Abstract: A device for printing objects which has an offset cylinder rotatably supported by a frame and a plurality of plate cylinders arranged around the offset cylinder. The offset cylinder is adapted to be secured in a plurality of positions, each of the positions corresponding to a position of a plate cylinder. Each plate cylinder has a printing plate and each of the printing plates has a first marking located thereon in predetermined positional relationship with an image on the printing plate. A detecting member is mounted on the offset cylinder for detecting a positional relationship of the first marking relative to the detecting means.

Abstract: A device for printing objects, such as cups from synthetic material. The objects are received so that they can be contacted by a printing roller, which cooperates with a plurality of printing plates. The printing plates are mounted on printing cylinders and may be supplied with colored ink by a plurality of inking units. The inking units include an ink-duct roller, which is engaged by an ink-duct, as well as a number of further rollers. The ink-duct is slidably supported and biased toward the ink-duct roller and includes a bottom extending to the ink-duct roller and side walls having two rolls which engage the ink-duct roller.

Abstract: An infeed transfer system for a continuously operated container decorating apparatus comprises a mandrel wheel assembly having a rotating mandrel wheel, a plurality of regularly spaced mandrel assemblies pivotally mounted thereon, and a box cam spaced-apart from the mandrel wheel and communicating with one end of the mandrel assemblies, to guide the path of movement of the mandrel assemblies during the rotation of the mandrel wheel. A pocket wheel is rotatably mounted and is axially displaced from the mandrel wheel. The pocket wheel has a diameter smaller than that of the mandrel wheel and the box cam defines an undulating path that causes each of the mandrel assemblies to follow the circumferential periphery of the pocket wheel, in alignment with consecutive cradles defined by the pocket wheel, and such alignment continues through an arc of rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing on frusto-conical cups includes a mandrel wheel intermittently rotatably movable to a loading, pre-treatment, printing, first cure, second cure, and unloading station; a plurality of mandrel assemblies rotatably mounted on the mandrel wheel for holding the containers on the mandrel wheel; a stationary support at each station, each stationary support including a slot therein; a mandrel rotation assembly for rotating the mandrel assemblies and containers at the pre-treatment and first and second cure stations, the mandrel rotation assembly including a resilient rubber ring rotatably mounted adjacent to the plurality of mandrel assemblies in concentric relation with the mandrel wheel, a mounting assembly for rotatably mounting the resilient ring in concentric relation to the mandrel wheel, a drive mechanism for continuously rotating the resilient ring, a biasing assembly for biasing the resilient ring into engagement with each mandrel assembly at the pre-treatment and first and second cure

Abstract: A mandrel wheel assembly is disclosed for use with an apparatus for the continuous decoration of containers such as cylindrical cans, and comprises a circular mandrel wheel having a plurality of regularly spaced mandrel assemblies mounted transversely about its circumferential periphery. The mandrel assemblies have cam roller ends that communicate with a guiding stationary box cam, and oppositely extending container receiving mandrels. The mandrel wheel assembly is mounted along a stationary central shaft. A secondary mandrel support is provided adjacent the mandrels comprising a stationary planar support member also mounted on the central shaft with one or more planar support cams that extend radially from the secondary support member and are adapted to cammingly engage the mandrel assemblies. The support cams are juxtaposed to the coating stations and reduce unwanted deflection of the mandrels during coating operations.