THERMAL TREATMENT OF GLASS

摘要

The invention provides a method and apparatus for thermally treating a succession of glass articles in a fluidised bed. The articles are immersed in a gas fluidised bed of particulate material which is maintained in a quiescent uniformly expanded state of particulate fluidisation. The bed temperature is regulated by heat exchange within the bed enhanced by engendering agitation within the bed. The invention applies particularly to the thermal toughening of a succession of glass sheets.