Abstract: Apparatus for applying a plurality of color images to cylindrical or frustoconical articles includes a turret mounting radially extending angularly spaced shafts, each of which mounts a mandrel. The turret is fixed vertically and is moved in angular steps so that each of the mandrels is alternately positioned at printing stations and drying stations. The mandrels are rotated in synchronism with printing rolls located at each of the printing stations. Each printing roll is mounted on an individual auxiliary frame which in turn is mounted to a subframe on a horizontal pivot axis so that the printing roll may be adjusted pivotally to a position wherein its outer surface is aligned with the outer surface of a mandrel. The subframe is vertically movable relative to the turret for simultaneously moving all of the printing rolls relative to the mandrels.

Abstract: A continuous motion can decorator is provided with a power driven means that moves undecorated cans through a feed chute. A pocket wheel, for loading of cans onto mandrels, receives cans directly from the chute. Adjacent pockets of the pocket wheel are connected by a lead-in surface that is tangent to the downstream pocket at a point radially outward of the tangent between the lead-in surface and the upstream pocket. The lead-in surface is of essentially constant radius. A can when initially fully seated in a pocket is engaged by a can in the chute which is positioned so that the center thereof is essentially on a line extending through the center of the fully seated can and the center about which the lead-in surface is formed.

Abstract: Inker apparatus constructed primarily for the application of high viscosity paste-type ink includes an anilox fountain roll which partially defines an ink trough. The latter is also partially defined by a scraper blade disposed downstream of a wiper blade which forces ink into the cells of the anilox roll. The free edge of the scraper blade is disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface of the anilox roll to meter the quantity of ink which is removed from the trough by the anilox roll. Two distributor rolls are used to transfer ink from the anilox roll to a plate cylinder. One of the distributor rolls engages the image plate on the plate cylinder and the other distributor roll engages the anilox roll. The latter distributor roll is oscillated axially so that the cellular pattern of the anilox roll will not be transferred to the first mentioned distributor roll.