Method and Apparatus for Making Glass Spheres

Author:  Ib Von Irgens-Bergh, Copenhagen, Denmark
Source:  US Patent 3,877,914
Doc ID:  1975025
Year of Publication:  1975
Abstract:  
ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for making glass spheres in which a series of free falling streams of molten glass is struck in rapid succession by a plurality of rotary porous blades to disperse the streams into a multiplicity of cylindrical particles and direct the particles into a space for a period of time sufficient to enable surface tension to shape the particles into spherical form. Steam or other comparatively moist heating fluid is applied directly to the individual blades to prevent the agglomeration of glass on the face portions of the blades. In some embodiments the steam passes directly through the blades to provide a cushion of steam on the face portions, and the rearward portions of the blades are glazed to seal the pores and thus ensure that all of the steam emerges from the faces.