Container marking installation and associated process

Abstract

The present invention relates to an installation 100 for marking containers 2 made of thermoplastic material, said container 2 having a wall 25 comprising at least two information regions 20a, 20b, said installation 100 comprising: - an inlet 8 and an outlet 9, said containers 2 circulating along a path T on a packaging line, and, along said path T: - a laser marking device 1 capable of affixing information in a first information region 20a, - a device 13 for forming three-dimensional elements 130 on the wall 25 of said container 2 in a second information region 20b, and / or - a machine 14 for affixing at least one label 140 on said wall 25 of said container 2, said label forming a third information region (20c). The invention also relates to a container 2 and a method for marking containers 2. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Container marking installation and associated method

[0001] Technical Field: The invention relates to a container marking installation, a marking method, and a container comprising several information regions. State of the art

[0002] It is known to include information and decorations on containers, especially plastic bottles. The information on a container may, for example, include the expiration date of the contents or details about the composition of the product inside. In particular, certain information must be present, and its legibility is therefore crucial. The decorations can, for example, represent the logo of the product manufacturer.

[0003] It is well known to include this information and decorations on paper or plastic labels. The labels are affixed to the final container after the container forming stage, that is, when the containers are formed into their final shape.

[0004] However, labeling containers has many drawbacks. Indeed, manufacturing the labels, printing them, and affixing them to the containers represents a high cost, especially for the mass production of containers. Furthermore, the label is likely to be torn off during handling of the container. The end user can then no longer access certain important information, such as the expiration date. Finally, recycling plastic containers is complicated by the presence of labels and glue. Indeed, to promote recycling, it is best to ensure that containers, labels, and other components are collected separately according to their different materials. However, the task of mechanically removing labels from containers for separate collection can be tedious and unsatisfactory, often leaving glue or label residue on the containers. Furthermore, after removal, the labels must be cut into small pieces, and label fragments can be found for several kilometers around recycling centers. Consequently, removing labels from containers is one of the factors hindering successful separate collection.

[0005] Thus, it is desirable to avoid the presence of labels, or to reduce this presence to the bare minimum, in order to limit recycling problems.

[0006] For marking important information, methods of marking the container wall have already been proposed. For example, it is known to print certain important information directly onto the container wall using a special ink. However, this printing method is not satisfactory because, for hygiene reasons, the ink used for marking must dry almost instantly and must also remain on the surface of the wall without penetrating the inside of the container through migration. Consequently, the ink has a specific composition that is very expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, the use of ink also complicates the recycling processes for plastic containers.

[0007] To circumvent these problems, a marking process involving engraving the container wall has also been proposed. The engraving is generally carried out using a carbon dioxide laser. Such a marking process is achieved by removing material from the container wall, notably through evaporation. As a result, the wall has a locally reduced thickness. Furthermore, the print quality and contrast are unsatisfactory, making the information difficult to read. However, in the interest of economy and environmental protection, efforts are being made to reduce the thickness of container walls. This makes it possible to produce containers using less plastic material than before. However, removing material from a very thin wall risks weakening it to the point of cracking the container under the slightest stress.

[0008] Other known laser marking devices have quality problems with respect to parts or substrates that are not flat and / or that have a variable focal length with respect to the optics, as is the case for a large majority of containers. In such a case, the markings on the substrate are blurry, vary in height or spacing and might otherwise be illegible, thus rendering the characters unsatisfactory to use.

[0009] Furthermore, depending on the nature or dimensions of the container, the quality of the marking becomes highly variable: the focal distance between the laser device and the wall of the container to be marked is not the same across the entire surface of the area to be marked. In particular, when the container wall is cylindrical, the resulting marking is of lower quality, for example, at the periphery of the area to be marked.

[0010] Finally, depending on the contents of the container, the marking will be more or less legible. For example, when the container contains water, the marking may be difficult to read, whereas when it contains a dark or colored liquid, such as soda, the The marking is legible. This difference in legibility is restrictive and makes laser marking difficult to use for displaying any type of information on a container.

[0011] To solve these marking quality problems while remaining compatible with mass production of containers, the present invention advantageously proposes a marking installation allowing different types of information to be affixed using several techniques, including laser marking, embossing and the application of preferably partial labels.

[0012] The invention relates first to an installation for marking thermoplastic containers obtained in particular by a blow-stretch process, especially bottles or flasks. In the context of the invention, the container comprises at least a body, a shoulder extending from said body at one of its upper ends, a neck extending from the shoulder, and a wall, said wall comprising at least two regions referred to as information regions.

[0013] The installation according to the invention comprises: - an entry and an exit, the containers circulating along a circulation path on a packaging line, from said entry to said exit, and, along said path: - a laser marking device capable of affixing information in a first information region, referred to as the laser marking region of a container, - a device for forming three-dimensional elements on the wall of said container in a second information region, called the three-dimensional region, and / or - a machine for affixing at least one label to said wall of said container, said label forming a third information region, called the labeling region.

[0014] In embodiments, the installation is characterized in that it comprises a laser marking device and a device for forming three-dimensional elements on the wall of a container in the three-dimensional information region, said device comprising a blowing unit which includes a plurality of molds, said molds comprising molding cavities suitable for receiving preforms, and said molding cavities comprising impressions and / or reliefs defining said three-dimensional elements corresponding to the information to be formed on said second three-dimensional region during the forming of the containers by blowing the preforms.

[0015] In embodiments, the installation includes a laser marking device and a machine for applying at least one label, said label preferably being a partial label.

[0016] According to one possible variant, the installation comprises, along the transport path of the containers: - a processing machine, preferably of the filling type, which is located upstream of the laser marking device,

[0017] - a machine for affixing at least one label downstream of said device Laser marking.

[0018] According to an additional technical feature, the laser marking device comprises at least: - a laser marking station, said station comprising along an optical path at least one laser marking optical head for projecting a laser beam, said optical head being equipped with a laser head unit and an optical system for focusing said laser beam in order to generate a mark within said information region of said container, said optical head being connected to a laser processing device via an optical channel, - control means connected to at least one marking station and including said laser processing device and means for supplying said laser marking station.

[0019] The invention also relates to a container made of thermoplastic material, obtained in particular by a blow molding process, comprising at least one body, said body extending vertically along a longitudinal axis, a shoulder in the extension of said body at an upper end thereof, a neck in the extension of the shoulder, a wall, said wall comprising at least two information regions, and a bottom at the end of said body.

[0020] The container according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least: - a first information region, called the laser marking region, the information being obtained by laser marking, - a second information region, called the three-dimensional region, where the information is formed directly on the container wall and is three-dimensional in shape, and / or - a third information region, called the labeling region, the information being formed on a label, preferably a partial label.

[0021] According to a possible additional feature, the container comprises at least: - a first information region, the information being obtained by laser marking, - a second information region, the information being made up of three-dimensional elements and - a third region of information formed on a partial label type label.

[0022] Advantageously, according to a possible additional feature, the label is a partial label and extends over the wall of the container at an angle of less than 200 degrees.

[0023] In embodiments, the container includes a second information region, called a three-dimensional region, the information of said second region consisting of three-dimensional elements formed directly by embossing on the wall of said container and said three-dimensional elements comprising hollows and / or protrusions respectively of a depth and / or a height between 0.1 and 3 millimeters relative to the surface of the wall of the container.

[0024] According to a possible additional feature, the container comprises at least a first information region and a third labeling region, said first laser marking region and said third labeling region being located on either side of the longitudinal axis of the container, opposite each other.

[0025] In embodiments, the container comprises at least a first information region and a third labeling region, said first laser marking region and said third labeling region being located on either side of the longitudinal axis of the container, opposite each other, the label forming the labeling region being opaque and comprising at least one colored and / or patterned face.

[0026] Advantageously, according to a possible additional feature, the container comprises a first laser marking region and at least a second three-dimensional region, said first laser marking region and said second three-dimensional region being wholly or partly superimposed.

[0027] The invention also relates to a method for marking thermoplastic containers obtained by a blow molding process, comprising at least the following steps: - a step consisting of carrying out a treatment on said containers, preferably filling and / or capping, - a laser marking step, consisting of generating a mark at the level of an information region of each container, the process according to the invention being characterized in that it comprises: - prior to the processing stage, a step consisting of forming at least one information region on a container, by creating three-dimensional elements on the wall of said container, and / or - a step of affixing a label to the wall of said container, so as to form an information area, called the labeling area.

[0028] Advantageously, according to a possible additional feature, the method comprises a step of forming three-dimensional elements on the wall of the container by embossing, that is to say during the blowing or blow-stretching stage of the containers.

[0029] In embodiments, the container marking process includes a step of affixing a label, said label preferably being a partial label.

[0030] Brief description of the figures: The invention will be better understood from the description below, which is based on possible embodiments, explained in an illustrative and in no way limiting manner, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: - [Fig.1] schematically represents a simplified view of a container marking installation according to the invention; - [Fig.2] schematically represents an example of the implementation of a laser marking device; - [Fig.3] schematically represents an example of the realization of a device for forming three-dimensional patterns; - [Fig.4] schematically represents a simplified view of a container with a magnification highlighting two embossing areas according to a cross-section of a wall of said container; - [Fig.5] represents a simplified view of the laser marking step of a container at the level of its body; - [Fig.6] schematically represents a front view of a container, showing in particular two embossing areas; - [Fig.7] schematically represents a front view of a container, showing in particular a laser marking area, an embossing area and a labeling area; - [Fig.8] schematically represents a principle view of a container with a front marking and a rear labeling in opposition and in alignment according to a first viewing position of a user, showing in particular a maximum viewing beam as well as a viewing focus; - [Fig.9] schematically represents a principle view similar to [Fig.8] according to a second user vision position, showing the delimitation in relation to said vision focus; - [Fig. 10] schematically represents a principle view similar to [Fig.8]; - [Fig. 11] schematically represents a principle view similar to [Fig.9]; - [Fig. 12] shows a photograph of a container with an embossed area and a laser marking area, and - [Fig. 13] schematically represents a simplified view of different stages in the manufacture of a container.

[0031] Detailed description: In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0032] The invention relates firstly to a container marking installation 100 2, schematically represented in [Fig.1]. In the context of the invention, container 2 is a bottle or flask. It is made of plastic. Preferably, the container is made of polyethylene terephthalate, hereinafter referred to as PET. Container 2 can therefore be rigid or semi-rigid. It is intended to contain a fluid, a liquid, powders, or granules, particularly of a food or cosmetic type. Container 2 can have any shape, symmetrical or asymmetrical. It can have a rounded cross-section, generally circular or ovoid, or a polygonal cross-section, particularly rectangular or square. Preferably, said containers 2 have a rounded cross-section, particularly a generally circular one.

[0033] The containers 2 have at least one body 23, a shoulder 24 extending from said body 23, and a bottom 22 at the end of said body 23. The body 23 of a container 2 includes a wall 25. The wall 25 of a container 2 may be cylindrical, rectangular, or of any shape. The wall 25 is the surface that forms the boundary between the inside and the outside of the container 2, that is, between the contents of the container 2 and its external environment, for example, the ambient air. The wall 25 can take on a multitude of shapes in order to obtain the desired structural characteristics, aesthetic qualities, and identification of the container 2. The wall 25 comprises at least two information regions 20. In other words, the container 2 comprises at least two information regions 20, at the level of the body, and / or at the level of the shoulder, and / or the neck, and / or the bottom, the wall 25 constituting the surface delimiting the contents of the container 2 and its external environment. In a normal orientation, the container 2 rests on its base 22 and the principal direction is vertical. The base 22 can be generally flat, petal-shaped, or otherwise.

[0034] In the context of the invention, the containers 2 are obtained by forming from thermoplastic preforms. Such preforms are obtained, for example, by injection molding or by blow molding.

[0035] In the context of the invention, the container 2 therefore presents at least two information regions 20, located on its wall 25. A region 20 of information can be oriented such that the information is parallel to the main direction of container 2, or orthogonal, or present any possible orientation relative to the wall 25 of the container 2 along its principal direction.

[0036] As seen in [Fig.1], the thermoplastic container marking installation 100 includes at least one inlet 8 and one outlet 9. The containers 2 therefore travel along a path T on a packaging line, from the inlet 8 to the outlet 9. Further along the T traffic path, the installation 100 includes a laser marking device 1 capable of affixing information in a first region 20a, referred to as the laser marking region 20a of a container 2.

[0037] In embodiments, the installation 100 includes, along the circulation path T, a device 13 for forming three-dimensional elements 130 on the wall 25 of the container 2, in a second information region 20b, called the three-dimensional region 20b. The device 13 for forming three-dimensional elements 130 is located upstream of the laser marking device 1.

[0038] In embodiments, the installation 100 includes, along the circulation path T, a laser marking device 1 and a machine 14 for affixing at least one label 140 to the wall 25 of the container 2, said label forming a third information region 20c, referred to as the labeling region 20c. The labeling machine 14, which applies at least one label 140, is located upstream or downstream of the laser marking device 1. Preferably, the labeling machine 14 is located downstream of the laser marking device 1.

[0039] In embodiments, the installation 100 includes, along the circulation path T, a laser marking device 1, a device 13 for forming three-dimensional elements 130 on the wall 25 of the container 2, in a second information region 20b, and a machine 14 for affixing at least one label 140 to the wall 25 of the container 2, said label forming a third information region 20c.

[0040] Preferably, and as seen in [Fig.1], along the traffic path T, the three-dimensional element formation device 130 is located upstream and the machine 14 downstream, the laser marking device 1 being located on the path between the device 13 and the machine 14.

[0041] The installation 100, in embodiments, also includes other workstations, such as for example a container filling station 10. According to a preferred variant, and as schematically illustrated in [Fig.1], the laser marking device 1 is located downstream of a container filling station 2, along the path T of circulation of the containers 2 on the packaging line.

[0042] It is particularly advantageous to carry out the different marking steps within the same packaging line, in order to be able to adapt quickly to changes relating to the format of the containers 2, or to the type of information to be affixed to the wall 25 of the containers 2. The fact of being able to affix different types of information to the containers 2 allows great flexibility of the packaging line.

[0043] In some embodiments, and as shown in [Fig. 2], the laser marking device 1 comprises at least one laser marking station 3 and control means 4 connected to the laser marking station 3. Such a laser marking station 3 comprises, along an optical path, at least one laser marking optical head 30 for projecting a laser beam 31. The optical head 30 is equipped with a laser head unit 300 and an optical system 320 to focus the laser beam 31 in order to generate a mark 310 inside the information region 20a of container 2. Further on, the optical head is connected to a 40 laser processing unit via a 600 optical channel. The control means 4 include the laser processing device 40 and the power supply means 41 for the laser marking station 3.

[0044] The laser processing apparatus 40, or laser 40, includes a light emission source, or pumping source and optionally an amplifying medium for emitting laser light in the form of a laser beam 31. According to one possible variant, the optical head 30 includes the amplifying medium.

[0045] The optical head 30 is connected to the laser processing unit 40 by a network of optical fibers and electrical links, or optical channels 600. The optical channels 600 comprise at least one optical fiber which is an optical waveguide for the laser light emitted, for example, by the laser processing unit 40. According to one possible variant, the amplifying medium is incorporated into the 600 optical channel in the form of a doped optical fiber into which the emitted light is injected towards a 300 laser head unit. Station 3 controls the optical head 30 and the emission of the laser beam 31 from the control means 4.

[0046] Thus, the optical head 30 comprises a laser head unit 300 and an optical system 320, removably mounted on said laser head unit 300. Preferably, the laser head unit 300 emits a laser light beam 31 directed in a predetermined direction.

[0047] The optical system 320 comprises at least one mirror for moving the laser beam 31 in a horizontal plane and / or in a vertical plane, and optionally a lens at the optical output of the optical system 320, for focusing the beam of light in the plane and at the level of the laser marking region 20a, to generate a mark 310 at the level of said region 20a. In other words, the optical system 320 directs the beam towards the area to be marked. By optical path, we mean the path taken by the laser light from its emission from, for example, the laser processing device 40 to the optical output of the optical system 320 in the form of a laser beam 31. In other words, the laser marking region 20a corresponds to a processing surface within which the laser beam 31 is applied in a horizontal and / or vertical direction. Depending on the type of mark 310 to be applied, the focal point of the laser beam 31 is not necessarily located directly on the wall 25 of the container 2; that is to say, in a longitudinal direction relative to the marking region 20a of said container 2, the focal point of the laser beam 31 may be located, in particular, above the wall, directly on the wall 25, or even inside said wall 25.

[0048] In embodiments, the device 1 includes a fixed lens, said fixed lens being of the spherical type, flat field, or preferably of the F-theta type in order to maintain the dimension of the focal point relatively constant in the plane.

[0049] According to one possible variant, the laser head unit 300 and the optical system 320 are in one piece.

[0050] In embodiments, the control means 4 of the laser station 3 comprise a plurality of cooling units, not shown.

[0051] Within the framework of the invention, laser marking on the region 20a of a container 2 can be done in particular by local modification of the refractive index, and / or by local modification of the transmission index, and / or by local modification of the reflection index of the material of said container 2.

[0052] The marking station 3 includes at least one optical head 30 which emits and focuses the laser beam 31. According to one possible variant, said at least one optical head 30 generates the optical beam 31.

[0053] In embodiments, the laser marking device 1 comprises a plurality of marking stations 3.

[0054] The control means 4 include an electronic unit for controlling the movement of the laser beam 31. The electronic unit can be configured at will to modify the mark 310 to be inscribed; for example, it is a numerical control. The parameters to be modified relate, for example, to the coordinates of the movement of the beam 31, the speed of movement of the beam 31, etc. The mark 310 can consist of characters, patterns, barcodes, etc. Typically the distance between the output of the beam 31 and the marking area 20 of the container 2 can vary, depending on the shape and / or dimensions of the container 2.

[0055] The laser beam 31 can trace the mark 310 indifferently in a vector mode, i.e. by continuous tracing, or in a matrix mode, i.e. by point-by-point tracing.

[0056] In some embodiments, the optical head 30 comprises a pulsed laser unit, not shown. The pulsed laser unit generates the laser beam 31 which is then scattered by the optical system 320. Preferably, the wavelength of the emitted laser is between 800 and 2000 nanometers (nm). In embodiments, and depending on the type of marking required, it may also be possible to select a laser emitting a beam of different wavelengths, for example of the Ytterbium, Erbium, Thulium type fiber laser, or of the Nd-YAG or Nd:YVO4 solid type. Depending on different possible configurations, the laser light is emitted in particular from device 40, and / or optical channel 600 or from laser unit 300. As a possible alternative, the Nd-YAG laser is configured to emit a laser beam 31 with a wavelength of 532 nm emitting in the visible range, more precisely in the color green.

[0057] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the laser of the Nd-YAG marking station 3 is configured to emit a beam 31 at a wavelength in the near ultraviolet, for example 355 nm. Preferably, the wavelength of the emitted laser beam 31 is therefore between 1000 and 1100 nm, or between 1500 and 1600 nm, or between 1900 and 2000 nm, depending on the type of containers 2 to be marked and / or the type of mark 310 to be applied to the marking area 20 of a container 2.

[0058] It has been observed that the PET wall marking regions 20a of container 2, targeted by the near-infrared laser beam 31 with appropriate power and / or exposure time, undergo a phenomenon known as "foaming" and carbonation throughout the material's thickness. Foaming involves the localized melting of the material on the surface, generating bubbles that expand, forming a bead on the surface. These bubbles remain trapped during cooling. Carbonation throughout the material is caused by its degradation. The material's strength is only slightly affected. Furthermore, the legibility of the resulting marking 310 is significantly improved because the gas bubbles within the material reflect light diffusely.

[0059] Preferably, at least one marking station 3 uses a laser with a pulsed operating mode to generate short pulses of less than 500ns duration (nanosecond) and peak power on the order of kW (kilowatt) to several tens of kW depending on the desired marking and focusing the beam in the vicinity of the wall of container 2, at the level of the laser marking region 20a.

[0060] According to other, unrepresented embodiments of the invention, other types of lasers can be used within the scope of the present invention. As explained previously, the laser is selected and adjusted to mark the thermoplastic wall, either on the surface or in depth, without significantly affecting the wall thickness, in other words, without engraving the wall. In particular, the mark 310, in region 20a, has an additional thickness of between 0.5 and 100 microns relative to the surface of the wall 25.

[0061] In embodiments, at least one laser marking station 3 is located along the path T of circulation of the containers 2, that is to say that the laser marking is carried out along the path of circulation of the containers 2, said containers 2 circulating on a conveying means.

[0062] In one possible embodiment, the laser marking device 1 comprises a carousel 5 with a vertical axis of rotation X, said carousel 5 being driven in rotation by at least one motor relative to a frame 7. A schematic view of an example embodiment of the device 1 and the carousel 5 is visible in [Fig.2].

[0063] The rotation of the carousel 5 relative to the frame 7 is achieved by means of a rolling means.

[0064] In embodiments, the carousel 5 is supported by a rotating chassis 6, rotating around the vertical axis of rotation X, in the form of an orientation ring which includes the bearing means. The rolling means can, for example, be made in the form of two rings that can be rotated relative to each other, each ring having a raceway, and the ring having furthermore a rotation device consisting of rolling elements or bodies (such as balls or ball bearings) interposed between the two raceways and a device for fixing the constituent elements of the ring to prevent their separation while allowing the relative rotation of the two rings. The carousel 5 can then be rotated around the vertical axis of rotation X by connecting one ring to the frame 7, with the carousel 5's chassis 6 supported by the other ring. Thus, the carousel 5 can rotate relative to the frame 7. The ring connected to the frame 7 is called the fixed ring, and the other ring is called the rotating ring.

[0065] In some embodiments, the frame 6 in the form of a slewing ring may include external teeth mounted on the rotating ring. According to one possible variant, the rotating frame 6 is cup-shaped and mounted on the rotating ring, for example, through blind mounting holes or smooth or threaded. Various machine components, not shown, are fixed to this cup, the whole forming a carousel. In some embodiments, the rotating chassis 6 is in the form of a column.

[0066] The carousel 5 of the invention comprises at least one first platform 50. The axis of rotation of at least one platform 50 is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the carousel 5. The 50 plate can be of any shape, but is preferably circular. The platform 50 supports a plurality of retaining members 54 to position a container 2 along an axis substantially parallel to the vertical axis of rotation X of the carousel 5. In other words, a container 2 is held by a retaining member 54 and is driven in rotation by the first platform 50 of the carousel 5.

[0067] As seen in [Fig.2], the carousel 5 also includes a shaft 53.

[0068] The barrel 53 supports a plurality of marking stations 3 such that each optical system 320 is located opposite a container 2, itself held by a retaining member 54. Preferably, the diameter of the barrel 53 is less than the diameter of the first plate 50 in order to facilitate the implementation of device 1.

[0069] The containers 2 and the optical heads 30 are both driven in rotation about a vertical axis of rotation X relative to the frame 7. The synchronized rotation of the marking stations 3 and the containers 2, and the vertical position of the container 2 opposite the optical system 320 of an optical head 30, is particularly advantageous. Indeed, the working distance between the optical system 320 and the information region 20a of the container 2 is then constant or substantially constant: the containers 2 are immobilized during marking, as are the optical systems 320, and the resulting marking is of high quality.

[0070] The marking stations 3, the control means 4 and the containers 2 are therefore driven in rotation in a synchronized manner with respect to the frame 7. The carousel 5 also includes a rotating 60 joint that supplies electricity to the 4L power sources For this purpose, the rotary joint 60 includes a rotating electrical commutator, located at the head of said rotary joint 60, which is powered by a fixed electrical cable. Conventionally, the rotating electrical commutator has fixed or rotating tracks on which rotating or fixed fingers respectively bear elastically, the entire assembly being housed under a casing (not shown) which is fixed to the frame 6 and held in place by an anti-torque structure integral with the frame 7. Preferably, the barrel 53 is hollow so as to accommodate in this hollow central part the rotating joint 60, and / or any other component of the laser marking device 1.

[0071] Thus, it is possible to mark the containers 2 during their rotation, which is extremely advantageous. It is then possible to mark containers 2 at a high rate, on the order of 8,000 to 100,000 markings per hour.

[0072] In embodiments, the installation 100 includes a device 13 for forming three-dimensional elements 130, said device 13 being located upstream of the laser marking device 1.

[0073] The device 13 for forming three-dimensional elements 130 can be any device capable of producing three-dimensional elements 130, for example a laser machining device, an electric spark machining device, an engraving device, a cutting machining device or a molding machining device.

[0074] The three-dimensional elements 130 are formed on a three-dimensional region 20b of information on the wall 25 of a container 2 and comprise hollows and / or protrusions respectively of a depth P and / or a height EP of between 0.1 millimeter (mm) and 3 millimeters with respect to the surface of the wall 25. The height EP corresponds to the height with respect to the surface of the wall 25. In other words, both at the level of the three-dimensional region 20b, and in particular at the level of the three-dimensional patterns 130, and outside this region 20b, the wall 25 has substantially the same thickness. A three-dimensional pattern 130 may have a hollow, or recess, with a depth of between 0.1 and 3 mm relative to the surface of the wall 25. A hollow or recess takes the form of a part which is set back from the surface of the wall of the container. A three-dimensional pattern 130 may also have a projection, with a height between 0.1 and 3 mm from the surface of the wall 25. A projection takes the form of a part that protrudes from the surface of the wall of the container 2. In some embodiments, a three-dimensional pattern 130 includes both recesses and projections.

[0075] As shown in [Fig. 3], according to one possible embodiment, the device 13 comprises a blow molding unit 15 which includes a plurality of molds 150. The molds 150 include molding cavities 151 suitable for receiving preforms 152. The molding cavities 151 have impressions and / or reliefs defining the three-dimensional elements 130 corresponding to the three-dimensional information to be formed on the second three-dimensional region 20b during the forming of the containers 2 by blow molding the preforms 152. In other words, the information imprinted on the region 20b is a counter-impression of the impressions and / or reliefs present in the molding cavities 151.

[0076] It is advantageous to use a three-dimensional pattern formation device 130 by molding, also called embossing, because this makes it possible to obtain patterns 130 high-quality three-dimensional images, with variable readability, which can be low, medium, or very good depending on the dimensions of the patterns. This also allows marking without interfering with the line speed, the patterns being obtained for example during the blowing stage of container 2. In addition, this allows great flexibility, as only the molding cavities 151 need to be changed according to the three-dimensional patterns to be applied to the region 20b of the wall 25 of container 2.

[0077] In embodiments, the installation 100 includes a machine 14 for affixing at least one label 140, said label 140 preferably being of the partial label type.

[0078] In embodiments, the machine 14 is a typical roll-feed type labeler and includes in particular a labeling device for applying at least one label 140 to each container 2 during the transport of the containers 2 along at least part of the transport route T.

[0079] Regardless of the type of label 140 used, a known labeling machine 14, or labeler, generally comprises: - a rotating carousel around a vertical axis and configured to transport a plurality of containers along a horizontal, arc-shaped labeling path; and - a labelling module, arranged on the periphery of the carousel and configured to prepare, transport and feed a plurality of labels to the carousel at an application station, in order to apply these labels 140 to the respective containers 2.

[0080] According to a well-known configuration, the labeling module generally includes: - one or more storage units, for example reels around which the labeling material tape is initially wound in the form of a continuous strip; - a feed roller to unwind the tape from the corresponding reel and advance it along a feed path; - a plurality of unwinding rollers, which feed and support, during use, the progressively unwound strip from the respective reel and guide it, during use, along a feed path; - a cutting unit for repeatedly cutting the tape at a cutting station in order to separate a sequence of 140 labels from the tape itself; and - a 140 label transfer device configured to receive, retain and advance each label and to route each 140 label to the carousel, at the application station.

[0081] Typically, the transfer device is defined by a vacuum drum rotating around a central axis (typically vertical) and configured to receive the 140 labels previously cut, retain them by suction and, after a rotation of a determined angle around its axis, release these labels 140 towards the application station, so that they are applied to the respective containers 2 advanced by the carousel.

[0082] In addition, when using glued labels, the labeling module includes at least one glue roller arranged substantially tangentially to the vacuum drum, in a position functionally downstream of the cutting unit and upstream of the application station, relative to the direction of rotation of the vacuum drum, to spread glue on the front and rear ends of each label, before their application to the respective containers.

[0083] Thus, the machine 14 can be any labeling machine 14 suitable for applying labels 2 to refillable containers 2 or containers filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, such as carbonated liquids (carbonated water, non-carbonated water, alcoholic beverages, beer, etc.), non-carbonated liquids (still water, fruit juice, wine, etc.), emulsions, suspensions, high viscosity liquids and beverages containing pulp. The labeling machine 14 may in particular be a machine 14 as described in patent application EP3604149.

[0084] In some embodiments, the labeler 14 is capable of affixing a label 140 referred to as a partial label. A partial label is a label whose longitudinal extension covers an angular portion of the outer surface, or peripheral wall, of a respective container 2 of less than 360°, for example between 180° and 360°, namely a label whose extension is not sufficient to completely envelop the outer lateral surface of a container 2, that is to say a label 140 whose longitudinal extension is less than the total angular extension of the outer lateral surface of a container 2.

[0085] In other words, according to a preferred embodiment, the labeling machine 14 is configured to label containers 2 by means of partial labels 140, each partial label 140 being a label 140 whose longitudinal extension is less than the total angular extension of the outer lateral surface of the container 2 concerned, or a label 140 which, once fully applied to the container 2 concerned or at the end of the labeling process, covers an angular sector of the outer lateral surface of the container 2 whose angular extension is less than 360 degrees, or less than 200 degrees, or less than 180 degrees.

[0086] According to one possible variant, the label 140, once completely applied to the container 2 concerned or at the end of the labeling process, covers an angular sector of the outer lateral surface of the container 2 whose angular extension is less than 90° degrees, preferably less than 30 degrees.

[0087] The invention further relates to a container 2 made of thermoplastic material, obtained, for example, by a blow molding process, and comprising at least one body 23, said body 23 extending vertically along a longitudinal axis L, a shoulder extending from said body 23 at one of its upper ends, a neck extending from the shoulder, and a wall 25 and a bottom 22 at the lower end of said body. The axis X of the container 2 passes through the center of the neck, which is cylindrical. The wall 25 forms the surface delimiting the contents of the container 2 from its external environment and comprises at least two information regions 20. In other words, the container 2 comprises at least two information regions 20, each information region 20 being able to be located at the level of the body 23, and / or at the level of the shoulder, and / or at the neck 24 and / or at the bottom 22, the wall 25 constituting the surface delimiting the contents of the container 2 and its external environment.In other words, the container 2 can thus, for example, include two information regions 20 at the level of the body 23, or one information region 20 at the level of the body 23 and one information region 20 at the level of the bottom 22, or one information region 20 at the level of the bottom 22 and one information region 20 at the level of the neck 24.

[0088] In particular, according to the invention, the container 2 according to the invention comprises at least: - a first information region 20a, referred to as the laser marking region 20a, the information being obtained by laser marking and / or - a second information region 20b, called the three-dimensional region 20b, the information being formed directly on the wall 25 of the container 2 and being three-dimensional in shape, and / or - a third information region 20c, called the labeling region 20c, the information being formed on a label 140, preferably on a partial label 140.

[0089] In embodiments, the container 2 includes a region 20c of information formed on a label 140, preferably of the partial label 140 type.

[0090] According to one possible variant, the label 140 is a partial label 140 and extends over an angle between 180 and 360 degrees on the wall 25 of the container 2. In other words, the label 140, once completely applied to the container 2 concerned or at the end of the labeling process, covers an angular sector of the outer lateral surface of the container 2 whose angular extension is less than 360 degrees, or less than 200 degrees, or less than 180 degrees.

[0091] According to one possible embodiment, the label 140, once completely applied to the container 2 concerned or at the end of the labeling process, covers an angular sector of the outer lateral surface of container 2 whose angular extension is less than 90° degrees preferably less than 30 degrees.

[0092] In embodiments, the container 2 includes a second information region 20b, referred to as the three-dimensional region 20b, the information of said second region 20b consisting of three-dimensional elements 130 formed directly on the wall 25 of said container 2 and said three-dimensional elements 130 comprising hollows and / or protrusions respectively of a depth and / or a height between 0.1 and 3 millimeters with respect to the surface of the wall 25 of the container 2.

[0093] Furthermore, according to a possible additional feature, the ratio between the width and the height and / or the depth of said three-dimensional elements 130 is between 0.05 and 0.4 millimeters (mm). In other words, for a height and / or depth of 2 mm, the three-dimensional element 130 will have a width between 0.1 and 0.8 mm, while for a height and / or depth of 100 mm the three-dimensional element 130 will have a width between 5 and 40 mm.

[0094] Also, according to one possible variant, the hollow or recess comprises a first inclined surface and a lower part and forms a concave section. In other words, the hollow or recess is formed in the shape of a rounded cup and the depth of the recess relative to the surface of the wall 25 has a radius of at least 0.25 millimeters (mm).

[0095] According to one possible variant, the projection comprises an upper part and a surface inclined relative to the surface of the wall 25.

[0096] The three-dimensional elements 130 are formed on a three-dimensional information region 20b on the wall 25 of a container 2 and include hollows and / or protrusions respectively of a depth P and / or a height EP between 0.1 millimeters (mm) and 3 millimeters with respect to the surface of the wall 25.

[0097] Fig. 4 shows a simplified view of a container with a magnification highlighting two embossing areas according to a cross-section of a wall of said container 2 where a first embossing area can be seen having a recess of a depth P and a second embossing area having a projection of a thickness EP.

[0098] In some embodiments, the container 2 comprises a first laser marking region 20a and at least a third labeling region 20c, the first and third labeling regions 20a and 20c being located on either side of the longitudinal axis L of the container 2, directly opposite each other. In other words, at least a portion of each region 20a, 20c are opposite and aligned from the user's perspective, as seen in [Fig. 8] and [Fig. 9]. This embodiment is particularly advantageous. Indeed, if a person looks at container 2 from a distance of about 30 centimeters (cm), they are generally able to recognize a pattern with a size of 50 microns (pm).

[0099] This limiting value increases with a decrease in contrast between black and white, but is generally around 50 pm. However, a dot with a size of 30 pm can be visualized if only the dot is present, and in some cases, a dot with a size of 10 pm can be visualized if the dot has a high contrast.

[0100] The resolution of the human eye is generally 100 pm at a distance of 30 cm, although it depends on visual acuity. A distance of 30 cm corresponds to the distance at which a person can see information, such as a label, displayed on a PET bottle when holding the PET bottle containing drinking water or other liquid in their hand.

[0101] In other words, if the person grasps the PET bottle with a slightly bent elbow, the distance between the person's eyes and the PET bottle is approximately 30 cm and the viewing angle is approximately 25 degrees. The distance varies within a range of 30 cm to 50 cm, taking into account the person's height. Thus, when the person reads the information on the first region 20a, the legibility of the information will be improved by the presence of a label 140 placed opposite and aligned with said region 20a. Indeed, some information, such as that concerning the composition or formula of the contents of container 2, is relatively small and therefore difficult to read. The inventors found that having at least a partial overlap of the two regions 20a and 20b, along the user's line of sight, significantly improves the readability of the information.

[0102] According to a preferred embodiment, the barycenter of the third region 20c is radially opposite to the barycenter of the first region 20a. Preferably, and as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the third region 20c covers a larger area than the first region 20a, in order to ensure good visibility and legibility of the information in region 20a, even if the user is not looking at region 20a of information by placing it perfectly centered in their field of vision. Indeed, as shown in Figures 8 to 11, depending on the user's viewing angle and the location of the information, some information may be difficult or impossible to read. Advantageously, in preferred embodiments, the ratio between the height "Ma" of the laser marking region 20a and the height "Mc" of the labeling region 20c is less than 1, and is even more preferably between 0.6 and 0.2.

[0103] According to a possible additional technical feature, the ratio between the length "La" of the laser marking region 20a and the length "Le" of the labeling region 20c is less than 1, and is even more preferably between 0.6 and 0.2.

[0104] Preferably, both the ratios Ma / Mc and La / Lc are less than 1, and preferably are between 0.6 and 0.2. Advantageously, the user can then read the information from different viewpoints.

[0105] The labeling machine 14 is capable of applying a label 140 as described above, i.e. of affixing the label 140 at the level of a region 20c in opposition and in alignment with a region 20a.

[0106] According to one possible embodiment, the label 140 forming the labeling region 20c is opaque and includes at least one colored and / or patterned face. Indeed, the legibility of the information in the laser marking region 20a is considerably improved when a label 140 comprising at least one colored, opaque, and / or patterned face is positioned opposite and aligned with said region 20a. This embodiment ensures good visibility and legibility of the information, particularly regardless of the contents of the container 2, or even regardless of the color of the container 2 itself, as the container 2 may be colored or opaque.

[0107] The labeling machine 14 is capable of applying a label 140 as described above.

[0108] In some embodiments, the container 2 comprises a first laser-marked region 20a and at least a second three-dimensional region 20b, said first laser-marked region 20a and said second three-dimensional region 20b being wholly or partially superimposed. Indeed, since the three-dimensional patterns 130 of the three-dimensional region 20b have hollows and / or protrusions larger than the information obtained by laser marking, it may be advantageous to superimpose the two information regions 20a, 20b in order to improve the legibility of the information, in particular by increasing the contrast.

[0109] In some embodiments, and as illustrated in [Fig. 12], a mark 310 is made in the three-dimensional region 20b, at the level of the "A", while the "V" was made solely by embossing. In the illustrative example, the mark 310 is a contour of the embossed area, at the level of the recesses. It can be seen that the information, here the "A", is very clear, thanks to this laser-etched contour.

[0110] Advantageously, the mark 310 can be made in region 20b directly on the three-dimensional motifs 130 and / or around the three-dimensional motifs 130 and / or in the transition zone between the three-dimensional motifs 130 and the wall 25 of container 2. This increases the readability of information by increasing the contrast.

[0111] The invention also relates to a method for marking containers 2 comprising at least the following steps: - a step E1 consisting of performing a treatment on said containers 2, preferably filling and / or capping said containers 2, - a laser marking step E2, consisting of generating a mark 310 at a region 20a of information on each container 2, and - prior to the processing step El, a step E0 consisting of forming at least one information region 20b on a container 2 by creating three-dimensional elements 130 on the wall 25 of said container 2, and / or - a step E3 of affixing a label 140 to the wall 25 of said container 2, so as to form a region 20c of information, called the labeling region 20c.

[0112] According to one possible variant, the E3 step of affixing a label is carried out following the E2 laser marking step.

[0113] According to another possible variant, the E3 step of affixing a label precedes the E2 laser marking step.

[0114] The process according to the invention includes a step El consisting of performing a treatment on the containers 2. Preferably, the treatment step El is an operation of filling and / or capping the containers 2.

[0115] The process also includes a laser marking step E2 consisting of generating a mark 310 at a region 20a of information on each container 2. It has been found that the laser marking with the laser beam 31 is of better quality (in terms of readability in particular) when the container 2 is filled. Advantageously, in some embodiments, the process consists of marking a container 2 filled, preferably with liquid. This allows the liquid to rapidly dissipate the heat from the transmitted laser beam 31 and prevents degradation of the wall of said container 2. The internal integrity of the container 2 in contact with the liquid is thus maintained, while it is possible to generate a strong contrast with high power to achieve a high marking rate and confine the marking to the external surface of the wall of said container 2.

[0116] Fig. 13 schematically shows the steps of a process according to an embodiment where the containers 2 are filled and sealed during a step EL. In embodiments, the marking step E2 takes place while the containers 2 are circulating along the circulation path T, the containers 2 not being stopped for this marking step.

[0117] According to one possible variant, the containers 2 are stopped while they are moving on the conveyor means, during the laser marking step E2.

[0118] In some embodiments, for the marking step E2, the grasped containers 2 are then rotated synchronously with marking stations 3. Preferably, the rotation step is continuous, without interruption: the container 2 is placed in the path of the device 1 and then grasped and rotated. Thus, during step E2, the containers 2 are marked while they are rotating.

[0119] In some embodiments, the process comprises: - after the container processing step El 2, a container loading step El' at a loading point, - after the marking step E2, the process includes an unloading step at an unloading point, each station 3 and each container 2 being moved respectively around said vertical axis of rotation between said loading point of said containers 2 and said unloading point of said containers 2 marked at the level of a zone 20a called laser marking.

[0120] Advantageously, after the loading step and / or before the marking step, the containers 2 are moved vertically. According to one possible embodiment, the laser marking stations 3 are moved vertically during or after said loading step. Thus, in embodiments, the containers 2 are moved vertically after loading, in order to adjust the positioning of at least one marking zone 20a opposite the marking stations 3, and in particular opposite the optical output of an optical system 320. The containers 2 are therefore moved from an initial vertical position - or height - to a vertical marking position.

[0121] Then, once the marking step 2 is completed, the containers 2 are again moved vertically back from said vertical position to said initial position so that said containers 2 can be unloaded.

[0122] In some embodiments, the marking step E2 is carried out by a pulsed laser in the near-infrared.

[0123] In some embodiments, the marking process includes an additional step, after the marking step E2, of inspecting the marked containers 2.

[0124] In embodiments, prior to the processing step El, the process includes a step E0 consisting of forming at least one information region 20b on a container 2 by creating three-dimensional elements 130 on the wall 25 of said container 2. This step E0 of forming three-dimensional elements 130 may consist of a laser machining step, an electric spark machining step, an engraving step, a cutting machining step or a molding machining step.

[0125] Preferably, step E0 is a molding machining step, also commonly called an embossing step. The three-dimensional patterns 130 are then produced during the formation of the container 2, by blow molding or injection molding. According to one possible embodiment, step E0 is an embossing step comprising the following steps: - a step consisting of providing a mold, said mold being made of metal, preferably steel, stainless steel or aluminum, which includes at least one cavity, - a step consisting of forming three-dimensional patterns 130 on at least one region 20b of the container 2 during the stretch-blowing or injection step of said container 2, the three-dimensional patterns 130 of said region 20b constituting a counter-impression of said impression.

[0126] The stretch blow molding or injection molding step will not be detailed here, as it is well known to those skilled in the art.

[0127] In embodiments, the process includes a laser marking step E2 and a three-dimensional element formation step El 130.

[0128] According to one possible variant, the laser marking step E2 is carried out on a region 20a which overlaps in whole or in part a region 20b of information, the information being made up of three-dimensional elements. This advantageously further improves the readability of the information present on these regions 20a, 20b, as can be seen for example in [Fig. 12].

[0129] In embodiments, the method according to the invention includes a step E3 of affixing a label 140 to the wall 25 of said container 2, so as to form a region 20c of information, referred to as the labeling region 20c.

[0130] Step E3 can be carried out before or after step E2 of laser marking.

[0131] In embodiments, step E3 consists of affixing a partial label 140 to the wall 25 of the container 2.

[0132] More specifically, in embodiments, step E3 comprises the following steps: - to advance the plurality of 2 containers to be labeled along a labeling path and through an application station; - advance a strip of labeling material along a feed path; - repeatedly cut the strip to separate a sequence of labels; - receive these labels on a transfer drum rotating around an axis of rotation and comprising several retention sectors, each configured to cyclically receive and retain a label and each comprising a front buffer to retain the front end of label 140 and a back pad to retain the back end of label 140; - cyclically convey the head pad and tail pad to the application station for the application of labels onto the respective containers; - release the front end at the application station, so as to apply the front end to the respective container 2 using the end pad; - release the rear end at the application station, in order to apply the rear end to the respective container 2 using the end pad;

[0133] - rotate each container around its own longitudinal axis at least at application station level.

[0134] In embodiments, the process is implemented by the installation 100 of the invention as described above. The installation 100 according to the invention is therefore suitable for implementing the marking process of the invention.

[0135] The marking process can be implemented in an installation 100 as described above.

[0136] Thus, the invention aims at a particularly efficient container marking installation 100, which allows different types of information to be affixed to the wall 25 of said containers 2, in order to guarantee the readability of said information.

Claims

Demands

1. Installation (100) for marking containers (2) made of thermoplastic material obtained in particular by a blow-stretch process, in particular bottles or flasks, said container (2) comprising at least one body, a shoulder extending from said body to an upper end thereof, a neck extending from the shoulder, a wall (25), said wall (25) comprising at least two regions (20a, 20b) referred to as information regions, said installation (100) comprising: - an inlet (8) and an outlet (9), said containers (2) circulating along a path (T) on a packaging line, from said inlet (8) to said outlet (9), and, along said path (T): - a laser marking device (1) capable of applying information in a first information region (20a), referred to as the laser marking region (20a) of a container (2),- a device (13) for forming three-dimensional elements (130) on the wall (25) of said container (2) in a second information region (20b), referred to as the three-dimensional region (20b), and / or - a machine (14) for affixing at least one label (140) to said wall (25) of said container (2), said label forming a third information region (20c), referred to as the labeling region (20c).

2. Installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a laser marking device (1) and a device (13) for forming three-dimensional elements (130) on the wall (25) of a container (2) in the three-dimensional information region (20b), said device (13) comprising a blowing unit (15) which includes a plurality of molds (150), said molds (150) comprising molding cavities (151) suitable for receiving preforms, and said molding cavities (151) comprising impressions and / or reliefs defining said three-dimensional elements (130) corresponding to the information to be formed on said second three-dimensional region (20b) during the forming of the containers (2) by blowing the preforms.

3. Installation (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a laser marking device (1) and a machine (14) of affixing at least one label (140), said label (140) preferably being of the partial label type.

4. Installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises, along the path (T) of circulation of the containers (2): - a processing machine (10), preferably of the filling type, which is located upstream of the laser marking device (1) and - a machine (14) for affixing at least one label (140) downstream of said laser marking device (1).

5. Installation (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said laser marking device (1) comprises at least: - a laser marking station (3), said station (3) comprising along an optical path at least one laser marking optical head (30) for projecting a laser beam (31), said optical head (30) being equipped with a laser head unit (300) and an optical system (320) for focusing said laser beam (31) in order to generate a mark (310) within said information region (20a) of said container (2), said optical head (30) being connected to a laser processing device (40) via an optical channel (600), - control means (4) connected to the at least one marking station (3) and comprising said laser processing device (40) and means for supplying (41) to said laser marking station (3).

6. A thermoplastic container (2), obtained in particular by a blow molding process, comprising at least one body, said body extending vertically along a longitudinal axis (L), a shoulder in the continuation of said body at one upper end thereof, a neck in the continuation of the shoulder, a wall (25), said wall (25) comprising at least two information regions (20a, 20b) and a bottom at the lower end of said body, a container (2) characterized in that it comprises at least: - a first information region (20a), referred to as the laser marking region (20a), the information being obtained by laser marking and - a second information region (20b), referred to as the three-dimensional region (20b), the information being formed directly on the wall (25) of said container (2) and being three-dimensional in shape, and / or - a third information region (20c), called the labeling region (20c), the information being formed on a label (140), preferably on a partial label (140).

7. Container (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least: - a first information region (20a), the information being obtained by laser marking and - a second information region (20b), the information being made up of three-dimensional elements (130) and - a third information region (20c) formed on a label (140) of the partial label type (140).

8. Container (2) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the label (140) is a partial label (140) and extends over the wall (25) of the container (2) at an angle of less than 200 degrees.

9. Container (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a second information region (20b), referred to as the three-dimensional region (20b), the information of said second region (20b) being made up of three-dimensional elements (130) formed directly by embossing on the wall (25) of said container (2) and said three-dimensional elements (130) comprising hollows and / or protrusions respectively of a depth and / or a height of between 0.1 and 3 millimeters with respect to the surface of the wall (25) of the container (2).

10. Container (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least a first information region (20a) and a third labeling region (20c), and in that said first laser marking region (20a) and said third labeling region (20c) are located on either side of the longitudinal axis (L) of the container (2), directly opposite each other.

11. Container (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the label (140) forming the labeling region (20c) is opaque and comprises at least one coloured and / or patterned face.

12. Container (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a first laser marking region (20a) and at least a second three-dimensional region (20b), said first laser marking region (20a) and said second three-dimensional region (20b) being wholly or partly superimposed.

13. A method for marking thermoplastic containers (2) obtained by a blow-stretch process, comprising at least the following steps: - a step (E1) consisting of performing a treatment on said containers (2), preferably of filling and / or capping, - a laser marking step (E2), consisting of generating a mark (310) at the level of an information region (20a) of each container (2), the method characterized in that it comprises: - prior to the treatment step (E1), a step (E0) consisting of forming at least one information region (20b) on a container (2) by creating three-dimensional elements (130) on the wall (25) of said container (2), and / or - a step (E3) of affixing a label (140) to the wall (25) of said container (2), so as to form an information region (20c), referred to as region (20c) labelling.

14. A method for marking containers (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a step (E0) consisting of forming three-dimensional elements (130) on the wall (25) of the container (2) by embossing, i.e. during the blowing or blow-stretching step of the containers (2).

15. A method for marking containers (2) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that it comprises a step (E3) of affixing a label (140), said label (140) preferably being a partial label (140).

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