Apparatus For The Manufacture Of Flat Glass On A Molten Metal Bath

A tank structure contains the bath of molten metal and temperature regulators maintain thermal conditions along the bath which ensure that the glass ribbon is sufficiently stiff to allow it to be taken unharmed through an outlet from the bath. Supporting means at the outlet take up the ribbon from the bath and discharge it through the outlet. A roof structure defines a headspace over the bath and ribbon supporting means and a plenum of protective atmosphere is maintained in the headspace.