US3607186A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for forming hollow articles from sheet glass
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
•
Filing: 1970-04-08
•
Granted: 1971-09-21
•
Expires: 1990-04-08
Abstract
Abstract Sheet glass positioned upon a preheated forming mold is rapidly heated to approximately its softening point whereupon, as the sheet begins to sag, it is controllably fed into the forming cavity of the mold by the simultaneous application of vacuum to such cavity and pressure to a feeding surface surrounding such cavity, so as to form a hollow article of substantially the same uniform thickness as the glass sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Lewis L Bognar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:51
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B23/00; C03B23/02; C03B23/023; C03B23/035; C03B23/0352; C03B23/0357
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a raised radiused neck ring portion extending about the entrance of said mold cavity, between said mold cavity and said tapered feeding surface, to provide a barrier between said vacuum means and said pressure means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said glass-feeding means includes, a plurality of feeding arms, and means for moving said arms in unison radially inwardly toward the center of said mold cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the means for moving said arms radially inwardly includes a rack portion formed on an outer end of each said arm, a pinion cooperably engageable with said rack portion, and controllable electric motor means for driving said rack and pinion to linearly move said feeding arm inwardly and outwardly with respect to the center of said mold cavity.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of forming hollow articles from sheet glass including the steps of preheating a mold having a cavity of desired configuration to a temperature approximately the softening point temperature of the sheet glass to be formed, initially supporting a blank of sheet glass to be formed on a surface above the preheated mold cavity, simultaneously applying radiant heat to the upper and lower surfaces of said blank to rapidly heat the same to approximately its softening point, permitting the softened sheet to initially free sag by gravity, then applying vacuum to the mold cavity while simultaneously providing between said blank and the supporting surface above said cavity fluid at a higher pressure than said vacuum, and pulling said softened sheet into the mold cavity by suction to vacuum form an article therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein the vacuum is applied to the cavity and the pressure applied to the supporting surface prior to such time as the freely sagging sheet contracts the cavity therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of forming hollow articles as defined in claim 5 wherein the mold is cooled to approximately the annealing temperature of the glass, and then the newly formed article is removed therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of forming hollow articles as defined in claim 5 wherein edge portions of the glass blank are guided during the pulling of the blank into the mold cavity so as to maintain the glass concentrically aligned over such cavity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
A method of forming hollow articles as defined in claim 5 wherein said mold is preheated to approximately the softening temperature of the glass to be formed in a gas-air fired kiln, a substantially round glass blank to room temperature is positioned on the supporting surface, and radiant heat is initially applied to both sides of the glass sheet at a substantially equal rate by the emission of radiant heat from the preheated mold surfaCe to the under surface of the glass blank and by the application of radiant heat from the gas-air heaters to the upper surface of the glass blank.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-20 | 1975-03-22 | 1975-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-20 | 1979-03-22 | 1979-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-20 | 1983-03-22 | 1983-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |