Multi-Inlet Adapter for Hot-Melt Adhesive Dispensers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hot-melt adhesive dispensers are typically designed to handle only one adhesive supply line at a time, limiting their versatility and requiring time-consuming processes to switch between different adhesives, which leads to increased downtime in manufacturing applications.

Innovation Solution

An adapter for hot-melt adhesive dispensers is introduced, featuring multiple inlet channels and a feed channel that allows for the connection and switching between multiple adhesive supply lines, with conductive heating to maintain the adhesives in a fluid state, enabling efficient handling and dispensing of various adhesives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hot-melt adhesive dispenser is designed to handle only one adhesive supply line at a time, then the device structure remains simple, but the versatility and productivity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveversatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is segmented into multiple independent inlet channels (first inlet channel, second inlet channel, etc.) that can independently receive different adhesives. Each channel is separated within the adapter body, allowing multiple adhesive supply lines to be connected simultaneously without interfering with each other, thus enabling the dispenser to handle multiple adhesives at once.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter serves multiple functions by providing multiple inlet channels that can accept different adhesive supply lines. The single adapter body performs the dual role of both structural connection and adhesive routing for multiple lines, making the system universally applicable to various adhesive types while maintaining a unified interface with the dispenser.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple adhesive supply lines are connected to the dispenser simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter acts as an intermediary component between multiple adhesive supply lines and the dispenser. It receives multiple adhesive streams from separate supply lines through its multiple inlet channels and consolidates them into a unified structure that feeds the dispenser, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling multi-line operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple adhesive supply lines are merged into a single adapter assembly that handles all adhesives simultaneously. The adapter body combines multiple inlet channels and feed channels into one integrated component, allowing the dispenser to receive and process multiple adhesives through a unified interface, thus improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the adapter includes multiple inlet channels for different adhesives, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is segmented into multiple independent inlet channels that can independently receive different adhesives. Each channel is separated within the adapter body, allowing multiple adhesive supply lines to be connected simultaneously without interfering with each other, thus enabling the dispenser to handle multiple adhesives at once.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 adapter allows for the simultaneous connection and easy switching between multiple adhesive supply lines, reducing process downtime and enhancing the versatility of hot-melt adhesive dispensers by enabling the efficient dispensing of different adhesives, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a hot-melt adhesive dispenser includes an internal heating element and is configured to receive a solid adhesive (e.g., cylindrical stick of thermoplastic adhesive) which is melted by the internal heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

solid adhesive which is melted by the internal heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

conductively heating the adapter while the first adhesive or the second adhesive is being directed through the body to the hot-melt adhesive dispenser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConductive heating: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11117159B2Adapter for hot-melt adhesive dispenser and system including the same

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC

AI summary

An adapter is configured to be mounted onto or otherwise coupled to a hot-melt adhesive dispenser. The adapter may include a body defining at least a first inlet channel, a second inlet channel, and a feed channel. The first inlet channel is configured to receive a first adhesive. The second inlet channel is configured to receive a second adhesive. The feed channel is configured to direct at least one of the first adhesive or the second adhesive to the hot-melt adhesive dispenser.