Mold incorporating a heat source and apparatus and method for using such molds
US6789398B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 14, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S65/09
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A heat source is formed within one piece of a multi-piece mold designed to shape a glass tube. The one piece of the mold can then be used as a source of intense heat to render the glass malleable and to also contribute to shaping the tube in conformance with the mold. In one embodiment, the heat source includes channels formed throughout the one piece of mold for distributing a gas therethrough with jets of gas emanating from the inner surface of the mold piece for heating the tube to be shaped to a desired temperature. In apparatus embodying the invention, there is no need for a separate torch and for moving the torch during the shaping process. Also, in accordance with the invention, better control of the heat supplied to the tube being shaped is obtained.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.