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WO2024238076A1 - Systèmes d'échange d'ions pour contenir et transporter des articles - Google Patents

Systèmes d'échange d'ions pour contenir et transporter des articles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024238076A1
WO2024238076A1 PCT/US2024/024945 US2024024945W WO2024238076A1 WO 2024238076 A1 WO2024238076 A1 WO 2024238076A1 US 2024024945 W US2024024945 W US 2024024945W WO 2024238076 A1 WO2024238076 A1 WO 2024238076A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
section
conveyor
ion exchange
predefined
exchange system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/US2024/024945
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Karl David Ehemann
Sinue GOMEZ-MOWER
Kai Tod Paul Jarosch
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Corning Inc
Original Assignee
Corning Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Corning Inc filed Critical Corning Inc
Publication of WO2024238076A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024238076A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C21/00—Treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by diffusing ions or metals in the surface
    • C03C21/001—Treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by diffusing ions or metals in the surface in liquid phase, e.g. molten salts, solutions
    • C03C21/002—Treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by diffusing ions or metals in the surface in liquid phase, e.g. molten salts, solutions to perform ion-exchange between alkali ions
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C17/00—Surface treatment of glass, not in the form of fibres or filaments, by coating
    • C03C17/001—General methods for coating; Devices therefor
    • C03C17/003—General methods for coating; Devices therefor for hollow ware, e.g. containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G49/00—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for
    • B65G49/02—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for conveying workpieces through baths of liquid
    • B65G49/04—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for conveying workpieces through baths of liquid the workpieces being immersed and withdrawn by movement in a vertical direction
    • B65G49/0409—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for conveying workpieces through baths of liquid the workpieces being immersed and withdrawn by movement in a vertical direction specially adapted for workpieces of definite length
    • B65G49/0436—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for conveying workpieces through baths of liquid the workpieces being immersed and withdrawn by movement in a vertical direction specially adapted for workpieces of definite length arrangements for conveyance from bath to bath
    • B65G49/044—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for conveying workpieces through baths of liquid the workpieces being immersed and withdrawn by movement in a vertical direction specially adapted for workpieces of definite length arrangements for conveyance from bath to bath along a continuous circuit
    • B65G49/045—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for conveying workpieces through baths of liquid the workpieces being immersed and withdrawn by movement in a vertical direction specially adapted for workpieces of definite length arrangements for conveyance from bath to bath along a continuous circuit the circuit being fixed

Definitions

  • the present specification generally relates to systems for holding glass articles during processing and, more specifically, to ion exchange systems for holding glass articles during ion exchange.
  • glass has been used as a preferred material for many applications, including food and beverage packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, kitchen and laboratory glassware, and windows or other architectural features, because of its hermeticity, optical clarity and excellent chemical durability relative to other materials.
  • various systems used to process and fill glass articles may introduce flaws in the surface of the glass, leading to breakage and limiting the mechanical performance of the glass.
  • conventional processing systems may involve the use of costly equipment (e.g., magazine apparatus) and manual involvement to obtain the finished glass article.
  • an ion exchange system comprises: a conveyor having a length, a width, a thickness less than the width, and a plurality of receivers located along the length of the conveyor configured to receive and hold a plurality of articles; a predefined conveyor path comprising an ion exchange section, a drain section, and a coating section; and a conveyor drive and guidance system for directing the conveyor along the predefined conveyor path, wherein: the conveyor is directed continuously along the ion exchange section, the drain section, and the coating section.
  • a second aspect A2 includes the ion exchange system of the first aspect Al, wherein the plurality of receivers comprise a plurality of receiving apertures extending through the thickness of the conveyor.
  • a third aspect A3 includes the ion exchange system of the second aspect A2, wherein he conveyor comprises a first half and a second half, the first half configured to correspond to the second half such that the first and second halves form the plurality of receiving apertures.
  • a fourth aspect A4 includes the ion exchange system of any one of the first through third aspects Al -A3, wherein the ion exchange system further comprises a transport component that carries the conveyor along the predefined conveyor path.
  • a fifth aspect A5 includes the ion exchange system of any one of the first through fourth aspects A1-A4, wherein the conveyor comprises a first conveyor portion and a second conveyor portion, the first conveyor portion extending through the ion exchange section and the drain section, the second conveyor portion extending through the coating section.
  • a sixth aspect A6 includes the ion exchange system of the fifth aspect A5, wherein the predefined conveyor path further comprises a transfer section between the drain section and the coating section, the plurality of glass articles being transferred from the first conveyor portion to the second conveyor portion in the transfer section.
  • a seventh aspect A7 includes the ion exchange system of the fifth aspect A5 or the sixth aspect A6, wherein a first plurality of receivers of the first conveyor portion comprises a plurality of receiving apertures extending through the thickness of the conveyor.
  • An eighth aspect A8 includes the ion exchange system of any one of the fifth through seventh aspects A5-A7, wherein a second plurality of receivers of the second conveyor portion comprises spindles.
  • a ninth aspect A9 includes the ion exchange system of any one of the first through eighth aspects A1-A8, wherein the ion exchange section comprises an ion exchange tank for containing molten salt, the pre-defined conveyor path extending through at least a portion of the ion exchange tank.
  • a tenth aspect Al 0 includes the ion exchange system of any one of the first through ninth aspects A1-A9, wherein the predefined conveyor path further comprises a wash section between the ion exchange section and the coating section.
  • An eleventh aspect Al 1 includes the ion exchange system of any one of the first through tenth aspects A1-A10, wherein the predefined conveyor path further comprises a pre-heat section before the ion exchange section and a cool section after the ion exchange section.
  • an ion exchange system comprises: a conveyor having a length, a width, a thickness less than the width, and a plurality of receivers located along the length of the conveyor configured to receive and hold a plurality of articles; a predefined conveyor path comprising an ion exchange section and a drain section, the drain section being subsequent to the ion exchange section, the ion exchange section including an ion exchange tank for containing molten salt, the predefined conveyor path extending through at least a portion of the ion exchange tank along a vertical section, along a first horizontal section, and along a first switchback; and a conveyor drive and guidance system for directing the conveyor along the predefined conveyor path, wherein: the conveyor is directed along the first horizontal section in a first direction; the predefined conveyor path further comprises a second horizontal section, the conveyor being directed along the second horizontal section in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second horizontal section extending through the ion exchange tank or through the drain section.
  • a thirteenth aspect Al 3 includes the ion exchange system of the twelfth aspect Al 2, the second horizontal section extends through the ion exchange tank; the predefined conveyor path further comprises a plurality of horizontal sections including the first and the second horizontal sections extending through the ion exchange tank and a plurality of switchbacks including the first switchback extending through the ion exchange tank and connecting adjacent horizontal sections; and the conveyer is directed in opposite directions along adjacent horizontal sections.
  • a fourteenth aspect A14 includes the ion exchange system of the thirteenth aspect A13, wherein the predefined conveyor path comprises at least two horizontal sections and at least two switchbacks extending through the ion exchange tank.
  • a fifteenth aspect Al 5 includes the ion exchange system of any one of the twelfth through fourteenth aspects A12-A14, wherein the plurality of receivers comprise a plurality of receiving apertures extending through the thickness of the conveyor.
  • a sixteenth aspect Al 6 includes the ion exchange system of any one of the twelfth through fifteenth aspects A12-A15, wherein the predefined conveyor path further comprises a coating section.
  • a seventeenth aspect Al 7 includes the ion exchange system of the sixteenth aspect Al 6, wherein the conveyor is directed continuously along the ion exchange section, the drain section, and the coating section.
  • An eighteenth aspect Al 8 includes the ion exchange system of the seventeenth aspect Al 7, wherein the conveyor comprises a first conveyor portion and a second conveyor portion, the first conveyor portion extending through the ion exchange section and the drain section, the second conveyor portion extending through the coating section.
  • a nineteenth aspect Al 9 includes the ion exchange system of the eighteenth aspect Al 8, wherein the predefined conveyor path further comprises a transfer section between the drain section and the coating section, the plurality of glass articles being transferred from the first conveyor portion to the second conveyor portion in the transfer section.
  • a twentieth aspect A20 includes the ion exchange system of the eighteenth aspect Al 8 or the nineteenth aspect Al 9, wherein a first plurality of receivers of the first conveyor portion comprises a plurality of receiving apertures extending through the thickness of the conveyor.
  • a twenty-first aspect A21 includes the ion exchange system of any one of the eighteenth through twentieth aspects A18-A20, wherein a second plurality of receivers of the second conveyor portion comprises spindles.
  • a twenty-second aspect A22 includes the ion exchange system of any one of the sixteenth though twenty -first aspects A16-A21, wherein the predefined conveyor path further comprises a wash section between the ion exchange section and the coating section.
  • a twenty-third aspect A23 includes the ion exchange system of any one of the twelfth through twenty-second aspects A12-A22, wherein the predefined conveyor path further comprises a pre-heat section before the ion exchange section and a cool section after the ion exchange section.
  • FIG. 1 schematically depicts an ion exchange system, according to one or more embodiments shown and desired herein;
  • FIG. 2 schematically depicts a top view of a conveyor, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;
  • FIG. 4 schematically depicts a top view of a conveyor and transport components, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;
  • FIG. 5 schematically depicts an isometric view of the conveyor and transport components of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 schematically depicts a side view of one of the transport components of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 7 schematically depicts a top view of a conveyor drive and guidance system, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;
  • FIG. 8 schematically depicts an end view of the conveyor drive and guidance system of FIG. 7 taken along line 8;
  • FIG. 9 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of a glass article, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;
  • FIG. 11 schematically depicts another ion exchange section, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;
  • FIG. 12 schematically depicts a conveyor portion, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.
  • FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a method of ion exchanging glass articles, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.
  • an ion exchange system may include a conveyor, a predefined conveyor path, and a conveyor drive and guidance system.
  • the conveyor may have a length, a width, a thickness less than the width, and a plurality of receivers located along the length of the conveyor configured to receive and hold a plurality of articles.
  • the predefined conveyor path may include an ion exchange section, a drain section, and a coating section.
  • the conveyor drive and guidance system may direct the conveyor along the predefined conveyor path.
  • the conveyor may be directed continuously along the ion exchange section, the drain section, and the coating section.
  • an ion exchange system may include a conveyor, a predefined conveyor path, and a conveyor drive and guidance system.
  • the conveyor may have a length, a width, a thickness less than the width, and a plurality of receivers located along the length of the conveyor configured to receive and hold a plurality of articles.
  • the predefined conveyor path may include an ion exchange section and a drain section.
  • the drain section may be subsequent to the ion exchange section.
  • the ion exchange section may include an ion exchange tank for containing molten salt.
  • the predefined conveyor path may extend through at least a portion of the ion exchange tank along a vertical section, along a first horizontal section, and along a first switchback.
  • the conveyor drive and guidance system may direct the conveyor along the predefined conveyor path.
  • the conveyor may be directed along the first horizontal section in a first direction.
  • the predefined conveyor path may further comprise a second horizontal section.
  • the conveyor may be directed along the second horizontal section in a second direction opposite the first direction.
  • the second horizontal section may extend through the ion exchange tank or through the drain section.
  • Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
  • One root cause of glass breakage is the introduction of flaws in the surface of the glass as the glass is processed and/or during subsequent filling. These flaws may be introduced in the surface of the glass from a variety of sources including contact between adjacent glass article and contact between the glass and equipment, such as handling and/or filing equipment.
  • Glass articles can be strengthened using a variety of techniques, including chemical and thermal tempering.
  • chemical tempering sometimes called ion exchange strengthening, may be used to strengthen glass articles through the introduction of a layer of compressive stress in the surface of the glass articles.
  • the compressive stress is introduced by submerging the glass articles in a molten salt bath, sometimes referred to as an ion exchange bath.
  • a molten salt bath sometimes referred to as an ion exchange bath.
  • a compressive stress is induced in the surface of the glass.
  • glass articles such as glass containers, may be mechanically manipulated to both fill and empty the glass articles of molten salt.
  • contact between the glass articles and the fixturing such as a magazine apparatus used to retain the glass articles during processing, may introduce flaws in the glass, particularly when the glass articles and the fixturing are initially submerged in the molten salt bath and/or when the fixturing and glass articles are withdrawn from the molten salt bath and rotated to empty the glass articles of molten salt.
  • the fixturing may be buoyant and thus be propelled upward relative to the fixturing.
  • the fixturing and glass articles are withdrawn from the molten salt bath and the fixturing is rotated to empty the glass articles of molten salt contained within the interior volume of the glass articles.
  • the fixturing is rotated, the glass articles may abruptly collide with the fixturing. This blunt force impact between the glass articles and the fixturing may introduce flaws in the surface of the glass.
  • the use of such conventional fixturing e.g., a magazine apparatus
  • the conveyor 102 includes a plurality of receivers 110 located along the length 1 of the conveyor 102 configured to receive and hold a plurality of articles 200.
  • the plurality of receivers 110 may comprise a plurality of receiving apertures 112 (i.e., openings) extending through the thickness t of the conveyor 102.
  • Each aperture 112 may be shaped and sized to securely hold articles 200 having a particular form factor, such as round, rectangular, or the like.
  • the apertures 112 of the conveyor 102 may be shaped to retain round-form glass vials.
  • the article 200 in the shape of a glass vial may generally include a body section 202, a neck section 204 about the body section 202, and an opening 206 leading through the neck section 204 and connected to an interior volume 210.
  • the body section 202 substantially surrounds the interior volume 210 of the article 200 with a bottom section 214 and sidewalls 216.
  • the neck section 204 generally connects the body section 202 with the opening 206.
  • the opening 206 may be surrounded by a collar 208 extending outward from the top of the neck section 204 of the article 200.
  • the body section 202 may have a curved bottom edge 218 and a curved area 212 adjacent to the neck section 204.
  • the neck section 204, body section 202, and collar 208 may have a generally circular shaped cross section, each comprising an exterior diameter.
  • the diameter of the collar de is greater than the diameter of the neck section d su and the diameter of the body section db is greater than the diameter of the collar de.
  • the neck section 204 and collar 208 may generally be formed with a greater thickness than the balance of the article 200 and, as such, may be better able to withstand incidental damage, such as scuffing, scratching, or the like, without breakage compared to the balance of the article 200.
  • the conveyor 102 may be guided along the predefined conveyor path 104 without the use of additional transport components (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, described below).
  • transport components 118 may hold and carry the conveyor 102 along the predefined conveyor path 104.
  • the conveyor 102 may extend orthogonal to the transport components 118 and be held along the width of the conveyor 102.
  • the conveyor may extend parallel to the transport components 118 and be held along the length of the conveyor 102.
  • the transport components 118 may be parallel transport chains, said as roller chains, pinter chains, mill chains, or the like.
  • the distance d a between adjacent receiving apertures 112 may be such that adjacent articles 200 do not contact each other when the conveyor 102 is horizontal (e.g., along a horizontal section) or when the conveyor is inclined or vertical (e.g., along a vertical section and/or along a switchback).
  • the distance d a results in a minimum spacing to be maintained between adjacent articles 200 during the processing of the articles 200.
  • the predefined conveyor path 104 may comprise an ion exchange section 120, a drain section 122, and a coating section 124. As shown, the drain section 122 is subsequent to the ion exchange section 120 and the coating section 124 is subsequent to the drain section 122.
  • the ion exchange sections 250, 252 include a “serpentine” predefined conveyor path 254, 256 (depicted as connected arrows) through the ion exchange tank 126, which generally mitigates the introduction of flaws in the glass articles 200 retained in the conveyor 262, 264 and increases the number of glass articles 200 that may be ion exchanged within a given period of time, thereby increasing efficiency and decreasing costs.
  • the predefined conveyor path 254 may extend through a first turn 266a and through at least a portion of the ion exchange tank 126 down into the molten salt 128 and along a vertical section 268, through a second turn 266b, along a first horizontal section 270a, and along a first switchback 272a.
  • switchback refers to a sharp bend from one direction to almost the opposite direction or the opposite direction.
  • the conveyor 262 may be directed (e.g., by a conveyor drive and guidance system as discussed herein) along the first horizontal section 270a in a first direction (as shown by arrow 274a).
  • the predefined conveyor path 254 may further comprise a second horizontal section 270b.
  • the conveyor 262 may be directed along the second horizontal section 270b in a second direction (as shown by arrow 274b) opposite the first direction 274a.
  • the second horizontal section 270b may extend though the drain section 122 (as shown in FIG. 10) or the ion exchange tank 126 (as shown in FIG. 11).
  • the predefined conveyor path 256 may extend through a first turn 276a, through at least a portion of the ion exchange tank 260 down into the molten salt 128, along a vertical section 278, through a second turn 276b, along a first horizontal section 280a, along a first switchback 282a, and along a second horizontal section 280b.
  • the second horizontal section 280b extends through the ion exchange tank 126 as shown in FIG.
  • the last switchback 282g (i.e., the switchback closest to the top of the ion exchange tank 126) may partially extend in the molten salt bath. As also shown in FIG. 11, the last horizontal section 280i may extend through the drain section 122.
  • the distance dh between adjacent horizontal sections 280a-280h and the radius r of switchbacks 282a-282g may be such that adjacent articles 200 do not contact each other and a minimum spacing is maintained between adjacent articles 200 during processing.
  • the predefined conveyor path 104 through ion exchange section 120 may be designed such that the glass articles 200 spend a desired amount of time in the ion exchange tank 126.
  • the glass article 200 may spend greater than or equal to 0.01 hr and less than or equal to 7.5 hr, greater than or equal to 0.01 hr and less than or equal to 5 hours, greater than or equal to 0.01 hr and less than or equal to 2.5 hr, greater than or equal to 0.05 hr and less than or equal to 7.5 hr, greater than or equal to 0.05 hr and less than or equal to 5 hours, greater than or equal to 0.05 hr and less than or equal to 2.5 hr, greater than or equal to 0.05 hr and less than or equal to 1 hr, greater than or equal to 0.1 hr and less than or equal to 7.5 hr, greater than or equal to 0.1 hr and less than or equal to 5 hours, greater than
  • the molten salt 128 may be maintained at a desired temperature.
  • the molten salt 128 may be maintained at a temperature greater than or equal to 300 °C and less than or equal to 550 °C, greater than or equal to 300 °C and less than or equal to 500 °C, greater than or equal to 300 °C and less than or equal to 450 °C, greater than or equal to 350 °C and less than or equal to 550 °C, greater than or equal to 350 °C and less than or equal to 500 °C, greater than or equal to 350 °C and less than or equal to 450 °C, greater than or equal to 400 °C and less than or equal to 550 °C, greater than or equal to 400 °C and less than or equal to 500 °C, or even greater than or equal to 400 °C and less than or equal to 450 °C, or any and all subranges formed from any of these endpoints.
  • the predefined conveyor path 104 extends though the drain section 122 after the ion exchange section 120.
  • the drain section 122 is designed such that molten salt bath material is removed from the interior of the glass articles 200.
  • the glass articles 200 are rotated or inverted in the drain section 122 to allow the molten salt bath material to exit the glass articles 200 and return to the molten salt bath.
  • the predefined conveyor path 104 extends through the coating section 124.
  • a coating or coatings are applied to at least one of an exterior surface and an interior surface of the glass articles 200.
  • the coating may be applied by methods including, but not limited to, airless spray, air or gas driven spray, dip coating, sponge printing, inkjet printing, chemical vapor deposition, and electrostatic coating.
  • the coating may include those intended to reduce the co-efficient of friction, those intended to impart enhanced resistance to glass damage, those that reduce leaching of glass components (e.g., ammonium sulphate), those that provide lubricity (e.g., silicon oil), and those that adsorb undesirable incident radiation (e.g., UV blockage).
  • the conveyor 102 may comprise a first conveyor portion and a second conveyor portion, the different portions being defined by different conveyors.
  • the first conveyor portion extends through the ion exchange section 120 and the drain section 122 and the second conveyor portion extends through the coating section 124.
  • the predefined conveyor path 104 may further comprise a transfer section 140 between the drain section 122 and the coating section 124. In the transfer section 140, the plurality of glass articles 200 are transferred from the first conveyor portion to the second conveyor portion.
  • a first plurality of receivers of the first conveyor portion may comprise a plurality of receiving apertures extending through the thickness of the conveyor as discussed hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • a second plurality of receivers of the second conveyor portion may similarly comprise a plurality of receiving apertures extending through the thickness of the conveyor.
  • a second plurality of receivers of the second conveyor portion 300 may comprise spindles 302 as shown in FIG. 12. In such embodiments, each of the glass articles 200 may be loaded onto an individual spindle 302 prior to coating in the coating section 124.
  • the drive and guidance system 106 may include a pair of rollers 400 spaced apart from one another on opposite sides of the conveyor 102.
  • Each of the rollers 400 may have an inner roller portion 402 having a radius ri and an outer surface 404.
  • Each of the rollers 400 may also have a pair of space apart outer roller portions 406 having a radius r2 and an outer surface 408.
  • the inner radius r2 may be greater than the radius n.
  • the inner roller portion 402 may be disposed between the pair of spaced apart outer roller portions 406.
  • a channel 410 may be located between the pair of spaced apart outer roller portions 406.
  • the outer surface 404 of the inner roller portion 402 may be a side wall of the channel 410.
  • the conveyor 102 may be positioned between pairs of opposing rollers 400 such a side edge 412 along the length I of the conveyor 102 is positioned between the pair of spaced apart outer roller portions 406 and in contact with the outer surface 404 of the inner roller portion 402.
  • One or more of the pairs of oppositely disposed rollers 400 may be actively driven/rotated by a mechanical device (not shown) such as an electric motor. Also, one or more of the pairs of oppositely disposed rollers 400 may be free to rotate (i.e., not actively driven by a mechanical device) as the conveyor 102 passes through the rollers 400.
  • a mechanical device such as an electric motor.
  • one or more of the pairs of oppositely disposed rollers 400 may be free to rotate (i.e., not actively driven by a mechanical device) as the conveyor 102 passes through the rollers 400.
  • the drive and guidance system 106 drives the conveyor 102 in a desired direction and guides the conveyor 102 along a desired path.
  • a plurality of oppositely disposed rollers 400 may drive the conveyor 102 along the predefined conveyor path 104 as depicted in FIG. 1.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 depict the drive and guidance system 106 having rollers 400 that drive the first half 114 and second half 116 along the same path.
  • a drive and guidance system 106 may drive the first half 114 along a slightly different path than that of second half 116, or vice-versa.
  • the drive and guidance system 106 may be configured to displace the first half 114 relative to the second half 116 in the width direction (along the Y-axis) or in the length direction (along the X-axis).
  • the displacement of the first half 114 relative to the second half 116 may provide a temporary separation of the first half 114 relative to the second half 116 in the width direction (along the Y-axis) or in the length direction (along the X-axis).
  • the temporary separation of the first half 114 relative to the second half 116 may place a portion of the conveyor 102 in the open position, e.g. during unloading of glass articles 200 out of the conveyor 102, and the reversal of the temporary separation of the first half 114 relative to the second half 116 may place the portion of the conveyor 102 in the lock position, e.g. for conveying glass articles 200 through an ion exchange tank.
  • the conveyor 102 may be directed continuously along the ion exchange tank 126, the drain section 122, and the coating section 124 such that manual involvement is not needed.
  • the predefined conveyor path 104 may further comprise a wash section 150 between the ion exchange section 120 and the coating section 124.
  • the wash section 150 removes residual ion exchange salts and particulate material from the glass articles 200.
  • washing may be conducted by allowing the conveyor 102 to pass through a tank or a series of tanks containing a solvent (e.g., water) in a manner analogous to that used in the ion exchange bath as described in relation to FIG. 11.
  • a solvent e.g., water
  • the glass article 200 may spend greater than or equal to 0.01 hr and less than or equal to 1 hr, greater than or equal to 0.01 hr and less than or equal to 0.5 hr, greater than or equal to 0.01 hr and less than or equal to 0.25 hr, greater than or equal to 0.05 hr and less than or equal 1 hr, greater than or equal to 0.05 hr and less than or equal to 0.5 hr, greater than or equal to 0.05 hr and less than or equal to 0.25 hr, greater than or equal to 0.1 hr and less than or equal to 1 hr, greater than or equal to 0.1 hr and less than or equal to 0.5 hr, or even greater than or equal to 0.1 hr and less than or equal to 0.25 hr in any given wash tank.
  • Each wash tank may be fed with fresh wash solvent at a rate that keeps it at a desired concentration of salt or, in the case of two or more wash tanks, solvent may be fed to the lowest concentration tank and allowed to flow from the lowest concentration tank to the highest concentration tank whilst passing through each tank in the series (cascade operation).
  • solvent may be fed to the lowest concentration tank and allowed to flow from the lowest concentration tank to the highest concentration tank whilst passing through each tank in the series (cascade operation).
  • glass articles 200 it is typical for glass articles 200 to first enter the tank with the highest concentration and be move sequential from tank to tank from highest to lowest concentration.
  • the wash section 150 may be comprised of a spray station including a set of nozzles, jets, or distributors that direct jets or streams of solvent over the interior or exterior of the glass articles 200 at one or more points in the wash section 150.
  • the wash section 150 may comprise a tank with a set of nozzles, jets, or distributors within the tank or the series of tanks.
  • utilization of solvent may be greater than or equal to 5 ml and less than or equal to 2 L of solvent per glass article 200.
  • the solvent may be water meeting Type IV C reagent grade as defined by ASTM DI 193-06 (2018) or better.
  • the water may contain either ionic or non-ionic surfactants.
  • the predefined conveyor path 104 may further comprise a pre-heat section 160 before the ion exchange section 120 and a cool section 170 after the ion exchange section 120.
  • the conveyor 102 and glass articles 200 may be heated to a temperature greater than or equal to 200 °C and less than or equal to 500 °C.
  • Pre-heating may be accomplished by a combination of convective and radiative means.
  • heat may be transferred to the conveyor 102 and glass articles 200 by at least one of convection by contact with hot flowing gas (e.g., air) and exposure to direct radiative heating from a hot surface.
  • the conveyor 102 and glass articles 200 may be exposed to a flow of gas (e.g., air) at ambient temperature provided by a fan, blower, or other fluid moving element.
  • a flow of gas e.g., air
  • the predefined conveyor path 104 may further comprise a load section 180 before the ion exchange section 120 in which the glass articles 200 are loaded onto the conveyor 102.
  • the glass articles 200 may be loaded onto a moving belt by a robot or other tooling.
  • glass articles 200 may be loaded onto the conveyor 102 by first and second halves 114, 116 aligning and coming together to form the plurality of receiving apertures 112.
  • the predefined conveyor path 104 may further comprise a dry section 190 between the ion exchange section 120 and the coating section 124 in which the glass articles are dried prior to coating.
  • Heat may be transferred to the conveyor 102 and glass articles 200 by at least one of convection by contact with hot flowing gas (e.g., air) and exposure to direct radiative heating from a hot surface.
  • the heated fluid may pass through a HEPA filter prior to heating and subsequent contact with the glass articles 200. The major direction of the flow may impinge the bottom section 214 of the glass article (FIG. 9) or the opening 206.
  • the major direction of the flow of the heat transfer fluid may impinge the sidewalls 216 and/or the neck section 204 (FIG. 9).
  • the glass articles 200 will send a sufficient amount of time in the dry section 190 such that the surfaces of the glass articles 200 have a temperature greater than or equal to 30°C and less than or equal to 130°C or even greater than or equal to 70°C and less than or equal to 110°C.
  • the predefined conveyor path 104 may further comprise an unload section 192 in which glass article 200 are unloaded from the conveyor 102.
  • the first and second halves 114, 116 of the conveyor 102 may be separated to unload glass articles 200.
  • the glass articles 200 may be unloaded onto a moving belt and removed from the moving belt by a robot or other tooling or via a crowd-feed table.
  • a method of ion exchange glass articles is shown at 500. The method 500 optionally begins at block 502 with loading the glass articles onto the conveyor 102 in the load section 180.
  • the method 500 optionally continues at block 504 with preheating the glass articles in a pre-heat section 160.
  • the method 500 continues at block 506 with ion exchanging the glass articles in the ion exchange section 120.
  • the method 500 continues at block 508 with draining the glass articles in the drain section 122.
  • the method 500 optionally continues at block 510 with cooling the glass articles in the cool section 170.
  • the method 500 optionally continues at block 512 with washing the glass articles in the wash section.
  • the method 500 optionally continues at block 514 with drying the glass articles in the dry section 190.
  • the method 500 optionally continues at block 516 with transferring the glass articles in the transfer section 140.
  • the method 500 optionally continues at block 518 with coating the glass articles in the coating section 124.
  • the method optionally continues at block 520 with unloading the glass articles in the unload section 192.
  • ion exchange systems described herein may include a “serpentine” predefined conveyor path through the ion exchange section, which generally mitigates the introduction of flaws in the glass articles retained in the conveyor and increases the number of glass articles that may be ion exchanged within a given time period.
  • an ion exchange system 100 may comprise: a conveyor 262, 264 having a length 1, a width w, a thickness t less than the width w, and a plurality of receivers 110 located along the length 1 of the conveyor 262, 264 configured to receive and hold a plurality of articles 200; a predefined conveyor path 254, 256 comprising an ion exchange section 250, 252 and a drain section 122, the drain section 122 being subsequent to the ion exchange section 250, 252, the ion exchange section 250, 252 including an ion exchange tank 126 for containing molten salt 128, the predefined conveyor path 254, 256 extending through at least a portion of the ion exchange tank 126 along a vertical section 268, 278, along a first horizontal section 270a, 280a, and along a first switchback 272a, 282a; and a conveyor drive and guidance system 106 for directing the conveyor 262, 264 along the predefined conveyor path 254, 256, wherein: the conveyor 262, 264 having

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Surface Treatment Of Glass (AREA)

Abstract

Selon l'invention, dans des modes de réalisation, un système d'échange d'ions comprend un transporteur, un chemin de transporteur prédéfini, et un système d'entraînement et de guidage de transporteur. Le transporteur possède une longueur, une largeur, une épaisseur inférieure à la largeur, et une pluralité de récepteurs situés le long de la longueur du transporteur configurés pour recevoir et contenir une pluralité d'articles. Le chemin de transporteur prédéfini comprend une section d'échange d'ions, une section de drain et une section de revêtement. Le système d'entraînement et de guidage de transporteur dirige le transporteur le long du chemin de transporteur prédéfini. Le transporteur est dirigé en continu le long de la section d'échange d'ions, de la section de drain et de la section de revêtement.
PCT/US2024/024945 2023-05-16 2024-04-17 Systèmes d'échange d'ions pour contenir et transporter des articles Pending WO2024238076A1 (fr)

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US63/466,879 2023-05-16

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4012233A (en) * 1974-07-31 1977-03-15 Vvb Haushalts-Und Verpackungsglas Conveyor for containers for carrying objects of glass or similar materials, which objects are to be hardened chemically by surface treatment
EP0536530A2 (fr) * 1991-09-11 1993-04-14 ORTMANN + HERBST Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH Machine de lavage de bouteilles
WO2017222941A1 (fr) * 2016-06-22 2017-12-28 Corning Incorporated Appareils pour tenir et acheminer des articles en verre
DE202013012836U1 (de) * 2012-11-30 2020-03-26 Corning Incorporated Glasbehälter mit Delaminationsbeständigkeit und verbesserter Beschädigungstoleranz
DE202020100215U1 (de) * 2020-01-16 2020-09-17 Schott Ag Glasbehälter für pharmazeutische, medizinische oder kosmetische Anwendungen

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4012233A (en) * 1974-07-31 1977-03-15 Vvb Haushalts-Und Verpackungsglas Conveyor for containers for carrying objects of glass or similar materials, which objects are to be hardened chemically by surface treatment
EP0536530A2 (fr) * 1991-09-11 1993-04-14 ORTMANN + HERBST Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH Machine de lavage de bouteilles
DE202013012836U1 (de) * 2012-11-30 2020-03-26 Corning Incorporated Glasbehälter mit Delaminationsbeständigkeit und verbesserter Beschädigungstoleranz
WO2017222941A1 (fr) * 2016-06-22 2017-12-28 Corning Incorporated Appareils pour tenir et acheminer des articles en verre
US10550035B2 (en) 2016-06-22 2020-02-04 Corning Incorporated Apparatuses for holding and conveying glass articles
DE202020100215U1 (de) * 2020-01-16 2020-09-17 Schott Ag Glasbehälter für pharmazeutische, medizinische oder kosmetische Anwendungen

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