Simplified energy-saving furnace for heat treatment of glass containers

Abstract

A simplified, energy-saving furnace for the thermal treatment of glass containers, comprising: a structure thermally insulated from the outside, said structure being substantially traversed by a conveyor unit for conveying the glass containers; wherein the conveyor unit comprises a tray (25) adapted to receive the glass containers to be treated and to sequentially supply the glass containers forward to a loading area (11), a heating area (12), a cooling area (13) and an unloading area (14) of the furnace; wherein the conveyor unit extends along a quadrilateral path defining an upper conveying branch and a lower return branch, and a raising branch and a lowering branch for raising and lowering the tray (25) between the upper conveying branch and the lower return branch; wherein the trays (25) are arranged one behind the other in a manner intersecting the direction of supply of the conveyor unit, and the opposite ends of the trays (25) extend into a shaped rod (32) which is connected to a drive unit (37s, 37, 38) located outside of the thermally insulated structure, the invention relates to a drive unit (37s, 37i) comprising a rod (32) passing through a disorderly arranged seam (33) formed in the thermally insulated structure, said drive unit comprising at least one drive element (37s, 37i) wound in an annular loop, said drive element (37s, 37i) being connected to said tray (25) selectively one by one along said upper conveying branch and said lower return branch, said drive element (37s, 37i) being connected to said tray (25) along said upper conveying branch and said lower return branch, said drive element (37s, 37i) being connected to said tray (25), said drive element (37s, 37i) being connected to said tray (25), said rod (32) passing through said disorderly arranged seam (33) being formed in said thermally insulated structure. A descending lifter (42) and an ascending lifter (43) are also provided at the descending section and the ascending section of the path of the tray at opposite ends of the heating zone (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a simplified, energy-efficient furnace for heat treatment of glass containers. Background Technology

[0002] Various types of furnaces are known for heat treatment of glass containers, such as medicine bottles, jars, cartridges, syringes, etc.

[0003] Document EP960863B1, belonging to the applicant, discloses a known furnace for continuous heat treatment of glass containers. The furnace includes a structure comprising a conveyor designed to receive containers and configured to advance through a hot zone and a ventilated zone. Inside the furnace, the conveyor includes pairs of chains located on opposite sides of the structure and wound in a loop around toothed end pulleys to define an upper conveying section and a lower return section. At the junction of each chain, multiple flat supports are supported, cantilevered and pointing inwards toward the opposing chain. Furthermore, a cross-mounted support is provided with multiple supports for placing at least a portion of the referenced glass container. In the conveyor, it is also known that the cross-mounted support and the supports are capable of translation relative to each other.

[0004] This furnace operates well, but the chains, supports, and fixtures inside expand and deform during operation. Although this expansion and deformation is partly due to the furnace's unique structure, it still highlights some limitations.

[0005] In fact, in the long run, the expansion of the supply chain will impair its proper supply.

[0006] Large blocks of metal between the chains, crossbars, supports, and transmission components absorb heat, deducting it from the furnace's normal operation. This heat absorption also increases the furnace's energy consumption, wasting energy that would otherwise be used to heat the furnace and glass containers.

[0007] The arrangement of chains, crossbars, and supports within the furnace can cause intervention and maintenance problems in the event of malfunctions and subsequent parts replacements. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The general objective of this invention is to provide a furnace for heat treatment of glass containers that can overcome the aforementioned deficiencies of known technologies in an extremely simple, inexpensive, and particularly practical manner.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a simplified energy-saving furnace for heat treatment of glass containers, which is simple in construction and assembly and easy to repair and maintain.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a furnace for heat treatment of glass containers, wherein energy consumption is optimized, allowing for considerable savings and less heat being transferred to the outside.

[0011] The above objective is achieved by a simplified, energy-efficient furnace for heat treatment of glass containers, produced in accordance with independent claim 1 and the appended dependent claims. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The structural and functional features of the invention and its advantages over known technologies will become clearer and more apparent from the following description, which illustrates examples of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying schematic diagrams.

[0013] In the attached diagram:

[0014] - Figure 1 and Figure 2 A side elevation view of the furnace of the present invention in its structural portion is shown;

[0015] - Figure 3 and Figure 4 The furnace portion relative to the motion transmission is shown in external cut perspective and cross-sectional view;

[0016] - Figure 5 A perspective view of the pallet conveyor unit inside the furnace of the present invention is shown;

[0017] - Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C The tray and its enlarged end portion are shown in a 3D view;

[0018] - Figure 6 It is a plan view from above the conveyor unit and component tray;

[0019] - Figures 7A to 7E This is a horizontal perspective view of the lifting unit. The lifting unit transports the furnace tray from the upper inlet and furnace feed section to the lower section and then returns to the furnace inlet, or the lifting unit transports the furnace tray from the lower section to the upper inlet and furnace feed section and then returns to the lower section.

[0020] - Figure 8 for Figure 6 A to Figure 6 E shows a side elevation view of the elevator unit in the operating position. Detailed Implementation

[0021] In the following description, for the sake of illustration, the same reference numerals are used to indicate structural elements having the same function. Furthermore, for clarity of example, some reference numerals may not be repeated in all figures.

[0022] Indications such as “vertical” and “horizontal”, “upper” and “lower” (in the absence of other indications) should be understood in accordance with the assembly (or operation) conditions and the currently used standard terminology, where “vertical” means a direction approximately parallel to the gravity vector “g”, and “horizontal” means a direction perpendicular to the gravity vector “g”.

[0023] Referring to the figures provided by way of non-limiting example, a furnace for heat treatment of glass containers, such as medicine bottles, jars, cartridges, syringes, etc., with optimized operation according to the present invention is shown.

[0024] The furnace includes structural components that may define an inlet or loading area 11, a heating area 12, a cooling area 13, and an outlet or unloading area 14.

[0025] In the specific embodiment shown, the structural component is modular and comprises four modules in the four areas indicated above, which are mechanically and electrically interconnected. The structural component is entirely metallic, and insulating elements are attached to it in the heating zone to insulate against the furnace wall.

[0026] It should be noted that, advantageously, the inlet or loading area 11 and the outlet or unloading area 14 are completely symmetrical and mirrored, allowing for simplified manufacturing of the entire furnace and reducing the number of parts required for furnace construction and assembly. Figure 1 As can be seen, modules 11 and 14 are arranged inverted relative to each other throughout the furnace.

[0027] The heating zone 12 has an insulating wall 15 that forms a heating tunnel. The heating tunnel can be made of an insulating material panel 16, which cooperates with a sealed air chamber 17 and / or a cross-sectional arrangement 18 that creates thermal bridges, thereby allowing for considerable energy savings and minimal heat dissipation.

[0028] In this heating zone 12, the heating is provided by heater unit 19, such as an electric radiation heater, a graphene infrared radiation (IR) heater, etc.

[0029] A sealed chamber 20 may be provided around the heating zone 12. The sealed chamber 20 allows for the recovery and reuse of hot air present in the heating zone around and at the outlet of the furnace to preheat the glass products as they enter the furnace and the associated trays carrying the glass products, as will be seen below.

[0030] Cooling zone 13 is achieved by one or more modular, independent, low-power fans 21 that are readily available on the market, for example, fans 21 mounted at the bottom of the structure.

[0031] This innovative structural component includes an innovative conveying unit, in which the innovative moving part is located outside the aforementioned furnace structure.

[0032] The conveying unit includes a series of transverse trays 25 arranged in sequence and support elements for the glass products to be processed. Figure 5 and 5A The opposite end of the tray extends into a flipped L-shaped wing 26, which carries a U-shaped support and a downward-facing sliding frame 27, which is arranged to straddle a sliding guide 28, which is, for example, composed of a stretched round rod 29, and thus the sliding frame 27 is controlled to translate outside the furnace.

[0033] More precisely, the flipped L-shaped wing 26 is inserted into and passes through the longitudinal slit 33 of the wall of the heating zone 12 until the flipped L-shaped wing 26 is arranged in the enlarged seat 30 of the wall along an intricately arranged path that reduces the flow of heat out of the furnace.

[0034] Preferably, the downwardly elongated base portion of the L-shaped wing 26 carries a section of the partition wall 31, thus the partition wall 31 is integral with the tray 25. A shaped rod 32 supporting the support carriage 27 extends from the flipped L-shaped wing 26.

[0035] like Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C As shown, the tray 25 is supported relative to the carriage 27, so that the conveying unit is not affected by the thermal expansion acting on each tray. In fact, the tray 25 is fixed to the carriage 27 on one side by bolts 36. Figure 5C On the other opposite side () Figure 5B The tray 25 can slide and translate relative to the carriage 27. The supporting carriage 27 has a through-hole 34 at the top, into which a pin 35 is inserted for free sliding. The pin 35 extends from a formed rod 32 constrained by a corresponding flipped L-shaped wing 26. In this way, the tray can expand and translate relative to the sliding guide 28 according to arrow F without affecting the guide systems 27, 28, and 29.

[0036] The support carriage 27 has an inverted C-shaped design, is non-magnetic, and is arranged straddling the sliding guide 28 or the tension rod 29, sliding on the sliding guide 28 or the tension rod 29. The sliding guide is constrained to the exterior of the furnace. For example, the magnetic tension rod 29 is constrained to the external structure of the furnace or directly to the floor, so that the tension rod 29 is unaffected by the expansion generated by the furnace.

[0037] The tray has a quadrilateral or rectangular path, with a supply section at the top of the furnace, a descending section at one end of the furnace, a return section at the bottom (the same as the supply section at the top, but in the opposite direction), and a rising section at the other end of the furnace.

[0038] The tray is driven by pairs of control belts 37s, 37i in the upper supply section and lower return section of the path, the pairs of control belts 37s, 37i being located outside the furnace and moved by a servo motor 48. Each control belt 37s, 37i is wound into a loop along the upper supply section and lower return section of the path laterally and externally of the furnace.

[0039] Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figures 7A to 7E This arrangement is shown. More precisely, control bands 37s, 37i for the translational movement of the tray 25 are provided with U-shaped drive elements 38 at regular intervals. The U-shaped drive elements 38 receive pin extensions 39, which are integral with the support carriage 27 of each tray 25 and extend on the opposite side relative to the sliding guide 28.

[0040] Alternatively, as controls for the translation of the tray 25, upper and lower chains in a simplified form relative to the control belts 37s and 37i can be used; these chains are constrained to the shaped rods or support carriages 27 in a similar manner to those described above.

[0041] The chain can be engaged with support gears arranged along the path and can be driven by drive gears and driven gears located at the ends of the path inside the furnace.

[0042] Each tray 25 has an inverted C-shaped configuration that extends slightly less than the distance between the internal portions of the furnace's partition walls. The tray 25 is presented as a plate-like structure, provided with a plurality of weight-reduction notches 40 and concave lateral support elements 41 for the glass products to be processed. Note that the glass products or containers are arranged longitudinally on the tray relative to the furnace, unlike the trays 25 themselves which are arranged transversely to the furnace. The glass containers are tilted and rest on one end.

[0043] The tray 25 is replaceable, allowing it to hold glass products of different types and sizes.

[0044] As previously described, tray 25 moves within the furnace along a quadrilateral or rectangular path having a supply section within the furnace, a descending section at one end of the furnace, a return section, and an ascending section at the other end of the furnace.

[0045] The above description of the movement and sliding of the pallet, and of the general conveying unit in the supply section, must be repeated and mirrored in the return section. This is due to the fact that, as previously stated, during the pallet's passage through the furnace, the pallet's movement follows a linear path, followed by a descending section that flips the pallet and associated parts, such as the forming rods and support carriages. Then, in the return section toward the furnace inlet, the flipped pallet translates on the flipping guide until it reaches the ascending section, where it flips again, returning to its initial furnace inlet position. Similarly, the guide returns to its initial arrangement to allow for proper introduction into the furnace.

[0046] In the descending and ascending sections, the descending elevator 42 and the ascending elevator 43 are arranged to receive the support carriage 27 of the tray 25.

[0047] For example, Figure 7A The release of tray 25 from the lower return section is shown. The tray is loaded on the lifting elevator 43, which repositions tray 25 in the upper furnace inlet section.

[0048] The tilted tray 25 is conveyed forward to the lift 43 driven by the control belt 37i, and the pin extension 39 of the tilted tray 25 engages in the corresponding drive element 38.

[0049] The lifting elevator 43 has a pair of carriages 44 transverse to the furnace at its opposite ends, the carriages 44 receiving a single tray 25 within opposing C-shaped supports 45. Figure 7A ).

[0050] The opposing C-shaped supports 45 are arranged on the carriage 44 and connected to each other by a tie rod 46 transverse to the furnace, which integrates the C-shaped supports 45 together. The carriage 44 moves up and down by a vertically arranged control belt 47. The control belt 47 is arranged in a loop and controlled by the same servo motor 48 as described above via a transmission device.

[0051] During the up-and-down movement and rotation of the carriage 44, the locking device 49 on the carriage 44 locks the tray 25 onto the support 45. Figure 7B ).

[0052] An additional servo motor 50, carried by at least one carriage 44, rotates a support 45, which carries a tray 25 locked relative to the carriage 44 by a locking device 49. Figure 7C The rotation determines the final 180° rotation of the tray, thus preparing the tray to receive the glass containers to be processed. Figure 7D ).

[0053] Finally, the tray 25 disengages from the locking device 49 on the carriage 48 and is released so that it can be engaged and driven by the extension 39 in the U-shaped drive element 38 that receives the tray 25. Figure 7E ).

[0054] For example, at this location on the tray, the glass containers to be processed are placed on the tray by a suitable robotic arm or robot (not shown) located outside the furnace.

[0055] The same movement is performed in the descending lift 42 located at the end of the heating section in the heating area.

[0056] During the descent and ascent sections, the tray can be seen rotating 180°, flipping over, and being automatically cleaned.

[0057] Clearly, the arrangement of the pallet outside the furnace and the sliding unit outside the furnace avoids all problems related to temperature-induced expansion and allows the furnace to operate correctly regardless of temperature.

[0058] Magnetic levitation or chain sliding units are naturally arranged on both longitudinal sides of the furnace extension.

[0059] Magnetic levitation transmission is particularly interesting because it compensates for any misalignment, has very low maintenance and almost no friction, and low material consumption.

[0060] Positioning the drive unit outside the furnace body allows for rapid intervention as needed without disassembling the furnace and reducing the quality of heating, thus saving energy.

[0061] Therefore, the purpose mentioned in the earlier part of the instruction manual has been achieved.

[0062] The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A simplified, energy-saving furnace for heat treatment of glass containers, the furnace comprising: A structural member which is thermally insulated from the outside and is substantially penetrated by a conveyor unit for conveying glass containers; wherein the conveyor unit comprises a tray (25) adapted to receive glass containers to be processed and to sequentially supply the glass containers forward to a loading area (11), a heating area (12), a cooling area (13) and an unloading area (14) of the furnace; wherein the conveyor unit extends along a quadrilateral path, thereby defining: an upper conveying branch and a lower return branch, and a raising branch and a lowering branch for raising and lowering the tray (25) between the upper conveying branch and the lower return branch; wherein the trays (25) are arranged one after the other in a manner crossing the supply direction of the conveyor unit, and the opposite ends of the trays (25) extend into shaped rods (32), which are connected to drive units (37s, 37, 38) located outside the thermally insulating structure, wherein the rods (32) pass through intricately arranged slots (33) formed in the thermally insulating structure, The drive unit comprises at least one drive element (37s, 37i) which is wound into an endless loop provided with a servo motor (48), and the drive elements (37s, 37i) are selectively connected to the tray (25) one by one along the upper conveying branch and the lower return branch, Wherein, at the opposite ends of the heating area (12), a descending lifter (42) and an ascending lifter (43) are also provided at the descending section and the ascending section of the path of the tray.

2. The furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that The molded rod (32) includes an inverted L-shaped wing (26) extending from the two sides of the tray (25) and facing the outer bearing surface downwardly facing U-shaped support slide (27), which is arranged on opposite sides of the exterior of the thermally insulating structure, wherein the inverted L-shaped wing (26) is inserted into and passes through the longitudinal seam (33) of the wall of the thermally insulating structure of the heating area (12).

3. The furnace according to claim 2, characterized in that One end of the inverted L-shaped wing (26) extending from the tray (25) is disposed in an enlarged seating portion (30) of the wall outside the thermally insulating structure, the wall providing a path for the intricate arrangement to reduce heat flow out of the oven.

4. The furnace according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 or 3, characterized in that The sliding unit outside the thermally insulated structure comprises magnetic suspension guides arranged on two opposite sides relative to the structure and each magnetic suspension guide comprises the support carriage (27) on one side and the sliding guides (28, 29) on the other side.

5. The furnace according to claim 4, characterized in that The support carriage (27) is non-magnetic and slides on the sliding guide made of a magnetic stretched round rod (29).

6. The furnace according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The drive unit outside the thermally insulated structure comprises belts (37s, 37i) arranged on opposite sides relative to the structure, the belts (37s, 37i) being provided with U-shaped drive elements (38) receiving pin extensions (39) integral with the support carriage (27) of each tray (25).

7. The furnace according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The drive unit outside the thermally insulated structure comprises a chain drive arranged on opposite sides relative to the structure and constrained to the supporting carriage.

8. The furnace according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 7, characterized in that The tray (25) is fixed to a supporting carriage (27) on one side, while on the other side the tray (25) is able to slide and translate relative to the supporting carriage (27) in a direction crosswise to the furnace.

9. The furnace according to claim 8, characterized in that The tray (25) is fixed to a support carriage (27) on one side by at least one bolt (36), while on the opposite side, the tray (25) is able to slide and translate relative to the support carriage (27), the support carriage (27) being provided with a through hole (34) at the top, into which a pin (35) is inserted for free sliding, and the pin (35) extends from the molded rod (32) of the tray (25).

10. The furnace according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The lifters (42, 43) are provided with a pair of slides (44) which receive a single tray (25) into opposing C-shaped supports (45), wherein the opposing C-shaped supports (45) are connected to each other by tie rods (46) transverse to the furnace, and the tie rods (46) make the opposing C-shaped supports (45) integral with each other.

11. The furnace according to claim 10, characterized in that The carriage (44) of the lifter (42, 43) is moved up and down by an additional control belt (47), which is arranged in a ring loop in the vertical direction and is controlled by a servo motor (48) through a transmission device.

12. The furnace according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that A locking device (49) is provided on the slide (44), and during the up-and-down movement and the rotational movement of the slide (44), the locking device (49) locks the tray (25) on the support (45).

13. A furnace according to claim 10, 11 or 12, characterised in that A further servomotor (50) is carried by at least one of the carriages (44) and causes the support (45) carrying the tray (25) to rotate through an angle of 180°.

14. The furnace according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The loading area (11), the heating area (12), the cooling area (13) and the unloading area (14) of the furnace are modular and can be connected to each other mechanically and electrically.

15. The furnace according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that Each tray (25) has an inverted C-shaped configuration, which extends slightly less than the distance of the inner part between the walls of the thermally insulated structural member; wherein the tray is a plate-like member provided with a plurality of weight-reducing notches (40) and a transverse support element (41) in the form of a recess at the top for placing one end of the glass container to be processed.

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