Methods for the batchwise production of glass
First Claim
1. A process for the production of molten glass for subsequent processing from batches of solid glass pieces by a series of melting, refining and discharging operations, comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of similar vessels for retaining the glass, each vessel having heating electrodes positioned adjacent the bottom thereof and closable opening in the bottom thereof for discharging the glass into a distribution system;
performing all of said operations in a single vessel for each batch of glass;
for each batch of glass, melting a mass of solid glass pieces comprising the glass for one batch by covering the electrodes of the vessel with the mass of solid glass pieces and heating the mass of solid glass pieces to produce a mass of molten glass;
retaining the entire mass of molten glass for the one batch in a single vessel, and while keeping the electrodes completely immersed in the mass of molten glass in the single vessel, performing the refining step by rotating the vessel at a speed sufficient to produce a parabolic surface on the mass of molten glass through which parabolic surface occluded gas bubbles escape as the glass is refined;
stopping rotation of the vessel after sufficient refining, anddischarging the entire batch of refined glass after stopping the vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process for the batchwise production of glass performs melting, refining and discharging steps in electrically heated identical vessels, wherein at least the refining step is conducted during rotation of a vessel, and discharging of the refined glass takes place while the vessel is at rest. By using several vessels, which are either mobile or which are connected with one another by movable spouts, feeding of molten glass to a distributing channel for further processing is done continuously. Vessels according to the invention have electrodes for heating purposes; outlet port sealing arrangements; and ports for applying over-pressure or a vacuum to control glass exit speed. Blast pipes may be disposed in proximity with outlet ports in order to improve flow of the glass melt by introducing blasts of an inert gas.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A process for the production of molten glass for subsequent processing from batches of solid glass pieces by a series of melting, refining and discharging operations, comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of similar vessels for retaining the glass, each vessel having heating electrodes positioned adjacent the bottom thereof and closable opening in the bottom thereof for discharging the glass into a distribution system; performing all of said operations in a single vessel for each batch of glass; for each batch of glass, melting a mass of solid glass pieces comprising the glass for one batch by covering the electrodes of the vessel with the mass of solid glass pieces and heating the mass of solid glass pieces to produce a mass of molten glass; retaining the entire mass of molten glass for the one batch in a single vessel, and while keeping the electrodes completely immersed in the mass of molten glass in the single vessel, performing the refining step by rotating the vessel at a speed sufficient to produce a parabolic surface on the mass of molten glass through which parabolic surface occluded gas bubbles escape as the glass is refined; stopping rotation of the vessel after sufficient refining, and discharging the entire batch of refined glass after stopping the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification