Abstract: Dangerous, toxic, and/or radioactive volatiles are produced from nuclear fission, nuclear decay, and/or as a byproduct from vitrification of radioactive wastes. Such volatiles are treated during and after vitrification of the radioactive waste, to be converted into fixed-chemicals, that are retained in, on, and/or proximate to a cold-cap located vertically above vitrified melt. The cold-cap may have one or more volatile fixing additives (VFAs) for retaining the fixed-chemicals. The VFAs are located in and/or the cold-cap. The vitrification may occur within at least one human-made cavern. The human-made cavern may be located within a deep geologic rock formation. The deep geologic rock formation may be located at least 2,000 feet below a terrestrial surface of the Earth. The human-made cavern may be formed by first drilling a wellbore from the terrestrial surface to the deep geologic rock formation and then underreaming the wellbore into the deep geologic rock formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a sheet glass material excellent in flatness. A manufacturing method of glass substrate for magnetic disk including a pair of principal surfaces, the method comprising the steps of: dropping process for dropping a lump of molten glass; pressing process for forming a sheet glass material by performing press forming to the lump while sandwiching the lump from both sides of the dropping path of the lump with facing surfaces of a pair of dies, the pair of dies being set to substantially the same temperature; and processing process for processing the sheet glass material, while the lump drops down while revolving around its dropping axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for efficiently manufacturing a glass substrate for magnetic disk having good accuracy of a surface irregularity and an impact resistance. The method includes the steps of: performing press forming to molten glass to prepare a sheet glass material, the sheet glass material having a roughness of the principal surface of 0.01 ?m or less and target flatness of a glass substrate for magnetic disk; chemically strengthening the sheet glass material by dipping the sheet glass material in a chemically strengthening salt, thereby preparing a disk substrate; polishing the principal surfaces of the disk substrate. A thickness of the sheet glass material prepared in the press forming step is larger than a target thickness of the glass substrate for magnetic disk by a polishing quantity of the principal surface polishing step.

Abstract: Shearing blade for molten glass gobs comprising a knife (1) made of hard metal having a substantially V-shaped front shearing portion (5) with a shearing edge (7) whose width is in the range between 8 and 11% of the distance between the ends (6) of the V-shaped shearing portion (5). Between the shearing edge (7) and the rear support portion (2) of the knife, the upper surface of the knife (1) has a lowered surface (8).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing high-quality preforms from glass melt, manufacturing glass elements, such as lenses, by press molding these preforms and, manufacturing optical elements by reheating and press molding these glass gobs. In the method glass gobs are continuously separated from a glass melt flow continuously flowing out of a nozzle and the separated glass gobs are formed with glass forming members that are intermittently or continuously moving. A support member is made to approach the front end of the nozzle, the front end of the glass melt flow is received by the support member, and the support member is dropped more rapidly than the rate of flow of the glass melt flow to separate a glass gob from the glass melt flow. The separated glass gob is transferred from the support member to a stopped or moving glass forming member to mold a glass article.

Abstract: Glass articles are made by continuously emitting a plurality of strands of molten glass spaced different distances from respective preform molds, cutting through each of the strands by moving together a respective pair of blades to form a respective gob, and transporting the gobs through the respective distances to the preform molds. The pairs of blades are operated, that is moved from an open to a closed position, such that they cut through the respective strands one after the other with the first formed gob traveling through the longest distance to the respective preform mold and the last formed gob traveling through the shortest distance to the respective preform mold.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for producing a glass shaped material having high quality and high mass accuracy and a process for producing an optical element, which includes the preparation of a glass shaped material having high quality and high mass accuracy, the heating of said glass shaped material and the precision-press-molding thereof.

Abstract: On a glassware molding machine, a molten glass rope travelling in a feed direction is cut crosswise into at least one glass gob by supplying thermal energy to the cutting portion of the rope by means of a heating head, so as to locally alter the viscosity of the rope and detach the gob.

Abstract: A globular glass manufacturing apparatus includes: a flow nozzle to flow a molten glass in a form of continuous flow, a collection tank to collect droplet-like glass gobs deformed from the molten glass flowing in a form of continuous flow during fall. Further, the globular glass manufacturing apparatus comprises a gas nozzle to shift one or both of falling trajectories of the glass gobs neighboring above and below by blowing gas to the glass gobs or sucking the glass gobs, wherein the gas nozzle rotates in which the center is on falling trajectory of the glass gobs.

Abstract: To provide a method for cutting a glass material wherein the glass material can be certainly cut a glass gob having a uniform quality and a uniform temperature distribution, without being deformed or damaged. Upon cutting a glass material 20 discharged from a glass material reservoir 10 into a glass gob 21 at a predetermined size by left and right cutting blades 91, 92 which come close to or away from each other in a horizontal direction, said cutting blades 91, 92 are opposed to the other and are translated in such a way that the movement occurs in a forward direction from stand-by positions P, P1 and in a downward direction (S1) to cut the glass material (C), and thereafter, in a further downward direction and in a rearward direction (S2), and thereafter, in an upward direction to return back to said stand-by positions (S3).

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a first color glass feeder having a first valve device, and a second color glass feeder having a second valve device, each connected by communications links to a controller. The controller controls the first valve device and second valve device in order to provide molten glass of a first color and a second color, at a first and a second flow rate, respectively. The controller may be a computer. The controller may include an interactive device into which a first and a second flow rate value can be entered for controlling the first and second flow rates, respectively. The first and second color molten glasses may be incompletely mixed in a channel so that discrete portions of the molten glass of the first color and of the second color can be seen. The controller may also control a robotic mixing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a float process for manufacturing glass sheets, in which molten glass is poured onto a liquid support denser than the glass and then the continuous ribbon which forms is advanced toward the downstream end, this process being characterized in that the thickened edges of the ribbon are trimmed continuously in the forming zone. This process makes it possible to obtain thin glass sheets, such as sheets of film glass, with good flatness, particularly in small plants. The invention also relates to a plant for implementing the process and to the products obtained. FIG. 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus for simultaneously making different hollow glass products having different gob sizes comprising at least one feed apparatus (12), that has at least one glass reservoir (14), at least one plunger (18a, b), and at least one appurtenant cutting device (24a, b) in the discharge from the reservoir, at least one conveying means (28) to successively transport at least one of the gobs discharged from the feed apparatus (12) into a plurality of shape-imparting units (32a–c) disposed next to each other for variously sized gobs, at least one controller (22) to control the plunger (18a, b) and the cutting device (24a, b) of the feed apparatus (12), the conveying means (28), and the shape-imparting units (32a–c), and said controller (22) controls the activity of the shape-imparting units (32a–c), the feed apparatus (12), and the conveying means (28) in coordination with the gob-size-specific processing time of the products in the shape-imparting units (32a–c) or their cyc

Abstract: A method for separating beads from a strand of plastic glass, which emerges continuously from a storage unit, wherein the glass strand passes a periodically controllable glass cutter, and the beads are separated from the glass strand in cutting phases. The separated beads are received by molds which are displaced beneath the glass cutter at a timed rate of conveyance, which is adapted to a cutting sequence of the glass cutter, an emerging speed of the glass strand and a desired size of bead. The control of the glass cutter includes, in the periods, two different cutting phases for alternately separating useful beads and waste beads, and the waste beads are easily discharged between the conveyed molds.

Abstract: In an apparatus (1) for the severing of gobs from one or more strands (2;3) of molten glass, the severing of each gob is effected by a shear blade pair (5;6). A shear blade (7,8;9,10) of each shear blade pair is arranged on an associated, pivotably mounted shear arm (11;12). The two shear arms (11;12) are coaxially and freely pivotably mounted relative to each other on a common column (13). Each shear arm is pivotably drivable synchronously in relation to the other by its own separate drive means (24;25).

Abstract: A unitary shear blade (20) for shearing a plurality of spaced apart streams of molten glass into individual gobs, the shear blade having a free end (20a) and an opposed end (20b). The free end is provided with a plurality of side-by-side shearing surfaces (22, 24, 26) each of which has a generally V-shaped machined shearing edge. A plurality of fastener receiving openings (28) extends through the shear blade at locations adjacent the opposed ends thereof to permit the shear blade to be removably secured to a carriage (10) by a plurality of threaded fasteners (12).

Abstract: A parallel shear apparatus (20) for simultaneously shearing a plurality of streams of molten glass (A, B, C) into gobs comprising opposed carriages (22, 24) which are repetitively moved along rectilinear opposed paths toward and away from one another by a unidirectionally acting servo motor/gear reducer (44) acting through an oscillating bell crank (30). Each of the carriages carries a plurality of shear blades (40a, 40b, 40c/42a, 42b, 42c) which cooperate with one another to shear the glass streams into gobs when the carriages are positioned close to one another. The shear blades carried by each of the carriages have internal flow passages (66) to permit the blades to be internally liquid cooled by liquid entering the carriages from inlet lines (52, 56), and the blades carried by one of the carriages (22) are biased by compression springs (82) into contact with the blades carried by the other carriage (24) to prevent excessive contact loads between the blades in their shearing positions.

Abstract: A parallel shear apparatus for sequentially shearing each of a plurality of streams of molten glass from a glass feeder into gobs for processing into glass containers by a glass forming machine. The apparatus has first and second opposed carriages which are reciprocable along parallel slides toward and away from one another, each of the carriages carrying one or more opposed knife elements, corresponding to the number of streams of molten glass, and the opposed knife elements overlap at the innermost limits of their travel to perform the shearing action. Motion of the carriages is actuated by a unidirectionally acting servo motor, which imparts oscillating motion to a bell crank through a connecting rod. The oscillating motion of the bell crank imparts simultaneous, opposed, rectilinear motion to the carriages through connecting rods, which are pivotally attached to the servo motor at diametrically spaced apart locations.

Abstract: A parallel shear apparatus (20) for simultaneously shearing a plurality of streams of molten glass (A, B, C) into gobs including opposed carriages (22, 24) which are repetitively moved along rectilinear opposed paths toward and away from one another. Each of the carriages carries a plurality of shear blades (40a, 40b, 40c/42a, 42b, 42c) which cooperate with one another to shear the glass streams into gobs when the carriages are positioned close to one another. The shear blades carried by each of the carriages have internal flow passages (66) to permit the blades to be internally liquid cooled by liquid entering the carriages from inlet lines (52, 56), and the blades carried by one of the carriages (22) are biased by compression springs (82) into contact with the blades carried by the other carriage (24) to prevent excessive contact loads between the blades in their shearing positions. A contact lubricator (88) is provided to lubricate the contact surfaces of the blades carried by one of the carriages (22).

Abstract: A glass gob production device for producing a glass gob from molten glass. The glass gob production device has a crucible which accommodates molten glass, a nozzle one end of which is connected to the crucible and from the other end of which the molten glass in the crucible is discharged, and a support member opposite to the other end of nozzle and having an indentation on the surface thereof for receiving and retaining the discharged molten glass in the indentation to form a glass gob. The indentation of the support member has a bottom surface and a reference surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the circumference of the bottom surface.

Abstract: A parallel shear apparatus (20) for simultaneously shearing a plurality of streams of molten glass (A, B, C) into gobs comprising opposed carriages (22, 24) which are repetitively moved along rectilinear opposed paths toward and away from one another. Each of the carriages carries a plurality of shear blades (40a, 40b, 40c/42a, 42b, 42c) which cooperate with one another to shear the glass streams into gobs when the carriages are positioned close to one another. The shear blades carried by each of the carriages have internal flow passages (66) to permit the blades to be internally liquid cooled by liquid entering the carriages from inlet lines (52, 56), and the blades carried by one of the carriages (22) are biased by compression springs (82) into contact with the blades carried by the other carriage (24) to prevent excessive contact loads between the blades in their shearing positions.

Abstract: A method of making gob preforms for the optical quality lens molding comprising: i) ejecting a measured gob molten glass through an exit in a stem of the container of a supply of molten glass; ii) allowing the gob to settle under gravity from the exit to a catching tool while heating the gob and the catching tool; and iii) continuing to heat the gob and tool until the gob is round.

Abstract: The instant invention discloses a method for forming glass/polymer alloy or composite pellets of a uniform shape, and exhibiting an increased density and pellet integrity/strength. The pellets are formed by melt-blending and extruding a semi-molten strand of the glass/polymer alloy or composite and subsequently compressing and cutting the strand into pellets at a predetermined pelletizing temperature. The predetermined pelletizing temperature is that temperature at which the glass/polymer alloy or composite extruded strand is still semi-molten and deformable and at which the so-formed pellets will maintain the shape imparted to them.

Abstract: Gob-shearing apparatus for providing a predetermined amount of a molten glass article vertically transferred from a feeder bowl which is capable of performing two cutting strokes when a pair of hydraulic cylinders having a rack gear reciprocates, thus obtaining an improved sheared surface of the gob. The apparatus includes a driving pinion engaged with and rotated by the reciprocation, a pair of driven pinion engaged with the driving pinion and rotated by the rotation of the driving pinion, a pair of first links having a blade on its free end, a pair of second, third and fourth links which are linked between the first link and driven pinion for link motion, and a guide rail for guiding the circular movement of the first links.

Abstract: A rack aligning fixture for aligning the racks of a rack and pinion mechanism is described. The rack alignment fixture permits the aligning of rack teeth faces of a rack and pinion mechanism at the time of assembly without having to provide additional machining of the individual parts in order to maintain the racks parallel with each other for proper mating of the rack teeth with the pinion gear teeth.

Abstract: Apparatus for the shearing of three or more gobs of glass simultaneously wherein the shear mechanism is of the straight line type such that the shears move toward and away from each other with linear motions and the shearing mechanism is provided with drop guides which will function to control the drop of the gob after it has been sheared and in which the drop guides which are carried by the mechanism which drives the upper shear blades may be adjusted with respect to the instant when they will be arrested in their movement and this adjustment may be carried out on the fly with the individual drop guide for each of the gobs being individually adjustable while the mechanism is in operation without requiring interruption of the feeding of glass gobs to the forming machines that are being served.

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 method and apparatus for shearing an elongated gob of glass from the end of a vertically flowing stream of molten glass and tilting the severed gob from its vertical orientation toward a horizontal orientation. A pair of shear blades are mounted for horizontal reciprocation between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the blades are overlapped generally in the center of the stream of molten glass and thereby shear a single gob from the stream. The movement of the blades is so controlled that the lower blade moves appreciably beyond the stream centerline. The upper blade has completed its stroke and is returning to its open position while the lower blade continues its over center travel. The difference in travel is caused by a difference in the length of the drive linkages between the upper and lower shear blades. The net result of the total cycle is to cause the severed gob to rotate about 90.degree. in mid-air before entering a forming mold.

Abstract: The stream of molten glass which is discharged from the outlet spout of a molten glass feeder is severed to form discrete gobs of glass for delivery to the glassware forming machine. A pair of double edged shear blades move in opposite directions linearly across the stream to cut not only during an initial "pass through" stroke, but also to cut during their return stroke.