Manufacturing method for glass articles

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method of a glass article capable of easily stabilizing a form of a deformation part of a glass article.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method of a glass article provides a glass article having a deformation part 13 by thermoforming a glass preform. The manufacturing method of a glass article includes a first deformation step and a second deformation step. In the first deformation step, a first compact G1 having a first deformation part 13a is obtained by partially thermoforming the glass preform using a super heated stream HS1. In the second deformation step, a second compact having a second deformation part is obtained by partially thermoforming the first compact G1 using the super heated steam.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a glass article.

Background Art

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, there is known a method for manufacturing a glass article having a deformed portion by heating a glass plate in a heating furnace to soften it and then pressing the softened glass plate between an upper mold and a lower mold.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When heating the glass base material in manufacturing a glass article having a deformed portion as described above, for example, hot air is used. Here, by using superheated steam having better heat transfer performance than hot air as a heat source for heating the glass base material, for example, an effect of enhancing the manufacturing efficiency of the glass article can be expected. However, when the glass base material is larger than the range in which superheated steam can be injected, the temperature of the portion to be deformed by heating in the glass base material tends to be non-uniform. Therefore, there is a possibility that the shape of the deformed portion in the obtained glass article becomes unstable.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a glass article capable of easily stabilizing the shape of the deformed portion of the glass article.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Each aspect of the method for manufacturing a glass article for solving the above problems will be described. The method for manufacturing a glass article according to Embodiment 1 is a method for manufacturing a glass article having a deformed portion by heating and molding a glass base material, comprising: a first deformation step of obtaining a first molded body having a first deformed portion by partially heating and molding the glass base material using superheated steam; and a second deformation step of obtaining a second molded body having a second deformed portion by partially heating and molding the first molded body using superheated steam.

[0007] According to this method, the shapes of the first and second deformed parts of a glass article can be easily stabilized by performing the heat molding of the first deformed part and the heat molding of the second deformed part in stages through the first and second deformation steps.

[0008] In the method for manufacturing a glass article of Embodiment 2, Embodiment 1 may further include a post-heating step in which the first deformed portion is cooled as a step prior to the second deformation step. This method makes it possible to suppress excessive deformation of the first deformed portion, which was heat-molded in the first deformation step, during the second deformation step. Furthermore, the post-heating step described above can suppress the overall temperature of the first molded body from dropping too low compared to the case where the first deformed portion is cooled without heating it. This allows, for example, the second deformation step to be carried out smoothly.

[0009] In the manufacturing method for glass articles of Embodiment 3, Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 may further include a preheating step in which the portion of the first molded body that is to be deformed in the second deformation step is preheated using superheated steam at a lower temperature than the superheated steam used in the second deformation step.

[0010] This method allows the temperature of the deformation-prone area in the first molded body to be made uniform through a preheating step. This makes it possible to stabilize the shape of the second deformation-prone area that is heat-molded into the first molded body during the second deformation step.

[0011] In the method for manufacturing glass articles of Embodiment 4, in Embodiment 3, the preheating step may be performed continuously with the postheating step. With this method, by performing the preheating step continuously with the postheating step, glass articles can be manufactured efficiently, for example.

[0012] In the manufacturing method of the glass article of Embodiment 5, in Embodiment 3 or Embodiment 4, the process may be moved from the preheating step to the second deformation step by bringing the first molded body closer to the nozzle that injects the superheated steam in the superheated steam generator. This method allows for an easy transition from the preheating step to the second deformation step.

[0013] In the method for manufacturing a glass article according to Embodiment 6, in any one embodiment from Embodiments 3 to 5, in the preheating step, the portion of the first molded body to be deformed may be heated at a heating temperature within the range of T-30[°C] or higher and T+90[°C] or lower, where T[°C] is the softening point of the glass base material.

[0014] In the method for manufacturing a glass article according to Embodiment 7, in any one embodiment from Embodiments 2 to 6, the post-heating step may include a step of cooling the first deformed portion using superheated steam at a lower temperature than the superheated steam used in the first deformation step. Thus, the post-heating step S12 can be carried out using superheated steam HS2.

[0015] In the method for manufacturing a glass article according to embodiment 8, in embodiment 7, the first molded body and the nozzle for injecting the superheated steam in the superheated steam generator may be separated to transition from the first deformation step to the post-heating step using the low-temperature superheated steam. This method makes it easy to transition from the first deformation step to the post-heating step using the low-temperature superheated steam.

[0016] In the method for manufacturing a glass article according to Embodiment 9, in any one embodiment from Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 8, the glass base material is a plate glass, and the area of ​​the main surface of the plate glass may be larger than the area of ​​the nozzle for injecting the superheated steam in the superheated steam generator.

[0017] In the method for manufacturing a glass article according to Embodiment 10, in any one of Embodiments 1 to 9, the first deformed portion and the second deformed portion may each be a convex portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] The present invention has an effect that the shape of the deformed portion of the glass article can be easily stabilized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a glass article in an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a manufacturing apparatus for a glass article. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of a manufacturing apparatus for a glass article. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a method for manufacturing a glass article. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a first deformation step. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining a first deformation step. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a post-heating and cooling step. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a cooling step and a preheating step. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a second deformation step. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view for explaining a second deformation step.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] The following describes one embodiment of a method for manufacturing glass articles with reference to the drawings. Note that, for the sake of clarity, some parts of the structure may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ from those of the actual parts. In the drawings below, the X-axis represents the horizontal direction, the Y-axis represents the horizontal direction perpendicular to the X-axis, and the Z-axis represents the vertical direction (upward) perpendicular to the XY plane.

[0021] <Glassware> As shown in Figure 1, the glass article 11 of this embodiment has a flat base 12 and a deformable portion 13 provided in a position surrounded by the base 12. The deformable portion 13 has a first deformable portion 13a and a second deformable portion 13b positioned spaced apart from the first deformable portion 13a. The first deformable portion 13a and the second deformable portion 13b are convex portions that protrude from the base 12. More specifically, the first deformable portion 13a and the second deformable portion 13b each have a dome shape formed to bulge out from the base 12. In this embodiment, the first deformable portion 13a and the second deformable portion 13b are circular in plan view, but they may be other shapes. Examples of shapes other than circles include polygonal shapes such as triangles and quadrilaterals, and elliptical shapes. The area of ​​the flat base 12 is, for example, 1000 mm². 2 More than 1000000mm 2 The following ranges apply: The diameters of the first deformation portion 13a and the second deformation portion 13b are, for example, within the range of 1 mm to 60 mm. The heights of the first deformation portion 13a and the second deformation portion 13b are, for example, within the range of 1 mm to 50 mm. The distance between the first deformation portion 13a and the second deformation portion 13b is, for example, within the range of 5 mm to 1000 mm. The glass article 11 of this embodiment can be used, for example, as a lens component or lens member.

[0022] The glass of the glass article 11 may be alkali-free glass or alkali-containing glass. The thickness of the glass article 11 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a thickness that can be easily deformed by heat. The thickness of the glass article 11 is preferably in the range of 10 μm or more and 1500 μm or less.

[0023] <Equipment for manufacturing glass articles> Next, we will describe the manufacturing equipment for glass articles. As shown in Figure 2, the glass article manufacturing apparatus 14 includes a superheated steam generator 15 and a support base 16 for supporting the glass base material G. The superheated steam generator 15 includes a saturated steam generation unit 17 that generates saturated steam SW from water W, a superheated steam generation unit 18 that generates superheated steam HS from saturated steam SW, and a transfer pipe 19 for transferring saturated steam SW and superheated steam HS.

[0024] The saturated steam generation unit 17 can be composed of, for example, a boiler. In addition to the boiler, the saturated steam generation unit 17 may also be equipped with a pressure reducing device. The pressure reducing device makes it possible to increase the efficiency of generating saturated steam SW.

[0025] The superheated steam generation unit 18 includes, for example, a heating device for heating the transfer pipe 19. The superheated steam generation unit 18 superheats the saturated steam SW flowing through the transfer pipe 19 by further heating it. Examples of heating devices include induction heating devices, electric heating devices, heaters, burners, etc. The superheated steam generation unit 18 in this embodiment includes an induction heating device. The induction heating device includes a coil 18a wound around the outer circumference of the transfer pipe 19 and a power supply 18b that supplies current to the coil 18a.

[0026] The transfer pipe 19 is made of a metal material. The transfer pipe 19 transfers saturated steam SW from the saturated steam generation unit 17 to the superheated steam generation unit 18. The transfer pipe 19 transfers superheated steam HS from the superheated steam generation unit 18 to the injection port 19a, which is the end of the transfer pipe 19. The superheated steam HS is injected from the injection port 19a of the transfer pipe 19 toward the support base 16.

[0027] Superheated steam HS is high-temperature steam obtained by further heating saturated steam SW, i.e., by superheating it. Such superheated steam HS substantially contains no air. The conditions for superheated steam HS can be appropriately changed depending on the thickness of the glass base material G, the composition of the glass, etc.

[0028] The temperature of the superheated steam HS generated by the superheated steam generator 15 is preferably above the softening point of the glass base material G. Specifically, the temperature of the superheated steam HS is preferably in the range of 200°C or higher and 1200°C or lower, and more preferably in the range of 700°C or higher and 1100°C or lower. The temperature of the superheated steam HS referred to here is the temperature of the superheated steam HS at the injection port 19a of the superheated steam generator 15.

[0029] The temperature of the superheated steam HS decreases as it moves away from the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15. That is, the temperature at which the glass base material G is heated can be adjusted by the distance between the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 and the glass base material G. The area of ​​the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 is smaller than the area of ​​the main surface of the glass base material G. The ratio of the area of ​​the main surface of the glass base material G to the area of ​​the nozzle 19a (ratio = area of ​​the main surface of the glass base material G / area of ​​the nozzle 19a) is set, for example, within the range of 4 or more and 50 or less. The distance between the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 and the glass base material G is preferably within the range of 0.5 cm or more and 100 cm or less, and more preferably within the range of 2 cm or more and 10 cm or less.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the support base 16 has a support portion 16a that supports the glass base material G, and a first space portion 16b and a second space portion 16c that have openings surrounded by the support portion 16a. The support portion 16a of the support base 16 has a support surface that supports the glass base material G. The first space portion 16b and the second space portion 16c are spaced apart.

[0031] The first space 16b of the support base 16 allows for thermal deformation of a portion of the glass base material G. The opening of the first space 16b in this embodiment has a circular first opening edge E1. The second space 16c of the support base 16 also allows for thermal deformation of a portion of the glass base material G. The opening of the second space 16c in this embodiment also has a circular second opening edge E2.

[0032] The shapes of the first opening edge E1 and the second opening edge E2 are not limited to circular shapes. Examples of shapes other than circular shapes include triangular shapes, polygonal shapes such as squares, and elliptical shapes. The shapes of the first opening edge E1 and the second opening edge E2 may be the same or different.

[0033] The first space 16b and the second space 16c of the support base 16 may be formed by through holes penetrating the support base 16, as in this embodiment, or by recesses having an inner bottom. Examples of materials that make up the support base 16 include metals and ceramics.

[0034] In the glass article manufacturing apparatus 14, the relative position of the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 and the support base 16 is configured to be movable. The support base 16 may be configured to be movable in directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis as shown in Figure 2. The nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 may also be configured to be movable in directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis as shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 and the support base 16 are configured to be relatively movable along the Z-axis. In this embodiment, the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 and the support base 16 are configured to be relatively movable along the X-axis.

[0035] <Method of manufacturing glass articles> The method for manufacturing the glass article 11 is to obtain a glass article 11 having a deformed portion 13 by heat-molding a glass base material G. As shown in Figure 3, the method for manufacturing the glass article 11 involves a preparation step of placing the glass base material G on a support base 16.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the method for manufacturing the glass article 11 of this embodiment is the first deformation The process comprises a step (step S11), a post-heating step (step S12), a cooling step (step S13), a pre-heating step (step S21), and a second deformation step (step S22). Each step will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 10.

[0037] Step S11-1 deformation In the process, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a first molded body G1 having a first deformed portion 13a is obtained by partially heating and molding the glass base material G using superheated steam HS1. In detail, the first step S11 deformation In the process, superheated steam HS1 is injected from the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 into a first area R1, which is part of the glass base material G. In a plan view, the first area R1 overlaps with the opening of the first space 16b of the support base 16. By heating the glass base material G in this way, the glass base material G is deformed so that it bulges into the first space 16b of the support base 16.

[0038] The area of ​​the main surface of the glass base material G is larger than the area of ​​the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15. The area of ​​the nozzle 19a refers to the area of ​​the flow path at the end face of the transfer pipe 19.

[0039] Note that the glass base material G is not limited to plate glass, but may be, for example, a rod-shaped glass. When the glass base material G is a rod-shaped glass, the length dimension of the rod-shaped glass is greater than the diameter dimension of the injection port 19a of the superheated steam generator 15. The diameter dimension of the injection port 19a refers to the maximum diameter dimension of the flow path at the end face of the transfer pipe 19.

[0040] Step S11-1 deformation The heating temperature of the glass base material G in the process is preferably within the range of T+91[°C] or higher and T+150[°C] or lower, where T[°C] is the softening point of the glass base material G. The heating temperature of the glass base material G referred to here is the temperature of the superheated steam HS1 at the position where it reaches the glass base material G.

[0041] Step S11-1 deformation The heating time in the process is preferably within the range of, for example, 2 seconds or more and 20 seconds or less. In the post-heating step of step S12, as shown in Figure 7, the first deformed portion 13a is cooled using superheated steam HS2, which is at a lower temperature than the superheated steam HS1 used in the first deformation step of step S11. More specifically, by moving the first deformed portion 13a of the first molded body G1 and the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 further apart, the first deformation step of step S11 is achieved. deformation The process is then moved to the post-heating step of step S12. In the first deformation step of step S11 described above, the distance between the glass base material G and the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 is distance D1, as shown in Figure 5. In the post-heating step of step S12, the distance between the first deformation portion 13a of the first molded body G1 and the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 is distance D2, satisfying the relationship "D2 > D1". Thus, in the post-heating step, the superheated steam HS injected from the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 becomes superheated steam HS2 at a distance D2, which is at a lower temperature than the superheated steam HS1 used in the first deformation step of step S11. Preferably, the distance D2 is within the range of distance D1 × 1.2 or more and distance D1 × 10 or less.

[0042] In the post-heating step S12, it is preferable to cool the first molded body G1 to a temperature within the range of T-30[°C] or higher and T+90[°C] or lower, where T[°C] is the softening point of the glass base material G. The duration of the post-heating step S12 is preferably, for example, within the range of 10 seconds or more and 100 seconds or less.

[0043] In the cooling step S13, as shown in Figure 8, the first deformed portion 13a is cooled by natural cooling. More specifically, the injection of superheated steam HS1 into the first deformed portion 13a of the first molded body G1 is stopped. In this embodiment, the cooling step S13 is started by moving the injection port 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 to a position where superheated steam HS1 is not injected into the first deformed portion 13a. Alternatively, the cooling step S13 can also be started by moving the first molded body G1 to a position where superheated steam HS1 is not injected into the first deformed portion 13a.

[0044] In the preheating step S21, as shown in Figure 8, the deformation portion G1a of the first molded body G1 that is to be deformed in the second deformation step S22 is preheated. In the preheating step S21, the deformation portion G1a is preheated using superheated steam HS2, which is at a lower temperature than the superheated steam HS1 used in the second deformation step S22. In the preheating step S21, the distance between the deformation portion G1a of the first molded body G1 and the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 is distance D2. The preheating step S21 is performed during the cooling step S13.

[0045] In the preheating step S21, the heating temperature of the first molded body G1 is preferably within the range of T-30[°C] or higher and T+90[°C] or lower, where T[°C] is the softening point of the glass base material G. The heating time in the preheating step S21 is preferably within the range of, for example, 10 seconds or more and 100 seconds or less.

[0046] In the second deformation step of step S22, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the first molded body G1 is partially heated and molded using superheated steam HS1 to obtain a second molded body G2 having a second deformation portion 13b. More specifically, the process is transitioned from the preheating step of step S21 to the second deformation step of step S22 by bringing the deformation portion G1a of the first molded body G1 closer to the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15. In the second deformation step of step S22, the distance between the first molded body G1 and the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 is the distance D1 shown in Figure 9. That is, the process is transitioned from the preheating step of step S21 to the second deformation step of step S22 by changing the distance between the first molded body G1 and the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 from the distance D2 shown in Figure 8 to the distance D1 shown in Figure 9.

[0047] In the second deformation step of step S22, superheated steam HS1 is injected from the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 into a second area R2, which is part of the glass base material G. In a plan view, the second area R2 overlaps with the opening of the second space 16c of the support base 16. By heating the glass base material G in this way, the glass base material G is deformed to bulge into the second space 16c of the support base 16.

[0048] In the second deformation step of step S22, the heating temperature of the first molded body G1 is preferably within the range of T+91[°C] or more and T+150[°C] or less, where T[°C] is the softening point of the glass base material G. Here, the heating temperature of the first molded body G1 is the temperature of the superheated steam HS1 at the position where it reaches the first molded body G1. The heating time in the second deformation step of step S22 is preferably within the range of, for example, 2 seconds or more and 20 seconds or less.

[0049] The second deformation step in step S22 is also performed during the cooling step in step S13. The second molded body G2 in this embodiment is the glass article 11 described above. <Mechanism and Effects> Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0050] (1) The method for manufacturing the glass article 11 comprises a first deformation step in step S11 and a second deformation step in step S22. In the first deformation step in step S11, a first molded body G1 having a first deformation portion 13a is obtained by partially heating and molding the glass base material G using superheated steam HS1. In the second deformation step in step S22, a second molded body G2 having a second deformation portion 13b is obtained by partially heating and molding the first molded body G1 using superheated steam HS1.

[0051] In this method, the first deformation step in step S11 and the second deformation step in step S22 sequentially perform the heat molding of the first deformation portion 13a and the second deformation portion 13b. This makes it easy to stabilize the shapes of the first deformation portion 13a and the second deformation portion 13b of the glass article 11.

[0052] For example, in a deformation process in which superheated steam HS1 is injected towards the central part of the glass base material G to simultaneously heat-form the first deformation part 13a and the second deformation part 13b, the uniformity of the heating temperature of the parts to be deformed tends to decrease. In this case, for example, it becomes difficult to bring the shape of the first deformation part 13a or the shape of the second deformation part 13b closer to the target shape.

[0053] (2) The manufacturing method of the glass article 11 includes a post-heating step (step S12) in which the first deformed portion 13a is cooled as a pre-step to the second deformation step in step S22. In this case, it is possible to suppress excessive deformation of the first deformed portion 13a, which was heat-molded in the first deformation step in step S11, during the second deformation step in step S22. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the shape of the first deformed portion 13a and the second deformed portion 13b of the glass article 11. Furthermore, in the post-heating step in step S12, it is possible to suppress the overall temperature of the first molded body G1 from dropping too much compared to the case in which the first deformed portion 13a is cooled without heating the first deformed portion 13a. This allows, for example, the second deformation step in step S22 to be carried out smoothly.

[0054] (3) The method for manufacturing the glass article 11 further comprises the preheating step S21. The preheating step S21 preheats the deformation portion G1a of the first molded body G1 that is to be deformed in the second deformation step S22. The preheating step S21 uses superheated steam HS2 which is at a lower temperature than the superheated steam HS1 used in the second deformation step S22.

[0055] In this case, the preheating step S21 makes it possible to equalize the temperature of the deformation portion G1a in the first molded body G1. This makes it possible to stabilize the shape of the second deformation portion 13b that is heat-molded into the first molded body G1 in the second deformation step S22.

[0056] (4) In the method for manufacturing the glass article 11, the preheating step in step S21 is performed continuously with the postheating step in step S12. In this case, the glass article 11 can be manufactured efficiently.

[0057] (5) In the method for manufacturing the glass article 11, the process is moved from the preheating step S21 to the second deformation step S22 by bringing the first molded body G1 and the nozzle 19a from which superheated steam HS is injected in the superheated steam generator 15 closer together. In this case, the process can be easily moved from the preheating step S21 to the second deformation step S22. Therefore, the glass article 11 can be manufactured efficiently.

[0058] (6) In the post-heating step of step S12 in the manufacturing method of the glass article 11, the first deformed part 13a is cooled using superheated steam HS2 which is at a lower temperature than the superheated steam HS1 used in the first deformation step of step S11. Thus, the post-heating step of step S12 can be carried out using superheated steam HS2.

[0059] (7) In the method for manufacturing the glass article 11, the first molded body G1 and the nozzle 19a from which superheated steam HS is injected in the superheated steam generator 15 are separated, thereby allowing the process to transition from the first deformation step in step S11 to the post-heating step in step S12. In this case, the process can be easily transitioned from the first deformation step in step S11 to the post-heating step in step S12. Therefore, the glass article 11 can be manufactured efficiently.

[0060] <Example of changes> The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0061] The first deformed portion 13a and the second deformed portion 13b of the glass article 11 are convex portions, but they may also be bent portions formed by bending both ends of the glass base material G, for example. In the manufacturing method of the glass article 11, other steps, such as a preheating step, may be performed before the first deformation step of step S11.

[0062] In the manufacturing method of the glass article 11, the post-heating step of step S12 and the cooling step of step S13, which are steps prior to the second deformation step of step S22, may be omitted. That is, the manufacturing method of the glass article 11 may be omitted from the first deformation step of step S11. deformation After the process, the second step S22 deformation You may continue with the process.

[0063] In the method for manufacturing the glass article 11, the postheating step in step S12 may be omitted. That is, in the method for manufacturing the glass article 11, the first step in S12 deformation After the process, the post-heating step S12 may be omitted, and instead, for example, the cooling step S13 and the pre-heating step S21 may be performed.

[0064] • In the manufacturing method of the glass article 11, step S22 second deformation The cooling step in step S13 and the preheating step in step S21, which are preceding steps in the process, may be omitted. That is, in the method for manufacturing the glass article 11, after the postheating step in step S12, the cooling step in step S13 and the preheating step in step S21 may be omitted, and the second step in step S22 is performed. deformation The process may be carried out.

[0065] In the manufacturing method of the glass article 11 described above, the process is moved from the preheating step S21 to the second deformation step S22 by bringing the first molded body G1 closer to the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15, but the method is not limited to this. For example, the process can also be moved from the preheating step S21 to the second deformation step S22 by changing the temperature of the superheated steam HS injected from the nozzle 19a using the superheated steam generator 15, without changing the distance between the first molded body G1 and the nozzle 19a.

[0066] In the manufacturing method of the glass article 11 described above, the distance between the first molded body G1 and the nozzle 19a of the superheated steam generator 15 is increased, in step S11 deformation The process is shown as transitioning to the post-heating process in step S12, but is not limited to this. For example, by changing the temperature of the superheated steam HS injected from the nozzle 19a by the superheated steam generator 15 without changing the distance between the first molded body G1 and the nozzle 19a, the first process in step S11 is performed. deformation The process can also be transitioned to the post-heating step S12. Furthermore, the post-heating step S12 can be performed using other heating means, such as a burner, instead of superheated steam.

[0067] The glass article 11 may have three or more deformed parts 13. In this case, the method for manufacturing the glass article 11 may include a third deformation step in addition to the first and second deformation steps. The third deformation step is a step of obtaining a third molded body having a third deformed part by partially heating the second molded body G2 with superheated steam HS1.

[0068] The number of first deformation portions 13a in the glass article 11 may be one or more. That is, the first deformation step in the manufacturing method of the glass article 11 may be a step to obtain a first molded body having a plurality of first deformation portions.

[0069] The number of second deformation portions 13b in the glass article 11 may be one or more. That is, the second deformation step in the manufacturing method of the glass article 11 may be a step to obtain a second molded body having a plurality of second deformation portions.

[0070] The support base 16 in the glass article manufacturing apparatus 14 may also function as a mold. That is, the support surface of the support base 16 may be changed to, for example, a concave molding surface, and the glass article 11 may be formed by bringing the glass base material G into close contact with that molding surface.

[0071] <Prototype Example> Next, I will explain a prototype example. (Prototype Example 1) In prototype example 1, a square-shaped glass base material with a side length of 70 mm was prepared. The support base is made of ceramics. The support base is square in plan view, and the side length of the support portion of the support base is 100 mm. The first and second spaces of the support base are on the line connecting the centers of a pair of opposing first sides of the glass base material in plan view, and are positioned 10 mm inward from the pair of first sides. The diameter of the nozzle of the superheated steam generator is 30 mm.

[0072] In prototype example 1, step S11 is the first deformation Glass articles were manufactured by performing the following steps: the post-heating step in step S12, the cooling step in step S13, the pre-heating step in step S21, and the second deformation step in step S22.

[0073] Step S11, the first deformation step and Step S21, the second deformation In the process, the above distance D1 was set to 30 mm. The first deformation process in step S11 and the second deformation process in step S21 deformation The process was carried out for 3 seconds at a temperature of 110°C + the softening point T[°C] of the glass base material.

[0074] The post-heating step S12 was performed for 20 seconds at a temperature of the softening point T[°C] of the glass base material + 85°C, with the above-mentioned distance D2 set to 60 mm. The preheating step S21 was performed for 20 seconds at a temperature of the softening point T[°C] of the glass base material + 85°C, with the distance D2 set to 60 mm. The preheating step S21 was performed during the cooling step S13.

[0075] (Prototype example 2) In prototype example 2, the same glass base material as in prototype example 1 was prepared, and one time deformation Glass articles were manufactured through the process. Prototype Example 2 deformation The process involved injecting superheated steam towards the center of the glass base material. deformation The process involved setting the distance between the glass base material and the nozzle of the superheated steam generator to 30 mm, and performing the process for 5 seconds at a temperature of T[°C] + 110°C, which is the softening point of the glass base material.

[0076] (result) For the glass article obtained in Prototype Example 1, the first ratio was determined, which is the ratio of the diameter of the first deformed part to the height of the first deformed part, with the height of the first deformed part set to 1. Similarly, the second ratio was determined, which is the ratio of the diameter of the second deformed part to the height of the second deformed part, with the height of the second deformed part set to 1. In Prototype Example 1, the difference between the first ratio and the second ratio was 0.05.

[0077] For the glass articles obtained in Prototype Example 2, the difference between the first and second ratios was calculated in the same way as in Prototype Example 1. The difference between the first and second ratios in Prototype Example 2 was 1.19. From these results, it can be seen that in prototype example 1, the shape of the first deformation part and the shape of the second deformation part can be made closer than in prototype example 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 11…Glassware 13…Deformed part 13a...First deformation section 13b...Second deformation section 15…Superheated steam generator 19a...Injection port G... Glass base material G1…First molded body G1a... Transformation planned part G2…Second molded body HS, HS1, HS2… Superheated steam

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a glass article having a deformed portion by heat-molding a glass base material, A first deformation step is to obtain a first molded body having a first deformation portion by partially heating and molding the glass base material using superheated steam, The process includes a second deformation step of obtaining a second molded body having a second deformation portion by partially heating and molding the first molded body using superheated steam, A method for manufacturing a glass article, further comprising a post-heating step of lowering the temperature of the first deformed portion as a step prior to the second deformation step.

2. A method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 1, further comprising a preheating step of preheating a portion of the first molded article that is to be deformed in the second deformation step using superheated steam at a lower temperature than the superheated steam used in the second deformation step.

3. The method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 2, wherein the preheating step is performed continuously with the postheating step.

4. A method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 2, wherein the first molded body is brought closer to the nozzle for injecting the superheated steam in the superheated steam generator, thereby transitioning from the preheating step to the second deformation step.

5. The method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 2, wherein in the preheating step, when the softening point of the glass base material is T [°C], the portion of the first molded body to be deformed is heated at a heating temperature within the range of T - 30 [°C] or higher and T + 90 [°C] or lower.

6. The method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 1, wherein the post-heating step includes a step of lowering the temperature of the first deformed portion using superheated steam at a lower temperature than the superheated steam used in the first deformation step.

7. A method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 6, wherein the first molded body and the nozzle for injecting the superheated steam in the superheated steam generator are separated to transition from the first deformation step to the post-heating step using the low-temperature superheated steam.

8. A method for manufacturing a glass article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the glass base material is a plate glass, and the area of ​​the main surface of the plate glass is larger than the area of ​​the nozzle for injecting the superheated steam in the superheated steam generator.

9. The method for manufacturing a glass article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first deformed portion and the second deformed portion are each convex portions.

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