Abstract: An annealing lehr comprised of a plurality of serially arranged heating and cooling sections which form a continuous treating chamber through which the ware passes during the annealing operation. An endless foraminous conveyor belt moves through the treating chamber and supports the ware to be annealed, with both the charging and return flights of the belt being located within the heating section to pre-heat the return flight. At least one burner is mounted adjacent the top and at each side of each heating section, and the burners fire directly into a duct which communicates with the inlet of a fan positioned centrally above the treating chamber. The circulating system includes down ducts at each side of the treating chamber and electrical heating elements can be located in the down ducts for providing the necessary heating, in lieu of the gas burners.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to glass annealing lehrs in which glass ware is supported on an endless conveyor to convey it through a closed tunnel consisting of separately controllable temperature zones which expose the ware to a glass annealing temperature gradient produced and maintained by gaseous fuel burners and electrical heaters employed separately or jointly, depending upon the availability of the fuel or electrical energy. In accordance with the invention, circulating fans are positioned at both sides of each lehr section, and air inlet ducts are provided for admitting controlled amounts of ambient air to the inlet of each fan.

Abstract: Glassware treating apparatus in which bottles which have been coated with a non-abrading coating are treated to remove surface irregularities in the coating on the bottom of the bottles. The bottles are gripped and suspended from conveyor means and pass consecutively over a heating zone, a cooling zone and a drying zone for removing the surface irregularities.

Abstract: A glass annealing lehr to which newly formed glassware is passed under and over sprays of abrasion resistant material by transfer mechanism that engages the ware and suspends it to expose the bottom to spray, the transfer mechanism in one form being capable of transferring the ware from one conveyor to another moving in opposite directions out of contact with said conveyors during the transfer movement.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for annealing glassware by passing the ware continuously through a tunnel in which the application of heat and recirculation of the gaseous treating medium is regulated to establish and maintain independently controllable heating and cooling zones. An endless perforated conveyor passes from end to end of the tunnel and the ware is placed on the conveyor in alignment with and beneath a jet-like blast of the treating medium internally and externally of the ware simultaneously to subject all of the ware to uniform treatment in minimum time. The treating medium in the heating zones of the tunnel is recirculated and furnace pressure and temperature is regulated by circulating fans and by dampers between the furnace chambers with the outside atmosphere.