Abstract: A glass roll of band-shaped glass film is free of skew and single slack when a roll-to-roll mode is used. The band-shaped glass film is wound into a roll shape and has creases formed thereon. The band-shaped glass film includes an effective section with two side edges in a width direction extending parallel to each other, and leading and trailing end portions extending parallel to the width direction. When a length from the leading end portion to the trailing end portion along a surface of the effective section is measured along each of a first position along one side edge and a second position along another side edge, a difference between the first and second measurement lengths is 400 ppm or less of a longer measurement length of the first and second measurement lengths.

Abstract: A glass ribbon engagement system is described herein that includes a robot tooling device with suction cups configured to engage a first side of a glass ribbon, and a guidance device with one or more devices (e.g., air nozzles, cylinder-wheel units) which are configured to apply one or more local forces to a second side of the glass ribbon to shift the glass ribbon towards the suction cups to assist the suction cups in engaging and securing the first side of the glass ribbon.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cutting a continuous glass ribbon involving the use of edge restrainers such as suction cups and clamps connected to an actuator of a robot tooling through a flexible linkage capable of reciprocal motion in the direction of the ribbon velocity. The use of the flexible linkage reduces peak pulling-force when the glass ribbon is pulled or pushed laterally to during bending and separation along a pre-formed score-line. The invention can be advantageously used in the bottom of the draw of a vertical down-draw forming process.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for compensating the varying weight of a glass ribbon the glass ribbon is drawn from a molten glass forming material, and an apparatus therefore. The weight compensating apparatus is configured to apply a force to the glass ribbon that is inversely proportional to the weight of the glass ribbon such that as the glass ribbon weight increases, the force applied to the glass ribbon by the weight compensating device decreases.

Abstract: A fusion draw apparatus includes a pair of engagement rollers. At least one of the pair of engagement rollers includes a circumferential knife edge configured to cooperate with the other of the pair of engagement rollers to thin the edge portion or sever the edge portion from a central portion of the glass ribbon within the viscous zone of the glass ribbon. In further examples, fusion draw methods include the step of thinning the edge portion or severing the edge portion from the central portion of the glass ribbon within the viscous zone.

Abstract: A scoreless separation device and method are described herein for separating a glass sheet without needing to score the glass sheet. In one embodiment, the device shears a stationary glass sheet without needing to score the glass sheet. In another embodiment, the device shears a moving glass sheet to remove outer edges from the moving glass sheet without needing to score the moving glass sheet.

Abstract: A scoreless separation device and method are described herein for separating a glass sheet without needing to score the glass sheet. In one embodiment, the device shears a stationary glass sheet without needing to score the glass sheet. In another embodiment, the device shears a moving glass sheet to remove outer edges from the moving glass sheet without needing to score the moving glass sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for trimming a float glass strip that has a normal or structured surface, comprising the following features: a) a cutting slide having a lower running rail and a cutting slide having an upper running rail for a bottom cut for a structured surface or a top cut for a normal surface, wherein both running rails are arranged at an acute angle to the running direction of the glass strip and this angled position can be adjusted; b) a number of counter pressure rollers for the lower cutting slide; c) a hold-down apparatus (6) having a breaking roller (20) and a front hold-down roller (21) for a bottom cut; d) a hold-down apparatus (15) having a breaking roller (14) and a rear hold-down roller (18) for a top cut; e) apparatuses (10, 11, 12) for measuring the advance speed of the glass strip (11) and the current length of the glass strip.

Abstract: Methods of producing a glass sheet comprise the step of fusion drawing a glass ribbon along a draw direction into a viscous zone downstream from a root of a forming wedge. The method further includes the steps of drawing the glass ribbon into a setting zone downstream from the viscous zone and an elastic zone downstream from the setting zone. The method also includes the step of creating a vacuum to force the entire lateral portion of the glass ribbon to engage an anvil portion of a breaking device in the elastic zone. The method still further includes the steps of forming a score line along the lateral portion of the glass ribbon and breaking away a glass sheet from the glass ribbon along the score line while the entire lateral portion is forced against the anvil portion by the vacuum.

Abstract: One objective of the present invention was to provide a method of continuously forming crystallized glass, so as to reduce the thermal treatment time necessary for crystallizing a belt-shaped glass plate; and to provide an apparatus of continuously forming crystallized glass, so as to shorten the thermal treatment zone necessary for crystallizing a belt-shaped glass plate. A method of continuously forming crystallized glass according to the present invention includes: a melting step of melting a raw glass material to obtain molten glass; a shaping step of rolling the molten glass to form a belt-shaped glass plate; a crystallizing step of retaining the belt-shaped glass plate at a temperature necessary for nuclei formation and crystal growth, thereby forming nuclei and crystallizing the belt-shaped glass plate to a belt-shaped crystallized glass plate, and then slowly cooling the belt-shaped crystallized glass plate; and a cutting step of cutting the belt-shaped crystallized glass plate.

Abstract: A method of scoring and/or separating a brittle material is described comprising heating a surface of the brittle material along a predetermined path with a laser, then quenching the heated surface with a stream of cooling liquid, such as water, formed by a nozzle. The portion of the cooling stream impinging on the surface of the brittle material is a substantially columnar flow.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cutting a continuous glass ribbon involving the use of edge restrainers such as suction cups and clamps connected to an actuator of a robot tooling through a flexible linkage capable of reciprocal motion in the direction of the ribbon velocity. The use of the flexible linkage reduces peak pulling-force when the glass ribbon is pulled or pushed laterally to during bending and separation along a pre-formed score-line. The invention can be advantageously used in the bottom of the draw of a vertical down-draw forming process.

Abstract: a method and to an apparatus for producing optical glass elements, in particular for producing what is referred to as low-cost optics for focusing light onto small areas, for example, for photovoltaic applications or optical couplers. The method for producing the optical glass elements includes: providing a glass rod having a selected cross-section, heating the glass rod such that it can be deformed in at least some sections, molding at least one optical glass element from the deformable section using a molding tool, separating the optical glass element from the glass rod at the connection, arranging a plurality of separated optical glass elements to form a group, and grinding and/or polishing at least one section of the separating surfaces of the grouped optical glass elements. The invention makes it possible to produce optical glass elements that meet low quality requirements in high quantities and with high output at low cost.

Abstract: The brittle workpiece splitting system 1 includes a substrate holding mechanism 10 for holding a substrate 51, and a processing unit 5 for splitting the substrate 51 held by the substrate holding mechanism 10 by a splitting process. The substrate holding mechanism 10 has an edge damper 12 adapted to clamp an edge part of the substrate 51 from the sides of the opposite surfaces of the edge part, and support members 19 for supporting the substrate 51 thereon at a predetermined height. The support members 19 are disposed on the side opposite the side of the edge damper 12 with respect to the intended split line 61 parallel to the edge part of the substrate 51. The edge damper 12 has an edge holder 15 on which the substrate 51 is seated, and a pressure bar 14 for pressing the substrate 51 against the edge holder 15 to hold the substrate 51 between the edge holder 15 and the pressure bar 14.

Abstract: The apparatus for cutting glass panes from a continuously produced glass sheet includes a conveying apparatus for the glass sheet and for crosscut pieces; a crosscutting device for cutting the crosscut pieces from the glass sheet; a glass pane cutting device for cutting glass panes from the crosscut pieces; a glass fault detecting device; a border trimming station for cutting away borders; an edge control device and a cutting optimization device. The cutting optimization device determines one or more optimized cutting patterns so that cutting lines are placed in each crosscut piece close to regions to be discarded containing glass faults so that widths of the regions are minimized while providing a maximum number of usable glass panes. A method of cutting off glass panes so that the discarded glass sheet regions are minimized is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for severing a marked region of a glass strip (1) produced continuously on a conveyor belt (11), having the following characteristics: a) a line (12) highlighting the severing of the marked region is scored on the continuous glass strip (1), b) once the scored line (12) reaches the crusher roll (6), the two lock rolls (7, 8) following the crusher roll (6) are folded away downward, c) once the scored line (12) is located in the region of the highest area of the crusher roll (6), means for shearing off (5) push onto the glass strip (1) and break it off, d) after the broken-off glass piece (10) has dropped, the lock rolls (7, 8, 9) are folded back in the conveyor belt (11), and to a computer program and a machine-readable carrier with the program code thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cutting float glass is disclosed. A burner and water spray are arranged to cause thermal stress cracking along a cutting line extending along a continuous glass ribbon, parallel with the edge of the ribbon. The thermal stress cracking is initiated without the use of mechanical force. Preferably, the burner is used to initiate the thermal stress crack, by increasing the power supplied to the glass.

Abstract: An on-line thickness gauge (OLTG) and method are described herein that are capable of measuring a thickness of a moving glass substrate. In the preferred embodiment, the OLTG includes a Y-guide and a stabilizing unit that respectively captures and stabilizes the moving glass substrate. The OLTG also includes a laser instrument which contains a laser source and a detector. The laser source emits a beam at the front surface of the moving glass substrate. And, the detector receives two beams one of which was reflected by the front surface of the moving glass substrate and the other beam which was reflected by the back surface of the moving glass substrate. The OLTG further includes a processor that analyzes the two beams received by the detector to determine a distance between the two beams which is then used to determine the thickness of the moving glass substrate.

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: A method and apparatus is described, with which individual rectangular glass panes of thickness between 0.03 mm and 2 mm can be cut from a glass band (2) drawn vertically from a hot forming device (1) in an in-line process with reduced rejects and reduced waste. The method provides that the glass band (2) drawn vertically downward through a vertical zone is cooled below a lower cooling point of the glass and subsequently is deflected through a bending zone (3b) with a bending radius between 0.1 m and 4 m into a horizontal zone (3c) in which it is horizontally oriented. The vertical alignment of the glass band (2) in the vertical zone (3a) is continuously monitored. At least one cutting process is performed on the horizontally oriented glass band (2) in the horizontal zone (3c). The device (20) for monitoring the vertical alignment of the glass band (2) includes at least three sensors (22a, 22b, 22c; 22a′, 22b′, 22c′) that detect the glass edges These sensors can be mechanical rollers.

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: An object of the present invention is to provide a synthetic silica glass optical material which exhibits excellent transmittance as well as durability for high output power vacuum ultraviolet rays, being emitted from, for example, ArF excimer lasers and Xe.sub.2 excimer lamps, and to provide a method for producing the same. A synthetic silica glass optical material for high output power vacuum ultraviolet rays made from ultra high purity synthetic silica glass for use in the wavelength region of from 165 to 195 nm, containing OH groups at a concentration of from 5 to 300 wtppm with a fluctuation width in OH group concentration (.DELTA.OH/cm) of 10 wtppm or less, containing hydrogen molecules at a concentration of from 1.times.10.sup.17 to 1.times.10.sup.19 molecule/cm.sup.3 with a fluctuation width in hydrogen molecule concentration (.DELTA.H.sub.2 /cm) of 1.times.10.sup.17 molecule/cm.sup.3 or lower, and containing chlorine at a concentration of 50 wtppm or lower.

Abstract: An incrementally continuous cleaving system allows for sequential flow of "material-to-be-cleaved" through a cleaving apparatus. In particular, a continuous feed tape membrane is used to support sequentially loaded optical bars (or, perhaps, wafers) that are then transported into a cleaving apparatus. The tape is advanced in small increments so that individual cleaving operations are performed at each scribe mark location on the top surface of the optical material. A vacuum pen (assisted by a detach pin) is then used to remove the cleaved section from the cleaving system. A conventional pick-and-place device may be used in the first instance to continuously load the bars (or wafers) onto the tape membrane.

Abstract: A method of forming barrier ribs for a display panel, comprising the steps of: forming a glass layer for an underlying layer having a first low-melting glass powder with a softening point of a temperature A dispersed in a vehicle, and a glass layer for a barrier-rib layer having a second low-melting glass powder with a softening point of a temperature B2 higher than the temperature A and a third low-melting glass powder with a softening point of a temperature B1 higher than the temperature A but lower than the temperature B2 dispersed in a vehicle, on a substrate in this order; heating up to sinter the glass layer for the underlying layer and the glass layer for the barrier-rib layer at a temperature Z higher than the temperature A but lower than the temperature B2, thereby burning out the vehicles therefrom, forming a carve-resistive underlying layer and a barrier-rib material layer easy to carve; forming a mask for carving in a pattern corresponding in plan to barrier ribs on the barrier-rib material layer,

Abstract: A number of unique processes are disclosed for manufacture of sintered high-purity quartz glass products in which a shaped silica body or preform is made from an aqueous slurry of micronized silica particles by gel casting, slip casting or electrophoretic deposition. The silica particles may comprise a major portion by weight of crystalline silica. In one embodiment of the invention the sintered quartz glass is transparent, substantially bubble-free and suitable for scientific or optical uses. In another embodiment the porous silica preform is fired in steam to increase the hydroxyl content and then nitrided in a nitrogen-hydrogen reducing atmosphere. A minute amount of chemically-combined nitrogen in the high-purity quartz glass is sufficient to provide a tremendous improvement in physical properties and an incredible increase in the resistance to devitrification.

Abstract: A neutral pH foamed glass article is produced from a mixture of pulverized glass particles, foaming agent, binder, and water, wherein the glass article is heated to remove excess moisture and organic materals, then further heated to cause the foaming agent to emit a foaming gas, thereby causing foaming of the glass article. The foamed glass article is annealed in a controlled cooling fashion to avoid thermal stress, cracking and devitrification. The foamed glass articles may be used as artificial pumice stones in the stone-washed garment industry. Preferably, the mixture contains an amount of lignosulfonate to produce foamed glass having substantially neutral pH values in a range of from about 7.0 to 8.4.

Abstract: Quartz powder is fed into a rotating mold to form a crucible-like quartz powder layer body with the help of centrifugal force in the mold. The layer is melted by heating through the inner surface with an arc discharge to manufacture an outer crucible member. A hollow cylindrical inner crucible member having a beveled lower edge is welded to the outer crucible member while a temperature of the inner surface portion of the outer crucible member remains at 1400.degree. C. or higher by a remaining heat.

Abstract: A silica glass has a structure determination temperature of 1200K or lower and a hydrogen molecule concentration of 1.times.10.sup.17 molecules/cm.sup.3 or more. The silica glass is used together with light in a wavelength region of 400 nm or shorter. The silica glass is produced by heating a silica glass ingot having a hydrogen molecule concentration of 1.times.10.sup.17 molecules/cm.sup.3 or more to a temperature of 1200-1350K, retaining the ingot at that temperature for a given period of time, and then, cooling the ingot to a temperature of 1000K or lower at a temperature-lowering rate of 50K/hr or less to anneal the ingot.

Abstract: A method of producing a resilient decorative construction material from waste products such as slag granulate or waste glass granulate is taught. The waste glass granulate may contain paper, adhesives, plastic, or other contaminants. The construction material may be in the shape of a tile and used in interior or exterior applications. A layer of material comprising glass granulate, slag granulate, or sand, or mixtures thereof, is placed in a heat-resistant mold. The layer has first and second surfaces. The layer is thermally treated, and is initially heated so that a temperature gradient is established throughout the layer, with the first surface having a first temperature no greater than the softening point, and the second surface having a second temperature less than the first temperature. These temperatures are held for a period of time, and the layer subjected to further heating.

Abstract: Lines are scribed on glass panes in accordance with the sections to be produced and the glass panes are then broken into sections susbtantially in a vertical position. A device suitable therefor comprises a station (2) for scribing the glass panes (1) with a substantially vertical supporting surface (25) and a conveyor (13) at its lower edge. Adjoining the station (2) is a first breaking station (3) and second one (4) in which the X-notches are opened and frontal edge sections (XR) are separated. The sections (27) of glass panes (1) thus obtained are turned through 90.degree. about the axis perpendicular to the supporting surface (25) in a turning station (5). The Y notches are broken in another breaking station (8). After any edge strips (XR) and residual pieces (R) have been removed, the sections thus obtained are inserted directly into a device (12) for their intermediate storage or fed to a double-glazing line.

Abstract: A shaped body of amorphous silicon dioxide, which has a chemical purity of at least 99.9% and a cristobalite content of at most 1% and which is impermeable to gas, is known. To provide shaped bodies of amorphous silicon dioxide which have a high precision, which can be small or large in size and of simple to complicated shape, which have a chemical purity of at least 99.9%, are impermeable to gas above wall thicknesses of 1 mm, which have a high cold flexural strength, low thermal conductivity and low radiation of heat, which are thermal shock resistant and can be exposed repeatedly or also long-term to temperatures in the range from 1000.degree. to 1300.degree. C. and which can be welded in a sharply delineated manner without spreading joins and which have a low spectral transmission from the ultraviolet to the middle infrared spectral region, the shaped body is opaque, contains pores, at a wall thickness of 1 mm has a direct spectral transmission which is virtually constant in the wavelength range from .

Abstract: A process for producing stained crystallized glass and its articles which is characterized in meeting production of various crystallized glass articles in small quantity. By this process, crystallized glass is obtained with patterns and colors alike to that of granites, marble, and other natural stones. The process of heat-treatment to a prepared batch compounded of crystallizable glass granules, color powder and water at a temperature higher than the softening point thereof results in fusion bonding of the glass granules. The color powder is compounded by inorganic pigment, suspension stabilizing agent, agglomerant, deflocculant agent, and crystallizable glass powder. The surface pattern is formed by grain boundary part of crystallizable glass granules, and part of the inorganic pigment in the color powder moving with the crystallizable glass powder.

Abstract: A porous silica body with a density of 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 and a density variation of less than 30% is subjected to a first heat-treatment in an ammonia-containing atmosphere, a second heat-sintering in non-oxidizing atmosphere, and further heat-treatment at a temperature in the range of 1400.degree. C. to 2000.degree. C. under an increased pressure of 500 kg/cm.sup.2 or more in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dividing laminated glass, especially two-pane laminated glass, comprising two, plate-shaped supports for the glass sheet in which one of the supports is rigidly attached in the machine from and the other support is mounted to swivel around a horizontal axis located in the area between the supports. Cutting tools can be moved in the abutting area between the two supports for scratching the laminated glass on both sides. A blade used for splitting the plastic film located between the two glass panes is mounted on a holder slide which can swivel around a horizontal axle which is aligned in a direction of movement of the holder slide.

Abstract: A glass material is formed from SiO.sub.2, CaO, Na.sub.2 O and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and the porous, non-crystalline structure is most preferably created by melting the constituents, cooling and pulverizing the resulting glass, and then forming and hot pressing the powder. The glass of the present invention may be formed to produce templates that are useful for various indications, as well as granules that may be formed into a paste.

Abstract: A layer of quartz glass soot is deposited continuously on a substrate consisting of quartz glass grains with a lower degree of sintering activity than the quartz glass soot and the soot is sintered by passing it continuously through a heating zone to form a quartz glass strip which is severed to form plates. Apparatus for implementing the process includes a conveyor suitable for the transport of quartz glass grains; a loading device for the deposition of the quartz glass grains onto the conveyor; nozzles for depositing a layer of synthetic quartz glass soot on the quartz glass grains; and a heating unit to heat the layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of high purity fused silica glass which is highly resistant to optical damage by ultraviolet radiation in the laser wavelength of about 300 nm or shorter. In particular, this invention relates to a fused silica optical member or blank which exhibits substantially no optical damage up to 10.sup.7 pulses (350 mJ/cm.sup.2) at the KrF laser wavelength region of about 248 nm, and at the ArF laser wavelength region of about 193 nm.

Abstract: Pure transparent quartz glass is provided by molding powdery amorphous silica into an article, converting the molded powdery amorphous silica into crystalline silica of high-temperature type cristobalite structure, and then fusing the crystalline silica, the quartz glass containing impurities respectively at a content of not higher than 1 ppm, and an OH group at a content of not higher than 20 ppm, and having a viscosity of 10.sup.12.0 poise or more at 1200.degree. C. The quartz glass is transparent and has high purity, and is excellent in high temperature viscosity characteristics. The quartz glass can be produced at a low cost.

Abstract: A method for forming a GeO.sub.2 -doped SiO.sub.2 glass article by depositing glass particles to form a porous preform and then drying and sintering the porous preform. A precursor of SnO.sub.2 is also present in the reactant stream used to form the particles, whereby the reaction produces particles of glass that contain GeO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2 and SnO.sub.2. The presence of SnO.sub.2 in the particles reduces the reaction of GeO.sub.2 with chlorine to form GeCl.sub.4 during the drying step. The GeCl.sub.4 that would have formed would have either escaped from the porous preform or caused GeO.sub.2 to be re-deposited in an undesirable portion of the preform. The retention of GeO.sub.2 in the article is therefore enhanced.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical device having a profile of refractive indices along its optical axis. A desired volume of each of a plurality of types of optical material are dispensed into a mold of known plan area in the form of a frit or a melt and the mold is heated to cause the materials to melt and fuse together to define a contiguous body of optical material having a desired profile. As the optical materials melt, the different types of material separate out so that they are arranged with the most dense material closest to the bottom of the mold and the least dense material closest to the top of the mold. To enhance this effect, the optical materials are layered in the mold in decreasing order of density of the materials from the bottom to the top so that the layers of optical material with the greater densities are closer to the bottom of the mold than the layers of materials with lesser densities.

Abstract: High purity fused silica glass which is highly resistant to optical damage by ultraviolet radiation in the laser wavelength of about 300 nm or shorter is produced. In particular, a fused silica optical member or blank exhibits substantially no optical damage up to 10.sup.7 pulses (350 mJ/cm.sup.2) at the KrF laser wavelength region of about 248 nm, and at the ArF laser wavelength region of about 193 nm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonfull aperture Luneburg-type lens for correction of an adjacent light source. The lens includes a core having a circular cross-section and a graded refractive index, and a cladding enclosing the core. The cladding has a circular cross-section and a homogenous refractive index. Also disclosed is a method for forming the nonfull aperture Luneburg-type lens with a graded index core and a homogenous cladding, and a high numerical aperture laser diode assembly including the nonfull aperture Luneburg-type lens.

Abstract: The high-purity, opaque quartz glass containing 3.times.10.sup.6 -9.times.10.sup.6 of closed cells having an average size of 20-40 .mu.m per 1 cm.sup.3, a ratio of closed cells having sizes of 100 .mu.m or more to the whole of cells being 1% or less, thereby showing 5% or less of linear transmittance for near infrared rays (.lambda.=900 nm) at a thickness of 1 mm is produced by compacting amorphous silica powder having an average particle size of 0.5-10 .mu.m, in which each of impurities selected from Li, Na, K, Fe, Ti and Al is 1 ppm or less, if any, and sintering the resultant green body at 1730.degree.-1850.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of essentially defect-free high purity fused silica glass articles, the method comprising the following steps: (a) forming a green body from silica particulates or a porous body of amorphous silica; (b) sintering said body in a chamber by raising the temperature of the chamber to above 1720.degree. C., while purging the chamber with helium or applying a vacuum to the chamber; and (c) consolidating the sintered body in a chamber by raising the temperature within the chamber to at least 1750.degree. C., introducing an inert gas into the chamber at a pressure less than about 6.9 MPa (1000 psig), and cooling the chamber while maintaining the pressurized atmosphere to a temperature at least below the annealing point of the glass. In the most preferred practice, a green body of silica particulates will be prepared via a sol-gel process.

Abstract: A method for producing bas-relief stained glass comprises the steps of providing glass ground to a powder. The powdered glass is mixed with a vehicle to produce a paste which is applied to a sheet of glass. The applied layer of paste forms a design on the sheet of glass and has a raised appearance relative to the sheet of glass. The sheet of glass is heated for a period of time at a temperature high enough to bond the powdered glass paste to the sheet of glass, but low enough to prevent permanent deformation of the sheet of glass and to maintain the design formed by the paste on the sheet of glass.

Abstract: In order to fabricate strip monomode active optical waveguides for optical elecommunications, a layer of vitreous soot is deposited on a substrate and is impregnated with a solution of a precursor of a rare-earth dopant, and a radiation with a wavelength comprised in an absorption band of the dopant is moved along the soot, along a trajectory corresponding to the geometrical shape desired for the guide, thereby forming a vitrified strip.

Abstract: A method for preparing strengthened ceramic/glass substrates by laminating and sintering multiple layers of ceramic/glass precursory substrates having different thermal expansion coefficients, with the inner layer having higher thermal expansion coefficient and the outer layers having lower thermal expansion coefficient. After the sintered substrates are cooled, a compressive stress will be permanently imparted in the sintered substrates which will be exerted onto the surface layer thereof. Such a compressive stress has the effect of impeding the growth of any defects and thus provides the strengthening effect. The method disclosed in the present invention can be used to strengthen ceramic/glass substrates that contain electronic parts or conductor circuits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an optical fiber preform having the steps of disposing a rod member made of a silica-based material within a cavity of a mold, followed by loading a molding material within the mold cavity, and applying pressure to the mold from the outside to form a porous layer on the surface of the rod member and, thus, to obtain a porous preform, wherein at least one end portion of the rod member extends outside the mold cavity in the step of applying pressure to the mold. The particular method permits manufacturing a high quality porous preform free from splits or cracks, making it possible to obtain a high quality optical fiber preform free from residual bubbles.

Abstract: Glass shapes and sheets are cut directly from a heated glass ribbon while maintaining the optical quality of the cut glass. A float glass ribbon is removed from a glass forming chamber and prior to annealing, a line of cut is heated to its softening temperature. A blade arrangement thereafter penetrates the glass along the heated line of cut to sever the glass. The cut glass edge is shaped after cutting while the edge is still at the softening temperature. Duuring the line heating and cutting operation, the overall glass temperature is maintained above the strain point of the glass.

Abstract: A sliding support table to support a continuously advancing glass ribbon during severing. The ribbon is supported by and moves over the sliding support table which moves along the direction of the glass ribbon travel between stationary upstream and downstream supports. Top and bottom line heaters supported on the table direct flames towards the major surfaces of the glass ribbon along a line cut. A blade and anvil arrangement supported on the table, sever the glass along the heated line of cut when the line of cut is positioned therebetween. The table advances along with the glass ribbon to support the ribbon during the heating and severing operation. The line heaters and blade and anvil arrangement may provide both a linear or nonlinear line of cut.