Abstract: A glass sheet is press bent between a pair of bending molds of complementary shape provided with covers using burning gas source means that supplies heat by directing burning gas flames toward the bottom edge of a glass sheet. The burning gas source means is constructed and arranged to be directed toward the path taken by the glass sheet when the latter moves into a shaping position with the press bending molds retracted and to pivot away from the mold covers when the press bending molds engage the glass sheet including its bottom edge during the shaping of the sheet. Preferably, the burning gas source means has a shape that conforms with the shape of the bottom edge of the glass sheet undergoing press bending and has an upwardly directed downstream portion to provide clearance as the glass sheet moves into said shaping position in a direction such that a recessed lower edge portion thereof is the leading edge of the glass sheet during its path of movement into the shaping station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting pattern shaped holes in glass sheets is disclosed in which a pair of continuous parallel lines are scored on the upper surface of a glass sheet in horizontal orientation so that the outermost score line defines the periphery of the pattern hole. A pair of templates having opening coincidental but smaller than the pattern hole is clamped on both the upper and lower surfaces of the glass sheet so that the outermost score line is located between the clamped plates while the innermost score line is exposed. A force is applied to the exposed area of the glass sheet to remove the glass from the pattern hole. The glass severs at both the inner and outer score lines to produce the pattern shaped hole. Breakout is additionally assisted by thermal gradients introduced in the glass sheet by applying opposing moments to the glass.

Abstract: A method of replacing damaged panels of a cladding system includes the use of a replacement panel. The replacement panel includes a sheet having a side hanger secured to a major surface of the sheet at each of opposed sides of the sheets and extending beyond their adjacent side of the sheet and a bottom hanger secured to the major surface of the sheet adjacent bottom edge of the sheet and having an exterior facing groove. After the damaged panel is removed, an opening is provided defined by the top hanger of the removed panel, vertical splines and a horizontal spline. The exterior groove of the bottom hanger is mounted on the horizontal spline and the panel tilted in position against adhesive provided on outer surface of top hanger. Extending portions of the side hangers are screw fastened to underlying ones of the vertical splines. Thereafter, the space between the previously installed panel and replacement panel is filled with a layer of silicone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring-like member for use in a glass sheet bending and tempering process most adapted to a process wherein a glass sheet is released from engagement against a vacuum mold of a shape having sharply bent regions about longitudinally spaced, transversely extending lines of relatively sharp bending onto said ring-like member. The vacuum mold has a distance between the sharply bent regions at operating conditions that either equals or is slightly less than the distance desired in the bent glass. In a preferred embodiment, the ring-like member is split into two shaping rails, which are separable to adjusted positions wherein the sharply bent regions are spaced to conform to the distance desired therebetween in the bent glass sheet.

Abstract: A deformable vacuum mold for shaping glass sheets to complicated shapes includes mold stiffening structure engaging the central portion of the mold, mold lifting means engaging the longitudinal end portions of the vacuum mold to lift the latter relative to the mold stiffening structure and optional bar means adjustable in position and orientation to provide local control imparted to the shape of the vacuum mold when the longitudinal end portions of the mold are lifted. The deformable vacuum mold may also include a pair of lifting means providing different amounts of lift to the longitudinal end portions on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the mold and approximately equal amounts of lift to the longitudinal end portions on opposite sides of the transverse center line of the mold.

Abstract: A container for shipping sheets is disclosed in which there is provided a horizontal base and a vertical backwall. The sheets are stacked on edge on the base and supported in position by the vertical backwall and a plurality of diagonal bands running from the top of the backwall to the front of the base. Methods of loading and unloading the container are also disclosed.

Abstract: A subsurface score is imposed in one surface of a glass ribbon at the bulb edge and an open score imposed in the opposite surface aligned with the subsurface score. The ribbon is cut into lehr ends after which bending moment forces are applied about the scores to propagate the open score toward the subsurface score to sever the bulb edge from the ribbon to provide a glass sheet having substantially smooth cut edges.

Abstract: A window closure for sealing a viewing and access port in a glass forming chamber includes a handle pivotally mounted to a glass pane supporting frame, the frame being hinged to the wall of the forming chamber below the viewing port. The handle and hinging facilities are secured to the frame outside the perimeter of the port to provide an unobstructed view into the chamber when sealed, and to provide unobstructed access through the port when opened. The handle is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed hooks for engaging correspondingly located pins secured to the chamber wall. The closure is opened by pivoting the handle to disengage the hooks from the pins, and the handle is then used to rotate the entire closure about the hinge to come to rest below the port, parallel to the chamber wall. The closure further includes facilities for detachably securing the glass pane to the frame for easy replacement of the glass.

Abstract: Nip width of a glass ribbon advancing on a molten metal bath is determined by repeatedly, at selected intervals, advancing an edge detector from a first home position toward and into contact with the ribbon edge and then back to a second home position. The first and second home positions are compared at the end of each interval to determine nip width and/or change in nip width. The facilities for determining nip width include a detector responsive to fluid pressure changes. Facilities are also taught relating to measurement of substrate displacements by contacting the substrate edge with a pivotal member to activate an electrical system.

Abstract: Silk-screening apparatus for applying a pattern on a substrate surface includes suction applying facilities for returning residual pattern forming medium back through a screen member to the upper surface thereof after a pattern has been applied. Means are provided for adjusting the magnitude of suction from a minimal value adjacent imperforate portions of the screen member to a substantially constant value adjacent perforated portions sufficient to draw the pattern-forming medium back to the upper surface. Means are provided for maintaining a substantially constant magnitude of suction as a suction applying member passes over perforated portions of the screen member having varying degrees of porosity.

Abstract: A damage-free score is initiated in a moving ribbon of glass by projecting grit material toward the surface of the ribbon in a controlled manner to create a selected zone of surface damage thereon. The selected zone of surface damage is then advanced under a scoring wheel sized, shaped, and loaded to generate the damage-free score upon encountering an appropriate zone of surface damage.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a plurality of particles of grit material onto the surface of a refractory piece to be damage-free scored, whereby the entrapment of a particle of grit material between a biased scoring wheel and the surface of the refractory piece generates a zone of surface damage which initiates a damage-free score.

Abstract: A moisture analyzer sequentially directs a transmitted reference energy beam and a transmitted measurement energy beam toward a mirrored surface background plate as spaced plastic sheets advance along a path through the beams. During the testing period, beams are reflected from the sheets and plate as sheet and plate reflected measured beams and during the non-testing period only from the plate as plate reflected reference and measured beams. The reflected beams generated during the testing period are measured using a detector circuit to determine moisture content of the sheets. The background plate is selected to provide during the non-testing period a value as indicated by the detector circuit that is within the acceptable range for sheets as indicated by the detector circuit operating on the reflected beams generated during the testing period to reduce response time of the detector circuit changing from the non-testing period to the testing period.

Abstract: A damage-free score, e.g., a subsurface score, in a moving refractory piece, e.g., glass, is initiated by imparting vibrations to a damage-free scoring wheel. The damage-free score is increased in depth by the continual impartation of the vibrations during the damage-free scoring of the piece.

Abstract: A plurality of lights are mounted relative to one another to direct light beams toward a glass sheet along continuous scan portions. The sheet moves through the scan portions to reflect light beams toward a linear array of diodes. The linear array of diodes is activated and deactivated to simulate a discrete scan path and to generate points of intersection between the edge portions of the glass sheet and the scan path. The signals of the photodetectors are acted on to determine peripheral characteristics of the sheet such as squareness of the corners, linearity of the sheet sides and length of each sheet side.

Abstract: Continuity of antenna wire of an antenna windshield is determined by mounting two electroconductive receiving plates in space relationship to one another and to an electroconductive transmitting plate. The receiving plate and transmitting plate are positioned over and spaced from segments of the antenna wire. The transmitting plate is energized to form capacitors or capacitance couplings (1) between segments of the antenna wire and the plate and (2) between the receiving plates and transmitting plates. The potential difference between the receiving plates is measured to determine wire continuity.

Abstract: Heat strengthened glass is treated to have a break pattern that permits the fractured glass sheet to be retained within an installation frame by moving a glass sheet through a heating area, force cooling the side portions of the moving sheet while cooling the intermediate portions of the sheet at a lesser rate to establish a temperature gradient between the side portions and the intermediate portion, and subsequently applying quenching medium to the entire moving sheet. The temperature gradient in the sheet is achieved by a plurality of baffles, e.g. plates having an imperforate center portion and apertured or slotted end portions and facilities movable relative to quenching nozzles to control passage of quenching medium through the slotted end portions of the baffles to control the temperature gradient imparted to the glass sheet. The movable facilities also permit tempering of glass sheets of varying transverse dimensions.

Abstract: A glass ribbon conveying roll includes cylindrical outer tubular end portions having a plurality of high temperature thermal insulating discs secured thereon and an intermediate tubular portion. The hollow interior of the roll is filled with thermal insulating material. The thermal insulating material within the roll reduces heat transfer through the center of the ribbon and the discs prevent heat loss from the ribbon edges to maintain a relatively flat temperature profile across the ribbon as it advances through an annealing lehr.

Abstract: A laminate assembly having rigid sheets about a thermoplastic interlayer has interfacial surfaces evacuated and peripheral edges sealed by applying localized vacuum and heat to only the periphery and marginal edge portions. A flexible heating blanket having marginally embedded heating elements overlies the laminate assembly and is biased theretoward by a flexible channel-shaped ring. The channel-shaped ring establishes a conduit about the periphery of the laminate assembly which is evacuated to remove entrapped air, and the heating element is energized to bond and seal the marginal edge portions of the assembly.

Abstract: Engage a glass sheet having a painted border portion on one surface between press bending molds of different outline size in such a manner as to avoid having either mold contact the painted border portion and stick to the paint to distort the shaped glass on retracting the molds.