Apparatus and method for cutting a glass sheet

A method of cutting a glass sheet, the method comprising:

• heating a heating element to a heat temperature;
• suspending the glass sheet immediately adjacent to the heating element, the glass sheet comprising a cutting line and an edge, the cutting line intersecting the edge;
• the glass sheet positioned such that the cutting line and the edge are immediately adjacent to the heating element and at least a portion of the cutting line is in direct contact with the heating element;
• holding the glass sheet at the edge adjacent to the heating element with a sharp-edged tool, the sharp-edged tool comprising two opposed sharp edges, the sharp-edged tool engaging the glass sheet without nicking the glass sheet and being positioned such that the two sharp edges align with the cutting line;
• maintaining the glass sheet in position immediately adjacent to the heating element to permit the glass sheet to achieve a separation temperature and applying heat asymmetrically to the glass sheet with the heating element along the cutting line, whereby the glass sheet separates along the cutting line.

An apparatus for cutting a glass sheet, the apparatus comprising:

• a heating element positionable immediately adjacent to the glass sheet and in alignment with a cutting line of the glass sheet;
• and
• a sharp-edged tool comprising a sharp edge engageable with the glass sheet along the cutting line without forming a defect in the glass sheet;
• wherein applying heat to the cutting line of the glass sheet with the heating element while engaging the glass sheet with the sharp-edged tool without relative motion between the glass sheet and the sharp-edged tool after engaging the glass sheet with the sharp-edged tool causes the glass sheet to separate along the cutting line.