Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a glass parison are disclosed. The method of forming a glass container in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure includes flowing molten glass to a glass feeder spout located immediately upstream of die rollers; feeding molten glass through an annular space established between an orifice ring of the glass feeder spout and a plunger of the glass feeder spout; blowing gas through the plunger into the molten glass to form a continuous tube of molten glass; and die rolling the continuous tube into a continuous string of glass containers.

Abstract: A slot orifice design that delivers glass ribbon at a uniform temperature and flow across the slot orifice width is provided. The slot orifice design can include a transition section, a pressure tank, and a slot extension.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming sheet glass (78) includes a pair of rollers (12a, 12b) arranged in opposing relation to form a nip gap (38). At least one of the rollers (12a, 12b) is translatable to adjust a width (39) of the nip gap (38). A pair of spacer belts (34, 36) passes in between the pair of rollers (12a, 12b). The spacer belts (34, 36) are spaced apart along a length of the pair of rollers (12a, 12b) and have a thickness to set the width (39) of the nip gap (38). At least one actuator (42a, 42b) is coupled to at least one of the rollers (12a, 12b) and operable to adjust a width (39) of the nip gap (38) until the pair of spacer belts (34, 36) is gripped by the pair of rollers (12a, 12b) and the thickness of the pair of spacer belts (34, 36) sets the width (39) of the nip gap (38).

Abstract: A transport cylinder for the vacuum treatment of substrates includes a roll body and at least one spacer element arranged on the roll body and enveloping the roll body. The spacer element is made of a knitted tube containing metallic or/and metallic threads.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pulling roll for drawing glass sheet in a down-draw process includes a shaft member and a compliant cover assembly positioned on the shaft member. The compliant cover assembly includes at least one traction disk positioned on the shaft member. The at least one traction disk includes an annular hub and a plurality of spring elements integrally formed with the annular hub. The spring elements project outward from the annular hub such that an end of each spring element is positioned radially outward from a base of each spring element and is circumferentially offset relative to the base of each spring element.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pulling roll for drawing glass sheet in a down-draw process includes a shaft member and a compliant cover assembly positioned on the shaft member. The compliant cover assembly includes at least one traction disk and at least one deflection limiting disk positioned on the shaft member. The at least one traction disk includes an annular hub and a plurality of spring elements integrally formed with the annular hub. The at least one deflection limiting disk includes at least one deflection limiting element positioned on each deflection limiting disk. The at least one deflection limiting element engages at least a portion of at least one traction disk upon a predetermined amount of inward radial deflection of the plurality of spring elements, thereby limiting the inward radial deflection of the plurality of spring elements.

Abstract: A roll forming apparatus includes at least one forming roll being spaced from a forming body to define a gap. The forming roll includes a working zone portion having a working zone surface with a length extending along a rotation axis of the forming roll and a thermal resistance boundary extending at an acute angle relative to the rotation axis. In further examples, methods include the step of feeding a stream of molten glass through the gap to form a glass ribbon including a formed thickness. The thermal resistance boundary facilitates substantial uniform radial expansion of the working zone surface relative to the rotation axis across the length of the working zone surface in response to heating of the working zone portion by the molten glass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of shaping a glass sheet in one dimension, by roll forming in a manner to selectively minimize/eliminate undesired curvature from the glass sheet. Such shaping is achieved by the selective location in first and second, shaping zones, of shaping rolls having first and second shaping configurations and, optionally, by varying the velocity of the glass sheet as it moves through the shaping zones, thus varying the time portions of the glass sheet are in contact with certain shaping rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming sheet glass (78) includes a pair of rollers (12a, 12b) arranged in opposing relation to form a nip gap (38). At least one of the rollers (12a, 12b) is translatable to adjust a width (39) of the nip gap (38). A pair of spacer belts (34, 36) passes in between the pair of rollers (12a, 12b). The spacer belts (34, 36) are spaced apart along a length of the pair of rollers (12a, 12b) and have a thickness to set the width (39) of the nip gap (38). At least one actuator (42a, 42b) is coupled to at least one of the rollers (12a, 12b) and operable to adjust a width (39) of the nip gap (38) until the pair of spacer belts (34, 36) is gripped by the pair of rollers (12a, 12b) and the thickness of the pair of spacer belts (34, 36) sets the width (39) of the nip gap (38).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for precision glass roll forming a supply of molten glass at a glass temperature of 1000° C. or higher. A pair of hot forming rolls having a surface temperature of about 500° C. or higher, vertically below the glass feed, that thin the supplied stream of molten glass to produce a formed glass ribbon. A pair of cold sizing rolls maintained at a surface temperature of about 400° C. or lower, vertically below the forming rolls, that thin the formed glass ribbon glass to produce a sized glass ribbon having a desired thickness and a desired thickness uniformity. The sized glass ribbon may have a thickness of 1 mm or less that varies in thickness by no more than +/?0.025 mm.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing sheet glass having two faces, at least one of which has a high surface quality, the method comprising a treatment step wherein a stream of glass is contacted with a forming tool, and wherein a reversible adhesion force exists between the stream of glass and the forming tool after contacting. An apparatus is also disclosed for producing sheet glass according to the disclosed and various other methods of sheet glass manufacture, the apparatus comprising a forming tool having a means for controlling the temperature of at least a portion of the surface thereof.

Abstract: A glass sheet is formed using a roll-to-roll glass soot deposition and sintering process. The glass sheet formation involves forming a first glass soot layer on a deposition surface of a soot-receiving device, removing the first glass soot layer from the deposition surface, and forming a second glass soot layer on the unsupported first glass soot layer. The resulting composite glass soot sheet is heated to form a sintered glass sheet. The glass sheet can be a substantially homogeneous glass sheet or a composite glass sheet having layer-specific attributes.

Abstract: An ultra-thin glass sheet is formed using a roll-to-roll glass soot deposition and sintering process. The sintering involves initially heating and sintering one or more central segments of a glass soot sheet, and progressively heating and sintering glass soot sheet segments that are located laterally or axially adjacent to previously-sintered segments such that, along respective width directions of the glass soot sheet, only a portion of the width is sintered at a given time interval during the heating.

Abstract: Methods of reinforcing a fibrous roller cladding material, reinforced roller cladding materials and clad lehr rollers wherein the cladding comprises a reinforced fibrous material are disclosed. The roller cladding material, which comprises a fiber board, is reinforced by a method comprising firstly contacting the cladding material with a fluid medium comprising a reinforcing agent whereby fluid is absorbed by the cladding material, and secondly, drying the cladding until the surface of the cladding is dry to the touch, characterized in that the reinforcing agent comprises a compound of phosphorus or a compound of boron. Roller cladding materials reinforced according to the methods disclosed have an improved resistance to cullet damage. The reinforced roller cladding material may be used as the cladding of a clad lehr roller, of the type used for example to convey flat glass in sheet or ribbon form.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing sheet glass having two faces, at least one of which has a high surface quality, the method comprising a treatment step wherein a stream of glass is contacted with a forming tool, and wherein a reversible adhesion force exists between the stream of glass and the forming tool after contacting. An apparatus is also disclosed for producing sheet glass according to the disclosed and various other methods of sheet glass manufacture, the apparatus comprising a forming tool having a means for controlling the temperature of at least a portion of the surface thereof.

Abstract: The present invention describes a roll for use in glass manufacture, especially non-dusting TFT glass. The roll may include a hollow fused silica cylinder. End caps are mechanically fixed to the roll. Pulling flats are fixed in place by inner and outer end plates. A compression fitting secures at least the outer end plate to the roll. The roll may be reinforced with an internal metal rod that is secured to the shaft by a plurality of supports. The supports accommodate differences in thermal expansion.

Abstract: A stabilizing system is described herein that reinforces a bowed profile of a downward moving glass sheet which helps to reduce the creation of stress within the glass sheet. In another embodiment, the stabilizing system can also form a rigid zone within the glass sheet which blocks or dampens any disturbances (motion) to the glass sheet that is caused by the scoring and separating of the glass sheet from transferring up the glass sheet. In yet another embodiment, the stabilizing system can also flatten the glass sheet before the scoring and separating of the glass sheet which is desirable because it enables a laser scoring mechanism to cut the glass sheet with the required edge straightness and avoids having to perform another precision cutting process.

Abstract: High quality plate glass free from surface defects, and excellent in macro thickness uniformity, flatness, and the like is manufactured by minimizing the part to be wasted. To that end, glass melt 4 from a melting furnace 1 is supplied between a gas ejection/discharge rotary roll 5 and a gas ejection/discharge concave support 6. The gas ejection/discharge rotary roll 5 has a large number of gas ejection holes each including a flow path having fluid resistance (e.g., vortex flow resistance) in the inside for supplying compression air, and a large number of gas decompression discharge holes each including the same flow path. The gas ejection/discharge concave support 6 has a large number of gas ejection holes for supplying compression air, each including the same flow path, and gas ordinary pressure discharge holes each communicated with the ordinary pressure release space.

Abstract: A pull roll apparatus and method are described herein that can control a cross-draw tension and a down-draw tension of a glass sheet while manufacturing the glass sheet. In one embodiment, the pull roll apparatus includes a first driven stub roll pair, a second driven stub roll pair and a control device (e.g., PLC) that controls the first and second driven stub roll pairs while a first edge portion of the glass sheet is drawn between two vertically downtilted rolls associated with the first driven stub roll pair and while an opposing second edge portion of the glass sheet is drawn between two vertically downtilted rolls associated with the second driven stub roll pair. If desired, the pull roll apparatus may include a pulling roll assembly (located below the first and second driven stub rolls) or another set of driven stub roll pairs (located below the first and second driven stub roll pairs).

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a curved glass sheet includes a disk roll conveyor and a roll conveyor set positioned downstream of the disk roll conveyor. The roll conveyor set has a plurality of roll conveyor units. In this apparatus, first and second adjusting devices are operable to provide the curved glass sheet with (a) a first conveyance route in which the disk roll conveyor and the roll conveyor set are in a horizontal position to provide a smooth horizontal conveyance surface or (b) a second conveyance route in which the disk roll conveyor is in a downward position and in which at least one roll conveyor unit at a downstream side of the roll conveyor set is in an upward position to provide a continuous concave conveyance surface.

Abstract: A pull roll assembly is described herein that is used to draw a glass sheet. The pull roll assembly includes a first roll assembly, a second roll assembly and a device (e.g., differential drive, sensor(s)). The device enables one to control the first and/or second roll assemblies based in part on pulling forces (e.g., glass contact normal force and/or required sheet pulling force) associated with a glass sheet while the glass sheet is being drawn between the first and second roll assemblies. A glass manufacturing system and method for using the pull roll assembly are also described herein.

Abstract: A pulling roll for glass manufacture comprised of a high-temperature millboard material. The millboard comprises aluminosilicate refractory fiber, silicate, mica, and kaolin clay. A method of manufacturing a pulling roll is disclosed, together with a roll produced by the methods disclosed herein. The method comprises forming a pulling roll and densifying at least a portion of the pulling roll by exposing to the pulling roll to high temperatures.

Abstract: A hot glass sheet roll assembly wheel (60) and resultant roll assembly utilizing such wheels includes an annular tire (64) having a central axis A, a synthetic resin rim (70) molded in situ within the tire, and a central formation (70) for supporting the wheel about the central axis A.

Abstract: A transparent substrate for a cover for a solar battery and a method for producing the same are presented. Hemispherical concave portions are formed in a surface of light entering side of a cover glass almost over the entire surface wherein the ratio d/D of the depth d of the central portion of each concave portion to the radius D of the opening of the concave portion is from 0.10 to 0.50 and the proportion of area occupied by a flat portion where no concave portion is formed in the surface of light entering side is not more than 40%.

Abstract: A device for supporting a ribbon of glass, having at least one roller arranged in an area of an underside of the ribbon of glass. In order to keep a ribbon of glass as free as possible of mechanical damage during production, at least one support device is assigned to the roller. With an actuating device the roller or the support device can selectively be contacted with the underside of the ribbon of glass, wherein the support device is in contact, at least in some areas, with the underside of the ribbon of glass by way of a gas cushion. The rollers are then employed at the start of production or after a ribbon of glass has snapped off in order to transmit an advancement force to the ribbon of glass.

Abstract: A roller table for supporting and transporting a hot glass strand. A plurality of rollers arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the transport direction of the glass strand are capable of being selectively rotated in the direction of transport of the glass strand. At least some of the rollers are sleeves, the casings of which are which are gas-permeable on at least a portion of their surfaces and the casings are provided with a supply of pressurized gas which is emitted through the openings of the gas-permeable surfaces.

Abstract: There is provided a plate-shaped member positioning apparatus comprising a conveyor for conveying a plate-shaped member, a positioner for contact with a front end of a conveyed plate-shaped member, a moving unit for moving the positioner along a conveyance direction of the plate-shaped member, and a controller for controlling operations of the conveyor and the moving unit; wherein the controller moves the plate-shaped member in the conveyance direction with the positioner kept in contact with the front end of the plate-shaped member, decelerates an advancing speed of the plate-shaped member and positions the plate-shaped member at a certain standby position.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a curved glass sheet includes a disk roll conveyor and a roll conveyor set positioned downstream of the disk roll conveyor. The roll conveyor set has a plurality of roll conveyor units. In this apparatus, first and second adjusting devices are operable to provide the curved glass sheet with (a) a first conveyance route in which the disk roll conveyor and the roll conveyor set are in a horizontal position to provide a smooth horizontal conveyance surface or (b) a second conveyance route in which the disk roll conveyor is in a downward position and in which at least one roll conveyor unit at a downstream side of the roll conveyor set is in an upward position to provide a continuous concave conveyance surface.

Abstract: A roller for use in plate glass manufacturing apparatus for making softened glass flow down like a belt from a melting furnace and hardening the softened glass meanwhile so as to work the softened glass into plate glass. The roller pinches the belt-like softened glass flowing down and moves the belt-like softened glass downward forcibly, or pinches the plate glass of the hardened belt-like softened glass and guides the plate glass downward. The roller includes a shaft longer than the full width of the belt-like softened glass or the plate glass, and pinching portions made of a heat-resistant material and provided to project over a predetermined width in positions of the shaft facing opposite end portions of the belt-like softened glass or the plate glass.

Abstract: A glass sheet 18 is heated to a forming temperature in a heating furnace 16, the heated glass sheet is conveyed along a conveying plane defined by a plurality of rollers of a roller conveyer 13, and is moved up and down on the rollers 12A to 12M according to the position of the glass sheet 18 to curve a part of the conveying plane with respect to the glass sheet conveying direction to bend the glass sheet 18 to have a desired curvature by its own weight. The rollers 12A to 12M are curved rollers.

Abstract: A control system for a refrigerator quick chill and thaw system comprises an electronic controller coupled to the operable components of a modular air handler for producing a convective airstream in a sealed pan for rapid chilling and safe thawing. The controller is configured to operate the air handler to execute a chill mode when selected by a user, operate the air handler to execute a thaw mode when selected by a user, adjust the air handler components for the selected chill mode or thaw mode, and maintain a constant temperature airstream in the pan to execute the selected chill mode or the thaw mode. Adaptive chill and thaw algorithms are executable by the controller in response to user input and temperature conditions inside the sealed pan.

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 roll-forming unit of a curved glass manufacturing apparatus includes a cooperating pair of upper and lower forming roll mechanisms. Each mechanism includes a forming roll having a resilient rod covered with a cover member except opposite end portions thereof, a pair of support members rotatably supporting the opposite end portions of the resilient rod while allowing the resilient rod to tilt about said support members, a bending unit coupled with at least one of the opposite end portions of the resilient rod for applying to the one end portion an external force tending to flex the forming roll into either an upwardly arched configuration or a downwardly arched configuration, and at least one backup roller unit being in rolling engagement with the forming roll to maintain the arched configuration of the forming roll.

Abstract: A variable radius bending apparatus is disclosed for bending a glass plate. The variable radius bending apparatus includes a bending rail having a longitudinal rail member and a drive drum and a tension drum rotatably attached thereto. A drive band is positioned around the drive drum and tension drum and in frictional engagement therewith. A plurality of rollers are in driven contact with the drive band and are tiltable to a desired bend radius for forming the desired bend radius in the glass plate. Finally, a band guide is fixedly attached to the bending rail and in juxtaposition with the drive band for preventing the drive band from moving transversely with respect to the drive drum and tension drum, whereby the band is prevented from contacting a surface adjacent to the band.

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: A process for forming a glass sheet, which is a process for continuously forming a glass sheet, and which comprises a step of introducing a vapor film-forming agent, which is not vapor at least around room temperature and which is vapor at a temperature above the glass transition point of the glass, into a support composed of a structure or a material capable of internally containing liquid, and a step of sliding the support and the glass of which temperature is above the glass transition point against each other via a thin layer of a vaporized vapor film-forming agent.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus for processing heated formed ferrous metal products and/or glass products made of a face centered cubic crystal intermetallic alloy of a metal aluminide having the property of withstanding repeated thermal cycling from ambient temperature to about 1600.degree. F. wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of a group VIII metal of the Periodic Table. Also described is an aluminide roll that also is characterized as retaining its ultimate tensile strength at 1600.degree. F. of at least 75% of the tensile strength the roll had at ambient room temperature.

Abstract: A glass ceramic or glass-ceramic sheet is formed by progressively reducing the thickness of the sheet by passing the sheet between successive pairs of counter-rotating rollers. The average viscosity of the sheet is maintained between 5.times.10.sup.4 and 10.sup.9 P during the sheet forming operation.

Abstract: A glass ceramic or glass-ceramic sheet is formed by progressively reducing the thickness of the sheet by passing the sheet between successive pairs of counterrotating rollers. The average viscosity of the sheet is maintained between 5.times.10.sup.4 and 10.sup.9 P during the sheet forming operation.

Abstract: Apparatus (22) and a method for positioning a heated glass sheet on rolls (26) on a conveyor (24) utilizes an air hearth (28) for supplying upwardly directed pressurized air and an elevator (32) for providing relative movement between the rolls and the air hearth for either the conveyance or floating of the glass sheet over the rolls to allow a positioner (36) to position the heated glass sheet while out of engagement with the rolls. The air hearth (28) has stationary supports (38) and the elevator (32) has cam actuators (42) that move the rolls (26) of the roll conveyor (24) vertically with respect to the stationary air hearth between raised and lowered positions to provide either the roll conveyance or floated glass sheet positioning.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for delivering a newly formed floating glass sheet from a molten metal bath container (22) includes a topside support device (45) located adjacent the delivery end of the bath container and having a downwardly facing surface (80) with a first set of openings (82) through which a vacuum is drawn and a second set of openings (84) through which pressurized gas is supplied to support the glass sheet strip upon delivery from the molten metal bath (24). The bath container (22) with which the apparatus is disclosed as being used has a linear induction motor (24) that permits horizontal delivery without bath overflowing. The apparatus (20) also includes a gas support (34) and a drive roll (42) that cooperate with each other. The gas support (34) supports the horizontally delivered glass sheet strip by upwardly directed pressurized gas delivered between lateral edge portions (38) of the strip at a location immediately adjacent the bath container (22).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for conveying a glass sheet (12) disclosed includes an air floatation glass sheet heating furnace (14) having a downwardly sloping heating bed (15). The furnace (14) includes an endless conveyor means (18) revolvable in situ and a plurality of restraining bars (20) supported by the conveyor means (18) and revolving with the conveyor means (18). The restraining bars (20) are movable sequentially adjacent the heating bed (15) and away from the heating bed (15) while revolving with the conveyor means (18).

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for delivering a newly formed floating glass sheet from a molten metal bath container (22) including a linear induction motor (24) that permits horizontal delivery without bath overflow is disclosed as including a gas support (34) and a drive roll (42) that cooperate with each other. The gas support (34) supports the horizontally delivered glass sheet strip by upwardly directed pressurized gas delivered between lateral edge portions (38) of the strip at a location immediately adjacent the bath container (22). The drive roll (42) is located downstream from the molten metal bath (24) and has spaced drive portions (44) that rotatively drive the lateral edge portions (38) of the glass sheet strip without the drive roll engaging the strip between the spaced drive portions. Gas support (34) preferably includes a first manifold (46) that supplies an upwardly directed inert gas and also preferably includes a second manifold (50) that supplies products of combustion from a gas burner.

Abstract: In order to avoid deformation of a transport roller due to temperature differences in glass cooling passages, the cylindrical or tubular center part of the roller, arranged between two trunnions, is axially displaceable relative to the trunnions.

Abstract: An adjustable roll forming arrangement for shaping heat softened glass sheets. Each end of a series of transversely curved, longitudinally spaced forming rolls are mounted on first and second longitudinally extending flexible members. The members may be adjusted so that each roll end is positioned along a desired longitudinal radius of curvature that can be modified by flexing the flexible member.

Abstract: A method of producing heat strengthened glass in which the glass is heated to a temperature above its strain point and is then cooled while horizontally supported. Discontinuous support is provided for the glass as it is cooled by intermittent regional contact with the lower surface of the glass, whereby any pattern of iridescence resulting from heat transfer between the lower glass surface and the support is free of prominent continuous features. A glass treatment furnace for producing heat strengthened glass, has horizontal glass-supporting rollers and cooling-flow supply means in the vicinity of those rollers, the bearing surface of each roller comprising discontinuous bearing elements which provide intermittent regional support contact with the lower surface of the glass.

Abstract: The invention relates to bending of glass plates moving in a horizontal position, under the effect of their own weight, with a device comprising a shaping bed made of rotating shaping elements whose surfaces in contact with the glass plates, as they advance, define increasingly curved generatrices, these shaping elements being carried by a frame that can be inclined by pivoting around a transverse axis located at its upstream end. The frame is mounted on pivoting axes (XX', YY', ZZ') that are adjustable in height. Particular zones of the glass plates can be kept at a constant level during bending, which improves the optical quality of the glass plates thus bent.

Abstract: A roll forming apparatus for shaping heat-softened glass sheets into a configuration having a longitudinal radius of curvature that varies in a direction transverse to the glass sheet. Opposing ends of each forming roll are mounted along continuous arcuate paths defining two different longitudinal radii. Quenching rolls are mounted downstream of the forming rolls with each opposing end mounted along a continuation of the corresponding longitudinal radii.

Abstract: In a rolling machine for continuously manufacturing rolled plates of glass or glass ceramics, in which the two shaping rolls can be changed during operation without interrupting the flow of glass, the two shaping rolls together with at least one replacement roll are disposed in a respective change-over device rotatable around a shaft which is symmetrical relative to all the rolls. To enable both shaping rolls to be rapidly changed during operation, the change-over device for the top shaping roll has a device for rapidly raising and lowering the change-over device and thus raising or lowering the top shaping rolls.

Abstract: A roller construction is described for use in glass bending apparatus employing an array of curved rods. A tubular sheath is rotatably mounted on a curved rod. The sheath comprises a tubular metal winding that is coaxial with the rod and a coaxial metal meshing adjacent either the inner or outer surface of the winding. Such a sheath provides both good torsional resistance and flexibility in the axial direction. When an array of such curved rods is used to define a cylindrical surface in glass bending apparatus, heated glass sheets may be bent on such array to conform their curvature to the surface defined by the rods.