CZ356898A3 - Is machine - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, there is disclosed an I.S. machine comprising a plurality of individual sections (1) arranged in side by side relation, each section comprising a section frame (11A) having a top wall (134) having a front and a back and opposed sides, a blank station adjacent the front of the machine for forming a parison from a gob of molten glass, the blank station including a mold opening and closing mechanism (12) supported on said top wall (134) for supporting an opposed pair of blank mold halves having surfaces adapted to engage in an engagement plane, a blow station adjacent the rear of the machine for forming a parison into a bottle, said blow station including a mold opening and closing mechanism (13) supported on said top wall (134) for supporting an opposed pair of blank mold halves having surfaces adapted to engage in an engagement plane, an invert and neck ring holder mechanism (110) supported on said top wall (134) and located between said blank station and said blow station for transferring a parison between said stations, and a baffle mechanism (180) including an arm carrier (182), a servo motor (188) having a rotary output (190), and a coupling device (192) with a screw (194) for translating the rotary output of said servo motor (188) into the displacement of said arm carrier (182) from a remote position to an operative position against the molds, a housing for housing said baffle mechanism (180), whereby said baffle mechanism (180) is secured by means of a cam housing (199) base (208) and bolts (209) to said top wall (134) proximate the front thereof between the front of the wall and said blank station mold opening and closing mechanism (12).

Description

The present invention relates to IS machines (individual section machines) which transform batches of molten glass into bottles in a two-step production process, and in particular to the mold opening and closing mechanisms of such machines.

State of the art

The first IS machine was patented in US Patents A registered under numbers 1,843,159 dated February 2, 1932 and 1,911,119 dated May 23, 1933. Currently, more than 4,000 IS machines from various manufacturers are in use worldwide, producing more than a million bottles every day of the year.

Such an IS (individual sectional) machine has a certain number of identical sections (a sectional frame in which and on which a certain number of sectional mechanisms are mounted), each of these sections having a front molding station that transforms one or more batches of supplied molten glass into flasks having a threaded opening (bottle mouth) at the bottom, and a blowing station into which the flasks enter and are formed into bottles standing upright with the mouth facing upwards. A mechanism for inverting and holding circular mouths comprising a pair of opposed arms that rotate around an inverting axis transfers the flasks from the front molding station to the blowing station and performs inverting of these flasks from a position in which the bottle mouths face downwards to a position in which the bottle mouths face upwards during the production process. The bottle made in the blowing station is removed from the section by a take-up mechanism.

The front mold station contains opposing pairs of front molds and the final blow station contains opposing pairs of final molds. These molds are movable between open (separated) and closed positions. Opposite pairs of mouthed circular molds, which are moved (carried near their tops) by a mechanism for turning and holding the circular mouths, define the mouth of the bottle and maintain the formed flask during movement from the front mold station to the blow station.

• ·

-2The front molds and the final molds of the '159 patent are supported on inserts moved by opposing carriers which are rotatable about a common axis of rotation in front of the molds (the front-to-rear movement is determined by the movement of the flask from the front molding stations to the blowing stations). A linear motor (fluid-operated motor) controls the operation of both the front mold support mechanism and the final mold support mechanism. The linear motor for controlling the operation of the front mold support mechanism is mounted forward of the axis of rotation of the front mold support mechanism and projects horizontally outwardly from the front of the section frame, and a pair of link chains connect the output of the motor on the front mold side to the final mold support mechanism. The linear motor for controlling the operation of the final mold support mechanism is mounted vertically on the axis of rotation side (these mechanisms at each station are generally referred to as the mold opening and closing mechanisms). This original IS machine evolved into a machine in which the motors (fluid-actuated cylinders or rotary output motors) are located under the molds and each motor is connected to an associated pair of mold carriers by transmissions that extend vertically from the bottom of the section at the front or rear of the pair of mold carrier mechanisms (see U.S. Patents 4,362,544 and 4,427,431). The drive link connections generate torsional forces that are undesirable for the carriers. In addition, the drive link connections must be designed to accommodate the specific shapes of the molds, and therefore both the entire link connection and the mold carrier mechanism require related changes when switching from processing one batch of molten glass to processing another batch of molten glass. In such machines, the front mold closing head mechanism and the funnel mechanism must be located on the side of the section near the tool, which makes maintenance and repair of these mechanisms difficult and forces the removal of adjacent sections from service. The top of the front mold is opened and a batch of molten glass is fed from the inlet by gravity vertically downwards to a position above the open mold. If the bottle to be made is not circular in cross-section (for example, it is square), a funnel, which is square in shape, can be moved to a position above the open top of the front mold and which directly feeds the batch of molten glass directly into the mold, changing its shape slightly in the process. Once the batch of molten glass has entered the front mold, the closing head of the closing head mechanism can be moved down onto the funnel to introduce air through

In • · • 9

-3 a certain number of open holes in the front mold under pressure to "settle" the molten glass batch in the front mold. The funnel and the closing head are then removed and the closing head is repositioned above the top of the open front mold. After the molten glass batch has settled, the blowing holes are closed. Now either pre-blow air is introduced into the mold, which blows the molten glass batch into the mold (in a machine carrying out the double blowing method) or a nozzle is introduced, which forces the molten glass batch into the mold (in a press-blow machine). Air trapped between the outer surface of the molten glass batch and the inner surface of the front mold will be expelled through suitable escape paths in the lower surface of the closing head. After the flask is formed, the closing head is removed, the front mold is opened and the flask is transferred to the final, blow mold. If the molten glass batch is not to be shaped, the use of a funnel may be omitted and the closure head may be immediately placed on top of the front mold to begin the "settling" process. In the prior art, closure heads of this type use a central piston which hangs from the bottom of the closure head and creates a large central opening for settling air. Once the pre-blow effect is felt, the upward movement of the molten glass batch forces this piston upward to its final position where the bottom of the piston is flush with the bottom surface of the closure head, with a small circular groove between the piston and the bottom of the base through which air can continue to escape from the front mold through the closure head. Bottles produced in this manner have a visible circular edge at the bottom of the bottle and this is undesirable.

The essence of the invention

In connection with the above facts, the aim of the present invention is to develop a breech head mechanism and a funnel mechanism, where these mechanisms will advance more easily to the front mold during operation and the range of their movement will require less space.

Overview of images on the drawing

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a study of the following portion of this specification and the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a presently preferred embodiment incorporating the principles of the invention and in which:

• » · · ···· ··

-4 Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of an IS machine having a number of identical sections, each section having a front station and a final station;

Fig. 2 is an oblique view showing a mechanism for opening and closing the molds of one of the stations of the section;

Fig. 3 is an oblique view showing the connection of one of the mold holding mechanisms to the lead screw drive assembly;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the lead screw drive assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the lead screw drive assembly shown in FIG. 3;

Fig. 6 is an oblique view of the design of the transmission housing separated from its holder;

Fig. Ί is an oblique view showing how the arrangement of the mold holding mechanism allowing rectilinear displacement in a direction perpendicular to the clamping bush is solved;

Fig. 8 is an oblique view of a mechanism for inverting and holding a circular mouth which performs the transfer of flasks from the preliminary molds to the final molds;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 and showing a second embodiment of a mold holding mechanism, the location of which allows for linear displacement;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a structural design of a transmission housing corresponding to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the mold support mechanism shown in Fig. 9, illustrating how one of the circular shafts can compensate for heat build-up;

Fig. 12 is an oblique view showing the lead screw cover and transmission;

Fig. 13 is an oblique view showing the machine bed which supports the individual sections of the IS machine;

Fig. 14 is an oblique view of a part of the machine bed;

Fig. 15 is a first embodiment of an electronic block diagram illustrating the control of a mold opening and closing mechanism;

FIG. 15A is an alternative embodiment of an electronic block diagram illustrating control of a mold opening and closing mechanism;

Fig. 16 is a first flow chart showing a control algorithm of a mold opening and closing mechanism;

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-5 Fig. 16A is a second flow chart showing the control mechanism for opening and closing the molds; Fig. 17 is an oblique view of the front mold station of the section showing the breech head mechanism which is mounted in a corner of the top wall of the section frame;

Fig. 18 is a side cross-section of the operating portion of the breech mechanism shown in Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional elevational view showing the breech head above the front mold of the IS machine;

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 19 showing the situation where the breech head engages the front mold in a first position;

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. 19 showing the situation where the breech head engages the front mold in a second position;

Fig. 22 is an oblique view of the breech head; and Fig. 23 is a flow chart showing the operation of the breech head mechanism actuator.

Fig. 24 is a view similar to Fig. 17 showing the funnel arm mechanism mounted on the section frame;

Fig. 25 is an oblique view of an alternative embodiment of a mouth turning and holding mechanism used in conjunction with the mold opening and closing mechanism shown in Figs. 9 and 10;

Fig. 26 is a view taken along line 26-26 in Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is an axial view of the connection of the worm gear housing and the motor housing;

Fig. 28 is a flow chart illustrating a flip algorithm;

Figure 29 is a flow chart demonstrating the algorithm for opening the oral circle;

Fig. 30 is a flow chart illustrating a recursive algorithm;

Fig. 31 is an oblique view of the front mold station mouth mechanism, which is partially shown in Fig. 17;

Fig. 32 is an oblique view of a single mouthpiece canister; Fig. 33 is an oblique view of a mouthpiece mounting plate;

Fig. 34 is an oblique, separated view showing the interconnection of the first four service pipes routed to the bottom of the mouthpiece distribution base;

9 «*·«··· '· · ···· ·· 99 999 99 *·

Fig. 35 is an oblique view of the front face of the junction box; Fig. 36 is an oblique view of the upper surface of the junction box;

Fig. 37 is an oblique view of the top and front face of the mouthpiece distribution base; Fig. 38 is an oblique view of the mouthpiece transition plate;

FIG. 38A is a view similar to FIG. 38 showing an alternative mouthpiece transition plate;

Fig. 39 is a view similar to Fig. 31 showing an alternative mounting plate;

Fig. 40 is an oblique view of a portion of a round neck holder having an alternative shape; Fig. 41 is a side cross-sectional view of a first mounting assembly showing a first mold half being supported by a mold support intermediate member;

Fig. 42 is a side cross-sectional view of a second mounting assembly showing a second mold half supported by a mold support intermediate member;

Fig. 43 is a side sectional view of a third fixture assembly showing a third mold half supported by an intermediate mold support member; and Fig. 44 is a schematic side sectional view showing a front mold supported in a front mold station and a blow mold supported in a respective end station;

Fig. 45 is an oblique view of a take-up mechanism that has been assembled in accordance with the resulting findings of the present invention;

Fig. 46 schematically illustrates the separation of the picker arm from the picker mechanism shown in Fig. 45; and Fig. 47 is a flow chart illustrating the "2" shifted picker mechanism control algorithm.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

The IS machine comprises a number (usually 6, 8, 10 or 12) of sections 11. A conventional section takes the form of a box frame or section box 11A (Fig. 2) which contains or carries the section mechanism. Each section comprises a front mold station having an opening and closing mechanism 12 for carrying the front molds in which the supplied batches of molten glass are converted into flasks, and a final station having an opening and closing mechanism 12 for carrying the front molds in which the supplied batches of molten glass are converted into flasks, and a final station having an opening and closing mechanism 12 for carrying the front molds in which the molten glass is converted into flasks.

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a mechanism 13 for controlling the final molds into which the flasks enter, which are subsequently formed into bottles. In one cycle of each section, one, two, three or four batches of molten glass can be processed, and therefore, depending on the number of batches of molten glass processed simultaneously in said one cycle, each machine will be referred to as a machine for one batch of molten glass, a machine for two batches of molten glass, a machine for three batches of molten glass (demonstrated embodiment) or a machine for four batches of molten glass. The take-off mechanism (Fig. 40) removes the finished bottles from the final station and transfers them to the stop 14. The discharge mechanism (not shown) subsequently transfers the finished bottles from the stop 14 to the conveyor 15, which takes them further away from the machine. The front of the machine (or section) is the end that is furthest from the conveyor, the rear of the machine is the end that is near the conveyor, and the sides of the machine or section are perpendicular to said conveyor. Side-to-side movement is movement that is parallel to the conveyor path.”

Fig. 2 shows a portion of section 11 of a three-batch molten glass machine manufactured in accordance with the present invention and is a schematic illustration of the design of the front mold station. Section 11 includes a box-shaped sectional frame 11A having a top wall 134 with a top surface and side walls 132. Each mold opening and closing mechanism includes a pair of opposed mold holding mechanisms 16. Each mold holding mechanism is connected to a control assembly means comprising a linear transmission rotary positioner 18 which is mounted on top of the sectional frame 11A and is driven by a control system 19 having a rotary output for moving the associated mold holding mechanism 16 linearly in a lateral direction between a retracted, separated position and a retracted position in which the halves of the opposing pair of mold holding mechanisms are pressed tightly together. The mold holding mechanisms of the front mold stations are the same, but the mold holding mechanism of one station may differ in size from the mold holding mechanism of another station due to differences in the manufacturing process which will be well known to those skilled in the art. Since the machine shown is a three-shot machine, each front or end station mold holding mechanism will carry three halves of 17 molds (front molds or end molds).

With reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the connection of the mold holding mechanism to the secondary drive system and the means for moving the mold holding mechanism between the retracted position and the retracted position will now be described. Figs. 4 and 5 only show • ·

0· ♦ ·

-8 shows a mold holding mechanism that carries a mechanism associated with a single section, while Fig. 6 shows an alternative housing that carries two mold holding mechanisms when two sections are adjacent, and that carries only one mold holding mechanism when no sections are adjacent. The control system 19 comprises a servomotor 66 (with some gearbox and/or gearing for changing direction) having a rotary output in the form of a spindle 67 (Fig. 4) which is connected to a lead screw 70 (e.g. ball or trapezoidal) having a right-handed upper part and a left-handed lower part, by means of a connecting member 68. A housing 90 carries the lead screw 70. Both ends of this lead screw are located in the housing 90 in a vertical position in suitable single radial or double ball bearing assemblies 99. The housing has a base portion 93 which is bolted to the upper surfaces 94A, 94B (Fig. 6) of two adjacent sectional frames (if no adjacent section is connected, the top wall of the section will be extended outwardly to provide a more perfect base for housing) by suitable screws 95, opposite side walls 96 which include stiffening ribs 97, and removable upper parts 98. The lead screw is connected to a rotary linear transmission positioner comprising nut means having a lower nut 72 with a left-hand thread and an upper nut 74 with a right-hand thread and which are located on said lead screw. The rotary linear transmission positioner further comprises means for connecting the nuts 72, 74 to the mold holding mechanism, wherein a first pair of lifting members 76 is connected at one end to the upper nut 74, a second pair of lifting members 78 is connected at one end to the lower nut 72, and the yoke 82 has a horizontal bore 91 carrying a transverse, horizontal pivot shaft 80 to which the second ends of the lifting members 76, 78 are rotatably connected (sleeve or flanged bushings are used to extend the life of said members). The yoke 82 also has a vertical bore 92 into which the vertical pivot shaft 27 of the mold holding mechanism rotatably enters. As a result, rotation of the lead screw 70 in one direction will subsequently move the mold holding mechanism towards the opposite mold holding mechanism and vice versa. It can be seen that the lifting members 76, 78 form articulated joints which can move between retracted and retracted positions and which act horizontally between the housing 90 and the mold holding mechanism.

Each mold holding mechanism has a carrier 30 and lower and upper intermediate members 24 which hold the mold halves and which are carried on the carrier 30 on a shaft 27 which passes through vertical «· •» ·· ·· · *· • ·· « · ··« · · · φ ··· · · · · · · φ • · · · « '« · * · · · ··

-9 holes in the carrier 30, the intermediate members 24 and in the yoke 82. The yoke 82 enters the pocket 101 in the carrier 30. In the figures it can be seen that the lead screw is vertical and is guided in the vicinity of the mold holding mechanism, while the linear transmission positioner, which connects the rotary output of the servo motor (lead screw) and the mold holding mechanism, is compactly located between the lead screw and the mold holding mechanism on the upper surface of the top wall 134 of the section. The rotary linear transmission positioner is completely located above the top of the sectional frame and creates a load acting near the center (vertically and horizontally) of the mold holding mechanism [vertically because the axis of the horizontal shaft 80 lies midway between the upper intermediate member 21 and the lower intermediate member 24, and horizontally because the axis of the vertical shaft 27 passes through the center of the carrier body 30 (and the intermediate members 24)]. The load, which is transmitted directly from the vertical shaft 27 to the upper intermediate member 24 and the lower intermediate member 24, acts in a plane that is perpendicular to the contact plane of the molds and that intersects the center of the molds (the center of the middle mold or, if there is an even number of molds, the median distance between the centers of the molds). The direction of action of this load is perpendicular to the contact plane (clamping plane) located between the opposite mold halves and, since the vertical rotary shaft 27 rotatably supports both the intermediate links 24 and the yoke 82 and this yoke additionally rotatably supports the horizontal rotary shaft 80 which is connected to the lifting links, the intermediate links 24 are not subjected to any torsional forces during the application of the clamping load. Accordingly, the force exerted by the rotary positioner of the linear transmission will be transmitted directly to the intermediate links 24 - the carrier 30 is not located in the path of the clamping load.

Both nuts 72, 74 have a flat, rear abutment surface 84 which is associated with a flat, machined, vertical return surface 86 which is defined on the rear wall 88 of the transmission housing (casting) 90. When the mold holding mechanism is withdrawn, the rear return surface of the nuts 72, 74 is separated by a predetermined distance (clearance) from the vertical abutment surface 86 which is defined on the wall. The lead screw 70 meets the requirement* of such strength that during the movement of the mold holding mechanisms until the clamping contact of the opposite mold halves, when the required load is applied thereto, it will bring the nut abutment surfaces 84 into contact with the abutment surface 86 of the rear wall in the required manner. The lead screw housing 90 has the necessary strength to ensure that this load can be applied and that the removable top 98 can be adjusted before being secured in place to set the desired clearance between the nut support surfaces and the wall support surface. Accordingly, the mold halves, mold holding mechanisms, oppositely located transmissions » · 9 9 9 99 9 9 9 0 • 9 · 90 * 0 ·9·

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- 10a the housing 90 defines a truss (made of triangular structures) which is supported above the upper surface of the sectional frame to prevent both vertical deflection (the truss will thus protect the support shafts from downward loads) and lateral separation of the mold halves (horizontally) due to vertical loads acting during the molding process. In order to ensure lubrication of the support surfaces 84, 86, an oil groove 100 can be formed in the surface 86 of the rear wall, the oil being fed into this groove through suitable passages provided in the lead screw housing 90. In order to minimize friction, the machined surface can be impregnated with a solid lubricant. To provide greater strength, the lead screw housing 90 (Fig. 6) can be doubled to accommodate additional lead screws that will be connected to the rotary positioners of the linear transmissions of adjacent sections.

Each intermediate member 24 (Fig. 7) comprises a first part 26 which rotates about a vertical pivot shaft 27 and which carries one of the mold halves, and a second part 28 which carries the other two mold halves and which is connected by means of a pivot pin 29 to the first part 26 in such a position as to ensure that the effect of the forces acting on each mold is distributed evenly. The rotary shaft 27 slidably passes downwardly through the first portion 26 of the upper intermediate member 24, through the upper wall 30A of the carrier 30, through the transmission yoke 82, through the lower wall 30B of the carrier 30, and finally through the first portion 26 of the lower intermediate member 24. The pairs of pins 31, which are guided downwardly through the upper intermediate member 24, through the carrier 30, and through the lower intermediate member 24, have a predetermined clearance relative to said intermediate member portions to define the desired movement of their first portion 26 and second portion 28.

The mold holding mechanisms are, as will now be explained, designed to slide on two parallel shafts 40, 50. The carrier 30, whose position is parallel in relation to the clamping plane, has at one end an external (at a certain distance from the mechanisms for turning and holding the circular mouths - fig. 8) mounting flange 32. This mounting flange is attached by suitable fastening means 34 to a block 35, which has a corresponding cutout 38 for placing said flange and which has a flat, horizontal, support surface 36 for running on a flat, horizontal, support surface (track) 41 defined on the shaft 40, which is a square and which is part of a bracket 42 attached to the sectional frame in the vicinity of its end (the bracket 42 could optionally be formed as part of the housing of some other mechanism). Wipers (not shown) will keep the track surface clean and lubricated ft ft

- 11 • ft «ft ♦ ftft ft· ft« ft ft ftftft ft ftft ft ftftft ft · ftftft • ft · · ft ft · · ft ftftft ftftft may be supplied to the block so that the bearing surfaces can be continuously lubricated. The inner (located near the mechanism for turning and holding the necks) end of the carrier 30 is attached by suitable fastening means 34 to an "L"-shaped block 46 which is integral with the support block 48. and has a cylindrical bearing surface which slides on a corresponding cylindrical bearing surface of the shaft 50.

A mechanism 110 for turning and holding the circular mouths (Fig. 8) is mounted on the upper surface of the sectional box between the front station and the end station. This mechanism has a pair of opposing holders 112 which can be moved from the separated position to the shown closed position by the operation of respective horizontally arranged pneumatic cylinders 114. These circular mouth holders carry opposing halves 115 of mouth rings which close the bottom of the front molds when the mold halves are clamped and which, when the mouth rings are closed, determine the shape of the mouths (threads) 116 of the individual flasks and ultimately of the bottles. After said mouth shape is formed, the circular mouth holders 120 are rotated 180° by the action of a circular mouth turning and holding mechanism controlled by a servomotor 108 so as to cause a worm drive shaft (not shown) to rotate in a worm block 118 which houses a worm gear which is housed in a suitable worm gear box 120. The cylinders 114 of the circular mouth turning and holding mechanism are suitably mounted between oppositely positioned vertical supports or brackets 122 and said worm gear box. The vertical worm block 118 and the turning brackets 122 are secured to the upper surface of the sectional frame.

In Fig. 8 it can be seen that the circular shaft 50 of the front mold opening and closing mechanism, which is located near the mechanism for inverting and holding the circular mouths, is mounted at each end in opposite inverting brackets 122. The circular shaft of the final mold opening and closing mechanism is in the form of a two-piece circular shaft 50A, 50B. These shafts are mounted coaxially and are each mounted at one end in the inverting bracket 122 and at the other end in the vertical screw block 118. Regardless of whether it is a front mold station or a final mold station, the square shaft 40 allows the carrier to expand due to the rising temperature in the same direction away from the inverting axis (center of the section).

As seen in Figs. 9 to 11, two circular shafts 50C may alternatively be mounted directly on the carrier 30. The free end of these shafts slidably enter suitable • 0

- 120000 ·· ·· 000 • 0 0 · · « • 4

0 0» bearings 170 (Fig. 10) in the respective holes 171 formed in a pair of mounting blocks 172. which are structurally designed to form a single unit with the lead screw housing 90. Each of these mounting blocks has a pair of bearings 170 located vertically, at a certain distance below each other, into which the circular shafts SOC from the mold holding mechanisms of adjacent sections enter. Each pair of circular shafts belonging to a particular section (one above and one below) is positioned vertically one above the other at equal distances above and below the axis of the horizontal, yoke-type rotary shaft 80. Since the expansion of the drive block due to an increase in temperature is not as great as the thermal expansion of the carrier 30, a compensation mechanism is built into the carrier so that regardless of whether it is a front mold station or a rear mold station, the carrier will expand due to an increase in temperature in the same direction away from the center (axis of turning) of the section. In Fig. 11, it can be seen that a screw 174 connects a pin 176 on one side of the carrier 30, which can slide horizontally in a longitudinal pin track 177, to an outer circular shaft 50C on the other side of the carrier. The holes 178 and 179 in the carrier into which the respective shaft and screw enter have the necessary clearance to facilitate the sliding of the pin in the horizontal direction in its path (relatively) and thus allow this circular shaft to maintain parallelism with another circular shaft within the temperature range of the given environment.

In both the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 and the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10, each carrier is mounted on a circular shaft guided between the turning axis and the center of the mold opening and closing mechanism, and is located on the other side of the center of the mold opening and closing mechanism on an axis that can transmit the effect of the expansion of the material due to the increase in heat away from the axis of the turning and holding mechanism of the circular mouths. This means that the expansion due to the heat of both the final mold station and the front mold station will proceed in the same direction (away from the axis of the turning and holding mechanism of the circular mouths). This has never been achieved before. In all previously known IS machines, the effect of thermal expansion in the case of the front mold station side was directed towards the turning and holding mechanism of the circular mouths, while in the case of the final mold station side it was expressed away from the turning and holding mechanism of the circular mouths. In this regard, the thermal expansion of the front station and the rear station is directed in the same direction as the circular orifice holder, which allows for better alignment of the machine's working direction.

Fig. 12 shows the structure of the cover of one of the lead screw housings. It can be seen that the carrier is fully retracted. The cover has a front, sloping wall 52 which coincides with the top of the carrier 30

and which is connected to the rear top edge by a hinge 53. The cover also has sides 54 which form a single unit with the wall 52 along both edges 56 in the top part. Each side has a vertical part

57, which covers the relevant part of the carrier in its retracted position. The flap-shaped cover actuator

58, which is connected to the front edge of the top 98 by a hinge 60, rests on opposite, inwardly extending brackets 61 which are attached to the sloping front wall 52 of the cover. In the retracted position, the top edge of the cover is adjacent to the hinge 60. As the carrier is retracted, the top of the cover (and flap) moves to a more gently sloping position and the flap and top move accordingly to accommodate the displacement.

Based on the operation of the transmissions of the mechanisms for opening and closing the molds located above the upper wall of the sectional frame and based on the operation of the transmissions driven by electronic motors, which are mounted so as to, as shown, point downwards from the upper wall of the sectional frame, the opening of the floor part of the sectional frame is carried out, which is filled in a known manner with these motors (pneumatic cylinders) and transmissions (connecting links). The sectional frames 11.A of the machine (there may be 6, 8, 10, etc.) are placed on a base, which is defined by a certain number of two-part beds 130, which are connected to each other. Each two-piece bed has passage means extending from one side of the bed to the other side of the bed in connection with rectangular openings 136 in the sides 132 of the bed separated by side wall ribs 137 for the sliding entry of a number (eight in the preferred embodiment) of seamless, square fluid conduits 138 extending across the width of the machine. These conduits serve the purposes of pneumatic control, air cooling, lubrication and vacuum generation, etc. as required. The top wall 134 has openings 140 for the front mold station and openings 142 for the end mold station, through which openings 140, 142 the said conduits 138 for supplying fluid to each section box pass. Sectional cables and wiring are routed beneath said conduits and pass upwardly through the space between the conduit groups and through wiring passages 145 formed in the top wall 134 so that they can be connected to individual mechanisms.

The pipes 138, which pass from one end of the machine to the other and which are connected to the respective sources, are releasably attached to each of the two sectional beds by means of a clamping structure (Fig. 14) which includes an I-beam 147 which supports all the pipes and clamping devices 148 at the front and rear of the bed, the clamping devices being secured between the I-beam and the top wall of the bed. Each clamping device has a control screw 149 which has a tightening head

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-14151 and which provides for the fastening of the pipe 138 through the corresponding holes 153 inserted. Turning the control screw in one direction presses the pipe against the ribs 137 of the side wall and lifts it upwards into firm contact with the rib 143 which projects downwards from the top wall 134 of the two-piece base. If it is necessary to remove one of these pipes and replace it with, for example, two pipes, the clamping mechanism is released by turning the tightening head in the opposite direction, whereby the pipe to be removed is released and can subsequently be slidably pulled out and replaced by several other pipes, run side by side (pipes can be added or removed according to a predetermined number depending on the requirements of the production process).

With reference to Figs. 15 and 16, it will be explained that each motor of the mold opening and closing mechanism operates in a known manner, with feedback signals being sent to a motion controller which controls the servo amplifiers which control the motors (servomotors). As can be seen, the motors are electronically coupled to each other. Motor/encoder number 1 (control) M1/154 monitors the request signal from the position sequence control device 150 of the motion controller 155. The motion control position feedback processor 152, which receives the digital signal with feedback from the encoder part of motor/encoder number 1, sends a signal to the summing circuit 156. The summing circuit sends a digital signal to the control signal processor 158, which proceeds to the amplifier 160, which controls the motor/encoder number 1. The motion controller position sequence control device receives the signal from the summing circuit 156, processes it into a request signal and then sends it to a second summing circuit 161, which also receives a signal from the position feedback processor 162, which receives the digital signal with feedback from the encoder part of motor/encoder number 2 (M2/168), and outputs a digital signal. This signal is converted by the second amplifier control signal processor 159, which outputs a signal to the second amplifier 162, which controls the operation of the motor/encoder number 2 (slave) 168.

The separation of the mold halves when the mold carriers are fully retracted (each in its initial position) can be predetermined and the ideal center point of the mold movement is half the distance between them. The initial step of the feed program consists in the position sequence control device 150 establishing a displacement profile that will control the operation of the motors (M1, M2), which are electronically coupled to each other, so as to move the molds associated with these motors to said ideal center point. In order to actually confirm the completion of the movement of both mold carriers, a speed test of each motor is performed and, if

• · fr · • fr 9 99 • fr • · • fr fr • 99 fr • ·' 9 9 * • 9 9 9 fr 9 • 9 9 • ·· 9 • • 9 9 9 9 9 9 ···· • fr • 9 999 9'9 9 9

When the speed of one motor (VM1) and the speed of the other motor (VM2) are zero, the next step in the feed program begins by the position sequence controller establishing a speed profile that will control the operation of the motors at a very low speed (Vs) - (this can be any command that will start the motors). When the actual speed of each motor is again zero, a determination is made as to whether the actual end position of the extended mold carrier is within an acceptable error range P/-..X" from the ideal center point). The encoder associated with each motor provides data from which the actual end position can be determined. If the mold carriers are in an acceptable position, the third step of the feed program can be performed, in which the operation of each motor develops the selected torque during a specified time period ("Tl"), which can be set via the computer. This time period is the time that the mold halves will be clamped together. After this time has elapsed, each mold carrier returns to its "0" position, or initial position. To return each mold carrier mechanism, as shown, to its initial position, each motor is operated at low speed - VS, where the minus sign means rotation in the opposite direction (which can be set - the arrow represents the computer input) for a limited time period T2 (which can also be set - the arrow represents the computer input) to "burst" the molds before the mold carriers are retracted to the "0" position at high speed - VR (an opening profile - for example a steady acceleration section followed by a steady deceleration section ending in the initial position).

A second algorithm for controlling two servomotors is shown in Fig. 15A. In this embodiment, the motion controller has a sequence of position controls for each motor. Therefore, the motors are not electronically coupled to each other. As can be seen in Fig. 16A, each motor is controlled to simultaneously move the respective mold holder according to a predetermined feed profile (displacement/velocity/acceleration profile) to an ideal center position (one half of the total distance plus a selected distance that should result in the clamping of the opposing mold holders and subsequent stop). The fact that both mold holders have stopped is verified (an error signal can be monitored) and the actual position of each mold holder is determined and compared to the ideal center point position. If the actual position of each mold holder is within -+/-X of the ideal center point position, the feed is acceptable. If this is not the case, an error signal will be generated. The actual center point is determined (total distance traveled by both mold holders divided by two) and a new ideal center point is determined. If one mold holder traveled a longer distance than the other • 00 • 0 0 · 0 0 00 0 0 · ·

000 00 · 0 · 0 0

0 0 · 0 0 0 0 000 ·00

000 0 00 0 0

0·00 00 00 000 00 00

- 16 mold holder, (after a longer path than the acceptable difference), the control device determines the amount of adjustment of the feed profile of one of the motors, which will either speed up the movement or slow down the movement to reduce the difference in the distance traveled by the two mold holders. The control device then provides the required torque to the motors and continues with the program shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 17 shows a breech mechanism 180 mounted on the top wall 134 of the sectional frame 11A. A support arm 182, which carries three breech heads 184 (the breech head mechanism is shown schematically because there is a wide variety of specific designs), is connected to a vertical control rod 186. This control rod will rise and rotate during the time it is in the highest lift section so that the breech heads can move between a raised, retracted position and a lower, retracted position in which they will be located on top of the front molds. This associative movement is controlled by the action of a servomotor 188 (Fig. 18) which has a rotary output 190 which is connected by means of a coupling device 192 to a screw 194. The thread of this screw corresponds to the thread of a nut 196 which rotates freely in a hole 198 formed in a cam housing 199. A roller-shaped cam follower 202 rides on a drum cam 204 formed on a wall 206 of the cam housing. A vertical control rod 186 is mounted on top of the nut. In Fig. 17 it can be seen that the cam housing has a base 208 which is secured by screws 209 to the top wall 134 of the sectional frame 11A at its front corner formed by the side wall 132 and the front wall 135. In the retracted position, the axes of the closure heads are coincident with the axes of the closed front molds and are connected to these axes at the top of said front molds. When the cam is actuated, the closure heads are first partially raised above the front molds and then, as they move upward for the remainder of their travel, they are moved further away from the centers of the front molds so that the mechanism for inverting and holding the circular mouths can transfer the formed flasks into the final molds. The breech mechanism can be located at the front of the sectional frame at each corner and, unlike the previously known breech mechanism, the fully raised and retracted breech arm can be located entirely within the section space, as shown in Fig. 17, and does not have to extend into the space of the adjacent section.

The closure head (Fig. 19) has a body 248 which includes a cup-shaped portion 250 having a circular, inwardly tapered sealing surface 252 which extends around its open end.

- 17·· ·0 ·· 9 99 99 · · · 9 9 99 · · · · • · · 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

9 9 9 9 '9 9 9 - 999 999

9 9 9 9 9 9 9

9999 99 99 99 999 99 ·· bottom for contacting and sealing a corresponding surface 254 on the top of the open front mold. The body 248 also includes a vertical, tubular housing portion 256 that defines a cylindrical guide and support surface 258 for the sliding entry of a rod 260 of the piston member 262. The cylindrical head 264 of the piston member 262 has a circular sealing surface 265 that can slide within a hole 266 of the cup-shaped portion 250. A spring 268 positioned around the vertical, tubular housing portion 256 is compressed between a flange 270, which is releasably attached to the carrier arm and which is also attached to the piston rod 260, and the top of the cup-shaped portion 250 to maintain the upper surface of the cylindrical head 264 in contact with the adjacent surface of the cup-shaped portion when the breech head is separated from the front mold.

When the breech head is moved down onto the front mold as seen in FIG. 20, the control device (FIG. 23) moves the flange 270 downwardly to such an extent that the top of the flange is a first distance D1 from the top surface 272 of the front mold to which the cylindrical head will be lowered relative to the cup-shaped portion so as to define the required clearance "X" between the lower circular surface 274 of the cylindrical piston head and the top surface of the front mold (the cylindrical head has moved relative to the cup-shaped portion a vertical distance "v"). This develops the required compression force between the piston member and the front mold creating the necessary seal between the contacting, inwardly tapered surfaces 252, 254. In this situation, the settling air introduced into the front mold via the central hole 276 in the piston rod will pass through a number of radially guided holes 278 in the cylindrical head into a corresponding number of vertical holes 280 and through the annular gap between the circular lower surface 280 of the cylindrical head and the upper surface 272 of the front mold into the final mold (suitable arcs that connect the interior of the body to the surrounding atmosphere ensure that the cylindrical head can move smoothly relative to the body). After the settling blowing is completed and the molten glass batch has been formed into a flask, the flange is displaced so that its top is at a second distance D2 from the upper surface of the front mold. As a result, the lower circular surface 281 of the cylindrical head comes into firm contact with the upper surface 272 of the front mold and closes the front mold. During the formation of the flask (by filling the internal cavity defined by the internal surface of the front mold and the lower surface of the cylindrical head), air can escape through a number (four in the preferred embodiment) of small notches 286 formed in the lower circular surface 281 of the cylindrical head (Fig. 22) into the vertical holes 280, then through the radial holes 278 into the cavity 276 toto ·· toě to to* to* • · to to '*· · · ·' to'

-18 piston rods and out through the now released holes 290 into the space between the top of the piston and the cup-shaped portion 250 and out of the relief holes 282.

If the use of a funnel mechanism 210 is required, then this device can be mounted in the other front corner. In Fig. 24 it can be seen that the construction of the breech head mechanism and the funnel mechanism are the same except for the change of the drum cam and except that the funnel carrier 212 carrying three funnels 214 is located on an additional control rod. Like the breech head mechanism, the funnel mechanism can always be located in the space of its own section.

Fig. 25 shows an alternative mechanism 110 for turning and holding the round mouths. As can be seen, this mechanism for turning and holding the round mouths can be used in the embodiment shown in Figs. 8-10. The end of each round mouth holder located near the worm gear housing 120 is in the form of a slotted mounting bracket 113 which has its bayonet end 109 slidably mounted on a support bracket 117 which is attached to the turning cylinder 114. The circular outer end 119 of the cylinder 114 (Fig. 26) slidably enters a corresponding circular groove 121 in the top of the respective outer side bracket 122A. The threaded end of the proximity switch or sensor 124 is screwed into a corresponding hole 125 in the side bracket and is secured by a nut 126 in a position where it will detect the cylinder in its fully inverted position (the round mouth holder is retracted). The proximity switch cable 128 is routed downward in a through hole (not shown) in the side bracket and the proximity switch itself is protected by a cover 129. A further pair of proximity switches 124A are located on a bracket 131 which is attached to the worm block 118 (Fig. 27). These proximity switches are located below the worm gear cover 120 and each is directed to a respective cylinder of the cylinder pair. At the end of each cylinder, which is located near the worm gear housing, a semicircular target 133 is attached which will signal to the respective proximity switch the displacement of that cylinder to the worm gear housing from a position which was the first position of the ring mouth holder in which the ring mouth halves were carried by the ring mouth holder on top of the mouth mechanism (180° reversed initial position), to a second position (180° back from the first position) in which the ring mouth halves hold the flasks in the final blowing station (0° reversed final position). In this context, the terms "ring mouth open" and "ring mouth closed" will be used to describe the position of the ring mouth holder • 4 44

4 4

4 4

444 444

4

4 4 4

- 19•9 44 44 • · · 4 4

4 4 4 '4 4 4 4 4

4 4 4

4444 44 99 orifices/brackets/cylinders, the functions of the actuators will be described with reference to one circular orifice holder, as the other circular orifice holder is controlled in the same manner. Since the servomotor 108 has an encoder that generates position feedback, the angular position of the circular orifice holder is known throughout its range of angular displacement.

The algorithm shown in Fig. 28 will identify control problems during the turning process. The “mouth ring closed” sensor 124A will be continuously monitored throughout the time during which the servomotor 108 moves the auger, worm gear and mouth ring from the initial turning position (180°) to the final turning position (0°). If the mouth ring does not maintain its closed position throughout this 180° movement, a warning signal will be sent. This signal will either stop the operating cycle or initiate the necessary minor intervention. The algorithm shown in Fig. 29 will determine whether the time it takes for the mouth ring to reach the open position is consistent. The mouth ring control cylinder will be actuated at a specified cycle timing (time “T”) to move the mouth ring from the closed position detected by the sensor 124A on the auger block to the open position detected by the sensor 124 on the side console. The time between these two signals is measured as “AT” and compared with the ideal time difference (original time difference) and the time (“T”) of deviation, which is the difference between the actual and ideal time period, is sent to the control device that controls the operation of the cylinder for controlling the mouth ring. In the event that the “T” deviation is greater - or even incorrect - a signal will be sent that will ensure the necessary interventions, ranging from stopping the cycle to sending a warning message to the operator indicating the need for maintenance intervention.

Fig. 30 shows the reciprocating algorithm. The mouth rings will be opened at the final station to release the finished bottles, and before the arm can rotate 180° to the front station, the control device must verify that the mouth rings are in the open position. In connection with this verification, the reciprocating servomotor will be controlled to provide the necessary angular displacement. At the selected angle of rotation (Θ1 ideal), the control device will control the action of the mouth ring control cylinder to move this cylinder (mouth ring) from the open position to the closed position. Such action will be determined by certain limits which stipulate that Θ1 must be greater than X° and that the mouth ring movement must be completed after reaching Y°. The values of X, Y and θ1 are independently adjustable. The control device determines the actual angle (Θ1 actual) when • fl flfl • fl

-20sensor 124 detects the "mouth circle open" state, and determines 61 deviation #1 by subtracting Θ1 actual from 61 ideal. This deviation is sent to the control device, where a correction is made to the position in which the mouth circle control cylinder is in operation. When this deviation is excessive or even erroneous, a warning signal is sent.

In addition, the control device monitors the situation when the mouth ring assumes a closed position defining the angle θ2 actual and the sensor detects the state of "mouth ring closed". The cylinders are conventionally controlled by air and the time that the pneumatic cylinder needs to move from the position "mouth ring open" to the position "mouth ring closed" depends on the specific technical conditions of the cylinder operation. As the cylinder power decreases, the time of the required displacement increases and such a delay can cause the moving structure (mouth ring structure) to hit front molds that would normally be out of its reach. The control device determines the second 61 deviation (θ2 ideal minus θ2 actual) and makes a second correction of the angle of operation of the mouth ring. When this decrease reaches a predetermined angle, which is the limit for the necessary triggering of an intervention, the control device sends an appropriate signal indicating the need for repair and/or maintenance. Since each angular displacement is a function of time for the encoder, these deviations will be related to the observed differences in times. These deviations ensure that the cycle paths will have constant times.

The nozzle mechanism, which is part of the front station of the section, is shown in Figs. 31 and 32 and includes, as can be seen, three nozzle canisters in the case of the machine for Irii batches of molten glass. Each nozzle canister has an upper cylindrical part 63 and a lower cylindrical part 64 with pin projections 65 carrying O-ring seals 71 and an exhaust pipe 73 which is guided axially downward from the lower surface 75 of the lower cylinder so as to connect the nozzle canister to the necessary operating services [nozzle cooling, gas removal, nozzle descent, nozzle rise, pre-blow/vacuum (in machines carrying out the double blowing method) or punch cooling (in press-blow machines), lubrication, support rise]. The canister can exhaust gases through the upper cylinder and in this case the exhaust pipe and associated exhaust pipe shown will not be necessary. For the sake of clarity, the die mechanism will be described in the context of a machine performing a double blow process, but in those passages where pre-blow/vacuum is mentioned, it should be understood that it is for die cooling in a blow molding machine. Mounted on top of each upper cylinder is a mounting plate or flange 77 and tooling 79 which has opposing lugs 81 for connection to opposing halves of the die • frfr • · ·« ·4 fr frfr fr • · · • · frfr • frfr • frfrfr frfr

-21 ring when the mouth ring holders are in the closed position. These mounting plates 77 are secured by suitable fastening means to the upper surface of a mounting block or plate 85 which has holes 87 (Fig. 33) through which the upper/lower rollers can pass, and this mounting block is secured to the upper surface 94 of the sectional frame 11 by suitable screws 89. A locating diameter 69 is located on the top of the upper roller. The upper surface of the sectional frame has a large opening (not shown) into which the mouth inserts can be placed depending on whether one, two or three batches of molten glass are involved. In this connection, the upper surface 94 of the sectional frame is a control surface. It is suitably machined at those points where the mounting block is secured to provide an accurate horizontal base. The upper surface (or flange mounting area or base) and lower surface of the mounting block are suitably machined to be parallel, and the height of the mounting block corresponds to the location of said tooling at the desired height. By positioning the cylindrical holes 87 in the mounting block precisely enough to align the locating projections of the mouthpiece canisters, the axes of these mouthpiece canisters will be positioned when inserted. By positioning diamond and circular pins (not shown) on the upper wall of the sectional frame and by defining suitable holes in the lower surface of the mounting plate, the mounting plate will automatically be seated. Since the top of the mouthpiece canister is fixed to the upper wall of the sectional frame, the effect of thermal expansion will not significantly affect the position of said tooling.

The first four fluid lines running under the front mold side of the section (Fig. 34) are pneumatic actuators for nozzle descent (line 300 - approximately 3.1 bar), pre-blow (line 302 - approximately 2 to 3 bar), vacuum (line 404) and nozzle rise (line 306 approximately 1.5 to 2.5 bar). These actuators are connected through openings in the upper walls of the lines to vertical inlets 308 in the lower surface '310 of the nozzle distribution base 312 via corresponding passages 314 in the connecting plate 316. These four pneumatic actuators are discharged through the nozzle distribution base to outlet openings 320 in the front face of the nozzle distribution base. The fifth fluid line 301 is routed under the lower wall of the front mold station section (Fig. 34) and supplies lubricating fluid. The lubricant passes through an opening 303 in the upper wall of the lubrication line, then continues through a passage 311 in the connecting plate to a lubrication inlet 305 in the lower surface of the orifice distribution base, which provides lubrication through an outlet opening 309 in the front face. O-rings 318,

-220* 00 0* • · 0 · 0 0

0« 0 · • · » · 0 ·

0 0 · ·

0000 *0 ·· * 00 »0 ·· * 0 · · • *00· 0 0 000 0*0 0 0 0

000 00 00 which are pressed between each surface of the connecting plate 316 and the outer surfaces of the pipes and the lower surface 310 of the manifold base, provide an effective seal after the said manifold base is screwed to the lower wall of the sectional frame. A transverse opening 322 is formed in the manifold base, into which a closing cylinder (valve) 324, operated by a crank 323, enters, which can be rotated from an open position in which pneumatic services and lubrication can pass through holes 325 to the outlet openings, to a closed position in which the passage of pneumatic services and lubrication is closed.

Attached to the front face 321 of the nozzle distribution base is a junction box 330 (Fig. 35) which includes five service inlet ports (320A, 306A) on the rear face which communicate with the service outlet ports 320 and 309 of the nozzle distribution base (O-rings 326 provide sealing). The embodiment described is a three-shot machine, meaning that the front station of each section includes the three nozzle canisters shown in Fig. 32, namely the inner nozzle canister (located closest to the axis of the mechanism for turning and holding the circular nozzles), the middle nozzle canister and the outer nozzle canister. Each individual pneumatic service input (mouthpiece rise, vacuum, pre-blow, mouthpiece fall) and lubricant line is divided into three outputs in the junction box, one to each mouthpiece canister. On the left side of the front face 332 of the junction box, for the purposes of the inner canister, the middle canister and the outer canister (the vertical arrows "inner canister", etc. indicate vertically arranged groups of holes in the front face that belong to a particular canister, and the horizontal arrows "to canister", etc. indicate horizontal groups of holes that belong to a particular service function) are located three outlet openings 334 for operating the mouthpiece rise function, which are associated with a single inlet opening for mouthpiece rise, three exhaust openings 336 that are connected to the exhaust and three "to canister" inlet openings 338 that communicate with three corresponding outlet openings defined in the rear face of the junction box (not shown) and communicating with corresponding "mouthpiece rise" inlet openings 360 that are defined in the front face 321 of the mouthpiece manifold base (Fig. 37). The flow within each vertically arranged group of holes on this left-hand section may be controlled by a pressure adjusting device such as a regulator/valve and a holding tank (not shown for clarity) which will be connected either to the “to canister” line of the mouthpiece riser service or to the exhaust. On the right-hand front face of the junction box (Fig. 35), three service • •fl are located for the inner, middle and outer mouthpiece canisters.

-23• fl flfl flfl • · · · · · flflfl · · • · fl · · fl • flfl flfl ··»· flfl ·· • fl flfl • flfl · • · · · fl flflfl flflfl flflfl fl · • fl flfl outlet ports 340 for vacuum, which are associated with a single vacuum inlet port, three outlet ports 342 for pre-blow, which are associated with a single inlet port for pre-blow service, three inlet ports 344 "to the canister", which communicate with three corresponding outlet ports located in the rear face of the junction box and communicate with corresponding inlet ports 364 for "pre-blow/vacuum", which are defined in the front face 321 of the nozzle distribution base (Fig. 37), and three exhaust ports 346, which are connected to the exhaust. In this case, a regulator and valve (not shown) operate in combination with a valve controlled by an actuator (not shown) to provide connection of the "to canister" inlets to either vacuum or pre-flow or exhaust. On the right side of the top face 348 of the junction box (Fig. 36) are located three mouthpiece descent service outlet ports 352 for the inner, middle and outer canisters, which are associated with a single mouthpiece descent service inlet port, three inlet ports 350 communicating with three corresponding outlet ports defined in the rear face of the junction box, which communicate with corresponding mouthpiece descent inlet ports 362 defined in the front face 321 of the mouthpiece distribution base (Fig. 37), and three exhaust ports 354 which are connected to the exhaust. The flow in each vertical group of ports is controlled by a separate regulator and valve (not shown for clarity) which will connect the "to canister" line to either the mouthpiece down control or the exhaust. On the left side of the top face 348 of the junction box, for the inner, middle and outer canisters, there are three "support rise" service outlet ports 351 which communicate with the mouthpiece down control line, three "to canister" inlet ports 353 which communicate with three corresponding outlet ports defined in the rear face of the junction box which communicate with respective "support rise" inlet ports 363 defined in the front face 321 of the mouthpiece manifold (Fig. 37), and three exhaust ports 355 which communicate with the exhaust. The flow in each vertical group of holes is controlled by a separate regulator and valve (not shown for clarity) which will connect the "canister" line to either the strut riser service or the exhaust. The junction box also divides the lubrication line into three lines which are connected to the three lubrication inlet holes 313 (Fig. 37) on the front face of the manifold base.

Referring to FIG. 37, it will be noted that the front face of the mouthpiece distribution base also includes a number of additional inlet ports 365 for additional fluid functions, ·· ··

-24·· • · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·»· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · «·· • · · · · · ··· ··· « such as cooling the mouth rings, closing the collector tongs, cooling the air, opening/closing the mouth rings, etc., which are connected to corresponding pipes in the junction box. These pipes may lead to outlets in the upper surface of the junction box (not shown), which are connected to the respective outlet openings of a corresponding number of individual regulators and valves (not shown for clarity) that distribute air from the service line to the mouthpiece riser and regulate the required pressures.

The top surface 315 of the nozzle distribution plate has three sets of outlet ports, each set having a nozzle rise outlet port 366, a nozzle fall outlet port 386, a pre-exhaust/vacuum outlet port 370, a support rise outlet port 372, and a lubrication outlet port 374. These outlet ports are universal (permanent), meaning that the number of sets of outlet ports corresponds to the maximum number of molten glass batches that are processed in the section during one cycle.

In order to create a specific configuration of nozzles (for one, two or three batches of molten glass) and to define the nozzle spacing at a certain distance from each other (for example 5.5", i.e. 14 cm or 6", i.e. 15.24 cm) in the case of multiple nozzles, a transition plate 376 (Fig. 38) is attached to the upper surface 315 of the universal nozzle distribution plate by means of suitable screws 377. The transition plate has, for each canister, a nozzle rise service outlet 380, a nozzle fall service outlet 384, a pre-flake/underflak service outlet 384, a support rise service outlet 386 and a lubrication service outlet 388 in the upper surface 390 for the entry of the downwardly projecting connecting lugs 65 on the nozzle canisters (an O-ring 71 forms a seal between the protruding projection and the corresponding inlet opening - any movement of the mouthpiece canister either in the corresponding opening of the mounting plate or as part of the mounting plate will not cause the canisters to tilt, as the necessary stability is provided by the O-ring seals in the inlet openings in the transition plate) and the mouthpiece exhaust opening 392 is shaped so that the corresponding mouthpiece exhaust tube 73 of the mouthpiece canister can enter it. The mouthpiece exhaust openings communicate with the discharge opening 378.

Changing one section configuration to another, i.e. for example changing from the described production process of processing three batches of molten glass to the production process of processing two batches of molten glass, is carried out in such a way that the aforementioned transition plate for three batches of molten glass is removed and subsequently replaced by a transition plate for two batches of molten glass.

F.

• 9 • · • · · . ·· * 0 9 0 0 • · 0 0.0 · 9 9 909 909

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0090 00 99 009 09 90

-25 enamel (Fig. 38 A) which will seal one of the three sets of mouthpiece outlet holes on the upper surface of the mouthpiece distribution base, the connection made to the third set of holes (operating the mouthpiece mechanism) being modified to control only the operation of the valves, etc., associated with the two sets of holes in the transition plate.

In order to be able to manufacture bottles having significant differences in height, it is possible to raise the mouth rings/mouth canisters by approximately 70 mm. The original transition plate having a height H1 and the mounting plate having a thickness D1 can be replaced with a transition plate and a mounting plate so as to achieve an increase in their height up to 70 mm (112 - Fig. 38 and D2 - Fig. 39 as appropriate) and the mouth ring holder can be replaced by an alternative arm whose mounting bracket 113A will raise the mouth ring holder 112 from the P1 position (Fig.

25) to position P2 (Fig. 39). The fixed stop 111, which defines the position of the mounting brackets, is shown in Fig. 40.

It can be seen from Figs. 41 to 43 that a machine with a given pair of mouth ring holders can utilize molds having a wide range of heights to produce bottles having different heights. While the front mold halves 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D (Figs. 41 to 43) and the intermediate member can have different shapes, the connection of the front mold halves and the intermediate member is defined so as to create a fixed vertical dimension "H" between the center 434 of the inversion and the upper surface 438 of the mouth ring groove 436 of the front mold half (the mouth ring surface). In the case of the mouth ring holder located at P1 (Fig. 25) this dimension could be, for example, 100 mm, while this dimension could be, for example, 30 mm in the case where the mouth ring is located at P2 (Fig. 40). Each front mold half has a downwardly extending, circularly guided hook-shaped edge 440 near the lower surface, which may have a number of circular portions or sections, and which engages a corresponding upwardly directed, circularly guided hook-shaped edge 442 on the outer wall of the intermediate member which vertically defines the position of the front mold halves (the front mold is vertically positioned in a horizontal plane of the connection of the downwardly extending edge of the front mold and the upwardly directed edge of the intermediate member of the front mold). The front mold half may be of a size sufficient to allow a stabilizing button 442 to extend vertically above the lower edge, which cooperates with the upper edge 440 of the mold half in stabilizing the mold during its movement (as shown, the stabilizing button 442 does not support the weight of the mold half). Since the mold halves are supported near the mouth circular groove at the point where the mold edge is supported by the edge on the mold support, it will

-26 substantially all of the thermal expansion effect will be exerted upwardly from this point and any thermal expansion effect exerted downwardly will be insignificant (without the need for any adjustment of the mouth mechanism or mouth ring which is typically required in prior art structures in which the front molds are supported near the tops of the molds). Furthermore, by using conventional front molds 380 (Fig. 4) which are suspended at the top by a downwardly depending, circularly guided edge 382 having a number of sections supported by a corresponding upwardly directed, circularly guided edge of a final mold support intermediate member (not shown) which may also have a number of sections (located near the mouth circular groove), the expansion of the mold halves by heat will also be exerted away from the bottle mouth (threaded portion) so that it is consistent in both stations.

It may be recalled that in the prior art in this field of technology, the purchase of a new IS machine or the conversion of an existing machine was often required in connection with the conversion of one configuration (for one, two, three batches of molten glass) with a certain center distance to the same or different configuration with a different center distance. The main reason is the complicated connections for opening and closing the molds, which define different geometric arrangements. The invented IS machine is a machine with a universal center distance. The original configuration/center distance can be changed to another configuration/center distance required by the production circumstances by simply replacing certain parts that ensure the creation of the required configuration/center distance; This means that by replacing the mold carrier assembly of the mold opening and closing mechanism, the mounting plate, the transition plate, and perhaps the nozzle canisters of the nozzle mechanism, the parameters of the nozzle ring holders and the mold cooling mechanism (in the case of the final station) would be quickly changed and, as is usual, the machine configuration would be changed.

The take-up mechanism, shown in FIGS. 45-47, is mounted on the upper surface 94 of the top wall 134 of the sectional frame and has a take-up gripper head 450 which can releasably grip the bottle(s) at the final station and which is supported on a slide beam 452 guided in the X-axis direction and slidably suspended from a block 454 which moves in the Z-axis direction on a stand 456. The movement along the X-axis and Y-axis is controlled by suitable servomotors 457, 458. The bottles produced at the final station will be, regardless of their height • ·· · · · · · · · · · · ·

-27 are always arranged so that the mouths of their necks are aligned in a predetermined vertical position (Z-reference plane), the bottoms of these bottles being able to be located in different vertical positions (ZB1, ZB2) in relation to said Z-reference plane) within a specified range of vertical heights of the bottles. The picker gripper head grips the bottles, followed by their removal from the final station and placement on the stop 460, which can be located in different positions in relation to the Z positions (ZDI, ZD2). Short bottles will travel a different distance (Zl) than tall bottles (distance Z2). The picker control device (Fig. 47) determines the X-Z profile of the picker gripper head displacement for any "Z" deviation (ZB - ZD) and performs the required displacement.

Claims (10)

An IS machine having a plurality of sections lined up side by side, characterized in that each section comprises a sectional frame having an upper wall having a front side, a rear side and opposite sides, a front station for forming a flask from a molten glass batch, the station is located at the front of the machine and comprises a mold opening and closing mechanism which is disposed on said top wall and controls a opposed pair of mold halves having surfaces adapted to be contacted in the plane of contact, a final blowing station for forming a flask into a bottle; wherein the final blow station is located at the rear of the machine and comprises a mold opening and closing mechanism which is located on said top wall and controls a opposed pair of rear mold halves having surfaces adapted to be contacted in the plane of contact, a turning and holding mechanism circular orifices, k which is built on said top wall and is located between said front station and said final blowing station for moving the flask between said stations, and a bolt-head mechanism including a bolt-head carrier, an engine having an output, a gear for converting the output of said engine to relocating the movement of said breech heads from a distant position to a working position on the molds, a housing for locating the breech mechanism and means for attaching said housing to said top wall near its front between the front of the wall and said front station opening and closing mechanism. 2. The IS machine of claim 1, wherein said kiyt is mounted near a front corner of said top wall. An IS machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the funnel mechanism comprises a funnel carrier, an engine having an output, and a transmission for converting the output of said motor to the displacement movement of said funnel carrier from a remote position to a mold working position; said funnel mechanism and means for attaching said cover to said top wall near another front corner between the front of the wall and said mechanism for opening and closing the front station forums. -294. An IS machine having a plurality of sections lined up side by side, wherein a molten glass batch is fed to each section and a flask is first formed from the molten glass batch and then the flask is transformed into a bottle, comprising a sectional frame having an upper side, a front side a back side and opposite sides, a front station which defines approximately the front half of the station and in which a molten glass batch is formed into a flask, and a final blow station which defines approximately the back half of the section and in which the flask is transformed into a bottle; said forward station having a bolt-head mechanism, including a bolt-head carrier, an engine having an output, a gear for converting the output of said motor to a displacement movement of said bolt-head carrier between a retracted position and a retracted, operative position; a head attached to said sectional frame near the front corner of said sectional frame. \ 5. The IS machine of claim 4, wherein said front station further has a funnel mechanism including a funnel carrier, an engine having an output, and a gear for converting the output of said motor to the transfer movement of said funnel carrier from a remote position to a mold working position. , and a housing for accommodating said funnel mechanism which is attached to said sectional frame near another front corner of said sectional frame. ········································· -30f- An IS machine shutter mechanism having at least one section comprising at least one front mold, the front mold opening at its top and having inner and outer circular, top sealing surfaces, characterized in that it comprises a lock head having a body of which including a cup-like portion open at the bottom and closed at the top and having a cylindrical side wall with a cylindrical inner surface, said closed top having a vertical, cylindrical, through hole and a bottom, cylindrical side wall having a circular, lower sealing surface for sealing contact with the outer, circular, upper sealing surface of the front mold, and a tubular housing which communicates with said vertical, cylindrical, through hole and extends vertically upwardly from the top of said cup-shaped portion, the piston to which the cylindrical part a head having an upper surface, of circles sealing sealing surface with a cylindrical inner surface of said cup-like portion and a circular sealing surface WITH? And a surface at the bottom of said cylindrical head for contacting the inner, circular, top sealing surface of the front mold, wherein said circular, sealing surface at the bottom of said cylindrical head has a plurality of radial slitting means extending across said bottom, a tubular rod which faces vertically upwardly from an upper surface of said cylindrical head, for sliding displacement in said tubular housing and a flange attached to the top of said rod, a spring, located in a compressed state between said flange and the upper surface of the cup-shaped portion upwardly in relation to said cup-shaped portion to a position in which the upper surface of the cylindrical head contacts the closed top of said cup-shaped portion, the displacement head displacement means for displacing said flange s isle downwardly first to a first position in which said circular, lower sealing surface of said body is in sealing contact with the outer, circular, upper sealing surface of the front mold and separates said circular, lower sealing surface from each other at a predetermined distance; -31 the surface of the cylindrical head and the inner, circular, sealing surface of the front mold, and then into a second position in which said circular, lower sealing surface of the cylindrical head is in contact with the inner, circular, sealing surface of the front mold, the passage means in said cylindrical head connecting the interior of said tubular rod and the circular, lower sealing surface of the cylindrical head, so that when the piston is in said first position, settling air may be supplied through said tubular rod and passage means and through a circular separation between said circular, lower sealing surface a cylindrical head and an inner, annular sealing surface of the front mold into the front frame, wherein, when said piston is in said second position, air can escape from the front mold through said plurality of said radial notch means into said tubular rod. 7. The IS head bolt mechanism of claim 6, wherein said radially guided holes are defined in said cup-shaped portion near said top of said cylindrical inner surface so that air can enter said cup-shaped portion or starting from said part when said cylindrical head is displaced relative to said body. 8. The IS head bolt mechanism of claim 7, wherein the hole means are defined in said tubular bar that is in communication with the space between the upper surface of said cylindrical head and said cup-shaped portion, if said cylindrical head is in said second position so that air from the front mold will be able to exit said passage means through said tubular rod, through said hole means in said tubular rod and out through radially directed holes in said shape-like component cup. 9. A bolt head for a bolt head mechanism in an IS machine having at least one section comprising at least one front mold, the front mold opening at its top and having inner and outer circular, upper sealing surfaces, comprising: I · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · A body comprising a cup-like portion open at the bottom and closed at the top and having a cylindrical side wall with a cylindrical inner surface, said closed top having a vertical, cylindrical, through hole and the bottom of the cylindrical side wall having a circular a lower sealing surface for sealing contact with the outer, circular, upper sealing surface of the front mold, and a tubular housing which communicates with said vertical, cylindrical, through hole and extends vertically upwardly from the top of said cup-like portion, the piston, to which it belongs A cylindrical head having an upper surface, a circular sealing surface for sealing contact with a cylindrical inner surface of said cup-shaped portion and a circular sealing surface at the bottom of said cylindrical head for contacting the inner, circular, upper sealing surface of the front mold, wherein said circular, a sealing surface at the bottom of said cylindrical head having a plurality of radial slitting means extending across said bottom, a tubular rod which extends vertically upwardly from an upper surface of said cylindrical head for sliding displacement in said tubular sleeve and a flange attached to the top of said rod; a spring, which in the compressed state is positioned between said flange and the upper surface of the cup-shaped portion, for resiliently pushing the cylindrical head vertically upwardly relative to said cup-shaped portion to a position in which the upper a cylindrical head surface abutting a closed top of said cup-shaped portion, a passageway in said cylindrical head connecting the interior of said tubular rod and a circular, lower sealing surface of the cylindrical head, so that when the piston is in said first position in which said circular, the lower sealing surface of said body is in sealing contact with the outer, circular, upper sealing surface of the front mold and at a predetermined distance separates said circular, lower sealing surface of the cylindrical head and the inner, circular, sealing surface of the front mold may be air for settling fed through said tubular rod and passage means and through a circular separation between said circular, lower sealing surface of the cylindrical head and the inner, circular sealing surface of the front mold into the front mold, wherein when said piston is in said second · 000 • 0 0 0 • 0 · 9 * 9 • · · · · · · · · · r • 000 • ··· · · · · · · '· <0 ·· ·· " -33 in a position in which said circular, lower sealing surface of said body is in sealing contact with the outer, circular, sealing surface of the front mold and said circular, lower sealing surface of the cylindrical head is in sealing contact with the circular, inner sealing surface of the front mold , air may escape from the front mold through said plurality of radial slitting means into said tubular rod. 10. The head according to claim 9, wherein said radially extending holes are defined in said cup-shaped portion proximate said cylindrical inner surface so that air can enter or exit said cup-shaped portion. wherein said cylindrical head is displaced relative to said body. 11. The IS machine shutter mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the hole means are defined in said tubular rod which is in communication with the space between the upper surface of said cylindrical head and said cup-shaped portion when said cylindrical head being in said second position so that air from the front mold will be able to exit said passage means through said tubular rod, through said hole means, and out through radially guided holes in said cup-like component.