Chemical composition and method for cleaning fluid metering print rollers

A composition for cleaning a print roller such as an anilox roller includes a soap or cleansing agent having a plurality of grit particles, an organic acid, an emulsifier, and water. A solvent is mixed with the cleansing agent to complete the composition. A method of utilizing the cleaning composition includes providing the composition, selecting an applicator, and mixing the composition. The method then includes wiping the composition repeatedly over the print roller using the applicator until the surface and plurality of cells in the roller surface are substantially free of dried ink and other contaminants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 The present invention relates generally to cleaning of printing equipment,
 and more particularly to a chemical composition and method for cleaning
 dried ink and other contaminants from a ceramic coated print roller such
 as an anilox roller utilized in a flexographic printing process.
 2. Description of the Related Art
 The flexographic printing process or flexography is a process of direct
 rotary printing of images onto an elongate moving web of material. The
 process is typically utilized for product packages and containers in many
 different industries. Anilox rollers utilized in the flexographic printing
 process have evolved considerably over the years. Anilox rollers typically
 come in three types of constructions. The first is a ceramic coating
 disposed over a knurled surface on a metal cylinder, the second is a
 chrome-plated surface over a knurled surface of a cylinder, and the third
 is a laser engraved ceramic surface on a cylinder. In each construction, a
 plurality of small or microscopic pockets or cells are formed in the
 coating material of the cylinder in order to carry the ink, adhesive or
 other coating material from the reservoir to the printing plate cylinder
 and then to the web. The size of the cells determines how much material
 each cell will carry. The anilox roller rotates and contacts the plate
 cylinder transferring the material in the cells to the plates. The
 engraving process for the cells can create different diameters, depths,
 shapes and placement angles of cells in order to meet the needs of a
 particular printing or other process.
 Chrome and ceramic coated anilox rollers that are knurled and/or engraved
 typically can only have about 500 cells per inch because of the
 limitations of the technology for forming such a roller. Most printing
 requirements for today's industries require highly precise image and fluid
 transfer for which the coated knurled engravings are not well suited.
 Therefore, the laser engraved ceramic rollers offer many advantages over
 the other two types of anilox rollers. The cells of a laser engraved
 anilox roller can be formed having a density upwards of 1200 cells per
 inch with highly precise control of the shape, depth, size and steepness
 of the cell walls not capable in other anilox roller constructions. The
 depth and therefore volume of each laser engraved cell can be significant
 although the actual diameter or size of the cells can remain very small.
 The laser engraved anilox rollers also offer much better durability than
 these other types of anilox rollers. However, the cost of such rollers is
 significantly greater because of the high precision manufacturing process
 necessary to produce the ceramic coated anilox roller. Another significant
 problem with the anilox rollers is the difficulty in cleaning dried ink or
 other dried or hardened substance residue from the surface and cells of
 the roller. This difficulty is caused by the very small microscopic size
 of the cells and the greater depth to which they are formed into the
 ceramic surface of the roller. Dried ink or other substances plugs the
 cells and is very difficult to remove from the anilox roller. The ink or
 material film flow quality is significantly decreased if an anilox roller
 is dirty and has clogged or plugged cells because the precision and volume
 of ink or other material transferred from the reservoir to the plate
 cylinder is reduced or altered. The metering function of the roller is
 thus inhibited. Dried ink can occur in all of the cells of the roller or
 only a portion of the cells depending upon the particular printing process
 being run. However, any dried ink or other substance occurring in any part
 of the roller surface causes reduced print quality and ink delivery.
 There are a number of known methods and apparatuses utilized to clean
 anilox rollers. Some of these methods are quite effective while some
 methods are not. However, the effective methods as well as most of the
 ineffective methods are very costly, time consuming, require machine
 downtime and can cause damage to the anilox rollers.
 For example, there are ultrasonic cleaners available whereby one or more
 anilox rollers are partially or completely submerged in a tank containing
 a highly caustic cleaning fluid. High frequency sound waves are generated
 in the caustic liquid medium to create microscopic air bubbles that
 implode on impact with the cells and the cell walls. The implosions force
 the caustic fluid into the cells to remove dried ink and other substance
 residue. This type of cleaning system is extremely expensive and is very
 time consuming. The ultrasonic cleaning equipment also requires its own
 maintenance, storage and upkeep. The caustic cleaning fluid requires
 special handling and storage and also requires time consuming and
 expensive precautionary safety measures be taken during the cleaning
 process. The use of the equipment requires that the anilox rollers be
 removed from the flexographic printing machine in order to be cleaned thus
 creating down time for the machine.
 High-pressure cleaning systems are also sometimes utilized wherein an
 anilox roller is placed in a stream of a media ejected from a device at
 high pressure. The media can be a particle media such as small microscopic
 plastic particles or a sodium bicarbonate or baking soda specially
 designed to clean anilox rollers. The media can also be a cleaning liquid
 or fluid wherein jets or nozzles create an overlapping spray pattern
 impacting the anilox roller surface. Sometimes the cleaning liquid or
 fluid is heated to further facilitate cleaning. In some media blast
 systems, the roller is entirely submerged in the fluid media.
 Alternatively, some pressure wash systems rotate the roller in an ambient
 environment whereby a cleaning solution is ejected from nozzles toward the
 surface of the roller. In this type of system the rollers are not
 submerged in the cleaning media. Fluid pressure wash systems are less
 expensive in comparison to other hard media blast systems and when
 compared to ultrasonic systems. However, the media blast systems and the
 pressure wash systems are still relatively expensive and require
 maintenance, storage and upkeep of the equipment as well. Significant
 downtime of the flexographic printing machine also is necessary since the
 roller must typically be removed from the machine to be cleaned. There are
 a few media blast machines available that can attach directly to the
 flexographic press in order to clean the anilox roller on press. However,
 this type of machine must be attached and removed for each cleaning and is
 very cumbersome and expensive to operate and maintain. These machines also
 incorporate a large, high power vacuum or suction system to collect all of
 the media. The suction system is also very cumbersome and expensive.
 Some cleaning systems utilize a pressurized vapor injection cleaning system
 wherein the rollers are placed in a stream of a vapor chemical
 composition. This type of system can be utilized directly on the
 flexographic machine because very little if any liquid is involved in the
 cleaning process. This system is fairly inexpensive and portable although
 again it requires maintenance and storage of the cleaning equipment and
 requires purchase and storage of the chemical vapor product as well. This
 type of system is not effective for all types of inks and coating
 materials and typically has not proven effective for heavy industrial
 printing processes where heavy and continuous cleaning is required for the
 anilox rollers.
 Another type of system for cleaning anilox rollers involves utilizing the
 ink reservoir of the flexographic press for cleaning the cells of the
 anilox roller. This type of system is utilized where the ink is flushed
 out of the system and then a cleaning solution is replaced in the
 reservoir and utilized to clean out the cells. This type of system is
 relatively recent, expensive, and fairly ineffective at removing deeply
 embedded materials within the cells. A risk exists of not flushing out all
 of the cleaning solution from the system and then contaminating the
 subsequently run printing process. This type of self-contained system also
 requires significant machine downtime.
 Manual cleaning is often utilized and even recommended for quick cleaning
 of anilox rollers. The manual cleaning process involves utilizing a wire
 brush for agitating ink on the surface and within the cells of the anilox
 roller. The brush is utilized along with a water based detergent or
 solvent based cleaner. The types of brushes typically utilized are brass
 or stainless steal bristle brushes wherein the stainless brushes are
 always utilized for ceramic rollers. This type of cleaning process is very
 messy, is very time consuming, can damage the ceramic coating if the wrong
 brush is used, and is limited in its effectiveness for the laser formed
 ceramic cells of modem anilox rollers. Most times the diameter of the
 brush bristles is much larger than the diameter of the cells and therefore
 the material deep within the cells cannot be readily dislodged.
 All of these methods usually require removal of the anilox roller from the
 press prior to cleaning. Some rollers are on the order of sixty inches
 long or longer and can weigh upwards of a half a ton. A crane or hoist is
 often used to remove the larger rollers from the press and transport them
 to the cleaning apparatus or station. The removal is time consuming and
 requires significant downtime of the press. Manufacturers often recommend
 keeping a second replacement roller around for this very reason. However,
 some of the larger rollers can cost tens of thousands of dollars each. The
 ceramic surface of an anilox roller is very wear resistant and durable.
 However, the ceramic is also brittle and can be easily damaged upon impact
 with an object. Each removal of a roller for cleaning therefor also raises
 a risk of permanently damaging the roller surface.
 Another commonly utilized method for cleaning anilox rollers is chemical
 cleaning whereby relatively harsh chemicals are utilized such as solvents,
 acids and common strong household cleaners which dissolve or re-wet the
 ink or other substances lodged within the cells. Chemical cleaning, as
 with virtually all cleaning methods first requires rinsing off or
 initially wiping the anilox roller to remove most of the wet ink or other
 substance from the last press run. Then the solution is applied and the
 anilox roller is wiped to completely cover the surface of the roller. The
 chemical compositions also require a dwell time so that the composition
 sits for a period of time on the rollers to react with the deeply embedded
 and dried substance plugging the cells. The anilox roller is then wiped
 down with the composition in order to clean the surface. A rinsing process
 must then be undertaken to remove all of the caustic chemical materials
 from the surface of the anilox roller as well as from the cells in order
 to prevent any unwanted residue from fouling up a subsequent print
 process.
 A drawback with this type of method is that the rolls must again be removed
 from the flexographic printing machine so that the chemicals do not
 contaminate any other portion of the processed components. A further
 drawback is that this method requires a number of time consuming steps.
 These steps include: removing the roller from the press; quick cleaning
 the roller to remove most of the wet ink from the last print job; applying
 the chemical composition to the roller; letting the composition and roller
 dwell for a period of time; wiping the roller to clean it of dried ink;
 cleaning the chemical composition from the roller; rinsing the roller with
 water; and, replacing the roller on the press. Another drawback is that
 this type of cleaning has been found to be ineffective for deeply embedded
 and dried ink from within the cells of the roller. The advent of the much
 more expensive and time consuming cleaning methods discussed above are a
 result of the ineffectiveness of these chemical solution cleaning methods.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention is directed to a chemical composition and a method of
 using the composition for easily cleaning anilox rolls thoroughly and
 inexpensively. One object of the present invention is to provide a
 chemical composition for cleaning an anilox roller while eliminating the
 need for utilizing expensive equipment to clean such a roller. Another
 object of the present invention is to provide a composition that requires
 fewer steps for cleaning dried ink or other dried or hardened substances
 from an anilox roller. A further object of the present invention is to
 provide a composition that thoroughly and completely cleans such dried ink
 or substances from the plugged cells of an anilox roller. A further object
 of the present invention is to provide a composition that requires
 essentially no waiting time for the composition to work in cleaning an
 anilox roller. A still further object of the present invention is to
 provide a method of cleaning an anilox roller that is simpler and less
 expensive than other known methods. A further object of the present
 invention is to provide a method for cleaning an anilox roller that
 requires fewer steps and takes less time than prior known methods. Another
 object of the present invention is to provide a method of cleaning an
 anilox roller that requires very little downtime of a flexographic
 printing machine.
 To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, a composition
 in one embodiment comprises a cleansing agent and a solvent mixed
 together. The cleansing agent comprises an emulsifier, a plurality of grit
 particles, an organic acid and water. The grit particles aid to loosen or
 break free the dried ink and other contaminants on the roller that is
 wetted by the composition.
 In one embodiment, the composition also may contain a deodorizer or other
 agent to alter the odor of the composition in order to provide a more
 pleasant or tolerable odor.
 In one embodiment, one or more ammonium chlorides are provided in small
 amounts as a part of the cleansing agent. In one embodiment, the grit
 particles are small particles of silica in an amount of at least about 20%
 of the cleansing agent.
 In one embodiment, the organic acid is a sulfonicacid and is provided in a
 range of between about 3% and 15% of the cleansing agent. In one
 embodiment, the emulsifier is a nonoxynol emulsifier and provided in a
 range of about between 3% and 15% of the cleanser. The water is provided
 in an amount to complete the cleansing agent and make it a desired
 consistency.
 In one embodiment, the solvent is glycol ether PM acetate ester.
 The cleansing agent is mixed with the solvent, thinning the cleansing agent
 to a desired consistency to complete the composition. In one embodiment,
 the composition is provided wherein the cleansing agent is in an amount of
 between about 25% and 75% of the composition and the solvent between about
 75% and 25%. In another embodiment, the two components mixed in about
 equal amounts.
 In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for cleaning
 dried ink and other contaminants from a plurality of cells and a surface
 of a print roller. The method includes the step of providing a composition
 including a cleansing agent and a solvent. The cleansing agent is provided
 comprising an emulsifier, a plurality of grit particles, an organic acid
 and water. The method next includes selecting an applicator suitable for
 wiping the roller surface and suitable for use with the composition. The
 composition is then thoroughly mixed to disperse the grit particles
 evenly. The composition is then wiped repeatedly over the print roller
 using the applicator until the surface and cells are substantially free of
 dried ink and other contaminants.
 These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will
 become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
 description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however,
 that the detailed description of the specific examples, while indicating
 preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of
 illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be
 made within the scope of the present invention and without departing from
 the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of the flexographic printing process wherein
 a web 10 of material is moved by a flexographic printing machine (not
 shown) in a direction "C" and rests on one side against an impression
 cylinder 12 which supports the web. A plate cylinder 14 is disposed on the
 opposite side of the web 10 and carries on its external surface a
 plurality of relief image plates 16. The image plates provide the printed
 images to be transferred onto the web from the plate cylinder 14. A fluid
 supply reservoir 18 carries a supply of fluid 20, typically of the solvent
 or water based fast drying fluid ink variety. The fluid 20 is transferred
 from the reservoir 18 to the plate cylinder 14 by a print roller or
 cylinder known in the art as an anilox roll or roller 22. The size and
 construction of the anilox roller 22 can vary greatly but must provide a
 highly precise volume of fluid such as ink delivered to the plate cylinder
 14 in order to produce high definition, resolution and quality images on
 the web 10.
 FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a conventional anilox roller
 construction. An anilox roller 30 includes an elongate metal circular
 cylinder 32 typically machined from a solid bar of steel or other metal.
 The cylinder 32 has an outer surface that carries thereon a laser engraved
 ceramic coating 34. A shaft extension 36 extends from each end of the
 cylinder 32 for connection to appropriate associated components of a
 flexographic printing machine or the like. The shafts 36 are typically
 carried by journal bearings such that the roller 30 rotates about the
 shafts 36 in the machine.
 FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the ceramic coating 34
 carried on the cylinder 32. A plurality of cells 38 are laser engraved in
 the surface of the ceramic coating 34 of the cylinder 32. The laser
 engraved anilox roller typically consists of a plasma-sprayed ceramic
 coating which is typically a chromium oxide, that is ground and honed to
 an extremely smooth finish. The ceramic coating is extremely hard, having
 a micro-hardness on the order of 1100-1300 Vickers. In comparison, the
 hardness of the less attractive chrome plating anilox rollers is around
 850-950 Vickers. Other types of anilox rollers are steal rollers having a
 knurled surface to form the cells. Alternatively, a knurled surface has a
 ceramic coating or a chrome plated ceramic surface defining the cells. The
 present invention is not to be limited to the particular construction of
 an anilox roller described. However, the invention is particularly useful
 for the laser engraved anilox roller because of the very fine definition
 and high density of cells.
 The shape, depth, diameter and particular wall thickness of the cell
 construction for an anilox roller can vary considerably depending upon the
 particular printing requirements of the flexographic printing process and
 upon the type of ink and amount of ink utilized for a particular process.
 The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 shows a typical honeycomb
 construction for the cells. FIG. 4a illustrates a cross-section through
 one of the cells wherein the cell is clean and free of dried ink and other
 material residue. The cell 38 includes a cell wall 40, a cell bottom and
 an upper cell opening 44. FIG. 4b illustrates the cell 38 in a plugged
 condition wherein ink residue 46 is disposed in the bottom 42 of the cell
 as well as along a portion of the walls 40 of the cell. The amount of
 residue 46 determines the actual volume size of the particular cell 38
 wherein the more residue disposed within the cell the less the ink volume
 of the cell. Thus, the residue 46 reduces the volume of the cell, which in
 turn alters the ink carrying capabilities of the roller. A particular cell
 volume of the clean cell 38 is specifically designed to achieve a
 particular print characteristic and therefore must be kept clean in order
 to maintain the precise print qualities.
 The present invention is directed to a chemical composition and a method
 for utilizing the chemical composition for cleaning dried ink and
 contaminants from print rollers. The invention is particularly useful for
 cleaning a ceramic coated anilox roller with laser engraved cells. The
 invention permits cleaning that is quick, inexpensive and simple in
 comparison to other known methods and apparatuses for cleaning such
 rollers. The composition generally comprises a soap or cleansing agent
 having a creme consistency mixed with a solvent.
 The solvent is mixed with the cleansing agent to produce a thinner
 composition consistency. The solvent also aids in wetting the dried ink on
 the roller and in leaving the roller clean of both ink as well as the
 cleansing agent during cleaning of the roller. In one embodiment, the
 solvent is an ester in the form of glycol ether PM acetate, which is
 manufactured and is readily available from many different sources such as
 MILSOLV.RTM. Corp.
 The soap or cleansing agent in one embodiment is comprised of a number of
 different constituents. The general components of the cleansing agent
 include a plurality of solid grit particles, an organic acid, an
 emulsifier and water. The cleansing agent is mixed with the solvent to
 complete the composition.
 The grit particles are provided as an abrasive agent for breaking up the
 dried ink or other material embedded in the cells 38 and dried on the
 ceramic coating 34 of the roller 30. The size and shape of the particles
 should be effective to thoroughly work the surface and cells of the roller
 and yet prevent the particles from becoming lodged within the cells of the
 roller. In one embodiment, the grit particles are provided in an amount of
 at least about 10% of the cleansing agent by weight. In another
 embodiment, the grit particles are provided in an amount of at least about
 20% or more of the cleansing agent by weight.
 The grit particles in one embodiment are silica particles. However, the
 particles can be provided from other materials as well without departing
 from the scope of the invention. The particle material must be of a type
 that does not damage the ceramic coating or cell walls and yet does not
 dissolve in the composition and adequately loosens the dried ink and other
 contaminants left on the roller 30. Aside from silica, other possible
 particle materials include but are not limited to metallic, carbide, and
 composite materials.
 The organic acid is provided in an amount that is sufficient to assist in
 wetting, loosening and/or breaking up the dried ink and contaminants left
 on the roller and in the cells. In one embodiment, the organic acid of the
 cleansing agent is a sulfonicacid, such as dodecyl benzyl sulfonicacid,
 provided in a range of between about 3% to about 15% of the cleansing
 agent by weight. The sulfonicacid in one embodiment is dodecyl benzyl
 sulfonicacid, provided in a range of between about 5% to about 10% of the
 cleansing agent by weight.
 The emulsifier suspends the grit particles, organic acid and other possible
 components of the cleansing agent in the water and helps to keep the
 components suspended in the solvent when mixed with the cleansing agent.
 The emulsifier, such as nonexynol, is also provided in a range from
 between about 3% to about 15% of the cleansing agent. In one embodiment,
 the emulsifier is a nonoxynol emulsifier provided in a range of between
 about 5% to about 10% by weight or molecular mass of the cleansing agent.
 The emulsifier is utilized in the cleanser to suspend particles relatively
 evenly within the cleansing agent so as to provide an even distribution of
 these active agents throughout the cleansing agent.
 Water is added to the cleansing agent to provide the components with a
 desired consistency. In one embodiment, the water is provided in an amount
 of between about 20% to about 80% of the cleansing agent, depending upon
 the desired consistency and the particular components used for the
 cleansing agent. The higher the water content of the cleansing agent, the
 lower its viscosity. Preferably, the water is provided in an amount of
 about 40% of the cleansing agent providing a creme consistency.
 Ammonium chlorides can also be added to the cleansing agent as well.
 Ammonium chlorides are somewhat hygroscopic so as to absorb ink and other
 contaminants removed from the roller surface and cells. In one embodiment,
 one or two ammonium chlorides are added in an amount of up to about 0.10%
 of the cleansing agent. In one embodiment, n-alkyl dimethyl benzyl and
 n-alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides are preferably provided,
 each in a small amount of up to about 0.05% of the cleansing agent by
 weight. Preferably, each is provided in an amount of about 0.026% of the
 cleansing agent by weight. In one preferred embodiment, the dimethyl
 benzyl ammonium chloride comprises about 60% C14, 30% C16, 5% C12 and 5%
 C18. The dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonium chloride preferably comprises 68%
 C12 and 32% C14.
 The cleansing agent in a creme consistency is then mixed with the solvent
 to complete the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the cleansing
 agent is provided in an amount of between 25% and 75% by volume and mixed
 with the acetate in an appropriate amount to complete the composition. In
 one particular embodiment, the two components are mixed in generally equal
 amounts or 50/50 by volume. The composition has a consistency of a watery
 or thin liquid.
 Because of the thin consistency, the composition separates fairly quickly
 with the grit particles and other components settling to the bottom of a
 container. The container is preferably provided with a mixing ball to
 agitate the components and re-mix them each time the composition is to be
 used. The composition must therefor be shaken vigorously prior to each use
 in order to work properly.
 FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method for cleaning an anilox roller
 according to the invention and using the above-described composition. A
 printing machine (not shown) is run as indicated by block 50. A periodic
 determination or evaluation is made whether the cells of the anilox roller
 are plugged and must be cleaned as indicated by block 52. Such an
 evaluation can be made using one of many ways including simply visually
 inspecting the roller or visually inspecting either the print quality or
 the ink film transfer quality. More elaborate methods are available that
 automatically measure the cell volume, the fluid or ink film thickness, or
 a characteristic of the printed image. The invention is not to be limited
 in any manner by the type of determination utilized. The printing process
 or machine may also simply be ready for a change-over requiring either an
 alternate anilox roller or a clean roller for a different print job. The
 removed roller can be inspected and/or cleaned either while the machine is
 down or while running with an alternate roller.
 Next, when a roller cleaning is necessary or possible, the machine is
 temporarily stopped as indicated by block 54 so that the roller can be
 cleaned on the machine. Alternatively, the roller may be removed from the
 machine for cleaning. Regardless of whether the roller is cleaned on the
 machine or cleaned after removal, the invention speeds up the cleaning
 process because the method is much faster than using previously known
 methods or compositions.
 Next, the roller is preliminarily wiped down to remove most of the wet ink
 from the last run printing process as indicated by block 56. The
 composition is then vigorously shaken to thoroughly mix the components as
 indicated by biock 58. An applicator is then selected for cleaning the
 roller indicated by block 59. The applicator can be a conventional cloth
 such as a reusable shop towel or any other suitable applicator capable of
 absorbing and carrying some of the composition if so desired. The
 applicator must also be of a type that can withstand contact with the
 composition and withstand repeated application of force while wiping down
 the roller.
 Next, as indicated by block 60, the composition is applied to the roller.
 The composition can either be applied to the applicator first and then
 applied to the roller or, alternatively, can be applied directly to the
 roller.
 Next, the roller is wiped down as indicated at block 62. The roller is
 preferably wiped using the applicator until all of the dried ink and other
 residue within the plugged cells 38 and on the surface 34 is loosened,
 removed and collected on the applicator. An applicator 64 held in a user's
 hand is schematically shown in FIG. 3 for illustrative purposes. Once the
 roller is sufficiently wiped down and cleaned, the roller should be rinsed
 with water or some other rinsing agent as indicated at block 66 to remove
 any of the composition remaining on the roller. Once rinsed, the roller is
 ready to be utilized in the printing process as indicated by block 68.
 To put it simply, the roller is easily wiped down with a cloth using the
 composition of the invention. The composition completely and deeply cleans
 the surface 34 and the cells 38 of the anilox roller. The composition
 begins to work immediately, so no dwell time or wait time is necessary
 before wiping down the roller. Additionally, the composition of the
 invention provides a vast improvement in completely cleaning dried ink
 from the cells when compared to known manual cleaning compositions and
 methods. Further, no expensive equipment is required as with most methods
 used for cleaning anilox rollers.
 A commercially available cleansing agent or soap that is particularly well
 suited for the invention is known as Disinfecting Creme Cleanser
 manufactured by Colgate-Palmolive Co. under the Trade name AJAX. Other
 suitable creme cleansers or cleansing agents are also commercially
 available.
 The invention greatly reduces the machine downtime, the roller cleaning
 time, the cost and complexity of cleaning anilox rollers, and yet provides
 a completely clean, undamaged and re-usable anilox roller having no dried
 ink or other dried or hardened substances in the cells. The composition is
 equally useful on water based, solvent based and ultraviolet drying inks.
 The composition as described can have a strong unpleasant odor. A
 deodorizer or fragrant substance can be added to alter the composition's
 odor in order to make the odor less unpleasant or even pleasant. One
 example of a deodorizer is known as Formula 150090 Bouquet DL 50 that can
 be included in the inventive composition. A small amount of about 0.03 to
 0.04% of the deodorizer was found to be effective.
 Many changes and modifications can be made to the invention without
 departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The scope of some of these
 changes is discussed above whereas other changes will be come apparent
 upon a careful reading of the specification and appended claims. The scope
 of the invention is therefor to be limited only by the appended claims.