An apparatus and methods of decorating exterior surfaces of metallic containers are provided. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a novel metering roller for an inking assembly of a decorator. An adjustment mechanism is operable to move the metering roller to a first ink transfer position during a decoration run. In the first ink transfer position, the metering roller receives ink from an ink roller without contacting the ink roller. In one embodiment, during the production run, the metering roller is in contact with and transfers ink to a transfer roller. When the decoration run stops, the adjustment mechanism can move the metering roller to a second dwell position such that the metering roller does not receive ink from the ink roller.

A substantially tubular interchangeable sleeve is adapted for applying a printing or coating liquid to a substrate material or offset roller. The sleeve has a multi-layer construction primarily consisting of a first outer layer of a dimensionally stable substantially fluid-impregnable solid material, such as aluminum or steel, around the exterior surface of which is affixed or applied a print or coating liquid receiving plate or layer. The sleeve further comprises one or more further interior layers of relatively less dimensionally stable, compressible, usually fibrous materials disposed inwardly of the interior surface of the first layer which, under air pressure, can be compressed so as to enlarge the inner dimensions of the sleeve so that it can be slid over a suitable bridge mandrel. The sleeve further comprises at least one end ring of a dimensionally stable substantially fluid-impregnable solid material.

A substantially tubular interchangeable sleeve is adapted for applying a printing or coating liquid to a substrate material or offset roller. The sleeve has a multi-layer construction primarily consisting of a first outer layer of a dimensionally stable substantially fluid-impregnable solid material, such as aluminum or steel, around the exterior surface of which is affixed or applied a print or coating liquid receiving plate or layer. The sleeve further comprises one or more further interior layers of relatively less dimensionally stable, compressible, usually fibrous materials disposed inwardly of the interior surface of the first layer which, under air pressure, can be compressed so as to enlarge the inner dimensions of the sleeve so that it can be slid over a suitable bridge mandrel. The sleeve further comprises at least one end ring of a dimensionally stable substantially fluid-impregnable solid material.

An ink feeding device of a printing machine advances and retracts individual ductor rollers pneumatically between an ink fountain roller and an ink transfer roller. Along a fixed shaft, the individual ductor rollers are aligned, and the fixed shaft is provided with an air feeding pipe; electromagnetic valves for advancing the individual ductor rollers toward the ink fountain roller by the air from the air feeding pipe; and springs for retracting the individual ductor rollers toward the ink transfer roller. The controller makes the electromagnetic valves on in the order from a deep position to an inlet position along the air feeding pipe and advances the individual ductor rollers toward the ink fountain roller in this order.

An ink feeding device of a printing machine advances and retracts individual ductor rollers pneumatically between an ink fountain roller and an ink transfer roller. Along a fixed shaft, the individual ductor rollers are aligned, and the fixed shaft is provided with an air feeding pipe; electromagnetic valves for advancing the individual ductor rollers toward the ink fountain roller by the air from the air feeding pipe; and springs for retracting the individual ductor rollers toward the ink transfer roller. The controller makes the electromagnetic valves on in the order from a deep position to an inlet position along the air feeding pipe and advances the individual ductor rollers toward the ink fountain roller in this order.

A method for operating a device for printing hollow cylinder is provided. The device comprises a rotating segmented wheel with a plurality of printing cylinders arranged successively along the periphery of the device. A plurality of plate cylinders are provided in association with the segmented wheel. According to a printing process to be performed, a selected quantity of plate cylinders is thrown onto the segment wheel or is thrown off the segment wheel. In a first printing process, a first partial quantity of thrown-on plate cylinders transfers printing ink to a plurality of the printing blankets arranged on the segment wheel. At the end of the printing process, at least some of the plate cylinders, that were thrown on the segment wheel in the first printing process, are thrown off the rotating segment wheel. During constant uninterrupted rotation of the segment wheel, for the implementation of a second printing process, a second partial quantity of plate cylinders is thrown onto the segment wheel and respectively transfer printing ink to a plurality of the printing blankets arranged on the segment wheel. The respective printing forme of at least one plate cylinder involved in the first printing process, and uninvolved in the ongoing second printing process, is changed during the ongoing printing process.

An apparatus and methods of decorating exterior surfaces of metallic containers are provided. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a novel metering roller for an inking assembly of a decorator. An adjustment mechanism is operable to move the metering roller to a first ink transfer position during a decoration run. In the first ink transfer position, the metering roller receives ink from an ink roller without contacting the ink roller. In one embodiment, during the production run, the metering roller is in contact with and transfers ink to a transfer roller. When the decoration run stops, the adjustment mechanism can move the metering roller to a second dwell position such that the metering roller does not receive ink from the ink roller.

A method for operating a device for printing hollow cylinder is provided. The device comprises a rotating segmented wheel with a plurality of printing cylinders arranged successively along the periphery of the device. A plurality of plate cylinders are provided in association with the segmented wheel. According to a printing process to be performed, a selected quantity of plate cylinders is thrown onto the segment wheel or is thrown off the segment wheel. In a first printing process, a first partial quantity of thrown-on plate cylinders transfers printing ink to a plurality of the printing blankets arranged on the segment wheel. At the end of the printing process, at least some of the plate cylinders, that were thrown on the segment wheel in the first printing process, are thrown off the rotating segment wheel. During constant uninterrupted rotation of the segment wheel, for the implementation of a second printing process, a second partial quantity of plate cylinders is thrown onto the segment wheel and respectively transfer printing ink to a plurality of the printing blankets arranged on the segment wheel. The respective printing forme of at least one plate cylinder involved in the first printing process, and uninvolved in the ongoing second printing process, is changed during the ongoing printing process.

A substantially tubular interchangeable sleeve is adapted for applying a printing or coating liquid to a substrate material or offset roller. The sleeve has a multi-layer construction primarily consisting of a first outer layer of a dimensionally stable substantially fluid-impregnable solid material, such as aluminum or steel, around the exterior surface of which is affixed or applied a print or coating liquid receiving plate or layer. The sleeve further comprises one or more further interior layers of relatively less dimensionally stable, compressible, usually fibrous materials disposed inwardly of the interior surface of the first layer which, under air pressure, can be compressed so as to enlarge the inner dimensions of the sleeve so that it can be slid over a suitable bridge mandrel. The sleeve further comprises at least one end ring of a dimensionally stable substantially fluid-impregnable solid material.

A substantially tubular interchangeable sleeve is adapted for applying a printing or coating liquid to a substrate material or offset roller. The sleeve has a multi-layer construction primarily consisting of a first outer layer of a dimensionally stable substantially fluid-impregnable solid material, such as aluminum or steel, around the exterior surface of which is affixed or applied a print or coating liquid receiving plate or layer. The sleeve further comprises one or more further interior layers of relatively less dimensionally stable, compressible, usually fibrous materials disposed inwardly of the interior surface of the first layer which, under air pressure, can be compressed so as to enlarge the inner dimensions of the sleeve so that it can be slid over a suitable bridge mandrel. The sleeve further comprises at least one end ring of a dimensionally stable substantially fluid-impregnable solid material.