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US 12,459,851 B2Granted
Method of shaping a glass sheet and glass shaping line utilized therein
AssigneePilkington Group Limited
InventorsRobert J. Boisselle, John Stephan Tomik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of shaping a glass sheet includes providing a glass sheet. Also, a bending station is provided. The bending station includes a first bending tool. The first bending tool has a shaping surface for receiving the glass sheet. The glass sheet is conveyed on a plurality of rollers to a location above the first bending tool. At least a portion of the glass sheet is supported above the first bending tool by delivering a flow of fluid to a major surface of the glass sheet. The glass sheet is deposited on the shaping surface of the first bending tool.
Claims20
A method of shaping a glass sheet, comprising:
- providing a glass sheet having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge extending between the first and second major surfaces;
- providing a glass shaping line comprising a preheating furnace followed by a bending station, the bending station comprising a centering device and a first bending tool, wherein the first bending tool is a ring-type mold having a shaping surface for receiving the glass sheet;
- conveying the glass sheet on a plurality of rollers through the preheating furnace to a location in the bending station wherein the glass sheet is directly above one or more of the plurality of rollers and wherein the entire glass sheet is directly above the first bending tool;
- thereafter, in the bending station:
- (i) supporting at least a portion of the glass sheet above the first bending tool by delivering a flow of fluid to the first major surface of the glass sheet;
- (ii) depositing the glass sheet on the shaping surface of the first bending tool;
- and
- (iii) contacting the edge of the glass sheet with the centering device to adjust the position of the glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool while at least a portion of the glass sheet is supported by the flow of fluid.
5 more elements
A method of shaping a glass sheet, comprising:
- a) providing a glass sheet having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge extending between the first and second major surfaces;
- b) providing a glass shaping line comprising a preheating furnace followed by a bending station, the bending station comprising a centering device and a first bending tool, wherein the first bending tool is a ring-type mold having a shaping surface for receiving the glass sheet;
- c) conveying the glass sheet on a plurality of rollers through the preheating furnace to a location in the bending station wherein the glass sheet is directly above one or more of the plurality of rollers and wherein the entire glass sheet is directly above the first bending tool;
- d) after step c) supporting at least a portion of the glass sheet in the bending station above the first bending tool and above one or more of the plurality of rollers by delivering a flow of fluid to the first major surface of the glass sheet;
- e) depositing the glass sheet on the shaping surface of the first bending tool;
- and
- f) contacting the edge of the glass sheet with the centering device to adjust the position of the glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool while at least a portion of the glass sheet is supported by the flow of fluid.
4 more elements
A method of shaping a glass sheet, comprising:
- providing a glass sheet having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge extending between the first and second major surfaces;
- providing a glass shaping line comprising a preheating furnace followed by a bending station, the bending station comprising a centering device and a first bending tool, wherein the first bending tool is a ring-type mold having a shaping surface for receiving the glass sheet;
- conveying the glass sheet on a plurality of rollers through the preheating furnace to a location in the bending station wherein the glass sheet is directly above one or more of the plurality of rollers and wherein the entire glass sheet is directly above the first bending tool, wherein each roller of the plurality of rollers is spaced apart from an adjacent roller;
- supporting at least a portion of the glass sheet in the bending station above the first bending tool by delivering a flow of fluid between one roller of the plurality of rollers and an adjacent roller to the first major surface of the glass sheet;
- depositing the glass sheet on the shaping surface of the first bending tool;
- and
- contacting the edge of the glass sheet with the centering tool to adjust the position of the glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool while at least a portion of the glass sheet is supported by the flow of fluid.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.