Blending Of Separate Molten Glass Streams Patents (Class 65/121)
  • Patent number: 11912608
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a glass manufacturing system includes a hot-end subsystem, including: a submerged combustion melter that melts feedstock to produce molten glass; a stiller that receives the molten glass from the submerged combustion melter and that includes a stilling tank to still the molten glass and that is configured to control outflow of the stilled molten glass to effectively decouple viscosity of the molten glass from the flow rate of the molten glass and thereby control finer molten glass levels; and a finer that is mechanically decoupled from the stiller, and that receives and fines the stilled molten glass to produce fined molten glass. Many other aspects of the system are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Weil, Randy Ernsthausen, Thomas G. Green, Shane T. Rashley, Phillip J. Rausch, Roger P. Smith, Zhongming Wang
  • Patent number: 11702355
    Abstract: An apparatus for downwardly drawing a glass ribbon includes a forming vessel including an upper portion including a pair of outside surfaces and a forming wedge portion including a pair of downwardly inclined forming surfaces converging along a downstream direction to form a bottom edge. An edge director is provided that includes a flow directing portion formed from a portion of a frustoconical or conical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Olus Naili Boratav, Steven Roy Burdette, Gaozhu Peng, William Anthony Whedon
  • Patent number: 11685687
    Abstract: Mineral wool fibers having a mineral wool fiber composition are manufactured by introducing batch materials into a melter, melting the mineral batch materials in the melter to provide a melt and fiberizing the melt to form the mineral wool fibers. The batch materials comprise i) fibers having a first batch material composition which is different from the mineral wool fiber composition and consisting of scrap fibers which have broken at a bushing producing continuous fibers; and ii) one of more additional mineral batch materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Knauf Insulation SPRL
    Inventors: Gerard Demott, Mitja Oresnik
  • Patent number: 11577988
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a glass may include from about 50 mol. % to about 70 mol. % SiO2; from about 12 mol. % to about 35 mol. % B2O3; from about 4 mol. % to about 12 mol. % Al2O3; greater than 0 mol. % and less than or equal to 1 mol. % alkali metal oxide, wherein Li2O is greater than or equal to about 20% of the alkali metal oxide; from about 0.3 mol. % to about 0.7 mol. % of Na2O or Li2O; and greater than 0 mol. % and less than 12 mol. % of total divalent oxide, wherein the total divalent oxide includes at least one of CaO, MgO and SrO, and wherein a ratio of Li2O (mol. %) to (Li2O (mol. %)+(Na2O (mol. %)) is greater than or equal 0.4 and less than or equal to 0.6. The glass may have a relatively low high temperature resistivity and a relatively high low temperature resistivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Megan Aurora DeLamielleure, John Christopher Mauro, Charlene Marie Smith, Liying Zhang
  • Patent number: 11214515
    Abstract: Glass-based articles having defined stress profiles and methods for manufacturing such glass-based articles are provided. A non-limiting glass-based article comprises an outer region extending from the surface to a depth of compression, wherein the outer region is under a neutral stress or a first compressive stress, a core region under a second compressive stress, the second compressive stress defining a compression peak having a maximum compression value and a maximum width at zero stress in a range of from about 1 micrometer to about 200 micrometers, and an intermediate region disposed between the surface and the core region, wherein the intermediate region is under a tensile stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jason Thomas Harris, Kevin Barry Reiman, Rostislav Vatchev Roussev, Ross Johnson Stewart
  • Patent number: 10745312
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses for producing a glass ribbon, the apparatuses comprising a forming body comprising an upper trough-shaped portion comprising two trough walls and a trough bottom; a lower wedge-shaped portion; a delivery end comprising a first recess; and a compression end comprising a second recess; and first and second supports coupled to the first and second recesses, wherein at least a portion of the first or second support surfaces are non-planar and in continuous contact with at least a portion of the respective first or second recess surfaces. Also disclosed herein are methods for producing a glass ribbon using such apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Timothy L Lansberry
  • Patent number: 10703664
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to apparatuses for producing a glass ribbon, the apparatuses comprising a forming body (100) comprising an upper trough-shaped portion comprising two trough walls and a trough bottom; a lower wedge-shaped portion; a delivery end configured to receive molten glass; and a compression end (237) comprising a curb (243); and an end cap (205) coupled to the compression end (237) and extending over a top surface of the curb (243), wherein a height of the curb (243) is greater than a height of the two trough walls at a point proximate the compression end (237). Also disclosed herein are methods for producing a glass ribbon using such apparatuses. This minimizes glass flow into the end cap and over the compression end of the forming body and minimizes formations of gobs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: John Michael Feenaughty, Shawn Rachelle Markham
  • Patent number: 10670261
    Abstract: Combustion burner panels, submerged combustion melters including one or more of the panels, and methods of making the same are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the burner panel includes a panel body having first and second major surfaces, at least one oxidant through-passage extending from the first to the second major surface, and at least one fuel through-passage extending from the first to the second major surface. Oxidant and fuel delivery conduits are positioned in the respective passages. The oxidant and fuel delivery conduits include proximal and distal ends, at least some of the distal ends positioned away from the first major surface of the panel body. In other embodiments the burner panels include a frame enclosing a porous material having through passages for fuel and oxidant. The burner panels may enable delaying combustion in a submerged combustion melter, and therefore promote burner life and melter campaign length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: John Wayne Baker, Jonathan McCann, Aaron Morgan Huber, Mark William Charbonneau
  • Patent number: 9908803
    Abstract: Transparent glass sheets having increased mechanical strength include an inner layer surrounded by surface compressive layers wherein the difference of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the inner layer and the surface compressive layer is greater than 50×10?7° C.?1 and wherein the surface compressive layer has a compressive stress of at least about 300 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Dana Craig Bookbinder, Keith Leonard House, Pushkar Tandon
  • Patent number: 9556052
    Abstract: A laminate fusion draw apparatus including: a core isopipe having a first core melter; a clad isopipe having a clad melter; a first core down comer between the core melter and the core isopipe; and a second clad down comer between the clad melter and the clad isopipe, the second clad down comer having an independently adjustable linear and horizontal position with respect to a fixed horizontal position of the first down comer, and the core melter and the clad melter are linearly moveable for relative movement in the same or opposite horizontal direction, as described herein. Also disclosed is a method of using the apparatus where the first core down comer remains substantially centered or concentric on the first inlet tube, and the second clad down comer remains substantially centered or concentric on the second inlet tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Gilbert De Angelis, Bruno Le Gallic
  • Patent number: 9302937
    Abstract: A strengthened glass article has opposing first and second compressively stressed surface portions bound to a tensilely stressed core portion, with the first surface portion having a higher level of compressive surface stress than the second surface portion for improved resistance to surface damage, the compressively stressed surface portions being provided by lamination, ion-exchange, thermal tempering, or combinations thereof to control the stress profiles and limit the fracture energies of the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Suresh Thakordas Gulati, Balram Suman
  • Patent number: 9090505
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a glass laminate is provided. According to one embodiment, a glass laminate comprised of a microwave absorbing layer and a microwave transparent layer is formed. The microwave absorbing layer is characterized by a microwave loss tangent ?H that is at least a half order of magnitude larger than a loss tangent ?L of the microwave transparent layer. An area of the glass laminate is exposed to microwave radiation. The exposed area comprises a cross-laminate hot zone having a cross-laminate hot zone temperature profile. Substantially all microwave absorbing layer portions of the hot zone temperature profile and substantially all microwave transparent layer portions of the hot zone temperature profile reside above the glass transition temperature TG of the various layers of the glass laminate prior to impingement by the microwave radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Hilary Tony Godard, Gaozhu Peng, Irene Mona Peterson, Rebecca Lynn Schulz, Gary Graham Squier
  • Publication number: 20120272685
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for melting a raw material such as glass. The method comprises a creating a flow of raw material interrupted by a heated phase separation barrier (3,31,32), wherein melting is achieved by transfer of heat from the phase separation barrier to the raw material. The process comprises: providing solid raw material to the phase separation barrier, wherein the phase separation barrier supports the solid raw material; heating the phase separation barrier to a temperature which is (a) at least 700° C. and (b) sufficient to cause melting of the solid raw material which contacts the barrier, wherein any melted raw material formed on contact with the phase separation barrier flows off or through the phase separation barrier; and collecting the melted raw material; wherein the phase separation barrier causes separation of the solid and melted phases within the flow of the raw material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Roger Pauli
  • Patent number: 8056365
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an improved sheet glass forming apparatus. In another embodiment, a precise thermal control system redistributes the flow of molten glass at the weirs to counteract the degradation of the sheet forming apparatus which inevitably occurs during manufacturing. In yet another embodiment, the invention introduces a counteracting force to the stresses on the trough in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming trough. Another embodiment creates a variable external cross-section which provides hydraulic stresses that are in opposition to the surface tension and body force stresses and thus, reduces the influence of surface tension and body forces. In an alternative embodiment, the glass is preferentially cooled across its width to create forming stresses during solidification, which ensures that the glass sheet drawn is inherently flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard B. Pitbladdo
  • Patent number: 8042361
    Abstract: The present invention significantly modifies “The Overflow Process”. It includes a method and apparatus for measuring glass flow rate and maintaining a constant glass flow rate. It also embodies design features and methods that support and stress the forming apparatus in a manner such that the deformation that results from thermal creep is corrected, thus minimizing the effect of the thermal creep on the thickness variation of the glass sheet. The present invention also embodies design features that change the process from a single step (combined flow distribution and cooling) to a two step process; step one being flow distribution and step two being cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard B. Pitbladdo
  • Patent number: 7696113
    Abstract: Alkali-free glasses are disclosed which can be used to produce substrates for flat panel display devices, e.g., active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs). The glasses contain iron and tin as fining agents, and preferably are substantially free of arsenic and antimony. In certain embodiments, the glasses are also substantially free of barium. Methods for producing alkali-free glass sheets using a downdraw process (e.g., a fission process) are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Adam James Gillmar Ellison
  • Publication number: 20090158776
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an article having: coalesced first and second glasses, wherein: the first glass has at least two different metal oxides, wherein the first glass has a Tg1 and Tx1, and wherein the difference between the Tg1 and the Tx1 is at least 5K, the first glass having less than 20% by weight SiO2, less than 20% by weight B2O3, and less than 40% by weight P2O5; and the second glass has at least two different metal oxides, wherein the second glass has a Tg2 and Tx2, and wherein the difference between the Tg2 and the Tx2 is at least 5K, the second glass having less than 20% by weight SiO2, less than 20% by weight B2O3, and less than 40% by weight P2O5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz
  • Patent number: 7428827
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a device for melting batch materials that combines at least two separate melting modules, including a module A(1) which is predominantly fitted with heating means in the form of crown burners and/or submerged electrodes, and a module B(2) which is predominantly fitted with heating means in the form of submerged burners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Isover
    Inventors: Stephane Maugendre, Francois Szalata, Remi Jacques, Biagio Palmieri
  • Patent number: 7310973
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a first color glass feeder having a first valve device, and a second color glass feeder having a second valve device, each connected by communications links to a controller. The controller controls the first valve device and second valve device in order to provide molten glass of a first color and a second color, at a first and a second flow rate, respectively. The controller may be a computer. The controller may include an interactive device into which a first and a second flow rate value can be entered for controlling the first and second flow rates, respectively. The first and second color molten glasses may be incompletely mixed in a channel so that discrete portions of the molten glass of the first color and of the second color can be seen. The controller may also control a robotic mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Alex Xie
  • Patent number: 7155935
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an improved sheet glass forming apparatus. In another embodiment, a precise thermal control system redistributes the flow of molten glass at the weirs to counteract the degradation of the sheet forming apparatus which inevitably occurs during manufacturing. In yet another embodiment, the invention introduces a counteracting force to the stresses on the trough in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming trough. Another embodiment creates a variable external cross-section which provides hydraulic stresses that are in opposition to the surface tension and body force stresses and thus, reduces the influence of surface tension and body forces. In an alternative embodiment, the glass is preferentially cooled across its width to create forming stresses during solidification, which ensures that the glass sheet drawn is inherently flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Bruce Technology LLC
    Inventor: Richard Bruce Pitbladdo
  • Patent number: 7032412
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing glass sheets with manufacturing systems that including platinum-containing components are provided. The method includes providing a barrier coating to reduce the hydrogen permeability of the platinum-containing components which reduces the propensity for blistering of glass sheets made using the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: William G. Dorfeld, David M. Lineman, Robert Morena, James P. Murphy, Randy D. Ziegenhagen
  • Patent number: 7024888
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for changing glass compositions in continuously operated melting installations which has a significantly shortened melt changeover time and therefore lower costs and in which the glass quality is not adversely affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Guido Räke, Volker Ohmstede, Michael Leister, Sybill Nüttgens, Christoph Leuwer
  • Patent number: 6895782
    Abstract: The present invention alters the flow path at the inlet of the sheet glass forming apparatus to improve quality. The bottom of the downcomer pipe is preferably shaped to alter the character of the vortex flow in the quiescent flow zone between the pipes. In another embodiment, a bead guide provides hydraulic stresses that are in opposition to the surface tension stress and thus reduces the influence of surface tension on the formation of thick beads on the edges of the sheet. The present invention also measures the temperature of the glass by immersing thermocouples in the glass, at locations where any defects caused by the immersion are in the glass that forms the unusable edges of the sheet. In another embodiment, the support structure for the trough is altered to substantially reduce the aging of the trough due to thermal creep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Richard B. Pitbladdo
  • Patent number: 6889526
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an improved sheet glass forming apparatus. In another embodiment, a precise thermal control system redistributes the flow of molten glass at the weirs to counteract the degradation of the sheet forming apparatus which inevitably occurs during manufacturing. In yet another embodiment, the invention introduces a counteracting force to the stresses on the trough in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming trough. Another embodiment creates a variable external cross-section which provides hydraulic stresses that are in opposition to the surface tension and body force stresses and thus, reduces the influence of surface tension and body forces. In an alternative embodiment, the glass is preferentially cooled across its width to create forming stresses during solidification, which ensures that the glass sheet drawn is inherently flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Inventor: Richard B. Pitbladdo
  • Publication number: 20040224833
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plant and to a process for manufacturing a glass, comprising the production of a main stream of a liquid main glass, by a main plant that includes a main furnace, and the production of an auxiliary stream of a liquid auxiliary glass, by an auxiliary plant that includes an auxiliary furnace having a submerged burner, the auxiliary stream being smaller than the main stream, the auxiliary glass having a composition different from that of the main glass and the two streams then being mixed to form a single total stream of the final glass. The auxiliary furnace especially provides the function of coloring the main glass so that the final glass is a colored glass. A highly homogeneous and bulk-colored flat glass may thus be manufactured by an installation having short transition times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Pierre Jeanvoine, Luis Grijalba Goicoechea, Ramon Rodriguez Cuartas, Maurice Lemaille
  • Publication number: 20040168474
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plant and to a process for manufacturing a glass, comprising the production of a main stream of a liquid main glass, by a main plant that includes a main furnace, and the production of an auxiliary stream of a liquid auxiliary glass, by an auxiliary plant that includes an auxiliary furnace, the auxiliary stream being smaller than the main stream, the auxiliary glass having a composition different from that of the main glass and the two streams then being mixed to form a single total stream of the final glass. The auxiliary furnace may especially be fitted with submerged burners, and provide the function of colouring the main glass so that the final glass is a coloured glass. A highly homogeneous and bulk-coloured flat glass may thus be manufactured by an installation having short transition times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Pierre Jeanvoine, Luis Grijalba Goicoechea, Ramon Rodriguez Cuartas, Maurice Lemaille
  • Patent number: 6748765
    Abstract: The disclosure teaches design features that can be used alone or in combination to facilitate faster, more uniform flow of glass through the apparatus and allows the thickness of the sheet to be adjusted. An overflow device is provided at the far end of the trough and is used in conjunction with tilting of the apparatus to expand the range of glass flow rate and glass viscosity for which this invention will produce satisfactory product. The forming apparatus can be made with non-linear weirs and the trough bottom to provide a greater range of flow rates. The glass flow in the inflow pipe can modulated or a contoured trough cross-section used to provide more uniform time dependent flow for forming the sheet. The forming apparatus can include an orifice on top of the trough and glass can be moved through the apparatus using pressure. Additional orifices can be provided on the bottom or sides to allow greater variability in sheet thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Richard B. Pitbladdo
  • Patent number: 6743491
    Abstract: A laminated glass container has an inner layer of amber glass surrounded by an outer layer of flint glass. The container is manufactured by forming a cased glass stream, having an amber glass core and a flint glass casing layer, cutting the stream into individual gobs and molding the gobs into containers, all sufficiently rapidly that the amber glass does not have an opportunity chemically to react with the flint glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Cirincione, W. Alan Poolos, Ronald T. Myers
  • Patent number: 6698245
    Abstract: Rock fibres are made from a melt formed from a blend of low and high halogen waste materials. 80 to 98% are low halogen materials (containing less than 0.5 wt. % halogen) and 2 to 20% are high halogen materials (containing at least 1 wt. % halogen).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Rockwool International A/S
    Inventors: Vermund Rust Christensen, Soren Lund Jensen, Jens Ranlov
  • Publication number: 20040016262
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing successive spherical glass articles in each of which is accommodated a three-dimensional object of figuring, which method comprises the following steps, to be performed in a suitable sequence of: (a) providing a container with a mass of molten glass, which container comprises a discharge opening through which liquid glass can be delivered; (b) providing thermally resistant figurines; (c) wholly enclosing successively at least one figurine by molten glass by feeding molten glass thereto from at least two sides; (d) portioning the molten glass before or after step (c) such that molten glass masses are formed, in each of which a figurine is embedded; and (e) modeling these masses to a spherical form by substantially omnidirectional rolling for a time with simultaneous cooling so that the glass solidifies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Marbleous World B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Maria Zandvliet, Rene Cornelis Malherbe de Juvigny
  • Patent number: 6652935
    Abstract: A laminated glass container has an inner layer of amber glass surrounded by an outer layer of flint glass. The container is manufactured by forming a cased glass stream, having an amber glass core and a flint glass casing layer, cutting the stream into individual gobs and molding the gobs into containers, all sufficiently rapidly that the amber glass does not have an opportunity chemically to react with the flint glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Owens-Brookway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Cirincione, W. Alan Poolos, Ronald T. Myers
  • Publication number: 20030198660
    Abstract: The present invention relates to resorbable glass scaffolds for use in biological applications and methods for making same. Specifically, these scaffolds are composed of phosphate glass fibers, where the rate of dissolution into biological fluids is controlled by the length of time the glass is held above its melt temperature prior to spinning the fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Victor F. Janas, Kevor S. Tenhuisen
  • Patent number: 6457330
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source, and an orifice ring forming a second orifice vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice. A chamber surrounds the second orifice and communicates with the second orifice through a metering gap between the first and second orifices. Casing glass is delivered from a second source to the chamber, such that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream. A heater ring of refractory material is disposed beneath the orifice ring, and includes at least one electrical heater embedded in the refractory material of the heater ring. The electrical heater is thus disposed external to the casing glass chamber for adding heat to casing glass flowing through the chamber to the metering gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Dembicki, Garrett L. Scott, Kevin N. Fick
  • Patent number: 6176103
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass that includes a spout for delivering core glass from a first source through a first orifice. A second orifice is vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice, and is surrounded by an annular chamber that communicates with the second orifice through a gap between the first and second orifices. A tube delivers casing glass from the outlet opening of a casing glass spout to the annular chamber in such a way that glass flows by gravity through the orifices from the first and second sources to form the cased glass stream. A hollow tube within the casing glass spout is positioned with respect to the spout outlet opening for metering flow of casing glass through the outlet opening and delivery tube to the annular chamber surrounding the orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett L. Scott, James E. Fenstermacher
  • Patent number: 6062047
    Abstract: The material is in a fluid state at a predetermined temperature above the ambient temperature. According to the invention: a) at least two different compositions of this material in the fluid state are prepared; b) simultaneously and concentrically both the core of the rod with the aid of one of the compositions and a sheath enveloping this core with the aid of another composition are cast; and c) the casting is then taken to a temperature at which it solidifies to constitute the rod. Advantageously, the section of the casting is made to grow by its passing through a cylindrical mold shaped to define the final section of the rod. Application to the manufacture of a glass rod presenting a cross-sectional refractive index gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Allan Mark Fredholm, Alain Kerdoncuff, Michel Prassas
  • Patent number: 6029475
    Abstract: Gradient refractive index elements are fabricated from the melt, using two or more molten glass compositions, to prevent bubble formation in the elements. The individual glass compositions are melted in separate containers, and then added as appropriate to a single crucible. The more dense glasses settle to the bottom of the crucible, while the less dense glasses float on top of the melt layer. As a consequence of using molten glass, no bubbles appear. Batching of the process can be done by the level of the free melt surface, which means that one can control the batched volume of the melted glass by controlling the level of the free melt surface in the crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: LightPath Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg Y. Abramov, Stanislav A. Koltchanov, Leila V. Laisheva
  • Patent number: 5935286
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source, and a second orifice vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice. A chamber surrounds the second orifice and communicates with the second orifice through a metering gap between the first and second orifices. Casing glass is delivered from a second source to one side of the chamber such that glass flows by gravity from both the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett L. Scott, Michael T. Dembicki
  • Patent number: 5925161
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Dembicki, Garrett L. Scott
  • Patent number: 5914438
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett L. Scott, Jeffery P. Henning
  • Patent number: 5906666
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source, and a second orifice vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice. A chamber surrounds the second orifice and communicates with the second orifice through a metering gap between the first and second orifices. Casing glass is delivered from a second source to the chamber such that glass flows by gravity through the orifices from the first and second sources to form the cased glass stream. The first and second orifices are disposed in respective first and second orifice rings of refractory composition. The first orifice ring has a peripheral flange and an interior passage for glass flow from the first source to the first orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett L. Scott, Philip D. Perry
  • Patent number: 5868812
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a first orifice for receiving core glass from a first source. A second orifice is vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice, and is surrounded by an annular chamber that communicates with the second orifice through the gap between the first and second orifices. A spout delivers casing glass from a second source through a tube to the annular chamber in such a way that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream. A plurality of gas burners are disposed in the spout above the glass pool. The casing glass delivery spout is configured for improved heat transfer to, and improved heat retention within, the casing glass pool within the spout. Specifically, the glass pool surface area is enlarged, and the glass pool depth is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett L. Scott
  • Patent number: 5855640
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett L. Scott, Jeffery P. Henning
  • Patent number: 5853447
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream that includes at least one pair of aligned orifices coupled to sources of core and casing glass such that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the aligned orifices to form a cased glass stream. The orifices are carried by an orifice housing mounted on a frame for movement into abutment seating engagement of the orifice housing against the core and casing glass delivery mechanisms. The frame in accordance with the present invention includes a gimbal mounting arrangement mounting the orifice housing to the frame so as to be pivotable about a pair of pivot axes that are orthogonal to each other and to the axis of alignment of the orifices. This gimbal mounting arrangement helps accommodate misalignment between the seating surfaces on the orifice housing and the glass delivery mechanisms, and to reduce glass leakage during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett Lee Scott
  • Patent number: 5827344
    Abstract: A method of making glass in which a first glass composition is fed to a furnace and the densities of such glass is determined. The composition is then changed to produce a second glass which has substantially different properties from the first glass, the change to the composition being such that the desired properties are produced in the second glass while simultaneously maintaining the densities of the second glass substantially equal to that of the second glass. The first glass may be a clear glass while the second glass may be a tinted glass. In such a case, the tinted glass may contain iron and the densities are maintained substantially equal by utilizing the iron to replace calcium oxide in the clear glass composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Pilkington PLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Melvin Fyles, Helen Louise Eaves, Thomas Gordon Cochrane
  • Patent number: 5810900
    Abstract: A glass delivery system including a first forehearth having an orifice, a second forehearth having an orifice, a bottom pan assembly adapted to be positioned underneath the orifice of the first forehearth, and a glass delivery tube having an upper end adapted to be positioned underneath the orifice of the second forehearth and a lower end adapted to deliver glass to the bottom pan assembly. The orifice is adapted to combine the glass from the two forehearths and, deliver cased glass to provide an interior glass from said first forehearth and an external layer of glass from said second forehearth. Provision is made for moving the glass delivery tube horizontally, vertically and in azimuth relative to the second forehearth and for moving the bottom assembly relative to the first forehearth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. DiFrank, Garrett L. Scott
  • Patent number: 5803942
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream that includes at least one pair of aligned orifices coupled to sources of core and casing glass such that glass flows by gravity from the glass sources through the aligned orifices to form a cased glass stream. The orifices are carried by an orifice housing mounted on a frame for movement into seating engagement of the orifice housing against the core and casing glass delivery mechanisms. A fluid manifold is mounted on the orifice housing, with an inlet for connection to a source of cooling fluid such as air. A plurality of outlets on the manifold are directed toward the area of seating engagement between the orifice ring housing and the core and casing glass delivery mechanisms for cooling the seating area and thereby reducing leakage of glass between the housing and the glass delivery mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett L. Scott
  • Patent number: 5776221
    Abstract: A method for delivering a glass stream having 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 the 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Dembicki, Garrett L. Scott
  • Patent number: 5735925
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cased glass stream having an inner core glass surrounded by an outer casing glass includes a spout for receiving core glass from a first source and delivering such glass through a first orifice. A second orifice is vertically spaced beneath and aligned with the first orifice, and is surrounded by an annular chamber that communicates with the second orifice through the gap between the first and second orifices. A tube delivers casing glass from a second source to the annular chamber in such a way that glass flows by gravity from the first and second sources through the orifices to form the cased glass stream. The core glass delivery spout includes a reservoir for receiving and holding the core glass, and having at least one lower opening of a first diameter. An orifice ring is positioned beneath the reservoir, and has at least one opening of second diameter less than the first diameter aligned with the first opening and forming the first orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett L. Scott
  • Patent number: 5588978
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of colored glass includes the steps of diverting a stream of clear molten glass from at least one glass melting furnace through one or more transport channels to a color treatment chamber. Recycled cullet and color additive are added to a charging end of the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber is heated to melt the cullet and further heat the remaining feedstock to form a molten bath of colored glass which is thermally and chemically homogenized in the treatment chamber. Refractory rotary paddle wheels positioned in the transport channels regulate the flow rate and level of the molten glass and provide for selective shut off of individual glass streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: IMTEC
    Inventors: Ronald D. Argent, James A. Bolin
  • Patent number: 5364432
    Abstract: A method for producing an elongated composite glass body by melting at least two starting materials of different material compositions, feeding the starting materials to a drawing die disposed at the bottom of an externally heated melting crucible, and continuously drawing the melts vertically out of the drawing die to form a composite body laminated transverse to the drawing direction. To provide an interface free from impurities between the starting materials in the composite body and to enable the path of the interface to be freely shaped, the starting materials are fed in particle form continuously to a single melting crucible and heaped therein to form a preformed body in which one starting material lies directly next to the other starting material forming an interface line therebetween that extends substantially vertically and parallel to the drawing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Leber