Abstract: Disclosed are a molding apparatus for glass optical elements a plurality of molds each constituted of an upper mold and a lower mold, a matrix supporting the molds, and heating means wound around the matrix for heating the molds, wherein the matrix extends in a longitudinal form and has a constant width, wherein the plurality of the molds are arranged in the matrix in a line so that the center of each mold is located on a center line of the matrix, and wherein a distance between the heating means and the matrix is constant at least at an edge of the matrix in a transverse direction, and a molding method for optical elements comprising the steps of: softening a plurality of glass material pieces by heat; and making a simultaneous press molding of the glass material pieces with a plurality of molds, constituted of upper and lower molds, arranged in a longitudinal form matrix, in a line extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein each mold is heated by thermal conductance from the matrix heated by heating mea

Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing method for molded glass articles including glass optical elements such as high precision lenses not requiring grinding and polishing after press molding. The manufacturing method according to the invention is a method for manufacturing the molded glass articles having a higher surface precision with a high productivity by pressing a glass material in a stepwise manner constituted of some steps depending on a temperature condition of the glass material.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for molded glass articles including glass optical elements such as high precision lenses not requiring grinding and polishing after press molding. The manufacturing method according to the invention is a method for manufacturing the molded glass articles having a higher surface precision with a high productivity by pressing a glass material in a stepwise manner constituted of some steps depending on a temperature condition of the glass material.

Abstract: In a method of and an apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of kinds of glass molding articles, a plurality of processing compartments are arranged in order of processing steps. The compartments have their functions which process glass materials to be molded which are accommodated respectively in a plurality of molds and which are different in processing condition from each other. The functions are different in property from each other. Each of the compartments is divided into a plurality of processing chambers having their functions which process the glass materials. The functions of the processing chambers of the compartment are identical in property with each other but different in condition from each other. The molds remain respectively in the processing chambers for a predetermined period of time. The molds are successively moved to their respective subsequent processing chambers to process the glass materials to form the glass molding articles.

Abstract: In a method of and an apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of kinds of glass molding articles, a plurality of processing compartments are arranged in order of processing steps. The compartments have their functions which process glass materials to be molded which are accommodated respectively in a plurality of molds and which are different in processing condition from each other. The function are different in property from each other. Each of the compartments is divided into a plurality of processing chambers having their functions which process the glass materials. The functions of the processing chambers of the compartment are identical in property with each other, but different in condition from each other. The molds remain respectively in the processing chambers for a predetermined period of time. The molds are successively moved to their respective subsequent processing chambers to process the glass materials to form the glass molding articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mold for producing glass articles comprising a glass-made mold base, an intermediate layer formed by a silicon carbide and/or silicon nitride film, and an uppermost layer formed by a carbon film. Since the mold for producing glass articles exhibits an excellent bonding between the glass-made mold base and the uppermost layer formed by the carbon film, peeling of the uppermost layer can be prevented. Therefore, the function of the uppermost layer as an adhesion-prevention layer against the glass to be molded can be exhibited for a long time, causing an economic advantage since the life of the mold can be lengthened. In addition, since the maximum surface roughness of the working surface of the mold can be reduced and the surface shape accuracy can be maintained, a molded glass article exhibits excellent surface accuracy without optical defects.

Abstract: A mold for use in producing a lens comprises a pair of first and second mold portions which are arranged in opposed relation to each other. At least one of the first and second mold portions is movable toward and away from the other. Molding surfaces of the respective first and second mold portions have their respective areas which are located radially outwardly of an effective aperture of the lens. A plurality of recesses are formed in the molding surface of at least one of the first and second mold portions and are located in the area of the molding surface of the at least one mold portion. These recesses separate the lens from the molds.

Abstract: A mold assembly adapted for producing a molded glass in a relatively thin form has an upper mold and a lower mold. The lower mold carries thereon a glass to be molded during the heating, pressing and cooling of the glass to be molded. The lower mold has the maximal thickness below or equal to 1/10 of a diameter of the lower mold. A third ring-shaped mold having an annular recess along its interior surface receives the molded glass during pressing between the upper and lower molds to prevent sticking of the molded glass product to a mold surface when released from the mold assembly after pressing. Additionally, a stopper is used to contact the periphery of the ring-shaped mold to strip the molded glass product from the upper mold when the latter is moved upwardly during pressing the molded glass.

Abstract: The process for producing a glass mold according to the present invention comprises forming, on a glass mold base, a thin film consisting of diamond crystallites, graphite crystallites and amorphous carbon and having a maximum surface roughness of 200 .ANG. or below, by a plasma CVD method or a thermal CVD method using a mixed gas comprising an organic gas and hydrogen gas, the concentration of the organic gas in the mixed gas being at least 3 mole %.The glass mold obtained according to the present process has advantages of having excellent releasability of molded glass article after press molding, excellent durability and a long life.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for molding glass articles. A first pressing of glass preform within a mold is carried out at a first pressing position, when the glass preform has its viscosity within a range of from 10.sup.8 to 10.sup.9.5 poises. The mold having accommodated therein the pressed glass is transferred from the first pressing position to a second pressing position where a second pressing is carried out with respect to the pressed glass within the mold when the pressed glass has its viscosity within a range of from 10.sup.10.5 to 10.sup.12 poises.

Abstract: In a press-molding device for lenses, an upper surface of a drag is formed into a molding surface, and a lower surface of a cope is formed into a molding surface. An inner peripheral surface of a guide mold portion is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the drag, and has an axial length longer than that of the outer peripheral surface of the drag so that the inner peripheral surface extends upwardly from the molding surface of the drag. The cope is capable of sliding along the inner peripheral surface. A pressure plate is in contact with an upper surface of the cope before pressing, and is abutted against the upper surface of the guide mold portion by the pressing. A glass preform to be molded is arranged between the molding surfaces of the respective cope and drag. The cope is pressed from above through the pressure plate, thereby molding the glass preform to a lens. The guide mold portion may be divided into a pair of upper and lower portions.

Abstract: In an apparatus for molding glass articles, a plurality of processing chambers including a heating chamber, a press chamber and a cooling chamber are arranged in order along a predetermined circular transport path. The processing chambers are surrounded by a case within a furnace body. A rotary table is driven for intermittent rotation about an axis thereof. The transport path extends in concentric relation to the axis of the rotary table. The rotary table extends radially outwardly to a position below the case. A plurality of sample mounts are mounted on the rotary table and are arranged along the transport path in spaced relation to each other. The sample mounts extend into the processing chambers through a slit formed in a bottom wall of the case. A plurality of molds each having accommodated therein a glass preform to be molded are mounted respectively on the sample mounts.

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.

Abstract: Optical lenses high in configurational accuracy with smooth surfaces are press molded in a carefully finished, polished and properly dimensioned mold preferably in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The molding operation includes placing a quantity of glass having an internal viscosity of at least about 10.sup.6 poises in such a mold while maintaining the mold at a temperature at least equal to the glass transition temperature and thereafter passing the glass into a lens of predetermined configuration at a pressure of at least 100 Kg/cm.sup.2. Performing procedures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pressed lens based upon the discovery that a high quality lens may be molded despite the fact that the lens is cooled without pressure being applied to the mold. A lens preform is inserted into the pressing mold and pressure is applied to the mold while the preform and mold are at a temperature corresponding to a viscosity of the preform of 10.sup.8.5 -10.sup.10.5 poise. The pressure is then removed while the resulting molding remains in contact with the mold and the preform and mold are then cooled. When the temperature of the preform has fallen to a value corresponding to a viscosity of the molding of not smaller than 10.sup.11.5, the molding may be removed from the pressing mold. The preform may be inserted into the mold and then the preform and the mold may be heated prior to pressing, or alternately, the preform and the mold may be heated separately and the preform may be transferred into the mold for pressing.

Abstract: A glass for coating a laser glass and which has a high absorption for laser light which comprises, in mol %, 51 to 59% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 ; 0 to 8% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; 4 to 10% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; 0 to 20% Li.sub.2 O; 0 to 17% Na.sub.2 O; 8 to 20% Li.sub.2 0+Na.sub.2 O; 0 to 23% ZnO; 0 to 15% BaO; 7 to 28% CuO; and 0 to 13% V.sub.2 O.sub.5.

Abstract: A stable glass for a Faraday rotation element, the glass comprising, in mole%,15 to 18% Ce.sub.2 O.sub.3,64 to 76% P.sub.2 O.sub.5,4 to 16% B.sub.2 O.sub.3,0 to 8% SiO.sub.2, and0 to 10% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 with 2 to 12% SiO.sub.2 +Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.