Abstract: Each section (10) of the machine comprises a parison moulding apparatus (12), a final moulding apparatus (14) and an invert mechanism (16). The invert mechanism is driven by a servo-motor (108) connected to a gear (100, 102) secured to an end portion of a neck ring support (90, 92) of the invert mechanism away from the center-line of the section. The baffle mechansim (32) of the parison moulding apparatus (12) is mounted on an overhead structure (22) and the mould portions (62) of the final moulding apparatus (14) are moved in a straight line to open and close the moulds. By these measures, the center-line of the section (10) is cleared enabling the radius of the invert mechanism (16) to be reduced.

Abstract: The take-out mechanism comprises first and second container gripping structures (50a, 50b) and independently operable moving structures (58a, 70a, 72a; 58b, 70b, 72b) therefor. Each moving structure comprises a first horizontally-disposed linear motor (70a; 70b) operable to move the gripping structures horizontally along the center-line of the machine, a second horizontally-disposed linear motor (72a; 72b) disposed perpendicularly relative to the first horizontally-disposed linear motor and operable to move the gripping structures horizontally perpendicular to said center-line, and a vertically-disposed linear motor (58a; 58b) operable to lower the gripping structures from the level at which they are moulded in the machine to a level at which they can be released on to a conveyor (30).

Abstract: Parisons of molten glass for subsequent moulding are molded in a mould cavity formed from one-piece lower portion (10), a dividable neck ring (14), and a dividable central mould portion (24). A gob of molten glass is introduced into a gov uide (58) so that the gob passes into the mould through the neck ring (14). A plunger guide (42) which serves to guide the plunger (26) through the neck ring (14) is introduced into the gob guide (58) and a plunger (26) is introduced into the plunger guide (42) so that the plunger enters the mould through the neck ring (14). During pressing of the glass, the guide (42) which serves to guide the plunger (26) through the neck ring (14) is pressed downwardly on to the neck ring (14). The guide (42) defines a sealing surface (54) of the neck portion (16) of the mould cavity.

Abstract: A gob distributor has two scoops, one arranged to be aligned with some sections of the machine to deliver gobs thereto and the other arranged to be so aligned with other sections of the machine. Turning means is operable to turn the scoops to bring them to desired orientations for alignment with their respective sections and moving means is operable to move the distributor to bring either of the scoops below a feeder orifice from which gobs are supplied. In this way, the scoops share the distribution function. If more than one gob is to be supplied simultaneously, further pairs of scoops can be used.

Abstract: Two gripping means (50 and 58) are used alternately to transfer articles (16) from a blow station (14) to conveyor belts (20). The gripping means are mounted on a carriage (30) which is movable transversely of the blow station to move the gripping means in turn into alignment with the blow station or above one of the conveyor belts. Horizontal moving means (66 and 70) is associated with each gripping means to move it to and from the blow station to collect articles. Vertical moving means (42) is associated with each gripping means to move it downwardly on the carriage to release articles on to one of the conveyor belts.

Abstract: In the mould arrangement, an electrical temperature sensing device (TC1, TC2, TC3) is mounted on a mould portion (30; 70) and sends signals to control means of the arrangement. The control means is operable to read the signal from the sensing device (TC1, TC2, TC3) at a particular point in the cycle of operation of the machine, selected to occur when the mould portion (30; 70) is stationary, and to control a portion of the operation of the machine, e.g. the operation of the mould cooling means thereof, in accordance with a value of the signal.

Abstract: The feeder mechanism comprises apparatus for shearing gobs from plastic material e.g. glass comprising a set of shear blades movable between open and shearing positions thereof. A driving system for the shear blades comprises a cam having a cam track and a servo-motor arranged to drive the cam at a speed which is varied in accordance with control signals derived from a stored program to move the shear blades in accordance with a desired position against time curve between limits defined by the shape of the cam track.

Abstract: A member which acts to close an upwardly-facing opening of a mould cavity e.g. a baffle or a blowhead, carries a portion of a temperature detecting device which is operable to detect the temperature of at least one of the side mould portions of the mould. When the member is in its operative position in which it closes the opening of the mould cavity, the temperature of the mould portion is detected.

Abstract: A method of cooling a blank mould which is used for making a parison in a glass container forming machine. The mould is provided with air passages which communicate with air passages in a baffle of the mould when the baffle is in position on the mould and air is blown through the passages in the baffle into the passages in the mould to cool the mould. The method may be used whether the parison is formed by blowing or by pressing. A baffle for use in the method is also claimed.

Abstract: The arrangement comprises a perforated dead plate above which a newly-moulded glassware article can be supported for cooling. Cooling means sucks air downwards through the dead plate so that the air flows past the article cooling it. The cooling means may comprise an air mover whose input end abuts the underside of the dead plate. A shroud may be provided which surrounds the article to force the air to flow downwards past the article.

Abstract: An individual section glassware forming machine comprises generating means (29) for generating an electrical command signal which is used to control transfer means (2) of the machine. The transfer means (2) is used for transferring a parison (P) from a blank station (A) at which the parison is formed in an inverted position and presenting the parison (P) in an upright position at another station (B). The magnitude of the electrical command signal varies in accordance with the desired position against time curve for the movement of the parison (P) and is used to operate an electrical or hydraulic servo-mechanism (32; 42) for controlling the movement of the transfer means (2).

Abstract: A multi-gob glassware forming machine has a blank station at which parisons are formed from gobs of molten glass in a plurality of blank moulds, an intermediate station at which the parisons are supported after having been transferred from the blank station, and a blow station at which the parisons are blown in blow moulds to the shape of the articles of glassware. The spacing of the supported parisons at the intermediate station is smaller than the spacing of the centers of the blow moulds at the blow station and the machine has transfer means which increase the spacing of the parisons during transfer of the latter from the intermediate station to the blow station.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine has three operating stations, in the first of which a parison is formed in an inverted position. First transfer means transfers a parison from the first station to a second station where the parison is released by the first transfer means in an upright position. A second transfer means receives the released parison at the second station and supports it for a selected time, after which the second transfer means transfers the parison to a third station, releases it and reverts to a position at the second station for receiving a further parison. A third transfer means operative independently of both the first and second transfer means removes an article of glassware from the third station and supports the glassware for a cooling period beyond the third station.

Abstract: A glassware handling system transfers formed articles of glassware from a blow station of a glassware forming machine to conveying means and comprises two heads each of which is capable of releasably holding a plurality of articles of glassware. The heads are supported for reciprocatory movement in a carriage which is movable to allow the heads to remove the glassware from the blow station in turn, whereby the transfer of formed articles of glassware from the blow station to the conveying means is shared between the two heads, thereby enabling a high rate of transfer to be achieved.