Article handling machine equipped with a foldable catwalk

Article handling machine (1) comprising a frame (2) for receiving article handling elements, a roof (3) covering said frame (2), and, on one lateral side (6) of the machine (1), a catwalk (5) pivotally mounted on the frame (2) between an extended position in which it protrudes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral side (6), with an inner edge facing the machine lateral side (6), and a folded position in which it stretches out in a direction substantially parallel to the lateral side (6).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to article handling machines, and more especially to a device for easing maintenance operations of such machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Article handling machines are used in a wide range of industries to process articles, for instance in bottle industry, pharmaceutical industry or in food packaging industry. Maintenance operations of such machines require access to every part of the machines, even to the roof.

The roof is a critical part. Indeed, many elements which demand regular maintenance are only accessible from the roof.

For instance, bulky power devices, such as electrical cabinets, may be mounted on the roof, in order to minimize the occupied space on the floor, and to place the apparatus as near as possible to the machine and to let a free access to the interior of the machine by the sides.

Structural parts of the machine, such as wheel axis or cap feed rails may be fixed to the roof, and should hence be accessible for installation and maintenance purposes; whereby, operators mount and walk on the roof to achieve the necessary steps.

Such operations may be hazardous for operators. Indeed, the space on the roof is generally limited and, as a large portion is already occupied by machine parts, such as the electrical cabinet, operators do not have much room where to move and store their tools.

In order to bring an element of solution, handrails have been placed along roof edges of some machines to secure operators' movements on the roof.

However, the mere handrail is an incomplete solution. Indeed, even if the risk of falling is minimized, the room available for operators is still insufficient.

Moreover, such machines must be moved at least once, from their setting place to a client place, by common transportation means, involving to pass through public roads. As the machine may be bulky by itself, it is a conception matter not to increase the width of the machine and to keep its dimensions in a reasonable average.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an article handling machine, the design of which facilitates access to the roof and movement thereon, and yet permitting easy transportation of the machine, on transportation vehicles adapted for public roads.

The proposed article handling machine comprises a frame for receiving article handling elements, a roof covering said frame, and a catwalk on one lateral side of the machine. The catwalk is pivotally mounted on the frame between an extended position in which it protrudes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral side, with an inner edge facing the machine lateral side, and a folded position in which it stretches out in a direction substantially parallel to the lateral side.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame comprises a flange, on the lateral side, said flange comprising an aperture, and the lateral catwalk may comprises an axis positioned near the inner edge, in the flange aperture, so that the catwalk can swivel around the machine, between the extended position and the folded position, by the rotation of the axis in the aperture.

The aperture in the flange aperture has e.g. a profile comprising a horizontal section receiving the axis in the extended position, and a vertical section receiving the axis in the folded position.

In addition, the catwalk may be held in the extended position by means of a locking device, which includes e.g. apertures positioned on the catwalk and the machine, in such a way that, in the extended position, an aperture in the machine is coaxial with an aperture in the catwalk, the locking device further including a fixation lug mounted through the apertures, for holding the catwalk in the extended position. More precisely, the fixation lug may comprise a clamping device, for tightening the lug in the apertures, said clamping device including two pins transversally inserted through the fixation lug on end portions.

Moreover, the catwalk may also comprise a plate, stretching out substantially perpendicularly to the catwalk and which, in the extended position, comes into abutment with the lateral side and may be fixed to the frame. A stiffener may also be provided on the catwalk, extending outwardly from the plate.

In a preferred embodiment, the catwalk is positioned at roof-height. In the extended position, the catwalk preferably overhangs with respect of the machine frame.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, it is shown a machine1for handling articles, to be placed on a ground, which comprises a frame2, delimiting an inner space wherein articles, such as bottles for liquid beverages, are processing. For example, bottles are held and moved on different carrousels inside the machine and they are rinsed, filled, and then capped. The frame defines a table onto which carrousels or other handling devices inside the machine are fixed.

The frame2supports a roof3. Some devices such as electrical cables or cap feed rails for bottles may run between the roof3and the frame2. Moreover, fixation elements of the handling devices inside the machine1are positioned on the top of the frame2and may extend to the outside.

This is why the roof3can preferentially be erected on piles4at a distance above the top of the frame2, as shown in the figures, in order to prevent an operator who needs to get to the top of the frame2from damaging devices that can be positioned thereon or from being injured by them.

Furthermore, the machine1comprises a catwalk5, positioned on a lateral side6of the machine1, comprising an inner edge7, an upper surface8and a bottom surface9. As it can be seen on the figures, the catwalk5is preferentially mounted on the machine1along the inner edge7. On the bottom surface9, a plate10is fixed parallel to the inner edge7. Stiffeners11are fixed to the bottom surface9of the catwalk and run outwardly from inner edge7to the opposite edge.

Between the frame2and the catwalk7, an axis20allows the catwalk5to swivel with respect of the frame2, between two positions: an extended position and a folded position.

In the extended position, the inner edge7of the catwalk5faces the lateral side6of the machine1, and the upper surface8extends in a direction substantially parallel to the roof3. In this position, the upper surface8comes in extension to the roof surface. No auxiliary elements link the catwalk5to the ground, so that it is hung with respect of the frame2.

As a matter of fact, in this position, the upper surface8is at roof3height as shown inFIG. 1-6, so that the working room for an operator is increased, but it can also be at any height along the lateral side6.

In this position, the plate10is in abutment with the frame2, maintaining the catwalk5in position. The stiffeners11bring more resistance to the hung catwalk5and prevent it from collapsing when a torque in applied on the upper surface8, for instance under the weight of an operator.

In the folded position, the upper surface8comes in a direction substantially parallel to the lateral side6, whereas the inner edge7is facing the ground.

In order to minimize the width of the whole machine1in the folded position, the inner edge7of the catwalk preferably abuts against the roof3, and the bottom surface9is in the extension of the lateral side6, so that no part of the catwalk5protrudes outwardly from the machine side. That is why the axis20is placed forward to the inner edge7.

As it is clearly depicted inFIG. 3,FIG. 5,FIG. 8andFIG. 11, the axis20is held by an arm21, protruding outwardly from the catwalk5and fixed on the bottom surface9. The axis20is placed on an end portion22of the arm21, the further from the catwalk5. On an end portion23opposite to the axis20and below the catwalk5, the arm21comprises an aperture24.

Facing the arm21, on the lateral side6, the frame2comprises a flange30. In the case wherein the catwalk5is placed at roof-height, the flange30is fixed directly on and below the roof3. The flange30comprises two apertures31and32, placed on two end portions, respectively33and34.

The first aperture31, the nearest to the roof3, is intended to receive the axis20. The aperture31comprises a horizontal section35and a vertical section36, crossing each other, allowing the axis20to slide in at least two directions, in addition to the swiveling. For instance, the aperture31can be L-shaped, as depicted in the figures, but it can also be T-shaped, I-shaped or H-shaped. The horizontal section extends substantially parallel to the roof, the vertical section36direction being perpendicular to the horizontal section35.

The second aperture32is on the end portion34opposite to the first aperture.

In the extended position, the axis20on the arm21is positioned in the horizontal section35of the flange30. The catwalk5cannot be lifted in the folded position because of the presence of a locking device.

The locking device is managed by the second aperture32on the flange30, coaxial with the aperture24on the arm21. By inserting a fixation lug37through the two coaxial apertures24and32, the axis20is prevented both from rotating and sliding. The fixation lug37is blocked inside the apertures32and24by a clamping device, comprising two pins38inserted through the fixation lug37, on end portions, one pin38being positioned against the flange30, the other pin against the arm21.

Moreover, the plate10comprises drillings39, so that it can be fastened to the frame2.

Consequently, to put the catwalk5in the folded position, in a first step, it is necessary to remove the lug37from the apertures32and24and to unfasten the plate10.

Then, in a second step, the axis20slides in the first aperture31of the flange30, along the horizontal section35, moving away the catwalk5from the frame2, and slightly swivels, in an intermediate position, as shown inFIG. 7-9. The second aperture32on the flange30and the aperture on the arm21are then no more coaxial, and the plate10is separated from the frame2. The axis20slides away from the frame2to one end of the horizontal section35, passing in the vertical section36.

In a third step, the catwalk5is lifted, the axis20sliding vertically in the aperture31, in such a way that the inner edge7is higher than the roof3, and the catwalk5is pivoted so that the inner edge7is substantially parallel to the roof3.

Eventually, in a fourth step, the inner edge7is put in abutment with the roof3, the axis20coming in a lower position inside the vertical section36; whereby the catwalk5stands then in its folded position.

The reverse operation can be applied to put the catwalk5from the folded position in the extended position.

According to the present invention, the width of the machine1is not increased when the catwalk5is in the folded position, so that no special conditioning is required to transport the machine1. The machine1can still enter classic transportation vehicles.

Furthermore, when the machine1is undergoing setting or maintenance operations, the roof surface can be increased by the deployment of the catwalk5, so that an operator can stand on the roof3at ease for setting or maintenance operations.