Method of cutting glass with a laser and an article made therewith

An article of manufacture comprising glass having at least one cut of predetermined configuration and length, each cut having been made by

• superposing the glass in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to a support means;
• directing laser means so that a laser beam generated thereby is incident upon said glass, said laser means having a predetermined energy output;
• focusing said laser beam to a focal point proximate the surface of said glass to locally heat said glass proximate said focal point;
• vaporizing a first thickness of said glass proximate said laser focal point, said first thickness being less than the total glass thickness;
• simultaneously with said vaporizing, heating the remaining thickness of said glass proximate said laser focal point, said remaining thickness being heated above its annealing temperature;
• directing a jet of gas so that it is incident upon the proximity of said laser focal point, said jet cooperating with said beam to remove said vaporized and said heated glass proximate said laser focal point to create a hole through said glass;
• and
• effecting movement between said glass and said laser focal point and said gas jet along a predetermined path at a predetermined rate, maintaining said focal point at or about the surface of said glass during any movement, thereby defining a cut through the entire thickness of said glass.

An article of manufacture comprising

• a first unitary sheet of glass defining at least one complimental opening of predetermined configuration that does not extend to the edge of said sheet of glass, said opening created by cutting said glass with laser means;
• at least one second sheet of glass coplanar with said first sheet and disposed within at least one of said complimental openings of said first sheet, said second sheet substantially complimentary to said opening in said first sheet, said opening of said first sheet and the periphery of said second sheet defining a groove therebetween;
• and
• securing means disposed substantially within said groove between said first sheet and said second sheet for securing in fixed edge to edge relationship said first sheet and said second sheet.