Process and apparatus for forming lamp capsules
AssigneeGTE Products Corporation
InventorGary E. Lowe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process for forming lamp capsules such as in the manufacture of miniature arc lamps wherein the bulb portion of the capsule is formed by blowing molten glass into a mold while simultaneously press sealing the lead assembly. The molding and sealing process is accomplished with heat application by means of a press foot assembly closed for a predetermined period of time such as one second to press seal the blank capsule against the lead assembly with one portion of the press foot assembly, and simultaneously to blow mold the blank capsule into another preformed portion of the press foot assembly to form the bulb portion of the lamp capsule.
Claims12
A process for forming a lamp capsule having a lead assembly, from a hollow glass blank, said process comprising the steps of;
- applying heat to the glass blank so that is it in a molten state;
- inserting the lead assembly into the glass blank at one end thereof;
- press sealing the glass blank at said one end thereof to seal the lead assembly therein;
- and
- substantially simultaneously with said sealing step, blow molding the glass blank to form the bulb portion of the lamp capsule.
Apparatus for forming a lamp capsule having a lead assembly, from a hollow glass blank, said apparatus comprising:
- press foot means including at least two press feet, means for controlling relative movement between the press feet from an open position to a closed molding position, said press feet having respective bulb forming sections and press seal sections, said press feet adapted to be selectively moved by said means for controlling to a closed position to cause the press seal sections to press seal the hollow glass blank against the lead assembly to form a tight seal thereabout, and means for blow molding the hollow glass blank into the bulb forming sections to form the bulb portion of the lamp capsule.
A lamp capsule comprising:
- a glass bulb having a press seal at one end, and a lead assembly sealed through said press seal, said bulb and press seal being formed from a hollow glass blank by;
- applying heat to the glass bulb so that it is in a molten state;
- inserting the lead assembly into the glass blank at one end thereof;
- press sealing the glass blank at one end thereof to seal the lead assembly therein;
- and
- substantially simultaneously with said sealing step, blow molding the glass blank to form the bulb portion of the lamp capsule, said blow molding resulting in a knit line about the surface of said bulb portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.