Reshaping Of Planar Sheet Patents (Class 65/106)
  • Patent number: 11933944
    Abstract: A microlens is provided with opposite sides thereof each having an aspheric-surface shape. The microlens is configured such that a lens layer having an aspheric-surface shape is provided on each opposite side of the microlens, an optical communication module may be miniaturized and integrated as a working distance (WD) is minimized to 0.160±0.05 mm, and collimating performance is excellent as a value obtained by calculating a paraxial radius (R1) of a first lens layer over a paraxial radius (R2) of a second lens layer is 1.8 to 3.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: MPNICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Do Kang, Seung Keun Oh
  • Patent number: 11884572
    Abstract: A method for bending glass sheets in an apparatus and an apparatus for bending glass sheets, the apparatus comprising at least one compartment heating the glass sheet to be bent, a press bending station which comprises a male mould to bend a glass sheet, brought through at least one compartment heating the glass sheet to the press bending station by pressing it, and at least one conveyor to transport a mould trolley that may be provided with a female mould and a glass sheet placed on the female mould through the at least one compartment heating the glass sheet to the press bending station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: HEVA Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Esa Ensio Lammi
  • Patent number: 11773003
    Abstract: Proposed are an apparatus and a method of manufacturing a shell for a resonator using a laser. According to the apparatus and method, it is possible to stably manufacture 3D shells for a resonator in various shapes by applying heat through a laser and adjusting the degree of vacuum in a forming frame, it is possible to improve work safety and work efficiency, and it is possible to use various materials that are heated and deformed by a laser other than a glass material, thereby being able to increase generality of manufacturing. In particular, it is possible to accurately implement 3D shapes of a shell for a resonator such as a hemisphere or a semi-toroid, so it is possible to remarkably reduce a defective portion in manufacturing and the manufacturing cost, and considerably improve productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: HANWHA AEROSPACE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong Ho Min, Jeong Youp Han, Kwang Jin Kim, Seong Hyun Son
  • Patent number: 11767250
    Abstract: A method of forming a 3D mirror for a heads-up display (HUD) system includes providing a glass-based preform having a first major surface, a second major surface, and a minor surface connecting the first and second major surfaces, and further includes disposing the glass-based preform on a mold having a concave surface such that the first and second longitudinal side surfaces are adjacent to a longitudinal wall of a housing. The longitudinal wall extends from the concave surface to at least a height of the second major surface of the glass-based preform. The method further includes supplying a vacuum and conforming the second major surface to the concave surface of the mold using the vacuum. The first and second transverse side surfaces have a curved shape corresponding to a curve of the concave surface a remain coincident with the concave surface during the conforming of the second major surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Kyubong Chae, Hong-keun Jee, BongChul Kim, Jonghwa Kim, Taemun Kim, Myoung-se Lee
  • Patent number: 11739018
    Abstract: A method of forming a glass ribbon includes flowing a molten glass into a caster having a width (Wcast) and a thickness (Tcast) to form a cast glass, cooling the cast glass in the caster to a viscosity of 108 Poise or more, conveying the cast glass from the caster, volumetrically heating the cast glass to an average viscosity of 106 Poise or less using a gyrotron microwave heating device, and drawing the cast glass into a glass ribbon having a width (Wgr) that is less than or equal to the width (Wcast) of the caster and a thickness (Tgr) that is less than the thickness (Tcast) of the caster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Aziz Hoque, Chao Yu
  • Patent number: 11718551
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a flush vehicle glazing that allows to achieve a perfect alignment between the adjacent sections of the glazing vehicle area in the final assembled product by providing a vehicle glass panel which comprise at least two adjacent sections of the vehicle glazing area in one single panel, followed by bending the vehicle glass panel and LASER cutting before cooling thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: AGP America S.A.
    Inventors: Mario Arturo Mannheim Astete, Jean Marie Le Ny
  • Patent number: 11702357
    Abstract: A nozzle strip for a blow box for thermally prestressing glass panes, which nozzle strip has a row of nozzles each having a nozzle inlet and a nozzle opening for impinging on a surface of a glass pane with a stream of air through the nozzle openings, wherein the nozzle openings are arranged on merlon-like elevations of a side surface of the nozzle strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Achim Zeichner, Peter Schillings, Michael Ullrich
  • Patent number: 11642943
    Abstract: The principles and embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to complexly curved laminates made from a complexly curved substrate and a flat substrate, such as automotive window glazings, and methods of cold forming complexly-curved glass products from a curved substrate and a flat substrate. In one or more embodiments, the laminate includes first complexly-curved glass substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second complexly-curved glass substrate with a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface with a thickness therebetween; and a polymer interlayer affixed to the second convex surface and third surface, wherein the third surface and fourth surface have compressive stress values respectively that differ such that the fourth surface has as compressive stress value that is greater than the compressive stress value of the third surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: William Keith Fisher, Mark Stephen Friske, Steven Luther Moyer, Paul George Rickerl
  • Patent number: 11542195
    Abstract: A glass tube semi-finished product or a hollow glass product manufactured from the glass tube semi-finished product is provided with a first marking with information on the origin and/or tube-specific production data of the glass tube semi-finished product, which marking is read from the hollow glass product after its manufacture to determine the origin and/or the tube-specific production data of the glass tube semi-finished product, e.g., to identify the semi-finished glass tube from which the hollow glass product has been made, and/or trace the tube-specific production data of this glass tube semi-finished product. This means that the entire supply chain for the hollow glass product from the supplier of the originally used glass tube semi-finished product up to the end product can be determined. The physical and chemical characteristics of the glass tube semi-finished product are not altered for producing the first marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: André Witzmann, Ulla Trinks, Reinhard Männl
  • Patent number: 11518146
    Abstract: Embodiments of a vehicle interior system and methods for forming the same are disclosed. A glass substrate is bent to a curved shape within a mold cavity, and a liquid polymer material is delivered to the mold and is in contact with the curved glass substrate. The liquid polymer is solidified to form a polymer frame that engages the bent glass substrate, and the engagement between the frame and the glass substrate holds the glass substrate in the bent shape. The temperature of the glass substrate during the bending process and formation of the frame are maintained below the glass transition temperature of the glass substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Atul Kumar, Yawei Sun
  • Patent number: 11498257
    Abstract: A frame device for retaining and positioning sheet materials and possible reinforcing materials intended to be thermoformed to obtain objects made of composite material includes a first tubular element defining internally a first vacuum chamber for grasping by aspiration a first sheet material and a second tubular element defining internally a second vacuum chamber, separate from, and independent of the first vacuum chamber and configured for grasping by aspiration a second sheet material. The first tubular element and the second tubular element are fixed together permanently so as to define a grasping frame-structure configured as a single piece. A third vacuum chamber is defined in the grasping frame structure, separate and independent of the first and second vacuum chambers and configured for removing air from the zone that is interposed between the first and second sheet materials and which is intended for being possibly occupied by the reinforcing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Marco Volpato, Loredano Sbrana
  • Patent number: 11491851
    Abstract: The principles and embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to complexly curved laminates made from a complexly curved substrate and a flat substrate, such as automotive window glazings, and methods of cold forming complexly-curved glass products from a curved substrate and a flat substrate. In one or more embodiments, the laminate includes first complexly-curved glass substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second complexly-curved glass substrate with a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface with a thickness therebetween; and a polymer interlayer affixed to the second convex surface and third surface, wherein the third surface and fourth surface have compressive stress values respectively that differ such that the fourth surface has as compressive stress value that is greater than the compressive stress value of the third surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: William Keith Fisher, Mark Stephen Friske, Steven Luther Moyer, Paul George Rickerl
  • Patent number: 11377383
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing curved glass, includes a bending station that has a solid concave bending upper mold and a complementary lower countermold, the upper mold being placed above the lower countermold, a conveyor to convey the glass to a final holder placed under the bending upper mold, the final holder being circumscribed, seen from above, by the lower countermold, the final holder forming a surface for receiving the glass, the glass being in an optimal bending position when on this surface, the lower countermold being of the frame type and being able to move vertically in order to pass below or above the surface for receiving the glass, the bending upper mold and the lower countermold being able to move with a relative vertical movement that allows them to be brought together, in order to clamp therebetween the periphery of the glass, and to move apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Philippe Frebourg, Hervé Thellier, Thierry Olivier
  • Patent number: 11347266
    Abstract: A cover glass includes: a flat portion disposed on a display panel which is curved and displays an image; and curved portions respectively extending from opposing ends of the flat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Beom Gyu Choi, Youn Kyun Bin
  • 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: 11236003
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a method of controlling the flow of fluid, such as air, between a stack of glass sheets during a co-sagging process. In embodiments, this involves a particular method and certain mechanical means of applying force at or near the edges and/or corners of a stack of glass sheets during a co-sagging process. In other embodiments, this involves creating low pressure regions at or near the edges and/or corners during the co-sagging process. In particular, controlling the flow of fluid between glass sheets is particularly suitable for preventing shape mismatch between two glass sheets having different thicknesses and/or compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven Roy Burdette, Anurag Jain, Stephane Poissy, Zheming Zheng
  • Patent number: 11230487
    Abstract: A glass processing may include a heating station to heat glass sheets, and a bending station disposed downstream of the heating station to bend the heated glass sheets. The bending station may include first and second independent movement mechanisms configured to independently move first and second molds when the glass processing system is operated in a first mode, and to cooperate to move a third mold when the glass processing system is operated in a second mode. The system further includes a control system to control the movement mechanisms so that they operate independently when the glass processing system is operated in the first mode, and so that they operate simultaneously when the glass processing system is operated in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: GLASSTECH, INC.
    Inventor: James P. Schnabel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11203545
    Abstract: A device for bending glass panes, includes a lower press-bending mould with a frame-shaped contact surface, an upper press-bending mould arranged opposite the contact surface, wherein the lower press-bending mould and the upper press-bending mould are suitable for reshaping a glass pane situated therebetween by pressing, wherein the side edge of the glass pane rests on the contact surface along a contact line, wherein during pressing, the contact line migrates from a first contact line all the way to a pressing line, and wherein the contact surface between the first contact line and the pressing line is convexly curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE.
    Inventors: Peter Schillings, Arnaud Borderiou, Arthur Palmantier, Achim Zeichner
  • 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: 11078102
    Abstract: A method includes heating a glass preform having a plurality of glass layers and drawing the glass preform in a distal direction to form a drawn glass sheet extending distally from the glass preform and having the plurality of glass layers. The drawn glass sheet is thinner than the glass preform. The drawn glass sheet can be rolled onto a collection spool. At least a portion of a glass layer can be removed from the drawn glass sheet. An exemplary glass sheet includes a first glass layer, a second glass layer adjacent to the first glass layer, and a thickness of at most about 0.1 mm. An exemplary ion exchanged glass sheet includes a thickness of at most about 0.1 mm and a surface layer that is under a compressive stress and extends into an interior of the glass sheet to a depth of layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph Cimo, Adam James Ellison, Michael Thomas Gallagher, Dennis James Post, Butchi Reddy Vaddi, Natesan Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 10934204
    Abstract: A machine for breaking out an inner shape in a glass sheet, includes a cutting tool and a displacement system to produce a cutting line on a first side of the glass sheet that delimits an outer contour of the inner shape and an inner contour of a peripheral shape; a bearing system to bear against a second side of the sheet along the outer contour of the inner shape; a deformation system to deform one of the inner and peripheral shapes by convex bending toward the second side, the convex bending creating a differential deformation between the inner and peripheral shapes to break out the inner shape along the cutting line and separate the inner shape from the peripheral shape so that a distance needed for a contactless extraction is created, and an extraction system to extract the inner or peripheral shape while the convex bending is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventor: Thierry Dumenil
  • Patent number: 10913678
    Abstract: A vacuum mold shuttle system in a glass sheet forming system includes a vacuum mold mounted on a support frame. A shuttle frame including a pair of generally parallel elongate beams for receiving and supporting the mold support frame thereon. A vacuum source is mounted on the shuttle frame near the end of the beams opposite to the end supporting the mold, a conduit and coupling port for releasably connecting the mold to the vacuum source. At least one guide element is mounted on the support surface of one of the beams for receiving and fixing the position of the mold support frame relative to the shuttle frame to align and prevent movement of the mold support frame with respect to the shuttle frame in any direction as the mold support frame is supported thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GLASSTECH, INC.
    Inventors: David B. Nitschke, Kenneth J. Lane, Dean M. Nitschke
  • Patent number: 10851011
    Abstract: A system and method for fire-polishing glass containers includes at least one fixed structure positioned on each side of a conveyor belt, in the forward movement direction of the glass containers; a structure that can move via each of the fixed structures, which moves with a forward movement in relation to the forward movement line of the conveyor belt, and with a backward movement in relation to the forward movement of the conveyor belt; a series of burners coupled to each of the moveable structures; sensors positioned on one side of the conveyor belt to determine the speed of the carrier belt and the distance or separation between containers; and a controller connected to the sensor and moveable structure, for adjusting and synchronising the speed and distance of the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Vitro, S.A.B. de C.V.
    Inventors: Adrián Enrique Macouzet Díaz Leal, Alejandro Becker Del Río, Enrique Baquerie González
  • Patent number: 10730781
    Abstract: The invention locally deforms a flat surface of a substrate made of glass or a glass ceramic by applying heat exclusively within a locally limited region via the flat surface by laser radiation, a gas flame, infrared radiation, microwaves or a plasma discharge directed towards the flat surface of the substrate to soften the substrate at least on the flat surface within the locally limited region; applies a force acting on the softened flat surface within the locally limited region which deforms the softened surface of the substrate within the locally limited region; cools the substrate to obtain a set deformed surface within the locally limited region; and applies heat exclusively within the locally limited region via the flat surface of the substrate to produce a temperature and viscosity gradient inside the substrate laterally and orthogonal to the flat surface within the locally limited region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Kübler, Peter Gumbsch, Tobias Rist, Matthias Gremmelspacher, Britta Lang
  • Patent number: 10640411
    Abstract: A device for bending sheets of glass, includes conveying rollers that convey the sheets one after another in a longitudinal direction, carrying them under an upper bending die and onto a receiving surface formed by the upper level of the rollers under the die. The device includes an intermediate support including a contact path for supporting the sheet of glass to be pressed lying under the die. The contact path has, parallel to the edge of the sheet to be pressed, a curvature that is less accentuated than the curvature that is to be imparted by the upper die. The intermediate support can rise above the receiving surface and support the sheet to be pressed until the sheet breaks contact with the rollers. The intermediate support can be lowered down below the receiving surface. A sheet-pressing system can press the periphery of the sheet against the upper bending die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Olivier Betschart, Robert Lagneaux, Guénaël Bouillé
  • Patent number: 10597323
    Abstract: A coated glass pane comprising at least the following layers: a glass substrate and at least one absorbing layer based on at least one metal silicide and/or metal silicide nitride wherein the at least one absorbing layer is embedded between and contacts two layers based on an (oxi)nitride of Si and/or an (oxi)nitride of Al and/or alloys thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: John Andrew Ridealgh, John Buckett, John William Oldfield, Rebecca Sheridan
  • 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: 10590021
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets are described. The methods and apparatus described include positioning an auxiliary heater between a furnace and an entrance to glass bending station and/or positioning a downstream auxiliary heater between a glass bending station and a quench station. Also described are apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets by compensating for heat loss and maintaining the glass viscosity within a workable range for the bending or forming operation. Auxiliary heating elements can be placed in locations that would otherwise provide for excessive heat loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: John Christopher Thomas, Larry Gene Smith, Michael Timothy Brennan
  • Patent number: 10538451
    Abstract: A system for shaping glass or metal sheets or panels for use in solar collectors or microwave antennae may include an oven and an adjustable mold. The adjustable mold may comprise a molding surface located within the oven. The molding surface may be coupled to position actuators located outside of the oven via coupling elements. A sheet or panel may be placed in the oven and heated until the sheet or panel softens and takes the shape of the molding surface. The molding surface may be adjusted to achieve different shapes for glass or metal sheets or panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
    Inventors: Roger P. Angel, Thomas E. Stalcup, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10526233
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets are described. The methods and apparatus described include positioning an auxiliary heater between a furnace and an entrance to glass bending station and/or positioning a downstream auxiliary heater between a glass bending station and a quench station. Also described are apparatus and methods for bending thin glass sheets by compensating for heat loss and maintaining the glass viscosity within a workable range for the bending or forming operation. Auxiliary heating elements can be placed in locations that would otherwise provide for excessive heat loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: John Christopher Thomas, Larry Gene Smith, Michael Timothy Brennan
  • Patent number: 10393925
    Abstract: Provided are a spectacle lens having a tin oxide layer on a lens base material, wherein the tin oxide layer has a composition gradient in which an oxygen content rate as anatomic percentage increases from the lens base material side to the other side, and spectacles provided with the spectacle lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: HOYA LENS THAILAND LTD.
    Inventor: Keiji Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 10377657
    Abstract: A press station (12) and system (10) for forming glass sheets that are initially formed with an upwardly concave curved shape with end portions (86) and an intermediate portion (88) having straight line elements that are subsequently formed with curved shapes to provide curvature along transverse directions. The forming is performed by initially providing curvature to the straight line elements of the glass sheet end portions (86) while the intermediate portion (88) still has the straight line elements. The glass sheet intermediate portion is subsequently formed to provide curvature to its straight line elements so the entire glass sheet has curvature in transverse directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GLASSTECH, INC.
    Inventors: David B. Nitschke, Dean M. Nitschke, Mace L. Odneal, Ashoka G. Jinka
  • Patent number: 10280106
    Abstract: A bending mold capable of thermally bending an automotive windscreen comprises a fixed frame and two movable frames. A curvature adjusting apparatus is additionally provided corresponding to the bottom of each movable frame. Each curvature adjusting apparatus comprises two sidings, two hooks and an adjusting lever. The adjusting lever is in parallel to the connection line of two hinge connection points of the movable frame and the fixed frame on the same side, and the tops of the two hooks are respectively hanged on two corresponding sidings at adjustable positions. The process of thermally bending automotive glass can be accomplished with the bending mold, and does not require installing an anti-gravity mechanism. It has the advantages of simple mold structure design, less amount of materials and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fai Tso, Kezhang Chi, Fu Liu, Jiangxing He, Guohai Zeng, Guoqiang Guan
  • Patent number: 10101281
    Abstract: A sheet member conveyance device includes: a support part configured to support a sheet member; and a moving part configured to move the support part to convey the sheet member, the support part including a deformation support part configured to support each of one end portion of the sheet member and another end portion of the sheet member, which are opposed to each other, and to partially deform the sheet member into a curved shape, to thereby form a convex thread portion or a concave thread portion crossing a principal surface of the sheet member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Kinoshita, Takayuki Noda, Takahide Fujii, Masayoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9922790
    Abstract: At the time of temporary firing for fixing a glass layer 3 to a glass member 4, the glass layer 3 is irradiated with laser light L2 having a ring-shaped irradiation region. At this time, in a width direction of the glass layer 3, two peaks M in a beam profile of the laser light L2 respectively overlap both edge parts 3b of the glass layer 3. This allows a center part 3a and each of both edge parts 3b of the glass layer 3 to be irradiated for shorter and longer times with a part having a relatively high intensity in the laser light L2, respectively. As a consequence, the amount of heat input by irradiation with the laser light L2 is homogenized between the center part 3a and both edge parts 3b in the glass layer 3, whereby the whole glass layer 3 is molten appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventor: Satoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9887059
    Abstract: A glass layer 103 containing a binder, a laser-light-absorbing pigment, and a glass frit 102 is irradiated with laser light L2, so as to gasify the binder and melt the glass fit 102, thereby fixing the glass layer 103 to a glass member 104. This allows the glass layer 103 fixed to the glass member 104 to let out the binder and enhance the laser light absorptance, so as to yield a uniform state. As a result, fusing glass members 104, 105 to each other with the glass layer 103 having such a stable state interposed therebetween allows the glass members 104, 105 to have a uniform fusing state therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventor: Satoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9862639
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing curved touch window glass for a portable terminal, includes a plane glass processing process for processing plane glass to have a size capable of being changed to a predetermined size of completed curved glass, a printing process for printing a specific pattern on a back surface of the plane glass using ceramic ink, and a curved glass forming process for forming the curved glass in a high temperature atmosphere in such a manner that a curved surface is formed in at least one part of the plane glass having the printed pattern using an upper mold and a lower mold. The size of the plane glass on a plane which is processed in the plane glass processing process is shorter than a size measured along the curved surface of the completed curved glass, and the ceramic ink includes heat-resistant ink capable of withstanding a high temperature in the curved glass forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: 61C&S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ja-Ock Koo, Yeong-Seob Yun, Chun Mi Kim
  • Patent number: 9796127
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a window of a display panel includes a mold configured to hold a plate in a concave portion, wherein the concave portion has a predetermined shape, and a transfer part configured to sequentially transfer the mold to a heating part, a forming part, and a cooling part. The heating part includes first and second heating modules respectively positioned on top and bottom portions of the mold and configured to apply heat to the top and bottom portions of the mold. The forming part is positioned above the mold and configured to jet a high-temperature gas onto the heated plate. The cooling part includes first and second cooling modules respectively positioned on the top and bottom portions of the mold and configured to cool the top and bottom portions of the heated plate. The mold is tilted at a predetermined angle relative to a horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Min Lee, Young Chun Park, Jong Soo Kim, June Beom Park, Min Soo Kim, Chan Hae Hwang
  • Patent number: 9714187
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a curved glass sheet is provided. The method includes: providing a mold and a furnace; placing the mold in the furnace, the mold including a first mold, a second mold, and a mold core, the first mold defining a receiving space; a bottom surface in the receiving space defining at least one guiding groove, a bottom surface in the at least one guiding groove defining at least one air outlet, the mold core defining a mold cavity and a plurality of micro-holes; placing a raw glass sheet on the second mold; controlling a temperature in the furnace to heat the raw glass sheet; extracting air in the receiving space of the mold via the at least one outlet, to force the raw glass sheet to bend until contacting a bottom surface in the mold cavity; and cooling the mold to form a curved glass sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 9688562
    Abstract: In a method of making shaped glass articles, a glass sheet is placed on a mold having a shaping surface with a desired surface profile of a shaped glass article. The glass sheet is preferentially and rapidly heated by radiation while in the vicinity of the mold so that the mold remains substantially cooler than the glass sheet during the heating. The glass sheet is sagged onto the shaping surface of the mold so that at least a portion of the sagged sheet assumes the desired surface profile of the shaped glass article. After sagging and shaping, the sagged and shaped glass sheet is removed from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ljerka Ukrainczyk, John Robert Saltzer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9656899
    Abstract: A process using a three-piece mold for making a three-dimensionally shaped glass article having a flat area and a curved/bend area is disclosed. The process includes placing a glass sheet on a mold having a shaping surface with a desired surface profile for the shaped glass article including a flat area and a bend area, moving a flat area plunger toward the glass sheet to compress the glass sheet, heating a portion of the glass sheet corresponding to an area above the bend area of the mold to a temperature above a forming temperature, and moving a bend area plunger toward the heated glass sheet to compress the heated glass sheet. A temperature of the glass sheet in the area above the bend area of the mold is higher than a temperature of the glass sheet in the area above the flat area of the mold when compressing the heated glass sheet with the bend area plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventors: Weiwei Luo, Elias Panides, Rohit Rai, Irene Marjorie Slater, Ljerka Ukrainczyk, Srinavasa Rao Vaddiraju, Sam Samer Zoubi
  • Patent number: 9650278
    Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of glass formed body and a forming die which make it possible to sufficiently fill a glass material in the forming die and manufacture a glass formed body having a desired shape. The manufacturing method of glass formed body includes: heating a plate-shaped glass material; pressing the heated plate-shaped glass material by the forming die; and cooling and solidifying the glass material transferred shapes of forming surfaces of the forming die by the pressing, wherein planar-view contour shapes of the forming surfaces are non-circular, a gap formed by the forming surfaces is formed so as to become wider from an inner side toward an outer side of the forming surfaces, and pressure distribution occurring in the plate-shaped glass material in the pressing is uniform in a contour region of each of the forming surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Shiro Funatsu, Tomoharu Hayashi, Katsuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9637461
    Abstract: An electrical connection structure includes: a first metal member including copper or a copper alloy, a plated tin layer being formed on at least a portion of the first metal member; a second metal member that is electrically connected or connectable to the first metal member; and a surface treating layer formed on the surface of the first metal member. The surface treating layer is formed by applying a surface treating agent containing base oil and a metal affinity compound having a lipophilic group and an affinity group that has an affinity for metal. The metal affinity compound contains an adduct between an acidic alkyl phosphate ester and an azole compound and an adduct between an acidic alkyl phosphate ester and a metal and/or an organic amine compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Nomura, Hiroki Hirai, Junichi Ono, Takuji Ootsuka, Takehiro Hosokawa, Tatsuya Hase, Kazuo Nakashima, Kazuhiro Goto, Makoto Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 9452948
    Abstract: A glass sheet three stage forming station utilizes first and second upper molds and a lower mold to provide three stage forming. The glass is curved on the upper mold in the first stage but retains straight line elements transverse to the curvature. Transfer of the initially formed glass sheet from the first upper mold to the lower mold then provides the second stage of gravity forming and the glass sheet is then press formed between the second upper mold and the lower mold in the third stage which reduces optical distortion in the central viewing area of the formed glass sheet. The glass sheet is moved horizontally on the first upper mold and released onto the lower mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: GLASSTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Dean M. Nitschke, Jeffrey A. Grzeszczak, Ashoka G. Jinka, James P. Schnabel, Jr., David B. Nitschke
  • Patent number: 9382146
    Abstract: A mold includes a first mold, an second mold located upon the first mold, and a mold core located between the first mold and the second mold. The first mold defines a receiving space, and comprises a bottom surface in the receiving space. The bottom surface in the receiving space defines at least one guiding groove. A bottom surface in the at least one guiding groove defines at least one air outlet. The mold core is received in the receiving space and supported by the bottom surface in the receiving space. The mold core defines a mold cavity and a plurality of micro-holes communicating with the mold cavity and the at least one guiding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 9376337
    Abstract: Provided is a method capable of producing a glass sheet with a bent portion in which a flattened portion has high flatness and high smoothness. A flat glass sheet 20 is radiationally heated with a first portion 21 thereof held between first and second heat-insulating members 31, 32. And then, a second portion 22a, 22b of the flat glass sheet 20 not held between the first and second heat-insulating members 31, 32 is bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Odani, Masayuki Ikemoto, Masahiro Kobayashi, Tomoya Iwakoshi, Masanori Wada
  • Patent number: 9296637
    Abstract: A method, press station (12), and system (10) for forming glass sheets that are initially formed with an upwardly concave curved shape with end portions (86) and an intermediate portion (88) having straight line elements that are subsequently formed with curved shapes to provide curvature along transverse directions. The forming is performed by initially providing curvature to the straight line elements of the glass sheet end portions while the intermediate portion (88) still has the straight line elements. The glass sheet intermediate portion is subsequently formed to provide curvature to its straight line elements so the glass sheet has curvature in transverse directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GLASSTECH, INC.
    Inventors: David B. Nitschke, Dean M. Nitschke, Mace L. Odneal, Ashoka G. Jinka
  • Patent number: 9260336
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a band-shaped glass includes forming, while being drawn downward, the band-shaped glass having a thickness of 300 ?m or less except both edge portions in a width direction thereof, and then changing a conveying direction of the band-shaped glass to a lateral direction so that a front surface constitutes an upper surface. The band-shaped glass is introduced to a region for changing the conveying direction under a curved state in which the front surface side thereof is concave in the width direction. The band-shaped glass in the curved state satisfies a relationship of 0>???200 mm, where ? represents a maximum separation distance with respect to an imaginary straight line connecting both the edge portions of the band-shaped glass in the width direction, provided that the maximum separation distance is positive on the front surface side of the band-shaped glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shusaku Tamamura, Takahide Nakamura, Katsutoshi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9221705
    Abstract: Processes for producing shaped glass articles with a defined geometry are provided. In some embodiment, the process includes arranging a glass pane on a mould, heating the glass pane by infrared radiation, deforming the heated glass pane over the mould by gravity, negative pressure, and/or positive pressure, and cooling the shaped glass pane to obtain the shaped glass article with a defined geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Andreas Langsdorf, Bernd Hoppe, Ulrich Lange
  • Patent number: 9187358
    Abstract: A process using a three-piece mold for making a three-dimensionally shaped glass article having a flat area and a curved/bend area is disclosed. The process includes placing a glass sheet on a mold having a shaping surface with a desired surface profile for the shaped glass article including a flat area and a bend area, moving a flat area plunger toward the glass sheet to compress the glass sheet, heating a portion of the glass sheet corresponding to an area above the bend area of the mold to a temperature above a forming temperature, and moving a bend area plunger toward the heated glass sheet to compress the heated glass sheet. A temperature of the glass sheet in the area above the bend area of the mold is higher than a temperature of the glass sheet in the area above the flat area of the mold when compressing the heated glass sheet with the bend area plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Weiwei Luo, Elias Panides, Rohit Rai, Irene Marjorie Slater, Ljerka Ukrainczyk, Srinivasa Rao Vaddiraju, Sam Samer Zoubi