Abstract: An adhesive dispensing device (10) includes a melt module (12) including a housing (78) that defines a receiving space to receive adhesive and a heater (114) to heat the housing to melt the adhesive, and a control module (14) releasably connected to the melt module. The control module includes a controller (36) to automatically recognize a characteristic associated with the melt module and operate the melt module using instructions stored on the controller that correspond to the characteristic of the melt module. A method of operating the adhesive dispensing device is also disclosed.

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: An adhesive dispensing system and method of dispensing liquid material are disclosed. The adhesive dispensing system includes an adhesive dispensing module receiving hot melt adhesive through the inlet at a low pressure and rapidly developing high pressure at an outlet to thereby jet the hot melt adhesive therefrom. The system also includes a pressure container containing a supply of hot melt adhesive and configured to melt or maintain a heated temperature of the hot melt adhesive. A low pressure liquid passageway communicates between the adhesive dispensing module and the pressure container. The system also includes a pressurized air source in fluid communication with the adhesive dispensing module to operate the adhesive dispensing module by moving a piston to generate high pressure at the outlet of a nozzle for jetting hot melt adhesive as a discrete volume toward a substrate.

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 dispensing module and method of dispensing an adhesive includes a dispenser body having a valve element and a nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle member, a sealing zone, and a valve seat. The nozzle member includes a liquid passageway having a bore, a cylindrical surface, a second converging surface, and a shoulder. The sealing zone is defined by the cylindrical surface and extends from the bore toward the shoulder and engages the valve element to close a first volume of the liquid passageway from the inlet. The valve seat is defined by the shoulder and the second converging surface and has a circular line of contact that engages the valve element to close a second volume of the liquid passageway from the inlet. The first volume reduces to the second volume as the valve element moves distally along the sealing zone for discharging the adhesive.

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: An adhesive dispensing system and method of dispensing liquid material are disclosed. The adhesive dispensing system includes an adhesive dispensing module receiving hot melt adhesive through the inlet at a low pressure and rapidly developing high pressure at an outlet to thereby jet the hot melt adhesive therefrom. The system also includes a pressure container containing a supply of hot melt adhesive and configured to melt or maintain a heated temperature of the hot melt adhesive. A low pressure liquid passageway communicates between the adhesive dispensing module and the pressure container. The system also includes a pressurized air source in fluid communication with the adhesive dispensing module to operate the adhesive dispensing module by moving a piston to generate high pressure at the outlet of a nozzle for jetting hot melt adhesive as a discrete volume toward a substrate.

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: In one aspect, an adhesive dispensing system 30 includes a dispensing module 32 having an inlet and an outlet, a supply 35 of hot melt adhesive maintained at low pressure, and a low pressure liquid passageway 44 communicating between the supply 35 and the inlet of the dispensing module 32. Liquid material is received through the inlet at a low pressure, and the dispensing module 32 rapidly develops high pressure at the outlet 78 to jet the liquid material from the outlet 78. In another aspect, an apparatus for jetting liquid material includes a dispenser body 38 having a liquid chamber 40. A piston 54 is movably disposed within the liquid chamber 40, from a position wherein a piston tip 58 is spaced from a complimentary shaped recess 76, to a position wherein the piston tip 58 effectively seals off the recess 76, then to a position wherein the piston tip 58 is received within the recess 76 to displace a discrete volume of liquid material from the recess 76.

Abstract: A dispensing module and method of dispensing an adhesive includes a dispenser body having a valve element and a nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle member, a sealing zone, and a valve seat. The nozzle member includes a liquid passageway having a bore, a cylindrical surface, a second converging surface, and a shoulder. The sealing zone is defined by the cylindrical surface and extends from the bore toward the shoulder and engages the valve element to close a first volume of the liquid passageway from the inlet. The valve seat is defined by the shoulder and the second converging surface and has a circular line of contact that engages the valve element to close a second volume of the liquid passageway from the inlet. The first volume reduces to the second volume as the valve element moves distally along the sealing zone for discharging the adhesive.

Abstract: A dispensing module and method of dispensing an adhesive includes a dispenser body having a valve element and a nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle member, a sealing zone, and a valve seat. The nozzle member includes a liquid passageway having a bore, a cylindrical surface, a second converging surface, and a shoulder. The sealing zone is defined by the cylindrical surface and extends from the bore toward the shoulder and engages the valve element to close a first volume of the liquid passageway from the inlet. The valve seat is defined by the shoulder and the second converging surface and has a circular line of contact that engages the valve element to close a second volume of the liquid passageway from the inlet. The first volume reduces to the second volume as the valve element moves distally along the sealing zone for discharging the adhesive.

Abstract: A dispensing module and method of dispensing an adhesive includes a dispenser body having a valve element and a nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle member, a sealing zone, and a valve seat. The nozzle member includes a liquid passageway having a bore, a cylindrical surface, a second converging surface, and a shoulder. The sealing zone is defined by the cylindrical surface and extends from the bore toward the shoulder and engages the valve element to close a first volume of the liquid passageway from the inlet. The valve seat is defined by the shoulder and the second converging surface and has a circular line of contact that engages the valve element to close a second volume of the liquid passageway from the inlet. The first volume reduces to the second volume as the valve element moves distally along the sealing zone for discharging the adhesive.

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 hanger and method for routing a hot melt hose adjacent to a structure includes a body having a through hole for receiving the hot melt hose. The through hole defines an inner surface adapted to support the hot melt hose without generally deforming the hot melt hose. The hanger also includes at least one of either a groove on the inner surface or a passage extending through the body for positioning the tie device. As such, the body is adapted to be supported by the tie device mounted to the structure. The hanger further spaces the hot melt hose from the adjacent structure. Thus, mechanical and thermal stresses may be minimized by supporting and spacing the hot melt hose from the adjacent structure without generally deforming the hot melt hose.

Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid material with different configurations of air assisted fiberization or filament movement (e.g., meltblowing, controlled fiberization). In particular, front access for mounting a selected nozzle only requires adjustment of one lever and one fastener. Features of the lever and nozzle allow assisted ejection of the nozzle, even when the nozzle has become adhered to a die body through use. In addition, a nozzle mounting surface of the die body provides a universal interface to the various types of nozzles. An air cavity in the die body and air troughs in selected types of nozzles balance and adjust air flow.

Abstract: A hanger and method for routing a hot melt hose adjacent to a structure includes a body having a through hole for receiving the hot melt hose. The through hole defines an inner surface adapted to support the hot melt hose without generally deforming the hot melt hose. The hanger also includes at least one of either a groove on the inner surface or a passage extending through the body for positioning the tie device. As such, the body is adapted to be supported by the tie device mounted to the structure. The hanger further spaces the hot melt hose from the adjacent structure. Thus, mechanical and thermal stresses may be minimized by supporting and spacing the hot melt hose from the adjacent structure without generally deforming the hot melt hose.