MX2007005372A - Apparatus and method for tempering glass containers using radio-frequency - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for tempering glass articles. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in:pre-heating the glass article to a first pre-determined temperature;applying radio frequency energy to the pre-heated glass article in order to heat same to a second pre-determined temperature and, after a pre-determined period of time, simultaneously cooling at least one surface of the heated glass article to a third pre-determined temperature, in order to treat the article;and after a pre-determined period of time, cooling the treated glass article to a fourth pre-determined temperature in order to produce a quenched glass article.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TEMPERING GLASS ITEMS CROSS REFERENCES WITH THIS APPLICATION. The present application claims the priority date of co-pending US provisional patent application No. 60 / 517,768 filed November 6, 2003, and is a continuation-in-part application of US Patent Application No. 10. / 247,386, filed on September 19, 2002, entitled "System and method for simultaneously heating and cooling glass to produce tempered glass" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention. The present invention relates generally to glass containers and, more particularly, to a system and method for tempering glass containers such as bottles, glasses and jars. 2. Description of the Prior Art. Glass tempering is generally defined as a glass (for example annealed or ordinary) that has been pre-fatigued by heating to a temperature at or above its softening point and forcing the glass to sudden and quickly tempering it under careful controlled conditions . This tempering process produces tempered glass having highly desirable induced stress conditions which results in additional strength, resistance to thermal stress and impact resistance when compared to an ordinary or annealed glass.

The basic principle used in the tempering process is to create an initial surface condition and edge compression. This condition is carried out by first heating the glass and then cooling the glass surface rapidly. Said heating and cooling leaves the center of the glass relatively hot relative to the surface thereof. When the center of the glass cools, the surfaces and edges of the glass are forced to a compression effect. Wind pressure, weapon impacts, thermal stress or other applied loads must first overcome this compression before there is any possibility of glass fracture. Regarding the heating step, it is well known to use a heater or hardener to heat glass to be tempered. Generally speaking, the hardener is an oven which can be of the continuous roller type, the fixed roller type or the gas hardener. For example, a gas oven has a plurality of blocks arranged below a plurality of radiant heaters. Traditionally, glass is placed inside the oven where the glass is heated by conventional radiation and convection and heat conduction. The glass moves along the blocks at a predetermined speed, which depends on the thermal conductivity of the glass, to reach the temperature in the range of glass formation. When the glass is at a temperature in said range (for example about 1200 degrees F), the glass is formed in a predetermined form of the blocks.

Once formed, the surfaces of the glass are quickly cooled by air, regularly by the application of an air flow to it, creating a differential or desired temperature gradient between the center of the glass and the surfaces thereof to create an internal effort wanted. The air flow may consist of fixed, rotating or reciprocating nozzle arrangements. It is important to extract heat evenly from both surfaces of the glass (irregular heat extraction can cause arcing or warping) and to sustain cooling for a sufficient time to prevent overheating of the glass center surfaces, which is still hot. The cooling condition begins to be stable when the temperature of the glass is reduced to a temperature of 400 to 600 degrees ° F. However, in the case of tempered glass articles such as glass bottles, the conventional tempering process described above is not very practical. More specifically, the known mechanisms designed and used to temper or cool the surfaces of glassware do not cool the surfaces fast enough, such that a desired gradient or temperature differential between the center of the glass walls and the surfaces thereof, does not create the desired internal stress. Therefore, there is now a need for a system and method for tempering glassware and, in general, for a system and a method for heating glassware during the warm-up portion of the tempering process, while maintaining the gradient or differential of desired temperature between the center of the glass walls of the articles and the surfaces of the same, to create, in particular, the internal effort required. There is also a need in the prior art for a system and method that tempers glassware such as containers in a fast, efficient and inexpensive manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the above, the present invention relates to a system and method for tempering glassware. The method includes the steps of preheating the glass article to a first predetermined temperature. The method also includes the steps of applying radio frequency energy to the preheated glass article to heat the glass article to a second predetermined temperature and, after a predetermined amount of time, to simultaneously cool at least one surface of the heated glass article to a third predetermined temperature for treating the glass article. The method further includes the steps of, after a predetermined amount of time, cooling the treated glass article to a predetermined fourth temperature to produce a tempered glass article. In addition, the present invention is a system for tempering glassware that includes a plurality of plates spaced apart from one another to apply radio frequency energy to a preheated glass article, to heat the glassware to a predetermined temperature. The system further includes, an arrow or spindle adapted to support and transport the glass article between the plates. The system further includes a cooler tube comprising a part adapted to be disposed within the article of glass, wherein the cooling tube is adapted to pass air through it and cool the glass article producing a tempered glass article.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and method for tempering glassware. Another advantage of the present invention is that the system and method heats glassware during a part of the heating of the tempering process, maintaining a desired gradient or temperature differential between the center of the glass of the articles and the surfaces thereof, to create the internal effort required. Another advantage of the present invention is that the system and method tempers glass articles quickly, efficiently and at low cost. It is still another advantage of the present invention that the system and method produce glass articles that are lighter, stronger and more resistant to impact. A further advantage of the present invention is that the system and method saves raw material and energy in the manufacture of glassware. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a flow chart of a method, according to the present invention, for tempering glassware. Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevation view of a system, according to the present invention, for tempering glass articles.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the system for tempering glass articles of Figure 2; Figure 4 is another embodiment, according to the present invention, of the system of figure 2, for annealing a glass article. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES With reference to FIG. 1, a method of a method, according to the present invention, for tempering a glass article is shown. The method includes first, second and third stages 10, 20, 30, respectively. The method can be used to temper any glassware such as bottles, glasses and jars. In the system and method shown in the figures and described below, a glass container 40 is tempered as shown in Figures 2 and 3. However, it should be understood that the system and method can be used in connection with any glass object or item. In figures 2 and 3, the glass is indicated with the number 42, of a bottle 40. As seen from said figures, the glass 42 of the bottle 40 defines two main surfaces, called an internal surface 44 and an external surface 45, but the glass container It can include any number and shape of major surfaces. The method includes a first stage 10a for receiving a hot glass article, which is indicated generally with the number 40 in figures 2 and 3, of a mold (not shown) or stage 10b of preheating the glass bottle to a first default temperature. This pre-heating can be completed in any number of conventional ways, including heating with infrared energy. In one embodiment, the first predetermined temperature falls within a range of 900 ° F to 990 ° F. The glass generally indicated with the number 42 of the bottle 40 is illustrated. The method also includes a second step 20 of applying radio frequency energy to the preheated glass bottle 40 to heat it to a second predetermined temperature. In one embodiment, the radio frequency energy has a variable frequency within the range of between about 0.01 GHz to about less than 0.2 GHz. Also, in one embodiment, the second predetermined temperature has a temperature variation in a range of between from 1 150 ° F to 1250 ° F. After a predetermined amount of time, the second stage includes the cooling of at least one, preferably both of the surfaces 44 and 45 of the heated glass bottle 40 to a third predetermined temperature for treating the glass article 40. In one embodiment , the third predetermined temperature is within the range of about 600 ° F to 1 150 ° F. This cooling can be obtained in any number of conventional ways. For example, at least one, and preferably, a plurality of air flows that are directed to at least one and preferably, a plurality of surfaces 44, 45 of the glass container 40 heated to cool at least one surface 44, 45. In one embodiment, each of the major surfaces of the glass 42, such as the inner surface 44 and the outer surface 45, are cooled during the second stage 20. The purpose of cooling the inner and outer surfaces 44, 45 is to maintain a gradient or desired temperature differential between a center 46 of the glass 42, which is shown in figure 3, and the surface 44, 45 of the glass 42, with the center 46 having a higher temperature than that of the surfaces 44, 45. The method further includes a third step 30. of cooling the treated glass container 40 to a predetermined fourth temperature to produce a tempered glass bottle 40. In one embodiment, the fourth predetermined temperature is within a range of about 400T to 600 ° F. This cooling can be obtained in any number of conventional ways. One such way is to apply at least one, and preferably a plurality of air flows to the treated glass bottle 40, preferably directed to the inner and outer surfaces 44, 45 thereof. After the cooling process, the cooled glass article can also be cooled, for example, to an ambient temperature. Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown one embodiment of the system 50, according to the present invention, for annealing a glass bottle 40. The system 50 includes a plurality of plates 52 which are adapted to radiate radio energy. frequency, a spindle, which is indicated with the number 54, and a cooling tube 56. The system 50 will be described in detail below. The system 50 shown in Figures 2 and 3 includes a pair of radiation plates 52 that are substantially identical and relatively spaced from one another in a parallel and substantially aligned manner. The plates 52 are spaced horizontally with the glass bottle 40 that is placed between the plates 52 as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The spaced position of the plates 52 defines an elongated passage 53 between the plates 52, as illustrated in Figure 3, in which the glass bottle 40 can be placed . The system 50 also includes a plurality of hollow plenums 70, each being provided with air under positive pressure and adapted to supply air to the glass bottle. In the embodiment shown, each radiation plate 52 is hollow and includes one of the plenums 70. Each of the radiation plates 52 is also of a substantially rectangular shape. Each of the radiation plates 52 includes a plurality of air outlet holes 58 disposed substantially equidistant from each one on an inner surface 60 of the radiation plate 52 to supply air to the glass bottle 40 as will be described later. The spindle 54 is disposed centrally between the radiation plates 52. The spindle includes a surface 62 that is adapted to support the glass bottle 40. The surface 62 is substantially horizontal or flat. The spindle 54 is also adapted to transport the glass bottle 40 in relation to the radiation plates 52. For example, in the embodiment shown, the spindle 54 is adapted to continuously rotate the glass bottle 40 and to move the glass bottle 40 along the passage 53 that is defined between the radiation plates 52. Preferably, the surface 62 is disposed in a substantially perpendicular manner with respect to the inner surface 60 of each of the radiation plates 52 and such that substantially the entire glass bottle 40 is placed between the radiation plates 52.

The cooling tube 56 includes a portion 57 adapted to be placed through an opening 64 of the glass bottle 40 and extended into the glass bottle 40. The cooling tube 56 also includes an opposite end 59 which is connected to a air source 80 of an air supply system (not shown). As can be seen, the portion 57 of the cooling tube 56 that is placed inside the glass bottle 40 has an opening 60 to allow air to pass through it and into the glass bottle 40. As can be observing the cooling tube 56 is adapted for air to pass through it and made the inner part of the glass bottle 40, to cool the glass bottle 40 and produce a tempered glass bottle 40. In operation, the glass bottle 40 is preheated to the first predetermined temperature, such as around 550 ° C. Then, the preheated glass bottle 50 is placed on the surface 62 of the spindle 54, and the cooling tube 56 is connected to the air source 80 and the portion 57 of the cooling tube is inserted into the preheated glass bottle 40. Then , the spindle 54 transports the preheated bottle 40 between the radiation plates 52 and through the passage 53 defined by the radiation plates 52, the radiation plates 52 apply radiofrequency energy to the preheated glass bottle. The radio frequency energy heats the glass bottle 40 to a second predetermined temperature. Simultaneously, the spindle 54 is continuously rotating the preheated glass bottle 40 to provide uniform radiation and thus heat the glass bottle 40. As illustrated in Figure 3, radio waves, represented by the number 66, travel through the surfaces 44, 45 of the glass bottle 40. Then, after a predetermined amount of time, the surfaces 44, 45 of the heated glass bottle 40, are simultaneously cooled to a third predetermined temperature for treating the glass bottle 40. More specifically, air is supplied to each of the plates 52 and the cooling tube 56 and, consequently, through the holes 58 and opening 60 to the inner and outer surfaces 44, 45 of the heated glass bottle 40 while the radio waves 66 are applied to the preheated glass bottle 40. At this point, a desired level of tempering is determined by means of of the gradient or temperature differential between the center 46 of the glass and the surfaces 44, 45 of the glass 42, with the center 46 having a temperature higher than that of the surfaces 44, 45. Finally, after In a predetermined amount of time, the treated glass bottle 40 is cooled to a predetermined fourth temperature to produce a tempered glass bottle 40. More specifically, the application of the radio waves 66 is interrupted, while the supply is continued of air through the holes 58 and cooling tube 56. If required, the tempered glass bottle can be removed from the surface 62 of the spindle 54, for additional cooling. With reference to Figure 4, it shows another embodiment of the system 50, in accordance with the present invention. Similar parts of the 50 system have the same reference numbers that increase by one hundred (100). In this embodiment, the system 150 includes a plurality, preferably a pair of plates 152 that are adapted to radiate radio frequency energy, a spindle 54 and a cooling tube 156. In the embodiment illustrated, the pair of radiation plates are substantially identical and separated in relation to one another, in a parallel and substantially aligned manner. The radiation plates 152 are spaced vertically with the glass bottle 40, placed between the plates 152 as shown in Figure 4. One of the radiation plates 152 is placed above the glass bottle 40 and the other plate radiation is placed below the glass bottle 40. One of the radiation plates 152 includes a slotted opening 176., and the other radiation plate 152 includes another slotted opening 178. The system 150 further includes a plurality of hollow plenums 170. In the embodiment illustrated, there are a pair of plenums 170 that are substantially identical and spaced relative to each other in one embodiment. Parallel shape and substantially aligned. The plenums 170 are spaced horizontally with the glass bottle 40 positioned between the plenums 170 as shown in FIG. 4. One of the plenums 170 is placed on one side of the glass bottle 40 and the other of the plenums 170 is placed on the opposite side of the glass bottle 40. Each of the plenums 170 is provided with air under positive pressure. and is adapted to supply air to the glass bottle 40. Each of the plenums 170 is also of a substantially rectangular shape, and includes a plurality of tubes or nozzles for air 172 positioned substantially equidistant from each other on an interior surface 174 of the plenums 170. The air tubes 172 are inserted and removed by a cam array (not shown). The separate position of the plenums 170 and the plates 152 define an elongated passage 153 between the plenums 170 and plates 152, through which the glass bottle 40 can be placed. As shown, the air tubes 172 blow air on the sides of the glass bottle 40. The spindle 154 is positioned between the radiation plates 152. The spindle 154 includes a surface 162 that is adapted to support and transport the bottle. glass 40 within the space defined between the radiation plates 152. The surface 162 is substantially horizontal or planar. The spindle 154 is also adapted to continuously rotate the glass bottle 40 and to move the glass bottle 40 through the passageway 153. In the illustrated embodiment, the spindle 154 extends through the slotted opening 176 in the radiation plate. bottom 152. Preferably, the surface 162 is positioned in a substantially perpendicular fashion to the interior surface 174 of each of the plenums 170 and such that substantially the entire glass bottle 40 is placed between the plenums 70. The cooling tube 156 includes a portion 157 adapted to be placed through the slotted opening 178 in the upper radiation plate 152, through an opening 64 of the glass bottle 40, and inside the glass bottle 40. The cooling tube 156 also includes an opposite end 159 which is connected to an air source 180. The operation of the system 150 is similar to the system 50. According to the above, the system 50, 150 and method of the present invention generally tempers glass articles, and heats the glass bottles 40 during the heating portion of the tempering process while maintaining a desired temperature gradient or differential between the center of the glass 42 of the bottles 40 and the surfaces 44, 45 thereof, to create particularly the required internal stress. System 50, 150, and method of the present invention also tempers glass articles quickly, efficiently and at low cost. The system 50, 150 and method of the present invention also produces glass containers that are lighter, stronger and more resistant to impact. The system 50, 150, and method of the present invention saves raw material and energy in the manufacture of glassware. The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. Therefore, it should be understood that the terminology that has been used was attempted in the nature of words from a description rather than limitation. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that many modifications and variations of the present invention may be possible in light of the teachings of the foregoing. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be embodied in other forms such as that specifically described.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. - A method for tempering glass articles comprising the steps of: pre-heating the glass article to a first predetermined temperature; applying radio frequency energy to the preheated glass article to heat the glass article to a second predetermined temperature and, after a predetermined amount of time, simultaneously cooling at least one surface of the heated glass article to a third predetermined temperature to treat the glass item; and, after a predetermined amount of time, cooling the treated glass article to a predetermined fourth temperature to produce a tempered glass article.
2. 2. - The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of applying comprises, providing a plurality of plates spaced relatively relative to one another, to apply radio frequency energy to the pre-heated glass article for heating the glass article to a predetermined temperature.
3. 3. - The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of applying comprises, providing a spindle and supporting and transporting the glass article between the plates with the spindle.
4. 4. - The method as claimed in claim 3, including the step of rotating the glass article with the spindle.
5. 5. - The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of pre-heating the glass article comprises molding the glass article of molten glass.
6. 6. - The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of pre-heating the glass article comprises heating a pre-formed glass article.
7. 7. - The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of simultaneously cooling comprises directing at least one air flow to at least one surface of the heated glass article.
8. 8. The method as claimed in claim 7 including the step of providing a plurality of plenums and providing the plenums with air under positive pressure to provide at least one air flow.
9. 9. - The method as claimed in claim 7 including the step of, providing a cooling tube and placing a portion of the cooling tube inside the glass article to allow passage therethrough and to the interior of the article of glass.
10. 10. - The method as claimed in claim 1 including the step of rotating the pre-heated glass article during the step of applying radio frequency energy to the pre-heated glass article.
11. 11. A system for tempering a glass article comprising: a plurality of plates spaced relatively relative to each other to apply radio frequency energy to a glass article preheated to heat the glass article to a predetermined temperature; a spindle adapted to support and transport the glass article between said plates; and, a cooling tube including a section adapted to be placed inside the glass article, said cooling tube being adapted to allow air to pass through it and into the interior of the glass article to cool the glass article and produce a Tempered glass item.
12. 12. - The system as claimed in claim 11, including a plurality of plenums provided with air under positive pressure, each of said plenums being adapted to supply air to the glass article.
13. 13. - The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said plenums are horizontally separated to define a passage between said plenums, where the glass article is placed.
14. 14. - The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of said plates includes one of said plenums.
15. 15. - The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said plenums are horizontally separated and said plates are spaced vertically to define a passage between said plenums and said plates, through which the glass article is placed.
16. 16. - The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said spindle is adapted to rotate the glass article.
17. 17. - The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plates define a passage and said spindle is adapted to move the glass article through said passage.
18. 18. - The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one of said plates includes a slotted opening.
19. 19. - The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said cooling tube is placed through said slotted opening.
20. 20. - The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said spindle is placed through said slotted opening. SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TEMPERING GLASS ARTICLES SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system and method for tempering glassware. The method includes the steps of pre-heating the glass article to a first predetermined temperature. The method also includes the step of applying radio frequency energy to the preheated glass article to heat the glass article to a second predetermined temperature and, after a predetermined amount of time, simultaneously cooling at least one surface of the heated glass article to a third predetermined temperature for treating the glass article. The method further includes the step of, after a predetermined amount of time, cooling the treated glass article to a predetermined fourth temperature to produce a tempered glass article.