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 container printing apparatus has two or more inker devices. Each inker device has a print cylinder attached to a first end of a print shaft. Each print shaft has an outer shaft disposed about an inner shaft. The print shaft is configured to impart rotation to the print cylinder. Each inker device also has a first servomotor located at the second end of the print shaft distal from the first end of the print shaft and operably joined thereto. The first servomotor adjustably controls the position or orientation of a respective print cylinder. An automatic print correction detects a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto a print blanket and a controller for controlling the first servomotor to correct the misregistration in response to data received from the print inspection device.

A container printing apparatus has two or more inker devices. Each inker device has a print cylinder attached to a first end of a print shaft. Each print shaft has an outer shaft disposed about an inner shaft. The print shaft is configured to impart rotation to the print cylinder. Each inker device also has a first servomotor located at the second end of the print shaft distal from the first end of the print shaft and operably joined thereto. The first servomotor adjustably controls the position or orientation of a respective print cylinder. An automatic print correction detects a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto a print blanket and a controller for controlling the first servomotor to correct the misregistration in response to data received from the print inspection device.

A printing apparatus is provided with a moving body moving while holding a can body; an image forming unit forming an image on the can body on the moving body stopped at a predetermined stop location; and a pressed part installed at the stop location, at least one of a portion of the moving body stopped at the stop location and a portion of the can body held by the moving body being pressed against the pressed part. Thus, positioning precision of the can body in stopping the can body and performing image formation onto the can body is increased.

While deterioration in processing efficiency caused by printing devices with slow printing speed is suppressed, facilities necessary to manufacture can bodies are able to be shared. A can body manufacturing system includes: a can body conveyance route, by which can bodies are conveyed, provided to branch halfway and thereafter merge again, the can body conveyance route at least including a first branching conveyance route and a second branching conveyance route; a first printing device performing printing on can bodies conveyed by the first branching conveyance route; and a second printing device performing printing on can bodies conveyed by the second branching conveyance route, the number of can bodies on which printing is performed by the second printing device per unit time being different from the number of can bodies on which printing is performed by the first printing device per unit time.

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).

A printing plate pressure adjustment system for a can decorator including a printing plate cylinder assembly having a printing plate cylinder drive shaft, and a blanket wheel. The system, includes an actuator, a control system structured to control operation of the actuator to adjust a pressure, between the printing plate cylinder assembly and the blanket wheel, an eccentric bushing disposed around the printing plate cylinder drive shaft, wherein rotation of the eccentric bushing causes the printing plate cylinder to move toward or away from the blanket wheel, and a drive mechanism coupled between the actuator and the eccentric bushing, wherein operation of the actuator causes the drive mechanism to rotate the eccentric bushing.

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.