A printing press for printing on metal cans includes a plurality of inkers. Each inker prints a different color ink on the cans, and includes a first module, a second module, a roller and a support member. The first module has motors to drive output shafts. The second module has ink displacement units, an ink inlet to provide ink to the ink displacement units, ink channels to transfer ink from the ink displacement units to ink outlets of the second module and input shafts to removably couple to the output shafts of the first module. The roller receives ink from the ink displacement units and transfers the ink toward the cans. The support member supports the first and second modules in at least one position relative to the roller. The support member facilitates removal of the second module by a press operator for cleaning the ink channels.

A metallic beverage container body inspection apparatus processes a plurality of metallic beverage container bodies along an index path. An indexer sequentially transfers metallic beverage container bodies from the manufacturing queue through the apparatus while maintaining an orientation of the container bodies. A dwell position is located on the index path wherein the indexer delivers metallic beverage container bodies to the dwell position. An inspection position is vertically aligned with and horizontally offset from the dwell position. An image recorder is aimed the inspection position and captures a plurality of images about a circumference of each metallic beverage containers.

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 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).

Easy reading of a read code is enabled without matching a read range with a specific print section, and without impairing designability of a cylindrical container and clarity of a display print.

A cylindrical container has, on the outer surface thereof, a print layer. The print layer has an electronic watermark layer including an electronic watermark image printed thereon, and a blindfold layer that renders the electronic watermark image difficult to be visually recognized. The print area of the blindfold layer matches a part or entirety of the print area of the electronic watermark layer.

Easy reading of a read code is enabled without matching a read range with a specific print section, and without impairing designability of a cylindrical container and clarity of a display print.

A cylindrical container has, on the outer surface thereof, a print layer. The print layer has an electronic watermark layer including an electronic watermark image printed thereon, and a blindfold layer that renders the electronic watermark image difficult to be visually recognized. The print area of the blindfold layer matches a part or entirety of the print area of the electronic watermark layer.

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.

An apparatus for inking a roller of a decorator press for printing on metal cans has a main body disposed the decorator press, the main body having a blade holder portion. A plurality of ink inlets is spaced longitudinally along the length of the main body or the blade holder portion. The ink inlets lead to a plurality of ink channels terminating downstream from the inlets. A blade is coupled to the blade holder portion, the blade configured to spread ink from the plurality of ink channels onto the roller of the decorator press. An adjustment device is configured to provide movement of the blade from a first operating position coupled to the blade holder to a second operating position coupled to the blade holder.

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 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.