Corning Incorporated

Stephen R Allen

James Gary Anderson

Jackson P Trentelman

Albert M Gossie

Robert J Kiphut

The method herein shapes a thin glass article ( ), as well as a thin glass interface ( ) between two laminated sheets ( ) as they seal together to form the glass article ( ). This process changes the shape of the article ( ) and modifies the internal interface ( ) at the juncture where the glass sheets ( ) meet to make the channels ( ). As a result, the juncture is very thin and very little or no slope. The process uses the mechanical motion of a plunger combined with plunger vacuum and internal gas pressure to make these changes. The technique reduces the contact area between glass layers ( ). A reduced contact area can reduce the optical interference caused by the joining of two layers of glass ( ). The technique also makes the front surface of each channel ( ) thinner. The glass thinness also allows for thinner products with substantially reduced light distortion at the juncture.

Channeled glass article and method therefor

The present invention is directed to a method for forming glass articles containing enclosed channels. The method comprises the following steps: a) delivering and depositing a first length of a molten glass ribbon (,) to a surface of a mold (,) having a mold cavity (,) possessing at least one channel-forming groove (,) and a peripheral surface, wherein the first length (,) overlies the mold cavity (,) and the peripheral surface; b) allowing the first length of the molten glass ribbon (,) to substantially conform to the contour of the mold cavity (,) resulting in the formation of at least one channel in the first length of the molten glass ribbon (,); c) delivering and depositing a second length of the molten glass ribbon (,) to the exposed surface of the first length of the molten glass ribbon (,). The delivered molten glass viscosity of the molten glass ribbon (,) is such that the following is achieved: 1) the second length (,) bridges but does not sag into complete contact with the channel portion of the earlier-deposited first length (,): and 2) a hermetic seal is formed wherever the molten glass' first (,) and second lengths (,) contact.

Method for forming an internally channeled glass article

The present invention is directed to a method for forming glass articles containing internal enclosed channels. The method comprises the following steps: (a) delivering and depositing a first or channel-forming ribbon of molten glass to a surface of a mold assembly having a mold cavity possessing at least one channel-forming groove formed therewithin and a peripheral surface, wherein the channel-forming ribbon overlies the mold cavity and the peripheral surface of the mold assembly; (b) allowing the channel-forming ribbon of molten glass to substantially conform to the contour of the mold cavity resulting in the formation of at least one channel in the ribbon of the molten glass; (c) delivering and depositing a second or sealing ribbon of molten glass to the outer surface of the channel-forming ribbon of molten glass wherein the viscosity of the sealing ribbon is such that the sealing ribbon (i) bridges but does not sag into complete contact with the surfaces of at least one channel of the channel-forming ribbon and (ii) forms a hermetic seal wherever the sealing ribbon contacts the channel-forming ribbon to form a glass article possessing at least one enclosed channel; and, (d) removing the glass article from the mold.

Method of making an internally channeled glass article

The present invention is directed towards a lightweight, sealant-free, thin glass envelope having a front surface and back surface laminated and integrated together, i e. specifically, a unitary envelope body having at least one discharge or ionizable gas channel. The glass envelope exhibits a weight to area ratio of .ltoreq.1.0 g/cm.sup.2. Lightweight, internally channeled light-emitting devices can be formed from these thin glass envelopes by etching electrodes to the envelope, at opposite ends of, and in communication with, the gas channel which contains a discharge or ionizable gas.

Growing community of inventors

Corning, NY, United States of America

Stephen R Allen