Patent GB-507387-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in hollow glass articles made from preformed parts and methods of and apparatus for making them
IPC: C03B23/24
Filed: 1938-07-26
Abstract: 507,387. Making hollow glass articles. CORNING GLASS WORKS. July 26, 1938, No. 22239. Convention date, Aug. 12, 1937. [Class 56] Relates to a method of making hollow glass articles, such as building blocks, from preformed parts by heating the edges of the parts and fusing them together. According to the invention, the heating of the engaging parts is effected by substantially endless gas flames, and the direction and flow of the flames over the engaging parts are controlled by removing the burnt gases from the neighbourhood of the flames. The blocks G, Fig. 6, are formed in halfsections on a press 14, Fig. 1, and on removal from the moulds, pairs of sections G<1> are joined together by fusion and pressure. An apparatus for this purpose comprises a table 30, Fig. 3, having an upright stud 32 on which a heater 90 is pivoted so that it may be swung from one to another of two holders 34, secured to the table 30, for receiving the section G<1>. A second holder 56 is supported vertically above each of the holders 34, and it can be raised and lowered by a hand wheel 52. The holder 56 may be provided with any suitable means for gripping a section G<1>, but is shown as comprising a suction cup 60 connected by a passage 70 in its stem 44 with any suitable source of suction. The heater 90 is provided with a chamber 91 connected with burner openings 92 in alignment with the flanges of the glass parts G<1>. A tube 99 extends centrally through the burner from the upper surface to the lower surface and is attached to a pipe 101 fitted with an adjustable valve 103. The purpose of the tube 99 is to remove burnt gases from the interior of the glass parts G<1> during heating. Preferably the pipe 101 is connected to a source of suction, and by adjusting the valve 103, the ring of flame from the furner 92 can be caused to take up the shape necessary for heating correctly the edges of the sections G<1>. As soon as the glass is hot, the burner is swung into position between the other pair of holders, while the heated sections are pressed into contact with one another by burning the handwheel 52. Preferably the valve 103 is so adjusted that the inner parts of the edges are more highly heated, so that a bead 144, Fig. 6, is formed inside the finished block while no such bead appears on the outer surface. The completed glass block is removed from the holders and is placed on a conveyer 16, Fig. 1, by which it is carried to a leer 26. During the journey along the conveyer, the line of fusion between the sections of a block may be heated further -by burners 20, 24, arranged along the sides of the conveyer. Guides 108 centre the blocks as they pass between the burners 20. After passing the burners 20, each block is turned through a right-angle by contact with a stationary post 120 so that the remaining two sides of the block can be heated by the burners 24. In a modified construction, the burner 90 may be kept stationary, while the holders 34, 56 are moved to and from the burner. In this case, the holders may be carried by a turret which is rotated step by step to carry the block sections between a loading-station, one or more heating-stations, a pressing or fusing station, and an unloading station.