Abstract: The positions of movable side portions (12,14) of a mould are monitored to determine whether the side portions reach their mould-closed condition. Ultrasonic radiation is transmitted from a first source (22) so that it is reflected by a first of the mould portions (12) to a first detector. Ultrasonic radiation is also transmitted from a second source (24) so that it is transmitted from the second mould portion (14) to a second detector. A signal is produced which is indicative of the time taken by the radiation to travel from the first source to the first detector plus the time taken by the radiation to travel from the second source to the second detector and the signal is compared with a standard representing the expected time for the radiation travel when the side portions are in their closed condition.

Abstract: Gobs of molten glass are sensed as they pass along a path (12) which leads to a mold arrangement (10) of a glassware forming machine. Ultrasonic radiation is transmitted towards a point on the path so that the radiation is reflected by the gob to a detector (30). One or more parameters of the radiation detected are compared with an equal number of expected parameters for the radiation and a signal indicating the presence of a gob is produced if the or each parameter is consistent with its equivalent expected parameter.

Abstract: In a cyclic process of forming glassware in an individual section glassware forming machine, the formation of parisons in the shaping of articles of glassware during each cycle of the process is monitored and information derived from said monitoring is utilized to permit continued operation of the cyclic process in the absence of any undesired condition indicated by the monitoring and to inhibit either further parison-forming actions at the blank station (A) of the machine in consequence of the recognition of an undesired condition relating to parison formation or further article-shaping actions at the shaping station (C) in consequence of the recognition of an undesired condition relating to the shaping of the articles of glassware.

Abstract: The method is for monitoring the movement of a member which is moved along a path which has a vertical component and an arcuate component about a vertical axis. The movement is brought about by a piston movable in a cylinder and having a piston rod projecting therefrom on which the member is mounted. A cam which engages a cam track is mounted on the piston rod or a further piston rod of the piston and acts to cause the arcuate movement. The method comprises mounting a proximity detector on the cam track to sense the piston rod, connecting the proximity detector to a contactless connector so that signals are passed from the mechanism to a transmitter of the connector mounted on the machine frame, and comparing signals received by the transmitter with signals indicating the stage reached in the cycle of operation.

Abstract: An inspection device is disclosed for inspecting glass containers for leaners and chokes as they are moved continuously past a single work station. The invention utilizes a video camera and processing circuits for determining the size of the opening of the finish of each container as well as the extent of its lean relative to predetermined acceptable limits. Containers having excessive lean or choke are rejected.

Abstract: A blow head which defines an upper portion of a mould cavity in which glass parisons are blown to the shape of mould cavity is moved into and out of operative position by a combination of horizontal and vertical movement. The vertical movement is brought about by a first piston and cylinder assembly (24, 26) and a second piston and cylinder assembly (38, 40) is operable, as the blow head approaches the parison, to oppose the action of the first piston and cylinder assembly (24, 26) thereby cushioning any impact between the blow head (4) and the parison.

Abstract: A four axis adjustment mechanism is disclosed for adjusting the orientation of the deflector of the delivery system of a rotating table type of glassware forming machine. The orientation of the deflector is adjustable as it oscillates along a predetermined arcuate path relative to its deflector axis in order to properly position the deflector over a corresponding continuously moving blank mold. These adjustments are termed radial, radial tilt, peripheral and peripheral tilt.

Abstract: A conveyor cam adjusting apparatus permitting adjustment of the radial position of each cam on a drive shaft while it is rotating. A plurality of individual electric motors are mounted for rotation about a common drive shaft each motor being associated with a single cam. Each motor is provided with a means for manually selectively connecting it to a control means in order to enable an operator to rotate the associated cam relative to the common drive shaft while the shaft is rotating. A sensing means may be used to detect the position of each cam relative to a predetermined reference position and the output of the sensing means may be used by a computer control means to automatically selectively activate each motor to adjust the associated cam accordingly.

Abstract: An actuator for use in or with a glassware forming machine for pneumatically driving a member through a predetermined path, such member being, in one embodiment, a pusher cylinder for moving one or more glassware articles through a predetermined arcuate path. The velocity of the actuator is controlled according to a predetermined velocity profile and is effected by an electromechanical control means which controls the linear velocity of the piston of a pneumatic cylinder in one direction of motion.

Abstract: In the mould arrangement, an electrical temperature sensing device (TC1, TC2, TC3) is mounted on a mould portion (30; 70) and sends signals to control means of the arrangement. The control means is operable to read the signal from the sensing device (TC1, TC2, TC3) at a particular point in the cycle of operation of the machine, selected to occur when the mould portion (30; 70) is stationary, and to control a portion of the operation of the machine, e.g. the operation of the mould cooling means thereof, in accordance with a value of the signal.

Abstract: A glass feeder plunger operating mechanism driven by an electric motor controlled by a programmable computer programmed to drive the motor in a predetermined manner in order to generate a predetermined motion profile of one or more glass feeder plungers. The plungers are secured to the end of a cantilevered lateral support bracket which is cyclically and vertically reciprocated by cyclical oscillations of the electric motor. The output shaft of the motor is connected to a ball screw in threaded engagement with a ball nut which is secured to a member connected to the plunger support bracket. The plunger support bracket is attached to a moveable vertical support shaft which maintains plunger alignment during the range of motion. The operating mechanism is attached to a frame which is adjustable in two dimensions to facilitate alignment of the plungers with their respective orifices. Air cylinders are provided to counter-balance the weight of the members being vertically reciprocated.

Abstract: The feeder mechanism comprises apparatus for shearing gobs from plastic material e.g. glass comprising a set of shear blades movable between open and shearing positions thereof. A driving system for the shear blades comprises a cam having a cam track and a servo-motor arranged to drive the cam at a speed which is varied in accordance with control signals derived from a stored program to move the shear blades in accordance with a desired position against time curve between limits defined by the shape of the cam track.

Abstract: A computer controlled apparatus for periodically calibrating the electrical outputs of pressure transducers to compensate for circuit-induced errors and produce accurate outputs in real time. Reference signals are periodically input into various circuit elements to determine resultant outputs. The relationship thus determined between these known inputs and corresponding outputs is used to correct the output of the circuit elements during operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for compensating for thermal expansion and contraction causing structural part size variations of machine components. The apparatus senses the displacement and temperature of various components of a machine which are designed to move relative to each other along one axis and adjusts this motion in predetermined manner depending upon the sensed displacement and temperature. A programmed control system is responsive to the sensed temperature and converts various sensor outputs to the necessary correction signals for application to the motor causing the relative motion.

Abstract: A member which acts to close an upwardly-facing opening of a mould cavity e.g. a baffle or a blowhead, carries a portion of a temperature detecting device which is operable to detect the temperature of at least one of the side mould portions of the mould. When the member is in its operative position in which it closes the opening of the mould cavity, the temperature of the mould portion is detected.

Abstract: The take-out mechanism comprises a tong carrier (2) movable in an arcuate path between a position at which tongs (4) carried by the carrier can grip an article and a second position at which the tongs release the article on to a dead plate of the machine. A piston and cylinder assembly (58, 60) provides cushioning means operable to oppose the movement of the carrier (2) as it approaches its second position to thereby reduce any impact between the articles and the dead plate.

Abstract: A method of cooling a blank mould which is used for making a parison in a glass container forming machine. The mould is provided with air passages which communicate with air passages in a baffle of the mould when the baffle is in position on the mould and air is blown through the passages in the baffle into the passages in the mould to cool the mould. The method may be used whether the parison is formed by blowing or by pressing. A baffle for use in the method is also claimed.

Abstract: Immunoassay detection of bacterial diseases, bacteria, and microorganisms using a deionized water collection medium. The preferred enzyme immunoassay is of particular use in clinical or home testing application for detection of bacteria such as gonococcus, antigens derived from such bacteria, and antibodies against the bacteria. A colorimetric detection technique may be employed using chromogenic solutions containing tetramethylbenzidine or water soluble derivatives of tetramethylbenzidine.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an optical arrangement which displays longitudinal extending short or long elements of a marking in time sequence on a reading surface. The surface is divided into more than three consecutive sectors and a pulse signal indicating an element of any length is produced if an element is displayed on at least one sector. A code signal indicating a long element is produced if an element is displayed simultaneously on at least two sectors which are separated from each other by at least one other sector.

Abstract: During the manufacture of moulded articles, the temperature of the mould is detected and this information is used to control the operation of mould heating or cooling means. The temperature is detected by forming a passage in a mould portion which extends to an external surface, inserting an infra-red radiation transmitting device into the passage, and mounting an infra-red radiation detecting device so that it can receive radiation transmitted by the transmitting device when the mould portion is stationary.