Patents Assigned to Saint-Gobain Vitrage
  • Method and device for the bending of glass sheets
    Patent number: 5660609
    Abstract: A method and device for the bending, on a frame, at least one glass sheet by gravity includes two bending steps. The glass sheets are first supported at their periphery along a first peripheral line by a rough bending device during the first step and along a second peripheral line by a definitive bending device during the second step. Transfer of the glass sheets from the first peripheral line to the second peripheral line is performed by positively and continuously regulating a position of at least one of the rough and definitive bending devices in reaction to forces generated on the at least one of the rough and definitive bending devices by contact with the glass sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Marco Muller, Karl-Josef Olfisch, Hans-Werner Kuster, Claude Didelot
  • Clear glass composition intended for the production of panes
    Patent number: 5656559
    Abstract: A composition for soda-lime-silica glass intended for the production of panes, which comprises, in percentages by weight:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 69 to 75% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 0 to 3% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.5% CaO 2 to 10% MgO < to 2% Na.sub.2 O 9 to 17% K.sub.2 O 0 to 8% Se 0 to 0.002% CoO 0 to 0.001% Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 0 to 0.001% with 0.02% < Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 (total) < 0.2%. ______________________________________This composition may further comprise fluorine, oxides of zinc and zirconium and less than 4% of barium oxide, the total of the percentages of the alkaline earth oxides remaining equal to or less than 10%. The panes made from such glasses are particularly well adapted for architectural applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Combes, Dominique Sachot
  • Apparatus for melting glass
    Patent number: 5655464
    Abstract: A furnace for melting vitrifiable materials having a compartment (1) for the melting/refining of the glass and which is provided in its upstream part with at least one opening (12) to be supplied with vitrifiable materials (10) with the aid of a charging device positioned facing and in the downstream part a discharge opening (17) for the molten glass issuing into one or more successive, downstream compartments (18, 19) for leading the molten glass to the forming zone. The melting of the vitrifiable materials takes place in the melting/refining compartment (1) essentially via a plurality of burners (16) with an oxidizer constituted by oxygen. It is designed to operate without any air introduction into the melting/refining compartment (1) coming from the downstream compartment or compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Raymond Moreau, Roger Gobert, Pierre Jeanvoine
  • Intermediate fire-resistant film and its use in a laminated glass
    Patent number: 5656365
    Abstract: Polyvinylbutyral useful for the production of laminated glasses containing a crosslinking agent capable of making the polyvinylbutyral very slightly meltable or nonmeltable. The material according to the invention may contain a plasticizer and is particularly resistant to fire and allows one to produce a laminated material with a good resistance to impact and to fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Saint Gobain Vitrage
    Inventor: Daniel Dages
  • Apparatus for bending glass plates in a horizontal position
    Patent number: 5651805
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for bending glass plates, the glass plates are heated in a horizontal position in a continuous furnace (1) to the bending temperature and in a following bending chamber (5) are pressed by an upwardly flowing hot gas stream against a convex bending mold (7) positioned above the conveying plane. The bent glass plates (3') are placed on a displaceable shaping ring (13) and transferred with the latter into a following cooling station (16). The glass plates (3) are raised from the conveying roller train (2) of the continuous furnace (1) by a suction plate (3) are positioned relative to the transfer ring (28) on the latter. With the aid of the transfer ring (28) the glass plates (3) are transferred into the bending chamber, where in the end position of the transfer ring (28) they assume the desired end position relative to the bending mold (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage International
    Inventors: Hans-Werner Kuster, Luc Vanaschen
  • Glass substrate coated with thin multifilms for protection against solar radiation
    Patent number: 5652046
    Abstract: Glass composites, containing a glass substrate (1) on which is deposited an underlying film (2) based on tantalum oxide, titanium oxide or tin oxide, on which is deposited a functional film (3) based on an alloy of chromium and nickel or based on tantalum, on which is deposited an overlying film (4) based on titanium oxide, titanium nitride or tantalum oxide, provide effective protection against solar radiation while exhibiting excellent wear and corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage International
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Beaufays, Jean-Marc Halleux, Roland Devigne
  • Window equipped with electrostatic protection circuit
    Patent number: 5650208
    Abstract: A laminated window includes at least one rigid external substrate (5) and a sheet made of flexible plastic material (6) which is adjacent to the substrate (5). The window is equipped with an electrostatic protection circuit which is capable of dissipating the charges which have accumulated on the external sheet (7). This circuit includes conducting elements (2) which cross through at least the substrate and at least one part of the sheet made of plastic material (6). The conducting elements (2) are connected to a collector element (3) which is connected to the ground (4) and embedded in the sheet made of flexible plastic material (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Pierre Chaussade, Thierry Mannevy-Tassy
  • Dealkalinization of sheets of glass with low alkalines content
    Patent number: 5648172
    Abstract: This invention relates to a glass sheet having a low content of alkaline oxides and alkaline-earth oxides, in the composition of which the sum of the alkaline and alkaline-earth oxides is less than or equal to 15%, with a sodium oxide content less than or equal to 10%, the values being expressed in percentages by weight, at least one of the faces of which is constituted of a surface zone virtually devoid, notably, of alkaline ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage International
    Inventors: Didier Jousse, Pablo Vilato, Catherine Geoffroy
  • Device for extruding a polymer frame onto a plate-shaped object
    Patent number: 5645785
    Abstract: This invention concerns a device used in the process of manufacturing an automobile pane 1 equipped with a polymer frame 52 placed on the edge of the pane 1. The frame 52 is extruded onto the pane 1 which can be moved by means of a suitable support in such a way that the edge of the pane travels through a recess in an extrusion head 25 and 40. The recess of the extrusion head 40 preferably includes a U-shaped jaw 41 straddling the edge of the pane. At the front extremity of the two half-jaws of the U-shaped jaw 41 there are disposed sealing ledges or shoes 42 and 43 which are movable perpendicularly to the surfaces of the pane and which, during extrusion, bear upon the surfaces of the pane. Alternatively, the extrusion head can include a fixed jaw where the sealing ledges or shoes slideably and sealingly contact the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Saint Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Gerd Cornils, Herbert Joeris, Rolf Kotte, Heinz Scholl
  • Insulating glazing
    Patent number: 5643644
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a vacuum in an insulating glazing composed of two glass sheets (2, 3) separated by pins (4). According to the invention, one of the glass sheets includes a hole (12) which is plugged by a softened ball after the vacuum has been achieved. The invention also relates to an insulating glazing whose glass sheets are separated by pins (4) and joined at their periphery by a sealing joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Saint Gobain Vitrage
    Inventor: Yves Demars
  • Glass pane having a peripheral strip, and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 5637363
    Abstract: A laminated glass pane having at least one rigid glass sheet and one flexible plastic material sheet is described, which has a peripheral strip disposed over at least a part of the edge of the pane over at least one edge of a flexible plastic sheet. The peripheral strip has two layers of respectively different materials, a first layer designated the "internal layer", is comprised of a material having a softening temperature which is less than or equal to the temperature employed in autoclaving the sheets which are components of the pane, and a second layer designated the "external layer", is comprised of a material having a softening temperature which is greater than the temperature employed in autoclaving the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Stephane Leray, Patrick Janvier, Yves Naoumenko
  • Pane provided with a functional film
    Patent number: 5635287
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pane comprising a glass substrate (1) coated with at least one transparent, thin, low-emissivity and/or conducting "functional" film (3), and with an "intermediate" film (2) disposed between substrate (1) and functional film (3). The intermediate film (2) has an optical thickness between 150 and 195 nm, preferably at approximately 168 or 185 nm, so that the residual color of the reflected appearance of the substrate from the "film side" of the pane is in the range of the blues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage International
    Inventors: Pierre Balian, Jean-Francois Oudard
  • Method for the production of curved glass sheets
    Patent number: 5626642
    Abstract: A method of and a device for curving glass sheets preheated to curving temperature operate by passage of the glass sheets simultaneously over a principal shaping bed having a longitudinal trajectory which is substantially circular or substantially a cone of revolution, and one or more secondary shaping beds, the generatrices of which are inclined relative to those of the principal bed. The invention is applicable, notably, to the production of automobile panes having angled corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage International
    Inventors: Bernard Letemps, Jacques Leclercq
  • Process for the production of an asymmetric laminated pane by calendering
    Patent number: 5626699
    Abstract: A process and a device for making asymmetric laminated panes composed of a support and at least one sheet of plastic material by calendaring. A blank sheet of plastic material (15) is brought into contact with the support (11) to be covered by an endless conveyor belt (16). The blank sheet is released progressively so as to bring it into contact with the support (11) just before the pressing passage (3), as the laminated assembly passes into and through the pressing passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignees: Saint-Gobain Vitrage, Asahi Glass
    Inventors: Claude Didelot, Jean Ducret, Edouard Kadzialka
  • Process and device for supporting and transferring glass sheets in a shaping station
    Patent number: 5622539
    Abstract: A device for supporting and transferring, in a shaping station (2), at least the central part of glass sheets which have been heated to their shaping temperature. The device includes a pressurized box (21) generating an air cushion. The box has a plurality of individual compartments (53), transverse with respect to the axis of travel of the glass sheets (28), each of the compartments (53) having a width measured parallel to said axis which is small by comparison with the "height" of the glass sheets and, being provided with gas having at least two pressure distribution levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage International
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Lesage, Jean-Marc Petitcollin, Jean-Pierre Douche, Pascal Tinelli
  • Electromagnetic radiation permeable glazing
    Patent number: 5620799
    Abstract: A glazing for an enclosed space includes at least one sheet of glass having a precisely delimited surface region and a transmitter and/or a receiver for electromagnetic radiation in a non-visible portion of the spectrum. The transmitter and/or receiver are positioned for respectively transmitting and receiving radiation in a non-visible portion of the spectrum via the precisely delimited surface region. The transmissivity of said precisely delimited surface region for electromagnetic radiation in said non-visible portion of the spectrum is higher than that of a remainder of the at least one sheet of glass for electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible portion of the spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventor: Gerd Sauer
  • Process for the vapor deposition of a metal nitride-based layer on a transparent substrate
    Patent number: 5618579
    Abstract: A metal nitride or oxynitride layer is pyrolytically deposited onto a transparent substrate by a process consisting of simultaneously bringing into contact at least one metal precursor and at least one amine as a nitrogen precursor into contact with said substrate which is heated for a high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Philippe Boire, Bertrand Testulat
  • Device for the production of an asymmetric laminated pane by calendering
    Patent number: 5614058
    Abstract: A process and a device for making asymmetric laminated panes composed of a support and at least one sheet of plastic material by calendaring. A blank sheet of plastic material is brought into contact with the support to be covered by an endless conveyor belt. The blank sheet is released progressively so as to bring it into contact with the support just before the pressing passage, as the laminated assembly passes into and through the pressing passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignees: Saint-Gobain Vitrage, Asahi Glass
    Inventors: Claude Didelot, Jean Ducret, Edouard Kadzialka
  • Electric furnace for melting glass
    Patent number: 5613994
    Abstract: The device for melting glass includes a compartment 1 for melting with a discharge throat 11 defined on top by a mobile carrier 16 having an upper part 18 extending upward above the level of glass and a lower part 17 intended to be totally immersed in the molten glass. Faces of the lower part are formed of a metal or an alloy of metals resistant to corrosion by the molten glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage International
    Inventors: Jose A. C. Muniz, Luis G. Goicoechea, Maurice Lemaille
  • Flexible plastic window shield and process for its production
    Patent number: 5614322
    Abstract: A foldable plastic tail or rear window shield for a car top or hood comprises a polyurethane monolayer. It is produced by pouring or casting a reaction mixture onto a planar casting or pouring substrate. The reaction mixture contains a bifunctional hydroxyl group-containing polyester, a trifunctional polyol, a polyisocyanate from a cycloaliphatic isocyanate urea adduct dissolved in a isophorone diisocyanate and optionally a bifunctional isophorone diisocyanate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage International
    Inventors: Ingrid Musil, Karin Broring, Udo Gelderie, Gerhard Holzer