CONFIGURABLE SYSTEM FOR SUPPLYING MOLTEN THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL

摘要

A system for supplying molten thermoplastic material to a dispenser has a hopper assembly which is made up of one or more hopper units each having opposite side walls being generally parallel to each other, the inlet and the ou tlet having generally the same cross section, so that the hopper units can be stacked on top of each other to increase the capacity of the hopper assembly. The hopper assembly might be supported on a plurality of reservoir blocks, with the hopper assembly straddling the plurality of reservoir blocks to supply melted material to all of the reservoirs. At least one isolator may be provided for thermally isola ting one of the hopper units from the reservoir block and for thermally isolating the hopper units from each other, the isolator comprising a band of insulating mater ial positioned between the flanges of the hopper unit and the reservoir block. The hopper assembly is preferably attached to the reservoir block by a plurality of clamps. Each of the clamps including at least one spring member to retain thrust force on the thrust member while accommodating expansion and contraction of the flanges.