Patent ID: 7003982

Claim:
Apparatus for introducing counterblow air into a gob of glass at a formable temperature in a blank mold of an I.S. glass container forming machine, said apparatus comprising: an annular member, said annular member being non-reciprocating with respect to the blank mold, having a longitudinal central axis extending vertically, an enlarged recess at a lowermost end and an upwardly facing valve seat at an uppermost end; a sliding valve member, said sliding member being positioned within an annulus of said annular member, being reciprocatable with respect to said annular member and having a stem with an enlarged valve portion at an uppermost end, said enlarged valve portion being seated against said valve seat of said annular member in a first position of said valve member with respect to said annular member and being unseated with respect to said valve seat in a second position of said valve member; an annular collar secured to said stem of said valve member and reciprocatable with said valve member, said collar being positioned in said recess of said annular member and having at least one air flow passage extending therethrough; means for intermittently delivering pressurized air to said recess to act against an underside of said collar to urge said valve portion of said valve member from said first position to said second position, said valve member being adapted to return to said first position when said recess is depressurized; and, said recess further has a portion of reduced lateral extent spaced axially inwardly from said radial shoulder to permit fluid remaining in said recess when said collar engages said radial shoulder to escape.