Appeal No. 2003-0298 Page 11
Application No. 09/497,797
20.2 again. These steps are repeated until the average of the sensor readings is equal
to the set point. Similarly, if the average of these sensor readings is below the set
point, then the control unit 18 raises the temperature of the air output from the air inlet
24.1 by an amount X, waits a time period T, monitors the outputs of the sensors 20.1,
20.2 again, and repeats these steps until the average of the sensor readings is equal to
the set point. The heating and/or cooling of the air by the blowing device 23 can be
accomplished inside or outside the blowing devices 23.1, 23.2. Moreover, in
accordance with a further embodiment, the blowing devices 23.1, 23.2 could be
arranged within the printing unit 1 to blow air on both the print cylinders 3, 5 and the
blanket cylinders 4, 6.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the blowing unit 23
includes a humidifier 255 which is controlled by the control unit 18 and supplied by
water supply lines 250.1, 250.2. The humidifier 255 may be arranged within the
blowing unit 23, within the blowing devices 23.1, 23.2, in between the blowing unit 23
and blowing devices 23.1, 23.2, or in any other suitable location. If the control unit 18
determines that the monitored relative humidity is below a humidity set point, it will
activate the humidifier until the monitored humidity is equal to the humidity set point. By
maintaining the humidity of the atmosphere surrounding the ink carrying surfaces at the
humidity setpoint (e.g., between 75% and 95% relative humidity), evaporation of water
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