Infrared can curing oven

A can curing oven structured to cure a coating on a can body sidewall outer surface, said can curing oven comprising:

• a housing assembly defining a generally enclosed space;
• a transfer assembly structured to support and move a number of can bodies;
• said transfer assembly including an elongated transfer belt;
• said transfer belt movably coupled to said housing assembly and structured to move through said housing assembly enclosed space;
• a heating assembly including a number of heating units;
• said number of heating units structured to generate a total effective amount of received heat;
• said number of heating units includes a number of infrared heating units;
• said number of infrared heating units structured to generate a total effective amount of received radiant heat;
• said transfer assembly includes a plurality of support pads;
• each said support pad structured to be coupled to and support a can;
• said plurality of support pads are driven support pads;
• each driven pad rotatably coupled to said transfer assembly transfer belt;
• said driven pad including a body having a generally circular drive engagement surface;
• said housing assembly includes an elongated drive bar;
• and
• said drive bar disposed adjacent said transfer belt and structured to operatively engage said driven pad body drive engagement surface.