Electron-beam coating device

Abstract

An apparatus and method for curing an electron-beam coating on a flexible substrate. A continuously looping master web is mated with the flexible substrate to cover the electron-beam coating when passing through an electron-beam curing unit. Curing of the electron-beam coating takes place in normal atmospheric conditions, thereby eliminating the need for nitrogen gas or the like in a curing chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for curing an electron-beam coating on a flexible substrate, comprising:
 an electron-beam curing unit comprising an impression cylinder, an infeed nip roller, and one or more electron-beam sources;   a flexible substrate line unit for preparing and advancing a flexible substrate coated in whole or in part with an electron-beam coating; and   a master web unit for advancing a continuous loop master web into contact with the electron-beam coated flexible substrate when passing on the impression cylinder for curing;   wherein said master web comprises one or more impressing images and corresponding registration marks.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said master web unit comprising a master web speed nip adapted to advance the master web to the energy curing unit. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the master web and the flexible substrate advance to the energy curing unit at an equal speed, and the master web and flexible substrate subsequently jointly pass over the surface of a portion of the impression cylinder where curing energy is applied by one or more electron-beam sources. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electron-beam curing unit operates in normal atmospheric conditions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible substrate is chosen from the group consisting of heat shrinkable film, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, amorphous polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, paper, metal foil, and coiled metal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electron-beam curable coating is spot coated onto the flexible substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the master web is chosen from the group consisting of heat shrinkable film, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, or oriented polypropylene. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the master web is transparent or translucent.