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: Molding is effected while pressing pressure is continuously or stepwise controlled so that at the initial stage in which the temperature distribution of a glass blank is not sufficiently uniformized, molding may be effected with relatively low pressing pessure and in a state in which the whole of the glass blank is uniformly increased in temperature, press molding may be effected with the pressing pressure increased. In a press molding apparatus for an optical element, during press molding, the glass blank is press-molded while the pressing pressure is continuously or stepwise varied so that at a temperature whereat the glass viscosity of the glass blank corresponds to 10.sup.21 -10.sup.11 poise, molding may be started with pressing pressure of 10 kg/cm.sup.2 -100 kg/cm.sup.2, and thereafter in a temperature range in which the glass viscosity x of the central portion of the glass blank corresponds to 10.sup.11 -10.sup.10 poise, pressing pressure in the range of 10.times.(10.sup.11-x)-100+10.times.(10.sup.

Abstract: A method of molding an optical element by pressing glass material uses a cavity composed of a pair of mold members and a side mold member. Either or both of the pair of mold members are rendered slidable along the axial direction of the optical element within the side mold member used during the pressurized molding operation, so that the pair of mold members move in close contact with the contracting glass along the axial direction in the side mold member, during the cooling subsequent to the pressurized molding due to adhesion between the contracting glass and either or both of the pair of mold members. The contraction of the glass during the cooling phase is limited by the adhesive force between the glass and the mold members when at least one of the pair of mold members traverses a gap and reaches a limit of travel; thus tension will be created in the glass.

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

Abstract: A process for the production of a molded glass article is disclosed, said process comprises the steps of: applying wet treatment to a surface of a lead oxide-containing glass material, thereby forming a hydrated layer having a lower lead oxide content than that of a basic glass; heating the glass material having the hydrated layer; and press-molding the heated glass material. According to the process, a molded glass article having no cloudiness can be obtained and lead is not deposited on the surfaces of the molds used.

Abstract: A metehod of manufacturing planar optical waveguides in which a planar optical preform which is stretched to form a planar optical cane with substantially smaller cross-sectional dimensions than the original preform, and in which the optical circuitry pattern is achieved by lithographic techniques. Optical fiber preforms may be inserted in slots in a substrate to form the planar optical preform.

Abstract: A gob of glass sucked from a glass metal and held in a suction mold (7) is further processed by preshaping the glass in the mold by a punch (4) having a projection (9) for forming in a recess or cavity (14) in the gob in the opening in the mold, and a plate-like surface (10) for forming a plate shaped bead (5) around the opening. This results in a large contact surface against which a blowpipe (1') with a transverse attachment plate (6) having a working surface flush with the end of the bore (3) of the blowpipe is pressed to attach the plate (6) to the bead (5). With this arrangement, the bore cannot become blocked with glass during the pressing operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing an optical glass element, including displacing a gob of optical glass on a first heat working jig to a second heat working jig by making the gob of optical glass adhere to the second heat working jig due to a difference in wettability with high temperature glass between the first heat working jig and the second heat working jig. The gob of optical glass on the second heat working jig is thermally deformed to form an optical glass preform. The optical glass preform is formed under heat and pressure by using pressure molds to form an optical glass element.

Abstract: A lens molding method where a lens material is set between an upper mold and a lower mold, and the molding pressure is reduced or made zero at least once during a heating & pressing step without the mold surfaces breaking contact with the lens materials, and during a cooling & pressing step.

Abstract: In a method of molding an optical device by press-molding a glass preform by using molding dies, the press-molding process is executed under a mixed gas atmosphere of a nonoxidizer gas and a hydrocarbon gas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a four-step process for molding glass articles of high precision and excellent surface figure. A glass preform having an overall geometry closely approximating that of the desired final product is placed into a mold, the mold and preform are brought to a temperature at which the glass exhibits a viscosity between 10.sup.8 -10.sup.12 poises, a load is applied to shape the glass into conformity with the mold, and thereafter the resulting glass article is removed from the mold at a temperature above the transformation range of the glass. The glass article is then annealed.

Abstract: Glass optical elements are molded by moving molds toward one another to press the glass and controlling the movement of the molds to balance the complete formation of the molded surfaces. A first mold is moved to a position short of contact with the glass and parked. A second mold is moved into contact with the glass to drive the glass into contact with the molding surface of the first mold. This changes the shape of the optical surface in contact with the second mold so that continued movement of the first and second molds results in balanced molding with the voids between the molding surfaces and the glass being equivalent for both surfaces.

Abstract: A method of molding precision glass optical elements or lenses is disclosed. Precision molded glass molds are first provided which define a glass mold cavity having a predetermined desired size, shape and volume corresponding to the glass optical element. To facilitate formation of the glass optical elements, shaped and polished preforms are formed.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for molding glass articles. A first pressing of glass preform within a mold is carried out at a first pressing position, when the glass preform has its viscosity within a range of from 10.sup.8 to 10.sup.9.5 poises. The mold having accommodated therein the pressed glass is transferred from the first pressing position to a second pressing position where a second pressing is carried out with respect to the pressed glass within the mold when the pressed glass has its viscosity within a range of from 10.sup.10.5 to 10.sup.12 poises.

Abstract: A method of forming precision glass molds suitable for molding glass optical elements or lenses is disclosed. The glass molds define first and second opposed optical molding surfaces. Each master is formed by defining a master cavity adapted to form a first glass mold. A quantity of glass mold material is disposed within such cavity and molded in conformation with said master. The molding surface of each such glass mold defines an optical surface to be subsequently formed on an optical element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing lens elements, in which a glass preform heated to the softening temperature and an annular metal holder (3) enclosing the glass preform are arranged between the heated moulding dies (7,9) of a mould and are moulded in a pressing step into a lens element comprising a glass lens (21) and a ring (3) enclosing the glass lens and acting as a fitting. During moulding, the ring 3 forms together with the two dies (7,9) a quasi closed moulding cavity having an annular gap (15). During moulding, the ring (3) is expanded radially and a quantity of glass is pressed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing biconvex lens elements (21) comprising a biconvex glass lens (23) and a holder (1) consisting of two cylindrical rings (5,7), which are telescopically slidable with respect to each other and have different diameters so that an annular gap (9) is formed. A lens blank is heated together with the holder (1) in the telescopically extended position of the rings (5,7) to the processing temperature of the glass and is arranged between the heated dies (17, 19) of a mould, whereupon the dies (17, 19) are moved towards each other in a pressing stroke, the two rings (5,7) being telescoped into each other, the lens blank in the holder being moulded into a biconvex glass lens (23) and the excess quantity of glass being pressed from the hotter central part of the lens blank into the annular gap (9). The lens element (21) obtained after cooling is characterized by a biconvex glass lens (23), which is FIG. 7.

Abstract: A method for producing a glass capillary tube, which comprises drawing under heating a multiple tube assembly comprising a plurality of glass tubes having different diameters arranged coaxially one in another and simultaneously integrating the assembly by heat fusion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a four-step process for molding glass articles of high precision and excellent surface figure. A glass preform having an overall geometry closely approximating that of the desired final product is placed into a mold, the mold and preform are brought to a temperature at which the glass exhibits a viscosity between 10.sup.8 -10.sup.12 poises, a load is applied to shape the glass into conformity with the mold, and thereafter the glass shape is removed from the mold at a temperature above the transformation range of the glass and annealed.

Abstract: According to a method of molding a glass body, a glass preform is placed between upper and lower molds of a mold assembly. The mold assembly is then heated to a predetermined heating temperature falling within a heating temperature range corresponding to a glass viscosity range of the glass preform of 10.sup.8 to 10.sup.10.5 poise. A pressure high enough to mold the glass preform is applied between the upper and lower molds when the glass preform is at the predetermined heating temperature, so that an unfinished glass molded body is formed. The pressure is released, and the unfinished glass molded body and the mold assembly are gradually cooled to a temperature within a glass viscosity range of 10.sup.11.5 to 10.sup.14 poise while the unfinished glass molded body is held in the mold assembly. A glass molded body is then released from the mold assembly.

Abstract: Optical lenses high in configurational accuracy with smooth surfaces are press molded in a carefully finished, polished and properly dimensioned mold preferably in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The molding operation includes placing a quantity of glass having an internal viscosity of at least about 10.sup.6 poises in such a mold while maintaining the mold at a temperature at least equal to the glass transition temperature and thereafter passing the glass into a lens of predetermined configuration at a pressure of at least 100 Kg/cm.sup.2. Performing procedures are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a four-step process for molding glass articles of high precision and excellent surface figure. A glass preform having an overall geometry closely approximating that of the desired final product is placed into a mold, the mold and preform are brought to a temperature at which the glass exhibits a viscosity between 10.sup.8 -10.sup.12 poises, a load is applied to shape the glass into conformity with the mold, and thereafter the glass shape is removed from the mold at a temperature above the transformation range of the glass and annealed.

Abstract: In a process for preparing glass flowers having petals, the steps of preparing petals which comprise providing a blown elongated enlarged hollow bulb on a hollow glass tube, heating and manipulating the bulb so as to separate it into two vertical dish-like pre-petal members, removing the pre-petal members from the tube, elongating the ends of the pre-petal members so as to form solid tips, attaching the members to a glass flower stem at the tips and heating and manipulating the members so as to refine the shape of the petals.

Abstract: In a method for the mechanized processing of vacuum molded glass lumps, particularly of heavy glass lumps which could hitherto be further processed only with a large outlay in personnel, the preliminary blowing and the transport of the glass lump to the marver, to the heating oven and to the fashioning station, the final blow-out and the transport to the lehr are all carried out by means of a manipulator. This manipulator has a turntable mounted on a driveable undercarriage, a blowing iron arranged in a holder device, a unit for rotating the iron about its longitudinal axis, an arm for pivoting the blowing iron about an axis at right angles to its longitudinal axis, an air supply system for inflating the glass lump, a two-part marver for supporting the glass lump and operating elements for controlling the drives.

Abstract: The invention provides an efficient and accurate method for reducing the diameter of a rod or tube of glass, e.g. fused quartz glass rod as a base material of optical fibers, by drawing when the rod or tube is heated and in a softened and plastically deformable state. Different from conventional methods in which the glass rod or tube is held in a horizontal disposition and drawn in the horizontal axial direction or the rod or tube is held vertically and drawing is effected by the downward movement of the lower grip, the rod or tube in the inventive method is held vertically and drawing thereof is effected by the upward movement of the upper grip along with the gradual downward shift of the heating zone relative to the lower grip so that the problems in the prior art methods such as warp and an uneven diameter profile of the drawn rod or tube can be minimized.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a four-step process for molding glass articles of high precision and excellent surface figure. A glass preform having an overall geometry closely approximating that of the desired final product is placed into a mold, the mold and preform are brought to a temperature at which the glass exhibits a viscosity between 10.sup.8 -10.sup.12 poises, a load is applied to shape the glass into conformity with the mold, and thereafter the glass shape is removed from the mold at a temperature above the transformation range of the glass and annealed.

Abstract: A machine for fabricating articles such as glass vials from tubular stock includes a plurality of rotating chucking stations which revolve about the central vertical axis of the machine and a plurality of tooling stations which form the vial finish. The plurality of tooling stations are disposed in euqal numbers related to the number of chucking stations on two conveyor assemblies disposed adjacent the periphery of the circle defined by the revolving chucking stations. The tooling stations each include rollers which form the outside of the vial finish and a segmented mandrel which forms the inside of the vial finish including, if desired, a blowback cavity.

Abstract: Glass objects, lenses in particular, can be pressed with precision from a glass which contains 45-55 mol. % P.sub.2 O.sub.5, 15-40 mol. % BaO, 5-15 mol. % Li.sub.2 O, 5-35 mol. % PbO, 0-2 mol. % Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 0-6 mol. % F. A cube of glass is made from the above composition and preheated to a temperature of 20.degree.-60.degree. C. above the American softening point to obtain a polishing effect. The preheated cube is then inserted into preheated dies which are closed to form a precision pressed object of the glass.

Abstract: The method of the invention provides a thin film deposit of a binary glass for use in integrated circuits which binary glass has a softening or flow point far below temperatures at which glasses normally used in connection with integrated circuits flow. After the binary glass has been deposited (on a semiconductor substrate), it is heated and reflowed. Preferably the glass comprises a mixture of germanium dioxide and silicon dioxide wherein the germanium dioxide is no greater than approximately 50 mole percent of the mixture. Phosphorus is added to the glass film for passivation of the underlying devices.

Abstract: A method of and a device are provided for the high-precision manufacture of glass lenses where a roughly metered volume of softened glass is transferred in a product holder from a furnace to a position between two moulds, the moulds being subsequently moved towards one another and the excess glass being pressed from between the moulds. The moulds and the product holder are moved at such a mutual speed that both moulds simultaneously contact the article, and the movement of the moulds is terminated when they reach a given position with respect to one another.

Abstract: Hot pressing of fluoride glasses is provided. These glasses are synthesized from ZrF.sub.4 -BaF.sub.2 and HfF.sub.4 -BaF.sub.2 systems. Hot pressing rough blanks in a closed die made of hard, polished, optically-figured material, such as cobalt-bonded tungsten carbide, is done by pressing the glasses at a temperature between that of the softening point of the glass and its crystallization temperature and at a pressure sufficient to cause flow of the glass at the pressing temperature. As a consequence, mechanical polishing steps on all glass surfaces is eliminated, thereby minimizing surface contamination.

Abstract: Polarized ophthalmic glass lenses are made from conventional ophthalmic glass. This is accomplished by heating a sheet of ophthalmic glass, which includes a reducible metal oxide as part of its composition, to its softening point in a reducing atmosphere for a time interval sufficient to reduce the metal oxide to metal to a predetermined depth on at least one surface of the sheet. Following this reduction of the metal oxide, the sheet is held at an elevated temperature to permit the reduced oxides to nucleate. Then, the sheet is stretched in one direction to elongate the nucleated metal particles in parallel lines. The glass then is shaped, cut into lenses, permitted to cool, and the outer surface of the lens blanks are ground and polished in a conventional manner, leaving the stretched elongated metal particles on the inner surface thereof to create polarized ophthalmic lenses.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to the production of highly polarizing glasses, i.e., the glasses exhibit dichroic ratios up to 40 and higher, from silver-containing glasses that are characterized as being phase separable or, more preferably, as being photochromic because of the presence of silver halide particles therein, i.e., particles selected from the group of AgCl, AgBr, and AgI. The inventive method contemplates two general steps:(a) the glasses are elongated under stress such that the glass phases and/or silver halide particles are elongated and aligned in the direction of the stress; and(b) the elongated glasses are heat treated in a reducing environment at temperatures below the annealing point of the glass but above about 300.degree. C. to reduce a portion of the silver ions in the glass to metallic silver which is deposited in at least one of the glass phases and/or along the phase boundaries of the glass phases and/or deposited upon the silver halide particles.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing glass bottles is disclosed which includes consecutively delivering gobs of molten glass into a blank mold, forming each gob into a parison, transferring the parisons alternately into at least two sets of blow molds, allowing said parisons to reheat, and expanding the parisons in the blow molds. The sets of blow molds reciprocate along a substantially vertical path. A first position where the parisons are alternately received by the blow molds and blown containers removed is located on the vertical path. The parisons are expanded and cooled in the blow molds by blowing them out or by applying a vacuum, or a combination of those means at a second position on the vertical path.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a preform for producing by drawing an optical waveguide comprising a core region and a sheath region whose refractive index varies in the radial direction, so that the index of the former is greater than those of the second. The method consists in starting from a bar of a first composition for forming the core region and in forming, by means of a plasma torch, on its surface, a deposit of a plurality of layers whose composition varies in the radial direction, is characterized in that glass powder is fed to said torch transversely to the jet of said torch; in that said bar is drawn after each layer is deposited to bring its diameter to a value close or equal to the initial diameter; and in that the chemical composition of the glass powder is changed after each layer is deposited. The preform obtained by the present method makes it possible to produce by drawing optical waveguides for applications in the field of information transmission.

Abstract: An individual section of a multiple section glassware forming machine has three operating stations in spaced apart relation along the longitudinal center line of the section. Three independently operable transfer means move, respectively, a parison formed in an upright position at the first station to the second station, a further formed parison from the second station to the third station, and an article of glassware from the third station to a takeout position over a deadplate. The operating speed and rate of acceleration of each of the three transfer means is selected independently of the operating speed and rate of acceleration of both the other transfer means to effect its movement in the shortest practicable time compatible with the state of the glass during the movement of that transfer means.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine has three operating stations, in the first of which a parison is formed in an inverted position. First transfer means transfers a parison from the first station to a second station where the parison is released by the first transfer means in an upright position. A second transfer means receives the released parison at the second station and supports it for a selected time, after which the second transfer means transfers the parison to a third station, releases it and reverts to a position at the second station for receiving a further parison. A third transfer means operative independently of both the first and second transfer means removes an article of glassware from the third station and supports the glassware for a cooling period beyond the third station.

Abstract: An individual section of a multiple section glassware forming machine has three operating stations in spaced apart relation along the longitudinal center line of the section. A parison formed in the first station is transferred to the second station and released there by a first transfer means. A second transfer means which is operated independently of the first transfer means engages the parison at the second station and moves the parison to a third station in which an article of glassware is formed. By adjusting the time of operation of either transfer means relative to the other, the period of time during which the parison reheats may be changed without altering the relative timing of any of the machine functions which together make up the parison-forming cycle or the relative timing of any of the machine functions which together comprise the glassware forming cycle.

Abstract: A process with minor variations for producing a configuration of glass and/or any similar material such as plastic or epoxy is disclosed. The configuration is basically a honeycomb of pipes of transparent material attached to a transparent plate, such as window glass. The pipes are closed at one end by the plate. The pipes prevent convection movement of a fluid parallel to the plate near its surface, except for very short distances. The unique inventive feature of the process lies in the fact that the honeycomb of pipes are produced simultaneously by a drawing process, during which either a part of a plate, which part is in the form of a grid, is softened, or a grid of new soft material is added to a plate, and the pipes are always attached to the plate both during formation and upon completion of formation.Also disclosed is a special configuration to render the pipes resistant to breakage under thermal stress.

Abstract: A glass article having an optical quality surface smoothness can be formed by molding a "silanol" glass material against a die having a molding surface which is a mirror of that required for the glass article, thereby obviating glass grinding and polishing steps. The article is prepared by first forming an anhydrous base glass comprising, in mole percent on the oxide basis, about 72 to 82% SiO.sub.2, 10 to 17% Na.sub.2 O and/or K.sub.2 O, and 5 to 15% of an oxide or oxides selected from ZnO and PbO. The base glass may include up to 5% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and up to 3% of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaO and/or MgO. The anhydrous base glass is then hydrated to include a water content ranging from 0.5 to 10% by weight to form a "silanol" glass. That glass is then molded against the die surface at a temperature ranging from about 250.degree. C. to 500.degree. C.

Abstract: An optical glass article having a desired surface figure and demonstrating maximum theoretical light transmission can be prepared by forming a base anhydrous glass of defined compositional ranges, hydrating the glass, partially dehydrating the glass at a temperature above the softening point and, using an inert gas, at a pressure above the vapor pressure of water contained therein, and then molding a preformed blank of the glass against a die having a desired optical quality surface figure, the molding being under conditions sufficient to transfer the surface figure of the die to the glass. The base glass comprises, in mole percent, about 70 to 82% SiO.sub.2, 10 to 17% Na.sub.2 O and/or K.sub.2 O, and 5 to 15% of an oxide or oxides selected from ZnO and PbO. The water content of the partially dehydrated glass ranges from about 3 to 8 wt. percent and the molded glass has a substantially uniform refractive index throughout its bulk.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an inlet leak for measuring chemically reactive gases. The method involves the steps of preparing a selected internal surface of a high melting point metal tubing for sealing to a glass tubing; inserting a portion of the glass tubing into the prepared portion of the metal tubing, the glass tubing having an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the metal tubing; sealing the inserted glass tubing to the internal surface of the metal tubing; drawing the glass tubing under a magnifying device to reduce the entire interior diameter thereof to substantially two microns; and breaking away an end portion of the drawn glass tubing.

Abstract: A piece of glass may be embossed by initially heating the glass to at least its annealing temperature. A die is heated to a temperature higher than the temperature of the glass. The die is then vibrated against the glass so that it continuously makes and breaks contact with the glass so as to prevent the glass from sticking to the hot tool.