Abstract: A melt system that includes a melt unit. The melt unit includes a reservoir and a melter. The melter is configured to expose solid adhesive to a temperature sufficient to form a molten adhesive, which is deposited into the reservoir. The melt unit includes a hopper disposed above the melter and for holding a supply of the solid adhesive. The hopper has an access door disposed on a wall of the hopper that is movable between a closed position where the hopper is closed and an open position where an internal chamber of the hopper is accessible to receive the solid adhesive. The hopper and the solid adhesive in the hopper are thermally isolated from the reservoir.

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: 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 melt system that includes a melt unit. The melt unit includes a reservoir and a melter. The melter is configured to expose solid adhesive to a temperature sufficient to form a molten adhesive, which is deposited into the reservoir. The melt unit includes a hopper disposed above the melter and for holding a supply of the solid adhesive. The hopper has an access door disposed on a wall of the hopper that is movable between a closed position where the hopper is closed and an open position where an internal chamber of the hopper is accessible to receive the solid adhesive. The hopper and the solid adhesive in the hopper are thermally isolated from the reservoir.

Abstract: A melt system that includes a melt unit. The melt unit includes a reservoir and a melt grid disposed above the reservoir. The melt grid is configured to expose solid polymer to a temperature sufficient to form a molten polymer and to deposit the molten polymer into the reservoir. The melt unit includes at least one hopper for holding a supply of the solid polymer. The melt unit includes a thermal isolation region disposed below the hopper to thermally isolate the hopper from the molten polymer in the reservoir.

Abstract: A melt system that includes a melt unit. The melt unit includes a reservoir and a melt grid disposed above the reservoir. The melt grid is configured to expose solid polymer to a temperature sufficient to form a molten polymer and to deposit the molten polymer into the reservoir. The melt unit includes at least one hopper for holding a supply of the solid polymer. The melt unit includes a thermal isolation region disposed below the hopper to thermally isolate the hopper from the molten polymer in the reservoir.

Abstract: An adhesive dispensing system and method are configured to melt adhesive on demand and maintain the adhesive in a liquid state between dispensing cycles. The dispensing system includes a dispensing applicator with a manifold passage, a receiving device including a receiving chamber for holding a small amount of solid adhesive at the dispensing applicator and a first heating device for melting the adhesive on demand, and a second heating device at the manifold to maintain the temperature of the melted adhesive before dispensing. The second heating device applies heat energy to maintain the adhesive in the manifold passage as a liquid.

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: The present disclosure describes a method and system for controlling dispensing of adhesive from an applicator. The method includes pumping adhesive from a plurality of pump assemblies to a plurality of dispensing modules and measuring current draw from each of the plurality of pump assemblies. The method also includes determining an adjustment to an operating speed of each of the plurality of pump assemblies individually based on their respective current draws and adjusting the operating speed of each of the plurality of pump assemblies individually.

Abstract: Foam dispensing systems and methods are disclosed. Such systems and methods may include a foamed material dispenser, a dynamic mixer having a gas input, a process material input, and a foamed material output. The foamed material output may be in fluid communication with the foamed material dispenser. A pump having an output may be in fluid communication with the process material input of the dynamic mixer, and a gas injection valve may be in fluid communication with the gas input of the dynamic mixer. A gas pressure regulator may be coupled between the pressurized gas supply and the gas injection valve, and a gas injection cycle timer may be operatively connected to the gas injection valve, the gas injection cycle timer causing the gas injection valve to pulse open and closed to send pulses of pressurized gas into the dynamic mixer through the gas input.

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: The present disclosure describes a method and system for controlling dispensing of adhesive from an applicator. The method includes pumping adhesive from a plurality of pump assemblies to a plurality of dispensing modules and measuring current draw from each of the plurality of pump assemblies. The method also includes determining an adjustment to an operating speed of each of the plurality of pump assemblies individually based on their respective current draws and adjusting the operating speed of each of the plurality of pump assemblies individually.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting thermoplastic material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a heated manifold and at least one heating element disposed within the heated manifold. The heated manifold defines a plurality of cavities, a pump supply passage, and a discharge passage. The plurality of cavities are spaced apart from one another, and each receives particles of thermoplastic material from a hopper. The particles of thermoplastic material are melted within the plurality of cavities. The pump supply passage receives molten thermoplastic material from the plurality of cavities and supplies the molten thermoplastic material to a pump. The discharge passage receives pressurized molten thermoplastic material from the pump and is in fluid communication with a dispenser. The heating element transfers heat substantially throughout the heated manifold.

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: An adhesive dispensing system and method are configured to melt adhesive on demand and maintain the adhesive in a liquid state between dispensing cycles. The dispensing system includes a dispensing applicator with a manifold passage, a receiving device including a receiving chamber for holding a small amount of solid adhesive at the dispensing applicator and a first heating device for melting the adhesive on demand, and a second heating device at the manifold to maintain the temperature of the melted adhesive before dispensing. The second heating device applies heat energy to maintain the adhesive in the manifold passage as a liquid.

Abstract: An adhesive dispensing system and method are configured to melt adhesive on demand and maintain the adhesive in a liquid state between dispensing cycles. The dispensing system includes a dispensing applicator with a manifold passage, a receiving device including a receiving chamber for holding a small amount of solid adhesive at the dispensing applicator and a first heating device for melting the adhesive on demand, and a second heating device at the manifold to maintain the temperature of the melted adhesive before dispensing. The receiving device is positioned adjacent to or partially nested within a manifold of the dispensing applicator such that the melted adhesive is delivered directly into the dispensing applicator. The second heating device applies heat energy to maintain the adhesive in the manifold passage as a liquid.

Abstract: Foam dispensing systems and methods are disclosed. Such systems and methods may include a foamed material dispenser, a dynamic mixer having a gas input, a process material input, and a foamed material output. The foamed material output may be in fluid communication with the foamed material dispenser. A pump having an output may be in fluid communication with the process material input of the dynamic mixer, and a gas injection valve may be in fluid communication with the gas input of the dynamic mixer. A gas pressure regulator may be coupled between the pressurized gas supply and the gas injection valve, and a gas injection cycle timer may be operatively connected to the gas injection valve, the gas injection cycle timer causing the gas injection valve to pulse open and closed to send pulses of pressurized gas into the dynamic mixer through the gas input.

Abstract: Foam dispensing systems and methods are disclosed. Such systems and methods may include a foamed material dispenser, a dynamic mixer having a gas input, a process material input, and a foamed material output. The foamed material output may be in fluid communication with the foamed material dispenser. A pump having an output may be in fluid communication with the process material input of the dynamic mixer, and a gas injection valve may be in fluid communication with the gas input of the dynamic mixer. A gas pressure regulator may be coupled between the pressurized gas supply and the gas injection valve, and a gas injection cycle timer may be operatively connected to the gas injection valve, the gas injection cycle timer causing the gas injection valve to pulse open and closed to send pulses of pressurized gas into the dynamic mixer through the gas input.

Abstract: A bulk adhesive transfer system for transferring adhesive particulate to a melter includes a bulk supply and a transfer device, which may define a hopper of the melter, a mobile bin, and/or a buffer unit. The transfer device is configured to receive unmelted adhesive particulate from the bulk supply and then be selectively docked with the melter to transfer the adhesive particulate to the melter. The bulk adhesive transfer system may also include a knife gate valve device, which includes a plurality of ports that sequentially open and close to control flow of the adhesive particulate towards the melter. The bulk adhesive transfer system simplifies refilling operations for a melter while enabling continuous operation of the melter, even when the transfer device is undocked for removal from the melter.

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.