Abstract: A continuous motion decorator is provided with mandrels pivotally mounted to a carrier wheel and radially positioned by a stationary cam. An individual eccentric, operated by an individual power cylinder, is interposed between each mandrel pivot. When an unloaded or misloaded mandrel is detected, the associated eccentric is operated to retract mandrel from the printing blanket. Each mandrel is part of a subassembly including a pair of crank arms that are integrally connected by a section parallel to the axis for the carrier wheel. The mandrel is mounted on one crank arm and cam follower means is mounted on the other crank.

Abstract: The continuous can printer and transfer apparatus is provided with infeed means devoid of moving parts, whereby cans move in a guided path by gravity through an inclined chute to stationary pockets on a rotatable pocket mandrel wheel where they are drawn from the pockets and seated by vacuum on mandrels which carry the cans to a printing blanket cylinder. Before contacting the rotating printing blanket, the surface speeds of the mandrel and printing cylinder are precisely matched by a pre-spin belt on the printing cylinder and rollers. Decorated cans are transferred to suction cups on a transfer wheel and discharged to a pin chain conveyor by a transfer assembly wherein all motions of the transfer cups are controlled in a radial and axial direction by a single cam motion.

Abstract: Process for transferring overlayed multiple ink patterns from the surface of a release blanket to a receiving surface on a container or other formed article being printed. A substantially transparent film is first formed on the release blanket, with each ink pattern being printed sequentially over this release film. Proper printing on the release film without picking the release film or previously applied ink films is obtained when certain adhesive and cohesive relationships are maintained between the ink films and the release film. An adhesive film may be formed on the article to be printed, or it may be formed over the ink films and the release film on the release blanket. The receiving surface on the article to be printed is brought into contact with the films on the release blanket, with a resulting total transfer of the films on the blanket to the surface of the article.

Abstract: A conveyor carries a plurality of pegs for supporting and rotating cylindrical containers having one open end and one closed end, each peg having a central pin mounted in the conveyor and a steel sleeve rotatably carried on the pin, the steel sleeve extending for a maximum distance within the carried container for uniform support and stability of the container on the peg, and the steel material acting against the wall of the container to provide proper friction for container rotation with stability. The inner end of the sleeve has an enlarged hub for rolling on an associated bar for rotating the sleeve on the pin, and a spacer tube holds the open end of the carried container at a distance from the hub. In a modified form, the pin extends only a small fraction of the length of the sleeve and the sleeve is held on the outer end portion of the pin by friction, the sleeve being scored outwardly from the end of the pin to bend or break under stress without damaging the pin.

Abstract: Capsule orienting and turning apparatus and method for use in a wrap-around capsule printing procedure. Many capsules, randomly arranged in a hopper, are picked up in a rotary conveyor which arranges them first in an upright arrangement relative to the path of movement of the conveyor, some capsules arranged cap-up and some body-up, and novel gaging block means cooperates with air means to tilt the body portions of the bodies-up capsules in the machine direction while retaining the caps-up capsules substantially untilted so that all the cap portions can subsequently be shifted in a sidewise direction by a subsequent sideward-directed air suction means. Those capsules which are arranged caps-up are not affected by the first means because of a novel gaging block which prevents substantial tilting movement; the cap portions of these capsules are then drawn sidewise by a sidewardly-directed vacuum.

Abstract: A printing device or coder particularly adaptable for printing data on each of a plurality of articles such as conveyed in a moving production line. The device comprises a holder for preselected type mounted on a rotatable shaft connected through a slip clutch and a drive means to a rotary power means. The drive means is also connected to an ink roll positioned near to the type holder shaft. A pawl, normally urged into engagement with a cam member, holds the type holder in one position as the holder's shaft is allowed to slip momentarily with the clutch and as the type engages an article being printed. Thereafter, a movable trigger disengages the pawl and cam member and releases the type holder, allowing it to rotate into contact with the ink roll during one revolution of the shaft prior to the next printing cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus for causing drawn and ironed cans having rolled-back edges to be detected as faulty and discharged by state-of-the-art can transfer and coating systems. An arcuate shoe is disposed so as to frictionally engage, and cause the rotation of, can-receiving mandrels. A rigid, arcuate arm is disposed adjacent the path of the mandrels, far enough away to allow acceptable cans to slide over the mandrels but close enough to prevent cans having rolled-back edges from doing so. The cans which are prevented from fully seating upon the mandrels are then discharged from the mandrels by air pressure.

Abstract: Capsule turning apparatus and method for use in a spin printing procedure in which a printing roll moves at a greater speed than the capsule, thus causing the capsule to rotate about its own axis while it is being printed. Many capsules, randomly arranged in a hopper, are picked up in a rotary conveyor which arranges them first in vertical arrangement relative to the path of movement of the conveyor, randomly with respect to whether the cap portions are at the top or bottom, and an air jet shifts all of the capsules in a sidewise direction, with the caps and body portions at random.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a plurality of sequential operations upon each of a series of articles. In the exemplary embodiment, such apparatus is arranged to perform a two stage coating and printing operation on the outer surface of cylindrical tubes. A rotatable turret includes a first and second series of carriers angularly spaced in first and second arrays around the circumference thereof. Means are provided to index the turret to bring the tubes held in the carriers of the first array to a first operational station for coating, and the tubes held in the second array of carriers to a second operational station for printing.

Abstract: Apparatus for decorating cylindrical containers is provided with a compact-curing section mounted directly thereto. The curing section includes a subassembly pivotally mounted for movement between an operating and a servicing position. The subassembly includes a liquid-cooled main reflector, an arcuate array of elongated ultra-violet lamps, and air-cooled chambers wherein the lamp terminals are disposed. A liquid-cooled shutter is provided to shield those containers stopped in the curing section.

Abstract: Apparatus for decorating cylindrical containers is provided with a curing section mounted directly thereto. The containers are held by mandrels while decorations are applied and are then removed by suction transfer spindles which carry the containers through the curing section. Each transfer spindle is connected to the output of an individual clutch that is actuated only while the spindle is at the curing section. The clutch input is rotated continuously so that when the clutch is energized the transfer spindle rotates and the container carried thereby rotates when at the curing section.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus includes a stencil and a doctor blade or a squeegee cooperating with the printing screen or stencil to print images on objects. A transportation arrangement is provided for transporting the objects on which the images are to be printed in a given path and direction, part of the path leading past the stencil. The transportation arrangement includes a plurality of pairs of support members which are respectively mounted on carrier elements extending laterally of the path. The carrier elements are mounted on elongated rails for movement longitudinally thereof by a distance corresponding to the spacing of the pairs of support members from one another in said direction, the carrier elements reciprocating in said direction and in an opposite direction relative to the rails.

Abstract: A pocket mandrel wheel having mandrels mounted on mandrel arms that pivot to move the mandrels laterally to prevent the mandrels from contacting an associated printing wheel. The mandrel arms are attached to the mandrel wheel by a pivot arm that controls the radius of the mandrels line of motion as the mandrel wheel rotates. The pivot arm causes the mandrel arm to rotate the mandrel in response to an electronic system that detects improperly seated cans on the mandrels. The pivot arm rests against an interposer block having a recessed step, and the mandrel is withdrawn when the block is moved in response to a signal from the electronic system so that the pivot arm rests against the recessed portion of the block. The movement of the block is controlled by a mechanical system that moves the pivot arm away from the block prior to the time when the mandrel may be tripped.

Abstract: A rotating container-bearing mechanism includes a follower which travels along an endless groove in a cooperating stationary member. The stationary member includes a radially slidable portion which defines part of the endless groove. The edges of the slidable portion overlap portions of the stationary member and cooperate therewith to form transition zones for smoothly receiving the follower. The slidable portion is actuated by means of an air cylinder and a control responsive to the absence of a container to provide a first path when a container is present and a second path when no container is borne by the follower mechanism.

Abstract: A screenprinting machine has at least one printing station past which an object to be printed travels in a path, and which includes a movable printing screen and a cooperating movable squeegee. A fixed rack extends along this path, and an arrangement is provided which engages and rotates the object to be printed and which includes a gear which meshes with the rack. A drive is provided for moving the squeegee at a constant rate of speed, and another arrangement serves to vary the speed of movement and the stroke of the printing screen in dependence upon the peripheral speed of the rotating object.

Abstract: In a printing system, containers are fed to pockets associated with a plurality of mandrels located at angularly spaced positions around a mandrel drum. Each of the mandrels is supported by a mechanism including a cam follower and a load means for urging the cam follower for each mandrel outwardly toward a mandrel cam. As the drum rotates, the mandrel cam acting on the mandrel cam follower moves the mandrel radially outwardly to a position of contact with a printing blanket and a lacquer applying cylinder. In order to prevent printing or lacquering when malfunctions in container feeding occur, a locking mechanism is associated with each of the pockets of the mandrel drum. The locking mechanism is responsive to the absence of a container in a pocket as well as the improper seating of a container on a mandrel to prevent the cam follower carried by the mandrel support mechanism from following the mandrel cam when one of these conditions exists.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decorating the outer surface of an article or ware at a plurality of decorating stations wherein registration between the decoration applied at each of the plurality of stations is maintained. The article is advanced to each of the decorating stations at which a predetermined decoration is applied. The movement of the article as it is advanced to the subsequent station is controlled with the article being rotated a predetermined amount such that the orientation of the article at each of the decorating stations is appropriate for the particular decoration being applied.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically imprinting several lines of characters on the rounded head of each steel or like metal cylinder for a compressed gas. The apparatus includes work rest means arranged between loading and unloading platforms and adapted to permit a gas cylinder which has been transferred from the loading platform to rest horizontally thereon so as to be rotatable about its own axis. Several marking mechanisms movable relative to the work rest means each include an arcuate marking surface on which a line of characters is formed in relief. The marking surface of each mechanism is successively forced into contact with the gas cylinder on the work rest means, and the marking mechanism is then rotated in rolling contact with the gas cylinder to imprint the line of characters thereon. The gas cylinder that has been marked with the desired lines of characters is transferred onto the unloading platform.

Abstract: A machine for the continuous overlay printing (color-on-color decorating) of cylindrical cans provides for the laying down of base coats on the can prior to the ink lay downs as well as a top coat after the inks are set in a sequence of operations which are performed at a plurality of operating stations arranged in a vertically aligned circle. The cans are conveyed to the machine and are held on mandrels which are arranged in a circle on a rotatable vertical index table and the cans are rotated about their individual axes and rotated by the table to the operating stations in discrete indexed steps.

Abstract: A linear conveyor has a plurality of mandrels on which cans are held for movement between a feed station and a discharge station. A plurality of printers are longitudinally spaced between the feed and discharge stations. Printing cylinders are rotated in synchronism with the can mandrels so that exact registration of different printing patterns is obtained. A compensated conveyor produces no slack in the conveyor chain so that the conveyor moves at a constant velocity without the jerky motion which would otherwise cause misregistration of the printing patterns.

Abstract: Halftone, multicolor printed effects are achieved by special preparation of art work in the desired pre-selected colors without blending and the use of only white as a diluent of color strength, forming color separated line-engraved press plates therefrom and applying the separate colors by offset printing to the workpiece without overprinting. A novel method and apparatus for producing halftone effect printing using these line-engraved press plates for printing cylindrical objects, and more particularly, cans of the two-piece type.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing on the exterior surface of a generally round container such as a plastic or glass bottle or the like includes several stations that perform or cooperate to print the container. The stations are in line with each other and preferably are in line with both the production fabricating and the production filling lines of the container as well. There are four basic sections, the first of which is the loading section that successively receives and transports the individual containers towards a printing station. Before reaching the printing station, the containers may be flame-treated. After being imprinted, the containers, which up until this time are in horizontal condition pass through a first drying section and then are automatically rotated 90.degree. to a vertical position prior to entering the production filling line. When necessary, a second drying station may be provided immediately downstream of the 90.degree. turn mechanism and just prior to entering the filling production line.

Abstract: Capsule turning apparatus and method for use in a spin printing procedure in which a printing roll moves at a greater speed than the capsule, thus causing the capsule to rotate about its own axis while it is being printed. Many capsules, randomly arranged in a hopper, are picked up in a rotary conveyor which arranges them first in vertical arrangement relative to the path of movement of the conveyor, some capsules upright and some inverted, and an air jet shifts all of the capsules in a sidewise direction, with the caps and body portions at random.