FILL SYSTEM AND METHOD USING STORAGE CONTAINER WITH ROTARY SIFTER PLATE FOR ADHESIVE SOLIDS

摘要

A fill system retains and transfers adhesive solids of different types and compositions to adhesive melter(s). The fill system (10) includes a storage container (12) for holding a bulk supply of adhesive solids and a separating element such as a sifter plate (30) for moving relative to one of the surfaces of the bulk supply. A drive (80) rotates or otherwise moves the sifter plate (30) against the surface of the bulk supply to separate a flow of fluidized adhesive solids from the bulk supply and then controllably deliver this flow to one or more pumps (20) feeding the melter(s). When the drive stops rotating the sifter plate, the flow of fluidized adhesive solids is stopped from moving out of the storage container. Thus, the fill system (10) provides adhesive solids on demand to pumps (20) and reduces the risk of pumps being starved for air or clogged with coalesced masses of adhesive.