Machine and method for decorating items with granular materials

A machine for decorating items with granular materials, comprising at least one transportation device, for conveying the items to be decorated along a feed direction (A) and a feed orientation (V), and at least one decoration assembly of the items (P), supported above the transportation device and for depositing. on the surface of each item (P), a certain quantity of granular material (M) so as to achieve a determined aesthetic effect, said decoration assembly comprising a first module for dispensing adhesive fluid, of the type provided with heads with dispensing nozzles, for dispensing at least one first layer of adhesive fluid on the surface of the item (P) to be decorated according to a specific decorative pattern or motif, and at least one supplying device of granular material (MD), arranged adjacent to said first module and downstream of said first module with respect to said feed orientation (V), for dispensing at least one layer of granular material (M) on the portion of the surface of the item (P) in which the first layer of adhesive fluid is present, wherein said decoration assembly comprises a second module for dispensing adhesive fluid. of the type provided with heads with dispensing nozzles, arranged adjacent to said supplying device and downstream of said supplying device with respect to said feed orientation (V), for dispensing a second layer of adhesive fluid on the layer, previously deposited, of granular material (M), said second layer being superimposed on said decorative pattern or motif created by said first layer of adhesive fluid,

• wherein said decoration assembly comprises at least one outer casing, which completely encloses said first module, supplying device and second module in respective hermetically separated compartments, or said decoration assembly comprises independent casings which define respective hermetically separated compartments for
• each of said first module, supplying device and second module, in order to prevent the granular material (M) and the dust accompanying it from spreading towards said first module and second module,
• wherein said casing is configured, or said casings are configured, so as to provide different respective modes of affecting said three compartments, and
• wherein said casing comprises, or said casings comprise, a first fan for overpressurizing the first compartment in which said first module is contained, and a second fan for overpressurizing the third compartment in which said second module is contained.

A machine for decorating items with granular materials, comprising at least one transportation device, for conveying the items to be decorated along a feed direction (A) and a feed orientation (V), and at least one decoration assembly of the items (P), supported above the transportation device and for depositing, on the surface of each item (P), a certain quantity of granular material (M) so as to achieve a determined aesthetic effect, said decoration assembly comprising a first module for dispensing adhesive fluid, of the type provided with heads with dispensing nozzles, for dispensing at least one first layer of adhesive fluid on the surface of the item (P) to be decorated according to a specific decorative pattern or motif, and at least one supplying device of granular material (M), arranged adjacent to said first module and downstream of said first module with respect to said feed orientation (V), for dispensing at least one layer of granular material (M) on the portion of the surface of the item (P) in which the first layer of adhesive fluid is present, wherein said decoration assembly comprises a second module for dispensing adhesive fluid, of the type provided with heads with dispensing nozzles, arranged adjacent to said supplying device and downstream of said supplying device with respect to said feed orientation (V), for dispensing a second layer of adhesive fluid on the layer, previously deposited, of granular material (M), said second layer being superimposed on said decorative pattern or motif created by said first layer of adhesive fluid,

• wherein said decoration assembly comprises at least one outer casing. which completely encloses said first module, supplying device and second module in respective hermetically separated compartments, or said decoration assembly comprises independent casings which define respective hermetically separated compartments for
• each of said first module, supplying device and second module, in order to prevent the granular material (M) and the dust accompanying it from spreading towards said first module and second module.
• wherein said casing is configured, or said casings are configured, so as to provide different respective modes of affecting said three compartments, and
• wherein said casing comprises, or said casings comprise, a suction device for removing from the second compartment, in which said supplying device is contained, the dusts and impurities that spread during the dispensing of the granular material (M).