Adhesive block

Claim 2

A solid adhesive block made of hot-melting material for use in an adhesive dispenser which dispenser includes a feed passage, means for melting a part of the adhesive block, a dispensing outlet for dispensing adhesive in substantially liquid form, and means for supplying pressurised fluid for advancing the adhesive block along the feed passage towards the dispensing outlet; characterized in that the rear end of the adhesive block is shaped to provide a piston face for the direct application of pressurized fluid thereto and formed with a flange which is shaped and dimensioned to provide a substantially fluid-tight sliding and sealing engagement with a feed passage.

Claim 3

An adhesive block as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said rear end and the front end of the adhesive block are complementarily shaped, whereby two of such blocks may be placed end-to-end in the feed passage and advance together by the application of fluid pressure to the rear end of the rear blOck.

Claim 4

An adhesive block as claimed in claim 2 wherein the rear end is recessed.

Claim 5

An adhesive block as claimed in claim 2, further including a rearwardly and outwardly flaring annular skirt of yieldable material, said flange forming part of said skirt.

Claim 6

An adhesive block as claimed in claim 1 wherein the block is a one-piece member.

Claim 7

A block made of hot-melting adhesive material and a heat-consumable material for use in an adhesive dispenser which dispenser includes a feed passage, means for melting a part of the adhesive block, a dispensing outlet for dispensing adhesive in substantially liquid form, and means for supplying pressurised fluid for advancing the adhesive block along the feed passage towards the dispensing outlet; characterized in that the heat-consumable material comprises a support member for the adhesive material and is stiffer than the material of the adhesive material, and wherein the support member comprises a sleeve portion engagingly surrounding the rear end of the adhesive material, and a skirt portion connected to the sleeve portion and flaring outwardly from said sleeve portion, the skirt portion including a flange and having a plane rear face and being of yieldable material.

Claim 8

A block made of hot-melting adhesive material and a heat-consumable material for use in an adhesive dispenser which dispenser includes a feed passage, means for melting a part of the adhesive block, a dispensing outlet for dispensing adhesive in substantially liquid form, and means for supplying pressurised fluid for advancing the adhesive block along the feed passage towards the dispensing outlet; characterized in that the heat-consumable material comprises a support member for the adhesive material and is stiffer than the material of the adhesive material, and wherein the support member comprises a sleeve portion engagingly surrounding the rear end of the adhesive material, and a skirt portion connected to the sleeve portion and flaring outwardly from said sleeve portion, the skirt portion including a flange and having a plane rear face and being of yieldable material.

Claim 9

An adhesive block as claimed in claim 6 wherein the support member has an internal cross-section which is smaller than the external cross-section of the adhesive member.

Claim 10

An adhesive block as claimed in claim 6 wherein a spike is formed on the support member for impaling the adhesive member thereon.

Claim 11

A block made of hot-melting adhesive material and a heat-consumable material for use in an adhesive dispenser which dispenser includes a feed passage, means for melting a part of the adhesive block, a dispensing outlet for dispensing adhesive in substantially liquid form, and means for supplying pressurised fluid for advancing the adhesive block along the feed passage towards the dispensing outlet; characterized in that the heat-consumable material comprises a support member of the adhesive material and is stiffer than the material of the adhesive material, and wherein the support member comprises a disc portion attached to the rear end of the adhesive member, and a skirt portion connected to the disc portion and flaring outwardly from said disc portion, the skirt portion including a flange and having a plane rear face and being of yieldable material.

Claim 12

A block made of hot-melting adhesive material and a heat-consumable material for use in an adhesive dispenser which dispenser includes a feed passage, means for melting a part of the adhesive block, a dispensing outlet for dispensing adhesive in substantially liquid form, and means for supplying pressurised fluid for advancing the adhesive block along the feed passage towards the dispensing outlet; characterized in that the heat-consumable material comprises a support member of the adhesive material and is stiffer than the material of the adhesive material, and wherein the support member comprises a disc portion attached to the rear end of the adhesive member, and a skirt portion connected to the disc portion and flaring outwardly from said disc portion, the skirt portion including a flange and having a plane rear face and being of yieldable material.

Claim 13

A solid adhesive block made of hot-melting material for use in an adhesive dispenser which dispenser includes a feed passage, means for melting a part of the adhesive block, a dispensing outlet for dispensing adhesive in substantially liquid form, and means for supplying pressurized fluid for advancing the adhesive block along the feed passage towards the dispensing outlet; characterized in that the adhesive block comprises an adhesive member, and an outer sleeve in the form of a liner encasing and engaging the front and side(s) of the adhesive member but leaving the rear end thereof substantially free, the said liner being made of a heat consumable material stiffer than the material of the adhesive member, the said liner including a flange, the rear end of the adhesive block being shaped to provide a piston face for the direct application of pressurized fluid thereto and said liner being formed with a flange at the rear end which is shaped and dimensioned to provide a substantially fluid-tight sliding and sealing engagement with a feed passage.

Claim 14

A solid adhesive block made of hot-melting material for use in an adhesive dispenser which dispenser includes a feed passage, means for melting a part of the adhesive block, a dispensing outlet for dispensing adhesive in substantially liquid form, and means for supplying pressurized fluid for advancing the adhesive block along the feed passage towards the dispensing outlet; characterized in that the adhesive block comprises an adhesive member, and an outer sleeve in the form of a liner encasing and engaging the front and side(s) of the adhesive member but leaving the rear end thereof substantially free, the said liner being made of a heat consumable material stiffer than the material of the adhesive member, the said liner including a flange, the rear end of the adhesive block being shaped to provide a piston face for the direct application of pressurized fluid thereto and said liner being formed with a flange at the rear end which is shaped and dimensioned to provide a substantially fluid-tight sliding and sealing engagement with a feed passage.