Glass sheet strip annealing method

A glass sheet strip annealing method, comprising;

• forming a continuous hot glass sheet strip by floating thereof on a bath of hot molten tin and then moving the strip horizontally therefrom;
• horizontally moving the newly formed continuous hot glass sheet strip with a temperature above the annealing point of the glass sheet strip into an entry end of a heated chamber that has a decreasing temperature from the entry end toward an exit end;
• supporting the newly formed glass sheet strip within the heated chamber on upwardly directed pressurized gas to provide the sole support of the glass sheet strip until the surfaces of the strip are cooled below the strain point of the glass sheet strip;
• impinging pressurized gas upon the glass sheet strip from above within the heated chamber to cooperate with the upwardly directed pressurized gas in cooling the glass sheet strip;
• drivingly engaging the surfaces of the glass sheet strip after the surfaces have cooled below the strain point of the glass sheet strip, the driving engagement of the surfaces pulling the strip from the entry end of the heated chamber toward the exit end thereof over the upwardly directed pressurized gas;
• and
• wherein the pressurized gas is recirculated and mixed with heated products of combustion for flow back to the strip, the mixing providing pressure and temperature uniformity to the pressurized gas.