Abstract: A transport guide, in the form of a conduit, for a molten glass transport cup is comprised of a glass contact material that supports the permeable flow of cooling gas from an outer surface to an inner surface of the conduit. When a molten glass charge is received in the conduit, the permeable flow of the cooling gas through the conduit fluidly displaces the glass charge radially inwardly away from the inner surface of the conduit to create a thermal break between the glass charge and the glass contact material. This thermal break helps minimize heat flow out of the molten glass charge. In this way, the molten glass charge can be received within the conduit of the transport cup, and in certain applications transported within the cup from one location to another location, while helping to preserve thermal homogeneity of the glass charge.

Abstract: A molten glass transport cup includes a conduit having an inlet and an outlet, and an endcap to cover or close, and uncover or open, the conduit outlet. The cup also may include a fluid exhaust outlet between the conduit and the endcap, and one or more fluid supply passages having one or more interior inlets located radially inwardly of the exhaust outlet. A molten glass transporter may include the cup and a conduit carrier including a sleeve at least partially circumscribing the cup. A related method may include receiving a molten glass charge in the cup in contact with an inner surface of the conduit, supplying fluid into the cup to displace at least a portion of the glass charge away from the transport cup, controlling an amount of the fluid between the charge and the transport cup, and moving the endcap to permit the charge to exit the conduit.

Abstract: A method for thermal imaging includes extracting pixel intensity data from a plurality of images corresponding to electromagnetic radiation emitted from one or more targets, creating an array for each image pixel in the plurality of images, wherein each pixel array represents a distribution of intensity data from corresponding pixels in each of the images, removing from each pixel array an amount of intensity data such that a remaining amount of intensity data represents an approximate equivalent to a distribution of intensity data uncontaminated by interference; and generating a thermal image representing the one or more targets based on the remaining amount of intensity data in each pixel array.

Abstract: A method for thermal imaging includes extracting pixel intensity data from a plurality of images corresponding to electromagnetic radiation emitted from one or more targets, creating an array for each image pixel in the plurality of images, wherein each pixel array represents a distribution of intensity data from corresponding pixels in each of the images, removing from each pixel array an amount of intensity data such that a remaining amount of intensity data represents an approximate equivalent to a distribution of intensity data uncontaminated by interference; and generating a thermal image representing the one or more targets based on the remaining amount of intensity data in each pixel array.

Abstract: A method of and system for forming a glass container, and an apparatus for sensing elongation of a parison in a blow mold of a glassware thrilling machine. A suspended parison is allowed to elongate in a mold along a central longitudinal axis. At least one position of a closed end of the parison is sensed within the mold before the closed end of the parison contacts a transversely extending surface in the mold. A process parameter is adjusted responsive to the sensing step.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a container having a base and a mouth, wherein light is directed through the container base into the container, and out of the container through the container mouth, using at least first and second light sources operatively disposed adjacent to each other beneath the container base and having differing operating characteristics. Light transmitted through the container mouth is sensed, and a composite image of the container mouth may be produced from two or more images of portions of the container mouth.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for inspecting a container having a base and a mouth. Light is directed through the container base into the container, and out of the container through the container mouth, using at least one light source disposed beneath the container base. A plurality of images of the container mouth is obtained from the light transmitted through the container mouth. Minimum bore diameters of the container mouth are calculated from the plurality of images, and an overall lowest minimum bore diameter (OLMBD) of the minimum bore diameters is identified. A value other than the OLMBD is determined to be an effective minimum bore diameter of the container mouth.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for inspecting a container having a base and a mouth. Light is directed through the container base into the container, and out of the container through the container mouth, using at least one light source disposed beneath the container base. A plurality of images of the container mouth is obtained from the light transmitted through the container mouth. Minimum bore diameters of the container mouth are calculated from the plurality of images, and an overall lowest minimum bore diameter (OLMBD) of the minimum bore diameters is identified. A value other than the OLMBD is determined to be an effective minimum bore diameter of the container mouth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a container having a base and a mouth, wherein light is directed through the container base into the container, and out of the container through the container mouth, using at least first and second light sources operatively disposed adjacent to each other beneath the container base and having differing operating characteristics. Light transmitted through the container mouth is sensed, and a composite image of the container mouth may be produced from two or more images of portions of the container mouth.

Abstract: A sensor device includes the ability to determine part presence and at least one physical characteristic of the part. A drive coil and sense coil are arranged so that a voltage applied across the drive coil causes a response in the sense coil, which is influenced by the presence of the item of interest. In a first mode, a controller determines whether the item is present by determining an amount of coupling between the drive coil and the sense coil, which is indicative of whether a part is present near the sense coil. In a second mode, the controller determines an amount of magnetic flux that is indicative of a thickness of the material. In another mode, constant current applied to the drive coil instigates a voltage across both coils. The amplitude of the sense coil voltage and a phase shift of the sense coil voltage relative to the drive coil voltage provides material thickness information.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting lean of a container includes a light source positioned beneath a container for directing light energy onto the container bottom as the container is held in position and rotated around an axis. A light sensor positioned beneath the container receives portions of the light energy from the source reflected from the container bottom. An information processor is coupled to the light sensor for determining, as a combined function of the reflected light energy and container rotation, departure of the container bottom from a plane perpendicular to the axis. The container preferably is held in position and rotated around an axis by a drive roller that urges the container against axially spaced backup rollers so as to define an average axis of rotation as a function of the geometry of the container and spacing between the backup rollers.

Abstract: A sensor device includes the ability to determine part presence and at least one physical characteristic of the part. A drive coil and sense coil are arranged so that a voltage applied across the drive coil causes a response in the sense coil, which is influenced by the presence of the item of interest. In a first mode, a controller determines whether the item is present by determining an amount of coupling between the drive coil and the sense coil, which is indicative of whether a part is present near the sense coil. In a second mode, the controller determines an amount of magnetic flux that is indicative of a thickness of the material. In another mode, constant current applied to the drive coil instigates a voltage across both coils. The amplitude of the sense coil voltage and a phase shift of the sense coil voltage relative to the drive coil voltage provides material thickness information.

Abstract: A sensor device includes the ability to determine part presence and at least one physical characteristic of the part. A drive coil and sense coil are arranged so that a voltage applied across the drive coil causes a response in the sense coil, which is influenced by the presence of the item of interest. In a first mode, a controller determines whether the item is present by determining an amount of coupling between the drive coil and the sense coil, which is indicative of whether a part is present near the sense coil. In a second mode, the controller determines an amount of magnetic flux that is indicative of a thickness of the material. In another mode, constant current applied to the drive coil instigates a voltage across both coils. The amplitude of the sense coil voltage and a phase shift of the sense coil voltage relative to the drive coil voltage provides material thickness information.

Abstract: A proximity sensing assembly for sensing the proximity of a metallic workpiece to a work holding device includes Hall-effect sensor. The magnetic field generated by the magnet is altered when a metallic workpiece is in close proximity to a magnet. Due to an offset relationship between the sensor and the poles of the magnet, the polarity detected by the Hall-effect sensor is analogous to a reversal when a metallic workpiece is proximate the magnet rather than simply detecting a change in strength. Thus the polarity detected by the Hall-effect sensor sends a clearly defined signal indicating the presence or absence of a workpiece in the work holding device.

Abstract: A proximity sensing assembly for sensing the proximity of a metallic workpiece to a work holding device includes Hall-effect sensor. The magnetic field generated by the magnet is altered when a metallic workpiece is in close proximity to a magnet. Due to an offset relationship between the sensor and the poles of the magnet, the polarity detected by the Hall-effect sensor is analogous to a reversal when a metallic workpiece is proximate the magnet rather than simply detecting a change in strength. Thus the polarity detected by the Hall-effect sensor sends an clearly defined signal indicating the presence or absence of a workpiece in the work holding device.

Abstract: A proximity sensing assembly for sensing the proximity of a metallic workpiece to a work holding device includes Hall-effect sensor. The magnetic field generated by the magnet is altered when a metallic workpiece is in close proximity to a magnet. Due to an offset relationship between the sensor and the poles of the magnet, the polarity detected by the Hall-effect sensor is analogous to a reversal when a metallic workpiece is proximate the magnet rather than simply detecting a change in strength. Thus the polarity detected by the Hall-effect sensor sends an clearly defined signal indicating the presence or absence of a workpiece in the work holding device.