# US 9,873,267 B2 · Print curing apparatus

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- Number: US 9,873,267 B2
- Document ID: US9873267B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/994,488
- Filed: 2016-01-13
- Published: 2016-07-14
- Granted: 2018-01-23
- Earliest claimed: 2015-01-13
- Assignees: GEW (EC) Limited
- Applicants: GEW (EC) Limited
- Inventors: Malcolm Rae; James Hicks
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9873267B2

## CPC

- B41J 11/00214: {using UV radiation}
- B41F 23/0406: {by radiation (B41F23/0436 takes precedence)}
- B41F 23/0409: {Ultraviolet dryers}
- B41F 23/0453: {by ultraviolet dryers}
- B41J 11/00216: {using infrared [IR] radiation or microwaves}
- B41J 11/00218: {Constructional details of the irradiation means, e.g. radiation source attached to reciprocating print head assembly or shutter means provided on the radiation source}
- B41J 11/02: Platens
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41F: PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES (manifolding devices or office printing machines B41L)

## Abstract

A print curing apparatus comprising a housing (1) for receiving a radiation source; a controller for controlling the power supplied to the radiation source (7, 7′); a detector for detecting the type of radiation source (7, 7′) and for feeding a signal to the controller in order to alter the power supplied accordingly.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A print curing apparatus, comprising:
a housing for receiving a radiation source;
at least first and second interchangeable cassettes, wherein the first cassette includes a mercury arc radiation source and the second cassette includes a LED radiation source;
a single power supply operable in an ARC mode to supply AC power and in an LED mode to supply DC power;
a controller for controlling the power supplied to the radiation source by the power supply based on the type of cassette, and
a detector for detecting the type of radiation source by detecting the type of cassette that is inserted and for feeding a signal to the controller in order to alter the power supplied accordingly;
wherein the power supply is operated in the ARC mode by the controller when the first cassette having the mercury arc radiation source is detected by the detector and is operated in the LED mode by the controller when the second cassette having the LED radiation source is detected by the detector.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A print curing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cassette is slideable into the housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A print curing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source is any one of an ultra violet (UV) radiation source; an infra-red (IR) radiation source; or a LED radiation source.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A print curing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A print curing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a safety switch or a safety interlock.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A print curing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control a supply voltage in the range 0 to 450V, and/or to control the supply of an additional ignition voltage of 4 kV to 5 kV.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A print curing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a microchip device.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A print curing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the microchip device is configured to store a lamp head unique identifier or a lamp head data.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

A print curing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to control the power supplied to the radiation source and/or to control one or more shutters and/or to control one or more cooling components of the print curing apparatus.

### Claim 10

A print curing method, comprising the steps of
i) inserting a radiation source into a housing of a print curing apparatus wherein the housing allows for insertion of alternative radiation sources from at least first and second interchangeable cassettes, wherein the first cassette includes a mercury arc radiation source and the second cassette includes a LED radiation source;
ii) detecting the type of radiation source by detecting the type of cassette that is inserted; and
iii) controlling the power supply to the radiation source by a single power supply operable in an ARC mode to supply AC power and in an LED mode to supply DC power based on the type of cassette, wherein the power supply is operated in the ARC mode when the first cassette having the mercury arc radiation source is detected by the detector and is operated in the LED mode when the second cassette having the LED radiation source is detected by the detector.