Patents Assigned to Showa Aluminum Can Corporation
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Publication number: 20200122495Abstract: A can body that has been subjected to outer surface painting (OV), inner surface painting (INS), and a neck process (SDN) but that has not been subjected to image formation is manufactured in a canning factory. The can body that has not been subjected to image formation is shipped to a beverage can manufacturing factory. At the beverage can manufacturing factory, an image formation process using a printer (PR) is performed. Specifically, ink is ejected from an inkjet head toward the can body, to thereby form an image on the outer circumferential surface of the can body. Thereafter, the can body is filled with beverage in a filler (FL), and then a can lid is attached to the can body in a seamer (SM).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi OJIMA, Kazunori IKEDA, Asumi SUWA, Kazuhisa MASUDA
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Patent number: 10543708Abstract: A cylindrical printing plate formed with high precision and used for printing on a metal can body, particularly an aluminum or aluminum alloy can body. The forming method of a printing plate forms the printing plate to be mounted on an outer periphery of a cylindrical plate cylinder, and includes a notch forming step of forming a positioning notch in a rectangular elastic material sheet in which a resin layer to be served as a plate section is formed on one surface. A cylindrical material forming step rolls the elastic material sheet in which the positioning notch is formed and overlaps both end portions of the elastic material sheet and joining them in a cylindrical shape. A plate section engraving step engraves a printing pattern on the plate section of the elastic material sheet formed into a cylinder shape.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Hitoshi Tojima, Tomohiro Oku
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Publication number: 20200009879Abstract: A printing apparatus (500) is provided with a moving unit (550) used to convey a can body (10). In addition, the printing apparatus (500) is provided with a first linear unit (610) in a linear shape which the moving unit (550) travels to move in one direction. Moreover, the printing apparatus (500) is provided with a second linear unit (620) which the moving unit (550) travels to move in a direction opposite to the one direction, the second linear unit (620) being arranged in parallel with the first linear unit (610) and formed linearly. Further, the printing apparatus (500) is provided with a printing unit (520) that performs printing on the can body (10) held by the moving unit (550). By these units, the miniaturization of a printing apparatus and a can body manufacturing system is attained.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2017Publication date: January 9, 2020Applicant: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Nobuhiko KIMURA, Shinichi OJIMA, Kazunori IKEDA, Asumi SUWA, Kazuhisa MASUDA
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Patent number: 10479903Abstract: A UV-curable inkjet ink composition is curable by irradiation with ultraviolet light and includes a monofunctional monomer (A), a polyfunctional monomer (B), a photopolymerization initiator (C), and a colorant (D), wherein the composition has a hydroxyl value within the range of not less than 1 mgKOH/g and not more than 100 mgKOH/g, and is for forming, by inkjet printing, an ink layer 14 provided between a curved outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical can base 12 made of a metal material, and a coating layer 16 made of an aqueous coating material.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi Ojima, Kazunori Ikeda, Asumi Suwa
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Patent number: 10442564Abstract: The printing device, first, as shown in FIG. 2A, forms white layers (90) by a first white inkjet head on the surface of the can body (10). Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, irradiation of ultraviolet rays by a first irradiation lamp (261) is performed and the white layers (90) are cured. Then, the can body (10) is moved to a second white inkjet head and, as shown in FIG. 2C, more white ink is loaded on some of the white layers (90) formed by the first white inkjet head. As a result, the thickness of some of the white layers (90) is increased. Next, the can body (10) passes successively under multiple color inkjet heads. As a result, color ink layers (91) are formed on the surface of the can body (10) and the white layers (90), as shown in FIG. 2D.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi Ojima, Asumi Suwa, Kazunori Ikeda, Tetsuo Kashiwazaki
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Patent number: 10414158Abstract: In ejecting ink from unused ink ejection ports or ink ejection ports not used frequently onto a can body to suppress ink clogging, the ink clogging is suppressed while degradation in the quality of an image to be formed on the can body is suppressed. On the surface of a can main body 110, a main image MG, which is a main image, and a strip-shaped image OG, which is a sub-image, are formed. The strip-shaped image OG is formed using ink ejection ports not used at forming the main image MG or low-frequency ink ejection ports not ejecting ink frequently. Thus, ink clogging hardly occurs in an ink jet head.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi Ojima, Tetsuo Kashiwazaki, Kazunori Ikeda, Asumi Suwa
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Patent number: 10328721Abstract: A printing apparatus including a can body conveyance unit, an image forming unit, a light irradiation unit and one or more other can body stop locations. Light for curing an image on a can body is inhibited from reaching the image forming unit. An upstream side restricting wall (31) is positioned on the upstream side, namely, the side on which an ink jet head (240) is provided, of a can body (10) when the can body (10) is stopped at a mandrel stop location (811) or light irradiation stop location (811). The upstream side restricting wall (31) is thereby positioned between the can body (10) and the ink jet head (240), and ultraviolet light is restricted from heading toward the ink jet head (240).Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi Ojima, Kazunori Ikeda, Tetsuo Kashiwazaki, Asumi Suwa
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Publication number: 20190134992Abstract: A joining part (connection line) (1E) between an image (1A) (image positioned on the left side of the figure relative to a wave-shaped broken line (1C) and positioned on the right side of the figure relative to the joining part (1E)) formed at the start of printing of a printed image, and an image (1B) (image positioned on the right side of the figure relative to a wave-shaped broken line (1D) and positioned on the left side of the figure relative to the joining part (1E)) formed at the end of printing of the printed image is not a straight line along an axial direction of a beverage use can (100), and a position of a part of the joining part (1E) is shifted in the circumferential direction of the beverage use can (100).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2017Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Nobuhiko KIMURA, Shinichi OJIMA, Kazunori IKEDA, Asumi SUWA, Kazuhisa MASUDA
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Publication number: 20190070866Abstract: An image is formed on a can body by use of plural image formation units. A printing device (500) is provided with a moving unit (550) that moves while supporting can bodies (10). Additionally, the printing device (500) is provided with a printing unit (520) that includes plural inkjet heads (11W), (11C), (11M), (11Y), (11K) and that performs printing on the can bodies (10) supported by the moving unit (550). Further, the printing device (500) is provided with a moving mechanism (560) that causes the moving unit (550) to move by using a linear mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Applicant: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Nobuhiko KIMURA, Shinichi OJIMA, Kazunori IKEDA, Asumi SUWA, Kenji FUJINUMA
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Publication number: 20180371271Abstract: A UV-curable inkjet ink composition is curable by irradiation with ultraviolet light and includes a monofunctional monomer (A), a polyfunctional monomer (B), a photopolymerization initiator (C), and a colorant (D), wherein the composition has a hydroxyl value within the range of not less than 1 mgKOH/g and not more than 100 mgKOH/g, and is for forming, by inkjet printing, an ink layer 14 provided between a curved outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical can base 12 made of a metal material, and a coating layer 16 made of an aqueous coating material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi OJIMA, Kazunori IKEDA, Asumi SUWA
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Patent number: 10124604Abstract: The printing apparatus is provided with two inkjet heads that eject ink of the same color as in a first cyan inkjet head (20C1) and a second cyan inkjet head (20C2). The first cyan inkjet head (20C1) and the second cyan inkjet head (20C2) are disposed so that the respective positions in the conveyance direction of the can (10) differ from each other and are disposed so that the positions in the axial direction of the can (10) differ from each other. A first magenta inkjet head (20M1) for ejecting magenta ink is provided at a position adjacent to the second cyan inkjet head (20C2) in the axial direction of the can (10).Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi Ojima, Kazunori Ikeda, Tetsuo Kashiwazaki, Asumi Suwa
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Publication number: 20180207955Abstract: A printing apparatus including a can body conveyance unit, an image forming unit, a light irradiation unit and one or more other can body stop locations. Light for curing an image on a can body is inhibited from reaching the image forming unit. An upstream side restricting wall (31) is positioned on the upstream side, namely, the side on which an ink jet head (240) is provided, of a can body (10) when the can body (10) is stopped at a mandrel stop location (811) or light irradiation stop location (811). The upstream side restricting wall (31) is thereby positioned between the can body (10) and the ink jet head (240), and ultraviolet light is restricted from heading toward the ink jet head (240).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2016Publication date: July 26, 2018Applicant: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi OJIMA, Kazunori IKEDA, Tetsuo KASHIWAZAKI, Asumi SUWA
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Publication number: 20180079206Abstract: In ejecting ink from unused ink ejection ports or ink ejection ports not used frequently onto a can body to suppress ink clogging, the ink clogging is suppressed while degradation in the quality of an image to be formed on the can body is suppressed. On the surface of a can main body 110, a main image MG, which is a main image, and a strip-shaped image OG, which is a sub-image, are formed. The strip-shaped image OG is formed using ink ejection ports not used at forming the main image MG or low-frequency ink ejection ports not ejecting ink frequently. Thus, ink clogging hardly occurs in an ink jet head.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi OJIMA, Tetsuo KASHIWAZAKI, Kazunori IKEDA, Asumi SUWA
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Publication number: 20180037021Abstract: A plate cylinder enables a printing plate to be attached thereto and is improved in strength. A plate cylinder is attached to a rotationally driven plate driving shaft, and is configured to mount a cylindrical printing plate attached thereon from a tip end side thereof. The plate cylinder is provided with a plate cylinder main body having a plate mounting surface to which the printing plate is attached. A flat portion is formed on a flat surface positioned further toward a radially inner side than the plate mounting surface. A plurality of hole portions is formed side by side in an axially separated state in the flat portion. A plurality of plate fixing members tightly fixes the printing plate to the plate mounting surface. The plate fixing members are fitted into the hole portions, and are provided to be movable in radially inward and outward directions of the plate cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2016Publication date: February 8, 2018Applicant: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Tomohiro OKU, Toshihiko ONISHI, Toru KITAGAWA, Hitoshi TOJIMA
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Patent number: 9850025Abstract: A first score line (430) is provided with a modified groove width portion (435) in which the groove width differs from the groove width of other portions. This modified groove width portion (435) is formed by imparting curvature to a point of a first side surface (430B) and this portion of a second side surface (430C) are respectively distended in an outward direction. To describe further, the modified groove width portion (435) is formed by forming respective recessed portions in the first side surface (430B) and the second side surface (430C). In so doing, rupture of a panel can take place in satisfactory fashion along a score line having a branched portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi Ojima, Kazunori Ikeda, Tetsuo Kashiwazaki, Asumi Suwa
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Patent number: 9850024Abstract: A tab main body section (520) is provided with first to third main body section slits (731-733) which penetrate through the tab main body section (520). The first to third main body section slits (731-733) are formed in a circular arc shape so as to extend along the outer peripheral edge of an insertion hole (540) formed in a circular shape. The first main body section slit (731) is provided between the insertion opening (540) and a first edge section (501) of a tab (500). The second main body section slit (732) and the third main body section slit (733) each have one end section (751) and the other end section (752). The one end section (751) is located closer to a second edge section (502) of the tab (500) than the insertion hole (540).Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi Ojima, Kazunori Ikeda, Tetsuo Kashiwazaki, Asumi Suwa
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Publication number: 20170305180Abstract: A cylindrical printing plate formed with high precision and used for printing on a metal can body, particularly an aluminum or aluminum alloy can body. The forming method of a printing plate forms the printing plate to be mounted on an outer periphery of a cylindrical plate cylinder, and includes a notch forming step of forming a positioning notch in a rectangular elastic material sheet in which a resin layer to be served as a plate section is formed on one surface. A cylindrical material forming step rolls the elastic material sheet in which the positioning notch is formed and overlaps both end portions of the elastic material sheet and joining them in a cylindrical shape. A plate section engraving step engraves a printing pattern on the plate section of the elastic material sheet formed into a cylinder shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2015Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Hitoshi TOJIMA, Tomohiro OKU
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Publication number: 20170157950Abstract: A printing device (1) is provided with: a can body conveying mechanism (100) for sequentially conveying can bodies (10); and a can body moving mechanism (200) for moving the can body (10) while forming an image onto the outer circumferential surface of the can body (10) conveyed by the can body conveying mechanism (100). The can body moving mechanism (200) is provided with a rotating member (210) formed in a disc shape and rotating in a clockwise direction in the drawing. The can body moving mechanism (200) is also provided with plural image forming units (220) provided on the rotating member (210) and forming an image onto the outer circumferential surface of the can body (10) while moving the can body (10). The image forming units (220) are each provided with plural ink ejection devices for ejecting ink onto the outer circumferential surface of the can body (10). This provides an image forming device capable of increasing the number of can bodies on each of which an image can be formed per unit time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Yasushi TASHIRO, Shinichi OJIMA, Kazunori IKEDA, Kenyu MURAOKA, Tetsuo KASHIWAZAKI, Asumi SUWA
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Patent number: 9650172Abstract: In a panel (400), a protrusion (nipple) (420) is formed, which is flattened when a tab is secured to the panel (400) and functions as a rivet. The protrusion (420) is provided at a section of the panel (400) which is surrounded by a first score line (430) and which is located on a top part (433A) side relative to one end (431) or the other end (432) of the first score line (430). A second score line (450) connected to a curved part (433) of the first score line (430) is provided in the panel (400). Consequently, a decrease in the outflow performance of the drink is suppressed and a decrease in operability of the tab is suppressed, even if the tab or the opening is increased in size or the panel is reduced in size.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi Ojima, Kazunori Ikeda, Kenyu Muraoka, Tetsuo Kashiwazaki, Asumi Suwa
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Publication number: 20170087820Abstract: A stopper for assuredly preventing shifting of a cylindrical printing plate mounted on a plate cylinder is provided. A plate cylinder 1 has a plate-mounting surface 12 on which a cylindrical printing plate 3 is fitted from the front end side and mounted. A front stopper 4 is provided on the end portion of the front end side. The front stopper 4 is configured so as to be able to switch between a protruding orientation in which at least a portion of the stopper is positioned so as to protrude to the outside of the plate-mounting surface 12 in the radial direction and a retracted orientation in which the entire stopper is positioned to the inside of the plate-mounting surface 12 in the radial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicant: SHOWA ALUMINUM CAN CORPORATIONInventors: Tomohiro OKU, Toshihiko ONISHI, Toru KITAGAWA, Hitoshi TOJIMA