Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for controlling the width and thickness of glass during glass sheet production. The apparatuses and methods employ a gas cooling mechanism that is designed to extract heat from molten glass during the drawdown process to reduce width attenuation and generate more uniform glass. In some examples, a nozzle of a glass forming apparatus includes a first nozzle portion with a first glass forming surface, and a second nozzle portion opposite the first nozzle portion, where the second nozzle portion includes a second glass forming surface opposite the first glass forming surface. The nozzle also includes a first cavity within the first nozzle portion, and a second cavity within the second nozzle portion. Gas, such as air, is delivered to each of the first cavity and the second cavity to cool molten glass as it is drawn between the first and second glass forming surfaces.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and methods for forming a glass ribbon can comprise a support member to move a draw stack along a support surface. In some embodiments, a housing can define an exterior area positioned outside of the wall of the draw stack and between the downstream portion of the draw stack and the housing. The housing can comprise a vent configured to regulate gas flow through the vent from the exterior area to a location outside of the housing and outside of the draw stack. In some embodiments, the draw stack can comprise first gate and a second gate. Each gate can be provided with a corresponding row of conduits to cool a central edge plate.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for processing a glass ribbon. A glass ribbon is supplied to an upstream side of a conveying apparatus comprising a conveyor device and a pulling device. The conveyor device establishes a primary plane of travel from the upstream side to a downstream side. The pulling device is located at the downstream side and applies a pulling force on the glass ribbon to convey the glass ribbon along a travel path that includes first, second and third bends, and into the primary plane of travel from a location downstream of the third bend and to the pulling device. At least one of the first, second, and third bends imparts a stress into a surface of the glass ribbon to flatten the glass ribbon. A viscosity of the glass ribbon at the third bend is greater than a viscosity of the glass ribbon at the first bend.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for processing a glass ribbon (22). A glass ribbon is supplied to an upstream side of a conveying apparatus (32) comprising a conveyor device and a pulling device (72). The conveyor device establishes a primary plane of travel (P) from the upstream side to a downstream side. The pulling device (72) is located at the downstream side and applies a pulling force on the glass ribbon (22) to convey the glass ribbon along a travel path that includes first, second and third bends (100, 102, 104), and into the primary plane of travel from a location downstream of the third bend and to the pulling device (72). At least one of the first, second, and third bends imparts a stress into a surface of the glass ribbon to flatten the glass ribbon. A viscosity of the glass ribbon at the third bend is greater than a viscosity of the glass ribbon at the first bend.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a glass article includes a glass delivery device that includes a delivery orifice extending in a widthwise direction and including a first edge region, a central region, and a second edge region. The apparatus and method also include a cooling mechanism proximate the delivery orifice near the first edge region and the second edge region and a heating mechanism proximate the delivery orifice near the central region.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus can comprise one or more support members defining an interior passage and a first plurality of apertures. A first cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a first end portion of a support area can be greater than a second cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a second end portion of the support area. A tube can extend within the interior passage and comprises a second plurality of apertures. Methods are also provided for conveying a ribbon with one or more support members.

Abstract: An improved slot down-draw process for forming glass sheets having a thickness less than 200 ?m from glass formulations that have melting points near or above 1200° C. is provided. The improvements allow easier maintenance of the slot assembly and better management of the thermal expansions experienced by some components of the slot down-draw system.

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: A conveying apparatus can comprise one or more support members defining an interior passage and a first plurality of apertures. A first cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a first end portion of a support area can be greater than a second cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a second end portion of the support area. A tube can extend within the interior passage and comprises a second plurality of apertures. Methods are also provided for conveying a ribbon with one or more support members.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus can comprise one or more support members defining an interior passage and a first plurality of apertures. A first cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a first end portion of a support area can be greater than a second cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a second end portion of the support area. A tube can extend within the interior passage and comprises a second plurality of apertures. Methods are also provided for conveying a ribbon with one or more support members.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus can comprise one or more support members defining an interior passage and a first plurality of apertures. A first cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a first end portion of a support area can be greater than a second cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a second end portion of the support area. A tube can extend within the interior passage and comprises a second plurality of apertures. Methods are also provided for conveying a ribbon with one or more support members.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for controlling material warp that include placing the shaped mold in a heating device, forming a glass material into a shaped mold, and cooling the glass material and the shaped mold to a predetermined viscosity of the glass material. Some embodiments include, a predetermined time prior to removing the glass material and the shaped mold from the heating device, holding the glass at the mold in the heating device where the heating device temperature is substantially equal to mold and glass temperature just prior to exiting to ambient temperature. Some embodiments include removing the glass material and the shaped mold from the heating device to further cool the glass material and the shaped mold at ambient temperature, where after removing the glass material and the shaped mold from the heating device, the glass material will exhibit controlled or desired material warp.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for processing a glass ribbon (22). A glass ribbon is supplied to an upstream side of a conveying apparatus (32). A pulling force is applied on the glass ribbon (22) at a downstream side of the conveying apparatus (32). The glass ribbon (22) is supported at first and second support devices along a travel path of the conveying apparatus (32). Each of the first and second support devices (72) establishes a non-rolling, line-type interface with the glass ribbon (22). Further, the first support device (72a) is spaced from the second support device (72c) along the travel path. In some embodiments, the line-type interface comprises a sliding interface or a gas bearing interface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing glass ribbon can comprise feeding molten material through a minimum width of a first gap defined between a first roller and a second roller of a first pair of rollers. A first pool of molten material can be formed upstream from the minimum width of the first gap. A ribbon of molten material can exit the first gap. The methods can further include passing the ribbon of molten material through a minimum width of a second gap defined between a first roller and a second roller of a second pair of rollers. The minimum width of the first gap can be greater than the minimum width of the second gap. A second pool of molten material can be formed upstream from the minimum width of the second gap.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for processing a glass ribbon (22). A glass ribbon is supplied to an upstream side of a conveying apparatus (32) comprising a conveyor device and a pulling device (72). The conveyor device establishes a primary plane of travel (P) from the upstream side to a downstream side. The pulling device (72) is located at the downstream side and applies a pulling force on the glass ribbon (22) to convey the glass ribbon along a travel path that includes first, second and third bends (100, 102, 104), and into the primary plane of travel from a location downstream of the third bend and to the pulling device (72). At least one of the first, second, and third bends imparts a stress into a surface of the glass ribbon to flatten the glass ribbon. A viscosity of the glass ribbon at the third bend is greater than a viscosity of the glass ribbon at the first bend.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming glass tubing is described. The apparatus for forming glass tubing comprises an endless former with an outer surface and an inner passage defining an inner surface. The apparatus for forming glass tubing further comprises two chambers from which molten glass may flow. One chamber flows molten glass to the outer surface of the endless former and another chamber flows molten glass to the inner surface of the endless former. The two flows of molten glass meet at the bottom of the former to form glass tubing.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming glass tubing is described. The apparatus for forming glass tubing comprises an endless former with an outer surface and an inner passage defining an inner surface. The apparatus for forming glass tubing further comprises two chambers from which molten glass may flow. One chamber flows molten glass to the outer surface of the endless former and another chamber flows molten glass to the inner surface of the endless former. The two flows of molten glass meet at the bottom of the former to form glass tubing.

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: 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: An apparatus for making a profiled tubing includes a mandrel adapted for positioning proximate a tubing. The mandrel has a nozzle section with a select cross-sectional profile that will define a final cross-sectional profile of the tubing. The nozzle section has a feed chamber for receiving a gas and a porous circumferential surface through which the gas can be discharged to an exterior of the mandrel. The gas when discharged to the exterior of the mandrel forms a film of pressurized gas between the porous circumferential surface and the tubing. A method of forming a profiled tubing using the apparatus is disclosed. A sleeve formed from the profiled tubing is also disclosed.