IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GLASS IN SHEETS OR PLATES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN.
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edgar Breffit, of the City of London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GLASS IN SHEETS OR PLATES, AND
IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN.'
Sealed the 28th February 1878, and dated the 8th September 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edgar Breffit at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th September 1877.
ss
"
EDGAR BREFFIT, of the City of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF GLASS IN SHEETS OR PLATES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN."
These improvements relate to the manufacture of glass in sheets or plates, and
consist in casting or "pressing" such sheets or plates in a vertical position, to
which end I employ moulds, the said moulds being formed capable of opening and
closing, so as to reduce or increase the distance or space between their two faces,
and thereby regulate the thickness of the sheet or plate. Into these moulds the
molten glass is "pressed" from a reservoir from above, and by these means I am
enabled to cast sheets or plates of accurate fixed sizes and thickness, and if necessary
with printed or embossed surfaces.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edgar Breffit in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th March
1878.
EDGAR BREFFIT, of the City of London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF GLASS IN SHEETS OR PLATES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN.”
These improvements relate to the manufacture of glass in sheets or plates, and
consist in casting or "pressing" such sheets or plates in a vertical position, to
which end I employ moulds, the said moulds being formed capable of opening and
closing, so as to reduce or increase the distance or space between their two faces,
and thereby regulate the thickness of the sheet or plate, and also to subject the same
to a pressing action. Into these moulds the molten glass is "pressed" from a
reservoir from above, and by these means I am enabled to cast sheets or plates
of accurate fixed sizes and thickness, and if necessary with printed or embossed
surfaces.
In the Drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an arrangement of double mould adapted for carrying
the Invention into effect.
Fig. 2 is an end view, seen from the left-hand side of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, plan of mould with top reservoir plate removed; and Fig. 4, plan of
reservoir plate.
And Fig. 5 represents specimens of sheets such as may be produced.
"
The double mould, shewn in Figs. 1 and 3, is fitted on the base plate A, and
capable of opening and closing freely thereon by the hinge B, and secured in
position for receiving the molten glass by the catch piece C, suitable " gates or
runners being provided, as at d, d, for the fluid "metal" to enter the mould and
to completely fill the same. The molten or fluid glass is poured into the receiver or
reservoir D of suitable capacity, such as shown in working position, Figs. 1 and 2,
and opening and closing by the hinged piece e, the vertical catch piece f serving to
hold the whole securely together, and also so as to be quickly and readily detached
after the casting operation has been performed.
When using the apparatus I proceed as follows:-The mould having been clamped
together, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is placed under the ram of a lever, screw,
hydraulic, or other press, and the fluid "metal" or molten glass poured into the
receiver or reservoir D; and upon a powerful pressure being speedily brought to
bear on it the double-faced mould is completely filled in every part, and plates of
any desired sectional outline, such as represented in Fig. 5, or of hexagonal, round, or
other form, are rapidly and accurately produced.
Letters, names, trademarks, or other ornamental devices in brass or other metal,
by being placed suitably in the mould previously to the casting operation, can be
accurately and securely embedded in the glass material of the plates, and the same
can be polished after casting in a highly lasting and useful manner.
Rabbits or grooves may also be formed on their edges for the purpose of securing
them collectively or separately into any desired framework.
«
After the plates are cast or pressed," as above described, and the superfluous
material is trimmed, the plates are withdrawn from the mould and passed on to
the annealing ovens in the usual manner, and the operation is complete.
It will be evident that by a simple adjustment of the mould, plates of varying
thickness or outline, or of different or parti-coloured glass may readily be produced,
and of transparent, opaque, or other highly ornamental character, and suitable for a
great variety of building and decorative purposes.
The mould faces, instead of being hinged together by and worked upon the hinge
B, may be adjustable, with reference to the distance between each other, in hori-
zontal guides, and be held together and worked by hinged levers.

page_text: Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and set forth by descrip-
tion and Drawings how the same is to be carried into practical effect, I claim,―
First. The improvements in the manufacture of glass in sheets or plates by
casting or "pressing" such sheets or plates in a vertical position, and for orna-
menting the same, substantially as herein described.
And, Second. The apparatus herein described, operating substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edgar Breffit, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
In the presence of
WALTER A. BARLOW,
Patent Agent & Engineer,
6, St. Paul's, E.C.
E. BREFFIT. (LS.)