Abstract: A method of reducing bubble lifetime on the free surface of a volume of molten glass contained within or flowing through a vessel including a free volume above the free surface, thereby minimizing re-entrainment of the bubbles back into the volume of molten glass and reducing the occurrence of blisters in finished glass products. The method includes vaporizing a volatile material, entraining the vapor in a carrier gas to form an enrichment gas, and flowing the enrichment gas into the free volume to increase a concentration of the volatile material at the surface of the molten glass in the vessel.

Abstract: A muffle for a glass tube forming process includes an inlet end coupled to a bowl, an outlet end having an inner dimension larger than an inner dimension of the inlet end, and a sidewall extending from inlet end to the outlet end. A radial distance from a center axis of the muffle to an inner surface of the sidewall increases from the inlet end to the outlet end and the sidewall is substantially free of abrupt changes in the radial distance that produce instability regions within the muffle. The muffle includes a channel between an outer surface of a portion of the sidewall and an insulating layer disposed about the sidewall, the channel being operable to pass a heat transfer fluid into thermal communication with the sidewall to provide cooling to the muffle. Glass forming systems including the muffle and glass tube forming processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method for a glass article, including: a pre-heating step (S1) of heating a transfer pipe (7); and a transfer step (S4) of allowing a molten glass to flow inside the transfer pipe (7) after the pre-heating step (S1). The transfer pipe (7) includes: a main body portion (8) having a tubular shape; and a flange portion (9a, 9b) formed at an end portion of the main body portion (8). The main body portion (8) is retained by a refractory (10). The pre-heating step (S1) includes an external force application step of applying an external force (F) to the transfer pipe (7) to extend the transfer pipe (7).

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.

Abstract: A molten glass discharging device provided in the bottom of a melting furnace of a waste vitrification apparatus so that the device can control the melting or cooling of a molten material. The molten glass discharging device, which is provided in the bottom of the furnace and controls discharging of a molten material, includes: an induction heating unit (110) having a discharging passage (10) along a discharging port formed in the bottom of the melting furnace; an induction coil (120) provided outside the induction heating unit (110); and a cooling unit (130) supporting the induction heating unit (110) and having a cooling conduit through which a cooling fluid circulates. The device can realize repeated discharging of the molten material by induction heating or cooling of the induction heating unit. Further, even when glass is adhered to the discharging port, the adhered glass can be easily discharged from the furnace.

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.

Abstract: The method of making thin glass panes includes conveying a glass melt through a vertical inlet to a drawing tank with a slit nozzle; drawing a glass ribbon downward from the slit nozzle; setting a total throughput by setting length and cross section of the inlet and by heating and cooling the inlet to control glass melt viscosity so that pressure in the inlet decreases; and setting a throughput per unit of length in a lateral direction along the glass ribbon via nozzle system geometry and by heating and cooling of the drawing tank and slit nozzle to control melt viscosity, so that glass does not wet an underside of the slit nozzle near a breaking edge. The setting of the total throughput and the throughput per unit length are largely decoupled to simplify process control. An inventive apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the production of high-melting glass materials or high-melting glass ceramic materials by a process during which a temperature of a molten mass exceeds 1,760° C., wherein a shard material or raw material is molten to a molten mass, the molten mass is fined, and the molten mass emerges via a tubular outlet made of iridium or an iridium alloy having an iridium content of at least 50 wt.-%. According to the invention the temperature of a section of said tubular outlet, which is in contact with the ambient atmosphere having a natural gas composition, is controlled or regulated such that said temperature is held below 1,000° C. except during pouring out the molten mass out of said tubular outlet. Thus, an oxidative decomposition of the apparatus can be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for glass melt devlivery and methods for using these devices. In these devices, a delivery nozzle comprising at least one platinum group metal material is directly heated by electricty. To facilitate heating, a cylindrical heating ring is mounted in ceramic base. The device's construction ensures a regulatable heating of the nozzle and the melted glass flux.

Abstract: The invention relates to a skull pot (1) for melting, crystallizing or refining inorganic substances. Said pot comprises a pot wall (1.1), a pot bottom (1.2), an induction coil (2) which surrounds the pot wall (1.1) and by means of which high-frequency energy can be coupled into the content of the pot. The pot wall (1.1) is formed by a ring of metal pipes which can be connected to a cooling medium. Slits are embodied between adjacent metal pipes. The bottom (1.2) is provided with a discharge for the melt (3). A sleeve (4) is allocated to the discharge. The admission end (4.1) of the sleeve (4) protrudes far into the inner chamber of the skull pot (1) in such a way that, during use, the melt (3) can be withdrawn through the crystallized bottom layer (3.3) in a controlled manner without the danger of impairing quality.

Abstract: A drawing-off device (18) is used to empty a molten material (28) such as glass contained in a cooled crucible (10), in which there is an elongated pour orifice (30), a cooled slide valve (32) and a bar (36) forming a thermal bridge between the molten material (28) and the bottom (24) of the crucible (10), along one end (30a) of the orifice (30).

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 an orifice ring forming 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 the chamber, such that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream. A heater ring of refractory material is disposed beneath the orifice ring, and includes at least one electrical heater embedded in the refractory material of the heater ring. The electrical heater is thus disposed external to the casing glass chamber for adding heat to casing glass flowing through the chamber to the metering gap.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for glass melt devlivery and methods for using these devices. In these devices, a delivery nozzle comprising at least one platinum group metal material is directly heated by electricty. To facilitate heating, a cylindrical heating ring is mounted in ceramic base. The device's construction ensures a regulatable heating of the nozzle and the melted glass flux.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for continuously producing a glassy or vitrified blast furnace slag, in which the slag is applied onto a cooling roll or onto articulately interlinked cooling plates conducted as an endless conveyor belt over deflection pulleys and wherein cooling of the slag is effected dry, wherein the liquid slag is supplied to an intermediate storage and from that intermediate storage is continuously applied onto the cooling plate belt, or cooling roll, via a distributing channel in parallel strands at temperatures of above 1350° C., whereupon the cooled slag is thrown off and comminuted or granulated dry in a crusher. The invention, furthermore, relates to an arrangement for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a coated glass stream having a first inner layer and a second outer layer wherein the method comprises providing a vertical orifice, delivering molten glass from a first source through the orifice, providing a gap about the orifice intermediate its upper and lower ends, delivering glass from a second source about the gap such that the glass from the second source flows through the gap to provide an outer layer about the glass from said first source as it flows through the orifice, and controlling the size and shape of the gap parallel to the flow and the size of the gap perpendicular to the flow such that the gap provides sufficient flow resistance and the gap is of sufficient size and shape to prevent clogging.

Abstract: A nozzle tip for a glass injection cartridge loaded with a rod-shaped glass material and having a heater for melting down the glass material into a molten state for injection into a mold, the nozzle tip containing:a) a nozzle body having a conical shape converging forwardly from a rear-end portion fitted on a fore-end portion of the glass injection cartridge, the nozzle body being formed of tungsten carbide and internally defining a molten glass passage extending axially throughout the nozzle body from the rear-end portion toward a converging fore-end portion to be connected to the mold; andb) a glass releasing layer coated substantially on the entire surface of the nozzle body including the molten glass passage,wherein the glass releasing layer is selected from the group consisting of HfN, BN, TiAlN, CrN, ZrN and TiN.

Abstract: A glass gob production device for producing a glass gob from molten glass. The glass gob production device has a crucible which accommodates molten glass, a nozzle one end of which is connected to the crucible and from the other end of which the molten glass in the crucible is discharged, and a support member opposite to the other end of nozzle and having an indentation on the surface thereof for receiving and retaining the discharged molten glass in the indentation to form a glass gob. The indentation of the support member has a bottom surface and a reference surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the circumference of the bottom surface.

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.

Abstract: An electrically heated tank furnace is used to melt glass whereby a floating gall layer is formed on the melt, in particular during the vitrification of hazardous materials such as asbestos, fly ash, filter dust, whereby the tank of the furnace is fitted with a discharge outlet for the melt and an overflow channel with an inlet for the gall. A stream of ascending gas bubbles is produced in the melt. In order to promote better and automatic draining of the gall the stream of gas bubbles is produced directly in front of the overflow channel which thereby maintains a layer of liquid gall in the overflow channel and a layer of molten glass retained by a weir on the bottom of the overflow channel. The temperature in the overflow channel is chosen to be above the melting temperature of the gall, whilst the bottom layer of glass is maintained at a temperature at which the viscosity of the glass is so high that the glass does not drain out the overflow channel.

Abstract: The bottoms of exhaust stacks and systems on glass melting furnaces usually collect slag that is produced by volatiles in the exhaust gases condensing out and forming a glassy substance on the cooler walls of the stacks, etc. which then runs down the walls picking up refractory and forming a slag in the lowest places. This slag often cools to hardness or a high viscosity, tough mass. It has to be removed periodically to prevent building up to the point that slag would run back into the furnace damaging the glass and removal is a hot, dirty, time consuming job. This problem is worse on oxy-fuel furnaces which the industry is trending towards for other advantages. The present invention eliminates this problem by reducing the size of the reservoir in the bottom of the stack and adding a heated bushing with an orifice that continually drains the slag from the small reservoir.

Abstract: A glass melter for vitrifying material including radioactive and hazardous materials. In one embodiment, the melter comprises an inner vessel or container having a solidified glass skull, at least one pair of vertically-oriented, retractable electrodes, a first wall spaced apart from said inner vessel to define a dry annulus therebetween for radiatively cooling the inner vessel, and a second wall spaced apart from said first wall to define a second annulus that serves as a water jacket when filled with water. Each electrode has a protective sleeve therearound with means formed therebetween for passing a purging gas therethrough. A central access nozzle allows waste material and glass formers to be fed into the inner vessel while simultaneously venting the off-gas generated in the inner vessel. Also, the dry annulus can have fluid circulating therethrough for regulated cooling or leak detection.

Abstract: A tube assembly for use in a spout bowl assembly including a bowl for receiving molten glass having a central orifice closed by an orifice plate having one or more openings and a corresponding plurality of vertically reciprocating plungers associated with the orifice openings, the tube assembly comprising a tube mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. The tube includes a plurality of vent holes arranged horizontally around the tube, and a heat baffle including a cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall for closing the cylindrical side wall, an opening in the bottom wall for accommodating one or more reciprocating plungers. The bottom wall includes a downwardly projecting conical surface extending substantially around the bottom wall, and the heat baffle mounted so that the conical surface is horizontally adjacent the tube vent holes.

Abstract: Device for the extraction by pouring at a regulatable flow rate a molten material in a cold structure melter. The melter has at least one part of a floor around a pouring orifice cooled by a flow of water and a heat source able to melt the material to be melted. An orifice is provided in the floor of the melter, whose diameter D is equal to or larger than the thickness H of the wall forming the melter. A metal sleeve is provided, whose base has a shoulder which can be adapted to the side walls of the orifice. The sleeve has a central passage forming the pouring tube for the molten material and a clearence is provided between the side walls of the orifice and the base of the sleeve in order to receive an insulating material between the sleeve and the cold floor of the melter. A device is provided beneath the floor of the melter having a cooled, sliding blade, equipped with an actuator controlling its movement in translation along the orifice, thus determining its more or less large opening or closing state.

Abstract: A discharging device is provided at the bottom of a glass melting furnace. The device includes an inductively heated outlet unit including a compression flange having an inlet opening and an outlet pipe extending from the compression flange to form therewith a unit having a T-shaped cross section. The outlet pipe is penetrated by an outlet channel communicating with the inlet opening. The outlet pipe projects downwardly out of an opening in the furnace. An outlet block is seated on the compression flange and has an outlet channel flush with the inlet opening of the compression flange. An annular supporting flange supports the outlet unit from the bottom against the compression flange, with the annular supporting flange being supported by a bottom carrier plate of the furnace and the outlet pipe of the outlet unit projecting through an opening in the annular supporting flange.

Abstract: A bottom outlet device is provided for a glass melting furnace, with heating of a glass melt being effected to within the temperature range of the electrical conductivity of the melt by way of electrodes disposed in the interior of the furnace and projecting into the melt. An inductively heatable and metallic outlet unit projects from the bottom of the furnace and includes an outlet opening and an interior outlet channel communicating with the outlet opening. An outlet block comprised of ceramic bricks is disposed above the outlet unit and includes a throughgoing channel which opens toward the interior of the furnace and which is flush with the interior outlet channel of the outlet unit. A bottom electrode comprised of metal is disposed at a lowermost portion of the interior of the furnace. The bottom electrode is penetrated by a further channel which is flush with the throughgoing channel in the outlet block and is thereby in communication with the outlet opening of the outlet unit.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine contains molten glass and distributes runners of molten glass through a refractory orifice ring having a plurality of discharge holes. The refractory orifice ring includes an annular side wall of uniform cross-section, a bottom wall of uniform thickness, and a discrete number of strengthened areas on the interior of the annular side wall at selected locations equidistant from each pair of the holes. The periphery of each of the holes also has an increased thickness.

Abstract: A bottom tap of a glass melting furnace comprises a tap brick with a tap hole in which glass is frozen when the tap is not in operation and seals the tap. A tap gate of refractory and non-oxidizing metal is urged against the tap brick underneath the tap hole which is connected as an electrode to a counter-electrode situated in a glass bath. A tap chamber is situated underneath the tap gate, and a removable insulation is provided for the tap chamber.

Abstract: A spout assembly for use in feeding gobs of molten glass to a glassware forming machine which includes a spout bowl, a plurality of burner blocks on top of the spout bowl and a plurality of cover blocks on top of the burner blocks. Adjacent ends of both the root blocks and burner blocks form a junction which has a jog therein to provide a baffle effect to prevent heat loss. The cover blocks also have a projection extending downward therefrom that taper downward and inwardly toward the axis of the spout bowl.

Abstract: A fluid transferring mechanism especially adapted for providing cooling fluid to the scoops of a glass gob distributor having a housing and an oscillating member mounted therein. The housing has inlet and outlet passageway having an exit and entrance respectively at the interface between the housing and oscillating member. The oscillating member has first and second grooves in its outer surface which communicates with the exit and entrance respectively during the entire oscillation of the oscillating member. A passageway connects the first and second grooves to provide a path for the fluid from the inlet and outlet passageways.

Abstract: A nonprecious metal drain bushing for use in the start-up of a glass melting furnace. The bottom wall of the bushing is relatively wide and thick and is bent downwardly near the ends of the bottom wall to form integral terminal ears. The end portions of the terminal ears are of reduced thickness for attachment by the power clamp. The side walls coverage at an angle down to the bottom wall to facilitate flow of the molten glass through the bushing, and the thickness of the bottom wall and terminal ears is substantially greater than the thickness of the side and end walls.

Abstract: A stationary tube holder and revolving rotor assembly which is to be used in conjunction with a glass spout bowl. The assembly includes a stationary tube holder assembly which has elongated horizontally extending arm for supporting a tube at one end and a counterweight at the other, a revolving rotor assembly which has an elongated horizontally extending arm for supporting a rotor at one end and a counterweight at the other, and a compound X, Y, slide assembly.A vertical spacer is secured between the compound X, Y slide assembly and the elongated tube holder assembly arm for supporting the stationary tube holder assembly. The spacer includes a jack screw for elevating the tube holder assembly relative to the compound X, Y slide assembly.A vertical post is secured at its bottom end to the compound X, Y slide assembly, and at its top slidingly extends through an extended bushing in the stationary tube holder assembly arm.

Abstract: Metering a flow of molten material such as glass is provided at the exit end of a drain by means of a bulbous member in the flow path supported by a lateral arm. The bulbous member and the arm are shaped to provide reconverging flow paths.

Abstract: The glass melter has an outlet portion formed as a heating device for controlling the outlet flow rate of molten glass from the melter. Raw batch material that is used to form the molten glass is heated to a molten state at a first temperature range. The molten glass, while flowing toward the outlet of the melter, is cooled to a second temperature range to increase the viscosity of the molten glass to a desired level. The outlet member then heats the exiting molten glass a predetermined amount to decrease the glass viscosity in accordance with desired flow rate requirements. Heating of the outlet member is accomplished by imposing a relatively low voltage and a relatively high amperage on the outlet member. Accordingly, by using the outlet member as a heater a controlled flow rate of molten glass from the melter is achieved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of retarding bushing degradation by glass batch containing iron oxide. The problem is solved by substantially eliminating the passage of current directly through the bushing for heating and employing a conductive heating means to an electrically insulated bushing.

Abstract: When multiple gob feeders are used in which an enlarged tube is necessary to accommodate a row of plungers, a substantial surface area of glass is exposed to radiation or convection cooling and, to avoid excessive heat loss, a pair of heat baffles are used which extend downward into the tube at either side of the row of plungers. The baffles have lower portions which occupy a significant part of the space between the plungers and tube, and act as barriers against the movement of heat up through the space therebetween. The pair of baffles are so configured that they may be raised from the tube without requiring the removal of the plungers. Further, the baffles are supported in the tube by the tube support and therefore will be raised or lowered with the tube when it is adjusted.

Abstract: A freeze valve for a molten glass discharging nozzle is disposed at the bottom of a glass melting furnace. The freeze valve has at least two sets of temperature control units provided around the nozzle and arranged in series in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle, and an ejector for ejecting a high-pressure gas disposed at the lower end of the nozzle and adapted to eject the high-pressure gas toward the axis of the nozzle. Each of the temperature control units includes heating and cooling means so as to heat and cool independently both the upper and lower portions of the nozzle.

Abstract: A glass delivery system is disclosed having a central glass conducting pipe enclosed within a heat exchange structure. Heat shields reflect energy back to the pipe for reducing heat losses from the pipe and heaters are located about the pipe to add heat energy as required. Heaters which may be immersed in surrounding glass, are provided externally of the pipe at connections into and out of the pipe, and a bellows arrangement for accommodating expansion due to thermal cycling is provided in at least one of such connections. In a preferred embodiment, oxidizable refractory metals are used which may be protected from contamination by providing inert or reducing purging atmospheres or vacuum. Heat losses may also be regulated by atmospheric control of the purging atmosphere as well as control of a working fluid for the heat exchange structure. Means may be provided for shielding or insulating refractory components from intense radiation.

Abstract: There has been provided a delivery system for conditioning molten thermo-plastic material, wherein a first pipe member, having an inlet at one end adapted to receive the material and an outlet at an opposite end for delivering the material therefrom at a desired homogeneity is coupled at its inlet end to a furnace. An insulated shell structure, having at least one fluid inlet and outlet therein, is located concentrically about the first pipe member and defines a closed insulated space thereabout. The shell is adapted to receive heat exchange fluid for circulation from the inlet to the outlet in said closed space for removing heat from the thermo-plastic material flowing through the pipe member. Means is provided for shielding inside surfaces of space between the shell and the pipe member from deleterious ambient including a purge fluid which may act alone as the heat exchange fluid.

Abstract: An electric glass-melting furnace has a cylindrical orifice block formed of a single block of refractory metal and an orifice through which molten glass flows out of the furnace. The inner end of the block extends into the melting zone portion of the furnace, while the remainder of the block extends through the furnace lining and wall, with the extreme outer tip being flush with the outer face of a water jacket which surrounds the outer end portions of the block. The block has a reduced diameter portion adjacent the outer end of the block, so that the outer end face exposes minimal surface area to outside atmosphere. The direct contact of the cooling jacket with the outer end of the block keeps the temperature of this small mass of block low enough to avoid oxidation. No protective atmosphere is required for the exterior tip of the block.

Abstract: A method and a system for uniformly heating a glass stream flowing in the feeder of a glass melting furnace wherein power or energy is supplied through the electrodes immersed in the glass melt and wherein the temperature of the glass stream is continuously detected, has the current flowing between cooperating electrodes maintained constant independently of the resistance defined by the glass melt by controlling the voltage as long as the temperature of the glass stream does not deviate from predetermined limits and the current flow of at least a number of electrodes positioned at the inlet of the feeder are controlled to compensate for temperature variations when the tolerable deviation limit has been exceeded.

Abstract: A molten glass feeder system and method of controlling the flow of glass through the feeder to deliver a plurality of uniform, molten glass gobs. The feeder has a heavy-walled bowl structure and a heavy-walled bottom transitional member mounted within the lower region of the feeder bowl, the transitional member having substantial height with a circular passageway at its upper region and an elongated slot passageway at its lower region, and an elongated discharge orifice member having a plurality of three or more, and preferably three to six, discharge orifices in lineal alignment with the elongated slot passageway. The feeder permits the simultaneous formation and delivery, when coupled with suitable glass shearing mechanism, of more uniform plural glass gobs having similar weight, temperature and heat characteristics to multiple-cavity gob-fed glass forming machines.

Abstract: The molten glass feeding bowl has two parallel sides with a third side being generally perpendicular thereto. Electrodes for heating glass within the bowl extend through aligned holes in the side walls of the refractory bowl and metal housing. The bowl can accommodate electrodes along its parallel side walls and along a front wall depending upon the operative position of the shear mechanism which may extend along the center line of the bowl or to either side of the center line.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for the manufacture of glass film having a thickness not in excess of 0.003 inches and accomplished by drawing the film through a narrow slot-like orifice. The walls of the orifice are defined by an electrically conductive, hot glass resistant metal and electrical currents are introduced into the metal walls of the orifice to effectively maintain the central portions of the orifice walls at a higher temperature than each of the two lateral end walls of the orifice, thereby producing a temperature differential in the drawn film on the order of 40.degree. F. between the edges of the film and the central portions of the film.

Abstract: In an apparatus for conditioning a supply of molten thermoplastic material, preferably glass, a chamber in flow communication with the supply of glass is mounted for rotation about an axis. The chamber has a flow control surface having at least two regions, each uniquely oriented for influencing the flow of the molten glass therealong. In one region the glass experiences delayed flow to enable it to give up heat and in a region downstream of the first, the glass experiences accelerated flow to enable it to counteract changes in viscosity resulting from previous heat loss. The chamber is rotated so that a fresh supply of glass at an elevated temperature is deposited circumferentially on the flow control surface in order to moderate the influence of heat loss as the glass flows through the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in a triple gob feeder of a glass forming apparatus for forming molten glass gobs of uniform size, weight, volume and shape by equalizing the temperatures of the molten glass flowing through orifices in a triple gob orifice ring. Molten glass is retained in a middle reservoir of the triple gob orifice ring for a relatively longer average period of time than in end reservoirs of the ring preferably by providing a middle reservoir having a relatively larger volumetric size than the end reservoirs. In addition, the middle reservoir is cooled by directing a coolant through channels in a bottom surface portion of the orifice ring and onto external surfaces surrounding the middle reservoir.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forming multiple ply sheet glass directly from separate sources of molten vitreous material while maintaining such separate sources free from exposure to detrimental gaseous media during the formation of such sheet glass; metering means in communication with each of said separate sources of vitreous material, a pair of opposed surface portions thereof defining a central longitudinal delivery passage for delivering molten glass from one source of vitreous material, and a pair of opposed channels for delivering molten glass from the other source, insert means adapted to mate with the metering means in said delivery passage for reducing the flow of molten glass therethrough to provide sheet glass having a width narrower than the width of said delivery passage.

Abstract: A nozzle system is disclosed for the production of a wide band of flat plate glass in which the glass flows out of a nozzle orifice of a flat nozzle formed by two nozzle bars. One of the nozzle bars has a nozzle forming portion which is selectively elastically deformable. The other nozzle bar is of rigid construction. Deforming members are provided to selectively deform the one nozzle bar so as to reduce distortions occurring in the plate glass bands. The other nozzle bar is connected to an adjusting member for controlling an overall spacing with respect to the first nozzle bar so as to adjust overall glass thickness. A process computer may be employed to compare measuring values obtained from points along the deformable portion of the one nozzle bar with a model of a desired curvature stored in the computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the production of plate glass. A glass melting furnace containing molten glass connects with an outflow furnace in such fashion that central layers of molten glass in the glass melting furnace are conveyed to the outflow furnace. The outflow furnace connects with an outflow nozzle which forms a flat glass band from which the plate glass is cut. The outflow speed of the glass band issuing from the outflow nozzle is regulated by a static pressure adjustment determined by a height of the molten glass in the separate outflow furnace. A supply channel to the nozzle preferably contains heating electrodes for resistance heating of the molten glass prior to issuance from the nozzle.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for the manufacture of glass film having a thickness not in excess of 0.003 inches and accomplished by drawing the film through a narrow slot-like orifice. The walls of the orifice are defined by an electrically conductive, hot glass resistant metal and electrical currents are introduced into the metal walls of the orifice to effectively maintain the central portions of the orifice walls at a higher temperature than each of the two lateral end walls of the orifice, thereby producing a temperature differential in the drawn film on the order of 40.degree. F. between the edges of the film and the central portions of the film.