Gte Products Corporation

Jonathan M Gregory

Thomas G Brophy

Apparatus for forming a groove in a glass tube without contacting the glass tube in the groove region. The apparatus includes a pair of chucks for holding opposite ends of the glass tube. The chucks are coupled to a motor for rotating the glass tube about its longitudinal axis. The apparatus further includes one or more torches for noncontact heating of the groove region of the glass tube sufficiently to soften the glass tube in the groove region. The chucks which hold the glass tube are axially movable for stretching and then compressing the glass tube along its longitudinal axis, when the glass tube has been softened in the groove area. The chucks are rotated during heating, stretching and compressing of the glass tube.

Apparatus for forming a groove in a glass tube

A method for forming a groove in a glass tube without contacting the glass tube in the groove region. The method includes the steps of rotating the glass tube about its longitudinal axis, heating a localized area of the glass tube where a groove is to be formed sufficiently to soften the glass tube in the localized area, stretching the glass tube along its longitudinal axis by a first distance sufficient to cause a reduction in the diameter of the glass tube in the localized area, and compressing the glass tube along its longitudinal axis by a second distance sufficient to produce a groove in the localized area. The glass tube is rotated during the steps of heating, stretching and compressing the glass tube. Heating is preferably performed by directing the flames from one or more torches at the groove area.

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Berwick, ME, United States of America

Jonathan M Gregory