Patent US4380463A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4380463A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of melting glass making ingredients
Assignee: PPG Industries Inc
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Filing: 1981-10-05
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Granted: 1983-04-19
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Expires: 2001-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A coherent thin sheet of glass batch materials is advanced onto a pool of molten metal contained in a glass melting furnace to melt thereon, preferably in non-contacting relation to refractory sidewalls of the furnace.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph M. Matesa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:53
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B18/00; C03B18/02; C03B18/18; C03B18/04; C03B3/00; C03B3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of melting glassmaking ingredients in a glass melting chamber, said glass melting chamber including refractory sidewalls and endwalls forming a container for containing a pool of molten metal therein, comprising the steps of: feeding a coherent thin sheet of glass batch materials having a width less than the width of said molten metal pool progressively into said glass melting chamber onto the surface of said pool of molten metal; advancing said coherent thin sheet along said pool of molten metal while maintaining the coherency thereof, and while maintaining the coherent thin sheet in non-contacting relation to the refractory sidewalls; melting said coherent thin sheet into a layer of molten glass while practicing said advancing step; and withdrawing said layer of molten glass from said glass melting chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of melting glassmaking ingredients in a glass melting chamber, said glass melting chamber including refractory sidewalls and endwalls forming a container for containing a pool of molten metal therein, comprising the steps of: feeding a coherent thin sheet of glass batch materials having a width less than the width of said molten metal pool progressively into said glass melting chamber onto the surface of said pool of molten metal; advancing said coherent thin sheet along said pool of molten metal while maintaining the coherency thereof, and while maintaining the coherent thin sheet in non-contacting relation to the refractory sidewalls; melting said coherent thin sheet into a layer of molten glass while practicing said advancing step; and withdrawing said layer of molten glass from said glass melting chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of maintaining said molten glass layer in non-contacting relation to said refractory sidewalls while practicing said advancing step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 or 2 further comprising the steps of: forming said coherent thin sheet from a mixture of glass making ingredients and a sodium silicate solution; and preheating said coherent thin sheet with chamber exhaust products prior to practicing said feeding step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said feeding step comprises the step of: conveying said coherent thin sheet downwardly along an inclined surface onto said pool of molten metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said coherent thin sheet has a thickness which when melted is substantially equal to the equilibrium thickness of molten glass on said molten metal pool.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said molten metal pool comprises copper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein said molten metal pool further comprises minor percentages of iron.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said thin sheet of glass batch materials is between 0.1 inch (0.25 cm.) and 1.0 inch (2.5 cm.).
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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) | 1986-04-18 | 1986-10-18 | 1987-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-18 | 1990-10-18 | 1991-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-18 | 1994-10-18 | 1995-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |