Systems and methods for processing thin glass ribbons

A method for processing a glass ribbon, the method comprising:

• supplying a glass ribbon from a supply apparatus to an upstream side of a conveying apparatus comprising a pulling device located at a downstream side of the conveying apparatus opposite the upstream side, and a conveyor device, the conveyor device establishing a primary plane of travel from the upstream side to the downstream side, the primary plane of travel extending transverse to a direction of gravity;
• extending the glass ribbon along a travel path, the glass ribbon comprising a first major surface opposite a second major surface, the first major surface facing a downward direction toward the primary plane of travel, and the second major surface facing an upward direction away from the primary plane of travel;
• and
• applying a pulling force to the glass ribbon with the pulling device and continuously conveying the glass ribbon along the travel path comprising:
• a first bend at a first location between the upstream side and the pulling device, the first bend defining a curve that is convex in the upward direction, wherein the viscosity of the glass ribbon at the first location is not greater than 1×108 Poise, wherein the first bend is caused, at least in part, by an interface between the glass ribbon and a first bending tool of the conveying apparatus,
• a second bend at a second location between the first location and the pulling device, the second bend defining a curve that is concave in the upward direction, wherein the second bend is caused, at least in part, by an interface between the glass ribbon and a second bending tool of the conveying apparatus,
• a third bend at a third location between the second location and the pulling device, the third bend defining a curve that is convex in the upward direction, wherein a vertical distance between an apex of the third location and the primary plane of travel is greater than a vertical distance between an apex of the first location and the primary plane of travel, wherein the viscosity of the glass ribbon at the third location is not less than 1×108 Poise, wherein the third bend is caused, at least in part, by an interface between the glass ribbon and a third bending tool of the conveying apparatus, wherein the third location is positioned along the travel path between the interface of the second bending tool with the glass ribbon and the interface of the third bending tool with the glass ribbon, wherein the glass ribbon is not interfaced with any bending tool along the travel path between the second bending tool and the third bending tool, and
• the primary plane of travel extends to the pulling device from a location downstream of the third location;
• wherein a viscosity of the glass ribbon at the first location is less than a viscosity of the glass ribbon at the third location.