Manufacturing method for glass molded body and manufacturing apparatus for glass molded body

A manufacturing method for a glass molded body, comprising at least the steps of:

• heating a plurality of molds each containing a glass material for molding to soften the glass material;
• press-molding the softened glass material;
• and
• cooling the press-molded glass material,
• the heating, the press-molding, and the cooling being performed while holding the plurality of molds with a support and conveying the plurality of molds in a constant direction,
• the cooling comprising:
• cooling the glass material contained in each of the plurality of molds, which are arranged along a conveying direction of the support;
• and
• conveying the plurality of molds so as to reverse at least once an arrangement order of the plurality of molds, which are arranged on the support, with respect to the conveying direction by at least rotating the support holding the plurality of molds in a horizontal direction under a state in which the support is spaced away from support conveying means for conveying the support.

A manufacturing apparatus for a glass molded body, comprising at least:

• a heating part for heating a mold to soften a glass material contained in the mold;
• a press-molding part for press-molding the softened glass material;
• a cooling part for cooling the press-molded glass material;
• a support having a supporting surface for supporting a plurality of the molds thereon;
• support conveying means for sequentially conveying the support to the heating part, the press-molding part, and to the cooling part;
• and
• a rotational movement mechanism, wherein:
• the plurality of molds supported on the supporting surface are arranged along a conveying direction of the support;
• the heating part comprises heating members arranged along both sides of the conveying direction of the support so as to be able to heat the plurality of molds from both the sides of the conveying direction of the support;
• and
• the rotational movement mechanism is configured for rotating the support by 180 degrees with respect to the conveying direction of the support so as to reverse an arrangement order of the plurality of molds, which are supported on the supporting surface of the support, with respect to the conveying direction, the rotational movement mechanism being configured to rotate the support holding the plurality of the molds in a horizontal direction under a state in which the support is spaced away from the support conveying means.