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: A nozzle assembly includes a first body having an upper and an inner surface; a first channel in the first body to receive a material; a second body having an upper and an inner surface; a second channel in the second body, in liquid communication with the first channel, and configured to receive the material from the first channel; a material outlet defined by the first and second bodies configured to discharge the material; a material inlet on the upper surface of the first body, in liquid communication with the first channel, and configured to receive the material into the nozzle assembly; and an upper lip extending from the first body toward the second body and partly defined by the upper surface of the first body. The upper lip includes a lip surface opposite the upper surface of the first body. The upper surface of the second body is configured to contact the lip surface of the upper lip.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes a first body having an upper and an inner surface; a first channel in the first body to receive a material; a second body having an upper and an inner surface; a second channel in the second body, in liquid communication with the first channel, and configured to receive the material from the first channel; a material outlet defined by the first and second bodies configured to discharge the material; a material inlet on the upper surface of the first body, in liquid communication with the first channel, and configured to receive the material into the nozzle assembly; and an upper lip extending from the first body toward the second body and partly defined by the upper surface of the first body. The upper lip includes a lip surface opposite the upper surface of the first body. The upper surface of the second body is configured to contact the lip surface of the upper lip.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes a first body having an upper and an inner surface; a first channel in the first body to receive a material; a second body having an upper and an inner surface; a second channel in the second body, in liquid communication with the first channel, and configured to receive the material from the first channel; a material outlet defined by the first and second bodies configured to discharge the material; a material inlet on the upper surface of the first body, in liquid communication with the first channel, and configured to receive the material into the nozzle assembly; and an upper lip extending from the first body toward the second body and partly defined by the upper surface of the first body. The upper lip includes a lip surface opposite the upper surface of the first body. The upper surface of the second body is configured to contact the lip surface of the upper lip.

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: A melter for processing substantially solid, free-flowing adhesive particulate and supplying liquid adhesive is described. The melter has a tank for receiving adhesive, a heating device coupled with said tank for heating and liquefying adhesive particles, at least one pump for conveying the liquid adhesive, and a filling device for filling the tank with the substantially solid, free-flowing adhesive particulate. The filling device is arranged such that adhesive particulate is fed into the tank through an inlet opening of said tank. A filling device for filling a tank of an adhesive melter with substantially solid, free-flowing adhesive particles is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to melter for processing substantially solid, free-flowing adhesive particulate and supplying liquid adhesive. The melter has a tank for receiving adhesive, a heating device coupled with said tank for heating and liquefying adhesive particles, at least one pump for conveying the liquid adhesive, and a filling device for filling the tank with the substantially solid, free-flowing adhesive particulate. The filling device is arranged such that adhesive particulate can be fed into the tank through an inlet opening of said tank. The invention also relates to a filling device for filling a tank of an adhesive melter with substantially solid, free-flowing adhesive particles.

Abstract: Methods related to forming superabsorbent composite core structures using superabsorbent materials, such as superabsorbent polymers (SAP). In one method superabsorbent material is sprayed simultaneously with an adhesive to form a superabsorbent layer adhered to a first flexible sheet of material. A second flexible sheet of material is applied to the superabsorbent layer to position the superabsorbent layer between the first and second flexible sheets of material. At least one of the first or second flexible sheets of material is liquid permeable to allow liquid to penetrate into the superabsorbent layer from outside the composite product.

Abstract: The invention concerns a nozzle arrangement for dispensing liquid material, in particular for applying hot melt adhesive onto a substrate, comprising a nozzle orifice for dispensing the liquid material, said orifice being associated with a first and/or a second component, and positioning elements for fixing the position of the first component with respect to the second component. The invention concerns in particular a nozzle arrangement in which the positioning elements are formed as centering screws extending into fitting bores of the second component and into corresponding recesses of the first component. The invention further concerns an applicator and a production facility for applying liquid material.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing a random pattern of liquid adhesive filaments generally includes a plurality of liquid outlets positioned in a liquid discharge plane and first and second pluralities of air passages. The first plurality of air passages is positioned in a first plane oriented at a first angle relative to the liquid discharge plane, while the second plurality of air passages is positioned in a second plane oriented at a second angle relative to the liquid discharge plane. The first angle is different than the second angle so that pressurized process air streams from the first and second pluralities of air passages are directed asymmetrically toward adhesive filaments discharged from the liquid outlets to produce the random pattern.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing a random pattern of liquid adhesive filaments. The nozzle may include first and second air shim plates, an adhesive shim plate and first and second separating shim plates. The first and second air shim plates each have respective pairs of air slots. Each air slot has a process air inlet and a process air outlet and the air slots of each pair converge toward one another such that the process air inlets are farther apart than the process air outlets in each pair. The adhesive shim plate includes a plurality of liquid slots each with a liquid outlet. Four process air outlets are associated with each of the liquid outlets. The process air slots are adapted to receive pressurized process air and the liquid slots are adapted to receive pressurized liquid adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying fluids such as adhesive, in particular hot melt adhesive, to a substrate movable relative to the apparatus, comprising a main body having a feed passage connectable to a fluid source, an application valve for selectively interrupting or enabling the flow of fluid in the feed passage, and a nozzle arrangement having a distributor passage connectable to the feed passage and at least one nozzle opening communicating with the distributor passage for delivery of the fluid. A body is movable in the distributor passage and has through passages which can be selectively associated with the nozzle opening by means of movement of the body in such a way that fluid is passed out of the distributor passage into the nozzle opening through at least one through passage.

Abstract: A method of dispensing multiple adhesive filaments onto a substrate in a random pattern using asymmetrical pressurized process air. The method generally comprises moving the substrate along a machine direction and discharging multiple adhesive filaments from a plurality of liquid outlets. Pressurized process air is directed toward each one of the multiple adhesive filaments respectively along a first angle relative to a plane including an associated liquid outlet. Pressurized process air is also directed toward each one of the multiple adhesive filaments respectively along a second angle relative to the plane including the associated liquid outlet and on an opposite side of the associated liquid outlet than the pressurized process air directed along the first angle. The second angle is different than the first angle so that the pressurized process air is directed asymmetrically toward the multiple adhesive filaments.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing a random pattern of liquid adhesive filaments. The nozzle may include first and second air shim plates, an adhesive shim plate and first and second separating shim plates. The first and second air shim plates each have respective pairs of air slots. Each air slot has a process air inlet and a process air outlet and the air slots of each pair converge toward one another such that the process air inlets are farther apart than the process air outlets in each pair. The adhesive shim plate includes a plurality of liquid slots each with a liquid outlet. Four process air outlets are associated with each of the liquid outlets. The process air slots are adapted to receive pressurized process air and the liquid slots are adapted to receive pressurized liquid adhesive. The pressurized process air discharges from each group of the four process air outlets and forms a zone of turbulence for moving the filament of liquid adhesive discharging from the associated liquid outlet in a random pattern.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing a random pattern of liquid adhesive filaments. The nozzle may include first and second air shim plates, an adhesive shim plate and first and second separating shim plates. The first and second air shim plates each have respective pairs of air slots. Each air slot has a process air inlet and a process air outlet and the air slots of each pair converge toward one another such that the process air inlets are farther apart than the process air outlets in each pair. The adhesive shim plate includes a plurality of liquid slots each with a liquid outlet. Four process air outlets are associated with each of the liquid outlets. The process air slots are adapted to receive pressurized process air and the liquid slots are adapted to receive pressurized liquid adhesive.

Abstract: A device and a method for delivering a fluid, in particular hot-melt adhesive. The device includes a base member having an inlet opening for receiving the fluid from a fluid source and an outlet opening for delivering the fluid to a nozzle arrangement. The nozzle arrangement has a discharge passage with a discharge opening for delivery of the fluid. A heat transfer member heats or cools the fluid and includes a heat transfer passage through which the fluid can flow. The heat transfer passage is of a flow cross-section which changes in the flow direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a nozzle arrangement for dispensing liquid material, in particular for applying hot melt adhesive onto a substrate, comprising a nozzle orifice for dispensing the liquid material, said orifice being associated with a first and/or a second component, and positioning elements for fixing the position of the first component with respect to the second component. The invention concerns in particular a nozzle arrangement in which the positioning elements are formed as centering screws extending into fitting bores of the second component and into corresponding recesses of the first component. The invention further concerns an applicator and a production facility for applying liquid material.

Abstract: A method of dispensing multiple adhesive filaments onto a substrate in a random pattern using asymmetrical pressurized process air. The method generally comprises moving the substrate along a machine direction and discharging multiple adhesive filaments from a plurality of liquid outlets. Pressurized process air is directed toward each one of the multiple adhesive filaments respectively along a first angle relative to a plane including an associated liquid outlet. Pressurized process air is also directed toward each one of the multiple adhesive filaments respectively along a second angle relative to the plane including the associated liquid outlet and on an opposite side of the associated liquid outlet than the pressurized process air directed along the first angle. The second angle is different than the first angle so that the pressurized process air is directed asymmetrically toward the multiple adhesive filaments.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing a random pattern of liquid adhesive filaments generally comprises an adhesive shim plate positioned between first and second air shim plates. The first air shim plate includes air slots configured to direct pressurized process air along a first angle relative to the adhesive shim plate, and the second air shim plate includes air slots configured to direct pressurized process air along a second angle relative to the adhesive shim plate. The first angle is different than the second angle so that the first and second air shim plates direct the pressurized process air asymmetrically toward adhesive filaments discharging from liquid slots in the adhesive shim plate.