Abstract: The invention relates to working molten glass in tank furnaces for continuous production. According to the process of the invention, the vitrifiable material being brought first to the molten bath state in a zone upstream from the tank, and said bath then having access to the successive downstream zones allocated to the other phases of the process of working the glass through at least one tank portion comprising a section reduction of the type usually called a neck, there is generated at the upper level of the opening available to the glass by said neck a glass current directed from downstream to upstream of said neck. The invention proves to be especially advantageous for electric melting furnaces with large production capacity.

Abstract: Device for continuous manufacture of fined glass in which the flow of molten material is transferred from a melting compartment (1) to a fining compartment (2) by a submerged throat (8), the fining compartment (2) comprising a chute (14) carrying the material, in an overall ascending current, and delivering it to the conditioning station (3), in a surface current, heating means (16-19) distributed in the chute (14) bringing the material to the usual debubbling temperature.This device is advantageously combined with a cupola type electric melting furnace, particularly for producing glasses with very volatile ingredients.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing molten glass in a melting furnace 1 equipped with a tank containing a glass bath 3, where the ingredients of the glass are melted in a refining zone 10 and the molten glass flows into an adjacent conditioning zone 13.According to the invention, the current is driven to a passage 31, which is located at the common boundary of the refining zone 10 and the conditioning one 13, this boundary or corset has a narrower width than that of the current, and the current is forced to go through the passage 31.Thus the homogeneity of the glass is increased at drawing off.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing molten glass in a melting furnace 1 equipped with a tank containing a glass bath 3, where the ingredients of the glass are melted in a refining zone 10 and the molten glass flows into an adjacent conditioning zone 13.According to the invention, the current is driven to a passage 31, which is located at the common boundary of the refining zone 10 and the conditioning zone 13, this boundary or corset has a narrower width than that of the current, and the current is forced to go through the passage 31.Thus the homogeneity of the glass is increased at drawing off.

Abstract: A process for making sheets of plastic material of high optical quality by casting the plastic material or a mixture of its components on a flat, moving substrate is disclosed. According to the invention, a stable pocket of material is formed on the moving substrate upstream of the zone at which the plastic material flows from the casting apparatus onto the substrate. The material in the pocket moves in predetermined paths and leaves the pocket to form the lower portion and the edges of the sheet. A direct stream of material is simultaneously formed downstream of the zone of delivery of the plastic material onto the substrate in a tangential relation to the meniscus, to form the upper portion of the sheet.

Abstract: An improvement in the method and apparatus for the production of that glass by the float glass method wherein molten glass is poured into a bath of molten metal, caused to float along the top of the bath, and after being sufficiently hardened, drawn off of the bath. The improvement included the use of a connecting member emerging from the molten metal bath at the upstream end thereof for receiving the falling glass before it enters the bath. The connecting member has a forward surface inclined in the direction of movement of the glass in the bath. This gives the glass a component of movement in this direction to accelerate it to a velocity compatible with the velocity of movement of the glass at the exit end of the bath. The contact of the falling glass with the connecting member before the glass passes into the surface of the bath also reduces agitation of the glass.