Direct loading of glass frit drops into crossable preforms

Abstract

A glass forming line (14) includes a machine frame (20) having a glass gob loading axis (Z'), a traversable parison side (24) including a parison mold (14a) configured to form a glass gob (G) into a parison and having a parison mold vertical axis (Vi), and a mold carriage (26) movably carried on the machine frame and coupled to the traversable parison side to linearly translate the traversable parison side toward the glass gob loading axis to align the parison mold vertical axis with the glass gob loading axis and linearly translate the traversable parison side away from the glass gob loading axis. Related methods of loading a parison mold of a line are also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The patent application discloses an innovation relating to the manufacture of glass containers, and more specifically, to loading glass droplets fed from a droplet feeder into a blank mold. Background Technology

[0002] Soda-lime silica glass and other types of glass are common in the manufacture of glass containers. The molten glass used to make such products is typically prepared by reacting and melting a batch of glass forming material in a glass furnace. This batch is usually introduced into the furnace by depositing it into a pool of molten glass already in the furnace. The batch is gradually melted into the pool by continuously applying heat. After the batch has melted, refined, and homogenized in the furnace, the resulting molten glass is typically directed to a refining channel where bubbles are released from the molten glass, and then downstream to the fore-furnace, where the refined molten glass is heat-conditioned by cooling it to a temperature suitable for forming the molten glass into containers. A dropper, located downstream of the fore-furnace, is used to measure and form a predetermined amount of molten glass called a “drop.” The dropper is fed from the dropper, flows downwards through a “delivery” device, and reaches a “line” (IS) machine, which forms the glass dropper into a preform, which is then formed into a glass container.

[0003] A conventional IS machine typically comprises two to sixteen identical individual sections positioned side-by-side and configured to operate out of phase with each other to provide a continuous flow of glass containers on a conveying device downstream of the IS machine. Each section includes a frame supporting a preform sub-section or side for receiving or loading one or more glass droplets from the delivery device and forming one or more preforms from the glass droplets, and a blowing sub-section or side for receiving preforms from the preform side and forming containers from the preforms. The preform side includes one or more preform dies, plungers, funnels, and baffles for forming glass droplets into preforms, and corresponding preform actuators, plunger actuators, funnel actuators, baffle actuators, and other means and components that facilitate the operation of the preform dies, plungers, and baffles. The blowing side includes one or more blowing dies for forming preforms into containers, a base plate, and a blowing head, and corresponding blowing die actuators, base plate pneumatic devices, and blowing head actuators. Each section also includes a mold cooling circuit and valves, as well as a preform tilter comprising a preform neck ring carried by a tilting arm to hold the preform through its neck and tilt it from the preform mold to the blow mold. Each section also includes a removal mechanism for removing the container from the blow mold and releasing it onto a fixed plate of each section, and a sweeping mechanism for sweeping the container from the fixed plate onto a downstream conveyor. The aforementioned equipment in each section operates according to precise timing to ensure that the IS machine as a whole provides a continuous flow of glass containers to the downstream conveyor.

[0004] In operation, each movable half of the preform die is closed around a plunger, with a funnel located on top of the preform die through which the droplet is delivered into the die. A baffle is placed on top of the funnel, and air is blown in through the baffle to cause the droplet to sink downwards into the preform die. The funnel and baffle are then removed, with the baffle placed directly back on top of the preform die, and back-blowing air is blown in through a blown plunger to conform the droplet to the preform die (blow-blow method), or a squeeze plunger is pushed into the preform die to compress the droplet to conform to the inner surface of the preform die (press-blow method). The baffle has a venting and depressurizing device to allow air to escape from the preform die during preform formation. Subsequently, the baffle is removed, the die is opened, and a preform flipper rotates to flip the preform from a "neck-down" orientation in the blow die to a "neck-up" orientation between the upper ends of the open movable halves of the blow die on the blow side. Subsequently, the movable half of the blow mold closes around the base plate, the preform flipper rotates back to the position between the lower ends of the open preform mold towards the billet side, and the blower head is placed on top of the closed blow mold to blow air into the preform through their open neck, thereby blowing the preform to conform to the inner surface of the blow mold to produce a container. Finally, the blower head is removed, the blow mold is opened, the removal mechanism repositions the finished container from the blow side to the fixed plate, and the sweeping mechanism sweeps the finished container from the fixed plate to the downstream conveyor. It is worth noting that the finished containers are very hot, so they must have sufficient wall thickness so that they do not collapse when placed on the fixed plate or when they travel down the conveyor as they cool.

[0005] Droplet feeders typically control the temperature and quantity of the molten glass droplets, as well as the rate at which the droplets are indirectly fed into the IS machine via a delivery device. However, the delivery device requires the use of dirty lubricant and involves a complex arrangement of scoops, troughs, and baffles of varying lengths and configurations, depending on the proximity of each part of the IS machine to the droplet feeder. The use of such a cumbersome and variable delivery device leads to variations in the temperature distribution of the glass droplets, and consequently, these temperature variations result in undesirable, non-uniform wall thicknesses in the glass containers produced from the droplets, necessitating the use of container wall thicknesses greater than would otherwise be required. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure embodies multiple aspects that can be implemented individually or in combination with each other.

[0007] A glass forming line machine according to one aspect of this disclosure includes a machine frame having a glass droplet loading axis and a traverseable blank side, the traverseable blank side including a blank mold configured to form a glass droplet into a preform and having a blank mold vertical axis. The machine also includes a mold holder movably supported on the machine frame and coupled to the traverseable blank side to allow linear translation of the traverseable blank side toward the glass droplet loading axis, thereby aligning the blank mold vertical axis with the glass droplet loading axis and allowing linear translation of the traverseable blank side away from the glass droplet loading axis.

[0008] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method for loading a preform for a loading machine is provided, the method comprising: producing a falling glass drop along a falling drop axis; moving at least one transverse side of the preform including at least one preform along an axis transverse to the falling drop axis to load the glass drop substantially along a first loading axis of the at least one preform; and using the at least one preform to form the glass drop into a preform. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a glass container manufacturing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The glass container manufacturing system includes a glass dropper, an IS machine that can traverse the billet side and the fixed blow side, and a sensor subsystem including one or more dropper sensors, a dropper loading sensor, and a blow die temperature sensor.

[0010] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A more detailed perspective diagram of the system.

[0011] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A more detailed schematic top view of the system.

[0012] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A further, more detailed perspective view of a part of the system, which includes a dropper feeder and an IS machine, with the billet side shown in the molding position.

[0013] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 Part of the system shown, in which one of the sides that can cross the billet has been removed from its Figure 4 The molding position is moved to the droplet loading position directly below the droplet feeder.

[0014] Figure 6 It shows Figure 4 A frontal view of part of the system.

[0015] Figures 7A to 7DIt shows Figure 6 Perspective view, top view, side view and end view of the machine platform positioner of the row machine.

[0016] Figure 8 It shows Figure 4 The system can cross one of the billet side and one of the fixed blowing side.

[0017] Figure 9 It shows Figure 4 Two enlarged schematic diagrams showing the two sides of the billet that can be crossed.

[0018] Figure 10 It shows Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of the two fixed blowing sides.

[0019] Figure 11 It shows Figure 4 A schematic top view of a row machine.

[0020] Figure 12 It shows Figure 4 A schematic side view of a row machine.

[0021] Figure 13 It shows Figure 4 A schematic end view of the row machine.

[0022] Figure 14 It shows Figure 4 A partial schematic perspective view of the first stage actuator of the rectifier.

[0023] Figure 15 It shows Figure 4 A partial schematic top view of the first stage actuator of the gantry milling machine.

[0024] Figure 16 It shows Figure 4 A partial schematic perspective view of the second-stage actuator of the rectifier.

[0025] Figure 17 It shows Figure 4 Another partial schematic perspective view of the second-stage actuator of the column machine. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Generally, and according to at least one aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus, system, and method are provided for directly loading glass droplets into a preform mold, preferably without intermediate delivery devices in the form of scoops, troughs, and / or baffles. Therefore, the apparatus, system, and method eliminate the need for delivery devices that require dirty lubrication and are long, involving extended contact between the glass droplet and the delivery device, resulting in glass droplet deformation and uneven cooling. Consequently, the apparatus, system, and method do not require a large height difference between the glass feeder and the corresponding preform mold, and the temperature distribution of each glass droplet is more uniform, resulting in more uniform wall thickness of the glass containers produced from the glass droplets, thus enabling the production of thinner-walled and lighter containers. According to another aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus, system, and method are provided for automatically loading glass droplets into a preform mold. Therefore, the apparatus, system, and method require no operator intervention after the initial system setup.

[0027] Please refer to the attached diagram for details. Figures 1 to 3 An exemplary embodiment of system 10 is shown in general, comprising: a droplet feeder 12 for producing one or more glass droplets G falling along a droplet feed or fall axis Z corresponding to each of the droplets G; and a glass forming line (IS) machine 14 located below the droplet feeder 12 to receive the falling droplets G or load the falling droplets G into a transverse preform die 14a, and ultimately produce glass containers (not shown) from the glass droplets G via a fixed blow die 14b. Although system 10 is illustrated according to a three-droplet and three-die setup, those skilled in the art will recognize that system 10 can be configured for a single-droplet and single-die setup, a two-droplet and two-die setup, or any suitable droplet and die quantity. The system 10 may also include a sensor subsystem 16 and a controller 18 to receive input signals from the sensor subsystem 16 and the IS machine 14, process the input signals in any suitable manner, and transmit output signals to the IS machine 14 and / or the droplet feeder 12 to improve the loading of glass droplets G onto the IS machine 14. The sensor subsystem 16 may include one or more droplet sensors 16a, droplet loading sensors 16b, die temperature sensors 16c, and blown die temperature sensors 16d.

[0028] Preferably, system 10 does not include a droplet delivery device in the form of a scoop, trough, and / or guide plate between the droplet feeder 12 and the IS machine 14 to change the direction of the falling droplet G away from the falling droplet axis Z. However, a droplet forming funnel 13 may be placed between the droplet feeder 12 and the IS machine 14. It is worth noting that the primary purpose of the droplet forming funnel 13 is to facilitate the desired shape of the glass droplet G produced by the droplet feeder 12, and may also maintain the trajectory of the falling droplet G along the falling droplet axis Z, and conversely, to redirect the glass droplet G away from the falling droplet axis Z, unlike prior art funnels and conventional delivery devices in the form of scoops, troughs, and / or guide plates. Compared to conventional arrangements using delivery devices in the form of scoops, troughs, and / or guide plates, the loading height between the glass wire (or “metal wire”) of the glass melting apparatus and the top of the row of machine tools can be reduced. Such conventional equipment typically requires a conventional loading height of about 6 meters to achieve a droplet speed sufficient to fully load the droplet into the die. In contrast, because, according to this disclosure, there is little or no surface contact between the droplet G falling between the droplet feeder 12 and the die 14a of the IS machine 14, the droplet G can achieve a speed sufficient to fully load the droplet G into the die 14a with a reduced loading height of about 3 meters. As used herein, the term "about" means within ±15%.

[0029] Although not shown separately, the droplet feeder 12 may include a feeder channel for receiving molten glass from an upstream forehearth and conveying the molten glass downstream; a feeder hopper or chamber located downstream of the feeder channel to receive the molten glass; an orifice located at the downstream end of the feeder chamber to define the shape of the glass droplets G produced by the feeder; a plunger including a plunger rod for pushing and pushing the molten glass toward and out of the orifice and a plunger actuator for moving the plunger rod; a heating system including one or more heaters for heating one or more of the feeder channel, chamber, and / or orifice; and a droplet cutter located downstream of the orifice to cut the droplets from the molten glass stream exiting the orifice. In some embodiments, the droplet feeder 12 may also include a plunger tube and a plunger tube actuator. The droplet cutter may include mechanical devices (such as shears), optical devices (such as lasers), fluid devices (such as water jets), or any other means suitable for cutting droplets from the glass stream.

[0030] See now Figure 4The IS machine 14 has a glass droplet receiving or loading axis Z′ and includes: a machine frame 20 including a machine table 22; a transverse blank side 24 including at least one blank mold 14a configured to form a glass droplet into a preform and having a blank mold vertical axis V1; and a mold holder 26 movably supported on the machine frame 20 and coupled to the transverse blank side 24 to linearly translate the transverse blank side 24 toward the glass droplet loading axis Z′, thereby aligning the blank mold vertical axis V1 with the glass droplet loading axis Z′ and linearly translating the transverse blank side 24 away from the glass droplet loading axis Z′. Furthermore, the IS machine 14 may also include a second transverse preform side 28, which includes at least one second preform die 14a and a second die holder 30. The at least one second preform die is configured to form a glass droplet into a preform and has a second preform die vertical axis V2. The second die holder is supported on the machine frame 20 and connected to the second transverse preform side 28 so that the second transverse preform side 28 is linearly translated toward the glass droplet loading axis Z′, thereby aligning the second preform die vertical axis V2 with the glass droplet loading axis Z′, and linearly translating the second transverse preform side 28 away from the glass droplet loading axis Z′. Additionally, the IS machine may also include a fixed blow side 32, which includes at least one blow die 14b configured to form a container from the preform produced by the preform die 14a. In addition, the IS machine may also include a second fixed blow side 34, which includes at least one second blow die 14b, the at least one second blow die being configured to form a container from a preform produced by a second blank die 14a that can traverse the blank side 28.

[0031] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 The mold brackets 26 and 30 include a first stage 26 of the bracket that is movable along the longitudinal first axis X. X 30 X It may also include at least one other stage capable of moving laterally along a second axis Y transverse to the first axis X, such as a second stage 26 of the bracket. Y 30 Y Therefore, the molding position can be achieved by crossing the blank sides 24 and 28 along the longitudinal axis X from one side of the dropper axis Z. Figure 4 Move towards the loading position along the Z-axis of the falling material droplet. Figure 5The loading axis Z′ of the preform mold 14a is aligned with the Z-axis of the droplet, and then returns to the molding position. The preform sides 24 and 28 can also move along a second axis Y transverse to the longitudinal axis X, as will be discussed in further detail below. In any case, the preform sides 24 and 28 can be temporarily paused to receive or load the glass droplet into the preform mold 14a to ensure the desired accuracy and position of the droplet loading.

[0032] The arrangement shown here includes two transverse billet sides 24, 26 disposed on orthogonally opposite longitudinal sides of the loading axis Z′. However, the subject matter disclosed here includes any suitable number of billet sides disposed relative to the axis Z′ in any suitable arrangement, for example, three billet sides spaced circumferentially around the axis, for example, spaced at 120-degree angles, or four billet sides arranged orthogonally around the axis, for example, spaced at 90-degree angles.

[0033] See Figure 6 The machine frame 20 also includes a base 36, a machine platform 22, and an adapter mount 38 coupled to the base 36 and carrying the machine platform 22. The base 36 may include a plurality of beams 40 and one or more transverse members 42, the beams extending longitudinally and laterally spaced from each other, and the one or more transverse members extending laterally between and connected to the beams 40. Of course, the base 36 may have any other configuration suitable for supporting the machine platform thereon, with the adapter mount 38 carried therein. Although not shown separately, the machine frame 20 may also include additional adapter mounts in the form of a leveler, axially clamped between the base 36 and the machine platform 22 to level the machine platform 22 relative to the base 36. The leveler may include opposing wedges that can be driven toward and away from each other to raise and lower the machine platform 22 relative to the base 36.

[0034] See Figures 7A to 7D The adapter mount 38 shown is in the form of a table locator, for example, located at one or more corners of the machine frame 20, to position the machine table 22 in multiple directions relative to the base (not shown). The locator may include a bracket 44 fixed to the base (not shown), and one or more locating screws 46 passing through the bracket 44 and engaging one or more portions of the machine table 22 to push or pull the machine table 22 in one or more directions. As shown, and as... Figure 7B As best shown, the machine table 22 may include one or more inserts 48 that are fastened to the main portion of the table 22 and have driven protrusions or shanks 49 extending outward from the main portion of the table 22 to engage with positioning screws 46.

[0035] See Figures 8 to 10The blank side 24 may include a blank side frame 50, which is ultimately supported on the machine table 22 and includes a bottom 50a, a top 50b, and a sidewall 50c extending between the bottom 50a and the top 50b. The blank side 24 may also include a plunger device 52 supported by the blank side frame 50, a die holder device 54 movably supported by the blank side frame 50, and a die 14a, which may be supported by the die holder device 54. The blank side 24 may also include a baffle device 56 supported by the blank side frame 50, a tilter device 58 supported by the blank side frame 50, and a die funnel device (not shown) supported by the frame 50. Similarly, the second blank side ( Figure 4 ,28) includes the same equipment as the blank side 24 described above. Similarly, the fixed blow side 32 may include a blow side frame 60, which includes a bottom 60a, a top 60b, and a sidewall 60c extending between the bottom 60a and the top 60b. The blow side 32 may also include a base plate assembly 62 supported by the blow side frame 60. Figure 10 The blow mold retainer assembly 64 is movably carried by the blow side frame 60, and the blow mold 14b is also carried by the blow mold retainer assembly 64. The fixed blow side 32 may also include a blow head assembly 66 carried by the blow side frame 60 and a take-out device 68 carried by the blow side frame 60. Although not shown separately, each part of the IS machine 14 also includes mold cooling circuits and valves, wiring and components, and any other equipment suitable for use with the IS machine, and is associated with a sweeping mechanism that sweeps finished product containers from the fixed plate to the downstream conveyor.

[0036] See Figures 11 to 13 Mold bracket first stage 26 X It can be carried on the first-stage orbit 70 ( Figure 11 and Figure 13 The first-stage track is fixed to the machine table 22 and extends along the first axis X, and the mold bracket second stage 26 Y It can be carried on the second-stage orbit 72 ( Figure 13 The second-stage track is fixed to the first-stage 26 of the mold bracket. X And it extends along the second axis Y, which is transverse to the first axis X. For example... Figure 13 As best shown, the traversable blank sides 24, 28 are movably supported on the machine table 22, while the fixed blank sides 30, 32 are fixed on the machine table 22 adjacent to the traversable blank sides 24, 28.

[0037] See Figure 14 and Figure 15 Bracket Level 1 26 XThe system may include a first-stage plate 74 and a first-stage actuator 76. The first-stage actuator may include a first-stage motor 76a and a first-stage ball screw 76b, the first-stage ball screw being carried by the machine table 22 and driven by the first-stage motor 76a, and having a first-stage drive rod 76c connected to a first-stage extension arm 78, which is connected to the first-stage plate 74. (Carrier first stage 26) X It may include any other actuators suitable for glass manufacturing environments.

[0038] See Figure 16 and Figure 17 Bracket Level 26 Y The device may include a second stage plate 80 and a second stage actuator 82. The second stage actuator may include a second stage motor 82a and a second stage ball screw 82b, which is carried by the first stage plate 74 and driven by the second stage motor 82a, and has a second stage drive rod 82c connected to the second stage extension arm 84, which is connected to the second stage plate 80.

[0039] Therefore, and see Figures 14 to 17 The mold support 26 shown includes an XY linear worktable 26. X 26 Y The XY linear worktable includes a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion is movably supported on the machine frame 20, and the upper portion is movably supported on the lower portion and fixed relative to the traverseable blank side 24. More specifically, the XY linear worktable 26 X 26 Y Includes a first-stage plate 74 and a second-stage plate 80, the first-stage plate being capable of operating transversely to the vertical axis of the blank mold ( Figure 4 The second-stage plate can move along the first axis X, which is transverse to the vertical axis of the blank mold. Figure 4 The second axis Y moves along the first-level axis X.

[0040] See you again Figures 1 to 3The sensor subsystem 16 may include one or more droplet sensors 16a that measure one or more droplet parameters of the droplet G; one or more droplet loading sensors 16b, which may include cameras to measure one or more droplet loading parameters of the glass droplet G as it is loaded into the preform 14a; and / or one or more preform or blown die temperature sensors 16c, 16d. Sensors 16a-16d may be supported by the perimeter fence of the IS machine 14, by elevated building beams or frames, by a separate sensor frame, or by any other structure suitable for use in a glass manufacturing environment. Droplet sensors 16a may include one or more cameras configured and designed to capture three-dimensional images of the glass droplet G falling from the droplet feeder 12. The cameras may be used to measure droplet weight, the X and Y components of the droplet angle, droplet diameter, droplet length, total droplet temperature and the horizontal and vertical components of the droplet temperature, droplet velocity, and any other droplet parameters suitable for use with the currently disclosed methods. The droplet loading sensor 16b may include one or more cameras configured and designed to capture images of the preform 14a and / or the glass droplet G as it is loaded into the preform 14a. The cameras can be used to measure preform temperature, neck ring temperature, plunger temperature, preform temperature, droplet loading position, droplet arrival time, droplet falling angle, droplet length, and any other preform and / or droplet loading parameters suitable for use with the methods disclosed in this invention. The blow die temperature sensor 16d can be used to measure the blow die temperature.

[0041] See usually for further details. Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 14 to 15The controller 18 communicates with one or more sensors 16a-16d of the sensor subsystem 16 to receive sensor output signals from them as input signals to the controller 18, and communicates with one or more actuators 76, 82 of the mold carrier 26 to transmit controller output signals, used as input signals, to the mold carrier 26 to move the billet sides 24, 28 in response to one or more droplet parameters, one or more droplet loading parameters, or both. The controller 18 may also communicate with the droplet feeder 12 to transmit controller output signals to a plunger actuator, feeder heater, feeder shear actuator, or any other device of the droplet feeder 12 or any other device of the upstream furnace of the droplet feeder 12 as input signals. The controller 18 may include a single-system controller or may include multiple separate controllers communicating with each other, such as a droplet feeder controller, sensor controller, mold carrier controller, etc. Each controller may include memory, one or more processors coupled to the memory, and one or more interfaces coupled to the processors, and may include circuitry, software, firmware, and / or any other devices to aid or enable internal communication and / or facilitate communication with other controllers and / or various other parts of system 10 for input and output. Of course, controller 18 may also include any auxiliary devices, such as a clock, internal power supply, etc. Although not shown separately, controller 18 may be powered by an external power source, such as an AC-to-DC transformer, one or more batteries, fuel cells, etc. In any case, controller 18 may be used to benefit various aspects of the currently disclosed methods discussed below.

[0042] A method of loading a blank die for a loading machine includes: producing a falling glass droplet along a falling droplet axis; moving at least one transverse blank side comprising at least one blank die along an axis transverse to the falling droplet axis to load the glass droplet substantially along a first loading axis of the at least one blank die; and forming the glass droplet into a preform using the at least one blank die. The moving step may include moving first and second transverse blank sides relative to the falling droplet axis to load the glass droplet substantially along first and second loading axes of the first and second blank dies of the first and second transverse blank sides. More specifically, the moving step may include actuating a die holder supported on a machine frame and operatively coupled to the first and second transverse blank sides to move the first and second transverse blank sides relative to the machine frame during operation of the machine. The method may also include sensing characteristics of the falling droplet and / or droplet loading, and adjusting at least one of the droplet production step or the blank side moving step in response to the sensing step. More specifically, the controller can receive and process input signals corresponding to one or more of the aforementioned characteristics sensed by the sensor subsystem, and generate output signals to one or more parts of the droplet feeder and / or die holder to improve droplet loading accuracy and / or precision.

[0043] The system can be initially set up and then operate autonomously. For example, one or more people can fix the IS machine to the factory floor, for example, by securing the base to the molding floor, projecting a laser or other plumb bob or alignment device between the centerline of the dropper feeder orifice and the corresponding centerline of the die, adjusting the leveler and positioner to achieve the desired alignment between the corresponding centerlines, and securing the IS machine in place. Subsequently, because the system and method can be configured for closed-loop control of movement on the blank side, and also for closed-loop control of the dropper feeder, the system can operate autonomously. For example, the actual dropper loading position can be measured relative to the desired dropper loading position, and the accuracy and precision of the actual dropper loading can be evaluated, and actions can be taken based on such evaluation. For example, when the actual loading position deviates too far from the desired loading position, the controller can send one or more appropriate output signals to adjust the loading position on the blank side along the X-axis and / or Y-axis, and thus maintain the desired loading for each loaded dropper. Similarly, when the actual loading position deviates too far from the desired loading position, the controller can transmit one or more appropriate output signals to adjust various parameters of the droplet feeder, such as droplet rate and feeder temperature. Therefore, once the system is initially configured and aligned by one or more people, it can then self-calibrate to ensure the desired droplet loading accuracy and precision from molding cycle to molding cycle.

[0044] As used herein, the terms “for example,” “such as,” “like,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” etc., when used with a list of one or more elements, should be interpreted as open-ended, meaning that the list does not exclude additional elements. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “may” is used only as a means of indicating optionality, such as the disclosed embodiments, elements, features, etc., and should not be construed as making any disclosure herein ambiguous. Additionally, directional terms such as front, back, top, bottom, upper, lower, radial, circumferential, axial, lateral, longitudinal, vertical, horizontal, transverse, etc., are used by way of example and are not necessary limitations.

[0045] Finally, the subject matter of this application is currently disclosed using various terms in conjunction with several explicit exemplary embodiments and modifications thereof. All terms used herein are intended to be descriptive only and not necessarily restrictive, unless used in a context requiring a different interpretation, and will be interpreted and understood in accordance with their ordinary and customary meaning in the art. Furthermore, for convenience, each explicit exemplary embodiment and modification is incorporated by reference to one or more other explicit exemplary embodiments and modifications. Thus, many other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof now exist or are yet to be discovered, and therefore it is neither intended nor possible to describe all such subject matter at present, which, in view of this disclosure, will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art. Rather, this disclosure is intended to cover all such embodiments and modifications of the subject matter of this application, and their equivalents, that fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A glass forming row machine (14), the glass forming row machine comprising: Machine frame (20), the machine frame having a glass droplet loading axis (Zʹ); A lateral blank side (24) comprising a blank (14a) configured to form a glass droplet into a preform and having a vertical axis (V1) of the blank; and A mold support (26) is movably supported on the machine frame and connected to the transverse blank side, such that the transverse blank side is linearly translated toward the glass droplet loading axis, thereby aligning the vertical axis of the mold blank with the glass droplet loading axis and linearly translating the transverse blank side away from the glass droplet loading axis. The glass forming machine further includes a controller (18) that is operatively in communication with the mold holder to control the movement of the mold holder; and at least one sensor (16a-16d), the at least one sensor being configured to sense a glass droplet falling along the axis and generate an output signal, the output signal being used as an input to the controller when controlling the movement of the mold holder.

2. The glass forming machine according to claim 1, wherein the mold support includes an XY linear worktable, the XY linear worktable including a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion being movably supported on the machine frame, and the upper portion being movably supported on the lower portion and fixed relative to the traversable blank side.

3. The glass forming machine according to claim 2, wherein the XY linear worktable includes a first stage plate (74) and a second stage plate (80), the first stage plate being movable along a first axis (X) transverse to the vertical axis of the blank mold, and the second stage plate being movable along a second axis (Y) transverse to the vertical axis of the blank mold and the first axis.

4. The glass forming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: The second transverse blank side (28) includes a second blank mold configured to form a glass droplet into a preform and having a second blank mold vertical axis (V2); and The second mold bracket (30) is supported on the machine frame and connected to the second transverse blank side so that the second transverse blank side is linearly translated toward the glass drop loading axis, thereby aligning the vertical axis of the second mold with the glass drop loading axis and linearly translating the second transverse blank side away from the glass drop loading axis.

5. The glass forming machine according to claim 4, further comprising: First and second fixed blow sides (32, 34), which are fixed relative to the machine frame and laterally spaced from the first and second traverseable blank sides; and A flipper device (58) for flipping a preform produced by the first and second traversable blank sides from the first and second traversable blank sides to the first and second fixed blown sides.

6. The glass forming line machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the traversable blank side further comprises: A blank side frame (50) includes a bottom, a top, and a sidewall extending between the bottom and the top; The plunger device (52) is supported by the billet side frame; A blank mold retainer device (54) is movably supported by the blank side frame; A blank mold, the blank mold being carried by the blank mold holder device; Baffle device (56), the baffle device being supported by the billet side frame; and A flipper device (58) is supported by the billet side frame.

7. The glass forming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the glass forming machine further comprises: A fixed blowing side (32) is fixed relative to the machine frame and has a blowing die (14b) wherein the vertical axis of the blowing die is laterally offset from the vertical axis of the blank.

8. The glass forming machine according to claim 7, further comprising: A flipper device (58) having a flipper axis (I) positioned between the blank and the blow die.

9. The glass forming line machine according to claim 7, wherein the fixed blowing side comprises: A blown side frame (60) having a bottom, a top, and a sidewall extending between the bottom and the top; Base plate assembly (62), the base plate assembly being supported by the blown side frame; A blow die holder device (64) is movably supported by the blow side frame; A blow mold, wherein the blow mold is supported by the blow mold holder device; The air blowing head device (66) is supported by the blowing side frame; and The removal device (68) is supported by the blown side frame.

10. The glass forming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the glass forming machine further comprises: The second transverse blank side (28) includes a second blank mold configured to form a glass droplet into a preform, having a second blank mold vertical axis (V2) and being disposed on a second side of the axis, wherein the second transverse blank side is movable from the second side of the axis toward the axis to align the second blank mold vertical axis with the glass droplet loading axis.

11. The glass forming machine of claim 10, wherein the first and second preforms are configured to receive glass droplets directly from the droplet feeder along their respective preform vertical axes.

12. The glass forming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the machine frame comprises: Base (36); Machine table (22); and Adapter mount (38) is attached to the base and carries the machine platform.

13. The glass forming line machine according to claim 12, wherein the base comprises a plurality of beams (40) and a plurality of transverse members (42), the plurality of beams extending longitudinally and laterally spaced from each other, the plurality of transverse members extending laterally between the plurality of beams and connected to the plurality of beams.

14. The glass forming machine according to claim 12, wherein the adapter mounting member comprises: A locator, comprising a locating screw (46), for moving the machine table in multiple directions relative to the base.

15. The glass forming machine according to claim 12, wherein the mold support comprises: Bracket Level 1 (26) X The first stage of the bracket is supported on a first-stage track (70) that is fixed to the machine table and extends along the first axis (X); and Second stage of bracket (26) Y The second stage of the bracket is supported on a second-stage track (72) that is fixed to the first stage of the bracket and extends along a second axis (Y) transverse to the first axis.

16. The glass forming machine according to claim 15, wherein the first stage of the bracket includes a first stage plate (74), and the second stage of the bracket includes a second stage plate (80), and the machine further includes: A second-stage actuator (82) includes a second-stage motor (82a) and a second-stage ball screw (82b), the second-stage ball screw being carried by the first-stage plate and driven by the second-stage motor, and having a second-stage drive rod (82c) connected to a second-stage extension arm (84), the second-stage extension arm being connected to the second-stage plate; and A first-stage actuator (76) includes a first-stage motor (76a) and a first-stage ball screw (76b), the first-stage ball screw being carried by the machine plate and driven by the first-stage motor, and having a first-stage drive rod (76c) connected to a first-stage extension arm (78), the first-stage extension arm being connected to the first-stage plate.

17. The glass forming machine according to claim 16, wherein the first stage of the bracket further includes another first stage motor and another first stage ball screw, the other first stage ball screw being carried by the machine table and driven by the other first stage motor, and having another first stage drive rod.

18. A glass manufacturing system (10), the glass manufacturing system comprising: Droplet feeder (12), the droplet feeder being used to generate a falling droplet (G) that falls along the glass droplet loading axis. and According to claim 1, the glass forming line machine, wherein the transverse blank side is movable below the drop feeder, such that the blank directly receives the falling drop from the drop feeder.

19. The glass manufacturing system of claim 18, wherein the glass manufacturing system does not include a drop delivery device for changing the direction of the falling drop between the drop feeder and the blank.

20. The glass manufacturing system according to any one of claims 18 to 19, wherein the at least one sensor comprises: A dropper camera (16a) for measuring one or more dropper parameters of a dropper, or a dropper loading camera (16b) for measuring one or more dropper loading parameters of a dropper while it is being loaded into the die; and the controller (18) for moving the die in response to at least one of the dropper parameters or the dropper loading parameters.

21. A method for loading a blank mold into a glass forming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 17, the method comprising: Produce falling glass droplets (G) along the droplet axis (Z); Moving along an axis (X, Y) transverse to the axis of the falling droplet includes at least one transverse side of at least one mold to load the glass droplet substantially along the vertical axis of the mold of the at least one mold. as well as The glass droplet is formed into a preform using the at least one preform mold.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the moving step comprises moving the first and second transverse blank sides (24, 28) relative to the droplet axis to load the glass droplet substantially along the first and second mold vertical axes (V1, V2) of the first and second molds of the first and second transverse blank sides.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the moving step comprises actuating a mold carrier (26) supported on a machine frame (20) and operatively coupled to the first and second transverse blank sides to move the first and second transverse blank sides relative to the machine frame during operation of the machine.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, further comprising: Sense at least one of the following: The characteristics of the falling droplets, or The characteristics of droplet loading; and In response to the sensing step, at least one of the following is adjusted: The production steps, or The moving step.

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