Apparatuses For Guarding Against Steam Exhaust And Systems Comprising Same

Abstract

A system can include a heatset steam tunnel extending along a longitudinal axis. The heatset steam tunnel can have an inlet/outlet structure, the inlet/outlet structure extending along a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the horizontal axis and the longitudinal axis. An operator space positioned adjacent the inlet/outlet structure of the heatset steam tunnel. A guard can at least partially covering the inlet/outlet structure. The guard can comprise a transparent window material. The guard can be configured to direct steam from the inlet/outlet structure of the heatset steam tunnel away from the operator space while permitting viewing into the inlet/outlet structure from the operator space.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a heatset steam tunnel extending along a longitudinal axis, the heatset steam tunnel having an inlet/outlet structure, the inlet/outlet structure extending along a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the horizontal axis and the longitudinal axis;   an operator space positioned adjacent the inlet/outlet structure of the heatset steam tunnel; and   a guard at least partially covering the inlet/outlet structure, wherein the guard comprises a window material that permits an operator to see therethrough into the inlet outlet structure, wherein the guard is configured to direct steam from the inlet/outlet structure of the heatset steam tunnel away from the operator space while permitting viewing into the inlet/outlet structure from the operator space.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the guard further comprises a frame. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the frame defines a plurality of openings, wherein the window material extends across each of the openings of the plurality of openings of the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the guard further comprises at least one screen that is configured to cover the plurality of openings, wherein the at least one screen defines a plurality of apertures, wherein the guard further comprises a plurality of fasteners that extend through respective apertures of the plurality of apertures and couple the window material to the at least one screen. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the window material comprises a plurality of panes. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the guard is configured to direct steam in a downward or at least partially downward direction along the vertical axis. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operator space is spaced from the inlet/outlet structure of the heatset steam tunnel along the horizontal axis. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the operator space comprises at least a first zone that is positioned on a first side of the inlet/outlet structure along the horizontal axis and a second zone that is positioned on an opposed second side of the inlet/outlet structure along the horizontal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the guard comprises:
 a pair of side coverings that are spaced along the horizontal axis; and   a top covering that extends between the pair of side coverings.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the top covering comprises:
 a first section that extends along the longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end; and   a second section that extends downwardly from the second end of the first section at an obtuse angle.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the guard comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion comprises the pair of side coverings and the top covering, wherein the lower portion comprises a pair of lower side coverings, and wherein the lower portion comprises a lower vent that is configured to permit downward release of steam. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the window material comprises an amorphous polymeric material. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the window material is transparent. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the window material is clear. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the window material is translucent. 
     
     
         16 . A guard that is configured to cover at least a portion of an inlet/outlet structure of a heatset steam tunnel, the heatset steam tunnel extending along a longitudinal axis, the inlet/outlet structure extending along a horizontal axis and a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the horizontal axis, the guard comprising:
 a pair of side coverings that are spaced along the horizontal axis;   a top covering that extends between the pair of side coverings; and   a lower vent that is configured to permit downward release of steam.   
     
     
         17 . The guard of  claim 13 , wherein the guard is configured to direct steam in a downward or at least partially downward direction along the vertical axis. 
     
     
         18 . The guard of  claim 13 , wherein the top covering comprises:
 a first section that extends along the longitudinal axis of the heatset steam tunnel from a first end to a second end; and   a second section that extends downwardly from the second end of the first section at an obtuse angle.   
     
     
         19 . The guard of  claim 15 , wherein the guard comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion comprises the pair of side coverings and the top covering, wherein the lower portion comprises a pair of lower side coverings, and wherein the lower portion comprises the lower vent that is configured to permit downward release of steam. 
     
     
         20 . The guard of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a frame that defines a plurality of openings; and   a window material that extends across each of the openings of the plurality of openings of the frame,   wherein the guard further comprises at least one screen that is configured to cover the plurality of openings, wherein the at least one screen defines a plurality of apertures, wherein the guard further comprises a plurality of fasteners that extend through respective apertures of the plurality of apertures and couple the transparent window material to the at least one screen.