Abstract: This disclosure describes an apparatus and method of an embodiment of an invention that is a ceiling tile microphone that includes: a plurality of microphones positioned at predetermined locations and coupled together as a microphone array used for beamforming; a single ceiling tile with an outer surface on the front side of the ceiling tile where the outer surface is acoustically transparent, the microphone array couples to the back side of the single ceiling tile, the microphone array combines with the ceiling tile as a single unit, the single unit is mountable in a drop ceiling in place of a single ceiling tile included in the drop ceiling, all or part of the single unit is in the drop space of the drop ceiling when the single unit is used in a drop ceiling mounting configuration; where the ceiling tile microphone further includes beamforming, acoustic echo cancellation, and auto mixing.

Abstract: A method for optically determining whether a region of a surface is clean or contaminated. The method finds applicability in connection with cleaning robots, for example in pig house cleaning.

Abstract: A gob guide apparatus for guiding the delivery of gobs of molten glass between a gob distributor scoop and a blank mold opening of a glassware forming machine. The apparatus includes a deflector, a trough pivotally mounted at its upper end to the machine frame and extending downwardly between the scoop and the deflector so that its lower end is aligned along a first axis, a holder mounted to the machine frame receiving the lower end of the trough, and a deflector exit adjustment means for pivotally adjusting the angular position of the lower end of the deflector relative to the entrance of the blank mold opening. The holder includes a carriage having first and second adjustment means for permitting respective longitudinal and transverse movement of the deflector relative to the first axis with the holder maintaining centerline alignment between the upper end of the deflector and the lower end of the trough during the movement of the deflector.

Abstract: An improved gob guide apparatus for a glass bottle molding machine having interconnected gob guiding parts including a trough and a deflector adapted for mounting on a machine frame. The trough is pivotably secured to the frame and interconnected to the deflector at its lower end by a carriage supporting the deflector and permitting arcuate movement of the trough in response to movement of the carriage. The apparatus permits rapid alignment of the deflector with the mouth of a blank mold of a glass bottle molding machine.

Abstract: The pusher mechanism (14) associated with an I.S. glassware forming machine (10) are controlled by a controller (30) which provides control signals which cause the mechanisms (14) to operate. The controller senses the passage past a particular location of ware (1 to 6) of ware as it is transported by a conveyor (16) on to which the pusher mechanisms (14) transfer the ware. The controller determines the spacing (s1 to S5) on the conveyor (16) of ware from different sections (12) of the machine (10), compares the spacing with a predetermined, desired, spacing and, in the event that said spacing differs from said predetermined spacing by more than a predetermined tolerance, advances or retards the supply of control signals to at least one of the pusher mechanisms (14) which transfers the ware concerned.

Abstract: An article of glassware, particularly a glass container, of increased strength is made by a process in which the parison is treated in a manner which will cause the glass in the outer surface layer of the formed glassware article to be in a state of compression. Preferably a glaze having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass of the parison is applied to the outer surface of the parison. Advantageously, the glaze is applied to the parison by a flame spray method or by dipping the parison into a fluidized bed containing powdered glaze.As an alternative, the glaze applied to the outer surface of the parison may be capable of being at least partially crystallized, after the glassware article has been formed from the parison, to produce an outer surface of the glassware article having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the base glass of the glassware article.

Abstract: A moulding mechanism for a glassware forming machine comprises a mould (30; 170, 172), a supporting plate (31; 174) supporting at least a bottom portion of the mould, a plenum chamber (32, 34; 176, 177) extending downwardly from the supporting plate and arranged to supply air at substantially equal pressure to passages (33, 175) in the supporting plate which communicate with cooling passages (50; 192, 194) in the mould, and a piston and cylinder assembly (36, 38; 178, 180) operable to raise and lower the supporting plate (31; 174). At least a portion of the plenum chamber (32, 34; 176, 177) is formed as a tubular piston rod (34; 177) extending upwardly from the piston (36; 178) of the piston and cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine of the individual section type comprising a parison-forming station (10), an article-forming station (14), parison transferring means operable to transfer parisons to the article-forming station, and article removing means operable to remove articles from the article-forming station. The parison transferring means comprises a carriage (100), parison gripping means (114) mounted on the carriage, and servo-controlled drive means (136) operable to move the carriage (100) to and from the article-forming station (14). The article removing means comprises a further carriage (210), article gripping means (226) mounted on the carriage (210), and drive means (218, 220) operable to return the carriage (210) to the article-forming station (14). The carriages (100 and 210) are so aligned that, as the carriage (100) moves to the article-forming station (14), it pushes the further carriage (210) away therefrom.

Abstract: A pusher cylinder for moving one or more glassware articles from an associated dead plate through a predetermined arcuate path onto an adjacent moving conveyor. The pusher cylinder has a constant piston stroke length and rack and pinion for adjusting the position of the piston relative to the dead plate. Additionally, the pusher cylinder is provided with a splined central guide post for cooperative engagement with a complementarily splined bushing secured to one end of the piston of the pusher cylinder for providing longitudinal and rotational support for the piston.

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: A glassware forming machine having a blank station (A) at which a parison is formed, an intermediate station (B) at which the parison is allowed to reheat, and a blow station (C) at which the parison is formed into an article of glassware as a patter plate (12) at the intermediate station (B). The patter plate (12) is movable between an operative position in which it screens the underside of the parison from updraughts of air and an inoperative position in which the patter plate (12) is not beneath the parison. The machine also comprises moving means (17) operable to move the patter plate (12) between its operative and inoperative position at appropriate times in the cycle of operation of the machine.

Abstract: A mould opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing three moulds simultaneously. Moving means (18, 20) operable to move mould portions (12) is connected to the mould portions (12) via a system of links which serves to equalize the mould closing pressures of the three moulds. The system of links comprises a link (34) centrally connected to the moving means (18, 20) which equalizes the pressure between one mould and a further link (46) and the further link (46) equalizes the pressure between the other two moulds.

Abstract: In glassware forming apparatus a parison is formed at a blank station by pressing a gob of molten glass using a plunger and plunger actuating means mounted on a carriage, the carriage also carrying a neck ring and being reciprocable so that a parison held by the neck ring is transported from the blank station to a further station in the apparatus and the neck ring is returned to the blank station after release of the parison at the further station and prior to the formation of the next parison at the blank station. The plunger mounting and actuating means is constructed to allow the plunger to float laterally and vertically during formation of the parison.

Abstract: An individual section of a multiple section glassware forming machine has three operating stations in spaced apart relation along the longitudinal center line of the section. Three independently operable transfer means move, respectively, a parison formed in an upright position at the first station to the second station, a further formed parison from the second station to the third station, and an article of glassware from the third station to a takeout position over a deadplate. The operating speed and rate of acceleration of each of the three transfer means is selected independently of the operating speed and rate of acceleration of both the other transfer means to effect its movement in the shortest practicable time compatible with the state of the glass during the movement of that transfer means.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine comprises a carriage, a blank station at which parisons are formed in upwardly open parison moulds from gobs of molten glass, and a further station, the carriage being reciprocable in a straight line between the blank station and the further station in order to transfer parisons from the blank station to the further station. The carriage has a neck ring mould comprising neck ring parts and a guide ring which defines the sealing surface of the finish of each parison. The guide ring is biased upwardly by spring-loaded members which raise the guide ring when the carriage is at the further station in order that the guide ring should clear the released parisons on return movement of the carriage to the blank station.

Abstract: A preferred glassware forming machine has a neck ring carriage for transferring parisons from a blank station A, to a further station B. The carriage is guided for horizontal reciprocatory motion on two spaced, parallel guide rails and carries two relatively movable neck ring parts which engage the necks of the parisons during the transfer of the parisons from station A to station B. Relative movement of the neck ring parts is effected by piston and cylinder devices which are carried by the carriage and which are operated by compressed or suction fluid supplied to the carriage through one or both guide rails, the application of the compressed or suction fluid to one or both guide rails being in timed relationship with movement of the carriage.