The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 13, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 15, 2001
Jayson J. Nelson, Rochester, NY (US);
Eugene G. Hill, Rochester, NY (US);
Michael K. Budinski, Rochester, NY (US);
James M. Warner, Rochester, NY (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for making cylindrical glass preforms with convex, optical quality convex end surfaces is taught. A glass ball preform is placed on a heated lower platen. The temperature of the glass ball preform is raised to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the glass ball preform. The glass ball preform is engaged with an upper platen. At least one of the upper platen and the lower platen is moved vertically to cause the gap between the upper platen and the lower platen to narrow to a predetermined dimension. Simultaneously, at least one of the upper platen and the lower platen is moved horizontally relative to the other platen to cause the glass ball preform to roll between the upper platen and the lower platen and form a cylindrical preform having a predetermined diameter, the cylindrical preform having convex, optical quality end surfaces.