Patent ID: 6167805
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: B41F

Abstract:
Continuous motion apparatus for decorating cylindrical containers, said apparatus comprising a decorating section and a transport section that carries containers through a decorating zone where decorations are applied to the containers, said transport section including: a carrier continuously rotating on a carrier axis, said carrier having a front facing side, a plurality of mandrel subassemblies mounted on said carrier with equal angular spacings between adjacent ones of said subassemblies, each of said subassemblies being mounted to reciprocate along an individual path that is disposed radially relative to said carrier axis as a center; each of said subassemblies including an elongated support arm extending lengthwise of an individual one of said paths, an axle extending forward from said arm and being generally parallel to said carrier axis, and a rail secured to said arm and extending lengthwise thereof; said axle including a spindle section for supporting a rotatable mandrel that carries containers through said decorating zone, said axle also including a mounting section rearward of said spindle section, said mounting section being connected to said arm at a radially outer end of said arm; for each of said subassemblies, at least one slide unit secured to said front facing side of said carrier and being operatively engaged with said rail to slidably support said subassembly as it reciprocates radially; each of said rails having at least two bearing surfaces each of which is engaged by a different group of bearing elements of said at least one slide unit.