Glass Article and Method for Producing a Glass Article

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a method for making highly break-resistant glass articles using a specific thermal process. The process involves heating a glass body close to its Littleton softening point and then quickly cooling it by immersing it in or contacting it with a liquid cooling agent at a much lower temperature. This controlled cooling creates increased strength in the glass, allowing for the use of less expensive glass materials to create strong, lightweight glass products.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Manufacture of daily-use glassware such as drinking glasses, bowls, and dishes
• Production of bottles and containers for food and beverages
• Creation of thinner, lighter glass packaging that can replace plastics
• Making robust glass for electronic displays and flat screens
• Fabrication of laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware with enhanced durability
• Glass components in appliances and furniture that require improved strength

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly improves the break resistance of glass articles, making them more durable
• Allows use of low-cost, commonly available glass materials instead of expensive specialty glass
• Reduces required wall thickness, resulting in material and weight savings
• Enables production of lighter glass articles which are easier and cheaper to transport
• Facilitates replacement of plastic packaging with environmentally friendly glass alternatives
• Offers flexibility in manufacturing, including both continuous and batch processes
• Surfaces produced can have enhanced scratch resistance if specific salts and regeneration materials are used in the cooling process

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a glass article. The method includes the step of producing a glass body from a glass material and the further step of bringing the glass body, at a primary temperature which is at most 50 Kelvin below and at most 30 Kelvin above the Littleton softening point of the glass material, into contact with a liquid cooling agent which has a cooling agent temperature which is at least 200 Kelvin and at most 550 Kelvin below the primary temperature.