U.S. patent application number 10/699404 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-05 for hot melt adhesive system and method using machine readable information.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nordson Corporation. Invention is credited to Pallante, Rick, Raterman, John M..
Application Number | 20050095359 10/699404 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34550954 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050095359 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pallante, Rick ; et
al. |
May 5, 2005 |
Hot melt adhesive system and method using machine readable
information
Abstract
A hot melt adhesive system includes a melting unit configured to
liquify a bulk form of hot melt adhesive and deliver the liquified
hot melt adhesive to an application location. The melting unit
includes a controller for establishing and/or verifying at least
one system condition, such as temperatures associated with system
operation. A machine reading unit is coupled with the controller
and is capable of receiving information from a machine readable
element and communicating the information to the controller for use
in establishing and/or verifying the system condition. A method of
operating the system includes scanning information on at least one
system condition into the controller from a machine readable
element, and using the scanned information during operation of the
melting unit.
Inventors: |
Pallante, Rick; (Atlanta,
GA) ; Raterman, John M.; (Atlanta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, LLP (NORDSON)
2700 CAREW TOWER
441 VINE STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Assignee: |
Nordson Corporation
Westlake
OH
|
Family ID: |
34550954 |
Appl. No.: |
10/699404 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
427/207.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05C 9/14 20130101; B65D
25/00 20130101; B05C 11/10 20130101; Y02P 90/02 20151101; Y02P
90/10 20151101; G05B 2219/31304 20130101; G05B 2219/45238 20130101;
B05C 11/1042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
427/207.1 |
International
Class: |
B05D 005/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hot melt adhesive system comprising: a melting unit configured
to liquify a bulk form of hot melt adhesive, and deliver the
liquified hot melt adhesive to an application location, said
melting unit including a controller for establishing and/or
verifying at least one system condition, and a machine reading unit
coupled with said controller, said machine reading unit capable of
receiving information from a machine readable element and
communicating the information to said controller for use in
establishing and/or verifying said system condition.
2. The hot melt adhesive system of claim 1, wherein said machine
reading unit further comprises a bar code reader.
3. The hot melt adhesive system of claim 1, wherein said machine
reading unit further comprises a magnetic strip reader.
4. The hot melt adhesive system of claim 1, wherein said machine
reading unit further comprises an RF reader.
5. The hot melt adhesive system of claim 1, wherein said system
condition comprises an application temperature of the hot melt
adhesive.
6. The hot melt adhesive system of claim 1, wherein said system
condition comprises an over-temperature condition of the hot melt
adhesive.
7. The hot melt adhesive system of claim 1, wherein said system
condition comprises a set-back temperature condition of the hot
melt adhesive.
8. The hot melt adhesive system of claim 1, wherein said system
condition comprises a warning associated with an operation of the
system.
9. The hot melt adhesive system of claim 1, wherein said system
condition comprises a flushing operation of the system.
10. A method of operating a hot melt adhesive system having a
controller operating a melting unit, comprising: wirelessly
receiving information on at least one system condition into the
controller from a machine readable element, and using the scanned
information during operation of the melting unit.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein using the scanned information
further comprises: setting an application temperature of the hot
melt adhesive.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein using the scanned information
further comprises: setting an over-temperature condition of the hot
melt adhesive.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein using the scanned information
further comprises: establishing and/or verifying a set-back
temperature of the hot melt adhesive.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein using the scanned information
further comprises: setting a warning condition in the
controller.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein using the scanned information
further comprises: setting a system flushing condition in the
controller.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein scanning information further
comprises: scanning information identifying the hot melt adhesive
processed in the melter unit.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein using the scanned information
further comprises: determining an amount of the hot melt adhesive
processed in the melter unit.
18. The method of claim 10, further comprising: logging the scanned
information into a database.
19. The method of claim 10, wherein scanning information further
comprises: scanning information located on a container of the hot
melt adhesive.
20. The method of claim 10, wherein scanning information further
comprises: reading the information from a magnetic element.
21. The method of claim 10, wherein scanning information further
comprises: reading the information from a bar code.
22. The method of claim 10, wherein scanning information further
comprises: reading the information from an RF transponder.
23. A method of operating a hot melt adhesive dispensing system
comprising: receiving information from a machine readable element
regarding a hot melt adhesive to be dispensed, utilizing the
received information to set a system condition of the hot melt
adhesive dispensing system, and operating the hot melt adhesive
dispensing system according to the system condition to dispense the
hot melt adhesive.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the information is received
from a container of the hot melt adhesive.
25. The method of claim 23, further comprising: optically receiving
the information from the machine readable element.
26. The method of claim 23, further comprising: magnetically
receiving the information from the machine readable element.
27. The method of claim 23, further comprising: electronically
receiving the information from the machine readable element.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising: receiving the
information through a radio signal.
29. The method of claim 23, further comprising: receiving the
information from an electronic chip.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein said electronic chip is carried
on a container of the hot melt adhesive.
31. The method of claim 30, further comprising: receiving the
information from the electronic chip with a portable machine
reading unit.
32. The method of claim 30, further comprising: receiving the
information from the electronic chip automatically when the
container of hot melt adhesive comes within proximity to the hot
melt adhesive system.
33. A container of hot melt adhesive for supplying adhesive to a
hot melt adhesive dispensing system, said container having a
machine readable element affixed thereto, said machine readable
element carrying information for establishing and/or verifying at
least one condition for operating the hot melt adhesive system.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains to dispensing systems for
dispensing flowable material, and more particularly to hot melt
adhesive dispensing systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Thermoplastic adhesives, otherwise known as "hot melt"
adhesives have been widely used in industry for adhering many types
of products. Hot melt adhesive dispensing systems generally include
a dispenser coupled with one or more dispensing guns, heated hoses
fluidly connected to the guns, and a melting unit for melting and
supplying heated liquid adhesive to the guns through the heated
hoses. The melting units of conventional hot melt adhesive systems
typically include a tank, a heater, a pump, a pump manifold, and a
controller. The heater is generally located in a base of the tank
for melting and heating adhesive material received into the tank in
solid or semi-solid form. The pump manifold has an inlet connected
to the tank and has multiple outlet ports adapted for connection to
the heated hoses.
[0003] After the adhesive material is melted and heated in the
tank, a pump operatively coupled to the tank and the pump manifold
pumps liquid adhesive from the tank, through the pump manifold and
heated hoses to the dispensing guns. Typically, the guns are
connected to their own manifold. The controller controls the power
supplied to the tank heater and heated hoses to maintain the liquid
adhesive at an appropriate viscosity and temperature, depending on
the application. The controller is also used to control many other
operations of the system.
[0004] Before an adhesive dispensing operation can begin, the
operator must ensure that the system parameters are set to values
that are appropriate for the particular adhesive being used, as
well as for the application needs. As some examples, system
conditions such as adhesive application temperature, set back
temperature, and over-temperature conditions should be set in the
controller. If the system parameters are incorrectly set, various
problems can arise such as overheating and charring of the
adhesive, or underheating of the adhesive which could result in
operational problems and adhesive bonding problems. Various other
conditions may need to be set to establish a proper dispensing
cycle. For example, there will be a delay time between when the
system is turned on and the time that actual dispensing can take
place.
[0005] A need therefore exists for a hot melt adhesive dispensing
system having the ability to better ensure that system parameters
are properly set in the controller. It would also be desirable to
enable an operator to more easily and positively establish system
conditions appropriate to the adhesive being processed, and
efficiently utilize information related to system operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention generally relates to a hot melt
adhesive system including a melting unit and a controller coupled
to a suitable machine reading unit which can receive information
from a machine readable element and communicate that information to
the controller. The melting unit is configured to liquify a bulk
form of hot melt adhesive and deliver the liquified hot melt
adhesive to an application location. The controller establishes or
verifies at least one system condition and the information received
from the machine reading unit is used by the controller to verify
or establish the system condition.
[0007] As examples, the machine reading unit may take the form of a
bar code reader or magnetic strip reader, however any other machine
readable element and appropriate device for reading the element may
be used. The system condition or conditions which are established
based on the information received by the machine reading unit can,
for example, include the application temperature of the hot melt
adhesive, an over-temperature condition of the hot melt adhesive, a
set-back temperature of the adhesive, or other conditions, such as
warnings or parameters associated with a system flushing
operation.
[0008] The invention further provides a method of operating a hot
melt adhesive system having a controller operating a melting unit.
The method includes scanning information on at least one system
condition into the controller from a machine readable element, and
using the scanned information during operation of the melting unit.
Using the scanned information can further comprise setting
appropriate temperature conditions, warning conditions, system
flushing parameters. Other uses involve collecting information such
as adhesive identification information or information indicating
the amount of adhesive processed by the melting unit. Any
information of the type used in carrying out this invention may
also be logged into a database for various diagnostic or analytical
purposes. Preferably, the information is located directly on the
container in which the bulk hot melt adhesive typically is
packaged. This may involve, for example, a bar code or other
machine readable element affixed to or forming part of the
container. A conventional bar code scanner, magnetic strip scanner,
or other device may be used which is appropriate for the machine
readable element.
[0009] Various advantages are realized from this invention,
including the ability to quickly and positively download any
necessary system parameters associated with a particular system
operational procedure or type of adhesive. The parameters for each
type of adhesive may be contained on the machine readable element
associated with the bulk container of the adhesive which is then
scanned or read in just prior to system operation as opposed to
relying on the operator to input such information manually. Various
system warnings may alert personnel if the type of adhesive is
changed during a manufacturing operation, or if the settings are
different than those recommended by the adhesive manufacturer. By
scanning or reading adhesive information, such as lot numbers, into
the controller, a defective lot of adhesive may be more easily
identified. If each bulk container is scanned or read, then the
amount of adhesive used in a given time period may be determined
and tracked. Any or all information can be logged into a database
for purposes such as verifying that all adhesive types are being
applied under the proper conditions. The invention further
contemplates hot melt adhesive containers of bulk adhesive material
having such machine readable elements affixed thereto in any
suitable manner allowing information to be input upon delivery of
the container to an operator.
[0010] These and other features, advantages and objectives of the
invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and, together with a general description of the
invention given above, and the detailed description given below,
serve to explain the details of the preferred embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a hot melt adhesive system,
including a melting unit, controller and bar code scanner
configured according to one illustrative embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing similar to FIG. 1, but
illustrating an alternative scanner and machine readable element of
magnetic form.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The inventive principles will be described below in
connection with a specific description of a hot melt adhesive
system 10, however, it should be understood that the invention is
applicable to many other types of systems and is not limited to the
details described below. The various components described below may
be modified, eliminated, added to, and generally assembled in many
different manners.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a hot melt adhesive system 10 includes
a pair of adhesive guns 12, 14, a dispensing unit 16 for supplying
adhesive 18 to the guns 12, 14, and heated hoses 20 connecting the
dispensing unit 16 to the guns 12, 14. Cord sets 21 are used to
heat and control the temperature of hoses 20 in a known manner. The
dispensing unit 16 includes a tank 22 for receiving and melting hot
melt adhesive 18, a manifold 24 in fluid communication with the
tank 22, a pump 26 constructed according to the principles of the
present invention and coupled to the manifold 24, and a controller
28. The tank 22 comprises side walls 30 and base 32 which includes
a tank heater 34 for melting and heating the adhesive material 18
in the tank 22. A tank outlet 36 proximate the base 32 is coupled
to a passage 38 which connects to an inlet 40 of the manifold
24.
[0016] The manifold 24 is located adjacent the tank 22 and includes
a manifold heater 42 that is separate from the tank heater 34 and
which may be independently controlled by the controller 28. Pump 26
is coupled to the manifold 24 and pumps liquid adhesive 18 from the
tank 22, through a filter (not shown) removably disposed within the
pump 26, and into the manifold 24. The manifold 24 splits the
adhesive 18 into separate flows 46 and directs the flows 46 to a
plurality of outlet ports 48. The plurality of outlet ports 48 are
configured to be coupled to the heated hoses 20 whereby the liquid
adhesive 18 is supplied to the guns 12, 14.
[0017] The guns 12, 14 may be mounted to a frame 50 and include one
or more adhesive dispensing modules 52 which apply the adhesive 18
to a desired product (not shown). Modules 52 may be coupled to
their own manifolds 54 for supplying adhesive, actuating air and
process air thereto. The hot melt adhesive system 10 illustrates
two gun manifolds 54 each supplied by a single hose 20, however, a
second hose 20 is shown on each side of system 10 and may supply
additional gun manifolds (not shown) located respectively behind
manifolds 54. Other hot melt systems may have a single gun, or may
have other guns and the guns and other components of the system may
take on many different configurations, according to the particular
adhesive dispensing requirements without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
[0018] Still referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment
of this invention, a bar code reader or scanner 62 is coupled to
the controller 28 and is operable to read a conventional bar code
label 64 which may, for example, be affixed to a bulk container 66
of hot melt adhesive. The scanner or reader 62 may be hand held as
shown, or may be fixed in place such that the container 66 may be
brought within sufficient proximity to enable reading of the bar
code 64a. The bar code reader 62 is capable of receiving
information from the bar code 64a and communicating that
information to the controller 28 for use in establishing and/or
verifying various system parameters or conditions. Typically these
conditions, such as adhesive application temperature, over
temperature, setback temperature, as well as other setup conditions
are inputted into the controller 28 through various methods. For
example, they may be entered manually through a control pad, as is
conventional, or they may be entered via a remote computer or other
electronic device via any number of ways including, but not limited
to, the Internet, an intranet, infrared devices, other wireless
devices, memory cards, etc. Other conditions may also be set based
on information contained on the label 64 or other machine readable
element. For example, various dispensing cycle parameters may be
set or verified relative to cycle times, on/off or dispensing time
delays, etc. This includes various system warnings, adhesive
information, and other data collection which may be used for
diagnostic or analytical purposes. The information obtained from
the label 64 or machine readable element is electrically
transmitted to the control 28 via a cable 68 which may comprise a
conventional programmable logic controller (PLC) or other
microprocessor based control system configured to communicate with
the bar code reader 62. Element 64 could instead be an embedded
electronic chip which is readable via a portable wand or other
reading device, or which is read upon coming into proximity with
such a reader which is part of system 10, such as within controller
28.
[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 2, one of many alternative types of
machine readable elements and scanners may comprise a suitable card
70 having a magnetic strip 70a and a scanner or reader 72
configured to receive the information from the magnetic strip 70a.
The machine readable element, in this case being a card with a
magnetic strip 70, may be separable and/or independent of the
container 66 of hot melt adhesive. For example, an operator may be
supplied with a card 70 detachable from the hot melt adhesive
container 66, or the card 70 may be chosen by the operator from a
set of cards at the system workstation based on the set of
parameters desired, for example, related to a particular type of
adhesive. The card 70 may transmit information to the control 28 in
manners such as those described above with respect to FIG. 1. All
other components shown in FIG. 2 have like reference numerals and
thus have been described in connection with FIG. 1 as well. The
present invention, and its various aspects, may be implemented
using many other types of machine readable elements including, but
not limited to, other elements which rely on any wireless
communication technology, such as radio frequency (RF) technology
(such as RFID tags or transponders), WiFi technology and magnetic
devices of various types.
[0020] It will be appreciated that the present invention may be
used in many different manners to improve the operation of a hot
melt adhesive dispensing system. By scanning (i.e., transmitting)
the machine readable element on the container of adhesive, such as
a drum or other type of container, the particular operational
parameters corresponding to that adhesive may be automatically
downloaded into the system controller 28. This minimizes the
possibility of error in the system operational parameters. In
addition, process conditions can be verified with the operator
before operation of the system. For example, if a container is
scanned and is providing different information from the previously
scanned container, the control system can prompt the operator to
confirm that the change in adhesive is desired. This ensures that
an incorrect adhesive is not inadvertently used in the middle of a
manufacturing operation potentially resulting in system downtime
and product scrap. In addition, the system controller can track
whether settings different from those recommended by an adhesive
manufacturer are being used during operation of the system 10 to
assist with diagnosing maintenance or other problems with the
system 10. During a system flushing operation, scanning a machine
readable element with system flushing information can adjust the
controller settings appropriate to the system flush procedure.
After the system flush, rescanning the adhesive container label or
other machine readable element associated with the particular hot
melt adhesive, will return the controller 28 to the hot melt
adhesive application settings. Finally, the controller 28 can also
receive information appropriate to tracking the amount and type of
adhesive being used in system 10. This can aid in determining
whether a particular lot or batch of adhesive was defective and
track use of the system 10 for purposes of scheduling appropriate
maintenance. Logging of application data can provide confirmation
and certification that the adhesive is being applied under the
appropriate settings.
[0021] While the present invention has been illustrated by the
description of various embodiments thereof, and while the
embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not
intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended
claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will
readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its
broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details,
representative apparatus and methods and illustrative examples
shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such
details without departing from the scope or spirit of Applicants'
general inventive concept.
* * * * *