Method and apparatus for fixing a radiation-curable gel-ink image onto a substrate
US8177332B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2009 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J11/00214
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus prints and/or fixes ink on a substrate, such as in ink-jet printing with UV-curable inks. A conformable member is positioned to contact an ink-bearing side of the substrate at a nip. The conformable member substantially comprises a silicone-based elastomer having a conformability from about 20 shore A to about 10 shore A. A radiation source directs radiation to the ink-bearing side of the substrate at the nip, the radiation suitable for curing the ink on the substrate. The apparatus is particularly useful for printing onto corrugated cardboard or otherwise non-planar surfaces, since the resulting ink image is impressed uniformly onto the substrate by the conformable member without voids in the ink layer in the recesses of the non-planar surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.