Pilkington Glass Limited

James Boardman

David Sykes

Neil W Jacques

Brian J Thomas

Ian Nichols Tetlow

A furnace is provided for the heating of glass sheets to be bent, whereby precise control of the temperature profile across a sheet may be achieved, resulting in improved control over the shape to which the sheet is bent. The furnace has at least one differential heating zone provided with a plurality of main heating elements, and at least one shield for directing heat radiated by said heating elements whereby a controlled differential heating of the glass sheet may be achieved. Transport means, e.g. wheeled boxes, are provided to advance the sheet through the furnace and bending means, e.g. gravity bending ring moulds, may bend the sheet either during, or subsequent to, the heating step.

Apparatus for and method of heating and bending glass sheet

A method is provided in which a glass sheet is bent on a mould having a movable end, comprising the steps of: heating the glass sheet to its bending temperature; subjecting the glass sheet to an initial gravity bending step; providing support to a portion of the glass sheet located on the movable end of the mould; while providing said support, lowering said movable end away from the glass sheet; subjecting the glass sheet to a press bending step; cooling the bent glass sheet. Support may be provided by a reduced pressure within an upper mould, a mechanical arm, or gas directed in a generally upwards direction. The invention may be used for bending glass for architectural or automotive purposes, e.g. for bending a pair of glass sheets, one on top of the other, for use in the manufacture of a laminated windscreen, to achieve deep and/or complex bent shapes.

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Birmingham, United Kingdom

James Boardman