Particulate matter containment system

Abstract

A system for containment of particulate matter during operation of a Blow/Fill/Seal packaging machine which generates a particulate matter entraining air flow between extruded parisons and an adjacent suction chamber.

1 . A particulate matter containment system for a Blow/Fill/Seal packaging machine which comprises
 a suction chamber mountable to said Blow/Fill/Seal packaging machine adjacent to a parison extruder head and provided with at least one exhaust port; and   at least one suction intake duct in confined flow communication with the suction chamber and defining an intake slot adjacent to the parison extruder head.   
     
     
         2 . The particulate matter containment system according to  claim 1  wherein the suction chamber is provided with one exhaust port. 
     
     
         3 . The particulate matter containment system according to  claim 1  wherein the suction chamber is provided with three exhaust ports spaced from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The particulate matter containment system according to claim I wherein the suction chamber is shaped as a rectangular prism and wherein the suction intake duct is inclined downwardly from the suction chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The particulate matter containment system according to  claim 1  having a pair of suction intake ducts in confined flow communication with the suction chamber, said pair of suction intake ducts defining intake slots at about a right angle relative to one another. 
     
     
         6 . A method of reducing particulate matter at an extruder head of a Blow/Fill/Seal packaging machine which comprises inducing a particulate matter entraining air flow at extruded parisons by generating a negative pressure differential of at least 0.02 pounds per square inch at an intake slot of an adjacent suction chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the negative pressure differential is in the range of about 0.02 pounds per square inch to about 0.04 pounds per square inch.