CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GLASS, AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, the said
JAMES GODFREY WILSON, of Millman's Row, Chelsea, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster,
the First day of May, in the twelfth year of Her reign, did give and grant
unto me, the said James Godfrey Wilson, my exors, admors, and assigns,
Her especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
James Godfrey Wilson, my exors, admors, and assigns, and such others as I, the
said James Godfrey Wilson, my exors, admors, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times hereafter during
the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exer-
cise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
and in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in
all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GLASS, AND IN MACHINERY AND
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH;" in which said Letters Patent there is con-
tained a proviso, that I, the said James Godfrey Wilson, shall cause a particular,
description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be
enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
=

page_text: months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited
Letters Patent, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
James Godfrey Wilson, do hereby declare, the nature of my Invention, s
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly de-
scribed and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters
marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention consists, first, in the arranging and construction of that part
of the glass-melting furnace whereon the melting pots are placed or set during
the process of melting, whereby the removal of the pots from the furnace is
facilitated; the arrangements are shewn in Sheet.A, (Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, of
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and herein explained.
Secondly, in the application of an archimedian propeller, fitted into a tube
or pipe, for the purpose of feeding gradually the fuel to the melting furnace, as
shewn in Sheet C, Figure 7, of the Drawings hereunto annexed, and herein
explained.
Thirdly, in the introduction into the dome or top of the melting furnace,
and immediately over the melting pots (when on their seats), what I term
reflecting surfaces, by which means the heat passing upwards off the sides or
outer surface of the pot is reverberated or reflected back again into the mouth
or open top of the same, as explained in Sheet C, Figure 6, of the Drawing
hereunto annexed, and herein explained.
Fourthly, in the arranging and constructing of that part of the glass-melting
furnace called by me the mouth, through which the pots are placed and with-
drawn. By this arrangement, as shewn in Sheet A, Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, of the
Drawings annexed, and herein explained, the placing and withdrawing of the
pots can be accomplished with great ease and facility, without loss of heat from
the melting furnace.
Fifthly, in the construction of the casting table upon which slabs or sheets
of glass, called plate glass, are cast or poured, by having the same made in
hollow sections and bolted together, with arrangements for heating the same
before the process of pouring the metal (or glass in a fluid state is commenced),
by which arrangements the evils resulting from sudden expansions will be
counteracted. In Sheet B, Figures 1, 2, 3 of the Drawings hereunto annexed
and herein explained these improvements are illustrated. Also in the the
construction and arrangement of a casting table for the purpose of casting or
pouring sheets or slabs of glass, as before described, into a vacuum, as shewn

page_text: Sheet D, Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, of the Drawings annexed, and herein
explained.
Sixthly, in the arranging and construction of a table or bed upon which
slabs or sheets of glass are to be. ground and polished, by which means the
slab or sheet of glass is bedded on a flexible or elastic surface, and is kept in its
position by means of the pressure of the atmospheric air on its upper surface
during the process of grinding or polishing. In Sheet C, Figures 8, 9, of the
Drawings annexed, and herein explained, these arrangements are partly shewn.
Also in the construction of a table or bed for the same purpose having the
top surface composed of an elastic or pliable material, which being subjected
to heat becomes plastic. The slab or sheet of glass is then held by adhesion
while the process of grinding or polishing goes on, and when required is
released by the bed being subjected to a slight heat.
Seventhly, in the construction and configuration of the melting pot, by which
means a greater degree of heat is retained and greater heating surface is
obtained, as illustrated in Sheet C, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, of the Drawings
annexed, and herein explained.
Eighthly, in the formation of tables of crown glass by means and use of a
tool or instrument whereby the necessity of having the knot, or as it is
generally called the bullion or bull's eye in the centre of the table is obviated.
I would here have it understood that my improvements apply more par-
ticularly to the manufacture of (what is generally called) plate glass, (with
the exception of that portion relative to tables of crown glass), although the
said improvements in part may be applied to other branches of glass making.
I will now proceed to describe the Drawings and the application of the
improvements herein set forth.
Figure 1 of Sheet A of the Drawings annexed is a plan of a circular ring,
upon which the pots are to be placed in the melting furnace; Figure 2. is a
section of same, shewing the arrangement by which the same is to be moved
round in its seat. This circular ring is to be constructed of the ordinary
material used in the construction of glass-melting furnaces, and is to be
fluted on its upper surface, as shewn in plan, Figure 1, to form passages for the
heat under the melting pot. a is the circular ring; b is the cast-iron rack
with teeth bevilled, into which the bevilled wheel c works for the purpose of
giving a rotary motion or moving in its seat the ring a. The ring a is to be
constructed on an iron plate d. The motion to the wheel c may be given by
any mechanical arrangement, and thus the circular ring may be moved round
as required for the purpose of placing or withdrawing any pot from the mouth
of the furnace; this arrangement is independent of the general construction

page_text: of the furnace. Several melting pots are shewn placed on the circular ring.
Figures 3, 4, and 5, in the same Sheet A of the Drawings, represent an
arrangement of moveable seats for assisting the placing and withdrawing
of the pots from the furnace. g, Figure 3, represents the mouth of the furnace
hereafter explained; e is the moveable seat, shewn in plan, Figure 3; the top t
side is fluted. Figure 4 represents the under side, with the rod attached for
withdrawing the same; Figure 5 is a side view of the same. The moveable
seat upon which the pot is to be placed is moved backward or forward at
pleasure in the space 2, 2, and between the stop pieces i, i, by means of the
connecting rod f, shewn Figures 5 and 6. When a pot is to be placed thereon
or withdrawn from the seat e the same is moved up to the mouth of the
furnace from the outside by means of the rod f, which passes underneath and
outside the furnace.
Figure 7, Sheet C, represents partly an archimedean propeller, fitted
into a tube or pipe, for the purpose of feeding fuel to the melting
furnace, the same being fed by a hopper. The same may be placed at an
inclination, and the propeller may be driven or given motion to by any
suitable or convenient arrangement, and may be applied in any number
suitable to the size of the furnace.
Figure 6, Sheet C, represents, by sectional view, what I call the reflecting
surface (or reflecting surfaces); they are to be formed in outer circular
forms, larger than the pot to be placed under the same; by referring to
the small arrows it will be seen that the heat, passing upwards from the
outside of the pot, is retained by the outer edge of the reflecting surface,
and reflected back again into the top of the pot; these reflecting surfaces
are to be constructed of the usual material used in constructing melting
furnaces, but it may be preferable to have them glazed.
Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, in Sheet C, represent views of the door or moveable
mouth of the melting furnace, by which the pots are placed and withdrawn.
Figure 6 is a plan; Figure 7, a view in elevation; Figure 8, a sectional
view. K is a circular door or column fitted into the outer wall of the melting
furnace, having two niches or recesses formed on opposite sides, as shewn at r
wherein the pots j are placed; the door or mouthpiece K is constructed in an
iron ring or frame, shewn at Figure 9, Figure 9 a being a section of the outer
rim of the same; the spindle z, which passes through the door K, is fitted and
fixed into the rings shewn, Figure 9, there being one at top and one at the
bottom of the said door or mouthpiece. A metal step-piece o is fitted into the
outer wall of the furnace, into which the spindle / fits and works on a shoulder
as shewn; the end of the spindle l passes through the step o, and on to the

page_text: same is fitted a bevil wheel m, into which the bevil wheel m, a, works; any
other suitable arrangement may be applied for moving the door or mouth-
piece K on its axis. The action of the mouthpiece or door K may be thus
described-A pot being placed in one of the niches r, the door would be put
in motion by means of the bevil wheels m, and m, a, and would, by revolving
on its axis, bring the pot within the furnace; the pot would then have to be
removed to its seat or position in the furnace by the introduction of rods or
tools adapted to the purpose through the two holes q, q, shewn in the mouth-
piece or door. When it is required to draw a pot from the furnace it must be
moved within the niche r, by the same means as used for placing it, and the
mouthpiece or door being moved on its axis brings the pot on the outside of
the furnace. The joints, where necessary, must be luted when the furnace is at
work.
'
Figures 1, 2, 3, of Sheet B, of the Drawings hereunto annexed, represent
parts of a casting table, as before referred to. Figure 1 is a side view in eleva-
tion; Figure 2 is a sectional end view; and Figure 3 is a view of part of the same
in plan. I propose to have the top of the casting bed or table made of iron as
in common, but cast in sections, each piece having a hole east or cored in the
same through the centre, as shown; the two edges of the said sections or pieces
which come in contact on each side with the adjoining piece are to be planed
and made to fit; studs are to be introduced, as shewn by letters 8, 8, 3, repeated.
The whole of the sections or pieces are to be then bolted together by long
bolts and nuts, having under the bolt heads and nuts flexible washers for the
purpose of allowing for expansion and contraction of the casting table. The
elbow pipes marked u, u, u, u, u, u, which are attached to the pipe t, are to
be fitted and fastened over the holes or passages through the sections or pieces
of the casting table, as shewn in Figures 1 and 3, for the purpose of heating
the casting table by steam or hot air before using the same, for the purpose of
counteracting the effect of sudden expansion caused by pouring the fluid glass
on the same while cold. The arrangements for heating the table may be
regulated by the means at hand on the premises, or as convenience will admit.
If steam is used for the purpose of heating the table, a cock must be introduced
at the lowest level of the pipes or tubes for the purpose of drawing off the
condensed water when necessary. Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, in Sheet B of the
Drawings annexed, represent portions of a vacuum casting table for the pur-
pose of casting sheets of glass in vacuo. Figure 4 is a plan or bird's-eye view;
Figure 5 is a side view in elevation of the same; Figure 6 is a partial cross
sectional view. d is the top of the table; b, the bottom or bed. The bottom.

page_text: or bed and the top have holes through them, made by the introduction of cores
when the same are cast, and which will assist the expansion, or may be made
applicable for the purposes of heating the table, as herein-before described.
The bottom portion b is to be cast solid, and the top the same, and to be
fitted into the bottom or bed; the joints on the upper surface at the two sides
and one end are made air-tight, and the joint at the other end on the under side,
by the following arrangement:-The process of exhaustion of the space into
which the glass is to be cast is commenced from the end of the top of the table,
the red dotted lines indicating the aperture to which the connection from the
exhausting apparatus is made. As the air is exhausted the valve v, v, v, v,
(noted all round the joints of the top and lower part or bed of the table and on
the under surface at one end), which are of some flexible or elastic material,
become by the outward pressure of the atmosphere driven into so close a contact
with the joint that it will prevent the admission of air, and thus a vacuum will
be formed, into which the glass in a fluid state is to be poured or cast. 2, 2,
shewn in Figure 5, and in section, Figure 7, shews the arrangement for allowing
any vapour to escape after the glass is poured, the screw of which is turned by
a small fly wheel, is confined in its place and is fitted into the plug p, which
it raises and lowers in accordance with the way it is turned when the glass
is poured; the plug p is raised by means of the screw q to the height of the
holes shewn in Figure 5, and the vapour thus escapes by these said holes. The
same arrangement of the screw and plug is applied for the purpose of closing
the aperture, by which means the air is exhausted and the vacuum formed,
and is shewn at 1, Figure 5. By referring to the red dotted lines in the top
of the casting table, Figure 5, it will be seen that the downward aperture is
in connection with the Figure 1, from which by means of the screw and plug
the connection with the exhausting apparatus may be shut off when required.
The mouth of the table is kept close and air-tight by the partial cylinder,
shewn separately, Figures 8 and 9, while the process of exhaustion is going
on; the large part or circular surface is kept uppermost in the mouth or hopper
w of the table when the glass is poured into the said hopper or mouth w;
the mouthpiece, or partial cylinder x, is moved round by means of the tooth
wheels y and y, a; and the part where it is reduced in size allows the fluid
glass to flow in a body into the space in the casting table, wherein the vacuum
is created. The mouthpiece x is fitted into its place in the hopper or mouth
of the table, and the ends are fitted in conical; a collar o is fitted over one end
of the same to keep it in its place; a flexible washer or collar may be intro-
duced to keep the same air-tight. The hooks marked 2, 2, 2, 2, are for the

page_text: purpose of lifting the top of the table off by means of a crane or other
apparatus when the slab or sheet of glass is to be removed from the bed of the
table.
b
Figure 10, Sheet C, represents a hollow roller for the purpose of rolling,
or being otherwise used in the preparing of sheets of glass. The end of
the roller is prepared to receive the end of the pipe 6, which is fitted as a
ball joint; over the ball and pipe is fitted the collar a on the end of the roller,
it then becomes a ball and socket joint, and should by means of an elastic
washer be made air-tight; the pipe 6 may be of flexible material, except at
the two ends, which must be of metal. The handle and weight c is for the
purpose of keeping the pipe steady while the roller is in motion. I propose
that air should be forced through the rollers, and for the purpose of accom-
plishing that effecutally, the air pump and pipes connected with it should be
wholly or partially surrounded with a flow of cold water.
Figures 8 and 9, Sheet C of the Drawings hereto annexed, represent plan and
partial cross section of the table or bed to be used for the purpose of grinding
and polishing sheets or slabs of glass. In Figure 8, the top of the table is shewn
only, partly covered with the elastic or pliable material, the other portion
shewing the iron or slate top, with the various small channels cut therein.
These channels are to be cut to intersect each other, and verge into one outer
line or channel; the elastic materials which I prefer to use are gutta percha
or vulcanized india-rubber. The surface of the table is to be covered with this
elastic material, and the same is to be punctured or pierced with small holes.
The process of exhaustion is then to be performed by means of the air pump,
or any other means of obtaining a vacuum; the connection between the
exhausting apparatus and the table being from the under side, and in
connection with the inner or smaller circle of the channels cut in the surface
of the same. By the introduction of the elastic material between the rigid
surface of the table and the sheet of glass to be ground or polished will allow
the sheet of glass to be fairly and equally bedded, and thus prevent the same
from being fractured from the outward pressure of the atmosphere on its upper
side, when a vacuum was created on its under side. Or, in lieu of the
table to be used for grinding and polishing, having channels cut on its
surface and being adapted for the purpose of exhaustion, the following method
may be adopted, and for. grinding slabs of glass previous to the polishing of
same, and may be preferable. The top of the table is to be flat and covered
with a mixture of gutta percha, caoutchouc, with any resinous material in a
thick covering, and secured at the edges; an arrangement is to be connected

page_text: with the table for heating by steam or otherwise this surface coating, and thus
rendering it plastic or in a doughy or sticky state. While in this state the slab,
or sheet or glass is to be placed thereon and slightly rubbed or pressed, so as to
bed it equally; when the plastic bed is cooled the slab of glass will be firmly
held, and the process of grinding or polishing may be performed. When it is
required to remove the sheet of glass from the table the same arrangements
for heating to a slight degree the plastic bed must be put in operation, when
the slab or sheet of glass can be removed with ease.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, in Sheet C of the Drawings annexed, represent the
form or forms of melting pot which I prefer to use; Figure 2 is a view in
elevation; Figure 1, a plan of same; Figures 3, 4, 5, are plans shewing how
the same may be diversified. The object is to construct the melting pot of
such form and figure that a series of indentations, or hollows, or angles are
formed on the outside, which form retainers or flues for the heat passing up
the outside of the pot, and also by the pot being made of equal thickness
in every respect; corresponding projections are formed inside the pot, which
add to the heating surface in contact with the mixture, as also forming con-
ductors of heat to the same. The said angles, indents, inclinations, or ridges
may be carried horizontally, spirrally, or at any inclination, so long as the equal
thickness of the pot be retained and the projections or figure be internally and
externally alike.
For the purpose of forming or making tables of crown glass, I propose to use,
in lieu of the tool ordinarily used, which is called a ponty rod, a tool of the
following description:-Taking the globe of glass at that stage of the process
where under ordinary circumstances the ponty rod is attached and the blow-pipe
broken off, I encircle the globe with a tool with three or more arms branching
from one stem or handle. These arms are made of an elastic material or materials
combined, and are not jointed in any way, but form a portion of the main
stem; the ends are to be of metal where they are attached to the globe of
glass. When the same is attached to the globe of glass the ordinary process
of rotary motion takes place by the usual manipulation, the pliability and
elasticity of the arms of the said tool causes them to gradually expand with
the globe of glass until the "flashing" of the table takes place, when they
remain expanded encircling the same.
I would here have it understood that I make no claim to any form of melting
furnace, and that my improvements in the same or parts are to be constructed
of the materials usually used for such purposes. The working holes in the
mouth in Sheet A are to be stopped when the furnace is at work.

page_text: Having described 'the nature of my Invention, and the mode or modes of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself
to the details herein described so long as the peculiar character of either part
of my Invention be retained; but what I claim is the improvements set out
under the heads-
First, secondly, thirdly, and fourthly, and seventhly, relative to those parts
of the melting furnace described, and also in the formation of the melting pot.
whereby the removal and placing the pots in the furnace is greatly facilitated,
and a greater degree and more uniformity of heat is retained in the same.
Fifthly, in the construction of casting tables, as herein described, and in the
arranging for casting slabs, sheets, or other articles of glass in a vacuum.
Sixthly, in the construction of tables to be used in the process of grinding
or polishing, as herein described, whereby an elastic material forms the material
whereon the sheets or slabs of glass are bedded or held during the operation.
Eighthly, in the formation of tables of crown glass by the arrangements
herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Godfrey Wilson, have set my
hand and seal, this First day of November, One thousand eight
hundred and forty-nine