Machine structure, in particular for handling fluid products, and process for assembling it

Abstract

A machine structure, in particular for the processing of fluid products, including a loadbearing frame with vertical uprights ( 12 ) connected by two horizontal plates ( 14, 15 ) at a distance from each other. Between the uprights are located one or more removable covering panels ( 13 ) which cover the zone housing the machine components. The machine structure is strong but light, not very bulky and easy to assemble even by non-specialist personnel.

1 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A machine structure, in particular for a machine for handling fluid products, comprising: 
 a loadbearing frame including uprights, and    one or more covering panels,    the uprights ( 12 ) extending in a substantially vertical direction and having an upper end close to or onto which is secured a first substantially horizontal upper plate ( 14 ) for connecting the uprights ( 12 ), a second substantially horizontal lower plate ( 15 ) being secured to the same uprights ( 15 ) to connect them in a zone beneath the first upper plate ( 14 ) and thus form a zone for housing the mechanism of the machine (M), at least one of the covering panels ( 13 ,  13   a ) being removably fitted between two uprights ( 12 ) in a covering position to at least partly cover the housing zone laterally, the uprights ( 12 ) having longitudinal connection means ( 22 ,  24 ) for restraining said covering panels ( 13   a ,  13   a ), characterized in that said connection means ( 22 ,  24 ) are configured to support under restraint said side panels ( 13 ,  13   a ) and at the same time to impart to them a curvature with convexity away from the housing zone.    
   
   
       15 . A structure according to  claim 14 , characterized in that said connection means comprise longitudinal channel or hooks ( 22 ) provided on relative folded wings ( 21 ) defining lateral edges of said uprights ( 12 ), a panel ( 13 ,  13   a ) being hooked on facing longitudinal channel or hooks ( 22 ) of two adjacent uprights ( 12 ).  
   
   
       16 . A structure according to  claim 14 , characterized in that said connection means comprise a folded corner plate ( 24 ) placed between said horizontal plates ( 14 ,  15 ) and each uprights ( 12 ), each of said folded corner plates ( 24 ) acting together wings ( 25 ,  26 ) provided along the perimeter of each of said horizontal plates ( 14 ,  15 ) to define a stop for a relative panel ( 13 ,  13   a ) and, together said longitudinal channel or hooks ( 22 ) to impart said curvature with convexity away from the housing zone.  
   
   
       17 . A structure according to  claim 14 , characterized in that it comprises three uprights ( 12 ).  
   
   
       18 . A structure according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the second plate ( 15 ) is secured in a median zone of the uprights ( 12 ).  
   
   
       19 . A structure according to  claim 18 , characterized in that the covering panels ( 13 ,  13   a ) extend vertically over a distance which is substantially equal to the distance between the two plates ( 14 ,  15 ).  
   
   
       20 . A structure according to  claim 18 , characterized in that at least one side panel ( 13   a ) extends over a length substantially equal to the height of the upright ( 12 ).  
   
   
       21 . A structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that it has a frontal zone ( 16 ) for working access to the functions of the mechanisms of the machine (M) housed within the structure.  
   
   
       22 . A structure according to  claim 21 , characterized in that it has a working surface or support ( 17 ) provided in the front zone ( 16 ), mounted so that it can be drawn out or moved to disappear, or tilted.  
   
   
       23 . A structure according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the first upper plate ( 14 ) comprised a plurality of shaped openings ( 27 ) to house and support components of the machine (M).  
   
   
       24 . A structure according to  claim 23 , characterized in that it comprises a covering member ( 28 ,  45 ) located on the first upper plate ( 14 ) to at least partly cover one or more shaped openings ( 27 ).  
   
   
       25 . A structure according to  claim 14 , characterized in that it comprises bracing ties ( 30 ) which connect the uprights ( 12 ) together.  
   
   
       26 . An assembly kit for constructing a machine structure according to  claim 14 , the structure comprising: 
 two or more elongated uprights ( 12 ),    at least two plates ( 14 ,  15 ) connecting the uprights ( 12 ), connecting members to secure the plates ( 14 ,  15 ) to the uprights ( 12 ) at a predetermined distance, and    one or more side covering panels ( 13 ,  13   a ) each designed to be restrained between two uprights ( 12 );    characterized in that said uprights ( 12 ) comprise connection means ( 22 ,  24 ) configured to support under restraint said side panels ( 13 ,  13   a ) and at the same time to impart to them a curvature with convexity away from the housing zone.    
   
   
       27 . A process for the assembly of a machine structure according to  claim 14 , comprising the stages of: 
 mounting the first upper plate ( 14 ) close to one end of each upright ( 12 ),    mounting the second plate ( 15 ) on uprights ( 12 ) at predetermined distance from the said of each upright ( 12 ),    mounting the components of machine (M) in the housing zone formed between the first ( 14 ) and the second ( 15 ) plate, and    mounting the side covering panels ( 13 ,  13   a ) each between two adjacent uprights ( 12 ),    characterized in that    each covering panel ( 13 ,  13   a ) is hooked on facing longitudinal channel or hooks ( 22 ) provided on a principal portion ( 19 ) of two adjacent uprights ( 12 ) in order to support under restraint each of said panels ( 13   a ,  13   a ) between said uprights ( 12 ) and at the same time impart to them a curvature with a convexity away from the housing zone.