| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080276646 | Conformable nosing device for reducing motion and stress within a glass sheet while manufacturing the glass sheet - A conformable nosing device is described herein which conforms to have a bowed shape that substantially matches a bowed shape of a glass sheet and which engages the glass sheet to help minimize the motion of the glass sheet and to help reduce the stress within the glass sheet while the glass sheet is being scored and separated into individual glass sheets. In addition, the conformable nosing device can include a passive nosing device which can be controlled to further help minimize the motion of the glass sheet while the glass sheet is being scored and separated into individual glass sheets. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080276785 | Constant force scoring device and method for using same - A scoring device is described herein that applies a constant force while scoring a piece of material so that there is a consistent score quality (or vent depth) within the scored piece of material. In one embodiment, the piece of material is a bowed shaped glass sheet that is supported by a conformable nosing device which has been configured to have a bowed shape that substantially matches the bowed shape of the glass sheet. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20090085254 | Laser scoring with flat profile beam - Disclosed are systems and methods for scoring glass sheets. A laser beam can be generated having a substantially uniform peak energy density along at least a portion of its length. The laser beam is moved across the glass sheet to create a score line. Further, the glass sheet can be separated along the score line. In some aspects, the laser beam is bimodal and comprises approximately 60-70% TEM00 mode and approximately 30-40% TEM01* mode. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090092472 | Apparatus and system for handling a glass sheet - A method of conveying a glass substrate utilizing an improved non-contact lifting device. The non-contact lifting device employs the Bernoulli effect to create a pressure differential across the glass substrate. The Bernoulli device of the present invention comprises an increased holding or lifting power, and reduces the opportunity for contact between the device and the glass substrate if the device is tilted with respect the plane of the glass substrate surface. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090120134 | Method and apparatus for measuring surface shape profile - An apparatus for measuring a shape profile of a surface of a sheet of material includes a light source for providing a light beam to be directed at the surface of the sheet of material, a linear translation stage coupled to the light source for translating the light source over the surface of the sheet of material such that the light beam, when directed at the surface, is incident on the surface at multiple positions and produces a reflected light beam at each of the multiple positions, a plurality of light receivers located at predetermined positions for selectively intercepting the reflected light beam produced at each of the multiple positions, a data acquisition device configured to receive information related to position difference between the light source and a selected one of the plurality of light receivers intercepting the reflected light beam produced at each of the multiple positions, and a data analysis device configured to correlate the position difference information to a shape profile of the surface of the sheet of material. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090126403 | Laser scoring of glass sheets at high speeds and with low residual stress - Experimental data is presented which shows that laser scoring of glass sheets ( | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090178298 | Device for fluid removal after laser scoring - An apparatus for drying a surface of a substrate during laser scoring. During the laser scoring process, a narrow cooling liquid jet follows the laser beam to create and propagate a partial vent. Precision of the scoring and overall stability of the process depend upon the accuracy of the alignment of the beam and the fluid stream. In one aspect, the apparatus has a conduit with at least one interior chamber in communication with at least one nozzle orifice. The conduit is configured to be in communication with a pressurized gas source to introduce the pressurized gas into the chamber. The pressurized gas forms a curtain of gas that is used to clean the cooling fluid therefrom the surface of the substrate. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090294419 | Scoring of non-flat materials - Disclosed are systems for scoring non-flat materials including non-flat glass sheets ( | 12-03-2009 |
| 20100078417 | LASER SEPARATION OF GLASS SHEETS - Methods of using a laser to separate a glass sheet is presented that employs an elongated and, preferably, asymmetrically-truncated laser beam. The methods allow glass sheets suitable for use in modern display applications to be separated at speeds up to about 200 mm/s with low levels of residual stress, e.g., levels of residual stress which are less than or equal to 100 psi, and preferably less than 50 psi. Glasses with high coefficients of thermal expansion (e.g. greater than about 35×10 | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100126226 | Glass Sheet Stabilizing System, Glass Manufacturing System and Method for Making A Glass Sheet - A stabilizing system is described herein that reinforces a bowed profile of a downward moving glass sheet which helps to reduce the creation of stress within the glass sheet. In another embodiment, the stabilizing system can also form a rigid zone within the glass sheet which blocks or dampens any disturbances (motion) to the glass sheet that is caused by the scoring and separating of the glass sheet from transferring up the glass sheet. In yet another embodiment, the stabilizing system can also flatten the glass sheet before the scoring and separating of the glass sheet which is desirable because it enables a laser scoring mechanism to cut the glass sheet with the required edge straightness and avoids having to perform another precision cutting process. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100149553 | Method and Apparatus for Determining Sheet Position During Production and Handling - A method for determining a position of a selected area of a sheet of material relative to a reference plane includes launching a first incident light beam at the selected area of the sheet of material such that the first incident light beam strikes the selected area at a first position and a first angle, thereby producing a first reflected light beam. A second incident light beam is launched at the selected area of the sheet of material such that the second incident light beam strikes the selected area at a second position and a second angle, thereby producing a second reflected light beam. The second position and second angle are different from the first position and first angle, respectively. The first reflected light beam and the second reflected light beam are intercepted at the reference plane. Information related to positions at which the reflected light beams were intercepted and angles at which the incident light beams were launched were received and correlated to the position of the selected area relative to the reference plane. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100212361 | METHOD FOR SCORING A SHEET OF BRITTLE MATERIAL - A method of cutting glass that prevents uncontrolled crack propagation when high background stress is present, either in the form of thermal residual stress, external mechanical stress or a combination thereof. The method includes masking an edge of the glass by blocking the beam using highly reflective or absorptive material located near the glass surface, or deposited on the surface in a form of a thin film (or highly reflective paint) to prevent uncontrolled crack initiation and propagation starting from the glass edge. The initiation of the laser scoring is located at a predetermined distance from the glass edge. Yet another aspect of the invention embodies stopping propagation of the vent at the exiting end of the score line. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100221501 | GLASS SHEET WITH PROTECTED EDGE, EDGE PROTECTOR AND METHOD FOR MAKING GLASS SHEET USING SAME - A glass sheet assembly includes a glass sheet having an edge surface and a shaped fiber. The shaped fiber has a first surface bonded to the edge surface of the glass sheet and a convex second surface not bonded to the edge surface for receiving a load. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100258993 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RESTRAINING MOVEMENT OF CONTINUOUSLY TRAVELING GLASS SHEET - A sheet restrainer is used to restrain movement of continuously traveling glass sheet and includes arms on either side of the glass sheet. A driving device coupled to the arms moves the arms from a retracted position in which the arms are withdrawn from the glass sheet to an engaged position in which the arms are near the glass sheet and in alignment with each other. Rollers are connected to the arms and contact the glass sheet in the engaged position. A damping device applies an adjustable damping force to at least one of the arms dampening movement of the arm in the engaged position thereby restraining movement of the sheet. In a method of operation, the damping devices restrain angular and/or lateral movement of the sheet by transmitting movement of the sheet against the rollers into a resistive damping force of the damping devices. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100287991 | PREVENTING GAS FROM OCCUPYING A SPRAY NOZZLE USED IN A PROCESS OF SCORING A HOT GLASS SHEET - A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The scoring is conducted by a high energy means such as a laser. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in liquid used to quench the glass located in the nozzle (e.g., water). The gas (e.g., air bubbles) is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet, such as using a traveling anvil machine at the bottom of the draw. The spray nozzle (purge nozzle) has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location. The purge nozzle can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening in the nozzle. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passageway that enables a coolant to travel along the coil. This cools the quenching liquid passing through the nozzle, and increases the solubility of bubbles in the quenching liquid in the nozzle. A gas filter can receive gas-rich quenching liquid from the pressurized quenching liquid source, remove gas from the liquid, and send gas-depleted quenching liquid to the spray nozzle. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20110017713 | Methods and Apparatus for Initiating Scoring - Methods and apparatus are provided for forming an initiation flaw ( | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110265519 | METHODS FOR SEPARATING GLASS SHEETS FROM CONTINUOUS GLASS RIBBONS - Methods for separating glass sheets from glass ribbons are disclosed. One method includes forming a glass ribbon having a curvature in a lateral direction. A conformable nosing is engaged with a first surface of the glass ribbon such that the conformable nosing conforms to the curvature of the glass ribbon. The glass ribbon is scored along a scoring line on a second surface of the glass ribbon. The conformable nosing is then at least partially disengaged from the first surface of the glass ribbon by adjusting a bow of the conformable nosing. A bending moment is applied to the glass ribbon to separate a glass sheet from the glass ribbon at the scoring line. Application of the bending moment conforms the curvature of the glass ribbon to the bow of the conformable nosing prior to the glass sheet separating from the glass ribbon. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110277507 | METHODS OF PRODUCING GLASS SHEETS - Methods of producing a glass sheet comprise the step of fusion drawing a glass ribbon along a draw direction into a viscous zone downstream from a root of a forming wedge. The method further includes the steps of drawing the glass ribbon into a setting zone downstream from the viscous zone and an elastic zone downstream from the setting zone. The method also includes the step of creating a vacuum to force the entire lateral portion of the glass ribbon to engage an anvil portion of a breaking device in the elastic zone. The method still further includes the steps of forming a score line along the lateral portion of the glass ribbon and breaking away a glass sheet from the glass ribbon along the score line while the entire lateral portion is forced against the anvil portion by the vacuum. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20120000894 | PRECISION LASER SCORING - Method and apparatus for laser scoring a sheet material. An elongated laser beam having S-mode intensity profile in the width direction and a flat-top-mode profile in the length direction is used to achieve high precision scoring. The invention can be used for scoring large-size glass substrates for LCD displays. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120006058 | CONSTANT FORCE SCORING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USING SAME - A scoring device is described herein that applies a constant force while scoring a piece of material so that there is a consistent score quality (or vent depth) within the scored piece of material. In one embodiment, the piece of material is a bowed shaped glass sheet that is supported by a conformable nosing device which has been configured to have a bowed shape that substantially matches the bowed shape of the glass sheet. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120103018 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING GLASS RIBBON - A process and apparatus for cutting a continuous glass ribbon involving the use of edge restrainers such as suction cups and clamps connected to an actuator of a robot tooling through a flexible linkage capable of reciprocal motion in the direction of the ribbon velocity. The use of the flexible linkage reduces peak pulling-force when the glass ribbon is pulled or pushed laterally to during bending and separation along a pre-formed score-line. The invention can be advantageously used in the bottom of the draw of a vertical down-draw forming process. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120131963 | PREVENTING GAS FROM OCCUPYING A SPRAY NOZZLE USED IN A PROCESS OF SCORING A HOT GLASS SHEET - A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in liquid used to quench the glass located in the nozzle (e.g., water). The gas (e.g., air bubbles) is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet. The spray nozzle has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location. The spray nozzle can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passagewayto cool the quenching liquid passing through the nozzle, and increase the solubility of bubbles in the quenching liquid. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120156972 | GLASS EDGE FINISH SYSTEM, BELT ASSEMBLY, AND METHOD FOR USING SAME - A glass edge finishing system, a belt assembly and a method are described herein for finishing an edge of a glass sheet. The glass edge finishing system comprises: (a) a base; and (b) one or more belt assemblies located on the base, where each belt assembly includes: (i) a support frame; (ii) a motor; (iii) a pair of pulleys rotatably mounted on the support frame and driven by the motor; (iv) a belt engaged to and driven by the pair of pulleys, where the belt contacts and finishes the edge of the glass sheet; (v) a belt cleaning device that removes glass debris from the belt as the belt moves past the belt cleaning device; and (vi) a cleaning containment enclosure within which there is located the belt cleaning device, where the cleaning containment enclosure contains the glass debris removed from the belt by the belt cleaning device. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20130037592 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING PERIPHERAL PORTION OF A GLASS SHEET - Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130130597 | GLASS TREATMENT APPARATUS AND METHODS OF TREATING GLASS - A glass treatment apparatus, in one example, can include a fluid dispensing device configured to dispense a substantially laminar flow of a fluid film. In another example, a shroud substantially circumscribes an outer peripheral surface of a working wheel. The shroud includes a slot configured to receive an edge portion of a glass sheet. Methods of treating glass, in one example, include the step of dispensing a substantially laminar flow of a fluid film along a fluid plane to subsequently land on a first side of a glass sheet. In further examples, a fluid is passed over an inner surface of a shroud to carry away machined particles from a glass sheet. In still further examples, an outer peripheral surface of a working wheel is impacted with a fluid stream to clean the working wheel from glass particles generated when machining an edge of the glass sheet. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130133367 | METHOD FOR LOW ENERGY SEPARATION OF A GLASS RIBBON - Disclosed is a method of separating a glass sheet from a moving glass ribbon, wherein the glass ribbon comprises thickened bead portions. The method comprises weakening the bead portions of the ribbon using laser-initiated ablation at the bead portions to overcome the potential for uncontrolled cracking through the bead portion. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130134198 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING STRESS IN GLASS RIBBONS - A device for engaging and tensioning a glass ribbon includes a center frame member, and first and second outer frame members connected thereto. The first outer frame member includes a suction cup that engages an edge area of the glass ribbon and an actuator for moving the suction cup of the first outer frame member. The second outer frame member includes a suction cup that engages an opposite edge area of the glass ribbon and an actuator for moving the suction cup of the second outer frame member. The actuators of the first and second outer frame members moves the suction cups of the respective frame members in directions away from each other. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130134199 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING PERIPHERAL PORTION OF A GLASS SHEET - Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130134200 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING PERIPHERAL PORTION OF A GLASS SHEET - Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130323469 | METHODS OF CUTTING GLASS USING A LASER - A method of cutting a glass article includes translating a laser beam relative to a first surface of the glass article. The laser beam includes a beam waist having a center. The center of the beam waist of the laser beam is positioned at or below a second surface of the glass article. The laser beam creates a plurality of defects along a score line in the glass article such that the plurality of defects extends a distance into the glass article, and at least some individual defects of the plurality of defects are non-orthogonal to the first surface of the glass article and are biased in a direction of translation of the laser beam. Glass articles having edge defects are also disclosed. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20140041503 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INITIATING SCORING - Methods and apparatus are provided for forming an initiation flaw ( | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140061007 | GLASS SHEET GUIDANCE APPARATUS AND METHODS OF GUIDING A GLASS SHEET - A glass sheet guidance apparatus includes a guidance member extending adjacent a conveyance path. In one example, an adjustment device selectively adjusts a length of the guidance member extending between a first holding structure and a second holding structure. In another example, the glass sheet guidance apparatus is configured to traverse a length of the guidance member and the glass sheet in a common direction of a conveyance path. Further examples include methods of guiding a glass sheet with the glass sheet guidance apparatus. In still further examples a method of manufacturing a glass sheet includes guiding the glass sheet. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140130552 | SEPARATION APPARATUSES FOR SEPARATING SHEETS OF BRITTLE MATERIAL AND METHODS FOR SEPARATING SHEETS OF BRITTLE MATERIAL - Methods and apparatuses for separating sheets of brittle material are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a separation apparatus for separating a sheet of brittle material includes a first separation cam positioned adjacent to a sheet conveyance pathway and a second separation cam positioned opposite from and downstream of the first separation cam. The first and second separation cams may be rotated such that the contact faces of the separation cams periodically extend across a centerline of the conveyance pathway. Rotation of the first and second separation cams may be synchronized such that at least the portion of the contact face of the first separation cam and at least the portion of the contact face of the second separation cam periodically extend across the centerline of the conveyance pathway at a separation time and periodically do not extend across the centerline of the conveyance pathway at a non-separation time. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140144965 | METHOD TO MANIPULATE BRITTLE MATERIAL SHEET COMPOUND SHAPE - A method for manipulating a glass sheet compound shape during a severing operation including, for example, positioning a scoring device against the first side of the central portion of the glass sheet, and temporarily bending an extended portion of the glass sheet located between the scoring device and a selected one of the edge portions from a first orientation to a severing orientation by applying a force to the extended portion of the glass sheet. In one example, the force can be applied to achieve a predetermined surface stress in the glass sheet. The method can further include forming a score line along the first side of the central portion of the glass sheet while the force is being applied to the extended portion, and breaking away the selected one of the edge portions from the glass sheet along the score line. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140182338 | Method for Low Energy Separation of a Glass Ribbon - Disclosed is a method of separating a glass sheet from a moving glass ribbon, wherein the glass ribbon comprises thickened bead portions. The method comprises weakening the bead portions of the ribbon using laser-initiated ablation at the bead portions to overcome the potential for uncontrolled cracking through the bead portion. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140373572 | GLASS RIBBON ENGAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDES A ROBOT TOOLING DEVICE AND A GUIDANCE DEVICE - A glass ribbon engagement system is described herein that includes a robot tooling device with suction cups configured to engage a first side of a glass ribbon, and a guidance device with one or more devices (e.g., air nozzles, cylinder-wheel units) which are configured to apply one or more local forces to a second side of the glass ribbon to shift the glass ribbon towards the suction cups to assist the suction cups in engaging and securing the first side of the glass ribbon. | 12-25-2014 |
