• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
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    • 专利摘要:
    summary "container" the invention concerns an apparatus for decorating a can body. the apparatus comprises a can body conveyor mechanism for transporting the can bodies to a printing zone, a blanket wheel comprising a plurality of blanket segments and, affixed to each blanket segment, a blanket having a surface of printing, wherein the blanket wheel is configured to bring the blanket printing surfaces into contact with tin bodies within said printing zone, and a plurality of ink stations, each comprising a printing plate configured to contact the printing surfaces of pass-through blankets in order to transmit an ink image to the printing surfaces, so that a composite ink image is formed on each blanket printing surface and is printed onto a can body after contacting the blanket printing surface and the can body inside the printing zone. the apparatus is configured such that at least one of the blankets has a surface height variation on its printing surface that represents a secondary image to be transferred to the can bodies with which the blanket comes into contact. a drive mechanism is provided to make the print plates rotate and a drive mechanism controller varies the rotational speed of the print plates in order to synchronize the positions of the print plates with the blankets for which the ink images must be transferred. 1/1
    公开号:BR112015018361B1
    申请号:R112015018361-1
    申请日:2014-02-20
    公开日:2022-01-11
    发明作者:Grahame HUGHES；Katherine ROSELAAR
    申请人:Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    FIELD OF TECHNIQUE
    [001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for decorating cans. BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNIQUE
    [002] Metal cans like steel and aluminum beverage cans are usually manufactured in two pieces. A first part comprises a generally cylindrical container body with an integral base formed from a circular metal disc using an ironing process. A second part comprises an end having a flap or ring opening device formed therein. The can is filled, for example, with beverage and the end is subsequently fixed to the body using a sewing process.
    [003] Can decorators are known in the art for applying decor to the outer surface of a can body. A typical decorator is used to apply decoration to the can body before filling the can body and before sewing the end together. The prior art can decorator is a relatively complex apparatus, but is schematically illustrated in Figure 1. A can body conveyor mechanism is shown on the left side of the illustration, which comprises a set of mandrels rotating about a common geometric axis. . Unprinted or “empty” can bodies are loaded onto the chucks. They are then rotated in a printing zone, where the can bodies are brought into contact, i.e. rolled, with blankets pre-coated with ink mounted on a blanket wheel through the respective blanket segments. Figure 1 illustrates a blanket wheel comprising eight blankets.
    [004] Figure 1 also illustrates six ink stations, each comprising an ink reservoir, a printing plate (which typically has an image embedded in it) and a delivery mechanism to ensure even ink application from the reservoir for the printing plate. Each blanket passes through the ink stations in sequence, so that a blanket leaving the final ink station has a composite image (in this case, six colors) of ink formed on a printing surface of the ink. This composite image is transferred to a can body in the print zone. Figure 2 also illustrates a 6-color printing process, where the first five ink stations apply letters of the word “PRINT” in sequence in different colors. The final ink station (apply red ink) applies a background color to the blanket. It will be seen that the word is formed upside down on the blanket so that it appears correctly when transferred from the blanket printing surface to a can body.
    [005] On some production lines, can bodies can be pre-coated with a base coat. This can be a white basecoat that is dried before the can bodies enter the can decorator (Figure 1). Then the decorator applies the color decoration to the can body on top of the base coat. In some cases, the basecoat may be a clear basecoat.
    [006] Most common can decorators print in different colors (ie, correspond to different ink stations) on non-overlapping areas of the can body. However, it is possible to print colors on top of each other, that is, different ink stations print different colors on the blankets. This is termed as “wet on wet” printing.
    [007] Can decorators are described in more detail in WO 2012/148576 and US 3,766,851.
    [008] Existing can decorators are extremely efficient in producing cans that conform to a common model. Several thousand cans per minute (eg 2400) can be produced by a single decorator. Even at higher production rates, they can be achieved using so-called dual decorators that effectively use a pair of decorators aligned in parallel.
    [009] Beverage companies and other canning companies are extremely interested in introducing a certain degree of differentiation in the model between cans produced on a single production line, that is, using a single decorator, without having to interrupt production. , for example, to change printing plates. In particular, companies are interested in producing individual palettes, including a mix of can models. While the required model differentiation may be relatively minor (in the context of the whole can model), for example, models can be differentiated by printing specific words in a given position, this has proven to be extremely difficult to achieve in a line of commercial production. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
    [010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for decorating a can body is obtained, comprising: a can body conveyor mechanism for transporting can bodies to a printing zone; a blanket wheel comprising a plurality of blanket segments and, affixed to each blanket segment, a blanket having a printing surface, wherein the blanket wheel is configured to cause the blanket printing surfaces to come into contact with each other. contacting can bodies within said printing zone and a plurality of ink stations, each comprising a printing plate configured to contact printing surfaces of pass blankets in order to transmit an image of ink to the printing surfaces, so that a composite ink image is formed on each blanket printing surface and is printed on a can body after contacting the blanket printing surface and the can body inside the printing zone, wherein at least one of said ink stations comprises a plurality of printing plates configured so that the printing plates contact the printing surfaces of successive different blankets, wherein the apparatus further comprises a drive mechanism for causing the print plates to rotate and a drive mechanism controller to vary the rotational speed of the printing plates in order to of synchronizing the positions of the printing plates with blankets to which ink images are to be transferred.
    [011] According to a further aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a can body conveyor mechanism for transporting can bodies to a printing zone, a blanket wheel comprising a plurality of blanket segments and, affixed to each blanket segment, a blanket having a printing surface, wherein the blanket wheel is configured to bring the blanket printing surfaces into contact with can bodies within said printing zone and a plurality of stations of ink, each comprising a printing plate configured to contact the printing surfaces of the pass blankets to transmit an ink image to the printing surfaces so that a composite ink image is formed on each blanket printing surface and be printed on a tin body after contacting the blanket printing surface and tin body a within the print zone.
    [012] The apparatus is configured so that at least one of the blankets has a surface height variation on its printing surface that represents a secondary image to be transferred to can bodies with which the blanket comes in contact.
    [013] Additionally, the apparatus comprises an alignment device such as a template which is removably attachable to a support or to a blanket segment among the plurality of blanket segments, wherein the template further comprises an alignment surface against which a blanket can be positioned to allow the blankets and blanket segments to be correctly aligned, so that for each blanket printing surface, a composite ink image is correctly aligned to a secondary image.
    [014] The alignment surface of the jig can be “single edge”, so that the blanket is supported on its trailing edge and one machine side of the blanket segment snaps into the trailing edge and its lateral position determined by a bar template profile.
    [015] Alternatively, the template can be “double-edged”, so that the blanket is supported on its trailing edge and the machine side of the thread snaps onto both edges.
    [016] In yet another embodiment, the template can have "zero edge" and the blanket can be held in the opposite direction to the back edge and to the machine side of the segment, with both the timing position and the lateral position of the blanket being determined by profiled “bars/dots” of the template.
    [017] The alignment device may comprise, instead of a mechanical device such as a template, features such as between 1 and 4 lines drawn on the blanket segment to indicate the correct blanket position. Depending on the required position, the number of lines drawn is chosen with a minimum of one and a maximum of four.
    [018] In this modality, the traced lines can be provided both on the blanket and on the blanket segment in order to indicate the correct position. Ideally, the blanket marks should be outside the printable areas so as not to interfere with the pattern.
    [019] The alignment device may comprise low relief locating pins, with alternate punch holes in an adhesive layer and a blanket fabric layer. The punch holes should not be top layers through the blanket, so that the pins are not protruding and the blanket is flat. Preferably, the pins and punch holes meet in front of the point at which a can first contacts the blanket at the leading edge of the can.
    [020] A final form of the alignment device may comprise a non-contact alignment device. One of these is a rapidly oscillating beam known as a “laser curtain” in one or two directions at 90° to each other to indicate correct positioning. The beam is a preferred laser that would be “invisible”, which is without any form of atmospheric scattering, but would produce an indicator line(s) on the segment surface. The advantage of the laser curtain is that it eliminates the need for tools and/or marking/damage to the blanket segment.
    [021] A second non-contact alignment device uses a magnetic zone or fields to fix and/or locate the blanket correctly. A third non-contact alignment device comprises removable blanket segments with pre-filled blankets and precision aligned outside the machine. Then the “help” with the alignment is developed to allow the segment to be accurately re-populated. A very robust and well designed quick release mechanism is required for this alignment device to change up to twelve of these viable sets. It is believed that the transition would only require changing a part of the segment, for example a top surface.
    [022] A typical embodiment of the invention will deploy the blanket segments and the respective blankets as discrete blanket segments and discrete blankets, for example, with spaces between blanket segments and adjacent blankets. However, an alternative modality might deploy one or both components as sectors of a continuous component. For example, the blankets may each comprise a section of a continuous blanket mat that is secured around the periphery of the blanket wheel on top of the blanket segments.
    [023] Other aspects of the invention are set out in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [024] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an apparatus that decorates cans, according to the prior art;
    [025] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a process performed using the device of Figure 1;
    [026] Figure 3 schematically illustrates an improved can decorating process that makes use of a secondary image formed on the blanket printing surface;
    [027] Figure 4 schematically illustrates and in perspective view a blanket that has a secondary image notched or cut into it in order to allow the printing of a negative of the secondary image;
    [028] Figure 5 schematically illustrates an improved can decorating process that makes use of a secondary image formed on the blanket printing surface to form a positive secondary image;
    [029] Figure 6 schematically illustrates and in perspective view a blanket that has a secondary image notched or cut into it in order to allow the printing of a positive of the secondary image and Figure 6a schematically illustrates a blanket and a plate of printing to form a positive secondary image;
    [030] Figure 7 schematically illustrates a can decorated using the blanket of Figure 5;
    [031] Figure 8 schematically illustrates a blanket segment and a fixed blanket segment, where the blanket segment is provided with alignment markings.
    [032] Figure 9 schematically illustrates a modified can decorating apparatus comprising a continuous blanket mat;
    [033] Figure 10 schematically illustrates a modified can decorating apparatus that introduces a blanket force application feature;
    [034] Figure 11 schematically illustrates a blanket for use with the apparatus of Figure 10;
    [035] Figure 12 illustrates a dynamically variable printing plate for use with a can decorator;
    [036] Figure 13 schematically illustrates a can decorator that includes an ink station with multiple variable speed printing plates;
    [037] Figure 14 schematically illustrates a can decorator that includes a modified ink station with stencil blade; and
    [038] Figure 15 schematically illustrates a can decorator with paint removal station. METHOD(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
    [039] A can decorating apparatus has been described in general terms with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The decorator apparatus includes in particular: a can body conveyor mechanism 1 for delivering can bodies 2 in sequence to a printing zone 3 ; a blanket wheel 4 and a series of ink stations 5. Other components of the can decorating apparatus will be recognized by those skilled in the art and therefore will not be described herein. Preferably, reference should be made to prior art disclosures including, for example, WO 2012/148576 and US 3,766,851.
    [040] Considering additionally the blanket wheel 4, it is configured to rotate around a central geometric axis and comprises a set of blanket segments 6 each of which has a blanket 7 affixed. Generally, blankets are flexible sheets detachably attached to blanket segments using an adhesive. The blankets may have a laminate construction, for example a backing fabric, an intermediate compressible layer and a top rubber layer or an elastomeric layer (other layers, including an intermediate fabric, may be provided). The top surface of the rubber or elastomeric layer forms a blanket printing surface. Due to wear and tear, blankets are periodically removed and replaced by production line operators. Although Figure 1 illustrates a single line decorator, it will be seen that two line decorators are known that can simultaneously decorate two parallel lines of can bodies.
    [041] As noted above, a problem with existing can decorators is that it is not possible to vary the decor within a given line, at least not without interrupting the production line and, for example, changing the printing plates within. of the ink stations 5. To solve this problem, it is proposed to supplement the model or decorative primary image that is formed on the printing surfaces of blankets 7 by the printing plates with one or more secondary images 8 formed by introducing variations in height of the print surfaces 9 of the blankets 7. This concept prevents ink from adhering to those areas of the print surfaces that have a reduced height and/or prevents ink from being printed on the can body (due to non-contact). This secondary image 8 can vary between blankets on blanket wheel 4, thus allowing multiple different decorative patterns to be printed on different can bodies within the same row. Referring to the decorator in Figure 1, this includes eight blanket segments 6 that allow the use of up to eight different blankets 7 to produce eight different models within the same production line.
    [042] Figure 3 illustrates a modification made to the prior art decoration process and apparatus of Figures 1 and 2. While the ink stations 5 and associated printing plates produce the same multicolored composite image (the primary image) on the blankets pass (“PRINT” with a red background), the illustrated blanket has the (inverted) text “IMAGE” (the secondary image) cut or etched into its printing surface 9. Red ink does not adhere to this cut or region carved. [NB. Modification of the shape rollers within the ink stations may be necessary to smooth or remove any ink remaining on the printing plates due to non-adhesion to the blanket printing surface, but the shape of such modification will be readily apparent to the skilled person. ] When the blanket 7 is brought into contact with a can body 2 within the print zone 3, the primary image (i.e. “PRINT” with a red background) will be printed on the can body 2. However, the ink red will not be printed on the body where the cut or etched secondary image resides, causing the “IMAGE” image to appear on the can as an unprinted region, i.e. as a negative.
    [043] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the blanket 7 with the area cut out or notched ("IMAGE"). Text can be formed by removing or notching completely across the blanket or by removing or notching (at least in part) through one or more top layers. The blanket 7 can also be formed by cutting a single thin layer and adhering that layer to a blanket backing. This configuration may even allow the protection to remain attached to a blanket segment for an extended period just by removing and attaching the top layer more frequently.
    [044] Figure 5 illustrates an alternative process that makes use of the blanket illustrated in Figure 6. This allows the secondary image (“IMAGE”) to be printed on the can body as a positive image, rather than appearing as a negative. Referring to Figure 6, the height variation on the printing surface is such as to leave the secondary image 8 accommodated as an island within a lower or reduced height surrounding area 10. This print surface configuration is such that the ink adheres to the upper surface of the secondary image as well as the overall primary image area, but does not adhere to those areas which immediately surround the secondary image. Referring to Figure 5, a rectangular area 11 surrounding the secondary image ("IMAGE") on the can body remains unprinted.
    [045] Note that blanket 7 shown in Figure 6 has only a small area (the word “IMAGE”) that requires ink coverage. Using a regular paint roller at an inking station, the entire blanket 7 would have paint applied to it and this would be transferred to the can. This is undesirable if only the positive image is required. In order to solve this problem, a system as shown in Figure 6a is suggested. Secondary image 8 is the only area that requires ink coverage. An element 61 of a print plate 62 is used as an ink delivery surface or 'ink pad'. The raised element 61 obtains ink and applies it only to the positive image 8 on the blanket rather than the entire blanket. The movement of the raised element 61 is timed and recorded to correspond to the raised elements in the blanket cut. The raised element 61 is sized so as not to interfere with the blanket area outside the cut.
    [046] A more attractive model can be achieved if the reduced height region lies completely within a region of the primary model that is not printed. This is illustrated in Figure 7, where the secondary image “IMAGE” appears in the model within a general unprinted “spiral” 12 of the primary image.
    [047] It is noted that with prior art decorators, since blankets have a greater surface area than can bodies, exact alignment of blankets and blanket segments is not required. The ink stations are aligned so that the composite image appears on the blanket in the correct position relative to the print zone and displayed can bodies. However, the introduction of a secondary image on blanket 7 introduces a requirement for accurate alignment between blankets 7 and blanket segments 6. If this alignment is not achieved, secondary image 8 will appear on can body 2 in an incorrect position . Therefore, alignment features on the blanket and blanket segments must be provided. These features must allow both longitudinal alignment of the blanket along the length of the blanket segment and correct angular alignment around the blanket segment, i.e. in order to prevent blanket “twisting”. As outlined above, alignment is further improved by using an alignment device in addition to alignment features. An example of the alignment device is a template, either single-edged or double-edged or no-edged at all.
    [048] A blanket 7 is illustrated in Figure 8 aligned to a blanket segment 6 of the blanket wheel 4. The blanket segment 6 is provided with a set of four alignment marks 14a to 14d corresponding to each corner of the blanket 7. A line operator is responsible for attaching the blanket to the blanket segment so that the four corners of the blanket are aligned with the respective alignment marks. Alternatively or additionally, alignment features can be provided on the print surface or blanket edges.
    [049] As an alternative or additional arrangement, a template 14e is shown. The template 14e is a structure that can be temporarily placed on the blanket segment 6 by an operator. The template 14e shown in Figure 8 is a simple arrangement that an operator places against an end surface of the blanket segment 6 when a new blanket 7 is being filled. A first surface of the template 14f is next to a corresponding surface of the blanket segment 6. Next, the operator can is next to an edge of the blanket 7 against a second surface 14g of the template 14e. This template therefore has a “double edge” that allows blanket 6 to be aligned precisely with blanket segment 7.
    [050] It will be noted that several different template templates can be used, which can be temporarily attached to the blanket segment in various ways, depending on the capabilities of the blanket segment. For example, if the blanket segment has punch holes or openings in one layer of the blanket, then the alignment device or template may be provided with corresponding pins or eyes to fit into those openings.
    [051] Once the blanket 7 has been precisely aligned to the blanket segment 6 using the alignment device or the template 14e and affixed to the blanket segment 6, the template 14e is removed and can be reused to align additional blankets to the blanket segments. additional blanket.
    [052] Referring now to Figure 9, a modification to the can decorator described above involves replacing the individual, discrete blankets 7 with a continuous blanket roll or mat 15. The blanket roll extends around three additional rolls 16 , 17 and 18 as well as supported by blanket wheel 4. These rollers may be free to rotate or may be driven to assist movement of the blanket roll around the blanket wheel and through the impression zone 3. It will be noted that the blanket roll length can be much longer than the blanket wheel circumference.
    [053] In accordance with this embodiment, the individual blankets 7 are defined as successive sections or zones 19 of the blanket mat 15. In accordance with the embodiments described above, however, the secondary images are notched or otherwise incorporated into the blankets. 7, for example, the blankets could be attached to an overlapping support mat using an adhesive or they could be formed integrally with the mat. Given the length of the blanket mat 15, a relatively large amount of blankets will be defined by the mat. This amount is certainly greater than the amount of different blankets provided by the decorator in Figure 1 (ie eight). A decorator using a continuous blanket belt can, for example, allow one hundred and fifty different secondary images to be produced on a single production line.
    [054] Various alternatives and/or additions to using blanket printing surface variations to enable printing of multiple different secondary images will now be described. BLANKET STRENGTH VARIATION
    [055] Figure 10 illustrates a first variation comprising an entire process and mechanism similar to the one described with reference to Figure 1. Although it is contemplated that the blankets 7 will not have any variations in their printing surfaces, that is, these surfaces are smooth, this need not be the case and, for example, secondary images could be etched into blanket surfaces. A plurality of pistons or other force exerting means are incorporated into each blanket segment. An exemplary piston arrangement 20 is illustrated in Figure 10 within one of the blanket segments 6.
    [056] The individual pistons 21 of the piston arrangement 20 are configured and operated to exert a radially inward force on a blanket 7 as they pass through the printing zone, i.e. during the can printing step, and such that a piston causes a fixed region of the blanket to be pulled inwards, in the opposite direction to the impression zone. In an area, where inward force is exerted on the blanket, no ink will transfer to the surface of the can (or possibly just a “fuzzy” image will be printed if some minimal contact occurs). Assume, for example, that ink is transferred to a blanket surface to define a set of six characters on the blanket, as illustrated in Figure 11. These characters define a set of six alternate secondary images. The piston arrangement for the corresponding blanket segment comprises an arrangement of six pistons configured to accommodate behind the respective characters. As the blanket enters the print zone, a given set of five pistons 21 is activated to pull corresponding areas of the blanket print surface out of contact with the can. This will cause only one of the characters to be printed on the can, for example “A”. As the next blanket enters the print zone, a corresponding piston array has a second set of five of its pistons activated, producing the print only of the second letter “B”. This is repeated in cyclic order so that successive cans have a character different from the six characters printed on them. It will be noted that other areas of the blanket are permanently raised from the can surface to allow printing of the same primary image on all cans. VARIABLE PRINT PLATES
    [057] In the embodiment described in relation to Figures 1 to 8, each of the ink stations 5 comprises a "plate cylinder" (not shown) that has one or more printing plates mounted on its surface. These plates have fixed images formed (ie, inlaid or etched) on their surfaces. Changing a plate is a relatively time-consuming exercise and necessarily interrupts the production line. In order to allow images to be changed during production or during only very short interruptions, dynamically configurable printing plates can be introduced into one or more of the ink stations.
    [058] Consider, for example, a printing plate 25 comprising a relatively large array of electrically driven and individually locatable pins 26, as illustrated in Figure 12. [NB. Although the plate shown in Figure 12 is flat, in practice the plate will be curved in order to wrap around the surface of the plate cylinder.] Each pin 26 can be raised and lowered separately with respect to the plate cylinder surface, allowing a pattern to be dynamically “embedded” on the print plate 25. In Figure 12, the plate is shown embedded with the letter “E”. It goes without saying that the raised pins must be supported from below with sufficient strength to allow them to withstand the relatively high forces applied to the pins during printing on pass blankets. In a typical production process, the pins can be reconfigured, for example, following each rotation of the blanket wheel. This approach may require blankets to have a stiffer surface than conventional blankets. It is evident that these dynamically configurable printing plates 25 can be fed into one or more of the ink stations. INK STATION WITH MULTIPLE PRINTING PLATES WITH VARIABLE SPEED
    [059] As noted above, it is known in the prior art to provide two different printing plates on a plate cylinder at a given ink station in order to allow different images to be transferred to successive blankets. It goes without saying that to ensure that a given image can span the entire surface of a can, the circumference of the plate cylinder must be at least twice that of a conventional plate cylinder. These larger plate cylinders clearly require significant reshaping of the can decorator. It becomes increasingly difficult to house more than two printing plates on a single plate cylinder.
    [060] Figure 13 illustrates a possible solution to this problem and involves the incorporation in one of the ink stations of a plate cylinder 30 of standard dimensions (i.e. having a circumference equal to the blanket spacing) adapted to house multiple printing plates 31 (six in the illustrated example identified as plates 1 to 6). It will of course be observed that if the plate cylinder 30 is completely free to rotate with the blanket wheel (as is the case with the plate cylinders of other ink stations), more than one printing plate 31 will be put into operation. contact with the same blanket. This is clearly unacceptable, therefore, in order to prevent this from happening, a variable speed drive mechanism 32 is coupled to the plate cylinder 30. The mechanism is controlled to cause the plate cylinder to be placed on and off the wheel. blanket depending on the relative positions of the printing plates and feed blankets.
    [061] Considering this operation in more detail, during printing, the plate cylinder 30 rotates at its “normal” speed. When the trailing edge of a particular printing plate meets the blanket, the plate cylinder is withdrawn. Any remaining back region of the blanket remains uninked by this ink station. The drive mechanism 32 then rotates the plate cylinder (now in the withdrawn position) at a slightly higher speed to align the position of the next print plate with the next blanket ahead. Then, the plate cylinder is lowered back to its normal operating speed and is moved towards the next blanket to bring the print plate 2 into contact with the next blanket. [It will be noted that the speeds and times will vary slightly to accommodate the times used to move the impression cylinder in and out to achieve cylinder acceleration and deceleration.]
    [062] An alternative to increasing the plate roller speed in order to bring the next printing plate into alignment with the next blanket is to decrease the plate roller between ink transfer operations. It will be observed that there is a gap between the printing plates, in which there is no contact between the plates and the blankets. This allows the plate cylinder to be lowered without any damage being done to either the plates or blankets. The plate cylinder should be shortened to such an extent that, by the time the next blanket is in position, the gap between the trailing edge of the previous printing plate and the next plate has closed. INK TRANSFER THROUGH STENCIL
    [063] Figure 14 illustrates yet another alternative apparatus and process for printing multiple secondary image variables on a single can production line. In this apparatus, a stencil mat 40 is incorporated into one of the ink stations. At one end closest to the blanket wheel, the stencil mat travels around a cylinder with a modified plate. At a remote end of the blanket wheel, the stencil mat travels around a second support roll (which can be free to rotate or can be driven). The stencil mat travels around the support rolls in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotating blanket wheel. Stencils or patterns inlaid or otherwise etched are provided at separate intervals on an outer surface of the belt. It is this outer surface of the belt that has ink applied to it by a series of ink rollers. The spacing of the patterns is such that the patterns are presented in turn so that successive blankets pass the ink station. The mat can be produced appropriately durable by forming the stencil or patterns on a metal shield. It will be appreciated that it may be necessary to introduce spaces in the mat between successive stencils in order to avoid undesirable ink coverage of the blanket. This is not necessary when patterns or built-in print plates are provided instead of the stencil.
    [064] This approach related to the use of an extended pattern belt effectively increases the amount of different patterns that can be printed within a single production line. In contrast to the previously described “variable speed” apparatus and process, the use of a continuous belt does not require any speed variations. SELECTIVE PAINT REMOVAL
    [065] Yet another alternative apparatus and process involves the use of a mechanism to selectively remove ink from a blanket. This is illustrated in Figure 15. It is assumed that one or more of the ink stations will, for example, produce on each of the blankets a single color in a particular region. Other areas will be covered in paint with the primary image transferred to cans. The apparatus includes an ink removal station 50 which is configured to remove a varying pattern of ink from each of these particular regions. The ink removal station 50 may comprise, as illustrated, an effective (or at least durable) continuous tape 51 on a lower surface, on which the adhesive patterns 52 are printed or otherwise formed. Each adhesive pattern can be formed by printing or otherwise applying the adhesive to the tape. A roller mechanism (not shown) is incorporated into the ink removal station 50 to pull the tape through the station, bringing the lower surface of the tape in contact with the blankets as they pass the ink removal station. The ink is removed from the blankets, where contact is made with the adhesive patterns. It will be seen that various adhesive patterns can be "printed" along the tape allowing an equally large amount of different secondary images to be printed on the cans passing the can decorator.
    [066] It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that various modifications can be made in the embodiment described above without departing from the scope of the present invention.
    权利要求:
    Claims (10)
    [0001]
    1. Apparatus for decorating a can body comprising: a can body conveyor mechanism (1) for transporting can bodies (2) to a printing zone (3); a blanket wheel (4) comprising a plurality of blanket segments (6) and, affixed to each blanket segment (6), a blanket (7) having a printing surface, the blanket wheel (4) being configured to bring blanket printing surfaces into contact with can bodies (2) within said printing zone (3); and and a plurality of ink stations (5), each comprising a printing plate configured to contact the printing surfaces of pass-through blankets (7) in order to transmit an ink image to the printing surfaces. , so that a composite ink image is formed on each blanket printing surface and is printed on a can body (2) after contacting the blanket printing surface and the can body (2) within the printing zone (3), characterized in that each blanket (7) comprises a secondary image (8) within a surrounding area of low or reduced height (10) allowing the secondary image (8) to be printed on a can body (2) as a positive image, and wherein the printing plates are configured so that said surrounding area (10) is entirely within a region of the primary ink image which is not stamped (12) onto the blanket (7).
    [0002]
    2. Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that: one of the blankets (7) or more has a surface height variation on its printing surface that represents a secondary image (8) to be transferred to bodies of tin with which the blanket comes into contact; said blankets (7) or a layer (7) of said blankets having the printing surface is detachably fixed to the respective blanket segments (6) and each blanket (7) and/or blanket segment (6) is provided alignment features to allow blankets and blanket segments to be correctly aligned so that, for each blanket printing surface, a composite ink image is correctly aligned to a secondary image (8); and said alignment features comprising printed or etched features (14a-d) on the printing surface of a blanket (7).
    [0003]
    3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it additionally comprises an alignment device (14e), the alignment device (14e) is detachably attachable to a blanket segment (6) among the plurality of segments (6) of blanket (6), the alignment device further comprising an alignment surface (14f) against which a blanket (7) can be positioned in order to allow the blankets and the blanket segments to be positioned so that the blankets and the blanket segments are correctly aligned so that, for each blanket print surface, a composite ink image is correctly aligned to a secondary image.
    [0004]
    4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said alignment surface (14f) is single-edged in such a way that the blanket (7) is supported on its trailing edge and one side of the segment machine (6) blanket, fits on the trailing edge and in a lateral position determined by a profile bar of the alignment device.
    [0005]
    5. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said alignment surface (14f,g) is double edged, so that the blanket (7) is supported on its rear edge and the machine side of the segment fits on both edges.
    [0006]
    6. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said alignment surface is of zero edge and the blanket (7) is supported in the opposite direction to the back edge and the machine side of the segment, both the time position as the lateral position of the blanket (7) is determined by profiled “bars/dots” of the alignment device.
    [0007]
    7. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said alignment device comprises recording lines both on the blanket (7) and on the blanket segment (6) in order to indicate the correct position.
    [0008]
    Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said alignment device comprises locating pins in low relief, with puncture holes in an adhesive layer and a blanket fabric layer (7).
    [0009]
    9. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said alignment device comprises a non-contact alignment device.
    [0010]
    10. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the blankets (7) each comprise a section of a continuous blanket mat (15) which is secured around the periphery of the blanket wheel (4), on top of the blanket segments (6).
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    BR112015018361A2|2017-07-18|
    GB2512678B|2015-11-04|
    JP2018199331A|2018-12-20|
    CN105073424B|2018-07-06|
    EP3385078A1|2018-10-10|
    WO2014128200A2|2014-08-28|
    CA2901816A1|2014-08-28|
    AU2014220728A1|2015-09-24|
    AU2014220728B2|2017-08-17|
    CA2901816C|2022-01-25|
    MX354511B|2018-03-07|
    DK2958749T3|2018-07-23|
    JP6575985B2|2019-09-18|
    CN203557820U|2014-04-23|
    US20160001546A1|2016-01-07|
    JP2016511175A|2016-04-14|
    CN105073424A|2015-11-18|
    MX2015010557A|2015-11-16|
    WO2014128200A3|2014-11-27|
    GB201315457D0|2013-10-16|
    MY168608A|2018-11-14|
    WO2014128200A4|2015-01-22|
    TR201809304T4|2018-07-23|
    SG11201505872PA|2015-09-29|
    SA515360921B1|2019-05-29|
    PL2958749T3|2018-08-31|
    GB2512678A|2014-10-08|
    ES2674245T3|2018-06-28|
    US10022953B2|2018-07-17|
    EP2958749A2|2015-12-30|
    EP2958749B1|2018-04-04|
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    法律状态:
    2018-11-13| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2020-02-11| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2021-03-09| B06A| Patent application procedure suspended [chapter 6.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-10-26| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2022-01-11| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 20/02/2014, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    GB201303003A|GB201303003D0|2013-02-20|2013-02-20|Seated End Process|
    GB1303003.6|2013-02-20|
    GB1304488.8|2013-03-13|
    GB201304488A|GB201304488D0|2013-03-13|2013-03-13|Can decorator apparatus and method|
    GB1305908.4|2013-04-02|
    GB201305908A|GB201305908D0|2013-04-02|2013-04-02|Can decorator apparatus and method|
    GB1315457.0|2013-08-30|
    GB1315457.0A|GB2512678B|2013-02-20|2013-08-30|Container|
    PCT/EP2014/053296|WO2014128200A2|2013-02-20|2014-02-20|Container|
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