Hot melt adhesive distribution system

Abstract

A distribution system for storing and conveying a supply of material is described. The distribution system includes a bin for storing and conveying a supply of material. The bin includes a housing defining an internal chamber configured to receive the material, at least one outlet configured to direct the material from the bin, a plate defining a lower end of the internal chamber and supporting and directing the material to the at least one outlet, an agitation device attached to the plate, and a gasket disposed between the plate and the housing.

1 . A bin for storing and conveying a supply of material, the bin comprising:
 a housing defining an internal chamber configured to receive the material;   at least one outlet configured to direct the material from the bin;   a plate defining a lower end of the internal chamber and configured to support the material and direct the material to the at least one outlet;   an agitation device attached to the plate, wherein the agitation device is configured to transfer force to the plate such that the plate agitates the material within the internal chamber; and   a gate attached to the lower end of the internal chamber so as to define a gap between the gate and a conveyor configured to allow the material to pass through, wherein the gate is movable relative to the conveyor so as to adjust a size of the gap.   
     
     
         2 . The bin of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one bumper attached to a bottom surface of the plate, wherein the at least one bumper is configured to prevent the plate from transferring force to other components of the bin.   
     
     
         3 . The bin of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flow control plate attached to the housing, wherein a gap is defined between the flow control plate and the plate.   
     
     
         4 . The bin of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a level sensor attached to the plate, wherein the level sensor is configured to detect a level of the material within the internal chamber.   
     
     
         5 . The bin of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one pin attached to the flow control plate and extending through at least one slot defined by the housing, wherein the at least one pin is configured to be selectively moved through the at least one slot under a force applied to the at least one pin external to the housing so as to selectively adjust a size of the gap.   
     
     
         6 . The bin of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum pump configured to pull material from a bulk supply and to the internal chamber through an entry hose. 
     
     
         7 . The bin of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a trap door configured to transition between 1) a closed position, where the trap door covers an opening defined at the lower end of the internal chamber to prevent the material from falling from the internal chamber of the vacuum pump; and 2) an open position, where the trap door is at least partially offset from the opening to allow material to fall from the internal chamber.   
     
     
         8 . The bin of  claim 7 , wherein the vacuum pump further comprises a level sensor, wherein the trap door is configured to transition from the closed position to the open position when the level sensor detects that a level of the material within the internal chamber exceeds a threshold. 
     
     
         9 . The bin of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a funnel defining an upper end, a lower end opposite the upper end, and a passage extending through the funnel from the upper end to the lower end, wherein the funnel is configured to receive the material from the vacuum pump.   
     
     
         10 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The bin of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a gasket disposed between the plate and the housing, wherein the gasket is configured to prevent the plate from transferring force to other components of the bin.   
     
     
         30 . The bin of  claim 1 , wherein the plate defines at least one passage extending therethrough and wherein the plate defines a lower portion adjacent the at least one outlet and a sloped portion, wherein the sloped portion is angularly offset from the lower portion and configured to direct the material to flow downwards to the lower portion, wherein the at least one passage extends through the lower portion of the plate, the bin further comprising:
 a manifold positioned below the plate, wherein the manifold is configured to direct pressurized air through the at least one passage so as to move the material within the internal chamber.   
     
     
         31 . The bin of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a manifold positioned below the plate, wherein the manifold is configured to direct pressurized air through the at least one passage so as to move the material within the internal chamber.   
     
     
         32 . A bin for storing and conveying a supply of material, the bin comprising:
 a housing defining an internal chamber configured to receive the material;   at least one outlet configured to direct the material from the bin;   a plate defining a lower end of the internal chamber and configured to support the material, wherein the plate defines at least one passage extending therethrough and wherein the plate defines a lower portion adjacent the at least one outlet and a sloped portion, wherein the sloped portion is angularly offset from the lower portion and configured to direct the material to flow downwards to the lower portion, wherein the at least one passage extends through the lower portion of the plate; and   a manifold positioned below the plate, wherein the manifold is configured to direct pressurized air through the at least one passage so as to move the material within the internal chamber.   
     
     
         33 . The bin of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 an agitation device attached to the plate, wherein the agitation device is configured to transfer force to the plate such that the plate agitates the material within the internal chamber;   a gasket disposed between the plate and the housing; and   at least one bumper attached to a bottom surface of the plate,   wherein the gasket and the at least one bumper are configured to prevent the plate from transferring force to other components.   
     
     
         34 . The bin of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 a level sensor attached to the plate, wherein the level sensor is configured to detect a level of the material within the internal chamber.   
     
     
         35 . The bin of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 a flow control plate and at least one pin attached to the flow control plate and extending through at least one slot defined by the housing, wherein the at least one pin is configured to be selectively moved through the at least one slot under a force applied to the at least one pin external to the housing so as to selectively adjust a size of a gap.   
     
     
         36 . The bin of  claim 32 , further comprising a vacuum pump configured to pull material from a bulk supply and to the internal chamber through an entry hose. 
     
     
         37 . The bin of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 a trap door configured to transition between 1) a closed position, where the trap door covers an opening defined at the lower end of the internal chamber to prevent the material from falling from the internal chamber of the vacuum pump; and 2) an open position, where the trap door is at least partially offset from the opening to allow material to fall from the internal chamber.   
     
     
         38 . The bin of  claim 37 , wherein the vacuum pump further comprises a level sensor, wherein the trap door is configured to transition from the closed position to the open position when the level sensor detects that a level of the material within the internal chamber exceeds a threshold. 
     
     
         39 . The bin of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 a funnel defining an upper end, a lower end opposite the upper end, and a passage extending through the funnel from the upper end to the lower end, wherein the funnel is configured to receive the material from the vacuum pump.   
     
     
         40 . A bin for storing and conveying a supply of material, the bin comprising:
 a housing defining an internal chamber configured to receive the material;   at least one outlet configured to direct the material from the bin;   a plate defining a lower end of the internal chamber and configured to support the material, wherein the plate defines at least one passage extending therethrough;   a manifold positioned below the plate, wherein the manifold is configured to direct pressurized air through the at least one passage so as to move the material within the internal chamber; and   a flow control plate attached to the housing, wherein a gap is defined between the flow control plate and the plate.   
     
     
         41 . The bin of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 an agitation device attached to the plate, wherein the agitation device is configured to transfer force to the plate such that the plate agitates the material within the internal chamber;   a gasket disposed between the plate and the housing; and   at least one bumper attached to a bottom surface of the plate,   wherein the gasket and the at least one bumper are configured to prevent the plate from transferring force to other components.   
     
     
         42 . The bin of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 a level sensor attached to the plate, wherein the level sensor is configured to detect a level of the material within the internal chamber.   
     
     
         43 . The bin of  claim 42 , further comprising:
 at least one pin attached to the flow control plate and extending through at least one slot defined by the housing, wherein the at least one pin is configured to be selectively moved through the at least one slot under a force applied to the at least one pin external to the housing so as to selectively adjust a size of the gap.   
     
     
         44 . The bin of  claim 40 , further comprising a vacuum pump configured to pull material from a bulk supply and to the internal chamber through an entry hose. 
     
     
         45 . The bin of  claim 44 , further comprising:
 a trap door configured to transition between 1) a closed position, where the trap door covers an opening defined at the lower end of the internal chamber to prevent the material from falling from the internal chamber of the vacuum pump; and 2) an open position, where the trap door is at least partially offset from the opening to allow material to fall from the internal chamber.   
     
     
         46 . The bin of  claim 45 , wherein the vacuum pump further comprises a level sensor, wherein the trap door is configured to transition from the closed position to the open position when the level sensor detects that a level of the material within the internal chamber exceeds a threshold. 
     
     
         47 . The bin of  claim 44 , further comprising:
 a funnel defining an upper end, a lower end opposite the upper end, and a passage extending through the funnel from the upper end to the lower end, wherein the funnel is configured to receive the material from the vacuum pump.