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EP-4249133-B1 - VARIABLE FLOW AUTOMATIC CONFIGURATION FLUID APPLICATION DEVICE

EP4249133B1EP 4249133 B1EP4249133 B1EP 4249133B1EP-4249133-B1

Inventors

  • LESSLEY, MEL STEVEN
  • OGDEN, DAVID MATTHEW

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20230321

Claims (12)

  1. A fluid dispensing apparatus (100) adapted to provide a controlled fluid flow rate, the apparatus (100) comprising: a fluid reservoir (102) configured to contain a fluid; at least two fluid output zones (114) that receive the fluid from at least two fluid pumps (110A, 110B) at a flow rate of each of the fluid pumps (110A, 110B); a controllable relief valve (112A, 112B) mechanically connected to each of the fluid pumps (110A, 110B); characterized in that it further comprises a control device (600) functionally connected to each controllable relief valve (112A, 112B), wherein the control device (600) is adapted to selectively instruct each controllable relief valve (112A, 112B) to open or close to produce differing volume rates of fluid based on the controllable relief valves (112A, 112B) selected.
  2. The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a slot die having a slot for each fluid output zone (114) of the at least two fluid output zones (114).
  3. The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control device (600) is configured to produce the differing volume rates for each slot for each output zone (114).
  4. The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid is an adhesive.
  5. The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the relief valve (112A, 112B) is at least one of a pneumatic pressure relief valve or an electrical relief valve.
  6. The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the fluid output zones (114) includes a first fluid pump (110A) of the at least two fluid pumps (110A, 110B) having a first flow rate and a second fluid pump (110B) of the at least two fluid pumps (110A, 110B) having a second flow rate.
  7. The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first flow rate is different than the second flow rate.
  8. The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first fluid pump (110A) is configured to operate while the second fluid pump (110B) operates.
  9. The fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a manifold (104) for dispensing the fluid from the fluid reservoir (102) to each of the at least two fluid output zones (114).
  10. A method of providing a controlled volume of a liquid to a substrate, the method comprising: providing a liquid reservoir (102), a plurality of output zones (114), a first pump (110A) and a second pump (110B) for at least one output zone (114) of the plurality of output zones (114); characterized in that the method further comprises the step of : providing a first controllable relief valve (112A) for the first pump (110A) and a second controllable relief valve (112B) for the second pump (110B); providing a control device (600) coupled to the first controllable relief valve (112A) and the second controllable relief valve (112B); and by the control device (600), instructing the first controllable relief valve (112A) and the second controllable relief valve (112B) to selectively open and close to produce differing volume rates of fluid to one of the plurality of output zones (114).
  11. The method of claim 10 further comprising pumping the liquid through the selectively opened first relief valve (112A) and the selectively opened second relief valve (112B) through a slot of a slot die onto a substrate.
  12. The method of claim 10, further comprising, varying an amount of fluid flowing to the output zone (114) by selectively opening and closing the first relief valve (112A) and the second relief valve (112B).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/269,748 (filed March 22, 2022). BACKGROUND Technical Field. The disclosure generally relates to strand coating systems and methods, and more particularly to systems, sub-systems, and methods for applying coatings (such as adhesives) to elongated strands and/or webs. State Of The Art. Nonwoven fabrics include engineering fabrics that provide specific functions such as absorbency, liquid repellence, resilience, stretch, softness, strength, flame retardant protection, easy cleaning, cushioning, filtering, use as a bacterial barrier and sterility. In combination with other materials, nonwoven materials can provide a spectrum of products with diverse properties and can be used alone or as components of hygiene apparel, home furnishings, health care, engineering, industrial and consumer goods. Such products can include baby diapers, feminine hygiene pads, adult diapers, other absorbent hygiene products, or the like. Generally adhesive coatings are applied in elongated strands and/or webs. The elongated strands/webs align with a nozzle from which an adhesive filament is dispensed. In addition, a plurality of elasticated strands/webs may be positioned on and bonded to the nonwoven materials to, for example, allow for flexibility fitting around an object or a person, where an adhesive application device may apply the glue to the strands/webs with either a contact nozzle or a non-contact nozzle. Typically the speed of the application is difficult to vary, preventing designs other than linear patterns. In addition, manufacturing methods that utilize hot melt adhesives are often inefficient, and difficult to reproduce. Current fluid dispensing apparatuses have a flow rate of fluid applied to a chosen substrate that is static. Typically, fluid dispensing apparatuses are utilized for provided different patterned adhesives for different products. As a result, when a fluid dispensing apparatus is to be utilized for a new product, the apparatus must be adjusted, equipment added, eliminated, or modified, etc. to achieve the flow rates desired for the new product. Such a process not only takes significant time and resources, but additionally can result in significant space requirements being utilized for such changes. Document EP2454010 discloses a fluid dispensing apparatus of the prior art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION In one embodiment, a fluid dispensing apparatus may be provided that includes a fluid reservoir that holds a liquid fluid. The fluid dispensing apparatus may include fluid output zones with at least one of the fluid output zones including plural fluid pumps. Each of the fluid pumps may have a flow rate (same or different for the pumps) at which the liquid fluid is pumped by the fluid pump. A slot die may also be provided that has a slot for each of the fluid output zones. The fluid dispensing apparatus may also include a relief valve mechanically connected to each of the fluid pumps, and a control device. The control device may be functionally connected to each of the relief valves, and the control device may instruct each valve to selectively open or close to produce differing volume rates of fluid through each of the slots based on the relief valves selected. In another embodiment, a fluid dispensing apparatus adapted to provide a controlled fluid flow rate may be provided. The fluid dispensing apparatus may include a fluid reservoir containing a liquid fluid, and at least two fluid output zones. At least one zone includes at least two fluid pumps, and each pump has a flow rate. The fluid dispensing apparatus may also include a controllable relief valve mechanically connected to each pump, and a control device. The control device may be functionally connected to each valve, and the control device can be adapted to selectively instruct each valve to open or close to produce differing volume rates of fluid based on the relief valves selected. According to the invention, and as defined in appended claim 10, a method of providing a controlled volume of a liquid to a substrate is provided. The method includes providing a liquid reservoir, and providing a plurality of output zones. The method also includes providing a first pump and a second pump for at least one output zone of the plurality of output zones. The method also includes providing a first controllable relief valve for the first pump and a second controllable relief valve for the second pump, and providing a control device coupled to the first relief valve and the second relief valve. The method also includes selectively opening and closing the first relief valve and the second relief valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The inventive subject matter may be understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below: FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective illustration of an apparatus