Patent ID: 8763524

Claim:
A printing machine ( 2 ), comprising: a frame ( 4 , 5 , 7 ); a tower ( 6 ) which is carried by the frame ( 4 , 5 , 7 ), the tower ( 6 ) being drivable in rotation relative to the frame ( 4 , 5 , 7 ) about an axis of rotation A-A in order to move an object ( 8 ) to be printed between at least a printing station ( 12 ), an introduction station ( 10 ), and a discharge station ( 14 , 16 ) for the object to be printed; first and second conveyors ( 18 , 20 ) which are carried by the frame ( 4 , 5 , 7 ) and are respectively configured i) to introduce the object ( 8 ) to be printed to the introduction station ( 12 ), and ii) to discharge the object ( 8 ) from the discharge station ( 14 , 16 ); a transfer device ( 22 ) which is carried by the tower ( 6 ), the transfer device ( 22 ) comprising a conveyor web portion ( 40 ) which is configured to move the object ( 8 ) to be printed between the first and second conveyors ( 18 , 20 ) and the tower ( 6 ); a printing device ( 13 ) which is configured to print the object ( 8 ) to be printed, the printing device ( 13 ) being provided at the printing station ( 12 ); and first drive means ( 28 ) that drive the conveyor web portion ( 40 ) of the transfer device, the first drive means ( 28 ) being carried by the frame ( 4 , 5 , 7 ) and not carried by the tower such that the first drive means ( 28 ) are not movable in rotation with the tower, the transfer device ( 22 ) comprising a transmission element ( 72 ) that engages with the first drive means ( 28 ) when the transmission element is at the introduction station or at the discharge station, and disengages from the first drive means ( 28 ) when the transmission elements is at the printing station, wherein each of the first and second conveyors ( 18 , 20 ) comprises at least one web ( 25 ) for carrying the object ( 8 ) to be printed, and wherein the first conveyor ( 18 ) is configured to move the object ( 8 ) as far as the transfer device ( 22 ).