Abstract: A selective bar code reader distinguishes code data from other data obtained from a carrier before reading the data. The selective bar code reader comprises a scanner for generating electrical signals having a first portion representing the code and a second portion representing other regions on the carrier, a processor for generating an electrical waveform having a first portion corresponding to the first portion of the electrical signals and having a fundamental frequency corresponding to the spacing between the bar code elements and a second portion corresponding to the second portion of the electrical signals and not having a fundamental frequency corresponding to the spacing between the elements of the bar code. The electrical waveform is passed through a band pass filter centered at the fundamental frequency to attentuate the second portion of the electrical waveform and thereby to identify the first portion of the electrical waveform and the bar code data.

Abstract: The movable side portions of a mould of a cyclicly operating glassware forming machine have cooling passages passing upwardly therein from an entrance in a bottom surface of the side portion. A plenum chamber is formed beneath the side portions and has upwardly opening exits which communicate with the entrances of the cooling passages when the side portions are stationary in either an open or a closed position thereof so that cooling air can pass into the cooling passages. In this way, each cooling passage can be supplied with air at substantially the same pressure and low pressure air can be used.

Abstract: An improved electronic control system for glassware forming apparatus having a hierarchy of machine level supervisory controllers (including a machine controller and an operator communications controller), section controllers, and individual mechanism controllers. The mechanism controllers may be dedicated to the control of a variety of functions admitting of automated control, such as servo-control of electrical motors, sequencing of solenoid valves, generating alarm signals, etc. The mechanism controllers include separate control programs designed for their associated forming mechanisms, and are subject to on-off timing control in real time from the section level controllers. In general, the machine controller and operator I/O controller handle set-up, operator modifications during operation, and other "non-real-time" interactions with the mechanism controllers; the machine controller also coordinates the operation of a plurality of mechanism controllers in accordance with machine-level parameters.

Abstract: A forehearth for molten glass having at least one cooling zone which includes a trough and a roof over the trough. A pair of spaced projections extending downwardly from the roof to define a central channel over the molten glass and side channels over the respective side portions of the molten glass. The roof has an area of reduced thickness in the portion over the central channel. An enclosed upper cooling channel extends longitudinally over the area of reduced thickness and has an inlet and an outlet spaced from the inlet, and heating means are provided for each side portion of the forehearth.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for inspecting transparent articles such as glassware for various types of defects, while conveying the articles past an optical inspection assembly. An article to be inspected is transported through an inspection station where it may undergo rotational and translational motion while being illuminated during an inspection interval. The inspection apparatus includes a video camera which provides output signals representative of the luminance of image elements, and video processing circuitry to derive line sum signals representative of the aggregate luminance of preselected scan lines. The line sum signals are further processed to discriminate streaks of brighter-than-normal or darker-than-normal pixels in a series of image frames. The user may establish window parameters to define an area of the article to be scanned for defects.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optical inspection of transparent layers such as the wall of glass and plastic containers, using bifurcated fiber optic probes. One or more of such fiber optic probes are directed at the wall of a transparent container, and light emitted thereby is selectively reflected from both the inner and outer surfaces of the container wall. Each probe includes a pair of bifurcated fiber optic bundles which are disposed at different distances behind a 1:1 lens system, resulting in two focal points at different distances from the fiber optic probe. Relative motion of the inner and outer wall surfaces between these focal points results in measurable variations of the probe output signals, which variations may be interpreted to track wall thickness and concentricity. An alternative detection scheme uses a probe with a single bifurcated bundle, and reciprocates such probe relative to the container wall while measuring the separation of null points of the output signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting "birdswing" flaws in glass containers. A container is illuminated using a beam of light introduced at its base. The column of light passes up through the container along its inner sidewall until it impinges upon a birdswing or like defect at the inner wall, which will cause light rays to be reflected through the outer wall. The light rays advantageously illuminate a zone at the base of the bottle which does not extend beyond the outer side wall, and are evenly distributed over a defined range of incident angles. Light reflected through the outer sidewall is detected as a bright spot by a suitable photodetector array, which monitors the entire container sidewall. This inspection technique effectively eliminates undesired indications of defects within the container wall, as well as of patterns embossed on the outer surface.

Abstract: A plunger mechanism for use in forming a gob of molten glass into a parison comprises a cylinder (30), a piston (32) movable in the cylinder upon the introduction of hydraulic fluid, a piston rod (34), means (40) for mounting a plunger on the piston rod, a servo-mechanism (58) to control the flow of fluid, a position or velocity feedback device (60), and control means (70) responsive to the feedback device operable to control the servo-mechanism so that the plunger moves with a predetermined position against time curve.

Abstract: A container orienting apparatus suitable for flasks and other non-cylindrical containers comprising a pair of continuously moving counter-rotating parallel belts for engaging opposite sides of the finish and/or neck of each container and for rotating each container a predetermined amount by changing the relative speeds of the belts for a predetermined time period. The amount of rotation necessary to rotate each container to a common second orientation is determined by a programmable controller responsive to orientation sensors which determine which one of a number of discrete first orientations each container is in prior to engagement by the belts. The controller contains in memory a plurality of predetermined instruction sets corresponding to the various possible container orientations and the amount of rotation which is required to achieve a predetermined common second orientation.

Abstract: The gob distributor is for a glassware manufacturing machine of the individual section type. A gob-delivering scoop (30) is turned about a vertical axis to align it with gob-delivering guides (51 to 58) so that gobs of molten glass can be delivered to the sections of the machine in a predetermined sequence. The scoop (30) is turned by a fluid pressure-operated motor (80,82). The motor is controlled by a servo-system (100) which operates a valve (90) which controls the supply of fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure-operated motor.

Abstract: The inspection apparatus comprises scanning means and processing means operative to produce a lean signal which indicates how much an article moving on a conveyor leans from the vertical. Comparing means is operative to compare the lean signal with a first preselected standard and a second preselected standard which is lower than the first preselected standard. If the first standard is exceeded, the article is rejected by first rejecting means and, if the second standard is exceeded the article may be rejected by second rejecting means downstream of the first after further information has been obtained about the article from inspection devices, or the second standard may be used to provide an indication of a trend towards leaning.

Abstract: A control system for the control of a multisection glassware forming machine in a manner which enables totally independent operation of any section regardless of the status of remaining sections. The control program for each section is stored in unalterable, read-only memory within a local computer associated respectively with each section. Each local computer is provided with at least two communication ports. A local terminal may be selectively connected to any local computer via one of the communication ports to enter and display timing setting data. A machine terminal or machine supervisory computer may be selectively connected to any local computer through the other one of the ports. A bidirectional communications interface enables data transfer between the selected local computers and selected data input/output devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for acquiring data from automated ware identification and reject devices in a glassware production line, and for producing operator-formatted reports on ware production and losses. Production data is obtained from a swab ware reject system, which is synchronized with machine section operation, and from a down and stuck ware inspection assembly. These reject assemblies both rely upon a light source-sensor to monitor the procession of containers on a hot end conveyor. A single production monitor can compile data from a plurality of production shops, and produce hardcopy production reports automatically or on command. The production monitor logs data in a plurality of counting memory registers, which are addressed by production category, real time interval, and source mold cavity. The user specifies report formats and data compilation parameters over an input/output device such as a CRT terminal.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a reading surface which is formed by a plurality of photo-diodes. Each photo-diode is connected to an input of an AND-gate. The AND-gates each have another input which receives pulses from a scanner which distributes pulses to the inputs of the AND-gates in turn. The AND-gates are actuated in turn and, if the associated photo-diode is illuminated by the image of a marking element passes a signal to a counter. A decoder connected to the counter produces a signal indicating how many of the photo-diodes are illuminated and, thus, the length of the marking element.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a furnace, a forehearth channel (10) through which molten glass flows to a feeder (14, 16) which forms gobs (12) of molten glass, a gob distributor (24) which distributes the gobs to the sections (30) of a glassware forming machine of the individual section type (26) and control means (50) operable to determine operating parameters for the apparatus to allow a particular article to be manufactured. The parameters including the number of sections (30) which are to receive gobs and the speed at which those sections are to be operated, the parameters being determined from the available melting capacity of the furnace, the weight of the particular article and the speed at which it can be formed.

Abstract: A gear cutter assembly incorporating a toothed flexible disk which acts as the cutting element, mounted between a cutter back and a disk retainer. The cutter back includes a convex, conical mounting face, and the disk retainer has a complementary mounting surface, so that the disk is clamped between these surface and deflected to create a negative rake angle. The disk is formed with teeth which protrude beyond the cutter back and retainer, and it has a constant cross-section throughout its width. When the cutting edges of the disk teeth become dull, the disk may be inverted and reused due to its untapered profile; after such reuse, the disk is discarded. The cutter disk is easily fabricated in groups, and enjoys economical, high performance operation.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a forehearth, said forehearth for thermally conditioning molten glass to be fed to a glassware forming machine, and being divided into a plurality of zones. Each of the forehearth zones is provided with devices for monitoring the temperature of molten glass within the zone, and apparatus for selectively heating the glass. A microprocessor-based time sharing system controls the temperature of the plurality of zones, using adaptive control loops. Each zone is assigned a time period for monitoring temperature and taking appropriate corrective action. Temperature adjustments may be made independently zone-by-zone, or in cooperation, and other physical parameters may be taken into account such as glass viscosity or combustion pressure. Certain time-sharing periods may be associated with monitoring and displaying functions only.

Abstract: In the closing action of the mould, pulses are produced which represent the movement of a mould portion in the closing action. The number of pulses produced between a fixed position and the mould closed position is counted and compared with the greatest number of pulses previously counted for the corresponding movement. If the two numbers differ by a predetermined number, a stop signal is produced which presents further closing actions of the mould.

Abstract: A decorative laminate and method of transferring designs onto articles. The laminate is formed of a transfer substrate affixed to a support member. The transfer substrate is composed of a protective layer, an ink layer, and a nonwax-based adhesive/release layer. The adhesive/release layer is in direct contact with the support member and use of a wax layer intermediate the adhesive/release layer and the support is excluded. Optionally, a barrier layer is provided between the adhesive/release layer and the ink layer. In many applications the protective coating layer may be omitted. The laminate is applied to an article using a heated silicone rubber transfer pad to which the transfer substrate adheres during the transfer process.

Abstract: A push button-actuated digital regulator circuit for use with inverter drives for use with inverter drives for A.C. motors of glassware manufacturing apparatus. The digital regulator responds to an operator is pushing UP and DOWN push buttons to increase or decrease the frequency of an oscillator output signal to the inverter. Maximum and minimum frequency limitations are preset at the oscillator and inhibit the operator command signal in the event a commanded increase or decrease would exceed one of the limits. A counter array provides adjustable frequency outputs to the inverter in binary-coded decimal. In a first embodiment, the circuit responds to continuous depression of one of the buttons by adjusting the output frequency at a rate established by an on-board oscillator. Alternatively, adjustment of the output over a plurality of frequency counts may require repeated pressing of the appropriate push button.