A container body decorator (10) has a controller with a software stored in a memory. A plurality of ink jet print heads (108) is in communication with the controller. An endless image transfer belt (116) has a circumferential configuration with an inner surface opposite a printing surface. A printing site (124) is located along the endless image transfer belt (116). A container body handling module (200) delivers container bodies (14) to the printing site (124).

A printing apparatus is provided with a moving body moving while holding a can body; an image forming unit forming an image on the can body on the moving body stopped at a predetermined stop location; and a pressed part installed at the stop location, at least one of a portion of the moving body stopped at the stop location and a portion of the can body held by the moving body being pressed against the pressed part. Thus, positioning precision of the can body in stopping the can body and performing image formation onto the can body is increased.

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.

Disclosed is a printing apparatus carriage for a container having a circular cross section. The present invention is directed to perform stable transport and mass printing therethrough without using a groove formed on a middle part of the container when the container is transported.

Disclosed is a printing apparatus carriage for a container having a circular cross section. The present invention is directed to perform stable transport and mass printing therethrough without using a groove formed on a middle part of the container when the container is transported.

A can imprinting device includes a blanket wheel having a plurality of blankets. Each blanket has a printing surface and at least two of the printing surfaces having a first part and a second part that each have raised and recessed portions. The first raised portion is configured to form a positive image on a can body of the plurality of can bodies. The first raised portion of at least one of the blankets is different in form from the first raised portion of at least one other of the blankets. The second recessed portion is configured to form a negative image on the can body. The negative image is inverse to the positive image. The first part and the second part are disposed relative to each other such that the negative image aligns with the positive image on the can body.

A can imprinting device includes a blanket wheel having a plurality of blankets. Each blanket has a printing surface and at least two of the printing surfaces having a first part and a second part that each have raised and recessed portions. The first raised portion is configured to form a positive image on a can body of the plurality of can bodies. The first raised portion of at least one of the blankets is different in form from the first raised portion of at least one other of the blankets. The second recessed portion is configured to form a negative image on the can body. The negative image is inverse to the positive image. The first part and the second part are disposed relative to each other such that the negative image aligns with the positive image on the can body.

A plate cylinder enables a printing plate to be attached thereto and is improved in strength. A plate cylinder is attached to a rotationally driven plate driving shaft, and is configured to mount a cylindrical printing plate attached thereon from a tip end side thereof. The plate cylinder is provided with a plate cylinder main body having a plate mounting surface to which the printing plate is attached. A flat portion is formed on a flat surface positioned further toward a radially inner side than the plate mounting surface. A plurality of hole portions is formed side by side in an axially separated state in the flat portion. A plurality of plate fixing members tightly fixes the printing plate to the plate mounting surface. The plate fixing members are fitted into the hole portions, and are provided to be movable in radially inward and outward directions of the plate cylinder.

According to the invention there is an apparatus for printing onto cylindrical structures comprising: a plurality of inker devices each comprising a print cylinder and one or more servomotors for adjustably controlling the position or orientation of a print cylinder; a blanket device comprising a plurality of print blankets, in which the blanket device is configured to bring each print blanket into contact with the print cylinders to transfer ink from the print cylinders to the print blanket, and to bring each print blanket into contact with a cylindrical structure to achieve printing thereon; a transporter for transporting the cylindrical structures into and out of contact with the print blankets; and an automatic print correction system comprising a print inspection device for detecting a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto a print blanket, and a controller for controlling the servomotors of the print cylinders to correct the misregistration in response to data received from the print inspection device.

According to the invention there is an apparatus for printing onto cylindrical structures comprising: a plurality of inker devices each comprising a print cylinder and one or more servomotors for adjustably controlling the position or orientation of a print cylinder; a blanket device comprising a plurality of print blankets, in which the blanket device is configured to bring each print blanket into contact with the print cylinders to transfer ink from the print cylinders to the print blanket, and to bring each print blanket into contact with a cylindrical structure to achieve printing thereon; a transporter for transporting the cylindrical structures into and out of contact with the print blankets; and an automatic print correction system comprising a print inspection device for detecting a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto a print blanket, and a controller for controlling the servomotors of the print cylinders to correct the misregistration in response to data received from the print inspection device.