Patent ID: 8287118

Claim:
An ink-jet priming apparatus comprising: a print head assembly having one or more inkjets and operable for applying radiation-curable ink onto the substrate; a drive assembly configured and operable to provide a relative displacement between the substrate and the print head assembly over successive locations on the substrate along a first print line in a first direction and over successive locations on the substrate along a second print line in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby enabling application of the radiation-curable ink to the successive locations on the substrate along the first and second print lines; an ink curing assembly comprising a radiation source and a radiation directing arrangement, the radiation directing arrangement being accommodated in the path of the radiation coming from the radiation source and operable to selectively direct the radiation to the first and second print lines on the substrate during the relative displacement between the substrate and the print head assembly, the radiation directing arrangement being oriented with respect to the print head assembly so as to allow curing of the applied ink with a certain time delay, constant for all the locations on the substrate, between the application of ink and the application of curing radiation to the substrate, wherein in directing the radiation along the first print line the radiation directing arrangement is operable to direct the radiation from the radiation source toward the second direction, and in directing the radiation along the second print line the radiation directing arrangement is operable to direct the radiation from the radiation source toward the first direction.