Abstract Methods and apparatus for applying a metallic oxide film to the outer surface of a glass container. A glass container is formed with an integral moil portion projecting upwardly from the container finish and is suspended from a support mechanism which engages only the moil portion at a location above the container finish. In the application of coatings with which the present invention is concerned, it is necessary that the container be at an elevated temperature, in the order of 1,000* F., and the coating is applied preferably while the container is still at this elevated temperature from the forming operation. The container is carried by the support mechanism through a spray tunnel which is open at its top so that the moil and support mechanism pass above, rather than through the tunnel. During passage of the container through the tunnel, it is conveyed in a vapor atmosphere having suspended particles of a metallic vapor compound the treating atmosphere being controlled and slightly above atmospheric pressure. Exhaust ducts opening in the bottom of the tunnel continuously exhaust the tunnel interior to prevent vapors from escaping from the interior of the tunnel.
The method of applying a metallic oxide film to the surface of a glass container, comprising the steps of forming the container in a forming machine with a moil portion integral with and projecting upwardly from the container finish, removing the container from the forming machine while it is residually heated to a temperature in the neighborhood of 1,000* F. by engaging a support means with the moil portion at a location spaced above the container finish and transferring the support means away from the forming machine with the container suspended therefrom, passing the suspended residually heated container through a tunnel open at opposite ends and along the top to accommodate free and unobstructed passage of the container therethrough with the support means and moil passing above and at the exterior of the tunnel, continuously spraying a metallic vapor compound into the interior of the tunnel from regions extending along the top of the tunnel at opposite sides of the opening in the top, and continuously exhausting the interior of the tunnel through the bottom of the tunnel to prevent the vapors from escaping through the open ends and top of the tunnel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
For use in combination with a conveying means adapted to support and convey a glass container along a given path with the container suspended from the conveying means by a moil portion integral with and projecting upwardly from the container finish; means for applying a filmlike coating to the container during movement along said given path comprising a spray tunnel mounted along said given path, said tunnel having a bottom waLl underlying said path and sidewalls extending upwardly from said bottom wall along opposite sides of said path in spaced relationship to the path of movement of the container, means defining a pair of elongate chambers extending along the top of said sidewalls at the interior side thereof, said chambers being spaced from each other to define an opening extending the entire length of the top of the tunnel to accommodate movement of the moil portion of the container through the tunnel with said conveying means passing above the tunnel, means for spraying a coating forming vapor from said chambers into the interior of said tunnel, and means for exhausting the interior of the tunnel through said bottom wall to prevent the escape of said vapor from the interior of said tunnel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for applying a filmlike coating to a freshly formed glass container having an integral moil portion projecting upwardly from the container finish comprising conveying means engageable with the moil portion only of a container to suspend and convey the container along a given path of movement, means defining a coating chamber extending along said given path having open opposite ends a continuous opening extending along the top of the chamber, said chamber being located below the path of movement of said conveying means to accommodate movement of the suspended container through said chamber via the open ends thereof with said conveying means passing above said chamber and said moil portion projecting upwardly through said continuous opening in the top of said chamber, means for discharging a vapor spray from the upper portion of said chamber adjacent to and along the opposite sides of said continuous opening, and means for withdrawing vapor spray through outlets located along the bottom of said chamber at a rate sufficient to substantially combine the vapor spray to the interior of said chamber.