Abstract: A method for manufacturing a curved sheet of glass which includes a heating furnace for heating a sheet of glass therein, the heating furnace having an outlet opening for discharging a curved sheet of glass, and an array of beds housed in the furnace for transferring a sheet of glass successively over the beds in the furnace in a first direction toward the outlet opening while shaping the sheet of glass complementarily to an upper surface of the beds, each of the beds having a plurality of hot air ejecting holes for ejecting hot air to keep the sheet of glass out of contact with the beds, the beds including a final bed disposed near the outlet opening and inclined upwardly toward the outlet opening, the final bed having an upper panel including at least a portion curved in the first direction near the outlet opening to curve the sheet of glass in the first direction.

Abstract: A heated and softened glass sheet is put on a bending surface of a frame unit to be preliminarily bent by gravity before the glass sheet is pressed by an upper mold and the frame unit. There are steps for using a certain means for controlling an amount of preliminary bending to control deformation of the glass sheet caused by the preliminary bending; and pressing the preliminarily bent glass sheet by the upper mold and the frame unit.

Abstract: A process for forming glass or glass ceramics is disclosed, wherein a glass ceramics form (12) is made from a starting glass by molding, which is transformed by a heat treatment into a keatite glass ceramic comprising predominantly keatite mixed crystals. With such a keatite glass ceramics form (12) formed bodies can be prepared from blank parts by sagging under gravity force at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the blank part (14).

Abstract: A glass sheet, which has been heated to have a viscosity of not lower than 105 Pa·s and not higher than 108 Pa·s, is pressed against a mold having a certain bending surface to be bent.

Abstract: In a method for bending a glass sheet, comprising using a first mold for supporting a peripheral portion of a glass sheet and a second mold provided inside the first mold; heating the glass sheet put on the first mold to a temperature to bend the glass sheet by gravity; and then transferring the glass sheet onto the second mold to bend the glass sheet only by the second mold, the glass sheet is transferred from the first mold onto the second mold by moving the first mold in a direction to spread the first mold laterally with respect to the second.

Abstract: There are the steps of conveying a glass plate by a roller conveyor including a plurality of rollers; and moving a roller in contact with the glass plate in conveyance to position the glass plate so as to conform a posture of the glass plate to a reference posture.

Abstract: A method of producing glass tiles, glass borders, ornamental panels made from glass or the like, the rear side of which is structured to form a relief, involves the following steps: trimming the glass slab to the desired size, applying an adhesive layer on predetermined regions forming a pattern or a motif on the rear side of the glass slab by means of a printing technique, depositing a powder coating that resists high temperatures on the rear side of the glass slab and removing the excess powder from the non-adhesive regions of the glass slab, positioning the glass slab with its coated rear side on a base that resists high temperatures and is provided with a parting agent, submitting the glass slab to a temperature treatment until plastic deformation is achieved, the glass slab sinking into the pattern or motif formed by the powder coating on account of its own weight, and removing the powder that resists high temperatures from the regions covered with the pattern or the motif once the glass slab has c

Abstract: A process for fabricating a face plate for a flat-panel display such as a field emission cathode type display is disclosed, the face plate having integral spacer support structures. Also disclosed is a product made by the aforesaid process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for thermal treatment of glass and method and thermally treated glass therefrom. The apparatus is capable of supporting the glass during thermal treatment such as tempering, annealing, bending, and/or shaping which can include any cooling or quenching to remove heat or any combination of these. The apparatus is a support member like a ring or outline mold with a horizontal surface suitable for contacting the glass. The support member has at least a surface with or without a coating for contact with the glass of one or more metals having a thermal conductivity such that the glass heated for shaping cools at a rate not much slower than the cooling rate of unsupported sections of the glass. Suitable metals include those with a thermal conductivity of greater than around 16 BTU/(hour×feet×° F.).

Abstract: A method for bending a glass sheet (1) in a glass bending furnace utilizing gravity and a bending mould, whereby the glass sheet is put onto the mould and heated into bending temperature to make the glass bend into a wanted shape by means of the mould. The glass sheet (1) is supported by means of the mould adjustable middle component (6), by means of which bearing impact the glass sheet is supported and its getting down onto mould support (4) regulated and which beating element, when let down, forms a part of the mould.

Abstract: A device for cooling bent glass sheets running along a roller conveyor. Blowing boxes are inserted between the rollers and have a surface opposite the glass sheet at a distance of less than 30 mm and preferably less than 10 mm. The surface is perforated with several holes through which air is discharged in the direction of the glass sheets.

Abstract: An arrangement in the loading end of a multi-section glass bending furnace, where the glass sheets travel along a special rail from one furnace section to the next section in mould carriages (8) moving in cycles on the said rail. For unloading and loading the mould with the bent glass (10) resting on it is shifted in mould carriage (8) from the rail over to side station (7), while the carriage keeps moving forward on the rail. There is in or will be removed to said rail from the side station one or more moulds earlier brought from the rail. In the side station the first transmitter (5) is to take the mould out of the mould and the second transmitter (6) is there to take the mould to the carriage and both transmitters are operating with the furnace section.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a curved sheet of glass which includes a heating furnace for heating a sheet of glass therein, the heating furnace having an outlet opening for discharging a curved sheet of glass, and an array of beds housed in the furnace for transferring a sheet of glass successively over the beds in the furnace in a first direction toward the outlet opening while shaping the sheet of glass complementarily to an upper surface of the beds, each of the beds having a plurality of hot air ejecting holes for ejecting hot air to keep the sheet of glass out of contact with the beds, the beds including a final bed disposed near the outlet opening and inclined upwardly toward the outlet opening, the final bed having an upper panel including at least a portion curved in the first direction near the outlet opening to curve the sheet of glass in the first direction.

Abstract: In a method for bending a glass sheet, comprising using a first mold for supporting a peripheral portion of a glass sheet and a second mold provided inside the first mold; heating the glass sheet put on the first mold to a temperature to bend the glass sheet by gravity; and then transferring the glass sheet onto the second mold to bend the glass sheet only by the second mold, the glass sheet is transferred from the first mold onto the second mold by moving the first mold in a direction to spread the first mold laterally with respect to the second.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a face plate for a flat panel display such as a field emission cathode type display is disclosed, the face plate having integral spacer support structures. Also disclosed is a product made by the aforesaid process.

Abstract: Apparatus (16) and a method for roll bending heated glass sheets includes a pair of sets of bending rolls (40) and a support and drive mechanisms (44) that supports and rotatively drives the bending rolls at progressively increasing inclinations within a heating chamber (32) of a roll bending station (18) to provide engagement and bending at opposite lateral sides of a conveyed glass sheet. The bending rolls (44) are positioned in their progressively inclined inclinations by cooperation of an elongated connector (60) and clamps (64) for providing securement to curved support ribs (48) of an associated frame at the adjacent lateral side of the roll bending station housing.

Abstract: The method herein shapes a thin glass article (10), as well as a thin glass interface (20, 22) between two laminated sheets (16, 18) as they seal together to form the glass article (10). This process changes the shape of the article (10) and modifies the internal interface (20, 22) at the juncture where the glass sheets (16, 18) meet to make the channels (12). As a result, the juncture is very thin and very little or no slope. The process uses the mechanical motion of a plunger combined with plunger vacuum and internal gas pressure to make these changes. The technique reduces the contact area between glass layers (16, 18). A reduced contact area can reduce the optical interference caused by the joining of two layers of glass (16, 18). The technique also makes the front surface of each channel (12) thinner. The glass thinness also allows for thinner products with substantially reduced light distortion at the juncture.

Abstract: A method of bending glass, in which glass (5) is heated in a bending furnace (1). After the heating, the glass (5) is transferred onto a mould (7). The glass-bending mould (7) is at at least one point arranged to be bent substantially in its entirety when the mould (7) is transferred from the position it had during the initial heating of the glass (5) into a position where the glass (5) is arranged upon the mould (7).

Abstract: A method of bending glass, in which glass (5) is heated in a bending furnace (1). Before the bending, the glass (5) is transferred from the heating point or zone onto a mould (7) located thereafter. While the glass (5) is being transferred onto the mould (7), the mould (7) moves in such a way that the horizontal velocity of at least the front edge of the mould (7) is substantially as high as the horizontal velocity of the glass (5).

Abstract: A gas is supplied to the surface of the glass sheet transferred between a heating furnace and a cooling apparatus for tempering the glass sheet. The gas is supplied from the upstream side with respect to the direction of transfer of the glass sheet by an air curtain device. This gas runs along the glass sheet surface (upper surface) downstream with respect to the direction of transfer to obstruct the flow of cooling gas from the cooling apparatus in the upstream direction. The gas prevents cooling air from the cooling apparatus from invading the heating furnace so that the difference of the curvature of the glass sheet on the front and rear part can be eliminated.

Abstract: A plurality of rollers provided at positions where a transferred glass plate is moved vertically to form a transferring plane formed by the primary rollers into a curved plane, and the curved plane is shifted in the transferring direction of the glass plate with the transfer of the glass plate to bend and shape the glass plate to have a predetermined curvature along the curved plane. Thus, there are obtainable a bending and shaping method and apparatus which does not require the exchanging of rollers in response to the type of glass plate being worked.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a face plate for a flat panel display such as a field emission cathode type display, the face plate having integral spacer support structures is disclosed. Also disclosed is a product made by the aforesaid process. The support structures are designed to be load bearing so as to prevent implosion of a planar, transparent face plate toward a parallel spaced-apart base plate when the space between the face plate and the base plate is sealed at the edges of the display to form a chamber, and the chamber is evacuated in the presence of atmospheric pressure outside the chamber. Unlike most spacer support structures proposed for such flat panel displays, the support structures are made from the same material as the substrate from which the face plate is fabricated. For a preferred embodiment of the process, a perforated laminar template is sealably sandwiched between a laminar silicate glass substrate and a manifold block to form a temporary sandwich assembly.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a curved sheet of glass which includes a heating furnace for heating a sheet of glass therein, the heating furnace having an outlet opening for discharging a curved sheet of glass, and an array of beds housed in the furnace for transferring a sheet of glass successively over the beds in the furnace in a first direction toward the outlet opening while shaping the sheet of glass complementarily to an upper surface of the beds, each of the beds having a plurality of hot air ejecting holes for ejecting hot air to keep the sheet of glass out of contact with the beds, the beds including a final bed disposed near the outlet opening and inclined upwardly toward the outlet opening, the final bed having an upper panel including at least a portion curved in the first direction near the outlet opening to curve the sheet of glass in the first direction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an EUV lithography element mirror includes sagging a plate of a glass material to produce an EUV mirror blank; and polishing a top face of the EUV mirror blank to produce a polished EUV mirror. A method for manufacturing an EUV lithography element mirror includes grinding a top face of a piece of a glass material; sagging a plate of the glass material over the top face of the piece to produce an EUV mirror blank; and polishing a top face of the EUV mirror blank to produce an EUV polished mirror.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use in a glass bending machine comprises a base bracket, a bending roller rotatably mounted on said base bracket, the bending roller having a three-piece construction comprises a central hub having an annular outer surface, opposed side surfaces, and a central axis of rotation; a collar fixed to each side surface of said central hub, the collars having an annular outer surface, inner and outer side surfaces, and a central axis of rotation; the collars comprising a material and shape which resists scratching glass, the collars being spaced apart with a center section of the hub between them to allow the roller to be driven individually by a friction member whereby the friction member is adapted to run on the center section of the roller to rotate the roller, and a glass sheet is adapted to run on the larger collars and not be scratched by the center section.

Abstract: In bending a glass sheet, the load applied to an intermediate glass sheet can be equalized to improve the quality of a final glass sheet. For this purpose, a forming ring 1 comprises a first forming frame 15 and a second forming frame 16, and the swingable center of each of swingable frames 19, 20, which forms right and left portions of a second forming frame 16, is located at an intermediate position apart from a separation position from each of fixed frames 17, 18. By such arrangement, the intermediate glass sheet can be equally supported when the swingable frames 19, 20 are moved along the intermediate glass sheet and the intermediate glass sheet is transferred from the first forming frame 15 onto the second forming frame 16.

Abstract: An apparatus for working a glass plate includes: a transporting device for bending a glass plate in a concave shape in a cross-sectional view in a transporting direction and transporting the glass plate from a cutting section to a bend-breaking section; a cutting device for forming cut lines on the glass plate in the cutting section; and a bend-breaking device for bend-breaking the glass plate in the bend-breaking section.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for forming glass articles containing enclosed channels. The method comprises the following steps: a) delivering and depositing a first length of a molten glass ribbon (18) to a surface of a mold (20) having a mold cavity (22) possessing at least one channel-forming groove (22) and a peripheral surface, wherein the first length (18) overlies the mold cavity (22) and the peripheral surface; b) allowing the first length of the molten glass ribbon (18) to substantially conform to the contour of the mold cavity (22) resulting in the formation of at least one channel in the first length of the molten glass ribbon (18); c) delivering and depositing a second length of the molten glass ribbon (26) to the exposed surface of the first length of the molten glass ribbon (18).

Abstract: A bending mold for bending glass sheets is provided. The mold comprises a frame having longitudinally parallel side walls and a bottom. Support devices having support surfaces are connected between the side walls. An elongated member is provided on the bottom of the frame and is movable in relation to the frame. Support arms are connected by joints between the support device and the elongated member. Movement of the elongated member twists the support devices about a horizontal twisting center.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a face plate for a flat panel display such as a field emission cathode type display, the face plate having integral spacer support structures is disclosed. Also disclosed is a product made by the aforesaid process. The support structures are designed to be load bearing so as to prevent implosion of a planar, transparent face plate toward a parallel spaced-apart base plate when the space between the face plate and the base plate is sealed at the edges of the display to form a chamber, and the chamber is evacuated in the presence of atmospheric pressure outside the chamber. Unlike most spacer support structures proposed for such flat panel displays, the support structures are made from the same material as the substrate from which the face plate is fabricated. For a preferred embodiment of the process, a perforated laminar template is sealably sandwiched between a laminar silicate glass substrate and a manifold block to form a temporary sandwich assembly.

Abstract: A glass slumping process includes the steps of supporting a thin sheet of glass upon a convex mold at a single, minimum area of contact of the glass sheet with the mold, the single area of contact being disposed inwardly of a perimeter of the glass sheet, heating the glass sheet to soften the glass sheet, slumping the glass sheet downwardly over a convex outer surface of the mold in response to the heating, while the glass sheet remains supported by the mold at the single area of contact, cooling the glass sheet and removing the glass sheet from the mold for use as a lamp shade.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming glass sheets is provided wherein in a furnace structure of a heating furnace where molds with glass sheets carried thereon are intermittently conveyed, the staying period in the heating zone just before an annealing zone is variable, and the annealing zone includes a lifting device to separate a mold from a conveying device. By such arrangement, glass sheets having different shapes can be successively produced with a period for job change being greatly shortened.

Abstract: A rapid thermal processing system for large area substrates, such as glass panels for flat panel displays, includes a processing chamber having a loading/unloading zone and a processing zone, a heating assembly for heating a substrate in the processing zone, and a transport assembly for transporting the substrate through the processing chamber. The transport assembly includes a feed conveyor for transporting the substrate from the loading/unloading zone through the processing zone and a substrate return assembly for transporting the substrate from the feed conveyor to the loading/unloading zone after the substrate is transported through the processing zone. The substrate return assembly may include a return conveyor for transporting the substrate to the loading/unloading zone and a substrate reverser for transferring the substrate from the feed conveyor to the return conveyor.

Abstract: In a bending apparatus for glass sheets, at least some of distances between conveyor rolls are set so as to be unequal, forming glass sheets having good quality and free from optical distortion. For the purpose, the distances between conveyor rolls which are provided from an outlet of a heating furnace are set so as to be unequal and to gradually expand toward a downstream direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for bending glass sheets. This process involves bending the glass sheet or sheets in at least two stages. The first stage employing the action of gravity leading to a shaped blank which is used in the formation of the final shape. The last stage which leads to the final shape, involves the simultaneous or nonsimultaneous, combined actions of gravity and at least one additional mechanical force. The invention also includes a bending apparatus providing at least one section having two separately useable parts with one of the parts being movable with respect to the other to permit the section to be arranged in one of two positions. In addition, the invention includes bent glazing having at least one docking angle exceeding 50.degree. and a radius of curvature below 200 mm.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for bending a sheet of glass heated to a bending temperature in a horizontal furnace through which it is conveyed by a plane conveyor delivering the glass sheet to a bending cell heated to substantially the same temperature as the bending temperature. A concave annular recessed portion moves the glass sheet vertically towards a solid convex projecting portion within the cell, so that the sheet is squeezed between the concave and convex portions. A device for carrying out the method and its use for producing glazing with a particularly complex shape are also disclosed.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic plate has at least one opening which is intended to house an atmospheric gas burner. At least part of the edge of the opening is polished and the opening is at the top of a local deformation of the plate.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a face plate for a flat panel display such as a field emission cathode type display, the face plate having integral spacer support structures is disclosed. Also disclosed is a product made by the aforesaid process. The support structures are designed to be load bearing so as to prevent implosion of a planar, transparent face plate toward a parallel spaced-apart base plate when the space between the face plate and the base plate is sealed at the edges of the display to form a chamber, and the chamber is evacuated in the presence of atmospheric pressure outside the chamber. Unlike most spacer support structures proposed for such flat panel displays, the support structures are made from the same material as the substrate from which the face plate is fabricated. For a preferred embodiment of the process, a perforated laminar template is sealably sandwiched between a laminar silicate glass substrate and a manifold block to form a temporary sandwich assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a shaping sheet including a support frame and a shaping rail supported on the frame. The shaping rail has a sheet shaping surface that conforms in elevation and outline to a final desired shape of a marginal edge of a glass sheet to be shaped. An auxiliary rail having a sheet shaping surface which generally corresponds to a preliminary shape of a selected marginal edge portion of the sheet is positioned along a section of the shaping rail having a sheet shaping surface portion which generally corresponds to the final desired shape of the selected marginal edge portion of the sheet.

Abstract: A method for bending a sheet of glass heated to a bending temperature in a horizontal furnace through which it is conveyed by a plane conveyor delivering the glass sheet to a bending cell heated to substantially the same temperature as the bending temperature. A concave annular recessed portion provides gravity preshaping and then moves the glass sheet vertically towards a solid convex projecting portion within the cell, so that the sheet is squeezed between the concave and convex portions. A device for carrying out the method and its use for producing glazing with a particularly complex shape are are disclosed.

Abstract: A gas is supplied to the surface of the glass sheet transferred between a heating furnace and a cooling apparatus for tempering the glass sheet. The gas is supplied from the upstream side with respect to the direction of transfer of the glass sheet by an air curtain device. This gas runs along the glass sheet surface (upper surface) downstream with respect to the direction of transfer to obstruct the flow of cooling gas from the cooling apparatus in the upstream direction. The gas prevents cooling air from the cooling apparatus from invading the heating furnace so that the difference of the curvature of the glass sheet on the front and rear part can be eliminated.

Abstract: Process for bending the outer glass pane and the inner glass pane of laminated safety glass panes bend with predefined curvature geometry. The press-bending system incorporates a bending station, a discharge station, as well as between bending station and discharge station, a conveyor shuttle. The glass panes to be bent, heated to bending temperature, are introduced singly into the bending station with the aid of a transfer line and are bent in it, taking account of the predefined curvature geometry of the laminated safety glass panes. The outer glass pane and the inner glass pane are subjected to optimizing bending at a temperature, which is in the lower bending temperature range, in the discharge station assigned to them. To carry out optimizing bending, the glass panes are lifted off the conveyor shuttle with the aid of a take-off device, which take-off device possesses an optimizing contour at least in the edge area.

Abstract: The invention provides an articulated bending mold for shaping heat softened substrates, e.g., glass sheets, into curved shapes. The bending mold has a central portion with at least one, and preferably two, pivoting end sections. A biasing assembly is mounted on the side of the mold between the end section pivot points, preferably outboard of the end section pivot points and in proximity to an outer side of the end section. The biasing assembly includes a weight arm with a linkage assembly mounted on one end of the weight arm and connected to the end section, preferably at or near an outer corner of the end section.

Abstract: A glass plate is heated in a heating furnace and is bend-shaped to be a complexly curved glass plate while the glass plate is passed on curved rollers wherein support pads of a pushing mechanism push the complexly curved glass plate from an upstream side to a downstream side of a transferring device in a state that a rear edge of the complexly curved glass plate is supported by the support pads whereby the complexly curved glass plate is delivered to a cooling device side while a turning movement of the complexly curved glass plate is controlled during the transfer.

Abstract: For a method for bending and tempering glass which has an opening, the glass is bent in the horizontal position using a bending frame (9) and is tempered on the bending frame (9). The bending frame in respect of its contour and of its geometric shape corresponds to the desired shape of the bent glass. During the bending operation and during the tempering operation the glass is supported, in the region around the edge of the opening, by an additional internal bending frame (12).

Abstract: A method for transferring mould-carrying wagons in a bending furnace for glass sheets as well as to a bending furnace for glass sheets, comprising preheating stations (1.3, 1.4, 1.5) and more than two bending stations (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) in succession and therebelow a number of cooling stations (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4), a first number of mould-carrying wagons (3, 4) on an upper track (1) and a second number of mould-carrying wagons (3, 4) on a lower track (2), an end wall (4) of the mould-carrying wagons defining said preheating, bending and cooling stations when the mould-carrying wagons (3, 4) are stationary. After a bending, the mould-carrying wagon (3, 4) is transferred under one or more bending stations (2.3, 2.2) to a location directly below the first bending station (2.1) or the final preheating station (1.5).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for bending and tempering of a glass sheet is disclosed. The means to be used in the method for supporting the glass sheet is a supporting device in two parts, wherein the first supporting device forms a substantially planar supporting surface for the margin of the glass sheet and the second supporting device forms, in a manner known as such, a supporting device for the margin of the glass sheet corresponding to the bending configuration. In the method, the first supporting device supports the glass sheet to maintain its planar configuration at the heating stage required for tempering, wherein the glass sheet is being heated to the tempering temperature. During heating, the glass sheet is further supported by a pressure difference imposed on the opposite surfaces of the glass sheet. After heating, the glass sheet is moved to the second supporting device to bend to the bending configuration determined by the second supporting device, followed by the tempering stage.

Abstract: A method of bending glass sheets, the method including the steps of gravity bending a glass sheet at elevated temperature on a gravity bending mould in a gravity bending zone of a furnace, press bending the gravity bent glass sheet to a desired shape with an upper mould while the glass sheet is supported by the gravity bending mould as a lower mould in a press bending zone of the furnace and controlling the ambient temperature in the press bending zone thereby to control the cooling rate of the glass sheet in the press bending zone. The invention also provides a method of press bending glass sheets, the method including providing an initially bent glass sheet carried on an articulated gravity bending mould and press bending the glass sheet to a final bent shape by an upper press bending mould which is lowered onto the upper surface of the glass sheet, the upper press bending mould having a net weight of from 50 to 150 kg.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for forming glass articles containing internal enclosed channels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for bending glass sheets. This process includes bending the glass sheet or sheets in at least two stages. The first stage employing the action of gravity leading to a shaped blank which is used in the formation of the final shape. The last stage which leads to the final shape, includes the simultaneous or nonsimultaneous, combined actions of gravity and at least one additional mechanical force. The invention also includes a bending apparatus providing at least one section including two separately useable parts with one of the parts being movable with respect to the other to permit the section to be arranged in one of two positions. In addition, the invention includes bent glazing having at least one docking angle exceeding 50.degree. and a radius of curvature below 200 mm.