A method for manufacturing an optical element, the method including: heating an optical element material by suspending it in a gas; supplying the heated optical element material from a direction which intersects a central axis interconnecting centers of a first mold and a second mold to a space between molds in a non-contact state, the space between molds being a space between the first mold and the second mold; pressurizing the optical element material supplied to the space between molds by the first mold and the second mold; and cooling the pressurized optical element material.

A method for manufacturing an optical element, the method including: heating an optical element material by suspending it in a gas; supplying the heated optical element material from a direction which intersects a central axis interconnecting centers of a first mold and a second mold to a space between molds in a non-contact state, the space between molds being a space between the first mold and the second mold; pressurizing the optical element material supplied to the space between molds by the first mold and the second mold; and cooling the pressurized optical element material.

In a glassware forming machine, an actuating assembly of an operative member has a connecting frame; a shaft for supporting the operative member coupled to the connecting frame to translate and rotate about a fixed axis thereof; a pneumatic jack for displacing the supporting shaft along the axis provided with a rod connected to the supporting shaft; a cam and tappet device for rotating the supporting shaft in opposite directions about the axis; and a hydraulic device for stabilizing the motion of the shaft; the rod having at least one hollow portion for housing the hydraulic motion stabilizing device.

In a glassware forming machine, an actuating assembly of an operative member has a connecting frame; a shaft for supporting the operative member coupled to the connecting frame to translate and rotate about a fixed axis thereof; a pneumatic jack for displacing the supporting shaft along the axis provided with a rod connected to the supporting shaft; a cam and tappet device for rotating the supporting shaft in opposite directions about the axis; and a hydraulic device for stabilizing the motion of the shaft; the rod having at least one hollow portion for housing the hydraulic motion stabilizing device.

In a glassware forming machine, an actuating assembly of an operative member has a tubular connecting body; a shaft for supporting the operative member coupled to the connecting frame to translate and rotate about a fixed axis thereof; a pneumatic jack for displacing the supporting shaft along the axis; a cam and tappet device for rotating the supporting shaft in opposite directions about the axis and having a chamber and a cam and tappet assembly housed in the chamber and lubricated by a lubricating liquid contained in the chamber; and a hydraulic device for stabilizing the motion of the shaft; the chamber and the hydraulic stabilizing device constituting part of a single closed hydraulic circuit for feeding a common lubricating and operative liquid to the cam and tappet device and to the hydraulic stabilizing device.

In a glassware forming machine, an actuating assembly of an operative member has a tubular connecting body; a shaft for supporting the operative member coupled to the connecting frame to translate and rotate about a fixed axis thereof; a pneumatic jack for displacing the supporting shaft along the axis; a cam and tappet device for rotating the supporting shaft in opposite directions about the axis and having a chamber and a cam and tappet assembly housed in the chamber and lubricated by a lubricating liquid contained in the chamber; and a hydraulic device for stabilizing the motion of the shaft; the chamber and the hydraulic stabilizing device constituting part of a single closed hydraulic circuit for feeding a common lubricating and operative liquid to the cam and tappet device and to the hydraulic stabilizing device.

A molten glass delivery funnel includes a gas permeable conduit. The gas permeable conduit is comprised of a gas permeable material such that a centering gas can flow permeably through the conduit and into an interior passage of the conduit. The permeable flow of the centering gas is able to displace a molten glass charge falling through the conduit away from an interior surface of the conduit and to create a gas cushion between the glass charge and the conduit.

A molten glass delivery funnel includes a gas permeable conduit. The gas permeable conduit is comprised of a gas permeable material such that a centering gas can flow permeably through the conduit and into an interior passage of the conduit. The permeable flow of the centering gas is able to displace a molten glass charge falling through the conduit away from an interior surface of the conduit and to create a gas cushion between the glass charge and the conduit.

A method of providing glass from a glass melting furnace to at least one mold, including providing an uninterrupted glass communication path from an outlet of the glass melting furnace to the at least one mold, and pressurizing the path at a location downstream of the outlet to move molten glass into the at least one mold. A related system, apparatus, and molding equipment are also disclosed.

A method of providing glass from a glass melting furnace to at least one mold, including providing an uninterrupted glass communication path from an outlet of the glass melting furnace to the at least one mold, and pressurizing the path at a location downstream of the outlet to move molten glass into the at least one mold. A related system, apparatus, and molding equipment are also disclosed.