| 摘要 |
<p>A system and method for recovering hot-melt materials for reuse in a glue gun (50) includes a flexible mold form (14) mounted in a carrier (12) and having an internal cavity that approximates the dimensions of the preformed hot-melt sticks (S). In order to change from one type of hot-melt material to another, the sticks (S) of the desired material are loaded into the glue gun (50) while the heated, hot-melt material in the gun (50) is discharged into the mold form (14). The hot-melt material flows into the mold form (14) and assumes the shape of a conventional preformed stick (S). After cooling and solidification of the material, the mold form (14) is removed from its carrier (12) and the cooled, cast stick (S) is removed from the mold form (14) for reuse. The mold form (14) is fabricated from a flexible, heat-resistant material, such as a silicone rubber, and includes an elongated tube-like portion (20) having a tapered exterior surface (22) to facilitate removal from its carrier (12) and an internal bore dimensioned to produce a cast stick (S) having the dimensions of the preformed stick.</p> |
