Apparatus and method for processing hot melt adhesives
OwnerScott Richard Millerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermoplastic material processing method and system including an integrated melting, pressurizing and dispensing unit and a regulated feed supply system to improve overall performance by only heating the amount of material needed and minimizing the time it is at raised temperatures. The system includes a compact heat exchanger consisting of a plurality of thin heater plates arranged primarily parallel and spaced closely together to form small spaces therebetween. This puts all thermoplastic material in close proximity with the heated surfaces thus improving the overall melting process. The heat exchanger can include heater plates arranged in a radial or fan orientation and a grid of thin heated fins set within a heated enclosure.
Claims28
An apparatus for melting solid particulate material to melted material having a final application temperature suitable for immediate dispensing at an application site, comprising:
- a. a housing;
- b. an inlet associated with said housing for receiving material to be melted;
- c. a plurality of heater plates spaced closely together generally within said housing, each heater plate comprising
- i. an upper portion,
- ii. a lower portion,
- iii. at least one first layer comprising a thermally conductive and electrically insulative material,
- iv. at least one electrical resistance heater element operatively associated with said conductive material, said heater element extends substantially the length and width of said heater plate and maintains substantially the entire exterior surface of said heater plate at substantially the same temperature while either said solid particulate material, said melted material, partially melted material or a mixture of solid, partially melted and melted material passes from said upper portion to said lower portion at a wide range of flow rate and targeted application temperature conditions, and
- v. at least one second layer comprising a thermally conductive and electrically insulative material,
- whereby said at least one electrical resistance heater element is substantially disposed between said first and second layers of thermally conductive and electrically insulative material,
- whereby said heater plates raise the temperature of said melted material to a final recommended temperature suitable for immediate dispensing at said application site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.