Abstract: Satisfactory molding of a spout in the upper inclined opening edge of a glass container is effected by heating the spout molded portion of the upper opening edge to soften it, premolding the heated softened portion by raising it from the inside of the glass container by the premolding member of a spout premolding device, and finish-molding it by a spout molding device. The spout molding device supports the molding device above a glass container setting position for vertical and horizontal movements, and outwardly substantially horizontally moves this molding member, which is put in the glass container, so as to outwardly push and deform the upper opening edge of the glass container in such a manner as to mold a spout. The path of movement of the molding member is controlled by a fixed cam to finish the spout into a desired shape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glass molding process using an apparatus for manufacturing a glass preform into a glass molded product. In the process a mold is prepared for pressing the glass preform. The mold consists of a pair of molds having a cavity surface for forming the glass molded product, and a frame mold which is movable against the pair of molds and incorporates a heating source. A next step in the process involves introducing the glass preform, where the pair of molds are opened and the glass preform is placed on the cavity surface. The glass preform then undergoes heating, where the glass preform is moved so as to come near the heating source of the frame mold by closing the mold, thereby heating the glass preform. The glass preform is then pressed by moving the mold to mold a shape of a glass molded product. The resulting glass molded product is then separated from the heating source by moving the frame mold and taken out by opening the mold.

Abstract: A method for forming a glass preform into an optical element utilizing a formation chamber having a central axis and including a plurality of glass preform heaters, a plurality of glass preform pressing molds, and a conveyor, an exchanging chamber and a controller, comprises the steps of providing the heaters and the pressing molds along a circular path substantially concentric with the formation chamber and providing the conveyor to rotate coaxially with the central axis of the formation chamber. The operating condition of the heater is detected, the glass preform is conveyed from the exchanging chamber to a heater based on the detected condition of the heaters, and the glass preform is heated.

Abstract: Shaped gradient profiles of index of refraction in lenses are fabricated from axial gradients. While the resulting lens has both radial (or cylindrical) and axial components, and, strictly speaking, is not a pure radial (cylindrical) gradient, nonetheless, the presence of both the radial and axial components or cylindrical and axial components provides lens designers with greater flexibility in lens design than heretofore existed.

Abstract: In a process for shaping a gob in order to obtain a hollow glass article by means of an electronically-regulated and hydraulically-propelled level, the process of shaping the gob into a rough or finished product is rationally effected in a predefinable and in particular precisely reproducible manner by the fact that an electro-hydraulic servo-drive is used as a means for driving the level, and that the latter, during at least the practically total performance of the movement, is adjusted in position by means of a closed position-regulating circuit. In a device suited for this purpose the drive device of the level consists of an electro-hydraulic servo-drive and an electronic position-adjusting device for the at least approximately total movement of the level. Preferably the movement of the level in the glass article is also effected at a regulated speed and, ideally, the shaping stage is completed by a pressure-regulated forward movement of the level.

Abstract: A method for press-forming a glass preform includes the steps of applying positioning pressure to an upper mold as the temperature of the upper mold and a lower mold increase to set values, maintaining a first temperature difference between the upper and lower molds of at least 10.degree. C. and increasing the temperature of the glass preform to a value above its glass transition temperature. Additional steps include cooling the upper and lower molds at a rate of 30.degree. to 100.degree. C. per minute while maintaining a temperature difference between the upper and lower molds at at least the first temperature difference, applying pressure to the lower mold, and opening the upper and lower molds to release the formed optical element after the temperatures of the upper and lower molds decrease to below a set value and a temperature difference between the upper and lower molds becomes greater than the first temperature difference.

Abstract: An evacuated vial for collecting a fluid sample and a method for manufacturing the vial comprising a cylindrical glass tube, one end of the tube formed into a frangible tip, a glass bottom closing off the other end of the tube, and a depression formed in the bottom forming an internal breaking tip extending into said tube. The bottom of the tube is sealed in a manner permitting convenient puncture thereof to break the tip when a sample is to be delivered.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical element from glass material is accommodated between an upper member and a lower member of mold. The glass material is press-molded in a state and heated to a desired temperature, thereafter being cooled and released from the mold to form a product having a predetermined optical functional surface. When the product is released from the mold, the upper mold member is first lifted by a predetermined amount, where the product may adhere to the upper mold member. Upon or after releasing and falling of the molded product from the upper mold member due to its own weight or heat stress, the upper mold member is further caused to ascend and the mold is opened so that the molded product can be taken out.

Abstract: An optical storage disk includes a glass substrate (1) into which guide tracks (3) for servo-controlling the focussed light beams are directly stamped in by hot stamp process. After stamping, the glass substrate is thermally quenched in the stamping device to increase its breaking resistance through thermal curing. In order to achieve uniform guide tracks over the entire surface of an optical storage disk, flexible stamp stencils (35) in a flexible holder (34) are used whose curvature can be changed by applying hydro-static pressure. Suitable stamp stencils include monocristalline silicon disks with surface hardening, or of metal disks, structured photolithographic processes. The stamp lands are made with bevelled edges to facilitate the separating of stamp and glass substrate after cooling.

Abstract: A preform tube (31) is caused to be collapsed into a preform rod by causing a heat zone (54) provided by a torch assembly (50) to traverse the tube longitudinally in a plurality of passes. During this so-called collapse mode, a muffle tube (100) encloses that portion of the tube which extends through the torch assembly. Advantageously, the muffle tube projects a predetermined distance beyond one major face of the torch assembly. The torch assembly comprises annular semi-circular end plates and an annular semi-circular center portion having a plurality of exit ports through which gases are directed into engagement with the tube. The center portion is caused to be recessed between the end plates thereby causing the heat zone generated by the gases to be narrowed.

Abstract: Method for making glazing with a high transmissivity in the visible spectral range and with a high reflectivity for thermal radiation as well as low surface resistance. On substrates of mineral glass a system of coatings is built up in the following order:Coating 1: oxide from the group, tin oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, zirconium oxide, or mixtures thereof,Coating 2: alloy of 80 weight-percent of nickel and 20 weight-percent of chromium,Coating 3: silver or a silver alloy with at least 50 weight-percent silver content,Coating 4: alloy of 80 weight-percent of nickel and 20 weight-percent of chromium,Coating 5: oxide from the group tin oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, zirconium oxide, or mixtures thereof.Thereafter the substrate with the entire packet of coatings is heated to the softening temperature of the glass and bent to the final shape.

Abstract: Substrates for supporting optical fibers in an optical coupler are made by, first, making grooves in a glass preform which are about ten times the desired size, and then using glass drawing techniques to draw from the preform a substrate of the proper size. Optical fibers are arranged in ribbon form and placed in a fixture which allows the ends to be cut and polished at the angle required for proper coupler operation. Fibers are stripped from the end of the ribbon that has been cut and polished and placed in the grooves for proper alignment with abutting fibers. The ends of the fibers that remain fixed to the ribbon prevent unwanted rotation of the fibers.

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 glass blank for producing optical element used for the press molding thereof, having a core glass and a surface layer covering at least the optically functional surface of the core glass. The surface layer consists of an evaporation glass. This invention also relates to the technique to mold a glass lens using the glass blank.

Abstract: Molding is effected while pressing pressure is continuously or stepwise controlled so that at the initial stage in which the temperature distribution of a glass blank is not sufficiently uniformized, molding may be effected with relatively low pressing pessure and in a state in which the whole of the glass blank is uniformly increased in temperature, press molding may be effected with the pressing pressure increased. In a press molding apparatus for an optical element, during press molding, the glass blank is press-molded while the pressing pressure is continuously or stepwise varied so that at a temperature whereat the glass viscosity of the glass blank corresponds to 10.sup.21 -10.sup.11 poise, molding may be started with pressing pressure of 10 kg/cm.sup.2 -100 kg/cm.sup.2, and thereafter in a temperature range in which the glass viscosity x of the central portion of the glass blank corresponds to 10.sup.11 -10.sup.10 poise, pressing pressure in the range of 10.times.(10.sup.11-x)-100+10.times.(10.sup.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a preform for a nonoxide glass fiber, cladding and core glass materials are placed in a cylinder of an extrusion apparatus such that ground end faces of the respective cladding and core glass materials are in contact with each other and such that the cladding glass material is located adjacent a molding section of the extrusion apparatus. The cladding and core glass materials are heated within inert-gas atmosphere, to their respective temperatures equal to or below their respective sag points and equal to or above their respective crystallization start temperatures. An extrusion punch of the extrusion apparatus is pushed within the atmosphere, to extrude the cladding and core glass materials through a molding nozzle in the molding section while the cladding and core glass materials are in fusible contact with each other, thereby forming the preform of a core and cladding structure.

Abstract: A method of molding an optical element by pressing glass material uses a cavity composed of a pair of mold members and a side mold member. Either or both of the pair of mold members are rendered slidable along the axial direction of the optical element within the side mold member used during the pressurized molding operation, so that the pair of mold members move in close contact with the contracting glass along the axial direction in the side mold member, during the cooling subsequent to the pressurized molding due to adhesion between the contracting glass and either or both of the pair of mold members. The contraction of the glass during the cooling phase is limited by the adhesive force between the glass and the mold members when at least one of the pair of mold members traverses a gap and reaches a limit of travel; thus tension will be created in the glass.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing extremely precise glass optical element by thermally deforming optical glass on the optical surface of a thermal processing jig coated with chemically stable thin film, followed by the molding of optical glass preform having free surface on one side and transcribedsurface from the optical surface of the thermal processing jig by means of a press mold which thermally presses the optical glass preform.

Abstract: A glass tube (31) from which optical fiber is to be drawn is heated by a torch assembly comprising a plurality of nozzles (54--54) disposed on a carriage. In order to avoid contamination of the tube by particles of the torch assembly resulting from thermal degradation,the nozzles are disposed in a plane which is normal to an axis (36) of the tube with each nozzle axis inclined so that flame fronts associated with the nozzles are substantially closer to the tube than to the torch assembly. Reaction of materials which are flowed into the tube is enhanced by including a second row of nozzles (91--91) which are inclined within a plane which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the tube. In order to collapse the tube into a rod, a muffle member (100) preferably is caused to be disposed about the tube with an opening in the periphery of the muffle member to allow portions of the gas flows to converge and to allow heat energy to be transferred from the flame fronts to the tube.

Abstract: A mold and method for forming a balloon for dilatation catheters, particularly balloons with a prismlike shape with a transverse polygonal cross section when the internal pressure is at atmospheric conditions. Upon inflation to higher internal pressures, the balloon assumes a normal circular cross section. The balloon shape is particularly suitable for balloons formed of polyethylene terephthalate and the like which are not readily heat settable. Reduced deflated profiles are obtained. The mold is formed by first making a preformed core member which has the shape and dimensions which are desired for the balloon. A heat-formable tubular member, preferably formed of borosilicate glass such as PYREX, is disposed about the core member, subjected to heat and an internal vacuum so as to be shaped onto the exterior of the core member.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing an optical element, in which a molding material is put in molds and is heated and press-molded to manufacture an optical element, a preheating treatment of the molding material is performed before it is put in the molds at a reduced pressure and a temperature lower than a temperature during the press molding.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing optical elements which is capable of obtaining optical elements at high accuracy by molding through employment of an optical element molding glass material preliminarily processed to prevent such defects as crack formation or chipping at the corner portions of the molding material which contact dies when the material is charged into the mold. An optical element molding glass material to be employed for the above method is formed with curvatures at boundary portions i.e. corner portions where its cylindrical portion contacts at right angles with its end flat portions by applying chemical etching, heat of a carbon dioxide gas laser or radiation heat to such corner portions.

Abstract: A mold blank for manufacturing eyeglass lenses containing a flat top bifocal segment. A ceramic platform is first constructed containing an optical surface having a recess corresponding to the flat top bifocal segment. A concave-convex glass mold blank polished on both sides is placed on the optical surface and across the recess of the platform and the mold blank together with the platform is placed in a furnace. The furnace is then heated to a preselected temperature at which the mold blank thermally deforms and sags against the optical surface and into the recess. Upon cooling the mold blank can be used to mold plastic eyeglass lenses. A method for making the mold blank is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the production of a molded glass article is disclosed, said process comprises the steps of: applying wet treatment to a surface of a lead oxide-containing glass material, thereby forming a hydrated layer having a lower lead oxide content than that of a basic glass; heating the glass material having the hydrated layer; and press-molding the heated glass material. According to the process, a molded glass article having no cloudiness can be obtained and lead is not deposited on the surfaces of the molds used.

Abstract: A metehod of manufacturing planar optical waveguides in which a planar optical preform which is stretched to form a planar optical cane with substantially smaller cross-sectional dimensions than the original preform, and in which the optical circuitry pattern is achieved by lithographic techniques. Optical fiber preforms may be inserted in slots in a substrate to form the planar optical preform.

Abstract: In a mold apparatus, the receiving molding surface and the opposing molding surface are each mounted coaxially and in sliding fashion within an alignment means. Both of these alignment means have an equal number of spaced apart alignment pads which are positioned such that opposing pads will be in cooperable engagement with each other during pressing.Utilizing the disclosed apparatus, a method for molding precisely shaped articles, such as magnetic memory disc substrates which require precisely parallel, opposite molded surfaces, is described. Simply stated, the method utilizes the alignment pads' thermal expansion characteristics to induce a controlled level of thermal distortion to obtain pad lengths which result in parallel opposing molding surfaces.

Abstract: A method of densifying glass-composite structures using a superplastically deformed foil to partially encapsulate a glass-composite part and a part holding die. The die and part are contained in a rigid box held in a press. The foil is deformed over the die and part. Heat and pressure are applied to the die and part, through the rigid box, to soften the glass matrix of the part and to cause the glass to flow into the voids of the part.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a glass or glass-ceramic matrix composite article is disclosed which serves to eliminate the need for an expensive vacuum hot press and to significantly reduce the time required for densification. A preform composed of a mixture of chopped or continuous fibers such as carbon or silicon carbide and glass powder is heated to a temperature sufficiently high to soften the glass powder to a deformable state. Thereupon, the preform is deformed between dies which are at a temperature below that of the preform. A resultant composite article assumes the configuration of the shaped die cavity and is cooled by the natural loss of heat to the dies.

Abstract: Selected portions of a glass sheet are heated to elevated temperatures and offset, i.e. reformed, relative to the remaining portions of the glass sheet while maintaining the optical properties of the remaining portions of the glass sheet. The reformed area can be used as a structure to which guide brackets are other hardware can be secured or as an integral glass ledge to guide the up and down movement of the glass sheet within a vehicle door frame.

Abstract: A preform tube (31) is caused to be collapsed into a preform rod by causing a heat zone (54) provided by a torch assembly (50) to traverse the tube longitudinally in a plurality of passes. During this collapse mode, a muffle tube (100) encloses that portion of the tube which extends through the torch assembly. The muffle tube projects a predetermined distance beyond one major face of the torch assembly. The torch assembly comprises annular semi-circular end plates and an annular semi-circular center portion having a plurality of exit ports through which gases are directed into engagement with the tube. The center portion is caused to be recessed between the end plates thereby causing the heat zone generated by the gases to be narrowed. The narrowing of the heat zone and the substantial confinement of the heat energy within the muffle tube cooperate with increased gas flow rates to cause the tube to be collapsed in a time period which is substantially less than that achieved by prior art methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffraction limited, high numerical aperture (fast) cylindrical microlens. The method for making the microlens is adaptable to produce a cylindrical lens that has almost any shape on its optical surfaces. The cylindrical lens may have a shape, such as elliptical or hyperbolic, designed to transform some particular given input light distribution into some desired output light distribution. In the method, the desired shape is first formed in a glass preform. Then, the preform is heated to the minimum drawing temperature and a fiber is drawn from it. The cross-sectional shape of the fiber bears a direct relation to the shape of the preform from which it was drawn. During the drawing process, the surfaces become optically smooth due to fire polishing. The present invention has many applications, such as integrated optics, optical detectors and laser diodes.

Abstract: Defect-free fluoride glass materials are made by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) of a fluoride glass. The process may be used to manufacture preforms or bulk fluoride glass. The external pressure applied during HIP squeezes bubbles from the glass and permits the use of a wider range of working temperatures than ordinarily available, thereby reducing crystallization defects.

Abstract: Complex small objects such as ophthalmic lenses are quickly and accurately fabricated from plastic or glass blanks of ablatable material such as plastic or glass by cutting, shaping, and radiusing the blank entirely by laser light, using appropriate masks with focusing and imaging optics.

Abstract: A sintered elongated core made of a ceramic type superconductive material consisting essentially of (R.sub.x Ba.sub.(1-x)).sub.3 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.z in which R is Sc, Y La, Ho, Dy or Eu; x is in the range of from 0.3 to 0.8; and z is in the range of from 6 yo 7, is encased in glass and then heated, stretched and drawn.

Abstract: An optical fiber having an axis therethrough and having a tip thereon comprising a first tapered region and a second adjacent tapered region. The second tapered region terminates in an aspherical lens. Each of the tapered regions having a surface thereon. The surface of the first tapered region defines an angle with respect to the axis of the fiber that lies in the range from about ten (10) to about thirty (30) degrees, while the surface of the second tapered region defining an angle with respect to the axis of the fiber that lies in the range from about thirty-five (35) to about sixty (60) degrees. The second tapered region is produced as a result of a jerking action imposed during the drawing of the fiber.

Abstract: A lens molding method where a lens material is set between an upper mold and a lower mold, and the molding pressure is reduced or made zero at least once during a heating & pressing step without the mold surfaces breaking contact with the lens materials, and during a cooling & pressing step.

Abstract: In a method of molding an optical device by press-molding a glass preform by using molding dies, the press-molding process is executed under a mixed gas atmosphere of a nonoxidizer gas and a hydrocarbon gas.

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: A camera mirror-drum with good precision and strength comprising a molded part in which glass fibers with an aspect ratio of 3-7 are dispersed in a resin at the overall proportion of 35-40% by weight, and a method and an apparatus for the manufacture of the mirror-drum.

Abstract: According to the present process for producing a molded glass article, the surface of a lead oxide-containing glass material to be press molded is subjected in advance to an oxidation treatment with activated oxygen ion; thereby, there takes place no reduction reaction of lead oxide at the glass surface, at the time of press molding of the glass material, and there can be obtained a molded glass article with a clear surface. Further, there occurs no adhesion of lead to the surface of the mold used, and consequently the mold life is extended, which is very economical.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a four-step process for molding glass articles of high precision and excellent surface figure. A glass preform having an overall geometry closely approximating that of the desired final product is placed into a mold, the mold and preform are brought to a temperature at which the glass exhibits a viscosity between 10.sup.8 -10.sup.12 poises, a load is applied to shape the glass into conformity with the mold, and thereafter the resulting glass article is removed from the mold at a temperature above the transformation range of the glass. The glass article is then annealed.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a glass mold for subsequent molding of glass optical elements or lenses is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a master having a snout and a master ring disposed around the snout. The master and master ring may be of unitary construction and are disposed within constraining means or sleeve in an operative association with a means for exerting a force to effect molding. The apparatus also comprises a means for heating the assembly.

Abstract: Decorative processing is performed with repetitively pulsed discharge at atmospheric pressure of a (RP TEA) by CO.sub.2 laser with pulse energy 1 to 5J, power density at operation from 1.times.10.sup.6 W/cm.sup.2 to 6.times.10.sup.7 W/cm.sup.2, pulse duration from 50 to 100 ns and average power 1 to 1000W whereby the mated area with one shot is from 0.5 to 2 cm.sup.2. The apparatus has a base with an upright on which are fastened parallel elements and a screw that is seated in its upper end in a thrust element and at its lower end is linked by an articulation to an electric motor. The screw drives a fork guided on the parallel elements. A slide is fastened to the fork and has longitudinal channels and a plate for inclination at increments of 15.degree.. To this slide is fastened a second electric motor and on its axis is mounted a carrier on which is fastened a mask in which is fixed the article to be decorated.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber joint between a pair of elongated optical fibers each of which has a longitudinal axis surrounded by a core and cladding having different refractive indices and forming a single-mode light-guiding region, the core and cladding of each fiber having non-circular transverse cross-sections defining two polarization-maintaining axes of birefringence transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fiber. Each of the fibers also has predetermined external flat reference surfaces for locating the core and cladding and the axes of birefringence within each fiber from the exterior geometry of the fiber.

Abstract: Glass optical elements are molded by moving molds toward one another to press the glass and controlling the movement of the molds to balance the complete formation of the molded surfaces. A first mold is moved to a position short of contact with the glass and parked. A second mold is moved into contact with the glass to drive the glass into contact with the molding surface of the first mold. This changes the shape of the optical surface in contact with the second mold so that continued movement of the first and second molds results in balanced molding with the voids between the molding surfaces and the glass being equivalent for both surfaces.

Abstract: A method of molding precision glass optical elements or lenses is disclosed. Precision molded glass molds are first provided which define a glass mold cavity having a predetermined desired size, shape and volume corresponding to the glass optical element. To facilitate formation of the glass optical elements, shaped and polished preforms are formed.

Abstract: The micropipette puller of this invention includes a pair of gripping jaws that pull a length of glass tubing in opposite directions. The source of heat is a laser device and a laser beam is directed against the glass tubing between the gripping jaws and beyond the tubing into a concave mirror, which reflects that portion of the beam that bypassed the tubing, back against the back side of the tubing for uniform heating around the circumference of the tubing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glass press molding method which comprises a step of heating glass material and a mold die composed at least of an upper mold die and a lower mold die for molding the glass material;a step of pressing the glass material by means of the mold die;plural pallets for supporting the glass material and the mold die, each of the pallet supporting the glass material and the mold die in independent manner;a step of transporting, in succession, the pallets each supporting the glass material and the mold die; anda step of transferring the glass material, prior to the pressing step, in such a manner as to place the glass material, heated to a predetermined temperature in the heating step, between the lower mold die and the upper mold die, and to transfer the pallet with the glass material inserted in the mold die to the pressing step.

Abstract: A method of forming precision glass molds suitable for molding glass optical elements or lenses is disclosed. The glass molds define first and second opposed optical molding surfaces. Each master is formed by defining a master cavity adapted to form a first glass mold. A quantity of glass mold material is disposed within such cavity and molded in conformation with said master. The molding surface of each such glass mold defines an optical surface to be subsequently formed on an optical element.

Abstract: New fiber optic elements and a new microchannel plate forming method for ximity focussed image intensifier tubes and a method for making them are provided. Higher resolution is provided at the center of the field of view by the use of graded fiber and channel sizes and by the use of convex and concave surfaces in proximity focus.