tamper element is configured to be separated from the connector upon application of a removal force and to be retained within the receptacle of the cap so that it can later be removed from the receptacle. A kit for a tamper-evident closure assembly includes a cap having an interior surface defining a receptacle, a tamper element configured to engage with the cap within the receptacle, and a housing configured to receive the cap.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for a granulator has a nozzle body with an inlet side as well as an outlet side, a nozzle plate with nozzle holes arranged on the outlet side for forming melt strands, and flow channels formed in the nozzle body and connected to the inlet side and the outlet side in a fluid-conducting manner for supplying a melt flow to a nozzle plate. An annular connection channel connects a plurality of flow channels in a fluid-conducting manner. A method for separating a melt flow into melt strands is also described.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a nozzle of a liquid dispensing device is disclosed. The cleaning apparatus includes a base member supporting a receiving head including a receiving opening for receiving a portion of the nozzle to be cleaned, a gas inlet for receiving pressurized gas, and an outlet at the receiving head for applying pressurized gas to the nozzle for flushing the nozzle. The receiving opening can include a sealing edge for sealing the receiving head against the nozzle when the nozzle is received in the receiving opening. The cleaning apparatus can also include at least one of a discharge tube, a collection vessel and a filter element.

Abstract: A die includes an upper body member and an adjustment system. The upper body member has a upper surface, a gap surface, a gap edge positioned between the upper surface and the gap surface, and a gap flange. The adjustment system includes an adjustment body that defines a plurality of channels, and a plurality of adjusters. Each of the plurality of adjusters is slideably positioned within a respective one of the plurality of channels. Each of the plurality of adjusters is configured to couple to the gap flange of the upper body member. When the plurality of adjusters are coupled to the gap flange movement of the plurality of adjusters causes a change in a position of the gap edge.

Abstract: A side-by-side cartridge assembly for dispensing a first fluid and a second fluid includes a first cartridge body and a second cartridge body having first and second cartridge coupling elements, respectively. The first cartridge body extends along an axial direction and has a radial boundary or periphery transverse to the axial direction. The first cartridge has a first neck portion of a neck, and the second cartridge has a second neck portion of the neck. The first neck portion projects from the first cartridge body such that the first neck portion is within the radial boundary or periphery of the first cartridge. As such, the first cartridge coupling element operatively connects to the second cartridge coupling element to secure the first cartridge to the second cartridge and form the neck for discharging a first fluid and a second fluid.

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.