GB281382A - An improved method of and apparatus for charging molten glass into moulds - Google Patents

Abstract

281,382. Rankin, C. H., and Rankin Automatic Glass Feeder Co., Ltd. Aug. 31, 1926. Delivering m o l t e n metal. - A method of delivering a charge of molten glass to a mould consists in feeding the severed charge to the open lower end of a mould and propelling the charge upwards into the mould by means of compressed air. Apparatus for carrying out the method comprises an upper, funnel-shaped portion 52, Fig. 3, having a cylindrical extension 53, and a lower U-shaped tube 55 having a reduced upper end 53a which fits like a piston into the part 53. The funnel is fixed to the framework of the forming-machine while the part 55 is movable up and down and is free to swing around the extension 53. The outlet of the part 55 has an extension 55b which fits into the lower end of the moulding-cavity of a parison mould 13. The extension 53 supports a bracket 56 carrying an air cylinder 57 that moves a hollow tapered slide 58 across the lower end of the funnel 52. The piston rod 59 of the cylinder 57 is hollow and allows compressed air to pass from a pipe 60 to the interior of the slide 58 which is perforated on its underside. In use, a charge of glass drops from a feeder into the funnel 52 and passes into the U-shaped pipe 55. The slide 58 is then moved to close the funnel, and compressed air passes from the pipe 60 into the pipe 55 and forces the charge of glass upwards into the mould 13. Suction may be applied to the upper end of the mould cavity to assist in drawing the charge up into the mould and to maintain it in position while the tube 55 is being replaced by a bottom or baffle plate. With this arrangement, it is not necessary to invert a parison mould to receive a charge from the feeder. The part 53a of the funnel may be formed into a chamber in which two sliding blocks 74, 75 are mounted. The opposing faces of these blocks may be recessed and suitably shaped to preform the front end of the parison. The blocks are moved apart to allow the charge to pass into the tube 55. Blowing. - The charging-device may be combined with a forming-machine which comprises a number of mould units each carried by a frame 9, Fig. 1, mounted on a table 1 that rotates about a central stationary column 2. Each unit comprises a parison mould 13, Fig. 2, a finishing mould 10, a ring mould 31, Fig. 1, a mould bottom 44, a blowhead, and a mould-locking device 39, the different parts being operated by links and bv cams fixed to the central column 2. Suctior and compressed air are supplied from compartments of an air-supply chamber 3 and the supply is controlled by valved ports 27. The charging- funnel 52 is adjustably mounted on vertical guide bars 50 carried by a bracket 51 bolted to the machine table. The lower part, 55, of the charging-device is carried by a rod 61 which is raised, when required, against the thrust of a spring 67 by a ball which runs on a fixed cam track 66. The tube 55 is swung about the extension 53 by an arm 62 which is forced by a spring 69 to hold a roller 63 on the arm against a fixed cam 68. The raising and lowering of the tube 55 brings it into and out of contact with the parison mould. When the tube is swung outwards by the cam 68, a baffle plate carried by the extension 55<b>, Fig. 3, seals the opening in the mould bottom while the charge of glass is being blown up to form a parison. The funnel tube is then swung clear of the mould. The extension 55b, which forms the outlet end of the funnel tube 55, is. changed to suit different moulds.