Abstract: To provide a method for manufacturing a medical glass container prevented from breakage and deformation and a fire blasting device.

Abstract: A heat source is formed within one piece of a multi-piece mold designed to shape a glass tube. The one piece of the mold can then be used as a source of intense heat to render the glass malleable and to also contribute to shaping the tube in conformance with the mold. In one embodiment, the heat source includes channels formed throughout the one piece of mold for distributing a gas therethrough with jets of gas emanating from the inner surface of the mold piece for heating the tube to be shaped to a desired temperature. In apparatus embodying the invention, there is no need for a separate torch and for moving the torch during the shaping process. Also, in accordance with the invention, better control of the heat supplied to the tube being shaped is obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping a selected end region and the opening at a selected end of a hollow cylindrical glass tube includes a support member for holding and rotating the tube in a controlled manner and a heat source for supplying sufficient heat to the selected end region of the tube to place it in a malleable state. The apparatus also includes an actuatable mechanical holding means for holding a multi piece mold and for selectively applying the mold to the selected end region of the tube, when the tube is rendered malleable, for shaping the selected end region of the tube including its rim and for controlling the inner diameter of the tube throughout its end region. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a temperature sensor for controlling the operation of the mechanical holding means and the action of the heat source and a micro-controller for automatically activating the application and retraction of the mold.

Abstract: A known method for producing an object having a flanged tubular portion at the outer periphery, comprises supplying a continuously extended, cylindrical body made of the flange material to a welding zone at the tubular portion of the object and welding the flange material to the welding zone by heating and winding the cylindrical body around the object.

Abstract: Methods of plastically forming an axially extended zone of the interior surface of a hollow glass tube heated to its forming temperature employ a generally cylindrical embossing mandrel connected to a driving shaft. The hollow glass tube and the embossing mandrel are brought together at a predetermined start position for the embossing mandrel inside the glass tube and are brought into contact in an area in which the zone is to be formed on the interior surface of the glass tube. A relative rolling off planetary motion between the embossing mandrel and the glass tube is provided while plastically forming the zone of the glass tube and creating depressions therein.

Abstract: The apparatus for preparing quartz micropipettes includes a pair of carriers mounted on a linear ball bearing guide which grasp opposite ends of a quartz glass capillary tube. A pair of miniature torches fueled by a mixture of oxygen and propane simultaneously heat a portion of the center of the capillary tube and an inverted U-shaped bar disposed between the torches in propinquity to the capillary tube. A cable having one end attached to one of the carriers and the other end attached to the core of a solenoid, the intermediate portion of the cable being wound around a pulley and attached to the second carrier, is used to pull the capillary tube in opposite directions as the tube softens. The cable is also wound around the axle of an optical encoder assembly which sends an electrical signal to a computer based upon either the distance or velocity at which the tubing is pulled apart.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for bending and tempering of a glass sheet is disclosed. The means to be used in the method for supporting the glass sheet is a supporting device in two parts, wherein the first supporting device forms a substantially planar supporting surface for the margin of the glass sheet and the second supporting device forms, in a manner known as such, a supporting device for the margin of the glass sheet corresponding to the bending configuration. In the method, the first supporting device supports the glass sheet to maintain its planar configuration at the heating stage required for tempering, wherein the glass sheet is being heated to the tempering temperature. During heating, the glass sheet is further supported by a pressure difference imposed on the opposite surfaces of the glass sheet. After heating, the glass sheet is moved to the second supporting device to bend to the bending configuration determined by the second supporting device, followed by the tempering stage.

Abstract: During the fire-polishing of a lengthwise extended glass body (3), for example a preform for drawing optical fibers, the glass body (3) is held by a holding device (5, 7), and is heated by a burner (23) moving at a variable advancing speed parallel to the lengthwise axis (19). The surface temperature of the glass body (3) is determined with a temperature measuring device (25). The mechanical stress condition of the glass body (3) is detected with an optical device (29) and can be controlled by varying the burner temperature and/or the advancing speed of the burner. The invention makes it possible to counteract the occurrence of high mechanical stresses in the glass body (3).

Abstract: The present invention provides large, high-purity quartz glass plate with a high degree of smoothness and flatness, its manufacturing method and equipment. The invention is characterized by the procedure in which a quartz glass tube with an opening over a specific width, in the direction of the tube shaft, that is preferably band-shaped, is heated and softened in a band-shaped area over the entire width, in the direction of the tube shaft, progressing sequentially along the direction of tube circumference from a specific position on the glass tube. While softening and heating, the quartz glass tube is pulled in a line approximately tangential to the specific position to flatten the glass tube.

Abstract: An optical fiber soot synthesis apparatus which synthesizes around a fiber starting member forming a core of an optical fiber an optical fiber soot forming a cladding and which accurately calculates in real time the mass of the optical fiber soot when deposited so as to control the synthesis of the optical fiber soot. The optical fiber soot synthesis apparatus measures the weight of the rotating fiber starting member and optical fiber soot by a pair of soot weight detection sensors arranged at a fiber starting member support and rotational drive mechanisms divided so as to prevent the weight of the rotational drive mechanisms from having much of an effect. The computation and control apparatus performs operational processing from the measured weights and calculates the mass of only the optical fiber soot synthesized on the fiber starting member in real time. The computation and calculation apparatus refers to the calculated mass to control the synthesis of the optical fiber soot.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a groove in a glass tube without contacting the glass tube in the groove region. The apparatus includes a pair of chucks for holding opposite ends of the glass tube. The chucks are coupled to a motor for rotating the glass tube about its longitudinal axis. The apparatus further includes one or more torches for noncontact heating of the groove region of the glass tube sufficiently to soften the glass tube in the groove region. The chucks which hold the glass tube are axially movable for stretching and then compressing the glass tube along its longitudinal axis, when the glass tube has been softened in the groove area. The chucks are rotated during heating, stretching and compressing of the glass tube.

Abstract: One method of the present invention provides a method of connecting a flange to a cylinder. This method includes securing the cylinder in a first chuck of a lathe and securing the flange in a second chuck of the lathe. The method also includes rotating the first and second chuck such that the cylinder and flange are rotated while bringing an end of the cylinder and the flange in proximity of a heating element associated with the lathe contemporaneously with the rotating step. Finally, there is the step of bringing the end of the cylinder in contact with the flange. Novel apparatus consistent with the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to provide a substrate such as an optical preform rod (24) which is suitable for insertion into a tube and which has a transverse cross section that is substantially circular and disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the substrate substantially along its entire length, a force-applying means such as a graphite roller (52) is adapted to be moved incrementally toward an axis of rotation (35) about which the preform rod is turned rototably. Movement is discontinued when there is an indication that the force-applying means has been in continuous engagement with the preform rod for at least a predetermined portion of the periphery of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement of the force-applying means and the preform rod is discontinued after a predetermined time, whereafter the force-applying means again is moved toward the axis of rotation.

Abstract: In order to provide a substrate such as an optical preform rod (24) which is suitable for insertion into a tube and which has a transverse cross section that is substantially circular and disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the substrate substantially along its entire length, a force-applying member such as a graphite roller (52) is moved incrementally toward an axis of rotation (35) about which the preform rod is turned rotatably. Movement is discontinued when there is an indication that the force-applying member has been in continuous engagement with the preform rod for at least a predetermined portion of the periphery of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement of the force-applying member and the preform rod is discontinued after a predetermined time whereafter the force-applying member again is moved toward the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The invention is a machine for processing tubes. Preferably the machine is adapted to create glass flares by flaring an end of each tube and then cutting a length off the flared end. The machine includes several holding devices, each of which is adapted to hold a tube, preferably in a generally horizontal position. Each holding device is pivotally connected to two adjacent holding devices to thereby form an endless loop. The endless loop of holding devices is adapted to travel in a first endless path, preferably obround. The machine includes devices for continuously moving the endless loop of holding devices in the first endless path. The machine also includes a plurality of tube processing devices, such as flaring heads, which are also adapted to travel in a smaller endless path, preferably circular.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a groove in a glass tube without contacting the glass tube in the groove region. The apparatus includes a pair of chucks for holding opposite ends of the glass tube. The chucks are coupled to a motor for rotating the glass tube about its longitudinal axis. The apparatus further includes one or more torches for noncontact heating of the groove region of the glass tube sufficiently to soften the glass tube in the groove region. The chucks which hold the glass tube are axially movable for stretching and then compressing the glass tube along its longitudinal axis, when the glass tube has been softened in the groove area. The chucks are rotated during heating, stretching and compressing of the glass tube.

Abstract: In order to provide a substrate such as an optical preform rod (24) which suitable for insertion into a tube and which has a transverse cross section that is substantially circular and disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the substrate substantially along its entire length, a force-applying means such as a graphite roller (52) is adapted to be moved incrementally toward an axis of rotation (35) about which the preform rod is turned rotatably. Movement is discontinued when there is an indication that the force-applying means has been in continuous engagement with the preform rod for at least a predetermined portion of the periphery of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement of the force-applying means and the preform rod is discontinued after a predetermined time whereafter the force-applying means again is moved toward the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing an electric lamp having a glass tubular part (101) with a longitudinal axis, which part is sealed by a sealing member in which firstly a constriction with a collar (105) is formed by means of heating at one end of the tubular part whereafter the sealing member is secured in a gas-tight manner. The constriction in the tubular part is provided at some distance from the end whereafter in the same fixture the tubular part is divided by means of fusing at the area of the constriction and the two wall portions located on either side of the constriction are moved apart in the axial direction.

Abstract: The method of the present invention consists of the steps of heating an area along the length of a small diameter glass tube while the tube is being rotated, pulling the heated tube using an unidirectional force to rapidly extend the heated area while mechanically maintaining the heat source centrally located along the portion of the tubing being extended. The extended tubing is subsequently cooled and separated at the narrowed portion to produce two capillary tubes. The apparatus of the present invention consists of two independently rotatable, co-axially aligned chucks. The chucks rotate in an essentially simultaneous manner, that is, the speed of rotation of each chuck is essentially the same. Each of the chucks has an adjustable collet thereon adapted to receive and hold a section of glass tubing aligned therebetween. A means of moving one of said chucks away from the other is provided. A moveable heating means is positioned intermediate the chucks.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for receiving and transporting cylindrical stock or articles past work stations includes a plurality of rollers disposed along spaced-apart parallel axes. The rollers are driven through one-way or overrunning clutches and rotate cylindrical stock disposed between adjacent pairs of rollers. At a work station, a moving member such as a belt engages the stock and rotates it at a speed higher than the speed imparted to it by the rollers. The overrunning clutches release the conveyor rollers and rotate with the stock at a correspondingly higher speed. The constant, non-slipping contact between the rollers and stock minimizes such difficulties as scoring of the stock and significantly improves product quality and appearance.

Abstract: A preform from which lightguide fiber is drawn is made by depositing optically suitable layers of doped silicon dioxide on an inner wall of a rotating glass substrate tube which is exposed to a moving zone of heat during a deposition mode and during a collapse mode. During at least a first pass following the deposition mode, a contact device is caused to engage each successive increment of length of the tube during exposure to the zone of heat. The contact device causes any sagged or offset portions of the tube to be reconfigured and causes the tube to have a central longitudinal axis which is a straight line which extends between stocks of a lathe by which ends of the tube are supported. The contact device may also be used to cause the tube to have a predetermined configuration along its length.

Abstract: Method and machine for making vials from glass tubing, wherein at least one glass tube (22) with closed bottom is loaded on a rotatable plate (11), having a series of holes circumferentially passing therethrough, and is then grasped by upper pliers (23'), provided on a plane not coincident with the rotatable plate (11), and then grasped by lower pliers (23) also provided on a horizontal plane not coincident with a lower rotatable plate (10), the tube (22) being continuously rotated on its axis by rotating elements of the pliers (23, 23'), and rotated throughout the circumference of the machine by rotation of the suitably controlled rotatable plates (10, 11). In this rotation the tube, as drawn or pulled at suitable intervals by the pliers, is caused to pass in front of a series of burners (17) arranged in suitable number on the entire periphery of the machine, such burners being provided with parabolic arc flames.

Abstract: The disclosure is of apparatus including two pairs of metal gripping blocks held together by a spring and mounted adjacent to wedge blocks carrying wedges for opening each pair. An operating plate is provided which drives the apparatus to cause the wedge blocks to open the gripping blocks to permit a length of capillary tubing filled with mercury to be inserted between the pairs of gripping blocks. The apparatus is then driven to cause the tubing to pass through a flame positioned to melt the tubing at a desired location and to form two separate seal portions at this location which are gripped by the two gripping blocks; and, on the next cycle, when the gripping blocks are opened, the portion of the tubing which is the desired capsule is released from its pair of gripping blocks and fed to a suitable receiver.

Abstract: An improved end-forming machine for fluorescent lamp tubes which employs a single main splined shaft to drive both indexing units in unison while having the facility to accommodate all standard commercial glass lamp tubes which may vary in length from 96 inches to 14 inches. Additionally, the tooling for each indexing turret is always maintained in the same relationship with its associated turret for all turret spacings.