A post printing treatment assembly includes a product support assembly and a post printing treatment device. The product support assembly includes a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly. The primary drive assembly is operatively coupled to the primary support assembly. The primary drive assembly imparts a generally constant motion to the primary support assembly. Each secondary support assembly is structured to support a number of work pieces. Each secondary support assembly is movably coupled to the primary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly is operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly. The post printing treatment device is disposed adjacent the product support assembly.

A post printing treatment assembly includes a product support assembly and a post printing treatment device. The product support assembly includes a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly. The primary drive assembly is operatively coupled to the primary support assembly. The primary drive assembly imparts a generally constant motion to the primary support assembly. Each secondary support assembly is structured to support a number of work pieces. Each secondary support assembly is movably coupled to the primary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly is operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly. The post printing treatment device is disposed adjacent the product support assembly.

The present invention relates to using soft secondary plates and specialty inks in a printing process. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and methods of using soft secondary plates made of a rubber comprising a saturated chain of polymethylene or a photopolymer material to decorate an exterior surface of cylindrical metallic containers with high definition graphics and other indicia.

The present invention relates to using soft secondary plates and specialty inks in a printing process. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and methods of using soft secondary plates made of a rubber comprising a saturated chain of polymethylene or a photopolymer material to decorate an exterior surface of cylindrical metallic containers with high definition graphics and other indicia.

A device for printing hollow bodies includes a rubber blanket cylinder. A supply device, which guides the hollow bodies to the rubber blanket cylinder, is provided. The supply device comprises a mandrel which is rotated by a drive. One of the hollow bodies to be printed is arranged coaxially on the mandrel. An axial spacing between the mandrel and the rubber blanket cylinder can be changed as a result of an adjusting movement of the supply device. The adjusting movement of the supply device is a linear adjusting movement. The supply device is configured as a linear system which radially supplies the hollow bodies to the rubber blanket cylinder individually and one after the other. The supply device has multiple different positions, each of which places the respective hollow body to be printed, along the adjustment path of the supply device. The positions are arranged at different respective radial distances with respect to the rubber blanket cylinder.

A device for printing hollow bodies includes a rubber blanket cylinder. A supply device, which guides the hollow bodies to the rubber blanket cylinder, is provided. The supply device comprises a mandrel which is rotated by a drive. One of the hollow bodies to be printed is arranged coaxially on the mandrel. An axial spacing between the mandrel and the rubber blanket cylinder can be changed as a result of an adjusting movement of the supply device. The adjusting movement of the supply device is a linear adjusting movement. The supply device is configured as a linear system which radially supplies the hollow bodies to the rubber blanket cylinder individually and one after the other. The supply device has multiple different positions, each of which places the respective hollow body to be printed, along the adjustment path of the supply device. The positions are arranged at different respective radial distances with respect to the rubber blanket cylinder.

A device 1 for imprinting cans 8 comprises a plurality of ink cartridges 2a-2f that supply ink to a plurality of printing plates 3a-3f; the printing plates 2a-2f communicate with transfer blankets 5a-5l fixed to drum 6, the transfer blankets 5a-5l move ink from the printing plates 2a-2f and apply it to cans 8; each transfer blanket 2a-2f includes a different art in low relief (FIG. 15) which produces an image on cans 8 in addition to the image produced by printing plates 2a-2f; the device 1 is preferably a rotary dry offset printer. A method of printing cans comprising forming a relief image in a transfer blanket with a laser is also disclosed.

A device 1 for imprinting cans 8 comprises a plurality of ink cartridges 2a-2f that supply ink to a plurality of printing plates 3a-3f; the printing plates 2a-2f communicate with transfer blankets 5a-5l fixed to drum 6, the transfer blankets 5a-5l move ink from the printing plates 2a-2f and apply it to cans 8; each transfer blanket 2a-2f includes a different art in low relief (FIG. 15) which produces an image on cans 8 in addition to the image produced by printing plates 2a-2f; the device 1 is preferably a rotary dry offset printer. A method of printing cans comprising forming a relief image in a transfer blanket with a laser is also disclosed.

A device for printing hollow bodies includes a segmented wheel which can be rotated about a rotational axis. The segmented wheel has multiple segments, one behind the other, on the segmented wheel circumference, each for receiving a respective printing blanket. At least one of the printing blankets, which is arranged on one of the segments, is arranged on the hollow body to be printed in a rolling manner or at least in a rollable manner. Each of the printing blankets is arranged on a plate-shaped metal support. Each plate-shaped metal support is configured to be bendable and forms a metal printing blanket, together with the printing blanket arranged on the support. Each metal printing blanket formed by the respective support, together with the printing blanket arranged on the support, is arranged or can at least be arranged on one of the segments of the segmented wheel in a replaceable manner as a whole. Each support, which is arranged on one of the segments of the segmented wheel, of the corresponding metal printing blanket, is held on the support in one of a form-fitting and a force-fitting manner.

A device for printing hollow bodies includes a segmented wheel which can be rotated about a rotational axis. The segmented wheel has multiple segments, one behind the other, on the segmented wheel circumference, each for receiving a respective printing blanket. At least one of the printing blankets, which is arranged on one of the segments, is arranged on the hollow body to be printed in a rolling manner or at least in a rollable manner. Each of the printing blankets is arranged on a plate-shaped metal support. Each plate-shaped metal support is configured to be bendable and forms a metal printing blanket, together with the printing blanket arranged on the support. Each metal printing blanket formed by the respective support, together with the printing blanket arranged on the support, is arranged or can at least be arranged on one of the segments of the segmented wheel in a replaceable manner as a whole. Each support, which is arranged on one of the segments of the segmented wheel, of the corresponding metal printing blanket, is held on the support in one of a form-fitting and a force-fitting manner.