US 8,756,817 B2Granted

Method and apparatus for removing peripheral portion of a glass sheet

AssigneeCorning Incorporated

InventorsNicholas Dominic Cavallaro, III, Keith Mitchell Hill, Harry J Reidy, Liming Wang, Zheming Zheng, Naiyue Zhou

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Abstract

Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A process for removing a first peripheral portion of a glass sheet, the process comprising steps of:

(I) providing a glass sheet having a first major surface, a second major surface opposing the first major surface, a center region having a center thickness Th(C) and an average center temperature T(C), an upper edge surface, a lower edge surface, a first side edge surface and a second side edge surface, each edge surface connecting the first major surface and the second major surface, and the first peripheral portion is in a vicinity of the first side edge surface and has an average thickness Th(B), where Th(B)>1.1 Th(C);
(II) placing the glass sheet in a predetermined position by securing the first and second major surfaces in a vicinity of the upper edge surface to a suspension device;
(III) after step (II), restraining the first and second major surfaces in a vicinity of the first side edge surface at a distance D1 from an end of the first side edge surface from the top edge surface to the lower edge surface;
(IV) after step (II), restraining at least the second major surface in a vicinity of the first side edge surface at a distance D3 from the end of the first side edge surface using a first mechanical restrainer, where D3<D1;
(V) heating at least part of the first peripheral portion of the glass sheet such that an average temperature of the first peripheral portion at a location having the distance D3 from the end of the first edge surface reaches a temperate T(B), where T(B)−T(C)≧40° C.;
(VI) after step (V), forming a score-line on the first major surface extending from a vicinity of the top edge surface to a vicinity of the lower edge surface at a distance D2 from the end of the first side edge surface, where D3<D2<D1;
(VII) contacting the second major surface with a nosing strip opposing the score-line;
and
(VIII) after steps (V) and (VI), activating the first mechanical restrainer to push the first peripheral portion of the glass sheet in a direction from the first major surface to the second major surface such that the first peripheral portion of the glass sheet bends against the nosing strip and separates along the score-line from the center region of the glass sheet.

6 more elements

An apparatus configured to remove a first peripheral portion of a glass sheet having a first major surface, a second major surface opposing the first major surface, a center region having a center thickness Th(C), an upper edge surface, a lower edge surface, a first side edge surface and a second side edge surface, each edge surface connecting the first major surface and the second major surface, and the first peripheral portion is in a vicinity of the first side edge surface, the apparatus comprising:

(A) a glass suspension device configured to place the glass sheet in a predetermined position by securing the first and second major surfaces in a vicinity of the upper edge surface;
(B) a first edge restraining tower located on a side of the first major surface comprising a first edge restraining clamp strip, and a second edge restraining tower located on a side of the second major surface comprising a second edge restraining clamp strip, wherein a distance between the first edge restraining clamp strip and the second edge restraining clamp strip being adjustable and adapted so the first edge restraining clamp strip and the second edge restraining clamp strip restrain the first and second major surfaces in a vicinity of the first side edge surface at a distance D1 from an end of the first side edge surface from the top edge surface to the lower edge surface;
(C) a mechanical scoring wheel installed on the first edge restraining tower, where the scoring wheel is configured to be moved in a vertical direction while contacting the first major surface to form a score-line on the first major surface extending from a vicinity of the top edge surface to the lower edge surface at a distance D2 from the end of the first side edge surface, where D2<D1;
(D) a first pair of clamps configured to engage and clamp the first and second major surfaces in a vicinity of the first side edge surface at a distance D3 from the end of the first side edge surface, where D3<D2;
(E) a nosing strip opposing the score-line configured to contact the second major surface;
(F) a vertical heating element configured to preferentially heat the first peripheral portion of the glass sheet;
and
(G) a force applicator configured to activate the first pair of clamps to push the first peripheral portion of the glass sheet in a direction from the first major surface to the second major surface such that the first peripheral portion of the glass sheet bends against the nosing strip and separates along the score-line from the center region of the glass sheet.

5 more elements

(A) a glass suspension device configured to place the glass sheet in a predetermined position by securing the first and second major surfaces in a vicinity of the upper edge surface;
(B) a first edge restraining tower located on a side of the first major surface comprising a first edge restraining clamp strip, and a second edge restraining tower located on a side of the second major surface comprising a second edge restraining clamp strip, wherein a distance between the first edge restraining clamp strip and the second edge restraining clamp strip being adjustable and adapted so the first edge restraining clamp strip and the second edge restraining clamp strip restrain the first and second major surfaces in a vicinity of the first side edge surface at a distance D1 from an end of the first side edge surface from the top edge surface to the lower edge surface;
(C) a mechanical scoring wheel installed on the first edge restraining tower, where the scoring wheel is configured to be moved in a vertical direction while contacting the first major surface to form a score-line on the first major surface extending from a vicinity of the top edge surface to the lower edge surface at a distance D2 from the end of the first side edge surface, where D2<D1;
(D) a straight, vertical bar configured to push the first major surface towards the second major surface;
(E) a vertical heating element configured to preferentially heat the first peripheral portion of the glass sheet;
(F) a nosing strip opposing the score-line configured to contact the second major surface;
and
(G) a force applicator configured to activate the vertical bar to push the first peripheral portion of the glass sheet in a direction from the first major surface to the second major surface such that the first peripheral portion of the glass sheet bends against the nosing strip and separates along the score-line from the center region of the glass sheet.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/307,503Filed 30 Nov 2011
Published: US 2013/0134200 A130 May 2013
Granted: 24 Jun 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

C03B 33/0215
Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor: the ribbon being in a substantially vertical plane
C03B 33/0235
The sheet or ribbon being in a horizontal position: ribbons
C03B 33/033
The sheet or ribbon being in a horizontal position: apparatus for opening score lines in glass sheets
C03B 33/09
Severing cooled glass: by thermal shock