AU2018293972B2

AU2018293972B2 - Mold release lubricant application device for rough mold for glass bottle manufacturing, mold release lubricant application method for rough mold for glass bottle manufacturing, device for manufacturing glass bottles, and method for manufacturing glass bottles

Info

Publication number: AU2018293972B2
Application number: AU2018293972A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shota ISHIGURO; Ryusuke KAWAHARA; Hiroyuki Maeda; Hiroshi Nakajima; Kunikazu Ohnishi
Original assignee: Nihon Yamamura Glass Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nihon Yamamura Glass Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-06-28
Filing date: 2018-06-05
Publication date: 2020-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-05
Also published as: PH12020500018A1; KR102103714B1; JP2019006654A; JP6277308B1; TW201906793A; CN110709358B; WO2019003828A1; CN110709358A; AU2018293972A1; KR20200014432A; TWI658017B

Abstract

The present invention provides: a mold release lubricant application device which is for a rough mold for glass bottle manufacturing and in which a change in the wall thickness of a glass bottle skirt part is reduced after applying a mold release lubricant; a mold release lubricant application method for a rough mold for glass bottle manufacturing; a device for manufacturing glass bottles; and a method for manufacturing glass bottles. In this mold release lubricant application device 5 for a rough mold for glass bottle manufacturing, a mold release lubricant is applied to a first region 41 set on a mold opening 11 side on the inner surface of a rough mold 10, and a second region 42 set at a location further away from the mold opening 11 than the first region 41, so that a mold release lubricant film thickness T1 in the first region 41 is greater than a mold release lubricant film thickness T2 (including zero) in the second region 42.

Description

DESCRIPTION APPLICATION EQUIPMENT FOR APPLYING MOLD RELEASE LUBRICANT TO BLANK MOLD FOR MANUFACTURING GLASS BOTTLE, METHOD FOR APPLYING MOLD RELEASE LUBRICANT TO BLANK MOLD FOR MANUFACTURING GLASS BOTTLE, GLASS BOTTLE MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT, AND GLASS BOTTLE MANUFACTURING METHOD

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an application equipment for applying a mold

release lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle, a method for applying

a mold release lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle, a glass bottle

manufacturing equipment and a glass bottle manufacturing method.

BackgroundArt

[0002] Normally, a gob (a high-temperature glass mass in a melted state) is loaded into

a mold, and the gob is inflated with compressed air or pressed to mold a prison, which

is further inflated with compressed air to ultimately mold a glass bottle. Normally,

mold release lubricant is applied to the mold (e.g., see Patent Document 1). This

lubricant is applied to a mold inner surface for the purpose of making it easier to release

the parison from the mold (ensuring mold releasability), and for the purpose of ensuring

slipperiness between the mold and gob. However, the lubricant needs to be applied to

the mold inner surface periodically, for example about every several tens of minutes, in

order to prevent reduction of the releasability and the slipperiness.

[0003] A mold forming of hollow glass product disclosed in Patent Document 1 has two

mold portions. Also, a configuration is disclosed in which a uniform oil coating is formed by a movable blow pipe on the entire inner surface defining the cavity of the mold when in a closed position in which two mold portions are mutually closed.

Citation List

Patent Document

[0004] Patent Document 1: JP 2009-538818A

Disclosure of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, if the lubricant is applied to the entire inner surface defining the

cavity, the thickness of a glass bottle heel part, for example, is more likely to change due

to a decrease in adhesion between the mold and the prison.

[0006] In view of the foregoing problem, the invention of the present application aims

to provide an application equipment for applying a mold release lubricant to a blank

mold for manufacturing a glass bottle, a method for applying the lubricant to a blank

mold for manufacturing a glass bottle, a glass bottle manufacturing equipment and a

glass bottle manufacturing method, according to which it is possible to ensure a glass

bottle with less change in thickness.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] As a result of intensive study, the inventor of the present application found that

applying the lubricant to the entire inner surface of a blank mold for manufacturing a

glass bottle is not necessarily optimal for forming a glass bottle and completed the

invention of the present application.

[0008] (1) In order to solve the above-described problem, an application equipment for applying a mold release lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle according to an aspect of the present invention is configured to apply the lubricant to a first region set on a finish area of an inner surface of the blank mold, and a second region set to a location further away from the finish mold than the first region is, such that a mold release lubricant coating thickness in the first region is thicker than the coating thickness (which can be zero) in the second region.

[0009] According to this configuration, the first region set on the finish area is a region

on the blank mold inner surface that, when a gob is loaded, comes into contact while

rubbing against the gob, for example, and thus requires slipperiness. For this reason,

it is essential that the lubricant is applied thereto. On the other hand, the second

region is set at a location that is further from the finish mold than the first region is, and

therefore does not come into contact with the gob when the gob is loaded. For this

reason, in the second region, there is little need for the lubricant to be applied in order

to ensure slipperiness between the blank mold and the gob. By setting the coating

thickness of the lubricant in the second region to be thinner than the coating thickness

of the lubricant in the first region as with this configuration, it is possible to reduce

change in the thickness of the bottle heel part.

[0010] (2) The second region may include a bottle bottom area of the blank mold, and

the equipment may be configured not to apply the lubricant to the bottle bottom area.

[0011] The above-described bottle bottom area refers to a baffle-side on the inner

surface of the blank mold.

[0012] According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce change in the thickness

of the bottle heel part by suppressing a reduction in adhesion between the blank mold

and the parison at the bottle bottom area.

[0013] (3) It is preferable that a boundary between the first region and the second region is set to a position located 30% to 80% of the entire length of the blank mold inner surface from one end on the finish area of the inner surface of the blank mold.

[0014] According to this configuration, by setting the position of the boundary to the

above-described lower limit value or higher, the lubricant can be applied more reliably

to the location of the blank mold to which the lubricant needs to be sufficiently supplied

from the viewpoint of improving slipperiness. Also, by setting the position of the

boundary to the above-described upper limit value or lower, it is possible to more reliably

reduce change in the thickness of the bottle heel part.

[0015] (4) It is preferable that the application equipment is configured to apply the

lubricant to a blank mold for blow forming serving as the blank mold, and the first region

includes a region that extends toward the finish mold from a position corresponding to

a settle blow line in the blank mold for blow forming.

[0016] According to this configuration, when the compressed air presses the gob

toward the finish area in the settle blow step, the lubricant can be reliably supplied to

the location of the blank mold inner surface against which the gob is to be rubbed. On

the other hand, the coating thickness of the lubricant at a location of the blank mold

inner surface that has a low likelihood of being rubbed against by the gob in the settle

blow step can be set to zero, or to a value that is lower than the coating thickness of the

first region. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce change in the thickness at the bottle

heel part.

[0017] (5) It is preferable that the application equipment is configured to apply the

lubricant to a blank mold for press forming serving as the blank mold, and a region of

the blank mold for press forming that comes into contact while rubbing against a gob

when the gob is loaded in the blank mold for press forming is set as the first region.

[0018] According to this configuration, sufficient lubricant can be supplied to the first region, which requires slipperiness since the gob rubs against it.

[0019] (6) It is preferable that the application equipment further includes: an

application portion configured to apply the lubricant to the blank mold; and a control

unit configured to control operation of the application portion.

[0020] According to this configuration, the control unit can control the actual lubricant

coating thickness by controlling the application portion.

[0021] (7) It is preferable that the application portion is configured to have its position

changed with respect to the blank mold by a position changing mechanism, and the

control unit includes a control portion configured to control operation of the position

changing mechanism and an amount of supply of the lubricant to the application portion.

[0022] According to this configuration, the control unit can supply the lubricant to the

application portion to the blank mold while changing the position of the application

portion by making a position changing mechanism operate. Accordingly, the actual

lubricant coating thicknesses at the portions of the inner surface of the blank mold can

be controlled.

[0023] (8) It is preferable that the application portion is controlled by the control unit

so as to start spraying the lubricant at a position located at one of a boundary between

the first region and the second region, and one end on the finish area of the blank mold

inner surface, and so as to spray the lubricant while changing position toward the other

boundary or the one end.

[0024] According to this configuration, for example, if the application portion is to

spray the lubricant while changing position toward the finish mold from the boundary

between the first region and the second region, it is possible to more reliably prevent

attachment of unneeded lubricant on the second region. Also, if the application portion

sprays the lubricant while changing position from the finish mold toward the boundary between the first region and the second region, a clearer coating thickness difference is likely to be realized at the boundary between the first region and the second region.

[0025] (9) The application portion may be configured to spray the lubricant from the

boundary between the first region and the second region to the one end on the finish

area of the blank mold inner surface and thereafter stop spraying the lubricant without

spraying the lubricant to the finish mold.

[0026] According to this configuration, the lubricant can be prevented from being

applied to the finish mold.

[0027] (10) The application portion may be configured to spray the lubricant from the

area of the blank mold inner surface and thereafter, while keeping the spraying of the

lubricant constant, spray a top surface of the finish mold as a pair of split molds of the

blank mold is opened, and furthermore proceed inside the finish mold and spray the

finish mold inner surface.

[0028] According to this configuration, the lubricant can be applied to the blank mold

and the finish mold while keeping the state in which the lubricant is sprayed from the

application portion stable.

[0029] (11) The application portion may be configured to spray the lubricant from the

area of the blank mold inner surface, thereafter temporarily stop spraying the lubricant,

and thereafter proceed inside the finish mold as the pair of split molds of the blank mold

is opened and spray an inner surface of the finish mold and then a top surface of the

finish mold.

[0030] According to this configuration, the application portion can apply the lubricant

to a wide region on the top surface of the finish mold. As a result, the slidability (ease of sliding) between the blank mold and the finish mold can be furtherimproved.

[0031] (12) In order to solve the above-described problem, in a method for applying the

lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle according to an aspect of the

present invention, the lubricant is applied to a first region set on a finish area of an inner

surface of a blank mold, and a second region set to a location further away from the

finish mold than the first region is, such that a mold release lubricant coating thickness

in the first region is thicker than the coating thickness (which can be zero) in the second

region.

[0032] (13) Also, in order to solve the above-described problem, a glass bottle

manufacturing equipment according to an aspect of the present invention includes the

above-described equipment for applying the lubricant to a blank mold for

manufacturing a glass bottle.

[0033] (14) In order to solve the above-described problem, a glass bottle manufacturing

method according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a mold release

lubricant application step of applying the lubricant to the first region set on a finish area

of an inner surface of a blank mold, and the second region set to a location further away

from the finish mold than the first region is, such that a mold release lubricant coating

thickness in the first region is thicker than the coating thickness (which can be zero) in

the second region; and a forming step of forming a parison using the blank mold.

[0034] According to the configurations of (12) to (14) above, the first region set on the

finish area is a region that, when the gob is loaded, comes into contact while rubbing

against the gob, for example, in the blank mold inner surface, and thus requires

slipperiness. For this reason, it is essential that the lubricant is applied thereto. On

the other hand, the second region is set at a location that is further from the finish mold

than the first region is, and therefore does not come into contact with the gob when the gob is loaded. For this reason, in the second region, there is little need for the lubricant to be applied in order to ensure slipperiness with the gob. By setting the coating thickness of the lubricant in the second region to be thinner than the coating thickness of the lubricant in the first region as with this configuration, it is possible to reduce change in the thickness of the bottle heel part.

Effects of the Invention

[0035] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce change in the

thickness of the bottle heel part due to applying the lubricant. As a result, by

preventing the thickness of the glass bottle from reaching a value outside of the standard,

it is possible to reduce the number of discarded bottles caused by a mold release

lubricant application, which contributes to animprovement in production efficiency.

Also, it is possible to suppress the amount of the lubricant used by dividing the

application region.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a glass bottle manufacturing equipment according

to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an application equipment and a blank mold.

FIGS. 3(A), 3(B), and 3(C) are diagrams for illustrating main points of a blank

mold step, FIG. 3(A) showing a state in which gob has been loaded in a blank mold, FIG.

3(B) showing a settle blow step, and FIG. 3(C) showing a counter blow step.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for illustrating an operation of a nozzle in a case where (1)

the application equipment applies the lubricant to an inner surface of the blank mold

but does not apply the lubricant to an inner surface of a finish mold.

FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are diagrams for illustrating a pattern A in a case where

(2) the application equipment applies the lubricant to the inner surface of the blank mold

and the inner surface and top surface of the finish mold.

FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) are diagrams for illustrating a pattern B in a case where

and the inner surface and top surface of the finish mold.

FIGS. 7(A) to 7(C) are diagrams for illustrating a pattern C in a case where (2)

the application equipment applies the lubricant to the inner surface of the blank mold

and the inner surface and top surface of the finish mold.

FIGS. 8(A) to 8(C) are diagrams for illustrating a pattern D in a case where (2)

and the inner surface and top surface of the finish mold.

FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B) are diagrams for illustrating a pattern E in a case where

and the inner surface and top surface of the finish mold.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a glass bottle manufacturing equipment

according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the application equipment and the

blank mold.

FIG. 12 shows diagrams for illustrating main points of a blank mold step, FIG.

12(A) showing a state in which a gob has been loaded in a blank mold, and FIG. 12(B)

showing a pressing step in the blank mold.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a glass bottle according to a working example and a

comparative example.

FIG. 14 shows average values of glass thicknesses at height positions x (mm) from ground contact surfaces of bottles, regarding reference glass bottles in working examples and reference glass bottles in comparative examples.

FIG. 15(A) is a diagram obtained from plotting differences in thickness between

comparative examples (entire-surface application) of first to fifth rounds to which the

lubricant has been applied, and reference glass bottles of the comparative examples,

regarding the average values of the glass thicknesses at the height positions x (mm)

from the ground contact surfaces of the bottles. FIG. 15(B) is a diagram obtained from

plotting differences in thickness between working examples (first region application) of

first to fifth rounds to which the lubricant has been applied, and reference glass bottles

of the working examples, regarding the average values of the glass thicknesses at the

height positions x (mm) from the ground contact surfaces of the bottles.

Description of Embodiments

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with

reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a glass bottle manufacturing equipment according

to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an

application equipment 5 and a blank mold 10 of a glass bottle manufacturing equipment

1. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the glass bottle manufacturing equipment 1

(hereinafter also referred to as "manufacturing equipment 1") manufactures prisons

102 serving as manufacturing intermediate bodies of glass bottles 103 through the

blank a blow-and-blow process.

[0039] The manufacturing equipment 1 includes: a blank mold portion 2 and the application equipment 5.

[0040] The blank mold portion 2 is used to mold the prison 102. Agob101(massof

melted glass) is supplied to (loaded in) the blank mold portion 2 and the blank mold

portion 2 molds the gob 101 into the prison 102.

[0041] The blank mold portion 2 includes: the blank mold 10; a finish mold 11; a funnel

12; a baffle 13; a thimble 21; and a plunger 22.

[0042] The inner surface of the blank mold 10, which serves as a region for forming the

gob 101 into the prison 102, is provided with a coating layer through carbon coating or

the like. Also, the lubricant is furthermore periodically applied to this inner surface.

[0043] The blank mold 10 is used to mold a part of the glass bottle 103 excluding a

finish part 101a. The inner surface of the blank mold 10 forms a cavity 17 into which

the gob 101 is to be loaded. In the present embodiment, the part of the surface of the

blank mold 10 on which the cavity 17 is formed is referred to as the inner surface of the

blank mold 10. The blank mold 10 has a pair of split molds 10a and 10b that face each

other in a direction intersecting a lengthwise direction L1. Due to these split molds 10a

and 10b being combined together, the cavity 17 is formed. In the present embodiment,

the cavity 17 is formed into a tapered shape that has a larger width as the distance from

the finish mold 11 is further. Note that the cavity 17 may also be circular tube-shaped.

Also, the upper end (part of the baffle 13 side) of the blank mold 10 includes a bottle

bottom area part 10c. A lower end 10d of the blank mold 10 is formed into a shape

recessed upward, and the finish mold 11 is arranged at this recessed part.

[0044] The finish mold 11 is used to form the finish part 101a of the glass bottle 103.

Thefinish mold 11 is fitintothe lower end 10dof theblankmold 10. Atopsurfacele

of the finish mold 11 faces the lower surface of the lower end 10d of the blank mold 10.

Also, the thimble 21 and the plunger 22 seal off the finish mold 11. The blank mold 11 has a pair of split molds 11a and 11b that face each other in the direction intersecting the lengthwise direction L1, and these split molds 11a and 11b are combined together.

A spiral-shaped groove or recesses and protrusions are formed on the inner surface of

the finish mold 11.

[0045] The split molds 10a and 10b are switched as appropriate by an opening and

closing mechanism (not shown) between an open state of being apart from each other,

and a closed state of being mutually closed. Similarly, the split molds 11a and 11b are

switched as appropriate by an opening and closing mechanism (not shown) between an

open state of being apart from each other, and a closed state of being mutually closed.

[0046] The funnel 12 is tube-shaped and helps the gob 101 enter the cavity 17. Also,

the funnel 12 co-operates with the baffle 13 to close the upper end of the blank mold 10

in the settle blow step. After this closing operation, compressed air is injected to the

gob 101 in the cavity 17 through a ventilating hole of the baffle 13.

[0047] The plunger 22 is configured to be able to blow compressed air supplied from a

compressor (not shown) to the gob 101 in the cavity 17. The plunger 22 is guided by

the tube-shaped thimble 21 and can move up and down (the lengthwise direction Li of

the blank mold 10).

[0048] The main points of a blank mold step prisonn forming) performed by the

manufacturing equipment 1 having the above-described configuration will be described

below. At the time of the blank mold step prisonn forming), first, as shown in FIG.

3(A), the gob 101 is loaded into the cavity 17 of the blank mold 10 in the state in which

the funnel 12 is attached. At this time, the plunger 22 rises and the leading end part

of the plunger 22 receives the gob 101. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the baffle 13

is attached to the funnel 12.

[0049] Next, compressed air is injected to the cavity 17 as indicated by the arrow from the baffle 13. Accordingly, the gob 101 deforms so as to be pressed to the finish mold

11. As a result, the finish part 101a is formed on the gob 101 and the entirety of the

gob 101 is pressed to the inner surface of the blank mold 10. At this time, the boundary

line between the gob 101 in the compressed (pressed) state and the air in the cavity 17

is at a position 18, which corresponds to the settle blow line.

[0050] Next, as shown in FIG. 3(C), in the state in which the upper end of the blank

mold 10 is sealed off by the baffle 13, the plunger 22downs, and compressed air passes

through the inner of the plunger 22 from underpart of the plunger 22 and is blown into

the inner part of the gob 101 as indicated by the arrows. That is, a counter blow step

is performed. Accordingly, the gob 101 is pressed to the entire inner surface of the

blank mold 10 and a cavity is formed in the inner part of the gob 101. The parison 102

is molded through this step. Note that the parison 102 becomes a glass bottle 103

through a finishing step (not shown).

[0051] As described above, in the above-described steps, the lubricant is periodically

applied to the cavity inner surface of the blank mold 10 to ensure slipperiness between

the blank mold 10 and the gob 101 and mold releasability (ease of separation) between

the blank mold 10 and the prison 102. The application equipment 5 is used to apply

the lubricant.

[0052] A mineral oil containing graphite particles as solid lubricant can be given as an

example of the lubricant applied by the application equipment 5, with reference to FIGS.

1 and 2. In the present embodiment, the application equipment 5is configured to apply

the lubricant to the inner surface (inner surface forming the cavity 17) of the blank mold

11, which is a blank mold for blow and blow forming.

[0053] The application equipment 5 includes: a control portion (control unit) 31; a

position changing mechanism 32; a mold release lubricant supplying mechanism (not shown); and a nozzle 34.

[0054] The control portion 31 has a configuration for outputting a predetermined

output signal based on a predetermined input signal, and for example, the control

portion 31 can be formed using a programmable controller (PLC) or the like. Notethat

the control portion 31 may also be formed using a computer or the like including a CPU

(Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only

Memory). The control portion 31 may also make the nozzle 34 spray the lubricant

using a mechanical equipment not including an electrical circuit and change the position

of the nozzle 34.

[0055] The control portion 31 is configured to control the operation of the position

changing mechanism 32 (nozzle 34) and the amount of supply (amount of spray) of the

lubricant to later-described spray ports 38 of the nozzle 34. Control of the amount of

spray to the regions of the inner surface of the blank mold 10 can be performed by

controlling the amount of spray from the nozzle 34 (liquid pressure), or by controlling

the speed at which the nozzle 34 is raised and downed in a state in which the amount of

spray is fixed, or by controlling the timing at which the lubricant is sprayed from the

nozzle 34. Of course, the desired application is possible also by controlling switching

on and off of the spraying of the lubricant from the nozzle 34.

[0056] The control portion 31 is configured to be able to detect the open/closed state of

the pair of split molds 10a and 10b of the blank mold 10. For example, the control

portion 31 may also detect the open/closed state of the pair of split molds 10a and 10b

due to a sensor for detecting the open/closed state of the pair of split molds 10a and 10b

being connected to the control portion 31. Also, for example, due to a control circuit for

controlling the operation of the pair of split molds 10a and 10b being connected to the

control portion 31, the control portion 31 may also detect the open/closed state of the pair of split molds 10a and 10b by receiving a signal from the control circuit. Also, for example, it is possible to use a configuration in which the control portion 31 controls the opening and closing operation of the pair of split molds 10a and 10b.

[0057] The position changing mechanism 32 is used to change the position of the nozzle

34 with respect to the blank mold 10 and to maintain the position of the nozzle 34. The

position changing mechanism 32 is formed using a multi-joint robot, such as a six-axis

robot, for example. Note that the position changing mechanism 32 need only be able

to at least remove and insert the nozzle 34 from and to the cavity 17 of the blank mold

10, and the specific mechanism thereof is not limited. Preferably, if multiple blank

molds 10 are provided, the position changing mechanism 32 can remove and insert the

nozzle 34 from and to the cavity 17 of any blank mold 10. Also, the position changing

mechanism 32 can change the position of the nozzle 34 with respect to the finish mold

11, and if multiple finish molds 11 are further provided, the position changing

mechanism 32 can perform spraying on the inner surface and top surface 11 of any

finishmold11. Accordingly, even if the finish mold 11 has a thin elongated shape, the

lubricant can be reliably applied to the entirety of the inner surface of the finish mold

11.

[0058] The above-described lubricant supplying mechanism is used to supply the

lubricant to the nozzle 34, and for example, includes a hose for transporting the lubricant

to the nozzle 34, a pump, and a control valve. Also, the lubricant supplying mechanism

is electrically connected to the control portion 31 and is configured such that supply of

the lubricant to the nozzle 34 and stopping of supply of the lubricant to the nozzle 34 are

controlled through control performed by the control portion 31.

[0059] The nozzle 34 is used to spray the lubricant. The nozzle 34 is formed into a

thin elongated rod shape, and the base end of the nozzle 34 is supported by the leading end of the position changing mechanism 32. Spray ports (application portion) 38 formed by slits or the like are provided at the leading end ofthe nozzle 34. For example, multiple spray ports 38 are arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle

34, centered about a central axis line of the nozzle 34. The lubricant reaches the spray

ports 38 through a path (not shown) in the inner portion of the nozzle 34, and is sprayed

from the spray ports 38 to the corresponding cavity 17 (the inner surface of the blank

mold 10 and the inner surface and top surface 11e of the finish mold 11). Inthismanner,

the spray ports 38 exhibit a function of serving as application portions for applying the

lubricant to the blank mold 10.

[0060] Note that the method for spraying the lubricant from the spray ports 38 may

be a method in which a pump (e.g., a plunger pump or the like) is used, and may be a

method in which a combination of two fluids (a combination of the lubricant and air)

using compressed air is used. The spray ports 38 spray the lubricant such that a hollow

cone-shaped spray pattern 39 is formed, for example. The hollow cone-shaped spray

pattern 39 is formed so as to face downward, for example, from a position surrounded

by the corresponding blank mold 10. The angle 0 (angle with respect to a vertical line)

of the region in which the hollow cone-shaped spray pattern 39 is formed is set as

appropriate by setting the shapes of the spray ports 38.

[0061] Note that a ring-shaped plate arranged coaxially with the nozzle 34 may also

be attached near the spray port 38 on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle 34.

If the ring-shaped plate is provided, the ring-shaped plate can be used to prevent the

lubricant from dispersing too widely to unintended locations.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the application equipment 5 is configured to apply

the lubricant to the first region 41 set on the finish mold 11 side of the inner surface of

the blank mold 10 and the second region 42 set at a location further away from the finish mold 11 than the first region 41 is, such that the coating thickness T1 of the lubricant in the first region 41 is thicker than the coating thickness T2 (which can be zero) of the lubricant in the second region 42.

[0063] Specifically, the nozzle 34 is inserted into the cavity 17 by the position changing

mechanism 32 when no gob 101 has been loaded in the cavity 17, which is during a

break in the manufacturing of the glass bottle 103. Then, due to the spray ports 38 of

the nozzle 34 spraying the lubricant to at least the first region 41, the coating thickness

T1 of the lubricant in the first region 41 is made larger than the coating thickness T2

(which can be zero) of the lubricant in the second region 42. For example, this

relationship between the coating thicknesses T1 and T2 can be realized by making the

amounts sprayed from the spray ports 38 the same and making the amount of time for

spraying the lubricant to the first region 41 longer than the amount of time for spraying

the lubricant to the second region 42.

[0064] The amount of spray (liquid pressure) per unit time of the lubricant from the

nozzle 34 may be made comparatively smaller in the region of the first region 41 on the

second region 42 side, and may be made comparatively larger in the region of the first

region 41 on the finish mold 11 side.

[0065] The nozzle 34 may spray the lubricant in a still state in the cavity 17, and the

nozzle 34 may spray the lubricant while being moved along the lengthwise direction Li

by the position changing mechanism 32. Preferably, the central axis of the nozzle 34 is

arranged so as to coincide with the central axis of the cavity 17.

[0066] The first region 41 is set to the entire region extending toward the finish mold

11 from the position 18 corresponding to the settle blow line of the blank mold 10 on the

inner surface of the blank mold 10. For example, the first region 41 is set spanning

over the entire region from the position 18 corresponding to the settle blow line to one end 10e on the finish mold 11 side on the inner surface of the blank mold 10.

[0067] Note that the boundary 19 between the first region 41 and the second region 42

(in the present embodiment, a location equivalent to the position 18, which corresponds

to the settle blow line) is preferably set to a position located 30% to 80% of the entire

length Al of the inner surface of the blank mold 10 from the one end 10e on the finish

mold 11 side of the inner surface of the blank mold 10 in the lengthwise direction L1.

That is, the position of the boundary 19 between the first region 41 and the second region

42 may be a position located 30% of the entire length Al from the one end 10e of the

inner surface of the blank mold 10, may be a position located 80% of the entire length

Al from the one end 10e of the inner surface of the blank mold 10, and may be a position

between those positions.

[0068] By setting the boundary 19 between the first region 41 and the second region

42 to a position located 30% or more of the entire length Al from the one end 10e on the

finish mold 11 side of the inner surface of the blank mold 10, when the gob 101 is loaded

in the cavity 17, the gob 101 can be more reliably received in the first region 41, that is,

the region to which the lubricant is sufficiently applied. Accordingly, the slipperiness

of the gob 101 with respect to the blank mold 10 can be sufficiently ensured. Also, by

setting the boundary 19 between the first region 41 and the second region 42 to a

position located 80% or less of the entire length Al from the one end 10e on the finish

mold 11 side of the inner surface of the blank mold 10, it is possible to more reliably

prevent the lubricant from being applied to the upper end of the blank mold 10, that is,

the bottle bottom area part 10c. More preferably, the boundary 19 between the first

region 41 and the second region 42 is set to a position located 40% or 70% of the entire

length Al from the one end 10e on the finish mold 11 side of the inner surface of the

blank mold 10.

[0069] The second region 42 is the region of the inner surface of the blank mold 10

excluding the first region 41. The second region 42 includes the bottle bottom area part

10c of the blank mold 10. In the present embodiment, both of the second region 42 are

formed over the entire region in the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the

blank mold 10.

[0070] The coating thickness T1 of the lubricant in the first region 41 is set to such a

degree that the lubricant does not drip in the first region 41. Also, the coating thickness

T2 of the lubricant in the second region 42 need only be less than the coating thickness

T1 of the lubricant. In the present embodiment, the coating thickness T2 of the

lubricant is set to zero. That is, the lubricant is not applied to the second region 42,

which includes the bottle bottom area part 10c.

[0071] The spray port 38 of the nozzle 34 is controlled by the control portion 31 so as to

start spraying the lubricant at a position located at one of the boundary 19 (upper side)

between the first region 41 and the second region 42 and the one end 10e (lower side) on

the finish mold 11 side of the inner surface of the blank mold 10, and to spray the mold

release lubricant while changing position toward the other of the boundary 19 and the

one end 10e.

[0072] Next, a step in which the application equipment 5 applies the lubricant will be

described in more detail. Note that hereinafter, two cases will be described, namely (1)

a case in which the application equipment 5 applies the lubricant to the inner surface of

the blank mold 10 but does not apply the lubricant to the inner surface of the finish mold

11, and (2) a case in which the application equipment 5 applies the lubricant to the inner

surface of the blank mold 10 and the inner surface and top surface 11e of the finish mold

11. Also, in the case of (2) above, five patterns (patterns A, B, C, D, and E) will be

described.

[0073] (1) A case in which the application equipment 5 applies the lubricant to the

inner surface of the blank mold 10 but does not apply the lubricant to the inner surface

of the finish mold 11 willbe described with reference to FIG. 4. Note that in this case,

the finish mold 11 may or may not be provided.

[0074] In case (1) above, the pair of split molds 10a and 10b of the blank mold 10 may

be closed or open at first, but they are preferably closed. Also, the nozzle 34 preferably

starts spraying the lubricant after the spray ports 38 have been inserted into the cavity

17. Then, at the position and moving speed of the nozzle 34 and the liquid pressure of

the lubricant set by the control portion 31, the spraying of the lubricant from the spray

ports 38 is started and the lubricant is applied to predetermined locations. The spray

ports 38 of the nozzle 34 spray the lubricant from the boundary 19 to the one end 10e on

the finish mold 11 side on the inner surface of the blank mold 10, and thereafter stops

spraying the lubricant without spraying the lubricant to the finish mold 11. At this

time, the nozzle 34 may spray the lubricant while being lowered from the boundary 19

side toward the finish mold 11, and the nozzle 34 may spray the lubricant while rising

from the one end 10e of the inner surface of the blank mold 10 toward the boundary 19

side.

[0075] In the case of pattern (1) described above, the lubricant can be prevented from

being applied to the finish mold 11.

[0076] (2) A case in which the application equipment 5 applies the lubricant to the

inner surface of the blank mold 10 and to the inner surface and top surface of the finish

mold 11.

[0077] Next, pattern A of (2) will be described with reference to FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B).

[0078] With reference to FIG. 5(A), in pattern A, the pair of split molds 10a and 10b of

the blank mold 10 may be closed or open at first, but they are preferably closed. Also, the nozzle 34 preferably starts spraying the lubricant after the spray ports 38 are inserted into the cavity 17. Then, at the position and moving speed of the nozzle 34 and the liquid pressure of the lubricant set by the control portion 31, the spraying of the lubricant from the spray ports 38 is started and the lubricant is applied to predetermined locations. As shown in FIG. 5(A), the spray ports 38 of the nozzle 34 spray the lubricant from the boundary 19 to the one end 10e on the finish mold 11 side on the inner surface of the blank mold 10. Thereafter, the spray ports 38 keep spraying the lubricant, and as shown in FIG. 5(B), the spray ports 38 apply the lubricant to the top surface 11e of the finish mold 11 accompanying the opening of the pair of split molds

10a and 10b of the blank mold 10, and furthermore enter the space in the finish mold

11 as indicated by the arrow D2A and apply the lubricant to the inner surface of the

finish mold 11. Thereafter, the spraying of the lubricant from the spray ports 38 is

stopped. Note that also in the case where the blank molds 10a and 10b are opened in

advance, the nozzle 34 sprays the lubricant to the finish mold 11 similarly to the

description above. Note that in the pattern A, the pair of split molds 10a and 10b are

in a half-open state and are not completely open at the time of spraying the lubricant to

the top surface 11 of the finish mold 11.

[0079] In the case of pattern A in (2) above, the lubricant can be applied to the blank

mold 10 and the finish mold 11 with the state of spraying the lubricant from the spray

ports 38 of the nozzle 34 kept stable. Also, even if the finish mold 11 has a thin

elongated shape, the lubricant can be more reliably applied to the entirety of the inner

surface of the finish mold 11 by the spray ports 38 of the nozzle 34.

[0080] Next, pattern B of (2) will be described with reference to FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B).

[0081] With reference to FIG. 6(A), in pattern B, the pair of split molds 10a and 10b of

the blank mold 10 may be closed or open at first, but they are preferably closed. Also, the nozzle 34 preferably starts spraying the lubricant after the spray ports 38 have been inserted into the cavity 17. Then, at the position and moving speed of the nozzle 34 and the liquid pressure of the lubricant set by the control portion 31, the spraying of the lubricant from the spray ports 38 is started and the lubricant is applied to predetermined locations. As shown in FIG. 6(A), the spray ports 38 of the nozzle 34 spray the lubricant from the boundary 19 to the one end 10e on the finish mold 11 side on the inner surface of the blank mold 10, and thereafter temporarily stop spraying the lubricant. Thereafter, the spray ports 38 of the nozzle 34 proceed inside the finish mold

11 as the pair of split molds 10a and 10b of the blank mold 10 are opened as shown in

FIG. 6(B). Next, the spray ports 38 of the nozzle 34 spray the lubricant to the inner

surface of the finish mold 11 and the top surface 11e of the finish mold 11 while rising as

indicated by the arrow D2B. Thereafter, the spraying of the lubricant from the spray

ports 38 is stopped. Note that also in the case where the blank molds 10a and 10b are

opened in advance, the nozzle 34 sprays the lubricant to the finish mold 11 similarly to

the description above. Note that in the pattern B, the pair of split molds 10a and 10b

are in a fully open state at the time of spraying the lubricant to the top surface 11 of the

finish mold 11.

[0082] In the case of pattern B of (2) above, the spray ports 38 of the nozzle 34 can

apply the lubricant to a wide range of the top surface 11 of the finish mold 11. As a

result, the slidability (ease of sliding) between the blank mold 10 and the finish mold 11

can be further improved.

[0083] Next, pattern C of (2) will be described with reference to FIGS. 7(A), 7(B) and

7(C).

[0084] With reference to FIG. 7(A), in this pattern C, in a state in which the pair of

split molds 10a and 10b of the blank mold 10 are open, the spray ports 38 of the nozzle

34 stop spraying the lubricant and proceed inside the finish mold 11. Thereafter, as

shown in FIG. 7(B), the spray ports 38 continuously spray the inner surface of the finish

mold 11 and then the top surface 11e of the finish mold 11 by changing position upward

toward the second region 42 as indicated by the arrow D2C while spraying the lubricant.

Thereafter, with reference to FIG. 7(C), the spray ports 38 spray the lubricant to the

inner surface of the blank mold 10 while the pair of split molds 10a and 10b are being

closed as indicated by the arrows D2C'. Thereafter, the spraying of the lubricant from

the spray ports 38 is stopped. At this time, when the spraying of the lubricant from the

spray ports 38 is complete, the pair of split molds 10a and 10b are completely closed.

[0085] In the case of pattern C of (2) above, the spray ports 38 of the nozzle 34 can

can be further improved. Furthermore, the amount of time needed for the operation of

closing the blank mold 10 can be used to apply the lubricant from the spray ports 38 to

the blank mold 10. Accordingly, loss time (time during which the parison 102 cannot

be formed) in the blank mold 10 accompanying application of the lubricant can be

further shortened.

[0086] Next, pattern D of (2) will be described with reference to FIGS. 8(A) and 8().

[0087] With reference to FIG. 8(A), in the pattern D, at the position and moving speed

of the nozzle 34 and the liquid pressure of the lubricant set by the control portion 31, the

spraying of the lubricant from the spray ports 38 is started and the lubricant is applied

to a predetermined location. As shown in FIG. 8(A), the spray ports 38 of the nozzle 34

first are inserted into the finish mold 11. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(B), in a state in

which the pair of split molds 10a and 10b of the blank mold 10 are open, the lubricant is

applied to the inner surface of the finish mold 11 and then to the top surface 11 of the finish mold 11 due to changing position upward as indicated by the arrow D2D toward the second region 42 while spraying the lubricant. Thereafter, the spraying of the lubricant from the spray ports 38 is temporarily stopped. Next, as shown in FIG. 8(C), after the pair of split molds 10a and 10b are fully closed, the spray ports 38 apply the lubricant to the inner surface of the blank mold 10 while changing position upward as indicated by the arrow D2D. Thereafter, the spraying of the lubricant from the spray ports 38 is stopped.

[0088] In the case of pattern D of (2) above, the spray ports 38 of the nozzle 34 can

apply the lubricant to a wide range of the top surface 11e of the finish mold 11. As a

can be further improved. Furthermore, the spray ports 38 can apply the lubricant to

the blank mold 10 in the closed state. Accordingly, the spray port 38 can more reliably

apply the lubricant to a desired location on the blank mold 10.

[0089] Next, pattern E of (2) will be described with reference to FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B).

[0090] With reference to FIG. 9(A), in the pattern E, as shown in FIG. 9(A), the pair of

split molds 10a and 10b are opened in advance. Then, the spray ports 38 of the nozzle

34 spray the lubricant from the boundary 19 to the one end 10e on the finish mold 11

side of the inner surface of the blank mold 10 during an operation in which the pair of

split molds 10a and 10b of the blank mold 10 are closed as indicated by the arrows D2E.

[0091] Thereafter, in the pattern E-1, with the spraying of the lubricant maintained,

the spray ports 38 apply the lubricant to the top surface 11 of the finish mold 11 as the

pair of split molds 10a and 10b of the blank mold 10 are opened as indicated by the

arrows D2E' in FIG. 9(B), and thereafter, the spray ports 38 proceed inside the finish

mold 11 and apply the lubricant to the inner surface of the finish mold 11. Thereafter,

the spraying of the lubricant from the spray ports 38 is stopped.

[0092] Also, in the pattern E-2, after the lubricant is sprayed to the inner surface of the

blank mold 10 (after the step shown in FIG. 9(A)), the spray ports 38 of the nozzle 34

temporarily stop spraying the lubricant. Thereafter, the spray ports 38 of the nozzle 34

proceed inside the finish mold 11 as the pair of split molds 10a and 10b of the blank mold

10 are opened as indicated by the arrows D2E'in FIG. 9(B). Thereafter, the spray ports

38 spray the lubricant to the inner surface and the top surface 11e of the finish mold 11

while rising. Thereafter, the spraying of the lubricant from the spray ports 38 is

stopped.

[0093] In the case of pattern E of (2) above, the lubricant can be applied from the spray

ports 38 to the blank mold 10 using the time needed for the operation of closing the blank

mold10. Accordingly, loss time (time during which the prison 102 cannot be formed)

in the blank mold 10 accompanying application of the lubricant can be further shortened.

[0094] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the nozzle 34 of the

application equipment 5 applies the lubricant such that the coating thickness T1 of the

lubricant in the first region 41 is thicker than the coating thickness T2 (which can be

zero) of the lubricant in the corresponding second region 42. According to this

configuration, the first region 41 set on the finish mold 11 side is a region that comes

into contact while rubbing against the gob 101 when the gob 101 is loaded in the inner

surface of the blank mold 10, and thus requires slipperiness. For this reason, it is

essential that the lubricant is applied thereto. On the other hand, the second region 42

is set to a location that is further away from the finish mold 11 than the first region 41

is, and therefore when the gob 101 is loaded, the second region 42 does not come into

contact with the gob 101. For this reason, in the second region 42, there is little need

to apply the lubricant in order to ensure slipperiness between the second region 42 and

the gob 101. As with this configuration, by setting the coating thickness T2 of the lubricant in the second region 42 to be thinner than the coating thickness T1 of the lubricant in the first region 41, change in the thickness at the bottle heel part can be reduced.

[0095] Also, according to the present embodiment, the lubricant is not applied to the

bottle bottom area part 10c. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce

change in the thickness of the bottle heel part by suppressing a reduction in adhesion

between the blank mold 10 and the prison 102 at the bottle bottom area part 10c.

[0096] Also, according to the present embodiment, the boundary 19 between the first

region 41 and the second region 42 is set to a position located 30% to 80% of the entire

mold 11 side of the inner surface of the blank mold 10. According to this configuration,

by setting the boundary 19 to be the above-described lower limit value or higher, the

lubricant can be more reliably applied to a location of the blank mold 10 that requires

sufficient application of the lubricant from the viewpoint ofimproving slipperiness.

Also, by setting the position of the boundary 19 to be the above-described upper limit

value or lower, it is possible to more reliably reduce change in the thickness of the bottle

heel part.

[0097] Also, according to the present embodiment, the first region 41 is set to be the

region from the position 18 corresponding to the settle blow line of the blank mold 10 to

the one end 10e on the finish mold 11 side of the blank mold 10. According to this

configuration, the lubricant can be more reliably supplied to the location of the inner

surface of the blank mold 10 that the gob 101 rubs against when compressed air presses

the gob 101 toward the finish mold 11 side in the settle blow step. On the other hand,

the coating thickness T2 of the lubricant at locations of the inner surface of the blank

mold 10 that have a low likelihood of being rubbed against by the gob 101 in the settle blow step can be set to zero or a value less than the coating thickness T1. Accordingly, it is possible to further reduce change in the thickness at the bottle heel part.

[0098] Also, according to the present embodiment, the control portion 31 can control

the actual lubricant coating thicknesses T1 and T2 by controlling the nozzle 34.

Furthermore, the control portion 31 can cause the lubricant to be supplied from the

spray ports 38 to the blank mold 10 while changing the position of the spray ports 38 of

the nozzle 34 by making the position changing mechanism 32 operate. Accordinglythe

actual lubricant coating thicknesses T1 and T2 at the portions of the inner surface of the

blank mold 10 can be controlled.

[0099] Also, according to the present embodiment, if the spray ports 38 of the nozzle

34 spray the lubricant while changing position from the boundary 19 between the first

region 41 and the second region 42 toward the finish mold 11, attachment of unneeded

lubricant in the second region 42 can be more reliably prevented. Also, if the spray

ports 38 of the nozzle 34 spray the lubricant while changing position from the finish

mold 11 side to the boundary 19 side, it is easier to realize a clearer coating thickness

difference (T1-T2) at the boundary 19 between the first region 41 and the second region

42.

Second Embodiment

[0100] FIG. 10 is an overall view of a glass bottle manufacturing equipment 1A

according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11is a schematic view

of the application equipment 5 and a blank mold 10A of the glass bottle manufacturing

equipment 1A. The glass bottle manufacturing equipment 1A (hereinafter also

referred to simply as "manufacturing equipment 1A") is used to manufacture a glass

bottle 103A. The manufacturing equipment 1A manufactures the glass bottle 103A through a press-and-blow process or a narrow-neck press-and-blow process.

[0101] Note that in the following description, mainly configurations that are different

from the first embodiment will be described, configurations similar to those of the first

embodiment are denoted by similar reference numerals, and detailed description is

omitted in some cases.

[0102] With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the manufacturing equipment 1A includes

a blank mold portion 2A and the application equipment 5.

[0103] The blank mold portion 2Ais used to manufacture a parison 102A serving as a

manufacturing intermediate body of the glass bottle 103A. A gob 101A is supplied to

the blank mold portion 2A and the blank mold portion 2A molds the gob 101A into the

parison 102A.

[0104] The blank mold portion 2A includes a blank mold 10A serving as a blank mold

for press-forming, a finish mold 11A, a baffle 13A, and a plunger 22A.

[0105] The inner surface of the blank mold 1OAserving as the region of the blank mold

10A for forming the gob 101A into a prison is provided with a coating layer through

carbon coating or the like. Also, the lubricant is furthermore periodically applied to

this inner surface.

[0106] The blank mold 10A is used to mold the portion of the glass bottle 103A other

than the finish part 101aA. The inner surface of the blank mold 10A forms a cavity

17A. The blank mold 10A has a pair of split molds 10aA and 10bA that face each other

in a direction intersecting the lengthwise direction L1. Due to these split molds 10aA

and 10bA being combined together, the cavity 17A is formed. In the present

embodiment, the portion of the surface of the blank mold 10A forming the cavity 17 is

referred to as the inner surface of the blank mold 10A.

[0107] In the present embodiment, the cavity 17A has a shape in which locations with diameters that increase in the lengthwise direction Li and locations with diameters that decrease in the lengthwise direction Li are arranged alternatingly. More specifically, the cavity 17A includes: a first part 61 that is adjacent to the finish mold 11A and has a relatively small diameter; a second part 62 with a relatively large diameter that increases and then decreases as the distance from the finish mold 11A increases in the lengthwise direction L from the first part 61; and a third part 63 that is continuous with the second part 62 and has approximately the same diameter as the diameter of the first part 61. Also, the upper end of the blank mold 10A includes a bottle bottom areapartlOcA. Alower end 10dAof the blank mold 10Ais formed into a shape that is recessed upward, and the finish mold 11A is arranged at this recessed part.

[0108] The finish mold 11A is used to mold the finish part 101aA of the glass bottle

103A. The finish mold 11Ais fit into the lower end 10dAof the blank mold 10A. The

top surface 11cA of the finish mold 11A faces the lower surface of the lower end 10dA of

the blank mold 10A. The plunger 22A that protrudes from the finish mold 11A closes

the lower end 10dAof the finish mold 10A. The finish mold 11Ahas apair of split molds

11aA and 11bA that face each other in a direction intersecting the lengthwise direction

L1, and these split molds 11aA and 11bA are combined together. A spiral-shaped

groove or recesses and protrusions are formed on the inner surface of the finish mold

11A.

[0109] The split molds 10aA and 10bA are switched as appropriate by an opening and

closing mechanism (not shown) between an open state of being separated from each

other and a closed state of being mutually closed. Similarly, the split molds 11aA and

11bA are switched as appropriate by an opening and closing mechanism (not shown)

between an open state of being separated from each other and a closed state of being

mutually closed.

[0110] The plunger 22Ais arranged so as to be surrounded by the finish mold 11A and

is configured to be able to change position in the lengthwise direction Li due to a cylinder

equipment or the like (not shown). The plunger 22A has a conical part with a

hemispherical shape formed on its leading end, and can change position between a state

of advancing into the blank mold 10A and a retracted state.

[0111] Also, a baffle 13A is provided, and the baffle 13A closes the upper end of the

blank mold 10A.

[0112] The main points of a blank mold step performed by the manufacturing

equipment 1A having the above-described configuration will be described below. Atthe

time of the blank mold step, as shown in FIG. 12(A), first, the gob 101A is loaded in the

cavity 17Aof the blank mold 10A. At this time, the gob 101A comes into contact while

rubbing against the inner surface of the narrow first portion 61 of the cavity 17A,

thereafter it is accepted by the plunger 22A. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12(B), the

baffle 13A is attached to the blank mold 10A.

[0113] Next, the plunger 22Ais pushed out toward the baffle 13A, and the gob 101Ais

pressed between the blank mold 10A and the plunger 22A. Accordingly, the entire gob

101A is pressed to the inner surface of the blank mold 10A, the finish part 101aA is

formed, and the gob 101A becomes the parison 102A.

[0114] With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, in the above-described step, the lubricant is

periodically applied to the inner surface of the blank mold 10A in order to ensure

slipperiness between the gob 101A and the blank mold 10A and mold releasability

between the parison 102A and the blank mold 10A. The application equipment 5 is

used to apply the lubricant.

[0115] The position changing mechanism 32 of the application equipment 5 is

configured to be able to remove and insert the nozzle 34 from and to the cavity 17A of the blank mold portion 2A. More preferably, the position changing mechanism 32 is configured to be able to remove and insert the nozzle 34 from and to the cavity 17A of any blank mold portion 2A, in the case where a plurality of blank mold portions 2A are provided. Also, the position changing mechanism 32 can change the position of the nozzle 34 with respect to the finish mold 11A, and if multiple finish molds 11A are further provided, the position changing mechanism 32 can perform spraying on the inner surface and top surface 11cA of any finish mold 11A. Accordingly, even if the finish mold 11A has a thin elongated shape, the lubricant can be reliably applied to the entirety of the inner surface of the finish mold 11A.

[0116] The nozzle 34 may spray the lubricant in a still state in the cavity 17A, and the

arranged so as to coincide with the central axis of the cavity 17A.

[0117] In the present embodiment, the application equipment 5 is configured to apply

the lubricant to the first region 41A set on the finish mold 11A side of the inner surface

of the blank mold 10A and the second region 42A set at a location that is further away

from the finish mold 10A than the first region 41A is, such that the coating thickness

T1A of the lubricant in the first region 41A is thicker than the coating thickness T2A

(which can be zero) of the lubricant in the second region 42A.

[0118] Specifically, the nozzle 34 is inserted into the cavity 17A by the position

changing mechanism 32 when no gob 101A has been loaded in the cavity 17A, which is

during a break in the manufacturing of the glass bottle 103A. Also, due to the nozzle

34 spraying the lubricant to at least the first region 41A, the coating thickness T1A of

the lubricant in the first region 41A is made thicker than the coating thickness T2A

(which can be zero) of the lubricant in the second region 42A. For example, by making the amounts of spray of the application equipment 5 the same and making the time for spraying the lubricant to the first region 41A longer than the time for spraying the lubricant to the second region 42A, this kind of relationship between the coating thicknesses T1A and T2A can be realized.

[0119] The first region 41Ais set from the one end 10eAon the finish mold 11A side of

the inner surface of the blank mold 10A to the narrow first portion 61. Thus, the first

region 41A includes the region that comes into contact while rubbing against the gob

101A when the gob 101A is loaded in the blank mold 10A for press forming.

[0120] The second region 42A is the region of the inner surface of the blank mold 10A

excluding the first region 41A. The second region 42A includes the bottle bottom area

part lOcAof the blank mold 10A. In the present embodiment, both the first region 41A

and the second region 42A are formed over the entire region in the circumferential

direction of the inner surface of the blank mold 10A.

[0121] Note that the boundary 19a between the first region 41A and the second region

42A is preferably set to the region that is 30% to 80% of the entire length AlA of the

inner surface of the blank mold 10A in the lengthwise direction Li from the one end

10eAon the finish mold 11aA side of the inner surface of the blank mold 10A. Thatis,

the position of the boundary 19A between the first region 41A and the second region 42A

may be a position located 30% of the entire length AlA from the one end 10eA of the

inner surface of the blank mold 10A, may be a position located 80% of the entire length

AlA from the one end 10eA of the inner surface of the blank mold 10A, and may be a

position between those positions.

[0122] The coating thickness T1Aof the lubricant in the first region 41Ais set to such

a degree that the lubricant does not drip in the first region 41A. Also, the coating

thickness T2A of the lubricant in the second region 42A need only be less than the coating thickness T1A of the lubricant. In the present embodiment, the coating thickness T2A of the lubricant is set to zero. That is, the lubricant is not applied to the second region 42A, which includes the bottle bottom area partlOcA.

[0123] The step in which the application equipment 5 sprays the lubricant to the blank

mold 2A is similar to that of the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description

thereof is omitted.

[0124] As described above, according to the second embodiment, change in the

thickness at the bottle heel part can be reduced similarly to the first embodiment.

[0125] Also, according to the second embodiment, a first part 61, which comes into

contact while rubbing against the gob 101A when the gob 101A is loaded in the blank

mold 10A, is defined as the first region 41A. It is possible to supply sufficient mold

release lubricant to the first region 41A, which requires slipperiness since the gob 101A

rubs against it.

[0126] An embodiment of the present invention has been described above. The

present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various

modifications are possible within the limitations described in the claims.

[0127] In the above-described embodiments, a mode in which the application

equipment 5 is used to apply the mold release lubricant was described as an example.

However, there is no limitation to this. For example, the lubricant may also be applied

through manual labor performed by a worker. Also, the application equipment 5 may

also apply lubricant using another application member such as a brush instead of the

nozzle 34.

Working Example

Evaluation of uniformity of thickness of glass bottle

[0128] A glass bottle shown in FIG. 13 was produced as a working example and a

comparative example. The height of the main body part of the glass bottle excluding

the finish part is about 100 mm. The main body part has a diameter that continuously

increases from the neck part toward the base part, and thereafter extends to the base in

a circular tube shape at an approximately constant diameter. The glass bottle was

produced using a glass bottle manufacturing equipment with a configuration similar to

the configuration indicated in the first embodiment. That is, a prison was molded

through blow forming, and thereafter the prison was molded into a glass bottle through

blow forming (blow-and-blow forming), whereby the glass bottle was produced.

[0129] At the time of production of the working example, first, before applying the

lubricant to the blank mold of the glass bottle manufacturing equipment, two glass

bottles (reference glass bottles) were produced in succession with the glass bottle

manufacturing equipment. Thereafter, the lubricant was applied to the entire inner

surface and the top surface of the finish mold of the glass bottle manufacturing

equipment, and to the region on the finish area, which is the region making up half of

the inner surface of the blank mold in the cavity lengthwise direction. Then, five

working examples (five rounds) were produced in succession with the glass bottle

manufacturing equipment to which the lubricant was applied. The above-described

step was performed for ten sets. Between sets, the glass bottles were repeatedly

manufactured until the lubricant stopped being effective.

[0130] The production of the comparative examples (glass bottles) was performed

similarly to the working examples, except that when the lubricant was applied, the

lubricant was applied to the entire inner surface of the blank mold.

[0131] Regarding the measurement of the thicknesses of the glass bottles, average

values were measured, the average values being obtained by measuring the glass thickness at each height position of x (mm) from the ground contact surface of each glass bottle at eight points every 45 degrees in the circumferential direction at each height position.

[0132] FIG. 14 shows the average values of the glass thicknesses at each height

position of x (mm) from the ground contact surface of the bottles, for reference glass

bottles ofthe working examples and reference glass bottles of the comparative examples.

Note that x = 0 (ground contact surface), 8, 12, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 79.5, 90, 100, and

the base surface. Note that the base surface refers to the most recessed position of the

base, which is recessed upward.

[0133] As is clear from FIG. 14, it can be said that the average values of the glass

thicknesses at the height positions of x (mm) from the ground contact surfaces of the

bottles substantially match for the two types (10 sets each) of reference glass bottles of

the working examples and the two types (10 sets each) of reference glass bottles of the

comparative examples.

[0134] FIG. 15(A) is a diagram obtained from plotting differences between the

comparative examples of the first to fifth rounds and the reference glass bottles of

comparative examples, regarding the average values of the glass thicknesses at the

height positions x (mm) from the ground contact surfaces of the bottles. FIG. 15(B) is

a diagram obtained from plotting differences (thickness differences) between the

working examples of first to fifth rounds and the reference glass bottles of the working

examples, regarding the average values of the glass thicknesses at the height positions

x (mm) from the ground contact surfaces of the bottles.

[0135] In FIG. 15(A), the horizontal axis indicates the comparative examples of the y

th round (y =1 to 5), and the vertical axis indicates the thickness difference. Similarly,

in FIG. 15(B), the horizontal axis indicates the working examples of the y-th round (y =

1 to 5), and the vertical axis indicates the thickness difference.

[0136] With reference to FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B), it is shown that the closer the

thickness difference is to zero, the higher the uniformity of the thickness before and after

the lubricant is applied is. In the comparative examples, in particular, the thickness

difference is remarkably high at the height position of the ground contact surface (0 mm)

and the height position of 8 (mm). At the height position of the ground contact surface

(0 mm), the working examples have returned to near the state before the lubricant was

applied, one round earlier than the comparative examples. Also, at the height position

of 8 (mm), the thickness difference of the comparative examples is, at most, about 0.4

(mm), which is large, whereas the thickness difference of the working examples is, at

most, less than about 0.1 (mm), which is a small value. That is, at the height position

of 8 (mm), the thickness difference of the working examples is a very small value that is

less than one-fourth the thickness difference of the comparative examples. In this

manner, in the working examples, it was proven that the change in the thickness of the

glass bottle was small, and in particular, that the change in the thickness at the glass

bottle heel part is small, and therefore it is clear that it is possible to prevent the

thickness of the glass bottle from reaching a value outside of the standard, and that the

working example contributes to improving the production efficiency.

Industrial Applicability

[0137] The present invention can be applied widely as an equipment for applying a

mold release lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle, a method for

applying a mold release lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle, a

glass bottle manufacturing equipment, and a glass bottle manufacturing method.

Descriptions of Reference Numerals

[0138] 1, 1A Glass bottle manufacturing equipment

5 Application equipment

10, 10A Blank mold

10a, 10b, 10aA, 10bA Split mold of blank mold

10c, 10cA Bottle bottom area part

10e, 10eA One end on finish area of inner surface of blank mold

11, 11A Finish mold

11c, 11cA Top surface of finish mold

18 Position corresponding to settle blow line

19,19A Boundary

31 Control portion (control unit)

32 Position changing mechanism

38 Spray port (application portion)

41, 41A First region

42, 42A Second region

101, 101A Gob

Al, AlA Entire length of blank mold

T1, T1A Mold release lubricant coating thickness in first region

T2, T2A Mold release lubricant coating thickness in second region

Claims

1. An application equipment for applying a mold release lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle, comprising: an application portion configured to spray the lubricant to the blank mold; a position changing mechanism configured to remove and insert the application portion from and to the blank mold; and a control portion configured to control operation of the position changing mechanism and an amount of supply of the lubricant to the application portion, wherein the position changing mechanism is configured to change the position of the application portion such that the application portion applies the lubricant to an inner surface of the blank mold at a position reached by proceeding inside a cavity of the blank mold, the application portion is configured to, at a position reached by proceeding inside the cavity of the blank mold, apply the lubricant to a first region set on a finish area of an inner surface of the blank mold, and a second region set to a locationfurther away from a finish mold than the first region is, such that a mold release lubricant coating thickness in the first region is thicker than the coating thickness (which can be zero) in the second region, the control portion is configured to cause the lubricant to be sprayed from the application portion while linearly changing the position of the application portion with respect to the blank mold in a direction in which the first region and the second region extend, by making the position changing mechanism operate, the application equipment is configured to apply the lubricant to the blank mold for blow forming serving as the blank mold, and the first region includes a region that extends toward the finish mold from a position corresponding to a settle blow line in the blank mold for blow forming.

2. An application equipment for applying the lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle, comprising: an application portion configured to spray the lubricant to the blank mold; a position changing mechanism configured to remove and insert the application portion from and to the blank mold; and a control portion configured to control operation of the position changing mechanism and an amount of supply of the lubricant to the application portion, wherein the position changing mechanism is configured to change the position of the application portion such that the application portion applies the lubricant to an inner surface of the blank mold at a position reached by proceeding inside a cavity of the blank mold, the application portion is configured to, at a position reached by proceeding inside the cavity of the blank mold, apply the lubricant to a first region set on a finish area of an inner surface of the blank mold, and a second region set to a location further away from the finish mold than the first region is, such that a mold release lubricant coating thickness in the first region is thicker than the coating thickness (which can be zero) in the second region, the control portion is configured to cause the lubricant to be sprayed from the application portion while linearly changing the position of the application portion with respect to the blank mold in a direction in which the first region and the second region extend, by making the position changing mechanism operate, the application equipment is configured to apply the lubricant to the blank mold for press molding serving as the blank mold, a region of the blank mold for press molding that comes into contact while rubbing against a gob when the gob is loaded in the blank mold for press molding is set as the first region, and the control portion causes the lubricant to be sprayed from the application portion to the first region.

3. The application equipment for applying the lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control portion is configured to control of the operation of the position changing mechanism and an amount of spray of the lubricant to the application portion, and the control of the amount of spray to the regions of the inner surface of the blank mold being performed by controlling the amount of spray from the application portion or by controlling speeds at which the application portion is raised and downed in a state in which the amount of spray is fixed, and the application portion is controlled by the control portion so as to start spraying the lubricant at a position located at one of a boundary between the first region and the second region and one end on the mouth portion mold side of the blank mold inner surface, and so as to spray the lubricant while changing position toward the other of the boundary or the one end.

4. The application equipment for applying the lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle according to claim 3, wherein the application portion is configured to spray the lubricant from the boundary between the first region and the second region to the one end on the finish area of the blank mold inner surface and thereafter stop spraying the lubricant without spraying the lubricant to the finish mold.

5. The application equipment for applying the lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle according to claim 3, wherein the application portion is configured to spray the lubricant from the boundary between the first region and the second region to the one end on the finish area of the blank mold inner surface and thereafter, while keeping the spraying of the lubricant constant, spray top surface of the finish mold as a pair of split molds of the blank mold is opened, and furthermore proceed inside the finish mold and spray the finish mold inner surface.

6. The application equipment for applying the lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle according to claim 3, wherein the application portion is configured to spray the lubricant from the boundary between the first region and the second region to the one end on the finish area of the blank mold inner surface, thereafter temporarily stop spraying the lubricant, and thereafter proceed inside the finish mold as the pair of split molds of the blank mold is opened and spray an inner surface of the finish mold and then top surface of the finish mold.

7. A method for applying the lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle, wherein the lubricant is applied to a first region set on a finish area of an inner surface of the blank mold, and a second region set to a location further away from the finish mold than the first region is, such that a mold release lubricant coating thickness in the first region is greater than a mold release lubricant coating thickness (which can be zero) in the second region.

8. A glass bottle manufacturing equipment comprising the application equipment for applying the lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

9. A glass bottle manufacturing method comprising: a mold release lubricant application step of applying the lubricant to a first region set on a finish area of an inner surface of a blank mold, and a second region set to a location further away from the finish mold than the first region is, such that a mold release lubricant coating thickness in the first region is greater than the coating thickness (which can be zero) in the second region; and a molding step of molding a parison using the blank mold.

10. The application equipment for applying the lubricant to a blank mold for manufacturing a glass bottle according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, wherein the position changing mechanism includes a multiaxialrobot having a plurality of axes, and the application portion is configured to be inserted into the respective cavities of a plurality of the molds arranged at different positions, due to operation of the multiaxial robot.