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 ( 23 a ) 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 ( 23 a ) and consequently isolating the interior of the fixed cowl ( 13 ) from the surrounding atmosphere.

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 ( 23   a ) 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 ( 23   a ) 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 ( 23   a ) and exiting at the end of the selfsame cowl ( 13 ) remote from the gap ( 23   a ). 
     
     
         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 ( 23   a ) 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 ( 36   a ) at least partially accommodating the conveyor means ( 37 ) by which containers ( 5 ) are transported into the packaging unit, and an outfeed channel ( 36   b ) 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 ( 36   a ) 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 ( 36   b ) 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.