A device for manufacturing hollow glass article consists of a plurality of modular stations that, among other things, comprise blank molds and finish molds, wherein a housing is provided and can be displaced along a blank mold side in order to carry out at least control and servicing functions, and wherein said housing is formed by a key-like structure that is open in the direction of the blank mold side and serves as a carrier for at least one manipulation element consisting of multiple sections. On its free end, this manipulation element carries a tool or a device that is ready for use after it has reached the respective station. The shielding effect of the housing reliably protects an operator side against accidents due to inadvertent interventions in machine motion sequences.

A device for manufacturing hollow glass article consists of a plurality of modular stations that, among other things, comprise blank molds and finish molds, wherein a housing is provided and can be displaced along a blank mold side in order to carry out at least control and servicing functions, and wherein said housing is formed by a key-like structure that is open in the direction of the blank mold side and serves as a carrier for at least one manipulation element consisting of multiple sections. On its free end, this manipulation element carries a tool or a device that is ready for use after it has reached the respective station. The shielding effect of the housing reliably protects an operator side against accidents due to inadvertent interventions in machine motion sequences.

An inverter unit for a hollow glassware forming machine comprises a supporting structure; a first and a second pick-and-place arm having one or more recesses for picking up glassware and coupled to such supporting structure so as to rotate about a first axis and so as to translate along such first axis between an open position and a closed position; and a centering device having a head, which can rotate about a second axis. The centering device also has a transmission mechanism, which converts the rotary motion of the head into a translational motion of the supporting structure along the first axis with respect to a fixed base.

An inverter unit for a hollow glassware forming machine comprises a supporting structure; a first and a second pick-and-place arm having one or more recesses for picking up glassware and coupled to such supporting structure so as to rotate about a first axis and so as to translate along such first axis between an open position and a closed position; and a centering device having a head, which can rotate about a second axis. The centering device also has a transmission mechanism, which converts the rotary motion of the head into a translational motion of the supporting structure along the first axis with respect to a fixed base.

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 method of and system for forming a glass container, and an apparatus for sensing elongation of a parison in a blow mold of a glassware thrilling machine. A suspended parison is allowed to elongate in a mold along a central longitudinal axis. At least one position of a closed end of the parison is sensed within the mold before the closed end of the parison contacts a transversely extending surface in the mold. A process parameter is adjusted responsive to the sensing step.

A method of and system for forming a glass container, and an apparatus for sensing elongation of a parison in a blow mold of a glassware thrilling machine. A suspended parison is allowed to elongate in a mold along a central longitudinal axis. At least one position of a closed end of the parison is sensed within the mold before the closed end of the parison contacts a transversely extending surface in the mold. A process parameter is adjusted responsive to the sensing step.

A method for manufacturing a glass assembly comprises the steps: lowering of a dip pipe that gas may flow through vertically to the surface of a glass melt; determining when the surface of the glass melt is encountered by the dip pipe end showing towards the glass melt by detecting an increase of the gas pressure found inside the dip pipe; continued lowering of the dip pipe until a predetermined depth of entry of the dip pipe end showing towards the glass melt is reached; obtaining a predetermined pressure inside the dip pipe while the dip pipe first stays at the given immersion depth for the given duration and after the predetermined duration is completed, is lifted with a given speed vertically to the surface of the glass melt, thus creating a gas bubble in the glass melt whose walls are attached to the end of the dip pipe; continued lifting of the dip pipe vertically to the surface of the glass melt until the gas bubble is separated from the glass melt, with the wall of the gas bubble remaining at the dip pipe end as a closing film; and setting, especially controlling and/or adjusting of the pressure inside the dip pipe based on the geometry of the film closing the end of the dip pipe as determined by an image capturing device.