Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a dispensing system comprising an integral manifold body and a heating member and a nozzle. <CIT> describes an air heater for use in an aluminum cartridge spray gun for adhesive or other food material. A heating coil has a spiral groove. Dispensing systems often apply thermoplastic materials (e.g., hot melt adhesives) to various substrates (e.g., diapers, sanitary napkins, surgical drapes). Many thermoplastic materials exist in a solid form at room temperature and require heat to create a flowable viscous liquid. Therefore, dispensing systems generate heat to melt the thermoplastic materials, which are distributed to one or more dispensing valves for application to the substrate. Pressurized process air is often directed toward the liquid as it is dispensed to attenuate or draw down the dispensed liquid material and to control the pattern of the liquid material as it is applied to the substrate.

The process air must be heated to ensure that the process air does not cause the thermoplastic material to cool and solidify prior to application. However, current hot melt applicators heat the process air and adhesive with separate manifolds, heaters, and controls, which results in increased applicator envelope, system complexity, manufacturing costs, and service parts. The increased physical envelope creates different heating zones within the system that are sometimes exceed the capacity of those available from the melter, thereby further increasing cost.

A need therefore exists for an improved liquid material dispensing system which addresses various drawbacks of prior dispensing systems, such as those described above.

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the systems and methods described herein. One aspect in accordance with claim <NUM> is directed to a dispensing system configured to receive liquid material and process air. The dispensing system includes a manifold body having a liquid material passage and a process air passage. The dispensing system also includes a heating member received in the manifold body. The heating member has a first (e.g., upper) portion, a second (e.g., lower) portion, an outer surface, and a groove in the outer surface. The groove is tortuous and/or non-linear and comprises a plurality of annular segments and a plurality of longitudinal segments. The groove may extend between the upper portion and the lower portion and form at least a portion of the process air passage. The dispensing system further includes a nozzle configured to dispense the liquid material. The heating member is configured to heat the process air as the process air passes through the groove and heat the liquid material through contact of the outer surface of the heating member with the manifold body.

Another aspect is directed to a method of dispensing a liquid material in accordance with claim <NUM>. The method may include receiving the liquid material in a liquid passage of a manifold body, and receiving process air in a process air passage of the manifold body. The method may also include heating the liquid material through contact of an outer surface of a heating member with the manifold body, and heating the process air by receiving the process air in a groove of the heating member. The groove may extend from an upper portion of the heating member to a lower portion of the heating member and form at least a portion of the process air passage. The method further includes dispensing the liquid material with a nozzle.

Another preferred embodiment of the dispensing system is directed to a dispensing system having a filter assembly, a heating member, a temperature sensor, and a nozzle. The manifold body includes a liquid material passage and a process air passage. The filter may be disposed in the liquid material passage and configured to remove contaminants from the liquid material. The heating member is received in the manifold body and has a heating cartridge and a heating sleeve disposed around the heating cartridge. The heating member has an upper portion, a lower portion, an outer surface, and a groove in the outer surface. The groove may extend between the upper portion and the lower portion and form at least a portion of the process air passage. The groove may include a plurality of annular segments and a plurality of longitudinal segments that alternate along a longitudinal length of the heating member. The temperature sensor may be disposed in the manifold body and be configured to detect heat generated by the heating member. The nozzle may be configured to dispense the liquid material. The heating member may be configured to heat the process air as the process air passes through the groove and heat the liquid material through contact of the outer surface of the heating member with the manifold body.

In order that the disclosure may be readily understood, aspects of this disclosure are illustrated by way of examples in the accompanying drawings.

The same reference numbers refer to the same parts in the drawings and the detailed description.

Systems and methods for dispensing a fluid material are described herein. The system includes a manifold body having internal passages the receive liquid material (e.g., a viscous thermoplastic material) and process air. The system includes one or more heating members having a cartridge and a heating sleeve. The heating sleeve may have an outer surface with a groove that forms at least a portion of the process air passage. The groove extends from a first (e.g. upper) portion to a second (e.g., lower) portion of the heating sleeve. The outer surface of the heating sleeve may also contact the manifold body to enclose the process air passage and to heat the liquid material. The groove may have a depth less than about <NUM>" (<NUM>,<NUM>) and provide a non-linear and/or tortuous path that increases contact between the heating sleeve and the process air. In some embodiments, the groove may provide a stepped path, having a plurality of longitudinal segments and annular segments, alternating along the longitudinal length of the heating member. In some embodiments, the groove may include a helical segment. The heater sleeve may divide the process air into separate flow paths along a least a portion of a longitudinal and/or circumferential length of the heat sleeve. For example, the heater sleeve may divide the process air with annular segments, parallel longitudinal segments, and/or parallel or intersecting helical segments of the groove, as further discussed below.

The geometry of the grooves of the heating sleeve may be configured to provide balanced thermal loading to the process air and liquid material. The surface area of the outer surface may be greater than a surface area of the groove to increase heat transfer to the manifold body to heat the liquid material. The heating member may be configured to simultaneously heat the process air and the liquid material, eliminating the need for separate heating members for each of the process air and the liquid material. In that sense, the disclosed dispensing system may reduce manufacturing costs and the need to stock multiple parts. The disclosed dispensing system may also allow for a more compact manifold body.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an exemplary dispensing system <NUM> including a manifold body <NUM>. The manifold body <NUM> may have a front surface <NUM>, a rear surface <NUM>, an upper surface <NUM>, a lower surface <NUM>, and oppositely disposed longitudinal surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>.

The dispensing system <NUM> may include a dispensing valve <NUM> integrated and/or secured to the front of the manifold body <NUM>. The dispensing valve <NUM> may include an on/off type nozzle having a valve stem <NUM> mounting for reciprocating movement in a chamber <NUM> (<FIG>) along an axis to selectively dispense the liquid material (e.g., hot melt adhesive) in a specific pattern through a nozzle <NUM>, such as in the form of one or more beads or filaments. The valve stem <NUM> may be reciprocally driven by a drive mechanism <NUM> that may apply pressurized air to an upper portion of the valve stem <NUM>. The drive mechanism <NUM> may force the valve stem <NUM> into abutment with a valve seat at the bottom of chamber <NUM> to force the liquid material out of the nozzle <NUM> and onto the substrate. As further shown in <FIG>, the nozzle <NUM> may be integrated into the manifold body <NUM>, and the drive mechanism <NUM> may be a separate component.

The dispensing system <NUM> includes a heating member <NUM> received in a heating member housing <NUM> of the manifold body <NUM> (<FIG>), and the heating member <NUM> is configured to transmit heat to the liquid material and the process air, simultaneously. The heating member <NUM> may have a heating cartridge <NUM> and a heating sleeve <NUM> (e.g., as depicted in <FIG>) and may be connected to an electrical cable <NUM> having one or more electric conduits. The electrical cable <NUM> may provide current from a power source (not shown) to the heating cartridge <NUM>, and the heating cartridge <NUM> may generate and transfer heat to the heating sleeve <NUM>. The heating sleeve <NUM> may transfer the heat to process air as the process air flows past the heating sleeve <NUM>. The heating sleeve <NUM> may also transfer heat to the liquid material through contact with the manifold body <NUM>. The heating sleeve <NUM> may transmit heat to the manifold body <NUM> through contact along the length of the heating sleeve <NUM>, for example, at a first (e.g., upper) portion and a second (e.g., lower) portion of the heating sleeve <NUM>. The manifold body <NUM> may be made of a heat-conductive material (e.g., aluminum) that transfers the heat from the heating sleeve <NUM> to the liquid material as it passes through the liquid material passages. A close fit between the heating cartridge <NUM>, the heating sleeve <NUM>, and the heating member housing <NUM> may provide an expanded footprint of the heating cartridge <NUM> and an improved uniformity and response of heating surfaces exposed to the process air and liquid material. For example, the heating cartridge <NUM> and heating sleeve <NUM> may be inserted into the manifold body <NUM> unheated and having a reduced diameter, and the close fit may be created by expanding the heating member <NUM> through heat generated by the heating cartridge <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may also include a hexagonal head on a top surface for engaging a tool (not shown) to facilitate insertion and/or removal of the unheated heating member <NUM> into/from the manifold body <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the manifold body <NUM> may house only a single heating member <NUM> (e.g., a single heating cartridge <NUM> and a single heating sleeve <NUM>) that heats the process air and the liquid material, reducing the size of the manifold body <NUM>.

The dispensing system <NUM> may also include a filter assembly <NUM> configured to filter out contaminants from the liquid material. As depicted in <FIG>, the filter assembly <NUM> may be received in a filter assembly housing <NUM> extending through the rear surface <NUM> of the manifold body <NUM> and at an angle substantially parallel to the heating member housing <NUM>. The filter assembly <NUM> may have an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet of the filter assembly may be aligned with the vertical passage <NUM> to receive liquid material introduced into the manifold body <NUM> through a liquid material fitting <NUM>. The filter assembly <NUM> may include a unitary filter body having a fine mesh screen to filter or remove particles from the dispensing liquid flowing through the passageway of the filter. The filter assembly <NUM> may also include a hexagonal head on a top surface for engaging a tool (not shown) to facilitate insertion and/or removal of the heating member <NUM> into/from the manifold body <NUM>. The filter assembly <NUM> may be spring-biased permitting ready removal, as further described in <CIT> entitled "Liquid Dispensing Apparatus and a Filter Assembly for a Liquid Dispensing Apparatus".

The dispensing system <NUM> may further include a temperature sensor <NUM> received in a temperature sensor housing <NUM> of the manifold body <NUM>. The temperature sensor <NUM> may be configured to detect heat generated by the heating member <NUM> and/or transmitted to the process air and/or liquid material. The temperature sensor <NUM> and the temperature sensor housing <NUM> may extend through the rear surface <NUM> and between the liquid material passage and the process air passage. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor <NUM> and the temperature sensor housing <NUM> may extend at an angle relative to the lateral axis of the manifold body <NUM> and substantially parallel to the heating member <NUM> and at least a portion of the liquid material passage. The temperature sensor <NUM> may be electrically connected to the electrical cable <NUM>. The manifold body <NUM> may house one or more of the temperature sensors <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, the manifold body <NUM> may house only a single temperature sensor <NUM> positioned between the heating member <NUM> and the liquid material passage, reducing the size of the manifold body <NUM>.

The liquid material and pressurized process air may be supplied through the manifold body <NUM> to the dispensing valve <NUM> to thereby dispense beads or filaments of the liquid material onto a substrate. The manifold body <NUM> receives pressurized liquid material through the liquid material fitting <NUM> from a liquid material reservoir (not shown) via a liquid material pump (not shown). The liquid material fitting <NUM> may be recessed into the vertical passage <NUM> through the upper surface <NUM> of the manifold body <NUM>, and the liquid material fitting <NUM> may be oriented in a number of different directions. The dispensing liquid may pass through the liquid material fitting <NUM> and the vertical passage <NUM>, and into the filter assembly <NUM>. The filter assembly <NUM> and the filter assembly housing <NUM> may be disposed at an acute angle relative to a lateral axis of the manifold body <NUM> and substantially parallel to the heating member <NUM> to provide a uniform heat distribution to the liquid material in the filter assembly <NUM>. The filter assembly <NUM> may remove contaminants from the liquid material as the liquid material passes through the filter assembly housing <NUM>. The liquid material may then pass through one or more passages <NUM>, <NUM>, where the liquid material is continuously heated. For example, the passages <NUM>, <NUM> may sequentially include a vertical passage <NUM> and an angled passage <NUM> extending substantially parallel to the heating member <NUM>, which increases the uniformity of the heat distribution of the liquid material. The liquid material may then enter into the chamber <NUM> of the dispensing valve <NUM> where the liquid material is dispensed through the nozzle <NUM>.

The manifold body <NUM> also receives pressurized pressure air through a process air fitting <NUM> recessed in a passage <NUM> on the lower surface <NUM> of the manifold body <NUM>. The process air may then enter into a non-linear and/or tortuous passage disposed around the heating member <NUM>, where the process air is heated. The process air may then pass through process air passage <NUM>. The process air passage <NUM> may include an annular passage extending around the nozzle <NUM> to distribute the process air continuously or at discrete points around the liquid material dispensed through the nozzle <NUM>. For example, the annular passage may include a plurality of air discharge orifices <NUM> around the nozzle <NUM> that provide air pressure to modify the shape and/or direction of the dispensed liquid material.

As further illustrated in <FIG>, the heating member <NUM> may be a cartridge-style heating member having the heating sleeve <NUM> disposed around the heating cartridge <NUM>. The heating sleeve <NUM> includes a groove <NUM> on an outer surface and extending from an first (e.g., upper) portion to a second (e.g., lower) portion. The groove <NUM> defines a passage constrained by the outer surface of the heating sleeve <NUM> and an interior surface of the heating member housing <NUM> of the manifold body <NUM>. In some embodiments, the groove <NUM> may have a depth of less than about <NUM> inch (<NUM>,<NUM>) to increase heat transfer. The heating sleeve <NUM> may also contact the manifold body <NUM> between the outer surface of the heating sleeve <NUM> and along the interior surface of the heating member housing <NUM>. The heating sleeve <NUM> may contact the manifold body <NUM> along its longitudinal length, for example, at the upper portion and the lower portion of the heating sleeve <NUM>. The heating sleeve <NUM> may transfer heat to the liquid material through the contact with the manifold body <NUM> as the liquid material passes through the liquid material passage. The outer surface of the heating sleeve <NUM> may have a surface area greater than the groove (e.g., a circumferential inner surface defining a lower surface of the groove <NUM> that does not contact the manifold body <NUM>). The heating member <NUM> may be disposed at an acute angle relative to a lateral direction of the manifold body <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may also extend substantially parallel to at least a portion of the liquid material passage through the manifold body <NUM> to distribute heat uniformly. In some embodiments, the heating member <NUM> may extend substantially parallel to greater than half of the length of the liquid material passage through the manifold body <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be sized to freely slide into and out of the heating member housing <NUM>, but when heated, the heating member <NUM> may expand to contact the inner wall of the heating member housing <NUM> and improve the heat transfer.

The groove <NUM> may have a number of different non-linear and/or tortuous configurations to enhance heat transfer to the process air. In some embodiments, as depicted in a first exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the groove <NUM> may have a stepped configuration with a plurality of annular segments <NUM> and a plurality of longitudinal segments <NUM>. For example, the plurality of annular segments <NUM> and the plurality of longitudinal segments <NUM> may alternate along the longitudinal length of the heating member <NUM> to provide the non-linear and/or tortuous process air passage. As shown in the front view of <FIG> and the rear view of <FIG>, the annular segments <NUM> may extend the entire circumference of the heating sleeve <NUM>, and the longitudinal segments <NUM> may alternate circumferential sides (e.g., at <NUM>° along the circumference) of the heating sleeve <NUM> to provide a longer flow path along the longitudinal length and to increase the contact between heating sleeve <NUM> and the process air. The annular segments <NUM> may also divide the process air into first and second flow paths around the circumference of the heating sleeve <NUM> (e.g., as depicted in <FIG>) increasing the efficiency of heat transfer. The annular segments <NUM> may also favorably generate turbulence in the process air by dividing the process air into first and second flow paths.

As further shown in <FIG>, the upper most annular segment <NUM> may be aligned with the process air fitting <NUM> to receive the process air. Furthermore, the uppermost longitudinal segment <NUM> may be on the side opposite of the process air fitting <NUM> to increase the flow path. The lowermost longitudinal segment <NUM> may have an open end aligned with the process air passage <NUM> to facilitate feeding the process air into the process air passage <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, the groove <NUM> may be modified with a lower annular segment <NUM> (as generally illustrated in <FIG>) that may be in communication with a lower gallery (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>) of a manifold body (e.g., <NUM>). When the process air reaches the lower end of the heating sleeve <NUM>, the process air may be elevated to a temperature at or near the set point of the liquid material to reduce any thermal effect of the process air on the liquid material. As further depicted in <FIG>, the heating sleeve <NUM> may include a lumen configured to receive the heating cartridge <NUM> which emits heat. An upper surface of the heating cartridge <NUM> may be electrically connected to the electrical cable <NUM>.

In a second exemplary embodiment as shown in a front view of <FIG> and a rear view of <FIG>, a heating member <NUM> may include a heating sleeve <NUM> with a groove <NUM> having one or more annular segments <NUM> that do not extend the entire circumference of the heating sleeve <NUM>. For example, the annular segments <NUM> may extend greater than <NUM>° around the circumference of the heating sleeve <NUM> and have closed ends. The annular segments <NUM> may also be connected at the closed ends by longitudinal segments <NUM> that are circumferentially offset along the longitudinal length of the heating sleeve <NUM>. An upper annular segment <NUM> may extend the entire circumference of the heating sleeve <NUM> and may be in communication with an upper gallery (e.g., <NUM>) of a manifold body (e.g., <NUM>). A lower annular segment <NUM> may extend the entire circumference of the heating sleeve <NUM> and may be in communication with a lower gallery of the manifold. The annular segments <NUM> and the longitudinal segments <NUM> may create a tortuous and/or non-linear flow path to enhance heat transfer to the process air.

In a third exemplary embodiment as shown in a front view of <FIG> and a rear view of <FIG>, a heating member <NUM> may include a heating sleeve <NUM> with one or more grooves <NUM> having a plurality of parallel longitudinal segments <NUM> connecting annular segments <NUM>. The parallel longitudinal segments <NUM> may divide the process air into a plurality of parallel flow paths increasing heat transfer from the heating sleeve <NUM> to the process air. The parallel longitudinal segments <NUM> may increase the surface area of the heating sleeve <NUM> contacting the process air. The parallel longitudinal segments <NUM> may also create a tortuous and/or non-linear flow path, for example, when process air passes through a first longitudinal segment <NUM>, circumferentially through an annular segment <NUM>, and into a circumferentially offset second longitudinal segment <NUM>. The annular segments <NUM> may extend the entire circumference of the heating sleeve <NUM>, and include an upper annular segment <NUM> that may be in communication with an upper gallery (e.g., <NUM>) of a manifold body (e.g., <NUM>) and a lower annular segment <NUM> that may be in communication with a lower gallery of the manifold.

In a fourth exemplary embodiment as shown in a front view of <FIG>, a side view of <FIG>, and a rear view of <FIG>, a heating member <NUM> may include a heating sleeve <NUM> with a groove <NUM> having one or more annular segments <NUM> and one or more longitudinal segments <NUM>, alternating along a circumference of the heating sleeve <NUM>. For example, the heating sleeve <NUM> may include an upper annular segment <NUM> configured to receive process air from an upper gallery (e.g., <NUM>) of a manifold body (e.g., <NUM>). The process air may pass from the upper annular segment <NUM> into a first longitudinal segment <NUM>, down the heating sleeve <NUM>, and into a first closed annular segment <NUM>, as depicted <FIG>. The process air may then pass from the first closed annular segment <NUM> into a second longitudinal segment <NUM>, up the heating sleeve <NUM>, and into a second closed annular segment <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The process air may then pass from the second closed annular segment <NUM>, into a third longitudinal segment <NUM>, down the heating sleeve <NUM>, and into a lower annular segment <NUM>. The process air may then pass from the lower annular segment <NUM>, for example, into a lower gallery (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>) of the manifold body.

In some embodiments, as depicted in a disclosed but not claimed fifth exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, a heating member <NUM> may include a heating sleeve <NUM> with a groove <NUM> having one or more helical segments <NUM>. The heating sleeve <NUM> may include an upper annular segment <NUM> configured to receive process air from an upper gallery (e.g., <NUM>) of a manifold body (e.g., <NUM>). The process air may then pass through the helical segment <NUM>, into a lower annular segment <NUM>, and then, for example, into a lower gallery (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>) of the manifold body.

In a sixth exemplary embodiment as shown in a front view of <FIG> and a rear view of <FIG>, a heating member <NUM> may include a heating sleeve <NUM> with one or more grooves <NUM> with a plurality of helical segments <NUM>, <NUM> extending in the same direction around the heating sleeve <NUM>. For example, the heating sleeve <NUM> may include an upper annular segment <NUM> configured to receive process air from an upper gallery (e.g., <NUM>) of a manifold body (e.g., <NUM>). The process air may then be divided into a first flow path through the first helical segment <NUM> and a second flow path through the second helical segment <NUM>. The process air from each of the first and second flow paths may pass into a lower annular segment <NUM> and, for example, in a lower gallery (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>) of the manifold body. Although the heating member <NUM> is illustrated with first and second helical segments <NUM>, <NUM>, it is contemplated that the heating sleeve <NUM> may include any number of helical segments <NUM>, <NUM>.

In a seventh exemplary embodiment as shown in a front view of <FIG> and a rear view of <FIG>, a heating member <NUM> may include a heating sleeve <NUM> with one or more grooves <NUM> with a plurality of helical segments <NUM>, <NUM> extending in an opposite direction around the heating sleeve <NUM>. For example, the heating sleeve <NUM> may include an upper annular segment <NUM> configured to receive process air from an upper gallery (e.g., <NUM>) of a manifold body (e.g., <NUM>). The process air may then be divided into a first flow path through the first helical segment <NUM> and a second flow path through the second helical segment <NUM>. The first and second helical segments <NUM>, <NUM> may intersect at segments <NUM> where the process air becomes turbulent. The process air from each of the first and second flow paths may pass into a lower annular segment <NUM> and, for example, in a lower gallery (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>) of the manifold body. Although the heating member <NUM> is illustrated with first and second helical segments <NUM>, <NUM>, it is contemplated that the heating sleeve <NUM> may include any number of helical segments <NUM>, <NUM>.

The dispensing systems (e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>) of this disclosure may be used with one or more of the various embodiments of the heating sleeve. In that sense, each of the embodiments of the sleeve may be modified to fit any number of flow paths and/or applications. For example, the lower annular chamber (e.g. <NUM>) may be added or omitted to the heating member depending on the presence of a lower gallery (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>) in the manifold body. Although the various embodiments of the groove(s) of the heater sleeves are depicted to have a width substantially larger than a depth that may generate a thin film gap between an inner surface of the manifold body. It is also contemplated that the groove(s) may have a a depth substantially larger than a width, producing a thin film gap dictated by the width rather than the depth.

A controller (not shown) may be configured to regulate the heat provided by the various embodiments of the heating member to the process air and/or liquid material dispensed from the dispensing valve <NUM>. For example, the controller may receive signals from the temperature sensor <NUM> and regulate the current provided to the heating cartridge by the electrical cable <NUM> in a closed loop system. The controller may also regulate the heating member <NUM> based on other dispensing variables, such as the dispenser design, operating modes, environmental conditions, the flow rate of the liquid material and/or thermal properties of the liquid material. The controller may be embodied by one or more software modules integrated into a computer system or non-transitory computer-readable media. The controller may also communicate with components (e.g., the heating member <NUM>, the temperature sensor <NUM>, and/or the electrical cable <NUM>) through any number of wired or wireless connections.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary dispensing system <NUM> including a manifold body <NUM> having a plurality of dispensing valves <NUM> and/or a plurality of heating members <NUM>. The manifold body <NUM> may have a front surface <NUM>, a rear surface <NUM>, an upper surface <NUM>, a lower surface <NUM>, and oppositely disposed longitudinal surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>.

The dispensing valves <NUM> may be integrated and/or secured to the front of the manifold body <NUM>. The dispensing valves <NUM> may include an on/off type nozzle having a valve stem (not shown) mounting for reciprocating movement in a chamber <NUM> along an axis to selectively dispense the liquid material (e.g., hot melt adhesive) in a specific pattern through a nozzle <NUM>, such as in the form of one or more beads or filaments. The valve stem may be reciprocally driven by a drive mechanism <NUM> that may apply pressurized air to an upper portion of the valve stem. The drive mechanism <NUM> may force the valve stem into abutment with a valve seat at the bottom of chamber <NUM> to force the liquid material out of the nozzle <NUM> and onto a substrate. As further shown in <FIG>, the nozzle <NUM> may be integrated into the manifold body <NUM>, and the drive mechanism <NUM> may be a separable component.

As further shown in <FIG>, the dispensing system <NUM> may include one or more heating members <NUM> received in one or more heating member housings <NUM> (<FIG>) of the manifold body <NUM>, and the heating members <NUM> may be configured to transmit heat to the liquid material and the process air, simultaneously. The heating members <NUM> may have a heating cartridge <NUM> and a heating sleeve <NUM> (e.g., as depicted <FIG>), and may be connected to one or more electrical cables <NUM> having one or more electric conduits. The electrical cables <NUM> may provide current from a power source (not shown) to the heating cartridge <NUM>, and the heating cartridge may generate and transfer heat to the heating sleeve <NUM>. The heating sleeve may transfer the heat to process air as the process air flows past the heating sleeve <NUM>. The heating sleeve <NUM> may also transfer heat to the liquid material through contact with the manifold body <NUM>. The heating sleeve may transmit heat to the manifold body <NUM> through contact along the length of the heating sleeve, for example, at an upper portion and a second (e.g., lower) portion. The manifold body <NUM> may be made of a heat-conductive material (e.g., aluminum) that transfers heat from the heating sleeve <NUM> to the liquid material as it passes through the liquid material passages. A close fit between the heating cartridge <NUM>, the heating sleeve <NUM>, and the heating member housing <NUM> may provide an expanded footprint of the heating cartridge and an improved uniformity and response of heating surfaces exposed to the process air and liquid material. The heating members <NUM> may also include a hexagonal head on a top surface for engaging a tool (not shown) to facilitate insertion and/or removal of the heating members <NUM> into/from the manifold body <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the manifold body <NUM> may house a plurality of the heating members <NUM> to heat a plurality of parallel flows of liquid material and/or process air to be dispensed through one or more dispensing valves <NUM>.

The dispensing system <NUM> may also include one or more filter assemblies <NUM> configured to filter out contaminants from the liquid material. As depicted in <FIG>, the filter assemblies <NUM> may be received in a filter assembly housing <NUM> extending through the rear surface <NUM> of the manifold body <NUM> and at an angle substantially parallel to the heating member housing <NUM>. The filter assemblies <NUM> may have an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet of the filter assembly may be aligned with the vertical passage <NUM> to receive liquid material introduced into the manifold body <NUM> through one or more liquid material fittings <NUM>. The filter assemblies <NUM> may include a unitary filter body having a fine mesh screen to filter or remove particles from the dispensing liquid flowing through the passageway of the filter. The filter assemblies <NUM> may also include a hexagonal head on a top surface for engaging a tool (not shown) to facilitate insertion and/or removal of the heating member <NUM> into/from the manifold body <NUM>. The filter assemblies <NUM> may be spring-biased permitting ready removal, as further described in <CIT> entitled "Liquid Dispensing Apparatus and a Filter Assembly for a Liquid Dispensing Apparatus".

The dispensing system <NUM> may further include one or more temperature sensors (not shown) received in one or more temperature sensor housings (not shown) of the manifold body <NUM>. The temperature sensors may be configured to detect heat generated by the heating member <NUM> and/or transmitted to the process air and/or liquid material. The temperature sensors and the temperature sensor housings may extend through the rear surface <NUM> and between the liquid material passage and the process air passage. In some embodiments, the temperature sensors and the temperature sensor housings may extend at an angle relative to the lateral axis of the manifold body <NUM> and substantially parallel to the heating member <NUM> and at least a portion of the liquid material passage. The temperature sensors may be electrically connected to the electrical cable <NUM>.

The liquid material and pressurized process air may be supplied through the manifold body <NUM> to the dispensing valves <NUM> to thereby dispense beads or filaments of the liquid material onto a substrate. For example, the manifold body <NUM> may receive pressurized liquid material through the liquid material fitting <NUM> from a liquid material reservoir (not shown) via a liquid material pump (not shown). The liquid material fitting <NUM> may be recessed into a vertical passage <NUM> through the upper surface <NUM> of the manifold body <NUM>, and the liquid material fitting <NUM> may be oriented in a number of different directions. The dispensing liquid may pass through the liquid material fitting <NUM> and the vertical passage <NUM>, and into the filter assembly <NUM>. The filter assembly <NUM> and the filter assembly housing <NUM> may be disposed at an acute angle relative to a lateral axis of the manifold body <NUM> and substantially parallel to the heating member <NUM> to provide a uniform heat distribution to the liquid material in the filter assembly <NUM>. The filter assembly <NUM> may remove contaminants from the liquid material as the liquid material passes through the filter assembly housing <NUM>. The liquid material may then pass through one or more passages <NUM>, <NUM>, where the liquid material is continuously heated. For example, the passages <NUM>, <NUM> may include a vertical passage <NUM> and an angled passage <NUM> extending substantially parallel to the heating member <NUM>, which increases the uniformity of the heat distribution of the liquid material. The liquid material may then enter into the chamber <NUM> of the dispensing valves <NUM> where the liquid material is dispensed through the nozzle <NUM>.

As depicted <FIG>, the heating members <NUM> may provide process air passages <NUM> extending from one or more upper galleries <NUM> to one or more lower galleries <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the manifold body <NUM> may receive pressurized air through one or more process air fittings <NUM> recessed in a passage <NUM> on one or more of the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the manifold body <NUM>. The upper galleries <NUM> may be in communication with a non-linear and/or tortuous passage disposed around the heating members <NUM>, where the process air is heated. The process air may then pass through one or more lower galleries <NUM>, <NUM>, and through one or more process air passages <NUM>. The process air passages <NUM> may include an annular passage extending around the nozzle <NUM> to distribute the process air continuously or at discrete points around the nozzle <NUM>. For example, the annular passage may include a plurality of air discharge orifices <NUM> (<FIG>) around the nozzle <NUM> that provide air pressure to modify the shape and/or direction of the dispensed liquid material.

As depicted in <FIG>, the manifold body <NUM> may include four heating members <NUM> and five dispensing valves <NUM>. However, the manifold body <NUM> may include any number of heating members <NUM> and dispensing valves <NUM>. The heating members <NUM> may collectively transmit heat to the manifold body <NUM> to heat the liquid material. The lower galleries <NUM>, <NUM> may also be configured to collect the heated process air and provide even distribution of heated process air to each of the dispensing valves <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, one or more of the lower galleries <NUM> may be peripheral and not extend the width of the manifold body <NUM>. This configuration may ensure that an even distribution of heated process air is provided to the dispensing valves <NUM> positioned on the periphery of the manifold body <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, the lower galleries <NUM>, <NUM> may be omitted, such that each dispensing valve <NUM> may receive process air from a single heating member <NUM> to provide independent control of the dispensing valves <NUM> and to ensure consistency and predictable temperature control.

Claim 1:
A dispensing system (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a manifold body (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a liquid material passage and a process air passage;
a heating member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) received in the manifold body (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the heating member having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an outer surface; and
a nozzle (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to dispense a liquid material,
wherein the heating member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) has a groove (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in the outer surface, the groove extends between the upper portion and the lower portion and forms at least a portion of the process air passage, the heating member is configured to heat process air as the process air passes through the groove (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
characterized in that the heating member is configured to heat the liquid material through contact of the outer surface of the heating member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) with the manifold body (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the heated process air is directed to the liquid material as it is dispensed, and that
(a) the groove (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is tortuous and/or non-linear and comprises a plurality of annular segments (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a plurality of longitudinal segments (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the annular segments (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the longitudinal segments (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) alternating along a longitudinal length of the heating member; and/or
(b) the groove (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) defines a first flow path and a second flow path and the heating member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to divide the process air into the first flow path and the second flow path.