US3730089A - Ink monitoring apparatus - Google Patents
Ink monitoring apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3730089A US3730089A US3730089DA US3730089A US 3730089 A US3730089 A US 3730089A US 3730089D A US3730089D A US 3730089DA US 3730089 A US3730089 A US 3730089A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- vortex
- ink
- reservoir
- fluid
- roller
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 27
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 24
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000009987 spinning Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 description 78
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910001369 Brass Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010951 brass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 description 2
- YSGQGNQWBLYHPE-CFUSNLFHSA-N (7r,8r,9s,10r,13s,14s,17s)-17-hydroxy-7,13-dimethyl-2,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1h-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one Chemical compound C1C[C@]2(C)[C@@H](O)CC[C@H]2[C@@H]2[C@H](C)CC3=CC(=O)CC[C@@H]3[C@H]21 YSGQGNQWBLYHPE-CFUSNLFHSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920001875 Ebonite Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003749 cleanliness Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F31/00—Inking arrangements or devices
- B41F31/02—Ducts, containers, supply or metering devices
- B41F31/04—Ducts, containers, supply or metering devices with duct-blades or like metering devices
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/7287—Liquid level responsive or maintaining systems
Definitions
- ABSTRACT Apparatus for monitoring the supply of ink contained within the supply reservoir of a printing press.
- the ink within the reservoir is monitored by first forming it into a vortex and then monitoring a radial dimension of the vortex.
- the monitoring structure includes a rod positioned within the reservoir which will assume a position substantially along the axis of the vortex due to the forces generated by the vortex.
- a follower as sembly is carried by the rod and moves with it as the radius of the vortex changes due to the addition or withdrawal of ink from the reservoir. When the size of the vortex is reduced to a predetermined minimum, the follower assembly will actuate suitable apparatus to automatically add additional ink to the reservoir,
- the present invention relates to fluid monitoring apparatus. More specifically the invention relates to a system for continuously monitoring the supply of ink maintained within the ink supply reservoir of a printing press.
- the above and other problems are overcome by providing a novel technique for automatically monitoring the amount of ink present within the supply reservoir of the printing press.
- substantially all of the ink within the reservoir is driven into rotation to form the shape of a spinning column or vortex of ink.
- the size of this vortex will be directly related to the amount of ink within the reservoir and, therefore, by monitoring a dimension of this vortex, an accurate indication of the amount of ink within the reservoir may be obtained.
- the size of the vortex will decrease and, accordingly, appropriate structure will be actuated when the monitored dimension of the vortex reaches a predetermined minimum.
- This structure may be in the form of a signaling device to notify the operator that further ink must be added or, alternatively, it may be a system for automatically refilling the reservoir with a new supply of ink.
- the ink is caused to form into a vortex by continuous rotation of the inking roller which forms one wall of the reservoir and which carries metered amounts of ink to other components of the printing press.
- the present invention provides a reliable and inexpensive technique for automatically maintaining an adequate supply of ink in the ink reservoir while at the same time ensuring that the irik is kept fresh and clean by making it practical to add only small amounts to the reservoir at a time.
- FIG. ll illustrates in somewhat schematic form a plan view of the inking roller and reservoir assembly.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1 showing additionally the novel ink monitoring system according to a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an inking roller and reservoir assembly as conventionally employed in printing presses.
- Reference numeral 1 refers to the inking roller which forms the base of the reservoir designated generally by the numeral 10.
- the surface of this roller may be of conventional ink receptive material such as brass, copper, hard rubber, etc. and comes into direct contact with the ink in the reservoir.
- Suitable motor means (not shown) are provided to rotate the roller at a controllable speed in a clockwise direction as shown in the drawing.
- Mounted adjacent the surface of the roller 1 is a suitable metering blade 2. This blade, in conjunction with the roller surface permits metered amounts of ink to be transferred from the reservoir to other components of the press.
- this blade also forms one wall of the ink reservoir.
- a pair of side walls 3 and 4 are also provided to maintain the ink within the reservoir and to define the length of the ink vortex to be described hereinafter.
- a back wall 6 may also be provided to complete the reservoir. This back wall may be of soft rubber or other suitable material that will hold the ink within the reservoir without affecting the rotation of the roller 1.
- FIG. 2 illustrates in a cross-sectional view, the ink reservoir assembly of FIG. 1 with the ink monitoring apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention included.
- FIG. 2 illustrates in a cross-sectional view, the ink reservoir assembly of FIG. 1 with the ink monitoring apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention included.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a presently preferred structure for accom' plishing this.
- an elongated member 8 such as a rod or tube is placed in the reservoir in a free-floating condition. Due to the forces of the vortex and the viscosity of the ink, this rod will assume a position approximately'along the axis of the cylindrical vortex and it will remain along the axis as the diameter of the vortex changes. Thus, by monitoring the position of this rod, the position of the axis of the vortex, and hence its radius may also be monitored. This monitoring is accomplished by means of a follower assembly 9.
- This as sembly includes a lever 11 having a wire loop 12 attached to one end thereof. This wire is formed as shown to provide firm, steady contact with the rod and due to its thinness will not interfere with the fluid motion in the vortex.
- the lever is pivoted at 13 such that it will be slightly biased against the rod to ensure that it will follow the rod at all times.
- a switch 14 is positioned by suitable structure not shown to be actuated by lever 11 as described hereinafter.
- the switch can be coupled to a signaling device to inform an operator that a new supply of ink is required.
- additional ink When additional ink is added, it will unite with the vortex and the vortex will increase in size raising the position of the rod. This will lever to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and again actuate the switch to stop the ink replenishing control.
- the ink in the reservoir may be automatically maintained between predetermined upper and lower limits.
- an inking roller having a length of ap' proximately 9 inches and a diameter of approximately I inches was employed.
- the rod 8 was of brass and had a length of slightly less than 9 inches and a diameter of approximately seven-sixteenths inches.
- printing ink was formed into a suitable vortex when the inking roller was rotated at a speed sufficient to give the roller surface a tangential velocity of approximately 33 inches per second.
- the viscosity of the ink is not critical and in general is not well defined as it changes according to its temperature and history of motion. For example, it might vary between 60,000 and 30,000 centistokes viscosity during operation. In any event, substantially all printing inks will form into a suitable vortex over a wide range of roller speeds and viscosities.
- the rod is'positioned in the approximate center of the vortex, it is protected from a layer of oxidized ink forming on it.
- the follower assembly and in particular, the wire loop 12 in contact with the rod will also be kept relatively free from ink accumulation due to the motion of the vortex and, because of its thinness, will not interfere with the motion of the fluid in the vortex. Also, measurements will not be affected by random ink motion. Additionally, the cleanliness of the system is not particularly critical as is the case in many other known fluid measuring techniques. Furthermore, it becomes a simple matter to maintain only small amounts of ink in the reservoir to ensure freshness.
- e. means responsive to the position of said member for monitoring the amount of fluid held within said container.
- said vortex forming means comprises roller means forming at least one wall of said container and wherein said apparatus further includes means for rotating said roller means, the rotation of said roller means causing said fluid to form into a vortex.
- said position responsive means includes pivoted follower means in contact with said member and carried by said member as said member changes position, said follower means being rotatable about said pivot as said member changes position;
- switch means actuated by said follower means when the radius of said vortex has been reduced to a predetermined minimum.
- said position responsive means further includes means for generating a signal when the radius of said vortex decreases to a predetermined minimum.
- Apparatus a recited in claim 6 and further including means responsive to said signal for adding a new supply of fluid to said container.
- a printing press comprising a supply reservoir for holding a supply of ink, means for transferring said ink from said reservoir to printing components of said press, and means for monitoring the amount of ink maintained in said reservoir, said monitoring means comprising:
- detecting means coupled to said rod for detecting changes in the position of said rod as the radius of said vortex decreases due to the withdrawal of ink from said reservoir.
Abstract
Description
Claims (9)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15372271A | 1971-06-16 | 1971-06-16 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3730089A true US3730089A (en) | 1973-05-01 |
Family
ID=22548455
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US3730089D Expired - Lifetime US3730089A (en) | 1971-06-16 | 1971-06-16 | Ink monitoring apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3730089A (en) |
Cited By (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3967549A (en) * | 1973-05-11 | 1976-07-06 | Electroprint, Inc. | Ink supply system for an ink mist printer |
US4041864A (en) * | 1972-05-09 | 1977-08-16 | Dahlgren Manufacturing Company | Method and apparatus for inking printing plates |
US4284005A (en) * | 1978-03-15 | 1981-08-18 | Develop Dr. Eisbein Gmbh & Co. | Apparatus for the metered feeding of ink to a ductor roll of an offset printing device |
DE3111195A1 (en) * | 1980-04-15 | 1982-02-18 | VEB Kombinat Polygraph "Werner Lamberz" Leipzig, DDR 7050 Leipzig | INK, IN PARTICULAR FOR OFFSET PRINTING MACHINES |
US4385558A (en) * | 1978-10-18 | 1983-05-31 | Riso Kagaku Corporation | Ink amount detecting device |
US4563947A (en) * | 1984-02-01 | 1986-01-14 | Duplo Seiki Corporation | Ink detecting device for rotary printer |
EP0168970A1 (en) * | 1984-07-05 | 1986-01-22 | Gestetner Manufacturing Limited | Multi-cylinder stencil duplicator |
US4817524A (en) * | 1986-12-31 | 1989-04-04 | The Boeing Company | Screen printing method and apparatus |
DE4105292A1 (en) * | 1990-02-20 | 1991-09-05 | Riso Kagaku Corp | REPLACEMENT PRINTING MACHINE |
US5520110A (en) * | 1994-01-18 | 1996-05-28 | Man Roland Druckmaschinen Ag | Process and device for filling depressions, such as cups or channels, on the cylindrical surface of a rotating cylindrical body |
US5628827A (en) * | 1992-09-25 | 1997-05-13 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Non-recirculating, die supplied doctored roll coater with solvent addition |
US6076462A (en) * | 1996-12-21 | 2000-06-20 | Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft | Method for inking a cylinder with viscous ink using doctor blades |
EP0946368B1 (en) * | 1996-12-21 | 2001-02-28 | Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft | Ink fountain |
US6397745B2 (en) | 1996-09-30 | 2002-06-04 | Accel Graphic Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for maintaining ink level in ink fountain of printing press |
US6561099B1 (en) * | 1998-06-16 | 2003-05-13 | Koenig & Bauer Ag | Inking method and apparatus |
DE102005019531A1 (en) * | 2005-03-01 | 2006-09-07 | Koenig & Bauer Ag | Top-mounted ink vat for printing press drum has internal rollers driving motion of full-width wire loop |
DE102006047594A1 (en) * | 2006-10-09 | 2008-04-10 | Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag | Inking system for use in printing machine, has ink duct with negative wiper for wiping printing roller, and shaft arranged in ink duct, where shaft is arranged within printing ink roll and at distance to printer roller |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US194218A (en) * | 1877-08-14 | Improvement in ink-fountains for printing-presses | ||
US2399688A (en) * | 1942-03-09 | 1946-05-07 | Standard Register Co | Ink fountain |
US2534670A (en) * | 1946-03-13 | 1950-12-19 | Harris Seybold Co | Ink fountain |
US2570375A (en) * | 1948-11-18 | 1951-10-09 | Malsbary Mfg Co | Mixing regulator |
US2813538A (en) * | 1955-02-25 | 1957-11-19 | Miehle Goss Dexter Inc | Ink level control mechanism |
US3025793A (en) * | 1958-05-07 | 1962-03-20 | Miehle Goss Dexter Inc | Method and apparatus for changing inks in printing press fountains |
US3373052A (en) * | 1963-03-19 | 1968-03-12 | Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg | Method and apparatus for feeding paste in cigarette machines and the like |
-
1971
- 1971-06-16 US US3730089D patent/US3730089A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US194218A (en) * | 1877-08-14 | Improvement in ink-fountains for printing-presses | ||
US2399688A (en) * | 1942-03-09 | 1946-05-07 | Standard Register Co | Ink fountain |
US2534670A (en) * | 1946-03-13 | 1950-12-19 | Harris Seybold Co | Ink fountain |
US2570375A (en) * | 1948-11-18 | 1951-10-09 | Malsbary Mfg Co | Mixing regulator |
US2813538A (en) * | 1955-02-25 | 1957-11-19 | Miehle Goss Dexter Inc | Ink level control mechanism |
US3025793A (en) * | 1958-05-07 | 1962-03-20 | Miehle Goss Dexter Inc | Method and apparatus for changing inks in printing press fountains |
US3373052A (en) * | 1963-03-19 | 1968-03-12 | Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg | Method and apparatus for feeding paste in cigarette machines and the like |
Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4041864A (en) * | 1972-05-09 | 1977-08-16 | Dahlgren Manufacturing Company | Method and apparatus for inking printing plates |
US3967549A (en) * | 1973-05-11 | 1976-07-06 | Electroprint, Inc. | Ink supply system for an ink mist printer |
US4284005A (en) * | 1978-03-15 | 1981-08-18 | Develop Dr. Eisbein Gmbh & Co. | Apparatus for the metered feeding of ink to a ductor roll of an offset printing device |
US4385558A (en) * | 1978-10-18 | 1983-05-31 | Riso Kagaku Corporation | Ink amount detecting device |
DE3111195A1 (en) * | 1980-04-15 | 1982-02-18 | VEB Kombinat Polygraph "Werner Lamberz" Leipzig, DDR 7050 Leipzig | INK, IN PARTICULAR FOR OFFSET PRINTING MACHINES |
US4563947A (en) * | 1984-02-01 | 1986-01-14 | Duplo Seiki Corporation | Ink detecting device for rotary printer |
EP0168970A1 (en) * | 1984-07-05 | 1986-01-22 | Gestetner Manufacturing Limited | Multi-cylinder stencil duplicator |
US4817524A (en) * | 1986-12-31 | 1989-04-04 | The Boeing Company | Screen printing method and apparatus |
DE4105292A1 (en) * | 1990-02-20 | 1991-09-05 | Riso Kagaku Corp | REPLACEMENT PRINTING MACHINE |
US5628827A (en) * | 1992-09-25 | 1997-05-13 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Non-recirculating, die supplied doctored roll coater with solvent addition |
US5520110A (en) * | 1994-01-18 | 1996-05-28 | Man Roland Druckmaschinen Ag | Process and device for filling depressions, such as cups or channels, on the cylindrical surface of a rotating cylindrical body |
US6397745B2 (en) | 1996-09-30 | 2002-06-04 | Accel Graphic Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for maintaining ink level in ink fountain of printing press |
US6401612B2 (en) | 1996-09-30 | 2002-06-11 | Accel Graphic Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for maintaining ink level in ink fountain of printing press |
US6619206B2 (en) | 1996-09-30 | 2003-09-16 | Accel Graphic Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for maintaining ink level in ink fountain of printing press |
US6076462A (en) * | 1996-12-21 | 2000-06-20 | Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft | Method for inking a cylinder with viscous ink using doctor blades |
EP0946368B1 (en) * | 1996-12-21 | 2001-02-28 | Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft | Ink fountain |
US6276275B1 (en) | 1996-12-21 | 2001-08-21 | Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft | Ink fountain having sensors to determine presence of a roll of ink |
US6561099B1 (en) * | 1998-06-16 | 2003-05-13 | Koenig & Bauer Ag | Inking method and apparatus |
DE102005019531A1 (en) * | 2005-03-01 | 2006-09-07 | Koenig & Bauer Ag | Top-mounted ink vat for printing press drum has internal rollers driving motion of full-width wire loop |
DE102006047594A1 (en) * | 2006-10-09 | 2008-04-10 | Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag | Inking system for use in printing machine, has ink duct with negative wiper for wiping printing roller, and shaft arranged in ink duct, where shaft is arranged within printing ink roll and at distance to printer roller |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US3730089A (en) | Ink monitoring apparatus | |
US4420269A (en) | Device for lifting the printing head off the platen | |
US3604549A (en) | Dual feed rate ribbon mechanism and supply cartridge therefor | |
US3626833A (en) | Liquid developing apparatus | |
GB2144081A (en) | Postal franking machines | |
US3442366A (en) | Ribbon tension control | |
FR2563157A1 (en) | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING INK CURRENT FOR PRINTING PRESS | |
ES388165A1 (en) | Force variation marker for tires | |
ES449735A1 (en) | Removable cartridge for an inked ribbon and ribbon feed mechanism for printing machines | |
US4213575A (en) | Printer ribbon supply mechanism with end of ribbon detect expedient which reduces ribbon drag | |
FR2439092A1 (en) | INK QUANTITY DETECTION DEVICE FOR A PRINTING MACHINE, IN PARTICULAR A STENCIL DUPLICATOR | |
US3788213A (en) | Methods of and apparatus for marking successive sections of an elongated material | |
US3589288A (en) | Ink fountain for dispensing packaged ink | |
US3500437A (en) | Marker device | |
US3293658A (en) | Automatic feed pencil apparatus | |
US2374096A (en) | Inking device for aniline color printing | |
US3559569A (en) | Damping unit for an offset printing machine | |
JPS5894464A (en) | Combination type paper dampening device for printer | |
US1757541A (en) | Typewriter line indicator | |
JPH0415741B2 (en) | ||
US2194324A (en) | Marking machine | |
US2366022A (en) | Typewriting machine | |
US3604349A (en) | Two-system moisture applicator for a lithographic press | |
US4608484A (en) | Postage meter | |
US4093061A (en) | Disc ink ribbon |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ITEK GRAPHIX CORP., A CORP OF DELAWARE,MASSACHUSET Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ITEK CORPORATION, A CORP OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004520/0607 Effective date: 19860205 Owner name: ITEK GRAPHIX CORP., 800 SOUTH STREET, 5TH FLOOR, W Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:ITEK CORPORATION, A CORP OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004520/0607 Effective date: 19860205 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MANUFACTURERS HANOVER COMMERCIAL CORPORATION, NEW Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ITEK GRAPHIX CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004552/0917 Effective date: 19860205 Owner name: MANUFACTURERS HANOVER COMMERCIAL CORPORATION, A CO Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ITEK GRAPHIX CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004552/0917 Effective date: 19860205 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: A. B. DICK COMPANY, ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:ITEK GRAPHIX CORP.;REEL/FRAME:005181/0192 Effective date: 19890401 |