US1975010A

US1975010A - Machine for printing descriptive matter on can ends

Info

Publication number: US1975010A
Application number: US613050A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfred L Kronquest
Original assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Current assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Priority date: 1932-05-23
Filing date: 1932-05-23
Publication date: 1934-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 1951-09-25

Description

Sept. 25, 1934- A. KRONQUEST MACHINE FOR PRINTING DESCRIPTIVE MATTER ON CAN ENDS Filed May 23, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 25, 1934. 1,975,010

MACHINE FOR PRINTING DESCRIPTIVE MATTER ON CAN ENDS A.L.KRONQUEST Filed May 23; 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 25, 1934. KRONQUEST 1,975,010

MACHINE FOR PRINTING DESCRIPTIVE MATTER ON CAN ENDS Filed May 25, 1932 8 Sheets-Shee't :1

an I gmkmwwal Gttomeg! 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept- 2 1 3 A. L. KRONQUEST MACHINE FOR PRINTING DESCRIPTI VE MATTER ON CAN ENDS Filed May 23. 1952 Sept 25, 1934-. LLKRQNQUEST 1,975,010

MACHINE FOR PRINTING DESCRIPTIVE MATTER ON CAN ENDS Filed May 23, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 (Ittorneu Sep 2 1934- A. L. KRONQUEST MACHINE FOR PRINTING DESCRIPTIVE MATTER ON CAN ENDS Filed May 25. 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Sept. 25, 1934. A, KRONQUEST 1,975,@i@

MACHINE FOR PRINTING DESCRIPTIVE MATTER ON CAN ENDS Filed May 25, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 F I genko;

Sept. 25, 1934 A, KRQNQUEgT 1,975,01Q

MACHINE FOR- PRINTING DESGRIPTIVE MATTER ON CAN ENDS Filed May :25. 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 56) w (9a m WJAZ (9 Imnentor (Ittorneg s Patented Sept. 25, 1934 MACHINE FOR PRINTING nE'soRIr IvE MATTER 0N CAN ENDS Alfred L. Kronquest, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York .Application May 23, 1932, Serial No. 613,050

18 Claims.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in a machine for printing descriptive matter on can ends. It is found desirable in the packaging of certain food products to print thereon descriptive matter of the characteristics of the food product or its pack. In order that sufficient room may be had for the printing of the necessary descriptive matter, it is found desirable to print on diiferent levels on the can end.

An object of the present invention is to provide a machine for printing can ends wherein printed characters may be placed on different levels of the can end.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above type wherein the can ends are taken from a stack, presented in succession to the printing means and then restacked. v

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above type wherein the printing on different levels is accomplished at separate stations.

A still further object of'the invention is to provide a machine of the above character wherein-the printing type is inked by contact with an inking pad moved to and from the printing station. s

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above type for uniformly supplying ink to and distributing the same on the pad while moved away from the printing station.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In'the drawings which show by way of illustration one embodiment of the invention- Figure 1 is a View partly in front elevation and partly in section of a portion of a machine embodying the improvements;

' Fig. 1 is a detail showing the adjustable means for reciprocating the printing head;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View in front elevation of one of the printing stations, and showing in part the end stacking and feeding means;

Fig. 4 is a detail in plan showing the bed along which the end is fed and the support for the end at one printing station;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the machine showing one of the printing units and the ink applying mechanism therefor;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view showing more clearly the ink applying means at the time when the printing head is in engagement with the inking p Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional view on the line 7-'? of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detail showing in side view one of the yielding supporting devices for the end on whichthe can end rests during printing;

9 is a detail partly in section showing one of the feed dogs for feeding the ends; I

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view through the printing pad and showing the dogsfor rotatingthe pad;

Fig. 11 is a detail showing the actuating means for reciprocating the feed bar for the ends;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a can end with printed descriptive matter thereon, and

Fig. 13 is a detail in plan showing a portion of the frame for supporting and raising and lowering the ink applying roll.

The invention has to do with a machine for printing descriptive matter on can ends. The can end as usually formed, is shaped so that it hasjannular sectiona'the outer face of which is on different levels. It is'desired to print the descriptive matter on these two different levels, The present machine includes two printing heads, one of which prints on one level and the other on the other level. These two heads are separate, so that there are two printing stations, and the can ends are taken from the stack and are fed in succession first to one printing unit and then to the other printing unit and are finally re-stacked. The printing unit includes a printing head which is reciprocated so that the type with the ink thereon is brought into contact with the can end for transferring the printed characters thereto. The head is given a very short reciprocation for the purpose of inking, and a longer reciprocation for printing on the end. When the head is fully raised, the inking pad isplaced underneath the same, and on the short reciprocation of the head it contacts only with the printing pad, so that ink is transferred to the type. The printing pad is reciprccated so that it is moved under the head and then away from the head, and when at a remote point from they head, ink is applied'to the printing pad.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the machine embodying the improvements includes a main frame 1 mounted on supporting legs 2. There is a printing unit 3 having a printing head 4 for printing on one level on the can end and a printing unit 5 having a printinghead 6 for printing on another level on the can end. A can end is shown in Fig. 12 at 'Z. The annular section 8 of the can end ison a different level from the annular section 9 of the can end. One of the printing heads impresses the characters 10 on the section 8 of the can end, while the other printing head impresses the characters 11 on the section 9 of the end.

The can ends are placed in a stack holder 12 located over the bed of the machine. Secured to the bed of the machine and extending beneath the can end are supporting

rails

13, 13 on which the can ends are placed and along which they are moved beneath the printing head. Associated with each supporting rail is a guide rail 14. The stack holder is provided with a can end supporting and releasing means which includes a series of 3 dogs 15, which are oscillated by a ring, and the ring is in turn oscillated by means of a link 16 connected to a crank 17 on a disk 18 attached to the upper end of a vertical shaft 26 see Fig. 3). This vertical shaft 20 carries a bevel gear 21 meshing with a bevel gear 22 on the main actuating shaft 23. This can end feed may be of any desired construction and forms no part per se of the present invention. The ends are released one at a time and dropped on to the supporting rails. The can ends are fed along the supporting rails by means of a feed bar 24 carrying feed dogs 25 (see Figs. 4 and 9). The feed dog 25 is pivoted at 26 to the feed bar, and a spring 27 yieldingly raises the dog. The lug 28 limits the upward movement of the dog, and the lug 29 overlies the can end. The purpose of yieldingly mounting the dogs is to enable a dog on the backward movement of the feed bar to slide underneath the can end. The feed bar is reciprocated by means of a lever 30 connected by a link 31 to a lug 32 which is attached to and depends from the feed bar. The lever 30 is pivoted at 33 to a bearing carried by the frame and is connected by a link 34 to a crank 35 attached to an arm 36 fixed to the end of a shaft 37 mounted in a bracket 38 (see Fig. 11) The shaft 37 carries a bevel gear 39 meshing with a bevel gear 40 on the main actuating shaft 23.

Beneath each printing head is a cylindrical supporting block or bed 41. This supporting bed 41 is in turn supported by a plate 42 secured by

bolts

44, 44 to the under side of the bed proper of the machine. There is a standard 47 attached to the bed. This standard is threaded into the bed 41 and serves as a means for raising and lowering the bed. The standard may be turned by means of a squared head 46 and is held in set position by means of a lock nut 45. The head is held from rotating, so that when the lock nut is released, the bed may be raised or lowered so as to insure the proper impression of the type on the can end. The upper face of the supporting bed 41 is provided with a recess 48, and the feed bar passes through this recess so that it is below the surface of the bed on which the can end rests during the printing thereon. The upper face 49 is shaped so as to conform to the general shape of the can end at the different levels where the characters are being printed. Attached to the guide rails 14 are

plates

50, 50 which overlie the can end. These plates hold the can end on the supporting rails as it is fed under the printing head. There are also overhanging

plates

51, 51 between the two printing heads. Between the ends of the plates 50 and. 51 there is a space, and located in this space are

presser arms

53, 53, one at each side of the bed. Each presser arm has a projecting portion 54, the under face of which is curved. The arms are pivoted at 55 to the bed of the machine and a spring 56, which is a tension spring, yieldingly moves the arm toward the supporting rails. These

arms

53, 53 overlie and y-ieldingly center and hold the can end on the bed and insure that the end will be stripped from the printing head when it is raised.

The printing head 4 is carried by a rod 57 which is mounted for reciprocation in a bearing carried by a cross bar 58 attached to the

brackets

59 and 60. The printing head 6 is carried by a rod 61 which reciprocates in a similar bearing carried by the cross bar 58. The two printing heads are both reciprocated by an oscillating arm 62 which is carried by a shaft 63 mounted in the

brackets

59 and 60. The shaft 63 carries an arm 64. A link 65 is pivoted at 66 to the outer end of the arm. This link is also pivoted at 67 to a lever arm 68 carried by a shaft 69 mounted in bearings in the frame of the machine. Attached to the lever arm 68 is a roll 70 which runs in a cam raceway 71 in a disk 72 attached to the main shaft 23. This cam raceway 71 is shaped so that for each rotation of the shaft, the lever arm 68 will be given two oscillations, and thus two reciprocations are imparted to each printing head. It will be noted that the raceway is also shaped so that one reciprocation is rela-'- tively long while the other is quick and relatively short. During this relatively long reciprocation, the printing head is moved downward' and the type brought into contact with the can end beneath the same. The short reciprocation is for the purpose of applying ink to the printing head.

The arm 62 is fixed to the shaft 63. formed with two

members

62 and 62 The arm 62 is provided with spaced lugs 73 andJ74. The lug 73 is provided with a bolt 75 which is threaded through the lug, and the lug 74 is provided with a similar bolt '76. Loosely mounted on the shaft 63 is an arm 77. The arm 7'7 is in the form of a yoke, and the ends thereof are connected to a pin-'78 carried at the upper end of the rod 61. This arm 77 is provided with a laterally projecting lug '79 which extends between the lugs '73, '74 and the

bolts

75, 76 contact with the upperand lower faces thereof. This provides a connection between the arm 62 and the arm '77 so that the oscillations of the shaft 63 are imparted to the arm '77. By adjusting the bolts '75 and 76, the working position of the rod 61 and the printing head carried thereby may be varied for a fixed position of oscillation of the arm 62. The arm 62 is provided with similar lugs 7-3 and '74 and

bolts

75 and 76. Mounted on the shaft 63 is an arm '77 which is connected to the upper end of the rod 5'? in the manner described in connection with the arm '77 and rod 61. There is a lug on this arm '77 which extends between the bolts carried by the arm 62 and thus it is that the rod 5'7 is reciprocated and its position of reciprocation may be varied by adjusting the bolts without changing the position of reciprocation of the arm 62. The above provides a means whereby the printing heads may be reciprocated by the same arm and the working position of either printing head varied Each printing head is provided with interchangeable type. The type carried by the head 4 is indicated at 4 an inking mechanism which is shown in Figures 5, 6, Yand 10. There is an ink applying mechanism associated with each printing unit. They are similar in construction, and a description of one will answer for the other. ing device includes an inking pador plate 80 which is mounted for rotation on a supporting carriage 81; This carriage 81 includes a member 82 which is mounted for sliding movement in guideways indicated at 83 in Fig. 10, attached to the frame of the machine. The member 82 is provided with a depending arm 84 which extends down through the slot 85 in the frame. A link 86 is pivoted at 87 to this arm 84. The link 86 is in turn pivoted to the upper end of a lever It is' Each ink supply- Ink is applied to the type by g arm 88. The lever arm 88 is pivoted at 89 and carries a roller 90 running in a cam groove 91 in the disk 92 on the main shaft 23. As the main shaft rotates, the supporting carriage is reciprocated back and forth in the guideway by the oscillations of this lever arm 88. The member 82 is held in'the guideway 83 by

plates

93, 93 which are attached to the guideway and overlie the side portions of the member 82. The pad 80 is mounted on the supporting carriage 81 so that it may rotate. At one side of the guideway is a spring-pressed pawl 94 which is adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 95 attached to the pad. At the other side of the guideway is a spring-pressed pawl 96 which also engages the ratchet wheel. The pawls are so shaped that when the pad passes these pawls moving in one direction, it will be turned a certain angle by one of the pawls, and when passing the pawls in the opposite direction, then the other pawl becomes effective to turn the ratchet wheel in the same direction and the same amount. In other words, the ratchet pawls are tapered on one side and on the other side are provided with a right angle shoulder so that they are effective to turn the ratchet alternately, and this results in rotating the pad intermittently in the same direction. The pawl 94 is mounted in a bracket 97, and a spring 98 moves the pawl a limited distance toward the path of travel of the supporting carriage. The pawl 96 is mounted in a similar bracket 99, and a spring 100 operates thereon. Ink is applied to the upper face of this pad and the pad is moved underneath the printing head, as shown in Fig. 6, and then the printing head islowered so as to cause the type to contact with the pad and thus ink is transferred to the type. The type is preferably elastic and the pad is preferably in the form of a metal plate.

Mounted on spaced

standards

101 and 102 are two

rolls

103 and 104. These standards are interconnected, forming the upper framework carrying the inking mechanism, and they are bolted to the main frame of the machine by bolts 101 The roll 103 is mounted in bearings which are yieldingly pressed to the right as viewed in Fi ure-s 5 and5 by a spring 105. There is a bearing at each end of, the roll and a spring for each bearing. A bolt 106 engages the forward end of each bearing. The roll 104 is mounted in bearings 107. The position of the roll 103 is adjusted so that the two rolls are in such closecontact that the space above the line of contact and between the rolls may be used as a trough for the ink. The roll 103 is positively rotated by means of a sprocket wheel 108 which is driven by a sprocket chain 109 running over a sprocket wheel 110 on the main shaft 23. This sprocket chain also runs over an idler 111 which is adjustable so as to take up the slack in the chain. At each end of the

rolls

103 and 104 are plates 112 forming the end walls of the trough. On the ends of the shafts carrying the

rolls

103 and 104 are intermeshing gears so that the rotation imparted to the sprocket wheel 108 is positively transmitted to the

rolls

103 and 104. These plates are held in place by yielding spring arms 113 and 114 carrying lugs which extend through the frame and bear against the plates. The plates extend down past the ends of the rolls, and these spring arm-s held the plates against the ends of the rolls and this completes the trough in which the ink is placed. As the roll 103 is rotated, it imparts rotation to the roll 104 through the intermeshing gears, and the roll 104 is thussupplied with a thin film of ink. Mounted in the spaced

standards

101 and 102 is a roll 115. Phis roll is car ried by bearings 116, one at each end thereof. The bearings are yieldingly moved by'springs 117 away from the roll 104. The bearings are shifted 80 toward the roll 104 by a belt 118, and thus the roll is set so as to have a running contact with the roll 104, and. thus the ink is transferred to the surface of the roll 115.

A roll 119 is mounted in a frame 120. This frame is pivotally mounted on

studs

121 and 121 attached to the spaced

standards

101 and 102. Loosely mounted on the same studs are levers 126, of which there is oneat each side of the frame (see Figures 7 and 13). Each lever has a downwardly extending part 124 carrying a roller 125, and the horizontal levers 126 are each extended and lie between the adjusting bolts 12'? and 128 carried in lugs on the frame 120. By adjusting these bolts, the position of the levers 126 may be changed relative to the frame 120. The inking roll 119 is carried by the frame 120, and through this adjustment the proper contact between the roll 119 and the inking pad 80 can be obtained.

There is a cam plate 129 attached to the supporting carriage 81 and moving therewith. The inner end of this cam plate is inclined so that the roller will readily pass up on to the same when the carriage is moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 5. A spring 122 holds the roller in contact with the cam plate, and when the cam plate runs out from under the roller then the frame is lowered at the right-hand end and raised at the left-hand end until the roll 119 contacts with the roll 115. This transfers the ink from the roll 115 to the roll 119. 110 When the supporting carriage moves to the left as viewed in Fig. 5, the pad 80 is carried beneath the roll 119. The roller moves up on to the cam plate 129 and this will force the roll 119 into contact with the pad as it passes beneath the 115 same, thus transferring ink to the pad. When the carriage is moved to the right, then the pad again passes beneath the roll, and as it passes the dogs it will be turned one step so as to present a new surface to the pad beneath the type. As noted 120 above, there is an inking means associated with each printing unit. When the printing heads are raised, the pad is moved beneath the printing head, and on the short reciprocation of the head, the type will contact with the pad and receive ink 125 therefrom. The pad is then retracted, and in the long reciprocation of the printing head, it contacts with the can end and prints the characters thereon. The printing units operate in unison, and both printing heads operate at the same time to print the can ends beneath the same, but the two printing units are operating on different can ends. In other words, the can end is fed beneath first one printing head and then the other, and theprinting of the ends by the two printing units is in succession. Inasmuch as there are two independent printing heads, different colored ink may be used in one printing operation from that of the other.

After the can ends leave the printing head 4, they are fed on to a rotating turret 130 and transferred thereby to a re-stacking means. This turret is carried by a shaft 131 carrying a gear 132 meshing with a gear 133 on a countershaft 134, and the countershaft 134 carries a bevel'gear meshing with a bevel gear 135 on the main shaft 23. This main shaft 23 is driven from a suitable source of power, which as shown, includes a belt pulley 136 with which is associated a clutch member 137 operated by a hand lever 138.

mechanism in lud n a p n e located It will be obvious that from certain aspects of the invention that means may be provided for printing on the different levels, and it is understood that the invention is directed broadly to a printing means which prints characters on two different levels on the can end. It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:--

l. A machine for printing can ends comprising a stack holder, a supporting bed, means for impressing printed characters at different levels on a can end, said printing means including two independent heads, one for printing on one level and the other for printing on another level, and means for feeding the can ends from the stack holder along said supporting bed in succession to the printing means.

2. A machine for printing can ends including means for printing a character on a can end at one level thereon, means for printing a character onv said can, end at a different level thereon, a stack holder, asupporting bed, means for feeding the can ends from the stack holder along said supporting bed in succession to the printi g m ans, and means for re-stacking the can ends.

3. A machine for printing can ends comprising a stack holder, a supporting bed, means for impressing printed characters at different levels on a can end, means'for feeding the can ends from the stack holder along said supporting bed in succession to the printing means, said printing means including a reciprocating printing head mounted for vertical movement above said bed, printing type carried thereby, an inking pad movable beneath and away from said head I for applying ink to the printing type, and means for causing said printing head in its reciprocations to alternately engage the pad and the can end. a

l. A machine for printing can ends comprising a stack holder, a supporting bed, means for impressing printed characters at different levels on a can end, means for feeding the can. ends from the stack holder along said supporting bed in succession to the printing means, said printing means including two independent printing heads, one for printing on one level and another for printing on the other level, type carried by the printing heads, a printing pad for each head, and means for reciprocating the heads and causing said heads to alternately contact with the print= ing pad and with a can end beneath the same.

5. A machine for printing can ends comprising two separate printing heads, a stack holder for the ends, means for feeding the ends from the stack holder in succession first beneath one printing head and then the other, means for reciprocating the printing heads, one of said printing heads having type for printing on one level of the can end and the other printing head having type for printing on another level of the can end, means for applying ink to the type, said means for reciprocating said heads including an oscillating lever, and devices intermediate the oscillating lever in each printing head whereby the reciprocating position of the printing heads may be independently varied.

6,. A machine for printing can ends comprising a supporting frame having guide railsalong which the can ends may be fed, a printing above the guide'rails, a rod carrying the printing; head, means for feeding can ends in succession beneath the head, means for imparting alternate long and short reciprocations to the rod supporting the printing head, an inking pad, and means for-moving the inking pad beneath the head on the short reciprocation thereof for applying ink to. the type carried by the printinghead.

'7. A machine for printing can ends comprising a supporting frame having guide rails along which the can ends may be fed, a printing mechanism including a printing head located above the guide rails, a rod carrying the printing head, means for feeding can ends in succession beneath the head, means for imparting alternate long and short reciprocations to the rod supporting the printing head, an inking pad, means for moving the inking pad beneath the head on the short reciprocation thereof for applying ink to the type carriedby the printing head, a supporting block beneath the printing head on which the can end rests during printing, and means for adjusting and locking the same in a set position.

8. A machine for printing can ends comprising a supporting frame having guide rails along which the can ends may be fed, a printing mechanism including a printing head located above the guide rails, a rod carrying the printing head, means for feeding can ends in succession beneath the head, means for imparting alternate long and short reciprocations to the rod supporting the printing head, aninking pad, means for moving the inking pad beneath the head on the short reciprocation thereof for applying ink to the type carried by the printing head, a supporting block beneath the printing head on which the can end rests during printing, means for adjusting and locking the samein a set position, and yielding presser arms associated with the supporting block andunderneath which the can ends are fed, said arms being disposed so as to engage the can end outside of the region engaged by the printing head.

9. A machine for printing can, ends comprising a supporting frame having guide rails along which the can ends may be fed, a printingmechanism including a printing'head located above the guide rails, a rod carrying the printing head, means for feeding can endsin succession beneath the head, means for imparting alternate long and short reciprooationsto. the rod supporting the printing head, an inking pad, means for, moving the inking pad beneath the head on the short reciprocation thereof for applying ink to the type carried by the printing head, av supporting block beneath the printing head on which the can end rests during printing, means for adjusting and looking the, same in a set position, means for feeding the can ends including a bar, means for reciprocating the bar, and yielding feed dogs carried by the bar, said supporting block having a recess extended diametrically across the upper face thereof in which said feed bar reciprocates.

10. A machine for printing can ends comprising a supporting frame, a printing head mounted above said supporting frame, a rod towhich said head is attached, a supporting block for the can end located beneath the head, means for mount-.- ing said block on said frame whereby said block may be raised and lowered, means for imparting long andshort reciprocations to said head, said long reciprocation causing the head to contact withthe can end for printing .the same, an ink-1, ing pad, and meansfor movingthe same beneath the head when it is raised so that during the short reciprocation said head is caused to contact with the inking pad. 1

11. A machine for printing can ends comprising a supporting frame, a printing head mounted above said supporting frame, a rod to which said head is attached, a supporting block for the can end located beneath the head, means for mounting said block on said frame whereby said block may be raised and lowered, means for imparting long and short reciprocations to said head, said long reciprocation causing the head to contact with the can end for printing the same, an inking pad, means for moving the same beneath the head when it is raised so that during the short reciprocation said head is caused to contact with the inking pad, a feed bar mounted for reciprocation on said frame, said block having a recess extending diametrically across the same in which said feed bar reciprocates, and yielding dogs carried by said feed bar for intermittently feeding the can ends beneath the head.

12. A machine for printing can ends comprising a supporting frame, a printing head mounted above said supporting frame, a rod to which said head is attached, a supporting block for the can end located beneath the head, means for mounting said block on said frame whereby said block may be raised and lowered, means for imparting long and short reciprocations to said head, said long reciprocation causing the head to contact with the can end for printing the same, an inking pad, means for moving the same beneath the head when it is raised so that during the short reciprocation said head is caused to contact with the inking pad, a feed bar mounted for reciprocation on said frame, said block having a recess extending diametrically across the same in which said feed bar reciprocates, yielding dogs carried by said feed bar for intermittently feeding the can ends beneath the head, and a stack holder for supplying the ends in succession to the feeding means.

13. A machine for printing can ends comprising a supporting frame, a printing head mounted above said supporting frame, a'rod to which said head is attached, a supporting block for the can end located beneath the head, means for mounting said block on said frame whereby said block may be raised and lowered, means for imparting long and short reciprocations to said head, said long reciprocation causing the head to contact with the can end for printing the same, an inking pad, means for moving the same beneath the head when it is raised so that during the short reciprocation said head is caused to contact with the inking pad, and means disposed at one side of the printing head for applying ink to the pad when said pad is removed from beneath the head.

14. A machine for printing can ends comprising a supporting frame, a printing head mounted above said supporting frame, a rod to which said head is attached, a supporting block for the can end located beneath the head, means for mounting said block on said frame whereby said block may be raised and lowered, means for imparting long and short reciprocations to said head, said long reciprocation causing the head to contact with the can end for printing the same, an inking pad, means for moving the same beneath the head when it is raised so that during the short reciprocation said head is caused to contact with the inking pad, means disposed at one side of the printing head for applying ink to the pad when said pad is removed from beneath the head, and means for engaging and rotating said inking pad step by step as it is moved toward and from the printing head for shifting the region of contact between the printing head and the pad.

15. A machine for printing can ends comprising a supporting frame, a printing head mounted above saidsupporting frame, a rod to which said=-, head is attached, a supporting block for the canend located beneath the head, means for mounting said block on said frame whereby said block may be raised and lowered, means for imparting long and short reciprocations to said head, said long reciprocation causing the head to contact with the can end for printing the same, an inking pad, means for moving the same beneath the head when it is raised so that during the short reciprocation said head is caused to contact with the inking pad, means for applying ink to said printing pad including an ink supplying mechanism, a roll adapted to receive a film of ink from said supplying means, and a second roll adapted to contact with said first-named roll and then contact with said pad for transferring ink to the pad.

16. A machine for printing can ends comprising a supporting frame, a printing head mounted above said supporting frame, a rod to which said head is attached, a supporting block for the can end located beneath the head, means for mounting said block on said frame whereby said block may be raised and lowered, means for imparting long and short reciprocations to said head, said long reciprocation causing the head to contact with the can end for printing the same, an inking pad, means for moving the same beneath the head when it is raised so that during the short reciprocation said head is caused to contact with the inking pad, said means for reciprocating said pad including a carriage, cam plates carried thereby, an ink supplying means, an inking roll, and a frame carrying said inking roll and pivotally supported on said carriage, said pivoted frame having rollers contacting with the cam plates whereby when said carriage is moved forward to carry the pad beneath the printing head, said roll is moved downward so as to contact with said pad.

17. A machine for printing can ends comprising 1 two separate printing heads, means for feeding ends in succession first beneath one printing head and then the other, means for simultaneously reciprocating the printing heads, one of said printing heads having type for printing on one level of the can end and the other printing head having type for printing on another level of the can end, and means for applying ink to the type.

18. A machine for printing can ends comprising a supporting bed along which the can ends are intermittently fed, two separate printing heads overhanging said supporting bed, means for simultaneously reciprocating said printing heads, one of said printing heads having type for printing on one level of one can end and the other printing head having type for printing on another level of the can end, means for applying ink to the type, and means for feeding the can ends in succession along said bed and positioning said can ends first beneath one printing head and then beneath the other.

ALFRED L. KRONQUEST.

its