Abstract: A device for cooling bent glass sheets running along a roller conveyor. Blowing boxes are inserted between the rollers and have a surface opposite the glass sheet at a distance of less than 30 mm and preferably less than 10 mm. The surface is perforated with several holes through which air is discharged in the direction of the glass sheets.

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: In a process and to an apparatus for bending a glass sheet heated to the bending temperature in a horizontal furnace, through which it is passed by a motor roller conveyor, which passes it into a bending cell where it is kept at an ambient temperature substantially identical to the bending temperature, the glass sheet is immobilized in the bending cell in an upper bending mold perpendicular to an annular countermold surrounding an element for supporting the central part of the glass sheet in the bending cell. The annular countermold is raised in order to press the glass sheet against the upper bending mold.

Abstract: A device for supporting and transferring, in a shaping station (2), at least the central part of glass sheets which have been heated to their shaping temperature. The device includes a pressurized box (21) generating an air cushion. The box has a plurality of individual compartments (53), transverse with respect to the axis of travel of the glass sheets (28), each of the compartments (53) having a width measured parallel to said axis which is small by comparison with the "height" of the glass sheets and, being provided with gas having at least two pressure distribution levels.

Abstract: A process for bending a glass sheet according to which the glass sheet is heated in horizontal position until its bending temperature is reached and is brought into contact with an upper bending form by a force of a pneumatic nature. A fluid barrier is generated at the periphery of the glass sheet, the fluid barrier limiting the entry and exit of air near the upper bending form.

Abstract: In a process and to an apparatus for bending a glass sheet heated to the bending temperature in a horizontal furnace, through which it is passed by a motor roller conveyor, which passes it into a bending cell where it is kept at an ambient temperature substantially identical to the bending temperature, the glass sheet is immobilized in the bending cell in an upper bending mold perpendicular to an annular countermold surrounding an element for supporting the central part of the glass sheet in the bending cell. The annular countermold is raised in order to press the glass sheet against the upper bending mold.

Abstract: A process for bending a glass sheet according to which the glass sheet is heated in horizontal position until its bending temperature is reached and is brought into contact with an upper bending form by a force of a pneumatic nature. A fluid barrier is generated at the periphery of the glass sheet, the fluid barrier limiting the entry and exit of air near the upper bending form.

Abstract: A device for bending glass sheets which includes a furnace for heating the glass, a conveyor, a bending station within which there is suspended, notably from a plate, an upper bending mold at least partly disposed inside the skirt of a peripheral suction box, and the lower face of which is covered with a covering in such a way that this covering is supported by an attachment device which can be removed and is not integral with the upper mold.

Abstract: A process for bending a glass sheet according to which the glass sheet is heated in horizontal position until its bending temperature is reached and is brought into contact with an upper bending form by a force of a pneumatic nature. A fluid barrier is generated at the periphery of the glass sheet, the fluid barrier limiting the entry and exit of air near the upper bending form.

Abstract: Plastic sheets of good optical quality suitable for use in the glazings of automotive vehicles, eye glasses etc., are made by depositing a hardenable liquid mass upon a taut moving ribbon of plastic which has been pretreated by tensioning and heating to remove wrinkles and creases which otherwise would render optically unsatisfactory the sheet formed on the ribbon upon hardening of the liquid mass. The temperature range within which the pretreatment should be conducted is 60.degree.-100.degree. C., with 70.degree.-90.degree. C. being preferred; the tension applied in the pretreatment should be a dekanewton or more per square millimeter, preferably 1.5-7.5 dekanewtons per mm.sup.2 ; and the time of pretreatment is at least a minute and preferably 5 or more minutes.

Abstract: A glass sheet is transferred from a bending cell to a tempering cell on a continuous frame, after which it is held during tempering by discontinuous gripping device. Lifting studs lift the glass sheet above the frame prior to gripping.

Abstract: A process for bending a glass sheet according to which the glass sheet is heated in horizontal position until its bending temperature is reached and is brought into contact with an upper bending form by a force of a pneumatic nature. A fluid barrier is generated at the periphery of the glass sheet, the fluid barrier limiting the entry and exit of air near the upper bending form.

Abstract: A glass sheet is transferred from a bending cell to a tempering cell on a continuous frame, after which it is held during tempering by discontinuous gripping device. Lifting studs lift the glass sheet above the frame prior to gripping.

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: In positioning of a glass sheet relative to cambering and/or other heat treatment tools during a treatment, the glass sheet (2) heated to beyond its softening point travels flat on a conveyor (3) before being stopped beneath a generally shaping upper element (8) against which it is applied and is then released onto a lower element (10) by which shaping optionally continues and/or the glass sheet is transferred to another device, particularly a cooling device by thermal tempering. The position of the glass sheet (2) relative to the upper element (8) and/or the position of the upper element (8) relative to the lower element (10) are controlled by members integral with the upper element (8).

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: 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 a device for detecting sheets of glass. An essentially mechanical device constituted by a detector finger which is tilted by the leading edge of a sheet of glass, then concealed by the action of a jack to allow the sheet of glass to pass. The tilting movement is registered by a pick-up located remotely from the conveyor. The invention is directed especially at the detection of sheets of glass being carried inside an enclosed space which is at a high temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transfer of pane objects such as glass comprises a conveyor along which the pane is accelerated past the downstream end of the conveyor. As the pane leaves the conveyor, it is received by a device which is aligned substantially parallel to the trajectory of the path of the pane. The device receives the pane, and transfers it to the next work station.

Abstract: A device and process for transferring glass panes for bending comprise the raising of glass panes with a gaseous flow until they meet with an upper conveyor, maintaining contact with that conveyor and simultaneously shifting them along that conveyor, then bringing them down anew on a bending form upon which they subside.