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 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 force amplifying driver system including an actuator (12) with a powered actuating member (22) mounted for movement along a first distance “X”. A driven member (46) mounted for movement along a second distance or working distance “Y” which is less than the first distance “X”. The powered actuating member (24) is movable through a gap “Z” before being mechanically coupled with the driven member (46) and subsequently moves with the driven member (46) along the second distance “Y”. Energy is transferred from the powered actuating member (24) to the driven member (46) along the second or working distance “Y”. The force amplifying driver system may be used for actuating a fluid jetting dispenser (14).

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 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 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 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 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: Jetting dispensers and methods of non-contact dispensing a hot melt adhesive onto a substrate. The method may include jetting a plurality of droplets of the hot melt adhesive from a nozzle outlet toward the substrate in a direction of travel. Each droplet has a droplet length approximately aligned with the direction of travel and a droplet width shorter than the droplet length. The jetting is controlled such that each of the droplets does not collapse into a spherical-shaped droplet during flight from the nozzle outlet to the substrate. The nozzle outlet may be heated to a first temperature, and the method may further include rapidly heating each droplet of the hot melt adhesive to a second temperature higher than the first temperature upon release from the nozzle outlet.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive system includes an adhesive supply and an adhesive supply heater associated with the adhesive supply for melting hot melt adhesive material into a liquid hot melt adhesive. An adhesive dispenser is fluidly coupled with the adhesive supply and includes an outlet for dispensing the liquid hot melt adhesive. A fluid passage extends from the adhesive supply to the outlet of the adhesive dispenser; and an adhesive degradation detection device is operatively coupled to the fluid passage. The adhesive degradation detection device includes an energy source for emitting energy into the liquid hot melt adhesive in the fluid passage. The adhesive degradation detection device further includes a detector configured for detecting attenuated energy that emerges from the liquid hot melt adhesive. A controller operatively coupled to the adhesive degradation detection device can determine a degradation condition of the liquid hot melt adhesive.

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 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: Systems for dispensing heated liquids, such as hot melt adhesives, with the assistance of process air. The dispensing system may include a control operative to independently control a characteristic of the process air dispensed by a first dispensing module compared to the same characteristic of the process air dispensed by a second dispensing module.

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 force amplifying driver system including an actuator (12) with a powered actuating member (22) mounted for movement along a first distance “X”. A driven member (46) mounted for movement along a second distance or working distance “Y” which is less than the first distance “X”. The powered actuating member (24) is movable through a gap “Z” before being mechanically coupled with the driven member (46) and subsequently moves with the driven member (46) along the second distance “Y”. Energy is transferred from the powered actuating member (24) to the driven member (46) along the second or working distance “Y”. The force amplifying driver system may be used for actuating a fluid jetting dispenser (14).

Abstract: Systems for dispensing heated liquids, such as hot melt adhesives. The dispensing system may include a hot air manifold and a liquid manifold with a surface confronting surfaces of the air manifold to define an air plenum. A dispensing module is coupled in fluid communication with the liquid manifold and in fluid communication with an air outlet of the hot air manifold. The dispensing module is capable of dispensing the heated liquid and is capable of receiving and dispensing the process air to impinge upon the heated liquid. A heating element is operative for heating the process air flowing through said air plenum.

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: Systems for dispensing heated liquids, such as hot melt adhesives, with the assistance of process air. The dispensing system may include a control operative to independently control a characteristic of the process air dispensed by a first dispensing module compared to the same characteristic of the process air dispensed by a second dispensing module.

Abstract: A method is provided for dispensing materials (20) with fluctuating viscosity over time, such as liquid adhesives. Using a control algorithm derived from viscosity data or lab testing results, a first pressure or mechanical drive speed is used to force viscous material (20) from a supply syringe (14) during a first dispensing cycle. After a certain amount of time, a correction model is applied to the control algorithm to increase the pressure or drive speed as viscosity of the material (20) increases. A second higher pressure or drive speed is then used to force viscous material (20) from the supply syringe (14) during a second dispensing cycle. The correction model can be based on empirical data about the viscous material (20), or a camera system (30) can be used to periodically adjust the pressure or drive speed as required to maintain a substantially uniform dispensing rate.

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.