Applicator with at least one pump having an integrated drive
AssigneeNordson Corporation
InventorJoel E. Saine
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An applicator for dispensing adhesive onto a substrate is described. The applicator includes a manifold and at least one dispensing module coupled to the manifold. The applicator may include a least one pump assembly removably mounted to the manifold. Each pump assembly can have an outlet in flow communication with the manifold, and an inlet in flow communication with the adhesive. The use of a removable, independently controllable pump assembly can provide an operator of the applicator greater flexibility during adhesive dispensing.
Claims21
An applicator for dispensing adhesive onto a substrate, the applicator comprising:
- a manifold having a front, a back opposite to the front, a first side, and a second side that is opposite the first side;
- at least one dispensing module coupled to said manifold;
- and
- at least one modular pump assembly configured to be removably mounted to said manifold, each of said at least one modular pump assembly comprising:
- an inlet for receiving the adhesive and an outlet in fluid communication with said manifold;
- a gear assembly disposed within a housing assembly;
- and
- a drive motor unit coupled to said gear assembly and operable for pumping adhesive from said inlet to said outlet, said drive motor unit having:
- a housing that defines a first end, and a second end that is opposite said first end and that faces said gear assembly;
- a drive shaft that extends through said second end and is connected to said gear assembly;
- a drive motor disposed within said housing and that is configured to rotate said drive shaft about an axis that does not intersect both of said first side and said second side of said manifold, wherein said axis extends through said drive motor and said housing assembly such that said drive motor and said housing assembly are aligned with one another along said axis;
- and
- a thermal isolation region between said drive motor and said gear assembly, said thermal isolation region including a thermal isolation member that spaces said housing and said housing assembly from one another so as to define a gap therebetween.
A pump assembly configured to connect to a manifold of an applicator for dispensing adhesive, the manifold having a front, a back opposite to the front, a first side, and a second side, the pump assembly comprising:
- an inlet for receiving the adhesive;
- an outlet in flow communication with said manifold;
- a gear assembly disposed within a housing assembly;
- a drive motor unit coupled to said gear assembly and operable for pumping adhesive from said inlet to said outlet, said drive motor unit having a housing that defines a first end and a second end that is opposite said first end and faces said gear assembly, a drive shaft that extends through said second end and is connected to said gear assembly, and a drive motor disposed within said housing that is configured to rotate said drive shaft about an axis that extends through said drive motor and does not intersect both of the first side and the second side of the manifold when the pump assembly is connected to the manifold, wherein said axis extends through said drive motor and said housing assembly such that said drive motor and said housing assembly are aligned with one another along said axis;
- and
- a thermal isolation region between said drive motor and said gear assembly, said thermal isolation region including a thermal isolation member that spaces said housing and said housing assembly from one another so as to define a gap therebetween.
An applicator for dispensing adhesive onto a substrate, the applicator comprising:
- a manifold having a front, a back opposite to the front, a first side, and a second side that is opposite the first side;
- at least one dispensing module coupled to said manifold;
- and
- at least one modular pump assembly configured to be removably mounted to said manifold, each of said at least one modular pump assembly comprising:
- an inlet for receiving the adhesive and an outlet in fluid communication with said manifold;
- a gear assembly disposed within a housing assembly;
- a drive motor unit coupled to said gear assembly and operable for pumping adhesive from said inlet to said outlet, said drive motor unit having a housing that defines a first end and a second end that is opposite said first end and faces said gear assembly, a drive shaft that extends through said second end and is connected to said gear assembly, and a drive motor disposed within said housing that is configured to rotate said drive shaft about an axis that does not intersect both of said first side and said second side of said manifold;
- a plate integral with the housing of the drive motor unit, wherein the plate is directly attached to the housing assembly;
- and
- a thermal isolation region defined between the plate and the housing assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.