Hot melt glue applicator
An apparatus for transferring adhesive material to portions of filter elements that are displaced relative to the apparatus includes a dispenser from which heated adhesive material is discharged, a transfer arrangement that receives discharged adhesive material and transfers the discharged adhesive material to the portions of the elements as they are displaced, and a cooling arrangement. The cooling arrangement cooperates with the transfer arrangement to cool the discharged adhesive material while the adhesive material is carried by the transfer arrangement to the adhesive material receiving portions of the elements. A process by which adhesive material is transferred to adhesive material receiving portions of the filter elements, as well as an air line panel filter produced by that process, are also discussed.
1. An apparatus by which adhesive material is transferred to adhesive material receiving portions of individual elements that are displaced relative to the apparatus, comprising:
a dispenser from which heated adhesive material is discharged through a dispenser nozzle,
a transfer arrangement having an outwardly facing cylindrical surface that receives a bead of adhesive material from the dispenser nozzle, carries the bead of adhesive material, and transfers the adhesive material to the adhesive material receiving portions of the individual elements that are displaced relative to the apparatus,
a cooling arrangement cooperating with the transfer arrangement to cool the bead of adhesive material while the adhesive material is carried by the transfer arrangement to the adhesive material receiving portions of the individual elements,
a frame having base elements, a stationary bracket secured near adjacent ends of the base elements, and a subframe pivotally interconnected with the base elements and carrying the dispenser and the transfer arrangement, the base elements securable to side rails of a conveyor for displacing the individual elements relative to the apparatus, and
an actuation arrangement configured to produce pivotal movement of the subframe relative to the base elements and the stationary bracket to modify the height of the subframe relative to the conveyor and accommodate the individual elements when those individual elements have different thicknesses.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transfer arrangement includes at least one rotatable wheel adapted to receive the discharged adhesive material on the outwardly facing circumferential surface.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the cooling arrangement includes at least one conduit by which cooled compressed air can be supplied to the wheel.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one conduit supplies the air to a hollow interior of the wheel.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transfer arrangement includes a pair of wheels disposed at a distance from each other that are adapted to receive the discharged adhesive material on outwardly facing circumferential surfaces, and wherein said distance is adjustable.
6. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one conduit is defined by a hollow shaft on which the wheel is mounted.
7. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one conduit is defined by a hollow shaft on which the wheel is mounted.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cooling arrangement includes at least one conduit by which cooled compressed air can be supplied to the transfer arrangement.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the dispenser is one of a pair of dispensers, and wherein a distance between the dispensers is adjustable.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the individual elements are air line panel filters.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a blade that scrapes residual adhesive material from the cylindrical surface.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising an arrangement by which lubricating fluid is supplied to the cylindrical surface interposed between the blade and a location on the cylindrical surface at which the bead of adhesive material is received.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the arrangement includes a brush for applying the lubricating fluid to the cylindrical surface.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the dispenser nozzle is one of a pair of dispenser nozzles disposed at an adjustable distance relative to each other, the transfer arrangement includes a pair of rotatable wheels disposed at an adjustable distance relative to each other, the blade is one of a pair of blades disposed at an adjustable distance relative to each other, and the brush is one of a pair of brushes at an adjustable distance relative to each other.
15. The apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a blade that scrapes residual adhesive material from the cylindrical surface.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15 , further comprising an arrangement by which lubricating fluid is supplied to the cylindrical surface interposed between the blade and a location on the cylindrical surface at which the bead of adhesive material is received.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the arrangement includes a brush for applying the lubricating fluid to the cylindrical surface.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the dispenser nozzle is one of a pair of dispenser nozzles disposed at an adjustable distance relative to each other, the wheel is one of a pair of rotatable wheels disposed at an adjustable distance relative to each other, the blade is one of a pair of blades disposed at an adjustable distance relative to each other, and the brush is one of a pair of brushes at an adjustable distance relative to each other.
19. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the subframe and the base elements are pivotally interconnected by multiple side legs.
20. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the actuation arrangement includes a rod interconnecting the stationary bracket and the subframe by way of at least one threaded connection.