Improvements in the Manufacture of Wired Glass, and in Apparatus employed therein.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left. 16th July, 1891-Accepted, 1st Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Wired Glass, and in Apparatus
employed therein.
I, LEON APPERT of 16 Rue Drouot, Paris, France, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
It is unnecessary to insist upon the importance of the building kind of glass
known as wired glass, which glass when in its plastic state during the process of
manufacture has wire network incorporated with it for the purpose of avoiding by
the intimate connection thereby established between all the parts, any danger
which could possibly arise from breakage.
It is therefore important to discover a process of manufacture which while
permitting of producing such glass under conditions analogous to those existing in
the ordinary manufacture of rolled glass and consequently of approximate cost,
should preserve the essential qualities of transparency and limpidity without
diminishing its strength or increasing its fragility.
None of the attempts which have hitherto been made in this direction have given
satisfaction.
To fulfil the divers conditions required in the manufacture of this kind of glass
the process employed should permit :-
-
1. Of introducing the metallic network into the plastic glass in a complete and
regular manner and at a predetermined distance from the surfaces of the finished
glass sheet.
2. Of the employment of networks of as fine wire as possible and as open as
practicable, just sufficient in fact to fulfil the conditions of security, thus avoiding
any diminution of the transparency of the glass and risk of affecting its solidity.
The new process which constitutes my invention is characterized by the super-
position of two (or more) layers of glass perfectly united and amalgamated together
at the moment of rolling them and between which the suitably prepared metallic
network has been introduced simultaneously with the running of the two layers of
glass. It is this simultaneity of the running of the glass and the introduction of
the metallic network which characterizes my invention and differentiates it from
the methods hitherto proposed which have never permitted of obtaining an
industrial product, because the second layer of glass spread upon the network of
iron wire never united, except very imperfectly, with the first.
The mechanical arrangements which I bave designed for the carrying out of my
invention are such that the metallic network is automatically placed upon the
surface of a first layer of molten glass the thickness of which has been pre-
determined and with which it unites at once, while a second layer of the same
glass mixture is poured simultaneously and immediately above the metallic
network, this second layer uniting with the first; the thickness of the two layers
of glass after rolling gives the final thickness of the sheet of wired glass.
With this object the prepared metallic network of length and width equal to or
preferably less than those of the sheet of glass to be manufactured is wound upon a
roller placed above a rolling apparatus. The rolling apparatus may be fixed and
the table movable; or on the contrary the table may be fixed and the rolling
apparatus movable. One of the ends of the metallic network is provisionally and

page_text: during the rolling process attached to the extremity of a smooth or engraved metal
table or rolling surface.upon which the molten glass is to be poured. This metallic
network is kept at a suitable height by a gauge bar which maintains it at the
desired distance from the table, this distance being equal to the thickness of the
first layer of glass. Between the roller upon which the metallic network is wound
and the point of its attachment to the table, the network is carried under a metallic
roll carried upon the table by the intermediation of two steel gauge bars having the
thickness (variable at will) which it is desired to give to the first layer of glass, or
instead of these gauge bars the roll may have end flanges turned to the thickness
desired in the first layer of glass. Behind this roll and parallel thereto is a second
metallic roll, this roll being likewise carried upon the table by the intermediation
of two gauge bars or two flanges, these gauge bars or flanges having however the
final thickness required in the sheet of glass.
This second roll is placed at such a distance from the first as to allow of the
molten glass being poured from a ladle or crucible; this distance should be capable
of being varied for it may differ according to the nature of the glass employed and
according to the thickness of the sheet to be produced, but once fixed it should
remain the same during the course of the manufacture.
I will now describe the operation of the apparatus when the table is movable and
the roll fixed and in the reverse case.
In the first case the table is carried upon rollers or wheels running upon rails at
a suitable distance apart. The rolls above described are mounted upon shafts, the
journals of which turn in bearings which themselves slide in cast metal cages or
frames carried upon a support fixed to the ground; springs or screws acting upon
the bearings of the rolls allow of their exerting the desired pressure upon the glass
at the moment of rolling. The cage carrying the bearings of the second roll may
be moved away from or towards the cage of the first roll at will; further, pinions
mounted upon the roll shafts gear with racks placed longitudinally of the table in
such manner as to receive motion from the table at the moment of its translation,
the pinions imparting to the rolls a circumferential speed equal to that of the table
itself. The rolls carry besides at their extremities Hanges as above stated, those
of the first roll corresponding with the thickness of the first layer of glass and
those of the second roll with the final thickness of the finished sheet. Finally, a
roller having the same speed as the first roll is placed above same, this roller
serves to draw the metallic network from the roller upon which it is wound and at
the same time to stretch it transversely. With this object the surface of this
roller is made in the form of a carding roller or provided with projections upon
which the wires of the network can take momentarily; the roller is in the form of
a barrel so that the network tends continually to become opened and enlarged.
To maintain the tension of the metallic network it is well to provide the roller
upon which it is wound with some system of brake which will permit of arresting
its rotation or of regulating it at will.
The operation of manufacturing a sheet of wired glass is as follows:-The
metallic network having been attached to the table by means of wires as fine as
possible, the glass is poured in the ordinary manner from a ladle or crucible upon
the table in front of the first roll, the table is at the same time put in motion. The
network, actuated tangentially to the first roll with which it is in contact, unites
with the glass which is rolled at the same time by the roll always remaining at the
distance, from the table represented by the thickness of the sheet of glass and at
the surface of same; then as soon as the operation has been commenced another
quantity of liquid glass is poured between the two rolls. This second quantity of
glass is rolled in its turn upon the other and uniting therewith forms the sheet of
glass which is thus finished in its final dimensions.
In the second case, that in which the table is fixed and the rolls are movable, the
roller containing the wire network is still placed above the rolling apparatus; one
of the ends of the network being attached as in the first case to the table. The
portion of the network comprised between the roller and the point of attachment

page_text: passes as before round a tension roller, then under the first roll at a distance from
the table equal to the thickness of the flanges of the roll or of the gauge bars upon
which it bears. The tensiou roll and second roll are carried upon the same support
as the first roll and follow the movement of translation which is given to the latter
in any suitable manner.
As in the first case, the molten glass is poured in front of the first roll and the
support carrying the rolls is put in motion; a fresh quantity of molten glass is at
once poured between the two rolls. The rolling of the glass and the completion of
the sheet are then effected as before.
The rolling having been completed the wires by which the metallic network is
held to the table are cut with shears and the sheet of glass is placed in an annealing
furnace where it is re-heated and annealed in the ordinary way.
The operation having been completed the apparatus is prepared for the next.
This is effected by replacing the roller that held the wire network by another upon
which another length of the network has been wound; this is secured to the table
and stretched tant; the apparatus is then ready to commence another operation.
The roller should be loose upon its axis and the tension be produced by the other
roller.
It will be seen that in employing this process there is nothing to prevent the
obtaining of sheets of glass of similar dimensions to the ordinary sheets produced
by rolling. To avoid all possibility of deformation of the metallic network which
should be in the form of a very large meshed web of very fine wire for the reasons
above stated, it is previously wound upon the roller by fixing it at its extremity
upon the roller, for example by means of attachments composed of any combustible
material which in unwinding will represent a length greater than the distance
between their point of attachment to the roller and the underside of the first roll;
in this way the wire web will be maintained in contact with this roll till the last
moment, the heat of the glass then by burning the combustible attachments
completely destroys the connection.
This process of manufacture is most simple and the glass produced will cost but
little more than the ordinary kind.
When in consequence of the nature of the glass or of that of the metal employed
in the manufacture of the metallic network or in cousequence even of the physical
state of such network which may be more or less affected, it is desirable that the
network should remain only for the strict minimum of time in contact with the
fluid glass poured on to the table in front of the first roll.
The general arrangement of the apparatus may be modified by placing before
the first roll, another roll which may be equal to or less than the first roll but
always of sufficient dimensions to prevent the molten glass from passing over it
while being poured on to the table. Motion is also imparted to this roller which
effects a commencement of the rolling process which is then continued by the first
roll, incrusting the wire network with the surface of the layer of glass which it
forms simultaneously.
This additional roll may be replaced by a kind of knife placed in front of the
first roll and the object of which is to protect the wire web which passes round this
roll from immediate contact with the molten glass at the moment of its being
poured on to the table. The lower part of the knife is in this case placed at a
sufficient distance from the table to perimit of the molten glass passing underneath
it in the form of a drawn sheet of sufficient thickness in which the first roll incrusts
the wire web as above described and which this roll brings to the degree of
thickness required in the first layer of glass.
The necessary and sufficient condition required to be fulfilled in order that this
modification may be efficacious is that the dimensions of the additional roll and its
distance (or in the case of the knife the distance only) above the table, shall be
such that the glass may be at a sufficiently high temperature to allow of the wire
web becoming readily incrusted therewith whatever may be the fusibility of the
glass employed.

page_text: I have found it of advantage, in order to prevent warping or bulging of the wire
web to maintain it against the first roll by means of a small roller.
Dated this 14th day of April 1894.
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent.
COMILININ DECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Wired Glass, and in Apparatus
employed therein.
I, LÉON APPERT of 16 Rue Drouot, Paris, France, 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:-
The importance and value for various purposes of glass reinforced by a metallic
trellis or network embodied therein, are well understood, and need not here be set
forth. It has therefore, been very desirable to discover a process which, while
admitting of the production of such article, under conditions analogous to those
attending the manufacture of ordinary rolled glass, and consequently at a moderate
price, would preserve all the essential qualities of limpidity and transparency of
the glass, without reducing its resistance or increasing its fragility.
Attempts in this direction have been made in 1886 when it was proposed to place
a metallic trellis or network between two glass plates, and unite the latter. This
attempt however, was unsuccessful as the product possessed neither homogeneity
nor cohesion.
In 1892 it was proposed to obtain the desired result by forcing into
the body of molten glass a metallic network or trellis. The chief difficulties
attending this process are that a netting of light wires such as it is very important
to use so as not to impair the essential properties of transparency and limpidity,
could not be forced in that manner into the body of the glass, and that it is not
easy by this plan to embed the netting regularly. and at the proper uniform distance
from the surfaces of the sheet.
To satisfy the various conditions which this manufacture requires, it is necessary,
first that the metallic trellis be introduced into the glass paste in a regular manner
and at such distance from the surface of the sheet as may be determined upon
beforehand second that a trellis with wires as thin as possible and with a very
large mesh should be employed so as not to impair the transparency and. solidity of
the glass.
The object of the present invention is to accomplish the desirable results above
specified, and it is characterized by the continuous and progressive formation of
two layers of molten glass, and the simultaneous introduction between them
of the metallic trellis or network and the compression of the whole into a solid,
uniform and homogeneous body or sheet. The simultaneous formation of the two
layers with the fabric enclosed between them, and the progressive formation of the
complete product, make my invention practical, successful and economical and
distinguish it from the processes referred to above.
The mechanical arrangements which I have devised to carry out this process,
and which by way of example are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, are
such that the metallic netting is placed on the first layer of melted glass, of
predetermined thickness and united thereto, while the second layer of glass is
poured simultaneously and directly on top of the wire netting which second layer
unites with the first, and whose thickness, after being rolled down, gives the desired
thickness to the entire sheet.

page_text: Figures 1 and 2 are views respectively in elevation and vertical section of
apparatus suitable for carrying out the invention;
Figures 3, 4 and 5 are details in section and elevation transverse of the moulding
table;
Figure 6 is a diagram in side elevation ;
Figures 7 and 8 are details in longitudinal section illustrating modified arrange-
ments.
The netting is prepared of a length and thickness equal to, or preferably slightly
less than the dimensions of the desired sheet, and is rolled on a spool A, placed at
the top of the apparatus, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
In Figure 1 the rolling or pressing devices are fixed, and the table movable,
while in Figure 2 the table is stationary and the rolling devices are movable.
One end a of the metallic netting is temporarily attached to the end of table T
upon which the glass is poured. This netting t is supported by a rule 7, which
supports it at the required distance from the surface of the table. Between
roller A and the point of attachment a the netting is supported by metallic
roller B, which runs upon two steel rails 1, 2 on table T, these rails having a
thickness corresponding to that to be given to the first layer of glass as indicated
in Figures 4 and 5; or the roller may be provided with flanges 3 and 4 turned to
the proper thickness, as indicated in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Behind roller B, and
parallel with it is another pressure roller C, also supported on the table in a
manner similar to roller B, but at a sufficiently greater distance from the tablę T
to give the finished sheet its proper thickness.
Roller C is placed at a distance from roller B such that the melted glass may
be poured from a ladle or crucible between them. This distance may vary
according to the nature of the glass employed and according to the thickness of
the sheet, but that distance once determined for a particular product should be
maintained during its entire manufacture.
The apparatus operates, according to whether the table is movable or stationary
as follows: In the first instance (Figure 1) the table is supported on wheels 5
running on rails 6, suitably distanced. The pressure rollers B, C are mounted on
shafts 7 journaled in bearings 8, adjustable in ways 9, the latter being supported
by the stationary frame K. Adjusting screws 10 are provided to regulate the
pressure of the rollers on the glass. The ways 9 of roller C may be brought closer
to or removed farther from those of roller B. Moreover the pinions P carried by
the shafts engage racks R (Figure 3) running lengthwise of the table, so that the
rollers turn at a surface speed corresponding with that of the table.
A fourth roller D may be provided, which has the same speed as roller B, and is
placed above it, as shown in Figures 1 and 6. Its object is to carry the netting t,
and at the same time spread it transversely. To obtain the latter effect, the surface
of this roller may be made like a carding cylinder, being furnished with projections,
with which the wires of the netting may momentarily engage, the roller being
like a barrel.
To maintain the tension of the netting it is advisable to provide roller A upon
which the netting is wound with a brake of any sort, such as a weight W. (Figure 6).
To make the glass 1 proceed as follows: The netting being attached to the table
by wires as fine as can be used, the glass is poured in the ordinary manner, on
table T in front of the roller B, as indicated at b, and at the same time the table is
set in motion. The netting actuated tangentially to roller B, becomes immediately
incorporated with the glass, which at the same time and by the action of the same
roller is rolled down to a uniform thickness. The netting is thus placed and
remains at the determined distance from the surface of the table. As soon as the
operation has fairly commenced, a fresh quantity of melted glass is poured between
rollers B, C at c. This batch of glass in its turn is rolled down upon that first
poured, becoming perfectly united to it, and forming a homogeneous sheet of glass
of the definite dimensions desired. Thus the operation continues progressively.

page_text: In the second case where the table is fixed (Figure 2) the spool A of netting is
placed at the top of the movable frame E. One end of the netting is attached to
the table as before. The portion of the netting between the spool and point of
attachment is supported by a tension roller D, and passes under roller B at the
proper distance from the table. The rollers B, D and C are carried by the
frame E, which is, when in operation, moved over the surface of the table.
The operation of pouring the layers of glass, and rolling the same is effected in the
manner already described.
The rolling having been performed, the wires which attach the netting to the
table are quickly severed, and the whole sheet is carried immediately to the
annealing furnace, where it is reheated to the annealing point in the usual way.
For a second operation the spool A is replaced by another, and brought to a
proper tension. The operation then proceeds as before.
It will be seen that in this process there is no obstacle to the production of sheet
glass of all the usual dimensions, as commonly made by rolling; but to avoid all
possibility of the netting being distorted or misplaced, which is the more likely to
occur with the large-mesh fabric made of very fine wires, it is preferably fixed to
spool A by means which automatically attach and release it at the moment its last
end comes under roller B.
It will be observed that since the spool A is some distance from the roller B, the
netting must be attached to the former by a flexible material capable of being
unwound, and of a length sufficient to reach from the spool to the under side of
roller B. This attaching web may be of any fabric or material which is destroyed
by heat, so that the moment it comes into contact with the melted glass it will
part from the netting, the latter being until that moment maintained under proper
tension.
This process of manufacture, with embodied metallic netting is very simple and
will add but slightly to the cost of ordinary sheet glass.
Where from the nature of the glass, or of the netting used, or where in con-
sequence of the physical condition of the latter, there is need that the netting
should remain in contact for a minimum time with the fluid glass first poured in
front of roller B, the apparatus may be modified by placing in front of said roller,
as shown in Figure 7 a supplemental roller F, of the same or of smaller diameter,
but always of such dimensions that the glass at the time of pouring shall not ride
.over it.
This roller F also receives movement of rotation, and effects a preliminary rolling
down of the first layer which is completed by roller B, while incorporating the
netting into the surface of the sheet of glass. The roller F may be replaced by a
blade or scraper L, as shown in Figure 8 and having the same object, namely to
protect the netting against immediate contact with the glass at the moment of
pouring. The lower edge of the blade is arranged a suitable distance from the
table, so that the glass passes underneath it in the form of a sheet, into which the
first cylinder embeds the netting, as before stated, while bringing the layer to its
final thickness.
In some cases it may be advantageous in order to prevent the bulging of the
metallic netting to press it against the roller B by means of a small roller G, as
shown in Figure 7.
The invention obviously is not limited to the use of the precise apparatus
described, since the principle thereof may be applied in various ways; nor is it
limited to the production of smooth surfaced sheets, since the latter may have
impressed thereon, in the process of manufacture, designs in intaglio or relievo, on
one or both sides.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The process of making sheets of glass with a metallic trellis or net work

page_text: embedded therein, said process consisting in continuously and progressively pouring
and forming two layers of molten glass, one above the other, and simultaneously
introducing between them the metallic trellis or network, substantially as
described.
2. The process of making sheets of glass with a metallic network or trellis
embedded therein, the said process cousisting in pouring and rolling out a layer of
glass, simultaneously applying the trellis to the surface thereof, pouring a second
layer of glass upon the trellis and rolling the same, the operation being carried on
progressively, substantially as described.
3. The described apparatus for the manufacture of glass sheets with an embedded.
network, the said apparatus comprising pressure devices or rollers one behind the
other for simultaneously acting upon several superposed layers of glass, the rollers
being separated a sufficient distance to form a pouring space and the spool for the
netting, and devices for feeding the same under the first pressure device or roller,
the table and pressure devices being movable one relatively to the other,
substantially as described.
4. The combination with the table upon which the sheet of glass is to be formed;
of pressure rollers for forming simultaneously several layers of glass, the periphery
of the second pressure roller being supported at a greater distance from the surface of
the table than that of the first roller, a spool for the wire netting, and means for
conducting the same under the first pressure roller, so that the latter while
rolling out the first layer incorporates the netting therewith, substantially as
described.
5. The combination of the table, the pressure rollers supported at different
distances above the surface of the table, the spool and devices for feeding the wire
netting under the first roller as the latter moves over the surface of the glass, and
means for applying tension to the wire-netting, substantially as described.
6. The combination with the table, the pressure rollers supported at different
distances from the table for simultaneously forming several superposed layers of
glass and uniting them into a single sheet, the means for unwinding a spool of wire
netting as the rolling proceeds and passing it around the pressure roller that
compresses the first layer, and a supplemental roller or shield acting upon the
molten glass in front of the said pressure roller, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
Dated this 16th day of July 1894.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.