Abstract: In a method for making hot melt adhesive sticks and other shapes for subsequent use in hot melted adhesive applicators, a charge of a hot melt adhesive is injected into one end of a cooling chamber, the opposite end of the chamber being sealed by a solid plug from a previous adhesive charge. This first charge is maintained under pressure until its outside wall forms and sets so that any shrinkage occurs at the end of the charge. That shortage is made up when the next charge of hot melt adhesive is injected into the chamber. If the first charge has not set sufficiently to be self-supporting, the pressure of the next charge balloons the soft side walls of the insufficiently set charge outward against the chamber walls so that that charge does not move along the chamber, but remains for another complete cycle of operation until it is ready. Thus each adhesive stick ejecting from the opposite end of the chamber is uniform, accurately dimensional and solid.

Abstract: An improved fluid-operated dispensing apparatus for use in receiving, processing, and applying rods of hot-melt adhesive. Important characteristics of the apparatus include an air-cooling means adapted to operate when the dispensing function is not being operated, and a means for gripping the adhesive rod to assure a uniform advance through the apparatus to the heating zone. Moreover, the use of a drive piston assembly, which is annular with respect to the rod being processed, enables the manufacture of an unusually compact tool.