Molten Glass Transport Guide for Transport Cups

Abstract

A transport guide (12) in the form of a conduit (16) for a molten glass transport cup (14) is constructed of a glass-contacting material (18) that supports a permeable flow of cooling gas from an outer surface (36) to an inner surface (38) of the conduit. When a molten glass charge (G) is received within the conduit, the permeable flow of cooling gas through the conduit fluidly displaces the glass charge radially inward, away from the inner surface of the conduit, creating a thermal break between the glass charge and the glass-contacting material. This thermal break helps to minimize heat flow from the glass charge. In this manner, a molten glass charge can be received within the conduit of the transport cup and, in certain applications, transported from one location to another within the cup while helping to maintain the thermal uniformity of the glass charge.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This patent application discloses an apparatus and method for manufacturing glass containers, and more specifically, an apparatus and method for transporting molten glass from a glass supply system to a forming machine. [Background technology]

[0002] A glass container manufacturing process typically includes the following general processing steps: (a) melting raw materials in a glass furnace or melter to produce molten glass, (b) producing discrete portions or charges of molten glass, such as "gobs," by flowing a stream of molten glass from a glass supply device and cutting the stream with a shear to produce molten glass gobs, (c) delivering the molten glass gobs to blank molds of a glass container forming machine to form the molten glass gobs into "parisons" or partially formed containers, (d) opening the blank molds and transferring the parisons to a blow mold of the glass container forming machine, and (e) blowing the parisons against the inner walls of the blow mold to form glass containers. In conventional processes, the molten glass gobs are delivered from the glass supply device to their respective blank molds by gob delivery equipment, which includes a long and extensive series of distribution funnels, scoops, troughs, and deflectors that rely on gravity to propel the gobs through the system.

[0003] Conventional gob delivery equipment is very useful and reliable in many situations. However, with this standard equipment, it is difficult to accurately form a minimum weight glass container because each glass gob passing through an interconnected system of funnels, scoops, troughs, and deflectors toward the blank mold is cooled unevenly. More specifically, as the glass gob moves along the lubricated delivery equipment, the longitudinal surface portion of the gob that is in sliding contact with the delivery system components loses heat to the delivery system components and is therefore cooler than the rest of the gob's surface. Thus, the glass gob typically exhibits a non-uniform temperature profile around its circumference when delivered to the blank mold and may also have various shapes due to being stretched unevenly along the delivery system components. For these reasons, the molten glass gob typically deforms and flows irregularly in the blank mold when formed into a parison, which can result in a glass container with an inconsistent wall thickness. The amount of glass contained in each molten glass gob is designed to account for this wall thickness imbalance. That is, because excess glass is contained in the glass gob, even the thinnest portions of the glass container wall may meet or exceed a minimum threshold thickness, causing other portions of the container wall to be thicker than necessary.

[0004] The present disclosure describes a transporter used to transport a molten glass charge, for example, from a glass supply device to a glass container forming machine. The transporter, particularly the portion of the transporter immediately surrounding the molten glass charge, is constructed to aid in delivering the molten glass charge to the forming machine with improved thermal uniformity. By using the transporter to transport the molten glass charge, most, if not all, of the conventional gob delivery equipment can be eliminated, and the delivery of a more thermally uniform molten glass charge to the blank mold aids in the production of glass containers with a more consistent wall thickness. The more consistent container wall thickness also allows more of the glass container wall to be formed with a thickness closer to the minimum threshold thickness. This provides an opportunity to minimize excess glass weight in the glass container. For example, a significant portion of the additional glass that is typically included in a glass container formed from glass delivered to the blank mold by conventional gob delivery equipment may be excluded from a glass container formed from glass delivered by the transporter. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a molten glass transport cup includes a conduit defining an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway between the inlet and the outlet, the conduit being constructed from a glass transport material having a permeability of 1 md to 250 md and a thermal conductivity of 40 W / m-°K or greater over a temperature range of 300° C. to 400° C. In another ... at least 100 g / s / m at a pressure differential across the glass transport material of 30 psig or less. 2 The glass transport material further has a thermal conductivity of 40 W / m-°K or greater over the temperature range of 300°C to 400°C.

[0006] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of handling a molten glass charge includes receiving the molten glass charge in a retention cavity of a molten glass transport cup. The retention cavity is provided by a conduit defining a passageway extending between an inlet and an outlet of the conduit and an end cap movable to cover and expose the outlet of the conduit. The method also includes supplying a cooling gas to an exterior surface of the conduit such that the cooling gas permeably diffuses through the conduit and displaces the molten glass charge radially inward away from an interior surface of the conduit to create a thermal break between the molten glass charge and the conduit.

[0007] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of transporting a molten glass charge includes providing a transporter including a transport cup having a conduit. The conduit has an inner surface defining a passageway extending from a conduit inlet to a conduit outlet. The conduit further has a flow resistance of at least 100 g / s / m with a pressure differential across the conduit of 30 psig or less. 2 The method further includes positioning an end cap under the outlet of the conduit to cover and block the outlet and close the conduit to provide a holding cavity and receiving a charge of molten glass into the holding cavity through the inlet of the conduit at a loading position. The method further includes supplying a cooling gas to an exterior surface of the conduit such that the cooling gas permeably diffuses through the conduit and displaces the molten glass charge radially inward from the interior surface of the conduit to create a thermal break between the molten glass charge and the interior surface of the conduit. The method further includes transporting the transporter from the loading location to an unloading location and then opening the conduit by moving the end cap away from the outlet of the conduit to allow the molten glass charge to be discharged from the outlet of the conduit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a molten glass transporter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure showing a transport cup including a transport guide made at least in part from a glass transport material. [Diagram 2]2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a transfer cup of the molten glass transporter illustrated in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conduit of the transfer cup illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 when a molten glass charge is initially received within the conduit, further showing an enlarged schematic view of an inner surface of the conduit; FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conduit of the transfer cup shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 after a molten glass charge has been received within the conduit, further illustrating an enlarged schematic view of the inner surface of the conduit. [Diagram 5] 5 is a table showing various material properties of glass transport materials that can be used with the transport guide shown in FIGS. 1-4. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a general method for transporting a charge of molten glass in a transporter from one location, e.g., a loading station below a glass supply device, to another location, e.g., a discharge station above a glass container forming machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present disclosure is directed to several embodiments of transport guides for use in a molten glass transporter that transports a molten glass charge G from one location, e.g., below a glass feeder, to another location, e.g., above a blank mold in a glass container forming machine, and then discharges the charge G. FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a transporter 10 including a transport guide 12 as part of a transport cup 14 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The transport guide 16 may be in the form of a conduit 16 (best shown in FIGS. 2-4 ) having an outer surface 36 exposed to cooling gas in a cooling chamber 50 and an inner surface 38 that defines a passageway 28. The transport cup 14 supports the molten glass charge G within the passageway 28 of the conduit 16. However, the charge G is not permitted to flow indiscriminately within the conduit 16 to fill and conform to the volume of the passageway 28 that it occupies and be forced into the inner surface 38. Rather, prolonged direct contact between the molten glass charge G and the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 is avoided by fluidly displacing the charge G radially inward about the outer periphery of the charge G to resist flow of glass toward the inner surface 38, although charge G may intermittently contact the inner surface 38 as it is loaded into, removed from, or held within the conduit 16.

[0010] The conduit 16 of the transport cup 14 is constructed from a glass transport material, the material properties of which, apart from being able to handle glass generally and operate at high temperatures, directly affect the performance of the conduit 16 in terms of affecting the molten glass charge G away from the inner surface 38 to inhibit heat flow from the charge G. In particular, selecting a glass transport material based on its gas permeability, which is also related to its thermal conductivity, may result in the conduit 16 being better able to hold the molten glass charge G away from the inner surface 38 and control the positioning of the charge G during loading and unloading. In this regard, as discussed below, a correlation exists between one or more identified material properties of the glass transport material and the ability of the conduit 16 during operation to minimize heat loss from the molten glass charge G and help maintain the initial heat content of the glass. This heat maintaining ability of the glass transport material also minimizes the formation of temperature variations within and on the surface of the molten glass charge G during transport, particularly the formation of ambient surface temperature variations around the charge G.

[0011] The design and development of the transport guide 12 and the glass transport material from which the guide 12 (e.g., the conduit 16, which is one embodiment of the guide 12) is formed originally focused on a confluence of factors. For example, when receiving and transporting a molten glass charge G within the transport cup 14, controlled thermal regulation between the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 and the glass charge G was found to be a challenge. Excessive and prolonged contact between the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 and the molten glass charge G may cause surface temperature variations axially along the surface of the glass charge G and circumferentially around the surface of the glass charge G, resulting in thermal non-uniformities in the glass charge G and increasing the likelihood that the glass charge G will adhere to the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16. Thus, the material selection of the glass transport material that provides the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 of the transport cup 14 gained added importance during the development of the conduit 16 and the cup 14 as a whole.

[0012] Early in the development of the transport cup 14, it was assumed that the primary material property to consider in designing and selecting a glass transport material for the conduit 16 was the operating temperature of the glass transport material. This assumption led to the idea that it was paramount to identify a glass transport material that could operate at temperatures close to the expected temperature of the glass charge (approximately 1200° C.) so that heat transfer between the glass charge G and the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 was minimized as much as possible. However, with materials capable of operating at higher operating temperatures close to the temperature of the glass charge G, it was difficult to avoid glass adhesion problems. The temperature at which glass adheres to the glass transport material of the conduit 16 is not dependent on the chemical or physical properties of the glass transport material, but is determined by the viscosity of the glass, which, above a certain temperature, will penetrate into many pores of all known materials if allowed to contact and conform to the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16. In other words, as the temperature of the glass transport material of the conduit 16 increased, the likelihood of the molten glass charge G adhering to the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 increased. In fact, material temperatures above about 625° C. appear to cause adhesion to glass regardless of the material selected as the glass transport material.

[0013] Finally, it was recognized that the surface temperature of the molten glass charge G would be affected as the cooling gas (passing outside the periphery of the conduit 16 to regulate its temperature) diffuses through the inherent microstructure of the glass transport material forming the conduit 16 and into the passages 28. The diffusing cooling gas, if flowing at a sufficiently high velocity through the glass transport material, appeared to counter the natural tendency of the molten glass charge G to conform to the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 by fluidly displacing the charge G circumferentially inward from the inner surface 38. This pushing action of the diffusing cooling gas is believed to beneficially affect the operability of the conduit 16 in a number of ways. First, the diffusing cooling gas helps to automatically center the molten glass charge G as it drops into the passages 28 during loading, minimizing frictional contact between the charge G and the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16, which reduces the sensitivity of the process to variations in gob position and shape as the glass charge G is loaded into the conduit. Second, the diffusion cooling gas forms a thermal break between the molten glass charge G and the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 after the charge G is received within the passage 28. The thermal break disrupts heat flow from the glass charge G to the surrounding glass transport material of the conduit 16, thus helping to insulate the gob G from heat loss around the entire length and circumference of the gob G. In addition, when the molten glass gob G is stationary within the passage 28, the diffusion cooling gas can occupy the roughened surface of the inner surface 38 and push the charge G circumferentially inward, away from the many pores of the inner surface 38, to such an extent that the charge G is physically separated from the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 by a gas barrier. Third, the diffusion cooling gas helps to minimize friction with the inner surface 38 of the conduit as the charge G falls from the passage 28 during removal of the charge G, which reduces wear on the glass transport material.

[0014] The ability of the glass transport material of the conduit 16 to support a diffusive flow of cooling gas can be quantified by determining the permeable flow rate of air through the conduit 16. Because diffusive flow refers to gas flow through many interconnected pores in the microstructure of the glass transport material, as opposed to through holes or other openings formed directly through the material, the permeable air flow rate is a measurement of how much air passes through the microstructure of the glass transport material over a given period of time per unit surface area of ​​the inner surface 38 at a given pressure differential across the material. The higher the permeable air flow rate, the more air will diffusively flow through the glass transport material of the conduit 16, and vice versa. Just because the medium used to determine the permeable flow through the glass transport material of the conduit 16 as an indication of how well the material supports diffusive flow is air, it does not mean that the cooling gas used to regulate the temperature of the conduit 16 must also be air. Rather, any suitable cooling gas can be used.

[0015] When used in conduit 16 applications as part of a transfer cup 14, the material has a resistance to at least 100 g / s / m at a pressure differential across the material of 30 psig or less. 2 , or more preferably at least 150 g / s / m 2 It has been determined that a glass transport material exhibiting a permeable air flow rate of 0.1 μm has sufficient diffusive flow that good, repeatable performance can be achieved with respect to mitigating heat loss from the molten glass charge G and glass fouling within the conduit 16. The permeable air flow rate through a given glass transport material when constructed as a conduit 16 can be determined by measuring the permeability k of the glass transport material as specified in the ASTM D4525-13 standard, as shown below. For a conduit 16 constructed of a given thickness of glass transport material and having a given pressure differential across the conduit 16, the permeability can be used to calculate the permeable air flow rate through the glass transport material of the conduit 16.

[0016] By constructing the conduit 16 to achieve the above-mentioned permeate air flow rates, the diffusive flow of cooling gas through the conduit 16 and into the passages 28 through the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 can be coordinated with various phases of operation of the transporter 10 by controlling the pressure of the cooling gas in the cooling chamber 50. For example, if the cooling gas used is air, the permeate flow rate of cooling gas through the conduit 16 may be controlled as follows: (1) During the loading phase in which the molten glass charge G is received into the passages 28 of the conduit 16, the permeate flow rate is 20 g / s / m to narrow or squeeze the charge G circumferentially inward and assist in automatically centering the charge G as it falls into the passages 28. 2 ~150g / s / m 2 and (2) during the transport phase in which the molten glass charge G is received in the passageway 28 and moved by the transporter 10, the permeate flow rate is set to a range of 20 g / s / m to achieve a minimum heat transfer rate from the molten glass charge G to the surrounding conduit 16. 2 ~150g / s / m 2 and (3) during the removal phase in which the molten glass charge G is allowed to drop from the conduit 16, the permeable flow rate of the cooling gas is set to 0.03 g / s / m in order to relax the charge G circumferentially outward so that it can be more precisely and accurately dropped from the conduit 16. 2 ~20g / s / m 2 , or more preferably 4 g / s / m 2 ~20g / s / m 2 In addition, during the return phase after the molten glass charge G has been removed but prior to the loading of the next charge, the flow of cooling gas around the conduit 16 in the cooling chamber 50 is adjusted to extract excess heat from the preceding glass charge G away from the conduit 16 to help maintain the temperature of the glass transport material in the conduit 16 at a target operating temperature (e.g., 100°C-400°C) within an acceptable range. Adjustments to the cooling gas flow rate in the cooling chamber 50 may affect the permeate flow rate of cooling gas through the conduit 16, although such variations in the permeate flow rate during the return phase are not expected to affect the function of the conduit 16.

[0017] The permeability flow rate through the glass transport material of the conduit 16 is determined primarily by (i) the pressure differential across the glass transport material, which is achieved in the transporter 10 by controlling the cooling gas pressure in the cooling chamber 50 surrounding the conduit 16, (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 grain size and grain size distribution of the material, the interconnectivity of internal voids throughout the microstructure of the material, and the method by which the material is manufactured, all of which can be collectively represented by the permeability of the material. In order to achieve the desired permeable air flow rate indicating that sufficient diffusive flow of cooling gas is possible through conduit 16, particularly at cooling gas pressures within cooling chamber 50, which may range from 1 psig to 100 psig, the glass transport material used to construct conduit 16 preferably has a permeability (k) in the range of 1 millidarcy (md) to 250 md, or more narrowly, 10 md to 150 md or 50 md to 135 md, as measured in accordance with ASTM D4525-13. As used herein, the term "permeability" is a proportionality constant and is often used synonymously with the term "coefficient of permeability" or "permeability coefficient" as in ASTM D4525-13.

[0018] 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. In fact, quite counterintuitively, a higher thermal conductivity, rather than a lower thermal conductivity, is believed to nominally support the formation of a thermal break between the molten glass charge G and the inner surface 38 of the conduit, and also to help minimize the tendency of glass to stick to the inner surface 38 by mitigating localized hot spots along the inner surface 38. Specifically, if the thermal conductivity of the glass transport material is 40 W / m-°K or greater, and more specifically 60 W / m-°K or greater, over the temperature range of 300° C. to 400° C., the glass transport material can better resist glass sticking at the operating temperatures of the conduit 16. In certain embodiments, the thermal conductivity of the glass transport material is preferably between 100 W / m-°K and 200 W / m-°K, inclusive, and more narrowly between 130 W / m-°K and 180 W / m-°K, inclusive, over the same temperature ranges noted above (i.e., 300° C. to 400° C.). Because the thermal conductivity of materials typically decreases with increasing temperature, as is the case for carbon-based materials, including graphite-based materials, the thermal conductivity of potential glass-contact materials may be checked at 400° C. to determine if the material meets the thermal conductivity constraints above.

[0019] 1-4, an exemplary embodiment of a transporter 10 is shown that includes a conduit 16 as part of a transport cup 14. The transporter 10 is used to transport discrete portions or charges of molten glass, referred to herein as molten glass charge G (FIGS. 3-4), from a glass feeder (not shown) to one or more blank molds (not shown) located in any suitable location relative to the glass feeder, including, for example, above, below, or at the same height as the feeder. Although not shown, the glass feeder may include one or more feeder orifices that distribute the molten glass stream and one or more shears, lasers, etc. that separate the molten glass stream into discrete charges G of molten glass, as known in the art. The transporter 10 may translate, rotate, pivot, swing, articulate, and / or move in any other manner suitable for transporting the molten glass charge between its loading and unloading destinations. In one particular embodiment, the transporter 10 is translated along a straight path back and forth between the loading and unloading destinations without being inverted. Additionally, although not shown, a robot, gantry, rodless cylinder, or any other suitable transporter movement device may be used to move the transporter 10 between its loading and unloading destinations.

[0020] The transporter 10 includes a transport cup 14, which includes a conduit 16 for receiving a molten glass charge G, as shown more particularly in FIGS. 3-4. The conduit 16 is constructed from a glass transport material, which is designated by reference numeral 18 and introduced in the discussion above. The glass transport material 18 is particularly useful in cup-based applications for a transport guide 12, such as the conduit 16, which has a circumferentially continuous surface area that surrounds the molten glass charge G when it is received within the conduit 16. In this manner, the molten glass charge G can be displaced by a permeating cooling gas flow radially inwardly away from an inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 around its entire circumference to avoid uneven heat treatment of the charge G as much as possible.

[0021] 2-4, the conduit 16 defines an inlet 24 and an outlet 26 and further defines a conduit passage axis A C The conduit defines a passageway 28 extending between the inlet 24 and the outlet 26 along a conduit passageway axis A. C may extend vertically. As used herein, the term "vertically" does not necessarily mean perfectly or absolutely parallel to gravity (i.e., absolutely vertical), but encompasses an angular deviation of ±2 degrees from absolute vertical. The conduit 16 has an inlet end face 30 that defines the inlet 24, an outlet end face 32 that defines the outlet 26, and a conduit passage axis A between the inlet end face 30 and the outlet end face 32. C 2 and a sidewall 34 extending circumferentially around the conduit 16. The sidewall 34 includes an exterior surface 36 and an interior surface 38 which define a thickness of the conduit 16. As also noted above, the interior surface 38 is the surface of the conduit 16 which defines the passageway 28 and circumferentially surrounds the molten glass charge G, through which the cooling gas flows permeably within the passageway 28 to create a thermal break about the charge G. The inlet 24 and outlet 26 are aligned along the conduit passageway axis A, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. C and the conduit passage axis A may be coaxial with C It may be in a plane perpendicular to the

[0022] The passage 28 defined by the conduit 16 includes a lower portion 44 and an upper portion 46. The lower portion 44 may be cylindrical and is aligned with the conduit passage axis A. C , and the upper portion 46 may have a constant diameter or cross-sectional flow area measured perpendicular to the conduit passage axis A from the inlet 24 to the outlet 26. C2. The conduit 16 may be tapered to have a variable diameter or cross-sectional flow area that narrows along the upper portion 46. The taper of the upper portion 46 acts as a funnel to help guide the molten glass charge G falling from the inlet 24 into the lower portion 44 of the passageway 28, if desired. Of course, if the upper portion 46 were tapered, the inlet 24 would have a larger cross-sectional flow area than the outlet 26. The conduit sidewall 34 may be cylindrical along its outer surface 36, as shown, or may be oval cylindrical, or any other shape suitable for receiving, conveying, and transporting the molten glass charge G. The conduit 16 may be a single piece, as shown, or may be assembled of multiple components.

[0023] The outlet end face 32 of the conduit 16 is aligned with the conduit passage axis A. C , and thus the outlet end face 32 is perpendicular to the conduit passage axis A. C 1, the inlet end face 30 of the conduit 16 is generally parallel to the conduit passage axis A, and the outlet end face 32 may be a flat surface extending radially inward from an outer surface 36 to an inner surface 38 of the conduit sidewall 34 in a plane perpendicular to the conduit passage axis A. The outlet end face 32 may be a flat surface as shown, although in other embodiments the outlet end face 32 may also be crowned or slightly rounded. The inlet end face 30 of the conduit 16 is generally parallel to the conduit passage axis A, as shown, as is the outlet end face 32. C As used herein, the term "perpendicular" refers to a conduit passage axis A. C This does not necessarily mean that the object is perfectly or absolutely perpendicular to the object, but includes a deviation of ±2 degrees from the absolute perpendicular.

[0024] The transfer cup 14 further includes an end cap 20 that is movable relative to the conduit 16 to selectively open and close the conduit 16. To close the conduit 16, the end cap 20 is moved toward and below the conduit 16 and positioned adjacent the conduit 16 (this position of the end cap 20 is the closed or transfer position). In this position, the end cap 20 covers or blocks the outlet 26 of the conduit 16, axially closing the passageway 28 of the conduit 16 and creating a holding cavity 22 in which the molten glass charge G may be received through the inlet 24 and held. To open the conduit 16, the end cap 20 is moved away from the conduit 16 (this position of the end cap 20 is the open or dispensing position). As a result, the end cap 20 is spaced away from the outlet 26 of the conduit 16 and does not block or cover the outlet 26. This means that the holding cavity 22 is no longer established and the passageway 28 is again axially unobstructed at the outlet 26. In this manner, once the molten glass charge G is received within the holding cavity 22, it may be transported by the transporter 10 to a different location, such as above a blank mold of a glass container forming machine, and the end caps 20 may be used to selectively open the conduit 16 to allow the molten glass charge to fall through and out of the conduit 16. The discharged molten glass charge G is then received into the blank mold for forming.

[0025] The conduit 16 is constructed from a glass transport material 18, as described above, and the end cap 20 may optionally be constructed from the same glass transport material 18 or some other material. In a preferred embodiment, both the conduit 16 and the end cap 20 are constructed entirely from the glass transport material 18. The glass transport material 18 embodies certain material properties that allow the molten glass charge G to be displaced away from the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 to retain heat within the charge G, while minimizing the occurrence of localized hot spots. This is best demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 3-4. In FIG. 3, when the molten glass charge G is initially received into the retention cavity 22 defined in part by the passageway 28, the outer surface of the glass charge G may initially contact the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16, although in some cases the glass charge G may not contact the inner surface 38 depending on various factors including, for example, the size of the glass charge G, the velocity of the glass charge G as it is loaded, and the permeable flow rate of the cooling gas through the conduit 16. More specifically, the charge G may contact the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 along at least a portion of the length and circumference of the charge G, and in some cases, continuous circumferential contact between the glass charge G and the inner surface 38 along the entire length of the charge G is possible. However, after a brief period of contact, as shown in FIG. 4, the molten glass charge G is displaced away from the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 along its entire length and circumference by cooling gas flowing permeably through the conduit 16 from a cooling chamber 50. This pressure on the molten glass charge G creates a thermal break in the form of a gas barrier 40 that separates the glass charge G from the glass transport material 18. In FIGS. 3-4, the thermal break and the schematic diagram of the microstructure 42 of the inner surface 38 provided by the glass transport material 18 are not drawn to scale.

[0026] The end cap 20 can be constructed in a number of ways. For example, in the embodiment shown herein in FIGS. 1-4, the end cap 20 is aligned with the conduit passage axis A. CThe end cap halves 20a, 20b include two cooperating end cap halves 20a, 20b that slide toward and away from each other across the conduit 16 to selectively close and open the conduit 16, respectively. When brought together to close the conduit 16, the end cap halves 20a, 20b provide a central end face 52 facing the outlet end face 32 of the conduit 16 and the outlet 26 of the passage 28, and a terminal face 54 axially opposite the central end face 52. One or more fluid supply passages may be defined in the end cap 20, and in this particular embodiment, one or more fluid supply passages 56 may be defined in one end cap half 20a and one or more fluid supply passages 58 may be defined in the other end cap half 20b. The fluid supply passages 56, 58 open at the central end face 52 to allow a controlled fluid to be supplied into the retention cavity 22 separate from the cooling gas that permeates through the conduit 16. Additionally, when the end cap cover 20 is positioned in a closed or shipping position to block the outlet 26 of the conduit 16, the end cap 20 may be axially spaced from the conduit 16 to provide an exhaust gap 60 between the outlet end face 32 of the conduit 16 and a central end face 52 of the end cap 20. This gap 60 provides a fluid flow path from the passageway 28 of the conduit 16 to the external environment outside the conduit 16 when the conduit 16 is closed by the end cap 20, and thus functions as a fluid exhaust outlet. One or both of the end faces 52, 54 of the end cap 20 may comprise straight surfaces as shown, or may include crowned or slightly rounded surfaces.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the molten glass charge G may be retained above the central end face 52 of the end cap 20 when received within the retention cavity 22 (i.e., the passageway 28 of the conduit 16 when the conduit 16 is closed). More specifically, the charge G may be levitated above the central end face 52 of the end cap 20 across the entire diameter of the charge G by a fluid cushion. To displace the charge G away from the central end face 52 of the end cap 20, the fluid supply passages 56, 58 extending between the central end face 52 and the terminal face 54 of each end cap half 20a, 20b may be arranged as shown in a first circular array 62 and a second circular array 64 outside the first circular array, as shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the fluid supply passages 56, 58 may be arranged in one or more oval arrays, linear arrays, rectangular arrays, or any other arrangement suitable for displacing the molten glass charge G away from the central end face 52 of the end cap 20. The plurality of fluid supply passages 56, 58 are aligned along a conduit passage axis A. C 3 and 4, the fluid supply passages 56, 58 may extend through the end cap 20 at one or more oblique angles relative to the conduit passage axis A. C 1. The fluid supply passages 56, 58 may be oriented to converge with the conduit passage axis A. C It is also possible for some of the fluid supply passages 56, 58 to converge and others to diverge relative to the axis A. In yet other embodiments, one or more of the fluid supply passages 56, 58 may be aligned along the axis A. C 2 and may extend through the end cap 20 parallel to the

[0028] The size, quantity, orientation, and / or configuration of the fluid supply passages 56, 58 may vary depending on the desired specifications of the glass manufacturing system. These variations may be enhanced by the machinability of the glass transport material 18, as a more machinable material 18 may allow for more precisely and / or more intricately formed fluid supply passages 56, 58. Additionally, the type, flow rate, pressure, and other characteristics of the fluid supplied through the fluid supply passages 56, 58 may be selected to ensure that the fluid supplied into the retention cavity 22 when the conduit 16 is closed by the end cap 20 is sufficient to displace the molten glass charge G away from the central end face 52 of the end cap 20, but does not push the glass charge G back out of the conduit 16 and out through the inlet 24. For example, fluid may flow through the fluid supply passages 56, 58 into the retention cavity 22 at a total flow rate (i.e., the combined flow through all of the passages 56, 58) ranging from 30 standard liters per minute (slpm) to 350 slpm, or more narrowly, from 60 slpm to 300 slpm. In one particular example, fluid may be supplied through the fluid supply passages 56, 58 at a first flow rate, within the aforementioned range, as the molten glass charge G is loaded into the conduit 16 and travels toward the outlet 26. Fluid may then be supplied through the fluid supply passages 56, 58 at a second flow rate, lower than the first flow rate, after the charge G is loaded into the conduit 16 and is no longer traveling toward the outlet 26. The first, higher fluid flow rate can prevent the molten glass charge G from colliding with the end cap 20 or at least slow the rate at which the molten glass charge G falls during loading of the glass charge G into the conduit 16 of the transfer cup 14, and the second, lower fluid flow rate can maintain a fluid cushion below the glass charge G.

[0029] The fluid provided through the fluid supply passages 56, 58 may be a pressurized gas, including, for example, air, oxygen, nitrogen, or any other gas suitable for contact with molten glass. Although not shown, the pressurized gas may be provided from a gas pressurized vessel, a pumped gas line, or any other suitable source of pressurized gas, and the flow rate of the pressurized gas may be controlled by one or more proportional valves, or by any other suitable means. Without fluid provided through the fluid supply passages 56, 58 in the end cap 20, the molten glass charge G would engage the central end surface 52 of the end cap 20 at full velocity and momentum when received within the conduit 16, resulting in significant heat losses to the end cap 20 as a result of the impact. The molten glass charge G would also engage the junction between the end cap 20 and the conduit 16 and / or the junction between the end cap halves 20a, 20b, which may form one or more parting lines in the molten glass charge G that may ultimately be carried over into the glass articles subsequently formed from the glass charge G, particularly glass containers.

[0030] The flow of fluid through the fluid supply passages 56, 58 into the retention cavity 22, in conjunction with the thermal break created circumferentially around the glass charge G, helps maintain the integrity of the molten glass charge G received within the conduit 16. The continuous flow of fluid into the retention cavity 22 slows the molten glass charge G so that as the charge G enters the conduit 16 it engages the central end surface 52 of the end cap 20 with less than maximum force and is then displaced away from the central end surface 52 or never engages the central end surface 52 at all. Additionally, after the molten glass charge G is received within the conduit 16, fluid is supplied into the retention cavity 22 to levitate the molten glass charge away from the central end surface 52 of the end cap 20 and create a fluid cushion that occupies the space between the central end surface 52 and the lower end of the molten glass charge G. A stable fluid cushion is maintained with the aid of the drain gap 60, which provides a pressure relief to prevent the supplied pressurized fluid from building up sufficient pressure to drain the molten glass charge G from the conduit 16, and to prevent the fluid from destructively flowing along the glass charge G through the thermal break. Because the molten glass charge G is not in continuous contact with the central end surface 52 of the end cap 20, the formation of cold spots, particularly at the lower axial ends of the glass gobs G, and the formation of parting lines are reduced or avoided. In that regard, the introduction of cold spots and / or parting lines into the finished glass container formed from the molten glass charge G may also be reduced or avoided.

[0031] Returning now to FIG. 1 , the transporter 10 may also include a conduit carrier 68 that holds the conduit 16, an end cap carrier 70 on which the end cap 20 is carried, an end cap actuator 72, and an end cap guide 74 coupled to the end cap carrier 70. The conduit carrier 68 may include an outer sleeve 76 that surrounds and is radially spaced from the conduit 16. The conduit carrier 68 may also include upper and lower mounting rings 78, 80 that are coupled to the outer sleeve 76 and engaged to corresponding portions of the conduit 16. The outer sleeve 76 may include a tubular body 82 and upper and lower caps 84, 86 that may be fastened, welded, threaded, or otherwise coupled to corresponding ends of the tubular body 82 to establish a cooling chamber 50 between the outer sleeve 76 and the conduit 16 through which cooling gas may flow. Cooling chamber 50 may be supplied with cooling gas through cooling gas inlet 48 defined within tubular body 82 of outer sleeve 76. Also not shown here, cooling gas inlet 48 is in fluid communication with a cooling gas source. The cooling gas supplied to cooling chamber 50 is preferably air, although other gases may be used as the cooling gas including, for example, oxygen, nitrogen, or any other gas suitable for contact with molten glass, and the pressure of the cooling gas in cooling chamber 50 is preferably in the range of 1 psig to 100 psig.

[0032] The upper mounting ring 78 may be fastened, welded, threaded, or otherwise coupled to the upper cap 84 of the outer sleeve 76 and may have one or more radially inwardly extending tongues 164 that fit into one or more corresponding grooves 166 in the conduit 16. To facilitate assembly of such a tongue-and-groove connection, the upper mounting ring 78 may be split and constructed of semicircular halves. The lower mounting ring 80 and its mounting configuration to the conduit 16 may be similar to that of the upper mounting ring 78. When the conduit carrier 68 is assembled around the conduit 16, the cooling chamber 50 established between the outer sleeve 76 and the conduit 16 exposes and covers at least 85%, or more preferably at least 90%, or even at least 95% of the outer surface 36 of the conduit 16. This ensures that a sufficient portion of the outer surface 36 of the conduit 16 is accessible to the pressurized cooling gas in the cooling chamber 50 to support a diffusive flow of cooled glass through the conduit 16 and into the passageway 28 for reasons described herein.

[0033] The conduit carrier 68 may also include a partition 168 disposed radially between the outer sleeve 76 and the conduits 16 to direct the cooling gas provided through the conduit carrier 68 to the conduits 16. The partition 168 may establish a bypass path for the flow of cooling gas within the cooling chamber 50. More specifically, in one possible embodiment, the cooling gas enters the cooling chamber 50 through the cooling gas inlet 48 defined in the tubular body 82 of the outer sleeve 76, flows circumferentially around the partition 168, and flows downward to a lower end of the partition 168 adjacent the end cap 20, which may have gas passages (not shown) in the form of holes, reliefs, or axially extending gaps. The cooling gas flows through the gas passages or around the lower end of the partition 168, flows radially inward toward the conduits 16, flows circumferentially around the conduits 16 between the conduits 16 and the partition 168, and flows up and out of the cooling chamber 50 through one or more cooling gas outlets (not shown). The bulkhead 168 promotes more uniform impingement of cooling gas circumferentially across the outer surface 36 of the conduit 104 and allows for a more uniform pressure differential across the conduit 16 between the outer surface 36 and the inner surface 38, thus helping to create a more uniform permeative cooling gas flow through the conduit 16 along the length of the conduit 16. Portions of the bulkhead 168 may be welded, fastened, interference-fit, or otherwise coupled to corresponding portions of the outer sleeve 76.

[0034] The end cap actuator 72 is operable to move and guide the end cap 20 to open and close the conduit 16 in the manner described above. The end cap actuator 72 may be or include a linear rodless cylinder, 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 any other configuration suitable for inducing linear motion. To open the conduit 16, the end cap actuator 72 may be actuated to split the end cap 20 and linearly displace the end cap halves 20a, 20b laterally along the end cap guides 74 and out of the outlet 26 of the conduit 16. Conversely, to close the conduit 16, the end cap actuator 72 may be actuated in the reverse direction to linearly displace the end cap halves 20a, 20b of the end cap 20 laterally back toward each other along the end cap guides 74 and bring the halves 20a, 20b together beneath the outlet 26 of the conduit 16 as the end cap 20 blocks or covers the outlet 26.

[0035] The transporter 10 may further include an adjustable end cap mounting frame 88 that adjustably mounts the end cap carrier 70 to the conduit carrier 68. The mounting frame 88 may include opposing adapter plates 90 coupled to opposite sides of the outer sleeve 76 of the conduit carrier 68. The conduit carrier 68 includes opposing mounting bosses 92, each of which may be oval and may fit into a corresponding oval relief in the inner surface of the plate 90, and may be fastened to the plate 90 by fasteners (not shown) that extend through the plate 90 and into threaded passages in the oval bosses 92. The conduit carrier 68 may, of course, be coupled to the adapter plate 90 by a dovetail-type integral engagement or other mechanical mounting configuration, or via welding, or in any other suitable manner. Further, to facilitate transportation of the transporter 10, the conduit carrier 68 may be fastened via the adapter plate 90 and mounting bosses 92 fastened to fasteners to a mounting plate 170 between opposing mounting bosses 92, which in turn are coupled to a robot end effector or other driver capable of moving the transporter 10. The mounting frame 88 may also include end cap carrier extensions 94, one on each side of the transport cup 14. The end cap carrier extensions 94 have a lower end coupled to the end cap actuator 72 on one side and to the end cap guide 74 via an adapter block 96 on the other side. The mounting frame 88 may also include carrier extensions 98 coupled to the adapter plate 90 and extending outwardly therefrom, corresponding to the end cap carrier extensions 94.

[0036] The illustrated end cap carrier extension 94, shown coupled to the end cap guide 74, includes a plate 100 and a guide block 102. The plate 100 carries the end cap guide adapter block 96 at a lower end via cap screws fastened through the plate 100 and into the block 96. The guide block 102 is fastened to the upper end of the plate 100 via cap screws extending through the plate 100 and into the guide block 102. The conduit carrier extension 98 may be fastened to the adapter plate 90 by cap screws or in any other suitable manner, for example, by one or more fasteners 104 extending through slots in a side wall 106 of the conduit carrier extension 98 and into one or more corresponding threaded holes in the guide block 102 of the end cap carrier extension 94. One or more set screws 108 may extend further through an end wall 110 of the conduit carrier extension 98 and into corresponding threaded passages in the guide block 102 of the end cap carrier extension 94. In this manner, the fasteners 104 may be loosened, the set screws 108 may be turned to move the remaining portion of the end cap carrier extension 94 to a desired position, and the fasteners 104 may be tightened to lock the end cap carrier extension 94 in the desired position relative to the conduit carrier extension 98, adjusting the positioning of the end cap 20 relative to the conduit 16 as needed. The other end cap carrier extension 94 coupled to the end cap actuator 72 may be constructed in the same manner, except that the plate 100 is secured directly to the end cap actuator 72 via the cap screws.

[0037] The transporter 10 may be adapted for use with any suitable electrical, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic fittings, lines, adapters, valves, and the like, and may be coupled to any suitable electrical, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic power sources to power the end cap actuators 72, provide fluid to the conduits 16 of the transport cup 14 through the fluid supply passages 56, 58 of the end caps 20, and provide cooling gas to the cooling chambers 50 of the conduit carrier 68. Similarly, any suitable controller and controls may be employed to control the operation of the transporter 10. Additionally, the configuration and various subcomponents of the transporter 10, transport cup 14, and / or conduits 16 may vary depending on the desired implementation and need not take the exact form shown herein. Rather, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4 are intended to provide exemplary configurations that are particularly useful with the glass transport material 18 described below. Further structural details and corresponding descriptions of the transporter 10 shown in Figures 1-4 herein, as well as variations thereof, are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 113,925, filed Feb. 24, 2023, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0038] As discussed above, the glass transport material 18 from which the conduit 16 is constructed supports the diffusive flow of cooling gas from the cooling chamber 50, through the inherent microstructure of the glass transport material 18 of the conduit 16, and into the passages 28. The microstructure 42 of the glass transport material 18 has a surface roughness 112 that exhibits a distribution of contact points 114, particularly along the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16. The permeability of the glass transport material 18 is directly related to the ability of the material to achieve diffusive flow of cooling gas through the conduit 16 at a rate sufficient to displace the molten glass charge G radially inwardly from the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 to establish a thermal break, which also helps to minimize friction between the glass charge G and the inner surface 38. The thermal break established between the molten glass charge G and the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 helps to insulate the glass charge G, thus limiting the omnidirectional transfer of heat from the glass charge G over the period of time that the glass charge G is contained within the conduit 16.

[0039] The glass transport material 18 also preferably has a relatively high thermal conductivity to inhibit the formation of localized hot spots on the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16. To minimize heat transfer between the molten glass charge G and the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16, and thus help preserve the heat content and thermal uniformity of the charge G, conventional wisdom suggests that the glass transport material 18 should have as low a thermal conductivity as possible to impede heat flow into the conduit 16. However, unexpectedly and contrary to the above, it is believed that the high thermal conductivity of the glass transport material 18 promotes a more uniform heat distribution in the molten glass charge G. Indeed, when the molten glass charge G is initially received within the conduit 16 (at which point the glass charge G most likely comes into contact with the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 via contact points 114 on surface 38), the ability of the glass transport material 18 to rapidly conduct heat away from the inner surface 38 limits any momentary localized temperature rise that may occur along the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16. This reduction in the rate of surface temperature rise is understood to prevent the glass transport material 18 from getting too hot in localized areas, allowing the glass to penetrate many of the pores on the surface of the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 and potentially resulting in adhesion, which allows more heat transfer from the glass over the transport time, resulting in the delivery of a cooler charge.

[0040] 3-4 show schematic diagrams of molten glass charge G being displaced radially inwardly within conduit 16 around its entire circumference by the permeable flow of cooling gas from cooling chamber 50. In FIG. 3, the moment molten glass charge G initially enters holding cavity 22 through inlet 24 of conduit 16 is illustrated. As shown, molten glass charge G initially contacts inner surface 38 through contact point 114 of surface 38, which, if present, may allow heat to flow radially out of charge G. During the molten glass charge G's entry into holding cavity 22, cooling gas permeably diffusing through conduit 16 from cooling chamber 50 exerts a pressing force on glass gob G creating a thermal break in the form of a gas barrier 40 between glass transport material 18 of conduit 16 and glass charge G, as shown in FIG. The gas barrier 40 typically has dimensions between 20 μm and 200 μm, more narrowly between 30 μm and 100 μm. The formation of the thermal break minimizes heat transfer between the conduit 16 and the molten glass charge G, and the thermal conductance of the glass very quickly removes any thermal non-uniformities induced in the glass charge G once the thermal break is formed.

[0041] The glass transport material 18 is preferably a non-metallic material, such as a carbon-based material, and more preferably a graphite-based material. As used herein, "based" refers to a material that is 50% or more by weight of the specified material. For example, a graphite-based material may be pure graphite (100% by weight) or may be predominantly graphite (50% by weight or more) mixed with other materials. Graphite-based materials are particularly good candidates for the glass transport material 18 because graphite can achieve different levels of permeability and thermal conductivity depending on various factors, including how the graphite is formed and processed. Another attribute of graphite-based materials that may be useful for constructing the conduit 16 is that they are self-lubricating. If the glass transport material 18 is self-lubricating, the molten glass charge G will move with less frictional resistance against the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 when received within the retention cavity 22. By reducing friction along the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16, the molten glass charge G is less likely to adhere to the inner surface 38 and / or damage the contact points 114 of the inner surface 38. If the glass transport material 18 is formed from a graphite-based material, the target operating temperature of the glass transport material 18 may be, in one example, 100° C. to 400° C., more preferably 350° C. to 400° C., depending on thermal conductivity, as graphite-based materials may tend to undesirably oxidize as temperatures increase significantly above 400° C. Another self-lubricating non-metallic material that may be used as the glass transport material 18 is a boron nitride-based (BN-based) material, more specifically hexagonal boron nitride.

[0042] In one particular embodiment, the glass transport material 18 is comprised of extruded graphite. Extruded graphite can have a relatively high permeability, including within the ranges identified above, and can be more thermally conductive than other types of graphite, such as isostatically pressed graphite. However, isostatically pressed graphite may certainly be used as the glass transport material 18, along with other types of graphite, including other forms of cold-formed graphite and vibration-formed graphite. As shown diagrammatically in Figures 3-4, grains or particles 118 (only a few are labeled for clarity) of the extruded graphite glass transport material 18 are aligned along the conduit passage axis A. C Extrusion axis A approximately parallel to E Extrusion axis A E is measured relative to the longest dimension of each particle 118. In this embodiment, the entirety of the conduit 16, i.e., the entire sidewall 34 between the inlet end 30 and the outlet end 32 from the inlet 24 to the outlet 26, is constructed from extruded graphite, and the conduit 16 is formed by machining passages 28 having the desired microstructure 42 into a solid extruded graphite body having the general dimensions of the conduit 16. Constructing the conduit 16 from extruded graphite may also provide some control over the number of pores on the interior surface 38 of the conduit 16, which may help establish the desired surface roughness 112 and permeability.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a chart showing some material properties, including permeability and thermal conductivity, of several graphites identified as possible candidates for glass transport material 18. Of these candidate materials, Example 4 performed best in terms of limiting heat loss from the molten glass and inhibiting glass adhesion. Example 4 notably has a permeability at least an order of magnitude greater than the other examples. The graphite designated as Example 4 is an extruded graphite identified as DT-585 and is available from DuraTemp Corporation (Holland, Ohio). Although the graphite of Example 4 performed best among the four graphites, nonetheless, each of the graphite materials listed in FIG. 5 could be used as glass transport material 18 to construct conduit 16. The graphite designated as Example 1 is an isostatically pressed graphite identified as GLASSMATE-LT and is available from Entegris, Inc. (Billerica, Maryland). The graphites identified as Examples 2 and 3 are, respectively, isostatically pressed graphite identified as GLASSMATE-SR available from Entegris, Inc. of Billerica, Maryland, and GR001-CC available from Graphtek LLC of Northbrook, Illinois.

[0044] The transporter 10 and transport cup 14 described above can be used to receive and transport a charge of molten glass G for subsequent glass forming operations. For example, one method of transporting a molten glass charge G using a transport guide 16 as described above includes receiving the molten glass charge G within the molten glass transport guide 12. The method further includes displacing the molten glass charge G radially inwardly away from an inner surface 38 of the glass transport guide 12 to create a thermal break between the molten glass charge G and the glass transport material 18. In a more specific embodiment, the molten glass transport guide 12 is a conduit 16 defining an inlet 24 and an outlet 26 as described above, the conduit 16 being comprised of a glass transport material 18 as described herein. Additionally, the method may include closing the conduit 16 with an end cap 20 and displacing the molten glass charge G away from the end cap 20 prior to receiving the molten glass charge G within the conduit 16, such that, in conjunction with the thermal insulation circumferentially surrounding the glass charge G, the glass charge G is levitated away from the end cap 20 by a fluid cushion and circumferentially separated from the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16. Thus, the molten glass charge G is suspended within the retaining cavity 22 of the conduit 16 and is not in direct contact with the conduit 16 or the end cap 20. There may be other reasons for suspending the glass charge G within the retaining cavity 22 of the conduit 16 of the transfer cup 14 aside from transporting the molten glass charge G. In these examples, the transfer cup 14 may remain stationary.

[0045] Another method of transporting the molten glass charge G includes receiving the molten glass charge G in a conduit 16. The conduit 16 is composed of a glass transport material 18 having a permeability in the range of 1 md to 250 md, or 10 md to 150 md, or 50 md to 135 md, and a thermal conductivity of 40 W / m-°K or greater. The method further includes displacing the molten glass charge G radially inwardly away from an inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 around a circumference of the glass charge G. In a more specific embodiment, the method can also include creating a thermal break between the molten glass charge G and the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 in the form of a gas barrier 40 that separates the glass charge G from the inner surface 38. Additionally, the method may include, prior to receiving the molten glass charge G within the conduit 16, closing the conduit 16 with an end cap 20 and displacing the molten glass charge G away from the end cap 20, such that, in conjunction with a gas barrier 40 circumferentially surrounding the glass charge G, the glass charge G is floated away from the end cap 20 by a fluid cushion and circumferentially separated from the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16 by the gas barrier 40. Thus, the molten glass charge G is suspended within the retention cavity 22 of the conduit 16 and is not in direct contact with the conduit 16 or the end cap 20.

[0046] 6, a schematic diagram of a method for transporting a charge of molten glass from one location (e.g., a loading location) to another location (e.g., an unloading location) is shown. Initially, the transporter 10 is positioned at a loading station 150, for example, beneath a glass supply 152 configured to deliver a charge of molten glass G. At the loading station, the end cap 20 is in a closed position, covering or blocking the outlet 26 of the conduit 16 to axially close the passage 28 of the conduit 16 and create the holding cavity 22. The end cap 20 may be moved to the closed position at the loading station 150 or prior to arriving at the loading station 150. When the transporter 10 is at the loading station 150, the glass supply 152 supplies the molten glass charge G, which falls freely through the inlet 24 of the conduit 16 into the holding cavity 22. Fluid is provided through the end cap 20 into the retention cavity 22 to aid in receiving the molten glass charge G into the conduit 16 and, as described above, form a thermal break between the glass charge G and the inner surface 38 of the conduit 16. More specifically, to form the thermal break, cooling gas provided to the cooling chamber 50 of the transfer cup 14 diffusely flows through the conduit 16 into the retention cavity 22 at a permeate flow rate controlled according to the loading phase of the cooling gas permeate flow cycle. The end cap 20 is shown here as a block that moves laterally between closed and open positions. Such depiction is schematic in nature and is meant to represent a variety of possible movements including a rocking end cap and the opening and closing of the end cap halves 20a, 20b as described above.

[0047] After the molten glass charge G is loaded into the transport cup 14, the transporter 10 is moved to an unloading station 154 where the transporter 10 is positioned above a glass container former 156, which here includes a blank mold 158 and a blow mold 160, although other types of formers are possible. The permeable flow rate of cooling gas through the conduit 16 into the holding cavity 22 is controlled according to the transport phase of the cooling gas permeable flow cycle during the movement of the transporter 10. And here, the transport cup 14 is not inverted during the movement of the transporter 10 from the loading station 150 to the unloading station 154. When the transporter 10 is at the unloading station 154, the permeable flow rate of cooling gas through the conduit 16 into the holding cavity 22 is controlled according to the discharge phase of the cooling gas permeable flow cycle, the end cap 20 is moved to an open position, the holding cavity 22 is no longer established, and the passage 28 is axially unobstructed at the outlet 26. The opening in the conduit 16 allows the glass charge G to fall freely from the conduit 16, thereby discharging the molten glass charge G through the outlet 26 of the conduit 16. The falling molten glass charge G is received by the blank mold 158 below. The molten glass charge G is then formed into a glass container 162 after passing through the blank mold 158 and the blow mold 160. Specifically, the molten glass charge G is formed into a parison 162' or partially formed container in the blank mold 158, and the parison 162' is then transferred into the blow mold 160. In the blow mold 160, the parison 162' is formed into the finished glass container 162.

[0048] Positioning of the transporter 10 at the loading station 150 and the unloading station 154, and movement of the transporter 10 between the stations 150, 154 may be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, the transporter 10 may be transported linearly back and forth between the loading station 150 and the unloading station 154 along a rail or gantry by a linear drive motor, and the timing of the transporter 10 movement may be coordinated with the timing of the glass feeder 152 and the glass former 156 by a control strategy using controller hardware and associated software. As another example, an automated programmable robot capable of movement in three or more axes may be used to position and move the transporter 10 back and forth between the loading station 150 and the unloading station 154. Other options are available, and of course multiple transporters 10 can be used together, or even included on the same transport platform, to help ensure continuous delivery of molten glass charge G from the glass supply apparatus 152 to the blank molds 158 of a molding machine 156 or even multiple molding machines 156.

[0049] The subject matter of the present application is disclosed herein in conjunction with several explicit exemplary embodiments and modifications to those embodiments, using various terms. All terms used herein are intended to be merely descriptive, not necessarily limiting, and should be interpreted and understood according to their ordinary and customary meaning in the art, unless used in a context requiring a different interpretation. Also, for convenience, each explicit exemplary embodiment and modification is incorporated herein by reference to one or more of the other explicit exemplary embodiments and modifications. Thus, it is not intended, nor possible, to describe herein all such subject matter, many other embodiments, modifications, and their equivalents that currently exist or have not yet been discovered, and thus would be readily suggested to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure. Rather, the present disclosure is intended to encompass all such embodiments and modifications of the subject matter of the present application, and their equivalents, as fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A molten glass transport cup (14) comprising a conduit (16) defining an inlet (24), an outlet (26), and a passageway (28) between the inlet and the outlet, the conduit being constructed from a glass transport material (18) having a permeability of 1 md to 250 md and a thermal conductivity of 40 W / m-°K or greater over a temperature range of 300° C. to 400° C.

2. 2. The molten glass transport cup of claim 1, wherein the glass transport material has a permeability of 10 md to 150 md and a thermal conductivity of 100 W / m-°K to 200 W / m-°K over a temperature range of 300° C. to 400° C.

3. The molten glass transport cup of claim 1 , wherein the glass transport material is a non-metallic material.

4. The molten glass transport cup of claim 1 , wherein the glass transport material is a graphite-based material.

5. The molten glass transport cup of claim 4 , wherein said conduit is constructed entirely of graphite.

6. The molten glass transport guide of claim 4 , wherein the graphite based material is extruded graphite.

7. a conduit carrier (68) for holding the conduit, the conduit including an outer sleeve (76) surrounding the conduit and radially spaced from the conduit, establishing a cooling chamber (50) between the conduit and the outer sleeve; 10. The molten glass transport cup of claim 1, further comprising an end cap (20) movable to selectively open and close said outlet of said conduit.

8. The molten glass transport cup of claim 7 , wherein one or more fluid supply passages (56, 58) are defined in said end cap.

9. a conduit (16) defining an inlet (24), an outlet (26), and a passageway (28) between said inlet and said outlet, said conduit being constructed from a glass transport material (18) and having a flow rate of at least 100 g / s / m at a pressure differential across said glass transport material of 30 psig or less; ２ and said glass transport material further has a thermal conductivity of 40 W / m-°K or greater over a temperature range of 300° C. to 400° C.

10. The molten glass transport cup of claim 9, wherein the glass transport material has a permeability of 1 md to 250 md.

11. The molten glass transport cup of claim 10, wherein the glass transport material has a permeability of 10 md to 150 md and a thermal conductivity of 100 W / m-°K to 200 W / m-°K over a temperature range of 300° C. to 400° C.

12. The molten glass transport cup of claim 9 , wherein the glass transport material is a non-metallic material.

13. The molten glass transport cup of claim 9 , wherein the glass transport material is a graphite based material.

14. The molten glass transport cup of claim 13 , wherein the conduit is constructed entirely of graphite.

15. The molten glass transport guide of claim 13 , wherein the graphite based material is extruded graphite.

16. a conduit carrier (68) for holding the conduit, the conduit including an outer sleeve (76) surrounding the conduit and radially spaced from the conduit, establishing a cooling chamber (50) between the conduit and the outer sleeve; 10. The molten glass transport cup of claim 9, further comprising an end cap (20) movable to selectively open and close said outlet of said conduit.

17. The molten glass transport cup of claim 16, wherein one or more fluid supply passages (56, 58) are defined in said end cap.

18. A method for handling a molten glass charge (G), comprising the steps of: receiving a molten glass charge (G) into a retention cavity (22) of a molten glass transport cup (14), the retention cavity being provided by a conduit (16) defining a passageway (28) extending between an inlet (24) and an outlet (26) of the conduit, and an end cap (20) movable to open and close the outlet of the conduit; supplying a cooling gas to an outer surface (36) of the conduit such that the cooling gas diffuses permeably through the conduit and displaces the molten glass charge radially inward and away from an inner surface (38) of the conduit to create a thermal break between the molten glass charge and the conduit; The method includes:

19. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the conduit is constructed from a glass transport material (18) having a permeability of 1 md to 250 md and a thermal conductivity of 40 W / m-°K or greater over a temperature range of 300° C. to 400° C.

20. The conduit has a resistance of at least 100 g / s / m at a pressure differential across the glass transport material of 30 psig or less. ２ and the glass transport material further has a thermal conductivity of 40 W / m-°K or greater over a temperature range of 300° C. to 400° C.

21. The method of claim 18 , wherein the glass transport material is a graphite-based material.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the thermal break is in the form of a gas barrier (40).

23. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising supplying a fluid through the end cap into the retention cavity to displace the molten glass charge away from the end cap.

24. 1. A method for transporting a molten glass charge (G), comprising the steps of: A transporter (10) is provided that includes a transport cup (14) having a conduit (16), the conduit having an inner surface (38) defining a passageway (28) extending from an inlet (24) of the conduit to an outlet (26) of the conduit, the conduit having a resistance to pressure of at least 100 g / s / m at a pressure differential across the conduit of 30 psig or less. ２ providing a permeable air flow rate of closing the conduit by positioning an end cap (20) under the outlet of the conduit to cover and block the outlet, thereby providing a retention cavity (22); receiving a molten glass charge (G) at a loading station (150) through the inlet of the conduit and into the holding cavity; supplying a cooling gas to an outer surface (36) of the conduit such that the cooling gas permeably diffuses through the conduit and displaces the molten glass charge radially inward away from the inner surface of the conduit to create a thermal break between the molten glass charge and the inner surface of the conduit; transporting the transporter from the loading station to an unloading station (154); moving the end cap away from the outlet of the conduit to open the conduit and allow the molten glass charge to discharge through the outlet of the conduit; The method includes:

25. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the conduit is constructed from a glass transport material (18) having a permeability of 1 md to 250 md and a thermal conductivity of 40 W / m-°K or greater over a temperature range of 300° C. to 400° C.

26. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the cooling gas supplied to the outer surface of the conduit is air.

27. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein supplying the cooling gas includes supplying the cooling gas to a cooling chamber (50) surrounding the conduit, and wherein a pressure of the cooling gas in the cooling chamber supports a permeable flow of the cooling gas through the conduit.

28. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising controlling the permeable flow of the cooling gas through the conduit by controlling a pressure of the cooling gas in the cooling chamber.

29. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising supplying a fluid through the end cap into the retention cavity to displace the molten glass charge away from the end cap.

Images