Owens-brockway Glass Container Inc.

Matthew D Redd

D Wayne Leidy

Mathias P Welker

Jay E Werner

Thomas G Green

Michael R Wildgen

David J Bauer

A glassware forming machine system includes a glassware forming machine having first operating mechanisms for converting gobs of molten glass into articles of glassware, a gob delivery system having second operating mechanisms for delivering gobs of molten glass to the glassware forming machine, a ware handling system having third operating mechanisms for receiving and conveying articles of glassware from the glassware forming machine, and an electronic control system for controlling and coordinating operation of the first, second and third operating mechanisms. The electronic control system includes a machine controller coupled to the first operating mechanisms of the glassware forming machine for controlling and coordinating operation of the first operating mechanisms to produce articles of glassware. A gob delivery controller is coupled to the second operating mechanisms of the gob delivery system for controlling and coordinating operation of the second operating mechanisms to deliver gobs of molten glass to the glassware forming machine. A ware handling controller is coupled to the third operating mechanisms of the ware handling system for controlling and coordinating operation of the third mechanisms to convey articles of glassware from the glassware forming machine. A serial data bus interconnects the machine controller, the gob delivery controller and the ware handling controller for communication with each other to coordinate with each other operation of the first, second and third operating mechanisms.

Glassware forming machine control system

A glassware forming system that includes a plurality of electronic devices for performing operations on articles of glassware. These devices may comprise devices for controlling the glassware forming operation by controlling one or more operating mechanisms of a glassware forming system, or may comprise devices for inspecting articles of glassware for commercial variations that may affect commercial acceptability of the glassware and call for possible adjustment or repair of the glassware forming system. A network interconnects the devices for intercommunication among the devices, and includes a star network hub and conductors connecting the hub to the plurality of devices in a star network configuration for bidirectional communication among the devices through the hub. The star network hub includes a hub controller for controlling operation of the hub according to a CANbus communication protocol, circuitry for sensing initiation of communication from one of the devices, and circuitry for blocking transmission of such communication to the device from which the communication is initiated and enabling communication from the device through the star network hub to all other devices connected to the hub.

Glassware forming system with star network communication configuration

An opposed pair of inwardly facing radiant energy detecting sensors ( ) is positioned to sight on freshly formed glass containers (C) being conveyed on a side by side pair of conveyors ( ) to determine if any of the containers is misoriented from its desired orientation. Each sensor has a sharply focused fiber and lens assembly ( ) that is focused to sense radiant energy in a cone of view no greater than 1&deg;. A baffle ( ) is positioned between the conveyors and in alignment with the opposed sensors, to isolate the sensors from radiant energy emitted by containers on the away conveyor.

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Toledo, OH, United States of America

Matthew D Redd