US 7,732,736 B2Granted

Hot melt adhesive hose assembly with thermal fuse link

AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.

InventorsMairi MacLean, Dieter B. Heerdt, Christopher R. Fuller

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Abstract

A hot melt adhesive hose assembly comprises a heater circuit wrapped around an external surface portion of the hose assembly, a temperature sensor, and an elongated thermal fuse which is likewise wrapped around an external surface portion of the hose assembly such that successive spiral turns of the thermal fuse are effectively interposed between successive spiral turns of the heater circuit. The thermal fuse may be electrically connected in series with the heater circuit so as to effectively terminate electrical power to the heater circuit as a result of the melting of the thermal fuse, or alternatively, the thermal fuse may be electrically connected in series with the temperature sensor, so as to detect abnormal temperature levels at substantially any location throughout the length of the hose assembly.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A hot melt adhesive hose assembly, comprising:

a hose conduit for conducting hot melt adhesive material from a hot melt adhesive supply end portion of said hose conduit, which is adapted to be fluidically connected to a supply of hot melt adhesive material, to a hot melt adhesive applicator end portion of said hose conduit which is adapted to be fluidically connected to a hot melt adhesive material applicator for dispensing hot melt adhesive material;
an electrical power supply circuit;
a heater circuit operatively connected to said hose conduit for heating said hose conduit, when said heater circuit is electrically connected to said electrical power supply circuit, so as to maintain the temperature of the hot melt adhesive material, being conducted through said hose conduit, at a predetermined temperature level;
a temperature sensor operatively connected to said hose conduit for detecting the temperature of said hose conduit so as to ensure that said heater circuit is properly heating said hose conduit in order to maintain the temperature of the hot melt adhesive material, being conducted through said hose conduit, to the predetermined temperature level;
and
fusible link means operatively connected to said hose conduit for detecting a temperature level which exceeds said predetermined temperature level of the hot melt adhesive material being conducted through said hose conduit, at substantially any location located along substantially the entire longitudinal extent of said hose conduit so as to terminate power to said heater circuit in order to prevent thermal damage to said hose conduit.

3 more elements

A hot melt adhesive hose assembly, comprising:

a hose conduit for conducting hot melt adhesive material from a hot melt adhesive supply end portion of said hose conduit, which is adapted to be fluidically connected to a supply of hot melt adhesive material, to a hot melt adhesive applicator end portion of said hose conduit which is adapted to be fluidically connected to a hot melt adhesive material applicator for dispensing hot melt adhesive material;
an electrical power supply circuit;
a heater circuit operatively connected to said hose conduit for heating said hose conduit, when said heater circuit is electrically connected to said electrical power supply circuit, so as to maintain the temperature of the hot melt adhesive material, being conducted through said hose conduit, at a predetermined temperature level;
a temperature sensor operatively connected to said hose conduit for detecting the temperature of said hose conduit so as to ensure that said heater circuit is properly heating said hose conduit in order to maintain the temperature of the hot melt adhesive material, being conducted through said hose conduit, to the predetermined temperature level;
and
thermal fuse means operatively connected to said hose conduit for detecting a temperature level which exceeds said predetermined temperature level of the hot melt adhesive material being conducted through said hose conduit, at substantially any location located along substantially the entire longitudinal extent of said hose conduit so as to terminate power to said heater circuit in order to prevent thermal damage to said hose conduit.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.