Abstract: An apparatus for breaking glass panels comprises a table having a support surface for supporting a glass panel. A glass-breaking device comprises a frame mounted to the table having a support surface for supporting a glass panel. An impacting tool is operatively connected to the frame, the impacting tool being displaceable between a retracted position in which a tip of the impacting tool is below a plane of the support surface, and an impacting position in which the tip projects above the plane of the support surface to impact a glass panel on the support surface of the table. An actuator is actuatable to cause a displacement of the impacting tool from the retracted position to the impacting position.

Abstract: A shipping container for detachably supporting fragile panels therein, said shipping container comprising a floor and an upright panel extending upwardly in relation to said floor. Panel restraining means in adjacent surfaces of said floor and said upright panel support said fragile panels in spaced-apart generally parallel planes. A clamp panel is detachably connected to the shipping container and upright and spaced apart from the upright panel with the fragile panels between the upright panel and the clamp panel. Removable rigid panel connecting bars of substantially identical lengths removably are connected to a top edge of said fragile panels and held between the upright panel and the clamp panel. Resilient means restrain said connecting bars from displacement by a compression force exerted on opposed ends of said panel connecting bars.

Abstract: The storage system is for use next to a glass processing line having a loading table, a glass cutting table and a breakout table. The storage system comprises a first tilt table and a second tilt table with an intermediary conveyor extending between them. A storage rack and a laterally-movable conveyor are positioned at either ends of the storage system. The storage rack comprises a plurality of parallel storage slots. The storage slots store the glass offcuts at a substantially vertical position of less than 90 degrees with reference to the horizontal. A method of storing a glass offcut and a method of recycling glass offcuts are also disclosed. The storage system and methods allow to easily store and retrieve glass offcuts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring panels from a stack of generally upstanding panels to a lying position on a receiving surface. The apparatus comprises a pulling device having a tool end adapted to be releasably connected to a surface of a panel of the stack in a contacting position. The pulling device is actuatable to displace the tool end to the contacting position. An actuator member operatively supports the pulling device so as to displace the pulling device away from the panel, to pull the panel away from the stack by actuation of the actuator member to create a gap between the panel and the stack. A pushing device has a portion adapted to be inserted in the gap in a pushing position. The pushing device is operatively supported by the actuator member, whereby the pushing device in the pushing position pushes the panel away from the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating edge surfaces of panels, comprises conveyor tables to displace panels in sequence, two of the conveyor tables being configured such that panels are sequentially displaced in longitudinal alignment between the two conveyor tables with a longitudinal edge first. Two other of the conveyor tables are configured such that panels are sequentially displaced in lateral alignment between the two other conveyor tables with a lateral edge first. A first tool is positioned between the two conveyor tables. A second tool is positioned between the two other conveyor tables.

Abstract: The storage system is for use next to a glass processing line having a loading table, a glass cutting table and a breakout table. The storage system comprises a first tilt table and a second tilt table. A storage rack is positioned between the first and the second tilt table. The storage rack comprises a plurality of parallel storage slots extending longitudinally within the main frame of the storage rack. The storage slots storing the glass offcuts at a substantially vertical position of less than 90 degrees with reference to the horizontal. In use, the first tilt table receives horizontally-disposed glass offcuts from the breakout table and sends it to the storage rack. The second tilt table receives previously-stored glass offcuts from the storage rack to be directed to the loading table. A method of storing a glass offcut and a method of recycling glass offcuts are also disclosed. The storage system and methods allow to easily store and retrieve glass offcuts.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating edge surfaces of panels, comprises conveyor tables to displace panels in sequence, two of the conveyor tables being configured such that panels are sequentially displaced in longitudinal alignment between the two conveyor tables with a longitudinal edge first. Two other of the conveyor tables are configured such that panels are sequentially displaced in lateral alignment between the two other conveyor tables with a lateral edge first. A first tool is positioned between the two conveyor tables. A second tool is positioned between the two other conveyor tables.