System and Method for Tempering And/or Solidifying Glass Objects

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

The invention describes a system and method for tempering and/or solidifying glass objects by bringing them into contact with molten salt. It introduces the use of multiple cartridges containing a regeneration material to restore the quality of the molten salt. When the effectiveness of the regeneration material in a cartridge drops below a certain threshold, the cartridge is removed and replaced with a fresh one. The system can automatically monitor the effectiveness of the cartridges—using optical sensors and automated mechanisms—thus ensuring a consistent glass tempering process with minimal maintenance interruptions.

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

• Industrial production of tempered glass objects, such as glassware, automotive glass, and electronic displays.
• Manufacturing of glass parts that require strengthened surfaces for durability, such as smartphone screens or architectural panels.
• Automated glass processing lines where continuous operation and minimization of downtime are vital.
• Glass manufacturing environments aiming to improve molten salt reuse and reduce waste by effective salt regeneration.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Minimizes production downtime through quick and automated cartridge replacement, allowing for continuous operation.
• Ensures consistent high quality in glass tempering by maintaining the efficacy of the molten salt bath.
• Reduces labor and maintenance needs by enabling automated monitoring and exchange of regeneration materials.
• Improves resource efficiency by extending the usable life of molten salt via in-situ regeneration.
• Reduces waste and environmental impact by minimizing the need to discard used salt.
• Enables scalable and flexible manufacturing setups due to easy integration and modular cartridge design.
• Potentially lowers operational costs by reducing consumable expenses and maintenance labor.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for tempering and/or solidifying glass objects, wherein the glass objects (2) are brought into contact with a molten salt (4) in a processing device (27). The method has the step of providing a plurality of cartridges (8) which contain a regeneration material for regenerating the molten salt (4), the step of introducing one of the cartridges (8) into the processing device (27), the step of ascertaining the degree of efficacy of the regeneration material (9) that can be found in the inserted cartridge (8), the step of removing the inserted cartridge (8) if the regeneration material falls below a specified or specifiable degree of efficacy, and the step of introducing another cartridge (8) of the plurality of identical cartridges (8) into the processing device (27). The invention additionally relates to a system for tempering and/or solidifying glass objects (2), to the processing device (27) comprising a molten salt (4), and to a regeneration material for regenerating the molten salt (4).