Selective Glass Coating via Localized Titanate Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glass container surface treatment methods, such as HEC and CEC, cannot selectively apply protective coatings to specific areas, leading to unnecessary coating on entire surfaces, resulting in issues like iridescence and yellow discoloration, and are energy-intensive and costly.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the application of a liquid organo-titanate compound to specific areas of a glass container followed by selective heat-treatment to form a titanium oxide coating, allowing precise abrasion resistance enhancement without coating the entire surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If HEC treatment is used to apply protective coating on the whole surface of glass container, then abrasion resistance is improved, but energy consumption and cost increase due to coating entire surface unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies protective coating selectively only to specific areas of the glass container surface that are most susceptible to abrasion, such as the lower portions that contact other containers during storage and transport. This local application approach maintains abrasion resistance where needed while avoiding unnecessary coating on the entire surface, thereby reducing energy consumption and material costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the glass container surface into different zones based on their abrasion risk. The lower portions requiring protection are segmented from the upper portions that do not need coating. This segmentation allows the coating process to target only the necessary areas, optimizing both protection effectiveness and resource efficiency.
2Strength
If HEC treatment is used to apply protective coating on the whole surface of glass container, then abrasion resistance is improved, but iridescence and yellow discoloration occur on coated surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
By applying the protective coating only to specific lower portions of the glass container rather than the entire surface, the patent minimizes the total coated area. This reduces the likelihood and visual impact of iridescence and yellow discoloration phenomena while still providing necessary abrasion protection to the most vulnerable areas.
3Strength
If HEC treatment is used to apply protective coating on the whole surface of glass container, then abrasion resistance is improved, but coating application cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective coating only on the lower portions of glass containers that are most prone to abrasion during handling and storage. This localized approach significantly reduces the quantity of coating material required compared to full-surface coating, while still providing effective protection where it is most needed, thereby lowering material costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying coating to the entire surface (excessive action), the patent applies coating only to the necessary lower portions (partial action). This partial application is sufficient to provide the required abrasion resistance without wasting coating material on areas that do not require protection.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If selective coating is applied to pre-determinable parts of glass container surface, then coating material and energy consumption are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a mask or screen as an intermediary tool during the coating process. This mask selectively blocks certain areas of the glass container while allowing coating application to the lower portions. The mask serves as a simple mediator that enables selective coating without requiring complex automated positioning systems or multiple coating stations, thus managing manufacturing complexity effectively.
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
This process increases abrasion resistance, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes iridescence and discoloration issues, providing a durable and aesthetically pleasing coating that lasts through repeated washings.
Implementation Method 1
the surface of the glass container is exposed to vapours of the above compounds which, in contact with the hot surface of the glass, pyrolize and react with the surface forming a film of chemically bound tin or titanium oxide
Implementation Method 2
pyrolize and react with the surface forming a film of chemically bound tin or titanium oxide
Implementation Method 3
a) applying a liquid composition comprising an organo-titanate compound on a pre-determinable part of an annealed glass container surface by spraying at room temperature; b) selectively heat-treating the surface on which the liquid composition of step a) has been applied at a temperature between the glass annealing temperature and glass softening temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for increasing the abrasion resistance of a pre-determinable part of the surface of an annealed glass container comprising the following operative phases: a) applying a liquid composition comprising an organo-titanate compound on a pre-determinable part of the annealed glass container surface by spraying at room temperature; b) selectively heat-treating the surface on which the liquid composition of step a) has been applied at a temperature between the glass annealing temperature and glass softening temperature, said selective heat treatment resulting in the formation of a titanium oxide coating layer on said surface. The present invention also relates to the use of a liquid composition comprising tetraisopropyl-titanate dissolved in isopropyl alcohol with a concentration of titanium ranging from 0.05% to 3% by weight with respect to the overall weight of the composition in a process for increasing the abrasion resistance of a pre-determinable part of the surface of a glass container.