Abstract: The molten glass feeding bowl has two parallel sides with a third side being generally perpendicular thereto. Electrodes for heating glass within the bowl extend through aligned holes in the side walls of the refractory bowl and metal housing. The bowl can accommodate electrodes along its parallel side walls and along a front wall depending upon the operative position of the shear mechanism which may extend along the center line of the bowl or to either side of the center line.

Abstract: The temperature of molten glass conveyed by means of a forehearth between a melting furnace and a discharge orifice in a bowl remote from the furnace is controlled and adjusted thermally by a method that includes an abrupt bottom-zone temperature reduction step in the immediate proximity of the entry of the glass from the furnace to the forehearth cooling zone to a temperature approximately equal to but above a predetermined gob temperature; next the step of blending and homogenizing the cooling glass as it enters the conditioning zone in its downstream movement; and while avoiding above-surface heating during conditioning, subjecting the glass stream only to mild Joule-effect, below-surface heating applied in a controlled manner to accomplish temperature normalization and homogeneity throughout the stream whereupon the glass is delivered to the discharge orifice at a specified temperature.