Abstract: In a plunger assembly for forming ribbons of molten glass, at least one extruder plunger is guided in a vertical direction from and towards a tank adapted to contain a mass of molten glass from a guide head carried by a support arm kept fixed during the forming of the bead. The extruder plunger is displaced by alternated cyclic motion with respect to the support arm according a predefined law of motion from one drive unit displaced above the support arm and at least partly above the tank.

Abstract: A method of controlling a flowrate of molten material at a downstream location in a glass manufacturing process can include mixing the molten material at an upstream location positioned upstream from the downstream location relative to a flow direction of the molten material with a shaft including a plurality of protrusions. The method can also include measuring a torque of the shaft, measuring a level of the molten material at the upstream location, and calculating a viscosity of the molten material at the upstream location based on the measured torque and the measured level. In addition, the method can include estimating the flowrate based on the calculated viscosity, and controlling the flowrate at the downstream location based on the estimated flowrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shaft high temperature continuous graphitizing furnace comprising a furnace body comprising a feeding inlet and a discharging outlet, an electrode pair, a cooling system and a discharging device; the furnace body is designed to be a shaft cylindrical structure; the electrode pair is provided within the furnace body and comprise an upper electrode and a lower electrode, the upper electrode is located below the feeding inlet, and an umbrella or cone table shape electric field having a lower cross section area greater than its upper cross section area arises between the upper electrode and eh lower electrode; and the cooling system is located between the lower electrode and the discharging outlet.

Abstract: A current conducting melting vessel within which glass can be melted is provided. At least two induction heating coils are provided at selected locations proximate to the melting vessel. Power is selectively supplied to the coils to thereby selectively energize the coils so that the mutual induction of current in a non-energized heating coil adjacent to an energized heating coil is prevented via a switching element in power supply circuitry associated with the non-energized coil.

Abstract: The present invention significantly modifies “The Overflow Process”. It includes a method and apparatus for measuring glass flow rate and maintaining a constant glass flow rate. It also embodies design features and methods that support and stress the forming apparatus in a manner such that the deformation that results from thermal creep is corrected, thus minimizing the effect of the thermal creep on the thickness variation of the glass sheet. The present invention also embodies design features that change the process from a single step (combined flow distribution and cooling) to a two step process; step one being flow distribution and step two being cooling.

Abstract: In the method for manufacturing preforms for press molding, a glass melt gob is separated from glass melt flow flowing out of a pipe and the glass melt gob is molded into a preform for press molding on a glass gob casting mold. The method comprises a viscosity-increasing step to increase viscosity of the glass melt.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a flow of a viscous material, such as a molten glass or glass ceramic material in a tube or rod forming process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a stabilization member through which the molten glass is passed after leaving the nozzle of a forming vessel. The stabilization member is positioned a finite distance below the nozzle. The column of viscous material is supported by a wall of the stabilization member, or by a gaseous film disposed between the column and the stabilization member. A method of stabilizing the flow of viscous material after it leaves the nozzle during a drawing process is also disclosed.

Abstract: In the method molten glass emerges from an outlet opening of a melt feed. The molten glass is drawn over a shaping body so as to form a hollow drawing bulb. According to the invention, the drawing bulb is drawn over a profile forming body positioned downstream of the shaping body so that inner circumferential surfaces of the drawing bulb are deformed while abutting against outer surfaces of the profile forming body to form the predetermined inner profile. The distance between the shaping body and the profile forming body can be changed to vary the wall thickness of the glass tube.

Abstract: A takeout jaw for handling glass bottles includes a holder for both fixed and floating inserts. This design allows an insert to be in a fixed position when the insert is provided with a nominal thickness. When a floating insert of a lesser thickness is installed, the spring clip does not engage the floating insert, which allows the floating insert to move vertically or float. The takeout holder contains either type of insert within the pocket with retaining clips that engage chamfers formed on the inserts.

Abstract: A process for the remelting of glass bars, including the steps of introducing a glass bar into an upper end of a receiving shell; providing a molten bath having a surface underneath the receiving-shell; positioning the receiving shell such that a lower edge of the receiving shell is located at the height of the surface or above it; heating a lower end of the glass bar to a temperature above a softening temperature of the glass, resulting in a melt-off process at the lower end of the glass bar to produce a melt stream; controlling the melt-off process such that the melt stream continuously enters the molten bath proximate the surface with avoidance of a constriction; and drawing off melt from the molten bath by means of an arrangement for drop generation.

Abstract: In a method of producing a glass gob by continuously dropping a molten glass 9 from a nozzle 2 in a dropping direction, a gas flow 20 is caused to continuously flow in the dropping direction along an outer peripheral surface of the nozzle 2 at a predetermined flow rate. The gas flow 20 applies a wind pressure to the molten glass 9 appearing from a nozzle end 2a of the nozzle 2 to drop the molten glass 9.

Abstract: A method of controlling the flow of glass through multiple orifices in which a plurality of closely spaced vertical plungers have cylindrical lower portions and oval upper portions. The upper portions of the plungers are engaged and supported in closely spaced side-by-side relationship in a clamping mechanism, in which each plunger is individually adjusted independently of the other plungers. The plungers are reciprocated simultaneously for controlling the flow of glass through the orifices.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source. A second orifice is vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice, and is surrounded by a chamber that communicates with the second orifice through a gap between the first and second orifices. A spout delivers casing glass from a second source through a tube to the chamber in such a way that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream. Rate of glass flow through the second or casing glass source is measured and compared with one or more preset limits. Rate of casing glass flow from the second source to the chamber surrounding the orifices is adjusted when rate of flow through the second source departs from the preset limit. In this way, a desired ratio of casing glass to core glass is automatically maintained.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source, and a second orifice vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice. A chamber surrounds the second orifice and communicates with the second orifice through a metering gap between the first and second orifices. Casing glass is delivered from a second source to one side of the chamber such that glass flows by gravity from both the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a glass stream including a first inner layer and a second outer layer, including a generally vertical orifice, and delivering glass from a second source such that the glass from said second source provides an outer layer about the glass from the first source as it flows through the orifice. A resistance heated tube assembly is made of platinum or material having similar resistance heating properties and extends from a glass source to an orifice through which the glass flows from a glass source for the inner layer. The tube assembly includes a tube portion having an inlet end that communicates with the source for the outer layer and an outlet end that communicates with the source. The tube portion has an axis positioned at any angle ranging between the horizontal and vertical but preferably has an axis which is more vertical than horizontal. Flanges are secured to the ends of the tube portion, and the flanges are connected to an electric power supply.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source. A second orifice is vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice, and is surrounded by an annular chamber that communicates with the second orifice through the gap between the first and second orifices. A spout delivers casing glass from a second source through a tube to the annular chamber in such a way that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream. A plurality of gas burners are disposed in the spout above the glass pool. The casing glass delivery spout is configured for improved heat transfer to, and improved heat retention within, the casing glass pool within the spout. Specifically, the glass pool surface area is enlarged, and the glass pool depth is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream that includes at least one pair of aligned orifices coupled to sources of core and casing glass such that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the aligned orifices to form a cased glass stream. The orifices are carried by an orifice housing mounted on a frame for movement into abutment seating engagement of the orifice housing against the core and casing glass delivery mechanisms. The frame in accordance with the present invention includes a gimbal mounting arrangement mounting the orifice housing to the frame so as to be pivotable about a pair of pivot axes that are orthogonal to each other and to the axis of alignment of the orifices. This gimbal mounting arrangement helps accommodate misalignment between the seating surfaces on the orifice housing and the glass delivery mechanisms, and to reduce glass leakage during operation.

Abstract: In an individual section glassware forming system that includes a plurality of operating mechanisms for performing cyclic motions, an electronic controller for controlling cyclic motion at a needle mechanism includes electronic memory for storing a plurality of motion profiles for the needle mechanism, with each of the profiles comprising a set of needle position data versus time data. Any one of the profiles so stored may be selectively displayed as a graph of position versus time. A plurality of control points, consisting of less than all data points, are highlighted on the graphic display at spaced positions along the graph. An operator may identify one of the control points and change the position data and/or time data associated with that control point. An electronic control computer is responsive to such control point change for automatically recomputing the position data and time data for the profile so as to accommodate the operator-selected changes at the control point.

Abstract: A method for delivering a glass stream having a first inner layer and a second outer layer, including a generally vertical orifice, and delivering glass from a second source such that the glass from the second source provides an outer layer about the glass from the first source as it flows through the orifice. A resistance heated tube assembly is made of platinum or material having similar resistance heating properties and extends from a glass source to an orifice through which the glass flows from a glass source for the inner layer. The tube assembly includes a tube portion having an inlet end that communicates with the source for the outer layer and an outlet end that communicates with the source. The tube portion has an axis positioned at any angle ranging between the horizontal and vertical but preferably has an axis which is more vertical than horizontal. Flanges are secured to the ends of the tube portion, and the flanges are connected to an electric power supply.

Abstract: A set-up fixture (50) for positioning the needle holders (18, 20, 22) of a molten glass feeder bowl with respect to one another, the fixture having a frame member (52) and a plurality of prongs (54, 56, 58) depending from the fixture, one prong for each of the needle holders of the feeder bowl installation. The prongs are inserted into apertures (24b, 26b, 28b) of base members (24, 26, 28) from which the needle holders are carried to accurately position support arms (30, 32, 34) to which the base members are affixed, and thus the needle holders and the plunger needles (12, 14, 16) carried thereby, with respect to one another. The prongs depend different distances from the frame member to permit sequential insertion of the prongs into the base member apertures.

Abstract: A basin for a forehearth of a glass-making furnace having an internal volume divided into upper and lower portions by an annular shoulder is described wherein the horizontal cross-sectional area of the upper portion is significantly greater than that of the lower portion. The base of the basin has a glass discharge outlet therein. In use, the discharge outlet is aligned with a relatively movable cylinder which acts as a flow metering valve. The cylinder can be rotated about its axis at a constant or adjustable speed, or the cylinder can be non-rotating and have a separately driven stirrer movable about it to prevent or reduce the formation of stagnant areas.

Abstract: A bottom tap of a glass melting furnace comprises a tap brick with a tap hole in which glass is frozen when the tap is not in operation and seals the tap. A tap gate of refractory and non-oxidizing metal is urged against the tap brick underneath the tap hole which is connected as an electrode to a counter-electrode situated in a glass bath. A tap chamber is situated underneath the tap gate, and a removable insulation is provided for the tap chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to rigid molded tong inserts for take-out tong members for handling hot glass articles and the like immediately following their molding. The inserts are utilized in pairs being heat and wear-resistant with exposed metallic working surfaces substantially surrounded by molded thermoset-hardened heat-cured insulating plastic material. The inserts have essentially flat parallel surfaces with a metallic reinforcing member integrally molded therewithin, the metallic reinforcing member having a semi-circular shaped exposed working surface adapted to directly contacting the finish area of the hot glass articles and a diametrically-disposed exposed flanged working surface adapted to non-wearing support within a retaining metallic take-out tong member.

Abstract: A glass bottle forming system is described in which a main glass melter is connected to a forehearth with a fairly conventional feeder provided at the delivery end of the forehearth. The feeder opening in the bottom of the forehearth is closed by a first orifice member through which a molten core glass will flow. Beneath the first orifice there is positioned a second orifice member that has an orifice that is slightly larger than the orifice in the first orifice member. A small melter contains a glass of essentially the same composition as that in the main melter, but with a coefficient of expansion slightly less than that of the core glass. This lower expansion glass is fed to the second orifice member so that it can flow out of the orifice with the core glass in surrounding relationship with respect thereto.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for refining glassy material or the like by vacuum. The material is first melted and then introduced into a vacuum chamber, preferably into space above liquid held in the chamber. Other aspects involve a two-step melting process preparatory to the vacuum refining, in which the material is initially liquefied in one stage and dissolution of particles is substantially completed in a second stage. The molten material is preferably foamed immediately upon entry into the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A stationary tube holder and revolving rotor assembly which is to be used in conjunction with a glass spout bowl. The assembly includes a stationary tube holder assembly which has elongated horizontally extending arm for supporting a tube at one end and a counterweight at the other, a revolving rotor assembly which has an elongated horizontally extending arm for supporting a rotor at one end and a counterweight at the other, and a compound X, Y, slide assembly.A vertical spacer is secured between the compound X, Y slide assembly and the elongated tube holder assembly arm for supporting the stationary tube holder assembly. The spacer includes a jack screw for elevating the tube holder assembly relative to the compound X, Y slide assembly.A vertical post is secured at its bottom end to the compound X, Y slide assembly, and at its top slidingly extends through an extended bushing in the stationary tube holder assembly arm.

Abstract: In the process for refining glass or the like by vacuum, the collapse of foam is expedited by heating the headspace within the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: One or more jigs or frameworks are provided at a location remote from the glass feeder so several different plunger assemblies can be made up for ready installation in the feeder. Each jig is made up with the help of an alignment tool having characteristics peculiar to that feeder and to the orientation of the plungers relative to the feeder. The extensive downtime now required to repair or replace the refractory plungers in the feeder can be minimized by following the method detailed herein for use of the alignment tool and subsequent fabrication and assembly of the jig or framework in which the plungers are assembled away from the feeder.

Abstract: A swing out support frame is provided on X-Y slide support structure such that one of several different diameter refractory tubes can be supported in a fixed spout bowl for rotation inside the bowl, and also for electrically controlled and non-electrically dependent vertical movement of the tube inside the bowl.

Abstract: A glass feeder plunger operating mechanism driven by an electric motor controlled by a programmable computer programmed to drive the motor in a predetermined manner in order to generate a predetermined motion profile of one or more glass feeder plungers. The plungers are secured to the end of a cantilevered lateral support bracket which is cyclically and vertically reciprocated by cyclical oscillations of the electric motor. The output shaft of the motor is connected to a ball screw in threaded engagement with a ball nut which is secured to a member connected to the plunger support bracket. The plunger support bracket is attached to a moveable vertical support shaft which maintains plunger alignment during the range of motion. The operating mechanism is attached to a frame which is adjustable in two dimensions to facilitate alignment of the plungers with their respective orifices. Air cylinders are provided to counter-balance the weight of the members being vertically reciprocated.

Abstract: A method is set forth for forming laminated articles such as by pressing, blowing, and press and blow techniques, directly from a composite gob of molten glass having an inner core of one glass and an outer skin of a second glass. A charge of molten core glass is delivered from one supply of molten glass and a charge of molten skin glass from a separate supply is simultaneously delivered so as to surround the core glass. The composite charge is severed from their separate supplies so as to form a discrete composite gob of molten glass having a core glass encapsulated within a skin glass. The discrete composite charge of molten glass is delivered to a forming mold wherein a positive force such as pressing and/or blowing is applied to said charge of molten glass within the mold to form a laminated article having a core of one glass which is completely surrounded by a skin of a second glass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically melting solidified glass in difficult to reach regions of a glass melting furnace not readily accessible with fossil fuel heating means and, more particularly, to an electrode arrangement for electrically heating solidified glass in difficult to melt regions such as a submerged outlet throat between a furnace melter section and the riser through which the glass is supplied in production.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is set forth for forming a laminated gob or charge of molten glass having a core glass which is not only completely surrounded by a skin glass but also has a reentrant portion of skin glass which projects inwardly within the core glass from the periphery of the molten charge intermediate its upper and lower extent. The reentrant portion of skin glass is formed within the charge during the gobbing cycle by momentarily retarding or retracting the outward flow of the core glass while simultaneously positively pulsing the flow of the skin glass. Thus, a laminated gob or charge of molten glass is formed which not only has a skin glass completely surrounding and encompassing a core glass but also has a reentrant portion of the skin glass which is continuous with the remainder of the skin glass surrounding the core glass.

Abstract: A molten glass feeder system and method of controlling the flow of glass through the feeder to deliver a plurality of uniform, molten glass gobs. The feeder has a heavy-walled bowl structure and a heavy-walled bottom transitional member mounted within the lower region of the feeder bowl, the transitional member having substantial height with a circular passageway at its upper region and an elongated slot passageway at its lower region, and an elongated discharge orifice member having a plurality of three or more, and preferably three to six, discharge orifices in lineal alignment with the elongated slot passageway. The feeder permits the simultaneous formation and delivery, when coupled with suitable glass shearing mechanism, of more uniform plural glass gobs having similar weight, temperature and heat characteristics to multiple-cavity gob-fed glass forming machines.

Abstract: A glass article such as a sham bottom tumbler with decorative air bubble encapsulated in its base is produced on existing automatic glass-forming machines by injecting a bubble of air into a charge of molten glass in the gob-forming section of a glass furnace as the charge is being formed into a gob. This is accomplished by providing an air supply tube in the gob-forming plunger. Preferably, the lower tip of the tube extends below the lower tip of the plunger. Puffs of compressed air are supplied in synchronism with the plunger cycle so an air bubble is formed in the lower end of the gob, and the gob is then formed by normal procedures into a finished article.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin and flexible ribbon of dielectric material comprisesheating a raw material mainly consisting of dielectric material which can form a crystalline structure in a solid state and of a glass former which is included by 0 to 50 atomic percentages at a temperature above a melting point of the raw material to form a one phase melt;ejecting the melt thus formed through a nozzle against a cooling surface of a rotating disc, drum or belt, the ejection being carried out under a pressure of 0.01 to 1.5 atm. to form a continuous jet flow of the melt; andcooling instantaneously and rapidly the jet flow of the melt while it is in contact with the cooling surface at a cooling rate of 1,000 to 1,000,000.degree. C./sec so as to form a thin and flexible ribbon of the dielectric material which contains the amorphous state more than 50% in an area ratio. The dielectric constant and breakdown voltage of the ribbon thus formed are very high.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in a triple gob feeder of a glass forming apparatus for forming molten glass gobs of uniform size, weight, volume and shape by equalizing the temperatures of the molten glass flowing through orifices in a triple gob orifice ring. Molten glass is retained in a middle reservoir of the triple gob orifice ring for a relatively longer average period of time than in end reservoirs of the ring preferably by providing a middle reservoir having a relatively larger volumetric size than the end reservoirs. In addition, the middle reservoir is cooled by directing a coolant through channels in a bottom surface portion of the orifice ring and onto external surfaces surrounding the middle reservoir.

Abstract: A gobbing member is operated wholly within the confines of a straight well portion of a glass delivery system, and completely submerged within the molten glass being delivered, such that the flow rate through the delivery orifice of such straight well is linearly related to the speed of said gobbing member independently of the position of such member within the confines of the straight well.

Abstract: The invention provides a linkage for transmitting axial reciprocating movement from one shaft to a parallel shaft and comprising a bar pivotally mounted at a fixed but adjustable position relative to the shafts, the bar being pivotally mounted at a fixed position on the bar, a pivotal connection fixed on one axial shaft and slidably mounted on the bar to one side of its fixed mounting, and a pivotal connection fixed on the other axial shaft and slidably mounted on the bar to the other side of its fixed mounting. The linkage may especially be used in the drive of the plunger of gob forming apparatus for use in the production of glassware whereby by adjustment of the linkage the plunger stroke and height may be varied.