Abstract: The present invention is directed to reduce the total footprint of a press forming system for glass having a plurality of press units, and also to increase an actual availability of each press unit. A plurality of press units are arranged in two parallel rows and a first transfer robot is arranged at the center of the space between the two rows. In adjacent of the moving area of the first transfer robot, a palette changer is arranged. A tray in use is mounted on a first base of the palette changer and a stand-by tray before use is placed on a second base. Blanks and formed products are stored in the tray. Press units equipped with second transfer robots, respectively. In front of the press units, intermediate transfer points are respectively provided for temporarily storing a blank and a formed product.

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 method and a machine for the production of hollow glassware articles, by the blow-and-blow, press-and-blow, press-and-blow paste mold and direct-press processes in a glassware forming machine including single or multiple machine sections each having single or multiple-cavity, comprising: forming a parison in an inverted orientation, into a blank mold and a first transferable and open-able neck ring mold held by an inverting apparatus having a first and a second diametrically opposed arms, each arm holding a transferable and open-able neck ring mold; inverting the parison held by the first transferable and open-able neck ring mold, by rotating the first arm 180° to an upright orientation at an intermediate station, while the second arm with a second transferable and open-able neck ring mold is simultaneously placed at the parison forming station; transferring the first transferable and open-able neck ring mold holding the parison in an upright orientation, from the intermediate station, to a blow mold statio

Abstract: A method and a machine for the production of hollow glassware articles, by the blow-and-blow, press-and-blow, press-and-blow paste mold and direct-press processes in a glassware forming machine including single or multiple machine sections each having single or multiple-cavity, comprising: forming a parison in an inverted orientation, into a blank mold and a first transferable and open-able neck ring mold held by an inverting apparatus having a first and a second diametrically opposed arms, each arm holding a transferable and open-able neck ring mold; inverting the parison held by the first transferable and open-able neck ring mold, by rotating the first arm 180° to an upright orientation at an intermediate station, while the second arm with a second transferable and open-able neck ring mold is simultaneously placed at the parison forming station; transferring the first transferable and open-able neck ring mold holding the parison in an upright orientation, from the intermediate station, to a blow mold statio

Abstract: A device and process for forming hollow glassware comprising producing solid glass blanks in a manufacturing line, storing the blanks, feeding the blanks to a manufacturing line for forming hollow glassware, preheating the blanks during the feeding step, supplying the preheated blanks to a heating stage, heating to form solid plastically deformable glass globs, transferring the glass gobs to a blow molding stage and blow molding the glass gobs supported by a bottom lifter in a blow mold.

Abstract: The apparatus serves for pushing at least one of two hollow glass articles from a dead plate of a glass forming machine onto a conveyor belt. A pusher serves for this purpose, and includes a base portion and, for each glass article which is to be pushed, at least one thrust finger extending transversely to the base portion. Each thrust finger defines with the base portion a pocket for receiving the glass article. A nozzle is arranged in the region of a corner of the associated pocket. From each nozzle compressed air can be blown such that a pressure below atmospheric pressure which draws the glass article into the pocket is created between the pusher and the glass article. The compressed air is blown from the corner out between the base portion and the glass article.

Abstract: A pushout mechanism is disclosed for transferring bottles from a deadplate of an I.S. machine section to a conveyor. The pushout mechanism has a finger assembly including inner and outer pockets and is pivotally displaced, when the finger assembly is at an advanced position, from the deadplate and to a conveyor. Each of the inner and outer pockets includes an air directing structure such as a jet for directing air to hold a bottle located within the pocket against the pocket. A first pressurized air supply which includes a first control valve supplies pressurized air to the air directing structure of the inner pocket and a second pressurized air supply means including a second control valve for supplies pressurized air to the air directing structure of the outer pocket.

Abstract: A takeout mechanism for simultaneously removing a plurality of glass containers from molds at a section of a glass container forming machine of the individual section type, and preferably three such glass containers in each cycle. The takeout mechanism includes a plurality of tong assemblies, one such tong assembly for each container to be removed on each operating cycle of the takeout mechanism, and a cylinder housing to which each of the takeout assemblies is secured for moving the takeout assemblies in unison to transfer the glass containers from the molds to a deadplate of the machine for cooling and further processing. Each tong assembly comprises a vertically extending fixed member, a linkage system carried by the fixed member for opening and closing an opposed pair of generally L-shaped tongs, and an opposed pair of tongs pivotably connected to the linkage system.

Abstract: Opposed mold supports of a mold opening and closing mechanism are driven by electronic motors between retracted and advanced positions. The motors are electronically geared together and follow a feed program which initially advances the associated mold supports a set distance which is half the separation distance. When the displacement of both supports stops, both motors are operated at a slow velocity. When it is determined again that both supports have stopped, the location of each is verified to be within an acceptable range and each motor is then operated to apply a desired clamping load.

Abstract: An I.S. machine has a plurality of individual sections arranged in side by side relation. Each section has a blank station for forming a parison from a gob of molten glass, and a blow station for forming a parison into a bottle. An invert and neck ring holder mechanism is located between these stations for transferring a parison between from one station to the other. Each station has a mold opening and closing mechanism which has a pair of opposed mold support mechanisms supported for linear displacement between a retracted position and an advanced position. Each mold support mechanism is supported by a first shaft on one side of the center of the mold opening and closing mechanism, proximate the invert and neck ring holder mechanism, extending perpendicularly to the engagement plane, and by a second shaft on the other side of the center of the mold opening and closing mechanism, remote from the invert and neck ring holder mechanism, extending perpendicularly to the engagement plane.

Abstract: An I.S. machine is disclosed which has a plurality of individual sections arranged in side by side relation. Each section has blank mold and blow mold opening and closing mechanisms and an invert and neck ring holder mechanism for transferring a parison between these mechanisms. Each of the mold opening and closing mechanisms has a pair of opposed mold support mechanisms which are supported for linear displacement. Ways at either end of the section support one end of each pair of mold support mechanisms and the other end is supported on a pair of shafts located between the mechanisms. One of these shafts is supported between the spaced vertical supports of the invert and neck ring holder mechanism and the other shaft has a first part supported between one of the spaced vertical supports and the vertical invert housing and a second part is supported between the other one of the spaced vertical supports and the vertical invert housing.

Abstract: Opposed mold supports of a mold opening and closing mechanism are driven by electronic motors between retracted and advanced positions. The motors are electronically geared together and follow a feed program which initially advances the associated mold supports a set distance which is half the separation distance. When the displacement of both supports stops, both motors are operated at a slow velocity. When it is determined again that both supports have stopped, the location of each is verified to be within an acceptable range and each motor is then operated to apply a desired clamping load.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring glass parisons in an I.S machine from a blank station to a second station comprises two neck-ring mechanisms which operate alternately. While one neck-ring mechanism carries parisons from the blank station in a vertical plane to the second station, the other neck-ring mechanism rotates about a vertical axis to move out of the way of the first while moving from the second station back to the blank station.

Abstract: A repositionable hot-glass contact pad composed at least in part of a relatively high-strength nonmetallic material having one or more repositionable support projections and a glass-contact surface. The high strength nonmetallic material and use of multiple support projections allow reliable attachment of the pad to a metal support structure in a plurality of positions to handle a variety of hot-glass article shapes and sizes with minimal checking or other damage.

Abstract: A mold opening and closing mechanism for an I.S. machine having a plurality of individual sections each having a pair of opposed mold support mechanisms displaceable between a separated retracted position whereat each mold support mechanism is located at a start position and an advanced position whereat molds carried by the mold support mechanisms will forcefully engage. The drive which is operatively associated with each mold support mechanism includes an electronic motor. A predetermined torque is applied to the motors for a period of time when the opposed pair of mold support mechanisms are at the advanced position. To return the mold support mechanisms to the start position the electronic motors are operated to displace the mold support mechanisms at a slow velocity for a predetermined period of time and then operated to displace the mold support mechanisms to rapidly displace the mold support mechanisms to the start position following the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An insulator support assembly apparatus and process is provided, which includes a vertically oriented tubular frame with one or more insulator supports, one or more insulators and a pushbar mounting mechanism integral to the rearward frame support. Further provided is an insulated pushbar mechanism for moving glass containers which includes an insulator support assembly and a pushbar.

Abstract: Repositionable stacker bar pads composed of a relatively high-strength nonmetallic material have tongue-in-groove adjoining surfaces and glass-contact surfaces which are roughsned or serrated. The high strength material and overlapping tongue-in-groove "footprint" allows rigid and reliable attachment to a metal support structure. The rough finish of the glass-contact surface minimizes thermal checking and other hot-glass article problems.

Abstract: Gripper apparatus for gripping a row of glass containers moving on a lehr conveyor. The apparatus includes a pair of elongated gripping members arranged parallel with one another and relatively movable toward one another to grip a row of glass containers. Actuating means is connected to the gripping members for controlling their relative movement and thus gripping and releasing of the containers. The actuating means may include a series of actuating devices spaced apart along and connected to the gripping members. Those actuating devices are actuable, at least substantially following movement of the gripping members to grip containers on the lehr conveyor, to move the gripping members in a direction away from the lehr conveyor so as to move the depending gripped containers clear of the conveyor.

Abstract: A section of an I.S. machine for manufacturing glass containers. A gob of molten glass is delivered to a blank mold to be formed into a parison. The formed parison is then transferred to a blow mold so that an initial blowing operation can be performed to stabilize the parison. The blow mold with the stabilized parison is then transferred linearly to a final station where the parison is blown into the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making wide-mouth glassware providing a solid blank mold, providing a split blow mold, providing a split neck ring, providing a plunger carrier having a movable plunger therein, moving the blank mold upwardly to position for receiving a gob of glass, positioning the neck ring on the blank mold, delivering a gob of glass to said blank mold, positioning plunger carrier into engagement with said neck ring, extending the plunger into said blank mold to deform the glass and force the glass into the neck ring to form a parison, thereafter retracting the plunger and moving the plunger carrier away from the neck ring, lowering the blanks, moving the neck ring with the parison thereon to a position between the open blow mold halfs while maintaining the parison in vertical upright position, closing the blow mold about the parison, opening the neck ring to release the parison in the blow mold, returning the neck ring to its original position adjacent the blank mold, blowing the parison into a

Abstract: A method of adjusting the height of the takeout mechanism in a glassware forming machine comprises setting a takeout arm of the mechanism at a predetermined angle by use of a jig member adjusting a piston and cylinder device so that it is in a predetermined lowermost position when the takeout arm is so set, using a second jig member appropriate to the desired height of the takeout mechanism with respect to a set of moulds, setting the whole mechanism to the appropriate height and adjusting a scale to indicate the height to which the mechanism is set.

Abstract: A parison transfer mechanism comprises two neck-ring arms which are mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, which axis is inclined to a central axis of a section in which the mechanism is mounted. This allows for several arrangements of pairs of such mechanisms in a section so that the two mechanisms can operate independently of each other.

Abstract: A pusher has one or more pockets for receiving glass containers like bottles. Each pocket is defined by a corner between a finger and a side portion. To positively locate the bottles in their pockets, a jet of air is directed at each bottle proximate the heel in a direction from the finger surface towards the corner so that the bottle will be forcefully pulled into the corner and held there.

Abstract: A tong head assembly for a glass blowing machine includes multiple tong mechanisms. Each tong mechanism has a tong extending from the bottom of a cylinder. The tongs are adapted to grasp a blown container. The cylinders are mounted for independent rectilinear and angular movement in the tong head assembly in order to compensate for misalignment of the tongs with the glass container to be grasped.

Abstract: A pusher mechanism of an IS transfers a plurality of glass bottles onto a conveyor belt by rotating the bottles through an arc to align the bottles with the conveyor belt while simultaneously linearly moving the bottles at a converging acute angle toward the conveyor belt. The combined rotational and linear movements effectively lengthen the radius of curvature of the path of the bottles and increases the speed of the bottles onto the conveyor belt. The centrifugal force applied to the bottles is limited or reduced to allow the bottles to be more quickly moved onto the conveyor belt without introducing instabilities in the bottles. Other horizontal and vertical movements may be applied. A nozzle may be positioned to deliver a flow of air against the bottles to counteract instabilities. A take-out mechanism used with the pusher mechanism rotates the bottles at an acute angle to the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A machine for forming glass containers from discrete gobs of molten glass comprising a mechanism displaceable between retracted and advanced position. A pneumatic actuator having upper and lower chambers controlled by a servo pneumatic valve controller, controls the displacement of the pneumatic actuator. A position lead based upon the actual position of the mechanism is calculated and differenced with a position demand to define a position delta. A position lag is calculated based on the position delta. The pressures within the upper and lower chambers are sensed and based thereon a force representative of the force being applied to the piston is calculated and differenced with the position lag to define a force error and a lag force is calculated based on the force error. The servo pneumatic valve controller is driven with the lag force.

Abstract: A take out device for a multi gob glassware forming machine comprises at least two take out tongs and adjusting means to alter the spacing of the tongs as the take out device moves from its pick up position to its deposit position. The adjusting means comprises a gear segment which is caused to rotate as the take out arm moves and, through a link, causes appropriate movement of a tong.

Abstract: A take out mechanism for a glassware forming machine comprises a parallel linkage for effecting movement of the takeout tongs. To enable adjustment of the position of the takeout tongs, the position of one of the fixed pivots of the parallel linkage may be adjusted.

Abstract: A neck ring mechanism of an H-28 glass forming machine is operated by a neck ring lever which is pivotally supported and controlled by a cam roller which is displaced along a timing cam. To precisely define the timing of the lever, the lever is displaceable relative to a sleeve which is secured to the shaft and a control knob operating through an adjuster plate assembly adjusts the axial location of the lever.

Abstract: A bottom plate for an H-28 machine is secured to a post which is received within a hollow stud and sits on a ball bearing supported within the stud. The post which has an annular groove cooperates with a plurality of locking pins which can be held in operative relation with the post groove or released by a rotatable collar.

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: An invert/neckring mechanism for an individual section (I.S.) glass forming machine including a rectangular shaft and a pair of neckring arm holders having a central passage which mates with the rectangular cross-sectional shaft to limit the movement between the shaft and the arm holders to axial movement all rotated through the invert arc by a hydraulic actuator in juxtaposition therewith. A plurality of springs bias the arm holders together to a closed position and a hydraulic double piston cylinder assembly is mounted adjacent to the shaft between the arm holders to open and close the arm holders.

Abstract: An article transfer mechanism to transfer glass articles between a receiving position and a delivering position, in straight line, between one or various sections of a process of manufacture of glass articles. The mechanism includes a frame. Guide shafts attached to said frame. A sliding support attached at said guide bars. A first planetary transmission coupled between said drive means and the sliding support, which through of a rotational movement of the transmission, the sliding support is moved in a straight line, with a backward-forward movement over said guide bars. A second planetary transmission coupled to said first planetary transmission, through the sliding support to generate a far larger stroke of the transfer mechanism.

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 bottle manufacturing apparatus has a plurality of exchangable blow molds each having a bottom plate, a plurality of take-out mechanisms for taking a bottle formed in a corresponding blow mold out of the blow mold, a bottom plate height adjuster for each blow mold and each having an operating shaft for driving the height adjuster; a take-out mechanism height adjuster for each of the take-out mechanisms and each having an operating shaft for driving the height adjuster; a single driving shaft rotatable in opposite directions to first and second driving positions; and a plurality of rotating driving mechanisms connected between the driving shaft and the respective operating shafts, the driving mechanisms being in disengaged condition when the driving shaft is in a neutral position, and the driving mechanisms for the operating shafts of the bottom plate height adjusters being engaged when the driving shaft is in the first driving position and the driving mechanisms for the operating shafts of the take-out mecha

Abstract: A take-out mechanism of particular utility in a glassware forming machine is provided by a ring-shaped member having pivotally mounted gripping fingers mounted on an inner periphery thereof, the gripping fingers being moveable between a retracted position in which they are positioned within the ring-shaped member, and an extended position for gripping relationship with an article, the ring-shaped member being vertically adjustable in position.

Abstract: A take-out tong head assembly for a glass blowing machine is mounted in a take-out mechanism for omni-directional adjustment of the tong head assembly in a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis of the blow molds for the purpose of eliminating checks in the blown articles formed in said glass blowing machine.

Abstract: A glassware molding machine includes a plunger and neck mold assembly that cooperates with a carriage and a parison blank mold to form a parison around a first vertical axis (46) in a forming station, and to suspend the completed parison by the neck ring portions. A pair of carriges, and body forming mold portions, alternately cooperate with the neck ring portions to form a container from the parison while the parison remains suspended by the neck ring portions and while the parison remains around the first vertical axis in the forming station. While one pair of forming mold portions transport a completed container from the forming station to a cooling and take-out station with the container held between the closed forming mold portions, the other pair of forming mold portions, are open and, with timing independent of the movement of the first pair move by rectilinear movement back to the forming station.

Abstract: A neck mold for a glass champagne bottle forming system for forming bottles on the well-known I.S. forming machine is made of two matching halves that form the transfer bead and lower portion of the neck of the bottle mates with an annular, one-piece guide ring carried by the neck ring. The annular guide ring has a relatively sharp edge that matches with the plunger that forms the interior of the bottle finish and also has a flat surface, adjacent the sharp edge, that extends at a 25.degree. angle with the horizontal and forms a planar sloping surface on the inner, upper surface of the bottle with the planar surface being joined to a flat, generally horizontal surface that extends to a curved surface that in turn extends over the top of the bottle finish to an outer annular line where the guide and neck ring mold meet. The resulting bottle produced is one which does not require fire polishing to remove any mold match lines or beads that might interfere with proper sealing of the corks.

Abstract: Neck ring half (18,20) supporting arms (14,16) are mounted on carriers (10,12) therefor, in a parison transferring mechanism of a glassware manufacturing machine, by providing a stop (40) on each carrier at a predetermined height (x) relative to an axis (24) about which the carriers turn to move the neck ring halves and hence the parisons. As an arm slides into a mounting therefor on the carrier, a heightwise adjustable stop (44) on the arm contacts the stop (40) and thereby determines the height of the arm. Adjustment of the stop (44) on the arm can be carried out away from the machine so that machine down-time can be reduced.

Abstract: Parison transferring means for transferring glass parisons from a mould of a glassware manufacturing machine. A shaft (20) which carries supports (38) for neck rings which can grip or release a parison is turnable back and forth about a horizontal axis (22) to move the neck rings between gripping and releasing positions. The end positions of the arcuate movement about the axis (22) are determined by adjustable stops (70 and 100) which engage projections (42 and 102) of the shaft (20) or of the supports (38).

Abstract: Containers are removed from a mould by a take-out mechanism which comprises a container centring member which is mounted for movement between a lower, operative, position thereof, in which the member can project into a neck opening of a container before the container is gripped by gripper members of the take-out mechanism, and a upper, out-of-the-way position. In its operative position, the centring member prevents displacement of tilting of a container into which it projects.

Abstract: An operative member such as a blowhead (10) is moved between an out-of-the-way position thereof and an operative position thereof by moving means which comprises a vertical shaft (15), means for moving the shaft vertically and turning it about a vertical axis (14), and a support (18) for the operative member clamped to the shaft. The support (18) comprises an arm (20) on which the member is mounted and clamping means (30,34,38,40) to clamp the support to the shaft. Complementarily-shaped camming surfaces (22 and 36) of the shaft and the support urge the support into the correct orientation with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: An actuator for use in or with a glassware forming machine for driving a member through an arcuate path, such member being a pusher cylinder for moving glassware articles. The pusher member comprises a linearly movable piston for linearly moving a convoluted shaft attached thereto. The convoluted shaft has three surfaces thereon which act as tracks for three roller bearings mounted on a hub which is disposed about the shaft. Linear motion of the shaft is converted into rotary motion in the hub by the action of the bearings running on the convoluted sides of the linearly moving shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of bottle and flask type glass containers having a medium or narrow aperture using the blow-blow or press-blow process. The apparatus is characterized in that it includes a two-part bushing having a top part and a bottom part, a compression spring acting on the bushing, an auxiliary jack connected to the piston of a main jack, a movable end which with the main piston defines one of the main jack chambers. The invention is applicable primarily to the liquid packaging industry.

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: The take-out mechanism comprises a tong carrier supporting bottle-gripping tongs. The carrier is mounted on an arm which is turned about a horizontal axis to move the carrier between gripping and release positions. The mechanism also comprises turning means operable to turn the carrier during movement of the arm to maintain the carrier in a constant vertical alignment. The turning means comprises two pulleys one fixedly mounted on the turning axis of the arm and the other rotatable on the arm and carrying the carrier. The pulleys are interconnected by two belts, each fixed to both pulleys and passing around the pulleys in opposite directions.

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 take-out mechanism is turned about a horizontal axis between positions at which gripper members thereof can grip or release articles of glassware. The mechanism comprises an arm, a shaft on which the arm is mounted for rotation about the horizontal axis and moving means for turning the arm about the axis. The moving means comprises a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly comprising a piston, a first piston rod making a screw-threaded connection with an end cap of the cylinder so that movement of the piston causes it to turn, and a second piston rod connected to the arm to transmit rotation thereto.

Abstract: The take-out mechanism comprises gripper members and driving means operable to move an operating rod vertically to move the gripper members between gripping and releasing conditions thereof. The driving means comprises a cam which engages opposed surfaces of the operating rod, and motor means to turn the cam through a preselected angle to move the operating rod vertically. The cam maintains contact with the opposed surfaces of the operating rod throughout movement thereof so that the operating rod and, therefore, the gripping members are positively positioned.