APPARATUS FOR MELTING AND DISPENSING THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL

摘要

An apparatus (10) for melting and dispensing rapidly degradable reactive adhesive such as moisture curable hot melt adhesive from a thermally conductive, sealed container (48) includes a housing (12) within which the container (48) is supported in a position to engage a heated surface of a platen (58). The platen (58) is mounted within the housing (12) in fluid communication with a heated manifold (74) carrying a gear pump (90). The platen (58) melts the adhesive within the container (48) and provides for the transfer of heat uniformly throughout the stream of melted adhesive discharged through the outlet of the container (48). The melted adhesive is transmitted from the platen (58) into the gear pump (90) in the manifold (74) which is thermally isolated from the platen (58) to maintain the adhesive therein at a substantially constant temperature. After the container (48) is emptied, a drippage collection structure (150, 155) associated with the container support (32) is pivoted beneath the outlet (54) of the container (48) to catch any residual adhesive and prevent spillage which might occur in the course of removing an empty container (48) from the housing (12).