US2259755A - Apparatus for producing a continuous glass strip - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 21, 1941. 5. LE MARE 2,259,755

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A CONTINUOUS GL ASS STRIP Filed Dec. 12, 1938 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A CONTINU- oUs GLASS STRIP Ernest 'Bristow Le Mare, St. Helens, England, as,-

signor to Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio Application December 12, 1938, Serial No. 245,11 In Great Britain February 8, 1938 2 Claims.

formation is necessarily slow and the strip 'while plastic is liable to deformation if not supported at every point. In this respect difliculty has been found in supporting the strip in the interval between the forming roller and the next adjacent supporting means, whether this be a roller or a stationary bed. If it be a roller there is necessarily an interval between the line of contact of the strip with the forming. roller and that with the supporting roller, and it is found that the edges of the strip sag downwards and are stretched in this interval. When the strip becomes flattened on its under surface by its subsequent supporting means, the stretched edge portions curl upwards and present difliculties in the grinding of the strip.

A triangular shaped bed has been used to bridge the interval between the forming roller and the next adjacent supporting means, but a bed in this position is subjected to so much heat, in the case of a continuous process in which there is no interval for cooling, that it has been found imshowing an alternative form of strip rolling apparatus.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the lower .and upper rollers I and 2 respectively roll the molten glass 3 into a continuous strip 4, which is shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. After leaving the lower roller I, at the point 5, the strip comes into contact with a stationary bed 6, at the point I, and thereafter rests on the bed. The strip 4 in apparatus heretofore used, passes from the point 5 to the point I without support and it has been found, as mentioned above, that in this gap the edge portions cfthestrip sag downwards.

Side members 8 are supported on extensions 9 of the bed 6 and retained in place by projections l0 and engaging grooves I I in the extensions. The side members 8 substantially bridge the gap between the lines of support at 5 and I, and their outer surfaces I2 are curved to the curve which the strip takes in passing from one line of support to the other. The side members 8 then prevent downward saggingof the edges. of the strip without altering the course of the strip in passing from the roller'I to the bed 6.

Figure 3 shows the device applied to a rolling apparatus with roller bed ofrollers I3, instead of possible to preventits deformation, even when it is water-cooled. The same diiiiculty arises when the next adjacent supporting means is a stationary bed. If the stationary bed be continued up to the line at which the strip leaves the forming roller, it becomes deformed by the great heat to l which it is there subjected;

According to the invention, the main portion "of the strip passes from the forming roller to the next adjacent supporting means without support and over this gap it becomes substantially cooler,

and can then be supported on'a roller or on a stationary bed without diiliculty. Narrow side members are then provided to support the edge portions in this gap so that they. do not sag downwards and become stretched. The surface of these members is shaped to the curve taken by the main portion of the strip, so that they do not alter the normal course taken passing over the gap.

In the accompanyingdrawing: Figure 1 is a. vertical cross-section of the device,

by. the strip in showing a strip rolling apparatus partly broken away;

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1 on a much reduced scale, omitting the upper roller, and

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 of any supporting means overan interval im- 7 mediately following its formation, without any.

a stationary bed, the upper roller 2 being omitted. The rollers are carried on side frames II, and the side members 8 are bolted to extensions I5 of these frames, 1

The form of mounting of the side members 8 shown in Figures 1 and 2 permits the members being adjusted laterally in" position, to suit different widths of strip. 3

A convenient width for-each support has been found to be about two andfa half inches, and it is preferable that the edge ofthe strip should overhang the support, as shown at I6, Figure 2, by a distance so small that the overhanging part does not sag. An overhangflof- %inch has been found satisfactory for strip 101 mm. in thickness. The supports may be made ofvarious materials. Graphite-has been found satisfactory, but is subject to wear. cooling means be provided. A metal of better heat conductivity, such as copper or brass may be used without special cooling means. The supports are chamfered on their inner edges I! to prevent formation of a ridge on the strip.

I By means of the invention, the advantage is retained of keeping the strip substantially free disadvantage due to sagging of the edges.

Cast iron or steel may be used if a curved path from the said forming rollers to the said horizontal support, of side members substantially bridging the gap located so as to support the edge portions only of the strip, the supporting surface of said side members being curved to correspond to the curve taken by the unsupported central body portion of the said strip in passing over said gap.

2. The combination with a pair of forming rollers for rolling a continuous strip of glass, 8. horizontal support for horizontally receiving the rolled strip thereon from the forming rollers and separated from said forming rollers by a gap over which the central body portion of the strip is unsupported, said horizontal support being also located beneath the point where the strip leaves the forming rollers so that the unsupported central body portion of said strip follows a curved path from the said forming rollers to the said horizontal support, of side members substantially bridging the gap located so as to support the edge portions only of the strip, the supporting surface of said side members being curved to correspond to the curve taken by the unsupported central body portion'of the said strip in passing over said gap, and means for adjustably mounting said side members for movement toward and away from one another so that the strip will overhang the said side members without sagging of the overhanging portions.

ERNEST BRISTOW LE MARE.

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