The present disclosure provides an apparatus for handling objects. The apparatus comprises a carrying device (104) that is configured to move along a track (102). A handling device (224) is adapted to hold an object (108) and is mounted to the carrying device (104) such that it is rotatable with respect to the carrying device about a handling axis (226). A drive device (310) is disposed at a position along the track (102) and configured to produce a torque around a drive axis. The carrying device (104) can be moved along the track (102) in a direction perpendicular to the drive axis into and out of a drive position. In the drive position, the handling axis (226) of the handling device (224) is in substantial alignment with the drive axis of the drive device (310) whereupon the drive device induces a torque in the handling device (224) causing the handling device to rotate, thereby causing the object (108) held by the handling device to rotate.

A printing system for printing on an outer surface of a tubular object is provided. The printing system comprises at least one printing station for printing on the outer surface of the tubular object (100); and at least one holding device for holding the tubular object during a printing process. The holding device comprises: a substantially annular gripper ring (200) adapted to be partially inserted into a tubular object. The gripper ring comprises a radially compressible portion (201) configured to securely engage with an inner surface of the tubular object. The radially compressible portion exerts a radially outward mechanical restoring force when compressed.

A system for transmitting rotational motion between a driving element and a driven element comprises a driving element that is coupled to a torque input that causes the driving element to rotate about a drive axis. The driving element comprises a first magnetic element. A driven element is configured to rotate about a driven axis. The driven element comprises a second magnetic element. Both the first magnetic element and second magnetic element are susceptible to a magnetic field, and at least one of the first and second magnetic element produces a magnetic field. A magnetic interaction between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element couples the rotational motion of the driving element and the rotational motion of the driven element. The driving and driven elements are coupled at a predetermined rotational orientation with respect to each other.

An over-varnish unit and mandrel pre-spin system for a can decorator, especially for beverage can bodies, can have a mandrel pre-spin belt that is outside of the over-varnish unit housing. The position of the can infeed on the mandrel wheel and the print point is controlled.

A print registration system for a beverage can decorator includes an axial registration system and a circumferential registration system. Each registration system is independent and includes a slider that is translated by a motorized lead screw. Axial movement of the axial registration slider is transmitted to axial adjustment of the plate cylinder by a mechanical connection between the axial registration slider and the plate cylinder shaft. Translation of the circumferential registration slider is transmitted to a helical gear mounted to the plate cylinder shaft such that the plate cylinder shaft is rotated by the movement of the circumferential registration slider upon engagement of the helical driven gear with a stationary drive gear.

In one method, a piece of nonwoven PET or PP fabric is formed into a tote bag using a bag forming device. Seams of the tote bag are ultrasonically welded using an ultrasonic bag welding device. The ultrasonic bag welding device includes at least one sonotrode. In another method, BOPP film is received and a full-color graphic is printed on the BOPP film for each tote bag using a printer. The printed BOPP film is received from the printer and nonwoven PP or PET fabric is received from a roll of nonwoven PP or PET fabric using a laminator. The printed BOPP film is laminated to the nonwoven PP or PET fabric. The printed BOPP film laminated to nonwoven PP or PET fabric is received from the laminator and a finished version of each tote bag is produced using an ultrasonic bag welding device.

A method and a device for clampingly holding against a substrate (8), for example a drinking cup, a heat transfer sheet (5) using a clamping sheet (2), comprising providing a device (1) with a substrate holder (10) for clampingly holding the substrate (8); providing a clamping sheet (2) with a width and a length, length being measured between longitudinal ends of the clamping sheet (2), and wherein at the longitudinal ends of the clamping sheet (2) coupling means (3) are provided; and positioning in catch means (4) of a positioning device the coupling means (3) for keeping the clamping sheet (2) in a first position.

An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration or indicia on a predetermined portion of an outer surface of a metallic container body. The decorator includes at least one digital print unit, a transfer blanket, and a support element. The digital print unit transfers a decorating material to the transfer blanket to form a decoration on the transfer blanket. The support element then moves a metallic container into contact with the transfer blanket. In this manner, the decorating material is transferred to an exterior surface portion of the metallic container to decorate the metallic container. In one embodiment, the digital print unit is an electrophotographic system which transfers a toner material to the transfer blanket. In another embodiment, the digital print unit includes an inkjet print head which transfers an ink to the transfer blanket. Optionally, the decorator may include two or more support elements.

A device for printing on hollow articles comprises a segmented wheel and an apparatus for sequentially supplying the hollow articles to the periphery of the segmented wheel. The apparatus comprises at least a conveyor wheel and a mandrel wheel, arranged in the transport direction of the hollow articles, with first the conveyor wheel, then the mandrel wheel and thereafter the segmented wheel being arranged. A plurality of driver elements are on the periphery of the conveyor wheel, and a plurality of retaining apparatuses are arranged on the periphery of the mandrel wheel. Each retaining apparatus is provided for receiving a hollow article, which is to be printed on in cooperation with the segmented wheel. The conveyor wheel has a suction apparatus for suctioning each hollow article to be supplied to the segmented wheel. The suction apparatus has a suction pump which is switched on or off in dependence on an angular position of the conveyor wheel. When the suction pump is switched on, it produces a negative pressure. A hollow article, which is to be conveyed to the mandrel wheel by the conveyor wheel and which is arranged on one of the driver elements of the conveyor wheel, is retained on the particular driver element of the conveyor wheel by the negative pressure, in an angular range of the rotating conveyor wheel.

A decorator assembly includes a cup holder assembly, a cup transfer assembly, and a decorator mandrel turret assembly. The cup holder assembly is structured to hold a number of cups in a nested, bottom leading configuration. The cup transfer assembly is structured to move cups from said cup holder assembly to a decorator mandrel turret assembly. The decorator mandrel turret assembly is structured to rotatably support a number of cups.