Modular adhesive bead dispenser

Abstract

A modular adhesive bead dispensing unit having at least one bead dispensing module. The module includes a mounting frame for mounting the module to the unit, and at least one adhesive dispensing manifold. The manifold includes a housing having an inlet opening for introducing adhesive into the housing, an outlet opening for dispensing the adhesive, a non-stick compressible fitting within the outlet opening, the fitting having an opening therethrough, and an outlet closing member receivable within the fitting opening for starting and stopping flow of an adhesive bead from the head. The module also includes at least one actuation unit for retracting and reinstalling the outlet closing member within the fitting opening. The manifold for dispensing adhesive has a sleeve mounted in the outlet opening, adjacent the fitting, and a retainer for retaining the fitting within the outlet opening and for adjustably pressing the fitting into the sleeve. The sleeve has a through opening, which is aligned with the fitting opening for passage of the outlet closing member and adhesive therethrough. The fitting is made of a non-stick compressible material, and the retainer is adjusted to compress the fitting to form an environmental seal between the fitting and outlet closing member when the outlet closing member is in a closed position such that the adhesive dispensing unit is particularly suitable for dispensing a fast acting moisture curable adhesive. The manifold may include multiple outlet openings and a respective number of outlet closing members. In one embodiment, the module has a separate actuation unit connected to each outlet closing member. In a second embodiment, the module utilizes the same manifold as the first embodiment; however, the outlet closing members are all actuated simultaneously by a single actuation unit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.