Liquid dispensing system using color-coded visual indicia

Abstract

A liquid dispensing system and methods including color-coded visual indicia to assist an operator in the proper selection of the components and in the configuration of those components in the system during setup, maintenance and diagnostics. Color-coded indicia is also provided to assist an operator in the proper selection of a solenoid for use in a particular application. Various components of the liquid dispensing system, such as the melter unit, controller, hoses, electrical cordsets and solenoid, include visually identifiable color-coded indicia on the surfaces of the components, such as color-coded rings, bands and characters, to assist the operator in the component selection and configuration processes.

1 . A hot melt adhesive hose for use in transferring hot melt adhesive from a liquid supply source, comprising: 
 an elongated hose body configured to transfer hot melt adhesive, said hose body including first and second couplings disposed on respective distal ends thereof; and    a visually identifiable color-coded indicia associated with said hose body and corresponding to a length of said hose body.    
   
   
       2 . A hot melt adhesive hose for use in transferring hot melt adhesive from a liquid supply source, comprising: 
 an elongated hose body configured to transfer hot melt adhesive, said hose body including first and second couplings disposed on respective distal ends thereof; and    a visually identifiable color-coded indicia associated with said hose body and corresponding to an electrical characteristic of said hose body.    
   
   
       3 . Dispensing apparatus for dispensing liquid materials, comprising: 
 a liquid supply source including a plurality of liquid outputs;    a dispensing gun having a valve movable relative to a dispensing orifice of said gun;    an elongated hose fluidly connecting said liquid supply source to said dispensing gun, said hose including first and second couplings disposed on respective distal ends thereof; and    a first visually identifiable color-coded indicia associated with said hose and corresponding to a length of said hose.    
   
   
       4 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a second visually identifiable color-coded indicia associated a plurality of liquid outputs of said liquid supply source.    
   
   
       5 . Dispensing apparatus for dispensing liquid materials, comprising: 
 a liquid supply source including a plurality of liquid outputs;    a dispensing gun having a valve movable relative to a dispensing orifice of said gun;    an elongated hose fluidly connecting said liquid supply source to said dispensing gun, said hose including first and second couplings disposed on respective distal ends thereof; and    a first visually identifiable color-coded indicia associated with said hose and corresponding to an electrical characteristic of said hose.    
   
   
       6 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a second visually identifiable color-coded indicia associated a plurality of liquid outputs of said liquid supply source.    
   
   
       7 . Dispensing apparatus for dispensing liquid materials, comprising: 
 a liquid supply source including a plurality of liquid outputs;    a dispensing gun having a valve movable relative to a dispensing orifice of said gun;    an elongated hose fluidly connecting said liquid supply source to said dispensing gun, said hose including first and second couplings disposed on respective distal ends thereof; and    a first visually identifiable color-coded indicia associated with said hose and corresponding to a connection location of said hose to one of the plurality of liquid outputs of the liquid supply source.    
   
   
       8 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a second visually identifiable color-coded indicia associated a plurality of liquid outputs of said liquid supply source.    
   
   
       9 . A hose for use in transferring fluid, comprising: 
 an elongated hose body capable of transferring fluid, said hose body including first and second couplings disposed on respective distal ends thereof; and    a visually identifiable color-coded indicia associated with said hose body and corresponding to a length of said hose body.    
   
   
       10 . A hose for use in transferring fluid, comprising: 
 an elongated hose body capable of transferring fluid, said hose body including first and second couplings disposed on respective distal ends thereof; and    a visually identifiable color-coded indicia associated with said hose body and corresponding to an electrical characteristic of said hose body.