Abstract: Provided is a method that enables a crystal-free glass material to be stably produced by a containerless levitation technique. A glass material 30 has a first surface 31 facing a forming surface 10a and a second surface 32 located on a side opposite to the forming surface 10a. The first surface 31 includes a central portion 31a and a peripheral portion 31b located outside of the central portion 31a. Gas is jetted through a gas jet hole at a flow velocity and a flow volume at which a glass material satisfying R2<R3<R1 is formed where R1 represents a radius of curvature of the central portion 31a, R2 represents a radius of curvature of the peripheral portion 31b, and R3 represents a radius of curvature of the second surface 32.

Abstract: An optical glass including B3+, La3+ and Nb5+ as cationic components constituting the glass, wherein the optical glass satisfies the following expressions represented in cation percentages: 10 cat. %?B3+?50 cat. %; 40 cat. %?La3+?65 cat. %; 0 cat. %?Nb5+?40 cat. %; 80 cat. %?(total amount of B3++La3++Nb5+)?100 cat. %; and 0 cat. %?Si4+?10 cat. %; 0 cat. %?Ge4+?5 cat. %; 0 cat. %?Mg2+?5 cat. %; 0 cat. %?Ba2+?10 cat. %; 0 cat. %?Ca2+?10 cat. %; 0 cat. %?Sr2+?10 cat. %; 0 cat. %?Zn2+?20 cat. %; 0 cat. %?W6+?5 cat. %; 0 cat. %?Zr4+?5 cat. %; 0 cat. %?Ti4+?5 cat. %; 0 cat. %?Bi3+?5 cat. %; 0 cat. %?Ta5+?10 cat. %; 0 cat. %?(total amount of Y3++Gd3+)?20 cat. %; and 0 cat. %?(total amount of Yb3++Lu3+)?10 cat. %.

Abstract: Non-contact, gas-ejecting bearings (3) are provided for conveying flexible glass sheets (13), such as LCD substrates, at high conveyance speeds, e.g., speeds of 40 meters/minute and above, e.g., 60 meters/minute. Gas is provided to the bearing's orifices (22) from a plenum which operates at a pressure Pplenum and the bearings have a calculated static pressure Pmidpoint at the midpoints (27) between the bearing's centermost orifice (26) and each of its nearest neighbors (28) in a horizontal direction which satisfies the relationship Pmidpoint/Pplenum?0.05. The bearings (3) can reduce the time-averaged, peak-to-peak variation in the spacing between a LCD substrate (13) traveling at, for example, 60 meters/minute and the face (20) of the bearing (3) to less than 500 microns, thus reducing the chances that the substrate (13) will hit and be damaged by the bearing (3).

Abstract: A manufacturing method for manufacturing an optical element includes: supplying a gas containing a mold-release acceleration substance to the space between a first mold and a second mold which sandwich an optical material and face each other; and pressurizing and transforming the optical material by bringing the first and second molds relatively close to each other.

Abstract: Methods of making a substantially rectangular glass cover member includes the step (I) of providing a glass tube including a plurality of substantially rectangular glass segments including respective edges that are integrally attached to one another at attachment locations. The plurality of substantially rectangular glass segments are radially arranged about an axis of the glass tube to define an outer periphery of the glass tube. The method can further include the step (II) of separating the plurality of substantially rectangular glass segments from one another at the attachment locations to provide a plurality of substantially rectangular glass cover members. In still further examples, glass tubes include a plurality of glass segments that each includes a convex surface and a substantially flat surface.

Abstract: In order to permit more effective cooling in comparison to the prior art, in particular in its floor area, of a hollow glass article (1) standing upright on the base (2) of a setting plate (4) provided with transcurrent orifices (9, 9?, 9?) forming a cavity (8) between a base (2) and the facing surface of the setting plate (4) of the standing surface (2?), it is proposed to utilize a part of the orifices (9) situated inside the standing surface (2?) for the supply of cooling air into the cavity (8), and to utilize the remaining orifices (9?) inside the standing surface (2?) only for the extraction of cooling air from the cavity (8).

Abstract: In order to obtain glass or glass ceramic materials having increased strength, the invention provides a method for producing glass or glass ceramic articles, which comprises the steps: producing an initial glass body (11), mounting the initial glass body (11) on a gas cushion (13) between a levitation support (1) and the initial glass body (11), and at least partially ceramizing the initial glass body (11) on the levitation support (1). The levitation support comprises at least one continuous surface region (3) having at least one gas feed region (151, 152, 153) where levitation gas for the gas cushion (13) is fed out from the levitation support, and at least one gas discharge region (171 172, 173) where gas from the gas cushion (13) is at least partially discharged into the levitation support.

Abstract: Non-contact, gas-ejecting bearings (3) are provided for conveying flexible glass sheets (13), such as LCD substrates, at high conveyance speeds, e.g., speeds of 40 meters/minute and above, e.g., 60 meters/minute. Gas is provided to the bearing's orifices (22) from a plenum which operates at a pressure Pplenum and the bearings have a calculated static pressure Pmidpoint at the midpoints (27) between the bearing's centermost orifice (26) and each of its nearest neighbors (28) in a horizontal direction which satisfies the relationship Pmidpoint/Pplenum?0.05. The bearings (3) can reduce the time-averaged, peak-to-peak variation in the spacing between a LCD substrate (13) traveling at, for example, 60 meters/minute and the face (20) of the bearing (3) to less than 500 microns, thus reducing the chances that the substrate (13) will hit and be damaged by the bearing (3).

Abstract: A method for shaping a floor of a glass vessel, including the steps of bringing the floor region of the glass vessel up in temperature until the viscosity of the glass in the floor region is between 1010 dPas and 103 dPas thereby defining softened glass. Moving a porous gas emitting shaping floor toward the floor region from a side opposite an orifice of the glass vessel. Displacing some of the softened glass by way of a gas film as the softened glass is approaching the porous gas emitting shaping floor. And, increasing an amount of the floor of the glass vessel that is resting on the gas film as the softened glass is approaching the porous gas emitting shaping floor, the gas film preventing direct contact between the softened glass of the floor of the glass vessel and the porous gas emitting shaping floor.

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: A system and method for applying de-dusting agents to fibrous mats, webs, and/or blankets requiring a lower usage of the de-dusting agents, and producing fibrous products having improved dust suppression are disclosed. The dedusting agent or agents are first reduced to very fine particles or droplets and then, in an air suspension, are passed through the fibrous mat, web and/or blanket to deposit the very fine particles or droplets onto the surfaces of the fibers.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for manufacturing an optical element includes: supplying a gas containing a mold-release acceleration substance to the space between a first mold and a second mold which sandwich an optical material and face each other; and pressurizing and transforming the optical material by bringing the first and second molds relatively close to each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing monolithic glass reflectors for concentrating sunlight in a solar energy system is disclosed. The method of manufacturing allows large monolithic glass reflectors to be made from float glass in order to realize significant cost savings on the total system cost for a solar energy system. The method of manufacture includes steps of heating a sheet of float glass positioned over a concave mold until the sheet of glass sags and stretches to conform to the shape of the mold. The edges of the dish-shaped glass are rolled for structural stiffening around the periphery. The dish-shaped glass is then silvered to create a dish-shaped mirror that reflects solar radiation to a focus. The surface of the mold that contacts the float glass preferably has a grooved surface profile comprising a plurality of cusps and concave valleys. This grooved profile minimizes the contact area and marring of the specular glass surface, reduces parasitic heat transfer into the mold and increases mold lifetime.

Abstract: A levitation process for producing fire-polished gobs is provided. The process includes feeding a glass slug into a levitation mold and reducing a through-flow of the fluid between the glass slug and the levitation mold. The levitation mold includes a membrane of a porous material.

Abstract: A titanium-containing oxide glass having a bulky form and substantially having a chemical composition represented by the formula: (M1)1-x(M2)x(Ti1-y1(M3)y1)y2O2 [wherein M1 represents an element selected from Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Na and Ca; M2 represents at least one element selected from Mg, Ba, Ca, Sr, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Na, Sc, Y, Hf, Bi and Ag; M3 represents at least one element selected from V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Al, Si, P, Ga, Ge, In, Sn, Sb and Te; and x, y1, y2 and z satisfy the following requirements: 0?x?0.5, 0?y1<0.31, 1.4<y2<3.3, and 3.9<z<8.0, provided that x+y1?0 when M1 represents Ba, and y1?0 when both M1 and M2 represent Ba].

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a barium-titanium-based ferroelectric glass using a containerless solidification process, such as an electrostatic levitation process or a gas levitation process, which comprises the steps of levitating a sample 1 of a barium-titanium-based compound by a levitating force of compressed air, heating the sample up to a temperature greater than its melting point (1330° C.) by about 100° C. to allow the sample to be molten, and, after maintaining the molten state for a given time period (at least several second), quenching the sample from a given temperature range (1400 to 1000° C.) at a cooling rate of about 103 K/sec, so as to allow the sample to be solidified while inhibiting nucleation and mixing of impurities from a container. The present invention makes it possible to provide a glass exhibiting an unprecedented, extremely large permittivity.

Abstract: A titanium-containing oxide glass having a bulky form and substantially having a chemical composition represented by the formula: (M1)1-x(M2)x(Ti1-y1(M3)y1)y2O2 [wherein M1 represents an element selected from Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Na and Ca; M2 represents at least one element selected from Mg, Ba, Ca, Sr, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Na, Sc, Y, Hf, Bi and Ag; M3 represents at least one element selected from V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Al, Si, P, Ga, Ge, In, Sn, Sb and Te; and x, y1, y2 and z satisfy the following requirements: 0?x?0.5, 0?y1<0.31, 1.4<y2<3.3, and 3.9<z<8.0, provided that x+y1?0 when M1 represents Ba, and y1?0 when both M1 and M2 represent Ba].

Abstract: The method of continuously producing flat glass includes rolling a fluid glass sheet between upper and lower shaping rollers to shape and calibrate the glass sheet, generating a respective gas cushion between the fluid glass sheet and each shaping roller from a liquid, controlling the pressure of the gas cushion between the fluid glass sheet and the upper shaping roller to completely prevent contact of the glass sheet with the upper shaping roller, controlling the pressure of the gas cushion between the fluid glass sheet and the lower shaping roller to form a linear contact area between the fluid glass sheet and the lower shaping roller and controlling the contact area width according to speed and viscosity of the glass sheet in order to transport it without slipping and reduce cooling path length.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for non-contact molding of fused glass or glass ceramic gobs by means of gas levitation, comprising the following method steps: a pre-form is generated, the pre-form is brought close to a molding tool, which may be connected to a compressed gas source on the open-pored region thereof facing the pre-form in order to generate a gas cushion between the molding tool and the pre-form and the molding tool is directly heated at least during a part of the molding phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing single microlenses or an arrays of microlenses composed of a glass-type material, in which method a first substrate is provided with a surface containing impressions over which a second substrate composed of a glass-type material is placed at least partially overlapping it and is joined therewith under vacuum conditions. The substrate composite is tempered in such a manner that the second substrate softens and flows into the impressions of the first substrate, thereby structuring the side of the second substrate facing away from the first substrate in order to form at least one microlens surface.

Abstract: The device for blank pressing glass bodies includes a first rotary indexing table with preforms for forming parisons from glass gobs; a second rotary indexing table having pressing molds and pressing tools for pressing the parisons into final form after formation in the preforms; and a device for shifting the first rotary indexing table relative to the second rotary indexing table so that each preform is positionable in a transfer position between a pressing tool and a pressing mold. Each preform is mounted on the first rotary indexing table by a indexable mount for holding it in a first horizontal position or in a second position pivoted away from the first position, so that, when a preform is in the transfer position, the indexable mount can be pivoted, so that a parison in it drops into the pressing mold for pressing by the pressing tool.

Abstract: The method of making globular or spherical bodies of optical quality includes filling receptacles (2) in a heat-resistant support (3) made of a porous material with glass gobs (1); conducting gas through the heat-resistant support so that a gas flow (4) passes through the support in a direction (14) opposite to a direction in which gravity acts; heating the heat-resistant support (3) to a temperature at which the glass gobs (1) have a viscosity of up to about 106 poise; maintaining the support (3) at this temperature for a predetermined time interval; and then cooling the support (3) to ambient temperature while continuing to provide the gas flow (4) through the support (3).

Abstract: A glass handling system and method are described herein where an enhanced robot is used to engage and hold a glass sheet in a manner that minimizes the motion of the glass sheet as it is moved from one point to another point in a glass manufacturing facility. The enhanced robot engages and holds the glass sheet by using one or more suction cups and one or more aero-mechanical devices.

Abstract: A load conveyance device composed of: a load supporting device having a through hole passing in a gravity direction, and a fluid supplying device to supply a fluid into the through hole, wherein when load is dropped into the through hole from a top of the through hole, the load is supported under a floating condition by a force of the fluid in the through hole, and when the load is not supported by change of the force of the fluid, the load is dropped from a lower end of the through hole to an outside.

Abstract: A transfer arm holds a plurality of preforms arranged in a single line and simultaneously drops and supplies the preforms downward. A positioning arm has a pair of arm split members split in its widthwise direction. The arm split members have positioning surfaces formed on their contact surfaces to be brought into contact with outer peripheries of the preforms. After the preforms are dropped and supplied from the transfer arm, the arm split members of the positioning arm are opened and closed so that the positioning surfaces are brought into contact with the outer peripheries of the preforms. Thus, the performs are properly positioned.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for supporting a horizontal guided, continuous glass strand; with a number of supporting blocks, which each exhibits a supporting area, facing the glass strand; the individual supporting block in the area of the supporting area is made from a porous, gas-impermeable diaphragm body; the diaphragm body is connected to a source of compressed gas for conveying gas through the supporting area.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a glass gob, a down-flowing molten glass is received on a molding die. The molding die is moved down at a speed higher than a down-flowing speed of the molten glass so as to cut the molten glass. The molten glass is remained with a predetermined weight on the molding die. The molten glass is sprayed with gas in order to form the glass gob under such a condition that the molten glass is floated or slightly floated. The receiving step is carried out by spraying the molten glass with gas having a flow rate lower than the gas used in the spraying step, or the receiving step is carried out without performing the gas spraying.

Abstract: An optical glass whose refractive index is high and whose coloring is decreased comprising, by weight %, 2 to 45% of B2O3, 0 to 30% of SiO2 provided that the content of B2O3>the content of SiO2, 10 to 50% of La2O3, 0 to 30% of TiO2, 0 to 15% of ZnO, 0 to 15% of ZrO2, 0 to 35% of Nb2O5, 0 to 35% of BaO, 0 to 5% of SrO, 0% or more but less than 8% of CaO, 0% or more but less than 13% of MgO, provided that the total content of BaO, SrO, CaO and MgO is 0 to 40%, 0 to 20% of Gd2O3, 0 to 15% of Y2O3, 0 to 18% of Ta2O5, 0% or more but less than 0.5% of WO3, 0% or more but less than 1.5% of a total of Na2O, K2O and Li2O, 0 to 10% of GeO2, 0 to 20% of Bi2O3, 0 to 10% of Yb2O3, 0 to 10% of Al2O3, 0% or more but less than 2% of Sb2O3 and 0 to 1% of SnO2.

Abstract: A porous wall through which a flow of gas is established forming a layer supporting a liquid mass is strengthened partly to stiffen it and partly to control the shape of the lower surface of the supported liquid. Chambers containing different pressures can be formed, and possibly, separated by some of these strengthening parts to improve the equalisation by reducing the pressure at the center. Finally, capillaries may pass through the plate to measure the pressure or provide additional equalisation of the thickness of the layer by a suction device.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method of making halogen lamps and halogen lamp bulbs, as well as other analogous lamps and objects. The present invention also relates to apparatus used in a method of making halogen lamps and halogen lamp bulbs, as well as other analogous lamps and objects. The method minimizes contamination in the body of the glass and minimizes reaction of lamp halogen with the interior of a halogen lamp.

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: The invention relates to a method for heating up and shaping a preform consisting of glass or glass ceramic. According to the invention, a preform, formed using conventional methods, is heated to a temperature that is below the adhesion temperature of the gas, i.e. to below critical viscosity; in a second heating phase the preform is put into a hovering state through the supply of levitation gas; in the hovering state the preform is heated by a microwave heating apparatus to a temperature that permits its shaping; and the preform is delivered to a shaping station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing with high production efficiency glass articles, such as high-quality preforms for press molding (press-molding preforms) from glass melt, and to a method of manufacturing glass elements, such as lenses, by press molding these preforms. Further, the present invention relates to a method of molding glass gobs suited to the press molding of preforms of high quality and high weight precision from a glass melt, and to a method of manufacturing optical elements by reheating and press molding these glass gobs. In the method of manufacturing glass articles, 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.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for manufacturing glass optical elements by press molding a heated and softened glass material in preheated molds. In the process, the glass material is heated while it is floated by a gas blow and the heated and softened glass material is transferred to the preheated molds and then subjected to press molding. Alternatively, the process comprises: heating a glass material at a temperature at which the glass material has a viscosity of lower than 109 poises, preheating molds at a temperature at which the glass material has a viscosity of from 109 to 1012 poises, subjecting the heated and softened glass material to initial press in the preheated molds for 3 to 60 seconds, starting to cool the vicinity of molding surfaces of the molds at a rate of 20° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the hot shaping of molten gobs on a mold base by interposing a gas bed, comprising the following method steps. According to the invention such a method comprises the following method steps: a mold base made of open-pore mold material is produced; the supporting surface of the mold base is coated permanently with a glass contact material; such a coating material is chosen or the coating is arranged in such a way that the layer comprises open pores after its application which allow a gas-conductive connection between the lower side and the upper side of the layer; the mold base is charged with a gas in order to produce a gas bed on the upper side of the layer.

Abstract: Optical glasses and optical articles comprised of the optical glass are disclosed. One of which comprises, by means of weight percentages, more than 32 percent and not more than 45 percent P2O5, more than 0.5 percent and not more than 6 percent Li2O, more than 5 percent and not more than 22 percent Na2O, 6-30 percent Nb2O5, 0.5-10 percent B2O3, 0-35 percent WO3, 0-14 percent K2O, and 10-24 percent Na2O+K2O, and the total of all the above components is not less than 80 percent.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus, including:

Abstract: The method of making globular or spherical bodies of optical quality includes filling receptacles (2) in a heat-resistant support (3) made of a porous material with glass gobs (1); conducting gas through the heat-resistant support so that a gas flow (4) passes through the support in a direction (14) opposite to a direction in which gravity acts; heating the heat-resistant support (3) to a temperature at which the glass gobs (1) have a viscosity of up to about 106 poise; maintaining the support (3) at this temperature for a predetermined time interval; and then cooling the support (3) to ambient temperature while continuing to provide the gas flow (4) through the support (3).

Abstract: A method of forming a glass sheet includes obtaining a preform generated from a glass composition and conveying the preform through a channel having a temperature that decreases along a length of the channel to form a glass sheet having a predetermined width and thickness.

Abstract: A mold has a moling surface of a material containing silicon carbide and/or silicon nitride as a main component and a carbon thin film formed on the molding surface to prevent fusion sticking. A glass substance which has a sag point not higher than 565° C. and a predetermined composition free from arsenic oxide is introduced into the mold. The glass substance is press-formed in a heated and softened condition into a glass optical element of high precision.

Abstract: A method of floating glass gobs by means of a gas flow. A method of manufacturing glass gobs by floating a molten glass gob and simultaneously cooling it. A method of manufacturing glass spheres by floating a softened glass gob and simultaneously rendering it spherical. These methods employ a device having a depression for floating and holding a glass gob or the like, with a gas flow being supplied along all or part of the inner surface of the depression from the opening side of the depression toward the bottom. A manufacturing method comprising the steps of adjusting a glass gob to a temperature suited to press molding while floating said glass gob by means of a gas flow injected along part or all of the depression-shaped forming surface of a lower mold from the opening side of the lower mold toward the bottom of the lower mold; and a step of press forming the glass gob.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for manufacturing glass optical elements by press molding a heated and softened glass material in preheated molds. In the process, the glass material is heated while it is floated by a gas blow and the heated and softened glass material is transferred to the preheated molds and then subjected to press molding. Alternatively, the process comprises: heating a glass material at a temperature at which the glass material has a viscosity of lower than 109 poises, preheating molds at a temperature at which the glass material has a viscosity of from 109 to 1012 poises, subjecting the heated and softened glass material to initial press in the preheated molds for 3 to 60 seconds, starting to cool the vicinity of molding surfaces of the molds at a rate of 20° C.

Abstract: A mold has a moling surface of a material containing silicon carbide and/or silicon nitride as a main component and a carbon thin film formed on the molding surface to prevent fusion sticking. A glass substance which has a sag point not higher than 565° C. and a predetermined composition free from arsenic oxide is introduced into the mold. The glass substance is press-formed in a heated and softened condition into a glass optical element of high precision.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending a glass sheet includes a final hearth bed. This final hearth bed has a top surface that is upwardly convexly curved along a plane perpendicular to an axis of the glass sheet. The top surface has an upstream end, a downstream end that is at a level lower than that of the upstream end, and an intermediate point defined therebetween. The top surface has (a) a first section that extends from the upstream end to the intermediate point and that is parallel with the axis or upwardly inclined relative to the axis and (b) a second section that extends from the intermediate point to the downstream end and that is downwardly inclined relative to the axis. The final hearth bed has a bottom surface that is along the first direction or inclined downwardly relative to the first direction.

Abstract: Processes for manufacturing glass optical elements by press molding a heated and softened glass material in preheated molds. In the process, the glass material is heated while it is floated by a gas blow and the heated and softened glass material is transferred to the preheated molds and then subjected to press molding. Alternatively, the process comprises: heating a glass material at a temperature at which the glass material has a viscosity of lower than 109 poises, preheating molds at a temperature at which the glass material has a viscosity of from 109 to 1012 poises, subjecting the heated and softened glass material to initial press in the preheated molds for 3 to 60 seconds, starting to cool the vicinity of molding surfaces of the molds at a rate of 20° C.

Abstract: A transfer arm holds a plurality of preforms arranged in a single line and simultaneously drops and supplies the preforms downward. A positioning arm has a pair of arm split members split in its widthwise direction. The arm split members have positioning surfaces formed on their contact surfaces to be brought into contact with outer peripheries of the preforms. After the preforms are dropped and supplied from the transfer arm, the arm split members of the positioning arm are opened and closed so that the positioning surfaces are brought into contact with the outer peripheries of the preforms. Thus, the performs are properly positioned.

Abstract: A pressure pad array is used to float glass sheets from a glass heating furnace to a ring mold in a press bending station. The pressure pads have transversely spaced, longitudinally-extending slotted nozzles angled towards one another to provide a static pressure area for floating the glass sheet. The slotted nozzles are aligned with the direction of glass sheet travel and the space between adjacent pressure pads is covered by a spacer baffle to generate additional static pressure flotation areas. The static pressure areas formed by the slotted nozzles generally produce uniform pressure profiles extending longitudinally and transversely against the sheet's underside to stably float the glass sheets on a heated gas cushion.

Abstract: A pressure pad array is used to float glass sheets from a glass heating furnace to a ring mold in a press bending station. The pressure pads have transversely spaced, longitudinally-extending slotted nozzles angled towards one another to provide a static pressure area for floating the glass sheet. The slotted nozzles are aligned with the direction of glass sheet travel and the space between adjacent pressure pads is covered by a spacer baffle to generate additional static pressure flotation areas. The static pressure areas formed by the slotted nozzles generally produce uniform pressure profiles extending longitudinally and transversely against the sheet's underside to stably float the glass sheets on a heated gas cushion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the hot shaping of molten gobs on a mold base by interposing a gas bed, comprising the following method steps.

Abstract: An inclined trough assembly (10) for conveying, by gravity, formable gobs of glass at an elevated temperature to a section of a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type, the trough assembly having a trough member (12) configured, in cross-section, generally corresponding to that of an upwardly facing V and a manifold (14) at least partly underlying the trough member and having a configuration, in cross-section, generally corresponding to that of an upwardly facing U. The trough member 12 is inserted into the manifold partly to the bottom thereof, and the manifold has a compressed air inlet (14a) for receiving compressed or fan air to flow along the manifold in cooling contact with the trough member to cool the trough member and thereby reduce the coefficient of friction between the gobs of glass flowing through the trough assembly and the trough member thereof.