Abstract: A method and quench unit (10,10a,10b) disclosed provide tempering of a heated glass sheet by impinging pressurized air against its opposite surfaces while within a chamber (18) at super-atmospheric pressure. An enclosure (16) of the quench unit defines the chamber (18) and is preferably pressurized by the spent quenching air which is delivered through opposed blastheads (12). The spent quenching air is removed from the chamber (18) to maintain the air pressure below a predetermined level. An air supply system (24) disclosed cools and pressurizes the spent quenching air received from the chamber (18) and then feeds this air back to the blastheads (12) in a recirculating fashion for impingement with the glass sheet in the chamber.

Abstract: A traveling grate for hot glass prevents sagging of the glass by displacing the grate at a velocity different from the angular velocity imparted to the grate rollers in the opposite direction so that the translatory velocity imparted to the glass is an algebraic summation of the grate velocity and .omega.R where .omega. is the angular velocity of the rollers and R is the radius thereof.

Abstract: A method for the prevention of the curving of glass sheets in the roller-equipped furnace of a horizontal tempering plant utilizes a substantially turbulent air flow over the upper surface of the glass sheet for intensifying the convection heat action applied to the upper surface of the glass sheet. The furnace is fitted with perforated pipes which are connected to a source of compressed air for blowing horizontal air jets above the upper surface of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A conveyor roll for conveying glass sheets and a conveyor comprising a plurality of said conveyor rolls is described. Each conveyor roll comprises a curved shaft conforming to the shape of said glass sheets transverse to their path of movement. A plurality of segments of essentially cylindrical configuration is mounted around said curved shaft. The segments have loosely interfitting tongues and grooves and a cylindrically shaped surface of a material that does not mar glass. When torque is applied to one of the end segments of said conveyor rolls, the glass engaging surfaces rotate in unison to convey the curved glass sheets through a treatment station included in glass sheet treating apparatus. A spring mounted about the shaft in position to apply axial pressure against the outer axial surface of the end segment to insure positive tongue in groove engagement would tend to mar said outer axial surface and to cause the end segment to drag in the absence of the present invention.

Abstract: In the bending and tempering of glass sheets supported on a ring-like member for conveyance of the bent glass sheet through a cooling station, a transfer device for unloading the bent, tempered glass sheet is provided. The transfer device is so constructed and arranged that it does not cause a bottleneck in high speed, mass production of bent, tempered glass sheets, avoids uncontrolled departures from the desired shape of the bent, tempered glass sheets, particularly those that develop in the marginal edge portion of the glass sheets that must fit exactly into glass sheet receiving frames of installation structures or vehicles, and enables the glass sheet to transfer so gently as to inhibit the likelihood of breakage resulting from uncontrolled dropping of bent, tempered glass sheets during their handling.

Abstract: A quench roll (20) for a glass sheet tempering system of the roller conveyor type includes a helical support (44) with a construction that does not mark conveyed glass sheets but which is nevertheless capable of withstanding breaking of glass sheets without being cut so as to require repair. The helical support (44) is wrapped about a shaft (42) of the roll (20) and includes a core (46) as well as a nonmetallic outer covering (50). The outer covering (50) is preferably a synthetic organic polymer such as silicone rubber or Teflon and, for best results, the covering has an outer sleeve (50a) of ceramic fibers. The core (46) is preferably metallic and made of wire strands (52) that facilitate wrapping thereof in the helical configuration. Spring end connections (54) disclosed prevent unwinding of the helical support (44) during glass sheet conveyance.

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 glass sheet bending system (10) disclosed includes a horizontal roller conveyor (16) having a roll operator for operating a plurality of conveyor rolls (18) adjacent an associated bending apparatus (22) to control conveyance thereon independent of conveyance on the other rolls of the conveyor. In one embodiment, the roll operator comprises a roll shifter (24) for shifting the rolls (18) along the direction of conveyance during continued rotational driving. In another embodiment, the roll operator comprises a positioning drive (140), that drives the conveyor rolls (18) adjacent the bending apparatus (22) independently of the other rolls of the conveyor. Both embodiments reduce the rate of glass sheet conveyance as the holder receives each glass sheet to reduce sliding at a surface (62) of the holder.

Abstract: Quenching apparatus for tempering curved glass plates includes upper and lower blower head devices which project quenching air, each of the devices including a central blower head and side blower heads disposed upon opposite sides of the central head. The side blower heads are adjustable depending upon the particular curvature of the curved glass plate to be tempered. The nozzles of the central head may also be replaced or exchanged so as to provide partial or full-surface tempering to the plates.

Abstract: Bending and tempering of a glass sheet is achieved in that the glass sheet is submitted to the tempering phase while still being placed, as in the forming phase, on a forming ring integral with a frame which holds the latter, in order to maintain the previously formed shape unaltered. Vertical upward and downward movement is achieved both in the forming zone and in the glass sheet discharge zone by means of a rotating coupling device which supports the frame with forming ring and the glass sheet placed thereupon. Means are provided for conveying the frame with integral forming ring in the horizontal direction from the forming zone to the subsequent tempering and discharge zones, and other overlying similar means are provided to return the frame and forming ring from the discharge zone to the forming zone. A passageway or chamber is formed in the upper nozzle section of the tempering zone, through which may pass the frame and forming ring, as well as their horizontal driving members during the return traverse.

Abstract: Transferring rigid glass sheets from a first conveyor where the sheets are conveyed in end to end relation along a first conveyor through a first treatment apparatus where the sheets are suspended by tongs to a second conveyor where the sheets are conveyed in a broadside relation along a path parallel to and beyond the first conveyor. Such a conveyor system utilizes plant space efficiently.

Abstract: This invention covers an arrangement of nozzles extending from one or a pair of opposing plenum chambers of glass sheet tempering apparatus the minimizes the tendency of a large glass sheet interposed between the plenum chambers to throttle the escape of tempering medium that is applied to the central portion of the glass sheet undergoing tempering.

Abstract: In tempering a glass sheet, particularly a glass sheet having at least one major dimension more than 0.5 meter, by quenching said sheet with cold tempering medium while at a tempering temperature, prior art tempering apparatus developed insufficient temper particularly in the central portion of the glass sheet, as evidenced by fragments from the central portion exceeding code requirements for maximum size on destruction testing. The present invention provides a novel construction and arrangement of the tempering medium supply system that provides relatively wide escape paths in the direction of the glass sheet thickness for blasts of tempering medium applied toward the central portion of the glass sheet compared to the escape paths provided in said direction for blasts of tempering medium applied to the portion of the glass sheet beyond the central portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a special module for the entrance to a cooling station of a glass sheet tempering apparatus and particularly relates to the construction of a pair of upstream modules at the upstream end of the cooling station immediately beyond the exit of a furnace through which glass sheets are transported for heating for subsequent quenching and rapid cooling in order to impart a temper. The special entrance modules of the present invention are cooled by providing a baffle wall spaced upstream of the upstream wall of each upstream module that faces the furnace exit to provide an open ended air chamber between each upstream module and the furnace. In addition, optionally, coolant may be passed through pipe means provided between the furnace and the upstream modules. These changes in upstream module construction result in producing tempered glass with less kink than prior art apparatus having upstream modules not so modified.

Abstract: A conveyor roll for conveying glass sheets and a conveyor comprising a plurality of said conveyor rolls is described. Each conveyor roll comprises a curved shaft conforming to the shape of said glass sheets transverse to their path of movement, a plurality of hubs of essentially cylindrical configuration mounted around said curved shaft and having loosely interfitting tongues and grooves and a cylindrically shaped collar of a material that does not mar glass in tightly fitting relation about each of said hubs. When torque is applied to one of the end hubs of said conveyor rolls, the glass engaging surfaces of said collars rotate in unison at a uniform peripheral speed to convey the curved glass sheets through a cooling area included in glass sheet tempering apparatus with minimum scuff marks because the different collar surfaces rotate at the same rotational speed against the engaged surfaces of said curved glass sheets.

Abstract: Primary and secondary quench sections and radiant electrical heaters for a roller hearth glass tempering furnace having a roller track supporting the endless conveyor drive belts, and adjustable locators for conveyor roller spacing. At least the primary quench section includes high flow, low suction air cooling devices. The heating zone size may conform to the size of the glass part being treated. Optionally, the glass part may be reciprocated five inches or less in either direction while being heated or cooled. Fully adjustable roller and drive belt support systems control the horizontal plane of the track and thus maintain a more level conveyor bed. A unitized zone construction allows for future increase or decrease in product output, simply by installation of one or more heating zones and lengthening of drive belts. A wear-resistant, disposable Teflon and/or silicone axle can be used. The furnace incorporates soft, heat-resistant fabric belts which are Teflon and/or silicone rubber coated.

Abstract: A roller hearth glass tempering furnace having a roller track supporting the endless conveyor drive belts, and adjustable locators for conveyor roller spacing. The heating zone size conforms substantially to the size of the glass article being treated. The glass part is reciprocated approximately five inches or less in either direction while being heated or cooled. Fully adjustable roller and drive belt support systems control the horizontal plane of the track and thus maintain a more level conveyor bed. A unitized zone construction allows for future increase or decrease in product output, simply by installation of one or more heating zones and lengthening of drive belts. A wear-resistant, disposable Teflon and/or silicone axle can be used. The furnace incorporates soft, heat-resistant fabric belts which are Teflon and/or silicone rubber coated.

Abstract: While a heated glass sheet moves through a quenching section, the glass sheet is blown with air in the same portions so as to be quenched always in the same portions to provide on the glass surface rapidly cooled portions and uncooled portions. Thereby the residual strains on the glass surface are made different to prevent the generation of pieces or splines when the glass sheet is broken.

Abstract: Producing glass sheets having improved break patterns over those produced either by typical heat strengthening procedures or by heating to a tempering temperature followed by natural cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and process for simultaneous thermic hardening via rapid air cooling of a plurality of glass sheets vertically suspended from a conveyor. The apparatus is characterized by two diametrically opposed caissons, the opposed surfaces of which are each provided with a plurality of compressed air pipes and a means for evacuating the emitted compressed air.

Abstract: This invention relates to tempering curved, hot glass sheets supported with their concavely shaped major surfaces facing a first set of pipe-type nozzles and their convexly shaped major surfaces facing a second set of bar-type nozzle housings while tempering medium is applied simultaneously under pressure against said major surfaces.

Abstract: A glass sheet is thermally toughened by heating the sheet to a temperature near to its softening point and then lowering the sheet into a gas-fluidized bed of particulate material. A void region is established beneath the lower edge of the sheet as it is initially immersed in the fluidized bed.

Abstract: Apparatus for tempering flat or curved glass sheets suspended in a vertical orientation comprising a plurality of nozzle boxes each pivotable about its longitudinal axis and adjustable in position to provide a pair of sets of nozzle boxes facing the opposite major surface of a glass sheet held in a quenching position between two sets of nozzle boxes. The present apparatus requires a minimum of power to cause relative movement of blasts of tempering fluid applied against the opposite major glass sheet surfaces, permits positional adjustment of individual nozzle boxes to define a flat or curved space corresponding to the shape of glass sheet handled, and simultaneously permits each nozzle box to oscillate about its longitudinal axis from a desired, adjusted orientation to optimize the heat exchange effect of the moving blasts of tempering fluid.

Abstract: The efficiency of tempering flat or curved glass sheets suspended in a vertical orientation is improved in the type of quenching operation wherein quenching nozzles are arranged on a plurality of nozzle boxes, each of which is pivotable about its longitudinal axis so as to oscillate the nozzles in unison within planes which are parallel to each other. The improvement here achieves optimum heat exchange, with a minimized amount of power consumption for supplying pressurized tempering fluid, by controlling the angular displacement of the oscillating nozzles within an angle of 20 degrees from normal to the portion of the glass sheet surface opposite each respective nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus for tempering glass sheets, comprising a furnace for heating the glass sheets and means for conveying the sheets horizontally therethrough, spaced conveyor rolls for receiving the heated glass sheets from the furnace, upper and lower blastheads positioned horizontally above and beneath the path of travel of the glass sheets, each blasthead comprising a spaced, parallel array of elongated tubular members extending transverse to the direction of travel of the glass sheets, each said elongated member having a cavity therein to receive a gas flow from a manifold and at least one orifice through which the gas is discharged against the respective surface of the glass sheets to rapidly cool the same, and means for independently mounting the upper and lower blastheads for pivotal movement such that they can be swung upwardly and downwardly respectively relative to the conveyor rolls to permit broken glass to fall freely between said conveyor rolls and away from the apparatus.

Abstract: A continuous operation for heating, bending and tempering glass sheets is converted to tempering flat glass sheets by employing a heat-reflecting shield over the glass path in the unused bending zone. In the quenching zone, quenching medium is directed against the underside of the glass sheets with greater force than is customary, and driven hold-down rolls are employed above the glass path in the quench zone in order to maintain movement of the glass sheets through the quenching zone.

Abstract: A method of thermally treating glass products in which the products are conveyed through a number of heating zones and/or cooling zones of a tunnel furnace and are heated and cooled, respectively, by means of an airflow maintained in each zone in a direction transverse to the direction of transport; according the invention, the velocity of the airflow increases gradually both in the heating zones and in the cooling zones; for that purpose, two perforated partitions having gradually increasing flow apertures for the airflow are provided in each zone.

Abstract: An improved support for holding a plurality of nozzles of a compressed air tempering apparatus in individually adjusted axial position, said support comprising an expandable member relative to which each of the nozzles is axially slidable, and mechanism for expanding the expandable member into pressure holding engagement with each nozzle to hold them in their axially adjusted positions.

Abstract: The present invention improves the quality of glass sheets with respect to roll ripple distortion by providing criteria for selectively maintaining conveyor rolls in a critical portion of the conveyor which comprises only those rolls located within an area defined by a first location a short distance upstream of the exit of the furnace and a second location a short distance downstream of the furnace exit. Surprisingly, by maintaining adequate alignment and using relatively small diameter, closely spaced conveyor rolls in this critical conveyor portion only, roll ripple distortion has been reduced to a considerable extent. The remaining conveyor rolls in the other portions of the conveyor need not be subjected to as frequent maintenance as the rolls in the critical portion of the conveyor, thereby lessening the cost of maintaining glass sheet heat-treating apparatus in good operating condition.

Abstract: This invention relates to glass sheet conveyor rolls and, particularly, those that are useful in conveying glass sheets through a hot atmosphere. The gist of the invention resides in the manner of supporting rigid, unitary conveyor rolls on three bearing housings, a pair of which is located to one side of the conveyor path provided by a set of conveyor rolls. According to a specific embodiment of this invention, the outer bearing housing of the pair of bearing housings is supported slightly above the one horizontal plane of support for the other bearing housings supporting each conveyor roll so as to impart a stress causing each conveyor roll of cylindrical configuration to develop a slightly concave upper surface during rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending and tempering heat-softened glass sheets by differentially cooling the opposite surfaces of the sheets to warp or bow the sheets to desired curvatures. The sheets are conveyed through the tempering section by a series of upper and lower conveyor rolls, each of which is formed of a two-piece construction and curved in a manner providing adequate support for the opposite ends thereof and permitting easy access into the inner regions of the tempering section.

Abstract: Apparatus for tempering glass sheets comprising spaced opposed plenum chambers with specially constructed elongated nozzles mounted to specially constructed apertured walls of said opposed plenum chambers by means of resilient clip means.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to glass annealing lehrs in which glass ware is supported on an endless conveyor to convey it through a closed tunnel consisting of separately controllable temperature zones which expose the ware to a glass annealing temperature gradient produced and maintained by gaseous fuel burners and electrical heaters employed separately or jointly, depending upon the availability of the fuel or electrical energy. In accordance with the invention, circulating fans are positioned at both sides of each lehr section, and air inlet ducts are provided for admitting controlled amounts of ambient air to the inlet of each fan.

Abstract: The glass tempering system includes an elongated furnace in which a horizontal conveyor oscillates a glass sheet between opposite ends of the chamber in a manner to shorten the necessary furnace length to heat the glass to its quench temperature. A load station at one end includes a horizontal conveyor driven by the same drive mechanism as the furnace conveyor during the index cycle so that a glass sheet is received while another glass sheet is being indexed to the quench unit. A second motor drives the quench unit conveyor in an oscillating manner. The two drive mechanisms are coupled during the index cycle so that a tempered glass sheet is conveyed from the quench unit to an unload station as a heated glass sheet is being conveyed to the quench unit. The conveyor of the unload station is driven by the quench unit drive during the index cycle to receive the tempered glass sheet. Each of the conveyors includes drive chains which frictionally drive their conveyor rollers.

Abstract: A leer for the cooling and annealing of glass includes, at the entering, hot end thereof, a plurality of smooth-surfaced glass-supporting rollers of stainless steel and, at the cool or exit end a plurality of glass-supporting rollers of stainless steel having circumferential or helical ridges on which the glass rests.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming tempered glass articles, the particularly shaped glass articles. The method includes the step of subjecting the glass article to be tempered to a homogeneous heating source while simultaneously quenching surfaces of said article being heated, whereby there is achieved within said article a differential temperature condition sufficient to effect full tempering thereof. Since the surfaces of said article are quenched as the article is being heated, at least the surface portions of the article are retained at a temperature sufficiently low to provide mechanical support for the article, whereby sagging or deformation of the article under gravitational or other influences is prevented, without the necessity for providing form-fitting molds or like appurtenances physically to prevent distortion of the glass article during tempering.The invention further relates to an apparatus for practicing the noted method.

Abstract: A glass tempering blasthead including a pair of plenum chambers with opposed banks of nozzles for directing air or other fluid flow onto opposite surfaces of a sheet of glass disposed therebetween for quenching or cooling the glass subsequent to heat treatment of the glass. Each plenum chamber has a fluid flow distributing assembly including a pair of complementary sheet members. Each of the sheet members is stamped so that when secured in complementary relationship with the other sheet member a series of nozzles are formed having flared inlets communicating with a transverse feed passage for directing flow from the plenum chamber into the flared inlets of the nozzles. When the glass sheets are disposed horizontally between the opposed nozzles, the nozzles have their axes disposed parallel to the vertical.

Abstract: Glassware treating apparatus in which bottles which have been coated with a non-abrading coating are treated to remove surface irregularities in the coating on the bottom of the bottles. The bottles are gripped and suspended from conveyor means and pass consecutively over a heating zone, a cooling zone and a drying zone for removing the surface irregularities.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for annealing glassware by passing the ware continuously through a tunnel in which the application of heat and recirculation of the gaseous treating medium is regulated to establish and maintain independently controllable heating and cooling zones. An endless perforated conveyor passes from end to end of the tunnel and the ware is placed on the conveyor in alignment with and beneath a jet-like blast of the treating medium internally and externally of the ware simultaneously to subject all of the ware to uniform treatment in minimum time. The treating medium in the heating zones of the tunnel is recirculated and furnace pressure and temperature is regulated by circulating fans and by dampers between the furnace chambers with the outside atmosphere.