Back to results
US 6,130,752 AGranted
On-line color monitoring and control system and method
AssigneePrisma Fibers, Inc.
InventorRichard Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An on-line color monitoring and control system and method includes feeding of colorant in a given amount or ratio in order to achieve a desired color of a product. The system and method described here achieve reliable on-line color control of synthetic fibers, single moving yarn (or fiber) or a collection of moving fibers. The color characteristic of the product is sensed and processed to generate a control signal for adjusting the amount of colorant being fed. Color measurement takes place either prior to or after spooling of the product.
Claims28
An on-line color monitoring and control system, comprising:
- feeder means for feeding colorant in a given amount in order to achieve a desired color of a product;
- mixer means for mixing said colorant in order to obtain said product;
- light source means for generating light and directing said light toward said product so as to produce reflected light from said product, and producing a reference light;
- sensor means responsive to said reflected light and said reference light for measuring an optical characteristic of said product and providing a color sensor output;
- and
- processing means for processing the color sensor output to generate at least one control signal for provision to said feeder means, whereby to adjust the given amount of colorant fed by said feeder means to said mixer means;
- wherein said product comprises one of a single moving fiber, a single moving yarn, a single moving filament of a yarn, and a collection of fibers.
4 more elements
An on-line color monitoring and control system, comprising:
- feeder means for feeding colorant in a given amount in order to achieve a desired color of a product;
- mixer means for mixing said colorant in order to obtain said product;
- spool means for spooling said product;
- sensor means for sensing a color characteristic of said product and providing a color sensor output;
- and
- processing means for processing the color sensor output to generate at least one control signal for provision to said feeder means, whereby to adjust the given amount of colorant fed by said feeder means to said mixer means;
- wherein said sensor means senses said color characteristic of said product after spooling.
4 more elements
An on-line color monitoring and control system, comprising:
- feeder means for feeding colorant in a given amount in order to achieve a desired color of a product;
- mixer means for mixing said colorant in order to obtain said product;
- spool means for spooling said product;
- sensor means for sensing a color characteristic of said product and providing a color sensor output;
- and
- processing means for processing the color sensor output to generate at least one control signal for provision to said feeder means, whereby to adjust the given amount of colorant fed by said feeder means to said mixer means;
- wherein said sensor means senses said color characteristic of said product prior to spooling.
4 more elements
A method for monitoring and controlling a color of a product, comprising the steps of:
- (a) feeding colorant in a given amount in order to achieve a desired color of said product;
- (b) mixing said colorant in order to obtain said product;
- (c) measuring a color characteristic of said product;
- (d) comparing the measuring color characteristic to the desired color of said product in order to obtain an error;
- (e) determining whether the measured color characteristic falls within a tolerance band surrounding the desired color of said product;
- and
- (f) adjusting the given amount of said colorant fed during step (a) in order to adjust the color characteristic of said product;
- wherein step (e) comprises the steps of:
- determining whether the measured color characteristic of said product falls within a first tolerance band surrounding the desired color of said product;
- displaying a first alarm signal if the measured color characteristic falls outside said first tolerance band;
- determining whether the measured color characteristic falls within a second, narrower tolerance band;
- and
- displaying a second alarm signal if said measured color characteristic falls outside said second tolerance band.
10 more elements
A method for monitoring and controlling a color of a product, comprising the steps of:
- (a) feeding colorant in a given amount in order to achieve a desired color of said product;
- (b) mixing said colorant in order to obtain said product;
- (c) measuring a color characteristic of said product;
- (d) comparing the measuring color characteristic to the desired color of said product in order to obtain an error;
- (e) determining whether the measured color characteristic falls within a tolerance band surrounding the desired color of said product;
- and
- (f) adjusting the given amount of said colorant fed during step (a) in order to adjust the color characteristic of said product;
- wherein step (f) comprises the steps of:
- determining whether the amount of colorant has been adjusted within a predetermined period of time prior to a present time;
- and
- adjusting the amount of colorant only if the amount of colorant has not been adjusted within said predetermined period of time prior to the present time.
8 more elements
A method for monitoring and controlling a color of a product, comprising the steps of:
- (a) feeding colorant in a given amount in order to achieve a desired color of said product;
- (b) mixing said colorant in order to obtain said product;
- (c) measuring a color characteristic of said product;
- (d) comparing the measuring color characteristic to the desired color of said product in order to obtain an error;
- (e) determining whether the measured color characteristic falls within a tolerance band surrounding the desired color of said product;
- (f) adjusting the given amount of said colorant fed during step (a) in order to adjust the color characteristic of said product;
- (g) determining whether the amount of colorant fed during step (a) falls within acceptable limits;
- and
- (h) if the amount of colorant fed during step (a) does not fall within acceptable limits, restoring original settings of the amount of colorant to be fed.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.