Abstract: Systems and methods for automated, sequential processing of a continuous glass ribbon by conveying the glass ribbon in a ribbon travel direction, forming a score line in the glass ribbon, separating a glass sheet from the glass ribbon at the score line while supporting the glass sheet with a transfer device, lowering the glass sheet onto a conveyor, and conveying the glass sheet in a sheet travel direction differing from the ribbon travel direction. By transferring and then conveying the glass sheet in a direction differing from the ribbon travel direction (e.g., a 90 degree turn) immediately after glass sheet separation, the systems and method of the present disclosure are conducive to streamlined production of glass sheets utilizing a unique production floor footprint.

Abstract: A system and process for forming a curved glass laminate article is provided. The process and system utilizes a separation material, such as solid lubricating material and/or a spray applied separation material that Applicant has determined reduces bending dot formation during co-sagging shaping of glass sheets. The bending dot reduction provided by the separation materials discussed herein is particularly seen when the pair of glass sheets have significantly different thicknesses and/or viscosities from each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of forming a glass article are disclosed. The methods include supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction different from the first direction without contacting the glass ribbon with a solid material. The glass ribbon may exhibit a viscosity of less than about 108 Poise and a thickness of about 1 mm or less. Embodiments of a glass or glass-ceramic forming apparatus are also disclosed. The apparatus may include a glass feed device for supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and a redirection system disposed underneath the glass feed device for redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction. In one or more embodiments, the redirection system comprising at least one gas bearing system for supplying a gas film to support the glass ribbon.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a glass sheet may be formed by a method which includes supplying a feed of molten glass to an upper surface of a pair of forming rolls, and rotating the pair of forming wheels to continuously form a glass sheet from the molten glass. The pair of forming rolls may be spaced apart by a forming gap, and the forming gap may have a width of less than or equal to about 800 microns. The molten glass may have a viscosity of less than or equal to about 200 poise. The glass sheet may have a thickness of less than or equal to about 800 microns immediately upon passing though the forming gap.

Abstract: Methods for producing glass articles from laminated glass tubing include introducing the glass tubing to a converter. The glass tubing includes a core layer under tensile stress, an outer clad layer under, and an inner clad layer. The methods include forming a feature the glass article at a working end of the laminated glass tubing and separating a glass article from the working end of the laminated glass tubing, which may expose the core layer under tensile stress at the working end of the glass tubing. The method further comprises remediating the exposed portion of the core layer by completely enclosing the core layer in a clad layer. Systems for re-cladding the exposed portion of the core layer as well as glass articles made using the systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for producing glass articles from laminated glass tubing include introducing the glass tubing to a converter. The glass tubing includes a core layer under tensile stress, an outer clad layer under, and an inner clad layer. The methods include forming a feature the glass article at a working end of the laminated glass tubing and separating a glass article from the working end of the laminated glass tubing, which may expose the core layer under tensile stress at the working end of the glass tubing. The method further comprises remediating the exposed portion of the core layer by completely enclosing the core layer in a clad layer. Systems for re-cladding the exposed portion of the core layer as well as glass articles made using the systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A slot orifice design that delivers glass ribbon at a uniform temperature and flow across the slot orifice width is provided. The slot orifice design can include a transition section, a pressure tank, and a slot extension.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of making molten glass. The apparatus includes a glass former having a slot orifice design to deliver a glass ribbon. The slot orifice design can include a transition section, a slot extension, and external structural reinforcements. In some embodiments, the orifice opening distance of the slot extension varies along the width of the orifice. In some embodiments, the orifice has an orifice opening distance that is smaller at the center of the slot extension than at the edges of the slot extension, which limits glass flow at the center of the slot extension. Also disclosed is a method of making glass using the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing system and method are described herein for forming a high quality thin glass sheet. In one embodiment, the glass manufacturing system and method use at least one of a compensated rolling roll, a temperature controlled environment and edge rolls to form a high quality thin glass sheet that has a thickness less than about 2 mm and more preferably less than about 100 ?m.

Abstract: A roll forming apparatus includes at least one forming roll being spaced from a forming body to define a gap. The forming roll includes a working zone portion having a working zone surface with a length extending along a rotation axis of the forming roll and a thermal resistance boundary extending at an acute angle relative to the rotation axis. In further examples, methods include the step of feeding a stream of molten glass through the gap to form a glass ribbon including a formed thickness. The thermal resistance boundary facilitates substantial uniform radial expansion of the working zone surface relative to the rotation axis across the length of the working zone surface in response to heating of the working zone portion by the molten glass.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of forming a glass article are disclosed. The methods include supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction different from the first direction without contacting the glass ribbon with a solid material. The glass ribbon may exhibit a viscosity of less than about 108 Poise and a thickness of about 1 mm or less. Embodiments of a glass or glass-ceramic forming apparatus are also disclosed. The apparatus may include a glass feed device for supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and a redirection system disposed underneath the glass feed device for redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction. In one or more embodiments, the redirection system comprising at least one gas bearing system for supplying a gas film to support the glass ribbon.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for modifying the shape of a hollow structure. The method may comprise steps of providing a hollow structure having a cross-section with first and second diameters defining a first aspect ratio; heating at least a part of the hollow structure to at least its glass transition temperature, forming a malleable hollow structure; maintaining a positive pressure inside the malleable hollow structure to form a pressurized hollow structure; and pressing against a first side and an opposed second side of a heated part of the pressurized hollow structure, forming a hollow tabular structure having first and second opposed generally flat faces and a second aspect ratio greater than the first aspect ratio.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for modifying the shape of a hollow structure. The method may comprise steps of providing a hollow structure having a cross-section with first and second diameters defining a first aspect ratio; heating at least a part of the hollow structure to at least its glass transition temperature, forming a malleable hollow structure; maintaining a positive pressure inside the malleable hollow structure to form a pressurized hollow structure; and pressing against a first side and an opposed second side of a heated part of the pressurized hollow structure, forming a hollow tabular structure having first and second opposed generally flat faces and a second aspect ratio greater than the first aspect ratio.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for modifying the shape of a hollow structure. The method may comprise steps of providing a hollow structure having a cross-section with first and second diameters defining a first aspect ratio; heating at least a part of the hollow structure to at least its glass transition temperature, forming a malleable hollow structure; maintaining a positive pressure inside the malleable hollow structure to form a pressurized hollow structure; and pressing against a first side and an opposed second side of a heated part of the pressurized hollow structure, forming a hollow tabular structure having first and second opposed generally flat faces and a second aspect ratio greater than the first aspect ratio.

Abstract: A method for producing a glass sleeve having a first flattened portion and shaping tools for forming such glass sleeves. A method can comprise providing a substantially cylindrical glass tube—optionally polished or otherwise treated to reduce or remove interior imperfections—heating the glass tube to a temperature within the softening range of the glass, introducing one or more shaping tools having a generally D-shaped or generally rectangular cross-section into the enclosed space, and moving the one or more shaping tools against the inner curved surface to deform the tube, forming the first flattened portion. The one or more shaping tools can be made of any suitable material, for example: steel coated with boron nitride; porous graphite or carbon air bearings; or a nickel-based alloy (e.g., Inconel).

Abstract: Glass-ceramics exhibiting a Vickers indentation crack initiation threshold of at least 15 kgf are disclosed. These glass-ceramics may be ion exchangeable or ion exchanged. The glass-ceramics include a crystalline and amorphous phases generated by subjecting a thin precursor glass article to ceramming cycle having an average cooling rate in the range from about 10° C./minute to about 25° C./minute. In one or more embodiments, the crystalline phase may comprise at least 20 wt % of the glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramics may include ?-spodumene ss as the predominant crystalline phase and may exhibit an opacity ?about 85% over the wavelength range of 400-700 nm for an about 0.8 mm thickness and colors an observer angle of 10° and a CIE illuminant F02 determined with specular reflectance included of a* between ?3 and +3, b* between ?6 and +6, and L* between 88 and 97.

Abstract: A roll forming apparatus includes at least one forming roll being spaced from a forming body to define a gap. The forming roll includes a working zone portion having a working zone surface with a length extending along a rotation axis of the forming roll and a thermal resistance boundary extending at an acute angle relative to the rotation axis. In further examples, methods include the step of feeding a stream of molten glass through the gap to form a glass ribbon including a formed thickness. The thermal resistance boundary facilitates substantial uniform radial expansion of the working zone surface relative to the rotation axis across the length of the working zone surface in response to heating of the working zone portion by the molten glass.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for making high quality glass tubes, and apparatuses for making high quality glass tubes. Because glass tubes made using the methods and apparatuses disclosed herein are substantially free from the optical defect known as paneling, the glass tubes may be used in displays for consumer electronic devices. The glass tubes are made by a continuous process in which a flow of molten glass is provided on an inner surface of a hollow, rotating mandrel such that the glass coats the inner surface of the mandrel and flows downstream on the inner surface of the mandrel, during which it is cooled to provide a higher viscosity. The glass is then removed from the mandrel and drawn to obtain a glass tube. A flow of molten glass may also be provided on the outer surface of the mandrel and joined with the glass flow on the inner surface of the mandrel when the glass flows exit the mandrel.

Abstract: Glass-ceramics exhibiting a Vickers indentation crack initiation threshold of at least 15 kgf are disclosed. These glass-ceramics may be ion exchangeable or ion exchanged. The glass-ceramics include a crystalline and amorphous phases generated by subjecting a thin precursor glass article to ceramming cycle having an average cooling rate in the range from about 10° C./minute to about 25° C./minute. In one or more embodiments, the crystalline phase may comprise at least 20 wt % of the glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramics may include ?-spodumene ss as the predominant crystalline phase and may exhibit an opacity ?about 85% over the wavelength range of 400-700 nm for an about 0.8 mm thickness and colors an observer angle of 10° and a CIE illuminant F02 determined with specular reflectance included of a* between ?3 and +3, b* between ?6 and +6, and L* between 88 and 97.

Abstract: A method for bending a sheet of material into a shaped article includes providing the sheet of material. A reformable area and a non-reformable area of the sheet of material are heated to a first temperature range corresponding to a first viscosity range. The reformable area of the sheet of material is subsequently heated to a second temperature range corresponding to a second viscosity range. The reformable area of the sheet of material is reformed into a selected shape by at least one of sagging the reformable area of the sheet of material and applying a force to the sheet of material outside of or near a boundary of the reformable area.