Patent Publication Number: US-2022212226-A1

Title: Systems and methods for enhanced hot melt liquid dispensing system management

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage Application of International Patent App. No. PCT/US2020/019798, filed Feb. 26, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 62/810,380, filed Feb. 26, 2019, the entire disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure generally relates to liquid dispensing and, more particularly, to enhanced hot melt liquid dispensing system management. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hot melt liquid dispensing systems find use in a variety of applications. For example, such a system may apply hot melt adhesives during the manufacture of disposable hygiene products. As another example, a hot melt liquid dispensing system may apply hot melt adhesive to assemble various types of packaging, such as paper-based packaging for food and beverages. Hot melt adhesives used in such applications may include moisture curing hot-melt polyurethane adhesives (“hot-melt PURs”), which are often used where a stable surface-to-surface bond must be formed. Other conventional hot melt adhesives may be used in securing a variety of both similar and dissimilar materials together in a mating relationship, such as wood, plastics, corrugated films, paper, carton stocks, metals, rigid polyvinylchlorides (PVCs), fabrics, leathers, and others. Hot melt adhesives may be especially useful in applications where it is desirable to have the adhesive solidify rapidly after being melted and dispensed. 
     In an example configuration of a hot melt liquid dispensing system, a solid form of hot melt adhesive is supplied to a melter comprising a heated tank and/or a heated grid to produce molten hot melt adhesive. After heating, the molten adhesive is pumped through a heated hose to an applicator, which is sometimes referred to as a dispensing “gun” or a gun module, comprising a valve and a nozzle. A hot melt adhesive liquid dispensing system may comprise two or more applicators. An applicator may comprise its own heater(s) to further maintain the temperature of the hot melt adhesive before it is dispensed. Yet operating a hot melt adhesive dispensing system at an ideal efficiency presents a number of challenges. For example, hot melt adhesive becomes discolored and degrades over time. This may be particularly so while the hot melt adhesive is held at the higher temperatures needed for application and/or over longer periods of time. The problem may be aggravated in systems with relatively low flow rates. 
     Degraded hot melt adhesive may tend to stick to the interior surfaces of hoses and other components of the hot melt adhesive dispensing system, thereby inhibiting the effective flow of hot melt adhesive. Degraded hot melt adhesive may further char with blackened or burned portions of adhesive. Degraded hot melt adhesive may cause a number of issues in a dispensing system, including filter and applicator clogging and more frequent cleaning of the hoses that deliver hot melt adhesive to an applicator. Degraded hot melt adhesive may generally result in increased system maintenance and repairs and reduced operational up-time. 
     These and other shortcomings are addressed in the present disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are system and methods for managing a hot melt liquid dispensing system having an applicator configured to dispense hot melt liquid and a hot melt liquid heater associated with the applicator. In an example method for determining an operating instruction for the hot melt liquid dispensing system, a plurality of historic applicator parameter values of a first operating parameter of the applicator and a plurality of historic heater parameter values of a second operating parameter of the hot melt liquid heater are provided. Each historic applicator parameter value of the plurality of historic applicator parameter values is temporally associated with a historic time interval of a historic block of time. Each historic heater parameter value of the plurality of historic heater parameter values is associated with the historic time interval of the historic block of time. A current applicator parameter value of the first operating parameter of the applicator and a current heater parameter value of the second operating parameter of the hot melt liquid heater are received. The current applicator parameter value is temporally associated with a current time interval that corresponds to a first historic time interval of the historic block of time and the current heater parameter value is associated with the current time interval. A filtered applicator parameter value of the first operating parameter of the applicator is determined based on the current applicator parameter value and a historic applicator parameter value of the plurality of historic applicator parameter values that is temporally associated with the first historic time interval. A filtered heater parameter value of the second operating parameter associated with the hot melt liquid heater is determined based on the current heater parameter value and a historic heater parameter value of the plurality of historic heater parameter values that is temporally associated with the first historic time interval. Based on the filtered applicator parameter value and the filtered heater parameter value, an instruction is determined for operating the hot melt liquid dispensing system according to an operating parameter value of a third operating parameter of the hot melt liquid dispensing system. 
     In an example method for predicting failure of the applicator of the hot melt liquid dispensing system, a plurality of applicator parameter values of a first operating parameter of the applicator and a plurality of heater parameter values of a second operating parameter of the hot melt liquid heater are provided. Each applicator parameter value of the plurality of applicator parameter values is temporally associated with a time interval of a first block of time and each heater parameter value of the plurality of heater parameter values is associated with an applicator parameter value of the plurality of applicator parameter values. First and second subsets of applicator parameter values of the plurality of applicator parameter values are determined. Each applicator parameter value of the first subset of applicator parameter values indicates no dispensing activity of the applicator for the temporally associated time interval of the first block of time. Each applicator parameter value of the second subset of applicator parameter values indicates dispensing activity of the applicator for the temporally associated time interval of the first block of time. First and second subsets of heater parameter values of the plurality of heater parameter values are determined. Each heater parameter value of the first subset of applicator parameter values is associated with an applicator parameter value of the first subset of applicator parameter values and each heater parameter value of the second subset of heater parameter values is associated with an applicator parameter value of the second subset of applicator parameter values. A predicted time of failure of the applicator is determined based on the first subset of heater parameter values and the second subset of heater parameter values. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the methods and systems: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example system and network configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example data flow diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example data flow diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example method flow chart according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example method flow chart according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Aspects of the disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout, unless specified otherwise. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to enhanced hot melt liquid dispensing system management. The enhanced hot melt liquid dispensing system management may be implemented in a dispensing system for hot melt adhesives. Although reference shall be made primarily to hot melt adhesive, the techniques described herein may be applicable to any sort of hot melt liquid, including non-adhesives. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example hot melt adhesive system  10  with which the techniques described herein may be implemented. The hot melt adhesive system  10  comprises a dispensing unit  20  that includes an adhesive supply  22  for receiving and melting solid or semi-solid hot melt adhesive  24   a , such as pellets, a manifold  26  connected to the adhesive supply  22 , a controller  28 , and a user interface  29 . The adhesive supply  22  may be a tank-style melter, or a grid and reservoir melter, among others. Upon melting, the solid or semi-solid hot melt adhesive  24   a  stored in the adhesive supply  22  transforms into a liquid hot melt adhesive  24 . The adhesive supply  22  comprises side walls  30 , a removable cover  31 , and a base  32  which includes one or more adhesive supply heaters  34  for melting and heating the hot melt adhesive  24   a  and the liquid hot melt adhesive  24  in the adhesive supply  22 . An adhesive supply outlet  36  proximate the base  32  is coupled to a passage  38  which connects to an inlet  40  of the manifold  26 . 
     A positive-displacement pump  58 , such as a vertically-oriented piston pump (as shown) or a gear pump, is coupled to the manifold  26  for pumping liquid hot melt adhesive  24  from the adhesive supply  22  into the manifold  26 , where it is split into separate flows. A pump motor  59  drives the pump  58 . The manifold  26  is mounted to a side wall  30  of the adhesive supply  22  with a spacer  41  and is spaced from the adhesive supply  22  a distance  42  sufficient to provide thermal isolation of the adhesive supply  22  from the manifold  26 . The manifold  26  includes a plurality of outlet ports  44  which may be fitted with heated hoses  46  attached to one or more adhesive applicators  48 ,  50  to supply the liquid adhesive  24  to the applicators  48 ,  50 . The manifold  26  may include a manifold heater  56  which is separate from the adhesive supply heater  34  and which can be independently controlled by the controller  28 . In some embodiments, a single heater can be used for heating the adhesive supply  22  and the manifold  26 . While  FIG. 1  shows the adhesive supply  22  in close physical proximity to the manifold  26 , other arrangements are also possible where the source of hot melt adhesive is physically distant from the manifold. In such arrangements, more than one pump may be used to move hot melt adhesive from the adhesive supply  22  toward the ultimate point of application. 
     The manifold  26  may create a plurality of flow streams that are carried by the corresponding heated hoses  46  to the applicators  48 ,  50 . The hoses  46  are electrically coupled to the controller  28  by cord sets  62  associated with each hose  46 . The applicators  48 ,  50  include one or more adhesive dispensing modules  54  configured to dispense/apply the liquid hot melt adhesive  24  to a product, such as a carton, package, or other object. The adhesive dispensing modules  54  are mounted to applicator bodies  51  having applicator heaters  53  and are supported on a frame  52 . The hot melt adhesive system  10  includes two applicators  48 ,  50 , with one applicator located on each side of the dispensing unit  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 , although other implementations of the hot melt adhesive system  10  may use a different number of applicators, dispensing modules, and other configurations. For example, the applicators  48 ,  50  may be each configured with a single adhesive dispensing module  54  or may be each configured with a pair of adhesive dispensing modules  54 . The adhesive dispensing modules  54  of an applicator  48 ,  50  may be commonly monitored, controlled, and actuated by a common air supply. Alternatively, the adhesive dispensing modules  54  of an applicator  48 ,  50  may be independently monitored, controlled, and actuated by separate air supplies. An applicator  48 ,  50  and/or an adhesive dispensing module  54  may be variously referred to as an applicator or dispenser. 
     The pump  58  is located external to the adhesive supply  22  and is connected to an air pressure regulator  70  that receives air from an air supply  61 . More particularly, the air pressure regulator  70  is mounted to the dispensing unit  20  and connects to the air supply  61 . In some implementations, the pump  58  may be attached to the manifold  26  and heated by the manifold heater  56 . This arrangement permits a larger tank opening  60 , increases the tank capacity, and reduces the time required to heat the pump  58 . Further, a flow meter  80  may be attached to the manifold  26 . The flow meter  80  comprises a pair of sensors that are electrically coupled to the controller  28  by respective cords  63   a ,  63   b  associated with each sensor. At least one product detector  90 , such as a photo-sensor, is also electrically coupled to the controller  28 . 
     The dispensing unit  20  includes the controller  28  which houses the power supply and electronic controls for the hot melt adhesive system  10 . The controller  28  may be configured to monitor, store, and set values for the various operating parameters of the hot melt adhesive system  10  and components thereof. For example, the controller  28  may be configured to capture one or more operating parameter values at set time intervals (e.g., every five minutes) and store those captured operating parameter values. Additionally or alternatively, the controller  28  may transmit collected and/or stored operating parameter values to a remote computer system. As such, the controller  28  may be configured with one or more processors and memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the controller  28  to effectuate various operations described herein. The controller  28  may be configured with a network interface (e.g., wired or wireless) to communicate with remote computer systems, such as to transmit the aforementioned collected and/or stored operating parameter values to a remote computer system. 
     The controller  28  may be configured to monitor, store, and set values for the operating parameters of the applicators  48 ,  50  and adhesive dispensing modules  54 , including those operating parameters associated with dispensing hot melt adhesive. Such parameters may include a count of “gun cycles” of the applicators  48 ,  50  and/or the adhesive dispensing modules  54 . A gun cycle may refer to a single, discrete instance of adhesive dispensing or application, such as an open-and-close cycle of a nozzle valve of an adhesive dispensing module  54 . A gun cycle count may refer to the gun cycles of a single adhesive dispensing module  54 , the gun cycles of a single applicator  48 ,  50  (and adhesive dispensing modules  54  thereof), or the gun cycles of multiple (or all) constituent applicators  48 ,  50  of the hot melt adhesive system  10 . A count of gun cycles may refer to an absolute count of gun cycle, a rate of gun cycles, and/or a count of gun cycles within an interval of time. The controller  28  may also monitor, store, and set the operating modes of the applicators  48 ,  50  and adhesive dispensing modules  54 , such as an “on” mode, an “off” mode, and a “ready” mode. An applicator  48 ,  50  or adhesive dispensing module  54  may be in “on” mode yet not be in a “ready” mode, such as may be the case during an on-going initialization process or if associated hot melt adhesive is not yet up to an operating temperature suitable or preferred for dispensing. An applicator  48 ,  50  or adhesive dispensing module  54  may be in ready mode when associated hot melt adhesive is at a temperature suitable or preferred for dispensing. 
     With respect to the heating features of the hot melt adhesive system  10 , the controller  28  is electrically coupled to the heaters, including the adhesive supply heater  34 , the manifold heater  56 , and the applicator heaters  53 , as well as any hose heaters. The controller  28  may also be coupled with various temperature sensors in the hot melt adhesive system  10 , which may be associated with or included in the adhesive supply heater  34 , the manifold heater  56 , the applicator heaters  53 , and any hose heaters. The controller  28  independently monitors and adjusts the adhesive supply heater  34 , the manifold heater  56 , the applicator heaters  53 , and any hose heaters, to melt solid or semi-solid hot melt adhesive  24   a  received in the adhesive supply  22  and to maintain the temperature of (melted) hot melt adhesive  24  to ensure proper viscosity of the hot melt adhesive  24  supplied to the applicators  48 ,  50  and dispensed by the adhesive dispensing modules  54 . For instance, the controller  28  receives temperature information from temperature sensors (a current temperature value) and sends heater control instructions to each heater to adjust the temperature (a target temperature value). Such heater control instructions may increase or decrease the temperature of any or all of the heaters in the hot melt adhesive system  10 . 
     A current or target temperature may be an operating temperature at which the hot melt adhesive is suitable or preferred for application or dispensing. A current or target temperature also may be a lower “setback” temperature. Hot melt adhesive held a setback temperature may undergo less charring and other degradations that may otherwise occur if the hot melt adhesive were held at a higher temperature, such as the operating temperature. Hot melt adhesive held at a setback temperature may not have the viscosity or other attributes preferred for dispensing. Holding hot melt adhesive at a setback temperature may be useful, for example, when there is a brief to moderate lull in operations. In this or similar instances, the hot melt adhesive may be reduced to the setback temperature to reduce degradation and discoloration during the lull but may be brought back to operating temperature relatively quickly when dispensing operations are to resume. 
     Further to the above, the controller  28  may thus monitor, store, and set the various operating parameter values associated with a temperature of the hot melt adhesive within the hot melt adhesive system  10 . In addition to the current and target temperature values for the adhesive supply heater  34 , the manifold heater  56 , the applicator heaters  53 , and hoses  46 , the controller  28  may also monitor, store, and set duty cycle information for any or all of the noted heaters. For example, the controller  28  may monitor, store, and set duty cycle information for the adhesive supply heater  34 . The duty cycle of a heater may refer to a percentage or ratio of time that the heater is activated (i.e., heating the associated hot melt adhesive) within an interval of time. Such interval of time for the duty cycle may coincide with the interval of time by which the controller  28  may collect other various operating parameter values of the hot melt liquid adhesive system  10 , including gun cycle data. For example, a duty cycle value of a heater may be 20% activation over a ten minute time interval, thus indicating that the heater was activated for two minutes (e.g., cumulatively) over the ten minutes. 
     In an aspect, the duty cycle may be controlled according to a shorter time interval (a duty cycle sub-time interval) than the time interval by which the controller  28  collects other operating parameter values of the hot melt adhesive system  10 . For example, the temperature of the heater may be evaluated and the duty cycle adjusted accordingly every 30 seconds, while the time interval by which other operating parameters of the hot melt adhesive system  10  are collected may be a 10 minute time interval. In an aspect, the duty cycle values for the multiple shorter duty cycle sub-time intervals within the longer time interval may be averaged and that average may be used as a representative duty cycle value for the longer time interval. In another aspect, the duty cycle value for one of the multiple shorter duty cycle sub-time intervals within the longer time interval may be used as a representative duty cycle value for the longer time interval. For example, the duty cycle value for the last duty cycle sub-time interval within the longer time interval may be used as the representative duty cycle value for the longer time interval. 
     The duty cycle of a heater is not typically a settable operating parameter. Rather, a temperature is typically specified for a heater and the duty cycle of the heater adjusts to maintain this temperature for the hot melt adhesive within the heater. The duty cycle of a heater may be also based on the operation of an associated applicator  48 ,  50  and/or adhesive dispensing module  54 , such as a count of gun cycles within a time interval. That is, the duty cycle of a heater is typically a function, at least in part, of the operation of the associated applicator  48 ,  50  and/or adhesive dispensing module  54 . For example, an increased gun cycle count within a time interval may cause a similarly increased duty cycle value of an associated heater during the time interval. The increased duty cycle value may be needed to maintain the flow of hot melt adhesive to the associated applicator  48 ,  50  and/or adhesive dispensing module  54  at the dispensing temperature. As an example, the duty cycle value of the applicator heaters  53  over a time interval may be a function of the count of gun cycles of the applicator  48  (and/or adhesive dispensing modules  54  thereof) during the time interval. The time interval for a duty cycle value may be temporally offset (e.g., after) from the time interval for the gun cycle count associated with said duty cycle value. This may be due to a delay in demand by the applicator  48 ,  50  or adhesive dispensing module  54  for hot melt adhesive supplied by the associated heater. 
     The duty cycle of a heater further may be affected by the functional state of an associated applicator  48 ,  50  and/or adhesive dispensing module  54 , such as whether the applicator  48 ,  50  and/or adhesive dispensing module  54  is operating as intended. For example, an applicator  48 ,  50  and/or adhesive dispensing module  54  that leaks air may be associated with an increased duty cycle of the corresponding applicator heater  53 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example system and network configuration according to which the techniques described herein may be implemented. In such a configuration, a dispensing system  220  (e.g., the hot melt adhesive system  10  of  FIG. 1 ), a computer system  230 , and a client device  240  may be in mutual communication via a network  210 . Communication with the dispensing system  120  may be effectuated via a controller  222  (e.g., the controller  28  of  FIG. 1 ) of the dispensing system  220 . The network  210  may comprise one or more wired and/or wireless networks. To name some examples, the network  210  may comprise the Internet, an intranet, a (wireless) local area network, and/or a cellular network. 
     As noted with respect to  FIG. 1 , the controller  222  may collect, store, set, and transmit various operating parameter values of the components of the dispensing system  220 , including various operating parameter values of any applicators (e.g., the applicators  48 ,  50  and adhesive dispensing modules  54  of  FIG. 1 ) and various operating parameter values of any heater components (e.g., the adhesive supply heaters  34 , manifold heater  56 , hose heaters, and applicator heaters  53  of  FIG. 1 ). An operating parameter of a dispensing component may include a count of gun cycles within a time interval or other indicator of gun cycle rate or count. An operating parameter of a heater component may include a duty cycle value of the heater component for a time interval. 
     The computer system  230  may comprise one or more computing devices, such as various computer servers and network devices. The computer system  230  may comprise one or more networked computing devices. The computer system  230  may be located remote from the dispensing system  220 . For example, the computer system  230  may comprise a cloud computer system. By contrast, the dispensing system  220  may be located at a manufacturing or assembly facility or other type of plant or factory. The computer system  230  may be associated with a manufacturer of at least a portion of the dispensing system  220 . The owner/operator of the dispensing system  220  may be an ongoing client or customer of the manufacturer. 
     The client device  240  may comprise a computing device, including a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone). The client device  240  may be configured with one or more input and output components, which may enable a user to view and interact with data from the computer system  230 . For example, a user may use the client device  240  to view and approve a proposed operating schedule of the dispensing system  220  that was determined by the computer system  230 . The client device  240  may be disposed at the same location as the dispensing system  220  or may be remote from the dispensing system  220 . The client device  240  may be associated with personnel overseeing the dispensing system  220 . 
     In operation, the dispensing system  220  may determine historic (i.e., past) and current parameter values of one or more operating parameters associated with a temperature of hot melt adhesive of the dispensing system  220 . For example, the dispensing system  220  may determine one or more historic and current parameter values indicating a duty cycle of a heater associated with an applicator of the dispensing system  220 . The dispensing system  220  may further determine historic and current parameter values of one or more operating parameters associated with the applicator of the dispensing system  220 . For example, the dispensing system  220  may determine historic and current parameter values indicating a gun cycle count of the applicator of the dispensing system. The dispensing system  220  may transmit the above-noted historic and current parameter values to the computer system  230  via the controller  222 . 
     The computer system  230  may receive the historic and current parameter values from the dispensing system  220 . In some instances, the computer system  230  may already store the historic parameter values, having received them earlier from the dispensing system  220 . The computer system  230  may process the historic and current parameter values to determine a schedule for the dispensing system  220 . For example, the parameter values may be filtered, such as determining a moving average for each operating parameter. The schedule may be determined based on temporal trends of the parameter values. The trends may reflect a time or time range that the dispensing system  220  is not in active operation to dispense hot melt adhesive, such as when facility personnel are on break or the facility is otherwise closed. The schedule may indicate one or more instructions for operating the dispensing system  220 . The schedule may indicate times and conditions according to which one or more heaters of the dispensing system  220  are to operate. For example, the schedule may indicate one or more times that a heater is to go from an off mode to an on mode or from an on mode to an off mode. The schedule may indicate a target temperature for the heater as well as a time that the heater is to begin heating (or allowing to cool) associated hot melt adhesive to that target temperature. The target temperature may be a dispensing temperature or a setback temperature. 
     The computer system  230  may transmit the (proposed) schedule to the client device  240 , which may be associated with a user charged with oversight of the dispensing system  220 . The user may review the schedule at the client device  240  and approve or reject the schedule. If approved, the schedule may be given effect at the dispensing system  220 . If the schedule is rejected, the computer system  230  may be so notified and determine an alternative proposed schedule. The alternative schedule may be transmitted to the client device  240  for approval, and so on. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example data flow diagram  300  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In the data flow diagram  300 , one or more filtered operating parameters  340  are determined based on one or more current operating parameters  310 , one or more historic operating parameters  320 , and one or more status parameters  330 . The filtered operating parameters  340  may be determined by filtering the historic operating parameters  320  based on the current operating parameters  310 . For example, the historic operating parameters  320  may comprise a plurality of moving averages for the respective historic operating parameters  320 . The plurality of moving averages may be updated based on corresponding current operating parameters  310  to determine the filtered operating parameters  340 . The plurality of moving averages for the filtered operating parameters  340  may be determined on a time interval-by-time interval basis for corresponding time intervals of the current operating parameters  310  and historic operating parameters  320 . One or more instructions  350  may be determined based on the filtered operating parameters  340 . 
     The current operating parameters  310  may comprise one or more operating parameters according to which a dispensing system (e.g., the hot melt adhesive system  10  of  FIG. 1  or the dispensing system  220  of  FIG. 2 ) operates. More particularly, the current operating parameters  310  may comprise one or more parameter values of the current operating parameters  310 . Similarly, the historic operating parameters  320  may comprise one or more operating parameters according to which the dispensing system operates. Also more particularly, the historic operating parameters  320  may comprise one or more parameter values of the historic operating parameters  320 . A parameter value may correspond with a pre-determined time interval. More than one parameter value may be associated with a same time interval, such as both a heater duty cycle parameter value and an applicator gun cycle count parameter value. A duration of a time interval may be in the range of one to ten minutes, inclusive. An example time interval duration may be five minutes. Another example time interval duration may be ten minutes. 
     The parameter values of the historic operating parameters  320  may be with respect to historic (i.e., past) time intervals. That is, a historic parameter value of the historic operating parameters  320  may correspond with a time interval prior to a current time interval. Further, each historic parameter value of the historic operating parameters  320  may correspond with a historic time interval of a plurality of time intervals prior to a current time interval. The parameter values of the current operating parameters  310  may be with respect to a current time interval. A current parameter value of the current operating parameters  310  may correspond with a current time interval. The current time interval may be subsequent to the historic time intervals associated with the historic operating parameters  320 . The term “current,” as used here and elsewhere in the disclosure, is to be taken in the broad, general sense rather than a literal one. For example, a “current” time interval may be minutes, hours, or days prior to the time at which the filtered operating parameters  340  are determined. In some aspects, current parameter values may refer to recent or most recent measurements for the operating parameters that are used to determine the filtered operating parameters  340 . For example, a current parameter value may be contrasted to a historic parameter value in that a historic parameter value may represent a moving average of the parameter based on previous values of the parameter whereas a corresponding current parameter value may comprise a value of the parameter that is subsequent (e.g., measured or determined subsequent) to those values making up the moving average. 
     In some aspects, current parameter values may refer to a plurality of parameter values for a pre-determined block of time. For example, a pre-determined block of time may be a portion of a day, a day, multiple days, or a week. Historic parameter values may likewise refer to a plurality of parameter values for a pre-determined block of time (e.g., a portion of a day, a day, multiple days, or a week) that is prior to a current block of time. A block of time may comprise a plurality of time intervals (e.g., five minute time intervals), with each time interval of the block corresponding to one or more parameter values. For example, current parameter values may be those parameter values at respective time intervals during a recent week and historic parameter values may be or represent (e.g., as moving averages) those parameter values for corresponding respective time intervals during the prior week or weeks. A block of time may be subdivided, such as a week subdivided into multiple days of the week. A particular current parameter value within a current block of time may correspond with a historic parameter value (or moving average thereof) at the same relative time interval within the blocks of time. For example, a current parameter value for the Tuesday, 11:30-11:35 relative time interval within the current block of time (a current week) may correspond with the historic parameter value (or moving average thereof) for the same Tuesday, 11:30-11:35 relative time interval but within the historic block of time (previous week(s)). The relationship between current parameter values within a current block of time and historic parameter values within a historic block of time will be discussed further in relation to  FIG. 4 . 
     As noted, a historic parameter value of a historic operating parameter  320  may be a moving average based on prior historic parameter values of the particular historic operating parameter  320 . A moving average of a historic parameter value may be for a particular time interval relative to a block of time, such as the 15:30-15:35 time interval for two or more successive Wednesdays. Thus, the moving average of the historic parameter value for the Wednesday, 15:30-15:35 time interval may be based on the parameter values for the 15:30-15:35 time interval of previous Wednesdays. A moving average may comprise a simple moving average, a cumulative moving average, or a weighted moving average. A moving average may include an exponential moving average, which is also known as an exponentially weighted moving average. 
     The current operating parameters  310  may comprise a heater parameter  312  associated with a current temperature of hot melt adhesive of the dispensing system. Particularly, the current operating parameters  310  may comprise a current parameter value of the heater parameter  312 . The historic operating parameters  320  may likewise comprise a heater parameter  322  associated with one or more historic temperatures of hot melt adhesive of the dispensing system. Particularly, the historic operating parameters  320  may comprise one or more historic heater parameter  322  values. A historic heater parameter  322  value may be a moving average for the historic heater parameter  322  based on previous heater parameter values of the particular historic heater parameter  322 . 
     The heater parameters  312 ,  322  may be an operating parameter of a heater of the dispensing system. Such heater may comprise a melter (e.g., the adhesive supply  22  with adhesive supply heater  34  of  FIG. 1 ), a heated hose (e.g., the heated hoses  46 ), an applicator heater (e.g., the applicator heater  53 ), or a manifold heater (e.g., the manifold heater  56 ). In an embodiment, the heater comprises an applicator heater of an applicator. The heater parameters  312 ,  322  may include a duty cycle of the associated heater. A duty cycle parameter value may indicate a percentage or ratio of time within a time interval during which the heater is activated. A duty cycle may be controlled on a shorter time interval (a duty cycle sub-time interval) than the time interval at which other operating parameters  310 ,  320  are collected. For example, a heater&#39;s duty cycle may be updated on a 30 second duty cycle sub-time interval while the time interval at which other operating parameters  310 ,  320  are collected may be 5 or 10 minutes. The temperature of the heater may be checked according to the shorter duty cycle sub-time intervals and the duty cycle of the heater may be adjusted accordingly to maintain a target temperature. A duty cycle parameter value may indicate an average duty cycle value within a time interval, such as the average duty cycle value over the duty cycle values of the aforementioned shorter duty cycle sub-time intervals. The average duty cycle may be a weighted average, which may be biased toward the end of the time interval (e.g., biased toward the duty cycle values of the shorter duty cycle sub-time intervals at the end of the longer time interval). 
     A duty cycle parameter value may relate to operation of an associated applicator, such as a gun cycle count of the associated applicator within a time interval. The associated applicator may be an applicator that receives hot melt adhesive that is or was heated by the heater. For example, an applicator heater (the applicator heater  53  of  FIG. 1 ) may be associated with the applicator (e.g. the applicator  48 ,  50  of  FIG. 1 ) and thus the duty cycles of the applicator heater may be related to the gun cycle counts of the applicator. The parameter value of a duty cycle parameter may additionally or alternatively relate to one or more adhesive dispensing modules of the applicator, including a single adhesive dispensing module of the applicator or all dispensing modules of the applicator. 
     The current operating parameters  310  may comprise an applicator parameter  314  associated with a current dispensing or application of hot melt adhesive by the dispensing system. Particularly, the current operating parameters  310  may comprise a current parameter value of the applicator parameter  314 . The historic operating parameters  320  may likewise comprise an applicator parameter  324  associated with historic dispensing or application of hot melt adhesive by the dispensing system. Particularly, the historic operating parameters  320  may comprise one or more historic parameter values of the applicator parameter  324 . A historic applicator parameter  324  value may be a moving average for the historic applicator parameter  324  based on previous applicator parameter values of the particular historic applicator parameter  324 . 
     The applicator parameters  314 ,  324  may be an operating parameter of an applicator (e.g., an applicator  48 ,  50  of  FIG. 1 ) and/or one or more adhesive dispensing modules (e.g., an adhesive dispensing module  54 ), which shall be referred to generally as an applicator unless clearly indicated otherwise. The applicator parameters  314 ,  324  may include a count (e.g., quantity of) of gun cycles performed by an applicator during a time interval. Thus, each gun cycle parameter value may be temporally associated with a particular time interval. A gun cycle may refer to a single, discrete instance of hot melt adhesive dispensing or application, such as an open-and-close cycle of a nozzle valve of an applicator. A gun cycle count may refer to the gun cycles of a single applicator (e.g., a single adhesive dispensing module) or may refer to the collective gun cycles of two or more applicators (e.g., the total gun cycles performed by multiple adhesive dispensing modules of an applicator). 
     Additional or alternative applicator parameters  314 ,  324  may include a duration of each gun cycle within a time interval, such as an average duration of the gun cycles within a time interval. For example, shorter gun cycle durations may be associated with an applicator configured to dispense small amounts (e.g., “dots”) of hot melt adhesive at a high frequency during a time interval. Conversely, a longer gun cycle duration may be associated with an applicator configured to dispense greater amounts (e.g., a line) of hot melt adhesive at a lower frequency during a time interval. An additional or alternative applicator parameter  314 ,  324  may include a quantity (e.g., volume) of hot melt adhesive dispensed in each gun cycle, such as an average quantity of hot melt adhesive dispensed by a gun cycle within a time interval. 
     An applicator parameter  314 ,  324  value may be associated with a heater parameter  312 ,  322  value. In some instances, a heater parameter  312 ,  322  value for a time interval may be deemed to correspond with an applicator parameter  314 ,  324  value for the same time interval. In other instances, a heater parameter  312 ,  322  value may be offset in time from the associated applicator parameter  314 ,  324  value, such as one or more time intervals after that of the applicator parameter  314 ,  324  value. The offset may be determined to compensate for a delay between when a change in an applicator parameter  314 ,  324  value (e.g., gun cycle count) causes or corresponds to a change in a heater parameter  312 ,  322  value (e.g., duty cycle value). 
     The status parameters  330  may generally indicate a status of the applicator (and/or the dispensing system as a whole), such as a current status. The status parameters  330  may further indicate previous instances at which the status of the applicator changed and/or a status of the dispensing system at particular times (a status “snapshot”). The status parameters  330  may include an on/off status of the applicator (and/or the dispensing system as a whole). For an applicator in an off status, the status parameters  330  may include the time that the applicator was turned off and the time that the applicator was last turned on before being currently turned off. For an applicator in an on status, the status parameters  330  may include the time that the applicator was turned on and the time that the applicator was last turned off before being currently turned on. An off status may include a “sleep” status. Yet further status parameters  330  of the dispensing system may include a “ready” status of the applicator (and/or the dispensing system as a whole). The status parameters  330  may include the time that the applicator entered a current ready status and/or the time that the applicator was last in a ready status. A ready status may refer to a state of the applicator in which the hot melt adhesive is at a temperature suitable or preferred for dispensing. A not-ready status may refer to a state of the applicator in which the hot melt adhesive is at a temperature not suitable or preferable for dispensing, such as a setback temperature. 
     The filtered operating parameters  340  may comprise a heater parameter  342  and an applicator parameter  344 . The heater parameter  342  may be similar to the heater parameter  312  of the current operating parameters  310  and the heater parameter  322  of the historic operating parameters  320 . Thus the heater parameter  342  may refer to a duty cycle of the heater associated with the applicator. A duty cycle value may be with respect to a time interval. Further, the applicator parameter  344  may refer to the gun cycles of the applicator. A gun cycle count may be with respect to a time interval. 
     The filtered operating parameters  340  may be based on the current operating parameters  310 , the historic operating parameters  320 , and/or the status parameters  330 . In an embodiment, the filtered operating parameters  340  may be an updated version or instance of the historic operating parameters  320 , with the historic operating parameters  320  having been updated based on the current operating parameters  310 . Thus, determining the filtered operating parameters  340  may comprise filtering the historic operating parameters  320  based on the current operating parameters  310 . Determining the filtered operating parameters  340  may comprise determining or updating a moving average of the historic operating parameters  320 , with the current operating parameters  310  serving as additional (e.g., most recent) data points to update the moving average. Thus, the filtered operating parameters  340  may comprise a plurality of moving averages of respective parameter values. 
     As noted, the historic operating parameters  320  may comprise a moving average of the heater parameter values of the heater parameter  322 . Thus, determining the filtered heater parameter  342 , particularly the filtered value of the heater parameter  342 , may comprise updating the moving average of the historic heater parameter  322  values using the current heater parameter  312  value. The current heater parameter  312  value may be considered a most recent heater parameter value for purposes of updating the moving average. Determining a filtered heater parameter  342  value of the filtered operating parameters  340  may be performed according to Eq. (1) below. 
         d=f*c +(1− f )* d   old   Eq. (1):
 
     In Eq. (1), d represents an updated moving average of a heater parameter value (i.e., the filtered heater parameter  342  value), f represents a filter factor, c represents a current heater parameter  312  value, and d old  represents the historic heater parameter  322  value. The filter factor f may be a number between 0 and 1 and may indicate the degree to which more recent heater parameter values are weighted over more distant heater parameter values. 
     As also noted, the historic operating parameters  320  may comprise a moving average of the applicator parameter values of the historic applicator parameter  324 . Thus, determining a filtered applicator parameter  344 , particularly a filtered value of the applicator parameter  344 , may comprise updating the moving average of the historic applicator parameter  324  value using the current applicator parameter value  314 . The current applicator parameter  314  value may be considered the most recent applicator parameter value for determining the updated moving average. Determining a filtered applicator parameter  344  value may also be performed using Eq. (1) except that d represents an updated moving average of the applicator parameter value (i.e., the filtered applicator parameter  344  value), f represents a filter factor, c represents a current applicator parameter  314  value, and d old  represents a historic applicator parameter  324  value. The filter factor f that is used when determining the filtered applicator parameter  344  value may be different than or the same as that used when determining the filtered heater parameter  342  value. 
     In an embodiment, the current operating parameters  310 , the historic operating parameters  320 , the status parameters  330 , and the filtered operating parameters  340  may be each organized, in whole or in part, as one or more matrices. Such a matrix may represent a block of time comprising a plurality of time intervals. The block of time may be further divided into sub-divisions, each comprising one or more of the plurality of time intervals of the block of time. Each element of the matrix may correspond to a time interval of the plurality of time intervals. Each element of the matrix may comprise one or more parameter values that are temporally associated with the respective time interval. For example, each element may comprise a heater parameter value and/or an applicator parameter value. The one or more parameters of each element also may comprise an on/off status and/or a ready status (or other status parameter  330 ). 
     Determining the filtered operating parameter  340  values may comprise performing an element-by-element and parameter-by-parameter update to the moving averages indicated in a matrix of the historic operating parameter  320  values based on the parameter values indicated in corresponding (according to time interval) elements of a matrix of the current operating parameter  310  values. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the current operating parameter  310  values are organized as the current operating parameter matrix  410 , the historic operating parameter  320  values are organized as the historic operating parameter matrix  420 , and the filtered operating parameter  340  values are organized as the filtered operating parameter matrix  440 . The status parameter  330  values may be variously indicated in any of the aforementioned matrices. The matrices  410 ,  420 ,  440  each represent a week-long block of time. The matrix  410  for the current operating parameters  310  may represent a specific week, such as a current week or a most recent week. The matrices  420 ,  440  may represent a week-long block of time in the abstract as they both generally indicate moving averages of parameter values instead of specifically-measured parameter values. 
     The matrices  410 ,  420 ,  440  are each organized into a respective plurality of columns  418 ,  428 ,  448  each representing a day of the week. The matrices  410 ,  420 ,  440  are also each organized into a respective plurality of rows  416 ,  426 ,  446  each representing a time interval of a day (according to a 24-hour clock format). The duration of the time interval for each row is five minutes. Thus a first row is the time interval between 00:00 and 00:05, a second row is the time interval between 00:05 and 00:10, and so forth. Each element of the matrices  410 ,  420 ,  440  represents one or more parameter values that correspond to a day of the week and a time interval during that day of the week. A parameter value of an element is represented in  FIG. 4  according to the format [parameter] [day of week][time interval] , with the [parameter] field indicating “w” for a heater parameter, “x” for an applicator parameter, “y” for an on/off status parameter, and “z” for a ready status parameter. Thus, w Sun1 |x Sun1 |y Sun1 |z Sun1  represents a heater parameter value, applicator parameter value, on/off status parameter value, and ready status parameter value for the time interval between 00:00 and 00:05 (row 1) on a Sunday. The matrix  440  for the filtered operating parameters  340  further uses a prime character (′) to denote an updated moving average of a parameter value. 
     The matrix  440  of the filtered operating parameter  340  values may be determined by updating, on an element-by-element and parameter-by-parameter basis, the historic moving averages of the matrix  420  based on the current parameter values indicated in the matrix  410 . A parameter&#39;s historic moving average represented in a particular element of the matrix  420  may be updated based on the current parameter value represented in the corresponding element of the matrix  410 . The updated moving average (for that day of the week and that time interval within the day) may be indicated in the corresponding element of the matrix  440 . The updated moving average may be determined using Eq. (1). 
     As an example, the historic moving average of the heater parameter value for Sundays during the 23:55-24:00 time interval (represented in the matrix  420  by w Sun288 ) is updated with the current heater parameter value for a current (e.g., most recent) Sunday, 23:55-24:00 time interval (represented in the matrix  410  also by w Sun288 ). The updated moving average of the heater parameter value for the Sunday, 23:55-24:00 time interval is represented in the matrix  440  by w Sun288 ′. This updated moving average of the heater parameter value may be determined according to Eq. (1), wherein c is the current heater parameter value represented by w Sun288  in the matrix  410 , d old  is the moving average of the heater parameter value represented by w Sun288  in the matrix  420 , and d is the updated moving average of the heater parameter value represented by w Sun288 ′ in the matrix  440 . 
     The updated moving average of the applicator parameter value for the Sunday, 23:55-24:00 time interval, represented by x Sun288 ′ in the matrix  440 , is similarly determined by updating the historic moving average of the applicator parameter value (represented in the matrix  420  in the corresponding element by x Sun288 ) with the current applicator parameter value for the current (e.g., most recent) Sunday, 23:55-24:00 time interval (represented in the matrix  410  in the corresponding element also by x Sun288 ). The updated moving average of the applicator parameter value for the Sunday, 23:55-24:00 time interval also may be determined using Eq. (1). The updated on/off status and ready status parameter values (represented in the matrix  440  by y Sun288 ′ and z Sun288 ′, respectively) for the Sunday, 23:55-24:00 time interval is updated to reflect the current on/off status and ready status parameter values (represented in the matrix  410  in the corresponding element by y Sun288  and z Sun288 , respectively). A similar process may be used to determine each element—and heater, applicator, and/or status parameter values thereof—of the filtered operating parameters matrix  440 . 
     The current operating parameters matrix  410  may be determined on a rolling basis as the parameter values of an element are determined. For example, the elements of the matrix  410  may be updated in real or near-real time. Alternatively, the matrix  410  and its elements may be determined at one time. Similarly, the filtered operating parameters matrix  440  may be determined on a rolling basis. For example, the elements of the matrix  440  may be determined as the corresponding elements of the current operating parameters matrix  410  are determined. Alternatively, the matrix  440  and its elements may be determined at one time, such as after all elements of the current operating parameters matrix  410  are determined. 
     Returning attention to  FIG. 3 , the filtered operating parameters  340  may be used to determine one or more instructions  350 . The instructions  350  may be with respect to one or more operating parameters of the dispensing system. For example, the instructions  350  may relate to the applicator heater or other heater of the dispensing system. Such instructions  350  may cause the applicator heater to raise its target temperature, lower its target temperature, and/or set a target temperature. The instructions  350  may set the heater to a setback temperature. The instructions  350  may cause the heater to turn off, turn on, enter a sleep mode, or “wake” from a sleep mode. The instructions may cause the dispensing system to turn off, turn on, enter a sleep mode, or “wake” from a sleep mode. The instructions  350  may indicate a time for the aforementioned actions to be performed or come into effect. 
     The instructions  350  may indicate a plurality of instructions to be implemented over a period of time. The plurality of instructions may comprise a schedule according to which the dispensing system and its components are to operate. The schedule may indicate the days and times at which various instructions are to take effect. For example, the schedule may indicate a first turn-on time of the heater for weekdays and a different second turn-on time of the heater for weekend days. These turn-on times may be optimized so that the hot melt adhesive is at a ready temperature when production operation of the dispensing system later commences but not substantially before. As another example, the schedule may indicate a time and setback temperature for the dispensing system to enter a setback mode and a time for the dispensing system to enter a normal mode and raise the temperature of the hot melt adhesive at the applicator to the dispensing temperature. 
     The instructions  350  may be realized in an electronic or digital form. For example, the instructions  350  may comprise digital data, which may be determined by a remote computer system (e.g., the computer system  230  of  FIG. 2 ) and transmitted to the controller of the dispensing system via a network (e.g., the network  210  of  FIG. 2 ). The controller may receive and process the instructions  350  to effectuate the instructions  350 . The instructions  350  may comprise an electrical control signal from the controller to one or more components of the dispensing system, such as the applicator heater. The controller may effectuate the instructions without local user intervention. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flow chart of a method  500  for determining one or more instructions for operating a hot melt liquid dispensing system (e.g., the hot melt adhesive system  10  of  FIG. 1 ). In an example embodiment, the method  500  may comprise compiling a record of historic applicator parameter values—each temporally associated with a time interval—of an applicator (e.g., gun cycle counts) and a record of associated historic heater parameter values—each also temporally associated with a time interval—of a heater (e.g., duty cycle values). The historic applicator parameter value temporally associated with each time interval may be filtered (e.g., updated as a moving average) based on a current applicator parameter value that corresponds to that time interval. Likewise, the historic heater parameter value temporally associated with each time interval may be filtered (e.g., updated as a moving average) based on a current applicator parameter value that corresponds to that time interval. Based on the filtered applicator and heater parameter values, an instruction for operating the hot melt liquid dispensing system and/or component(s) thereof may be determined. For example, an instruction may cause, at a specified time, the hot melt liquid heater to raise or lower the temperature of the hot melt liquid to be supplied to the applicator. The specified time may correspond with a time that active operation of the hot melt liquid dispensing system temporarily pauses. 
     At step  502 , a plurality of historic applicator parameter values of a first operating parameter of an applicator (e.g., an applicator  48 ,  50  and/or adhesive dispensing module(s)  54  of  FIG. 1 ) of the hot melt liquid dispensing system may be provided. A historic applicator parameter value may be the same or similar as the historic applicator parameter  324  value of  FIG. 3 . A historic applicator parameter value may comprise a gun cycle count of the applicator within a time interval. Each historic applicator parameter value of the plurality of historic applicator parameter values may be temporally associated with a historic time interval of a historic block of time. For example, the plurality of historic applicator parameter values may be realized as a matrix of historic parameter values (e.g., the matrix  420  of  FIG. 4 ), with each element of the matrix representing a historic applicator parameter value and a time interval temporally associated with that historic applicator parameter value. The matrix may represent a week-long historic block of time and be further divided into days of the week corresponding to the columns of the matrix. A time interval may comprise a time duration of five minutes, for example. 
     At step  504 , a plurality of historic heater parameter values of a second operating parameter of a hot melt liquid heater (e.g., the applicator heater  53  of  FIG. 2 ) of the hot melt liquid dispensing system may be provided. A historic heater parameter value may be the same or similar as the historic heater parameter  322  value of  FIG. 3 . A historic heater parameter value may comprise a duty cycle of the hot melt liquid heater. Each historic heater parameter value of the plurality of historic heater parameter values may be temporally associated with a historic applicator parameter value. For example, a historic heater parameter value may be temporally associated with the same historic time interval as the associated historic applicator parameter value. As another example, a historic heater parameter value may be temporally associated with a historic time interval that is offset from the time interval of the associated historic applicator parameter value. The plurality of historic heater parameter values may be represented in the matrix of historic parameter values along with the plurality of historic applicator parameter values. For example, a historic heater parameter value and its associated historic applicator parameter value may be represented in the same element of the matrix. 
     A historic applicator parameter value temporally associated with a particular historic time interval (e.g., a time interval of a day of the week) may comprise a moving average of previous historic applicator parameter values (of the first operating parameter of the applicator) that are each temporally associated with corresponding historic time intervals of previous historic blocks of time (e.g., previous days and/or weeks). Similarly, a historic heater parameter value temporally associated with a particular historic time interval may comprise a moving average of previous historic heater parameter values (of the second operating parameter value of the hot melt liquid heater) that are each temporally associated with corresponding historic time intervals of previous historic blocks of time. 
     At step  506 , a current applicator parameter value of the first operating parameter of the applicator may be received. The current applicator parameter value may be the same or similar as the current applicator parameter  314  value of  FIG. 3 . The current applicator parameter value may be temporally associated with a current time interval. The current applicator parameter value may comprise a gun cycle count of the applicator during the current time interval. The current applicator parameter value may be temporally associated with a current time interval that corresponds to a first historic time interval of the historic block of time. For example, the current applicator parameter value may be temporally associated with a Saturday, 00:05-00:10 current time interval and that current time interval may correspond to the historic time interval represented in the historic operating parameters matrix  420  of  FIG. 4  in the element at the intersection of the “Saturday” column and the “00:10” row. By extension, the current applicator parameter value may be associated with the historic applicator parameter value that is temporally associated with the above-noted corresponding first historic time interval. The current applicator parameter value may be one of a plurality of current applicator parameter values that are each temporally associated with a respective current time interval, such as is represented in the current operating parameters matrix  410  of  FIG. 4 . 
     At step  508 , a current heater parameter value of the second operating parameter of the hot melt liquid heater may be received. The current heater parameter value may be the same or similar as the current heater parameter  312  value of  FIG. 3 . The current heater parameter value may comprise a duty cycle value for the hot melt liquid heater. The current heater parameter value may be associated with the current applicator parameter value. For example, the current heater parameter value may be temporally associated with the current time interval referred to with respect to the current applicator value. In an aspect, the current heater parameter value and the current application parameter value may both correspond to a same time interval. In other aspects, the current heater parameter value may correspond to a time interval that is temporally offset from a time interval corresponding to the current applicator parameter value. 
     By association with the current applicator parameter value, the current heater parameter value may be associated with the historic applicator parameter value. For example, the current applicator parameter value and the current heater parameter value may be both temporally associated with the same current time interval and the historic applicator parameter value and the historic heater parameter value may be both temporally associated with the historic time interval that corresponds with that current time interval. The current heater parameter value may be one of a plurality of current heater parameter values that are each temporally associated with respective current time intervals, such as is represented in the current operating parameter matrix  410  of  FIG. 4 . 
     At step  510 , a filtered applicator parameter value of the first operating parameter of the applicator (e.g., the filtered applicator parameter  344  value of  FIG. 3 ) may be determined based on the current applicator parameter value and a historic applicator parameter value of the plurality of historic applicator parameter values. The historic applicator parameter value used as a basis for determining the filtered applicator parameter value may be temporally associated with the first historic time interval of the historic block of time corresponding to the current time interval (referenced in relation to step  506 ). That is, the current applicator parameter value and said historic applicator parameter value may both be temporally associated with corresponding time intervals. In an example, the historic applicator parameter value may comprise a moving average of the first operating parameter of the applicator. As such, determining the filtered applicator parameter value may comprise updating the moving average indicated by the historic applicator parameter value, with the current applicator parameter value serving as a later or latest data point for the first operating parameter of the applicator. 
     At step  512 , a filtered heater parameter value of the second operating parameter of the hot melt liquid heater (e.g., the filtered heater parameter  342  value of  FIG. 3 ) may be determined based on the current heater parameter value and a historic heater parameter value of the plurality of historic heater parameter values. The historic heater parameter value used to determine the filtered heater parameter value may be associated with the first historic time interval referred to above with respect to the filtered applicator parameter value. For example, the historic heater parameter value used as a basis for determining the filtered heater parameter value may be associated with the historic applicator parameter value used to determine the filtered applicator parameter value. In particular, the historic heater parameter value used to determine the filtered heater parameter value may be associated with the historic applicator parameter value temporally associated with the first historic time interval of the historic block of time. For example, the historic heater parameter value used to determine the filtered heater parameter value may be temporally associated with a historic time interval that corresponds to the current time interval. 
     The filtered applicator parameter value and the filtered heater parameter value may be represented in the filtered operating parameters matrix  440  of  FIG. 4 . The filtered applicator parameter value and the filtered heater parameter value may be temporally associated with the same time interval. For example, the filtered applicator parameter value may be represented by X Sat1 ′ in the matrix  440  and the filtered heater parameter value may be represented by W Sat1 ′ in the matrix  440 , which are both temporally associated with the Saturday, 00:00-00:05 time interval. The filtered applicator parameter value may be determined based on the current applicator parameter value for the current Saturday, 00:00-00:05 time interval in the current operating parameters matrix  410 , represented by X Sat1 , and the historic applicator parameter value for the historic Saturday, 00:00-00:05 time interval in the historic operating parameters matrix  420 , represented also by X Sat1 . The filtered heater parameter value may be determined based on the current heater parameter value for the current Saturday, 00:00-00:05 time interval in the current operating parameters matrix  410 , represented by W Sat1 , and the historic heater parameter value for the historic Saturday, 00:00-00:05 time interval in the historic operating parameters matrix  420 , represented also by W Sat1 . A corresponding process may be performed to determine further elements of the filtered operating parameters matrix  440  (i.e., further filtered applicator parameter values and/or further filtered heater parameter values. 
     At step  514 , an instruction (e.g., the instruction(s)  350  of  FIG. 3 ) may be determined based on the filtered applicator parameter values and the filtered heater parameter values. The determined instruction may comprise an instruction for operating the hot melt liquid dispensing system—or components thereof—according to an operating parameter value of a third operating parameter of the hot melt liquid adhesive system. For example, the instruction may be for operating the hot melt liquid heater. Further, the third operating parameter may comprise an operating parameter of the hot melt liquid heater. The operating parameter value of the third operating parameter may comprise a target temperature for the hot melt liquid heater, such as a pre-determined dispensing temperature or a pre-determined setback temperature. The determined instruction may comprise an instruction for the hot melt liquid heater to discontinue applying heat to hot melt liquid, an instruction for the hot melt liquid heater to begin applying heat to hot melt liquid, or instruction for the hot melt liquid heater to enter at least one of an on mode, an off mode, or a ready mode. The determined instruction may comprise an instruction for the hot melt liquid dispensing system to enter an operating mode including at least one of an on mode, an off mode, or a ready mode. 
     At least a portion of the method  500  may be performed by a computer system remote from the hot melt liquid dispensing system, such as the computer system  230  of  FIG. 2 . For example, the remote computer system may provide the plurality of historic applicator parameter values and/or the plurality historic heater parameter values. The remote computer system may store such parameter values and provide them from storage. As another example, the remote computer system may receive the current applicator parameter value and/or the current heater parameter value, such as from the controller of the hot melt liquid dispensing system. Using the pluralities of historic applicator parameter values and historic heater parameter values provided from storage and the current applicator parameter value and current heater parameter value received from the hot melt liquid dispensing system, the remote computer system may determine the filtered applicator parameter value and filtered heater parameter value. Further, the remote computer system may determine the instruction for operating the hot melt liquid dispensing system. The remote computer system may transmit the instruction to the controller of the hot melt liquid dispensing system to effectuate the instruction. The instruction may comprise a control signal generated by the controller. 
     Further disclosed herein are techniques for predicting a time of failure of an applicator (e.g., an applicator  48 ,  50  and/or an adhesive dispensing module  54  of  FIG. 1 ) of a hot melt liquid dispensing system (e.g., the hot melt adhesive system  10  of  FIG. 1 ). Such failure may be particularly related to air leakage at or by the applicator, which is observed to relate to increased duty cycles of an associated heater (e.g., the applicator heater  53  of  FIG. 1 ). “Failure” is not limited to only a complete failure of operability but may also include those states of the applicator in which performance is unacceptably degraded. For example, performance of the applicator falling below a threshold or outside a threshold range may be considered a failure of the applicator. The performance of the applicator may be measured according to an operating parameter of another component, including the duty cycles of the heater. 
     The predicted time of failure of the applicator may be determined based on data described, at least in part, in relation to  FIG. 3 . For example, the predicted time of failure may be determined based on the current operating parameters  310  values, including the current heater parameter  312  values (e.g., current duty cycles) and the current applicator parameter  314  values (e.g., current gun cycle counts). The predicted time of failure may be determined further based on the historic operating parameters  320  values, including the historic heater parameter  322  values (e.g., historic duty cycles) and the historic applicator parameter  324  values (e.g., historic gun cycle counts). The predicated time of failure may be determined yet further based on the status parameters  330 , such as a current or historic on, off, or ready status of the applicator, heater, or hot melt liquid dispensing system as a whole. 
     In an example embodiment, the duty cycle values of the heater may be determined for time intervals during which the applicator performed no gun cycles. The duty cycle values of the heater also may be determined for time intervals during which the applicator performed multiple gun cycles. The duty cycle values during time intervals with no gun cycles and the duty cycle values during time intervals with multiple gun cycles may be compared against one another to determine the predicted time of failure. The average gun cycle count for those time intervals with multiple gun cycles may be determined and also used to determine the predicted time of failure. The duty cycle values for time intervals with no gun cycles, the duty cycle values for time intervals with multiple gun cycles, and the gun cycle counts for time intervals with multiple gun cycles may be each averaged, respectively, over the time intervals of a day or other block of time. A relationship between the three averages may be used to determine the predicted time of failure. 
     Similar analysis of the gun cycle counts and duty cycle values may be performed with respect to the time intervals of a second day. The duty cycle values for time intervals of the second day with no gun cycles, the duty cycle values for time intervals of the second day with multiple gun cycles, and the gun cycle counts for time intervals of the second day with multiple gun cycles may be also averaged. The relationship between the three averages for the second day may be compared with the analogous relationship between the three averages for the initial day. This comparison may be yet a further basis for determining the predicted time of failure. Similar duty cycle/gun cycle relationships for additional days may be also determined and analyzed in conjunction with the duty cycle/gun cycle relationship for the first day and the duty cycle/gun cycle relationship for the second day. For example, the duty cycle/gun cycle relationship for each of the days may be plotted on a graph and a trend may be identified that indicates a predicted time of failure. The trend may be identified by fitting a curve (e.g., a mathematical function) to said data points plotted on the graph. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a flow chart of a method  600  for predicting a time of failure of an applicator (e.g., an applicator  48 ,  50  and/or an adhesive dispensing module  54  of  FIG. 1 ) of a hot melt liquid dispensing system (e.g., the hot melt adhesive system  10  of  FIG. 1 ) having a heater (e.g., the applicator heater  53  of  FIG. 1 ) associated with the applicator. At step  602 , a plurality of applicator parameter values of a first operating parameter of the applicator (e.g., the applicator parameters  314 ,  324  of  FIG. 3 ) may be provided. Each applicator parameter value of the plurality of applicator parameter values may be temporally associated with a time interval of a first block of time. The first operating parameter of the applicator may be a count of gun cycles performed by the applicator within a time interval (e.g. a speed and/or response time of the applicator during the time interval). Thus an applicator parameter value may comprise a gun cycle count for the temporally associated time interval. An applicator parameter value may indicate a gun cycle count of zero, one, or multiple gun cycles. 
     The first block of time may comprise a first day or portion thereof. The time intervals of the first day or other block of time need not include every possible time interval within the day or other block of time. For example, the time intervals of the first block of time may be limited to those time intervals during which at least one of the applicator, the heater, or the hot melt liquid dispensing system is turned on. Additionally or alternatively, the time intervals of the first block of time may be limited to those time intervals during which at least one of the applicator, the heater, or the hot melt liquid dispensing system is in a ready status. A time interval may have a time duration in the inclusive range of one minute to ten minutes. As examples, a time interval may have a time duration of five minutes or a time duration of ten minutes. 
     At step  604 , a plurality of heater parameter values of a second operating parameter of the heater (e.g., the heater parameters  312 ,  322  of  FIG. 3 ) may be provided. Step  604  may be optional in some embodiments and the method  600  may instead proceed to step  606 . Each heater parameter value of the plurality of applicator parameter values may be associated with an applicator parameter value of the plurality of applicator parameter values. Each heater parameter value may be further temporally associated with a time interval of the first block of time. The second operating parameter of the heater may comprise a duty cycle of the heater over a time interval. A heater parameter value and the associated applicator parameter value may be both temporally associated with the same time interval of the first block of time. Or the heater parameter value may be temporally associated with a time interval that is offset from the time interval of the temporally associated applicator parameter value, such as to compensate for a delayed effect to the heater&#39;s duty cycle caused by a change to the applicator&#39;s gun cycles. 
     At step  606 , a first subset of applicator parameter values of the plurality of applicator parameter values may be determined. The first subset (and second subset, discussed below) of applicator parameter values may be determined according to the dispensing activity of the applicator during respective time intervals, particularly the gun cycle counts of the applicator during respective time intervals, and more particularly whether a given applicator parameter value of the plurality of applicator parameter values indicates no gun cycles during a temporally associated time interval (e.g., a zero gun cycle count) or one or more gun cycles during a temporally associated time interval (e.g., a non-zero or multiple gun cycle count). The first subset of applicator parameter values may comprise those applicator parameter values of the plurality of applicator parameter values that indicate no dispensing activity, that is, a zero gun cycle count, during a temporally associated time interval. 
     At step  608 , a second subset of applicator parameter values of the plurality of applicator parameter values may be determined. The second subset of applicator parameter values may include those applicator parameter values that indicate dispensing activity of the applicator during a temporally associated time interval. The second subset of applicator parameter values may include those applicator parameter values that exceed a threshold applicator parameter value or are within a threshold applicator parameter value range. For example, the second subset of applicator parameter values may include those applicator parameter values that indicate a gun cycle count that exceeds a threshold gun cycle count or is within a threshold range of gun cycle counts. The threshold gun cycle count may be zero, thus the second subset of applicator parameter values may include all applicator parameter values indicating a non-zero gun cycle count. Alternatively, the threshold gun cycle count may be greater than zero, thus making it possible that some applicator parameter values may be included in neither the first nor the second subset of applicator parameter values. 
     At step  610 , a first subset of heater parameter values of the plurality of heater parameter values may be determined, with each heater parameter value (e.g. a duty cycle value of the heater for a time interval) of the first subset of heater parameter values being associated with an applicator parameter value of the first subset of applicator parameter values. As such, each heater parameter value of the first subset of heater parameter values may be associated with an applicator parameter value that indicates no dispensing activity by the applicator (e.g., a zero gun cycle count) during the time interval temporally associated with the applicator parameter value. For example, each heater parameter value of the first subset of heater parameter values may be temporally associated with a time interval during which no dispensing activity by the applicator occurred. Step  610  may be optional in some embodiments and the method  600  may instead proceed to step  614   a  and/or step  614   b.    
     At step  612 , a second subset of heater parameter values of the plurality of heater parameter values may be determined, with each heater parameter value (e.g. a duty cycle value of the heater for a time interval) of the second subset of heater parameter values being associated with an applicator parameter value of the second subset of applicator parameter values. As such, each heater parameter value of the second subset of heater parameter values may be associated with an applicator parameter value of the second subset of applicator parameter values that indicates dispensing activity (e.g., a non-zero or multiple gun cycle count) during the time interval temporally associated with the applicator parameter value. For example, each heater parameter value of the second subset of heater parameter values may be temporally associated with a time interval during which dispensing activity by the applicator occurred. Step  612  may be optional in some embodiments and the method  600  may instead proceed to step  614   a  and/or step  614   b.    
     The first and/or second subsets of applicator parameter values and/or the first and/or second subsets of heater parameter values may be further limited to include only those parameter values that are temporally associated with a time interval during which at least one of the heater, the applicator, or the hot melt liquid dispensing system (as appropriate) is in a ready status. The first and/or second subsets of applicator parameter values and/or the first and/or second subsets of heater parameter values may be additionally or alternatively limited to include only those parameter values that are temporally associated with a time interval during which the hot melt liquid to be supplied to the applicator is at a temperature suitable or preferred for dispensing. For example, the first subset of applicator parameter values and the first subset of heater parameter values may be limited to exclude parameter values temporally associated with time intervals during which the hot melt liquid dispensing system is turned off even though no dispensing activity occurred during those time intervals. 
     The method  600  may include one or both of steps  614   a  and  614   b . At steps  614   a  and/or  614   b , a predicted time of failure of the applicator may be determined. The predicted time of failure indicated in steps  614   a  and  614   b  may refer to the same predicted time of failure. In step  614   a , a predicted time of failure of the applicator may be determined based on the first subset of applicator parameter values and the second subset of applicator parameter values. In step  614   b , a predicted time of failure of the applicator may be determined based on the first subset of heater parameter values and the second subset of heater parameter values. In instances in which the method  600  includes both steps  614   a  and  614   b , the predicted time of failure of the applicator may be determined based on the first subset of applicator parameter values, the second subset of applicator parameter values, the first subset of heater parameter values, and the second subset of heater parameter values. Alternatively (not shown), the predicted time of failure of the applicator may be determined based on the first subset of heater parameter values and the second subset of heater parameter values. That is, the method  600  in this instance may include step  614   b  but not step  614   a.    
     As an example, the predicted time of failure of the applicator may be determined based on one or more heater parameter values (e.g., duty cycle values) each temporally associated with a time interval during which no dispensing activity by the applicator occurred (a zero gun cycle count) and one or more heater parameter values (e.g., duty cycle values) each temporally associated with a time interval during which dispensing activity by the applicator did occur (a non-zero or multiple gun cycle count). The determining the predicted time of failure may comprise comparing one or more heater parameter values of the first subset of heater parameter values with one or more heater parameter values of the second subset of heater parameter values. 
     The predicted time of failure may be further based on an average of the duty cycle values temporally associated with time intervals during which no gun cycles occurred and an average of the duty cycle values temporally associated with time intervals during which one or more gun cycles occurred. The first block of time may comprise a day, thus making the two duty cycle averages per-day averages. The two duty cycle averages may be compared to one another in determining the predicted time of failure. Accordingly, determining the predicted time of failure may further comprise comparing an average the first subset of heater parameter values with an average of the second subset of heater parameter values. 
     The predicted time of failure of the applicator may be further based on the non-zero gun cycle counts, such as an average of the non-zero gun cycle counts occurring during two or more time intervals of the first block of time. For example, the predicted time of failure may be based on the average of the duty cycle values temporally associated with time intervals during which no gun cycles occurred, the average of the duty cycle values temporally associated with time intervals during which one or more gun cycles occurred, and the average of the gun cycle counts temporally associated with time intervals during which one or more gun cycles occurred. Thus, the predicted time of failure of the applicator may be based on an average duty cycle value of the first subset of heater parameter values, an average duty cycle value of the second subset of heater parameter values, and an average gun cycle count of the second subset of applicator parameter values. 
     The predicted time of failure of the applicator may be based on a relationship (i.e., a first parameter relationship associated with the first block of time) between the average duty cycle value for the first subset of heater parameter values, the average duty cycle value for the second subset of heater parameter values, and the average gun cycle count for the second subset of applicator parameter values. The first parameter relationship may reflect a difference between the average duty cycle value of the second subset of heater parameter values and the average duty cycle value of the first subset of heater parameter values. The first parameter relationship may further comprise a relationship between the average gun cycle count of the second subset of applicator parameter values (e.g., non-zero or multiple gun cycle counts) and the above-noted difference between the average duty cycle value of the second subset of heater parameter values and the average duty cycle value of the first subset of heater parameter values. For example, the first parameter relationship may be reflected in Eq. (2) below. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   R 
                   = 
                   
                     
                       ( 
                       
                         
                           A 
                           g 
                         
                         - 
                         
                           A 
                           0 
                         
                       
                       ) 
                     
                     g 
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Eq 
                   . 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     ( 
                     2 
                     ) 
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     In Eq. (2), R may be a value representing the first parameter relationship (or other analogous relationship associated with another block of time). R may represent a slope or other relationship suitable for plotting on a graph comprising a y-axis indicating an increasing duty cycle value for an applicator in a “failed” state and an x-axis indicating an increasing duty cycle value for an applicator that is not in a failed state. A g  may represent the average duty cycle value of the second subset of heater parameter values (temporally associated with non-zero gun cycle count time intervals) and A 0  may represent the average duty cycle value of the first subset of heater parameter values (temporally associated with zero (0) gun cycle count time intervals). g may represent the average gun cycle count of the second subset of applicator parameter values (e.g., non-zero or multiple gun cycle counts). 
     The predicted time of failure of the applicator may be determined further based on additional applicator and heater parameter values temporally associated with time intervals of one or more additional blocks of time, such as one or more additional days. For example, the method  600  may further comprise providing a second plurality of applicator parameter values of the first operating parameter of the applicator (e.g., gun cycle counts) and providing a second plurality of heater parameter values of the second operating parameter of the heater (e.g., duty cycle values). The second plurality of applicator parameter values may be analogous in some aspects with the first plurality of applicator parameter values except that, at the least, each applicator parameter value of the second plurality of applicator parameter values may be temporally associated with a time interval of a second block of time. For example, the first block of time may be the first day and the second block of time may be a second day. The first and second blocks of time may be non-overlapping. 
     Similarly, the second plurality of heater parameter values may be analogous in some aspects with the first plurality of heater parameter values except that, at the least, each heater parameter value of the second plurality of heater parameter values may be associated with an applicator parameter value of the second plurality of applicator parameter values. Each heater parameter value of the second plurality of heater parameter values further may be temporally associated with a time interval of the second block of time, such as the same time interval as that of the applicator parameter value associated with the heater parameter value. 
     The method  600  may further include determining third and fourth subsets of applicator parameter values of the second plurality of applicator parameter values. Analogous in some aspects to the first subset of applicator parameter values (associated with the first block of time), each applicator parameter value of the third subset of applicator parameter values may indicate that no dispensing activity by the applicator occurred during the temporally associated time interval of the second block of time. As such, each applicator parameter value of the third subset of applicator parameter values may indicate a gun cycle count of zero. Analogous in some aspects to the second subset of applicator parameter values (associated with the first block of time), each applicator parameter value of the fourth subset of applicator parameter values may indicate that dispensing activity by the applicator did occur during the temporally associated time interval of the second block of time. As such, each applicator parameter value of the fourth subset of applicator parameter values may indicate a non-zero or multiple gun cycle count. 
     The method  600  may further include determining third and fourth subsets of heater parameter values of the second plurality of heater parameter values. Analogous in some aspects to the first subset of heater parameter values (associated with the first block of time), each heater parameter value of the third subset of heater parameter values may be associated with an applicator parameter value of the third subset of applicator parameter values. As such, each heater parameter value of the third subset of heater parameter values may be associated with a zero gun cycle count, such as a time interval during which no dispensing activity occurred. Analogous in some aspects to the second subset of heater parameter values (associated with the first block of time), each heater parameter value of the fourth subset of heater parameter values may be associated with an applicator parameter value of the fourth subset of applicator parameter values. Thus, each heater parameter value of the fourth subset of heater parameter values may be associated with a non-zero or multiple gun cycle count, such as a time interval during which dispensing activity by the applicator occurred. 
     In the method  600 , the predicted time of failure of the applicator may be further based on the third subset of heater parameter values and the fourth subset of heater parameter values. For example, the predicted time of failure of the applicator may be based on duty cycle values of the heater that are temporally associated with time intervals of the second block of time in which no dispensing activity by the applicator occurred (e.g., zero gun cycle counts) and duty cycle values of the heater that are temporally associated with time intervals of the second block of time during which dispensing activity by the applicator did occur (e.g., non-zero or multiple gun cycle counts). 
     The predicted time of failure may be further based on an average duty cycle value of the third subset of heater parameter values, an average duty cycle value of the fourth subset of heater parameter values, and an average gun cycle count of the fourth subset of applicator parameter values. Particularly, the predicted time of failure of the applicator may be based on a relationship (i.e., a second parameter relationship associated with the second block of time) between the average duty cycle value of the third subset of heater parameter values, the average duty cycle value of the fourth subset of heater parameter values, and the average gun cycle count of the fourth subset of applicator parameter values. Similar to the first parameter relationship associated with the first block of time, the second parameter relationship may reflect a difference between the average duty cycle value of the fourth subset of heater parameter values and the average duty cycle value of the third subset of heater parameter values. Also similar to the first parameter relationship, the second parameter relationship may further comprise a relationship between the average gun cycle count of the fourth subset of applicator parameter values (e.g., non-zero or multiple gun cycle counts) and the above-noted difference between the average duty cycle value of the fourth subset of heater parameter values and the average duty cycle value of the third subset of heater parameter values. Yet again similar to the first parameter relationship, the second parameter relationship may be represented in Eq. (2). 
     Determining the predicted failure time of the applicator may comprise comparing the first parameter relationship associated with the first block of time (e.g., the first day) with the second parameter relationship associated with the second block of time (e.g., the second day). Comparing the first parameter relationship and the second parameter relationship may comprise determining a trend (e.g., a statistical trend) between the first parameter relationship and the second parameter relationship. The trend may be with respect to gun cycle counts and heater duty cycle values associated with said gun cycle counts. Determining the predicted failure time of the applicator may further comprise fitting a curve (e.g., a mathematical function) to the trend, such as when the first and second parameter relationships are plotted on a graph. 
     Determining the predicted failure time of the applicator may be further based on one or more other parameter relationships in addition to the first and second parameter relationships. Each of the one or more other parameter relationships may be associated, respectively, with other blocks of time (e.g., a day) different from the first and second blocks of time. Each of the one or more other parameter relationships may be based on respective pluralities of applicator and heater parameter values temporally associated with the respective other blocks of time. Each of the one or more other parameter relationships may be determined in a manner analogous, in some aspects, with the manner in which the first and second parameter relationships may be determined. 
     Accordingly, determining the predicted failure time of the applicator may further comprise performing a comparison between the first, second, and the one or more other parameter relationships. The comparison may comprise determining a trend (e.g., a statistical trend) between the first, second, and the one or more other parameter relationships. The comparison may further comprise determining a curve to fit the trend, such as when the first, second, and the one or more other parameter relationships are graphically plotted. 
     One skilled in the art will appreciate that the systems and methods disclosed herein may be implemented via a computing device that may comprise, but are not limited to, one or more processors, a system memory, and a system bus that couples various system components including the processor to the system memory. In the case of multiple processors, the system may utilize parallel computing. 
     For purposes of illustration, application programs and other executable program components such as the operating system are illustrated herein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programs and components reside at various times in different storage components of the computing device, and are executed by the data processor(s) of the computer. An implementation of service software may be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media. Any of the disclosed methods may be performed by computer readable instructions embodied on computer readable media. Computer readable media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not meant to be limiting, computer readable media may comprise “computer storage media” and “communications media.” “Computer storage media” comprise volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any methods or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Exemplary computer storage media comprises, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which may be used to store the desired information and which may be accessed by a computer. Application programs and the like and/or storage media may be implemented, at least in part, at a remote system. 
     As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. 
     Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. 
     Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes. 
     Disclosed are components that may be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that may be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps may be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods. 
     Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope or spirit. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.