Patent GB-422487-A (GB)
Title: Improved process and apparatus for the intermittent production of roller glass plates
IPC: C03B13/04
Filed: 1933-07-14
Abstract: 422,487. Glass manafacture. PILKINGTON BROS., Ltd., 703, Tower Building, Water Street, Liverpool, and SLOCOMBE, F. E., Sandall Grove, Kirk Sandall, Doncaster. July 14, 1933, No. 19972. [Class 56] [See also Group XII] Glass plates 3 formed by a highspeed rolling machine 2 are received on and conveyed to a low-speed roller-way leer 8 by apparatus comprising a truck 5 on which are mounted rollers 4 connected between side-chains 11, means, operating continuously and at constant speed, being provided for rotating the rollers forwardly and moving the chains rearwardly, and means being also provided for traversing the truck towards the leer during reception of a plate, keeping it stationary while the plate passes into the leer, and finally returning it to plate-receiving position. The reduced end portions 12 of the rollers 4 carry pinions 23 meshing with horizontal racks 24, the pitch diameter of the pinions being so chosen that the upper surface of the rollers in the upper flight has, as the chains 11 travel rearwardly, a resultant forward movement equal to the speed of the leer rollers 9. The chains 11 are driven from the rear sprockets 13 by a chain 17 and motor and gearing 18. In order that a plate 3, during formation, may be deposited evenly on the rollers 4, the truck 5 is driven towards the leer, by motor 28 and chain gearing 29, 30, at a speed equal to the difference between the rolling speed and the resultant forward speed of the rollers 4. As the truck moves forwardly it enters the extension 7 of the leer, in which heaters 33 are fitted, and when brought to rest at the limit of its travel, the plate 3 passes smoothly off the rollers 4 on to the leer rollers 9. When the plate is clear of the rollers 4, the motor 28 is started in reverse to return the truck to initial position. Charges of glass, each sufficient for a plate, are fed from the forehearth 1 to the rolling machine 2 by a paddle 34, Fig. 4, which is reciprocated in a water-sealed slot 35 in the forehearth roof and is supported by rollers 38 running on rails 39. The paddle is actuated by arms 49 mounted on a pivoted shaft 47 which carries a depending worm sector 51 engaging a worm 52 driven through gearing 54 by a motor 53. Two magnetic clutches, for imparting to the paddle a rapid forward stroke and a slow return movement, are incorporated in the drive, these clutches and the truck motor 28 being controlled by a constantly rotating switch so that the movements of the truck and paddle are effected automatically in correctly timed sequence. Means may be provided for adjusting the height of the paddle and also for inclining it relatively to the forehearth so as to vary the gap between its edges and the side walls of the forehearth. Fig. 8 shows a modification in which the supports 37 for the paddle 34 are pivoted at one end 89 to a crank-shaft 90 driven by sprocket 93 and chain 94 from a motor. This arrangement ensures that the paddle passes close to the bottom of the forehearth on its forward stroke, while during its backward movement it is at a substantial height above the bottom.