IMPROVEMENTS IN MELTING AND CASTING GLASS, METALS, AND OTHER FUSIBLE SUBSTANCES, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Simon, of 7, Saint Peter's Square, Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MELTING
AND CASTING GLASS, METALS, AND OTHER FUSIBLE SUBSTANCES, AND IN THE
APPARATUS OR MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN." A communication from
abroad by George Leuffgen, of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Simon at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th August 1879.
HENRY SIMON, of Saint Peter's Square, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MELTING AND CASTING GLASS, METALS, AND OTHER FUSIBLE
SUBSTANCES, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN.” (A
communication from abroad by George Leuffgen, of Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany.)
This Invention relates to a new process and arrangement of apparatus more par-
ticularly applicable to the melting of glass, in such manner that, by reason of the same
being melted in its own material, remains free from the impurities which have
hitherto always, been taken up by the glass in process of fusion from the clay of
which the melting vessels are formed, or with which they are coated or lined.
Another advantage arising from the present Invention is the ensuring the pouring
out of the molten glass from the melting vessel or pot in a perfectly thin fluid state
with mechanical precision, in consequence of its greater purity and solidity (the
vessels or pots hitherto in use have been found, when at the proper heat, to be too
weak to admit of their being manoeuvred whilst in that state). Thus on pouring
the thin fluid clean glass on to corresponding previously heated flat polished or
otherwise shaped plates a glass ware is produced with extremely flat surfaces and
sharp edges.
The chief feature of the Invention consists in the fact that the material to be
melted (glass, for example) is melted in a vessel provided with a firm coating of the
same material, produced by the heating flames playing into such vessel from above,
and by the cooling action of water or air on the exterior surface.
This is effected by employing a vessel similar to that of previous melting furnaces,
but having an inner coating or lining of glass well fused thereto, the outer surface
Pring 6d1

page_text: of the metal being kept cool from the outside, whilst the inner surface is protected
by a layer of glass formed thereon. Within or upon this glass coating, which is
firmly held to the metal by the outer cooling process, the charge is melted and fined,
and is then (in the case of a fixed furnace or vessel) withdrawn in the usual manner;
or if the furnace or melting vessel be suspended so as to be inoveable, then the fluid 5
glass, as soon as it has become fined, can be poured out in its thin fluid state by
tilting or tapping the vessel, so as to run its contents on to plates or into moulds.
These moveable melting vessels are specially adapted for the production of large
plates similar to plate glass, and suitable for mirrors, when the perfectly clean and
thin fluid glass alone is poured out by tilting or tapping direct from the vessel on to 1
the heated polished plates underneath, thus producing glass plates suitable for
mirrors in the cheapest and best manner without any grinding process being
necessary.
The necessary intense cooling of the melting vessels may be accomplished in
various ways, for example, by means of powerful air-ventilation, or by the circula- 1
tion of water through or round them, they being made with double sides and bottom
for that purpose, or they may be placed in running water.
In the accompanying Drawing two modifications are shewn of the improved
melting furnace for melting glass in a vessel or hearth lined with glass.
Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the middle of a melting furnace 2
constructed and arranged in accordance with the system, the melting vessel or hearth
having double walls, within which the cooling medium (water, air, or the like) is
caused to flow or is forced through.
Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a similar furnace.
Fig. 4 is a plan or horizontal section corresponding to Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken through the fire bridge.
Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section of a similar furnace, with the modification
that the melting vessel is fixed in lieu of being moveable for pouring.
Fig. 7 shews a similar furnace, the melting vessel of which is provided with single
in lieu of double walls, and is placed in a water vessel or chamber through which
cold water is caused to flow.
In Figs. 2, 3, and 5 a casting plate mounted on wheels in placed under the melting
vessel for making plate glass.
The furnace itself is a gas furnace of the ordinary kind, and therefore the gene-
raters and the parts relating to the production and conveyance of the gas are not
shewn.
The burning of the gases and generation of heat takes place under the roof of the
furnace, beneath which is the so formed melting chamber containing the melting
In Fig. 6 the
vessel or hearth, which is shewn with double walls in Figs. 1 and 5.
melting vessel is fixed and rests on the sole of the furnace, whilst in Fig. 7 it is
contained within a shaped out basin or chamber, into which cold water is continuously
conducted at the bottom whilst the warm water flows away at the top.
In the arrangement shewn in Figs. 2, 3, and 5 the melting vessel is moveable, it
being hung on both sides in chains carried on rollers, which allow of the raising or
lowering of the melting vessel at one or both sides at will, so that the molten con-
tents of the melting vessel may be poured out on to the flat, polished, and previously
warmed casting plate underneath.
As the glass which is being melted in the melting vessel does not come in contact
with any clay, and is melted only by the action of the flame from above, whilst at
the sides and below it rests on a crust of glass which is maintained firmly in its
position by the cooling action of water or air on the hearth or melting vessel as
previously described, it follows that the glass is in a perfectly clean and thin fluid
state, and may be poured out in this state by lowering the suspending chains and
tilting the melting vessel.
To effect the pouring off in such a way that the molten stream shall not be too
long, and in order to ensure a smoother and more uniform floor, a casting bridge is

page_text: employed, which may be made of hollow iron, fire brick, or any other suitable
material, and may be heated in any convenient manner, and be brought and main-
tained in the proper position to ensure a slow and equable flow of the glass over
this bridge on to the casting plate, and an equable spreading out on such plate of
the glass. The casting plate should of course be previously heated and readily
adjustable into a horizontal position, and, after the pouring has been effected, be
easily conveyed to the cooling apparatus by any suitable mechanical means.
It is of course understood that the melting vessel must be provided with supply
and outflow pipes for the water or other cooling fluid, regulated by means of slides
or valves, other fittings being also provided, if required, with a view to the more
convenient and safer working of the apparatus.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Simon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th February
«
1880.
HENRY SIMON, of 7, Saint Peter's Square, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MELTING AND CASTING GLASS, METALS, AND OTHER FUSIBLE
SUBSTANCES, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN." (A
communication from abroad by George Leuffgen, of Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany.)
This Invention relates to a new process and arrangement of apparatus more
particularly applicable to the melting of glass in such manner that by reason of the
same being melted in its own material it remains free from the impurities which
have hitherto always been taken up by the glass in process of fusion from the clay
of which the melting vessels are formed, or with which they are coated or
lined.
Another advantage arising from the present Invention is the ensuring the pouring
out of the molten glass from the melting vessel in a perfectly thin Buid state with
mechanical precision in consequence of its greater purity and solidity (the vessels
hitherto in use have been found when at the proper heat to be too weak to admit
of their being manoeuvered whilst in that state). Thus on pouring the thin fluid
clean glass on to corresponding previously heated flat polished or otherwise shaped
plates a glass ware is produced with extremely flat surfaces and sharp edges, and
much resembling the ware hitherto produced by the troublesome process of
grinding.
The chief feature of the Invention consists in the fact that the material to be
melted (glass for example) is melted in a vessel provided with a firm coating of the
same material, either directly on the surrounding wall, or on a separate insulating
part to be connected therewith, and made of clay or other suitable material, the
coating of the melting vessel with a crust of the glass or other material under
treatment being produced by the heating flames playing into such vessel from
above, and by the cooling action of water or air on the exterior surface. This is
effected by employing a vessel similar to that of previous melting furnaces, but
having an inner coating or lining of glass well fused thereto, either directly on the
surrounding wall or on a separate insulating part made of clay or other suitable

page_text: it is contained within a shaped out basin or chamber, into which cold water is
continuously conducted at the bottom, whilst the warm water flows away at the
top.
In the arrangement shewn in Figs. II., III., and V. the melting vessel is moveable,
it being hung on both sides in chains carried on rollers, which allow of the raising
or lowering of the melting vessel at one or both sides at will, so that the molten
contents of the melting vessel may be poured out on to the flat, polished, and
previously warmed casting plate underneath.
As by reason of the application, as described, of water, steam, or air caused to
circulate by any suitable means the glass which is being melted in the melting
vessel does not come into immediate contact with any clay, and is melted only by
the action of the flame from above, whilst at the sides and below it rests on a crust
of glass, which is maintained firmly in its position by the cooling action of water
or air on the hearth or melting vessel, as previously described, it follows that the
glass is in a perfectly clean and thin fluid_state, and may be poured out in this
state by lowering the suspending chains K, K, and tilting the melting vessel.
To effect the pouring off in such a way that the molten stream shall not be too
long, and in order to ensure a smoother and more uniform flow, a casting bridge is
employed, which may be made of hollow iron, fire brick, or any other suitable
material, and may be heated in any convenient manner, and be brought and main-
tained in the proper position to ensure a slow and equable flow of the glass over
this bridge on to the casting plate P, and an equable spreading out on such plate of
the glass. The casting plate should of course be previously heated and readily
adjustable into a horizontal position, and after the pouring has been effected be
easily conveyed to the cooling apparatus by any suitable mechanical means.
It is of course understood that the melting vessel must be provided with supply
and outflow pipes for the supply and outflow of the cooling water, air, or steam,
which must be regulated by means of slides or valves, other fittings being also
provided, if required, with a view to the more convenient and safer working of the
apparatus.
In order that the before described casting and smelting furnace may be worked
continuously the batch or charge of materials mixed with coke, charcoal, or other
suitable combustible is melted down to glass in the ordinary cupola, smelting, or
blast furnace, the outer casing of which may also consist of double walls similar to
the described melting vessel W, and may be cooled by means of circulating water,
air, or steam free from pressure, with or without a lining of fire-proof material, and
this molten glass is either allowed to run off freely or by tapping into the vessel W
(which in this case serves as a collecting vessel) or direct into moulds.
By means of the casting and smelting furnace in combination or not with a
cupola, furnace, or solely with this latter, the molten glass may not only be poured
into moulds, but may also be run over suitably disintegrated stones or gravel or
sand arranged on an underlying surface in mosaic or in any other suitable patterns,
so that the fluid glass becomes intimately combined with the stones, gravel, or sand,
and thereby produces a rough surface applicable for footpaths, paving stones, and
similar purposes.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and explained the manner of
carrying it into practical effect, as communicated to me as aforesaid, I would observe
that in carrying out the Invention the details may be more or less modified to suit
the circumstances of particular applications without departure from the distinctive
characteristics of the Invention, and also that the Invention may be applied in the
production of other glass articles, and especially in the smelting and manufacture
of hollow glass ware and window glass, and the production of flint, raw, and soluble
glass, and I hereby furthermore declare that what I consider to be novel and
original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me under the Letters Patent
hereinbefore in part recited is,―
1. The melting of glass within a crust of glass produced by cooling from the

page_text: exterior either the surrounding wall or containing vessel, or the clay or other lining
thereof, substantially as described.
2. The melting of glass in vessels which are cooled from the exterior in such
manner that the walls of the melting vessel are always covered with a firm pro-
tecting coat of glass, substantially as described.
3. The melting of glass and other substances, such as metals, salts, and the like,
within a firm crust of the same material as is being melted, such crust being pro-
duced by cooling from the exterior, and causing the heat of the melting fire to act
or work in from above only, substantially as described.
4. Constructing apparatus for melting and casting glass and other materials,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Simon, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.