Glass product transport apparatus and method of use
A glass product transport apparatus is provided. The glass product transport apparatus includes a slotted element assembly configured to engage a narrowed portion of a glass product. A carriage assembly has a longitudinal slot configured to receive the slotted element assembly for longitudinal movement. An actuator is connected to the slotted element assembly and configured to move the slotted element assembly in a longitudinal direction. A rail structure is configured to support the carriage assembly. The slotted element assembly is configured to retain the glass product in the event power is removed from the actuator.
1. A method of using a glass product transport apparatus comprising the steps of:
engaging a narrowed portion of a glass product with a slotted element assembly;
receiving the slotted element assembly within a longitudinal slot of a carriage assembly, wherein the carriage assembly is formed from a plurality of support carriages connected together in an end-to-end arrangement, the longitudinal slot configured to facilitate longitudinal movement of the slotted element assembly;
moving the slotted element assembly in a longitudinal direction with an actuator; and
supporting the carriage assembly with a rail structure in a hanging arrangement with one or more tabs, wherein the one or more tabs have a t-shaped cross-sectional shape;
wherein the slotted element assembly is configured to retain the glass product in the event power is removed from the actuator.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the narrowed portion is a neck of a bottle.
3. The method of claim 1 , including the step of forming a first and second aperture in the slotted element assembly, and wherein the first aperture has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the second aperture.
4. The method of claim 3 , including the step of connecting the first and second apertures in a manner such as to form a keyhole opening.
5. The method of claim 1 , including the step of forming the slotted element assembly from a plurality of slotted elements connected together in an end-to-end arrangement.
6. A method of using a glass product transport apparatus comprising the steps of:
engaging a narrowed portion of a glass product with a slotted element assembly and including the step of forming the slotted element assembly as a unitary body, and wherein the slotted element assembly includes more than one keyhole opening;
receiving the slotted element assembly within a longitudinal slot of a carriage assembly, the longitudinal slot configured to facilitate longitudinal movement of the slotted element assembly;
moving the slotted element assembly in a longitudinal direction with an actuator; and
supporting the carriage assembly with a rail structure;
wherein the slotted element assembly is configured to retain the glass product in the event power is removed from the actuator.
7. A method of using a glass product transport apparatus comprising the steps of:
engaging a narrowed portion of a glass product with a slotted element assembly;
receiving the slotted element assembly within a longitudinal slot of a carriage assembly, the longitudinal slot configured to facilitate longitudinal movement of the slotted element assembly and including the step of forming the carriage assembly as a unitary body, and wherein the carriage assembly includes more than one aperture;
moving the slotted element assembly in a longitudinal direction with an actuator; and
supporting the carriage assembly with a rail structure;
wherein the slotted element assembly is configured to retain the glass product in the event power is removed from the actuator.