Flexographic printing system providing controlled feature characteristics
US9346260B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 24, 2014 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/24802
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A flexographic printing system uses a flexographic printing plate to produce printed patterns on a substrate. An ink recirculation system is used to reduce variability in system performance resulting from ink viscosity changes. A recirculation pump moves ink through an ink recirculation line connected to an ink reservoir. A metering pump adds a controlled flow rate of solvent from a solvent replenishment chamber into the ink recirculation line, thereby providing replenished ink which is returned to the ink reservoir. A control system is used to control the flow rate of solvent provided by the metering pump responsive to feature characteristics determined by analyzing a captured image of the printed pattern.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.