A device for conveying containers of food products and a method for suspending a first inspection glove inside a sterile zone of said device

Technical field

The present invention relates to a device for conveying containers of food products and a method for suspending a first inspection glove inside a sterile zone of said device.

State of the art

A device for conveying bottles comprising a sterile zone is known. Said device comprises an inspection system of at least one part of the sterile zone. Said inspection system comprises an inspection window and two gloves which project into the sterile zone starting from a delimitation wall of said sterile zone.

By inserting their arms into the gloves, an operator may operate inside the sterile zone without the risk of contaminating it. Said intervention may be necessary to resolve a functioning anomaly which requires human intervention.

At the end of use, the operator removes the gloves and usually places them on hooks positioned inside the sterile chamber.

Advantageously, the gloves are maintained raised with respect to the bottom of the sterile zone because, otherwise, they would constitute an obstacle to cleaning operations of the bottom (said cleaning operations are usually performed by means of special jets supplied by nozzles present in the sterile chamber). Furthermore, said gloves must also be sterilised and it is therefore important for them to remain in the sterile chamber, even when not in use. In contrast, if said gloves were to be removed from the sterile chamber, their sterilisation could be compromised. Furthermore, their extraction and their insertion would be difficult; in fact, the gloves remain attached to their base on the wall which bounds the sterile chamber precisely so as to guarantee that said chamber remains aseptic. Use of hooks inside the sterile chamber is not without problems. In fact, the sterile chamber normally has narrow passageways within which the containers are handled. Positioning of hooks intended to support the gloves further reduces the available space. Furthermore, the hooks could present protuberances which, in the presence of a slightly impetuous operator, risk damaging the glove by cutting it and therefore comprising the aseptic atmosphere of the chamber.

Object of the invention

In this context, the technical task at the basis of the present invention is proposing a conveying device and a method for suspending an inspection glove which overcome the problems of the prior art cited above.

In particular, an object of the present invention is providing a conveying device and a method for suspending an inspection glove which minimise the dimensions and better exploit the available spaces.

A further object of the present invention is providing a conveying device and a method for suspending an inspection glove which speed up the operations of a user.

A further object of the present invention is also providing a conveying device and a method for suspending an inspection glove which allow a glove to be suspended without running the risk of damaging it.

The technical task stated and the objects specified are substantially achieved by a conveying device and a method for suspending an inspection glove comprising the technical characteristics contained in one or more of the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the indicative and non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a conveying device shown in the appended drawings, wherein:

-Figure 1 shows a cross-section view of a part of a conveying device according to the present invention; - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 shows a detail of Figure 2 from a different viewpoint.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the appended figures, reference number 1 denotes a device for conveying food products. Said device 1 comprises a chamber 2 which identifies a controlled atmosphere zone 20 in which said containers travel. Controlled atmosphere zone 20 is a sterile zone. This is to guarantee maximum hygiene in handling the containers of food products. In the simplified embodiment of Figure 1 , the device 1 comprises a rotating turntable which moves the containers inside said zone 20. In the zone 20, the containers could still be empty or already filled and in the plugging phase (the reason why maximum hygiene is necessary). In this regard, the device 1 may be integrated into a filling device of the containers or a plugging device of the containers. The containers are usually filled with liquids.

The device 1 also comprises an inspection system 3 of at least one part of said chamber 2. The inspection system 3 comprises at least a first inspection glove 30. The first inspection glove 30 projects from a wall 21 of said chamber 2 inside the controlled atmosphere zone 20. The wall 21 is preferably vertical. Appropriately, the first glove 30 is flexible. Advantageously, the first inspection glove 30 comprises a zone destined for at least partial introduction of the user's arm and a zone destined to hold the user's hand. Said first inspection glove 30 is attached to the wall 21 at an inserting mouth 50 for inserting a user's arm inside the first glove 30. The inspection system 3 usually also comprises an inspection window which allows a user to look through it (the inspection window is typically transparent). This therefore allows a user to see inside the chamber 2. The first glove 30 could develop from the inspection window or from a zone positioned in the proximity of the inspection window, In a non- preferred embodiment, as an alternative to the inspection window, there could be a video camera in the zone 20 and the relative monitor, visible by an operator who is facing said mouth 50 of said first glove 30.

Appropriately, the conveying device 1 comprises means 4 for suspending said first glove 30 inside the controlled atmosphere zone 20. Said suspension means 4 of the first glove 30 do not comprise hooks inside zone 20.

Said suspension means 4 of said first glove 30 comprise a first and a second element 41 , 42 interacting magnetically with one another to exert a force of reciprocal magnetic attraction.

The first element 41 and the second element 42 are respectively afforded one in said first glove 30 and the other along said wall 21 and/or outside said controlled atmosphere zone 20.

The first glove 30 assumes an operational configuration (i.e. in use by a user) in which the first element 41 is moved away from said second element 42 and a rest configuration (i.e. not in use by the user) in which the first element 41 is moved towards and magnetically connected to said second element 42.

The first and second elements 41 , 42 are one a magnet and the other an element in a material which interacts with said magnet (such as a metal material).

In the preferred embodiment, both the first and the second element 41 , 42 are a magnet. This allows an increase in the magnetic attraction between the first and the second element 41 , 42.

Preferably, the first element 41 is afforded in said first glove 30. Preferably, said first element 41 is at a distance of at least 15 cm, preferably 20 cm, from said mouth 50 (said distance being measured along the development of said first glove 30).

Typically, the first element 41 comprises a permanent magnet. The first glove 30 comprises a seat 31 containing the first element 41 . Appropriately, the seat 31 is defined by a closed pocket. The first element 41 is more generally immovably connected to the first glove 30. This avoids separation of the first element 41 from the first glove 30. The first element 41 moves integrally with the first glove 30.

In the operational configuration, the first glove 30 is being used by a user. In the rest configuration, the first glove 30 is not being used by the user. At least the part of said first glove 30 to which the first element 41 is connected therefore remains attached to the wall 21 when the first glove 30 is in the rest configuration. In this manner, when not in use, the first glove 30 projects inside the chamber 2 for the minimum amount absolutely necessary. This avoids blocking or reducing the space available for transit of the containers or for positioning of equipments which interact with the containers (supply nozzles of the product into the container, application means of plugs, etc.).

Preferably, the second element 42 is afforded along said wall 21 and/or is outside said controlled atmosphere zone 20. The second element 42, if it is outside the controlled atmosphere zone 20, is in contact or at least faces the wall 21 . The retaining magnetic force on the first glove 30 therefore passes through the wall 21 .

The device 1 also comprises positioning means of the second element 42 outside the controlled atmosphere zone 20. Typically, the positioning means are means of connection of the second element 42 to the wall 21 . The positioning means could allow a removable connection of the second element 42. In this case, these would advantageously allow connection of the second element 42 to said wall 21 in a plurality of positions. This allows maximum flexibility in positioning the first glove 30 when not in use. Appropriately, the positioning means could be a sucker (applied directly or indirectly to the second element 42). In an alternative solution, the positioning means comprise threaded connection means or, more generally, attachment means of various kinds (adhesives, etc.). In a specific construction solution, the positioning means could comprise a metal element to which said first and/or second element 41 , 42 are connected interacting magnetically with each other.

In an alternative solution, the positioning means could allow a removable connection of the second element 42. Said solution would have the advantage of guaranteeing the user on the fact that, when said first element 41 interacts with said second element 42, the first glove 30 is in a position in which it does not interfere with passage of the containers.

In the solution explicitly described above (to which the appended figures refer), the first element 41 is afforded in the first glove 30, whereas the second retaining element 42 (and therefore second element 42) is afforded along said wall 21 and/or outside said controlled atmosphere zone 20. In an alternative solution, however, the second element 42 could be afforded in the first glove 30, whereas the first element 41 could be afforded along said wall 21 and/or outside said controlled atmosphere zone 20.

Advantageously, the inspection system comprises a second inspection glove 32. The second inspection glove 32 is placed alongside the first glove 30. Typically, the first glove 30 is shaped to be fitted onto the left arm of an operator, whereas the second glove is shaped to be fitted onto the right arm of an operator. Advantageously, what is described with reference to the first glove 30 and its interaction with one or more of the remaining parts of the device may be repeated for the second glove 32. In particular, the second glove 32 may comprise a third element 6 which interacts magnetically with a fourth element 7. Said third element 6 is afforded along said wall 21 and/or outside said controlled atmosphere zone 20. As far as concerns the third and the fourth element 6, 7, it is possible to repeat what is indicated above for the first and the second element 41 , 42. Appropriately, the device 1 comprises a door 5 mobile between an open and a closed position. In the open position, said door allows access of an operator inside the first and/or second glove 30, 32; in the closed configuration, it prevents access of an operator inside the first and/or the second glove 30, 32. The door 5 in the closed configuration blocks and superimposes the inserting mouth 50 for inserting the user's arm in the first glove and/or an equivalent inserting mouth for inserting the user's arm in the second glove 32.

The second glove 30 also assumes an operational configuration (i.e. being used by a user) in which the third element 6 is removed from said fourth element 7 and a rest configuration (i.e. not being used) in which the third element 6 is moved towards and magnetically connected to the fourth element 7.

Appropriately, in the rest configuration of the first and the second glove 30, 32, the mouths for introduction of a user's arm inside said first and said second glove 30, 32, are interposed between the first and the third element (which respectively interact with the second and the fourth element).

An object of the present invention is also a method for suspending a first inspection glove 30 inside a controlled atmosphere zone 20 of a device 1 for conveying containers of food products. Appropriately, the conveying device 1 may present one or more of the features described above. The method also comprises the step of making a first element 41 and a second element 42 interact magnetically. The first element 41 and the second element 42 are afforded one in the first glove 30, the other along or in proximity to a wall 21 which bounds the controlled atmosphere zone 20. In the preferred embodiment, the first element 41 is afforded in said first glove 30.

The step of making the first element 41 and the second element 42 interact magnetically positions the first and the second element 41 , 42 respectively in two areas which are opposite if evaluated along the thickness of the same wall 21 which bounds the controlled atmosphere zone 20. In particular, the step of making the first element 41 and the second element 42 interact positions the first and the second element 41 , 42 behind the first wall 21 and along the same straight line orthogonal to said wall 21 .

Appropriately, the first element 41 may be connected to said wall 21 either before or after or simultaneously with respect to the second element 42. Appropriately, the method also comprises the step of moving said second element 42 along said wall 21 to drag with itself the first glove 30 by virtue of the magnetic interaction between the first and the second element 41 , 42. The step of moving the second element 42 is performed at least after the step of positioning the first and the second element respectively at said two opposite areas of the same wall that bounds the controlled atmosphere zone. The user may thus advantageously decide whether to move the first glove 30 slightly by intervening exclusively on the second element 42 (the first element 41 consequently moves - together with the first glove 30 - dragged by movement of the second element 42). In particular, said expedient allows the first glove 30 to be moved without opening a door 5 which usually blocks the access mouth 50 inside the first arm 30.

The invention as it is conceived enables multiple advantages to be attained.

In particular, it allows the dimensions inside the controlled atmosphere zone 20 to be minimised, leaving more space for the containers and for equipment. In fact, the use of a pair of magnetic elements interacting with each other (one on the glove and one at the wall) makes use of hooks inside the zone 20 unnecessary and the glove is also held in proximity to a wall of the chamber 2, avoiding it protruding into said chamber 20.

A further important advantage is linked to the fact that the magnetic means allow very rapid connection and disconnection without there being any risks of laceration of the glove material (a problem which could arise in the case of use of hooks with protuberances which could cut said glove, compromising the aseptic atmosphere of the zone 20). A further important advantage is the possibility for the user to adjust the position in which the first glove 30 is positioned when not in use, without the need of introducing his/her arm into the first glove 30.

The invention as conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept characterised thereby. Furthermore all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to requirements.