GB566628A - Improved glass working apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

566,628. Welding and jointing glass. HADDAN, R. (Corning Glass Works). May 24, 1943, No. 8245. [Class 56] - Apparatus for fusing together parts of a glass article comprises a kiln with a pair of vertically aligned chucks arranged therein, and means associated with the upper chuck for moving an article arranged on the lower chuck to a predetermined position with respect to the chucks. The apparatus shown is intended for making double-walled window panes according to the method described in Specification 566,629. The kiln 12, Fig. 1, is heated by a number of heating-elements 13 and is provided with a door 64 having a window 66. The lower chuck 19 is supported by rods 18 which pass through the floor of the kiln and are moved, to raise and lower the chuck, by a hand lever 24. The chuck comprises a face 21, of refractory and electrically insulating material, which is connected by a pipe 22 and a flexible hose to a suction pump, the glass article being held in the chuck by suction. The upper chuck 33, which also operates by suction, is coaxial with the chuck 19 and is attached to a tubular shaft 32 that depends from a frame member 31. A sleeve 36 which surrounds the shaft 32 is pivoted at its upper end to a hand lever 37, and at its lower end is surrounded by a flange 57, Fig. 2, which fits into the hub of a spider 40. Links 42 are pivoted to the spider, and the lower end of each link is pivoted to the support 43 of a folding-bar 50. A balanced lever 61 carries a frame 60 which supports electrodes 63. These pass through the crown of the kiln and are spaced according to the article being made. When making a double-walled window pane, two sheets of glass 70, 71 are placed on the chuck face 21 and are aligned by fingers 52 secured to the bars 50, as shown in Fig. 1. The sheets of glass are then lifted into contact with the upper chuck, and suction is applied to both chucks to cause them to grip the sheets. Next, the sheets are separated by lowering the chuck 19, and electrodes 61 are brought into contact with the corners of the sheet 70, as shown in Fig. 2. Current from the electrodes heats and softens the marginal portions of the sheet, as described in Specification 566,629. Next, the plastic edges of the sheet are folded down by means of the bars 50 so that the sheet is forced into a shallow inverted dish. Finally, the sheet 71 is raised and pressed into contact with the down-turned edges of the sheet 70.