Abstract: Dispensers with replaceable actuators and related methods. A representative dispenser includes a sealed fluid chamber with a fluid inlet and a valve seat, a valve member configured to be reciprocally moveable relative to the valve seat, and an actuator interface. The dispenser includes first and second actuators configured to be coupled with the actuator interface for reciprocally moving the valve member. The first actuator is configured to operate by a different motive force than the second actuator. The first actuator can be removed and replaced with the second actuator. The methods involve the ability to replace the first actuator with a second actuator.

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: 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: An apparatus for dispensing liquid material includes a dispensing module having a liquid supply passage communicating with a supply of liquid material and an air supply passage communicating with a source of pressurized air. A nozzle is coupled to the dispensing module and has a liquid discharge passage and an air discharge passage communicating with the liquid supply passage and the air supply passage, respectively. The liquid material is dispensed from a liquid discharge outlet of the nozzle and pressurized air is directed from an air outlet of the nozzle toward the dispensed liquid material. An air valve coupled to the nozzle is operable to vary the pressure of the air discharged from the air outlet to thereby move the liquid material in a desired pattern. In an exemplary embodiment, the valve is operable to pulse the pressurized air.

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 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: Dispensers with replaceable actuators and related methods. A representative dispenser includes a sealed fluid chamber with a fluid inlet and a valve seat, a valve member configured to be reciprocally moveable relative to the valve seat, and an actuator interface. The dispenser includes first and second actuators configured to be coupled with the actuator interface for reciprocally moving the valve member. The first actuator is configured to operate by a different motive force than the second actuator. The first actuator can be removed and replaced with the second actuator. The methods involve the ability to replace the first actuator with a second actuator.

Abstract: A dispenser includes an actuating section having a first moveable member and a hydraulic section coupled with the actuating section and having a second moveable member. The hydraulic section is adapted to dispense a liquid from an outlet therein and the actuating section is adapted to control dispensing of the liquid. An actuator assembly operatively couples the first moveable member with the second moveable such that the first moveable member is operative to move the second moveable member between open and closed positions for respectively starting and stopping flow of liquid from the outlet. The actuator assembly may include a pivoting lever arm having a first end operatively coupled with the first moveable member, a second end operatively coupled with the second moveable member and defining a fixed pivot point therebetween.

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 heated air manifold of reduced physical dimensions for heating process air for use in dispensing heated liquids, such as hot melt adhesives. The heated air manifold includes at least one heating element and an air plenum having an air inlet and an air outlet. The dimensions of the air plenum are optimized for providing a compact heated air manifold for use in various adhesive dispensing systems, such as systems assembled from modular adhesive manifold segments, while retaining the ability to heat the process air in the air plenum to a desired application temperature. The heated air manifold may include a thick film flat heater disposed in the air plenum. The air plenum may have multiple individual segments winding throughout the volume of the heated air manifold.

Abstract: A heated air manifold of reduced physical dimensions for heating process air for use in dispensing heated liquids, such as hot melt adhesives. The heated air manifold includes at least one heating element and an air plenum having an air inlet and an air outlet. The dimensions of the air plenum are optimized for providing a compact heated air manifold for use in various adhesive dispensing systems, such as systems assembled from modular adhesive manifold segments, while retaining the ability to heat the process air in the air plenum to a desired application temperature. The heated air manifold may include a thick film flat heater disposed in the air plenum. The air plenum may have multiple individual segments winding throughout the volume of the heated air manifold.

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 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: An adhesive formulation comprising at least a reinforcing phase, a liquid phase and an adsorbent phase. The adsorbent phase, in particle form, has a surface coating which renders the adsorbent phase non-interactive and non-reactive with at least the reinforcing phase and liquid phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing adjustment of current-related dispensing parameters in an electric dispensing gun. A control circuit receives user-selected inputs corresponding to dispensing parameters of the gun and converts those inputs into digital signals. The digital signals are applied to a digitally programmable driver circuit associated with the liquid dispensing gun to control at least some of the dispensing parameters of the gun. Diagnostic information pertinent to the operation of the dispensing gun is provided to the operator for evaluation and adjustment.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing module and nozzle or die tip for discharging at least one liquid filament. The nozzle includes a wedge-shaped member having a pair of side surfaces converging to an apex. A liquid discharge passage extends along an axis through the wedge-shaped member and through the apex. The wedge-shaped member extends in a radially asymmetrical manner around the liquid discharge passage. Four air discharge passages are positioned at the base of the wedge-shaped member. At least one air discharge passage is positioned adjacent each of said side surfaces and each of the air discharge passages is angled in a compound manner generally toward the liquid discharge passage and offset from the axis of the liquid discharge passage.

Abstract: An electrically-operating liquid dispenser having an U-shaped pole. Windings of an electromagnetic coil are wound about the legs of the U-shaped pole and are energized selectively for moving an armature relative to the pole to open and close the dispenser. The U-shaped configuration of the pole conserves space within the dispenser and contributes to a narrow geometrical configuration for the dispenser, which allow more compact side-by-side arrangements of multiple dispensers. In certain embodiments, the windings may be divided into sets capable of being individually energized.

Abstract: Liquid dispensing module and methods for dispensing a heated liquid onto a substrate. The dispensing module includes a dispenser body receiving liquid from a heated liquid distribution manifold and an actuator having a housing with an air piston movable in an air cavity and a solenoid valve for pressurizing the air cavity. Movement of the air piston controls a flow-regulating mechanism for selectively dispensing liquid from the dispenser body. A thermally insulating shield may be provided for reducing heat transfer from the manifold and/or dispenser body to the actuator so that the solenoid valve can be mounted directly to the housing and the effective volume of the air cavity can be reduced. The cycle time of the liquid dispensing module may be specified by selecting an initial volume of the air cavity and an effective valve flow coefficient for the actuator that characterizes the air flow to the air cavity.

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.