Abstract:
A press and blow glassware forming machine includes a blank mold having an internal cavity, a narrowing internal surface at an upper end of the cavity, and an alignment surface externally surrounding the narrowing internal surface. A baffle assembly includes a baffle cup having a rim for engaging the alignment surface on the blank mold to algin the baffle assembly with the blank mold, a baffle post moveably mounted within the baffle cup and having a narrowing external surface for engagement with the narrowing internal surface of the blank mold cavity, and a spring between the baffle cup and baffle post for biasing the baffle post into the baffle cup. The baffle assembly is moved against the blank mold bringing the baffle cup into engagement with the alignment surface of the blank mold, and then the baffle post engages the narrowing internal surface of the blank mold.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to glassware forming machines, and more particularly to a baffle used to selectively close a portion of a mold cavity in a glassware forming machine.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Some glassware forming machines include a blank mold defining a mold cavity in which a molten gob of glass is received and initially formed into a glass parison, or preform. The glass parison is transferred from the blank mold to a blow mold wherein the glass parison is blown into its final shape. In a so-called blow-and-blow process, settle air is provided into the blank mold cavity to form the finish of the containers. The settle blow air may be provided into the blank mold cavity through a baffle that selectively closes one end of the blank mold cavity. In a so-called press-and-blow process, settle blow air is not provided into the blank mold cavity through a baffle, with the baffle merely closing one end of the blank mold cavity to facilitate forming the parisons.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A press-and-blow glassware forming machine includes a blank mold having an internal cavity, a narrowing internal surface at an upper end of the cavity, an alignment surface externally surrounding the narrowing internal surface, and a baffle assembly. The baffle assembly includes a baffle cup having a rim for engaging the alignment surface on the blank mold to initially align the baffle assembly with the blank mold, a baffle post movably mounted within the baffle cup and having a narrowing external surface for engagement with the narrowing internal surface of the blank mold cavity, and a spring between the baffle cup and baffle post for biasing the baffle post into the baffle cup. To close the upper end of the blank mold cavity, the baffle assembly is moved against the blank mold to first bring the rim of the baffle cup into engagement with the alignment surface of the blank mold, and then to bring the baffle post into engagement with the narrowing internal surface of the blank mold.  
         [0004]     Preferably, the baffle post includes at least two sections. A first section may be communicated with an actuator to permit and facilitate movement of the baffle assembly relative to the blank mold. A second section may be connected to the first section and preferably includes the narrowing external surface engageable with the narrowing internal surface of the blank mold cavity. Preferably, the second section is removably connected to the first section to, for example, permit a worn or damaged second section to be removed for maintenance or repair and a new one connected to the first section as desired. The second section is also preferably constructed and arranged so that when worn or damaged, it may be machined to provide fresh material at the narrowing external surface suitable to engage the narrowing internal surface of the blank mold. Desirably, this facilitates and reduces the expense of repairing the baffle assembly, and increases its useful life.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims and accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a baffle assembly and blank mold illustrating the baffle assembly in a first position wherein the baffle cup is engaged with the blank mold and the baffle post is retracted from the blank mold;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view like  FIG. 1  illustrating the baffle assembly in a second position wherein the baffle cup and baffle post are engaged with the blank mold;  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a first section of a baffle post constructed and arranged according to a second presently preferred embodiment of a baffle assembly;  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the baffle body of the baffle post of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a baffle cup constructed and arranged according to the second presently preferred embodiment of the baffle assembly;  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the baffle cup of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view of a baffle post element of the baffle post constructed and arranged according to the second presently preferred embodiment of the baffle assembly;  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of the baffle post element of the baffle post shown in  FIG. 7 ; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the baffle assembly with its components shown as assembled for use.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     Referring in more detail to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a first presently preferred embodiment of a baffle assembly  10  for a glassware forming machine. The baffle assembly  10  is preferably employed with a blank mold  12  including a cavity  14  having a contour to form a molten glass gob into a glass parison of desired form. The blank mold  12  is open at one end  16  to the cavity  14  to receive a molten glass gob into the cavity  14 . The baffle assembly  10  engages and closes the open end of the blank mold  12  to facilitate forming a glass gob into a glass parison in the mold cavity  14 .  
         [0016]     The blank mold  12  preferably includes two mold halves  18 ,  20  that when mated together define the mold cavity  14  between them. At a lower end of the mold cavity  14 , one or more recesses  22  in the mold halves may be provided to receive at least a portion of a neck ring assembly (not shown). The neck ring assembly receives a portion of the glass gob therein to form a finish area of a glass parison about which the glass parison may be handled by the neck ring assembly for transfer to a blow mold. At the other end of the mold cavity  14 , an alignment surface  24  is provided to facilitate aligning the baffle assembly  10  with the blank mold  12 . The alignment surface  24  is preferably circumferentially continuous and is tapered so that it narrows from an upper end  16  of the blank mold  12  toward the mold cavity  14 . In relation to a vertical axis  25  of the blank mold cavity  14 , the alignment surface  24  extends axially from an upper surface  26  of the blank mold  12  and is radially tapered. The alignment surface  24  preferably terminates at a stop surface or shoulder  28  that may extend generally radially inwardly from the alignment surface  24 . The blank mold  12  preferably further includes a narrowing internal surface  30  extending axially from the stop surface  28  and leading to the blank mold cavity  14 . The narrowing internal surface  30  is preferably circumferentially continuous, extends axially a desired distance and is radially tapered such that it narrows along its axial extent leading toward the blank mold cavity  14 .  
         [0017]     The baffle assembly  10  includes a baffle cup  32 , a baffle post  34  and a spring  36  disposed between the baffle cup  32  and baffle post  34 . The baffle cup  32  preferably includes a radially outwardly extending wall  38  and a peripheral axially extending rim  40  depending from the wall  38 . The rim  40  is preferably circumferentially continuous and includes a radially tapered outer surface  42  for engaging the alignment surface  24  of the blank mold  12 . The baffle cup  32  preferably also includes an axially extending and annular wall  44  that defines at least in part a bore  46  through the baffle cup  32 . At its lower end, the baffle cup  32  preferably includes a generally planar annular face  48  adapted to engage the shoulder  28  of the blank mold  12  when the baffle cup  32  is fully seated on the blank mold  12 .  
         [0018]     The baffle post  34  preferably includes a baffle body  50  and a baffle post element  52  connected to the baffle body  50 . The baffle body  50  of the baffle post  34  preferably includes a generally cylindrical central portion  54  with a through bore  56  and first and second counter bores  58 ,  60  formed therein. The second counter bore  60  is preferably disposed axially spaced from and facing in the opposite direction of the first counter bore  58 . Extending radially outwardly from the central portion  54  is a circumferentially continuous and generally annular flange  62  including a preferably circumferentially continuous groove  64  in which the upstanding wall  44  of the baffle cup  32  is slidably received to permit movement of the baffle post  34  relative to the baffle cup  32 . The groove  64  may include a spring retaining portion  66  in which the spring  36  is received between the baffle body  50  of the baffle post  34  and the baffle cup  32 . The spring retaining portion  66  may have a reduced radial dimension or extent to more closely receive and position the spring  36  therein. Of course, other constructions and arrangement may be used, for example, without limitation, a plurality of pockets could be provided in the first section with a separate spring received in each of the plurality of pockets so that each spring is trapped between the baffle post and baffle cup. The spring  36  is preferably captured in compression between the baffle post  34  and baffle cup  32 . In the presently preferred embodiment, the cylindrical central portion  54  of the baffle body  50  is slidably received within the annular wall  44  of the baffle cup  32  and may guide the movement of the baffle post  34  relative to the baffle cup  32 . In this manner, an inner surface  68  of the annular wall  44  of the baffle cup  32  may provide a bearing surface for the movement of the baffle post  34  relative to the baffle cup  32 .  
         [0019]     The baffle post element  52  of the baffle post  34  preferably includes a generally planar and annular upper surface  70  adapted to be received in the baffle cup  32  adjacent to a lower surface  72  of its wall  38  and generally within the depending rim  40 . The baffle post element  52  preferably includes a radially outwardly extending flange  74  providing an axially extending bearing surface  76  slidably engaged with and guided by the inner surface of the depending rim  40  of the baffle cup  32 . A lower surface  78  of the flange  74  may engage the shoulder  28  on the blank mold  12  when the baffle post  34  is fully advanced relative to the blank mold  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The baffle post element  52  preferably also includes a narrowing external surface  80  adapted to engage and seal with the narrowing internal surface  30  of the blank mold  12 . The external surface  80  is preferably circumferentially continuous, extends axially and is radially tapered desirably at a complementary angle to the taper of the narrowing internal surface  30  of the blank mold  12  providing a circumferentially continuous seal between the baffle post element  52  and the blank mold  12  when the baffle post  34  is fully advanced into the blank mold  12 .  
         [0020]     The external surface  80  may include a radially outwardly extending section  82  that is preferably circumferentially continuous and adapted to engage the narrowing internal surface  30  of the blank mold  12 . Should this radially outwardly extending section  82  of the external surface  80  become damaged or worn in use, it can be machined in part or in whole to provide a fresh layer or surface of material still having the complementary angle to that of the internal surface  30  of the blank mold  12  to enable continued service of the baffle post  34  with limited maintenance or repair. Since machining the external surface  80  will reduce its diameter, the baffle post element  52  will have to be axially adjusted to ensure it engages to the correct depth into the blank mold  12 . This can be done by providing a shim that initially advances the baffle post element  52  a certain distance to maintain the same length in use before the machining or maintenance of the baffle post element  52 . An annular groove  84  or passages may be formed in the baffle post element  52  to provide a void, the purpose of which is to increase its operating temperature. The baffle post element  52  is preferably through hardened or hardened to a desired depth from its surface  80  such that after machining a hardened external surface  80  is presented for engagement with the internal surface  30  of the blank mold  12 .  
         [0021]     In one presently preferred embodiment, the baffle post element  52  of the baffle post  34  includes an upstanding annular wall  86  that is constructed and arranged to be disposed at least partially within the first counter bore  58  of the baffle body  50 . The upstanding wall  86  preferably includes internal threads  88  to receive a coupler such as a fastener  90  disposed through the bore  56  in the baffle body  50  and threadably received in the baffle post element  52 . The fastener preferably has an enlarged head  92  seated on a shoulder  94  provided by the second counter bore  60  of the baffle body  50  and a threaded shank  96  received in the baffle post element  52 . In this manner, the baffle post element  52  is removably connected to the baffle body  50  so that the baffle post element  52  can be removed for repair or maintenance as needed and a new baffle post element  52  can be attached to the baffle body  50  to reduce the down time and increase the efficiency of the glassware forming machine.  
         [0022]     In use, the baffle assembly  10  is advanced toward and into engagement with the blank mold  12 . The spring  36  yieldably biases the baffle cup  32  into engagement with the baffle post element  52 , and more specifically, the lower surface  72  of the baffle cup  32  engages the upper surface  70  of the baffle post element  52 . As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the rim  40  of the baffle cup  32  initially engages the alignment surface  24  of the blank mold  12  to align the baffle assembly  10  with the blank mold cavity  14 . With the baffle cup  32  fully seated on the blank mold  12 , the baffle post  34  can be advanced toward the blank mold cavity  14  until the narrowing external surface  80  of the baffle post element  52  engages the narrowing internal surface  30  of the blank mold  12  thereby closing the upper end of the blank mold cavity  14 . Once closed, a molten glass gob can be formed, such as by pressing into a desired shape of a glass parison that may be subsequently processed into an article of glassware, such as a glass container. In advancing the baffle post  34  relative to the baffle cup  32 , the spring  36  becomes increasingly compressed and provides a force that yieldably biases the baffle post element  52  toward the wall  38  of the baffle cup.  
         [0023]     A second presently preferred embodiment of a baffle assembly  100  is shown in  FIGS. 3-9 . The baffle assembly  100  includes a baffle post  102  and a baffle cup  104 . The baffle post  102  is preferably formed in two sections, like the previous embodiment, with a baffle body  106  and a baffle post element  108  that is preferably removably connected to the baffle body  106 .  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the baffle body  106  of the baffle post  102  has a central bore  110  and opposed first and second counter bores  112 ,  114  at opposite ends of the bore  110 . The baffle body  106  also includes an upstanding wall  116  with a radially outwardly extending rim  118  that may receive a clamp or other connector to facilitate driving the baffle post  102  relative to the blank mold  12 . An annular and preferably circumferentially continuous groove  120  is formed radially outwardly spaced from the central bore  110 .  
         [0025]     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the baffle post element  108  of the baffle post  102  has a circumferentially continuous and radially outwardly extending flange  122  disposed between an upstanding annular wall  124  that defines in part a blind bore  126  in the baffle post element  108  and a portion  128  having narrowing external surface  130  for engagement with the narrowing internal surface  30  of a blank mold  12 . The narrowing external surface  130  is preferably circumferentially continuous and may be machined for maintenance or repair generally as set forth with respect to the previous embodiment. The radially outwardly extending flange  122  provides a shoulder or a surface  132  engageable with the baffle cup  104  and a generally opposed shoulder or annular face  134  that may engage the blank mold  12  when the baffle post  102  is in its fully extended position with respect to the blank mold  12 .  
         [0026]     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the baffle cup  104  may include a generally annular body  140  having a through bore  142  and preferably a pair of generally opposed counter bores  144 ,  146  at opposite ends of the through bore  142  defining a radially inwardly extending flange  148 . To facilitate aligning the baffle assembly  100  with a blank mold  12 , the baffle cup  104  preferably includes a tapered or narrowing rim  150  or external surface adapted to engage the alignment surface  24  of the blank mold  12 . One end  152  of the baffle cup  104  is adapted to be received in the annular groove  120  in the baffle body  106  of the baffle post  102 , with a spring  153  trapped in compression between them to yieldably bias the baffle post  102  relative to the baffle cup  104 . One or more pockets  154  may be formed in the area of the annular groove  120  of the baffle body  106  of the baffle post  102  and in the baffle cup  104  with the pockets in the baffle body  106  aligned with pockets  156  in the baffle cup  104  so that each pair of aligned pockets receives a separate spring yieldably biasing the baffle post. Of course, other constructions and arrangements to yieldably bias the baffle post relative to the baffle cup may be employed.  
         [0027]     In assembly, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the baffle cup  104  is disposed in the baffle body  106  of the baffle post  102  so that the end  152  of the baffle cup  104  is received in the annular groove  120  in the baffle body  106 . The baffle post element  108  is positioned in the baffle cup  104  so that the axially extending annular wall  124  is received through the bore  142  in the baffle cup  104  and preferably into the first counter bore  112  in the baffle body  106 . The flange  122  of the baffle post element  108  preferably engages the radially inwardly extending flange  148  of the baffle cup  104 . To connect the baffle body  106  and the baffle post element  108 , a coupler such as a fastener  160  may be employed, like the previous embodiment. The fastener  160  preferably has an enlarged head  162  received in the second counter bore  114  of the baffle body  106  and seated on the main body of the baffle body  106 , and a threaded shank  164  passing through the bore  110  of the baffle body  106  and being threadedly received in the blind bore  126  in the baffle post element  108 . The spring or springs disposed between the baffle post  102  and baffle cup  104  yieldably bias the baffle post  102  tending to move the baffle post element  108  into the counter bore  146  of the baffle cup  104  as generally set forth with respect to the previous embodiment.  
         [0028]     Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the preceding disclosure has been provided in terms of description rather than limitation. Certain relative terms like above, below, upper, lower, vertical and the like are used to describe the apparatus in the orientation(s) shown in the drawings and do not limit the possible orientations of the apparatus generally or any part thereof. While presently preferred embodiments or forms of the invention have been disclosed herein, modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, without limitation, while threaded fasteners have been disclosed as connecting together the baffle body and baffle post element of the baffle post, mating portions of the baffle body and baffle post element may have complementary threads so that they are connected together without any additional fasteners. Alternatively, the baffle body and baffle post element can be connected together by substantially any suitable means including various friction fit arrangements, clamps, among others. Still other modifications and substitutions will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure and the appended claims.