Abstract: A device for retarding drool from a multi nozzle manifold having a plurality of outlet passageways in fluid communication with a single feed passageway. A drool-retarding member selectively segregates the outlet passageways with respect to fluid communication among the outlet passageways, preventing flow from one outlet passageway into a lower outlet passageway during adhesive cutoff periods. The drool-retarding member is a reciprocating member having an inoperative position in which a plurality of inlet ports to the outlet passageways are sealed, and having a fluid-apply position in which the inlet ports are free to allow fluid communication among the outlet passageways and the feed passageway. In a passive embodiment, the drool-retarding member is a valve that is spring biased to cover the inlet ports. Pressurized adhesive overcomes the bias of the spring when an upstream flow-regulating mechanism is controlled to discontinue adhesive flow.

Abstract: A system for use on an automated assembly line having an adhesive applicator disposed to deposit adhesive on cartons progressing along the assembly line. A flap closing device which is utilized only during scheduled or unscheduled cycle stops of the assembly line is operatively associated with a pair of applicator heads. During normal, continuous operation of the assembly line, the flaps of a carton are sealed downstream of the application of adhesive. Effective sealing of all cartons upon a cycle stop is provided by including the second flap closing device at the applicator heads. The applicator heads are within the arc of movement of a carton flap closed by the second flap closing device, but operatively associating the applicator heads with the flap closing device displaces the heads from the path of the flap. Movement of the heads can be a rotational or linear motion.

Abstract: A modular adhesive applicator assembly in which electrical, thermal and fluid communication between a main block and individual modules occur at one face of the main block and in which a separate flow loop within each module is provided to prevent adhesive degradation within the module. Each module has an inlet port in fluid communication with an opening in the main block. The inlet port is located at an intermediate region of a solenoid armature used to control flow from the inlet port to an outlet port. A high-volume adhesive flow path extends forwardly along the solenoid armature directly to the outlet port. A low-volume adhesive loop extends rearwardly along grooves within the exterior of the solenoid armature and then forwardly within a central bore of the solenoid armature. A radial bore to the central bore provides fluid communication to the high-volume adhesive flow path.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a soft-cover book of the type having an opening relaxed position in which front and read cover sections may lay flat against a support surface. A collection of pages are perfect bound to form a book block having a spine which is deformable along an arc of 180.degree. without significantly affecting the bond strength of the book block. Preferably, the book block includes a thin flexible capping material across the spine and portions of the opposed sides of the book block. The book block is moved relative to a valved adhesive application station for selective extrusion of adhesive. The adhesive is extruded to form a plurality of adhesive application areas on the spine of the book block, with each application area being spaced apart from adjacent application areas by adhesive-free areas. A soft cover is then brought into contact with the adhesive application areas. Extrusion may be from an elongated outlet which intermittently applied adhesive across the width of the spine.

Abstract: A method of forming a sift-proof seal for closure of a box having a plurality of folded flaps, the seal being formed by an adhesive strip pattern. The flaps are moved linearly toward a plurality of nozzles which extrude adhesive in a pattern of closely spaced adhesive strips. A flap having such an adhesive pattern is brought into contact with a second flap to compress the pattern of adhesive therebetween. The spacing between adjacent strips of adhesive is such that the folding of the flap causes merging of the adhesive to form a continuous strip of adhesive, thereby forming a box closure. The adhesive pattern is limited to a first outside edge of the first flap, with each remaining outside edges receiving a sift-proof continuous line of adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing hot-melt adhesive tailing in an adhesive pattern wherein material squirted or extruded from a nozzle in a desired pattern experiences tailing. The adhesive is released from a material passageway along a trajectory, with an array of gas passageways radially and symmetrically surrounding the material passageway in an inclined manner. A gradual flow of gas from the gas passageways is directed to strike the adhesive tailing, thereby urging the tailing to follow the intended deposition trajectory. Like the adhesive, the release of gas may be valved or, alternatively, the gas may be a steady flow.

Abstract: A hot-melt adhesive dispenser having a multi-orifice nozzle manifold in surface-to-surface heat transfer engagement with a heated member. A first sealing element cooperates with a second sealing element to provide a heated member-to-nozzle manifold engagement which is sufficiently inelastic to inhibit adhesive drool between applications, is leak-resistant, and is unlikely to produce air pockets. The first sealing element is a hollow tapered stem having a base which receives adhesive going from within said heated member. The dimensionally reduced tip of the tapered stem is press fit into an inlet bore of the nozzle manifold for fluid communication with a plurality of nozzles. The second sealing element is a high temperature O-ring seated on that portion of the tapered stem not received within the inlet bore. The tapered stem forms a relatively inelastic fit, while the O-ring provides a relatively elastic fit.

Abstract: A method for applying adhesive to join two surfaces. A nozzle has a body member and a conical tip extending from an outlet face of the body member. A first pair of gas passageways is disposed on a side of the conical tip opposite a second pair of gas passageways. Each of the four gas passageways has a dispensing orifice at the outlet face of the nozzle body. The pairs of passageways are inwardly directed to project streams of gas, preferably air, parallel opposed sides of the conical tip. Thus, the streams of air converge at a distance from the outlet face beyond the apex of the conical tip. These streams of air cradle a stream of material issuing from the apex of the conical tip and cause an oscillatory asymmetric figure eight deposition of material. The deposition on a first surface has a resonant frequency and has smooth, controlled radius turns at its edges. A second surface is then brought into contact with the first surface while the adhesive is still in a fluid state.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valving assembly for viscous fluid material having a solenoid body with an axial flow passageway and an outlet port. A ferromagnetic pole piece is attached at an upstream end of the solenoid body and is in fluid communication with a source of viscous material, such as hot-melt adhesive. An armature is reciprocatingly mounted within the flow passageway and a spring biases the armature in a closed position which blocks the outlet port. A solenoid coil is disposed to cause magnetization of the pole piece during conduction of current through the solenoid coil. The magnetization provides an attractive force between the pole piece and the armature to draw the armature into contact with the downstream surface of the pole piece. The upstream end geometry of the armature includes a center bore for passage of the viscous material and includes a recessed inner region and raised C-shaped edges. Contact between the pole piece and the armature is limited to the C-shaped raised edges.

Abstract: A method of joining surfaces involving dispensing of hot-melt adhesive onto one of the surfaces in a pattern of quasi-random dots splattered onto the surface. The dots are made by breaking a fluid stream of hot-melt adhesive into irregular globules near the tip of a nozzle. The globules are sufficiently massive to remain molten yet will travel in a directed trajectory. Coverage in a stripe pattern has a quasi-random coverage feature where there is a more than likely probability of encountering a dot along any line parallel to the stripe direction within a distance less than the width of the stripe.

Abstract: A method of adhesively joining a woven material to a nonwoven, heat liquefacient material in a pattern of quasi-random irregular webs splattered onto one material. The webs range from droplets to an interlinking filaments and surface coverage is in a stripe pattern having a quasi-random coverage feature wherein there is a more than likely probability of encountering a droplet or filament along any line parallel to the stripe direction within a distance less than the width of the stripe.

Abstract: A nozzle and a method for applying adhesive to join two surfaces. The nozzle has a body member and a conical tip extending from an outlet face of the body member. A first pair of gas passageways is disposed on a side of the conical tip opposite a second pair of gas passageways. Each of the four gas passageways has a dispensing orifice at the outlet face of the nozzle body. The pairs of passageways are inwardly directed to project streams of gas, preferably air, parallel opposed sides of the conical tip. Thus, the streams of air converge at a distance from the outlet face beyond the apex of the conical tip. These streams of air cradle a stream of material issuing from the apex of the conical tip and cause an oscillatory zig-zag deposition of material. The deposition on a first surface has a resonant frequency and has smooth, controlled radius turns at its edges. A second surface is then brought into contact with the first surface while the adhesive is still in a fluid state.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing viscous fluid material having one-piece nozzles which produce a supply of drops of fluid material. The nozzles each include a nozzle body having a first end and a dispensing end. A gas flow path through the nozzle body has an array of outlet sections which terminate at the dispensing end of the nozzle body. The inlet section of the gas flow path is a cylindrical bore which feeds a stream of gas to each of the outlet sections. A plurality of viscous fluid material passageways closely surround the outlet sections of the gas flow path. As a stream of material is discharged from each material passageway, the expansion of gas emerging from the gas outlet sections breaks up the flowing material, thereby applying the material in a spray of droplets even though both the gas flow and material flow are continuous. The first ends of nozzles are attached to an elongated dispensing bar of an applicator.

Abstract: A nozzle for applying a quasi-random splatter pattern of viscous fluid material. The nozzle includes an axially inward gas flow path and an axially outward material flow path. The material flow paths are partially defined by an array of material flow passageways that are yieldingly obstructed by a valve member. The valve member has a center bore to permit passage of a stream of gas. Pressurization of the viscous fluid material causes the material to exceed the threshold pressure for axial movement of the valve member. The viscous fluid material will thereafter flow to an outlet orifice having a configuration which is at least closely similar to the array of material flow passageways. Material at the outlet orifice is impinged by the stream of gas through the nozzle for projection to a surface.

Abstract: A hot-melt adhesive dispenser having spray nozzles connected to a nozzle manifold receiving hot-melt adhesive material from a heated dispenser head. The spray nozzles have a pair of flow paths, one within the other, terminating near the nozzle outlet. A stream of low pressure air flows from a valve, through a plurality of tubes to at least one hollow gas injection conduit in the nozzle forming an inner flow path. Hot-melt material flows through a dispensing bar to a nozzle body cavity and opening defining the outer flow path. Hot-melt material is projected from the nozzle, broken up into droplets by the expanding gas, producing a spray within about three inches of the nozzle outlet. A pair of spaced apart dispensers with spray nozzles are used to spray seal the upper and lower flaps of cartons.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for use with a hot-melt dispensing head having a manifold with a lengthwise passageway opening into plural, spaced-apart nozzle inserts for dispensing hot melt. The nozzles themselves are aimable over a wide range of angles and are replaceable. In one configuration the nozzle assembly has a T shape with the nozzles on a side of the T top distal to the dispenser head. In another configuration, the nozzle assembly has a Y shape with the nozzles on a side of the Y top facing the dispenser head. The two configurations may be spaced opposite each other to form a box sealing station.

Abstract: A hot-melt tank having side walls and a bottom wall with a melt unit mounted on the bottom wall in the lower region of the tank, a melt zone. The melt unit includes a base mounted in the lower region and upwardly extending, spaced apart, parallel fins having a sloping upper end. The base does not block a material outflow port in the bottom wall of the tank, but is oriented so that the lowest portion of the sloping upper end of the fins is distal to the outflow port. A shelf, parallel to the bottom wall is positioned over the outflow port parallel to the base, intercepting the fins and secured thereto for blocking direct material inflow from the top of the tank into the outflow port. Rather, material flow is equalized in the lower region of the tank, being drawn to the outflow port from both short and long paths.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading heat meltable material from a container including a vertically moveable platen assembly having a platen supported by a platen carriage. The weight of the platen assembly is trapped between a balance spring which urges the platen assembly upwardly and a pressure spring which exerts a downward pressure on the platen assembly. The springs are fixed about a motor driven lead screw retaining the balance spring against the platen assembly from below and a pressure adjusting nut retaining the pressure spring against the platen assembly from above. Descent of the lead screw without an equivalent movement by the platen assembly will cause a disequilibrium in spring tensions as the balance spring expands and the pressure spring compresses. A limiting switch restricts the amount the lead screw can move after platen contact with the heat meltable material prevents further platen carriage movement.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a hot-melt dispensing head having a heat transfer block from the head to a manifold. The manifold includes a passageway for hot-melt with plural, spaced apart nozzle inserts for dispensing hot-melt. In one configuration the nozzle assembly has a T-shape with the nozzle inserts on a side of the T-top distal to the dispenser head. In another configuration, the nozzle assembly has a Y-shape with the nozzle inserts on a side of the Y-top facing the dispenser head. The two configurations may be spaced opposite each other to form a box sealing station.

Abstract: Apparatus for melting and dispensing very high viscosity material, such as butyl. A chamber with heated walls is provided with an internal conveyor and pump near the bottom wall of the chamber. The conveyor has sections which transfer rotational energy to material within the chamber, dragging high viscosity material to a pump inlet hole in the bottom wall of the chamber. Deflection plates mounted within the chamber push material down onto the conveyor, so that pump suction can be maintained. The plates also promote vertical as well as horizontal material mixing, thereby exposing new surfaces of the thermoplastic material to the heated walls of the chamber, increasing the rate of heat transfer from the walls to the material.