A printing assembly may include a first continuous cylinder and a first jogging assembly. The first continuous cylinder may be configured to apply print media to a flexible substrate responsive to contact with the flexible substrate. The first continuous cylinder may include a plurality of partitions configured such that only one of the partitions is aligned for contact with the flexible substrate at any given time, and each of the partitions may have a unique print characteristic associated therewith. The first jogging assembly may be operably coupled with the first continuous cylinder to move the first continuous cylinder along an axis thereof to change alignment of the partitions relative to the flexible substrate.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for mounting a flexible plate onto a print sleeve or cylinder, wherein the apparatus comprises at least two manipulator units located below the print sleeve or cylinder and support members provided on each manipulator unit, wherein each support member has a curved profile for arching the flexible plate prior to its mounting onto the print sleeve or cylinder

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.

An oscillating roller system for a beverage can decorator is driven back and forth by a cam follower. A cam body having a cam is mounted to a frame of the inker system. Three oscillating cam roller assemblies are positioned about the cam body. Rotation of the cam oscillates the cam followers for each one of the oscillating rollers. Bearings of the oscillating roller assemblies includes an inlet gallery and outlet gallery for a closed loop lubrication system. The rollers are water cooled.

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.

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.

The multiple printing plate mounting system of the present disclosure may be used to mount multiple flexible printing plates simultaneously onto a printing sleeve. The system has a back rotary vacuum plate with a plurality of distinct vacuum zones and may be controlled via valve by a computer control system. A filler plate may also be controlled with the same vacuum patterns. The filler plate will move minutely side-to-side. A front plate with match-controlled vacuum patterns may also have a servo to control front-to-back-movement. The distinct vacuum zones are used together with the movable front, back, and filler vacuum plates to selectively, individually, and independently align the flexible printing plates prior to mounting.

An oscillating roller system for a beverage can decorator is driven back and forth by a cam follower. A cam body having a cam is mounted to a frame of the inker system. Three oscillating cam roller assemblies are positioned about the cam body. Rotation of the cam oscillates the cam followers for each one of the oscillating rollers. Bearings of the oscillating roller assemblies includes an inlet gallery and outlet gallery for a closed loop lubrication system. The rollers are water cooled.

A printing assembly (400) may include a first continuous cylinder (420) and a first jogging assembly (424). The first continuous cylinder (420) may be configured to apply print media to a flexible substrate (300) responsive to contact with the flexible substrate. The first continuous cylinder (100, 420) may include a plurality of partitions (210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260) configured such that only one of the partitions is aligned for contact with the flexible substrate at any given time, and each of the partitions may have a unique print characteristic associated therewith. The first jogging assembly (424) may be operably coupled with the first continuous cylinder (420) to move the first continuous cylinder along an axis thereof to change alignment of the partitions relative to the flexible substrate.

An oscillating roller system for a beverage can decorator is driven back and forth by a cam follower. A cam body having a cam is mounted to a frame of the inker system. Three oscillating cam roller assemblies are positioned about the cam body. Rotation of the cam oscillates the cam followers for each one of the oscillating rollers. Bearings of the oscillating roller assemblies includes an inlet gallery and outlet gallery for a closed loop lubrication system. The rollers are water cooled.