The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 16, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 25, 2001
Jon C. Zook, Hendersonville, TN (US);
J. R. Chapman, Nashville, TN (US);
Dieter Heerdt, Gallatin, TN (US);
Illinois Tool Works, Inc., Glenview, IL (US);
Abstract
An adhesive supply unit for melting solid and quasi/solid materials, such as polyurethane (PUR) and other hot melt adhesives, is disclosed. The unit features an air control system that automatically starts, when the hopper lid is closed, to remove moisture from the moisture laden air in the hopper interior by alternately applying a vacuum to the hopper interior and then replacing the air with plant air that has passed through a series of dryers and filters. The dryers/filters, valving mechanisms and tubing are mounted directly to the machine body with a panel bolted to the machine, eliminating the need for storing the air control system on a separate cart. A sensor verifies that the hopper lid is securely closed before automatically initiating the drying/purging cycles which are repeated a number of times to assure appropriate dehumidification of air to acceptable levels. The control system utilizes a pressure transducer instead of a fixed timer to operate each cycle until predetermined pressure levels are reached. A unique arrangement for securely clamping the hopper lid to the hopper to assure an air tight seal is also disclosed.