Method and apparatus for applying particulate material to a substrate

An apparatus for applying a particulate material to an article of manufacture, comprising:

• a particulate suspension assembly defining a chamber for suspending a particulate material within said particulate suspension assembly, said particulate suspension assembly having a first port and a second port;
• a belt for supporting a plurality of articles of manufacture;
• a conveyor structured and arranged for conveying said belt, with said articles of manufacture arranged thereon, into said chamber volume via said first port, through said chamber volume, and out of said chamber volume via said second port;
• a fluid delivery tube arranged in flow communication with said chamber for delivering a flow of pressurized fluid into said chamber for suspending a particulate material in said chamber, said pressurized fluid being introduced into said chamber at a selected pressure sufficient to suspend the particulate material within said chamber;
• an adhesive applicator for coating a surface of a layer that forms at least a part of said article of manufacture with an adhesive prior to the entry of said article of manufacture into said chamber;
• a fluid source for delivering a second flow of pressurized fluid into said chamber;
• a porous roll arranged within said chamber, said porous roll having a plurality of pores in an surface thereof, wherein said porous roll is operably coupled to said fluid source for delivering a second flow of pressurized fluid, whereby said second flow of pressurized fluid is delivered into said porous roll and then said second flow of pressurized fluid passes through said pores of said porous roll into said chamber;
• whereby said adhesive is applied to said layer and said coated article of manufacture is conveyed through said chamber to thereby place said adhesive and said particulate material in communication and thereby adhere said particulate material to said layer.