US4138238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing molten glass
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-04-08
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Granted: 1979-02-06
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Expires: 1997-04-08
Abstract
Abstract Substantially gas free raw materials are melted to form molten glass by urging a bed of particulate materials toward a resistance heating member. The solid materials are urged into close proximity with the resistance heater and, at most, a thin film of molten glass is maintained on the heater plate. The heater plate contains one or more passages through which the molten glass flows into a heated reservoir in which the glass achieves the requisite homogeneity.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward T. Strickland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:19
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B3/00; C03B3/02; C03B3/023; C03B5/00; C03B5/02; C03B5/033; C03B5/0336; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P40/00; Y02P40/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
The methd of melting glass-forming materials comprising: (a) establishing a bed of particulate substantially gas-free glass-forming materials; (b) urging said particulate materials with a force of at least about 1 lb. per square inch into close proximity with a resistance heating member, said heating member being at a temperature of at least about 2600° F. and having at least one outlet for molten glass; (c) melting said glass-forming materials with heat transmitted from said resistance heating member to form a molten glass; (d) flowing said molten glass through said outlet at a rate to maintain only a thin film of molten glass on said heating member; and (e) collecting said molten glass in a heated reservoir having a gas space over the molten glass.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
The methd of melting glass-forming materials comprising: (a) establishing a bed of particulate substantially gas-free glass-forming materials; (b) urging said particulate materials with a force of at least about 1 lb. per square inch into close proximity with a resistance heating member, said heating member being at a temperature of at least about 2600° F. and having at least one outlet for molten glass; (c) melting said glass-forming materials with heat transmitted from said resistance heating member to form a molten glass; (d) flowing said molten glass through said outlet at a rate to maintain only a thin film of molten glass on said heating member; and (e) collecting said molten glass in a heated reservoir having a gas space over the molten glass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said resistance heater is at a temperature of from about 2900° F. to about 3100° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the molten glass in the reservoir is at a temperature of at least about 2600° F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said particulate materials are urged toward the resistance heating member with a force of at least about 3 lbs. per square inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the particulate materials are urged by mechanical means toward the resistance heating member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the transition zone in which the solid batch begins to change to molten material is not more than about 1/2 inch from said resistance heater member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the transition zone in which the solid batch begins to change to molten material is not more than about 1/4 inch from said resistance heater member.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for melting glass-forming materials comprising: (a) container means for glass-forming materials in communication with a resistance heating member, said heating member having at least one outlet for molten glass; (b) mechanical means for urging the particulate glass-forming materials toward said resistance heating member; and (c) molten glass reservoir means adjacent to said resistance heating member and in communication with said outlet of resistance heating member, said reservoir having a gas outlet in the upper portion thereof and a molten glass outlet in the lower portion thereof.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for melting glass-forming materials comprising: (a) container means for glass-forming materials in communication with a resistance heating member, said heating member having at least one outlet for molten glass; (b) mechanical means for urging the particulate glass-forming materials toward said resistance heating member; and (c) molten glass reservoir means adjacent to said resistance heating member and in communication with said outlet of resistance heating member, said reservoir having a gas outlet in the upper portion thereof and a molten glass outlet in the lower portion thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the resistance heating member is corrugated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the resistance heating member is cone shaped and is corrugated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the resistance heating member is corrugated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the resistance heating member is cone shaped and is corrugated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said resistance heating member is supported by a refractory support member.
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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) | 1982-02-05 | 1982-08-07 | 1983-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-05 | 1986-08-07 | 1987-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-05 | 1990-08-07 | 1991-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |