May / June 2007 — The benefits of the VertiFlow blank mold cooling system, as introduced in 1988, have been well accepted throughout the glass industry. This system uses plenum chambers on top of the blank molds, passing cooling air through vertical holes to the bottom of the blank molds.

With the new InVertiFlow blank mold cooling system the airflow has been “inverted”, passing the air from plenum chambers at the bottom - or lower end - to the top of the blank molds. This new cooling system offers numerous features and benefits.

Due to the complete separation of neckring and blank mold cooling, the cooling is more predictable, which results in a more consistent container quality. Furthermore, the cooling time can be reduced or if production is limited by the blank cooling, the production speed increased.

Another advantage compared to the blank side VertiFlow system is the quicker mold change, as no plenum chamber sits on top of the mold, which results in reduced down time. As the cooling air is bottom up, fumes are carried away and the heat load on the section is reduced. This provides a better working environment and leads to an increased mechanism lifetime.

The InVertiFlow cooling system is designed to accept, with some minor modification, existing blank molds used with the earlier VertiFlow cooling system and, with some limitations, blank molds used with conventional stack cooling. The InVertiFlow system is commercial for the IS 5 ½ DG machine. Prototype trials and 0-batch installations for other center distances also confirm the above mentioned benefits. For more information, contact your local Emhart Glass representative.

Please forward inquiries and comments to the following address: glass.tidings@emhartglass.com