Abstract: A refrigerator having an air-cleaner is provided. The refrigerator includes a main body with a predetermined storage space defined therein, and an air-cleaner including a case fixed to the main body and having at least an inlet and outlet, a decor panel that linearly reciprocates to selectively open and close the outlet, a filter device that filters air sucked through the inlet, a blower that sucks air through the inlet and discharges the air filtered in the filter device through the outlet, and an anion generator that generates anions which are discharged along with the air through the outlet. The air-cleaner is securely mounted to the upper surface of the refrigerator.

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 each 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.

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 each 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.

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.

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.

Abstract: Provided are a glass such as a sealing glass which contains a rare earth element and crystalline particles, a structure made by sealing with said sealing glass, a magnetic head made by bonding using said sealing glass, and a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus on which said magnetic heads are mounted. According to the glass of the present invention, magnetic heads, and other structures can be bonded at low temperatures and a high bond strength can be attained, and thus, magnetic heads having high-speed sliding properties and magnetic recording and reproducing apparatuses of high reliability can be obtained. The glass can be also used for heat resistant parts such as a pannel glass for a cathode-ray tube and the like.

Abstract: A process for producing a synthetic quartz powder, which comprises a step of heat-treating a silica gel powder while permitting it to flow in a rotary kiln.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline glass-ceramic materials based on .beta.-quartz solid solution Mg-rich phases formed in the system SiO.sub.2 --Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --MgO--Li.sub.2 O--TiO.sub.2 (ZnO, BaO, ZrO.sub.2, P.sub.2 O.sub.5). Articles made from the glass-ceramic materials exhibit a crystal phase assemblage of a fine-grained, microstructure which is predominantly .beta.-quartz, and at least one additional phase selected from enstatite and spinel, and having a composition which consists essentially of, in weight percent on the oxide basis, 40-65% SiO.sub.2, 10-14% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 5-25% MgO, 0.5-4% Li.sub.2 O, 5-15% TiO.sub.2, and up to 5% ZrO.sub.2, such that the sum of (TiO.sub.2 +ZrO.sub.2) is at least 9% The glass-ceramide article is particularly useful for memory disk applications.

Abstract: The transmission properties of an optical fiber are enhanced by cooling the fiber gradually to temperatures of at least -300.degree. Fahrenheit, maintaining the fiber at such reduced temperature for a time suitable to stabilize the transmission properties of the fiber, and then allowing the fiber gradually to return to normal room temperature. The heating of the fiber to restore it to room temperature in part is accomplished by transmitting through the fiber optical pulses of the frequency and repetition rate the fiber will experience in normal use.

Abstract: The present invention provides lead and cadmium free glass enamel compositions. In one embodiment of the invention, glass frits include from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5, less than about 3 percent by weight alkali metal oxides, less than about 3 percent by weight ZnO, less than about 1 percent by weight B.sub.2 O.sub.3, and precursors from which Bi.sub.2 SiO.sub.5 can be crystallized upon firing, said precursors including Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2. Glass frits according to the present invention preferably further include up to about 25 percent by weight of coloring oxides, such as CeO.sub.2, Co.sub.3 O.sub.4, In.sub.2 O.sub.3, SnO, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, CuO, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, MnO.sub.2, MoO.sub.3, NiO, and V.sub.2 O.sub.5. By incorporating various amounts of coloring oxides into the compositions, the degree of crystallization and the rate at which crystallization occurs upon firing of the compositions can be controlled.

Abstract: A magnetic disc substrate is provided, which includes a magnetic disc substrate body made of glass and is characterized in that a metal element capable of absorbing light is present in at least a surface portion of the magnetic disc substrate body, and a texture is formed on a surface of the magnetic disc substrate body. Ions of the metal element are dispersed in the surface portion of the magnetic disc substrate, or the metal element is contained in a composition of the glass constituting the magnetic disc substrate in the form of an oxide. The glass is preferably a crystallized glass a Li.sub.2 O--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2 based crystallized glass, which particularly preferably contains 65 to 85 wt % of SiO.sub.2, 8 to 15 wt % of Li.sub.2 O, 2 to 8 wt % of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 1 to 5 wt % of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and 1 to 10 wt % of ZrO.sub.2 and has lithium disilicate (Li.sub.2 O.multidot.2SiO.sub.2) as a main crystalline phase.

Abstract: A composite for a dental restoration is presented comprising ground, densified, embrittled glass fibers together with fillers and a polymeric matrix precursor composition. The ground, densified, embrittled glass fibers are obtained by grinding glass fibers which have been densified and embrittled by heating glass fibers at a temperature substantially below the softening point of the glass fibers, without significant fusion or melting together of the fibers. The composite is particularly useful as a direct filling material, in that it has the feel and workability of an amalgam.

Abstract: A multi-shelled melt container is disclosed for liquefying and crystallizing substances which comprises at least an inner shell and a bearing shell. While the inner shell--which has a thin wall in comparison to the wall of the bearing shell--consists of an inert material with respect to the melt, the bearing shell serves exclusively to fixate and support the inner shell and is correspondingly constructed in a mechanically stable fashion. The device can also comprise means to pump the melt over into a collection vessel.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a crucible for the containment of molten semiconductor material in a Czochralski process, and of inhibiting formation of dislocations within a single crystal grown by the process. The crucible includes a body of vitreous silica having a bottom wall and a sidewall formation extending up from the bottom wall and defining a cavity for holding the molten semiconductor material. The sidewall formation and bottom wall each have an inner and an outer surface. A first devitrification promoter is deposited on the inner surface of the sidewall formation at a temperature below about 600.degree. C. The deposit is such that, when the crucible is heated above 600.degree. C., a first layer of substantially devitrified silica forms on the inner surface which is capable of promoting substantially uniform dissolution of the inner surface and reducing the release of crystalline silica particulates into the molten semiconductor material as a crystal is pulled from the molten semiconductor material.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic composition which is is crystallized in situ from a thermally crystallizable mixture containing from about 40 to about 80 weight percent of electric arc furnace dust and from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of glass. The composition has a Vickers hardness of at least about 5.5 gigaPascals, a Vickers fracture toughness of from about 0.6 to about 1.5 megaPascals.meters.sup.0.5, and a density of from about 2.8 to about 4.1 grams per cubic centimeter; and it contains from about 20 to about 40 weight percent of an iron oxide. When the composition is tested in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency's Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure, it produces a leachate which contains no detectable mercury, no detectable barium, no detectable selenium, less than 0.2 parts per million of detectable lead, less than 0.5 parts per million of detectable chromium, less than 0.1 parts per million of detectable cadmium, less than 0.005 parts per million of detectable arsenic, and less than 0.

Abstract: High-strength sinterable lithium disilicate glass ceramics are described which can be further processed in particular by pressing in the viscous state to shaped dental products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making glass-ceramic plates which are bent at a radius of curvature especially suitable in the manufacture of cooking plates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transparent glass-ceramic article which includes a glass matrix and a crystalline phase of apatite crystals in the glass matrix. The present invention further relates to a method of producing the transparent glass-ceramic article.

Abstract: A living tissue replacement of crystallized glass having bioaffinity and mechanical strength is briefly obtained simply by pressure molding or machining without using a special equipment. A glass material having a softening point below its crystallization temperature and exhibiting viscous flow at temperatures below its melting point is heated at a temperature above its Tg and pressed at the temperature to mold to a desired shape, thereby manufacturing a living tissue replacement such as a dental crown. Molding can be done under a pressure of up to 20 MPa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming glass-ceramic tiles. Fly ash containing organic material, metal contaminants, and glass forming materials is oxidized under conditions effective to combust the organic material and partially oxidize the metallic contaminants and the glass forming materials. The oxidized glass forming materials are vitrified to form a glass melt. This glass melt is then formed into tiles containing metallic contaminants.

Abstract: Novel fillers comprising combeite glass-ceramic are provided, along with filled polymerizable resin composites. Further provided are methods for making the combeite crystallite-containing novel fillers for use in hardenable, biocompatible bone restorations. Hard, shaped bodies or orthopaedic, dental and other uses are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for the formation of dental restorations from glass-ceramic materials and the resulting dental restorations. In this invention, a dental restoration is prepared by placing a glass-ceramic material in a heat-pressure deformable crucible. Heat is then applied to the crucible in order to bring the glass-ceramic material to a working range at temperatures above its liquidus temperature. The crucible in which the glass-ceramic material is placed has heat-pressure deformation properties which are matched to the working temperature of the glass-ceramic material being heated. The heat deformation properties of the crucible must be such that when the glass-ceramic material in the crucible is in the working range the crucible is heat-pressure deformable without rupturing.

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.

Abstract: Cristobalite-containing silica glass is provided wherein .alpha.-cristobalite in the shape of a small sphere or a small, round-edged or sharp-edged, three-dimensional region is dispersed in the silica glass matrix. The diameter of each .alpha.-cristobalite sphere or region is, in the range of 0.1 um to 1000 um, and the content of the .alpha.-cristobalite is at least 10 wt. %. The cristobalite-containing silica glass is produced by heating a mixture of two kinds or more of crystalline silicon dioxide powder with melting points different from each other by 20.degree. C. or more. The mixture contains silicon dioxide having the highest melting point in the range of 10 wt. % to 80 Wt. % and is heated at temperatures ranging from the lowest melting point to a temperature lower than the highest melting point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming ceramic tiles having the appearance of tiles produced from clays. The process includes melting a material to form a glass melt, treating the glass melt to produce a solid glass product, grinding the solid glass product to produce glass particles having a particle size of less than 200 microns, mixing the glass particles with a first additive to form a glass powder mixture having a composition of 55 to 99 wt. % glass particles and 45-1 wt. % first additive, forming the glass powder mixture into tiles by dry pressing, where the tiles have a primary crystalline phase selected from the group consisting of nepheline, diopside, anorthite, wollastonite, melilite, merwinite, spinel, akermanite, gehlenite, crystalline phases based on iron substitutions in the crystalline phase, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing a crystallized glass substrate for magnetic disks, including the steps of: (a) holding an amorphous glass plate having a uniform thickness and two principal flat surfaces thereof between a pair of pressing setters in a sandwiched fashion, which pressing setters are non-reactive with the amorphous glass and undeformable during heating for crystallization of the amorphous glass; (b) softening the amorphous glass plate in a sandwiched stack form by heating at a temperature above an annealing point of the amorphous glass, whereby the principal surfaces are fitted onto the flat surfaces of the pressing setters to rectify warping to flatten the amorphous glass plate; and (c) then, increasing the temperature to a crystal growth temperature to grow crystals within the amorphous glass, whereby the amorphous glass plate is crystallized as maintaining its warp-free state, followed by solidifying.

Abstract: A ceramic enamel composition contains 40-80% by weight of at least one lead-free metal oxide frit containing precursors of Zn.sub.2 SiO.sub.4, such as ZnO and SiO.sub.2, wherein the amount of Zn.sub.2 SiO.sub.4 precursors is less than about 35% by weight of the at least one lead-free metal oxide frit, 0.05-15% by weight of a zinc silicate seed material, and 19-37% by weight of a pigment. The zinc silicate seed material preferably contains crystalline Zn.sub.2 SiO.sub.4. The enamel preferably also contains a bismuth silicate seed material. The ceramic enamel can be employed as a coating around the periphery of automotive glass and is effective in improving appearance and reducing degradation of underlying adhesives by ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: In an individual section glassware forming system that includes a plurality of operating mechanisms for performing cyclic motions, an electronic controller for controlling cyclic motion at a needle mechanism includes electronic memory for storing a plurality of motion profiles for the needle mechanism, with each of the profiles comprising a set of needle position data versus time data. Any one of the profiles so stored may be selectively displayed as a graph of position versus time. A plurality of control points, consisting of less than all data points, are highlighted on the graphic display at spaced positions along the graph. An operator may identify one of the control points and change the position data and/or time data associated with that control point. An electronic control computer is responsive to such control point change for automatically recomputing the position data and time data for the profile so as to accommodate the operator-selected changes at the control point.

Abstract: A glass material is formed from SiO.sub.2, CaO, Na.sub.2 O and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and the porous, non-crystalline structure is most preferably created by melting the constituents, cooling and pulverizing the resulting glass, and then forming and hot pressing the powder. The glass of the present invention may be formed to produce templates that are useful for various indications, as well as granules that may be formed into a paste.

Abstract: The invention is a method for improving the flatness of nonmetallic substrates and preferably glass disks. The method comprises the steps of mounting the glass disk on a support. The support preferably comprises a refractory metal having a cooling rate substantially similar to the disk. The disk is then subjected to heating to a temperature in the anneal region for the given material for a period ranging from about 0.5 hours to 12 hours or longer, and then the disk is controllably cooled. The glass disk is preferably cooled at a rate of about 0.25.degree. C./minute to 1.5.degree. C./minute to room temperature. The invention also comprises a hard disk glass memory element and a data storage and retrieval device comprising this element.

Abstract: A set-up fixture (50) for positioning the needle holders (18, 20, 22) of a molten glass feeder bowl with respect to one another, the fixture having a frame member (52) and a plurality of prongs (54, 56, 58) depending from the fixture, one prong for each of the needle holders of the feeder bowl installation. The prongs are inserted into apertures (24b, 26b, 28b) of base members (24, 26, 28) from which the needle holders are carried to accurately position support arms (30, 32, 34) to which the base members are affixed, and thus the needle holders and the plunger needles (12, 14, 16) carried thereby, with respect to one another. The prongs depend different distances from the frame member to permit sequential insertion of the prongs into the base member apertures.

Abstract: Optical waveguides are produced in laser densified Type VI porous gel-silica. A CO.sub.2 laser directly scans the substrate having a pore size of about 30 angstroms. Tracks having a width of about 50 microns are produced.

Abstract: Glass ceramic for use as a biomaterial comprising CaO 34.6 to 54.6%, SiO.sub.2 24.2 to 44.8 %, P.sub.2 O.sub.5 0 to 8.0%, CaF.sub.2 0.1 to 1.0% and Mgo 1.0 to 10.0% by weight and characterized by a primary wollastonite crystalline phase (CaO, SiO.sub.2) and a secondary apatite crystalline phase, and the process for the preparation thereof are disclosed. The glass ceramic of the present invention has superior mechanical properties, good biocompatibility, bioactivity, and no toxicity making it useful as a biomaterial in artificial bone and dental implants.

Abstract: A basin for a forehearth of a glass-making furnace having an internal volume divided into upper and lower portions by an annular shoulder is described wherein the horizontal cross-sectional area of the upper portion is significantly greater than that of the lower portion. The base of the basin has a glass discharge outlet therein. In use, the discharge outlet is aligned with a relatively movable cylinder which acts as a flow metering valve. The cylinder can be rotated about its axis at a constant or adjustable speed, or the cylinder can be non-rotating and have a separately driven stirrer movable about it to prevent or reduce the formation of stagnant areas.

Abstract: Alkali-zinc-silicate glass ceramics and glasses are described which have a linear thermal expansion coefficient in the range from 8.0 to 18.7.times.10.sup.-6 K.sup.-1, an excellent chemical resistance and other advantageous optical properties and can be used in particular as dental material.

Abstract: A method for detecting a defect in a glass-ceramic for magnetic disks includes steps of forming a colored glass-ceramic having Munsell value within the range of 0 to 7 in the CIE color system by subjecting to heat treatment a base glass comprising in weight percent:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 65-83% Li.sub.2 O 8-13% K.sub.2 O 0-7% MgO + ZnO + PbO 0.5-5.5% in which MgO 0.5-5.5% ZnO 0-5% PbO 0-5% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 1-4% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-7% As.sub.2 O.sub.3 + Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-2% a coloring agent of at least one ingredient 0.5-5% selected from the group consisting of metal oxides of V, Cu, Mn, Cr, Co, Mo, Ni, Fe, Te, Ce, Pr, Nd and Er ______________________________________and checking the glass-ceramic visually or by means of an automatic checking device for detecting a defect in the glass-ceramic.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for economically making crystallized glass products from waste ash produced from the sewage sludge dewatered by organic matters, which is usually regarded to be difficult to process. The melting is performed in two furnaces: the primary melting furnace and the secondary melting furnace. The primary furnace melts waste ash and the primary melt is charged into the secondary melting furnace. The glassy material produced in the secondary melting furnace is charged into a crystallization furnace to convert the glassy material to a crystallized glass product. This basic configuration of the apparatus allows the production of either irregular shaped crystallized products, such as crushed stone like products, or crystallized manufactured products, such as tiles and blocks, depending on the combination of processing equipment and their operating conditions.

Abstract: A magnetic disk substrate is made of a glass-ceramic having crystal phases of lithium disilicate (Li.sub.2 O.2SiO.sub.2) and alpha-quartz (SiO.sub.2). The crystal phase of alpha-quartz is formed of grown crystal grains each having a globular grain structure made of aggregated particles. Each globular grain has a size within a range from 0.3 .mu.m to 3 .mu.m. Surface roughness (Ra) of a polished surface of the magnetic disk substrate is within a range from 15 .ANG. to 50 .ANG. which is an optimum range of surface roughness for the magnetic disk.

Abstract: A waste vitrification apparatus (10) having rotatable mixer impeller (16) functioning as a shaft electrode (60) and metallic vessel (14) functioning as a vessel electrode (62). A stream (12) of waste material and vitrifiable material are mixed and melted in the vessel (14) for vitrification. The waste vitrification method converts a feed stream (12) by mixing the feed stream into a glass melt (13) and melting glass batch of the feed stream (12) to form a foamy mass. The stream is dispersed by the impeller (16) to form a foam which is then densified in a settling zone (22), recovered through a spout (24) and solidified in storage containers. Means are provided to adjust the location of the mixing impeller (16) in the vessel (14) to change the depth of the settling zone (22). The impeller (16) is mounted on a drive shaft (18) having a recirculating coolant flow.

Abstract: Superior microwave transparent thermal insulations for high temperature microwave sintering operations were prepared. One embodiment of the thermal insulation comprises granules of boron nitride coated with a very thin layer of glassy carbon made by preparing a glassy carbon precursor and blending it with boron nitride powder to form a mixture. The blended mixture is granulated to form a grit which is dried and heated to form the granules of boron nitride coated with a glassy carbon. Alternatively, grains of glassy carbon are coated with boron nitride by blending a mixture of a slurry comprising boron nitride, boric acid binder, and methyl alcohol with glassy carbon grains to form a blended mixture. The blended mixture is dried to form grains of glassy carbon coated with boron nitride. In addition, a physical mixture of boron nitride powder and glassy carbon grains has also been shown to be an excellent thermal insulation material for microwave processing and sintering.

Abstract: Synthetic quartz glass powder is produced by (a) hydrolyzing an alkoxysilane to form a gel, (b) finely dividing the gel and then drying, or drying the gel and then finely dividing, and (c) calcining the obtained powder, the powder being maintained under an atmosphere with an oxygen concentration of not less than 30 vol % during at least a part of the calcining period at a temperature of not lower than 1,000.degree. C.

Abstract: Conductive via fill inks for green tapes to be stacked and bonded to a support substrate, the glass used for the green tape having a firing temperature from 850.degree.-950.degree. C., wherein the glass used for the via fill ink has a glass transition temperature that is higher than that of the glass used to make the green tape, preferably does not crystallize at the maximum firing temperature of the green tape and comprises from 30-75 percent by volume of the glass-conductive metal powder mixture of the via fill ink. These conductive via fill inks will not shrink until the green tape shrinkage has commenced during firing of the composite circuit board and they will flow slightly during firing, forming good bonds to the glass in the walls of the vias, thereby ensuring good integrity of the vias and good connections to the circuitry on the fired ceramic multilayer circuit board.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic article, such as an information disk substrate, and a method of making the article. The glass-ceramic has Mg-rich pyroxene and spinel-type predominate crystal phases and a composition at least 92% of which consists essentially of 35-60% SiO.sub.2, 10-30% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 12-30% MgO, 0-10% ZnO, 5-20% TiO.sub.2, and 0-8% NiO.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of glass bodies containing crystallites of PbS and/or PbSe. The crystallite-containing bodies are formed by the thermal crystallization in situ of glass bodies having compositions essentially free from CdO and consisting essentially, expressed in terms of weight percent on the oxide basis except for fluorine, sulfur, and selenium which are expressed in terms of weight percent on the elemental basis, of______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 58-65 RO 0-15 Na.sub.2 O 10-15 F 1-3.5 ZnO 5-17 S 0-3 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.5-5 Se 0-3 PbO 3-6 S + Se 1-3 ______________________________________wherein RO consists of at least one alkaline earth metal oxide in the indicated proportions selected from the group consisting of 0-5% BeO, 0-5% MgO, 0-15% CaO, 0-10% SrO, and 0-10% BaO.

Abstract: Marble-like glass ceramic which consists essentially of, by weight percent, 50-75% SiO.sub.2, 1-15% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 6-16.5% CaO, 0.1-5% Li.sub.2 O, 0-1.5% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 10-17.5% CaO+Li.sub.2 O+B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 2.5-12% ZnO, 0-12% BaO, 0.1-15% Na.sub.2 O+K.sub.2 O, and 0-10% coloring agents, said ceramic comprising .beta.-wollastonite precipitated as a major crystal. The coloring agents comprises at least one selected from a group of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, NiO, CoO, MnO.sub.2, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, and CuO. The marble-like glass ceramic may further comprises at least one of As.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 of up to 1% as refining agents, at least one of up to 1.5% MgO and up to 1.5% SrO so as to improve meltability of the glass, and at least one of up to 1% TiO.sub.2, up to 1% ZrO.sub.2, and up to 1% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 so as to make the glass stable and less devitrifiable.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for continuously forming sputter-coated glass fibers. The apparatus includes a sputter vessel into which freshly drawn fiber is passed before surface contamination can occur. The sputter vessel includes modular sputtering units which are arranged to provide sputter deposition of one or more coatings onto the fiber or capillary tube as it passes through the sputter vessel. Roughing chambers may be provided on either end of the sputter vessel and include orifices sized to allow passage of the fiber through the orifice without contact. An improved sputter coating apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A molten glass feeder includes a feeder bowl and a rotating refractory tube. Molten glass is discharged through openings in an orifice plate which are controlled by vertically displaceable needles. To reduce heat loss through the refractory tube, a heat shield is provided which is made up of two mirror imaged parts. Each part has a semicylindrical pan having a lip at the bottom for supporting a semi-circular support plate. Located on this plate is an insulation retainer which has a semi-circular base and a vertical wall at its diameter. This wall forms an insulation receiving bin with the pan.

Abstract: A hollow optical fibre waveguide for low loss transmission at mid infra-red wavelengths, and particularly in the region of the CO.sub.2 laser wavelength of 10.6 microns, is made of a germanium dioxide based glass, preferably comprising not less than 80 wt. % GeO.sub.2 and not more than 20 wt. % PbO, and has at least the inner surface of the hollow glass fibre devitrified and/or provided with a thin germanium lining. This change at the inner surface of the hollow fibre reduces transmission loss at the wavelengths of interest, and is effected by heat treatment at a temperature of at least 400.degree. C., simultaneously with exposure of the inner surface to a reducing atmosphere if a thin germanium layer is required at the inner surface.

Abstract: A thermochromatographic column has a fused silica capillary with a high temperature chemically inert polymer coating thereon supporting a thin heater film formed by the deposition of either a high resistance metallic compound auto-catalytically from a solution of the compound or a nichrome film sputtered onto the polymer clad capillary tubing. The electrical contacts to the heater film may be either resistance welded thereto or the electrically conductive wires may be attached to the capillary body and integrated into the heater film during the deposition of the heater film. An outer layer of an electrically insulating material is applied to the heater film to electrically isolate the heater film and to protect the heater film from damage.

Abstract: An electronic system for automatically controlling the weight of glass gobs in a molten glass feeder, through the regulation of the height of the rotatory tube with respect to the feeder orifice; the electronic system includes, in combination, a finished article, a weight detector, a tube position detector attached to said tube, at least a temperature detector and glass level detector at the feeder, each of which respectively providing signals representative of the weight of the finished article, of the height of the tube with respect to the feeder orifice, of the molten glass temperature in said feeder and of the glass level in the same; a data processor which receives and processes the signals of the detectors, in order to compare the weight of the finished articles with a predetermined weight for the same and relates the weight deviations with the temperature and level of the glass and the height of the tube, in order to provide synergistic tube height compensation signals in order to allow an adequate flo