Printing – Special article machines – Rotating object
Utility Patent
1999-02-10
2001-01-02
Yan, Ren (Department: 2854)
Printing
Special article machines
Rotating object
C101S038100
Utility Patent
active
06167805
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to continuous motion high speed apparatus for applying decorations to cylindrical containers and in particular relates to improvements in mandrel carriers for apparatus of that type which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,821,638 and 5,799,574.
Incorporated herein by reference are teachings of the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,638 which issued Apr. 18, 1989 to P.G. Uithoven for Apparatus Supporting and Printing Cylindrical Objects and U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,574 which issued Sep. 1, 1998 to R. Williams, C. Chrobocinski and A. C. Rodums for Spindle Disc for High Speed Can Decorators. Also incorporated herein by reference are the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 3,766,851 issued Oct. 23, 1973 to E. Sirvet et al for Continuous Can Printer and Handling Apparatus, U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,053 issued Feb. 20, 1979 to J. Skypek et al for Mandrel Mounting and Trip Mechanism for Continuous Motion Decorator and U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,742 issued May 12, 1992 to R. DiDonato et al for Mandrel Trio Subassembly for Continuous Motion Can Decorators.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,574 discloses relatively high speed apparatus for applying decorations to the exterior of cylindrical containers while they are mounted on mandrels which are disposed along the periphery of a large continuously rotating disc-like carrier. Decorations are applied to the containers as they engage a rotating blanket of a decorator that is adjacent the periphery of the carrier. During engagement between the containers and the blanket, the containers track the blanket surface through the printing region where the containers and blanket surface are engaged. To accomplish this tracking, for each angular position of the container measured about the axis of the spindle disc as a center, a device controlled by a closed loop or box cam maintains the container in a precise radial position relative to the axis of the spindle disc.
This type of decorating equipment includes a number of relatively heavy elements that move at high speed. Because there must be precise coordination between the various elements, inertia forces, lubrication and operating power are significant engineering design considerations, as are equipment downtime, maintenance costs and setup procedures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the instant invention, each of the mandrels is part of an individual mandrel subassembly that includes a support arm which must, be relatively rigid in order to properly position the cantilevered mandrel while decorations are being applied to the container carried thereby. To accomplish this, in the instant invention the arm is relatively flat and is provided with a longitudinally extending rail that rides in a linear slide which directs the subassembly to reciprocate radially with respect to the rotational axis of the mandrel carrier. Sideways deflection of the subassembly arm relative to the mandrel carrier is limited by utilizing a roller type linear slide which has multiple groups of bearing elements that engage longitudinal bearing surfaces on the rail. Each bearing surface faces in a different direction and is engaged by a different group of bearing elements. Each bearing element is cylindrical and has a rotational axes that is transverse to the reciprocation path of the rail that is engaged by such element.
Positional integrity of the subassemblies relative to the carrier is maintained by providing shallow channels in the carrier to receive the slides, and shallow grooves in the support arms to receive an individual rail. Parallel channel arms fit tightly against the housing for the slide that is entered in the channel and arms forming the groove fit tightly against side surfaces of the rail.
To simplify setup and to increase the interval between setups, the axis of the spindle is eccentric with respect to the axis of the rear mounting section of the axle having the spindle at the front thereof. The mounting section is provided with an external cylindrical surface that is engaged by a matching internal cylindrical surface of a mounting hole in the subassembly arm at the radially outer end thereof. Thus, pivoting the axle about the mounting axis causes a change in spacing between the spindle axis and the carrier axis to control contact pressure between the cans and the printing blanket. Pivoting of the axle is accomplished by two adjusting screws, each of which is on the arm and extends inward of the internal cylindrical surface of the internal cylindrical surface to engage an individual ledge formed in the external cylindrical surface. With one screw backed away from its companion ledge, inward movement of the other screw forces the axle to pivot in a first direction, and by backing the other screw away from its companion ledge, inward movement of the one screw forces the axle to pivot in a direction opposite to the first direction.
Accordingly, the primary object of the instant invention is to provide an improved high speed continuous motion cylindrical container decorator having substantially reduced maintenance and/or power requirements.
Another object is to provide a decorator of this type wherein substantial cost and weight reductions have been achieved for the disc-like carrier and reciprocating mandrel subassemblies carried thereby.
Still another object is to provide a construction for this type of decorator to simplify setup procedures, extend periods of operation and reduce downtime for maintenance.
A further object is to reduce printing pressure requirements while maintaining print quality.
A still further object is to improve positional integrity between the mandrel carrier and moving elements of the mandrel subassemblies mounted on the carrier and reciprocating radially with respect to the rotational axis of the carrier.
Yet another object is to provide elongated roller-type linear slides to mount the reciprocating mandrel subassemblies on the carrier.
These objects as well as other objects of this invention shall become readily apparent after reading the following description of the accompanying drawings in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 3766851 (1973-10-01), Sirvet et al.
patent: 4140053 (1979-02-01), Skrypek et al.
patent: 4821638 (1989-04-01), Uithoven
patent: 5111742 (1992-05-01), DiDonato et al.
patent: 5799574 (1998-09-01), Williams et al.
Chrobocinski Chester
Williams Robert
Berliner Jerome
Bittman Mitchell D.
Faber Robert
Sequa Corporation
Yan Ren
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