Patents by Inventor Robin L. Flynn
Robin L. Flynn has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230097028Abstract: A glass manufacturing system for charging a glass blank mold is disclosed. The glass manufacturing system, in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, comprises a glass forming sub-system, including a blank mold having a blank mold loading axis; and a molten glass handling sub-system. The molten glass handling sub-system includes a glass feeder to feed molten glass along a feeder axis, a transport cup to receive molten glass along the feeder axis, and a movable carrier to support the transport cup and carry the transport cup away from the glass feeder and to the blank mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Robin L. Flynn, Stephen Graff, Jason Pickles, Thomas Kirkman
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Patent number: 11524914Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a container parison and container are disclosed. The method of forming a container parison in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure includes receiving molten glass in a forming mold having an open upper end, an open lower end, a forming chamber between the open upper and lower ends; supporting the molten glass in the forming mold at the open lower end thereof; and pressing the molten glass in the forming mold with a plunger to form a parison suspended downwardly from the neck finish and out of the open lower end of the mold.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventor: Robin L Flynn
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Patent number: 11407669Abstract: A glass blank feeding apparatus, system, and method for feeding a glass gob to an angled blank mold are disclosed. The glass blank feeding apparatus includes at least one scoop configured to receive a glass gob along a vertical axis from a gob feeder and a blank mold aligned along a longitudinal axis at a non-zero angle from the vertical axis, where the blank mold is configured to receive the glass gob directly from the at least one scoop along the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventors: Karen Kerr, Robin L. Flynn
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Publication number: 20220098080Abstract: A method of providing glass from a glass melting furnace to at least one mold, including providing an uninterrupted glass communication path from an outlet of the glass melting furnace to the at least one mold, and pressurizing the path at a location downstream of the outlet to move molten glass into the at least one mold. A related system, apparatus, and molding equipment are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Scott Weil, Walter Anderson, Karl Johnston, Robin L. Flynn, Gregory W. Nafziger, Alexandra Fuller, Bernard Altendorfer
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Publication number: 20210061695Abstract: A glass blank feeding apparatus, system, and method for feeding a glass gob to an angled blank mold are disclosed. The glass blank feeding apparatus includes at least one scoop configured to receive a glass gob along a vertical axis from a gob feeder and a blank mold aligned along a longitudinal axis at a non-zero angle from the vertical axis, where the blank mold is configured to receive the glass gob directly from the at least one scoop along the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Karen Kerr, Robin L. Flynn
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Patent number: 10703663Abstract: A mold operating mechanism to open and close molds of a glassware forming machine. The mechanism includes a drivetrain assembly including a frame, a gearset carried by the frame and configured to be driven by a powertrain assembly, at least one operating shaft carried by the frame and driven by the gearset, and at least one linkage operatively coupled to the operating shaft and configured to be operatively coupled to a mold carrier carrying at least a portion of one or more molds. The mechanism includes further a fluid cylinder disposed proximate the linkage and including at least one piston rod operatively coupled to the linkage, wherein as the linkage rotates, the piston rod is pulled outward from the cylinder, and the cylinder is dragged outwardly, and whereafter the cylinder is pressurized with fluid to push the piston rod further outward to apply clamping pressure to the linkage.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventor: Robin L Flynn
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Publication number: 20180265389Abstract: A mold operating mechanism to open and close molds of a glassware forming machine. The mechanism includes a drivetrain assembly including a frame, a gearset carried by the frame and configured to be driven by a powertrain assembly, at least one operating shaft carried by the frame and driven by the gearset, and at least one linkage operatively coupled to the operating shaft and configured to be operatively coupled to a mold carrier carrying at least a portion of one or more molds. The mechanism includes further a fluid cylinder disposed proximate the linkage and including at least one piston rod operatively coupled to the linkage, wherein as the linkage rotates, the piston rod is pulled outward from the cylinder, and the cylinder is dragged outwardly, and whereafter the cylinder is pressurized with fluid to push the piston rod further outward to apply clamping pressure to the linkage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2017Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventor: Robin L. Flynn
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Patent number: 9950943Abstract: A glassware-forming neck ring system includes a neck ring assembly and a carrier assembly carrying the neck ring assembly. The neck ring assembly includes a neck ring guide having a first forming aperture therethrough around a vertical axis, and a neck ring divided along a longitudinal axis into neck ring sections carried by the neck ring guide and movable toward and away from one another along the neck ring guide along a lateral axis. The carrier assembly includes a carrier having a body with a second forming aperture therethrough, longitudinally opposite ends, laterally opposite sides between the ends, and a channel extending between the sides, restricting movement of the neck ring assembly along the vertical and longitudinal axes, and permitting movement of the neck ring assembly along the lateral axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventor: Robin L. Flynn
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Publication number: 20170233279Abstract: A glassware-forming neck ring system includes a neck ring assembly and a carrier assembly carrying the neck ring assembly. The neck ring assembly includes a neck ring guide having a first forming aperture therethrough around a vertical axis, and a neck ring divided along a longitudinal axis into neck ring sections carried by the neck ring guide and movable toward and away from one another along the neck ring guide along a lateral axis. The carrier assembly includes a carrier having a body with a second forming aperture therethrough, longitudinally opposite ends, laterally opposite sides between the ends, and a channel extending between the sides, restricting movement of the neck ring assembly along the vertical and longitudinal axes, and permitting movement of the neck ring assembly along the lateral axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventor: Robin L. Flynn
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Patent number: 9676647Abstract: A glassware-forming neck ring system includes a neck ring assembly and a carrier assembly carrying the neck ring assembly. The neck ring assembly includes a neck ring guide having a first forming aperture therethrough around a vertical axis, and a neck ring divided along a longitudinal axis into neck ring sections carried by the neck ring guide and movable toward and away from one another along the neck ring guide along a lateral axis. The carrier assembly includes a carrier having a body with a second forming aperture therethrough, longitudinally opposite ends, laterally opposite sides between the ends, and a channel extending between the sides, restricting movement of the neck ring assembly along the vertical and longitudinal axes, and permitting movement of the neck ring assembly along the lateral axis. A process of forming glassware includes carrying the glassware by a neck ring system through an entire glassware forming process from a blank molding station to a ware handler.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventor: Robin L Flynn
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Patent number: 9527761Abstract: The disclosure includes a process and an apparatus for delivering a gob of molten glass into a blank mold. The apparatus includes a loading funnel holder that defines at least one opening, and a split loading funnel rotatably carried by the funnel holder. The split loading funnel includes two or more individual funnel segments that together provide an outlet of the funnel having an exit plane, each of the individual funnel segments having a lower portion that includes a concave interior guide surface. The two or more individual funnel segments are coupled together so that the interior guide surfaces of the individual funnel segments cooperate to define a guide passage extending along a longitudinal axis and terminating at the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventor: Robin L. Flynn
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Publication number: 20160145136Abstract: The disclosure includes a process and an apparatus for delivering a gob of molten glass into a blank mold. The apparatus includes a loading funnel holder that defines at least one opening, and a split loading funnel rotatably carried by the funnel holder. The split loading funnel includes two or more individual funnel segments that together provide an outlet of the funnel having an exit plane, each of the individual funnel segments having a lower portion that includes a concave interior guide surface. The two or more individual funnel segments are coupled together so that the interior guide surfaces of the individual funnel segments cooperate to define a guide passage extending along a longitudinal axis and terminating at the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2016Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventor: Robin L. Flynn
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Patent number: 9272938Abstract: A split loading funnel includes two or more individual funnel segments, each of which includes an interior guide surface. The two or more individual funnel segments are arranged relative to one another so that interior guide surfaces of the individual funnel segments cooperate to define a guide passage having a longitudinal axis. An apparatus that includes a split loading funnel and a process for delivering a gob of molten glass from a gob delivery system into a blank mold using a split loading funnel are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventor: Robin L Flynn
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Publication number: 20150175465Abstract: A split loading funnel includes two or more individual funnel segments, each of which includes an interior guide surface. The two or more individual funnel segments are arranged relative to one another so that interior guide surfaces of the individual funnel segments cooperate to define a guide passage having a longitudinal axis. An apparatus that includes a split loading funnel and a process for delivering a gob of molten glass from a gob delivery system into a blank mold using a split loading funnel are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2013Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventor: Robin L. Flynn
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Publication number: 20150175466Abstract: A glassware-forming neck ring system includes a neck ring assembly and a carrier assembly carrying the neck ring assembly. The neck ring assembly includes a neck ring guide having a first forming aperture therethrough around a vertical axis, and a neck ring divided along a longitudinal axis into neck ring sections carried by the neck ring guide and movable toward and away from one another along the neck ring guide along a lateral axis. The carrier assembly includes a carrier having a body with a second forming aperture therethrough, longitudinally opposite ends, laterally opposite sides between the ends, and a channel extending between the sides, restricting movement of the neck ring assembly along the vertical and longitudinal axes, and permitting movement of the neck ring assembly along the lateral axis. A process of forming glassware includes carrying the glassware by a neck ring system through an entire glassware forming process from a blank molding station to a ware handler.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2013Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventor: Robin L. Flynn
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Patent number: 8640501Abstract: A neck ring for molding a glass container neck finish that includes at least one closure attachment feature. The neck ring includes two semi-annular bi-metal neck ring halves, each consisting essentially of a neck ring insert of wear-resistant metal construction, and a neck ring body of heat-conductive metal construction different from said wear-resistant metal construction and formed around said neck ring insert so as to embed it in said neck ring body. Each of said neck ring halves has a glass-contacting cavity face that includes a first surface portion formed by said inserts for molding the at least one closure attachment feature on the neck finish, and a second surface portion formed by said bodies for molding portions of the neck finish excluding the at least one closure attachment feature.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2008Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventors: Robin L. Flynn, David L. Lewis
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Patent number: 7748238Abstract: A system for directing cooling air onto a neck ring in a glassware molding machine that includes at least one air plenum stationarily disposed at a blank mold station and having an internal cavity for receiving cooling air flowing laterally inwardly toward the axis and at least one outlet opening adjacent to the axis, a plunger wear plate disposed overlying at least a portion of the air plenum, and having an array of axially oriented openings for receiving air directed from the air plenum, a plurality of openings in the neck ring arm for receiving air from the openings in the plunger wear plate across a gap between the neck ring arm and the plunger wear plate when the neck ring arm overlies the plunger wear plate, and a plurality of air passages in the neck ring for receiving air from the neck ring arm openings.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventor: Robin L Flynn
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Publication number: 20090249835Abstract: A neck ring for molding a glass container neck finish that includes at least one closure attachment feature. The neck ring includes two semi-annular bi-metal neck ring halves, each consisting essentially of a neck ring insert of wear-resistant metal construction, and a neck ring body of heat-conductive metal construction different from said wear-resistant metal construction and formed around said neck ring insert so as to embed it in said neck ring body. Each of said neck ring halves has a glass-contacting cavity face that includes a first surface portion formed by said inserts for molding the at least one closure attachment feature on the neck finish, and a second surface portion formed by said bodies for molding portions of the neck finish excluding the at least one closure attachment feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventors: Robin L. Flynn, David L. Lewis
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Patent number: 7353667Abstract: A neck ring guide for aligning neck ring sections in a glassware forming machine has a center body and a pair of spaced parallel runners coupled to the center body for receipt in guide slots in the neck ring sections. Keepers on the outboard sides of the runners retain the runners in the guide slots. Instead of keepers, the runners may be retained in the guide slots by roll pins on the neck ring sections engaged in retainer slots in the runners.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventor: Robin L. Flynn
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Patent number: 7296442Abstract: A system for directing cooling air onto a neck ring in a glassware molding machine that includes at least one air plenum stationarily disposed at a blank mold station and having an internal cavity for receiving cooling air flowing laterally inwardly toward the axis and at least one outlet opening adjacent to the axis, a plunger wear plate disposed overlying at least a portion of the air plenum, and having an array of axially oriented openings for receiving air directed from the air plenum, a plurality of openings in the neck ring arm for receiving air from the openings in the plunger wear plate across a gap between the neck ring arm and the plunger wear plate when the neck ring arm overlies the plunger wear plate, and a plurality of air passages in the neck ring for receiving air from the neck ring arm openings.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventor: Robin L. Flynn