Abstract: A system and method for applying an electrical bias to a photovoltaic device in a temperature control chamber, in which the temperature of the photovoltaic device is controlled according to a temperature profile. The temperature profile may include at least one hot phase and at least one cool phase.

Abstract: A system and method for applying an electrical bias to a photovoltaic device in a temperature control chamber, in which the temperature of the photovoltaic device is controlled according to a temperature profile. The temperature profile may include at least one hot phase and at least one cool phase.

Abstract: A system and method for applying an electrical bias to a photovoltaic device in a temperature control chamber, in which the temperature of the photovoltaic device is controlled according to a temperature profile. The temperature profile may include at least one hot phase and at least one cool phase.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a mold charge pellet to a molding machine having a mold with a mold cavity includes a hub rotated about an axis, at least one arm extending generally radially from the hub to rotate with the hub around the axis, and a cam system extending at least partially around the axis and operably coupled to the arm for moving the arm along a predetermined path with respect to the axis as the hub and the arm rotate around the axis. In one presently preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the arm traveling along a plane that is parallel to the axis during a portion of said path.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a mold charge pellet to a molding machine having a mold with a mold cavity includes a hub rotated about an axis, at least one arm extending generally radially from the hub to rotate with the hub around the axis, and a cam system extending at least partially around the axis and operably coupled to the arm for moving the arm along a predetermined path with respect to the axis as the hub and the arm rotate around the axis. In one presently preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the arm traveling along a plane that is parallel to the axis during a portion of said path.

Abstract: A glassware inspection apparatus that includes an electronic control system and method for optimum control of indexing and inspecting glass containers. The control system generally includes a driver circuit for each servo motor of the apparatus, an electronic control unit, and an operator interface. Information about the apparatus and the particular containers being inspected is entered into the control system through the operator interface. The electronic control unit executes a recursive algorithm that utilizes the inputted information, as well as predetermined constraints of the apparatus, to develop an optimum motion profile for each servo motor. The optimum motion profiles provide the overall apparatus with coordinated control and increased container throughput speed, while efficiently distributing cycle time and thermal energy between the various servo motors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles include a plurality of tools mounted in opposed pairs with the tools of each pair including opposed first and second actuators that define a mold cavity in which a charge of plastic is compression molded. The tooling is preferably carried by a rotary turret so that first and second actuators of each tooling pair are moveable relative to each other between an open position permitting formed articles to be removed from the tooling and to receive fresh charges of plastic, and a closed position to compression mold the charges of plastic.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting articles of glassware at a plurality of angularly spaced inspection stations includes a conveyor that moves articles of glassware to and from inspection stations, a drive roller that rotates articles of glassware at at least one inspection station, and an inspection device spaced from an inspection station and adapted to inspect an article of glassware as it is moved by the conveyor and caused to pass by the inspection device.

Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a mold charge pellet to a molding machine having a mold with a mold cavity includes a hub rotated about an axis, at least one arm extending generally radially from the hub to rotate with the hub around the axis, and a cam system extending at least partially around the axis and operably coupled to the arm for moving the arm along a predetermined path with respect to the axis as the hub and the arm rotate around the axis. In one presently preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the arm traveling along a plane that is parallel to the axis during a portion of said path.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a mold charge pellet to a molding machine having a mold with a mold cavity includes a hub rotated about an axis, at least one arm extending generally radially from the hub to rotate with the hub around the axis, and a cam system extending at least partially around the axis and operably coupled to the arm for moving the arm along a predetermined path with respect to the axis as the hub and the arm rotate around the axis. In one presently preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the arm traveling along a plane that is parallel to the axis during a portion of said path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting containers including a plurality of container inspection devices disposed along an inspection path directs a plurality of test containers having known characteristics through the inspection path so that the test containers can be inspected at each of the container inspection devices to obtain information indicative of the characteristics found in the test containers, and correlates that information with the known characteristics in the containers. The apparatus preferably includes a test container conveyor loop connected at one end to the inspection path upstream of the inspection devices, and at its other end to the conveyor path downstream of the inspection devices. A controller preferably automates a test cycle to provide test containers in the inspection path, receive from the inspection devices information relating to characteristics detected in the test containers, and return the test containers from the inspection path to the test container conveyor loop.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a mold charge pellet to a molding machine having a mold with a mold cavity includes a hub rotated about an axis, at least one arm extending generally radially from the hub to rotate with the hub around the axis, and a cam system extending at least partially around the axis and operably coupled to the arm for moving the arm along a predetermined path with respect to the axis as the hub and the arm rotate around the axis. In one presently preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the arm traveling along a plane that is parallel to the axis during a portion of said path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles include a plurality of tools mounted in opposed pairs with the tools of each pair including opposed first and second actuators that define a mold cavity in which a charge of plastic is compression molded. The tooling is preferably carried by a rotary turret so that first and second actuators of each tooling pair are moveable relative to each other between an open position permitting formed articles to be removed from the tooling and to receive fresh charges of plastic, and a closed position to compression mold the charges of plastic.

Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.

Abstract: A plug gauge for testing the mouth of a container includes a spring carried by a support, a rod having one end coupled to the spring, and a gauge plug coupled to the other end of the rod. A control mechanism supports the rod and is coupled to an electric motor. Motion of the control mechanism by the motor lowers the rod and plug into the container mouth under force of the spring, and thereafter lifts the rod and plug out of the container mouth. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring takes the form of an air spring. A stripper is operatively coupled to the control mechanism in the preferred embodiment of the invention for lowering against the container mouth, as the rod and plug are lowered by the spring and the motor, for holding the container mouth as the rod and plug are lifted from the container mouth.

Abstract: A plug gauge for testing the mouth of a container includes a spring carried by a support, a rod having one end coupled to the spring, and a gauge plug coupled to the other end of the rod. A control mechanism supports the rod and is coupled to an electric motor. Motion of the control mechanism by the motor lowers the rod and plug into the container mouth under force of the spring, and thereafter lifts the rod and plug out of the container mouth. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring takes the form of an air spring. A stripper is operatively coupled to the control mechanism in the preferred embodiment of the invention for lowering against the container mouth, as the rod and plug are lowered by the spring and the motor, for holding the container mouth as the rod and plug are lifted from the container mouth.

Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.