Abstract: A laminated article is provided which is particularly well adapted for use as an automotive sidelite. The laminated article includes a first ply, a second ply and an interlayer located between the two plies, with the two plies and interlayer dimensioned such that the laminated article has a total thickness of about 4.0-6.0 mm, more preferably of about 4.0-5.0 mm. The plies are preferably heat strengthened glass in the thickness range of about 1.0-3.0 mm. The interlayer is preferably a plastic material, such as polyvinyl butyral, and has a thickness in the range of about 0.50-0.80 mm. A coating, such as a solar control coating or electroconductive coating, can be formed or deposited on one or more surfaces of the plies and/or interlayers. A method and apparatus are also provided for producing a laminated sidelite of the invention.

Abstract: A composite metal end cap for use with a ceramic roll in a ceramic roll conveyor for conveying glass sheets for thermal treatment comprising a flexible metal inner end cap member adapted for mounting in direct contact over an end of the ceramic roll and a rigid metal outer end cap member adapted for mounting over the inner end cap member, and means for moving said outer end cap member axially relative to said inner end cap member so as to increase radial clamping of said flexible metal inner end cap member against said ceramic roll on axially inward motion of said rigid, outer end cap member relative thereto in a controlled manner and to permit release of said flexible radial clamping between said flexible, metal, inner end cap member and said ceramic roll in response to an opposite direction of axial movement of said rigid, metal, outer end cap member.

Abstract: An accent line is produced in a glass sheet by pressing a tubular member against the glass sheet as it is being press bent. The tubular member is heated by passing hot fluid, e.g., air, therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus for tempering flat or curved glass sheets suspended in a vertical orientation comprising a plurality of nozzle boxes each pivotable about its longitudinal axis and adjustable in position to provide a pair of sets of nozzle boxes facing the opposite major surface of a glass sheet held in a quenching position between two sets of nozzle boxes. The present apparatus requires a minimum of power to cause relative movement of blasts of tempering fluid applied against the opposite major glass sheet surfaces, permits positional adjustment of individual nozzle boxes to define a flat or curved space corresponding to the shape of glass sheet handled, and simultaneously permits each nozzle box to oscillate about its longitudinal axis from a desired, adjusted orientation to optimize the heat exchange effect of the moving blasts of tempering fluid.

Abstract: In tempering glass sheets vertically hung from tongs, the uniformity with which tempering medium is applied onto the glass sheets during quenching is improved by providing the quenching apparatus with a plurality of discs carried on wires on one side of the path taken by glass sheets through the quenching apparatus. The flow of tempering medium is controlled so as to force the glass sheets against the discs, thereby avoiding uncontrolled buffeting of the glass sheets during quenching. The discs are designed to minimize interference with the flow of tempering medium and preferably include openings through which the tempering medium may flow, such as serrations along the edges.

Abstract: This invention relates to refinements in operating apparatus for tempering flat or curved glass sheets suspended in a vertical orientation comprising a plurality of nozzle boxes each pivotable about its longitudinal axis and adjustable in position to provide a pair of sets of nozzle boxes facing the opposite major surfaces of a glass sheet held in a quenching position between two sets of nozzle boxes. The present invention provides minimum buffeting of the glass sheets while applying tempering fluid against the opposite major glass sheet surfaces, while avoiding iridescent patterns in the tempered glass.Each set of nozzle boxes is pivoted in unison out of phase with the pivoting of the other set of nozzle boxes by a phase difference of 75 to 105 degrees, preferably approximately 90 degrees. The number of pivoting cycles is controlled to between 25 and 40 cycles per minute, and preferably approximates 30 cycles per minute.

Abstract: The efficiency of tempering flat or curved glass sheets suspended in a vertical orientation is improved in the type of quenching operation wherein quenching nozzles are arranged on a plurality of nozzle boxes, each of which is pivotable about its longitudinal axis so as to oscillate the nozzles in unison within planes which are parallel to each other. The improvement here achieves optimum heat exchange, with a minimized amount of power consumption for supplying pressurized tempering fluid, by controlling the angular displacement of the oscillating nozzles within an angle of 20 degrees from normal to the portion of the glass sheet surface opposite each respective nozzle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for shaping one or more glass sheets by gravity sag bending to a shape including one or more sharp bends by combining overall heating and localized heating using one or more electroconductive heating ribbons and guiding means to locate the ribbons below the shaping surface of a sectionalized mold in positions which do not interfere with loading or unloading of glass sheets on said mold.

Abstract: Apparatus for tempering glass sheets comprising spaced opposed plenum chambers with specially constructed elongated nozzles mounted to specially constructed apertured walls of said opposed plenum chambers by means of resilient clip means.