Patent ID: 6877247
Filing Date: 2005-04-12
Classification: B41F,F26B

Abstract:
1. A power saving automatic zoned dryer assembly for a printing press having a substrate travel path, comprising: a dryer head adapted for mounting in the printing press facing the substrate travel path, the dryer head having a multiplicity of IR lamps connected individually or in groups to form a plurality of heating zones, each zone running longitudinally along and extending laterally across part of the travel path, the IR lamps positioned to irradiate a surface of a substrate on the substrate travel path; a power supply operably connected to the IR lamps in a manner that allows output of said IR lamps connected individually or in groups in each heating zones to be controlled separately; a control unit connected to the power supply, the control unit being operable to individually adjust output of the IR lamps connected individually or in groups in each heating zones; a plurality of sensors spaced laterally across the substrate path to generate signals indicative of temperatures of heated areas of the surface of substrates passing under the heating zones when the press is printing; and whereby the temperature of substrates in the travel path corresponding to areas heated by the heating zones can be adjusted and controlled by the control unit which adjusts output of the heating zones in response to the signals generated by said sensors while the press is printing.