Forming Glass Containers Responsive to Suspended Parison Elongation
AssigneeOwens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
InventorsStephen M Graff, Thomas R. Kirkman, Joshua Peeno, David L. Lewis, Adam W. Stienecker
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Abstract
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.
Claims35
A method of forming a glass container, comprising the steps of:
- allowing a suspended parison to elongate in a mold along central longitudinal axis;
- sensing at least one position of a closed end of the parison within the mold before the closed end of the parison contacts a transversely extending surface in the mold;
- and
- adjusting at least on process parameter responsive to the sensing step.
A glass container forming system, comprising:
- a mold to term a container from a parison having an open end, a dosed end, and a central longitudinal axis extending therebetween, wherein the mold includes:
- a bottom plate, and
- a mold body having a lower end closeable around a portion of the bottom plate;
- and
- a sensor operative substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis to sense at least one position of the closed end of the parison as the parison is suspended within the mold before the closed end of the parison contacts a transversely extending surface in the mold.
Apparatus for sensing elongation of a parison in a blow mold of a glassware forming machine, which includes:
- a bottom plate,
- a mold body having a lower end closeable around a portion of the bottom plate,
- an opening in the bottom plate of the blow mold,
- an optical window in said opening, and
- a sensor operatively coupled to said window, and through said window to said parison in the blow mold, for sensing position of the parison with respect to the bottom plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.