Abstract: A hot-forming device is provided for producing glass containers from a glass tube. The device includes a rotary table mounted so as to be rotationally movable and an assigned drive motor for driving the rotary table. The rotary table includes several holding chucks for holding workpieces distributed around the circumference of the rotary table. The rotary table has a coolant channel that is fluid-tight and through which a coolant can flow to cool.

Abstract: A press forming apparatus includes a mounting plate, a heating mechanism, and a die. The mounting plate supports a glass material on an upper surface of the mounting plate. The heating mechanism heats the glass material on the mounting plate to a temperature which allows press formation of the glass material. The die is provided to face the upper surface of the mounting plate and press forms the glass material heated by the heating mechanism between the die and the mounting plate.

Abstract: A glass forming apparatus and a glass forming method of high economical merit and high production efficiency are provided. More specifically, the glass forming apparatus has dies, in which at least one die is divided into a heat exchange unit and a press unit, and in the glass forming apparatus and glass forming method, the plane precision is improved in the contact dividing surfaces of the heat exchange unit and the press unit. A glass forming apparatus includes a die having a press surface for pressing a glass material, in which the die has a plurality of dies, and at least one die is divided into a heat exchange unit and a press unit. Preferably, the surface precision of at least one part of each dividing surface in contact with the heat exchange unit and the press unit has a flatness (PV) of 500 ?m or less, and the plane precision of at least one part of the dividing surface has a surface roughness (Ra) of 100 ?m or less.

Abstract: A molding apparatus of a glass material according to the present invention is characterized by containing means for holding a glass material and a molding die in contact with each other, means for heating the glass material and the molding die, and means for applying a voltage across the glass material and the molding die, in which press-molding is performed by electrostatic attraction acting between a surface of the glass material and a surface of the molding die. Further, a molded product of a glass material according to the present invention is characterized by including an alkali metal as a component, in which a concentration of the alkali metal is lowered in vicinity of a surface to be molded as compared with that of a glass base material.

Abstract: A glass forming apparatus and a glass forming method are provided, which are capable of retaining the whole press surface at favorable temperatures for pressing glass, and forming a high-quality, efficient glass form. An upper die having a part formed such that the wall thickness of a bottom part, provided as an example of an opposite press surface, decreases gradually from the outside to the inside and the bottom part is formed as a part of the inner wall. In other words, the heat exchange chamber is in approximately a circular truncated cone shape.

Abstract: A mold assembly (10; 40) for molding a hollow glass article comprising a mold (12) that is made up of a separable pair of mold elements (12a, 12b; 42) and a mold holder (14; 44) that surrounds a portion of the mold of substantial axial length. The mold is separable from the mold holder, and the exterior of each mold segment is provided with a plurality of cooling fins (12e; 42e). The mold holder is made up of a separable pair of mold holder sections (16, 18; 46), and each mold holder section has a fluid flow passage (20; 50) extending therethrough. The fluid flow passage is radially open to permit fluid flowing therethrough to flow inwardly against the fins of an adjacent mold element. Each mold holder section has a perforated screen (26; 56) affixed thereto to vary the distribution of the flow of fluid from the mold holder section against the fins of the adjacent mold element.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a heating apparatus that can sufficiently suppress the occurrence of striae and the deterioration of optical properties, and that can reduce the maintenance burden. A heating apparatus 10 that is used for heating a flow path 90 for flowing out the molten glass includes an inner wall 21 which forms an entry hole 29 that a tip 91 of the flow path 90 can enter, heating portions 30 for heating the inner wall 21, and a high radiation portion 40 that is made of a high emissivity material. The high radiation portion 40 is arranged so as to face the tip 91 of the flow path 90 as well as a lower part thereof with a space therebetween when the heating apparatus 10 is used.

Abstract: A load cell is attached between a fixed axis and an upper die assembly and arranged in a forming chamber. For this reason, the load cell is hardly influenced by reduction of pressure in the forming chamber. A cooling plate is arranged between the load cell and the upper die assembly. An interior of the forming chamber is sectioned into two zones by the cooling plate, a flange and an isolating plate. The upper die assembly and a lower die assembly are housed in the lower zone surrounded by a transparent quartz tube. The load cell is housed in the upper zone surrounded by a cooling chamber. Thus, temperature rise of the load cell can be prevented.

Abstract: In the initial stage of die-opening operation when an upper core 3 moves upward together with an upper die plate 1, an upper cavity die 2 is biased downwardly by an elastic member 10 so as to press the lower surface of the upper cavity die 2 against the upper surface of a lower cavity die 6 and keep their contact, thereby forcing a molded glass element 4 to remain on a lower core 5 by utilizing the difference in outside diameter between the lower core 5 and the upper core 3. This makes it possible to securely release the molded glass element 4 from the upper core 3 and leave the molded product on the lower core 5 upon die opening, enabling smooth removal and automated transportation of the molded product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a finish cooling unit for a container glass machine for molding a glass container, comprising at least one plunger cylinder having a plunger cylinder cover (6) and a parison mold (4). Said plunger cylinder cover (6) has at least one feed line and at least one channel (PK) with an outlet through which a cooling medium (KM) is guided and exits the channel (PK) in the plunger cylinder cover (6). The cooling medium (KM) for the finish is supplied from a source separate from the source for cooling the parison mold in order to cool the finish of the glass container to be molded independent of the cooling of the parison mold (4). The invention also relates to a method for cooling the finish of a glass container during parison molding in a container glass machine, whereby the finish of the glass container is cooled using a control or adjustment of the pressure of the cooling medium (KM) independent of the cooling of the parison mold.

Abstract: A processing method for glass substrate of the present invention includes: applying heat and external force to a glass substrate and then cooling it down to thereby form a compression stressed part having a different etching rate from that of other parts with respect to an etching reagent to be used, on the surface of the glass substrate and in the vicinity thereof; and performing chemical etching using the etching reagent on the glass substrate having the compression stressed part formed thereon, so as to form a relief on the surface of the glass substrate.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for the automated casting of infrared glass optical components is provided. The system includes a mold for casting infrared glass into lenses, a mold chamber operable to heat the mold to a temperature above the melting temperature of the infrared glass, and a casting chamber operable to fill the mold with molten infrared glass. The method includes heating a mold in a mold chamber to a temperature above the melting temperature of infrared glass, casting molten infrared glass into the mold in a casting chamber; and cooling the mold to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the infrared glass.

Abstract: A method is provided for molding from glass certain complex optical components, such as lenses, microlens, arrays of microlenses, and gratings or surface-relief diffusers having fine or hyperfine microstructures suitable for optical or electro-optical applications. Thereby, mold masters or patterns, which define the profile of the optical components, made on metal alloys, particularly titanium or nickel alloys, or refractory compositions, with or without a non-reactive coating are used. Given that molding optical components from oxide glasses has numerous drawbacks, it has been discovered in accordance with the invention that non-oxide glasses substantially eliminates these drawbacks. The non-oxide glasses, such as chalcogenide, chalcohalide, and halide glasses, may be used in the mold either in bulk, planar, or power forms. In the mold, the glass is heated to about 10–110° C., preferably about 50° C.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a press-forming method for glass capable of uniformly heating press dies and a preform and preventing oxidation of the press dies. According to the press-forming method for glass of the present invention, a preform is placed between a pair of press dies in a press-forming chamber and the preform and the press dies are heated in an inert gas atmosphere. After the temperature of the press dies reaches a predetermined value, evacuation of the press-forming chamber is initiated. After the pressure of the press-forming chamber reaches a predetermined value and the temperature of the press-forming chamber are stabilized at a second predetermined value, the preform is press-formed. Preferably, an exhaust rate for evacuating the chamber is limited to a predetermined value or less.

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: In a press molding apparatus for press molding a plurality of glass materials into a plurality of glass optical elements by the use of a pressing mold including upper and lower molds each of which has a plurality of molding surfaces, at least one of the upper and the lower molds is a heat generator within which heat is generated when the heat generator is subjected to a high-frequency induction heating by an induction heating coil. The heat generator having a plurality of shape-processed portions (130) produced by partially processing a shape of the heat generator in order that a temperature distribution of the heat generator is adjusted. The apparatus simultaneously press forms, into the glass optical elements, the glass materials supplied between the molding surfaces of the upper and the lower molds which are subjected to the high-frequency induction heating.

Abstract: The forming apparatus has top and bottom die assemblies which form a heated silica glass material by press forming. These top and bottom die assemblies include, respectively, mold dies, which are made of isotropic carbon, and core molds, which are made of vitrified carbon. The heating and pressing time of a silica glass element, which requires a high forming temperature, is shortened by pinching the silica glass material between top and bottom core molds by controlling a torque so as to produce a close contact condition which permits heat transfer from the top and bottom core molds to the silica glass material between the top and bottom core molds.

Abstract: A press molding apparatus includes upper and lower mother molds 102 and 104. Each of the mother molds 102 and 104 has four molding surfaces arranged in a single line and satisfies the relationship given by L×?×?T/t<0.0008, where L represents the length, t, the thickness, ?, the thermal expansion coefficient, and ?T, the temperature difference between both ends in the thickness direction during induction heating. The press molding apparatus may include a pressing mold set including upper mother molds 102a and 102b attached to a common fixed shaft 118 through upper supporting shafts 110a and 110b and lower mother molds 104a and 104b driven by a common drive shaft 120 through lower supporting shafts 112a and 112b. The upper mother molds 102a and 102b and the lower mother molds 104a and 104b are collectively heated by induction heating coils 122 and 124, respectively.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for forming glass elements, which includes top and bottom die assemblies, each of the die assemblies comprising a core mold, a mold die which supports the core mold, and a die plate, and a glass material being interposed between the top and bottom core molds, a first fastening member, which fastens the mold die and bottom die plate of the bottom die assembly together, a second fastening member, which fastens the die plate of the bottom die assembly and the heat insulating cylinder together, a third fastening member, which fastens the mold die and die plate of the top die assembly together, and a fourth fastening member, which fastens the die plate of the top die assembly and the heat insulating cylinder together. Each of the first to fourth fastening members is made of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon and molybdenum.

Abstract: Method of heating glass contacting surfaces, comprising heating the glass contacting surfaces to a predetermined operating temperature by combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel gas mixture which includes 90% by volume of MAPP gas and 10 percent by volume of propane. Another method blends the MAPP with air and/or natural gas. A novel hydrocarbon fuel gas mixture which includes 90% by volume of MAPP gas and 10% by volume of propane.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a press forming machine for glass optical devices which is superior in the temperature uniformity and has a low manufacturing cost. An upper die is fixed to a lower end of a fixed shaft, and a lower die is fixed to an upper end of a moving shaft. The upper die and the lower die are accommodated in a quartz tube, and a forming chamber in which atmosphere adjustment is possible is formed inside the quartz tube. An infrared lamp unit is arranged so as to surround the quartz tube. The infrared lamp unit is constituted by a plurality of straight tube type infrared lamps each of which has a vertical axis, and a reflecting mirror is arranged behind each infrared lamp. In this example, straight tube type infrared lamps are used in the infrared lamp unit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a glass optical element having at least one concave surface, including: softening a glass molding material by heating, molding the softened material with a first mold having a first molding surface and a second mold having a second molding surface by applying a pressure, the first molding surface including a first concave forming surface, the second molding surface including a convex forming surface, a planar forming surface or a second concave forming surface, the second concave forming surface having a curvature radius greater than that of the first concave forming surface, whereby the applying of the pressure starts when the first mold and the second mold are at temperatures above a glass transition temperature of said glass molding material, the glass material is cooled so that a temperature of the glass material reaches a temperature equal to or lower than a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the glass material, and the cooled glass material is removed from either of the firs

Abstract: A bottom mold for molding a glass panel for a cathode ray tube includes a hollow portion defined by a rectangular bottom wall 2 and a side wall 3 provided on four sides of the bottom wall. A refrigerant is supplied to a central portion of the bottom wall 2 from under the bottom wall to cool a glass panel for a cathode ray tube 5 to be filled in the hollow portion. The bottom wall 2 has a hollow layer 4 provided at the central portion to enhance cooling of a peripheral portion of the bottom mold by preventing the central portion from being excessively cooled.

Abstract: An optical element includes a lens holder, and an optical lens integrally held by an inner wall portion of the lens holder and having a lens optical surface at an opening in the lens holder in the direction of the optical axis of the optical lens. A projecting portion is formed in the inner wall portion of the lens holder and adjacent to the opening. An outer peripheral edge surface of the lens optical surface is placed under the projecting portion and is pressed in contact with the projecting portion over the entire periphery.

Abstract: A method of producing a disk having a radius of r and a thickness of 2h from an oxynitride glass by pressing, said method being characterized in that the pressing load (F), the pressing temperature (T), and the pressing time (t) are defined by the expression below. 1900 ≥ T ≥ 100 × log 10 ⁡ ( 0.

Abstract: For producing large volume optical components of high optical quality from synthetic quartz glass blanks, the latter are heated in a component mold in a furnace with a protective gas atmosphere to a temperature 50° to 170° K above the softening point, this temperature being held for 20 to 90 minutes and, during this holding time, the quartz glass blank being pressed into the component mold. By these means, a gentle treatment of the quartz glass, a good yield, a decrease in the energy input and a complete filling up of the component mold are achieved.

Abstract: The forming apparatus has top and bottom die assemblies which form a heated silica glass material by press forming. These top and bottom die assemblies include, respectively, mold dies, which are made of isotropic carbon, and core molds, which are made of vitrified carbon. The heating and pressing time of a silica glass element, which requires a high forming temperature, is shortened by pinching the silica glass material between top and bottom core molds by controlling a torque so as to produce a close contact condition which permits heat transfer from the top and bottom core molds to the silica glass material between the top and bottom core molds.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for forming glass elements, which includes top and bottom die assemblies, each of the die assemblies comprising a core mold, a mold die which supports the core mold, and a die plate, and a glass material being interposed between the top and bottom core molds, a first fastening member, which fastens the mold die and bottom die plate of the bottom die assembly together, a second fastening member, which fastens the die plate of the bottom die assembly and the heat insulating cylinder together, a third fastening member, which fastens the mold die and die plate of the top die assembly together, and a fourth fastening member, which fastens the die plate of the top die assembly and the heat insulating cylinder together. Each of the first to fourth fastening members is made of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon and molybdenum.

Abstract: A press die and a molding process can form a disk member having a shaft shaped portion at a center with satisfactory circularity and flatness in a disk portion, dimensional precision in the shaft shaped portion, and concentricity between the disk portion and the shaft shaped portion at the center. The press die is designed for press molding of a glass substrate of a disk member with a shaft shaped portion at a center thereof. The press die includes an upper die forming an upper surface of the disk member, an intermediate die having a shaft forming hole portion for forming a shaft shaped portion projecting from a disk portion of the disk member, a lower die for forming a lower surface of the shaft shaped portion and a guide member for guiding the upper die, the intermediate die and the lower die.

Abstract: A system and method of cooling glassware molds by directing liquid coolant to the blank or blow mold halves of a glassware forming machine through an enclosed pivotal rotary union-type structure. A coolant manifold is carried by each pivotal mold arm, and communicates with coolant inlet and outlet ports at the lower end of each mold part. The manifold is connected by a floating shaft seal and a rotary union assembly and a crank arm to a coolant source and coolant return in the section box of the associated machine section. Each pivotal connection—i.e., between the section box and the crank arm, between the crank arm and the rotary union assembly, and between the rotary union assembly and the floating shaft seal—comprises a bi-directional rotary union for feeding liquid coolant to the manifold and mold parts, and returning coolant from the manifold and mold parts.

Abstract: A glassware forming mold that includes a body of heat conductive construction having a central portion with a forming surface for shaping molten glass and a peripheral portion spaced radially outwardly of the central portion. A plurality of coolant passages extend in a spaced array through the peripheral portion of the mold body, and liquid coolant is directed through such passages for extracting heat from the body by conduction from the forming surface. A plurality of openings extend axially into the body radially between at least some of the liquid coolant passages and the forming surface for retarding heat transfer from the forming surface to liquid coolant in the passages.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine system includes an individual section glassware forming machine having a plurality of sections, each with at least one blank mold, and a gob distributor for distributing molten glass gobs to the blank molds of each machine section in sequence. The molten glass gobs are delivered to the blank molds of each section through deflectors on which the glass gobs slide to each blank mold. At least one liquid coolant passage is integral with each deflector, and the several coolant passages for the entire machine are connected in parallel between source and return liquid coolant manifolds. Variable flow control valves are individually connected between each liquid coolant passage and the return manifold for controlling flow of liquid coolant through the passages and thereby balance temperatures among the parallel gob deflectors.

Abstract: A press forming machine for optical devices which manufactures, an optical device from silica glass with a high glass transition point. A transparent quartz tube surrounds an upper die unit, lower die unit, fixed shaft, and moving shaft to form an airtight chamber inside it. Infrared lamps are arranged along the outer surface of the transparent quartz tube, and a reflecting mirror is arranged behind the infrared lamps. A cooling gas jacket is formed to cover the rear surface of the reflecting mirror. The inner-diameter side wall surface of the jacket and the reflecting mirror have many through holes. A cooling gas is sprayed from the interior of the jacket toward the transparent quartz tube through the through holes, thereby cooling the reflecting mirror, quartz bulbs constituting the outer surfaces of the infrared lamps, and the transparent quartz tube.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bending and tempering a sheet of glass heated to a formable state provides an improved rigid mold and pressing member for pressing the heated sheet against the rigid mold which cools and bends the sheet. The pressing member includes a conformable pressing element which permits a manifold to be positioned between the rigid mold and the pressing member to direct a gas to cool the heated sheet of glass during bending. The conformable pressing element is pressurized into a convex shape for initially pressing on a portion of the heated sheet and for rolling the heated sheet onto the rigid mold. The rigid mold and the conformable pressing element may each include a cover to increase the heat transfer from the heated sheet to the bending and tempering apparatus. Furthermore, the covers may have increased thermal conductivity in their peripheral regions for increased cooling of the edge of the sheet of glass.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine system includes an individual section glassware forming machine having a plurality of sections, each with at least one blank mold, and a gob distributor for distributing molten glass gobs to the blank molds of each machine section in sequence. The molten glass gobs are delivered to the blank molds of each section through deflectors on which the glass gobs slide to each blank mold. At least one liquid coolant passage is integral with each deflector, and the several coolant passages for the entire machine are connected in parallel between source and return liquid coolant manifolds. Variable flow control valves are individually connected between each liquid coolant passage and the return manifold for controlling flow of liquid coolant through the passages and thereby balance temperatures among the parallel gob deflectors.

Abstract: A method for forming an optical glass element by pressure molding a glass pre-form using top and bottom molds, has steps of heating a glass pre-form held at a position separated from the top and bottom molds by a holding member within the top and bottom molds, pressing the glass pre-form while the glass pre-form is held by the holding member, and moving the bottom mold independently in an upward direction and pressing the glass pre-form again.

Abstract: A plunger assembly (10) for a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type, the plunger assembly having a plunger (12) that is open it one end and is non-threadably secured at its open end to a free end of an annular cylinder rod (14) that operates to reciprocate the plunger relative to a blank mold of the forming machine. A perforated cooling air inlet tube (20) is positioned within the plunger, and the free end of the air inlet tube is held against a free end of an annular extension (22) of the cylinder rod, an opposed end of which is threadably received in the cylinder rod, by a split locking ring (30) an inwardly facing recess (36, 38) of which traps a radially outwardly extending flange (40) of the plunger to axially position the plunger relative to the split ring. The split ring abuts an endless ring (24) and is axially positioned thereagainst by a flange (44, 46) of the split ring that is received in a recess (42) of the extension.

Abstract: A press mold for glass substrate includes an upper mold and a lower mold, and a pressure apparatus for applying pressure to the upper mold and the lower mold, for molding a plate-shaped glass substrate having a predetermined thickness between the upper mold and the lower mold. An engaging projected piece is projectingly provided on the side portion of the upper mold, an engaging projected piece supporting portion for supporting the engaging projected piece is provided on the side portion of the lower mold, and an end portion of the upper mold is formed so as to be released from the lower mold with the engaging projected piece as a rotating shaft. Variance in pressure on mold surfaces between the upper mold and lower mold is detected, and a buffer made of material having lower compressive yield strength than material constituting the lower mold is inserted between the lower mold and the pressure apparatus in a position corresponding to the mold surface portion at lower pressure.

Abstract: A mold opening and closing mechanism for a section of an I.S. machine includes a mold carrier assembly and horizontal axially extending shafts. A housing supports these shafts for axial displacement and includes first and second vertically extending ducts which terminate at their tops with a sleeve. A manifold assembly includes a manifold including a plenum which overlies each of the mold halves. A spacer secured beneath said frame and having vertically extending holes communicates with the downwardly opening exit of the plenum for delivering cooling air from the plenum to the vertical cooling air passages of the mold halves. The manifold includes a pair of horizontally extending cylindrical inlet holes A pair of cylindrical tubes are received by the cylindrical holes and first and second elbows connect a second end of each of the cylindrical tubes to the sleeves so that cooling air from the ducts will be delivered to the pair of tubes.

Abstract: Disclosed are a molding apparatus for glass optical elements a plurality of molds each constituted of an upper mold and a lower mold, a matrix supporting the molds, and heating means wound around the matrix for heating the molds, wherein the matrix extends in a longitudinal form and has a constant width, wherein the plurality of the molds are arranged in the matrix in a line so that the center of each mold is located on a center line of the matrix, and wherein a distance between the heating means and the matrix is constant at least at an edge of the matrix in a transverse direction, and a molding method for optical elements comprising the steps of: softening a plurality of glass material pieces by heat; and making a simultaneous press molding of the glass material pieces with a plurality of molds, constituted of upper and lower molds, arranged in a longitudinal form matrix, in a line extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein each mold is heated by thermal conductance from the matrix heated by heating mea

Abstract: A mold opening and closing mechanism for a section of an I.S. machine includes a mold carrier assembly and horizontal axially extending shafts. A housing supports these shafts for axial displacement and includes first and second vertically extending ducts which terminate at their tops with a sleeve. A manifold assembly includes a manifold including a plenum which overlies each of the mold halves. A spacer secured beneath said frame and having vertically extending holes communicates with the downwardly opening exit of the plenum for delivering cooling air from the plenum to the vertical cooling air passages of the mold halves. The manifold includes a pair of horizontally extending cylindrical inlet holes A pair of cylindrical tubes are received by the cylindrical holes and first and second elbows connect a second end of each of the cylindrical tubes to the sleeves so that cooling air from the ducts will be delivered to the pair of tubes.

Abstract: A cooling system for use with a glassware machine having a plunger, a mold and a valve. The system includes a supply of cooling fluid such as air. The system further includes devices for cooling the plunger, the mold and the valve that are in communication with the supply of fluid.

Abstract: A molding method for optical element is disclosed in which a glass material prepared for weight is introduced into a mold and then heated to soften, and subsequently pressed with the mold to mold an optical element. The glass material is heated to have a viscosity of 10.sup.5 to 10.sup.7 dPaS and press-molded with the mold having a temperature equivalent to a viscosity of 10.sup.9 to 10.sup.11 dPaS of the glass material.

Abstract: A plunger base module for a selected number of vertically extending cylindrical plunger canisters each having a bottom surface and including a set of service conduits including plunger up, plunger down, and counterblow/vacuum or cooling, with each of the service conduits in a plunger canister having a selectively located inlet port communicating with the bottom surface of the plunger canister. The plunger base module includes a permanent plunger distribution base having a top surface and a plurality of sets of service conduits, each set including plunger up, plunger down, and counterblow/vacuum or cooling. Each plunger distribution base service conduit has an outlet port communicating with the top surface. A removable transition plate has a bottom surface for engaging the top surface of the plunger distribution base and a top surface.

Abstract: In press molding, a shaft (metal mold 13) is moved by positional or torque control to cause upper and lower molds to reach a set position slightly before a position where the upper and lower molds are set in a final mold closed state. As soon as the upper and lower molds reaches the set position, the control is switched to torque control using a small force which does not deform a glass material to perform feedback control. For this reason, when the cooling process is started, the mobile shaft is moved by the same amount as a contraction amount of the shaft, the actual position of the shaft is moved. However, a tight contact state between the molds and the glass material is kept without changing the thickness of the glass material, and positional control and torque control can be apparently performed at once. Thereafter, when temperature reaches an almost glass transition point, final pressing is performed.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bending and tempering a sheet of glass heated to a formable state provides an improved rigid mold and pressing member for pressing the heated sheet against the rigid mold which cools and bends the sheet. The pressing member includes a conformable pressing element which permits a manifold to be positioned between the rigid mold and the pressing member to direct a gas to cool the heated sheet of glass during bending. The conformable pressing element is pressurized into a convex shape for initially pressing on a portion of the heated sheet and for rolling the heated sheet onto the rigid mold. The rigid mold and the conformable pressing element may each include a cover to increase the heat transfer from the heated sheet to the bending and tempering apparatus. Furthermore, the covers may have increased thermal conductivity in their peripheral regions for increased cooling of the edge of the sheet of glass.

Abstract: A mold support assembly (28) includes a support (164) located within a heated chamber (22) and having a construction that reduces thermal expansion. A vertical guide (170) located externally of the heated chamber has a vertically movable connection (172) to the support (164) to permit vertical movement thereof at a horizontally fixed location. A mold support (174) for supporting a mold that provides forming of heated glass sheets is supported on the support (164) by support mounts (176) and is positioned by positioners (178,180) that provide a thermally stable center. The support (164) is constructed as a tubular support having fluid inlet (166) and a fluid outlet (168) through which a liquid coolant flows to reduce thermal expansion.

Abstract: A hollow parison (P) of a glass container is formed from a gob of molten glass, the parison having a body portion (B) with a closed end and an open end. The body portion of the parison is formed in an annular blank mold (14). The parison also has a finish portion (F) at the open end of the body portion of the parison, the finish portion being formed by an annular neck mold (16) which is positioned against an end of the blank mold during the forming of the parison. An annular cage (26) surrounds a substantial axially extending portion of the blank mold. The annular cage receives cooling air and directs cooling air against cooling fins (24) on the exterior of the blank mold to cool the body portion of the parison while it is in the blank mold. Spent cooling fluid from the annular cage flows therefrom through an opening aligned with the open end of the body portion of the parison.

Abstract: A plunger mechanism has a plunger canister module to be mounted on the top wall of a section frame of an I.S. machine. The module includes one, two, three or four plunger canisters each having a vertically extending cylinder having a locating diameter at the top and a mounting flange secured to the top of the vertically extending cylinder. The module also includes a horizontal mounting plate adapted to be mounted on the top wall of the section having a top surface and a number of holes, corresponding to the number of plunger canisters, extending vertically therethrough for matingly receiving the locating diameter of each of the plunger canisters.

Abstract: A furnace for molding glass blanks includes a housing having a series of electrical heating stations and a rotary door adapted to receive glass blanks for processing. The furnace also includes a rotary turntable for receiving the glass blanks and a steering coil positioned to direct the glass blanks in a spiral pattern as they are heated at the electrical stations, a paddling platform for manual shaping, and a pressing station for pressing the glass blanks into a predetermined configuration.