Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of large glass containers, comprises preparing a glass gob of a predetermined weight in an automatic mechanical feeder and feeding it to a first preparatory mold at a predetermined frequency. A parison is formed in the preparatory mold, at the same frequency, the parison comprising a finished mouth of the glass container to be formed. The parison is then transferred to a second, prefinishing mold, and, at the same frequency, a prefinished parison is formed. The prefinished parison is transferred to a third, finishing mold, and, at a frequency in a ratio of from 1:1 to 1:4 of the predetermined frequency, the finished glass container is formed. The expansion of the prefinished parison is controlled by the action of compressed air conveyed to the interior of the parison from its mouth.

Abstract: A method of densifying a fumed metal oxide is disclosed wherein the metal oxide is converted to a flowable sol and then dried to form a fragmented solid which is calcined. The calcined oxide may be wet milled to provide a slip for casting articles such as fused silica crucibles used in melting silicon. The method also permits the production of very refractory fused glass compositions from fumed metal oxides at temperatures substantially below those required where a melting step is employed.

Abstract: In a glass melting tank, a plurality of stirrers are spaced apart across the tank and arranged to extract heat from the forward flowing glass so as to achieve a differential extraction of heat from the glass which flows along a return path towards the inlet end after stirring, and that glass which continues along a forward path to the outlet end of the tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving newly formed glass containers from a cooling dead plate to a moving machine conveyor in which the ware is engaged by a finger, with the finger being generally horizontal and engageable with the container at a point on its sidewall which best suits the moving of the container by a sliding motion. The finger, or fingers in the case of plural containers being simultaneously moved, is moved through an arc approximately 90.degree. with respect to its vertical axis, moving the containers from the dead plate to the conveyor and then the finger is retracted out of contact with the containers on the conveyor. After retraction, the finger-mounting mechanism which takes the form of a generally horizontally disposed cylinder is moved back through 90.degree. to a position opposite the position of a dead plate where the finger is then again moved outward and rotated about the axis of the cylinder mounting. In this fashion the containers are moved onto the conveyor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for injection molding hydrosilicate glasses and apparati useful therefor. This invention is also concerned with apparati for mixing hydrosilicate glasses while in the fluid stage, i.e., when the hydrosilicate glasses have a viscosity between about 10.sup.2 -10.sup.9 poises. Finally, this invention describes materials demonstrating ready release of hydrosilicate glasses after contact in fluid form.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for finishing high-strength multilayer optical preforms capable of being drawn into long optical fibers useful for light-wave communications. The preforms are of the type prepared by sequential chemical-vapor-deposition of the various desired glass layers within a tubular glass substrate that is then collapsed into a solid cylindrical preform comprising a cylindrical light-transmitting core surrounded by a concentric cladding layer and one or more additional layers within the collapsed substrate. In order for the outermost deposited additional layer to constitute a thin high-compression layer on the surface of the completed optical structure, it is necessary first to remove substantially all of the substrate layer from the preform in such a manner as to leave the adjoining high-compression layer intact.

Abstract: Corrosion-resistant, hermetic glassceramic-to-metal seals are made in a single rapid heating step by inserting a glass preform made of 25-35% by weight ZnO, 2.5-10% by weight Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 30-60% SiO.sub.2 together with optional nucleating and/or fluxing agents, between a metal pin and surrounding metal collar. Heating is rapid in a single step to first fluidize the glass, while avoiding excessive oxidation of the metal pin and the metal collar and to prevent excessive interaction of the glass composition at the glass/collar interface, then to ceram the seal. The resulting seals exhibit good corrosion resistance to potassium hydroxide solutions and are useful in Ni-Cd batteries.

Abstract: Glass-ceramic articles having compositional inhomogeneities are provided with uniformly colored brown stain decorations by applying a palladium-containing staining composition onto the articles after they have been subjected to a crystallizing heat treatment, and then subjecting the articles to a second heat treatment to produce the stain decorations.

Abstract: Glasses in the Li.sub.2 O--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2 --MgO--ZnO--TiO.sub.2 composition field, additionally containing PbO and/or one of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, Na.sub.2 O and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 are rapidly crystallized to beta-spodumene glass-ceramics at temperatures not exceeding 1000.degree. C. to provide white, opaque glass-ceramic products exhibiting both low thermal expansion and good chemical durability.

Abstract: A glass article is produced by doping a porous glass matrix with at least one member selected from the group consisting of PbO and Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 and at least one member selected from the group consisting of K.sub.2 O, Rb.sub.2 O and Cs.sub.2 O, and producing a profile in dopant composition by immersion in a multiple-solvent solution.

Abstract: The apparatus for manufacturing an ingot includes a rotatable housing with an inner surface defining an opening therethrough along the rotational axis of the housing. The housing is rotated about the rotational axis. The housing includes a layer of insulating material located between the inner and outer surfaces of the housing. Particulate material is deposited along the inner surface while the housing is rotating and the particulate material is heated above its melting temperature while the housing is rotating, the rotational movement holding the molten particulate material in place by centrifugal force on the inner surface for forming an ingot.

Abstract: Spontaneous sodium fluoride opal glassware is treated to improve surface durability against aqueous attack by controlled sodium depletion and subsequent heat consolidation of the glass surface. The method comprises extracting surface sodium ions using water or dilute aqueous acidic solutions and subsequently consolidating by heat the surface to produce a glossy surface without any migration of sodium ions.

Abstract: In a process for producing molten glass in a generally cylindrical continuously rotating chamber comprising the following steps:(a) feeding inorganic raw materials, including silica in major proportion, into the chamber;(b) providing a flame of high intensity heat produced by the combustion of fuel with a gas containing about 50 to about 100 percent by volume oxygen and directing the flame into the chamber in such a manner that the raw materials are melted; and(c) rotating said chamber at a sufficient speed and cooling the exterior of the chamber with a liquid coolant in such a manner that the inner surface of the chamber is coated with a layer of molten glass, the layer is solidified, and a solidified layer of glass is maintained throughout the process whereby the solidified layer essentially prevents impurities from the inner surface of the chamber from entering the melt; and(d) withdrawing molten glass,the improvement comprising heating the silica prior to step (a) to a temperature in the range of about 50

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler comprising a glass sleeve having a link piece of single material glass optical fiber having a refractive index higher than the sleeve mounted in a central section of the sleeve. The central section of the sleeve is collapsed to secure the link piece therein, leaving portions of the sleeve beyond the link piece of sufficient cross-section to freely receive optical fibers therein to be optically coupled. An index matching adhesive is used to secure the fibers in the sleeve abutting the link piece.

Abstract: An opto-electronic element consists of a dielectric optical waveguide having a single crystal core of meta-nitroaniline. The element is made by feeding molten meta-nitroaniline into a hollow fibre along which a temperature gradient exists. Nucleation sets in at one end of the fibre and the temperature gradient is altered to promote crystal growth along the fibre. The element can be used as a polarizer, in isolators, harmonic generators or mixers. The action of the device depends on either the non-linear optical properties of the meta-nitroaniline or the optical anisotropy of the meta-nitroaniline. To make a polarizer the meta-nitroaniline core is surrounded by a cladding having a refractive index lying midway between two of the refractive indices of the meta-nitroaniline.

Abstract: A glass dielectric fiber waveguide with a composition profile varying radially from the center to the surface, the composition profile causing a surface layer which is in compression, said composition profile being caused by (a) at least one dopant used substantially to create a stress profile wherein the surface is in compression, and (b) at least one dopant used substantially for the purpose of creating an index of refraction profile.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for forming hollow and cylindrical ingots of amorphous or fused silica and other ingot materials. The ingot is formed from a melt on a deposition surface which is lowered as the ingot is formed at a rate which maintains a constant distance between the deposition surface and a heat source vertically positioned above same. The melt is shaped into a vertical cylinder by at least one forming tool which is a roller member rotatable about a vertical axis. In a preferred embodiment the fixed distance from the heat source is maintained with the aid of the laser beam.

Abstract: A glass-to-metal seal for an electrochemical cell terminal includes a formed apertured plate and a tack-shaped terminal pin. The formed apertured plate has a relief ring of concavo-convex configuration and the terminal pin has the vertical section thereof within the aperture and the horizontal section spaced away from the plate. A glass seal is formed between the relief ring and about the terminal pin, including the space between the horizontal section and the plate by the application of heat and pressure within a carbon mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically wetting and mixing glass batch immediately prior to its introduction into a glass melting furnace. This apparatus is an axillary extension of a typical glass furnace charger hopper and provides for complete glass batch wetting and mixing immediately adjacent the glass melting furnace so as to minimize the possibility of batch "dryout" and similarly thereby minimize atmospheric dust pollution and other associated problems. Mixing action is continuous and the apparatus is arranged such that a fluid, normally water, is added to and mixed with the batch responsive to charger operation. The apparatus is structured in such fashion to emphasize mixing rather than material conveyance, thus reducing wear upon the structural elements while at the same time providing complete and uniform wetting of the batch within same.

Abstract: A process yielding a glass blank in the form of a rod intended for drawing an optical fiber of the kind of self-focussing fiber i.e. having a radial refractive index gradient, having features (substantially transparency or transmission efficiency) lower than those of the fibers intended for long distance communication but sufficient for middle distance transmission, and which exhibits a lower cost than known processes. In a first stage a phase separation yields a "hard" phase (rich in silicon) and a "soft" phase (poor in silicon and rich in impurities) due to the drawing of a rod from a bath of molten glass through a cooling system having a strong temperature gradient and creating a radial refractive index gradient. In a second stage the soft phase is leached, eliminating the impurities contained in the soft phase but keeping safe the radial gradient. In a third stage a consolidation treatment is a pure annealing treatment rendering the hard phase more homogeneous.