a bulk melting and supplying apparatus comprises a platen assembly including a follower , a heating platen located beneath the follower and a pump which are insertable as a unit into the open top of a shipping barrel or drum in position so that the heating platen contacts and melts a portion of the solid thermoplastic material within the drum converting it to a molten state for delivery to the inlet of the pump . the outlet of the pump associated with the platen assembly is connected by a line to one or more thermoplastic dispensers or applicators , and structure is provided within the platen assembly to recirculate unused material from the dispensers or applicators back to the input side of the pump without exposing the material to atmosphere or otherwise causing degradation of such material .