Decorator temperature control system
View Patent ↗A decorator temperature control system includes a recirculation loop configured to recirculate a solution and a feeder line configured to receive the solution from the recirculation loop and deliver the solution to at least one ink roller on a decorator. A feed valve is located between the recirculation loop and the feeder line and proximate the decorator and is configured to control the flow of the solution from the recirculation loop to the feeder line. The valve is controlled from a location remote from the decorator.
1. A decorator temperature control system, comprising:
a recirculation loop configured to recirculate a solution;
a feeder line configured to receive the solution from the recirculation loop and deliver the solution to at least one ink roller on a decorator;
a feed valve located between the recirculation loop and the feeder line, the feed valve being proximate the decorator and configured to control the flow of the solution from the recirculation loop to the feeder line; and
a speed sensor configured to measure the operating speed of the decorator;
wherein the feed valve is configured to be controlled from a location remote from the decorator based upon the operating speed.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of an ink on the at least one ink roller.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the feed valve is controlled based upon at least the temperature of the ink.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the solution temperature is substantially greater than the temperature of the ink.
5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the solution temperature is substantially less than the temperature of the ink.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the solution in the recirculation loop is maintained at a substantially constant temperature and a substantially constant pressure.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a flow control device configured to control the flow of the solution exiting the at least one ink roller.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the flow control device includes a plurality of return valves.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of return valves are arranged in parallel.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of return valves are located at a location remote from the decorator.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the feed valve and the return valves are controlled by a computer.
12. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a computer, wherein the computer controls the feed valve.
13. A decorator, comprising:
a plurality of ink rollers configured to distribute an ink at an ink temperature;
a heating solution feed loop having a heating solution at a temperature substantially greater than the ink temperature;
a cooling solution feed loop having a cooling solution at a temperature substantially less than the ink temperature;
a solution feeder line configured to provide one of the heating solution and the cooling solution to the plurality of ink rollers based on the ink temperature; and
at least one variable speed pump that maintains a pressure differential between the heating solution feed loop and the cooling solution feed loop.
14. The decorator of claim 13 , wherein the temperature of the heating solution is at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature of the cooling solution is at most 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
15. The decorator of claim 13 , wherein the at least one variable speed pump is controlled by a variable frequency drive.
16. The decorator of claim 15 , wherein the pressure differential is at least 15 pounds per square inch.
17. The decorator of claim 13 , further comprising an ink temperature sensor.
18. The decorator of claim 17 , wherein the ink temperature sensor is a non-contact sensor.
19. The decorator of claim 13 , wherein each roller has an entrance and an exit wherein the solution flowing from the exit is controlled by a valve system.
20. The decorator of claim 19 , wherein the valve system is located at a location remote from the decorator.
21. The decorator of claim 20 , wherein the valve system is controlled by a computer.
22. The decorator of claim 21 , wherein the computer controls the valve system based on the ink temperature.
23. The decorator of claim 22 , wherein the computer controls the valve system based further on an operating speed of the decorator.
24. A method for controlling the temperature of an ink used in a decorator, comprising:
providing a solution recirculation feed loop, at least a portion of the feed loop being proximate the decorator;
monitoring the temperature of an ink on the surface of at least one ink roller of the decorator; and
allowing the solution to flow from the portion of the recirculation feed loop proximate the decorator through the at least one ink roller only if the temperature of the ink is outside of an acceptable range of temperatures;
providing at least one valve, wherein allowing the solution to flow comprises opening the at least one valve; and
providing a computer configured to:
receive data related to the temperature of the ink;
determine a delivery time and a delivery period for delivery of the solution to the at least one inker; and
control the at least one valve to deliver the solution to the at least one roller at the delivery time and for the delivery period.
25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the at least one valve includes a plurality of valves located remotely from the decorator.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the computer is located remotely from the decorator.
27. The method of claim 24 , further comprising:
monitoring an expected future operating speed of the decorator;
predicting a future point in time for a change in ink temperature based on the expected future operating speed of the decorator;
allowing solution to flow to the at least one inker at a time prior to the future point in time.