Patent ID: 6984830

Claim:
An apparatus for curing photosensitive ink or coating materials applied to a substrate within a printing press or the like, the apparatus positioned directly adjacent and in a closely spaced relationship with the substrate having the photosensitive ink or coating thereon, the apparatus comprising: a high intensity lamp generating radiant energy containing ultraviolet and infrared radiation, as well as visible light; a filter body positioned adjacent the lamp and receiving the radiant energy generated by the lamp, the filter body defining an open interior; first and second panes located on opposite sides of the filter body to enclose the open interior of the filter body and forming a sealed chamber, each of the panes being transmissive to ultraviolet radiation; an inlet and an outlet communicating with the chamber, the inlet and outlet adapted for connection to a fluid circulation system for circulating a coolant through the open interior of the chamber; and a solid filter positioned in the chamber between and spaced from the first and second panes, the solid filter and the liquid filled chamber being transmissive to ultraviolet radiation and capable of filtering and absorbing substantially all undesirable radiation from the lamp that is directed into the chamber and toward the substrate above approximately 700 nm, the fluid circulation through the chamber and around the solid filter cooling the solid filter such that the radiant energy directed through the chamber is cooled to provide for ultraviolet radiation curing by rapid polymerization of the photosensitive materials, with limited heating of the substrate, photosensitive materials and adjacent structures due to the radiant energy produced by the lamp and the absorption of radiation by the solid filter material and filter body.