Improved Method of and Machine for Shaping, Decorating, and Finishing Hollow Blown-glass Objects.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st June, 1894-Accepted, 21st July, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Machine for Shaping, Decorating, and
Finishing Hollow Blown-glass Objects.
We, KURT EUGEN GRÜTZNER, of Deuben near Dresden, and BERNHARD
ALWIN GRUHL, of Altstadt, Dresden, in the Kingdom of Saxony, Empire of
Germany, Glass Manufacturer and Mechanical Engineer, respectively, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement -
This invention relates to an improved method of and machine for shaping.
decorating, and finishing hollow blown-glass bodies, and is intended to offer a much
cheapor and quicker method than those now in use for the purpose, and, at the
same time, not only to permit of writing or decoration being re-produced on much
thinner glass, but, also, of such writing or decoration being much cleaner and more
distinct than has hitherto been possible with the ordinary pressing processes.
Our invention further does away with the necessity for a special operation for
cutting or smoothing the rough edges of the object, in that this is done simultaneously
with the shaping or decorating operation by one and the same machine and without
having to alter the position of the object in any way, thus reducing the cost of
production of hollow glass ware very considerably.
We will explain our invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
Figs. 1 to 4 are part vertical sections of a rotary or stationary block-die or
matrice and upper or roller die with the object in position between same.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a rotary or stationary block-dic or matrice, object
and roller die.
Figs. 6 and 7 are forms of circular cutters for cutting other than straight edges.
Fig. 8 is an elevation of the machine or press in which the rotary or stationary
block-die or matrice is used in a cold state.
Fig. 9 is a plan view of Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is an elevation in part vertical section of the machine or press when a
heated rotary or stationary block-die or matrice is used.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of Fig. 10.
Our method consists, essentially, in heating the hollow blown glass into a plastic
state, and, while in this state, pressing or rolling same into the proper shape of
object and decorating same as required by means of a stationary or rotary block-
die or matrice and upper or roller die or dies, each rotating on its own axis and
having profiles corresponding to the form of object and decoration required.
Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, in which (a) is the upper
or roller die, (b) a vertical section of the rotary or stationary block-die or matrice
and (c) a vertical section of the object under treatment, it will be seen that recessed
or embossed decorative designs or writing can be re-produced on objects as desired
by using dies and block-die or matrice having the necessary profiles.
If, for instance, the decorative design or type is embossed on the block-die or
matrice (), [Fig. 1], said decorative design or type must be correspondingly
recessed on the upper or roller die (a); and, when embossed on said upper or roller
die, it must be recessed on the block-die or matrice accordingly.
When
is required to have either the inner or outer side of the object flat and
merely re-produce a transparent pattern, the. design is embossed on the face of the
block-dic in the one case, while the face of the upper die is perfectly flat, [Fig. 3]
the pattern being transparent from outside; and, in the other case, said design is
D

page_text: embossed on the upper die while the face of the block-die is perfectly flat, [Fig. 4]
the pattern being thus recessed on the outside.
Different combinations of block-lies and upper or roller dies can be used to make
any shape of hollow glass object or to decorate same with any particular design
required.
Fig. 5 of the drawing illustrates the shaping operation.
It is here required to shape a hollow object the lower part of which has to he
swelled out bell-like, and, consequently, a block-die and upper or roller die or dies
must be used having respectively profiles corresponding to the inner and outer
swelled or depressed portions of the form of object required, accordingly, After
the glass body or mass has been heated into a sufficiently plastic state, it is placed
on the upper or swelled portion of the block-die and gradually pressed or rolled
into its proper shape by the pressure of the upper or roller die.
While the object is undergoing this rolling or pressing process, any decoration
enu be simultaneously imprinted into said object by using an upper die or block-die
having the necessary profile or profiles, and, as the size of the upper die need not
necessarily be much greater than the size of the design, it will he evident that, by
a skilful combination of block-lie and upper dies, suveral designs can be imprinted
on une object and be changed as desired without the least difficulty and in a
minimum of time.
In the ordinary pressing processes, a separate operation is required for cutting or
smoothing the rough edges of the object after same has been shaped, and, in the
case of fancy edges, said operation is a tedions, and, consequently, costly one,
materially increasing the cost of production of the article.
In our invention, no separate operation is needed, since, by providing the upper
or roller dies with sharp knife-like edges at their upper and lower ends, corre-
sponding to the upper and lower edges of the object, or, preferably, by using one or
two disc-like cutters, attached to the ends of said upper or roller dies for the
purpose, we can cut straight and irregular or fancy lines as required, simultaneously
with the shaping and decorating of the article and without the least difficulty.
For cutting ordinary straight edges, we use an ordinary circular cutter (d) as
shown in Fig. 3, whilsi, in the case of bell-shaped objects, (Fig. 5], we use a cutter
(d) with a rounded edge. When irregular curves or angles are required to be cut
and the highest and lowest points of which do not lie in the level of the cutting edge of
the circular cutter (d) or (d), we use a cutter similar to the one shown in Fig. 6,
or a modification of same to suit modified forms, or, when the curves or undulations
are regular, we preferably mount the circular cutter (d') obliquely to its axis us
shown in Fig. 7.
In any of the operations mentioned, the block-ie (6) enn rotate on a fixed axis
while the upper or roller die remains stationary, or said block-die can remain
stationary while the upper or roller die rotates on its own axis.
Having now explained our method, we will describe our machine for carrying
it uill.
Referring particularly to Figs. 8 and 9, the block-die (b) is here revolvable on a
short vertical shaft (e) and runs on rollers (/). By means of a cord (4) slung or
wound round the block-die and passing over pulleys (9), said block-die can be
caused to rotate, the reverse rotary movement being imparted to same by a
weight (2) suspended at (') [Figs. 10 and 11].
In order that the rotation of the block-die may not exceed given limits, (360°),
a simul tappet (4) is attached to said block-die so as to engage in each direction
with a projection (4) swinging between pins (k) and (42) and engaging alternately
with these laiter.
The upper or roller die (a) is mounted in a frame (m) and there adjusted by a
set-screw, the lower end of said frame being hinged on to a bolt or pivot (7) in
such way that the upper or roller die can be pressed against or raised from the
block-ie as required by means of the frame handle.
Any form or size of upper or roller die, in proportion to the dimensions of

page_text: the frame, can be mounted and adjusted in said frame or taken out again, without
having to remove the object under treatment from the block-die.
In order to ensure a uniform pressure of the upper die (a) on all portions of the
object on the block-dic (), the latter can be provided with a circular rack (n)
with which can engage a pinion or spur wheel (¹) mounted and keyed on the same
shaft as the upper die in the frame (m).
In order that the upper die may not be pressed too quickly on the mass or body
of plastic glass to be shaped-especially at the moment when said upper die comes
into contact with said mass-a set-screw can be placed underneath the nose (m')
of the under part of the frame, or, preferably, a pin (0) provided with set-screw,
and which pin can be released by a lever ().
In ordinary cases, where quick production is required, it will generally be found
sufficient to place the glass on the block-dic in a sufficiently warm state; but,
where more time is required and where the mass must be kept soft and plastic,
we prefer the arrangement shown in Fig. 10.
In this arrangement a gas pipe (p) is fitted in the inside of the block-die, which
is made hollow for the purpose, and which gas pipe forms, with its projections, the
vertical shaft, and is provided with openings or radial burners in such way that the.
jets of flame are directed against and heat the sides of the block-die.
Where it is required to shape undulated bell-like forms, the block-die is preferably
composed of segments (1) [Figs. 10 and 11] in order that the object under treatment
may be more readily slipped on or off said block-die.
These segments (6) can be hinged above to bolts (7) of the block support (")
rotating on the vertical gas pipe, and are supported underneath by the lower
part (6) of the block-die against which they press by reason of their own
weight.
When the block support (r) is raised, the segments slide upwards with same,
the circumference of the whole being lessened in consequence of the weight of
the segments causing them to strive after a vertical position. The work or object
can then be slipped off.
In order to facilitate the upward sliding movement of the segments, grooves
and springs can be arranged in the block body.
For the purpose of raising the support () we provide slide bolts or rods (s)
resting on a lever (t) provided with wedge pieces () in such way, that, when said
lever is pushed to the right, said wedges engage with the under ends of the slide
bolts or rods, and, in exerting a wedge-like action on same, force them upwards.
Where the objects to be made have complicated forms, the block-die can be
composed of single pieces, as staves in a barrel, and which can be drawn out when
the work has set.
Our invention can, of course, be modified in other ways to suit different forms
of hollow glass objects desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. An improved method of shaping, decorating and cutting the edges of hollow
blown glass objects, consisting in heating the glass into a more or less plastic
state, and, while in this state, shaping same into the object required, and, simul-
taneously re-producing any design or pattern on and cutting the edges of said
object by pressing or rolling the glass between a rotary or stationary upper or
roller die and a rotary or stationary block-dic or matrice, said upper or roller die
being provided at its upper and lower ends with sharp knife-like edges or with
one or more circular cutters for cutting or smoothing the upper and lower edges of
the object respectively substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. A machine for carrying out our method characterized under Claim 1 and
consisting
(a) Of a rotary or stationary block-dic or matrice (b) hollow, so as to be

page_text: heated from inside, or solid, for use in a cold state, having any desired shape
or sectional profile and mounted on any suitable shaft, and in which the dio
or dies can be removably pivoted or suspended on to the support (r) either
as a whole or in segments, so as to rest on the upper or oblique portion of
the block or matrice and slide upwards on said support being raised, snid
block-die or matrice being actuated by a cord (4) and weight (4) in com
bination with shaft (e), rollers (ƒ), tappet (7), projection(4) and pin³.(k') (4³),
and
(4) Of a rotary or stationary upper or roller die (a) adjustably mounted
in a frame (m), having a corresponding profile to the block-ie or inatrice on
which it works and provided with sharp knife-like edges or in combination
with a circular cutter (d) or (d) substantially as shown and described.
3. In our machine as characterized in Claim 2, the use of a gas pipe (p) provided
vith openings or lateral burners, as vertical shaft in combination with the block-lie
r matrice (6) substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
4. In our machine as characterized in Claim 2. the combination of lever (t),
vedges (7), rods or bolts (s) and support (*) for raising, and lessening the
ircumference of the block-die or matrice, substantially as described and shown
n the drawings.
5. In our machine as characterized in Claim 2, the combination of frame (m)
olding the upper die, a pinion (n') mounted in said frame and nose (m') of said
rame with a pin (el), lever (0) and rack (a) for the purpose described.
Dated this 21st day of June 1894.
J. E. EVANS-JACKSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.