US729237A - Blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs. - Google Patents

Description

No. 729,237. PATENTED MAY 26, 190s.l A. SWAN. BLOWING OFP MACHINE PoR LAMP BULBS.

N0 MODEL.

Witnesses: ,Inventors m: Normas PETERS co, Primo-Uma.. wwmsron, n. c.

g rrED STATES Patented May Q6, 1909;;

PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED swAN, or NEw YORK, N. Y., AssieNoR To GENERAL ELECTRIC' COMPANY, A CORPORATION orf-NEW YORK.

BLOwlNe-OFF MACHINE FOR LAMP-BULBS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No; 729,237, dated May 26, 1903;

Application filed June 13,1901.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be tknown that I, ALFRED SWAN, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Blowing-Off Machines for Lamp-Bulbs, of which the following is a specification.

In the manufacture or' incandescent-electric lamps the glass bulbs in which the vacuum is formed to inclose the carbon iilament are furnished the lamp-m aker by the glass manufacturer7 with a long neck to the bulb, and in preparing the bulb for the stem which carries the carbon filament it is necessary to remove part of this neck. This is commonly done by hand,

v the bulb being revolved horizontally in a blowpipe-flame until the glass is properly softened, after which the extra length is severed by the Operator.

My present invention relates to means for accomplishing this result more rapidly and effectively and with a greater uniformity in the character of the edge left by the separation of the parts.

In carrying out my invention I mount the bulb in a vertical position and cause to play upon it at the point where it is to be cut a blowpipe-ame with means, such as a rotation of the bulb in the flame, for uniformly applying the heat to all points of the line on which the neck is to be cut. The application of the flame is continued until the glass softens and the extra length of neck drops oif by gravity, the remaining portion of the neck closing together, so as to form a seal. I provide means for applying air-pressure within the bulb at this moment, by which the softened glass where it is closed in is blown out into an extremely thin iilm which ruptures under the air-pressure and leaves a good edge around the bottom of the bulb for sealing in the lamp-stem. To facilitate the application Of air-pressure at the proper juncture, I mount a tube connected with supply of air which may be instantly brought against the bulb or its tubulature, so as to supply the pressure for the blowing-offoperation. IA preferably arrange the end of the air-pipe in the form of a bell which surrounds the tubulature and comes down on the top of the bulb, a packing Serial No. 64,438. (No model.) l

of soft rubber being applied at the mouth of the bell to provide an air-tight joint. I provide means for rendering this operation easy to the operator, such as a treadle, by which the blowpipe-iiame is automatically reduced at the moment air-pressure is applied to admit of an effective blowing-orf Operation.

My invention involvesl various improvements, the novelty of which will be hereinafter more fully described.

I believe it is broadly 4novel to work glass in the way herein described-that is to say, to soften it in a blOwpipe-lame while in a vertical position, .in which the parts when softened tend to assume a position symmetrical with respect to the axis of the bulb or other part being operated upon, then to cause the glass to close in, so as to form an air-tight seal, and then to apply pressure for blowing ofi', as hereinbefore described.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a machine for carrying out my'invention, Figure l is a sectional view, parts being shown in elevation; and Fig. 2 is a detail view of the gas and air cock for regulating the flame and air-pressure.,

l represents a part of an operators table in which is mounted a rotative frame 2, driven by a belt 3. The frame is mounted on an easyrunning bearing, shown in the drawings as a ball-bearing. This frame is provided with a socket at the top, as indicated at 4, to re- `ceive the bulb of an incandescent lamp or other glass body which is to be treated.

These bulbs as they come to the operator for the blowing-Off operation are provided with a long neck 5, which must be cut oil' at a point a short distance below the swell of the bulb where the joint is to be made with the stem which carries the lamp-filament. These bulbs are provided with tubulatures 6, which are added by the lamp-maker for the purpose of facilitating the exhaustingv Operation.

Mounted on a fixed part of the framework of the machine is a hollow casting 7, which may, as indicated iu Fig. 1, be made up of two pieces, one of which contains two circular grooves S S, communicating with pipes 9 9 for the supply of gas and air to provide a blowpipe-liame. The iixed pipes communicate with iexible tubes leading to gas and IOO air supply mains 10 10, a cut-off apparatus or valve being interposed to control the supply of air or gas. The blowpipe-iiames may be produced in the usual manner, as shown in the drawings. Rows of air-pi pes communicating with the circular ducts 8 8 are provided, the tips pointing toward a common center, as indicated at 1l, through which the axis of the bulb projects, the gas being delivered from a set of pipes communicating with the common supply-duct 8 and discharging from perforated heads, as 12, one for each air-jet, all the jets, both air and gas, being provided with adjusting-cocks, as indicated in 1.

The f rame on which the air and gas pipes are mounted is adapted to slide vertically, as

indicated in Fig. 1, and may be adjusted by .without a relative adjustment of the fire and bulb the remaining portion of the neck would be of uneven lengths. The operator, however, by a simple manipulation of the handle 14 may turn out a uniform product. The

.revolution of the frame carrying the bulb causes a uniform distribution of heat around the neck of the bulb andthe glass is uniformly softened and drops off under the weight of the lower part, the remaining part closing together, so as to seal the bulb. As soon as the parts are disconnected, the operator, by pressing her foot on a treadle 15, shifts a valve 16, which cuts off the gas and air supply from the burners, leaving` only a dim ame. The valve is connected with a toggle 17, controlled by a spiral spring 1S, and when open connects the gas and air supply pipes 10 10 with the pipes 9 9". A branch from the air-pipe connects through a rubber tube 19 with an iron pipe 20, pivoted for movement in a vertical plane on a standard 21 at a point indicated in dotted lines at 2Oa and normally thrown upward by means of a helical spring 22. This pipe carries at its end a bell-shaped cup 23, having a soft-rubber lining with a projecting lip 24 to'bear on the top of the bulb and deep enough to inclose the tubnlature 6 of the bulb. The treadle 15 is connected by a link 25 with the pivoted pipe 20, so that when the gas is cut off by an operation of the treadle the cup 2l is brought against the bulb and air-pressure simultaneously applied by which the softened closed-in neck is blown out into a thin film which iiakes off from the edge and leaves an edge satisfactory for the sealing-in operation. W hen the treadle is depressed, the valve 16 is locked in a closed position by means of a spring-actuated latch 26, the nose of which engages a sliding rod 27, connected to the link 28, the upper end of which is secured to the operating-toggle. After the blown-off bulb has been removed and a new one inserted the latch may be released by the operator pressing her foot on the rod 29, which bears upon a projection 30 of the latch, (see Fig. 2,) thereby releasing the slide 27 and permitting the spring 1S to restore the gas and air pressure to the blowpipe-ame, thereby applying the lire t0 the new bulb.

By the means herein described, the bulb being vertically supported, a uniform blowingoff operation may be effected by an unskilled operator. The softened glass closes in symmetrically with respect to the axis of the bulb and produces a circular cut, all parts of which lie in the same plane transverse to the bulb axis, whereas in the blowing-off operation made while the bulb is supported horizontally a skilled operator is necessary to produce good work.

That I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. Means for blowing off lamp-bulbs, comprising a bulb-support for maintaining the bulb in a vertical position and having free space below the bulb, means for distributing a flame uniformly along a line of cutting below the support, and means for applying pressure to the bulb after the severed part has fallen olf.

2. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a bulb-support for maintaining the bulb in a vertical position, means for distributing a flame along a line below the support whereby the bulb is severed and the end of the supported part closes in, and means for applying air-pressure to the interior of thev bulb after the parts are severed.

A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a bulb-support for maintaining the bulb in a vertical position, means for heating it along the line of the cut whereby the bulb is severed and the unsupported part falls by gravity when the glass is softened, and means for applying pressure to the bulb after the parts have been severed.

4C. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a rotary support for revolving the bulb with its axis in a vertical position, means for directing a flame along the line of the cut whereby the bulb is severed and the unsupported part falls by gravity when the glass is softened, and means for lowering the name and applying pressure to the interior of the bulb.

5. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a rotary frame carrying a holder for supporting the bulb in a vertical position, means for directing a` flame against the bulbneck below the support to cut oif a portion thereof, and means for rupturing the seal formed in the bulb-neck.

' 6. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a frame carrying means for supporting the bulb in a vertical position and having an opening below the bulb, means for IOO IIO

directing` a flame against the bulb-neck,1neans for adjusting the bulb and flame relatively to each other, and means for changing the pressure within the bulb so as to rupture the seal formed in the bulb-neck.

7. A blowing-oft' machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a support to grasp the bulb between its ends and maintain it in a vertical position, said support being provided with an opening below the bulb, means for supplying' a horizontal flame to fuse the glass below the support, and a pressure-pipe for applying pressure to the bulb to blow off the seal at the point of fusion.

S. A blowing-off machine for lampbulbs, comprising a rotary holder for the bulb having an opening below the bulb, an annular row of gas-burners to fuse the glass between the support and the lower end of the bulb so that the bulb is severed and the severed part is free to fall, a pressure-pipe for conducting air to the bulb tubulature, and means for cutting down the flame when the pressure-pipe is connected.

f). A blowing-olf machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a rotary holder for the bulb, means for directing a gas-ame against the bulbneck for fusing' the glass on a horizontal line and causing the unsupported portion below the flame to drop olf and the neck of the bulb to close in at that point, a pressure-pipe for conducting air to the tubulature, and means for simultaneously cutting down the iiaine and applying air-pressure to the interior of the bulb.

10. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a rotary holder for the bulb, means for supplying` a gas-flame for fusing the glass on a horizontal line, a movable pressure-pipe provided with an elastic tip to surround the 1,3 iV j;

tubulature, and a valve to cut down the flame and admit pressure to the pipe.

11. v A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a rotary holder for thebulb to maintain the same in a vertical position, means for directing a flame on the bulb-neck and adjusting it vertically thereon whereby the neck is severed at the point of heating, and means for applying pressure within the bulb to blow off the seal left after the neck has been severed.

12. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a holder to maintain the bulb in a vertical position grasping it between its ends, a pivoted pressure-pipe provided with' an elastic mouth, means for supplying a iiamc, and means for cutting down the iiame and applying air-pressure to the pipe.

13. Ablowing-oi'l machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a holder to maintain the bulb in a vertical position grasping it between the ends, means for directing a flame horizontally, a pressure-pipe, a valve controlling air and gas pressure, a valve-operating device, and a latch to hold the same set.

14. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a holder to maintain the bulb in a vertical position grasping it between its ends, means for directing a iiame horizontally, a spring-controlled pressure-pipe, a treadle for applying the pipe to the bulb and simultaneously cutting down the flame, and a latch for retaining the parts in a position in which the flame is cut down.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of June, 1901.

ALFRED SWVAN.

Witnesses:

S. N. VHITEHEAD, JOHN E. MITCHELL, Jr.

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