US4012216A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the production or treatment of flat glass
Assignee: Glaverbel Mecaniver SA
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Filing: 1975-08-28
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Granted: 1977-03-15
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Expires: 1995-08-28
Abstract
Abstract Process and apparatus for the production or treatment of flat glass in an elongate tank containing a bath of molten material. Glass is delivered to the bath, and it is advanced along a path in contact with the bath towards an outlet for the glass from the tank. At least one current is induced in the molten material in at least one portion of the tank where the viscosity of the glass lies in the range between 10 4 .5 and 10 10 poise to flow across substantially the full width of the glass.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Marchand
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:48
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B18/00; C03B18/02; C03B18/18; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P40/00; Y02P40/50; Y02P40/57
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
In a process for the production or treatment of flat glass in an elongate tank containing a bath of molten material including delivering glass to the bath, advancing the glass along a path in contact with the bath towards an outlet for the glass from the tank, and creating displacements of said molten material in one part of the width of said bath, the improvement comprising inducing in the molten material opposed currents each directed toward one of the sides of the tank across an entire zone of the tank where the viscosity of the glass lies in the range between 10 5 .2 and 10 6 .9 poise and causing said currents to flow across substantially the full width of the glass for preventing formation in the finished glass of faults or surface defects caused by advancing of the glass along the tank in contact with the molten material in the bath.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a process for the production or treatment of flat glass in an elongate tank containing a bath of molten material including delivering glass to the bath, advancing the glass along a path in contact with the bath towards an outlet for the glass from the tank, and creating displacements of said molten material in one part of the width of said bath, the improvement comprising inducing in the molten material opposed currents each directed toward one of the sides of the tank across an entire zone of the tank where the viscosity of the glass lies in the range between 10 5 .2 and 10 6 .9 poise and causing said currents to flow across substantially the full width of the glass for preventing formation in the finished glass of faults or surface defects caused by advancing of the glass along the tank in contact with the molten material in the bath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the opposite currents are induced at positions spaced apart along a portion of the tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein the successive positions at which the opposite currents are induced are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to a difference in the logarithm to base 10 of the viscosity of the glass at such positions of at most 1/2.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein at least one current is induced in such molten material in at least one portion of the tank where the viscosity of the glass lies in the range between 10 5 .4 and 10 6 poise.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein at least one current is induced to flow across substantially the full width of the glass to cause displacement of molten material over substantially the whole of a portion of the tank in which the glass has a viscosity lying in the range between 10 5 .4 and 10 6 poise.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein such molten material is a conductor of electricity and at least one current is induced by electromagnetic induction forces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 6, wherein at least one current is induced by one or more linear induction motors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the at least one current is induced to flow continuously.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 1 including stretching the glass in a zone of the tank, and wherein at least one current is induced in the molten material in a portion or portions of such stretching zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the opposite currents are induced by forces exerted at positions located alternately at or toward each side of the tank and in staggered relation therealong.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein at least one current is induced to flow in a direction towards the opposite side of the tank from that at or towards which the forces inducing such current or currents originate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein at least one current is induced to flow in a direction substantially normal to the direction of advance of the glass.
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) | 1980-03-14 | 1980-09-13 | 1981-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-14 | 1984-09-13 | 1985-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-14 | 1988-09-13 | 1989-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |