A can decorator comprising a spindle disc, a blanket drum, a transfer wheel, a pin chain drive, and a controller. The spindle disc is adapted for (i) receiving beverage cans from an infeed and (ii) carrying and rotating each can body on a corresponding spindle. The blanket drum is adapted for (i) applying ink to printing cylinders and (ii) rotating the print cylinders in registration with beverage cans on the spindle disc to decorate the cans. The transfer wheel is adapted for receiving beverage cans from the spindle disc after decoration by the blanket drum. The pin chain drive is adapted for receiving cans from the transfer wheel and transporting the cans on a chain through an oven. The controller adapted for receiving encoder information and matching or adjusting speeds of a spindle disc motor, a blanket drum motor, a transfer wheel motor, and a pin chain drive motor.

A processing machine is configured, in particular, as a printing machine and has a plurality of processing stations for the processing of typically hollow bodies. The processing stations for the processing of the bodies are arranged in an operating chamber each at different positions, in a state in which they are lined up in a row in the direction of transport of the bodies which are to be processed. The processing stations are arranged in the same horizontal plane in the operating chamber. A body which is to be processed, or which has been processed, is transported from one processing station to the next processing station beneath that horizontal plane in which the individual processing stations are arranged. A plurality of simultaneously operated, or simultaneously operable, handling devices are provided in the operating chamber. Each handling device is provided for transporting at least one body which is to be processed, or which has been processed. At least two of the handling devices, which are arranged in the same operating chamber and are simultaneously operated, or are at least simultaneously operable, are arranged in different horizontal planes arranged vertically one above the other and are each moved, or at least are capable of being moved, horizontally in the respective plane.

A processing machine is configured, in particular, as a printing machine and has a plurality of processing stations for the processing of typically hollow bodies. The processing stations for the processing of the bodies are arranged in an operating chamber each at different positions, in a state in which they are lined up in a row in the direction of transport of the bodies which are to be processed. The processing stations are arranged in the same horizontal plane in the operating chamber. A body which is to be processed, or which has been processed, is transported from one processing station to the next processing station beneath that horizontal plane in which the individual processing stations are arranged. A plurality of simultaneously operated, or simultaneously operable, handling devices are provided in the operating chamber. Each handling device is provided for transporting at least one body which is to be processed, or which has been processed. At least two of the handling devices, which are arranged in the same operating chamber and are simultaneously operated, or are at least simultaneously operable, are arranged in different horizontal planes arranged vertically one above the other and are each moved, or at least are capable of being moved, horizontally in the respective plane.

A method for operating a device for printing hollow cylinder is provided. The device comprises a rotating segmented wheel with a plurality of printing cylinders arranged successively along the periphery of the device. A plurality of plate cylinders are provided in association with the segmented wheel. According to a printing process to be performed, a selected quantity of plate cylinders is thrown onto the segment wheel or is thrown off the segment wheel. In a first printing process, a first partial quantity of thrown-on plate cylinders transfers printing ink to a plurality of the printing blankets arranged on the segment wheel. At the end of the printing process, at least some of the plate cylinders, that were thrown on the segment wheel in the first printing process, are thrown off the rotating segment wheel. During constant uninterrupted rotation of the segment wheel, for the implementation of a second printing process, a second partial quantity of plate cylinders is thrown onto the segment wheel and respectively transfer printing ink to a plurality of the printing blankets arranged on the segment wheel. The respective printing forme of at least one plate cylinder involved in the first printing process, and uninvolved in the ongoing second printing process, is changed during the ongoing printing process.

A method for operating a device for printing hollow cylinder is provided. The device comprises a rotating segmented wheel with a plurality of printing cylinders arranged successively along the periphery of the device. A plurality of plate cylinders are provided in association with the segmented wheel. According to a printing process to be performed, a selected quantity of plate cylinders is thrown onto the segment wheel or is thrown off the segment wheel. In a first printing process, a first partial quantity of thrown-on plate cylinders transfers printing ink to a plurality of the printing blankets arranged on the segment wheel. At the end of the printing process, at least some of the plate cylinders, that were thrown on the segment wheel in the first printing process, are thrown off the rotating segment wheel. During constant uninterrupted rotation of the segment wheel, for the implementation of a second printing process, a second partial quantity of plate cylinders is thrown onto the segment wheel and respectively transfer printing ink to a plurality of the printing blankets arranged on the segment wheel. The respective printing forme of at least one plate cylinder involved in the first printing process, and uninvolved in the ongoing second printing process, is changed during the ongoing printing process.

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 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 decorator (10) for printing onto cylindrical structures (18) has a plurality of inkers (12). Each inker (12) has a pair of opposing frame plates (40, 48). A printing plate (204) is affixed to a printing plate cylinder (200) carried by a rotational printing plate cylinder shaft (202). The printing plate shaft (202) is disposed between the opposing frame plates (40, 48). A main shaft (38) supports the inker (12) on the decorator (10) such that the pair of opposing frame plates (40, 48) are slidable along a length of the main shaft (38). A lateral adjustment servomotor (220) acts on a corresponding inker (212) to impart a movement by the inker (12) along the length of the main shaft (38).

A decorator (10) for printing onto cylindrical structures (18) has a plurality of inkers (12). Each inker (12) has a pair of opposing frame plates (40, 48). A printing plate (204) is affixed to a printing plate cylinder (200) carried by a rotational printing plate cylinder shaft (202). The printing plate shaft (202) is disposed between the opposing frame plates (40, 48). A main shaft (38) supports the inker (12) on the decorator (10) such that the pair of opposing frame plates (40, 48) are slidable along a length of the main shaft (38). A lateral adjustment servomotor (220) acts on a corresponding inker (212) to impart a movement by the inker (12) along the length of the main shaft (38).

A device for imprinting cans comprises a plurality of ink cartridges that supply ink to a plurality of printing plates; the printing plates communicate with transfer blankets fixed to a drum, the transfer blankets move ink from the printing plates and apply it to cans; each transfer blanket includes a different art in low relief which produces an image on cans in addition to the image produced by printing plates; the device is preferably a rotary dry offset printer.