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

Abstract: A method for producing a silicon ingot having a directional solidification structure comprising the steps of: placing a silicon raw material into a crucible of a melting device constructed by mounting a chill plate on an underfloor heater, mounting a crucible with a large cross-sectional area on the chill plate, providing an overhead heater over the crucible, and surrounding the circumference of the crucible with a heat insulator; heat-melting the silicon raw material by flowing an electric current through the underfloor heater and overhead heater; chilling the bottom of the crucible by halting the electric current through the underfloor heater after the silicon raw material has been completely melted to form a molten silicon; chilling the bottom of the crucible by flowing an inert gas through the chill plate; and intermittently or continuously lowering the temperature of the overhead heater by intermittently or continuously decreasing the electric current through the overhead heater, and an apparatus for pro

Abstract: In furnaces for producing high purity fused silica glass boules, glass particles have a tendency to build-up adjacent the burner hole rim. It was discovered that unburned furnace gases containing silica particles where re-circulated in the furnace close to the burner hole rim and reacted with the oxygen of infiltrated air adjacent the burner hole, and thus deposited such particles in the form of a glassy build-up about the rim of the burner hole. In order to eliminate the source of oxygen adjacent the burner hole rim, a curtain of an inert gas is caused to flow through the burner hole between the sidewalls of the burner hole and the flame of the burner. Accordingly, the curtain of inert gas inhibits the combustion of the unburned hydrogen and carbon monoxide furnace gases adjacent the exit rim of the burner hole and thereby minimizes glass build-up about the burner hole rim.

Abstract: This apparatus is a furnace for heating molten material which employs oxygen-fuel burner assemblies. Preferably, the assemblies are submerged in the molten material. They are water cooled top down units with burner nozzles being off-set from the supply column. The apparatus utilizes one or more burners for each top down supply column. The supply column and attached burners can be rotated or moved in a manner to avoid the open chimney effect seen with fixed air-fuel burners of the prior art. These burners with an off-set nozzle like the letter L are rotated at high speed or oscillated to distribute the combustion in the form of gas bubbles or a gas curtain. In another embodiment, the oxy-fuel burners are not submerged. The nozzles are aimed at unmelted batch or the upper surface of the molten material for controlled splashing.

Abstract: In the method of making glass a glass melt is formed from starting materials in a melt apparatus, which includes at least one metal part having a metal surface in contact with the glass melt in a first region of the glass melt having a predetermined oxygen partial pressure. This method includes suppressing oxygen bubble formation in the glass melt at a contacting surface between the metal surface and the glass melt; immersing an electrode in a second region of the glass melt not including the first region, which has a lower oxygen partial pressure than in the first region, and electrically conductively connecting the electrode and the at least one metal part. An apparatus for performing the method is also described as well as glasses made by the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the flame hydrolysis deposition (FHD) of a core material on a substrate provides a holder for a substrate which is heated to a predetermined temperature selected to maintain the substrate temperature relatively constant during the FHD process. As a result, the thickness of a thin film applied to the substrate is relatively uniform as is the index of refraction of the core material deposited on the substrate. In one embodiment, a chuck for receiving a disk-shaped substrate wafer is supplied with an embedded electrical heater for maintaining the chuck temperature at from about 700° C. to about 900° C. In another embodiment, a gas heater positioned on a side of the chuck opposite the wafer mounting is provided to heat the chuck at substantially the same temperature.

Abstract: In a known process for the manufacture of an elongated porous SiO2 preform, SiO2 particles are deposited on the mantle surface of a cylindrical carrier rotating about its longitudinal axis. The SiO2 particles are formed by means of a plurality of deposition burners which are arranged, at a distance from one another, in at least one burner row extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carrier. The burners are moved in a repeated cycle back and forth along the forming preform and between turnaround points where the direction of their motion is reversed. Measures are taken in the process to prevent or reduce overheating of the preform in the turnaround point regions. These measures can lead to variations in the rate of deposition.

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

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

Abstract: In an industrial glass furnace, which optionally contains recuperators, regenerators, electric boost or other devices for providing heat to glass batch material, at least one staged combustion oxy-fuel burner is mounted in the roof of the furnace to provide heat to melt the glass batch material by providing a flow of fuel to the oxy-fuel burner; providing a flow of gaseous oxidant in association with said the oxy-fuel burner; injecting the fuel and the oxidant into the furnace; and, combusting the fuel such that at least a portion of combustion is effected in the vicinity of said glass forming material to enhance convective and radiative transfer of heat to said glass forming material without substantially disturbing the glass forming material. In one embodiment, the oxy-fuel burner is adapted for injecting liquid fuels.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drawing low loss fluoride glass fibers from a preform. A stream of reactive gas is passed around the preform and fiber so as to prevent moisture and oxygen contamination of the fiber while the fiber is being drawn. The apparatus includes an insulating vessel which surrounds a heating chamber in which the fiber is drawn, and a very narrow heating zone within the chamber for preventing crystallization of the drawn fiber.

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

Abstract: A method for making a furnace for heating a glass sheet by lower electric resistance elements (50) supported by a furnace housing (12) below a roll conveyor (40) and by supplying a gas burner heated hot gas flow from a forced convection heater (56) that provides a dominant mode of external heat for heating the conveyed glass sheet from above. The furnace is manufactured by retrofitting an electric resistance heater type glass sheet furnace that initially has both lower and upper electric resistance elements (50) located below and above the roller conveyor (40). The lower electric resistance elements (50) are maintained while the upper electric resistance elements (50) are replaced with a gas burner forced convection heater (56).

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: Briefly, according to the present invention there is provided a refractory lined glass melter for producing refined glass from raw glass-forming material using at least one oxygen-fuel burner recessed within a burner block mounted in the roof of the furnace and a process of using the burner. The velocities of the gaseous fuel and of the oxygen from the oxygen-fuel burner are controlled such that the velocities of the gaseous fuel and the oxygen are substantially equivalent to provide a generally laminar gaseous fuel and oxygen flow to combust proximate a top surface of the raw glass-forming material and produce a flame which impinges the surface of the raw glass-forming material and which has a middle portion of a columnar shape.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are disclosed for delivering molten thermoplastic material from one chamber to another through a throat in a refractory wall separating said chambers. A refractory metal conduit is positioned within said refractory throat below the level of the floor of said chambers, and standpipes at each end of said conduit extending above the level of said floors, create stagnant thermoplastic material about the conduit so as to prevent corrosion products from flowing away from about the conduit and thereby also preventing fresh thermoplastic from replacing it. The stagnant material becomes enriched with corrosion products, which with the absence of flow retards further corrosion of the refractory about the conduit.

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

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

Abstract: A forehearth (20) for cooling glass from a melting furnace as it flows to a feeder bowl (28) from which it is discharged to a forming machine. The forehearth is in the form of an elongate, horizontally extending insulated trough (26) with a roof formed by a longitudinally extending series of roof block elements (30), each of which is of one-piece construction and extends completely across the width of the insulated trough. The downwardly facing surface of each roof block element is contoured to incorporate concave portions (30a, 30b) near the edges of the forehearth, a concave portion (30c) above the center of the forehearth and convex portions (30d, 30e) separating the center concave portion from the side concave portions to substantially impede heat transfer between the side concave portions and the center concave portion.

Abstract: A method and furnace for heating a glass sheet by lower electric resistance elements (50) supported by a furnace housing (12) below a roll conveyor (40) and by supplying a gas burner heated hot gas flow from a forced convection heater (56) that provides a dominant mode of external heat for heating the conveyed glass sheet from above. The furnace can also be manufactured by retrofitting an electric resistance heater type glass sheet furnace.

Abstract: A method and equipment for adjusting the temperature of glass sheets in a tempering furnace. The tempering furnace (1) comprises rollers (3) for conveying and oscillating the glass sheets (4) during heating, and resistors (5, 6) for heating the glass sheets (4) from above and from below. The temperature of the glass sheets (4) is measured inside the tempering furnace (1) during heating and the dwell time of the glass sheets (4) in the furnace is adjusted based on the temperature measurements. This enables exact control of the final temperature of the glass from the beginning, and the temperature can be kept uniform independently of the measures taken by the operator.

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.

Abstract: This apparatus is a furnace for heating molten material which employs oxygen-fuel burner assemblies. Preferably, the assemblies are submerged in the molten material. They are water cooled top down units with burner nozzles being off-set from the supply column. The apparatus utilizes one or more burners for each top down supply column. The supply column and attached burners can be rotated or moved in a manner to avoid the open chimney effect seen with fixed air-fuel burners of the prior art. These burners with an off-set nozzle like the letter L are rotated at high speed or oscillated to distribute the combustion in the form of gas bubbles or a gas curtain. In another embodiment, the oxy-fuel burners are not submerged. The nozzles are aimed at unmelted batch or the upper surface of the molten material for controlled splashing.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing tin defects in flat glass made by the float process. In the float process, molten glass is delivered onto a pool of molten tin within an enclosed chamber and formed into a glass ribbon. Oxygen gas dissolved in the molten tin combines with the tin to form tin oxide which vaporizes and collects within the chamber, resulting in defects in the glass. In the present invention, hydrogen gas is introduced directly into the molten tin to react with the oxygen gas and tin oxide within the molten tin to form water and elemental tin, resulting in a reduction in the amount of tin oxide within the molten tin. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the hydrogen gas is introduced into the molten tin through an elongated, porous graphite member submerged in the molten tin within the forming chamber such that it extends along and is located outboard of selected portions of the edge of the glass ribbon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a glass stream comprising a first inner layer and a second outer layer, comprising a generally vertical orifice, and delivering glass from a second source such that the glass from said second source provides an outer layer about the glass from the first source as it flows through said orifice. A resistance heated tube assembly is made of platinum or material having similar resistance heating properties and extends from a glass source to an orifice through which the glass flows from a glass source for the inner layer. The tube assembly includes a tube portion having an inlet end that communicates with the source for the outer layer and an outlet end that communicates with the source. The tube portion has an axis positioned at any angle ranging between the horizontal and vertical but preferably has an axis which is more vertical than horizontal. Flanges are secured to the ends of said tube portion, and the flanges are connected to an electric power supply.

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

Abstract: Flat glass provided with precision structures is required for precision applications, especially for glasses with optical properties, for example for modern flat display screen glass. The process of the invention for hot forming precision structures in or on flat glass includes pressing a heated forming tool with a structuring surface into a surface of the flat glass. In this process the structuring surface of the forming tool is heated locally from the outside of the forming tool, prior to and/or during contacting of the forming tool with the glass surface until a predetermined surface depth corresponding to a height of the structures being formed has reached a process temperature at which a melting to form the structures occurs on contacting the forming tool to the glass surface. The local heating of the structuring surface (2) is performed by laser radiation which is passed through the flat glass (3) to the structuring surface (2). Alternatively an inductive or resistance heating can be performed.

Abstract: A mold having a pair of mold halves defining a mold cavity for forming a glass container. There is an inner shell of the mold and an outer shell and a gap therebetween through which cooling gas flows. Heat transfer elements on the inner shell extend laterally outwardly from the inner shell into the gap for contact by cooling gas flowing through the gap thereby to cool the inner shell. The inner shell is formed from a hard material having a working temperature substantially greater than the melting temperature of glass, a heat conductivity of less than about 15 W/m-deg K, and a capability of generating at temperatures in excess of about 500.degree. C. a protective oxide film strongly adhered to the inner shell surface.

Abstract: A deflector assembly for conveying gobs of molten glass to a glass forming machine, the deflector assembly having a longitudinally extending deflector formed from a suitable metallic material by casting with a cross-sectional configuration of a downwardly facing U. The deflector has a cooling passage formed internally of the metallic material and extending therethrough, the cooling passage being formed along the centerline of the deflector and adjacent to a bight of the U. The deflector assembly further comprises a thin-walled tube inserted into the cooling passage of the deflector, the thin-walled tube extending through the deflector, and a coolant is circulated through the thin-walled tube to thereby cool the deflector.

Abstract: A semi-convective forced air system for heating glass sheets during a heating cycle. The system has a heating chamber, and a longitudinal conveyor extending lengthwise through the heating chamber. A plurality of longitidinally-extending air manifolds are located within the chamber and are in fluid connection with a compressed air source. The manifolds are arranged in at least one widthwise-extending column. Each of the manifolds are oriented parallel to the length of the conveyor and are constructed and arranged to create a downward flow of heated air toward the conveyor to convectively heat the entire length of selected widthwise portions of a sheet of glass on the conveyor. A controller supplies or restricts the flow of compressed air to selected manifolds within a column at predetermined times during the heating cycle.

Abstract: Flat glass provided with precision structures is required for precision applications, especially for glasses with optical properties, for example for modern flat display screen glass. A method for forming precision structures in or on flat glass includes filling a structuring surface of a forming tool with a paste-like material and pressing the forming tool on one side of the flat glass. The forming tool is heated locally shortly prior and/or during or after contact with the glass surface with the structuring surface from the outside until the structuring surface down to a depth predetermined by the height of the structures being formed reaches a temperature at which a melting and hardening of the paste-like material forming the structures occurs during contact with the flat glass. The local heating of the structuring surface is performed by laser radiation which is passed through the flat glass to the structuring surface. Alternatively an inductive or resistance heating can be performed.

Abstract: A forehearth (20) for cooling glass from a melting furnace as it flows to a feeder bowl (28) from which it is discharged to a forming machine. The forehearth is in the form of an elongate, horizontally extending insulated trough (26) with a roof formed by a longitudinally extending series of roof block elements (30), each of which is of one-piece construction and extends completely across the width of the insulated trough. The downwardly facing surface of each roof block element is contoured to incorporate concave portions (30a, 30b) near the edges of the forehearth, a concave portion (30c) above the center of the forehearth and convex portions (30d, 30e) separating the center concave portion from the side concave portions to substantially impede heat transfer between the side concave portions and the center concave portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a glass stream including a first inner layer and a second outer layer, including a generally vertical orifice, and delivering glass from a second source such that the glass from said second source provides an outer layer about the glass from the first source as it flows through the orifice. A resistance heated tube assembly is made of platinum or material having similar resistance heating properties and extends from a glass source to an orifice through which the glass flows from a glass source for the inner layer. The tube assembly includes a tube portion having an inlet end that communicates with the source for the outer layer and an outlet end that communicates with the source. The tube portion has an axis positioned at any angle ranging between the horizontal and vertical but preferably has an axis which is more vertical than horizontal. Flanges are secured to the ends of the tube portion, and the flanges are connected to an electric power supply.

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

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

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bending a sheet of material heated to a formable, state such as glass, resinous polymeric material, viscoelastic material, and thermoplastic material, provides an improved pressing member for pressing the heated sheet against a first rigid mold which reduces the size of the buckles in the bent sheet, eliminates the need for a second rigid mold, reduces the process control steps, reduces the risk of damaging the rigid mold, increases the tolerances for the positioning of the sheet in the apparatus, and increases the range of application. The pressing member includes a flexible diaphragm which rolls the heated sheet against a rigid mold by first applying a pressure to a portion of the heated sheet and then radiating the pressure from that portion to the remaining surface area of the heated sheet in a rolling action. The bending apparatus includes a rigid mold and a flexible diaphragm pressurized into a convex shape for initially pressing on a portion of the heated sheet.

Abstract: A method for delivering a coated glass stream having a first inner layer and a second outer layer wherein the method includes 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 the 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: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for pressing a glass article. The apparatus includes a frame. A mold having first and second mold halves are mounted on the frame. The mold halves define a cavity for receiving a glass gob. The mold halves are movable between open and closed positions. The apparatus includes a device for opening and closing the mold halves. A plunger is movably mounted on the frame adjacent the cavity. The plunger presses the glass gob into the cavity to form the glass article. The apparatus further includes a device for moving the plunger. An alternative embodiment of the invention is directed to a machine for pressing a plurality of glass articles at a high cavity rate. In this embodiment, the machine includes at least two apparatus as described above mounted on a device for moving the apparatus.

Abstract: An I.S. machine is disclosed which has a plurality of individual sections arranged side by side. Each section has a section box for supporting a blank mold opening and closing mechanism and a blow mold opening and closing mechanism. These section boxes are supported on a bed which has a top wall underlying the section boxes. Passages are provided through the bed, beneath the top wall of the bed, from one side to the other side of said I.S. machine and these passages slidably receive a plurality of adjacent fluid ducts which are releasably clamped to the bed.

Abstract: An I.S. machine is disclosed which has a plurality of individual sections arranged side by side. Each section has a section box for supporting a blank mold opening and closing mechanism and a blow mold opening and closing mechanism. These section boxes are supported on a bed which has a top wall underlying the section boxes. A passages are provided through the bed, beneath the top wall of the bed, from one side to the other side of said I.S. machine and these passages slidably receive a plurality of adjacent fluid ducts. The top wall of the bed further includes openings for exposing each fluid duct within each section so that fluid connections can be established from these fluid ducts through the openings in the top wall of bed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making float glass, wherein the glass is stirred in the conditioning zone adjacent the entrance to the float canal so as to attenuate the glass across the entire width of the float canal.

Abstract: An oxygen-gas fuel burner (12) for use in a refractory burner block (20) of glass distribution and conditioning channels (14) for thermally treating glass (18). The oxygen-gas fuel burner (12) includes a gas fuel conduit (26) extending to a central fuel outlet (28); an oxygen conduit (30) including a plurality of passages (30a) circumferentially spaced about the fuel conduit (26) and converging radially to oxygen outlets (32) circumferentially spaced about and concentric with the central fuel outlet (28); and a burner housing (34) including an outer nozzle (38). The outer nozzle (38) surrounds the fuel outlet (28) and the oxygen outlets (32) to provide a burner tip chamber (40) for mixing and combustion of oxygen and gas fuel to produce a flame within the burner tip chamber and extending outward from the burner tip chamber.

Abstract: For tempering by contact of a glass sheet having a through hole, cooled clamping pieces coated with thermoresistant fibers having a high thermal conductivity act on the surfaces of the glass sheet heated to the tempering temperature. During the action of the clamping plates, the inner surfaces of the glass sheet defining the hole are struck by a cooling gas. The cooling gas is injected by a jet or nozzle tube located in a clamping plate within a bore, which passes coaxially through the air-permeable covering fabric and, after having been whirled up within the hole, escapes through the fabric via a backflow pipe surrounding the jet or nozzle tube.

Abstract: A parallel shear apparatus (20) for simultaneously shearing a plurality of streams of molten glass (A, B, C) into gobs including opposed carriages (22, 24) which are repetitively moved along rectilinear opposed paths toward and away from one another. Each of the carriages carries a plurality of shear blades (40a, 40b, 40c/42a, 42b, 42c) which cooperate with one another to shear the glass streams into gobs when the carriages are positioned close to one another. The shear blades carried by each of the carriages have internal flow passages (66) to permit the blades to be internally liquid cooled by liquid entering the carriages from inlet lines (52, 56), and the blades carried by one of the carriages (22) are biased by compression springs (82) into contact with the blades carried by the other carriage (24) to prevent excessive contact loads between the blades in their shearing positions. A contact lubricator (88) is provided to lubricate the contact surfaces of the blades carried by one of the carriages (22).

Abstract: A unitary mold member for shaping glass includes an inner surface which shapes molten glass blown thereagainst and an outer surface. A cavity within the unitary mold member is positioned between the inner and outer surfaces. The unitary mold member has passages at about the upper end thereof between the cavity and the surrounding atmosphere. The unitary mold member also has passages at about the lower end thereof between the cavity and the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to the press bending and tempering of glass sheets, especially for use as glazings in vehicles. When the press bending system is not located in a heated environment such as a furnace, it is important to maintain the glass sheets at a sufficiently high temperature for an adequate degree of temper to be achieved on quenching the sheet. The present invention provides a method of bending and tempering a thin glass sheet comprising pressing the substantially horizontal sheet between moulds having opposed complementary shaping surfaces, at least one of the surfaces being heated, and subsequently quenching the surfaces of the sheet characterised in that the heated shaping surface is maintained at a temperature in the range from 200.degree. C. to 350.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for defibrating optically dense glass melts, such as a glass melt from basalt by the jet process, is proposed which is equipped with a feeding mechanism (1) for the melt and defibrating aggregates (2), the feeding mechanism (1) having a feed channel (3) and a subsequent distributing channel (4) with outlet ports (5) to the defibrating aggregates (2). To homogenize the glass temperature in the area before the defibrating aggregates (2) the feed channel (3) has on the bottom side at least in the area adjacent the distributing channel (4) a warming device (8) serving as a thermal barrier or active insulation and advantageously formed as an electric resistance heating device.