With Gob Handling Means Patents (Class 65/304)
  • Patent number: 9212083
    Abstract: A system and method for coating glass gobs with a liquid-based lubricating dispersion during their drop to blank glass container molds which provides sufficient lubrication to the glass container molds without requiring swabbing of the glass container molds. The lubricating dispersion is sprayed onto hot glass gobs as they fall from the gob supply system prior to their distribution by the gob distribution system into blank molds. The lubricating dispersion coats the falling glass gobs to lubricate the glass gobs as well as the molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignees: Emhart Glass S.A., Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland SA
    Inventors: Leo Diehm, Thomas L. Sidler, Michal T. Judge, Braden A. McDermott, Robert D. Ginsberg
  • Patent number: 9067817
    Abstract: A system and method for coating glass gobs with a liquid-based lubricating dispersion during their drop to blank glass container molds which provides sufficient lubrication to the glass container molds without requiring swabbing of the glass container molds. The lubricating dispersion is sprayed onto hot glass gobs as they fall from the gob supply system prior to their distribution by the gob distribution system into blank molds. The lubricating dispersion coats the falling glass gobs to lubricate the glass gobs as well as the molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignees: Emhart Glass S.A., Timcal Ltd.
    Inventors: Leo Diehm, Thomas L. Sidler, Michal T. Judge
  • Publication number: 20140116089
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing an optical element, and a method of manufacturing an optical element, whereby variance of dropping positions of glass droplets can be suppressed even with a low-cost and simple configuration. The positions where the glass droplets are discharged from a discharged port 51c are controlled by having a predetermined force applied to the glass droplets from the wall surface of a passage 51b of a correcting member 51 in a non-contact manner, the glass droplets passing through the passage 51b. Therefore, variance of dropping positions of the glass droplets can be suppressed without surrounding the whole manufacturing apparatus. Consequently, a highly accurate optical element can be manufactured with the low-cost and simple configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Seiji Yuasa, Shuhei Ashida, Hiroshi Nagoya
  • Patent number: 8091387
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing high-quality preforms from glass melt, manufacturing glass elements, such as lenses, by press molding these preforms and, manufacturing optical elements by reheating and press molding these glass gobs. In the method glass gobs are continuously separated from a glass melt flow continuously flowing out of a nozzle and the separated glass gobs are formed with glass forming members that are intermittently or continuously moving. A support member is made to approach the front end of the nozzle, the front end of the glass melt flow is received by the support member, and the support member is dropped more rapidly than the rate of flow of the glass melt flow to separate a glass gob from the glass melt flow. The separated glass gob is transferred from the support member to a stopped or moving glass forming member to mold a glass article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Iguchi, Katsumi Utsugi, Atsushi Uezaki, Junichi Watanabe, Tetsuya Saito, Akira Murakami
  • Publication number: 20110197635
    Abstract: An optimized scoop for receiving the glass gobs formed by the shearing mechanism is disclosed which provides an optimal trajectory that enables glass gobs passing therethrough to have an improved glass gob shape together with a negligible increase in glass gob length, with a velocity that is equal to or better than that of previously known scoops. The optimized scoop enhances glass gob shape to produce a more uniformly cylindrical glass gobs and eliminate dog-bone configurations. Trajectory of the optimized scoop is optimized both to enhance exit velocity of the glass gobs and minimize forces applied to the glass gobs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Braden A. McDermott, Jonathan S. Simon, Xu Ding
  • Patent number: 7690222
    Abstract: A glass gob distributor for delivering gobs of molten glass to sections of a glassware forming machine, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, includes at least one electric motor, a ball screw coupled to the electric motor and a carriage slidable on a carriage shaft and coupled to the ball screw. At least one gear rack is coupled to the carriage and at least one scoop is coupled to the gear rack for rotation around a scoop axis as a function of linear motion of the gear rack and the carriage. A pair of slides are slidably disposed on opposite sides of the carriage and are disconnected from the carriage. A pair of fluid cylinders are disposed adjacent to the slides. The fluid cylinders are responsive to an absence of power at the electric motor for pushing the centering slides toward each other to abut and slidably position the carriage on the carriage shaft, the gear rack and the at least one scoop at a home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Cramer
  • Patent number: 7543461
    Abstract: A gob deflector has an entry end for receiving molten glass gobs, an exit end for directing the glass gobs into a blank mold of a glassware forming machine, and a curved portion between the entry and exit ends. The curved portion has an arc defined by an upper curve contiguous with the inlet end of the deflector and a lower curve contiguous with the entry end of the deflector. The upper and lower curves have differing radii as a function of angle along the curved portion of the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory W. Nafziger
  • Patent number: 7412849
    Abstract: The device for blank pressing glass bodies includes a first rotary indexing table with preforms for forming parisons from glass gobs; a second rotary indexing table having pressing molds and pressing tools for pressing the parisons into final form after formation in the preforms; and a device for shifting the first rotary indexing table relative to the second rotary indexing table so that each preform is positionable in a transfer position between a pressing tool and a pressing mold. Each preform is mounted on the first rotary indexing table by a indexable mount for holding it in a first horizontal position or in a second position pivoted away from the first position, so that, when a preform is in the transfer position, the indexable mount can be pivoted, so that a parison in it drops into the pressing mold for pressing by the pressing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Ralf Bonitz, Rainer Adebahr, Polina Ebeling, Doris Moseler, Christian Kunert, Dirk Weidmann, Matthias Redey
  • Patent number: 7377130
    Abstract: The method of making globular or spherical bodies of optical quality includes filling receptacles (2) in a heat-resistant support (3) made of a porous material with glass gobs (1); conducting gas through the heat-resistant support so that a gas flow (4) passes through the support in a direction (14) opposite to a direction in which gravity acts; heating the heat-resistant support (3) to a temperature at which the glass gobs (1) have a viscosity of up to about 106 poise; maintaining the support (3) at this temperature for a predetermined time interval; and then cooling the support (3) to ambient temperature while continuing to provide the gas flow (4) through the support (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Andreas Langsdorf, Frank Buellesfeld
  • Publication number: 20080092595
    Abstract: A high-quality glass gob is easily obtained that is adapted to glass of recent years having higher refractive indices or lower Tg of which the molding temperature is close to or below the temperature of liquid phase. A nozzle, which is connected to a bath of molten glass to flow out the molten glass, has a site disposed where the center of gravity of a cross-section, which is perpendicular to the flow-out direction of the molten glass in the flow path within the nozzle, is shifted from the center of gravity of the cross-section of upstream side. A method for producing a glass shaped body includes steps of melting a raw material of glass within a bath of molten glass, flowing out the molten glass into a molding tool through a nozzle connected to the bath of molten glass, and molding the glass shaped body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Ryousuke Sakai
  • Publication number: 20080028796
    Abstract: A glass gob distributor for delivering gobs of molten glass to sections of a glassware forming machine, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, includes at least one electric motor, a ball screw coupled to the electric motor and a carriage slidable on a carriage shaft and coupled to the ball screw. At least one gear rack is coupled to the carriage and at least one scoop is coupled to the gear rack for rotation around a scoop axis as a function of linear motion of the gear rack and the carriage. A pair of slides are slidably disposed on opposite sides of the carriage and are disconnected from the carriage. A pair of fluid cylinders are disposed adjacent to the slides. The fluid cylinders are responsive to an absence of power at the electric motor for pushing the centering slides toward each other to abut and slidably position the carriage on the carriage shaft, the gear rack and the at least one scoop at a home position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Cramer
  • Patent number: 7281395
    Abstract: The gob distributor for a glass forming machine has at least one scoop channel which can be pivoted in a reciprocating manner about a vertical axis. A lower end of each scoop channel can be successively orientated, by the pivoting motion, so as to be aligned with a channel system leading to the respective section. An annular pinion is disposed coaxially with an upper end of each scoop channel. A drive has an electric servomotor which is connected to the at least one annular pinion via a gear mechanism. The gear mechanism includes a screw which can be rotationally driven in a reciprocating manner by the electric servomotor, a worm wheel engaged with the screw, and a toothed wheel which is non-rotational and coaxial with respect to the worm wheel. The toothed wheel is in a driving connection with the at least one annular pinion by means of intermediate wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Heye International GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Hermening, Hermann Bögert
  • Patent number: 7073352
    Abstract: A method and a machine for the production of hollow glassware articles, by the blow-and-blow, press-and-blow, press-and-blow paste mold and direct-press processes in a glassware forming machine including single or multiple machine sections each having single or multiple-cavity, comprising: forming a parison in an inverted orientation, into a blank mold and a first transferable and open-able neck ring mold held by an inverting apparatus having a first and a second diametrically opposed arms, each arm holding a transferable and open-able neck ring mold; inverting the parison held by the first transferable and open-able neck ring mold, by rotating the first arm 180° to an upright orientation at an intermediate station, while the second arm with a second transferable and open-able neck ring mold is simultaneously placed at the parison forming station; transferring the first transferable and open-able neck ring mold holding the parison in an upright orientation, from the intermediate station, to a blow mold statio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Vitro Global, S.A.
    Inventors: Victor Tijerina-Ramos, Adrian Sada-Treviño
  • Patent number: 7024887
    Abstract: A method and a machine for the production of hollow glassware articles, by the blow-and-blow, press-and-blow, press-and-blow paste mold and direct-press processes in a glassware forming machine including single or multiple machine sections each having single or multiple-cavity, comprising: forming a parison in an inverted orientation, into a blank mold and a first transferable and open-able neck ring mold held by an inverting apparatus having a first and a second diametrically opposed arms, each arm holding a transferable and open-able neck ring mold; inverting the parison held by the first transferable and open-able neck ring mold, by rotating the first arm 180° to an upright orientation at an intermediate station, while the second arm with a second transferable and open-able neck ring mold is simultaneously placed at the parison forming station; transferring the first transferable and open-able neck ring mold holding the parison in an upright orientation, from the intermediate station, to a blow mold statio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Vitro Global, S.A.
    Inventors: Victor Tijerina-Ramos, Adrian Sada-Treviño
  • Patent number: 6907755
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing glass gobs includes a membrane body of a porous gas transmitting material. Channels for introducing compressed gas into the membrane body extend through the membrane body material and are spaced at a distance from the gas outlet surface of the membrane body. The channels run parallel to or are at an acute angle to the outlet surface. In an alternate embodiment, the channels are open channels at the opposite surface from the outlet surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Andreas Langsdorf, Christian Kunert
  • Patent number: 6776011
    Abstract: An inclined trough assembly (10) or gob scoop (20, 40) for conveying, by gravity, formable gobs of glass at an elevated temperature to a section of a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type. The trough assembly has a trough member (12) configured, in cross-section, generally corresponding to that of an upwardly facing V and a manifold (14) at least partly underlying the trough member and having a configuration, in cross-section, generally corresponding to that of an upwardly facing U. The trough member is inserted into the manifold partly to the bottom thereof, and the manifold has a compressed air inlet (14a) for receiving compressed or fan air to flow along the manifold in cooling contact with the trough member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Dan M. Hayes, Mark R. Tipping
  • Patent number: 6626010
    Abstract: A method of floating glass gobs by means of a gas flow. A method of manufacturing glass gobs by floating a molten glass gob and simultaneously cooling it. A method of manufacturing glass spheres by floating a softened glass gob and simultaneously rendering it spherical. These methods employ a device having a depression for floating and holding a glass gob or the like, with a gas flow being supplied along all or part of the inner surface of the depression from the opening side of the depression toward the bottom. A manufacturing method comprising the steps of adjusting a glass gob to a temperature suited to press molding while floating said glass gob by means of a gas flow injected along part or all of the depression-shaped forming surface of a lower mold from the opening side of the lower mold toward the bottom of the lower mold; and a step of press forming the glass gob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20030145627
    Abstract: Suction feeders of this type are used in the processing of glass and have a heatable feed line (1) consisting of noble metal. Said feed line is embedded in a heat-insulated manner in a housing (4a) with a refractory material (3a). Said housing has a connecting flange (5) for connection to a molten glass supply device and an exit flange (6) for operational engagement with a suction ball (7) which removes the gob from the feed line (1). According to the invention, the material (3a, 4a) surrounding the feed line (1) is configured in such a way in terms of the construction and/or substance that a negative pressure can be produced on the outer periphery of the feed line (1), so that the mechanical compression of the feed line (1) is minimised and air bubbles are not drawn up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Beck, Frank Druschke, Klaus-Dieter Duch, Ludwig Duersch, Johannews Roettgers, Anton Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20020194870
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the hot shaping of molten gobs on a mold base by interposing a gas bed, comprising the following method steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Norbert Greulich-Hickmann, Andreas Langsdorf, Christinan Kunert, Carsten Weinhold
  • Patent number: 6494061
    Abstract: An inclined trough assembly (10) for conveying, by gravity, formable gobs of glass at an elevated temperature to a section of a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type, the trough assembly having a trough member (12) configured, in cross-section, generally corresponding to that of an upwardly facing V and a manifold (14) at least partly underlying the trough member and having a configuration, in cross-section, generally corresponding to that of an upwardly facing U. The trough member 12 is inserted into the manifold partly to the bottom thereof, and the manifold has a compressed air inlet (14a) for receiving compressed or fan air to flow along the manifold in cooling contact with the trough member to cool the trough member and thereby reduce the coefficient of friction between the gobs of glass flowing through the trough assembly and the trough member thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Tipping, Dan M. Hayes
  • Patent number: 6381988
    Abstract: A glassware forming machine system includes an individual section glassware forming machine having a plurality of sections, each with at least one blank mold, and a gob distributor for distributing molten glass gobs to the blank molds of each machine section in sequence. The molten glass gobs are delivered to the blank molds of each section through deflectors on which the glass gobs slide to each blank mold. At least one liquid coolant passage is integral with each deflector, and the several coolant passages for the entire machine are connected in parallel between source and return liquid coolant manifolds. Variable flow control valves are individually connected between each liquid coolant passage and the return manifold for controlling flow of liquid coolant through the passages and thereby balance temperatures among the parallel gob deflectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley Bennett
  • Publication number: 20020046575
    Abstract: An inclined trough assembly (10) or gob scoop (20, 40) for conveying, by gravity, formable gobs of glass at an elevated temperature to a section of a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type. The trough assembly has a trough member (12) configured, in cross-section, generally corresponding to that of an upwardly facing V and a manifold (14) at least partly underlying the trough member and having a configuration, in cross-section, generally corresponding to that of an upwardly facing U. The trough member is inserted into the manifold partly to the bottom thereof, and the manifold has a compressed air inlet (14a) for receiving compressed or fan air to flow along the manifold in cooling contact with the trough member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Dan M. Hayes, Mark R. Tipping
  • Patent number: 6370915
    Abstract: A method for supplying a glass molding material by dropping it from a higher level onto a molding surface of a lower mold of a mold constituted of an upper mold and the lower mold, in which a guide means is used for dropping the glass molding material and is disposed at a position such that the glass molding material drops onto the molding surface of the lower mold, and the guide means used for this method are disclosed. Moreover, a method for supplying a glass molding material to a molding surface of a lower mold of a mold constituted of an upper mold and the lower mold, in which after the glass molding material is supplied to the molding surface of the lower mold the position of the glass molding material is corrected so that the vertical center of the glass molding material substantially coincides with the center point of the molding surface of the lower mold, and a position correcting means used for this method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Tadayuki Fujimoto, Kishio Sugawara, Shinichiro Hirota
  • Patent number: 6318130
    Abstract: A glassware forming machine system includes an individual section glassware forming machine having a plurality of sections, each with at least one blank mold, and a gob distributor for distributing molten glass gobs to the blank molds of each machine section in sequence. The molten glass gobs are delivered to the blank molds of each section through deflectors on which the glass gobs slide to each blank mold. At least one liquid coolant passage is integral with each deflector, and the several coolant passages for the entire machine are connected in parallel between source and return liquid coolant manifolds. Variable flow control valves are individually connected between each liquid coolant passage and the return manifold for controlling flow of liquid coolant through the passages and thereby balance temperatures among the parallel gob deflectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley Bennett
  • Patent number: 6282922
    Abstract: The method of the invention provides that a predetermined quantity of molten glass necessary for producing molded glass bodies according to the press-molding method is poured into a press mold prior to the insertion of the molding plug while the press mold is located in the press station, and that the molded glass body is removed after the molding plug is withdrawn from the press mold, with this mold likewise being located in the pressing station. This method renders a mold transport superfluous. The invention also relates to an apparatus suitable for executing the method, in which the molding plug can be pivoted laterally from its initial position located outside of the press mold about an axis extending transversely to the center axis of the molding plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Poting GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Klaus Pöting
  • Patent number: 6170295
    Abstract: An I.S. glass forming machine has a plurality of individual sections each including a section frame. A deflector adjuster support is secured to and extends vertically upwardly from each of the section frames and a deflector adjuster is mounted on each of the deflector adjuster supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventor: Jarmo Kammonen
  • Patent number: 6038888
    Abstract: A glass gob delivery system for conveying gobs of molten glass from an oscillating gob delivery chute to a blank mold of a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type. The delivery system comprises an elongate trough that extends downwardly from an inlet to an outlet and a deflector with an inlet near the outlet from the trough and an outlet near the blank mold. The trough has a cross-section in the form of an upwardly facing U whose opposed legs extend parallel or substantially parallel to one another, the spacing between the opposed legs tapering gradually from a greater spacing at the inlet to a lesser spacing at the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Robin L. Flynn, Dan M. Hayes, George A. Nickey
  • Patent number: 6032492
    Abstract: An I.S. glass forming machine is disclosed which has a plurality of individual sections each having a parison mold including a cavity having a first vertical axis. There is a trough assembly for each of the mold cavities which includes a deflector defining a second vertical axis. A horizontal beam supported by vertical uprights extends over the individual sections. The horizontal beam has a plurality of vertical openings corresponding to the number of individual sections of the machine which are in substantial alignment with the vertical axis of corresponding parison mold cavities. A corresponding plurality of hangers each defining a third vertical axis. The hangers are secured within the vertical openings with the third vertical axis coincident with the first vertical axis of a corresponding parison mold cavity and the trough assemblies are supported on a corresponding hanger with the third vertical axis of the hanger coincident with the second vertical axis of the supported deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventor: Jarmo Kammonen
  • Patent number: 5961680
    Abstract: A deflector assembly for conveying gobs of molten glass to a glass forming machine, the deflector assembly having a longitudinally extending deflector formed from a suitable metallic material by casting with a cross-sectional configuration of a downwardly facing U. The deflector has a cooling passage formed internally of the metallic material and extending therethrough, the cooling passage being formed along the centerline of the deflector and adjacent to a bight of the U. The deflector assembly further comprises a thin-walled tube inserted into the cooling passage of the deflector, the thin-walled tube extending through the deflector, and a coolant is circulated through the thin-walled tube to thereby cool the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Larry J. Wooldridge
  • Patent number: 5935287
    Abstract: A gob delivery apparatus in which gobs of molten glass are conducted from a gob feeder through a gob delivery system into a mold of an I.S. glassware forming machine. The gob delivery system includes a scoop, a substantially flat slide member and a deflector. The scoop catches the gobs and directs them downwardly at an angle. The slide member is supported fixedly on the machine and includes a downwardly angled upper slide surface for the gobs. An upper end of the deflector receives the gobs directly from a lower end of the slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: The Firm Hermann Heye
    Inventors: Andreas Graefe, Eckhard Moller, Manfred Struckmeier
  • Patent number: 5917106
    Abstract: A gob of molten glass from a gob delivery system is introduced into a blank mold of a glass container forming machine of the individual section type by way loading funnel immediately upstream of an opening into the blank mold. The loading funnel has an upper annular gathering portion in the shape of an inverted frustum of a cone and a cylindrical lower shaping and orienting section. The internal diameter of the shaping and orienting section is somewhat less than the outer diameter of a gob passing therethrough, to thereby contact the gob in a substantially circumferential pattern, and the shaping and orienting section has a length that is sufficient to precisely align the longitudinal central axis of the gob with a longitudinal central axis of the blank mold, to thereby eliminate or substantially eliminate the need to swab the interior of the blank mold with a mold dopant composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Cirincione, J. Michael Worley, Robert S. Wacke, Thomas E. Jablonowski, Arnold R. Miller, Robert J. Greenawalt
  • Patent number: 5895514
    Abstract: A gob distributor for distributing gobs of molten glass from an orifice of a glass melter feeder bowl to a plurality of delivery chutes, each of which leads to a section of a glass forming machine of the individual section type, said gob distributor including an a.c. servo motor with a vertical output shaft, a gob scoop having an inlet end positioned beneath the orifice and an outlet end positioned in alignment with one or the other of the delivery chutes, and a driven member to which the gob scoop is attached for oscillating movement of the gob scoop in an indexing manner. The driven member includes a shaft that is parallel to and spaced from the output shaft, and an endless positive drive, in the form of an endless cogged timing belt or a pair of double-ended metal chain sections joined end-to-end by adjustable length connectors, is provided to transmit torque from the output shaft of the motor and the shaft of the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. DiFrank
  • Patent number: 5888267
    Abstract: A gob distributor has an outlet from which issues a gob that is fed via a channel arrangement to a mold having an upwardly open inlet mouth. The channel arrangement has a central trough having an inlet adjacent and aligned with the distributor outlet and an outlet. This central trough extends downward from its inlet to its outlet. A deflecting trough has a generally straight upstream portion with an upper inlet aligned with the central-trough outlet and a downwardly directed lower outlet centered on a generally vertical axis and an upright downstream portion having a funnel-shaped and downwardly tapering passage also centered on the generally vertical axis and having an upper upstream end aligned with the upstream-portion outlet and a lower downstream end aligned with the mold mouth. An adjuster is connected to a hanger for displacing the downstream portion relative to the upstream portion to align the downstream-portion downstream end exactly with the mold mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: GPS Glasproduktions-Service GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Schumann, Norbert Emrath
  • Patent number: 5846283
    Abstract: Gobs of molten glass fall in succession into a scoop which can be swivelled about a vertical axis and which supplies gobs to a delivery system, for example, of an I.S. glassware forming machine. The gobs travel along a path of movement from the scoop to a trough in free flight and to a deflector which is downwardly curved. The deflector delivers the gobs so that their longitudinal axis lies coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis of a mold which is to be charged. The trough has its upper end supported by means of a universal joint. The lower end of the trough is guided in a vertical chute of the deflector and can be raised and lowered by means of an adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: The Firm Hermann Heye
    Inventors: Manfred Struckmeier, Andreas Graefe, Eckhard Moller
  • Patent number: 5824129
    Abstract: Gobs of molten glass fall in succession into a scoop which can be swivelled about a vertical axis and which supplies gobs to a delivery system, for example, of an I.S. glassware forming machine. The gobs travel along a path of movement from the scoop to a trough, and to a deflector which is downwardly curved. The deflector delivers the gobs so that their longitudinal axis lies coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis of a mold which is to be charged. The lower end of the trough is guided in a vertical chute of the deflector and can be raised and lowered by means of an adjustment device. A setting device having a coupling member permits adjustment of the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: The Firm Hermann Heye
    Inventors: Manfred Struckmeier, Andreas Graefe, Eckhard Moller
  • Patent number: 5746798
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the delivery of multiple gobs to the blank molds of a glass forming machine having multiple cavities or sections, wherein multiple gobs are delivered from a glass feeder to plural scoops that are oscillated to deliver the gobs in multiples to aligned troughs and funnels in a timed sequence. An infrared gob sensor at each exit detects passage of a gob, and a computer controls application of air under pressure to control the velocity of delivery of each gob to the scoops in order to influence gob exit timing at the deflectors that are positioned adjacent the mold cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew B. Menzie
  • Patent number: 5738701
    Abstract: A glass gob production device for producing a glass gob from molten glass. The glass gob production device has a crucible which accommodates molten glass, a nozzle one end of which is connected to the crucible and from the other end of which the molten glass in the crucible is discharged, and a support member opposite to the other end of nozzle and having an indentation on the surface thereof for receiving and retaining the discharged molten glass in the indentation to form a glass gob. The indentation of the support member has a bottom surface and a reference surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the circumference of the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Ikeuchi, Naoko Yamada, Toshiya Tomisaka, Takeshi Yamashita, Futoshi Ishida
  • Patent number: 5728188
    Abstract: A method of accurately circumferentially orienting the output shaft of each of a plurality of oscillating gob distribution device units (S) with respect to one another and with respect to a support device (T) used to support a plurality of gob chutes. A fixture (10) having a slot (22) extending therethrough is secured to the output shaft of each of the drive units and in a fixed circular position relative thereto. The positions of the output shafts are adjusted to bring the slots into alignment with one another by inserting the shank portion (42) of a zeroing bar (40) into the slots of the fixtures, and the position of the support device is circumferentially adjusted to bring a recess therein into a predetermined circular orientation with respect to a step end portion (46) of the zeroing bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald P. Warnecke
  • Patent number: 5683485
    Abstract: A gob distributor for distributing gobs of molten glass from an orifice of a glass melter feeder bowl to a plurality of delivery chutes, each of which leads to a section of a glass forming machine of the individual section type, said gob distributor including an a.c. servo motor with a vertical output shaft, a gob scoop having an inlet end positioned beneath the orifice and an outlet end positioned in alignment with one or the other of the delivery chutes, and a driven member to which the gob scoop is attached for oscillating movement of the gob scoop in an indexing manner. The driven member includes a shaft that is parallel to and spaced from the output shaft, and an endless positive drive, in the form of an endless cogged timing belt or a pair of double-ended metal chain sections joined end-to-end by adjustable length connectors, is provided to transmit torque from the output shaft of the motor and the shaft of the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. DiFrank
  • Patent number: 5637128
    Abstract: A gob distributor for glassware forming machines which include at least one curved distribution scoop mounted on a vertical turning shaft, for each one of the gobs which are simultaneously fed by a feeder. A housing which having at least one gear which turns on its axial axis, together with a central shaft, coupled at the housing and, which is coupled in coincidence with the vertical shaft of each one of the distribution scoops. A rack coupled in coincidence with the gears of each one of the distribution scoops to move said gears with a rotational movement and thus, provide a simultaneous and synchronized turn to each one of the scoops. A rotatory driver member coupled to the rack, in order to permit a forward and backward movement of the rack and thus be able to effect the rotational movement of the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Vidriera Monterrey, S.A.
    Inventors: Gaspar Rodriguez-Wong, Luis Cardenas-Franco, Victor Garcia-Gomez
  • Patent number: 5599370
    Abstract: Gobs of molten glass fall in succession into a scoop which can be swivelled about a vertical axis and which supplies gobs to subsequent multiple delivery systems, for example, of an I.S. glassware forming machine. The gobs travel along a path of movement from the scoop in free flight to a sliding member, from this in free flight to a trough, and from this again in free flight to a deflector which is downwardly curved. The deflector delivers the gobs so that their longitudinal axis lies coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis of a mold which is to be charged. The sliding member is supported to be fixed relative to the machine. The trough has its upper end supported by means of a universal joint on the sliding member. The lower end of the trough is guided in a vertical chute of the deflector and can be raised and lowered by means of an adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: The Firm Hermann Heye
    Inventors: Manfred Struckmeier, Andreas Graefe, Eckhard M oller
  • Patent number: 5573570
    Abstract: A parallel shear apparatus (10) for sequentially shearing each of a plurality of streams of molten glass (A,B,C, D) from a glass feeder into gobs for processing into glass containers by a glass forming machine. The apparatus (10) has first and second opposed carriages (12, 14) which are reciprocable along parallel slides (16, 18, 20) toward and away from one another, each of the carriages carrying one or more opposed knife elements (32a, etc., 34a, etc.), corresponding to the number of streams of molten glass, and the opposed knife elements (32a, 34a, etc.) overlap at the innermost limits of their travel to perform the shearing action. Motion of the carriages (12, 14) is actuated by a unidirectionally acting servo motor (36), which imparts oscillating motion to a bell crank (22) through a connecting rod (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: D. Wayne Leidy, Carl E. Denlinger
  • Patent number: 5549727
    Abstract: A trough assembly for the delivery of gob to mould cavities in a glassware forming machine comprises an upwardly facing trough and a downwardly facing deflector which are supported in the machine by a hanger. The hanger comprises a supporting member which can be fixed in the frame of the machine, a first flexible hanger member extending axially in a bore of the supporting member and a second rigid hanger member fixed to the first flexible member. The trough and the deflector are supported by the second hanger member and small adjustments of their position may be obtained by flexing of the flexible member and movement of the rigid member in the bore of the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Emhart Glass Machinery Investments Inc.
    Inventor: Willi Meyer
  • Patent number: 5511593
    Abstract: A graphite funnel inserted into a metal funnel support sleeve guides hot glass gobs from a furnace to the glass blowing mold. The graphite insert is adjustable by set screws and is easily repositioned. The graphite insert has an outer diameter slightly less than the metal retainer to allow ambient air to pass upwardly past it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: James E. Sweetland
  • Patent number: 5458668
    Abstract: A bottle making machine includes a gob distributing apparatus in which a plurality of molds are arranged in a plurality of rows with equal spaces with each other and a plurality of chutes are arranged at entrance portions of respective molds. The apparatus comprises a plurality of rotation shafts of the numbers corresponding to the numbers of the rows of the molds, a plurality of scoops secured to the respective rotation shafts for distributing gobs to the chutes, respectively, a plurality of servo-motors having output shafts of the numbers corresponding to the numbers of the rotation shafts and a plurality of link mechanisms connecting the output shafts of the servo-motors to the rotation shafts, respectively, to independently drive the rotation shafts by the corresponding servo-motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Toyo Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Shoji
  • Patent number: 5405424
    Abstract: A molten glass gob distributor for a glass container manufacturing system that includes a plurality of gob discharges and a plurality of scoops for receiving gobs from each such discharge and distributing the gobs among a plurality of troughs leading to associated molds in an IS machine. Each scoop is mounted to rotate about a fixed axis with the upper end remaining positioned beneath the associated gob discharge while the lower end swings through an arc adjacent to the associated troughs. A plurality of electric servo motors are individually coupled to each associated scoop for selectively and individually rotating the scoops. The electric motors are connected to servo motor controllers for synchronizing operation of the motors and rotation of the scoops to each other and to operation of the forming machine. The motor controllers synchronize operation of each motor by means of a synchronizing input from the forming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard D. Steffan, D. Wayne Leidy
  • Patent number: 5401288
    Abstract: A deflector plate support includes a support body having an integral frame-like construction and a first end portion and a second end portion each of which are connected to a perpendicularly disposed border that is connected to an inwardly extending wall disposed perpendicular to the border. Each end portion of the support body, each border, and each inwardly extending wall are joined to a base at a common end thereof to thereby define, in association with the support body, a slot for vertically or horizontally receiving, releasably retaining, and orientating the deflector plate such as to expose a front deflection surface or a plurality of front deflection surfaces of the deflection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventors: Larry R. Cockrell, Sr., Ronald D. Jackson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5394910
    Abstract: A graphite funnel inserted into a metal funnel support sleeve guides hot glass gobs from a furnace to the glass blowing mold. The graphite insert is adjustable by set screws and is easily repositioned. The graphite insert has an outer diameter slightly less than the metal retainer to allow ambient air to pass upwardly past it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: James E. Sweetland
  • Patent number: 5298049
    Abstract: A trough system for the delivery of a gob of molten glass from a gob distributor to a parison mould cavity in a glassware forming machine comprises a trough assembly comprising an upwardly facing inclined trough which is arranged to receive a gob from a scoop of the gob distributor and a downwardly facing deflector which deflects a gob which has travelled down the trough into a vertical path to fall into the parison mould cavity. The deflector and the trough are mounted on a hanger which is supported in a frame member of the machine by a universal joint adjustable about three perpendicular axes. Consequently adjustment of the position of the deflector may be made without causing misalignment of the deflector and the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Emhart Glass Machinery Investments Inc.
    Inventor: Willi Meyer
  • Patent number: 5271756
    Abstract: An I.S. machine is made up of a plurality of independent individual sections for receiving gobs of molten glass and for forming the gobs into glass containers. A gob distributor delivers gobs to the sections. The controller of these sections and the gob distributor are synchronized by means for generating a once per cut signal, a divide by N circuit where N is the number of sections which are to have gobs distributed to them, means for defining N, means for applying N to the divide by N circuit, means for supplying the once per cut signal to the divide by N circuit, and means for distributing the output signal of the divide by N circuit to each of the section and gob distributor controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Emhart Glass Machinery Investments Inc.
    Inventors: George T. Peterson, Timothy J. Liska, John W. McDevitt