WO2012066291A1

WO2012066291A1 - Tong assembly with inclined guidance

Info

Publication number: WO2012066291A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/001618
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Dickinson; Robert Hughes
Original assignee: Lattimer Limited
Priority date: 2010-11-19
Filing date: 2011-11-17
Publication date: 2012-05-24
Also published as: GB201019581D0

Abstract

A part for a glass container transfer apparatus comprises a shaft and a plurality of tongs operably linked to the shaft; wherein the tongs comprise glass container engagers, or are shaped so that they can be attached to such engagers, and are arranged so that during use they can move the engagers towards each other manner along a given plane or axis in order to releasably engage the glass container; characterised in that the tongs are guided by a plurality of angled guides that are inclined relative to said plane or axis.

Description

TONG ASSEMBLY WITH INCLINED GUIDANCE

The present invention relates to a tong assembly suitable for use as part of a glass container transfer apparatus, e.g. for use as a take-out tong cartridge.

Glass storage containers for food, drink or other household commodities are typically manufactured in bulk, using high speed manufacturing apparatuses to keep costs low.

Such containers are often disposed of after a single use, although they can of course be manufactured for longer term use, if desired.

Normally, the glass container, whether in the form of a bottle, jar, or another form, has an upper rim and a neck located below the rim. The size and shape of the neck can vary between containers. It is generally used for engaging the newly formed container during transfer thereof.

During the typical bulk manufacturing process for glass containers, the container is shaped by blow moulding molten glass.

A newly moulded container is then moved by a part of the apparatus known as a take-out mechanism. This engages the neck and is used to transfer the newly formed container to an area known as the deadplate, where the container can cool and can be moved towards a conveyor by a device known as a pusher.

The take-out mechanism generally includes a component known as a take-out cartridge. This is subject to high stresses and to wear. It is removably mounted so that can be replaced and/or repaired when necessary, although this does of course involve shutting down the relevant machinery.

The take-out cartridge normally includes a pair of pivotally mounted, opposing tongs that move towards each other through an arc. The cartridge is therefore sometimes also referred to as the take-out tong cartridge.

The opposing tongs each carry an engaging means. When the engaging means have moved towards each other to a given extent through the arc they can engage the neck of the newly formed container.

The arcuate motion is due to the pivoting nature of the tongs, which is driven by a piston that is located in the cartridge and is operably linked to the tongs.

In order to release the container (normally onto the deadplate) the engaging means move away from each other through an arc, again due to movement of the pivotally mounted tongs, which are operably connected to the piston.

Here the piston moves in the reverse direction to the direction in which has moved earlier to bring the engaging means towards each other. This reverse movement of the piston is usually achieved by a reaction of a compressed spring on the piston following earlier compression of said spring as the engaging means are moved together. The engaging means can be of any desired shape or size, provided that they function together in engaging and/or releasing the neck of the container at the desired times and locations. They should of course be shaped so as not to cause any significant damage to the neck during normal use. The size and shape can vary, depending upon the neck of the container.

They are however generally curved in shape so as to complement the curved neck of a container. Given that the neck will normally have a circular perimeter, each engaging means may comprise an inner concave surface shaped to engage the circular perimeter.

Opposing engaging means may abut one another other when the neck of the container is engaged. This can function as a useful stop so that the neck is not unduly compressed.

Alternatively they may simply be timed and/or arranged to stop at the appropriate point.

An engaging means is often known in the art as "the fingers", given that it may comprise one or more elongate members. As indicated above, fingers will normally comprise curved inner surfaces, so as to complement the neck of the container.

In some cases fingers may include a heat resistant shield, which may itself be removably mounted (e.g. for ease of repair or replacement). In this case, this part will be shaped for engagement with the neck of the container.

A take-out cartridge therefore generally comprises pivoting tongs, with fingers releasably secured thereto, and a reciprocating piston that drives the tongs so that the fingers can move towards each other or away from each other each through an arc.

The take-out cartridge forms part of the tong head - also known as the "take-out tong head" or "take-out head".

The tong head is operably connected to a tong arm - also known as the "take-out tong arm" or "take-out arm"

This arm is operably connected to a shaft that causes the arm to swing through an angle (usually of about 180°) so that a newly formed glass container that is engaged by the engaging means on the tongs is moved towards the deadplate. A belt or chain drive is normally used to drive this shaft.

The above-described components are part of a larger apparatus known as a transfer apparatus.

One such apparatus is described for example in GB 2182297, which was granted to E.R. Lattimer Ltd of Southport, U.K. (now Lattimer Ltd.)

Such apparatuses are themselves normally parts of much larger glass container forming and processing machines.

The most commonly used machines of this nature are known in the art as "IS machines", where IS is an abbreviation for "Individual Section". These machines include the moulds for shaping the containers as well as the various assemblies, drives, belts, pushers, etc.

IS machines were first developed in the 1920s by Henry Ingle of the USA and were put into commercial production in the same decade at the Carr-Lowery Glass Company in Baltimore. These machines allowed a major scaling up of glass container manufacture at the time.

Since the 1920s there have been further developments in IS machine technology.

For example, IS machines with significantly output rates were developed by a successor company, known as "Emhart Glass" and now part of Bucher Industries. Each IS of such machines can make several glass containers at once. Thus they are made in parallel rather than sequentially.

This is achieved by feeding multiple gobs (molten pieces of glass) into the IS via a device known as a gob distributor. Shears are then used to ensure that the multiple gobs are produced and fed into multiple moulds of an IS at the same time.

Although IS machines of various types have been used in many countries and over many decades, they have suffered a number of technical problems.

One such problem is discussed in the Lattimer patent referred to above (GB 2182297). This is the problem of "lost" or "slack" motion that can arise, for example, if a belt drive or chain drive becomes worn or loose over time and/or if bearings become worn.

This can result in the movement of tongs not being synchronised with the containers, so that bottles may impede with one another and/or or may topple over.

GB 2182297 discloses an assembly for a bottle forming machine, comprising a main axle, a housing journalled on said axle for swinging movement about an axis provided by the axle between a bottle pick up position and a bottle deposit position.

A spindle is journalled in the housing and carries a tong head, from which depend tongs for gripping bottles and, upon swinging movement, for transferring them between a pick up position and a deposit position whilst hanging substantially vertically.

A coupling means is provided that couples the axle and the spindle to maintain the depending position of the tongs during swinging movement of the head, said coupling means comprising complementary toothed wheels or pulleys on the axle and on the spindle, a toothed belt extending around the toothed wheels or pulleys.

A belt tensioning means is also provided that is disposed to act on the belt between the two toothed wheels or pulleys so as to maintain the belt under tension, and thereby to eliminate lost motion and/or possible backlash between the toothed wheels or pulleys.

The invention discussed in GB 2182297 has been very successful commercially. However, even with the improved assembly described therein, there is still a risk of occasional damage to machinery and bottles, as well as of significant loss of operating time. This can occur if the bottles are not picked up / deposited correctly on a conveyor.

Lattimer Ltd has also produced many further significant innovations in this field.

For example, in International Patent Application WO2009/093039 an apparatus is described comprising a release mechanism that can disengage a tong head assembly from a drive when a collision occurs. This Internationa] Patent Application also describes a tensioning device that automatically maintains tension in a drive belt or chain when the assembly is in use.

These inventions can help to further reduce machine down-time, improve reliability and provide increased safety and efficiency.

However, despite the foregoing important advances in the art, various problems have remained that have not been satisfactorily resolved in the industry for very many decades.

One such problem is that the tongs of the take-out heads sometimes do not open or close in the desired manner.

This is a particular problem when they are used at high speed and/or are when large tongs (designed for containers with large necks) are used.

This can result in take-out arm crashes, damage to machinery and containers, the need for the process to be stopped and machinery replaced or repaired etc.

One proposed solution has to provide mechanical links between the tongs. These are sometimes known as anti-wink linkages.

These tongs have been widely advertised and have had some commercial success. However problems still remain. The anti-wink linkages are themselves subject to wear, which can affect operation of the tongs.

Furthermore even when so-called anti-wink technology is used, it is not uncommon for the problems discussed above to remain.

Various attempts at redesigning the tongs have therefore been made, including using more lightweight materials, modifying the anti-wink linkages to try to prevent premature closure, using specialist surface hardening techniques to try to reduce wear, etc.

However, despite various re-designs over several years, there has been only limited success and the problems discussed above remains significant concerns in the industry.

Again it is important to appreciate that these problems have not been fully resolved despite large investments and many decades of research.

The present invention seeks to address, or at least to alleviate, one or more of these problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a part for a glass container transfer apparatus that comprises a shaft and a plurality of tongs operably linked to the shaft; wherein the tongs comprise glass container engagers, or are shaped so that they can be attached to such engagers, and are arranged so that during use they can move the engagers towards each other manner along a given plane or axis in order to releasably engage the glass container; characterised in that the tongs are guided by a plurality of angled guides that are inclined relative to said plane or axis. Thus, unlike existing tongs is use in this field, the tongs are not pivotally mounted to move through an arc towards each other during engagement of the container by the engaging means.

The approach of the present invention therefore goes in a very different direction to that used in the industry for very many decades.

It also goes against the trend of trying to improve the use of pivoting tongs by using anti-wink linkages.

The approach taken by the present inventors therefore represents a major departure from existing approaches.

Desirably the tongs are arranged so that during use they release the container at the appropriate stage (normally in a stable manner onto a deadplate).

Here the tongs preferably move away from each other along a given plane or axis during the release of the conatiner. This movement is desirably in the opposite direction from that in which they move together to engage the container.

The plane or axis along which the tongs move during release will of course normally be located at a lower level than the plane or axis through which the tongs move during engagement of the container. This is because the newly formed container will normally be moved from a mould to a deadplate that is located at a lower level than the mould.

The two planes or axes (of engagement and of release) will normally be parallel or substantially parallel.

The plurality of tongs is desirably a pair of opposed tongs that are arranged so that, when in use, engaging means on each tong moves along a given axis.

[Less preferably, the part has more than two tongs, with each tong having an engaging means. Here the engaging means may then move along a given plane.]

The given axis or plane is desirably horizontal, or at least substantially horizontal.

Thus it is preferred that it is horizontal or at only a few degrees from the horizontal (desirably less than 15°, less than 10° less than 5°, less than 3° or less than 1° from the horizontal.)

Preferably a glass container engager is releasably attachable or releasably attached to each tong.

Thus the tongs may be manufactured separately from the engagers and the engagers means may be attached to the tongs later on.

An advantage of this approach is that the engagers can be added and subsequently removed for replacement or repair, when desired, without having to replace the tongs as well. This is useful given that engagers can become damaged or worn over time.

Releasable attachment can of course be achieved by any appropriate means known in the art of mechanical engineering, including bolts, screws, clips, clamps, etc. Whatever releasable attachment means is used, it should allow an engager to be held securely in place when in use, but to be released when repair or replacement is desired. (Bolts are used in the present examples, but as indicated above, there are many other alternatives.)

Appropriate tools may of course be used to aid in release and/or attachment of engagers to the tongs.

If desired, tools such as spanners, screwdrivers, wrenches, Allen keys, etc. may be used. One or more tools may even be provided as part of a kit, as discussed later.

Alternatively, said release and/or attachment may be achieved without specialised tools. Thus, for example, a release system may be provided.

Release systems include, for example, actuators that can be operated at one stage to facilitate release and in another stage to facilitate attachment.

Actuators include levers, buttons, switches etc.

As an alternative to having releasably mounted engagers, each tong may already incorporate an engager as an integral part of its structure. Thus the tongs may be manufactured to already include glass container engagers, although this is less preferred.

Desirably at least a part of each tong moves along, within, or against, a guide during engagement and/or disengagement of a container

In a preferred embodiment one or more tongs (preferably all of them) are slidably mounted relative to the respective guides.

The guides may for example be in the form of one or more guide tracks, guide ramps, guide channels, guide grooves, guide recesses and/or guide surfaces.

Desirably one or more (preferably all) guides are inclined at an angle of at least 10° relative to the plane or axis through which the tong moves during engagement.

Preferably the angle is less than 80° relative to said plane or axis.

Desirably it is from 15° and 75° and most desirably is from 20° to 60°. (In the embodiments discussed in the examples the angle is about 40°, although the examples are of course simply illustrative and non-limiting).

The guides may be fixed in/on a guide block or in/on one or more guide plates for example. Thus the angle may be fixed.

In one embodiment all of the angled guides for a given pair of tongs are located in or on a unitary component. This component is preferably a guide block.

It desirably has an even number of guides. For example it may have two, four, or more guides. Desirably it has four guides. Here it preferably comprises two pairs of angled guides, with one pair sloping in an opposite direction to the other

The unitary component may be located within a housing.

It may be operably linked to a piston (e.g. via a pin or other connector).

At least part of the piston may pass through an aperture in the housing.

The housing desirably has elongate channels or grooves that cooperate with the guides to control the movement of the tongs.

The channels or grooves are preferably substantially parallel with one another and with the plane or axis along which the engagers move to engage the container.

In an alternative embodiment the angled guides for a given set of tongs are located in/on a plurality of guide members (rather than in/on a single guide member).

Here it is preferred that there are two guide members per pair of tongs.

These guide members may for example be in the form of guide plates.

If there are two guide members for a pair of tongs it is preferred that they oppose each other. If the guide members oppose each other, it is preferred that the guides slope in opposite directions.

Opposing guide members (whether in the form of guide plates or otherwise) may be directly or indirectly linked - e.g. via a pin or other connector.

This linkage may pass through a part of a piston.

In all embodiments of the present invention it is preferred that engagers are present (either as fixed parts of the tongs as part or attached to tongs).

The tongs are preferably movably mounted so that they can be moved via a force applied through the shaft of the part bearing said tongs.

This force is preferably applied via a piston.

The piston is preferably as described above - i.e. operably connected to one or more guide members.

The piston preferably acts to compress a spring (or other resiliently deformable member) on the down-stroke and the reaction of the spring (or other resiliently deformable member) may facilitate return of the piston on the up-stroke, or vice-versa.

The tongs are desirably operably linked to the movement of the piston.

Preferably they open on the down-stroke of the piston and close on the up-stroke, although the opposite arrangement is possible. As discussed earlier, linkage of the piston to a guide member is desirably via at least one connector.

The connector may for example be in the form of a pin, screw, bolt, chain, arm, clamp, clip, tie, fastener, rivet, etc. Preferably the connector is releasably mounted, so that release can be achieved with an appropriate tool, if necessary.

Although a plurality of connectors may be used (which may be the same or different), it is preferred that a single connector is used, e.g. a retaining pin.

The connector is preferably mounted so to be perpendicular to the up and down movement of the piston and to move up an down up and down with the piston.

Thus the connector may cause the one or more guide members to move with the piston and may cause the tongs to move relative to the guide members.

In some embodiments of the present invention one or more of the tongs (e.g. both tongs of a pair of opposed tongs) are mounted to one or more sliders.

Sliders are well known in the art of engineering. A slider is anything that facilitates slidable motion. It may be a low friction material (e.g. a plastics material) a component that utilises one or more bearings, a component with a low friction coating, layer or finish, a component that is oiled or greased for sliding movement, etc.

A slider will normally be mounted for slidable movement on a suitable support, e.g. a rail.

If sliders and rails are used then the number of rails, or other supports, preferably corresponds to the number of tongs and sliders.

Thus, for example, there may be two tongs, tow sliders and two rails. Here each tong may be mounted to a slider and each slider being may be mounted to a rail.

Desirably if rails are present then the rails are parallel. Most desirably the rails are horizontal or substantially horizontal parallel rails, when in use to facilitate engagement or

disengagement.

Sliders and rails are of course not essential, although they may be preferred for certain embodiments.

Indeed, as long as the engagers means move towards each other and away from each other in the desired non arcuate manner (so that a container can be suitably engaged and released respectively), the exact arrangement of components is not limiting.

As indicated earlier, an engager will normally have a curved inner surface for engaging the neck of the container. (In practice the engagers act together and each engager engages a part of the neck.)

This surface is normally provided on the fingers.

Preferably each engager comprises at least one finger. It may for example have a plurality of fingers. As discussed, fingers are well known in the art. They are shown connected to tongs of the present invention in Figures 13 and 14, as discussed later on in the examples.

If desired, heat resistant and/or wear resistant coatings, layers, finishes, inserts, attachments, shields, covers, or liners may be provided. In some cases the engagers may include heat and/or wear resistant components that are releasably attached in position.

The present invention includes a part in the form of a take-out tong holder with tongs arranged to move as aforesaid and with any of the aforesaid additional components.

The part may be provided as a take-out tong cartridge. This is a unit that can be conveniently fitted to or removed from a take-out tong head, which in turn (when in use) is operably linked to a take-out tong arm.

The part can be operably linked to any desired system, as long as the tongs move in the desired non arcuate manner to engage the container and subsequently to release it.

Thus, for example, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical and/or electrical systems may be used.

Computer controlled and/or robotic systems may even be used.

Once a part of the present invention is in use it is then of course part of a much larger machine.

A machine that comprises a part of the present invention is therefore included within the scope of the invention, as is a factory comprising such a machine.

The machine is preferably an IS machine or an IS station. The IS machine or station may be used to make any desired container. Preferably it is used to make jars or bottles. More preferably it is used to make bottles. The containers will normally be formed of glass, although other possibilities for rigid containers (e.g. Perspex™ are included).

The present invention not only includes machines but also includes parts (especially spare parts) within its scope.

It further includes various methods.

One such method comprises attaching a part of the present invention to a take-out head.

Another includes attaching it to one or more containers engagers (e.g. to fingers).

A further method within the scope of the present invention is a method in which a part of the present invention is used to move a container from one position to another.

Preferably the container is a glass container, especially a newly formed glass container.

More preferably it is moved from the vicinity of a mould to a dead plate. It is desirably then moved to a conveyor via a pusher. Kits are also included within the scope of the invention.

A preferred kit comprises a part with a shaft and with one or more tongs of the present invention operably mounted to the shaft.

It optionally also comprises one or more of the following:

a) instructions for use thereof;

b) means for attaching the part to a take-out head;

c) means for attaching the part to one or more glass container engagers;

d) one or more glass container engagers;

e) one or more tools for attaching or releasing said part;

f) one or more further parts of the present invention;

g) a container for the components of the kit.

The invention also includes one or more tongs shaped for use in the present invention.

Thus the tongs will be shaped to move in a non-arcuate manner as discussed earlier.

A tong of the present invention may also be shaped to engage one or more guide member and/or or for attachment to one or more sliders, as again discussed earlier.

It may include an engager, or be shaped so that an engager can be attached thereto

A further aspect of the present invention is a guide member per se, as well as the use of one or more guide members in a part of the present invention.

The guide member will have at least one angled guide, shaped for engagement with part of a take-out tong, as discussed earlier.

The tongs or guide members may also be provided in kits.

The present invention therefore includes a kit comprising one or more such tongs and/or one or more such guide members, the kit optionally further comprising one or more of the following:

a) instructions for use in fitting the one or more tongs and one or more guide members together;

b) instructions for use in fitting the one or more tongs and one or more guide members to a take-out tong holder;

c) means for fitting the one or more tongs and/or one or more tongs in position during use; d) one or more tools for attaching or releasing the part;

e) a container for the components of the kit.

A still further aspect of the invention is a take-out tong head, a container transfer apparatus, a container manufacturing machine or a glass container manufacturing factory comprising a part of the present invention.

The machine is preferably an IS machine.

It will therefore be appreciated from the foregoing discussions that the present invention has numerous aspects to it. However in all aspects angled guides are used. It is preferred that the tongs move along the angles guides.

This situation is therefore very different from that disclosed in EP 1717211 , for example. Here a guide that is described as being "constrained" is said to be have a" horizontal configuration" is used and a connecting element is required. This can be seen from Figures 4a and 5 a of EP 1717211 , where the guide 5 is shown and can be seen to limit movement by virtue of interconnecting sliding plates that move long a horizontal axis (in a telescopic type arrangement).

The present invention takes a different approach and allows more elegant arrangements of components, whilst allowing effective movement of tongs and associated fingers within a confined space.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings; wherein:

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention in the form of a tong cartridge for a take-out head. This embodiment has two guide plates and is described in further detail in Example 1.

Figures 5 to 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention in which there is a single guide block rather than two guide plates. This embodiment is described in further detail in Example 2.

Figures 9 illustrates the closing of tongs of the first embodiment and, for ease of reference, only the tongs and front guide plate are shown. The tongs are shown moving from an open position in solid lines to a closed position in broken lines.

Figure 10 is similar to figure 9, but this time shows opening of the tongs rather than closing. Here the tongs are shown moving from a closed position in solid lines to an open position in broken lines.

Figures 11 and 12 correspond to Figures 9 and 10, but show the opening and closing of tongs of the second embodiment (Example 2) rather than of the first embodiment (Example 2). Thus a guide block is shown here rather than a guide plate.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the tong cartridge illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, but with fingers attached.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the tong cartridge tong cartridge illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, but with fingers attached. Example 1

This example represents a first non-limiting embodiment of a tong cartridge of the present invention and is illustrated by Figures 1 to 4, 9, 10 and 13.

As discussed earlier, in use the tong cartridge would be operably linked via a tong head to a take-out arm that pivots through 180° and is used to transfer a newly formed container from a mould to a deadplate for further processing

For ease of reference, various components of the cartridge are listed in following table. (Not all components are shown in all figures.)

Figure 1 is a front view of tong cartridge 30 with tongs 11 in an open position. Various parts are shown here in longitudinal sectional for ease of reference. A side view of the cartridge 30 with the tongs 1 1 in this position is shown in Figure 3 and again includes various parts shown in longitudinal section.

For simplicity, the tongs 1 1 of the take-out tong cartridge 30 are shown in Figure 1 without fingers 16 attached, although in practice fingers 16 would of course be present, as illustrated later in Figure 13.

(Again, for simplicity, the newly formed container is not shown in Figure 13, but it is clear that rounded fingers 16 are provided to engage the rounded neck of a container of a given size as the fingers 16 move towards each other.)

It can be seen from the cross section at the upper right part of Figure 1 that the cartridge 30 includes a cylinder 2 that houses a piston 15 and a spring 6 (see also the corresponding part of Figure 3).

The cylinder 2 and associated piston 15 are part of an elongate shaft to which the tongs are operably mounted.

The piston 15 can be operated hydraulically, pneumatically, electronically or can be operated by any other means, as is well known in the art (e.g. via computer control)..

In Figures 1 and 3 the spring 6 is shown prior to compression thereof and therefore prior to the down-stroke of the piston 15.

The spring 6 is subsequently compressed during the down-stroke of the piston 15, which is illustrated by the downwardly pointing arrow in Figure 1

As the piston 15 moves down the cylinder 2 during the down-stroke, fingers 16 that are mounted via bolts 12 to the tongs move towards each other along a horizontal axis. This movement is as illustrated by the horizontal arrows pointing towards each other in Figure 1.

Thus the down-stroke (i.e. the stroke that compresses the spring 6) causes opposing fingers 16 to move from an open to a closed position, so that the neck of a newly formed container can be engaged.

In order to release the container onto the deadplate, and also in order to allow a successive container to be engaged, the fingers 16 must then move from a closed to an open position.

This movement is indicated by the horizontal arrows pointing away from each other in Figure 2. The movement from the closed to the open position occurs on the up-stroke, which is illustrated by the upwardly pointing arrow shown at the top of Figure 2.

Here the piston 15 moves back up the cylinder 2, as facilitated by the reaction of the spring 6 on the piston 15, following the earlier compression thereof on the down-stroke.

Thus the spring 6 is compressed when the tongs 1 1 are in the initial, closed position shown in Figure 2 and it becomes extended during the up-stroke. The up-stroke causes the fingers 16 to move away from each other. The movement of parts will now be discussed in further detail, with particular reference to Figures 4, 9 and 10.

Figure 4 shows an exploded view illustrating how various components are operably connected.

Left and right tongs 11 are shown, although the right tong 1 1 is shown in full, whereas only a partial view of the left tong is shown 1 1 in order not to obscure other components. (The left tong 1 1 works in a complementary way to the right tong 11 , as discussed later.)

The right tong 1 1 has an upper arm 18 and a lower arm 20. (NB: The body of the tong 1 1 is formed of a single piece of metal and the tern "arm" is used here simply to distinguish between different regions.)

The upper arm 18 is at an acute angle relative to the horizontal of the figure.

This acute angle corresponds to the angle 27 of a guide channel 26 that will be described later.

The angle 27 has been set at 40° in a prototype, although any other appropriate angle can be used, as long as the tongs 1 1 moved as desired. Other things being equal, the steeper the angle 27, the shorter the horizontal travel of the tongs 1 1.

The angle 27 may therefore be varied to take into account different sizes and shapes of tongs 11, fingers 16, containers, pistons 15, etc.

In most instances, however, it is expected that the angle 27 will be well within the range of 5° to 85° (e.g. from 20° to 60°).

It can be seen from Figure 4 that the upper arm 18 ends in a relatively thin terminal plate 19 that fits into the guide channel 26.

The lower arm 20 is shown as being generally vertical, relative to the horizontal in the figures. Thus it at 90° relative to said horizontal.

The exact shape and angle of the lower arm 20 is however not crucial, as long as it can carry fingers 16 that can engage a container in the desired manner (see again Figure 13 for the fingers 16).

Indeed it would be possible for the lower part of the tong 1 1 not to be set at an angle relative to the upper part. There would then be no upper 18 and lower arm 20, but just a single elongate arm at an angle to the axis at which the engagers move when opening or closing.

This is however not preferred, because (unless said angle is relatively steep and the piston 15 travels a relatively large distance) it would increase the horizontal space needed for the tongs 1 1. In practice such space is normally severely limited.

In the embodiment shown in this example, a bolt 12 is provided for connecting fingers 16 to the lower arm 20 of the tong 1 1. However, any other suitable connecting means can of course be used. Alternatively, the tong 1 1 may be provided with integral fingers 16. Turning now to the movement of the guide plate 10, this plate has an upper aperture 25 through which a retaining pin 9 passes. The piston 15 also has an aperture 28 for receiving the retaining pin 9.

The retaining pin 9 therefore couples the guide plate 10 to the lower end of the piston 15.

This lower end of the piston 15 is located within the housing 8 and can move up and down within the housing 8 by mean of a longitudinal slot in the housing 8 (not shown) that receives the retaining pin 9.

This limited up and down movement of the pin 9 within the housing 8, corresponds to the up-stroke and down-stroke of the piston 15.

Thus the guide plate 10 moves up and down with the piston 15 and the lower end of the piston 15 moves up and down within the housing 8, the relevant parts being operably linked by the retaining pin 9.

The movements of guide plates 10 and associated tongs are illustrated by Figures 9 and 10.

As shown in Figure 9, as the piston 15 moves a guide plate 10 downwards on the

down-stroke, the associated tong 11 does not also move downwards with the guide plate 10 and guide channel 26, but instead moves along a horizontal axis.

The tong 1 1 (or more specifically the upper part 19 thereof) therefore moves upwards relative to the guide plate 10 and guide channel 26, as the piston 15 moves downwards.

Movement up the guide channel 26 facilitates the movement of fingers from an open position to a closed position.

The solid lines in Figure 9 indicate the open position and broken lines indicate the closed position. (The fingers 16 are not shown in this figure for simplicity, but are viewable in Figure 13.)

It will be appreciated by comparing the two positions of the guide plate 10 shown in Figure 9, that much less of the upper part 19 of the tong 1 1 is located in the guide channel 26 in the open position than in the closed position, corresponding to the tong 1 1 moving upwards relative to the guide channel 26 during closure..

The movement of the tong 1 1 is also controlled by the slider 13 that is slidably mounted to a rail 17.

As can be seen from Figure 4, a part of the tong 1 1 forms a flat plate 22 that has apertures for screws that connect the plate to the slider 13, which can then slide on a rail 17. This plate is referred to herein as the slider connector plate 22.

It abuts the slider 13 when connected to it. The tong 1 1 is then slidably mounted via the slider 13 to the rail 17.

The slider 13 and rail 17 can best be seen Figures 3 and 4. The slider 13 with the tong 1 1 attached moves along a horizontal axis due to the horizontal position of the rail 17 during sliding motion.

Thus, during closure, as the piston 15 moves downwards, the tong 1 1 moves horizontally and opposing fingers 16 on opposing tongs 1 1 also move horizontally towards each other, so as to engage a container.

The reverse movement is illustrated in Figure 10.

Here the piston 15 moves the guide plate 10 upwards on the up-stroke. However the tong 1 1 does not also move upwards with the guide plate 10 and guide channel 26, but moves along a horizontal axis.

The tong 1 1 (or more specifically the upper part 19 thereof) moves downwards relative to the guide plate 10 and guide channel 26, as the piston 15 moves upwards.

Movement along the guide channel 26 facilitates the movement of fingers from a closed position to an open position.

The solid lines in Figure 10 indicate the closed position and broken lines indicate the open position. (The fingers 16 are again not shown in this figure for simplicity, but are viewable in Figure 13.)

It can be appreciated by comparing the two positions that much more of the upper part 19 of the tong 1 1 is located in the guide channel 26 in the closed position than in the open position, corresponding to the tong 1 1 moving downwards relative to the guide channel during opening, as aforesaid.

As during closing, movement of the tong 1 1 during opening is also controlled by the slider 13, to which the tong 11 is attached

Although the movement of one tong 1 1 is summarised above, it is of course the case that there are two tongs 1 1 , with each tong 1 1 being attached to a separate slider 13 and each slider being located on a rail 17 for sliding movement.

The two rails 17 are parallel and the sliders 13 move in opposite directions along the parallel rails.

Thus, in the situation shown in Figures 1 and 9, the left tong 11 moves rightwards and the right tong 1 1 moves leftwards (i.e. movement from open to closed positions). The lower parts 20 of the tongs 1 1 therefore move closer together along parallel horizontal axes.

For comparison, in the situation shown in Figures 2 and 10, the left tong 1 1 moves leftwards and the right tong 1 1 moves rightwards (i.e. movement from closed to open positions). The lower parts 20 of the tongs 11 therefore move further apart along parallel horizontal axes.

This "opposite" movements of the tongs 1 1 is due to the guide channels 26 of opposing guide plates 10 sloping in opposite directions. Both guide plates 10 are linked by the same retaining pin 9, such that they oppose each other and the guide channels slope in opposite directions. It should be recalled here that Figure 4 does not show a second guide plate 10 (It is behind the one shown and is therefore not visible in the schematic front view provided.) However it would of course be present and would include a guide channel 26 sloping in the opposite direction from the direction of the guide channel 26 shown.

Similarly, Figure 4 does not show the upper part of the left tong 1 1 that would engage the second guide plate 10, although it would again be present and would slope in the opposite direction to the upper part 19 of the right tong 11.

Thus opposing guide plates 10 that engage arms parts of opposing tongs 1 1 that slope in opposite directions are coaxially mounted via the pin 9 and move together with the piston 15. Unlike the guide plates 10, the tongs 1 1 are not connected to the pin 9, but to the horizontally mounted sliders 13 discussed above.

This therefore explains how the movement of the tongs 1 1 relative to the guide channels 26 sloping in opposite directions in opposing guide plates 10 is translated to the tongs 1 1 moving in opposite directions horizontally during opening and closing actions.

Example 2

This example represents a second embodiment of the present invention, which is an alternative to that illustrated in Example 1.

It is illustrated by Figures 5 to 8. 1 1, 12 and 14.

For ease of reference the components of this second embodiment are illustrated in following table:

Although much of the design of the tong cartridge 30 in this example is the same as/similar to the tong cartridge 30 described for Example 1 , it is important to note that a single guide block 10 replaces the two guide plates used in Example 1. Furthermore no sliders 13 or associated rails 17 are used in Example 2. (The tongs 1 1 slide directly on guide tracks as discussed below.)

The tongs 1 1 used in this example fork towards the top so that, unlike in Example 1 , each tong has two parallel upper sloping arms 18. These can best be seen in Figure 7.

During use, these arms 18 slide up and down inclines provided by parallel sloping surfaces of a guide bock 10. The inclines 13 function as guide tracks, along which the angled arms 18 can slide. They are set at the same angle 27 as for Example 1 , although any suitable angle can be used.

There are four sloping guide tracks 13 provided by the guide block 10.

At one end there is one set of two parallel sloping guide tracks 13 on which the arms of a tong located 1 1 at that end slide during use.

At the other end there is another set of two parallel sloping guide tracks 13 on which the angled arms 18 of a tong 1 1 at that end slide during use.

The two sets of sloping tracks 13 oppose each other.

It should also be noted that in Example 2 the end part 17 of each angled upper arm 18 of each tong 11 is slightly wider than the rest of the upper arm 18.

This end part 17 has upper 21 and lower 22 parallel faces and also parallel side faces 23. It is thereby shaped to fit into a horizontal channel 26 provided in the inner side wall of a housing 8 and to slide along the channel.

Thus the housing 8 in Example 2 is of significantly different design from the housing in Example 1.

It does however also include a central longitudinal slot 19 for receiving a retaining pin 9 (as for Example 1). This pin 9 passes through a central aperture 25 in the guide block 10, as well as through an aperture 28 in the lower end of the piston 15.

The lower end of the piston 15 is therefore located within the housing 18 and can move up and down within the housing 18 to a limited degree by virtue of the associated retaining pin 9 moving up and down in the longitudinal slot 19.

This limited up and down movement of the pin 9 within the housing 8, corresponds to the upstroke and downs-stroke of the piston 15.

It will of course be appreciated here that (as was also the case for Example 1), the housing 8 includes an upper aperture 29 for receiving the lower end of the piston 15.

Thus the guide block 10 moves up and down with the piston 15 and the lower end of the piston 15 moves up and down within the housing, the relevant parts being operably linked by the retaining pin 9. The movements of the guide block 10 and associated tongs 1 1 are illustrated by Figures 1 1 and 12.

Here it can be seen that the tongs 1 1 move along a horizontal axis during opening and closing operations, but do not move up and down as the piston and the guide block 10 move up and down.

They are constrained to move along the horizontal axis by the horizontal channels 26 provided in the inner walls of the housing 8 that receive the ends 17 of the upper arms 18 of the tongs 11.

This is why, in contrast to Example 1 , the tongs 1 1 in Example 2 do not require to be connected to sliders on rails to achieve the desired horizontal movement.

The approach set forth in Example 2 therefore results in fewer components and a somewhat simpler design.

Closure of the tongs 1 1 is illustrated in Figure 11, where solid lines in the figure indicate the starting point of the closing phase (with the 1 1 tongs in an open position) and the broken lines indicate the end point of the closing phase (with the tongs 1 1 in the closed position).

Thus, during closure, as the piston 15 moves downwards, the tongs 1 1 do not move downwards with the piston 15 and associated guide block 8, but move horizontally towards each other along the channels 26 in the housing 8.

In this manner opposing fingers 16 (not shown in this figure for simplicity, but viewable in Figure 14) located on opposing tongs 1 1 move towards each other and engage a container.

During this motion the sloping arms 18 of the tongs 1 1 slide upwards relative to the guide tracks on the guide block 10.

It is this relative motion, coupled with the movement of the ends 17 of the tongs 11 along the channels 26 in the housing 8, that causes the tongs 1 1 to move closer to each other along a horizontal axis during closure,

The reverse movement is illustrated in Figure 12.

Here the piston 15 moves the guide block 10 upwards on the up-stroke (facilitated by the spring, as discussed earlier). However the tongs 1 1 do not move upwards with the piston 10 and associated guide block 10, but move horizontally away from each other long along the channels 26 in the housing.

In this manner opposing fingers 16 (again not shown in this figure for simplicity, but viewable in Figure 14) on opposing tongs 1 1 move away from each other and a container can be released.

During this motion the sloping arms 18 of the tongs 1 1 slide downwards relative to the guide tracks on the guide block 10. It is this relative motion coupled with the movement of the ends 17 of the tongs 1 1 along the channels 26 in the housing 8 that causes the tongs 11 to move apart from each other along a horizontal axis during opening.

Example 3

This is general example indicating that tongs need not be slidably mounted and/or connected to a piston.

There are many alternatives to using slidably mounted tongs and/or to using a piston whilst still ensuring that fingers mounted on the tongs still open and close by moving along an axis or plane (rather than the prior art system of opening and closing in an arcuate manner via pivoting).

Pistons need not be used if the tongs are robotically controlled to move as desired.

The tongs may for example be electronically controlled (e.g. with sensors to control desired movement).

Movement of tongs may occur via ratchet and pinion mechanisms.

There are many possibilities and all of these are within the scope of the present invention.

Even if a piston is used, then it need not operably engage with a mechanism that involves sliding of tongs.

Indeed, the precise mechanism is not crucial as long as the tongs move in accordance with the present claims.

Thus they should move along a given axis or plane (preferably a substantially horizontal axis or plane) to open or close.

For example a piston may move the tongs horizontally apart on a given stroke to open the tongs (e.g. via a wedge-type action or a pushing action) and a return mechanism may then be provided that close the tongs on the reverse stroke or vice-versa.

Any suitable return mechanism may be used as long as the container can be reliably engaged and then subsequently released when desired (with the tongs moving as aforesaid and without significant damage to the container).

The return action may, for example, use one or more resilient springs or some other resiliently deformable material. It may use a "memory" material that returns to its original configuration following deformation

Hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic and/or mechanical return systems may be used.

Claims

1. A part for a glass container transfer apparatus that comprises a shaft and a plurality of tongs operably linked to the shaft; wherein the tongs comprise glass container engagers, or are shaped so that they can be attached to such engagers, and are arranged so that during use they can move the engagers towards each other manner along a given plane or axis in order to releasably engage the glass container; characterised in that the tongs are guided by a plurality of angled guides that are inclined relative to said plane or axis.

2. A part according to any preceding claim; wherein at least a part of each tong moves along, within, or against, said guide during engagement and/or disengagement of a container.

3. A part according to claim 1 or claim 2; wherein the tongs are slidably mounted relative to said guides.

4. A part according to any preceding claim; wherein the plane or axis along which the engagers move to engage the container is substantially horizontal.

5. A part according to any preceding claim; wherein the guides are in the form of guide tracks, guide ramps, guide channels, guide grooves, guide recesses and/or guide surfaces.

6. A part according to any preceding claim; wherein the guides are inclined at an angle of at least 10° relative to said plane or axis.

7. A part according to claim wherein the guides are inclined at an angle of less than 80° relative to said plane or axis.

8. A part according to any preceding claim that comprises a pair of opposed tongs.

9. A part according to any preceding claim wherein all of the angled guides for a given pair of tongs are located in or on a unitary component

10. A part according to claim 9; wherein said unitary component is a guide block.

1 1. A part according to claim 10 comprising four angled guides

12. A part according to claim 1 1 ; wherein the four angled guides comprise two pairs of angled guides, with one pair sloping in an opposite direction to the other

13. A part according to any of claims 9 to 12; wherein said unitary component is located within a housing.

14. A part according to claim 12; wherein the housing comprises elongate channels that cooperate with the guides to control the movement of the tongs

15. A part according to claim 14; wherein the channels are substantially parallel with one another and with the plane or axis along which the engagers move to engage the container.

16. A part according to any of claims 1 to 8; wherein the angled guides for a given pair of tongs are located in or on a plurality of guide members.

17. A part according to claim 16; wherein the plurality of guide members is a pair of opposing guide plates.

18. A part according to claim 17; wherein the guides of opposing guide plates slope in opposite directions

19. A part according to any of claims 16 to 18; wherein each guide is on the form of an angled channel or groove shaped to receive a part of the tong.

20. A part according to any preceding claim that is arranged to move said engagers towards each other during engagement of the container by means of a force applied through said shaft and/or that is arranged to move said engagers away from each other during disengagement from the container.

21. A part according to claim 20 that comprises a resiliently deformable member.

22. A part according to claim 21 ; wherein disengagement is facilitated by a reaction of the resiliently deformable member following compression thereof.

23. A part according to claim 21 or 22; wherein said resiliently deformable member is a spring.

24. A part according to claim any of preceding claim comprising a reciprocating piston that is located in the shaft and is used to facilitate engagement of the engagers with the container and/or disengagement of the engagers from the container.

25. A part according to claim 24; wherein the piston is operably linked to one or more guides as described in any preceding claim.

26. A part according to claim 25; wherein the piston is operably linked to the one or more guide members via at least one connector.

27. A part according to claim 26; wherein the at least one connector is in the form of a pin, screw, bolt, chain, arm, clamp, clip, tie, fastener, rivet or a plurality thereof.

28. A part according to claim 26 or 27; wherein the connector is releasable.

29. A part comprising a piston according to any of claims 23 to 27; wherein the piston acts on a resiliently deformable member and the resiliently deformable member reacts on the piston following compression of said member so as to facilitate return of the piston after operation thereof.

30. A part according to claim 29; wherein the resiliently deformable member is as described in any of claims 21 to 23.

31. A part according to any preceding claim comprising one or more sliders operably linked to the one or more tongs.

32. A part according to claim 31 ; wherein said one or more sliders are mounted on one or more rails.

33. A part according to claim 31 or 32; wherein the one or more sliders are arranged to move substantially horizontally when the part is in use.

34. A part according to any preceding claim; wherein the engagers are shaped to engage the neck of the container.

35. A part according to any preceding claim; wherein each engager has at least one finger.

36. A part according to claim 35; wherein each engager has a plurality of fingers.

37. A part according to any preceding claim; wherein the engagers comprise material that is resistant to hot or molten glass or are releasably attached to such material when in use.

38. A part according to claim 37 wherein said material is in the form of a heat resistant, coating, layer, insert, attachment, shield, cover, or liner.

39. A part according to any of claims 1 to 38; wherein each engager is releasably secured to a tong.

40. A part according to any of claims 1 to 38; wherein each tong comprises an engager as a fixed, integrated part thereof.

41. A part according to any preceding claim that is a take-out tong holder.

42. A part according to any preceding claim that is a take-out tong cartridge.

43. A part according to any preceding claim that is attached to a take-out head.

44. A part according to any preceding claim that is operably linked to a take-out tong arm.

45. A part according to any preceding claim that is operably linked to a pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical and/or electrical system.

46. A part according to any preceding claim that is a part of a glass container

manufacturing machine and/or or a glass container manufacturing factory.

47. A part according to any preceding claim that is a part of an IS machine.

48. A part according to any preceding claim that is a spare part.

49. A method comprising attaching a part according to any of claims 1 to 47 to a take-out head.

50. A method comprising using a machine having a part according to any of claims 1 to 48 to move a glass container from one position to another.

51. A method according to claim 50; wherein said glass container is a newly formed glass container.

52. A method according to claim 50 or 51 ; wherein said container is moved to a dead-plate or to a conveyor.

53. A kit comprising a part according to any of claims 1 to 48, said kit optionally further comprising one or more of the following:

a) instructions for use thereof;

b) means for attaching the part to a take-out head;

c) means for attaching the part to one or more glass container engagers;

d) one or more glass container engagers;

e) one or more tools for attaching or releasing said part;

f) one or more further parts according to any of claims 1 to 48;

g) a container for the components of the kit.

54. A kit according to claim 53; wherein said instructions are instructions for using said part in a method according to any of claims 50 to 52.

55. One or more tongs shaped for use in a part according to any of claims 1 to 48.

56. One or more guide members shaped for use in a part as described in any of claims 1 to 48 and/or shaped for use with one or more tongs as described in claim 55.

57 One or more guide members as described in any of claims 16 to 19.

58. One or more guide members according to claim 56 or 57 that are in the form of one or more guide blocks or guide plates.

59. A combination of one or more tongs according to claim 55 and one or more guide members according to any of claims 56 to 58; wherein the one or more tongs engage one or one or more guides of the one or more guide members.

60. A combination according to claim 59; wherein the one or more tongs are positioned to slide along the one or more guides of the one or more guide members.

61. A kit comprising one or more tongs according to claim 55 and/or one or more guide members according to any of claims 56 to 58; said kit optionally further comprising one or more of the following:

e) a container for the components of the kit.

62. A take-out tong head, a glass container transfer apparatus, a glass container manufacturing machine or a glass container manufacturing factory comprising a part according to any of claims 1 to 48.

63. An IS machine comprising a part according to any of claims I to 48.

64. The invention as substantially hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings and/or examples.