Abstract: The apparatus comprises a bottom edge supporting conveyor and an inclined planar supporting wall. The supporting wall is formed along its bottom edge with a plurality of air exit slots, which are arranged in a row and receive air from a fan. Additional air exit openings are spaced a substantial distance above the slots and together with the slots produce an air cushion, on which glass plates can slide along the supporting wall without contacting the latter.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending a glass sheet has a heating zone for heating the glass sheet, a shaping zone for shaping the glass sheet, and a cooling zone for cooling the glass sheet. A transfer zone for transferring the glass sheet is disposed immediately before the shaping zone with respect to the direction in which the glass sheet is fed. The glass sheet is fed through the transfer zone, the shaping zone, and the cooling zone by a ring mold mechanism which supports the glass sheet from below.

Abstract: A process and device for obtaining bent-tempered motor vehicle glazings exhibiting a greatly bent marginal zone comprises a glass sheet heated in a furnace and shaped by pressing the glass sheet between a solid upper form and a bending frame, of which at least one side part is bent during pressing. The side part is covered with an elastically deformable felt material and is removed from the glass sheet during tempering, while the main part of the glass sheet remains supported by the bending frame which also serves as a tempering frame.

Abstract: A quench station (14) including apparatus for quenching a heated glass sheet G conveyed by rolls (22) of a roller conveyor (20) is disclosed as including upper and lower sets of vertically aligned blastheads (32) having outlets (34) that are positioned closer to the conveyed glass sheet than the conveyor roll radius R and which are oriented and sized to provide highly efficient symmetrical quenching by aligned locations (36) of impingement with the oppositely facing surfaces of the glass sheet for heat strengthening or tempering. The blasthead outlets (34) are preferably round. A set of upper roll mimics (38) located above the conveyor rolls (22) in a vertically aligned relationship cooperate with the blastheads (32) in providing symmetry that results in uniform quenching of both glass sheet surfaces.

Abstract: A batch method and apparatus for bending glass sheets includes an oven where the glass sheet is oscillated back and forth on mini-rollers until it reaches a hot, softened condition, at which point the vertical position of the rollers is changed so that the top surface of the rollers have the contour of a desired bent glass sheet. The hot glass sheet conforms to the contour of the rollers and is quickly transferred to a quench section for quenching. The quench section includes rollers and quench tubes which have the same contour as the bent glass sheet.A continuous method and apparatus for bending glass sheets includes an oven having a heating section where a glass sheet is heated to a hot, softened condition while being conveyed on full faced rollers, and a bending section having minirollers which support the flat glass sheet and then change in vertical position to the contour of the desired bend for bending the hot, softened glass sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to heat treatment of a glass plate for strengthening only a peripheral region of the glass plate while annealing the major region. The glass plate is heated to a temperature of 550.degree.-650.degree. C. and placed on a ring-like holder which is maintained at a temperature lower than the temperature of the glass plate by 100.degree. to 600.degree. C. such that the peripheral region of the glass plate makes contact with a ring-like upper surface of the holder. Then glass palte on the ring-like holder is kept in an annealing chamber maintained at a temperature in the range from 50.degree. to 500.degree. C. and not higher than the initial temperature of the ring-like holder. After that the glass plate is allowed to cool down to room temperature. This method is applicable to either flat glass plates or curved glass plates and very suitable for treating glass plates ranging from 1.5 to 3.0 mm in thickness.

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: Apparatus for bending glass plates provides a conveyor of serverable sections, each of which feeds glass plates to separate stations for bending the glass plates, the glass plates having first passed through a reheating furnace. The stations for bending or transfer employ a common upper unit, which is provided with a plurality of means for retaining the glass by aspiration under a vacuum. Each means for retaining the glass plate, and vacuum means associated therewith, is operable independently, such that the glass plates can be aspirated and released at each station independently of the actions of the remaining stations. After having been bent or shaped either on the upper retaining means, or lower bending units provided thereunder, the glass plates may be subjected to temper. Mass production of bent or shaped, and tempered, glass plates, with high, reproducible quality, and varying requirements, is made possible through such a system.

Abstract: Apparatus (38) and a method for forming a flat glass sheet is disclosed as utilizing a heating conveyor (42) that transfers a heated flat glass sheet to a downwardly facing surface (46) of a topside transfer device (44), a lower mold (48) having an upwardly facing full surface (50) at least a portion of which has an upwardly convex shape that receives the heated flat glass sheet from the topside transfer device, and an upper ring mold (52) that forms and seals the periphery of the heated glass sheet against the vacuum mold surface (50) at which a vacuum is supplied within the sealed periphery of the glass sheet to form the entire extent of the glass sheet to the vacuum mold surface. A vacuum is then provided within a vacuum chamber (122) of the upper ring mold (52) to receive the formed glass sheet from the lower vacuum mold for support by the upper ring mold.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a toughened and/or bent, infrared-reflecting sheet of glass made of sodalime silicate glass, in which on at least side of a transparent glass base a silver coating is applied and on its side facing away from the glass base at least one anti-reflection coating made of metal oxide is applied and a thermal toughening and/or bending process at a temperature of 580.degree. C. to 680.degree. C., preferably 600.degree. C. to 650.degree. C., is carried out, characterised by the fact that a silver coating and an outer coating made of a metal or a metal alloy are applied onto the essentially flat glass base and by the fact that after this the toughening and/or bending process is carried out, in which the outer coating is converted with an increase in volume into an essentially absorption-free metal oxide, forming at least part of the anti-reflection coating, with an index of refraction .gtoreq.1.7, sheet of glass produced according to this and its application.

Abstract: Glass plates are bent by discharging a glass plate from a suction plate onto a concave circumferential bending ring. Within the furnace (1) the glass plate is gripped by the suction plate (27) and is moved with the latter out of the furnace (1) into a combined bending and tempering station (10) and is discharged there onto the circumferential bending ring (19) located between two blowing boxes (11,13). Immediately following the discharge of the flass plate onto the circumferential bending ring (19), the suction plate (27) moves back to its starting position and the glass plate is tempered in this position.

Abstract: A heat transfer method in a glass sheet bending furnace and a glass sheet bending furnace for carrying out the method are disclosed. The furnace includes a top array of successive heating sections and a bottom array of successive cooling sections, and glass sheets are placed on bending moulds supported by wagons and are advanced on conveyor tracks through the heating and cooling sections. Heat is transferred from bent, hot glass in a cooling section to unbent, cold glass in a heating section by air which is sucked from the cooling section and blasted into the heating section.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending and tempering glass plates has a horizontal roller furnace (3) and a press bending station with two water-cooled bending molds (6,7) through whose contact the glass plates are tempered immediately following bending. At the outlet from the roller furnace (3), the glass plates (1) are taken over by a continuous flexible conveyor belt (10) and are conveyed by the latter into the bending station. During the press process the glass plate remains on the conveyor belt, which is interposed between the glass plate (1) and the lower bending mold (7). The conveyor belt (10) is made from a woven or knitted fabric of heat-resistant metal fibers and, in a direction at right angles to its surface, has a heat resistivity of 0.25.times.10.sup.-3 to 5.times.10.sup.-3 m.sup.2 .times.K.times.W.sup.-1.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tunnel-type heating furnace of modular construction for heating glass sheets carried therethrough in succession on a series of aligned rollers. The furnace enclosure includes a lower section of generally rectangular cross-section beneath the rollers and an upper section, which is of generally elliptical configuration in cross-section, above the rollers. The upper enclosure section is vertically retractable by means of a jack mechanism to facilitate maintenance and changing of the rollers. The rollers include shafts at their opposite ends having bearings adapted to be received and supported in upwardly opening recesses in roll support plates extending along either side of the furnace. A toothed gear or sprocket is affixed to the end shaft at one end of each roller. The rollers are driven in groups by timing belts whose upper flights extend over and engage the toothed gears.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus in a glass sheet bending furnace are disclosed for preventing the deflection of a mould wagon bearing rail as the mould wagon is carried along a conveyor track made up of rollers on which the bearing rails rest, wherein the furnace includes a top array of successive heating sections and a bottom array of successive cooling sections. Deflection of the bearing rails is prevented by blasting cooling air to the top surfaces of the bearing rails in a cooling section of the furnace.

Abstract: A method of reducing localized tensile stresses in shaped glass sheets formed by sag bending. An unperforated thermal insulating member is mounted throughout the area within a shaping rail and spaced below a heat softened glass sheet shaped on the shaping rail to thermally insulate the glass from heat reradiated from the shaping rail and reduce air circulation beneath the sheet so as to support structure during the cooling of the shaped glass sheet and provide more uniform cooling of the entire glass sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a four-step process for molding glass articles of high precision and excellent surface figure. A glass preform having an overall geometry closely approximating that of the desired final product is placed into a mold, the mold and preform are brought to a temperature at which the glass exhibits a viscosity between 10.sup.8 -10.sup.12 poises, a load is applied to shape the glass into conformity with the mold, and thereafter the resulting glass article is removed from the mold at a temperature above the transformation range of the glass. The glass article is then annealed.

Abstract: A bending installation includes a shaping bed, an evacuation conveyor positioned downstream of the shaping bed and a swinging device for swinging a glass plate exiting the downstream end of the shaping bed from the shaping bed to the evacuation conveyor. The shaping bed is curved in a direction of advance of the glass plate and has a conveying direction different from that of the evacuation conveyor. The swinging device takes the form of a rotating drum mounted coaxially with a support roller. The drum includes holding rollers spaced from the support roller by a distance sufficient that a glass plate exiting the shaping bed is held between a holding roller and the support roller, so that the swinging device is swung by the weight of the glass plate to a position where the glass plate is transferred to the evacuation conveyor. A tempering air blowing box may be provided on the swinging device.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a glass mold for subsequent molding of glass optical elements or lenses is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a master having a snout and a master ring disposed around the snout. The master and master ring may be of unitary construction and are disposed within constraining means or sleeve in an operative association with a means for exerting a force to effect molding. The apparatus also comprises a means for heating the assembly.

Abstract: A bending and hardening installation includes a shaping bed, an evacuation conveyor positioned downstream of the shaping bed and a tilting device for tilting a glass plate exiting the downstream end of the shaping bed from the shaping bed to the evacuation conveyor. The shaping end is curved in a direction of advance of the glass plate and has a conveying direction different from that of the evacuation conveyor. The tilting device takes the form of a rotating drum mounted coaxially with a support roller. The drum includes holding rollers spaced from the support roller by a distance sufficient that a glass plate exiting the shaping bed is held between a holding roller and the support roller, so that the tilting device is tilted by the weight of the glass plate to a positoin where the glass plate is transferred to the evacuation conveyor. An air blowing box is provided on the tilting device for hardening the glass plate as it is being tilted.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating, bending and quenching glass sheets (10) is disclosed as including a first platen (14) and a second platen (22). Both platens (14,22) are deformable for bending a heated glass sheet (12) therebetween. A first heater (18) is integral with the first platen (14) and provides heat in close proximity to the heated glass sheet (12) during the bending to maintain an optimal glass bending temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to the bending and annealing of two, or more than two, glass sheets to be united into a curved and laminated glass member such as an automobile windshield. In a shaping furnace a heated first glass sheet is bent into a curved glass sheet and layed on a ring-like holder. Then the holder is moved into and kept in a high-temperature section of an auxiliary furnace which is movably disposed adjacent the shaping furnace, and a second glass sheet is bent in the shaping furnace. Then the holder is moved into the shaping furnace to lay the second curved glass sheet on the first curved glass sheet, while the auxiliary furnace is moved to bring its low-temperature section to a position adjacent to the exit of the shaping furnace. Then the holder on which the two curved glass sheets are lying as a stack is moved into the low-temperature section to simultaneously anneal the two curved glass sheets.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a convexing/tempering installation for the manufacture of flat sheet glass or, in general, of glass not bent into convex shape on said installation. It proposes passing glass plates are passed through a conventional convexing/tempering installation, omitting the convexing operation, providing additional heating in the space initially set aside for convexing and/or modifying the tempering conditions initially provided for glass bent into convex shape in said installation. It makes it possible to take advantage of a given convexing/tempering installation for manufacturing tempered flat sheet glass or for heating glass plates with a view to having them bent into convex shape in another installation.

Abstract: A method of molding precision glass optical elements or lenses is disclosed. Precision molded glass molds are first provided which define a glass mold cavity having a predetermined desired size, shape and volume corresponding to the glass optical element. To facilitate formation of the glass optical elements, shaped and polished preforms are formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a device for applying tensile forces, with no contact with solid walls, to glass sheets, in particular at high temperatures, wherein a gas or vapor is blown between the glass sheet and a wall closely approached, and parallel, to said glass sheet. Between the glass sheet and said wall a gas cushion is established, in that the sections through which the gas flows inside the air gap between the glass sheet and the wall increase on the average in the direction of streaming of the gas, so as to allow the gas speed to decrease, and a recovery in gas pressure to consequently take place. Several forms of practical embodiment of the device are disclosed.

Abstract: A glass sheets is loaded flat on the end of a conveyor going through a tunnel furnace; comes out again through the other end of the conveyor after having reached its bending temperature; is conveyed by a first transfer device to a bending unit which includes at least one upper bending form; is vacuum-gripped by the upper bending form; is raised along with the upper bending form; is bent to the desired shape by the bending unit; and then is directed by a second transfer device to a cooling station for heat tempering. The transfer from the furnace to the bending unit is obtained by reversible movement, parallel to the general direction of movement of the glass sheet, from the front end of a flexible conveyor belt the rear end of which is under the transport plane of the glass sheet. The initial position of the front end of the flexible sheet is located between the downstream end of the conveyor and the bending unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glass press molding method which comprises a step of heating glass material and a mold die composed at least of an upper mold die and a lower mold die for molding the glass material;a step of pressing the glass material by means of the mold die;plural pallets for supporting the glass material and the mold die, each of the pallet supporting the glass material and the mold die in independent manner;a step of transporting, in succession, the pallets each supporting the glass material and the mold die; anda step of transferring the glass material, prior to the pressing step, in such a manner as to place the glass material, heated to a predetermined temperature in the heating step, between the lower mold die and the upper mold die, and to transfer the pallet with the glass material inserted in the mold die to the pressing step.

Abstract: A glass sheet tempering method and resultant glass sheet are disclosed as being provided by modulated quenching that initially cools the oppositely facing surfaces of a conveyed glass sheet at a first cooling station (14) with a first rate of heat transfer for a finite time to cool the surfaces from tempering temperature to below the strain point without cooling the center of the glass sheet below the strain point. Thereafter the oppositely facing surfaces of the conveyed glass sheet are cooled within a second cooling station (15) at a second rate of heat transfer less than the first rate to initially cool the center of the glass sheet below the strain point without corresponding surface cooling, and thereafter further cools the center and the sruface. The second rate of heat transfer is of a magnitude so that the surface temperature initially increases without going back substantially above the strain point prior to subsequently again cooling.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is disclosed for bending and tempering a heated glass sheet (12) between first and second bending platens (14,32). Platens (14,32) include actuators (22,36) respectively, for deforming the platens (14,32) to form the desired bend in the glass sheet (12) therebetween the platens (14,32). A vertical guide (16) constrained at both ends (18,20) controls vertical movement of the first platen (14) and a central actuator (42) constrained at both ends (44,46) controls vertical movement of the second platen (32). The vertical guide (16) and central actuator (42) cooperably operate to control the specific geometric orientation of the bend on the glass sheet (12).

Abstract: A method for bending glass sheets is disclosed in which a heated glass sheet (12) is introduced between spaced upper and lower bending platens (16,18). Heat source (19), integral with platen (18), is operable for applying heat in close proximity to the glass sheet (12) between the platens (16,18) to maintain an optimal bending temperature and the glass sheet (12) is bent such that a specific geometric orientation of the bend on the glass sheet (12) is controllable and repeatedly reproducible during a production operation.

Abstract: A device for air-tempering, optionally associated with bending of glass plates includes a covering made of a metal fabric and exhibiting a thermal conductivity less than 3 and preferably less than 0.2 W.M.sup.-1.K.sup.-1. It has utility for coverings of frames intended to carry glass plates during their tempering and/or their bending and/or their transport.

Abstract: A gas burner (20) disclosed has general utility but has particular utility when utilized in a closely spaced relationship to roller conveyed glass sheets to provide forced convection heating. The burner (20) includes a cobbustion member (38) in which gas and air are introduced in a tangential relationship with respect to its inner surface to provide a swirling motion that mixes the gas with the air for combustion prior to discharge through outlets (46) to provide the forced convection heating. A glass sheet heated by this gas burner forced convection on the roller conveyor and subsequently cooled has reduced roll-wave distortion and reduced edge distortion as compared to radiantly heated glass sheets.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for shaping a glass sheet according to which the sheet is lifted above the conveying plane by a device for supporting a glass sheet consisting of a box open at the bottom whose opening at the bottom corresponds to the shape of the glass sheet to be grasped and which is slightly smaller than the glass sheet so that, on the edges of the glass sheet, a narrow annular contact surface is formed and so that the partial vacuum prevailing in the box is limited to such a value that the weight of the glass sheet is essentially compensated for, then is applied against a bending form by a current of hot gas directed upward. The process is used in the production of shaped glazings.

Abstract: An improved covering for continuous surface press bending molds providing selectively variable rigidity for matching that desired in bending a particular part on the mold. The shaping element of the mold includes a resilient body having a latticework of flexible metallic bands encapsulated therein. The resilient body is covered by a plurality of superimposed individual sheets of a fibrous, heat-resistant, normally pliable material which, in turn, are covered by a layer of fiberglass cloth. One or more of the individual fibrous sheets is treated with a rigidizer to impart a selected suitable degree of rigidity to the shaping element.

Abstract: The critical peripheral sections of glass sheets are bent to a deep or sharp curvature through the use of a plurality of press forming means integrally provided on the mold ring of a gravity bending and tempering horizontal lehr, said press forming means each comprising a machined press forming die articulated to a retractible arm, said press forming die having a shape complementary to the specific shape desired at the sheet glass section to be press formed, said retractible arm being actuated between a retracted and an operative or press forming position by driving means capable of providing thereto a controlled motion, speed and pressure to carry out the press forming operation an instant after the glass sheet has been deposited on the mold ring ant to be retracted an instant before the glass sheet enters the tempering section.

Abstract: In a method of forming a glass product having a smooth surface according to this invention, a glass plate is placed on a male mold which is formed to have dimensions corresponding to the inner dimensions of the glass product and contacts its inner peripheral edge portion, an outer peripheral portion to be deformed of the glass plate is heated to a temperature higher than that of a central portion, serving as the smooth surface, of the glass plate so as to be deformed on the male mold by its weight, and the deformed glass plate is pressed by a female mold formed to have dimensions corresponding to the outer dimensions of the glass product.

Abstract: A manufacturing line for tempering glass sheets includes a furnace, an oven, a bending station, and a chilling section positioned in order along a generally horizontally extending conveyor for the glass sheets. The oven extends between the furnace and the bending station to maintain the glass sheets at a predetermined temperature. The oven has sidewalls formed of a plurality of brushes and is selectively extensible along the path of travel of the glass sheets. The oven includes controlled heating devices. The chilling section includes a plurality of tubes positioned above and below the path of travel of the glass sheets and connected to a source of air under pressure. The tubes are arranged in rows generally perpendicular to the path of travel and columns generally parallel to the path of travel in order to cause the glass sheets to meet predetermined fragmentation specifications.

Abstract: A blow back control device (10) for use in a glass tempering system (12) is disclosed as including an air supply member (28) mounted between a glass heating furnace (14) and a quenching station (24). The air supply member (28) supplies a planar jet of high pressure blow back control air generally in a direction of glass sheet conveyance (A) away from an exit opening (20) of the furnace (14) and toward the quenching station (24) at an angle in the range of between 0.degree. and 25.degree. formed between the planar jet of high pressure air and a plane of conveyance of a glass sheet (16) along a conveyor (22) to deflect cooling air, supplied by blastheads (26,26') from entering the furnace (14).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for conveying formed, heated glass sheets from a glass forming station, through a glass tempering station, to a lehr, utilizes a shuttle ring conforming in outline and elevation to the marginal edges of the glass sheet. The shuttle ring receives the glass sheet from the lower shaping mold, by the relative downward vertical movement of the lower shaping mold away from the upper shaping mold. The glass sheet thus deposited on and supported by the shuttle ring is transported through the tempering station to the lehr.

Abstract: A glass bending and tempering apparatus (10) is disclosed as including a first platen (14) for receiving a heated glass sheet (12) to be bent. The first platen (14) is deformable and includes an actuator (16) for deforming platen (14) from a planar shape to a bent shape. A second platen (22) is mounted above lower platen (14) for bending and quenching glass sheet (12) therebetween the platens. A template (24) is located on the other side of the second platen (22) away from glass sheet (12). Second platen (22) is pressed against template (24) as first platen (14) is deformed from the planar shape to the bent shape to bend the heated glass sheet thereagainst second platen (22), the second platen (22) conforming to template (24). Quenching gas is supplied by both platens (14,22) through quench openings (18) that move with the platens (14,22) to temper the bent glass sheet between the platens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of bending a glass sheet to be tempered as well as to a glass sheets bending and tempering apparatus. An array of conveyor rollers in a glass sheets bending and tempering section is adapted to be curved around an axis of curvature transverse to the traveling direction in a manner that, beginning from a horizontal plane, the plane of a roller line curves with a continuously diminishing radius of curvature until the final radius of curvature is reached. During the curving process, the tangent of the mid-portion of a curved conveyor section is maintained substantially in a horizontal plane. Thus, each point in a glass sheet curves substantially at the same rate over the entire glass sheet area and, hence, local rapid deformations do not occur. During the curving process, a glass sheet is maintained in motion by means of the rollers of a curved roller conveyor.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a press bending apparatus incorporated in a mobile carriage mounted upon retractable wheels adapted to be carried upon rails extending transversely of the production line whereby it can be readily moved into and out of operative position in the line. Mechanism is included for vertically moving the carriage between a raised transport position and a lowered operating position. Centering and levelling means are provided for assuring proper alignment of the press members and associated conveyor rolls with the adjacent heating and tempering sections as the apparatus is moved into operating position.

Abstract: Compression stresses are formed on the periphery of a glass sheet by blowing cooling air on the periphery of the heated glass sheet. The cooling air is blown by using a pyramidal deflector to deflect air flow radially outward toward the edges of the glass sheet. By adjusting the spacing between the deflector and the glass sheet, the size of a central, relatively quiescent, zone can be adjusted. The air flow is provided by a duct which can include a pyramidal skirt which surrounds the deflector to form a gas flow path whose size controls the cooling rate. Pyramidal flaps within the gas flow path can be used for adjusting cooling gas pressures.

Abstract: A glass sheet bending apparatus which includes a transferring mechanism for transferring to the heating furnace a glass sheet heated to a temperature capable of processing while keeping a horizontal posture, a mold having a curved surface with which the glass sheet is to be bend-shaped, the mold being arranged at a position corresponding to the processing stage, a provisional shaping mechanism for provisionally shaping the glass sheet by closely contacting it on a generally curved surface in the mold excluding a deep-bending surface which corresponds to a deep-bent portion in the glass sheet, and a blow-bending device for blowing compressed air to the deep-bending surface of the mold to bend part of the glass sheet so as to correspond to the deep-bending surface.

Abstract: A sectional curved article e.g. an automotive window is made by cutting a piece of glass, shaping the piece of glass, cutting the shaped piece to provide inner and outer segments. The edges of the segments are seamed, and the segments chemically tempered to provide a sectional curved automotive window having an opening in the outer segment to receive the inner segment.

Abstract: A method and installations for curving sheets of glass. The sheets of glass (9) are heated to the curving temperature in a horizontal position in a continuous furnace (1) and are pressed in a curving station (4) which is adjacent to the continuous furnace (1) by means of an annular frame against a solid surface curving form (40). During the pressing between the annular frame and the solid surface curving form (40), the sheets of glass (9) are pressed against said solid surface curving form (40), in the area located inside the annular frame, by the static pressure of a hot gas under pressure, with the static pressure of the gas being produced in a chamber (32) whose upper surface (33) is defined by the annular frame and is closed by the sheet of glass (9) applied in a sealed manner against said annular frame.

Abstract: A glass-made lid for a cooking pot, pan, and the like and a method of manufacture thereof are disclosed, wherein the glass-made lid includes a peripheral edge of a particular shape formed from a roundly-cut sheet glass by rotating either the sheet glass or a thermally-resistant forming roller to the other and the method provides such a glass-made lid having the features described above. For the purpose of the invention, the forming roller is provided adjacent to the sheet glass and includes a peripheral recess on the side facing the sheet glass so that the peripheral edge in its softened state can be formed to conform to the particular shape of the peripheral recess under the pressure of the forming roller when it is brought closer to the sheet glass. An additional thermally-resistant nipping roller includes two rolls for engaging the formed peripheral edge therebetween and reforming it to a particular shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to the precise positioning of sheets of glass on a conveyer, particularly in an installation for curving sheets of glass. Positioning the sheets of glass by means of a combination of actions, in whole or in part, comprising orientations, longitudinal centerings and transversal centerings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for bending glass sheets. In a first embodiment a heated glass sheet is moved into a bending section by rollers which are retracted to drop the heated glass sheet onto a mold where the glass sheet sags into a desired bent shape, then quenched between quench heads and lifted off the bending mold up to the upper quench head by air pressure, the rollers then close beneath the glass sheet and the glass sheet is deposited onto the rollers for conveying to a cooling station. In a second embodiment, the hot bent glass sheet is transferred on a mold from a bending section by a first shuttle to a position between the quench heads for quenching then removed from the mold by blowing air through the lower quench head until the glass sheet contacts an upper second shuttle which is transported to a blow-up section where the sheet is lowered onto a roller conveyor to a cooling section.

Abstract: A method for bending a glass plate for a laminated glass comprises a step of heating at least two glass plates separately at a temperature suitable to conduct bending operation and bending them; a step of gradually cooling each of them; a step of transferring the at least two glass plates onto a bending ring mold in an overlapping state; and a step of heat-shaping the overlapping glass plates on the bending ring mold so that the surfaces of the glass plates are fitted to and are in coincidence with each other.