Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method of making tubular vials and ampules from glass tubing. The method according to this invention is essentially characterized in that the glass tubing used is closed at both ends and has a dot-shaped opening close to one of the sealed ends. The opening can be sealed by a film to prevent impurities from entering the glass tubing. Throughout the operational process in the production of vials and ampules, a slight excess pressure exists in the glass tubing by applying heat, which further prevents impurities from entering the glass tubing.

Abstract: The end face of an optical fiber is urged against the highly polished surface of a disk as a laser beam is directed toward the disk to heat the end face above its softening temperature and cause it to conform to the contour and finish of the highly polished surface. A termination ferrule may be simultaneously mounted on the fiber optic cable with a heat bonding agent, using as a heat source either the laser beam or an auxiliary heat source. A hand-held, gun-type unit with a built-in disk and triggered laser can be used to polish and terminate optical fibers in the field.

Abstract: A machine for fabricating articles such as glass vials from tubular stock includes a plurality of rotating chucking stations which revolve about the central vertical axis of the machine and a plurality of tooling stations which form the vial finish. The plurality of tooling stations are disposed in euqal numbers related to the number of chucking stations on two conveyor assemblies disposed adjacent the periphery of the circle defined by the revolving chucking stations. The tooling stations each include rollers which form the outside of the vial finish and a segmented mandrel which forms the inside of the vial finish including, if desired, a blowback cavity.

Abstract: A curved discharge tube is manufactured by preparing a straight quartz tube having an eccentric longitudinal opening and then bending the heated tube into a current tube with a thicker waall portion of the tube on the outside and the thinner wall portion on the inner side. It is advantageous to seal inner gas into the tube before bending so as to obtain a curved tube having uniform wall thickness.

Abstract: In order to provide an end face of an optical fiber with a spherical curvature of predetermined radius, designed to optimize the transfer of luminous intensity from an adjoining light source such as a light-emitting diode, a flat fiber is heated to a temperature near its melting point while its profile is optically enlarged. When that profile is found to have reached a predetermined shape criterion, as determined by visual observation or by electronic scanning, heating is terminated.

Abstract: A holder (55) for supporting in alignment a plurality of spaced electrodes (18) and (19) to be sealed into a corresponding plurality of envelopes (14) includes a metal base (82) which supports a stripper plate (87). A plurality of posts (36) extend from the base (82) through a plurality of seats (86) in the stripper plate. In preparation for a mass sealing operation the envelopes (14) are placed onto the seats (86) and a pair of the electrodes (18) and (19) are attached to the end of each of the posts (36). A graphite heater plate (61) having a plurality of apertures (72) is joined with the base plate (82) such that the apertures rest in concentric alignment about upper ends of the envelopes (14). An upper weight plate (92) rests on the heater plate (61) to bring weighted guide caps (46) into contact with the electrodes (18) and (19).

Abstract: Method and machine for making vials from glass tubing, wherein at least one glass tube (22) with closed bottom is loaded on a rotatable plate (11), having a series of holes circumferentially passing therethrough, and is then grasped by upper pliers (23'), provided on a plane not coincident with the rotatable plate (11), and then grasped by lower pliers (23) also provided on a horizontal plane not coincident with a lower rotatable plate (10), the tube (22) being continuously rotated on its axis by rotating elements of the pliers (23, 23'), and rotated throughout the circumference of the machine by rotation of the suitably controlled rotatable plates (10, 11). In this rotation the tube, as drawn or pulled at suitable intervals by the pliers, is caused to pass in front of a series of burners (17) arranged in suitable number on the entire periphery of the machine, such burners being provided with parabolic arc flames.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cathode-ray tube is provided by drawing a glass tube section softened by heating onto a mandrel whose transverse dimensions increase near one end of the tube section in the direction of the end at least twice in a generally stepwise manner, so that in the direction of the end, upon drawing, at least a first and a second wall portion of the inner wall of the tube section become located in planes substantially perpendicular to the tube axis. The first wall portion may serve as an engaging surface for an electrode and the second wall portion may serve as an engaging surface for the window. A third drawn wall portion may serve as a reference face of the tube in a device.

Abstract: A pattern table for forming of heated glass tubing such as neon light tubing according to a prescribed flat pattern. The table includes three support surfaces: a first for holding the pattern; a second light transmitting plate held directly over the pattern; and a third light transmitting screen supported on a top surface of the plate. Heated glass tubing can rest against the screen and be formed according to a pattern viewed through the screen and glass plate. The pattern is insulated from the heated glass tubing being formed. The heated glass tubing in turn is isolated from the heat absorbing glass plate by an interposed air space within the screen structure.

Abstract: The disclosure is of apparatus including two pairs of metal gripping blocks held together by a spring and mounted adjacent to wedge blocks carrying wedges for opening each pair. An operating plate is provided which drives the apparatus to cause the wedge blocks to open the gripping blocks to permit a length of capillary tubing filled with mercury to be inserted between the pairs of gripping blocks. The apparatus is then driven to cause the tubing to pass through a flame positioned to melt the tubing at a desired location and to form two separate seal portions at this location which are gripped by the two gripping blocks; and, on the next cycle, when the gripping blocks are opened, the portion of the tubing which is the desired capsule is released from its pair of gripping blocks and fed to a suitable receiver.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of ampullae, particularly pharmaceutical ampullae, of the type according to which the ampullae are formed from sticks of glass.The machine has an automatic control device for sequentially introducing, at a determined position in said path, thelower end of each of the sticks of the bundle into a stick guide and supply scoop between the two corresponding mandrels.Principal applications: manufacture of pharmaceutical ampullae.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a glass tube with a uniform nozzle portion, i.e., one which has a true centerline. The method involves suspending the tube on vertically space suspension points therealong, with the lower of the suspension points being arranged to apply a dead weight to the tube. The tube is rotated at the upper of the suspension points as it is heated above its vertical center to a temperature at which it becomes slightly plastic, but below the temperature at which the dead weight could significantly stretch the tube. This heating to the point of plasticity allows the dead weight to straighten out any axial deviations in the tube. Following the straightening, the tube is heated centrally to a higher drawing temperature sufficient to allow the dead weight to stretch the tube to a predetermined length and thereby provide a uniform necked down portion centrally of the tube. The necked down portion can then be severed at its midpoint to provide two glass electrode tubes.