Can decorator machine, ink station assembly therefor, and can decorating method employing same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An ink station assembly for a can decorator machine structured to decorate a plurality of cans, the ink station assembly comprising:
- a first oscillator roll and a second oscillator roll each having a longitudinal axis and being structured to oscillate back and forth along said longitudinal axis;
a printing plate cylinder including a printing plate; and
only one single form roll cooperating with the printing plate cylinder to apply a supply of ink to the printing plate, said single form roll cooperating with said first oscillator roll and said second oscillator roll,wherein the single form roll has a first diameter, wherein the printing plate cylinder has a second diameter;
wherein the first diameter of the single form roll is greater than the second diameter of the printing plate cylinder;
wherein the ink station assembly further comprises a first transfer roll, a second transfer roll, and a distributor roll;
wherein the first transfer roll cooperates with the distributor roll and the first oscillator roll; and
wherein the send transfer roll cooperates with the first oscillator roll and the second oscillator roll.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ink station assembly is for a can decorator machine structured to decorate a plurality of cans. The ink station assembly includes a first oscillator roll and a second oscillator roll each having a longitudinal axis and being structured to oscillate back and forth along the longitudinal axis, a printing plate cylinder including a printing plate, and only one single form roll cooperating with the printing plate cylinder to apply a supply of ink to the printing plate, the single form roll cooperating with the first oscillator roll and the second oscillator roll.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An ink station assembly for a can decorator machine structured to decorate a plurality of cans, the ink station assembly comprising:
-
a first oscillator roll and a second oscillator roll each having a longitudinal axis and being structured to oscillate back and forth along said longitudinal axis; a printing plate cylinder including a printing plate; and only one single form roll cooperating with the printing plate cylinder to apply a supply of ink to the printing plate, said single form roll cooperating with said first oscillator roll and said second oscillator roll, wherein the single form roll has a first diameter, wherein the printing plate cylinder has a second diameter;
wherein the first diameter of the single form roll is greater than the second diameter of the printing plate cylinder;
wherein the ink station assembly further comprises a first transfer roll, a second transfer roll, and a distributor roll;
wherein the first transfer roll cooperates with the distributor roll and the first oscillator roll; and
wherein the send transfer roll cooperates with the first oscillator roll and the second oscillator roll. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. An ink station assembly for a can decorator machine structured to decorate a plurality of cans, the ink station assembly comprising:
-
a first oscillator roll and a second oscillator roll each having a longitudinal axis and being structured to oscillate back and forth along said longitudinal axis; a printing plate cylinder including a printing plate; and only one single form roll cooperating with the printing plate cylinder to apply a supply of ink to the printing plate, said single form roll cooperating with said first oscillator roll and said second oscillator roll, wherein the single form roll has a first diameter, wherein the printing plate cylinder has a second diameter, wherein the first diameter of the single form roll is greater than the second diameter of the printing plate cylinder;
wherein the ink station assembly further comprises a first side plate, a second side plate disposed opposite and distal from the first side plate, a drive assembly, and a housing at least partially enclosing the drive assembly;
wherein the first side plate has a first side and a second side;
wherein the first oscillator roll, the second oscillator roll, and the single form roll are pivotably disposed on the first side of the first side plate between the first side plate and the second side plate;
wherein the drive assembly is disposed on the second side of the first side plate;
wherein the drive assembly drives at least the first oscillator roll and the second oscillator roll; and
wherein the drive assembly oscillates the first oscillator roll and the second oscillator roll.
-
-
8. A can decorator machine for decorating cans, the can decorator machine comprising:
-
a blanket wheel including a plurality of image transfer segments and a blanket disposed on the image transfer segments, the blanket being structured to transfer an image to a corresponding one of the cans; and a plurality of ink station assemblies, each of said ink station assemblies comprising; a first oscillator roll and a second oscillator roll each having a longitudinal axis and being structured to oscillate back and forth along said longitudinal axis, a printing plate cylinder including a printing plate, and only one single form roll cooperating with the printing plate cylinder to apply a supply of ink to the printing plate, said single form roll cooperating with said first oscillator roll and said second oscillator roll, wherein the single form roll has a first diameter;
wherein the printing plate cylinder has a second diameter; and
wherein the first diameter of the single form roll is greater than the second diameter of the printing plate cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method of decorating cans using a can decorator machine, the can decorator machine comprising a blanket and a plurality of image transfer segments, the method comprising:
-
(a) providing an ink station assembly, the ink station assembly comprising; a drive assembly, an ink fountain for supplying ink, a first oscillator roll and a second oscillator roll each having a longitudinal axis and being structured to oscillate back and forth along said longitudinal axis, a printing plate cylinder including a printing plate, and only one single form roll cooperating with the printing plate cylinder, said single form roll cooperating with said first oscillator roll and said second oscillator roll, (b) operating the drive assembly to move at least one of the first oscillator roll and the second oscillator roll to transfer ink from the ink fountain to the single form roll, (c) coating the printing plate of the printing plate cylinder with ink from the single form roll, the printing plate cylinder making a complete revolution before the single form roll makes a complete revolution, in order that no portion of the form roll contacts the printing plate more than once per revolution (d) rotating the blanket to bring the printing plate into contact with the blanket at or about a corresponding one of the image transfer segments, (e) creating an image on the blanket, (f) engaging the blanket with a corresponding one of the cans, and (g) transferring the image to the can. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
Specification