Patent ID: 9470368
Filing Date: 2016-10-18
CPC Classification: B05C,F17D,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A buffer unit configured to store and transfer adhesive particulate to an adhesive melter, the buffer unit comprising: a buffer bin defined by a housing including a bottom wall and a sidewall extending from said bottom wall to form an interior space; an agitator plate positioned within said buffer bin so as to be angled from a horizontal orientation, said agitator plate including an upper end operatively coupled to said sidewall and a bottom end operatively coupled to said bottom wall, said agitator plate dividing said interior space into a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion configured to receive a bulk supply of adhesive particulate; a vibration generating mechanism operatively coupled to said agitator plate and configured to selectively vibrate said agitator plate to produce a relative motion between said agitator plate and the bulk supply of adhesive particulate, the relative motion configured to agitate the bulk supply to generate a flow of fluidized adhesive particulate which moves towards said bottom end of said agitator plate; a pump inlet chamber located in said buffer bin proximate to said bottom end of said agitator plate, said pump inlet chamber configured to receive the flow of fluidized adhesive particulate moving towards said bottom end to be transferred to the adhesive melter; and a flow control element defining a gap for communication of adhesive particulate from said upper chamber portion to said pump inlet chamber, said gap controlling the flow of adhesive particulate to avoid flooding said pump inlet chamber.