EP4324763A1 - Packaged glass components - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to packaged glass parts, in particular precision glass parts with a tubular or rod-shaped geometry, a plurality of glass parts comprising glass being in mutual contact with each other being enclosed in a flexible packaging, and the packaging exerting pressure on the glass parts, in particular by creating a negative pressure in the packaging prevails so that the packaging nestles against the glass parts, so that the glass parts are pressed together and secured against relative movements to one another.

Description

The invention relates to packaged glass parts, in particular precision glass parts with a tubular or rod-shaped geometry.

Glass parts, in particular precision glass parts, for example capillary tubes, which can be used for the production of pressure sensors, are sometimes packaged in large quantities and are therefore fundamentally exposed to a risk of damage due to mutual contact.

At the same time, however, such precision glass parts are sometimes subject to high quality requirements. In particular, the aim is often to avoid or reduce the frequency and extent of chipping, flaking, scratches, contamination, particle adhesion and other damage on the surfaces and edges.

For this purpose, quality standards can be monitored and recorded during manufacturing, post-processing and packaging within the framework of suitable processes, so that corresponding specifications can generally be controlled and optimized as long as the processes are within the manufacturer's control. However, an additional risk of damage can arise from downstream transport routes, especially those outside the manufacturer's control, for example to the buyer of the packaged glass parts.

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of providing packaged glass parts in such a way that the frequency and extent of damage to the glass parts, in particular damage caused by mutual contact of the glass parts, on transport routes is minimized.

For this purpose, the invention discloses packaged glass parts, in particular precision glass parts with a tubular or rod-shaped geometry, with a plurality of glass parts comprising glass being enclosed in mutual contact in a flexible packaging, and with the packaging exerting pressure on the glass parts, so that the glass parts are pressed against one another and against Relative movements to each other are secured.

This advantageously avoids or reduces damage to the glass parts, in particular due to relative movements of the glass parts to one another.

The pressure exerted on the glass parts by the packaging is caused in particular by the fact that there is a negative pressure in the flexible packaging, so that the packaging clings to the glass parts, so that the glass parts are pressed together.

In principle, the invention is particularly suitable for a large number of glass parts that are in mutual contact.

The plurality can in particular comprise at least 100 glass parts, preferably comprise at least 1000 glass parts, particularly preferably comprise at least 10,000 glass parts.

However, the large number of glass parts preferably comprises less than 300,000 glass parts.

The glass parts can be arranged in a disordered manner, in particular randomly, in the packaging. In this way, the process of packaging or filling the glass parts into the packaging can be made easier.

The glass parts pressed together can have a density in the packaging which is between 0.5 kg/l and 2 kg/l, preferably between 0.75 kg/l and 1.75 kg/l, particularly preferably between 1 kg/l and 1.5 kg/l.

The packaged variety of glass parts preferably has a weight of less than 3kg, preferably less than 2kg. Furthermore, the packaged variety of glass parts preferably has a volume of less than 2 l, preferably less than 1.5 l.

The flexible packaging within which the glass parts are enclosed is preferably designed as a bag and/or comprises two opposing flexible films, which are connected at the edge in particular by means of one or more weld seams, the width of the weld seam being in particular at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm is, particularly preferably at least 1.5mm or 2.5mm plus minus 5mm.

The flexible packaging, in particular the flexible films, in particular have a thickness which is between 0.02mm and 2mm, preferably between 0.05mm and 1mm, particularly preferably between 0.1mm and 0.5mm.

In the event that there is a negative pressure in the flexible packaging in order to press the glass parts together, this negative pressure, which prevails in the packaging, is in particular at least 0.05 bar, preferably at least 0.1 bar, particularly preferably at least 0.15 bar, even more preferably at least 0.2 bar.

Alternatively or in addition to a negative pressure that prevails in the packaging, a compressible material can also be arranged inside and/or outside the packaging, which exerts a contact pressure on the adjacent glass parts. Such a compressible material may include, for example, foam.

In one embodiment of the invention, the flexible packaging, in particular the flexible films, comprise plastic or consist of it. For example, the packaging and/or the flexible films can comprise or consist of polyethylene.

The glass parts pressed together in the packaging, ie the packaged glass parts, can define a maximum first dimension along a first dimension X1 and define a maximum second dimension along a second dimension X2 perpendicular to the first dimension, the ratio of the first dimension to the second dimension being between 1 and 10, preferably between 1.5 and 5, particularly preferably between 2.5 and 3.5.

The dimension of the packaged glass parts, i.e. the packaging comprising the glass parts, along the first dimension can, for example, be smaller than 500mm.

The dimension of the packaged glass parts, i.e. the packaging comprising the glass parts, along the first dimension can in particular be larger than the dimension of the packaging along the second dimension, for example by at least a factor of 2.5.

In other words, the packaged glass parts can have a flat shape, with the dimension along the third dimension

Despite a preferably random arrangement of the glass parts in the packaging as described above, it can be provided that the glass parts, in the case of an elongated geometry of the glass parts, assume a preferred direction in the packaging, in particular having a flat shape. The preferred direction can in particular be transverse, for example perpendicular, to the third dimension of the packaging.

As described, the glass parts that are included in the packaging can be tubular or rod-shaped glass parts, which can be produced by cutting to length.

It can therefore be provided that the glass parts each have one or more machined positions, in particular machined ends, the machined positions preferably comprising a sawn, cut, ground, matted and/or polished surface, in particular a surface sawn with a diamond saw .

The machined positions also preferably include an edge which is sharp-edged and formed by a right angle.

In a preferred embodiment, the glass parts each have a cross section Q which remains the same along a first dimension D1 or at least along 50 percent of the length L1 of the glass part along the first dimension D1, preferably along 90 percent of the length L1 of the glass part along first dimension D1 remains the same.

The glass parts can each have an elongated geometry along a first dimension D1, preferably have a tubular or rod-shaped geometry along a first dimension D1.

The glass parts can in particular each have a rotationally symmetrical geometry about a first dimension D1.

The glass parts can be designed, for example, as tube sections and/or as rod sections.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the glass parts each have a dimension L1 along a first dimension D1, which is between 0.2mm and 35mm, preferably between 0.2mm and 20mm, particularly preferably between 1mm and 20mm, even more preferably between 1mm and 10mm, more preferably between 1mm and 5mm.

In the case of pipe sections, a dimension L1 can be provided in the range of 1mm to 20mm, preferably in the range of 1mm to 5mm.

In the case of rod sections, a dimension L1 can be provided in the range from 0.2mm to 20mm, preferably in the range from 1mm to 10mm.

The glass parts can each have a dimension L2, in particular a diameter L2, along a second dimension D2, which is between 0.5mm and 150mm, preferably between 0.5mm and 20mm, particularly preferably between 1mm and 20mm, even more preferably between 1mm and 15mm, more preferably between 1mm and 5mm, with the second dimension D2 running in particular perpendicular to the first dimension D1.

In the case of pipe sections, a dimension L2 can be provided in the range from 0.5mm to 20mm, preferably in the range from 1mm to 5mm.

In the case of rod sections, a dimension L2 can be provided in the range from 1mm to 150mm, preferably in the range from 1mm to 15mm.

The glass parts can each have a wall thickness d, in particular a jacket thickness d of a tube, which is between 0.1mm and 10mm, preferably between 0.15mm and 9mm, particularly preferably between 0.5mm and 2.5mm.

Regardless of the specific shape of the glass parts, they can each define the smallest possible enveloping cuboid H with a first edge length L1, a second edge length L2 and a third edge length L3.

The ratio of the first edge length L1 to the second edge length L2 can be between 0.5 and 30, or between 3 and 30, or between 4 and 15, or between 5 and 10, preferably between 1 and 15, particularly preferably between 1.5 and 10, more preferably between 2 and 5.

In the case of pipe sections, for example 20mm x 20mm can be provided. In the case of rod sections, for example 20mm x 150mm can be provided.

The ratio of the second edge length L2 to the third edge length L3 can be between 0.5 and 2, or between 0.75 and 1.25, preferably between 0.9 and 1.1, particularly preferably 1.

In the case of pipe sections, for example 20mm x 20mm can be provided. In the case of rod sections, for example 150mm x 150mm can be provided.

The ratio of the second edge length L2 to the wall thickness d, in particular of tubular glass parts, can be between 0.05 and 3.4, preferably between 0.1 and 2.8, particularly preferably between 0.4 and 2.4.

In principle, it may be preferred that the large number of glass parts enclosed in the packaging are designed to be identical or similar.

For example, all of the packaged glass parts can be designed as tube sections or all of the packaged glass parts can be designed as rod sections.

However, geometry variations can also exist. In this case, the deviation of the dimension L1 along the first dimension D1 can preferably be less than 1.0 percent of the median for each glass part. Alternatively or additionally, for each glass part, the deviation of the dimension L2 along the second dimension D2 can be less than 2 percent of the median. Alternatively or additionally, the deviation of the wall thickness d can be less than 5 percent of the median for each glass part.

An advantage of the present invention is that damage, especially chipping on the surfaces or edges of the glass parts, is reduced or avoided.

The invention is particularly suitable for glass parts which, in particular, have already been intended transport route, have high quality standards.

It can be provided that of all the glass parts enclosed in the packaging, less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 25%, even more preferably less than 15%, have damage, in particular a breakout, which has a largest dimension which is larger than 0.035mm.

The glass parts can each have a lateral surface and two side surfaces, the side surfaces being formed in particular by the machined positions.

In this case, it can be provided that of all the glass parts enclosed in the packaging, preferably less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 25%, even more preferably less than 15%, have damage, in particular a breakout, on the lateral surface, which is the largest Has a dimension that is greater than 0.035mm.

Furthermore, it can be provided that of all the glass parts enclosed in the packaging, preferably less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 25%, even more preferably less than 15%, have damage, in particular a breakout, on the side surfaces, which has a largest dimension , which is larger than 0.035mm.

The invention makes it possible, in particular, for the glass parts to continue to meet high quality standards even after they have been transported.

Accordingly, it can be provided that less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 25%, even more preferably less than 15%, of all the glass parts enclosed in the packaging which are damaged, in particular a breakout, for example on the lateral surface and/or on the side surfaces, present after transport, in particular by truck and/or ship and/or airplane.

Fig. 1

eine Vielzahl rohrförmiger Glasteile, welche in gegenseitigem Kontakt zueinanderstehend in einer Verpackung eingeschlossen sind,

Fig. 2-3

ein beispielhaftes rohrförmiges Glasteil mit einer Mantelfläche und zwei Seitenflächen,

Fig. 4-5

Messergebnisse für erfindungsgemäß verpackte Glasteile betreffend den prozentualen Anteil der Vielzahl der Glasteile in der Verpackung, welche vor bzw. nach dem Transport Beschädigungen auf der Mantelfläche (Fig. 4) bzw. auf den Seitenflächen (Fig. 5) aufweisen,

Fig. 6-7

Als Vergleichsbeispiel Messergebnisse für lediglich in Schalen und/oder Tüten verpackte Glasteile betreffend den prozentualen Anteil der Vielzahl der Glasteile in der Verpackung, welche vor bzw. nach dem Transport Beschädigungen auf der Mantelfläche (Fig. 6) bzw. auf den Seitenflächen (Fig. 7) aufweisen.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the figures. Show here:

Fig. 1

a large number of tubular glass parts which are in mutual contact with one another and are enclosed in a package,

Fig. 2-3

an exemplary tubular glass part with a lateral surface and two side surfaces,

Fig. 4-5

Measurement results for glass parts packaged according to the invention regarding the percentage of the large number of glass parts in the packaging which show damage on the lateral surface before or after transport ( Fig. 4 ) or on the side surfaces ( Fig. 5 ) exhibit,

Fig. 6-7

As a comparative example, measurement results for glass parts packed only in bowls and/or bags regarding the percentage of A large number of glass parts in the packaging, which have damage on the lateral surface before or after transport ( Fig. 6 ) or on the side surfaces ( Fig. 7 ) exhibit.

Fig. 1 shows a large number of, in this case tubular, glass parts 10, which are enclosed in a flexible vacuum packaging 20. The packaging has a front and a rear film, which are connected to one another at the edge areas by means of weld seams 22.

Because there is a negative pressure in the packaging 20, the packaging 20 or the front and rear foil of the packaging nestles against the glass parts 10, so that the glass parts 10 are pressed together and secured against relative movements to one another.

In this case, the packaging has a flat shape, such that the packaging has a significantly larger dimension along the first dimension X1 than along the second dimension X2 and/or along the third dimension X3. In the present case, the dimension along dimension X1 is larger by more than a factor of 2.5 than the dimension along dimension X2 and also larger by more than a factor of 3 than the dimension along dimension

The elongated glass parts are randomly arranged in the packaging. In particular, the longest length L1 of the glass parts is randomly oriented. However, there is a preferred direction, which runs in the plane X1-X2.

The Fig. 2-3 show the glass parts enclosed in the packaging again in detail. This example involves tubular glass parts 10, in particular tube sections with a length L1 and a diameter L2 (or L3), which thus define an enveloping cuboid H, which has a square side surface L2-L3.

In general, it can be provided that they are elongated glass parts 10, which are sawn along their length L1 as shown and therefore have two opposite side surfaces 20, which are connected to one another by a lateral surface 18.

The glass parts 10 thus have opposite machined ends 12, each of which defines a sawn surface 14. In the present example these are pipe sections with a wall thickness d. However, rod sections or other shapes are also possible.

The Fig. 4-5 show measurement results for glass parts that comply with Fig. 1 are packaged. The measurement results show the percentage of those glass parts in the packaging that show damage on the outer surface (before or after transport). Fig. 4 ) or on the side surfaces ( Fig. 5 ), in which case the transport is simulated in particular by a shaking test.

As per the Fig. 4-5 can be seen, more than 50% of the glass parts have on the lateral surface ( Fig. 4 ) or on the side surface ( Fig. 5 ) only the smallest damage, such as the smallest breakouts, namely those whose largest dimension is less than or equal to 0.035mm (category A). Damage, its largest dimension is greater than 0.035mm but less than or equal to 0.070mm (Category B) only occurs in less than 10% of the glass parts. The same applies to damage in categories C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J and K.

After transport (or vibration test), the number of damages in category A decreases slightly, while the number of damages, especially in categories H-K, increases slightly. Nevertheless, only less than 10% of the glass parts show damage in category B. The same applies to damage in categories C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J and K, with the exception that damage in category H is present on the lateral surface in 11% of the glass parts.

The Fig. 6-7 show, as comparative examples, corresponding measurement results for glass parts packaged only in bowls and/or bags, ie in particular without contact pressure and/or negative pressure, which are therefore not secured against relative movements.

As can be seen, after transport (or vibration test), the number of the smallest damages in category A drops significantly, while the number of damages in particular in categories H-K and especially in category K (i.e. larger than 0.35mm) increases significantly .

Overall, this shows that the glass parts packaged according to the invention significantly reduce damage to the glass parts in an advantageous manner, in particular due to relative movements of the glass parts to one another.

Claims (14)

Packaged glass parts, in particular precision glass parts with tubular or rod-shaped geometry, where: a plurality of glass parts (10) which are in mutual contact with one another and are enclosed in a flexible packaging (20), and the packaging (20) exerts pressure on the glass parts (10), in particular in that there is a negative pressure in the packaging (20), so that the packaging (20) clings to the glass parts (10), so that the glass parts (10) are pressed together and secured against relative movements to one another. Packaged glass parts according to the preceding claim, wherein the plurality of glass parts (10) comprises at least 100 glass parts, preferably comprises at least 1000 glass parts, particularly preferably comprises at least 10,000 glass parts, and/or wherein the glass parts (10) in the packaging are arranged in a disordered manner, in particular randomly, and/or wherein the glass parts (10) pressed together in the packaging (20) have a density which is between 0.5 kg/l and 2 kg/l, preferably between 0.75 kg/l and 1.75 kg/l, especially is preferably between 1 kg/l and 1.5 kg/l. Packaged glass parts according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the flexible packaging (20) is designed as a bag and/or comprises two opposing flexible films, which in particular by means of one or more weld seams (22) are connected at the edge, the width of the weld seam being at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm, particularly preferably at least 1.5 mm. Packaged glass parts according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the flexible packaging (20), in particular the flexible films, have a thickness which is between 0.02mm and 2mm, preferably between 0.05mm and 1mm, particularly preferably between 0.1mm and 0.5mm. Packaged glass parts according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the negative pressure which prevails in the packaging (20) is at least 0.05 bar, preferably at least 0.1 bar, particularly preferably at least 0.15 bar, even more preferably at least 0.2 bar. Packaged glass parts according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the flexible packaging (20), in particular the flexible films, comprise or consist of plastic, for example comprise or consist of polyethylene. Packaged glass parts according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the glass parts (10) pressed together in the packaging (20) define a maximum first dimension along a first dimension (X1) and define a maximum second dimension along a second dimension (X2) perpendicular to the first dimension, wherein the ratio of the first dimension to the second dimension is between 1 and 10, preferably between 1.5 and 5, particularly preferably between 2.5 and 3. Packaged glass parts according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the glass parts (10) each have one or more machined positions (12), in particular machined ends (12), wherein the machined positions (12) preferably comprise a sawn, cut, ground, matted and/or polished surface (14), in particular a surface sawn with a diamond saw, and/or wherein the machined positions (12) preferably comprise an edge (16) which is sharp-edged and formed by a right angle Packaged glass parts according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the glass parts (10) each have a cross section (Q) which remains the same along a first dimension (D1) or at least along 50 percent of the length (L1) of the glass part (10) along the first dimension (D1), preferably along 90 percent, the length (L1) of the glass part (10) remains the same along the first dimension (D1) and / or the glass parts (10) each being an elongated one Have geometry along a first dimension (D1), preferably have a tubular or rod-shaped geometry along a first dimension (D1), and / or wherein the glass parts (10) each have a rotationally symmetrical geometry about a first dimension (D1). Packaged glass parts according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the glass parts each have a dimension (L1) along a first dimension (D1) which is between 0.2mm and 35mm, preferably between 0.2mm and 20mm, particularly preferably between 1mm and 20mm, even more preferably between 1mm and 10mm is, more preferably between 1mm and 5mm, and/or wherein the glass parts each have a dimension (L2), in particular a diameter (L2), along a second dimension (D2), which is between 0.5mm and 150mm, preferably between 0.5mm and 20mm, particularly preferably between 1mm and 20mm, more preferably between 1mm and 15mm, even more preferably between 1mm and 5mm, the second dimension (D2) extending in particular perpendicular to the first dimension (D1), and/or wherein the glass parts each have a wall thickness (d), in particular a jacket thickness (d) of a tube, which is between 0.1mm and 10mm, preferably between 0.15mm and 9mm, particularly preferably between 0.5mm and 2.5mm . Packaged glass parts according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the glass parts (10) each define a smallest possible enveloping cuboid (H) with a first edge length (L1), a second edge length (L2) and a third edge length (L3), and wherein the ratio of the first edge length (L1) to the second edge length (L2) is between 0.5 and 30, preferably between 1 and 15, particularly preferably between 1.5 and 10, even more preferably between 2 and 5, and / or wherein the ratio of the second edge length (L2) to the third edge length (L3) is between 0.5 and 2, preferably between 0.9 and 1.1, particularly preferably 1 and/or wherein the ratio of the second edge length (L2) to the wall thickness (d) is between 0.05 and 3.4, preferably between 0.1 and 2.8, particularly preferably between 0.4 and 2.4. Packaged glass parts according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of glass parts (10) are identical and/or wherein for each glass part (10) the deviation of the dimension (L1) along the first dimension (D1) is less than 1 percent of the median, and/or wherein for each glass part (10) the deviation of the dimension (L2) along the second dimension (D2) is less than 2 percent of the median, and/or where for each glass part (10) the deviation of the wall thickness (d) is less than 5 percent of the median. Packaged glass parts according to one of the preceding claims, wherein of all the glass parts (10) enclosed in the packaging (20), less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 25%, even more preferably less than 15%, have damage, in particular a breakout, which has a largest dimension which is larger is as 0.035mm, and/or wherein the glass parts (10) each have a lateral surface (18) and two side surfaces (20), the side surfaces (20) being formed in particular by the machined positions (12), and wherein of all the glass parts (10) enclosed in the packaging (20), preferably less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 25%, even more preferably less than 15%, have damage, in particular a breakout, on the lateral surface (18), which has a largest dimension which is greater than 0.035mm and/or wherein of all the glass parts (10) enclosed in the packaging (20), preferably less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 25%, even more preferably less than 15%, have damage, in particular a breakout, on the side surfaces (20), which has a largest dimension that is greater than 0.035mm. Packaged glass parts according to the preceding claim,
wherein the less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 25%, even more preferably less than 15%, of all glass parts (10) enclosed in the packaging (20) which have damage, in particular a breakout, for example on the lateral surface (18) and/or on the side surfaces (20), after transport and/or a vibration test .

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