Abstract: An apparatus for bending and tempering glass sheets includes a roll conveyor for supporting a glass sheet, the glass sheet having a top and a bottom surface. The roll conveyor includes a plurality of vertically movable rolls for arching the conveyor to a curvature corresponding to a desired degree of bending in the glass sheet. The rolls each have two opposed ends, and at least some of the rolls being deflectable such that at least mid-sections thereof are movable relative to a vertical position of ends thereof. The apparatus further includes a plurality of movable press rollers disposed above the rolls. The press rollers are movable in a vertical direction to apply a pressing force to the top surface of the glass sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping heat softened glass sheets includes a shaping station to receive a heat softened glass sheet to be shaped, first and second transfer stations positioned along opposing sides of the shaping station, and first and second cooling stations positioned adjacent a corresponding transfer station. An upper vacuum mold having first and second downwardly facing, shaped sheet engaging surfaces moves between the transfer stations and within the shaping station. The sheet engaging surfaces of the vacuum mold each have a shaped configuration generally corresponding to a final desired shaped of a glass sheet to be shaped. Heat softened glass sheets are positioned within the shaping station and moved into engagement with one of the sheet engaging surfaces to shape the sheet. Vacuum is drawn along the sheet engaging surface to hold the shaped sheet thereagainst.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bending a sheet of material heated to a formable, state such as glass, resinous polymeric material, viscoelastic material, and thermoplastic material, provides an improved pressing member for pressing the heated sheet against a first rigid mold which reduces the size of the buckles in the bent sheet, eliminates the need for a second rigid mold, reduces the process control steps, reduces the risk of damaging the rigid mold, increases the tolerances for the positioning of the sheet in the apparatus, and increases the range of application. The pressing member includes a flexible diaphragm which rolls the heated sheet against a rigid mold by first applying a pressure to a portion of the heated sheet and then radiating the pressure from that portion to the remaining surface area of the heated sheet in a rolling action. The bending apparatus includes a rigid mold and a flexible diaphragm pressurized into a convex shape for initially pressing on a portion of the heated sheet.

Abstract: A furnace for molding glass blanks includes a housing having a series of electrical heating stations and a rotary door adapted to receive glass blanks for processing. The furnace also includes a rotary turntable for receiving the glass blanks and a steering coil positioned to direct the glass blanks in a spiral pattern as they are heated at the electrical stations, a paddling platform for manual shaping, and a pressing station for pressing the glass blanks into a predetermined configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement for shaping multiple sheets of heat softenable material which includes a shaping station and a conveying system to deliver a plurality of heat softened sheets into the shaping station. The shaping station includes an upper vacuum mold having a plurality of downwardly facing sheet shaping surfaces each generally conforming to a desired shape of a sheet to be shaped and a plurality of stops positioned below the upper mold such that each of the sheets is aligned below a corresponding one of the upper mold sheet shaping surfaces when the sheet contacts selected stops. Lower molds are positioned below the upper mold sheet shaping surfaces to lift and press the aligned sheets against the upper mold sheet shaping surfaces to shape the sheets. A vacuum is drawn along the upper mold sheet shaping surfaces to secure the sheets to the upper mold and shape the sheets.

Abstract: In press molding, a shaft (metal mold 13) is moved by positional or torque control to cause upper and lower molds to reach a set position slightly before a position where the upper and lower molds are set in a final mold closed state. As soon as the upper and lower molds reaches the set position, the control is switched to torque control using a small force which does not deform a glass material to perform feedback control. For this reason, when the cooling process is started, the mobile shaft is moved by the same amount as a contraction amount of the shaft, the actual position of the shaft is moved. However, a tight contact state between the molds and the glass material is kept without changing the thickness of the glass material, and positional control and torque control can be apparently performed at once. Thereafter, when temperature reaches an almost glass transition point, final pressing is performed.

Abstract: A solid workpiece, e.g. a glass tube, is shaped by a focussed beam of visible light or light in an adjacent portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in a material removal, cutting or drilling operation and is heat-treated or remelted or shaped in a plastic state by heating that second beam which is less focussed or even divergent. The beams derive from a common source, a CO.sub.2 laser, and pass through a splitting deflecting system so that the beams can be directed simultaneously either parallel to one another or with an inclination to one another at the same or different regions of the workpiece which is held in a holder capable of both rotating the workpiece and translating same.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing an optical element capable of performing a molding temperature control required for a plurality of independent molding blocks in a short period of time, and continuously and simultaneously producing a plurality of different optical elements having a high degree of accuracy at a low cost is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dividing laminated glass, especially two-pane laminated glass, comprising two, plate-shaped supports for the glass sheet in which one of the supports is rigidly attached in the machine from and the other support is mounted to swivel around a horizontal axis located in the area between the supports. Cutting tools can be moved in the abutting area between the two supports for scratching the laminated glass on both sides. A blade used for splitting the plastic film located between the two glass panes is mounted on a holder slide which can swivel around a horizontal axle which is aligned in a direction of movement of the holder slide.

Abstract: Glass sheet bending apparatus (20) including at least one deformable mold (22) has a linkage (26) that extends between mold members (24) and includes connector links (28) fixed to the mold members and having pivotal connections (32) to each other about axes that extend parallel to the glass sheet throughout the bending, and the linkage also has control links (34) that have pivotal connections (36) about axes that extend perpendicular to the glass sheet throughout the bending as well as having universal connections (38) to each other such that the linkage moves the mold members for bending with a constant radius of curvature. The bending apparatus (20) preferably has a pair of the deformable molds (22,44) that are arranged in lower and upper locations and have respective linkages (26,48) as well as having the mold members (24,46) thereof provided with quench openings (66) through which quenching gas is supplied to quench the bent glass sheet for heat strengthening or tempering.

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: A spout forming assembly for glassware and a method therefor in which the assembly includes a spout forming device for forming a pour spout on the edge of a piece of glassware, an actuation device for actuating the forming device, and a control device for controlling the actuation device. The method generally includes the steps of: (a) moving a piece of glassware having an edge along a predetermined path; (b) heating the edge; and (c) engaging the edge with forming means to form a spout on the edge of the glassware.

Abstract: Converged laser beam are irradiated, at right angles, to the surface of a workpiece which is made of glass and supported in a horizontal posture, so that the surface of the workpiece is locally heated and melted. The surface of the workpiece is formed into a convexly curved surface under the effect of surface tension occurrable to the glass material at the time the surface of the workpiece is melted. By hardening the workpiece, a micro lens having the convexly curved surface is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a decorative pattern on glassware having an edge that includes a base, a forming tool, actuation means and control means. The forming tool is mounted on the base. The tool is moveable between a first position and a second position. The tool engages the edge of the glassware at the second position to form the decorative pattern on the edge. The actuation and control means move the tool from the first position to the second position. The method of the invention includes the steps of (a) moving the glassware along a predetermined path; (b) heating the edge; and (c) engaging the edge with a forming tool as the tool is being moved along the predetermined path to form the decorative pattern on the edge of the glassware.

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: A transfer device for bent glass sheets during the course of automated production of motor vehicle glass windows on a production line with continuous furnace, bending press, toughening station and device for onward conveyance of the toughened glass sheets. The transfer device operates between the bending press and the toughening station. The transfer device is a shuttle transfer device whose shuttle is guided on shuttle guide rails. The shuttle guide rails are supported statically on the one hand on the press frame of the bending press and on the other hand on the station frame of the toughening station as beams on two supports or as continuous beams. The shuttle incorporates a shuttle frame as well as a shuttle ring mounted therein and the shuttle frame is guided on the shuttle guide rails by means of a shuttle frame mounting which movable on the shuttle guide rails. The shuttle ring is adjustable in relation to the shuttle frame mounting and thus in relation to the male bending mold.

Abstract: A glass sheet bending method is performed by apparatus (20) including at least one deformable mold (22) has a linkage (26) that extends between mold members (24) and includes connector links (28) fixed to the mold members and having pivotal connections (32) to each other about axes that extend parallel to the glass sheet throughout the bending, and the linkage also has control links (34) that have pivotal connections (36) about axes that extend perpendicular to the glass sheet throughout the bending as well as having universal connections (38) to each other such that the linkage moves the mold members for bending with a constant radius of curvature. The bending apparatus (20) preferably has a pair of the deformable molds (22,44) that are arranged in lower and upper locations and have respective linkages (26,48) as well as having the mold members (24,46) thereof provided with quench openings (66) through which quenching gas is supplied to quench the bent glass sheet for heat strengthening or tempering.

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: Glass sheet bending apparatus (20) including at least one deformable mold (22) has a linkage (26) that extends between mold members (24) and includes connector links (28) fixed to the mold members and having pivotal connections (32) to each other about axes that extend parallel to the glass sheet throughout the bending, and the linkage also has control links (34) that have pivotal connections (36) about axes that extend perpendicular to the glass sheet throughout the bending as well as having universal connections (38) to each other such that the linkage moves the mold members for bending with a constant radius of curvature. The bending apparatus (20) preferably has a pair of the deformable molds (22,44) that are arranged in lower and upper locations and have respective linkages (26,48) as well as having the mold members (24,46) thereof provided with quench openings (66) through which quenching gas is supplied to quench the bent glass sheet for heat strengthening or tempering.

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 present invention provides a glass sheet shaping arrangement whereby a glass sheet may be conveyed through a shaping station without being shaped and deposited into a glass collector beneath an upstream portion of the adjacent quench without impacting the lower quench or interfering with the operation of the quench. A furnace, shaping station and cooling station are all linearly aligned so that a glass sheet progresses through the glass sheet shaping arrangement without changing its advancing direction. A glass sheet is conveyed in a first direction along a first generally horizontal plane through the furnace to heat the sheet to its heat softening temperature. The sheet continues into the shaping station where it is lifted into engagement with an upper vacuum surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending and tempering station for glass sheets, comprising an archable roll conveyor and upper and lower tempering boxes (5, 7) provided with tempering orifices (8, 6). The upper tempering boxes (7) are fitted with a number of press rollers (11) having a top rest position and a bottom working position. The rollers (11) are capable of moving against the force of a pneumatic spring (17) from the working position towards the rest position. The pneumatic spring (17) can be further used for operating the rollers (11) between the working position and the rest position.

Abstract: The installation for curving and tempering a glass sheet (1) comprises a first series (3) of shaping members (20) exhibiting a surface (3a) intended to come into contact with one of the faces of the glass sheet (1) and a second series (4) of members including a central surface portion (5) to which at least one movable part (6, 7) is attached. First adjustment devices (10, 11, 12) enable the profile of the surface (3a) of the first series (3) of members (20) to be modified, jacks (8) control the movement of the movable part (6, 7) of the second series (4) of members in a curve parallel to the profile of the surface (3a) of the first series (3) of members (20), and second adjustment devices are suitable for modifying the profile of the central surface portion (5) of the second series of members (4).

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 production installation for the contact toughening of glass sheets comprises a horizontal furnace for heating the glass sheets, a press containing two liquid-cooled pressing plates, a feed apparatus for transferring the heated glass sheets into the press and a removal apparatus for removing the toughened glass sheets out of the press. To the lower pressing plate, a solids-transmitted sound pick-up is coupled which, if a glass sheet breaks in the press, supplies an electrical signal. From this signal, after suitable processing of the signal, the control device is triggered, and as a result thereof interrupts the process sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for bending and tempering a glass sheet. From a preheating furnace a glass sheet is advanced into a positioning and bending station supported by a gas bed between the stations. In the positioning and bending station the glass sheet is lifted by a ring mold from a gas bed and the glass sheet is heated for gravitational bending to close to a final profile. The glass sheet is pressed to its final profile or shape by an overhead press plate, which also serves as a vacuum pickup for carrying the bent glass sheet into a station for heating for tempering. After tempering, the glass sheet is advanced into a quenching station.

Abstract: Glass bottles and other food containers or serving pieces are provided that are stronger and safer to use than present like articles, and that may easily and safely be caused to break into granules thereby reducing the bulk or volume of the used pieces. The granulation may be done at the point of consumption or use, thereby reducing storage space and bulk transportation costs. The granules are ecologically correct, innocuous as waste, and have a low litter profile.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process are disclosed for manufacturing glass sheets of a complex form for vehicles. The apparatus includes a roller heating oven, a supporting air bed in a shaping section, a shaping ring for conveying the sheet of glass in a vertical direction toward an upper shaping mold, and a ring for conveying the sheet of glass horizontally toward a tempering station. The air bed is formed with frustoconical nozzles of such a size as to enable the shaping ring to pass through them so as to be movable to a position beneath its floating position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process as disclosed for manufacturing a glass sheet having a complex form for vehicles. The apparatus includes a roller heating oven, a supporting air bed in a shaping section, and a shaping ring for conveying the glass first to an upper shaping mold and then to a tempering station. The air bed is formed with fustoconical nozzles of such a size as to enable the ring to pass through them and to be placed beneath the a floating plane of the glass. The ring undergoes a first vertical movement to lift the glass toward the shaping mold and a second horizontal movement to convey the glass to the tempering station.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending/tempering glass sheets raised to their softening point with a view to their bending and tempering includes an upper plate mold and a lower annular mold on which the glass sheets are deformed, and with respect to which the edge of glass sheets move as a result of their deformation, particularly by horizontal pressing between the upper bending mold and the lower mold. The bent sheets are thermally tempered in air on the same annular mold in a tempering station. This annular mold is designed in such a way that its contact surface with the glass sheets at the start of their deformation on the mold, being located on the outer periphery of the mold, is appropriate for the mark-free displacement of the glass on the mold and in particular for pressing, and so that at the end of displacement, and in particular at the end of pressing, the contact surface located on the inner periphery of said mold is appropriate for tempering.

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: A heated sheet of glass discharged from a heating furnace is lifted by a ring mold until it is held against a fully continuous lower molding surface of a bent shape of an upper mold. After the sheet of glass is held against the lower molding surface by the ring mold, a vacuum is developed in the upper mold to attract the sheet of glass to the lower molding surface through suction holes defined in the lower molding surface. Thereafter, the ring mold is lowered away from the upper mold to allow the sheet of glass to be bent by the lower molding surface while the sheet of glass is being attracted thereto only under the vacuum developed in the upper mold. The sheet of glass is continuously attracted under the vacuum to the lower molding surface until the sheet of glass is annealed.

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: A continuous furnace (straight-through furnace) for heating glass panes to their curving and/or toughening temperature is constructed as a circular furnace and comprises an annular, horizontal hot gas support bed (3). On this annular hot gas support bed (3) the glass panes are carried, each by means of a template (56) of heat-resistant metal plate, also floating on the hot gas support bed (3), in a circuit from the feed station (6) to the discharge station (7). The templates (56) are each mounted on the arms (17) of a star-type turntable (16) concentrically to the support bed (3). At the discharge station (7) the glass panes, heated to bending and/or toughening temperature, are removed from the furnace by means of a radially traversable suction plate (42) and transferred into a bending and/or toughening device disposed laterally alongside the furnace.

Abstract: Glass sheets are heated to their heat softening temperature and transferred to a shaping station having an upper vacuum mold with a downwardly facing shaping surface corresponding to the desired shape of the glass sheet. The glass sheet is lifted into engagement with the shaping surface and held thereagainst by vacuum. The mold and the glass sheet are then moved to a transfer station and the vacuum is released to deposit the shaped glass sheet onto a contoured conveying surface which generally conforms to the shaped glass sheet. The glass sheet is deposited onto the contoured conveying surface as it is moving from the shaping station to the transfer station to impart movement in the glass sheet along the contoured conveying surface and minimize marring of the glass sheet as it contacts the contoured conveying surface.

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 production line for curved panes, in which the panes of glass are heated, brought in a horizontal position into a curving station where they are taken over by curving tools, and then finally conveyed into a quenching station, the stages of quenching and of entry of the glass into the curving station being at different heights.

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: An installation for the heating, forming and tempering of glass sheets (8) comprises a furnace (1) for heating glass sheets, at least one forming chamber (4), called a standard forming chamber, and a chamber for tempering the glass sheets, and a series of parallel rotary rollers for supporting the glass sheets and for moving them in the furnace (1) and towards the chambers. The installation further comprises at least one second forming chamber (5), called a deep-forming chamber, in which the forming of the glass sheets is carried out by pressing these on a convex lower surface. Between the furnace (1) and the forming chambers (4, 5) there is provided a turnover chamber (3) comprising a table rotatably mounted for turning over the glass sheets (8) before they are introduced into the second forming chamber (5). The invention is used especially in the production of glazings for motor vehicles.

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: The present invention provides a heating, bending and cooling system for glass, which comprises a horizontally-standing bending mold located in an oven. The mold includes two or more hollow supporting elements which are separated from each other. At least one of the ends of each of the supporting elements extends out of the chamber of the oven through a plate. The upper part of the chamber of the oven includes at least one hollow upper element which acts as a heating and cooling element which can be lowered to a position above the supporting elements. The supporting elements not only support a glass sheet placed thereon but also bend the glass sheet when it is heated. The supporting elements also act as heating elements and cooling elements. In addition, the supporting elements are oscillated to keep the surfaces of the supporting elements touching the glass in constant motion.

Abstract: An apparatus of producing an optical glass element of the present invention comprises the steps of displacing a gob of optical glass on a first heat working jig to a second heat working jig by making the gob of optical glass to adhere to the second heat working jig on the basis of the difference in wettability with high temperature glass between the first heat working jig and the second heat working jig, thermally deforming the gob of optical glass on the second heat working jig to form an optical glass preform, and forming the optical glass preform under heating and pressure by using pressing moulds to form an optical glass element.

Abstract: A bending furnace for glazings comprises several heating cells, a station for bending by pressing, at least one cooling cell and a system for intermittent transport of glazings. The glazings are laid on bending rings (2), mounted on mobile carriages (3), coupled to one another in a train. The train is pulled by a pulling machine installed at the end of the furnace and outside the latter. The point of application of the pulling machine which moves carriages (3) and the length of the travel of this pulling machine are controlled as a function of the temperature to take into account the variation of length of the train. The precise positioning of the carriage in the pressing station is obtained by a detector (27) joined to pivoting stops (28, 36).

Abstract: Glass plates for a laminated glass are bent and strengthened by provisionally shaping by heating two overlapping glass plates placed on a deadweight bending mold having a shaping surface by elevating the temperature to a temperature capable of bending glass and by locally heating side portions of the two overlapping glass plates to be deeply bent at a higher temperature in a heating/pressing stage so that the two overlapping glass plates are provisionally shaped by their own deadweight into a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the shaping surface of the bending mold, pressing a portion of the two overlapping glass plates to be deeply bent from the top by a pressing member after the provisional shaping step in a heating/pressing stage, separating the two overlapping glass plates from the bending mold by pushing up the portion of the glass plates other than the deeply bent peripheral portion of the two overlapping glass plates thereby cooling the peripheral portion of the glass plates in a periph

Abstract: A process and device for obtaining bent-tempered motor vehicle glazings exhibiting a greatly bent marginal zone comprises a glass sheet heated in a furnace and shaped by pressing the glass sheet between a solid upper form and a bending frame, of which at least one side part is bent during pressing. The side part is covered with an elastically deformable felt material and is removed from the glass sheet during tempering, while the main part of the glass sheet remains supported by the bending frame which also serves as a tempering frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending a glass sheet has a heating zone for heating the glass sheet, a shaping zone for shaping the glass sheet, and a cooling zone for cooling the glass sheet. A transfer zone for transferring the glass sheet is disposed immediately before the shaping zone with respect to the direction in which the glass sheet is fed. The glass sheet is fed through the transfer zone, the shaping zone, and the cooling zone by a ring mold mechanism which supports the glass sheet from below.

Abstract: A heating oven is provided for processing glass materials from which optical waveguide fibers are prepared. The oven includes a vertically oriented, elongated cylindrical muffle for receiving the glass material which is to be processed. The supporting structure for the upper end of the muffle is thermally independent of the supporting structure for the remainder of the oven. In this way, the expansion and contraction of the muffle can be compensated for independently of the expansion and contraction of the oven's main support frame.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for molding glass articles. A first pressing of glass preform within a mold is carried out at a first pressing position, when the glass preform has its viscosity within a range of from 10.sup.8 to 10.sup.9.5 poises. The mold having accommodated therein the pressed glass is transferred from the first pressing position to a second pressing position where a second pressing is carried out with respect to the pressed glass within the mold when the pressed glass has its viscosity within a range of from 10.sup.10.5 to 10.sup.12 poises.