Disclosed is an apparatus for manufacturing a glass article obtained by heat-processing a glass tube. The apparatus includes a rotation mechanism that rotates the glass tube, a heating device that heats a portion of the glass tube located toward an end of the glass tube rotated by the rotation mechanism, a gripping mechanism that grips the end of the glass tube heated by the heating device, a movement mechanism that moves the gripping mechanism; and a blower that blows air into the glass tube. The glass tube is melt-cut by moving the gripping mechanism, which is gripping the end of the glass tube, with the movement mechanism in a direction that pulls off the end of the glass tube. The glass tube is melt-cut while the blower is operating to form an opening in a melt-cut end surface of the glass tube.

Disclosed is an apparatus for manufacturing a glass article obtained by heat-processing a glass tube. The apparatus includes a rotation mechanism that rotates the glass tube, a heating device that heats a portion of the glass tube located toward an end of the glass tube rotated by the rotation mechanism, a gripping mechanism that grips the end of the glass tube heated by the heating device, a movement mechanism that moves the gripping mechanism; and a blower that blows air into the glass tube. The glass tube is melt-cut by moving the gripping mechanism, which is gripping the end of the glass tube, with the movement mechanism in a direction that pulls off the end of the glass tube. The glass tube is melt-cut while the blower is operating to form an opening in a melt-cut end surface of the glass tube.

Provided is an optical fiber glass preform in which a starting rod and a dummy glass are hardly separated from each other, and a method for manufacturing the glass preform. In the optical fiber glass preform, the dummy glass is fitted into one end of the starting rod, and a part of the dummy glass and the starting rod are surrounded by a clad glass. In the manufacturing method, at the time of connecting the starting rod and the dummy glass, a shape is adjusted in such a manner that an iron is brought into contact with a connection portion and is moved from a starting rod side toward a dummy glass side with appliance of a load.

Provided is an optical fiber glass preform in which a starting rod and a dummy glass are hardly separated from each other, and a method for manufacturing the glass preform. In the optical fiber glass preform, the dummy glass is fitted into one end of the starting rod, and a part of the dummy glass and the starting rod are surrounded by a clad glass. In the manufacturing method, at the time of connecting the starting rod and the dummy glass, a shape is adjusted in such a manner that an iron is brought into contact with a connection portion and is moved from a starting rod side toward a dummy glass side with appliance of a load.

A production method for a closed glass container containing at least one solid body is disclosed. The method includes providing a tube tapering toward one end, the inner diameter of which is smaller at a tapered end than an inner diameter at an opposite first end. The tube is connected at the tapered end to a first end of a straight bar tube. The tapered tube is charged with at least one solid body.

A production method for a closed glass container containing at least one solid body is disclosed. The method includes providing a tube tapering toward one end, the inner diameter of which is smaller at a tapered end than an inner diameter at an opposite first end. The tube is connected at the tapered end to a first end of a straight bar tube. The tapered tube is charged with at least one solid body.

Provided is an optical fiber glass preform in which a starting rod and a dummy glass are hardly separated from each other, and a method for manufacturing the glass preform. In the optical fiber glass preform, the dummy glass is fitted into one end of the starting rod, and a part of the dummy glass and the starting rod are surrounded by a clad glass. In the manufacturing method, at the time of connecting the starting rod and the dummy glass, a shape is adjusted in such a manner that an iron is brought into contact with a connection portion and is moved from a starting rod side toward a dummy glass side with appliance of a load.

A lead insertion system adapted to insert a lead into a glass tube includes a first robot on which a first gripper is mounted and a second robot on which a second gripper is mounted. The first gripper grips the glass tube and the second gripper grips the lead. The lead insertion system includes a flame heater heating the glass tube gripped by the first robot and the lead gripped by the second robot with a flame. The second robot inserts the lead into the glass tube held by the first robot with the lead heated by the flame and the glass tube heated and softened by the flame.

A lead insertion system adapted to insert a lead into a glass tube includes a first robot on which a first gripper is mounted and a second robot on which a second gripper is mounted. The first gripper grips the glass tube and the second gripper grips the lead. The lead insertion system includes a flame heater heating the glass tube gripped by the first robot and the lead gripped by the second robot with a flame. The second robot inserts the lead into the glass tube held by the first robot with the lead heated by the flame and the glass tube heated and softened by the flame.

A glass tube is manufactured by a method in which a smaller tube is within a larger tube. A space which is formed between the smaller and larger tube is filled with colored, patterned, or clear glass rods or bars to form an assembly. On one end of the assembly, the inner tube is sealed to the outer tube, on an opposite end of the assembly, the inner tube being closed. The assembly is attached to a linear slide mechanism. The linear slide mechanism is used to pass the assembly through a high-temperature furnace having a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the glasses used to build the assembly. A vacuum is applied to the assembly, causing the glasses to collapse towards each other once they reach a plastic state, and causing the outer tube and inner tube to seal against the colored, patterned, or clear glass rods or bars that were held captive.