Abstract: A roll (10) of glass ribbon (20), having a thickness of 0.3 mm or less, wherein a thickness compliant material interlayer (40) is wound together with the glass ribbon. The characteristics of the interlayer are chosen to form the roll with minimal lateral offset (9). For example, the static coefficient of friction between the interlayer and the glass ribbon may be greater than or equal to 3.0 (as measured with a vertical force of 0.5 N). Other characteristics may include the width, thickness, and compliance, of the interlayer. There is also disclosed a method of rolling a glass ribbon wherein the roll winding parameters, for example web tension and pressure between the layers of the roll, are chosen to minimize the lateral offset.

Abstract: A method of winding a glass ribbon (10), including: winding an interleaving material (20) and the glass ribbon together to produce a roll (40); and tensioning the interleaving material so as to control a roll inter-layer pressure. By controlling the roll inter-layer pressure, the roll can be formed with straight side walls. The tension in the interleaving material can be controlled so as to be greater than 0 and ?0.25 pounds per linear inch of width of interleaving material. Also, there is provided an apparatus for winding glass ribbon together with interleaving material into a roll. The apparatus includes: an interleaving material supply path; a glass ribbon supply path; a roll winding mechanism (46); and a means (26) for applying tension to interleaving material traveling along the interleaving material supply path, as the interleaving material is wound into roll (40), so as to produce a pressure between the layers of the roll.

Abstract: A roll (10) of glass ribbon (20), having a thickness of 0.3 mm or less, wherein a thickness compliant material interlayer (40) is wound together with the glass ribbon. The characteristics of the interlayer are chosen to form the roll with minimal lateral offset (9). For example, the static coefficient of friction between the interlayer and the glass ribbon may be greater than or equal to 3.0 (as measured with a vertical force of 0.5 N). Other characteristics may include the width, thickness, and compliance, of the interlayer. There is also disclosed a method of rolling a glass ribbon wherein the roll winding parameters, for example web tension and pressure between the layers of the roll, are chosen to minimize the lateral offset.

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: Methods of processing a glass ribbon are provided. The method includes the step of traversing the glass ribbon through a travel path at a predetermined velocity and severing the glass ribbon to create an upstream web and a downstream web. The method further includes the step of increasing a relative velocity of a downstream edge portion with respect to an upstream edge portion to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In other example methods, a segment of the glass ribbon is removed to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In still further example methods, an upstream severed edge is directed along a second travel path to create a gap between the upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge.

Abstract: A first glass-ribbon portion (12) and a second portion (22) of a glass ribbon (10) are separated from one another by a gap (40), and a splice joint (30) coupling the first glass-ribbon portion to the second portion. A splice member (31) of the splice joint has a Young's modulus and cross sectional area such that, when subject to a force of 20 kg, the splice member undergoes an elongation of ?20%. A filler material (80) may be disposed in the gap. Also, there are disclosed methods of splicing a glass ribbon, and preparing a coated glass ribbon for splicing. Tape (70) is applied to glass ribbon in one embodiment of a method of splicing the glass ribbon. In this embodiment, the glass ribbon is cut together with the tape so as to create a free end in the glass ribbon.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method of steering a glass web includes directing the glass web in a conveyance direction on a web conveyance pathway, contacting at least one surface of the glass web with at least one wheel of at least one idler roller, the at least one wheel of the at least one idler roller having an axis of rotation parallel to a surface of the glass web, detecting an angle between a centerline of the glass web and the conveyance direction with an angle measurement device, and modifying an orientation of the at least one idler roller and the at least one wheel about an axis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the web conveyance pathway to shift the glass web based on a detected angle between the centerline of the glass web and the conveyance direction of the web conveyance pathway.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an angle measurement device for measuring an angle between a web of material and a conveyance direction includes a mounting bracket, a shaft rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket such that the shaft is rotatable with respect to the mounting bracket, a caster portion coupled to a first end of the shaft and positioned to contact a surface of the web of material being drawn over a web conveyance pathway, where the caster portion is spaced apart from an axis of rotation of the shaft, and an angular displacement sensor coupled to the mounting bracket and positioned to detect an angular orientation of the shaft with respect to the mounting bracket, where the angular displacement sensor outputs a signal indicative of the angular orientation of the shaft with respect to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for guiding flexible glass ribbons (13) without mechanically contacting the central portion (4) of the ribbon are provided in which two curved sections are formed in the ribbon which stiffen the ribbon so that lateral forces can be applied to the ribbon without causing it to buckle. The curvatures of the curved sections are along the direction of motion (15) of the ribbon and can be produced using curved air-bars (12,14) and/or pairs of cylindrical rollers (5a,5b,16a,16b). The lateral forces can be applied by pairs of guide rollers (7a,7b,9a,9b) which can be mounted on spring-loaded pivot arms (6,19,29) and can have a complaint outer coating or sleeve (35). The guiding system can be used in the winding of the glass ribbon onto a cylindrical core (11).

Abstract: Methods of processing a glass ribbon are provided. The method includes the step of traversing the glass ribbon through a travel path at a predetermined velocity and severing the glass ribbon to create an upstream web and a downstream web. The method further includes the step of increasing a relative velocity of a downstream edge portion with respect to an upstream edge portion to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In other example methods, a segment of the glass ribbon is removed to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In still further example methods, an upstream severed edge is directed along a second travel path to create a gap between the upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge.

Abstract: A print press system and a method are described herein that print an electronic circuit onto a material (e.g., glass substrate, plastic film, plastic film-glass substrate laminate). In exemplary applications, the print press system can print an electronic circuit onto a material to form, for instance, a flexible Liquid Crystal Display, a retail point of purchase sign and an e-book.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuous edge separation in a continuous process for a ribbon of flexible brittle material such as a thin ribbon of glass is disclosed wherein an initial flaw or score is formed in the ribbon. The initial flaw is turned into a crack that propagates continuously throughout the processing of the ribbon. The cracking itself results in no material loss. After cracking, the cut side edge is routed along a path different than the interior quality region to avoid contact damage between the quality region and the edge portion. The quality region can be provided for further processing or be stored. The flexible, brittle ribbon can be sourced from a hot forming device or from a roll (spool) of substrate.

Abstract: A glass ribbon coated with a flexible material, the flexible coating forming a flexible web portion that extends from an edge of the glass ribbon at least one millimeter. The flexible web portion can be used to facilitate handling of the glass ribbon in a manufacturing process, and may include registration markings, or perforations, that further facilitate precise positioning of the ribbon.

Abstract: A roll (10) of glass ribbon (20) and an interleaf material (40) disposed in alternating layers, wherein a layer of the interleaf material is pinned to an adjacent layer of the glass ribbon by an electrostatic force that is of a value so that a shear force required to cause slip between the interleaf material and the glass ribbon is greater than or equal to 10 times that required to cause slip between them when not electrostatically pinned together. Methods for winding and unwinding the roll, as well as an apparatus for winding the glass ribbon and interleaf material into a roll, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of processing a glass ribbon are provided. The method comprises the step of traversing the glass ribbon through a travel path at a predetermined velocity and severing the glass ribbon to create an upstream web and a downstream web. The method further includes the step of increasing a relative velocity of a downstream edge portion with respect to an upstream edge portion to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In other example methods, a segment of the glass ribbon is removed to create a gap between an upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge. In still further example methods, an upstream severed edge is directed along a second travel path to create a gap between the upstream severed edge and a downstream severed edge.

Abstract: A non-contact dancer mechanism for conveying a web of brittle material includes a guide rail and a variable position web support plenum adjustably positioned on the guide rail. The variable position web support plenum may include an arcuate outer surface with a plurality of fluid vents for emitting a fluid to support the web of brittle material over and spaced apart from the arcuate outer surface thereby preventing mechanical contact and damage to the web of brittle material. A support plenum counterbalance may be mechanically coupled to the variable position web support plenum, wherein the support plenum counterbalance supports at least a portion of the weight of the variable position web support plenum on the guide rail. Apparatuses incorporating the non-contact dancer mechanism and methods for using the non-contact dancer mechanism for handling continuous webs of brittle material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of winding a glass ribbon (10), including: winding an interleaving material (20) and the glass ribbon together to produce a roll (40); and tensioning the interleaving material so as to control a roll inter-layer pressure. By controlling the roll inter-layer pressure, the roll can be formed with straight side walls. The tension in the interleaving material can be controlled so as to be greater than 0 and ?0.25 pounds per linear inch of width of interleaving material. Also, there is provided an apparatus for winding glass ribbon together with interleaving material into a roll. The apparatus includes: an interleaving material supply path; a glass ribbon supply path; a roll winding mechanism (46); and a means (26) for applying tension to interleaving material traveling along the interleaving material supply path, as the interleaving material is wound into roll (40), so as to produce a pressure between the layers of the roll.

Abstract: A glass ribbon (10) including a first glass-ribbon portion (12) and a second portion (22) separated from one another by a gap (40), and a splice joint (30) coupling the first glass-ribbon portion to the second portion. The splice joint includes a splice member (31) having a Young's modulus and cross sectional area so that when subject to a force of 20 kg the splice member under-goes an elongation of ?20%. A filler material (80) may be disposed in the gap. Also, there are disclosed methods of splicing a glass ribbon, and preparing a coated glass ribbon for splicing. One embodiment of a method of splicing glass ribbon includes applying tape (70) to the glass ribbon, and cutting the glass ribbon together with the tape so as to create a free end in the glass ribbon. Before the glass ribbon is cut, a fracture line (75, 77) may be created in the glass ribbon wherein the tape is disposed across the fracture line.

Abstract: A non-contact dancer mechanism for conveying a web of brittle material includes a guide rail and a variable position web support plenum adjustably positioned on the guide rail. The variable position web support plenum may include an arcuate outer surface with a plurality of fluid vents for emitting a fluid to support the web of brittle material over and spaced apart from the arcuate outer surface thereby preventing mechanical contact and damage to the web of brittle material. A support plenum counterbalance may be mechanically coupled to the variable position web support plenum, wherein the support plenum counterbalance supports at least a portion of the weight of the variable position web support plenum on the guide rail. Apparatuses incorporating the non-contact dancer mechanism and methods for using the non-contact dancer mechanism for handling continuous webs of brittle material are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for non-contact testing of electronic components printed on a substrate (3) are provided. Test circuits (11) are printed on the substrate (3) at the same time as the desired electronic component. The test circuits (11) are all optical and include a first portion (13) for providing electrical energy for the test circuit (11) and a second portion (15) for generating a detectable optical signal that is indicative of at least one electrical property of the electronic component. The test circuits are used in real time and minimize the production of unusable scrap in the printing of such products as ePaper.