Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for manufacturing shaped laminated glass panes comprising an inner glass sheet, and intermediate layer such as thermoplastic material and an outer glass sheet. The method comprises providing a layer of silicate water-based paint on at least a portion of a glass sheet surface which is to bear against the intermediate layer, drying the paint at moderate temperature to remove water and cure the paint, placing the glass sheets together so that the surfaces which are to bear against the intermediate layer are in proximity with one another and are parallel, bending the glass sheets simultaneously into a final shape at elevated temperature, and cooling the glass sheets.

Abstract: Process for bending glass sheets, particularly in pairs, in which the glass sheets undergo a pre-bending under the effect of gravity in a horizontal position on a concave annular bending ring (3) whose profile corresponds to the desired final profile of the glass sheets, until the edges of the glass plates are applied entirely to the bending block (3). A monolithic convex bending block (31) is then applied over the whole surface and acts from above on the glass sheets (21). The inner part of the sheets then undergoes supplementary bending which gives it the desired final shape, the glass sheets being pressed by suction, against the monolithic convex bending block, at the edge of the monolithic convex bending block (11).

Abstract: An apparatus for press bending glass sheets carried on a mold, the apparatus including a die having a lower surface shape to mold a glass sheet positioned thereunder to a desired curved shape, a first counterbalance assembly connected to the die for providing the die with a selected net weight, a frame mounted above the die, a plurality of flexible members connecting the die to the frame for suspending the die below the frame whereby the die is capable of unconstrained lateral and tilting movement relative to the frame and die moving device connected to the frame for vertically moving the die.

Abstract: When heating and bending glass sheets in a furnace, it is desirable to raise the sheets towards the furnace heat sources to increase obtainable temperature differentials and reduce heating power.

Abstract: A system (20) and method for forming a glass sheet includes a locating assembly (28) for locating at least one glass sheet below a downwardly facing surface (58) of a topside support device (26) that receives the heated glass sheet from a conveyor (24,24') in preparation for transfer thereof to an associated mold (33) on a mold shuttle (30). The locating assembly (28) includes a support (82) that is mounted outside of the system housing (22) at factory ambient temperature and has a horizontal arm (84) extending therefrom through the housing into its heated chamber (37) with first and second locators (92) and (94) for locating the suspended glass sheet as well as having a third locator that cooperates with the first and second locators to provide the glass sheet location. At least one of the first and second locators (92) and (94) is rotatively driven.

Abstract: A method and device for the bending, on a frame, at least one glass sheet by gravity includes two bending steps. The glass sheets are first supported at their periphery along a first peripheral line by a rough bending device during the first step and along a second peripheral line by a definitive bending device during the second step. Transfer of the glass sheets from the first peripheral line to the second peripheral line is performed by positively and continuously regulating a position of at least one of the rough and definitive bending devices in reaction to forces generated on the at least one of the rough and definitive bending devices by contact with the glass sheet.

Abstract: A furnace is provided for the heating of glass sheets to be bent, whereby precise control of the temperature profile across a sheet may be achieved, resulting in improved control over the shape to which the sheet is bent. The furnace has at least one differential heating zone provided with a plurality of main heating elements, and at least one shield for directing heat radiated by said heating elements whereby a controlled differential heating of the glass sheet may be achieved. Transport means, e.g. wheeled boxes, are provided to advance the sheet through the furnace and bending means, e.g. gravity bending ring moulds, may bend the sheet either during, or subsequent to, the heating step.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending a glass sheet in a gravity bending step and in a subsequent press bending step includes a gravity bending mould having a fixed mould portion and an articulated wing portion adjacent to the fixed mould portion, a base on which the fixed mould portion is mounted and a hinged locking arm mounted between the wing portion and the base. The locking arm is movable from an unlocked position in which the wing portion is capable of moving vertically relative to the base to a locked position in which the wing portion is fixed in position relative to the base. A method of bending a glass sheet involves placing a glass sheet on a gravity bending mould having an articulated wing portion and a fixed mould portion, and conveying the mould carrying the glass sheet through a furnace in which the glass is heated to the glass softening point and is bent by gravity until the periphery of the glass sheet is in contact with and conforms to the shape of the upper surface of the gravity bending mould.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in a sequential bending furnace for bending glass sheets. According to the method, carriages are advanced in the furnace into a section downstream in the traveling direction of the carriages for a subsequent bending cycle essentially by using at least two transfer assemblies, providing a transfer mechanism and including first and second locking elements which are in a transfer-force transmitting relationship during the course of a transfer. This is followed by disengaging the locking elements and then transfer and locking rods included in the transfer assemblies are returned to a transfer commencing position in such a manner that at least one transfer assembly is in a locking position during transfers.

Abstract: An apparatus for press bending glass sheets, the apparatus comprising an upper die, a suspension system for the upper die for suspending and vertically moving the upper die, a lower gravity bending mould and a plurality of spacer devices for spacing the upper die and the lower mould a selected distance from each other when the upper die presses a glass sheet on the lower mould, the suspension system being adapted and the spacer devices being configured to permit lateral movement of the die relative to the mould. There is also provided a method of press bending glass sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for developing an edge stress in a windshield bending furnace. Adjacent to a ring mould is located a metallic, flat extra frame in a manner that the lower surface of a bent windshield remains at a small distance from extra frame. The compression stress of glass edge can be adjusted by varying the distance of extra frame from glass and/or by varying its glass-oriented dimension.

Abstract: A method of making a quartz dome for a reactor chamber from a substantially flat quartz disk. The quartz disk is placed on a graphite ring which is rotated. The quartz disk is heated until the disk is softened slightly and it begins to slump. The softened portion of the disk is drawn by a change in pressure to contact a fixed wiper blade. The wiper blade controls the size and shape of the deformation of the quartz disk to form the dome surface.

Abstract: Glass sheets which have been heated to bending temperature are bent by passing the glass sheets over a shaping bed having a substantially circular or substantially conical profile of revolution as seen in the longitudinal direction of the shaping bed. The shaping bed is composed of an assembly of revolving elements adapted for driving the glass sheets and at least one hot air cushion acting on the glass sheets in the first part of the bending zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to first and second plate glass templates each having an outer smooth major surface and an inner rough major surface, only each of the major outer smooth surfaces being peripherally bounded by a chamfer formed at the cut edge. In this invention, the first and second templates are joined together with the rough surfaces in facing retention. The first and second plate glass templates may be used in forming a window.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and furnace apparatus for bending and tempering glass sheets. A glass sheet is supported on the same outline mold throughout the entire handling process. A bending furnace (10) is designed to be sufficiently long in the traveling direction for carrying a partially bent glass sheet towards a tempering section (16) in such a manner that the glass sheet reaches its final shape during the passage occurring within the bending furnace (10). For this purpose, the glass sheet is heated in the bending furnace (10) with such a high effect that it reaches its tempering temperature before reaching its final shape. The movements and heating of glass sheets are controlled individually on the basis of the thickness and measured temperature of each glass sheet.

Abstract: A method and a furnace for bending glass sheets. Glass sheets are heated to a bending temperature by supporting them on a mould (11) and carrying them from one heating station to another. In a bending station (4), the glass sheet is heated for effecting a desired bending partially or entirely through the action of gravity. During a bending operation, the temperature distribution of a glass sheet is subjected to the action of convection blasting. By focusing the blast on the mid-section of a glass sheet it is possible to create a progressively curving pocket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a furnace for bending glass sheets. Glass sheets supported on ring molds are heated to a bending temperature and are carried from one heating station to another. In a heating and bending station, the glass sheet is heated for effecting a desired bending partially or entirely through the action of gravity. During a bending operation, the temperature distribution of radiation heat is adjusted. In the heating stations, the glass sheet is subjected to the action of convection blasting.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for precisely shaping heated glass sheets as the sheets advance along a bed of conveyor rolls. The conveyor rolls comprise a core member having axially aligned opposite sections and an arcuately curved central portion, with a flexible sleeve surrounding the core member. The sleeves are rotated in unison about the core members to convey the sheets. The core members are pivotable in unison between a first position where the curved control portions lie in a common plane for conveying the flat sheets and a second, lowered position whereat the curved portions define the shape to which the sheets are to be deformed. Vertically reciprocable top surface press units are mounted above the path of the glass sheets. The press units include curved stationary mandrels having freely rotatable flexible sleeves thereon.

Abstract: In a curved laminated glass comprising a plurality of glass plates which are bent in a substantially convex form, laminated and bonded together, an outer glass plate is softened faster than an inner glass plate when they are located in an atmosphere of high temperature which is higher than a temperature capable of bending glass.

Abstract: Apparatus operable in accordance with the method of the present invention is provided for selectively cooling areas of a glass sheet during heating in the lehr in order to eliminate hot spots and minimize undesirable sagging of portions of the glass sheet. The apparatus includes a gas hearth block upon which the glass sheet is supported during heating and an air nozzle or air nozzles connected to a source of compressed room temperature air located over those areas of the glass sheet that tend to develop hot spots. The air nozzle or air nozzles blow cooler air onto those selected areas of the glass sheet and even out the temperature of the heated glass sheet. This may be done prior to forming and/or tempering the glass sheet. The method and apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful with automobile glazings, such as sidelights and rear windows, bearing peripheral dark banding which show an increased tendency to sag during heating, particularly at the top edge portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bending glass sheets. A glass sheet supported by a ring mould (5) is caused to sag while being heated in successive heating stations. The glass sheet reaches a final bending temperature in a bending station (14). A press-bending mould (16) is transferred from outside bending station (14) into the bending station through an opening (22') in its wall. The ring mould (5) along with its glass sheet is lifted by means of a hoist mechanism (6) upwards for pressing the glass sheet against press-bending mould (16) for completing the bending. The same bending station (14) can also be used solely for gravitational bending when said press-bending mould (16) is retained outside the bending station.

Abstract: A traveling vacuum pickup engages heat softened glass sheets in a transfer station and transfers them to one of two shaping stations positioned along opposing sides of a transfer station. After depositing the sheet within one of the shaping stations, the pickup return to the transfer station to receive the next heat softened sheet. The shaping stations may include pressing arrangements that shape successive sheets to different configurations. The vacuum pickup may include two sheet engaging surfaces positioned relative to each other such that as one engaging surface engages a glass sheet and transfers it to one of the shaping stations, the other engaging surface is being positioned within the transfer station to receive the next glass sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for bending and tempering a glass sheet. A glass sheet is supported by one and the same ring mould (3) throughout all its working operations. Following the preheating of a glass sheet from a temperature of about 500.degree. C., its heating to a final bending and tempering temperature is effected at a high output and rate of speed. For example, on 4 mm thick glass, this final heating is performed within a period of time of 15-25 s. Therefore, the temperature of bending station is 800.degree.-1000.degree. C. Since rapidly heating glass bends quickly, the bending flexure or temperature of glass is monitored and the glass is advanced to tempering as soon as a predetermined bending flexure or temperature is reached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for bending a glass sheet. A glass sheet heated close to its softening temperature is supported on a ring mould and the glass sheet is allowed to bend by gravity. If necessary, the bending can be assisted mechanically. Air is circulated from a furnace section (1.1) above a glass sheet (7) to be bent into a furnace section (1.2) below the glass sheet so as to produce a different pressure effect on the opposite sides of a glass sheet (7). This pressure effect is used to support the glass sheet which is also heated over its central area to a sufficient temperature for bending and/or tempering, said temperature being sufficiently high that, without said support provided by the pressure effect, the central glass sheet area would bend and sag excessively downwards. The generation of pressure effect can be intensified by fitting the furnace with a ceiling (3) which includes an opening (3.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the preferable two-dimensional arching of glass sheets heated to the softening temperature comprising a following cooling section, the horizontal guiding of the glass sheets taking place on a plurality of movable transport rods and rollers which form a horizontal surface. The transport rods are provided in two groups which project outwardly from a respective mounting at the two lateral edges of the roller hearth furnace into the roller hearth furnace surface; the two groups of the transport rods are pivotal by a pivot movement via their respective mountings downwardly between linear forming elements, in particular forming rods, the joint upper tangential surface of which corresponds to the contour of the lower side of the arched glass sheet. Alternatively, at least one edge region of some transport rods may be pivoted upwardly to arch glass sheets or panes having one or two bends, for example bus windows or display case panes.

Abstract: A process for bending glass sheets, preheated to bending temperature, includes passing the glass sheets along a longitudinal trajectory having substantially the form of a cone of revolution in a shaping bed having substantially the form of a cone of revolution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bending and tempering a glass sheet. A glass sheet is supported on a ring mould during the course of heating, bending and tempering and the glass is heated for gravitational bending thereof. After a bending operation, the glass temperature is allowed to decrease to the range of 500.degree.-550.degree. C. throughout, followed by increasing the overall glass temperature to a tempering temperature by heating as quickly and uniformly as possible.

Abstract: A method of and device for curving a glass sheet, in which the glass sheet is brought through a reheating furnace by a conveyor defining a substantially horizontal transportation plane, and is then taken over by a tool, by means of which the glass sheet is curved and/or transferred to a curving and/or discharge device. The effective position of the glass sheet is detected and the taking-over tool is repositioned as a function of the effective position.

Abstract: A method of forming a drape-shaped glass structural element are disclosed. The element may be used as a support for a glass table top. The glass element is formed by a unique method which involves initially supporting a glass sheet on both fixed and movable members within a mold. The movable members are moved after the glass has begun to soften and move to a final shape. This causes the final glass element to have a complicated shape which cannot be formed by conventional glass forming methods.

Abstract: A holding device for glazing panes heated in a horizontal position to a deformation temperature comprises a downwardly facing contact surface, to which the glazing pane is held by suction action. The contact surface is formed of a tensioned fabric of highly heat-resistant fibers. As the glazing panes are sucked on, the fabric yields and bulges upwards. The amount of the bulge of the fabric is dependent upon the tension in the fabric. By the bulging of the fabric the glazing pane undergoes a bending opposite to the succeeding bending of the glazing pane under the effect of its self-weight. This counter-bending compensates an undesired transverse bending during the later bending process.

Abstract: A glass flux composition consisting essentially by weight of 45-65% Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3, 25-36% SiO.sub.2, 4-6% TiO.sub.2, 1-3% Na.sub.2 O, 0.5-2% K.sub.2 O, 2-6% Li.sub.2 O, 0-3% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-1% ZrO.sub.2, 0-1% BaO, 0-1% CaO, 0-1% MgO, 0-1% ZnO, 0-3% PbO and 0-0.5% CdO is useful for preparing a glaze or enamel composition especially for application to glass such that the composition is then fired in contact with a mould surface or with another glass surface.

Abstract: In the manufacture of bent or curved car glass plates or panes with more markedly bent areas, the latter are additionally locally heated with acetylene--oxygen, or acetylene--air, flames. An apparatus suitable for this includes a continuous furnace (1) and a bending station (3) with a bending mold (41) positioned above the conveying plane of the glass plates (9), as well as a ring mold (45) which serves as a countermold and a conveying ring and which is located on a movable carriage (44). In the areas of more marked bending below the ring mold (45) are provided burner tubes (42), which are supplied via flexible hoses with the acetylene gas and the combustion air or oxygen. Alternatively, the plates are locally heated in a transition zone (7) located between the furnace and the bending station by a gas burner (8), and thereafter pressed in the bending station by an upper bending mold (14) and a lower ring mold (16).

Abstract: A glass sheet forming apparatus (20) for continuously forming a heated glass sheet includes a roller conveyor (30) defined by a plurality of interposed first and second conveyor rolls (32,34). The first conveyor rolls (32) are mounted in a plane defined by X and Y axes for conveying the glass sheet. The second conveyor rolls (34) include independent first and second roll portions (36,38). At least one of the roll portions (36) is movable in the plane to establish rotation of the roll portion (36) with respect to a Z direction. The second conveyor rolls (34) are mounted in a plane defined by X' axis. A first actuator (44) moves the movable roll portions (36) so that part of the movable rolls (36) are elevated above the X' axis and above the first conveyor rolls (32) whereby the roller conveyor (30) becomes non-planar and a heated glass sheet is formed as a result of the non-planar conveyor shape and upward action of the second conveyor rolls (34).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for bending a glass sheet. A glass sheet (5) is supported on a bending mould (6) in a heating furnace and heated close to a softening temperature by means of a heating field generated by heating elements (4). Glass sheet (5) is placed adjacent to the heating field whose energy distribution is adjusted as desired. Glass sheet (5) is controllably pulled away from the heating field as the glass heats up and begins to bend.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting significant oxidation of a film on a substrate during heating of the substrate. The method includes providing a metal or metal oxide film on a substrate and providing a material adjacent to the film. The substrate is then heated to a temperature sufficient to cause the substrate to bend and the material adjacent to the film reacts in such a way as to protect the metal or metal oxide film on the substrate from further significantly oxidizing.

Abstract: The method and the apparatus for bend-shaping a glass plate of the present invention a bending mold which includes a fixed split mold portion having a bend-shaping surface which corresponds to an intermediate curved portion of the glass plate and movable split mold portions each of which has a bend-shaping surface corresponding to the side portions of the glass plate having the predetermined shape and which are respectively placed at the sides of the fixed split mold portion so that the bend-shaping surfaces are movable around pivotal shafts for movement into alignment with the bend-shaping surface of the fixed split mold portion. The method includes a press-shaping step including heating the glass plate placed on the bending mold in a heating furnace and pressing from via an auxiliary pressing member the portion to be deeply bent of the glass plate while the glass plate is placed on the bending mold.

Abstract: A glass treating apparatus suitable for heating glass sheets, such as in a process of forming motor vehicle windshields, comprises a heater suppoted by a modular support structure. The heater comprises a non-monoplanar heating surface subdivided into heating zones. The heating zones are individually controlled. The heating surface can approximate the configuration of the glass sheet. The invention allows preferential heating of selected zones of the glass sheet. One or more such modular radiant heater assemblies can be used in a glass forming process.

Abstract: A process and a device for the bending on a frame of at least one glass sheet by gravity, the bending being performed in at least two stages during which the glass sheet or sheets undergo a deformation by gravity. In a first stage, the glass sheet or sheets are bent according to a first shape corresponding to a blank or precursor of the final shape. In a second stage, the glass sheet or sheets are bent according to the final shape. The device includes a frame 1 of which at least one part has two elements, one element forming a blank frame (2, 3, 4, 5) and another element forming a final frame (2, 3, 12, 13).

Abstract: The invention relates to an intermediate storage system mounted adjacent to a bending furnace in a windshield production line, said system comprising a first intermediate storage (1) for pairs of flat glass sheets and a second intermediate storage (2) for pairs of bent glass sheets. Each intermediate storage includes a number of separate storage racks (3) for pairs of glass sheets and a carrier trolley (5, 9) for pairs of glass sheets. A carrier trolley (5) in first storage (1) is controlled for carrying pairs of glass sheets one at a time from storage racks (3) to the proximity of the loading end of a bending furnace (11) and carrier trolley (9) in second storage (2) is controlled for carrying pairs of bent glass sheets from the proximity of the end of bending furnace (11) onto the storage racks (3) of second storage (2).

Abstract: A method of making a curved glass surface with a solar panel formed thereon. A window for an automobile, especially for a sunroof is formed by heating a glass sheet from 500.degree. to 600.degree. C. A transparent electroconductive film is then formed on one side, such as by a CVD method and bending the sheet with the film after heating the temperature from 580.degree. to 650.degree. C.

Abstract: A mold blank for manufacturing eyeglass lenses containing a flat top bifocal segment. A ceramic platform is first constructed containing an optical surface having a recess corresponding to the flat top bifocal segment. A concave-convex glass mold blank polished on both sides is placed on the optical surface and across the recess of the platform and the mold blank together with the platform is placed in a furnace. The furnace is then heated to a preselected temperature at which the mold blank thermally deforms and sags against the optical surface and into the recess. Upon cooling the mold blank can be used to mold plastic eyeglass lenses. A method for making the mold blank is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass bending mold including at least two vertical template plates mounted in an oven frame by fixing devices. The vertical template plates define the shape of glass bent in the bending mold and include recesses along an upper edge thereof. On top of the templates are laid horizontally extending pipes for supporting glass to be bent. The pipes are received by said recesses in the template plates and are supported by the template plates. One end of each of the pipes extends out of the oven through apertures in one wall of said oven. A lever device moves the pipes back and forth to rock the pipes in the recesses while glass to be bent is lowered on the pipes.

Abstract: A glass sheet is transferred from a bending cell to a tempering cell on a continuous frame, after which it is held during tempering by discontinuous gripping device. Lifting studs lift the glass sheet above the frame prior to gripping.

Abstract: A bending fixture for gravity bending a glass sheet or sheets to produce, for example, automobile windshields. The bending fixture has a pair of fixture sections, each having a shaping surface segment with two ends. The fixture sections are hinged to each other at their ends to define a single hinge axis. The hinge axis is immediately adjacent the support surface at the ends of the shaping surface segments and is generally laterally centered in the fixture. The bending fixture supports a flat cold glass sheet or sheets at the hinge area and at points laterally remote from the hinge area. In the closed position after bending, the support segments together form a continuous peripheral support surface for the glass sheet.

Abstract: A roller assembly for bending sheets of glass, including a plurality of units each comprising a plurality of rollers mounted on support shafts. The support shafts pivot, which tilts the rollers, so that the surface of each roller is tangent to the bottom of the bent glass sheet.

Abstract: The number of bent laminated glass windshields having bull's-eyes that adversely affect its optical properties is reduced by using amorphous precipitated silica particles such as is used as flatting agents for paints, as a parting material between a pair of glass sheets during bending. The particles form relatively soft agglomerates that are milled and classified to produce a narrow distribution of particle sizes as compared to the distribution found in untreated silica, such as diatomaceous earths previously used as a parting material.

Abstract: A bend-shaping press mold comprising a pair of pressing dies for bending a glass plate into a shape having a convex surface and a concave surface in a plane by pressing the glass plate with the pair of pressing dies, wherein each of the pressing dies has a convex surface portion to shape the glass plate by pressing it from each side which is finally shaped to have a concave surface portion, and the convex surface portion of one of the pressing dies is not substantially in contact with the glass plate in pressing operations when the convex surface portion of the other die is in contact with the glass plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for cambering glass sheets includes a reheating furnace for reheating a glass sheet, a sealed cambering station and a conveyor for transferring a heated glass sheet from the furnace to the cambering station. The cambering station includes a shaping upper member. The glass sheet therein is raised into engagement with the upper member, for example by gas pressure, in order to camber the glass sheet. Hot gas ducts surrounding the upper member blow hot gas onto the upper member in such a way as to increased the temperature thereof to a temperature higher than that of the glass sheet when the glass sheet enters the cambering station. Therefore, the glass sheet can be introduced into the cambering station at a relatively low temperature and heated to a temperature high enough for cambering only when in contact with the upper member. The cambered glass sheet can then be discharged to a cooling station.

Abstract: A method for bending glass sheets is disclosed in which a heated glass sheet (12) is introduced between spaced lower and upper bending platens (16,18). The glass sheet (12) is moved in one direction between the spaced lower and upper bending platens (16,18) during deformation of the platens (16,18) which forms the bent shape in the glass sheet (12). Movement of the glass sheet (12) in the said one direction is continued for at least 1/2 second during a subsequent cooling phase to initiate a freeze in the surfaces of the glass sheet (12) which thereby eliminates mechanical distortion in the formed glass sheet associated with interrupting the movement of the glass sheet (12) prior to cooling.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for orienting a glass sheet (12) on a glass sheet shaping mold (16) is disclosed as including a plurality of air actuated cylinders (32) mounted on the mold (16). Each cylinder (32) includes a glass sheet nester (34) that is actuable by cylinder (32) between a raised position, above the mold (16) for locating the glass sheet (12) with the cooperable operation of backgate assembly (24) as the glass sheet (12) moves along a topside support device (14), and a lowered position, below the mold surface (26) whereby the glass sheet (12) can be deposited on the mold (16) for forming.