Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a glass sheet using a fusion down-draw process, wherein the heating powers of the heating elements are managed such that in case of a failure of one heating element, the heating power of the adjacent heating element is immediately increased. The method decreases the thermal stress the forming body is exposed to due to the failure of the heating element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass melting furnace, comprising a channel-shaped melting tank, the batch material being charged at an upstream end, the molten glass being recovered at the downstream end, said furnace being heated by means of burners, in which 80% of the combustion energy is produced by oxycombustion, oxygen being supplied continuously from a production plant located nearby or via a gas pipe from remotely located plants, characterized in that the furnace is fitted with oxygen storage means such that, should continuous supply cease, the furnace can operate at least in a temperature-maintaining mode for a maximum time of eight hours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass melting furnace comprising a channel-shaped melting tank, the batch materials being introduced at an upstream end, the molten glass being recovered at the downstream end, said furnace being heated by means of burners, in which the combustion energy is produced by oxy-fuel combustion in respect of at least 65% thereof, the burners being distributed on the walls along the length of the furnace, in which flue gas discharge is mostly localized close to the upstream end near the openings through which the batch materials are introduced, the rest of the flue gas being removed close to the downstream part so as to maintain dynamic sealing with respect to the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A system for curing a binders applied to glass fibers is disclosed. The curing of the binder is accomplished by passing the binder coated glass fibers through a curing oven having one or more temperature zones. The temperature of the binder coated glass fibers is monitored and the temperature in the curing oven is adjusted to ensure proper heating of the glass fibers thereby ensuring uniform curing of the binder composition. Temperature measurements are made either as the product traverses the oven or as the cured product exits the curing oven. The invention is particularly useful for curing acrylic thermoset binders and formaldehyde-free binders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supplying lubricating points of an I.S. glassware forming machine, wherein a used lubrication system comprises a plurality of lubricant metering devices (29) that are provided to output lubricant to a plurality of lubricating points, that are to be lubricated, of the glassware forming machine and are allocated in each case to one of several lubrication circuits (23-28). The lubricant metering devices of a respective lubrication circuit simultaneously output a predetermined amount of lubricant in each case cyclically with a time interval allocated to the lubrication circuit. The lubricant metering devices are allocated to lubrication circuits in dependence upon temperatures that have been measured in direct proximity to lubricating points, and are allocated such that the temperatures of the lubricating points of a lubrication circuit are within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing glass pipettes or glass capillaries. In said method, a pipette or capillary (1) with a conical tip and a tubular section that adjoins the latter is fixed in a retaining device (2), the fixed glass pipene (1) is then introduced into the thermal radiation field of a heating unit (3), the glass pipette is softened at least in the tip region, a gas pressure is applied to the interior of the glass pipette in such a way that the diameter of said pipette is abruptly lengthened by a small amount between the base surface of the cone and the tubular section, the expanded glass pipette (1) is then removed from the thermal radiation field of the heating unit (3) and the abrupt lengthening of the diameter of the glass pipette (1) is verified and preferably controlled with the aid of an optical observation unit (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass hardening system and method capable of transition between configurations for annealing and tempering glass objects comprising a conveyor system, a glass object positioning system, a tempering chamber, and a plurality of temperature zones oriented to form a tunnel through which glass objects are conveyed by a conveyor system. The temperature zones can be set to implement a temperature profile for either annealing or tempering the glass objects. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment an annealing lehr can be configured to temper glass objects by making a portion of the conveyor system accessible to the glass object positioning system after preheating, such that the glass object positioning system can temporarily relocate the glass objects from the conveyor into a tempering chamber and then the glass objects are returned to the conveyor system.

Abstract: A method of a stirring a molten glass which includes an analytical model which may be used to optimize the stirring conditions to minimize refractory metal inclusions which may result from the stirring operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the process used in the heat treatment of glass measures the quality of the glass following the heat treatment process. Inputs to the control system for the heat treatment process derive from the automated inspection of glass following heat treatment. Outputs from the control system for the heat treatment process may adjust one or more parameters in the heat treatment process including a furnace or heating setting, a transport setting, and a quench or cooling setting.

Abstract: An on-line thickness gauge (OLTG) and method are described herein that are capable of measuring a thickness of a moving glass substrate. In the preferred embodiment, the OLTG includes a Y-guide and a stabilizing unit that respectively captures and stabilizes the moving glass substrate. The OLTG also includes a laser instrument which contains a laser source and a detector. The laser source emits a beam at the front surface of the moving glass substrate. And, the detector receives two beams one of which was reflected by the front surface of the moving glass substrate and the other beam which was reflected by the back surface of the moving glass substrate. The OLTG further includes a processor that analyzes the two beams received by the detector to determine a distance between the two beams which is then used to determine the thickness of the moving glass substrate.

Abstract: A load cell is attached between a fixed axis and an upper die assembly and arranged in a forming chamber. For this reason, the load cell is hardly influenced by reduction of pressure in the forming chamber. A cooling plate is arranged between the load cell and the upper die assembly. An interior of the forming chamber is sectioned into two zones by the cooling plate, a flange and an isolating plate. The upper die assembly and a lower die assembly are housed in the lower zone surrounded by a transparent quartz tube. The load cell is housed in the upper zone surrounded by a cooling chamber. Thus, temperature rise of the load cell can be prevented.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for contactless temperature measurement of a melting charge located in a melting crucible 2 inside a melting furnace, in particular a furnace for precision casting, by means of a pyrometer 5 with an optical system 8 and at least one sensor 6 optically connected to said optical system 8, wherein said optical system 8 can be directed by means of a sight glass 18 onto at least one section of the melting crucible 2. In order to reduce soiling caused by smoke gas deposits on the sight glass, a tube is provided which is connected at its upper end to the sight glass 18, extends into a melting chamber 11 of the melting furnace and can be pointed in the direction of the melting crucible 2.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for temperature monitoring of Horizontal Tempering and bending system (HTBS) furnace in glass industries. The present invention improves furnace heaters shut down performance, thereby causing longer lifetime for furnace equipments. The present invention further increases transparency for output tempered and bent glass. The present invention discloses multiple sensors for temperature control of the furnace, wherein said sensors provide a precise and accurate measurement of the glass temperature separately. After acquiring sensors data, the fusion process is done using Bayesian approach in order to achieve more accurate values for glass temperature, thereby enhancing the system performance and decreasing the number of unnecessary emergency shut downs (unnecessary ESDs) of the furnace heating elements, which are produced due to false alarms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring safety glass production or controlling a treatment process, such as a tempering process. Information representing a load of glass panels is used in controlling a treatment process, such as heating of glass panels, or in monitoring production. The information, which includes at least one of the following: shape, size, and position, is read with one or more cameras (6). This is possible as glass is made visible by means of reflected light as high intensity light is applied to the glass surface. The line camera (6) is used for receiving low intensity background light radiation incident through the glass conveying plane, a substantial increase in its intensity, as light is reflected by glass, being deciphered as glass.

Abstract: A glass sheet, which has been heated to have a viscosity of not lower than 105 Pa·s and not higher than 108 Pa·s, is pressed against a mold having a certain bending surface to be bent. There are a step for controlling a bending temperature T and a bending time period t for the glass sheet so as to satisfy the following formulas 1 and 2, and a step for bending the glass sheet: 0.05<?<2.00Formula 1 ? = ? 0 t ? P ? ( ? ) ? ? ( T ) ? ? ? Formula ? ? 2 where P(?) is a surface pressure difference (unit: Pa) between a pressure applied on a primary surface of the glass sheet and a pressure applied on a rear surface of the glass sheet at a time ?, t is a bending time period (unit: s), ?(T) is the viscosity (unit: Pa·s) of the glass sheet at a temperature T, and T is a bending temperature (unit: ° C.) at the time ?.

Abstract: A roller-equipped annealing lehr for flat glass, having a roller conveyor inside a lehr housing, with heating units arranged in pairs above and below the roller conveyor, in rows situated one after another and extending transversely to the feed direction. Temperature regulators are provided with predetermined desired values and actual temperature values that are measured in a position-dependent fashion. In order to achieve a desired stable temperature distribution and to prevent stresses in the flat glass, a feedback loop arrangement for at least one pair of heating units situated at a particular position in the row, presets as a control variable the heating output required to predetermine the temperature distribution in the region of this position as a predetermined portion of a heating output, which is calculated based on at least one actual temperature value measured at a different position in the row.

Abstract: After carrying an LCD substrate in a reaction container of a heat treatment unit, blowing a previously heated helium gas from a gas supply part, which opposes to the surface of the LCD substrate, over the entire surface of the LCD substrate. The temperature of the LCD substrate is raised by radiation heat of a heater and heat exchange with the helium gas. After performing CVD or annealing in the reaction container, cooling the LCD substrate by blowing a gas for heat exchange having a temperature about a room temperature from the gas supply part over the entire surface of the LCD substrate. Return the cooled LCD substrate to a carrier in the carrier chamber via a conveyance chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for ceramizing starting glass of glass-ceramics into glass-ceramics, comprising at least the following steps: 1.1 the starting glass is heated from an initial temperature T1 to a temperature T2 which is disposed above the glass transformation temperature TG at which crystallization nuclei are precipitated; 1.2 the glass is held at the temperature T2 for a period t2 for the precipitation of crystallization nuclei; 1.3 the glass is further heated to a temperature T3 at which a crystal phase grows on the nuclei formed following step 1.1 and 1.2; 1.4 the glass is held for period t3 at a temperature T3 or heated during this period to a higher temperature T4 until the predetermined properties of the glass-ceramics have been reached; 1.5 the control of the temperature curve is performed with the help of a control loop comprising at least one temperature sensor for sensing the temperature and a heating unit as an actuator. The invention is characterized in that 1.

Abstract: A system and method for forming infrared glass optical components are provided. The system includes first and second mold halves having first and second respective faces. The first and second mold halves are configured to be removably coupled such that the first face and the second face form an interface that defines a lens-shaped cavity. A tapered surface of the first face cooperates with a tapered surface of the second face to enhance centering of the first face with respect to the second face.

Abstract: The invention relates to a meltdown device for the production of high-UV transmittive glass types, comprising a meltdown tank for a melt bath a feed opening for the supplying or laying-in of highly pure raw material for the melt bath a draw-off opening for the drawing-off of material melted in the melt tank a cover arranged above the melt tank, in which the infeed opening to the melt tank is arranged above the melt bath in the region of the cover the draw-off opening is arranged in the zone of the bottom of the melt tank a heating arrangement. The heating arrangement comprises heating elements, in particular electrodes that are arranged on the melt tank in the zone of the melt bath, as well as an agitating arrangement for stirring of the melt bath and uniform intermixing and sub-mixing into the melt of material from the mixture lying on the melt surface.

Abstract: The method of supporting and transporting hot flat glass on a gas bed for ceramicizing includes arranging a number of spaced-apart porous or perforated planar segments to form a base with a gas-permeable support surface so that slits, which are narrower than the planar segments, are formed between them, forcing gas through the porous or perforated planar segments and conducting the gas away through the slits between them so as to form the gas bed with no static pressure zones and with a parabolic pressure distribution and producing a predetermined temperature profile for ceramicizing through which the hot flat glass is transported on the gas bed without deformation and without any contact between it and the base. The resulting glass ceramic has smoother surfaces without pits or deformations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling temperature of a plant comprising plural temperature control zones, wherein an effective control parameter for a first zone for which a signal representing measured temperature is available is produced according to an algorithm relating measured temperature, a desired temperature and a control parameter associated with a device affecting temperature in the first temperature control zone, the effective control parameter is summed with an offset value representing a proportional offset of the effective control parameter of a second temperature control zone relative to the effective control parameter of the first temperature control zone and the result is applied to control a device affecting temperature in the second temperature control zone.

Abstract: The present invention alters the flow path at the inlet of the sheet glass forming apparatus to improve quality. The bottom of the downcomer pipe is preferably shaped to alter the character of the vortex flow in the quiescent flow zone between the pipes. In another embodiment, a bead guide provides hydraulic stresses that are in opposition to the surface tension stress and thus reduces the influence of surface tension on the formation of thick beads on the edges of the sheet. The present invention also measures the temperature of the glass by immersing thermocouples in the glass, at locations where any defects caused by the immersion are in the glass that forms the unusable edges of the sheet. In another embodiment, the support structure for the trough is altered to substantially reduce the aging of the trough due to thermal creep.

Abstract: A method of providing sample containers with an automatically readable identification for an analysis device, in which the sample container may be heated to an operating temperature. It is the object of the invention to improve the identification of sample containers in a manner that the sample contained in the sample container is not contaminated by the constituents of the identification agent during analysis. The object of the invention is solved in that during the manufacturing process of the sample container, the identification is applied during the final cooling phase of the ready sample container in a temperature interval between a maximum temperature during the sample container manufacture and the operating temperature.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for heating glass panels in a tempering furnace equipped with rollers, glass panels are carried on a conveyor defined by rollers into a tempering furnace for the duration of a heating cycle, followed by carrying the glass panels into a tempering station. The glass panels are heated in the tempering furnace by bottom- and top-heating radiation elements as well as by bottom- and top-heating convection elements through which convection air is supplied to the tempering furnace. The glass panels' bottom side is heated by the bottom-heating convection elements, which are arranged lengthwise along the furnace and define convection heating zones side by side in a lateral direction of the tempering furnace. Thus, convection heating effects of the convection heating zones can be altered relative to each other for profiling the heat transfer coefficient in a lateral direction of the furnace.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for ceramizing starting glass of glass-ceramics into glass-ceramics, comprising at least the following steps: 1.1 the starting glass is heated from an initial temperature T1 to a temperature T2 which is disposed above the glass transformation temperature TG at which crystallization nuclei are precipitated; 1.2 the glass is held at the temperature T2 for a period t2 for the precipitation of crystallization nuclei; 1.3 the glass is further heated to a temperature T3 at which a crystal phase grows on the nuclei formed following step 1.1 and 1.2; 1.4 the glass is held for a period t3 at a temperature T3 or heated during this period to a higher temperature T4 until the predetermined properties of the glass-ceramics have been reached; 1.5 the control of the temperature curve is performed with the help of a control loop comprising at least one temperature sensor for sensing the temperature and a heating unit as an actuator. The invention is characterized in that 1.

Abstract: Glass is heated from above and below while the glass resides on rolls (3) in a tempering furnace (1). The upper surface of the glass (4) is heated by hot air jets formed by sucking air from inside the furnace (1) and pressurizing the hot air and recycling it back to the upper surface of the glass. Air which has been taken from outside the furnace (1) and pressurized by a compressor (17) and heated is blown to the lower surface of the glass.

Abstract: A furnace (12) and a method for heating roll conveyed glass sheets by electric resistance radiant heating and forced convection heating by hot air jets that also entrain hot air within the furnace. A hot air distributing system (86) includes upper and lower arrays (90) of hot air distributors (92) that are constructed to effectively supply the convective heating. The hot air distributors (92) have heat exchangers (96) that heat the pressurized air that provides the hot air jets. The heating can be performed on both uncoated and coated glass sheets and furnace (12) conveys the glass sheets either in an oscillating manner or a continuous one direction manner during the heating.

Abstract: Stress exerted on an inner or outer circumferential side of a glass tube 6 is controlled when a glass material 3 is heated and softened by a heating element 41 provided around the glass material 3 and a piercing plug 31 is relatively pressed into a softened region of the glass material 3 to thereby form the glass material 3 into the glass tube 6 gradually. For example, the control of the stress can be carried out by controlling an internal or external pressure of the glass tube 6. As a result, the deformation of the glass tube 6 just after piercing is prevented so that the glass tube 6 can be obtained with high quality. It is also possible to solve the problem that cracks may occur easily at the time of reheating because of residual stress distribution after cooling.

Abstract: A machine for moulding hollow glass items comprises a basement (2′) supporting a plurality of modules (4′) placed side by side, having first and second devices (13, 14) supplying cooling air for parison and blow moulds. A first (VI, 16-22) and a second (V2, 26-31) air supply arrangement supply independently the first and second supply devices (13, 14). Both supply air flows (F1, 15, F2, 25, 25′) get independently through each module (4′) through the basement (2′) and within the module.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing chalcogenide glass are provided that allow for larger quantities of glass to be produced with lower production costs and less risks of environmental hazards. The system includes a reaction container operable to hold chalcogenide glass constituents during a glass formation reaction, a stirring rod operable to mix the contents of the reaction container, a thermocouple operable to measure the temperature inside the reaction container, and a reaction chamber operable to hold the reaction container. The method includes placing chalcogenide glass constituents in a reaction container, heating the chalcogenide glass constituents above the melting point of at least one of the constituents, promoting dissolving or reaction of the other constituents, stirring the reaction melt, maintaining an overpressure of at least one atmosphere over the reaction melt, and cooling the reaction melt to below the chalcogenide glass transition temperature.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring the temperature at various locations through the thickness of glass products and to control the glass processing operation with the sensed temperature information are disclosed. Fluorescence emission of iron or cerium in glass is excited and imaged onto segmented detectors. Spatially resolved temperature data are obtained through correlation of the detected photoluminescence signal with location within the glass. In one form the detected photoluminescence is compared to detected scattered excitation light to determine temperature. Stress information is obtained from the time history of the temperature profile data and used to evaluate the quality of processed glass. A heating or cooling rate of the glass is also controlled to maintain a predetermined desired temperature profile in the glass.

Abstract: An analysis and control device for glass furnaces is of the fuzzy-controller type and uses a control algorithm which receives information relating to the operation of the furnace coming from sensors and from detection means provided on this furnace, as well as set point values input manually by operators. This control algorithm delivers control signals to the various actuators and control means of the furnace. A predictive system, of the neural- and/or fuzzy-type is included which depends on the state of the furnace and on the information about the change in production over time. It defines the various set point values to be assigned to all the furnace actuators, so as to ensure optimum operation for each production phase. The set point values constitute input values for the fuzzy-logic algorithm which controls the furnace.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus, including:

Abstract: A method for processing a preform supported with a stationary chuck and a movable chuck of a glass-working lathe comprises providing a burner of a type which is able to create flame-controlled conditions by controlling flow rates of a flammable gas and a supporting gas wherein the supporting gas is discharged from at least one group of discharge pipes co-axially classified into plural groups that are, respectively, controllable with respect to a gas flow rate. The preform is processed under the flame-controlled conditions. A burner system and a preform processing apparatus comprising the burner system, both suited for realizing the method, are also described.

Abstract: A takeout for an I.S. machine includes a cooling tube which is displaceable between up and down positions. Displace is controlled to correspond to the desired heat removal along the path of displacement.

Abstract: A blow head mechanism for an I.S. machine wherein the blow head has a final blow tube. The final blow tube is supported for vertical displacement between an up position where the open end of the final blow tube is proximate the top of a blown parison and a down position where the open end of the final blow tube is proximate the bottom of a blown parison. The final blow tube is displaced at least once from the up position to the down position and back to the up position during the time when the blow head is “on” by a profiled actuator including a displacement profile which will displace the blow tube between the up position and a location where the upper neck portion meets the lower body portion at an average velocity higher than the average velocity at which the blow tube will be displaced between the location where the upper neck portion meets the lower body portion to the bottom of the blown parison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating glass, in which glass (4) is heated upon rollers (3) in a tempering furnace (1) from above and below of the glass (4). At least the upper surface of the glass (4) is heated with hot air jets directed substantially perpendicularly relative to the surface of the glass (4). The air jets have been provided by sucking air mainly from the inside of the furnace and by pressurizing the air taken from the inside of the tempering furnace (1) to an overpressure of over 0.1 bar relative to the pressure in the tempering furnace (1).

Abstract: Flat glass annealing lehr equipped with controlled heating and cooling means, includes pre-annealing, annealing, and post-annealing zones with heat exchange by radiation, the said zones being equipped respectively with groups of cooling-air heat exchangers situated above and/or beneath the glass ribbon. A single cooling-air intake manifold is included for groups of exchangers in the pre-annealing and annealing zones, which manifold is situated where the zones meet. A single cooling-air intake manifold for second groups of exchanges in the annealing and post-annealing zones, which manifold is situated where said zones meet.

Abstract: The takeout has a cooling tube which oscillates within the bottle as the bottle is removed from the blow station of an I.S. machine and transferred to a deposit location.

Abstract: A takeout for an I.S. machine has a cooling tube which is displaceable between up and down positions. The open bottom of the cooling tube has an annular deflector which deflects some of the downwardly propelled cooling air radially outwardly from the cooling tube.

Abstract: A glass sheet, which has been heated to have a viscosity of not lower than 105 Pa·s and not higher than 108 Pa·s, is pressed against a mold having a certain bending surface to be bent.

Abstract: An apparatus is proposed for manufacturing a syringe, which has a syringe body composed of glass and a hollow needle, for medical purposes, and is characterized by a laser beam generating device (3) having a laser generator (5) for producing a laser beam (9), a beam forming and/or guidance device (7), and by a holding device (17) for holding and positioning the syringe body (13).

Abstract: A glass composition to be softened is fed to a heating zone and is shaped continuously into a cylindrical component in a deformation zone, and the cross-sectional geometry of the component is determined. A feed device, a heating device, and a take-off device are provided, and a glass composition is supplied continuously by the feed device to the heating device, where it is softened, the component being formed from the softened glass composition by means of the take-off device under formation of a deformation zone. To produce a component with only slight deviations from the desired cross-sectional geometry and to provide a flexible apparatus suitable for this purpose, the glass composition is locally heated or cooled in at least one deformation area, which extends over only a part of the circumference of the deformation zone, as a function of a determined deviation of the cross-sectional geometry from a nominal geometry.

Abstract: The temperature of cooling air to a manifold for distribution to molds of a glass manufacturing machine is controlled by passing untreated air through an indirect heat exchanger in indirect heat exchange relationship with water flowing through a coil in the indirect heat exchanger before treated air from the indirect heat exchanger is passed through a blower for distribution to the manifold. Water for treating the air flowing through the indirect heat exchanger is pumped through the coil from a water cooling tower that is used in a glass manufacturing plant, either at a first temperature from a first outlet of the water cooling tower or at a second temperature from a second outlet of a water cooling tower, or a mixture of water from the first outlet and the second outlet. In a first embodiment, water from the first outlet and water from the second outlet pass through a temperature controlled three-way mixing valve before delivery to a pump for delivery to the indirect heat exchanger.

Abstract: Glass melting furnace, of the type consisting of a melting chamber, inside which is found the liquid glass mass, with an outlet, and at least one flue gas recuperative chamber, a means for supplying the influx of fuel, featuring at least one mass temperature gauge immersed in the liquid glass mass and placed approximately at a height (h2) with respect to the bottom of the melting chamber of ⅓ to ⅕ of the height (h) of the level of the liquid glass mass, and ⅕ h≦h2≦⅓ h on the longitudinal axis of the melting chamber at a distance (11) with respect to the wall of the chamber opposite the outlet, of between 0.6 and 0.85 of the length of the melting chamber 0.6 l≦11≦0.85 l. For application in the manufacture of glass containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a glass base material which is an parent material of an optical fiber, comprising: a tank which contains a raw material of the glass base material to vaporize the raw material to generate a raw material in gas phase; a temperature control unit which controls a temperature of the raw material; and a pressure control unit which controls the pressure of the raw material in gas phase.

Abstract: While avoiding the disadvantages of the screen printing technique employed until now, the invention provides a shaping tool (1) with a structured surface for creating structures on glass (2) which, in an economical way, makes it possible to form high-precision microstructures by local heating of the region of glass to be structured. The shaping tool (1) has a rolling cylinder (3) including a metal hollow cylinder (7) and a shaping sheet (8) secured in a surface contact to it, as well as a continuous shaft (5) for continuously driving the rolling cylinder (3) via drivers (4) coupled to the hollow cylinder (7). Between the shaft (5) and the hollow cylinder (7), an electric heater (6) for targeted local heating of the glass during structuring is disposed in an electrically insulated fashion. The electric heater (6) is advantageously thermally insulated from the shaft (5) with a ceramic cylinder (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for supporting the middle section of a glass panel to be bent in a mold. During a preheating process of a glass panel, its middle section is supported by middle support elements carried along with a mold carriage. At the start of a bending process, the middle support is released by pushing bearing rods through the bottom of the mold carriage. The middle support for the glass panel is lowered upon the bearing rods gradually under the control of glass panel thermometry. A controlled hoisting and lowering of the bearing rods is performed by a hoisting and lowering mechanism present in a carriage elevator. The invention makes it possible to implement a middle support also in an automatically operating serial furnace.

Abstract: A formed bottle is delivered by a takeout mechanism to a deadplate where it is suspended for cooling. A temperature sensor is mounted to monitor the suspended bottle. When the sensed temperature shows an unacceptable variation, the takeout mechanism and deadplate are displaced relative to one another so that the suspended bottles are located above a cullet chute for disposal.