Patent ID: 6152030
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: B41F,F26B

Abstract:
An apparatus for curing a layer of ink applied to a substrate by a screen printing apparatus, the printing apparatus having at least one station including a support arm supporting a printing screen and a movable print carriage for applying an ink layer to the substrate through the screen, the printing apparatus further having a platen for supporting the substrate and movable from a printing position in which the substrate is pressed against the printing screen and a retracted position in which the platen is apart from the screen leaving a gap therebetween, said apparatus for curing comprising:a curing unit including;an insulator plate having a lower surface and an opposite upper surface; andat least one heat generating element supported adjacent said lower surface,wherein the insulator plate and the at least one heat generating element define a height dimension less than the gap when the platen is in its retracted position, andwherein said insulator plate is configured to reduce heat transfer from said at least one heat generating element to the printing screen;means for supporting said curing unit on the support arm at the one station of the printing apparatus; andmeans for moving said curing unit between the platen and the printing screen with said upper surface of said insulator plate facing the printing screen and the heat generating element facing the substrate when the platen is in its retracted position.