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Method and apparatus for printing metallic beverage container bodies

  • US 10,086,602 B2
  • Filed: 11/10/2014
  • Issued: 10/02/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of consecutively decorating a plurality of substantially identical metallic beverage container bodies using a dry offset decorating apparatus without manufacturing interruption wherein each of the metallic beverage container bodies has an open end separated from a closed end by a circumferential side wall, the method comprising the steps of:

  • providing a first image transfer blanket comprising;

    a first ink receiving surface having a first unique design element in high relief relative to directly adjacent portions of the first ink receiving surface bordering the first unique design element and a second unique design element in low relief within the first ink receiving surface, the first ink receiving surface having a length greater than or equal to a circumferential length of a first metallic beverage container body plus a length of an arc of the first metallic beverage container body subtending an angle of 15°

    ;

    providing a second image transfer blanket comprising;

    a second ink receiving surface having a third unique design element in high relief relative to directly adjacent portions of the second ink receiving surface bordering the third unique design element and a fourth unique design element in low relief within the second ink receiving surface, wherein the third unique design element is unique relative to the first design element on the first image transfer blanket, the second ink receiving surface having a length greater than or equal to a circumferential length of a second metallic beverage container body plus a length of an arc of the second metallic beverage container body subtending an angle of 15°

    ;

    sequentially indexing each of the plurality of substantially identical metallic beverage container bodies to a printing site on the dry offset decorating apparatus;

    engaging a circumferential side wall of the first metallic beverage container body with the first ink receiving surface of the first image transfer blanket and rotating the first metallic beverage container body circumferential side wall at least 6.6 radians while engaged with the first ink receiving surface and along a length of the first ink receiving surface greater than a circumferential length of the first metallic beverage container body circumferential side wall; and

    engaging a circumferential side wall of the second metallic beverage container body with the second ink receiving surface of the second image transfer blanket and rotating the second metallic beverage container body circumferential side wall at least 6.6 radians while engaged with the second ink receiving surface and along a length of the second ink receiving surface greater than a circumferential length of the second metallic beverage container body circumferential side wall.

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