Abstract: A method is described herein for sintering a frit to a glass plate where the sintered frit and glass plate are subsequently sealed to another glass plate to form a sealed glass package. Examples of the sealed glass package include a light-emitting device (e.g., organic light emitting diode (OLED) device), a photovoltaic device, a food container, and a medicine container.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing a glass ribbon including a shroud surrounding the glass ribbon and an edge roll that penetrates the shroud to contact the glass ribbon. The apparatus includes regulating a pressure within the seal assembly to be equal to or less than a pressure within the shroud and prevent ingress of relatively cooler outside gas into the hot interior of the shroud. The edge roll utilizes an air bearing to minimize friction that can produce periodic fluctuation of the ribbon as the edge roll is displaces in response to variations in the ribbon thickness or equipment dimensions.

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: Methods for separating glass sheets from glass ribbons are disclosed. One method includes forming a glass ribbon having a curvature in a lateral direction. A conformable nosing is engaged with a first surface of the glass ribbon such that the conformable nosing conforms to the curvature of the glass ribbon. The glass ribbon is scored along a scoring line on a second surface of the glass ribbon. The conformable nosing is then at least partially disengaged from the first surface of the glass ribbon by adjusting a bow of the conformable nosing. A bending moment is applied to the glass ribbon to separate a glass sheet from the glass ribbon at the scoring line. Application of the bending moment conforms the curvature of the glass ribbon to the bow of the conformable nosing prior to the glass sheet separating from the glass ribbon.

Abstract: A glass package is disclosed comprising a first substrate and a second substrate, where the substrates are attached in at least two locations, at least one attachment comprising a frit, and at least one attachment comprising a polymeric adhesive and wherein the frit comprises a glass portion comprising: a base component comprising and at least one absorbing component. Also disclosed is a method of sealing a light emitting display device comprising providing a light emitting layer, a first substrate and a second substrate, where a frit is deposited between the substrates and a polymeric adhesive is deposited either between the substrates or around the edge of the device, and where the frit is sealed with a radiation source and the polymeric adhesive is cured.

Abstract: A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The scoring is conducted by a high energy means such as a laser. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in liquid used to quench the glass located in the nozzle (e.g., water). The gas (e.g., air bubbles) is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet, such as using a traveling anvil machine at the bottom of the draw. The spray nozzle (purge nozzle) has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location. The purge nozzle can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening in the nozzle. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passageway that enables a coolant to travel along the coil.

Abstract: A method of controlling blister formation in a glass melt flowing through a system comprising one or more refractory metal vessels by developing a blister index and determining the critical blister index value. The critical value of the blister index may be used to control the principal variables responsible for blister formation, including the water content of the melt, the concentration of reduced multivalent oxide compounds in the melt, and the hydrogen partial pressure of an atmosphere in contact with the outside surface of the refractory metal vessel. Also disclosed is a minimum partial pressure of hydrogen necessary to produce an essentially blister-free glass article in a glass essentially free of arsenic and antimony.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: applying an inorganic barrier layer to at least a portion of a flexible substrate, the barrier layer being formed from a low liquidus temperature (LLT) material; and sintering the inorganic barrier layer while maintaining the flexible substrate below a critical temperature.

Abstract: In the formation of sheet material from molten glass, molten glass is formed in a melting furnace and transported through a precious metal delivery system to the forming apparatus. Disclosed herein is a method to eliminate carbon-containing contamination of individual components of the precious metal delivery system prior to their installation and use. The method comprises one or more heat treating steps in an oxygen-containing atmosphere prior to and/or during assembly of the component.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed glass package and method for manufacturing the hermetically sealed glass package are described herein using an OLED display as an example. Basically, the hermetically sealed OLED display is manufactured by providing a first substrate plate and a second substrate plate and depositing a frit onto the second substrate plate. OLEDs are deposited on the first substrate plate. An irradiation source (e.g., laser, infrared light) is then used to heat the frit which melts and forms a hermetic seal that connects the first substrate plate to the second substrate plate and also protects the OLEDs. The frit is glass that was doped with at least one transition metal and possibly a CTE lowering filler such that when the irradiation source heats the frit, it softens and forms a bond. This enables the frit to melt and form the hermetic seal while avoiding thermal damage to the OLEDs.

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: Methods of using a laser to separate a glass sheet is presented that employs an elongated and, preferably, asymmetrically-truncated laser beam. The methods allow glass sheets suitable for use in modern display applications to be separated at speeds up to about 200 mm/s with low levels of residual stress, e.g., levels of residual stress which are less than or equal to 100 psi, and preferably less than 50 psi. Glasses with high coefficients of thermal expansion (e.g. greater than about 35×10?7/° C.) may be separated at faster speeds. Such low levels of residual stress translate into low levels of distortion during the manufacture of display panels (e.g., LCD panels) as well as in improved properties (geometry, strength, defect-free etc.) of the separated edges. The methods can be used with glasses of various types including glasses having high coefficients of thermal expansion and also with glass sheets of different thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a substrate assembly by applying a force to the assembly while simultaneously exposing the substrate assembly, and in particular a sealing material disposed between two substrates of the substrate assembly, to an irradiating beam of electromagnetic energy. The beam heats, cures and/or melts the sealing material, depending upon the sealing material to form the seal. The force is applied by directing a flow of fluid against the substrate assembly, and beneficially improves contact between the substrates of the substrate assembly and the sealing material during the sealing process, therefore assisting in achieving a hermetic seal between the substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device comprising a glass, glass ceramic, or ceramic sheet having a thickness less than about 0.4 mm and wherein a minimum strength of the inorganic substrate is greater than about 500 MPa. Also disclosed is a method of making an electronic device including drawing a viscous inorganic material to form an inorganic ribbon having opposing as-formed edges along a length of the ribbon, separating the ribbon to form a substrate sheet of inorganic material comprising two as-formed edges and forming a device element on the inorganic substrate.

Abstract: A method is described herein for sintering a frit to a glass plate where the sintered frit and glass plate are subsequently sealed to another glass plate to form a sealed glass package. Examples of the sealed glass package include a light-emitting device (e.g., organic light emitting diode (OLED) device), a photovoltaic device, a food container, and a medicine container.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for both scoring and separating a brittle material, and in particular a glass sheet or substrate, using only a single laser beam. A radiation zone created by the beam incident on the glass substrate, and the radiation zone is effectively formed into two portions by a coolant jet incident on the radiation zone. The radiation zone is separated into a leading portion, which generates a vent crack partially through a thickness of the substrate, and a trailing portion that propagates the vent crack through the remainder of the substrate, thereby separating the substrate.

Abstract: A method of feeding a pulverulent batch material into a furnace in the manufacture of glass. The pulverulent batch material is fed from a first bulk batch feeder at a first batch feed rate, and from a second trim batch feeder at a second trim batch feed rate. The trim batch feed rate is equal to or less than 10% of the total batch feed rate. The use of trim electrodes and trim burners is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for determining the shape of a glass sheet during and/or after the forming process. In one example, a system for determining the shape of a glass sheet defining an interior bulk can include a light source, an image capture device and a processor that are configured to calculate the location of an energy centroid within a selected portion of the bulk of the glass sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a substrate assembly by applying a force to the assembly while simultaneously exposing the substrate assembly, and in particular a sealing material disposed between two substrates of the substrate assembly, to an irradiating beam of electromagnetic energy. The beam heats, cures and/or melts the sealing material, depending upon the sealing material to form the seal. The force is applied by directing a flow of fluid against the substrate assembly, and beneficially improves contact between the substrates of the substrate assembly and the sealing material during the sealing process, therefore assisting in achieving a hermetic seal between the substrates.

Abstract: A conformable nosing device is described herein which conforms to have a bowed shape that substantially matches a bowed shape of a glass sheet and which engages the glass sheet to help minimize the motion of the glass sheet and to help reduce the stress within the glass sheet while the glass sheet is being scored and separated into individual glass sheets. In addition, the conformable nosing device can include a passive nosing device which can be controlled to further help minimize the motion of the glass sheet while the glass sheet is being scored and separated into individual glass sheets.