Abstract: Apparatus for transferring articles such as glass containers from a first conveyor, on which the containers are travelling generally horizontally in line one after another, on to a second conveyor extending generally at right angles to the first conveyor from one side of the first conveyor. The apparatus is operable in cycles to transfer on each cycle a group of articles from the first to the second conveyor with the articles in the group extending in a row transversely of the second conveyor. The apparatus includes a support, a first carriage on the support movable generally parallel to the second conveyor, a second carriage on the first carriage movable with respect to the first carriage generally parallel to the first conveyor, and a third carriage on the second carriage movable vertically with respect to the first and second carriages. The third carriage carries a pusher bar.

Abstract: A cooling system for a glassware forming machine in which air is delivered to each of two plenums for upward flow of air through vertical passages in mold members on the plenums from an air outlet on the base of the machine via an air duct. The inlet end of each duct is mounted for pivoting and universal lateral sliding movement over an area in communication with the air outlet on the base, and the outlet end of the duct is mounted for pivoting movement in an opening in the respective plenum.

Abstract: A conduit for conducting molten glass in a glass making operation comprising an elongate superstructure, an elongate carriage, a plurality of refractory blocks assembled on the carriage to form a channel for conducting molten glass, and a plurality of rollers for supporting the carriage in the superstructure and allowing the carriage to be slid out of the superstructure for servicing. The conduit further comprises clamping members extending along the sides of the conduit roof, and support members on the superstructure which can be operated transversely inwardly to cause the clamping member to engage and support the roof so that the carriage can be removed from the superstructure independently of the roof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a glassware forming machine of the type comprising a pair of carriers each pivoted on a first generally vertical axis for swinging movement toward and away from each other between an open position and a closed position, and a set of at least three mold members carried by each carrier, each mold member on each carrier being related to a mold member on the other carrier so that, with the carriers in their closed position, each mold member on one carrier mates with a mold member on the other carrier to define a mold cavity for molding an item of glass. The improvement involves a holding assembly on each carrier for holding a respective set of mold members.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine having swinging arms carrying mold members with passages extending upwardly therethrough for flow of air for cooling said members, and first and second conduit members for delivery of air to a plenum associated with each arm, the first being oscillable on a fixed vertical axis and the second being slidably and sealably associated with the first and pivotally interconnected with a respective plenum.

Abstract: A molded plastic carrier for six bottles arranged in two side-by-side rows of three each (a "six-pack"), the carrier having a handle portion, three bottle grippers in a row on each side of the handle portion, and a loop for encircling the six bottles supported by struts below the level of the handle portion and grippers, the struts being specially positioned relative to the grippers for automatically centering the carrier on a cluster of six bottles in the initial stage of application of the carrier to the cluster by apparatus for automatically applying the carriers to the six-bottle clusters, to avoid breakage of carriers by the instrumentality of the apparatus which pushes them down on the bottles.

Abstract: A bottle carrier having in an array on its upper side a plurality of bottle seats for receiving the bottoms of upright bottles held in a similar carrier thereabove. A set of bottle grippers is supported and centered relative to each seat by bottle gripper supports beneath the seat. Each set of bottle grippers releasably grips the neck of a bottle at the lower end of its finish, and is adapted for hanging the bottle by its finish with the upper end of the bottle below the seat and for supporting the carrier on the neck of the bottle. A set of bottles gripped by a carrier may be stacked on another set of bottles gripped by a carrier with the bottles of the upper set seated in the lower carrier's seats. For compact stacking of empty carriers, the bottle gripper supports are tapered to be received within central openings in the bottle seats.

Abstract: A method for imparting increased mechanical strength to a glass object having imperfections in a surface thereof. The glass object is heated to a temperature above the strain point of the glass. A laser beam is generated having a wavelength absorbable by the glass and impinged on all portions of the surface containing the imperfections. The power density at which the beam is impinged is sufficient to rapidly heat a surface stratum of the glass to establish a thermal gradient therein whereby the viscosity at a depth from the surface sufficient to encompass the imperfections is low enough that the stress induced by the surface tension of the glass at the sites of the imperfections is sufficient to cause flow of glass and effect a reforming of the glass surface at said sites.

Abstract: A process for strengthening a glass object by chemical reaction at the glass surface of the object between the glass and a chemical strengthening agent reactive with the glass to alter its composition and thereby either directly generate compressive stress therein or reduce the thermal expansion coefficient thereof. The object is kinetically contacted with the chemical strengthening agent in a bed comprising gas-fluidized particulate solid material under conditions of temperature and active fluidization such that the reaction proceeds but the formation of either stress-concentrating surface defects or an adherent coating of solid material on the surface of the object is substantially avoided. The object is maintained in the bed for a time sufficient for the reaction to alter the composition of a marginal stratum of the object adjacent the surface. The object is thereafter cooled, producing an object of increased strength and toughness having the marginal stratum under compressive stress.

Abstract: A container having a high mechanical service strength and shatter resistance comprises a glass container body and an overlying containment coating constituted by a plastic film. The mechanical properties of the film are such that, when subjected to tensile testing at a film extension rate of 10 in./min., the film exhibits a tensile strength of at least about 300 lbs./sq. in., an elongation of at least about 80%, and a modulus of elasticity in tension of not more than about 1,000 lbs./sq. in. throughout the course of the extension of the film.

Abstract: A glass bottle having a body and a neck with a peripheral shoulder at the upper end of the body, and a paper jacket covering the bottle extending from above the shoulder at least to the heel of the bottle (where the wall of the body of the bottle merges with the bottom of the bottle) and covering the shoulder and body down to the heel to protect the bottle from weakening abrasion and scratches, and to contain fragments of the bottle in the event the bottle breaks. The jacket is constituted of waterproof paper, and may be secured in place on the bottle without any adhesive by shrinking. It may also be applied by means of an adhesive which is water-insoluble so that the bottle may be washed. In either case, the jacket may be preformed to such shape that it may be dropped on a bottle.

Abstract: A containment coating for glass containers. The composition includes a principal film-forming constituent comprising an acrylate latex containing a particulate resin comprising a copolymer of acrylonitrile and ethyl acrylate. The coating also contains at least one additional latex whose presence enhances the containment properties of the film after curing. Two such auxiliary latexes exhibit this capability and the coating composition contains either or both of them. One of these is a vinyl latex whose resin solids comprise a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. The other is a vinyl/acrylic latex whose resin solids comprise a copolymer of vinyl acetate and a lower alkyl acrylate. Hexamethoxymethylmelamine or a methylated urea-formaldehyde resin is included as a cross-linking agent and either polyacrylamide or a high molecular weight water-soluble polyethylene oxide resin is present as a thickener and a thixotrope.