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.

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.

The invention relates to a method for printing a cylindrical printing surface of a beverage can with a printing image, and to a beverage can. The method comprises a first and a second printing operation, in the first printing operation, a first section of the printing surface being printed by way of a first printing process in a first printing press, in the second printing operation, a second section of the printing surface being printed by way of a second printing process which is preferably different from the first printing process in a second printing press, the beverage can being positioned before or during the second printing operation in such a way that the second section of the printing surface is oriented in a predefined position with respect to the first section of the printing surface. The beverage can is printed by way of this method, the first section and the second section of the printing surface being arranged in a predefined position with respect to one another.

The invention relates to a method for printing a cylindrical printing surface of a beverage can with a printing image, and to a beverage can. The method comprises a first and a second printing operation, in the first printing operation, a first section of the printing surface being printed by way of a first printing process in a first printing press, in the second printing operation, a second section of the printing surface being printed by way of a second printing process which is preferably different from the first printing process in a second printing press, the beverage can being positioned before or during the second printing operation in such a way that the second section of the printing surface is oriented in a predefined position with respect to the first section of the printing surface. The beverage can is printed by way of this method, the first section and the second section of the printing surface being arranged in a predefined position with respect to one another.

An apparatus (200) and method for preparing a cylindrical object having a protective surface coating, such as a necked can (100), for decorating thereon using a printing technique. According to the method, a primer is applied onto the surface coating, and the primer is then dried to form a surface for decorating the object. The apparatus comprises a priming station (260) for applying a primer onto said surface coating, and a drying station (270) for drying the primer.

A container body decorator (10) has a controller (300) with a software stored in a memory. A plurality of ink-jet printing heads (108) is in communication with the controller (300). A segmented image transfer blanket (116) has a circumferential configuration with an inner surface opposite a printing surface. A printing site (124) is located along the segmented image transfer blanket (116). A container body handling module (200) delivers container bodies to the printing site (124).

A container body decorator (10) has a controller (300) with a software stored in a memory. A plurality of ink-jet printing heads (108) is in communication with the controller (300). A segmented image transfer blanket (116) has a circumferential configuration with an inner surface opposite a printing surface. A printing site (124) is located along the segmented image transfer blanket (116). A container body handling module (200) delivers container bodies to the printing site (124).

In a forward movement, an article is conveyed to a printing device via a transfer position while being kept mounted in a first holder for printing by the printing device. The article is returned to the transfer position together with the first holder after printing. An article to be printed after the above article is mounted into a second holder in parallel with at least a part of the forward movement, the printing and a return movement. This is capable of printing on the articles in a short throughput time also when the articles are those having a three-dimensional shape such as bottles and in-vehicle components.

An image control system for a can decorator includes an electronic can decorator control assembly, a mechanical can decorator control assembly and a number of sensors. The electronic can decorator control assembly includes a programmable logic circuit and a number of modules. The mechanical can decorator control assembly is structured to be, and is, operatively coupled to at least one of an ink fountain ink application adjustment assembly, a ductor roll assembly duty cycle adjustment assembly, a printing plate cylinder assembly axial adjustment assembly or a printing plate cylinder assembly circumferential adjustment assembly. The electronic can decorator control assembly is structured to be operatively coupled to the mechanical can decorator control assembly. Each sensor in the number of sensors is structured to measure a can body applied image characteristic and to generate an image signal including data representing the can body applied image characteristic.

A print system includes: a moving body supporting a can body and moving; an upper moving route extending in a lateral direction, which is taken by the moving body when moving in one direction; a lower moving route positioned below the upper moving route, which extends in the lateral direction and is taken by the moving body when moving in a direction opposite to the one direction; and an image forming unit performing image formation onto the can body supported by the moving body. In comparison between the orientation of the moving body while the moving body is positioned on the upper moving route and the orientation of the moving body while the moving body is positioned on the lower moving route, the moving body is turned upside down.