Abstract: A crate assembly includes an external crate assembly (12) having a top (16), a bottom (18), sides (20, 21) and ends (22, 23). An internal spool support assembly (14) is located within the external crate assembly (12). The internal spool support assembly (14) includes a lower spool support structure (54). The lower spool support structure (54) includes a first lower spool support assembly (58) located at one of the ends (22, 23) of the external crate assembly (12). A second lower spool support assembly (60) is located at an opposite one of the ends (22, 23) of the external crate assembly (12). The first lower spool support assembly (58) is separated from the second lower spool support assembly (60) such that the first and second lower spool assemblies (58, 60) may move relative to each other.

Abstract: A method for forming an initiation defect in a glass substrate to facilitate separating the glass substrate into a plurality of substrates is provided. The method includes providing the glass substrate and contacting a broad surface of the glass substrate with an abrasive surface thereby forming a field of initiation defects in the broad surface of the glass substrate. The field of initiation defects has a width of at least about three millimeters between outermost initiation defects. At least one initiation defect is heated with a laser source. The at least one initiation defect is cooled with a cooling fluid such that a crack initiates from the at least one initiation defect, the crack extending through a thickness of the glass substrate and propagating across the glass substrate to separate the glass substrate into the plurality of substrates.

Abstract: Methods of processing a glass substrate comprise the step of obtaining a glass substrate and a tab removably attached to a portion of the glass substrate. The position of the glass substrate is manipulated with the engagement portion and the tab is removed from the portion of the glass substrate by releasing a mounting portion of the tab from the portion of the glass substrate without damaging the glass substrate. In further examples, methods include the steps of removably attaching first and second tabs to respective first and second surfaces of a glass substrate and coiling the glass substrate on a storage roll wherein the first tab adheres to the second tab. In further examples, a glass apparatus comprises a glass substrate and a removable tab including a mounting portion attached to a portion of the glass substrate with a first peel force of less than about 10 N/cm.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for sourcing a glass web, the glass web having a length and a width transverse to the length; continuously moving the glass web from the source to a destination in a transport direction along the length of the glass web; and cutting the glass web at a cutting zone into at least first and second glass ribbons as the glass web is moved from the source to the destination, the first glass ribbon having a first width and the second glass ribbon having a second width, where the first and second widths are not equal.

Abstract: A method for forming an initiation defect in a glass substrate to facilitate separating the glass substrate into a plurality of substrates is provided. The method includes providing the glass substrate and contacting a broad surface of the glass substrate with an abrasive surface thereby forming a field of initiation defects in the broad surface of the glass substrate. The field of initiation defects has a width of at least about three millimetres between outermost initiation defects. At least one initiation defect is heated with a laser source. The at least one initiation defect is cooled with a cooling fluid such that a crack initiates from the at least one initiation defect, the crack extending through a thickness of the glass substrate and propagating across the glass substrate to separate the glass substrate into the plurality of substrates.

Abstract: A flexible ribbon configuration includes a flexible glass ribbon including a leading end and a trailing end. In one example, the flexible ribbon configuration includes at least one ribbon extension extending between a first end and an opposing second end. In another example, the first end of the ribbon extension is attached to at least one of the trailing end and the leading end of the flexible glass ribbon. In yet another example, the at least one ribbon extension defines an elongated opening between the first end of the ribbon extension and the second end of the ribbon extension. Further examples include a method of making a flexible ribbon configuration. Still further examples include a method of separating a flexible ribbon configuration.

Abstract: A method of forming a flexible glass laminate is provided. The method includes charging a flexible glass substrate with an electrostatic charge and charging a laminate substrate with an electrostatic charge that has a polarity opposite a polarity of the charge on the flexible glass substrate. The flexible glass substrate and the laminate substrate are brought together, with an adhesive therebetween, thereby creating an adhesive bond and an electrostatic bond between the flexible glass substrate and the laminate substrate.

Abstract: A process and system for applying coating materials to glass edges of various profiles. The glass edge is coated by picking up the coating material from an applicator such as, for example, a roller, through precise independent or relative control of the spatial relationship between the edge of the glass article and the applicator to achieve desirable product attributes such as coating thickness, profile, coverage areas and consistency. Such spatial relationships include the gap distance between the roller and applicator, coating thickness on the applicator, applicator and/or glass speed, and the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for sourcing a glass web, the glass web having a length and a width transverse to the length; continuously moving the glass web from the source to a destination in a transport direction along the length of the glass web; and cutting the glass web at a cutting zone into at least first and second glass ribbons as the glass web is moved from the source to the destination, the first glass ribbon having a first width and the second glass ribbon having a second width, where the first and second widths are not equal.

Abstract: A flexible ribbon configuration includes a flexible glass ribbon including a leading end and a trailing end. In one example, the flexible ribbon configuration includes at least one ribbon extension extending between a first end and an opposing second end. In another example, the first end of the ribbon extension is attached to at least one of the trailing end and the leading end of the flexible glass ribbon. In yet another example, the at least one ribbon extension defines an elongated opening between the first end of the ribbon extension and the second end of the ribbon extension. Further examples include a method of making a flexible ribbon configuration. Still further examples include a method of separating a flexible ribbon configuration.

Abstract: A method of managing edge trim of a flexible glass ribbon includes directing the flexible glass ribbon to an edge trimming apparatus including a cutting device. The flexible glass ribbon includes a first broad surface and a second broad surface that extend laterally between a first edge and a second edge. The first edge of the flexible glass ribbon is separated as the flexible glass ribbon moves by the cutting device forming a continuous strip of edge trim connected to a central portion of the flexible glass ribbon. The continuous strip of edge trim is collected separate from the central portion while the continuous strip of edge trim remains connected to the central portion of the flexible glass ribbon.

Abstract: Methods of processing a glass substrate comprise the step of obtaining a glass substrate and a tab removably attached to a portion of the glass substrate. The position of the glass substrate is manipulated with the engagement portion and the tab is removed from the portion of the glass substrate by releasing a mounting portion of the tab from the portion of the glass substrate without damaging the glass substrate. In further examples, methods include the steps of removably attaching first and second tabs to respective first and second surfaces of a glass substrate and coiling the glass substrate on a storage roll wherein the first tab adheres to the second tab. In further examples, a glass apparatus comprises a glass substrate and a removable tab including a mounting portion attached to a portion of the glass substrate with a first peel force of less than about 10 N/cm.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for processing flexible glass are disclosed. The flexible glass is directed along a conveyance path through a glass laminate processing apparatus. The glass laminate processing apparatus includes a glass laminate pay-out spool paying out flexible glass and a first laminate material electrostatically pinned to each other in a glass laminate. The glass laminate processing apparatus also includes at least one electrostatic charging head positioned downstream of a pay-out spool, where the electrostatic charging head neutralizes an electrostatic charge on at least one of the flexible glass or the first laminate material that are electrostatically pinned to each another in the glass laminate. The glass laminate processing apparatus further includes a laminate material take-up spool positioned downstream of the electrostatic device collecting the first laminate material.