MXPA99010875A - Glass container takeout mechanism - Google Patents

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 (14), one such tong assembly for each container to be removed on each operating cycle of the takeout mechanism, and a cylinder housing (12) to which each of the takeout assemblies (14) 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 (14) comprises a vertically extending fixed member (22), a linkage system (20) carried by the fixed member for opening and closing an opposed pair of generally L-shaped tongs (16), and an opposed pair of tongs (16) pivotably connected to the linkage system (20). A nut and bolt assembly (24) is provided to connect the tongs to the l inkage system to permit adjustment of the elevation of the tongs (16), and a threaded member (28) passes through one of the opposed pair of tongs (16) to engage the fixed member (22) to permit adjustment of the position of the opposed pair of tongs in a horizontal plane relative to the position of the fixed member.

Description

MECHANISM OF EXTRACTION OF GLASS CONTAINERS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a mechanism for removing glass containers from the molds of a machine that form them. More particularly, this invention relates to an extraction mechanism for removing glass containers from a second phase or blow molding of a multi-cavity glass container forming machine of the Individual Section type (S.I.).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. Patent No. 4,494,973 (Perry), the disclosure of which is included herein for reference purposes, discloses a known prior art extraction mechanism for a multi-cavity glass vessel forming machine of the S.I. type. An extraction mechanism of this type includes a plurality of separate extractor elements, usually called pliers, arranged in a right line and supported or carried by a common structure, to catch REF: 32173 simultaneously a multiplicity of containers formed of fresh glass in their final molding positions in a section of a SI type machine and transfer the containers to a dead plate for cooling and further processing. In the teachings of the '973 patent, each of the containers is picked up by the extraction tongs below the level of a molding, which is often called or referred to as a transfer molding, that is, placed just below the molding. the receiving portion of the cap screwed or otherwise configured on the neck of the container, which is often referred to as the end of the container. In the practice of the invention of the '973 patent, the mold halves defining the mold cavity in which the container was blown are separated before the container is fitted by the pliers, and this makes possible the need for the inclination of the mold. container to accommodate any slight misalignment between the container and the tongs for the purpose of catching such a container. U.S. Patent 4,379,581 (Perry), description of which is incorporated herein for reference, contains a further description of a known extraction mechanism of the prior art for a multi-cavity type S.I. glass vessel forming machine.

The modern practice of forming glass containers has eliminated the need to include a transfer molding in each container that is formed by the design of pliers with complementary internally threaded elements to fit the container, so that they are capable of fitting a container through its externally threaded finish rather than underneath its transfer molding. This technique, however, makes the precise vertical positioning of the pincer elements much more important than when using the pincer elements to pick up a container under its transfer molding. In addition, in order to accelerate the process of forming the container, it is now preferred that the extraction tongs grip the container before the molding halves are separated. This makes the precise positioning of the tongs relative to the container in a horizontal plane more important than when the tongs were used to remove the containers that are free to tilt to accommodate the misalignment with the tongs, and the need to prevent such misalignment is essentially important in SI machines equipped to form simultaneously three (triple goblet of molten glass) or four (quadruple) containers in each section of the machine, since the degree of alignment needed in such a situation can not always be obtained simply by adjusting the positions of the tongs in unison .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, an improved extraction mechanism is provided for removing the blown containers from the blow molds in a section in a glass container forming machine of the S.I. type. In the extraction mechanism of the present invention, which is particularly used for machines for triple and quadruple goblet molten glass of type IS, the portion of each of the heads of the tongs is adjustable in a vertical direction in relation to each of the other heads of the tongs , and with the supporting structure from which the heads of the tongs are suspended, so that each of the heads of the tongs is positioned to take the finish of a container at precisely an appropriate elevation. In addition, the position of each of the pliers heads is adjustable in a horizontal direction relative to each of the other pliers heads so that the pliers head will be properly positioned to catch the container even if the container is not in the freedom to lean because the mold halves that define the cavity in which it was blown have not been separated sufficiently in the time of catching to allow the inclination of the container in order to accommodate any misalignment in a plane horizontal between the head of the tongs and the container.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved extraction mechanism for the removal of glass containers from a section of a glass container forming machine of the type S.I. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an extraction mechanism for a S.I. of multiple cavities that is capable of having the vertical position of each of its individual extraction elements adjusted independently of the vertical positions of the other extraction elements to be able to pick up a container at a precise elevation on its finish or finish. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an extraction mechanism of the aforementioned character that is capable of having the horizontal position of each of the individual extraction elements adjustable independently of the horizontal position of the other extraction elements to be able to catch a container to be removed in a precise horizontal position, thereby eliminating the need for the container to tilt from its molding position before it is removed.

For a further understanding of the present invention and the objectives thereof, attention is drawn to the drawings and the following brief description thereof, to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of an extraction mechanism for a glass triple-cup-forming machine of molten glass triple type S.I. in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is the end view of the extraction mechanism of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY An extraction mechanism in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally identified in the drawings by the reference number 10, and the extraction mechanism 10 includes a cylindrical housing 12 that serves as a carrier for one or more clamp assemblies. 14, shown as three such clamp assemblies 14, which is the number required for a SI machine triple gutiform mass of molten glass, that is, a machine that forms three containers at the same time in its sections of the machine. Each of the clamp assemblies 14 has a clamp head that is arranged in an opposite pair of clamps 16, which simultaneously rotate about an axis 18 that is spaced from the distal ends of the center of the clamps 16 to open and close the clamps 16. 16, the opening and closing of each pair of pliers 16 are actuated by a pneumatic cylinder (not shown) that is housed in the cylindrical housing 12. The pneumatic cylinder operates through a joining system 20, which it may be in the form of an anti-flashing union of the type described in the aforementioned patent '581 for opening and closing the pliers with respect to one another.

Each of the clamp assemblies 14 is used simultaneously near the upper regions of the three blown containers in blow molds in a section of a S.I. machine. to then transfer such containers to a dead plate of the machine S.I. for cooling and processing, as is known in the art. The extension and alternating retraction of a cylinder (not shown) carried by each of the clamp assemblies 14, which operates through the joint 20, is effective to separate the tongs 16 from each of the clamp assemblies 14 to release such blown containers in the dead plate, and for collecting such tongs 16 in the blow molds when the extraction mechanism 10 is ready to initiate a repetition of the process, respectively.

Each of the clamp assemblies 14 includes a fork-like fixed member 22, which is suspended in a fixed manner to the cylindrical housing 12 and has the axle 18 passing through it., and each of the tongs 16 carried by the clamp assembly 14 is suspended from the joining system 20 carried by such a clamp assembly 14 at an elevation that is adjustable. The adjustment of the elevation of the tongs 16 is made by the use of a nut and screw assembly 24 which is received in a groove 26 of each of the tongs 16, which generally have an L-shaped configuration. lifting the tongs 16 while fitting a blown container can be positioned accurately in relation to the elevation of the fixed member, and in relation to the raising of the tongs 16 of the other clamp assemblies 14, in order to be able to catch the blown container is intended to fit through its threaded finish or otherwise configured, as opposed to taking the container at an elevation below a transfer molding preceding the end as in the case of the extraction mechanisms of the technique above, which do not require a comparable degree of accuracy in the placement or positioning of the lift of the tongs 16.

The position of each of the clamp assemblies 16 of each of the clamp assemblies 14 is adjustable in a horizontal plane regardless of the position of each of the clamp assemblies 16 of each of the other clamp assemblies 14 to In order to accurately pick up a container in a blow mold from a section of a SI machine without the need for any inclination of the container to compensate for any misalignment of the tongs 16 with respect to the container with which it will be caught. This adjustment is made by the use of a threaded member 28 which passes through a threaded opening in one of the tongs 16 of each of the pairs of pliers 16 to fit a distal end extension of the center 22a of the fixed member 22. Advance or by retracting the threaded member 28 in relation to the extension 22a, the angular position of the tongs 16 of each of the clamp assemblies 14 is adjusted about the axis 18, and because the arc of movement of the pair of pliers 16 is relatively small, and the radius of its movement about the axis 18 is relatively long, the adjustment of the position of the tongs 16 of each pair of pliers 16 by the use of the threaded member 28 will, for all practical purposes, be present in a horizontal plane.

Although the best mode contemplated by the inventor for practicing the present invention as the date of presentation thereof has been shown as described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications and appropriate equivalences can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, such scope is limited only by the terms in the following claims and the legal equivalences thereof.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant, to implement said invention is that which is clear from the manufacture of the objects to which it refers.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (9)

1. An extraction mechanism for the removal of a plurality of glass containers from the molds in a section of a glass container forming machine of the Individual Section type, said extraction mechanism is characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of pliers assemblies, one of said pliers assemblies for each of the glass containers to be removed, each of said pliers assembly comprises: a fixed member, a joining means carried by said member fixed for opening and closing an opposite pair of pliers , an opposite pair of pliers carried by said joining means and is rotatable with respect to said joining means, and means for adjustably securing said pliers opposite said connecting means to allow separation between said opposite pair of pliers and said member fixed to be adjusted; and means connected to each said plurality of pliers assemblies to move said plurality of said pliers assemblies in unison.

2. An extraction mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the clamp assemblies further comprises; threaded means carried by at least one of the opposite pairs of pliers and adapted to fit said fixed member to adjust the position of said opposite pliers, in unison, in a plane extending transversely of the orientation of said fixed member.

3. An extraction mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that said members extend vertically and said means for adjustable securing allow the adjustment of an elevation of said opposite pair of pliers.

4. A pincer mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that said threaded means carried by at least one of said opposite pairs of pliers is adapted to adjust the position of said opposite pair of pliers in a horizontal plane.

5. An extraction mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that said plurality of clamp assemblies comprises at least three clamp assemblies.

6. An extraction mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that said plurality of pliers assemblies comprises at least three pliers assemblies.

7. An extraction mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that each of said pliers comprises a generally L-shaped member; wherein each of said L-shaped members has a leg extending vertically with a groove extending vertically on said leg extending vertically; and wherein said adjustment means comprises a nut and screw assembly passing through said vertically extending groove of said leg extending vertically from said L-shaped member.

8. An extraction mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixed member has a separate pair of legs, said joining means is rotatable about an axis extending through said opposite pair of legs of said fixed member.

9. An extraction mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that said fixed member has a separate pair of legs, said joining means is rotatable about an axis extending through an axis extending through each of said opposite pair of legs of said fixed member. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An extraction mechanism for simultaneously removing a plurality of glass containers from the molds in a section of a glass container forming machine of the individual section type, and preferably three such glass containers in each cycle. The extraction mechanism includes a plurality of pliers assembly, one of such pliers assemblies for each container to be removed in each cycle of operation of the extraction mechanism, and a cylindrical housing to which each of the pincers assemblies is secured to move the extraction assemblies in unison to transfer the glass containers from the molds to a dead plate of the machine for cooling and further processing. Each of the clamp assemblies comprises a fixed member that extends vertically, a joint system carried by the member fixed for opening and closing an opposite pair of clamps generally L-shaped, and an opposite pair of clamps connected to each other. rotating way to the union system. A nut and screw assembly is provided to connect the pliers to the joint system to allow adjustment of the pincer lift, and a threaded member that passes through one of the opposite pairs of pliers to engage the pinned member to allow the adjustment of the position of the opposite pair of pliers in a horizontal plane in relation to the position of the fixed member.