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 takeout arm assembly (10) for an I.S. glass container forming machine, the arm assembly having a housing (14) that is oscillatible about the central axis of a first shaft (12). The housing has a first gear (16) that is coaxial with the first shaft and oscillatible with the housing, and with respect to the first shaft, the housing further having a second gear (18) that is positioned within and is rotatable with respect to the housing. The second gear is spaced from the first gear with the axes of the first and second gears being parallel to one another. A rack (30) having teeth in engagement with teeth on the first gear and the second gear is caused to move rectilinearly by oscillating motion of a reversible a.c. servo motor (26) that serves to drive the first gear, to thereby transmit turning motion from the first gear to the second gear.

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 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: 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.

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 conveyor (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.

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 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 glass container forming machine section (10) in which the mold carrying arms (12, 14) that are pivoted on shafts (20, 22), respectively, about a common axis (A) are caused to counteroscillate between open positions in which the mold halves (16, 18) that are respectively carried by the arms (12, 14) are separated, and closed positions in which the mold halves are joined to define molding cavities therebetween. The opening and closing motions of the mold carrying arms are powered by a single reversible electrical servo motor (24), which drives a drive gear (26). The drive gear (26) directly drives a first driven gear (28) and an intermediate driven gear (30) which, in turn, directly drives a second driven gear (34). Turning motion of the driven gears (28, 34) is imparted to stub shafts (38, 40), respectively, which carry coaxial drive gears (42, 44), respectively. The drive gears (42, 44) drive sector gears (46, 48), respectively, that are disengagably secured to the shafts (22, 20), respectively.

Abstract: An individual section glassware forming machine that includes at least one blow mold for forming articles of glassware, a sweepout station for transferring glassware to a machine conveyor, and a take-out mechanism for transferring glassware from the blow mold to the sweepout station. The take-out mechanism comprises first and second electromagnetic stators mounted in fixed position above the blow mold and the sweepout station. A first electromagnetic armature is mounted for linear motion along a horizontal axis adjacent to the first stator. A second electromagnetic armature is mounted to the first armature for linear motion along a vertical axis adjacent to the second stator. Take-out tongs are carried by the second armature for engaging and transferring glassware from the blow mold to the sweepout station.

Abstract: A feeder tube assembly for a feeder bowl of a glass melting furnace forehearth. The feeder tube assembly has an horizontally extending elongate support arm, and a feeder tube that is carried by the support arm at a location near an end of the support arm. The feeder tube is rotatable about its longitudinal central axis with respect to the support arm, and the support arm carries drive elements for rotating the feeder tube about its longitudinal central axis. The support arm is supported on a vertically extending servo motor actuated linear actuator, and the elevation of the support arm is adjustable by actuation of the linear actuator, a releasable brake being provided to prevent rotation of the servo motor when it is desired to prevent a change in elevation of the support arm.

Abstract: An individual section glassware forming machine that includes at least one blow mold for forming articles of glassware, a sweepout station for transferring glassware to a machine conveyor, and a take-out mechanism for transferring glassware from the blow mold to the sweepout station. The take-out mechanism comprises first and second electromagnetic stators mounted in fixed position above the blow mold and the sweepout station. A first electromagnetic armature is mounted for linear motion along a horizontal axis adjacent to the first stator. A second electromagnetic armature is mounted to the first armature for linear motion along a vertical axis adjacent to the second stator. Take-out tongs are carried by the second armature for engaging and transferring glassware from the blow mold to the sweepout station.

Abstract: A feeder tube assembly for a feeder bowl of a glass melting furnace forehearth. The feeder tube assembly has an horizontally extending elongate support arm, and a feeder tube that is carried by the support arm at a location near an end of the support arm. The feeder tube is rotatable about its longitudinal central axis with respect to the support arm, and the support arm carries drive elements for rotating the feeder tube about its longitudinal central axis. The support arm is supported on a vertically extending servo motor actuated linear actuator, and the elevation of the support arm is adjustable by actuation of the linear actuator, a releasable brake being provided to prevent rotation of the servo motor when it is desired to prevent a change in elevation of the support arm.

Abstract: A plunger assembly (10) for a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type, the plunger assembly having a plunger (12) that is open it one end and is non-threadably secured at its open end to a free end of an annular cylinder rod (14) that operates to reciprocate the plunger relative to a blank mold of the forming machine. A perforated cooling air inlet tube (20) is positioned within the plunger, and the free end of the air inlet tube is held against a free end of an annular extension (22) of the cylinder rod, an opposed end of which is threadably received in the cylinder rod, by a split locking ring (30) an inwardly facing recess (36, 38) of which traps a radially outwardly extending flange (40) of the plunger to axially position the plunger relative to the split ring. The split ring abuts an endless ring (24) and is axially positioned thereagainst by a flange (44, 46) of the split ring that is received in a recess (42) of the extension.

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 the 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 feeder tube assembly for a feeder bowl of a glass melting furnace forehearth. The feeder tube assembly has an horizontally extending elongate support arm, and a feeder tube that is carried by the support arm at a location near an end of the support arm. The feeder tube is held in place by a clamping ring that engages a flange of the feeder tube at an end of the feeder tube. The clamping ring is releasably held in engagement with the flange of the feeder tube by a plurality of latch mechanisms that are circumferentially spaced apart. Each latch mechanism has a lever with a rounded cam surface and a handle that extends away from the cam surface and is pivotally attached to a support member. The support member, in turn is pivotally attached to a fixed member, and pivoting of the pivoted support member relative to the fixed member is effective to swing the lever out of interfering relationship with the clamping ring to facilitate removal of the clamping ring.

Abstract: A feeder tube assembly for a feeder bowl of a glass melting furnace forehearth. The feeder tube assembly has an horizontally extending elongate support arm, and a feeder tube that is carried by the support arm at a location near an end of the support arm. The feeder tube is rotatable about its longitudinal central axis with respect to the support arm, and the support arm carries drive elements for rotating the feeder tube about its longitudinal central axis. The support arm is supported on a vertically extending servo motor actuated linear actuator, and the elevation of the support arm is adjustable by actuation of the linear actuator, a releasable brake being provided to prevent rotation of the servo motor when it is desired to prevent a change in elevation of the support arm.

Abstract: A lehr loader (20) for transferring a line of freshly formed glass containers (C) on a cross-conveyor (XC) transversely of the cross-conveyor into an annealing lehr (L). The lehr loader has a superimposed stack of three carriages (48, 76, 94), the lowermost carriage (48) being supported on a frame (22) and being movable longitudinally in a horizontal plane with respect to the frame toward and away from the lehr. The intermediate carriage (76) is supported on the lowermost carriage (48) and is movable longitudinally with the lowermost carriage and is movable laterally in a horizontal plane with respect to the lowermost carriage. The uppermost carriage (94) is supported on the intermediate carriage (76) and is movable horizontally with the intermediate carriage and vertically with respect to the intermediate carriage. An enclosed linear actuator (50) in the form of an enclosed ball screw mechanism with a housing (56) is attached to the frame, and a reversible, co-axial a.c.

Abstract: A lehr loader (20) for transferring a line of freshly formed glass containers (C) on a cross-conveyor (XC) transversely of the cross-conveyor into an annealing lehr (L). The lehr loader has a superimposed stack of three carriages (48, 76, 94), the lowermost carriage (48) being supported on a frame (22) and being movable longitudinally in a horizontal plane with respect to the frame toward and away from the lehr. The intermediate carriage (76) is supported on the lowermost carriage (48) and is movable longitudinally with the lowermost carriage and is movable laterally in a horizontal plane with respect to the lowermost carriage. The uppermost carriage (94) is supported on the intermediate carriage (76) and is movable horizontally with the intermediate carriage and vertically with respect to the intermediate carriage. The uppermost carriage carries a pusher bar (120) for transferring glass containers (C) from the cross-conveyor (XC) into the lehr (L) upon motion of the lowermost carriage (48) toward the lehr.