Abstract: Disclosed is a material for a tempering process of glass plates utilizing a so-called contact process. It proposes a material with a base of an arrangement of thin metallic threads exhibiting a heat resistance on the order of 0.25.multidot.10.sup.-3 to 2.5.multidot.10.sup.-3 m.sup.2 .multidot.K.multidot.W.sup.-1 intended to be inserted between the cooling plates and the glass of a contact-tempering installation. The process makes it possible to temper glazings sufficiently so that they are used as automobile glazings and the durability of this thread-based material is compatible with an industrial usage.

Abstract: A curved glazed roof for use particularly as a greenhouse, and a method for the production thereof. This roof has at least one continuous vault including at least two successive glazed spans, each span having at least two juxtaposed curved glazed panels. The panels include a sheet of thermally-tempered, cold-curved glass having a resiliently-flexed curvature formed therein. This resiliently-flexed curvature is maintained under constraint by a frame which is secured to the sheet of glass. Each of the frames in each span are secured to the frame of another panel, positioned juxtaposed thereto, forming a span. At least one of the frames of one of the panels in one of the spans is secured to at least one of the frames of one of the panels in another, adjacent span, forming successive spans which make up the vault. A framework of trusses, longitudinal beams, struts and peak beams is disclosed for the various roofs.

Abstract: A thermally-tempered, cold curved panel having a sheet of glass, including a resiliently-flexed curvature, and a frame which is adapted to maintain the curvature of the sheet of glass under constraint, as well as a method and a device for producing the curved panel, is disclosed. The frame of the panel includes straight frame sections and curved frame sections which are secured to the sheet of glass, retaining the curvature of the sheet of glass under constraint. The sheet of glass is thermally-tempered being cold-curved at a temperature being between 80.degree. C. and 140.degree. C., such that a resiliently-flexed curvature is formed therein. The curvature is maintained under constraint by a special device while the frame is assembled about the edges of the glass. Once assembled, the frame maintains the curvature of the thermally-tempered sheet of glass under constraint.

Abstract: A curved glazed roof for use particularly as a greenhouse, and a method for the production thereof. This roof has at least one continuous vault including at least two successive glazed spans, each span having at least two juxtaposed curved glazed panels. The panels include a sheet of thermally-tempered, cold-curved glass having a resiliently-flexed curvature formed therein. This resiliently-flexed curvature is maintained under constraint by a frame which is secured to the sheet of glass. Each of the frames in each span are secured to the fame of another panel, positioned juxtaposed thereto, forming a span. At least one of the frames of one of the panels in one of the spans is secured to at least one of the frames of one of the panels in another, adjacent span, forming successive spans which make up the vault. A framework of trusses, longitudinal beams, struts and peak beams is disclosed for the various roofs.

Abstract: An energy saving method for the bending of glass sheets is disclosed. A sheet of glass is heated in an oven, conveyed to a curving form which includes a plurality of arched rods for imparting a desired curvature to the glass sheet, and finally the curved glass is tempered. The glass is heated in the oven to a first temperature that is only about 10.degree. C. greater than the required temperature of the glass at the commencement of the tempering step. Heat loss from the glass between the steps of heating and tempering is minimized by the disclosed apparatus which comprises a thermally insulating enclosure as well as means for cooling the rods.