On-line color monitoring and control system and method
AssigneePrisma Fibers, Inc.
InventorRichard Smith
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims14
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 generating means for generating light and directing the light toward said product so that light is reflected from said product;
- sensor means responsive to the light reflected from said product 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 light generating means directs the light toward a reference arrangement which transmits reflected reference light toward said sensor means, said sensor means being additionally responsive to the reflected reference light for sensing the color characteristic of said product.
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, wherein said product comprises one of a single moving fiber, a single moving yarn, a single moving filament and a collection of fibers;
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.