Glasstech, Inc.

Thomas E Feehan

Harold A McMaster

Ronald A McMaster

Norman C Nitschke

Dexter H McMaster

An apparatus (10) is disclosed for bending and tempering a heated glass sheet (12) between first and second bending platens (14,32). Platens (14,32) include actuators (22,36) respectively, for deforming the platens (14,32) to form the desired bend in the glass sheet (12) therebetween the platens (14,32). A vertical guide (16) constrained at both ends (18,20) controls vertical movement of the first platen (14) and a central actuator (42) constrained at both ends (44,46) controls vertical movement of the second platen (32). The vertical guide (16) and central actuator (42) cooperably operate to control the specific geometric orientation of the bend on the glass sheet (12).

Apparatus for bending glass sheets

A method for bending glass sheets is disclosed in which a heated glass sheet (12) is introduced between spaced upper and lower bending platens (16,18). Heat source (19), integral with platen (18), is operable for applying heat in close proximity to the glass sheet (12) between the platens (16,18) to maintain an optimal bending temperature and the glass sheet (12) is bent such that a specific geometric orientation of the bend on the glass sheet (12) is controllable and repeatedly reproducible during a production operation.

Growing community of inventors

Toledo, OH, United States of America

Thomas E Feehan