Abstract: An automated can decorating apparatus including a mechanical mandrel trip mechanism. The mechanical mandrel trip mechanism includes a trip lever mechanism having a trip cam follower disposed on an end of a trip arm which causes the movement of an associated mandrel away from a printing position, and a reset cam follower disposed on a reset arm which causes the mandrel to return to a printing position. Trip cam follower and reset cam follower engage cam surfaces on a trip cam plate and a reset cam plate, respectively, to cause the movement of their associated mandrel.

Abstract: A transfer device with which the hollow bodies to be printed in a printing machine may be transferred from a supply conveyor means to a capstan plate associated with the printing device. Since the hollow bodies are supplied by the supply conveyor means with a distance between them, which is smaller than the pitch of the receiving capstans of the capstan plate serving to accept the hollow bodies, a transfer rotor is placed in between, which possesses holding units, which perform the hollow body transfer as part of a pitch matching operation. A similar arrangement may also be employed to transfer already printed hollow bodies from the capstan plate to a removal conveyor means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decorating cylindrical articles using direct rotary screen printing of a UV radiation curable composition in various predetermined patterns and registrations. A rotary screen printing assembly is arranged in either a horizontal or vertical orientation to achieve production rates of about at least 250 articles per minute, and up to 1000 articles per minute. The UV radiation curable compositions are at least partially cured between a plurality of screen printing workstations using a UV radiation source.

Abstract: In an apparatus for printing on dimensionally stable individual articles such as glass or plastic bottles, using screen printing, the articles each carried by a respective holder are transported along a transport path by a continuously circulating transport device. At least one treatment station and at least two transfer stations are associated with the transport path, one transfer station acting as a feed station and the other as a removal station for the articles. During a printing operation on an article the article is rotated about its longitudinal axis in a first direction which is governed by the printing procedure and the transport direction, and then after conclusion of the printing operation the article is rotated back into its initial position by rotation about its longitudinal axis in the opposite direction, so that the position of the article in angular terms about its longitudinal axis can be accurately defined and controlled.

Abstract: A printing method for printing an ink layer on a can barrel. The method includes picking-up a bright ink containing at least one bright pigment having an average particle size of from 5 to 25 &mgr;m selected from the group consisting of aluminum flake and fine particulate coated pearl pigment from an engraving roller, feeding the picked-up ink to a printing plate directly or via a rubber roller, and applying the ink on the printing plate to a can barrel via a blanket wheel.

Abstract: A machine for processing hollow glass objects (8) is described. The machine includes a sequence of like processing units (1) to (15) and (A, B) on which a small number of processing steps can be carried out on the workpiece (8). The workpieces (8) are brought to the processing unit on a clock-driven loading belt (4) and taken therefrom. A workpiece, which is being processed in a unit, is held during the entire sequence by one and the same workpiece holder. Each processing unit includes two separate handling units with which two workpieces run through the workstations time displaced. The machine arrangement permits processing units to be taken out or switched into the line without a production standstill.

Abstract: A compact drive mechanism for both driving a paper web and severing a printed receipt in a transaction or point-of-sales printer. Both driving the paper web and cutting the printed receipt is accomplished through a bi-directional stepper motor that is operative through a one-way clutch.

Abstract: A system and method for printing directly on a mat board. A computer-readable medium includes a digital image having a size scaled to a size of the mat board. For example, the size can correspond to a border region of the mat board between an outer edge of the mat board and an interior region of the mat board that is open or configured to be open to allow visual access to a selected item placed behind the mat board. The digital image is transmitted to a computer printer coupled to the computer-readable medium, and the digital image is printed directly on the mat board with the computer printer while the mat board is engaged with the computer printer. The mat board can include a mat board body having a forward-facing surface with an at least partially non-porous print receiving medium configured to receive ink from an ink jet printer, and a generally non-porous medium at a rearward-facing surface configured to at least restrict moisture from passing into the mat board body through the rearward-facing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decorating cylindrical articles using direct rotary screen printing of a UV radiation curable composition in various predetermined patterns and registrations. A rotary screen printing assembly is arranged in either a horizontal or vertical orientation to achieve production rates of about at least 250 articles per minute, and up to 1000 articles per minute. The UV radiation curable compositions are at least partially cured between a plurality of screen printing workstations using a UV radiation source.

Abstract: A printing machine includes at least one object support rotatably mounted on a conveyor which advances stepwise, at least one radiation type drying oven in vertical alignment with the path of movement of the object support and a drive system for driving a rotation cycle of the object support in line with the drying oven when the conveyor is stopped. The drive system modulates the rotation speed of the object support during the rotation cycle as a function of its angular orientation.

Abstract: In a can decorator, substituting one inking arrangement by another inking arrangement to facilitate reconfiguration of each inking arrangement with minimal down time while the other inking arrangement is inking cans being decorated. First and second inking arrangements are supported on and spaced 90° or 180° apart around a rotation axis of a plate, which is rotatable to bring each of the inking arrangements to a position radially inward of the can handling apparatus of the can decorator. Each inking arrangement is shiftable laterally inward on the plate away from the can handling apparatus when the plate is to be rotated and laterally shifted outwardly toward the can handling apparatus after the plate has been rotated and the new inking arrangement is positioned laterally inward of the can handling apparatus. In one alternate embodiment, the inking arrangements are on a plate that is reciprocated laterally to bring each inking arrangement in turn to the can handling apparatus.

Abstract: A continuous motion can decorator includes a plurality of mandrel subassemblies mounted on a rotating carrier with equal angular spacings between adjacent subassemblies. The assemblies reciprocate radially with respect to the carrier axis as a center. Each subassembly includes a radially extending support arm that mounts a radially extending mono rail which extends through guide bearing units on the carrier. The mandrel of each subassembly is mounted on an axis that is parallel to the rotational axis of the carrier. An eccentric type mounting is provided for the mandrel axle on the reciprocating arm so that there is an individually operated means to adjust spacing between the carrier rotational axis and the mandrel axis. Vacuum and pressurized air are fed selectively to each mandrel subassembly through a flexible hose having a single loop that is formed by curving virtually the entire length of the hose.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transport mechanism, and method, for transporting plastic cards, such as credit cards, identification cards, and the like, past a printing apparatus within a printer. The transport mechanism includes a lifting and rotating station for displacing the card from a first level to a second level, as well as rotating the card. The second level is located above the top of the printing apparatus. A card translating station is disposed at the second level, generally above the printing apparatus, and has a receiving end disposed adjacent the lifting and rotating station for receiving the card therefrom, as well as an output end. The translating station includes means for moving the card from the receiving end to the output end thereof along a direction that is generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the lifting and rotating station.

Abstract: Ink decoration applied to bottles during a dwell period at decoration stations of an intermittent motion decorating machine is cured during a dwell period while the bottles dwell at curing stations, each downstream of a decorating station. A bottle rotator at each curing station is joined by a tie rod to drive a bottle rotator at a decorating station. An alternative embodiment provides separate drive motors for a decorating and a curing station and control of the motors is provided by the same control signal to rotate bottles during a dwell period. Restraint rails and rotators at all decoration and curing stations prevent loss of an established orientation between each bottle and each decoration screen at each decorating station. The established orientation can be established by an indexer at the bottle receiving end of the decorating machine.

Abstract: The traveling motion imparted to bottles in an intermittent motion decorating machine is provided by a pair of workpiece feed cams rotatably supported in a side-by-side relation to rotate about spaced horizontal axes lying in a common horizontal plane, the workpiece feed cams have feed cam tracks extending along the decorator between loading and unloading stations for receiving cam followers of each of plurality of bottle carriers. The feed cam track defining a workpiece dwell period at each decorating station and workpiece advancement periods between each workpiece dwell period. A pair of carrier return cams is rotatably supported in a side-by-side relation to rotate about spaced horizontal axes lying in a common horizontal plane. The carrier return cams have carrier cam tracks extending along the decorator for returning bottle carriers received from the unloading station for delivery to the loading station.

Abstract: Can-holding device for holding filled beverage cans for printing on their surfaces, consisting of a frame (1) and two jaws (2) displaceable in the axial direction of the beverage can (D)to be held between a closed position (FIG. 2) and an open position (FIG. 1) for gripping the beverage can (D) to be printed at its two ends, with jaws (2) each being pretensioned by a spring (3) into its closed position and with grippers (21, 22) which permit gripping by external opening elements (Z) for optional movement of the jaws into their open position, and with each jaw (2)consisting of a jaw carrier (23) that cooperates with guide (11) on frame (1) and is provided with a gripper (21, 22), and of a jaw body (24) rotatable relative thereto, said body being lockable in a reference rotational position (FIG.

Abstract: A process for coating and transfer printing sheet metal which is especially suited for manufacture into three-dimensional articles such as appliance panels and one-piece pictures and frames. The coatings may include a thin pigmented base coat and a clear, thin top coat. A decorative image is transfer printed in the clear top coat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing multi-color images onto a cylindrical body includes ink adhesion mechanisms that adhere different colors of ink to an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. Ink drying mechanisms are included for drying the different colored inks adhered to the cylindrical body after the completion of the respective ink adhesion processes. Each of the ink adhesion mechanisms is arranged such that a mandrel, about which the cylindrical body is held, is moved in an arc along the outer periphery of a cylinder-shaped blanket which is disposed around the outer peripheral surface of an blanket cylinder. Ink is applied to the cylindrical body from the blanket at a position where the cylindrical body contacts the blanket. The blanket cylinder is rotated about an axis thereof in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the mandrel. The mandrel is rotated about an axis thereof so that a relative velocity of the cylindrical body and the blanket at the contact portion is zero.

Abstract: A device for printing stock standing on edge, in particular a piece of mail in postage meters and/or addressing machines includes a guide plate along which the stock slides. The guide plate is inclined relative to the vertical and has a recessed region for a printing device. A rotating conveyor advances the stock along the guide plate. The printing device is an ink jet printing device with at least one ink jet print head. The recessed region includes at least one cutout and a downstream region of the guide plate is so far recessed from a bearing surface for the stock that there is no contact with the latter in that location. That ensures sufficient penetration time for ink and prevents smearing of the printed image. Pressure elements with a pressure plate are fastened to the conveyor. The pressure plate is moved against spring force toward and away from the guide plate and presses the stock against the same. A friction lining fastened to the pressure plate carries the stock.

Abstract: A dispenser dispenses pellet shaped articles onto a conveyer. The conveyer conveys the pellet shaped articles past a video sensor that senses any pellet shaped articles needing rotation so that they are uniformly oriented. The sensor provides a signal to a manipulating device which manipulates certain pellet shaped articles so that all of the articles are uniformly oriented. The conveyer transports the pellet shaped articles to a first pellet shaped article modifying device that, for example, prints indicia on the pellet shaped articles. A rectifying drum reorients all of the pellet shaped articles in order for printing to be performed on a reverse side. A second sensor and a second manipulating device may also be provided. An inspection system to determine whether a pellet shaped article is defective after a performed modification is also provided.

Abstract: A mandrel/spindle disc for a continuous motion can decorator includes a plurality of relatively lightweight mandrel assemblies mounted on a rotating carrier with equal angular spacings between adjacent assemblies. The assemblies reciprocate radially with respect to the carrier axis as a center. Each assembly includes a base and two guide rods that extend radially inward from the base and are received by sleeve bushings that are disposed in radial holes extending inward from the carrier periphery. A plurality of relatively small grease pools are formed by small transverse holes, each of which extend forward from the rear of the carrier disc to engage the inner ends of four bushing holes. Vacuum and air pressure are fed to each mandrel assembly through a flexible hose having a large loop therein.

Abstract: The output end of a very high speed continuous motion cylindrical can decorator is provided with unloading apparatus in the form of a continuously moving closed loop belt and a continuously rotating disk. Decorated cans are delivered to the disk, with rearward facing open ends of the cans engaging the front face of the rotating disk and being held against the front face, preferably by rearward directed suction forces. Cans are moved by the disk into close proximity with an upward moving flight of the belt, and are transferred to the latter by forward directed suction forces which act through the upward moving flight to draw the closed ends of the cans against the upward moving flight. The rearward acting suction forces act through the disk and are applied at those portions of the disk that are at angular positions which are selected to assist transfer of cans to the disk.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for printing a decorative pattern of differing colors on the cylindrical outer surface of a can body wherein a pattern of one color is applied and dried on the outer surface and a pattern of a different color is applied to the cylindrical outer surface of the can body with only portions of the pattern of a different color superposed over portions of the pattern of one color and repeating the steps for a plurality of additional patterns and different colors.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying heat transfer labels, disposed on a web, to containers. In one embodiment, the apparatus is intended for round, non-tapered containers and comprises a continuously rotating turret, a container transport system for continuously delivering containers to and away from the turret and a web transport system for moving a web containing heat-transfer labels into position for label transferring. The turret includes a rotably driven shaft and a plurality of cup assemblies arranged in a circle around the shaft and coupled thereto. Each cup assembly includes a cup used to hold a container, the cup being rotably driven independently of the shaft and in a required direction. A nozzle assembly is associated with each cup assembly and is used to secure a container within its respective cup and, if necessary, to inflate the container to impart sufficient rigidity thereto for labelling. Each cup assembly and its associated nozzle assembly together define a container holding station.

Abstract: Face valve apparatus having a plurality of valve stations each of which includes a replaceable pad that is behind and in contact with a planar face of a continuously moving valve section having a plurality of inlet ports in a circular array about a rotational axis for the movable valve section. Each of the valve stations are removably mounted to a fixed support by a plurality of fasteners that are accessible for operation from behind the support. Each pad defines an inlet port disposed in front of said support and operatively positioned so that for part of each revolution fo the movable valve section, each of the inlet ports communicates directly with the outlet port.

Abstract: Apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles includes a plurality of mandrel assemblies mounted on a carrier that rotates continuously on a main axis. The assemblies are equally spaced from each other and are disposed in an array surrounding the main axis. A cam device drives the base for limited radial movements relative to the carrier. Each assembly includes a base and a cantilevered mandrel pivotally mounted to the base on a mandrel pivot that is parallel to the main axis. For each revolution of the carrier a decorator engages an article on the mandrel and applies a decoration to such article. Engagement between the articles and decorator produces a reaction force that tends to tile the free end of the mandrel radially inward about the cam means as a center, if the reaction force is permitted to do so, decorating quality will be degraded. A bracing device is provided to resist tilting of the mandrel.

Abstract: A pin oven for curing a decorative or other coating laid down by a rotary decorator on cans has an associated transfer device by which the cans are decelerated and transferred in succession from the decorator onto the chain of the oven. The chain carries two cows of pins which are arranged in staggered and offset relation. By operating at a smaller chain circulating speed than the can output velocity of the decorator, the oven provides benefits in the size and thermal efficiency of the oven and reduced chain wear.

Abstract: Workpieces are manipulated between the receiving position and the discharge position by supporting gripper arms on a platform mounted on a pivot shaft. The pivot shaft pivots between a position where a workpiece is gripped by gripper arms to a pivotal discharge position where the workpiece is released by the gripper arms. The pivot shaft is moved horizontally by a threaded adjusting screw toward and away from a vacuum chuck in a silk-screen printing machine to compensate for changes to the length of the workpiece to be carried by the vacuum chuck. This allows conveyors to remain at fixed elevations and merely change the site at which the workpieces are picked up in the case of a loading mechanism from a feed conveyor and the site where workpieces are deposited on a conveyor for an unloading operation.

Abstract: A printer for printing predetermined patterns of letters, figures, marks and the like on surfaces of solid articles such as tablets or capsule articles which includes a horizontal carrier for carrying the regularly arranged solid articles in a horizontal direction, an ink pattern transfer device for transferring the patterns on the surfaces of the solid articles, a print quality judging device for judging the quality of the printed ink patterns and an inferior article remover for automatically removing articles of inferior print quality from the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A printing assembly for a printing machine comprises a drum mounted for rotary movement about an axis and supporting a plurality of object holders parallel to the drum axis and uniformly circumferentially spaced around the axis. A drum drive imparts continuous rotary movement. A printing station at the periphery of drum for printing successive objects in the course of displacement by the printing station. The printing station is carried by a beam and includes a screen and squeegee. A beam drive is synchronized with the drum drive and imparts arcuate reciprocating movement to the beam about the axis such that the printing station tracks movement of an object at the printing station. The screen is disposed substantially parallel to the axis and mounted for tangential movement to the drum and the object at the printing station. A screen drive imparts rectilinear reciprocating movement to the screen relative to the beam in synchronism with beam movement.

Abstract: Continuous motion apparatus having an offset blanket wheel for applying main images to cylindrical containers is also provided with a plurality of direct printing units that apply auxiliary images to the containers. All of the cassettes are mounted on the blanket wheel. Each cassette is provided with at least one belt having a plurality of auxiliary images in tandem. The belt or belts, as the case may be, is driven continuously at uniform speed along a closed loop path. The cylindrical outer surface having images applied thereto travels at the same linear speed as the offset blanket, and there is a difference in linear speeds between the belt with the auxiliary images thereon and the cylindrical outer surface, even while the auxiliary images are being applied to the cylindrical outer surface.

Abstract: Workpieces are manipulated between the receiving position and the discharge position by supporting gripper arms on a platform mounted on a pivot shaft. The pivot shaft pivots between a position where a workpiece is gripped by one or more moveable gripper arms through a pivotal discharge position where the workpiece is released by the gripper arms. The pivot shaft is moved horizontally by a threaded adjusting screw toward and away from a vacuum chuck in a silk-screen printing machine to compensate for changes to the length of the workpiece to be carried by the vacuum chuck. This allows conveyors to remain at fixed elevations and merely change the site at which the workpieces are picked up in the case of a loading mechanism from a feed conveyor and the site where workpieces are deposited on a conveyor for an unloading operation.

Abstract: A pin oven for stoving a decorative or other coating laid down by a rotary decorator (28") on cans has an associated transfer device (40") by which the cans are decelerated and transferred in succession from the decorator onto the chain (20") of the oven. The chain carries two rows of pins which are arranged in staggered and offset relation. By operating at a smaller chain circulating speed than the can output velocity of the decorator, the oven provides benefits in the size and thermal efficiency of the oven and reduced chain wear.

Abstract: A continuous motion decorator for cylindrical containers is provided with a direct printing unit for printing an auxiliary image on the cylindrical surface of a container that has been imprinted with a main image by an offset blanket segment of the decorator. The direct printing unit includes a plurality of direct printing plates disposed in tandem on a closed loop belt means with each of these plates bearing a different auxiliary image. The offset blanket segments are mounted on the periphery of a continuously rotating blanket wheel. An individual direct printing unit, mounted to the blanket wheel, is provided for each blanket segment and includes an anvil disposed at the upstream end of the blanket segment to support one printing plate at a time in its printing position. For each revolution of the blanket wheel the belt means is advanced by an incremental length to bring a new printing plate to printing position.

Abstract: Registration apparatus for controlling the image height and circumferential orientation of a plate cylinder of a can decorating apparatus using hydraulic linear actuators or electric linear actuators to move first adjustors for the circumferential orientation and second adjustors for the image height orientation.

Abstract: A continuous motion cylindrical can decorator is provided with mandrels that receive undecorated cans and a deco chain that carries decorated cans through a curing oven. The mandrels are mounted along the periphery of a continuously rotating carrier. Chain speed is much slower than linear mandrel speed and spacing between pins on the chain is much less than spacing between mandrels. Interposed between the chain and the mandrel carrier is a continuously rotating transfer carrier having a plurality of suction holding devices thereto. As the holding devices move through a transfer region they are in single file and receive cans that are blown from the mandrels. In the transfer region mandrel linear speed is substantially greater than linear speed of the holding devices, and spacing between the latter is much less than spacing between mandrels As the loaded suction holding devices move downstream through a pickup region cans thereon are loaded on two rows of pins carried by the deco chain.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for printing on articles which are at least in part of non-round cross-sectional shape, by means of screen printing, the article is received by a holding arrangement for supporting it during the printing operation, when the holding arrangement is in an intermediate position between first and second limit positions defining a range of pivotal movement of the holding arrangement, during which the printing is applied to the article. The movements of the article during the printing operation are for the purposes of that operation and not for transportation purposes, the article being transported by at least one transportation arrangement provided specifically therefor.

Abstract: A decorator for cylindrical objects, such as beverage cans and the like. The cylindrical members are carried by mandrels which are sequentially presented to rotating printing plates. A plurality of mandrels are carried by a mandrel cluster and the printing plates are carried by plate wheels. The decorator is capable of utilizing flexographic inks wherein the surface of the cylindrical body can be printed with a first ink, the ink rapidly dried, followed by the application of the second ink. The mandrels are compliantly supported on the mandrel cluster by pneumatic cylinders supplied with both high and low pressure air so that the spring rate of the complaint support may be varied to ensure uniform printing. Synchronization of the rotation of a mandrel with the rotation of a printing plate carried by a plate cylinder is critical so that the second image is precisely in register with respect to a first applied image.

Abstract: Continuous motion apparatus for decorating cylindrical articles includes a plurality of removable and replaceable inker subassemblies each of which includes an inker section and a transmission section through which the inker section is mechanically connected to the main drive for the apparatus. Each inker subassembly applies a controlled film of ink to an individual associated printing cylinder that remains mounted to the main frame of the apparatus when its associated inker subassembly is dismounted from the main frame. The transmission section is a sealed unit that utilizes a liquid lubricant. Mounting stability is obtained by utilizing four mounting points where each inker unit engages the main frame. A readily releasable securing clamp is provided at each mounting point, and a sliding collar constitutes a readily disengageable coupling through which the input of the transmission section is driven by the main drive.

Abstract: A continuous motion cylindrical can decorator is provided with mandrels that receive undecorated cans and a deco chain that carries decorated cans through a curing oven. The mandrels are mounted along the periphery of a continuously rotating carrier. Chain speed is much slower than linear mandrel speed and spacing between pins on the chain is much less than spacing between mandrels. Interposed between the chain and the mandrel carrier is a continuously rotating transfer carrier having a plurality of suction holding devices thereto. As the holding devices move through a transfer region they are in single file and receive cans that are blown from the mandrels. In the transfer region mandrel linear speed is substantially greater than linear speed of the holding devices, and spacing between the latter is much less than spacing between the mandrels.

Abstract: An offset blanket print/coat assembly for printing or coating rotating containers has a blanket wheel supporting a plurality of blanket assemblies by means of radial frame plates and an air cylinder operable for retracting the blankets inwardly on the blanket wheel. The blanket assemblies move in both a radial direction and an axial direction in moving from a printing position to a stop-print position in response to the detection of the absence of a container of a mandrel approaching the printing position. Novel inker blade adjustment means adjusts the fountain blade relative to the fountain roll both inwardly and outwardly relative to the fountain roll and holds the blade edge in various desired positions along its entire length by the adjustment of individual adjustment members positioned along the blade length.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed suitable for presenting a container at a labeling station where the container is oriented before, during or after the time a label is affixed to the container. The apparatus includes a turntable that is rotatable about a fixed axis. A turret is provided on the turntable for rotation about a turret axis substantially parallel to the fixed axis. The turret is adapted to receive a container. A cam follower carriage is mounted to the turntable for reciprocal movement along the turret axis and is operatively engaged with the turret for rotating the turret when reciprocated. Reciprocal movement is imparted to the carriage by a lower cam.

Abstract: A continuous motion decorator of the type in which cans are supported on freely rotatable mandrels during decorating is provided with a plurality of equally spaced mandrel actuator subassemblies mounted along the periphery of a rotating carrier. Each subassembly is mounted for radial movement toward and away from the carrier's rotational axis with the radial position of the subassembly being controlled by a stationary closed loop cam track on which a follower roller of the subassembly is disposed. The subassembly also includes a rotary operator having a rotor that supports the mandrel and is on a pivot axis that is parallel to the axis of the carrier as well as being parallel to and laterally offset from the rotational axis of the mandrel. Sensors detect unloaded and misloaded mandrels, and upon doing so cause the rotary operator that is unloaded or misloaded to be actuated to withdraw the rotor from its normal decorating path so that it will not engage the printing blanket of a decorating unit.

Abstract: A method of non-overlap halftone-dot printing of a colored original on the outer surface of a cylindrical container is done by dry off-set printing. A colored original is color-separated into three primary colors, i.e., cyan, magenta and yellow, change-to-halftone is effected to give an effect of contact screening with the same angle for the individual separated primary colors, and one pixel of print is expressed by three colors at most, i.e., one of the three primary colors, one of three secondary colors, i.e., cyan-magenta, magenta-yellow and yellow-cyan blend colors, and black (tertiary color).

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: A high speed can decorator includes an infeed section having a rotating pocket wheel which receives cans from the downstream end of a chute wherein the cans arranged side by side. While being carried by the pocket wheel to a transfer region where these cans are moved axially from peripheral pockets of the pocket wheel to be received by mandrels that are mounted on a rotating mandrel wheel that is coaxial with the pocket wheel. Immediately after a can is seated within a pocket wheel, a suction force is applied to the side of the can to fully seat and stabilize same in the pocket. This suction force is applied until the can reaches the transfer region.

Abstract: In a mandrel system for receiving a cup-like product having a side wall with a ribbed interior surface, the exterior portion of the mandrel wall is adapted to firmly engage the interior surface of the product side wall in the regions between the ribs and to enhance interior backing of the product side wall in the regions between the ribs. In one embodiment, the exterior portion of the mandrel wall includes a compressible material. In another embodiment, the exterior surface of the mandrel wall includes channels for receiving the ribs on the interior surface of the product side wall. The mandrel wall is apertured to enable air to flow through the mandrel wall to draw the product into firm engagement with the mandrel when a vacuum is created inside the mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for successive printing of cylindrical objects includes a driven carrying wheel; a number of spindles on the wheel freely rotatable about their longitudinal axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the carrying wheel; a printing station radially adjacent the path of the spindles for successively printing the objects; and structure for detecting possible absence of an object and connected to control and deflection structure for temporary deflection of the spindle path out of printing contact. Each spindle is carried by a carriage which can move radially of the carrying wheel and which is guided by a first guide member and a second guide member which cooperates with a guide groove for determining the path of the spindle carried by the carriage. Each spindle is carried such that the pressure force applied thereto during printing of an object can substantially be absorbed without moment by both guide members.

Abstract: In the course of continuous movement along a track that is essentially circular, articles undergoing an imprinting process are arranged with their longitudinal axes vertical and passed through a plurality of print stations, individual silk screen stencils at the stations being adjusted to the resulting changes in the position of the article that occur during the imprinting process as the article moves through the printing machine. The silk screen stencils are pivoted for maintaining the line of contact of the silk screen stencils with the article being printed upon on a radius of the circular track through the article being printed upon during movement of the article along the circular track.

Abstract: An apparatus for decorating articles such as bottles by means of labelling, printing thereon or the like includes a plurality of operating stations for performing various working operations on the articles as they are successively moved through the apparatus, transportation means for transporting the articles in a batch-wise manner from one operating station to the next and holding means for holding the articles in the stations between the transportation stepping movements. The transportation means comprises a main support member which is arranged to perform a reciprocating pivotal movement and on which holding elements such as grippers are pivotably carried. The pivotal movements of the main member and the holding elements take place in the same plane or in mutually parallel planes in such a way that the stroke movements of the main member and the holding elements are added together to make up the total length of movement to be covered by the articles in moving from one station to another.