Patents by Inventor Frank Thomas Coppola
Frank Thomas Coppola has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9278878Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming vents (13) in glass sheets (10). The method includes repetitively performing the steps of: (I) bringing a score head (21) and a platen (31) into contact with, respectively, the front (11) and rear (12) major surfaces of the glass sheet (10), (II) moving the score head (21) across the front major surface (11) along a predetermined path to form a vent (13), and (III) withdrawing the score head (21) and the platen (31) from the front (11) and rear (12) major surfaces, wherein: (i) the thickness (?) of the glass sheet is less than or equal to 500 microns, and (ii) for each repetition of steps (I) through (III), the platen (31) is cleaned after step (III) and before step (I) to remove glass chips which if left on the platen (31) could cause the score head (21) to penetrate through the thickness ?.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Douglas Edward Brackley, Frank Thomas Coppola, Monica Jo Mashewske, David Alan Tammaro
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Patent number: 8646291Abstract: An apparatus for forming laminated sheet glass and a method for forming laminated sheet glass or articles using the glass laminating apparatus, the apparatus including: a lower fusion pipe providing a first liquid stream that forms the core of the laminate; a first upper fusion pipe having a pair of adjustable baffles situated between the bottom of the upper fusion pipe and the top of the lower fusion pipe, the first upper fusion pipe provides a second liquid glass stream onto the first liquid glass stream that forms the clad of the laminate on the core of the laminate, the adjustable baffles being separated from the lower fusion pipe by a gap, and the adjustable baffles control the landing angle (?) and drop point of the second liquid glass stream onto the first liquid glass stream.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Frank Thomas Coppola, Michael Ryan Harshberger, Monica Jo Mashewske
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Publication number: 20130312459Abstract: An apparatus for forming laminated sheet glass, including: a lower pipe providing a first liquid stream that forms the core of the laminate; an first upper pipe having a pair of adjustable baffles situated between the bottom of the upper pipe and the top of the lower pipe, the first upper pipe provides a second liquid glass stream onto the first liquid glass stream that forms the clad of the laminate on the core of the laminate, the adjustable baffles being separated from the lower pipe by a gap, and the adjustable baffles control the landing angle (?) and drop point of the second liquid glass stream onto the first liquid glass stream. Also disclosed is a method for forming laminated sheet glass or articles thereof using the aforementioned glass laminating apparatus, as defined herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventors: Frank Thomas Coppola, Michael Ryan Harshberger, Monica Jo Mashewske
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Publication number: 20120210842Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming vents (13) in glass sheets (10). The method includes repetitively performing the steps of: (I) bringing a score head (21) and a platen (31) into contact with, respectively, the front (11) and rear (12) major surfaces of the glass sheet (10), (II) moving the score head (21) across the front major surface (11) along a predetermined path to form a vent (13), and (III) withdrawing the score head (21) and the platen (31) from the front (11) and rear (12) major surfaces, wherein: (i) the thickness (?) of the glass sheet is less than or equal to 500 microns, and (ii) for each repetition of steps (I) through (III), the platen (31) is cleaned after step (III) and before step (I) to remove glass chips which if left on the platen (31) could cause the score head (21) to penetrate through the thickness ?.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventors: Douglas Edward Brackley, Frank Thomas Coppola, Monica Jo Mashewske, David Alan Tammaro
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Publication number: 20120007299Abstract: Methods for heat treating glass sheets (13) are disclosed in which the sheets (13) are held in a vertical orientation in a treatment container (15) during the heat treatment. The container (15) includes a support system for the glass sheets (13) that comprises a bottom support (17), two side supports (19a, 19b), and a top support (21). The sheets (13) are slid into the container (15) without contact between their side edges (23a, 23b) and the side supports (19a, 19b). The top support (21) is then slid onto the tops of the sheets (13) without contacting the sheets' top edges (25). In certain embodiments, flushing air which has been HEPA filtered and pre-heated is passed through the container (15) during the heat treatment. Apparatus for practicing the methods of the invention are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: Frank Thomas Coppola, Ronald Alan Davidson, Michael Brian Gildea, Gerard Kaper, Jason C. Lail, Monica Jo Mashewske
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Patent number: 8042359Abstract: Methods for heat treating glass sheets (13) are disclosed in which the sheets (13) are held in a vertical orientation in a treatment container (15) during the heat treatment. The container (15) includes a support system for the glass sheets (13) that comprises a bottom support (17), two side supports (19a, 19b), and a top support (21). The sheets (13) are slid into the container (15) without contact between their side edges (23a, 23b) and the side supports (19a, 19b). The top support (21) is then slid onto the tops of the sheets (13) without contacting the sheets' top edges (25). In certain embodiments, flushing air which has been HEPA filtered and pre-heated is passed through the container (15) during the heat treatment. Apparatus for practicing the methods of the invention are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Frank Thomas Coppola, Ronald Alan Davidson, Michael Brian Gildea, Gerard Kaper, Jason C Lail, Monica Jo Mashewske
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Patent number: 7815056Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for supporting glass sheets during a thermal treatment process, such as heat treating, to maintain the physical geometry of the glass sheets. The device can comprise means for separating adjacent glass sheets to prevent them from touching. The separating means can comprise a separation comb having projections and channels configured for receiving the glass sheets, separating rods configured to be positioned between the glass sheets, or a combination of separation combs and separating rods.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Frank Thomas Coppola, Monica Jo Mashewske
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Patent number: 7717254Abstract: A glass sheet guidance system includes a guidance member (22) having a small contact area with the glass sheet (12) and being taut to provide guidance to the glass sheet. In order to provide consistent guidance, even in environments where there is a large change in temperature, the guidance member is held taut by a tension member (24). The guidance member is supported by holders (10) so that, while remaining taut, the guidance member can be moved in three dimensions so as to accommodate glass sheets having different widths (1), heights (2), and thicknesses (3). Also, there is provided a method of guiding glass sheets with the guidance system.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Douglas Edward Brackley, James William Brown, Frank Thomas Coppola, David Alan Tammaro
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Publication number: 20090297318Abstract: A glass sheet guidance system includes a guidance member (22) having a small contact area with the glass sheet (12) and being taut to provide guidance to the glass sheet. In order to provide consistent guidance, even in environments where there is a large change in temperature, the guidance member is held taut by a tension member (24). The guidance member is supported by holders (10) so that, while remaining taut, the guidance member can be moved in three dimensions so as to accommodate glass sheets having different widths (1), heights (2), and thicknesses (3). Also, there is provided a method of guiding glass sheets with the guidance system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Douglas Edward Brackley, James William Brown, Frank Thomas Coppola, David Alan Tammaro
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Publication number: 20080276647Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for supporting glass sheets during a thermal treatment process, such as heat treating, to maintain the physical geometry of the glass sheets. The device can comprise means for separating adjacent glass sheets to prevent them from touching. The separating means can comprise a separation comb having projections and channels configured for receiving the glass sheets, separating rods configured to be positioned between the glass sheets, or a combination of separation combs and separating rods.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2007Publication date: November 13, 2008Inventors: Frank Thomas Coppola, Monica Jo Mashewske
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Publication number: 20070267312Abstract: Methods for heat treating glass sheets (13) are disclosed in which the sheets (13) are held in a vertical orientation in a treatment container (15) during the heat treatment. The container (15) includes a support system for the glass sheets (13) that comprises a bottom support (17), two side supports (19a, 19b), and a top support (21). The sheets (13) are slid into the container (15) without contact between their side edges (23a, 23b) and the side supports (19a, 19b). The top support (21) is then slid onto the tops of the sheets (13) without contacting the sheets' top edges (25). In certain embodiments, flushing air which has been HEPA filtered and pre-heated is passed through the container (15) during the heat treatment. Apparatus for practicing the methods of the invention are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2006Publication date: November 22, 2007Inventors: Frank Thomas Coppola, Ronald Alan Davidson, Michael Brian Gildea, Gerard Kaper, Jason C. Lail, Monica Jo Mashewske