Patent ID: 6651552
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: B41F

Abstract:
An automated can decorating apparatus comprising:a mandrel wheel rotatably mounted on a mandrel wheel shaft for rotation about a first central axis thereof; a blanket wheel having a printing portion that imparts decorations onto an outer surface of a blank can when said outer surface of said blank can is placed in contact with said printing portion; a plurality of spaced apart mandrel subassemblies each mounted at the periphery of said mandrel wheel, each mandrel subassembly including: a support member connected to said periphery of said mandrel wheel, said support member including a shaft support having a second central axis parallel to said first central axis of said mandrel wheel shaft; an eccentric mandrel shaft having an actuating portion rotatably mounted in said shaft support for rotation about said second central axis thereof, said actuating portion including a stub portion extending away and outwardly from said support member, said eccentric mandrel shaft including a mandrel seat attached to said actuating portion, said mandrel seat having a third central axis that is parallel to but offset from said second central axis of said actuating portion and said mandrel seat is disposed outside of said shaft support; a mandrel for receiving a blank can, said mandrel being mounted on said mandrel seat; a trip cam follower connected to and eccentric to said stub portion; a reset cam follower connected to and eccentric to said stub portion and angularly spaced from said trip cam follower; and wherein said automated can decorating apparatus further comprises: at least one movable trip cam plate having a trip cam surface that urges said trip cam follower in a first direction when said movable trip cam plate is moved to allow said trip cam surface to engage said trip cam follower; a reset cam plate having a reset cam surface that urges said reset cam follower in a second direction when said reset cam follower and said reset cam surface engage one another; wherein when said trip cam follower is moved in said first direction, said actuating portion of said eccentric shaft is rotated about said second central axis for causing said mandrel seat to revolve about said second central axis of said actuating portion for causing said mandrel to be moved to a non-print position at which an outer surface of a blank can that is received on said mandrel may not make contact with said printing portion of said blanket wheel; and wherein when said reset cam follower is moved in said second direction, said actuating portion of said eccentric shaft is rotated about said second central axis for causing said mandrel seat to revolve about said second central axis of said actuating portion for causing said mandrel to be moved to a printing position where an outer surface of a blank can that is on said mandrel may make contact with said printing portion of said blanket wheel.