Abstract: A reformable area and a non-reformable area of a sheet of glass material are heated to a first temperature corresponding to a first viscosity. The reformable area is subsequently locally heated to a second temperature corresponding to a second viscosity, where the second viscosity is lower than the first viscosity. A bend is formed in the reformable area during the local heating of the reformable area by contacting a first pusher with the non-reformable area and translating the first pusher along a linear path to apply a pushing force to the non-reformable area that results in the bend in the reformable area or by contacting a second pusher with an edge area of the reformable area and rotating the pusher along a circular path to apply a pushing force to the edge area of the reformable area that results in the bend in the reformable area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for precision bending a glass sheet that includes an oven for heating the glass sheet to a temperature near the softening temperature of the glass sheet. A stage for supporting the glass sheet. A pair of reference surfaces on the stage for precisely locating the glass sheet on the stage. At least one bending mechanism on a pair of arms inside the oven for bending an edge portion of the glass sheet. Inward facing first stop surfaces on the arms that contact reference surfaces on the stage for precisely locating the bending mechanism on the arms relative to the stage and the glass sheet.

Abstract: Please replace the originally filed abstract with the following amended abstract: An apparatus and method for precision bending a glass sheet that includes an oven for heating the glass sheet to a temperature near the softening temperature of the glass sheet. A stage for supporting the glass sheet. A pair of reference surfaces on the stage for precisely locating the glass sheet on the stage. At least one bending mechanism on a pair of arms inside the oven for bending an edge portion of the glass sheet. Inward facing first stop surfaces on the arms that contact reference surfaces on the stage for precisely locating the bending mechanism on the arms relative to the stage and the glass sheet.

Abstract: A glass forming system (200) and a method are described herein for forming a glass sheet (230). In one example, the glass forming system and method can use a glass composition with a liquidus viscosity less than 1000 poises to continuously form a glass sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for mass production of 3D articles from 2D glass-containing sheets includes a heating section having a heating station that includes a heating chamber adapted to receive a 2D glass-containing sheet, a pneumatic bearing system proximate to the heating chamber for suspending the 2D glass-containing sheet inside the heating chamber, and a heater system proximate to the heating chamber for supplying heat to the heating chamber. A forming section downstream of the heating section has a forming station that includes a mold system adapted to shape a heated 2D glass-containing sheet into a 3D article. A cooling section downstream of the forming section has a cooling chamber adapted to controllably cool off one or more 3D articles. A method of mass producing 3D articles from 2D glass-containing sheets involves use of the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods of drawing glass sheet via a downdraw process are provided. In certain aspects, the methods utilize rapid cooling below the root (70) of the forming apparatus (10). Such rapid cooling can, for example, facilitate the use of glass having a liquidus viscosity less than about 100,000 poise. In other aspects, the methods utilize slow cooling between the viscosities of 1011 poises and 1014 poises. Such slow cooling can facilitate the production of glass substrates which exhibit low levels of compaction. In further aspects, substrates are removed from the glass sheet at elevated temperatures which can facilitate increases in the production rates of downdraw machines. In still further aspects, rapid cooling below the root, slow cooling between the viscosities of 1011 poises and 1014 poises, and/or substrate removal at elevated temperatures are combined. Such combinations can facilitate economically effective utilization of downdraw equipment.

Abstract: A deformation apparatus for reforming a glass sheet comprises a central portion, a first edge mold movably coupled to a first end of the central portion and configured to be linearly translated along a linear mold axis in a first direction toward the central portion. The deformation apparatus further includes a second edge mold movably coupled to the second end of the central portion and configured to be linearly translated along the linear mold axis in a second direction opposite the first direction and toward the central portion. Methods are also provided including the step of cooling a reformed glass sheet, wherein a greater shrinkage of the reformed glass sheet relative to a shrinkage of the deformation apparatus is accommodated by a movement of at least the first edge mold in a first direction toward the central portion of the deformation apparatus.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing sheet glass having two faces, at least one of which has a high surface quality, the method comprising a treatment step wherein a stream of glass is contacted with a forming tool, and wherein a reversible adhesion force exists between the stream of glass and the forming tool after contacting. An apparatus is also disclosed for producing sheet glass according to the disclosed and various other methods of sheet glass manufacture, the apparatus comprising a forming tool having a means for controlling the temperature of at least a portion of the surface thereof.

Abstract: A deformation apparatus for reforming a glass sheet comprises a central portion, a first edge mold movably coupled to a first end of the central portion and configured to be linearly translated along a linear mold axis in a first direction toward the central portion. The deformation apparatus further includes a second edge mold movably coupled to the second end of the central portion and configured to be linearly translated along the linear mold axis in a second direction opposite the first direction and toward the central portion. Methods are also provided including the step of cooling a reformed glass sheet, wherein a greater shrinkage of the reformed glass sheet relative to a shrinkage of the deformation apparatus is accommodated by a movement of at least the first edge mold in a first direction toward the central portion of the deformation apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for mass production of 3D articles from 2D glass-containing sheets includes a heating section having a heating station that includes a heating chamber adapted to receive a 2D glass-containing sheet, a pneumatic bearing system proximate to the heating chamber for suspending the 2D glass-containing sheet inside the heating chamber, and a heater system proximate to the heating chamber for supplying heat to the heating chamber. A forming section downstream of the heating section has a forming station that includes a mold system adapted to shape a heated 2D glass-containing sheet into a 3D article. A cooling section downstream of the forming section has a cooling chamber adapted to controllably cool off one or more 3D articles. A method of mass producing 3D articles from 2D glass-containing sheets involves use of the apparatus.

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.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing system (200), a roll apparatus (202) and a method are described herein that manufacture a textured glass sheet (205) by using a porous textured roll (250) which is under a vacuum.

Abstract: An apparatus for making shaped articles includes a container having at least one vacuum port and a surface for receiving a sheet of glass-based material. At least one positive mold is supported in the container, where the at least one positive mold has an exterior surface including a profile defining an interior of a shaped article. An open volume is defined between the container and the at least one positive mold and is in communication with the vacuum port.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing sheet glass having two faces, at least one of which has a high surface quality, the method comprising a treatment step wherein a stream of glass is contacted with a forming tool, and wherein a reversible adhesion force exists between the stream of glass and the forming tool after contacting. An apparatus is also disclosed for producing sheet glass according to the disclosed and various other methods of sheet glass manufacture, the apparatus comprising a forming tool having a means for controlling the temperature of at least a portion of the surface thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for forming glass sheets. Methods and systems are provided that comprise a refractory body configured to receive glass-based material and means for transmitting energy to selectively heat at least a portion of the refractory body through the glass-based material. In one aspect, the energy transmitted is of a selected frequency that is not fully absorbed by the glass-based material and is at least partially absorbed by the refractory body. The energy can be transmitted by a laser beam array, a scanning laser beam, a microwave generator, a radio frequency generator, or other means.

Abstract: Methods of drawing glass sheet via a downdraw process are provided. In certain aspects, the methods utilize rapid cooling below the root (70) of the forming apparatus (10). Such rapid cooling can, for example, facilitate the use of glass having a liquidus viscosity less than about 100,000 poise. In other aspects, the methods utilize slow cooling between the viscosities of 1011 poises and 1014 poises. Such slow cooling can facilitate the production of glass substrates which exhibit low levels of compaction. In further aspects, substrates are removed from the glass sheet at elevated temperatures which can facilitate increases in the production rates of downdraw machines. In still further aspects, rapid cooling below the root, slow cooling between the viscosities of 1011 poises and 1014 poises, and/or substrate removal at elevated temperatures are combined. Such combinations can facilitate economically effective utilization of downdraw equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing flat sheets of a glass-based material and to a device associated with the process.

Abstract: The material is in a fluid state at a predetermined temperature above the ambient temperature. According to the invention: a) at least two different compositions of this material in the fluid state are prepared; b) simultaneously and concentrically both the core of the rod with the aid of one of the compositions and a sheath enveloping this core with the aid of another composition are cast; and c) the casting is then taken to a temperature at which it solidifies to constitute the rod. Advantageously, the section of the casting is made to grow by its passing through a cylindrical mold shaped to define the final section of the rod. Application to the manufacture of a glass rod presenting a cross-sectional refractive index gradient.

Abstract: A device for shaping rods, in particular, of a glassy material, by casting said material in a molten state in a mold, characterized by the fact that said mold comprises a) a cylindrical internal wall of a porous material and b) a means to inject a gas in this wall and cause it to come out of the wall on the side facing the glassy material accumulated in the mold, so as to constitute an interstitial flow of a film of gas that separates the glassy material from the inside wall of the mold.