US2284628A

US2284628A - Can marking machine

Info

Publication number: US2284628A
Application number: US234479A
Authority: US
Inventors: August E Almgren
Original assignee: American Can Co
Current assignee: Primerica Inc
Priority date: 1938-10-11
Filing date: 1938-10-11
Publication date: 1942-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 1959-06-02

Description

June 2, 1942.

IIII

4 Sheets-Sheet l ili ,T gpg r INVENTOR.

BY Q ci? ATTORNEY June 2, 1942. A, E, ALMGREN .21,284,628

CAN MARKING MACHINE ATTORNEY June 2, 1942. A, E, ALMGREN 2,284,628

CAN MARKING MACHI NE Filed Oct. 11, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 m 0 QQ "w I IN VENTOR, 'Eyl BYL i;

ATTORNEY June 2, 1942. A. E. ALMGREN 2,284,628

CAN MARKING MACHINE Filed Oct. ll, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q n 'ce Q 6 qu 5 N @i 3 INVENTOR. 1.

ATTORNEYS Patented June 2, 1942 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE (Cl. lOl-44) 12 Claims.

The present invention relates to printing or marking machines and has particular reference to printing an identifying mark on an end of sheet metal sealed containers propelled in rapid succession through the machine.

An object of the invention is the provision of a can marking machine which is adapted to rapidly and efficiently stamp with ink or the like an identifying mark on the ends of moving cans and in such a clear and accurate manner as to insure against blurring or smudging of the mark.

Another object is the provision in a machine of this character of a marking head of novel construction which travels with a can to be marked during the marking operationand which assures clear and accurate marking of the cans.

Another object is the provision of such a marking head wherein parts of the head operate to clamp the can against shifting while the marking operation is being performed thereon.

Another object is the provision of controlled ink or the like feeding devices wherein just the required quantity of ink is supplied and uniformly distributed onto the marking head so that blurring of the identifying mark from an oversupply of ink will be prevented.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment' thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front eleva-tion of a can marking machine embodying the instant invention, parts being broken away and other parts being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken substantially along the broken line 2 2 in Fig. 1;`

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail shown in elevation, with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a sectiontaken substantially along the curved line 4 4 in Fig. 3;

Figs. 5, 6 and 'l are enlarged sectional details taken substantially along 'the respective lines 5, 6 6 and 1 1 in Fig. l;v

Fig. 8 is an enlargedvview of an end of a marked can showing one form of marking which may be printed thereon;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional detail taken substantially along theiline 9 9 in Fig. l; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along `the broken line I-III in'Flg. 9.

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention the drawings disclose a can marking machine in which cans a are stamped on one end with an identifying mark as they pass through the machine and are then discharged to any suitable place of deposit.

The cans to be marked enter the machine by way of a magazine or can entrance runway 2| (Fig. 1) having vertical guides 22 which retain the cans in a horizontal stacked position. These guides are secured to a boss 23 formed on top of an arch frame portion 24 of a main frame 25. The frame is supported on legs 26. l

Openings 2l in the boss 23 and in the arch frame 24 permit the cans to fall vertically from the runway and thus pass through the frame. The lower ends of the vertical guides 22 extend through these openings and thus guide the cans as they fall.

Within the arch frame 24 there is located a rotatable turret 35 having spaced pockets 3B (see also Fig. 2). There are preferably four pockets 36 spaced at ninety degree intervals around the turret. The turret is disposed directly under the can entrance runway 2l andis mounted on a horizontal turret shaft 31 journaled in a bearing 38 formed in the arch frame 24 and in a bearing 39 formed in a bracket 4I which is bolted to the front of the main frame 25.

The turret shaft 3l is continuously rotated preferably by a spur gear 44 which is carried on one end of the shaft. Gear 44 meshes with a pinion 45 which is carried on one end of a driving shaft 46. The driving shaft is journaled in bearings 41 formed in the main frame 25. This driving shaft is rotated in any suitable manner, as for example, through a chain connection with -a suitable source of driving power such as an electric motor ori the like. For this purpose there is provided a chain 48 which takes over a ,sprocket 49 mounted on the driving shaft adjacent the pinion 45.

. As the turret 35 rotates and successively brings its pockets 36 into alignment with the vertical path of travel of the cans in the runway 2l, the lowermost can in th stack drops into the aligned pocket and is carried around with'the turret in a circular path of travel. A curved guide rail 5| formed on the lower end `of one of the entrance of an inclined chute 53 (Fig. 1) which is-bolted to the main frame 25. The upper end of the chute extends adjacent the outer edge of the turret 35 and is disposed adjacent the terminal end erably Vcaught by a chain conveyor 54 and is carried away to any suitable place of deposit.

Adjacent the chute the conveyor preferably takes over a sprocket 55 mounted on a shaft 56` supported in bearings formed in a bracket 51 secured to a side of the main frame 25. This conveyor may be operated in any suitable manner in time with the other moving parts of the machine.

Marking of the cans a as they pass through the machine will now be explained. This marking is effected by a marking head 6| (Figs. 1, 2, 5, S and '1) which travels with the can turret 35. There are four of these marking heads, one for each turret pocket 36. Each head is located in endwise alignment with its pocket and is carried by a spindle turret 62 mounted on the turret shaft 31 adjacent the can turret 35.

Each marking head 6| includes a hollow can clamping shoe 65 which is iloatingly mounted on a concentrically reduced and shouldered end 66 of a non-rotating head spindle 61 carried in a bore 68 formed in the spindle turret62. The can clamping shoe is prevented from turning by a tongue 1| formed on a ring 12 keyed to a hub 13 of the spindle turret. The tongue operates in a groove 14 formed in the shoe. The shoe in turn is held in place on the spindle by a split ring 16 which surrounds the spindle adjacent a shoulder 11 formed thereon. A compression spring 18 coiled around the spindle holds the split ring tight against the shoulder 11 and thus keeps the clamping shoe in position. 'I'his spring also provides a yieldable connection between the clamping shoe 65 and the spindle so that relative movement may be had between these parts when clamping a can to be marked as will be hereinafter explained.

The opposite end of the head spindle 61 is formed with an eccentrically disposed shank 3| on which is clamped a cam shoe 82 carrying a cam roller 33. The cam roller operates in a cam groove 34 of a stationary cam 85 loosely mounted on the turret 62 adjacent the .shaft bearing 33. 'I'he cam is secured by bolts 136 to the shaft bearingV 38:

'I'hus the revolving turret shaft 31 rotates the spindle turret 62 relative to the cam 05 and thereby effects a reciprocating movement of the spindle 61 along its axis in its bor'e`33. This shifting action brings the can clamping shoe 65 into endwise engagement with a can a in its turret pocket 36 and momentarily holds it in the position under compression of the spring 11B. A shoulder 38 (Figs. 1 andf2) formed in the can turret 35 adjacent each can pocket 36 holds the can against endwise displacement while thus clamped in marking position.

During this shifting of the head spindle 61 it is retained against turning in its bore 68 by side wings 39 (Figs. 2 and 5) which ride upon the periphery of the cam 35. Provision is also ymade for axially adjusting' the spindle relative to the ,cam 35 so that proper clamping compression of the spring" 13 may be obtained. This is eiected by a cap screw 92 (Fig. 5) which is threaded into the end of the eccentric shank 3| of the spindle 61. The head of the cap screw is rotatably held in' an end wall 93 of the cam shoe 32 by a pin and groove connection 94. By merely turning the screw the spindle may be shifted relative to the cam shoe and the cam roller carried thereon thereby bringing the spindle into proper relation with the cam.

loivhile a can a is held by the clamping head 65 the marking operation is performed. This marking'is effected by type or other suitable marking medium such as a rubber stamp |0| (Figs. 1, 5, 6 and '1) secured in a type holder |02 disposed in an enlarged head |03 pf a type holder sleeve |04 carried in the head spindle 61. The head of the sleeve |04 is located within the can clamping shoe 65 and is formed with a vertical boss |08 which extends up through a slot |09 formed in the clamping shoe. This boss retains the sleeve |04 against turning in the spindle 61.

The type holder is readily detachable from the sleeve |04 so that the type may be quickly changed or a diierent holder inserted if desired. For this purpose the type holder is provided with a stem |05 which fits within a bore |06 formed in the type holder sleeve |04. The holder is held in place by a plunger which is located in a bore ||2 formed in a stud ||3 threaded into the head boss |08. The plunger is backed up by a compression spring ||4 located within the stud and held in place by a headless screw |5. The lower end of the plunger engagesin a groove |6 formed in the type holder stem |05.

The type holder sleeve |04 is located in a horizontal bore 3 in the head spindle 61 ands yieldably connected with the latter. This yieldable connection includes a compressiony spring |2| which is located inside the sleeve in an enlarged bore |22 connecting with the type holder bore |06 and forming a shoulder |23 between them. The spring is coiled around a bolt |24 the inner end of which is threaded into the spindle 61. The outer end of the bolt is provided with a head and a loose collar |26 against which the outer end of the springengages, the spring normally pressing the collar against the sleeve shoulder |23.

The inner end of the bolt |24 is provided with a loose collar |21 which is forced by the spring against a nut |23 threaded into the end of the sleeve. The nut surrounds a tubular spacing member |29 which fits around the bolt |24. The compression spring thus presses against both collars |26, |21 and thereby holds the type holder sleeve |04 yieldably connected with the spindle 61 and in a position within the can clamping shoe 65 as shown in Fig. 5. This is the normal position of the spindle and the type holder sleeve.

Thus the type holder sleeve |04 moves with the spindle 61 when the latter moves forward and brings the clamping shoe 65 into engagement with the end of a can a to be marked. Continued movement of the spindle after clamping of the can is effected compresses the clamping shoe spring 18. This brings the type |0| into engagement with the can end and against the resistance of the sleeve spring |2`| thereby printing the desired identifying mark upon thecan end. The position of the spindle and sleeve parts at this period in the cycle of operations is shown in Fig. '7. This completes the marking of a can.

Provision is made for applying ink onto the type |0| just prior to the latters engagement with a can end- This is effected by a plurality of ink distributing rollers and they are arranged in a straight vertical row and in frlctional tributing roller.

engagement with each other. The upper roller in the row is normally disposed in the path of travel of the marking heads 3| vas they are brought into alignment with a can just prior to marking. Each roller is mounted on the inner end of a short shaft |33 which is journaled in a bearing 'block |31 of a bracket |33 mounted on the machine frame 25.

On their outer ends each roller shaft |35 carries a gear |39, thus providing a train of intermeshing gears which rotate the ink rollers in unison and in the proper direction. Rotation of the gears is brought about by a bevel gear |4| v which is mounted on the lowermost roller shaft |35 of the row and adjacent the lowermost roller |35. Bevel gear |4| meshes with a bevel gear |42 which is mounted on the inner end of the' driving shaft 45. Thus the rotating driving shaft revolves the ink roller gears in the train and the ink rollers in unison.

The ink roller bracket |33 is adapted to be swung free of the machine frame when desired so that the ink rollers |35 may be readily reached for cleaning. For this purpose the bracket is provided with a bearing |45 which surrounds the inner end of the driving shaft 45 adjacent the bevel gear |42. Opposite this bearing, the bracket is also provided with a second bearing |45 which surrounds a stationary hollow trunnion |41 formed on the front can guide bracket 4|. Thus the bracket may be pivoted or swung outwardly on the driving shaft and on the trunnion.

To counter balance the weight of theV bracket |33 and the parts carried thereon, a compression spring |5| is directly associated with the bracket. This spring is coiled around a vertically disposed rod |52 which extends up through a bottom wall section |53 of the main frame 25. The upper end of the rod is secured to an arm extension |54 formed on the bracket adjacent its pivot bearings |45, |45. The spring is held on the rod by lock nuts |55 and exerts its pressure against a swivel collar |55 which is loosely carried on the I .rod and which is forced by the spring against the frame wall section |53.

When the ink roller bracket |33 is in its normal operating position it is held against displacement by a hook shaped latch finger |5| (Fig, 1)'. The latch nger is mounted on a pivot pin |52 retained in a boss |53 formed on the arch frame 24. This finger is backed up by a spring barrel |54 disposed in a boss |55 which is also formed on th arch frame. 'I'he outer hook end of the latch finger engages over a lug |35 formed on the ink roller bracket and thus Yholds the latter in place.

Ink for the rollers |35 is preferably supplied continuously and is applied to the lowermost dis- This roller may therefore be properly designated as the ink receiving roller. 'I'he ink is pumped up from a reservoir |1| (Fig. l) which depends from the bottom wall section |53 ofthe main frame 25.

Pumping of the ink from the reservoir may be brought about in any suitable manner such as for example, by a pump (Figs. 1 and 9). The pump illustrated in the drawings is preferably of the type used as lubricators or the like. Buch a pump is disclosed in United States Patent 2,007,797, issued July 9, 1535, to Bengt E. Folke, and United States Patent 2,107,662, issued February 8, 1935, to Bengt E. Folke and Walter E. Woolheim.

Briefly such a pump includes a lower casing Van upper casing |13.

|13 (Fig. 9), an intermediate housing |11 and The valve housing is provided with al vertical bearing |15 in which there slides a rod |3I. At its upper end the rod carries a disc |32 which is located in the upper casing |15. This disc is connected to the upper end of a depending piston having an internal check valve |33.

'I'he opposite side of the cylinder bore |51 communicates with an ink outlet recess |55 into which a plug |95 is threaded. 'Ihe plug is provided with achannel |51 which in turn communicates with the inner end of a discharge pipe |95 (see also Fig. l). The pipe extends up into the region of the lowermost ink distributing roller |35 and terminates in a curved section |55 which is adjacent the periphery of the roller.

I'he piston |55 and the parts connected therewith are adapted to be vertically reciprocated. For this purpose the lower end of the rod |5| extends down into the lower casing |15 and is provided with a bearing 2| in which there operates a pin 2|2 eccentrically threaded into the inner end of a ratchet shaft 2|3. The ratchet shaft is joumaled in a stationary bearing 2|4 which extends through a hole 2|5 formed in a side of the vlower casing |15, the bearing being secured to the side of the casing.

The outer end of the ratchet shaft bearing 2|4 is formed with a housing 22| in which a roller ratchet 222 is disposed (see also Fig. l0). This ratchet is keyed onto the ratchet shaft 2 |3. Adjacent the ratchet 222, an auxiliary roller ratchet 225 is also keyed onto the shaft 2|3. This auxiliary ratchet is housed in a rotatable cover 221 which is loosely mounted on the ratchet shaft 2 3 and which extends over the bearing housing 22 A hand wheel lock nut 225 is threaded on the outer end of the ratchet shaft and holds the cover in place against lateral movement.

The cover is rocked on the ratchet shaft 2|3 in time with the other moving parts of the machine. This is effected by a gear 23| (Figs. 1 and 2) which is mounted on the outer end of the trret shaft 31.- Gear 23| meshes with a gear 232 which is formed on a stub shaft 233 carried in a bearing 234 in the frame bracket 4|. The gear 232 serves as a crank for a connecting rod 235 the upper end of which ls connected to the face of the gear by a screw 235. The screw is threaded into the gear face in an off center position.

The lower end of the rod 235 is connected to an arm 231 (see also Fig. 9) which is threaded into a boss 235 formed on the ratchet cover 221. This connection between rod and arm is adjustable so i a vrocking of the ratchet cover on the ratchet shaft 2|3. On the upward stroke of 'the arm, ratchet 226 grips against the inside of the cover 221 and hence lconnects the ratchet shaft with the cover.' This rotates the shaft through a partial rotation. y

On thel downward stroke of the arm 231, the

On the downward stroke the ink received in the cylinder .bore is forced by the descending piston up through the center of the latter and out through the check valve |86, recess |95, `channel |91 and into the discharge tube |98 where it issues forth onto the lower or ink receiving roller |35.v The ink received is uniformly distributed byv the rotating rollers |35 and thus carried up onto the uppermost or ink dispensing roller which is disposed adjacent the path of travel of the marking heads 6| as hereinbefore mentioned.

As a marking-head 6| moves past the ink dispensing roller |35 it is` shifted on its axis into engagement with'the roller vin order to pick up a coating lof ink. This shifting of the marking head is effected by a stationary cam 24| (Figs. 3, 4 and 6) whichis bolted to the arch `frame 24 in a position adjacent the ink dispensing roller |35. The moving marking head is provided with a rcam roller 242 (Figs. 5 and 6) which is carried cn the type holder stud ||3.

Thus when the roller 242 rides over the cam 24| the marking head 6| is moved inwardly into engagement with the ink roller as best shown in Fig. 6 and against the force of the compression spring |2|.y This spring returns themarking head to its normal position after the cam roller 242 rides off of the cam 24|, where the marking head is held ready to be advanced against the end of a can to be marked as hereinbefore explained.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine for marking cans and the like, the combination of a frame, a rotatable can turret mounted in said frame and having a plurality of pockets vfor receiving and for carrying cans along a predetermined path of travel, a plurality of markingv heads disposed adjacent said can turret and movable in timed relation therewith, there being one head for each pocket of said Cil turret, said head being in axial alignment with its pocket, axially movable means carried by each of said marking heads and cooperating therewith for engaging-and clamping a-can to be marked against movement relative to said carrier,V actuating means for axially shifting each head in timed relation into marking engagement with the can in its turret pocket, an inking roller disposed in the path of travel of said heads as they move with said turret,\and means for bringing each head as it approaches said roller into engagement therewith for receivingan application of ink therefrom prior to its engagement with a can to be marked. l Y

2. In a machine for marking cans and the like, the combination of a frame, a can carrier rotatably mounted in said frame for receiving and for conveying'cans through the machine, a marking head carrying means mounted coaxially with said can carrier and movable in timed relation therewith, a marking head mounted in said carrying means, movable means carried by said marking head and cooperating therewith for engaging and clamping a can to be marked against movement relative to said carrier, actuating means for shifting said markingl head into marking engagement with cans while the latter are being conveyed and held insaid can carrier, an inking roller disposed in the path of travel of said marking head as the latter moves with said can carrier, and means for bringing said marking head as it moves with said. conveyor into engagement with said inking roller so that the head will receive an application ofr ink prior to its engagement with a can to be marked.

3. In a machine for marking cans and the like, the combination of a frame, a can carrier rotatably mounted in said frameffor receiving and for conveying cans through the machine, a marking head carrying means mounted coaxially with said can carrier and movable in timed relation therewith, a marking head mounted in said carrying means, movable means carried by said mark ing head and cooperating therewith for engaging and clamping a can to be marked against movement relative to saidA carrier; actuating means for shifting said marking head into marking engagement with the cans while the latter are being conveyed and held in said can carrier, an inking roller disposed in the path of travel of said -marking head as the latter moves with said can carrier, devices for supplying said inking roller with a uniform coating of ink, and means for bringing said marking head as it moves with said conveyor into engagement with said inking roller so that the head will receive an application of ink prior to its engagement witha' can to be marked.

4. In a machine for marking cans and the like,

the combination of a frame, a can carrier rotatably mounted in said frame for receiving and for conveying cans through the machine, a marking head carrying means mounted for coaxial rotation with said can carrier and axially reciprocable in timed relation therewith, amarking head mounted in said carrying means, actuating means for shifting said marking head into marking engagement with cans while the -latter are being conveyed 'and held in said can carrier, clamping instrumentalities carried by said` marking head 4for holding said cans stationary relative to saidA can carrierduring the marking operation, an inking roller disposed in the path of travel of said marking head as the latter `moves with `said can carrier, means for bringing said marking head as it moves with said conveyor into engagement assess with said inking roller s'o'that the head will receive an application of ink prior to its engagement with a can to be marked, and `cam mechanism for periodically actuating said marking head and said clamping `instrumentalities to move the same axially into engagement with cans conveyed by said carrier to clamp and mark said cans.

the combination of a frameNa can carrier rotatably mounted in said frame\ for receiving and for conveying cans through the machine, a marking head carrying means mounted for bodily rotation coaxially with said can carrier and movable in timed relation therewith, a marking head mounted in said carrying means, actuating means for shifting said marking head into marking engagement with cans while the latter are being conveyed in said can carrier, axially movable clamping members carried by said marking head for holding said cans in said can carrier until they have been marked, an i ng roller disposed in the path of travel of said marking head as the latter moves with said can carrier, devices for supplying said inking roller with a uniform coating of ink, means for bringing said marking head as it moves wth said conveyor into engagement lwith said ixiking roller so that the head will receive an application of ink prior to its engagement with a can to be marked, and a discharge device disposed adjacent said can carrier for 5. In a-machine for marking cans and the like, l

carrying marked cans to a suitable place of l deposit.

6. In a machine for marking cans and the like, the combination of a frame, a can carrier rotatably mounted in said frame for receiving and for conveying cans through the machine, a, marking head, means mounted coaxially with said can carrier and movable in timed relation therewith for carrying said marking head, movable means carried by said marking head and cooperating therewith for engaging and clamping a can to be marked against said carrier, actuating means for shifting said marking head into marking engagement with cans being conveyed in and while clamped against said can carrier, a plurality of ink distributing rollers one of which` is disposed shifted along its axis, and cam ymechanism cooperating with said spindle for yieldably pressing said type into engagement `with a can to be marked.

8. In a can marking machine including arotatable carrier having peripheral pockets for successively conveying cans to be marked, and a turr`et mounted coaxially with said carrier for synchronous rotation therewith: a marking head, carried by said turret and including a longitudinally reciprocable head spindle adapted to be shifted along its axis toward a can tobe marked in said carrier, a type holder sleeve yieldably disposed in said spindle, a type holder in said sleeve, type carried 'in said type holder and adapted to be yieldably pressed into engagement with the can to be marked when the spindle is shifted along its axis, means connected with said type holder sleeve for shifting said sleeve independently of said spindle to bring said type into position for receiving a coating of ink, and cam mechanism disposed in the p'ath of said type holder sleeve connecting means for actuating the latter to shift said sleeve prior to the engagement between said type and said can to mark the latter.

9. In a can marking machine including a rotatable carrier having peripheral pockets for successively conveying cans to bemarked, and a turret mounted coaxially with said carrier for synchronous rotation therewith, a marking head carried by said turret and including a longitudinally reciprocable head spindle adapted to be shifted along its axis toward a can to be marked in said carrier, a .type holder sleeve yieldably disposed in said spindle and axially reciprocable relative thereto, a type holder in said sleeve, type carried I in said type holder and adapted to be yieldably in the path of travel of said marking head, said i rollers being arranged to receive ink and to distribute the same evenly over their outer surfaces.

means for bringing said marking head as it moves with said conveyor into engagement with the roller disposed in the path of travel of the head so that the head will receive an application of ink prior to its engagement with a can to be marked.

7. In a can markingxmachine including a fro-i tatable carrier having peripheral pockets for suc-q cessively conveying cans to be marked, and a turret mounted coaxially with said carrier for synchronous rotation therewith: a marking head carried by said turret and including a longitudinally reciprocable head spindle adapted togbe shifted along its axis toward a can to be marked in said carrier, a type holder sleeveyieldably disposed in said spindle, a removable type holder yieldably retained in said sleeve, type removably carried in said type holder, type inking means adjacent the path of said type, cam mechanism disposed in the path of saidtype holder and adapted to urge said type holder outwardly of said sleeve against its yieldable retention therein and to press said type into contact with said inking means, said type being adapted'to be yieldably pressed against a can to be marked'when the spindle is pressed into engagement with fthe can to be marked when the spindle is shifted along its axis, clamping means yieldably mounted on said spindle and movable axially therewith for clamping a can to be marked prior to the marking of the can by the type, and cam mechanism for periodically actuating the aforesaid devices-for moving said type into engagement with said can to mark the latter. i si 1'0. In a machine for marking cans and the like, the combination of a frame, a rotatable can turret 'mounted-in said frame and having a plurality of pockets for receiving and moving the cans to be marked, a plurality of marking heads disposed adjacent said can turret and movable,

in timed relation therewith, there being one head for each pocket of said turret, said head being in axial alignment with its pocket, axially movable means carried by each of said marking heads and cooperatingy therewith fore `engaging and clamping a can to be marked against movement relative to said turret, actuating means for axially shifting each head in timed relation into marking engagement with the can in its turret pocket. an inking roller disposed in the path of travel of said heads as they move with vsaid turret, and means for bringing each head as it approaches said roller into engagement therewith for' receiving an application of ink therefrom prior to its engagement with a can to be marked.

11. In amachine for marking cans and the i path of said marking devices for transferring ink thereto from an ink reservoir: the improvement characterized by housing the said continuously rotatable ink distributing rollers in a bracket pivotally mounted on the frame adjacent a driving connection with said machine, the axes of said pivotal mounting and said can carrier being `substantially parallel and at an angle to the longitudinal axes of the rollers, whereby the rollers may be swung outwardly free of the frame and said ink reservoir in the Plane of their axes for convenience in cleaning and replacing the rollers and in being returned to their normal accurate position relative to said marking devices without disturbing adjustments or driving relationship with the machine.

12. In a machine for marking cans and the like, including a frame having a can carrier rotatably mounted therein for receiving andi for conveying cans to be marked, can marking devices adapted to mark said cans during said conveyance, and a plurality oi.' continuously rotated ink distributing rollers, one of said rollers being accurately and continuously positioned in the path of said marking devices for transferring ink thereto from an ink reservoir: the improvement characterized by housing the said continuouslyA rotatable ink distributing rollers in a bracket pivotally mounted on the frame adjacent a driving connection with said machine, the axes of said pivotal mounting and said can carrier being substantially parallel and at an angle to the longitudinal axes of the rollers, whereby the rollers may be swung outwardly i'ree o! the frame and said ink reservoir in the piane oi their axes and parallel to that of the path of said cans, while retaining driving relationship with the machine, for convenience in cleaning and replacing the rollers, spring means for yieldably counterbalancing the weight of the bracket as the same is swung I outwardly and for limiting the extent of its swinging movement, and releasable locking means for normally holding said bracket in operative position against the machine frame.

AUGUST E. AIMGREN.