Abstract: A fishing pole including a handle and a seat that is integrated with the handle and structured to engage a line reel supporting a fishing line disposed about a spool of the line reel. The fishing pole further includes a flexible rod connecting to the handle and extending axially along an elongate axis. The flexible rod is structured to cast a fishing line a distance from the spool of the line reel. The flexible rod further includes at least two node locations. A plurality of rod guides are aligned with each of the at least two node locations and are operative to mitigate mechanical interaction with, and frictional drag on, the fishing line as it passes through each of the rod guides.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for melting raw batch materials into molten glass includes feeding raw batch materials into a chamber through a feed port, heating the chamber with a plurality of plasma torches positioned above a predetermined level, each plasma torch emitting a plasma flame into the chamber, and melting the raw batch materials into molten glass up to the predetermined level.

Abstract: A fishing pole including a handle and a seat that is integrated with the handle and structured to engage a line reel supporting a fishing line disposed about a spool of the line reel. The fishing pole further includes a flexible rod connecting to the handle and extending axially along an elongate axis. The flexible rod is structured to cast a fishing line a distance from the spool of the line reel. The flexible rod further includes at least two node locations. A plurality of rod guides are aligned with each of the at least two node locations and are operative to mitigate mechanical interaction with, and frictional drag on, the fishing line as it passes through each of the rod guides.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a fishing rod which optimally locates the line guides of the rod for improved distance casting. The method includes the steps of: (i) inducing a vibratory force transversely of the elongate axis to identify node locations associated with one or more rod harmonics along the length of the rod; and (ii) placing guides at each node location for receiving fishing line. The node positions minimize the relative motion of the line guides relative to the fishing line when casting to minimize line drag while maximizing rod damping.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a fishing rod which optimally locates the line guides of the rod for improved distance casting. The method includes the steps of: (i) inducing a vibratory force transversely of the elongate axis to identify node locations associated with one or more rod harmonics along the length of the rod; and (ii) placing guides at each node location for receiving fishing line. The node positions minimize the relative motion of the line guides relative to the fishing line when casting to minimize line drag while maximizing rod damping.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a glass ribbon includes a convection cooling device including at least one vacuum source configured to promote convection cooling of the glass ribbon by forcing a cooling fluid to flow along the glass ribbon. In further examples, methods of producing glass ribbon include the step of creating a vacuum to promote convection cooling of the glass ribbon by forcing a cooling fluid to flow along the glass ribbon.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a glass ribbon includes a convection cooling device including at least one vacuum source configured to promote convection cooling of the glass ribbon by forcing a cooling fluid to flow along the glass ribbon. In further examples, methods of producing glass ribbon include the step of creating a vacuum to promote convection cooling of the glass ribbon by forcing a cooling fluid to flow along the glass ribbon.

Abstract: An interlocking structure including: a top panel; a first wall and second wall; a first brace and a second brace each having interlocks that interlock with complementary interlocks on the top panel and at least one of the first and second walls. The structure can optionally have an additional interlocking joint, for example, a boss and via, between the top panel and contact point(s) or contact regions of each wall, and the interlocking joint can optionally have an adhesive seal to lock the optional interlocking joints. Also disclosed is a method of making the liner article and methods for using the article for forming glass, as defined herein.

Abstract: An interlocking structure including: a top panel; a first wall and second wall; a first brace and a second brace each having interlocks that interlock with complementary interlocks on the top panel and at least one of the first and second walls. The structure can optionally have an additional interlocking joint, for example, a boss and via, between the top panel and contact point(s) or contact regions of each wall, and the interlocking joint can optionally have an adhesive seal to lock the optional interlocking joints. Also disclosed is a method of making the liner article and methods for using the article for forming glass, as defined herein.