Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150075625 | BULK ADHESIVE TRANSFER DEVICES, KNIFE GATE VALVE DEVICES, AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - 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. | 03-19-2015 |
20150083230 | ADHESIVE BUFFER UNIT AND ASSOCIATED FILL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STORING AND MOVING ADHESIVE PARTICULATE - A buffer unit is configured to store and transfer adhesive particulate to at least one adhesive melter. The buffer unit includes a buffer bin defining an interior space configured to hold a bulk supply of adhesive particulate with an agitator plate positioned within the housing at a non-horizontal orientation. A vibration generating mechanism is coupled to the agitator plate so that vibration is transmitted into the adhesive particulate to form a flow of fluidized adhesive particulate which flows toward at least one pump inlet. The buffer unit breaks up clumps of coalesced adhesive particulate to avoid clogging the pump inlet, while also ensuring that all adhesive particulate in the buffer bin can be removed at the pump inlet. Additionally, makeup air used by pumps to generate vacuum at the pump inlet does not need to be drawn through the entire bulk supply of adhesive particulate. | 03-26-2015 |
20150298899 | Fill System and Method Using Storage Container with Rotary Sifter Plate for Adhesive Solids - A fill system retains and transfers adhesive solids of different types and compositions to adhesive melter(s). The fill system includes a storage container for holding a bulk supply of adhesive solids and a separating element such as a sifter plate for moving relative to one of the surfaces of the bulk supply. A drive rotates or otherwise moves the sifter plate against the surface of the bulk supply to separate a flow of fluidized adhesive solids from the bulk supply and then controllably deliver this flow to one or more pumps feeding the melter(s). When the drive stops rotating the sifter plate, the flow of fluidized adhesive solids is stopped from moving out of the storage container. Thus, the fill system provides adhesive solids on demand to pumps and reduces the risk of pumps being starved for air or clogged with coalesced masses of adhesive. | 10-22-2015 |
20160052719 | FILL SYSTEM AND METHOD USING STORAGE CONTAINER WITH AGITATOR PLATE FOR ADHESIVE SOLIDS - A fill system retains and transfers adhesive solids of different types and compositions to adhesive melter(s). The fill system includes a storage container for holding a bulk supply of adhesive solids and an agitator plate adjacent to the bottom end of the storage container. A vibration generating mechanism vibrates the agitator plate against the bottom surface of the bulk supply to separate a flow of fluidized adhesive solids from the bulk supply and then controllably deliver this flow to one or more pumps feeding the melter(s). When the agitator plate stops vibrating, the flow of fluidized adhesive solids stops moving out of the storage container. Thus, the fill system provides adhesive solids on demand to pumps and reduces clogging caused by coalesced masses of adhesive. | 02-25-2016 |
20160060024 | FILLING SYSTEM AND METHOD USING A SEPARATOR FOR ADHESIVE SOLIDS - Apparatus for transferring adhesive solids with a controlled flow. A storage container includes an interior for holding a bulk supply of adhesive solids and further includes a lower interior portion. Outlet structure communicates with the lower interior portion. A separating assembly is positioned proximate to the storage container and engages the bulk supply of adhesive solids proximate the lower interior portion. A drive moves at least a portion of the separating assembly such that the separating assembly engages the bulk supply of adhesive solids and separates adhesive solids from the bulk supply to thereby form the controlled flow of fluidized adhesive solids through the outlet structure. | 03-03-2016 |