Abstract: A machine for printing on thin-walled frusto-conical containers having little resistance to transverse deformation is provided with rotatable mandrels for holding and centering the containers during printing. Each mandrel has a rotatable body provided with two axially spaced centering rings adapted to engage the walls of the container and centralize the container relative to the axis of the mandrel upon axial movement of the container on to the mandrel. The centering rings make sealing engagement with the walls of the container and subdivide the space enclosed between the container and the mandrel body into an end chamber between the base of the container and the outer end of the mandrel, and an annular chamber between the side wall of the container and the mandrel body.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning open-mouthed cylindrical containers has a plurality of pot assemblies mounted on a turntable rotatable to move each pot assembly past an unloading station for discharge of containers from the pot assemblies and a loading station for insertion of containers into the pot assemblies. Each pot assembly comprises a body co-operating with a lid to define a cavity for reception of a container, the cavity having a shape corresponding approximately to that of the container and having a size such that the container subdivides the cavity into two chambers in which the walls of the cavity are spaced close to the inside and outside surfaces of the container. Cam rollers on each pot assembly co-operate with cam tracks, upon rotation of the turntable, to open the lid immediately prior to passage past the unloading station and to close the lid immediately after passage past the loading station.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting flexographic printing plates by adhesive on the printing cylinders of a multi-cylinder printing machine has a rotatable hub for supporting each of the cylinders in turn, a platform for supporting each printing plate in a plane tangential to a cylinder on the hub, the platform being movable to cause the cylinder to roll along the plate so that adhesive on the plate or cylinder causes the plate to adhere to and wrap around the cylinder, and rack and pinion gearing between the rotatable hub and the movable platform.

Abstract: A machine for printing on containers in ultra-violet-light-setting ink has a turret fitted with rotatable mandrels for supporting the containers, the axes of the mandrels being radial relative to the axis of the turret, indexing mechanism for intermittently turning the turret to register each mandrel in succession with printing cylinders spaced around the turret, and gear unit for rotating the mandrels and printing cylinders in synchronism. The turret has a cylindrical rim with flat annular upper and lower surfaces, and each mandrel is mounted in a recess in the rim with the recess opening through the lower surface to permit engagement with the printing cylinders and opening through the periphery of the rim to enable containers to be mounted on the mandrels.