Multiple Gob Feeder Layout for Uniform Glass Gob Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glass gob feeders result in non-uniform temperature distribution of glass gobs due to the use of lubricants and complex delivery equipment, leading to undesirable variations in glass container wall thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
A multiple gob feeder system with laterally spaced feeder orifices and blank molds, eliminating intermediate delivery equipment, and utilizing split induction-heated orifices with interchangeable tip sleeves to maintain uniform temperature distribution and prevent gob freezing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional delivery equipment with lubricants is used, then gobs can be transported to molds, but temperature distribution becomes non-uniform causing variable wall thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate delivery equipment (scoops, troughs, deflectors) from the system entirely. Gobs fall directly from the feeder orifices into the blank molds through a vertical alignment, eliminating the lubricated delivery path that caused temperature non-uniformity and variable wall thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the delivery function with the molding function by aligning the feeder orifices directly above the blank molds. This integration eliminates the need for separate delivery equipment and ensures gobs are deposited directly into the mold cavity, maintaining uniform temperature distribution.
2Ease of operation
If intermediate delivery equipment is used, then gobs can be moved to molds, but device complexity increases with scoops, troughs, and deflectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the complex arrangement of scoops, troughs, and deflectors by establishing a direct vertical alignment between the feeder orifices and blank molds. Gobs fall gravitationally through the aligned orifices directly into the molds, removing the need for intermediate delivery mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the feeding system into multiple independent orifices that are laterally spaced apart, with each orifice aligned with a corresponding blank mold. This segmentation allows direct feeding to multiple molds simultaneously without requiring complex interconnected delivery equipment.
3Ease of operation
If lubricants are used in delivery equipment, then gob movement is facilitated, but temperature distribution varies leading to non-uniform wall thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes lubricants from the system by eliminating the lubricated delivery equipment. Gobs are transported through the air gap between the feeder orifices and blank molds, falling vertically under gravity without contacting any lubricated surfaces, thereby maintaining uniform temperature distribution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex delivery equipment with varying lengths and configurations is used, then proximity to different IS machine sections is accommodated, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to temperature variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feeding system into multiple independently controlled orifices, each aligned with a specific blank mold. This segmentation allows the system to serve multiple IS machine sections with different configurations while maintaining precise temperature control for each gob individually, eliminating the temperature variation problem of unified delivery equipment.
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 of glass gobs, allowing for the production of thinner-walled, lighter-weight glass containers by directly loading gobs into blank molds without intermediate equipment, thus reducing height requirements and minimizing gob diameter reduction.
Implementation Method 1
The feeder orifices include orifice pipes including orifice pipe sleeves and orifice pipe heaters to heat the orifice pipes. The feeder orifices also include orifice tips including orifice tip sleeves and orifice tip heaters to heat the orifice tips.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of loading glass gobs into blank molds includes producing glass gobs falling from laterally spaced orifices along falling gob axes, and receiving the glass gobs into laterally spaced blank molds having blank mold centerlines corresponding to the falling gob axes. A related system is disclosed. Also disclosed is a multiple gob feeder that includes a feeder vessel including outlets with outlet centerlines, and feeder orifices in communication with the feeder vessel and having orifice centerlines coaxial with the outlet centerlines of the outlets of the feeder vessel and establishing gob falling axes and including orifice pipes and orifice tips below the orifice pipes. The orifice pipes include heaters to heat the orifice pipes and the orifice tips include orifice tip heaters to heat the orifice tips.