Method and machine for the production of convex glass sheets

A method of manufacturing bent glass sheets, comprising:

• bringing glass sheets to their softening temperature, then moving the glass sheets over a shaping bed of advancing elements for advancing the glass sheets which are arranged along a path having a circular arc-shaped profile;
• bending the glass sheets in a first direction of advance over the bed according to the radius of curvature of the bed, the glass sheets progressively assuming their shape on entering the shaping bed and over a first shaping zone;
• and
• hardening the glass sheets by tempering or cooling in a second zone of the shaping bed until the glass sheets leave the shaping bed, and then the bent glass sheets thus obtained are recovered,
• wherein the shaping bed has a profile extending in a circular arc of more than 90°, a plurality of blow-boxes are disposed along at least a portion of the circular arc, and the portion extends over more than 90° of the circular arc, and
• wherein, upon leaving the shaping bed, the hardened glass sheets are moved in a direction opposite that in which they were fed into the bed.