Patents by Inventor Michael Brian Gildea

Michael Brian Gildea 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).

  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR HEAT TREATING GLASS SHEETS
    Publication number: 20120007299
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Frank Thomas Coppola, Ronald Alan Davidson, Michael Brian Gildea, Gerard Kaper, Jason C. Lail, Monica Jo Mashewske
  • Methods and apparatus for heat treating glass sheets
    Patent number: 8042359
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Frank Thomas Coppola, Ronald Alan Davidson, Michael Brian Gildea, Gerard Kaper, Jason C Lail, Monica Jo Mashewske
  • Methods and apparatus for heat treating glass sheets
    Publication number: 20070267312
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Frank Thomas Coppola, Ronald Alan Davidson, Michael Brian Gildea, Gerard Kaper, Jason C. Lail, Monica Jo Mashewske