Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring the volume and shape of a falling gob of glass. Two cameras are used to make section by section measurements of the horizontal extent of the moving gob. Timing of the measurements is controlled so as to cause measurements to be made at equal increments of the motion of the gob. The measurements are made 90.degree. apart with respect to the gob and are utilized to determine the volume of each section of the gob. The volumes of the individual sections of the gob are then summed to determine the total volume of the gob. An image of the gob is generated on a television screen to aid in the determination of the shape of the gob.

Abstract: This invention relates to the art of coating glassware while the ware is moving through an annealing lehr which is provided with a cooling section near the exit end of the lehr. The cooling section is of the continuous recirculation type providing an arrangement for generally cooling the ware to a relatively even temperature even though the ware is moving through the lehr in multiple rows and columns. The ware is moved through the lehr on a lehr belt which is formed as a webbed belt and constitutes a foraminous conveyor. A lubricious material in the form of a vapor or mist of an organic, non-metallic coating material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, fatty acids and their derivatives is injected into the recirculating cooling air in the cooling section of the lehr to thereby form a durable lubricious coating on the exterior surfaces of the glass article. The articles, at the time they are passed through the cooling section, will be at a temperature between 200.degree. F. and 400.degree. F.

Abstract: Apparatus, as set forth, in which glass containers moving on a horizontal conveyor in an upright attitude are guided into a bottle-engaging pocket, while the pocket is in position at an entrance position. The pocket is one of a series which are connected together in an endless series. An indexing hub supports a plurality of circumferentially spaced rollers about its periphery, with the rollers acting similar to a sprocket. The hub is indexed by a suitable drive. The rollers, in cooperation with the endless series of bottle-engaging pockets, will move containers held in the pockets through a series of positions at which the containers may be gauged or inspected for various defects. A second hub, which is essentially the same as the previously described hub, also has a series of rollers which engage the series of pockets. This second hub is mounted for "idler type" rotation about its vertical axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying a plastic sleeve to a rigid base article, such as a glass bottle. A blank of plastic is wrapped around a mandrel and seamed to form a plastic sleeve. The bottle to which the sleeve is to be applied is preheated and longitudinally aligned over the mandrel. A pressurized fluid is introduced between the plastic sleeve and the mandrel to form a fluid cushion upon which the plastic sleeve can slide without binding or wrinkling. As the pressurized fluid is introduced, a stripper sleeve is actuated to engage the lower edge of the plastic sleeve and block the passage of the pressurized fluid therefrom. Thus, the plastic sleeve is inflated slightly about the mandrel. Then the stripper sleeve is moved upwardly to telescope the plastic sleeve onto the aligned bottle. A gasket is secured to the upper base of the mandrel, upon which the bottle rests during the transfer operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving newly formed glass containers from a cooling dead plate to a moving machine conveyor in which the ware is engaged by a finger, with the finger being generally horizontal and engageable with the container at a point on its sidewall which best suits the moving of the container by a sliding motion. The finger, or fingers in the case of plural containers being simultaneously moved, is moved through an arc approximately 90.degree. with respect to its vertical axis, moving the containers from the dead plate to the conveyor and then the finger is retracted out of contact with the containers on the conveyor. After retraction, the finger-mounting mechanism which takes the form of a generally horizontally disposed cylinder is moved back through 90.degree. to a position opposite the position of a dead plate where the finger is then again moved outward and rotated about the axis of the cylinder mounting. In this fashion the containers are moved onto the conveyor.

Abstract: Glass containers received on a machine conveyor which passes a plurality of forming machine sections and receives the ware from the sections is coordinated in its relationship to the machine sweepouts, such that a gap is provided periodically in the row of ware carried by the machine conveyor. A bottle-transfer device which transfers the ware from the machine conveyor to a cross-conveyor is operated so that it also will maintain the gap that is provided in the line of ware. The ware on the cross-conveyor moves in line across the open-receiving end of the lehr and is pushed from the cross-conveyor onto the moving lehr mat. By providing a gap in the line of ware, the lehr loader pusher bar may be operated more slowly than in the past and to thereby provide a more stable transfer of ware from the cross-conveyor to the lehr.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming glass containers by the blow and blow process in which a parison mold and blow mold are positioned relative to each other, such that parisons can be transferred by an invert arm. The parisons are formed with their necks down in the parison mold from a charge of glass delivered thereto, and vacuum is applied to the neck mold to settle the molten glass in the neck mold about a special neck pin to thereby form the finish portion of the container. The neck pin is pulled and counterblow of the charge into parison form is accomplished and the parison is transferred from the parison mold to the blow mold where it is expanded into final shape. The parison mold is coated with a "solid film lubricant" which provides a surface that has an insulating effect and requires less "swabbing" over its useable life.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system of determining which of a plurality of molds produced a particular container. A concentric ring code is molded into the bottom of each container as it is produced. The containers are then passed by a reading station, where light whose intensity is proportional to the angle of incidence is projected onto the bottom of the container. Readings are taken of the variation of intensity of light reflected to a particular point in order to determine the position of rings on the container. Suitable electronics then decode the ring position to determine the container code, thus allowing identification of the mold which produced each container.

Abstract: A chuck for handling hollow, cylindrical glass articles, such as used in solar energy installations, is disclosed wherein such glass articles generally are in the form of concentrically assembled glass tubing having a coated exterior surface. In the orientation in handling these types of glass articles, a polypropylene, integral chucking mechanism, which is adapted to be inserted within the glass article and actuated after insertion, expands to engage the interior surface of the glass article and maintains the article in a specific, desired, fixed position. The inclusion of a cone member on the chuck supporting structure and a V block guide assist in the proper alignment of the glass article relative to the clamp and its support.

Abstract: Two sections of a multiple section-type of glass forming machine are disclosed in which each section is comprised of a single parison forming station and two blow molding stations with a pair of transfer arms for alternately transferring and reverting the formed parisons from the parison station to the blow molding stations. A take-out means is provided for each blow molding station to move the blown ware to a dead plate. A sweepout device moves the ware from the cooling dead plate to a conveyor. A common conveyor for all of the forming machine sections is provided for conveying the ware away from the sections which are physically arranged as in-line forming machine sections.

Abstract: This invention relates to the art of coating glassware while the ware is moving through an annealing lehr which is provided with a cooling section near the exit end of the lehr. The cooling section is of the continuous recirculation type providing an arrangement for generally cooling the ware to a relatively even temperature even though the ware is moving through the lehr in multiple rows and columns. The ware is moved through the lehr on a lehr belt which is formed as a webbed belt and constitutes a foraminous conveyor. A lubricious material in the form of a vapor or mist of an organic, nonmetallic coating material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, fatty acids and their derivatives is injected into the recirculating cooling air in the cooling section of the lehr to thereby form a durable lubricious coating on the exterior surfaces of the glass article. The articles, at the time they are passed through the cooling section, will be at a temperature between 200.degree. F. and 400.degree. F.

Abstract: The cooling of glass forming molds is accomplished by providing a plurality of radially spaced passages either in the mold itself or in a mold holder in good heat transfer relationship to a mold insert. The passages extend vertically and may either be completely through the mold or may extend substantially to the lower end of the mold. These passages are radially insulated by the compaction of a particulate material such as 316-L Stainless Steel Compacting Powder, with the compressed material being carefully packed within the passage and in surrounding relationship to a coaxially positioned metal tube. The metal tube provides access for the circulation of a liquid coolant. The thickness of the particular material, its degree of compression and its composition and the relative position thereof with respect to cavities of the glass forming mold, will determine the heat flow characteristics of the mold and/or mold holder.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming glass containers by the blow and blow process in which a parison mold having a plurality of cavities is centrally positioned relative to a pair of blow molds having a plurality of cavities. The parisons are formed with their necks down in the parison mold from a charge of glass delivered to each cavity. Vacuum is applied to the neck area of the mold to form the finish portion of the container. A neck pin is pulled and air under pressure is fed to the interior of the area from which the neck pin is drawn to expand the glass within the parison mold at a continuous rate until the glass within the parison mold comes in contact with a baffle which closes the upper end of the parison mold. The parison mold is then opened and the parisons are transferred alternately from the parison mold to the blow molds where they are expanded into final shape.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling a plurality of glass containers moving on a conveyor at spaced intervals to a coating application area where three containers as a group are simultaneously grasped about their side wall and retracted laterally from the surface of the conveyor. This group of containers is then moved through a 90.degree. arc such that the containers exhibit horizontal axes one above the other. After the articles are turned to the horizontal, they are moved into position between three heel and neck-engaging chucks carried by an indexible turret. The bottles are released to the chucks which are cam actuated in timed relationship with respect to the grasping means so that the grasping means will release the containers or bottles to the chucks. With the chucks holding the bottles in horizontal position, the turret rotates about a horizontal axis parallel to the axes of the bottles through an arc of 90.degree. and presents the chucks in a horizontal line at the bottom of the turret.

Abstract: Indexing mechanism for multiple station glassware inspection machines in which a plurality of pocketed starwheels are used. One set of pockets are formed with container encircling or restraining members which open and close in response to the contour of a box cam. The encircling members loosely retain containers so that they may be rotated about their vertical axes while held in a specific location. The finish of the containers is guided by an upper starwheel having pockets of a size commensurate with the size of the finish of the container. The containers to be inspected are brought into the starwheel with the encircling members opened. Upon closing of the encircling members, containers may be indexed through a series of positions where they may be inspected for various defects.

Abstract: In apparatus for molding glass into hollow-shaped articles such as glass containers, glass charges are delivered to a parison mold wherein the glass is shaped either by a plunger or by a counterblow within the parison mold. The charge of glass that is delivered to the parison mold is guided into the mold by a superimposed funnel. The funnel is alternately moved into and out of position at the open, upper end of the parison mold to effect the guiding of the charge. The mechanism for moving the funnel on a conventional I.S. machine must be capable of moving the funnel from an upper, radially displaced position, to a lower, seated position concentric with the mold. The operation of the funnel seating motion is accomplished by the use of a generally reciprocable, fluid-operated motor in which a funnel-carrying arm is fixed to the piston rod of the motor and the rod is turned about its vertical axis during its upward and downward movement.

Abstract: A compact valve block for an IS glass forming machine in which a plurality of vertically positioned poppet valves which are in two rows and in staggered array, are controlled by solenoid operated pilot valves of equal number to the poppet valves. An air manifold communicates with all of the poppet valves and the air is selectively delivered to the "kiss block" of an IS machine to provide the functional operation of various mechanisms on the machine. The deenergization of the solenoid operated pilot valve associated with any of the poppet valves permits the poppet valve to return under spring pressure to connect its output passage to an exhaust passage. All the exhaust passages on all of the poppet valves enter a common header which in turn communicates with an exhaust chamber, thus muffling the sound of air normally associated with the exhaust of the pneumatic motors of an IS machine.

Abstract: In the operation of a contact-type probe for sensing the level of glass in a tank or furnace, an arrangement is provided which will move the probe into contact with this molten glass at a relatively slow rate. After contact with the glass, the probe is quickly withdrawn from contact with the molten glass, the quick withdrawal being provided in the two embodiments. The first, by exhausting air from a diaphragm motor used to advance the probe and in the other embodiment electrically retracting the probe by the use of a solenoid.

Abstract: Bottle supporting and masking apparatus wherein the container or article to be coated electrostatically is carried in an inverted up-right position through an electrostatically charged particle spray zone, with the container supported by a non-conductive neck or finish masking chuck. The container is heated to render its surface conductive and four embodiments of supports are disclosed, each of which will provide a grounding of the container.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein is designed to advance a row of aligned, on edge, sheets of corrugated, which are destined to become partitions, past a table-mounted notching saw. The apparatus is particularly suited to be used at the end of the run to advance all of the remaining corrugated sheets through the notching saw without manual assistance. A horizontally positioned, reciprocable slide member having pairs of pivotally mounted latches which serve to engage the last sheet and, upon actuation of the slide, draws the sheet and column of sheets in front thereof through the saw. One set of latches, upon reciprocation of the slide, moves the sheets to the saw or notching zone and upon further reciprocation the second set of latches will engage the sheets and draw them completely past the notching zone and free of the saw.