Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for the deformation of the heat-softened end of a glass tube. In the formation of hollow articles such as, for example, vials from glass tubes, either large processing pauses occur or the formation elements have to be moved with high speed to the next tube being processed. To keep the processing pause short a forming roller is provided, which is shifted back and forth relative to the glass tube. Shifting of the forming roller takes place in such a manner that the forming roller, toward the end of the rolling, is at the starting position for forming the next glass tube.

Abstract: A device and forming finger for forming a mouth area on a glass vial and a process for forming the glass vial wherein wear of the finger is reduced to a minimum so that better production tolerances for the formed mouth is possible. This is achieved by a forming finger being allocated either to each glass tube of a vial machine, or by providing play to the forming finger, or by providing the forming finger with lateral recesses. Preferably, the forming finger has a ratio of cross-sectional surface to circular segment area of the forming finger which is larger than or equal to 0.55.times.r. The aforedescribed forming fingers are used in all vial machines, in which from many glass tubes in a cycle, step by step vials are produced by rolling and melting the tube pieces.

Abstract: Chucks for glass tubes should be designed so that, on the one hand, they grasp the glass tube gently so that the tube is not destroyed, and, on the other hand, so that they hold it securely enough so that a proper processing of the glass tube is possible. This causes a degree of technical complexity which enlarges the dimensions of the chuck and leads to a narrow diameter range for the clampable glass tubes. For other diameter ranges, the chucks have to be changed. The chuck according to the invention has a wide diameter range with small outside dimensions. The chuck has clamping jaws which can be moved radially with respect to its longitudinal axis and has a distance from the longitudinal axis determined by a pressure sleeve, which is connected to the clamping jaws by a forced guidance device. The forced guidance forms an angle of 30.degree. to 60.degree., and preferably 45.degree., with respect to the longitudinal axis. The chuck is used to hold glass tubes in a machine for producing vials.