A mold opening and closing mechanism for a machine for forming glass articles includes at least one mold divided into two halves that open and close to form the articles. The halves of the molds are coupled to a pair of supporting arms, each arm being independently mounted opposite the other and separated in a parallel manner with respect to a support structure. The mechanism includes mold synchronizing means mounted so as to move with the mold support arms and to move inwards or outwards to open and close the molds. The mechanism further includes lever means having a first end connected to the support structure, the lever means and the pair of support arms transmitting to the synchronizing means an articulated inward or outward movement to close or open the molds. The mechanism also includes: drive means coupled to the support structure, for imparting an opening and closing movement to the support arms; a double-linkage closing system connected in an articulated manner to the synchronizing means; and a second end connected to the support structure. The lever means and the pair of support arms transmit an articulated inward or outward movement to the synchronizing means to close or open the molds. The mechanism further includes drive means coupled to the support structure to impart an opening and closing movement to the support arms, and a double-linkage closing system connected in an articulated and independent manner to each of the support arms and to the drive means.

A mold opening and closing mechanism for a machine for forming glass articles includes at least one mold divided into two halves that open and close to form the articles. The halves of the molds are coupled to a pair of supporting arms, each arm being independently mounted opposite the other and separated in a parallel manner with respect to a support structure. The mechanism includes mold synchronizing means mounted so as to move with the mold support arms and to move inwards or outwards to open and close the molds. The mechanism further includes lever means having a first end connected to the support structure, the lever means and the pair of support arms transmitting to the synchronizing means an articulated inward or outward movement to close or open the molds. The mechanism also includes: drive means coupled to the support structure, for imparting an opening and closing movement to the support arms; a double-linkage closing system connected in an articulated manner to the synchronizing means; and a second end connected to the support structurer. The lever means and the pair of support arms transmit an articulated inward or outward movement to the synchronizing means to close or open the molds. The mechanism further includes drive means coupled to the support structure to impart an opening and closing movement to the support arms, and a double-linkage closing system connected in an articulated and independent manner to each of the support arms and to the drive means.

During the glass bottle forming process a pair of arms is used to form the bottle one after another is rapid succession; a bottle is formed in a glass machine in approximately three to four seconds. The machine is exposed to extremes in temperature as well as extremes in pressure. One of the chief issues with the operation of this machine are the interruption of use of the machine if the machine should fail or begin to produce defective bottles. Any shutdown of the machine leads to disruption in production and is unwelcome.

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.

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.