A system for forming hollow pressed glass articles utilizes a flow of cryogen that is mixed with air to provide a cooling gas that enables newly pressed articles to be removed from their molds after a thin skin of solidified glass has been formed on internal surfaces of the articles to strengthen the newly formed articles and to give them shape stability. Two flows of cryogen are used, one being a gentle, substantially continuous flow of cryogen gas from a low pressure source, the other being a controlled intermittent flow of cryogen vapor in liquid and/or gaseous form from a high pressure source. To assure a proper introduction of cryogen vapor, and to prevent debilitating accumulations of ice within and about the tube that is used to inject high pressure cryogen, the high pressure injector tube is surrounded by a low pressure cryogen flow tube, through which a flow of low pressure cryogen gas is maintained on a substantially continuous basis. By this arrangement, when the high pressure flow of cryogen is shut off between bursts of flow into mold cavities that are brought sequentially into a cooling gas injection station, the discharge end of the high pressure injector tube is kept purged of moisture laden ambient air. Because the system of the present invention hastens cooling and solidification of newly formed glass articles, the time during which the articles must be retained in their molds is significantly reduced.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 707,403, filed July 7, 1987, now abandoned, which is continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 945,285, filed Dec. 22, 1986 now abandoned by Michael J. Ziegler et al as a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 798,614, filed Nov. 15, 1985 by Michael J. Ziegler et al (and issued Mar. 24, 1987 as U. S. Pat. No. 4,652,292) as a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 600,410, filed Apr. 16, 1984 by Michael J. Ziegler et al (and issued Nov. 19, 1985 as U. S. Pat. No. 4,553,999). The foregoing patents and applications are referred to hereinafter as the "Parent Cases," the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention pertains to an apparatus for forming glass. The apparatus comprises a mold for holding molten glass. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a mechanism for applying pressure to the molten glass in the mold. The apparatus comprises a controller for controlling the applying mechanism such that pressure is applied to the glass at predetermined times. The present invention pertains to a method for forming glass. The method comprises the steps of placing molten glass in a mold. Preferably, the placing step includes the step of placing the molten glass at a temperature greater than 800.degree. C. into the mold. Next there is the step of applying pressure greater than ambient pressure to the molten glass in the mold. Before the applying step, there is preferably the step of cooling the molten glass to a predetermined temperature. The applying step preferably includes the step of applying the pressure until the pressure reaches a peak when the molten glass is cooled to a quench temperature T.sub.q. Preferably, the applying step includes pressing a solid cooled quencher, such as a plate having piping with coolant flowing through it, against the molten glass. Preferably, the applying step includes the step of applying a peak pressure of 50-100 atmospheres when the temperature of the molten glass at its surface is greater than or equal to T.sub.q. Then there is the step of cooling molten glass while applying the pressure. The cooling step preferably includes the step of cooling the glass at the peak pressure until the glass at its center has reached a temperature of T.sub.b. After the cooling step, there is preferably the step of reducing the pressure to ambient pressure. Next there is the step of solidifying the molten glass.
A process for manufacturing glass objects such as bottles, in which a cold fluid containing a cryogen is sprayed around and/or under the bottles in the region of the transfer tongs and/or of the standby table in order to accelerate the cooling of the bottles and improve the quality of the latter and the productivity of the manufacturing machines. This cooling may be accompanied by a localized, or complete quenching of the bottle.
A media assist and gaseous fluid flow distribution system for a cryogenic deflashing machine. Dry-nitrogen or other dry gas is supplied to the media assist distribution system of the present invention in order to supply a cryogenic deflashing machine with gas fluid flow. The gaseous nitrogen is distributed into the interior of the cryogenic deflashing chamber as well as serving to propel deflashing media shot into a throw wheel impeller. The throw wheel impeller then propels the media into the cryogenic deflashing chamber to deflash plastic, metal, or other appropriate work pieces. The gas distribution portion of the present invention also supplies a blast of dry nitrogen against the door to ensure that debris collecting nearby is directed towards the drain of the cryogenic deflashing chamber and the media/flash separator. Via the gaseous distribution system of the present invention, the amount of media required for impact deflashing is greatly reduced.
