Method and apparatus for closed loop automatic refill of liquid color
OwnerStephen B. MAGUIREinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for furnishing process machines with liquid color from a supply thereof provides a loop conduit having respective ends receiving liquid color from the supply and discharging liquid color back into the supply, pumping liquid color through the loop conduit and discharging liquid color from the loop conduit at an intermediate position into a reservoir associated with a process machine upon liquid color level in the reservoir being at a low level limit.
Claims20
A method for furnishing process machines with liquid color from a supply thereof, comprising:
- a. providing a loop conduit having respective ends receiving liquid color from the supply and discharging liquid color back into the supply;
- b. pumping liquid color through the loop conduit;
- c. discharging liquid color from the loop conduit at an intermediate position thereon into a reservoir associated with a process machine upon liquid color level in the reservoir being at a low level limit.
A method for furnishing process machines with liquid color from a supply thereof, comprising:
- a. providing a loop conduit having respective ends receiving liquid color from the supply and discharging liquid color back into the supply;
- b. pumping liquid color through the loop conduit;
- c. mixing liquid color in the supply;
- d. providing at least one valve in the conduit for discharging liquid color therefrom;
- e. discharging liquid color from the loop conduit into a reservoir associated with a process machine by opening a valve in the loop conduit upon the process machine signaling a need for liquid color;
- f. halting discharge of liquid color from the loop conduit;
- g. increasing pumping speed upon sensed reservoir weight decreasing to within a preselected amount of the preselected level and decreasing pumping speed upon sensed reservoir weight increasing to at least the predetermined level.
Apparatus for furnishing process machines with liquid color from a supply thereof, comprising:
- a. a loop conduit for carrying liquid color, running from the supply to the process machine(s) and back to the supply;
- b. a pump for circulating liquid color around the loop;
- c. a detector for sensing when additional liquid color is needed by an associated process machine;
- d. a valve in the loop for diverting liquid color from the loop to the associated process machine upon the detector sensing the need for replenishment.
A method for furnishing process machines with liquid color from a supply thereof, comprising:
- a. providing a loop conduit having respective ends receiving liquid color from the supply and discharging liquid color back into the supply;
- b. pumping liquid color through the loop conduit;
- c. discharging liquid color from the loop conduit at an intermediate position thereon to a process machine upon liquid color level for the machine being at a low level limit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.