US4677298A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of monitoring ink-water balance on a lithographic printing press
Assignee: Kollmorgen Corp
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Filing: 1984-06-07
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Granted: 1987-06-30
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Expires: 2004-06-07
Abstract
Abstract In a lithographic printing system, a light source and a plurality of photodetectors are used to monitor the amount of fountain solution interacting with the ink. The light source irradiates an ink form roller and the photodetectors are disposed at a specular angle and at one or more non-specular angles to monitor the reflected light. An electronic circuit is responsive to the output of the photodetectors and is used for providing an indication of the amount of fountain solution emulsified in the ink, and lying on the surface of the ink.
Inventors
- 👤 David Zelmanovic
- 👤 Stanley J. Kishner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/4738; B; B41; B41F; B41F33/00; B41F33/0054; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S101/00; Y10S101/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of measuring, independently, the contents of an emulsion having an oleophilic substance and an hydrophilic substance, wherein one substance is emulsified in and lies on the surface of the other substance, comprising the steps of: illuminating the hydrophilic and oleophilic substances with a source of light; collecting light reflected by the hydrophilic and oleophilic substances at two or more angles; converting the collected light into two or more electrical signals; and interpreting the electrical signals to obtain a percentage of one substance emulsified in the other substance, and the amount of one substance lying on the surface of the other substance.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of measuring, independently, the contents of an emulsion having an oleophilic substance and an hydrophilic substance, wherein one substance is emulsified in and lies on the surface of the other substance, comprising the steps of: illuminating the hydrophilic and oleophilic substances with a source of light; collecting light reflected by the hydrophilic and oleophilic substances at two or more angles; converting the collected light into two or more electrical signals; and interpreting the electrical signals to obtain a percentage of one substance emulsified in the other substance, and the amount of one substance lying on the surface of the other substance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, as recited in claim 1, in which one of the angles corresponds to the angle of specular reflection of the illumination.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method, as recited in claim 1, wherein the oleophilic substance is printing ink and the hydrophilic substance is lithographic fountain solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 3 in which the collected light is confined to a spectral region in which the absorption coefficients of the ink and the fountain solution are both less than 2000/cm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, as recited in claim 3, in which the collected light is confined to a spectral region from 0.9 to 1.0 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method, as recited in claim 3, in which said source of light is a light emitting diode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method, as recited in claim 3, wherein measurements are made at two angles, one angle corresponding to the angle of specular reflection of the illumination and the other angle corresponding to a nonspecular reflection of the illumination, and in which said source of light is a light emitting diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the printing ink and fountain solution are located on the surface of an ink form roller and one of the angles corresponds to the angle of specular reflection of the illumination.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method, as recited in claim 8, wherein the portion of the ink form roller at which the measurement is made has, just previous to the measurement, contacted a printing plate, and has not yet contacted an ink distributor roller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method, as recited in claim 9, wherein two measurements are made in sequence, one such measurement being made on a portion of the ink form roller that has previously contacted an image area of the plate, and the other measurement being made on a portion of the ink form roller that has previously contacted a nonimage area of the plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method, as recited in claim 9, wherein the measurement is made on a portion of the ink form roller that has previously contacted a nonimage area of the plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method, as recited in claim 10, wherein the times at which measurements are made are in synchronism with the rotation of a plate cylinder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method, as recited in claim 11, wherein the times at which measurements are made are in synchronism with the rotation of a plate cylinder.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of measuring, independently, the contents of an emulsion having an oleophilic substance and an hydrophilic substance, wherein one substance is emulsified in and lies on the surface of the other substance, comprising the steps of: illuminating the surface of the oleophilic and hydrophilic substances with a source of light; collecting light reflected by the oleophilic and hydrophilic substances at a first angle relative to the normal to the surface; collecting light reflected by the oleophilic and hydrophilic substances at a second angle relative to the normal to the surface; collecting light reflected by the oleophilic and hydrophilic substances at a third angle relative to the normal to the surface; converting the light collected at the first angle relative to the normal to the surface into a first electrical signal; converting the light collected at the second angle relative to the normal to the surface into a second electrical signal; converting the light collected at the third angle relative to the normal to the surface into a third electrical signal; and interpreting the first, second and third electrical signals to obtain a percentage of one substance emulsified in the other substance, and the amount of one substance lying on the surface of the other substance.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of measuring, independently, the contents of an emulsion having an oleophilic substance and an hydrophilic substance, wherein one substance is emulsified in and lies on the surface of the other substance, comprising the steps of: illuminating the surface of the oleophilic and hydrophilic substances with a source of light; collecting light reflected by the oleophilic and hydrophilic substances at a first angle relative to the normal to the surface; collecting light reflected by the oleophilic and hydrophilic substances at a second angle relative to the normal to the surface; collecting light reflected by the oleophilic and hydrophilic substances at a third angle relative to the normal to the surface; converting the light collected at the first angle relative to the normal to the surface into a first electrical signal; converting the light collected at the second angle relative to the normal to the surface into a second electrical signal; converting the light collected at the third angle relative to the normal to the surface into a third electrical signal; and interpreting the first, second and third electrical signals to obtain a percentage of one substance emulsified in the other substance, and the amount of one substance lying on the surface of the other substance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method, as recited in claim 14 in which the first angle corresponds to the angle of specular reflection of the illumination.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein the oleophilic substance is printing ink and the hydrophilic substance is lithographic fountain solution.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 16 in which the absorption coefficients of the ink and the fountain solution are both less than 2000/cm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, as recited in claim 16, in which the collected light is confined to a spectral region from 0.9 to 1.0 microns.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method, as recited in claim 16, in which said source of light is a light emitting diode.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claims 3 or 16 in which one of the angles corresponds to the angle of specular reflection of the illumination.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method, as recited in claim 20, wherein the printing ink and fountain solution are located on the surface of an ink form roller.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method, as recited in claim 21, wherein the portion of the ink form roller at which the measurement is made has, just previous to the measurement, contacted a printing plate, and has not yet contacted an ink distributor roller.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method, as recited in claim 22, wherein two measurements are made in sequence, one such measurement being made on a portion of the ink form roller that has previously contacted an image area of the plate, and the other measurement being made on a portion of the ink form roller that has previously contacted a nonimage area of the plate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method, as recited in claim 22, wherein the measurement is made on a portion of the ink form roller that has previously contacted a nonimage area of the plate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method, as recited in claim 23, wherein the times at which measurements are made are in synchronism with the rotation of a plate cylinder.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method, as recited in claim 24, wherein the times at which measurements are made are in synchronism with the rotation of a plate cylinder.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method, as recited in claim 20, wherein the printing ink and fountain solution are located on the surface of a printing plate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
Method, as recited in claim 20, wherein the amounts of fountain solution emulsified in and lying on the surface of the ink are controlled by varying the flow of fountain solution and at least one chemical property of the fountain solution.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
Method, as recited in claim 20, wherein the amounts of fountain solution emulsified in and lying on the surface of the ink are controlled by varying the flow of fountain solution and at least one chemical property of the ink.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
Method, as recited in claim 21, wherein two measurements are made at different times during the same revolution of said ink form roller for the purpose of measuring the change in time of the amount of fountain solution emulsified in and lying on the surface of the ink.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of measuring the contents of an emulsion having hydrophilic and oleophilic substances comprising the steps of: illuminating the surface of the hydrophilic and oleophilic substances with a source of light; collecting light reflected by the hydrophilic and oleophilic substances at a first angle; converting the collected light into an electrical signal; interpreting the electrical signal to obtain a percentage of the oleophilic and hydrophilic substances in the emulsion.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of measuring the contents of an emulsion having hydrophilic and oleophilic substances comprising the steps of: illuminating the surface of the hydrophilic and oleophilic substances with a source of light; collecting light reflected by the hydrophilic and oleophilic substances at a first angle; converting the collected light into an electrical signal; interpreting the electrical signal to obtain a percentage of the oleophilic and hydrophilic substances in the emulsion.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method, as recited in claim 31, in which the angle corresponds to the angle of specular reflection of the illumination.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein the oleophilic substance is printing ink and the hydrophilic substance is lithographic fountain solution.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 33 in which the collected light is confined to a spectral region in which the absorption coefficients of the ink and the fountain solution are both less than 2000/cm.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, as recited in claim 33, in which the collected light is confined to a spectral region from 0.9 to 1.0 microns.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method, as recited in claim 33, in which said source of light is a light emitting diode.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for measuring, independently, the amount of hydrophilic substance emulsified in and lying on the surface of an oleophilic substance, comprising: light emitting diode for illuminating the two substances; a first optical system for collecting light reflected from the two substances substantially at the specular angle; a second optical system for collecting light reflected from the two substances at a first nonspecular angle; first and second photodetectors for converting the light collected from said first and second optical systems, respectively, into first and second electrical signals, respectively; and computing means for interpreting said first, and second electrical signals to obtain a percentage of said hydrophilic substance emulsified in said oleophilic substance, and the amount of said hydrophilic substance lying on the surface of said oleophilic substance.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for measuring, independently, the amount of hydrophilic substance emulsified in and lying on the surface of an oleophilic substance, comprising: light emitting diode for illuminating the two substances; a first optical system for collecting light reflected from the two substances substantially at the specular angle; a second optical system for collecting light reflected from the two substances at a first nonspecular angle; first and second photodetectors for converting the light collected from said first and second optical systems, respectively, into first and second electrical signals, respectively; and computing means for interpreting said first, and second electrical signals to obtain a percentage of said hydrophilic substance emulsified in said oleophilic substance, and the amount of said hydrophilic substance lying on the surface of said oleophilic substance.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus, as recited in claim 37, in which said oleophilic substance is printing ink and said hydrophilic substance is lithographic fountain solution.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus, as recited in claim 38, wherein the printing ink and fountain solution to be measured are located on the surface of an ink form roller.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus, as recited in claim 38, wherein the printing ink and fountain solution are located on the surface of a printing plate.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus, as recited in claim 39, wherein two measurements are made in sequence, one such measurement being made on a portion of the ink form roller that has previously contacted an image area of the plate, but not yet contacted an ink distributor roller, and the other measurement being made on a portion of the ink form roller that has previously contacted a nonimage area of the plate, but not yet contacted an ink distributor roller.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus, as recited in claim 38 including circuit means which further includes means for amplifying and filtering the output of said light detecting means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus, as recited in claim 40, including circuit means which further includes means for amplifying and filtering the output of said light detecting means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the computing means processes the amplified and filtered output of the light detecting means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the computing means processes the amplified and filtered output of the light detecting means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the circuit means further includes a control circuit responsive to the computing means for automatically adjusting the flow of fountain solution.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the circuit means further includes a control circuit responsive to the computing means for automatically adjusting the flow of fountain solution.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for measuring the amount of a hydrophilic substance emulsified in an oleophilic substance, comprising: a source of light for irradiating the two substances; first means for detecting light specularly reflected from the two substances; second means for detecting light nonspecularly reflected from the two substances; and circuit means responsive to said first and second light detecting means for providing an indication of the percentage of hydrophilic substance emulsified in the oleophilic substance.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for measuring the amount of a hydrophilic substance emulsified in an oleophilic substance, comprising: a source of light for irradiating the two substances; first means for detecting light specularly reflected from the two substances; second means for detecting light nonspecularly reflected from the two substances; and circuit means responsive to said first and second light detecting means for providing an indication of the percentage of hydrophilic substance emulsified in the oleophilic substance.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 48 which further includes third light detecting means for detecting light nonspecularly reflected from the two substances.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 49 wherein the oleophilic substance is printing ink and the hydrophilic substance is lithographic fountain solution.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus, as recited in claim 50, wherein the printing ink and fountain solution to be measured are located on the surface of an ink form roller.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus, as recited in claim 50, wherein the printing ink and fountain solution are located on the surface of a printing plate.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus, as recited in claim 51, wherein two measurements are made in sequence, one such measurement being made on a portion of the ink form roller that has previously contacted an image area of a plate, but not yet contacted an ink distribution roller, and the other measurement being made on a portion of the ink form roller that has previously contacted a nonimage area of the plate, but not yet contacted an ink distribution roller.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus, as recited in claim 52, including circuit means which further includes means for amplifying and filtering the output of said light detecting means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus, as recited in claim 50, wherein said circuit means further includes means for amplifying and filtering the output of said light detecting means.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said circuit means further includes computing means for processing the amplified and filtered output of said light detecting means.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said circuit means further includs computing means for processing the amplified and filtered output of said light detecting means.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the circuit means further includes a control circuit responsive to the computing means for automatically adjusting the flow of fountain solution.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the circuit means further includes a control circuit responsive to the computing means for automatically adjusting the flow of fountain solution.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 49 wherein said first light detecting means is disposed at an angle differing from said second light detecting means by at least 5° and said third light detecting means is disposed at an angle differing from said first and second slight detecting means by at least 5°.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 59 wherein said first light detecting means is disposed at an angle differing from said second light detecting means by at least 5° and said third light detecting means is disposed at an angle differing from said first and second light detecting means by at least 5°.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said light detecting means including a plurality of fiber optic cables.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 61 wherein said light detecting means includes a plurality of fiber optic cables.
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-29 | 1990-12-29 | 1991-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-29 | 1994-12-29 | 1995-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-29 | 1998-12-29 | 1999-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |