GB1604328A - Automatic stop routine for a glassware forming machine - Google Patents

Description

(54) AUTOMATIC STOP ROUTINE FOR A GLASSWARE FORMING MACHINE (71) We, OWENS-ILLINOIS, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Ohio, of Toledo, State of Ohio, United States of America.

(Assignees of DANIEL STEPHEN FARKAS and ERIC ROBERT ZABOR), do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the follow mg statement: The present invention relates generally to machines for forming glassware articles from gobs of molten glass and in particular to electronically controlled individual section glassware forming machines.

A known individual section or IS glassware forming machine includes a plurality of sections each having means for forming glassware articles in a timed, predetermined sequence of steps. Typically, each section includes a blank mold station for receiving gobs of molten glass at a predetermined rate and for partially forming articles of glassware. A partially formed article of glassware of the type produced by the blank mold is typically referred to as a parison. The parison is then transferred to a blow mold station wherein the formation of the glassware article is completed.The sections are operated in synchronism at a relative phase difference such that one section is receiving a gob while another section is delivering a finished glassware article to a conveyor and one or more other sections are performing various ones of the intermediate forming steps.

The forming means in each section are typically operated from pneumatic motors or actuators. In early prior art machines, the pneumatic motors were controlled by a valve block which in turn was controlled by a timing drum for each section driven from a line shaft which synchronized all parts of the machine.

Manually adjustable cams were positioned on the timing drum for actuating the valves in the valve block. Timing was adjusted by loosening, moving and tightening the cams as the drum rotated. One of the limitations of the timing drum was the difficulty of adjusting the timing during the operation of the machine. One solution to this problem was to replace all the timing drums with an electronic control means. The electronic control means included a master unit which was responsive to a clock pulse generator and a reset pulse generator driven by the line shaft. The master unit generated reset signals to a separate control circuit for each of the individual sections to synchronize the operation of the individual circuits.

Each control circuit included a pulse counter responsive to the clock pulses and the master unit generated reset pulses for counting the degrees of the section cycle.

Each individual circuit included forty-eight three-decade thumbwheel switches for setting the degree of rotation of the machine thereon. Thus, each particular function of the glassware forming cycle was controlled by one of the thumbwheel switches. Such a control system is disclosed in U.S. Patent Specification No. 3,762,907.

Typically, the prior art control systems have means for automatically performing a sequence of steps for moving the glassware forming mechanisms into positions for operation in a normal operating cycle. This is known as a "programmed start". The prior art control systems also include means for initiating an "emergency stop" or a programmed stop". The emergency stop is effective at any time to immediately stop the machine and to release anything caught in the molds, the neck ring, or the blow head.

The programmed stop is only effective during a normal operating cycle to automatically perform a sequence of steps for moving the glassware forming mechanisms into positions for ease of maintenance. The prior art control systems function to initiate an emergency stop if the programmed start button is actuated during a programmed start.

The previously described electronic control system utilized discrete components in its counter and gating circuitry. In a later prior art control apparatus, a digitial computer with a memory and associated program storage was utilized. Not only did such a control circuit provide a means for automat ically changing the timing values of the func tions without the manual resetting of thumbwheel switches, but such a circuit also provided a means for programming events, groups of related functions, in accordance with certain boundary event timings. The computer generated control signals through an interface circuit to actuate solenoid con trolled valve blocks. Such a control system is disclosed in U.S. Patent Specification No.

3,905,793.

The present invention is concerned with a control means for, and a method of auto matically stopping an automatic glassware forming mechine m an orderly sequence of steps. As used herein, and in the claim clauses hereof, a machine or section thereof is said to be in a "run" condition when it is forming glassware, and in the "safe" condition when it is not so running or forming.

According to the present invention then, a control means for a machine for forming articles of glassware from gobs of molten glass, the machine including forming means responsive to a plurality of control signals for forming an article of glassware from each one of the gobs of molten glass in a predetermined series of forming steps, comprises means for generating a start and a stop signal, and means responsive to said start signal for generating a first group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a start routine to place the machine in a "run" condition for performing the predetermined series of forming steps and responsive to said stop sign a when the machine is in the "run" condition for generating a second group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a first stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition (as hereinbefore defined), said control signal generating means being responsive to the generation of said stop signal during said start routine for leaving said start routine and entering a second stop routine for generating a third group of the control signals to place the machine in the "safe" condition.

Also according to the present invention a method of controlling a machine for forming articles of glassware from gobs of molten glass, the machine including forming means responsive to a plurality of control signals for forming an article of glass ware from each one of the gobs in a predetermined series of forming steps, comprises generating a start signal, generating a first group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a start routine to place the machine in a "run" condition for performing the predetermined series of forming steps in response to said start signal; generating a stop signal; generating a second group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a first stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition (as hereinbefore defined) in response to the generation of the said stop signal when the machine is in the "run" condition; and generating a third group of the control sign als for controlling the forming means in a second stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition in response to the gener ation of said stop signal during said start routine.

Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention to automatically stop an automa tic glassware forming machine in an orderly sequence of steps during the start-up cycle of the machine.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a two section IS machine to which the present invention is applicable; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the sequence of forming steps in one section of an IS machine; Fig. 3 is a timing diagram of a run routine which indicates the sequence and relative timing positions in a machine cycle at which the various glassware forming functions are performed; Fig. 4 is a timing diagram of a start routine which indicates the sequence and relative timing positions dunng the start routine at which the various glassware forming functions are performed;; Fig. 5 is a timing diagram of a stop routine which indicates the sequence and relative timing positions during the stop routine at which the various glassware forming functions are performed; and Fig. 6 is a set of circle diagrams for the start and stop routines showing an automatic stop during the automatic start of one section of an IS machine in accordance with the present invention.

There is shown in Fig. 1 a block diagram of an individual section glassware forming machine to which the present invention is applicable.

A machine supervisory computer 11 receives a train of timing pulses from a timing pulse generator 12 to establish the timing for the machine cycle. The machine supervisory computer 11 is connected to a pair of individual section computers 13 and 14 which are respectively connected to an individual section No. One 15 and an individual section No. Two 16. The individual sections 15 and 16 respectively include valve blocks 17 and 18 and a plurality of glassware forming mechanisms 19 and 21.

The individual sections 15 and 16 each receive gobs of molten glass from a gob dis tributor (not shown). The gob distributor supplies the gobs to the individual sections at a predetermined rate proportional to the speed of the gob distributor drive motor (not shown). The speed of this drive motor is determined by the frequency of the alternating current power generated by a power source such as an inverter drive (not shown). If the timing pulse generator 12 is responsive to the frequency of the power source, the cycle time of each individual section and, therefore, the cycle time of the machine will be proportional to the gob distribution rate.

Initially, the machine supervisory computer 11 loads the individual section computers 13 and 14 with control programs and timing data for controlling the associated individual sections. Thereafter, the individual section computers 13 and 14 control the glassware forming cycles of the associated individual sections by generating control signals to the respective valve blocks in response to the execution of the control programs and the timing pulses from the timing pulse generator 12.

The timing pulse generator 12 generates a clock signal to the machine supervisory computer 11 and the individual section computers 13 and 14 which signal provides a reference for timing the machine cycle and the sequence of steps to be performed by the individual section computers. Typically, machine timing is expressed in degrees and a machine cycle is 3 in length. Thus, 360 clock pulses or some multiple thereof comprise one machine cycle. The cycle for each individual section is also 360 , but the cycles for the sections will be offset from the start of the machine cycle by a different number of degrees to compensate for the difference in gob delivery time to each section.The timing pulses generator 12 also generates a reset pulse after generating the clock pulses representing one cycle which reset pulse is utilized by the machine supervisory computer 11 and the individual section computers 13 and 14 to define the end and beginning of successive machine cycles. This type of timing pulse generator is the subject matter of. S. Patent Specifications Nos.

4,145,204 and 4,145,205. The timing pulse generator can also be of the shaft encoder type. In either case, the rate of distribution of the gobs is synchronized with the clock signal generated by the timing pulse generator.

The valve blocks 17 and 18 are connected to control the glassware forming mechanisms 19 and 21 respectively in a predetermined timed sequence of steps to form the articles of glassware. The valves in the valve blocks 17 and 18 are actuated by solenoids (not shown) which are controlled by the respective individual section computers in accordance with the control programs and timing data supplied by the machine supervisory computer 11.

A pair of section operator consoles 22 and 23 are connected to the individual section computers 13 and 14 respectively and to the valve blocks 17 and 18 respectively.

The consoles 22 and 23 are used to make adjustments to the mechanism timing. For example, the actuation of a particular valve may be either advanced or retarded by the operator with the use of the console.

The section operator consoles 22 and 23 are also used to control the operating condition of the respective individual section.

When an individual section is forming glassware, it is designated as being in the "run" condition and, when the section is not running, it is designated as being in the "safe" condition. The section operator consoles 22 and 23 each are provided with a start switch (not shown) for switching the respective individual section from the safe condition to the run condition and a stop switch (not shown) for switching the section from the run to the safe condition. When a section is in the safe condition, the forming mechanisms are stopped and in a position for easy access such that the mechanisms can be replaced or repaired. The operator can switch to a manual mode wherein the solenoids of the valve block can be individually controlled using a plurality of switches (not shown) which are provided in the section operator console.

There is shown in Fig. 2 a schematic diag- ram of the sequence of events for one cycle of an individual section of the glassware forming machine shown in Fig. 1. These steps are illustrative of the method of forming a typical article of glassware known as the blow and blow cycle. There is shown in Fig. 3 a timing diagram of the run routine which indicates the relative positions in the section cycle at which the control signals for the various glassware forming steps are generated when the section is in the run condition. It will be understood that there is a response time associated with the actuation of the forming means associated with each of the control signals. Furthermore, the timing of these steps depends upon the type of glassware being formed and that steps may be added, deleted or repeated as necessary.

Throughout the following discussion, the steps shown in Fig. 3 will be referred to in capital letters such as DISTRIBUTE GOB.

As was previously discussed, a continuous flow of molten glass is repetitively severed at a predetermined rate to produce a series of molten gobs. A gob distributor (not shown) sequentially distributes a separate gob to each individual section of the machine. As shown in Fig. 3, a scoop mechanism (not shown) is moved into posi tion (SCOOP ON) near the end of the sec tion cycle to receive a gob from the gob dis tributor and deliver the gob to the respec tive individual section at the beginning of the subsequent cycle. The distribution (DISTRIBUTE GOB) typically occurs sometime after the start of the section cyde at 00. There is a travel time lapse between the time at which the gob is severed and the time at which the gob arrives at the blank station.As illustrated in step A of Fia. 2, the gob delivery step, during this trave time a blank mold 24 is moved into its closed position (BLANK MOLD CLOSE) and a funnel 2 is positioned on top of the mold 24 (FUNNEL DOWN) in order to guide the gob into the mold. A plunger 27, adjacent the bottom of the mold, is then moved up into position (PLUNGER UP). When the gob arrives (GOB ARRIVES), it falls through the funnel 25 and into the interior of the mold 24. At or about the same time that the gob arrives. a thimble 28 surrounding the plunger 27 is moved up into position (THIMBLE UP). The scoop mechanism is then moved out of position (SCOOP OFF).

In step B of Fig. 2, the settle blow step, a baffle 26 is positioned on top of the funnel 25 (BAFFLE ON). There are the plunger 27, thimble 28 and a neck ring 29 adjacent the bottom of the mold 24. Thelunger 27 extends through the thimble 2which is enclosed by the neck ring 29. When the baffle 26 is in position, air under pressure is momentarily discharged into the toP of the mold to force the molten glass into the mold and neck rin and around the plunder (SETTLE BL W ON - SETTLE BLOW OFF) and then the baffle is removed (BAF FLE OFF). This is the settle blow step. In step C of Fig. 2, the counter blow step, the funnel is removed (FUNNEL UP) and the plunger 27 is retracted (PI UNGER DOWN) leaving a depression in the molten glass.Next, the baffle is positioned on top of the mold (BAFFLE ON) and counter blow air under pressure is introduced through the thimble and into the depression (COUNTER BLOW ON) to force the molten glass against the walls of the blank mold to produce a partially formed article of glassware referred to as a parison. The counter blow air is turned off (COUNTER BLOW OFF) and the thimble is moved down (TIll LE DOWN). Then the baffle 26 is removed from the mold (BAFFLE OFF).

During the counter blow step, the body of the blank mold extracts sufficient heat from the parison to form a cooled skin thereon which is rigid enough to allow manipulation of the parison. In step D of Fig. 2, the invert or transfer from blank mold to blow mold step, the blank mold is opened (BLANK MOLD OPEN) and a transfer mechanism 30, attached to the neck ring 29 rotates the parison 1800 (INVERT) into an open blow mold 31. The neck portion of the parison which has been positioned downward is now in the upward position. Next, the blow mold 31 is closed (BLOW MOLD CLOSE) and the neck ring is opened (NECK RING OPEN) and removed so that the parison is being supported at its neck portion by the blow mold. In this position, step E of Fig. 2, the reheat step, takes place.The skin of the parison is reheated by the relatively hot interior of the parison and the parison becomes sufficiently soft for a final blowing step. The transfer mechanism 30 and the neck ring 29 are rotated back to the blow mold (REVERT) for the next parison to be formed.

In step F of Fig. 2, the final blow step, a blow head 32 is positioned on top of the blow mold 31 (BLOW HEAD ON). As was previously discussed, the scoop mechanism is moved into position (SCOOP ON) to receive the next gob. Air pressure is introduced through the blow head 32 (FINAL BLOW ON) into the interior of the parison to force the parison into the shape defined by the blow mold which is the shape of the desired article of glassware. The blow air remains on while the walls of the blow mold absorb heat from the glass such that the glassware becomes stiff enough for handling. The blow air is then turned off (FINAL BLOW OFF) and the blow mold is opened (BLOW MOLD OPEN). The blow head is then removed (BLOW HEAD UP) such that the article of glassware is ready to be removed from the section.

In step G of Fig. 2, the takeout step, a takeout mechanism 33 is moved into position to grasp the article of glassware at its neck position (TAKEOUT IN). The takeout mechanism 33 then transfers (TAKE OUT OUT) the finished article of glassware to a dead plate (not shown) for further cooling and subsequent pushout onto a conveyor (not shown).

As illustrated, in Fig. 3, the foregoing machine operation functions are performed in cycles of 360". The forming process is a two stage process, wherein the first stage is performed at the blank station and the second stage is performed at the blow station.

The respective machine functions are performed at the two stations simultaneously such that during each machine cycle a blank station will produce a partially formed article of glassware and a blow station will produce a finished article of glassware. Thus, while the blow station is performing the final blow function, the blank station is producing a partially formed article of glassware to be subsequently transferred to the blow station.

If an individual section is in the safe condition and the start switch is actuated, the respective individual section computer will initiate a start routine wherein the various glassware forming mechanisms are moved into a position such that control may be transferred to the previously described run routine. There is shown in Fig. 4 a timing diagram of the typical machine functions which are performed during a start routine.

The start routine is executed over a period of approximately two section cycles.

It should be noted that the section can be started automatically without regard to the current positions of the forming mechanism since the start routine is designed to prevent any equipment interferences. Dunng the step 0 (zero) of the routine, the blow head is moved off the blow mold (BLOW HEAD UP) and the neck ring is then moved into its open position (NECK RING OPEN). During the step 1 of the routine, the plunger is retracted (PLUNGER DOWN), the blow head is held off the blow mold (BLOW HEAD UP), the blank mold is moved into its open position (BLANK MOLD OPEN) and the takeout mechanism is moved out of position TAKEOUT OUT). During step 2, the transfer mechanism is moved into position on the blank mold side (REVERT).

After the section position becomes equal to the degree value of REVERT, the respective section computer will transfer the section to the run condition. The section will remain in the run condition until the stop switch has been actuated.

If an individual section is in the run condition and the stop switch is actuated, the respective individual section computer will initiate a stop routine which controls an orderly shutdown of the section such that the section will then be in the safe condition.

The stop routine is typically entered at 0 of the section cycle and is executed over a period of approximately two section cycles.

There is shown in Fig. S the typical machine functions which are performed over a period of approximately two successive section cycles to provide an orderly shutdown of the machine.

Step 0 in the stop routine is exactly the same as a cycle in the run routine except that the SCOOP ON function is disabled such that no more gobs of glass will be delivered to the section. Thus, during the step 0, the last parison will be formed and inverted while the next to last bottle will be blown and taken out. During step 1, the blank mold station functions are disabled while the last bottle is blown. During step 2, the last bottle is removed from the blow mold TAKEOUT IN AND OUT) and the trans er arm is moved to the blow mold side (INVERT). At the end of step 2, all the glass has been cycled from the section and the various glassware forming mechanisms have been moved into a position such that the section is in the safe condition.

As previously mentioned, if a section is in the run condition and the stop switch is actuated, the stop routine will be entered when the machine position becomes 0 and the entire stop routine will be executed. The initial portion of the stop routine is concerned with cycling from the section the glass which is already present in the section while the final portion of the routine is concerned with moving the forming mechanisms into position such that the section will be in the safe condition. However, if no glass is present in the section and the stop switch is actuated, it is only necessary to execute the final portion of the stop routine.

If the stop switch is actuated before at least one predetermined position in the start rountine, the stop routine will be entered at an intermediate position such that only the machine functions in the stop routine subsequent to the intermediate position will be performed to shut down the section.

Referring to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, if the section is in the process of executing the start routine, no glass has been delivered to the section and the section can be stopped in an orderly sequence by entering step 2 of the stop routine, for example, after the BLOW MOLD OPEN function but before the BLOW HEAD UP function. It is not necessary to perform the functions in the stoop routine prior to the BLOW HEAD Ut function since there is no glass in the section which must be cycled out. Thus, if the stop routine is entered after the BLOW MOLD OPEN function, the only functions which are performed before the individual section is transferred to the safe condition are the BLOW HEAD UP function, the TAKE OUT IN function, the TAKEOUT OUT function and the INVERT function.When the section enters the safe condition, the blow head will be in the up position and the invert mechanism is positioned on the blow mold side.

If a section is in the step 0 of the start routine and the stop switch is actuated before the BLOW HEAD UP function, the respective individual section computer will enter step 2 of the stop routine after the section position becomes equal to the degree value of the BLOW MOLD OPEN function. Thus, as shown in Fig. 6, if the degree value of the BLOW MOLD OPEN function is, for example, 175 , and the stop switch is actuated between 0 and 175 (the vertically lined area) of step 0 of the start routine, step 2 of the stop routine will be entered after the section position becomes 1750. If the stop switch is not actuated before the BLOW MOLD OPEN function of the step 0, but within 359" after that par ticular function (176 to 280 of step 0 and 280 to 175 of step 1, the horizontally lined area), the section computer will then enter the step 2 of the stop routine when the section position again becomes equal to the degree value of the BLOW MOLD OPEN function or 175". However. if a section is executing the start routine and the stop switch is actuated after 175 of the step 1, the step 0 of the stop routine will be entered at the beginning when the section position returns to 00.

In summary, the present invention concerns a control means for, a method of controlling, a machine for forming articles of glassware from gobs of molten glass. The machine includes forming means responsive to a plurality of control signals for forming an article ot glassware trom eacn one ot tne gobs of molten glass in a predetermined series of forming steps.The apparatus comprises a control means including means for generating a start and a stop signal and means responsive to the start signal for generating a first group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a start routine to place the machine in a "run" condition for performing the predetermined series of forming steps and responsive to the stop signal when the machine is in the "run" condition for generating a second group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a first stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition.The control signal generating means is responsive to the generation of the stop signal during the start routine before at least one predetermined exit point in the start routine for exiting the start routine at the one exit point and entering a second stop routine for generating a third group of the control signals to place the machine in the "safe" condition. The second stop routine can be the remainder of the first stop routine after a predetermined entry point.

The method comprises generating a start signal, generating a first group of control signals for controlling the forming means in a start routine to place the machine in a "run" condition for performing the predetermined series of forming steps in response to the start signal, generating a stop signal, generating a second group of the control signals for controlling theorming means in a first stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition in response to the generation of the stop signal when the machine is in the "run" condition, and generating a third group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a second stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition in response to the generation of the stop signal during the start routine.The step of generating the third group of the control signals is performed when the stop signal is generated before at least one exit point in the start routine and when the forming means reach the one exit point in the start routine, the one exit point corresponding to an entry point in the first stop routine and the third group of control signals being the remainder of the second group of control signals after the entry point.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A control means for a machine for forming articles of glassware from gobs of molten glass, the machine including forming means responsive to a plurality of control signals for forming an article of glassware from each one of the globs of molten glass in a predetermined series of forming steps, the control means comprising means for generating a start and a stop signal, and means responsive to said start signal for generating a first group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a start routine to place the machine in a "run" condition for performing the predetermined series of forming steps and responsive to said stop signal when the machine is in the "run" condition for generating a second group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a first stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition (as hereinbefore defined), said control signal generating means being responsive to the generation of said stop signal during said start routine for leaving said start routine and entering a second stop routine for generating a third group of the control signals to place the machine in the "safe" condition.

2. A control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control signal generating means is responsive to the generation of said stop signal during said start routine before a predetermined exit point in said start routine for exiting said start routine and entering said second stop routine and is responsive to the generation of said stop signal after said predetermined exit point for completing said start routine before entering said first stop routine.

3. A control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control signal generating means is responsive to the generation of said stop signal during said start routine for exiting said start routine and entering said first stop routine at a predetermined entry point in said first stop routine such that said second stop routine is the remainder of said first stop routine after said predetermined entry point.

4. A control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control signal generating means is responsive to the generation of said stop signal during said start routine before at least one predetermined exit point in said start routine for exiting said start routine at

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. ticular function (176 to 280 of step 0 and 280 to 175 of step 1, the horizontally lined area), the section computer will then enter the step 2 of the stop routine when the section position again becomes equal to the degree value of the BLOW MOLD OPEN function or 175". However. if a section is executing the start routine and the stop switch is actuated after 175 of the step 1, the step 0 of the stop routine will be entered at the beginning when the section position returns to 00. In summary, the present invention concerns a control means for, a method of controlling, a machine for forming articles of glassware from gobs of molten glass. The machine includes forming means responsive to a plurality of control signals for forming an article ot glassware trom eacn one ot tne gobs of molten glass in a predetermined series of forming steps.The apparatus comprises a control means including means for generating a start and a stop signal and means responsive to the start signal for generating a first group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a start routine to place the machine in a "run" condition for performing the predetermined series of forming steps and responsive to the stop signal when the machine is in the "run" condition for generating a second group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a first stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition.The control signal generating means is responsive to the generation of the stop signal during the start routine before at least one predetermined exit point in the start routine for exiting the start routine at the one exit point and entering a second stop routine for generating a third group of the control signals to place the machine in the "safe" condition. The second stop routine can be the remainder of the first stop routine after a predetermined entry point. The method comprises generating a start signal, generating a first group of control signals for controlling the forming means in a start routine to place the machine in a "run" condition for performing the predetermined series of forming steps in response to the start signal, generating a stop signal, generating a second group of the control signals for controlling theorming means in a first stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition in response to the generation of the stop signal when the machine is in the "run" condition, and generating a third group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a second stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition in response to the generation of the stop signal during the start routine.The step of generating the third group of the control signals is performed when the stop signal is generated before at least one exit point in the start routine and when the forming means reach the one exit point in the start routine, the one exit point corresponding to an entry point in the first stop routine and the third group of control signals being the remainder of the second group of control signals after the entry point. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A control means for a machine for forming articles of glassware from gobs of molten glass, the machine including forming means responsive to a plurality of control signals for forming an article of glassware from each one of the globs of molten glass in a predetermined series of forming steps, the control means comprising means for generating a start and a stop signal, and means responsive to said start signal for generating a first group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a start routine to place the machine in a "run" condition for performing the predetermined series of forming steps and responsive to said stop signal when the machine is in the "run" condition for generating a second group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a first stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition (as hereinbefore defined), said control signal generating means being responsive to the generation of said stop signal during said start routine for leaving said start routine and entering a second stop routine for generating a third group of the control signals to place the machine in the "safe" condition.

2. A control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control signal generating means is responsive to the generation of said stop signal during said start routine before a predetermined exit point in said start routine for exiting said start routine and entering said second stop routine and is responsive to the generation of said stop signal after said predetermined exit point for completing said start routine before entering said first stop routine.

3. A control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control signal generating means is responsive to the generation of said stop signal during said start routine for exiting said start routine and entering said first stop routine at a predetermined entry point in said first stop routine such that said second stop routine is the remainder of said first stop routine after said predetermined entry point.

4. A control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control signal generating means is responsive to the generation of said stop signal during said start routine before at least one predetermined exit point in said start routine for exiting said start routine at

said one exit point and entering said first stop routine at at least one predetermined entry point in said first stop routine such that said second stop routine is the remainder of said first stop routine after said one entry point.

5. A method of controlling a machine for forming articles of glassware from gobs of molten glass, the machine including forming means responsive to a plurality of control signals for forming an article of glassware from each one of the gobs in a predetermined series of forming steps, the method comprising generating a start signal, generating a first group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a start routine to place the machine in a "run" condition for performing the predetermined series of forming steps in response to said start signal; generating a stop signal; generating a second group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a first stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition (as hereinbefore defined) in response to the generation of the said stop signal when the machine is in the "run" condition; and generating a third group of the control signals for controlling the forming means in a second stop routine to place the machine in a "safe" condition in response to the generation of said stop signal during said start routine.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the step of generating a third group of the control signals is performed when said stop signal is generated before an exit point in said start routine and when the forming means reach said exit point in said start routine.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said exit point corresponds to an entry point in said first stop routine and said third group of control signals is the remainder of said second group of control signals after said entry point.

8. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the step of generating a third group of the control signals is performed when said stop signal is generated before at least one exit point in said start routine and when the forming means reach said one exit point in said start routine, said one exit point corresponding to an entry point in said first stop routine and said third group of control signals being the remainder of said second group of control signals after said entry point.

9. A control means for a machine for forming articles of glassware, substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of controlling a machine for forming articles of glassware, substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.