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US 5,846,444 AGranted
Surface treatment of glass
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsStephen P. Edwards, Donald B. Kloeber, Joseph W. Neubert, Stephen R. Ormsby
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for treating a surface on a glass article with a fluid. The article is surrounded by a containment system for the treating fluid and the fluid is continuously agitated by an agitator.
Claims17
Method of treating a surface on a glass article which comprises,
- (a) positioning the glass article on a support with the surface facing upwardly,
- (b) surrounding the periphery of the glass article with a layer of material that forms a fluid-tight seal therewith, that rises above the level of the highest point on the glass surface, and that is resistant to attack by the treating material,
- (c) covering the glass surface with a glass treating material to a level above the highest point on the glass surface,
- (d) continuously agitating the treating material to uniformly treat the glass surface.
1 more element
A method of strengthening a glass article by removing a surface layer from the article which comprises:
- (a) positioning the glass article on a support with the surface facing upwardly,
- (b) surrounding the periphery of the glass article with a layer of material that forms a fluid-tight seal therewith, that rises above the level of the highest point on the glass surface, and that is resistant to attack by the etching material,
- (c) covering the glass surface with a glass etching material to a level above the highest point on the glass surface,
- (d) continuously agitating the etching material to uniformly treat the glass surface.
1 more element
An apparatus for treating a glass article by contacting a surface on the article with a treating fluid which comprises,
- (a) a support member for the glass article,
- (b) a vertical fluid containment system surrounding the glass surface periphery and adapted to form a fluid tight seal therewith, the system comprising a vertical wall that rises above the highest point on the article to be treated and having an inner surface that is resistant to attack by the treating fluid,
- (c) an agitator supported above and in alignment with the support member and adapted to be lowered into close proximity to the surface to be treated, and
- (d) means for imparting motion between the agitator and the support.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.