FR3024952B1 - DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING A SURFACE OF AN OBJECT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1A-1D) for the treatment of a surface (62A-62D) of an object (60A-60D), the device (1A-1D) comprising: a support (10A-10D) suitable for to be secured to the object (60A-60D); and at least one movable member (30A-30D) comprising a connecting portion (31A-31D) movably mounted on the support (10A-10D); and at least one masking portion (35A-35D) protruding from the connecting portion (31A-31D) so that the movable member (30A-30D) can be brought closer to the surface (62A-62D) to a masking position in which the masking portion (35A-35D) is able to mask an area of the surface (62A-62D), and to be moved away from the surface (62A-62D) until a withdrawal position facilitating the installation of the object (60A-60D) relative to the support (10A-10D). The invention also relates to a method for treating a surface (62A-62D) of an object (60A-60B) using such a device (1A-1D).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a device and a method for the treatment, in particular by application of a paint or a lacquer, of an object having a surface to present visual aesthetic effects, as is the case for example for a containing such a bottle of perfume.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

In a known manner, an object, for example having the shape of a bottle 110 as shown in FIG. 21, can present, at the factory outlet, a surface having a plurality of disjoint zones which are alternately painted and unpainted, of to create, through the game of this alternation, an overall aesthetic out of the ordinary and attractive to the consumer.

To achieve such a surface, it is known to use a conventional method, consisting of successively: fixing the object on a paint line; to paint entirely the considered surface of the object; remove the object thus painted from the paint line; transport the object to a stripping chain, distant from the paint line to avoid any risk of reciprocal contamination of the equipment they implement respectively; install the object in a mask 100 of the type shown in Figure 21, which is itself attached to the stripping chain, and which is split into two shells 102, 104 perforated and perfectly matching the shape of the object 110, once these two shells assembled with the object inserted in; stripping, especially by means of an optical (especially laser), mechanical (in particular sanding) or chemical process, the areas of the painted surface which correspond to the days left by the mask 100, so that said zones return to their original state without painting, while the rest of the surface covered by the solid parts of the mask 100 are spared by the stripping process and thus remain painted; and uninstall the partially stripped object from the stripping chain.

Such a method, by its complexity and its implementation time, is unsatisfactory.

There is therefore a pressing need for the development of a method of treatment and a device for the implementation of such a more competitive process.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for the treatment of a surface of an object, the device comprising: a support adapted to be secured to the object; and at least one movable member comprising a connecting portion movably mounted on the support; and at least one masking portion projecting from the connecting portion, such that the movable member can be brought closer to the surface until a masking position is reached in which the masking portion is able to mask an area from the surface, and away from the surface until reaching a retracted position facilitating the installation of the object relative to the support.

With such a device, it is possible to save at least one area of the surface during the treatment of said surface. This area thus spared therefore does not have to be stripped subsequently, as was the case with the conventional method, since it is protected by the masking part during the treatment stage and can thus remain in its position. untreated state of origin. It is thus possible to eliminate all the steps relating to the implementation of the pickling process, namely the aforementioned steps of transportation, installation, actual stripping and removal of the stripping chain. The use of such a device thus significantly improves the competitiveness of the process compared to the conventional one.

In addition, this device is configured for such savings to be made without the connecting portion of the movable member impedes the treatment of the remainder of the area surrounding the spared area. To do this, the masking portion protrudes from the connecting portion, so that the connecting portion is set back from the masking portion. The connecting portion may thus be further from the surface than the masking portion when the movable member adopts its masking position, which may allow the connecting portion to be sufficiently spaced from the surface so as not to impede the treatment of the latter around the area spared by the masking portion. The relief formed by this particular arrangement of the bonding and masking portions with respect to each other may allow the establishment of a free space or passage between the masking portion and the bonding portion, whereby the treatment can reach the surface to be treated.

Furthermore, the mobility of the movable member between its masking position and its retracted position can make it easier to install and remove the object relative to the support, the retracted position allowing the masking portion to be removed. be arranged further from the surface than in the masking position. This mobility can be used to quickly install an object to be treated following the removal of a newly processed object, when the device is adapted to be reusable for the successive processing of several objects.

In addition, the object to be saved may have any type of shape, including at least one portion having a regular shape or not, parallelepiped, cylindrical, spherical, at least one axis or plane of symmetry or not, or other, provided only that this shape is conducive to securing the object with the support allowing the movable member initially in the retracted position to be brought closer to a surface of the object to adopt a position of masking a zone of this area.

Moreover, the device can be used during any type of treatment, for example a treatment by spraying, spraying or dipping or by any other method for applying a paint, a lacquer, a glue, an adhesive, or another type coating, sanding or other type of mechanical, chemical or optical surface treatment, in particular a UV reaction, or the like. Thus, it can easily be chosen to carry out a predetermined treatment that will more or less modify or not the relief of the areas not spared, depending on the overall aesthetic sought.

In some embodiments, the movable member may be pivotally mounted on the support.

In some embodiments, the movable member may be slidably mounted on the support. The introduction of such particular displacement guides of the movable member relative to the support may allow the use of technically simple solutions implement and / or make the transition from the retracted position to the masking position and reciprocally.

In some embodiments, the connecting portion and the masking portion may be formed integrally, for example by a molding technique of a plastic (including thermoplastic), metal, composite or other.

In some embodiments, the masking portion may be a part dissociated from the connecting portion and adapted to be fixed thereto.

It is thus possible to provide different materials for the masking portion and the connecting portion. In particular, it is possible to use a softer material (for example, a plastic, rubbery or silicone material) for the masking part to make the masking of the area to be spared more efficient, and a more rigid material (for example , a plastic material, especially a thermoplastic, a metallic material or composite) for the connecting part to maintain a satisfactory level of rigidity for the movable member in order to better perpetuate the positioning of the masking portion when the movable member adopts its masking position. These materials will obviously be chosen to adapt to the chemical, thermal, mechanical and / or physical constraints imposed by the type of treatment to be implemented.

Moreover, the fact that the masking part is dissociated from the connecting part can be used to allow rapid adaptation of the device according to the object to be treated, in particular by replacing a first masking part, which is initially fixed to the connecting part and adapted to the treatment of a first type of object and / or configured to mask a first form of area to be saved, by another masking part adapted to the treatment of another type of object and / or configured to hide another form of area to be saved.

In some embodiments, the movable member may include a joining portion projecting from the connecting portion and through which the masking portion projects from the connecting portion, which is a simple solution for removing the connecting part of the masking part.

In some embodiments, the joint portion may be formed integrally with the bonding portion and / or the masking portion, for example, by a molding technique of a plastics material (especially a thermoplastic), metallic , composite or other.

In some embodiments, the joining portion may be dissociated from the connecting portion and / or the masking portion and adapted to be attached to the one or two other parts from which it is dissociated.

In some embodiments, the joining portion may project in a projection direction from the connecting portion, and the joining portion may have, in a plane perpendicular to the projection direction, a dimension smaller than the dimension of the projection. masking part. This size restriction may allow the introduction of a larger free space or passage between the masking portion and the connecting portion, whereby the treatment can more easily reach the surface to be treated.

In some embodiments, the movable member may include a plurality of masking portions each protruding from the connecting portion and spaced apart from one another so as to mask a plurality of disjoint areas of the surface when the movable member adopts its masking position. In this case, each of the features described in this disclosure may be repeated, alone or in combination with any of said other features, by one, more or each of the masking portions of said plurality of masking portions.

In some embodiments, the device may comprise a stabilizing member of the movable member in the masking position. The movable member can thus stably remain in the masking position during the surface treatment step, which makes it possible to prevent any inadvertent movement of the movable member during this step and thus avoid any risk of a accidental treatment of all or part of the area to be saved caused by such movement.

In some embodiments, the stabilizing member may include a biasing member of the movable member toward its masking position. Thus, when the movable member is removed from its masking position, it can automatically be recalled, including elastically, to this position under the effect of the biasing element.

In some embodiments, the stabilizing member may comprise first and second retaining portions incorporated in the support and the movable member, respectively, and able to cooperate together to frictionally retain the movable member in its position. masking. Thus, failing for the operator to exert sufficient effort to overcome the resistance resulting from this friction effect, the movable member is prevented from moving and retained in its masking position.

In some embodiments, the device may include a plurality of movable members spaced apart from one another, so as to mask a plurality of disjoint areas of the surface, when each movable member of said plurality adopts its masking position. In this case, each of the features described in the present description can be taken up, alone or in combination with any other of said characteristics, by one, several or each of the movable members of said plurality of movable members.

In some embodiments, the support may comprise a plurality of sites on which the movable members can be respectively and selectively mounted and disassembled, so as to make the device more modular and adapt more quickly to the type of object to be treated. . For example, a first movable member may be initially mounted on a first site to allow processing of a first object, and then removed from that first site to be mounted on a second site or removed from the device to enable processing of a first object. a second object. The first site may then, for example, remain unoccupied or accommodate a second mobile device that was not initially present in the device or initially mounted on another site, including the second site (in this case the first and second organs mobile devices can be switched) or a third site.

In some embodiments, the movable members may comprise respective latch portions which together form a locking relief, when the movable members adopt their respective masking positions, and the stabilizing member may comprise a locking piece adapted to hanging on the locking relief to lock the movable members in their respective masking positions and to be disengaged from the locking relief to allow the movable members to move out of their respective masking positions. The movable members can thus be simultaneously locked in the masking position and released, simply by incorporating and removing the locking piece of the device.

In some embodiments, the stabilizer member may be configured to stabilize the movable member also in the retracted position.

In some embodiments, the movable members may be able to move between their respective positions of masking and withdrawal according to respective trajectories contained in secant planes. Thus, the trajectory of a first movable member can be contained in a first plane; and the path of a second movable member may be contained in a second plane secant with the first plane, in particular forming a right angle or any other predetermined non-zero value with this first plane (it could however also be expected, without leaving the context of this presentation, that the first and second planes are parallel, in particular spaced a predetermined distance, or even confused). This secant nature of the planes can in particular be used when the surface to be treated is not flat (for example a curve and / or exhibiting at least one discontinuity), so that this surface comprises at least two distinct zones to be spared which present, at two respective points of said two zones, respectively normal directions at the surface which are non-collinear. The distinct trajectories of the moving members can then make easier the simultaneous masking of these zones. In particular, it can be expected that these normal directions are respectively included in the aforementioned intersecting planes.

In some embodiments, the movable members may be angularly spaced about an axis. This characteristic can in particular be used for the aforementioned reasons, in particular to encircle, at least partially, a non-planar surface of the object to be treated. This object can then be disposed in the vicinity of the axis defined by the device. For example, the object may have at least one portion defining an axis intended to come in the vicinity or to be confused with the axis defined by the device, when the object and the support are secured together.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned intersecting planes can intersect in a line coincident with this axis.

In some embodiments, the device may comprise a coupling member in displacement of the movable members of said plurality, so that a displacement of a first movable member of said plurality causes a displacement of the or each other movable member of said plurality. It can thus result in a saving of time during the displacement of the movable members between their respective positions of masking and withdrawal.

In certain embodiments, when the device comprises a plurality of masking portions, whether the latter are incorporated in the same movable member or a plurality of distinct movable members, these masking portions may have identical or distinct shapes, so that to be able to mask areas of the surface of identical or different shapes in masking position.

A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of treating a surface of an object using a device according to the first aforementioned aspect. This method comprises: a step of setting in the withdrawn position of the movable member, so as to facilitate the installation of the object relative to the support; a step of securing the object with the support; a step of setting the masking member in the masking position, so as to mask at least one area of the surface; a step of treating the surface by sparing said at least one zone; a step of setting the withdrawing position of the movable member, so as to facilitate the removal of the object relative to the support; a step of separating the object from the support.

Thus, unlike the conventional method in which it was necessary to provide two working lines distant from each other to respectively fully treat and locally strip the surface of the object, the method according to the second aspect above is simpler in it allows to get rid of the stripping chain and all the steps associated with it. The method can thus allow a concentration of all the steps on a single chain, in particular the processing chain, by coordinating and binding them together, which allows a substantial time saving during the realization of the object. In addition, the simplification of the process can reduce the risk of defects in the objects produced, which also contributes to improving the competitiveness of the process.

The above-mentioned characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, examples of embodiments which are devoid of any limiting character and which are simply offered for illustration purposes. This detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are diagrammatic and are not to scale, they are primarily intended to illustrate the principles mentioned in this presentation. In these appended drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to a first exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, with the movable members in the retracted position; - Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the first device, with the movable members in the retracted position;

- Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the first device along the axis III-III shown in Figure 2; - Figure 4 shows a view similar to that of Figure 3, wherein the movable members of the first device are in the masking position; - Figure 5 shows a view similar to that of Figure 1, wherein the movable members of the first device are in the masking position; - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment according to this presentation, with the movable members in the retracted position; - Figure 7 shows a front view of the second device, with the movable members in the retracted position; - Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the second device along the axis VIII-VIII shown in Figure 7; - Figure 9 shows a view similar to that of Figure 8, wherein the movable members of the second device are in the masking position; - Figure 10 is a perspective view of the second device, from another angle and with the movable members in the masking position; - Figure 11 is a perspective view of a device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, with the movable members in the retracted position; - Figure 12 shows a side view of the third device, with the movable members in the retracted position; FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of the third device along the axis XIII-XIII shown in FIG. 12, as well as an enlarged zone of this section; - Figure 14 is a view similar to that of Figure 13, wherein the movable members of the third device are in the masking position; - Figure 15 shows a front view of the third device, with the movable members in the masking position; - Figure 16 is a perspective view of a device according to a fourth embodiment according to this presentation, with the movable member in the retracted position; - Figure 17 shows a bottom view of the fourth device, with the movable member in the retracted position; - Figure 18 shows a sectional view of the fourth device along the axis XVIII-XVIII shown in Figure 17; - Figure 19 is a view similar to that of Figure 18, wherein the movable member of the fourth device is in the masking position; - Figure 20 shows a view similar to that of Figure 16, with the movable member in the masking position; - Figure 21 shows a perspective view of a conventional mask used to locally etch a surface of an object previously treated integrally.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of an IA device according to the present disclosure. The suffix "-A" will be used in numerical references when this first example is mentioned.

Figures 6 to 10 show a second embodiment of a device IB according to this presentation. The suffix "-B" will be used in numerical references when this second example is mentioned.

Figures 11 to 15 show a third embodiment of an IC device according to the present disclosure. The suffix "-C" will be used in numerical references when this third example is mentioned.

Figures 16 to 20 show a fourth embodiment of a device 1D according to this presentation. The suffix "-D" will be used in numerical references when this fourth example is mentioned.

In these examples, the device 1A-1D is adapted for the treatment of a surface 62A-62D of an object 60A-60D, and comprises: a support 10A-10D adapted to be secured to the object 60A-60D; and at least one movable member 30A-30D comprising a connecting portion 31A-31D mounted movably on the support 10A-10D; and at least one masking portion 35A-35D protruding from the connecting portion 31A-31D, so that the movable member 30A-30D can be brought closer to the surface 62A-62D until a masking position is reached wherein the masking portion 35A-35D is adapted to mask an area of the surface 62A-62D, and to move away from the surface 62A-62D to a retracted position facilitating the installation of the object 60A-60D relative to the 10A-10D support.

In the first example, object 60A includes a spherical portion that incorporates surface 62A to be treated. In the second and fourth examples, the object 60B, 60D comprises a parallelepiped shaped portion that incorporates the surface 62B, 62D to be treated. In the third example, object 60C includes a portion that incorporates surface 62C to be treated. This portion has a shape close to that of a parallelepiped but is more irregular, in particular in that its edges are more rounded and in that the surface 62C has a discontinuity forming a shoulder clearly visible on the enlargements of Figures 13 and 14. However, it is possible to provide, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, an object whose surface to be treated has a completely different shape, provided only that this shape is conducive to a connection of the object with the support allowing the mobile member initially in the retracted position to be brought closer to a surface of the object to adopt a masking position of an area of this surface.

In each of the examples, the object 60A-60D to be treated is a container, for example a perfume bottle as illustrated in the first example, or a bottle as illustrated in the other examples. However, it is possible to provide, without departing from the scope of this presentation, to treat an object other than a container, for example an object having at least one solid portion (not hollowed out internally) incorporating the surface to be treated. By way of example, it would be possible to provide, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, an object similar to that illustrated in the third example but having no internal cavity, the latter having, in the third example, no interaction with the IC device.

In the first, second and fourth examples, the support 10A, 10B, 10D comprises a securing portion 12A, 12B, 12D adapted to be inserted into the neck 64A, 64B, 64D of the object 60A, 60B, 60D and to cooperate with the inner wall of this neck to secure the support 10A, 10B, 10D with the object 60A, 60B, 60D. However, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, it would be possible to provide a securing part capable of cooperating with an external wall of the object, at the level of its neck or elsewhere on the object, again illustrating the purely optional of the presence of an interior cavity in the object, which is not necessarily a container. Furthermore, in the third example, the support 10C comprises a securing portion adapted to cooperate with the aforementioned shoulder of the surface 62C to secure the support 10C with the object 60C.

In each of the examples, the securing part is able to cooperate by friction effect with the object 60A-60D to reinforce the bonding between the support 10A-10D and the object 60A-60D. For example, the securing portion may incorporate one or more elastic portion (s) adapted (s) to adopt a form of rest opposing a separation of the support and the object and to be deformed (s) elastically to allow this separation (see, for example, the two elastic toric portions which are incorporated in the securing portion 10A, 10B, 10D and which are clearly visible in Figures 18 and 19 of the fourth example).

In each of the first, second and third examples, the device 1A-1C comprises a plurality of movable members 30A-30C spaced from each other, so as to be able to mask a plurality of disjoint areas of the surface 62A-62C, when each movable member 30A-30C of said plurality adopts its masking position. In particular, the device IA according to the first example comprises six movable members 30A, while the device IB according to the second example comprises four movable members 30B and the device IC according to the third example comprises two movable members 30C. One could however provide, without departing from the scope of this presentation, an entirely different number of mobile units, even or odd, greater than or equal to one. For example, the device 1D according to the fourth example comprises a single movable member 30D.

The masking position of the or each movable member 30A-30D is clearly visible in FIGS. 4 and 5 for the first example, FIGS. 9 and 10 for the second example, FIGS. 14 and 15 for the third example, and FIGS. 19 and 20 for the fourth example.

The withdrawal position of the or each movable member 30A-30D is clearly visible in FIGS. 1 and 3 for the first example, FIGS. 6 to 8 for the second example, FIGS. 11 and 13 for the third example, and FIGS. 16 and 18 for the fourth example.

In each of the first, second and third examples, each movable member 30A-30C is pivotally mounted on the support 10A-10C. For example, each movable member 30A-30C may be associated with a first pivot connection comprising a female portion incorporated in the movable member 30A-30C in question (or the support 10A-10C); and a male portion which is incorporated in the support 10A-10C (or the movable member 30A-30C considered) and which is adapted to cooperate with the female portion to allow relative pivoting about a first pivot axis of the mobile member 30A-30C and the support 10A-10C relative to each other.

In addition, in these examples, the support 10A-10C comprises a plurality of sites on which the movable members 30A-30C can respectively be selectively mounted and disassembled. For example, the edge of each said female portion may comprise a notch (clearly visible in the enlargements of FIGS. 13 and 14) through which each male portion mentioned above may be inserted or disengaged from this female portion to allow the assembly and disassembly of the mobile member 30A-30C considered relative to the support 10A-10C.

In the fourth example, the movable member 30D is slidably mounted on the support 10D. For example, the movable member 30D may be associated with a first slide connection comprising a female portion incorporated in the movable member 30D (or the support 10D); and a male portion which is incorporated in the support 10D (or the movable member 30D) and which is adapted to cooperate with the female portion to allow the movable member 30D to slide relative to the support 10D along a direction sliding.

In the first and second examples, the movable members 30A, 30B are able to move between their respective positions of masking and withdrawal according to respective trajectories contained in secant planes (forming in particular an angle of 60 ° between them in the first example and 90 ° in the second example). In the third example, the respective trajectories of the movable members 30C are contained in the same plane.

In the first, second and third examples, the movable members 30A-30C are angularly spaced, in particular regularly, around an axis O. In particular, in these examples, this axis O may be coincident with an axis defined by at least one portion of the object 60A-60C (in particular that incorporating the surface 62A-62C to be treated), this axis possibly corresponding to an axis of symmetry or belonging to at least one plane of symmetry of said portion, as is proposed in the figures of these examples. Furthermore, in these examples, the movable members 30A-30C are able to encircle the surface 62A-62C, which is chosen to be non-planar (it is in particular curved in the first example, while it has several discontinuities materializing non-planar faces. coplanar, especially orthogonal, in the second and third examples).

In these examples, the intersecting planes (or the common plane) containing the respective trajectories of the movable members 30A-30C may (may) pass through the axis around which these movable members are spaced angularly.

In the first and second examples (see in particular FIGS. 5 and 10), the device IA, IB comprises a moving coupling member 40A, 40B of the movable members 30A, 30B of said plurality, so that a displacement of a first movable member of said plurality causes a displacement of the or each other movable member of said plurality. In particular, a displacement of the first movable member between its withdrawing and masking positions can cause a displacement of the coupling member, which in turn can cause the displacement of the or each other movable member between its withdrawal and masking positions. .

In these examples, each movable member 30A, 30B is associated with a second pivot connection comprising a female portion incorporated in the movable member 30A, 30B considered (or the coupling member 40A, 40B); and a male portion which is incorporated in the coupling member 40A, 40B (or the movable member 30A, 30B considered) and which is adapted to cooperate with the female portion so as to allow relative pivoting around a second pivoting axis of the movable member 30A, 30B considered and the coupling member 40A, 40B relative to each other.

In these examples, the coupling member 40A, 40B is configured to translate in a translation direction when the coupled movable members 30A, 30B move between their respective withdrawal and masking positions. Thus, a pivoting of a movable member 30A, 30B considered relative to the support 10A, 10B causes a translation of the coupling member 40A, 40B relative to the support 10A, 10B, and vice versa.

In these examples, each movable member 30A, 30B includes a spacer portion 39A, 39B projecting from the connecting portion 31A, 31B and spacing the first and second pivot axes relative to each other.

In these examples, the coupling member 40A, 40B consists of a single piece, adapted to cooperate with each of the movable members 30A, 30B for coupling in motion. In particular, this piece has a symmetry of revolution with respect to Tax O. It may for example take the form of a torus as shown in Figures 5 and 10, a ring, or any other form. In addition, in these examples, the translation direction of the coupling member 40A, 40B is provided parallel to the axis O.

Moreover, to avoid a hyperstatic configuration hindering the good displacement of the movable members and / or the coupling member, it is possible to provide, for example, a certain elasticity for the coupling member 40A, 40B and / or a cooperation with play of the male and female portions of each second pivot connection. In particular, there may be provided oblong holes for these female portions, which are clearly visible in Figures 8 and 9.

In each of the examples, the or each movable member 30A-30D may optionally include zero, one, or more (two or more) masking portions 35A-35D. In particular, in the first example, it is chosen to alternate between mobile members 30A incorporating a single masking portion 35A and movable members 30A incorporating two masking portions 35A (see in particular Figure 2). In the second and third examples, it is chosen to use movable members 30B, 30C each incorporating only one masking portion 35B, 35C (see particularly Figures 6 and 11). In the fourth example, it is chosen to use a movable member 30D incorporating two masking portions 35D (see in particular Figure 16). Thus, the device can be customized according to the surface to be treated and the desired visual effect. In addition, the fact of incorporating several masking parts on the same movable member can be used for each of these masking parts protrudes from the connecting portion of this movable member, being spaced apart from each other, so as to mask a plurality of disjoint areas of the surface, when the movable member adopts its masking position. This solution allows to position in a minimum of time and precisely these masking parts relative to each other in the masking position, and thus effectively and reliably save disjoint areas of the surface.

Moreover, in the first and second examples, the masking portions 35A, 35B have distinct shapes (see in particular FIGS. 5 and 6), so as to be able to mask areas of the surface 62A, 62B of distinct shapes in position. masking. Conversely, in the third and fourth examples, the masking portions 35C, 35D have identical shapes (see in particular FIGS. 15 and 16), so as to be able to mask areas of the surface 62C, 62D of identical shapes. in the masking position. The fact of freely being able to opt for identical or distinct forms again offers a possibility of customization of the device according to the surface to be treated and the desired visual effect.

To make this customization even easier, it is provided in these examples that the masking parts 35A-35D are parts separated from and capable of being fixed on the or each connecting portion 31A-31D. This dissociation can furthermore be used to provide a first material for the masking parts 35A-35D (for example, a softer material) and a second material different from the first material for the or each connecting portion 31A-31D (for example a more rigid material). Moreover, this dissociation can also be used to easily switch, move, add or remove one or more masking parts depending on the object to be treated.

In each of the examples, the or each movable member 30A-30D comprises, for each masking portion 35A-35D incorporated in the movable member 30A-30D considered, a junction portion 33A-33D projecting from the connecting portion 31A- 31D and through which the masking portion 35A-35D considered protrudes from the connecting portion 31A-31D. The presence of such joining portions 33A-33D is a simple solution for removing the connecting portion 31A-31D from the or each 35A-35D masking portion, so that the connecting portion 31A-31D is further indented of the surface 62A-62D to be treated that the or each masking portion 35A-35D, when the movable member 30A-30D is in the masking position (see in particular Figures 4, 9, 14 and 19). Such a recess allows the introduction of a free space or passage between the connecting portion 31A-31D and the surface to be treated 62A-62D, which free space or passage is able to be traversed by the treatment to reach the surface 62A-62D. The connecting portion 31A-31D thus does not interfere with the treatment of the surface 62A-62D at any location thereof that is not to be spared by the or each masking portion 35A-35D.

Furthermore, according to this same logic, it is provided in these examples, that the junction portion 33A-33D is projected in a direction of projection D from the connecting portion 31A-31D, and that this connecting portion 33A-33D has, in a plane P perpendicular to the projection direction D, a dimension smaller than the dimension of the masking portion 35A-35D (see in particular FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 7, 11, 13 and 16).

In these examples, the joining portion 33A-33D is formed integrally with the connecting portion 31A-31D, and is dissociated from the masking portion 35A-35D, the latter being adapted to be fixed directly on the part 33A-33D.

In these examples, the connecting portion 31A-31D is in the form of an arm from which the or each masking portion 35A-35D protrudes. In particular, the projection direction D of a junction portion 33A-33D considered is provided perpendicular to a portion of the arm from which this joining portion is projected.

Furthermore, in each of the examples, the device 1A-1D comprises a stabilizing member of the or each movable member 30A-30D in the masking position.

In the first example, the movable members 30A comprise respective locking portions 37A which together form a locking relief, when the movable members 30A adopt their respective masking positions, and the stabilizing member comprises a locking piece 50A adapted to cling on the locking relief to lock the movable members 30A in their respective masking positions (as shown in Figures 4 and 5) and to be disengaged from the locking relief to allow the movable members 30A to move out of their respective masking positions (as shown in Figure 1). In particular, in this first example, the locking portions 37A protrude from the connecting portions 31A of the movable members 30A to which they are respectively incorporated. In addition, in this first example, the locking piece 50A has a plurality of openings in which the locking portions 37A are respectively capable of being engaged to effect locking.

In the second and fourth examples, the stabilizing member comprises a biasing element 50B, 50D (in particular a spring, in particular a spiral spring) of the or each movable member 30B, 30D towards its respective masking position. In particular, in the second example (see in particular FIGS. 8 and 9), the biasing element 50B is able to indirectly urge the displacement of each movable member 30B towards its respective masking position, in particular by requesting the displacement of the coupling member 40B (eg via arms connected to the coupling member 14B, and on which the biasing element can exert its force directly), which in turn causes the moving members 30B to move. Conversely, in the fourth example, it is provided that the biasing element 50D directly urges the displacement of the movable member 30D, in particular by exerting its force directly on the connecting portion 31D, for example an end of this last as clearly visible in Figures 18 to 20.

In the third example (see in particular the enlargements of Figures 13 and 14), the stabilizing member comprises first and second retaining portions 16C, 36C incorporated in the support 10C and the movable member 30C, respectively, and adapted to cooperate together to retain by friction effect the movable member 30C in its masking position. In particular, these first and second retaining portions 16C, 36C are respectively incorporated in the male portion and the female portion of the pivot connection (or vice versa). More specifically, the first retaining portion 16C takes the form of a protuberance projecting locally from the male portion, while the second retaining portion 36C takes the form of a first recess which is locally formed in the female portion and in the which the protrusion is adapted to engage to retain by friction effect the movable member 30C in the masking position. To release the movable member 30C from this position, it is thus necessary to provide a sufficiently large force to cause disengagement of the protuberance and the first recess relative to each other.

In the third example, the stabilizing member is further configured to stabilize the movable member 30C also in the retracted position. In particular, the female portion incorporates a second recess in which the protrusion is adapted to engage to retain by friction effect the movable member 30C in the retracted position.

An example of a processing method that can be implemented using a device 1A-1D according to any one of the aforementioned examples will now be briefly described.

First, in this example the 1A-1D device is installed on a processing chain. As discussed in more detail above, this chain can implement any type of treatment, for example a spray treatment, projection or dipping or by any other method for applying a paint, a lacquer, a glue, a adhesive, or other type of coating, sanding or other type of mechanical, chemical, or optical surface treatment, such as a UV reaction, or the like. Moreover, it could be expected, without departing from the scope of this paper, that this installation of the device on the processing line only intervenes at a later stage of the process.

Then, the or each movable member 30A-30D is placed in the retracted position, so as to facilitate the installation of the object 60A-60D relative to the support 10A-10D.

Then, the object 60A-60D is secured to the support 10A-10D. This leads to the configuration shown in Figures 1-3, 6 to 8, 11 to 13, and 18 to 18.

Then, the or each movable member 30A-30D is set in the masking position, so as to mask the or each area of the surface 62A-62D to save. This leads to the configuration shown in the other figures.

Then, the treatment of the surface 62A-62D is operated, sparing the or each aforementioned area by masking performed by the or each masking portion 35A-35D.

Then, the or each movable member 30A-30D is returned to the retracted position, so as to facilitate the removal of the object 30A-30D relative to the support 10A-10D.

Finally, the object 60A-60D is disengaged with respect to the support 10A-10D. This surface 62A-62D of the object 60A-60D then exits at the factory a plurality of disjoint zones which are alternatively treated (because not spared during processing) and untreated (because spared by the or each masking portion 35A-35D during processing), which allows to create, through the play of this alternation, an overall aesthetic out of the ordinary and attractive to the consumer.

The modes or examples of embodiment described in the present description are given for illustrative and not limiting, a person skilled in the art can easily, in view of this presentation, modify these modes or embodiments, or consider others, while remaining within the scope of the invention.

In addition, the various features of these modes or embodiments can be used alone or be combined with each other. When combined, these features may be as described above or differently, the invention not being limited to the specific combinations described herein. In particular, unless otherwise specified, a characteristic described in connection with a mode or example of embodiment may be applied in a similar manner to another embodiment or embodiment.

Claims (15)

Device (1A-1D) for the treatment of a surface (62A-62D) of an object (60A-60D), characterized in that the device (1A-1D) comprises: a support (10A-10D) adapted to be secured to the object (60A-60D); and at least one movable member (30A-30D) comprising a connecting portion (31A-31D) movably mounted on the support (10A-10D); and at least one masking portion (35A-35D) protruding from the connecting portion (31A-31D) so that the movable member (30A-30D) can be brought closer to the surface (62A-62D) until reaching a masking position in which the masking portion (35A-35D) is able to mask an area of the surface (62A-62D), and to be moved away from the surface (62A-62D) until a withdrawal position facilitating the installation of the object (60A-60D) relative to the support (10A-10D), the movable member (30A-30D) comprising a joining part (33A-33D) projecting from the part link (31A-31D) and through which the masking portion (35A-35D) protrudes from the connecting portion (31A-31D), and the joining portion (33A-33D) being formed from in one piece with the connecting portion (31A-31D), and dissociated from the masking portion (35A-35D). 2. Device (1A-1C) according to claim 1, wherein the movable member (30A-30C) is pivotally mounted on the support (10A-10C). 3. Device (1D) according to claim 1, wherein the movable member (30D) is slidably mounted on the support (10D). 4. Device (1A-1D) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the joining portion (33A-33D) is projected in a direction of projection (D) from the connecting portion (31A-31D) and wherein the joining portion (33A-33D) has, in a plane (P) perpendicular to the projection direction (D), a dimension smaller than the dimension of the masking portion (35A-35D). 5. Device (IA, 1D) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movable member (30A, 30D) comprises a plurality of masking portions (35A, 35D) projecting, each from the part link (31A, 31D), and spaced from each other so as to mask a plurality of disjoint areas of the surface (62A, 62D), when the movable member (30A, 30D) adopts its masking position. 6. Device (1A-1D) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a stabilizing member of the movable member (30A-30D) in the masking position. 7. Device (IB, 1D) according to claim 6, wherein the stabilizing member comprises a biasing element (50B, 50D) of the movable member (30B, 30D) to its masking position. 8. Device (IC) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the stabilizing member comprises first and second retaining portions (16C, 36C) incorporated in the support (10C) and the movable member (30C), respectively , and able to cooperate together to retain by friction effect the movable member (30C) in its masking position. 9. Device (1A-1C) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a plurality of movable members (30A-30C) spaced from each other, so as to mask a plurality of disjoint areas of the surface (62A-62C), when each movable member (30A-30C) of said plurality adopts its masking position. The device (IA) according to claim 9 and any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the movable members (30A) comprise respective locking portions (37A) which together form a locking relief, when the movable members (30A) adopt their respective masking positions, and wherein the stabilizing member comprises a locking piece (50A) adapted to catch on the locking relief to lock the movable members (30A) in their respective masking positions and being disengaged from the locking relief to allow the movable members (30A) to move out of their respective masking positions. 11. Device (1A-1C) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the movable members (30A-30C) are able to move between their respective positions of masking and withdrawal according to respective trajectories contained in secant planes. 12. Device (1A-1C) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the movable members (30A-30C) are spaced angularly about an axis (O). 13. Device (IA, IB) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, comprising a movable coupling member (40A, 40B) movable members (30A, 30B) of said plurality, so that a moving a first movable member of said plurality causes a displacement of the or each other movable member of said plurality. The device (1A-1C) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the carrier (10A-10C) comprises a plurality of sites on which the movable members (30A-30C) can be respectively selectively mounted and dismantled. A method of treating a surface (62A-62D) of an object (60A-60B) with a device (1A-1D) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that that the method comprises: a step of setting in position of withdrawal of the movable member (30A-30D), so as to facilitate the installation of the object (60A-60D) relative to the support (10A-10D) ; a step of securing the object (60A-60D) with the support (10A-10B); a step of placing in position masking of the movable member (30A-30D), so as to mask at least one area of the surface (62A-62D); a surface treatment step (62A-62D) sparing said at least one area; a step of setting in position of removal of the movable member (30A-30D), so as to facilitate the removal of the object (30A-30D) relative to the support (10A-10D); a step of separating the object (60A-60D) from the support (10A-10D).