US3734706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Producing bent tempered glass sheets
Assignee: Pilkington North America Inc
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Filing: 1971-04-16
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-04-16
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for producing bent tempered glass by heating a sheet of glass during movement along a horizontal path and toward a ring type bending mold located beneath the path, raising the mold when the heated sheet reaches a position directly over it to lift the sheet bodily from the path and rapidly enough to cause it to sag into conformity with the shaping surface of the mold, rapidly chilling the bent sheet on the raised mold to initiate the tempering thereof, and continuing the chilling without cessation during lowering of the mold to return the sheet to the path and until the tempering is complete.
Inventors
- 👤 G Ritter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:17
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B27/00; C03B27/04; C03B27/044; C03B27/0442; C03B27/0445; C03B23/00; C03B23/02; C03B23/023; C03B23/025; C03B23/0256; C03B23/03; C03B2225/00; C03B2225/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In a method of bending and tempering glass sheets in which a flat sheet of glass is heated to bending temperature during movement along a substantially horizontal path, the heated flat sheet is lifted from said path on the contoured shaping surface of a bending mold at a speed sufficient to create an inertial force which when combined with the force of gravity causes said sheet to bend into contact with said shaping surface, and the bent sheet is then lowered on said mold to return it to said path for continued movement therealong; the improvement which comprises initiating rapid chilling of said sheet, as the same is bent and while it is in lifted position on said mold, and continuing said rapid chilling without interruption until said glass is tempered.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a method of bending and tempering glass sheets in which a flat sheet of glass is heated to bending temperature during movement along a substantially horizontal path, the heated flat sheet is lifted from said path on the contoured shaping surface of a bending mold at a speed sufficient to create an inertial force which when combined with the force of gravity causes said sheet to bend into contact with said shaping surface, and the bent sheet is then lowered on said mold to return it to said path for continued movement therealong; the improvement which comprises initiating rapid chilling of said sheet, as the same is bent and while it is in lifted position on said mold, and continuing said rapid chilling without interruption until said glass is tempered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which said chilling is initiated and continued uninterruptedly by directing blasts of a cooling fluid at high pressure against opposite surfaces of said sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which said chilling is continued during lowering of said mold to return the sheet to said path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 3 in which said chilling is continued until said sheet is returned to and during continued movement along said path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which resilient mechanical pressure is exerted against selected portions of the upper surface of said sheet during said lifting thereof to urge said sheet into contact with said mold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
In apparatus for bending and tempering glass sheets, the combination; with a horizontal conveyor system for supporting flat and bent glass sheets in and moving them along a predetermined path, a bending mold having a shaping surface, and means for moving said mold vertically between a lowered position below said path and a raised position thereabove to lift a heated glass sheet from said conveyor system and cause it to bend by ineRtia and gravity into contact with said shaping surface and to subsequently lower the bent sheet to return said glass sheet to said path for continued movement therealong; of means movable with said mold for directing blasts of cooling fluid against opposite surfaces of said glass sheet while on and during movement of said mold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
In apparatus for bending and tempering glass sheets, the combination; with a horizontal conveyor system for supporting flat and bent glass sheets in and moving them along a predetermined path, a bending mold having a shaping surface, and means for moving said mold vertically between a lowered position below said path and a raised position thereabove to lift a heated glass sheet from said conveyor system and cause it to bend by ineRtia and gravity into contact with said shaping surface and to subsequently lower the bent sheet to return said glass sheet to said path for continued movement therealong; of means movable with said mold for directing blasts of cooling fluid against opposite surfaces of said glass sheet while on and during movement of said mold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which means are also provided immediately adjacent said mold for continuing to direct blasts of cooling fluid against opposite surfaces of said bent sheet after its return to and during continued movement thereof along said path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said cooling means comprises an upper and a lower set of blast head tubes arranged in spaced parallel relation and having staggered openings in opposed faces of each set, together with manifolds connecting each of said sets of tubes, and means is provided for supporting said sets of tubes in association and for movement with said mold and relatively to said conveyor system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which said manifolds connect said tubes at one end only, and means is provided to connect said manifolds together to permit said cooling means to be slid as a unit into association with said mold and said conveyor means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which means is provided for automatically and resiliently exerting mechanical pressure against selected portions only of said sheet to urge the same into contact with said mold during said lifting thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |