US798643A - Manufacture of glass sheets. - Google Patents

Description

No. 798,643. PATENTED SEPT. 5, 1905.

P. L. O. WADSWORTH.

MANUFACTURE OF GLASS SHEETS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 16, 1903.

WITNESSES 7% M mvsmon PATENT ()FFICE.

FRANK L. O. \YADSWORTH. OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

MANUFACTURE OF GLASS SHEETS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1905.

Application filed June 16,1903. Serial No. 161,658.

To (6 IIlI/lllb 'i/ 71mg concern:

Be it known that l FRANK b. O. VANS- wou'ru. of Allegheny Allegheny county. Pennsylvania. have invented a new and useful lmprovement in the M ami'facture of Glass Sheets. of which the following is a full, clear. and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 shows in longitudinal section apparatus for the practice of my invention. Fig. '2 is a partial cross-section on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view showing the construction of the bars of the pressing-surface. Fig. l is a detail view showing a modified construction of the flexible pressing-surface. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section showing a modified construction of the apparatus.

The purpose of my invention is to form glass sheets by rolling. It enables me to roll such sheets of better surface than heretofore, and it is of especial importance in the manufacture of figured or prism sheet-glass. in which it enables me to make thin sheets of greater length than has been possible by other methods and to preserve the prism-pattern during the cooling of the glass distinct and sharply defined.

The invention consists in a method of forming glass sheets by simultaneously rolling and positively pressing the sheet from a mass of molten glass. The rolling forms the sheet and the pressing holds it as it is formed.

In Figs. 1 and 2, in which I show one form of apparatus for practicing my invention. 2 is the table on which the sheet is rolled, and 3 is the roll. which is mounted upon raised portious f of the table and can be causedto travel thereover either by hand or by the application of suitable driving mechanism in the ordinary way. 5 is a flexible pressing-surface, which when used for the manufacture of prism-glass. as shown'in Figs. l, 2. and 3, is made up of a series of parallel prism-shaped bars set side by side and connected by flexible metalstrips 6 or inanyother suitable way. The pressing-surface thus constituted is attached to the table at 7 and passes under and around the roll. its otherend being preferably supported by a cord 8, which passes around a pulley 5) and is kept taut by a weight 10. At the ends of the prism-bars 5 5 are projecting rollers or pins 11, adapted to extend unde r pressers 12. which are connected with the roll or the roll-frame at the ends of the roll and travel therewith. Each presser 12 is held down. so as to press against the pins 11 either by gravity of the presser or by its gravity supplemented by spring-backed gibs 13, connected to the presser and provided with rollers H, which travel on the under side of a ledge on the table or in contact with other suitable resistanee-piece.

In the practice of my invention the roll 3 is retracted to the rear end of the table 2. and a body of plastic glass 15 is placed in front of the roll. The roll is then caused to move forward. and as it travels it flattens the glass into the form of a sheet. and the flexible pressi.ngsurface 5 which is between the roll and the glass is simultaneously pressed into or against the glass, and the portions of said surface behind the roll are held against the glass by the pressure exerted by the roll and by the pressers 12 as they travel over the glass. It will thus be seen that the glass is simultaneously rolled and flattened by the roll and pressed by the flexible pressing-surface and that as it is rolled it is held by the pressing-sitrface, and the prism-pattern on the glass is preserved distinct during the cooling and setting of the glass. The finished surface of the sheet will therefore be clearly defined. and as the forming and holding of the prisni-pattern proceeds simultaneously with its rolling f can make the sheet of any desired length and can reduce it to any desired thinness by adjusting the distance of separation between the periphery of the roll and the surface of the table.

In Fig. -l l show the flexible pressing-surface modified so as to adapt it for the manufacture of sheetglass with a plain surface or with a surface figured with a pattern of little depth. In this case the pressing-surface is preferably constituted by a steel sheet 16, which is strengthened by bars 16, attached to its outer surface. This sheet may be plain or may have a shallow figure, as desired. [ts action is similar to that of the pressing-surface of Fig. 1 in that it holds the glass sheet as it is rolled and flattened.

in Fig. 5 I show a modification of the apparatus in which instead of the flexible pressing-surface I employ pneumatic pressure for holding the sheet during the rolling operation. in this case l employ two rolls 17 and 18, mounted in a frame 1!), which incloses the space between the rolls and the edges of the table, so as to form an inclosed chamber B, and for this purpose it bears upon the peripheries of the rolls, the crevices being sealed by packing 20. A pipe 21, leading from a source of compressed air, discharges into the chamber B, and when the rolls are passed over the glass the forward roll flattens the glass into a sheet, and the pneumatic pressure simultaneously exerted upon the sheet within the chamber B holds the sheet against the table 2 as it is formed. This pressure is exerted at all points in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the formed sheet and acts practically the same as a stationary die-surface to maintain the sheet in contact with the surface of the table. The surface of the table 2 may be plain or figured, as desired. The frame 19 has lateral ex tensions which bear upon the side edges of the table and a rearward extension 19, which bears upon the rear end of the table, with an interposed packing-strip 20, so that at the beginning of the operation, before the roller 18 reaches the glass, the chamber B may be closed in such manner that the airpressure can be immediately exerted upon the glass at the beginning of the rolling operation.

Other modifications of the apparatus will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

I claim 1. The method of forming glass sheets, which consists in rolling a sheet from plastic glass, thereby applying pressure to the rolled portions, and maintaining the pressure thus applied on said rolled portions after they have been shaped; substantially as described.

2. The method of forming glass sheets, which consists in rolling a sheet from a mass of plastic material and thereby applying to the sheet a flexible pressing-surface extending between the sheet and the rolling device, and thereafter maintaining said pressingsurface in contact with the sheet; substantially as described.

3. The method of forming glass sheets, which consists in rolling the sheet from a mass of plastic material, simultaneously applying thereto a flexible pressing-surface extending between the sheet and the rolling device, and maintaining the pressure thus applied throughout the portions of the sheet in the rear of the rolling device; substantially as described.

4. The method of forming prism-sheets, which consists in rolling a glass sheet from a mass of plastic material and thereby applying a pressing and prism-holding surface to the sheet and maintaining said prism-holding surface in contact with the entire surface of the rolled sheet after it has been shaped; substantiallyas described.

5. The method of forming glass sheets, which consists in rolling the sheets from plastic glass, and simultaneous with the rolling operation applying pressure to the rolled portions, by surfaces which when in contact with the glass are practically stationary relatively thereto and maintaining substantially the rolled pressure during the setting of the glass; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK L. O. WADSWVORTH.

Witnesses:

THOMAS W. BAKEWELL, JOHN MILLER.

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