The Procter & Gamble Company
Method and apparatus for curing inks printed on heat sensitive absorbent article components

Abstract:

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatuses for printing and curing energy curable inks printed on a substrate having an onset temperature T.sub.onset (C.degree.). The printing systems may include a printing station and a light source. During operation, the printing station deposits energy curable ink onto a first surface of the substrate to define a printed region, and the light source directs ultraviolet light onto the first surface of the substrate to define an illumination zone on the first surface of the substrate. The substrate is advanced in a machine direction to advance the printed region through the illumination zone to cure the energy curable ink. While the printed region advances through the illumination zone, the ultraviolet light heats the substrate from an initial temperature T.sub.in (C.degree.) entering the illumination zone to a maximum temperature T.sub.max (C.degree.), wherein T.sub.max (C.degree.).ltoreq.T.sub.onset (C.degree.).