Transport device for molten glass, transport cup and end cap

Abstract

Transport cup (102, 302, 502, 702, 1102) for molten glass, comprising: a conduit (104, 304, 504, 704, 1104) having an inlet (110, 310), an outlet (112, 312, 512, 712, 1112) and a passage (114, 314) extending between the inlet and the outlet along a conduit passage axis (A); an end cap (106, 306, 506, 706) for selectively covering and uncovering the conduit outlet, the end cap being movable relative to the conduit into a closed position in which the end cap covers the conduit outlet and into an open position in which the end cap uncovers the conduit outlet; a fluid exhaust outlet between the conduit and the end cap; and one or more fluid supply channels (148, 149, 348, 548, 748) having one or more internal inlets (152, 352, 752) arranged radially inward of the fluid exhaust outlet.

Description

Technical field

[0001] This patent application discloses apparatus and methods for manufacturing glass containers and, in particular, apparatus and methods for transporting molten glass from a glass feeder to blank molds. background

[0002] Processes for manufacturing glass containers typically involve the following general process steps: a) melting raw materials in a glass melting tank to produce molten glass; b) producing a single portion of the molten glass as a "gob" by feeding a stream of molten glass from a gob feeder and shearing the stream to produce the molten glass gob; c) delivering the molten glass gob to a blank mold, which forms the molten glass gob into a flexible preform; d) opening the blank mold and transferring the preform to a blow mold; and e) blowing the preform against the interior walls of the blow mold to form a relatively rigid glass container.

[0003] Modern processes utilize conventional gob feeders for the dispensing step, which include a long and widespread series of distribution hoppers and scoops, chutes, and deflectors that interact to convey the glass gobs from the gob feeder to the blank molds. Because the gob feeders must be positioned at a minimal angle to deliver the glass gobs at a desired velocity, the gob feeders can be relatively tall, often extending ten to fourteen feet in height.

[0004] In contrast, many decades ago, some implementations of the dispensing step used transfer cups to collect glass gobs from gob feeders and dispense the glass gobs directly beneath the gob feeders into blank molds. However, the use of transfer cups had many disadvantages. For example, mating surfaces between different parts of the transfer cups create sharp internal transitions that form parting lines on the glass gobs. These parting lines persist through the cutting and blow molding steps and ultimately result in undesirable lines on the molded glass containers. In another example, excessive contact of the gobs with the transfer cups resulted in thermally inhomogeneous gobs being dispensed into the molds.For example, a harmful temperature drop of the order of 300 °C can be observed at the lower axial ends of glass drops filled in transport cups, which is due to the contact of the ends with the bottoms of the transport cups. Summary of Revelation

[0005] The present disclosure includes a number of aspects that may be implemented individually or in combination.

[0006] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a molten glass transport cup includes a conduit having an inlet, an outlet, and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet along a conduit passage axis. The cup also includes an end cap for selectively covering and uncovering the outlet of the conduit, which end cap is movable relative to the conduit into a closed position in which the end cap covers the outlet of the conduit, and into an open position in which the end cap uncovers the outlet of the conduit. The cup further includes a fluid exhaust outlet between the conduit and the end cap, and one or more fluid supply channels having one or more internal inlets disposed radially inward of the fluid exhaust outlet.

[0007] According to another aspect of the disclosure, an end cap for a molten glass transport cup includes a lower end, an upper end axially opposite the lower end, and a plurality of fluid supply channels extending between the lower and upper ends and having lower openings open to the lower end and upper openings open to the upper end.

[0008] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a molten glass transfer device is provided, comprising a transfer cup having a conduit with an inlet and an outlet, and an end cap movably mounted below the conduit for opening and closing the outlet of the conduit. The transfer device also includes a conduit support supporting the transfer cup and including a sleeve at least partially surrounding the conduit of the transfer cup.

[0009] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method for transporting a batch of molten glass is provided. The method includes receiving a batch of molten glass in a transport cup having a conduit and an end cap for selectively opening and closing the conduit. The method also includes supplying fluid into the transport cup to displace at least a portion of the glass batch from at least a portion of the end cap, thereby creating a gap between the batch of molten glass and the transport cup. The method further includes controlling an amount of fluid in the transport cup between the batch of molten glass and the transport cup and moving the end cap to allow the batch of molten glass to exit the conduit. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a molten glass transport apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure showing a split end cap and end cap support in an open position relative to a conduit and conduit support. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 1 and shows the split end cap and end cap carrier moved into a closed position with respect to the conduit and conduit carrier. Fig. 3 is a perspective view from below of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view from below of the Fig. 2 shown transport device for molten glass. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a supervision of the Fig. 2 shown transport device for molten glass. Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a transport cup of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 1, including the cable and the end cap of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken from circle 8 Fig. 7 around a lower part of the transport cup of Fig. 7 around and a batch of glass shows. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of a transport cup of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 1 and shows a lower end of the conductor carrier and the split end cap in the closed position. Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of a transport cup of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 1 and shows the cable, the cable carrier, the split end cap and the end cap carrier. Fig. 10A is a further enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the Fig. 10 shown transport cup along the line 10A of Fig. 10. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a molten glass transfer apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a transfer cup having a conduit and an end cap, as well as a conduit support holding the conduit and an end cap support holding the end cap and in an open position with respect to the conduit support. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 11, showing the end cap and end cap carrier moved into a closed position with respect to the conductor carrier. Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 11. Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a transport cup of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 11, including the cable and the end cap made of Fig. 11. Fig. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the end cap of Fig. 11. Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of circle 17 from Fig. 15 around a lower part of the transport cup of Fig. 15 and shows it containing a batch of glass. Fig. 17A is another enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of circle 17A of Fig. 17 to remove part of the transport cup from Fig. 17 and illustrates the relationship between conduit, glass batch, end cap, and an end cap fluid supply channel. Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a molten glass transfer apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a transfer cup having a conduit and a split end cap, a conduit support holding the conduit, and a split end cap support holding the split end cap in an open position relative to the conduit support. Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 8 and shows the split end cap and end cap carrier in a closed position relative to the conductor carrier. Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the molten glass transport apparatus of Fig. 18. Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 19. Fig. 22 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective cross-sectional view of the lower part of the Fig. 19 and shows a lower portion of the transfer cup including a lower portion of the conduit and the split end cap. Fig. 23 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective cross-sectional view of one half of the split end cap of Fig. 22, which shows an exhaust air duct inside. Fig. 24 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective top view of the split end cap of Fig. 22, which shows the exhaust air ducts. Fig. 25 is a top perspective view of a molten glass transport apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a conduit carrier and a split end cap carrier in an open position relative to the conduit carrier. Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 25 and shows the split end cap and split end cap carrier being moved into a closed position with respect to the conductor carrier. Fig. 27 is a perspective view from below of the molten glass transport device of Fig. 25. Fig. 28 is a perspective view from below of the Fig. 26 shown transport device for molten glass. Fig. Figure 29 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a transfer cup of the molten glass transfer apparatus taken along line 29-29 in Fig. 25 and shows a cable, the cable carrier, a split end cap and the split end cap carrier. Fig. 29A is another enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the transport cup of Fig. 29 from oval 29A. Fig. 30 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the transport cup taken along line 30-30 in Fig. 26, shown in closed position. Fig. 30A is another enlarged cross-sectional view of the transport cup of Fig. 30 from oval 30A. Fig. 31 is an enlarged, perspective, partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the transport device of Fig. 25 and a mounting arrangement of the split end cap carrier. Fig. 32 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of an end portion of the transport device of Fig. 25 and shows a coupling arrangement between a cable carrier bracket and the end cap carrier. Fig. 33 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of an end portion of the Fig. 32 and illustrates an actuator mounting arrangement. Fig. Figure 34 is a partial cross-sectional view of a transport cup showing another mounting arrangement of a wire in a wire carrier. Fig. Figure 35 is a partial perspective view of an accelerometer supported by a mounting plate, which in turn is supported by a mounting bracket, which is supported by a portion of a molten glass transport device. Detailed description

[0010] The present disclosure is generally directed to various embodiments of a unique transfer cup used to transfer a charge of molten glass from a molten glass feeder to a blank mold. The transfer cup includes a conduit having an inlet, an outlet, and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet along a conduit passage axis. The transfer cup also includes an end cap for selectively covering and uncovering the outlet of the conduit and is movable relative to the conduit to a closed position in which the end cap covers the outlet of the conduit to selectively retain a charge of glass in the conduit. The end cap is also movable to an open position in which the end cap uncovers the outlet of the conduit to selectively allow the glass charge to exit the conduit.The conduit and / or end cap may be made of a material that allows diffuse gas flow from the outside of the transport cup to the inside of the transport cup.

[0011] The transfer cup may also include one or more fluid feed channels through which fluid can be introduced into the transfer cup to keep the glass charge suspended or to move at least a portion of it away from the end cap. The fluid feed channels therefore shift the lower axial ends of the charges away from the end cap, resulting in the delivery of more thermally homogeneous charges to the molds. Furthermore, some of the fluid feed channels may have internal inlets near an internal junction between the end cap and the conduit to move portions of the charge away from the internal junction. The fluid feed channels therefore facilitate the prevention of parting lines in the charge of molten glass and thus the prevention of the parting lines piercing into a finished glass container formed from the charge of molten glass.In some embodiments, the end cap has a lower end, an upper end, and at least one of the one or more fluid supply channels extending between the lower and upper ends, and in the closed position, at least one of the one or more fluid supply channels is open to passage of the conduit.

[0012] With particular reference to the drawings, the Fig. 1-6 a preferred embodiment of a transport device 100 for molten glass. The transport device 100 serves to transport a single portion or batch of molten glass G ( Fig. 7) from a molten glass feeder (not shown) to one or more blank molds (not shown) located at any suitable location relative to the feeder, including above, below, or level with the feeder. Although not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the feeder may include one or more feed ports that discharge streams of molten glass and one or more shears, lasers, or the like that separate streams of molten glass into individual portions or batches of molten glass. The transfer device 100 may be translated, rotated, pivoted, swung, and / or articulated and / or moved in any other manner suitable for transporting a batch of molten glass from the molten glass feeder to one or more of the blank molds.Although not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a robot, a gantry, a rodless cylinder, or any other suitable transport device may be used to move the transport device 100. Terms such as "may" and "can" are used herein merely as a means of indicating, for example, the optionality of a disclosed embodiment, element, feature, or the like, and should not be construed to invalidate any disclosure herein.

[0013] The transport device 100 includes a transport cup 102 with a conduit 104 for receiving a charge of molten glass G ( Fig. 7) and an end cap 106 movable relative to the conduit 104 to selectively close the conduit 104 to define a transport cup interior or cavity 108 ( Fig. 7) in which the charge of molten glass G ( Fig. 7) and to selectively open the line 104 so that the batch of molten glass G ( Fig. 7) can leave the line 104. In an open or dispensing position relative to the line 104, as shown in the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the end cap 106 is moved away from the conduit 104, particularly from a central longitudinal axis A of the conduit 104, so that the end cap 106 is moved away from a conduit outlet 112 ( Fig. 5) and does not cover or block it, so that the batch of molten glass G ( Fig. 7) from the transport cup 102 to be discharged into a blank mold (not shown) arranged below the transport cup 102. Conversely, in a closed or transport position relative to the line 104, as shown in the Fig. 2, Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, the end cap 106 is moved toward and under the conduit 104 and positioned in close proximity to the conduit 104 so that the end cap 106 covers the outlet 112 of the conduit ( Fig. 5) sufficiently covers or blocks the batch of molten glass G ( Fig. 7) in the transport cup 102. The conduit 104 may be formed, for example, from graphite, platinum, boron nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, graphene, combinations of the foregoing materials, or any other material suitable for repeated transport of batches of molten glass, for example, in a high-volume production environment. In a preferred embodiment, the conduit 104 may be made from a material such as that disclosed in U.S. Application No. 18 / 113,754, filed February 24, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The material of the end cap 106 may be the same as or different from the material of the conduit 104.

[0014] Referring to Fig. 7, the conduit 104 of the transport cup 102 includes the inlet 110, an outlet 112, and a passage 114 extending between the inlet 110 and the outlet 112 along a conduit passage axis A, which may be vertical. As used in the disclosure, the term "vertical" does not necessarily mean perfectly or absolutely vertical and includes within 0 to + / - 2 degrees of absolute vertical, including all ranges, subranges, endpoints, and values of that range. The conduit 104 may have an inlet end 116 with the inlet 110, an outlet end 118 with the outlet 112, and a sidewall 120 having an outer surface 122 and an inner surface 124 defining the passage 114 extending between the inlet 110 and the outlet 112.The charge of molten glass G may be in direct contact with the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104, or the charge of glass G may be fluidly displaced from the inner surface 124, as described in more detail below. More specifically, when the charge of molten glass G contacts the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104, the charge G may be in continuous circumferential contact with the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104 for at least a portion of the length of the charge G. The inlet 110 and the outlet 112 may be coaxial with the conduit passage axis A, as shown in the illustrated embodiment.In other embodiments, the inlet 110 and / or the outlet 112 may be radially offset or inclined with respect to the axis A, such that the inlet 110 and / or the outlet 112 may be arranged in a side wall of the conduit 104 between the upper and lower ends of the conduit 104, wherein a passage for the charge of molten glass may extend between such inlet and outlet arrangement.

[0015] The passage 114 may include a lower section 126 and an upper tapered section 128 that acts as a funnel to direct a falling charge of molten glass from the inlet 110 downward into the lower section 126, which may have a constant diameter or flow area measured perpendicular to the axis A. Of course, the upper tapered section 128 would provide the inlet 110 with a larger flow area than that of the outlet 112. The conduit sidewall 120, the conduit 104, and / or the conduit passage 114 may have a circular cylindrical shape, as shown, or an oval cylindrical shape, or another shape suitable for receiving, holding, and transporting a charge of molten glass. The inlet end 116 of the conduit 104 may be flat and perpendicular to the conduit passage axis A.As used in the disclosure, the term "perpendicular" does not necessarily mean perfectly or absolutely perpendicular or square and includes within 0 to + / - 2 degrees of absolute perpendicular, including all ranges, subranges, endpoints, and values of that range.

[0016] With reference to Fig. 7, the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104 may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, such that it may have an end surface 131 extending perpendicularly and radially inwardly from the outer surface 122 of the conduit sidewall 120. The end surface 131 may be a straight surface, as shown, but may, in other embodiments, be curved or slightly rounded. The conduit 104 may be formed from a refractory material, such as graphite, platinum, boron nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, graphene, combinations of the foregoing materials, or any other material suitable for the repeated transport of batches of molten glass, for example, in a high-volume production environment. For the purposes of the disclosure, the terminology "for example," "e.g.', 'such as', 'comprising', 'with', 'including' and the like, when used with a list of one or more items, should be understood as non-exhaustive, meaning that the list does not exclude additional items.

[0017] With reference to Fig. 8, the end cap 106 includes end cap halves 106a, 106b, each having a lower end 134, an upper end 136 that may be axially opposite the lower end 134, and a lateral boundary 138 extending between the lower and upper ends 134, 136 and may include mounting recesses 139, e.g., mounting channels. Each upper end 136 includes a central end surface 140 and may include a marginal end surface 143 extending between the central end surface 140 and the lateral boundary 138. Each lower end 134 includes a base surface 144 that may be axially opposite the end surface 140 and may include a fluid pocket 146 in the base surface 144. One or both of the end surfaces 140, 143 may be straight surfaces, as shown, or they may be curved or slightly rounded. In the embodiment shown, the charge of molten glass G is located a certain distance above the end surface 140 of the end cap 106.More specifically, the charge G can float above the end surface 140 of the end cap 106 over the entire diameter of the charge G.

[0018] To space the charge G from the end cap 106, the end cap 106 may include one or more air supply holes or fluid supply channels 148, 149 extending between the lower and upper ends 134, 136. In this embodiment, a first plurality of fluid supply channels 148 may include a first circular array of fluid supply channels 148, and a second plurality of fluid supply channels 149 may include a second circular array of fluid supply channels 149. In other embodiments, the fluid supply channel(s) may include one or more oval arrays, linear arrays, rectangular arrays, or any other arrangement of fluid supply channels 148 suitable for displacing one or more portions of a charge of molten glass from the end cap 106.The fluid supply channels 148, 149 include one or more lower or outer cup openings 150, 151 open to the fluid pocket 146 of the lower end 134 of the end cap 106, and one or more upper or inner cup openings or inlets 152, 153 open to the central end surface 140 of the upper end 136 of the end cap 106. The plurality of fluid supply channels 148, 149 may extend through the end cap 106 at one or more oblique angles relative to the conduit passage axis A. In this embodiment, the one or more oblique angles diverge (channels 148) and converge (channels 149) relative to the conduit passage axis A in a direction from the lower end 134 to the upper end 136. In other embodiments, all of the passages 148, 149 may converge, or all of the passages 148, 149 may diverge relative to the conduit passage axis A.In still other embodiments, one or both of the fluid supply channels 148, 149 may extend orthogonally, for example, parallel to the axis A. In any case, the central end surface 140 has an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the outlet 112 of the conduit 104, and the inner inlets 152 of the fluid supply channels 148 are located radially inward of the inner diameter of the outlet 112.

[0019] With further reference to Fig. 8, the size, quantity, orientation and / or configuration of the fluid supply channels 148, 149, in addition to the type, flow rate, pressure and other characteristics of the fluid supplied through the fluid supply channels 148, 149, can be selected to ensure that the fluid supplied into the transfer cup 102 between the charge of molten glass G and the transfer cup 102 is sufficient to displace desired portions of the charge of molten glass G, but is not so large that the charge of molten glass G is ejected from the transfer cup 102. In a particular example, air may be supplied through the channels 148, 149 at a relatively higher flow rate when the charge of molten glass G is loaded into the transfer cup 102, and conversely, the air may be supplied through the channels 148, 149 at a relatively lower flow rate after the charge G is loaded and the cup 102 travels to the blank molds.The higher flow rate may even prevent the charge G from hitting the end cap 106 during loading of the charge G into the cup 102. Directional terms such as "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "radial," "circumferential," "axial," "lateral," "longitudinal," "vertical," "horizontal," "transverse," and / or the like are used herein only by way of example and not necessarily by way of limitation.

[0020] In the closed position, the upper end 136 of the end cap 106 is located at the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104, and the charge of molten glass G is retained by the end cap 106 at the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104 in the conduit passage 114 and closes the outlet 112. The upper end 136 of the end cap 106 and the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104 have cooperating corresponding surfaces. In particular, with reference to the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, in this illustrated embodiment, the marginal end surface 143 of the upper end 136 of the end cap 106 is spaced from the end surface 131 of the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104 with an axial gap therebetween to provide an exhaust or vent path from the cup 102. In such embodiments, the axial gap may be 0.003" to 0.030", including all ranges, subranges, endpoints, and values of that range. In other embodiments, one or more exhaust ports (not shown) may be provided in one or the other or both of the surfaces 131, 143 to allow gas to escape to the atmosphere or elsewhere. For example, the end surfaces 131, 143 may instead be in direct contact, with one or both of the end surfaces 131, 143 having one or more exhaust channels formed therein to allow fluid to escape.

[0021] With further reference to Fig. 8, a fluid is supplied through the fluid supply channel(s) 148, 149, which fluid may contain a pressurized gas, e.g., air, cooled air, heated air, humidified air, dehumidified air, oxygen, nitrogen, or other gas suitable for contact with molten glass. Although not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the pressurized gas may be provided from a gas-pressurized container, a gas line pressurized by a pump, or other suitable pressurized gas source, and that the flow rate of the pressurized gas may be controlled by one or more proportional valves or the like, or by other suitable means.Without the supply of fluid through the fluid supply channel(s) 148, 149 of the end cap 106, the charge of molten glass G would abut at a junction between the end cap 106 and the conduit 104 and / or a junction between the end cap halves 106a,b, which junctions would form one or more parting lines in the charge of molten glass G. When the end cap 106 covers the conduit 104 such that the fluid supply channels 148, 149 communicate with the transport cup 102, at least in some embodiments, fluid is directed into the transport cup 102 to displace at least portions of the charge of molten glass G from the junctions.

[0022] The inlets within the cup interior 152 may have diameters of, for example, 0.5 to 2 mm, including all ranges, subranges, endpoints, and values of that range. Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand from the disclosure and teachings herein that the individual and collective surface areas of the inlets 152 and any exhaust or vent gaps or openings (not shown) may be selected to achieve a desired total air mass flow into, through, and out of the transfer cup 102 that results in the desired degree of displacement of the charge of molten glass G.

[0023] Additionally, fluid is supplied between the transfer cup 102 and the batch of molten glass G to suspend the batch of molten glass G from the end cap 106 and create a gap between the end cap 106 and a lower end of the batch of molten glass G. Therefore, the batch of molten glass G does not contact the end cap 106, and thus, the formation of cold spots and parting lines is avoided. The fluid supply channels 148, 149 therefore facilitate the prevention or reduction of the formation of cold spots and / or parting lines in the batch of molten glass G, and thus facilitate the prevention or reduction of cold spots and / or parting lines permeating a finished glass container formed from the batch of molten glass G.

[0024] Again referring to Fig. 1, the transport device 100 may also include a conduit carrier 158 in which the conduit 104 is held. In addition, the transport device 100 may include an end cap carrier 162 on which the end cap 106 is held, as well as an end cap actuator 164 and an end cap guide 165 connected to the end cap carrier 162 and activatable to move and guide the end cap 106 to expose and cover the outlet 112 of the conduit 104. The actuator 164 may be or include a linear rodless cylinder and may be pneumatic or hydraulic, or may include an electrical device such as a linear motor, a rotary motor with a drive screw, a solenoid, or other arrangement suitable for effecting linear movement.The actuators 164 can be activated to move the halves 106a,b of the split end cap 106 laterally and out of the way of the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104. Of course, the actuators 164 can also be activated in the opposite direction to move the halves 106a,b of the end cap 106 laterally back toward and directly under the conduit 104 and to move the end cap 106 linearly back toward the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104.

[0025] With reference to Fig. 10, the conduit support 158 may include a vertically extending elongated sleeve 166 that may be radially spaced from the conduit 104 and may be supplied with gas via a gas inlet 168 that may be in fluid communication with a gas supply. The gas may be a cooling gas (e.g., having a temperature in the range of 0°C to 100°C, or more narrowly, 10°C to 50°C) to cool the exterior of the conduit 104, and may also be pressurized to allow diffuse gas flow from the exterior of the conduit 104 through the conduit 104 to the interior of the conduit 104.Here, the gas may include air, oxygen, nitrogen, or any other gas suitable for contact with molten glass, and may be provided from a gas pressure vessel, from a gas line pressurized by a pump, or from any other suitable gas source, and the flow rate of the gas may be controlled by one or more proportional valves or the like, or in any other suitable manner. In one example, the gas may be supplied to the line 104 at a pressure between 1 and 100 psi, including all ranges, subranges, values, and endpoints of that range. The line support 158 may also include upper and lower mounting rings 170, 172 coupled to the line support 158 and connected to the corresponding portions of the line 104, as described in more detail below.The sleeve 166 may include a tubular body 174 and upper and lower caps 176, 178 that may be attached, welded, screwed, or otherwise coupled to the respective ends of the tubular body 174 to form a gas volume 177 between the sleeve 166 and the conduit 104.

[0026] The upper mounting ring 170 may be attached, welded, bolted, or otherwise coupled to the upper cap 176 of the sleeve 166 and may have one or more radially inwardly extending tongues 180 that fit into one or more corresponding grooves 182 in the conduit 104. To facilitate assembly of such a tongue-and-groove connection, the upper mounting ring 170 may be split and consist of semicircular halves. The lower mounting ring 172 and the mounting arrangement on the conduit 104 may be similar to that of the upper mounting ring 170.

[0027] The conduit support 158 may also include a baffle 184 radially disposed between the sleeve 166 and the conduit 104 to direct the gas supplied through the conduit support 158 to the conduit 104. Portions of the baffle 184 may be welded, fastened, press-fitted, or otherwise coupled to corresponding portions of the sleeve 166. The baffle 184 may provide a detour for the supply of gas into the conduit 104. More specifically, the gas enters the conduit support 158 via the inlet 168, flows circumferentially around the baffle 184, and down to a lower end of the baffle 184, which has holes, recesses, or at least some portions axially spaced from corresponding portions of the sleeve 166 of the conduit support 158.The gas flows through the holes or recesses or around the lower end of the baffle 184, radially inward toward the conduit 104 and circumferentially around the conduit 104 between the conduit 104 and the baffle 184, and upward and out one or more gas outlets (not shown). The baffle 184 promotes a more uniform circumferential impingement of the cooling gas across the entire outer surface 122 of the conduit 104 and allows for a more uniform pressure differential across the conduit 104 between the outer surface 122 and the inner surface 124, thereby creating a more uniform permeable cooling gas flow through the conduit 104 along the length of the conduit 104.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the gas may flow diffusively through the conduit 104 into the interior of the conduit 104 if the conduit 104 is made of a material that allows diffusive gas flow therethrough. The gas creates a positive pressure differential between the gas volume 177 and the transport cup cavity 108, which drives the flow of the gas through the sidewall 120 of the conduit 104 by diffusion. The baffle 184, with or without gas exhaust outlets (not shown), promotes both a uniform gas flow rate across the entire outer surface 122 of the sidewall 120 of the conduit 104 and a uniform pressure differential around and across the outer surface 122, thereby creating a uniform diffusive flow through the sidewall 120 along the length of the conduit 104.

[0029] The conduit 104 of the transfer cup 102 comprises glass transfer material, and in addition to being generally suitable for glass handling and service at elevated temperatures, the material properties of the glass transfer material directly impact the performance of the conduit 104 by influencing the charge of molten glass G to move away from the inner surface 124 to prevent heat flow from the charge G. Selecting the glass transfer material, particularly based on gas permeability, with thermal conductivity also being important, can result in the conduit 104 being better able to keep the charge of molten glass G away from the inner surface 124 and to control the positioning of the charge G during loading and unloading.In this regard, there is a correlation between the identified material property(ies) of the glass transport material, as discussed below, and the ability of conduit 104, during operation, to minimize heat loss from the batch of molten glass G and to help preserve the initial heat content of the glass. This heat retention capability of the glass transport material, in turn, minimizes the formation of temperature fluctuations within and on the surface of the batch of molten glass G during transport, particularly the formation of surface temperature fluctuations circumferentially around the batch G.

[0030] The diffusion of cooling gas, which is directed around the outside of conduit 104 to regulate the temperature of conduit 104, through the intrinsic microstructure of the glass transport material forming conduit 104 and into passage 114, has an effect on the skin temperature of the charge of molten glass G. If the diffusing cooling gas flows quickly enough through the glass transport material, it counteracts the natural tendency of the charge of molten glass G to conform to the inner surface 124 of conduit 104 by circumferentially displacing the charge G inward from the inner surface 124. This pushing effect of the diffusing cooling gas has several beneficial effects on the functionality of conduit 104.First, the diffusing cooling gas helps to center the charge of molten glass G itself and minimizes frictional contact between the charge G and the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104 as the charge G falls into the passage 114 during loading, thereby reducing the process's sensitivity to variations in gob position and shape as the glass charge G is loaded into the conduit. Second, the diffusing cooling gas forms a thermal break between the charge of molten glass G and the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104 after the charge G enters the passage 114. The thermal break interrupts the flow of heat from the glass charge G into the surrounding glass transport material of the conduit 104, thus helping to insulate the gob G from heat loss along its entire length and circumference.Additionally, when the charge of molten glass G is stationary in the passage 114, the diffusing cooling gas can occupy the surface asperities of the inner surface 124 and circumferentially push the charge G inward away from the porosity of the inner surface 124 to such an extent that the charge G is physically separated from the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104 by a gas barrier. Third, the diffusing cooling gas helps minimize friction with the inner surface 124 of the conduit when the charge G is dropped from the passage 114 during discharge of the charge G, reducing wear on the glass transport material.

[0031] The ability of the glass transport material of conduit 104 to support the diffusive flow of the cooling gas can be quantified by determining the permeable air flow rate through conduit 104. Since diffusive flow refers to gas flow through the interconnected porosity of the glass transport material's microstructure, as opposed to flow through holes or other openings formed directly through the material, the permeable air flow rate is a measure of how much air flows through the glass transport material's microstructure over a given period of time per unit area of the inner surface 124 at a given pressure differential across the material. The higher the permeable air flow rate, the more air flows diffusively through the glass transport material of conduit 104, and vice versa.And just because air is the medium used to determine the permeable flow through the glass transport material of conduit 104 as an indication of how much a material allows for diffusive flow, this does not mean that the cooling gas used to regulate the temperature of conduit 104 must also be air; rather, any suitable cooling gas may be used. In applying conduit 104 as part of transport cup 102, it has been found that a glass transport material capable of a permeable air flow rate of at least 100 g / s / m. 2 or preferably at least 150 g / s / m 2at a pressure differential across the material of 30 psig or less, has sufficient diffusive flow that good, repeatable performance can be achieved in mitigating heat loss of the batch of molten glass G and glass sticking in the line 104. The permeable air flow rate through a particular glass transport material, when constructed as line 104, can be determined by measuring the permeability of the glass transport material, k, as specified in ASTM D4525-13 below. For a line 104 comprising a glass transport material of a particular thickness and a particular pressure differential across the line 104, the permeability can be used to calculate the permeable air flow rate through the glass transport material of the line 104.

[0032] By designing the conduit 16 to achieve the above-described permeable air flow rate, the diffusive flow of the cooling gas through the conduit 104 and into the passage 114 through the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104 can be adjusted in coordination with various phases of the operation of the transport device 100 by controlling the pressure of the cooling gas within the pressure volume 177. For example, if the cooling gas used is air, the permeable flow rate of the cooling gas through the conduit 104 can be controlled as follows: (1) During a loading phase, when the charge of molten glass G is taken into the passage 114 of the conduit 104, the permeable flow rate is adjusted to a loading range of 20 g / s / m 2 up to 150 g / s / m 2adjusted to circumferentially constrict or squeeze the charge G inward and to assist the self-centering of the charge G as the charge G falls into the passage 114; (2) during a transport phase, when the charge of molten glass G is received in the passage 114 and moved by the transport device 100, the permeable flow rate is adjusted to a transport range of 20 g / s / m 2 up to 150 g / s / m 2 adjusted to achieve a minimum heat transfer rate from the charge of molten glass G to the surrounding line 104; and (3) during a discharge phase, when the charge of molten glass G falls from the line 104, the permeable flow rate of the cooling gas is adjusted to a discharge range of 0.03 g / s / m 2 up to 20 g / s / m 2 or preferably between 4 g / s / m 2 up to 20 g / s / m 2adjusted to allow charge G to expand circumferentially outward so that charge G can be dropped more precisely and accurately from line 104. In addition, during a return phase after discharging the charge of molten glass G, but before loading the next charge, the cooling gas flow around line 104 within pressure volume 177 is adjusted to remove excess heat from the previous charge of glass G from line 104 to maintain the temperature of the glass transport material of line 104 at a target operating temperature (e.g., 100°C to 400°C) within acceptable tolerances.Adjusting the flow rate of the cooling gas within the pressure volume 177 may affect the permeable flow rate of the cooling gas through the conduit 104, although such variations in the permeable flow rate during the recirculation phase are not expected to affect the functionality of the conduit 104.

[0033] The permeable flow rate through the glass transport material of conduit 104 is primarily determined by (i) the pressure differential across the glass transport material, which is achieved in the transport device 100 by controlling the cooling gas pressure in the pressurized volume 177 surrounding conduit 104, (ii) the thickness of the glass transport material, and (ii) various material properties of the glass transport material, including the porosity of its microstructure, the average particle size and particle size distribution of the material, the interconnectivity of the internal voids through the microstructure of the material, and the manner in which the material is manufactured, all of which together can be represented by the permeability of the material.To achieve the desired permeable air flow rate, which indicates that sufficient diffusive flow of the cooling gas through the conduit 104 is possible, particularly at cooling gas pressures within the pressure volume 177, which may range from 1 psig to 100 psig, the glass transport material used to construct the conduit 104 preferably has a permeability (k) in the range of 1 millidarcy (md) to 250 md, or, more narrowly, from 10 md to 150 md, or from 50 md to 135 md when measured according to ASTM D4525-13. The term "permeability" as used herein is a constant of proportionality and is often used synonymously with the term "coefficient of permeability," as in ASTM D4525-13, or "permeability coefficient."

[0034] In addition to, and secondarily to, permeability, the thermal conductivity of the glass transport material is another material property of the glass transport material that is believed to be relevant. Indeed, counterintuitively, it is believed that higher thermal conductivity is more likely to assist in the formation of the thermal separation between the charge of molten glass G and the inner surface 124 of the conduit than lower thermal conductivity, and that it also helps minimize the tendency of the glass to adhere to the inner surface 124 by reducing the formation of localized hot spots along the inner surface 124.In particular, if the thermal conductivity of the glass transport material is greater than or equal to 40 W / m-°K, or more specifically, greater than or equal to 60 W / m-°K over the temperature range of 300°C-400°C, the glass transport material is better able to resist glass adhesion at the operating temperature of the conduit 104. In certain embodiments, the thermal conductivity of the glass transport material is preferably between 100 W / m-°K and 200 W / m-°K, or more narrowly, between 130 W / m-°K and 180 W / m-°K over the same temperature range (i.e., 300°C-400°C), as just mentioned. Since the thermal conductivity of a material typically decreases with increasing temperature, which is the case with carbon-based materials, including graphite-based materials, the thermal conductivity of a potential glass contact material at 400°C can be determined to determine whether the material meets the above-mentioned thermal conductivity requirements.

[0035] The glass transport material is preferably non-metal-based, such as a carbon-based, and more preferably, a graphite-based material. As used herein, "-based" refers to materials that are greater than or equal to 50 wt.% of the designated material. For example, a graphite-based material may be pure graphite (100 wt.%) or a mixture containing other materials besides graphite as a primary component (50 wt.% or more). A graphite-based material is a particularly good candidate for the glass transport material because graphite can achieve varying degrees of permeability and thermal conductivity depending on various factors, including how the graphite is shaped and processed. Another property of graphite-based materials that may be useful in the construction of conduit 104 is that graphite-based materials are self-lubricating.When the glass transport material is self-lubricating, the charge of molten glass G moves with less frictional resistance against the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104 when received into the receiving cavity 108. By reducing friction along the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104, the molten glass is less likely to adhere to the inner surface 124 and / or damage the contact points 114 of the inner surface 124. When the glass transport material is formed from a graphite-based material, the target operating temperature of the glass transport material may, in one example, be between 100°C and 400°C, and preferably between 350°C and 400°C, depending on thermal conductivity, since graphite-based materials may tend to undesirably oxidize when temperatures rise significantly above 400°C.Another self-lubricating non-metallic material that can be used as a glass transport material is boron nitride-based materials (BN-based) and in particular hexagonal boron nitride.

[0036] In a specific embodiment, the glass transport material is formed from extruded graphite. Extruded graphite may have a relatively high permeability, even within the above-mentioned ranges, and may also be more thermally conductive than other types of graphite, such as isostatically formed graphite, although isostatically formed graphite can certainly be used as a glass transport material along with other types of graphite, including other forms of cold-formed graphite and vibratory-formed graphite. For example, the grains or particles of an extruded graphite glass transport material have an extrusion axis that is generally parallel to the conduit passage axis. The extrusion axis is measured with respect to the longest dimension of the respective particle. In this embodiment, the entire conduit 104—i.e.The entire sidewall 120 between the inlet and outlet 116, 118—from the inlet 110 to the outlet 112—is made of extruded graphite, and the conduit 104 is formed by machining the passage 114 to the desired microstructure into a solid body of extruded graphite having the general dimensions of the conduit 104. Fabricating the conduit 104 from extruded graphite can also provide some control over the porosity of the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104, which can help achieve the desired surface roughness and permeability.

[0037] With further reference to Fig. 10, the end cap carrier 162 includes outer brackets 224 having side walls 226 and bottom walls 227 that are connected to the side walls 226, for example, via the illustrated cap screws, other suitable fasteners, welds, or other suitable mounting arrangement. The end cap carrier 162 also includes inner mounting blocks 228 that are held by the outer brackets 224 and to which the end cap halves 106a,b can be connected via the illustrated cap screws, other suitable fasteners, welds, or other suitable mounting arrangement. The transport device 100 can also include actuator mounting plates 206 that are attached to the actuator fittings 204 of the actuator 164, for example, via the illustrated cap screws, other suitable fasteners, welds, or other suitable mounting arrangement.Likewise, the transport device 100 may also include gusset brackets 208 secured to the mounting plates 206 and to the bottom walls 227 of the end cap support 162 by means of the illustrated cap screws, other suitable fasteners, welding, or other suitable mounting arrangement. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the end cap support 162 may be connected to the actuator 164 in any other suitable manner. Referring again to FIG. Fig. 3, the end cap guide 165 may include a linear bushing or bearing arrangement, e.g., pillow block bearings 209, secured in any suitable manner to the mounting plates 206 and slidably connected to rails 211.

[0038] Referring to Fig. 10A, the end cap halves 106a,b may include radially outwardly facing shoulders 210, mounting flanges 212, and mounting passages 214 extending through the mounting flanges 212 for receiving fasteners 196 that secure the halves 106a,b to the mounting blocks 228. The end cap halves 106a,b may include facing walls 216 having diametrically opposed mating surfaces 218 that may contact one another when the end cap 106 is in the closed or transport position. Further, the bottom walls 227 of the retainers 224 may be elongated plates extending perpendicular to the opening / closing axis B of the split end cap 106, and the side walls 226 of the retainers 224 may include discrete plates attached to the sides of the elongated plates. In any case, the lower walls 227 have gas connections 227a, which are connected, for example, via threaded connections to gas fittings 227b.The end cap support halves 162a,b may further include perforated seals 244 between the mounting blocks 228 and the end cap halves 106a,b. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the mounting blocks 228 are movably attached to the bottom walls 227 of the outer holders 224 by fasteners 234 (Fig. Fig. 10) having threaded ends that screw into corresponding threaded holes in the inner mounting blocks 228, shafts that extend through enlarged holes in the bottom walls 227 of the outer holders 224, and heads that retain washers on the bottom walls 227 of the outer holders 224. In addition, the positions of the inner mounting blocks 228 can be finely adjusted by set screws 236 that extend through the side walls 226 of the outer holders 224 and contact the inner mounting blocks 228.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the fasteners 234 can be loosened, the set screws 236 turned, the inner mounting blocks 228 moved to the desired positions, and the fasteners 234 tightened to lock the inner mounting blocks 228 in their desired positions to ensure a desired position of the end cap halves 106a,b relative to each other and / or the conduit 104.

[0039] Again referring to the Fig. 1-6, the transport device 100 may further include an adjustable end cap mounting frame 290 that adjustably mounts the end cap carrier 162 to the wire carrier 158. The mounting frame 290 may include adapter plates 292 connected to the sleeve 166 of the wire carrier 158. The wire carrier 158 includes mounting projections 179, which may be elongated, into corresponding elongated recesses 293 ( Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) fit into the inner surfaces of the plates 292 and are fixed to the plates 292 by fastening elements 270 ( Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) extending through the plates 292 and into threaded channels in the elongated projections 179. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the conduit carrier 158 may be connected to the frame adapter plates 292 by dovetail joints or other mechanical fastening devices, by welding, or in any other suitable manner.

[0040] Additionally, the frame 290 may include end cap support extensions 303 having lower ends connected to the end cap actuator 164 and to the end cap guide 165 via an adapter block 165a, and a corresponding support extension 305 connected to and extending outwardly from the adapter plates 292. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the illustrated end cap support extension 303 includes a plate 303a supporting the end cap guide adapter block 165a at a lower end via cap screws secured through the plate 303a and into the block 165a, and a guide block 303b secured to an upper end of the plate 303a via cap screws extending through the plate 303a and into the guide block 303b. The conductor carrier extension 305 may be attached to the adapter plates 292 with cap screws or may be attached or coupled thereto in any other suitable manner.One or more fasteners 307 may extend through slots in the side walls 309 of the conduit support extension 305 and into one or more corresponding threaded holes in the end cap support extensions 303. Set screws 311 may extend through end walls of the conduit support extension 305 and into corresponding threaded passages in a top wall 313 of the end cap support extensions 303. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the fasteners 307 may be loosened, the set screw 311 turned, the extension 303 and the remainder of the end cap support extension 303 moved to a desired position, and the fasteners 307 tightened to lock the end cap support extension 303 in a desired position relative to the conduit support extension 305, thus ensuring the desired position of the end cap 106 relative to the conduit 104.

[0041] Although not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the transport device 100 can be adapted for use with any suitable electrical, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic fittings, lines, adapters, valves, and the like, and can be coupled to any suitable electrical, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic power source to drive the actuator, deliver gas into the transport cup 102, and deliver gas to the conduit carrier 158. Likewise, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any suitable controls and controls can be used to control the operation of the transporter 100.

[0042] Fig. 11-17 show another exemplary embodiment of a molten glass transport device 300. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments of Fig. 1-10A, and like numerals throughout the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawn figures. The descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated herein by reference, and descriptions of matters common to the embodiments are generally not repeated here.

[0043] With reference to the Fig. 11 to 14, the transport device 300 is used to transport a single portion or batch of molten glass G ( Fig. 14) from a feeder F for molten glass ( Fig. 12) to one or more blank shapes M ( Fig. 11) located at any suitable location relative to the feeder F, including at heights above, below, or level with the feeder F. The feeder F may include one or more feeder ports (not shown) that discharge molten glass streams (not shown) and one or more shearing devices (not shown) that cut the molten glass streams into individual portions or batches of molten glass. The transport device 300 may be translated, rotated, pivoted, swung, and / or articulated and / or moved in any other manner suitable for transporting a batch of molten glass from the molten glass feeder F to one or more blank molds M. Although not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a robot, gantry, or other suitable transport device may be used to move the transport device 300.

[0044] The transport device 300 includes a transport cup 302 having a conduit 304 for receiving a charge of molten glass and an end cap 306 movable relative to the conduit 304 to selectively close the conduit 304 to form a transport cup interior or cavity 308 ( Fig. 14) in which the charge of molten glass G ( Fig. 14) and to selectively open the line 304 to allow the batch of molten glass G to exit the line 304. In an open or discharge position with respect to the line 304, as shown in the Fig. 11 and Fig. 13, the end cap 306 is moved away from the conduit 304 to allow the molten glass G to exit the transfer cup 302 to enter the blank mold M ( Fig. 11). In a closed or transport position with respect to the line 304, as shown in the Fig. 12 and Fig. 14, the end cap 306 is moved toward and below the conduit 304 to retain the charge of molten glass in the transfer cup 302.

[0045] With reference to Fig. 15, the conduit 304 of the transport cup 302 includes an inlet 310, an outlet 312, and a passage 314 extending between the inlet 310 and the outlet 312 along a conduit passage axis A, which may extend vertically. As used herein, the term "vertical" does not necessarily mean perfectly or absolutely vertical and includes within 0 to + / - 2 degrees of absolute vertical, including all ranges, subranges, endpoints, and values of that range. The conduit 304 may have an inlet end 316 with the inlet 310, an outlet end 318 with the outlet 312, and a sidewall 320 having an outer surface 322 and an inner surface 324 defining the passage 314 extending between the inlet 310 and the outlet 312.The charge of molten glass G may be in direct contact with the inner surface 324 of the conduit 304, or the glass charge G may be fluidly displaced from the inner surface 324 as before. The inlet 310 and the outlet 312 may be coaxial with the passage axis A of the conduit, as in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, one or both inlets 310 and / or outlets 312 may be radially offset or inclined relative to axis A, such that one or both inlets 310 and / or outlets 312 may be disposed in a sidewall of the conduit 304 between the upper and lower ends of the conduit 304, with a passage for molten glass extending between such inlet and outlet arrangement.

[0046] The passage 314 may include a lower section 326 and an upper tapered section 328 that acts as a funnel to direct a falling charge of molten glass from the inlet 310 downward into the lower section 326, which may have a constant diameter or a flow area measured perpendicular to the axis A. Of course, the upper tapered section 328 will provide an inlet 310 that has a larger flow area than the outlet 312. The conduit sidewall 320, the conduit 304, and / or the conduit passage 314 may have a circular cylindrical shape, as shown, or an oval cylindrical shape, or another shape suitable for receiving, holding, and transporting a charge of molten glass. The inlet end 316 of the conduit 304 may be flat and perpendicular to the conduit passage axis A.

[0047] With reference to Fig. 17, the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304 may be tapered or beveled, or, as shown, compound tapered or compound beveled, to include an outer beveled surface 330 extending radially inward and axially downward from the outer surface 322 of the conduit sidewall 320, and an inner beveled surface 332 extending radially inward and axially upward from the outer beveled surface 330 to the inner surface 324 of the conduit sidewall 320. The outer and inner beveled surfaces 330, 332 may be straight surfaces or rounded, curved, or arched surfaces. The transition between the outer and inner beveled surfaces 330, 332 may be sharp or rounded.

[0048] With reference to the Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, the end cap 306 includes a lower end 334, an upper end 336, which may be axially opposite the lower end 334, and a lateral boundary 338 extending between the lower and upper ends 334, 336 and which may include mounting recesses 339, e.g., shell-shaped mounting recesses. The upper end 336 includes an end surface 340 and may include a sloped surface 342 extending sloped between the end surface 340 and the lateral boundary 338, and, as shown in Fig. 15, the lower end 334 includes a base surface 344 axially opposite the end surface 340 and a fluid pocket 346 ( Fig. 15) in the base surface 344. The sloped surface 342 may be a straight, beveled surface, as shown, or a rounded, inwardly or outwardly curved surface. The end cap 306 also includes one or more fluid delivery channels 348 extending between the lower and upper ends 334, 336. When the end cap 306 is in an open or dispensing position with respect to the conduit 304, as best shown in the Fig. 11 and Fig. 13, the end cap 306 is spaced from, and does not block or cover, the conduit outlet 312 to allow a charge of molten glass to exit the conduit 304 to enter a blank mold (not shown). When the end cap 306 is in a closed or transport position relative to the conduit 304, as shown in FIGS. Fig. 12 and Fig. 14, the end cap 306 may be in contact with the conduit 304 or may be in close proximity to the conduit 304 such that the end cap 306 sufficiently covers or blocks the outlet 312 to retain the glass charge in the conduit 304.

[0049] Again referring to Fig. 17, the charge of molten glass G is axially spaced from the end surface 340 of the end cap 306. Additionally, the one or more fluid supply channels 348 include one or more lower or outer cup openings 350 open to the fluid pocket 346 of the lower end 334 of the end cap 306 and one or more upper or inner inlets 352 open to the sloped surface 342 of the upper end 336 of the end cap 306. The plurality of fluid supply channels 348 may extend through the end cap 306 at one or more oblique angles relative to the conduit passage axis A. In this embodiment, the one or more oblique angles diverge from the conduit passage axis A in a direction from the lower end 334 to the upper end 336, but in other embodiments, the one or more oblique angles may converge to the conduit passage axis A in a direction from the lower end 334 to the upper end 336.In still other embodiments, the fluid supply channels 348 may extend orthogonally, for example parallel to the axis A.

[0050] The size, quantity, orientation, and / or configuration of the fluid supply channels 348, as well as the type, flow rate, pressure, and other characteristics of the fluid supplied through the fluid supply channels 348, can be selected to ensure that the fluid supplied into the transfer cup 302 between the charge of molten glass G and the transfer cup 302 is sufficient to displace the desired portions of the charge of molten glass G, but not so large that the charge of molten glass G is forced out of contact with the end cap 306 or the charge of molten glass G is ejected from the transfer cup 302.In a particular example, the air may be supplied through the passages 348 at a relatively higher flow rate when the charge of molten glass G is loaded into the transport cup 302, and conversely, the air may be supplied through the passages 348 at a relatively lower flow rate after the charge G is loaded and the cup 302 travels to the blank molds.

[0051] Again referring to Fig. 16, in this embodiment, the plurality of fluid supply channels 348 includes a circular array of fluid supply channels 348, but in other embodiments, the fluid supply channel(s) may include one or more oval arrays, linear arrays, rectangular arrays, or any other array of fluid supply channels 348 suitable for displacing one or more portions of a batch of molten glass while it is in the transfer cup 302. Additionally, in this embodiment, the plurality of fluid supply channels 348 extend through the sloped surface 342, but in other embodiments, the fluid supply channel(s) 348 may instead extend through the end surface 340 and / or through an intersection 341 of the end and sloped surfaces 340, 342, or any combination thereof. The intersection 341 may be a sharp edge or a rounded surface.

[0052] Again referring to Fig. 17, in the closed position, the upper end 336 of the end cap 306 is located at the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304, and the charge of molten glass G is retained by the end cap 306 at the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304 in the conduit passage 314, closing the outlet 312. The upper end 336 of the end cap 306 and the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304 have cooperating mating surfaces. In particular, in this illustrated embodiment, the tapered surface 342 of the upper end 336 of the end cap 306 may abut the inner tapered surface 332 of the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304. The cooperating sloped surfaces 332, 342 facilitate good coaxial self-alignment of the end cap 306 relative to the conduit 304 and a good seal therebetween in the closed position of the end cap 306 to reduce or eliminate gaps therebetween.More specifically, the end surface 340 here has an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the outlet 312 of the conduit 304, and the inner inlets 352 of the fluid supply channels 348 are located radially outward of the end surface 340, but radially inward of the inner diameter of the outlet 312. In the illustrated embodiment, the surfaces 332, 342 are in direct contact with each other, so that there is no axial gap between the surfaces 332, 342. In other embodiments, described below with reference to a subsequent embodiment, the upper end 336 of the end cap 306 may be slightly axially spaced from the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304 in a closed state of the transport cup 302 in which the end cap 306 is in a closed or transport position with respect to the conduit 304.In such embodiments, the axial gap may be 0.003" to 0.030", including all ranges, subranges, endpoints, and values of that range. In other embodiments, one or more exhaust ports (not shown) may be provided in one or the other or both surfaces 332, 342 to allow gas to escape to the atmosphere or another area. In the illustrated embodiment, the end cap 306 axially overlaps the conduit 304, and a portion of the upper end 336 of the end cap 306 extends into a corresponding portion of the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304.

[0053] Referring to Fig. 17A, an internal junction 354 of the transport cup 302 is formed at an intersection 306 and the conduit 304, for example, at an intersection of the sloped surface 342 of the upper end 336 of the end cap 306 and the inner surface 324 of the conduit 304. Fluid is supplied through the fluid supply channel(s) 348, and the fluid may include pressurized gas, for example, air, chilled air, heated air, humidified air, dehumidified air, oxygen, nitrogen, or any other gas suitable for contact with molten glass. Although not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the pressurized gas may be provided from a gas pressure vessel, a gas line pressurized by a pump, or other suitable pressurized gas source.Without the supply of fluid through the fluid supply channels 348 of the end cap 306, the charge of molten glass would abut the junction 354, which would form a parting line in the charge of molten glass G. When the end cap 306 covers the conduit 304 such that the fluid supply channels 348 communicate with the transfer cup 302, at least in some embodiments, fluid is conveyed into the transfer cup 302 to displace at least a portion of the charge of molten glass G from the junction 354 of the mating surfaces of the conduit 304 and the end cap 306.

[0054] In this illustrated embodiment, fluid is delivered through end cap 306 into transport cup 302 at a location proximate and radially inward of junction 354. As used herein, the term "proximate" means, in exemplary relative terms, closer to than farther away, such that, for example, one or more of fluid delivery channels 348 is / are more than halfway from conduit passage axis A to the inner diameter of inner surface 324 of passage 314 at outlet end 318 of conduit 304. More specifically, one or more of the inner inlets 352 of fluid delivery channels 348 is / are located within 80 to 100 percent of the inner diameter of passage 314, including all regions, subregions, endpoints, and values of that range. For example, the inner inlets 352 of the cup may have a diameter of 0.5 to 2 mm, including all ranges, subranges, endpoints, and values of that range.Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand from the disclosure and teachings herein that the individual and collective surface areas of the inlets 352 and any exhaust air outlet gaps or recesses (not shown) can be selected to achieve a desired total air mass flow into, through, and out of the transfer cup 302 that results in a desired amount of displacement of the charge of molten glass G. The fluid supply channels 348 can be arranged perimetrically in a circular array located near the inner junction 354, including immediately adjacent to or even overlapping it, and coaxial with the circular inner junction 354.

[0055] In addition, the fluid is supplied between the transfer cup 302 and the batch of molten glass G to keep the batch of molten glass G away from the joint 354 and to create a gap 356 between the transfer cup 302 and a lower end of the batch of molten glass G, and more particularly between the joint 354 of the transfer cup 302 and the lower end of the batch of molten glass G. Therefore, the batch of molten glass G does not contact the joint 354, thus preventing the formation of a parting line. The fluid supply channels 348 therefore facilitate the prevention or reduction of parting lines forming in the batch of molten glass G and thus facilitate the prevention or reduction of the parting lines striking through to a finished glass container formed from the batch of molten glass G.

[0056] Again referring to the Fig. 11 and Fig. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 12, the transport device 300 may also include a conduit carrier 358 in which the conduit 304 is held, and a conduit carrier mount 360 configured to secure the transport device 300 to a transport device moving device (not shown). Additionally, the transport device 300 may include an end cap carrier 362 on which the end cap 306 is held, and an end cap actuator 364 coupled to the end cap carrier 362 and activatable to move the end cap 306 to expose and cover the outlet 312 of the conduit 304.

[0057] The conduit carrier 358 may include a vertically extending sleeve 366 that may be radially spaced from the conduit 304 and may have a gas inlet 368 and a gas supply S ( Fig. 12) that is in fluid communication with the inlet 368. The conduit support 358 may also include upper and lower mounting rings 370, 372 that are coupled to the conduit support 358 and contact the corresponding portions of the conduit 304, as described in more detail below. The sleeve 366 may include a tubular body 374 and upper and lower caps 376, 378 that may be attached, welded, screwed, or otherwise coupled to the corresponding ends of the tubular body 374 to form a gas volume between the sleeve 366 and the conduit 304.

[0058] With reference to the Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the lower mounting ring 372 may be attached, welded, threaded, or otherwise coupled to the lower cap 378 of the sleeve 366 and may have one or more radially inwardly extending keys 380 that fit into one or more corresponding grooves 382 in the conduit 304. The lower mounting ring 372 may be split and consist of semicircular halves to facilitate assembly of the tongue and groove connection. The upper mounting ring 370 ( Fig. 11 and Fig. 12) and the mounting arrangement on the conduit 304 may be similar to that of the lower mounting ring 372. The conduit support 358 may also include a perforated baffle 384 radially disposed between the sleeve 366 and the conduit 304 to distribute the gas delivered through the conduit support 358 to the conduit 304. Portions of the baffle 384 may be attached, welded, bolted, press-fitted, or otherwise coupled to corresponding portions of the sleeve 366.

[0059] Again referring to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the conductor carrier support 360 may include a mounting plate 386 coupled to the conductor carrier 358, a coupling flange 388 for coupling to a transport device moving device (not shown), and a reinforced tubular connector 390 between the mounting plate 386 and the coupling flange 388. The mounting plate 386 may be attached, welded, threaded, or otherwise suitably coupled to a corresponding portion of the sleeve 366 of the conductor carrier 358; such a mounting arrangement is described in more detail below with reference to a subsequent embodiment. The coupling flange 388 may, for example, be attached to the end of a robot arm (not shown), so that the transport device 300 may be a robotic end effector.

[0060] Again referring to Fig. 14, the end cap support 362 may include a movable holder 392, which in this embodiment is in the form of a cantilevered arm rotatable about an actuation axis C offset from the conduit passage axis A, such that it is laterally slidable with respect to the conduit support 358 and the conduit 304, and may also be axially slidable with respect to the conduit support 358 and the conduit 304. The end cap support 362 also includes an end cap mounting block 394 coupled to the holder 392 to facilitate precise positioning of the end cap 306 relative to the conduit 304.The mounting block 394 can be secured to the holder 392 by fasteners 396 having heads 396a and washers 396b that engage the mounting recesses 339 in the end cap 306 and having shafts 396c that extend through corresponding mounting passages of the mounting block 394 and have threaded ends that are screwed into corresponding threaded portions of the holder 392 to hold the end cap 306 to the holder 392.

[0061] With further reference to the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the end cap actuator 364 may be or include a rotary actuator or a combined rotary and linear actuator. The illustrated actuator 364 includes a shaft support 400, a motor 402 axially aligned with the shaft support 400, and an actuator shaft 404 that is passed through the shaft support 400 at an upper end of the shaft 404 and connected to the arm 392 at a lower end of the shaft 404. The motor 402 may be an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic motor that can rotate the shaft 404 and, in this embodiment, may also be configured to axially translate the shaft 404 so that the motor 402 and shaft 404 can move the end cap support 362 and the end cap 306.In this illustrated embodiment, the actuator 364 can both rotate and linearly translate the end cap support 362 and the end cap 306, such that the actuator 364 can articulate the end cap support 362 and the end cap 306. The actuator 364 can be connected to the lead frame 358 via a mounting plate 406 that can be attached to a corresponding portion of the sleeve 366, and one or more adapter brackets 408 that can be attached to corresponding portions of the mounting plate 406 and to corresponding portions of the actuator 364, such as upper and lower portions of the motor 402. With continued reference to FIG. Fig. 14, the actuator 364 can be activated to linearly (e.g., axially) translate the end cap 306 downwardly away from the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304 and to rotate the end cap 306 laterally so that the end cap 306 is not axially aligned with and further out of the way of the outlet 312 of the conduit 304. Of course, the actuator 364 can also be activated in the opposite direction to rotate the end cap 306 laterally back toward and directly below the outlet 312 of the conduit and to linearly translate the end cap 306 back toward and into contact with the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304.

[0062] Fig. 18-24 show another exemplary embodiment of a molten glass transport device 300. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments of Fig. 1-17, like numerals throughout the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawn figures. The descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated herein, and descriptions of matters common to the embodiments are generally not repeated here.

[0063] With reference to the Fig. 18 and Fig. 19, the transport device 500 includes a transport cup 502 with a conduit 504 and an end cap 506 for the conduit 504. In contrast to the previous embodiment, the end cap 506 here is a split end cap with end cap parts or halves 506a,b. In this embodiment, to open the transport cup 502, the end cap 506 is axially movable away from the conduit 504, and the end cap halves 506a,b are movable away from each other along an opening / closing axis B of the end cap halves 506a,b. Conversely, to close the transport cup 502, the end cap halves 506a,b are movable toward each other along the opening / closing axis B of the split end cap halves 506a,b, and the end cap 506 is axially movable toward the conduit 504. In at least some embodiments, the end cap opening / closing axis B is perpendicular to the conduit passage axis A, but other orientations may be used.In an open or dispensing position relative to conduit 504, as shown in FIGS. Fig. 18 and Fig. 20, the end cap halves 506a,b are moved away from each other to allow a charge of molten glass (not shown) to exit the conduit 504 to enter a blank mold (not shown) below. In a closed or transport position with respect to the conduit 504, as shown in Fig. 19 and Fig. 21, the end cap halves 506a,b are moved towards each other so that the end cap 506 covers the conduit 504 from below to discharge a charge of molten glass G ( Fig. 21) in the transport cup 502.

[0064] Referring to Fig. 22, the end cap halves 506a,b include lower ends 534, upper ends 536 axially opposite the lower ends 534, and side boundaries 538 extending between the lower and upper ends 534, 536 and shoulders 610 that may be directed radially outward and extend axially and circumferentially, and mounting flanges 612 that may be directed axially toward and extend radially outward and circumferentially from the upper mounting surfaces 614. The upper ends 536 include end surfaces 540 and may also include sloped surfaces 542 that extend sloped between the end surfaces 540 and the side boundaries 538. The lower ends 534 include base surfaces 544 and may also include fluid pockets 546 in the base surfaces 544.The end cap halves 506a,b include facing walls 616 having axially and diametrically extending mating surfaces 618 that may contact each other when the end cap 506 is in the closed or transport position. The mating surfaces 618 may extend at an angle other than parallel to the axis of the conduit passage.

[0065] With continued reference to Fig. 22, the end cap halves 506a,b also include a first plurality of fluid supply channels 548 extending between the lower and upper ends 534, 536 and may have lower openings 550 in fluid communication with the base surfaces 544 and / or fluid pockets 546 in the base surfaces 544. More specifically, the end cap halves 506a,b in this embodiment may also include a second plurality of fluid supply channels 620 disposed radially inwardly relative to the first plurality of fluid supply channels 548 and in fluid communication with the end surfaces 540 or open to them and in fluid communication with the pockets 546. More specifically, the second plurality of fluid supply channels 620 may be disposed through a central portion of the end cap 506 to displace at least a portion of the charge of molten glass G from the central portion.The second plurality of fluid supply channels 620 may be used to provide additional force that may be used to pressurize the charge of molten glass G (. Fig. 21) more completely away from the end cap 506, if desired. The fluid supply channels 548, 620 may be in the form of circular arrays that may be circumferentially interdigitated, offset, or staggered. In the closed position, when the end cap 506 covers the conduit 504, the fluid supply channels 548 communicate with the transfer cup 502 to direct fluid thereto to displace at least a portion of a charge of molten glass from an internal junction 554 of the corresponding surfaces of the conduit 504 and the end cap 506.More specifically, fluid is supplied through the first plurality of fluid supply channels 548 into the transfer cup 502 at a location adjacent to and / or radially overlapping the joint 554 and between the transfer cup 502 and the batch of molten glass to create a gap (not shown) around at least a portion of the glass batch and between at least a portion of the glass batch and the joint 554.

[0066] Referring to the Fig. 23 and Fig. 24, one or both of the end cap halves 506a,b also includes a vertically extending channel 622 in one or both mating surfaces 618 to provide one or more fluid exhaust outlets in fluid communication with the interior of the transport cup 502 and the atmosphere. As in Fig. 24, both end cap halves 506a,b may have channels 622b that are radially offset from each other. In other embodiments, a fluid exhaust outlet may be provided via a gap (not shown) between the mating surfaces 618. The cross-sectional size of the outlet channels 622 and / or the gap between the mating surfaces 618 may be selected to ensure that the fluid supplied into the transfer cup 502 is sufficient to displace the desired portions of a batch of molten glass, but not so large that the batch of molten glass is forced out of contact with the end cap 506 or ejected from the transfer cup 502.

[0067] Again referring to the Fig. 18 and Fig. 19, the illustrated transport device 500 also includes a conduit carrier 558 in which the conduit 504 is held and which may be configured to be coupled to a conduit carrier support (not shown) and a transport device movement device (not shown). The transport device 500 also includes a split end cap carrier 562 on which the split end cap 506 is held, and an end cap actuator 564 coupled to the split end cap carrier 562 and activatable to move the split end cap 506 to form an outlet 512 ( Fig. 20) of line 504 and cover it.

[0068] The conduit support 558 may include a sleeve 566 that may be cylindrical and elongated and coaxial with and radially spaced from the conduit 504 and may be supplied with gas via an inlet 568, a plurality of gas outlets 569, and a gas path (not shown) therebetween. The conduit support 558 may also include upper and lower mounting rings 570, 572 coupled to the conduit support 558 and contacting upper and lower portions of the conduit 504. The sleeve 566 may include a tubular body 574 and upper and lower caps 576, 578 that may be welded, fastened, press-fitted, or otherwise connected to the corresponding ends of the tubular body 574 to form a gas volume between the sleeve 566 and the conduit 504.The wire carrier 558 may also include elongated mounting bosses 579 that are supported by the tubular body 574 of the sleeve 566 and that may be configured to couple to any suitable wire carrier mount (not shown) for coupling to any suitable transport device movement device (not shown).

[0069] With reference to the Fig. 20 and Fig. 21, the split end cap support 562 may include slidable portions or halves 562a,b, each supporting a corresponding portion or half 506a,b of the split end cap 506. The halves 562a,b of the split end cap support 562 may include outer brackets 624 having side walls 626 and bottom walls 627 coupled to the side walls 626, and inner mounting blocks 628 supported by the outer brackets 624 and having inner side walls 630 coupled to the side walls 626 of the outer brackets 624, and also having bottom walls 632 supported by the bottom walls 627 of the outer brackets 624.The inner mounting blocks 628 can be movably attached to the side walls 626 of the outer holders 624 by fasteners 634 having threaded ends (not shown) that screw into corresponding threaded holes (not shown) in the inner mounting blocks 628, shafts (not shown) that extend through enlarged holes (not shown) in the side walls 626 of the outer holders 624, and heads that retain washers on the side walls 626 of the outer holders 624. In addition, the positions of the inner mounting blocks 628 can be finely adjusted by set screws 636 that extend through the bottom walls 627 of the outer holders 624 and that contact the bottom walls 632 of the inner mounting blocks 628.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the fasteners 634 can be loosened, the set screws 636 turned, the inner mounting blocks 628 moved to the desired positions, and the fasteners 634 tightened to lock the inner mounting blocks 628 in their desired positions to ensure a desired position of the end cap halves 506a,b relative to each other and / or the conduit 504. The bottom walls 632 of the inner mounting blocks 628 have fluid ports 632a connected, for example, via threaded connections, to fluid fittings 632b.

[0070] With continued reference to the Fig. 20 and Fig. 21, the end cap support halves 562a,b may further include sockets 638 between the inner supports and the end cap halves 506a,b, which may be provided to serve as spacers or insulators, and retainer plates 640 attached to the bottom walls 632 of the inner mounting blocks 628 to retain the sockets 638 to the inner mounting blocks 628. The support halves 562a,b may additionally include flow diverter plates 642 between the sockets 638 and the end cap halves 506a,b to divert flow from the relatively radially outward fluid supply channels of the outer supports 624 and the mounting blocks 628 to the relatively radially inward fluid pockets 546 of the end cap halves 506a,b. The support halves 562a,b may further include apertured seals 644 ( Fig. 22) between the flow deflection plates 642 and the end cap halves 506a,b. The end cap halves 506a,b can be connected to the inner mounting blocks 628, for example, via fasteners 650 and one or more mounting rings 652 between the heads of the fasteners 650 and the mounting flanges 612 of the end cap halves 506a,b.

[0071] With reference to the Fig. 18 and Fig. 19, the split end cap support 562 is linearly translatable away from the conduit support 558 and the conduit 504, and its halves 506a,b are linearly translatable away from and toward each other along an opening / closing axis B via the end cap actuator 564. The end cap actuator 564 may include a first actuator 564a to move the split end cap support 562 vertically up and down and a second actuator 564b to reciprocate the halves 506a,b laterally. The first actuator 564a may include a movable portion 654 attached to an actuator arm 656 that supports the second actuator 564b and the split end cap support 562 coupled to the second actuator 564b, and may have one or more fixed portions 658 coupled to corresponding portions of an actuator bracket 660 that may be coupled to the conduit support 558 in any suitable manner.The first actuator 564a may be or include a linear cylinder and may be pneumatic or hydraulic, or may include an electrical device such as a linear motor, a rotary motor with a drive screw, a solenoid, or other arrangement capable of effecting linear motion. The second actuator 564b may be attached to a mounting adapter 662 coupled to a lower end of the actuator arm 656, and it may be movably coupled to the halves 506a,b of the split end cap support 562. The second actuator 564b may be or include a self-centering rodless cylinder, a rack and pinion device, or the like, and may be pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically driven.

[0072] With additional reference to the Fig. 20 and Fig. 21, the actuators 564a,b ( Fig. 18 and Fig. 19) to move the end cap 506 linearly downward from the outlet end 518 ( Fig. 20) of the conduit 504 and to move the halves 506a,b of the split end cap 506 linearly laterally and further out of the way of the outlet end 518 ( Fig. 20) of the line 504. Of course, the actuators 564a,b ( Fig. 18 and Fig. 19) can also be activated in the reverse direction to move the halves 506a,b of the end cap 506 laterally back towards and directly under the conduit 504 and to move the end cap 506 linearly back to the outlet end 518 ( Fig. 20) of line 504.

[0073] Fig. 25-33 show another exemplary embodiment of a molten glass transport device 700. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments in Fig. 1-24, and like numerals throughout the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawn figures. The descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated herein by reference, and descriptions of matters common to the embodiments are generally not repeated here.

[0074] With reference to Fig. 25-33, the transport device 700 includes a transport cup 702 having a conduit 704 and a split end cap 706 below the conduit 704, which is vertically movable away from and toward the conduit 704 and includes end cap portions or halves 706a,b that are movable away from each other along an opening / closing axis B of the split end cap 706 to open the transport cup 702, and that are movable toward each other along the opening / closing axis B to close the transport cup 702 and form a transport cup interior or cavity 708 ( Fig. 30). In an open or dispensing position relative to the conduit 704, as in Fig. 29, the end cap halves 706a,b are moved away from each other to expose or uncover an outlet 712 of the conduit 704 to allow a charge of molten glass to exit the transfer cup 702 into a blank mold (not shown) located below the transfer cup 702. In a closed or transport position relative to the conduit 704, as shown in Fig. 30, the end cap halves 706a,b are moved toward each other below the conduit 704 to cover the outlet 712 of the conduit 704 and to hold a charge of molten glass (not shown) in the transport cup 702. In contrast to the previously disclosed embodiments of the Fig. 11-24, the end cap 706 is opened and closed here along a single axis: the lateral opening / closing axis B of the end cap halves 706a,b, so that the end cap 706 does not need to be opened and closed along the conduit passage axis A. Accordingly, the transport device 700 has reduced design complexity, improved ease of manufacture, fewer moving parts, resulting in weight reduction and increased reliability, while improving the ability to control a batch of molten glass during transport.

[0075] Referring to Fig. 29A, the end cap halves 706a,b include lower ends 734, upper ends 736 axially opposite the lower ends 734, and side boundaries 738 extending between the lower and upper ends 736 and may include radially outwardly facing shoulders 810, mounting flanges 812, and mounting passages 814 extending through the mounting flanges 812. The upper ends 736 include end faces 740 and tapered surfaces 742 extending tapered between the end faces 740 and the side edges 738. In other embodiments, the upper ends 736 need not include the tapered surfaces 742, and the end faces 740 may extend to the side boundaries 738 of the end cap 706. The lower ends 734 include base surfaces 744 and fluid pockets 746 in the base surfaces 744.The end cap halves 706a,b may include facing walls 816 with diametrical mating surfaces 818 that may contact each other when the end cap 706 is in the closed or transport position.

[0076] The end cap halves 706a,b also include one or more fluid supply channels 748 extending between the lower and upper ends 736 and having lower openings 750 that may be in fluid communication with the fluid pockets 746. The fluid supply channels 748 may be in the form of circular arrays. When the end cap 706 covers the conduit 704, the fluid supply channels 748 are in communication with the transfer cup 702 to direct fluid thereto for transferring at least a portion of a batch of molten glass from an internal junction 754 ( Fig. 30) of the mating surfaces of conduit 704 and end cap 706. More specifically, fluid is supplied through end cap 706 into transfer cup 702 at a location at least partially radially inward relative to junction 754 and between transfer cup 702 and the charge of molten glass.

[0077] In contrast to the Fig. 18-24, the fluid supply channels 748 extend at one or more oblique angles that converge toward the conduit passage axis A in a direction from the lower ends 734 to the upper ends 736, and the upper ends 736 of the end cap halves 706a,b are axially spaced from the outlet end 718 of the conduit 704 so that gaps are formed between the conduit 704 and the end cap halves 706a,b to provide transverse fluid exhaust outlets through which excess fluid can escape from the transport cup 702 to the atmosphere. The height of the gap may be selected so that the fluid supplied into the transfer cup 702 is sufficient to displace the desired portions of the charge of molten glass, but is not so large that the charge of molten glass is forced out of contact with the end cap 706 or the charge of molten glass is ejected from the transfer cup 702.

[0078] Again referring to the Fig. 25-28, the transport device 700 may also include a conduit carrier 758 in which the conduit 704 is held, and a conduit carrier mount 760 configured to secure the transport device 700 to a transport device moving device (not shown). Additionally, the transport device 700 may include end cap carriers 762 on which the end cap halves 706a,b are held, and end cap actuators 764 coupled to the end cap carriers 762 and activatable to move the end cap halves 706a,b to expose and cover the outlet 712 of the conduit 704.

[0079] With reference to Fig. 29, the conduit support 758 may include an axially extending sleeve 766 that may be radially spaced from the conduit 704 and may be supplied with fluid via at least one fluid inlet 768. The conduit support 758 may also include upper and lower mounting rings 770, 772 coupled to the conduit support 758 and in contact with upper and lower portions of the conduit 704. The sleeve 766 may include a tubular body 774 and upper and lower caps 776, 778 that may be welded, fastened, press-fitted, or otherwise connected to the corresponding ends of the tubular body 774 to form a fluid volume between the sleeve 766 and the conduit 704.The mounting rings 770, 772 may be attached, welded, bolted, or otherwise coupled to the caps 776, 778 and may have radially inwardly extending tongues 780 that fit into one or more corresponding grooves 782 in the conduit 704. One or more portions of the mounting rings 770, 772 may be semicircular pieces or halves to facilitate assembly of the tongue-and-groove connection.

[0080] In addition, the conduit support 758 may include at least one baffle 784 radially disposed between the sleeve 766 and the conduit 704 to provide a detour for the gas supply to the conduit 704. More specifically, the gas enters the conduit support 758 via the inlet 768, flows circumferentially around the baffle 784, and downwardly to a lower end of the baffle 784, which has holes, recesses, or at least some portions axially spaced from corresponding portions of the sleeve 766 of the conduit support 758. The gas flows through the holes or recesses or around the lower end of the baffle 784, radially inward toward the conduit 704 and circumferentially around the conduit 704 between the conduit 704 and the baffle 784, and upwardly and out one or more outlets (not shown).Portions of the baffle plate 784 may be welded, fastened, press-fitted, or otherwise connected to corresponding portions of the sleeve 766.

[0081] With reference to Fig. 25, the conduit support bracket 760 includes a mounting frame 864. The mounting frame 864 may include longitudinally extending side supports 865 extending perpendicular to the opening / closing axis B of the split end cap 706 and perpendicular to the conduit passage axis A and connected to the sleeve 766 of the conduit support 758. The mounting frame 864 may be a single, unitary component or, as shown, may include separate components that are fastened, welded, bolted, or otherwise connected together. Referring again to Fig. 29, the conductor support 758 includes mounting bosses 779 that may be elongated, fit into corresponding elongated recesses 868 in the inner surfaces of the supports 865, and may be secured to the supports 865 by fasteners 870 extending through the supports 865 and into threaded channels in the elongated bosses 779. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the conductor support 758 may be connected to the bracket 760 by dovetail joints or other mechanical fastening devices, by welding, or in any other suitable manner.

[0082] With reference to the Fig. 27 and Fig. 28, the supports 865 may include mounting features, e.g., mounting passages 872, which may be laterally spaced on either side of the mounting members 870, which may be configured for coupling to any suitable type of transport moving device (not shown), such as a robot, gantry, or the like. The mounting frame 864 of the conductor support mount 760 may also include end walls 874 extending between the supports 865 and side struts 876 extending between the end walls 874. The end walls 874 may be connected to the supports 865 by mounting members 878 extending through end portions of the supports 865 and into corresponding portions of the end walls 874, which may overlap the end portions of the supports 865.

[0083] With reference to Fig. 25 and Fig. 26, the lead support bracket 760 may also include a cover 880 supported by the lead support bracket 760. The cover 880 may be longitudinally elongated and rectangular in plan view and include a base wall 882, flanges 884 extending downwardly from the side walls of the base wall 882, and an opening 886 through the base wall 882 that corresponds to and is axially aligned with the lead 704 of the transport device 700. The cover 880 may be spaced above and secured to the mounting frame 864 of the lead support bracket 760, for example, via a plurality of fasteners 888 secured to the mounting frame 864 and the cover 880. The cover 880 may protect the transport device 700 from molten glass that might otherwise inadvertently fall onto the transport device 700 instead of into the transport cup 702.

[0084] Referring to Fig. 31, the end cap support 762 includes outer brackets 824 having side walls 826 and bottom walls 827 connected to the side walls 826, as well as inner mounting blocks 828 supported by the outer brackets 824. The bottom walls 827 of the brackets 824 may be longitudinally extending elongated rails extending perpendicular to the opening / closing axis B of the split end cap 706, and the side walls 826 of the brackets 824 may include individual plates attached to the sides of the rails. The bottom walls 827 have fluid ports 827a ( Fig. 30A), which are connected, for example, via threaded connections with fluid fittings 827b ( Fig. 30A). The end cap support halves 762a,b may further include perforated seals 844 between the mounting blocks 828 and the end cap halves 706a,b. The mounting blocks 828 may be movably attached to the bottom walls 827 of the outer holders 824 by fasteners 834 having threaded ends that screw into corresponding threaded holes in the inner mounting blocks 828, shafts that extend through enlarged holes in the bottom walls 827 of the outer holders 824, and heads that retain washers on the bottom walls 827 of the outer holders 824. In addition, the positions of the inner mounting blocks 828 may be finely adjusted by set screws 836 that extend through the side walls 826 of the outer holders 824 and that contact the inner mounting blocks 828.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the fasteners 834 can be loosened, the set screws 836 turned, the inner mounting blocks 828 moved to the desired positions, and the fasteners 834 tightened to lock the inner mounting blocks 828 in their desired positions to ensure a desired position of the end cap halves 706a,b relative to each other and / or to the conduit 704.

[0085] Referring to Fig. 32, the end cap support 762 may also include an end cap support frame 890 having side walls 892 extending perpendicular to the opening / closing axis B and lower and upper end walls 894, 896 extending between and coupled to the side walls 892. The outer holders 824 may be laterally slidably connected to the end cap support frame 890. More specifically, the outer holders 824 may be connected to the end cap support frame 890 via movable bearing blocks or bearings 898 attached to end portions of the lower end walls 827 of the outer holders 824 and a shaft 901 extending through the bearings 898 and rotatably connected to the side walls 892 of the end cap support frame 890 via fixed mounting blocks or bearings 899.

[0086] With reference to Fig. 32, the end cap support frame 890 may also be adjustable, for example, axially adjustable, relative to the mounting frame 864 of the conductor support bracket 760. More specifically, the mounting frame 890 of the end cap support 762 may include extensions 903 connected to and extending upwardly from the upper end walls 896, and the mounting frame 864 of the conductor support bracket 760 may have a corresponding extension 905 connected to and extending outwardly from the ends 874 of the mounting frame 864. One or more fasteners 907 may extend through slots in the side walls 909 of the extension 905 of the mounting frame 864 and into one or more corresponding threaded holes in the end cap support frame extensions 903. Set screws 911 may extend through the mounting frame 864 and into threaded passages in a top wall 913 of the end cap support frame extensions 903.Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the fasteners 907 can be loosened, the set screw 911 turned, the extension 903 and the remainder of the end cap support frame 890 moved to a desired position, and the fasteners 907 tightened to lock the end cap support frame 890 in a desired position relative to the mounting frame 864 to achieve the desired position of the end cap halves 706a,b (. Fig. 30) relative to line 704 ( Fig. 30). Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the illustrated axially adjustable device, or dovetail rails and set screws, or any other axially adjustable device suitable for use in a glassmaking environment may be used.

[0087] With reference to Fig. 33, the end cap support 762 includes the end cap actuators 764 that can be coupled between the end cap support frame 890 and the corresponding end cap holders 824. More specifically, the end cap actuators 764 can be attached to the side walls 892 of the end cap support frame 890 and to the tops of the distal instances of the holders 824. For example, the actuators 764 can be cylinders or can include cylinder bodies 915 attached to the inner surfaces of the side walls 892 of the end cap support frame and cylinder rods 917 attached to adapter brackets 919 attached to the tops of the corresponding holders 824.The actuators 764 may be coupled to a common control valve (not shown) or in any other manner suitable for simultaneous activation of the actuators 764 to impart equal and opposite movement to the holders 824 and thus to the end cap halves 706a,b (. Fig. 29). The actuators 764 may be pneumatic or hydraulic, or may include an electrical device such as a linear motor, a rotary motor with a drive screw, a solenoid, or other suitable arrangement for producing linear motion.

[0088] Referring again to Fig. 29, the transport device 700 may also include dampers 921 operatively coupled between the end cap support frame 890 and the end cap halves 706a,b to dampen the opening of the end cap halves 706a,b. The dampers 921 may include cylinders 923 attached to the side walls 892 of the end cap support frame 890, and pistons 925 engageable with extensions 824a of the holders 824 extending downwardly from the bottom walls 827 of the holders 824. Accordingly, when the actuators 764 are activated to open the end cap halves 706a,b, the holder extensions 824a contact the pistons 925 and move the pistons 925 into the cylinders 923 to provide a cushioned opening of the end cap halves 706a,b and thereby reduce vibration.Those of ordinary skill in the art will know that the dampers can be elastomeric dampers, viscoelastic dampers, or other dampers suitable for use in a glass manufacturing environment.

[0089] Again referring to the Fig. 25-29, the transfer apparatus 700 is illustrated as including only one transfer cup 702 and one carrier 758, but in other embodiments, the transfer apparatus 700 could include additional transfer cups and carriers. For example, two additional transfer cups and carriers could be disposed longitudinally outwardly of the illustrated transfer cup 702 and carrier and connected to the remainder of the transfer apparatus 700 in a similar manner to the illustrated transfer cup 702 and carrier 758. Accordingly, the transfer apparatus 700 would be configured to receive a plurality of charges of molten glass from a plurality of openings of a feeder, transfer the charges, and discharge the charges into a corresponding plurality of blank molds.

[0090] Fig. Figure 34 shows another exemplary embodiment of a molten glass transport device 1100. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments of Fig. 1-33, and like numerals throughout the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. The descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated herein by reference, and descriptions of matters common to the embodiments are generally not repeated here.

[0091] The transport device 1100 includes a transport cup 1102 with a line 1104 and a line carrier 1158 as well as the end cap 706 of the embodiment of the Fig. 25-33, which is held by the end cap support 762 of this embodiment. The conduit 1104 includes an outlet 1112 and an outlet end 1118, and a sidewall 1120 extending from the outlet end 1118 to form a transport cup cavity 1108.

[0092] The conduit support 1158 may include a vertically extending elongated sleeve 1166 that may be radially spaced from the conduit 1104, and a lower mounting and sealing ring 1172 coupled to the sleeve 1166 and in contact with the corresponding portions of the conduit 1104, as described in more detail below. The sleeve 1166 may include a tubular body 1174 and a lower cap 1178 that may be attached, welded, threaded, or otherwise coupled to a corresponding lower end of the tubular body 1174 to form a gas volume 1177 between the sleeve 1166 and the conduit 1104. The conduit support 1158 may also include a baffle 1184 disposed radially between the sleeve 1166 and the conduit 1104 to direct the gas supplied through the conduit support 1158 to the conduit 1104.Again, the gas may be air, oxygen, nitrogen, or any other gas suitable for contact with molten glass, and it may be under pressure. A lower portion of the baffle 1184 may be welded, fastened, press-fitted, or otherwise connected to a corresponding portion of the lower sleeve cap 1178 and / or the lower mounting and sealing ring 1172. The baffle 1184 has holes, recesses, or at least some portions axially spaced from corresponding portions of the conduit support 1158 so that gas flows through the holes or recesses or around the lower end of the baffle 1184 radially inward toward the conduit 1104 and circumferentially around the conduit 1104 between the conduit 1104 and the baffle 1184. In embodiments where the conduit 1104 is made of a permeable material, gas may diffuse through the conduit 1104 to exert gas pressure on the interior of the conduit.

[0093] Additionally, the lower mounting and sealing ring 1172 may include a mounting portion 1173 on a radially outer portion of the ring 1172 that may be mounted to the lower cap 1178, e.g., attached to the lower cap 1178 via one or more fasteners 1175, or welded, bolted, or otherwise connected thereto. The lower mounting and sealing ring 1172 may also include a conduit support and sealing flange 1180 extending radially inward from the mounting portion 1173 and capable of retaining a gasket 1181 for disposition between the conduit support and sealing flange 1180 and the tube 1104. The gasket 1181 may include an annular gasket and may be made of a different material than the conduit support and sealing flange 1180. In further embodiments, the conductor carrier and sealing flange 1180 and seal 1181 may be a unitary or monolithic component.

[0094] The conduit 1104 may have a recessed shoulder 1182 such that the outlet end 1118 of the conduit 1104 may be stepped to have a pilot diameter and a step that intersect at the shoulder 1182. Therefore, the mounting flange 1180 and the gasket 1181 may radially overlap and be aligned with the stepped outlet end 1118 to retain and support the conduit 1104 thereon. More specifically, a lower surface of the flange 1180 may even be flush with the end surface 1131 of the outlet of the conduit 1104. However, in other embodiments, the outlet end 1118 of the conduit 1104 may not be stepped, so that the conduit support and sealing flange 1180 and the seal 1181 may radially overlap and support a lower end surface of such a non-stepped conduit.

[0095] The gas creates a positive pressure differential between the gas volume 1177 and the cavity 1108 of the transport cup, which drives gas flow through the sidewall 1120 of the conduit 1104 via diffusion. The baffle 1184, with or without the gas exhaust outlets 569, promotes both a uniform gas flow rate across the entire outer surface of the sidewall 1120 of the conduit 1104 and a uniform pressure differential around and across the outer surface, creating a uniform diffusive flow through the sidewall 1120 along the length of the conduit 1104.

[0096] Referring to Fig. 35, each of the transport devices 100, 300, 500, 700, 1100 disclosed herein may include or be equipped with an accelerometer 1127 that may be attached to any suitable part of the transport devices 100, 300, 500, 700, such as the conductor supports or the conductor support brackets. The accelerometer 1127 may be attached to the transport devices via a mounting bracket 1129 and fasteners 1131, as in Fig. 35, or in any other manner suitable for use in an industrial glass manufacturing environment. The accelerometer 1127 may be a multi-axis accelerometer.

[0097] In general, the accelerometer 1127 can facilitate a solution to the problem of excessive vibrations, shocks, jolts, and the like of a glass batch during transport from a glass batch feeder to the blank molds of a glass container forming machine, where such undesirable movements can lead to deformation and degradation of the glass batches delivered to the blank molds. Previous attempts to verify the quality of glass batch deliveries have involved cameras configured to capture images of glass gobs falling through long output chutes, troughs, baffles, and the like. However, these cameras have several disadvantages, such as difficult camera mounting, high camera maintenance, slow imaging times, and the like.

[0098] Accordingly, the accelerometer 1127 can measure the acceleration during the loading, transport, and dispensing of the glass batches. Useful data can be derived from the accelerometer results, such as the quality of the loading or the picking of the glass batches, the vibration level of the transport device during transport, and / or the degree of vibration during the dispensing of the glass batches. In a specific example, the duration and magnitude of the cup movement during loading of a glass batch can provide an indication of the effectiveness of the fluid supply to the transport cup.For example, a longer duration but lower peak-to-peak vibration during loading indicates that the charge is cushioned upon initial impact, which is desirable to prevent a harsh impact of the charge nose against the end cap, thereby avoiding concurrent heat loss between the nose and the end cap and consequent cooling and deformation of the charge nose. In another specific example, conveyor deflections caused by a particular conveyor acceleration profile can be used to determine better or ideal conveyor acceleration profiles to minimize charge vibration when unloading the charge into a blank mold.In another specific example, the vibration levels of the conveyor in all three orthogonal directions during batch unloading can be observed and used to monitor the condition of the opening and closing mechanisms in order to optimize the movement of the conveyor and / or the actuation of the opening and closing mechanisms for minimal vibration. Tests have shown that vibration of the conveyor during the unloading process can lead to fluctuations in the surface temperature of the batch of molten glass, as well as a deviation of the batch from a vertical trajectory. Finally, the accelerometer 1127 can be used to assess the overall tightness of the conveyor, for example, to diagnose possible loosening of fasteners, wear of components, and the like.

[0099] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the accelerometer 1127 may be used as input to a controller of the transport device and / or the moving device for the transport device, such as a robot, gantry, or the like, or any other suitable equipment used with the transport device. Such a controller may receive input data and instructions from a user, the accelerometer 1127, and / or other suitable inputs, process the received inputs in light of stored software and / or data, and transmit output signals to the transport device, the moving device for the transport device, or other suitable equipment used with the transport device.The controller may generally include a memory, a processor connected to the memory, one or more interfaces connected to the processor, one or more input devices connected to the processor, and / or one or more output devices connected to the processor. Of course, the computing device may also include auxiliary devices, e.g., clocks, internal power supplies, and / or the like (not shown), and it may be powered by an external power source, e.g., AC or utility power, an AC-to-DC transformer, one or more batteries, fuel cells, and / or the like.

[0100] A method for transporting a charge of molten glass may include the following general steps. First, the method may include receiving a charge of molten glass in a transport cup having a conduit and an end cap for selectively opening and closing the conduit, and capable of establishing an internal junction between the end cap and the conduit. In this step, the charge of molten glass may or may not be in direct, circumferentially continuous contact with an internal surface of the conduit for at least a portion of the length of the charge, and may or may not be in axial contact with an end face of the end cap.Second, the method may include introducing fluid into the transfer cup at at least one location to displace at least a portion of the glass charge from the transfer cup, thereby creating a gap between the charge of molten glass and the transfer cup. In a specific example, fluid may be introduced into the transfer cup near the internal junction to displace at least a portion of the glass charge away from the internal junction. Third, the method includes controlling an amount of fluid in the transfer cup between the charge of molten glass and the transfer cup. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid may be controlled by the size, amount, and configuration of the fluid channels that deliver the fluid, through fluid control valves and / or the like.In other embodiments, the amount of fluid may be controlled by the diffusion properties of the material of the transfer cup(s). Fourth, the method includes moving the end cap to allow the batch of molten glass to exit the conduit. The method therefore facilitates the prevention of cold spots and / or parting lines forming in the batch of molten glass and thus facilitates the prevention of the cold spots and / or parting lines penetrating a finished glass container formed from the batch of molten glass. The method may also include transporting the transfer cup by sliding, rotating, inverting, angling, shifting, or otherwise moving the transfer cup in any manner suitable for handling molten glass.

[0101] In more specific embodiments, the method may also include one or more of the following steps. The method may include receiving the batches of molten glass from a batch feeder for molten glass. Likewise, the method may include discharging multiple batches of molten glass from a batch feeder having multiple openings to produce multiple batches of molten glass for receiving into multiple transfer cups held by a common transfer cup support. Furthermore, the method may include discharging the batch of molten glass into a blank mold having an inlet that may be located below, above, or at the same level as the batch feeder for molten glass.More specifically, the method may include dispensing multiple batches of molten glass from a molten glass batch feeder having multiple openings to produce multiple batches of molten glass for receipt into multiple transfer cups held by a common transfer cup carrier.

[0102] In one embodiment, the controlling step includes venting the fluid from the gap in the transport cup through at least one vent. The venting step may include venting the fluid through a fluid vent disposed between an outlet end of the conduit and an upper end of the end cap and / or venting the fluid between mating surfaces of split halves of the end cap.

[0103] In one embodiment, the supplying step includes supplying fluid to at least one location proximate an internal junction between the conduit and the end cap to displace a portion of the charge of molten glass from the internal junction. The supplying step may also, or instead, include supplying the fluid through a central portion of the end cap to displace at least a portion of the charge of molten glass from the central portion of the end cap. The supplying step may include supplying the fluid across an end face of the end cap to displace the charge of molten glass from the end face of the end cap.

[0104] In one embodiment, the method may also include modulating a fluid flow over time to create different displacement forces on the batch of molten glass. More specifically, the modulating step may include adjusting a flow rate of the fluid to an initial, relatively higher level when the batch of molten glass is received into the transfer cup, to a sustained, relatively lower or intermediate level when the batch of molten glass is in a steady state with respect to the transfer cup, and to a final, relatively lower or lowest level when the batch of molten glass is discharged from the transfer cup.Without being bound by theory, it is assumed that flow rates depend on one or more of the following variables: drop weight, drop diameter, cup conduit diameter, cup conduit length, or drop height from the shear device to the cup end cap (which affects the initial velocity of the drop as it enters the cup). At the initial flow rate, it may be desirable to avoid insufficient flow and therefore provide a flow rate sufficient to completely stop the drop's movement so that it does not impact the cup end cap, or to almost completely stop the drop's movement before it impacts the cup end cap to minimize the drop's impact force on the end cap and thus minimize the drop's initial heat loss.Conversely, at the initial flow rate, it may be desirable to avoid excessive flow, which would otherwise result in the gob not being fully loaded into the cup or, worse, in the drop being ejected from the cup. For the sustained flow rate, it may be desirable to provide a flow rate sufficient to prevent the glass gob from flowing into the vent gap around the bottom of the conduit and / or the fluid delivery channels. Conversely, at the sustained flow rate, it may be desirable to avoid excessive flow, which would otherwise push the glass gob back into the cup sleeve or eject it from the cup.In one specific example, it was determined that a 180g droplet with an outer diameter of 21.5mm falling by gravity into a 330mm straight-bore sleeve with an inner diameter of 23.8mm required an initial flow rate of 2.4g / s and a sustained flow rate of 2.0g / s. In another specific example, a 180g droplet with an outer diameter of 22.5mm falling by gravity into a 330mm straight-bore sleeve with an inner diameter of 26.4mm required an initial flow rate of 3.0g / s and a sustained flow rate of 2.8g / s. In both of the aforementioned examples, the transfer cup had an axial outlet / vent gap of 0.4mm between the corresponding bottom and top surfaces of the conduit and the end cap.

[0105] In one embodiment, the method also includes cooling an outer or exterior surface of the conduit to regulate the temperature of the conduit. The cooling step may include introducing fluid around a lower portion of the conduit and directing the fluid upward to and around an upper portion of the conduit. The cooling step may include narrowing an outlet for the fluid relative to an inlet for the fluid to increase the flow velocity of the fluid and heat transfer between the conduit and the fluid. The method may also include measuring an internal surface temperature of the conduit with a non-contact optical thermal sensor and controlling a flow of the fluid to maintain the internal surface temperature between 320 and 450 degrees Celsius.

[0106] In one embodiment, the moving step includes translating the end cap along a straight line or arc, moving the end cap halves away from each other, and / or moving the end cap vertically downward and laterally downward with respect to the conduit.

[0107] In one embodiment, the method may also include measuring the acceleration during the picking step and / or the step of moving the transfer cup and / or the step of moving the end cap to dispense the batch of molten glass.

[0108] Finally, the subject matter of this application is disclosed in connection with several explicit exemplary embodiments and modifications of those embodiments using various terms. All terms used herein are intended to be merely descriptive and not necessarily limiting, and are to be interpreted and construed in accordance with their ordinary and customary meaning in the art, unless used in a context that requires a different interpretation. For convenience, each explicit exemplary embodiment and modification is incorporated by reference into one or more other explicit exemplary embodiments and modifications.Many other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents already exist or have yet to be discovered, so it is neither intended nor possible to describe all such subject matter that would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure. Rather, this disclosure is intended to encompass 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. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 18 / 113,754

[0013]

Claims

[1] Transport cup (102, 302, 502, 702, 1102) for molten glass, comprising: a conduit (104, 304, 504, 704, 1104) having an inlet (110, 310), an outlet (112, 312, 512, 712, 1112) and a passage (114, 314) extending between the inlet and the outlet along a conduit passage axis (A); an end cap (106, 306, 506, 706) for selectively covering and uncovering the conduit outlet, the end cap being movable relative to the conduit into a closed position in which the end cap covers the conduit outlet and into an open position in which the end cap uncovers the conduit outlet; a fluid exhaust outlet between the conduit and the end cap; and one or more fluid supply channels (148, 149, 348, 548, 748) having one or more internal inlets (152, 352, 752) arranged radially inward of the fluid exhaust outlet. [2] A molten glass transport cup according to claim 1, wherein an internal junction (354, 554, 754) is formed between the end cap and the conduit, and the one or more internal inlets of the one or more fluid supply channels are located proximate the internal junction. [3] A molten glass transport cup according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more fluid supply channels are arranged radially inwardly of a lateral boundary (138, 338, 538, 738) of the end cap and are open towards the upper end and communicate with the outlet of the conduit at a location overlapping or spaced radially inwardly from the junction defined between the conduit and the end cap when the end cap is in the closed position. [4] A transport device (100, 300, 500, 700, 1100) for molten glass, comprising: the molten glass transport cup according to claim 1; a line carrier (158, 358, 558, 758, 1158) in which the line is held; an end cap carrier (162, 362, 562, 762) in which the end cap is held; and an end cap actuator (164, 364, 564, 764) coupled to the end cap support and activatable to move the end cap to expose and cover the outlet of the conduit. [5] A molten glass transport device according to claim 4, wherein upon activation of the actuator the end cap pivots, translates or articulates away from the outlet of the conduit. [6] End cap (106, 306, 506, 706) for transporting molten glass, comprising: a lower end (134, 334, 534, 734); an upper end (136, 336, 536, 736) axially opposite the lower end; and a plurality of fluid supply channels (148, 149, 348, 548, 748) extending between the lower and upper ends and having lower openings (150, 151, 350, 550, 750) open towards the lower end and upper openings (152, 153, 352) open towards the upper end. [7] The end cap of claim 6, wherein the upper end includes an end face (140, 143, 340, 540, 740) and a tapered surface (342, 542, 742) extending tapered between the end face and the lateral boundary, wherein the plurality of fluid supply channels includes a circular array of fluid supply channels extending through the tapered surface, and wherein the plurality of fluid supply channels includes a circular array of fluid supply channels extending through the tapered surface. [8] An end cap according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the plurality of fluid supply channels extend through the end cap at one or more oblique angles relative to the conduit axis. [9] The end cap of any of claims 6-8, wherein the lower end includes a base surface (144, 344, 544, 744) and a fluid pocket (146, 346, 546, 746) in the base surface in open fluid communication with the lower openings of the plurality of fluid supply channels. [10] The end cap of any one of claims 6-9, wherein the plurality of fluid supply channels includes an inner circular array of fluid supply channels and an outer circular array of fluid supply channels disposed radially outwardly of the inner circular array of fluid supply channels. [11] An end cap according to any one of claims 6-10, wherein the end cap is axially divided into halves with mating surfaces, the fluid exhaust outlet being arranged between the mating surfaces. [12] Transport cup (102, 302, 502, 702, 1102) for molten glass, comprising: a line (104, 304, 504, 704, 1104) with an inlet (110, 310), an outlet (112, 312, 512, 712, 1112), and a passage (114, 314) extending between and open to the inlet and the outlet and partially formed by an inner surface at the outlet, the end cap of any of claims 6-11, cooperating with the outlet of the conduit to form a transport cup cavity (108, 308, 708, 1108), wherein at least one of the plurality of fluid delivery channels overlaps the inner surface of the conduit at the outlet of the conduit or is disposed radially inwardly and proximate thereto. [13] A molten glass transport cup according to claim 12, wherein a fluid exhaust outlet is provided between the outlet end of the conduit and the upper end of the end cap. [14] A transport device (100, 300, 500, 700, 1100) for molten glass, comprising: a transport cup (102, 302, 502, 702, 1102) with a line (104, 304, 504, 704, 1104) with an inlet (110, 310) and an outlet (112, 312, 512, 712, 1112), and an end cap (106, 306, 506, 706) movably supported below the conduit to open and close the outlet of the conduit; and a line carrier (158, 358, 558, 758, 1158) which holds the transport cup and which contains a sleeve (166, 366, 566, 766, 1166) which at least partially surrounds the line of the transport cup. [15] A molten glass transport device according to claim 14, wherein the sleeve of the conduit support is radially spaced from the conduit to form a gas volume (177). [16] A molten glass transport device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the conduit support further comprises a gas baffle (184, 384, 784, 1184) disposed radially between and remote from the sleeve and the conduit of the transport cup. [17] A molten glass transport device according to any one of claims 14-16, wherein the conductor carrier further comprises: one or more gas inlets (168, 368, 568, 768) and one or more gas outlets (569), wherein a circular path is formed from the one or more gas inlets circumferentially around the baffle and downwardly to a lower end of the baffle, downwardly and around at least a portion of the baffle axially spaced from a corresponding portion of the sleeve, radially inwardly toward the conduit, circumferentially around the conduit between the conduit and the baffle, and upwardly and out of the one or more gas outlets. [18] A molten glass transport device according to any one of claims 14-17, wherein the sleeve comprises a tubular body (174, 374, 574, 774, 1174), a lower cap (178, 378, 578, 778, 1178) and a lower mounting ring (172, 372, 572, 772, 1172) connected to the lower cap and having a radially inwardly extending mounting flange (612, 812) carried by a stepped outlet end (118, 318, 518, 1118) of the conduit. [19] A molten glass transport device according to any one of claims 14-18, further comprising an end cap carrier (162, 362, 562, 762) holding the end cap below the conduit, and an end cap actuator (164, 364, 564, 764) for moving the end cap carrier and the end cap between a closed position in which the outlet (112, 312, 512, 712, 1112) of the conduit is covered and an open position in which the outlet of the conduit is exposed, wherein the end cap carrier has a pivotable arm and the end cap actuator has a rotary and linear actuator coupled to the pivotable arm and attached to the sleeve of the conduit carrier. [20] A molten glass transport device according to any one of claims 14-19, further comprising an end cap carrier (162, 362, 562, 762, 762) holding the end cap below the conduit, and an end cap actuator (164, 364, 564, 764) for moving the end cap carrier and the end cap between a closed position in which an outlet (112, 312, 512, 712, 1112) of the conduit is covered, and an open position in which the outlet of the conduit is exposed, wherein the end cap is a split end cap and the end cap carrier is a split end cap carrier, and wherein the end cap actuator comprises a first actuator (564a) for moving the split end cap carrier up and down and a second actuator (564b) for moving halves of the split End cap carrier (562a, 562b) laterally forward and backward towards and away from each other. [21] A molten glass transport device according to any one of claims 14-20, further comprising an accelerometer (1127) coupled to the lead frame or lead frame support, the accelerometer being a multi-axis accelerometer for measuring acceleration during pick-up, transport and / or discharge of batches of molten glass (G), the output of the accelerometer being used to infer the quality of pick-up of glass batches, vibration levels of the transport device during transport and / or vibration levels during discharge of the glass batches. [22] A molten glass transport device for transporting a batch of molten glass (G), comprising: Means for receiving a charge of molten glass into a transport cup (102, 302, 502, 702, 1102) having a conduit (104, 304, 504, 704, 1104) and an end cap (106, 306, 506, 706) for selectively opening and closing the conduit; means for supplying fluid into the transfer cup to displace at least a portion of the glass charge away from at least a portion of the end cap and thereby create a gap (356) between the charge of molten glass and the transfer cup; Means for controlling an amount of fluid in the transfer cup between the batch of molten glass and the transfer cup; and Means for moving the end cap to allow the charge of molten glass to exit the line. [23] A molten glass transport device according to claim 22, wherein the means for receiving the charge of molten glass is adapted to receive the charge of molten glass from a charge feeder for molten glass; and comprising means for discharging the batch of molten glass into a blank mold having an inlet which may be located below, above or at the same level as the batch feeder for molten glass. [24] A molten glass transport apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the means for controlling includes means for venting the fluid from the gap out of the transport cup through at least one exhaust port between the mating surfaces of the split halves (506a, 506b, 706a, 706b) of the end cap. [25] A molten glass transport apparatus according to any one of claims 22-24, wherein the means for controlling includes means for venting the fluid from the gap out of the transport cup through at least one exhaust port formed between an outlet end (118, 318, 518, 1118) of the conduit and an upper end (136, 336, 536, 736) of the end cap. [26] A molten glass transport apparatus according to any one of claims 22-25, wherein the end cap and the conduit form an internal junction (354, 554, 754) between the end cap and the conduit, and wherein the means for supplying fluid is arranged to supply the fluid at at least one location proximate the internal junction to move a portion of the charge of molten glass away from the internal junction. [27] A molten glass transport device according to any one of claims 22-26, wherein the means for supplying fluid is arranged to supply the fluid through a central portion of the end cap to move at least a portion of the charge of molten glass away from the central portion of the end cap, or to supply the fluid across an end face (140, 143, 340, 540, 740) of the end cap to move the charge of molten glass away from the end face of the end cap. [28] A molten glass transport device according to any one of claims 22-27, further comprising means for measuring the acceleration during the reception of the batch of molten glass, during the movement of the transport cup and / or during the movement of the end cap to discharge the batch of molten glass. [29] A molten glass transport apparatus according to any one of claims 22-28, further comprising means for modulating a flow of the fluid over time to produce different displacement forces on the charge of molten glass, the means for modulating being arranged to adjust the flow of the fluid to an initial relatively higher flow rate when the charge of molten glass is received in the transport cup and then to a sustained relatively lower flow rate when the charge of molten glass is in a stationary condition with respect to the transport cup. [30] A molten glass transport device according to any one of claims 22-29, further comprising means for supplying pressurised gas to an outer surface (122, 322) of the conduit so that the pressurised gas flows through the conduit into the transport cup and spreads therein. [31] Machine for manufacturing glass containers, comprising: a glass melting furnace to produce molten glass; a feeder for molten glass; the molten glass transport device according to any one of claims 4-5 or 14-30; a preform mold for receiving the batch of molten glass from the molten glass transport device and for forming the batch of molten glass into a preform; and a blow mold, for blowing the preform against the inner walls of the mold to form a glass container. [32] Glass container manufactured or manufacturable with the machine for manufacturing glass containers according to claim 31.

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