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.

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 system for printing on containers or vessels, such as plastic cups, may use one or more inkjet printer head to produce an image on the exterior of a vessel. A planar digital image may be transposed to a surface corresponding to the surface of a vessel being printed upon. A dial driven by an indexer may bear a plurality of mandrels through stations within the system to print, cure, and process images and/or the vessel surface. Each mandrel may receive a vessel and then transport the vessel to at least one printing station and at least one curing station before the vessel is removed from the mandrel.

A can decorator having a blanket wheel and a plurality inking stations. Each of one or more of the inking stations comprises a rotatable shaft geared to the blanket wheel, a print cylinder mounted on the shaft for rotation with the shaft during printing operations, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angular position of the print cylinder on the rotatable shaft during set-up and for fixing the angular position for printing operations. There is further provided a rotary encoder for determining the angular position of the print cylinder relative to the rotatable shaft during set-up and for providing an electrical signal indicative of the angular position to an operator interface device.

A can decorator having a blanket wheel and a plurality inking stations. Each of one or more of the inking stations comprises a rotatable shaft geared to the blanket wheel, a print cylinder mounted on the shaft for rotation with the shaft during printing operations, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angular position of the print cylinder on the rotatable shaft during set-up and for fixing the angular position for printing operations. There is further provided a rotary encoder for determining the angular position of the print cylinder relative to the rotatable shaft during set-up and for providing an electrical signal indicative of the angular position to an operator interface device.

An apparatus is disclosed for printing images on generally cylindrical objects. The apparatus comprises an impression station that includes a movable imaging surface for bearing an ink image; and a transport mechanism for advancing the objects through the impression station, comprising a drive member rotatably connected to a plurality of rotatable mandrels, each for mounting a respective one of the objects, the transport mechanism being configured to cause each object to rotate during passage through the impression station such that, within a nip region of the impression station, the surface of the object makes rolling contact with the imaging surface, thereby causing the ink image to be impressed on the object. An impression platen is provided opposite the imaging surface within the nip region, the impression platen being configured to apply a force, directly or indirectly, to the objects to ensure rolling contact between the objects and the imaging surface.

An apparatus is disclosed for printing images on generally cylindrical objects. The apparatus comprises an impression station that includes a movable imaging surface for bearing an ink image; and a transport mechanism for advancing the objects through the impression station, comprising a drive member rotatably connected to a plurality of rotatable mandrels, each for mounting a respective one of the objects, the transport mechanism being configured to cause each object to rotate during passage through the impression station such that, within a nip region of the impression station, the surface of the object makes rolling contact with the imaging surface, thereby causing the ink image to be impressed on the object. An impression platen is provided opposite the imaging surface within the nip region, the impression platen being configured to apply a force, directly or indirectly, to the objects to ensure rolling contact between the objects and the imaging surface.

A method of cleaning can bodies having a continuous sidewall closed at one end by an integral bottom portion opposite an open end is described. A can body transporter is populated a plurality of can bodies. The transporter transfers can bodies through a can body washer apparatus from an entry end to a delivery end. A plurality of spray bars are located between the entry end and the delivery end and delivers a washing solution to the plurality of can bodies. A substantially constant can body population density is maintained on the can body transporter by controlling a speed of the can body transporter relative to a rate of production of can bodies produced by an upstream can body making apparatus. A time duration of an exposure of the plurality of can bodies to the solution is controlled by regulating delivery of the solution.

A method of cleaning can bodies having a continuous sidewall closed at one end by an integral bottom portion opposite an open end is described. A can body transporter is populated a plurality of can bodies. The transporter transfers can bodies through a can body washer apparatus from an entry end to a delivery end. A plurality of spray bars are located between the entry end and the delivery end and delivers a washing solution to the plurality of can bodies. A substantially constant can body population density is maintained on the can body transporter by controlling a speed of the can body transporter relative to a rate of production of can bodies produced by an upstream can body making apparatus. A time duration of an exposure of the plurality of can bodies to the solution is controlled by regulating delivery of the solution.