Abstract: An apparatus for bending a glass sheet in a gravity bending step and in a subsequent press bending step includes a gravity bending mould having a fixed mould portion and an articulated wing portion adjacent to the fixed mould portion, a base on which the fixed mould portion is mounted and a hinged locking arm mounted between the wing portion and the base. The locking arm is movable from an unlocked position in which the wing portion is capable of moving vertically relative to the base to a locked position in which the wing portion is fixed in position relative to the base. A method of bending a glass sheet involves placing a glass sheet on a gravity bending mould having an articulated wing portion and a fixed mould portion, and conveying the mould carrying the glass sheet through a furnace in which the glass is heated to the glass softening point and is bent by gravity until the periphery of the glass sheet is in contact with and conforms to the shape of the upper surface of the gravity bending mould.

Abstract: An apparatus for press bending glass sheets, the apparatus comprising an upper die, a suspension system for the upper die for suspending and vertically moving the upper die, a lower gravity bending mould and a plurality of spacer devices for spacing the upper die and the lower mould a selected distance from each other when the upper die presses a glass sheet on the lower mould, the suspension system being adapted and the spacer devices being configured to permit lateral movement of the die relative to the mould. There is also provided a method of press bending glass sheets.

Abstract: In forming a plano-convex lens from a column-like lens blank by heating the blank to a temperature higher than the transition temperature thereof and by pressurizing an upper die with a closed space formed between the blank and the upper die, there are alternately repeated operations of pressurizing the upper die and stopping the application of pressure thereto. Through the control of the amount of displacement of the upper die, the maximum pressure of gas in the closed space at each pressurizing step is so controlled: as to be low according to the surface viscosity of the blank to the extent that no local concave deformation in the surface of the blank is produced; and as to be high to the extent that gas caught in the closed space is discharged at each step of stopping the application of pressure.

Abstract: A machining chamber encloses a glass molding apparatus including a molding die assembly composed of upper and lower molding dies cooperating to define a mold therebetween. The glass molding apparatus, contained within the sealed machining chamber, further includes a clamping/heating/compressing station, a cooling station and a preform-loading/molding-ejecting station. A shutter is provided in the casing for selectively opening the casing to the ambient atmosphere. An annular nozzle surrounds a molding surface provided on one of the upper and lower molding dies and is used to supply a first inactive-gas to the region between the two dies. A second, independent inactive-gas supply provides inactive-gas directly into the sealed casing, whereby the region between the dies is maintained at a lower oxygen level than that within the remainder of the sealed casing.

Abstract: A molding apparatus includes a glass ejection chamber for pre-molding glass, a glass heating chamber having a heating furnace, a precision press chamber for molding an optical element, and a mechanism for transporting a glass supporting member. A method for molding an optical element using the molding apparatus includes the step of providing a molded lens receiving molded part and a supporting member in the glass ejection chamber. The glass is heated in the heating chamber while being supported on the supporting member after being separated from the receiving mold part. The glass is molded into the optical element by a pair of mold parts having molding surfaces formed in conformity with the major surfaces of the optical element.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated mechanism for a glassware forming machine is located in an aperture in a top plate of the machine and comprises entry ports in a downwardly facing surface which mate with exit ports for air supplies located in an upwardly facing surface of the top plate.

Abstract: An individual section glassware forming machine in which each section comprises a section module, which supports operating mechanisms of the machine, and a piping module through which the necessary air supplies are passed to the section module. The two modules are both mounted for movement into and out of operative position. When in operative position the section module is connected to the piping module and the piping module is connected to a transverse manifold which conveys the air supplies to all the sections.

Abstract: A forming method of a glass product includes the steps of successively setting female press-molds on a gob feeding stage; feeding gob to the female press-molds at the gob feeding stage at predetermined intervals; successively transferring the female press-molds fed with the gob to a press-forming stage; press-forming the gob into a glass product at the press-forming stage; and removing the press-formed glass product at a product removing stage.

Abstract: A method of molding an optical element numerically analyzes the thermal stress produced on a molded optical element product within a mold in a visco-elastic temperature range or elastic temperature range of an optical element material in a cooling step of the molding process is on the basis of a visco-elastic characteristic of the optical element material. A correction for the molding face of the mold is made on the basis of the value obtained by the numerical analysis so that any error between the optical functional face of optical element molded by the mold at room temperature and the optical functional face set on design may fall within a tolerance, thereby determining the molding face adapted to the shape of the optical functional face set on design.

Abstract: An optical storage disk consists of a glass substrate (1) into which guide tracks (3) for servo-controlling the focussed light beams are directly stamped by a hot stamp process. After stamping, the glass substrate is thermally quenched in the stamping device to increase its breaking resistance through thermal curing. In order to achieve uniform guide tracks over the entire surface of an optical storage disk, flexible stamp stencils (35) in a flexible holder (34) are used whose curvature can be changed by applying hydro-static pressure. Suitable stamp stencils consist of monocristalline silicon disks with surface hardening, or of metal disks, structured in photolithographic processes. The stamp lands are made with bevelled edges to facilitate the separating of stamp and glass substrate after cooling.

Abstract: In a method of and an apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of kinds of glass molding articles, a plurality of processing compartments are arranged in order of processing steps. The compartments have their functions which process glass materials to be molded which are accommodated respectively in a plurality of molds and which are different in processing condition from each other. The functions are different in property from each other. Each of the compartments is divided into a plurality of processing chambers having their functions which process the glass materials. The functions of the processing chambers of the compartment are identical in property with each other but different in condition from each other. The molds remain respectively in the processing chambers for a predetermined period of time. The molds are successively moved to their respective subsequent processing chambers to process the glass materials to form the glass molding articles.

Abstract: A press molding apparatus produces an optical element of high precision efficiently in such a way that an upper mold member is at least slidably operated relative to a shell mold, and the force of an operation member to be applied onto the upper mold member is exerted through the center of the upper mold member when press molding the glass material and releasing the molded optical element. The press molding apparatus in which glass material in a softened state is pressed within a shell mold using mold members slidable with the shell mold and an optical functional surface corresponding to a molding surface of each of the mold members is formed on the glass material is constructed such that at least the upper mold member slidable within the shell mold is operated via a pressing plate by an operation member so as to exert a pressure parallel to a sliding face of the shell mold at its center, and a hook member hung on the operation member is interlocked via alignment means so as to exert a central lifting force.

Abstract: A glass compression molding apparatus includes a horizontal upper platen and a lower platen disposed parallel to the upper platen. A top die is mounted for movement along the upper platen between a plurality of stations, and a bottom die is mounted for movement along the lower platen between another plurality of stations. A preform is introduced into the bottom die and then heated and compressed to form a molded product. The molded product is annealed and then removed from the bottom die. A clamping device forces the upper and lower platens together. A compression device compresses the preform. A conveying device moves at least the bottom die while suspended above the lower platen. Thus, wear of the lower platen, which would otherwise result from the sliding of the bottom die on the lower platen or the entry of foreign matter between the bottom die and the lower platen, is avoided. Such a wear or entry of foreign matter would occur while the mold is moved between stations in the conventional apparatus.

Abstract: A mold for use for press-molding an optical element, in which a molding surface of a mold base material is coated with a hard carbon film containing 0-5 atom% of hydrogen. It has a spin density of 1.times.10.sup.18 spin/cm.sup.3 or less and a film density of at least 1.5 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A diamond sintered product having diamond particles sintered with a suitable sintering aid is the most suitable as the material for the mold for optical element molding, because it has in combination the advantage of diamond that no fusion with glass at high temperature occurs and oxidation occurs with difficulty to give rise to no precipitation of lead, an appropriate hardness and also the advantage that mirror polishing is possible. "There is also disclosed a mold which has a diamond layer having a (100) face, made by the CVD method utilizing gas having 1-3% methane in hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of pressing flowing-down molten glass from the opposite sides thereof by a pair of shaping mold members to thereby manufacture a glass optical part having surfaces corresponding to the shaping surfaces of the mold members is characterized in that a groove forming ring is provided around the shaping surface of at least one of the shaping mold members, a groove is formed in the molten glass by the groove forming ring during the press and the flowing-down molten glass is cut above that portion thereof which is being pressed, thereby obtaining a glass molded article having an ear protruding outwardly of the groove relative to an optical part body portion.

Abstract: A plunger/ring apparatus for press-forming articles of glass, or other formable materials within a mold is disclosed. The disclosed plunger/ring apparatus is provided with a plurality of spring loaded segments which extend outwardly from the plunger to coact with engineered passageways located upon the inner wear surface of the ring to form a seal in the plunger/ring interface area in which air, but not the material to be press-formed, may pass to and from ambient upon press-forming the formable material. An alternative embodiment is also disclosed in which the engineered passageways are located upon the wear surfaces of the segments and with optional additional passages located upon the upper periphery of the plunger.

Abstract: A mold structure for press molding, including an upper mold member and a lower mold member in a sleeve member in longitudinally slidable manner. The mold includes a member for limiting the movement of the lower mold member with respect to the sleeve member in a direction in which the lower mold member is separated from the upper mold member, and a ring member mounted on the upper end face of the sleeve member. The ring member is provided, in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve member, with at least three penetrating holes in which pins with same length are detachably inserted, and the upper mold member has an impinging face to be brought into contact with the pins in the pressing operation, thus determining the thickness of the molded article.

Abstract: This specification discloses a mold for use for press-molding an optical element, characterized in that at least the molding surface of a mold base material is coated with an a-C:H film containing 5-40 atom % of hydrogen therein and having a film density of 1.5 g/cm.sup.3 or more, and with hard carbon film containing 0-5 atom % of hydrogen therein and having a spin density of 1.times.10.sup.18 spin/cm.sup.3 or less and a film density of 1.5 g/cm.sup.3 or more.

Abstract: This specification discloses a mold for use for press-molding an optical element, characterized in that at least the molding surface of a mold base material is coated with an a-C:H film containing 5-40 atom % of hydrogen therein and having a film density of 1.5 g/cm.sup.3 or more. Other mold coating films also disclosed are a hydrogenated amorphous carbon film with an intermediate carbide layer between the film and the molding surface, and a hard carbon film containing 0-5 atom % of hydrogen therein and having a spin density of 1.times.10.sup.18 spin/cm.sup.3 or less and a film densisy of 1.5 g/cm.sup.3 or more.

Abstract: A glass container forming mold, comprising an outer member formed of a metal, an inner member formed of a carbon material, and a flexible, compressible carbon sheet interposed between the outer member and the inner member, is provided.

Abstract: A glass object having protrusions and/or recesses, for example a glass lid (1) with a handle (2), is produced in an IS machine by pressing molten glass from above in a mould with the cover of the mould, in a mould defined by said cover, by a shaping mould (11) and by a mouth mould (13) disposed under the shaping mould. When the glass lid is formed its handle projects downwards and lies in the mouth mould. SUbsequently the glass lid is transferred together with the mouth mould to the finishing mould (12) and is at the same time returned into a position in which the handle projects upwards in the finishing mould in which it is cooled supported by the finishing mould.

Abstract: The use is described of oxide ceramic materials for compression molds for shaping elements made from glass or a glass-containing ceramic and having high surface quality and tight tolerances. The materials are polycrystalline, monophasal or polyphasal materials which are contact-inert towards the optical elements to be pressed and which, in addition, have significantly better mechanical and thermal properties than monocrystalline substances, which, in principle, exhibit an anisotropic behavior as a consequence of their geometrical anisotropy. The material intended for use according to the invention can comprise a Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ceramic or a ZrO.sub.2 -- and/or HfO.sub.2 -containing ceramic. The material can also be built up in several phases, i.e. can contain a matrix component and at least one particle component dispersed discretely in it. They are preferably ZrO.sub.

Abstract: A plunger assembly includes a plunger which has a base portion secured within an opening in the closed top of a cylindrical plunger holder. The bottom of the plunger holder is open and two opposed locking flanges projected inwardly into the opening. An adapter having an upper portion above a support collar receives the plunger holder and the two parts are relatively rotated 90.degree. to locate the locking flanges between the support collar and the bottom of opposed increased diameter portions on the adapter upper portion. Detents releasably retain the two parts at this relative orientation.

Abstract: A device (10) for registering together two cooperable glass article handling components (12,14) is disclosed as including a first registering member (16) on one of the handling components and a second registering member (18) on the other component. The registering members (16,18) are movable toward one another in a direction of registration A,A' and one of the registering members includes fixedly spaced rollers (20) for engaging the other registering member with rolling contact to provide registration between the handling components (12, 14) during glass article handling.

Abstract: This invention relates to a copper base alloy with improved toughness and weldability for use in making molds for glass containers. The alloy of the present invention contains copper, nickel and aluminum and may have intentional additions of iron for grain refinement and niobium for increased oxidation resistance. It is felt that niobium should be added when the alloy is to be welded under adverse conditions. The nickel content sould be between about 12 and 16 wt/o and the aluminum content between about 8.5 and 11.5 wt/o. If the aluminum content is above or below the range, and/or the nickel content is near or above 16 wt/o the alloy may have excessive hardness. Iron additions for grain refinement should be up to about 1.0 wt/o. The niobium, when added to improve weldability, should be maintained between about 0.5 and 1.0 wt/o.

Abstract: An optical glass forming apparatus for molding an optical element such as a lens by pressurizing optical glass, wherein a mold for molding one functional surface (optically functional surface) of the optical element is designed to be urged against the upper edge portion of a mold for forming the other functional surface of the optical element.

Abstract: An improved blank cylinder mechanism for a glassware making machine which utilizes shims between the bottom plate and support in conjunction with the cam track to adjust the angular position of the cylinder in down position. Also, the blank cylinder mechanism uses a double tapered slot in the piston rod to provide cushioning.

Abstract: The bottom plate mechanism has an adaptor plate (10) on which bottom plates of one or more moulds are mounted. The adaptor plate contains passages (14,20) which connect an inlet (16) thereof to a source of vacuum through a filter (72). In order that the filter may be rapidly changed, the adaptor plate is supported by a vertically-extending tubular member (24) which is supported for height adjustment, with a cylindrical projection (12) of the adaptor plate telescopically received within the tubular member. The arrangement is such that the adaptor plate (10) may be lifted away from the tubular member (24) so that the cylindrical projection (12) and filter (72), which is mounted on the cylindrical projection, leave the tubular member.

Abstract: Two mould portion carriers (14,16) are supported for pivoting movement about a column (12). Two cooling passages (44,48) pass through the column and each is connected to a passage (56,96) in one of the carriers. Each passage (56,96) in a carrier is connected to passages (82,84,86,88) in a mould portion (18) supported by the carrier (14,16) so that air under pressure supplied to the passages (44,48) in the column (12) is supplied to the passages in the mould portion to cool the mould portion. The air supply to each of the passages in the column is controllable independently so that the air supply to each mould portion is independent.

Abstract: This application relates to parallel blank mold opening mechanism wherein the split blank molds, of which there are a plurality, are carried in holders that are mounted on horizontal hinge pins adjacent the rear thereof. These hinge pins are carried at the upper end of crank arms and move toward and away from each other during the cycle of operation of a pneumatic motor. Each of the mold holders is provided with a parallel link which is connected between the base of the mold mechanism housing and the holder, such that upon opening and closing of the mold the faces of the molds are maintained in a vertical plane. In addition, the position of the axes of the crank shafts and the hinge pins are such that the hinge pins move over top dead center or through the vertical plane defined by the axis of the crank shaft upon opening or closing. In this manner the molds are actually lifted a slight amount during movement from their closed to their open position.

Abstract: The present invention provides aluminum bronze glassmaking molds. The molds are substantially free of zinc and lead, consist essentially of manganese, nickel, iron, aluminum and copper, and exhibit superior wear resistance, durability, pitting and oxidation resistance, and machinability as compared to prior art glassmaking molds. Further, the aluminum bronze glassmaking molds of the present invention have a heretofore unavailable range of thermal conductivities at elevated temperatures so as to optimize the rate of glass forming in, e.g., Hartford Individual Section glass forming machines.

Abstract: A process for forming lamp capsules such as in the manufacture of miniature arc lamps wherein the bulb portion of the capsule is formed by blowing molten glass into a mold while simultaneously press sealing the lead assembly. The molding and sealing process is accomplished with heat application by means of a press foot assembly closed for a predetermined period of time such as one second to press seal the blank capsule against the lead assembly with one portion of the press foot assembly, and simultaneously to blow mold the blank capsule into another preformed portion of the press foot assembly to form the bulb portion of the lamp capsule.

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: Disclosed is a method of pressing glass articles, especially feet of glasses with integrally formed stems, by pressing a portion of a glass lump or parison into a mold having the (internal) contour of the glass article to be formed, with the other portion of the parison being left behind outside of the mold, and wherein the glass article is subsequently separated from the remaining part of the parison which comprises cutting off the still plastified connecting strand or core between the remaining part of the parison and the glass article, following the pressing operation, directly at the glass article, and removing the strand lug or protrusion left on the glass article, after removal of said glass article from the mold.

Abstract: In glassware forming apparatus a parison is formed at a blank station by pressing a gob of molten glass using a plunger and plunger actuating means mounted on a carriage, the carriage also carrying a neck ring and being reciprocable so that a parison held by the neck ring is transported from the blank station to a further station in the apparatus and the neck ring is returned to the blank station after release of the parison at the further station and prior to the formation of the next parison at the blank station. The plunger mounting and actuating means is constructed to allow the plunger to float laterally and vertically during formation of the parison.

Abstract: In the operation of a pressing plunger for forming a parison from a gob of molten glass, it is important that the plunger be moved into the gob which is retained in the parison mold, with a fairly rapid motion and also be capable of being withdrawn from the formed parison as rapidly as possible. One other consideration is that it not be pressing the glass at the final portion of its travel at a very high force. By providing a large piston for moving the plunger into and out of pressing position, it is possible to move the plunger at a relatively high velocity with high operating pressure. A small piston is provided within the larger piston and by reason of having a substantially smaller surface area, with the smaller piston being connected to the plunger, a lower force is applied to the plunger. The plunger with its piston is moved by the larger piston to the fullest extent of the large piston's travel, and the smaller piston to which the plunger is attached is free to move relative to the large piston.

Abstract: A single mold and plunger set is programmed to form a parison within each of a plurality of neck rings which are continuously successively presented along a linear path. The mold, which is positioned below the linear path of said continuously successively presented neck rings, receives a charge of molten glass and accelerates in a direction parallel to said linear path to a speed commensurate with that of the continuously presented neck rings, and upon tracking with a particular neck ring, such mold moves vertically into engagement with a bottom portion thereof. Simultaneously, the plunger, which is positioned above said linear path, accelerates in a direction parallel with the movement of said continuously presented neck rings to a speed commensurate therewith, and upon tracking said particular neck ring moves vertically into engagement with an upper portion thereof so as to press form the charge of molten glass deposited within the mold into a shape determined by the shape of the parison mold and plunger.

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: A preferred glassware forming machine has a neck ring carriage for transferring parisons from a blank station A, to a further station B. The carriage is guided for horizontal reciprocatory motion on two spaced, parallel guide rails and carries two relatively movable neck ring parts which engage the necks of the parisons during the transfer of the parisons from station A to station B. Relative movement of the neck ring parts is effected by piston and cylinder devices which are carried by the carriage and which are operated by compressed or suction fluid supplied to the carriage through one or both guide rails, the application of the compressed or suction fluid to one or both guide rails being in timed relationship with movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine comprises a carriage, a blank station at which parisons are formed in upwardly open parison moulds from gobs of molten glass, and a further station, the carriage being reciprocable in a straight line between the blank station and the further station in order to transfer parisons from the blank station to the further station. The carriage has a neck ring mould comprising neck ring parts and a guide ring which defines the sealing surface of the finish of each parison. The guide ring is biased upwardly by spring-loaded members which raise the guide ring when the carriage is at the further station in order that the guide ring should clear the released parisons on return movement of the carriage to the blank station.

Abstract: Apparatus for glazing bases of electric bulbs comprising a number of combined tools on the circumference of a continuously rotating rotor, the combined tools consisting of coaxially arranged upper and lower parts, a mold being formed by the lower part. The apparatus includes means for feeding molten glass and for pressing it by the upper part, means for checking the presence of base sleeves and contacts at the working station, and means for removing excess glass in the course of the pressing operation. The apparatus includes means for ejecting a sleeve from the lower part of any tool which does not contain a contact, and means for preventing the feeding of glass to any tool which does not contain a sleeve.

Abstract: Glass or glass-ceramic vessels are formed with a pouring lip wherein wall portions of the vessel below the lip are of a thinner construction than the remaining wall portions so as to impede glass flow to the lip area and facilitate uniform glass flow to upper portions of the vessel during the forming process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing glass, in which an oxide ss is mixed with a reducing agent and a combination of compounds which provide a dopant, donor-acceptor ion pair. This ion pair is selected from the group consisting of trivalent thulium plus trivalent cerium, trivalent bismuth plus trivalent europium, or trivalent bismuth plus trivalent samarium. The resulting mixture is homogenized and heated to about 1100.degree. C. The hot melt is allowed to fall on a ceramic surface and pressed with a second ceramic surface to produce a glass disk. When borax, phosphate, and germanate glasses are used, the glass ingredient is dried overnight at 150.degree. C followed by addition of a quantity of dopant ions, then homogenized, heated, and a disk formed as above.The glass thus produced is capable of emitting monochromatic radiation in predetermined regions of the spectrum wherein the emitted radiation has an unexpectedly high intensity compared with radiation emitted by singly doped glass.

Abstract: A decorative pattern is formed on the inner surface of the blow molded glass article by imprinting the pattern on the surface of the glass gob by means of a die having the pattern formed thereon and subsequently blow molding against the imprinted surface.

Abstract: A blown hollow glass object having an optical inner wall structure is produced by pressing a plunger against a heated glass blank which has been inserted into a hollow mold cavity. The plunger is configured to taper toward a narrower end in the direction in which the plunger is introduced into the mold cavity. After formation of the optical inner wall structure by pressing of the plunger against the glass blank, the plunger is longitudinally withdrawn. The optical inner wall of the glass object is formed as a result of a generally helically shaped molding pattern defined about the exterior surface of the plunger. The molding pattern is configured in such a way as to prevent deformation of the optical inner wall structure when the plunger is withdrawn.

Abstract: The individual section of a Hartford I. S. type machine is modified to permit forming the parisons in an upright orientation, and also for transferring the upright parisons from the blank to the blow side of the section without disturbing this upright orientation. The pressing plungers at the blank station are mounted for movement toward and away from the upwardly open blank mold cavities, and each blank mold cavity is defined in part by partible neck ring molds, in part by a lower solid blank or body mold, and finally by intermediate partible mold sections which engage the upper neck ring molds and also the lower body mold. These intermediate mold sections at the blank side of the machine are mounted on the existing blank mold holder arms.

Abstract: Apparatus and transport system for production of pressed articles from plastic material, e.g., molten glass. A series of molds is routed on non-linked carriages over an endless course defined by a plurality of cooperating conveyors disposed over the course. The course comprises a charging section, a molding section, a solidification section, and a discharge section. Means can be provided for varying the speed of the carriages by operation of the conveyors in accordance with the working time at the respective sections.