Material or article handling – Apparatus for charging a load holding or supporting element...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-25
2001-06-05
Fischetti, Joseph A. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Apparatus for charging a load holding or supporting element...
C414S810000, C414S917000, C065S239000, C065S241000, C065S260000, C294S118000, C294S087220
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241448
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a mechanism for removing glass containers from molds of a forming machine. More particularly, this invention relates to a takeout mechanism for removing glass containers from second stage or blow molds of a multiple cavity glass container forming machine of the individual section (I.S.) type.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,973 (Perry), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, describes a known prior art takeout mechanism for a multiple cavity glass container forming machine of the I.S. type. A takeout mechanism of this type includes a plurality of spaced apart takeout elements, usually called tongs, arranged in a straight line and carried by common structure, for simultaneously grasping a multiplicity of freshly formed glass containers at their final molding positions at a section of an I.S. machine and transferring the containers to a dead plate for cooling and further processing. In the teachings of the 1973 patent, each of the containers is grasped by the takeout tongs below the level of a bead, which is often called a transfer bead, that is positioned just below the threaded or otherwise configured closure receiving portion on the neck of the container, which is often referred to as the finish of the container. In the practice of the invention of the '973 patent, the mold halves defining the mold cavity in which the container was blown were caused to part before the container was engaged by the tongs, and this made it possible for the container to tilt if needed to accommodate any slight misalignment between the container and the takeout tongs intended to grasp such container. U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,581 (Perry), the disclosure of which is also incorporated by reference herein, contains a further description of a known prior art takeout tong mechanism for a multiple cavity I.S. glass container forming machine.
Modern glass container forming practice has eliminated the need for including a transfer bead in each container being formed by designing tongs with complementary internally threaded container engaging elements, so as to be able to engage a container by its externally threaded finish rather than below its transfer bead. This technique, however, makes precise vertical positioning of the tong elements much more important than it was when the tong elements were used to grasp a container below its transfer bead. Further, to speed up the container forming process, it is now preferred to have the takeout tong elements grasp the container before the mold halves have parted. This makes precise positioning of the tongs relative to the container in a horizontal plane more important than it was when the tongs were used to remove containers that were free to tilt to accommodate misalignment with the tongs, and the need to prevent such misalignment is especially important in I.S. machines equipped to simultaneously form three (triple gob) or four (quad) containers at each machine section, since the requisite degree of alignment in such a situation cannot always be achieved simply by adjusting the positions of the tongs in unison.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided an improved takeout mechanism for removing blown containers from the blow molds at a section on a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type. In the takeout mechanism of the present invention, which has particular utility for triple gob and quad I.S. machines, the portion of each tong head is adjustable in a vertical direction relative to each other tong head, and to the support structure from which the tong heads are suspended, so that each tong head will be positioned to grasp the finish of a container precisely at a proper elevation. Further, the position of each tong head is adjustable in a horizontal direction relative to each other tong head so that each tong head will be precisely positioned to grasp the container even if the container is not at liberty to tilt because the mold halves defining the cavity in which it was blown have not parted sufficiently at the time of grasping to permit the container to tilt to accommodate any misalignment in a horizontal plane between the tong head and the container.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved takeout mechanism for removing glass containers from a section of an I.S. glass container forming machine. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a takeout mechanism for a multiple cavity I.S. machine that is capable of having the vertical position of each of its individual takeout elements adjusted independently of the vertical positions of the other takeout elements to be able to grasp a container to be removed at a precise elevation on its finish. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a takeout mechanism of the foregoing character that is capable of having the horizontal position of each of its individual takeout elements adjustable independently of the horizontal position of the other takeout elements to be able to grasp a container to be removed at a precise horizontal position, and thereby eliminate the need for the container to tilt from its molding position before its removal.
For a further understanding of the present invention and the objects thereof, attention is directed to the drawing and the following brief description thereof, to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2713419 (1955-07-01), Hayes
patent: 3220566 (1965-11-01), Rowe
patent: 3731862 (1973-05-01), Bustraan et al.
patent: 3913966 (1975-10-01), Richards
patent: 4137061 (1979-01-01), Mallory et al.
patent: 4379581 (1983-04-01), Perry
patent: 4494973 (1985-01-01), Perry
patent: 4710218 (1987-12-01), Giberti-Fornaciari
patent: 5507849 (1996-04-01), Wenz
patent: 5587000 (1996-12-01), Mann et al.
patent: 5693113 (1997-12-01), Dries et al.
Fischetti Joseph A.
Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
LandOfFree
Glass container takeout mechanism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Glass container takeout mechanism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Glass container takeout mechanism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2494205