Glass Spool Support Frame With Sealed Clean Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storing and transporting spools of glass in a clean environment is expensive and risky, as it can lead to damage and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A glass support apparatus with a frame and closure that forms an airtight seal, featuring tapered surfaces and a shaft through the spool to stabilize and protect the glass during transport, while maintaining a clean environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If spools of glass are stored and transported in a clean environment, then contamination is prevented, but cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the clean room environment into a contained interior space within the support apparatus. The frame with closure creates a segmented protected zone that can be transported independently, allowing spools to be loaded in a clean environment and then moved without requiring continuous clean room conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from requiring a large clean room environment to using a compact, portable support apparatus with closure. This dimensional change allows the clean environment to be contained within a transportable structure that can move between locations without requiring infrastructure at each destination.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If spools of glass are stored and transported in a clean environment, then contamination is prevented, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support apparatus creates a segmented protected environment that can be transported and reused. This eliminates the need for expensive clean room facilities at each location, reducing overall cost while maintaining protection from contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The support apparatus provides a cost-effective alternative to expensive clean room infrastructure. By using a portable, reusable container rather than maintaining permanent clean room facilities, the system reduces cost while providing adequate protection.
3Ease of operation
If spools of glass are transported without a protective apparatus, then ease of transport is improved, but damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support apparatus merges multiple protective functions into a single integrated structure. The frame, closure, and interior space work together to provide both protection from damage and containment of the clean environment, simplifying transport while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame and closure structure provides beforehand protection for the spools during transport. The rigid frame prevents physical damage, while the closure maintains the clean environment, ensuring protection is in place before any damage or contamination can occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A glass support apparatus (203) includes a frame including a plurality of walls defining an interior space extending along a frame axis. The glass support apparatus includes a first surface (227) positioned within the interior space and a second surface (229) positioned within the interior space and spaced apart from the first surface. The first surface and the second surface are non-parallel and converging. The glass support apparatus includes a closure (213) attached to one or more of the plurality of walls. The closure moves between an opened position, in which the interior space is in fluid communication with an exterior of the frame, and a closed position. Methods of porting a spool of glass are provided.