Improvements in Filtering Tubes with Ball Filtering Material for Purifying Molten Glass.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec. 1891-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Filtering Tubes with Ball Filtering Material for
Purifying Molten Glass.
I, MORITZ EPSTEIN of 28/29, Lothringerstrasse, Berlin in the German Empire,
Glassmaker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement: -
My invention relates to an improved filtering tube with ball filter for purifying
molten glass and attaining a continuous production of purified glass and consists of
an open melting pot with melting vessel provided with serpentine refining ways and
a filtering tube with ball filter.
Fig. is a vertical section of my improved apparatus.
Fig. 2 a top view of the same.
The melting vessel b which rests with three trunnions on the upper edge of the
melting pot is supplied with the material to be molten through a small opening near
the working hole. This material melts and penetrates through the opening k in
the partition p into the refining space c passes through the same in serpentine way
and flows refined through the opening into the pot.
This glass penetrates through the openings into the filtering tube a from whence
it can be taken as required.
The molten glass must first pass through the filtering chamber with its clay balls
which are lighter than glass and swim in the same and then through a perforation g
in the cover o to the filtering chamber of the tube a into the tube itself. The glass
becomes here cooler as it is entirely excluded from the direct action of the fire and
can be taken from the same to be further operated on.
0.
As
The ball filter will allow none of the impurities which were present in the glass
to penetrate into the upper part of the tube above the cover or partition
soon as the level of the molten glass in the pot e sinks fresh material is charged
into the melting vessel so that a continuous working can be carried out.
Such work has hitherto been effected by the smelting pots being three times
charged before the same were filled which according to the size of the same
consumed 14 to 20 hours before the glass was molten and ready for use
whereas by employing my improved apparatus continuous and uninterrupted working
can be effected and the pauses hitherto necessary for melting the glass entirely
avoided.
Up to now it was impossible even under the most favorable circumstances to
work a furnace more than 24 times a month each time 10 hours making a total
of 240 hours a month whereas by using my invention 700 working hours can be
attained. The consumption of fuel is also considerably less as it is no longer
necessary to cool the furnace before commencing work as formerly nor does it take
several hours heat before charging with fresh material
When this invention is employed the furnace continuously retains the same heat
and is not cooled as the glass in the filtering tube is so cooled that it can be used
direct. In consequence of the furnace and the smelting vessels being continuously
subjected to a uniform heat it will be evident to all versed in the art that they are
very considerably less subjected to wear and tear. I consequently attain by using
my invention the same result with the ordinary open pots as in a curvet oven
without the great expense of the erection of the same.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An improved device for refining molten glass consisting of a filtering tube a
divided into two compartments the lower of which is filled with clay or porcelaine
balls so that the glass after having passed the openings must first pass through
the clay or porcelaine balls before it can pass through the orifice. g into the upper-
compartment substantially as described.
2. The improved subdivided smelting vessel with partition p and serpentine
ways c substantially as described.
3. My improved glass melting and refining apparatus substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
Dated the 14th day of December 1891.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Associate Agent.