US3622294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing coated flat glass
Assignee: Pilkington Group Ltd
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Filing: 1969-06-06
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1989-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A hollow glass article having predetermined characteristics, e.g. weathering, electrical conductivity, solar heat rejection, is produced by supporting the article, when hot, on a bath of molten metal, placing an electrically conductive material in the article, and passing a regulated electric current through the glass to impart electrolytically the desired surface characteristic to the glass.
Inventors
- 👤 David Gordon Loukes
- 👤 Albert Sidney Robinson
- 👤 Jack Lawrenson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:19
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03C; C03C21/00; C03C21/001; C03C21/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said article advancing means comprises guide rails in the bath of molten metal arranged to determine the path of an article through the bath, the rails being fixed at a depth below the bath surface which determines the depth of immersion of the articles in the bath.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said article advancing means further comprises a chain drive mounted to extend through the treatment chAmber just above the bath surface, and fingers fixed at regular intervals on the drive to engage in an article on the conveyor and advance that article through the chamber to the conveyor at the outlet from the chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said means for moving said second connector with an article comprises a carriage running on a cam track fixed in the chamber above the bath surface, the second connector consists of an electrode rod mounted on the carriage, and said apparatus further comprises means for driving the carriage along the cam track in synchronism with the chain drive, the cam track being shaped so that the electrode rod dips into and advances with a hollow article being advanced by said fingers along the bath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said removing means comprises an open-ended frame for receiving and holding each article as it is advanced away from the bath, and a tilting mechanism on which said frame is mounted, to tilt the article and pour the molten layer from the hollow in the article.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of producing a hollow glass article having predetermined characteristics other than the natural characteristics inherent in the method of forming the article, comprising thermally conditioning the article at a temperature in the range of about 600* C to 700* C so that it is sufficiently hot to be electrically conductive, supporting the hot hollow article with its hollow uppermost, on a bath of molten metal over which a protective atmosphere including a reducing agent is maintained, placing a measured quantity of molten metal in the hollow in the article to form a layer therein, making electrical connection with said layer and said bath, passing a regulated electric current through the glass between the layer and the bath to impart a desired metallic migration into the article, and separating the treated article from the bath while the article is still within said protective atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said electric current is passed through the glass from the bath to the layer to enforce ionic migration of modifying metal into the exterior surface of the article.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said electric current is passed from the layer to the bath to enforce ionic migration of modifying metal into the interior surface of the hollow article, and said layer is then removed from the hollow article while the article is still within the protective atmosphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said article advancing means comprises a chain drive mounted to extend through the treatment chamber just above the bath surface, fingers of electrically conductive material fixed in insulating mountings at regular intervals on the chain drive, a guide track alongside the path of travel of the articles along the bath, a trolley running on the guide track, a movable member mounted by a retractable mounting on the trolley, and means for extending said movable member into contact with said fingers, and wherein an electrical connection is connected to said movable member to make electrical connections with the fingers when the movable member is extended thereby making and maintaining electrical connection with the inside of the hollow article until retraction of the said movable member at the end of a run of the trolley.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3060057A
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US3418233A
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US3218220A
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US3486995A
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US3467508A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |