WO2023177988A1

WO2023177988A1 - Pulse glue colt revolver system

Info

Publication number: WO2023177988A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/063768
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hubert Kufner; Thomas Burmester
Original assignee: Nordson Corporation
Priority date: 2022-03-15
Filing date: 2023-03-06
Publication date: 2023-09-21

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an application system and method for applying adhesive, such as hot melt adhesive, comprising: a basic body, an inlet for admitting the adhesive, an outlet for discharging the adhesive, a nozzle for dispensing the adhesive, a fluid channel fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet, a valve, such as a snuff-back valve, for controlling the amount of the adhesive flowing out of the outlet, and a pulse unit for intermittent and/or pulsed adhesive conduction. The pulse unit includes a rotor mounted rotatably about an axis and fluidly connected to the fluid channel. The rotor is rotatable from a release position, in which the rotor releases the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet, into a blocking position, in which the rotor blocks the fluid inlet and/or fluid outlet fluid-tightly or temporarily reduces the fluid flow.

Description

PULSE GLUE COLT REVOLVER SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Prov. Patent App. No. 63/319,834, filed March 15, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to an application system for applying adhesive, in particular hot melt adhesive. The disclosure further relates to a method for applying adhesive.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Application systems and processes of the type described above are generally known. They are used, for example, for applying adhesive to substrates, which are optionally guided movably by means of a conveyor belt.

[0004] Application systems and processes of the type mentioned above are used to apply liquid adhesives or other fluids over a wide area as material webs or as beads or drops, in particular without contact, to substrates of various types.

Substrates can be, for example (not exhaustively): films or material webs in the field of the manufacture of hygiene products such as diapers, packaging materials, furniture parts, machine parts, electrical or electronic components. To reduce adhesive consumption, the adhesive is often applied intermittently, so that the application pattern has, for example, a broken line, a plurality of dots, or a grid shape. Precise metering is advantageous here, even at a high application speed. [0005] Such an application system with an application head for intermittent adhesive application is disclosed, for example, in WO 99/32233 and JP 5161863 B2. Here, a rotating closing body is used to alternately close and release the outlet opening of the application system. A disadvantage of such systems is that residual amounts of adhesive at the outlet of the application head are forced out by the closing body when the outlet opening is blocked. This results in so-called "dripping" or "drooling" of the application head.

[0006] The disclosure is thus based on the task of overcoming at least one of the disadvantages listed in the prior art. In particular, it is intended to propose an application system or method for applying adhesive as well as a product, in particular a hygiene article, which enables intermittent application of adhesive to a substrate at a high frequency and prevents adhesive from escaping when the outlet is closed. Alternatively, an alternative to previously known is to be proposed. In particular, an application system or method is also to be provided with which small amounts of adhesive per unit area can be applied to a substrate without the adhesive bond to be produced no longer having the required strengths.

SUMMARY

[0007] The disclosure solves the underlying problem by an application system according to claim 1.

[0008] In particular, the disclosure proposes an application system comprising a base body, an inlet for admitting adhesive into the base body, an outlet for discharging adhesive from the base body, a nozzle for discharging adhesive, at least one fluid channel extending to fluidly connect the inlet and the outlet, a valve, in particular a snuff-back valve, for controlling the amount of adhesive flowing out of the outlet, and a pulse unit connected to the fluid channel for intermittent and/or pulsed adhesive conduction, comprising: a rotor rotatably mounted about an axis, which is fluid-conductively connectable to the fluid channel, at least one fluid inlet for fluid- conductively connecting the rotor to an inlet-side portion of the fluid channel, at least one fluid outlet for fluid-conductively connecting the rotor to an outlet-side portion of the fluid channel, wherein the rotor is rotatable from a release position, in which the rotor releases the fluid inlet and/or fluid outlet, and into a blocking position, in which the rotor blocks the fluid inlet and/or fluid outlet fluid-tightly or temporarily reduces the fluid flow.

[0009] According to the disclosure, an intermittent alternately interrupted or released fluid flow in the fluid channel of the application system and through the nozzle for dispensing the fluid adhesive onto a substrate can be generated by means of the pulse unit. Thus, according to the disclosure, an intermittent or pulsating flow of adhesive and a corresponding amount of adhesive dispensed through the nozzle is produced. Accordingly, particular adhesive patterns become producible on the substrate in accordance with the disclosure. For example, due to the intermittent or pulsating flow of adhesive from the nozzle generated by the pulse unit, dots can be generated when using, for example, a circular discharge orifice, or stripes can be generated when using elongated discharge orifices or, for example, slot nozzles. Also, with pulsating flow of adhesive on the substrate, larger amounts of adhesive, also called basis weight, and smaller amounts of adhesive can be alternately produced locally. This results from the fact that a temporally variable quantity or volume flow of the adhesive in the fluid channel and through the nozzle can be generated by the pulsing unit. Depending on the geometric design of the channels within the pulse unit through which the adhesive passes, it is possible to generate, for example, uniform, repetitive adhesive patterns, such as stripes of always the same width and substantially the same length, or alternatively stripes of different lengths in the direction of movement of the substrate relative to the application system. The speed of rotation (or rotational speed or angular velocity) of the rotor of the pulse unit can also vary the application pattern on the substrate by simple means. The greater the rotational speed of the rotor, the higher-frequency pulsing or intermittent the flow through the nozzle, and thus the shorter - in the direction of relative motion between the substrate and the application system - the application pattern on the substrate.

[0010] The disclosure preferably makes use of the finding that by functionally separating the control of the amount of adhesive flowing out of the outlet and the intermittent adhesive conduction by means of the pulse unit, at the same time an intermittent adhesive application with high frequency is made possible and, on the other hand, a reliable closing of the outlet within short response times is made possible. On the one hand, by means of the pulse unit, an intermittent or pulsating flow can ultimately be created through the outlet opening of the nozzle for dispensing the adhesive and, in addition, by means of the valve, preferably a back-suction or snuff-back valve, a clean, non-dripping break-off of the fluid flow from the nozzle can be created.

[0011] It is also within the spirit of the disclosure that the application system includes a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel extending between the inlet and the outlet, and the pulse unit includes first and second fluid inlets and first and second fluid outlets, wherein an inlet-side portion of the first fluid channel is coupled to the first fluid inlet and an inlet-side portion of the second fluid channel is coupled to the second fluid inlet for fluid communication. Correspondingly, an outlet side portion of the first fluid channel is coupled to the first fluid outlet and an outlet side portion of the second fluid channel is coupled to the second fluid outlet for fluid communication.

[0012] The rotor of the pulse unit is preferably rotatably mounted within the basic body in such a way that it can be rotated from a release position to a blocking position in order to feed the adhesive intermittently or pulsed into an outlet-side section of the fluid channel. The adhesive thus arrives at the outlet of the body in controllable partial quantities to be dispensed from the application system when the valve is open.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the speed of rotation of the rotor can be selected in such a way that the fluid flow in the flow channels within the application system is not completely interrupted, but rather a kind of pulsating flow with timevarying mass or volume flows is set. This means, therefore, that the mass flow increases over time, whereby at times larger quantities of adhesive can be applied to a substrate, i.e. with higher weights per unit area, while in a subsequent phase smaller mass flows are applied to the substrate, so that small, possibly only very small quantities per unit area arrive there. Thus, according to the disclosure, a coating can be produced on the substrate in the form of two-dimensional or linear, bead-like application patterns with variable, altered amounts of adhesive along a section of the substrate. On the one hand, it is possible to save adhesive without significantly reducing the strength of the bonded joint. On the other hand, areas of larger quantities of adhesive can be produced locally on the substrate and thus, if necessary, also stronger adhesive bonds and, alternately, areas of smaller or larger quantities of adhesive.

[0014] Special patterns can also be created. The speed of rotation of the rotor of the pulse unit is an essential factor for the application pattern or image produced on the substrate. The speed of rotation of the rotor can be controlled, for example, at relatively high speeds or also lower speeds or constant over time or also variable over time.

[0015] The valve is further adapted to control the application quantity flowing out of the outlet by releasing or closing the outlet. This means that as long as the outlet is released, the adhesive applied by the pulse unit can flow out through the outlet either individually or in partial quantities which are passed on intermittently. If the valve is closed, the adhesive application is interrupted independently of the pulse unit, which continues to pass the adhesive intermittently. [0016] It is also within the spirit of the disclosure that the application system includes a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel extending between the inlet and the outlet, and the pulse unit includes first and second fluid inlets and first and second fluid outlets, wherein an inlet-side portion of the first fluid channel is coupled to the first fluid inlet and an inlet-side portion of the second fluid channel is coupled to the second fluid inlet for fluid communication. Correspondingly, an outlet side portion of the first fluid channel is coupled to the first fluid outlet and an outlet side portion of the second fluid channel is coupled to the second fluid outlet for fluid communication.

[0017] The rotor of the pulse unit is preferably rotatably mounted within the basic body in such a way that it can be rotated from a release position to a blocking position in order to feed the adhesive intermittently or pulsed into an outlet-side section of the fluid channel. The adhesive thus arrives at the outlet of the body in controllable partial quantities to be dispensed from the application system when the valve is open.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the speed of rotation of the rotor can be selected in such a way that the fluid flow in the flow channels within the application system is not completely interrupted, but rather a kind of pulsating flow with timevarying mass or volume flows is set. This means, therefore, that the mass flow increases over time, whereby at times larger quantities of adhesive can be applied to a substrate, i.e. with higher weights per unit area, while in a subsequent phase smaller mass flows are applied to the substrate, so that small, possibly only very small quantities per unit area arrive there. Thus, according to the disclosure, a coating can be produced on the substrate in the form of two-dimensional or linear, bead-like application patterns with variable, altered amounts of adhesive along a section of the substrate. On the one hand, it is possible to save adhesive without significantly reducing the strength of the bonded joint. On the other hand, areas of larger quantities of adhesive can be produced locally on the substrate and thus, if necessary, also stronger adhesive bonds and, alternately, areas of smaller or larger quantities of adhesive.

[0019] Special patterns can also be created. The speed of rotation of the rotor of the pulse unit is an essential factor for the application pattern or image produced on the substrate. The speed of rotation of the rotor can be controlled, for example, at relatively high speeds or also lower speeds or constant over time or also variable over time.

[0020] The valve is further adapted to control the application quantity flowing out of the outlet by releasing or closing the outlet. This means that as long as the outlet is released, the adhesive applied by the pulse unit can flow out through the outlet either individually or in partial quantities which are passed on intermittently. If the valve is closed, the adhesive application is interrupted independently of the pulse unit, which continues to pass the adhesive intermittently.

[0021] Further preferably, the rotor has at least one annular channel for fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. Thus, a channel is provided within the rotor and the required installation space is reduced. Furthermore, the design as a ring and thus the avoidance of edges and angles prevents the accumulation of adhesive residues.

[0022] Further preferably, the annular channel is fluidly connected to the fluid inlet and fluidly separated from the fluid outlet in the first release position, and fluidly connected to the fluid outlet and fluidly separated from the fluid inlet in the second release position. Thus, a channel for fluidly connecting the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet within the rotor is provided.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment, the pulse unit has a receptacle for receiving and supporting the rotor, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are formed in the receptacle. Thus, the installation space is reduced and a compact and functional design of the pulse unit is provided by the functional integration of the channels or the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet formed in the receptacle.

[0024] Further preferably, the receptacle is formed of a first housing part and a second housing part, which may be connected to each other at a parting surface, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are at least partially formed in at least one of the housing parts. Thus, the production of the receptacle with the integrated fluid inlet and fluid outlet is simplified and the production time is reduced.

[0025] Preferably, the rotor has a number of recesses which are designed to connect the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet to the annular channel in a fluid-conducting manner in the release position, and a number of sealing webs which are designed to separate the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet from the annular channel in a fluid-tight manner in the locked position. Thus, the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet can be blocked and, in particular, fluid-tightly closed in the blocking position by the number of closure webs and, by a rotation of the rotor and its axis, in each case one of the recesses can be brought into alignment with the fluid inlet or fluid outlet in such a way that the latter is released in the release position and, in particular, is connected in a fluidconducting manner to the annular channel. The frequency with which the fluid can be intermittently discharged depends on the one hand on the rotational speed of the rotor and on the other hand on the number of closure webs and recesses, which are preferably arranged on an outer circumference of the rotor.

[0026] Preferably, the rotor is at least partially designed in the form of a toothed wheel and the locking webs are the teeth of the toothed wheel. Thus, the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet is closed in the locked position by aligning one of the teeth with the fluid inlet or fluid outlet. Depending on the specific geometric design of the recesses and the sealing webs, i.e. their width viewed in the tangential direction of the rotor, this results in a more or less long release or interruption or reduction of the fluid flow through the pulse unit and thus also through the nozzle. In this way, the application pattern, in particular the length in the machine direction (i.e. direction of movement of the substrate relative to the application system) can be varied, i.e. more or less long application areas and interruption areas can be achieved with respect to the application pattern.

[0027] According to a further preferred embodiment, the rotor comprises a template arranged between the fluid inlet and the rotor and adapted to introduce the adhesive into the respective recess, wherein preferably the template is formed as a wall with a plurality of passage openings, which are preferably formed in a row, or a passage channel with a substantially rectangular cross-section. By means of such a template, which is preferably formed as a wall with a row of passage openings, preferably a row of holes or an elongated channel with a rectangular flow crosssection, the free flow cross-section for the adhesive can be adapted to the geometric shape of the recess of the rotor of the pulse unit before it is introduced into the recess, whereby this is preferably done in such a way that the passage channel or the passage channel which is formed in the wall of the template is designed in such a way that the geometry is approximately adapted to the shape and width and length of the recess. This allows the adhesive to be introduced into the recess in a targeted manner. As soon as the recess enters the area of the template due to the rotation of the rotor, the fluid flow is immediately released due to the then aligned arrangement, and then interrupted as the recess continues to rotate.

[0028] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the application system comprises a drive unit for driving the rotor, the drive unit preferably comprising an electric motor and at least one connection for coupling to a power line, or a gearbox for coupling the rotor to a section of an adjacent (mother) machine to drive the rotor. Such a drive unit enables the rotor to be driven and, in particular, the frequency at which the adhesive is intermittently applied to be controlled.

[0029] Preferably, the pulse unit has a shaft coupled to the drive unit and the rotor is mounted on the shaft, the shaft extending along the axis and being rotatable about the axis. Thus, the pulse unit can be easily driven by means of the shaft and the drive unit can thus be spaced apart from the pulse unit.

[0030] According to a further preferred embodiment, the application system has a filter unit which is arranged between the inlet and the pulse unit and is set up to mix and/or filter the adhesive flowing in through the inlet. The adhesive is thus mixed and, in particular, homogenized so that temperature differences can be compensated and a homogenized medium is provided. This avoids environmental influences that lead to a gradient in the flow rate or other process variables.

Homogenization ensures a reduction in disturbance variables, such as temperaturedependent and viscosity differences.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, the application system further comprises a heating unit for heating the application system, in particular the base body, which preferably comprises a filter heater with a connection for heating the filter unit and a base body heater with a connection for heating the base body. Thus, uniform heating of the filter and the base body provides uniform heating of the adhesive so that, in particular, cold-melt adhesives can also be processed, and the uniform heating provides a substantially homogeneous viscosity of the medium.

[0032] Further preferably, the application system comprises an adhesive valve module comprising the valve and a connection for coupling with a compressed air line, wherein the valve comprises a pneumatically actuatable valve body which is movable by means of compressed air from a closed position to a release position. Thus, the valve can be pneumatically actuated in a simple manner as a component of an adhesive valve module. Thus, an easily controllable and cost-effective drive or actuator for the valve body is provided. Contamination of the valve is further avoided by the use of compressed air, thus offering an advantage over hydraulically actuated valve bodies.

[0033] The disclosure has been described above in a first aspect relating to an application system for applying adhesive, in particular hot melt adhesive. The disclosure further relates in a second aspect to a method for applying adhesive, in particular hot melt adhesive, using an application system, in particular an application system of the type described above according to the first aspect of the disclosure. The disclosure solves the above-mentioned problem in the second aspect in that the method comprises the steps of: admitting adhesive into a base body through an inlet, passing adhesive through a fluid channel, intermittently passing adhesive comprising rotating a rotor of a pulse unit of the application system from a release position, in which the rotor releases the fluid inlet and/or fluid outlet, into a blocking position in which the rotor blocks the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet in a fluid-tight manner, and controlling the amount of adhesive flowing out of the outlet, in particular a nozzle, by means of a valve, in particular a snuff-back valve. With regard to the advantages, reference is also made to the advantages described above in connection with the application system. By a so-called snuff-back valve or suck-back valve, the person skilled in the art understands a valve in which, during the closing of the valve by corresponding movement of a valve body relative to a valve seat, the adhesive is moved at least somewhat in the region of the outlet opening of the nozzle against the direction of flow during the dispensing or application of the adhesive, i.e. the adhesive is quasi retained or sucked back at least to a small extent. This is usually achieved by moving the valve body against the usual flow direction during dispensing of the liquid adhesive.

[0034] Thus, the functional separation of the control of the outflowing amount of adhesive as well as the intermittent conduction of the adhesive within such an application system simultaneously enables a controllable or meterable application of adhesive and further realizes short response times and avoids the so-called "drooling" when closing the adhesive outlet. The preferred embodiments and examples according to the first aspect are equally preferred embodiments and examples according to the second aspect. Such a method for applying adhesive, in particular by means of an application system according to one of the preferred embodiments of the first aspect, makes use of the advantages described at the beginning. [0035] The task is further solved by a product, in particular a hygiene article, manufactured by means of a process according to the disclosure and/or an application system 1 according to the disclosure, which has a substrate 80, 86, in particular a nonwoven material (nonwoven) with a surface and one or more quantities of adhesive applied to the surface in the form of a regular application pattern of adhesive. By means of the pulse unit according to the disclosure as well as the adhesive valve module, particular application patterns can be generated on the surface of the product of adhesive. The product is in particular a hygiene article such as diapers or sanitary napkins, which are at least partially made of nonwoven material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The disclosure is described below by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the figures. Thereby show:

[0037] Figure 1 : A perspective view of an application system for applying adhesive,

[0038] Figure 2: A side view of the application system according to Figure 1 ,

[0039] Figure 3: A side view of the application system according to Figure 1 in a partially cut view,

[0040] Figure 4: An exploded view of a pulse unit for an application system according to Figure 1 ,

[0041] Figure 5: The pulse unit according to Figure 4 in a sectional view, [0042] Figure 6a: A partial cutaway perspective view of the pulse unit according to Figure 4 in a release position, and

[0043] Figure 6b: The pulse unit according to Figure 4 in a partial cutaway perspective view.

[0044] Figure 7: an example of a product or substrate with an application pattern, which was applied by means of the process according to the disclosure and an application system according to the disclosure;

[0045] Figure 8: an alternative embodiment of a substrate with an application pattern, which was applied by means of the process according to the disclosure and an application system according to the disclosure; [0046] Figure 9: an alternative embodiment of a substrate with an application pattern, which was applied by means of the process according to the disclosure and an application system according to the disclosure;

[0047] Figure 10: an alternative embodiment of a substrate with an application pattern, which was applied by means of the process according to the disclosure and an application system according to the disclosure;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0048] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an application system 1 for applying adhesive. Instead of adhesive in flowable form such as hot melt adhesive, other fluids such as sealants can also be dispensed and applied to a substrate. The application system is preferably arranged adjacent to a machine for manufacturing products such as, in particular, hygiene articles such as diapers or the like, which is also referred to as a mother machine. The adhesive to be dispensed can be applied to substrates such as parts of diapers, but alternatively also paper, furniture parts or the like.

[0049] The application system 1 comprises a preferably metallic base body 3, a filter unit 5 coupled to the base body and a preferably electric heating unit 7 accommodated in the base body 3 for heating the application system 1 , in particular the base body 3 and the other adhesive-conducting components. Furthermore, the application system 1 comprises a drive unit 9 as well as an adhesive valve module 11 for controlling the outflowing amount of adhesive as well as a pulse unit 13 for intermittently conducting adhesive, which is coupled to the drive unit 9. Downstream of the pulse unit 13, a nozzle 18 for dispensing adhesive, which is connected to the pulse unit 13 in a fluid-conducting manner, is arranged and fastened to the base body 3 by screw connections.

[0050] The adhesive valve module 11 and the pulse unit 13 are accommodated in or on the base body 3. The drive unit 9 is coupled to the base body 3.

[0051] The filter unit 5 has a pair of glue ports as inlet 15, through which glue can be let into the filter unit 5.

[0052] The adhesive valve module 11 has a pair of ports 17, such as compressed air ports, through which compressed air can be supplied to actuate a valve of the (see Figure 3). [0053] The heating unit 7 comprises an electric heater for the base body 3 with a connection 19 and an electric heater for the filter unit with a connection 21.

[0054] The drive unit 9 comprises a servomotor 23 as well as connections 25 for the signal-conducting coupling of the servomotor with a controller or a power supply. The drive unit 9 also has a motor mounting plate 27, which couples the drive unit 9 to the base body 3 by means of a connection housing 29. In addition to coupling the drive unit 9 to the base body 3 by means of the connection housing 29, the motor mounting plate 27 also enables the application system 1 to be mounted on other system components.

[0055] In an alternative, not shown way, the drive unit 9 can have a gearbox instead of an electric servomotor 23, with which the rotor can be driven. The gearbox is mechanically coupled to a part of the so-called mother machine for absorbing - mechanical - power and, on the other hand, coupled to the pulse unit in such a way that the rotor can be driven with the absorbed power. Such a transmission can for example have belts, pulleys or gears. In this way, a mechanical coupling between the mother machine and the pulse unit 13 would be realized in such a way that mechanically also a coupling of the speed of production on the mother machine (in particular, therefore, the speed of movement of the substrate relative to the application system 1 and the pulse unit is realized. When the speed of the substrate (in the machine direction) becomes faster or slower, the speed of the rotor 43 of the pulse unit 13 is automatically adjusted.

[0056] As shown in Figure 2 and in particular Figure 3, the filter unit 5 is fluidly connected to the pulse unit 13 so that adhesive can be admitted through the inlet 15 and is heated, filtered and homogenized by the filter unit and can then flow on to the downstream pulse unit 13. The pulse unit 13 passes the adhesive on intermittently or pulsatingly. The adhesive passed on intermittently or pulsatingly by the pulse unit 13 then finally reaches the adhesive valve module 11 through a fluid channel 31 , which controls the outflow of the adhesive.

[0057] Figure 3 also shows a valve 77 for pressure relief or venting. When filling with adhesive, air can be released by opening valve 77. Before maintenance or the like, the pressure in the adhesive can be relieved to the environment by means of the valve 77.

[0058] The adhesive valve module 11 further comprises a valve 30 and the compressed air connections 17 for driving the valve 30 and the valve body, respectively. The valve 30 is preferably designed as a so-called snuff-back valve. Such a snuff-back valve blocks an opening within the valve housing by a linear movement of the valve body against the outlet, thus preventing the fluid from flowing out. Due to the backward movement of the valve body, fluid located at the outlet or at the passage opening is pressed back into the valve body, so that the so-called "drooling" is prevented.

[0059] Heating the base body 3 (cf. Figure 1 ) by the electric heater prevents unintentional cooling of the adhesive and thus ensures a constant viscosity, particularly in the case of hot melt adhesives, and prevents the adhesive from sticking.

[0060] Furthermore, the electric heating of the filter unit 5 (cf. Figure 2) enables the adhesive to be heated uniformly in the filter unit 5 and, furthermore, to be filtered and mixed in such a way that, homogenized, it can be passed on through the fluid channel 31 to the pulse unit 13.

[0061] As Figures 1-3 well illustrate, the nozzle 18, which is fluidly connected to the pulse unit 13 downstream thereof, is arranged on the base body 3 with internal adhesive channels and one or more outlet openings for dispensing adhesive, that the liquid adhesive can be introduced from the inlet 15 (compare in particular Fig. 3) through the filter unit 5 and through fluid channels 31 to the pulse unit 13 and further to the adhesive valve module 11 and the outlet 16 from the base body into the nozzle 18, in order to be applied by the latter to a substrate 80 (see Fig. 2).

Substrate 80 is moved, compare Fig. 2, in the direction of arrow 81 relative to application system 1 (direction of movement). In the embodiment example, the nozzle 18 is a slot nozzle with at least one elongated slot-shaped outlet opening, typically spacer plates (shim plates) as well as a mouthpiece 20 and a mouthpiece receptacle 22 (compare Figs. 1 , 2).

[0062] As Figures 1 -3 illustrate, in the embodiment example, the adhesive valve module 11 is arranged downstream of the pulse unit 13 with its rotor 43 on the base body 3. In an alternative embodiment example not shown, the adhesive valve module 11 may alternatively be arranged upstream of the pulse unit 13 with its rotor 43 on the base body 3 so that adhesive is passed from the inlet 15 through the filter unit 5 into the fluid channel 31 and then through the adhesive valve module 11 and then to the pulse unit 13, and then from there through adhesive channels to the outlet 16 and then to the nozzle 18 and from there dispensed onto the substrate 80. In both alternative embodiments, the pulse unit 13 is used to generate an intermittent or pulsed adhesive flow with flow rates that change over time, and the adhesive valve module 11 can also be used to completely interrupt or release the adhesive flow.

[0063] Figures 4 and 5 as well as Figure 6a and Figure 6b show the pulse unit 13. The pulse unit 13 comprises a housing part or a receptacle 33 (see also reference signs 49, 50) with a first fluid inlet channel 35 and a second fluid inlet channel 37. Furthermore, the pulse unit 13 comprises a first fluid outlet channel 39 (cf. Figure 5), which can be connected to the first fluid inlet channel 35 in a fluid-conducting manner, and a second fluid outlet channel 41 (cf. Figure 5), which can be connected to the second fluid inlet channel 37 in a fluid-conducting manner.

[0064] In the embodiment example, the pulse unit 13 with the receptacle or housing part 33 is arranged in a recess formed in the base body 3, which has the advantage that the pulse unit is also heated by heat conduction by means of the base body 3 and can be coupled to or integrated in the fluid channel 31 in a fluidconducting manner in a simple manner. Alternatively, the pulse unit 13 could also be mounted laterally on an outer surface of the base body 3.

[0065] Furthermore, the pulse unit 13 comprises a rotor 43 which is accommodated in the housing part 33 (cf. Figure 5) and rotatably mounted in such a way that it intermittently clears and blocks the fluid inlet channels 35, 37 and/or the fluid outlet channels 39, 41 .

[0066] The rotor 43 is mounted on a shaft 45 for rotation about the axis of rotation 47 of the shaft 45.

[0067] The pulse unit 13 further comprises a first receptacle 49 and a second receptacle 50 for receiving the shaft 45. The receptacles 49, 50 have cylindrical recesses which correspond to the outer diameter of the shaft 45 in such a way that the shaft 45 is rotatably received in the receptacles 49, 50. The shaft 45 is preferably mounted in the receptacles 49, 50 by means of a bearing 51 in each case, a seal 53, in particular a sealing ring, being arranged between the receptacle 49, 50 and the bearing 51 . The sealing ring 57 encloses the receptacles 49, 50 and the shaft 45 guided in the cylindrical recess of the receptacles 49, 50 in a sealing manner, so that the housing part 33 and the rotor 43 are separated from the bearing 51 in a fluid-tight manner. [0068] The end of the pulse unit 13 also has two end pieces 55, 56, each of which can be connected to one of the receptacles 49, 50 and at least partially receive the seal 53 and the bearing 51 .

[0069] Furthermore, a sealing ring 57 is arranged between the housing part 33, the rotor 43 and the receptacles 49, 50 in each case, which fits into a groove 54 formed on the receptacles 49, 50 in each case in such a way that the shaft is enclosed in a sealing manner between the housing part 33 and the receptacles 49, 50.

[0070] As shown in particular in Figure 5, the fluid inlet 35 as well as the fluid outlet 39 are connectable to a first annular channel 58, which is formed between the rotor 43 and the housing part 33.

[0071] Further, a second annular channel 59 is fluidly connectable to the fluid inlet 37 and the fluid outlet 41 . The annular channels 58, 59 are each formed by an end section of the rotor 43 and the inner housing walls of the housing part 33 and the receptacles 49, 50. The annular channels 58, 59 are each enclosed in a fluid-tight manner by a sealing ring 57 at the transition from the housing part 33 and the receptacles 49, 50.

[0072] As shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the rotor 43 has a first number of recesses 61 and locking webs 63 arranged at each end, which are each arranged adjacent to one another in alternation, so that a projection 63 is arranged between two recesses 61 in each case. The recesses 61 and locking webs 63 are designed in the manner of a gearwheel, with the locking webs 63 forming the teeth of the gearwheel.

[0073] The sealing webs 63 each have sealing surfaces 65, which can be brought into alignment with the fluid inlet 35 and the fluid outlet 39, respectively, in such a way that they are sealed fluid-tight in the locked position.

[0074] A first template 67 is arranged between the rotor 43 and the first fluid inlet 35, through which the adhesive can flow in a release position of the rotor 43 and be distributed within one of the recesses 61 , 69 and finally be directed through the recesses 61 , 69 into the first annular channel 58. By template 67 and 75, respectively (see below), it is intended here essentially to be understood a component which has a wall and one or more fluid channels through which the adhesive can be introduced in the direction of flow in the direction of the rotor 43 specifically into the region of the recesses 61 , 69 of the rotor. In the embodiment shown, these fluid channels are formed as a plurality of through-holes having a substantially cylindrical cross-section. For example, three such through-holes may be present. Alternatively, in a manner not shown, a passageway could also be formed in a wall of the template 67, 75 that is approximately conformed to the shape of the recess 61 , 69. In this way, the adhesive can be selectively introduced into the recess when the respective recess is aligned in relative to the passage channels of the template 67, 75 during the rotary movement.

[0075] Further, the rotor 43 has a second number of recesses 69 and locking webs 71 which are formed to correspond to the first number of recesses 61 and locking webs 63.

[0076] Furthermore, the sealing webs 71 each have a sealing surface 73 which, in the locked position, can be brought into fluid-tight alignment with the fluid inlet 37 and the fluid outlet 41 , respectively, in such a way that they are sealed in a fluid-tight manner.

[0077] The pulse unit 13 has a second template 75, which is correspondingly arranged between the rotor 43 and the second fluid inlet 37 in order to distribute and introduce the inflowing adhesive in each case within one of the recesses 69. In this respect, reference is made to the above descriptions of the so-called template 67, 75.

[0078] The method according to the disclosure, which can preferably be operated with the previously described embodiment of the application system according to the disclosure, but also with other embodiments, is described below:

[0079] In the process according to the disclosure, adhesive is applied to a substrate, preferably by means of an application system 1 of the type described above, wherein in a first step adhesive is let into a base body 3 through an inlet, preferably a base body 3 with an inlet 15 of an application system 1 of the type described above.

[0080] Subsequently, in a second step, adhesive is passed through a fluid channel preferably formed inside the base body 3. In such a fluid channel, the adhesive is preferably tempered by means of a heating unit.

[0081] The adhesive is passed on, preferably within the basic body, in at least one section of the fluid channel in an intermittent or pulsating manner, preferably by means of a pulse unit 13 of an application system 1 of the type described above. The adhesive is passed on intermittently in such a way that the adhesive is passed on through the fluid channel in defined partial quantities. [0082] For intermittent or pulsating conduction of the adhesive, the method preferably comprises the intermediate steps of: rotating a rotor 43 of such a pulse unit 13 from a release position, in which the rotor 43 releases a fluid inlet 35,37 and/or fluid outlet 39,41 of the pulse unit 13, to a blocking position, in which the rotor 43 blocks the fluid inlet 35,37 and/or fluid outlet 39,41 fluid-tightly of the pulse unit 13 or reduces the fluid flow.

[0083] Furthermore, in a third step, the method comprises controlling the amount of adhesive flowing out of the outlet, preferably from a nozzle, in particular of an application system 1 of the type described above, by means of a valve, in particular a snuff-back valve.

[0084] As Figures 1 -3 illustrate and as described above, in the embodiment shown, the adhesive valve module 11 is arranged downstream of the pulse unit 13 with its rotor 43 on the base body 3. In an alternative embodiment example not shown, the adhesive valve module 11 may alternatively be arranged upstream of the pulse unit 13 with its rotor 43 on the base body 3, so that adhesive in this case is passed from the inlet 15 through the filter unit 5 into the fluid channel 31 and then through the adhesive valve module 11 and then to the pulse unit 13, and then from there through adhesive channels to the outlet 16 and then to the nozzle 18, and from there is dispensed onto the substrate 80. Also in this alternative embodiment, an intermittent or pulsed adhesive flow with temporally changing flow rates is generated by means of the pulse unit 13, whereby, in addition, the adhesive flow can also be completely interrupted or released by the adhesive valve module 11 during the application of the process according to the disclosure.

[0085] Figure 7 illustrates an example of an application pattern of adhesive applied to a substrate by application of a method according to the disclosure using the application system 1 according to the disclosure. The substrate 80 was moved in the direction of an arrow 81 indicating the direction of movement relative to the application system 1 , and adhesive was dispensed from the application system 1 onto the substrate 80. In the embodiment, the substrate 80 is a nonwoven or nonwoven material, for example, a part of a sanitary article such as a diaper or a sanitary napkin. The adhesive is a hot melt adhesive. You can see a number of essentially rectangular strips 82 of applied adhesive. Each strip has a width of approximately 8 mm. Between the strips 82 is a completely or substantially adhesive-free area 84 on the substrate to which no adhesive has been applied. This adhesive-free area 84 has a width of about 3 mm. The width of the substrate 80 transverse to the direction of movement 81 of the strips 82 is about 20 mm. The width corresponds approximately to the width of a recess in the rotor 43. The width of the strip 84 of 3 mm corresponds approximately to the width of the sealing bar 63, 71 of the rotor 43. By varying the geometric design of the recess 61 , 69 and the sealing bars 63, 71 of the rotor 43, respectively, the widths and also lengths of the strips 82 can be varied. The length of the strip in the direction of movement 81 can furthermore be varied by the rotational speed of the rotor. The same applies to the width of the strip 82. In the embodiment example, the speed of the substrate 80 was 300 m/min and the speed of the rotor 43 of the pulse unit 13 was about 2000 revolutions/min (RPM).

[0086] Figure 8 shows an application pattern on a substrate 86 which shows a plurality of substantially rectangular to square (hot) adhesive application patterns 88 arranged in a checkerboard fashion. Direction of movement is indicated by arrow 81 . Such an application pattern is produced by a rotor 43 in which a plurality of recesses 61 , 69 of the rotor 43 are circumferentially offset with respect to one another and recesses 61 , 69 and closure webs 63, 71 , respectively, are arranged adjacent to one another in the direction of rotation.

[0087] Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment in which the arrangements of the recesses or closure webs are spaced apart from one another, which is again achieved by correspondingly spacing adjacent recesses 61 , 69 or closure webs 63, 71.

[0088] Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment in which the arrangements of the recesses or closure webs are spaced apart from one another; this pattern is also produced by corresponding geometric design of the recesses 61 , 69 or closure webs 63, 71.

[0089] List of reference signs

[0090] 1 - Application system 1 for applying adhesive

[0091] 3 - Base body 3

[0092] 5 - Filter unit 5

[0093] 7 - Heating unit 7

[0094] 9 - Drive unit 9

[0095] 11 - Adhesive valve module 11

[0096] 13 - Pulse unit 13 [0097] 15 - Glue connections/inlet 15

[0098] 16 - Outlet 16

[0099] 17 - Electro pneumatics; compressed air connections 17

[00100] 18 - Nozzle 18

[00101] 19 - Electric heater connection 19

[00102] 20 - Mouthpiece 20

[00103] 21 - Electric heater filter unit

[00104] 22 - Mouthpiece receptacle 22

[00105] 23 - Servomotor 23

[00106] 25 - Connections 25 for (control I power) from servomotor 23

[00107] 27 - Motor mounting plate 27

[00108] 29 - Connection housing 29 for motor mounting plate

[00109] 30 - Valve 30 (snuff-back valve)

[00110] 31 - Fluid channel 31

[00111] 31 a - Fluid channel 31 a

[00112] 31 b - Fluid channel 31 b

[00113] 33 - Receptacle/Housing part 33

[00114] 33a - First housing part 33a

[00115] 33b - Second housing part 33b

[00116] 33c - Third housing part 33c

[00117] 35 - First fluid inlet channel 35

[00118] 37 - Second fluid inlet channel 37

[00119] 39 - First fluid outlet channel 39

[00120] 41 - Second fluid outlet channel 41

[00121] 43 - Rotor/Drum 43

[00122] 45 - Shaft 45

[00123] 47 - Rotation axis 47

[00124] 49 - First receptacle 49

[00125] 50 - Second receptacle 50

[00126] 51 - Bearing 51

[00127] 53 - Seal 53

[00128] 54 - Groove 54

[00129] 55 - First end piece 55

[00130] 56 - Second end piece 56 [00131] 57 - Sealing ring 57

[00132] 58 - First ring channel 58

[00133] 59 - Second ring channel 59

[00134] 61 - Recesses 61

[00135] 63 - Locking bars/webs 63

[00136] 65 - Sealing surface 65

[00137] 67 - First template 67

[00138] 69 - Recesses 69

[00139] 71 - Locking bars/webs 71

[00140] 73 - Sealing surface 73

[00141] 75 - Second template 75

[00142] 77 - Valve 77

[00143] 80 - Substrate 80 (Nonwoven material)

[00144] 81 - Arrow 81 (direction of movement)

[00145] 82 - Strip 82 of adhesive

[00146] 84 - Area 84 without adhesive

[00147] 86 - Substrate 86 (Nonwoven material)

[00148] 88 - Application pattern 88 of adhesive

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An application system (1 ) for applying an adhesive, the applicator system (1) comprising: a base body (3); an inlet (15) for admitting the adhesive into the base body (3); an outlet (16) for discharging the adhesive from the base body (3); a nozzle (18) for dispensing the adhesive; at least one fluid channel (31) extending for fluid communication between the inlet (15) and the outlet (16); a valve (30) for controlling an amount of the adhesive flowing out of the outlet (16); and a pulse unit (13) connected to the at least one fluid channel (31 ) for intermittent and/or pulsed adhesive conduction, the pulse unit (13) comprising: a rotor (43) mounted rotatably about an axis (47), the rotor (43) connected to the at least one fluid channel (31 ) in a fluid-conducting manner; at least one fluid inlet (35, 37) for fluidly connecting the rotor (43) to an inlet-side portion of the fluid channel (31a); and at least one fluid outlet (39, 41 ) for fluidly connecting the rotor (43) to an outlet-side portion of the fluid channel (31 b), wherein the rotor (43) is rotatable from a release position, in which the rotor (43) releases the at least one fluid inlet (35, 37) and/or the at least one fluid outlet (39, 41 ), and into a blocking position, in which the rotor (43) blocks the at least one fluid inlet (35, 37) and/or the at least one fluid outlet (39, 41 ) fluid-tightly or temporarily reduces a fluid flow.

2. The application system (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the valve (30) is arranged downstream of the pulse unit (13).

3. The application system (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the rotor (43) is rotatable to a first release position in which the rotor (43) releases the at least one fluid inlet (35, 37) and blocks the at least one fluid outlet (39, 41 ) in a fluid-tight manner, and the rotor (43) is rotatable to a second release position in which the rotor (43) blocks the at least one fluid inlet (35, 37) in a fluid-tight manner and releases the at least one fluid outlet (39, 41 ).

4. The application system (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor (43) has at least one annular channel (58, 59) for fluid communication with the at least one fluid inlet (35, 37) and the at least one fluid outlet (39, 41 ).

5. The application system (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein: in a first release position, the at least one annular channel (58, 59) is fluidly connected to the at least one fluid inlet (35, 37) and is fluidly separated from the at least one fluid outlet (39, 41 ), and in a second release position, the at least one annular channel (58, 59) is fluidly connected to the at least one fluid outlet (39, 41 ) and is fluidly separated from the at least one fluid inlet (35, 37).

6. The application system (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the pulse unit (13) comprises a receptacle (33) for receiving and supporting the rotor (43), and the at least one fluid inlet (35, 37) and the at least one fluid outlet (39, 41 ) are formed in the receptacle (33).

7. The application system (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein: the rotor (43) has a number of recesses (61 , 69) which are arranged to connect the at least one fluid inlet (35, 37) and the at least one fluid outlet (39, 41 ) to the at least one annular channel (58, 59) in a fluid-conducting manner in the release position, and the rotor (43) has a number of closure webs (63, 71 ) which are arranged to separate the at least one fluid inlet (35, 37) and the at least one fluid outlet (39, 41 ) from the at least one annular channel (58, 59) in a fluid-tight manner in the blocked position.

8. The application system (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor (43) is formed at least in sections with a gearwheel, and locking webs (63, 71 ) are formed as teeth of the gearwheel.

9. The application system (1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the rotor (43) comprises a template (67, 75) arranged between the at least one fluid inlet (35, 37) and the rotor (43) and adapted to introduce the adhesive into the respective recesses (61 , 69).

10. The application system (1 ) according to claim 9, wherein the template (67, 75) is formed as a wall with a plurality of passage channels formed in a row or with a passage channel having a substantially rectangular cross-section.

11. The application system (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a drive unit (9) for driving the rotor (43).

12. The application system (1 ) according to claim 11 , wherein the drive unit (9) comprises an electric motor (23) and at least one connection (25) for coupling to a power line, or a transmission for coupling the rotor (43) to a portion of an adjacent (mother) machine to drive the rotor (43).

13. The application system (1 ) according to claim 11 , wherein the pulse unit (13) comprises a shaft (45) coupled to the drive unit (9) or to a gearbox and the rotor (43) is mounted on the shaft (45), the shaft (45) extending along the axis (47) and being rotatably supported about the axis (47).

14. The application system (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a filter unit (5) arranged between the inlet (15) and the pulse unit (13) and adapted to mix and/or filter the adhesive admitted through the inlet (15).

15. The application system (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a heating unit (7) for heating the application system.

16. The application system (1 ) according to claim 15, wherein: the heating unit (7) is configured to heat the base body (3), and the base body (3) has a filter heater with a connection (21 ) for heating the filter unit (5) and a base body heater with a connection (19) for heating the base body (3).

17. The application system (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an adhesive valve module (11 ) comprising the valve (30) and a connector (17) for coupling to a compressed air line, wherein the valve (30) has a pneumatically operable valve body which is movable by means of compressed air from a closed position to a release position.

18. A hygiene article, comprising: a nonwoven material (80, 86) having a surface and one or more amounts of adhesive applied to the surface in the form of a regular application pattern of adhesive, wherein the hygiene article is produced by the application system (1 ) according to any one of claims 1-17.

19. A method for applying an adhesive with an application system, the method comprising: introducing the adhesive into a base body (3) through an inlet (15); causing liquid flow of the adhesive through a fluid channel (31 ); causing intermittent adhesive conduction by means of a pulse unit (13), the intermittent adhesive conduction comprising rotating a rotor (43) of the pulse unit (13) from a release position in which the rotor (43) releases a fluid inlet channel (35, 37) and/or a fluid outlet channel (39, 41 ) to a blocking position in which the rotor (43) blocks the fluid inlet channel (35, 37) and/or the fluid outlet channel (39, 41 ) in a fluid-tight manner; and controlling an amount of the adhesive flowing out of an outlet (16) by means of a valve (30).

20. A hygiene article, comprising: a nonwoven material (80, 86) having a surface and one or more amounts of adhesive applied to the surface in the form of a regular application pattern of adhesive, wherein the hygiene article is produced by the method according to claim 19.