Abstract: A glass bending and tempering apparatus including a bending and tempering section, a deformable glass support device and a device for quenching a glass sheet is disclosed. The deformable glass support device is deformable from a substantially flat configuration to a configuration having a desired curvature. The device for quenching a glass sheet is conformable to the curvature of the support device during deformation of the support device. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for blowing air that is vertically movable relative to the support device.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting glass blanks according to a particular contour, comprises a scoring maching for scoring the contour on the glass blank, a breaking machine for severing the scored contour from the glass blank, and a grinding machine for smoothing the edges of the severed blank. A conveyor conveys the glass blank to each of the above machines for performing their respective operations, and a computerized control system controls the three machines according to digital files prepared for each machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of bending a glass sheet to be tempered as well as to a glass sheets bending and tempering apparatus. An array of conveyor rollers in a glass sheets bending and tempering section is adapted to be curved around an axis of curvature transverse to the traveling direction in a manner that, beginning from a horizontal plane, the plane of a roller line curves with a continuously diminishing radius of curvature until the final radius of curvature is reached. During the curving process, the tangent of the mid-portion of a curved conveyor section is maintained substantially in a horizontal plane. Thus, each point in a glass sheet curves substantially at the same rate over the entire glass sheet area and, hence, local rapid deformations do not occur. During the curving process, a glass sheet is maintained in motion by means of the rollers of a curved roller conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow barrier in the annealing section of a glass tempering apparatus, said annealing section being provided with glass sheet supporting rollers (7) and cooling air blow boxes (1, 3) are disposed above and below a glass sheet, in addition to which there are, above the glass sheets, "false rolls" (8) in the form of a downward open trough, extending crosswise to the traveling direction of said glass sheets. The purpose of "false rolls" (8) is to increase a pressure applied to the top surface of a glass sheet in order to reduce the risk of a glass sheet becoming afloat. A flow along the trough, which increases towards the ends of the trough, results in a non-uniform tempering. The flow is cut off by fitting the trough with partitions (9) spaced from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an end cap for a ceramic spool as well as to a method of and device for mounting it on the end of such a spool. The quill portion (5) of an end cap is divided by means of slits (9) into strips (10), the first ends of which are rigidly connected to a ring (12) formed by the open quill end and the other ends are rigidly connected to a flange (13) closing the other quill end, with a stub axle (6) projecting from said flange. Provided in the middle of strips (10) are threaded holes (11). The annular jacket (7) of said auxiliary device (3) can be fitted around said end cap quill (5) with a small annular clearance remaining therebetween. The annular jacket (7) is circumferentially provided with holes (17) with screws (18) extending therethrough and engageable in threaded holes (11). By turning screws (18), said strips (10) can be bent outwards so as to fit the spool end (4) inside quill (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a support frame for a resistor element in a heating furnace for glass sheets, said flame providing a substantially continuously extending, elongated rest surface for a resistor element. The support frame elements consist of trough-like castings and are fastened to each other in an articulated manner. The short frame elements are easy to cast and can be assembled into long continuous support frames for resistor elements, the thermal stresses of said frames not passing over the link points. A long continuous support frame structure makes it accordingly possible to employ resistor elements that are long and continuous and thus readily replaceable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resistor element assembly for a glass sheet heating furnace and to a method of replacing a resistor element. A resistor element is built by placing successively in longitudinal direction ceramic elements, with a resistance wire wound therearound. Between the ceramic elements are fitted ceramic spacer blocks whose diameter exceeds that of the resistance wire coils. The resistor element is carried by a support frame upon the spacer blocks. A problem to be resolved is to provide a long resistor element, wherein the major variations in length between the components of various materials caused by major temperature variations do not produce deformations in resistance wires. This problem has been resolved by fitting between one end of the support frame and the corresponding end of the resistor element a tensioned spring which compresses the resistor element at all operating temperatures against a limit stop at the other end of the support frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for equalizing the temperature of conveyor rolls in a glass-tempering furnace, said furnace comprising a thermally insulated housing (1) confining a heating chamber (8), conveyor rolls (4), extending horizontally between the side walls of chamber (8) and lying one after the other in the lengthwise direction of the chamber, heating resistors (5 and 6) in the chamber above and below the array of conveyor rolls, as well as means for driving the conveyor rolls unidirectionally during a first cycle and reciprocally during a second cycle. Since the reciprocating movement means that a glass sheet remains longer in contact with the midsection rolls, these rolls cool more rapidly. In order to equalize the temperature of the rolls, the end sections of the furnace are provided with screen plates (7) mounted between heating resistors (6) below the array of conveyor rolls and the rolls (4) themselves.

Abstract: A method of and a furnace assembly for bending glass sheets. Glass sheets (6) are conveyed in bending moulds (5) supported by cars (4) along an upper transport run (2) periodically from one heating section (10) to another. In the final heating section, temperature is risen so high that a glass sheet bends by the action of heat and gravity to conform with the surface of the mould. Thereafter, a car (4) together with a bent glass sheet is lowered onto a lower run (3) and returned to the outset of a furnace (1). On cooling, the glass sheets on said lower run emit heat to the glass sheets on said upper run through the open bottom structures of cars (4). The weight and heat capacity of the cars have been made as low as possible by removing the side and back walls thereof, whereby only the front or leading walls (8) provide locking walls between sections (10) successive in the longitudinal direction of the furnace.