CZ357798A3 - Mechanism for opening and closing moulds in individual section of is machine - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, there is disclosed a mold opening and closing mechanism for an I.S. machine having a plurality of individual sections each comprising a section frame, a pair of opposed mold support mechanisms (16), means for supporting each of said mold support mechanisms on top of said section frame for linear displacement between a retracted position whereat molds held by said mold support mechanisms are separated and an advanced position whereat molds held by said mold support mechanisms will forcefully engage, said supporting means including a transmission housing (90) comprising a rear wall (88) with a vertical bearing surface (86) and means for displacing said one pair of said mold support mechanisms (16) from an open position to a closed position, said means comprising a lead screw (70) supported by said transmission housing (90), a servo motor (66) and a spindle (67) connected to a lead screw (70), a lower left hand nut (72) and an upper right hand nut (74) communicating with said lead screw (70), whereby said nuts (72, 74) have a flat vertical rear bearing surface (84) that can be brought into engagement with a flat elongated vertical machined bearing surface (86) of said transmission housing (90) and interconnecting means comprising a pair of jack links (78), a horizontal pivot shaft (80), a yoke (82), and a vertical pivot shaft (27) interconnecting the nuts (72, 74) and one of the mold support mechanisms (16) to transfer motion of the nuts (72, 74) for horizontal displacement of one of the mold support mechanisms (16). There is also disclosed an I.S. machine having a section comprising a front station for making a blank of a molten glass gob and a final blow station for deforming the blank in the form of a bottle, and which machine comprises means of transferring carriers as well as an I.S. machine per se.

Description

Mechanism for opening and closing molds in individual sections of the IS machine

Technical area

The present invention relates to IS (Individual Sectional) machines which transform batches of molten glass into bottles in a two-step production process, and in particular to a mechanism for opening and closing molds in an individual section of the machine.

State of the art

The first IS machine was patented in U.S. Patents 1,843,159, issued February 2, 1932, and 1,911,119, issued May 23, 1933. There are currently over 4,000 IS machines in use worldwide from various manufacturers, producing over a million bottles per day per year. Such an IS (Individual Sectional) machine has a number of identical sections (a sectional frame in which and on which a number of sectional mechanisms are mounted), each of which has a front molding station that transforms one or more batches of 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 opposing arms which rotate about an inverting axis, move the bottles from the front molding station to the blowing station and invert these bottles from a position in which the bottle mouths are facing down to a position in which the bottle mouths are facing up during the production process. The bottle produced in the blowing station is removed from the section by a take-off mechanism.

The performance improvement was achieved both by increasing the machine speed (section cycle time), when the number of batches of expanded glass processed during one section increased from one to two, three and even four, and by increasing the number of sections. These improvements were made without significantly increasing the section width. This was essential because the performance measure is understood as the number of bottles produced per unit time in a given machine width, i.e. the actual performance. This means that if the width of a six-section machine is increased to the width of a standard ten-section machine due to modification, while maintaining the original speed and performance of the sections, the actual performance will be reduced by 40%.

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-2The 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 hold the formed flask during movement from the front mold station to the blow station.

The 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 blow stations). A linear motor (fluid-actuated 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 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 carriers (see U.S. Patents 4,362,544 and 4,427,431). The drive link joints exert torsional forces that are undesirable on the carriers. In addition, the drive link joints must be designed to accommodate the specific shapes of the molds, and therefore both the entire link joint 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 it difficult to perform maintenance and repairs on these mechanisms and forces the neighboring sections to be taken out of service. In these mold opening and closing mechanisms, there is nothing to lock the molds in the necessary mold closing positions during the formation of the flask, as a result of which the mold halves can be pushed apart • ·

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-3 apart and cause an increase in the vertical seam on the flask and thus on the finished bottle. To prevent this from happening, the link connections must be designed to prevent the molds from opening in the closed position (see U.S. Patent No. 5,019,147).

The embodiment of the IS machine described in U.S. Patent No. 4,070,174 is called the AIS machine.

In this machine, which is still sold today, the pairs of mold holding mechanisms are mounted to perform axial ("A") movement instead of rotary movement, with the respective motors controlling their operation in the usual manner. The machine, which is derived from the IS machine, is called the ITF machine and is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,443,241. This machine, which has three forming stations [front, reheat and blow or triple forming "TF"], was not successful. In this machine, the motor for the pairs of front and blow mold carriers was a vertical linear motor located immediately below the center of the molds. This machine also performed axial displacement of the front and blow mold halves.

Such mechanisms for opening and closing molds are quite complex, they contain a very high number of components that are specially designed for a specific machine configuration, which takes up a significant part of the frame or section housing. Because of this, these mechanisms are very expensive and often changing the specific machine configuration under operating conditions requires rebuilding the machine by replacing the entire mechanism. This subsequently makes it difficult to complete the necessary pipe distribution for the section mechanisms. The working air must be supplied in pipes led in front of, behind or on top of the section frame, and such a pipe distribution is then very expensive. In addition, a significant problem of IS machines is that the increase in dimensions due to the effect of heat on the front molds side is manifested towards the axis of the mechanism for turning and holding the circular mouth, while the increase in dimensions due to the effect of heat on the side of the blowing molds is manifested away from the axis of the mechanism for turning and holding the circular mouth. Finally, it can be stated that the effect of the force will not be transmitted directly to the intermediate members that carry the forms, because the support carrying these intermediate members is in the path of the force, so that as a result these intermediate members may be subjected to the effect of torsional forces when a clamping load is applied.

The essence of the invention

In connection with the above facts, the aim of the present invention is to develop an improved mechanism for opening and closing molds.

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Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to develop an improved mold opening and closing mechanism that takes up less space and is easier to operate.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to develop an IS machine in which the number of parts of the mold holding mechanism in the front mold station and in the blowing station is substantially reduced.

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 embodying the principles of the invention and in which;

Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of an IS machine having a number of identical sections, each section having a front station and a rear 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 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. 7 is an oblique view showing how the arrangement of the mold holding mechanism allowing rectilinear displacement in a direction perpendicular to the clamping plane 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;

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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;

Fig. 16A is a second flow chart illustrating 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;

-6♦ · · · · ······· .♦·.-·· 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;

Fig. 29 is a flow chart illustrating an 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 mouthpiece 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 leading to the bottom of the mouthpiece distribution base;

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 taker mechanism that has been assembled according to the resulting conclusions of the present invention;

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-7 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 "Z ^1, 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 is in the form of a box frame or section box 11A (Fig. 2) which contains or supports 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 transformed into flasks, and a final station having an opening and closing mechanism 13 for controlling the final molds into which the flasks enter, which are subsequently transformed 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 single batch machine, a two batch machine, a three batch machine (shown) or a four batch machine. The take-off mechanism (Fig. 40) removes the finished bottles from the final station and transfers them to a stop 14. A push-off mechanism (not shown) then transfers the finished bottles from the stop 14 to a conveyor 15 which carries them away from the machine. The front of the machine (or section) is the end which is furthest from the conveyor, the rear of the machine is the end which is near the conveyor, and the sides of the machine or section are perpendicular to said conveyor. Side-to-side movement is a movement that is parallel to the conveyor guide.

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 mounted on top of section frame 11A and is

-8driven 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 opposite pair of mold holding mechanisms are tightly pressed 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 as a result of differences in the manufacturing process, which will be well known to those skilled in the art. Since the machine shown is a three-batch molten metal machine, each front or end station mold holding mechanism will carry three mold halves 17 (front molds or end molds).

Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and 5, the connection of the mold holding mechanism to the associated drive system and the means for moving the mold holding mechanism between the retracted position and the retracted position will now be described. Figures 4 and 5 show only the mold holding mechanism carrying the mechanism associated with a single section, while Figure 6 shows an alternative housing which will carry two mold holding mechanisms when two sections are connected and which will carry only one mold holding mechanism when no sections are connected. 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 coupling member 68. A housing 90 carries the lead screw 70. Both ends of this lead screw are mounted 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 upper wall of the section will be extended outwardly to form 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-handed thread and an upper nut 74 with a right-handed thread and which are located on said lead screw. The rotary linear transmission positioner additionally includes means for connecting the nuts 72, 74 to a mold holding mechanism, the first

-9a pair of lifting links 76 is connected at one end to the upper nut 74, a second pair of lifting links 78 is connected at one end to the lower nut 72, and the yoke 82 has a horizontal bore 91 carrying a stubby, horizontal pivot shaft 80. to which the other ends of the lifting links 76, 78 are rotatably connected (in order to extend the life of said links, sleeve or flanged sleeves are used). 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 holes in the carrier 30, the intermediate members 24 and in a yoke 82. The yoke 82 enters a 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 24 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 pivot shaft 27 rotatably supports both the intermediate links 24 and the yoke 82 and this yoke additionally rotatably supports the horizontal pivot shaft 80 which is connected to the lifting links, the intermediate links 24 are not subjected to any twisting forces during the application of the clamping load. Accordingly, the force exerted will be • · · · • · · · · · φ· r

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-10-turn linear transmission positioner transmitted directly to the intermediate links 24 - the carrier 30 is not located in the path of the gripping load.

Both nuts 72, 74 have a flat, rear support surface 84 which is associated with a flat, machined, vertical support 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 support surface of the nuts 72, 74 is separated by a predetermined distance (clearance) from the vertical support surface 86 which is defined on the wall. The lead screw 70 meets the requirement of such strength that during the advancement of the mold holding mechanisms until the clamping contact of the opposite mold halves, when the desired load is applied thereto, it brings the nut support surfaces 84 into contact with the support 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, opposed transmissions and housing 90 define 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 applied during the molding process. To provide lubrication of the bearing surfaces 84, 86, an oil groove 100 may be formed in the surface 86 of the rear wall, and oil may be supplied to this groove through suitable passages provided in the lead screw housing 90. To minimize friction, the machined surface may be impregnated with a solid lubricant. To provide greater strength, the lead screw housing 90 (Fig. 6) may be doubled to support 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 on each mold is distributed evenly. The rotary member 27 slides 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. A pair of pins 31, which are guided • · · • flfl • · · · • · ··· • fl fl • ···· • fl ·♦ fl flfl « fl ♦ ·♦ fl fl·· · • · « flfl flfl

- 11 downwardly through the upper intermediate member 24, through the carrier 30 and through the lower intermediate member 24, have a predetermined clearance in relation to said parts of the intermediate members to define the desired movement of their first part 26 and second part 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 locating 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 four-way and which is part of a bracket 42 attached to the sectional frame near 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 lubricant can be supplied to the block so that the bearing surfaces can be continuously lubricated. The inner (located near the mechanism for reversing 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 round 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 round mouth holders carry oppositely the halves 115 of the 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 finally of the bottles. After the said mouth shape is formed, the circular mouth holders 120 are rotated 180° by the action of the circular mouth turning and holding mechanism controlled by the servomotor 108 so as to cause a worm drive shaft (not shown) guided in a worm block 118, in which is located a worm gear wheel which is located in a suitable worm gear housing 120. The cylinders 1_J4 of the mechanism for turning and holding the book mouths are suitably mounted between oppositely located vertical supports or brackets 122 and said worm • · • · · • ··· • ···

-12-gear housing. The vertical worm block 118 and the turning brackets 122 are attached 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 shown 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 bearings 170 (Fig. 10) in respective holes 171 formed in a pair of mounting blocks 172 which are designed to form a single unit with the lead screw housing 90. Each of these mounting blocks has a pair of vertically spaced bearings 170 into which the circular shafts 50C 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, an equalization 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 rotation) of the section. In Fig. 11 it can be seen that the screw 174 connects a pin 176 on one side of the carrier 30, which can slide horizontally in a longitudinal pin track 177, to the 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 placed on a circular shaft guided between the turning axis and the center

99 '99 9 · ·· ··· · ·

9 9

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99

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9

999 9999

- 13 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 ring mouth turning and holding mechanism. 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 ring mouth turning and holding mechanism). 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 ring mouth turning and holding mechanism, while in the case of the final mold station side it was expressed in the direction away from the ring mouth turning and holding mechanism. In this regard, the thermal expansion of the front station and the rear station is directed in the same direction as the ring mouth holder, which allows for better alignment of the working direction of the machine.

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 upper part. Each side has a vertical part 57, which covers the corresponding part of the carrier in its retracted position. The cover actuator in the form of a flap 58, which is connected to the front edge of the upper part 98 by a hinge 60, rests on opposite, inwardly guided 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 in proximity to the hinge 60. As the carrier is retracted, the top of the cover (and flap) transitions to a more gently sloping position and the flap and top move appropriately 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 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 11A 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 together. 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, ...

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- 14 rectangular fluid conduits 138 that run the full width of the machine. These conduits serve the purposes of pneumatic control, air cooling, lubrication, and vacuum generation, etc. as needed. The top wall 134 has openings 140 for the front mold station and openings 142 for the end mold station, through which said conduits 138 pass for supplying fluid to each sectional box. Sectional cables and wiring are routed under said conduits and pass upward through the space between the groups of conduits and through wiring passages 145 formed in the top wall 134 so that they can be connected to individual mechanisms.

The pipes 138, which extend from one end of the machine to the other and which are connected to the respective sources, are releasably secured to each of the two sectional beds by 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 151 and which secures the pipes 138 through the respective holes 153 in the bed. Rotation of the control screw in one direction will press the pipes against the ribs 137 of the side wall and lift them upward into firm contact with the rib 143 which projects downwardly 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, which releases the pipe to be removed and can then be slid out and replaced by several other pipes running side by side (pipes can be added or removed in 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, performs its processing • · · . · · • · · · · ·

-15 to the request signal and then sent to the second summing circuit 161. which also receives a signal from the position processor 162 with feedback, which receives a digital signal with feedback from the encoder part of the 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 controller 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 the speed of one motor (VM1) and the speed of the other motor (VM2) are equal to zero, the next step in the feed program begins with 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 put the motors into operation). 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 (+/- "X" from the ideal center point). An 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, a third step of the feed program can be executed in which each motor operates to develop the selected torque for a specified period of time ("TI"), which can be set via the computer. This period of time is the time during which the mold halves will be clamped together. After this period has elapsed, each mold carrier returns to its "0" position, or -E starting position. To return each mold support mechanism, as shown, to the 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) during a limited time period T2 (which can also be set - the arrow represents the computer input) to "burst" the molds before the mold holders are retracted to the "0" position at high speed - VR (opening profile - for example a steady acceleration section followed by a steady deceleration section ending in the initial position).

•.. · · · · • ·. .· '· • · · · · β * · · · · · • · · ·· ·· ··

-16 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 (the total distance traveled by both mold holders divided by two) and a new ideal center point is determined. If one mold holder has traveled a longer distance than the other mold holder (a distance greater than the acceptable difference), the controller will determine the amount of feed profile adjustment for one of the motors, which will either speed up the movement or slow down the movement to reduce the difference in distance traveled by the two mold holders. The controller will then provide the desired torque to the motors and continue with the program shown in Figure 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 attached by screws 209 to the top wall 134 of the sectional frame 11A at ; . . · · · · · • ···· · · · · '.··· · · ·

-17its front corner formed by side wall 132 and front wall 135. In the retracted position, the axes of the closing 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 closing 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 from the centers of the front molds so that the mechanism for turning and holding the circular mouths can transfer the formed flasks to the final molds. The closing head mechanism can be located at the front of the section frame at each corner and, unlike the previously known closing head mechanism, the fully raised and retracted arm of the closing heads can be located entirely within the section space, as shown in Fig. 17, and does not have to extend into the space of an 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 is guided around its open bottom to contact and seal a corresponding surface 254 on the top of the open front mold. The body 248 also includes a vertical, tubular housing portion 256 which defines a cylindrical guide and support surface 258 for the sliding entry of a rod 260 of a piston member 262. The cylindrical head 264 of the piston member 262 has a circular sealing surface 265 which is slidably movable within a bore 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 frame.

When the closure 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 ^u between the lower circular surface 274 of the cylindrical piston head and the top surface of the front mold (the cylindrical head having moved relative to the cup-shaped portion a vertical distance "y ^ ). This develops the required compression force between the piston member and the front mold creating the required seal between the contacting, inwardly tapered surfaces 252, 254. In this situation, the settling air introduced into the front mold through the central hole 276 in the piston rod will pass through a certain number radially guided holes 278 in the cylindrical head into the corresponding

-18 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 form (suitable holes that connect the interior of the body with 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 is formed into a flask, the flange is moved 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 this front mold. As the flask is formed (by filling the internal cavity defined by the inner 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 piston rod portion 276 and out through the now freed holes 290 into the space between the top of the piston and the cup-shaped portion 250 and away from the relief holes 282.

If the breech 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 breech mechanism are the same except for the direction of the drum cam and except that the breech carrier 212 carrying the three breechs 214 is located on another control rod. Like the breech head mechanism, the breech mechanism can always be located in the space of its own section.

Fig. 25 shows an alternative mechanism 110 for turning and holding the circular mouths. As can be seen, this mechanism for turning and holding the circular mouths can be used in the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 to 10. The end of each circular 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 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 key 129 On the bracket • · · ··· · ^: · · • · · • ' .·· ·· · · ·

9 « • · • ·.· · · · ·

-19131. which is attached to the worm block 118, another pair of proximity switches 124A (Fig. 27) is located. These proximity switches are located below the worm gear box 120 and each of them is directed to the corresponding cylinder of the pair of λ/als. At the end of each cylinder, which is located in the vicinity of 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 when describing the position of the ring mouth holder/bracket/cylinder, the functions of the controls being described with reference to one ring mouth holder, as the other ring mouth holder is controlled in the same manner. Because 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 circle closed” sensor 124A will be continuously monitored throughout the time during which the servomotor 108 moves the auger, worm gear, and mouth circle from the initial turning position (180°) to the final turning position (0°). If the mouth circle does not maintain its closed position throughout the entire 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 of arrival of the mouth ring in the open position is constant. The mouth ring control cylinder will be activated according to the set timing of the cycle (time "T") so as to move the mouth ring from the closed position detected by the sensor 124A on the screw 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 mouth ring control cylinder. In the event that the "T" deviation is greater or even incorrect, a signal will be sent to ensure the necessary interventions, ranging from stopping the cycle to sending a warning message to the operator indicating the need for maintenance intervention.

• · · • · · · · *

-20Fig. 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 the "mouth ring open" state detection sensor 124 is in the "mouth ring open" state, and determines the Θ1 deviation #1 by subtracting Θ1 actual from 01 ideal. This deviation is sent to the control device, where a correction is made to the position in which the mouth ring control cylinder is in operation. When this deviation is excessive or even incorrect, 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 "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 Θ1 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 repairs 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 always have 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 three-dose molten glass machine. Each nozzle canister has an upper cylindrical portion 63 and a lower cylindrical portion 64 with pin projections 65 carrying O-ring seals 71 and an exhaust pipe 73 which •Ά· * .

A · · ' ·

A · · A

A A A A A A

-21 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 process) or punch cooling (in press-blow machines), lubrication, support rise]. The canister can discharge gases through the upper cylinder and in such case the exhaust pipe and associated exhaust piping shown will not be necessary. For the sake of clarity, the nozzle mechanism will be described in connection with a machine carrying out the double blowing process, but in those passages where pre-blow/vacuum is mentioned, it should be understood that this refers to punch cooling in a press-blow machine. Mounted on top of each upper cylinder is a mounting plate or flange 77 and tooling 79 having opposing lugs 81 for engagement with opposing halves of the mouth ring when the mouth ring holders are in the closed position. These mounting plates 77 are secured by suitable fasteners to the upper surface of a mounting block or plate 85 having apertures 87 (Fig. 33) through which the upper/lower cylinders can pass, and this mounting block is secured to the upper surface 94 of the sectional frame Π by suitable bolts 89. A locating bore 69 is located on the top of the upper cylinder. The upper surface of the sectional frame has a large aperture (not shown) into which the mouthpiece inserts can be placed depending on whether one, two or three batches of molten glass are being used. In this connection, the upper surface 94 of the sectional frame is the control surface. It is suitably machined at those points where the mounting block is attached to provide a precise horizontal base. The upper surface (or flange mounting area or base) and the 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 accommodate the locating diameters 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 top 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 attached to the top 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 the descent of the mouthpiece (line 300 - approximately 3.1 bar), the pre-blow

Φ '· ^: · ' · · ' · * • a « « 9 9 9 · • fl · flflfl fl · fl flflflfl · • · flflfl ······· ·· · ·

-22 (pipe 302 - approximately 2 to 3 bar), vacuum (pipe 404) and nozzle rise (pipe 306 approximately 1.5 to 2.5 bar). These actuators are connected through openings in the upper walls of the ducts to vertical inlets 308 in the lower surface 310 of the nozzle distribution base 312 through 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. A 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 top wall of the lubrication pipe, continues through a passage 311 in the connecting plate to a lubrication inlet 305 in the lower surface of the nozzle distribution base, which provides lubrication through an outlet opening 309 in the front face. O-rings 318, which are pressed between each surface of the connecting plate 316 and the outer surfaces of the pipe and the lower surface 310 of the nozzle distribution base, provide an effective seal after the said nozzle distribution base is bolted to the lower wall of the sectional frame. A transverse opening 322 is formed in the mouthpiece distribution base, into which a closing cylinder (valve) 324, operated by a crank 323, enters, which can rotate 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 a pair of 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-dose molten glass machine, which means that the front station of each section contains 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, three outlet openings 334 are located 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 openings in the front face that belong to a certain canister, and the horizontal arrows "to canister' ¹ etc. indicate horizontal groups of openings that belong to a certain service function) for operating the function • ·

• · ♦

·· · · • · mouthpiece risers, which are associated with a single mouthpiece riser inlet port, three exhaust ports 336, which are connected to the exhaust, and three "to canister" inlet ports 338, which communicate with three corresponding outlet ports defined in the rear face of the junction box (not shown) and communicating with corresponding "mouthpiece riser" inlet ports 360, which are defined in the front face 321 of the mouthpiece distribution base (Fig. 37). The flow within each vertically arranged group of ports on this left portion may be controlled by a pressure adjustment device, such as a regulator/valve and a holding tank (not shown for clarity), which will be connected to either the "to canister" line of the mouthpiece riser function operator or to the exhaust. On the right side of the front face of the junction box (Fig. 35), for the purposes of the inner, middle and outer nozzle canisters, there are three service 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 servicing pre-blow, three inlet ports 344 “to the canister”, which communicate with three corresponding outlet ports located in the rear face of the junction box and communicating 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-blow or exhaust. On the right side of the top face 348 of the junction box (Fig. 36) for the inner, middle and outer canisters are located} ⁷ three service outlet ports 352 for the mouthpiece descent, which are associated with a single service inlet port for the mouthpiece descent, three inlet ports 350 communicating with three corresponding outlet ports defined in the rear face of the junction box, which communicate with corresponding inlet ports 362 for the mouthpiece descent 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 are located three "support up" service outlets 351 for the inner, middle and outer canisters, which communicate with the mouthpiece down control line, three "to canister" inlet ports 353 communicating with the three

9 9 9 ' · ' · ·. .· .

• 9 .9 9

9 9 9

9 9

99

-24 corresponding outlet ports defined in the rear face of the junction box, which communicate with the respective "support rise" outlet ports 363 defined in the front face 321 of the orifice manifold (Fig. 37), and three exhaust ports 355, which communicate with the exhaust. The flow in each respective 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 support rise service or the exhaust. The junction box also divides the lubrication line into three lines which are connected to the three lubrication inlet ports 313 (Fig. 37) on the front face of the orifice manifold.

Referring to Fig. 37, it will be seen that the front face of the mouthpiece manifold also includes a number of additional inlet ports ³⁶⁵ for additional fluid functions such as mouthpiece ring cooling, sampler tong closing, air cooling, mouthpiece ring opening/closing, etc., which are connected to corresponding conduits in the junction box. These conduits may lead to outlets in the upper surface of the junction box (not shown) which are connected to respective outlet ports of a corresponding number of individual regulators and valves (not shown for clarity) which 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-blow/vacuum outlet port 370, a support rise outlet port ³⁷² , and a lubrication outlet port 374. These outlets 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 spacing of the nozzles 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 lift service outlet 380, a nozzle descent service outlet 384, a pre-extension/vacuum service outlet 384, a support rise outlet 386 and a lubrication service outlet 388 in the grooves of the surface 390 for the entry of the downwardly projecting connecting lugs 65 on the nozzle canisters (O-ring 7.1 creates a seal between the downward protruding protrusion • · · · ' » · *······ • · 0» ·· · « · • · · ·· «» ·· · ♦ ·· · · · · · · « · · · · · · · · · · · · · · • » · · ·

-25a with the respective inlet opening - any movement of the mouthpiece canister either in the respective mounting plate opening 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 outlet opening 392 is shaped to receive the respective mouthpiece exhaust tube 73 of the mouthpiece canister. The mouthpiece exhaust openings communicate with the discharge opening 378.

Changing one section configuration to another, i.e. for example changing from the described three-batch molten glass production process to the two-batch molten glass production process, is accomplished by removing the three-batch molten glass transition plate and replacing it with a two-batch molten glass transition plate (Fig. 38A) that will seal one of the three sets of nozzle outlet openings on the upper surface of the nozzle distribution base, with the connection to the third set of openings (the nozzle mechanism control being modified to control only the valves, etc., associated with the two sets of openings 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 by a transition plate and a mounting plate so as to achieve an increase in their height up to 70 mm (H2 - 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 position P1 (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 to create a fixed vertical dimension "II" between the center 434 of the inversion and the upper surface 438 of the mouth ring groove 436 of the front mold half (upper surface of the mouth ring). In the case of a mouth ring holder located in the PÍ (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 ·· · · · · 44 ·· • · · · · 9 4-4 9 4 9

9 9 9 · · ftftft· · ···· ft 4 4 · ··· · ·

9 9 4 9 9 4 9 ftft ft ftftft «ftftft ·« ·«

-26 is located at P2 (Fig. 40). Each front mold half has a downwardly overhanging, circularly guided hook-shaped edge 440 near the lower surface, which may have a number of circular parts or sections and which λ/steps into 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 located in the horizontal plane of the connection of the downwardly overhanging edge of the front mold and the upwardly directed edge of the intermediate member of the front mold support). 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 ring groove at the point where the mold edge is supported by the edge on the mold support, essentially all of the thermal expansion effect will be upward from that point and any thermal expansion effect downward will be insignificant (without the need for any adjustment of the mouth mechanism or mouth ring that is typically required in prior art structures in which the front molds are supported near the tops of the molds). Additionally, by using conventional front molds 380 (FIG. 4) which are suspended at the top by a downwardly overhanging, 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 is also directed 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 reason for this 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; that is, : 00 - 0 • 00 · 0 0 • ·0000 * ·' · · • 0 0 00 00 • 1 · · · · · · · · 0 0 · • · 0 » ·· 0 « , · · · · ·

0 0 000· 0 · · ·

-27that 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 pick mechanism, shown in Figs. 45 to 47, is mounted on the upper surface 94 of the top wall 134 of the sectional frame and has a pick gripper head 450 which can releasably grip the bottle(s) at the end station and which is supported on a sliding 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 the Y-axis is controlled by suitable servomotors 457, 458. The bottles produced at the end station will, regardless of their height, always be aligned 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. plane) within a specified range of vertical bottle heights. 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 movement for any “Z” deviation (ZB - ZD) and performs the required movement.

-Ί• · · • · · · • · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

LIST OF REFERENCE MARKINGS IN PV IS MACHINE

- section LI

- sectional cabinet or sectional frame 11A

- opening and closing mechanism 12 for carrying front molds

- opening and closing mechanism 13 for controlling the final forms ~ shutdown 14

- conveyor 15

- top wall 134 of the sectional frame

-side walls of 132 sectional frame

- mechanism 16 for holding molds

- rotary positioner linear transmission 18

- control system 19

- halves of 17 forms

- servo motor 60

- spindle 67

- lead screw 70

- connecting part 68

- cabinet 90

- ball bearing assemblies 99

- base part 93 of the cabinet

- upper surfaces 94A, 94B of sectional frames

- screws 95

- side walls 96, reinforcing ribs 97, removable upper parts 98 of the cabinet

- lower left-hand nut 72, upper right-hand nut 74

- lifting links 76, 78

- the yoke 82 has a horizontal hole 91 and a vertical hole 92

- horizontal rotating shaft 80

- vertical rotating shaft 27

- nose and no. 30

- upper intermediate links 24

- pocket 101 in carrier 30

- rear support surface 84 nut

- vertical support surface 86 of the rear wall 80 of the housing 90 of the transmission

- removable top part 98 of the case

0 0 0

IN)

- 7 oil groove 100 first part 26 and second part 28 of the intermediate member lower wall 30B of the carrier 30 pivot pin 29 pins 31 parallel shafts 40 and 50 mounting flange 32 fastening means 34 to the block 35 having a cutout 38 flat, supporting surface 36 supporting surface (track) 41 on the shaft 40 bracket 42 block 46 L-shaped integral with the support block 48 mechanism 110 for turning and holding the circular mouths pair of opposite holders 112 pneumatic cylinders 114 opposite halves 115 mouth rings mouths (threads) 116 flask holders 120 circular mouths servomotor 108 worm block 118 worm gear housing 120 opposite supports or brackets 122 two-piece circular shafts 50A and 50B, alternatively SOC bearings 170 in holes 171 in mounting blocks 172 screw 174 connects pin 176 in longitudinal pin track 177 holes 178 and 179 in carrier 30 wall 52, hinge 53, sides 54 and edges 56 of carrier cover flap 58 with hinge 60 and top part 98 of cover actuator inwardly guided console 61 wall 52 of cover two-way bed 130 rectangular holes 136 in sides 132 bed ribs 137. side walls square pipes 138 top wall 134 holes 140 for front station holes 142 for end station distribution passages 145 • · • · ·

3rd

- & I-beam 147 clamping device 148 control screw 149 with tightening head 151 holes 153 in the bed rib 143 protruding dofl from the top wall 134 of the two-part base motor/encoder number 1 (control) Ml/154 position sequence device 150 motion controller 152

motion control position processor 152 summation circuit 156 control signal processor 158 amplifier 160 position processor 162 motor/encoder number 2 M2/168 control signal processor 159

motors Ml, M2 speed of one motor VM1, speed of another motor VM2 very low speed V _s acceptable error ±X initial position O' ¹ position time period Tl, T2 high speed VR mechanism 180 of the breech heads carrier arm 182 carries three breech heads 184 vertical control rod 186 servomotor 188 with rotary output 190 coupling device 192 screw 194 with nut 196 in hole 198 in cam housing 199 roller cam follower 202 drum cam 204 on wall 206 of cam housing base 208 of cam housing screws 209 body 248 of the breech head comprising part 250 with sealing surface 252 for sealing corresponding surface 254 vertical, tubular housing part 256 guide and support surface 258 for entry rods 260 piston components 262 • ·

I « • · cylindrical head 264 piston parts 262 with sealing surface 265 hole 266 in cup-shaped part 250 spring 268 flange 270 upper surface 272 front forms clearance X lower circular surface 274 central hole 276 in piston rod radially guided holes 278 in cylindrical head vertical holes 280 lower circular surface 281 cylindrical heads with small notches 286 holes 290 funnel mechanism 210 with funnel carrier 212 funnels 214 mounting bracket 113 with bayonet end 109 support bracket 117 circular outer end 119 cylinder 114 enters circular groove 122 in top of side bracket 122R proximity switch or sensor 124 with nut 126 in hole 125 cable 128 proximity switch cover 129 proximity switch bracket 131 proximity switches 124A semicircular target 133 upper 63 and lower cylindrical part 64 of canister with pin protrusions 65 carrying O-ring seals 71 and exhaust pipe 73 lower surface 75 of lower cylinder flange 77 tooling 79 opposite ears 81 mounting block or plate 85 with holes 87 establishing diameter 69 pipe 300. 302. 404, 306 vertical inlets 308 in lower surface 310 of outlet distribution base 312 passages 314 in connecting plate 316 * *

AT

- & - outlet holes 320

- fifth liquid pipe 301

- hole 303 in the top wall of the lubrication pipe

- passage 311 to lubrication inlet 305

- outlet hole 309

- O-rings 318 and 326

- connecting plate 316

- hole 322 for the handle 323 of the locking cylinder (valve) 324

- holes 325 for the outlet openings

- front cell 321 mouthpiece distribution base

- junction box 330

- service inlets 320fl, 306A, 320 and 309

- front cel 332 junction box

- three outlet holes 334

- three exhaust ports 336

- three inlet holes 338 into the canister

- 360 inlet holes for mouthpiece rise"

- 340 outlet holes for vacuum

- three outlet holes 342 for pre-blow

- three inlet holes 344 to the canister”

- inlet holes 364 for pre-blow/vacuum pressure”

- three exhaust holes 346 top face 348 junction boxes

- three service outlet holes 352 for lowering the mouthpiece

- three inlets 350

- three inlet holes 362 for the descent of the mouthpiece

- three exhaust ports 354

-- three service exit holes 351 for support rise"

- three inlet holes 353 to the canister

- 363 entry holes for support risers

- three exhaust ports 355

- three lubrication inlet holes 313

- additional inlets 365

- upper surface of 315 orifice plate

- outlet hole 366 for the rise of the mouthpiece

- outlet hole 386 for the descent of the mouthpiece

- outlet opening 370 for pre-blow/vacuum

- outlet hole 372 for support rise • · ♦ ·· • · ··· · * • · · · · ···· · · · ·

·« · • · · • · · · • · ···· · • · · • r • · · · • ♦ ··

- lubrication outlet hole 374

- transition plate 376 with screws 377

- outlet opening 384 for mouthpiece descent control

- outlet hole 386 support pitch

- lubrication service outlet 388 in the upper surface 390

- connecting lugs 65 on the mouthpiece canisters

- mouthpiece exhaust port 392

- mouthpiece exhaust pipe 73 mouthpiece canister

- mounting bracket 113ft

- oral circular holder 112

- fixed stop 111

- halves of front molds 17R, 17B. 17C. 17D

- dimension H between the center 434 of the turning and the upper surface 438 of the mouth circular groove 436 of the front mold half

- circularly guided edge 440 in the shape of a hook

- circularly guided edge 442 in the form of a hook

- conventional front mold 380

- overhanging, kiruh-led edge 382

- removal pliers head 450

- sliding beam 452 on block 454

- stand 456

- servomotors 457, 458

-- shutdown 460

Claims (18)

PATENTOVÉ Claims A mechanism for opening and closing molds in an individual section of an IS machine, said individual section having a sectional frame and a pair of mold holding mechanisms positioned on a sectional frame for horizontal displacement between a separate, retracted position and a retracted position in which half molds will be transferred by holding the molds in rigid contact, comprising said sectional frame having a wall with a vertical contact surface, and means for moving one of the pair of mechanisms for holding the molds from a retracted position to a retracted position, including a lead screw supported by said sectional section a frame means, motor means connected to said lead screw, nut means operably associated with said lead screw, said nut means having a vertical contact surface for contacting said vertical contact surface of the wall and means for interconnecting said matrix means and said one of the mold holding mechanisms to convert the movement of said matrix means to horizontally displacing said one of the mold holding mechanisms. A mechanism for opening and closing molds in an individual section of an IS machine according to claim 1, wherein said lead screw has a left-handed portion and a right-handed portion, wherein said nut means are separate left-handed and right-handed nuts that are operably associated with said left-handed and right-handed portions of a lead screw, and that said link means connecting said matrix means and said one of the mold holding mechanisms include first link means connected at one end to said right-handed nut and second link means connected at one end to said left-handed nut , a yoke and a yoke supported thereon for connecting the second end of said first and second link means to said yoke. A mechanism for opening and closing molds in an individual section of an IS machine according to claim 1, wherein said lead screw is positioned vertically. Fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr fr 4. A mechanism for opening and closing molds in an individual section of an IS machine, the individual section having a sectional frame and a pair of mold holding mechanisms positioned on the sectional frame for horizontal displacement between a separate, retracted position and a retracted position in which half molds will be transferred by holding the molds λ 'by firm contact, comprising means for moving one of the pair of mechanisms for holding the molds from the retracted position to the retracted position, including a lead screw guided in the first direction and supported by said section frame, motor means connected to said guide nut means operably associated with said lead screw, and means connecting said nut means and said one of the mold holding mechanisms to transmit movement of said nut means in the die; gated beer horizontal transfer direction of said one of the mold support mechanisms in the second direction. A mechanism for opening and closing molds in an individual section of an IS machine according to claim 4, wherein said sectional frame has a wall with a vertical tactile touch, and said nut means having a vertical contact surface for contacting said vertical tactile surface of a sectional wall. frame. 6. A mold opening and closing mechanism in an individual section of an IS machine according to claim 5, wherein said lead screw has a left-handed portion and a right-handed portion, wherein said nut means are left-handed and right-handed nuts, which are operably associated with said left-handed; and that said link means connecting said matrix means and said one of the mold holding mechanisms include a first link means connected at one end to said right-handed nut and a second link means attached at one end to said left-handed nut, yoke and a transverse shaft supported by said yoke for attaching a second end of said first and second link means to said yoke. 9 9 . 9 9999 9 9 9 «·· ·· 9 9999 3 (, -3 (67. Mechanism for opening and closing molds in an individual section of an IS machine, the individual section having a sectional frame and a pair of mold holding mechanisms positioned on the sectional frame for horizontal displacement between a separate, retracted position and a retracted position in which transmitted by the rigid contact holding mechanism, comprising a first drive assembly displacing the first mold retaining mechanism and a second drive assembly displacing the second displacement mechanism, each including a lead screw that is supported said sectional frame, a motor connected to said leadscrew, nut means operably associated with said leadscrew, interconnecting means that interconnect said nut means ⁷ and corresponding one of mold holding mechanisms to translate the movement of said matrix means into horizontal displacement of the associated mold holding mechanism. 8. A forum opening and closing mechanism in an individual section of an IS machine according to claim 7, wherein said sectional frame comprises a first wall and a second wall, said walls being horizontally opposed and having a vertical contact surface, and wherein each of said the matrix means having a vertical contact surface for contacting the vertical contact surface corresponding to one of said walls. A mechanism for opening and closing molds in an individual section of an IS machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the rear wall support surface means and the rear support surface means of the corresponding nut means have a selected distance between them when the mold holding mechanism is in the retracted position, and that the stiffness of each of said guide screws is purposefully selected, so that if the mold holding mechanisms are moved to a retracted position in which the mold halves are kept in firm contact, the guide screws will be deflected to contact between said rear abutment means of said nut means and the abutment surface of a corresponding rear wall, the truss being guided between said walls via a mold holding mechanism. η -χ ·· · * ·· ·· ·· · · · · · · 4 4 4 4 · 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 9 44 • ······ · 4 · 4 44 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 9 44 44 44 44 44 44 10. A mold opening and closing mechanism in an individual section of an IS machine according to claim 9, wherein said abutment surface of each of said rear walls is flat and wherein said rear abutment surface means of each said matrix means are in the form of a flat surface. The mechanism for opening and closing molds in an individual section of an IS machine according to claim 10, wherein each of said guide screws has a left-handed and a right-handed portion, wherein each of said nut means are left-handed and right-handed nuts that are operably associated. a corresponding left-handed and right-handed parts of the respective lead screw, and that each of said link means comprises first link means connected at one end to an associated left-handed nut and a second link means connected at one end to said right-handed nut, and yoke means for attaching a second end of said first and second link means to one of the mold holding mechanisms. 12. An IS machine whose section has a forward station for forming a molten glass batch in at least one oppositely positioned pair of mold halves of the forward station carried by oppositely positioned mold carriers that can be moved between the withdrawn and retracted positions and a final blow station for deforming. flasks in the shape of a bottle in a corresponding number of oppositely positioned pairs of mold halves carried by oppositely positioned mold carriers which may be moved between the withdrawn position and the retracted position, comprising first means for moving one of the mold carriers of the front station; means for moving the second of the mold carriers of the front blow station, a third means for moving the one of the mold carriers of the final blow station, and a fourth means for moving the other of the mold carriers of the final blow station, said The first, second, third and fourth displacement means having the same drive assembly include transmission means for converting the output rotational motion into a linear output motion and motor means, the rotational output of which is connected to the rotary input of said gear means. 3 / fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl fl • • • • • • • • • fl ·· · fl · flfl · ··· ········· 13. The IS machine of claim 12, wherein said motor means comprises a lead screw, and said transmission means includes housing means for supporting said lead screw, nut means operably associated with said lead screw, interconnection means for interconnection. said mold means with said mold carrier, said housing means having a rear wall defining a support surface and said nut means having a rear support surface, said back wall support surface being at an optionally set distance from said support surface of the matrix means when said mechanism for holding the molds in said reflected position, and the stiffness of each of said guide screws is purposefully selected so that when the mold carrier is moved to the stowed position, the guide screw will be deflected from and for contacting said abutment surface of the nut means and said abutment surface of the rear wall. 14. The IS machine of claim 13, wherein said matrix means are separate left-handed and right-handed rotating mates which are operably associated with said left-handed and right-handed parts of the lead screw, and wherein said link means interconnecting said left-handed and right-handed nuts and the carrier. the molds include first link means attached at one end to said right-handed nut and second link means attached at one end to said left-handed nut, a yoke, a transverse shaft rotatably supported on said yoke, and means for attaching the other end of said first and second yoke means for said transverse shaft. 15. The IS machine of claim 14, wherein said lead screw is vertical. A mechanism for opening and closing molds in an IS machine comprising a plurality of equal sections each having a front station for forming a molten glass flask and a final blow station for transforming a flask displaced from the front station into a bottle shape, the front station comprising a mechanism for opening and closing molds carrying the opposite way 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 99 9 9 9999 99 99 999 9 9 9 9 9 99 9 999 9999 99 99 placed a pair of front molds having surfaces adapted to contact each other in the plane of contact with the center point of the molds defining the center of the mold opening and closing mechanism, and a final blow station for supporting the oppositely positioned pair of half molds having surfaces adapted to contact in the plane of contact with the center point defining the center of the mold opening and closing mechanism of the final blow station, characterized in that it comprises a pair of oppositely positioned mold holding mechanisms carrying at least one opposed pair of mold halves intended for horizontal displacement between the withdrawn and said means for displacing each of said mold holding mechanisms between said retracted and retracted positions includes a drive mechanism having a rotatable exit, means for horizontally guiding said rotary output proximate said mold holding mechanism at a distance from said mechanism, and a transmission mechanism connecting said rotary output with said mold holding mechanism to convert the rotational output movement of said drive mechanism into a straight, repositioning motion of said a mold holding mechanism such that the force exerted by said rotatable output of the drive means is transmitted in a direction perpendicular to the plane of contact. 17. The mold opening and closing mechanism of claim 16, wherein said rotary outlet is a lead screw, and wherein said means for horizontally guiding said rotary outlet near said mold holding mechanism located at a distance from said mechanism comprises means. for vertically supporting said lead screw. 18. The mold opening and closing mechanism of claim 17, wherein said transmission means further comprises a yoke supporting a horizontal shaft, a left-hand nut and a right-hand nut, the nuts being operably associated with said lead screw, the first and second link means, which interconnect said left-handed and right-handed nuts and said horizontal shaft supported by said yoke, said housing means having a rear wall defining a support surface; -X • 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 99 9 · 9999 9 9 9 9 999 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 99 9 999 9999 99 99 that both said left-handed nut and the right-handed nut have a vertical rear abutment surface, said reverse rear wall surface is at a certain, optionally determined distance from each of said abutment nut abutment surfaces when said holding mechanism and that the stiffness of each of said guide screws is purposefully selected so that when the mold-holding mechanism is moved to a stowed position in which the mold halves of the mold-holding mechanism are firmly in contact with the mold halves of the other molding mechanism. holding the molds, the lead screw will be deflected to make contact between said abutment surfaces of the nut means and said abutment surface of the rear wall. 19. An IS machine with a plurality of sections, wherein each section comprises a sectional frame having an upper wall, a mold opening and closing mechanism having a carrier carrying upper and lower intermediate members performing a linear displacement between the retracted position and the retracted position; displacing said carrier between said retracted position and said retracted position, an articulation having first and second articulated means coupled at one end, said articulation being able to move between a stretching and contraction state, and having means for holding said articulation. such that the interconnected ends of said first and second link means can be displaced in a horizontal plane approximately midway between said upper and lower mold holding arms and approximately at the center of the speech Intermediates.