Angled Agitator Plate for Adhesive Buffer Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tote-based pneumatic fill systems for hot melt adhesive systems face challenges with air flow starvation and clumping of adhesive particulate, leading to inefficient transfer and potential blockages, as the vibration energy dissipates and the pump inlet is positioned above the lowest point in the adhesive bin, trapping particulate and causing solidification.
Innovation Solution
A buffer unit with an angled agitator plate and vibration generating mechanism that fluidizes adhesive particulate, coupled with air vents and a flow control plate to ensure efficient air flow and break up clumps, allowing for reliable transfer of adhesive particulate to pneumatic transfer pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pump inlet is positioned above the lowest point in the adhesive bin, then the pump can be easily connected to the system, but adhesive particulate becomes trapped and solidifies, causing blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The pump inlet is inverted to face upward at the lowest point of the bin rather than being positioned above. This allows the inlet to directly access trapped particulate at the bottom, preventing solidification and ensuring complete emptying while maintaining easy pump connection to the system.
2Productivity
If vibration energy is applied to move adhesive particulate, then flow towards the pump is improved, but vibration energy dissipates before reaching clumps far from the vibrating surface
Solution Approach 1:
The bin interior is segmented into multiple zones with separate vibration sources distributed throughout. This segmentation allows vibration energy to be applied locally to different regions, preventing energy dissipation and effectively breaking up clumps throughout the entire particulate mass, thereby improving flow rate without excessive energy loss.
3Quantity of substance
If adhesive particulate is stored in bulk supply, then sufficient material is available for multiple hours of operation, but air flow starvation occurs and pump operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bin design incorporates localized air intake features and flow channels that ensure adequate air supply to the pump inlet region regardless of the bulk particulate level. This local quality enhancement maintains reliable pump operation by preventing air starvation even when large quantities of adhesive are stored, while preserving bulk storage capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The buffer unit effectively fluidizes and transfers adhesive particulate, preventing clumping and air flow starvation, ensuring reliable delivery to melters and reducing blockages, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the adhesive supply.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration generating mechanism that is coupled to the agitator plate and is configured to selectively vibrate the agitator plate to produce a relative motion between the agitator plate and the bulk supply of adhesive particulate
Implementation Method 2
Pneumatic pumps generally rely on the suction of gas, such as air, entrained within gaps between individual pieces of adhesive particulate stored within the adhesive bin for moving the adhesive particulate. This gas may also be referred to as 'make-up' gas.
Implementation Method 3
The transfer pump generates a vacuum at the inlet that withdraws the entrained make-up gas and adhesive particulate therein
Implementation Method 4
the effectiveness of vibration to break apart or loosen adhesive that is stuck together (such as by being coalesced) in clumps far away from the vibrating surface
Data Source
AI summary
A buffer unit is configured to store and transfer adhesive particulate to at least one adhesive melter. The buffer unit includes a buffer bin defining an interior space configured to hold a bulk supply of adhesive particulate with an agitator plate positioned within the housing at a non-horizontal orientation. A vibration generating mechanism is coupled to the agitator plate so that vibration is transmitted into the adhesive particulate to form a flow of fluidized adhesive particulate which flows toward at least one pump inlet. The buffer unit breaks up clumps of coalesced adhesive particulate to avoid clogging the pump inlet, while also ensuring that all adhesive particulate in the buffer bin can be removed at the pump inlet. Additionally, makeup air used by pumps to generate vacuum at the pump inlet does not need to be drawn through the entire bulk supply of adhesive particulate.