Method and apparatus for conditioning and homogenizing a glass stream

A method of conditioning and homogenizing a glass stream flowing along a conditioning stretch, said conditioning stretch comprising a forehearth having an entry point and at least one extraction point with said conditioning stretch extending between said entry point and said at least one extraction point, said conditioning stretch including at least one cooling zone and a subsequent homogenizing zone for homogenizing the glass temperature, whereby the glass temperature in the conditioning stretch is reduced from an inlet temperature T1 to an outlet temperature T2, comprising the steps of:

• arranging for, in the at least one cooling zone, a maximum bath depth Dmax of 120 mm of the glass stream, said maximum bath depth Dmax of 120 mm being provided by means of a raised section of a bottom along a length of the at least one cooling zone, and said at least one cooling zone having a throughput of said glass stream of at least 70 tons per day;
• and
• providing in the at least one cooling zone a cooling capacity so that the temperature of the glass stream 20 mm above the raised section of the bottom is reduced by at least 40.degree. C. in the at least one cooling zone before entry into the subsequent homogenizing zone.