Glasstech, Inc.

Robert L Boyles, Jr

James P Schnabel, Jr

Paul D Ducat

A system (20) and method for forming a glass sheet includes a locating assembly (28) for locating at least one glass sheet below a downwardly facing surface (58) of a topside support device (26) that receives the heated glass sheet from a conveyor (24, 24') in preparation for transfer thereof to an associated mold (33) on a mold shuttle (30). The locating assembly (28) includes a support (82) that is mounted outside of the system housing (22) at factory ambient temperature and has a horizontal arm (84) extending therefrom through the housing into its heated chamber (37) with first and second locators (92) and (94) for locating the suspended glass sheet as well as having a third locator that cooperates with the first and second locators to provide the glass sheet location. The first and second locators (92) and (94) are rotatively driven. In one embodiment designed to form a pair of glass sheets during each forming cycle, a pair of the horizontal arms (84) are used and a pair of the third locators (96) are provided mounted on the downwardly facing surface of the topside support device (26). In another embodiment for processing a single glass sheet during each cycle, the third locator (96) is mounted on another horizontal arm (84a) on which a fourth locator (97) is also mounted. Both air hearth and roll conveyors (24, 24') can be utilized to transfer the glass sheet to the topside support device (26) for the location.

Glass sheet forming method

A system (20) and method for forming a glass sheet includes a locating assembly (28) for locating at least one glass sheet below a downwardly facing surface (58) of a topside support device (26) that receives the heated glass sheet from a conveyor (24,24') in preparation for transfer thereof to an associated mold (33) on a mold shuttle (30). The locating assembly (28) includes a support (82) that is mounted outside of the system housing (22) at factory ambient temperature and has a horizontal arm (84) extending therefrom through the housing into its heated chamber (37) with first and second locators (92) and (94) for locating the suspended glass sheet as well as having a third locator that cooperates with the first and second locators to provide the glass sheet location. At least one of the first and second locators (92) and (94) is rotatively driven. In one embodiment designed to form a pair of glass sheets during each forming cycle, a pair of the horizontal arms (84) are used and a pair of the third locators (96) are provided mounted on the downwardly facing surface of the topside support device (26). In another embodiment for processing a single glass sheet during each cycle, the third locator (96) is mounted on another horizontal arm (84a) on which a fourth locator (97) is also mounted. Both air hearth and roll conveyors (24,24') can be utilized to transfer the glass sheet to the topside support device (26) for the location.

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Toledo, OH, United States of America

Robert L Boyles, Jr