Abstract: A method for enclosing an object with a spherical, transparent encapsulation of glass or like hard and scratch-resistant material includes the following steps, to be performed in suitable sequence, of: providing the object having a degradation temperature; arranging this object in a cavity; providing an encapsulating material around this object which melts at a temperature lower than the degradation temperature; carrying the object by a support of transparent material which melts at a temperature lower than the degradation temperature and which is substantially homogeneously fusable with the encapsulating material; and causing this encapsulating material to cure to a transparent encapsulating mass.

Abstract: A process of making hermetically sealed glass semiconductor packages by injecting molding an electronic device within a body of molten thermoplastic glass which is solidified by cooling. The glass has a sealing temperature not over 350.degree. C. and a CTE not over 110.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C. and may be made of tin-phosphorus oxyfluoride or lead sealing glasses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a coated glass stream having a first inner layer and a second outer layer wherein the method comprises providing a vertical orifice, delivering molten glass from a first source through the orifice, providing a gap about the orifice intermediate its upper and lower ends, delivering glass from a second source about the gap such that the glass from the second source flows through the gap to provide an outer layer about the glass from said first source as it flows through the orifice, and controlling the size and shape of the gap parallel to the flow and the size of the gap perpendicular to the flow such that the gap provides sufficient flow resistance and the gap is of sufficient size and shape to prevent clogging.

Abstract: Evacuated microspheres, insulating materials constructed from such microspheres, and methods of manufacturing same provide insulation and reduce heat transfer through radiation, conduction and convection. Additionally, an infrared reflective coating is provided on a microsphere surface to reduce radiant heat transfer. A protective exterior coating is also provided to protect an exteriorly applied infrared reflective coating on such a microsphere. Furthermore, the spheroidal geometry of such microspheres restricts heat transfer to point-to-point conduction therebetween. Finally, evacuated microspheres further reduce through-heat transfer within a shell. One embodiment utilizes such evacuated microspheres in constructing an elastomeric roof coating which appreciably reduces cooling and air conditioning power costs for a building. An alternative embodiment utilizes such an elastomeric coating in constructing an exterior paint for a building.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass forming composition for encapsulating selenium which includes, by weight percent of raw materials, 20 to 50% silica and 50 to 80% alkali and alkaline earth materials. The composition has a liquidus temperature between 600.degree. to 1200.degree. C., preferably up to 1000.degree. C., and a viscosity up to 10,000 Poise at said liquidus temperature, preferably up to 5,000 Poise. The alkali and alkaline materials preferably include at least one group of materials combined in an approximate eutectic molar ratio. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the alkali and alkaline earth materials include groups of nitrates, such as KNO.sub.3, NaNO.sub.3 and/or Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, and/or carbonates, such as K.sub.2 CO.sub.3, Na.sub.2 C0.sub.3 and/or Li.sub.2 CO.sub.3.

Abstract: A thermal print head having a base, a glass glaze layer formed on the base by electrically-heated welding, and heating elements formed on the glass glaze layer. A manufacturing method of a thermal print head uses a furnace to accommodate molten glass and a pair of opposed electrodes disposed within the furnace to melt the glass by flowing the current. The method comprises the steps of supplying electric power across the electrodes to cause electric current to flow through glass so as to melt glass, passing an elongated base through the molten glass accommodated in the furnace to form a glass glaze layer on the base, and forming heating elements on the glass glaze layer.

Abstract: A process for welding two glass members together to form a weld bead through which connecting wires extend. The glass members are first brought into intimate contact with metal parts which can be heated by a high frequency current. The glass members are held close to one another with the wires disposed in the space between them, and the glass is then melted until it welds by heating the metal parts with the aid of high-frequency heating coil windings surrounding the metal parts.