Abstract: Apparatus for a bottle forming machine; wherein the apparatus comprises i) a tong arm assembly for gripping a formed bottle and for transferring it from a first location to a second location through a swinging action about a shaft, and ii) a drive that drives said swinging action; characterised in that the apparatus further comprises the following: a) a release mechanism that can disengage a tong head assembly from the drive when a collision occurs; and/or b) a tensioning device that automatically maintains tension in a drive belt or chain when the assembly is in use.

Abstract: In a glassware forming machine, a non-handed transfer mechanism, for transferring freshly-formed hot glassware, by swinging through a right angle about a vertical axis, from a dead plate to an adjacent conveyor, comprises a side-by-side parallel pair of rams having pistons on the free ends of which is a pusher plate. A piston stop bar is located centrally of the pistons and is connected to a piston tie plate for arresting the pusher plate and pistons at the end of an extending stroke of the pistons.