Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing hot melt adhesive foam onto a substrate is described. The dispensing system comprises a pump having a first input to receive a hot melt adhesive and a second input to receive a gas, where the pump mixes the hot melt adhesive and the gas to produce a solution and pump the solution at a volumetric flow rate. The dispensing system also includes a valve to control an amount of the gas provided to the pump from the second input, a flow meter to measure the volumetric flow rate of the solution pumped by the pump, and a dispenser to receive the solution from the pump and dispense the solution to create the hot melt adhesive foam.

Abstract: A melter melts particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form. The melter includes a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet that receives the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. The heated receiving device melts the particulate hot melt adhesive and directs the liquified hot melt adhesive to the outlet. A prepackaged container holds a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive and includes an outlet. A particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allows the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the outlet of the prepackaged container to the inlet of the heated receiving device.

Abstract: A melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form is disclosed. The melter includes a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. A flexible hopper holds a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive and a particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allows the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the flexible hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device.

Abstract: A melter for heating and melting particulate hot melt adhesive into a liquefied form is disclosed. The melter includes a heated receiving device having an interior with an inlet configured to receive the particulate hot melt adhesive and an outlet. A flexible hopper holds a supply of the particulate hot melt adhesive and a particulate hot melt adhesive feed device allows the particulate hot melt adhesive to be directed from the flexible hopper to the inlet of the heated receiving device.

Abstract: A flexible bag system can dispense particulate hot melt adhesive. The flexible bag system includes an articulation device in contact with the flexible bag body and manipulates the flexible bag body to maintain fluidity of the particulate hot melt adhesive out of the outlet. A system for supplying particulate hot melt adhesive is also disclosed. The system includes an outer housing, a flexible inner housing disposed inside the outer housing that receives the particulate hot melt adhesive, a transfer opening disposed inside the flexible inner housing and through which the particulate hot melt adhesive is transferred, and an agitator in contact with the flexible inner housing, where the agitator applies a lateral force to a surface of the flexible inner housing.

Abstract: A dispenser body having a liquid inlet, a discharge outlet, and a flow channel capable of directing a flow of the hot melt adhesive from the liquid inlet to the discharge outlet. The flow channel includes a valve seat between the liquid inlet and the discharge outlet. The dispensing module further includes a needle having a valve member mounted for movement in the dispenser body between an open position in which the valve member is disengaged with the valve seat allowing liquid flow from the discharge outlet and a closed position in which the valve member is engaged with the valve seat preventing liquid flow from the discharge outlet. A first electromagnetic coil is activated to move the needle to the open position and a second electromagnetic coil is activated to move the needle to the closed position.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a hot melt unit delivering heated adhesive through a hose to at least one dispenser gun, which is actuated by an outside source of gun actuation. Rather than directly connecting the source of gun actuation to the dispenser gun, the source of gun actuation is connected to the hot melt unit and then to the dispenser gun. For example, the gun actuation signals may be terminated at a terminal block in the hot melt unit, which enables the hot melt unit to monitor the gun actuation signals. The dispensing system is operable to perform various diagnostics pertaining to the dispenser gun and the system as a whole based on these monitored gun actuation signals.

Abstract: A dispenser body having a liquid inlet, a discharge outlet, and a flow channel capable of directing a flow of the hot melt adhesive from the liquid inlet to the discharge outlet. The flow channel includes a valve seat between the liquid inlet and the discharge outlet. The dispensing module further includes a needle having a valve member mounted for movement in the dispenser body between an open position in which the valve member is disengaged with the valve seat allowing liquid flow from the discharge outlet and a closed position in which the valve member is engaged with the valve seat preventing liquid flow from the discharge outlet. A first electromagnetic coil is activated to move the needle to the open position and a second electromagnetic coil is activated to move the needle to the closed position.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a hot melt unit delivering heated adhesive through a hose to at least one dispenser gun, which is actuated by an outside source of gun actuation. Rather than directly connecting the source of gun actuation to the dispenser gun, the source of gun actuation is connected to the hot melt unit and then to the dispenser gun. For example, the gun actuation signals may be terminated at a terminal block in the hot melt unit, which enables the hot melt unit to monitor the gun actuation signals. The dispensing system is operable to perform various diagnostics pertaining to the dispenser gun and the system as a whole based on these monitored gun actuation signals.