Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a continuous flow ion-exchange system and process (CIOX) in which a fresh molten salt, for example KNO3, is supplied a salt inlet end of a long channeled containment vessel and the used molten salt is removed from a salt outlet end distal from the inlet end of the channel. Glass article is loaded into at least one cassette, the cassette is placed in the vessel containing the molten salt and is translated from the salt outlet end to the salt inlet end. Cassettes containing glass articles are continuously placed into the vessel at the salt outlet lend and are removed as they reach the salt inlet end.

Abstract: A device for recovering waste heat in the form of radiated light, e.g. red visible light and/or infrared light includes a housing having a viewing window, and a photovoltaic cell mounted in the housing in a relationship to the viewing window, wherein rays of radiated light pass through the viewing window and impinge on surface of the photovoltaic cell. The housing and/or the cell are cooled so that the device can be used with a furnace for an industrial process, e.g. mounting the device with a view of the interior of the heating chamber of a glass making furnace. In this manner, the rays of the radiated light generated during the melting of glass batch materials in the heating chamber pass through the viewing window and impinge on the surface of the photovoltaic cells to generate electric current which is passed onto an electric load.

Abstract: A manual glass lathe used for shaping and coloring clear glass tubes. The manual glass lathe, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a tubular handle, designed to be held in one hand, and a thumbwheel located towards the working end of the handle, and is used by a glass-blower to precisely control the spin of a glass workpiece and the proximity of the workpiece to a flame and to various shaping tools and/or fuming rods. The handle makes use of an interior arrangement of bearings and o-rings to center and hold the mandrel, and also comprises an inner sleeve used as an inertial weight to enhance spinning momentum. Also a method for using such a manual glass lathe to shape and fume glass workpieces.

Abstract: A furnace is for melting of glass material, such as glass or glass batch, by use of microwaves. The furnace includes a container which is adapted to hold the glass material, and a device for emitting microwaves. The furnace includes a microwave absorber which is protected by a barrier from being decomposed by the glass material, the microwave absorber being adapted to absorb the energy of the microwaves and emit this energy as heat to the glass material.

Abstract: An optical workstation comprising an optical breadboard supported by a frame, the frame comprising a plurality of upstanding legs interconnected by laterally extending cross-beams, the cross-beams defining a space into which the optical breadboard is received and laterally enclosed. By laterally enclosing the optical breadboard with the cross-beam frame elements, side protection for the optical breadboard is provided, thus protecting it from lateral impacts against which conventional damping mounts are not effective. In addition, since the cross-beams are part of the frame structure, they provide a stable and rigid platform for mounting optical and other components at the very edge of the workstation outside the optical breadboard area. Anchor points in the cross-beams are provided for this purpose.

Abstract: A conveyor belt including a series of predefined sections and elevated support structures at the edges of each section for supporting items on the belt above the belt at each section.

Abstract: An automatic machine for working materials in sheet form, particularly glass sheets, which comprises a supporting framework that has a worktable for supporting the sheet being worked with suction cup elements and a tool magazine. A frame for supporting a working head is associated with the framework, the head being able to move above the worktable. A pick-up tool that can be moved by the working head is provided, to pick up suction cup elements from a magazine and position them on the worktable and/or vice versa.

Abstract: An emitter for use with a generator has a tube closed at one end, heated from its outside with a water-cooled photovoltaic converter array mounted inside for glass-melting application. Several TPV tubes may be inserted through holes in the insulation into the port sections between the glass-melting furnace and the regenerators. Any one of these tubes may be removed for maintenance at any time and replaced with a closure to close off the hole, without affecting the industrial process. The emitter tube may be a SiC or KANTHAL tube. The tube may be lines on its inside with AR coated tungsten foil or the tungsten may be deposited on the inner tube surface as a film followed by the AR coating. The photovoltaic converter array may comprise a polygonal array of shingle circuits where the circuits are fabricated using low bandgap GaSb cells.

Abstract: A pushout mechanism is disclosed for transferring bottles from a deadplate of an I.S. machine section to a conveyor. The pushout mechanism has a finger assembly including inner and outer pockets and is pivotally displaced, when the finger assembly is at an advanced position, from the deadplate and to a conveyor. Each of the inner and outer pockets includes an air directing structure such as a jet for directing air to hold a bottle located within the pocket against the pocket. A first pressurized air supply which includes a first control valve supplies pressurized air to the air directing structure of the inner pocket and a second pressurized air supply means including a second control valve for supplies pressurized air to the air directing structure of the outer pocket.

Abstract: A variable radius bending apparatus is disclosed for bending a glass plate. The variable radius bending apparatus includes a bending rail having a longitudinal rail member and a drive drum and a tension drum rotatably attached thereto. A drive band is positioned around the drive drum and tension drum and in frictional engagement therewith. A plurality of rollers are in driven contact with the drive band and are tiltable to a desired bend radius for forming the desired bend radius in the glass plate. Finally, a band guide is fixedly attached to the bending rail and in juxtaposition with the drive band for preventing the drive band from moving transversely with respect to the drive drum and tension drum, whereby the band is prevented from contacting a surface adjacent to the band.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rippled edge beveler comprising a wheelhead feeding mechanism having an upper planker and a grinding wheel, wherein the upper planker 2 is connected to the middle planker which is connected to the lower planker fixed on the grinding wheel beam. A drive motor is joined to the lower part of the grinding wheel beam, the drive motor connected to a driving gear which engages the middle gear. The spin axis is connected to the middle gear. Several driven gears are joined to the middle of the spin axis. The driven gears are connected to the input end of the worm screw decelerator, whose output end is connected to the vertical shaft, whose end is connected to the middle planker. The present structure is reliable to use, convenient and easy to install and pleasing to the eye.

Abstract: The method of the present invention overcomes the hot-sticking problems between an inorganic non-metallic material (=insulator) to be molded and a forming die by maintaining an assembly comprising a forming die and the insulator in a polarized state during molding. Processes using said method lead to an improved surface quality of the molded insulator. A device for reducing said hot-sticking comprises a die (2) which acts as conductor, an electrode (3) which may act as support for the insulator (1) to be molded, means (5) for polarizing the assembly of said conductor, insulator and electrode which means (5) are connected by live electric wires (4) with said die and electrode.

Abstract: A gob formation device and method for improved production of molten glass preforms for use in the precision glass molding of optical glass elements. The device is a dispensing tip which is attached to a stem extending from a working crucible containing a supply of molten glass. The dispensing tip includes a longitudinal bore through which the molten glass flows, and a downwardly projecting gob formation surface located at a distal end of tip. The downwardly projecting gob formation surface is preferably convex which aids in achieving greater uniformity of mass in the gob formation process as well as improving preform internal quality.

Abstract: A glass-plate working apparatus (A) includes a base (2) on which a glass plate (1) is placed; Y-direction movable bases (3) and (4) which are supported by the base (2) movably in a Y-direction perpendicular to an X-direction; a Y-direction moving device (5) for moving the movable bases (3) and (4) in the Y-direction; a frame (8) which is supported by the Y-direction movable bases (3) and (4) via scuffing preventing devices (6) and (7); an X-direction movable base (9) which is supported by the frame (8) movably in the X-direction; an X-direction moving device (10) for moving the X-direction movable base (9) in the X-direction; and a working head (12) mounted on the X-direction movable base (9) so as to form a cut line (11) for bend-breaking on the glass plate (1).

Abstract: A backup structure for a pipe for feeding a molten substance of high temperature has a pipe and a thermal insulation material surrounding the pipe wherein the pipe is provided with a plurality of projections on its outer periphery at predetermined intervals, and each of the productions is held at its both sides by the thermal insulation material.

Abstract: A lathe for blowing glass. The lathe includes a lower section and an upper section removably attached to the lower section to form a housing. A motor is operably connected to a gear assembly. At least one roller assembly rotatably supports a blowpipe. An air coupling assembly rotatably attached to the gear assembly allows air to pass from a blowhose to an air tube frictionally engaging the blowpipe. A sprinkler system may be provided for cooling the blowpipe while the article is being formed. The speed and direction of rotation of the blowpipe can be manually or remotely controlled by the glassmaker. Thus, the lathe is capable of rotating the blowpipe while air is being provided to the blowpipe to form the article.

Abstract: An insulator support assembly apparatus and process is provided, which includes a vertically oriented tubular frame with one or more insulator supports, one or more insulators and a pushbar mounting mechanism integral to the rearward frame support. Further provided is an insulated pushbar mechanism for moving glass containers which includes an insulator support assembly and a pushbar.

Abstract: A pusher mechanism for transferring a selected number of containers from a dead plate of an I.S. machine to a conveyor. The mechanism has a finger assembly including a back support portion and a finger portion, with the back support portion and the finger portion defining a pocket having a corner at their juncture. The finger portion has an air jet with the center line thereof making an acute angle with the finger portion and selectively located so that a bottle placed on the deadplate within the pocket will be located on the side of the center line remote from the corner of the pocket, and the back support portion is selectively inclined to the finger portion to substantially prevent the bouncing of a bottle, drawn into the pocket by the air jet, off the finger portion in the direction of the air jet.

Abstract: A method of accurately circumferentially orienting the output shaft of each of a plurality of oscillating gob distribution device units (S) with respect to one another and with respect to a support device (T) used to support a plurality of gob chutes. A fixture (10) having a slot (22) extending therethrough is secured to the output shaft of each of the drive units and in a fixed circular position relative thereto. The positions of the output shafts are adjusted to bring the slots into alignment with one another by inserting the shank portion (42) of a zeroing bar (40) into the slots of the fixtures, and the position of the support device is circumferentially adjusted to bring a recess therein into a predetermined circular orientation with respect to a step end portion (46) of the zeroing bar.

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: A method of adjusting the height of the takeout mechanism in a glassware forming machine comprises setting a takeout arm of the mechanism at a predetermined angle by use of a jig member adjusting a piston and cylinder device so that it is in a predetermined lowermost position when the takeout arm is so set, using a second jig member appropriate to the desired height of the takeout mechanism with respect to a set of moulds, setting the whole mechanism to the appropriate height and adjusting a scale to indicate the height to which the mechanism is set.

Abstract: Hot, newly molded glass articles are easily moved using sweepout arms having a plurality of graphite contact members that form a mosaic to present the hot glass piece with a substantially smooth graphite surface.

Abstract: A push out device for a glass container making machine has a series of pusher fingers mounted on a pusher head arranged for the conventional extended and retracted movement and rotation about a vertical axis. The pusher fingers are mounted in a support plate of the pusher head so that the spacing between a base of the pusher head and the support plate may readily be adjusted.

Abstract: A shuttle type sweepout mechanism is described wherein the 90.degree. sweepout that consists of rotary head driven through an arc is mounted on a support that is translated in the direction of the moving conveyor. With the sweepout head capable of being rotated and translated makes it feasible to have an array of deadplates that are in alignment but at different distances from a pair of parallel conveyors that transport the ware to the lehr.

Abstract: An air conduit is carried by each pocket of a ware handling device to direct air under pressure towards the corner of the pocket which is to receive a container. The source is cylinder air which is fed through a hole in this piston/rod to the ware handling arm.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for withdrawing a sample from a ass melting furnace. The apparatus includes a gripper for taking the sample and can be introduced through an opening in the furnace into the interior thereof. The apparatus includes a rectangular vertically upright open guide frame provided with vertical inner guides mounted on the sides of the frame. A carrier frame is mounted on the inner guides and is displaceable relative to the guide frame. The base of the guide frame is penetrated by a guide tube. A pull rod is coaxially and displaceably mounted in the guide tube and is fixedly attached to the base of the carrier frame. Two pairs of articulated lever units for pivoting two cooperating gripper half shells are mounted at the end of the guide tube and at the end of the pull rod. When pivoted together, the gripper half shells conjointly form a closed space to accommodate the sample.

Abstract: A transfer station of a glass-forming machine includes a depositing plate for receiving at least two transversely spaced glass articles, such as bottles or the like, from the glass-forming machine. The depositing plate is mounted on a vertical shaft for turning therewith about the axis of the latter to move the glass articles thereon from a receiving to a transfer position, and the shaft with the plate is movable in vertical direction into the region of a transfer mechanism arranged to transfer the bottles from the plate to a conveyor adjacent to the plate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and process for the ion change hardening of glassware by passing the glassware through a stream of molten salt. The glassware may be arranged at different levels on a conveying means, provided with perforations to allow the molten salt to fall from level to level from an overhead salt distributor. The glassware may be positioned on a horizontally spinning rack so that molten salt continuously fills up and empties from the glassware. The molten salt is recycled from the bottom of the apparatus and may be replenished by adding salt to the recycle stream.

Abstract: An article suitable as an integral handle for an optical waveguide preform is disclosed. The article comprises a hollow tubular member defining a substantially longitudinal aperture and having one end thereof tapered and of diminishing wall thickness for the length of said taper. Adjacent the tapered end is disposed an outwardly extending protrusion which is embedded in one end of an optical waveguide preform forming an integral unit therewith. Means are provided for a substantially gas-tight connection to the handle so that a gaseous medium may be flowed through the handle and the optical waveguide preform in its porous soot form. Means are also provided for attaching and securing the composite structure to a source of gaseous medium. Also disclosed is the combination of an optical waveguide preform rigidly affixed to a handle.

Abstract: In a glassware forming machine, a non-handed transfer mechanism, for transferring freshly-formed hot glassware, by swinging through a right angle about a vertical axis, from a dead plate to an adjacent conveyor, comprises a side-by-side parallel pair of rams having pistons on the free ends of which is a pusher plate. A piston stop bar is located centrally of the pistons and is connected to a piston tie plate for arresting the pusher plate and pistons at the end of an extending stroke of the pistons.

Abstract: The specification discloses a hood for the gathering hole of a glass furnace which minimizes the escape of hot gases through the gathering hole while open for removal of glass from the furnace to reduce air pollution and otherwise improve personnel comfort.

Abstract: A device is provided for holding and centering a rotating glass body such as a rod or tube. The device includes a tubular tip holder which may be held in a lathe chuck. The device can utilize a variety of centering tips each adapted for a particular configuration, such as a glass O-ring joint or semi-ball joint.

Abstract: In the cooling of newly formed glass containers, the containers are moved from blow molds and placed on what is termed a cooling "dead plate". The dead plate is supplied with air under pressure which is fed into the casting forming the dead plate. The ware sits on a generally flat, perforate member which is the cover for the dead plate casting. The air supply is found beneath the conveyor belt in the housing for supporting the conveyor for carrying the ware away from the forming machine. A plurality of openings, adjacent each ware forming position, are provided through the bottom of the conveyor housing and air within the housing will enter the underlying, horizontal leg of the dead plate casting whose upper surface has complementary openings to those in the conveyor housing and exit through the perforations in the dead plate to cool the ware sitting thereon.