GLASS FORMING MACHINE PARTICLE FILTER, A PLUNGER UNIT, A BLOW HEAD, A BLOW HEAD SUPPORT AND A GLASS FORMING MACHINE ADAPTED TO OR COMPRISING SAID FILTER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a particle filter (F) for a glass forming machine operating according to a blow-and-blow process or according to a press-and-blow process, said particle filter (F) is adapted for placing in at least an air channel (14a) serving pressurized air for counter blow (5) of a parison (P) in a blank mold (2) forming station of said glass forming machine, and/or an air channel (14b, 20) serving pressurized air for final blow (11) and/or for finish cooling (21) of a glass container (12) made of said parison (P) in a finish mold (8) station of said glass forming machine, said particle filter (F) comprising a surface filter as a main filter media (MF) and said particle filter (F), if placed in at least said air channel (14a) serving pressurized air for counter blow (5) of said parison (P) in said blank mold (2) forming station of said glass forming machine, and/or said air channel (14b, 20) serving pressurized air for final blow (11) and/or for finish cooling (21) of said glass container made of said parison (P) in said finish mold (8) station of said glass forming machine, avoiding passage of particles above a certain size from a dirty side of said main filter media (MF) to a clean side of said main filter media (MF) and thus, also avoiding final passage of said particles above said certain size into said parison (P) or said glass container (12) blown by said glass forming machine and a plunger unit (PU), a blow head (BH), a blow head support and a glass forming machine adapted for a particle filter (F) according to the present invention.

Claims

1. A particle filter for a glass forming machine operating according to a blow-and-blow process or according to a press-and-blow process, said particle filter is adapted for placing in at least an air channel serving pressurized air for counter blow of a parison in a blank mold forming station of said glass forming machine, and/or an air channel serving pressurized air for final blow and/or for finish cooling of a glass container made of said parison in a finish mold station of said glass forming machine, said particle filter comprising: a surface filter as a main filter media that prevents passage of particles above a certain size from a dirty side of said main filter media to a clean side of said main filter media and that also prevents final passage of said particles above said certain size into said parison or said glass container blown by said glass forming machine; an additional surface filter as a protective filter media more coarse than said main filter media and wherein said protective filter media is situated on said dirty side of said main filter media in order to protect said main filter media against impact of particles; and a porous support that is more coarse than said main filter media and is situated on said clean side of said main filter media to stabilize said main filter media against forces arising from particles arriving on said dirty side of said main filter media; wherein said main filter media is situated between said protective filter media and said porous support; and wherein said main filter media that is situated between said protective filter media and said porous support is held together with said protective filter media and said porous support by a filter body and a fastening that is inserted into said filter body with interference fit to said filter body or screwed together with said filter body; and wherein said particle filter is adapted for placing in at least said air channel due to its geometry wherein the outer dimension of said filter body overlaps the outer dimension of said fastening.

2. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 1, wherein said particle filter is adapted for placing in at least: said air channel situated in a plunger unit and serving pressurized air for counter blow of said parison in said blank mold forming station of said glass forming machine and said plunger unit situated in a plunger cylinder underneath said blank mold forming station of said glass forming machine, and/or said air channel situated in a blow head and serving pressurized air for final blow and/or for finish cooling of said glass container made of said parison in said finish mold station and said blow head situated above said finish mold station of said glass forming machine, and/or said air channel situated in a blow head support for supply of said blow head with pressurized air for final blow and/or for finish cooling of said glass container made of said parison in said finish mold station and for support of said blow head and said blow head support situated above said blow head that is situated itself above said finish mold station of said glass forming machine, and wherein said particle filter is adapted to be placed in at least; said air channel situated in said plunger unit and serving pressurized air for counter blow of said parison in said blank mold forming station of said glass forming machine and air plunger unit situated in said plunger cylinder underneath said blank mold forming station of said glass forming machine, and/or said air channel situated in said blow head and serving pressurized air for final blow and/or for finish cooling of said glass container made of said parison in said finish mold station and said blow head situated above said finish mold station of said glass forming machine, and/or said air channel situated in said blow head support for supply of said blow head with pressurized air for final blow and/or for finish cooling of said glass container made of said parison in said finish mold station and for support of said blow head and said blow head support situated above said blow head that is situated itself above said finish mold station of said glass forming machine, to prevent the passage of said particles above said certain size from said dirty side of said main filter media to said clean side of said main filter media and thus also avoids the final passage of said particles into said parison or said glass container blown by said glass forming machine.

3. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 1, wherein said glass forming machine operating according to said blow-and-blow process or to said press-and-blow process is of an I.S. glass forming machine type.

4. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 1, wherein said main filter media comprises a slotted filter.

5. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 4, wherein said slotted filter comprises a silicon substrate covered by a layer of silicon nitride.

6. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 1, wherein said main filter media comprises a sieve filter.

7. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 6, wherein said sieve filter comprises a silicon substrate covered by a layer of silicon nitride.

8. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 6, wherein said sieve filter of said main filter media comprises a wire mesh made of anti-corrosive material.

9. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 8, wherein said anti-corrosive material of said sieve filter of said main filter media is stainless steel.

10. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 8, wherein said mesh of said sieve filter of said main filter media is made of an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy and is also passivated by electropolishing.

11. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 8, wherein said main filter media has a maximum pore size of 100 micron (US mesh 160).

12. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 11, wherein said main filter media has a pore size of 100 micron (US mesh 160).

13. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 11, wherein said main filter media has a maximum pore size of 40 micron (US mesh 325).

14. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 13, wherein said main filter media has a pore size of 40 micron (US mesh 325).

15. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 13, wherein said main filter media has a maximum pore size of 25 micron (US mesh 500).

16. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 15, wherein said main filter media has a pore size of 25 micron (US mesh 500).

17. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 1, wherein said protective filter media comprises a wire mesh made of anti-corrosive material.

18. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 17, wherein said anti-corrosive material of said wire mesh of said protective filter media is stainless steel.

19. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 17, wherein said mesh of said protective filter media is made of an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy and is also passivated by electropolishing.

20. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 1, wherein said porous support comprises a wire mesh that is more coarse than said main filter media itself.

21. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 20, wherein said porous support comprises a wire mesh made of anti-corrosive material.

22. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 21, wherein said anti-corrosive material of said mesh of said porous support is stainless steel.

23. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 21, wherein said mesh of said porous support is made of an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy and is also passivated, by electropolishing.

24. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 1, wherein said filter body and said fastening is made of an anti-corrosive material.

25. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 24, wherein said anti-corrosive material of said filter body and said fastening in is made of stainless steel.

26. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 24, wherein said anti-corrosive material of said filter body and said fastening is made of an anti-corrosive metal and is also passivated by electropolishing.

27. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 1, wherein said main filter media and said protective filter media and said porous support are each a circular disc and wherein said filter body is a filter body ring and said fastening is a fastening ring that is inserted into said filter body ring with cylindrical interference fit to said filter body ring or screwed together with said filter body ring and wherein the outer diameter of said filter body ring overlaps the outer diameter of said press ring.

28. A plunger unit comprising at least an air channel for counter blow of a parison and said plunger unit being adapted to be positioned in a plunger cylinder underneath a blank mold forming station of a glass forming machine of a blow-and-blow process-type, wherein said air channel of said plunger unit is adapted to receive a particle filter according to claim 1 and said plunger unit air channel is adapted to said particle filter in such a way that said particle filter can properly be placed in said plunger unit air channel only in a position, in which said particle filter's main filter media's dirty side is situated on the incoming air side of said plunger unit air channel and wherein said particle filter is placed in at least said air channel of said plunger unit adapted to said particle filter.

29. The plunger unit according to claim 28, wherein said plunger unit air channel is adapted to said particle filter in such a way that said particle filter projects beyond said plunger unit if improperly placed in said plunger unit air channel.

30. The plunger unit according to claim 28, wherein said particle filter is secured in said plunger unit air channel by a safety ring that fits into a slot of said plunger unit air channel.

31. A blow head comprising at least an air channel for final blow and/or for finish cooling of a glass container made of a parison and said blow head being adapted to be positioned above a finish mold station of a glass forming machine of a blow-and-blow process-type or a press-and-blow process-type, wherein said air channel of said blow head is adapted to receive a particle filter according to claim 1 and said blow head air channel is adapted to said particle filter in such a way that said particle filter can properly be placed in said blow head air channel only in a position, in which said particle filter's main filter media's dirty side is situated on the incoming air side of said blow head air channel and where said particle filter is placed in at least said air channel of said blow head adapted to said particle filter.

32. The blow head according to claim 31, wherein said blow head air channel is adapted to said particle filter in such a way that said particle filter projects beyond said blow head if improperly placed in said blow head air channel.

33. The blow head according to claim 31, wherein said particle filter is secured in said blow head air channel by a safety ring that fits into a slot of said blow head air channel.

34. A blow head support for support of a blow head comprising at least an air channel for supply of said blow head with pressurized air and said blow head support being adapted to be positioned above said blow head which itself is adapted to be positioned itself above a finish mold station of a glass forming machine of a blow-and-blow process-type or a press-and-blow process-type, wherein said air channel of said blow head support is adapted to receive a particle filter according to claim 1 and said blow head support air channel is adapted to said particle filter in such a way that said particle filter can properly be placed in said blow head support air channel only in a position, in which said particle filter's main filter media's dirty side is situated on the incoming air side of said blow head support air channel and wherein said particle filter is placed in at least said air channel of said blow head support adapted to receive said particle filter.

35. The blow head support according to claim 34, wherein said blow head support air channel is adapted to said particle filter in such a way that said particle filter projects beyond said blow head support if improperly placed in said blow head support air channel.

36. The blow head support according to claim 34, wherein said particle filter is secured in said blow head support air channel by a safety ring that fits into a slot of said blow head support air channel.

37. A glass forming machine of a blow-and-blow process-type or a press-and-blow process-type, said glass forming machine adapted to receive at least one particle filter according to claim 1 and wherein said glass forming machine comprises an air channel serving pressurized air for counter blow of a parison in a blank mold forming station of said glass forming machine and/or an air channel 44, serving pressurized air for final blow and/or for finish cooling of a glass container made of said parison in a finish mold station of said glass forming machine and said air channel of said glass forming machine is adapted to receive said particle filter and said glass forming machine air channel is adapted to said particle filter in such a way that said particle filter can properly be placed in said glass forming machine air channel only in a position, in which said particle filter's main filter media's dirty side is situated on the incoming air side of said air channel and wherein said particle filter is placed in at least said air channel of said glass forming machine adapted to receive said particle filter.

38. The glass forming machine according to claim 37, wherein said particle filter is secured in said glass forming machine air channel by a safety ring that fits into a slot of said glass forming machine air channel.

39. The glass forming machine according to claim 37, wherein said glass forming machine comprises a plunger unit comprising at least an air channel for counter blow of the parison and said plunger unit being adapted to be positioned in a plunger cylinder underneath the blank mold forming station of the glass forming machine, wherein said air channel of said plunger unit is adapted to receive said particle filter and said plunger unit air channel is adapted to said particle filter in such a way that said particle filter can properly be placed in said plunger unit air channel only in a position, in which said particle filter's main filter media's dirty side is situated on the incoming air side of said plunger unit air channel and wherein said particle filter is placed in at least said air channel of said plunger unit adapted to said particle filter.

40. The glass forming machine according to claim 37, wherein said glass forming machine comprises a blow head comprising at least an air channel for final blow and/or for finish cooling of the glass container made of the parison and said blow head being adapted to be positioned above the finish mold station of the glass forming machine, wherein said air channel of said blow head is adapted to receive said particle filter and said blow head air channel is adapted to said particle filter in such a way that said particle filter can properly be placed in said blow head air channel only in a position, in which said particle filter's main filter media's dirty side is situated on the incoming air side of said blow head air channel and where said particle filter is placed in at least said air channel of said blow head adapted to said particle filter; and/or a blow head support for supporting the blow head comprising at least an air channel for supplying said blow head with pressurized air and said blow head support being adapted to be positioned above said blow head which itself is adapted to be positioned above the finish mold station of the glass forming machine, wherein said air channel of said blow head support is adapted to receive said particle filter and said blow head support air channel is adapted to said particle filter in such a way that said particle filter can properly be placed in said blow head support air channel only in a position, in which said particle filter's main filter media's dirty side is situated on the incoming air side of said blow head support air channel and wherein said particle filter is placed in at least said air channel of said blow head support adapted to receive said particle filter.

41. The glass forming machine according to claim 37, wherein said glass forming machine of said blow-and-blow process-type or said press-and-blow process-type is an I.S. glass forming machine.

42. The glass forming machine according to claim 8, wherein the anti-corrosive material is an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy with a minimum yield strength of 200 N/mm.sup.2.

43. The glass forming machine according to claim 8, wherein the anti-corrosive material is an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy with a minimum yield strength of 350 N/mm.sup.2.

44. The glass forming machine according to claim 8, wherein the anti-corrosive material is an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy with a minimum yield strength of 450 N/mm.sup.2.

45. The glass forming machine according to claim 17, wherein the anti-corrosive material is an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy with a minimum yield strength of 200 N/mm.sup.2.

46. The glass forming machine according to claim 17, wherein the anti-corrosive material is an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy with a minimum yield strength of 350 N/mm.sup.2.

47. The glass forming machine according to claim 17, wherein the anti-corrosive material is an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy with a minimum yield strength of 450 N/mm.sup.2.

48. The glass forming machine according to claim 17, wherein a mesh wire diameter of the wire mesh is thicker than a mesh wire diameter of said main filter media.

49. The glass forming machine according to claim 21, wherein the anti-corrosive material is an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy with a minimum yield strength of 200 N/mm.sup.2.

50. The glass forming machine according to claim 21, wherein the anti-corrosive material is an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy with a minimum yield strength of 350 N/mm.sup.2.

51. The glass forming machine according to claim 21, wherein the anti-corrosive material is an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy with a minimum yield strength of 450 N/mm.sup.2.

52. The glass forming machine according to claim 24, wherein the anti-corrosive material is an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy with a minimum yield strength of 200 N/mm.sup.2.

53. The glass forming machine according to claim 24, wherein the anti-corrosive material is an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy with a minimum yield strength of 350 N/mm.sup.2.

54. The glass forming machine according to claim 24, wherein the anti-corrosive material is an anti-corrosive metal or metal alloy with a minimum yield strength of 450 N/mm.sup.2.

55. The glass forming machine according to claim 28, wherein the glass forming machine of a blow-and-blow process-type is an I.S. glass machine.

56. The glass forming machine according to claim 30, wherein the safety ring is a Seegering™.

57. The glass forming machine according to claim 31, wherein the glass forming machine of a blow-and-blow process-type or a press-and-blow process-type is an I.S. glass machine.

58. The glass forming machine according to claim 33, wherein the safety ring is a Seegering™.

59. The glass forming machine according to claim 34, wherein the glass forming machine of a blow-and-blow process-type or a press-and-blow process-type is an I.S. glass machine.

60. The glass forming machine according to claim 36, wherein the safety ring is a Seegering™.

61. The glass forming machine according to claim 38, wherein the safety ring is a Seegering™.

62. The particle filter for a glass forming machine according to claim 2, wherein said glass forming machine operating according to said blow-and-blow process or to said press-and-blow process is of an I.S. glass forming machine type.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0114] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a blow-and-blow process for the production of glass containers and relate to prior art;

[0115] FIG. 5 shows an unmounted particle filter for a glass forming machine according to the present invention in a sectional view;

[0116] FIG. 6 shows also an unmounted particle filter for a glass forming machine according to the present invention, but in an perspective view;

[0117] FIG. 7 shows a mounted particle filter for a glass forming machine according to the present invention in a sectional view;

[0118] FIG. 8 shows a set of four unmounted particle filters of different sizes for a glass forming machine according to the present invention with parts of it as a circular disc or ring shown in an bird's eye view on the surface of said discs or rings;

[0119] FIG. 9 shows an unmounted particle filter according to the present invention with preferred dimensional specification parameters of three preferred embodiments;

[0120] FIG. 10 shows a mounted particle filter according to the present invention in a perspective view on the left side from its intentional clean side and on the right side from its intentional dirty side;

[0121] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of a plunger unit according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel for counter blow of a parison;

[0122] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a plunger unit according to the present invention showing the outlets through the pressurized air flows into the par-son's inner cavity as counter blow;

[0123] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a plunger unit according to the present invention from downside;

[0124] FIG. 14 shows a partly sectional view of a plunger unit according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel with a particle filter already placed in at least said air channel;

[0125] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a plunger unit according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel with a particle filter already placed in said air channel;

[0126] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a plunger unit according to the present invention partially opened comprising at least an air channel with a particle filter already placed in said air channel;

[0127] FIG. 17 shows a partly sectionalview of a plunger unit according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel with a particle filter already placed, but wrongly placed in said air channel;

[0128] FIG. 18 shows a side view of a plunger unit according to FIG. 17;

[0129] FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of the air flow of a counter blow of a plunger unit according to the present invention;

[0130] FIG. 20 shows a side view of the air flow of a counter blow of a plunger unit according to FIG. 19;

[0131] FIG. 21 shows a sectional view of a blow head according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel for final blow of a glass container made of a parison;

[0132] FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of a blow head according to the present invention showing the air channel's insert area that is adapted for insertion of a particle filter according to the present invention from upside;

[0133] FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of a blow head according to FIG. 22 from downside;

[0134] FIG. 24 shows a sectional view of a blow head according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel with a particle filter already placed in at least said air channel;

[0135] FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a blow head according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel with a particle filter already placed in at least said air channel;

[0136] FIG. 26 shows a partly sectional view of a blow head according to the present invention partially opened and comprising at least an air channel with a particle filter already placed in at least said air channel;

[0137] FIG. 27 shows a sectional view of a blow head according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel with a particle filter wrongly placed in at least said air channel;

[0138] FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of a blow head according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel with a particle filter wrongly placed in said air channel according to FIG. 27;

[0139] FIG. 29 shows a partly sectional view of blow head according to FIG. 27;

[0140] FIG. 30 shows a sectional view of the air flow of a final blow in a blow head according to the present invention;

[0141] FIG. 31 shows a side view of the air flow of a final blow in a blow head according to FIG. 29;

[0142] FIG. 32 shows a pressure drop chart from experiments with a main filter media with a maximum pore size of 110 micron (in the United States: US mesh 165); and

[0143] FIG. 33 shows in the upper row a set of four unmounted parts of another preferred embodiment of a particle filter according to the present invention with said parts as circular discs or disc like parts shown in an bird's eye view and below the upper row a preferred embodiment of a mounted particle filter according to the present invention shown also from an birds eye view perspective.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0144] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a blow-and-blow process for the production of glass containers and relate to prior art. First a gob 1 is cut from the glass melt in the furnace via a feeder and fed via a delivery system to a blank mold 2 in which a solid body with a certain cavity is formed in accordance with the weight and the bottle shape finally targeted later. This generally happens by virtue of the fact that the gob 1 from the glass melt firstly slides via the abovementioned delivery system 3 into the blank mold 2 and is then set or blown downward with pressurized (compressed) air 4 from above against the mold wall whereupon a cavity 6 is blown into the solid gob 1 body by a counterblow 5 from below (via an air channel 14a serving pressurized air for the counter blow 5), as a result of which an upper region of the later glass container, specifically a finish of the later glass container—commonly called parison P—, is already formed in the lower region of the blank mold. This method is denoted as a blow-and-blow process-type.

[0145] The counterblow 5 necessary to form the parison P in the blank mold 2—also called a parison mold—is done with compressed air 5 via a plunger unit PU into the gob 1 from underneath after the plunger PL is drawn back a little bit—preferably downward 7—from the gob 1 in the blank mold 2 above.

[0146] In case of the abovementioned method, the parisons P thus preformed, which are still unfinished but already have an incipient inner cavity 6, are therefore brought from the blank mold 2 into the finish mold 8, something which can happen by virtue of the fact that a swinging arm 9 that has a finish support 10 gripping the parison P in the region of its finish brings the preformed glass body (the parison P) from the blank mold 2, which is opening for this purpose, into a finish mold 8, which is likewise opening for this purpose, the parison P being rotated by 180° about its horizontal axis, and the finish thus now pointing upward in the finish mold 8. After reheating, if appropriate—this glass body (parison P) is then finally blown—doing so now from above—with compressed air 11, 21 via a blow head BH comprising a blowing passage (air channel) 14b and preferably a tube 19. Said blow head BH is preferably mounted on a blow head support (not shown here). The parison P is blown into its final shape of a glass container 12 in the finish mold 8 whereupon it can be removed after opening of the finish mold 8, preferably by take-out-tongs onto a conveyor belt for further transportation in the product flow process. In a preferred embodiment the final blow 11 process can be supported by a vacuum system 13 that draws the glass container's 12 outer wall in the finish mold station 8. Compressed air may preferably also directed for finish cooling 21 through a finish cooling passage (also [an] air channel[s]) 20 if necessary or if preferred.

[0147] FIG. 5 shows an unmounted particle filter F for a glass forming machine according to the present invention in a sectional view, wherein a main filter media MF that is situated between a protective filter media PF and a porous support mean PS is held together with said protective filter media PF and said porous support mean PS by a filter body FB and a fastening mean FM, preferably an insert mean that is adapted to—preferably connected with—said filter body FB, preferably inserted into said filter body FB with interference fit to said filter body FB.

[0148] FIG. 6 shows also an unmounted particle filter F for a glass forming machine according to the present invention, but in an perspective view, wherein a main filter media MF (a wire mesh with small pores) that is situated between a protective filter media PF (also a wire mesh, but more coarse than the wire mesh of said main filter media MF, meaning that the pores of mesh of the protective filter media PF are bigger than the pores of the main filter media MF) and a porous support mean PS (also a wire mesh, but more coarse than the wire mesh of said main filter media MF, meaning that the pores of mesh of the support mean PS are bigger than the pores of the main filter media MF) is held together with said protective filter media PF and said support mean PS by a filter body FB and a fastening mean FM, preferably an insert mean that is adapted to—preferably connected with—said filter body FB, here to be inserted into said filter body FB with interference fit to said filter body FB.

[0149] FIG. 7 shows a mounted particle filter F for a glass forming machine according to the present invention in a sectional view, wherein a main filter media MF that is situated between a protective filter media PF and a porous support mean PS is held together with said protective filter media PF and said porous support mean PS by a filter body FB and a fastening mean FM, preferably an insert mean that is adapted to—preferably connected with—said filter body FB, preferably inserted into said filter body FB with interference fit to said filter body FB. The outer dimension (here the outer diameter) of said filter body FB overlaps the outer dimension (here the outer diameter) of said fastening mean FM, preferably a press ring. Such an embodiment of a particle filter according to the present invention is able to be used in an air channel 14a, 14b, 20 only in a proper position—preferably in one orientation or direction—. This is due to the fact of its geometry, if the respective air channel 14a, 14b, 20 is adapted to said geometry of said particle filter F. Such an embodiment allows for safety reasons to avoid a wrong assembly of a particle filter F in a glass forming machine, preferably in a plunger unit PU and/or a blow head BH and/or a blow head support. I.e. the wrong assembly of an already used particle filter could be harmful to parisons P or glass containers 12 to be blown (formed) by the glass forming machine because in such a case the particles formerly collected on the dirty side of the particle filter F may turn to the clean side and will be blown from there into the parison P and/or the final glass container 12, a situation that should be avoided.

[0150] FIG. 8 shows a set of four unmounted particle filters F of different sizes for a glass forming machine according to the present invention with parts of it as a circular disc or ring shown in an bird's eye view on the surface of said discs or rings, wherein a main filter media wire mesh disc MF that has to be positioned between a protective filter media wire mesh disc PF and a support mean wire mesh disc PS should be held together with said protective filter media wire mesh disc PF and said support mean wire mesh disc PS by a filter body ring FB and a fastening mean, here a press ring FM, if the press ring FM is inserted into said filter body ring FB with interference fit to said filter body ring FB. Preferably the outer diameter of the filter body ring FB of the smallest particle filter shown here (in the very left column) is 0.6 inches that is 15.24 mm, the outer diameter of the filter body ring FB of the next particle filter shown in the next column to the right is preferably 0.75 inches that is 19.05 mm, the next one is preferably 0.9 inches that is 22.86 mm and the last one (in the very right column) is preferably 1.2 inches that is 30.48 mm.

TABLE-US-00001 Press Ring (as fastening mean FM) Filter# [00002]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{PR}.Math.\text{-}.Math.O\\ \left(\mathrm{inches}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ [00003]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{PR}.Math.\text{-}.Math.I\\ \left(\mathrm{inches}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ [00004]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{PR}.Math.\text{-}.Math.H\\ \left(\mathrm{inches}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ [00005]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{PR}.Math.\text{-}.Math.\mathrm{CH}\\ \left(\mathrm{deg}.Math..Math.\mathrm{inches}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{deg}.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ CH#-1.200 [00006]$\frac{{1.000}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.001}^{″}}{25.4.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-0.0254.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00007]$\frac{{0.900}^{″}}{22.86.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00008]$\frac{{0.234}^{″}}{5.9436.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00009]$\frac{45.Math.°.Math..Math.{0.015}^{″}}{45.Math.°.Math..Math.0.381.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ CH#-0.925 [00010]$\frac{{0.750}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.001}^{″}}{19.05.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-0.0254.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00011]$\frac{{0.660}^{″}}{16.764.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00012]$\frac{{0.234}^{″}}{5.9436.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00013]$\frac{45.Math.°.Math..Math.{0.015}^{″}}{45.Math.°.Math..Math.0.381.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ CH#-0.750 [00014]$\frac{{0.653}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.001}^{″}}{16.5862.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-0.0254.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00015]$\frac{{0.530}^{″}}{13.462.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00016]$\frac{{0.234}^{″}}{5.9436.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00017]$\frac{45.Math.°.Math..Math.{0.015}^{″}}{45.Math.°.Math..Math.0.381.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$

TABLE-US-00002 Disc (as protective filter media PF, as main filter media MF and as porous support mean PS) Filter# [00018]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}D.Math.\text{-}.Math.C\\ \left(\mathrm{inches}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ [00019]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}D.Math.\text{-}.Math.F\\ \left(\mathrm{inches}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ [00020]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}D.Math.\text{-}.Math.D\\ \left(\mathrm{inches}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ CH#-1.200 [00021]$\frac{{0.985}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.003}^{″}}{25.019.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-0.0762.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00022]$\frac{{0.985}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.003}^{″}}{25.019.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-0.0762.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00023]$\frac{{0.985}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.003}^{″}}{25.019.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-0.0762.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ CH#-0.925 [00024]$\frac{{0.735}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.003}^{″}}{18.669.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-0.0762.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00025]$\frac{{0.735}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.003}^{″}}{18.669.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-0.0762.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00026]$\frac{{0.735}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.003}^{″}}{18.669.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-0.0762.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ CH#-0.750 [00027]$\frac{{0.625}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.001}^{″}}{15.875.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-0.0762.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00028]$\frac{{0.625}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.001}^{″}}{15.875.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-0.0762.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00029]$\frac{{0.625}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.001}^{″}}{15.875.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-0.0762.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$

TABLE-US-00003 Filter Body FB Filter# [00030]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{FB}.Math.\text{-}.Math.O\\ \left(\mathrm{inch}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ [00031]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{FB}.Math.\text{-}.Math.I\\ \left(\mathrm{inch}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ [00032]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{FB}.Math.\text{-}.Math.H\\ \left(\mathrm{inch}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ [00033]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{FB}.Math.\text{-}.Math.\mathrm{IH}\\ \left(\mathrm{inch}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ [00034]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{FB}.Math.\text{-}.Math.B\\ \left(\mathrm{inch}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ [00035]$\frac{\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{FB}.Math.\text{-}.Math.\mathrm{CH}\\ \left(\mathrm{deg}.Math..Math.\mathrm{inch}\right)\end{array}}{\left(\mathrm{deg}.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}\right)}$ CH#-1.200 [00036]$\frac{{1.200}^{″}}{30.48.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00037]$\frac{{0.997}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.001}^{″}}{\begin{array}{c}25.3238.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-\\ 0.0254.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}\end{array}}$ [00038]$\frac{{0.160}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.002}^{″}}{\begin{array}{c}4.046.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-\\ 0.0508.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}\end{array}}$ [00039]$\frac{{0.118}^{″}}{2.9972.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00040]$\frac{{0.900}^{″}}{22.86.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00041]$\frac{30.Math.°.Math..Math.{0.060}^{″}}{30.Math.°.Math..Math.1.542.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ CH#-0.925 [00042]$\frac{{0.925}^{″}}{23.495.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00043]$\frac{{0.747}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.001}^{″}}{\begin{array}{c}18.9738.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-\\ 0.0254.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}\end{array}}$ [00044]$\frac{{0.160}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.002}^{″}}{\begin{array}{c}4.064.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-\\ 0.0508.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}\end{array}}$ [00045]$\frac{{0.118}^{″}}{2.9972.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00046]$\frac{{0.625}^{″}}{15.875.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00047]$\frac{30.Math.°.Math..Math.{0.060}^{″}}{30.Math.°.Math..Math.1.542.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ CH#-0.750 [00048]$\frac{{0.750}^{″}}{1905.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00049]$\frac{{0.650}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.001}^{″}}{\begin{array}{c}16.51.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-\\ 0.0254.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}\end{array}}$ [00050]$\frac{{0.160}^{″}+\text{/}-{0.002}^{″}}{\begin{array}{c}4.064.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}+\text{/}-\\ 0.0508.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}\end{array}}$ [00051]$\frac{{0.118}^{″}}{2.9972.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00052]$\frac{{0.450}^{″}}{11.43.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$ [00053]$\frac{30.Math.°.Math..Math.{0.060}^{″}}{30.Math.°.Math..Math.1.542.Math..Math.\mathrm{mm}}$

[0151] FIG. 9 shows an unmounted particle filter F according to the present invention with preferred dimensional specification parameters of three preferred embodiments, wherein (of course in an respective mounted embodiment of the filter F) a main filter media MF that is situated between a protective filter media PF and a porous support mean PS is held together with said protective filter media PF and said porous support mean PS by a filter body FB and a fastening mean FM, preferably an insert mean, most preferably a press ring that is adapted to—preferably connected with—said filter body FB, preferably inserted into said filter body FB with interference fit to said filter body FB as follows:

[0152] Break all sharp edges 45° 0.015″ that is 45° 0,381 mm. Tolerances+/−0.003″ that is 0.0762 mm on all but marked dimensions. The values in inches are the original values and a conversion relation was used wherein 1″ (1 inch) is 2.54 cm.

[0153] FIG. 10 shows a mounted particle filter F according to the present invention in a perspective view on the left side from its intentional clean side and on the right side from its intentional dirty side wherein a main filter media is situated between a protective filter media wire mesh disc PF and a porous support mean wire mesh disc PS held together with said protective filter media wire mesh disc PF and said support mean wire mesh disc PS by a filter bodyring FB and a press ring FM inserted into said filter body ring FB with interference fit to said filter body ring FB. According to its geometry (the filter body ring FB has a larger outer diameter than the press ring FM and thus the outer diameter of said filter body ring FB overlaps the outer diameter of said press ring FM) the particle filter F can be positioned in an air channel 14a, 14b, 20 only in a proper position (preferably a certain orientation or certain direction), if the air channel 14a, 14b, 20 is adapted to the particle filter F in its geometry. Thus, a wrong assembly of the particle filter F according to the present invention can be avoided.

[0154] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of a plunger unit PU according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel 14a for counter blow 5 of a parison P and said plunger unit PU suitable for placement in a plunger cylinder underneath a blank mold 2 forming station of a glass forming machine of a blow-and-blow process-type or a press-and-blow process-type, preferably an I.S. glass machine, said plunger unit PU adapted to receive a particle filter F according to the present invention and said particle filter F to be placed in at least said air channel 14a of said plunger unit PU adapted to said particle filter. Here the plunger unit PU is adapted to the particle filter F in an insert area 15 at the lower end of the air channel 14a that leads to the outlets 16 through the pressurized air flows into the parison's P inner cavity 6 as counter blow 5.

[0155] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a plunger unit PU according to the present invention showing the outlets 16 through the pressurized air flows into the parison's P inner cavity 6 as counter blow 5.

[0156] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a plunger unit PU according to the present invention from downside. As already disclosed in FIG. 11 the plunger unit PU is adapted to the particle filter F in an insert area 15 at the lower end of the air channel 14a that leads to the outlets 16 through the pressurized air flows into the parison's P inner cavity 6 as counter blow 5.

[0157] FIG. 14 shows a partly sectional view of a plunger unit PU according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel 14a for counter blow 5 of a parison P and said plunger unit PU suitable for placement in a plunger cylinder underneath a blank mold 2 forming station of a glass forming machine of a blow-and-blow process-type or a press-and-blow process-type, preferably an I.S. glass machine, said plunger unit PU adapted to receive a particle filter F according to the present invention and said particle filter F already placed in at least said air channel 14a of said plunger unit PU adapted to said particle filter F. Here the plunger unit PU is adapted to the particle filter F in an insert area 15 at the lower end of the air channel 14a that leads to the outlets 16 through the pressurized air flows into the parison's P inner cavity 6 as counter blow 5.

[0158] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a plunger unit PU according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel 14a with a particle filter F already placed in at least said air channel 14a.

[0159] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a plunger unit PU according to the present invention partially opened and comprising at least an air channel 14a and a particle filter F already placed in at least said air channel 14a.

[0160] FIG. 17 shows a partly sectional view of a plunger unit PU according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel 14a with a particle filter F already placed, but wrongly placed in at least said air channel 14a. As a consequence of this improper placement of the particle filter F in the air channel 14a of the plunger unit PU said particle filter F projects beyond said plunger unit PU and thus, the plunger unit PU cannot be installed in the blank mold 2 forming station of the glass forming machine. Therefore a wrong assembly could be avoided effectively using this embodiment of the present invention.

[0161] FIG. 18 shows a side view of a plunger unit PU according to FIG. 17.

[0162] FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of the air flow of a counter blow 5 in a plunger unit PU according to the present invention. The pressurized air enters the plunger unit PU from downwards passing the particle filter F at the lower end of the air channel 14a that leads to the outlets 16 through the pressurized air flows into the parison's P inner cavity 6 as counter blow 5. By passing the particle filter F according to the present invention undesired particles will be separated and collected on the dirty side (here the downside) of said particle filter F.

[0163] FIG. 20 shows a side view of the air flow of a counter blow 5 in a plunger unit PU according to FIG. 19.

[0164] FIG. 21 shows a sectional view of a blow head BH according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel 14b for final blow 11 of a glass container 12 made of a parison P and said blow head BH suitable for placement above a finish mold 8 station of a glass forming machine of a blow-and-blow process-type or a press-and-blow process-type, preferably an I.S. glass machine, said blow head BH adapted to receive a particle filter F according to the present invention and said particle filter F to be placed in at least said air channel 14b of said blow head BH adapted to said particle filter F. Here the blow head BH is adapted to the particle filter F in an insert area 15 at the upper end of the air channel 14b that lead to the air inlet of the finish mold 8 through the pressurized air flows into the glass container's 12 inner space as final blow 11.

[0165] It is also possible—but not shown here—to have a particle filter F according to the present invention of a larger size than shown here that covers not only the air channel 14b for final blow 11 of the glass container 12, but also one or more finish cooling channel(s) 20 for a finish cooling air flow 21 as for example shown in FIG. 4.

[0166] FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of a blow head BH according to the present invention showing the air channel's 14b insert area 15 that is adapted to the geometry of a particle filter F according to the present invention for insertion of said particle filter F according to the present invention from upside.

[0167] FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of a blow head BH according to FIG. 22 from downside showing the air channel 14b leading to the air inlet of the finish mold 8 through the pressurized air flows into the glass container's 12 inner space as final blow 11.

[0168] FIG. 24 shows a sectional view of a blow head BH according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel 14b for final blow 11 of a glass container 12 and said blow head BH suitable for placement above a finish mold 8 station of a glass forming machine of a blow-and-blow process-type or a press-and-blow process-type, preferably an I.S. glass machine, said blow head BH adapted to receive a particle filter F according to the present invention and said particle filter F already placed (inserted here) in at least said air channel 14b of said blow head BH adapted to said particle filter F. Here the blow head BH is adapted to the particle filter F in an insert area 15 at the upper end of the air channel 14b that leads to the air inlet of the finish mold 8 through the pressurized air flows into the glass container's 12 inner space as final blow 11.

[0169] FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a blow head BH according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel 14b with a particle filter F already placed in at least said air channel 14b.

[0170] FIG. 26 shows a partly sectional view of a blow head BH according to the present invention partially opened and comprising at least an air channel with 14b and a particle filter F already placed in at least said air channel 14b.

[0171] FIG. 27 shows a sectional view of a blow head BH according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel 14b with a particle filter F already placed, but wrongly placed in at least said air channel 14b. As a consequence of this improperly placement of the particle filter F in the air channel 14b of the blow head BH said particle filter F projects beyond said blow head BH and thus, the blow head BH cannot be installed in the finish mold 8 forming station of the glass forming machine. Therefore a faulty assembly could be avoided effectively using this embodiment of the present invention.

[0172] FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of a blow head BH according to the present invention comprising at least an air channel 14b with a particle filter F wrongly placed in said air channel 14b according to FIG. 27.

[0173] FIG. 29 shows a partly sectional view of a blow head BH partially opened according to FIG. 27.

[0174] FIG. 30 shows a sectional view of the air flow of a final blow 11 in a blow head BH according to the present invention. The pressurized air enters the blow head BH from upwards passing the particle filter F at the upper end of the air channel 14b that leads to the air inlet of the finish mold 8 through the pressurized air flows into the glass container's 12 inner space as final blow 11. By passing the particle filter F according to the present invention undesired particles will be separated and collected on the dirty side (here the upside) of said particle filter F.

[0175] FIG. 31 shows a side view of the air flow of a final blow 11 in a blow head BH according to FIG. 29.

[0176] FIG. 32 shows a pressure drop chart from experiments with a main filter media with a maximum pore size of 110 micron (in the United States: US mesh 165). Four experiments took place: [0177] A 1.sup.st experiment with 1 vent without the filter (upper line with dots placed on the line) and also 1 vent with the filter (upper line without dots), [0178] a 2.sup.nd experiment with 2 vents without the filter (second line from the top with dots placed on the line) and also 2 vents with the filter (second line from the top without dots), [0179] a 3′ experiment with 3 vents without the filter (second line from the bottom with dots placed on the line) and also 3 vents with the filter (second line from the bottom without dots), and [0180] a 4.sup.th experiment with 4 vents without the filter (lower line with dots placed on the line) and also 4 vents with the filter (lower line without dots).

[0181] For each of the aforesaid experiments the x-axis of the pressure drop diagram of FIG. 32 shows the input pressure in psi (psi=pound force per square inch; psi could be convertetd into Pascal [Pa] under the assumption of a gravitational constant of g=9.80665 ml s.sup.2 and a US pound as lb=0.4536 kg as follows: 1 psi≈6 895 Pa and vice versa 1 Pa≈1.4504.Math.10.sup.−4 psi) at the regulator and the y-axis the (resulting) output pressure in psi.

[0182] One can read from the pressure drop diagram shown here that there is no or no significant pressure drop using the main filter media with a maximum pore size of 110 micron (in the United States: US mesh 165).

[0183] FIG. 33 shows in the upper row a set of four unmounted parts of another preferred embodiment of a particle filter F according to the present invention with said parts as circular discs or disc like parts PS, MF, PF, FB, FM shown in an bird's eye view on the surface of said discs or disc like parts PS, MF, PF, FB, FM, wherein a main filter media wire mesh disc MF that has to be positioned between a protective filter media wire mesh disc PF and a support mean wire mesh disc PS should be held together with said protective filter media wire mesh disc PF and said support mean wire mesh disc PS by a filter body ring FB and a fastening mean, here a press ring FM, if the press ring FM is inserted into said filter body ring FB with interference fit to said filter body ring FB.

[0184] Below the upper row a mounted preferred particle filter F according to the present invention is shown also from an birds eye view perspective.

[0185] The particle filter F according to the present invention as shown here is of—preferably larger—size that covers not only the air channel 14b for final blow 11 of the glass container 12, but also one or more finish cooling channel(s) 20 of a blow head BH for a finish cooling air flow 21 as for example shown in FIG. 4. The compressed air flows through a central hole CH in the filter body ring FB of the particle filter F for the final blow 11 as well as a respective hole CH in the the press ring FM of the particle filter F and for the finish cooling 21 through (a) peripheral hole(s) PH as well as (a) respective hole(s) PH in the the press ring FM of the particle filter F.

[0186] While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications to this disclosure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.