Abstract: An adjustable roll forming arrangement for shaping heat softened glass sheets. Each end of a series of transversely curved, longitudinally spaced forming rolls are mounted on first and second longitudinally extending flexible members. The members may be adjusted so that each roll end is positioned along a desired longitudinal radius of curvature that can be modified by flexing the flexible member.

Abstract: A horizontal press bending arrangement for press bending heat softened glass sheets during transfer into a shaping station. The glass sheet is conveyed through a roller hearth or gaseous support hearth type furnace to heat the sheet to its heat deformable temperature. The sheet is then transferred beneath a vacuum/pressure pick-up to support the glass sheet in non-engaging contact therewith. The sheet is next deposited on a lower mold. The vacuum/pressure pick-up thereafter splits in two and moves out of the shaping station to allow the sheet to be shaped between a pair of vertically aligned shaping molds. After shaping the shaped sheet is removed for further processing, e.g., tempering.

Abstract: A travelling vacuum pickup is used to transfer heat softened glass sheets from a heating furnace to between a pair of vertically alignment pressing molds. The downstream movement of the pickup is synchronized with the downstream movement of the glass sheets to be engaged so that there is no relative downstream movement therebetween as the pickup lifts and engages the glass sheet.

Abstract: Glass sheets are positioned on the shaping rail of an outline shaping mold for movement through a heating lehr and subsequent preliminary sag bending. The mold with the glass sheet supported thereon is then positioned between a pair of vertically aligned full surface pressing molds. The mold includes selected press surface areas that extend outside the perimeter of the outline mold. As the lower mold raises to lift the glass sheet off the outline mold, selected portions of the shaping rail move outwardly to allow the lower mold to pass through the outline mold. The glass sheet is then pressed between the upper and lower pressing molds.

Abstract: A mold cover for a glass sheet shaping mold having an insulating layer interposed between the shaping surface of the mold and an outer layer of knitted wire mesh. The knitted mesh is sufficiently flexible to conform to compound and/or complex shaping surface without wrinkling so as to maintain a smooth shaping surface.

Abstract: Glass shapes and sheets are cut directly from a heated glass ribbon while maintaining the optical quality of the cut glass. A float glass ribbon is removed from a glass forming chamber and prior to annealing, a line of cut is heated to its softening temperature. A blade arrangement thereafter penetrates the glass along the heated line of cut to sever the glass. During the line heating and cutting operation, the overall glass temperature is maintained above the strain point of the glass.

Abstract: A multi-outlet burner for heating material. Nozzles are positioned along a longitudinally extending portion of the burner that generally parallels the material surface. Combustion gas and fuel are combined at each nozzle to produce a plurality of flames that are directed in a sweeping direction over the surface.

Abstract: A horizontal press bending arrangement wherein heat softened glass sheets are shaped between a lower mold with a sheet shaping surface having a generally convex upward elevational configuration and an upper vacuum mold. After shaping the shaped glass sheet is deposited on an adjustable tempering ring. The ring adjusts in size from a first configuration corresponding to the contours of the shaped sheet immediately after shaping, to a second configuration corresponding to the contours of the shaped sheet after it has been cooled.

Abstract: A sliding support table to support a continuously advancing glass ribbon during severing. The ribbon is supported by and moves over the sliding support table which moves along the direction of the glass ribbon travel between stationary upstream and downstream supports. Top and bottom line heaters supported on the table direct flames towards the major surfaces of the glass ribbon along a line cut. A blade and anvil arrangement supported on the table, sever the glass along the heated line of cut when the line of cut is positioned therebetween. The table advances along with the glass ribbon to support the ribbon during the heating and severing operation. The line heaters and blade and anvil arrangement may provide both a linear or nonlinear line of cut.

Abstract: An extended surface pressing mold for a horizontal press bending arrangement. The lower mold provides a glass sheet engaging surface having a first portion which complements and generally parallels a first portion of an upper sheet engaging surface of an aligned upper mold, a wing portion which extends from the first portion of lower mold and is nonparallel to a corresponding second aligned portion of the sheet engaging surface of the upper mold, and a ring portion positioned outwardly from the wing portion and generally complementing a third aligned portion of the upper sheet engaging surface of the upper mold near a portion of the perimeter of the glass sheet. The ring portion moves from the first position wherein the ring portion is in a non-engaging position relative to the heat softened glass sheet to a second position wherein the ring portion contacts and engages a perimeter portion of the heat softened glass sheet to press the perimeter portion against the third portion of the upper mold.

Abstract: The circulation of exhaust gas within a heating vessel is controlled to reduce the adverse effects of the abrasive and corrosive exhaust gas on exposed interior surfaces of the vessel. The firing rates of the burners in the vessel may be varied to alter the flow patterns within the vessel. Additional jet burners with high exhaust gas velocity may be used to direct their exhaust flow in a direction opposing the exhaust flow of other selected burners. Burners may also be angled so as to reduce the flow component of the exhaust gas that may pass over the exposed interior surfaces of the vessel.

Abstract: A pair of generally vertically aligned press bending molds are slidably mounted relative to each other. An alignment pin extends into alignment holes in the upper and lower molds when the molds are vertically aligned. Adjusting screws positioned around the periphery of each mold, contact and bias each mold in a desired direction so as to precisely align the upper mold relative to the lower mold.

Abstract: A heated automobile backlight having a dark colored electroconductive grid. The composition includes silver powder, a glass frit such a lead borosilicate frit, and reducing agents such as stannous sulfate and chromic oxide.

Abstract: A vacuum press construction having holes on the press face corresponding to aperture in the glass sheet to be shaped. The holes are sealed in a manner so as to minimize the amount of heat drawn from the periphery of the glass sheet apertures during the pressing operation and maintain glass edge strength at the aperture.

Abstract: An adjustable quench for tempering hot glass sheets of varying transverse configurations, having overlapping members that seal a flexible nozzle assembly as it changes configurations. Nozzles extend from the flexible nozzle assembly towards the shaped glass sheet to be cooled such that the quenching surface formed by the head portions of the nozzles generally parallel the major surfaces of the shaped glass sheet. Each individual flexible nozzle assembly is connected to a common drive that can simultaneously flex all the nozzle assemblies.

Abstract: A press bending apparatus includes a shaping station having an upper mold with a shaping surface having a generally concave downward elevational configuration and a lower mold with an apertured shaping surface complementing the shaping surface of the upper mold. A vacuum shuttle transfers heat softened glass sheets from a heating furnace to the shaping station where it deposits the glass sheets on the lower vacuum mold. The glass sheet is shaped between the molds. A rotating arrangement rotates the lower mold and the shaped glass sheet held thereagainst by vacuum from a first position wherein the shaping surface of the lower mold faces upward to a second position wherein the shaping surface of the lower mold faces downward. The shaped glass sheet is then deposited on a tempering ring. A rotating arrangement maintains vacuum in the lower mold as the mold rotates.

Abstract: An air cooled rotary kiln collar for use in improving the delivery of preheated charge material from the rotary kiln to the second stage of a multi-stage heating process. Adustable rate fans circulate air through an annular collar at the discharge end of the rotary kiln to remove heat from the charge material and prevent it from agglomerating and sticking to the kiln.

Abstract: A lid construction for a heating vessel. Discrete insulating members are supported by water cooled pipes above the vessel. The cooling pipes fit into grooves along the vertical side walls of the insulating members. Each member has a support independent from the supports for the other members so that an individual member can be removed within having to remove additional members.

Abstract: Shields tend to retain heat while shading glass sheets from a heat source. As the shield retains more heat, it loses its effectiveness to shade the glass sheet. A second shield is positioned between the glass sheet and the hot shield to maintain effective shading of the glass sheet for proper heat distribution and forming of the sheet.

Abstract: Exhaust from a melting vessel passes through a transition section and into a rotary kiln to preheat batch material. A gas jet injects a high velocity gas stream into the transition section to alter its flow and reduce buildup of material due to entrained material in the exhaust leaving sticky deposits on interior surfaces of the transition section and kiln.