The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 23, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 15, 2000
Ronald A. McMaster, Perrysburg, OH (US);
Michael J. Vild, Toledo, OH (US);
Donivan M. Shetterly, Rudolph, OH (US);
Paul D. Ducat, Perrysburg, OH (US);
Glasstech, Inc., Perrysburg, OH (US);
Abstract
A method for forming glass sheets is performed by a system ( ) that includes a furnace ( ) having a heating chamber ( ) in which a vacuum platen ( ) has a downwardly facing surface ( ) to which a vacuum is supplied to support a heated glass sheet received from a conveyor ( ). A forming station ( ) located externally of the furnace has a vertically movable upper mold ( ) whose temperature is not greater than 500° C. The upper mold ( ) cooperates with a horizontally movable lower ring ( ). A first actuator ( ) moves the vacuum platen ( ) vertically to transfer a heated glass sheet from the conveyor ( ) to the lower ring ( ) which is then moved by a second actuator ( ) to the forming station ( ). A third actuator ( ) then moves the upper mold ( ) downwardly to cooperate with the lower ring ( ) in forming the glass sheet. The forming station ( ) includes apparatus ( ) for reducing heat loss of the glass sheet during the forming. A vacuum impulse is provided to the upper mold ( ) to assist in the forming. A cooling station ( ) cools tHe formed glass sheet.