Replaceable inking arrangement in a can decorator

摘要

In a can decorator 10, substituting one inking arrangement 30 by another inking arrangement 32 to facilitate reconfiguration of each inking arrangement with minimal down time while the other inking arrangement is inking cans being decorated. First and second inking arrangements are supported on and spaced 90 or 180 apart around a rotation axis of a plate 60, which is rotatable to bring each of the inking arrangements to a position radially inward of the can handling apparatus of the can decorator. Each inking arrangement is shiftable laterally inward on the plate away from the can handling apparatus when the plate is to be rotated and laterally shifted outwardly toward the can handling apparatus after the plate has been rotated and the new inking arrangement is positioned laterally inward of the can handling apparatus. In one alternate embodiment, the inking arrangements are on a plate that is reciprocated laterally to bring each inking arrangement in turn to the can handling apparatus. In another alternate embodiment, the inking arrangements are on respective tracks on a Y-shape arrangement to bring each inking arrangement in turn to the can handling apparatus