IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,722,995

Granted Patent B2

US 12,722,995 · App. 16/770,654 · Granted Sep 1, 2026

Method and machine for controlling a forming method

Inventors: Laurent Cosneau (Soucieu-en-Jarrest, FR); Olivier Colle (Oullins, FR)

Assignee: TIAMA

C03B9/1932 C03B9/41 G07C3/14 G07C3/143 G01N23/046 G05B19/4063 G05B2219/2635 G05B2219/45009

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12,722,995
App. No.: 16/770,654
Granted: Sep 1, 2026
Kind: B2

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USPTO Patent Center↗ Full Patent PDF↗

Abstract

A method for controlling a process for forming glass containers ( 2 ) includes the steps of extracting a so-called sample container, acquiring by means of a tomography apparatus ( 30 ) several X-ray images of the sample container from different projection angles, sending the X-ray images to a computer ( 38 ), and analyzing the X-ray images using a computer. A three-dimensional digital model of the sample container is constructed in a virtual reference frame on the basis of the X-ray images. The position of the three-dimensional digital model with respect to the position of the sample container in a mold reference frame is determined and the three-dimensional digital model is analyzed to determine at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container.

Claims (141)

1 . A method for controlling a process for forming glass containers ( 2 ) in a facility with several separate forming sections ( 12 ), the method comprising:

extracting a sample container coming from an identified preform mold ( 13 ) and an identified finishing mold ( 14 ) of a forming section of the separate forming sections;

resting the sample container ( 2 ) on a sample holder ( 31 ) of a computer-assisted X-ray tomography apparatus ( 30 );

acquiring by means of the computer-assisted X-ray tomography apparatus ( 30 ) several X-ray images of the sample container from different projection angles;

sending the X-ray images to a computer ( 38 );

analyzing X-ray images using the computer to:

construct in a virtual reference frame a three-dimensional digital model (M) of the sample container from the X-ray images of the sample container; and

analyze the three-dimensional digital model (M) to measure dimensions on the three-dimensional digital model and to determine from the measured dimensions at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container in relation to at least one region of the sample container and an item of adjustment information for a control parameter of the process for forming glass containers in relation with the identified finishing mold of the sample container is deducible from the at least one quality indicator (A);

delivering the at least one quality indicator of the sample container;

making a correction to the control parameter of the process for forming glass containers, in relation with the identified preform mold and identified finishing mold, and based on the at least one quality indicator, among:

adjusting a weight or a shape of a subsequent glass gob loaded into the identified preform mold,

adjusting a position, a speed, or a moment of arrival of the subsequent glass gob ( 18 ) upon loading of the glass gob into the identified preform mold,

adjusting a synchronization or speed or force in movement of mechanisms of a blowing plunger, of the identified preform mold, of transfers of the blank, or of extracting grippers from the identified finishing mold,

adjusting a cooling of the identified preform mold, identified finishing mold, or of an associated blowing plunger,

adjusting a ventilation of the identified preform mold or identified finishing mold,

adjusting a blowing or pressing pressure for the identified preform mold or identified finishing mold,

adjusting a lubrication or greasing of the identified preform mold or identified finishing mold,

adjusting a moment of blowing or a blowing time, and a vacuum in vents of the identified preform mold or the identified finishing mold,

acting on a position of a deflector guiding the subsequent glass gob,

replacing the identified preform mold or the identified finishing mold, and

adjusting a temperature of the subsequent glass gob, of a blowing plunger and identified preform mold, a geometry of a ring mold at the identified preform mold, and a timing of compression and blowing;

wherein the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container is selected among a group of:

at least one volume measurement of the sample container taken from among a capacity (Cry) of the sample container, a volume of an envelope of the sample container and a glass volume of the sample container;

a rendering of reliefs (B) fashioned on the sample container;

an internal geometry of a neck of the sample container; and

a planarity of a ring surface of the sample container, and

forming a subsequent glass container from the identified preform mold and the identified finishing mold, using the control parameter adjusted to correct the process for forming glass containers; and

obtaining the subsequent glass container having a distribution of the glass, a capacity or a rendering of reliefs corrected compared to the sample container.

2 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein analyzing the three-dimensional digital model comprises determining a position of the three-dimensional digital model (M) with respect to a position of the sample container ( 2 ) in a mold reference frame, the method comprises referencing a referencing relief (R) on the sample container and resting the sample container on the sample holder ( 31 ) in such a way that the referencing relief (R) is positioned with respect to a visual or mechanical referencing device of the sample holder.

3 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein analyzing the three-dimensional digital model comprises determining a position of the three-dimensional digital model (M) with respect to a position of the sample container in a mold reference frame, the method comprises:

choosing a referencing relief (R) on the sample container, where a position of the referencing relief (R) is known in the mold reference frame;

locating, on the three-dimensional digital model (M), a position of a virtual referencing relief (Rv) corresponding to a chosen referencing relief (R); and

determining a position of the virtual referencing relief in a virtual reference frame to deduce from the position of the virtual referencing relief a position of the three-dimensional digital model (M) in the mold reference frame.

4 . The method as claimed in claim 3 , comprising constructing the three-dimensional digital model (M) taking into account the sample holder ( 31 ) in such a way as to have a virtual vertical axis extending perpendicularly with respect to a virtual resting plane (Pr) of the sample container on the sample holder; and providing a relative rotation of the three-dimensional digital model (M) about the virtual vertical axis in order to bring the virtual referencing relief (Rv) into a position corresponding to the position of the referencing relief in the mold reference frame.

5 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising identifying the preform mold ( 13 ) and/or the finishing mold ( 14 ) from which the sample container has come by a mold number or location number and in making the mold number or the location number available in relation to the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container.

6 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein for identifying the preform mold ( 13 ) and/or the finishing mold ( 14 ) from which the sample container has come, the sample container bearing a relief which indicates a number of the preform mold ( 13 ) and/or a number of the finishing mold ( 14 ) from which the sample container has come, or which indicates a location number, the relief being in a form of a code or alphanumerically, the method comprises:

providing a reading of the relief on the sample container and communicating the reading to the computer ( 38 );

or analyzing the three-dimensional digital model (M) of the sample container ( 2 ), by searching for a location of a virtual relief corresponding to the relief of the sample container, and reading the virtual relief to make the virtual relief available to the computer ( 38 ).

7 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising extracting the sample container ( 2 ) before entry into an annealing lehr of the facility.

8 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising determining as another quality indicator (A) of the sample container ( 2 ) a distribution of glass of the sample container.

9 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising determining as another quality indicator (A) of the sample container, a number of external diameters of a body of the sample container.

10 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising, for determining the distribution of the glass as another quality indicator (A) of the sample container, determining a position of a center of mass (Gv) of the three-dimensional digital model (M) or of a portion of said three-dimensional digital model (M), and comparing the position of the center of mass (Gv) to a reference position (Gr).

11 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising, for determining the distribution of the glass as another quality indicator (A) of the sample container,

determining a thickness of a glass wall over at least one region of the sample container ( 2 ),

by searching in the at least one region for a position of an area with a thickness greater than a predefined value and/or a thickness less than a predefined value, and determining an extent of said area, and/or searching for a presence and a position of a place in the glass wall exhibiting a minimum or a maximum thickness in said at least one region.

12 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising, for determining the distribution of the glass as another quality indicator (A) of the sample container:

determining a volume of glass contained in at least two regions of the three-dimensional digital model (M) divided either by a plane of vertical section containing a virtual vertical axis of the three-dimensional digital model (M) or by a plane of horizontal section perpendicular to said virtual vertical axis; and

comparing said volumes with values of reference volume and/or between several regions of the same sample container, and/or between several sample containers.

13 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising, for determining the rendering of reliefs (B) fashioned on the sample container as the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container:

positioning a section plane (C-C) on the three-dimensional digital model (M) of the sample container in such a way to select at least a part of a virtual relief (Br) of an external surface (Se) of said three-dimensional digital model (M) corresponding to the virtual relief;

determining in the section plane, a representative curve (Cr) of the section plane of the virtual relief (Br);

overlaying at least partly on the representative curve (Cr), a zero-altitude curve (Ca) representing a curve of the external surface (Se) of the sample container devoid of said virtual relief (Br); and

comparing the representative curve (Cr) with the zero-altitude curve (Ca), as criterion of rendering of the virtual relief (Br) at least one of:

a distance between the representative curve (Cr) and the zero-altitude curve (Ca);

a difference in slopes at a given position between the representative curve (Cr) and the zero-altitude curve (Ca);

a variation in a slope of the representative curve (Cr); and

an area delimited by the representative curve (Cr) and the zero-altitude curve (Ca).

14 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising, for determining the rendering of reliefs (B) fashioned on the sample container ( 2 ) as the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container:

determining a representative surface (Sr) of the reliefs fashioned on the sample container as a portion of an external surface of the three-dimensional digital model (M) in an area of interest containing at least a part of a virtual relief corresponding to the reliefs (B) fashioned on the sample container;

overlaying at least partly on the external surface of the area of interest, a zero-altitude surface (Sa) representing a surface of the area of interest devoid of said virtual relief; and

comparing the representative surface (Sr) with the zero-altitude surface (Sa), by computing as relief rendering criterion at least one of:

a distance between the zero-altitude surface (Sa) and the representative surface (Sr);

a difference in slopes at a given position between the zero-altitude surface (Sa) and the representative surface (Sr);

a variation in slopes of the representative surface (Sr); and

a number of volumes delimited by the zero-altitude surface (Sa) and the representative surface (Sr).

15 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising, for determining the rendering of reliefs fashioned on the sample container as the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container:

determining a representative surface of a virtual relief (Sr) as a portion of an external surface of the three-dimensional digital model (M) in an area of interest containing at least a part of the virtual relief corresponding to a relief fashioned on the sample container;

overlaying at least partly on the external surface of the area of interest, a theoretical relief surface (Sri) representing a surface of the area of interest if the virtual relief is correctly rendered; and

comparing the representative surface (Sr) with the theoretical relief surface (Sri), by computing as relief rendering criterion at least one of:

a distance between the representative surface (Sr) and the theoretical surface (Sri);

a difference in a slope at a given position between the representative surface (Sr) and the theoretical surface (Sri); and

a number of volumes delimited by the surfaces (Sr) and (Sri).

16 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising, for determining the rendering of reliefs fashioned on the sample container as the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container:

selecting, on the three-dimensional digital model (M), a virtual relief corresponding to a relief with a technical purpose, a position of which is known;

positioning a section plane to cut said virtual relief in a section plane corresponding to a design plane;

obtaining a representative curve (Cr) of a section of the virtual relief;

measuring on the representative curve (Cr) a radius of curvature and/or an angle, a length, or a distance to a zero-altitude curve (Ca); and

comparing a measurement from the measuring step with predefined tolerance values.

17 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising, for determining the capacity (Cn) of the sample container as the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container:

determining an internal surface (Sf) of the three-dimensional digital model (M) of the sample container;

determining a filling level plane (Pn) on the three-dimensional digital model (M) of the sample container, the filling level plane (Pn) is either a surface plane of a virtual ring (Pr) or a nominal filling level plane; and

measuring by computation an internal volume of the three-dimensional digital model (M) of the sample container delimited by the internal surface (Sf) and the filling level plane (Pn), a measurement of the measuring step being the capacity (Cn) of the sample container.

18 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising, for determining the volume of the envelope of the sample container as the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container:

determining an external surface (Se) of the three-dimensional digital model of the sample container;

determining a volume enclosing plane (Pf) as being of a ring surface plane or a lower plane of a ring mold seam; and

measuring by computation an internal volume delimited by the external surface (Se) and the volume enclosing plane (Pf), a measurement of the measuring step being the volume of the envelope of the sample container.

19 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising, for determining the volume of the envelope of the sample container as the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container, determining the volume of a wall of the three-dimensional digital model (M) of the sample container.

20 . The method as claimed in claim 19 , further comprising:

analyzing the three-dimensional digital model (M) by searching for bubbles corresponding to a lack of material between an internal surface (Sf) and an external surface (Se), and in measuring volumes of said bubbles, which are then subtracted from a volume of a wall of the three-dimensional digital model (M),

to obtain a volume corresponding to a volume of glass of the glass gob loaded into the identified preform mold, the blank of which has been transferred into the identified finishing mold from which the sample container ( 2 ) has come.

21 . The method as claimed in claim 20 , further comprising:

considering a measurement of the volume of glass of the glass gob loaded into the identified preform mold, as the volume of glass of the three-dimensional digital model (M), either taking the lack of material into account or not taking the lack of material into account;

considering an internal volume delimited by an external surface of the three-dimensional digital model (M) and an enclosing plane as being a measurement of the internal volume of the identified finishing mold;

considering a volume delimited by an internal surface of the three-dimensional digital model (M) and a filling level plane as being a measurement of a capacity (Cn) of the sample container;

deducing from measurements of the capacity (Cn) of the sample container and of the internal volume of the identified finishing mold, the volume of the loaded glass gob into the identified preform mold from which the sample container has come;

and deciding when the capacity of the sample container is not compliant, to modify the weight of the glass gob for the identified preform mold from which the sample container has come or to replace the identified finishing mold.

22 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising, for determining the internal geometry of the neck of the sample container as the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container:

determining, on the three-dimensional digital model (M), an internal surface corresponding at least to that of the neck;

positioning a section plane (Pg) parallel to a virtual resting plane (Pr); and

measuring in the section plane several diameters of the internal surface and determining a minimum and/or a maximum in the section plane.

23 . The method as claimed in claim 22 , further comprising determining, as the at least one quality indicator (A) of the neck:

a diameter at a neck opening;

and/or a broaching diameter;

and/or an internal profile of the sample container.

24 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising, for determining the planarity of the ring surface of the sample container as the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container:

determining, on a basis of the three-dimensional digital model (M), a closed three-dimensional curve or an annular surface representative of the ring surface;

positioning a reference plane of the ring surface in relation to the closed three-dimensional curve or to the annular surface;

and measuring separations between the reference plane and the closed three-dimensional curve or the annular surface.

25 . The method as claimed in claim 9 , further comprising, for determining external diameters of a body of the sample container as the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container:

determining on a basis of the three-dimensional digital model (M), an external surface (Se) corresponding to at least a part of the sample container having an external diameter measurement;

positioning a section plane (Pd) parallel to a virtual resting plane (Pr) of the three-dimensional digital model (M) along at least one height of the sample container; and

measuring several diameters in the section plane (Pd) with respect to the external surface and comparing the several diameter measurements with reference values.

26 . A facility for forming glass containers including several separate forming sections ( 12 ), wherein each of forming sections comprises at least one preform mold and at least one finishing mold, wherein each forming section is configured so that a glass gob of molten glass ( 18 ) is initially formed into a blank in a preform mold ( 13 ), and the blank is then given a final form in a finishing mold ( 14 ), wherein the facility for forming glass containers includes a machine for controlling a process for forming glass containers, wherein the machine is arranged at an exit of the at least one finishing mold finishing mold and comprises:

a computer-assisted X-ray tomography apparatus ( 30 ) configured to take several X-ray images from different projection angles of a sample container placed on a sample holder of said computer-assisted X-ray tomography apparatus, said sample container coming from an identified preform mold and an identified finishing mold of a forming section of the facility;

a computer ( 38 ) linked to the computer-assisted X-ray tomography apparatus ( 30 ) and configured for receiving and analyzing the X-ray images of the sample container for:

constructing, in a virtual reference frame, a three-dimensional digital model (M) of the sample container from the X-ray images of the sample container; and

analyzing the three-dimensional digital model (M) to measure dimensions on the three-dimensional digital model and to determine from the measured dimensions a quality indicator (A) of the sample container in relation to at least one region of the sample container and an item of adjustment information for a control parameter of the process for forming glass containers in relation with the identified finishing mold of the sample container is deducible from the container indicator;

and a system ( 41 ) for delivering the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container to allow corrective measures to be taken on the control parameter to correct the process for forming glass containers in relation with the identified finishing mold based on the at least one quality indicator,

wherein the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container is selected among a group of:

a rendering of reliefs (B) fashioned on the sample container,

an internal geometry of a neck of the sample container,

a planarity of a ring surface of the sample container; and

wherein the facility is configured to make a correction to the control parameter of the process for forming glass containers, in relation with the identified preform mold and identified finishing mold, and based on the at least one quality indicator, among: