A mold operating mechanism to open and close molds of a glassware forming machine. The mechanism includes a drivetrain assembly including a frame, a gearset carried by the frame and configured to be driven by a powertrain assembly, at least one operating shaft carried by the frame and driven by the gearset, and at least one linkage operatively coupled to the operating shaft and configured to be operatively coupled to a mold carrier carrying at least a portion of one or more molds. The mechanism includes further a fluid cylinder disposed proximate the linkage and including at least one piston rod operatively coupled to the linkage, wherein as the linkage rotates, the piston rod is pulled outward from the cylinder, and the cylinder is dragged outwardly, and whereafter the cylinder is pressurized with fluid to push the piston rod further outward to apply clamping pressure to the linkage.

A method and tool for adjusting components of a machine that produces glass bottles. A shim is positioned between two components. The shim includes a base element and an adjustable element. The base element has a component engaging surface and a stepped surface. At least several of the steps project a greater distance than other steps. The adjustable element has a component engaging surface and a stepped surface. At least several of the steps of the adjustable element project a greater distance than other steps. The stepped surface of the adjustable element rests on the stepped surface of the base element such that rotation or sliding of the adjustable element allows the steps of the adjustable element and the steps of the base element to mate in a manner wherein the component engaging surfaces are moved closer to or further from one another.

A method and tool for adjusting components of a machine that produces glass bottles. A shim is positioned between two components. The shim includes a base element and an adjustable element. The base element has a component engaging surface and a stepped surface. At least several of the steps project a greater distance than other steps. The adjustable element has a component engaging surface and a stepped surface. At least several of the steps of the adjustable element project a greater distance than other steps. The stepped surface of the adjustable element rests on the stepped surface of the base element such that rotation or sliding of the adjustable element allows the steps of the adjustable element and the steps of the base element to mate in a manner wherein the component engaging surfaces are moved closer to or further from one another.

A neck ring holder device intended to be used at a mould for forming glass containers (30), wherein the neck ring (41) for realizing the mouth (32) of the container can be opened and consists of a plurality of circumferential sectors (44) that can be moved apart from a closed position of the neck ring (41), in which the circumferential sectors (44) are coplanar and form a substantially continuous annular element, up to an open position of the neck ring (41), in which the circumferential sectors (44) are rotated out of said coplanar configuration, moving away from each other, about axes directed perpendicular to the direction of the axis (45) of said annular element, is characterised in that the movement of the circumferential sectors (44) from the closed position to the open position.

The invention relates to a closing mechanism for the mold halves (5) of an I.S. machine, consisting of two yoke-like mold holders (3, 4) which are mounted on parallel guides (1, 2) and can be moved along said guides between a closed position and an open position by means of a drive. A spindle transmission (13) is provided laterally to the guide (1) so as to extend parallel to said guide, consisting of a threaded spindle that is connected to the drive via a transmission (15) and is in engagement with two threaded sleeves, each of which is connected to one of the two mold holders (3, 4), via two threaded sections running in opposite directions for the purpose of producing an opening or closing movement of the mold holders (3, 4). By means of the drive, a servomotor, the opening and closing movement of the mold holders (3, 4) is carried out. Two pneumatically actuated piston-cylinder units (22) are provided in order to apply the clamping force required between the mold holders (3, 4) or the mold halves (5) in the closed position, said units likewise being connected to the mold holders (3, 4) via an interposed toggle lever mechanism. A more structurally simple and reliable design is provided for the closing mechanism, said design also being free of thermal stresses on the basis of a coolant network integrated at least into the mold holders (3, 4).

A modular mold assembly comprising two mold halves wherein each mold half comprises separable and interchangeable components that allow for the production of a plurality of unique glass containers is discloses. A new method of manufacturing customized glass containers which utilizes such modular mold assembly is also disclosed.

An apparatus to sense temperature in a glassware forming machine. A mold body includes an exterior surface, a mold cavity having an interior mold surface, and a blind hole having a closed end including a closed end surface adjacent to and spaced outwardly from the interior mold surface, wherein the blind hole extends outwardly from the closed end surface toward the exterior surface. The mold body is removably carried on a mold hanger, and a light collector is carried by the mold hanger to collect infrared light emitted within the blind hole.

An apparatus to sense temperature in a glassware forming machine. A mold body includes an exterior surface, a mold cavity having an interior mold surface, and a blind hole having a closed end including a closed end surface adjacent to and spaced outwardly from the interior mold surface, wherein the blind hole extends outwardly from the closed end surface toward the exterior surface. The mold body is removably carried on a mold hanger, and a light collector is carried by the mold hanger to collect infrared light emitted within the blind hole.