Abstract: An ink station assembly is for a can decorator machine structured to decorate a plurality of cans. The ink station assembly includes a first oscillator roll and a second oscillator roll each having a longitudinal axis and being structured to oscillate back and forth along the longitudinal axis, a printing plate cylinder including a printing plate, and only one single form roll cooperating with the printing plate cylinder to apply a supply of ink to the printing plate, the single form roll cooperating with the first oscillator roll and the second oscillator roll.

Abstract: An ink station assembly is for a can decorator machine structured to decorate a plurality of cans. The ink station assembly includes a first oscillator roll and a second oscillator roll each having a longitudinal axis and being structured to oscillate back and forth along the longitudinal axis, a printing plate cylinder including a printing plate, and only one single form roll cooperating with the printing plate cylinder to apply a supply of ink to the printing plate, the single form roll cooperating with the first oscillator roll and the second oscillator roll.

Abstract: An ink station assembly is for a can decorator machine structured to decorate a plurality of cans. The ink station assembly includes a first oscillator roll and a second oscillator roll each having a longitudinal axis and being structured to oscillate back and forth along the longitudinal axis, a printing plate cylinder including a printing plate, and only one single form roll cooperating with the printing plate cylinder to apply a supply of ink to the printing plate, the single form roll cooperating with the first oscillator roll and the second oscillator roll.

Abstract: An ink station assembly is provided for a can decorator machine. The ink station assembly includes an ink fountain providing a supply of ink, a fountain roll, a distributor roll, a ductor roll cooperable with the fountain roll and the distributor roll, a number of oscillator rolls having longitudinal axis and oscillating back and forth along such axis, a number of transfer rolls cooperating with the oscillator rolls, a printing plate cylinder including a printing plate, and a single form roll cooperating with the printing plate cylinder to apply the ink to the printing plate. The diameter of the single form roll is greater than the diameter of the printing plate cylinder such that the printing plate cylinder makes a complete revolution before the single form roll makes a complete revolution. Accordingly, no portion of the single form roll contacts the printing plate more than once per revolution.

Abstract: An ink station assembly is provided for a can decorator machine. The ink station assembly includes an ink fountain providing a supply of ink, a fountain roll, a distributor roll, a ductor roll cooperable with the fountain roll and the distributor roll, a number of oscillator rolls having longitudinal axis and oscillating back and forth along such axis, a number of transfer rolls cooperating with the oscillator rolls, a printing plate cylinder including a printing plate, and a single form roll cooperating with the printing plate cylinder to apply the ink to the printing plate. The diameter of the single form roll is greater than the diameter of the printing plate cylinder such that the printing plate cylinder makes a complete revolution before the single form roll makes a complete revolution. Accordingly, no portion of the single form roll contacts the printing plate more than once per revolution.

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.