Radially Movable Marking Punch for Internal Glass Pattern Imprinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manufacturing hollow glass articles do not effectively allow for the creation of personalized decorations in relief or hollow patterns inside the glass, which are independent of the article's shape and can include optical effects, particularly in the perfumery and cosmetics industry for branding purposes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a device with a punch having a radially movable marking portion that can transition between retracted and projecting positions, using a frustoconical part with a groove and tenon to imprint patterns on the inner face of the glass article during its formation, allowing for the creation of relief and hollow patterns inside the glass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional punch is used to form the glass article, then the article can be formed efficiently, but internal patterns cannot be imprinted on the inner face
Solution Approach 1:
The punch is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion for forming the glass article and a separate marking portion with radial movement capability. This segmentation allows the punch to perform both forming and pattern imprinting functions independently, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple forming operations and adding pattern imprinting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking portion is made radially movable relative to the punch axis, transitioning between retracted and protruding positions. This dynamic capability allows the marking portion to engage with the glass inner face for pattern imprinting while remaining retracted during standard forming operations, thus adding versatility without permanently increasing device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the marking portion is always in the protruding position, then patterns can be imprinted, but the glass article geometry may be deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The marking portion's radial position is dynamically controlled, being protruding only when pattern imprinting is required and retracted otherwise. This dynamic positioning ensures patterns are imprinted with high precision while preventing unwanted deformation of the glass article geometry during forming and ejection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking portion operates periodically, extending to imprint patterns at specific stages of the forming process when the glass is at appropriate temperature and rigidity, then retracting to avoid interference with other forming operations. This periodic action ensures pattern quality while maintaining correct article geometry.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the marking portion is fixed, then the device is simpler, but the patterns cannot be applied to the inner face of the article
Solution Approach 1:
The punch is segmented into a fixed body portion and a movable marking portion, allowing the marking function to be added without complicating the entire punch structure. The marking portion can be independently actuated radially, providing the needed adaptability for inner face pattern application while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially movable marking portion acts as an intermediary element between the punch and the glass inner face. It can engage with the glass surface to transfer patterns when needed, then disengage to allow standard forming operations, thus enabling pattern application without permanently increasing device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If external patterns are used on the glass article, then personalization is achieved, but the brand identity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of imprinting patterns on the external surface of the glass article, the invention inverts the approach by imprinting patterns on the inner face. This allows brand personalization and identification while leaving the external geometry clean and unaltered, thus achieving branding capability without compromising external shape integrity.
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
Enables the production of hollow glass articles with customizable internal patterns that can enhance branding and product recognition without altering the glass article's external shape or geometry, ensuring high-quality and non-deforming patterns.
Implementation Method 1
during the final forming stage of the item in the finishing mold, become imprinted on the outer surface of the glass item due to the malleability of the glass
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The device for manufacturing a hollow glass article (1), comprises a mold (9), and a plunger (20) that is movable between a passive position outside of the mold and an active position inside the mold. The glass article defines a container that comprises an opening, a bottom (5) opposite to the opening and a side wall (6) delimited by an outer face (7) and an inner face (8). The plunger: includes a marking portion (25) that is provided with a raised or recessed pattern; and is radially movable, by an actuation device, between a retracted position and a protruding position. The device for manufacturing a hollow glass article (1), comprises a mold (9), and a plunger (20) that is movable between a passive position outside of the mold and an active position inside the mold. The glass article defines a container that comprises an opening, a bottom (5) opposite to the opening and a side wall (6) delimited by an outer face (7) and an inner face (8). The plunger: includes a marking portion (25) that is provided with a raised or recessed pattern; is radially movable, by an actuation device, between a retracted position and a protruding position applied against the inner face of the side wall to imprint the raised or recessed pattern; and is formed by a hollow part. The mold is a blank mold and a finishing mold. The actuation device comprises a piston movable inside the plunger positioned along an axis of the article and movable, by a controller, between a first position in which the marking portion is present in the retracted position and a second position in which the marking portion is present in the protruding position. The piston comprises a frustoconical portion provided with a groove cooperating with a pin that is integral with the marking portion. The groove has a slope directed towards a center of the bottom of the article. Independent claims are included for: (1) a process for fabricating a hollow glass article; and (2) a hollow glass article.