Method and System for Increasing the Breaking Strength And/or the Hardness of Glass Objects

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

This invention provides an automated method and system to increase the breaking strength and/or hardness of glass objects. The process involves loading glass items onto a carrier, which then moves sequentially through a series of modules: a heating module that brings the glass to a specified high temperature, followed by two distinct cooling modules (one with a liquid coolant) that control the cooling of the glass. Carefully coordinated movements between modules reduce process time and improve the uniformity of the final glass properties, making the method suitable for mass production.

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

• Mass production of strengthened glass for architectural applications (e.g. windows, facades)
• Automated production of toughened safety glass for automotive glazing, displays, and electronics
• Production of durable glass containers and bottles for food, drink, and pharmaceuticals
• Manufacturing chemically and thermally toughened glass for consumer goods, such as smart devices or wearable electronics
• Strengthening specialty glass products, such as optical components or laboratory equipment

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables rapid and efficient strengthening of large quantities of glass, suitable for industrial-scale production
• Reduces reliance on expensive specialty glass, making production more cost-effective
• Enhances and controls the mechanical properties of glass products (breaking strength and hardness)
• Minimizes risk of glass deformation during heat treatment by optimized temperature control
• Allows for flexible, automated operation with parallel processing for higher throughput
• Improves safety and reliability of glass products for end users
• Enables more consistent and uniform quality of treated glass objects

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a system and to a method for increasing the breaking strength and/or the hardness of glass objects. The method is characterised in that a carrier is loaded with the glass objects and then transferred successively in a plurality of transfer operations to a plurality of modules, namely at least one heating module in which the glass objects are heated to a primary temperature, a first cooling module comprising a liquid cooling means of a cooling means temperature, and a second cooling module, wherein at least one of the transfer operations involves relative movement of one of the modules relative to another of the modules.