Abstract: A glass heating furnace is illustrated. Rollers of the glass heating furnace are pivotally connected to a movable frame, and a roller driver of the glass heating furnace controls the rollers to rotate to a direction of an X axis, and a movable frame driver controls the movable frame to displace reciprocatively along a Y axis, such that the rollers displace along the Y axis at the same time. The glass displaces reciprocatively in multiple directions to be heated up more uniformly, which effectively reduces formation of the thermal stress marks on the glass. Since the rollers displace along the Y axis at the same time, the glass on the rollers does not have the displacement of the Y axis in respect to the rollers, such that friction of the displacement of the glass is reduced, which more effectively reduces formation of the thermal stress marks on the glass.

Abstract: A roll for use in glass manufacture, such as in the production of non-dusting TFT glass, includes a hollow silica cylinder. A rod extends through the interior of the silica cylinder. A cooling volume is contained within the cylinder and extends around the rod. End caps are mechanically fixed to the roll. Pulling flats are fixed in place by inner and outer end plates. A compression fitting secures at least the outer end plate to the roll. The rod may serve to reinforce the roll and may be secured to the shaft by a plurality of supports. The supports accommodate differences in thermal expansion.

Abstract: An annealing apparatus for a float glass continuously anneals a glass ribbon molded in a float bath. The annealing apparatus includes a lehr housing having an inlet and an outlet for the glass ribbon, a plurality of lehr rolls rotatably installed to the lehr housing in a width direction of the lehr housing, and labyrinth seals installed between the lehr rolls and sidewalls of the lehr housing, respectively, to prevent sulfurous acid gas supplied into the lehr housing from discharging out.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing sheet glass having two faces, at least one of which has a high surface quality, the method comprising a treatment step wherein a stream of glass is contacted with a forming tool, and wherein a reversible adhesion force exists between the stream of glass and the forming tool after contacting. An apparatus is also disclosed for producing sheet glass according to the disclosed and various other methods of sheet glass manufacture, the apparatus comprising a forming tool having a means for controlling the temperature of at least a portion of the surface thereof.

Abstract: A consecutive molding method for crystallized glass comprises: a melting process to obtain molten glass by melting glass raw materials; a molding process to obtain a band-shaped plate glass by roll forming the molten glass to become band-shaped; a crystallization process to obtain a band-shaped crystallized glass plate by conducting thermal treatment on the band-shaped plate glass to crystallize it; and a cutting process to cut the band-shaped crystallized glass plate, wherein the crystallization process includes: a temperature-raising process to produce the band-shaped crystallized glass plate by disposing the band-shaped plate glass obtained in the molding process, in the atmosphere of a crystal nucleus-formation temperature and raising the temperature to a crystal-growth temperature or above to grow crystals as well as form crystal nuclei; and a slow-cooling process to slowly cool down the band-shaped crystallized glass plate.

Abstract: A method for bending a sheet of glass involving heating the sheet of glass to a softening temperature, transporting the sheet of glass in an essentially horizontal path as far as a station for bending the sheet of glass between two forms, shaping the sheet of glass by pressing between the two forms, and cooling the sheet of glass in an appropriate station. Shaped rollers receive the sheet of glass after it has been bent and the rollers are oriented parallel to the direction defined on the sheet of glass by the direction in which it is conveyed into the bending station.

Abstract: A method for roll forming a heated glass sheet utilizes a forming conveyor (62) including forming rolls (66) that are pivotally moved upwardly between horizontal rolls (46) of a horizontal conveyor (44) on opposite sides of a centerline (C/L) of the horizontal conveyor to rollingly engage the heated glass sheet above a plane of conveyance of the horizontal conveyor at its centerline to roll form the glass sheet in cooperation with a forming press (80) having rotatable forming members (82) that rollingly engage the heated glass sheet from above. A second set of forming rolls (68) cooperates with the first set of forming rolls (66) to provide the roll forming. First and second sets of roll cradles (76,90) are mounted by pivotal supports (128,142) on associated first and second carriages (154,156) and moved by first and second actuators (78,92). Lateral movement of the carriages (154,156) provides versatility in the glass sheet shapes that can be formed.

Abstract: There is provided a plate-shaped member positioning apparatus comprising a conveyor for conveying a plate-shaped member, a positioner for contact with a front end of a conveyed plate-shaped member, a moving unit for moving the positioner along a conveyance direction of the plate-shaped member, and a controller for controlling operations of the conveyor and the moving unit; wherein the controller moves the plate-shaped member in the conveyance direction with the positioner kept in contact with the front end of the plate-shaped member, decelerates an advancing speed of the plate-shaped member and positions the plate-shaped member at a certain standby position.

Abstract: According to the invention, a) at least the first and second compositions of this material in the fluid phase are prepared, b) a sheet (61) of the first composition is poured continuously onto a flat support (4), c) a sheet (62) of the second composition is poured continuously onto sheet (61) of the first composition, and d) the thermal interdiffusion of the materials of the two sheets is ensured so as to obtain the desired gradient of composition in the cooled bar.

Abstract: In a quenching apparatus for quenching a glass sheet that has been heated and bent in a heating furnace, a cooling gas blows onto the glass sheet to provide a distribution of a temperature and/or a distribution of a static pressure in at least one section in the quenching apparatus. The distribution of a temperature provides different temperatures between the both surfaces of the glass sheet, while the distribution of a static pressure is nonuniform in a part of at least one surface of the glass sheet. The distributions can modify a shape of the glass sheet given in the heating furnace so that a degree of freedom in shape for manufacturing a bent and tempered glass sheet by utilizing its self-weight can be improved.

Abstract: A system for tempering glass plates has preheating zone (1) in which several glass plates (7) stacked vertically in compartmented car (6) are heated together to a temperature below the tempering temperature of for example 650.degree. C. (for example 300.degree. C.). Preheated glass plates (7) are moved individually from preheating zone (1) into heating zone (2). In heating zone (2) glass plates (7) are heated to the tempering temperature, their being inclined to the vertical at an acute angle and being held by air cushions between two heating plates. On the lower edge of the two heating plates of heating zone (2) there is transport device which supports glass plates (7) simultaneously to the bottom. Glass plates (7) heated to the tempering temperature are moved into cooling zone (3) which has cooling plates aligned parallel to the heating plates and between which glass plate (7) is pushed for quenching.

Abstract: A gas is supplied to the surface of the glass sheet transferred between a heating furnace and a cooling apparatus for tempering the glass sheet. The gas is supplied from the upstream side with respect to the direction of transfer of the glass sheet by an air curtain device. This gas runs along the glass sheet surface (upper surface) downstream with respect to the direction of transfer to obstruct the flow of cooling gas from the cooling apparatus in the upstream direction. The gas prevents cooling air from the cooling apparatus from invading the heating furnace so that the difference of the curvature of the glass sheet on the front and rear part can be eliminated.

Abstract: A process for bend-shaping a glass plate by heating the glass plate to a softening temperature of the glass plate, while the glass plate is transferred along a transferring surface in a shaping furnace. The glass plate is transferred along a complex bending transferring surface having a complex curved face which is upwardly projected with predetermined radius of curvatures along both the axis of the transferring direction and the axis perpendicular to the transferring direction.

Abstract: A glass ceramic or glass-ceramic sheet is formed by progressively reducing the thickness of the sheet by passing the sheet between successive pairs of counter-rotating rollers. The average viscosity of the sheet is maintained between 5.times.10.sup.4 and 10.sup.9 P during the sheet forming operation.

Abstract: Flat glass provided with precision structures is required for precision applications, especially for glasses with optical properties, for example for modern flat display screen glass. A method for forming precision structures in or on flat glass includes filling a structuring surface of a forming tool with a paste-like material and pressing the forming tool on one side of the flat glass. The forming tool is heated locally shortly prior and/or during or after contact with the glass surface with the structuring surface from the outside until the structuring surface down to a depth predetermined by the height of the structures being formed reaches a temperature at which a melting and hardening of the paste-like material forming the structures occurs during contact with the flat glass. The local heating of the structuring surface is performed by laser radiation which is passed through the flat glass to the structuring surface. Alternatively an inductive or resistance heating can be performed.

Abstract: In a process and to an apparatus for bending a glass sheet heated to the bending temperature in a horizontal furnace, through which it is passed by a motor roller conveyor, which passes it into a bending cell where it is kept at an ambient temperature substantially identical to the bending temperature, the glass sheet is immobilized in the bending cell in an upper bending mold perpendicular to an annular countermold surrounding an element for supporting the central part of the glass sheet in the bending cell. The annular countermold is raised in order to press the glass sheet against the upper bending mold.

Abstract: A heating furnace for heating a sheet of glass therein houses an array of beds for transferring the sheet of glass successively over the beds in the furnace in a first direction toward an outlet opening of the heating furnace while shaping the sheet of glass complementarily to an upper surface of the beds. Each of the beds has a plurality of hot air ejection holes for ejecting hot air to keep the sheet of glass out of contact with the beds. The beds include a final bed disposed near the outlet opening and inclined upwardly toward the outlet opening. The final bed has an upper panel which is upwardly convex in both the first direction and a second direction transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for positioning a heated glass sheet G includes a longitudinally extending air flotation conveyor (12) for receiving and floating the heated glass sheet, a glass sheet vacuum mold (14) movably mounted above the air floatation conveyor for receiving the heated glass sheet, a glass sheet positioner (16) mounted relative to the mold for peripherally engaging and laterally and longitudinally positioning the glass sheet with respect to the mold and an array of lift jets (18) interspersed amongst the air flotation conveyor and located beneath the mold for lifting the glass sheet onto the vacuum mold through the application of lifting air on the bottom surface of the glass sheet. A glass sheet processing ring (26) transversely movable relative to the air flotation conveyor (12) subsequently receives the glass sheet from the mold (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to a press-bending method and apparatus for bending glass sheets. The press bending is effected between an upper curved mold surface (12) and a lower ring mold (13). Air is blown through pores included in an upper mold (2) into a space (3) between mold surface (12) and a glass sheet (11), and vacuumed from the edges of the space for developing in the space (3) a negative pressure (P.sub.2) capable of bearing a glass sheet (1) in the immediate proximity of the mold surface (12), yet without contacting the mold surface (12).

Abstract: Apparatus operable in accordance with the method of the present invention is provided for selectively cooling areas of a glass sheet during heating in the lehr in order to eliminate hot spots and minimize undesirable sagging of portions of the glass sheet. The apparatus includes a gas hearth block upon which the glass sheet is supported during heating and an air nozzle or air nozzles connected to a source of compressed room temperature air located over those areas of the glass sheet that tend to develop hot spots. The air nozzle or air nozzles blow cooler air onto those selected areas of the glass sheet and even out the temperature of the heated glass sheet. This may be done prior to forming and/or tempering the glass sheet. The method and apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful with automobile glazings, such as sidelights and rear windows, bearing peripheral dark banding which show an increased tendency to sag during heating, particularly at the top edge portions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process are disclosed for manufacturing glass sheets of a complex form for vehicles. The apparatus includes a roller heating oven, a supporting air bed in a shaping section, a shaping ring for conveying the sheet of glass in a vertical direction toward an upper shaping mold, and a ring for conveying the sheet of glass horizontally toward a tempering station. The air bed is formed with frustoconical nozzles of such a size as to enable the shaping ring to pass through them so as to be movable to a position beneath its floating position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process as disclosed for manufacturing a glass sheet having a complex form for vehicles. The apparatus includes a roller heating oven, a supporting air bed in a shaping section, and a shaping ring for conveying the glass first to an upper shaping mold and then to a tempering station. The air bed is formed with fustoconical nozzles of such a size as to enable the ring to pass through them and to be placed beneath the a floating plane of the glass. The ring undergoes a first vertical movement to lift the glass toward the shaping mold and a second horizontal movement to convey the glass to the tempering station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for bending a glass sheet. A glass sheet heated close to its softening temperature is supported on a ring mould and the glass sheet is allowed to bend by gravity. If necessary, the bending can be assisted mechanically. Air is circulated from a furnace section (1.1) above a glass sheet (7) to be bent into a furnace section (1.2) below the glass sheet so as to produce a different pressure effect on the opposite sides of a glass sheet (7). This pressure effect is used to support the glass sheet which is also heated over its central area to a sufficient temperature for bending and/or tempering, said temperature being sufficiently high that, without said support provided by the pressure effect, the central glass sheet area would bend and sag excessively downwards. The generation of pressure effect can be intensified by fitting the furnace with a ceiling (3) which includes an opening (3.

Abstract: A metal powder is added to ceramic paint to prevent scratches on the painted surfaces of glass sheets formed by the gas hearth process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bending difficult bending shapes such as an S-shape in a glass sheet. The downward bending of an outline-mould supported, heated glass sheet is assisted by a non-engaging lower partial surface mould used for blowing to a bending line (BL) or its vicinity a gas having a temperature at least equal to that of glass, the gas serving simultaneously as a glass carrier preventing its falling or excessive downward sagging. Blasting orifices in the shaping surface are adapted to concentrate heating on the most problematic areas of a bending line.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing onto the surface of a moving ribbon of hot glass a coating formed from the reaction of at least two gaseous reactants. The apparatus includes an open-faced coating chamber in which the gaseous reactants are caused to flow in contact with the glass surface to be coated in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the glass so as to form the desired coating on the glass surface. The coating chamber opens downwardly onto, and extends across the width of, the glass surface to be coated, and has a first inlet means for providing a flow of a first gaseous reactant over the glass surface through the chamber over the width thereof, and a second inlet means constituted by an inlet channel which extends across the ceiling of the chamber over the width of the chamber for introducing a second gaseous reactant to the flow of the first gaseous reactant in the coating chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed a low expansion glass-ceramic substrate for supporting a glass multifocal lens assembly during a fusing or sagging heat treatment. The substrate has baked on its supporting surface a paint composed essentially of titania, alumina and a mica.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for moving a glass mass, such as a glass sheet in horizontal attitude through a bending section of a heating oven. The glass sheet at a deformation temperature is imparted movement along the conveyor system including a plurality of rollers, and a gaseous flow at high temperature, having a flow speed which varies continuously across the width of the glass sheet, impinges on its lower surface to at least partially balance the weight of the glass sheet in regions requiring good optical quality.

Abstract: The invention involves a method and apparatus for bending glass sheets to an S-shaped transverse bend with a longitudinal bend. The heat softened glass sheets are serially conveyed onto a gas hearth bed having a downwardly curved end portion at the downstream end thereof such that the glass sheet curves into conformation with the gas hearth, then by means of a curved outline mold lifting the glass sheet vertically into conformation with an overlying vacuum mold, holding the shaped sheet into contact with the vacuum mold by vacuum while lowering the outline mold, then moving a shuttle ring beneath the glass sheet, discontinuing the vacuum such that the glass sheet is deposited onto the shuttle ring and then moving the shuttle ring and glass sheet laterally for further processing.

Abstract: Sheet glass is heated during conveyance within a furnace housing having a fixed roof and vertically movable side doors that define side slots through which ends of conveyor rolls project outwardly to be supported and frictionally driven by continuous drive loops slidably driven over external support surfaces that extend alongside the side slots. A vacuum holder of the apparatus is positioned within the furnace housing above the conveyor and has a downwardly facing surface with spaced openings in which a vacuum is drawn to receive a glass sheet from the conveyor and support the sheet above the conveyor. The holder surface is disclosed as being both planar and curved and as having a porous cover of ceramic fibers so as to distribute the vacuum and prevent marring of the glass as it is supported. A greater vacuum is drawn to initially support the glass and a lesser vacuum is subsequently drawn to prevent glass deformation at the spaced openings.

Abstract: A flat glass sheet of a given outline configuration is supported in a shaping station by a combination of a gas hearth bed portion and readily replaceable flat plate means comprising spaced plates having spaced edges of conforming shape that define an elongated slot conforming to the outline shape of at least a portion of the periphery of the flat glass sheet. The gas support bed portion provides hot gas under pressure to float the flat glass, and the flat plate means is located in close proximity to an end of the gas hearth bed portion to provide a narrow space at the level of the gas hearth bed portion for escaping gas between the flat plate means and the extending glass sheet portion to limit sag of the extending glass sheet portion. The flat plate means may be covered by material that does not mar hot glass, such as boron nitride, in case the glass sheet portion sags a limited distance to slide in contact with the flat plate means before it is lifted on a shaped, ring-like member.

Abstract: For the manufacture of formed parts made of glass, as for example, grill gratings or grease pans for kitchenstoves, a piece of plate glass that is cut to size is placed on a mold which corresponds to the shape of the desired piece of glass; and is heated. In order to prevent a premature lowering of the softening piece of plate glass, during the softening process, it is supported by a gas cushion.

Abstract: Heat-softened glass sheets are held by a flat vacuum platen and dropped onto a shaping mold to impart the desired curvature to the glass sheet.

Abstract: A system for conveying a series of glass sheets at a non-uniform speed through sheet treatment apparatus comprising a plurality of treatment stations. Longitudinally spaced conveyor rolls are rotated at a first speed at a first sheet treatment station where each sheet in turn is oriented and aligned properly relative to said conveying system and other rolls are rotated at a greater speed at a second sheet treatment station where the properly oriented and aligned sheet is treated.