Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced hot melt liquid dispensing system management are disclosed. In an example method for determining an operating instruction for a hot melt liquid dispensing system having an applicator and a heater, the operating instruction is determined based on a filtered applicator parameter value associated with gun cycle counts of the applicator and a filtered heater parameter value associated with duty cycle values of the heater. The filtered applicator parameter value is determined based on historic applicator parameter values that are updated according to a current applicator parameter value. The filtered heater parameter value is determined based on historic heater parameter values that are updated according to a current heater parameter value.

Abstract: In one example, an application system has a material supply system, a plurality of dispensers, a plurality of pumps, and a controller. The supply system can supply the liquified material to the pumps. The pumps can pump the liquified material to the plurality of dispensers, and the dispensers can dispense the liquified material onto a substrate. The controller can receive, for the pumps, measures of electrical current drawn by the pumps. The controller can determine an average electrical current by averaging the measures of the electrical current drawn by the pumps. The controller can generate, for each of one or more of the pumps, a metric based on the average current, wherein the metric is indicative of how soon the pump is likely to fail. Maintenance and/or replacement of the pump can then be scheduled based on the metric.

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: Systems and methods for enhanced hot melt liquid dispensing system management are disclosed. In an example method for determining an operating instruction for a hot melt liquid dispensing system having an applicator and a heater, the operating instruction is determined based on a filtered applicator parameter value associated with gun cycle counts of the applicator and a filtered heater parameter value associated with duty cycle values of the heater. The filtered applicator parameter value is determined based on historic applicator parameter values that are updated according to a current applicator parameter value. The filtered heater parameter value is determined based on historic heater parameter values that are updated according to a current heater parameter value.

Abstract: A mixing system mixes liquid adhesive and gas to create a solution. The mixing system it a manifold defining an adhesive input that receives the liquid adhesive, a gas input that receives the gas, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the adhesive and gas inputs, an output that outputs the solution, and an output passage extending from the mixing chamber to the output. The mixing system also includes a rotor that rotates within the mixing chamber about a longitudinal axis so as to mix the solution, a motor that rotates the rotor, and a static mixer positioned within the output passage that statically mixes the solution flowing through the output passage.

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 dispensing system for dispensing a 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. The dispensing system also includes a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the solution, a dispenser to receive the solution from the pump and dispense the solution, and a controller. The controller instructs the pump to operate at a first speed, receives the temperature of the solution, and instructs the pump to operate at a second speed that is different than the first speed in response to the signal.

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 force amplifying driver system including an actuator with a powered actuating member mounted for movement along a first distance “X”. A driven member mounted for movement along a second distance or working distance “Y” which is less than the first distance “X”. The powered actuating member is movable through a gap “Z” before being mechanically coupled with the driven member and subsequently moves with the driven member along the second distance “Y”. Energy is transferred from the powered actuating member to the driven member along the second or working distance “Y”. The force amplifying driver system may be used for actuating a fluid jetting dispenser.

Abstract: A valve module with floating member for use in a fluid applicator and a fluid applicator comprising said valve module are disclosed. The fluid applicator further includes a valve module that is configured to control a flow of fluid from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module includes an upper valve seat and a valve stem operatively coupled to the drive pin and extending from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module further includes a retaining tip attached to the valve stem and a floating member disposed in the cavity between the opening and the retaining tip such that the valve stem passes through the floating member and the floating member is movable along a longitudinal axis of the valve stem.

Abstract: A system for dispensing hot melt adhesives, comprising an adhesive dispenser including a fluid passage leading to an outlet. The system further comprises a supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid passage and a feeding mechanism configured to feed an elongate, flexible element of solid adhesive into the supply conduit. The system further comprises a first heating element positioned along at least a portion of the supply conduit to melt a portion of the elongate, flexible element being fed into the supply conduit and thereby form a supply of liquid adhesive within the supply conduit.

Abstract: A valve module with floating member for use in a fluid applicator and a fluid applicator comprising said valve module are disclosed. The fluid applicator further includes a valve module that is configured to control a flow of fluid from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module includes an upper valve seat and a valve stem operatively coupled to the drive pin and extending from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module further includes a retaining tip attached to the valve stem and a floating member disposed in the cavity between the opening and the retaining tip such that the valve stem passes through the floating member and the floating member is movable along a longitudinal axis of the valve stem.

Abstract: A system for dispensing hot melt adhesives, comprising an adhesive dispenser including a fluid passage leading to an outlet. The system further comprises a supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid passage and a feeding mechanism configured to feed an elongate, flexible element of solid adhesive into the supply conduit. The system further comprises a first heating element positioned along at least a portion of the supply conduit to melt a portion of the elongate, flexible element being fed into the supply conduit and thereby form a supply of liquid adhesive within the supply conduit.

Abstract: A valve module with floating member for use in a fluid applicator and a fluid applicator comprising said valve module are disclosed. The fluid applicator further includes a valve module that is configured to control a flow of fluid from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module includes an upper valve seat and a valve stem operatively coupled to the drive pin and extending from the chamber to the cavity. The valve module further includes a retaining tip attached to the valve stem and a floating member disposed in the cavity between the opening and the retaining tip such that the valve stem passes through the floating member and the floating member is movable along a longitudinal axis of the valve stem.

Abstract: A multi-layered hot melt adhesive transfer hose is provided. The transfer hose has a barrier layer that prevents or minimizes the ingress of oxygen and other gases into a conduit of the hose. The transfer hose has at least one structural layer overlaying an exterior surface of the barrier layer to help the hose withstand a high fluid pressure. The barrier layer prevents the hot melt adhesive being transported in the hose from discoloring and charring when the adhesive is heated from about 250° F. up to and including 450° F. for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A cooled hot melt adhesive material storage system includes a bin and a cooling unit. The bin receives and holds a supply of hot melt adhesive pieces, and includes an outlet for communicating hot melt adhesive pieces to a melter device. The cooling unit is operatively coupled with the bin, and is configured for cooling hot melt adhesive pieces contained in the bin.

Abstract: A heat exchange device for heating liquid adhesive material to an application temperature suitable for an adhesive bonding application includes a body having an inlet configured to receive a flow of liquid adhesive material and an outlet configured to provide the liquid adhesive material to a dispensing device for the adhesive bonding application. A fluid passageway in the body connects the inlet and the outlet. The fluid passageway includes a thin slit section in the form of an elongated ring shape, having a length along a fluid flow direction between the inlet and the outlet, the thin slit section further having a first dimension and a second dimension transverse to the fluid flow direction. The first dimension and the length are substantially greater than the second dimension. The heat exchange device further includes a heating element for heating the liquid adhesive material flowing through the thin slit section.

Abstract: A heat exchange device for heating liquid adhesive material to an application temperature suitable for an adhesive bonding application includes a body having an inlet configured to receive a flow of liquid adhesive material and an outlet configured to provide the liquid adhesive material to a dispensing device for the adhesive bonding application. A fluid passageway in the body connects the inlet and the outlet. The fluid passageway includes a thin slit section having a length along a fluid flow direction between the inlet and the outlet, the thin slit section further having a first dimension and a second dimension transverse to the fluid flow direction. The first dimension and the length are substantially greater than the second dimension. The heat exchange device further includes a heating element for heating the liquid adhesive material flowing through the thin slit section to the application temperature.

Abstract: A dispenser for applying small amounts of liquid to a substrate. The dispenser includes a dispenser body, an actuator in the dispenser body, and a dispensing element including a dispensing element body removably coupled to the dispenser body. A valve stem is mounted for reciprocating movement within the dispensing element body. Additional aspects include a deformable valve seat, a deformable and resilient valve stem tip and a method of applying liquid in discrete amounts to a substrate.

Abstract: A system for dispensing hot melt adhesives, comprising an adhesive dispenser including a fluid passage leading to an outlet. The system further comprises a supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid passage and a feeding mechanism configured to feed an elongate, flexible element of solid adhesive into the supply conduit. The system further comprises a first heating element positioned along at least a portion of the supply conduit to melt a portion of the elongate, flexible element being fed into the supply conduit and thereby form a supply of liquid adhesive within the supply conduit.