US5017291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for recycling and reconstituting flexographic inks
Assignee: Semler Industries Inc
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Filing: 1990-10-24
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Granted: 1991-05-21
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Expires: 2010-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A process for recycling and reconstituting flexographic inks from wash water resulting from cleaning the rollers and other components of a flexographic printing press. The process includes the steps of circulating the wash water through a cross-flow ultrafilter to separate an optically-clear filtrate from a first concentrate containing suspended ink solids, bacteria, and macromolecules. Thereafter, the filtrate is directed through a reverse-osmosis filter to separate from the filtrate a second concentrate containing dissolved ink components and the remaining bacteria. The first and second concentrates are then combined together with a compatible biocidal agent to form a stable, biologically-inactive additive that is mixed with fresh ink concentrate to form pressready flexographic printing ink.
Inventors
- 👤 Loren H. Semler
- 👤 Joseph M. Palm
- 👤 Paul B. Englram
- 👤 Jon Y. Clegg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:30
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/44; C02F1/444; A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/16; A61L2/18; B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/58; B41; B41F; B41F31/00; B41F31/02; C09; C09D; C09D11/00; C09D11/02; B01D61/02; B01D61/025; B01D61/027; B01D61/14; B01D61/145; C02F1/441
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A process for recycling water-based printing inks comprising the steps of circulating wash water obtained from washing the rollers of a flexographic press through an ultrafilter to separate an optically-clear filtrate and a fluid first concentrate containing suspended ink solids; directing said optically-clear filtrate through a reverse-osmosis filter to separate from said filtrate a fluid second concentrate containing dissolved ink components and bacteria; combining said first and second concentrates with a compatible biocidal agent to form a stable, biologically-inactive additive suitable for mixing with fresh ink concentrate to form pressready printing ink.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process for recycling water-based printing inks comprising the steps of circulating wash water obtained from washing the rollers of a flexographic press through an ultrafilter to separate an optically-clear filtrate and a fluid first concentrate containing suspended ink solids; directing said optically-clear filtrate through a reverse-osmosis filter to separate from said filtrate a fluid second concentrate containing dissolved ink components and bacteria; combining said first and second concentrates with a compatible biocidal agent to form a stable, biologically-inactive additive suitable for mixing with fresh ink concentrate to form pressready printing ink.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The process of claim 1 in which there is the further step of using said optically-clear filtrate, from which dissolved ink components and bacteria have been removed by said reverse-osmosis filter, to wash printing rollers of a flexographic press; and thereafter subjecting said filtrate so used as wash water to the process steps of claim 1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 in which there is the further step of directing said filtrate from said reverse-osmosis filter through an activated carbon adsorption filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1 in which said circulating step comprises separating from said wash water suspended ink solids and macromolecules having molecular weights of 20,000 and more.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The process of claims 1 or 4 in which said wash water is placed in a first tank and said circulating step comprises continuously circulating the contents of said tank through said ultrafilter until enough optically-clear filtrate has been separated to reduce the contents of said first tank to a predetermined volume.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1 in which there is the further step of mixing said additive with fresh ink concentrate to form pressready printing ink of selected viscosity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US4165288A
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US4391638A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-20 | 1994-11-19 | 1995-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-20 | 1998-11-19 | 1999-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-20 | 2002-11-19 | 2003-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |