U.S. patent application number 12/989209 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-26 for enclosing structure for container packaging machines and/or machine units, in particular capping machines.
This patent application is currently assigned to AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE A.C.M.A S.p.A.. Invention is credited to Marco Baroni, Gianpietro Zanini.
Application Number | 20110120055 12/989209 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40296669 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110120055 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baroni; Marco ; et
al. |
May 26, 2011 |
ENCLOSING STRUCTURE FOR CONTAINER PACKAGING MACHINES AND/OR MACHINE
UNITS, IN PARTICULAR CAPPING MACHINES
Abstract
A packaging machine or machine unit, as used in particular for
capping containers (5), is enclosed by a structure (1) that
comprises a casing (2) positioned at least in part around the
active components (3) of a packaging unit (4) supplied with open
containers (5). The casing (2) comprises a fixed cowl (13)
encompassing the components (3) of the packaging unit (4), and a
movable cowl (23) furnished with at least one sealing element (4).
The movable cowl (23) is capable of movement between an open
configuration, in which a gap (23a) is created between the fixed
cowl (13) and the movable cowl (23) so as to place the fixed cowl
(13) in fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere, and a
closed configuration in which the sealing element (24) of the
movable cowl (23) engages the fixed cowl (13), occluding the gap
(23a) and consequently isolating the interior of the fixed cowl
(13) from the surrounding atmosphere.
Inventors: |
Baroni; Marco; (Barbasso di
Roncoferraro (Mantova), IT) ; Zanini; Gianpietro;
(Montanara di Curtatone (Mantova), IT) |
Assignee: |
AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI MACCHINE
AUTOMATICHE A.C.M.A S.p.A.
Bologna
IT
|
Family ID: |
40296669 |
Appl. No.: |
12/989209 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
April 20, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2009/051618 |
371 Date: |
October 22, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/285 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67C 7/002 20130101;
B67C 3/22 20130101; B67B 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/285 |
International
Class: |
B65B 7/00 20060101
B65B007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 23, 2008 |
IT |
BO2008A000255 |
Claims
1) An enclosing structure for container packaging machines and/or
machine units, and in particular capping machines, comprising at
least one isolation casing (2) extending at least in part around at
least one motion-inducing component of a packaging unit (4)
operating on initially open containers (5), characterized in that
the isolation casing (2) of the structure (1) comprises: at least
one fixed cowl (13) extending at least in part around the at least
one motion-inducing component (3) of the packaging unit (4), at
least one movable cowl (23) operationally associated with the fixed
cowl (13), furnished with at least one sealing element (24),
affording a passage to at least one working part (3) of the
packaging unit (4) and capable of movement between an open
configuration assumed with the structure (1) in a first operating
position, in which at least one gap (23a) is created between the
fixed cowl (13) and the movable cowl (23), thereby placing the
fixed cowl (13) in fluid communication with the surrounding
environment, and a closed configuration, assumed with the structure
(1) in a second operating position, in which the sealing element
(24) registers against a stop (20) afforded by the fixed cowl (13),
in such a way as to isolate the selfsame fixed cowl hermetically
from the surrounding atmosphere and from an exposed portion of the
working part (3).
2) A structure as in claim 1, wherein the fixed cowl (13) comprises
a substantially cylindrical body (14) presenting a first end (15)
enclosed at least in part by a wall (16) preferably of rounded
appearance, also a second end (17) located opposite to the first
end (15) and directed toward the movable cowl (23).
3) A structure as in claim 2, wherein the cylindrical body (14) of
the fixed cowl (13) presents at least one circular rib (18)
projecting internally from an inside wall (19) of the selfsame cowl
(13) and serving to create a stop (20) such as will engage the
sealing element (24) of the movable cowl (23) when this same cowl
(23) assumes the closed configuration.
4) A structure as in claim 3, wherein the cylindrical body (14) of
the fixed cowl (13) comprises a first module (21) and a second
module (22) connected one to the other and presenting dissimilar
diametral dimensions.
5) A structure as in claim 4, wherein the diametral dimensions
presented by the second module (22) of the fixed cowl (13) are
greater than the diametral dimensions presented by the first module
(21).
6) A structure as in claim 4, wherein the internal circular rib
(18) is located between the first module (21) and the second module
(22) of the fixed cowl (13).
7) A structure as in claim 4, wherein the movable cowl (23)
comprises a substantially cylindrical body (25) of which one end is
attached to a rotating disc (26) of the packaging unit (4)
positioned at least partly over the containers (5) being processed
by this same unit, and the other end carries the sealing element
(24), the movable cowl (23) being closed hermetically by the
rotating disc (26) and revolving as one with the selfsame disc
about a common vertical axis (X) relative to the fixed cowl
(13).
8) A structure as in claim 7, wherein the diametral dimensions of
the movable cowl (23) are smaller than the diametral dimensions
presented by the first module (21) of the fixed cowl (13), and the
gap (23a) is of substantially circular geometry, created between
and delimited by the movable cowl (23) and the first module (21) of
the fixed cowl (13).
9) A structure as in claim 4, wherein the sealing element (24)
presents a substantially circular appearance, and extends from the
movable cowl (23) toward the first module (21) of the fixed cowl
(13).
10) A structure as in claim 4, wherein the sealing element (24)
presents: a circumferential mounting portion (27) designed to
engage an annular edge (28) of the movable cowl (23) directed
toward the fixed cowl (13); a circumferential sealing portion (29),
positioned on the side opposite to the circumferential mounting
portion (27) and presenting at least one circumferential groove
(31) engageable by the stop (20) when the movable cowl (23) assumes
the closed configuration.
11) A structure as in claim 2, comprising ventilation means (33)
associated operationally with the fixed cowl (13) and serving, when
the movable cowl (23) assumes the open configuration, to generate
at least one flow of air (B) entering the fixed cowl (13) through
the gap (23a) and exiting at the end of the selfsame cowl (13)
remote from the gap (23a).
12) A structure as in claim 11, wherein ventilation means (33)
comprise an extractor fan (34), installed and operating in an
opening (35) afforded by the enclosing wall (16) of the fixed cowl
(13), which can be set in rotation in such a way as to draw air
through the gap (23a) when the movable cowl (23) assumes the open
configuration, and is disabled when the movable cowl (23) assumes
the closed configuration.
13) A structure as in claim 12, wherein the isolation casing (2)
comprises a frame (36) by which the fixed cowl (13) is surrounded
and at least partially enclosed together with the movable cowl
(23), the packaging unit (4), and respective conveyor means (37) by
which containers (5) are transported into and away from the
packaging unit (4), wherein the enclosing frame (36) delimits an
enclosure (38) in fluid communication with the surrounding
environment by way of an infeed channel (36a) at least partially
accommodating the conveyor means (37) by which containers (5) are
transported into the packaging unit, and an outfeed channel (36b)
at least partially accommodating the conveyor means (37) by which
containers (5) are transported away from the packaging unit.
14) A structure as in claim 13, wherein ventilation means (33) are
associated operationally with the enclosing frame (36) in such a
way as to generate a flow of air (C) internally of the enclosure
(38), directed from a top portion of the frame (36) toward a bottom
portion of the selfsame frame occupied by the conveyor means (37)
on which the containers (5) are transported.
15) A structure as in claim 14, wherein the ventilation means (33)
comprise: a first blower fan (39) occupying and operating within a
first opening (40) afforded by a top wall (41) of the enclosing
frame (36), in a position alongside the fixed cowl (13), by which
ambient air is drawn in and filtered before being directed toward
the channel (36a) through which containers (5) are admitted to the
packaging unit; a second blower fan (42) occupying and operating
within a second opening (43) afforded by the top wall (41) of the
enclosing frame (36), in a position alongside the fixed cowl (13),
by which ambient air is drawn in and filtered before being directed
toward the channel (36b) through which containers (5) leave the
packaging unit.
16) A structure as in claim 15, wherein the first and second blower
fans (39, 42) are set in rotation in such a way as to generate
respective flows of air (C) during the operation of the packaging
unit (4) processing the containers (5), of which the air flow (C)
produced by the first blower fan (39) is gentler than the air flow
(C) produced by the second blower fan (42).
17) A structure as in claim 16, wherein the first opening (40) and
the second opening (43) are equipped each with a respective air
filter element.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an enclosing structure for
container packaging machines and/or machine units, and in
particular for capping machines.
[0002] The present invention finds application to advantage in the
art field of carousel type machines such as fillers, cappers,
sterilizers and the like, generally handling open containers
intended to hold food products of both liquid and powder
consistency, or indeed any product that needs to be protected from
external contaminants.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In the case of cappers, the prior art embraces machines
consisting in a carousel rotatable about a vertical axis, which
comprise a drum furnished peripherally with a set of capping units
distributed circumferentially about the vertical axis of rotation.
Each capping unit comprises a hollow shaft centred on a vertical
axis and carrying a relative capping head at the lower end,
equipped with a respective gripper mechanism.
[0004] Located below the drum, generally, will be a disc or a set
of pedestals on which to stand respective open containers. The disc
or pedestals are supplied with containers from a corresponding
infeed station. At the same time, the capper is supplied from a
feeder station with single caps positionable on each of the
incoming containers. Containers capped by the carousel are released
ultimately, by the disc or by the pedestals, to a corresponding
outfeed station.
[0005] During the passage of the containers from the infeed station
to the outfeed station, a single cap is picked up from the
aforementioned feeder station by each capping head and fitted to a
respective container standing on the disc or on the relative
pedestal. In order to accomplish this sequence of steps, each
capping head is able to rotate while remaining vertically aligned
above the corresponding container, as well as being translatable
vertically toward or away from the selfsame container. The
containers can be closed with the aforementioned caps by applying a
twisting action or a forcing action, or a combination of the two,
depending on the type of closure specified.
[0006] In greater detail, the capping units and the disc or
pedestals are caused to rotate as one about the vertical axis of
the capping machine by means of a vertical shaft that is common to
both.
[0007] Both the capping units and the disc or pedestals carrying
the containers are connected to the vertical shaft in such a way
that all must necessarily rotate together about the vertical axis
of the capping machine.
[0008] The translational movement of the capping units is induced
by respective follower mechanisms engaging in a groove that
constitutes the active profile of a cylindrical cam positioned
between the rotating vertical shaft and the capping units.
[0009] The cylindrical cam does not rotate about the vertical axis
of the machine but remains stationary, so that when the capping
units are set in rotation about the vertical axis, each will
descend or ascend as a result of the interaction between the
respective follower mechanism and the cam profile.
[0010] To ensure that the capper can be used with different types
of containers, the operating distance between the capping units and
the disc or pedestals supporting the containers will be adjustable
between presettable maximum and minimum values.
[0011] To this end, the capping units are coupled captively and
slidably to the rotating vertical shaft and the cylindrical cam is
coupled captively and slidably to respective fixed mountings.
[0012] Capping machines of the type described above may also be
equipped with a casing, cowl or similar structure, placed over the
machine and enclosing the capping units at least in part. The
casing in question is fixed in relation to the moving parts of the
machine, which normally will be enclosed within the casing. In this
way, most of the motion-inducing components in the capping units of
carousel type machines can be protected from unwanted infiltrations
of dust and/or dirt.
[0013] Notwithstanding the fact that with a casing fitted to
machines for handling open containers, such as the capping machine
described above, it becomes possible to protect moving parts from
the infiltration of unwanted dust and particles, and similarly to
protect operators from these same moving parts, the applicant
observes nonetheless that the assembly of machine and casing is
affected by certain drawbacks, connected principally with the
infiltration of liquids and/or cleansing substances utilized at
high pressures when the machines are washed down, and with the need
to maintain the aseptic integrity of the containers both when empty
and when filled with the product being packaged.
[0014] In particular, it has been noted that in the course of
washing operations, which normally include a preliminary step of
spraying foamable substances onto exposed working parts of the
packaging machine, followed by a step of rinsing these same parts
with high pressure jets, the washing liquids utilized can find
their way undesirably into the space enclosed by the protective
casings. Such infiltrations can damage motion-inducing components
of the capping heads, with the result that these same parts may
require servicing more than once to restore their correct
operation, and may even need replacing. Self-evidently, these
servicing operations impact heavily on production and running costs
generated by the machines in question, incurred both through the
purchase of replacement parts and the payment of labour charges,
and as a result of maintenance stoppages.
[0015] It will be appreciated also that when carousel machines of
the aforementioned type are in operation, there is the risk that
contaminant particles and/or substances can escape from the bottom
of the casing and drop into the open containers; such contaminants
include oils, grease and other lubricants on the motion-inducing
components of the capping heads, or rust and other particles shed
by parts of these components engaged in sliding contact, all of
which will inevitably spoil the product, whether already in the
container or yet to be batched.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The object of the present invention, accordingly, is to
overcome the drawbacks associated with prior art machines.
[0017] A first object of the present invention, in particular, is
to provide an enclosing structure for container packaging machines
and/or machine units, in particular capping machines, by which
motion-inducing components of the various operating mechanisms will
be protected when the machine is washed and rinsed
periodically.
[0018] A further object of the present invention is to ensure that
when the machine by which containers are packaged is in operation,
there will be no possibility of contaminant particles and/or
substances dropping from the motion-inducing components of machine
units into the containers being processed.
[0019] Another object of the invention is to ensure that any
pulverulent material transported and/or set in motion by the
conveyors at the infeed and outfeed stations, or deposited on the
outer surfaces of the containers being processed, will not
circulate above the open tops of the containers.
[0020] The stated objects and others besides are substantially
realized in an enclosing structure for container packaging machines
and/or machine units, in particular capping machines, as recited in
the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The invention will now be described in detail, by way of
example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an enclosing
structure according to the present invention, applicable to
packaging machines and/or machine units for packaging containers,
and in particular to capping machines;
[0023] FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the structure illustrated in
FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a section taken on cutting plane A-A in FIG. 1,
which shows a machine for packaging containers equipped with an
enclosing structure according to the present invention, illustrated
in a first operating position;
[0025] FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0026] With reference to the accompanying drawings, numeral 1
denotes an enclosing structure, in its entirety, for container
packaging machines and/or machine units, and in particular for
capping machines.
[0027] More specifically, albeit implying no limitation in scope of
the present invention, the structure disclosed is applicable to
carousel machines of whatever type, for example fillers, cappers,
sterilizers, etc., utilized for processing open containers in which
liquid and/or powdered products are to be packaged, such products
consisting preferably in food products.
[0028] As discernible from the accompanying drawings, the enclosing
structure 1 comprises at least one isolation casing 2, extending at
least in part around at least one motion-inducing component 3 (see
FIGS. 3 and 4) of a packaging unit 4 operating on open containers
5.
[0029] Preferably, the isolation casing 2 will encompass a
plurality of motion-inducing components 3 presented by the
packaging unit 4, by which one or more operations are performed on
the open containers 5 in the process of capping and releasing the
finished article.
[0030] Applied to a capping machine, or indeed to any machine of
generally similar type, the isolation casing 2 extends at least
partially around the motion-inducing components 3 of the packaging
unit 4, which is equipped with a plurality of capping units 6
distributed circumferentially about a common vertical axis X. Each
capping unit 6 is equipped with an appropriate capping head 7 that
operates by activating a relative gripper mechanism 7a designed to
take up and apply successive caps of familiar design (not
illustrated) supplied to the machine by way of a respective feeder
station (not illustrated).
[0031] The capping units 6 are carried by a drum 8 positioned above
a plurality of pedestals (not illustrated) on which the open
containers 5 are supported while being capped.
[0032] With reference in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the
drawings, the pedestals supporting the containers 5 are supplied
from a respective infeed station 9 with open containers, singly and
in succession. In a preferred embodiment, these same pedestals are
designed to release the containers 5, closed with respective caps
by the aforementioned capping units 6, to an outfeed station
10.
[0033] To advantage, the containers 5 advance from the infeed
station 9 to the outfeed station 10 following a substantially
circular path, along which each capping head 7 is caused to rotate
while remaining above and in vertical alignment with the relative
container 5 and, in controlled sequence, to translate toward and/or
away from the selfsame container 5. In this way, each gripper
mechanism 7a is made to pick up a single cap from the relative
feeder station and place it on a respective container 5 directed
onto the carousel from the infeed station 9.
[0034] The nature of the motion induced in the cap by the capping
unit 6 will depend entirely on the type of cap specified for the
containers 5 in production.
[0035] To ensure that the capping units 6 and the pedestals
supporting the containers 5 revolve as one on the carousel, both
are coupled to a common vertical shaft 11.
[0036] The translational movement of the capping units 6 is induced
through the agency of respective follower mechanisms (conventional
in embodiment) engaging in a groove that constitutes the active
profile of a cylindrical cam positioned between the common vertical
shaft 11 and the capping units 6.
[0037] The position of the cylindrical cam remains unchanged during
operation, whereas the capping units 6 revolve around the vertical
shaft 11 and will also ascend or descend, as dictated by the cam
profile.
[0038] The distance between the capping units 6 and the respective
pedestals supporting the containers 5 can be adjusted to suit
containers of different heights received from the infeed station.
In particular, the entire superstructure of the packaging unit 4,
that is to say the plurality of capping units 6 and all of the
mechanisms by which motion is induced in these same units, are
capable of movement along the common vertical shaft 11 between an
upper limit position, in which the capping units 6 are placed at a
maximum distance from the respective pedestals, and a lower limit
position (FIGS. 3 and 4), in which the capping units 6 are placed
at a minimum distance from the respective pedestals.
[0039] As illustrated in the drawings, the aforementioned isolation
casing 2 comprises at least one fixed cowl 13 extending at least
partially around the motion-inducing components 3 of the packaging
unit 4, that is to say around the capping units 6, in this
particular instance.
[0040] The fixed cowl 13 comprises a substantially cylindrical body
14 presenting a first end 15 at least partially enclosed by a
relative wall 16, preferably of rounded profile, and a second end
17 located opposite to the first end 15 and consequently remote
from the enclosing wall 16.
[0041] As discernible in FIG. 3, the second end 17 of the fixed
cowl 13 is directed downwards, facing toward the capping heads 7
and toward the pedestals carrying the containers 5 being
capped.
[0042] Still referring to FIG. 3, the body 14 of the fixed cowl 13
comprises at least one circular rib 18 projecting internally from
an inside wall 19 of the selfsame cowl 13 and serving to create a
stop 20 (FIG. 4) directed toward the common vertical shaft 11.
[0043] More specifically, the body 14 of the fixed cowl 13
comprises a first module 21 and a second module 22 connected one to
another and presenting dissimilar diametral dimensions.
[0044] To advantage, the diameter of the second module 22 is
greater than the diameter of the first module 21, and accordingly,
the fixed cowl 13 presents a cross section that reduces in width
progressing from the second end 17 to the first end 15.
[0045] The circular internal rib 18 is positioned preferably
between the first module 21 and the second module 22 of the fixed
cowl 13.
[0046] As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the isolation
casing 2 also comprises at least one movable cowl 23 furnished
internally with at least one sealing element 24. The movable cowl
23 is associated operationally with the fixed cowl 13 and affords a
passage to each of the capping units 6, these being the components
of the packaging unit 4 by which the containers 5 fed onto the
carousel are effectively handled.
[0047] Advantageously, the movable cowl 23 is capable of movement
between an open configuration (FIGS. 3 and 4) assumed with the
structure 1 in a first operating position, in which at least one
gap 23a is created between the fixed cowl 13 and the movable cowl
23, thereby placing the fixed cowl 13 in fluid communication with
the surrounding environment, and a closed configuration, assumed
with the structure 1 in a second operating position, in which the
sealing element 24 registers against the stop 20 presented by the
fixed cowl 13, in such a way as to isolate the selfsame fixed cowl
hermetically from the surrounding atmosphere and from the exposed
parts of the capping units 6.
[0048] In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the movable cowl 23
comprises a substantially cylindrical body 25 of which one end is
attached to a rotating disc 26 of the packaging unit 4 rigidly
associated with the common vertical shaft 11 and positioned at
least in part over the pedestals carrying the containers 5. Thus,
the movable cowl 23 rotates as one with the capping units 6 about
the aforementioned vertical axis X and is slidable together with
the selfsame units on the vertical shaft 11 between the upper limit
position and the lower limit position.
[0049] Referring in particular to FIGS. 3 and 4, the movable cowl
23 is hermetically sealed at bottom by the rotating disc 26, which
presents a plurality of openings 26a furnished with suitable seals
26b proportioned to accommodate the capping units 6.
[0050] As discernible in FIGS. 3 and 4, the end of the movable cowl
23 farthest from the rotating disc 26 carries the sealing element
24, which is interfaceable with the aforementioned stop 20 when the
movable cowl 23 assumes the closed configuration.
[0051] To establish the communicating gap 23a between the fixed
cowl 13 and the surrounding environment when the movable cowl 23
presents the open configuration, the diametral dimension of the
movable cowl 23 is advantageously less than the diametral dimension
presented by the first module 21 of the fixed cowl 13. The gap 23a,
accordingly, is of substantially circular geometry, being delimited
between the first module 21 of the fixed cowl 13 and the outermost
part of the movable cowl 23.
[0052] Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the sealing element 24
presents a substantially circular appearance, considered
overall.
[0053] In particular, the sealing element 24 projects outwardly in
cantilever fashion from the movable cowl 23 toward the first module
21 of the fixed cowl 13, in such a way as to interact radially with
the stop 20 and isolate the fixed cowl 13 hermetically when the
movable cowl 23 assumes the closed configuration.
[0054] More exactly, the sealing element 24 presents a
circumferential mounting portion 27 designed to engage an annular
edge 28 of the movable cowl 23 directed toward the fixed cowl 13,
and a circumferential sealing portion 29 positioned on the side
opposite to the circumferential mounting portion 27.
[0055] The circumferential mounting portion 27 is secured to the
annular edge 28 through the agency of a respective retaining ring
30 by which the selfsame portion 27 of the sealing element 24 is
forced vertically down against the annular edge 28.
[0056] To advantage, as discernible in the sectional illustration
of FIG. 4, the circumferential sealing portion 29 presents at least
one circumferential groove 31 engageable by the stop 20 when the
movable cowl 23 assumes the closed configuration, in the second
operating position.
[0057] The circumferential groove 31 of the sealing portion 29 is
delimited preferably by two superposed circumferential projections
32 of the sealing element 24, which extend radially toward the
first module 21 of the fixed cowl 13.
[0058] Advantageously, in accordance with the present invention,
the isolation casing 2 comprises ventilation means 33 associated
operationally with the fixed cowl 13 and serving, when the movable
cowl 23 is in the first operating position, to generate at least
one flow of air B entering through the gap 23a and exiting at the
end of the fixed cowl remote from the gap.
[0059] The ventilation means 33 in question will preferably
comprise an extractor fan 34, installed and operating in an opening
35 afforded by the top enclosing wall 16 of the fixed cowl 13.
[0060] In detail, the extractor fan 34 can be set in rotation in
such a way as to draw air through the gap 23a when the movable cowl
23 assumes the open configuration, and will be disabled when the
movable cowl 23 assumes the closed configuration, that is to say
with the gap 23a occluded by the sealing element 24.
[0061] As illustrated in the drawings, the isolation casing 2
comprises a frame 36 by which the fixed cowl 13 is surrounded and
at least partially enclosed together with the movable cowl 23 and
the packaging unit 4. The enclosing frame 36 also houses conveyor
means 37 (FIG. 2) operating on the infeed and the outfeed side of
the packaging unit 4, serving to transport the containers 5 and
consisting for example in belts or similar conveying systems.
[0062] It will be seen in the drawings that the enclosing frame 36
delimits an enclosure 38 protected from external elements and in
fluid communication with the surrounding environment by way of an
infeed channel 36a and an outfeed channel 36b. More exactly, the
conveyor means 37 carrying open containers 5 toward the capping
units 6 of the carousel are housed at least in part by the infeed
channel 36a, whilst the conveying means 37 carrying capped
containers 5 away from the capping units 6 are housed at least in
part by the outfeed channel 36b.
[0063] To advantage, the ventilation means 33 are associated
operationally with the enclosing frame 36 in such a way as to
generate at least one flow of air C within the enclosure 38,
directed from a top portion of the frame 36 to a bottom portion of
the frame, where the conveyor means 37 transporting the containers
5 are located. In other words, the flow C is forced by the
ventilation means 33 from top to bottom, in such a manner that the
air will be expelled through the infeed channel 36a and the outfeed
channel 36b, as well as through other outlets (not illustrated)
located at the bottom of the enclosing frame 36.
[0064] To this end, the ventilation means 33 comprise a first
blower fan 39 occupying and operating within a first opening 40
afforded by a top wall 41 of the enclosing frame 36 in a position
alongside the fixed cowl 13. To advantage, ambient air drawn in by
the first fan 39 is filtered before being directed into the infeed
channel 36a admitting open containers 5.
[0065] The ventilation means 33 also comprise a second blower fan
42 occupying and operating within a second opening 43 afforded by
the top wall 41 of the enclosing frame 36 in a position alongside
the fixed cowl 13.
[0066] Similarly, ambient air drawn in by the second fan 42 is
filtered before being directed into the outfeed channel 36b.
[0067] The first and second blower fans 39 and 42 are set in
rotation to generate respective flows of air C during normal
operation of the packaging unit 4.
[0068] It will be appreciated however that the first and second
blower fans 39 and 42 can also be activated during situations other
than the normal operation of the packaging unit 4, such as when the
equipment is being washed, for example.
[0069] In the event that the packaging unit 4 is equipped with
capping units 6, it will be preferable to set up the ventilation
means in such a way that the air flow produced by the first blower
fan 39 is gentler than the air flow produced by the second blower
fan 42. Adopting this expedient, it becomes possible to ensure that
the air flow directed though the infeed channel 36a will not
encroach on the operating space of an upstream machine operating in
a protected atmosphere, such as a filler.
[0070] To protect the enclosure 38 accommodating the packaging unit
4 from the introduction of undesirable contaminant particles, the
first opening 40 and the second opening 43 are equipped each with a
respective filter element.
[0071] The drawbacks associated with the prior art are overcome by
the present invention, which provides numerous advantages.
[0072] Firstly, the enclosing structure of the present invention
affords complete protection to the mechanical components by which
motion is induced in assemblies such as the capping units, in the
course of washing operations on a machine or a packaging unit of
the type described and illustrated.
[0073] In particular, the isolation casing is able to accompany the
elevating movement of the entire packaging unit, and thus shield
the mechanical parts when the unit is exposed to foamable
substances and rinsing liquids applied by means of high pressure
jets. In this situation, the interaction between the sealing
element and the relative stop presented by the fixed cowl will
prevent washing liquids from penetrating the fixed cowl and
investing the motion-inducing components of the packaging unit,
thereby causing damage.
[0074] In addition, the inclusion of the ventilation means helps to
preserve the aseptic integrity of the containers and/or the product
held in the containers given that, on the one hand, contaminant
particles and/or substances attached to the motion-inducing
components of the packaging unit are prevented from falling onto
the containers while still open, during the operation of the
machine, and on the other, pulverulent material present on the
conveyor belts and on the containers entering the machine are
prevented from rising above the level of the container mouths.
[0075] In effect, the extractor fan operating on the fixed cowl
removes air from inside this cowl and creates a protective barrier
at the gap between the fixed and movable cowls, whilst the first
and second blower fans ensure that any dust or powder particles
present in the infeed and outfeed channels will stay tight against
the bottom of the enclosure.
* * * * *