Method and apparatus for annealing glass sheets
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorKeith L. House
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for annealing glass sheets, in which glass sheets are retained within a frame having edge retaining members. The edge retaining members retain the edges of the glass sheet during the annealing operation, thereby hindering warpage and surface damage of the glass sheet during the annealing process.
Claims18
A method of annealing glass sheets comprising:
- assembling a plurality of glass sheets vertically in a frame, said frame separating said glass sheets while simultaneously retaining portions of all four edges of the glass sheets;
- and
- annealing the glass by exposing the glass sheets, while still retained within the frame, to a temperature suitable for relieving stress within the glass sheets.
A frame for supporting glass sheets during an annealing operation comprising at least two edge retaining members, said edge retaining members comprising slots therein for retaining the edges of said glass sheet, said frame further comprising a clamping device for applying a force on one of said at least two edge retaining members in the direction of another of said at least two edge retaining members, whereby said edge retaining members are drawn toward one another.
A method of annealing glass sheets comprising:
- assembling a plurality of glass sheets vertically in a frame, said frame separating said glass sheets while simultaneously retaining portions of all four edges of the glass sheets, said frame comprising edge retaining members having slots therein, said slots for retaining said edges of said sheets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.