GLASS PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHODS

Abstract

Glass processing apparatus each include a first sheet guide device and a second sheet guide device with a gap configured to receive a glass sheet. In one example, an adjustment member can move the first sheet guide device relative to the second sheet guide device such that the gap is tapered with respect to a glass travel direction. In another example, a glass working member can work an edge of the glass sheet. In further examples, methods of processing a glass sheet each include the steps of providing a gap between a first sheet guide device and a second sheet guide device, passing an edge portion of the glass sheet through the gap, and working an edge of the glass sheet while passing the edge portion of the glass sheet through the gap.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/945,156 filed on Feb. 27, 2014 the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to a glass processing apparatus and methods and, more particularly, to glass processing apparatus and methods for supporting an edge portion of a glass sheet while working an edge of the glass sheet.

BACKGROUND

Glass manufacturing apparatus are commonly used to form glass ribbon that may be separated into glass sheets that may be used for display and other applications. After separating, it is known to use a working member to work the edge of the glass sheet, for example, by grinding, polishing, cleaning, finishing, or otherwise working the edge.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some example aspects described in the detailed description.

In a first aspect of the disclosure, a glass processing apparatus comprises a first sheet guide device and a second sheet guide device. The first sheet guide device is movably coupled relative to the second sheet guide device. A gap configured to receive a glass sheet is defined between the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device. An adjustment member is configured to move the first sheet guide device relative to the second sheet guide device, such that the gap is tapered with respect to a glass travel direction.

In one example of the first aspect, at least one of the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device comprises rollers.

In another example of the first aspect, at least one of the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device comprises an endless belt.

In still another example of the first aspect, the adjustment member is off-center of the first sheet guide device.

The first aspect may be provided alone or in combination with one or any combination of the examples of the first aspect discussed above.

In a second aspect of the disclosure, a glass processing apparatus comprises a first sheet guide device and a second sheet guide device. The first sheet guide device is movably coupled relative to the second sheet guide device. A gap configured to receive a glass sheet is defined between the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device, and a glass working member is configured to work an edge of the glass sheet.

In one example of the second aspect, at least one of the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device comprises rollers.

In another example of the second aspect, at least one of the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device comprises an endless belt.

In still another example of the second aspect, the glass processing apparatus further comprises an adjustment member configured to move the first sheet guide device relative to the second sheet guide device, such that the gap is tapered with respect to a glass travel direction. In one example, the adjustment member is off-center of the first sheet guide device.

In still another example of the second aspect, the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are mounted relative to the glass working member. In one example, the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are adjustably mounted relative to the glass working member to allow selected positioning of the gap with respect to the glass working member. In another example, the glass working member comprises a glass working wheel including an outer peripheral working surface circumscribing a rotational axis of the glass working wheel, wherein the outer peripheral working surface includes an axial width extending along an axial direction of the rotational axis. In one particular example, the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are adjustably mounted relative to the glass working wheel to allow selected positioning of the gap with respect to a preselected axial location along the axial width of the glass working wheel. In still another example, the glass processing apparatus further comprises a glass working shroud defining a glass working area, wherein the glass working member is at least partially received within the glass working area of the glass working shroud, and wherein the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are mounted relative to the glass working shroud. In one particular example, the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are adjustably mounted relative to the glass working member to allow selected positioning of the gap with respect to a slot defined by the glass working shroud. In another particular example, the glass working member comprises a glass working wheel including an outer peripheral working surface circumscribing a rotational axis of the glass working wheel. The outer peripheral working surface includes an axial width extending along an axial direction of the rotational axis of the glass working wheel. The first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are adjustably mounted relative to the glass working wheel to allow selected positioning of the gap with respect to a preselected axial location along the axial width of the glass working wheel.

The second aspect may be provided alone or in combination with one or any combination of the examples of the second aspect discussed above.

In a third aspect of the disclosure, a method of processing a glass sheet comprises the step (I) of providing a gap between a first sheet guide device and a second sheet guide device and the step (II) of passing an edge portion of the glass sheet through the gap in a glass travel direction, wherein the edge portion within the gap is supported by at least one of the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device. The method further includes the step (III) of working an edge of the glass sheet while passing the edge portion of the glass sheet through the gap.

In one example of the third aspect, the gap is tapered with respect to the glass travel direction.

In another example of the third aspect, step (II) further comprises the step of providing a lubricant between the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device while passing the edge portion of the glass sheet through the gap in a glass travel direction, wherein the edge portion is supported by the lubricant with at least one of the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device.

In still another example of the third aspect, the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are mounted relative to a glass working member.

The third aspect may be provided alone or in combination with one or any combination of the examples of the third aspect discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects are better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an example glass processing apparatus;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the example glass processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the example glass processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates the front view of the example glass processing apparatus of FIG. 3 with a gap defined between a first sheet guide device and a second sheet guide device;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of an example sheet guide device of the glass processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of the example glass processing apparatus of FIG. 1, wherein the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are mounted relative to a glass working member of the glass processing apparatus; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of another example glass processing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which example embodiments are shown. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example glass processing apparatus 101 is provided with various example features that may be used either alone or in combination to support and/or guide a glass sheet 111. In one example, the glass processing apparatus 101 may support and/or guide a glass sheet 111 to minimize bevelle edge asymmetry. For the purpose of further discussion, a glass sheet, and in particular a glass sheet suitable for use in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays will be hereinafter assumed and described. However, it should be noted that the present disclosure has applicability to supporting or guiding an edge portion of other types of glass sheets.

The glass sheet can be considered sheets that are separated from a glass ribbon formed with a glass ribbon manufacturing process using techniques such as down-drawn, up-draw, float, fusion, press rolling, or slot draw, or other techniques. For example, a glass ribbon may be periodically separated into sheets and may even be further subdivided into smaller sheets. In such examples, the glass processing apparatus of the present disclosure may be used to work one or more edges of the separated glass sheets. In further examples, the glass sheet may be considered the glass ribbon. For example, the glass sheet may comprise a glass ribbon prior to being divided into individual sheets. In such an example, after forming the glass ribbon, the outer edges of the glass ribbon may be removed, and then the remaining edges of the glass ribbon may be worked with the glass processing apparatus of the disclosure.

In one example, the glass sheet 111 can comprise a sheet of glass that may be incorporated in a liquid crystal display wherein there is a desire to work an edge 115 of the glass sheet 111 to improve the quality and to increase the strength of the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the edge 115 can comprise the outer peripheral edge 113 of the glass sheet 111 between the thickness “T” of the glass sheet 111 from a first major surface 117 facing a first direction (e.g., upward as shown in FIG. 4) and a second surface 119 facing a second direction (e.g., downward as shown in FIG. 4) of the glass sheet 111. In addition or alternatively, the edge 115 can comprise a portion of the first major surface 117 and/or a portion of the second major surface 119 of the glass sheet 111, with or without comprising the outer peripheral edge 113 of the glass sheet 111. In further examples, the edge 115 can comprise the outer peripheral edge 113 of the glass sheet 111 together with the portion of the first major surface 117 and/or the portion of the second major surface 119. In another example, the glass sheet 111 can comprise an edge portion 120 of the glass sheet. The edge portion 120 of the glass sheet can, for example, comprise major surface portions of the glass sheet adjacent the edge 115 as described above and, in some examples, may include part or all of the edge 115.

Although not required, as shown in FIG. 1, the illustrated example of the glass processing apparatus 101 is shown processing a glass sheet 111 that is in a substantially horizontal orientation wherein the glass sheet 111 extends substantially along the illustrated X-Y plane with the force of gravity acting in the Z direction. In such an example, the second major surface 119 faces in the direction of gravity while the first major surface 117 faces in the opposite direction away from gravity. Although not shown, in further examples, the glass sheet may be oriented at an incline relative to the X-Y orientation and, in some examples, may be oriented along the X-Z and/or Y-Z plane. Regardless of the orientation, a glass processing apparatus 101 may be used to support and/or guide the glass sheet 111.

A first aspect of the disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, can include a glass processing apparatus 101 which can comprise a first sheet guide device 201, a second sheet guide device 301, wherein the first sheet guide device 201 can be movably coupled relative to the second sheet guide device 301, and wherein a gap 500 (see FIG. 4) configured to receive a glass sheet 111 can be defined between the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301. The glass processing apparatus 101 can also include an adjustment member 401 configured to move the first sheet guide device 201 relative to the second sheet guide device 301, such that the gap 500 can be a tapered gap 501 with respect to a glass travel direction 505.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first sheet guide device 201 can be coupled to a primary support 450, for example, by a removable or fixed connection. Further, the second sheet guide device 301 can also be coupled to the primary support 450, for example, by a removable or fixed connection. Coupling of the first sheet guide device 201 and/or the second sheet guide device 301 to the primary support can be achieved by a wide range of coupling features such as a threaded connection, a threaded bushing connection, or other coupling feature. Although the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 are illustrated as coupled to the same primary support 450, in further examples, the sheet guide devices may be coupled to different supports. For example, the primary support 450 may comprise two supports that may independently support the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in one example, the first sheet guide device 201 can be coupled to the primary support 450 through a primary support connecting member 455. As shown, the primary support connecting member 455 may be coupled to an adjustment member 401. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the adjustment member 401 can be configured to move the first sheet guide device 201 relative to the second sheet guide device 301. For example, the adjustment member 401 can be coupled to the primary support connecting member 455 and/or the first sheet guide device 201 by a removable or fixed connection. For example, coupling may be achieved by various alternative features such as a threaded connection, a threaded bushing connection, or other fastening feature. In still another example, the adjustment member 401 can be coupled to the primary support connecting member 455 at one end and to the first sheet guide device 201 at another end.

As shown in FIG. 3, in one example, the first sheet guide device 201 may be configured to contact the second sheet guide device 301. In another example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first sheet guide device 201 can be configured to be substantially separated from the second sheet guide device 301 to define a gap 500 defined between the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301. In one example, the adjustment member 401 is configured to move the first sheet guide device 201 relative to the second sheet guide device 301 to form the gap 500. Although not required, the formed gap 500 may be a tapered gap 501 with respect to a glass travel direction 505 of a glass sheet 111.

As shown in FIG. 4, the adjustment member 401 can comprise and adjustment knob 402, an adjustment rod 403, a resilient adjustment member 405, and adjustment guides 407. In one example, the adjustment knob 402 is configured to control adjustment of the adjustment member 401. For example, the adjustment knob 402 can be configured such that by turning the adjustment knob 402, the adjustment rod 403, likewise turns, and the first sheet guide device 201 moves relative to the second sheet guide device 301. In another example, the adjustment rod 403 can be a threaded rod which can threadingly engage the first sheet guide device 201 and the primary support connecting member 455. In still another example, the adjustment member 401 can be configured to bias the first sheet guide device 201 relative to primary support 450. For example, a resilient adjustment member 405 can be configured to bias the first sheet guide device 201 relative to the primary support 450. In another example, adjustment guides 407 can be configured to guide movement of the first sheet guide device 201 relative to the primary support 450.

In still another example of the first aspect, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adjustment member 401 can be off-center of the first sheet guide device 201. As noted, the adjustment member 401 can be configured to bias the first sheet guide device relative to the second sheet guide device such that the gap 500 can be a tapered gap 501 with respect to a glass travel direction 505. For example, the adjustment knob 402 can be configured to move the adjustment rod 403 which, in turn, moves the first sheet guide device 201 relative to the second sheet guide device 301. In another example, the adjustment member 401 can be off-center of the first sheet guide device 201, and the first sheet guide device 201, when moved relative to the second sheet guide device 301, can pivot such that the gap 500 defined between the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can be a tapered gap 501. The first sheet guide device 201 can pivot accordingly because, for example, the adjustment member 401 can be configured to provide off-center support of the first sheet guide device 201 such that the first sheet guide device 201 can move in a non-parallel manner relative to the second sheet guide device 301. Such non-parallel movement of the first sheet guide device 201 can occur, for example, due to the force of gravity acting uniformly on the first sheet guide device 201, wherein the adjustment member 401 can be off-center of the first sheet guide device 201.

Referring to FIG. 5, an example sheet guide device is provided. While, a second sheet guide device 301 is illustrated, it is to be understood that a first sheet guide device 201 can comprise all or some of the features described with respect to the second sheet guide device 301. For simplification, therefore, the terms first and second are not included when describing the following example features of the first sheet guide device 201 and/or the second sheet guide device 301. As shown, the sheet guide device 301 can comprise a sheet guide member 303 and a sheet guide bracket 305. The sheet guide member 303 can comprise a sheet guide surface 310 configured to support and/or guide the glass sheet 111. In addition, the sheet guide member 303 can be movably coupled relative to the sheet guide bracket 305, for example, with one or more resilient sheet guide members 309. The one or more resilient sheet guide members 309 can be configured to resiliently bias the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305, for example, to allow for translation and/or rotation of the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305. Such translation and/or rotation of the sheet guide member can, for example, vary the gap 500, 501 defined between the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301.

In an alternative example, as shown in FIG. 7, at least one of the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can comprise rollers 700. In addition or alternatively, at least one of the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can comprise an endless belt 702. Embodiments including the endless belt 702 may include an optional tension adjuster 704 configured to adjust a tension of the endless belt 702. In the illustrated example, each of the first and second sheet guide device includes a plurality of rollers circumscribed by the endless belt 702. The endless belt 702 can be configured to substantially contact the glass sheet 111 to guide and/or support the glass sheet 111. Although not shown, in further examples without the endless belt, the rollers 700 can be configured to substantially contact the glass sheet 111 to guide and/or support the glass sheet 111.

The variation in the gap 500, 501 can, for example, be configured to permit the glass processing apparatus 101 to receive glass sheets 111 of differing thicknesses and/or sizes. In another example, the variation of the gap 500, 501 can be configured to allow for added dampening of vibratory motion of a glass sheet 111 when, for instance, the glass sheet 111 is being guided or supported by the sheet guide surface 310 of the sheet guide member 303. For example, when a glass sheet 111 is received between the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 it may be subjected to motion or movement. In one example, the glass sheet 111 may be subjected to motion, such as translational motion while passing through the gap 500, 501, vibratory motion while an edge 115 of the glass sheet 111 is worked and an edge portion 120 of the glass sheet 111 is passed through the gap, or any other translation, rotation, or other motion imparted on the glass sheet 111 by any event which would cause the glass sheet 111 to move. Still further, the variation in the gap 500, 501 can be configured to permit the glass processing apparatus 101 to receive a glass sheet 111 of varying flatness and to support and/or guide the glass sheet of varying flatness. For example, the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can be configured to accommodate an otherwise planar glass sheet 111, wherein the glass sheet comprises imperfections or anomalies which render all or portions of the glass sheet non-planar. For example, as noted, the one or more resilient sheet guide members 309 can be configured to resiliently bias the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305. In an inactive state, therefore, a biasing force can exist in the one or more resilient sheet guide members 309. This biasing force can act substantially along the one or more resilient sheet guide members 309 in a direction from the sheet guide bracket 305 to the sheet guide member 303. In an active state, when for example, a glass sheet is received between the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device, the sheet guide member 303 can move in a direction towards the sheet guide bracket thus producing within one or more of the resilient sheet guide members 309 a force acting in a direction substantially opposite that of the biasing force acting in the active state. The forces present in the one or more resilient sheet guide members 309, whether in an active or inactive state, therefore bias the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305 such that at least one of the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can support and/or guide a glass sheet 111 received between the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301.

The sheet guide device can optionally comprise one or more sliding connectors 307. The sliding connectors 307 can couple the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305 and can be configured to permit translational and/or rotational motion of the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305. A sliding connector 307 can, for instance, be attached to the sheet guide bracket 305 by a removable or fixed connection. Further, the sliding connector 307 can pass through an aperture formed in the sheet guide member 303 to facilitate movement of the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305. The aperture formed in the sheet guide member 303 through which the sliding connector 307 passes can be formed as an elongated aperture, along which the sliding connector 307 can slide. The sliding connector 307 can also comprise an end having a size larger than a dimension of the aperture such that the sliding connector 307 can substantially restrict the sheet guide member 303 from coming uncoupled from the sheet guide bracket 305. The sheet guide member 303 can therefore slide with the elongated aperture formed therein, relative to the sheet guide bracket 305 and with respect to the sliding connector 307. The sheet guide member 303 can thus be configured to undergo translational and/or rotational motion relative to the sheet guide bracket 305.

In another example, as shown in FIG. 5, the sheet guide member 303 can comprise grooves and/or channels 311, 312 formed substantially on the sheet guide surface 310. In one example, longitudinal grooves and/or channels 311 can extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal length of the sheet guide member 303. In another example, transverse grooves and/or channels 312 can extend transverse to the longitudinal length of the sheet guide member 303, such as substantially perpendicular to or at an angle relative to the longitudinal length of the sheet guide member 303. The grooves and/or channels 311, 312 can be configured to facilitate flow of a lubricant 800 (schematically shown in FIG. 4 in the space between the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301) provided between at least the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301. A lubricant can reduce and/or substantially eliminate the coefficient of friction existing between the sheet guide surface 310 of the sheet guide devices and the glass sheet 111 when the glass sheet 111 is received in the gap 500, 501. In one example, the lubricant 800 can comprise water or other fluid lubricants. As such, in some examples, the lubricant 800 can form a layer substantially separating the glass sheet 111 from contacting the sheet guide surface 310 of one or both of the sheet guide devices. In other instances, as noted, the lubricant 800 can reduce the coefficient of friction between the sheet guide surface 310 and the glass sheet 111. In still other instances, the glass sheet 111 contacts a location on the sheet guide surface 310 without any lubricant 800 provided between that location on the sheet guide surface 310 and the glass sheet 111. As such, instances may exist where there is substantially complete, substantially partial, or substantially no contact between all or part of the glass sheet 111, all or part of the sheet guide surface 310, and all or part of the lubricant 800 are equally applicable with respect to the supporting and/or guiding characteristics regarding the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301. As such, the use of the terms support, substantially support and/or guide a glass sheet is to be understood to encompass all of the variations and embodiments described herein.

As further shown in FIG. 5, the sheet guide member 303 can comprise chamfered corners 315 which can be configured to permit the glass processing apparatus 101 to receive a glass sheet 111. For instance, a chamfered corner 315 can be configured to eliminate sharp points or edges on the sheet guide member 303 which might otherwise have a tendency to scratch or break a glass sheet 111. Still further, a chamfered corner 315 can be configured to increase an opening dimension of the gap 500, 501 defined between the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301, such that a glass sheet 111 can be initially received between the larger opening dimension and then directed to the sheet guide surface 310 where it can be supported and/or guided through the gap 500, 501.

A second aspect of the disclosure can include a glass processing apparatus 101 which can comprise a first sheet guide device 201, a second sheet guide device 301, wherein the first sheet guide device 201 can be movably coupled relative to the second sheet guide device 301, and wherein a gap 500 configured to receive a glass sheet 111 can be defined between the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301, and a glass working member 1000 (e.g., see FIG. 6) configured to work the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the glass working member 1000 may be designed to work an edge 115 of the glass sheet 111. In one example, the glass working member 1000 can work an edge 115 of the glass sheet 111 to provide an angled or rounded transition between the first surface 117 and/or the second surface 119 and the outer peripheral edge 113. Working the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111 in such a manner can reduce the probability of stress fractures from forming and propagating to the interior portion of the glass sheet and/or may otherwise enhance the quality of the glass sheet 111.

In still another example of the second aspect, shown in FIG. 6, the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can be mounted relative to the glass working member 1000. For example, the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can be adjustably mounted relative to the glass working member 1000 to allow selected positioning of the gap 500, 501 with respect to the glass working member 1000.

In another example, the glass working member 1000 can comprise a glass working wheel 1001 which can include an outer peripheral working surface 1003 circumscribing a rotational axis 1100 of the glass working wheel 1001, wherein the outer peripheral working surface 1003 can include an axial width 1101 extending along an axial direction 1102 of the rotational axis 1100. For example, the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can be adjustably mounted relative to the glass working wheel 1001 to allow selected positioning of the gap 500, 501 with respect to a preselected axial location 1103 along the axial width 1101 of the glass working wheel 1001. The glass working wheel 1001 can rotate in a rotational direction 1200 about the rotational axis 1100 such that the outer peripheral working surface 1003 of the glass working wheel 1001 can work an edge 115, such as an outer peripheral edge 113, of a glass sheet 111.

In still another example, the glass processing apparatus 101 can further comprise a glass working shroud 1005 defining a glass working area 1010, wherein the glass working member 1000 can be at least partially received within the glass working area 1010 of the glass working shroud 1005. In such examples, the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can be mounted relative to the glass working shroud 1005. For example, the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can be adjustably mounted relative to the glass working member 1000 to allow selected positioning of the gap 500, 501 with respect to a slot 1007 defined in the glass working shroud 1005. In one example, the outer peripheral working surface 1003 circumscribes the rotational axis 1100 of the glass working wheel 1001 such that the outer peripheral working surface 1003 includes the axial width 1101 extending along the axial direction 1102 of the rotational axis 1100. In such examples, the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can be adjustably mounted relative to the glass working wheel 1001 to allow selected positioning of the gap 500, 501 with respect to a preselected axial location 1103 along the axial width 1101 of the glass working wheel 1001.

The glass working shroud 1005 can be designed to shield the surfaces 117, 119 of the glass sheet 111 from particles and/or other contaminants associated with the working process. As shown in FIG. 6, the glass working shroud 1005 can be provided with a slot 1007 configured to receive an edge 115 of the glass sheet 111. Moreover, the glass working shroud 1005 can be mounted relative to the glass working wheel 1001 such that a central axis of the glass working shroud 1005 is coincident with the rotational axis 1100 of the glass working wheel 1001.

Methods of working a glass sheet 111 can include cleaning or machining (e.g., beveling) the edge 115, such as the outer peripheral edge 113, of the glass sheet 111. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the glass working wheel 1001 can be rotated in a rotational direction 1200 about the rotational axis 1100 such that the outer peripheral working surface 1003 works the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111. In one example, the glass sheet 111 can be moved relative to the glass working wheel 1001 along a glass travel direction 505 while the glass working wheel 1001 rotates in a rotational direction 1200 about the rotational axis 1100. As such, the outer peripheral working surface 1003 including a preselected axial location 1103 along the axial width 1101 of the glass working wheel 1001 can travel in the rotational direction 1200 while the glass sheet 111 can move relative to the glass working wheel 1001. Relative movement between the glass sheet 111 and the glass working member 1000 can be provided by moving the glass working member 1000 relative to the glass sheet 111 and/or the glass sheet 111 relative to the glass working member 1000. The glass working wheel 1001 can comprise a grinding wheel with diamond particles or other materials sufficient to work (such as grind, polish, clean, or otherwise finish) the edge of the glass sheet 111.

In another example, shown in FIG. 2, the glass processing apparatus 101 can comprise a secondary support 600. The secondary support 600 can comprise secondary support connection members 606, 607, 608 which can be configured to engage the primary support 450. For example, the secondary support connection members 606, 607, 608 can be configured to rotatably engage the primary support 450, such that the primary support 450 can rotate relative to the secondary support 600. In one example, the secondary support 600 can comprise a recess 615 (see FIG. 3) configured to receive a portion of the primary support 450 therein. In another example, shown in FIG. 6, the secondary support 600 can be configured to engage the glass working shroud 1005 (if provided), or the glass working member 1000. As shown in FIG. 2, the secondary support 600 can comprise secondary support fasteners 602 which can be configured to removably or fixedly couple the secondary support 600 to the glass working member 1000 and/or the glass working shroud 1005. In still another example, the secondary support 600 can comprise a secondary support bracket 604 which can be configured to removably or fixedly couple the secondary support 600 to the glass working member 1000 and/or the glass working shroud 1005. As shown in FIG. 3, the secondary support 600 can comprise a secondary support adjustment member 601. In one example, the secondary support adjustment member 601 can be configured to adjust a position of the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 relative to the secondary support 600. The secondary support adjustment member 601 can comprise features substantially the same or similar to those described with respect to the adjustment member 401.

A third aspect of the disclosure can include a method of processing a glass sheet 111 which can comprise the steps of (I) providing a gap 500 between a first sheet guide device 201 and a second sheet guide device 301, (II) passing an edge portion 120 of the glass sheet 111 through the gap 500 in a glass travel direction 505, wherein the edge portion 120 within the gap 500 can be supported by at least one of the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301, and (III) working an edge 115 of the glass sheet 111 while passing the edge portion 120 of the glass sheet 111 through the gap 500.

In one example of the third aspect, as shown in FIG. 4, the gap 500 can be a tapered gap 501 with respect to the glass travel direction 505.

In another example of the third aspect, step (II) can further comprise the step of providing a lubricant 800 between the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 while passing the edge portion 120 of the glass sheet 111 through the gap 500 in a glass travel direction 505, wherein the edge portion 120 is supported by the lubricant 800 with at least one of the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301.

In still another example of the third aspect, the first sheet guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can be mounted relative to a glass working member 1000.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter claimed.

Claims

1. A glass processing apparatus comprising:

a first sheet guide device;

a second sheet guide device, wherein the first sheet guide device is movably coupled relative to the second sheet guide device, and wherein a gap configured to receive a glass sheet is defined between the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device; and

an adjustment member configured to move the first sheet guide device relative to the second sheet guide device, such that the gap is tapered with respect to a glass travel direction.

2. The glass processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device comprises rollers.

3. The glass processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device comprises an endless belt.

4. The glass processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is off-center of the first sheet guide device.

5. A glass processing apparatus comprising:

a first sheet guide device;

a second sheet guide device, wherein the first sheet guide device is movably coupled relative to the second sheet guide device, and wherein a gap configured to receive a glass sheet is defined between the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device; and

a glass working member configured to work an edge of the glass sheet.

6. The glass processing apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device comprises rollers.

7. The glass processing apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device comprises an endless belt.

8. The glass processing apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an adjustment member configured to move the first sheet guide device relative to the second sheet guide device, such that the gap is tapered with respect to a glass travel direction.

9. The glass processing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the adjustment member is off-center of the first sheet guide device.

10. The glass processing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are mounted relative to the glass working member.

11. The glass processing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are adjustably mounted relative to the glass working member to allow selected positioning of the gap with respect to the glass working member.

12. The glass processing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the glass working member comprises a glass working wheel including an outer peripheral working surface circumscribing a rotational axis of the glass working wheel, wherein the outer peripheral working surface includes an axial width extending along an axial direction of the rotational axis.

13. The glass processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are adjustably mounted relative to the glass working wheel to allow selected positioning of the gap with respect to a preselected axial location along the axial width of the glass working wheel.

14. The glass processing apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a glass working shroud defining a glass working area, wherein the glass working member is at least partially received within the glass working area of the glass working shroud, and wherein the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are mounted relative to the glass working shroud.

15. The glass processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are adjustably mounted relative to the glass working member to allow selected positioning of the gap with respect to a slot defined by the glass working shroud.

16. The glass processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the glass working member comprises a glass working wheel including an outer peripheral working surface circumscribing a rotational axis of the glass working wheel, wherein the outer peripheral working surface includes an axial width extending along an axial direction of the rotational axis of the glass working wheel, and wherein the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are adjustably mounted relative to the glass working wheel to allow selected positioning of the gap with respect to a preselected axial location along the axial width of the glass working wheel.

17. A method of processing a glass sheet comprising the steps of:

(I) providing a gap between a first sheet guide device and a second sheet guide device;

(II) passing an edge portion of the glass sheet through the gap in a glass travel direction, wherein the edge portion within the gap is supported by at least one of the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device; and

(III) working an edge of the glass sheet while passing the edge portion of the glass sheet through the gap.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the gap is tapered with respect to the glass travel direction.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein step (II) further comprises the step of providing a lubricant between the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device while passing the edge portion of the glass sheet through the gap in a glass travel direction, wherein the edge portion is supported by the lubricant with at least one of the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device are mounted relative to a glass working member.