US 5,193,456 A · Apparatus for decorating beverage cans using a flexographic process

Abstract

A decorator for cylindrical objects, such as beverage cans and the like. The cylindrical members are carried by mandrels which are sequentially presented to rotating printing plates. A plurality of mandrels are carried by a mandrel cluster and the printing plates are carried by plate wheels. The decorator is capable of utilizing flexographic inks wherein the surface of the cylindrical body can be printed with a first ink, the ink rapidly dried, followed by the application of the second ink. The mandrels are compliantly supported on the mandrel cluster by pneumatic cylinders supplied with both high and low pressure air so that the spring rate of the complaint support may be varied to ensure uniform printing. Synchronization of the rotation of a mandrel with the rotation of a printing plate carried by a plate cylinder is critical so that the second image is precisely in register with respect to a first applied image. A particular feature is the utilization of synchronized electric motors to rotate the various parts of the decorator with each electric motor having an encoder and wherein an electronic controller controls the rotational position of each motor so as to effect the synchronization of the several motors and the precise registration of the components.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A decorator for applying an image to objects using a flexographic process, comprising:

a) a first printing plate mounted on a first support structure, at least a first portion of said image being formed on said first printing plate;
b) carrying means for carrying said objects into contact with said first printing plate, said carrying means including a mandrel adapted to be inserted into one of said objects;
c) compliant support means for supporting said carrying means on a second support structure, said compliant support means having pneumatic means for imparting compliancy thereto, said pneumatic means including a piston operating within a piston cylinder;
d) a shaft for driving rotation of said mandrel;
e) a support plate for supporting said shaft;
f) a first source of pressurized air;
g) means for placing said piston cylinder in flow communication with said first pressurized air source, whereby air in said piston cylinder from said first pressurized air source provides compliancy for said compliant support means;
and
h) a support frame having means for slidably supporting said support plate thereon, said piston and piston cylinder mounted on said support frame, said piston operatively coupled to said support plate.

6 more elements

A decorator for applying an image to objects using a flexographic process, comprising

a) a first printing plate mounted on a first support structure, at least a first portion of said image being formed on said first printing plate;
b) carrying means for carrying said objects into contact with said first printing plate;
c) compliant support means for supporting said carrying means on a second support structure, said compliant support means having:
(i) pneumatic means for imparting compliancy thereto, said pneumatic means including a piston operating within a piston cylinder, and
(ii) first and second spring rates each indicative of a different degree of compliancy of said compliant support means;
d) a first source of pressurized air;
and
e) means for placing said piston cylinder in flow communication with said first pressurized air source, whereby air in said piston cylinder from said first pressurized air source provides compliancy for said compliant support means;
f) a second source of pressurized air;
and
g) means for placing said second pressurized air source in flow communication with said piston cylinder, said first and second pressurized air sources containing air at first and second pressures, respectively, whereby said compliant support means has said first spring rate when said first pressurized air source is in communication with said piston cylinder and has said second spring rate when said second pressurized air source is in flow communication with said piston cylinder.

8 more elements

A decorator for applying an image to approximately cylindrical objects using a flexographic process, comprising:

a) upper and lower printing plates mounted on upper and lower members for rotation about first and second axes, respectively, first and second portions of said image being formed on said first and second printing plates, respectively;
b) a support structure adapted to rotate about a third axis, thereby bring said objects into contact with said first and second printing plates;
c) a first mandrel for holding said objects on said support structure during said contact with said printing plates;
first compliant support means for supporting said first mandrel on said support structure, said first compliant support means having first pneumatic means supplied with air at first and second pressures for imparting compliancy at first and second spring rates thereto;
and
e) means for switching between said first and second pressures at which air is supplied to said first compliant support means depending on the circumferential location of said mandrel about said third axis.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for decorating beverage cans using a flexographic process

Life of this patent

Apparatus for decorating beverage cans using a flexographic process

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23