Abstract: Provided are a process for producing a glass substrate usable for low-temperature p-SiTFT substrates directly in accordance with a down draw method, and the glass substrate obtained by the process. The process for producing a glass substrate includes a forming step of forming a molten glass into a ribbon shape in accordance with a down draw method, an annealing step of annealing the glass ribbon, and a cutting step of cutting the glass ribbon to give a glass substrate, in which, in the annealing step, an average cooling rate from the annealing point to the (annealing point ?50° C.) is lower than an average cooling rate from the (annealing point +100° C.) to the annealing point.

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

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the stress in, and the shape of, the glass ribbon (15) formed in a downdraw glass manufacturing process (e.g., the fusion downdraw process) are provided. In certain embodiments, the control is achieved by cooling the bead portions (21a, 21b) of the ribbon (15) at a rate which provides a heat flux Q?b at the thickest part of the bead (23a, 23b) which is given by Q?b=Q?q+?Q?, where (i) Q?q is the heat flux at a transverse position adjacent to the bead portion (21a, 21b) at which the ribbon's thickness equals 1.05*tcenter, where tcenter is the final thickness at the ribbon's center line (17), and (ii) ?Q??(tb/tq?1)Q?q+10 kilowatts/meter2, where tb is the thickness of the thickest part of the bead portion. The cooling can take place along the entire length of the ribbon (15) or at selected locations, e.g.

Abstract: To provide a glass substrate which has a high glass transition temperature, which has a thermal expansion coefficient close to that of soda lime glass, which has a low specific gravity, which will hardly undergo yellowing, and which further has good melting characters and is thereby produced with high productivity. A glass substrate which has a composition comprising, as represented by mass percentage based on oxides, SiO2 ??55 to 65%, Al2 O3 ??4 to 8%, MgO ??6 to 9%, CaO ?0.1 to 5%, SrO ?0.5 to 6%, BaO ??0 to 2%, MgO + CaO + SrO + BaO ?6.6 to 19%, Na2 O ??0 to 5%, K2 O ?9.5 to 21%, Na2 O + K2 O ??10 to 22%, ZrO2 ?0.5 to 5%, Fe2 O3 0.06 to 0.15%, which has a specific gravity of at most 2.7, which has an average thermal expansion coefficient from 50 to 350° C. of from 80×10?7/° C. to 90×107/° C., which has a glass transition temperature of at least 640° C.

Abstract: A method for making a float glass convertible into a glass ceramic, by which a largely crystal fault-free glass can be produced. In this method the glass is cooled from a temperature (TKGmax), at which a crystal growth rate is at a maximum value (KGmax), to another temperature (TUEG), at which practically no more crystal growth occurs, with a cooling rate, KR, in ° C. min?1 according to: KR UEG KG max ? ? ? ? T UEG KG max 100 · KG max , wherein ?T=TKGmax?TUEG, and KGmax=maximum crystal growth rate in ?m min?1. The float glass has a thickness below an equilibrium thickness, a net width of at least 1 m and has no more than 50 crystals with a size of more than 50 ?m, especially no crystals with a size of more than 10 ?m, per kilogram of glass within the net width.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated glass pane with a low-e and/or solar control coating comprising at least one layer sequence which comprises at least the following transparent layers: a lower anti-reflection layer, an IR-reflecting layer, an upper anti-reflection layer. At least one of the anti-reflection layers comprises at least one compound layer containing a mixture of an (oxy)nitride of Si and/or Al and of ZnO. The inventive coated glass panes are preferably heat treatable, e.g. toughenable and/or bendable.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating glass sheets (13) are provided in which the sheets are cut from a glass ribbon (15) composed of a glass having a setting zone temperature range (SZTR). As the glass is drawn, it passes through the SZTR (31) and an across-the-ribbon temperature distribution is produced at least one longitudinal position along the ribbon to compensate for in-plane stress induced in the sheets (13) when flattened. Through such thermal compensation, glass sheets (13) are produced which exhibit controlled levels of distortion when cut into sub-pieces and thus are suitable for use as substrates in the manufacture of, for example, flat panel displays, e.g., LCD displays.

Abstract: Provided are a process for producing a glass substrate usable for low-temperature p-SiTFT substrates directly in accordance with a down draw method, and the glass substrate obtained by the process. The process for producing a glass substrate includes a forming step of forming a molten glass into a ribbon shape in accordance with a down draw method, an annealing step of annealing the glass ribbon, and a cutting step of cutting the glass ribbon to give a glass substrate, in which, in the annealing step, an average cooling rate from the annealing point to the (annealing point?50° C.) is lower than an average cooling rate from the (annealing point+100° C.) to the annealing point.

Abstract: The provided are a glass for a magnetic recording medium substrate permitting the realization of a magnetic recording medium substrate affording good chemical durability and having an extremely flat surface, a magnetic recording medium substrate comprised of this glass, a magnetic recording medium equipped with this substrate, and methods of manufacturing the same. Glasses for a magnetic recording medium substrate are, glass I comprised of an oxide glass, comprising, denoted as mass percentages: Si 20 to 40 percent, Al 0.1 to 10 percent, Li 0.1 to 5 percent, Na 0.1 to 10 percent, K 0 to 5 percent (where the total content of Li, Na, and K is 15 percent or less), Sn 0.005 to 0.6 percent, and Ce 0 to 1.2 percent; the Sb content is 0 to 0.1 percent; and not comprising As or F; glass II comprised of oxide glass, comprising, as converted based on the oxide, denoted as molar percentages: SiO2 60 to 75 percent, Al2O3 1 to 15 percent, Li2O 0.1 to 20 percent, Na2O 0.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a glass sheet including a forming step of down-drawing a molten glass into a sheet-like glass ribbon, in which the molten glass is fed to a forming trough arranged in a forming furnace and the molten glass is caused to flow down from the forming trough through a conveyance passage extending vertically; an annealing step of removing an internal strain in the glass ribbon in an annealing furnace; a cooling step of cooling the glass ribbon to around room temperature in a cooling chamber; and a cutting step of cutting the glass ribbon in a given size, in which the cooling chamber is provided with a gas exhausting passage, thereby exhausting air in the cooling chamber to an outside.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a glass sheet including: a forming step of down-drawing a molten glass into a sheet-like glass ribbon, in which the molten glass is fed to a forming trough arranged in a forming furnace and the molten glass is caused to flow down from the forming trough through a conveyance passage extending vertically; an annealing step of removing an internal strain in the glass ribbon in an annealing furnace; a cooling step of cooling the glass ribbon to around room temperature; and a cutting step of cutting the glass ribbon in a given size, in which a pressure in an outside atmosphere of the forming furnace and/or the annealing furnace is elevated.

Abstract: A process for making glass sheet with low compaction suitable for high temperature applications, such as low-temperature polysilicon-based TFT displays, and glass sheets thus made. The glass sheet desirably has an anneal point of at least 765° C., a CTE at most 42×10?7/° C. The process involves cooling the glass melt form a temperature corresponding to a viscosity of 1.0×1010 poise to a temperature corresponding to a viscosity of 1.0×1015 poise at a cooling rate CR, where CR?5° C./second. The absolute value of the measured compaction of the glass sheet desirably is at most 175 ppm upon being re-heated to 675° C. for a period of time.

Abstract: A method of minimizing distortion in a glass sheet manufacturing process wherein the stress in a parent sheet of glass is measured along each edge of the sheet. The stress data is then used to develop a distortion predictor for predicting the in-plane distortion which sub-sheets of the parent sheet are likely to exhibit when the parent sheet is cut into pre-determined sizes. The in-plane distortion may be predicted based on criteria established by the glass manufacturer, or supplied by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

Abstract: Provided are a process for producing a glass substrate usable for low-temperature p-SiTFT substrates directly in accordance with a down draw method, and the glass substrate obtained by the process. The process for producing a glass substrate includes a forming step of forming a molten glass into a ribbon shape in accordance with a down draw method, an annealing step of annealing the glass ribbon, and a cutting step of cutting the glass ribbon to give a glass substrate, in which, in the annealing step, an average cooling rate from the annealing point to the (annealing point ?50° C.) is lower than an average cooling rate from the (annealing point +100° C.) to the annealing point.

Abstract: Lime glass batch composition wherein at least part of the limestone and/or the dolomite from the composition has been replaced by a synthetic aluminosilicate of calcium and magnesium.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods of controlling the presence of surface and airborne microorganisms in an air handler. The method may comprise: energizing a germicidal lamp to emit distributed UVC radiation; positioning the germicidal lamp in proximity to the heat transfer coil, wherein the intensity of the UVC radiation striking a heat transfer coil of the air handler is to a degree independent of the distance of the germicidal lamp to the heat transfer coil; directing the UVC radiation across the coil face to the coil's tube and fins; reflecting and directing the ultraviolet by the coil's tube and the fins-throughout the coil, thereby increasing the flux density of the ultraviolet radiation and the dosage of the radiation applied to airborne microorganisms and microorganisms carried on the surface; continuing to irradiate the surface with the UVC radiation from the germicidal lamp at least intermittently until the surface is organically clean.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a glass sheet comprises modifying the thermal stress in the glass such that it is a tensile stress or substantially zero stress in a particular temperature zone of the glass, with that zone selected such that the glass sheet is formed substantially free of warping. In an example embodiment, the modifying of the thermal stress is effected by non-uniform cooling of the glass across the glass transition temperature range. This non-uniform cooling may be applied in cooling segments that are linear and at least two of the segments have differing slope.

Abstract: A flat glass plate having a low residual stress, suitable for use in preparing a display, can be prepared without an annealing or polishing process by way of controlling the horizontal temperature gradient of a molten glass plate to a specific range during cooling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing patterned glass sheets. In certain embodiments, the resulting glass sheets have a pattern defined therein which is designed so as to simulate conventional glue chipped glass sheets or antique glass. A heated glass ribbon exits a furnace or melter and proceeds through a nip defined between opposing rollers. Pressure on one or both of the rollers in the direction of the nip, combined with a glue chipped simulating pattern or antique pattern defined in an exterior surface of at least one of the rollers, causes the pattern to be transferred from the roller(s) into/onto a surface(s) of the hot glass ribbon. After being patterned, the glass ribbon is annealed and cut into a plurality of different sheets.

Abstract: When a glass substrate for a liquid crystal display is manufactured using the downdraw method. strain caused by differences in the tempsrature of the sheet glass achieved as a result of cooling are reduced. Furth rtore. minute strain that occurs when the sheet glass manufactured using the downdraw method is out into smaller pieces is inhibited. When the sheet glass 8 is manufactured using the downdraw method. a temperature distribution is formed in the widthwise direction of the sheet glass 8 by the heat treating unit 9 used in the slowly cooling process after molding. This temperature distribution is a distribution that can offset the temperature distribution in the sheet glass 8 caused by the fact that the thickness of the sheet glass 8 after molding is greater in the edge areas than that in the surface area.

Abstract: A knitted fabric comprises fibers. At least part of these are metal fibers. The fabric has 90 or more stitches per square centimeter. The fabric is used as a separation cloth (12) between mould (11) and glass (14). The increased number of stitchers per square centimeter reduces the risks for markings on the glass.

Abstract: A flat glass plate having a low residual stress, suitable for use in preparing a display, can be prepared without an annealing or polishing process by way of controlling the horizontal temperature gradient of a molten glass plate to a specific range during cooling.

Abstract: There are described apparatus and methods wherein ultraviolet light kills and/or degrades and vaporizes microorganisms and organic material which naturally form over time on a heat exchanger. As this matter is eliminated, the pressure drop is decreased (i.e., airflow is increased) and the heat exchange efficiency (capacity) is increased. Less energy per Btu removed is used by the cooling system, and less energy is used by the HVAC system to move air.

Abstract: A glazing panel carrying a solar control coating stack comprising in sequence at least: a glass substrate base antireflective layer comprising at least one layer comprising a nitride of aluminium an infra-red reflecting layer; and a top antireflective layer. The nitride of aluminium confers, inter alia, good thermal stability on the coating, particularly during heat treatment.

Abstract: A glazing assembly is provided made of at least one transparent substrate having a stack thereon that includes an alternation of n functional layers and n−1 coatings, wherein the functional layers have reflection properties in the infrared and/or solar radiation and where n≧1 and where, in order to maintain the quality of the stack when the substrate is subjected to a heat treatment step, at least one of the following must be satisfied: the coating placed on top of at least one of the functional layers includes at least one barrier layer providing a barrier to at least oxygen and water; and at least one absorbent or stabilizing layer made of a material capable of absorbing or stabilizing the consituent material of the functional layer forms a part of either the coating placed on top of the functional layer and under the barrier layer or the coating placed beneath the functional layer; and a method for production of the glazing assembly.

Abstract: During a process for bending and quenching a window pane, the latter is bent to the desired shape using a forming frame. Next, by means of this same forming frame, the entire surface of both sides of the bent window pane is rapidly cooled, in a quenching station which follows the bending station, by blowing cold air using blowing boxes provided with blowing nozzles. While the entire surface is being rapidly cooled, the edge regions of the window pane which rest on the forming frame are subjected to a blast of additional cold air by the suitable supply of compressed air to the openings passing through the forming frame.

Abstract: A method of forming a photocatalytic coating includes depositing a precursor composition over at least a portion of a substrate surface by a coating device. The precursor composition includes a titania precursor material and at least one other precursor material having a metal selected from boron, strontium, zirconium, lead, barium, calcium, hafnium, lanthanum, and mixtures thereof. Sufficient other precursor material is added to the composition such that a molar ratio of the selected metal to titanium in the applied photocatalytic coating is in the range of about 0.001 to about 0.05.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing patterned glass sheets. In certain embodiments, the resulting glass sheets have a pattern defined therein which is designed so as to simulate conventional glue chipped glass sheets or antique glass. A heated glass ribbon exits a furnace or melter and proceeds through a nip defined between opposing rollers. Pressure on one or both of the rollers in the direction of the nip, combined with a glue chipped simulating pattern or antique pattern defined in an exterior surface of at least one of the rollers, causes the pattern to be transferred from the roller (s) into/onto a surface (s) of the hot glass ribbon. After being patterned, the glass ribbon is annealed and cut into a plurality of different sheets.

Abstract: A gas is supplied to the surface of the glass sheet transferred between a heating furnace and a cooling apparatus for tempering the glass sheet. The gas is supplied from the upstream side with respect to the direction of transfer of the glass sheet by an air curtain device. This gas runs along the glass sheet surface (upper surface) downstream with respect to the direction of transfer to obstruct the flow of cooling gas from the cooling apparatus in the upstream direction. The gas prevents cooling air from the cooling apparatus from invading the heating furnace so that the difference of the curvature of the glass sheet on the front and rear part can be eliminated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air output unit in connection with a tempering station in a tempering plant for glass panels, and to a method for manufacturing the unit. An equipment bay (3) has its walls (32), roof (33), and floor (31) designed and dimensioned as a shipping container, wherein air output equipment (4) is set up and secured prior to shipping to a working site. Since the fan room enclosing an air output unit functions at the same time as a shipping container for the air output unit, the repeated loading and unloading of air output equipment is avoided. The workload required for shipping and assembling is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A glazing assembly is provided made of at least one transparent substrate having a stack thereon that includes an alternation of n functional layers and n-1 coatings, wherein the functional layers have reflection properties in the infrared and/or solar radiation and where n≳1 and where, in order to maintain the quality of the stack when the substrate is subjected to a heat treatment step, at least one of the following must be satisfied: the coating placed on top of at least one of the functional layers includes at least one barrier layer providing a barrier to at least oxygen and water; and at least one absorbent or stabilizing layer made of a material capable of absorbing or stabilizing the consituent material of the functional layer forms a part of either the coating placed on top of the functional layer and under the barrier layer or the coating placed beneath the functional layer; and a method for production of the glazing assembly.

Abstract: A glass sheet quench unit (22) and method for quenching formed glass sheets by quench gas jets (40) that define a uniformly repeating gas jet impingement pattern (44) that is an equilateral triangular pattern providing uniformly repeating quench cells (46) distributed over the formed glass sheet to be quenched as equilateral hexagonal quench cells. The resultant product is a formed and quenched glass sheet (G) that has oppositely facing surfaces between which glass stresses are uniformly distributed. A method for making the quench unit (22) is performed by initially forming nozzle openings (38) in an elongated nozzle strip (36′), thereafter forming the nozzle strip with a curved cross section, thereafter forming the nozzle strip with a curved shape along its elongated length to provide a curved nozzle cap, subsequently securing the curved nozzle cap to planar sides (30) of an associated nozzle feed row (28), and securing the sides (30) of the nozzle feed row to a plenum housing (24).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of prestressed and/or bent glass elements.

Abstract: The invention is a method of making silicate based glass compositions with phosphorus compounds included in the composition as spectral modifiers to impart desirable color and improved energy absorbance properties. The phosphorus compound is generally a metal phosphide which is added to the batch glass composition in amounts greater than 0.05 weight percent prior to melting. The composition and method result in a finished glass suitable for use in architectural and automotive glazings.

Abstract: A device for transporting and cooling hot glass panes (10) has a support wall (1) in which there are alternatingly stationary support ribs (3) and between two support ribs (3) at a time there are hollow chambers (4) with wall parts (11) which are adjustable in the direction perpendicular to the glass pane (10). In the transport of a glass pane (10) the movable wall parts (11) are aligned essentially flush with the free edges (5) of the support ribs (3). When a glass pane (10) is being transported the hollow chambers (4) are exposed to hot air such that between the glass pane (10) and the support wall (1) for the wall parts (11) pushed towards the glass pane (10) a thin gas cushion (“L”) of hot air forms. When a glass pane (10) is being quenched the movable wall parts (11) are moved back to a greater distance from the glass pane (10). For quenching of a glass pane (10) cold air is blown out of the support ribs (3) in the wall parts (11) which are moved back relative to the glass pane (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a strong UV absorbing glass consisting essentially of, expressed in cation percent, 15-30% SiO.sub.2, 50-60% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 2-5% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-6% Li.sub.2 O, 0-3.0% Na.sub.2 O, 14-20% K.sub.2 O, 0.5-1.0% CuO, 0.4-0.7% SnO.sub.2, 0.5-1.5% Cl, and 0.7-1.5% Br. An essentially haze-free version of the glass is disclosed. A UV absorbing coating material made by suspending ground particles of the inventive glass in a suitable matrix is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for producing a web of thin, chemically hardened glass that can be wound on a roll. The process comprises the steps of (i) drawing glass, containing original alkali ions, to form a web of glass having a thickness equal to or lower than 1.2 mm and having a first and second major surface; (ii) directly after or during said drawing, treating both said surfaces of said web with chemical hardening means during less than two hours, replacing said original alkali ions by alkali ions having a larger radius; and (iii) after treating both said surfaces, winding said web on a core.

Abstract: In a quenching apparatus for quenching a glass sheet that has been heated and bent in a heating furnace, a cooling gas blows onto the glass sheet to provide a distribution of a temperature and/or a distribution of a static pressure in at least one section in the quenching apparatus. The distribution of a temperature provides different temperatures between the both surfaces of the glass sheet, while the distribution of a static pressure is nonuniform in a part of at least one surface of the glass sheet. The distributions can modify a shape of the glass sheet given in the heating furnace so that a degree of freedom in shape for manufacturing a bent and tempered glass sheet by utilizing its self-weight can be improved.

Abstract: A glazing assembly is provided made of at least one transparent substrate having a stack thereon that includes an alternation of n functional layers and n+1 coatings, wherein the functional layers have reflection properties in the infrared and/or solar radiation and wherein n.gtoreq.1 and where, in order to maintain the quality of the stack when the substrate is subjected to a heat treatment step, at least one of the following must be satisfied:the coating placed on top of at least one of the functional layers includes at least one barrier layer providing a barrier to at least oxygen and water; andat least one absorbent or stabilizing layer made of a material capable of absorbing or stabilizing the constituent material of the functional layer forms a part of either the coating placed on top of the functional layer and under the barrier layer or the coating placed beneath the functional layer; and a method for production of the glazing assembly.

Abstract: A glass sheet strip annealing method utilizes a housing (18) along which a conveyor (26) including a gas support (28) supports a glass sheet strip G by pressurized gas for movement between entry and exit ends (22,24) of the housing before a conveyor drive (32) engages the strip after the surfaces thereof are cooled below the strain point. Best results are achieved when the glass sheet strip is supported only by the gas support (28) until its surfaces are placed in compression. Lower and upper manifolds (34,36) respectively support and convey the glass sheet strip within the housing (18) preferably by a recirculating gas flow supplied by gas burner (76) and associated gas jet pumps (78).

Abstract: A method for automatically detecting and adjusting the position of a plurality of burners with respect to the edge of a continuous glass sheet is provided. The glass sheet is transported by rolls along the length of a thermal treatment lehr. Detecting and adjusting sensors for sensing the edge of the glass sheet are attached conjointly with the burners in order to automatically adjust the position of the burners with regards to the edge of the glass sheet, so, for each variation in the width of the glass sheet, the detecting and adjusting sensors are advanced or retracted over the edge of the glass sheet, in order to adjust the burners in accordance with a new position of the edge of said glass sheet.

Abstract: A silica glass member shows a glassy carbon coating wherein a surface of a silica glass substrate of the silica glass member shows a mean surface roughness (R.sub.a) in a range of 0.03 .mu.m to 2 .mu.m and it is coated with a glassy carbon coating. The member is manufactured by chemically roughening the substrate to a surface roughness in the above recited range; coating the surface of the silica glass substrate with an organic raw material containing carbon, curing and thereafter carbonizing the film of the organic raw material by forming a glassy carbon coating.

Abstract: A method of producing front surface mirrors comprising depositing onto a hot ribbon of low transmissivity glass during the production process a low transmissivity reflecting coating whereby the mirrors have a transmissivity through the coated glass of up to about 10% in visible light. There is also provided a front surface mirror comprising a glass substrate of low transmissivity glass carrying a low transmissivity reflecting coating whereby the mirror has a transmissivity through the coated glass of up to about 10% in visible light.

Abstract: A method of producing mirrors comprising depositing onto a ribbon of hot glass during the production process a coating comprising at least one pyrolytic reflecting layer and at least two reflection enhancing layers, the last applied or outer of the enhancing layers also serving as a protective layer for the coating. The mirrors have a visible light reflection of at least 35% and less than 70% and exhibit a bright silver or chrome appearance. There is also a provided a mirror having such a coating.

Abstract: A flat glass sheet is manufactured using the float process. Before annealing of glass carried on rollers, the glass is conveyed by a fluid bed formed by a mixture of gases, in order to cool the glass to approximately 600.degree. C. before it reaches an annealing lehr.

Abstract: A method of producing mirrors comprising depositing onto a ribbon of hot glass during the production process a coating comprising at least one pyrolytic reflecting layer and at least one color modifying layer whereby the mirrors exhibit color in reflectance and have a visible light reflection of at least 35% and less than 70%. There is also provided a mirror having such a coating.

Abstract: A glass substrate usable for a semiconductor device which shrinks less during a heating process. Specifically, lithium is added to the glass substrate material prior to formation. Further, the glass substrate can be thermal annealed in advance. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to reduce substrate shrinkage even during TFT processing, by using glass material including more than 4% by weight of lithium, and further by heating the glass substrate at a temperature below the glass strain point temperature.

Abstract: The method for forming Fresnel lens according to the present invention is such that a Fresnel lens comprising a body with a frontal surface having a plurality of annular Fresnel-type prism elements concentrically disposed thereon and a back surface formed substantially flat is formed from a molten sheet glass. The method comprises a step of preparing cavities of which the shapes are derived from inversion of the shapes of the plurality of annular Fresnel-type prism elements, a step of disposing the molten sheet glass on a stationary mold having a substantially flat surface, a step of pressing the molten sheet glass with a moving mold having the cavities to make a portion of the molten glass flow into said cavities, and a step of solidifying the molten glass and removing the moving mold thereafter.

Abstract: A method for drawing glass sheets of crystallization-sensitive glass such as borosilicate glass or glass ceramic. A melt in a vat of a glass furnace is supplied through a feed channel to a drawing chamber from which a glass sheet is drawn perpendicularly upwardly essentially across a full width of the drawing chamber. The melt in the drawing chamber is heated by at least two current-charged precious metal strips at each of the opposite sides of a drawing plane in a region of the surface of the sheet. This heating occurs in sections at each side of the drawing plans so that the melt is sectionally heated and crystallization at walls of the drawing chamber laying opposite one another at the vertical drawing plane is effectively prevented. In addition, the drawing chamber can be sectionally covered by slides.

Abstract: The invention relates to the tempering of sheets of glass and optionally their bending by the so-called contact process. It proposes a process in which the edge stresses of the glass sheets are reinforced by cooling the edges of the glass sheets in relation to their central zone, particularly by blowing on these edges with a cooling gas. It also proposes a device to perform this preferred cooling of the edges, as well as glass sheets thus tempered. The invention applies to the production of glazings having nonfragile edges, particularly for the automobile.