Continuous processing of flexible glass ribbon with reduced mechanical stress

A method of continuous processing of flexible glass ribbon having a thickness of no more than 0.35 mm using a glass processing apparatus, the method comprising:

• continuously feeding the flexible glass ribbon through the glass processing apparatus, the glass processing apparatus comprising at least three processing zones including a first processing zone, a second processing zone and a third processing zone;
• and
• controlling a feed rate of the flexible glass ribbon through each of the first processing zone, second processing zone and third processing zone using a global control device;
• and
• wherein the second processing zone has a conveyance path for the flexible glass ribbon through a cutting zone having a radius of curvature of from about 100 inches to about 400 inches.

A glass processing apparatus that processes a flexible glass ribbon having a thickness of no more than 0.35 mm comprising:

• a forming apparatus in a first processing zone, the forming apparatus configured to form the flexible glass ribbon in the first processing zone;
• an edge trimming apparatus in a cutting zone of a second processing zone, the edge trimming apparatus comprising a cutting device configured to separate an edge of the flexible glass ribbon as the flexible glass ribbon moves;
• and
• wherein the second processing zone has a conveyance path for the flexible glass ribbon through the cutting zone having a radius of curvature of from about 100 inches to about 400 inches.