Glass cutting method and apparatus

Claim 2

In the continuous production of glass sheets wherein a glass ribbon is formed from molten glass material, the improvement in cutting the glass ribbon into sheets while the ribbon still possesses residual heat from the molten material comprising: a. adjusting the temperature of the ribbon to about the strain point of the glass; and b. cutting the ribbon into sheets while at about the strain point.

Claim 3

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the cutting includes the steps of: a. scoring the surface of the glass ribbon along a line at which each cut is to be made; and b. snapping the ribbon into sheets by distorting the portion of the ribbon on one side of the line relative to the portion on the other side.

Claim 4

means for initially urging the portion of the ribbon forward of the scoreline into said second plane after the entire portion has passed the first conveyor section.

Claim 5

means for initially urging the portion of the ribbon forward of the scoreline into said second plane after the entire portion has passed the first conveyor section.

Claim 6

applying a cold jet of fluid along said scoreline while the temperature of the glass is at about the strain point.

Claim 7

applying a cold jet of fluid along said scoreline while the temperature of the glass is at about the strain point.

Claim 8

moving the portion of the ribbon on the other side of said line into an unsupported position with said first plane, and

Claim 9

moving the portion of the ribbon on the other side of said line into an unsupported position with said first plane, and

Claim 10

moving the portion of the ribbon on the other side of said line laterally out of said first plane.

Claim 11

moving the portion of the ribbon on the other side of said line laterally out of said first plane.

Claim 12

applying a force against the unsupported portion of the ribbon at the leading end thereof to urge the unsupported portion out of said first plane and break it away from the supported portion at the score-line.

Claim 13

applying a force against the unsupported portion of the ribbon at the leading end thereof to urge the unsupported portion out of said first plane and break it away from the supported portion at the score-line.

Claim 14

The improvement according to claim 2 wherein: a. the temperature of the ribbon is maintained substantially uniform throughout its thickness and width at the time of cutting.

Claim 15

The improvement according to claim 2 wherein: a. the ribbon is maintained at a temperature between about 400*C to 550*C during cutting.

Claim 16

The improvement according to claim 4 wherein: a. the ribbon is maintained at a temperature of about 510*C during cutting.

Claim 17

The improvement according to claim 5 wherein: a. the snapping of the ribbon into sheets is effected by:

Claim 18

The improvement according to claim 5 wherein: a. the snapping of the ribbon into sheets is effected by:

Claim 19

In the continuous production of glass sheets wherein a glass ribbon is formed from molten glass material, the improvement in cutting the glass ribbon into sheets while the ribbon still possesses residual heat from the molten material comprising: a. adjusting the temperature of the ribbon to about the strain point of the glass; and b. cutting the ribbon into sheets while at about the strain point by the steps of:

Claim 20

In the continuous production of glass sheets wherein a glass ribbon is formed from molten glass material, the improvement in cutting the glass ribbon into sheets while the ribbon still possesses residual heat from the molten material comprising: a. adjusting the temperature of the ribbon to about the strain point of the glass; and b. cutting the ribbon into sheets while at about the strain point by the steps of:

Claim 21

The Improvement according to claim 8 wherein: a. the scoring is effected progressively in one direction across the glass ribbon; and b. the jet is applied progressively in said one direction to the scoreline in a trailing pattern.

Claim 22

In an apparatus for the production of glass sheets from a glass ribbon wherein the ribbon and sheets are fed along a predetermined path by a conveyor and cutting means are located along the conveyor for cutting the ribbon into successive sheets, the improvement wherein: a. a first conveyor section underlying the ribbon is disposed with its upper surface in a first plane for supporting said ribbon; b. a second conveyor section underlying the sheets is disposed with its upper surface in a second plane offset from the first plane in a direction away from said ribbon; and c. the cutting means includes:

Claim 23

In an apparatus for the production of glass sheets from a glass ribbon wherein the ribbon and sheets are fed along a predetermined path by a conveyor and cutting means are located along the conveyor for cutting the ribbon into successive sheets, the improvement wherein: a. a first conveyor section underlying the ribbon is disposed with its upper surface in a first plane for supporting said ribbon; b. a second conveyor section underlying the sheets is disposed with its upper surface in a second plane offset from the first plane in a direction away from said ribbon; and c. the cutting means includes:

Claim 24

The improvement of claim 10 wherein: a. said last mentioned means is a guide means disposed in the path of movement of the leading end of the ribbon at a point spaced forwardly of the first conveyor section by a distance equal to the length of said portion for urging the ribbon into said second plane.

Claim 25

The improvement according to claim 11 further including: a. holding means overlying said ribbon at the forward end of the first conveyor section for holding the ribbon in said first plane.

Claim 26

The improvement according to claim 12 further including: a. drive means for moving said second conveyor section at a greater speed than said first conveyor section.

Claim 27

The improvement according to claim 12 wherein: a. said conveyor sections are rollers having their axes of rotation parallel to each other and in a common plane with the diameter of the rollers of the second section being smaller than the diameter of the rollers of the first section; and b. the holding and guide means are rollers having their axes of rotation offset from said first plane in a direction opposite said second plane.

Claim 28

In an apparatus for the continuous production of glass sheets wherein a glass ribbon is formed from molten glass material, the ribbon and sheets are fed along a predetermined path by a conveyor and cutting means are located along the conveyor for cutting the ribbon into successive sheets, the improvement comprising: a. a first conveyor section underlying the ribbon and having its upper surface in a first plane; b. heating means for adjusting the temperature of the ribbon while on the first conveyor section to about the strain point of the glass; c. a second conveyor section underlying the sheets and having its upper surface in a second plane lower than said first plane; d. scoring means for scoring one surface of the ribbon along a line at which each cut is to be made as the ribbon is fed over said first conveyor section; e. holding means overlying said ribbon at the forward end of the first conveyor section for holding the ribbon against upward movement; and f. guide means disposed in the path of movement of the leading end of the ribbon at a point spaced forwardly of the first conveyor section by a distance equal to the length of the sheets to be cut for initially contacting and urging the portion of the ribbon forward of the scoreline into said second plane after the scoreline has passed the holding means.

Claim 29

In an apparatus for the continuous production of glass sheets wherein a glass ribbon is formed from molten glass material, the ribbon and sheets are fed along a predetermined path by a conveyor and cutting means are located along the conveyor for cutting the ribbon into successive sheets, the improvement comprising: a. a first conveyor section underlying the ribbon and having its upper surface in a first plane; b. heating means for adjusting the temperature of the ribbon while on the first conveyor section to about the strain point of the glass; c. a second conveyor section underlying the sheets and having its upper surface in a second plane lower than said first plane; d. scoring means for scoring one surface of the ribbon along a line at which each cut is to be made as the ribbon is fed over said first conveyor section; e. holding means overlying said ribbon at the forward end of the first conveyor section for holding the ribbon against upward movement; and f. guide means disposed in the path of movement of the leading end of the ribbon at a point spaced forwardly of the first conveyor section by a distance equal to the length of the sheets to be cut for initially contacting and urging the portion of the ribbon forward of the scoreline into said second plane after the scoreline has passed the holding means.

Claim 30

In an apparatus for the production of glass sheets from a glass ribbon at a temperature about equal to the strain point wherein the ribbon and sheets cut from the ribbon are fed along a predetermined path by a conveyor and cutting means are located along the conveyor for cutting the ribbon into successive sheets at a location where the glass is at about tHe strain point, the improvement wherein the cutting means includes: a. scoring means mounted along the conveyor for scoring one surface of the ribbon along a line at which each cut is to be made; and b. nozzle means mounted along the conveyor for applying a localized cold jet of fluid along said scoreline.

Claim 31

In an apparatus for the production of glass sheets from a glass ribbon at a temperature about equal to the strain point wherein the ribbon and sheets cut from the ribbon are fed along a predetermined path by a conveyor and cutting means are located along the conveyor for cutting the ribbon into successive sheets at a location where the glass is at about tHe strain point, the improvement wherein the cutting means includes: a. scoring means mounted along the conveyor for scoring one surface of the ribbon along a line at which each cut is to be made; and b. nozzle means mounted along the conveyor for applying a localized cold jet of fluid along said scoreline.