Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Manufacturing Globes, Bottles, Pipes, and other Articles of a like nature.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Manufacturing
Globes, Bottles, Pipes, and other Articles of a like nature.
A communication by ROGER SHERMAN PEASE, of Minneapolis, in the County of
Hennepin, and State of Minnesota, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester both in the County of Lancaster and 323, High Holborn in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 has reference to the manufacture of globes, bottles, pipes and
other articles of like nature, and particularly such as require to be made of varying
diameter, or of two or more diameters in different parts.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the main portion of the apparatus, showing so
much thereof as is necessary to a proper explanation of the invention.
Figure 2 a vertical central section of the same as adapted to the manufacture
of glass globes such as are used in connection with electric lights, gas lamps,
etcetera.
Figure 3 a similar view showing the apparatus adapted to the manufacture of
bottles;
Figure 4 a plan view showing the covers by which the heat is retained in the
receptacle containing the molten metal;
Figures 5 and 6 views illustrating the mode of forming the necks of bottles under
the plan.
In the present instance, the plunger is made of two or more parts having a joint
and an independent movement, whereby certain effects are produced which would
otherwise be unattainable with such an apparatus.
Referring again to the annexed drawings,-
A, indicates a receptacle designed to receive and contain molten metal, the
size of the receptacle depending somewhat upon the character of the work to be
performed, but being preferably small, so as to contain a comparatively limited
quantity of metal.
This receptacle is designed to be supplied either from pots B contained in
heating or melting ovens or chambers C, or from tanks located in said chambers,
or at other suitable points, the use of pots being generally preferred.
To retain the heat within the receptacle A, and prevent the too rapid cooling
of its contents, covers D are provided, which are hinged to swing upward out
of the way, or to be lowered to a horizontal plane coincident with the top of the
receptacle A.
E represents a plunger, which is here represented in both cases as of cylindrical
form in cross section, but which may be of any other desired form according to the
desired result.
Within the plunger E is a secondary plunger F, and so fashioned that when
drawn down flush with the top of the main plunger, it shall finish out the lines
thereof and present the appearance of one complete plunger without break or offset
of any kind.
In Figures 1 and 2 are represented this plunger as of a form corresponding
to that of the globes commonly used in electric arc lamps, the internal or

page_text: secondary plunger being of a diameter corresponding to the neck or reduced portion
of said globe, and designed to produce said neck.
Thus fashioned the two parts of the plunger are brought flush one with the other
at their tops, as shown in Figure 1, and the plunger as a whole is then passed
upward from below the surface of the molten metal contained in receptacle A, thus
carrying upward upon its upper end and outer surface, a film or body of metal
corresponding, exactly to the contour of the plunger, and of uniform thickness
throughout, except at the upper end where it will ordinarily be slightly thicker
than at the sides.
When raised to the proper height, that is to say, when the plunger reaches a
point where the proper cutting line of the film is in line with the top of the
receptacle A, or slightly above it, the movement of the plunger as a whole. is
stopped, or in other words, the main plunger E is brought to a standstill, but the
plunger F is caused to rise somewhat higher, passing through and above the
plunger E, as indicated in Figure 2.
This independent movement of the plunger causes the still plastic metal
which lies over it to be drawn upward, as indicated in said Figure 2, thereby
forming the neck of the globe or body encompassing the upper end of the main
plunger.
When in this position, if the covers D be already lowered or after lowering
them if they be elevated, sliding cutting plates G, lying upon said covers, are
thrown inward by means of hand levers H, and caused to sever the glass on the
upper end of the plunger from that below: The globe or body thus produced and
severed from the remaining portion is then lifted from the plunger before it has
time to chill and shrink, and is taken to the annealing oven and annealed, the neck
being cut off at the proper point by wrapping about it a thread of molten metal, a
heated wire, or in any other of the common and well known methods generally
made use of in glass factories.
It is sometimes desirable to free the plunger in the event of the metal becoming
unduly chilled in the receptacle A, or for other reasons, and it is therefore
preferable to make the bottom A' of said receptacle in two. independent sections
which are cut out to afford an opening conforming accurately in size and shape to
the exterior of the plunger E, said bottom sections being counterweighted so as
to properly sustain the weight of the molten metal in the receptacle, and bear
against each other and make close contact with the plunger during the work of the
apparatus.
The movements of the plungers E and F may be produced in any convenient
manner, and if desired, a number of plungers may be connected to operate in
unison:.
In the drawing is represented in Figure 1, the plunger as movable vertically
in a suitable guiding base or support, and as provided with levers I and J by
which to operate each independently of the other, a fastening pin K being
provided for locking the two cylinders together, and causing them to move in
unison when desired.
Either or both plungers may be cooled or heated as circumstances require,
by water, steam, air, or other fluid introduced into their exteriors, both plungers
being made hollow for this purpose, and to ensure lightness.
In Figure 3 is represented essentially the same construction, but with the form
of the plunger modified to adapt it to bottle making, the operation being also
slightly varied as will now be explained.
As shown in said figure, the upper ends of the plungers are fashioned to form a
depression or hollow of the same shape produced in the ordinary glass bottle, though
this is not essential.
The compound plunger thus fashioned is raised from the surface of the molten
metal in the receptacle A to a sufficient height to carry upward a layer or film. of
molten metal, and to produce the body of the bottle, the exposed surface of the

page_text: film being cooled or chilled by the surrounding atmosphere, and the interior being
cooled or chilled by the cool surface of the plunger, so that the film or body
possesses sufficient rigidity to retain its shape. while the main plunger E is drawn
down, leaving the body of the bottle sustained by the inner plunger.
The diameter of the secondary plunger F is just that of the mouth or cork hole
of the bottle. When the main plunger is drawn below the level of the molten
metal, and preferably some distance below, the secondary plunger F is raised, and
as it is raised more metal is drawn up from the mass in the receptacle A, but the
body, being unsupported from within at the point where the drawing occurs, the
diameter rapidly reduces until the metal draws from immediately against the sides
of the inner plunger F as shown in Figures 5 and 6. In this way the necking
down of the bottle is speedily and accurately performed, the same shape always
resulting, provided the consistency of the metal and the rate of movement he the
same, or substantially the same.
When the reduced or neck portion reaches the level of the covers D, they are
lowered, or if already lowered, are permitted to retain their horizontal position,
whereupon the cutting plates G are drawn inward by the levers H, the edges of
the cutting blades being curved to produce a bead on or around the mouth of the
bottle, and thus give to the bottle substantially the customary form, as shown in
Figure 6.
When the plunger is formed with a depression in its upper end, as in Figure 3,
the plastic metal may be depressed and caused to conform to said opening by
means of a correspondingly-shaped bunter or tool L, which may be merely a hand
tool, or may be carried in a movable support above the plunger and raised or
lowered to the required position at will.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:
1. The herein described method of manufacturing bottles, globes, and articles
of varying diameters in different portions, which consists in passing a two-part
plunger through a mass of molten metal to form the main body and then moving a
secondary plunger through the first to effect the formation of the reduced portion,
substantially as set forth.
2. The herein described method of forming hollow bodies of glass having
different diameters, in different parts, which consists in first passing a two-part
plunger through a mass of molten metal and thereby forming upon the plunger
the body of the article desired, withdrawing the main plunger, and leaving
said body sustained by the secondary plunger, next elevating the secondary
plunger and thereby producing the reduced portion or neck, and finally severing
the neck.
3. In combination with a receptacle adapted to contain molten metal, a plunger
movable through the metal in the same, and a second plunger movable through the
first, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In combination with a receptacle adapted to contain molten metal, a plunger
movable through the same, a second plunger movable through the first, and means
substantially such as described for moving said plungers.
5. In combination with a receptacle A and main plunger movable through the
same, a secondary plunger movable through the first, cover plates D adapted to
cover or partially cover the recep:acle A, and cutting plates G mounted upon
said cover plates and adapted to act in conjunction with the plunger to sever the
glass thereon.
6. The combination substantially as set forth of receptacle A, compound
plunger E F, cover plates D, cutting blades G, and levers H for actuating said
cutting blades.
7. In combination with receptacle A, compound plunger E F, and levers I J

page_text: for actuating said plungers, a fastening K for connecting said plungers and causing
them to move in unison.
8. In combination with receptacle A and compound plunger E F, counterbalanced
bottom sections A', substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of November 1891.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.