Glass making machinery

Claim 2

In a glass making machine, the combination comprising an endless conveyor having a reach which extends along a predetermined path, a plurality of work supporting heads pivoted to longitudinally space points on said conveyor for swingIng movement about generally horizontal axes generally parallel to the reach, a support rotatably mounted in each said head and having an opening therethrough and including means for circumferentially engaging and supporting a single glass article in said opening in a manner such that the glass article is supported with at least one end thereof exposed for performing a work function thereof, said opening in said support extending generally vertically when said head extends generally horizontally, means along said path for holding said heads in a manner such that the axes of the openings in said heads are generally vertical and the articles are supported in generally vertical position, means in the area of said last mentioned means along said portion of the path for engaging each said support and rotating said support about the axis of the opening therethrough such that the article is rotated about a substantially vertical axis.

Claim 3

The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said machine includes means at another position of the path of the endless conveyor for pivoting each said head downwardly to a generally vertical position.

Claim 4

The combination set forth in claim 1 including means along said first-mentioned path for applying a predetermined force to the upper end of each article held in said support.

Claim 5

The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises an endless conveyor having elements thereon for engaging the upper end of the article.

Claim 6

The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveyor comprises a plurality of carriages connected to said conveyor, each said carriage having wheels thereon, and a track engaged by said wheels.

Claim 7

The combination set forth in claim 5 including an endless drive chain for driving said carriages.

Claim 8

The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said supports comprises teeth on each said support, and means positioned along the path of said supports for engaging said teeth to rotate each said support.

Claim 9

The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a chain.

Claim 10

The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein said chain is endless, and means for moving said chain.

Claim 11

The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for holding said heads comprises a guide, and a roller on said head engaging said guide.

Claim 12

The combination set forth in claim 10 including means for preventing inadvertent upward movement of said roller with respect to said guide.

Claim 13

The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said endless conveyor comprises an endless chain, a plurality of carriages, an endless track provided along the path of said endless chain, said carriages being movable along said track, said work supporting heads being pivoted to said carriages.

Claim 14

The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein said endless chain has upwardly extending pins thereon, each said carriage having a portion thereof engaging a pin.

Claim 15

The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein said endless track comprises vertically spaced rails, each said carriage having low friction means engaging said rails.

Claim 16

The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein each said carriage comprises a body and low friction means supports pivoted about transverse axes on said body and engaging said rails.

Claim 17

The combination set forth in claim 15 including spring means interposed between said body and said low friction means supports yieldingly urging said low friction means supports to a predetermined relation with respect to said body.

Claim 18

The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein each said rail has angularly disposed surfaces which are engaged by said low friction means.

Claim 19

The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein the angularly disposed surfaces of each said rail form part of a rectangular cross section of the rail.

Claim 20

The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein each saiD carriage has a plurality of longitudinally extending pins, each said head having openings therein engaging said pins to pivotally mount said head on said carriage.

Claim 21

The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein said means for rotating said support comprise a sprocket fixed on each said support and means along the path of said support for engaging said sprocket to rotate said sprocket.

Claim 22

The combination set forth in claim 18 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a chain.

Claim 23

The combination set forth in claim 21 wherein said chain is endless and means for moving said endless chain.

Claim 24

The combination comprising an endless generally horizontal conveyor having a reach which extends along a predetermined path, a plurality of work supporting heads pivoted to longitudinally space points on said conveyor for swinging movement about generally horizontal axes generally parallel to the reach, a support rotatably mounted in each said head and having an opening therethrough and including means for circumferentially engaging a single article in said opening in a manner such that the article is supported with at least one end thereof exposed for performance of a work function, said opening in said support extending generally vertically when said head extends generally horizontally, means along said path for holding said heads in a manner such that the articles are supported in generally upright position, means in the area of said last mentioned means along said portion of the path for engaging said support and rotating said support about the axis of the opening therethrough.

Claim 25

The combination comprising an endless generally horizontal conveyor having a reach which extends along a predetermined path, a plurality of work supporting heads pivoted to longitudinally space points on said conveyor for swinging movement about generally horizontal axes generally parallel to the reach, a support rotatably mounted in each said head and having an opening therethrough and including means for circumferentially engaging a single article in said opening in a manner such that the article is supported with at least one end thereof exposed for performance of a work function, said opening in said support extending generally vertically when said head extends generally horizontally, means along said path for holding said heads in a manner such that the articles are supported in generally upright position, means in the area of said last mentioned means along said portion of the path for engaging said support and rotating said support about the axis of the opening therethrough.

Claim 26

The combination set forth in claim 23 including means at another position of the path of the endless conveyor for pivoting each said head downwardly to a generally vertical position.

Claim 27

The combination set forth in claim 23 including means along said first-mentioned path for applying a predetermined force to the upper end of each article held in said support.

Claim 28

The combination set forth in claim 25 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises an endless conveyor having elements thereon for engaging the upper end of the article.

Claim 29

The combination set forth in claim 23 wherein said conveyor comprises a plurality of carriages connected to said conveyor, each said carriage having wheels thereon, and a track engaged by said wheels.

Claim 30

The combination set forth in claim 27 including an endless drive chain for driving said carriages.

Claim 31

The combination set forth in claim 23 wherein said means for rotating said supports comprises teeth on each said support, and means positioned along the path of said supports for engaging said teeth to rotate each said support.

Claim 32

The combination set forth in claim 29 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a chain.

Claim 33

The combination set forth in claim 30 wherein said chain is endless, and means for moving said chain.

Claim 34

The combination set forth in claim 23 wherein said means for holding said heads comprises a guide, and a roller on said head engaging said guide.

Claim 35

The combination set forth in claim 32 including means for preventing inadvertent upward movement of said roller with respect to said guide.

Claim 36

The combination set forth in claim 23 wherein said endless conveyor comprises an endless chain, a plurality of carriages, an endless track provided along the path of said endless chain, said carriages being movable along said track by the endless chain, said work supporting heads being pivoted to said carriages.

Claim 37

The combination set forth in claim 34 wherein said endless chain has upwardly extending pins thereon, each said carriage having a portion thereof engaging a pin.

Claim 38

The combination set forth in claim 34 wherein said endless track comprises vertically spaced rails, each said carriage having low friction means engaging said rails.

Claim 39

The combination set forth in claim 34 wherein each said carriage has a plurality of longitudinally extending pins, each said head having openings therein engaging said pins to pivotally mount said head on said carriage.

Claim 40

The combination set forth in claim 36 wherein each said carriage comprises a body and low friction means supports pivoted about transverse axes on said body and engaging said rails.

Claim 41

The combination set forth in claim 38 including spring means interposed between said body and said low friction means supports yieldingly urging said low friction means supports to a predetermined relation with respect to said body.

Claim 42

The combination set forth in claim 36 wherein each said rail has angularly disposed surfaces which are engaged by said low friction means.

Claim 43

The combination set forth in claim 40 wherein the angularly disposed surfaces of each said rail form part of a rectangular cross section of the rail.

Claim 44

In a glass making machine, the combination comprising an endless conveyor having a reach which extends along a predetermined path, a plurality of work supporting heads pivoted to longitudinally space points on said conveyor for swinging movement about generally horizontal axes generally parallel to the reach, a support rotatably mounted in said head and having an opening therethrough for receiving and supporting a glass article in a manner such that the glass article is supported with at least one end thereof exposed for performing a work function thereon, means along said path for holding said heads in a manner such that the axes of the openings in said heads are generally vertical and the articles are supported in generally vertical position, means in the area of said last mentioned means along said portion of the path for engaging each said support and rotating said support about the axis of the opening therethrough such that the article is rotated about a substantially vertical axis, a second endless conveyor, said second carrier having a portion thereof overlying said predetermined path of said first conveyor, a plurality of longitudinally spaced hold down members, means for yieldingly mounting each said member in longitudinally spaced relation on said second conveyor whereby in said overlying portion, said hold down members are yieldingly vertically movable for engagement with the closed end of glass articles on said first conveyor.

Claim 45

In a glass making machine, the combination comprising an endless conveyor having a reach which extends along a predetermined path, a plurality of work supporting heads pivoted to longitudinally space points on said conveyor for swinging movement about generally horizontal axes generally parallel to the reach, a support rotatably mounted in said head and having an opening therethrough for receiving and supporting a glass article in a manner such that the glass article is supported with at least one end thereof exposed for performing a work function thereon, means along said path for holding said heads in a manner such that the axes of the openings in said heads are generally vertical and the articles are supported in generally vertical position, means in the area of said last mentioned means along said portion of the path for engaging each said support and rotating said support about the axis of the opening therethrough such that the article is rotated about a substantially vertical axis, a second endless conveyor, said second carrier having a portion thereof overlying said predetermined path of said first conveyor, a plurality of longitudinally spaced hold down members, means for yieldingly mounting each said member in longitudinally spaced relation on said second conveyor whereby in said overlying portion, said hold down members are yieldingly vertically movable for engagement with the closed end of glass articles on said first conveyor.

Claim 46

The combination set forth in claim 42 including a pad on each said hold down member for engaging the closed end of a container on said first conveyor.

Claim 47

The combination set forth in claim 42 wherein said last-mentioned pad is replaceable.

Claim 48

The combination set forth in claim 44 wherein said pad includes a layer of low friction material.

Claim 49

The combination set forth in claim 42 wherein said hold down member comprises a rod vertically reciprocable on said second carrier in said overlying portion, and means for yieldingly urging said rod downwardly.

Claim 50

The combination set forth in claim 42 wherein said second conveyor comprises a plurality of interlinked members, each said hold down member being mounted on alternate link members.

Claim 51

The combination set forth in claim 47 wherein said means for mounting each said hold down member on a link comprises a body, said hold down member comprising a rod, spring means interposed between said rod and said body for yieldingly urging said rod away from said second conveyor.

Claim 52

The combination set forth in claim 42 wherein said hold down body includes roller bearing means thereon, and means positioned along said predetermined path for guiding said body while it is in overlying relationship to a portion of said first carrier.

Claim 53

The combination set forth in claim 49 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises guide bars and associated rollers on said hold down body.

Claim 54

The combination set forth in claim 42 including means for guiding said second endless conveyor in overlying relationship to said first carrier.

Claim 55

ThE combination comprising an endless generally horizontal conveyor having a reach which extends along a predetermined path, a plurality of work supporting heads pivoted to longitudinally space points on said conveyor for swinging movement about generally horizontal axes generally parallel to the reach, a support rotatably mounted in said head and having an opening therethrough for receiving an article in a manner such that the article is supported with at least one end thereof exposed for performance of a work function, means along said path for holding said heads in a manner such that the articles are supported in generally upright position, means in the area of said last mentioned means along said portion of the path for engaging said support and rotating said support about the axis of the opening therethrough, a second endless conveyor, said second carrier having a portion thereof overlying said predetermined path of said first conveyor, a plurality of longitudinally spaced hold down members, means for yieldingly mounting each said member in longitudinally spaced relation on said second conveyor wherein in said overlying portion, said hold down members are yieldingly vertically movable for engagement with the closed end of a glass article on said first conveyor.

Claim 56

ThE combination comprising an endless generally horizontal conveyor having a reach which extends along a predetermined path, a plurality of work supporting heads pivoted to longitudinally space points on said conveyor for swinging movement about generally horizontal axes generally parallel to the reach, a support rotatably mounted in said head and having an opening therethrough for receiving an article in a manner such that the article is supported with at least one end thereof exposed for performance of a work function, means along said path for holding said heads in a manner such that the articles are supported in generally upright position, means in the area of said last mentioned means along said portion of the path for engaging said support and rotating said support about the axis of the opening therethrough, a second endless conveyor, said second carrier having a portion thereof overlying said predetermined path of said first conveyor, a plurality of longitudinally spaced hold down members, means for yieldingly mounting each said member in longitudinally spaced relation on said second conveyor wherein in said overlying portion, said hold down members are yieldingly vertically movable for engagement with the closed end of a glass article on said first conveyor.

Claim 57

The combination set forth in claim 52 wherein said hold down member comprises a rod vertically reciprocable on said second carrier in said overlying portion, and means for yieldingly urging said rod downwardly.

Claim 58

The combination set forth in claim 52 wherein said second conveyor comprises a plurality of interlinked members, each said hold down member being mounted on alternate link members.

Claim 59

The combination set forth in claim 54 wherein said means for mounting each said hold down member on a link comprises a body, said hold down member comprising a rod, spring means interposed between said rod and said body for yieldingly urging said rod away from said second conveyor.

Claim 60

The combination set forth in claim 52 wherein said hold down body includes roller bearing means thereon, and means positioned along said predetermined path for guiding said body while it is in overlying relationship to a portion of said first carrier.

Claim 61

In a glass making machine, the combination comprising an endless conveyor having a reach which extends along a predetermined path, a plurality of work supporting heads pivoted to longitudinally spaced points on said conveyor for swinging movement about generally horizontal axes generally parallel to the reach, a support rotatably mounted in said head and having an opening therethrough for receiving a glass article in a manner such that the glass article is supported with at least one end thereof exposed, means along said path for holding said heads in a manner such that the articles are supported in generally vertical position, means in the area of said last-mentioned means along said portion of the path for engaging said support and rotating said support about the axis of the opening therethrough, a second endless conveyor, said second carrier having a portion thereof overlying said predetermined path of said first conveyor, a plurality of longitudinally spaced hold members, means for yieldingly mounting each said member in longitudinally spaced relation on said second conveyor whereby in said overlying portion, said hold down members are yieldingly vertically movable for engagement with the closed end of a glass article on said first conveyor, said pad comprising a sheet metal member removably mounted on the lower end of said hold member, and a layer of low friction material on said sheet metal member.

Claim 62

In a glass making machine, the combination comprising an endless conveyor having a reach which extends along a predetermined path, a plurality of work supporting heads pivoted to longitudinally spaced points on said conveyor for swinging movement about generally horizontal axes generally parallel to the reach, a support rotatably mounted in said head and having an opening therethrough for receiving a glass article in a manner such that the glass article is supported with at least one end thereof exposed, means along said path for holding said heads in a manner such that the articles are supported in generally vertical position, means in the area of said last-mentioned means along said portion of the path for engaging said support and rotating said support about the axis of the opening therethrough, a second endless conveyor, said second carrier having a portion thereof overlying said predetermined path of said first conveyor, a plurality of longitudinally spaced hold members, means for yieldingly mounting each said member in longitudinally spaced relation on said second conveyor whereby in said overlying portion, said hold down members are yieldingly vertically movable for engagement with the closed end of a glass article on said first conveyor, said pad comprising a sheet metal member removably mounted on the lower end of said hold member, and a layer of low friction material on said sheet metal member.