Abstract: A glass treating apparatus suitable for heating glass sheets, such as in a process of forming motor vehicle windshields, comprises a heater suppoted by a modular support structure. The heater comprises a non-monoplanar heating surface subdivided into heating zones. The heating zones are individually controlled. The heating surface can approximate the configuration of the glass sheet. The invention allows preferential heating of selected zones of the glass sheet. One or more such modular radiant heater assemblies can be used in a glass forming process.

Abstract: A bending fixture for gravity bending a glass sheet or sheets to produce, for example, automobile windshields. The bending fixture has a pair of fixture sections, each having a shaping surface segment with two ends. The fixture sections are hinged to each other at their ends to define a single hinge axis. The hinge axis is immediately adjacent the support surface at the ends of the shaping surface segments and is generally laterally centered in the fixture. The bending fixture supports a flat cold glass sheet or sheets at the hinge area and at points laterally remote from the hinge area. In the closed position after bending, the support segments together form a continuous peripheral support surface for the glass sheet.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus for forming a glass sheet with differential gas pressure over opposite surfaces thereof. The glass sheet is formed by the action of differential gas pressure over a forming area located on a curved exterior surface of a rotatable glass former. The forming area moves on an arcuate path about an axis of rotation of the glass former. The glass sheet forming operation is carried out in an incremental manner by rotational contact of the forming area of the glass former and the glass sheet being formed. Full dimensional control can be achieved, whereby glass sheets may be produced which are substantially identical copies of one another.

Abstract: This specification teaches a device for dispensing a mirror button from a stack of mirror buttons, and for feeding that mirror button to a predetermined position from which the mirror button can be bonded to a surface of a windshield. A mirror button is the means by which a mirror structure is secured to the windshield. The mirror button is formed of a sintered metallic compound and it has a plastic material thereon which is used to bond the mirror button to the windshield. The device disclosed includes a closed dispenser housing for keeping the mirror button at a constant temperature and humidity. The divice also includes structure for dispensing mirror buttons, one at a time, and structure which brings the dispensed button to a predetermined position at which it can be applied to the windshield.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for turning over and for transferring a glass bracket from a first conveyor line to a second conveyor line. An end of the first conveyor line is offset both lengthwise and laterally from the beginning of the second conveyor line. The device also provides a means for locating the glass bracket as it is being moved between the two conveyor lines so that it can be positioned in a precise location on the second conveyor line.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for moving an object which is floatable on a cushion of gas from a first station to a second station. A porous table over which the object is moved is divided into a plurality of zones of gas flow. Contiguous gas zones can have the same amount of gas flowing therethrough thereby to define areas of gas flow. The areas of gas flow are never larger than the object being moved thereover. The areas of gas flow have different amounts of gas flow with the largest occuring at the first station and the lowest at the second station. When an object is placed at the first station, it is supported on areas having two different amounts of gas flow. This causes the object to tip front end downwardly in the area of lowest gas flow and thereby be moved over the porous table member eventually to the second station. The specification also teaches a method for moving an object from any one of a plurality of first stations to a single second station.

Abstract: An apparatus for expanding a laminating interlayer is disclosed. The apparatus includes structure for feeding a heated web of laminating interlayer material to a conical member. A stretching of the web occurs between the feeding structure and the conical member. The web is cooled on the conical member. The apparatus also includes structure which maximizes the yield from the web being stretched.