Patent ID: 6329019
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: B05C,C03C,Y10T

Abstract:
A process for applying a coating to at least a portion of the exterior surface of glass containers, said containers each having an opening providing access to an interior of each container, said process comprising the steps of:(a) bringing said glass containers to a temperature suitable for said coating process;(b) gripping a group of said glass containers at a pick up site with a gripping device, temporarily sealing said openings in said containers, raising said group of glass containers in a substantially vertical direction to a first level above said pick up site, moving said group of glass containers horizontally to a position above a vessel containing a coating medium, lowering said group of glass containers in a substantially vertical direction into said coating medium to a second level and maintaining said glass containers therein until sufficient said coating medium adheres thereto;(c) raising said group of glass containers substantially vertically from said second level to a third level and then moving said group substantially horizontally;(d) unsealing said openings in said containers and transferring said group of glass containers onto a conveyor by releasing said containers from said first gripping device;(e) moving said group of containers on said conveyor through a setting zone wherein at least a part of said coating medium adhered to said group of containers hardens; and(f) returning said first gripping device to grip a second group of glass containers.