Glass forming system and method for manufacturing two or more glass products from a glass blank

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glass forming system (1) for manufacturing two or more glass products from a glass blank (2), comprising: a transport unit (4) for transporting the glass blank (2), which has a grid structure (6), the grid structure having two or more process voids (12), the grid structure (6) being arranged and configured to hold the glass blank (2) vertically above the process voids (12); a forming device (13) having two or more forming units (16), the forming units each having an upper forming element and a lower forming element, the forming elements each being configured to form a cavity for shaping the glass blank (2), wherein the transport unit (4) can be arranged on the forming device (13) such that the forming units (16) can each move through one of the process voids (12) in order to press the glass blank (2) held by the grid structure (6) into the cavity (22).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a glass forming system for manufacturing two or more glass products from a glass blank, a transport unit for use in such a glass forming system, and a method for manufacturing two or more glass products from a glass blank. Background Art

[0002] Glass forming systems are generally known. For manufacturing glass products, such as optical devices, by thermoforming, multi-cavity tools are increasingly used. During heating of the glass blank, it is already placed on the lower forming tool, whereby the forming tool cannot be used for value-added forming activities for a large part of its service life. In addition, such an arrangement causes high cycle times. Furthermore, due to the heating of the blank, the forming tool is subject to high temperature fluctuations. Therefore, the forming tool has a higher wear and the tool life is reduced. The lower forming tool is usually coupled to the glass temperature, such that individual temperature control of the glass blank and the lower forming tool is not feasible or only limitedly feasible. In contrast, the upper forming tool is temperature-adjustable, however, the correct temperature control of the glass blank, the lower and the upper forming tools can usually only be set by a repetitive process.

[0003] A method often used in the prior art to avoid heating the glass blank on the lower forming tool consists in externally preheating the glass blank and moving it from a heating station to the forming tool by means of a handling process. For example, DE102019117756A1 describes the external heating of a glass blank, which is then placed on a rod-shaped support element of a forming device. The handling locally affects the glass body by means of a gripping imprint. In addition, the glass blank may be contaminated by dust and other particles during the handling process.

[0004] Furthermore, a shape-stable transport of the glass blank is required in order to be able to handle the glass blank with a low viscosity caused by high temperature without damage. Maintaining the shape of the glass blank during preheating and handling is necessary for manufacturing high-quality glass products in terms of quality.

[0005] The external preheating of the glass blank also requires a large-scale systematic construction. In particular, the provision of a handling unit with sensitive clamps for reducing gripping imprints is prone to technical failures, cost-intensive and requires regular and usually also large-scale maintenance or service.

[0006] Another disadvantage of external preheating is that the gripping imprints on the glass blank can only be predicted conditionally. In particular, the complex relationship between the gripping force, temperature and glass material results in the gripping imprints being able to be determined only statistically, so that the quality of the manufactured glass products is often unsatisfactory. In addition, the process is characterized by low efficiency because the manufactured glass products are subject to large-scale quality control. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a glass forming system and method for manufacturing two or more glass products from a glass blank, and a transport unit for use in such a glass forming system, which reduce or eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a solution that enables the manufacture of glass products of high quality in terms of quality. Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a solution that enables the provision of a glass blank without gripping marks.

[0008] This object is achieved by a glass forming system, a transport unit, and a method according to the present invention. Other advantageous designs of these aspects are given below. The features listed separately in the description can be combined with each other in any technically meaningful way, where other embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the initially mentioned object is achieved by a glass forming system for manufacturing two or more glass products from a glass blank, the glass forming system comprising: a transport unit for transporting the glass blank, the transport unit having a grid structure with two or more process voids, wherein the grid structure is arranged and configured to hold the glass blank vertically above the process voids; a forming device having two or more forming units, each forming unit having an upper forming element and a lower forming element, the forming elements each being configured to form a cavity for shaping the glass blank, wherein the transport unit can be arranged on the forming device such that the forming units can each move through one of the process voids in order to press the glass blank held by the grid structure into the cavity.

[0010] The present invention is particularly based on the recognition that if the glass blank is first heated by a conditioning device on the transport unit and then the glass blank is inserted into the forming device by the transport unit, the gripping process can be avoided. Thus, moving from the conditioning device to the forming device does not require gripping the glass blank, but only requires transferring the transport unit, thereby not causing gripping marks on the glass blank. The transfer of the transport unit is preferably achieved by a conditioned fixture.

[0011] Another advantage of the transport unit, which is typically heated to 400°C to 700°C in normal operation, is that the shape of the glass blank is substantially maintained, and it is expected that sagging of the heated glass blank will not occur.

[0012] The present invention is also based on the following understanding: The transport unit is arranged on the forming device such that the forming is substantially not affected by the transport unit. This is currently achieved in such a way that the forming unit, in particular the lower forming element of the forming unit, can move through the process free spaces of the grid structure. In other words, the transport unit can be lowered in the forming device such that the forming device can perform the forming process.

[0013] The glass forming system is configured to manufacture two or more glass products from a glass blank. Manufacturing from a glass blank especially means manufacturing from at least one glass blank, since two or more glass blanks can also be arranged on the transport unit and can be heated, transported and pressed in accordingly. For example, the glass product can be a wafer.

[0014] The glass forming system includes a transport unit. The transport unit is configured to transport glass blanks, in particular from the tempering device to the forming device. The transport unit includes a grid structure. The grid structure has two or more process free spaces.

[0015] The grid structure preferably includes two or more grid struts that are arranged such that process free spaces are formed. The grid struts are preferably oriented parallel and / or orthogonal to each other. For example, two grid struts oriented orthogonally to each other together form four process free spaces. The process free spaces preferably have a rectangular, and furthermore preferably square, opening cross-section. In addition, the process free spaces preferably have a honeycomb-shaped opening cross-section.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferably the case that the grid structure has a grid structure frame around the grid struts. The grid structure can also be configured such that two forming units can move through one process free space.

[0017] The forming device includes two or more forming units. The forming unit has an upper forming element and a lower forming element. Preferably, the upper forming element is formed at the upper forming device of the forming device. Furthermore preferably, the lower forming element is formed at the lower forming device of the forming device. The upper forming element and / or the lower forming element can, for example, be formed in one piece, in particular integrally, or can be formed in multiple pieces.

[0018] The upper forming element and the corresponding lower forming element are configured such that they form a cavity. For this purpose, the upper forming element preferably has a recessed area in a section facing the lower forming element, and / or the lower forming element has a recessed area in a section facing the upper forming element.

[0019] The forming units are preferably arranged side by side. For example, the forming units can be arranged in a line or a matrix. Usually, the glass blank needs to be arranged on the lower forming element of the forming unit.

[0020] In order to achieve the setting of the glass blank between the upper forming element and the lower forming element, it is proposed that the transport unit can be arranged on the forming device such that the forming unit can move through the process clearance respectively to press the glass blank held by the grid structure into the cavity. Therefore, the transport unit is arranged on the forming device together with the glass blank such that the forming unit, for example, the lower forming element of the lower forming unit, can move through the process clearance. Through the through movement, the glass blank is transferred from the grid structure to the lower forming element. Subsequently, the glass blank can be pressed into the cavity.

[0021] Preferably, the transport unit has no influence on the pressing. Alternatively, the transport unit can be configured and arranged such that it has a predetermined influence on the pressing. For example, this can be caused by the contact of the glass of the glass blank with the transport unit during the pressing. In addition, preferably, a clearance dimension is created between the transport unit and the forming unit. Alternatively, the upper forming element can also move through the process clearance.

[0022] Pressing the glass blank held by the grid structure into the cavity also means that a part of the glass blank is pressed in. Usually, a part of the glass blank is not actually pressed in the section between the two forming units. That is to say, the transport unit is arranged on the forming device such that the glass blank held by the grid structure is pressed into the cavity while the transport unit is arranged on the forming device. Before the pressing, it is not necessary to remove the transport unit.

[0023] A preferred embodiment variant of the glass forming system is characterized in that the transport unit is configured to transport the glass blank between the forming device and the conditioning device. For this purpose, the transport unit especially has the following material, which basically does not chemically bond with the glass during the preheating of the glass blank in the conditioning device and is basically dimensionally stable at high temperatures.

[0024] Furthermore, preferably, the transport unit has at least one operating section, which is arranged and configured to cooperate with the transport mechanism. Preferably, the operating section is configured as a planar protruding part.

[0025] A preferred improvement form of the glass forming system is characterized in that the grid structure is constituted by grid struts. The grid struts are preferably oriented parallel and / or orthogonal to each other. The grid struts are furthermore preferably integrally formed. Alternatively or additionally, the grid structure can be constituted by or include at least one wire. The grid structure can also be constituted by two or more wires. Preferably, the transport unit has one, two or more pins for fixing and / or deflecting the wires. For example, one or more of the pins can protrude from the lower side of the transport unit.

[0026] Another preferred embodiment variant of the glass forming system is characterized in that the grid structure has at least one support element on which the glass blank can be supported. Preferably, the grid structure includes a plurality of support elements, which are furthermore preferably evenly distributed. For example, the support elements can be surrounded by grid struts. Preferably, each process cutout is surrounded by at least three, preferably four support elements in order to achieve a favorable support of the glass blank. As a result, the support area of the glass blank on the transport unit is reduced, such that the quality is further improved.

[0027] Preferably, at least one support element is provided to be replaceable. Due to the periodic heating and the contact with the heated glass blank, at least one support element is subject to wear-inducing loads.

[0028] A preferred refinement of the glass forming system is characterized in that the forming device has a recessed area respectively surrounding two or more forming units, and the grid structure can be lowered at least sectionally into the recessed area such that the cavity can be completely enclosed.

[0029] Once the forming unit moves through the process cutout, the grid structure can, for example, move into the recessed area such that the grid structure essentially does not impede the pressing-in process. The recessed area can, for example, have one, two or more recessed channels between the forming units. Particularly preferably, the recessed area has a geometry corresponding to the grid structure and / or the transport unit such that the grid struts of the grid structure can be arranged in the recessed channels of the recessed area.

[0030] In another preferred refinement of the glass forming system, it is proposed that the lower forming element has a lower frustoconical section and / or the upper forming element has an upper frustoconical section such that when the cavity is closed, a glass flow cavity influencing the glass flow is formed adjacent to the cavity.

[0031] If the upper and lower forming elements each have a frustoconical section, the glass flow cavity can, for example, have a hexagonal cross-section. Furthermore, the glass flow cavity can have a rhombic cross-section. By means of the glass flow cavity, the glass flow is influenced such that the manufacture of the glass product can be improved. In particular, by setting the angle of the frustoconical section, the friction of the glass on the forming unit can be set.

[0032] Preferably, the lower limit of the angle is selected to be between 20° and 30° relative to the horizontal line, while the upper limit of the angle is selected to be between 60° and 70° relative to the horizontal line. The frustoconical section can also have a free-form surface approximating a pyramidal shape. For example, this can be formed by spherical, non-spherical or polynomial sections.

[0033] Another preferred embodiment variant of the glass forming system is characterized in that a convexly configured glass flow element is provided between the upper frustoconical sections, and the glass flow element extends into one of the glass flow cavities when the cavity is closed. For example, the glass flow element can have a pyramidal or conical section, with the tip of the pyramid oriented downward during normal operation. With such a glass flow element, the glass flow in the glass flow cavity can be further influenced.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment variant of the glass forming system, it is proposed that the lower forming elements each have a lower square section, and the square section forms one side of the recess area, in particular one side of one or more recess channels. The square section can also be understood as a cubic section. The square sections are preferably each vertically arranged below the frustoconical sections. Thus, the lower forming elements preferably first extend straight upward vertically and then taper gradually into the cavity due to the frustoconical sections.

[0035] Another preferred embodiment variant of the glass forming system includes two or more, preferably four, positioning elements for positioning a glass blank at a predetermined position on a grid structure.

[0036] Preferably, four fixing elements are respectively provided in the corners of the interior of the transport unit facing the grid structure. Alternatively or additionally, preferably four fixing elements are respectively provided on one side of the grid structure and / or on the inner side of the transport unit. The fixing elements preferably have a cross-section that tapers upward, such that the distance between two oppositely arranged fixing elements decreases downward.

[0037] Another preferred embodiment variant of the glass forming system is characterized in that the glass forming system includes a centering mechanism for centering the transport unit relative to the forming device. Preferably, the recess area has a centering mechanism, and the centering mechanism is configured to position the transport unit by means of positioning sections. For example, the recess area or the recess channels can be tapered such that, with a narrowly defined tolerance, the positioning of the transport unit within the recess area or the recess channels is caused.

[0038] Another preferred embodiment variant of the glass forming system is characterized in that the forming device and the transport unit each have at least one respective orientation opening, which have a common through axis during normal operation and are arranged such that the forming device and the transport unit can be oriented by means of the orientation openings and orientation elements that can be arranged in the orientation openings.

[0039] Another preferred embodiment variant of the glass forming system is characterized in that the transport unit has a flange surrounding the grid structure. For example, the flange can surround the grid structure frame. In particular, the flange is arranged such that it is outside the forming device during normal operation when traveling together with the forming unit.

[0040] Another preferred embodiment variant of the glass forming system is characterized in that the grid structure has a cooling system which is arranged and configured to cool the grid structure. Particularly preferably, the cooling system includes cooling channels embedded inside the grid struts of the grid structure, through which cooling fluid can flow.

[0041] According to another aspect, the object mentioned at the beginning is achieved by a transport unit used in a glass forming system according to one of the above embodiment variants, the transport unit being configured to transport glass blanks and including a grid structure having two or more process voids, wherein the grid structure is arranged and configured to hold the glass blanks vertically above the process voids. The above characteristics, features and advantages of the transport unit of the glass forming system according to the above first aspect similarly apply to the transport unit according to this aspect.

[0042] According to another aspect, the object mentioned at the beginning is achieved by a method for manufacturing two or more glass products from a glass blank, in particular by means of a glass forming system according to the above embodiment variants, including the following steps: heating the glass blank held vertically above the process voids of the grid structure of the transport unit by means of a heating unit; moving the transport unit from the heating unit to a forming device having two or more forming units, each of the forming units having an upper forming element and a lower forming element, the forming elements being respectively configured to form cavities for shaping the glass blank; and moving the upper forming element and / or the lower forming element through the process voids towards each other in order to press the glass blank held by the grid structure into the cavities.

[0043] In particular, moving the transport unit from the heating unit to the forming device also includes correspondingly setting the transport unit on the forming device. Such setting can include, for example, setting the grid structure in a recessed area, in particular in a recessed channel.

[0044] After the glass blank has been pressed into the cavity, the pressed glass blank is removed from the forming device by the transport unit. Subsequently, the glass blank can be moved by the transport unit to a cooling station which, for example, has a cooling furnace.

[0045] The method and its possible improved forms have the following features or method steps, which make it particularly suitable for use in glass forming systems and their improved forms. For other advantages, implementation variants, implementation details, and their possible improved forms in other aspects, reference is also made to the above description of the corresponding features and improved forms of the glass forming system. Description of the Drawings

[0046] Exemplarily, preferred embodiments are illustrated in accordance with the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic two-dimensional cross-sectional view showing an exemplary embodiment of a glass forming system;

[0048] Figure 2 Shown in Figure 1 A schematic three-dimensional view of the glass forming system shown in;

[0049] Figure 3 A schematic three-dimensional view showing an exemplary embodiment of a transport unit;

[0050] Figure 4 Shown in Figure 3 A schematic two-dimensional top view of the transport unit shown in;

[0051] Figure 5 Shown in Figure 3 A schematic three-dimensional detail view of the transport unit shown in;

[0052] Figure 6 Shown in Figure 3 A schematic two-dimensional view of the transport unit shown in; and

[0053] Figure 7 A schematic view of the method.

[0054] In the drawings, identical or substantially functionally identical or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0055] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Shows a glass forming system 1 for manufacturing 25 glass products from a glass blank 2. To this end, the glass forming system 1 includes a transport unit 4, which can be arranged on the forming device 13 by means of a clever configuration. The forming device 13 presses the glass blank 2 into the cavity 22 while the transport unit 4 is arranged on the forming device 13.

[0056] The forming device 13 includes an upper forming device 14 and a lower forming device 15. The forming device 13 includes a total of 25 forming units 16. Each forming unit 16 includes an upper forming element 18 and a lower forming element 20, and the forming elements respectively form a cavity 22. A recessed area 34 is provided between the forming units 16. The recessed area 34 is formed by a recessed channel. The recessed channel is particularly formed by a square section 44 of the lower forming element 20. Adjacent vertically to the square section 44 of each lower forming element 20, there is a frustum-shaped section 42, and the frustum-shaped section forms a part of the cavity 22 and a glass flow cavity 48.

[0057] The transport unit 4 has a grid structure 6, and the grid structure has grid struts 8, 10. The grid struts 8, 10 can be respectively arranged in the recessed area 34. By arranging the grid structure 6 in the recessed area 34, the forming units 16 can respectively move through the process clearance 12. Therefore, it is advantageously feasible to press the glass blank 2 held by the grid structure 6 into the cavity 22.

[0058] In normal operation, before the glass blank 2 is pressed in, the forming device 13 is open, which particularly means that the upper forming device 14 is spaced apart from the lower forming device 15. In this state, the glass blank 2 and the transport unit 4 move from the tempering device towards the glass forming system 1. There, the transport unit 4 is arranged on the lower forming device 15 such that the grid structure 6 moves into the recessed area 34. Through this movement, the lower forming element 20 of the forming unit 16 passes through the process clearance 12. Therefore, the glass blank 2 is transferred from the grid structure 6 to the lower forming element 20. This state is shown in Figure 1 and shown. Subsequently, the upper and lower forming elements 18, 20 move towards each other in the vertical direction V such that the glass blank 2 is pressed into the cavity.

[0059] Then the glass component is removed at the upper forming device 14 by a vacuum clamp or a vacuum mechanism. In addition, the glass component can be pressed out from the transport unit 4, particularly vertically upwards.

[0060] In particular, as shown in Figure 1 , the grid structure 6 is arranged within the recessed area 34. At the same time, the flange 36 of the transport unit 4 is arranged outside the forming area. The flange 36 causes thermal insulation. In addition, the transport unit 4 includes a directional opening 28. In addition, the forming device 13 has directional openings 26, 28. The directional openings 26, 28 on one side have a common movement axis 24, 24'. Therefore, different components of the glass forming system 1 can move towards each other directionally.

[0061] In addition to the grid struts 8, 10, the grid structure 6 also has a cooling system, which is particularly constituted by cooling channels 40 embedded in the grid structure 6. A cooling fluid can flow through the cooling channels 40.

[0062] The frustoconical section 42 of the forming unit 16 forms the glass flow cavity 48. The glass flow cavity 48 improves the glass flow. The glass flow element 46 can extend into the glass flow cavity 48 to further improve the glass flow.

[0063] In addition to the grid structure 6 and the flange 36, the transport unit 4 shown in Figures 3 to 6 also includes an operating section 38. The operating section 38 is provided on four sides of the transport unit 4. The operating section 38 enables the transport unit 4 to move advantageously from the tempering device to the forming device 13.

[0064] The grid structure 6 also includes a plurality of support elements 30. The support surface between the glass blank 2 and the grid structure 6 is reduced by the support elements 30. The support elements 30 are preferably provided in a replaceable manner. It is also shown that a plurality of process voids 12 are formed by the grid structure 6.

[0065] Positioning elements 32 are also provided on a plurality of sides of the grid structure 6 surrounded by the grid structure frame. By means of the positioning elements 32, the glass blank 2 is positioned in a predetermined position on the grid structure 6. In particular, it is shown in Figure 5 that the positioning element 32 has a section that tapers upwards, so that the positioning of the glass blank 2 is improved.

[0066] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a method for manufacturing two or more glass products from a glass blank 2 is shown. The method includes heating 100 a glass blank held vertically above the process void 12 of the grid structure 6 of the transport unit 4 by means of a heating unit. In addition, the method also includes moving 102 the transport unit 4 from the heating unit to a forming device 13, which has two or more forming units 16, each of which has an upper forming element 18 and a lower forming element 20, and the forming elements respectively form cavities 22 for shaping the glass blank 2.

[0067] In addition, the method also includes moving 104 the upper forming element 18 and / or the lower forming element 20 through the process void 12 towards each other to press the glass blank 2 held by the grid structure 6 into the cavity 22.

[0068] The glass forming system 1 and the transport unit 4 and the corresponding method described above enable the production of glass products of high quality in terms of quality, because the glass blank 2 on which the glass products are based basically does not have imprinted parts. In addition, the method is efficient because no sensed gripping process is required.

[0069] List of reference numerals

[0070] 1 Glass forming system

[0071] 2 Glass blank

[0072] 4 Transport unit

[0073] 6 Grid structure

[0074] 8 Grid strut

[0075] 10 Grid rod

[0076] 12 Process void

[0077] 13 Forming equipment

[0078] 14 Upper forming equipment

[0079] 15 Lower forming equipment

[0080] 16 Forming unit

[0081] 18 Upper forming element

[0082] 20 Lower forming element

[0083] 22 Cavity

[0084] 24, 24' Axis of motion

[0085] 26 Orienting opening

[0086] 28 Orienting opening

[0087] 30 Support element

[0088] 32 Positioning element

[0089] 34 Recessed area

[0090] 36 Flange

[0091] 38 Operating section

[0092] 40 Cooling channel

[0093] 42 Frustum-shaped section

[0094] 44 Square section

[0095] 46 Glass flow element

[0096] 48 Glass flow cavity

[0097] V Vertical direction

Claims

1. A glass forming system (1) for manufacturing two or more glass products from a glass blank (2), comprising: - A transport unit (4) for transporting the glass blank (2), the transport unit having a grid structure (6), the grid structure having two or more process voids (12), wherein the grid structure (6) is arranged and configured to hold the glass blank (2) vertically above the process voids (12); - A forming device (13), the forming device having two or more forming units (16), the forming units each including an upper forming element (18) and a lower forming element (20), the upper forming element and the lower forming element each being configured to form a cavity (22) for forming the glass blank (2); - wherein the transport unit (4) can be arranged on the forming device (13) such that the forming units (16) can each move through one of the process voids (12) in order to press the glass blank (2) held by the grid structure (6) into the cavity (22).

2. The glass forming system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the grid structure (6) is formed by grid struts (10) and / or by wires.

3. The glass forming system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grid structure (6) has at least one support element (30) such that the glass blank (2) can be supported on the at least one support element (30).

4. The glass forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the forming device (13) has recessed areas (34) respectively surrounding the two or more forming units (16), and the grid structure (6) can descend at least in sections into the recessed areas (34) such that the cavity (22) can be completely closed.

5. The glass forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower forming element (20) has a lower frustoconical section (42) and / or the upper forming element (18) has an upper frustoconical section such that when the cavity (22) is closed, glass flow cavities affecting the glass flow are formed adjacent to the cavity (22).

6. The glass forming system (1) according to claim 5 above, wherein a convexly formed glass flow element (46) is provided between the upper frustoconical sections, and the glass flow element extends into the glass flow cavity when the cavity (22) is closed.

7. The glass forming system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the lower forming element (20) respectively has a lower square section (44), and the square section forms one side of the recessed area.

8. The glass forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising two or more positioning elements (32) for positioning the glass blank (2) in a predetermined position on the grid structure (6).

9. The glass forming system (1) according to claim 4, comprising a centering mechanism for centering the transport unit (4) relative to the forming device (13).

10. The glass forming system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the recessed area (34) has the centering mechanism, and the centering mechanism is configured to position the transport unit (4) by means of positioning sections.

11. The glass forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport unit (4) has a flange surrounding the grid structure (6).

12. The glass forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grid structure (6) has a cooling system provided and configured to cool the grid structure (6).

13. The glass forming system (1) according to claim 12, wherein the cooling system includes cooling channels (40) embedded within the grid struts of the grid structure (6), the cooling channels being able to be traversed by a cooling fluid.

14. A transport unit (4) for use in a glass forming system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 13, the transport unit being configured to transport a glass blank (2), the transport unit comprising - a grid structure (6) having two or more process cutouts (12); - wherein the grid structure (6) is provided and configured to hold the glass blank (2) vertically above the process cutouts (12).

15. A method for manufacturing two or more glass products from a glass blank (2) by means of a glass forming system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 13, comprising the following steps: - Heating the glass blank (2) held vertically above the process voids (12) of the grid structure (6) of the transport unit (4) by means of a heating unit; - Moving the transport unit (4) from the heating unit to a forming device (13), the forming device having two or more forming units (16), the forming units each having an upper forming element and a lower forming element, the upper forming element and the lower forming element each being configured to form a cavity for forming the glass blank (2); and - Moving the upper forming element (18) and / or the lower forming element (20) through the process void (12) towards each other in order to press the glass blank (2) held by the grid structure (6) into the cavity (22).

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