Abstract: A fluid dispensing apparatus may be provided that includes a fluid reservoir configured to hold a liquid fluid. The fluid dispensing apparatus may include fluid output zones with at least one of the fluid output zones including plural fluid pumps. Each of the fluid pumps may have a flow rate at which the liquid fluid is pumped by the fluid pump. A slot die may also be provided that has a slot for each of the fluid output zones. The fluid dispensing apparatus may also include a relief valve mechanically connected to each of the fluid pumps, and a control device. The control device may be functionally connected to each relief valve, and the control device may be adapted to selectively instruct each valve to open or close to produce differing volume rates of fluid through each slot based on the relief valves selected.

Abstract: An extruder assembly may include an entry die, an exit die, and one or more shims. The exit die can be coupled with a fluid applicator system with the entry die facing away from a body of the system to direct adhesive flowing into the exit die, through the shims, and out of the exit die, the entry die, and the shims onto a web or strand moving in a first direction. The entry die may be coupled with the body of the system with the exit die facing away from the body to direct the adhesive onto a web or strand moving in a second, opposite direction.

Abstract: A fluid application device and method of controlling the dispensing of the from the fluid delivery device are provided. The fluid application device includes a metering device configured to receive the fluid and has one or more metering pumps configured to meter the fluid flowing through each pump, a discrete fluid delivery conduit extending from each metering pump, the fluid delivery conduit configured to receive the metered fluid, and a nozzle assembly fluidically connected to the metering device. The nozzle assembly includes one or more orifices. Each metering pump is fluidically connected to at least one orifice, respectively, of the one or more orifices via a respective delivery conduit. The method includes positioning the metering device upstream from the one or more orifices and controlling a flow rate of the fluid delivered from each metering pump to at least one orifice associated with the metering pump.

Abstract: A method of forming a disposable hygiene product includes providing a manufacturing line (10) having a back sheet station (12), a core layer station (14) and a top sheet station (16) connected by a conveying system (18), providing a back sheet (20) at the back sheet station, providing a core layer (22) at the core layer station, applying the core layer on the back sheet, providing a top sheet (24) at the top sheet station, and applying the top sheet on the back sheet and core layer. The back sheet station includes a fluid application device (28) configured to discharge a curtain of material to form a polymer film (201), and the back sheet includes the polymer film. A method of forming a back sheet of disposable hygiene product includes positioning a back sheet station in a disposable hygiene product manufacturing line, the back sheet station having a fluid application device and discharging, from the fluid application device, a curtain of material to form a polymer film.

Abstract: A fluid application device having a flow diverter is provided. The fluid application device includes an applicator head having an internally formed manifold having a fluid input conduit, two or more fluid output conduits and a chamber disposed between the input conduit and the two or more output conduits. An external attachment surface is formed on the applicator head and is configured to have two or more nozzles selectively and removably secured thereto. A flow diverter is removably disposed in the chamber and includes a plug having two or more channels, each channel in fluid communication with the fluid input conduit and a respective fluid output conduit of the two or more output conduits. The fluid input conduit is configured to receive a fluid from a supply source and the two or more fluid output conduits are configured to discharge the fluid from the applicator head to respective nozzles.

Abstract: A fluid application device includes an applicator head, a first fluid passageway extending in the applicator head, a second fluid passageway extending in the applicator head, a plurality of metering devices connected to the applicator head. A first metering device of the plurality of metering devices is configured to meter a fluid to the first fluid passageway and a second metering device of the plurality of metering devices is configured to meter the fluid to the second fluid passageway. The device further includes a plurality of valve modules, each valve module actuatable between an open condition and a closed condition to control flow of the fluid and a nozzle having one or more discharge orifices. At least one orifice of the one or more discharge orifices is positioned downstream from the first passageway and the second passageway to receive the material from both the first and second fluid passageways.

Abstract: A fluid application device includes one or more applicator heads. each applicator head includes a service block configured to receive a fluid from a fluid supply source, a manifold secured to the service block and configured to receive the fluid from the service block, the manifold having a seat, a module secured to the manifold at the seat, the module including a valve configured to selectively control flow of the fluid in the manifold, and a nozzle having a first configuration removably securable to the manifold, the nozzle configured to receive the fluid from the manifold, the nozzle having a first interface for interfacing with the manifold.

Abstract: A fluid application device includes an applicator head, a first fluid passageway extending in the applicator head, a second fluid passageway extending in the applicator head, a plurality of metering devices connected to the applicator head. A first metering device of the plurality of metering devices is configured to meter a fluid to the first fluid passageway and a second metering device of the plurality of metering devices is configured to meter the fluid to the second fluid passageway. The device further includes a plurality of valve modules, each valve module actuatable between an open condition and a closed condition to control flow of the fluid and a nozzle having one or more discharge orifices. At least one orifice of the one or more discharge orifices is positioned downstream from the first passageway and the second passageway to receive the material from both the first and second fluid passageways.

Abstract: A fluid application device having an applicator head, a slot die assembly and a securing mechanism for securing the slot die assembly to the applicator head is provided. The slot die assembly includes a die extruder comprising one or more fluid input ports configured to receive a fluid from the applicator head, a shim positioned adjacent to the die extruder, and a plate positioned adjacent to the shim on a side of the shim opposite from the die extruder. The securing mechanism includes a securing component at one of the applicator head and the slot die assembly and a corresponding securing component at the other of the applicator head and slot die assembly.

Abstract: A fluid application device, strand engagement device, and method of controlling the same are provided. The fluid application device includes an applicator head and a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a guide slot configured to receive a strand of material and an orifice configured to discharge a first fluid on to the strand. The strand engagement device is secured to the applicator head and includes an actuating assembly and an engagement arm connected to the actuating assembly. The engagement arm is configured to engage the strand and move between a first position and a second position in response to actuation of the actuating assembly. The method of controlling the strand engagement device includes receiving an input signal including content, determining the content of the input signal and operating the strand engagement device in response to, and based on the content of, the input signal.

Abstract: A fluid application device, a nozzle assembly and a method of applying a fluid onto a strand of material provided. The fluid application device includes an applicator head and a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a guide slot for receiving a strand of material. The nozzle assembly further includes an orifice, spaced from the guide slot, configured to discharge a first fluid to onto the strand, and at least one outlet, adjacent to the orifice, for discharging a second fluid to act on the first fluid. The method includes positioning the strand at the closed end of the guide slot so that the strand is spaced a predetermined distance from the orifice, feeding the strand through the guide slot at a predetermined speed, applying the first fluid onto the strand from the orifice and discharging the second fluid from the at least one outlet.

Abstract: A laminated nozzle assembly includes a first end plate having first and second fluid inlets, a second end plate, and a plurality of nozzle plates positioned between the first and second end plates. A first fluid conduit is fluidically connected to the first fluid inlet. The first fluid conduit has a reservoir and one or more first openings. A second fluid conduit is fluidically connected to the second fluid inlet. The second fluid conduit has an inlet channel, a connecting channel and one or more second openings. An orifice assembly includes a first orifice fluidically connected to the first opening and a second orifice fluidically connected to the second opening. The first and second orifices are disposed in the same plate of the plurality of nozzle plates and are coplanar.

Abstract: A fluid application device having an applicator head, a slot die assembly and a securing mechanism for securing the slot die assembly to the applicator head is provided. The slot die assembly includes a die extruder comprising one or more fluid input ports configured to receive a fluid from the applicator head, a shim positioned adjacent to the die extruder, and a plate positioned adjacent to the shim on a side of the shim opposite from the die extruder. The securing mechanism includes a securing component at one of the applicator head and the slot die assembly and a corresponding securing component at the other of the applicator head and slot die assembly.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device is provided. The fluid delivery device includes a melter having a loading chamber and a hopper disposed in communication with the loading chamber, the loading chamber having one or more heating elements. The hopper includes a second heating element. The melter also includes a container handling system for lifting a container a predetermined height and moving the container from a position remote of the melter to a position within the loading chamber. The container includes contents stored within. The heating elements heat the contents so that the contents may be received in the hopper. The hopper may continue to heat the contents to provide a fluid. The fluid may be discharged from the hopper by way of a pump assembly. A pressure of fluid may be regulated at the pump assembly.

Abstract: A fluid application device having an applicator head, a slot die assembly and a securing mechanism for securing the slot die assembly to the applicator head is provided. The slot die assembly includes a die extruder comprising one or more fluid input ports configured to receive a fluid from the applicator head, a shim positioned adjacent to the die extruder, and a plate positioned adjacent to the shim on a side of the shim opposite from the die extruder. The securing mechanism includes a securing component at one of the applicator head and the slot die assembly and a corresponding securing component at the other of the applicator head and slot die assembly.

Abstract: A fluid application device having a modular nozzle assembly is provided. The fluid application device includes an applicator head and a modular nozzle assembly fluidly coupled thereto. The modular nozzle assembly includes at least one guide slot configured to receive a strand of material, at least one orifice configured to discharge a first fluid onto a respective strand of material, and at least one securing opening extending through the modular nozzle assembly. Each securing opening is configured to receive a releasable securing element. The modular nozzle assembly may be a contact nozzle assembly or a non-contact nozzle assembly, and include fluid or air assist for altering a flow of the first fluid. The modular nozzle assembly may be selectively removed from and secured to the fluid application device so that the modular nozzle assembly may be selectively switched between the contact nozzle assembly and the non-contact nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A laminated nozzle assembly is provided. The laminated nozzle includes a first end plate having a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet, a second end plate, a plurality of nozzle plates positioned and clamped between the first end plate and the second end plate, a first fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet formed in one or more of the nozzle plates, a second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the second fluid inlet formed in one or more of the nozzle plates, a first orifice in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit formed in one of the nozzle plates, and a second orifice in fluid communication with the second fluid conduit formed in the same nozzle plate as the first orifice. The laminated nozzle assembly minimizes the number of nozzle plates and includes no more than eight, and preferably no more than five nozzle plates.

Abstract: A laminated nozzle assembly includes a first end plate having first and second fluid inlets, a second end plate, and a plurality of nozzle plates positioned between the first and second end plates. A first fluid conduit is fluidically connected to the first fluid inlet. The first fluid conduit has a reservoir and one or more first openings. A second fluid conduit is fluidically connected to the second fluid inlet. The second fluid conduit has an inlet channel, a connecting channel and one or more second openings. An orifice assembly includes a first orifice fluidically connected to the first opening and a second orifice fluidically connected to the second opening. The first and second orifices are disposed in the same plate of the plurality of nozzle plates and are coplanar.

Abstract: A fluid application device includes one or more applicator heads. each applicator head includes a service block configured to receive a fluid from a fluid supply source, a manifold secured to the service block and configured to receive the fluid from the service block, the manifold having a seat, a module secured to the manifold at the seat, the module including a valve configured to selectively control flow of the fluid in the manifold, and a nozzle having a first configuration removably securable to the manifold, the nozzle configured to receive the fluid from the manifold, the nozzle having a first interface for interfacing with the manifold.

Abstract: A fluid application device having a flow diverter is provided. The fluid application device includes an applicator head having an internally formed manifold having a fluid input conduit, two or more fluid output conduits and a chamber disposed between the input conduit and the two or more output conduits. An external attachment surface is formed on the applicator head and is configured to have two or more nozzles selectively and removably secured thereto. A flow diverter is removably disposed in the chamber and includes a plug having two or more channels, each channel in fluid communication with the fluid input conduit and a respective fluid output conduit of the two or more output conduits. The fluid input conduit is configured to receive a fluid from a supply source and the two or more fluid output conduits are configured to discharge the fluid from the applicator head to respective nozzles.