Abstract: Heat-softened glass sheets are held by a flat vacuum platen and dropped onto a shaping mold to impart the desired curvature to the glass sheet.

Abstract: Heat softened glass sheets are held by a flat vacuum platen, portions of the glass sheet are pre-shaped by auxiliary shaping means while the glass sheet is being held, and then the glass sheet is dropped onto a shaping mold to impart the complete desired curvature to the glass sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping a glass sheet to a complicated shape including a pair of sharply bent areas extending across its transverse dimension and a substantially spherically sagged portion intermediate the areas of sharp bending.

Abstract: In a drop forming process for shaping glass sheets, wherein a glass sheet is dropped from a flat vacuum platen onto a shaping mold, the final curvature of the glass is controlled by releasing a portion of the glass sheet from the platen prior to releasing the remainder of the glass sheet.

Abstract: Spacer elements affixed to the face of a flat vacuum platen induce a temporary reverse bow in a heat softened glass sheet held on the platen. The bowing is in the opposite direction from that of the final curvature, so that when the glass sheet is subsequently dropped onto a shaping mold the resulting sag in at least one direction is reduced.

Abstract: The flat glass sheet to be curved, which is at softening temperature, is advanced in a horizontal position on a curved bed formed by a series of flexible shaping rolls including coiled springs having progressively increasing degrees of curvature such that as the sheet moves thereon it will be caused to bend under its own weight to gradually assume the curvature of the shaping rolls. The shaping rolls are provided with end sections which are angularly adjustable to independently alter the degree of curvature of the rolls. The shaping bed is followed by a second bed formed of flexible rolls having a constant curvature on which the curved sheet is supported and subjected to a tempering and or cooling procedure. Means is also provided for driving the rolls of the shaping bed and the rolls of the second bed to move the glass sheets forwardly at a constant speed.

Abstract: This invention relates to tempering curved, hot glass sheets supported with their concavely shaped major surfaces facing a first set of pipe-type nozzles and their convexly shaped major surfaces facing a second set of bar-type nozzle housings while tempering medium is applied simultaneously under pressure against said major surfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in handling glass sheets during shaping. Each glass sheet in turn is heated to its deformation temperature and conveyed into a glass shaping station. The glass is lifted into engagement with an upper vacuum shaping mold while hot and held against the vacuum shaping mold by vacuum as the glass lifting mechanism retracts downward. A transfer and tempering ring-like member having an outline supporting surface conforming to and slightly inside the periphery of the bent glass sheet is brought into a position below the upper vacuum shaping mold. The vacuum on the upper mold is released to deposit the shaped glass sheet on the ring-like member. In case the outline of the glass sheet is irregular, the shaped glass may become tilted as it falls toward the ring-like member and be deposited in a misaligned position relative to said ring-like member.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for press bending glass sheets to special configurations including a press member of outline or ring-type construction having at least one shaping pad mounted for limited floating movement within the outline of the shaping ring for imparting a specially configurated curvature to the glass sheet. The shaping pad is provided with a cover of suitable material maintained in a wrinkle-free condition along both the length and width of the pad. Means are provided for adjusting the vertical disposition of portions of the pad.

Abstract: An accent line is produced in a glass sheet by pressing a rod-shaped member against the glass sheet as it is being press bent. The rod-shaped member may be heated electrically or by passage through a furnace along with the glass sheet.

Abstract: An automatic system and process of shaping and tempering glass pieces comprising reception of a flow of heated glass pieces between upper transverse drive rollers and lower transverse drive rollers, driving and shaping the heated glass pieces between the upper rollers and lower rollers, circulating and deforming the glass pieces alternately between upper and lower positions of the upper and lower rollers, directing an air current upon the glass pieces at the moment the glass pieces circulate in the space between the upper and lower rollers, and discharging the shaped pieces from between the upper and lower rollers.

Abstract: An accent line is produced in a glass sheet by pressing a tubular member against the glass sheet as it is being press bent. The tubular member is heated by passing hot fluid, e.g., air, therethrough.

Abstract: Glass sheets are brought into accurate alignment with bending means while horizontally disposed by urging the glass sheets into contact with a contoured line of abutment. Some embodiments permit simultaneous aligning of a plurality of glass sheets side-by-side.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method disclosed for use in bending heated sheets of glass (G) transported generally horizontally on a conveyor (16) within a furnace heating chamber incorporate a holder (20) located above the conveyor in a spaced relationship such that a heated sheet of glass can be transported under the holder. Gas such as air is blown upwardly from below the conveyor against the heated sheet of glass such that the sheet is moved upwardly into engagement with the holder. The upwardly blown gas is provided by an array of gas jet pumps (60) positioned below the conveyor. A mold ring (44) is then movable under the holder to receive the glass sheet for bending. Holder (20) is disclosed as including curved and planar surfaces and as including curved and planar rings. A vacuum may be drawn with the holder embodiments having the surfaces so as to assist the upwardly blown gas in lifting the sheet of glass off the conveyor.

Abstract: An improved glass bending device is disclosed for bending and conveying glass sheets. The glass bending device includes a rod having a curved portion, a rotary tubular member engaged about the rod, and a plurality of rings disposed between the rod and the tubular member. In the improvement, the rotary tubular member has internal threading, a plurality of annular support means having external threading are disposed along spaced locations within the tubular member in mating relation with the internal threading thereof, and each of the rings are affixed within one of the annular support means.

Abstract: A process for making a convex sheet of glass having a substantial bent portion of small radius of curvature comprising vertically suspending a heated flat sheet of glass between two molds having matching center elements and matching jointed elements mounted on the center elements for movement about an axis, moving the molds together to confine the sheet and moving the jointed elements with respect to the center elements to bend a portion of the heated sheet.A device for making a convex sheet of glass having a bent portion of small radius of curvature including a female mold and a male mold adapted to engage a vertically suspended sheet of glass therebetween and where the molds have matching center elements and at least one set of two matching jointed elements connected to the center elements and including means for moving the joined elements of a set about an axis to bend a portion of the sheet.

Abstract: A system (10) and method disclosed for use in bending glass incorporate a vacuum holder (12) having a surface (28) with spaced openings (32) in which a vacuum is drawn to support a heated sheet of glass (G) and in which pressurized gas is subsequently supplied to force the glass sheet away from the holder surface. In one embodiment, operation of a control damper (24) initially communicates a vacuum blower (20) with the holder and subsequently communicates a positive pressure air blower (22) therewith to first draw the vacuum and then supply the pressurized air to the openings in the surface which is disclosed facing downwardly. During an intermediate step, the damper is positioned so that a reduced vacuum is drawn to prevent deformation of the heated glass sheet at the spaced openings in the holder surface. In an alternative embodiment, a gas jet pump (90) is used to produce the positive and vacuum pressures used in the practice of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to the handling of glass sheets that are supported by a conveyor along their bottom edges and balanced in an upright position for movement through a furnace, a shaping station and a cooling area. Means are provided to temporarily lift the glass sheet so that its entire extent is aligned with the facing shaping surfaces of a pair of shaping molds during shaping and returned to the bottom edge supporting conveyor which conveys the shaped glass sheet into the cooling area after it is shaped. Such treatment improves the contour of the bottom edge of the shaped glass sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to shaping glass sheets and particularly to a mold capable of shaping glass sheets having many different outline shapes but bent to the same radius of curvature. Such molds have dimensions larger than those of a family of windows of a given radius of curvature but different outline shapes. Such molds need not be removed or replaced until such time as production requirements call for bent windows having a different radius of curvature.A specific embodiment of this invention is provided with a series of transversely extending grooves that extend completely across the entire width of the shaping mold and have sufficient width and depth to permit clearance for raising the mold above a horizontal path of glass sheet travel defined by spaced conveyor rolls. The grooves have a maximum width of one inch (25.4 millimeters) and are separated by a minimum distance approximating the width of said grooves.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in handling glass sheets during shaping and cooling. Each glass sheet in turn is heated to its deformation temperature and conveyed into a glass shaping station. The glass is lifted into engagement with an upper vacuum shaping mold while hot and held against the vacuum shaping mold by vacuum as the glass lifting mechanism retracts downward. A transfer and tempering ring-like member having stop means upstream of an outline supporting surface conforming to and slightly inside the periphery of the bent glass sheet is brought into a position where its stop means are slightly misaligned upstream of the trailing edge of the glass sheet. The vacuum on the upper mold is released to deposit the shaped glass sheet on the ring-like member.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for handling glass sheets during shaping and cooling, and in particular to a ring-like member having stop means spaced upstream of an outline supporting surface conforming to and slightly inside the periphery of a bent glass sheet supported thereon to define a position for engaging the trailing edge of the glass sheet while conveying the latter in a downstream direction from a shaping station to a cooling station. The ring-like member has a pair of downstream end portions that are transversely spaced from one another to provide a clearance space to permit the ring-like member to begin to return in an upstream direction to the shaping station before the shaped glass sheet is transferred to a position completely downstream of the ring-like member.

Abstract: A quick connect-disconnect coupling assembly detachably connecting the inner core member of a composite type conveyor roll to its mounting. The coupling assembly includes a tubular drive extension, a first coupling section rigidly secured to the core member and a second coupling section mounted within the drive extension.

Abstract: The edge portion of a plate glass is locally heated to a temperature higher than that in the other portion of the plate glass, after the whole of the plate glass is heated. Electric current is thereafter applied to the edge portion of the plate glass in order to further heat the edge portion so that the edge of the plate glass is slightly melted.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for shaping glass sheets to V-bends along a curved line of bending.

Abstract: Heat-softened glass sheets are shaped to either simple or compound bends while being continuously conveyed by means of forming rolls having transverse curvature, wherein, in at least the first portion of the bending station, the force of gravity alone causes the glass sheets to sag into substantial conformity with the transverse curvature of the forming rolls. Support for each glass sheet is gradually transferred from straight conveyor rolls to curved forming rolls without vertically reciprocating the rolls. Optionally, at the exit end of the forming station, a set of upper forming rolls having transverse curvature complementary to that of the lower forming rolls may be provided to assure close conformance to the desired curvature. Compound bends may be formed by providing the path defined by the lower forming rolls with a concave curvature in the direction of glass travel.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus in a glass heat treating operation for removing a horizontally disposed sheet from a horizontal glass processing line and reorienting it into a substantially vertical plane for final processing in a vertically oriented quench operation. The transfer apparatus constitutes a pivotal end section of a horizontal conveyor system and is adapted to be equipped with glass bending fixtures.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for press bending and tempering thin glass sheets. The sheet is heated in a furnace to a temperature sufficient to effect deformation thereof, is kept heated in a holding area immediately after the sheet has left the furnace and is then bent by being sandwiched between the press bending members and quenched.

Abstract: This invention relates to shaping and quenching glass sheets by roll forming to either simple or compound curvatures comprising a longitudinal component of curvature about an axis of bending transverse to a path of movement by a controlled, repeatable program of roll forming without causing the glass sheets to stop their forward movement during their shaping. A series of glass sheets are heated and then rapidly cooled while conveyed along a path defined by a conveyor system comprising longitudinally spaced rotating rolls. The path includes a longitudinally curved portion that imparts a longitudinal component of curvature to the glass sheets after the latter are softened by heat.

Abstract: In a glass sheet heating furnace where the glass sheets are supported by edge gripping tongs, means to heat the tongs independently from the heating of the glass sheets is provided so as to reduce the frequency of tong vents in the glass sheets without distorting edge portions of the glass sheets.

Abstract: A press actuating hydraulic system for a glass bending apparatus including a pressure release valve assembly operable to assure press member retraction in the event of a pressure failure in the main pressure supply conduit controlling actuation of the press member.

Abstract: A gravity sag bending mold of the outline type for bending glass sheets is provided with the following improvements: (1) A plurality of rod-like glass supporting members are affixed outwardly and slightly above the shaping surfaces of the bending mold to reduce glass slippage and mold marking. (2) The bending mold is comprised of a plurality of rigid shaping rail sections, each independently mounted so that the outline dimensions can be adjusted slightly. (3) The bending mold is tilted downwardly in the direction of travel a maximum of 5 degrees to reduce glass slippage.

Abstract: In tempering glass sheets vertically hung from tongs, the uniformity with which tempering medium is applied onto the glass sheets during quenching is improved by providing the quenching apparatus with lateral restraining means which prevent side-to-side swaying of the tongs.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and conveying glass sheets in a bending apparatus on a series of uniquely shaped conveyor rolls between narrow and/or irregularly shaped press members in a manner avoiding contact with the lower press member upon vertical displacement thereof. Each conveyor roll is formed of two sections rigidly interconnected to form a solid, unitary structure, each section having a load carrying, rotatable sleeve individually driven to convey the glass sheets thereon.

Abstract: In a mold for press bending glass sheets hung from glass-gripping tongs in which the shaping surfaces have notches along their top edges to provide clearance for the tongs, kinking of the portions of the glass adjacent to the notches during the bending operation is inhibited by providing rigidly mounted tong stop means aligned with the notches so as to force the tongs into a predetermined displacement when the bending molds close.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for holding and forming a sheet of thermo-plastic material particularly optical or mirror grade glass to a precise dimension with contact only on one face thereof and capable of applying forming stress uniformly to the plastic body with a minimum of contact with the faces of the blank. The device which may be inserted into a tunnel oven or the like includes a female cavity conforming to the precise shape to which the thermo-plastic material is to be formed. The female cavity is positioned at an angle with respect to the vertical and includes an edge lip on the lower extremity against which a flat blank of material to be formed may rest over the cavity. A generally planar mold cover includes an edge hook which engages the opposite or upper edge of the blank. The entire assembly is inserted into an oven and the oven elevated to the softening temperature of the plastic blank.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for supporting self-closing tongs specially adapted for gripping thin glass sheets (4.5 millimeters and less) during thermal processing, such as that involved during press bending wherein the glass sheets are brought to a sudden start and a sudden stop that promotes swinging of the tongs and its supported glass. The present invention limits the tong swinging so that the glass sheets can be aligned with small tong receiving notches in press bending molds, thereby improving the conformity of press bent glass sheets to their desired shapes.

Abstract: A succession of glass sheets are processed, for example by heating, bending and toughening in the production of windshield glasses. Each glass sheet is suspended vertically in an elongated furnace from a transport member, and when hot is lifted from the furnace into the lowermost of a vertical series of treatment stations, for example a bending station followed by a toughening station, by a lifting device which engages the transport member. Subsequently the transport member is supported independently of the lifting device at a level above the furnace so that the lifting device can then be lowered to lift the next glass sheet from the furnace.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for handling glass sheets during shaping and cooling. Each glass sheet to be treated in turn is heated to its deformation temperature and conveyed through a furnace and into a glass shaping station by a roller conveyor. The glass is lifted into engagement with a vacuum shaping mold while hot and held against the vacuum shaping mold by vacuum as the glass lifting mechanism retracts downward. A tempering ring having an outline supporting surface conforming to and slightly inside the periphery of the bent glass sheet is brought into position below the upper vacuum mold. The vacuum on the upper mold is released to deposit the shaped glass sheet on the tempering ring.

Abstract: Glass plates are re-shaped and tempered more accurately and with fewer rejects by horizontally passing vertically grasped plates into the heating oven to avoid problems inherent in the prior operation of passing said plates vertically downwardly into the heating oven. The plates are then heated to the softening temperature during horizontal movement through the heating oven and are then passed vertically upwardly to the re-shaping station.

Abstract: When bending glass sheets to a curvature including a line of sharp bending, damage to the glass surface caused by sliding of the glass relative to the press surfaces is reduced by employing a hinged shaping member having offset hinges.

Abstract: In an apparatus for press bending heat-softened glass sheets of the type which includes a shaping plate of adjustable curvature and means to adjust the curvature of the shaping plate, rigidity of the adjusted curvature is improved by providing edge reinforcing means for the adjustable shaping plate.

Abstract: A method of bending a sheet of vitreous material wherein the sheet is heated and caused to bend relative to a contacting reaction means by initiating the bending of the sheet while it is in contact with the reaction means and separating the sheet and reaction means before completion of the bending operation, and apparatus for carrying out such method which is preferably incorporated in a sheet bending plant as a mobile track-mounted unit therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming relatively sharp angled bends in a flat sheet of glass including a sectionalized gravity mold structure having electrical conducting means terminating in improved contact assemblies engageable with electrically conducting frit lines or paths formed on a glass sheet. The contact assemblies are mounted on the mold structure for movement along with the glass sheet relative to the mold during bending and offer continuous positive clamping contact with the electro-frit circuitry at all times.

Abstract: An adjustable rack for accommodating differently sized glazing units. Support elements are mounted on the rack and are formed to provide anti-friction, minimal heat conducting bearing surfaces for supporting heated glazing units thereon to facilitate slight relative movement therebetween to avoid optical defects and without adverse thermal influence on the glazing units.

Abstract: When glass sheets are bent to "V" shape by press bending and electrical current is used to provide localized heating along the intended line of a sharp bend, it is necessary to insulate the glass electrically from ground. This is done according to the present invention by providing the pressing molds that engage the glass with covers of electrical insulator material, such as fiber glass, and by incorporating in the glass suspending means or tongs a length of electrical insulator material sufficiently long to effectively insulate the metal tongs that engage the glass from the tong suspension carriage which is grounded and to avoid electrical arcing. The detailed tongs construction incorporating a member of an electrical insulator material of sufficient length to insulate the conductive glass sheet portion from a grounded tong supporting carriage and to avoid arcing therebetween is also part of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bending glass sheets to relatively sharp angles. The apparatus includes a sectionalized primary press bending member having articulated end sections for sharply bending portions of a glass sheet about lines superheated by a radiant energy heat source located above the primary press member. A reciprocal brake bar is extended into engagement with the glass sheet along the heated focal line to assist the articulated press end sections in bending the glass. Clamping devices can be used in lieu of the brake bar to secure the heat-softened glass sheet to the press member shaping surface during bending. A supplemental press member, mounted above the primary press member, is provided with shaping elements having shaping surfaces complemental to the shaping surfaces of the primary press articulated end sections for pressing the glass end portions therebetween into conformity with these shaping surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for bending sheets of glass by means of a bending press comprising a convex bending mold provided with a bending surface and an opposed concave bending molding, the surfaces of the bending molds in contact with the window being heated to a temperature approximating the bending temperature of the sheet of glass, wherein the concave bending mold consists of a frame which is only in contact with the sheet of glass at its periphery and wherein heaters are mounted within the frame for heating the bending surface of the convex bending surface of the opposed convex mold.

Abstract: Glass sheets are bent along a line which is sharply creased at one end and gently curved at the opposite end. Localized heating along the line is provided by an electrically heated ribbon mounted above the glass so as to maintain a constant spacing between the glass and the ribbon at one end of the line, while the spacing at the other end of the line gradually increases as bending progresses.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning and orienting moving glass sheets immediately prior to their treatment. This invention is especially suitable for use with glass sheets heated while conveyed through a furnace on a roller conveyor where the glass becomes misaligned or misoriented prior to entry into a shaping station. However, the invention is also capable of use with any type of conveyor defining an enclosed conveyor path for said glass sheets where the glass is liable to lose its orientation and/or alignment and must be oriented and/or aligned preparatory to processing and is also suitable to orient and align rigid sheets other than glass.The apparatus includes a pair of truncated conical rollers which engage the edge of the glass sheet and, due to their shape, substantially reduce chipping thereof. These rollers are mounted on a carriage in a manner to permit lateral movement relative to the carriage by cams. The carriage reciprocates along the path in a manner to move with the sheets.

Abstract: Heat-softened glass sheets may have sharp bends imparted thereto by pressing between complementary molds when preceded by localized heating along the intended line of the sharp bend. The localized heat is applied along the line by means of electrical resistance heating through the glass immediately prior to the pressing step.