Can body decorator having mandrel prespin assembly and infeed improvements - Patents.com

Abstract

An overvarnishing unit and mandrel pre-spin system for a can decorating machine, particularly for beverage can bodies, can have a mandrel pre-spin belt located outside the overvarnishing unit housing, and the can feed position and print point on the mandrel wheel are controlled.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS)

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 753,818, filed October 31, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety. This application is related by subject matter to U.S. Patent Application ___ (Attorney Docket No. 102070.006885), and U.S. Patent Application ___ (Attorney Docket No. 102070.006886), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] The present invention relates to printing apparatus and methods, and more particularly to beverage can decorating machines, including subsystems and methods related to the subsystems. [Background technology]

[0004] Modern cans, such as aluminum beverage cans, are often manufactured in two pieces: a cylindrical container body with an integral base and an end that is seamed onto the body after the can is filled with beverage. The can body is typically formed from a circular metal disc of 3000 series aluminum alloy (as defined by the industry standard International Alloy Designation System) using a drawing and ironing process. The end includes an opening mechanism, such as an "easy open" tab or a fully apertured pull tab.

[0005] Graphics and text are printed on can bodies, such as beverage can bodies, at a constant speed by a rotating machine called a decorator. During the printing process in a decorator, a mandrel holds the can bodies positioned in rolling contact with a printing blanket on a rotating blanket wheel. The can bodies are typically fed through an infeed chute or through an infeed turret onto the decorator's mandrel wheel or turret wheel, also known as a spindle disk. In an infeed chute configuration, a continuous stream of cans is fed from a conveyor track operation to the infeed section of the can body decorator. In the conveyor stack, the can bodies have a linear "pitch", which is the distance between the centers of adjacent can bodies. The pitch dimension is typically approximately the outside diameter of the can bodies.

[0006] Individual can bodies may be separated from the conveyor stack by a single rotating turret wheel or star wheel with pockets that holds the can bodies in the pockets via vacuum. Many decorators include a separation turret that receives the can bodies from the infeed device to increase the pitch so that the pitch and peripheral speed of the cans match that of the turret wheel. Often, while on the turret, the can bodies are held in pockets on a mandrel wheel and then vacuumed longitudinally onto the mandrel.

[0007] For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,337,659 discloses an infeed system that directs cans into a cradle at a pocket wheel that rotates with the mandrel wheel so that can bodies in pockets of the pocket wheel can be transferred onto corresponding mandrels of the mandrel wheel.

[0008] In most cases, 24 or 36 mandrels are mounted on a mandrel wheel assembly or spindle disk assembly. In many commercial decorating machines, the mandrel wheel assembly is rotated by a gear that is driven by the main gearing from the blanket wheel assembly. The rotational speed of the mandrel wheel assembly is matched to the output of the decorating machine and determines the output of the decorating machine in this regard.

[0009] While the can body is mounted on the mandrel, it is printed in up to eight colors (or more for some machines) in an offset printing process. In the printing process, separate ink reservoirs in each inker assembly supply ink (typically a single color) to a printing plate on the circumference of the printing plate cylinder. The ink is transferred from the printing plate, which typically has artwork etched onto it, to a printing blanket on a blanket drum assembly. The printing blanket on the circumference of the rotating blanket drum assembly transfers graphics and text from the blanket to the can while the can is on the mandrel of the rotating mandrel wheel assembly. In this regard, the blanket drum assembly and mandrel wheel assembly cooperate to transfer a colored image from the printing blanket to the can body.

[0010] Some prior art inking configurations include a roller that oscillates back and forth. To achieve linear motion, the vibratory roller includes a pivoting lever mechanism that cooperates with a mechanical element, such as a cam. In some configurations, linear motion of the vibratory roller is achieved by a separate cam mounted directly on the vibratory roller shaft axis. Additionally, prior art vibratory roller systems typically have support bearings that are lubricated via a total-loss grease system or a total-loss oil system.

[0011] After rotating the can body past the printing blanket, the mandrel wheel transports the mandrel and can body to an over-varnish unit where contact between the can body and an over-varnish applicator roller applies a protective film of varnish over the graphics and text previously applied by the blanket. Over-varnish is often referred to as "OV." Coatings applied onto decorated can bodies in over-varnish units are well known.

[0012] As explained above, the can body rests on the rotating mandrel when engaged with the printing blanket and overvarnishing unit. Conventional mandrel wheels have a system for determining when a can body is misplaced on the mandrel. The term "misplaced" is used herein to refer to a can body and / or mandrel where the can body is not fully seated on the mandrel, the can is not positioned on the mandrel, and / or similar imperfections in the placement of the can body on the mandrel. Prior art mandrel wheels often include a mandrel trip system that retracts a misplaced mandrel sufficiently inward to prevent the misplaced mandrel from engaging the printing blanket.

[0013] The speed of rotation of the mandrel when engaged with the overvarnishing applicator roller is one condition that determines the amount of angular contact between the can and the applicator roller, which is measured in units of "can wrap", which is equivalent to the circumferential length of the can body. The duration of contact between the can body and the overvarnishing applicator roller is a constant boundary condition, i.e., the duration of contact is a constant fraction of the 360° mandrel wheel rotational movement.

[0014] Varnish is applied to the can body through contact with the overvarnish applicator roller. The overvarnish applicator roller is an element of the overvarnish assembly. Figures 31-34 show a typical configuration of an overvarnish unit including a housing, a fountain well, a gravure roller, and an overvarnish applicator roller. A metered supply of overvarnish is delivered to the overvarnish applicator roller through the overvarnish unit fountain well and gravure roller mechanical elements.

[0015] The varnish mist is heavy at the roller contact points and in the area of ​​the overvarnishing unit fountain well. The overvarnishing housing contains the fountain well and the varnish mist caused by contact of the gravure roller with the overvarnishing applicator roller.

[0016] To achieve process accuracy of the parameters of varnish thickness and varnish weight applied to the can bodies, the surface speeds of the gravure roller, the overvarnishing unit applicator roller and the mandrel / can body are designed to be the same. After application of the varnish in the overvarnishing unit, the can bodies are transferred from the mandrel to a transfer wheel and then to a pin chain for curing.

[0017] Prior art mandrels are rotated by contact with a mandrel drive tire mounted on a common shaft with the overvarnishing roller, or a mandrel drive belt which contacts the mandrel before contacting the applicator roller, all of which are partially enclosed within an overvarnishing housing.

[0018] Beverage can printing requires precise registration even after the label is changed. The quality of the print reflects the alignment of the plate cylinder and the printing blanket, among other components. Alignment or registration is typically determined by inspection of decorated can bodies sampled in the area of ​​the decorated can exit pin chain conveyor. Typically, manual print registration work is performed in the color section area. This requires one machine operator to move throughout the beverage can printing machine between the pin chain conveyor and the print registration area, or two machine operators working together in a high noise environment.

[0019] Typically, axial and circumferential registration is performed by manual movement (i.e., by hand) of the mounting interface between the plate cylinder shaft and the plate cylinder. The plate cylinder shaft is a mechanical element that is rotationally driven about its own axis and is geared to the rotational motion of the blanket drum assembly.

[0020] Another approach is to manually adjust parallel-axis lead screws cooperating with parallel-axis arranged axial and circumferential registration adjustment assemblies, or to manually adjust coaxial lead screws cooperating with circumferential and axial registration adjustment assemblies. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0021] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,659 Summary of the Invention

[0022] According to an aspect of one embodiment of the present invention, a can body decorator can include a combined over-varnish unit and pre-spin assembly. The mandrel pre-spin assembly is located at the entrance to the over-varnish unit and includes a support frame, a rotatable application roller that applies a coating to the can body after it has been decorated by the blanket wheel, a pre-spin drive assembly supported on the support structure, and a mandrel drive belt driven by the drive assembly. The mandrel drive belt is configured to contact the mandrel to impart a spin to the mandrel before the mandrel is positioned to contact the applicator roller of the over-varnish unit. The mandrel is on the mandrel wheel and the can body is placed thereon.

[0023] The prespin drive assembly includes a prespin drive motor, a prespin drive shaft, a mandrel drive belt pulley, and a mandrel idler pulley, the mandrel drive belt pulley and the idler pulley adapted to engage the mandrel drive belt.

[0024] The over-varnishing unit housing can house the application roller, and the mandrel drive belt is at least partially, preferably completely, outside the over-varnishing unit housing to keep the varnish mist / dirt away from the mandrel drive belt and pulleys and other drive components. The mandrel drive belt pulley, idler pulley, and mandrel drive belt can be mounted on a motor shaft on the front side of the support frame, and the pre-spin drive motor is mounted on the back side of the support frame, with the pre-spin drive shaft extending through the support frame. The pre-spin drive motor can be independently controlled from the main decorator drive and / or to the over-varnishing unit drive. The pre-spin drive assembly can include an over-varnishing belt drive pulley that drives the application roller of the over-varnishing unit.

[0025] A corresponding method of applying a prespin to a can mounted on a rotating mandrel of a can decoration machine can include using any of the prespin and overvarnishing unit components described above to impart rotation to the mandrel through contact with a mandrel drive belt before the can body contacts the application roller of the overvarnishing unit.

[0026] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a can body decorator assembly includes a rotatable blanket wheel assembly including a plurality of printing blankets adapted to apply text and graphics to the can bodies, a rotatable mandrel wheel assembly including a plurality of mandrels adapted to bring the can bodies into contact with the printing blankets of the blanket wheel, and an overvarnishing unit adapted to apply a coating onto the can bodies after the can bodies engage the printing blankets.

[0027] The mandrel wheel assembly can include an infeed point A where the can body is transferred from the infeed mechanism onto the mandrel wheel, a seating point B where the can body is positioned onto the mandrel, a trip point C where the mispositioned mandrel is retracted inwardly from a peripheral printable position to a bypass position and the positioned mandrel remains within the printable position, a print point D where the can is engaged with the printing blanket, and a reset point E where the mispositioned mandrel is moved into the printable position.

[0028] The angle A-D measured on the mandrel wheel assembly between infeed point A and print point D is 160-200° and the body decorator assembly is capable of operating at least 1600 bodies / min. The overvarnishing unit engages the can bodies between print point D and reset point E, with infeed point A being located where the can body first engages the mandrel.

[0029] The angle range of A-D may be 170-190° and the can body decorator assembly operates at least 1800 can bodies / min; the angle range of A-D may be 170-190° and the can body decorator assembly operates at least 1900 can bodies / min; the angle range of A-D may be 170-190° and the can body decorator assembly operates at least 2000 can bodies / min; and / or the angle range of A-D may be approximately 150-210° and the can body decorator assembly operates at least 1800 can bodies / min.

[0030] The mandrel wheel assembly can include a mandrel trip mechanism that retracts the misplaced mandrel inwardly to a printable position where the can body on the mandrel engages the printing blanket. The mandrel wheel assembly can include a sensor located near point B adapted to engage the mandrel trip mechanism upon sensing a misplaced can body. The mandrel trip mechanism can be reset from the bypass position at point E. The can bodies can be positioned on the mandrel by a vacuum, and the mandrel wheel assembly can include a compressed air system adapted to blow the misplaced can body off the mandrel. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a partially schematic general layout diagram of a beverage can decoration machine illustrating aspects of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the beverage can decorating machine showing the infeed chute. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a portion of the decorator of FIG. 2A, showing an aspect of the mandrel wheel function. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a beverage can decorating machine showing the infeed turret. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the color part of the beverage can decoration machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a top view of the axial and circumferential registration and print cylinder assembly shown by removing a portion of the machine frame. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the registration system and print cylinder assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of a portion of the registration system and print cylinder assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of a portion of the registration system and print cylinder assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the registration system with portions of the decorator removed for clarity. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the registration system with portions of the decorator removed for clarity. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inker assembly with portions removed for clarity; [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the inker assembly of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a front view of the inker assembly. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the inker assembly. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional front view of the inker assembly. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vibration support bearing assembly, showing the bearing housing in cross section. [Figure 17] 17 is another enlarged view of the vibration support bearing assembly, showing in cross section the bearing housing of FIG. 16, taken at a shallower level than shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vibrating roller assembly. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lubrication coolant system. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a can decorating assembly showing aspects of an overvarnishing assembly and a mandrel pre-spin assembly. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is another schematic diagram of the structure of FIG. 20. [Figure 22] FIG. 21 is another schematic perspective view of the structure of FIG. 20. [Diagram 23]FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 21. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a can decoration assembly showing aspects of the overvarnishing assembly and the mandrel pre-spin assembly. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is another view of the structure of FIG. 24. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 25. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the over-varnishing unit and mandrel pre-spin assembly according to an embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of the over-varnishing unit and mandrel pre-spin assembly according to another embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective partial cross-sectional view of a mandrel wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 30] 30 is another enlarged perspective partial cross-sectional view of the mandrel wheel of FIG. 29 , the cross-section being taken at another cross-sectional location. [Diagram 31] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an overvarnishing unit and a mandrel wheel (prior art). [Diagram 32] FIG. 32 is another view of the structure of FIG. 31 (PRIOR ART). [Diagram 33] FIG. 32 is another view of the structure of FIG. 31 (PRIOR ART). [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of the structure of FIG. 33 (prior art). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] A can body decoration machine or decorator 10 for printing text and graphics on can bodies, such as beverage can bodies 99, includes a structural frame 20, an infeed assembly 100, a print assembly 200, a color assembly 300 including a print registration system 400, a temperature control system 500 and an inker array 600, an overvarnishing assembly 700, and a discharge assembly 900. Some subsystems of the decorator 10 are shown in FIG.

[0033] The can bodies 99 in the illustrated embodiment are beverage can bodies, which are drawn and ironed bodies having a base including a domed bottom inside an upstanding ring, a cylindrical sidewall extending upward from the base, and a circular opening opposite the base. The can bodies 99 processed by the infeed assembly 100 typically have exteriors that are uncoated aluminum, sometimes referred to as bright cans. It is expected that the can bodies 99 will be prepared for coating in the decorator 10 by conventional preparation and handling techniques well known to those familiar with decorating at scheduled speeds of approximately 2,200 cans / min, often exceeding 1,000 cans per minute. Modern decorators 10 can achieve much higher throughputs (such as 3,400 cans / min) depending on many parameters, so the can decorator throughput is chosen to match the upstream and downstream processes so that 2,200 cans / min is not the upper limit of what is feasible.

[0034] Beverage can bodies 99 typically have thin sidewalls, such as less than 0.010 inches thick for a conventional 12 ounce drawn and ironed (DWI) beverage can, and often approximately 0.004 inches thick. Due to the thin walls and open ends, the can bodies can be subject to crushing or plastic deformation, especially from lateral (perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) loads. Typically, can bodies are formed of 3000 series aluminum alloys (as defined by the industry standard International Alloy Designation System). The present invention is not limited to any can body configuration, but rather encompasses any type of can body, including (by way of non-limiting examples) drawn and ironed beverage or food cans of nominal (diameter) sizes of 202 (53 mm), 204.5 (58 mm), and 211 (66 mm), three-piece cans of any commercial size, aerosol cans of 112 (45 mm), 214 (70 mm), and 300 (73 mm), open or seamed can bodies, aluminum, tinplate, steel can bodies, such as 3000 series aluminum alloys, and others.

[0035] The structural frame 20 includes a base 22 and a machine frame 30, which includes a flat rear face 32 and an opposing front face 34, as shown diagrammatically in Figures 2 and 3 and best shown in Figure 8. In this regard, the term "front" refers to the side of the machine having the blanket wheels of the color assembly 300, and the terms "back" and "rear" refer to the side opposite the front, which in the illustrated embodiment includes the main drive motor. The faces 32 and 34 are surrounded by side walls to support the components of the decorator 10. A portion of the frame 20 may extend to support the infeed assembly 100, as shown diagrammatically in Figure 2. A plurality of stationary cylindrical supports 38 extend from an inner portion of the front face 34 that support print cylinder assemblies 340, as will be described more fully below. The frame 20, as well as the supports 38, may be formed from cast iron or steel, and / or from carbon steel fabrications, or a combination of both, as will be appreciated by those familiar with rotating machinery.

[0036] 2A shows an infeed feed assembly 100 according to a first embodiment that includes an infeed chute 110. The infeed chute 110 of the illustrated embodiment includes a vertical section 112 that holds and guides the can bodies 99 in a horizontal stack orientation (i.e., the longitudinal axis of each can body 99 is horizontal), a curved section 114 at the base of the vertical section 112, and a chute exit / mandrel wheel infeed 116.

[0037] 3 shows an infeed assembly 100' according to a second embodiment including an infeed chute 110' and an infeed turret 130'. The infeed chute 110' includes a vertical portion 112' that holds and dispenses can bodies in a horizontal orientation and an outlet 116' at the lowermost end of the vertical chute 112'. A pocket 134' in the infeed turret 130' removes the can bodies from the can outlet 116'.

[0038] The infeed turret 130' rotates (counterclockwise in the orientation shown in FIG. 3) to transport the can bodies in pockets 134' around the outer circumference of the star wheel or turret 130'. The pockets 134' are curved cradle-like structures that are evenly spaced around the circumference of the turret 130' and include vacuum inlets that hold the can bodies 99 in the pockets 134' under vacuum pressure. The pocket structures can be conventional, as will be understood by those familiar with can body processing in decorators. The can bodies 99 are delivered from the infeed turret 130' at an infeed point 138' to the mandrel wheel 210 of the printing assembly 200. The mandrel wheel 210 rotates clockwise (in the orientation shown in FIG. 3) to transport the can bodies 99 into contact with the printing blanket. The angular positions of the infeed point 116 or 138' and other working points around the circumference of the mandrel wheel, such as the points where the can body contacts the printing blanket, contacts the overvarnishing roller, retracts from the printable position, exits the mandrel wheel, etc., can be selected as described below.

[0039] The mandrel wheel assembly 210 includes a mandrel star wheel or mandrel wheel turret 220 and a mandrel assembly 228. The mandrel wheel turret 220 includes curved cradle-shaped peripheral recesses or pockets 222 which receive the can bodies 99 from the infeed system 100 / 100'. As the turret 220 rotates about an axis defined by the mandrel wheel shaft 212, a vacuum is applied to each pocket 222 to hold the can bodies 99. The structure forming the pockets 222 is not conventionally symmetrical about a radial line to enhance its ability to capture the can bodies 99.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the mandrel wheel 210 is driven by a unique mandrel wheel drive (not shown) that includes a mandrel wheel drive motor. Other configurations, such as gears that transfer torque from the main drive system 304, are also contemplated.

[0041] At standard decorator speeds, it can be difficult to repeatably place can bodies 99 onto the mandrel 230 without error. Incorrectly placed can bodies can cause excessive wear, machine downtime, and in some cases damage to mandrel parts, printing blankets, or other components.

[0042] The pockets 222 are configured and spaced such that each pocket 222 is aligned with a corresponding one of the mandrels 230, as shown in Figures 29 and 30. The can bodies 99 are transferred longitudinally from the pockets 222 of the mandrel wheel 210 onto the mandrels 230 by vacuum. Each mandrel 230 is capable of rotating about its longitudinal axis, as is known. As the mandrel wheel 210 carries the can bodies 99 into engagement with the printing blanket 330 of the blanket drum assembly 320, the mandrels 230 rotate as necessary in response to contact with the printing blanket.

[0043] The mandrel assembly 228 includes individual mandrels 230 and a mandrel arm assembly 240, which includes a mandrel trip assembly 250. The mandrel assembly 228 rotates on a common shaft 212 with the turret 220.

[0044] 1 carries the mandrel 230 and includes a mandrel trip assembly 250. The arm assembly 240 carries the mandrel 230 around the circumference of the mandrel wheel 210, and also carries the can body 99 during placement. While being transported by the arm assembly 240, the mandrel 230 follows a predetermined path that may be selected according to known parameters. The arm assembly also allows the mandrel to retract radially as needed to apply a desired contact pressure of the can body 99 with the printing blanket 330. Additionally, upon sensing that the mandrel or can is mispositioned, the mandrel trip assembly 250 retracts the mandrel 230 from a printable position (i.e., the diameter position where the can body 99 contacts the printing blanket during normal printing) to a recessed or bypass position (i.e., at that diameter position reflected by the radial distance of the mandrel 230 from the axis of the shaft 212 - the can body 99 does not contact the printing blanket).

[0045] The present invention is not intended to be limited to any particular mandrel arm assembly structure or manual trip assembly disclosed herein unless expressly required by the claims, but rather, the present invention encompasses any structures and methods relating to the arm assemblies and trip assemblies consistent with the functionality described herein.

[0046] In the decorator of the present invention, there are two main types of systems for mandrel tripping. First, in a "carriage trip" system, the mandrel wheel assembly is separated from the blanket drum so that the mandrel as a whole does not engage the printing blanket. Second, in a "single mandrel trip" system, an individual mandrel assembly can be moved independently of the other mandrel assemblies to retreat from a printable position (i.e., the position, including the radial position or dimension on the mandrel wheel, where the mandrel / can body is about to engage the printing blanket on the blanket wheel). The term "retreat" preferably includes decreasing the radial or diametric position of the mandrel using known features of the can decorator mandrel wheel.

[0047] The decorator 10, in the illustrated embodiment, has "single mandrel trip" functionality and features, where each mandrel can be independently "tripped" out of printable position to avoid printing if any of the mandrels are misplaced when a can is not present or is poorly positioned or defective. Points that define angular or circumferential positions on the mandrel wheel 210 are described below. The angular ranges provided below are greater than those in conventional beverage can decorators and are selected to address issues associated with increased throughput of beverage can decorators, such as approaching or (in the future) exceeding 2000 can bodies / minute.

[0048] 2B is an enlarged view of the decorator 10 showing the infeed configuration. The infeed system is shown for illustrative purposes only, and no structural or functional details are intended to limit the scope of the invention related to the mandrel wheel unless expressly recited in the claims. Point A, referred to as the infeed point, defines the point relative to the mandrel wheel 210 where the can body 99 is released from the infeed system 100 / 100' and placed on the mandrel wheel 210. Each pocket 222 includes a passageway or hole through which a vacuum is drawn to urge the can body 99 onto the mandrel pocket 222 and retain the can body 99 within the pocket 222, as explained above. Typically, a guide is provided to push the can body 99 out of the pocket 222 of the mandrel wheel 210 towards the mandrel 230 after or downstream of point A. Point B, referred to as the seating point, is the circumferential point on the mandrel wheel assembly 210 where the can body 99 is fully seated or placed on the mandrel 230. As explained above, a vacuum may be utilized to place or assist in the placement of each can body 99 onto a corresponding mandrel 230. A preferably conventional and diagrammatically illustrated sensor 232 detects whether the can is completely and properly placed on the mandrel at point B. As will be appreciated by those familiar with conventional decorator technology, any conventional sensor may be utilized.

[0049] At point C, referred to as the trip point, if the can is detected by the sensor at point B as being incorrectly placed on the mandrel or otherwise defective enough that the sensor 232 identifies it as needing removal, air pressure is used to remove (i.e., blow) the can off the mandrel, thus preventing possible damage to the printing blanket and other equipment. Also at point C, the misplaced mandrel is "tripped" out of the printing position by the mandrel trip mechanism 250 to avoid printing on the surface of the misplaced mandrel 280 when the can body 99 is not present. Trip mechanisms 250 are well known in the art, and the present invention contemplates employing any trip mechanism. At point D, referred to as the print point, the can body 99 is printed by engagement of the can body 99 with the printing blanket 330. For accuracy, point D can be defined by the initial contact point of the can body with the printing blanket 330.

[0050] At point E, referred to as the reset point, any misplaced mandrels that have been tripped from their printable positions are reset to their default diameter position to allow additional can bodies 99 to be placed on the mandrel wheel 210. The can bodies are ejected from the mandrel wheel 210 into an ejection system 900, as described below in connection with the overvarnishing unit.

[0051] The above sequence of mandrel wheel events requires precise timing and cooperation between the pneumatic and mechanical systems to get it right. At high speeds (especially as machine speeds approach 2000 bodies / min), there may not be enough time to get it right, at least not without a very precise set-up by a skilled operator. In this regard, the time between points A and D (i.e., to ensure placement and printing of the can body 99 on the mandrel wheel) needs to be sufficient to accomplish placement, placement confirmation, error detection, and tripping (if necessary), but is constrained by the requirement that the can body 99 pass through the overvarnishing unit after engagement with the printing blanket 33, and then have enough time for a reset step of the retracted mandrel (after the overvarnishing unit) before the mandrel placement process begins again. The master cam (for controlling the mandrel path) of such a procedure also needs to be designed to achieve the functions described herein. Ultimately, this serves as an upper limit to the speed at which the machine can be expected to run under normal operating conditions.

[0052] The angles mentioned above, particularly angles A-D in the range of 160-200°, are such that decorator machine 10 may (as the inventors speculate) be suitable for running at high speeds (approximately 2000 cpm), be easier to set up when the process window reflected by the angles is opened, and be less prone to producing scrap can bodies. To achieve the structure and functionality described herein, a master cam profile is designed to follow a complex cam profile (e.g., a seventh order polynomial curve), or the like, as will be understood by those familiar with beverage can decorator design in light of this disclosure.

[0053] Thus, the inventors speculate that the time interval between the infeed and print positions (and thus angles A-D at a given mandrel wheel rotation speed) is increased in the present invention to allow the machine to run at higher rotation speeds and higher can throughput, and to be easier to set up and less prone to creating damage. Angles A-D are set by the design of the "Master Cam" (which controls the relative motion of the decorator parts), and by changing the design of the Master Cam more time is allowed between points A and D. By designing the Master Cam to optimize angles A-D while at the same time choosing angles E-A to increase angles A-D, for example to within the range of 160°-200°, the present invention gains advantages over existing machines. The structure of the Master Cam (not shown) and designing it to achieve the functions described herein will be understood by those skilled in the can decorator art in view of this disclosure.

[0054] The color assembly 300 is supported by the machine frame 20 and includes a main drive 304 (FIG. 4), a blanket drum or blanket wheel assembly 320, a plate cylinder or print cylinder assembly 340, a print cylinder registration system 410, a temperature conditioning system 510, and an array of inker assemblies 600. The main drive 304 includes a motor and gearbox 308 mounted on the frame rear face 32, and a main drive gear 312, which is preferably helical, as described more fully below.

[0055] The blanket wheel assembly 320 includes a horizontal main shaft 322 (shown in relief in FIGS. 1 and 4) supported in bearings (not shown) in common with the main drive gear 312. A drum or wheel 326 is mounted on the shaft 322 such that the drive 304 rotates the wheel 326 at a desired rotational speed. The periphery of the wheel 326 includes a plurality of pads 328 that are curved or circumferentially shaped such that the radially outboard faces of the pads 328 are on the circumference of the wheel 326. The blanket wheel pads 328 may be conventional printing pads for receiving ink decoration from a plate cylinder 350.

[0056] The print cylinder assembly 340 and the inker assembly 600 are housed or supported by the machine frame 20 such that the wheel 326 rotates relative to the print cylinder assembly 340 and the inker assembly 600. Each inker assembly 600 in the array is associated with one color ink, and each inker is associated with a unique print cylinder assembly 340 so that each plate cylinder 350 can apply a single color to each print cylinder 350, which then transfers the single color image to the rotating blanket 330. Each of the plate cylinders 350 can have a unique pattern, image, text, etc., corresponding to a desired color, which, when combined, provide the blanket 330 with a complete can decoration. When the blanket 330 contacts the plate cylinder 350, the plate cylinder 350 rotates approximately one revolution. The blanket and plate cylinder materials and construction can be conventional. Eight print cylinder assemblies are shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 1-3. The seven openings in housing wall 32 of Figure 2 are understood to preferably accommodate print cylinders, and therefore only one print cylinder assembly is shown for clarity in Figures 4-10. The present invention encompasses decorators having any number of print cylinders according to known parameters, such as the desired number of colors to be applied to a can body.

[0057] As best shown in FIG. 5, each print cylinder assembly 340 includes a print cylinder shaft 344 having a tapered distal end face 349 to which a plate cylinder 350 (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 5) is attached. The taper at face 349 is optional, as other means of joining shaft 344 to plate cylinder 350 are known. Shaft 344 extends from the interior of machine frame 30 through front face 34 such that end face 349 is the exterior or exterior of the housing of frame 30. Print cylinder shaft 344 is supported by a main bearing 348 supported by front face 34 and an inner bearing (not shown) located between print cylinder shaft 344 and the inner surface of sleeve 346.

[0058] The frame 30 includes a hollow cylindrical print cylinder structural support 38 extending inwardly from the front face 34. A print cylinder sleeve 346 is positioned within the support 38 and is movable relative to the support 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 346 (as best shown in FIG. 8 ) is prevented from rotating by a spring-loaded support that is fixed to the machine frame and a portion of the sleeve. Thus, the sleeve 346 does not rotate with the print cylinder shaft 344. Rather, the sleeve 346 is capable of axial translation, and this translation (back and forth) is imparted to the print cylinder shaft 344 and to the print cylinder 350. The amount of axial translation of the sleeve 346 can be selected according to the desired amount of axial registration of the print cylinder 350. The sleeve 346 is capable of a small amount of angular movement or rotation in some embodiments to accommodate circumferential registration.

[0059] The helical gear 316 is mounted on the shaft 344 within the housing frame 30 and is aligned to engage with the main drive gear 312 and can be driven by the main drive gear 312 and the gearbox 308. In operation, the main gear 312 drives the shaft 344 through the helical print cylinder gear 316, as the rotation of the shaft 344 is supported by the bearing 348 and the internal bearing.

[0060] As explained above, while the can body 99 is on the mandrel wheel assembly 210 , it comes into contact with the blanket 330 of the rotating blanket wheel 326 , transferring ink from the blanket 330 to the exterior surface of the can body 99 .

[0061] The can bodies 99 receive overvarnishing from the overvarnishing system 700 after contact with the printing blanket 330. The cans exit the mandrel wheel assembly 210 as they are delivered to the discharge assembly 900 after overvarnishing is applied.

[0062] The printing plates 350 of the beverage can decorator are typically registered, i.e., aligned with a high degree of repeatable precision to a common reference line so that a specified artwork design is precisely transferred onto the printing blanket 330. Each of the printing plates 350 is registered with the other ones axially (i.e., longitudinally along the axis of rotation of the plate cylinder 350 and can body 99) and circumferentially (i.e., angularly relative to the rotation of the printing blanket and can body 99).

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the registration drive gear train is configured to couple the rotational motion of the axial print registration drive motor 424 and the circumferential print registration drive motor 462 into a coaxial output shaft arrangement. The rotational motion of the axial registration shaft is converted into a linear movement or displacement of the axial registration slide assembly 442, which is transmitted to the plate cylinder 350 via the print cylinder shaft 344. The rotational motion of the circumferential registration shaft is converted into a linear movement or displacement of the circumferential registration slide assembly, which is transmitted to the helical gear 316. The linear movement or displacement of the helical gear 316, when pressed against the fixed helical main gear 312, is converted into an angular or circumferential movement or displacement of the print cylinder shaft 344 (to which the gear 316 is attached), which is transmitted to the print cylinder 350 by the print cylinder shaft 350.

[0064] As shown in Figures 4-10, the automated printing plate registration assembly 400 includes an axial alignment or registration assembly 420 and a circumferential alignment or registration assembly 460. The axial registration system 420 preferably moves the plate cylinder 350 only in a longitudinal or axial translation. The circumferential registration system 460 preferably moves the plate cylinder 350 only in a circumferential direction, although in some embodiments a small amount of axial movement during circumferential registration may occur. The present invention is not limited to registrations that each move only in an axial direction and only in a radial direction. Rather, other configurations may be employed in which one registration system simultaneously registers the plate cylinder in both an axial and circumferential direction in conjunction with another registration system that registers the plate cylinder in only one of the axial and circumferential configurations.

[0065] 4-10, the axial registration system 420 for each of the plate cylinders 350 includes an axial print registration drive 422, an axial registration shaft 440 (also referred to as the lead screw according to the illustrated embodiment) coupled to the output shaft of the drive 422, an axial system slide 442, an axial registration system nut 444 secured to the slide 442 and threadedly connected to the lead screw shaft 440, an axial registration assembly linear bearing 446 within the slide 442, a transfer plate 450 which translates with the slide 442, and a clamp 452 which secures the slide 442 to the transfer plate 450. The axial system slide 442 has a pair of through holes for mounting the linear bearings 446, allowing the slide 442 to translate on a pair of fixed, parallel, horizontal support arms 40 which extend from an inner portion of the front face 34 of the machine frame 30. The axial registration drive 422 may include a motor 424 and a gearbox 426 within a housing 428 that is mounted to the frame 30 .

[0066] The circumferential print registration system 460 for each of the printing plates or plate cylinders includes a circumferential registration drive 462, a circumferential registration shaft (also called a lead screw) 470 coupled to the output shaft of the drive 462 via gears 490a and 490b or other transmission device, a circumferential system slide 472, a circumferential system nut 474 fixed to the slide 472 and threadedly connected to the lead screw shaft 470, a circumferential system linear bearing 476 in the slide 472 that allows the slide 472 to translate on the fixed support arm 40, a transmission arm 480, a hub 482 attached to the slide 472 by the transmission arm 480, and a key (not shown) that locks the hub bore to the driven gear 316. At least one human machine interface panel (HMI) is also provided.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the use of gears 490a and 490b. As non-limiting examples, a belt and pulley arrangement or a chain and sprocket arrangement are alternative options to the registration drive gear train. The term "transmission" is used to refer to any means for transmitting torque, such as a gear train, a belt and pulley system, a sprocket assembly, and the like. The circumferential registration drive 462 can include a motor 464, a gearbox 466, and a housing 468 attached to the frame 30.

[0068] The axially and circumferentially registered sliding linear bearings 446 and 476 may be, by way of non-limiting example, circular plain bore bearings, cylindrical plain bore bearings, ball bushing bearings, recirculating ball bushing bearings, or recirculating ball cylindrical bearings. The lead screw shafts 440 and 470 are constrained to a machine frame such that the shafts 440 and 470 rotate but do not move axially.

[0069] The motors of the drives 422 and 462 may be of any suitable type capable of performing the registration functions described herein, such as alternating current induction motors or AC motors, stepper or servo motors, direct current motors or DC motors, hydraulic motors, or pneumatic motors. Each motor type will be accompanied by appropriate control system hardware and software logic. A gearbox may be used on the output shaft of the motor.

[0070] The HMI (not shown) can be any interface that allows a user and / or control system to operate one or both of the axial and circumferential registration systems.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the axial registration drive 422 and the circumferential registration drive can be of any type capable of accurately and repeatably moving or indexing the axial registration slide 442 and the circumferential slide 472, respectively, to a desired position. The axial registration drive 422 and the circumferential registration drive 462 can be arranged on parallel axes, i.e., the drives can be parallel to one another. Alternatively (not shown), the axial print registration drive motor and the circumferential print registration drive motor can be arranged on perpendicular axes or in other configurations. Additionally, the present invention encompasses a registration drive motor that is of a linear actuation type directly connected to the registration slide assembly, which in some configurations includes or eliminates the registration lead screw and lead screw nut.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the circumferential registration lead screw 470 and the axial registration lead screw 440 are coaxially arranged. The circumferential registration lead screw and the axial registration lead screw may be, for example, a cut screw thread, a recirculating ball track type, also known as a recirculating ball screw type. The circumferential registration slide assembly and the axial registration slide assembly are configured with an associated separate lead screw nut. In the illustrated embodiment, each lead screw nut is constrained to an associated registration slide assembly.

[0073] Referring again to the illustrated embodiment, the axial print registration drive 422 is coupled to an in-line axial registration lead screw (or shaft) 440 that is coaxial and inside the circumferential registration lead screw 470. The shaft 440 extends through the body of the axial registration slide 442 and through an axial registration system bearing 446, which is preferably a conventional plain bearing. The shaft 440 extends through a nut 444, which is fixed to the slide 442 such that rotation of the shaft 440 translates the slide 442. The terms "nut" and "lead screw" are used herein to refer to any type of structure that allows the rotational motion of a screw or shaft to be converted into linear translation.

[0074] When in operation, operation of the axial drive 422 rotates the axial registration shaft 440, which causes the axial registration slide 442 to translate back and forth (or distally or proximally, respectively, relative to the axial drive 422) relative to the decorator 10 on the support arm 40.

[0075] The circumferential registration drive 462 has a gear 490a mounted on an output shaft, shown as the bottom gear in Figures 6, 9 and 10. The bottom gear 490a is engaged with an upper gear 490b, which is mounted on the circumferential registration shaft 470 through which the axial registration lead screw 440 passes. The circumferential registration lead screw 470 is thus mounted to the upper gear 490b, and rotation of the motor of the circumferential drive 462 rotates the lower gear 490a, which transmits torque to the circumferential lead screw 470 via the upper gear 490b. The circumferential slide 472 is mounted to the circumferential lead screw 470 as described above. The axial registration slide 442 is mounted to the axial registration lead screw 440 as described above. Thus, the circumferential slide assembly and the axial registration slide assembly are in-line and coaxial in the illustrated embodiment and are independently adjustable, allowing the position of the print cylinder 350 to be independently adjusted.

[0076] Any mechanism can be used that moves the plate cylinder 350 based on movement of the axial registration slide assembly 420. Also, any mechanism can be used that moves the plate cylinder 350 based on movement of the circumferential slide assembly. In a typical embodiment of the axial registration mechanism, there can be a mechanical coupling between a first (axial) registration slide assembly associated with the plate cylinder and the sleeve such that back and forth movement of the registration slide assembly causes back and forth movement of the plate cylinder.

[0077] In the illustrated embodiment, the axial registration slide 442 is fixed to a U-shaped, vertically oriented transfer plate 450. A pair of upright arms of the transfer plate 450 are held to the rear face of the axial registration slide 442 by a pair of clamps 452. One clamp 452 is applied to the left arm of the plate 450 and the other clamp 452 is applied to the right arm of the plate 450. The lower part of the plate 450 is fixed to the sleeve 346. A pair of cam screws 453 that hold the clamps 452 to the transfer plate 450 can be eccentric or tapered so that the clamps 452 hold the transfer plate securely against the axial slide 442. Thus, forward or rearward movement of the axial registration slide 442 translates the sleeve 346, which in turn translates the print cylinder shaft 344 and the plate cylinder 350. The transfer plate 450 may be unfixed to the sleeve 346 such that the sleeve 346 (in some embodiments) is free to move circumferentially with the print cylinder shaft 344 during the circumferential registration system. Other structures are contemplated, such as springs acting on the print cylinder shaft 344 to bias the shaft 344 rearwardly relative to the transfer plate 450, mechanical connections between the transfer plate 450 and the sleeve 346 and / or print shaft 344, and the like, to allow movement of the plate cylinder 350 in response to movement of the axial registration slide 442.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, the circumferential registration mechanism 460 can include a mechanical connection between the circumferential registration slide 472 and the hub 482, which includes a bearing (not shown) between an inner surface of the hub 482 and the plate cylinder shaft 344. Thus, the print cylinder shaft 344 can rotate relative to the hub 482, since the housing of the hub 482 is attached to the circumferential registration slide 472 by an arm 480 (as best shown in FIG. 8 ) to prevent the housing of the hub 482 from rotating.

[0079] In this regard, the hub 482 is constrained to have only axial movement relative to the plate cylinder shaft 344, while the rotating inner portion of the hub 482 is keyed to the plate cylinder shaft 344 by a longitudinal key (not shown). The driven gear 316 is also keyed and secured to the plate cylinder shaft 344 via a key in a longitudinal keyway in the inner hub bore. In some embodiments, the keyed attachment between the gear 316 and the plate cylinder shaft 344 may be such that the gear 316 can slide longitudinally relative to the shaft 344 by a sufficient amount to allow circumferential registration without resulting in axial movement of the shaft 344.

[0080] Thus, the rotational movement of the circumferential registration drive gears 490a and 490b causes the rotation of the circumferential lead screw 470, which in turn causes the circumferential slide 472 to move forward or backward through interaction with the nut 474. The forward or backward movement of the circumferential slide 472 is transmitted to the housing of the hub 482 via the support arm 480. The hub 482 translates forward or backward (depending on the direction of translation of the slide 472) relative to the print cylinder shaft 344, i.e., while the hub 482 translates, the plate cylinder shaft 344 and the plate cylinder 350 do not translate (i.e., do not move axially). The translation of the hub 482 causes the gear 316 to translate relative to the shaft 344. As shown, the gear 316 is helical, and the helical teeth of the gear 316 come into meshing contact with the helical teeth of the main drive gear 312. Gear 312 is effectively fixed by a mechanical brake, an electric brake acting on the main drive motor, and / or by inertia or the like such that translation of driven gear 316 relative to main gear 312, which is not rotating or rotatable during the registration process, results in angular displacement or rotation of driven gear 316. Because gear 316 is rotationally fixed via a key, movement of circumferential registration slide 472 and axial displacement of hub 482 causes a timing shift between gear 316 and drive gear 312, thus rotating print cylinder 350 the desired amount to achieve circumferential registration of the print cylinder. Other configurations or mechanisms are contemplated that accomplish a shift in the plate cylinder circumference in response to axial movement of the circumferential registration slide assembly.

[0081] For some embodiments, production efficiencies can be increased because print registration activities are possible and desirable during can decoration production. The registration system disclosed herein can improve the work environment and safety of the machine operator, and print registration (in some embodiments) can be accomplished or realized by a single machine operator using a remote HMI located in the output area from the beverage can printing press.

[0082] In accordance with another aspect of registration system 400, the feedback system includes an axial registration proximity sensor 492 and a circumferential registration proximity sensor 494. The axial registration sensor 492 is preferably mounted on the axial system slide 442, such as on a forward facing portion of slide 442. The circumferential system sensor 494 is preferably mounted on the circumferential system slide 472, such as on a forward facing portion of slide 472.

[0083] The sensors 492 and 494 may be of any suitable type to perform the feedback functions described herein. The sensors 492 and 494 may be, without limitation, one or more inductive proximity sensors (such as eddy current or inductive types), microswitch contacts, linear encoder type registration position sensors that are preferably connected to the corresponding registration slides 442, 472, but may also or alternatively be connected to the plate cylinder shaft assembly. Thus, a rotary encoder type registration position sensor 496, if used, may be connected to a common axis with the registration drive motors 432, 462 and / or the registration lead screws 440, 470 may be integral with the motors and / or may be connected to the plate cylinder shaft assembly or other suitable location.

[0084] The feedback system described herein can mitigate "lost" motion in the print registration mechanism, resulting in high accuracy during print plate registration adjustment. Non-limiting examples of lost motion can include clearance or "play" in bearings, motors, slides, and / or lead screws, errors related to hysteresis in the system, differences between inputs and expected outputs, and the like.

[0085] As an example of operation of the registration system 400, a user or an automated control system can initiate registration via the HMI or by other means based on information including the desired amount of axial and / or radial adjustment of the particular plate cylinder 350 being registered.

[0086] Upon determining the magnitude of circumferential movement desired for the first of the print cylinders 350, the motor of the circumferential registration drive 462 is engaged to rotate the circumferential registration lead screw 470, translating the circumferential registration slide 472 on the support arm 40. The magnitude of the circumferential translation can be measured or sensed by a circumferential registration sensor 494 when attached to the circumferential registration slide 472, the hub 482, or other translating portion of the circumferential registration system 460, and / or by a sensor 496 associated with the circumferential registration motor 462, the axial registration lead screw 470, or other rotating portion of the axial registration system 460. As explained above, the axial displacement of the slide 472 is converted to a circumferential displacement of the print cylinder 350.

[0087] Upon determining the magnitude of axial movement desired for the first one of the printing cylinders 350, the motor of the axial drive 422 is engaged to rotate the axial lead screw 440 to translate the axial registration slide 472 on the support arm 40. The translation of the slide 442 is transmitted to the plate cylinder shaft 344. The magnitude of the axial translation can be measured or sensed by a sensor 492 based on the translation of the axial registration slide 442 and / or by a sensor 496 associated with the axial registration motor 422, the axial registration lead screw 440, or other rotating components of the axial registration system 420. If any axial movement of the printing cylinder 350 occurs during circumferential registration, the desired magnitude of the axial movement can be adjusted to compensate based on the sensor output. If any circumferential movement of the printing cylinder 350 occurs during axial registration, the desired magnitude of the circumferential movement can be adjusted to compensate based on the sensor output. Axial or circumferential registration can occur first, or registration can be simultaneous, interrupted, or in alternating sequence.

[0088] When the desired amount of movement of the first plate cylinder 350 in the axial and circumferential orientations has been achieved, the desired amount of axial and circumferential adjustment of the second plate cylinder 350 can be performed according to the methods described above. Conventional control systems and techniques can be used. If desired, each of the plate cylinders 350 can be registered by its own registration system 410, 460 until the desired image quality is achieved. The registration process can be repeated as necessary.

[0089] The structural and functional description of the print registration system and corresponding feedback system herein reflects only one embodiment and is therefore provided as an example and illustration. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific structural and functional features within this specification (including the drawings) unless expressly set forth in the claims. In only some non-limiting examples, the present invention is not limited to the coaxial configuration of the shafts of the axial and circumferential registration system, any configuration of the drive registration gear train, any number of print cylinders of the decorator, any type of control system or controller (if any), and the like.

[0090] Offset printing relies on the transfer of ink between multiple different surfaces at each stage of the printing process as shown. The viscosity of the ink in the inker assembly 600 can affect the functionality of the equipment and the quality of the printing process. The temperature of the ink directly affects the viscosity. In some situations, the ink temperature may be higher or lower than the desired temperature. Thus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the ink is controlled by one or more water-cooled rollers as the ink is transferred through the inker assembly to the plate cylinder 350. The temperature set point selected can be chosen to achieve a desired ink viscosity.

[0091] 19, ink temperature regulation system 510 includes recirculating chiller 520, rollers of inker assembly 600, a temperature sensor such as in-line temperature sensor 530 in the coolant flow at outlet 599 of inker assembly 600, valve 540 to control the coolant flow, and a control system (not shown) that evaluates the coolant outlet temperature to control the position and movement of valve 540. Pump 550 can be of any type as will be understood by those familiar with conventional cooling systems in light of this disclosure. Flow from pump 550 can be controlled by any means. In one embodiment, a variable speed drive (such as a variable frequency drive (VFD)) is used and configured to maintain a nearly constant coolant pressure regardless of the position of valve 540. Other drives are contemplated.

[0092] The system 510 can be configured such that there is a temperature sensor 530 at the coolant outlet of each of the inker assemblies 600, the coolant outlet streams are combined (e.g., via a manifold, etc.) so that a single (i.e., only one) temperature sensor is located in the combined stream, or the coolant streams from two or more inker assemblies are combined and the coolant flow is separated into multiple zones. Each zone can have its own pump and / or valve in addition to having its own temperature sensor.

[0093] Preferably, vibratory roller assemblies 610u, 610a, and 610b, described more fully below, receive coolant from chiller 520. For each assembly, coolant preferably flows through the center of each of the vibratory roller shafts 612u, 612a, and 612b, and then concentrically counter-flows (inside or outside the inlet) through the end of the roller assembly as the coolant inlet. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0094] The sensor 530 at the outlet 599 of the inker assembly 600 is on the inlet side of the chiller 520. Thus, the valve 540 can increase the coolant flow rate if the coolant outlet temperature at the temperature sensor 530 is above a predetermined set point or range, and can decrease the coolant flow rate if the coolant outlet temperature is below a predetermined set point or range.

[0095] The controller that operates the valve 540 based on the temperature sensor 530 and other conventional inputs and data can be of any type using any algorithm or method, such as PID control (i.e., proportional-integral-derivative control) or other control, as will be understood by those familiar with equipment controllers in the industry.

[0096] Chiller 520 may be a stand-alone chiller that supplies coolant only to the inker assembly 600, or it may be a chiller or cooler that supplies coolant to other pieces of can decoration machinery or other plant equipment.

[0097] Each print cylinder 350 is supplied with a single color of ink by an inker assembly 600. Thus, the number of inker assemblies 600 corresponds to the number of print cylinder assemblies described herein.

[0098] Each inker assembly 600, which supplies ink to the plate cylinder 350, includes an ink well (also called a fountain) 602 mounted on a structural frame 604 and a series of rollers. The ink well 602 can be of any type. The rollers transfer, smooth and, to some extent, meter the ink from the ink well 602 to the plate cylinder 350. With reference to Figures 11-16, within the inker assembly 600, to promote uniform ink application, a vibrating roller assembly 610 can move the ink rollers axially back and forth, as described more fully below.

[0099] The inker assembly 600, in the illustrated embodiment, includes a vibratory roller assembly 610, which includes a single vibratory roller drive assembly 640 and three vibratory roller assemblies 611u, 611a, and 611b. The inker assembly 600 also includes distributor roller assemblies 660u, 660a, and 660b, and foam roller assemblies 670a and 670b. As shown, the preferred embodiment system has a single vibratory roller drive assembly 640 to achieve the vibration of all three vibratory roller assemblies 611u, 611a, 611b.

[0100] Each oascillator roller assembly 611u, 611a, 611b includes a oascillator roller shaft 612, a oascillator roller body 614, a linear bearing 616, and a support bearing assembly 620. In some embodiments, the bearing assembly 620 includes a lubrication supply gallery through which oil-based lubricant is supplied to and returned from the oascillator shaft support bearing 620 and managed through cooperation of a lubrication return housing 622 and a lubrication return gallery. Each bearing 616 and 620 is supported by the frame 604.

[0101] Each distributor roller assembly 660a and 660b includes a distributor roller shaft 662a and 662b, a distributor roller body 664a and 664b, and a gear 666a and 666b, respectively. Each foam roller assembly 670a and 670b includes a foam roller shaft 672a and 672b, a foam roller body 674a and 674b, and a gear 676a and 676b, respectively. Rollers 660 and 670 are supported by bearings supported by frame 604.

[0102] As is clear from the above usage, when there is more than one component, the individual components (such as vibratory roller assemblies 611u, 611a, 611b) are identified by adding the letter a, b, or c. The components as a whole or as a group are referred to as a reference number without an appended letter (such as by reference number 610 to refer to the vibratory roller assembly). This convention of referring to individual components by an appended letter to the reference number and using the reference number without an appended letter to refer to the components as a group or as a whole may be used elsewhere in this specification.

[0103] The inker assembly 600 can be separated into three zones: a driver zone 605, an ink zone 606, and an operator zone 607. The driver zone 605 is outboard of the inker assembly frame 604, which is preferably a housing, on one side, and the operator zone 607 is on the opposite side. The ink zone 606 is between opposing plates of the frame 604 and contains rollers.

[0104] As best shown in Figures 11 and 12, the inker assembly 600 includes an upper vibratory roller 611u, left and right distributor rollers 660a and 660b. The bodies 664a and 664b of the left and right distributor rollers 660a and 660b are engaged with the roller body 614u of the upper vibratory roller 611u. The bodies 614a and 614b of the left and right vibratory rollers 610a and 610b are engaged with the corresponding bodies of the left and right distributor rollers 660a and 660b. The bodies of the left and right foam rollers 970a and 970b are engaged with the corresponding bodies of the left and right lower vibratory rollers 610a and 610b, and each of the foam rollers 670a and 670b engages the plate cylinder 350.

[0105] 13-15, each inker assembly also includes a fountain roller 680 located in the ink well 602, a call roller 682 adapted to engage the fountain roller 680, a transfer roller 684 adapted to engage the call roller 682, and an upper distributor roller 660u adapted to engage the transfer roller 684 and to engage the upper vibrating roller 611u. The rollers 680, 682, and 684 can use conventional inker roller technology. For ease of explanation, the roller assemblies 660, 670, 682, 684, and 686 are referred to as "lateral fixed roller assemblies" to distinguish them from the lateral vibrating roller assembly 610. The lateral fixed roller assemblies can be conventional and do not require or have special structures to maintain their lateral position. Rather, the term "lateral fixed" is used simply to refer to conventional rollers that do not have a system for generating a lateral or vibratory motion of the roller to distribute the ink.

[0106] In the illustrated embodiment, the vibratory roller assembly 610 includes a single vibratory drive assembly 640 that includes a (preferably) single cam drive gear 642 mounted on a cam body 644. A cam 646 is formed in the cam body 644 and is preferably a continuous recess or groove that rises or falls around the circumference of the cam body 644. A cam gear or idler gear 648 is also mounted to the cam body 644. The cam body 644, cam 646, and idler gear 648 are mounted to a camshaft (mounted to the frame 604) and each of the elements 644, 646, and 648 are coincident or share the same centerline such that the cam body 644, cam 646, and idler gear 648 are constrained to rotate about the camshaft central axis (identified as line CSA in FIG. 11 ).

[0107] The oscillating drive assembly 640 can be considered to include three cam follower supports 650u, 650a, 650b and three corresponding cam followers 652u, 652a, 652b, each of which is fixed or unitary with a corresponding cam follower support. Each cam follower 652u, 652a, 652b and associated cam follower support 650u, 650a, 650b is mounted on a corresponding oscillating roller shaft 612u, 612a, 612b and cooperates directly with a cam groove 646. The cam follower supports are configured to transmit "up and down" or "back and forth" translation to the corresponding oscillating roller body 614u, 614a, and 614b. The linear bearings 616u, 616a, 616b cooperate with the frame 604 to constrain the corresponding cam follower supports 650u, 650a, 650b to linear motion.

[0108] As shown, three multiple vibrating roller assemblies 611u, 611a, 611b are disposed about a single oscillating cam body 644. The vibrating roller assemblies 611u, 611a, 611b may be equally spaced about a pitch diameter, where the center point of the pitch diameter coincides with the axis of the single oscillating cam body 644, with the upper vibrating roller assembly 611u at the top center (i.e., 12 o'clock relative to the centerline of the cam body 644), and roller assemblies 611a and 611b spaced 120° from the upper roller assembly 611u and from each other. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0109] 13-15, each inker drive assembly includes a coupling 691 that receives power from a motor (not shown) or through a gear connected to another power source (not shown). A first idler gear 692a is mounted on a shaft common to the coupling 691. The first idler gear 692a is engaged (i.e., in meshing contact such that torque can be transmitted) with a drive gear 695 mounted on the shaft of the transfer roller 694. The transfer roller drive gear 695 is engaged with a second idler gear 692b, which is engaged at a lower level with a third idler gear 692c, which is engaged with a fourth idler gear 692d, which is engaged with the fountain roller drive gear 681.

[0110] The shaft on which the third idler gear 692c is mounted has another gear, a fourth idler gear 692d, mounted on the end distal from the third idler gear 692c. The fourth idler gear 692d engages a fifth transfer gear 692e, which engages a sixth transfer gear 692f, which engages the cam drive gear 642.

[0111] The gears described herein in the inker system 600 can be conventional, such as conventional spur gears. The figures show gear ratios, tandem gears (i.e., two or more gears on one shaft), and other details of the gear train. Additionally, the gear ratio and gear design can be selected according to the desired parameters of the inking system. Additionally, other means for transmitting torque are possible. In this regard, the term "transmission device" is used to refer to any means for transmitting torque, such as a gear train, a belt and pulley system, a sprocket assembly, and the like.

[0112] The present invention is not limited to any gear configuration or gears, as the gear system (as explained above) can alternatively be a pulley and belt system or a sprocket and chain system to achieve the function as desired. Those familiar with inker system structure and function will understand the design parameters to achieve the desired system function. Thus, the inker gear trains shown and described herein are provided merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein unless expressly claimed.

[0113] Preferably, each of the support bearings 620u, 620a and 620b of the vibratory roller assembly 610 includes a lubrication system including a housing 622, a supply system 624 that supplies lubricant to an inlet plenum 626 formed within the housing 622, and a return system 628 that enables the discharge of the lubricant from an outlet plenum 630.

[0114] 16-18 show close-up views of preferred embodiments of the support bearings 620u, 620a, and 620b. As shown, each of the support bearings 620u, 620a, and 620b includes a two-piece housing 622 (i.e., 622u, 622a, and 622b) that forms an inlet plenum and an outlet plenum that retains lubricant and allows the lubricant to flow through the corresponding housing 622u, 622a, and 622b to lubricate the bearings 632 (i.e., bearings 632u, 632a, and 632b) therein. The two-piece lubricant recovery housings 622u, 622a, and 622b include a base 619 (i.e., 616u, 619a, and 619b) and a cap 621 (i.e., as shown as 621a, 621b, and 621b).

[0115] For each bearing 620, inlet 625 (shown in FIG. 16) connects the lubricant supply system to inlet plenum 626, and outlet 631 (shown in FIG. 17 as outlets 631a and 631b) connects the lubricant return system to outlet plenum 630. The particular configuration of plenums 626 and 630 can be selected according to the desired bearing type, size, rating, and other known parameters.

[0116] In the illustrated embodiment, each bearing base 622u, 622a, and 622b is fixed to the frame 604. The bearing caps 622u, 622a, and 622b include slots that allow for angular positioning of the caps, such that the circumferential positions of the corresponding outlets 631u, 631a, and 631b relative to a horizontal reference line can be selected and / or adjusted as needed. In some embodiments, the circumferential position of the outlets 631 will dictate the depth of the lubricant in the plenums 626 and 630. Optionally, the position of the inlet 625 can also be circumferentially adjustable. The term "supply gallery" is used herein to refer to the inlet 625 that receives the lubricant and the inlet plenum 626. The term "return plenum" is used herein to refer to the outlet 631 and the outlet plenum 630. The specific structures and functions of the illustrated supply and return galleries are not intended to be limiting, but rather encompass other structures in accordance with the general meaning of the structural terms and as set forth in the claims.

[0117] The lubrication system may be a closed loop system that may include pumps, filters, coolers, instrumentation, and controls, as well as other conventional oil conditioning devices. Lubrication system components may be selected according to design parameters known in the art and depending on the particular configuration of the bearings 620 and other components of the vibratory roller assembly 610. Thus, lubricant is supplied to the oscillating shaft support bearings 620 via cooperation of the lubricant supply gallery and the bearing housing. Lubricant supplied to the oscillating shaft support bearings is collected and managed via cooperation of the lubricant collection housing and the lubricant return gallery. The lubricant is preferably oil.

[0118] To illustrate the function of the structure of the inker system 600 and to explain how the inker assembly operates, torque is provided to the gear train by a rotating shaft connection with a coupling 691 which transmits the torque through the drive train to rotate the fountain roller drive gear 681 and to rotate the cam drive gear 642. Optionally, a third idler gear 692c can engage with the upper vibratory roller drive gear 654u.

[0119] As the cam body 644 rotates about its longitudinal axis due to torque applied via the cam drive gear 642 , the cam followers 652 u , 652 a and 652 b on each of the vibratory roller assemblies 610 u , 610 a and 610 b engage the rotating cam 646 .

[0120] The description of the other rollers is the same, so for illustration purposes, referring to only one of the three oscillating roller assembly systems, the undulating path of the cam 646 causes an oscillating translation (back and forth or back and forth) of the cam follower 652u, which is transferred to the cam follower support 652u and then to the roller shaft and roller 612u. In this regard, the oscillating shaft support bearing 620u and the linear bearing 616u are fixed to the bearing housing 604, such that the oscillating roller shaft 612u is supported and constrained by the oscillating shaft support bearing. The oscillating roller shaft 612u rotates and translates about its own axis, and as it interacts with the rollers above and below it, it spreads, homogenizes, and delivers the ink to the plate cylinder. The oscillating roller assemblies 610a and 610b operate as described for assembly 610u.

[0121] Other rollers, such as fountain roller 680, call roller 682, and transfer roller 684, may rotate independently from the linear motion of the vibrating roller or may be driven directly from the gear train through contact with other rollers.

[0122] The inker configuration described herein has several advantages over prior art systems. The present invention is not limited to structures of function that embody or include the advantages unless expressly recited in the claims, and the advantages described herein are not intended to distinguish the structure or function of the present invention. Rather, the advantages are merely for illustrative purposes. The illustrated structure engages three vibratory roller systems, as prior art pivoting lever type configurations are often effectively limited to cooperation with only two vibratory shafts. Prior art cams and cam followers typically resulted in higher inertia and total magnitude of reaction forces in configurations where the cams are mounted directly on the vibratory roller shafts. The illustrated structure reduces the magnitude of inertia compared to prior art vibratory roller structures. Additionally, dynamic loads on the cams and cam followers are reduced. The symmetrical configuration of multiple vibratory roller assemblies around a single cam combined with a "rise-fall-rise" cam profile results in zero complementary reaction forces, thereby eliminating a source of vibration and extending component life. Additionally, total-loss lubrication systems can contaminate the ink zone and operator zone. Current commercially available beverage can printing machines rely on periodic operator intervention to manually wipe off total-loss lubricant, which is eliminated or reduced in the illustrated embodiment.

[0123] In many prior art machines, the beverage can body leaves the printing zone and enters the overvarnishing unit on a mandrel that is either stationary (i.e., does not rotate about the mandrel's longitudinal axis) or has a reduced rotational speed due to friction (compared to the rotational speed immediately after engaging the printing blanket). As used herein, the term "pre-spin" refers to imparting rotation to the beverage can body 99 about its longitudinal axis after disengagement from the printing blanket 330 of the blanket drum assembly. In decorating machines without a pre-spin of the mandrel before the overvarnishing unit, the mandrel rotation occurs instantaneously upon contact of the mandrel drive tire with the mandrel, which is simultaneous with the contact of the can body with the overvarnishing applicator roller. Thus, without the pre-spin, the precision of the "can wrap" can be lost due to skidding between the can body and the overvarnishing applicator roller.

[0124] 31-34, a prior art overvarnishing unit 1200 includes an overvarnishing fountain well 1204 that supplies coating to a gravure roller 1206, which supplies the coating to an applicator roller 1208, which then applies the coating to the can bodies 99 on the mandrel 230. The mandrel wheel 1210 is driven by a mandrel drive tire 1214, which is driven by a drive belt (not shown). The belt, applicator roller 1208, and drive tire 1214 are within a varnish unit housing 1290.

[0125] Varnish mist and condensation from the mist produced by the over-varnishing process can accumulate on components, including the mandrel driven tires, which can transport the varnish from within the over-varnishing housing 1290 to the general environment of the beverage can decoration machine print section. Contamination of the general machine environment with varnish leads to uneconomical consumption of varnish versus cleanup schedules and potentially quality issues.

[0126] Referring to the embodiment shown in Figures 20-30, the overvarnishing unit 700 of the decorator 10 includes an overvarnishing fountain well 204 that supplies a coating to a gravure roller 206, which supplies the coating to an applicator roller 208, which then applies the coating to a can body 99 on a mandrel 230.

[0127] The mandrel pre-spin system 270 may (optionally) be supported by the machine frame 30, so that the mandrel wheel 210 and over-varnishing unit 700 arrangement provides independent support for the mandrel pre-spin system 270. In this embodiment, the over-varnishing assembly 700 may be removed (such as for maintenance or repair) while the over-varnishing pre-spin assembly 270 remains mounted on the beverage can decorator machine. Also, the support of the pre-spin assembly 270 independent of the support of the over-varnishing unit allows the mandrel drive belt 224 to be replaced without removing the over-varnishing applicator roller 208. Other embodiments protect some of the mandrel drive belt components from varnish mist and condensation.

[0128] The mandrel prespin drive 270 includes a motor (not shown), a motor shaft 271, a drive pulley 274 mounted on the shaft 271, an idler pulley 276, and a mandrel drive belt 272. The mandrel drive belt 272 extends between pulleys 274 and 276 and contacts the mandrel 280. In this regard, the can body 99 after contact with the blanket pad 330 is engaged by the mandrel drive belt 272 just prior to engagement of the can body 99 with the applicator roller 208 to impart rotation of the mandrel 280 on which the can body is positioned. This "prespin" of the mandrel and can body improves engagement of the can body 99 with the applicator roller 208.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 29, the pre-spin drive assembly 270 may be supported by the machine frame 30 (or by a separate independent frame not shown in the figures). The mandrel drive belt 272 and the drive pulley 274 and idler pulley 276 are all outside the over-varnishing unit housing 290. In the illustrated embodiment, the belt 272 extends behind the applicator roller 208 and the rear wall of its housing 290. Thus, the belt pulleys 274 and 276 and the belt 272 are spaced from the over-varnishing unit housing and are at least partially and preferably completely protected from the varnish mist by the over-varnishing unit housing. The term "belt" as used herein in reference to the pre-spin belt encompasses other means such as chains, gears and the like.

[0130] Advantages of the pre-spin configuration shown and described herein also include that the precision of the "can wrap" is improved with the pre-spin because the frictional characteristics between the mandrel and the mandrel drive belt are consistent. Additionally, the mandrel rotation pre-spin speed is independent of other drives in the beverage can decoration machine in embodiments where the mandrel drive belt has its own motor.

[0131] After the can bodies 99 are coated in the overvarnishing unit 700, they are transferred to a rotating can transfer assembly 902 and a pin chain conveyor 904. In the illustrated embodiment, the can bodies 99 exit the mandrel wheel 210 prior to trip reset point E, although other configurations and sequences are contemplated. A mandrel brake (not shown) can stop the spinning of the mandrel 280 before it is in position to receive the can body at point A.

[0132] The structure and function of the features of the can decorator are disclosed and illustrated herein to illustrate various aspects of the invention for the decorator and its components. Additionally, some advantages of the structure and function have been described above. As partially described above, the invention is not limited to the particular structure and / or function of the embodiments disclosed herein, nor is the invention limited to any structure or function having any of the advantages described herein. Rather, the structure and function and advantages in the specification and drawings are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It is intended that the claims be given a fair and broad scope.

Claims

1. 1. A can body decorator assembly comprising: a rotatable blanket wheel assembly including a plurality of printing blankets adapted to apply text and graphics to the can body; a rotatable mandrel wheel assembly including a plurality of mandrels adapted to bring the can bodies into contact with the printing blanket of the blanket wheel; Equipped with The mandrel wheel assembly includes: an infeed point A where the can body is transferred from the infeed mechanism onto a mandrel wheel assembly; a seating point B at which the can body is positioned on the mandrel; and a trip point C at which the misplaced mandrels are retracted inwardly from their peripheral printable positions to a bypass position and the positioned mandrels remain within their printable positions; a printing point D where the can body in the printable position is engaged with the printing blanket; a reset point E at which the misplaced mandrel is moved to the printable position; having The can body decorator assembly further comprises: an overvarnishing unit adapted to apply a coating onto the can body after the can body engages the printing blanket; A can body decorator assembly, wherein an angle A-D measured on said mandrel wheel assembly between said infeed point A and said print point D is between 160-200°, and said can body decorator assembly operates at at least 1600 can bodies / min.

2. 2. The can body decorator assembly of claim 1, wherein the overvarnishing unit engages the can body between the print point D and the reset point E.

3. 3. The can body decorator assembly of claim 2, wherein said infeed point A is located where said can body first engages said mandrel.

4. 4. The can body decorator assembly of claim 3, wherein the can bodies are placed onto the mandrel by vacuum.

5. 5. The can body decorator assembly of claim 4, wherein the mandrel wheel assembly includes a mandrel trip mechanism that retracts the mispositioned mandrel inwardly toward the printable position, the printable position of the mandrel being such that the can body on the mandrel engages the printing blanket.

6. 6. The can body decorator assembly of claim 5, further comprising a compressed air system adapted to blow misplaced can bodies off of said mandrel.

7. 7. The can body decorator assembly of claim 6, further comprising a sensor located near said point B adapted to engage said mandrel trip mechanism upon sensing said misplaced can body.

8. 8. The can body decorator assembly of claim 7, wherein said mandrel trip mechanism is reset from a bypass position at said point E.

9. 3. The can body decorator assembly of claim 2, wherein the can body decorator assembly operates at at least 1800 can bodies / minute.

10. 3. The can body decorator assembly of claim 2, wherein the angle range from A to D is 170 to 190 degrees, and the can body decorator assembly operates at at least 1800 can bodies / min.

11. 3. The can body decorator assembly of claim 2, wherein the angle range from A to D is 170 to 190 degrees, and the can body decorator assembly operates at at least 1900 can bodies / min.

12. 3. The can body decorator assembly of claim 2, wherein the angle range from A to D is 170 to 190 degrees, and the can body decorator assembly operates at at least 2000 can bodies / min.

13. A combined overvarnishing unit and pre-spin assembly for a can body decoration machine, the pre-spin assembly being located at the inlet to the overvarnishing unit, The overvarnishing unit comprises: A support frame; a rotatable application roller for applying a coating to the can body after the can body has been decorated by the blanket wheel; Including, The pre-spin assembly includes: a pre-spin drive assembly independent of the over-varnishing unit and independently supported on the support frame of the over-varnishing unit; a mandrel drive belt driven by the prespin drive assembly; Equipped with A composite apparatus, the mandrel drive belt configured to contact the mandrel to impart a spin to the mandrel before the mandrel drive belt is positioned for contact with an applicator roller of the overvarnishing unit.

14. 14. The composite apparatus of claim 13, wherein the prespin drive assembly includes a prespin drive motor, a prespin drive shaft, a mandrel drive belt pulley, and a mandrel idler pulley, the mandrel drive belt pulley and the mandrel idler pulley engaging the mandrel drive belt.

15. 15. The composite apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an overvarnishing unit housing that houses the application roller, the mandrel drive belt being at least partially outside of the overvarnishing unit housing.

16. A combined overvarnishing unit and pre-spin assembly for a can body decoration machine, the pre-spin assembly being located at the inlet to the overvarnishing unit, The overvarnishing unit comprises: A support frame; a rotatable application roller for applying a coating to the can body after the can body has been decorated by the blanket wheel; Including, The pre-spin assembly includes: a prespin drive assembly including a prespin drive motor, a prespin drive shaft, a mandrel drive belt pulley, and a mandrel idler pulley; a mandrel drive belt driven by the prespin drive assembly and configured to contact the mandrel to impart a spin to the mandrel before the mandrel is positioned for contact with an applicator roller of the overvarnishing unit; and an overvarnishing unit housing that houses the applicator roller; Equipped with The composite apparatus, wherein the prespin drive motor, the mandrel drive belt pulley, and the mandrel idler pulley are external to the overvarnishing unit housing.

17. 16. The combination machine of claim 15, wherein the pre-spin drive motor is controlled independently from the main decorator drive and / or independently to the overvarnishing unit drive.

18. 16. The composite apparatus of claim 15, wherein the mandrel drive belt pulley, the mandrel idler pulley, and the mandrel drive belt are mounted on a pre-spin drive motor shaft on a front side of the support frame, the pre-spin drive motor is mounted on a back side of the support frame, and the pre-spin drive shaft extends through the support frame.

19. 15. The composite apparatus of claim 14, wherein the pre-spin drive assembly includes an over-varnish belt drive pulley that drives the application roller of the over-varnish unit.

20. 1. A method of applying a prespin to a can mounted on a rotating mandrel of a can decoration machine, comprising the steps of:

14. The composite apparatus of claim 13, including the step of imparting rotation to the rotating mandrel through contact with the mandrel drive belt before the can body contacts the application roller of the overvarnishing unit.

21. 10. The can body decorator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a master cam having a profile adapted to control the path of the mandrel, the can body decorator assembly operating at at least 1600 can bodies / min.

22. 10. A method of operating the can body decorator assembly of claim 1, comprising: transferring the can body at the infeed point A onto the mandrel wheel assembly; retracting the misplaced mandrel inwardly from the printable position to the bypass position at the trip point C; contacting and engaging the can body at the ready-to-print position with the printing blanket of the blanket wheel assembly; applying a coating onto the can body; The can body decorator assembly operates at at least 1600 can bodies / min. A method comprising:

23. further comprising the step of controlling a path of the mandrel with a master cam.

23. A method of operating the can body decorator assembly of claim 22.

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