Abstract: In order to avoid deposition of evaporating alkali compounds on an inner surface of a hollow glass body during thermal processing to form a glass container from the hollow glass body, an overpressure is provided in the hollow glass body during the thermal processing. Either rinsing the hollow glass body with a gas, such as air, or at least partially closing the glass body at one end so that sufficiently rapid pressure equilibration is avoided, can provide this overpressure. The glass containers made by these methods are especially suited for food or pharmaceuticals because they have a reduced alkali release from their inner surfaces, for example at most about 2.0 mg/l sodium oxide.

Abstract: A first sleeve 30 regulates the horizontal relative position between an upper mold 10 and a lower mold 20 that are insertable into the first sleeve 30 from its both end sides. A second sleeve 40 provided inside the first sleeve 30 and surrounding the outer periphery of a molding surface 21 of the lower mold 20 supports at least part of an outer peripheral portion of a molding material 50 placed on the molding surface 21 of the lower mold 20, thereby preventing position offset and slip-off of the molding material 50. In this state, the molding material 50 is press-molded between the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20.

Abstract: An F-doped silica glass, a process for making the glass, an optical member comprising the glass, and an optical system comprising such optical member. The glass material comprises 0.1-5000 ppm by weight of fluorine. The glass material according to certain embodiments of the present invention has low polarization-induced birefringence, low LIWFD and low induced absorption at 193 nm.

Abstract: When a synthetic quartz glass substrate is prepared from a synthetic quartz glass block, (I) the block has a hydrogen molecule concentration of 5×1017-1×1019 molecules/cm3, (II) the substrate has a hydrogen molecule concentration of 5×1015-5×1017 molecules/cm3, (III) the substrate has an in-plane variation of its internal transmittance at 193.4 nm which is up to 0.2%, and (IV) the substrate has an internal transmittance of at least 99.6% at 193.4 nm. The synthetic quartz glass substrate has a high transmittance and a uniform transmittance distribution, and is adapted for use with excimer lasers, particularly ArF excimer lasers.

Abstract: A method of coloring a surface of a zirconium-based metallic glass component that includes the step of imparting interference colors by carrying out an anodizing process using an alkaline solution to form a film having a thickness of 300 nm or less on the surface of the zirconium-based metallic glass component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a lens of synthetic quartz glass with increased H2 content, in particular for a lens for an optical system with an operating wavelength of less than 250 nm, in particular less than 200 nm, with the steps: providing a precursor product of synthetic quartz glass, in particular with a first H2 content of less than 2·1015 molecules/cm3, with a circumferential border surface and two base surfaces lying on opposite sides, wherein at least one partial surface of at least one of said base surfaces has a curvature, and treating the precursor product in an H2-containing atmosphere in order to produce a precursor product of synthetic quartz glass with a second H2 content that is increased in relation to the first H2 content, in particular with a second H2 content of more than 1016 molecules/cm3, and measuring at least one optical property of said precursor product with said second H2 content.

Abstract: Disclosed in the application are a synthetic silica glass having low fluence-dependent transmission, particularly at about 193 nm, and a process for making the same. The glass may desirably exhibit a low level of fluorescence at 290 and 390 nm when activated at about 248 nm. The glass may desirably exhibit low level of LIWFD, [SiH*] and/or [ODC].

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for improving strength of a thin glass cover for an electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the glass member can have improved strength by forming its edges with a predetermined geometry and/or by chemically strengthening the edges. Advantageously, the glass member can be not only thin but also adequately strong to limit susceptibility to damage. In one embodiment, the glass member can pertain to a glass cover for a housing for an electronic device. The glass cover can be provided over or integrated with a display, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the bow (shape) of a vertical glass ribbon (13) produced by a downdraw process are provided. The methods involve passing the ribbon (13) through a gas-filled vertical enclosure (23), e.g., a draw tower, whose bottom (31) is open to the atmosphere. The ribbon (13) acts as a septum that divides the enclosure's internal volume (29) into a first sub-volume (25) and a second sub-volume (27). Using the stack effect, a positive pressure difference is produced between the first sub-volume (25) and the second sub-volume (27) along at least a portion of the length of the enclosure (the DDZ). The edges of the ribbon (13) are constrained so that they do not move into the second sub-volume (27) over at least the DDZ. As a result, the ribbon bows with its concavity facing the first sub-volume (25) and its convexity facing the second sub-volume (27).

Abstract: A method for bending radiation shielding glass which has a heavy metal oxide content of at least 50% by weight is provided, wherein first a mold is provided, a glass plate comprising a radiation shielding glass is then provided, the mold is preheated to a temperature of 300 to 400° C., the glass plate is placed on the mold, the glass plate and the mold are heated in a furnace to a temperature of 370 to 430° C., then heated together to a temperature of 400° C. to 500° C., preferably to 440 to 500° C., the total heating time being at least 30 minutes, preferably at least 60 minutes, the glass plate is then molded and finally the molded glass is cooled by means of a cooling program over a period of at least 60 minutes. For thermal prestressing, the glass body is supported at least at its outer periphery at a number of support points, introduced into a preheated furnace, heated to 400 to 500° C.

Abstract: First of all, there is provided a production process of a synthetic quartz glass which has less impurity, has a high-temperature viscosity characteristic equal to or more than that of a natural quartz glass, and hardly deforms even in a high-temperature environment, and especially a production process of a highly heat resistant synthetic quartz glass which is free from the generation of bubbles and is dense. Secondly, there is provided a highly heat resistant synthetic quartz glass body which is easily obtained by the production process of the present invention, and especially a transparent or black quartz glass body which is free from the generation of bubbles, is dense, has high infrared absorption rate and emission rate, and has an extremely high effect for preventing diffusion of alkali metal. The process is a process of producing a highly heat resistant quartz glass body having an absorption coefficient at 245 nm of 0.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for supporting glass sheets during a thermal treatment process, such as heat treating, to maintain the physical geometry of the glass sheets. The device can comprise means for separating adjacent glass sheets to prevent them from touching. The separating means can comprise a separation comb having projections and channels configured for receiving the glass sheets, separating rods configured to be positioned between the glass sheets, or a combination of separation combs and separating rods.

Abstract: An aircraft transparency in a glass piece, wherein the glass piece includes a chemically tempered first major surface and a chemically tempered opposite second major surface, a first case depth begins at the first major surface, a second case depth begins at the second major surface, and a tensile stress zone is within the glass piece between the end points of the first and the second case depths. The glass between the end points of the first and second case depth has a glass composition including: Ingredient Percent by weight SiO2 60 to 75; Al2O3 18 to 28; and Li2O 3 to 9, and the glass has at least one of the following properties (a) a log 10 viscosity temperature of at least 1413° F. and (b) a liquidus temperature of at least 2436° F.

Abstract: An ideal quartz glass for a wafer jig for use in an environment having an etching effect is distinguished by both high purity and high resistance to dry etching. To indicate a quartz glass that substantially fulfills these requirements, it is suggested according to the invention that the quartz glass is doped with nitrogen at least in a near-surface area, has a mean content of metastable hydroxyl groups of less than 30 wt ppm and that its fictive temperature is below 1250° C. and its viscosity is at least 1013 dPa·s at a temperature of 1200° C. An economic method for producing such a quartz glass comprises the following method steps: melting an SiO2 raw material to obtain a quartz glass blank, the SiO2 raw material or the quartz glass blank being subjected to a dehydration measure, heating the SiO2 raw material or the quartz glass blank to a nitriding temperature in the range between 1050° C. and 1850° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining an external covering of a photovoltaic device, said covering being constituted by a glass substrate having texturing in the form of at least one row of grooves that are mutually parallel and preferably spaced by a regular distance d, said method being characterized in that there is used, for the impression of said texturing, texturing means incorporating reliefs whose spacing is different from the distance d between two rows of grooves on the glass substrate. The invention also relates to a substrate or to a photovoltaic module incorporating a substrate that can be obtained by application of the preceding method.

Abstract: As a jig material to use under plasma reaction for producing semiconductors, the present invention provides a quartz glass having resistance against plasma corrosion, particularly corrosion resistance against fluorine-based plasma gases, and which is usable without causing anomalies to silicon wafers; the present invention furthermore provides a quartz glass jig, and a method for producing the same. A quartz glass containing 0.1 to 20 wt % in total of two or more types of metallic elements, said metallic elements comprising at least one type of metallic element selected from Group 3B of the periodic table as a first metallic element and at least one type of metallic element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, lanthanoids, and actinoids as a second metallic element, provided that the maximum concentration of each of the second metallic elements is 1.0 wt % or less.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for scoring and separating a glass sheet along a curved trajectory using a laser and optics. The system includes a laser that generates a laser beam, a focusing lens, and a conical optical component such as a conical lens or a reflective conical milTor. The laser directs the laser beam through the focusing lens and conical lens to create a curved score line that is projected onto a glass sheet to create a curved score line, along which the glass sheet can be separated. Optionally, the laser directs the laser beam through the focusing lens towards a conical mirror, off of which the laser beam is reflected toward the glass sheet to create a curved score line.

Abstract: The method for polishing glass products, comprises the following steps: specifying a contour or form or shape of the glass product; detecting the location or position of the glass product; calculating a path for a laser beam on the basis of the contour of the glass product and the location of the glass product; and scanning the path with the laser beam for polishing the glass product in order to fuse mould joints together or smoothen/polish them.

Abstract: The invention envisions a method for improving the thermal shock resistance of glass objects. For this a glass object is heated starting from a surface temperature under the softening point (42) on the surface of a first side (3) until the viscosity reaches or goes below a value of 10(7.65±2) poise.

Abstract: Glass-ceramics includes Li2O, Al2O3 and SiO2, have an average crystal grain diameter of a predominant crystal phase of 90 nm or below and have crystal grain diameter distribution of 20 nm or below. The glass-ceramics can be manufactured by heat treating glass comprising Li2O, Al2O3 and SiO2 under a temperature within a range from 650° C. to 750° C. and then further heat treating the glass under a temperature within a range from 700° C. to 800° C. for 100-200 hours.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for supporting glass sheets during a thermal treatment process, such as heat treating, to maintain the physical geometry of the glass sheets. The device can comprise means for separating adjacent glass sheets to prevent them from touching. The separating means can comprise a separation comb having projections and channels configured for receiving the glass sheets, separating rods configured to be positioned between the glass sheets, or a combination of separation combs and separating rods.

Abstract: A convection furnace for a tempered glass sheet (1), into which furnace the glass sheet arrives along a hauling track, as on turning rolls (3), and the furnace has also heating resistances (5) against glass sheet (1) for heating the blast air, a blast apparatus and blast channelling (4), (2) for blasting said air against the glass sheet. The blast channelling comprises elongated channels (2) in the glass sheet (1) direction, inside of which there is at least a part of each blast air heating resistance (5) and each channel (2) has below the resistance line a broadening and in the broadening a bottom part (9), whereby bottom part (9) is furnished with blast holes (7, 8).

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic substrate includes a plurality of stacked glass ceramic layers and internal conductors. The glass ceramic layers contain at least one diffusion element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr and Mn. The internal conductors contain Ag as a conductive material. The multilayer ceramic substrate is produced by the steps of adding at least one diffusion element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr and Mn to conductive paste and diffusing the diffusion element in the glass ceramic layers around the conductive paste. As a result, defects otherwise possibly generated around the internal conductors can be eliminated with exactitude.

Abstract: A convection compatible closed cassette and method are described herein where the closed cassette is used to heat treat (compact) one or more glass sheets in a uniform manner and in a clean environment. In the preferred embodiment, the closed cassette includes multiple enclosed sections that are supported by a mounting structure in a manner where there is an open passageway between the major surfaces of each pair of the supported enclosed sections. And, each enclosed section is designed to hold and support multiple glass sheets in a manner where there is a space between the major surfaces of each pair of the supported glass sheets. In operation, the closed cassette is placed into an oven (e.g., lehr, batch kiln) so that hot/cold unfiltered air can flow across the major surfaces of each enclosed section and uniformly heat/cool the enclosed glass sheets.

Abstract: A processing method for glass substrate of the present invention includes: applying heat and external force to a glass substrate and then cooling it down to thereby form a compression stressed part having a different etching rate from that of other parts with respect to an etching reagent to be used, on the surface of the glass substrate and in the vicinity thereof, and performing chemical etching using the etching reagent on the glass substrate having the compression stressed part formed thereon, so as to form a relief on the surface of the glass substrate.

Abstract: Methods for press molding a glass body, especially for optical applications, without additional grinding and polishing steps are described. One method is performed with a press mold having an upper mold part, a lower mold part and, if necessary or desired, a ring. In order to improve the quality of the products, especially glass bodies of larger diameters, a voltage is applied across the upper mold part and the lower mold part when the glass body is within the press mold and a pressing force is applied to the glass body when the temperature of the glass body matches the temperature of the press mold. Alternatively, in another method the press mold is cooled after it reaches a predetermined temperature and the pressing force is applied to the glass body in the mold after exceeding the sticking temperature (T0).

Abstract: A method for transporting a fixed glazing to be equipped with a coating, particularly a curved glazing, through a coating plant. The glazing is transported by a transport device through the plant such that one of its main sides is covered with protection against the coating substance that is to be deposited. The side of the glazing that is to be protected when the coating is being deposited is kept in contact with a flexible fabric attached to the transport device.

Abstract: The invention discloses an SiO2—TiO2 glass, which is preferably made by flame-hydrolysis and which distinguishes itself by increased resistance to radiation, especially in connection with EUV lithography. By purposefully reducing the hydrogen content, clearly improved resistance to radiation and reduced shrinking is achieved.

Abstract: In the method for loading a glass processing installation (5) with loading portions (10a), glass plates (10, 10b) are extracted repeatedly from a storage unit (20) in a predetermined sequence and divided into a residual portion (10b), which is stored in the storage unit, and a loading portion (10a), which is delivered to the glass processing installation. It is thereby possible to selectively load the glass processing unit with portions of glass plates of certain dimensions and of a determined sort. The device for loading a glass processing installation comprises a storage unit (20) with at least two compartments (21), each compartment being capable of receiving at least one glass plate (10, 10b), and displacing means for displacing a glass plate in a compartment at least partially out of the compartment.

Abstract: An object is to provide a method for producing an optical synthetic quartz glass and an optical synthetic glass, having a birefringence of lower than 0.5 nm/cm and having favorable refractive index distribution, yet without lowering the productivity, as well as to provide an annealing furnace suitably used in practicing said method. In a step of raising the temperature of a columnar optical synthetic quartz glass preform to a temperature of from 800° C. to 1200° C., and after keeping for a definite time, lowering the temperature, the temperature is lowered with a temperature difference of from 1 to 20° C. between the temperature of the light transmitting surface of the optical synthetic quartz glass preform and the temperature of the outer peripheral side surface of the optical synthetic quartz glass preform at temperature-lowering rates of from 2 to 50° C./hour, respectively.

Abstract: The method of making an optical lens in accordance with the present invention comprises an optical lens preform producing step of producing an optical lens preform 40 having a plurality of curved surface parts 43 formed parallel to each other, and a pair of flanges 48 formed on both sides of the plurality of curved surface parts 43; a drawing step of drawing the optical lens preform 40; and an optical lens producing step of producing an optical lens 1 by cutting the drawn optical lens preform 40; wherein the plurality of curved surface parts 43 of the optical lens preform 40 drawn by the drawing step function as an optically effective part. In such a method, the form of the optically effective part can be determined in the stage of the preform before drawing, whereby the optically effective part can be processed in a sufficiently large size.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to overcome the problems of the prior art technique, and to provide a heat treatment method as well as a heat treatment apparatus capable of heat treating, with higher efficiency, a synthetic quartz glass for optical use having higher homogeneity and higher purity. Another object of the present invention is to provide and a synthetic quartz glass for optical use.

Abstract: A system for adjusting position of glass plates includes (1) a chain for conveying glass plates into a bending furnace, the chain having (a) alternate links, (b) connecting pins for holding the alternate links together, (c) extension pins extending from some of the connecting pins toward the corresponding glass plates; (2) supporting members fixed to the extension pins, for supporting the glass plates and for guiding the glass plates into the bending furnace; (3) a first image sensor unit for imaging actual positions of the extension pins; (4) a processor for computing a difference between the actual position of each extension pin and a reference position of each extension pin; and (5) a display device for displaying a command to adjust position of each extension pin, based on the difference, to make each extension pin take the reference position, thereby adjusting position of the glass plates.

Abstract: A method for the homogeneous heating of semitransparent and/or transparent glass and/or glass-ceramic articles using infrared radiation so that the glass and/or glass-ceramic articles undergo heat treatment at between 20 and 3000° C., notably at between 20 and 1705° C. Heating is achieved by a component of infrared radiation which acts directly on the glass and/or glass-ceramic articles and by a component of infrared radiation which acts indirectly on said glass and/or glass-ceramic articles. The radiation component indirectly acting on the glass and/or glass-ceramic articles accounts for more than 50% of total radiation output.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing glass-ceramic parts and/or glass parts by deformation of a glass-ceramic blank and/or glass blank. The invention is characterized in that forming is carried out using infrared radiation.

Abstract: The method of making an optical lens in accordance with the present invention comprises an optical lens preform producing step of producing an optical lens preform 40 having a plurality of curved surface parts 43 formed parallel to each other, and a pair of flanges 48 formed on both sides of the plurality of curved surface parts 43; a drawing step of drawing the optical lens preform 40; and an optical lens producing step of producing an optical lens 1 by cutting the drawn optical lens preform 40; wherein the plurality of curved surface parts 43 of the optical lens preform 40 drawn by the drawing step function as an optically effective part. In such a method, the form of the optically effective part can be determined in the stage of the preform before drawing, whereby the optically effective part can be processed in a sufficiently large size.

Abstract: The forming apparatus has top and bottom die assemblies which form a heated silica glass material by press forming. These top and bottom die assemblies include, respectively, mold dies, which are made of isotropic carbon, and core molds, which are made of vitrified carbon. The heating and pressing time of a silica glass element, which requires a high forming temperature, is shortened by pinching the silica glass material between top and bottom core molds by controlling a torque so as to produce a close contact condition which permits heat transfer from the top and bottom core molds to the silica glass material between the top and bottom core molds.

Abstract: The invention provides an ultraviolet lithography method/system. The lithography method and system include providing a below 200 nm radiation source, providing a photolytically improved transmitting fused silica glass lithography optical element, transmitting below 200 nm photons through said photolytically improved transmitting fused silica glass lithography optical element to form a lithography pattern which is reduced and projected onto a radiation sensitive lithography printing medium to form a printed lithography pattern. Providing the photolytically improved transmitting fused silica glass lithography optical element includes providing a photolytically improved transmitting fused silica glass lithography optical element preform body and forming the photolytically improved transmitting fused silica glass lithography optical element preform into said lithography optical element.

Abstract: A jadeite material has a thickness in excess of about 1.0 mm and CIELAB indices of L*>42, a*<?6, and b*>+6. The grain size of the jadeite material is less than about 30 microns and is an equiaxed grain structure. The jadeite material has an optical transmission peak between 500 and 565 nm with an I/IO optical transmission ratio of over 40%. The first step in making the jadeite material is to wrap a glass block, convertible by HP/HT into jadeite and having a nominal composition of NaAlSi2O6, with a graphite or refractive metal sheet. The wrapped glass block is placed in an HP/HT apparatus, rapidly heated, and subjected therein to a pressure in excess of about 3 GPa and a temperature in excess of about 1000° C. for a time adequate to convert the glass block into jadeite. The jadeite material then is cooled and the pressure subsequently released.

Abstract: There are provided a method of manufacturing a glass substrate for information recording media that allows the inner and outer peripheral edge surfaces of the glass substrate for information recording media to be smoothed easily and inexpensively, a glass substrate for information recording media manufactured using this method, and an information recording medium using this glass substrate. A donut-shaped glass disk for information recording media having an outer peripheral edge surface and an inner peripheral edge surface is prepared. At least one of the outer peripheral edge surface and the inner peripheral edge surface of the glass disk is smoothed by melt-heating to a temperature at or above the softening point of the glass by irradiating with at least one laser beam.

Abstract: Glass is heated from above and below while the glass resides on rolls (3) in a tempering furnace (1). The upper surface of the glass (4) is heated by hot air jets formed by sucking air from inside the furnace (1) and pressurizing the hot air and recycling it back to the upper surface of the glass. Air which has been taken from outside the furnace (1) and pressurized by a compressor (17) and heated is blown to the lower surface of the glass.

Abstract: A furnace (12) and a method for heating roll conveyed glass sheets by electric resistance radiant heating and forced convection heating by hot air jets that also entrain hot air within the furnace. A hot air distributing system (86) includes upper and lower arrays (90) of hot air distributors (92) that are constructed to effectively supply the convective heating. The hot air distributors (92) have heat exchangers (96) that heat the pressurized air that provides the hot air jets. The heating can be performed on both uncoated and coated glass sheets and furnace (12) conveys the glass sheets either in an oscillating manner or a continuous one direction manner during the heating.

Abstract: A process for producing fluorine-containing glass. An SiO2 soot is synthesized by hydrolyzing SiCl4. The soot is heated in a chlorine-compound-free atmosphere containing a fluorine compound gas to form a fluorine-containing silica glass. The glass contains not more than 10 ppm OH group, not more than 10 ppm Cl, and not less than 1,000 ppm F. The concentration ratio of F/Cl is 10,000 or more.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a smaller-sized glass rod by elongation of a glass matrix comprises providing a glass matrix, applying steam to surfaces of said glass matrix, and heating the thus applied glass matrix to soften the glass matrix to an extent sufficient for subsequent elongation. The softened glass matrix is elongated to provide a glass rod having a substantially dirt-free, clean surface.

Abstract: Provided are a process for the production of a precision press-molded article having a high transmittance and a method of treating a glass to color or decolor the glass, the process comprising heat-treating a press-molded article containing at least one selected from WO3, Nb2O5 or TiO2 in an oxidizing atmosphere to produce a glass molded article, and the method comprising heat-treating a colored glass containing at least one oxide of WO3 and Nb2O5 in an oxidizing atmosphere to decolor the glass, or heat-treating a glass containing at least one oxide selected from WO3, Nb2O5 or TiO2 in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to color the glass.

Abstract: To provide a technique for relatively easily preventing yellowing of a PDP that uses silver electrodes, and a PDP utilizing the technique that is capable of displaying images with high luminance and high quality. To form the electrodes, an alloy composed of Ag as a main constituent and a transition metal (at least one selected from Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Mn, and Fe) is used, or an oxide of such a transition metal is added. Alternatively, an alloy composed of Ag as a main constituent and a metal (at least one selected from Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, and Re) is used, or an oxide of such a metal is added. Alternatively, Ag particles whose surfaces are each coated with a metal (Pd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Ir, or Ru) or a metal oxide (SiO2, Al2O3, NiO, ZrO2, Fe2O3, ZnO, In2O3, CuO, TiO2, or Pr6O11) are used.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a synthesized silica glass optical member, the method comprising: providing a porous silica glass body; heating the porous silica glass body in an atmosphere containing hydrogen or oxygen, and sintering the porous silica glass body in an atmosphere containing fluorine compound. Furthermore, a synthesized silica glass optical member manufactured by the method.

Abstract: Methods for press molding a glass body, especially for optical applications, without additional grinding and polishing steps are described. One method is performed with a press mold having an upper mold part, a lower mold part and, if necessary or desired, a ring. In order to improve the quality of the products, especially glass bodies of larger diameters, a voltage is applied across the upper mold part and the lower mold part when the glass body is within the press mold and a pressing force is applied to the glass body when the temperature of the glass body matches the temperature of the press mold. Alternatively, in another method the press mold is cooled after it reaches a predetermined temperature and the pressing force is applied to the glass body in the mold after exceeding the sticking temperature (T0).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an improved blank such that an optical member of a high homogeneity can be obtained therefrom, and to provide a vessel and a heat treatment method for heat-treating a highly uniform synthetic quartz blank. In a first aspect of the invention a special designed blank is provided showing a concave shaped outer surface. In a second aspect of the invention a special designed vessel for heat-treating blanks is provided, whereby the degree of heat emission at the center is set higher than that of the surroundings.

Abstract: Thin glass sheets may be processed in an effective fashion by electrostatically charging the sheets and applying them to an oppositely electrostatically charged carrier sheet. After processing is completed the carrier sheet may be removed and the processed sheet may be applied to its intended application such as to act as the front panel of an electronic display.