System and method for monitoring liquid adhesive flow

A method for monitoring hot melt adhesive flow, comprising:

• detecting a presence of a product to which the adhesive is applied by using at least one product detector;
• determining a start time and an end time for applying the adhesive to the product;
• determining an amount of the adhesive applied to the product from the start time to the end time by measuring an amount of the adhesive dispensed from a manifold using a flow meter in fluid communication with the manifold;
• and
• associating the amount of the adhesive with the product.

A flow meter for use in a hot melt adhesive system including an adhesive supply, a manifold, a heater, and at least one hose connected to a dispensing applicator, the flow meter comprising:

• a housing body having a hollow central recess, a flow inlet passage configured to receive hot melt adhesive from the manifold, and a flow outlet passage configured to discharge hot melt adhesive back into the manifold;
• a housing cover removably attached to the housing body and having a flat inner surface proximal to the hollow central recess of the housing body;
• a pair of rotatable gears provided in the hollow central recess and rotatably secured between the housing body and the housing cover;
• and
• at least one sensor configured to measure an amount of hot melt adhesive flowing through the flow meter.

A hot melt adhesive system, comprising:

• an adhesive supply holding solid or semi-solid hot melt adhesive;
• a heater associated with the adhesive supply for melting the solid or semi-solid hot melt adhesive into a liquid hot melt adhesive;
• a first manifold in fluid communication with the adhesive supply;
• a pump for pumping the liquid hot melt adhesive from the heater into the first manifold;
• an air pressure regulator for regulating the flow of air into the pump from an air supply;
• at least one adhesive applicator configured to apply the liquid hot melt adhesive to a substrate;
• and
• an adhesive tracking system for monitoring an output of the liquid hot melt adhesive.