Patent GB-1340251-A (GB)
Title: Molten glass gob distribution system
IPC: C03B7/16
Filed: 1971-01-05
Abstract: 1340251 Molten glass gob distribution EMHART CORP 5 Jan 1971 [7 Jan 1970 21 Oct 1970] 400/71 Heading C1M A molten glass gob distribution system comprises a plurality of scoops 18, 19 each for receiving gobs of molten glass from the outlet 12 of a feeder bowl 10, a mechanism for supporting the scoops in depending relationship for rotation about substantially vertical axes and including means for rotating the scoops simultaneously through respective ranges of angular displacements, a housing 44 for the mechanism, the housing 44 supporting the scoops 18, 19 with their axes of rotation substantially vertical, control means, such as rotary cam 50, for actuating the means for rotating the scoops so that the angular displacements of the scoops are varied in accordance with a predetermined schedule whereby each scoop may be aligned successively with each member of a respective group of fixed shoots 34-34g; 36-36g arranged in a circular pattern about the vertical axis, the means for rotating the scoops comprising annular spur gears 40, 41 located in the respective scoops 18, 19 adjacent the upper ends thereof, and a horizontally extending member 42 slidably supported in the housing 44 and having a rack gear 43 for meshing with the respective spur gears 40, 41 to rotate the scoops 18, 19, and the control means, as cam 50, including means, such as cam follower 56, for reciprocating the horizontally extending member 42 from and to successive positions. Cam 50, which is driven in the direction of arrow 52 by drive means 54, is provided with lobes 1 to 8 which correspond to the pairs of shoots 34, 36 to 34g, 36g. Cam follower 56 is on a lever 58, pivoted on a shaft 60, which has an active portion 62 engaging the roller end 63 of reciprocating member 42 and an inactive portion 64 for use when the scoops 18, 19 are moved to an inactive position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the housing 44 being mounted on a pivot 66 and movable by a fluid air motor 68, and such pivotal movement causing portion 64 to move member 42 so that the scoops 18, 19 are rotated to inactive positions. Member 42 is biased by spring 48 so that roller 63 engages lever 58. Each scoop 18, 19 has an upper tubular funnel 32, 30 joined at its lower end to an arcuate portion 33, 31 by a screw 38. Funnel 32, 30 has integrally formed therewith the annular spur gear 40, 41. Means for cooling the parts include coolant passage 70, spiral passageway 72 and passage 74 in funnel 32, 30 and aligned passage 76 in the arcuate portion 33, 31 with inlet 78 and outlet 84, water being the preferred coolant. An alternative arrangement for cooling the scoops is also disclosed. Means for lubricating include partial immersion of cam 50 and cam follower 56 in oil and, for gears 40, 41 and rack 43, an oil bath in housing 44 with passageways 86, 88 leading to bearings 89, 91 for the scoop funnels 32, 30. When any section of the forming machine is to be shut down, the gob may be deflected to a cullet shoot 20, Fig. 1, by a fluid motor 22 with piston-rod 24 connected to a deflector 26 which is secured to fixed end 23 of motor 22 by a link 28, each deflector 26 comprising a shoot with means 27 for water cooling.