Abstract: A method of separating a strengthened glass sheet includes positioning a serrated scribing wheel at a position spaced apart from a first edge of the glass sheet and offset below a top surface of the glass sheet, where the glass sheet comprises a surface compression layer of layer depth DOL and a central region. The method also includes translating the serrated scribing wheel in a first direction at an initiation speed such that the serrated scribing wheel forms a crack initiation site comprising surface indentations extending into the surface compression layer, accelerating the serrated scribing wheel in the first direction from the initiation speed to a scoring speed to scribe a score line extending into the glass sheet to a median crack depth greater than DOL, and stopping the serrated scribing wheel in the first direction before the score line reaches a second edge of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A strengthened glass sheet is separated into undamaged sheet segments by mechanically scribing one or more vent lines of controlled depth into the sheet surface, the depths of the scribed lines being insufficient to effect sheet separation, and then applying a uniform bending moment across the vent lines to effect separation into multiple sheet segments, the vent lines being scribed from crack initiation sites comprising surface indentations formed proximate to the edges of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A pane is separated from a moving ribbon of brittle material by restraining the ribbon upstream of a score line prior to separating the pane. The ribbon is restrained by selectively contacting a first side and a second side of the ribbon in one of an opposite, overlapping or offset relation. The ribbon can be restrained prior to, substantially simultaneous with or subsequent to forming the score line. The restrained status of the ribbon is maintained during and immediately after separation of the pane from the ribbon, thereby reducing the introduction of a disturbance or bending moment into the upstream ribbon.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for characterizing attributes of a moving glass sheet comprising complementary mechanical material handling technologies that progressively stabilize, position, capture, flatten, and release the lower portion of glass sheets traveling past the apparatus while posing minimal constraint on the top section of the sheet. The apparatus includes a pressure-vacuum (PV)-type device comprising distinct regions such that the glass sheets experience a non-contact but gradual increase in constraining force until the point where measurements can be performed, then a gradual decrease in constraining force until the glass sheets are released from the inspection station. This graduated force technique is applied along the direction of travel of the sheets and may also be applied vertically upwards along the height of the sheet to restrict the motion of the sheet without constraining it at pinch points near the conveyor.

Abstract: A pane is separated from a moving ribbon of brittle material by restraining the ribbon upstream of a score line prior to separating the pane. The ribbon is restrained by selectively contacting a first side and a second side of the ribbon in one of an opposite, overlapping or offset relation. The ribbon can be restrained prior to, substantially simultaneous with or subsequent to forming the score line. The restrained status of the ribbon is maintained during and immediately after separation of the pane from the ribbon, thereby reducing the introduction of a disturbance or bending moment into the upstream ribbon.

Abstract: A scoring device is described herein that applies a constant force while scoring a piece of material so that there is a consistent score quality (or vent depth) within the scored piece of material. In one embodiment, the piece of material is a bowed shaped glass sheet that is supported by a conformable nosing device which has been configured to have a bowed shape that substantially matches the bowed shape of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A scoring device is described herein that applies a constant force while scoring a piece of material so that there is a consistent score quality (or vent depth) within the scored piece of material. In one embodiment, the piece of material is a bowed shaped glass sheet that is supported by a conformable nosing device which has been configured to have a bowed shape that substantially matches the bowed shape of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A scoring device is described herein that applies a constant force while scoring a piece of material so that there is a consistent score quality (or vent depth) within the scored piece of material. In one embodiment, the piece of material is a bowed shaped glass sheet that is supported by a conformable nosing device which has been configured to have a bowed shape that substantially matches the bowed shape of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A strengthened glass sheet is separated into undamaged sheet segments by mechanically scribing one or more vent lines of controlled depth into the sheet surface, the depths of the scribed lines being insufficient to effect sheet separation, and then applying a uniform bending moment across the vent lines to effect separation into multiple sheet segments, the vent lines being scribed from crack initiation sites comprising surface indentations formed proximate to the edges of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A scoreless separation device and method are described herein for separating a glass sheet without needing to score the glass sheet. In one embodiment, the device shears a stationary glass sheet without needing to score the glass sheet. In another embodiment, the device shears a moving glass sheet to remove outer edges from the moving glass sheet without needing to score the moving glass sheet.

Abstract: A pane is separated from a moving ribbon of brittle material by restraining the ribbon upstream of a score line prior to separating the pane. The ribbon is restrained by selectively contacting a first side and a second side of the ribbon in one of an opposite, overlapping or offset relation. The ribbon can be restrained prior to, substantially simultaneous with or subsequent to forming the score line. The restrained status of the ribbon is maintained during and immediately after separation of the pane from the ribbon, thereby reducing the introduction of a disturbance or bending moment into the upstream ribbon.