Support for a glass hollow article forming machine, equipped with a means for injecting ventilated air into the parison conveying channels.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a channel support (20) for a glass hollow article forming machine (9), comprising a first support piece (27), a first permanent stirrup (31) assembled to the first support piece (27) and having a first housing zone (42) dimensioned to receive a downstream end segment of a first channel having a first cross-section S1 in a transverse plane. The first permanent stirrup (31) comprises a base (41) provided with a first opening (43) leading into the first housing zone (42). The invention also relates to a glass hollow article forming machine (9) equipped with such a channel support (20). Figure for the abstract: Figure 7

Description

Title of the invention: Support for a glass hollow article forming machine, equipped with a means for injecting ventilated air into the parison conveying channels. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing hollow glass articles, and relates particularly to a corridor support of a machine for forming hollow glass articles, called the IS machine.

[0002] The present invention aims to optimize the delivery of molten glass droplets, also called parisons, to the roughing molds of the IS machine sections, via channels, while not impacting the channel changeover time during a production modification.

[0003] The present invention also aims to optimize the adaptation time of the IS machine during a change in the manufacture of hollow glass articles requiring a modification of the size and / or number of lanes. State of the art

[0004] A manufacturing plant for hollow glass articles, hereinafter referred to as the "plant," traditionally comprises a mixing station in which the raw materials (sand, limestone, sodium carbonate, cullet, recycled glass, etc.) that make up the glass are mixed in proportions defined according to the type of glass desired. The plant includes a furnace into which the mixture of raw materials is poured, the mixture being melted at temperatures generally between 1300°C and 1550°C. The molten glass is then conveyed by means of channels (called "feeders") to machines for forming hollow glass articles (called "IS machines"), adjusting the temperature of the molten glass so that it is at a suitable working viscosity and a homogeneous temperature at the time of the formation of the glass droplets, also called parisons.Each channel (or feeder) terminates in a trough and a parison-forming mechanism that cuts the parisons to a defined weight at rates of up to four hundred parisons per minute (400 parisons / minute). The IS machine is composed of several sections, generally ranging from six to twelve. The parisons exiting the parison-forming mechanism are conveyed to the sections of the IS machine, notably via channels. Each section includes a roughing device that forms one or more blanks of hollow glass articles, which are then transferred to a finishing device for final shaping. One or more hollow glass articles. The roughing device comprises one or more roughing molds, and the finishing device comprises one or more finishing molds. The number of roughing molds on the roughing device and the number of finishing molds on the finishing device can reach four for certain products, particularly small hollow glass articles. The roughing mold and the finishing mold each consist of two mold parts, an actuation mechanism for opening the two mold parts to release the article blank or the finished article, and for closing them to form the article blank in the roughing mold or the finished article in the finishing mold.The transfer of the blank from the roughing mold to the finishing mold is carried out by an articulated transfer arm which grasps the blank once the sections of the roughing mold are opened and moves it between the open sections of the finishing mold, before closing said sections of the finishing mold to complete the hollow glass article. The finished hollow glass article is then transferred onto a conveyor to be transported to an annealing arch where the hollow glass articles are cooled under controlled conditions to prevent embrittlement due to excessively rapid temperature changes.

[0005] Each channel has its upstream end engaged on a support, also called a spider, said upstream end being fed with parison from an angled trough, also called a SCOOP. Each channel further has its downstream end supported by a fork mounted on a support arm, the fork comprising a U-shaped housing area that receives the downstream end section of the channel and holds it in front of a deflector allowing the parison to be transferred from the channel outlet into a funnel enabling the introduction of the parison into a mold of the roughing device. The number of channels and, therefore, of support arms depends on the number of roughing molds on the roughing device.Similarly, the cross-section of these channels in a transverse section plane depends on the number of roughing molds on the roughing device; a roughing device comprising a single roughing mold allows the production of a larger hollow glass article than a hollow glass article manufactured using a roughing device comprising two, three or four roughing molds, and therefore requires a larger parison, necessitating an increase in the cross-section of the channel so that the parison can slide properly in the channel.

[0006] During a production changeover involving the replacement of roughing and finishing devices on the sections, each comprising, for example, two molds, with others comprising, for example, only one mold, or vice versa, this requires replacing the forks on the support arms, which must have a housing area adapted to the cross-section of the corridor. This operation is tedious and requires considerable time to adapt the IS machine for the production change since this must be done for each lane.

[0007] The channels on the IS machine can also present a problem of parison slippage, causing the formation of cullet-type deposits inside these channels and, consequently, their fouling affecting the distribution rate of parisons to the roughing devices on the sections and also on the temperature of the distributed parisons, which can cause defects in the manufactured hollow glass articles. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention has as its primary objective to facilitate the sliding of parisons in the corridors and to prevent their fouling, without impacting the adaptation time of the IS machine during a production change requiring the replacement of the corridors.

[0009] A second objective of the present invention is to facilitate the adaptation of the IS machine during a change in production requiring the replacement of the corridors to adapt them to the size of the parisons distributed by the roughing devices on the sections of the IS machine.

[0010] These objectives are achieved by means of the invention, which relates firstly to a channel support for a machine for forming hollow glass articles, comprising a first support piece and a first permanent stirrup assembled to the first support piece and having a first housing zone dimensioned to receive a downstream end section of a first channel having a first cross-section S1 in a transverse plane. A channel having a U-shaped cross-section in a transverse plane is understood to mean that the channel has the shape of a gutter, the shape of this gutter in a transverse plane being more or less that of a "U", this shape of the U being able, of course, to vary slightly and, for example, to have bevels. Furthermore, according to the invention, the first permanent stirrup comprises a base having a first opening leading into the first housing zone.This design allows for the passage of a ventilated airflow that will supply the corridor placed on the corridor support, as will be detailed below.

[0011] Preferably, according to this embodiment, the corridor support includes a sealing element arranged around the first mouth on the bottom of the first permanent stirrup, in the first housing zone.

[0012] Preferably, according to this embodiment, the corridor support comprises a first connector arranged under the first permanent bracket and connected to the first mouth, said first connector being configured to allow the connection of an air circuit.

[0013] Preferably, according to this embodiment, the corridor support comprises a first adjustment device arranged between the first support piece and the first permanent bracket. The first adjustment device is configured to modify the vertical position of said permanent bracket, thereby adapting the position of the downstream end section of the corridor relative to the deflector that receives the parison at the exit of said corridor. Thus, the adjustment device allows for optimal adaptation of the installation during a corridor change on the IS machine.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the corridor support comprises a second support piece and a second permanent stirrup assembled to the second support piece and having a third housing zone dimensioned to receive a downstream end segment of a second corridor having a second cross-section S2 in a transverse section plane. Furthermore, the second permanent stirrup includes a second base with a second opening leading into the third housing zone.This design allows the corridor support to receive two corridors having a second section S2 in a cross-section plane, one of the two second corridors having its downstream end section housed in the first permanent stirrup fixed to the first support piece, either directly or via a removable stirrup, as will be detailed below, and the other of the two second corridors having its downstream end housed in the second permanent stirrup fixed to the second support piece.

[0015] Preferably, according to this embodiment, the corridor support includes a second sealing element arranged around the second mouth on the second bottom of the second permanent stirrup, in the third housing zone.

[0016] Preferably, according to this embodiment, the corridor support includes a second connector arranged under the second permanent bracket and connected to the second outlet, said second connector being configured to allow the connection of an air circuit.

[0017] Preferably, according to this embodiment, the first support piece and the second support piece are two independent pieces mounted on two support arms independent of the corridor support. Alternatively, the first support piece and the second support piece could consist of a single piece mounted on a single support arm.

[0018] Preferably, according to this embodiment, the corridor support includes a second adjustment device arranged between the second support piece and the second permanent bracket. This second adjustment device is configured to modify the height position of said permanent bracket, thereby allowing the position of the section to be adapted. at the downstream end of the corridor relative to the deflector that receives the parison at the exit of said corridor. Thus, the adjustment device allows for optimal adaptation of the installation when changing corridors on the IS machine.

[0019] In a basic version of the corridor support, the first section SI and the second section S2 are identical. In other words, the first permanent stirrup and the second permanent stirrup are identical, these allowing the reception of the downstream end sections of two conduits having the same cross-section (SI and S2 identical).

[0020] In an improved and preferred version, the corridor support includes a removable stirrup whose external shape is complementary to the first housing zone, allowing it to be positioned within said first housing zone and the removable stirrup to be mounted within the first permanent stirrup. Furthermore, said removable stirrup includes a second housing zone dimensioned to receive a downstream end segment of a second corridor having a second cross-section S2 in a transverse plane, the second cross-section S2 being smaller than the first cross-section SI.In other words, the first permanent stirrup and the second permanent stirrup have different dimensions, the first stirrup allowing either the reception of a downstream end section of a first corridor or, when the removable stirrup is placed in the first permanent stirrup, the reception of a downstream end section of a second corridor, the second permanent stirrup allowing the reception of a downstream end section of a second corridor.

[0021] According to this embodiment of the channel support, the removable stirrup comprises an open bottom configured so that the first opening leads into the second housing zone when the removable stirrup is placed in the first permanent stirrup. An open bottom means that the removable stirrup may have no material in its base, i.e., be completely open, or that the removable stirrup may have a second opening that aligns with the first opening on the bottom of the first permanent stirrup when the removable stirrup is placed in said first permanent stirrup. A second sealing element may also be arranged around the second opening on a bottom of the removable stirrup, in the second housing zone, in the presence of such a second opening on a bottom of the removable stirrup.This design allows for the passage of a ventilated airflow that will supply the corridor placed on the corridor support, as will be detailed below.

[0022] Variants of the corridor support embodiment may provide for duplicating one, two or even three times all or parts of the characteristics described above and which are the subject of the invention.

[0023] The invention also relates to a machine for forming hollow glass articles, referred to as the IS machine, which comprises at least one channel support having one or both of the aforementioned characteristics. Preferably, the IS machine comprises between two and sixteen corridor supports, one for each section of said IS machine. Insofar as a roughing device of a section can include between one and four roughing molds, each corridor support can duplicate the characteristics of the invention in order to receive the downstream end sections of four corridors.

[0024] According to a first embodiment of the IS machine, each corridor support comprises the aforementioned features with at least one removable stirrup placed in the first permanent stirrup and a second permanent stirrup. Furthermore, the IS machine comprises as many first corridors as corridor supports, each first corridor having its downstream end section positioned in the first housing zone, the removable stirrup being removed from the first permanent stirrup. Moreover, each first corridor has, in its downstream end section, a third access opening to an air circulation channel which opens onto outlet ports arranged along an internal wall of said first corridor, said third opening communicating with the first opening when the downstream end section of the first corridor is placed in the first housing zone.Thus, when ventilated air is injected into the first opening on the first permanent stirrup, this ventilated air enters the air circulation channel through the third opening which communicates with the first opening; the ventilated air propagates through the air circulation channel and exits into the first channel along its entire length, through its inner wall. This ventilated air in the first channel improves the gliding of the parison within it.

[0025] According to a second embodiment of the IS machine, each lane support comprises the aforementioned features with at least one removable stirrup placed in the first permanent stirrup and a second permanent stirrup. In addition, the IS machine comprises as many pairs of second lanes as there are lane supports, each pair of second lanes having a downstream end section of one of the two second lanes positioned in the second housing zone of the removable stirrup placed in the first permanent stirrup and a downstream end section of the other of the two second lanes positioned in the third housing zone of the second permanent stirrup.Furthermore, each second corridor has, in its downstream end section, a fourth access opening to an air circulation duct that opens onto outlets located along an internal wall of said second corridor. This fourth opening communicates with the first opening when the downstream end section of the second corridor is located in the second housing zone, and with the second opening when the downstream end section of the second corridor is located in the third housing zone. Thus, when ventilated air is injected into the first opening on the first permanent stirrup and into the second opening on the second permanent stirrup, this ventilated air enters the air circulation ducts through the fourth openings. which communicate with the first mouth and respectively with the second mouth; the ventilated air propagates through the air circulation channels and exits into the second channels along their entire length, through their internal walls. This ventilated air in the second channels improves the gliding of the parisons within them.

[0026] Thanks to this design of the corridor support, with mouths, and to this design of corridors, with ventilated air circulation channels, the corridor change time is optimal since it is sufficient to position the downstream end section of the corridor in the housing area of ​​the stirrup for it to be supplied with ventilated air, the connection of the mouth on the permanent stirrup not having to be modified on the corridor support during a production change requiring a replacement of the corridors. Brief description of the figures

[0027] The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is supported by figures, including:

[0028] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates an installation for manufacturing hollow glass articles;

[0029] [Fig.2] illustrates a machine for forming hollow glass articles;

[0030] [Fig.3] illustrates pairs of corridors and corridor supports which respectively receive the downstream end sections of the two corridors of each pair of corridors;

[0031] [Fig.4] illustrates a corridor support according to a preferred embodiment, said corridor support receiving the downstream end sections of two corridors;

[0032] [Fig.5] alone illustrates the corridor support of [Fig.4];

[0033] [Fig.6] illustrates, from a first point of view, a first support piece on which is mounted a first permanent stirrup, in which is housed a removable stirrup;

[0034] [Fig.7] illustrates, from the first viewpoint, the first support piece on which the first permanent stirrup is mounted, without the removable stirrup;

[0035] [Fig.8] illustrates the removable stirrup;

[0036] [Fig.9] illustrates from another point of view the elements of [Fig.6], with in addition a first sealing element placed around a first mouth;

[0037] [Fig. 10] illustrates from another point of view the elements of [Fig.6], with in addition a first connector for the connection of a ventilated air circuit;

[0038] [Fig. 11] illustrates, from a first viewpoint, a second support piece on which a second permanent stirrup is mounted;

[0039] [Fig. 12] illustrates from another point of view the elements of [Fig. 11], with in addition a second sealing element placed around a second mouth;

[0040] [Fig. 13] illustrates from another viewpoint the elements of [Fig. 11], with in add a second connector for connecting a ventilated air circuit;

[0041] [Fig. 14] illustrates in cross-section a downstream end section of a corridor placed in a second permanent bracket of the corridor support. Detailed description

[0042] In the rest of the description, unless otherwise indicated: the same references are used to designate the same characteristics in the figures and according to the various variants illustrated, without any particular indication in the text; the machine for forming hollow glass articles is designated "IS machine"; the hollow glass article is designated "article"; and the installation for manufacturing hollow glass articles is designated "installation".

[0043] The terms "top", "bottom", "upper", and "lower" that may be used shall be used with regard to the normal position of the elements on the IS machine, as installed on the plant. Furthermore, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" that shall be used shall be used with regard to the normal flow of parisons in the corridors.

[0044] With regard to [Fig.1], the installation 1 includes a mixing station 2 where the raw materials (sand, limestone, sodium carbonate, cullet, recycled glass ...) which go into the composition of the glass are mixed, a furnace 3 allowing the mixture of raw materials to be melted, the molten glass obtained generally being at a temperature of the order of 1300°C to 1550°C. This molten glass is then conveyed by means of a channel 4 which terminates in a mechanism 5 for forming parisons 6 and distributing these parisons 6 into channels 7 which respectively supply parisons 6 to sections 8 of the IS 9 machine. The number of channels 7 is proportional to the number of sections 8 on the IS 9 machine and to the number of articles 10 manufactured simultaneously on a section 8. The articles 10 are then transferred from the sections 8 onto a conveyor 11 which transports said articles 10 to an annealing arch 12 for their controlled cooling.The number of sections 8 on the IS 9 machine can vary. For example, six sections 8 are shown schematically in [Fig. 1], while the IS 9 machine in [Fig. 2] has twelve sections 8. The number of sections 8 on the IS 9 machine could be eight or ten, or even another number.

[0045] In the example described, each section 8 allows the simultaneous manufacture of two articles 10, the roughing device 13 (illustrated on only one of the sections 8 on the IS 9 machine, in [Fig. 2]) of each section 8 comprising two roughing molds (not illustrated in detail) and therefore being supplied with parisons 6 by two channels 14, 15 illustrated in Figures 2 to 4. In [Fig. 2], twelve pairs of channels 16 supply so respectively in parisons 6 the twelve sections 8. On the [Fig.3], only ten pairs of corridors 16 are illustrated, the IS 9 machine having in this case ten sections 8 (not illustrated on the [Fig.3]). In relation to figures 2 and 3, the corridors 14, 15 have their upstream end sections 14a, 15a which are mounted on a distributing device 17 comprising two movable curved gutters 18, 19 - also called SCOOPs - which distribute the parisons 6 formed respectively to the two corridors 14, 15 of each pair of corridors 16. On each pair of corridors 16, the corridors 14, 15 also have their downstream end sections 14b, 15b which are received by a corridor support 20. In [Fig.2], the IS 9 machine therefore comprises twelve corridor supports 20, one per section 8, while it has ten in [Fig.3].The pairs of corridors 16 and the corridor supports 20 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a median plane PM on the IS 9 machine; the corridors 14, 15 of the pairs of corridors 16 therefore have different lengths depending on their positions with respect to said median plane PM, as shown in particular in [Fig. 3]. The downstream end sections 14b, 15b of the two corridors 14, 15 are juxtaposed respectively to two deflectors 21, 22 for each section 8, these two deflectors 21, 22 allowing the routing of the parisons 6 into the roughing device 13, as is already known on traditional IS machines.

[0046] Figures 4 and 5 show in detail the corridor support 20 according to a preferred design, [Fig.4] also showing in more detail the two corridors 14, 15 of a pair of corridors 16.The channel support 20 comprises two support arms 23, 24 which are mounted respectively on two support rods 25, 26 attached to the structure of the IS 9 machine and allowing the height position of the support arms 23, 24 to be adjusted in order to take into account the different lengths of the channels and the slopes to be respected for these channels and to properly position the deflectors 21, 22 in relation to the two funnels (not illustrated) of the roughing device 13 which, given the presence of a pair of channels 16, allows the simultaneous manufacture of two articles 10 by means of two roughing molds (not illustrated) on the roughing device 13 and finishing molds on the finishing device (not illustrated), as mentioned previously, the said deflectors 21, 22 being also supported by the support arms 23, 24, as shown in [Fig.3]. These two support arms 23,24 each include a support piece 27, 28 having a plate 29, 30..

[0047] Referring to Figures 4 to 10, a first permanent bracket 31 is mounted on the first plate 29 of the first support piece 27 by means of a first adjustment device 32 allowing the first permanent bracket 31 to be moved vertically in the direction of the double arrow Fl relative to the first plate 29. This adjustment device 32 is operated by means of a slot 33 on the first plate 29 and a guide piece 34 mounted in a sliding connection in the direction of the double arrow Fl with respect to the lateral edges 33a, 33b of this slot 33. This guide piece 34 is mounted on a worm screw 35 equipped with an adjusting head 36 which can be manipulated to rotate said worm screw 35 in one direction or the other and thus move the guide piece 34 up or down inside the slot 33. A proximal side wall 37 of the first permanent bracket 31 is fixed to the guide piece 34. The first permanent bracket 31 also includes a distal side wall 38, an upstream wall 39, a downstream wall 40, and a first bottom 41 which, together with the proximal side wall 37, define a first housing area 42. In a section plane PI, this first housing area 42 has the shape of a U in which a channel having a first U-shaped section SI can be placed. The first bottom 41 includes a first mouth 43 which preferably has an oblong shape.Under this first base 41, a first connector 44 is connected to the first mouth 43, this first connector allowing the connection of a ventilated air circuit (not illustrated).

[0048] Referring to Figures 4 to 10, a removable stirrup 45 is placed in the first permanent stirrup 31, within its first housing zone 42. The removable stirrup 45 comprises a proximal side wall 46, a distal side wall 47, an upstream wall 48, and a downstream wall 49, which define a second housing zone 50. In a section plane P2, this second housing zone 50 is U-shaped, in which a channel with a second U-shaped cross-section S2 can be placed. The upstream walls 48 and downstream walls 49 include tabs 51 that engage respectively in notches 52 on the bottom 41 of the first permanent stirrup 1, thereby locking the removable stirrup 45 placed in the first housing zone 42 of the first permanent stirrup 31.Other locking means could be provided between the removable stirrup 45 and the first permanent stirrup 31, for example lugs (not shown) arranged in place of tabs 51 which engage or snap into holes (not shown) arranged in place of notches 52, or even a fit of the external shape of the removable stirrup 45 inside the first housing zone 42 of the first permanent stirrup 31. In the embodiment illustrated here, in particular in [Fig.8], the removable stirrup 45 does not have a bottom, which leaves the bottom 41 of the first permanent stirrup 31 visible in the second housing zone 50 of the removable stirrup 45 placed in said first permanent stirrup 31.In an alternative not shown, the removable stirrup 45 could have a base and mouthpiece identical to the first mouthpiece 43 on the base 41 of the first permanent stirrup 31 and corresponding with it when the removable stirrup 45 is placed in the first permanent stirrup 31.

[0049] Opposite figures 4, 5 to 11 to 13, a second permanent bracket 53 is mounted on the second plate 30 of the second support piece 28 by means of a second device an adjustment device 54 for moving the second permanent bracket 53 vertically in the direction of the double arrow F2 relative to the second plate 29. This adjustment device 53 is preferably identical to the adjustment device 32 implemented between the first plate 29 and the first permanent bracket 31 and comprises a slot 55 arranged on the second plate 30 and a guide piece 56 mounted in a sliding connection in the direction of the double arrow F2 relative to the lateral edges 55a, 55b of this slot 55. The guide piece 56 is mounted on a worm screw 57 equipped with an adjustment head 57a which can be manipulated to rotate the worm screw 57 in one direction or the other and thus move the guide piece 56 upwards or downwards within the slot 55. A proximal lateral wall 58 of the second permanent bracket 53 is fixed to the guide piece. 56.The second permanent stirrup 53 also includes a distal side wall 59, an upstream wall 60, a downstream wall 61, and a second base 62 which, together with the proximal side wall 58, define a third housing zone 63. In a cross-sectional plane P3, this third housing zone 63 has a U-shape in which a channel with a second cross-section S2 can be placed, as with the removable stirrup 45. The second base 62 includes a second opening 64, which is preferably oblong in shape. Below this second base 62, a second connector 65 is connected to the second opening 43; this second connector 65 allows the connection of a ventilated air circuit (not shown).

[0050] With regard to [Fig.9], a first sealing member 66 is positioned on the first bottom 41 of the first permanent bracket 31 and placed in the second housing zone 50 of the removable bracket 45 when the latter is placed in the first housing zone 42 of the first permanent bracket 31, as previously specified. When the removable stirrup 45 is removed from the first permanent stirrup 31, this sealing element 66 remains present on the first bottom 41 and is placed in the first housing zone 42 of said first permanent stirrup 31. The first sealing element 66 is preferably made of a stainless steel braid 67 which is welded or glued to the periphery 68 (referenced figures 6 and 7) of the first mouth 43 arranged on the first bottom 4L. Other first sealing elements could be provided in place of the braid 67, for example a gasket of similar shape to the braid 67, but made of fluorinated rubber or a braided fabric of ceramic fibers.

[0051] Similarly, as illustrated in [Fig. 12], a second sealing element 69 is positioned on the second bottom 62 of the second permanent stirrup 53 and placed in the third housing zone 63 of said second permanent stirrup 53. The second sealing element 69 preferably consists of a stainless steel braid 70 which is welded or bonded to the periphery 71 (referenced in Figures 6 and 7) of the second opening 64 arranged on the second bottom 62. Other first sealing elements could be intended as a replacement for braid 70, for example a seal of similar shape to braid 67, but made of fluorinated rubber or a woven fabric of ceramic fibers.

[0052] Figure 14 shows in particular the downstream end section 15b of the conduit 15 of the pair of conduits 16, located in the third housing zone 63 of the second permanent stirrup 53. The conduit 15 comprises an internal wall 72 in the shape of a gutter and a channel 73 which extends along the length of the conduit 15, under this internal wall 72. The channel 73 communicates with the internal wall 72 in the shape of a gutter via small outlet ports 74. The channel 73 comprises an opening 75 which communicates with the second opening 64 on the second permanent stirrup 53 receiving said downstream end section 15b. The second sealing element 69 is in contact with an external wall 76 of the conduit 15, around the mouth 75 of the channel 73. Thus, the ventilated air enters the second connector 65 and propagates in the channel 73, along the entire length of the conduit 15, then exits through the outlet ports 74 on the gutter-shaped internal wall 72.The second sealing element 69 prevents ventilated air leaks between the second permanent stirrup 53 and the downstream end section 15b of the corridor 15. The presence of ventilated air on the inner wall 72 of the duct 15 facilitates the sliding of the parison 6 in the corridor.

[0053] The two conduits 14, 15 of a pair of conduits 16 are identical, all the conduits 14, 15 of the pairs of conduits 16 having in a transverse section plane (perpendicular to the length of the conduits 14, 15) a U-shaped section S2 having dimensions adapted to the U-shape on the second housing zone 50 of the removable bracket 45 placed in the first housing zone 42 of the first permanent bracket 31 and to the U-shape on the third housing zone 63 of the second permanent bracket 53. The principle of setting up the downstream end section 15b of the second conduit 15 of the pair of conduits 16, described previously with regard to [Fig.14], applies equally to the downstream end section 14b of the first conduit 14 of the pair of conduits 16 placed in the second housing zone 50 of the removable stirrup 45 disposed in the first housing zone 42 of the first permanent stirrup 31, the first sealing element 66 then being compressed between the first bottom 41 of the first permanent stirrup 31 and the outer wall 77 of the first channel 14, which ensures the seal between the removable stirrup 45 placed in the first permanent stirrup 31 and the downstream end section 14b of the first conduit 14. The ventilated air enters the first connector 44 and propagates in the channel (not shown), along the entire length of the conduit 14 and exits through the outlet ports (not shown) on the inner wall (not shown) in the shape of a gutter of said conduit 14. .

[0054] The installation of the conduits 14, 15 of each pair of conduits 16 is easily carried out on the IS 9 machine, since it is sufficient to engage the upstream end sections 14a, 15a of the conduits 14, 15 on the distributing device 17 and to engage the sections downstream end sections 14b, 15b of said corridors 14, 15 respectively in the removable stirrup 45 placed in the first permanent stirrup 31 and in the second permanent stirrup 53, the connection in ventilated air via the first and second connectors 44, 65 being made instantaneously during this engagement of the downstream end sections 14b, 15b in the removable stirrup 45 and in the second permanent stirrup 53.

[0055] The IS 9 machine can be easily adapted during a production change for the manufacture of larger articles 10 with adapted sections 8 on which each roughing device 13 is then designed to manufacture only one article 10 blank at a time (roughing device 13 having a single roughing mold), thus requiring only one adapted channel to feed the roughing device 13 with larger parisons 6. In this case, the channel has a design similar to that of the two channels 14, 15 of each pair of channels 16, but it has, in a cross-sectional plane, a U-shaped section SI that is larger than the U-shaped section S2 of said two channels 14, 15. The design of the channel support 20 according to the invention advantageously allows the downstream end section of the channel with section SI to be received without modification of said channel support 20.It is sufficient to remove the removable bracket 45 from the first permanent bracket 31, said first permanent bracket 31 having a first housing zone 42 dimensioned to receive said downstream end section of the SL section corridor. In this case, the sealing element 66 on the first base 41 of the first permanent bracket 31 is compressed by the downstream end section of the SI section corridor, thus ensuring airtightness during the circulation of ventilated air which enters through the first connector 44 and propagates in the channel of said corridor. In this case, the second permanent bracket 53 does not receive any corridor (it is not used).Conversely, when changing production to manufacture less bulky articles 10 with adapted sections 8 on which each roughing device 13 is then designed to manufacture two roughings of articles 10 at a time (roughing device 13 having two roughing molds), requiring the presence of a pair of channel 16 per section 8, it is sufficient to reposition the removable stirrup 45 in the first permanent stirrup 31 to return to the configuration described previously with regard to figures 2 to 14. .

[0056] Variants are conceivable within the framework of the invention. One could, in the extreme, provide a corridor support 20 with only one support piece 27, a first permanent stirrup 31 provided with a first mouth 43 and receiving the downstream end section of a corridor which includes a channel whose mouth communicates with the first mouth 43 when said downstream end section of the corridor is placed in the first housing zone 42 of said first permanent stirrup 31.

[0057] Within the framework of the invention, design variants are conceivable with a corridor support 20 which only includes the first support arm 23, with the first support piece 27, the first permanent bracket 31 and the removable bracket 45 being placed in said first permanent bracket 31, in order to allow its adaptation to receive a corridor of section SI in the absence of the removable bracket 45 or a corridor of section S2 in the presence of the removable bracket 45 in the first permanent bracket 31.

[0058] Within the framework of the invention, design variants are conceivable with a channel support 20 comprising two identical support arms 23, 24 corresponding to the support arm 23, i.e. by replacing the second permanent bracket 53 on the second support piece 28 with a first permanent bracket 31 also receiving a removable bracket 45. This design would allow two first channels having a cross-section SI on the channel support 20 or two second channels having a cross-section S2 on the channel support 20, for example to feed two roughing devices of different designs both allowing the simultaneous manufacture of two blanks of articles 10, but requiring parisons 6 of different sizes.In this case, it would also be possible to provide several sets of removable stirrups 31 capable of receiving the downstream end sections of the corridors 14, 15 of corridor pairs 16 having different cross-sections S1, for example, a first set of removable stirrups 45 allowing the reception of corridors of cross-section S2, a second set of removable stirrups 45 allowing the reception of corridors of cross-section S3 and a set of removable stirrups 45 allowing the reception of corridors of cross-section S4. In this case, it would also be possible to duplicate the principle on design variants with a corridor support 20 having three or four identical support arms and corresponding to the support arm 23.

[0059] Within the framework of the invention, design variants are conceivable with a corridor support 20 which would allow the reception of the end sections of three or even four corridors having an identical section thanks to the presence of three or even four support arms on said corridor support 20, by cascading the implementation of the first support arm 23 and the second support arm 24 on the following ones.For example, the corridor support 20 could include a first support arm with a first permanent bracket allowing the reception of a corridor of section SI, a second arm with a second permanent bracket allowing the reception of a corridor of section S2, a third arm with a third permanent bracket allowing the reception of a corridor of section S3, a fourth arm with a fourth permanent bracket allowing the reception of a corridor of section S4, a removable bracket that can be placed in the first permanent bracket and allowing the reception of a corridor of section S2, a set of two removable brackets that can be placed respectively in the first and second permanent brackets and allowing. the reception of S3 section corridors and, a set of three removable stirrups that can be placed respectively in the first, second and third permanent stirrups and allowing the reception of S4 section corridors.

[0060] The IS machine also includes a ventilation device to create ventilated air and circuits connected to the connectors 44, 65 under the permanent brackets 31, 53, for the case of embodiment of the corridor support 20 of figures 3 to 13, or for any other design variant within the scope of the invention.

[0061] In a possible variant, the first and second permanent stirrups 31 and 53 could be supported by the same support piece mounted on the same support rod, which would however offer less freedom in the positioning of the deflectors 21, 22 vis-à-vis the roughing device 13 on each section 8.

Claims

Demands

1. A channel support (20) of a machine (9) for forming hollow glass articles (10), characterized in that it comprises a first support piece (27), a first permanent bracket (31) assembled to the first support piece (27) and having a housing area (42) dimensioned to receive a downstream end segment of a first channel having a first cross-section SI in a transverse plane and having in its downstream end segment an access opening to an air circulation channel arranged on said channel, the first permanent bracket (31) comprising a bottom (41) provided with an opening (43) opening into the housing area (42), said opening (43) on the bottom (41) of the first permanent bracket (31) being configured to communicate with the opening on the downstream end segment of the first channel when the housing area (42) receives said downstream end segment of the first corridor.

2. Corridor support (20) according to claim 1, which includes a sealing element (66) arranged around the mouth (43) on the bottom (41) of the first permanent stirrup (31), in the housing area (42), so as to ensure sealing between the mouth (43) on the bottom (41) of the first permanent stirrup (31) and the mouth on the downstream end section of the first corridor when the housing area (42) receives the downstream end section of the first corridor.

3. Corridor support (20) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, which includes a first connector (44) arranged under the first permanent bracket (31) and connected to the mouth (43) on the bottom (41) of the first permanent bracket (31), said first connector (44) being configured to allow the connection of an air circuit.

4. Corridor support (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which includes a first adjustment device (32) arranged between the first support piece (27) and the first permanent bracket (31), said first adjustment device (32) being configured to change the height position of said first permanent bracket (31).

5. Corridor support (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which comprises a second support piece (28), a second permanent bracket (53) assembled to the second support piece (28) and comprising a housing area (63) dimensioned to receive a downstream end section (15b) of a second corridor (15) having a second section S2 in a cross-section plane, the second permanent stirrup (53) comprising a bottom (62) provided with an opening (64) leading into said housing area (63).

6. Corridor support (20) according to claim 5, which includes a second sealing member (69) arranged around the mouth (64) on the bottom (62) of the second permanent stirrup (53), in the housing area (63) of said second permanent stirrup (53).

7. Corridor support (20) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, which includes a second connector (65) arranged under the second permanent bracket (53) and connected to the mouth (64) on the bottom (62) of the second permanent bracket (53), said second connector (65) being configured to allow the connection of an air circuit.

8. Corridor support (20) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, which includes a second adjustment device (54) arranged between the second support piece (28) and the second permanent bracket (53), said second adjustment device (54) being configured to modify the height position of said second permanent bracket (53).

9. Corridor support (20) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the first permanent stirrup and the second permanent stirrup are identical.

10. Corridor support (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which includes a removable stirrup (45) whose external shape is complementary to the housing zone (42) of the first permanent stirrup (31) to be placed in said housing zone (42) and to mount the removable stirrup (45) in the first permanent stirrup (31), said removable stirrup (45) having a housing zone (50) dimensioned to receive a downstream end segment (14b) of a second corridor (14) having a second section S2 in a transverse cutting plane, the second section S2 being smaller than the first section SI.

11. Corridor support (20) according to claim 10, wherein the removable stirrup (45) comprises an open bottom configured so that the opening (43) on the bottom (41) of the first permanent stirrup (31) opens into the housing area (50) of the removable stirrup (45)

12.

13.

14. when said removable stirrup (45) is placed in the first permanent stirrup (31). Glass hollow article forming machine, referred to as machine IS (9), which includes at least one channel support (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, preferably between two and sixteen channel supports (20). IS machine (9) according to claim 12, wherein each corridor support (20) comprises at least the features of any one of claims 10 or 11, said IS machine (9) comprising as many first corridors as corridor supports (20), each first corridor having its downstream end section positioned in the housing area (42) of the first permanent stirrup (31), the removable stirrup (45) being removed from the first permanent stirrup (31), each first corridor having in its downstream end section an access opening to an air circulation channel which leads to outlet ports arranged along an internal wall of said first corridor,said mouth on the downstream end section of the first corridor communicating with the mouth (43) on the bottom (41) of the first permanent stirrup (31) when said downstream end section of the first corridor is placed in the housing area (42) of said first permanent stirrup (31). IS machine (9) according to claim 12, wherein each aisle support (20) comprises at least the features of any one of claims 10 or 11, said IS machine (9) comprising as many pairs of second aisles (16) as aisle supports (20), each pair of second aisles (16) having the downstream end section (14b) of one (14) of the two second aisles positioned in the housing area (50) of the removable stirrup (45) placed in the first permanent stirrup (31) and the downstream end section (15b) of the other (15) of the two second aisles positioned in the housing area (63) of the second permanent stirrup (53), each second aisle (14,15) comprises in its downstream end section (14b, 15b) an opening (75) providing access to an air circulation channel (73) which opens onto outlet ports (74) arranged along an internal wall (72) of said second corridor (14, 15), said opening (75) on the downstream end section (14b) of the second corridor (14) communicating with the opening (43) on the bottom (41) of the first permanent stirrup (31) when the, downstream end section (14b) of the second corridor (14) is placed in the housing area (50) of the removable stirrup (45) and said mouth (75) on the downstream end section (15b) of the second corridor (15) communicating with the mouth (64) on the bottom (62) of the second permanent stirrup (53) when the downstream end section (15b) of the second corridor (15) is placed in the housing area (63) of the second permanent stirrup (53).

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