Molten glass transport device, transport cup, end cap, and method

Abstract

The molten glass transport cup (102, 302, 502, 702, 1102) includes a conduit (104, 304, 504, 704, 1104) having an inlet (110, 310) and an outlet (112, 312, 512, 712, 1112), and an end cap (106, 306, 506, 706) for covering or closing and uncovering or opening the conduit outlet. The cup may also include a fluid exhaust outlet between the conduit and the end cap, and one or more fluid supply passages (148, 149, 348, 548, 748) having one or more internal inlets (152, 352, 752) located radially inward of the exhaust outlet. The molten glass transport apparatus (100, 300, 500, 700, 1100) may include a cup and a conduit carrier (158, 358, 558, 758, 1158). A related method may include receiving a molten glass charge (G) in the cup and delivering a fluid into the cup to displace at least a portion of the glass charge away from the transport cup.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This patent application discloses an apparatus and method for manufacturing glass containers, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for conveying molten glass from a glass delivery apparatus to a blank mold. [Background technology]

[0002] The glass container manufacturing process typically includes the following general processing steps: a) melting raw materials in a glass melting furnace to produce molten glass; b) producing discrete portions of molten glass as gobs by flowing a stream of molten glass from a gob delivery device and cutting the stream with a shear to produce molten glass "gobs;" c) delivering the molten glass gobs to a blank mold to form the molten glass gobs into flexible parisons; d) opening the blank mold to transfer the parison to a blow mold; and e) blowing the parison against the inner walls of the blow mold to form a relatively rigid glass container.

[0003] In modern processes, the delivery step uses conventional gob delivery equipment that includes a very long and flared series of distribution funnels and scoops, troughs, and deflectors that cooperate to transport the glass gobs from the gob feeder to the blank mold. Because the gob delivery equipment needs to be disposed at a minimum angle to transport the glass gobs at the desired velocity, the gob delivery equipment can be relatively tall, often extending to a height of 10 to 14 feet.

[0004] In contrast, several decades ago, some implementations of the delivery process used a transfer cup to receive the glass gob from a gob feeder and deposit the glass gob into a blank mold directly below the gob feeder. However, the use of a transfer cup had many disadvantages. For example, the mating surfaces of the different components of the transfer cup would create sharp internal joints that would form parting lines on the glass gob. Also, the parting lines would persist through the blank and blow molding process, eventually resulting in undesirable lines appearing on the formed glass container. In another example, excessive contact between the gob and the transfer cup led to a thermally inhomogeneous delivery of the gob to the mold. For example, contact between the lower axial end of the glass gob being loaded into the transfer cup and the bottom of the transfer cup could result in a detrimental temperature drop of about 300° C. at the lower axial end. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure embodies several aspects that can be implemented separately or in combination with each other.

[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 conduit outlet, the end cap being movable relative to the conduit to a closed position in which the end cap covers the conduit outlet and an open position in which the end cap uncovers the conduit outlet. The cup further includes a fluid exhaust outlet between the conduit and the end cap, and one or more fluid supply passages having one or more internal inlets located radially inward of the fluid exhaust outlet.

[0007] According to an additional aspect of the present disclosure, an end cap of a molten glass transport cup includes a lower end, an upper end axially opposite the lower end, and a plurality of fluid supply passages extending between the lower end and the upper end and having a lower opening opening at the lower end and an upper opening opening at the upper end.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a molten glass transport apparatus comprising a transfer cup including a conduit including an inlet and an outlet, and an end cap movably carried below the conduit for opening and closing the outlet of the conduit. The transport apparatus also includes a conduit carrier including a sleeve for carrying the transfer cup therein and at least partially surrounding the conduit of the transfer cup.

[0009] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method of transporting a molten glass charge is provided. The method includes receiving the molten glass charge in a transfer cup having a conduit and an end cap for selectively opening and closing the conduit. The method also includes providing a 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, thereby establishing a gap between the molten glass charge and the transfer cup. The method further includes controlling an amount of fluid in the transfer cup between the molten glass charge and the transfer cup, and moving the end cap to allow the molten glass charge to exit the conduit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a top perspective view of a molten glass transport apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating a split end cap and end cap carrier in an open position relative to a conduit and conduit carrier; [Diagram 2] 2 is a top perspective view of the molten glass transport apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating the split end cap and end cap carrier moved to a closed position relative to the conduit and conduit carrier. [Diagram 3] 2 is a bottom perspective view of the molten glass transport apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 3 is a bottom perspective view of the molten glass transport apparatus shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 2 is a top view of the molten glass transport apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a top view of the molten glass transport apparatus shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 7]2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a transfer cup of the molten glass transfer apparatus of FIG. 1, including the conduit and end cap of FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken from circle 8 in FIG. 7 around the lower portion of the transfer cup of FIG. 7, carrying a glass charge. [Figure 9] 2 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the transfer cup of the molten glass transfer apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the lower end of the conduit carrier and split end cap shown in a closed position. [Figure 10] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of a transfer cup of the molten glass transfer apparatus of FIG. 1, showing the conduit, the conduit carrier, the split end cap, and the end cap carrier. [Figure 10A] 10A is a further enlarged partial cross-sectional elevation view of the lower portion of the carrying cup shown in FIG. 10 taken along line 10A of FIG. 10; [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a molten glass transport apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a transport cup including a conduit and an end cap, further showing a conduit carrier carrying an end cap and an end cap carrier, in an open position relative to the conduit carrier. [Figure 12] 12 is a perspective view of the molten glass transport apparatus of FIG. 11 illustrating the end cap and end cap carrier moved to a closed position relative to the conduit carrier. [Figure 13] 12 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the molten glass transport apparatus of FIG. 11. [Figure 14] 13 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the molten glass transport apparatus of FIG. 12. [Figure 15] 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the transfer cup of the molten glass transfer apparatus of FIG. 11, including the conduit and end cap of FIG. 11. [Figure 16] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the end cap of FIG. 11. [Figure 17] 16 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken from circle 17 in FIG. 15 around the lower portion of the transfer cup of FIG. 15, carrying a glass charge; FIG. [Figure 17A]17A is a further enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken from circle 17A of FIG. 17 around a portion of the transfer cup, illustrating the relationship of the conduit, glass charge, end cap, and fluid supply passages in the end cap; [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a molten glass transport apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating a transport cup including a conduit and a split end cap, further illustrating a conduit carrying the split end cap and a conduit carrier carrying a split end cap carrier, in an open position relative to the conduit carrier; [Figure 19] 9 is a perspective view of the molten glass transport apparatus of FIG. 8 illustrating the split end cap and end cap carrier moved to a closed position relative to the conduit carrier. [Figure 20] 19 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the molten glass transport apparatus of FIG. 18. [Figure 21] 20 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the molten glass transport apparatus of FIG. 19. [Figure 22] 20 is an enlarged partial perspective cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the molten glass transport apparatus shown in FIG. 19 illustrating the lower portion of the conduit and the lower portion of the transport cup including a split end cap. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is an enlarged partial perspective cross-sectional view of one half of the split end cap of FIG. 22 illustrating the exhaust vent channels therein. [Figure 24] FIG. 23 is an enlarged partial top perspective view of the split end cap of FIG. 22 illustrating the exhaust vent channels therein. [Diagram 25] 11 is a top perspective view of a molten glass transport apparatus according to an additional exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating a conduit carrier and a split end cap carrier in an open position relative to the conduit carrier; [Figure 26] 26 is a top perspective view of the molten glass transport apparatus of FIG. 25 illustrating the split end cap and split end cap carrier moved to a closed position relative to the conduit carrier. [Figure 27] FIG. 26 is a bottom perspective view of the molten glass transport apparatus of FIG. 25. [Figure 28] FIG. 27 is a bottom perspective view of the molten glass transport apparatus shown in FIG. 26. [Figure 29] 29 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the transfer cup of the molten glass transfer apparatus taken along line 29-29 of FIG. 25, showing the conduit, the conduit carrier, the split end cap, and the split end cap carrier. [Figure 29A] FIG. 30 is a further enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the transfer cup of FIG. 29 taken at oval 29A. [Diagram 30] 30 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the carrier cup shown in a closed position taken along line 30-30 of FIG. 26. [Figure 30A] FIG. 31 is a further enlarged cross-sectional view of the transfer cup of FIG. 30 taken at oval 30A. [Diagram 31] 26 is an enlarged partial perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the transport device of FIG. 25 illustrating a mounting arrangement of the split end cap carrier. [Diagram 32] 26 is an enlarged partial perspective view of an end portion of the conveying device of FIG. 25 illustrating a coupling arrangement between the conduit carrier mount and the end cap carrier. [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of an end portion of the end cap carrier shown in FIG. 32 illustrating an actuator mounting arrangement. [Diagram 34] 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a carrier cup illustrating an alternative mounting arrangement of a conduit within a conduit carrier. [Diagram 35] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an accelerometer carried by a mounting plate carried by a mounting bracket carried by a portion of a molten glass transport apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Generally, the present disclosure relates to several embodiments of a unique transfer cup used to transfer a molten glass charge from a molten glass delivery device 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 conduit outlet, the end cap being movable relative to the conduit to a closed position in which the end cap covers the conduit outlet to selectively retain the glass charge within the conduit. The end cap is also movable to an open position in which the end cap uncovers the conduit outlet to selectively allow the glass charge to exit the conduit. The conduit and / or end cap may be made of a material that allows gas to diffusively flow therethrough from an exterior of the transfer cup to an interior of the transfer cup.

[0012] The transfer cup may further include one or more fluid supply passages for introducing fluid into the transfer cup to allow the glass charge to be levitated or at least displaced in a direction away from the end cap. The fluid supply passages may thus space the axially lower end of the charge away from the end cap, thus resulting in a more thermally uniform charge being delivered to the mold. Some of the fluid supply passages may also have internal inlets proximate the internal junction between the end cap and the conduit to displace a portion of the charge away from the internal junction. The fluid supply passages may thus facilitate avoidance of parting lines formed in the molten glass charge, and thus of parting lines remaining in the finished glass container formed from the molten glass charge. In some implementations, the end cap has a lower end, an upper end, and at least one of the one or more fluid supply passages extending between the lower end and the upper end, and in the closed position, at least one of the one or more fluid supply passages is open to the passage of the conduit.

[0013] Referring now specifically to the drawings, FIGS. 1-6 show a preferred embodiment of a molten glass transport apparatus 100. Transport apparatus 100 is used to transport individual portions or charges of molten glass G (FIG. 7) from a molten glass delivery apparatus (not shown) to one or more blank molds (not shown) located at any suitable location relative to the delivery apparatus, including above, below, or at an equal elevation to the delivery apparatus. Although not illustrated, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that the delivery apparatus 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 individual portions or charges of molten glass. Transport apparatus 100 may be translated, rotated, pivoted, swung, articulated, and / or moved in any other manner suitable for transporting the molten glass charge from the molten glass delivery apparatus to one or more of the blank molds. Although not illustrated, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a robot, gantry, rodless cylinder, or any other suitable transport device mover may be used to move transport device 100. As used herein, permissive terms such as "may" and "can" are merely a convenience to indicate options of, for example, the disclosed embodiments, elements, features, etc., and should not be construed as obscuring any disclosure herein.

[0014] The transport apparatus 100 includes a transport cup 102 including a conduit 104 for receiving a molten glass charge G (FIG. 7) and an end cap 106 that is movable relative to the conduit 104 to selectively close the conduit 104 to establish a transport cup interior or cavity 108 (FIG. 7) in which the molten glass charge G (FIG. 7) can be carried, and to selectively open the conduit 104 to allow the molten glass charge G (FIG. 7) to exit the conduit 104. 1, 3, and 5, in an open or dispensing position relative to the conduit 104, the end cap 106 is moved away from the conduit 104, and more specifically, away from the central longitudinal axis A of the conduit 104, such that the end cap 106 is spaced apart from and does not cover or block the conduit outlet 112 (FIG. 5) to allow the molten glass charge G (FIG. 7) to exit the transfer cup 102 and be delivered into a blank mold (not shown) positioned below the transfer cup 102. Conversely, in a closed or transfer position relative to the conduit 104, and best shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, the end cap 106 is moved towards and below the conduit 104 to be positioned closely adjacent thereto, such that the end cap 106 sufficiently covers or blocks the conduit outlet 112 (FIG. 5) to retain the molten glass charge G (FIG. 7) within the transfer cup 102. The conduit 104 may be made of, for example, graphite, platinum, boron nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, graphene, combinations thereof, or any other material suitable for use in repeatedly carrying charges of molten glass, for example in a mass production environment. In a preferred embodiment, the conduit 104 may be constructed from materials described in U.S. Patent 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.

[0015] 7, the conduit 104 of the transfer cup 102 includes an inlet 110, an outlet 112, and a passageway 114 extending between the inlet 110 and the outlet 112 along a conduit passageway axis A that may extend vertically. As used herein, the term "vertically" does not necessarily mean completely or absolutely vertical, but includes a range of 0 degrees ±2 degrees from absolute vertical, including all ranges, subranges, fractions, and values ​​thereof. The conduit 104 may include an inlet end 116 having the inlet 110, an outlet end 118 having the outlet 112, and a sidewall 120 having an exterior surface 122 and an interior surface 124 that define the passageway 114 extending between the inlet 110 and the outlet 112. As described in more detail below, the molten glass charge G may be in direct contact with the interior surface 124 of the conduit 104, or the glass charge G may be fluidly displaced away from the interior surface 124. More specifically, when the molten glass charge G contacts the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104, the charge G may be in circumferentially continuous contact with the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104 over at least a portion of the length of the charge G. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 110 and the outlet 112 may be coaxial with the conduit passage axis A. In other embodiments, one or both of the inlet 110 and / or the outlet 112 may be radially offset or angled relative to the axis A, such that one or both of the inlet 110 and / or the outlet 112 may be located in a sidewall of the conduit 104 between the upper and lower ends of the conduit 104, and the molten glass charge passage may extend between such inlet and outlet configurations.

[0016] The passage 114 may include a lower portion 126 and an upper tapered portion 128 that acts as a funnel to help guide the falling charge of molten glass from the inlet 110 into the lower portion 126, which may have a constant diameter or flow area measured perpendicular to the axis A. Of course, the upper tapered portion 128 provides the inlet 110 with a larger flow area than the outlet 112. The conduit sidewall 120, the conduit 104, and / or the conduit passage 114 may be cylindrical, as illustrated, or may be elliptical cylindrical, or may be any other shape suitable for receiving, carrying, 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 herein, the term "perpendicular" does not necessarily mean completely or absolutely perpendicular or square, but rather includes the range of 0 degrees ±2 degrees from an absolute perpendicular, including all ranges, subranges, endpoints, and values ​​of that range.

[0017] 7, the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104 may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A such that it may include an end surface 131 extending radially inwardly at a right angle from the exterior surface 122 of the conduit sidewall 120. The end surface 131 may be a straight surface as illustrated, but in other embodiments may be crowned or slightly rounded. The conduit 104 may be made of a heat-resistant material such as graphite, platinum, boron nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, graphene, combinations thereof, or any other material suitable for use in repeatedly carrying charges of molten glass, for example, in a mass production environment. As used herein, the terms "for example," "eg," "for example," "such as," "including," "comprising," "having," "including," and the like, when used in conjunction with a list of one or more elements, should be construed as open ended, meaning that the list does not exclude additional elements.

[0018] 8, the end cap 106 includes end cap halves 106a, 106b, each having a lower end 134 and an upper end 136 that may be axially opposite the lower end 134, and a side perimeter 138 that extends between the lower end 134 and the upper end 136 and may include a mounting relief 139, such as a mounting passage. Each upper end 136 includes a central end surface 140 and may also include a peripheral end surface 143 that extends between the central end surface 140 and the side perimeter 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 may be crowned or slightly rounded surfaces. In this illustrated embodiment, the molten glass charge G is spaced above the end surface 140 of the end cap 106. More specifically, the charge G may be levitated above the end surface 140 of the end cap 106 across the entire diameter of the charge G.

[0019] To space the charge G away from the end cap 106, the end cap 106 may include one or more air outlets or fluid feed passages 148, 149 extending between the lower end 134 and the upper end 136. In this embodiment, the first plurality of fluid feed passages 148 may include a first annular array of fluid feed passages 148 and the second plurality of fluid feed passages 149 may include a second annular array of fluid feed passages 149. In other embodiments, the fluid feed passages may include one or more oval, linear, rectangular, or any other arrangement of fluid feed passages 148 suitable for displacing one or more portions of the molten glass charge away from the end cap 106. The fluid supply passages 148, 149 include one or more lower or cup exterior openings 150, 151 that open into the fluid pocket 146 at the lower end 134 of the end cap 106, and one or more upper or cup interior openings or inlets 152, 153 that open into the central end surface 140 of the upper end 136 of the end cap 106. The multiple fluid supply passages 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 (passages 148) and converge (passages 149) relative to the conduit passage axis A in a direction from the lower end 134 toward 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 passages 148, 149 may extend orthogonally, e.g., parallel to the axis A. In either case, the central end surface 140 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet 112 of the conduit 104 , and the cup interior inlet 152 of the fluid supply passage 148 is radially inward of the inner diameter of the outlet 112 .

[0020] 8 , the size, number, orientation, and / or configuration of the fluid supply passages 148, 149, in addition to the type, flow rate, pressure, and other characteristics of the fluid supplied through the fluid supply passages 148, 149, may be selected to ensure that the fluid supplied to the transfer cup 102 between the molten glass charge G and the transfer cup 102 is sufficient to displace a desired portion of the molten glass charge G, but not so much as to cause the molten glass charge G to be ejected from the transfer cup 102. In one specific example, a relatively high flow rate of air may be supplied through the passages 148, 149 when the molten glass charge G is being loaded into the transfer cup 102, and in contrast, a relatively low flow rate of air may be supplied through the passages 148, 149 after the charge G is loaded and the cup 102 advances to the blank mold. In fact, the higher flow rate may prevent the charge G from impacting the end cap 106 while the charge G is being loaded into the cup 102. Directional terms such as forward, rear, top, bottom, upper, lower, radial, circumferential, axial, lateral, longitudinal, vertical, horizontal, transverse, and / or the like are used by way of example and not necessarily as limitation.

[0021] In the closed position, the upper end 136 of the end cap 106 is positioned at the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104 and the molten glass charge G is retained within the conduit passageway 114 by the end cap 106 at the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104 to close the outlet 112. The upper end 136 of the end cap 106 and the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104 have corresponding cooperating surfaces. More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, in this illustrated embodiment, the peripheral end surface 143 of the upper end 136 of the end cap 106 is spaced apart from the end surface 131 of the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104 with an axial gap therebetween to establish an exhaust or vent passageway from the cup 102. In such an embodiment, the axial gap may be between 0.003 inches and 0.030 inches, including all ranges, subranges, fractions, and values ​​thereof. In other embodiments, one or more exhaust reliefs (not shown) can be provided on one or the other, or both, of the surfaces 131, 143 to allow gas to escape therethrough into the atmosphere or elsewhere. For example, the end surfaces 131, 143 may instead be in direct contact, in which case one or both of the end surfaces 131, 143 have one or more exhaust channels formed therein to allow fluid to escape.

[0022] 8, fluid is provided through fluid supply passages 148, 149, which may include pressurized gas, such as air, cooled air, heated air, humidified air, dehumidified air, oxygen, nitrogen, or any other gas suitable for contacting molten glass. Although not illustrated, one skilled in the art will recognize that the pressurized gas may be provided from a gas-pressurized vessel, a gas line pressurized by a pump, or any other suitable source of pressurized gas, and that the flow rate of the pressurized gas may be controlled by one or more proportional valves, or in any other suitable manner. Without fluid provided through fluid supply passages 148, 149 in end cap 106, molten glass charge G would engage the junction between end cap 106 and conduit 104 and / or the junction between end cap halves 106a,b, which would create one or more parting lines in molten glass charge G. In at least some implementations, when the end cap 106 covers the conduit 104 such that the fluid supply passages 148, 149 are in communication with the transfer cup 102, fluid is conveyed into the transfer cup 102 to displace at least a portion of the molten glass charge G away from the joint.

[0023] The cup interior inlet 152 may have a diameter of, for example, 0.5 to 2 mm, including all ranges, subranges, fractions, and values ​​therein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate from this disclosure and the teachings herein that the individual and collective surface areas of the inlet 152, and of any exhaust outlets or vent gaps or reliefs (not shown), may be selected to achieve a desired total air mass flow rate that results in a desired amount of displacement of the molten glass charge G into, through, and out of the transfer cup 102.

[0024] Fluid is also provided between the transfer cup 102 and the molten glass charge G to levitate the molten glass charge G away from the end cap 106 creating a gap between the end cap 106 and the lower end of the molten glass charge G. Thus, the molten glass charge G does not contact the end cap 106, thus avoiding the formation of cold spots and parting lines. Thus, the fluid supply passages 148, 149 facilitate avoiding or reducing the formation of cold spots and / or parting lines in the molten glass charge G, and thus the retention of cold spots and / or parting lines in the finished glass container formed from the molten glass charge G.

[0025] Referring again to FIG. 1 , the conveying apparatus 100 may also include a conduit carrier 158 on which the conduit 104 is carried. Additionally, the conveying apparatus 100 may include an end cap carrier 162 on which the end cap 106 is carried, and an end cap actuator 164 and an end cap guide 165 coupled to the end cap carrier 162 and operable to move and guide the end cap 106 to uncover and cover the outlet 112 of the conduit 104. The actuator 164 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 arrangement suitable for producing linear movement. The actuator 164 may be actuated to linearly displace the halves 106a,b of the split end cap 106 out of the way of the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104. Of course, the actuator 164 may be operated in the opposite direction to displace the halves 106a, b of the end cap 106 linearly back toward and directly beneath the conduit 104, and to displace the end cap 106 linearly back to the outlet end 118 of the conduit 104.

[0026] 10, the conduit carrier 158 may include a vertically extending oval 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 source. The gas may be a cooling gas (e.g., at a temperature in the range of 0° C. to 100° C., or more specifically, 10° C. to 50° C.) for cooling the exterior of the conduit 104, or may be pressurized to facilitate a diffusive flow of gas 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 the molten glass, and the gas may be provided from a gas-pressurized vessel, a gas line pressurized by a pump, or any other suitable source of gas, and the flow rate of the gas may be controlled by one or more proportional valves, or the like, or any other suitable. In one example, gas may be supplied to the conduit 104 at a pressure between 1 and 100 psi, including all ranges, subranges, fractions, and values ​​thereof. As described in more detail below, the conduit carrier 158 may also include an upper mounting ring 170 and a lower mounting ring 172 coupled to the conduit carrier 158 and engaged to corresponding portions of the conduit 104. The sleeve 166 may include a tubular body 174 and upper and lower caps 176 and 178 that may be fastened, welded, screwed, or otherwise coupled to corresponding ends of the tubular body 174 to establish a gas volume 177 between the sleeve 166 and the conduit 104.

[0027] The upper mounting ring 170 may be fastened, welded, screwed, or otherwise coupled to an upper cap 176 of the sleeve 166 and may have one or more radially inwardly extending tangs 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 constructed of semi-circumferential halves. The lower mounting ring 172 and mounting arrangement to the conduit 104 may be similar to that of the upper mounting ring 170.

[0028] The conduit carrier 158 may also include a baffle 184 located radially between the sleeve 166 and the conduits 104 to direct gas supplied through the conduit carrier 158 to the conduits 104. A portion of the baffle 184 may be welded, fastened, interference-fitted, or otherwise coupled to a corresponding portion of the sleeve 166. The baffle 184 may establish a bypass path for supplying gas to the conduits 104. More specifically, gas enters the conduit carrier 158 via the gas inlet 168 and flows circumferentially around the baffle 184 and downward to a lower end of the baffle 184 having a hole, relief, or at least some portion thereof, spaced axially from a corresponding portion of the sleeve 166 of the conduit carrier 158. Gas flows radially inward toward the conduit 104 through holes or reliefs or around the lower end of the baffle 184, circumferentially around the conduit 104 between the conduit 104 and the baffle 184, and up and out through one or more gas outlets (not shown). The baffle 184 helps to promote more uniform impingement of the cooling gas circumferentially across the exterior surface 122 of the conduit 104 and facilitates a more uniform pressure differential across the conduit 104 between the exterior surface 122 and the interior surface 124, thus creating a more uniform permeable cooling gas flow through the conduit 104 along its length.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, gas may flow diffusively through the conduit 104 to the interior of the conduit 104 if the conduit 104 is made of a material that allows for diffusive flow of gas therethrough. The gas creates a positive pressure differential between the gas volume 177 and the transfer cup cavity 108, which drives the flow of gas through the sidewall 120 of the conduit 104 via diffusion. The baffle 184, with or without a gas exhaust outlet (not shown), promotes both a uniform gas flow rate across the entire exterior surface 122 of the sidewall 120 of the conduit 104, as well as allowing for a uniform pressure differential around and across the exterior surface 122, creating a uniform diffusive flow through the sidewall 120 along the length of the conduit 104.

[0030] The conduit 104 of the transfer cup 102 is made of a glass carrying material, and the material properties of the glass carrying material, in addition to handling glass generally and operating at high temperatures, directly affect the performance of the conduit 104 by affecting the molten glass charge G in a direction away from the inner surface 124 to inhibit heat flow from the charge G. Selection of the glass carrying material, particularly based on gas permeability, may result in the conduit 104 being better able to hold and control the positioning of the molten glass charge G in a direction away from the inner surface 124 during loading and unloading of the charge G. In that regard, there is a correlation between the identified material properties or properties of the glass carrying material, as discussed below, and the ability of the conduit 104 to help minimize heat loss from the molten glass charge G and preserve the initial heat content of the glass during operation. As a result, the heat preservation ability of the glass carrying material minimizes the formation of temperature changes within and on the molten glass charge G during transportation, particularly the formation of temperature changes on the circumferential surface around the charge G.

[0031] The diffusion of the cooling gas passes outside around the conduit 104, modulating the temperature of the conduit 104, through the inherent microstructure of the glass carrying material forming the conduit 104, and into the passages 114, affecting the surface temperature of the molten glass charge G. If the diffusion cooling gas flows through the glass carrying material at a sufficiently fast rate, it counters the natural tendency of the molten glass charge G to conform to the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104 by fluidly displacing the charge G circumferentially inward, away from the inner surface 124. This pushing action of the diffusion cooling gas affects the operability of the conduit 104 in a number of ways. First, the diffusion cooling gas helps to self-center the molten glass charge G, minimizing frictional contact between the charge G and the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104 as the charge G flows into the passages 114 during loading, which reduces the process's sensitivity to changes in gob position and shape as the glass charge G is loaded into the conduit. Second, the diffusion cooling gas forms an insulating layer between the molten glass charge G and the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104 after the charge G is received in the passage 114. The insulating layer disrupts heat flow from the glass charge G to the surrounding glass carrying material of the conduit 104, thus helping to thermally insulate the gob G from heat loss along its length and around its periphery. Additionally, when the molten glass gob G is at rest in the passage 114, the diffusion cooling gas can occupy the surface roughness of the inner surface 124 to push the charge G circumferentially inwardly away from the small holes in the inner surface 124 to the extent that the charge G is physically separated from the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104 by a gas barrier. Third, the diffusion cooling gas helps to minimize friction with the inner surface 124 of the conduit when the charge G falls out of the passage 114 during discharge, which reduces wear on the glass carrying material.

[0032] The ability of the glass carrying material of the conduit 104 to support a diffusive flow of cooling gas can be quantified by determining the permeable flow rate of air through the conduit 104. As diffusive flow relates to gas flow through interconnected pores in the microstructure of the glass carrying material, as opposed to through holes or other holes formed directly through the material, the permeable air flow rate is a measure of how much air passes through the microstructure of the glass carrying material for a given period of time per unit surface area of ​​the interior surface 124 at a given pressure differential across the material. The higher the permeable air flow rate, the greater the amount of air that will flow diffusively through the glass carrying material of the conduit 104, and vice versa. Just because air is the medium used to determine the permeable flow through the glass carrying material of the conduit 104 as an indication of how the material supports diffusive flow, it does not mean that the cooling gas used to regulate the temperature of the conduit 104 must also be air; rather, any suitable cooling gas may be used. When used in applying the conduit 104 as part of the transfer cup 102, a permeable air flow rate of at least 100 grams / sec / m 2 or more preferably at least 150 g / sec / m 2 It has been found that glass conveying materials exhibiting a pressure differential across the material of 30 psig or less at a permeable air flow rate of 100 psi have a sufficiently diffusive flow that good repeatability can be achieved in terms of mitigating heat loss from the molten glass charge G and sticking of the glass in the conduit 104. The permeable air flow rate through a given glass conveying material when configured as a conduit 104 can be determined by measuring the permeability k of the glass conveying material as defined in the ASTM D4525-13 standard, as shown below. For a conduit 104 made of a given thickness of glass conveying material and having a given pressure differential across the conduit 104, the permeability can be used to calculate the permeable air flow rate through the glass conveying material of the conduit 104.

[0033] By constructing the conduit 16 to achieve the permeable air flow rate described above, the diffusive flow of cooling gas through the conduit 104, through the interior surface 124 of the conduit 104 and into the passages 114 can be regulated in cooperation with various stages of operation of the conveying apparatus 100 by controlling the pressure of the cooling gas in the pressurized volume 177. For example, if the cooling gas is used as air, the permeable flow rate of cooling gas through the conduit 104 can be controlled as follows: (1) During the loading stage, when a molten glass charge G is received within the passages 114 of the conduit 104, the permeable flow rate is 20 grams / sec / m to narrow or squeeze the charge G circumferentially inward to aid in self-centering of the charge G as it flows into the passages 114. 2 ~150g / sec / m 2 and (2) during the conveying stage, when the molten glass charge G is received in the passage 114 and moved by the conveying device 100, the permeable flow rate is set to 20 grams / sec / m to achieve minimal heat transfer from the molten glass charge G to the surrounding conduit 104. 2 ~150g / sec / m 2 and (3) during the unloading stage, when the molten glass charge G is dropped from the conduit 104, the permeable flow rate of the cooling gas is set to 0.03 grams / second / m to allow the charge G to relax circumferentially outwardly so that the charge G can be dropped from the conduit 104 more precisely and accurately. 2 ~20 grams / second / m 2 or more preferably 4 grams / sec / m 2 ~20 grams / second / m 2Additionally, during the return phase, when the molten glass charge G has been discharged but before the next charge is loaded, the cooling gas flow around the conduit 104 in the pressurized volume 177 is adjusted to extract excess heat from the previous glass charge G that has left the conduit 104 to help maintain the temperature of the glass carrying material in the conduit 104 at a target operating temperature (e.g., 100° C.-400° C.) within an acceptable range. Adjustment of the cooling gas flow rate in the pressurized volume 177 may affect the permeation flow rate of the cooling gas through the conduit 104, although such variations in the permeation flow rate during the return phase are not believed to affect the function of the conduit 104.

[0034] The permeation flow rate through the glass carrying material of the conduit 104 is primarily determined by (i) the pressure differential across the glass carrying material, which is achieved in the conveying apparatus 100 by controlling the cooling gas pressure in the pressurized volume 177 surrounding the conduit 104, (ii) the thickness of the glass carrying material, and (ii) various material properties of the glass carrying material, including the porosity of its microstructure, the average grain size and grain size distribution of the material, the interconnectivity of internal voids through the microstructure of the material, and the manner in which the material is manufactured, all of which can be collectively represented by the permeability of the material. To achieve the desired permeable air flow rate, indicating that sufficient diffusive flow of cooling gas through the conduit 104 is possible, particularly at cooling gas pressures within the pressurized volume 177, which may range from 1 psig to 100 psig, the glass carrying material used to construct the conduit 104 preferably has a permeability (k) in the range of 1 millidarcy (md) to 250 md, more narrowly 10 md to 150 md, or 50 md to 135 md, as measured according to the ASTM D4525-13 standard. As used herein, the term "permeability" is a proportionality constant and is often used interchangeably with "coefficient of permeability" or "permeability coefficient" as found in the ASTM D4525-13 standard.

[0035] Additionally, and next to transmittance, the thermal conductivity of the glass carrying material is another material property of the glass carrying material that may be relevant. Indeed, although quite counterintuitive, it is believed that a higher thermal conductivity, rather than a lower thermal conductivity, nominally supports the formation of an insulating layer between the molten glass charge G and the interior surface 124 of the conduit, and further helps minimize the tendency of the glass to stick to the interior surface 124 by mitigating localized hot spots along the interior surface 124. Specifically, if the thermal conductivity of the glass carrying material is 40 W / m-°K or greater, more specifically 60 W / m-°K or greater, over the temperature range of 300° C. to 400° C., the glass carrying material is better able to resist glass adhesion at the operating temperatures of the conduit 104. In certain embodiments, the thermal conductivity of the glass-carrying material is preferably between 100 W / m-°K and 200 W / m-°K, inclusive, and more specifically between 130 W / m-°K and 180 W / m-°K, inclusive, over the same temperature ranges as noted above (i.e., 300° C. to 400° C.). Because the thermal conductivity of materials typically decreases with increasing temperature, and this is true for carbon-based materials, including graphite-based materials, the thermal conductivity of potential glass-contacting materials may be checked at 400° C. to determine whether the material meets the thermal conductivity constraints above.

[0036] The glass carrying material is preferably non-metallic, such as a carbon-based material, 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, the graphite-based material can be pure graphite (100% by weight) or a mixture having graphite as a major component (50% or more by weight) along with other materials. Graphite-based materials are particularly good candidates for glass carrying materials because graphite can achieve different levels of transmittance and thermal conductivity depending on various factors, including how the graphite is formed and processed. Another property of graphite-based materials that can be useful in constructing the conduit 104 is that they are internally lubricated. If the glass carrying material is internally lubricated, the molten glass charge G will move with less frictional resistance against the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104 when received within the holding cavity 108. By reducing friction along the inner surface 124 of the conduit 104, the molten glass charge G is less likely to stick to the inner surface 124 and / or damage the contacts 114 of the inner surface 124. If the glass carrying material is formed of a graphite-based material, the target operating temperature of the glass carrying material may be, in one example, 100° C. to 400° C., more preferably 350° C. to 400° C., depending on the thermal conductivity, since graphite-based materials may tend to undesirably oxidize when the temperature is increased significantly above 400° C. Another internally lubricating non-metallic material that may be used as the glass carrying material is a boron nitride based (BN-based) material, more specifically hexagonal boron nitride.

[0037] In one specific embodiment, the glass carrying material is made of extruded graphite. Extruded graphite can have a relatively high transmittance, including within the ranges specified above, and can even be more thermally conductive than other types of graphite, such as isostatically molded graphite, which can certainly be used as a glass carrying material along with other types of graphite, including other forms of cryogenically molded graphite and vibrationally molded graphite. For example, the grains or particles of extruded graphite glass carrying material have an extrusion axis that is generally parallel to the conduit passage axis. The extrusion axis is measured relative to the longest dimension of each particle. In this embodiment, the entire conduit 104 from the inlet 110 to the outlet 112 - i.e., the entire sidewall 120 between the inlet end 116 and the outlet end 118 - is made of extruded graphite, and the conduit 104 is formed by machining a passage 114 having a desired microstructure within a solid extruded graphite body having the general dimensions of the conduit 104. Constructing the conduit 104 from extruded graphite may also provide some control over the porosity of the interior surface 124 of the conduit 104, which may help establish a desired surface roughness and permeability.

[0038] 10, the end cap carrier 162 includes an outer holder 224 having a side wall 226 and a bottom wall 227 coupled to the side wall 226, for example, via cap screws as illustrated, any other suitable fastener, welding, or any other suitable mounting arrangement. The end cap carrier 162 also includes an inner mounting block 228 carried by the outer holder 224 and to which the end cap halves 106a,b may be coupled, for example, via cap screws as illustrated, any other suitable fastener, welding, or any other suitable mounting arrangement. The transporter 100 may also include an actuator mounting plate 206 mounted to the actuator armature 204 of the actuator 164, for example, via cap screws as illustrated, any other suitable fastener, welding, or any other suitable mounting arrangement. Similarly, transporter 100 may further include a gusset bracket 208 attached to mounting plate 206 and to a lower wall 227 of end cap carrier 162 via the illustrated cap screws, any other suitable fasteners, welding, or any other suitable mounting arrangement. Those skilled in the art will recognize that end cap carrier 162 may be coupled to actuator 164 in any other suitable manner. Referring again to FIG. 3, end cap guide 165 may include a linear bushing or bearing arrangement, such as a pillow block 209, secured to mounting plate 206 in any suitable manner and translatably coupled to rail 211.

[0039] 10A, the end cap halves 106a,b may include a radially outwardly facing shoulder 210, a mounting flange 212, and fastener passages 214 extending through the mounting flange 212 to accommodate the fasteners 196 fastening the halves 106a,b to a mounting block 228. The end cap halves 106a,b may include exterior walls 216 having opposing mating surfaces 218 that may contact one another when the end caps 106 are in a closed or transport position. Also, the lower wall 227 of the holder 224 may be a rectangular plate extending perpendicular to the opening / closing axis B of the split end cap 106, and the side walls 226 of the holder 224 may include separate plates fastened to the sides of the oval plate. In either case, the lower wall 227 has a gas port 227a therein coupled, for example, via a threaded connection, to a gas fitting 227b. The end cap carrier halves 162a,b may further include a perforated gasket 244 between the mounting block 228 and the end cap halves 106a,b. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the mounting block 228 may be movably fastened to the lower wall 227 of the outer holder 224 by a fastener 234 (FIG. 10) having a threaded end that screws into a corresponding threaded hole in the inner mounting block 228, a shank that extends through an enlarged hole in the lower wall 227 of the outer holder 224, and a head that captures a washer to the lower wall 227 of the outer holder 224. Also, the position of the inner mounting block 228 may be fine-tuned by a set screw 236 that extends through the side wall 226 of the outer holder 224 and is engaged with the inner mounting block 228. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the fasteners 234 can be loosened, the set screws 236 can be turned, the inner mounting blocks 228 can be moved to the desired positions, and the fasteners 234 can be tightened to lock the inner mounting blocks 228 in their desired positions to secure the desired location of the end cap halves 106a, b relative to each other and / or relative to the conduit 104.

[0040] 1-6, the transporter 100 may further include an adjustable end cap mounting frame 290 that adjustably mounts the end cap carrier 162 to the conduit carrier 158. The mounting frame 290 may include an adapter plate 292 coupled to the sleeve 166 of the conduit carrier 158. The conduit carrier 158 includes a mounting boss 179 that may be oval in shape and may fit into a corresponding oval relief 293 (FIGS. 5 and 6) on an inner surface of the plate 292 and may be fastened to the plate 292 by a fastener 270 (FIGS. 5 and 6) that extends through the plate 292 and into a threaded passage of the oval boss 179. One skilled in the art will recognize that the conduit carrier 158 may be coupled to the frame adapter plate 292 by a dovetail mating engagement or other mechanical mounting arrangement, or via welding, or in any other suitable manner.

[0041] The frame 290 may also include an end cap carrier extension 303 having a lower end coupled to the end cap actuator 164 and to the end cap guide 165 via an adapter block 165a, and a corresponding carrier extension 305 coupled to the adapter plate 292 and extending outwardly therefrom. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the illustrated end cap carrier extension 303 includes a plate 303a carrying an end cap guide adapter block 165a at its lower end via cap screws fastened to the block 165a through the plate 303a, and a guide block 303b fastened to an upper end of the plate 303a via cap screws extending through the plate 303a and into the guide block 303b. The conduit carrier extension 305 may be fastened to the adapter plate 292 by cap screws, or may be fastened or otherwise coupled thereto in any other suitable manner. One or more fasteners 307 may extend through slots in the side wall 309 of the conduit carrier extension 305 and into one or more corresponding threaded holes in the end cap carrier extension 303. A set screw 311 may extend through an end wall of the conduit carrier extension 305 and into a corresponding threaded passage in the top wall 313 of the end cap carrier extension 303. One skilled in the art will recognize that one can loosen the fasteners 307, turn the set screws 311, move the extension 303 and the remainder of the end cap carrier extension 303 to a desired position, and tighten the fasteners 307 to lock the end cap carrier extension 303 in the desired location relative to the conduit carrier extension 305 to secure the desired location of the end cap 106 relative to the conduit 104.

[0042] Although not illustrated, those skilled in the art will recognize that transporter 100 can be adapted for use with any suitable electrical, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic fittings, lines, adapters, valves, etc., and can be coupled to any suitable electrical, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic power sources to power the actuators, provide gas to transport cup 102, and provide gas to conduit carrier 158. Similarly, those skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable controllers and controls can be employed to control the operation of transporter 100.

[0043] 11-17 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a molten glass delivery apparatus 300. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-10A, and like numerals between the embodiments generally indicate similar or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawings. Thus, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another, and descriptions of subject matter common to the embodiments may not be repeated here.

[0044] 11-14, conveyor 300 is used to convey discrete portions or charges of molten glass G (FIG. 14) from a molten glass delivery apparatus F (FIG. 12) to one or more blank molds M (FIG. 11) located at any suitable location relative to the delivery apparatus F, including above, below, or at an equal height to the delivery apparatus F. The delivery apparatus F may include one or more feeder orifices (not shown) that distribute a molten glass stream (not shown) and one or more shears (not shown) that shear the molten glass stream into discrete portions or charges of molten glass. The conveyor 300 may translate, rotate, pivot, swing, articulate, and / or move in any other manner suitable for conveying a charge of molten glass from the molten glass delivery apparatus F to one or more of the blank molds M. Although not illustrated, one skilled in the art will recognize that a robot, a gantry, or any other suitable conveyor mover may be used to move the conveyor 300.

[0045] The transport apparatus 300 includes a transfer cup 302 including a conduit 304 for receiving a molten glass charge, and an end cap 306 that is movable relative to the conduit 304 to selectively close the conduit 304 to establish a transfer cup interior or cavity 308 (FIG. 14) in which a molten glass charge G (FIG. 14) may be carried, and to selectively open the conduit 304 to allow the molten glass charge G to exit the conduit 304. As best shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, in an open or dispensing position relative to the conduit 304, the end cap 306 is moved away from the conduit 304 to allow the molten glass charge G to exit the transfer cup 302 and be delivered into a blank mold M (FIG. 11) positioned below the transfer cup 302. As best seen in FIGS. 12 and 14, in a closed or transfer position for the conduit 304 , the end cap 306 is moved toward and below the conduit 304 to retain the molten glass charge within the transfer cup 302 .

[0046] 15, the conduit 304 of the transfer cup 302 includes an inlet 310, an outlet 312, and a passageway 314 extending between the inlet 310 and the outlet 312 along a conduit passageway axis A that may extend vertically. As used herein, the term "vertically" does not necessarily mean completely or absolutely vertical, but includes a range of 0 degrees ±2 degrees from absolute vertical, including all ranges, subranges, fractions, and values ​​thereof. The conduit 304 may include an inlet end 316 having an inlet 310, an outlet end 318 having an outlet 312, and a sidewall 320 having an exterior surface 322 and an interior surface 324 that define the passageway 314 extending between the inlet 310 and the outlet 312. As discussed above, the molten glass charge G may be in direct contact with the interior surface 324 of the conduit 304, or the glass charge G may be fluidly displaced away from the interior surface 324. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 310 and the outlet 312 may be coaxial with the conduit passage axis A. In other embodiments, one or both of the inlet 310 and / or the outlet 312 may be radially offset or angled with respect to the axis A, such that one or both of the inlet 310 and / or the outlet 312 may be located in a sidewall of the conduit 304 between the upper and lower ends of the conduit 304, and the molten glass charge passage may extend between such inlet and outlet configurations.

[0047] The passage 314 may include a lower portion 326 and an upper tapered portion 328 that acts as a funnel to help guide the falling charge of molten glass from the inlet 310 into the lower portion 326, which may have a constant diameter or flow area measured perpendicular to the axis A. Of course, the upper tapered portion 328 provides the inlet 310 with a larger flow area than the outlet 312. The conduit sidewall 320, the conduit 304, and / or the conduit passage 314 may be cylindrical as illustrated, or may be an elliptical cylinder, or may be any other shape suitable for receiving, carrying, 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.

[0048] 17, the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304 may be tapered or beveled to include an outer beveled surface 330 extending radially inward and axially downward from an exterior 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 an interior surface 324 of the conduit sidewall 320, or may be compound tapered or beveled as shown. The outer and inner beveled surfaces 330, 332 may be straight surfaces or rounded exterior or interior curved surfaces. The transition between the outer and inner beveled surfaces 330, 332 may be abrupt or rounded.

[0049] 15 and 16, end cap 306 includes a lower end 334, an upper end 336 that may be axially opposite lower end 334, and a side perimeter 338 that extends between lower end 334 and upper end 336 and may include a mounting relief 339, such as a mounting scallop. Upper end 336 includes an end surface 340 and may also include an angled surface 342 that extends obliquely between end surface 340 and side perimeter 338, and as best shown in FIG. 15, lower end 334 includes a base surface 344 that may be axially opposite end surface 340 and may include a fluid pocket 346 ( FIG. 15 ) in base surface 344. Inclined surface 342 may be a straight slope as shown, or may be a rounded inward or outward curve. The end cap 306 also includes one or more fluid supply passages 348 extending between the lower end 334 and the upper end 336. As best shown in Figures 11 and 13, when the end cap 306 is in an open or dispensing position relative to the conduit 304, the end cap 306 is spaced therefrom so as not to cover or block the conduit outlet 312 to allow the molten glass charge to exit the conduit 304 and be delivered into a blank mold (not shown). As best shown in Figures 12 and 14, when the end cap 306 is in a closed or delivery position relative to the conduit 304, the end cap 306 may engage the conduit 304 or be positioned closely adjacent thereto such that the end cap 306 sufficiently covers or blocks the conduit outlet to retain the glass charge 312 within the conduit 304.

[0050] 17, the molten glass charge G is axially spaced from the end surface 340 of the end cap 306. Additionally, the one or more fluid supply passages 348 include one or more lower or cup exterior openings 350 opening into a fluid pocket 346 at the lower end 334 of the end cap 306 and one or more upper or cup interior inlets 352 opening into the angled surface 342 at the upper end 336 of the end cap 306. The multiple fluid supply passages 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 toward the upper end 336, although in other embodiments, the oblique angles may converge toward the conduit passage axis in a direction from the lower end 334 toward the upper end 336. In still other embodiments, the fluid supply passages 348 may extend orthogonally, e.g., parallel to the axis A.

[0051] In addition to the type, flow rate, pressure, and other characteristics of the fluid supplied through the fluid supply passages 348, the size, number, orientation, and / or configuration of the fluid supply passages 348 may be selected to ensure that the fluid supplied to the transfer cup 302 between the molten glass charge G and the transfer cup 302 is sufficient to displace a desired portion of the molten glass charge G, but not so much as to cause the molten glass charge G to lose contact with the end cap 306 or to eject from the transfer cup 302. In one particular example, a relatively high flow rate of air may be supplied through the passages 348 when the molten glass charge G is being loaded into the transfer cup 302, and in contrast, a relatively lower flow rate of air may be supplied through the passages 348 after the charge G is loaded and the cup 302 advances to the blank mold.

[0052] 16, in this embodiment, the plurality of fluid feed passages 348 includes an annular array of fluid feed passages 348, however, in other embodiments, the fluid feed passages may include one or more oval, linear, rectangular, or any other arrangement of fluid feed passages 348 suitable for displacing one or more portions of the molten glass charge while it is in the transfer cup 302. Additionally, in this embodiment, the plurality of fluid feed passages 348 extend through the inclined surface 342, however, in other embodiments, the fluid feed passages 348 may instead extend through the end surface 340 and / or through an intersection 341 of the end surface 340 and the inclined surface 342, or any combination thereof. The intersection 341 may be a sharp edge or may be a rounded surface.

[0053] 17, in the closed position, the upper end 336 of the end cap 306 rests against the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304 and the molten glass charge G is retained within the conduit passage 314 by the end cap 306 at the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304, 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. More specifically, in this illustrated embodiment, an angled surface 342 of the upper end 336 of the end cap 306 may rest against an inner angled surface 332 of the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304. The cooperating angled surfaces 332, 342 facilitate good coaxial self-alignment of the end cap 306 with the conduit 304 in the closed position and good sealing therebetween, reducing or eliminating gaps between the angled surfaces. More specifically, here the end surface 340 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet 312 of the conduit 304, and the cup interior inlet 352 of the fluid delivery passage 348 is radially outward of the end surface 340, yet radially inward of the inner diameter of the outlet 312. In the illustrated embodiment, the surfaces 332, 342 directly contact one another such that there is no axial gap between the surfaces 332 and 342. In other embodiments, as described below with respect to subsequent embodiments, in a closed state of the transfer cup 302 with the end cap 306 in a closed or transfer position relative to the conduit 304, the upper end 336 of the end cap 306 may be spaced axially slightly from the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304. In such embodiments, the axial gap may be between 0.003 inches and 0.030 inches, including all ranges, subranges, fractions, and values ​​thereof. In other embodiments, one or more exhaust reliefs (not shown) may be provided on one or the other of the surfaces 332, 342, or both, to allow gas to escape therethrough into the atmosphere or elsewhere. In the illustrated embodiment, the end cap 306 axially overlaps the conduit 304, with a portion of the upper end 336 of the end cap 306 projecting into a corresponding portion of the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304.

[0054] 17A, an internal interface 354 of the transfer cup 302 is established at the intersection 306 and the conduit 304, for example, at the intersection of the inclined surface 342 of the upper end 336 of the end cap 306 and the internal surface 324 of the conduit 304. Fluid is supplied through a fluid supply passage 348, which may include pressurized gas, for example, air, cooled air, heated air, humidified air, dehumidified air, oxygen, nitrogen, or any other gas suitable for contacting the molten glass. Although not illustrated, one skilled 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 any other suitable source of pressurized gas. If no fluid is supplied through the fluid supply passage 348 of the end cap 306, the molten glass charge will engage the interface 354, which forms a parting line of the molten glass charge G. In at least some implementations, when the end cap 306 covers the conduit 304 such that the fluid supply passage 348 is in communication with the transfer cup 302, fluid is conveyed into the transfer cup 302 displacing at least a portion of the molten glass charge G away from the junction 354 of the mating surfaces of the conduit 304 and the end cap 306.

[0055] In this illustrated embodiment, fluid is supplied into transfer cup 302 through end cap 306 at a radially inward location proximate junction 354. As used herein, the term "proximate" in exemplary relative terms means closer than farther away, such as, for example, one or more of fluid supply passages 348 is more than halfway from conduit passage axis A to the inner diameter of interior surface 324 of passage 314 at outlet end 318 of conduit 304. More specifically, one or more of cup interior inlets 352 of fluid supply passages 348 are located within 80-100 percent of the inner diameter of passage 314, inclusive of all ranges, subranges, fractions, and values ​​thereof. Cup interior inlet 352 may have a diameter of, for example, 0.5-2 mm, inclusive of all ranges, subranges, fractions, and values ​​thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the teachings of this disclosure and herein that the individual and collective surface areas of the inlet 352 and any exhaust outlet gap or relief (not shown) may be selected to achieve a desired total air mass flow rate resulting in a desired amount of displacement of the molten glass charge G into, through, and out of the transfer cup 302. The fluid supply passages 348 may be circumferentially arranged in an annular array adjacent to and coaxial with the annular internal junction 354, including directly adjacent and even overlapping.

[0056] Fluid is also provided between the transfer cup 302 and the molten glass charge G to maintain the molten glass charge G away from the joint 354 and to create a gap 356 between the transfer cup 302 and the bottom end of the molten glass charge G, more specifically, between the joint 354 of the transfer cup 302 and the bottom end of the molten glass charge G. Thus, the molten glass charge G does not contact the joint 354, and thus the formation of a parting line is avoided. Thus, the fluid supply passage 348 facilitates avoidance or reduction of parting lines forming in the molten glass charge G, and thus, the retention of parting lines in the finished glass container formed from the molten glass charge G.

[0057] 11 and 12 , the transporter 300 may also include a conduit carrier 358 on which the conduit 304 is carried and a conduit carrier mount 360 configured to mount the transporter 300 to a transporter mover (not shown). Additionally, the transporter 300 may include an end cap carrier 362 on which the end cap 306 is carried and an end cap actuator 364 coupled to the end cap carrier 362 and operable to move the end cap 306 to uncover and cover the outlet 312 of the conduit 304.

[0058] The conduit carrier 358 may include a vertically extending sleeve 366 that may be radially spaced from the conduit 304 and may be supplied with gas via a gas inlet 368 and a gas supply S ( FIG. 12 ) in fluid communication with the gas inlet 368. As described in more detail below, the conduit carrier 358 may also include upper and lower mounting rings 370 and 372 coupled to the conduit carrier 358 and engaged to corresponding portions of the conduit 304. The sleeve 366 may include a tubular body 374 and upper and lower caps 376 and 378 that may be fastened, welded, screwed, or otherwise coupled to corresponding ends of the tubular body 374 to establish a gas volume between the sleeve 366 and the conduit 304.

[0059] 13 and 14, the lower mounting ring 372 may be fastened, welded, screwed, or otherwise coupled to a lower cap 378 of the sleeve 366 and may have one or more radially inwardly extending tangs 380 that fit into one or more corresponding grooves 382 in the conduits 304. To facilitate assembly of the tongue and groove connection, the lower mounting ring 372 may be split and constructed of semi-circumferential halves. The upper mounting ring 370 (FIGS. 11 and 12) and mounting arrangement to the conduits 304 may be similar to that of the lower mounting ring 372. The conduit carrier 358 may also include a perforated baffle 384 located radially between the sleeve 366 and the conduits 304 to distribute gas supplied to the conduits 304 through the conduit carrier 358. A portion of the baffle 384 may be fastened, welded, screwed, interference-fit, or otherwise coupled to a corresponding portion of the sleeve 366.

[0060] 11 and 12, the conduit carrier mount 360 may include a mounting plate 386 coupled to the conduit carrier 358, a connection flange 388 for coupling to a transporter mover (not shown), and a gusseted tubular connector 390 between the mounting plate 386 and the connection flange 388. The mounting plate 386 may be fastened, welded, screwed, or otherwise coupled in any suitable manner to a corresponding portion of the sleeve 366 of the conduit carrier 358, such mounting arrangements being described in more detail below with respect to subsequent embodiments. The connection flange 388 may be fastened, for example, to the end of a robot arm (not shown), such that the transporter 300 may be a robot end effector.

[0061] 14, the end cap carrier 362 may include a movable holder 392 which, in this embodiment, takes the form of a cantilever arm that is rotatable about an actuator axis C offset from the conduit passage axis A such that the holder is laterally translatable relative to the conduit carrier 358 and the conduits 304, and may also be axially translatable relative to the conduit carrier 358 and the conduits 304. The end cap carrier 362 also includes an end cap mounting block 394 coupled to the holder 392 to facilitate accurate positioning of the end caps 306 relative to the conduits 304. The mounting block 394 can be fastened to the holder 392 by a fastener 396 having a head 396a and a washer 396b that engages with the mounting relief 339 of the end cap 306, a shank 396c that extends through a corresponding fastener passage in the mounting block 394, and has a threaded end that screws into a corresponding threaded portion of the holder 392 to retain the end cap 306 to the holder 392.

[0062] 11 and 12, the end cap actuator 364 may be or may 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 carried through the shaft support 400 at an upper end of the shaft 404 and coupled to the arm 392 at a lower end of the shaft 404. The motor 402 may be an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic motor that may rotate the shaft 404 and may also be configured to axially displace the shaft 404 such that the motor 402 and shaft 404 can move the end cap carrier 362 and the end caps 306. In this illustrated embodiment, the actuator 364 may provide both rotation and linear translation of the end cap carrier 362 and the end caps 306 such that the actuator 364 can articulate the end cap carrier 362 and the end caps 306. The actuator 364 may be coupled to the conduit carrier 358 via a mounting plate 406, which may be fastened to a corresponding portion of the sleeve 366, and one or more adapter brackets 408, which may be fastened to a corresponding portion of the mounting plate 406 and to a corresponding portion of the actuator 364, such as the upper and lower portions of the motor 402. With further reference to FIG. 14, the actuator 364 may be actuated to linearly (e.g., axially) displace the end cap 306 downwardly and away from the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304 and to laterally rotate the end cap 306 so that the end cap 306 is not axially aligned with and out of the way of the outlet 312 of the conduit 304. Of course, the actuator 364 may be actuated in the opposite direction to rotate the end cap 306 laterally back toward and just below the conduit outlet 312, and to displace the end cap 306 linearly back toward and into engagement with the outlet end 318 of the conduit 304.

[0063] 18-24 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a molten glass delivery apparatus 300. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-17, and like numerals between the embodiments generally indicate similar or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawings. Thus, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another, and descriptions of subject matter common to the embodiments may not be repeated here.

[0064] 18 and 19, a carrier device 500 includes a carrier cup 502 having a conduit 504 and an end cap 506 for the conduit 504. In contrast to the previous embodiment, here the end cap 506 is a split end cap including end cap portions or halves 506a,b. In this embodiment, to open the carrier cup 502, the end cap 506 is movable axially away from the conduit 504 and the end cap halves 506a,b are movable away from each other along the opening / closing axis B of the end cap halves 506a,b. Conversely, to close the carrier 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 movable axially toward the conduit 504. In at least some implementations, the end cap opening / closing axis B is perpendicular to the conduit passage axis A, although other orientations may be used as desired. As best shown in Figures 18 and 20, in an opening or dispensing position for the conduit 504, the end cap halves 506a,b are moved away from each other to allow a molten glass charge (not shown) to exit the conduit 504 and be delivered into a blank mold (not shown). As best shown in Figures 19 and 21, in a closed or transfer position for the conduit 504, the end cap halves 506a,b are moved together such that the end caps 506 cover the conduit 504 from below to retain the molten glass charge G (Figure 21) in the transfer cup 502.

[0065] 22, the end caps 506a,b include a lower end 534, an upper end 536 axially opposite the lower end 534, and a side perimeter 538 that includes a shoulder 610 that extends between the lower end 534 and the upper end 536 and that faces radially outward and may extend axially and circumferentially, and a mounting flange 612 that faces axially and may extend radially outward and circumferentially with an upper mounting surface 614. The upper end 536 includes an end surface 540 and may further include an angled surface 542 that extends obliquely between the end surface 540 and the side perimeter 538. The lower end 534 includes a base surface 544 and may further include a fluid pocket 546 in the base surface 544. The end cap halves 506a,b include exterior walls 616 having axially and diametrically extending mating surfaces 618 that may contact one another when the end cap 506 is in a closed or carrying position. The mating surfaces 618 may extend at an angle other than parallel to the axis of the conduit passage.

[0066] 22, the end cap halves 506a,b may also include a first plurality of fluid feed passages 548 extending between the lower end 534 and the upper end 536 and may have a lower opening 550 in fluid communication with the base surface 544 and / or with the fluid pocket 546 in the base surface 544. More specifically, in this implementation, the end cap halves 506a,b may also include a second plurality of fluid feed passages 620 disposed radially inwardly relative to the first plurality of fluid feed passages 548 and in fluid communication with or opening into the end surface 540 and in fluid communication with the pocket 546. More specifically, the second plurality of fluid feed passages 620 may be located through a central portion of the end cap 506 to displace at least a portion of the molten glass charge G away from the central portion. A second plurality of fluid supply passages 620 may be used to provide additional force that may be used to hold the molten glass charge G (FIG. 21) more completely away from the end cap 506, if desired. The fluid supply passages 548, 620 may be in the form of an annular array that may be circumferentially interdigitated, staggered, or offset relative to one another. In the closed position, when the end cap 506 covers the conduit 504, the fluid supply passages 548 communicate with the transfer cup 502 to convey fluid thereto to displace at least a portion of the molten glass charge away from an internal junction 554 of the corresponding surfaces of the conduit 504 and the end cap 506. More specifically, fluid is supplied into the transfer cup 502 through a first plurality of fluid supply passages 548 at locations adjacent and / or radially overlapping the joint 554 and between the transfer cup 502 and the molten glass charge to create a gap (not shown) around at least a portion of the glass charge and between at least a portion of the glass charge and the joint 554.

[0067] 23 and 24, one or both of the end cap halves 506a,b also include channels 622 extending perpendicular to one or both of the mating faces 618 thereof to provide one or more fluid exhaust outlets in fluid communication with the interior of the transfer cup 502 and the atmosphere. As shown in FIG. 24, both of the end cap halves 506a,b may include channels 622 that are radially offset from one another. In other embodiments, the fluid exhaust outlets may be established between the mating faces 618 via a gap (not shown). The cross-sectional size of the exhaust channels 622 and / or the gap between the mating faces 618 may be selected to ensure that the fluid provided to the transfer cup 502 is sufficient to displace a desired portion of the molten glass charge, but not so much as to push the molten glass charge out of contact with the end cap 506 or to cause the molten glass charge to be ejected from the transfer cup 502.

[0068] 18 and 19, the illustrated transporter 500 also includes a conduit carrier 558 on which the conduit 504 is carried and which may be configured to be coupled to a conduit carrier mount (not shown) and a transporter mover (not shown). The transporter 500 also includes a split end cap carrier 562 on which the split end cap 506 is carried and an end cap actuator 564 coupled to the split end cap carrier 562 and operable to move the split end cap 506 to uncover and cover the outlet 512 (FIG. 20) of the conduit 504.

[0069] The conduit carrier 558 may be cylindrical and may be oval and coaxial with and radially spaced from the conduit 504 and may include a sleeve 566 to which gas may be supplied via a gas inlet 568, a plurality of gas outlets 569, and a gas pathway (not shown) therebetween. The conduit carrier 558 may also include upper and lower mounting rings 570 and 572 coupled to the conduit carrier 558 and engaged to upper and lower portions of the conduit 504. The sleeve 566 may include a tubular body 574 and upper and lower caps 576 and 578 that may be welded, fastened, interference fitted, or otherwise coupled to corresponding ends of the tubular body 574 to establish a gas volume between the sleeve 566 and the conduit 504. The conduit carrier 558 may also include an oval mounting boss 579 carried by the tubular body 574 of the sleeve 566, which may be configured to be coupled to any suitable conduit carrier mount (not shown) for coupling to any suitable transport device mover (not shown).

[0070] 20 and 21, the split end cap carrier 562 can include translatable portions or halves 562a,b that each carry a respective portion or half 506a,b of the split end cap 506. The halves 562a,b of the split end cap carrier 562 can include an outer holder 624 having a side wall 626 and a bottom wall 627 coupled to the side wall 626, and an inner mounting block 628 carried by the outer holder 624 and having an inner wall 630 coupled to the side wall 626 of the outer holder 624 and further having a bottom wall 632 carried on the bottom wall 627 of the outer holder 624. The inner mounting block 628 may be movably fastened to the side wall 626 of the outer holder 624 by a fastener 634 having a threaded end (not shown) that screws into a corresponding threaded hole (not shown) in the inner mounting block 628, a shank (not shown) that extends through an enlarged hole (not shown) in the side wall 626 of the outer holder 624, and a head that captures a washer to the side wall 626 of the outer holder 624. Also, the position of the inner mounting block 628 may be fine-tuned by a set screw 636 that extends through the bottom wall 627 of the outer holder 624 and is engaged in the bottom wall 632 of the inner mounting block 628. One skilled in the art will appreciate that one can loosen the fasteners 634, turn the set screws 636, move the inner mounting block 628 to a desired position, and tighten the fasteners 634 to lock the inner mounting block 628 in their desired position to ensure the desired location of the end cap halves 506a,b relative to each other and / or relative to the conduit 504. The lower wall 632 of the inner mounting block 628 has a fluid port 632a therein that is coupled, for example, via a threaded connection, to a fluid fitting 632b.

[0071] 20 and 21, the end cap carrier halves 562a,b may further include a seat 638 between the inner mount and the end cap halves 506a,b, which may serve to act as a spacer block or insulator, and a retainer plate 640 fastened to the lower wall 632 of the inner mounting block 628 to retain the seat 638 to the inner mounting block 628. The carrier halves 562a,b may additionally include a flow redirector plate 642 between the seat 638 and the end cap halves 506a,b to redirect flow from the relatively radially outward fluid supply passages of the outer holder 624 and the mounting block 628 to the relatively radially inward fluid pockets 546 of the end cap halves 506a,b. The carrier halves 562a,b may further include a perforated gasket 644 (FIG. 22) between the flow redirector plate 642 and the end cap halves 506a,b. The end cap halves 506a,b may be coupled to the inner mounting block 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.

[0072] 18 and 19, the split endcap carrier 562 is translatable linearly away from the conduit carrier 558 and the conduit 504, and its halves 506a,b are translatable away from and towards each other along the opening / closing axis B via an endcap actuator 564. The endcap actuator 564 may include a first actuator 564a for vertically moving the split endcap carrier 562 up and down, and a second actuator 564b for laterally moving the halves 506a,b back and forth. The first actuator 564a may include a moveable portion 654 fixed to the second actuator 564b and an actuator arm 656 carrying the split endcap carrier 562 coupled to the second actuator 564b, and may have one or more fixed portions 658 coupled to corresponding portions of an actuator mount 660, which may be coupled to the conduit carrier 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 ball screw, a solenoid, or any other device suitable for producing linear movement. The second actuator 564b may be fixed to a mounting adapter 662 coupled to the lower end of the actuator arm 656 and may be movably coupled to the halves 506a,b of the split end cap carrier 562. The second actuator 564b may be or include a self-aligning rodless cylinder, a gear rack device, or the like and may be pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically driven.

[0073] 20 and 21, the actuators 564a,b (FIGS. 18 and 19) may be actuated to linearly displace the end cap 506 downwardly and away from the outlet end 518 (FIG. 20) of the conduit 504, and to linearly displace the halves 506a,b of the split end cap 506 laterally and further out of the outlet end 518 (FIG. 20) of the conduit 504. Of course, the actuators 564a,b (FIGS. 18 and 19) may be actuated in the opposite manner to linearly retract the halves 506a,b of the end cap 506 laterally toward and directly beneath the conduit 504, and to displace the end cap 506 linearly back to the outlet end 518 (FIG. 20) of the conduit 504.

[0074] 25-33 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a molten glass delivery apparatus 700. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-24, and like numerals between the embodiments generally indicate similar or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawings. Thus, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another, and descriptions of subject matter common to the embodiments may not be repeated here.

[0075] 25-33, generally, the conveying device 700 includes a conveying cup 702 including a conduit 704, and a split end cap 706 underlying the conduit 704 and movable vertically away from and toward the conduit 704, the split end cap 706 including end cap portions or halves 706a, b, the halves 706a, b being movable away from each other along an opening / closing axis B of the split end cap 706 to open the conveying cup 702, and towards each other along the opening / closing axis B to close the conveying cup 702 and establish an interior or cavity 708 of the conveying cup (FIG. 30). As best shown in FIG. 29, in an opening or dispensing position for the conduit 704, the end cap halves 706a,b are moved away from one another to cover or expose the outlet 712 of the conduit 704 to allow the molten glass charge to exit the transfer cup 702 into a blank mold (not shown) positioned below the transfer cup 702. As best shown in FIG. 30, in a closing or transfer position for the conduit 704, the end cap halves 706a,b are moved toward one another below the conduit 704 to cover the outlet 712 of the conduit 704 to retain the molten glass charge (not shown) within the transfer cup 702. In contrast to the previously disclosed embodiments of FIGS. 11-24, here the end cap 706 is opened and closed along a single axis, namely the lateral opening / closing axis B of the end cap halves 706a,b, such that it is not necessary to open and close the end cap 706 along the conduit passage axis A. Thus, the transport device 700 provides increased control of the molten glass charge during transport while reducing design complexity, improving ease of manufacture, reducing weight with fewer moving parts, and increasing reliability.

[0076] 29A , end cap halves 706a,b include a lower end 734, an upper end 736 axially opposite the lower end 734, and a side perimeter 738 that may include a radially outwardly facing shoulder 810, a mounting flange 812, and a fastener passage 814 that extends through the mounting flange 812. The upper end 736 includes an end surface 740 and an angled surface 742 that extends obliquely between the end surface 740 and the side perimeter 738. In other embodiments, the upper end 736 need not include the angled surface 742, and the end surface 740 may extend to the side perimeter 738 of the end cap 706. The lower end 734 includes a base surface 744 and a fluid pocket 746 in the base surface 744. The end cap halves 706a,b may include exterior walls 816 having diametric mating surfaces 818 that may contact one another when the end caps 706 are in a closed or transport position.

[0077] The end cap halves 706a,b also include one or more fluid feed passages 748 extending between the lower and upper ends 736 and having a lower opening 750 that may be in fluid communication with the fluid pocket 746. The fluid feed passages 748 may be in the form of an annular array. When the end cap 706 covers the conduit 704, the fluid feed passages 748 communicate with the transfer cup 702 to convey fluid thereto to displace at least a portion of the molten glass charge away from an internal interface 754 ( FIG. 30 ) of the mating faces of the conduit 704 and the end cap 706. More specifically, fluid is fed through the end cap 706 at least partially radially inward relative to the interface 754 into the transfer cup 702 at a location between the transfer cup 702 and the molten glass charge.

[0078] Here, in contrast to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 18-24, the fluid supply passage 748 extends at one or more oblique angles converging toward the conduit passage axis A in a direction from the lower end 734 toward the upper end 736, and the upper ends 736 of the end cap halves 706a,b are spaced axially away from the outlet ends 718 of the conduit 704 such that a gap is established between the conduit 704 and the end cap halves 706a,b to establish a lateral fluid exhaust outlet through which excess fluid from the transfer cup 702 may leak into the atmosphere. The height of the gap may be selected to ensure that the fluid supplied to the transfer cup 702 is sufficient to displace a desired portion of the molten glass charge, but not so much as to push the molten glass charge out of contact with the end caps 706 or to eject the molten glass charge from the transfer cup 702.

[0079] 25-28, the transporter 700 may also include a conduit carrier 758 on which the conduit 704 is carried and a conduit carrier mount 760 configured to mount the transporter 700 to a transporter mover (not shown). Additionally, the transporter 700 may include an end cap carrier 762 on which the end cap halves 706a,b are carried and an end cap actuator 764 coupled to the end cap carrier 762 and operable to move the end cap halves 706a,b to uncover and cover the outlet 712 of the conduit 704.

[0080] 29 , the conduit carrier 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 carrier 758 may also include upper and lower mounting rings 770 and 772 coupled to the conduit carrier 758 and engaged with upper and lower portions of the conduit 704. The sleeve 766 may include a tubular body 774 and upper and lower caps 776 and 778 that may be welded, fastened, interference fit, or otherwise coupled to corresponding ends of the tubular body 774 to establish a fluid volume between the sleeve 766 and the conduit 704. The mounting rings 770, 772 may be fastened, welded, screwed, or otherwise coupled to the caps 776, 778 and may have radially inwardly extending tangs 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 constructed from semi-circumferential portions or halves to facilitate assembly of the tongue and groove connections.

[0081] Additionally, the conduit carrier 758 may include at least one baffle 784 located radially between the sleeve 766 and the conduit 704 to establish a bypass path for supplying gas to the conduit 704. More specifically, gas enters the conduit carrier 758 via a gas inlet 768 and flows circumferentially around the baffle 784 and downward to a lower end of the baffle 784 having holes, reliefs, or at least some portions spaced axially from a corresponding portion of the sleeve 766 of the conduit carrier 758. Gas flows radially inward toward the conduit 704, circumferentially around the conduit 704 between the conduit 704 and the baffle 784, through the holes or reliefs, or around the lower end of the baffle 784, and up and out one or more gas outlets (not shown). A portion of the baffle 784 may be welded, fastened, interference-fitted, or otherwise coupled to a corresponding portion of the sleeve 766.

[0082] 25, the conduit carrier mount 760 includes a mounting frame 864. The mounting frame 864 may include longitudinally extending side beams 865 that extend perpendicular to the opening / closing axis B of the split end cap 706 and perpendicular to the conduit passage axis A and are coupled to the sleeves 766 of the conduit carrier 758. The mounting frame 864 may be constructed of a single integral component or may include separate components that are fastened, welded, screwed, or otherwise coupled together as shown. Referring again to FIG. 29, the conduit carrier 758 includes a mounting boss 779 that may be oval and may fit into a corresponding oval relief 868 on the inner surface of the beam 865 and may be fastened to the beam 865 by a fastener 870 that extends through the beam 865 and into a threaded passage of the oval boss 779. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conduit carrier 758 may be coupled to the mount 760 by a dovetail mating engagement or other mechanical attachment arrangement, or via welding, or in any other suitable manner.

[0083] 27 and 28 , the beam 865 may include mounting features, such as fastener passages 872, which may be spaced laterally on either side of the fasteners 870, that may be configured to couple to any suitable type of transporter mover (not shown), such as a robot, a gantry, or the like. The mounting frame 864 of the conduit carrier mount 760 may also include a beam 865 extending between end walls 874 and an end wall 874 extending between side struts 876. The end wall 874 may be coupled to the beam 865 by fasteners 878 that extend through an end portion of the beam 865 and into a corresponding portion of the end wall 874, which may overlap the end portion of the beam 865.

[0084] 25 and 26, the conduit carrier mount 760 may also include a cover 880 carried by the conduit carrier mount 760. The cover 880 may be longitudinally oval and rectangular in plan and may include a base wall 882, a flange 884 depending downwardly from a lateral side of the base wall 882, and a hole 886 through the base wall 882 corresponding to and axially aligned with the conduit 704 of the carrier 700. The cover 880 may be spaced above and mounted to the mounting frame 864 of the conduit carrier mount 760, for example, via a number of fasteners 888 fastened to the mounting frame 864 and the cover 880. The cover 880 may protect the carrier 700 from any molten glass that may otherwise inadvertently fall onto the carrier 700 rather than into the transfer cup 702.

[0085] 31, the end cap carrier 762 includes an outer holder 824 having a side wall 826 and a bottom wall 827 coupled to the side wall 826, and an inner mounting block 828 carried by the outer holder 824. The bottom wall 827 of the holder 824 may be a longitudinally extending oval rail extending perpendicular to the opening / closing axis B of the split end cap 706, and the side wall 826 of the holder 824 may include a separate plate fastened to the side of the rail. The bottom wall 827 has a fluid port 827a (FIG. 30A) therein that is coupled, for example, via a threaded connection, to a fluid fitting 827b (FIG. 30A). The end cap carrier halves 762a,b may further include a perforated gasket 844 between the mounting block 828 and the end cap halves 706a,b. The mounting block 828 may be movably fastened to the lower wall 827 of the outer holder 824 by a fastener 834 having a threaded end that screws into a corresponding threaded hole in the inner mounting block 828, a shank that extends through an enlarged hole in the lower wall 827 of the outer holder 824, and a head that captures a washer to the lower wall 827 of the outer holder 824. Also, the position of the inner mounting block 828 may be fine-tuned by a set screw 836 that extends through the side wall 826 of the outer holder 824 and is engaged to the inner mounting block 828. One skilled in the art will recognize that one can loosen the fastener 834, turn the set screw 836, move the inner mounting block 828 to a desired position, and tighten the fastener 834 to lock the inner mounting block 828 in their desired position to ensure the desired location of the end cap halves 706a,b relative to each other and / or relative to the conduit 704.

[0086] 32, the end cap carrier 762 may include an end cap carrier frame 890 including a side wall 892 extending perpendicular to the opening / closing axis B, and a lower end wall 894 and an upper end wall 896 extending between and coupled to the side wall 892. The outer holder 824 may be laterally slidably coupled to the end cap carrier frame 890. More specifically, the outer holder 824 may be coupled to the end cap carrier frame 890 via a movable pillow block or bearing 898 fastened to an end portion of the lower wall 827 of the outer holder 824, and a shaft 901 extending through the bearing 898 and rotatably coupled to the side wall 892 of the end cap carrier frame 890 via a fixed mounting block or bearing 899.

[0087] 32, the end cap carrier frame 890 may be adjustable, e.g., axially adjustable, relative to the mounting frame 864 of the conduit carrier mount 760. More specifically, the mounting frame 890 of the end cap carrier 762 may include an extension 903 coupled to and extending upwardly from a top end wall 896, and the mounting frame 864 of the conduit carrier mount 760 may include a corresponding extension 905 coupled to and extending outwardly from an end 874 of the mounting frame 864. One or more fasteners 907 may extend through a through slot in a side wall 909 of the extension 905 of the mounting frame 864 and into one or more corresponding threaded holes in the end cap carrier frame extension 903. A set screw 911 may extend through the mounting frame 864 and into a threaded passage in a top wall 913 of the end cap carrier frame extension 903. One skilled in the art will recognize that one can loosen fasteners 907, turn set screws 911, move extensions 903 and the remainder of end cap carrier frame 890 to the desired position, and tighten fasteners 907 to lock end cap carrier frame 890 in the desired position relative to mounting frame 864 to ensure the desired location of end cap halves 706a,b (FIG. 30) relative to conduit 704 (FIG. 30). One skilled in the art will recognize that the axially adjustable device illustrated, or a dovetail rail and set screws, or any other axially adjustable device suitable for use in a glass manufacturing environment, may be used.

[0088] 33, the end cap carrier 762 includes an end cap actuator 764 that may be coupled between the end cap carrier frame 890 and the corresponding end cap holder 824. More specifically, the end cap actuator 764 may be secured to a side wall 892 of the end cap carrier frame 890 and to a top surface of a distal instance of the holder 824. For example, the actuator 764 may be or include a cylinder having a cylinder body 915 fastened to an inner surface of the end cap carrier frame side wall 892 and a cylinder rod 917 fastened to an adapter bracket 919 fastened to a top surface of the corresponding holder 824. The actuators 764 may be coupled to a common control valve (not shown) or in any other manner suitable for simultaneously actuating the actuators 764 to impart equal and opposite motion to the holder 824 and thus the end cap halves 706a,b (FIG. 29). The actuator 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 any other device suitable for producing linear movement.

[0089] Referring again to FIG. 29, the transporter 700 may also include a cushion 921 operably coupled between the end cap carrier frame 890 and the end cap halves 706a,b to cushion the opening of the end cap halves 706a,b. The cushion 921 may include a cylinder 923 secured to a side wall 892 of the end cap carrier frame 890 and a piston 925 engageable with an extension 824a of the holder 824 extending downwardly from a lower wall 827 of the holder 824. Thus, when the actuator 764 is actuated to open the end cap halves 706a,b, the holder extension 824a contacts the piston 925 and moves the piston 925 into the cylinder 923 to provide a cushioned opening of the end cap halves 706a,b, thereby reducing vibration. One skilled in the art will recognize that the cushion may include a resilient cushion, a viscoelastic cushion, or any other cushion suitable for use in a glass manufacturing environment.

[0090] 25-29, although the transporter 700 is illustrated including only one transfer cup 702 and carrier 758, in other embodiments, the transporter 700 may include additional transfer cups and carriers. For example, in a manner similar to the illustrated transfer cup 702 and carrier 758, two additional transfer cups and carriers may be located longitudinally outboard of the illustrated transfer cup 702 and carrier and coupled to the remainder of the transporter 700. Thus, the transporter 700 is configured to receive multiple molten glass charges from multiple orifices of the feeder, transport the charges, and distribute the charges to a corresponding number of blank molds.

[0091] Figure 34 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a molten glass delivery apparatus 1100. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiment of Figures 1-33, and like numerals between the embodiments generally indicate similar or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawings. Thus, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another, and descriptions of subject matter common to the embodiments may not be repeated here.

[0092] The carrier 1100 includes a transfer cup 1102 that includes a conduit 1104 and a conduit carrier 1158, and the end cap 706 of the embodiment of Figures 25-33, carried by the end cap carrier 762 of that embodiment. The conduit 1104 includes an outlet 1112 and an outlet end 1118, and a sidewall 1120 extending away from the outlet end 1118 to define a transfer cup cavity 1108.

[0093] As described in more detail below, the conduit carrier 1158 may include a vertically extending oval sleeve 1166, which may be radially spaced from the conduit 1104, and a lower mounting and sealing ring 1172 coupled to the sleeve 1166 and engaged to a corresponding portion of the conduit 1104. The sleeve 1166 may include a tubular body 1174 and a lower cap 1178, which may be fastened, welded, screwed, or otherwise coupled to a corresponding lower end of the tubular body 1174 to establish a gas volume 1177 between the sleeve 1166 and the conduit 1104. The conduit carrier 1158 may also include a baffle 1184 located radially between the sleeve 1166 and the conduit 1104 to direct gas provided through the conduit carrier 1158 to the conduit 1104. Again, the gas may include air, oxygen, nitrogen, or any other gas suitable for contact with molten glass, and may be pressurized. A lower portion of the baffle 1184 may be welded, fastened, interference fitted, or otherwise coupled to a corresponding portion of the sleeve lower cap 1178 and / or lower mounting and sealing ring 1172. The baffle 1184 has a hole, relief, or at least some portion axially spaced from a corresponding portion of the conduit carrier 1158 such that gas flows through the hole or relief, or around a 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 in which the conduit 1104 is made of a permeable material, gas may diffuse through the conduit 1104 to apply gas pressure thereto.

[0094] The lower mounting and sealing ring 1172 may also include a mounting portion 1173 at a radially outer portion of the ring 1172 and may be mounted to a lower cap 1178, for example, fastened to the lower cap 1178 via one or more fasteners 1175, or welded, screwed, or otherwise coupled 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 may carry a seal 1181 for positioning between the conduit support and sealing flange 1180 and the conduit 1104. The seal 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 conduit support and sealing flange 1180 and the seal 1181 may be an integral or monolithic component.

[0095] The conduit 1104 may include 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. Thus, the mounting flange 1180 and the seal 1181 may radially overlap and be aligned with the stepped outlet end 1118 to carry and support the conduit 1104 thereon. More specifically, the lower surface of the conduit support and sealing flange 1180 may even be flush with the outlet end surface 1131 of the conduit 1104. However, in other embodiments, the outlet end 1118 of the conduit 1104 may not be stepped such that the conduit support and sealing flange 1180 and the seal 1181 may radially overlap and support the lower end surface of such a non-stepped conduit.

[0096] The gas creates a positive pressure differential between the gas volume 1177 and the transfer cup cavity 1108, which drives gas flow through the sidewall 1120 of the conduit 1104 via diffusion. The baffle 1184, with or without the gas exhaust outlet 569, promotes both a uniform gas flow rate across the exterior surface of the sidewall 1120 of the conduit 1104 as well as allowing a uniform pressure differential around and across the exterior surface, creating a uniform diffusion flow through the sidewall 1120 along the length of the conduit 1104.

[0097] 35, any of the transporters 100, 300, 500, 700, 1100 of the present disclosure may include or be equipped with an accelerometer 1127 that may be mounted to any suitable portion of the transporter 100, 300, 500, 700, such as a conduit carrier or a conduit carrier mount. The accelerometer 1127 may be mounted to the transporter via a mounting bracket 1129 and fasteners 1131 as illustrated in FIG. 35, or in any other manner suitable for use in a glass manufacturing industry environment. The accelerometer 1127 may include a multi-axis accelerometer.

[0098] Generally, the accelerometer 1127 can facilitate solving problems such as bouncing, vibrating, etc. of the glass charge during transport from the glass charge feeder to the blank mold of the glass container molding machine, and such undesirable motion can lead to deformation and reduced quality of the glass charge delivered to the blank mold. Previous attempts to verify the delivery quality of the glass charge have included cameras configured to capture images of the glass gobs falling through long delivery chutes, troughs, deflectors, etc. However, cameras have several drawbacks including being difficult to mount, requiring high maintenance, slow imaging times, etc.

[0099] Thus, the accelerometer 1127 may measure acceleration during reception, transport, and dispensing of the glass charge. The accelerometer output may be used to infer useful data, including the loading or receiving quality of the glass charge, the vibration level of the transporter during transport, and / or the vibration level during dispensing of the glass charge. In a specific example, the duration and magnitude of the cup movement during loading of the glass charge may provide a measure of the effectiveness of the fluid supply to the transport cup. For example, a longer duration but lower peak-to-peak vibration during loading may indicate that the charge's initial impact is buffered, which may desirably prevent the tip of the charge from impacting hard on the end cap, thereby preventing the concomitant heat loss between the tip and the end cap, and the associated cooling and deformation of the tip of the charge. In another specific example, the deflection of the transporter caused by a particular profile of the transporter acceleration may be used to determine a better or ideal acceleration profile for the transporter to minimize vibration of the charge as it is discharged into the blank mold. In a further specific example, vibration levels of the conveyor in all three orthogonal directions can be observed during charge unloading and can be used to monitor the condition of the opening and closing mechanism and can help optimize the movement of the conveyor and / or the operation of the opening and closing mechanism to minimize vibration. Tests have shown that vibration of the conveyor during the unloading process can lead to variations in the surface temperature of the molten glass charge as well as deviations of the charge from its vertical drop trajectory. Finally, the accelerometer 1127 can be used to assess the overall tightness of the conveyor, for example, to diagnose potential loose fasteners, worn components, etc.

[0100] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the accelerometer 1127 can be used as an input to a controller for the transport apparatus and / or for a mover for the transport apparatus, such as a robot, a gantry, or any other suitable equipment used with the transport apparatus. Such a controller can receive input data and instructions from a user, the accelerometer 1127, and / or any other suitable input, process the received input in light of stored software and / or data, and transmit output signals to the transport apparatus, the mover for the transport apparatus, or any other suitable equipment used with the transport apparatus. The controller may generally include a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, one or more interfaces coupled to the processor, one or more input devices coupled to the processor, and / or one or more output devices coupled to the processor. Of course, the computing device may further include any auxiliary devices, such as a clock, an internal power supply, etc. (not shown), and may be powered by an external power supply, such as AC utility or plant power, an AC-DC transformer, one or more batteries, a fuel cell, etc.

[0101] A method for transporting a molten glass charge may include the following general steps. First, the method may include receiving the molten glass charge in a transfer cup having a conduit and an end cap for selectively opening and closing the conduit, and may establish an internal joint between the end cap and the conduit. In this step, the molten glass charge may or may not be in continuous circumferential contact with an inner surface of the conduit over at least a portion of the charge's length, and may or may not be in axial contact with an end surface of the end cap. Second, the method may include supplying a fluid to the transfer cup at least one location to displace at least a portion of the glass charge away from the transfer cup, thereby establishing a gap between the molten glass charge and the transfer cup. In a specific example, the fluid is supplied into the transfer cup adjacent to the internal joint to displace at least a portion of the glass charge away from the internal joint. Third, the method includes controlling an amount of fluid in the transfer cup between the molten glass charge and the transfer cup. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid may be controlled by the size, number, and configuration of the fluid passages, supplying the fluid by a fluid control valve, etc. In other embodiments, the amount of fluid may be controlled by the diffusive material properties of the transfer cup material. Fourth, the method may include moving the end cap to allow the molten glass charge to exit the conduit. Thus, the method facilitates avoidance of cold spots and / or parting lines forming in the molten glass charge, and thus, avoidance of cold spots and / or parting lines remaining in the finished glass container formed from the molten glass charge. The method may also include transporting the transfer cup by translating, rotating, inverting, articulating, displacing, or otherwise moving the transfer cup in any manner suitable for handling molten glass.

[0102] In more specific implementations, the method may also include one or more of the following steps. The method may include receiving a molten glass charge from a molten glass charge delivery device. Similarly, the method may include distributing a plurality of molten glass charges from a molten glass delivery device having a plurality of orifices to generate a plurality of molten glass charges for receipt in a plurality of transfer cups carried by a common transfer cup carrier. The method may also include distributing the molten glass charge to a blank mold having an inlet that may be located below, above, or at an equal height to the molten glass charge delivery device. More specifically, the method may include distributing a plurality of molten glass charges from a molten glass delivery device having a plurality of orifices to generate a plurality of molten glass charges for receipt in a plurality of transfer cups carried by a common transfer cup carrier.

[0103] In one embodiment, the controlling step includes venting the fluid from the gap out of the transfer cup through at least one exhaust vent. The venting step may include venting the fluid through a fluid exhaust outlet established between the outlet end of the conduit and a top end of the end cap, and / or venting the fluid between mating faces of split halves of the end cap.

[0104] In one embodiment, the feeding step includes feeding the fluid at at least one location proximate an internal junction between the conduit and the end cap to displace a portion of the molten glass charge away from the internal junction. Additionally, or alternatively, the feeding step may include feeding the fluid through a central portion of the end cap to displace at least a portion of the molten glass charge away from the central portion of the end cap. The feeding step may include feeding the fluid over an end surface of the end cap to displace the molten glass charge away from the end surface of the end cap.

[0105] In one embodiment, the method may also include adjusting the flow of the fluid over time to generate different displacement forces on the molten glass charge. More specifically, the adjusting step may include setting the flow rate of the fluid at an initial relatively high level when the molten glass charge is received in the transfer cup, at a sustained relatively low or intermediate level when the molten glass charge is at a steady state relative to the transfer cup, and at a final relatively low or lowest level when the molten glass charge is being dispensed from the transfer cup. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the flow rate depends on one or more of the following variables: gob weight, gob diameter, cup conduit diameter, cup conduit length, or drop height from the shear to the cup end cap (which affects the initial velocity of the gob as it is loaded into the cup). With respect to an initial flow rate, it may be desirable to avoid insufficient flow and therefore provide sufficient flow rate to stop the gob's progress completely so that it does not impact the end cap of the cup, or to stop the gob's progress almost completely before it impacts the end cap of the cup to minimize the impact force of the gob on the end cap and therefore minimize initial heat loss from the gob. Conversely, with respect to an initial flow rate, it may be desirable to avoid excessive flow that would otherwise cause the gob to not be fully loaded into the cup, or even worse, cause the gob to back up and be ejected from the cup. Conversely, with respect to a sustained flow rate, it may be desirable to avoid excessive flow that would otherwise push the gob back up the sleeve of the cup or eject the gob from the cup. Conversely, with respect to a sustained flow rate, it may be desirable to avoid excessive flow that would otherwise push the gob back up the sleeve of the cup or eject the gob from the cup. In a specific example, it was discovered that a 180g gob with an outermost diameter of 21.5mm would require an initial flow rate of 2.4 grams / second and a sustained flow rate of 2.0 grams / second to fall by gravity into a 330mm straight bore sleeve with an innermost diameter of 23.8mm.In another specific example, a 180 g gob with an outermost diameter of 22.5 mm requires an initial flow rate of 3.0 grams / second and a sustained flow rate of 2.8 grams / second to fall by gravity into a 330 mm straight bore sleeve with an innermost diameter of 26.4 mm. In both of the above examples, the transfer cup had an axial exhaust / vent gap of 0.4 mm between the corresponding lower and upper surfaces of the conduit and end cap, respectively.

[0106] In one embodiment, the method also includes cooling an exterior or exterior surface of the conduit to regulate a temperature of the conduit. The cooling step may include introducing a fluid around a lower portion of the conduit and directing the fluid to flow upwardly and around an upper portion of the conduit. The cooling step may include throttling a fluid outlet relative to the fluid inlet to increase the fluid flow rate and heat transfer between the conduit and the fluid. The method may also include measuring a temperature of an interior surface of the conduit with a non-contact optical thermal sensor and controlling the flow of the fluid to maintain a temperature of the interior surface between 320-450 degrees Celsius.

[0107] In one embodiment, the moving step includes translating the end cap along a line or an arc, moving the halves of the end cap away from each other, and / or articulating the end cap vertically downward and laterally away from the conduit.

[0108] In one embodiment, the method may also include measuring acceleration during at least one of the steps of receiving, moving the transfer cup, or moving the end cap to dispense the molten glass charge.

[0109] Finally, 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 that requires a different interpretation. Also, for convenience, each explicit exemplary embodiment and modification is incorporated by reference into 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 transfer cup (102, 302, 502, 702, 1102) 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 (106, 306, 506, 706) being movable relative to the conduit to a closed position in which the end cap covers the conduit outlet and to an open position in which the end cap uncovers the conduit outlet; a fluid exhaust outlet between the conduit and the end cap; one or more fluid supply passages (148, 149, 348, 548, 748) having one or more internal inlets (152, 352, 752) located radially inward of the fluid exhaust outlet.

2. 2. The molten glass transfer cup of claim 1, wherein an internal joint (354, 554, 754) is established between the end cap and the conduit, and the one or more internal inlets of the one or more fluid supply passages are located proximate to the internal joint.

3. 2. The molten glass transfer cup of claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid supply passages are located radially inward of a side periphery (138, 338, 538, 738) of the end cap and open at an upper end of the end cap in communication with the conduit outlet at a location that overlaps or is spaced radially inward from a joint defined between the conduit and the end cap when the end cap is in the closed position.

4. A molten glass transport device (100, 300, 500, 700, 1100) comprising: A molten glass carrying cup according to claim 1; a conduit carrier (158, 358, 558, 758, 1158) on which the conduit is carried; an end cap carrier (162, 362, 562, 762) on which the end cap is carried; an end cap actuator (164, 364, 564, 764) coupled to the end cap carrier and operable to move the end cap to uncover and cover the outlet of the conduit.

5. The molten glass transport apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the end cap swings, translates, or articulates away from the outlet of the conduit when the end cap actuator is actuated.

6. An end cap (106, 306, 506, 706) for a molten glass transfer cup, 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 passages (148, 149, 348, 548, 748) extending between the lower end and the upper end and having a lower opening (150, 151, 350, 550, 750) opening at the lower end and an upper opening (152, 153, 352) opening at the upper end.

7. 7. The end cap of claim 6, wherein the upper end includes an end surface and an inclined surface extending obliquely between the end surface and the side periphery, and the plurality of fluid supply passages includes an annular array of fluid supply passages extending through the inclined surface.

8. The end cap of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of fluid supply passages extend through the end cap at one or more oblique angles relative to the conduit axis.

9. 7. The end cap of claim 6, wherein the lower end includes a base surface (144, 344, 544, 744) and fluid pockets (146, 346, 546, 746) in the base surface in open fluid communication with the lower openings of the plurality of fluid supply passages.

10. 7. The end cap of claim 6, wherein the plurality of fluid supply passages includes an inner annular array of fluid supply passages and an outer annular array of fluid supply passages positioned radially outward of the inner annular array of fluid supply passages.

11. The end cap of claim 6 , wherein the end cap is axially divided into halves having mating surfaces, the fluid exhaust outlet being established between the mating surfaces.

12. A molten glass transfer cup (102, 302, 502, 702, 1102) comprising: Entrance (110, 310) and Exits (112, 312, 512, 712, 1112), a conduit (104, 304, 504, 704, 1104) including a passageway (114, 314) extending between and opening onto the inlet and the outlet, the passageway being partially defined by an interior surface at the outlet; and an end cap as described in claim 6 that cooperates with the outlet of the conduit to establish a transfer cup cavity, wherein at least one of a plurality of fluid supply passages overlaps the inner surface of the conduit at the outlet or is disposed radially inward and adjacent to the inner surface.

13. The molten glass transfer cup of claim 12 , wherein a fluid exhaust outlet is established between the outlet end of the conduit and the upper end of the end cap.

14. A molten glass transport device (100, 300, 500, 700, 1100) comprising: a conduit (104, 304, 504, 704, 1104) including an inlet (110, 310) and an outlet (112, 312, 512, 712, 1112); a transfer cup (102, 302, 502, 702, 1102) including an end cap (106, 306, 506, 706) movably carried under said conduit for opening and closing said outlet of said conduit; a conduit carrier (158, 358, 558, 758, 1158) that carries the transfer cup therein and includes a sleeve (166, 366, 566, 766, 1166) that at least partially surrounds the conduit of the transfer cup.

15. 15. The molten glass transport apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sleeves of the conduit carrier are radially spaced apart away from the conduit to establish a gas volume (177).

16. 16. The molten glass transport apparatus of claim 15, wherein the conduit carrier further comprises a gas baffle (184, 384, 784, 1184) radially spaced apart between and away from the sleeve and the conduit of the transfer cup.

17. the conduit carrier: one or more gas inlets (168, 368, 568, 768); one or more gas outlets (569); 17. The molten glass transport apparatus of claim 16, wherein a bypass path is established from the one or more gas inlets, circumferentially around the gas baffle, down to a lower end of the gas baffle, down around at least a portion of the gas baffle that is axially spaced from a corresponding portion of the sleeve, radially inward toward the conduit, circumferentially around the conduit between the conduit and the gas baffle, and up and out the one or more gas outlets.

18. 15. The molten glass transport apparatus of claim 14, 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) coupled to the lower cap and including a radially inwardly extending mounting flange (612, 812) carried by the stepped outlet end (118, 318, 518, 1118) of the conduit.

19. 15. The molten glass transport apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an end cap carrier (162, 362, 562, 762) that carries 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 that covers the outlet (112, 312, 512, 712, 1112) of the conduit and an open position that exposes the outlet of the conduit, wherein the end cap carrier includes a pivotable arm, and the end cap actuator includes a rotary and linear actuator coupled to the pivotable arm and mounted to the sleeve of the conduit carrier.

20. 15. The molten glass transport apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: an end cap carrier (162, 362, 562, 762, 762) that carries the end caps below the conduit; and an end cap actuator (164, 364, 564, 764) for moving the end cap carrier and the end caps between a closed position that covers the outlet (112, 312, 512, 712, 1112) of the conduit and an open position that exposes the outlet (112, 312, 512, 712, 1112) of the conduit, wherein the end caps are split end caps, the end cap carrier is a split end cap carrier, and the end cap actuator includes 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 back and forth toward and away from each other.

21. 15. The molten glass transport device of claim 14, further comprising an accelerometer (1127) coupled to the conduit carrier or conduit carrier mount, the accelerometer being a multi-axis accelerometer for measuring acceleration during reception, transport, and / or distribution of the molten glass load (G), and the accelerometer output is used to estimate the reception quality of the glass load, the vibration level of the transport device during transport, and / or the vibration level during distribution of the glass load.

22. 1. A method for conveying a molten glass charge (G), comprising: receiving a charge of molten glass in a transfer cup (102, 302, 502, 702, 1102) having a conduit (104, 304, 504, 704, 1104) and end caps (106, 306, 506, 706) for selectively opening and closing said conduit; supplying a fluid to the transfer cup to displace at least a portion of the glass charge away from at least a portion of the end cap, thereby establishing a gap (356) between the molten glass charge and the transfer cup; controlling the amount of fluid in the transfer cup between the molten glass charge and the transfer cup; and moving the end cap to allow the molten glass charge to exit the conduit.

23. receiving the molten glass charge from a molten glass charge delivery device; 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising dispensing the molten glass charge into a blank mold having an inlet that can be located below, above, or at the same height as the molten glass charge delivery device.

24. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the controlling step includes venting the fluid from the gap out of the transfer cup through at least one exhaust vent between mating surfaces of the end cap halves.

25. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the controlling step includes venting the fluid from the gap out of the transfer cup through at least one exhaust vent established between the outlet end (118, 318, 518, 1118) of the conduit and the upper end (136, 336, 536, 736) of the end cap.

26. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the end cap and the conduit establish an internal joint (354, 554, 754) between the end cap and the conduit, and the supplying step includes supplying a fluid at at least one location proximate the internal joint to displace a portion of the molten glass charge away from the internal joint.

27. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the feeding step comprises feeding the fluid through a central portion of the end cap to displace at least a portion of the molten glass charge away from the central portion of the end cap, or feeding the fluid onto an end surface of the end cap to displace the molten glass charge away from the end surface of the end cap.

28. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising measuring acceleration during at least one of the steps of receiving, moving the transfer cup, or moving the end cap to dispense the molten glass charge.

29. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising adjusting the flow of the fluid over time to generate different displacement forces on the molten glass charge, the adjusting step comprising setting the flow of the fluid at an initial relatively high flow rate when the molten glass charge is received in the transfer cup, and then at a sustained relatively low flow rate when the molten glass charge is in a steady state relative to the transfer cup.

30. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising supplying pressurized gas to an exterior surface (122, 322) of the conduit such that the pressurized gas flows diffusively through the conduit and into the transfer cup.

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