Liquid dispensing system using color-coded visual indicia

Abstract

A liquid dispensing system and methods including color-coded visual indicia to assist an operator in the proper selection of the components and in the configuration of those components in the system during setup, maintenance and diagnostics. Color-coded indicia is also provided to assist an operator in the proper selection of a solenoid for use in a particular application. Various components of the liquid dispensing system, such as the melter unit, controller, hoses, electrical cordsets and solenoid, include visually identifiable color-coded indicia on the surfaces of the components, such as color-coded rings, bands and characters, to assist the operator in the component selection and configuration processes.

Description

[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 285,200, filed on Oct. 31, 2002, pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. [0002] The present application is related to U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 285,199, filed Oct. 31, 2002 and entitled Solenoid Using Color-Coded Indicia In A Liquid Dispensing System, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,789.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates generally to liquid dispensing systems for dispensing liquid materials such as hot melt adhesives, sealants and caulking and, more particularly, to manners of providing visual identification of the components of such liquid dispensing systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Liquid dispensing systems are used in a variety of industrial applications. For example, in the case of hot melt adhesive dispensing systems, heated liquid adhesive is conveyed through an elongated heated hose from a melter unit having a hot melt supply tank, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The color-coded system simplifies the identification and connection of hoses and solenoids, reducing setup and maintenance time, ensuring proper system operation and preventing errors related to incompatible temperature sensors and solenoid selection.

Problems solved by technology

The distance of the guns from the melter unit can cause significant problems when the line is being setup or during diagnostics and maintenance of the dispensing system by an operator.

When a line is being setup, it is often difficult and time consuming for an operator to select the correct length of hose for each gun to ensure that each hose will have a sufficient length, without excessive slack, to reach its associated gun from the melter unit.

The same problem occurs during maintenance and diagnostics when the ends of the hoses are disconnected from either the melter unit, the guns, or both.

The operator must then determine which hoses are to be connected to the various guns of the system which can cause the system to operate improperly if the hoses are not reconnected in their proper positions.

If the RTD type of the hose and gun is not properly matched to the appropriate, material-specific controller, the controller may provide erroneous temperature information about the hot melt adhesive in the hose and gun and may cause the heating devices within these components to operate improperly.

A still further complication in proper setup and maintenance of the dispensing system is caused by the need for proper selection of a solenoid to control operation of solenoid-operated dispensing guns.

Improper selection of the solenoid may result in failure of the dispensing gun to provide the desired pattern of hot melt adhesive on the substrate.

This can lead to significant downtime of the dispensing line.

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