Abstract: A support for a sheet of glass is disclosed. The support comprises first and second support assemblies each comprising a respective base and arm assembly. Each arm assembly comprises a respective first arm having first and second ends and a first contact surface at each end thereof for contacting a first major surface of the sheet of glass when the sheet of glass is supported on the support. Each arm assembly is coupled to the respective base by a respective coupling for rotation about a pivot axis. Any of the first contact surfaces may be provided by a ball castor or wheel. The support is useful when supporting the glass sheet wherein a measurement of the shape thereof is required because the support is able to quickly reach an equilibrium configuration. A method of supporting a glass sheet using the support is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of detecting a defect in a sheet of glass includes: (i) directing a converging beam from a source of illumination onto a surface of the sheet of glass to illuminate the defect; (ii) focussing an image capture device onto a first plane to image the defect in the sheet of glass; (iii) capturing a first image of the defect; (iv) carrying out an adjustment step; and (v) capturing a second image of the defect. Each of the first and second images has a respective first portion from the illuminated defect and a respective second portion due to reflection of a portion of the beam from the glass surface. In the first image of the defect the first portion is brighter than the second portion, and in the second image of the defect the first portion is darker than the second portion. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A combination of a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coater and at least one capacitive proximity sensor, comprising: a CVD coater, and at least one capacitive proximity sensor attached to the CVD coater, wherein the at least one capacitive proximity sensor is arranged to determine the distance between a glass substrate and the CVD coater.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for coating deposition, particularly by chemical vapour deposition, on three-dimensional glass articles such as bottles. The apparatus lends itself to incorporation in a plant for a continuous production process for glass containers.

Abstract: A combination of a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coater and at least one capacitive proximity sensor, comprising: a CVD coater, and at least one capacitive proximity sensor attached to the CVD coater, wherein the at least one capacitive proximity sensor is arranged to determine the distance between a glass substrate and the CVD coater.

Abstract: A method of reducing the volume of float bath atmosphere lost from an opening in the exit end of the float bath is described. The method comprises directing a first jet of fluid having a first jet velocity followed by a second jet velocity towards a plane a conveyance for a float glass ribbon. An obstruction in the path of the first jet of fluid causes the jet to change from the second to a third jet velocity. The obstruction may be a portion of a roller positioned outside the opening or a float glass ribbon that has been formed on a surface of molten metal contained in the float bath that has subsequently been transferred through the opening. A float bath having sealing means to reduce atmosphere loss from an exit of the float bath is also described, as is an assembly useful in carrying out the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: A method of reducing the volume of float bath atmosphere lost from an opening in the exit end of the float bath is described. The method comprises directing a first jet of fluid having a first jet velocity followed by a second jet velocity towards a plane a conveyance for a float glass ribbon. An obstruction in the path of the first jet of fluid causes the jet to change from the second to a third jet velocity. The obstruction may be a portion of a roller positioned outside the opening or a float glass ribbon that has been formed on a surface of molten metal contained in the float bath that has subsequently been transferred through the opening. A float bath having sealing means to reduce atmosphere loss from an exit of the float bath is also described, as is an assembly useful in carrying out the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of a species in a portion of a furnace atmosphere is described. The method comprises the steps of measuring first, second and third intensities of electromagnetic radiation in the furnace at first, second and third wavelengths respectively. The third wavelength is selected to be representative of absorption of electromagnetic radiation by the species. A fourth intensity of electromagnetic radiation is calculated, being an estimate of the intensity of electromagnetic radiation in the furnace at the third wavelength absent any absorbing species in the furnace atmosphere. The third intensity and the fourth intensities are used to determine a parameter that is proportional to the concentration of absorbing species in the portion of the furnace atmosphere. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for coating of three dimensional objects such as glass jars or bottles, during a continuous manufacturing process, by Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD). The objects pass through tunnel having one or more vertical arrays of nozzles located in the sidewalls. The nozzles deliver CVD precursors and, being independently variable, allow for variation of the precursor concentration along the height of the object. Thus, the thickness of the resultant coating may be so varied. Preferred embodiments include corresponding exhaust arrays, aligned with the nozzles and one or more air curtains which isolate the interior of the tunnel from the external environment.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for coating deposition, particularly by chemical vapour deposition, on three dimensional glass articles such as bottles. The apparatus lends itself to incorporation in plant for a continuous production process for glass containers.

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of a species in a portion of a furnace atmosphere is described. The method comprises the steps of measuring first, second and third intensities of electromagnetic radiation in the furnace at first, second and third wavelengths respectively. The third wavelength is selected to be representative of absorption of electromagnetic radiation by the species. A fourth intensity of electromagnetic radiation is calculated, being an estimate of the intensity of electromagnetic radiation in the furnace at the third wavelength absent any absorbing species in the furnace atmosphere. The third intensity and the fourth intensities are used to determine a parameter that is proportional to the concentration of absorbing species in the portion of the furnace atmosphere. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for coating of three dimensional objects such as glass jars or bottles, during a continuous manufacturing process, by Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD). The objects pass through tunnel having one or more vertical arrays of nozzles located in the sidewalls. The nozzles deliver CVD precursors and, being independently variable, allow for variation of the precursor concentration along the height of the object. Thus, the thickness of the resultant coating may be so varied. Preferred embodiments include corresponding exhaust arrays, aligned with the nozzles and one or more air curtains which isolate the interior of the tunnel from the external environment.