Fill system and method including visual indicator device for empty condition

Abstract

A fill system is configured to supply particulate adhesive such as pellets to an adhesive dispensing system and is configured to provide a visual indication when a supply container approaches an empty condition. The fill system includes the supply container, which has an interior space for holding pellets, and an indicator device that emits a visual indication by actuating a light source communicating with the interior space. As a result, when the level of pellets within the interior space drops to a threshold approaching the empty condition, the light energy emitted by the indicator device is visible outside the supply container. The fill system may then be refilled before the completely empty condition is reached.

1 . A fill system configured to supply particulate adhesive to an adhesive dispensing system, comprising:
 a supply container including an interior space for receiving the particulate adhesive and defined by at least one sidewall and a bottom, the at least one sidewall including at least a portion defined by translucent or transparent material; and   an indicator device for emitting a visual indication when the supply container is approaching an empty condition, the indicator device including at least one light source communicating with the interior space such that light energy is emitted in the interior space so as to be visible through the translucent or transparent material to an operator when the supply container is approaching the empty condition.   
     
     
         2 . The fill system of  claim 1 , wherein the supply container further includes a window defined by the translucent or transparent material at the sidewall, and the light energy emitted by the light source is visible through the window when the supply container is approaching the empty condition. 
     
     
         3 . The fill system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source emits light energy throughout the interior space such that a majority of the supply container is internally illuminated when the supply container is approaching the empty condition. 
     
     
         4 . The fill system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is mounted at least partially in additional structures located within the interior space such that the light source provides minimized resistance to gravity-driven flow of particulate adhesive towards the bottom of the interior space. 
     
     
         5 . The fill system of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a pump including a venturi pump housing and configured to selectively remove particulate adhesive from the interior space, the light source being mounted at least partially within the venturi pump housing.   
     
     
         6 . The fill system of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator device includes a plurality of light sources that are positioned to emit light energy in different directions within the interior space. 
     
     
         7 . The fill system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is a rugged light emitting diode resistant to high temperatures. 
     
     
         8 . The fill system of  claim 1 , wherein the supply container further includes a ramp configured to direct gravity-driven flow of particulate adhesive within the interior space towards the bottom, and the light source is mounted on or adjacent to the ramp such that the light source communicates with the interior space proximate the bottom, the light source being uncovered when the supply container approaches the empty condition. 
     
     
         9 . The fill system of  claim 8 , wherein the ramp is painted with a color contrasting to the particulate adhesive or to the light energy emitted by the light source, thereby further increasing visibility of the visual indication. 
     
     
         10 . The fill system of  claim 8 , wherein the light source is coupled to the ramp so as to be located within the interior space of the supply container. 
     
     
         11 . The fill system of  claim 8 , wherein the ramp includes at least one ramp aperture and the light source is positioned behind the ramp and adjacent to the ramp aperture such that light energy is emitted through the ramp aperture into the interior space. 
     
     
         12 . The fill system of  claim 8 , wherein the indicator device includes a plurality of light sources positioned in a series along an elongate length of the ramp such that the series of light sources is sequentially uncovered as the supply container approaches the empty condition. 
     
     
         13 . The fill system of  claim 8 , wherein the indicator device includes at least a first portion of light sources and a second portion of light sources that emits light energy at a different intensity or color than the first portion, and the second portion of light sources is positioned so that the second portion of light sources is uncovered after the first portion of light sources is uncovered to thereby change the visual indication when the supply container approaches the empty condition. 
     
     
         14 . The fill system of  claim 8 , wherein the light source emits light energy in a flashing pattern so that the light energy emitted in the interior space may be initially detected as a pulsing of light energy through the particulate adhesive when the light source is nearly uncovered, and then detected as a flashing light energy when the light source is uncovered. 
     
     
         15 . The fill system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is positioned within the supply container such that the light source is uncovered when the particulate adhesive in the interior space has emptied to a selected fill percentage within the range of about 2% filled to about 25% filled. 
     
     
         16 . The fill system of  claim 1 , wherein the fill system is configured to perform a method of supplying particulate adhesive to an adhesive dispensing system, the method comprising:
 receiving particulate adhesive within an interior space of the supply container;   removing particulate adhesive from the interior space of the supply container to supply the particulate adhesive to the adhesive dispensing system; and   illuminating the light source such that light energy is emitted by the light source in the interior space so as to be visible through the translucent or transparent material to an operator when the supply container is approaching the empty condition.   
     
     
         17 . A method of supplying particulate adhesive to an adhesive dispensing system using a fill system including a supply container having at least one sidewall with at least a portion defined by translucent or transparent material and including an indicator device having a light source, the method comprising:
 receiving particulate adhesive within an interior space of the supply container;   removing particulate adhesive from the interior space of the supply container to supply the particulate adhesive to the adhesive dispensing system; and   illuminating the light source such that light energy is emitted by the light source in the interior space so as to be visible through the translucent or transparent material to an operator when the supply container is approaching the empty condition.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the supply container includes a window defined by the translucent or transparent material, and the method further comprises:
 emitting the light energy from the light source through the window when the supply container is approaching the empty condition, thereby providing a visual indication detectable outside the supply container.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein illuminating the light source further comprises:
 flashing the light source intermittently such that the light energy emitted in the interior space may be initially detected as a pulsing of light energy through the particulate adhesive when the light source is nearly uncovered, and then detected as a flashing light energy when the light source is uncovered.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the indicator device includes a plurality of light sources positioned in a series, and the method further comprises:
 uncovering the series of light sources in a sequential manner as the particulate adhesive is removed and as the supply container approaches the empty condition.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the indicator device includes at least a first portion of light sources and a second portion of light sources that emits light energy at a different intensity or color than the first portion, and the method further comprises:
 uncovering the first portion of light sources to emit a first light energy in the interior space; and   uncovering the second portion of light sources to emit a second light energy having a different intensity or color that the first light energy in the interior space.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the indicator device includes a plurality of light sources positioned in different orientations, and the method further comprises:
 illuminating the plurality of light sources such that light energy is emitted in different directions throughout the interior space, thereby illuminating a majority of the supply container when the supply container is approaching the empty condition.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 utilizing the fill system of  claim 1  to receive particulate adhesive, remove particulate adhesive to supply the adhesive dispensing system, and illuminate the light source when the supply container is approaching an empty condition.