Abstract: A furnace for heating glass sheets moving along the axis of the furnace has at least one differentiated heating cell, the heating elements of which disposed at the vault side are constituted of sets of electrical resistors controlled in temperature or in power independently for each set. A portion of the electrical resistors are mounted parallel to the axis of the furnace, the other heating cells each constituting a longitudinal heating zone independent of the other longitudinal zones and having, at the vault side, heating elements composed of sets of electrical resistors subdivided into several independent transverse sub-zones, in which the electrical resistors are mounted perpendicularly to the axis of the furnace. The invention is applicable to the manufacture of curved and toughened panes.

Abstract: Laminated plate glass including at least one rigid sheet of glass (1, 2), at least one layer of plastic material (3), and a sensor (4) for the presence of foreign bodies on the outside of the plate glass. Its sensing side is held in close contact with the internal side of the external plate of glass (1). The sensor (4) is located in a space formed within the sheets (2) or layers (3) of the window other than the said external plate of glass (1). The said space is closed in a detachable manner by means of a cover (5) and/or lid (6) which exerts the desired force on the sensor (4); process for fabrication of this plate glass; convex laminated plate glass equipped with a sensor; sensor that can be used for making this plate glass.

Abstract: An apparatus for cambering glass sheets includes a reheating furnace for reheating a glass sheet, a sealed cambering station and a conveyor for transferring a heated glass sheet from the furnace to the cambering station. The cambering station includes a shaping upper member. The glass sheet therein is raised into engagement with the upper member, for example by gas pressure, in order to camber the glass sheet. Hot gas ducts surrounding the upper member blow hot gas onto the upper member in such a way as to increased the temperature thereof to a temperature higher than that of the glass sheet when the glass sheet enters the cambering station. Therefore, the glass sheet can be introduced into the cambering station at a relatively low temperature and heated to a temperature high enough for cambering only when in contact with the upper member. The cambered glass sheet can then be discharged to a cooling station.

Abstract: A device for contactless detection of glass sheets in movement in glass installations, using a reflective photoelectric barrier, includes an emitter and a receiver (3) of light beams (4). The light beams follow a path in a channel (6) of heat-resistant material whose walls delimit a homogeneous isothermal environment, the channel emerging in the vicinity of sheet (11) to be detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production line for curved panes, in which the panes of glass are heated, brought in a horizontal position into a curving station where they are taken over by curving tools, and then finally conveyed into a quenching station, the stages of quenching and of entry of the glass into the curving station being at different heights.

Abstract: A furnace for heating glass sheets moving along the axis of the furnace has at least one differentiated heating cell, the heating elements of which disposed at the vault side are constituted of sets of electrical resistors controlled in temperature or in power and adjustable in height independently for each set. A portion of the electrical resistors are mounted parallel to the axis of the furnace, the other heating cells each constituting a longitudinal heating zone independent of the other longitudinal zones and having, at the vault side, heating elements composed of sets of electrical resistors subdivided into several independent transverse sub-zones, in which the electrical resistors are mounted perpendicularly to the axis of the furnace. The invention is applicable to the manufacture of curved and toughened panes.

Abstract: An apparatus for cambering glass sheets includes a reheating furnace for reheating a glass sheet, a sealed cambering station and a conveyor for transferring a heated glass sheet from the furnace to the cambering station. The cambering station includes a shaping upper member. The glass sheet therein is raised into engagement with the upper member, for example by gas pressure, in order to camber the glass sheet. Hot gas ducts surrounding the upper member blow hot gas onto the upper member in such a way as to increased the temperature thereof to a temperature higher than that of the glass sheet when the glass sheet enters the cambering station. Therefore, the glass sheet can be introduced into the cambering station at a relatively low temperature and heated to a temperature high enough for cambering only when in contact with the upper member. The cambered glass sheet can then be discharged to a cooling station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production line for curved panes, in which the panes of glass are heated, brought in a horizontal position into a curving station where they are taken over by curving tools, and then finally conveyed into a quenching station, the stages of quenching and of entry of the glass into the curving station being at different heights. Defective glass sheets are removable from the production line intermediate the curving station and the quenching station by cracking with an atomized fluid jet and subsequent crushing.

Abstract: A plurality of glass plates are positioned under upper units capable of bending and/or transferring those plates, the pick up and release of each plate being independent of each other. The plates are bent either on the upper station, or on a lower unit onto which they are released from the upper station. The plates are subsequently subjected to tempering. Mass production of tempered glass plates at both high quality and high output levels is thus achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support frame for a glass sheet heated to beyond its deformation temperature and having a shape adapted to the contour of the glass sheet and mounted on a moving trolley, which has a contactless glass sheet detection device, the detected quality being converted into electrical pulses.

Abstract: Apparatus for bending glass plates provides a conveyor of serverable sections, each of which feeds glass plates to separate stations for bending the glass plates, the glass plates having first passed through a reheating furnace. The stations for bending or transfer employ a common upper unit, which is provided with a plurality of means for retaining the glass by aspiration under a vacuum. Each means for retaining the glass plate, and vacuum means associated therewith, is operable independently, such that the glass plates can be aspirated and released at each station independently of the actions of the remaining stations. After having been bent or shaped either on the upper retaining means, or lower bending units provided thereunder, the glass plates may be subjected to temper. Mass production of bent or shaped, and tempered, glass plates, with high, reproducible quality, and varying requirements, is made possible through such a system.

Abstract: For positioning a glass sheet moving on a conveyor, two substantially identical assemblies are positioned on opposite lateral sides of the conveyor. Each of the assemblies includes an arm carrying an abutment and extending in proximity to the conveyor such that a glass sheet moving on the conveyor will contact the abutment and be prevented from movement along the conveyor beyond the abutment. Contact between the glass sheet on the conveyor and an abutment will cause the abutment to move slightly, so that such contact can be detected. When the glass sheet contacts both abutments, the arms are driven for permitting passage of the glass sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to the precise positioning of sheets of glass on a conveyer, particularly in an installation for curving sheets of glass. Positioning the sheets of glass by means of a combination of actions, in whole or in part, comprising orientations, longitudinal centerings and transversal centerings.