Abstract: An apparatus (10) and a method of actuating a parison plunger includes transforming linear force applied to a plunger extension (54) into roto-translational motion of the plunger extension (54) via a cam path (98) between the plunger extension (54) and a piston (94).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and a method of actuating a parison plunger includes transforming linear force applied to a plunger extension (54) into roto-translational motion of the plunger extension (54) via a cam path (98) between the plunger extension (54) and a piston (94).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of actuating a parison plunger includes transforming linear force applied to a plunger extension into roto-translational motion of the plunger extension via a cam path between the plunger extension and a piston.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of actuating a parison plunger includes transforming linear force applied to a plunger extension into roto-translational motion of the plunger extension via a cam path between the plunger extension and a piston.

Abstract: A method of and system for forming a glass container, and an apparatus for sensing elongation of a parison in a blow mold of a glassware thrilling machine. A suspended parison is allowed to elongate in a mold along a central longitudinal axis. At least one position of a closed end of the parison is sensed within the mold before the closed end of the parison contacts a transversely extending surface in the mold. A process parameter is adjusted responsive to the sensing step.

Abstract: A bottom plate lift mechanism for a glassware forming machine includes a bottom plate assembly having at least one bottom plate on a base with a passage for feeding cooling air to the bottom plate. The bottom plate assembly is mounted on a housing that has a cooling air chamber for directing cooling wind to the bottom plate assembly. A lift mechanism is operatively coupled to the housing for selectively raising and lowering the housing and the bottom plate assembly mounted on the housing. The housing has an opening to the cooling air chamber for receiving a cooling air control cartridge to control passage of cooling wind through the chamber to the bottom plate assembly. A plurality of control cartridges are interchangeably insertable through the opening into the chamber for selectively controlling passage of cooling air to the bottom plate assembly in different cooling modes of operation associated with the cartridges.

Abstract: A glassware mold bottom plate mounting arrangement in a glassware forming machine includes a floating ring captured by a cap plate on a base for limited lateral movement with respect to the base and the cap plate. A hollow spud is rigidly secured to and extends from the ring. A cooling wind passage in the base opens through the hollow spud, and a vacuum passage in the base opens through the ring at a position spaced from the spud. A glassware mold bottom plate is removably telescopically received over the ring and the spud. The bottom plate has a central air passage received over the spud, an annular recess received over the ring, and a peripheral air passage that opens into the annular recess such that the central and peripheral air passages open to the cooling wind and vacuum passages in the base through the spud and the ring respectively. The spud and the ring preferably have external seals in respective sliding sealing engagement with the central air passage and the annular recess in the bottom plate.

Abstract: A plunger foot assembly includes a preassembled gearbox for mounting on a section box base plate of a glassware forming machine. The preassembled gearbox has an input and an output gear with an internally threaded central opening. A hollow externally threaded shaft is threadably coupled to and extends from the internally threaded opening of the output gear. A plunger support is mounted on the hollow externally threaded shaft such that rotation of the output gear of the gearbox raises and lowers the plunger support. The plunger support has an upper face for mounting at least one plunger with air ports of the plunger opening at the face of the support. The plunger support also has air passages for feeding plunger up, plunger down and plunger cooling air to the air ports of a plunger mounted on the plunger support, and a cooling air exhaust passage for feeding cooling air exhaust from the plunger mounted on the support to the hollow interior of the externally threaded shaft.

Abstract: A bottom plate lift mechanism for a glassware forming machine includes a bottom plate assembly having at least one bottom plate on a base with a passage for feeding cooling air to the bottom plate. The bottom plate assembly is mounted on a housing that has a cooling air chamber for directing cooling wind to the bottom plate assembly. A lift mechanism is operatively coupled to the housing for selectively raising and lowering the housing and the bottom plate assembly mounted on the housing. The housing has an opening to the cooling air chamber for receiving a cooling air control cartridge to control passage of cooling wind through the chamber to the bottom plate assembly. A plurality of control cartridges are interchangeably insertable through the opening into the chamber for selectively controlling passage of cooling air to the bottom plate assembly in different cooling modes of operation associated with the cartridges.

Abstract: A plunger foot assembly includes a preassembled gearbox for mounting on a section box base plate of a glassware forming machine. The preassembled gearbox has an input and an output gear with an internally threaded central opening. A hollow externally threaded shaft is threadably coupled to and extends from the internally threaded opening of the output gear. A plunger support is mounted on the hollow externally threaded shaft such that rotation of the output gear of the gearbox raises and lowers the plunger support. The plunger support has an upper face for mounting at least one plunger with air ports of the plunger opening at the face of the support. The plunger support also has air passages for feeding plunger up, plunger down and plunger cooling air to the air ports of a plunger mounted on the plunger support, and a cooling air exhaust passage for feeding cooling air exhaust from the plunger mounted on the support to the hollow interior of the externally threaded shaft.

Abstract: A glassware mold bottom plate mounting arrangement in a glassware forming machine includes a floating ring captured by a cap plate on a base for limited lateral movement with respect to the base and the cap plate. A hollow spud is rigidly secured to and extends from the ring. A cooling wind passage in the base opens through the hollow spud, and a vacuum passage in the base opens through the ring at a position spaced from the spud. A glassware mold bottom plate is removably telescopically received over the ring and the spud. The bottom plate has a central air passage received over the spud, an annular recess received over the ring, and a peripheral air passage that opens into the annular recess such that the central and peripheral air passages open to the cooling wind and vacuum passages in the base through the spud and the ring respectively. The spud and the ring preferably have external seals in respective sliding sealing engagement with the central air passage and the annular recess in the bottom plate.

Abstract: An invert assembly for an individual section glassware forming machine includes an invert base that is oscillated about an axis between angularly spaced apart first and second positions, a double ended ball screw positioned co-axially with the axis and having spaced apart oppositely threaded portions, first and second nuts each threadably engaging one of the oppositely threaded portions of the ball screw so that the nuts reciprocate toward and away from each other in response to rotation of the ball screw, and first and second neck ring arms respectively engaging the first and second nuts so that the neck ring arms reciprocate toward and away from each other along the axis with the first and second nuts. Preferably, the invert base is oscillated about the axis by a first reversible electric motor, and the ball screw is driven for rotation in opposed directions by a second reversible electric motor to move the nuts and neck ring arms toward and away from each other along the axis.

Abstract: A takeout arm assembly (10) for an I.S. glass container forming machine, the arm assembly having a housing (14) that is oscillatible about the central axis of a first shaft (12). The housing has a first gear (16) that is coaxial with the first shaft and oscillatible with the housing, and with respect to the first shaft, the housing further having a second gear (18) that is positioned within and is rotatable with respect to the housing. The second gear is spaced from the first gear with the axes of the first and second gears being parallel to one another. A rack (30) having teeth in engagement with teeth on the first gear and the second gear is caused to move rectilinearly by oscillating motion of a reversible a.c. servo motor (26) that serves to drive the first gear, to thereby transmit turning motion from the first gear to the second gear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a catheter tip in a fixed position within a blood flow and preventing it from contacting a blood vessel wall. The apparatus includes a tip retainer at the distal end of the catheter that anchors the tip of the catheter within the blood vessel. The catheter tip is retained within the blood vessel spaced from the wall to ensure that it does not contact the wall of the blood vessel. This reduces damage to the blood vessel caused by chronic movement and contact between the catheter tip and the wall of the blood vessel. In one embodiment, the tip retainer includes a prong that penetrates the wall of the blood vessel, thus preventing the catheter tip from moving longitudinally within the blood vessel. In alternative embodiments, the tip retainer contacts the wall but does not penetrate the wall.

Abstract: A glass machine system in accordance with presently preferred embodiments of the invention includes a glassware manufacturing machine for manufacturing articles of glassware and transferring the articles to a linear conveyor, at least one linear chain conveyor for receiving and transporting such articles from the machine, and a speed sensor for monitoring linear speed of the conveyor. The speed sensor includes a magnetic energy source, a magnetic energy sensor and bracketry mounting the source and sensor adjacent to the conveyor. The chain conveyor teeth affect magnetic energy coupling between the source and sensor as the conveyor passes adjacent to the sensor. Electronic circuitry is responsive to signals from the sensor for determining linear speed of the conveyor and maintaining a constant linear speed at the conveyor.

Abstract: A neck ring arm assembly for a glass container forming machine of the individual section type comprising a horizontally extending invert shaft and a vertically extending cylinder with a rack that engages a spur gear attached to the invert shaft to oscillate the invert shaft. In a first embodiment, the invert shaft has an inner annular sleeve keyed to it, and the inner annular sleeve has a polygonal exterior, preferably a hexagonal exterior. First and second outer annular sleeves surround the inner annular sleeve to be oscillatable therewith, but reciprocable with respect thereto.

Abstract: A neck ring arm assembly for a glass container forming machine of the individual section type comprising a horizontally extending invert shaft and a vertically extending cylinder with a rack that engages a spur gear attached to the invert shaft to oscillate the invert shaft. The invert shaft has an inner annular sleeve keyed to it, and the inner annular sleeve has a polygonal exterior, preferably a hexagonal exterior. First and second outer annular sleeves surround the inner annular sleeve to be oscillatable therewith, but reciprocable with respect thereto. Each of the first and second outer annular sleeves has a polygonal interior which is complementary to the polygonal exterior of the inner annular sleeve, and each is provided with a plurality of replaceable wear pads each of which is adjustable toward a surface of the polygonal exterior of the inner annular sleeve to provide for close, low backlash engagement of the inner annular sleeve by the outer annular sleeves over a prolonged duration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a catheter tip in a fixed position within a blood flow and preventing it from contacting a blood vessel wall. The apparatus includes a tip retainer at the distal end of the catheter that anchors the tip of the catheter within the blood vessel. The catheter tip is retained within the blood vessel spaced from the wall to ensure that it does not contact the wall of the blood vessel. This reduces damage to the blood vessel caused by chronic movement and contact between the catheter tip and the wall of the blood vessel. In one embodiment, the tip retainer includes a prong that penetrates the wall of the blood vessel, thus preventing the catheter tip from moving longitudinally within the blood vessel. In alternative embodiments, the tip retainer contacts the wall but does not penetrate the wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a catheter tip in a fixed position within a blood flow and preventing it from contacting a blood vessel wall. The apparatus includes a tip retainer at the distal end of the catheter that anchors the tip of the catheter within the blood vessel. The catheter tip is retained within the blood vessel spaced from the wall to ensure that it does not contact the wall of the blood vessel. This reduces damage to the blood vessel caused by chronic movement and contact between the catheter tip and the wall of the blood vessel. In one embodiment, the tip retainer includes a prong that penetrates the wall of the blood vessel, thus preventing the catheter tip from moving longitudinally within the blood vessel. In alternative embodiments, the tip retainer contacts the wall but does not penetrate the wall.