System and method for tempering glass containers

Abstract

A system and method is provided for tempering a glass container. The method includes the steps of pre-heating the glass container to a first predetermined temperature. The method also includes the steps of applying radio-frequency energy to the pre-heated glass container to heat the glass container to a second predetermined temperature and, after a predetermined amount of time, simultaneously cooling at least one surface of the heated glass container to a third predetermined temperature to treat the glass container. The method further includes the steps of, after a predetermined amount of time, quenching the treated glass container to a fourth predetermined temperature to produce a tempered glass container.

1 . A method for tempering a glass container comprising the steps of:
 pre-heating the glass container to a first predetermined temperature;   applying radio-frequency energy to the pre-heated glass container to heat the glass container to a second predetermined temperature and, after a predetermined amount of time, simultaneously cooling at least one surface of the heated glass container to a third predetermined temperature to treat the glass container; and   after a predetermined amount of time, quenching the treated glass container to a fourth predetermined temperature to produce a tempered glass container.   
   
   
       2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said step of applying comprises providing a plurality of plates spaced relative to each other to apply radio-frequency energy to the pre-heated glass container to heat the glass container to a predetermined temperature. 
   
   
       3 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said step of applying comprises providing a spindle and supporting and transporting the glass container between the plates with the spindle. 
   
   
       4 . A method as set forth in  claim 3  including the step of spinning the glass container with the spindle. 
   
   
       5 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said step of pre-heating the glass container comprises molding the glass container from molten glass. 
   
   
       6 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said step of pre-heating the glass container comprises heating a pre-formed glass container. 
   
   
       7 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said step of simultaneous cooling comprises directing at least one air stream toward the at least one surface of the heated glass container. 
   
   
       8 . A method as set forth in  claim 7  including the step of providing a plurality of plenums and supplying the plenums with air under positive pressure to direct the at least one air stream. 
   
   
       9 . A method as set forth in  claim 7  including the step of providing a quench tube and disposing a portion of the quench tube inside of the glass container for allowing air to pass therethrough and into the glass container. 
   
   
       10 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  including the step of spinning the pre-heated glass container during the step of applying radio-frequency energy to the pre-heated glass container. 
   
   
       11 . A method for tempering a glass container comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of plates spaced relative to each other to apply radio-frequency energy to the pre-heated glass container to heat the glass container to a predetermined temperature, wherein each of the plates includes a plurality of air-outlet holes spaced axially from each other on an inside surface of the plate for supplying air to an outside surface of the glass container;   pre-heating the glass container to a first predetermined temperature;   applying radio-frequency energy to the pre-heated glass container with the plates to heat the glass container to a second predetermined temperature and, after a predetermined amount of time, simultaneously cooling at least one surface of the heated glass container with the plates to a third predetermined temperature to treat the glass container; and   after a predetermined amount of time, quenching the treated glass container to a fourth predetermined temperature to produce a tempered glass container.   
   
   
       12 . A method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said step of applying includes providing a spindle and supporting and transporting the glass container between the plates with the spindle. 
   
   
       13 . A method as set forth in  claim 12  including the step of spinning the glass container with the spindle. 
   
   
       14 . A method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said step of pre-heating the glass container comprises molding the glass container from molten glass. 
   
   
       15 . A method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said step of pre-heating the glass container comprises heating a pre-formed glass container. 
   
   
       16 . A method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said step of simultaneous cooling comprises directing at least one air stream toward the at least one surface of the heated glass container. 
   
   
       17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16  including the step of providing a plurality of plenums and supplying the plenums with air under positive pressure to direct the at least one air stream. 
   
   
       18 . A method as set forth in  claim 16  including the step of providing a quench tube and disposing a portion of the quench tube inside of the glass container for allowing air to pass therethrough and into the glass container. 
   
   
       19 . A method as set forth in  claim 11  including the step of spinning the pre-heated glass container during the step of applying radio-frequency energy to the pre-heated glass container. 
   
   
       20 . A method for tempering a glass container comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of plates spaced relative to each other to apply radio-frequency energy to the pre-heated glass container to heat the glass container to a predetermined temperature, wherein each of the plates includes a plurality of air-outlet holes spaced axially from each other on an inside surface of the plate for supplying air to an outside surface of the glass container;   providing a spindle and supporting and transporting the glass container between the plates with the spindle;   pre-heating the glass container to a first predetermined temperature;   spinning the pre-heated glass container with the spindle and applying radio-frequency energy to the pre-heated glass container with the plates to heat the glass container to a second predetermined temperature and, after a predetermined amount of time, simultaneously cooling at least one surface of the heated glass container with the plates to a third predetermined temperature to treat the glass container; and   after a predetermined amount of time, quenching the treated glass container to a fourth predetermined temperature to produce a tempered glass container.