An apparatus (10) for forming the outer layers of a glass laminate sheet comprises a reservoir (12), individual first (14a) and second (14b) distributors extending below and in fluid communication with the reservoir, and first (30a) and second (30b) slots positioned respectively at the bottom of the first and second distributors. The slots have a length, the distributors have sides and a middle, and the length of the slots on the sides of the distributors is desirably decreased relative to the length of the slots in the middle of the distributors. The apparatus is useful with a trough or isopipe (100) to provide clad glass streams to contact an overflowing core glass on respective sides of the trough or isopipe.

An apparatus (10) for forming the outer layers of a glass laminate sheet comprises a reservoir (12), individual first (14a) and second (14b) distributors extending below and in fluid communication with the reservoir, and first (30a) and second (30b) slots positioned respectively at the bottom of the first and second distributors. The slots have a length, the distributors have sides and a middle, and the length of the slots on the sides of the distributors is desirably decreased relative to the length of the slots in the middle of the distributors. The apparatus is useful with a trough or isopipe (100) to provide clad glass streams to contact an overflowing core glass on respective sides of the trough or isopipe.

In illustrative implementations of this invention, a crucible kiln heats glass such that the glass becomes or remains molten. A nozzle extrudes the molten glass while one or more actuators actuate movements of the nozzle, a build platform or both. A computer controls these movements such that the extruded molten glass is selectively deposited to form a 3D glass object. The selective deposition of molten glass occurs inside an annealing kiln. The annealing kiln anneals the glass after it is extruded. In some cases, the actuators actuate the crucible kiln and nozzle to move in horizontal x, y directions and actuate the build platform to move in a z-direction. In some cases, fluid flows through a cavity or tubes adjacent to the nozzle tip, in order to cool the nozzle tip and thereby reduce the amount of glass that sticks to the nozzle tip.

In illustrative implementations of this invention, a crucible kiln heats glass such that the glass becomes or remains molten. A nozzle extrudes the molten glass while one or more actuators actuate movements of the nozzle, a build platform or both. A computer controls these movements such that the extruded molten glass is selectively deposited to form a 3D glass object. The selective deposition of molten glass occurs inside an annealing kiln. The annealing kiln anneals the glass after it is extruded. In some cases, the actuators actuate the crucible kiln and nozzle to move in horizontal x, y directions and actuate the build platform to move in a z-direction. In some cases, fluid flows through a cavity or tubes adjacent to the nozzle tip, in order to cool the nozzle tip and thereby reduce the amount of glass that sticks to the nozzle tip.

An orifice ring for use in a glass feeder that produces one or more molten glass runners may include a main body having a first side and an opposed second side and further defining one or more discharge orifices. The first side of the main body has a glass-contacting surface surrounding the one or more discharge orifices, and at least a portion of the glass-contacting surface of the first side of the main body is provided by a MAX phase material such that at least a portion of a circumference of at least one of the one or more discharge orifices is established by the MAX phase material. A glass feeder that includes such an orifice ring is also disclosed.

An orifice ring for use in a glass feeder that produces one or more molten glass runners may include a main body having a first side and an opposed second side and further defining one or more discharge orifices. The first side of the main body has a glass-contacting surface surrounding the one or more discharge orifices, and at least a portion of the glass-contacting surface of the first side of the main body is provided by a MAX phase material such that at least a portion of a circumference of at least one of the one or more discharge orifices is established by the MAX phase material. A glass feeder that includes such an orifice ring is also disclosed.

Provided is a sleeve for glass tube molding that, without reducing the mechanical strength of the sleeve shaft, can prevent foreign objects such as rust from generating off the sleeve shaft and can prevent foreign objects such as rust from adhering to molten glass. The sleeve for glass tube molding is equipped with a sleeve shaft having a through-hole, and is equipped with a pipe member comprising a material having superior rust resistance to the sleeve shaft. The pipe member is provided with a main body portion, and a tapered portion. The through-hole is provided with an insertion portion into which the main body portion is inserted, and a contact portion with a tapered shape whereat the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion comes into contact with one end of the through-hole. A portion or all of the inner surface of the through-hole is covered by inserting the pipe member into the through-hole.

Provided is a sleeve for glass tube molding that, without reducing the mechanical strength of the sleeve shaft, can prevent foreign objects such as rust from generating off the sleeve shaft and can prevent foreign objects such as rust from adhering to molten glass. The sleeve for glass tube molding is equipped with a sleeve shaft having a through-hole, and is equipped with a pipe member comprising a material having superior rust resistance to the sleeve shaft. The pipe member is provided with a main body portion, and a tapered portion. The through-hole is provided with an insertion portion into which the main body portion is inserted, and a contact portion with a tapered shape whereat the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion comes into contact with one end of the through-hole. A portion or all of the inner surface of the through-hole is covered by inserting the pipe member into the through-hole.

A glass container forming apparatus for forming a glass parison is disclosed. The glass container forming apparatus includes a feeder spout having a heated orifice ring, a plunger carried in the feeder spout and having a blow conduit therethrough, and die rollers immediately downstream of the heated orifice ring, with no chutes, scoops, or other gob handling devices therebetween. A glass container forming system that includes a glass feeder and a glass container forming apparatus is also disclosed.

A glass container forming apparatus for forming a glass parison is disclosed. The glass container forming apparatus includes a feeder spout having a heated orifice ring, a plunger carried in the feeder spout and having a blow conduit therethrough, and die rollers immediately downstream of the heated orifice ring, with no chutes, scoops, or other gob handling devices therebetween. A glass container forming system that includes a glass feeder and a glass container forming apparatus is also disclosed.