TW201331531A - Melter - Google Patents

Abstract

A melt system capable of heating hot melt pellets into a liquid includes a melter including a body, a chamber, a collector, channels, and a heater. The thermally conductive body forms an interior with a surface area. The chamber is at an upper end of the body for receiving the pellets. The collector is within the body and located below the chamber for receiving the liquid from the melted pellets. The channels extend between the chamber and the collector to increase the surface area of the interior, and the walls of the channels form heat exchange surfaces. The heater is for transferring heat to the body.

Description

furnace

The present invention is generally directed to systems for dispensing hot melt adhesives. More particularly, the invention relates to a furnace for a hot melt dispensing system.

Hot melt dispensing systems are typically used in manufacturing assembly lines to automatically disperse one of the adhesives used in the construction of packaging materials such as cartons, cartons, and the like. The hot melt dispensing system conventionally includes a storage tank, a plurality of heating elements, a pump, and a dispenser. The solid polymer pellets are melted into the tank using a heating element prior to being supplied to the dispenser by a pump. Since the molten pellets are allowed to cool to solid form if they are allowed to cool, the molten pellets must be maintained at a certain temperature from the tank to the dispenser. This typically requires placing heating elements in the tank, pump, and dispenser, as well as heating any tubing or hoses that connect the components. In addition, conventional hot melt dispensing systems typically utilize a can having a large volume such that an extended dispensing cycle can occur after the pellets contained therein are melted. However, large volumes of pellets in the tank require an ultra-long period of time to completely melt, which increases the startup time of the system. For example, a typical canister includes a plurality of heating elements that are lined against the walls of a rectangular gravity feed canister such that the molten pellets along the wall impede the heating element from efficiently melting the pellets in the center of the vessel. The extended period of time required to melt the pellets in such tanks increases the likelihood that the binder will "carbonize" or darken due to prolonged thermal exposure.

According to the present invention, a melting system capable of heating hot molten pellets into a liquid comprises a furnace comprising a body, a chamber, a collector, a plurality of passages, and a heater. The thermally conductive body is formed to have an interior having a surface area. The chamber is located at an upper end of the body for receiving the pellets. The collector is located within the body and below the chamber for receiving the liquid from the molten pellets. The channels extend between the chamber and the collector to increase the surface area of the interior, and the walls of the channels form a heat exchange surface. The heater is used to transfer heat to the body.

In another embodiment, a hot melt dispensing system includes a vessel, a furnace, a feed system, and a dispensing system. The container is for storing hot molten pellets. The thermally conductive furnace is capable of heating the hot molten pellets into a liquid, and the furnace defines a separator having one of a surface area and including a plurality of passages in the interior to increase the surface area of the furnace. The feed system is used to deliver hot molten pellets from the vessel to the furnace. The dispensing system is used to deliver liquefied hot molten pellets from the furnace.

In another embodiment, a method of melting hot molten pellets into a liquid comprises: delivering hot molten pellets to a chamber of a furnace; and heating the furnace to liquefy the pellets into a molten liquid. Additionally, the method includes flowing the molten liquid through a plurality of channels in the furnace; and collecting the molten liquid in a collector of the furnace.

1 is a schematic illustration of a system 10 for dispensing a system of a hot melt adhesive. System 10 includes a cold section 12, a hot section 14, an air source 16, an air control valve 17, and a controller 18. The embodiment shown in Figure 1 The cold section 12 includes a vessel 20 and a feed assembly 22 that includes a vacuum assembly 24, a feed hose 26, and an inlet 28. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hot section 14 includes a melting system 30, a pump 32, and a dispenser 34. The air source 16 is supplied to one of the compressed air of the components of the system 10 in both the cold section 12 and the hot section 14. Air control valve 17 is coupled to air source 16 via air hose 35A and selectively controls air flow from air source 16 through air hose 35B to vacuum assembly 24 and through air hose 35C to motor 36 of pump 32. Air hose 35D connects air source 16 to dispenser 34 to bypass air control valve 17. Controller 18 is coupled to communicate with various components of system 10, such as air control valve 17, melt system 30, pump 32, and/or dispenser 34 for controlling the operation of system 10.

The components of the cold section 12 can be operated at room temperature without being heated. The container 20 can be used in a hopper containing one of the solid binder pellets for use by the system 10. For example, suitable adhesives may comprise a thermoplastic polymer adhesive such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or a metallocene. Feed assembly 22 connects vessel 20 to hot section 14 for delivery of solid binder pellets from vessel 20 to hot section 14. Feed assembly 22 includes a vacuum assembly 24 and a feed hose 26. The vacuum assembly 24 is positioned in the container 20. Compressed air from air source 16 and air control valve 17 is delivered to vacuum assembly 24 to form a vacuum to induce solid binder pellets to flow into inlet 28 of vacuum assembly 24 and then through feed hose 26 To the hot section 14. The feed hose 26 is sized to have a diameter substantially larger than one of the diameters of the solid binder pellets to allow the solid binder pellets to flow freely through the tube or other passage of the feed hose 26. . Feed hose 26 connects vacuum assembly 24 to heat Section 14.

The solid binder pellets are delivered from the feed hose 26 to the melt system 30. The melt system 30 can include a vessel for melting the solid binder pellets to form one of the hot melt adhesives in liquid form and a plurality of resistive heating elements. The melting system 30 can be sized to have a relatively small binder volume (for example, about 0.5 liters) and configured to melt the solid binder pellets in a relatively short period of time. Pump 32 is driven by motor 36 to pump hot melt adhesive from melt system 30 to dispenser 34 through supply hose 38. Motor 36 can be driven by a pulse of compressed air from air source 16 and air control valve 17 to drive one of the air motors. Pump 32 can be driven by motor 36 as a linear displacement pump. In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser 34 includes a manifold 40 and a dispensing module 42. The hot melt adhesive from pump 32 is received in manifold 40 and dispensed via dispensing module 42. The dispenser 34 selectively discharges the hot melt adhesive thereby ejecting the hot melt adhesive out of the outlet 44 of the dispensing module 42 to an article (such as a package, a box, or benefiting from the system 10) Another item of hot melt adhesive). The dispensing module 42 can be one of a plurality of modules that are part of the dispenser 34. In an alternate embodiment, the dispenser 34 can have a different configuration, such as a hand held gun-type dispenser. Some or all of the components in the thermal section 14 (including the melt system 30, the pump 32, the supply hose 38, and the dispenser 34) may be heated to allow the hot melt adhesive to pass throughout the hot section during the dispensing process 14 remains in a liquid state.

For example, system 10 can be utilized as part of an industrial process for packaging and sealing cardboard packaging and/or packaging. In an alternative embodiment, system 10 It can be modified as needed for a specific industrial application. For example, in one embodiment (not shown), the pump 32 can be separate from the melt system 30 and instead attached to the dispenser 34. Supply hose 38 may then connect melt system 30 to pump 32.

In Figure 2A, a side view of one of the melting systems 30 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the melting system 30 includes a base 46, a furnace 48, a band heater 50, a heat insulator 52, a feed cap 54, a sensor tower 56, and a level sensor 58. Furnace 48 is positioned on and supported by base 46. The base 46 includes bolt holes 60 for connecting the base 46 to the pump 32 (shown in Figure 1). The base 46 also includes a base outlet 62 to allow fluid to flow from the furnace 48 to the pump 32. The band heater 50 is attached to the furnace 48 for heating the furnace 48, and the base heater 63 is attached to the base 46 for heating the base 46. The base heater 63 is a one-piece electric resistance heating element in the form of a rod, as shown later in Figure 6. The band heater 50 is an electrically resistive heating element that is circumferentially wound around the furnace 48 and in contact with the furnace 48 for conducting the thermal self-contained heater 50 to the furnace 48. The furnace 48 is a container for melting the binder pellets into a liquid state and for holding the binder pellets and the hot melt adhesive in a liquid state. In the illustrated embodiment, the furnace 48 is substantially cylindrical. In an alternative embodiment, the furnace 48 can have a different shape, such as an ellipse, a square, a rectangle, or another shape suitable for the application. The heat insulator 52 connects the feed cap 54 to one of the furnaces 48. The heat insulator 52 can reduce heat transfer from the relatively hot furnace 48 to the relatively cold feed cap 54. The heat insulator 52 can be made of polyfluorene or another material having a relatively low thermal conductivity. Alternative embodiment The heat insulator 52 may be omitted and the feed cap 54 may be coupled to the furnace 48 either directly or via another suitable mechanism.

Feed cap 54 is used for one of furnace 48 and melting system 30, which is attached to the top of one of furnaces 48. In one embodiment, the feed cap 54 can be made of a polymeric material. In an alternative embodiment, the feed cap 54 can be made of another material, such as a metal. The feed cap 54 includes a cap top 64 and a cap side 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap side portion 66 is substantially cylindrical and the cap top portion 64 has a substantially circular shape when viewed from above. The feed cap 54 may have a shape similar to the shape of the furnace 48, or may have a shape different from the shape of the furnace 48.

Feed inlet 68 is positioned on cap top 64 and includes an inward projection 70 that extends downwardly from cap top 64. Feed inlet 68 is passed through one of the holes in the top 64 of the cap and is connected to feed hose 26 for receiving one of the binder pellets and air supplied by feed assembly 22 (shown in Figure 1). Feed assembly 22 is used to feed one of the feed systems for the supply of binder pellets from container 20 (shown in Figure 1). The feed hose 26 extends into the inward projection 70 of the feed inlet 68. The cap side portion 66 of the feed cap 54 includes a plurality of windows 74 that allow the air carrying the pellets to be vented to the atmosphere as the binder pellets are lowered from the projection 70 into the furnace 48.

The sensor connector 72 is positioned on the cap top 64 and is coupled to the sensor tower 56 and the level sensor 58. The sensor tower 56 connects the level sensor 58 to the feed cap 54 to cause the level sensor 58 to aim toward the top of one of the furnaces 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the level sensor 58 is used to sense one of the levels of the binder pellets in the furnace 48. Alternative In an embodiment, the level sensor 58 can be another type of sensor suitable for the application, such as an optical sensor.

In Figure 2B, an exploded view of one of the melting systems 30 is shown. More specifically, the components of the melting system 30 have been separated along the linear stacking axis 74. In general, the furnace 48, the plate 86 and the cassette heater 82 are releasably attached to the base 46; the furnace 48 and the feed cap 54 are releasably attached to the insulator 52; and the band heater 50 and The cassette heater 82 is releasably attached to the furnace 48. In this sense, "releasably attached" indicates that two or more components are attachable and detachable without permanent physical modification of any component. Two non-limiting examples of releasable attachments include hand pushing to one of the apertures of one of the other components and fastening to one of the other components using a threaded fastener.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stacking shaft 74 begins at the base 46 and extends upward. The base 46 has a plurality of internal reliefs including a heater bore 76, a recess 78 and a peripheral edge 80. More specifically, the heater bore 76 is threaded through the base 46 and concentric with the stacking shaft 74 and extending along one of the stacking shafts 74. The groove 78, which will be further discussed with reference to Figures 4-6, is located above the heater bore 76. The rim 80 is located above the groove 78, which has a shallow disc shape that is concentric with the stacking axis 74 and extends along the stacking axis 74. A heater bore 76 is used to attach the cassette heater 82 within the base 46. The cassette heater 82 is used to heat one of the electric resistance heating elements of the furnace 48 in the form of a rod, and more particularly, the cassette heater 82 includes an aluminum heat housing having an electric charge inside the housing. The heater is stuck. The rim 80 is used to position the furnace 48 within the base 46. In particular, the furnace 48 when the furnace is adjacent to the base 46 The rim 84 interfaces with the rim 80.

To assemble the illustrated embodiment of the melting system 30, the cassette heater 82 is moved along the stacking axis 74 toward the base 46 and screwed into the heater bore 76 until the cassette heater 82 is fully seated on the base 46. in. The cassette heater 82 is electrically coupled to the controller 18 (shown in Figure 1) for operability purposes. Then, the furnace 48 is moved downward along the stacking shaft 74, and the cassette heater 82 is inserted into the cassette hole 83. The furnace 48 is moved further downward until the rim 84 seats in the periphery 80 of the base 46. A plate 86 having an orifice greater than one of the furnaces 48 is then placed over the furnace 48 and the plate 86 is moved down the stacking axis 74. The plate 86 is then secured to the base 46 by a plurality of bolts 88 to trap the furnace 48 between the rim 80 and the plate 86. Furnace 48 remains trapped because the orifice in plate 86 is smaller than the outer diameter of rim 84 (as shown later in Figure 5). The band heater 50 is then placed around the furnace 48, secured by the latch 51 and electrically coupled to the controller 18 (shown in Figure 1). If the assembly process is stopped at this time, this is the degree of assembly of the melting system 30 shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6.

To complete the assembly of the melt system 30, the heat insulator 52 is placed at the top of the furnace 48 and the heat insulator 52 is moved down the stacking shaft 74 until it is seated. Finally, the feed cap 54 is moved along the stacking axis 74 such that the feed cap 54 is seated within the insulator 52.

In the illustrated embodiment, the components of the melting system 30 can be separated along the stacking axis 74. Once all of the components in the assembly of the melting system 30 are assembled and nested together, the melting system 30 extends along the stacking axis 74 and is substantially concentric with the stacking shaft 74. This is mainly due to the components of the melting system 30 (or its special The heat sink bore 76 (specifically, the heater bore 76, the rim 80, the heater cartridge 82, the furnace 48, the band heater 50, the heat insulator 52, and the feed cap 54) have a generally cylindrical shape.

The components and configuration of the melting system 30 allow the furnace 48 to be releasably attached to the base 46, the band heater 50, and the cassette heater 82. This permits the furnace 48 to be replaced in the event that the furnace 48 requires cleaning or if the system 10 (shown in Figure 1) needs to be changed to operate a different binder material. When this replacement of the furnace 48 occurs, any remaining binder in the furnace 48 can be retained for later use. Additionally, the band heater 50 and the cassette heater 82 are releasably attached to the base 46 and/or the furnace 48. This permits replacement of such components in the event of a failure in either of the band heater 50 and the cassette heater 82.

An embodiment of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 2B. For example, not all of the components in the assembly of the melt system 30 need to be concentric with the stacking shaft 74 or have features that are concentric with the stacking shaft 74. For another example, the furnace 48 can be attached to the base 46 using alternative components and features, such as one of the external threads on the furnace 48 and one of the internal threads in the base 46. For yet another example, the melting system 30 can have at least two furnaces 48 coupled to a base 46, with each furnace 48 having its own feed cap 54. This juxtaposition of the furnace 48 allows for a larger output rate of one of the binder materials. For yet another example, the melting system 30 can have at least two furnaces 48 stacked one on top of the other, with only one furnace 48 attached to the base 46 and only one furnace 48 attached to the feed cap 54. In this series configuration, the total volume of the molten adhesive material is increased to allow for a very high unsustainable output rate. Short bursts (as long as there is a sufficient recovery time at a low output rate).

In FIG. 3, a perspective view of a partially assembled melt system 30 including a furnace 48 is shown. The furnace 48 is defined as having an interior body that includes a chamber 90 at an upper end of the interior of the furnace 48. In the illustrated embodiment, chamber 90 is used to receive one of the cylindrical volumes of pellets (shown later in Figure 5). A divider 92 (i.e., a wall defining a plurality of channels 94) is located below the chamber 90. In this embodiment, the divider 92 includes a solid cylindrical body of a plurality of cylindrical passages 94. Each channel 94 is fluidly coupled to chamber 90 and extends downwardly through furnace 48, wherein the height of each channel 94 is greater than the width of each channel 94. When compared to a hollow cylinder, the divider 92 subdivides the furnace 48 to increase the surface area to volume ratio. More specifically, the separator 92 as shown in Figure 3 has a surface area to volume ratio of 4.59 which is about four times larger than a hollow cylinder of the same size. This increased surface area to volume ratio enhances the heat exchange between the furnace 48 and the binder in both solid (pellet) and liquid states. Additionally, the volume of chamber 90 is about the same as the volume within passage 94.

The cassette heater 82 is in contact with the furnace 48 for conducting heat from the cassette heater 82 to the furnace 48. The heat from the cassette heater 82 on the inside of the furnace 48, together with the heat from the belt heater 50 on the outside of the furnace 48, spreads throughout the furnace 48 because the furnace 48 is made of a thermally conductive material. In the illustrated embodiment, the furnace 48 is constructed of an aluminum alloy material. This configuration provides a substantially homogeneous temperature throughout the furnace 48.

The components and configuration of the melting system 30 allow the furnace 48 to change quickly and evenly heat. In the illustrated embodiment, the furnace 48 and any material it can contain can be heated to a sufficient operating temperature in about ten minutes. Additionally, this heating is achieved without contacting the ribbon heater 50 with the adhesive (shown in Figure 5).

An embodiment of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. For example, the furnace 48 can be made larger or smaller. In this embodiment, the absolute size of the channel 94 may not substantially change. Thus, if the furnace 48 is enlarged, the relative size of the passages 94 can be reduced, and if the furnace 48 is reduced, the relative size of the passages 94 can be increased. For another example, the shape of each channel 94 can be any suitable shape other than the shape of a cylinder.

In FIG. 4, a top view of a partially assembled melt system 30 including a furnace 48 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, each channel 94 extends substantially perpendicularly, and thus each channel 94 is substantially parallel to the other channels 94. The groove 78 is located directly below the channel 94 (shown in Figure 2B). The groove 78 is indirectly fluidly coupled to a plurality of channels 94 (as discussed further with respect to FIG. 5).

In the illustrated embodiment, there is a solid portion of the furnace 48 in which the passage 94 is absent. There are a plurality of sensors 埠 96 here (although only one sensor in the phantom in Figure 4 is visible). The sensor 埠 96 permits measurement of the temperature of the divider 92. This information can be used to approximate the temperature inside the channel 94.

In Figure 5, a cross-sectional view of the melting system 30 taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the furnace 48 includes three sensors 埠96. Although FIG. 5 shows only one temperature in the lowermost sensor 埠96 The sensor 98 is provided, but the temperature sensor 98 can be placed to a different sensor 埠 96 as desired, or an additional temperature sensor 98 can be employed.

As previously described, chamber 90 is located at the top of furnace 48 for receiving pellets 102, and passage 94 is fluidly coupled to chamber 90 and extends downwardly from chamber 90. The collector 100 is located at the bottom end of the passage 94. In the illustrated embodiment, the collector 100 is a generally cylindrical volume that is positioned for receiving molten liquid 104 from the passage 94. In addition, the collector 100 surrounds the latching hole 83 and is co-axial with one of the latching holes 83. The collector 100 is also fluidly coupled to the recess 78 of the base 46 on the bottom side. The groove 78 is also a generally cylindrical volume, but the outlet 62 is cut into the rear side of the groove 78 such that the groove 78 is in fluid connection with the outlet 62.

During operation of the melt system 30 as part of the system 10 (shown in Figure 1), the pellets 102 are fed from the vessel 20 together with the compressed air by the feed assembly 22 (shown in Figure 1) (Figure 1 Shown) is fed through feed hose 26 and through feed inlet 68 of feed cap 54. The pellets 102 are lowered downward into the furnace 48 by gravity and are substantially evenly distributed in the chamber 90.

The pellets 102 are then liquefied by a furnace 48. More specifically, the furnace 48 is heated by the band heater 50 and the heater cassette 82 to melt the pellets 102 into a molten liquid 104. The molten liquid 104 has a molten level 106 that is proximate to the top 93 of the separator (and thus the top end of the passage 94). The molten liquid 104 flows from the chamber 90 through the passage 94 and into the collector 100. The molten liquid flows from the collector 100 through the groove 78 and into the base outlet 62. The molten liquid 104 is then pumped into a pump 32 (shown in Figure 1) and pumped to a dispenser 34 (shown in Figure 1) for supply, which may be used, for example, For bonding packages, boxes or other items.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor beam 108 extends from the level sensor 58 toward the melt level 106 in the chamber 90. In an embodiment where the level sensor 58 is an ultrasonic sensor, the sensor beam 108 is an ultrasonic pulse beam. One of the distances from the level sensor 58 to the melt level 106 and back to the level sensor 58 for the time series level sensor 58 (whose position is known) and the melt level 106 Instructions. The level sensor 58 sends the fill level data to the controller 18 and can then use the data to determine if the melt system 30 has a sufficient amount of molten liquid 104 or whether additional pellets 102 should be added.

During operation of the melt system 30, the melt level 106 is maintained within a range of no more than one-five percent of the height of the separator 92 when compared to the length of the separator 92. In the illustrated embodiment, the divider 92 is 10.2 cm (4 inches) high, so the molten level 106 is maintained within a range of 2.54 cm (1 inch), which is 0.635 higher than the top 93 of the divider. Start at its lowest point at cm (0.25 inches). In addition, this range is greater than 0.635 cm (0.25 inch) from the upper end of the separator 92, so although the volume ratio of the chamber 90 to the separator 92 is about 1:1, it is not utilized during normal operation of the melting system 30. The volume of the chamber 90 is all.

The melt system 30 is also turned off when the system 10 (shown in Figure 1) is turned off. More specifically, the band heater 50 and the cassette heater 82 are no longer supplied with electric power. The molten liquid 104 solidifies in the furnace 48 and the base 46 as the melting system 30 cools to ambient temperature. The furnace 48 can then be replaced with a different furnace 48. For example, if you use a different material at the next operating system 10 This will be expected. Otherwise, it will be necessary to melt the material solidified around the furnace 48 and remove it through the outlet 44 (shown in Figure 1).

If the furnace 48 is not replaced, the material solidified around the furnace 48 is melted by the heat supplied to the furnace 48 by the belt heater 50 and the cassette heater 82. Due to the high surface area to volume ratio of the separator 92, the material in the channel 94 melts rapidly. In the illustrated embodiment, the time from cold start to full play is as short as ten minutes. Additionally, furnace 48 may melt a plurality of pellets 102 due to rapid thermal transfer between heaters 50, 82 and molten liquid 104.

In Figure 6, a cross-sectional view of the melting system 30 taken along line 6-6 of Figure 4 is shown. As previously described, the base outlet 62 is fluidly coupled to the recess 78. In the illustrated embodiment, the base outlet 62 has a generally cylindrical shape and is fluidly coupled at one end to a pump 32 (shown in Figure 1). Plug 108 is located at the other end of base outlet 62. The base heater 63 is located below the base outlet 62. The base heater 63 extends substantially along the entire length of the base outlet 62. This allows the cured material in the base 46 to be heated during startup and operation of the melting system 30.

In Fig. 7, a top view of an alternative embodiment furnace 248 is shown. In Fig. 8, a perspective view of an alternative embodiment furnace is shown. Figures 7 through 8 will now be discussed simultaneously. An alternative embodiment of the function of the furnace 48 (shown in Figures 3 to 4) has the same two-digit number, with 200 being added to each of the elements.

In the illustrated embodiment, the furnace 248 defines an interior cylindrical body that includes a chamber 290 at an upper end of the interior of the furnace 248. In the illustrated embodiment, chamber 290 is used to receive pellets. A common cylindrical volume (shown in Figure 5). The divider 292 is located below the chamber 290. The divider 292 is comprised of a plurality of spokes 200 defining a plurality of wedge channels 294, wherein each channel 294 is fluidly coupled to the chamber 290 and extends substantially parallel to the other channels 294. Channel 294 extends all the way through separator 292 to the bottom of furnace 248. Divider 292 subdivides furnace 248 to increase surface area to volume ratio when compared to a conventional cylinder. More specifically, the separator 292 as shown in Figures 7-8 increases the surface area to volume ratio by a factor of about ten. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the width of the spokes 200 is not thicker than 1.27 cm (0.50 inch).

The divider 292 also includes a latch aperture 283 that extends downwardly through the furnace 248 such that the cassette heater 82 (shown in FIG. 3) can be inserted into the furnace 248. Additionally, furnace 248 includes a sensor 埠 296 such that temperature sensor 98 (shown in FIG. 5) can be inserted into furnace 248.

While the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but the invention is intended to cover all embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

10‧‧‧System

12‧‧‧ Cold section

14‧‧‧hot section

16‧‧‧Air source

17‧‧‧Air control valve

18‧‧‧ Controller

20‧‧‧ container

22‧‧‧Feed assembly

24‧‧‧vacuum assembly

26‧‧‧feed hose

28‧‧‧ Entrance

30‧‧‧Melt system

32‧‧‧ pump

34‧‧‧ dispenser

35A‧‧‧Air hose

35B‧‧ Air hose

35C‧‧‧Air hose

35D‧‧‧Air hose

36‧‧‧Motor

38‧‧‧Supply hose

40‧‧‧Management

42‧‧‧Material module

44‧‧‧Export

46‧‧‧Base

48‧‧‧furnace

50‧‧‧Band heater/heater

51‧‧‧Latch

52‧‧‧Insulator

54‧‧‧Feed cap

56‧‧‧Sensor Tower

58‧‧‧Material Sensor

60‧‧‧Bolt holes

62‧‧‧Base exit/export

63‧‧‧Base heater

64‧‧‧Cap top

66‧‧‧The side of the cap

68‧‧‧ Feed inlet

70‧‧‧Inward projections/protrusions

72‧‧‧Sensor connector

74‧‧‧Window/Linear Stacking Shaft/Stacking Shaft

76‧‧‧ heater bore

78‧‧‧ Groove

80‧‧‧ rim

82‧‧‧Carn heater/heater cassette/heater

83‧‧‧ 卡匣镗孔

84‧‧‧ rim

86‧‧‧ board

88‧‧‧Bolts

Room 90‧‧‧

92‧‧‧ separator

93‧‧‧Top of the divider

94‧‧‧ channel

96‧‧‧Sensor 最/lowest sensor埠

98‧‧‧Temperature Sensor

100‧‧‧ Collector

102‧‧‧ pellets

104‧‧‧ molten liquid

106‧‧‧Fuse level

108‧‧‧Sensor beam/plug

200‧‧‧ spokes

248‧‧‧furnace

283‧‧‧Cardhole

Room 290‧‧

292‧‧‧ separator

294‧‧‧Wedge channel/channel

296‧‧‧Sensor埠

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of one of the systems for dispensing a hot melt adhesive.

Figure 2A is a side view of a melting system.

Figure 2B is an exploded view of the melting system.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a partially assembled melt system comprising one of the furnaces.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a partially assembled melt system comprising a furnace.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the melting system taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the melting system taken along line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a furnace.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the alternative embodiment furnaces.

30‧‧‧Melt system

46‧‧‧Base

48‧‧‧furnace

50‧‧‧Band heater/heater

82‧‧‧Carn heater/heater cassette/heater

83‧‧‧ 卡匣镗孔

86‧‧‧ board

88‧‧‧Bolts

Room 90‧‧‧

92‧‧‧ separator

93‧‧‧Top of the divider

94‧‧‧ channel

Claims (22)

A melting system capable of heating hot molten pellets into a liquid, the melting system comprising a furnace comprising: a thermally conductive body formed to have an interior having a surface area; a chamber located at an upper end of the body For receiving the pellets; a collector located within the body and below the chamber for receiving the liquid from the molten pellets; a plurality of channels extending from the chamber and the collector Between the plurality of walls of the plurality of channels forming a heat exchange surface; and a first heater for transferring heat to the body. The melting system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of channels is substantially parallel to the other channels. The melting system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels extend substantially perpendicularly. The melting system of claim 1, wherein the furnace further comprises: a thermally conductive separator positioned between the chamber and the collector, the divider defining the plurality of channels. The melting system of claim 1, wherein the first heater is located on an exterior of one of the bodies. The melting system of claim 1, wherein the first heater is located on the interior of the body. The melting system of claim 1, wherein the first heater is located on an exterior of one of the bodies, and the melting system further comprises: A second heater is located on the interior of the body. The melting system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of channels is substantially cylindrical. The melting system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of channels is wedge shaped. The melting system of claim 1, and further comprising: a base located below the furnace, the base comprising a recess fluidly coupled to one of the collectors and fluidly coupled to a base outlet of the recess. A hot melt dosing system comprising: a container for storing hot molten pellets; a thermally conductive furnace capable of heating the hot molten pellets into a liquid, the furnace defining an interior and comprising in the interior a separator divided by a plurality of channels serving as a wall of the heat exchange surface of the furnace; a feed system for conveying hot molten pellets from the vessel to the furnace; and a dispensing system for The liquefied hot molten pellets from the furnace are conveyed. The hot melt dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the furnace further comprises: a chamber for receiving the pellets on the separator and fluidly coupled to the plurality of channels; and a collector located at the A plurality of channels are below and fluidly connected to the plurality of channels. The hot melt dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of channels Each is substantially parallel to the other channels. The hot melt dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of channels extend substantially perpendicularly. The hot melt dispensing system of claim 11 and further comprising: a first heater located on an exterior of one of the furnaces for transferring heat to the furnace. The hot melt dispensing system of claim 11 and further comprising: a first heater located on the interior of the furnace for transferring heat to the furnace. The hot melt dispensing system of claim 16 and further comprising: a second heater located on an exterior of one of the furnaces for transferring heat to the furnace. The hot melt dispensing system of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of channels is substantially cylindrical. A method of melting hot molten pellets into a liquid, the method comprising: delivering hot molten pellets to a chamber of a furnace; heating the furnace to liquefy the pellets into a molten liquid; flowing the molten liquid through a plurality of channels in the furnace; and collecting the molten liquid in a collector of the furnace. The method of claim 19, and further comprising: drawing the molten liquid from the collector into a pump. The method of claim 19, wherein the flowing the molten liquid comprises: flowing the molten liquid in an interior of the furnace, the flow being from the chamber to the plurality of channels, the plurality of channels acting as a heat exchange surface The wall is defined. The method of claim 19, wherein heating the furnace comprises transferring heat to the furnace by means of an internal heater and an external heater.