Abstract: A process for the formation of a container of glass, includes a first molding step performed in a preforming mold having pins projecting into the mold over a length less than the thickness of the walls of the preform of the article, the external walls of the preform presenting after removal from the mold recessed portions corresponding to the presence of the projecting pins. A second step is performed in a smooth-walled finishing mold having the shape and the dimensions of the container to be made, the blowing pressure in the interior of the finishing mold being controlled so as to permit a smoothness of the external wall of the container and the formation of air inclusions in the wall of the container.

Abstract: A method disclosed can mold glass optical elements having a good surface precision with a relatively short cycle time even where glass optical elements are manufactured in largely transforming a glass material. This method is, for example, a molding method for glass optical elements including the step of pressing a glass molding material softened by heat until the center thickness of the glass molded article becomes 70% of the center thickness of the glass molding material to produce the glass molded article. The preheat temperature of the mold is set to a temperature that the average of the temperatures around molding surfaces of upper and lower molds constituting the mold is a temperature that the glass molding material indicates a viscosity of X poises; the heating temperature of the glass molding material is set to a temperature that the glass molding material indicates a viscosity of Y poises; the viscosity X and the viscosity Y satisfy the following formulas. log X<10 log Y≧6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of novel glass compositions in preparing dental glass pillars and support pillars, and method for producing the glass pillars. The glass material comprises a high percent of boron trioxide which makes possible a reduced alkali oxide content. The dental glass pillars thus obtained are bio-compatible and can be used in the preparation of dental bridgework, most preferably when posterior teeth serving for support of the said bridgework are missing.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high purity massive synthetic silica glass article. The method includes a homogenizing step, wherein a rod shaped synthetic silica glass material has a greater optical homogeneity in a plane perpendicular to its rotational axis than a plane parallel thereto, a step of forming the homogeneous synthetic silica glass and a step of cutting the formed synthetic silica glass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: a method of bending the perimeter of at least one opening (2) provided in a glass-ceramic precursor plate (1), said perimeter describing a closed curve without sharp angles; a method of manufacturing a glass-ceramic plate (10′, 10″) in which at least one opening (2) is provided, whose perimeter describing a closed curve without sharp angles is bent; novel glass-ceramic plates (10′, 10″), obtainable by implementing said manufacturing methods.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a face plate for a flat panel display such as a field emission cathode type display, the face plate having integral spacer support structures is disclosed. Also disclosed is a product made by the aforesaid process. The support structures are designed to be load bearing so as to prevent implosion of a planar, transparent face plate toward a parallel spaced-apart base plate when the space between the face plate and the base plate is sealed at the edges of the display to form a chamber, and the chamber is evacuated in the presence of atmospheric pressure outside the chamber. Unlike most spacer support structures proposed for such flat panel displays, the support structures are made from the same material as the substrate from which the face plate is fabricated. For a preferred embodiment of the process, a perforated laminar template is sealably sandwiched between a laminar silicate glass substrate and a manifold block to form a temporary sandwich assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical component wherein imperfections in molding the optical component, such as a lens, are removed by: heating an optical material to its plastic state; forming the optical material into the desired shape by employing a mold apparatus and applying a molding pressure; releasing all pressure from the shaped optical material by separating sections of the mold in order to relieve internal stress in the optical material while the optical material is at its plastic state temperature; slowly and controllably reducing the temperature of the optical material.

Abstract: In a quenching apparatus for quenching a glass sheet that has been heated and bent in a heating furnace, a cooling gas blows onto the glass sheet to provide a distribution of a temperature and/or a distribution of a static pressure in at least one section in the quenching apparatus. The distribution of a temperature provides different temperatures between the both surfaces of the glass sheet, while the distribution of a static pressure is nonuniform in a part of at least one surface of the glass sheet. The distributions can modify a shape of the glass sheet given in the heating furnace so that a degree of freedom in shape for manufacturing a bent and tempered glass sheet by utilizing its self-weight can be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing method for molded glass articles including glass optical elements such as high precision lenses not requiring grinding and polishing after press molding. The manufacturing method according to the invention is a method for manufacturing the molded glass articles having a higher surface precision with a high productivity by pressing a glass material in a stepwise manner constituted of some steps depending on a temperature condition of the glass material.

Abstract: A die for press-molding glass optical elements comprising (a) a base material having heat resistance and sufficient strength to withstand press-molding of optical glass elements; (b) a film on said base material comprising an alloy film containing B and one metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, and Fe, and one metal selected from the group consisting of Si, Ti, Cu, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and Ir, to form a cutting layer; and (c) a surface protective layer on top of said cutting layer made of an alloy film comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh, Os, Ru, Re, W, and Ta.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for molded glass articles including glass optical elements such as high precision lenses not requiring grinding and polishing after press molding. The manufacturing method according to the invention is a method for manufacturing the molded glass articles having a higher surface precision with a high productivity by pressing a glass material in a stepwise manner constituted of some steps depending on a temperature condition of the glass material.

Abstract: A lens device which can be used as an objective lens in an optical pickup apparatus includes an objective lens provided along a light path facing a disc and having a predetermined effective diameter, and light controlling means provided along the light path for controlling the light in an intermediate region between near and far axes of an incident light beam, thus providing a simplified and inexpensive device for using discs of differing thickness in a single disc drive, by reducing the spherical aberration effect.

Abstract: A method of preparing a ball-shaped synthetic silica glass optical article. The method includes a step of providing a rod-shaped synthetic silica glass having end faces at both sides thereof and having fewer cords per unit volume viewed in a direction perpendicular to a line connecting the end faces relative to the number of cords per unit volume viewed in a direction along the line connecting the end faces. The synthetic silica glass being optically homogeneous in the direction perpendicular to the line connecting the end faces. The method includes the further step of establishing support portions at the end faces of the synthetic silica glass. The rod-shaped synthetic silica glass is thereupon heated while being rotated around an axis connecting the support portions wherein a molten zone is formed.

Abstract: A method of forming glass uses the steps of forming base glass from layered stacks of colored glass; V-Grooving a plurality of base glass layers; stacking the grooved layers; heating and maintaining at an elevated temperature for flow and air entrainment elimination; recutting the block to desired dimensions and reforming into sheet form. The glass has ribbons of color contained within a glass matrix, the ribbons being aligned perpendicularly to the face of the glass.

Abstract: In press molding, a shaft (metal mold 13) is moved by positional or torque control to cause upper and lower molds to reach a set position slightly before a position where the upper and lower molds are set in a final mold closed state. As soon as the upper and lower molds reaches the set position, the control is switched to torque control using a small force which does not deform a glass material to perform feedback control. For this reason, when the cooling process is started, the mobile shaft is moved by the same amount as a contraction amount of the shaft, the actual position of the shaft is moved. However, a tight contact state between the molds and the glass material is kept without changing the thickness of the glass material, and positional control and torque control can be apparently performed at once. Thereafter, when temperature reaches an almost glass transition point, final pressing is performed.

Abstract: An amorphous silicon film is formed on a flat glass substrate, and then crystallized by heating to obtain a crystalline silicon film. The glass substrate is placed on a stage having a convex U-shaped curved surface. The glass substrate is heated for a desired period of time at a temperature close to a strain point of the glass substrate, and then is cooled. Also, an amorphous silicon film formed on a glass substrate is crystallized into a crystalline silicon film by heating and then the glass substrate is mounted on a stage having a flat surface in such a manner that the lower surface of the glass substrate is in close contact with the flat surface of the stage by pressing the upper surface of the glass substrate. Then, a linear laser beam is irradiated on the crystalline silicon film in a scanning manner.

Abstract: A method for press molding preforms to obtain optical articles in which each preform is prepared beforehand to have a diameter larger than that of an optically functional area of the optical article and edges of the preform to be press mold contact with molding surfaces of a pair of molds outside an area of each molding surface corresponding to the optically functional area of the optical article, thereby elongating the lifetime of molds.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing vitreous optical elements by injection molding, which essentially includes the stages of: melting down a glass material into a molten state in a viscosity at or lower than a working point of the glass material; injecting molten glass under pressure into a mold cavity defined between transfer surfaces of relatively movable mold members of a mold assembly unit in communication with a sprue connecting the mold cavity with an injection port on the outer side of the mold assembly unit; and applying a predetermined pressure on the glass material in the mold cavity while cooling the mold assembly unit down to a temperature in the vicinity of yielding point of the glass material.

Abstract: A method for producing at least one capillary in a moldable material. The capillary has a large length in relation to its cross-section. A closed cavity is created within the moldable material and the material is stretched in at least one direction so that the cavity forms a substantially elliptical or parabolic capillary whose length is large in relationship to its cross-section. The material may be heated before stretching so that the cavity is expanded and shaped into an essentially spherical form. Suitable materials for the practice of the invention include glass, plastic, quartz, silicon, or metal.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lens with a lens barrel having a stopper by forming a uniform optical function coating on both lens surfaces. The method includes the steps of forming a first optical function coating on one side of a lens material, then inserting the lens material into a lens barrel so that the surface coated with the first optical function coating will face the long barrel side of the lens barrel, press molding lens surfaces by heating the lens material over its softening point, and finally forming a second optical function coating on the lens surface facing the short barrel side of the lens barrel.

Abstract: A glass preform, including a core glass adversely affected by interaction with a molding tool, is provided with a thin surface layer of glass components that are inert to the tool and have an index of refraction that matches the core glass. More specifically, the thin layer comprises glass components having respective indexes of refraction above and below the core index of refraction, in an amorphous mixture that matches the core index. According to certain features, the core glass is flint glass including greater than five percent by weight of titania, and the glass components include mixtures of silica or indium and tin oxide applied in a layer having a thickness between one hundred and one thousand angstroms. Other features of the invention provide a method for making the glass preform and a method for molding a precision optical element using the preform.

Abstract: A method for forming a substantially flat planar lightwave optical circuit which has a substantially flat planar silica substrate and a sintered glassy lightguiding layer over the silica substrate. The structure is given a post treatment at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to flatten said structure and overcome any distortion caused by the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the substrate and any glassy layers formed over the substrate. Alternatively, the silica substrate may be heated and presagged to a predetermined degree to compensate for distortion or warpage which will occur in later processing.

Abstract: In forming a piano-convex lens from a column-like lens blank by heating the blank to a temperature higher than the transition temperature thereof and by pressurizing an upper die with a closed space formed between the blank and the upper die, there are alternately repeated operations of pressurizing the upper die and stopping the application of pressure thereto. Through the control of the amount of displacement of the upper die, the maximum pressure of gas in the closed space at each pressurizing step is so controlled: as to be low according to the surface viscosity of the blank to the extent that no local concave deformation in the surface of the blank is produced; and as to be high to the extent that gas caught in the closed space is discharged at each step of stopping the application of pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an optical device of a desired shape presses a heat-softened optical material using a set of molds. The optical material is aligned with respect to the molds by two or more aligning members which move around the center of the mold relative to each other. The optical material may also be aligned by inserting a pin into an aligning hole which is fixed to the mold body and has been aligned with respect to the molds.

Abstract: In press molding, a shaft (metal mold 13) is moved by positional or torque control to cause upper and lower molds to reach a set position slightly before a position where the upper and lower molds are set in a final mold closed state. As soon as the upper and lower molds reaches the set position, the control is switched to torque control using a small force which does not deform a glass material to perform feedback control. For this reason, when the cooling process is started, the mobile shaft is moved by the same amount as a contraction amount of the shaft, the actual position of the shaft is moved. However, a tight contact state between the molds and the glass material is kept without changing the thickness of the glass material, and positional control and torque control can be apparently performed at once. Thereafter, when temperature reaches an almost glass transition point, final pressing is performed.

Abstract: A porous silica body with a density of 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 and a density variation of less than 30% is subjected to a first heat-treatment in an ammonia-containing atmosphere, a second heat-sintering in non-oxidizing atmosphere, and further heat-treatment at a temperature in the range of 1400.degree. C. to 2000.degree. C. under an increased pressure of 500 kg/cm.sup.2 or more in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing glass optical elements at high operational efficiency, a mass of molten glass which is dropped down is cut at a first step by a wind blast into a sequence of glass gobs each of which is received by a gas stream spouted from a lower portion. Each glass gob is kept afloat with a gas stream spouted to be adjusted to a temperature corresponding to a glass viscosity between 10.sup.5.5 and 10.sup.9 poises. Thereafter, the glass gob is pressed in a third step by the use of a pair of forming dies kept at a temperature which corresponds to a glass viscosity between 10.sup.8 and 10.sup.12 poises and which is lower than the temperature of the glass gob. During the third step, the forming dies are cooled to a temperature lower than the temperature corresponding to a glass viscosity of 10.sup.13.4 poises with the glass gob kept within the forming dies and are thereafter opened to release a shaped article from the forming dies.

Abstract: A method of press-molding glass optical elements by press-molding glass, having a high melting point, at a temperature of 650.degree. C. and higher using a die for press-molding glass optical elements which includes a base material having a heat resistance and sufficient strength to withstand press-molding of optical glass elements, a cutting layer on the base material, and a surface protective layer on the cutting layer. The cutting layer is formed of an alloy film containing P and one metal selected from the group Ni, Co, and Fe, and one metal from the group Si, Ti, Cu, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and Ir, or an alloy film containing Cu and 20 to 80 atom % of one metal selected from the group Ni, Co, Fe, Si, Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and Ir, or an alloy film containing Si and 20 to 80 atom % of one metal selected from the group Ni, Co, Fe, Cu, Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and Ir.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an optical glass element having a refractive index equal to a design value after press-molding. A glass material of specified composition is melted and press-molded while it is in the molten state. The refractive index of the glass material is calculated by substracting a change in the refractive index of the glass material resulting from the press-molding from a required refractive index for a molded glass element.

Abstract: An optical lens element is produced by the following steps of:preparing a glass pre-form;forming a metal thin layer or a powder layer, said metal thin layer including gold, platinum, rhodium, nickel, or palladium; andpressing the glass pre-form with the metal thin layer against molding surfaces to form the optical lens element.

Abstract: The present invention provides large, high-purity quartz glass plate with a high degree of smoothness and flatness, its manufacturing method and equipment. The invention is characterized by the procedure in which a quartz glass tube with an opening over a specific width, in the direction of the tube shaft, that is preferably band-shaped, is heated and softened in a band-shaped area over the entire width, in the direction of the tube shaft, progressing sequentially along the direction of tube circumference from a specific position on the glass tube. While softening and heating, the quartz glass tube is pulled in a line approximately tangential to the specific position to flatten the glass tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mold for pressing molding of an optical element of glass. On at least the molding surface of the mold base of the mold, there is formed a mixing layer which consists of carbon and at least one of the elements constituting the mold base. The atomic percentage of carbon increases toward the molding surface and decreases toward the mold base, while the atomic percentage of the other element decreases toward the surface and increases toward the mold base. The mold may contain an intermediate layer at least on the molding surface of the mold base.

Abstract: A spout forming assembly for glassware and a method therefor in which the assembly includes a spout forming device for forming a pour spout on the edge of a piece of glassware, an actuation device for actuating the forming device, and a control device for controlling the actuation device. The method generally includes the steps of: (a) moving a piece of glassware having an edge along a predetermined path; (b) heating the edge; and (c) engaging the edge with forming means to form a spout on the edge of the glassware.

Abstract: A device for molding products made of glass or a synthetic resin which device has a microwave generator, a microwave oven coupled to the generator and mold parts movable relative to each other provided in the microwave oven for forming molds for holding a parison of the glass or synthetic resin to be heated dielectrically.

Abstract: In forming a plano-convex lens from a column-like lens blank by heating the blank to a temperature higher than the transition temperature thereof and by pressurizing an upper die with a closed space formed between the blank and the upper die, there are alternately repeated operations of pressurizing the upper die and stopping the application of pressure thereto. Through the control of the amount of displacement of the upper die, the maximum pressure of gas in the closed space at each pressurizing step is so controlled: as to be low according to the surface viscosity of the blank to the extent that no local concave deformation in the surface of the blank is produced; and as to be high to the extent that gas caught in the closed space is discharged at each step of stopping the application of pressure.

Abstract: A process for the production of homogeneous ream-free bodies made of quartz glass or made of a glass having a high content of silicic acid, in which an essentially bar-shaped initial body is twisted about its longitudinal axis in a shaping step to form a twisted body radially homogenized in layers having axial layering. To make it possible to produce homogeneous large-volume bodies, in at least one further shaping step the twisted body is then softened in a heatable mold under a force acting in the axial direction to deform it in a direction transverse to its axial direction into the mold and form a glass bar, the longitudinal axis of which extends essentially perpendicular to the layering. The glass bar is then twisted about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A process for producing a glass having a rod refractive index distribution, which includes pressing a glass at a temperature below the glass transition temperature to form a glass having a density increased towards the surface layer thereof, or alternatively includes heating a glass at a temperature around the transition temperature at the lowest to prepare glass having a uniformly enhanced density and heating the treated glass under a pressure lower than the applied pressure at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the glass to prepare a rod glass having a density increased towards the central portion.

Abstract: A method of molding a glass optical element. A supporting member is disposed in contact with a receiving mold part. A gob of molten glass is placed on an end surface of the receiving mold part and pre-molded by spreading out in contact with the end surface so as to form a glass preform. The glass preform supported by the supporting member is then transported to a heating furnace and heated. The heated glass preform supported on the supporting member is then transported to a position between a pair of mold parts and press molded to form a molded optical element. The end surface of the receiving mold part has a shape corresponding to an optical surface of the molded optical element so that in the pre-molding step, the glass preform is formed having a bottom portion having the shape corresponding to the optical surface. An auxiliary mold part can be provided having a molding surface in opposing facing relation with the end surface of the receiving mold part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which place a glass blank on a lower mold arranged in an opposed relation to an upper mold, heat these molds and glass blank by an infrared lamp unit or high-frequency coil arranged around the molds and press-mold an optical glass element. In the method and apparatus, the infrared lamp unit or high-frequency coil is supported by a supporting mechanism such that it is movable along a direction in which the mold is moved. In cases where a relative position of the infrared lamp unit or high-frequency coil to the mold varies depending upon the shape and size of such molds or the shape and size of optical glass elements obtained, the infrared lamp or high-frequency coil is adjustably moved relative to the mold by a movable mechanism using a motor or air cylinder as an operation source. By using temperature sensors attached to both the molds, the temperatures of the upper and lower molds are controlled to a corresponding desired level.

Abstract: An improved method of forming an optical element, wherein heated upper and lower molds are used in conjunction with radiation heating glass material placed in an optical forming surface of the lower mold. The molds are heated to a necessary temperature, then the glass material is heated by exposure to heat by radiation. The glass blank then is pressed between the upper and lower molds to transfer the optical forming surfaces of each mold to the glass material, and define the optically functional surfaces of an optical element.

Abstract: The apparatus for molding an optical glass element is made up of relatively movable upper and lower molds for press molding a glass blank, and a plurality of infrared ray lamps encircling the upper and lower molds, temperature measuring devices for measuring the temperatures of the upper and lower molds, and a controller responsive to the outputs of the temperature measuring devices for controlling electric inputs to the infrared ray lamps thereby maintaining the temperatures of the upper and lower molds at predetermined values.

Abstract: A method and a device for moulding products made of glass or synthetic resin is provided, whereby a parison of material (3) is heated by microwave heating up to a predetermined temperature and is then moulded into the desired product shape by moulds (5, 7). The method and device are particularly suitable for manufacturing optical products such as lenses, prisms, and gratings.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing extremely precise glass optical element by thermally deforming optical glass on the optical surf ace of a thermal processing jig coated with chemically stable thin film, followed by the molding of optical glass preform having free surf ace on one side and transcribed surface from the optical surface of the thermal processing jig by means of a press mold which thermally presses the optical glass preform.

Abstract: The apparatus for molding an optical glass element is made up of relatively movable upper and lower molds for press molding a glass blank, and a plurality of infrared ray lamps encircling the upper and lower molds, temperature measuring devices for measuring the temperatures of the upper and lower molds, and a controller responsive to the outputs of the temperature measuring devices for controlling electric inputs to the infrared ray lamps thereby maintaining the temperatures of the upper and lower molds at predetermined values.

Abstract: A process for producing a rod glass having a refractive index distribution, which includes pressing a glass at a temperature below the glass transition temperature to form a glass having a density increased towards the surface layer thereof, or alternatively includes heating a glass at a temperature around the transition temperature at the lowest to prepare glass having a uniformly enhanced density and heating the treated glass under a pressure lower than the applied pressure at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the glass to prepare a glass having a density increased towards the central portion.

Abstract: A method for forming a glass preform into an optical element utilizing a formation chamber having a central axis and including a plurality of glass preform heaters, a plurality of glass preform pressing molds, and a conveyor, an exchanging chamber and a controller, comprises the steps of providing the heaters and the pressing molds along a circular path substantially concentric with the formation chamber and providing the conveyor to rotate coaxially with the central axis of the formation chamber. The operating condition of the heater is detected, the glass preform is conveyed from the exchanging chamber to a heater based on the detected condition of the heaters, and the glass preform is heated.

Abstract: A method for press-forming a glass preform includes the steps of applying positioning pressure to an upper mold as the temperature of the upper mold and a lower mold increase to set values, maintaining a first temperature difference between the upper and lower molds of at least 10.degree. C. and increasing the temperature of the glass preform to a value above its glass transition temperature. Additional steps include cooling the upper and lower molds at a rate of 30.degree. to 100.degree. C. per minute while maintaining a temperature difference between the upper and lower molds at at least the first temperature difference, applying pressure to the lower mold, and opening the upper and lower molds to release the formed optical element after the temperatures of the upper and lower molds decrease to below a set value and a temperature difference between the upper and lower molds becomes greater than the first temperature difference.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical element from glass material is accommodated between an upper member and a lower member of mold. The glass material is press-molded in a state and heated to a desired temperature, thereafter being cooled and released from the mold to form a product having a predetermined optical functional surface. When the product is released from the mold, the upper mold member is first lifted by a predetermined amount, where the product may adhere to the upper mold member. Upon or after releasing and falling of the molded product from the upper mold member due to its own weight or heat stress, the upper mold member is further caused to ascend and the mold is opened so that the molded product can be taken out.

Abstract: A machine is provided for molding an optical element by using a molding block having upper and lower molding dies, a sleeve die and a glass blank combined integrally with each other. The machine includes a chamber which accommodates a heating zone having a plurality of sections for heating the molding block from above and below, a deformation zone for pressing the molding dies and a cooling zone having a plurality of sections for cooling the molding block. The chamber is formed with an inlet and an outlet for the molding block. The sections of the heating zone, the deformation zone and the sections of the cooling zone are provided independently of one another. A transport member is provided for sequentially transporting the molding block through the heating zone, the deformation zone and the cooling zone, and first and second shutters are provided for opening gas supply member is provided for introducing nonoxidizing gas into the chamber.

Abstract: In a method of and an apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of kinds of glass molding articles, a plurality of processing compartments are arranged in order of processing steps. The compartments have their functions which process glass materials to be molded which are accommodated respectively in a plurality of molds and which are different in processing condition from each other. The function are different in property from each other. Each of the compartments is divided into a plurality of processing chambers having their functions which process the glass materials. The functions of the processing chambers of the compartment are identical in property with each other, but different in condition from each other. The molds remain respectively in the processing chambers for a predetermined period of time. The molds are successively moved to their respective subsequent processing chambers to process the glass materials to form the glass molding articles.