CAN DECORATOR MACHINE, INK STATION ASSEMBLY THEREFOR, AND CAN DECORATING METHOD EMPLOYING SAME

摘要

An ink station assembly is provided for a can decorator machine. The ink station assembly includes an ink fountain providing a supply of ink, a fountain roll, a distributor roll, a ductor roll cooperable with the fountain roll and the distributor roll, a number of oscillator rolls having longitudinal axis and oscillating back and forth along such axis, a number of transfer rolls cooperating with the oscillator rolls, a printing plate cylinder including a printing plate, and a single form roll cooperating with the printing plate cylinder to apply the ink to the printing plate. The diameter of the single form roll is greater than the diameter of the printing plate cylinder such that the printing plate cylinder makes a complete revolution before the single form roll makes a complete revolution. Accordingly, no portion of the single form roll contacts the printing plate more than once per revolution.