Patents by Inventor Michael Balduin

Michael Balduin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11351757
    Abstract: A composite pane includes a first pane, a second pane, and a thermoplastic film arranged between the two panes, wherein at least one pane is in the form of a flat glass and at least one pane surface has a plurality of elongated elevations and elongated depressions that extend along a first pane direction and are alternatingly arranged in a second pane direction perpendicular to the first pane direction, the thermoplastic film is produced by extrusion and at least one film surface has a plurality of elongated elevations and elongated depressions that extend along a first film direction and are alternatingly arranged in a second film direction perpendicular to the first film direction, wherein the elongated elevations of the at least one pane are arranged at an angle different from 90° relative to the elongated elevations of the thermoplastic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Günther Schall, Stephan Gier, Richard Brocker, Michael Balduin, Nikolai Borchmann
  • Patent number: 11261120
    Abstract: A glass bending device is presented. The glass bending device includes a bending chamber, a tool for holding at least one glass pane by means of a suction effect, including a downward-directed frame-like, convex contact surface and a cover with a peripheral air-guiding plate surrounding the contact surface at least in regions. The tool is suitable for sweeping the edge of the glass pane at least in sections with an air flow and thereby pressing the glass pane against the contact surface. The glass bending device further includes a fan, which is connected to the bending chamber via a feed line and a return line and is suitable for extracting air from the bending chamber via the tool and the feed line to produce the air flow and for returning air back into the bending chamber via the return line. The return line is connected to the bending chamber above the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Michael Balduin, Herbert Radermacher, Guenther Schall
  • Patent number: 11247931
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for bending at least one glass pane, having a lower bending mould with a working surface that is suitable for influencing the shape of at least one glass pane, an upper shaping tool arranged opposite the working surface that is suitable for generating a positive pressure on the surface of the at least one glass pane facing away from the working surface, where the upper shaping tool has a hollow space with at least one opening oriented toward the lower bending mould and a membrane closing the opening and is equipped with means for introducing a gas into the hollow space in order to deform the membrane in the direction of the lower bending mould and to thus generate the positive pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Guenther Schall, Michael Balduin, Herbert Radermacher, Jean-Marie Le Ny
  • Patent number: 11104598
    Abstract: A device and method for bending a glass pane. The device includes a gravity bending mould with a supporting surface, which is suitable for arranging a glass pane thereon; and an upper shaping tool arranged opposite the supporting surface. The upper shaping tool is suitable for producing an overpressure on the top surface of the glass pane arranged on the supporting surface. The top surface faces away from the supporting surface. The shaping tool has a cover that forms a hollow space open in the direction of the gravity bending mould and is equipped with means for introducing a gas into the hollow space in order to produce the overpressure. The hollow space is divided by a separating wall into two subspaces such that a different pressure can be produced in two regions of the surface. The shaping tool is equipped with a common gas feed line, and the separating wall extends to the common gas feed line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Le Ny, Michael Balduin, Guenther Schall, Lothar Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10870600
    Abstract: A bending tool for bending at least one glass pane by suction, includes a frame-like convex contact surface and a cover having a peripheral air guide plate that surrounds the contact surface at least in regions is described. The bending tool is suitable for generating a first, reduced pressure in a first pressure region between the air guide plate and the contact surface; a second reduced pressure in a second pressure region. The second pressure is less than the first pressure; and a third pressure in a third pressure region, wherein the third pressure is greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Michael Balduin, Jean-Marie Le Ny, Dang Cuong Phan, Arthur Palmantier, Benno Dunkmann
  • Publication number: 20200189953
    Abstract: A bending tool for bending at least one glass pane by suction, includes a frame-like convex contact surface and a cover having a peripheral air guide plate that surrounds the contact surface at least in regions is described. The bending tool is suitable for generating a first, reduced pressure in a first pressure region between the air guide plate and the contact surface; a second reduced pressure in a second pressure region. The second pressure is less than the first pressure; and a third pressure in a third pressure region, wherein the third pressure is greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Michael BALDUIN, Jean-Marie LE NY, Dang Cuong PHAN, Arthur PALMANTIER, Benno DUNKMANN
  • Patent number: 10662105
    Abstract: A device for heating objects and a method that has recourse to the device, particularly for heating and/or bending one or more glass panes positioned one on top of the other, covering each other. The device includes a furnace line, plural supports, particularly transport molds that transport and/or bend the objects, the objects being placed on the supports positioned on transport carriages, a drive device that progresses the transport carriages through the furnace line and plural heating elements provided above the objects in the furnace line. In the device the heating elements are positioned on the whole above the entire furnace line and the heating elements can be operated and regulated so as to form heating zones suited to dimensions of the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Michael Balduin, Benno Dunkmann, Michael Labrot, Karl-Josef Ollfisch
  • Publication number: 20200156352
    Abstract: A composite pane includes a first pane, a second pane, and a thermoplastic film arranged between the two panes, wherein at least one pane is in the form of a flat glass and at least one pane surface has a plurality of elongated elevations and elongated depressions that extend along a first pane direction and are alternatingly arranged in a second pane direction perpendicular to the first pane direction, the thermoplastic film is produced by extrusion and at least one film surface has a plurality of elongated elevations and elongated depressions that extend along a first film direction and are alternatingly arranged in a second film direction perpendicular to the first film direction, wherein the elongated elevations of the at least one pane are arranged at an angle different from 90° relative to the elongated elevations of the thermoplastic film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Günther SCHALL, Stephan GIER, Richard BROCKER, Michael BALDUIN, Nikolai BORCHMANN
  • Patent number: 10597320
    Abstract: A bending tool for bending at least one glass pane by means of suction, comprising a frame-like convex contact surface and a cover having a peripheral air guide plate that surrounds the contact surface at least in regions is described. The bending tool is suitable for generating a first, reduced pressure in a first pressure region between the air guide plate and the contact surface; a second reduced pressure in a second pressure region. The second pressure is less than the first pressure; and a third pressure in a third pressure region, wherein the third pressure is greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Michael Balduin, Jean-Marie Le Ny, Dang Cuong Phan, Arthur Palmantier, Benno Dunkmann
  • Patent number: 10577271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for bending at least one glass pane. The device includes: a gravity bending mould with a supporting surface, which is suitable for arranging at least one glass pane thereon; an upper shaping tool arranged opposite the supporting surface, the upper shaping tool being suitable for producing an overpressure on a surface of the at least one glass pane arranged on the supporting surface, and the surface of the at least one glass pane faces away from the supporting surface. The shaping tool has a cover that forms a hollow space open in the direction of the gravity bending mould and is equipped with a sealing lip arranged on an edge section of the cover for making contact with the surface of the at least one glass pane, and the shaping tool is equipped with means for introducing a gas into the hollow space in order to produce the overpressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Le Ny, Michael Balduin, Guenther Schall
  • Patent number: 10562803
    Abstract: A tool for holding at least one glass pane by means of suction in a bending process, comprising a frame-like, convex contact surface and a cover having a peripheral air guide plate that surrounds the contact surface at least in regions is described. The tool is suitable for generating a first, reduced pressure in a first pressure region between the air guide plate and the contact surface; a second pressure in a second pressure region, which is arranged in a central region inside the contact surface, wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Michael Balduin, Jean-Marie Le Ny, Guenther Schall
  • Publication number: 20180194664
    Abstract: A glass bending device is presented. The glass bending device includes a bending chamber, a tool for holding at least one glass pane by means of a suction effect, including a downward-directed frame-like, convex contact surface and a cover with a peripheral air-guiding plate surrounding the contact surface at least in regions. The tool is suitable for sweeping the edge of the glass pane at least in sections with an air flow and thereby pressing the glass pane against the contact surface. The glass bending device further includes a fan, which is connected to the bending chamber via a feed line and a return line and is suitable for extracting air from the bending chamber via the tool and the feed line to produce the air flow and for returning air back into the bending chamber via the return line. The return line is connected to the bending chamber above the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Michael BALDUIN, Herbert RADERMACHER, Guenther SCHALL
  • Publication number: 20180186676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for bending at least one glass pane, having a lower bending mould with a working surface that is suitable for influencing the shape of at least one glass pane, an upper shaping tool arranged opposite the working surface that is suitable for generating a positive pressure on the surface of the at least one glass pane facing away from the working surface, where the upper shaping tool has a hollow space with at least one opening oriented toward the lower bending mould and a membrane closing the opening and is equipped with means for introducing a gas into the hollow space in order to deform the membrane in the direction of the lower bending mould and to thus generate the positive pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Guenther SCHALL, Michael BALDUIN, Herbert RADERMACHER, Jean-Marie LE NY
  • Publication number: 20180179099
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for bending at least one glass pane. The device includes: a gravity bending mould with a supporting surface, which is suitable for arranging at least one glass pane thereon; an upper shaping tool arranged opposite the supporting surface, the upper shaping tool being suitable for producing an overpressure on a surface of the at least one glass pane arranged on the supporting surface, and the surface of the at least one glass pane faces away from the supporting surface. The shaping tool has a cover that forms a hollow space open in the direction of the gravity bending mould and is equipped with a sealing lip arranged on an edge section of the cover for making contact with the surface of the at least one glass pane, and the shaping tool is equipped with means for introducing a gas into the hollow space in order to produce the overpressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Jean-Marie LE NY, Michael BALDUIN, Guenther SCHALL
  • Publication number: 20180170790
    Abstract: A device and method for bending a glass pane. The device includes a gravity bending mould with a supporting surface, which is suitable for arranging a glass pane thereon; and an upper shaping tool arranged opposite the supporting surface. The upper shaping tool is suitable for producing an overpressure on the top surface of the glass pane arranged on the supporting surface. The top surface faces away from the supporting surface. The shaping tool has a cover that forms a hollow space open in the direction of the gravity bending mould and is equipped with means for introducing a gas into the hollow space in order to produce the overpressure. The hollow space is divided by a separating wall into two subspaces such that a different pressure can be produced in two regions of the surface. The shaping tool is equipped with a common gas feed line, and the separating wall extends to the common gas feed line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Jean-Marie LE NY, Michael BALDUIN, Guenther SCHALL, Lothar SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 9771297
    Abstract: A method and device for bending superposed sheets of glass. The sheets are picked up by a top form furnished with a suction creating an upward airflow blowing over the rim of the sheets, the suction being sufficient to lift and hold the superposed sheets against the top form, then the sheets are pressed between the top form and a full surface solid concave bottom form furnished with openings, the pressing beginning conducted while the suction is not yet finished or is finishing, then the superposed sheets are formed, by suction of the main face of the bottom sheet through the openings of the bottom concave mold, the forming by suction beginning while the pressing is not yet finished, and then the sheets are cooled. Windshields free of optical defects may thus be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Michael Balduin, Michael Labrot, Karl-Josef Ollfisch, Herbert Radermacher, Guenther Schall
  • Publication number: 20170217820
    Abstract: A tool for holding at least one glass pane by means of suction in a bending process, comprising a frame-like, convex contact surface and a cover having a peripheral air guide plate that surrounds the contact surface at least in regions is described. The tool is suitable for generating a first, reduced pressure in a first pressure region between the air guide plate and the contact surface; a second pressure in a second pressure region, which is arranged in a central region inside the contact surface, wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Michael BALDUIN, Jean-Marie LE NY, Guenther SCHALL
  • Publication number: 20170210663
    Abstract: A bending tool for bending at least one glass pane by means of suction, comprising a frame-like convex contact surface and a cover having a peripheral air guide plate that surrounds the contact surface at least in regions is described. The bending tool is suitable for generating a first, reduced pressure in a first pressure region between the air guide plate and the contact surface; a second reduced pressure in a second pressure region. The second pressure is less than the first pressure; and a third pressure in a third pressure region, wherein the third pressure is greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Michael BALDUIN, Jean-Marie LE NY, Dang Cuong PHAN, Arthur PALMANTIER, Benno DUNKMANN
  • Patent number: 9656537
    Abstract: A vehicle glazing is described. The vehicle glazing has at least one windowpane having a height from 900 mm to 1650 mm, a top upper edge, a side edge of a pillar, a body edge, and two rectangular surfaces A and B. The surface A has an extent of 800 mm*800 mm and the surface B has an extent of 1000 mm*700 mm. Surface A and surface B are centrally bounded by the lowest contact point of the at least one windowpane with the body edge horizontally with respect to the ground, and the lowest contact point and the point of the top upper edge at the shortest distance from the contact point form a Y0 axis and the points at the furthest distance with respect to the width of the windowpane form a Z0 axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SAINT GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Benno Dunkmann, Jean-Marie Le Ny, Michael Balduin
  • Patent number: 9650279
    Abstract: A device for bending panes is described. The device has a pre-bending ring, a movable bending ring holder, a final bending ring, a preheating region for preheating at least one pane, a pre-bending region for a further bending of the at least one pane, a heating region for a final bending of an edge of the at least one pane and for a surface pre-bending of the at least one pane, a second bending region for a further surface bending of the at least one pane and a cooling region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Michael Balduin, Benno Dunkmann, Jean-Marie Le Ny, Lothar Schmidt, Herbert Radermacher