Abstract: A process for forming coating on an interior surface of a glass container. A glass preform is formed at blank molding station from a gob of molten glass. Thereafter, a glass container is formed at a blow molding station from the glass preform. A coating material comprising a suspension of nanoparticles in a liquid medium is introduced into an interior of the glass preform or the glass container while the glass is still hot from being formed. Heat from the glass is transferred to the liquid medium to vaporize the liquid medium and form a coating on an interior surface of the glass preform or the glass container. Thereafter, the glass container is annealed.

Abstract: A process for forming coating on an interior surface of a glass container. A glass preform is formed at blank molding station from a gob of molten glass. Thereafter, a glass container is formed at a blow molding station from the glass preform. A coating material comprising a suspension of nanoparticles in a liquid medium is introduced into an interior of the glass preform or the glass container while the glass is still hot from being formed. Heat from the glass is transferred to the liquid medium to vaporize the liquid medium and form a coating on an interior surface of the glass preform or the glass container. Thereafter, the glass container is annealed.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting and refining a silica-based glass composition includes a vertical first reaction chamber having an input adjacent to a lower end for receiving glass-forming components. The glass-forming components are heated to elevated temperature during upward flow through the vertical first reaction chamber to form a glass precursor melt adjacent to an upper end of the vertical first reaction chamber. A vertical second reaction chamber has an input adjacent to an upper end and an output adjacent to a lower end for delivering glass melt. A cross passage connects the upper end of the vertical first reaction chamber to the upper end of the vertical second reaction chamber such that the precursor melt flows from the vertical first reaction chamber through the cross passage and then through the vertical second reaction chamber to homogenize the precursor melt.

Abstract: A process for making silica-based glass includes: (a) forming a glass precursor melt that includes glass network formers and glass network modifiers, the glass precursor melt being at a temperature in the range of 900 C to 1700 C and having a viscosity of not more than 3 Pa·s, and (b) refining the glass precursor melt. Either or both steps (a) and (b) can include stirring and/or be carried out under reduced pressure to enhance refining. The refined glass precursor melt preferably is mixed with additional materials including silica (SiO2) to form a silica-based glass melt.

Abstract: A process for making silica-based glass includes: (a) forming a glass precursor melt that includes glass network formers and glass network modifiers, the glass precursor melt being at a temperature in the range of 900 C to 1700 C and having a viscosity of not more than 3 Pa·s, and (b) refining the glass precursor melt. Either or both steps (a) and (b) can include stirring and/or be carried out under reduced pressure to enhance refining. The refined glass precursor melt preferably is mixed with additional materials including silica (SiO2) to form a silica-based glass melt.

Abstract: A baffle assembly for controlling settle blow air delivery to a blank mold of a glassware forming machine, includes a baffle head, a holder and an outer ring. The baffle head has an air impervious base, a conical outer surface and an annular face. The holder has an air passage that opens at a position outside of the baffle head base. The outer ring has a first portion that slidably surrounds the holder, a second portion that surrounds the baffle head and has a conical inner surface, and a third portion for selectively engaging the mold and having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the baffle head base. The baffle assembly is adapted for displacement through an intermediate position in which the baffle head separates from the outer ring so that settle blow air flows between the outer ring and the baffle head, and into the mold.

Abstract: A burner for depositing carbon soot on a glassware mold includes a burner nozzle having an annular array of individual gas outlet ports, a fuel passage within the nozzle connected to a first plurality of the outlet ports and an oxidant passage in the nozzle connected to a second plurality of the outlet ports. The first plurality of outlet ports individually alternate with the second plurality of outlet ports around the annular array such that the array presents alternate fuel and oxidant outlet ports around the array. An ignition electrode is disposed on the burner nozzle within the annular array of outlet ports for igniting fuel and oxidant emerging from the outlet ports. The ignition electrode preferably is in the form of an elongated ignition electrode rod telescopically surrounded by an insulator and centered on the burner nozzle within the annular array of outlet ports, and a ground electrode telescopically surrounding the insulator.

Abstract: A surface mixing burner (16) is positioned in alignment with a mold of a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type to produce a supply of soot to lubricate an inner surface of the mold, the soot being produced by combustion of a rich, combustible supply of a fuel and an oxidant. The supply of fuel and oxidant is intermittently ignited by a sparking device (54) that is positioned within a sooting head (10), and an ignition coil (56) is positioned within the sooting head to deliver a high voltage pulse to the sparking device by the inductive discharge method. The ignition coil is positioned sufficiently close to the sparking device, and preferably in direct contact therewith, to avoid interference with the proper operation of an electronic control system for the I.S. machine. A remotely-positioned power supply (62) is provided to energize the ignition coil, the power supply providing power to the ignition coil at a relatively low voltage, for example, 12-24 volts d.c.

Abstract: An invert assembly for an individual section glassware forming machine includes an invert base that is oscillated about an axis between angularly spaced apart first and second positions, a double ended ball screw positioned co-axially with the axis and having spaced apart oppositely threaded portions, first and second nuts each threadably engaging one of the oppositely threaded portions of the ball screw so that the nuts reciprocate toward and away from each other in response to rotation of the ball screw, and first and second neck ring arms respectively engaging the first and second nuts so that the neck ring arms reciprocate toward and away from each other along the axis with the first and second nuts. Preferably, the invert base is oscillated about the axis by a first reversible electric motor, and the ball screw is driven for rotation in opposed directions by a second reversible electric motor to move the nuts and neck ring arms toward and away from each other along the axis.

Abstract: A multiple orifice glass feed system for use with a glass forehearth including a plurality of closely spaced plungers, each of which is individually supported independently of each other. Each plunger includes a servo controlled linear actuator and an arm extending between each plunger and its respective servo-motor. Each servo-motor has an axis parallel to the axis of the plungers. An air spring is associated with each plunger for balancing the weight of each plunger and its respective arm. The center lines of the plungers lie generally in a plane. The arms have the major portions thereof generally parallel and closely spaced. A feedback system is provided to monitor the position of each individual needle independently of the other at all times and make corrections to the actual position of the needle if desired.

Abstract: A spark electrode assembly has an elongate electrode with an inner insulator arranged for operable attachment to a support structure. The inner insulator surrounds the electrode with one end of the electrode positioned adjacent a ground element across a spark gap and another end of the electrode extending relative to the support structure for attachment to a source of electrical power. An outer insulator is spaced radially outwardly from the inner insulator and surrounds the inner insulator generally adjacent the end of the electrode adjacent the ground element. The inner and outer insulators cooperate to inhibit the formation of a continuous lubrication layer thereon, thereby establishing an area generally free from the lubrication layer between the end of the electrode adjacent the ground element and the support structure.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine system includes a glassware forming machine having first operating mechanisms for converting gobs of molten glass into articles of glassware, a gob delivery system having second operating mechanisms for delivering gobs of molten glass to the glassware forming machine, a ware handling system having third operating mechanisms for receiving and conveying articles of glassware from the glassware forming machine, and an electronic control system for controlling and coordinating operation of the first, second and third operating mechanisms. The electronic control system includes a machine controller coupled to the first operating mechanisms of the glassware forming machine for controlling and coordinating operation of the first operating mechanisms to produce articles of glassware.

Abstract: Vertically aligned first (30) and second (32) combined blowhead and takeout mechanisms are provided to sequentially blow glass parisons (P) into containers (C) in a mold set (22) and to transfer blown containers to a deadplate (40) of a glass containing forming machine (20). Each of the combined mechanisms is pivotally suspended about an axis A from a carrier arm (36) that is pivotally attached to an end of an oscillating arm (38), an opposed end of which is pivoted about an axis (B). The axis (B) of each combined blowhead and takeout mechanism is periodically raised and lowered to permit the other combined blowhead and takeout mechanism to oscillate therebeneath, to thereby permit overlapping cycles between the blowhead and takeout mechanisms. Each blowhead and takeout mechanism is provided with a chuck or tong assembly (54) to engage or release each container by its finish (F).

Abstract: Vertically aligned first (30) and second (32) combined blowhead and takeout mechanisms are provided to sequentially blow glass parisons (P) into containers (C) in a mold set (22) and to transfer blown containers to a deadplate (40) of a glass containing forming machine (20). Each of the combined mechanisms is pivotally suspended about an axis A from a carrier arm (36) that is pivotally attached to an end of an oscillating arm (38), an opposed end of which is pivoted about an axis (B). The axis (B) of each combined blowhead and takeout mechanism is periodically raised and lowered to permit the other combined blowhead and takeout mechanism to oscillate therebeneath, to thereby permit overlapping cycles between the blowhead and takeout mechanisms. Each blowhead and takeout mechanism is provided with a chuck or tong assembly (54) to engage or release each container by its finish (F).

Abstract: A glassware forming system that includes a plurality of electronic devices for performing operations on articles of glassware. These devices may comprise devices for controlling the glassware forming operation by controlling one or more operating mechanisms of a glassware forming system, or may comprise devices for inspecting articles of glassware for commercial variations that may affect commercial acceptability of the glassware and call for possible adjustment or repair of the glassware forming system. A network interconnects the devices for intercommunication among the devices, and includes a star network hub and conductors connecting the hub to the plurality of devices in a star network configuration for bidirectional communication among the devices through the hub.

Abstract: A glassware forming system that includes a plurality of electronic devices for performing operations on articles of glassware. These devices may comprise devices for controlling the glassware forming operation by controlling one or more operating mechanisms of a glassware forming system, or may comprise devices for inspecting articles of glassware for commercial variations that may affect commercial acceptability of the glassware and call for possible adjustment or repair of the glassware forming system. A network interconnects the devices for intercommunication among the devices, and includes a star network hub and conductors connecting the hub to the plurality of devices in a star network configuration for bidirectional communication among the devices through the hub.

Abstract: An opposed pair of inwardly facing radiant energy detecting sensors (20, 22) is positioned to sight on freshly formed glass containers (C) being conveyed on a side by side pair of conveyors (12, 14) to determine if any of the containers is misoriented from its desired orientation. Each sensor has a sharply focused fiber and lens assembly (24) that is focused to sense radiant energy in a cone of view no greater than 1°. A baffle (32) is positioned between the conveyors and in alignment with the opposed sensors, to isolate the sensors from radiant energy emitted by containers on the away conveyor.

Abstract: A multiple orifice glass feed system for use with a glass forehearth including a plurality of closely spaced plungers, each of which is individually supported independently of each other. Each plunger includes a servo controlled linear actuator and an arm extending between each plunger and its respective servo-motor. Each servo-motor has an axis parallel to the axis of the plungers. An air spring is associated with each plunger for balancing the weight of each plunger and its respective arm. The center lines of the plungers lie generally in a plane. The arms have the major portions thereof generally parallel and closely spaced. A feedback system is provided to monitor the position of each individual needle independently of the other at all times and make corrections to the actual position of the needle if desired.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine system includes a glassware forming machine having first operating mechanisms for converting gobs of molten glass into articles of glassware, a gob delivery system having second operating mechanisms for delivering gobs of molten glass to the glassware forming machine, a ware handling system having third operating mechanisms for receiving and conveying articles of glassware from the glassware forming machine, and an electronic control system for controlling and coordinating operation of the first, second and third operating mechanisms. The electronic control system includes a machine controller coupled to the first operating mechanisms of the glassware forming machine for controlling and coordinating operation of the first operating mechanisms to produce articles of glassware.

Abstract: Sweepout apparatus (10) for sweeping an aligned array of glass containers (C) from a deadplate (12) of a I.S. glass container forming machine to a machine (14) that runs transversely to the array of containers on the deadplate and serves to transfer the containers for further processing. The apparatus comprises a swivel portion (16 or 116) that is oscillatable in an arc of approximately 90° and a head (18) that is carried by the swivel portion and is reciprocable relative thereto, the head carrying an elongated bar (20) with a spaced plurality of pocket-defining fingers (22) that extend from the bar. The sweepout further comprises independently operatable first and second coaxial reversible electrical motors (30, 28), an output shaft (32) of the second electric motor (28) passing through an annular output shaft (56) of the first electric motor (30). Reversible motion imparted to the annular output shaft of the first electric motor causes oscillating motion of the swivel portion of the sweepout apparatus.