Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for melting and dispensing thermoplastic material

US4485942A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
8References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 14, 1981
Grant dateDec 4, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 14, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29B13/022
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for melting and dispensing thermoplastic material comprising a melter tank, a pump contained within the melter tank, a dispenser, and a manifold block mounted on the bottom of the melter tank. Thermoplastic material melted in the tank flows from the melter tank through the pump through the manifold block to the dispenser. The melter tank comprises a novel electrical resistance heating element cast into the bottom wall of the tank. The heating element is asymetrically shaped within the bottom wall of the melter tank and is so configured that the length of the heater element within any portion of the bottom wall is proportional to the mass of material, including melter tank, manifold block, pump, and thermoplastic material to be heated by the given length of heater element within that portion. Additionally, the tank side walls are generally triangular in cross section with the thicker part of the triangular shaped side walls located adjacent the bottom of the tank. A portion of the heating element is located directly under each side wall so that heat is effectively conducted from the bottom wall into the side walls, and from the side walls into the thermoplastic material…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.