Patents Examined by Arthur Kellogg
  • Patent number: 4784681
    Abstract: A combined bending and quench station (30) disclosed comprises a roller conveyor (36) proximate a glass heating furnace (32). The roller conveyor (36) includes elongated rolls (38) spaced from each other in a parallel relationship. A plurality of molds (40) are located generally between the rolls (38). Each mold (40) has a glass engagement surface (42). An actuator (48) engages the glass engagement surfaces (42) with the heated glass sheet (34) to provide bending. Upper and lower blastheads (44,46) supply quenching gas that impinges with the bent glass sheet (34) while engaged with the molds (40) to fix the shape and provide tempering of the bent glass sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Glasstech International L.P.
    Inventor: Harold A. McMaster
  • Patent number: 4781745
    Abstract: A device (10) for registering together two cooperable glass article handling components (12,14) is disclosed as including a first registering member (16) on one of the handling components and a second registering member (18) on the other component. The registering members (16,18) are movable toward one another in a direction of registration A,A' and one of the registering members includes fixedly spaced rollers (20) for engaging the other registering member with rolling contact to provide registration between the handling components (12, 14) during glass article handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Glasstech International L.P.
    Inventor: Eustace H. Mumford
  • Patent number: 4780122
    Abstract: Foaming of molten glass or the like as it enters a vacuum refining vessel is enhanced by altering the incoming stream so as to increase its surface area and/or retarding the passage of the stream through the vacuum headspace so as to increase its exposure to the vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Schwenninger, Wright M. Welton, Boyd S. Dawson, Joseph M. Matesa, Larry J. Shelestak
  • Patent number: 4778506
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transfer of pane objects such as glass comprises a conveyor along which the pane is accelerated past the downstream end of the conveyor. As the pane leaves the conveyor, it is received by a device which is aligned substantially parallel to the trajectory of the path of the pane. The device receives the pane, and transfers it to the next work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Petitcollin, Daniel Philibert
  • Patent number: 4778509
    Abstract: A furnace for cooling molten glass, which comprises a cooling tank for slowly cooling the molten glass while the average temperature of the molten glass is within a certain range extending below and above the temperature at which the speed of absorbing bubbles is highest, and cooling it rapidly when the average temperature of the molten glass is outside said range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Nippo Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Samejima, Akira Hoshino, Seiichiro Manabe
  • Patent number: 4778507
    Abstract: A method for bending glass plates comprises a step of softening by heating at least two glass plates placed in an overlapping state on a bending ring mold to shape them in a curved form by their own deadweight in a processing zone of a heating oven, a step of pressing the at least two overlapped glass plates from the top, which are bent or being bent in a predetermined form by their deadweight on the bending ring mold, by a pressing mold in a pressing zone in the heating oven or in the pressing zone under heating condition which is connected to the heating oven, and a step of gradually cooling the at least two glass plates in a cooling zone outside the heating oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Chikao Aruga, Yoshio Koga, Toshihiko Waki
  • Patent number: 4778508
    Abstract: A device and process for transferring glass panes for bending comprise the raising of glass panes with a gaseous flow until they meet with an upper conveyor, maintaining contact with that conveyor and simultaneously shifting them along that conveyor, then bringing them down anew on a bending form upon which they subside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Petitcollin, Pierre Marchal, Bernard Letemps, Daniel Philibert
  • Patent number: 4778505
    Abstract: According to a method of molding a glass body, a glass preform is placed between upper and lower molds of a mold assembly. The mold assembly is then heated to a predetermined heating temperature falling within a heating temperature range corresponding to a glass viscosity range of the glass preform of 10.sup.8 to 10.sup.10.5 poise. A pressure high enough to mold the glass preform is applied between the upper and lower molds when the glass preform is at the predetermined heating temperature, so that an unfinished glass molded body is formed. The pressure is released, and the unfinished glass molded body and the mold assembly are gradually cooled to a temperature within a glass viscosity range of 10.sup.11.5 to 10.sup.14 poise while the unfinished glass molded body is held in the mold assembly. A glass molded body is then released from the mold assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Hirota, Kishio Sugawara, Tetsuro Izumitani
  • Patent number: 4778504
    Abstract: Method for bonding the edges of all-glass multiple panes, particularly all-glass double panes, whereby the individual panes moving through an elongated tunnel furnace or the like are cut to size, may potentially be washed, are subjected to an at least partial edge smoothing, are aligned with one another and, after being pre-heated to a pre-heating temperature lying below the deformation temperature of the glass, are bonded to one another at the horizontal and vertical pane edges, being bonded while standing upright, characterized in that individual panes cut to size and potentially washed are individually pre-heated lying on their surface facing away from the pane interspace of the all-glass multiple pane to be manufactured, and in that the individual panes are subsequently placed upright and are placed together to form groups of individual panes in accord with an all-glass multiple pane to be manufactured, whereupon the edge bonding ensues; further, apparatus for the implementation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Flachglas Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josef Kulla
  • Patent number: 4776870
    Abstract: This specification is directed to a method for improving emmissivity value of a pyrolytically applied doped tin oxide film on a surface of a glass substrate, such as a sheet of glass. The method includes the steps of heating the surface of the glass substrate to an initial temperature in a range from 560.degree.-650.degree. C. and thereafter applying to the surface of the glass substrate a doped tin oxide film by a pyrolytic decomposition process. The pyrolytic decomposition process is one which cools the surface of the glass substrate. The surface of the glass substrate is reheated to a temperature equal to or greater than the initial temperature but not in excess of 675.degree. C. Thereafter, a doped tin oxide film is applied to the previously coated surface of the glass substrate. The reheating and application steps may be repeated as many times as desired to produce a coated glass substrate having the desired coating thickness and emmissivity characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: John H. Meyer, Narayandas Malani
  • Patent number: 4775404
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for registering a glass sheet (12) on a mold (24) is disclosed as including a plurality of glass sheet locators (26) movably mounted on the mold. Each locator (26) includes a connector (28) pivotal in a horizontal plane about a pivotal axis (A) extending vertically from the mold. Each connector (28) also is vertically moveable along its pivotal axis (A) between a raised position above the mold (24) for locating the glass sheet (12) as the glass sheet moves along a topside transfer platen (14) and a lowered position below a curved mold surface (25). Linkages (30) connect the locators (26) for cooperable operation to position the glass sheet (12) with respect to the mold (24). An actuator (32) moves the linkages (30) to raise the locators (26) above the mold to locate the glass sheet (12) on the topside transfer platen (14) with the cooperable operation of a back gate (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Glasstech, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Klempner, Jack W. Adoline
  • Patent number: 4775402
    Abstract: The invention concerns a glass molding process and system according to which glass sheet is heated in a horizontal position in a heating furnace, transferred vertically to an upper mold having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature that it is desired to give the glass sheet and dropped on a bending frame where the glass sinks under the effect of inertia and gravity. Vertical transfer of the glass is obtained by a vacuum created on the periphery of the upper mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Bernard Letemps, Jean-Marc Petitcollin, Francis Perin, Herve Prouveur
  • Patent number: 4775400
    Abstract: An improved fiber glass bushing control system. One aspect of the system has a weighing means for weighing complete collections of glass fiber strands produced from forming from a bushing through attenuation, a monitoring means for the time of attenuation at constant strand speed and a program computer means that receives signals from the weighing means and the monitoring means. The program computer means has a means for establishing a database of the weights and times, a means for determining the throughput of the glass from the bushing from the weights and times, a means for determining average throughputs and including these averages in the database, a means for comparing the average throughputs to a standard set throughput, and a means for initiating an adjustment to the main bushing temperature controller, when the average throughput deviates from the set point throughput by a value greater than the sensitivity factor of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry G. Wright, John J. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 4773925
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Schultz
  • Patent number: 4773926
    Abstract: The invention relates to air tempering of glass in flat tempering installations. It proposes blowing air, particularly at sonic speed, with nozzles, preferably tubular, slightly distant from the glass, exhibiting the maximum loss of pressure at their free end close to the glass. It makes possible the tempering, under economically advantageous conditions, of glass sheets having thicknesses less than 2 mm and all the more so, glass sheets having greater thicknesses, which can be used as glasses, particularly windshields, for motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Bernard Letemps, Daniel Colmon
  • Patent number: 4772306
    Abstract: A gob delivery system for molten glass charges or gobs from a multiple orifice feeder to a plurality of parison molds in which the transmit times of the gobs are held to a minimum. The gob scoops, which initially deflect the gobs into straight troughs, are formed with a spiral curve to impart less of a curve to the charge. The deflectors which receive the gobs or charges from the troughs are also formed as spiral curves so that the gobs will be presented to vertical guide tubes with a minimum of angular distortion to give more consistent loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Davey, Donald E. Schupbach
  • Patent number: 4770687
    Abstract: The relatively movable mould side portions (22, 26) of a glass moulding apparatus are held together during moulding by clamping means (40,42). The clamping means (40,42) comprises first (40) and second (42) pressing means each movable upwardly into an operative position thereof and downwardly into an out-of-the-way position thereof. In their operative positions, each pressing means (40,42) is operative to press one of the mould portions (22,26) towards a mould portion (22,26) which mates therewith. In their out-of-the-way positions, each pressing means (40,42) is clear of the path of movement taken by the mould portions (22,26) in opening and closing the mould.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Hermann H. Nebelung
  • Patent number: 4770686
    Abstract: A support for an operating mechanism such as a takeout mechanism (10) of a glassware forming machine comprises a slideway (34) extending vertically above an operating position of the mechanism at a blow station of the machine, a carriage (40) mounted for vertical adjustment on the slideway, a seat (50) for the mechanism operating mechanism, and clamping means (62, 64, 70) operable to hold the operating mechanism in the seat. The seat (50) is in vertical alignment with the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Hermann H. Nebelung
  • Patent number: 4770685
    Abstract: A method of forming a glass sheet with ceramic paint thereon is disclosed. The method has the following general steps. A first ceramic paint (12) is applied to and dried on a glass sheet (10). The first ceramic paint includes a low temperature melting glass frit as a component thereof. A second ceramic paint (16) is applied over at least a portion of the dried first ceramic paint. The second ceramic paint includes as a component thereof a high temperature melting glass frit. The high temperature melting glass frit melts at a temperature higher than that temperature at which the low temperature melting glass frit melts at. The glass sheet is heated to a temperature which softens the glass sheet sufficiently so that the glass sheet can be formed. The heated glass sheet is engaged by a fiberglass covered forming die to form the glass sheet into a desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Premakaran T. Boaz
  • Patent number: 4769058
    Abstract: Silica glass having a substantially smooth, planar surface is formed by floating sintered silica glass on a molten metallic bath. The molten metallic bath is maintained at a sufficiently high temperature to heat-polish the sintered silica glass surface which is in thermal contact with the bath to form a substantially smooth, planar surface. A method for producing silica glass includes floating sintered silica glass on a molten metallic bath to provide the sintered glass with a substantially smooth surface. The resultant silica glass has many applications, but has particular utility for semiconductor substrates, integrated circuit masks, and other electronic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Glasstech, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold A. McMaster