Apparatuses for holding and retaining glass articles

According to one or more embodiments described herein, an apparatus may hold and retain glass articles during processing. The apparatus may comprise a base frame comprising a bottom support plate and a plurality of ware keepers positioned on the bottom support plate. Each ware keeper of the plurality of ware keepers may comprise a plurality of retention bodies formed from wire segments and defining a ware receiving volume therebetween. Each retention body may comprise one or more of a base connection stem, a seat segment, a body segment, a retention segment, and a lever segment. The seat segments of the retention bodies may form a ware seat positioned above and substantially parallel to the bottom support plate. According to another embodiment, an assembly may comprise a plurality of magazine apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present specification generally relates to magazine apparatuses for holding glass articles during processing and, more specifically, to magazine apparatuses for holding glass articles during ion-exchange processing.

Technical Background

Historically, glass has been used as a preferred material for many applications, including food and beverage packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, kitchen and laboratory glassware, and windows or other architectural features, because of its hermeticity, optical clarity and excellent chemical durability relative to other materials.

However, use of glass for many applications is limited by the mechanical performance of the glass. In particular, glass breakage is a concern, particularly in the packaging of food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. Breakage can be costly in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical packaging industries because, for example, breakage within a filling line may require that neighboring unbroken containers be discarded as the containers may contain fragments from the broken container. Breakage may also require that the filling line be slowed or stopped, lowering production yields. Further, non-catastrophic breakage (i.e., when the glass cracks but does not break) may cause the contents of the glass package or container to lose their sterility which, in turn, may result in costly product recalls.

One root cause of glass breakage is the introduction of flaws in the surface of the glass as the glass is processed and/or during subsequent filling. These flaws may be introduced in the surface of the glass from a variety of sources including contact between adjacent pieces of glassware and contact between the glass and equipment, such as handling and/or filling equipment. Regardless of the source, the presence of these flaws may ultimately lead to glass breakage.

Accordingly, a need exists for alternative apparatuses for holding glass articles during processing to mitigate glass breakage.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, an apparatus may hold and retain glass articles during processing. The apparatus may comprise a base frame comprising a bottom support plate and a plurality of ware keepers positioned on the bottom support plate. Each ware keeper of the plurality of ware keepers may comprise a plurality of retention bodies formed from wire segments and defining a ware receiving volume therebetween. Each retention body may comprise one or more of a base connection stem engaged with the bottom support plate, a seat segment contiguous with the base connection stem and positioned over and substantially parallel to the bottom support plate, a body segment coupled to the seat segment and extending away from the bottom support plate, a retention segment coupled to the body segment, and a lever segment coupled to the retention segment. The seat segments of the retention bodies may form a ware seat positioned above and substantially parallel to the bottom support plate.

In another embodiment, an assembly may hold and retain glass articles. The assembly may comprise a plurality of magazine apparatus. Each of the magazine apparatus may comprise a base frame comprising a bottom support plate and a plurality of ware keepers positioned on the bottom support plate. Each ware keeper of the plurality of ware keepers may comprise a plurality of retention bodies formed from wire segments and defining a ware receiving volume therebetween. Each retention body may comprise a base connection stem engaged with the bottom support plate, a seat segment contiguous with the base connection stem and positioned over and substantially parallel to the bottom support plate, a body segment coupled to the seat segment and extending away from the bottom support plate, a retention segment coupled to the body segment, and a lever segment coupled to the retention segment. The seat segments of the retention bodies may form a ware seat positioned above and substantially parallel to the bottom support plate.

Additional features and advantages of the apparatuses for holding and retaining glass articles described herein will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of magazine apparatuses for holding and retaining glass articles during processing, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. One embodiment of an apparatus for holding and retaining glass articles during processing is schematically depicted inFIG. 1. The magazine apparatus generally comprises a base frame comprising a bottom support plate and a plurality of ware keepers positioned on the bottom support plate. Each ware keeper of the plurality of ware keepers may comprise a plurality of retention bodies formed from wire segments and defining a ware receiving volume therebetween. In some embodiments, each retention body may comprise one or more of a base connection stem engaged with the bottom support plate, a seat segment contiguous with the base connection stem and positioned over and substantially parallel to the bottom support plate, a body segment coupled to the seat segment and extending away from the bottom support plate, a retention segment coupled to the body segment, and/or a lever segment coupled to the retention segment. The seat segments of the retention bodies may form a ware seat positioned above and substantially parallel to the bottom support plate.

Various embodiments of apparatuses for holding and retaining glass articles during processing will be described in further detail herein with specific reference to the appended drawings.

As noted herein, the breakage of glass articles during processing and/or filling is a source of product loss and may lead to process inefficiencies and increased costs. Strengthening of glass articles can assist in mitigating breakage. Glass articles can be strengthened using a variety of techniques, including chemical and thermal tempering. For example, chemical tempering can be used to strengthen glass articles through the introduction of a layer of compressive stress in the surface of the glass articles. The compressive stress is introduced by submerging the glass articles in a molten salt bath. As ions from the glass are replaced by relatively larger ions from the molten salt, a compressive stress is induced in the surface of the glass. During chemical tempering, glass articles, such as glass containers, may be mechanically manipulated to both fill and empty the glass articles of molten salt.

While chemical tempering improves the strength of the glass articles, mechanical manipulation of the glass articles during the strengthening process may introduce flaws in the surface of the glass. For example, contact between the glass articles and the fixturing used to retain the glass articles during processing may introduce flaws in the glass, particularly when the glass articles and the fixturing are initially submerged in the molten salt bath and/or when the fixturing and glass articles are withdrawn from the molten salt bath and rotated to empty the glass articles of molten salt. Specifically, as the glass articles are submerged it may be buoyant and thus be propelled upward relative to the fixturing. Moreover, after the ion-exchange process is complete, the fixturing and glassware are withdrawn from the molten salt bath and the fixturing is rotated to empty the glassware of molten salt contained within the interior volume of the glassware. As the fixturing is rotated, the glassware may abruptly collide with the fixturing. This blunt force impact between the glassware and the fixturing may introduce flaws in the surface of the glass.

In most cases the flaws are superficial and are contained within the layer of surface compressive stress induced in the glass. This surface compressive stress prevents the flaws from growing into cracks. However, in extreme cases, the flaws may extend through the layer of surface compressive stress which may lead to breakage of the glass articles.

In addition, fixturing used to hold and retain glass articles during ion-exchange processing is typically formed from metallic materials in order to be able to withstand the high temperatures of the molten salt bath. Such fixturing can have a large thermal mass which can adversely impact the ion-exchange process by altering the temperature of the molten salt bath. The fixturing also tends to have a large surface area which increases the contact between the fixturing and the molten salt which can cause the ions from the molten salt to diffuse into the fixturing, degrading process performance.

The magazine apparatuses for holding and retaining glass articles during processing described herein mitigate the introduction of flaws in the glass articles retained therein. The magazine apparatuses described herein also have a relatively low thermal mass and surface area which mitigates the degradation of ion-exchange performance when the magazine apparatuses are used to facilitate strengthening of the glass articles contained therein by ion-exchange.

Referring now toFIG. 1, one embodiment of a magazine apparatus100for holding and retaining glass articles900during processing is schematically depicted. The magazine apparatus100generally includes a base frame102to which a plurality of ware keepers120are affixed. The ware keepers120generally define a ware receiving volume125in which a glass article900, such as a glass container, may be received and retained during processing. The base frame102is generally formed from a material capable of withstanding elevated temperatures, such as the temperatures experienced in a molten salt bath during an ion-exchange process. In the embodiments described herein, the base frame102is formed from a metallic material, such as stainless steel or other like metal or metal alloy that is resistant to corrosion when contacted by a salt bath.

The base frame102generally includes a bottom support plate112and may also include side members104,106,108,110. The bottom support plate112may be tray shaped (such as generally rectangular as shown inFIG. 1) and support the plurality of ware keepers120which extend from a top surface of the bottom support plate112. The side members104,106,108,110may be located on edges of the base frame102. For example, for a rectangular shaped bottom support plate112, as shown inFIG. 1, side members104and106are opposite one another in a length direction (i.e., the +/−Y direction of the coordinate axes depicted inFIG. 1) and side members108,110are opposite one another in a width direction (i.e., the +/−X direction of the coordinate axes depicted inFIG. 1). The side members104,106,108,110generally extend above the bottom support plate112. For example, in some embodiments, the side members104,106,108,110may be generally perpendicular to the bottom support plate112. However, it should be understood that the side members104,106,108,110need not be perpendicular to the bottom support plate112. For example, the side members104,106,108,110may be at an angle of less than or greater than 90 degrees with respect to the bottom support plate112so long as the side members104,106,108,110generally extend above the bottom support plate112(i.e., the +Z direction of the coordinate axes depicted inFIG. 1). The side members104,106,108,110may be integrally formed with the bottom support plate112or attached to the bottom support plate112using conventional fastening techniques including, without limitation, mechanical fasteners, welding, or the like.

Now referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, in the embodiments described herein, one or more of the side members104,106,108,110may have stacking components114which allow two or more magazine apparatuses100to be stacked upon one another. For example, inFIGS. 1 and 2, stacking components114protrude from the top and bottom of side members108,110. The stacking components114may each comprise a receiving member116and a tab118. In the embodiment shown ifFIGS. 1 and 2, the tabs118protrude from the lower portion of the side members108,110and receiving members116protrude from the upper portion of the side members108and110. The tabs118of a first magazine apparatus100may be inserted into receiving members116of a second magazine apparatus101. For example, the tabs118protrude into the −Z direction and are received by a receiving member116of a lower magazine apparatus100, where the receiving member protrudes in the +Z direction relative to the lower magazine apparatus100. The tabs118and receiving members116may be cooperatively arranged to provide for supported stacking of two or more magazine apparatuses100,101. In such a stacked configuration, the two magazine apparatuses100may be separated by an open space, such that the tops of the ware keepers120of a lower magazine apparatus101do not come into contact with the bottom support plate112of an upper magazine apparatus100.

The side members104,106,108,110may allow for the free flow of processing liquids, such as molten salt from an ion-exchange bath, into direct contact with the glass article900secured in the magazine apparatus100. For example, the side members104,106,108,110may have a height less than the height of the glass articles900or apertures may be present in the side members104,106,108,110.

In one embodiment, each ware keeper120may be shaped and sized to securely retain glass articles900shaped as vials. In such an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3, the glass articles900may generally include a body section902, a neck section904above the body section902, and an opening906. The body section902substantially surrounds an interior volume910of the glass articles900with a bottom section914and side walls916. The neck section904generally connects the body section902with the opening906. The opening906may be surrounded by a collar908. The body section902may have a curved bottom edge918and a curved area912adjacent the neck section904. Generally, the neck section904, body section902, and collar908may have a generally circular shaped cross section, each comprising an exterior diameter. In one embodiment, the diameter of the collar (da) is greater than the diameter of the neck section (dn) and the diameter of the body section (db) is greater than the diameter of the collar (da). While some embodiments of magazine apparatus described herein are suitable to retain vial shaped glass articles, it should be understood that other embodiments contemplated herein are suitable to retain glass articles, such as containers, with a wide variety of shapes.

Referring now toFIGS. 4 and 5, the ware keepers120each include retention bodies122which are positioned to define a ware receiving volume125in which a glass article900may be received. The retention bodies122are discrete, independent structures positioned on opposite sides of the ware receiving volume125such that the retention bodies122may be positioned on either side of a glass article900positioned in the ware receiving volume125, thereby securing the glass article900in the ware receiving volume125. In the embodiments described herein, the retention bodies122are formed from shaped wire segments. As used herein, “wire segment” is descriptive of the shape of the retention body122, and is not limiting on the material of the wire segment. Forming the retention bodies122from wire segments reduces the overall amount of material in the magazine apparatus100which, in turn, reduces both the thermal mass and surface area of the magazine apparatus100thereby improving ion-exchange performance. In addition, forming the retention bodies122from one or more wire segments creates a basket-like, open structure which allows molten salt from a molten salt bath to readily interact with all surfaces of the glass article when the magazine apparatus100is submerged while also allowing the magazine apparatus100to be easily drained of molten salt upon extraction from the molten salt bath.

In the embodiments described herein, the retention bodies122are formed from wire stock which is free from corners and/or edges that can introduce flaws in glass. In particular, the retention bodies122are formed from wire stock which is substantially circular or oval in radial cross section. While various diameters of wire stock may be used to form the retention bodies122, the diameter of the wire stock is generally less than about 5 mm, such as less than about 2.5 mm, less than about 2.0 mm, less than about 1.3 mm or even less than or equal to about 1 mm. In the embodiments described herein the ware keepers120are formed from wire stock which is suitable for use at elevated temperatures. For example, the ware keepers120may be formed from, without limitation Inconel, Hastelloy, and other related Nimonic alloys, various grades of high-temperature/corrosive environment compatible steel alloys, or other like materials which may be available in wire or thin strip form, are insensitive or exhibit limited sensitivity to a molten salt bath environment, and are capable of maintaining spring temper properties after repeated thermal cycles. In the embodiments described herein, the wire stock is formed into the desired shape using a computer-numeric-control (CNC) wire bending machine or a similar apparatus for forming wire stock into a desired shape. A similar geometry can be achieved through a process that includes stamping thin sheet stock and using forming dies to create a retention volume.

Generally, the retention bodies122are positioned to form the ware receiving volume125where a glass article900may be securely positioned during processing. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, each retention body122includes a base connection stem124, a seat segment126, a body segment135, a retention segment132, a lower segment128, and a lever segment130. Retention bodies122may be attached to other retention bodies122with a connecting segment134, such as a looped wire segment. Two retention bodies122may be attached via a connecting segment134, forming a retention body couplet136.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, retention bodies122are attached to one another to form retention body couplets136. In one embodiment, each ware keeper120comprises four retention bodies122arranged into two retention body couplets136where the retention body couplets136are linearly symmetric to one another. Connecting segments134secure the retention bodies122to one another, where in one embodiment, the two attached retention bodies122and the connecting segment134are integrally formed from a single wire segment. The retention body couplets136may be positioned on opposite sides of the ware receiving volume125where glass articles900may be held. It should be understood that the ware keepers120described herein are not limited to those comprising connected retention bodies122. Additionally, in other embodiments, various numbers of retention bodies122, attached or unattached to one another, may be utilized.

Now referring toFIGS. 3-5, the base connection stem124may be positioned proximate a bottom section914of a held glass article900. The base connection stem124may support the other portions of the retention body122and may be affixed to the base frame102such that it is engaged with the bottom support plate112. The base connection stem124generally may emanate from the bottom support plate112, below the ware receiving volume125. In one embodiment, the base connection stem124forms about a 90° with the bottom support plate112.

The base connection stem124is attached to the seat segment126. The seat segment126may be contiguous with the base connection stem124and be positioned over and substantially parallel to the bottom support plate112. As such, the seat segment126may spaced apart from the bottom support plate112. The seat segments126generally form a ware seat positioned above and substantially parallel to the bottom support plate112. The ware seat may define the bottom of the ware receiving volume125. The spacing between the bottom support base may be sufficient to allow for the flow of a fluid beneath a held glass article900, such that the bottom section914of a glass article held in the ware receiving volume125can be contacted by the fluid. In one embodiment, the seat segments126of adjacent retention bodies122are parallel, such that they form a flat surface.

The seat segment126may be attached to a lower segment128of the retention body122. The lower segment128may be shaped to form a protruded area in the ware receiving volume125. The diameter of the ware receiving volume enclosed by the lower segment may be greater than the diameter of the ware receiving volume enclosed by the body segment. For example, the lower segment128may be convex shaped relative to the ware receiving volume125. The lower segment128may be shaped such that it avoids contact with the bottom edge918of a glass article900held in the ware receiving volume125. It may be desirable to avoid contact by the ware keepers120with the bottom edge918of the glass article900because scratches or other damage at the bottom edge918, which can be caused by contact with the ware keepers120in that region, may be undesirable relative to other areas of the glass articles900because the bottom edge918of the glass article900can be an area of high stress when vertical pressure is applied to the glass article900. However, in some embodiments, the seat segment126may be coupled directly to the body segment135.

The lower segment128may be attached to a body segment135of the retention body122. The body segment135may extend away from the bottom support plate112and, in one embodiment, may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom support plate112. As shown inFIG. 5, the body segment135may be substantially straight and contoured with the side wall916of a glass article900held in the ware receiving volume125. The body segment135may form the basket or cage like configuration which restrains the motion of the glass article900in the horizontal direction, defined by the direction of the X-Y plane.

The body segment135is attached to a retention segment132of the retention body122. The retention segment132may generally be shaped to form a recessed area in the ware receiving volume125. The diameter of the ware receiving volume enclosed by the retention segment132may be less than the diameter of the ware receiving volume enclosed by the body segment135. For example, the recessed area may be recessed relative to a glass article900held in the ware receiving volume125. The retention segment132may be concave shaped relative to the ware receiving volume125. For example, the retention segment132may be contoured to the shape of a neck section904and curved area912at the top of the body section902of a held glass article900. The distance between retention segments132of each retention body122may be greater than the diameter of the neck section904of the held glass article900. As such, the glass articles900are secured by the ware keepers120in the ware receiving volume125such that the glass articles900are limited in vertical movement, defined by the direction of the Z-axis. For example, when a glass article900is turned upside down relative to its position inFIG. 5, the retention segment132will contact the curved area912of the body section902of a glass article900and be retained in the ware receiving volume125.

The retention segment132may be coupled to a lever segment130. The lever section may generally extend away from the bottom support plate112and the lever segments130of opposing retention bodies122may extend away from one another. Any two lever segments130may be connected by a connection segment134to form a retention body couplet136.

Now referring toFIGS. 6A and 6B, the ware keeper120may be transitioned between an open position (shown inFIG. 6B) and a retaining position (shown inFIG. 6A). In the open position, the ware receiving volume125is increased and glass articles900may be freely moved in and out of the ware keeper120. In the retaining position, the ware receiving volume125is decreased and the glass article900is securely held by the ware keeper120, as described above. For example, when the ware keeper120is in a retaining position, the distance between retention segments132of opposite retention body122is less than the diameter of the body section902of the held glass article900. As such, the glass articles900are secured by the ware keepers120such that the glass articles900are limited in vertical movement. However, when in an open position, the distance between retention segments132of opposite retention bodies122is greater than the diameter of the body section902of the held glass article900. Therefore, in the open position, the glass articles900are not secured relative to upward vertical movement (Z direction).

In one embodiment, the shape of the ware keeper120may allow for transition between the open and retaining positions via a downward vertical applied force (depicted by the arrow lettered “F” inFIG. 6B). In such a configuration, the retention bodies122may be constructed from a material capable of elastic deformation when a downward force is applied thereto. As such, the ware keeper120can move to an open state when a downward force is applied to the retention bodies122. The ware keeper can naturally move back to the retaining position when the force is released. In another embodiment, the ware keeper120may be naturally biased in an open state and may be moved into a retaining state when a force acts upon the ware keeper120. For example, contact on a ware keeper120by a member of a magazine apparatus100positioned above the ware keeper may move the hold the ware keeper120into a retaining position. For example, in one embodiment, a tool may be used to open one or more of the ware keepers120. The tool may comprise mechanical latching elements that fasten the tool to the magazine apparatus100in precise alignment with the arrays of ware keepers120. When latched in place, each tool has wedge-like features that contact the lever segment130and force the lever segments130apart to the point where the retention segments132are positioned far enough from one another to allow for clearance of the glass article900.

In one embodiment, the lever segment130of the retention body122that is above the retention segment132is non-parallel relative to the body segment135. This “diagonal” shaped lever segment130near the top of the ware keeper120allows for the downward force F to translate into an opening movement of the retention bodies122where the retention segments132of the retention bodies122move away from one another to allow for the body section902of a glass article900held in the ware receiving volume125to freely pass by the retention segments132. The elastic deformation may occur at the lower segment128of the retention body122. For example, the shape of the lower segment128may allow for elastic deformation that allows for the horizontal movement (in the direction of the Y axis) of the retention segment132when a downward force is applied to the connecting segment134.

Now referring collectively toFIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8, the glass articles900can be strengthened by ion-exchange while being held in the ware keepers120of magazine apparatuses100.FIG. 6contains a process flow diagram500of a method for strengthening glass articles900by ion-exchange andFIG. 7schematically depicts the process described in the flow diagram. In a first step502, glass tube stock1000formed from an ion-exchangeable glass composition is initially shaped into glass articles900(specifically glass vials in the embodiment depicted) using conventional shaping and forming techniques. In step504, the glass articles900are loaded into magazine apparatuses100using a mechanical magazine loader602. The magazine loader602may be a mechanical gripping device, such as a caliper or the like, which is capable of gripping multiple glass articles900at one time. Alternatively, the gripping device may utilize a vacuum system to grip the glass articles900. The magazine loader602may be coupled to a robotic arm or other, similar device capable of positioning the magazine loader602with respect to the glass articles900and the magazine apparatus100. The magazine loader603positions individual glass articles900in the ware receiving volume125of each ware keeper120. The magazine loader603may be operable to apply a downward force to move the ware keepers120into an open configuration for loading.

In a next step506, the magazine apparatus100loaded with glass articles900is transferred with a mechanical conveyor, such as a conveyor belt606, overhead crane or the like, to a cassette loading area. Thereafter, in step508, a plurality of magazine apparatuses100(one depicted) are loaded into a cassette608. While only one magazine apparatus100is depicted inFIG. 12, it should be understood that the cassette608is constructed to hold a plurality of magazine apparatuses100such that a large number of glass articles900can be processed simultaneously. Each magazine apparatus100is positioned in the cassette608utilizing a cassette loader610. The cassette loader610may be a mechanical gripping device, such as a caliper or the like, which is capable of gripping one or more magazine apparatuses100at a time. Alternatively, the gripping device may utilize a vacuum system to grip the magazine apparatuses100. The cassette loader610may be coupled to a robotic arm or other, similar device capable of positioning the cassette loader610with respect to the cassette608and the magazine apparatuses100.

In a next step510, the cassette608containing the magazine apparatuses100and glass articles900is transferred to an ion-exchange station and loaded into an ion-exchange tank614to facilitate chemically strengthening the glass articles900. The cassette608is transferred to the ion-exchange station with a cassette transfer device612. The cassette transfer device612may be a mechanical gripping device, such as a caliper or the like, which is capable of gripping the cassette608. Alternatively, the gripping device may utilize a vacuum system to grip the cassette608. The cassette transfer device612and attached cassette608may be automatically conveyed from the cassette loading area to the ion-exchange station with an overhead rail system, such as a gantry crane or the like. Alternatively, the cassette transfer device612and attached cassette608may be conveyed from the cassette loading area to the ion-exchange station with a robotic arm. In yet another embodiment, the cassette transfer device612and attached cassette608may be conveyed from the cassette loading area to the ion-exchange station with a conveyor and, thereafter, transferred from the conveyor to the ion-exchange tank614with a robotic arm or an overhead crane.

Once the cassette transfer device612and attached cassette608are at the ion-exchange station, the cassette608and the glass articles900contained therein may optionally be preheated prior to submerging the cassette608and the glass articles900in the ion-exchange tank614. In some embodiments, the cassette608may be preheated to a temperature greater than room temperature and less than or equal to the temperature of the molten salt bath in the ion-exchange tank614. For example, the glass articles900may be preheated to a temperature from about 300° C.-500° C. However, it should be understood that the preheating step is optional due to the relatively low thermal mass of the magazine apparatuses100described herein.

The ion-exchange tank614contains a bath of molten salt616, such as a molten alkali salt, such as KNO3, NaNO3and/or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the bath of molten salt is 100% molten KNO3which is maintained at a temperature greater than or equal to about 350° C. and less than or equal to about 500° C. However, it should be understood that baths of molten alkali salt having various other compositions and/or temperatures may also be used to facilitate ion-exchange of the glass articles.

In step512, the glass articles900are ion-exchange strengthened in the ion-exchange tank614. Specifically, the glass articles are submerged in the molten salt and held there for a period of time sufficient to achieve the desired compressive stress and depth of layer in the glass articles900. As the glass articles900are submerged, the glass articles initially have positive buoyancy as air escapes from the interior volume of the glass articles and is replaced with molten salt. As the glass articles900rise due to the positive buoyancy, the glass articles are vertically retained in position by the retention segments132of the ware keepers120while in a retaining position. In addition the basket-like open structure of the ware keepers120allows the molten salt bath to contact all surfaces of the glass articles, improving the uniformity of the compressive stress induced in the surface of the glass articles.

In one embodiment, the glass articles900may be held in the ion-exchange tank614for a time period sufficient to achieve a depth of layer of up to about 100 μm with a compressive stress of at least about 300 MPa or even 350 MPa. The holding period may be less than 30 hours or even less than 20 hours. However it should be understood that the time period with which the glass articles are held in the tank614may vary depending on the composition of the glass container, the composition of the bath of molten salt616, the temperature of the bath of molten salt616, and the desired depth of layer and the desired compressive stress.

After the glass articles900are ion-exchange strengthened, the cassette608and glass articles900are removed from the ion-exchange tank614using the cassette transfer device612in conjunction with a robotic arm or overhead crane. During removal from the ion-exchange tank614, the basket-like open structure of the ware keepers120of the magazine apparatus100allows the molten salt within the magazine apparatus to readily drain from each magazine apparatus. After the cassette608is removed from the ion-exchange tank614, the cassette608and the glass articles900are suspended over the ion-exchange tank614and the cassette608is rotated about a horizontal axis such that any molten salt remaining in the glass articles900is emptied back into the ion-exchange tank614. As the cassette608is rotated, the glass articles900are maintained in its position in the ware receiving volume125by the ware keepers120. Thereafter, the cassette608is rotated back to its initial position and the glass articles are allowed to cool prior to being rinsed.

The cassette608and glass articles900are then transferred to a rinse station with the cassette transfer device612. This transfer may be performed with a robotic arm or overhead crane, as described above, or alternatively, with an automatic conveyor such as a conveyor belt or the like. In a next step514, the cassette608and glass articles900are lowered into a rinse tank618containing a water bath620to remove any excess salt from the surfaces of the glass articles900. The cassette608and glass articles900may be lowered into the rinse tank618with a robotic arm, overhead crane or similar device which couples to the cassette transfer device612. Similar to the salt bath submersion, the glass articles initially have a positive buoyancy upon being submerged in the rinse tank618. As the glass articles900rise due to the positive buoyancy, the glass articles are vertically retained in position by the retention segments132of the ware keepers120while in a retaining position.

The cassette608and glass articles900are then withdrawn from the rinse tank618, suspended over the rinse tank618, and the cassette608is rotated about a horizontal axis such that any rinse water remaining in the glass articles900is emptied back into the rinse tank618. As the cassette608is rotated, the glass articles900are maintained in their position in the ware receiving volume125by the ware keepers120. In some embodiments, the rinsing operation may be performed multiple times before the cassette608and glass articles900are moved to the next processing station.

In one particular embodiment, the cassette608and the glass articles900are dipped in a water bath at least twice. For example, the cassette608may be dipped in a first water bath and, subsequently, a second, different water bath to ensure that all residual alkali salts are removed from the surface of the glass article. The water from the first water bath may be sent to waste water treatment or to an evaporator.

In a next step516, the magazine apparatuses100are removed from the cassette608with the cassette loader610. Thereafter, in step518, the glass articles900are unloaded from the magazine apparatuses100with the magazine loader602and transferred to a washing station. The magazine loader602may be utilized to transition the ware keepers120to an open state. In step520, the glass articles are washed with a jet of de-ionized water624emitted from a nozzle622. The jet of de-ionized water624may be mixed with compressed air.

Optionally, in step521(not depicted inFIG. 8), the glass articles900are transferred to an inspection station where the glass articles are inspected for flaws, debris, discoloration and the like.

While the magazine apparatuses have been shown and described herein being used in conjunction with glass containers, such as glass vials, it should be understood that the magazine apparatuses may be used to hold and retain various other types of glass articles including, without limitation, Vacutainers®, cartridges, syringes, ampoules, bottles, flasks, phials, tubes, beakers, vials or the like, including both round-form glass articles and non-round-form glass articles.

It should now be understood that the magazine apparatuses described herein may be used to hold and retain glass articles during processing. Forming the ware keepers of the magazine apparatus from wire segments mitigates the introduction of flaws in the glass articles retained within the magazine apparatus and securely holds the glass articles through all stages of processing. Ware keepers formed in this manner also reduce the thermal mass and surface area of the magazine apparatus which improves ion-exchange performance when the magazine apparatuses are used to facilitate strengthening of the glass articles contained therein by ion-exchange.