Automatic lacquering machine for glass bottles and related lacquering method

Abstract

Described is a lacquering machine for bottles (11), in particular glass bottles (11), comprising: a line (2) for conveying of one or more units (3) defining a feed path (4), each unit (3) comprises retaining means (5) comprising a supporting base (51), defining a surface (S) for supporting at least one bottle (11), and a gripping element (52) for retaining at least one portion of said bottle (11), each unit (3) is movable along said conveying line (2) along said feed path (4) in a feed direction; a feed station (41), positioned along the feed path (4), for feeding the bottle (11) to the respective unit (3); a lacquering station (42), located downstream of the feed station (41) in the feed direction, for lacquering at least one portion (6) of the bottle (11), comprising a tank (7); a drying station (43), located downstream of the lacquering station (42) in the feed direction, for drying at least said portion (6) of the bottle (11); a release station (44), located downstream of the drying station (43) in the feed direction, for releasing the bottle (11) from the respective unit (3); each unit (3) comprises movement means (8) for moving the retaining means (5) configured for performing an angular excursion of the supporting base (51) about an axis of rotation (A1) at least from a first position (P1), wherein the supporting base (51) is at a first height lower than the gripping element (52), to a second position (P2), wherein the supporting base (51) is at a second height higher than the gripping element (52), and vice versa, and rotation means (9) configured to rotate the supporting base (51) about an axis (A2) perpendicular to the supporting surface (S).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] AUTOMATIC LACQUERING MACHINE FOR GLASS BOTTLES AND RELATED LACQUERING METHOD

[0003] Technical field

[0004] This invention relates to a lacquering machine for bottles, in particular for glass bottles, and a method for lacquering bottles, in particular glass bottles.

[0005] Background art

[0006] Some glass bottles, for example bottles containing wine, vinegar, rum, after having been capped, are sealed to prevent them from inadvertently uncapping, for example due to the gases produced by the contents of the bottles.

[0007] Sealing the capped bottles by applying wax, lacquer or sealing wax on a portion of the neck of the bottle which comprises the end of the bottle is an increasingly widespread practice, for reasons mainly linked to ecology, instead of the common plastic cap, and since it guarantees a better hermetic seal, preventing exchanges of gas with the outside, a quality which is particularly appreciated especially in high-end products.

[0008] There are prior art machines, mainly semi-automatic, for performing the operation for lacquering the bottles.

[0009] In particular, the most widespread solutions comprise an operator positioning a bottle manually in a housing and a rotation of 180° of the bottle is then performed manually or mechanically to immerse a portion in a tank of hot wax. The bottle is then extracted from the tank and positioned inclined downwards, for example at 45°, rotating about the relative longitudinal axis to allow the wax to cool uniformly and cause the excess wax to fall into the tank. After approximately 25-30 seconds have passed the bottle is positioned vertically and extracted manually from its housing. There are prior art solutions wherein the rotation by 180° is performed on a plurality of bottles being able to lacquer several bottles simultaneously, but these solutions do not comprise the rotation of the bottles about the relative longitudinal axis being dried. Consequently, an imperfect lacquering is obtained due to the presence of drops which run along the lacquered portion.

[0010] Aim of the invention

[0011] In this technical context, the Applicant has felt the need to provide an automatic lacquering machine, and a method for lacquering bottles, which is able to improve the precision and speed of the lacquering relative to the prior art solutions, comprising the technical features described in independent claim 1 .

[0012] Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The features of the invention are clearly described in the claims below and its advantages are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred, non-limiting example embodiment of the invention and in which:

[0014] - Figures 1 , 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a schematic perspective view of the lacquering machine according to the invention;

[0015] - Figure 5 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a detail of the lacquering machine according to the invention;

[0016] - Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a schematic perspective view of a unit forming part of the machine according to the invention in a first position;

[0017] - Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a schematic perspective view of a unit forming part of the machine according to the invention in a second position;

[0018] - Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a schematic perspective view of a unit forming part of the machine according to the invention in a third position.

[0019] It should be noted that all the drawings are schematic and are therefore not representative of the actual dimensions. Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0020] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a lacquering machine for bottles 11 , in particular glass bottles 11 .

[0021] The lacquering machine 1 comprises a conveying line 2 for conveying one or more units 3.

[0022] The conveying line 2 defines a feed path 4.

[0023] Each unit 3 can be moved along the conveying line 2 along the feed path 4 in a feed direction.

[0024] The conveying line 2 preferably comprises at least one guide 23 and the unit 3 is a carriage or a slide which can be moved along the guide 23.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the conveying line 2 comprises a lower guide 23A and an upper guide 23B along which the unit 3 can be moved.

[0026] Preferably, the unit 3 comprises one or more bearings 24A, 24B for favouring the movement along the guide 23, in particular, respectively, along the lower guide 23A or upper guide 23B.

[0027] According to the invention, the machine 1 comprises a feed station 41 , positioned along the feed path 4, for feeding the bottle 11 to the respective unit 3.

[0028] According to the invention, the machine 1 comprises a lacquering station 42, located along the feed path 4 downstream of the feed station 41 in the feed direction, for lacquering at least one portion 6 of the bottle 11 .

[0029] The lacquering station 42 comprises a tank 7.

[0030] In use, the tank 7 contains lacquer, wax or wax-lacquer.

[0031] Preferably, the lacquering station 42 comprises an element 71 for supporting the tank 7, coupled in a removable fashion to the tank 7.

[0032] Advantageously, the removable coupling between the tank 7 and the supporting element 71 makes it possible to facilitate and speed up removal and / or replacement of the tank 7, for example for maintenance operations, cleaning or changing of type or colour of the wax to be used.

[0033] The supporting element 71 of the tank 7 is movable along a vertical direction Y.

[0034] In other words, the supporting element 71 allows the tank 7 to be moved along the vertical direction Y.

[0035] Advantageously, this movement facilitates the lacquering of at least said portion 6 of the bottle 11 for different possible dimensions of the bottle 11 . According to a preferred embodiment, the feed path 4 at the lacquering station 42 has a rectilinear portion.

[0036] Advantageously, this rectilinear portion of the feed path 4 at the lacquering station 42 makes any work, for example, by an operator on the machine 1 practical.

[0037] According to the invention, the machine 1 comprises a drying station 43, located along the feed path 4 downstream of the lacquering station 42 in the feed direction, for drying at least said portion 6 of the bottle 11 .

[0038] According to the invention, the machine 1 comprises a release station 44, located along the feed path 4 downstream of the drying station 43 in the feed direction, for releasing the bottle 11 from the respective unit 3.

[0039] Preferably, the drying station 43 corresponds to a stretch of the feed path 4 between the lacquering station 42 and the release station 44. In other words, the drying of the lacquered portion 6 of the bottle 11 occurs during the movement of the unit 3 which retains the bottle 11 along the stretch of the feed path 4.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the drying station 43 comprises lamps and / or fans.

[0041] Advantageously, lamps and / or fans speed up the drying of the lacquer or wax in the at least one lacquered portion 6 of the bottle 11 .

[0042] The machine 1 may comprise a further tank, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, positioned along the feed path 4 at least at the drying station 43.

[0043] Advantageously, the further tank collects any excesses of lacquer or wax on the at least one lacquered portion 6 of the bottle 11 .

[0044] More specifically, a bottle 11 held by the respective unit 3 is moved along the feed path 4 in the feed direction passing through, in order, the feed station 41 , the lacquering station 42, the drying station 43, the release station 44.

[0045] Advantageously, the machine 1 allows bottles 11 , in particular glass bottles 11 , to be lacquered automatically.

[0046] Preferably, the machine 1 comprises a unit 10 for moving the units 3 along the conveying line 2.

[0047] The unit 10 for moving the units 3 is configured for feeding the units 3 in a continuous fashion along the conveying line 2.

[0048] Preferably, the units 3 are fed continuously along the conveying line 2 with a speed of between 100 mm / s and 300 mm / s, more preferably equal to 200 mm / s.

[0049] The movement unit 10 comprises, for example, a motor M and a belt and / or one or more gears for transmitting the motion to the units 3 advancing along the conveying line 2.

[0050] Preferably, the machine 1 comprises one or more transmission belts and / or gears connected to the motor M for transmitting the motion to the feed station 41 , for actuating the feeding of the bottles 11 to the respective units 3, and to the release station 44, for releasing the bottles 11 from the respective units 3.

[0051] It should be noted that, by means of the motor M and transmission, the units 3 may be fed continuously along the conveying line 2 with various possible speed values, even less than 100 mm / s or greater than 300 mm / s, as a function of various conditions such as, for example, but without limiting the scope of the invention, the number of units 3 present in the machine 1 , the length of the feed path 4 or the time for each unit 3 to pass through a station 41 , 42, 43, 44.

[0052] Advantageously, the feeding of the bottles 11 to the respective units 3 and the release of the bottles 11 from the respective units 3 is in step with the movement of the units 3 advancing along the conveying line 2.

[0053] Advantageously, continuously feeding the units 3 along the conveying line 2 allows a large number of bottles 11 to be lacquered in relatively short times.

[0054] Advantageously, continuously feeding the units 3 along the conveying line 2 allows a greater number of bottles 11 to be lacquered compared with a step-by-step advance.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the feed path 4 is a closed path.

[0056] Advantageously, a closed path allows each unit 3, downstream of the release of the lacquered bottle 11 at the release station 44, to receive a further bottle 11 to be lacquered fed at the feed station 41 .

[0057] In other words, the units 3 are moved along the closed feed path 4 passing through said stations in the feed direction.

[0058] The feed path 4 has, for example, an oval or circular shape.

[0059] Advantageously, the shape of the feed path 4 is not predetermined and may be optimised depending on the place of installation of the lacquering machine 1 .

[0060] Each unit 3 comprises retaining means 5.

[0061] The retaining means 5 comprise a supporting base 51 , defining a supporting surface S of at least one bottle 11 , and a gripping element 52 for retaining at least one portion of said bottle 11 .

[0062] In other words, the retaining means 5 hold the bottle 11 between the supporting base 51 and the gripping element 52.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the gripping element 52 is U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped.

[0064] Advantageously, this embodiment allows at least one portion 6 of the retained bottle 11 to be positioned on the opposite side of the gripping element 52 relative to the supporting base 51 .

[0065] In other words, the gripping element 52 retains a portion of the bottle 11 different from an end portion of the bottle 11 .

[0066] Preferably, each unit 3 comprises means for centring the respective bottle 11 retained relative to the supporting base 51 .

[0067] For example, the means for centring the bottle 11 comprise a cam configured for moving a centring unit.

[0068] According to an aspect of the invention, each unit 3 comprises an element 31 for connecting the supporting base 51 and the gripping element 52, in particular for stably fixing the bottle 11 .

[0069] The gripping element 52 is movably connected to the connecting element 31 so that it can move relative to the supporting base 51 .

[0070] Preferably, the gripping element 52 is movable away from and towards the supporting base 51 .

[0071] Each unit 3 is provided with adjustment devices which allow bottles 11 of different sizes and shapes to be processed.

[0072] Preferably, the adjustment devices are associated with the connecting element 31 .

[0073] According to the invention, each unit 3 comprises means 8 for moving the retaining means 5.

[0074] The movement means 8 for moving the retaining means 5 are configured for performing an angular excursion of the supporting base 51 about an axis of rotation A1 at least from a first position P1 , wherein the supporting base 51 is at a first height lower than the gripping element 52, to a second position P2, wherein the supporting base 51 is at a second height higher than the gripping element 52, and vice versa, from the position P2 to the position P1 .

[0075] In other words, the movement means 8 rotate the retaining means 5 about the axis of rotation A1 between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0076] Preferably, the angular travel of the supporting base 51 between the first position P1 and the second position P2 corresponds to an obtuse angle.

[0077] Preferably, the retaining means 5 are configured, in the first position P1 , to retain the bottle 11 in a vertical position, that is, in a position wherein the supporting surface S defined by the supporting base 51 defines a plane parallel to a horizontal direction.

[0078] Advantageously, the angular excursion of the supporting base 51 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 makes it possible to incline the bottle 11 retained by the unit 3.

[0079] According to an aspect of this invention, the movement means 8 are configured for performing an angular excursion of the supporting base 51 about said axis of rotation A1 between said first position P1 , said second position P2 and a third position P3, wherein the supporting base 51 is at a third height greater than the gripping element 52.

[0080] Said third height is greater than the second height.

[0081] Preferably, the angular excursion of the supporting base 51 between the second position P2 and the third position P3 corresponds to an acute angle according to a second direction of rotation opposite to a first direction of rotation of the angular excursion of the supporting base 51 between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0082] According to an aspect of the invention, the movement means 8 of each unit 3 comprise a slide 81 movable along at least one vertical guide 82.

[0083] The supporting base 51 is connected to the slide 81 by one or more motion transmission elements 32 hinged to each other.

[0084] In other words, the motion transmission elements 32 connect the supporting base 51 to the slide 81 and allow the movement of the slide 81 to be transmitted along the vertical guide 82 to the supporting base 51 .

[0085] According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated for example in Figure 9, the motion transmission elements 32 comprise at least one rigid element 32A, rigidly connected to the supporting base 51 , and at least one connecting element 32B, each hinged to the respective rigid element 32A and to the slide 81 .

[0086] According to an aspect of the invention, the supporting base 51 is movably connected to a portion of the unit 3, relative to it fixed, by means of one or more hinges, for rotating about said axis of rotation A1 .

[0087] According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated for example in Figure 8, the unit 3 comprises at least one rigid bracket 33A, relatively fixed relative to the supporting base 51 , and at least one rigid portion 33B, rigidly connected to the supporting base 51. Each rigid bracket 33A is connected by a hinge to the respective rigid portion 33B. The hinge, preferably, defines the axis of rotation A1 of the supporting base 51 .

[0088] Advantageously, the motion transmission elements 32, together with the connection of the supporting base 51 to a fixed portion of the unit 3 relative to it by means of a hinge, allow the motion of the slide 81 along the vertical guide 82 to be converted into a rotation of the supporting base 51 about the axis of rotation A1 .

[0089] According to an aspect of the invention, the conveying line 2 comprises an actuator 21 of the movement means 8.

[0090] According to an embodiment, illustrated for example in Figure 1 , the actuator 21 of the movement means 8 comprises a cam mechanism comprising a cam profile 83, extending along at least one portion of the feed path 4, and a follower element 84 associated with the unit 3.

[0091] Preferably, the follower element 84 is a bearing configured to slide along the cam profile 83.

[0092] The follower element 84 of the cam mechanism is constrained to said slide 81.

[0093] In other words, the movement along the cam profile 83 of the element 84, which is constrained to the slide 81 , determines the movement of the slide 81 along the vertical guide 82 which, in turn, determines the rotation of the supporting base 51 about the axis A1 between the position P1 and the position P2, and vice versa.

[0094] The actuator 21 of the movement means 8 is configured to move the supporting base 51 in said second position P2 at least to the lacquering station 42 and in said first position P1 at least to the release station 44.

[0095] Advantageously, moving the supporting base 51 to the second position P2 at the lacquering station 42 allows the bottle 11 held by the unit 3 to be inclined at the tank 7, consequently immersing at least one portion 6 of the bottle 11 in the wax contained in the tank 7. It should be noted that moving the supporting base 51 to the first position P1 close to the release station 44 prevents any drops of wax or lacquer which are not yet dry from dripping along the bottle 11 held by the retaining means 5 of the unit 3.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the actuator 21 of the movement means 8 is configured to move the supporting base 51 to the second position P2 at the lacquering station 42 and the drying station 43.

[0097] Advantageously, moving the supporting base 51 to the second position P2 at the drying station 43 makes it possible to incline the bottle 11 retained by the unit 3 and to prevent any drops of wax from dripping into undesired portions of the bottle 11 .

[0098] Considering the embodiment in which the movement means 8 are configured to also move the supporting base 51 to the third position P3, the actuator 21 of the movement means 8 is configured to move the supporting base 51 to said third position P3 at least of the drying station 43.

[0099] According to the invention, each unit 3 comprises rotation means 9 configured to rotate the supporting base 51 about an axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S.

[0100] Advantageously, the rotation of the supporting base 51 determines a rotation of the bottle 11 retained by the unit 3 about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S.

[0101] It should be noted that the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S corresponds to a main axis of extension A of the bottle 11 retained by the respective unit 3.

[0102] According to an embodiment, the conveying line 2 comprises an actuator 22 of the rotation means 9 configured to pass from an operating configuration, at least at the drying station 43, to a non-operating configuration, and vice versa.

[0103] In the operating configuration the supporting base 51 is rotated about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S. In other words, in the operating configuration there is a rotation of the supporting base 51 about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S.

[0104] In the non-operating configuration the supporting base 51 maintains a relatively fixed position relative to said axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S.

[0105] In other words, in the non-operating configuration there is no rotation of the supporting base 51 about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S.

[0106] Preferably, the supporting surface S has a circular shape and the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S passes through the centre of the supporting surface S.

[0107] Advantageously, the operating configuration, at the drying station 43 allows the supporting base 51 to be rotated about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S. This rotation makes it possible to rotate the bottle 11 held by the unit 3 about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S.

[0108] Advantageously, the rotation of the bottle 11 about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S allows a more precise lacquering of the bottle 11 . In effect, the rotation prevents the formation of drops, in particular when drying, making the lacquering more uniform and clean. The rotation of the bottle 11 determines a continuous amalgamation of any drops being formed.

[0109] According to an aspect, the drying of the lacquered portion 6 of the bottle 11 occurs during the movement of the unit 3 which retains the bottle 11 along a stretch of the feed path 4 between the lacquering station 42 and the release station 44, by rotating the supporting base 51 , and, consequently, the retained bottle 11 , about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S.

[0110] Preferably, the rotation means 9 of the unit 3 comprise a transmission element 91 associated with the supporting base 51 and configured to interact with said actuator 22 of the rotation means 9.

[0111] The actuator 22 of the rotation means 9 comprises, for example, a profile 92 which extends along the feed path 4 and the transmission element 91 of the rotation means 9 comprises a rubber wheel 93 configured to interact with the profile 92.

[0112] Preferably, the gripping element 52 comprises a plurality of bearings 53 configured to come into contact with the retained bottle 11 .

[0113] In other words, the gripping element 52 comes into contact with the bottle 11 by means of the bearings 53 to retain it.

[0114] Advantageously, the bearings 53 of the gripping element 52 allow the bottle 11 to rotate integrally with the supporting base 51 about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S.

[0115] According to an embodiment, illustrated for example in Figure 1 , the actuator 22 of the rotation means 9 is configured to pass to said operating configuration at the lacquering station 42.

[0116] In other words, according to this embodiment there is a rotation of the supporting base 51 about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S at the lacquering station 42.

[0117] Advantageously, the operating configuration, at the lacquering station 42 allows the supporting base 51 to be rotated about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S. This rotation makes it possible to rotate the bottle 11 held by the unit 3 about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S.

[0118] Advantageously, the rotation of the bottle 11 held by the unit 3 about the axis A2 perpendicular to the supporting surface S, together with the supporting base 51 positioned in the second position P2, allows the portion 6 of the bottle 11 to be lacquered in a uniform manner guaranteeing a high degree of finishing, distributing the wax during lacquering in a uniform manner.

[0119] The invention relates to a method for lacquering bottles 11 , in particular glass bottles 11 . The method comprises feeding at least one bottle 11 and conveying it along a feed path 4 for the bottles 11 in a feed direction.

[0120] Preferably, the method comprises feeding the fed bottle 11 continuously along the feed path 4, preferably with a speed of between 100 mm / s and 300 mm / s, more preferably equal to 200 mm / s.

[0121] The method comprises inclining the fed bottle 11 , by rotating the bottle 11 about an axis of rotation A1 , perpendicular to a main axis of extension A of the bottle 11 , from a first position P1 , wherein a bottom 12 of the bottle 11 is at a first height lower than a neck 13 of the bottle 11 , to a second position P2, wherein the bottom 12 of the bottle 11 is at a second height higher than the neck 13 of the bottle 11 .

[0122] Preferably, inclining the fed bottle 11 determines an angular excursion of the bottom 12 of the bottle 11 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 corresponding to an obtuse angle.

[0123] The method comprises lacquering the inclined bottle 11 by immersing at least one portion 6 of the bottle 11 in a tank 7.

[0124] Preferably, the portion 6 of the bottle 11 is at least a portion of the neck 13 of the bottle 11 or the neck 13 of the bottle 11 .

[0125] Preferably, lacquering the inclined bottle 11 by immersing at least one portion 6 of the bottle 11 in a tank 7 comprises rotating the inclined bottle 11 about said main axis of extension A of the bottle 11 .

[0126] The method comprises drying the lacquered bottle 11 .

[0127] Preferably, drying the lacquered bottle 11 comprises rotating the lacquered bottle 11 about said main axis of extension A of the bottle 11 .

[0128] Preferably, rotating the lacquered bottle 11 about said axis of rotation A1 from said second position P2 to a third position P3, wherein the bottom 12 of the bottle 11 is at a third height above the neck 13 of the bottle 11 , determines an angular travel of the bottom 12 of the bottle 11 corresponding to an acute angle according to a second direction of rotation opposite to a first direction of rotation of the bottle 11 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. The third height is greater than the second height.

[0129] Preferably, drying the lacquered bottle 11 comprises drying the lacquered bottle 11 moved in rotation in the third position P3.

[0130] The method comprises overturning the dried bottle 11 , by rotating the bottle 11 about said axis of rotation A1 perpendicular to the main axis of extension A of the bottle 11 , to bring the bottle 11 to the first position P1 .

[0131] The method comprises releasing the overturned bottle 11 from the feed path 4.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lacquering machine for bottles (11 ), in particular glass bottles (11 ), comprising: a line (2) for conveying of one or more units (3) defining a feed path (4), each unit (3) comprising retaining means (5) comprising a supporting base (51 ), defining a surface (S) for supporting at least one bottle (11 ), and a gripping element (52) for retaining at least one portion of said bottle (11 ), each unit (3) being movable along said conveying line (2) along said feed path (4) in a feed direction; a feed station (41 ), positioned along the feed path (4), for feeding the bottle (11 ) to the respective unit (3); a lacquering station (42), located along the feed path (4) downstream of the feed station (41 ) in the feed direction, for lacquering at least one portion (6) of the bottle (11 ), comprising a tank (7); a drying station (43), located along the feed path (4) downstream of the lacquering station (42) in the feed direction, for drying at least said portion (6) of the bottle (11 ); a release station (44), located along the feed path (4) downstream of the drying station (43) in the feed direction, for releasing the bottle (11 ) from the respective unit (3); each unit (3) comprises movement means (8) for moving the retaining means (5) configured for performing an angular excursion of the supporting base (51 ) about an axis of rotation (A1 ) at least from a first position (P1), wherein the supporting base (51 ) is at a first height lower than the gripping element (52), to a second position (P2), wherein the supporting base (51 ) is at a second height higher than the gripping element (52), and vice versa, and rotation means (9) configured to rotate the supporting base (51 ) about an axis (A2) perpendicular to the supporting surface (S).

2. The machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the angular travel of the supporting base (51 ) between the first position (P1 ) and thesecond position (P2) corresponds to an obtuse angle.

3. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement means (8) are configured for performing an angular excursion of the supporting base (51 ) about said axis of rotation (A1 ) between said first position (P1), said second position (P2) and a third position (P3), wherein the supporting base (51 ) is at a third height greater than the gripping element (52), the angular excursion of the supporting base (51 ) between the second position (P2) and the third position (P3) corresponds to an acute angle according to a second direction of rotation opposite to a first direction of rotation of the angular excursion of the supporting base (51 ) between the first position (P1 ) and the second position (P2).

4. The machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each unit (3) comprises an element (31 ) for connecting the supporting base (51 ) and the gripping element (52), the gripping element (52) being movably connected to the connecting element (31 ) so that it can move relative to the supporting base (51 ).

5. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement means (8) of each unit (3) comprise a slide (81 ) movable along at least one vertical guide (82), the supporting base (51 ) being connected to said slide (81 ) by one or more motion transmission elements (32) hinged to each other.

6. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting base (51 ) is movably connected to a portion of the unit (3), relative to it fixed, by means of one or more hinges, for rotating about said axis of rotation (A1 ).

7. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying line (2) comprises an actuator (21 ) of the movement means (8) configured to move the supporting base (51) in said second position (P2) at least to the lacquering station (42) and in said first position (P1) at least to the release station (44).

8. The machine according to the preceding claim and claim 3, wherein theactuator (21 ) of the movement means (8) is configured to move the supporting base (51 ) to said third position (P3) at least to the drying station (43).

9. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying line (2) comprises an actuator (22) of the rotation means (9) configured to pass from an operating configuration, at least at the drying station (43), wherein the supporting base (51 ) is rotated about said axis (A2) perpendicular to the supporting surface (S), to a non-operating configuration, wherein the supporting base (51 ) maintains a relatively fixed position relative to said axis (A2) perpendicular to the supporting surface (S), and vice versa.

10. The machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the actuator (22) of the rotation means (9) is configured to pass to said operating configuration at the lacquering station (42).11 . The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lacquering station (42) comprises an element (71 ) for supporting the tank (7), coupled in a removable fashion to the tank (7), said supporting element (71 ) of the tank (7) being movable along a vertical direction (Y).

12. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a further tank positioned along the feed path (4) at least at the drying station (43).

13. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drying station (43) comprises lamps and / or fans.

14. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means (10) for moving the units (3) along the conveying line (2) configured for feeding said units (3) in a continuous fashion along the conveying line (2), preferably with a speed of between 100 mm / s and 300 mm / s.

15. A method for lacquering bottles (11 ), in particular glass bottles (11 ), comprising: feeding at least one bottle (11 ) and conveying it along a feed path (4) for the bottles (11 ) in a feed direction;inclining the fed bottle (11 ), by rotating the bottle (11 ) about an axis of rotation (A1 ), perpendicular to a main axis of extension (A) of the bottle (11 ), from a first position (P1 ), wherein a bottom (12) of the bottle (11 ) is at a first height lower than a neck (13) of the bottle (11 ), to a second position (P2), wherein the bottom (12) of the bottle (11 ) is at a second height higher than the neck (13) of the bottle (11 ); lacquering the inclined bottle (11 ) by immersing at least one portion (6) of the bottle (11 ) in a tank (7); drying the lacquered bottle (11 ); overturning the dried bottle (11 ), by rotating the bottle (11 ) about said axis of rotation (A1 ) perpendicular to the main axis of extension (A) of the bottle (11 ), to bring the bottle (11 ) to the first position (P1 ); releasing the overturned bottle (11 ) from the feed path (4).

16. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein inclining the fed bottle (11 ) determines an angular excursion of the bottom (12) of the bottle (11 ) from the second position (P2) to the first position (P1 ) corresponding to an obtuse angle.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein drying the lacquered bottle (11 ) comprises rotating the lacquered bottle (11 ) about said main axis of extension (A) of the bottle (11 ).

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, comprising rotating the lacquered bottle (11 ) about said axis of rotation (A1 ) from said second position (P2) to a third position (P3), wherein the bottom (12) of the bottle (11 ) is at a third height above the neck (13) of the bottle (11 ), determining an angular travel of the bottom (12) of the bottle (11 ) corresponding to an acute angle according to a second direction of rotation opposite to a first direction of rotation of the bottle (11 ) from the first position (P1 ) to the second position (P2), drying the lacquered bottle (11 ) comprising drying the lacquered bottle (11 ) moved in rotation in the third position (P3).

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, whereinlacquering the inclined bottle (11 ) by immersing at least one portion (6) of the bottle (11 ) in a tank (7) comprises rotating the inclined bottle (11 ) about said main axis of extension (A) of the bottle (11 ).

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, comprising feeding the fed bottle (11 ) continuously along the feed path (4), preferably with a speed of between 100 mm / s and 300 mm / s.

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