Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus and method for transferring horizontally oriented sheet articles from one location to another in an automated production line facility. The apparatus includes a vertically reciprocal elevator mounted on a horizontally reciprocal carriage and provided with a sheet pick-up head including grippers engageable with and disengageable from the opposed marginal edges of one or more superimposed sheet articles. The apparatus is especially suited for precisely placing paired sheets of glass on bending molds advanced on a conveyor system beneath the pick-up head. The molds are located and locked in position on the conveyor system in vertical registry with the pick-up head during transfer of the sheets from the head to the mold.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for press bending glass sheets into nonsymmetrical shapes including opposed press rings having complementary nonsymmetrical shaping surfaces, one of said press rings having a displaceable segment forming a part of the shaping rail to clamp the sheet against the opposed shaping rail and avoid drifting of the sheet relative to said shaping rails.

Abstract: Apparatus for the destructive testing of glass sheets. The sheets to be tested are subjected to a differential pressure condition by establishing a vacuum on one side thereof and lowering the pressure on such side until the glass deflects to its breaking point. The vacuum system includes a control circuit which enables lowering the pressure in a controlled linear manner with time. The apparatus is designed to permit selection of and testing of sheets substantially immediately after the capping operation.

Abstract: A continuous regenerative tank-type glass melting furnace having a plurality of burner ports along each side in communication with a longitudinally extending plenum. Beneath and extending throughout the length of each plenum is a checkerbrick structure supported upon longitudinally extending arches carried by transverse walls. The walls divide the area beneath the checkerbricks into a plurality of chambers, each chamber being below a corresponding one of the ports. A tunnel joins each chamber to a common manifold connected to a reversing combustion air and exhaust gas system. Each tunnel is provided with a damper for varying its effective cross-sectional area, thereby permitting improved regulation of the flow distribution of exhaust gases and combustion air through the regenerators.

Abstract: An improved burner for injecting fuel into the passages for heated combustion air connecting the checkers with the ports of a regenerative-type glass melting furnace. The ports are positioned somewhat above the level of the molten glass contained in the melting tank of the furnace. The burner comprises an elongated tubular structure having an angled tip portion for emitting fuel such as natural gas, which gas ignites in the presence of the heated combustion air and creates flames directed from the ports across the melting tank and slightly downwardly toward the surface of the glass. The angled tip portion is cooled by the flow of a heat absorbing medium such as water directed therearound, and is shaped in a manner to avoid the occurrence of stagnant areas in the tip portion so as to extend the life of the burner.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for handling sheet material including a peg conveyor for supporting and advancing a plurality of spaced, generally upright sheet articles in combination with a rack having spaced pegs and carried on a mobile lift apparatus for stripping the articles from said conveyor onto said rack or for depositing sheet-like articles from a loaded rack onto a conveyor or other article support system.

Abstract: Apparatus including a pair of opposed conveyor belts for feeding a plurality of superimposed continuous sheets of refrigerated, thermoplastic material. The active runs of the conveyor belts are guided over platens movable toward and away from each other in a direction normal to the path of movement of the sheet material to generate the necessary tractive forces required to advance the sheet material between the conveyor belts. The platens distribute the tractive forces uniformly over a large sheet contacting area of the belts to prevent cracking and rupturing of the sheet material. Means are provided for compressing the spaced-apart clamping assemblies of a frame assembly to which the sheets are attached for further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing curved glass sheets comprising a cluster of brushes including a pair of upper brushes and a lower brush mounted above and below, respectively, the horizontal path of movement of the glass sheets. Each brush is formed into an arcuately shaped configuration conforming to the shape of the glass sheets being processed. Each brush is mounted on a composite shaft having an arcuately shaped inner core and an outer, driven, flexible sleeve assuming the shape of the core and rotatable thereabout.

Abstract: An appartus for aligning an advancing plastic-glass sandwich on a conveyor to accurately direct the same in a desired orientation for proper entry into the restricted receiving zone of a pressing apparatus. The aligning apparatus includes a pair of pivotal arms located on one side of the sandwich and a third pivotal arm movable inwardly against the other side of the sandwich to urge the same against said first mentioned pair of arms while the sandwich is advanced therebetween.

Abstract: A continuous tank-type glass melting furnace includes a melting zone into which raw materials are charged and reduced to a molten state. The molten glass then flows through a relatively narrow waist or conditioning area to refining and conditioning zones, and is then withdrawn as a continuous ribbon or sheet. Within the waist area there is provided a plurality of stirrers whose mixing and kneading action assist in homogenizing the glass as it flows through the restricted area. Each stirrer is connected to and driven by its own individual power unit so that the speed and direction of rotation of individual stirrers can be independently regulated and synchronized. Individual stirrers can also be removed and replaced with little or no interruption in operation of the remaining units.

Abstract: An inspection system for ascertaining the surface of a glass sheet that contacted the molten metal bath during production of the glass by the float process and thus has traces of fluorescent metal or metal oxides thereon. The system employs a device for sensing the presence of a glass sheet and activating an ultraviolet light, which is modulated and illuminates the surface of the glass sheet. A visible light detector intercepts light fluorescing from the illuminated sheet surface, producing a signal which is processed by an electronic network for indicating the presence of metallic oxides on the sheet surface. When fluorescence is detected the ultraviolet light is extinguished and when fluorescence is not detected an alarm is activated.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for handling sheet material including a peg conveyor for supporting and advancing a plurality of spaced, generally upright sheet articles in combination with a rack having spaced pegs and carried on a mobile lift apparatus for stripping the articles from said conveyor onto said rack or for depositing sheet-like articles from a loaded rack onto a conveyor or other article support system.

Abstract: A water demineralization system including tanks for containing granular materials adapted to remove the minerals from the water. A trap is tapped into the outlet pipe of each tank for preventing the loss or escape of the granular material in the event of leakage out of such tanks.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and installing hot refractory bricks, particularly in the checkerwork structures of the regenerators employed in glass melting furnaces, the apparatus having a manually operable, selectively actuatable claw mechanism mounted on one end of an elongated support member for gripping and moving the bricks individually at a remote location. The claw mechanism is operated by a power cylinder mounted on the other end of the elongated support member, the cylinder being manually controlled by an operator who also manipulates the support member to move a grasped brick to a desired position. A cooling medium, such as air or the like, may be employed for cooling the claw mechanism.

Abstract: A continuous tank-type glass melting furnace containing a bath of molten glass and having a waist section of reduced width whereat a submerged weir extends across the path of the molten glass bath flowing therethrough. The weir is located adjacent the floor of the waist section for modifying the flow path in the lower regions of the molten bath between the refining and conditioning zones of the furnace. Also, a surface barrier and stirrers may be provided in the waist section for improving the homogeneity of the molten bath.

Abstract: An apparatus having a horizontally disposed manually rockable frame for supporting and tilting a shipping container from its normal upright transporting attitude through an angle of less than 90.degree. to an attitude included from the horizontal for packing glass sheets therein. The glass sheets are manually placed in the shipping container when it is supported in the inclined packing attitude with sheets of separating material interleaved therebetween and, when packed, the container is returned to its upright transporting attitude.

Abstract: An articulated press member having pivotal end sections for imparting complex shapes to glass sheets. The end sections are pivoted in unison by a single fluid cylinder operatively connected to a rack and pinion assembly in turn connected to both end sections for effecting concurrent and equal pivotal movement thereof. A series of adjusting screws are associated with the rack and pinion assembly for angularly adjusting the positions of the end sections in various operative positions of the press member.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for fabricating a solar collector panel including providing a thermal conductive, heat absorbing plate having a plurality of grooves therein, feeding discrete lengths of solder strips having transverse curvatures into said grooves, respectively, placing a tube assembly having a plurality of conduits into said grooves of said plate is superimposed relation on said solder strips, holding said loose assembly together, and heating the loose assembly to melt the solder and effect a thermal conductive bond between said tube assembly and said plate.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for press bending sheets into complex shapes including at least one press member of outline or ring-type construction having a plurality of shaping pads mounted within the outline of the shaping ring in combination with configurated conveyor rolls for preliminarily bending a heat-softened glass sheet prior to final bending into the ultimately desired configuration.

Abstract: A glass spandrel coated on the inwardly glazed glass surface with a transparent heat reflective film and a black, opaque coating firmly adhered to and covering the exposed surface of the film. The opaque coating includes a light absorbing component to limit the visible light reflection from materials attached to or located behind the inwardly glazed coated surface below a critical value.