EP2662216A2 - Method and machine for decorating vials by indirect pad-printing on the shell - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves depositing a liquid marker substance (5) of specific viscosity in an imprint (11) of a pad-die (10) that is marked by an indentation of specific shape, which is complementary to a shape of an existing wall (3) of a to-be decorated part (4), where the substance is ink or enamel. The pad-die is moved toward the part to bring the wall of the part into contact with a bottom of the imprint to deposit a decorative pattern (2) on the wall by transferring the marking substance from the imprint onto the wall. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a decorating machine for decorating a previously-shaped part by a pad-die (2) a pad-die (3) a glass bottle.

Description

The present invention relates to the general field of processes and machines for printing, marking and decorating intended to bring a pattern or any mark on the wall of a previously formed part, and in particular for decorating bottles, such as than those used to contain cosmetic preparations, perfumes or pharmaceutical preparations.

The present invention relates more particularly to a decorating method by pad printing intended to bring a decorative pattern to the wall of a previously formed decorating piece, such as a glass bottle.

The present invention also relates to a decorating machine by pad printing and a pad printing matrix.

The present invention also relates to a glass or plastic container, such as a bottle, having angular walls which are provided with a decoration consisting of ink or enamel deposited by a pad printing process.

It has long been known to affix inscriptions or ornamental patterns of different colors on many types of pieces and objects, including glass bottles for example containing cosmetic preparations or perfumes.

In this respect, it is in particular known to use screen printing or pad printing methods.

Known tampon printing processes generally use a buffer, formed for example by an elastic block made of rubber or silicone and having a substantially ovoid shape, whose tip is pressed against an etched plate previously coated with ink, before apply said stamp against the wall of the object to be marked.

Although such a technique generally makes it possible to obtain satisfactory results on objects of regular and simple shapes, it nevertheless has certain limits which restrict its scope of application.

Indeed, known pad printing methods generally do not allow to accurately and reproducibly decorate the pieces that have irregular or angular shapes, since the latter remain inaccessible to the buffer.

In addition, they may be unsuitable for the realization of fine and precise decorations, especially when one seeks to decorate the edges or the flowing edges of the object to emphasize the outlines. Indeed, because of the relatively approximate nature of the positioning of the known buffers when they approach the object, and the sometimes random nature of their local deformation, it happens that known pad printing processes tend to shift or overflow the deposit of ink next to or beyond the target edge.

This is why it is necessary, especially in applications that require to obtain a neat aesthetic rendering, which is particularly the case for perfume bottles, to manually proceed to the decor of the bottles. Of course, this significantly limits the rate of production, reproducibility of the process, and increases the cost of manufacture.

The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim at overcoming the drawbacks enumerated above and at proposing a new method of decorating by pad printing which presents improved performances, especially in terms of precision, reliability, versatility, speed and reliability. reproducibility.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new pad printing method whose implementation is particularly simple and with a controlled cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel method of pad printing that allows to selectively and accurately decorate parts with complex shapes, including angular surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new pad printing method for performing at least some related operations, including cleaning, inking, or even maintenance, masked time.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new method of pad printing in which the ink transfers are particularly precise, effective, fast and ink-saving.

Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new pad printing decorating machine which makes it possible to apply in a fine, precise, rapid and reproducible manner a pattern or any inscription on the wall of a piece to decorate, whatever the form of the latter.

Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new decorating machine pad printing whose structure is particularly simple, robust, stable and to control the cost of manufacture.

Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new decorating machine for decorating accurately or selectively all or part of a room with angular walls or leaking, and usually not decorable.

Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new decorating machine that allows precise dosing of the marking substance used, and more particularly the ink.

Another object assigned to the invention is to provide a new pad printing decorating machine with great versatility and good modularity.

Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new pad printing decor machine whose maintenance is limited and simplified.

Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new type of buffer having improved performance, great versatility, and whose maintenance is undemanding in terms of material and time.

Finally, another object assigned to the invention is to provide a glass container with angular walls and stamped in a minimum step.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a pad printing process intended to relate a decorative pattern to the wall of a previously formed decorating piece, such as a glass bottle, said method being characterized in that it comprises a step (a) of preparation during which is deposited in the imprint of a stamped matrix stamped in a shape substantially conjugated to that of the existing wall of the piece to decorate , a liquid marking substance, such as an ink or an enamel, then a marking step (b) in which the buffer matrix is brought closer to the piece until the wall of the latter is brought into contact with the bottom of the impression, so as to deposit the decorative pattern on said walls by transfer of the marking substance from the impression to said wall.

• au moins une matrice-tampon comprenant une empreinte qui est marquée en creux selon une forme sensiblement conjuguée à celle de la paroi existante de la pièce à décorer,
• des moyens d'encrage permettant de déposer dans ladite empreinte une substance de marquage liquide ou pulvérulente, telle qu'une encre ou un émail,
• des moyens d'application conçus pour rapprocher la pièce et la matrice-tampon l'une de l'autre jusqu'à amener la paroi de la pièce à décorer au contact du fond de l'empreinte, de sorte à pouvoir opérer un transfert de la substance de marquage depuis ladite empreinte jusque sur ladite paroi et ainsi déposer le motif décoratif sur cette dernière.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a pad printing decorating machine intended to bring a decorative pattern to the wall of a previously formed decorating piece, such as a glass bottle, said machine characterized in that it comprises:

• at least one buffer matrix comprising a cavity which is marked in a hollow in a shape substantially conjugate to that of the existing wall of the part to be decorated,
• inking means for depositing in said imprint a liquid or powder marking substance, such as an ink or an enamel,
• application means designed to bring the piece and the buffer-matrix closer to each other until the wall of the piece to be decorated is brought into contact with the bottom of the impression, so that a transfer of the marking substance from said imprint onto said wall and thus deposit the decorative pattern on the latter.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved with the aid of a buffer matrix for pad printing, characterized in that it comprises a hollow imprint which has an angular surface intended to be applied against the wall of a workpiece. decorate substantially conjugate form.

The objects assigned to the invention are finally achieved with the aid of a glass or plastic container, such as a bottle, having angular walls which are provided with a decoration composed of ink or enamel deposited by a pad printing process characterized in that said decoration is composed of a single layer of substantially constant thickness, whose average value is between 5 and 50 microns, and constitutes a uniform and homogeneous decorative zone.

• Les figures 1A et 1B illustrent, selon des vues de face, un jeu de matrices-tampons destiné à former une coquille de marquage employée dans un procédé de décor conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 2 illustre, selon une vue de côté, les matrices-tampons de la figure 1 refermées sur la pièce lors de l'étape de marquage d'un procédé conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 3 illustre, selon une vue de côté, l'éloignement des matrices-tampons et la libération de la pièce après le marquage de cette dernière.
• La figure 4 illustre, selon une vue schématique, une portion de machine de décor conforme à l'invention permettant de réaliser l'étape de préparation d'une matrice-tampon au moyen d'un tampon intermédiaire.
• Les figures 5A et 5B illustrent, selon des vues schématiques de côté, l'agencement et le fonctionnement d'une variante particulière de réalisation de matrice-tampon conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 6 illustre une vue 3D d'une matrice tampon et d'un flacon selon une vue de côté.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear in more detail on reading the description which follows, and with the aid of the accompanying drawings, provided for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, among which:

• The Figures 1A and 1B illustrate, according to front views, a set of buffer dies for forming a marking shell used in a decorating method according to the invention.
• The figure 2 illustrates, in a side view, the buffer matrices of the figure 1 closed on the part during the marking step of a method according to the invention.
• The figure 3 illustrates, in a side view, the distance of the buffer matrices and the release of the workpiece after marking thereof.
• The figure 4 illustrates, in a schematic view, a decorating machine portion according to the invention for performing the step of preparing a buffer matrix by means of an intermediate buffer.
• The Figures 5A and 5B illustrate, in schematic side views, the arrangement and operation of a particular embodiment of buffer matrix embodiment according to the invention.
• The figure 6 illustrates a 3D view of a buffer matrix and a bottle in a side view.

The present invention relates to a method of decorating by pad printing, and a machine 1 decor pad printing, each intended to bring a decorative pattern 2 on the wall 3 of a piece 4 to decorate, said piece being previously formed.

Within the meaning of the invention, the piece 4 has, before being subjected to the method and / or the decorating machine according to the invention, a clean shape, preferably corresponding to its finished, definitive and substantially permanent appearance.

Of course, said piece 4 may be formed by any solid object manipulable, regardless of its dimensions or its constituent material, provided that it has a wall 3 whose surface defines its outer contour in a substantially determined relief.

In a particularly preferred manner, said part 4 will consist of a block or a container, and in particular a bottle, preferably made of glass.

Of course, the method and the machine could also be adapted to any type of container, regardless of its constituent material, and in particular to plastic containers.

Of course, the method and the machine according to the invention may be adapted to affix any type of decorative pattern 2 without restriction, and in particular lines or spots of color, pictorial patterns of the type logo or drawings, alphanumeric characters, inscriptions of all kinds, fragments of text, etc.

The decorative pattern 2 will preferably be ornamental, but could equally well serve, like a label, for information, referencing, traceability, advertising or warning.

In addition, the vector of the inscription, that is to say the marking substance 5 used, will advantageously be liquid regardless of its viscosity, and may especially consist of an ink or an enamel.

In what follows, the process, respectively the machine, according to the invention, can be assimilated to a process, or a machine, for decorating glass bottles by ink deposition by pad printing, without this being a limitation. of the invention.

• au moins une matrice-tampon 10, 110 qui comprend une empreinte 11, 111, ladite empreinte étant marquée en creux selon une forme sensiblement conjuguée à celle de la paroi 3 existante de la pièce 4 à décorer,
• des moyens d'encrage 12 qui permettent de déposer dans ladite empreinte 11, 111 une substance de marquage 5 liquide ou pulvérulente, telle qu'une encre ou un émail,
• des moyens d'application 13 conçus pour rapprocher la pièce 4 et la matrice-tampon 10, 110 l'une de l'autre jusqu'à amener la paroi 3 de la pièce à décorer 4 au contact du fond de l'empreinte 11, 111, de sorte à pouvoir opérer un transfert de la substance de marquage 5 depuis ladite empreinte 11, 111 jusque sur ladite paroi 3 et ainsi déposer le motif décoratif 2 sur cette dernière.

According to the invention, the machine 1 comprises:

• at least one buffer matrix 10, 110 which comprises a cavity 11, 111, said cavity being indented in a shape substantially conjugate to that of the existing wall 3 of the part 4 to be decorated,
• inking means 12 which make it possible to deposit in said cavity 11, 111 a liquid or powder marking substance, such as an ink or an enamel,
• application means 13 designed to bring the piece 4 and the buffer matrix 10, 110 closer together until the wall 3 of the piece to be decorated 4 comes into contact with the bottom of the cavity 11, 111, so as to be able to transfer the marking substance 5 from said cavity 11, 111 to said wall 3 and thus deposit the decorative pattern 2 on the latter.

Advantageously, the machine and the method according to the invention allow, as will be detailed below, to achieve a precise and reproducible manner a decoration on the part 4 by indirect pad printing, including, including housing, preferably by setting it down, said part 4 in a cavity 11, 111 which forms a mold, partial or total, in negative of the wall 3 to be treated, said cavity 11, 111 having previously been impregnated or covered with the marking vector.

This makes it possible in particular to perform the marking under particularly stable, precise and reproducible conditions, by using a quantity of marking substance that is just necessary and sufficient for the operation, and to apply said marking substance in a regular and substantially uniform manner. , over the entire area to be treated and only on the area to be treated, substantially without exceeding the latter.

The pattern 2 thus transferred to the wall 3 of the part 4 is therefore advantageously free of defects such as interruptions, burrs or drips, except, in a conventional manner the mold seal.

Preferably, the machine 1 comprises at least a first buffer matrix 10 and a second buffer matrix 110 which each have an imprint 11, 111 of substantially conjugate shape to that of the wall to be decorated 3, and more particularly to the portion respective wall 3 corresponding thereto, as is illustrated in particular on the FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 , 3 and 8. This correspondence is clearly put forward in the figure 6 which is a three-dimensional view.

Advantageously, the first and second buffer matrix 10, 110 are then designed to close one against the other, under the action of the application means 13, by trapping between them the piece 4 to decorate, as illustrated on the figure 2 .

More particularly, the buffer matrices 10, 110 may advantageously move and be constrained in compression against each other according to respective approach paths of substantially convergent directions and of substantially opposite directions F3, F4. so that they can act as jaws or jaws capable of exerting a clamp on the part 4 during marking.

Advantageously, the piece 4 can thus be substantially immobilized, locked and wedged in the bottom of one and / or the other of the impressions 11, 111, it has a high stability during marking, which contributes to improving the quality, accuracy and reproducibility of the latter.

The buffer matrices 10, 110 may advantageously be guided in their displacement and their relative positioning, for example by an appropriate arrangement of the application means 13 on a common frame, and / or with the aid of docking members, such as centering pins 14 designed to align and center the first buffer array 10 relative to the second buffer array 110 when the latter buffer closes on top of one another, preferably at the end of the race, just before said matrices meet completely.

In this respect, it is remarkable that, preferably, the first and the second buffer matrix 10, 110 are preferably arranged to be able to come into contact with each other in the closed position, the contact preferably being operated along a joint plane P _J which may preferably substantially correspond to the median plane of the bottle 4 which contains the generating axis (ZZ ') which passes substantially through the center of the bottom 4A of the bottle and through the center of the opening of the neck 4B of the latter.

Thus, the buffer matrices can advantageously be assembled so as to form a substantially closed lateral contour around the part 4.

In addition, the contacting of said buffer matrices 10, 110 against each other, preferably by their joint plane, also makes it possible to create a limit stop that automatically and in a particularly secure manner limits clamping force and compression exerted by said buffer matrices 10, 110 on the part 4 during marking.

The method is therefore particularly suitable for the series production of decorations on particularly fragile parts, and in particular glass bottles, and makes it possible to decorate areas that are not usually decorable by conventional methods.

Of course, the application means 13 can be arranged to move the part 4 itself, relative to one and / or the other of the buffer matrices 10, 110, so as to bring the piece to the at least one of the buffer matrices, and preferably deposit it in the corresponding imprint.

They can also be arranged to move one and / or the other of the buffer matrices 10, 110 relative to the part 4, the latter then preferably remaining in a fixed position, and / or to move a buffer matrix relative to the other buffer matrix.

The application means 13 may use any type of conveying or handling technology, and may include any type of conveyor, for example a belt, one or more cylinders, rods, carriages, clamps, arms robotic, etc. They can be driven by any suitable energy source, for example electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic.

According to a preferred embodiment, the closing movement F3, F4 of the buffer matrices 10, 110 on one another, respectively the opening movement F5, F6 and spacing of the buffer matrices, one of the other, can operate in rectilinear translation.

As illustrated on the figures 2 and 3 , the two buffer matrices 10, 110 can then face each other, preferably substantially symmetrically on either side of the median plane of the part 4, and more particularly of the sagittal plane of the latter, so as to be able alternatively tackle each other for marking ( figure 2 ) or separate and move away from each other to allow recovery of the marked part and their replenishment of marking material. This interlocking necessary for the invention is also represented through the figure 6 .

According to another alternative embodiment (not shown), the buffer matrices 10, 110 can close one on the other in a rotary angular movement.

Said matrices can then for example articulate in the manner of a hinge relative to each other, pivoting along a common joint edge which borders their joint plane P _J.

Such an angular closure may in particular be effected by the bottom of the bottle, the hinge edge being opposite the bottom, or else with respect to the side wall of the bottle, said hinge edge being then for example substantially parallel to the generator axis (ZZ ').

Preferably, as illustrated on the figure 2 , the meeting of the buffer matrices 10, 110 makes it possible to reconstitute a shell 15 which envelops mainly, and preferably substantially entirely, the whole of the wall 3 of the part 4 to be decorated.

More particularly, the impressions 11, 111 will preferably be arranged to come, when they are juxtaposed, cover together, and more particularly to be applied to the contact of at least 50%, indeed at least 75%, or even at least 90% , if not all of the outer surface of the wall 3 which defines the overall volume of the part 4 to decorate.

Thus, the meeting of the buffer matrices will be able to reconstitute a sort of marking mold, inside which the part 4 is housed in majority, or even entirely during the marking.

In addition, such an arrangement ensures a secure, stable and balanced grip of the part during marking, which improves the quality.

Finally, this same arrangement advantageously makes it possible to perform a simultaneous marking treatment in several zones of the part, and in particular on edges or faces which are distant from each other, or even opposite each other, and in particular which located on either side of the generating axis (ZZ ') or the joint plane P _J.

Advantageously, such a simultaneous treatment of all the areas to be decorated, with apposition, if necessary, of several distinct decorative patterns in several regions of space, different or even diametrically opposed, reduces the cycle time and therefore to increase the rate of production and the efficiency of the machine as well as the process.

Particularly advantageously, it is remarkable that the invention also makes it possible to decorate a bottle simultaneously on all of its faces and / or its edges, without it being necessary to carry out the decorating operations separately and sequential, face-to-face, possibly having to reposition the bottle between each marking phase, for example by rotating or tilting on itself.

On the contrary, the present invention makes it possible to carry out the transfer of the ink from the machine onto the bottle in a single closing pass of the shell 15, while the bottle occupies a unique position which it keeps throughout the operation. marking.

Where appropriate, as illustrated in particular in the figure 2 , the shell 15 may be provided with clearances 16A, 16B preferably located substantially vis-à-vis respectively of the bottom 4A and the neck 4B of the bottle 4.

However, said shell 15 will preferably be arranged so that the piece 4 is, when it is in the marking configuration, completely contained inside the envelope delimited by the overall volume of the buffer matrices 10, 110 joined, no part of the piece 4 projecting outside the shell 15.

Preferably, the buffer matrices 10, 110 will each form a half-shell, preferably of substantially equivalent size and shape, as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 .

However, it is not excluded to provide more than two and in particular at least three buffer matrices forming a shell of more complex shape, which may optionally also include one or more cores (not shown) in order to maintain or decoration of parts having particularly complex shapes, and in particular of highly irregular or concave parts. Thus, depending on the configuration of the piece to be decorated, the number of buffer matrices is adapted so as to favor demolding while preserving the visual quality of the deposit produced.

Of course, the buffer matrices 10, 110 may be made of any suitable material, provided they have sufficient rigidity to substantially retain the shapes of their respective indentations 11, 111 and to withstand the closing and compressive forces.

Preferably, said buffer matrices 10, 110 may be made in solid metal blocks by machining or in blocks of polymeric materials, obtained for example by molding.

Where appropriate, according to a variant not shown, the buffer matrix or matrices 10, 110 may comprise firstly an outer support frame, for example parallelepiped, said frame comprising a housing for accommodating an interchangeable insert whose shape determines that of the imprint 11, 111.

Thus, according to a characteristic which may constitute an entire invention, it will be possible, using the same set of basic support frames, to adapt the buffer matrices 10, 110 to different types of parts 4 simply by exchanging the inserts, which can also be removed if necessary and replaced in case of excessive wear.

Preferably, the wall 3 of the part 4 to be decorated comprises at least one angular portion 20, 21, which may be retractable or projecting 21, and which has at least two intersecting faces 22, which are separated from each other. the other by at least one edge 23.

In other words, the wall 3 will preferably have, at its free surface, vis-à-vis the outside, at least two faces 22, and preferably a plurality of substantially non-coplanar faces, which may each be indifferently flat or curved (hollow or hump), and whose junction is made by edges that can be either sharp or on the contrary rounded by holidays to soften the contours of the room.

More generally, the angular portions 20, 21 may preferably have a relief having a succession of convex and concave surfaces.

Preferably, the cavity 11, 111 of the buffer matrix or matrices 10, 110 then has a negative angular surface 30, 31 which is intended to fit substantially with the angular portion 20, 21 of the wall 3.

Advantageously, each cavity 11, 111 may thus present in one piece a relief substantially conjugated to that of the wall portion 3 that it comes to cap.

For example, the cavity 11 may comprise at least one projecting portion 30 intended to penetrate into a re-entrant portion 20 of the part, substantially between two or more adjacent faces 22 forming a depression on the wall of the part, in order to being able to penetrate into said depression until it comes into contact with said faces 22 which surround it and / or the ridge (s) 23 which marks (s) the bottom.

Similarly, the impression 11 may also include one or more recessed portion (s) intended to come to cap one or more ridge (s) 23 projecting from the piece so as to come to apply on along said edge, which forms a ridge line projecting from the wall of the part, and / or to be applied on the faces, and in particular the departure of the faces 22, which border said edge.

Advantageously, the buffer matrices 10, 110 in accordance with the invention will therefore be able to substantially conform to the most difficult contours of the part 4, in order to mark them properly, efficiently and precisely.

Advantageously, the machine and the method according to the invention will make it possible in particular to mark automatically and with a very low scrap rate bottles of very special shapes, irregular and uneven, with variable curvatures or discontinuities forming abrupt breaks, and by example of the vials having a polyhedral wall having a plurality of secant facets 22 on the lateral portion of the wall 3 which surrounds the generator axis (ZZ ').

The machine and the method according to the invention also make it possible to automatically mark simpler shaped bottles, such as a parallelepiped bottle 3 represented on the drawing. figure 6 .

As illustrated on the figure 4 , the inking means 12 preferably comprise an intermediate buffer 35 which is able to move between on the one hand a sampling station 36, at the level of which said intermediate buffer 35 is applied against an engraved plate 37 which carries the substance of marking 5, in order to take the latter, and secondly a transfer station 38 at which it is applied against the imprint 11, 111 of the buffer matrix 10, 110 to discharge the tagging substance 5 removed.

The intermediate buffer 35 may advantageously be in the form of a standard buffer, and more particularly a flexible punch made for example of rubber or silicone, preferably of substantially ovoid shape whose base is preferably mounted on a crew mobile 44 so that its tip can plunge into the cavity 11, 111 when said movable element is in facing relation, and above, of the latter.

Thus, according to a characteristic which may constitute an invention in its own right, the machine and the method according to the invention preferably use two sets of buffers, namely a first buffer, in this case the intermediate buffer 35, which preferably has a shape, preferably globally convex and in particular ovoid standard, and which allows to recharge, from a reserve of ink preferably associated with an etched plate 37, a second buffer, in this case a second set of buffer matrices 10, 110, which have a shape specific to the part 4 to be marked, and in particular a generally convex shape comprising a hollow recess of substantially conjugate shape to the wall of said part 4. According to the invention, the The shape of the intermediate pad 35 can vary and is specifically adapted to the shape of the piece to be decorated.

The machine 1 according to the invention therefore has a very modular character, since it is possible to adapt it to any type of room, and in particular to any type of bottle 4 simply by replacing the buffer matrices 10, 110.

Therefore, it is inexpensive to manufacture, since the components of the inking means 12 are preferably standard components, its commissioning and maintenance being greatly simplified.

In addition, the inking and reloading tasks of the intermediate buffer 35 on the one hand, and the marking of the part 4 by means of the buffer matrix 10, 110 on the other hand, can advantageously be performed simultaneously, separately but in masked time, which allows to increase the rate of the machine.

In addition, the use of an intermediate buffer 35 advantageously makes it possible to take and use only the quantity of ink necessary and sufficient for the preparation of the buffer matrices 10, 110 and the marking of the part 4, this that saves ink 5.

Furthermore, the sampling station 36 comprises an etched plate support 40 intended to receive the etched plate 37, an inkwell 41 containing the marking substance 5, said inkwell 41 being preferably mounted on an ink-jet carriage 42 which is adapted to move along the engraved plate support 40 to feed the engraved plate 37 in marking material 5. Alternatively, the kinematic assembly can be reversed, the ink fountain 41 being fixed and the intermediate buffer 35 being movable.

More particularly, the ink-jet carriage 42 may have nozzles, inking rollers or any other equivalent type for depositing an ink film on the embossed surface of the engraved plate 37 when the ink-jet carriage 42 traverses the support 40.

In this respect, preferably, the engraved plate 37 will be formed by a plate, preferably a metal plate, in which the pattern 2 will be etched, possibly in a deformed projection to take into account the radius of curvature and the asperities of the wall 3. which it will then have to be postponed.

The ink-dolly 42 can then be mounted mobile in translation along said plate.

The plate support 40 may in turn be fixed on a sole 43.

The movements necessary for the passage of the intermediate buffer 35 from the sampling station 36 to the transfer station 38, and vice versa, may be provided by any appropriate means.

Said means may in particular be designed to form a mobile unit 44 carrying the intermediate buffer 35 and be able to move exclusively said intermediate buffer 35, in all the necessary degrees of freedom, while the sole 43, and respectively the buffer matrix 10, 110 to impregnate, remain in a fixed position.

Alternatively, they may be designed to alternately move the sole 43 and the buffer matrices 10, 110 to bring them to the intermediate buffer, and include for example for this purpose conveyors or drawers that come alternately place or the sole 43 carrying the engraved plate 37 is the buffer matrix 10, 110 vis-à-vis the intermediate buffer 35, and more particularly below it.

Preferably, said displacement means will be distributed in such a way as to make a portion of the degrees of freedom, and therefore displacements, to support the sole 43 and the buffer matrices 10, 110, and the other part to the moving equipment. 44 and intermediate buffer 35.

According to a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. figure 4 , said intermediate buffer 35 will be supported by a mobile unit 44 driven by actuators 45, such as cylinders, conferring at least a degree of freedom controlled in the direction, called " direction of application ", preferably substantially rectilinear and vertical , allowing its F1 approach and its application against the engraved plate 37, respectively against the cavity 11, 111, then its withdrawal F2, that is to say here its descent F1 and its ascent F2.

According to an alternative embodiment, the mobile assembly 44 may be formed by a stem with two or three axes, providing on the one hand a first degree of freedom allowing the intermediate pad 5 to descend in contact with the etched plate 37 and the imprint 11 according to the application direction F1, F2, and secondly one or two degrees of freedom in transverse translation, preferably in two orthogonal directions forming a plane substantially normal to said direction of application F1, F2, that is to say in a substantially horizontal plane on the figure 4 .

Moreover, according to a preferred characteristic which may constitute an entirely separate invention, the buffer matrix 10, 110 may comprise, as illustrated on FIGS. Figures 5A and 5B at least one rigid anvil 50 which substantially defines the recessed functional form of the cavity 11, 111, as well as at least one flexible impregnation membrane 51 which lines said anvil 50 to delimit the bottom of said cavity 11, 111 .

Advantageously, such a design makes it possible in particular to interpose an impregnation membrane 51 which forms a kind of soft cushion-absorber between the bottom of the buffer matrix 10, 110, that is to say the internal rigid wall of the shell 15, on the one hand, and the wall 3 of the part to be marked 4 on the other hand.

Advantageously, such an arrangement makes it possible to reconcile the use of a solid buffer matrix 10, 110, the imprint 11, 111 of which is rigid and substantially invariant, or almost unalterable, with the marking of parts that may be relatively fragile, such a coated matrix being particularly respectful of the treated part.

Furthermore, the impregnation membrane 51 may advantageously be fixed by reversible means which make it removable and allow in particular its replacement in case of wear or rupture, said membrane 51 then acting as sacrificial wear part for conferring to the matrix a bilayer structure, the impregnating layer forms a kind of martyr, which contributes to sustainably preserve the anvil 50 and more particularly the imprint 11, 111 that it defines.

According to another preferred feature which can also constitute an invention in its own right, irrespective of the arrangement of the machine 1, the shape and arrangement of the buffers used, etc., the machine 1 can be provided with inflation 52 able to inject a fluid under pressure, and in particular air or oil, between the anvil 50 and the impregnation membrane 51 to lift off said impregnation membrane 51 from the bottom of the cavity, at least over part of their common surface, or even the majority if not the quasi -totality of said common surface.

The inflating means 52 may, as illustrated on the Figures 5A and 5B , comprising one or more nozzles 53, advantageously supplied by distributors (not shown), which form ducts opening into the gap 54 forming the interface between the bottom of the anvil 50 and the impregnation membrane 51.

Advantageously, it will thus be possible to apply at least temporarily an overpressure to take off and lift all or part of the impregnation membrane 51, which is preferably formed in one piece, so as to develop the profile, and in particular the most reentrant portions, which may especially facilitate its impregnation with the intermediate buffer 35, as illustrated in FIG. Figure 5B .

Alternatively, by evacuating the inflation fluid, and more preferentially by creating a depression at the gap 54, the impregnation membrane 51 can be recalled and pressed against the bottom of the anvil 50, as illustrated on FIG. the Figure 5A , so that said membrane 51 faithfully matches the shape of the impression 11, 111 and thus returns to the shape conducive to the transfer of the marking substance 5 from the buffer matrix to the wall 3 of the part to be marked 4 .

The impregnation membrane 51 will preferably be placed freely on the anvil so as to be able to detach from the bottom of the latter, except of course in certain retention zones which allow the fixing and the maintenance of said membrane in place on the anvil.

Of course, the present invention may relate as such any member or subset of the machine 1 described above.

In particular, the present invention also relates to a buffer matrix 10, 110 for pad printing which comprises a cavity 11, 111 marked in recess, said cavity having an angular surface 20, 21 intended to be applied against the wall 3 of a part 4 to decorate substantially conjugate form.

Likewise, the present invention also relates as such, either independently or in combination with the above-mentioned features, to a buffer matrix 10, 110 which includes a rigid anvil 50 substantially defining the hollow recessed functional form 11, 111 as well as at least one flexible impregnating membrane 51 which lines the bottom of said anvil 50 so as to coat said cavity 11, 111.

The present invention relates to a glass or plastic container, such as a bottle, having angular walls which are provided with a decoration composed of ink or enamel deposited by a pad printing process, characterized in that said decoration is composed of a single layer of substantially constant thickness, the average value of which is between 5 and 50 microns, and constitutes a uniform and uniform decorative zone. This area in which the pattern is arranged thus has no overlap or no unintentional lack in the pattern reproduced.

A method of decoration by pad printing according to the invention will now be described, with reference to a machine 1 as described above, and in connection with the accompanying figures.

According to the invention, said method comprises a step (a) of preparation during which is deposited in the cavity 11, 111 of a buffer matrix 10, 110 marked hollow in a form substantially conjugated to that of the existing wall 3 of the part 4 to be decorated, a liquid marking substance whatever its viscosity, such as an ink or an enamel, then a marking step (b) during which the buffer matrix 10 is brought together, 110 of the piece 4 to bring the wall 3 of the latter into contact with the bottom of the cavity 11, 111, so as to deposit the decorative pattern 2 on said wall 3 by transfer of the marking substance 5 from the impression on said wall.

Advantageously, the part 4 and the buffer matrix 10, 110 are initially separated from each other to allow coating or impregnation of the cavity 11, 111 by an appropriate quantity of a marking substance 5 which is deposited according to the pattern 2 to be obtained, then are brought closer to each other until they meet to allow the transfer by contact of the marking substance from the zones carrying said substance from the surface of the imprint coated or impregnated onto the outer surface of said wall 3.

Of course, this approximation can be operated in different ways.

Thus, it is in particular possible to take the piece 4, and more particularly the bottle, in a reception area, such as a storage bin, to deposit it, and in particular to sleep in the housing formed by the imprint 11 , 111, then exert additional pressure to force the contact between the wall 3 and the bottom of the cavity 11.

The part 4 is then extracted from the impression 11 after marking.

Such an operation can be performed manually, by an operator, or preferably automatically using a conveyor provided for example with jack ejectors or by means of an articulated robotic arm capable of taking the bottle from the bottle. using a pair of pliers and transport it to the buffer matrix.

Conversely, it is also possible to place the bottle 4 on hold in a reception zone, where it can optionally be clamped for example by a jaw or suction system, and then move the matrix. buffer until it is applied against said vial 4.

Preferably, during the marking step (b), the piece to be decorated is simultaneously gripped 4 by means of a plurality of buffer matrices 10, 110 each having an imprint 11, 111 of shape substantially conjugated to a portion of the wall 3 of the room, said buffer matrices each being applied in a separate approach direction against their respective portion of the wall of the room.

More particularly, it will be possible to implement two buffer matrices intended to approach each other substantially in opposition, and sandwiching the piece 4, as illustrated in FIGS. figures 2 and 3 .

The closing movement F3, F4, respectively of opening F5, F6, may in particular be made according to substantially rectilinear and opposed paths, or conversely angular, preferably around the same axis of pivoting, and in opposite directions.

As such, according to an alternative embodiment, it is possible, during the marking step, to deposit, and in particular to lay down, first of all the part 4 in the cavity 11 of the first buffer matrix 10, it itself substantially fixed, then to bring the second buffer matrix 1 of the first so as to cover the still uncovered portion of the part 4. Of course, the application means 13 can be adapted accordingly, and be actuated in whole or in part either manually or, preferably, automatically.

In a particularly preferred manner, the approach movement F3, F4 of the buffer matrix or matrices 10, 110 will be in a substantially transverse direction, or even substantially normal to the side wall of the bottle 4, and more particularly to the generating axis (Z-Z ') of the latter.

Preferably, the marking step (b) is performed by closing on the part 4 to be decorated with a shell 15 formed by a plurality of buffer matrices 10, 110, and preferably two buffer matrices, said shell wrapping the majority, and preferentially the entire of the entire outer wall of the part 4, thus leaving no portion of said piece protruding outside the shell when the latter is closed and completely covers said part, such as this is illustrated on the figure 2 .

In general, it is remarkable that the method according to the invention is particularly respectful of the structural integrity of the part 4, and preferably does not participate in the shaping of said part 4, by simply applying a decorative pattern on pre-existing shapes.

The juxtaposition between the buffer matrix 10 and the bottle 3 as represented on the figure 6 allows to mark the bottle 3 without damaging it.

Advantageously, this firstly makes it possible to avoid damaging the workpiece 4 and thus to limit the breakage and scrap rate.

Moreover, according to such a solution, the decorating tools, and in particular the buffer matrices 10, 110, are subjected to mechanical, chemical and / or thermal stresses that are much lower than those imposed on the manufacturing and forming tools. , which allows for less expensive decorating tools while increasing the reliability and longevity of said tools.

In particular, it is conceivable to implement the process according to the invention at low temperature, especially at room temperature or substantially between 5 ° C and 45 ° C, and at a printing pressure of between 500 N and 5000 NOT.

It also makes it possible to employ a range of marking substances which are particularly wide in terms of both composition and hue, inasmuch as the properties of said substance are not likely to be impaired, and in particular degraded by heat, during the marking, certain substances even requiring a warm-up for their use.

The process according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable and appreciable for the decoration of glass vials, the manufacture of which must be carried out beforehand at very high temperature, and whose decoration can be carried out only separately, after cooling and quality control. Manufacturing.

As illustrated on the figure 3 , the two half-shells formed by the buffer matrices 10, 110 may be initially spaced from each other, so that the shell 15 is wide open to allow the insertion of the bottle 4.

They will then be brought closer to one another so as to substantially mold the outer contours of the bottle, as illustrated on the drawing. figure 2 , the final approach being advantageously guided by the centering pins 14 carried by one of the buffer matrices and which penetrate into corresponding holes provided for this purpose on the other matrix.

The closer movement F3, F4 continues until the buffer matrices 10, 110 abut against each other by making contact, preferably substantially plane, along their joint plane P _J.

Advantageously, the closure of the shell may be accompanied by a slight compression of the impregnating membrane 51 which crushes slightly under the pressure exerted by the shells and thus facilitates the transfer of the ink by its homogeneous application and substantially uniform on the areas to be treated of the wall of the room.

Advantageously, the damper role of said impregnation membrane, as well as the degree of centripetal radial compression exerted on the bottle 4 can be adjusted by a judicious choice of the thickness, density and elasticity of said membrane 51.

Advantageously, the shell 15 is kept closed the time required for the transfer, for example for a period substantially between 0.1 s and 10 s.

Preferably, the wall 3 of the part 4 having at least one reentrant angular portion 20, or opposite a projecting angular portion 21, which has at least two intersecting faces 22 separated by at least one edge 23, the step (b) of marking comprises a sub-step (b1) of engagement during which is applied against the angular portion of the wall 20, 21 a portion of the cavity 11, 111 of the buffer matrix which has a negative angular relief 30 31 substantially conjugated to that of the angular portion 20, 21 of the wall of the room.

Advantageously, this coincidence of the reliefs of the wall of the part on the one hand, and the impression 11, 111 on the other hand, makes it possible to simultaneously and cleanly treat all types of angular walls, including those with reliefs. very tormented, tightening, or leaking edges, and in particular a plurality of edges 23, bright or otherwise rounded, alternately projecting and reentrant and / or oriented in directions very different from each other. This coincidence allows also, of course, to mark walls of simpler form such as that shown on the figure 6 .

In a particularly preferred manner, as illustrated in the figures 2 and 3 , the method may be mainly intended to decorate the edges of the part 4, and more particularly the edges of a bottle having a multitude of non-coplanar facets which form one or more polyhedra, and alternating where appropriate a plurality of bumps and of hollow. The pattern 2 may then be one or more lines of ink or enamel highlighting a preselected number of edges of said bottle.

Said method may be specially adapted to decorate at least, if not exclusively, a plurality of predetermined edges, distinct from each other and possibly located on opposite faces relative to the generator axis (Z-Z ') of the bottle.

As such, the negative 30, 31 of the cavity 11, 111 is preferably, during the substep (b1) interlocking, to cap the edge 23 if it is salient, or respectively to enter said ridge 23 if it is re-entrant, so as to deposit the marking substance 5 on said ridge.

Advantageously, it is thus possible to decorate, and in particular to emphasize one or more edges simultaneously by a uniform deposition substantially over its entire length and without overflow or offset, the adjacent faces may remain otherwise immaculate.

It is particularly conceivable to carry out the simultaneous marking of the majority or all of the edges of the bottle and thus obtain a homogeneous aesthetic rendering, in one pass, and requiring in principle no subsequent recovery.

According to an alternative embodiment, it is of course possible to decorate the faces 22 in the same way, whether they are substantially planar or curved, outwardly or inwardly, or else to apply over a whole relief, faces 22 and 22. including ridges 23, a substantially uniform ink layer.

It is also possible to decorate according to the method of the invention a bottle 4 of parallelepiped shape. This vial 4 and a single buffer matrix 10 are represented on the figure 6 according to a 3D view for purely illustrative and in no way limiting. Such a view makes it possible to highlight the correspondence of form between these two pieces.

Once the ink has been transferred to the part, the shell is opened by separating the buffer matrices 10, 110 from each other so as to discover the part 4.

To do this, it is advantageous to maneuver F5, F6 recessed, and more particularly to draw, one and / or the other of the buffer matrices 10, 110 with the aid of the application means 13, and in particular by means of of double-acting cylinders, as illustrated in the figure 3 .

Of course, the impression has a form of draft such that it allows the free separation and extraction, in a manner of unmolding mold release, of the part 4 once the marking is made and the shell 15 open, which avoids to degrade the motive that has just been deposited.

Furthermore, the preparation step (a) preferably comprises a sub-step (a1) for taking off the marking substance 5 during which said marking substance, and more particularly the ink, is taken from a plate etched 37, previously impregnated with the ink contained in a reservoir 41, by applying to said etched plate 37 an intermediate buffer 35, which is preferably crushed against said etched plate 37 in a direction of application (and impregnation) F1 substantially normal to the inked surface of said etched plate 37.

Step (a) of preparation then preferably comprises a sub-step (a2) of transport during which the intermediate buffer 35 is separated from the etched plate 37, by raising F2 said buffer on the figure 4 , to then place said intermediate buffer 35 vis-à-vis the imprint 11, 111 of the buffer matrix 10, 110. As has been said above, this transfer can be performed, at least in concerning the displacement components transverse to the application path F1, F2, either by means specific to the moving element 44 supporting the intermediate buffer 35, or by a displacement, and more particularly a substitution below said intermediate buffer 35, of the soleplate 43 carrying the etched plate 37 by the buffer matrix 10, 110 to coat.

The preparation step (a) may then comprise a transfer sub-step (a3) in the course of which the intermediate buffer 35 is applied against the imprint 11, 111 of the buffer matrix 10, 110, and more particularly on FIG. the intermediate impregnated buffer is crushed against the bottom of the cavity, or at least against the membrane 51 intended to line the bottom of said cavity, in order to transfer to the said imprint the marking substance 5 taken by the intermediate buffer 35.

Advantageously, during this transfer step, the engraved plate 37 can be automatically reloaded in masked time, by a displacement of the ink-in-dolly 42 which scans the surface of said etched plate 37 by depositing the ink 5 therein.

It is moreover remarkable that the method according to the invention thus makes it possible to carry out indirect printing, in two stages, a first negative printing time, with coating of the buffer matrix 10, 110, then a second time of printing. transfer of the pattern from said buffer matrix to the part 4. In doing so, there is a double transfer of the pattern 2 which allows in particular to better adjust the amount of ink and the resolution, or smoothness, of the plot.

According to a preferred feature which may constitute a complete invention, the preparation step may comprise, prior to the transfer sub-step (a3), a print development sub-step (a4) during which one develops the impression so as to temporarily and at least partially attenuate the relief, so that, during the sub-step (a3) of transfer, the intermediate buffer 35 is applied to the impression thus developed, then sub-step (a5) of recall of the impression during which said impression is folded, after releasing the intermediate buffer 35 and before applying the buffer matrix to the part to be decorated 4, so as to confer on said imprint its functional shape and relief, substantially conjugated to those of the wall 3 to decorate.

In other words, one can advantageously, as illustrated on the Figure 5B injecting a fluid under pressure into the gap 54, preferably substantially sealed, delimited on the one hand by the bottom of the anvil 50 and on the other hand by the surface of the impregnation membrane 51 which is opposite to the inked surface intended to come into contact with the part 4, so as to take off, and somehow unroll, deploy or even smooth said membrane by stretching it, to make more accessible every nook and cranny, and thus facilitate the transfer of the ink from the intermediate buffer to said membrane 51.

If necessary, it would even be possible to inflate said membrane so as to give it a generally convex contour, the curvature of which is substantially opposite to the concave profile of the functional impression, and more particularly of the bottom of the anvil 50.

Advantageously, this phase of temporary reconfiguration of the imprint makes it possible to simplify its inking, which operates with more precision and cleanliness, and with a better homogeneity than if the ink transferred accumulated in hollows that were too marked or contrary was leaking too prominent asperities.

In practice, the rigid anvil 50 substantially defining the hollow recessed functional form of the cavity 11, 111, and said anvil being lined by the impregnation membrane 51 which is designed to come into contact with the surface of the latter and substantially conform to the shape, the substep (a4) of development of the impression is preferably performed by injecting a fluid under pressure, here through one or more nozzles 53, in the separation gap 54 between said anvil 50 and the impregnation membrane 51, so as to detach the latter from the bottom of the cavity.

Conversely, the substep (a5) of return of the impression can be made by reminding the membrane 51 against the anvil 50 by purging, or a depression of said separation gap 54, which allows to press intimately the membrane 51 in the bottom of the footprint, during marking, and during the reopening of the shell 15 during the "demolding" of the decorated part.

Of course, the injection pressure of the inflation fluid, water, air or other will be sufficient to substantially maintain the swollen impregnation membrane 51 when it receives the intermediate buffer 35, so as to limit the collapse of said membrane during of the ink refill of the matrix-buffer.

Thus, the method and the decorating machine according to the invention make it possible to realize automatically, quickly, with good accuracy and excellent reproducibility, the decor of parts of all kinds, and more particularly of glass vials.

In particular, they make it possible to simultaneously apply patterns, and in particular one or more ink films, in areas that until now have been completely inaccessible, except to make them one by one, by hand and using precision instruments.

The method and the machine according to the invention thus provide a substantial gain in productivity, by limiting the breakage, the scrap rate, and by increasing the production rates, which can thus be aligned with the production rates of the parts, thus avoiding the creation of a bottleneck in the production line.

In addition, the method and the machine are particularly inexpensive in ink and can reproducibly produce homogeneous patterns and in particular an edge and / or a flask to another, both in their composition and in their geometric characteristics, and especially in their thickness.

The associated tooling is also particularly durable, easy to maintain and replace when needed.

In addition, the method and the machine according to the invention make it possible to produce particularly versatile installations or decorative stations, which can be easily reconfigured from one series of bottles to another series, by replacing a minimum number of members, and in general only engraved plates 37 and buffer matrices 10, 110.

Claims (20)

Tampo decorating method for bringing a decorative pattern (2) to the wall (3) of a previously formed decorating piece (4), such as a glass bottle, said method being characterized in that it comprises a step (a) of preparation during which is deposited in the cavity (11, 111) of a buffer matrix (10, 110) marked in a hollow substantially in shape conjugate to that of the existing wall of the piece to be decorated, a liquid marking substance (5), such as an ink or an enamel, then a marking step (b) in which the buffer matrix (10, 110) is brought closer to the piece (4). ) to bring the wall (3) of the latter into contact with the bottom of the cavity (11, 111), so as to deposit the decorative pattern (2) on said wall (3) by transfer of the marking substance (5) from the impression to said wall. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that , during the marking step (b), the part (4) to be decorated is simultaneously gripped by means of a plurality of buffer matrices (10, 110) each presenting an impression (11, 111) of shape substantially conjugated to a portion of the wall (3) of the part, said buffer matrices each being applied in a distinct approach direction against their respective portion of the wall of the part . Process according to Claim 2, characterized in that the marking step (b) is carried out by closing on the part (4) to be decorated with a shell (15) formed by a plurality of buffer matrices (10, 110). and enveloping most, and preferably all, of the entire outer wall (3) of said workpiece. Method according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the wall (3) of the piece to be decorated having at least one angular portion, reentrant (20) or on the contrary protruding (21), which has at least two faces (22). ) secant separated by at least one edge (23), the marking step (b) comprises a sub-step (b1) of engagement during which is applied against the angular portion (20, 21) of the wall of the piece a portion of the footprint of the buffer matrix which has a negative angular projection (30, 311), substantially conjugated to that of the angular portion (20, 21) of the wall of the workpiece. Process according to Claim 4, characterized in that , during the interlocking sub-step (b1), the negative (30, 31) of the impression (11, 111) caps the edge (23) if the it is protruding, respectively penetrate into said ridge (23) if it is re-entrant, so as to deposit the marking substance (5) on said edge. Process according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preparation step (a) comprises a sub-step (a1) for taking off the marking substance (5) during which the marking substance is taken from a engraved plate (37), by applying on the latter an intermediate buffer (35), then a sub-step (a2) of transport during which the intermediate buffer is separated from the engraved plate so as to place it in facing relation of the imprint (11, 111) of the buffer matrix (10, 110), then a transfer sub-step (a3) during which the intermediate buffer (35) is applied against the imprint (11, 111). ) of the buffer matrix in order to transfer to the latter the marking substance (5) taken by said intermediate buffer. Process according to Claim 6, characterized in that the preparation step comprises, prior to the transfer sub-step (a3), a sub-step (a4) for developing the impression, during which the imprint is developed. (11, 111) in order to temporarily and at least partially attenuate the relief, so that, during the sub-step (a3) of transfer, the intermediate buffer (35) is applied to the thus developed footprint , then a substep (a5) for returning the impression during which said impression is folded, after having freed the intermediate buffer (35) and before applying the buffer matrix (10, 110) to the workpiece (4) to decorate, so as to give said impression its functional shape and relief, substantially conjugated to those of the wall (3) to decorate. Process according to Claim 7, characterized in that the buffer matrix comprising a rigid anvil (50) substantially defining the hollow-shaped functional form of the impression (11, 111), and said anvil being lined by an impregnation membrane ( 51) flexible designed to come into contact with the surface of the anvil and substantially match the shape, the substep (a4) of development of the impression is performed by injecting a fluid under pressure into the separation gap (54) included between the anvil (50) and the impregnating membrane (51), so as to detach it from the bottom of the impression, and in that the substep (a5) of the recall impression is made by reminding the impregnation membrane (51) against the anvil (50) by purging, or even depression of the separation gap (54). Process according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it constitutes a process for decorating glass flasks. Pad printing machine (1) for feeding a decorative pattern (2) to the wall (3) of a previously formed decorating piece (4), such as a glass bottle, said machine being characterized in that it includes: at least one buffer matrix (10, 110) comprising a cavity (11, 111) which is hollow-marked in a shape substantially conjugate to that of the existing wall (3) of the part (4) to be decorated, - Inking means (12) for depositing in said cavity (11, 111) a marking substance (5) liquid or powder, such as ink or enamel, - Application means (13) designed to bring the piece (4) and the buffer matrix (10, 110) closer to each other until the wall (3) of the piece to be decorated is brought into contact with each other. of the bottom of the impression (11, 111), so as to be able to transfer the marking substance (5) from said impression (11, 111) onto said wall (3) and thus to deposit the decorative pattern on this last. Decorating machine according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises at least a first buffer matrix (10) and a second buffer matrix (110) each having an imprint (11, 111) of shape substantially conjugated to that of the wall to be decorated and which are designed to close one against the other, under the action of the application means ( 13), trapping between them the piece to decorate. Decorating machine according to Claim 11, characterized in that the joining of the buffer matrices (10, 110) reconstitutes a shell (15) which envelops mainly, and preferably entirely, the whole of the wall (3) of the piece to decorate (4). Decorating machine according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the wall of the part to be decorated comprises at least one angular, reentrant (20) or projecting portion (21), which has at least two faces ( 22) separated by at least one edge (23), the imprint (11, 111) of the buffer matrix has a negative angular surface (30, 31) intended to fit substantially with the angular portion (20, 31). , 21) of the wall. Decorating machine according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the inking means (12) comprise an intermediate buffer (35) able to move between on the one hand a sampling station (36), on the one hand of which it is applied against an engraved plate (37) carrying the marking substance (5) in order to take the latter, and on the other hand a transfer station (38), at which it is applied against the impression (11). , 111) of the buffer matrix (10, 110) for discharging at least a portion of the tagging substance (5) removed. Decorating machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the sampling station (36) comprises an engraved plate support (40) for receiving an engraved plate (37), an ink fountain (41) which contains the marking substance (5). ) and which is mounted on an inking trolley (42) movable along the etched plate carrier (40) to feed the etched plate with marking material (5). Decorating machine according to one of Claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the buffer matrix (10, 110) comprises at least one rigid anvil (50) defining substantially the recessed functional form of the cavity (11, 111). and at least one flexible impregnating membrane (51) lining said anvil to delimit the bottom of said cavity. Decorating machine according to claim 16, characterized in that it is provided with inflating means (52) capable of injecting a pressurized fluid between the anvil (50) and the impregnation membrane (51) in order to detach the latter from the bottom of the footprint. Stamping matrix (10, 110) for pad printing, characterized in that it comprises a recessed impression (11, 111) which has an angular surface (20, 21) intended to be applied against the wall (3) of a piece (4) to decorate substantially conjugate form. Buffer matrix according to Claim 18, characterized in that it comprises a rigid anvil (50) defining substantially the recessed functional form of the cavity (11, 111), as well as at least one impregnation membrane (51). flexible lining the bottom of said anvil to coat said footprint. Container made of glass or plastic, such as a bottle, having angular walls which are provided with a decoration composed of ink or enamel deposited by a pad printing process characterized in that said decoration is composed of a single layer of substantially constant thickness, the average value is between 5 and 50 microns and is a uniform and homogeneous decorative area.

Images