Abstract: First chucks feed material sheets of glass to a heating device and a drawing device. Third chucks hold the first material sheet of glass after it is lowered and the first chucks then release the first material sheet of glass. The first chucks then return to pick up the second material sheet of glass and are then lowered to catch up with the first material sheet of glass. Both material sheets of glass are then heated, softened, fused and bonded. After fusing and bonding, the feed of the second material sheet of glass is continued by the first chucks, which are replaced by the third chucks on the way. Thereafter the same action is repeated for subsequent material sheets of glass, and thin sheet glass is continuously manufactured from the material sheets of glass by a redrawing process.

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

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

Abstract: A conveyor roll for use in a tempering section of a glass sheet fabrication line includes an elongated inner core member and an outer helical spring member mounted for rotation about said core member. The spring member can be coated with a suitable supporting material or attached to a plurality of collars for supporting and conveying glass sheets.

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

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

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

Abstract: An apparatus for molding glass optical elements by means of at least one molded glass mold is disclosed. The optical element, which may be a lens and which may be formed of glass, is molded within an apparatus that comprises a pair of molds of which at least one is a molded glass mold, a constraining means and a ring disposed intermediate the molds. The interior diameter of the ring and the molding surfaces of the molds comprise the optical element molding cavity.

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

Abstract: A glass-made lid for a cooking pot, pan, and the like and a method of manufacture thereof are disclosed, wherein the glass-made lid includes a peripheral edge of a particular shape formed from a roundly-cut sheet glass by rotating either the sheet glass or a thermally-resistant forming roller to the other and the method provides such a glass-made lid having the features described above. For the purpose of the invention, the forming roller is provided adjacent to the sheet glass and includes a peripheral recess on the side facing the sheet glass so that the peripheral edge in its softened state can be formed to conform to the particular shape of the peripheral recess under the pressure of the forming roller when it is brought closer to the sheet glass. An additional thermally-resistant nipping roller includes two rolls for engaging the formed peripheral edge therebetween and reforming it to a particular shape.

Abstract: In a press-molding device for lenses, an upper surface of a drag is formed into a molding surface, and a lower surface of a cope is formed into a molding surface. An inner peripheral surface of a guide mold portion is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the drag, and has an axial length longer than that of the outer peripheral surface of the drag so that the inner peripheral surface extends upwardly from the molding surface of the drag. The cope is capable of sliding along the inner peripheral surface. A pressure plate is in contact with an upper surface of the cope before pressing, and is abutted against the upper surface of the guide mold portion by the pressing. A glass preform to be molded is arranged between the molding surfaces of the respective cope and drag. The cope is pressed from above through the pressure plate, thereby molding the glass preform to a lens. The guide mold portion may be divided into a pair of upper and lower portions.

Abstract: In an apparatus for molding glass articles, a plurality of processing chambers including a heating chamber, a press chamber and a cooling chamber are arranged in order along a predetermined circular transport path. The processing chambers are surrounded by a case within a furnace body. A rotary table is driven for intermittent rotation about an axis thereof. The transport path extends in concentric relation to the axis of the rotary table. The rotary table extends radially outwardly to a position below the case. A plurality of sample mounts are mounted on the rotary table and are arranged along the transport path in spaced relation to each other. The sample mounts extend into the processing chambers through a slit formed in a bottom wall of the case. A plurality of molds each having accommodated therein a glass preform to be molded are mounted respectively on the sample mounts.

Abstract: According to a method of molding a glass body, a glass preform is placed between upper and lower molds of a mold assembly. The mold assembly is then heated to a predetermined heating temperature falling within a heating temperature range corresponding to a glass viscosity range of the glass preform of 10.sup.8 to 10.sup.10.5 poise. A pressure high enough to mold the glass preform is applied between the upper and lower molds when the glass preform is at the predetermined heating temperature, so that an unfinished glass molded body is formed. The pressure is released, and the unfinished glass molded body and the mold assembly are gradually cooled to a temperature within a glass viscosity range of 10.sup.11.5 to 10.sup.14 poise while the unfinished glass molded body is held in the mold assembly. A glass molded body is then released from the mold assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for producing optical elements, provided with a conveyor for transporting carriers for materials of optical elements into an evacuatable process chamber, and with a heating system for the material supported by the carrier, a forming system for the material supported by the carrier while the material is heated by the heating system, and a system for depositing a thin film to the material formed by the forming system and supported by the carrier.

Abstract: A pair of generally vertically aligned press bending molds are slidably mounted relative to each other. An alignment pin extends into alignment holes in the upper and lower molds when the molds are vertically aligned. Adjusting screws positioned around the periphery of each mold, contact and bias each mold in a desired direction so as to precisely align the upper mold relative to the lower mold.

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

Abstract: A multi-part mold assembly molds glass lenses. A cylindrical sleeve between the top and bottom molds has three cut-outs forming three alignment pads on both ends of the sleeve. These pads are preferably equally spaced around the circumference of the sleeve to constrain the top and bottom molds against rotation about X and Y axes which are orthogonal to the direction of closing of the mold. The alignment pads set the closed vertical positions of the molds. A torus on the bottom mold contacts a tapered opening in a removable sleeve insert to position a glass preform which is held by the insert. A torus on the top mold and a torus on the bottom mold bear against a cylindrical inner surface of the sleeve to precisely align the molds in the X and Y directions.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a mould intended for the precision moulding of glass articles, notably aspherical lenses. The desired shape and dimensional accuracy are imparted to a mechanically treated preform by an accurate polishing operation. Subsequently, the polished preform is prestressed and reinforced by a chemothermal treatment. The surface of the mould thus obtained comprises an edge zone which is subject to compressive stress and which changes over, via a neutral stress-free zone, to the core which is subject to tensile stress. The mould in accordance with the invention has a longer life and produces moulded products having a quality which is higher than that of products made by means of known moulds.

Abstract: This invention relates to shaping glass sheets by roll forming to either simple or complex curvatures about a single axis of bending or to compound curvatures comprising components of curvature about mutually perpendicular axes of bending by a controlled, repeatable program of roll forming without causing the glass sheets to stop their forward movement during their shaping. The apparatus used to perform this process has a minimum of moving parts, thus minimizing maintenance problems and reducing downtime for maintenance and repair.

Abstract: A system for machining a glass workpiece comprises means for rotating the workpiece. A concentrated beam of energy is axially directed to the surface of the workpiece to soften the glass material. The softened glass material is then removed by a pointed or relatively narrow tool which is precisely located with respect to the area treated by the energy beam.

Abstract: An apparatus wherein each glass plate is arranged between a male mold and female mold and is successively intermittently moved through a heating molding chamber and the male mold is depressed and undepressed whenever the glass plate stops in a fixed position in the heating molding chamber to quickly and continuously produce Braun tubes of an accurate shape.

Abstract: The flat glass sheet to be curved, which is at softening temperature, is advanced in a horizontal position on a curved bed formed by a series of flexible shaping rolls including coiled springs having progressively increasing degrees of curvature such that as the sheet moves thereon it will be caused to bend under its own weight to gradually assume the curvature of the shaping rolls. The shaping rolls are provided with end sections which are angularly adjustable to independently alter the degree of curvature of the rolls. The shaping bed is followed by a second bed formed of flexible rolls having a constant curvature on which the curved sheet is supported and subjected to a tempering and or cooling procedure. Means is also provided for driving the rolls of the shaping bed and the rolls of the second bed to move the glass sheets forwardly at a constant speed.

Abstract: This invention relates to the handling of glass sheets that are supported by a conveyor along their bottom edges and balanced in an upright position for movement through a furnace, a shaping station and a cooling area. Means are provided to temporarily lift the glass sheet so that its entire extent is aligned with the facing shaping surfaces of a pair of shaping molds during shaping and returned to the bottom edge supporting conveyor which conveys the shaped glass sheet into the cooling area after it is shaped. Such treatment improves the contour of the bottom edge of the shaped glass sheet.

Abstract: A quick connect-disconnect coupling assembly detachably connecting the inner core member of a composite type conveyor roll to its mounting. The coupling assembly includes a tubular drive extension, a first coupling section rigidly secured to the core member and a second coupling section mounted within the drive extension.

Abstract: A succession of glass sheets are processed, for example by heating, bending and toughening in the production of windshield glasses. Each glass sheet is suspended vertically in an elongated furnace from a transport member, and when hot is lifted from the furnace into the lowermost of a vertical series of treatment stations, for example a bending station followed by a toughening station, by a lifting device which engages the transport member. Subsequently the transport member is supported independently of the lifting device at a level above the furnace so that the lifting device can then be lowered to lift the next glass sheet from the furnace.

Abstract: In an apparatus for press bending heat-softened glass sheets of the type which includes a shaping plate of adjustable curvature and means to adjust the curvature of the shaping plate, rigidity of the adjusted curvature is improved by providing edge reinforcing means for the adjustable shaping plate.

Abstract: When bending glass sheets to a curvature including a line of sharp bending, damage to the glass surface caused by sliding of the glass relative to the press surfaces is reduced by employing a hinged shaping member having offset hinges.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bending glass sheets to relatively sharp angles. The apparatus includes a sectionalized primary press bending member having articulated end sections for sharply bending portions of a glass sheet about lines superheated by a radiant energy heat source located above the primary press member. A reciprocal brake bar is extended into engagement with the glass sheet along the heated focal line to assist the articulated press end sections in bending the glass. Clamping devices can be used in lieu of the brake bar to secure the heat-softened glass sheet to the press member shaping surface during bending. A supplemental press member, mounted above the primary press member, is provided with shaping elements having shaping surfaces complemental to the shaping surfaces of the primary press articulated end sections for pressing the glass end portions therebetween into conformity with these shaping surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for bending sheets of glass by means of a bending press comprising a convex bending mold provided with a bending surface and an opposed concave bending molding, the surfaces of the bending molds in contact with the window being heated to a temperature approximating the bending temperature of the sheet of glass, wherein the concave bending mold consists of a frame which is only in contact with the sheet of glass at its periphery and wherein heaters are mounted within the frame for heating the bending surface of the convex bending surface of the opposed convex mold.

Abstract: In an apparatus for press bending heat-softened glass sheets of the type which includes a flexible shaping plate and means to adjust the curvature of the shaping plate, adjustability is facilitated by providing a segmented rigid plate behind the flexible shaping plate.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bending and tempering a relatively thin glass sheet comprising heating the glass sheet to its softening point, advancing the sheet toward and between a pair of opposed press members, reheating the sheet during movement thereof between said press members, bending the sheet into the desired curvature between the press members and finally, chilling the sheet rapidly below the annealing temperature range of the glass.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling deviations from desired shape of a glass sheet shaped by roll forming, wherein a critical portion of the shaped glass sheet is either lifted or twisted momentarily during or immediately following the roll forming operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving glass panes through an installation having a plurality of stations, having a conveyor, movable in a stepwise manner along a first path, a stepping drive movable along a second path extending parallel to said first path over a portion of the latter in the area of the stations, independently of the conveyor, the glass panes, being carried by a member which can be detachably connected selectively to the conveyor and to the stepping drive in the area of said second path.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bending glass sheets between press members provided with opposed shaping rails having complemental surfaces for imparting the desired curvature to a heated glass sheet. Each of the press members is provided with a plurality of burners for directing localized heat to selective portions of the glass sheet during the bending thereof to condition the sheet for subsequent tempering.