Pilkington Group Limited

Pilkington North America, Inc.

Pilkington Automotive Deutschland Gmbh

Robert J Boisselle

John Stephan Tomik

Daniel P Lubelski

Charles E Ash

Joachim Pilz

Dieter Funk

Thomas G Kleman

Efrain Serrano

Andreas Gorges

A method of shaping a glass sheet includes providing a glass sheet. Also, a bending station is provided. The bending station includes a first bending tool. The first bending tool has a shaping surface for receiving the glass sheet. The glass sheet is conveyed on a plurality of rollers to a location above the first bending tool. At least a portion of the glass sheet is supported above the first bending tool by delivering a flow of fluid to a major surface of the glass sheet. The glass sheet is deposited on the shaping surface of the first bending tool.

Method of shaping a glass sheet and glass shaping line utilized therein

A method of forming a glass article includes providing a first glass sheet. The first glass sheet is heated to a temperature suitable for shaping. The first glass sheet is deposited on a first bending tool. An edge portion of the first glass sheet is disposed over a shaping surface of the first bending tool. The shaping surface of the first bending tool is configured to provide in the first glass sheet a compression area and a tension area. The first glass sheet is shaped on the first bending tool and the compression area is formed in the edge portion of the first glass sheet. The compression area includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a width which is greater than a width of a second portion.

Method of forming a glass article and the glass article formed thereby

The present invention relates to a method of shaping a glass sheet in one dimension, by roll forming in a manner to selectively minimize/eliminate undesired curvature from the glass sheet. Such shaping is achieved by the selective location in first and second, shaping zones, of shaping rolls having first and second shaping configurations and, optionally, by varying the velocity of the glass sheet as it moves through the shaping zones, thus varying the time portions of the glass sheet are in contact with certain shaping rolls.

Method of shaping glass sheets

A method is provided for shaping a glass sheet in more than one dimension, and within the one or more dimensions forming non-uniform shapes between, for example, the leading edge and the trailing edge of the same glass sheet. Such shaping is achieved by the selective location, in first and second shaping zones, of shaping rolls having first and second shaping configurations and by varying the speed of the glass sheet as it moves through the shaping zones, thus varying the length of time that selected portions of the glass sheet are in contact with certain shaping rolls.

The present invention relates to glass tempering modules of a glass tempering apparatus capable of selectively directing a tempering medium at increased velocity in designated areas of a shaped glass sheet, by the selective arrangement and utilization of quench nozzles in the glass tempering modules, at varying distances from the surface of the shaped glass sheet. A method of tempering a glass sheet utilizing the foregoing apparatus is also provided.

Glass tempering method and apparatus

A glass bending line for quickly shaping a complex bent glass sheet is provided that includes moving a ring-type female mold, which has a heated glass sheet placed on it, and a full face heated male mold, toward one another. Upon making shaping contact between the glass sheet and the male mold, a vacuum is applied through holes extending through the male mold, for a time sufficient to form the glass sheet to a desired shape. When the glass sheet has been shaped, the vacuum is terminated and pressurized air is connected to the holes to release the bent glass sheet from the male mold. The bent glass sheet is then quickly transported to a quenching station or an annealing station on a continuous conveying device. Hence, the complex bent glass sheet is achieved without the use of a shuttle ring.

Glass bending process

A press bending station includes an annular mold () and a full-face mold (). Holes (), selectively connected to a negative pressure source, are placed in portions of the full-face mold () that are determined by the configuration of the annular mold when the annular mold comes into contact with a heated glass sheet () during the press bending process. The sheet () is drawn by negative pressure through the holes () towards the full-face mold () and thus acquires its shape. Positive pressure may be selectively applied to the holes () to release the sheet (). According to the invention, at least some of the holes () are arranged in at least one groove () formed in the mold face of the full-face mold. The grooves () according to the invention accelerate considerably the removal by negative pressure of the air between the molding face of the full-face mold () and the glass sheet () to be bent and thus improve the press bending process.

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Maumee, OH, United States of America

Robert J Boisselle