Can decorator and cylinder locking mechanism, replacement system, and timing adjustment system and method

Abstract

The can decorator comprises a plate cylinder shaft, a plate cylinder configured to be mounted on the plate cylinder shaft, and a plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism configured to selectively lock the plate cylinder to the plate cylinder shaft so that the plate cylinder shaft and plate cylinder rotate in conjunction, and to selectively unlock the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft so that the plate cylinder shaft and plate cylinder do not rotate in conjunction and the plate cylinder can be removed from the plate cylinder shaft. The plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism uses at least one of pneumatic, magnetic, and mechanical forces to selectively lock and unlock the plate cylinder.

Description

Technical Field

[0004]

[0001] <Cross - Reference to Related Applications> This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 460,939, filed on April 21, 2023, entitled "Can Decorator and Plate Cylinder Locking Mechanism, Replacement System, and Timing Adjustment System and Method Therefor".

[0002] The disclosed concepts generally relate to a can decorator used in the food and beverage packaging industry.

Background Art

[0003] High - speed continuous - operating machines for decorating cans are commonly known as can decorating devices or simply can decorators. Figure 1 shows a can decorator 2. As shown in Figure 1, the can decorator 2 includes an infeed conveyor 15 that receives cans 16 from a can supply device (not shown) and guides them to an arcuate cradle or pocket 17 provided along the periphery of spaced - apart parallel rings fixed to a pocket wheel 12. The pocket wheel 12 is fixed to a continuously rotating mandrel carrier wheel 18, and the mandrel carrier wheel 18 is keyed to a continuously rotating horizontal drive shaft 19. Horizontal spindles or mandrels (not shown), each of which is pivotable about its own axis, are attached adjacent to the peripheral portion of the mandrel carrier wheel 18. Downstream of the infeed conveyor 15, each spindle or mandrel is axially aligned closely with an individual pocket 17, and the undecorated cans 16 are sent from the pockets 17 to the mandrels. The suction force applied through the axial passage of the mandrel draws the can 16 to its final seating position on the mandrel.

[0004] While mounted on the mandrel, each can 16 is decorated by engaging with a blanket (e.g., a replaceable adhesive rubber piece, but not limited to one) positioned on the blanket wheel of a multicolor printing unit, indicated collectively by reference numeral 22. Then, while still mounted on the mandrel, the outside of each decorated can 16 is coated with a protective film of varnish applied by engaging with the periphery of a varnish application roll (not shown) rotating around the shaft 23 of an over-varnish unit, indicated collectively by reference numeral 24. The decorated and protectively coated cans 16 are then transferred from the mandrel to a suction cup (not shown) mounted adjacent to the periphery of a transfer wheel (not shown) rotating around the shaft 28 of a transfer unit 27. From the transfer unit 27, the cans 16 are placed on a nearly horizontal pin 29, which is carried by a chain-type discharge conveyor 30, which transports the cans 16 through a curing oven (not shown).

[0005] As the blanket 21 moves toward engagement with the undecorated can 16, it engages with multiple plate cylinders 31. Each plate cylinder 31 is associated with an individual inking station 32 (eight inking stations 32 are shown exemplarily in Figure 1). Typically, each inking station 32 provides a different color of ink, and each plate cylinder 31 applies a different ink image segment to the blanket. All of the "ink image" segments are combined to produce a "main image" configured to be applied to the can body. The "main image" is then transferred to the undecorated can 16 to become the "can body applied image" as used herein.

[0006] Each inking station 32 includes multiple rollers, or "rolls" as defined herein, which are configured to transfer a fixed amount of ink from a reservoir, or "ink fountain" as defined herein, to a blanket. The path through which the ink moves is referred to herein as the "ink train." That is, the group of rolls through which the ink moves defines the "ink train." Furthermore, as described herein, the "ink train" has directionality, with the ink fountain at the "upstream" end of the ink train and the plate cylinder 31 at the "downstream" end of the ink train.

[0007] The ink train extends across several rolls, each serving a specific purpose. As illustrated, the ink train begins with an ink reservoir and is initially applied as a film to the fountain roll. The fountain roll is intermittently engaged by a ductor roll. When the ductor roll engages with the fountain roll, a certain amount of ink is transferred to the ductor roll. The ductor roll also intermittently engages with downstream rolls, transferring ink to them. The ductor roll has a "duty cycle." This, as used herein, means the ratio of the duration the ductor roll is in contact with the fountain roll to the duration of a complete cycle (the ductor roller in contact with the fountain roll, moving to the first downstream roller, in contact with the first steel roller, and returning to the fountain roll).

[0008] Other rolls include, but are not limited to, distribution rolls, oscillator rolls, and transfer rolls. Generally, these rolls are configured to distribute ink so that the appropriate amount of ink is applied to the plate cylinder 31 in a generally uniform manner. For example, an oscillator roll is configured to reciprocate longitudinally around its axis of rotation so that the ink is spread when it is applied to the next downstream roll. The final roll is the plate cylinder 31, which applies the ink to the blanket. It is understood that each inking station 32 applies a selected single-color "ink image" to the blanket, and that each inking station 32 must position the ink image appropriately relative to other ink images so that there is no offset of the ink image in the main image.

[0009] Therefore, in this specification, “ink image” means an image of a single ink color that is part of the “main image.” In this specification, “main image” means an image made up of several ink images and applied to a can body as a “can body application image.” It is understood that the “main image” includes several, typically multiple, ink images. For example, if the main image is the French flag (a tricolor flag characterized by three vertical stripes of blue (hoist side), white, and red), then an inking station 32 with blue ink provides a blue rectangular ink image, an inking station 32 with white ink provides a white rectangular ink image, and an inking station 32 with red ink provides a red rectangular ink image. Furthermore, assuming the main image is the French flag with the hoist on the left, the inking station 32 with blue ink provides a blue rectangular ink image on the left side of the blanket, the inking station 32 with white ink provides a white rectangular ink image in the center of the blanket immediately next to the blue rectangular ink image, and the inking station 32 with red ink provides a red rectangular ink image on the right side of the blanket immediately next to the white rectangular ink image. Once all the ink images are applied to the blanket, the main image is formed and then applied to the can body.

[0010] The printing cylinder 31 can weigh between 20 and 40 pounds, and it needs to be replaced each time the label is changed or a new graphic is applied to the can body. Can manufacturing plants may perform more than 10 label changes per day in response to customer orders. A decorator will have one printing cylinder per inking station 32, and there will be 4 to 8 inking stations 32 per decorator. Between each label change, the printing cylinder 31 in the decorator needs to be removed and another printing cylinder 31 installed. Currently, the printing cylinder 31 is installed manually by an operator, guided by a precision keyway shaft. This is a time-consuming and dangerous task because the operator must align the printing cylinder 31 precisely with the keyway, and must carry the printing cylinder 31 up and down stairs with both hands, leaving the operator with no free hands to stabilize themselves on the stairs. In some cases, another operator may hand the printing cylinder 31 over the operator's head while the operator crouches down to grab it.

[0011] The plate cylinders 31 in all inking stations 32 are timed with each other by a clock key that aligns the plate cylinder 31 with its corresponding plate cylinder shaft. The plate cylinder shafts of each inking station 32 are timed with each other during initial factory assembly by aligning the plate cylinder shaft with the plate cylinder gear, and the plate cylinder gears of each inking station 32 are driven by a common bull gear. When a plate cylinder shaft is replaced for maintenance, the timing of the entire system must be readjusted. Furthermore, if a keyway is damaged, the corresponding plate cylinder 31 must be replaced.

[0012] There is still room for improvement in can decorators. [Overview of the project]

[0013] According to one embodiment of the disclosed concept, a can decorator comprises a plate cylinder shaft, a plate cylinder configured to be attached to the plate cylinder shaft, and a plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism configured to selectively lock the plate cylinder to the plate cylinder shaft so that the plate cylinder shaft and the plate cylinder rotate in conjunction, and to selectively unlock the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft so that the plate cylinder shaft and the plate cylinder do not rotate in conjunction and the plate cylinder can be removed from the plate cylinder shaft, the plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism using at least one of pneumatic, magnetic, and mechanical forces to selectively lock and unlock the plate cylinder.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the disclosed concept, a cylinder replacement system for a can decorator having a plurality of inker stations, each having a corresponding cylinder and cylinder shaft, comprises a robotic arm configured to remove a cylinder from the cylinder shaft at a given inker station, place the removed cylinder in a storage location, pick up a new cylinder from the storage location, and attach the new cylinder to the cylinder shaft, and a robotic arm moving system configured to move the robotic arm to each of the plurality of inker stations.

[0015] According to one aspect of the disclosed concept, a method for adjusting the timing of the plate cylinders in a can decorator includes moving a selected plate cylinder away from the blanket wheel, rotating a bull gear to rotate the selected plate cylinder to a reference position, disengaging the selected plate cylinder so that it does not rotate with the rotation of the bull gear, rotating the master plate cylinder to a reference position, reengaging the selected plate cylinder so that it rotates with the rotation of the bull gear, and moving the selected plate cylinder toward the blanket wheel.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the disclosed concept, a can decorator comprises a plurality of inker stations, each having a corresponding plate cylinder and plate cylinder shaft; a plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism configured to selectively lock the plate cylinder onto the plate cylinder shaft so that the plate cylinder shaft and plate cylinder rotate in conjunction with each other, and to selectively unlock the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft so that the plate cylinder shaft and plate cylinder do not rotate in conjunction with each other, and to use at least one of pneumatic, magnetic, and mechanical force to selectively lock and unlock the plate cylinder; and for a given inker station, the plate cylinder is removed from the plate cylinder shaft, the removed plate cylinder is placed in a storage location, and the storage location The system includes a plate cylinder exchange system which includes a robotic arm configured to pick up a new plate cylinder and attach the new plate cylinder to the plate cylinder shaft, a robotic arm movement system configured to move the robotic arm to each of a plurality of inker stations, and a control system configured to perform timing adjustments, the control system configured to control a can decorator to move the selected plate cylinder away from the blanket wheel, rotate a bull gear to rotate the selected plate cylinder to a reference position, disengage the selected plate cylinder so that it does not rotate with the rotation of the bull gear, rotate the master plate cylinder to a reference position, reengage the selected plate cylinder so that it rotates with the rotation of the bull gear, and move the selected plate cylinder toward the blanket wheel. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] A full understanding of the present invention can be obtained by reading the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a side view of the can decorator.

[0019] [Figure 2A] This is a cross-sectional view of a plate cylinder shaft according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept.

[0020] [Figure 2B] Another cross-sectional view of the plate cylinder shaft of FIG. 2A.

[0021] [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view of a plate cylinder shaft according to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept.

[0022] [Figure 4] A diagram of the plate cylinder replacement process according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept.

[0023] [Figure 5] A cross-sectional view of a plate cylinder shaft according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept.

[0024] [Figure 6] A rear view of a decorator according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Embodiments of the disclosed concept provide a mechanism for locking and unlocking a plate cylinder with respect to a plate cylinder shaft to assist in removing and replacing the plate cylinder on the plate cylinder shaft. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept also eliminate the need for keying between the plate cylinder and the plate cylinder shaft. In some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept, a robotic system is provided to assist in removing and replacing the plate cylinder on the plate cylinder shaft. In some exemplary embodiments, a system and method are provided for automatically setting the timing of the plate cylinder in a can decorator. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept are described in more detail below.

[0026] Figures 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of a plate cylinder shaft 100 for a can decorator according to an embodiment of the concept disclosed. The embodiment shown in Figures 2A and 2B provides a mechanism for locking and unlocking a plate cylinder 104 relative to the plate cylinder shaft 100. The plate cylinder shaft 100 includes a ball screw 102 extending through the central portion of the plate cylinder shaft 100 and a ball nut 106 located within the plate cylinder shaft 100. The ball nut 106 is configured to interact with a mechanical locking pin or shaft 108 to facilitate locking or unlocking the plate cylinder 104 relative to the plate cylinder shaft 100. For example, as the ball screw 102 rotates, the ball nut 106 extends or retracts. As the ball nut 106 extends or retracts, the mechanical locking pin or shaft 108 extends to interact with the plate cylinder 104 to lock the plate cylinder 104 to the plate cylinder shaft 100, or retracts to unlock the plate cylinder 104 from the plate cylinder shaft 100. When the plate cylinder 104 is locked to the plate cylinder shaft 100, the plate cylinder 104 rotates in conjunction with the plate cylinder shaft 100, allowing the decorator to perform normal operation. When the plate cylinder 104 is unlocked from the plate cylinder shaft 100, the plate cylinder 104 can be removed from the plate cylinder shaft 100. The rotation of the ball screw 102 for locking or unlocking the plate cylinder 104 can be performed by a motor or other mechanism attached to the ball screw 102. The process of locking or unlocking the plate cylinder 104 can be automated so that a technician does not need to manually operate the plate cylinder 104 to lock or unlock it.

[0027] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a plate cylinder shaft 200 for a can decorator according to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept. The exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3 provides another mechanism for locking a plate cylinder 204 to the plate cylinder shaft 200. The plate cylinder shaft 200 includes a hollow chamber 212 extending along its internal length. The plate cylinder 204 includes a vacuum seal 210 configured to correspond to the end of the hollow chamber 212. The hollow chamber 212 is attached to a vacuum system configured to selectively provide vacuum to the hollow chamber 212. When vacuum is applied, the vacuum seal 210 of the plate cylinder 204 is pulled toward the plate cylinder shaft 200. As a result, the plate cylinder shaft 200 interacts with a mechanical locking pin or shaft 208 configured to lock the plate cylinder 204 to the plate cylinder shaft 200, and the plate cylinder 204 rotates in conjunction with the plate cylinder shaft 200, allowing the decorator to operate normally. When the vacuum is released, the vacuum force is eliminated, the plate cylinder 204 is unlocked from the plate cylinder shaft 200, and the plate cylinder 204 can be removed from the plate cylinder shaft 200. The process of selectively applying vacuum to the hollow chamber 212 to lock or unlock the plate cylinder 204 can be automated, eliminating the need for a technician to manually operate the plate cylinder 204 to lock or unlock it.

[0028] It will be understood that the embodiments shown in Figures 2A and 2B and the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3 may be used in, for example, can decorators such as the one shown in Figure 1, similar can decorators, or other types of can decorators, without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. It will also be understood that modifications to the mechanism for locking or unlocking the plate cylinder and plate cylinder shaft, or other types of mechanisms, may be employed, without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.

[0029] Figure 4 illustrates a process for removing and replacing a plate cylinder using a robotic arm, according to an embodiment of the disclosed concept. Figure 4 shows seven examples of the process, in order from top left to bottom right, including plate cylinder pickup, movement to an inker station, plate cylinder placement, movement to another inker station, plate cylinder pickup, movement to an inker station, and plate cylinder placement. The process shown in Figure 4 is for use in a can decorator having eight inker stations, each having its own plate cylinder. A system is used to carry out this process, employing a robotic arm mounted on a track. The robotic arm is configured to remove a plate cylinder from an inker station and place it in a storage location such as a rack or cart. The robotic arm is also configured to pick up a plate cylinder from storage and install it in an inker station. The robotic arm is also configured to move along the track to access any of the decorator's inker stations.

[0030] As illustrated in the various exemplary steps of the process, the robotic arm can remove and pick up a plate cylinder from the inker station, place it in storage, pick up a new plate cylinder from storage, and install the new plate cylinder in the inker station. The robotic arm can move along a track to access any inker station. In this way, the process of removing and replacing plate cylinders can be performed without the need for technicians to physically move, remove, or install the plate cylinders in the inker station.

[0031] The robotic arm system may be employed in can decorators having any number of inker stations, and it will be understood that the decorator with eight inker stations is provided merely as an example. It will also be understood that the disclosed concept is not limited to a robotic arm on a track, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 4. Other types of robotic systems capable of picking up plate cylinders may be employed without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.

[0032] In some exemplary embodiments, the robotic arm system may be used in conjunction with the embodiments shown in Figures 2-3. For example, the mechanism shown in Figures 2-3, used for locking and unlocking the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft, may be used to unlock the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft before the robotic arm removes the plate cylinder, and to lock the new plate cylinder onto the plate cylinder shaft after the robotic arm has installed the new plate cylinder. It will also be understood that other mechanisms for locking and unlocking the plate cylinder may be employed without departing from the scope of the disclosed concepts. The combination of the robotic arm system and a mechanism for automating the locking and unlocking of the plate cylinder enables the removal and replacement of the plate cylinder without requiring a technician to physically access the plate cylinder.

[0033] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the plate cylinder shaft 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept, and Figure 6 is a rear view of the decorator according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept. As shown in Figure 5, the plate cylinder 304 is mounted on the plate cylinder shaft 300. The plate cylinder 304 is positioned close to the blanket wheel 316 to transfer an image onto a can carried by the blanket wheel 316. The plate cylinder shaft 300 is mounted on the inker frame 314 to fix its position. A plate cylinder gear 310, a bull gear 312, and a clutch 318 are also shown. The clutch 318 is configured to engage so that the plate cylinder shaft 300 rotates in conjunction with the plate cylinder gear 310, and to disengage so that the plate cylinder shaft rotates independently of the plate cylinder gear 310. The bull gear 312 is configured to interact with the plate cylinder gear 310 to rotate the plate cylinder gear 310. The bull gear 312 is a larger gear configured to interact simultaneously with the plate cylinder gears 310 corresponding to each inker station of the can decorator. That is, when the bull gear 312 rotates, all the plate cylinder gears 310 in the can decorator rotate simultaneously. The mechanism shown in Figures 5 and 6 is used for a process that automatically adjusts the timing of the can decorator, which will be described in more detail herein.

[0034] The embodiments shown in Figures 2-3 illustrate a mechanism for automating the locking and unlocking of the plate cylinder. These mechanisms also eliminate the need for a key stopper between the plate cylinder and the plate cylinder shaft. The key stopper was previously a mechanism to ensure proper timing of the can decorator after the plate cylinder was removed and replaced. Without a key stopper, a process is required to adjust the timing when the plate cylinder is replaced.

[0035] In some embodiments of the disclosed concept, removal and replacement of the plate cylinder is performed by unlocking the plate cylinder using one of the exemplary embodiments in Figures 2-3 or a similar automatic unlocking mechanism. Subsequently, the plate cylinder may be removed and replaced using a system such as the robotic arm system in Figure 4, and then locked using one of the embodiments in Figures 2-3 or a similar automatic locking mechanism. Once the plate cylinder is locked, the timing may be adjusted by performing the following timing adjustment process. It will be understood that the following timing adjustment process can be used in conjunction with the automatic lock / unlocking mechanism and the robotic arm system, and can also be used independently of such systems. That is, the following timing adjustment process may be employed in other types of decorators without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment of the timing adjustment process, the plate cylinder includes a position indicator. For example, the plate cylinder may include markings or other types of indicators at specific positions on the plate cylinder, which serve as a reference for the rotational position of the plate cylinder. As an example, if the plate cylinder is positioned such that the indicator is at the top of the plate cylinder, that position may be referred to as "position zero." However, it will be understood that the position of the indicator can be changed without deviating from the scope of the disclosed concepts.

[0037] In the first step of the process, the newly installed plate cylinder is moved away from the blanket wheel. This step may be achieved manually or automatically in decorators equipped with an automatic plate pressure adjustment system. In the second step of the process, another inker station (different from where the plate cylinder was newly installed) is selected as the master station, and the bull gear 312 is rotated until the plate cylinder at the master station is in zero position, thereby rotating the plate cylinder gear, plate cylinder shaft, and plate cylinder. At this position, the can decorator is considered to be in zero position. It will be understood that any station other than where the plate cylinder was newly installed can be the master station. In the third step of the process, the bull gear 312 continues to rotate until the newly installed plate cylinder is in zero position.

[0038] In the fourth step of the process, the clutch 318 corresponding to the newly installed plate cylinder is disengaged, allowing the plate cylinder gear 310 corresponding to the newly installed plate cylinder to rotate independently of the plate cylinder shaft 300 corresponding to the newly installed plate cylinder. That is, even if the bull gear 312 continues to rotate, the newly installed plate cylinder will not rotate away from position zero. In some exemplary embodiments, a plate cylinder shaft brake may be used in addition to disengaging the clutch 318 to prevent unintended rotation of the newly installed plate cylinder. However, in some embodiments, the plate cylinder shaft brake may be omitted as frictional force alone is sufficient to prevent unintended rotation. In the fifth step of the process, while the clutch 318 is disengaged, the bull gear 312 continues to rotate until the plate cylinder of the master station reaches position zero. During this rotation, the newly installed plate cylinder is disengaged and does not rotate.

[0039] In the sixth step of the process, when the master station's plate cylinder reaches position zero, the clutch 318 corresponding to the newly installed plate cylinder is engaged, and the plate cylinder gear 310 and plate cylinder shaft 300 corresponding to the newly installed plate cylinder rotate in conjunction again. In embodiments where a plate cylinder shaft brake is employed, the plate cylinder shaft brake is also released in this step. Furthermore, in this step, the newly installed plate cylinder is returned to the blanket wheel manually or automatically using the plate pressure adjustment system. At this point, the newly installed plate cylinder is considered to be in-time with the master station's plate cylinder; that is, both plate cylinders are at position zero and rotate in conjunction with each other in response to the rotation of the bull gear 312. This process can be repeated for any other newly installed plate cylinders.

[0040] In some exemplary embodiments, the timing adjustment process may be modified to adjust the timing of multiple plate cylinders simultaneously. For example, newly installed plate cylinders may be moved away from the blanket wheel. As the pull gear 312 rotates, the position of the plate cylinders is monitored, and when each plate cylinder reaches position zero, the corresponding clutch may be disengaged so that the plate cylinder remains at position zero. In this way, multiple newly installed plate cylinders can be set to position zero in a single rotation of the pull gear 312. Once all newly installed plate cylinders have reached position zero, the plate cylinders of the master station may be set to zero, and then the clutch of each newly installed plate cylinder may be engaged, returning the newly installed plate cylinders toward the blanket wheel.

[0041] In some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept, the position of the plate cylinder may be determined using electronic sensors. The electronic sensors may be operably connected to a control system, which controls the rotation of the bull gear, the movement of the plate cylinder relative to the blanket wheel, the engagement and disengagement of the clutch, the application of an optional plate cylinder shaft brake, and so on. In this way, the timing of the plate cylinder can be automatically controlled without requiring physical intervention by a technician.

[0042] In some exemplary embodiments, the automatic timing adjustment process is used in conjunction with other exemplary embodiments described herein, such as a cylinder lock / unlock mechanism or a robotic arm system. When all embodiments are used together, the cylinder can be removed and replaced, and the timing of the can decorator can be automatically adjusted without any physical intervention by a technician. However, since each embodiment independently reduces the need for technician intervention with respect to the cylinder, it will be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be used independently of other embodiments.

[0043] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that, in light of the overall teachings of this disclosure, various modifications and alternatives to those details can be developed. Accordingly, the specific configurations disclosed are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the disclosed concept to be given by the entire scope of the appended claims and all their equivalents.

Claims

1. It's a can decorator, The printing cylinder shaft and A plate cylinder configured to be attached to the plate cylinder shaft, A plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism is configured to selectively lock the plate cylinder to the plate cylinder shaft so that the plate cylinder shaft and the plate cylinder rotate in conjunction with each other, and to selectively unlock the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft so that the plate cylinder shaft and the plate cylinder do not rotate in conjunction with each other and the plate cylinder can be removed from the plate cylinder shaft. It is equipped with, The plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism uses at least one of pneumatic, magnetic, and mechanical forces to selectively lock and unlock the plate cylinder. Can decorator.

2. The plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism includes a ball screw extending through the center of the plate cylinder shaft, a ball nut positioned inside the plate cylinder shaft, and a mechanical locking pin. The ball screw is configured to rotate in a first direction to extend the ball nut and cause the mechanical locking pin to interact with the plate cylinder and lock the plate cylinder. The can decorator according to claim 1, wherein the ball screw is configured to rotate in a second direction to retract the ball nut, thereby retracting the mechanical lock pin from the plate cylinder and unlocking the plate cylinder.

3. The plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism includes a hollow chamber extending along the internal length of the plate cylinder shaft, a vacuum seal positioned at the end of the hollow chamber, and a mechanical locking pin. The hollow chamber is configured such that when a vacuum is applied to the hollow chamber, the plate cylinder is pulled toward the plate cylinder shaft, and the plate cylinder interacts with the mechanical locking pin to lock the plate cylinder. The can decorator according to claim 1, wherein the hollow chamber is configured such that when the vacuum of the hollow chamber is released, the plate cylinder is released from the mechanical locking pin and the plate cylinder is unlocked.

4. The can decorator according to claim 1, further comprising a robotic arm configured to remove the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft, place the removed plate cylinder in a storage location, pick up a new plate cylinder from the storage location, and attach the new plate cylinder to the plate cylinder shaft.

5. The can decorator according to claim 1, further comprising a control system configured to control the plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism to lock and unlock the plate cylinder.

6. A plate cylinder changing system for a can decorator having multiple inker stations, each having a corresponding plate cylinder and plate cylinder shaft, A robotic arm is configured to remove the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft at a designated inker station, place the removed plate cylinder in a storage location, pick up a new plate cylinder from the storage location, and attach the new plate cylinder to the plate cylinder shaft. A robot arm movement system configured to move the robot arm to each of the plurality of in-car stations, A plate cylinder replacement system equipped with this system.

7. The plate cylinder changing system according to claim 6, wherein the robot arm movement system includes a track, and the robot arm is configured to move along the track.

8. It further includes a control system configured to perform timing adjustments, The control system controls the can decorator, To move the selected print cylinder away from the blanket wheel, Rotating the bull gear to rotate the selected plate cylinder to the reference position, The selected plate cylinder is disengaged so that it does not rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the bull gear, Rotating the master cylinder to the aforementioned reference position, The selected plate cylinder is re-engaged so as it rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the bull gear, Moving the selected plate cylinder toward the blanket wheel, A plate cylinder replacement system according to claim 6, which performs the following:

9. The system further includes a plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism corresponding to the plate cylinder and plate cylinder shaft of one of the aforementioned multiple inker stations. The plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism is configured to selectively lock the plate cylinder to the plate cylinder shaft so that the plate cylinder shaft and the plate cylinder rotate in conjunction with each other, and to selectively unlock the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft so that the plate cylinder shaft and the plate cylinder do not rotate in conjunction with each other and the plate cylinder can be removed from the plate cylinder shaft. The plate cylinder locking and unlocking mechanism uses at least one of pneumatic, magnetic, and mechanical force to selectively lock and unlock the plate cylinder, according to claim 6.

10. The plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism includes a ball screw extending through the center of the plate cylinder shaft, a ball nut positioned inside the plate cylinder shaft, and a mechanical locking pin. The ball screw is configured to rotate in a first direction to extend the ball nut and cause the mechanical locking pin to interact with the plate cylinder and lock the plate cylinder. The plate cylinder replacement system according to claim 9, wherein the ball screw is configured to rotate in a second direction to retract the ball nut, thereby retracting the mechanical lock pin from the plate cylinder and unlocking the plate cylinder.

11. The plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism includes a hollow chamber extending along the internal length of the plate cylinder shaft, a vacuum seal positioned at the end of the hollow chamber, and a mechanical locking pin. The hollow chamber is configured such that when a vacuum is applied to the hollow chamber, the plate cylinder is pulled toward the plate cylinder shaft, and the plate cylinder interacts with the mechanical locking pin to lock the plate cylinder. The plate cylinder replacement system according to claim 9, wherein the hollow chamber is configured such that when the vacuum of the hollow chamber is released, the plate cylinder is released from the mechanical locking pin and the plate cylinder is unlocked.

12. The plate cylinder replacement system according to claim 9, further comprising a control system configured to control the plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism to lock and unlock the plate cylinder.

13. It's a can decorator, Multiple inker stations, each having a corresponding printing cylinder and printing cylinder shaft, A plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism is provided for at least one of the plurality of inker stations, which is configured to selectively lock the plate cylinder to the plate cylinder shaft so that the plate cylinder shaft and the plate cylinder rotate in conjunction with each other, and to selectively unlock the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft so that the plate cylinder shaft and the plate cylinder do not rotate in conjunction with each other and the plate cylinder can be removed from the plate cylinder shaft. It is equipped with, The plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism uses at least one of pneumatic, magnetic, and mechanical forces to selectively lock and unlock the plate cylinder. Can decorator.

14. It is further equipped with a plate cylinder replacement system, and the plate cylinder replacement system is A robotic arm is configured to remove the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft at a designated inker station, place the removed plate cylinder in a storage location, pick up a new plate cylinder from the storage location, and attach the new plate cylinder to the plate cylinder shaft. A robot arm movement system configured to move the robot arm to each of the plurality of in-car stations, The can decorator according to claim 13, comprising:

15. The can decorator according to claim 14, wherein the robot arm movement system includes a track, and the robot arm is configured to move along the track.

16. Blanket wheels and, The printing cylinder gear, A clutch configured to selectively engage the plate cylinder gear so that the corresponding plate cylinder shaft and plate cylinder rotate in conjunction with the plate cylinder gear, and to selectively disengage the plate cylinder gear so that the corresponding plate cylinder shaft and plate cylinder do not rotate in conjunction with the plate cylinder gear, A bull gear configured to interact with the plate cylinder gear and rotate the plate cylinder gear, The can decorator according to claim 13, further comprising the following:

17. It further includes a control system configured to perform timing adjustments, The control system controls the can decorator, Moving the selected plate cylinder and plate cylinder shaft away from the blanket wheel, Rotating the aforementioned pull gear to rotate the selected plate cylinder and plate cylinder shaft to the reference position, To disengage the selected plate cylinder and plate cylinder shaft so that they do not rotate together with the rotation of the bull gear, Rotating the master cylinder to the aforementioned reference position, The selected plate cylinder is re-engaged so as it rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the bull gear, Moving the selected plate cylinder toward the blanket wheel, The can decorator according to claim 16, which performs the following.

18. The plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism includes a ball screw extending through the center of the plate cylinder shaft, a ball nut positioned inside the plate cylinder shaft, and a mechanical locking pin. The ball screw is configured to rotate in a first direction to extend the ball nut and cause the mechanical locking pin to interact with the plate cylinder and lock the plate cylinder. The can decorator according to claim 13, wherein the ball screw is configured to rotate in a second direction to retract the ball nut, thereby retracting the mechanical lock pin from the plate cylinder and unlocking the plate cylinder.

19. The plate cylinder lock / unlock mechanism includes a hollow chamber extending along the internal length of the plate cylinder shaft, a vacuum seal positioned at the end of the hollow chamber, and a mechanical locking pin. The hollow chamber is configured such that when a vacuum is applied to the hollow chamber, the plate cylinder is pulled toward the plate cylinder shaft, and the plate cylinder interacts with the mechanical locking pin to lock the plate cylinder. The can decorator according to claim 13, wherein the hollow chamber is configured such that when the vacuum of the hollow chamber is released, the plate cylinder is released from the mechanical locking pin and the plate cylinder is unlocked.

20. It also features a plate cylinder replacement system, The aforementioned plate cylinder replacement system is A robotic arm configured to remove the plate cylinder from the plate cylinder shaft, place the removed plate cylinder in a storage area, pick up a new plate cylinder from the storage area, and attach the new plate cylinder to the plate cylinder shaft, for a predetermined inker station, A robot arm movement system configured to move the robot arm to each of the plurality of in-car stations, A control system configured to perform timing adjustments, It also has the following features: The control system controls the can decorator, To move the selected print cylinder away from the blanket wheel, Rotating the bull gear to rotate the selected plate cylinder to the reference position, The selected plate cylinder is disengaged so that it does not rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the bull gear, Rotating the master cylinder to the aforementioned reference position, The selected plate cylinder is re-engaged so as it rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the bull gear, Moving the selected plate cylinder toward the blanket wheel, A can decorator according to claim 13, which performs the following.

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