Discharge Orifice Below Melt Level Patents (Class 65/325)
  • Patent number: 10836669
    Abstract: A system and method for stirring molten material such as glass are provided. To prevent sagging of a cover of a stirring system, a portion where deformation or sagging may significantly occur is suspended by a suspension system, so that local sagging and deformation of the cover is suppressed. As a result, a crack which may occur in the cover is suppressed, and therefore, contamination of the molten material is likewise suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Jang-hun An, Tae-woo Jung, JinSoo Kim, Hosoon Lee, Tae-hyun Lee, Se-Yeol Lim
  • Patent number: 10029936
    Abstract: An apparatus for downwardly drawing glass ribbon comprises edge directors, wherein an outer portion defining a first pair of surfaces and a second pair of surfaces. In one example, the first and second pair of surfaces of each edge director includes a glass wettability with a static contact angle within a range of from about 30° to about 60°. In another example, the outer portion comprises a platinum alloy including from about 0.05 weight % tin to about 5 weight % tin. Methods for forming glass include the step of providing the edge director with a desired glass wettability and/or a desired platinum alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Richard Grzesik, Ahdi El Kahlout, Nicolas LeBlond, Gaozhu Peng, Kim E Womer
  • Patent number: 8661855
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing molten glass from flow channels for the transport of production glass that are installed between a melting furnace and an extraction point for the production glass. The flow channel has a glass-resistant inner lining. A drainage unit for bottom glass is installed upstream of the extraction point for the production glass. In order to keep electrodes away from the molten glass, but still maintain a local and temporal influence on the temperature profile within the cross section, the inner lining, at least in the area of the drainage unit, is formed of a fusion cast electrically conductive material which has a drainage opening for the bottom glass with a drainage slit above it. At least two electrodes are installed on opposite sides of the flow channel and the drainage unit for the bottom glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Beteiligungen Sorg GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jürgen Gröβler
  • Patent number: 8375747
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for use in conveying molten glass from a first vessel to a second vessel, wherein at least a portion of the first vessel is nested within the second vessel without contact between the first and second vessels, and a flexible member comprising a gas-tight seal separates an atmosphere enclosed by the sealing apparatus and an ambient atmosphere. The sealing apparatus is useful for flexibly sealing a non-contact joint between conduits for supplying molten glass to a forming body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Gilbert De Angelis, Ronald L. Kimball
  • Patent number: 8240170
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for use in conveying molten glass from a first vessel to a second vessel, wherein at least a portion of the first vessel is nested within the second vessel without contact between the first and second vessels, and a flexible member comprising a gas-tight seal separates an atmosphere enclosed by the sealing apparatus and an ambient atmosphere. The sealing apparatus is useful for flexibly sealing a non-contact joint between conduits for supplying molten glass to a forming body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Gilbert De Angelis, Ronald L. Kimball
  • Patent number: 8091387
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing high-quality preforms from glass melt, manufacturing glass elements, such as lenses, by press molding these preforms and, manufacturing optical elements by reheating and press molding these glass gobs. In the method glass gobs are continuously separated from a glass melt flow continuously flowing out of a nozzle and the separated glass gobs are formed with glass forming members that are intermittently or continuously moving. A support member is made to approach the front end of the nozzle, the front end of the glass melt flow is received by the support member, and the support member is dropped more rapidly than the rate of flow of the glass melt flow to separate a glass gob from the glass melt flow. The separated glass gob is transferred from the support member to a stopped or moving glass forming member to mold a glass article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Iguchi, Katsumi Utsugi, Atsushi Uezaki, Junichi Watanabe, Tetsuya Saito, Akira Murakami
  • Patent number: 8061161
    Abstract: A molten glass dropping nozzle including: a molten glass flow path therein for flowing molten glass; and a plurality of openings of the flow path, the plurality of openings being provided on a front end of the molten glass dropping nozzle, wherein the molten glass flowing out of the plurality of openings is stored in the front end and falls as one molten glass drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Toshiya Tomisaka
  • Publication number: 20100126224
    Abstract: A method of delivering molten material from a delivering pipe having an outlet end to a receiving vessel having an inlet end is provided. The method includes arranging the delivering pipe and the receiving vessel in such a way that a gap exists between the outlet end of the delivering pipe and the inlet end of the receiving vessel and the molten material can exit the outlet end of the delivering pipe and enter the inlet end of the receiving vessel without spilling over the inlet end of the receiving vessel. Molten material is delivered to the delivering pipe and allowed to flow from the delivering pipe into the receiving vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: David Myron Lineman, Robert Richard Thomas
  • Patent number: 7454925
    Abstract: A method of forming a glass melt including heating a glass feed material in a first melting furnace to form a glass melt, flowing the glass melt into a second melting furnace through a refractory metal connecting tube, and further heating the glass melt in the second melting furnace. The refractory metal connecting tube is heated to prevent the molten glass from excessive cooling, and to ensure that the glass melt entering the second melting furnace is equal to or greater than the temperature of the glass melt in the second melting furnace. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Gilbert DeAngelis, William Weston Johnson, John Jerry Kersting, Daniel Arthur Nolet, Robert Richard Thomas, Pascal Verdurme
  • Patent number: 7299657
    Abstract: A method of forming a glass sheet includes obtaining a preform generated from a glass composition and conveying the preform through a channel having a temperature that decreases along a length of the channel to form a glass sheet having a predetermined width and thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Kohli
  • Patent number: 6848272
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass that includes a spout for delivering core glass from a first source through a first orifice. A second orifice is vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice, and is surrounded by an annular chamber that communicates with the second orifice through a gap between the first and second orifices. A tube delivers casing glass from the outlet opening of a casing glass spout to the annular chamber in such a way that glass flows by gravity through the orifices from the first and second sources to form the cased glass stream. A hollow tube within the casing glass spout is positioned with respect to the spout outlet opening for metering flow of casing glass through the outlet opening and delivery tube to the annular chamber surrounding the orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett L. Scott, James E. Fenstermacher
  • Publication number: 20040206125
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing glass using a feeding device, via which liquid glass can be supplied to a hot-shaping device. For precise setting of the operational parameters, such as glass temperature and viscosity, a glass flow treating apparatus, which has a flow path with a gradient that is inclined in a direction towards the hot-shaping device, is disposed in a region between the feeding device and the hot-shaping device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Christian Schenk, Hatto Schafer
  • Patent number: 6802189
    Abstract: A process for the remelting of glass bars, including the steps of introducing a glass bar into an upper end of a receiving shell; providing a molten bath having a surface underneath the receiving-shell; positioning the receiving shell such that a lower edge of the receiving shell is located at the height of the surface or above it; heating a lower end of the glass bar to a temperature above a softening temperature of the glass, resulting in a melt-off process at the lower end of the glass bar to produce a melt stream; controlling the melt-off process such that the melt stream continuously enters the molten bath proximate the surface with avoidance of a constriction; and drawing off melt from the molten bath by means of an arrangement for drop generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Andreas Langsdorf, Hildegard Römer, Paul Kissl
  • Patent number: 6763682
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of synthetic vitreous silica ingots involves the production of a melt of synthetic vitreous silica in a crucible (35) within a refractory furnace (31), and the continuous withdrawal of an ingot (43) through an orifice (40) in the wall of the crucible. The silica may be deposited in the crucible by a synthesis burner (33), which may also serve to maintain the silica above its sintering temperature. The emerging ingot is supported by an arrangement of moveable clamps (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Quartz PLC
    Inventors: Ian George Sayce, Peter John Wells
  • Patent number: 6758065
    Abstract: An apparatus for indicating concentricity of a rotatable glass flow control tube with respect to its axis of rotation on a tube support frame in a glassware forming system includes a base for securement on the tube support frame and a slide mounted on the base for radial movement toward and away from an outside surface of the glass flow control tube. A roller is positioned on the slide for rolling engagement with the outside surface of the flow control tube as it rotates on the frame, and an indicator is coupled to the slide for indicating radial movement of the slide, indicative of radial movement of the tube outside surface with respect to its axis of rotation, as the tube is rotated on the tube support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Gerber
  • Patent number: 6634187
    Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first or upper orifice ring having at least one orifice for receiving core glass, and a second or lower orifice ring secured beneath the first orifice ring and having a second orifice aligned with each first orifice. A chamber for receiving casing glass is formed between the first and second orifice rings surrounding the second orifice. A bushing is received in an opening in the second orifice ring to form each second orifice in the second orifice ring. The bushing has a first radially extending flange supported on an upper surface of the second orifice ring and a bushing end spaced upwardly from the first flange for admitting casing glass from the chamber to the second orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Cirincione, Garrett L. Scott
  • Patent number: 6314761
    Abstract: A feeder tube assembly for a feeder bowl of a glass melting furnace forehearth. The feeder tube assembly has an horizontally extending elongate support arm, and a feeder tube that is carried by the support arm at a location near an end of the support arm. The feeder tube is rotatable about its longitudinal central axis with respect to the support arm, and the support arm carries drive elements for rotating the feeder tube about its longitudinal central axis. The support arm is supported on a vertically extending servo motor actuated linear actuator, and the elevation of the support arm is adjustable by actuation of the linear actuator, a releasable brake being provided to prevent rotation of the servo motor when it is desired to prevent a change in elevation of the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. DiFrank, D. Wayne Leidy, William B. Rugh
  • Publication number: 20010037662
    Abstract: The present invention improves a tensile strength of an optical fiber obtained by heating to melt and drawing a preform and thereby realizes an extension of the surviving length of an optical fiber in a screening test. For this purpose, an optical fiber preform before the drawing step, that is, a preform (51), is stored while exposed to an ionized gas, that is, air (G), in a storage apparatus, and this stored preform (51) is conveyed while exposed to the ionized air (G) in the process of conveying this to a drawing use heating furnace, whereby deposition of foreign substances to the preform (51) is suppressed and a reduction of the tensile strength of the optical fiber due to the foreign substances can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: The Furukawa Electric CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yukio Kohmura, Yasuhiro Naka
  • Patent number: 6289696
    Abstract: In an apparatus (1) for the severing of gobs from one or more strands (2;3) of molten glass, the severing of each gob is effected by a shear blade pair (5;6). A shear blade (7,8;9,10) of each shear blade pair is arranged on an associated, pivotably mounted shear arm (11;12). The two shear arms (11;12) are coaxially and freely pivotably mounted relative to each other on a common column (13). Each shear arm is pivotably drivable synchronously in relation to the other by its own separate drive means (24;25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: The Firm Herman Heye
    Inventors: Hermann Bögert, Gerhard Geisel
  • Patent number: 6272885
    Abstract: A multiple orifice glass feed system for use with a glass forehearth including a plurality of closely spaced plungers, each of which is individually supported independently of the other. Each plunger includes a servo controlled linear actuator and an arm extending between each plunger and its respective servo-motor. Each servo-motor has an axis parallel to the axis of the plungers. An air spring is associated with each plunger for balancing the weight of each plunger and its respective arm. The center lines of the plungers lie generally in a plane. The arms have the major portions thereof generally parallel and closely spaced. A feedback system is provided to monitor the position of each individual needle independently of the other at all times and make corrections to the actual position of the needle if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: D. Wayne Leidy, Frank J. DiFrank
  • Patent number: 6199405
    Abstract: A glass feeder which discharges parallel runners of molten glass which can be sheared into discrete gobs for processing in a glass container forming machine. The spout bowl has a neck portion at the bottom which includes a discharge passage. This passage is circular at the top where it communicates with the bottom surface of the spout bowl and oblong at the bottom where it communicates with a corresponding oblong opening in a bathtub shaped orifice ring. The orifice ring has a closed oblong shaped bottom smaller than the oblong opening and has a plurality of discharge holes defined along a straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventor: Paul Buettiker
  • Patent number: 6151918
    Abstract: A feeder tube assembly for a feeder bowl of a glass melting furnace forehearth. The feeder tube assembly has an horizontally extending elongate support arm, and a feeder tube that is carried by the support arm at a location near an end of the support arm. The feeder tube is rotatable about its longitudinal central axis with respect to the support arm, and the support arm carries drive elements for rotating the feeder tube about its longitudinal central axis. The support arm is supported on a vertically extending servo motor actuated linear actuator, and the elevation of the support arm is adjustable by actuation of the linear actuator, a releasable brake being provided to prevent rotation of the servo motor when it is desired to prevent a change in elevation of the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. DiFrank, D. Wayne Leidy, William B. Rugh
  • Patent number: 6143676
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a synthetic silica glass optical material which exhibits excellent transmittance as well as durability for high output power vacuum ultraviolet rays, being emitted from, for example, ArF excimer lasers and Xe.sub.2 excimer lamps, and to provide a method for producing the same. A synthetic silica glass optical material for high output power vacuum ultraviolet rays made from ultra high purity synthetic silica glass for use in the wavelength region of from 165 to 195 nm, containing OH groups at a concentration of from 5 to 300 wtppm with a fluctuation width in OH group concentration (.DELTA.OH/cm) of 10 wtppm or less, containing hydrogen molecules at a concentration of from 1.times.10.sup.17 to 1.times.10.sup.19 molecule/cm.sup.3 with a fluctuation width in hydrogen molecule concentration (.DELTA.H.sub.2 /cm) of 1.times.10.sup.17 molecule/cm.sup.3 or lower, and containing chlorine at a concentration of 50 wtppm or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignees: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH, Shin-Etsu Quartz Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Ohashi, Michiyo Kuriyama, Shigeru Yamagata, Shigemasa Sunada
  • Patent number: 6138479
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a rectangular bar have a gradient composition. In optical or ophthalmic applications, the gradient of composition ensures formation of a corresponding gradient of optical property, such as refractive index or optical density. The glass material is manufactured using a device containing several reservoirs, all designed to contain glass in the fluid state. According to the invention, the composition of the glass varies from one reservoir to the other so that the refractive indices, for example, of the three compositions are different, with an incremental progression. The fluid glass is deposited one composition on top of the next and then heated, creating a certain degree of interdiffusion between the layers. The glass is then heat-treated to create the desired property profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Claude F. M. Gille, Alain Kerdoncuff, Michel Prassas
  • Patent number: 6125658
    Abstract: The invention relates to the electric melting technique, in which the melting energy is dissipated in the bath of melted glass as a result of the Joule effect by means of electrodes which dip through the surface of the bath. According to the invention, the electrodes dip into a bath of melted glass which has a height h below 800 mm and a surface S such that the ratio h/S is lower than 0.5 m/m.sup.2. According to another aspect, the exchange surface between the electrodes and the bath is above 0.075 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3 of glass.The invention is used in the manufacture of glass-based products, such as insulating materials based on glass fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Isover Saint-Gobain
    Inventors: Stephane Maugendre, Tanguy Massart, Francois Szalata
  • Patent number: 6092392
    Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for producing a web of thin, chemically hardened glass that can be wound on a roll. The process comprises the steps of (i) drawing glass, containing original alkali ions, to form a web of glass having a thickness equal to or lower than 1.2 mm and having a first and second major surface; (ii) directly after or during said drawing, treating both said surfaces of said web with chemical hardening means during less than two hours, replacing said original alkali ions by alkali ions having a larger radius; and (iii) after treating both said surfaces, winding said web on a core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Bartholomeus Verlinden, Pascale Steenhoudt
  • Patent number: 6044667
    Abstract: A system for melting and delivering glass to a work area such as spinners for making fiberglass includes a melter with heaters so arranged that the "hot spot" in the molten glass is located away from the walls and corrosion sensitive parts so that the various elements of the melter wear out at substantially the same time. The system is further provided with a dual exhaust arrangement when the melter, conditioner and forehearth are located on the same floor of the plant, the first exhaust being at the juncture of the melter and conditioner, and the second being an alternating replacement for one of the heating/cooling orifices and mechanisms in the conditioner, so as to effectively limit the amount of corrosive volatiles reaching the forehearth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Guardian Fiberglass, Inc.
    Inventor: Vaughn Charles Chenoweth
  • Patent number: 5944863
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source. A second orifice is vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice, and is surrounded by a chamber that communicates with the second orifice through a gap between the first and second orifices. A spout delivers casing glass from a second source through a tube to the chamber in such a way that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream. Rate of glass flow through the second or casing glass source is measured and compared with one or more preset limits. Rate of casing glass flow from the second source to the chamber surrounding the orifices is adjusted when rate of flow through the second source departs from the preset limit. In this way, a desired ratio of casing glass to core glass is automatically maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett L. Scott
  • Patent number: 5935286
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source, and a second orifice vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice. A chamber surrounds the second orifice and communicates with the second orifice through a metering gap between the first and second orifices. Casing glass is delivered from a second source to one side of the chamber such that glass flows by gravity from both the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett L. Scott, Michael T. Dembicki
  • Patent number: 5928397
    Abstract: A method to produce fused quartz particulates from quartz sand is disclosed employing continuous withdrawal of the molten material from a furnace apparatus. The molten material is rapidly cooled as withdrawn causing thermal fracture which is followed by mechanically pulverizing the fragments to a desired particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventors: Peter P. Bihuniak, Harry B. Shimp, Steven M. White
  • Patent number: 5900033
    Abstract: A gob formation device and method for improved production of molten glass preforms for use in the precision glass molding of optical glass elements. The device is a dispensing tip which is attached to a stem extending from a working crucible containing a supply of molten glass. The dispensing tip includes a longitudinal bore through which the molten glass flows, and a downwardly projecting gob formation surface located at a distal end of tip. The downwardly projecting gob formation surface is preferably convex which aids in achieving greater uniformity of mass in the gob formation process as well as improving preform internal quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Daniel R. Gearing
  • Patent number: 5888265
    Abstract: A cryogenic air separation plant or a combined pressure swing adsorption plant and membrane separation plant is integrated with a float glass manufacturing system wherein oxygen from the plant is used for oxy-fuel combustion in the melt furnace and nitrogen from the plant is used as a protective atmosphere in the float glass forming chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dante Patrick Bonaquist, Joseph Alfred Weber, Theodore Fringelin Fisher
  • Patent number: 5886820
    Abstract: Disclosed are a polarizing glass comprising a glass layer(s) which contains shape-anisotropic metallic particles dispersed therein in an oriented state and a base glass which causes substantially no light scattering, said glass layer being provided on a part or whole of at least one of faces of said base glass, which has polarizing properties comparable to conventional counterparts, a largely decreased transmission loss and a strength acceptable to practical use. Processes for the production of the polarizing glass are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemi Tajima, Takeshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5853447
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream that includes at least one pair of aligned orifices coupled to sources of core and casing glass such that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the aligned orifices to form a cased glass stream. The orifices are carried by an orifice housing mounted on a frame for movement into abutment seating engagement of the orifice housing against the core and casing glass delivery mechanisms. The frame in accordance with the present invention includes a gimbal mounting arrangement mounting the orifice housing to the frame so as to be pivotable about a pair of pivot axes that are orthogonal to each other and to the axis of alignment of the orifices. This gimbal mounting arrangement helps accommodate misalignment between the seating surfaces on the orifice housing and the glass delivery mechanisms, and to reduce glass leakage during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett Lee Scott
  • Patent number: 5851258
    Abstract: A backup structure for a pipe for feeding a molten substance of high temperature has a pipe and a thermal insulation material surrounding the pipe wherein the pipe is provided with a plurality of projections on its outer periphery at predetermined intervals, and each of the productions is held at its both sides by the thermal insulation material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ando, Fumiaki Saito, Chikao Tanaka, Shinji Takeshita, Koji Hirasawa, Sei Nagano, Hajime Ito, Shinji Yamamura
  • Patent number: 5849058
    Abstract: A refining method for molten glass comprising a stirring step for stirring molten glass in a stirring vessel, a feeding step for feeding the molten glass into a vacuum vessel via an uprising pipe, a degassing step wherein the molten glass is put under a reduced pressure in the vacuum vessel, bubbles produced on the molten glass surface and a flow of the molten glass just below the molten glass surface are blocked by a barrier provided in the vacuum vessel, and the molten glass is degassed in a state that a bubble layer is formed on the molten glass surface, and a discharging step for discharging the molten glass after degassing from the vacuum vessel through a downfalling pipe to a storage vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Takeshita, Chikao Tanaka, Kazuhiko Ishimura
  • Patent number: 5840096
    Abstract: A process for producing a polarizing glass containing shape-anisotropic metallic particles dispersed in an oriented state therein, which comprises drawing a glass preform containing metallic halide particles dispersed therein while its viscosity being held above 2.times.10.sup.6, but below 7.times.10.sup.7 poises; and subjecting the drawn glass to a reducing treatment so that a part or all of the metallic halide particles are reduced to metallic particles, which process enables it to produce a polarizing glass with a high yield from a starting material of a glass containing metallic halide particles, while avoiding glass to breakage or fracture during elongation as well as preventing the elongated metallic halide particles from returning to a spherical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemi Tajima, Takeshi Takahashi, Yukari Miyashita, Yoshihiko Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5837628
    Abstract: This patent discloses the composition of germanate glass and a new method for its fabrication. The composition comprises germanate, the oxide of an alkali earth group, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZnO, a halides compound eg. CaF.sub.2, CaCl.sub.2 and so on,, and can combine with a series of oxygenous compounds such as silicate, borate, phosphate, arsenate, tellurate and so on, if required. The addition of an alkali oxide could increase the glass formation rate and homogeneity, and the defects of devitrification, cord, knot, and blister are reduced. Its fabricated methods which consist of the reduction pressure melting with the addition of a halide and the drying procedure. The germanate glass body that is made is colorless and transparent and it can increase the transmittance of infrared from 20% to greater than 60% in the wave length 2.75-3.0 .mu.m. The price of producing the germanate glass is decreased and the transmittance of this composition system increased from 5% to 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: National Science Council
    Inventors: Jenn-Shing Wang, Moo Chin Wang, Min-Hsiung Hon
  • Patent number: 5820652
    Abstract: A sealing system for the engagement of a container (24) beneath a melting pot containing a molten material, comprising a shell (30) surrounding a nozzle (40), the nozzle being located in the axis of the neck of the container and permitting the pouring of the material from the melting pot into the container. The shell (30) has tight connection means with the nozzle (40), a base (32) having a bearing surface for the reception of a corresponding bearing surface on the container neck and at least one bellows (33, 34) surrounding the nozzle and connecting the tight connection means to said base, the bellows being able to render the shell retractable along the nozzle axis, means for introducing a gas flow between said bearing surfaces being provided in order to permit the circulation of part of said flow towards the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Claude Bernard, Patrice Roux, Jacques Dollfus, Fran.cedilla.ois Meline
  • Patent number: 5810900
    Abstract: A glass delivery system including a first forehearth having an orifice, a second forehearth having an orifice, a bottom pan assembly adapted to be positioned underneath the orifice of the first forehearth, and a glass delivery tube having an upper end adapted to be positioned underneath the orifice of the second forehearth and a lower end adapted to deliver glass to the bottom pan assembly. The orifice is adapted to combine the glass from the two forehearths and, deliver cased glass to provide an interior glass from said first forehearth and an external layer of glass from said second forehearth. Provision is made for moving the glass delivery tube horizontally, vertically and in azimuth relative to the second forehearth and for moving the bottom assembly relative to the first forehearth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. DiFrank, Garrett L. Scott
  • Patent number: 5803942
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream that includes at least one pair of aligned orifices coupled to sources of core and casing glass such that glass flows by gravity from the glass sources through the aligned orifices to form a cased glass stream. The orifices are carried by an orifice housing mounted on a frame for movement into seating engagement of the orifice housing against the core and casing glass delivery mechanisms. A fluid manifold is mounted on the orifice housing, with an inlet for connection to a source of cooling fluid such as air. A plurality of outlets on the manifold are directed toward the area of seating engagement between the orifice ring housing and the core and casing glass delivery mechanisms for cooling the seating area and thereby reducing leakage of glass between the housing and the glass delivery mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett L. Scott
  • Patent number: 5776222
    Abstract: A method of fabricating optical preforms that yield optical fibers having minimal scattering centers by substantially eliminating bubbles and crystallites that form during preform fabrication. The method utilizes glasses having low viscosity in their liquid state to eliminate large bubbles that contain ambient gasses. Small bubbles that have sizes comparable to the wavelength of light are eliminated by simultaneously vacuum-pumping and slow-cooling the liquid glass used to fabricate the preform before pouring the glass into the preform cast mold. Finally, bubbles due to the formation of vacuums in the preform are eliminated by applying a temperature gradient across the cast mold to induce a steep vertical gradient in viscosity in the liquid glass when the liquid glass is poured in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Nonna Kopylov, Ahmet R. Kortan
  • Patent number: 5762675
    Abstract: A method of producing amorphous sample bodies that can be used for optical spectral analysis and X-ray spectral analysis, by batch-wise smelting in a crucible a mixture of analysis sample and a flux. The method is characterized by allowing a controlled flow of molten material to run out of the crucible and successively down onto a horizontal receiving surface and there form the sample bodies. The mixture is smelted suitably at a temperature of between 800.degree. and 1300.degree. C., preferably at about 1000.degree. C., and is carried out in a crucible having a hole in the bottom thereof. A apparatus for producing such amorphous sample bodies is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a smelt crucible provided with an opening in its lower part and which is designed to be downwardly tapered at least inside in order to prevent the mixture from coming out, but to facilitate running of molten material through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Boliden Minerals AB
    Inventors: Johan Malmqvist, Ann-Christine Jacobsson, Rasema Kovacevic, Per-Erik Lindstrom
  • Patent number: 5746801
    Abstract: A process for producing fluoride glass, including the steps of: introducing a raw material for fluoride glass into a heating vessel; and heating the raw material in the heating vessel, while causing the heating vessel to have a negative internal pressure and introducing an inert gas into the heating vessel, thereby to melt the raw material under heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chie Fukuda, Masashi Onishi, Hiroo Kanamori
  • Patent number: 5735925
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a spout for receiving core glass from a first source and delivering such glass through a first orifice. A second orifice is vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice, and is surrounded by an annular chamber that communicates with the second orifice through the gap between the first and second orifices. A tube delivers casing glass from a second source to the annular chamber in such a way that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream. The core glass delivery spout includes a reservoir for receiving and holding the core glass, and having at least one lower opening of a first diameter. An orifice ring is positioned beneath the reservoir, and has at least one opening of second diameter less than the first diameter aligned with the first opening and forming the first orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett L. Scott
  • Patent number: 5683482
    Abstract: A device for shaping rods, in particular, of a glassy material, by casting said material in a molten state in a mold, characterized by the fact that said mold comprises a) a cylindrical internal wall of a porous material and b) a means to inject a gas in this wall and cause it to come out of the wall on the side facing the glassy material accumulated in the mold, so as to constitute an interstitial flow of a film of gas that separates the glassy material from the inside wall of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Allan Mark Fredholm
  • Patent number: 5665138
    Abstract: A spout bowl assembly for a glass forming machine which forms containers from discrete gobs formed from individual streams of molten glass discharged from the spout bowl assembly comprising a spout bowl for receiving molten glass including a horizontal tube seating surface having a discharge hole defined therein, a tube for controlling the flow of received molten glass into the discharge opening. The tube has a cylindrical outer wall and a flat, horizontal bottom surface located vertically above the tube seating surface and vertically locatable between a first position in engagement with the tube seating surface and an elevated position a selected vertical distance above the tube seating surface. The spout bowl additionally includes an annular flow passage extending upwardly from the tube seating surface a selected vertical distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Emhart Glass Machinery Investments Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth John Paul
  • Patent number: 5660610
    Abstract: A needle assembly (30) for controlling the flow of molten glass from a feeder bowl (76) through one or more orifices (84) in an orifice plate (86) beneath the feeder bowl. The needle assembly includes a vertical needle (32) for each orifice and each needle is precisely adjustable along its vertical axis by a stepper motor (34). The stepper motor for each needle is positioned remotely from the needle and drives the needle through a potentiometer (72) and a linkage mechanism (36). Each linkage mechanism includes a generally horizontally extending member (38), a vertically extending member (40), and a bevel gear drive (88) to permit the generally horizontally extending ember to drive the vertically extending member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. DiFrank, John M. Slifco, Francis R. Morrison
  • Patent number: 5626641
    Abstract: In manufacturing a glass material used for a re-heat press method of manufacturing high-precision optical glass components including a lens, prism or the like, a glass material can be manufactured which has no defect inside of or on the surface of the glass, and without requiring a process of grinding and polishing the glass. The glass material is manufactured by dropping melted glass from the glass outlet of a glass melting furnace to a mold and cooling the dropped glass on the mold. The distance between the mold and the glass outlet is in a range which maintains the temperature of the stretched area of dropping glass--the area where the melted glass dropped on the mold is spontaneously separated by its own weight and surface tension at its softening temperature or above. The temperature of the glass around the stretched area is at least its softening temperature, and the glass around that area is instantaneously incorporated into the glass on the mold after separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Sumita Optical Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayoshi Yonemoto, Yoshiyuki Shimizu, Takashi Inoue, Toshihiko Muroi
  • Patent number: RE36082
    Abstract: A vacuum degassing method wherein a molten substance at an elevated temperature in a storage tank is sucked to a vacuum degassing vessel through an uprising pipe connecting the storage tank and the vacuum degassing vessel by maintaining the vacuum degassing vessel at a negative pressure, the molten substance is degassed and the degassed molten substance falls to a guiding duct through a downfalling pipe connecting the vacuum degassing vessel and the guiding duct characterized by that a first flow quantity of the molten substance rising in the uprising pipe is restrained and a second flow quantity thereof falling in the downfalling pipe is controlled thereby maintaining a quantity of the molten substance in the vacuum degassing vessel at a pertinent level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Ishimura, Fumiaki Saito, Masaaki Yoshikawa, Misao Okada, Shinsuke Nakajima