The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-28
COFFINS MADEOF GLASS.
Bathtubs, Too, Are Composed of This
Usually Fragile Material.

The peculiar forms assumed by glass
dropped in a molten condition on the
damp ground have been noticed by
thousands of observers from time i'm
memorial, but not until recently did
it occur to anyone to initiate these
conditions and blow glass by steam
generated by it's own heat. Hitherto
the size of glass vessels has been limit
ed by the power of the human lungs
and the ability to manipulate the mass
hanging from the blowpipe, for at
temptS to substitute compressed air
have been only partially successful,
and the present glass process, develop
ed especially in America, also has Its
limitations.
Other objections to the usual method
of glass blowing are the injurious eft
fectS on the Workmen and the waste
of time and material due to the fact
that the neck of the vessel, as blown,
cannot be larger than the blowp1pe,
and must be cut off after the glass has
cooled. For example, glass storage
battery cells, now in great demand,
have to be cut down one-half.
In the new process devised by Paul
Sievert of Dresden the molten SiasS ~
poured on a wet asbestos mat which is
constantly agitated. The glass does not
touch the mat, but, like a drop of wa
ter on a hot iron, is supported by steam
generated in great volume and escap-
ing freely on all sides If now a mol
low mold is pressed firmly down on
the glass while it is still soft the
steam. no longer able to escape forces
the glass up into every part OF tne
mold. The perfection with. which TINS
is done is remarkable.
If the mold is very deep the upwap pSl
rush of steam may make the glass TOO
thin in spots, or even perforate II, nence
for deep vessels the process IS modl1n aea
The glass is poured on wet metal Plate
which is inverted with the mold 1mmedi-
ately after the latter is appned. Inc me
soft sheet of glass now sinks gradually
inp fhicl1est at the bottom. At the
nr0per moment the wet asbestos is SUP
stitqted for the metal plate ana + the 9d d 90
DEVELOPMENT of vapor presses the glass
downward into all the detalls OIL the
mold. 90 hath
t1hS and coffins compressed air is sub
stituted for steam generated by the nea1
OF the glass itself The glass Is b po fnTTn
and dimensions of the open top OF me
vessel to be made. When the nqula
glass reaches the edge 1t ms 3
iron ring and there quickly solidlhes ana
adheres. Then the Platet a IS the inve edge
"a gs or bellies and stretches as IN the
method lust described. At the proper
moment the plastic glass nag IS nlCioSe ~
in a mold made in sections, INTO Whlch II
is pressed by air forced through the per
fora tions of the iron plate above me
antira oneratiOn occupies only seven mlu-
utes and the vessel is stronger than one
of ordinary pressed glass. Ia a,., made
| Panes ornamented on one size are nIs1NS Z
| by blowing the cylinders IN engLaNS 81,
Mods Glass panes are also mace by
/ blowing glass in a cubical mold me ERE, re-
shifting glass box when cut at the cages
ylss nI5a it Of the PRODUCTS of the new meth
IodS are decorated in cOlors with pulNer.
lied colored glass aPpllea be TO eh'9 mat at
Boston Herald.