Molten thermoplastic material supply system with removable drive assembly

摘要

A system for supplying melted thermoplastic material to a dispenser comprises a hopper for storing the thermoplastic material, the hopper having an outlet. A heating grid is at the outlet of the hopper for heating and melting the thermoplastic material. A reservoir is provided into which the melted material flows from the grid. A manifold assembly is connected to the reservoir. The melted material flows into the manifold assembly from the reservoir. The manifold assembly includes connections for supplying the material to a dispenser. The manifold assembly also includes a pump cavity. A pump is mounted in the pump cavity and is capable of being removed from the pump cavity. A drive assembly is connected to drive the pump. A movable carriage supports the drive assembly. The carriage is capable of movement toward and away from the manifold assembly to remove the pump from the cavity and to replace the pump into the cavity. In addition, a positioning and moving device may be used to connect the pump to the pump cavity. The positioning and moving device is adapted for pushing the pump from the pump cavity when the pump is removed and for pulling the pump into the pump cavity when the pump is replaced. The system allows the pump to be easily removed from the system and replaced without disconnecting the pump from the drive assembly.