Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to mounting blow heads on the blow head arm of an I.S. machine, and more particularly to a blow head mounting arrangement which facilitates the installation and removal of a blow head from a blow head mounting member on the blow head arm by engaging engagement members respectively on the blow head and the blow head mounting arrangement and rotating the blow head with respect to the blow head mounting arrangement. 
         [0002]    Molten glass from a furnace is typically formed into glass containers in an efficient, large scale, commercial manufacturing process performed in an Individual Section (“I.S.”) machine, which contains between five and twenty identical sections, each of which is capable of making one, two, three, or four containers simultaneously. A stream of molten glass is provided by a furnace from which the stream of molten glass flows. The molten glass stream is cut with a shearing mechanism into uniform segments of glass called “gobs,” which fall by gravity and are guided through a gob distribution system of scoops, troughs, and deflectors into blank molds. 
         [0003]    In each of the blank molds, a pre-container referred to as a parison is formed, either by using a metal plunger to push the glass into the blank mold, or by blowing the glass from below into the blank mold. The hot parison is then inverted and transferred to a blow mold, where the parison is blown out into the shape of the container in the blow mold, where it is then cooled to the point where it is sufficiently rigid to be gripped and removed from the blow station. 
         [0004]    All I.S. machines have from one to four blank molds and an equivalent number of blow molds located inline, with the blank molds being located at one side (the back side) of the section and all of the blow molds being located at the opposite side (the front side) of the section. Multiple sections are located closely adjacent to each other, with the linear array of blank molds and blow molds in each section being located in parallel fashion to the linear arrays of blank molds and blow molds in the other sections. 
         [0005]    The operation of each section begins with glass gobs being dropped into the blank molds, a baffle being placed on top of the blank molds, and the glass gobs being blown into parisons, which are upside down. The baffles are removed, the blank mold halves are opened, and all of the parisons in the section are swung with a through a 180 degree arc by a neckring arm to both invert them and move to the locations of the blow molds. The parisons are blown into glass containers in the blow molds with air provided through blow heads respectively located on the finishes of the parisons, and the blown parisons are then cooled by cooling the blow mold and by providing cooling air which flows through a blow tube located in the blow hear into the blown parison to the point where the blown parisons are sufficiently rigid to be gripped and removed from the blow station by a takeout mechanism without sagging or otherwise becoming deformed. They are then removed from the section and placed onto conveyers, which remove them from the I.S. machine. 
         [0006]    The focus of the present invention is on the blow heads, which are brought into position on top of the blow molds at the blow stations to engage the parisons&#39; finishes, with the blow heads providing air under pressure (referred to as “final blow” air) through blow tubes extending from the blow heads downwardly into the interior of the parisons at the top ends thereof to blow the parisons into contact with the interior of the blow molds, thereby creating blown parisons with the morphology of the interior of the blow mold. The blow molds are installed on blow head mounting members, which are located at the bottom of sliders which are respectively mounted in blow head arms and are biased downwardly to place pressure on the blow heads as they contact the finishes of the parisons during the final blow process. 
         [0007]    Since it is necessary to change blow heads when a different container is to be manufactured, the blow heads are removably from the blow head mounting members. Typically, in order to remove a blow head from a blow head mounting member, it is necessary to use a tool to remove a locking pin which retains the blow head on the blow head mounting member. In order to remove the locking pin and then the blow head, the machine operator must bend into the section with his/her entire upper body. Thus, it may be appreciated that the removal of a blow head and the installation of another blow head is not as simple as might be desired. 
         [0008]    Further, blow heads maintained in blow head mounting members with a locking pin tend to vibrate during reciprocating motion of the blow head mechanism, causing wear on the blow heads. Additionally, due to the slackness in the blow heads with respect to the blow head mounting members, the multiple blow heads in a section may not place equal forces on the parison finishes and the blow molds in a section. 
         [0009]    It will thus be appreciated that it would be desirable to provide a system and method to facilitate the installation and removal of blow heads onto their respective blow head mounting members. In this regard, it would be desirable that such a system and method not require tools to remove and replace the blow heads, and further that they facilitate the removal and installation of blow heads using only a single hand. It would further be desirable that the system and method also provide a preload to prevent slackness in the blow heads with respect to the blow head mounting members, thereby preventing vibration during oscillation of the blow heads as well as reducing wear on the blow heads. 
         [0010]    The subject matter discussed in this background of the invention section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background of the invention section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background of the invention section or associated with the subject matter of the background of the invention section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background of the invention section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed above are overcome by the present invention. With this invention, interlocking mechanisms are used to facilitate the installation of blow heads onto a slider assembly and removal of the blow heads from the slider assembly without the use of tools. By orienting the blow head in a first rotational position with respect to a lock ring on the slider assembly and inserting a mounting portion of the blow head into the lock ring and then rotating the blow head 90 degrees to a retained position, the blow head is mounted onto the slider assembly and is ready for operation. 
         [0012]    A spring-loaded retaining mechanism resists rotation of the blow head from the retained position, but by pressing the blow head to compress the spring and rotating the blow head 90 degrees the blow head can be placed into a position for removal from the lock ring. The operation can be performed by an operator using only one hand. Multiple embodiments operating in essentially the same manner may be provided, and are illustrated herein by way of example. 
         [0013]    In a system embodiment, the lock ring mounting arrangement for a blow head of the present invention comprises: a blow head having a first engagement member located on a top of the blow head; a second engagement member located under the blow head arm; wherein the first and second engagement members are respectively arranged and configured to allow the first engagement member of the blow head to be raised and admitted to or lowered and withdrawn from the second engagement member when the blow head is in a first rotational position with respect to the second engagement member; and a retaining mechanism for removably maintaining the blow head in the second rotational position with respect to the second engagement member. 
         [0014]    In another system embodiment, the lock ring mounting arrangement for a blow head of the present invention comprises: a blow head having a blow head mounting element connected thereto on top of the blow head, the blow head mounting element having a pair of locking flanges extending from opposite sides thereof; a lock ring member located at a bottom of each of the sliders, the lock ring member having a hollow interior portion and a pair of opposed engagement flanges located at a bottom of the lock ring member which define an opening therebetween; wherein the blow head mounting element with its locking flanges and the opening between the engagement flanges of the lock ring member are respectively arranged and configured to allow the first engagement member of the blow head to be raised and admitted to or lowered and withdrawn from the second engagement member when the blow head is in a first rotational position with respect to the second engagement member; and wherein the locking flanges of the blow head mounting element and the engagement flanges of the lock ring member are respectively arranged and configured to allow the blow head mounting element to be locked in the locking ring when the blow head is rotated from the first rotational position with respect to the second engagement member to a second rotational position with respect to the locking ring while the locking flanges of the blow head mounting element are admitted to the hollow interior portion of the lock ring; and a detent mechanism for releasably arresting or resisting rotation of the blow head in the second rotational position with respect to the lock ring. 
         [0015]    In still another system embodiment, the lock ring mounting arrangement for a blow head of the present invention comprises: a first engagement member located on a top of a blow head; a second engagement member located under the blow head arm; wherein the first and second engagement members are respectively arranged and configured to allow the first engagement member admitted to or withdrawn from the second engagement member when the blow head is in a first rotational position with respect to the second engagement member; and wherein the first and second engagement members are respectively arranged and configured to retain the first engagement member in the second engagement member when the blow head is rotated from the first rotational position with respect to the second engagement member to a second rotational position with respect to the second engagement member while the first engagement member is admitted to the second engagement member. 
         [0016]    In a method embodiment, a method of mounting a blow head onto a blow head arm is disclosed which comprises: providing a first engagement member located on a top of the blow head; providing a second engagement member located under the blow head arm; inserting the first engagement member of the blow head into the second engagement member with the blow head in a first rotational position with respect to the second engagement member; rotating the blow head from the first rotational position with respect to the second engagement member to a second rotational position with respect to the second engagement member while the first engagement member of the blow head is admitted to the second engagement member; removably retaining the blow head in the second rotational position with respect to the second engagement member with a retaining mechanism; selectively disengaging the retaining mechanism and rotating the blow head from the second rotational position with respect to the second engagement member to the first rotational position with respect to the second engagement member; and withdrawing the first engagement member of the blow head from the second engagement member with the blow head in a first rotational position with respect to the second engagement member to disengage the blow head from the second engagement member. 
         [0017]    The lock ring mounting arrangement for blow heads of the present invention provides apparatus and a related method to facilitate the installation and removal of blow heads onto their respective blow head mounting members. In this regard, the lock ring mounting arrangement apparatus and method of the present invention does not require tools to remove and replace the blow heads, and further facilitates the removal and installation of blow heads using only a single hand. Additionally, the lock ring mounting arrangement apparatus and method also provides a preload to prevent slackness in the blow heads with respect to the blow head mounting members, thereby preventing vibration during oscillation of the blow heads as well as reducing wear on the blow heads. Finally, the lock ring mounting arrangement apparatus and method of the present invention achieves numerous advantages without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    These and other advantages of the present invention are best understood with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a blow head arm having a first embodiment of the lock ring mounting arrangement for blow heads of the present invention, showing two blow head assemblies mounted on their respective blow head mounting members and one blow head assembly about to be installed onto its blow head mounting member; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the blow head arm illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of one of the slider assemblies illustrated in  FIG. 2  showing an upper lock ring segment located at the bottom thereof; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the slider assembly illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the slider assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the slider assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 5 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the slider assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 6 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of one of the lower lock ring segments illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the lower lock ring segment illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the lower lock ring segment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the lower lock ring segment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 through 10 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a first cross-sectional view of the lower lock ring segment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 through 11 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a second cross-sectional view of the lower lock ring segment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 through 12 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is an isometric view of one of the blow head assemblies illustrated in  FIG. 2 , showing opposed locking flanges located at the top end thereof; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the blow head assembly illustrated in  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a bottom plan view of the blow head assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the blow head assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 14 through 16 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is a first cross-sectional view of the blow head assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 14 through 17 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  is a second cross-sectional view of the blow head assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 14 through 18 ; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 20 through 24  show the assembled upper and lower lock ring segments; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 25 and 26  are cross-sectional views 90 degrees apart showing the assembled upper and lower lock ring segments; 
           [0040]      FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view showing the blow head assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 14 through 19  about to be inserted into the upper and lower lock ring segments illustrated in  FIGS. 20 through 26 , and also showing a number of the components of the blow head arm to which the slider assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 7  are installed; 
           [0041]      FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view showing the movement of the blow head assembly of  FIG. 27  to insert it into the upper and lower lock ring segments of  FIG. 27  after which it will be rotated to retain it within the upper and lower lock ring segments; 
           [0042]      FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view showing the opposed locking flanges of the blow head assembly of  FIGS. 27 and 28  as they are initially inserted into the upper and lower lock ring segments of  FIGS. 27 and 28 ; 
           [0043]      FIGS. 30 through 33  show the blow head assembly of  FIGS. 27 through 29  being rotated to begin to engage the locking flanges of the blow head assembly in the upper and lower lock ring segments of  FIGS. 27 through 29 ; 
           [0044]      FIGS. 34 through 37  show the blow head assembly of  FIGS. 27 through 29  in a locked position in the upper and lower lock ring segments of  FIGS. 27 through 29 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 38  is an isometric view of a blow head arm having a second embodiment of the lock ring mounting arrangement for blow heads of the present invention, showing three blow heads mounted on their respective blow head mounting members and one blow head about to be installed onto its blow head mounting member; 
           [0046]      FIG. 39  is an exploded view of the blow head arm illustrated in  FIG. 38 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 40  is an isometric view of one of the slider assemblies illustrated in  FIG. 39  showing a lock ring segment located at the bottom thereof; 
           [0048]      FIG. 41  is a top plan view of the slider assembly illustrated in  FIG. 40 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 42  is a bottom plan view of the slider assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 40 and 41 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 43  is a side view of the slider assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 40 through 42 ; 
           [0051]      FIGS. 44 and 45  are cross-sectional views 90 degrees apart showing the slider assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 40 through 43 ; 
           [0052]      FIGS. 46 through 48  show a blow head sleeve that forms part of a blow head assembly; 
           [0053]      FIGS. 49 through 54  show a blow head structure to which the blow head sleeve illustrated in  FIGS. 46 through 48  will be installed; 
           [0054]      FIGS. 55 through 59  show the blow head sleeve illustrated in  FIGS. 46 through 48  installed onto the blow head structure shown in  FIGS. 50 through 54  to form the blow head assembly, which is shown installed in the lock ring segment of the slider assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 40 through 45 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 60  is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 40 through 45  and especially in  FIGS. 57 and 58 , showing a roll pin used to prevent the blow head assembly from further rotation once it has been rotated to engage it in the lock ring segment of the slider assembly; 
           [0056]      FIG. 61  is a cross-sectional view showing the blow head assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 46 through 54  about to be inserted into the lock ring segment of the slider assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 40 through 45 , and also showing a number of the components of the blow head arm to which the slider assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 40 through 45  are installed; 
           [0057]      FIG. 62  is a cross-sectional view showing the movement of the blow head assembly of  FIG. 61  to insert it into the lock ring segment of  FIG. 61  after which it will be rotated to retain it within the lock ring segment; 
           [0058]      FIG. 63  is a cross-sectional view showing the opposed locking flanges of the blow head assembly of  FIGS. 61 and 62  as they are initially inserted into the lock ring segment of  FIGS. 61 and 62 ; 
           [0059]      FIGS. 64 through 66  show the blow head assembly of  FIGS. 61 through 63  being rotated to begin to engage the locking flanges of the blow head assembly in the lock ring segment of  FIGS. 61 through 63 ; 
           [0060]      FIGS. 67 through 69  show the blow head assembly of  FIGS. 61 through 63  in a locked position in the upper and lower lock ring segments of  FIGS. 61 through 63 ; 
           [0061]      FIGS. 70 and 71  are cross-sectional views 90 degrees apart showing the blow head assembly of  FIGS. 61 through 63  in a locked position in the upper and lower lock ring segments of  FIGS. 61 through 63 , and also showing exhaust vent passages located in the lower portion of the blow head assembly; and 
           [0062]      FIG. 72  is a partial cross-section of the lower portion of the blow head assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 70 and 71 , showing exhaust vent passages located therein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0063]    A first exemplary embodiment of the lock ring mounting arrangement for a blow head of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 38 , while a second exemplary embodiment of the lock ring mounting arrangement for a blow head of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 39 through 74 . Referring first to the first embodiment, and specifically to  FIG. 1 , a blow head arm assembly  100  is mounted on a vertical post  102  and is raised and lowered with respect to blow molds (not shown in the figures). Extending from the bottom of the blow head arm assembly  100  are three blow head assemblies  104  that in operation will be lowered respectively onto the top of three blow molds. 
         [0064]    Although the present invention relates to the apparatus and method for installing and removing the blow head assemblies  104  onto the apparatus of the blow head arm assembly  100 , as background a brief description of the construction of the blow head arm assembly  100  will be provided in conjunction with  FIG. 2 . The various components of the blow head arm assembly  100  are assembled onto an upper blow head arm member  110  having three cylindrical interiors  112  (which have various passages located therein which are not pertinent to the present invention). Three cylindrical sleeves  114  (which also have passages not pertinent to the present invention located therein) are respectively mounted into the three cylindrical interiors  112 , where they are maintained by bolts  116  that are screwed into the upper blow head arm member  110 . 
         [0065]    Three slider assemblies  118  each have a cylindrical upper portion  120  which will extend into a respective one of the cylindrical sleeves  114  and an upper lock ring segment  122  located at the bottom of each of the cylindrical upper portions  120 . A pair of piston rings  124  are respectively mounted on grooves located on the cylindrical upper portion  120  of the slider assembly  118 . A pin  126  extends between each of the slider assemblies  118  and its respective cylindrical sleeve  114  to prevent the slider assemblies  118  from rotating, but allowing them some degree of linear movement with respect to their respective cylindrical sleeves  114 . 
         [0066]    A washer  128  having multiple apertures about its periphery is mounted onto the top end of each of the cylindrical upper portions  120  of the slider assembly  118  using a bolt  130 . The washers  128  are sized to fit into the cylindrical interiors  112 , but are stopped from further downward movement by the tops of the cylindrical sleeves  114 . A spring  132  is located above each of the washers  128  in each respective cylindrical interior  112 , with a retaining cap  134  being screwed into the top of each of the cylindrical interiors  112  to compress the springs  130  to bias the slider assembly  118  downwardly, as limited by the washers  128 . This bias will be used by the blow head arm assembly  100  to place downward pressure on the blow head assemblies  104  to maintain them in position on blow molds (not shown herein). 
         [0067]    The upper lock ring segments  122  are each inserted into a lower lock ring assembly  136 . Located around the cylindrical upper portion  120  of each of the slider assemblies  118  and inserted into the top ends of the lower lock ring assemblies  136  above the upper lock ring segments  122  are (from bottom to top) a spring  138 , a ring  140 , and a retaining ring  142 . The function of each of these components will become apparent below in conjunction with the description of the upper lock ring segment  122  and the lower lock ring assembly  136 . 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 through 7 , the construction of the upper lock ring segment  122  of the slider assembly  118  will be described. The upper lock ring segment  122  includes a smaller diameter upper portion  150  and a larger diameter lower portion  152 . The smaller diameter portion  150  includes an aperture  154  located therein into which the pin  126  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) will be inserted. The larger diameter lower portion  152  is hollow on the inside thereof as best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , and its outer wall includes two opposed notches  156  and  158  on the bottom thereof. 
         [0069]    The cylindrical upper portion  120  of the slider assembly  118  has two annular grooves  160  and  162  located therein into which the piston rings  124  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) will be located. A central passage  164  extends through the slider assembly  118 , from the top of the cylindrical upper portion  120  to the interior of the upper lock ring segment  122 , and will be used to supply blow air. Multiple passages  166  extend through the cylindrical upper portion  120  and are arrayed around the central passage  164  into the interior of the upper lock ring segment  122 , and will be used to supply cooling air. 
         [0070]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 through 13 , the construction of the lower lock ring assembly  136  will be described. The lower lock ring assembly  136  is largely a hollow cylinder completely open on the top side thereof to facilitate it being installed onto the larger diameter lower portion  152  of the upper lock ring segment  122  (best shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 , and  7 . Located on the bottom side of the lower lock ring assembly  136  are two opposed inwardly-extending arcuate engagement flanges  170  and  172  which define between them two opposed notches  174  and  176  on the bottom portion of the outer wall of the lower lock ring assembly  136 . Located on the top surfaces of the arcuate engagement flanges  170  and  172  at a central location thereof are two detent recesses  178  and  180 . Finally, an annular recess  182  is located on the inner surface of the lower lock ring assembly  136  near the top thereof. 
         [0071]    Referring next to  FIGS. 14 through 19 , the construction of the relevant portions of the blow head assembly  104  will be described. The blow head assembly  104  has three segments, which include, from the bottom to the top, a blow head portion  190 , a cylindrical blow head neck portion  192 , and a blow head mounting portion  194 . The blow head portion  190  includes a cylindrical recess  196  that is open at the bottom of the blow head assembly  104  (and that will engage the finish portion of a parison, which is not shown herein). The blow head neck portion  192  is sized to fit between the arcuate engagement flanges  170  and  172  (best shown in  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0072]    The blow head mounting portion  194  has opposed locking flanges  196  and  198  extending laterally therefrom on opposite sides thereof. The outer diameters defined by the locking flanges  196  and  198  are sized to fit within the inner diameter of the lower lock ring assembly  136 , and the widths of the locking flanges  196  and  198  are defined to fit within the areas defined between the ends of the arcuate engagement flanges  170  and  172 . Further, the widths of the locking flanges  196  and  198  are designed to respectively fit within the detent recesses  178  and  180 , which locking flanges  196  and  198  and detent recesses  178  and  180  can be collectively thought of as engageable retaining mechanisms. The sides of the locking flanges  196  and  198  are preferably angled on the bottom sides as best shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0073]    A central passage  200  extends through the blow head assembly  104 , from the top of the blow head mounting portion  194  to the interior of the blow head portion  190 , and will be used to supply blow air. Multiple passages  202  extend through the blow head mounting portion  194 , the blow head neck portion  192 , and the blow head portion  190  and are arrayed around the central passage  200  in the interior of the blow head assembly  104 , and will be used to supply cooling air. 
         [0074]    Referring now to  FIGS. 20 through 26 , the assembly of the lower lock ring assembly  136  onto the upper lock ring segment  122  of the slider assembly  118  is shown. While  FIGS. 20 through 24  show the external appearance of the completed lock ring assembly,  FIGS. 25 and 26  show particular details of the interior of the lock ring assembly, and are helpful to an understanding of the operation of the lock ring assembly. The upper lock ring segment  122  is inserted completely into the interior of the lower lock ring assembly  136 . The notches  156  and  158  of the larger diameter lower portion  152  of the upper lock ring segment  122  sit on the top side of the arcuate engagement flanges  170  and  172  of the lower lock ring assembly  136 . The upper lock ring segment  122  and the lower lock ring assembly  136  together define a hollow interior portion open only at the bottom thereof intermediate the arcuate engagement flanges  170  and  172 , which opening is best shown in  FIG. 23 . It will be appreciated that this opening is configured to have a contour that will closely admit the blow head mounting portion  194  of the blow head assembly  104  (as best shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 ). 
         [0075]    A spring  210  fits around the smaller diameter portion  150  of the upper lock ring segment  122  and rests on top of the larger diameter lower portion  152  of the upper lock ring segment  122 . A flat ring  212  also fits around the smaller diameter portion  150  of the upper lock ring segment  122  and is located on top of the spring  210 . A retaining ring  214  also fits around the smaller diameter portion  150  of the upper lock ring segment  122  and is located both on top of the retaining ring  214  and in the annular recess  182  in the lower lock ring assembly  136 . It will thus be appreciated that the larger diameter lower portion  152  of the upper lock ring segment  122  is urged downwardly by the spring  210  with respect to the lower lock ring assembly  136 . The completed lock ring assembly thus consists of the upper lock ring segment  122 , the lower lock ring assembly  136 , the spring  210 , the ring  212 , and the retaining ring  214 . 
         [0076]    Referring next to  FIGS. 27 through 29 , the insertion of the blow head mounting portion  194  of the blow head assembly  104  into the lock ring assembly is shown. The blow head mounting portion  194  including the locking flanges  196  and  198  are inserted through the opening between the arcuate engagement flanges  170  and  172  in the larger diameter lower portion  152  of the upper lock ring segment  122  and into the interior thereof. The opening between the arcuate engagement flanges  170  and  172  are configured to admit the blow head mounting portion  194  therebetween. 
         [0077]    Referring now to  FIGS. 30 through 33 , the rotation of the blow head mounting portion  194  of the blow head assembly  104  within the lock ring assembly from the inserted position that it is in following the process illustrated in  FIGS. 27 through 29  is shown. The edges of the arcuate engagement flanges  170  and  172  in the larger diameter lower portion  152  of the upper lock ring segment  122  and/or the locking flanges  196  and  198  of the blow head mounting portion  194  are angled to allow the blow head mounting portion  194  to begin to be rotated in contact with the top surfaces of the locking flanges  196  and  198 . This action will draw the lower lock ring assembly  136  downwardly, compressing the spring  210 . 
         [0078]    Referring next to  FIGS. 34 through 37 , the installed and locked position of the blow head mounting portion  194  of the blow head assembly  104  on the lock ring assembly is shown. The blow head mounting portion  194  of the blow head assembly  104  continues to be rotated with the locking flanges  196  and  198  of the blow head mounting portion  194  located on top of the arcuate engagement flanges  170  and  172  in the larger diameter lower portion  152  of the upper lock ring segment  122 . When the blow head mounting portion  194  of the blow head assembly  104  has been rotated 90 degrees following its insertion into the interior of the lock ring, the locking flanges  196  and  198  of the blow head mounting portion  194  are aligned with the detent recesses  178  and  180 , and the force of the spring  210  urge the lower lock ring assembly  136  upwardly, thereby retaining the locking flanges  196  and  198  of the blow head mounting portion  194  in the detent recesses  178  and  180 . This will retain the blow head assembly  104  in place on the blow head arm assembly  100 . 
         [0079]    It will be appreciated that the installation of the blow head assembly  104  on the blow head arm assembly  100  can be performed with one hand of an operator, and that no tools are required to install the blow head assembly  104 . Removal of the blow head assembly  104  can be accomplished in similar fashion, since the detent recesses  178  and  180  are also angled to allow the blow head assembly  104  to be rotated, with sufficient force to pull the lower lock ring assembly  136  downwardly against the force exerted by the spring  210 . 
         [0080]    Referring now to the second embodiment of the lock ring mounting arrangement for a blow head of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 39 through 73 , and specifically to  FIG. 39 , a blow head arm assembly  300  is mounted on a vertical post  302  and is raised and lowered with respect to blow molds (not shown in the figures). Extending from the bottom of the blow head arm assembly  300  are four blow head assemblies  304  that in operation will be lowered respectively onto the top of three blow molds. 
         [0081]    A brief description of the construction of the blow head arm assembly  300  will be provided in conjunction with  FIG. 39 . The various components of the blow head arm assembly  300  are assembled onto an upper blow head arm member  310  having four cylindrical interiors  312  (which have various passages located therein which are not pertinent to the present invention). Four cylindrical sleeves  314  (which also have passages not pertinent to the present invention located therein) are respectively mounted into the four cylindrical interiors  312 , where they are maintained by bolts  316  that are screwed into the upper blow head arm member  310 . Each of the cylindrical sleeve  314  has a tab  315  extending downwardly which tabs  315  will be used to prevent the lock rings  322  from rotating, as will become apparent below. 
         [0082]    Four slider assemblies  318  each have a cylindrical upper portion  320  which will extend into a respective one of the cylindrical sleeves  314  and a lock ring  322  located at the bottom of each of the cylindrical upper portions  320 . A pair of piston rings  324  are respectively mounted on grooves located on the cylindrical upper portion  320  of the slider assembly  318 . A roll pin  326  extends between each of the slider assemblies  318  and its respective cylindrical sleeve  314  to prevent the slider assemblies  318  from rotating, but allowing them some degree of linear movement with respect to their respective cylindrical sleeves  314 . 
         [0083]    A washer  328  having multiple apertures about its periphery is mounted onto the top end of each of the cylindrical upper portions  320  of the slider assembly  318  using a bolt  330 . The washers  328  are sized to fit into the cylindrical interiors  312 , but are stopped from further downward movement by the tops of the cylindrical sleeves  314 . A spring  332  is located above each of the washers  328  in each respective cylindrical interior  312 , with a retaining cap  334  being screwed into the top of each of the cylindrical interiors  312  to compress the springs  130  to bias the slider assembly  318  downwardly, as limited by the washers  328 . This bias will be used by the blow head arm assembly  300  to place downward pressure on the blow head assemblies  304  to maintain them in position on blow molds (not shown herein). 
         [0084]    Two identical locking mechanisms will be inserted into the top of the lock ring  322  on opposite sides thereof. Each of these locking mechanisms includes (from bottom to top) a detent ball  338 , a spring  340 , and a retaining screw  342 . The function of each of these components will become apparent below in conjunction with the full and complete description of the lock ring  322 . While not directly relevant to the present invention, it may also be seen that the blow head assembly  104  consists of a main blow head segment  344  and a blow head sleeve  346  that will be installed onto the main blow head segment  344 . 
         [0085]    Referring now to  FIGS. 40 through 45 , the construction of the lock ring  322  of the slider assembly  318  will be described. The lock ring  322  is fundamentally cylindrical, with a pair of the detent recesses  350  and  352  located on the top side thereof adjacent opposite sides of the lock ring  322 . As may be seen particularly in  FIG. 44 , the detent recesses  350  and  352  extend into the interior of the lock ring  322 . The top surface of the lock ring  322  also includes an aperture  354  located therein into which the roll pin  326  (shown in  FIG. 39 ) will be inserted. The outer wall of the lock ring  322  includes two opposed notches  356  and  358  located on the bottom thereof, with a large vertical slot  359  located in the outer wall of the lock ring  322  above the notch  356 . The tab  315  extending from the cylindrical sleeve  314  (both shown in  FIG. 39 ) will extend into the vertical slot  359  to prevent the lock ring  322  from rotating during operation. 
         [0086]    The cylindrical upper portion  320  of the slider assembly  318  has two annular grooves  360  and  362  located therein into which the piston rings  324  (shown in  FIG. 39 ) will be located. A central passage  364  extends through the slider assembly  318 , from the top of the cylindrical upper portion  320  to the interior of the lock ring  322 , and will be used to supply blow air. Multiple passages  366  extend through the cylindrical upper portion  320  and are arrayed around the central passage  364  into the interior of the lock ring  322 , and will be used to supply cooling air. 
         [0087]    The lock ring  322  has a hollow interior as best shown in  FIGS. 44 and 45 , and is also partially open on the bottom thereof. It will be appreciated that this opening is configured to have a contour that will closely admit the blow head mounting portion  394  of the main blow head segment  344  (as best shown in  FIGS. 49 and 50  the details of which are described below). Located on the bottom side of the lock ring  322  are two opposed inwardly-extending arcuate engagement flanges  370  and  372  which have the two opposed notches  356  and  358  extending therebetween on the bottom portion of the outer wall of the lock ring  322 . An aperture  384  is located in the arcuate engagement flange  372  and is axially aligned with the aperture  354  in the top of the lock ring  322 . Finally, referring to  FIG. 44 , it may be seen that the detent recesses  350  and  352  are open at the bottoms thereof into the hollow interior of the lock ring  322  respectively above the arcuate engagement flanges  370  and  372 . 
         [0088]    Referring next to  FIGS. 46 through 48 , the blow head sleeve  346  is shown to be of hollow cylindrical construction. It has four angularly equally spaced apertures  380  located therein near the bottom end thereof. The blow head sleeve  346  is sized appropriately to fit on the bottom portion of the main blow head segment  344 . 
         [0089]    Referring now to  FIGS. 49 through 54 , the construction of the relevant portions of the main blow head segment  344  will be described. The main blow head segment  344  has three segments, which include, from the bottom to the top, a blow head portion  390 , a cylindrical blow head neck portion  392 , and a blow head mounting portion  394 . The blow head portion  390  includes a cylindrical recess  396  that is open at the bottom of the main blow head segment  344  as shown in  FIG. 45  (and that will engage the finish portion of a parison, which is not shown herein). The blow head neck portion  392  is sized to fit between the arcuate engagement flanges  370  and  372  (best shown in  FIG. 42 ). 
         [0090]    The blow head mounting portion  394  has opposed locking flanges  396  and  398  extending laterally therefrom on opposite sides thereof. The outer diameters defined by the locking flanges  396  and  398  are sized to fit within the inner diameter of the interior of the lock ring  322 , and the widths of the flanges  396  and  398  are defined to fit within the areas defined between the ends of the arcuate engagement flanges  370  and  372 . The sides of the locking flanges  396  and  398  are angled on the top sides as best shown in  FIGS. 49 and 50 . 
         [0091]    A central passage  400  extends through the main blow head segment  344 , from the top of the blow head mounting portion  394  to the interior of the blow head portion  390 , and will be used to supply blow air. Multiple passages  402  extend through the blow head mounting portion  394 , the blow head neck portion  392 , and exit at the outside of the blow head portion  390  and are arrayed around the central passage  400  in the interior of the main blow head segment  344 , and will be used to supply cooling air. Multiple passages  404  extend through the blow head portion  390  from the outside to the inside thereof. It will be appreciated that when the blow head sleeve  346  (shown in  FIGS. 46 through 48 ) is mounted onto the blow head portion  390 ,  402  and the passages  404  will supply blow air from the top of the blow head mounting portion  394  to the interior of the blow head portion  390 . 
         [0092]    Respectively centrally located on the top sides of the locking flanges  396  and  398  at the distal ends thereof are detent recesses  404  and  406 . Located about the circumference of the blow head portion  390  are four apertures  410  that will be aligned with the four apertures  380  in the blow head sleeve  346  when the blow head sleeve  346  is mounted on the main blow head segment  344 . Four venting screws  412  (best shown in  FIGS. 39 and 72 ) are screwed through the apertures  380  in the blow head sleeve  346  and into the apertures  410  in  390  of the main blow head segment  344 , and function both to retain the blow head sleeve  346  on the main blow head segment  344  as well as to allow cooling air to be vented out of the blow head  304 . 
         [0093]    Referring next to  FIGS. 55 through 59 , the slider assembly  318  is shown with the detent ball apparatus installed and with the retaining screws  342  being visible (the detent ball  338  and the spring  340  shown in  FIG. 39  are not visible in these figures). Additionally, the blow head sleeve  346  illustrated in  FIGS. 46 through 48  is shown installed onto the main blow head segment  344  shown in  FIGS. 50 through 54 , with the venting screws  412  being clearly visible. Further, the blow head  304  (which includes the main blow head segment  344  and the blow head sleeve  346 ) is installed into the lock ring  322  of the slider assembly  318 . 
         [0094]    Referring now to  FIG. 60 , the roll pin  326  is shown installed in the apertures  354  and  384  of the slider assembly  318 . The function of the roll pin  326  is to limit the rotation of the locking flange  396  of the blow head  304  to 90 degrees once it has been inserted into the lock ring  322  of the slider assembly  318 . 
         [0095]    Referring next to  FIGS. 61 through 63 , the insertion of the blow head mounting portion  394  of the blow head assembly  304  into the lock ring  322  of the slider assembly  318  is shown. The blow head mounting portion  394  including the locking flanges  396  and  398  are inserted through the opening between the arcuate engagement flanges  370  and  372  in the lock ring  322  of the slider assembly  318  and into the interior thereof. The opening between the arcuate engagement flanges  370  and  372  are configured to admit the blow head mounting portion  394  therebetween. 
         [0096]    Referring now to  FIGS. 64 through 66 , the rotation of the blow head mounting portion  394  of the blow head assembly  304  within the lock ring  322  of the slider assembly  318  from the inserted position that it is in following the process illustrated in  FIGS. 61 through 63  is shown. As the blow head  304  is rotated, the angled corners on top of the locking flanges  396  and  398  at the edges thereof come into contact with the detent balls  338 , as shown in detail in  FIG. 65 . As the blow head  304  continues to be rotated, the angled corners on top of the locking flanges  396  and  398  will force the detent balls  338  upwardly against the force exerted by the springs  340 . 
         [0097]    Referring next to  FIGS. 67 through 71 , the installed and locked position of the blow head mounting portion  394  of the blow head assembly  304  within the lock ring  322  of the slider assembly  318  is shown. The blow head mounting portion  394  of the blow head assembly  304  continues to be rotated with the locking flanges  396  and  398  of the blow head mounting portion  394  located on top of the arcuate engagement flanges  370  and  372  in the lock ring segment  322 . When the blow head mounting portion  394  of the blow head assembly  304  has been rotated 90 degrees following its insertion into the interior of the lock ring  322 , the detent recesses  406  and  408  of the locking flanges  396  and  398 , respectively, of the blow head mounting portion  394  are aligned with the detent balls  338 , which are urged by the spring  340  into the detent recesses  406  and  408 , thereby retaining the locking flanges  396  and  398  of the blow head mounting portion  394  in the position in which it is shown in  FIGS. 67 through 71 . In this regard, the detent balls  338  and the detent recesses  406  and  408  can be collectively thought of as engageable retaining mechanisms. This will retain the blow head assembly  304  in place on the blow head arm assembly  300 . In fact, rotation of the blow head mounting portion  394  of the blow head assembly  304  more than 90 degrees is prevented by the roll pin  326  blocking the locking flange  398 , as best shown in  FIG. 69 . 
         [0098]    It will be appreciated that the installation of the blow head assembly  304  on the blow head arm assembly  300  can be performed with one hand of an operator, and that no tools are required to install the blow head assembly  304 . Removal of the blow head assembly  304  can be accomplished in similar fashion, since the detent recesses  406  and  408  are also angled to allow the blow head assembly  304  to be rotated, with sufficient force to push the detent balls  338  upwardly against the force of the springs  340 . 
         [0099]    Referring finally to  FIG. 72 , additional detail is provided showing the venting screws  412  used to exhaust cooling air from the blow head  304 . In order to vary the amount of cooling air vented from the blow head  304 , venting screws  412  having different inner diameters can be exchanged to vary to cooling air flow therethrough. Alternately, a valving arrangement could be included in the design of the venting screws  412  and/or the apertures  410  in the blow head mounting portion  394  that would vary the cooling air flow therethrough by rotating the venting screws  412 . 
         [0100]    It may therefore be appreciated from the above detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention that it provides apparatus and a related method to facilitate the installation and removal of blow heads onto their respective blow head mounting members. In this regard, the lock ring mounting arrangement apparatus and method of the present invention does not require tools to remove and replace the blow heads, and further facilitates the removal and installation of blow heads using only a single hand. Additionally, the lock ring mounting arrangement apparatus and method also provides a preload to prevent slackness in the blow heads with respect to the blow head mounting members, thereby preventing vibration during oscillation of the blow heads as well as reducing wear on the blow heads. Finally, the lock ring mounting arrangement apparatus and method of the present invention achieves numerous advantages without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage. 
         [0101]    Although the foregoing description of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 
         [0102]    While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be claimed alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.

Technology Category: c