Direct Glass Gob Loading with Traversable Blank Mold Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glass container manufacturing processes using gob feeders result in non-uniform temperature distribution of glass gobs due to messy and complex delivery equipment, leading to uneven wall thickness and the need for thicker containers to compensate for variations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for directly loading glass gobs into blank molds without intervening delivery equipment like scoops and deflectors, utilizing a gob shaping funnel to maintain gob trajectory and a traversable blank side mechanism for precise alignment and loading, supported by a sensor subsystem and controller for autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional delivery equipment (scoops, troughs, deflectors) is used to transport glass gobs from the gob feeder to the blank mold, then the glass gobs can be delivered to the molding position, but the temperature distribution of the glass gobs becomes non-uniform and wall thickness becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex delivery equipment (scoops, troughs, deflectors) from the system entirely. Instead, glass gobs are delivered directly from the gob feeder to the blank mold through a simplified path, eliminating the source of temperature non-uniformity and wall thickness variation while maintaining effective gob transport
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the molding system into independently controllable segments: the gob feeder operates independently to deliver gobs, the blank mold with traversable blank side moves independently to receive gobs, and each can be precisely controlled separately. This segmentation allows direct loading without complex intermediate delivery mechanisms
2Ease of manufacture
If complex delivery equipment with multiple components is used to transport glass gobs, then gob delivery can be achieved, but the system requires messy lubricants and prolonged contact between gobs and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex delivery equipment structure that required lubrication and maintenance. By eliminating scoops, troughs, and deflectors, the system achieves direct gob delivery without messy lubricants or prolonged equipment contact, significantly simplifying maintenance requirements
3Manufacturing precision
If the blank side is stationary relative to the falling gob axis, then the structure is simpler, but precise alignment between the gob and blank mold becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the blank side dynamic by introducing a traversable blank side mechanism that can move along the falling gob axis and laterally. This dynamic positioning capability allows precise alignment between the falling glass gob and the blank mold opening, achieving accurate gob loading while maintaining relatively simple overall structure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves uniform temperature distribution and reduced contact deformation, enabling the production of thinner-walled, lighter-weight glass containers with improved precision and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
producing a falling glass gob along a falling gob axis
Data Source
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AI summary
A glass forming individual section machine (14) includes a machine frame (20) having a glass gob loading axis (Z'), a traversable blank side (24), including a blank mold (14a) configured to form a glass gob (G) into a parison and having a blank mold vertical axis (Vi), and a mold carriage (26) movably carried on the machine frame and coupled to the traversable blank side to linearly translate the traversable blank side toward the glass gob loading axis to align the blank mold vertical axis with the glass gob loading axis and to linearly translate the traversable blank side away from the glass gob loading axis. A related method of loading a blank mold of an individual section machine is also disclosed.