Abstract: A system for inspecting and sorting molded containers, such as glass bottles that includes a finished product inspection station for inspecting containers transported in sequence along a predetermined path, identifying containers to be sorted from the path on the basis of container mold of origin, and providing an electrical signal indicative of such containers. A conveyor is disposed adjacent to the container path downstream of the finished product inspection station, and is responsive to an electronic control signal for selectively removing a container from the path as the container passes adjacent to the conveyor. A timer receives the electrical signal from the inspection station, and applies the electronic control signal to the conveyor after a time delay coordinated with distance between the inspection station and the conveyor, and velocity of travel of containers along the path between the inspection station and the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting vertical checks in the finish of a translucent container that includes a light source for directing light energy onto the container finish from externally of the container finish laterally of the container axis over an angular portion less than the entire circumference of the container finish. An area array camera is positioned externally of the container at an angle to the container axis so as to receive an image of the illuminated portion of the container finish. The camera is oriented with respect to the light source such that a vertical check in the container finish reflects light energy from the source to the camera to create a bright a image of the check against a normally dark background. Vertical checks in the container finish are detected as a function of such reflected light energy.

Abstract: An orifice ring insert formed of a heat resistant metal such as 50-50 nickel-chrome alloy is dropped into position within the orifice opening in the ceramic orifice ring. The ring is counterbored to receive the flange of the ring with sufficient clearance to permit expansion. A lock nut is threaded to the lower end of the insert. The lock nut has a slope to its upper surface that contacts the bottom of the ceramic orifice ring. This slope takes into consideration the relative thermal expansion rates of the metal insert and ceramic orifice member. The nut stays tight during operation but does not crack the ceramic.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the sealing surface of a container finish that includes a light source positioned to direct light energy onto the container sealing surface as the container is held in stationary position and rotated about its central axis. A camera that includes an array of light sensitive elements is positioned and oriented with respect to the container axis of rotation to receive light energy reflected by the sealing surface, with the camera having an effective field of view limited to an angular portion less than the entire circumference of the container sealing surface. The camera array is scanned at increments of container rotation to develop information indicative of intensity of light at each array element as a function of such increments, and commercial variations in the container sealing surface are detected as a function of such information.

Abstract: Apparatus in the form of a vacuum bar for picking up a full row of newly formed glass containers from a moving conveyor on which the containers are sitting and transferring the containers onto a moving lehr mat. The container engaging system is formed of a pair of heat resistant, air impervious curtains that are supported in opposing relationship and are mounted to be movable toward and away from each other by the introduction of a vacuum to the area therebetween, from above, while they are positioned on each side of the row of containers, to cause the curtains to engage and grip the entire row of containers. The bar is moved with the containers to a position above the lehr mat and released thereto when the vacuum is interrupted, the bar elevated to clear the curtains from the containers, retracted into position above the cross conveyor and next full row of containers forming thereon preparatory to being picked by the vacuum actuated bar and curtains.

Abstract: An oven for preheating glass containers in which the containers are moved through the oven on a conveyor with the conveyor moving at a linear speed that is in excess of the permitted speed of the container movement. This permits the containers to produce a "gear effect" rotation of the containers that are guided on the conveyor by side rails that are spaced apart a distance greater than the container diameter. A source of heated air is directed against the shoulder of the container by an adjustable nozzle and another nozzle is directed against the heel so that these areas of the container will be preheated so that the shrinking of a plastic label about the container will be uniform.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of applying wrap-around labels to bottles or containers where the label is formed into a complete sleeve with a heat-sealed seam on the container as the containers are moved in a linear path on a conveyor. The bottles and conveyor pass between a continuously moving set of retractable, electrical heat-seal bars and vacuum label handling heads. The vacuum heads receive individual labels from a strip supply of labels and carry the labels into position opposite a bottle on the conveyor. The label is folded about the bottle and the opposed heat-seal bar is advanced into contact with the overlapped edges of the label and held there for a time sufficient to complete the full height heat seal of the label. The heat bar is contoured to the same shape as the external profile of the container over the label height.

Abstract: A solid film lubricant composition for hot glass contacting surfaces of glass handling equipment and metal molds used in manufacturing glass articles. The solid film lubricant composition is a solution of a solvent, graphite, a solvent-soluble, further curable organopolysiloxane, and NaOH to make the solution alkaline. The solution is easily sprayed on hot glass contacting surfaces such as the interior of the molds to form a coating that is curable at room temperature.

Abstract: An alloy having the following composition limits by weight:Chromium 13-15%, silicon 3.4-4.2%, boron 1.7-2.3% and the balance nickel, is cast in a mold that is made by the lost wax process from CaCO.sub.3, so that when the molten metal alloy is cast in the preheated mold at 2300.degree. F., held in a furnace at 1750.degree. F. for an hour, and then rapidly cooled to room temperature. The casting will have a fairly low hardness of R.sub.c 30.+-.3 so that it can be machined. After machining, the casting is heated to a temperature of 1150.degree. F. for at least three hours before cooling, resulting in a casting that is hardened to R.sub.c 45 to R.sub.c 50.

Abstract: A solid film lubricant composition for hot glass contacting surfaces of glass handling equipment and metal molds used in manufacturing glass articles. The solid film lubricant composition is a solution of a solvent, graphite, a solvent-soluble, further curable organopolysiloxane, and NaOH to make the solution alkaline. The solution is easily sprayed on hot glass contacting surfaces such as the interior of the molds to form a coating that is curable at room temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for conveying newly formed, hot bottles from the forming machine to an annealing lehr which is conventionally positioned with its lehr mat or belt running in a direction parallel to the movement of the transfer conveyor. The transfer conveyor surface is driven at a first speed as it passes in front of the multiple section glass forming machine. After passing the machine sections, the conveyor, made of a plurality of horizontal links, has the individual, successive links moved closer together to, in effect, shorten the length of the link belt conveyor. This shortening is the result of the drive for the link belt conveyor being discontinued just after the belt is engaged from beneath by a magnetic link belt chain driven at a slower speed. The chain is guided in a first straight line parallel to the machine conveyor direction and then guided through a 90.degree. arc to pass in front of the lehr so the bottles can be transferred from the conveyor surface to the lehr mat with a lehr loader.

Abstract: An electronics package for automatically inhibiting operation of the shear blades of an individual section glass machine is responsive to periodic signals from an encoder disc indicative of timing increments in a machine cycle and to motion detectors adjacent to the shear blades for detecting shear operation at the desired point in the machine cycle and for inhibiting shear activation in the absence of such operation. The lockout electronics package includes a programmable counter responsive to the cycle-increment signal for generating a first shear-inhibit signal in the absence of shear operation within the programmed number of cycle increments, and a watchdog timer responsive to the cycle-increment signal for generating a second shear-inhibit signal in the absence of a cycle increment signal above a preselected frequency. A solid state relay is responsive to either of the shear-inhibit signals for removing electrical power from the shear operating mechanism.

Abstract: A gob delivery system for molten glass charges or gobs from a multiple orifice feeder to a plurality of parison molds in which the transmit times of the gobs are held to a minimum. The gob scoops, which initially deflect the gobs into straight troughs, are formed with a spiral curve to impart less of a curve to the charge. The deflectors which receive the gobs or charges from the troughs are also formed as spiral curves so that the gobs will be presented to vertical guide tubes with a minimum of angular distortion to give more consistent loading.

Abstract: A solvent applicating roll, mounted for rotation about its vertical axis for transferring a solvent from etched or gravure areas on the roll surface to plastic labels that are moved into rolling contact with the roll, has its temperature controlled. The roll is formed as a hollow cylinder with heated air fed to the interior thereof to heat the roll to keep the solvent at a working temperature and prevent evaporative cooling of the roll due to solvent evaporating from the surface during operation. The heated air is passed through a distributor that assures the heated air will effectively transfer its heat to the metal roll.

Abstract: A glassware production system includes an electropneumatic individual section glass forming machine having a multiplicity of operating mechanisms for converting a gob of molten glass into a hollow glass container. A glass forehearth feeds molten gobs at controlled temperature and weight to the forming machine. Electronic controllers individually and selectively control parameters of operation of the multiplicity of machine mechanisms and the forehearth. Glassware from the forming machine is inspected for manufacturing faults and for identifying each inspected container with its associated mold of origin. The glassware inspection devices provide fault signals indicative of a plurality of differing types of faults, which are thereafter associated not only with mold or section of origin but also with fault cause.

Abstract: A glass bottle forming system is described in which a main glass melter is connected to a forehearth with a fairly conventional feeder provided at the delivery end of the forehearth. The feeder opening in the bottom of the forehearth is closed by a first orifice member through which a molten core glass will flow. Beneath the first orifice there is positioned a second orifice member that has an orifice that is slightly larger than the orifice in the first orifice member. A small melter contains a glass of essentially the same composition as that in the main melter, but with a coefficient of expansion slightly less than that of the core glass. This lower expansion glass is fed to the second orifice member so that it can flow out of the orifice with the core glass in surrounding relationship with respect thereto.