Closure apparatus for openings for access to industrial machines

A closure apparatus for openings for access to industrial machines includes a door which can move, by virtue of the action of a respective actuator which includes a motorized shaft which supports at least two mutually opposite pulleys for winding flexible elements connected to respective substantially upper and external portions of the door. The actuator includes substantially at an intermediate section of the shaft, at least one third idle pulley for winding at least one third flexible element connected to a substantially upper and central portion of the door. The third pulley is provided with at least one position sensor for detecting an unrolling of the third flexible element.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a closure apparatus for openings for access to industrial machines.

BACKGROUND

In some devices, particularly suitable for the sterilization and/or depyrogenation of containers (for example bottles, syringes, vials, carpules and the like), the need often arises to prevent communication between the inside and the outside of the device, for example between a sterilization tunnel and a filling station.

For example, if it is necessary to perform an operation for sterilizing an internal compartment of the device (within which the containers will be conveyed), it is essential that the compartment be completely isolated from the outside environment, so as to avoid potential contaminations that might occur during sterilization or after it.

It is known to resort to sliding shutters which are suitable to close an access/exit opening of a station that is intended for sterilization when the need arises to segregate its internal volume (for example during or after sterilization operations).

One of the main problems of these shutters resides in the risk that, during the closure translation, they undergo misalignments, causing their lower edge not to match up with the lower threshold of the opening, preventing correct and complete closure. Obviously, the presence of passage ports or gaps between the lower edge of the shutter and the lower threshold of the opening causes the possibility of entry of particles, dust (therefore also potentially of bacteria, microorganisms or spores) which can compromise the sterility of the internal cavity.

More specifically, the most important technical problem that is inherent in the background art is linked to the substantial impossibility to have assured information on the actual position assumed by the door. Knowledge of the position of the door is extremely important for the correct operation of the machines that it separates and for their operational association, and this occurs regardless of whether blocking the door may prevent correct and complete closure.

It is in fact sometimes necessary to check and verify positions of the door that do not provide for any abutment between the door and a fixed locator (therefore, for example, intermediate positions that allow the arrangement of components for the coupling of the two machines).

It is possible to insert contact sensors (merely to detect an “abutment” on a locator) which provide evidence of contact between the lower edge of the shutter and the lower threshold of the opening. However, these sensors are subjected to the extremely high temperatures generated for the sterilization of the containers and/or of the internal cavity and therefore undergo a high thermal stress which can damage them in a short time.

On the other hand, the adoption of sensors suitable to operate at high temperatures entails a great increase in costs, since these are complex components that have a limited diffusion.

SUMMARY

The aim of the present disclosure is to solve the problems described above, by providing a closure apparatus for openings for access to industrial machines that allows to check the correct arrangement of the door with respect to predefined configurations of interest in application.

Within this aim, the disclosure proposes a closure apparatus for openings for access to industrial machines that ensures complete closure of the opening.

The disclosure also proposes a closure apparatus for openings for access to industrial machines that is suitable to tolerate extremely high operating temperatures.

The disclosure further proposes a closure apparatus for openings for access to industrial machines of a type and with an operating mode which are substantially different from those of closure apparatuses of the known type.

The present disclosure also provides a closure apparatus for openings for access to industrial machines that has modest costs, is relatively simple to provide in practice and is safe in application.

This aim and these and other advantages which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by providing a closure apparatus for openings for access to industrial machines according to claim1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference toFIGS. 1-4, the reference numeral1generally designates a closure apparatus for openings A for access to industrial machines.

Advantageously, the closure apparatus1can be applied to an access opening A which connects a sterilization tunnel adapted to sterilize containers and a filling station adapted to fill said containers with a product, which is preferably pharmaceutical.

The apparatus1comprises a movable door2and an actuator3that is adapted to move the door2between an active position for partial or total closure of the opening A and an inactive position for noninterference with the opening A, at which the door2is substantially raised with respect to the opening A.

The actuator3comprises a motorized shaft4which supports, at its ends, at least two mutually opposite pulleys5.

The apparatus1further comprises first and second flexible elements6, which are connected to respective substantially upper and external portions of the door2. The pulleys5are preset to wind the first and second flexible elements6.

Validly, the actuator3further comprises, substantially at an intermediate section of the shaft4, at least one third idle pulley7.

The apparatus1comprises a third flexible element8, which is integral with a substantially upper and central portion of the door2. The third idle pulley7is adapted to wind the third flexible element8.

The third pulley7is provided with at least one position sensor7a,7bfor detecting an unwinding of the third flexible element8that corresponds to a closure of the opening A on the part of the door2.

In practice, once it has been verified (by the position sensor7a,7b) that the third flexible element8has unwound from the respective idle pulley7by a preset amount (an unwinding which is matched by the door in the active position, for example with the lower edge of the door2aligned with the lower threshold of the opening A), one is in fact certain that the door2is in the active position, for example that the opening A is completely and correctly closed.

Once the pulleys5have unwound the respective first and second flexible elements6by an amount that corresponds to the active position, the fact that the central part (to which the third flexible element8, monitored by the position sensor7a,7bof the pulley7, is connected) of the door2arranges itself in the correct active position, for example for closure of the opening A, entails that the lateral ends of the door2also are correctly in the active position, for example aligned with said opening A.

Any inclination of the door2with respect to the opening A would in fact cause the arrangement of one of its edges in alignment (resting) on an abutment locator of the lower threshold of the opening A. The consequence would be that the opposite edge of the door2would be raised with respect to the abutment locator of the lower threshold of the opening A: inevitably, the centerline of the door2also would be at least partially raised with respect to the abutment locator of the lower threshold of the opening A and therefore the position sensor7a,7bwould not be able to validate closure (since the third flexible element8would not have been able to unwind from the respective pulley7by the predefined amount, since the lower edge of the door2is separated from the lower threshold of the opening A and in particular does not rest on the abutment locator).

More specifically (seeFIGS. 1, 2 and 3), the sensor7a,7bcomprises a fixed portion7a, which is provided with a specific electric power supply, and a passive movable portion7b, which is integral with the pulley7(and therefore can rotate with it). The fixed portion7ais adapted to detect the movable portion7bwhen they face each other.

In detail, the movable portion7bis connected to a side wall of the pulley7.

Rotations of the pulley7therefore cause continuous and consecutive alignments of the movable portion7bwith the fixed portion7a, with the consequent possibility to check any positions that are mutually separated in height by a distance that is substantially a multiple of the circumference of the race of the pulley7.

If the need arises to check, by means of the sensor7a,7b, also additional positions (heights) of the door2, it is possible to install additional fixed portions7awith alignments that are different with respect to the one shown in the accompanying figures.

It is further possible to provide the pulley7with a second sensor, which is substantially identical to the sensor7a,7b, which comprises a movable portion that is connected integrally to the pulley7at a side wall that is opposite to the side wall on which the movable portion7bof the sensor7a,7bis mounted. The second sensor further comprises a fixed portion, which is arranged on the opposite side with respect to the fixed portion7bof the sensor7a,7brelative to the pulley7and is adapted to detect the movable portion when they face each other.

By virtue of the described solution and the particular shape of the actuator3it is therefore possible to check with certainty that the door2is correctly arranged in the active position, for example in a position for closing the opening A.

According to a particular embodiment of unquestionable practical interest in practice and in application, the at least one third idle pulley7is associated with an elastic winder9.

The elastic winder9is designed for the elastic forcing of a winding rotation of the respective flexible element8on the respective third pulley7.

The elastic moment that is produced by the elastic winder9is such as to induce a winding rotation of the respective flexible element8on the respective third pulley7. This elastic moment ensures that the flexible element8is never slack.

However, this elastic moment is smaller than the moment generated by the weight of the door2(by means of the respective flexible element8), which instead induces a rotation for unwinding the respective flexible element8from the third pulley7(the door2, by gravity, in fact tends to descend until it rests on the mentioned abutment locator of the threshold of the opening A; the presence of the flexible elements6and8, unwound by a predefined quantity, instead allows to suspend the door2).

The elastic winder9performs a fundamental task, allowing to monitor the height reached by the centerline of the door2(to which it is connected), thus providing specific information from which it is possible to detect and deduce any presence of a jamming that causes inclined arrangements of the door2. If the door2jams during descent (and therefore one of its lateral edges abuts against the surface of one of the guiding elements within which the door2can slide), the elastic winder9in fact indicates the exact height at which the central portion of the door2is arranged, assuredly identifying whether said height is the predefined one or not. If the detected height is not the predefined one, one would deduce that a malfunction (for example a jamming) has occurred. It will then be possible, by actuating the pulleys5, to act on the first and second flexible elements6in order to release the door2(with respect to the jamming configuration) and restore the ideal alignment conditions.

It is deemed useful to point out that the motorized shaft4can be coupled validly to a gearmotor10powered by a respective control and management unit.

By means of the control and management unit it is therefore possible to actuate the descent and the rise of the door2and also the speed with which this descent and rise are performed.

Upon a jamming of the door2, the control and management unit (by receiving from the position sensor7a,7ba signal that corresponds to the failed closure of the opening A) can thus actuate a brief winding of any one of the, or of both of the, first and second flexible elements6on the respective pulleys5, which restores the correct alignment of the door2. Following the brief winding, the unit will then be able to actuate again the unwinding of the first and second flexible elements6from the pulleys5, with consequent descent of the door2until the opening A is closed (as verified by means of the position sensor7a,7bof the idle pulley7).

It is possible to ensure greater regularity and linearity of the movement (sliding) of the door2if a respective rigid stem11is interposed between each one of the flexible elements6and8and the respective substantially upper portion of the door2, having a lower end that is coupled to the door2(a coupling with at least one degree of freedom is provided in order to allow the door2to rotate with respect to the stems11to which it is connected, a condition that reduces considerably the risk of jamming of the door2) and an upper end which is coupled to an end portion of the corresponding flexible element6,8.

Furthermore, the stem11allows the operators and in particular the installation technicians to perform operations for adjusting the position of the door2in a simple manner. In particular, it is possible to provide for the presence of threaded portions (or other adjustable couplings) in order to perform adjustments that allow to arrange the door2with the lower edge aligned horizontally, so as to be in the exact positions of interest in application once the first and second flexible elements6have been unwound.

In order to allow easy adjustment at the installation steps of the closure apparatus1on the industrial machine, it is possible to interpose between the upper end of each stem11and the corresponding end portion of the corresponding flexible element6,8, threaded interconnection assemblies12for the adjustment of their mutual distance.

In this manner it is possible to adjust the apparatus1at installation time (by making the detection of the position sensor7a,7bcorrespond precisely to a correct and assured closure of the opening A by means of the door2).

By means of the threaded interconnection assemblies12it is further possible to perform periodic adjustments that take into account thermal expansions and/or elongations caused by mechanical hysteresis phenomena.

It is specified that each one of the flexible elements6,8can be of the type preferably chosen from a cable, a rope, a belt, a chain and the like.

According to an embodiment that is of assured interest in application, the motorized shaft4and the pulleys5and7of the actuator3are arranged outside the industrial machine.

Advantageously, the sensor7a,7bis arranged outside the industrial machine, for example externally to a sterilization tunnel.

It is therefore pointed out that the motorized shaft4, the pulleys5and7and the sensor7a,7bare never subjected to the onerous thermal conditions that instead occur inside the industrial machine.

It is deemed necessary to specify that, with particular reference to a constructive solution of unquestionable practical interest, the gearmotor10, the shaft4and the pulleys5and7of the actuator3are integral with a supporting plate13, which in turn is rigidly coupled and superimposed on an upper wall of the industrial machine.

The plate13and the upper wall of the industrial machine comprise respective holes14for the entry and sliding of the flexible elements6and8within the machine.

From the point of view of actuation (with reference to one of the possible constructive solutions that can be performed by applying the teachings of the present disclosure), it is specified that, in addition or as an alternative to the detection of the complete closure position of the opening A on the part of the door2(which might also occur in a condition in which it does not abut against a respective locator), it might be useful to control an intermediate position, which is arranged between the active position and the inactive position.

For example, in the case of an opening A that is interposed between a sterilization tunnel and a filling station, which are detachably connected by a movable bridge, it may be advantageous to control an intermediate position in which the door2is located directly above the bridge. In this intermediate position also, the door2does not necessarily lie in abutment against a respective locator and indeed it is customary for it to hang from the respective first and second flexible elements6. In the intermediate position, the door2is designed to prevent access to the tunnel on the part of an operator, but it allows in any case the tunnel to operate, in particular in an initial work step, in which the containers are loaded into the sterilization tunnel, but no container exits from the tunnel (a step that can last even more than one hour): during this initial work step, the operator can perform maintenance operations on the downstream filling station, without having the possibility to enter the tunnel with his/her hands, thus remaining in safe conditions.

Advantageously, the present disclosure has the advantage of solving the problems described earlier, proposing a closure apparatus for openings for access to industrial machines that allows to check the correct arrangement of the door with respect to predefined positions of interest in application.

Positively, the closure apparatus1for openings A for access to industrial machines can further ensure the complete closure of the opening A.

These results are achieved by virtue of the detection performed with the position sensor7a,7bof the idle pulley7, which, by being in a substantially central position, confirms the correct placement of the door2with respect to a predefined position, for example with respect to an abutment locator of the lower threshold of the opening A.

More generally, the position sensor7a,7bconfirms the correct placement of a lower and central edge of the door2with respect to a nominal position (which can correspond to a position of the door2for total or partial closure of the opening A), which allows to infer whether the entire door2is in the correct position. In practice, if the pulleys5are turned in order to unwind the first and second flexible elements6by the quantity that exactly corresponds to having the door2in the (total or partial) closure position, if the position sensor7a,7bdoes not detect the correct nominal position of the lower and central edge of the door2, this would mean that the door2has jammed and that, for example, the opening A is not closed correctly.

Validly, the closure apparatus1is suitable to tolerate very high operating temperatures. The position sensor7a,7band the actuator3, the only components that might be damaged by high temperatures, are in fact arranged on the outside of the industrial machine, for example on the outside of a sterilization tunnel.

Usefully, the closure apparatus1is of a type and has an operating mode that are substantially different from those of closure apparatuses of the known type.

Conveniently, the closure apparatus1is relatively simple to provide in practice and can be provided with modest costs: these characteristics make this technical solution safe in application.

The disclosure thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102016000021524 (UB2016A001218) from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.