CN117303717A

CN117303717A - Method and apparatus for manufacturing glass ribbon

Info

Publication number: CN117303717A
Application number: CN202310767594.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·阿格拉瓦尔; O·N·伯拉塔瓦; N·P·克拉迪亚斯; 蒙建东
Original assignee: Corning Inc
Current assignee: Corning Inc
Priority date: 2022-06-27
Filing date: 2023-06-27
Publication date: 2023-12-29

Abstract

A glass manufacturing apparatus includes a forming device that defines a travel path along which a glass ribbon travels in a direction of travel. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes rollers positioned adjacent to the travel path and contacting the glass ribbon. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a baffle positioned between the rollers and the forming device. The baffle includes a wall defining a hollow chamber. The wall includes an opening facing the roller. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a vacuum apparatus in fluid communication with the hollow chamber. The vacuum device removes air from the hollow chamber and draws air through the opening. Methods of making glass ribbons are provided.

Description

Method and apparatus for manufacturing glass ribbon

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. 35.C. ≡119 to U.S. 63/355717 filed on 6.27 days 2022, the contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for manufacturing glass ribbon, and more particularly to methods for manufacturing glass ribbon with baffles positioned adjacent to the rollers.

Background

It is known to manufacture glass ribbons using forming apparatus. Conventional forming devices are known to operate to pull a quantity of molten material from the forming device as a glass ribbon. One or more rollers positioned downstream of the forming device can contact the glass ribbon. The rollers can produce particulate material that can cause damage to the glass ribbon by contacting the glass ribbon. The particulate material may be present in the environment surrounding the glass ribbon.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects described in the detailed description.

A method of making glass having a baffle is presented. The baffle may be located adjacent to the roller, wherein the baffle includes one or more openings facing the roller. The baffle may be substantially hollow and in fluid communication with a vacuum apparatus. The vacuum device may remove air from the baffle, causing air to be drawn through the opening and into the baffle. As air is drawn through the openings, material or particles in the air may likewise be drawn through the openings and into the baffle. Thus, the air surrounding the glass ribbon is cleaner and contains a reduced amount of unwanted material or particles.

In some aspects, a glass manufacturing apparatus includes a forming device defining a travel path along which a glass ribbon travels in a travel direction. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes rollers positioned adjacent to the travel path and configured to contact the glass ribbon. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a baffle positioned between the rollers and the forming device. The baffle includes a wall defining a hollow chamber. The wall includes an opening facing the roller. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a vacuum apparatus in fluid communication with the hollow chamber. The vacuum apparatus is configured to remove air from the hollow chamber and draw air through the opening.

In some aspects, an axis parallel to the travel path intersects the opening and the roller.

In some aspects, the baffle extends substantially parallel to the travel path and substantially perpendicular to the travel direction.

In some aspects, the wall includes a plurality of openings spaced apart and facing the roller.

In some aspects, the baffle extends circumferentially around at least a portion of the roller.

In some aspects, the baffle extends circumferentially about the roller from about 135 degrees to about 200 degrees.

In some aspects, the baffle includes a second opening facing the roller. The opening faces a first peripheral position of the roller and the second opening faces a second peripheral position of the roller, the second peripheral position being circumferentially offset from the first peripheral position.

In some aspects, a first portion of the baffle is located between the roller and the forming device, and a second portion of the baffle is located downstream of the roller relative to a direction of travel.

In some aspects, a glass manufacturing apparatus includes a forming device defining a travel path along which a glass ribbon travels in a travel direction. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes rollers positioned adjacent to the travel path and configured to contact the glass ribbon. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a baffle positioned between the rollers and the forming device. The baffle includes a wall defining a hollow chamber. The wall includes a plurality of openings spaced apart and facing the roller such that a first opening of the plurality of openings faces a first peripheral location of the roller and a second opening of the plurality of openings faces a second peripheral location of the roller, the second peripheral location being circumferentially offset from the first peripheral location. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a vacuum apparatus in fluid communication with the hollow chamber. The vacuum apparatus is configured to remove air from the hollow chamber and to draw air through the plurality of openings.

In some aspects, an axis parallel to the travel path intersects the first opening and the roller.

In some aspects, a method of making a glass ribbon includes guiding the glass ribbon along a travel path in a travel direction. The method includes contacting the glass ribbon with a roller adjacent to the travel path. The method includes positioning a hollow baffle adjacent to the roller such that an opening in the hollow baffle faces the roller. The method includes removing air from the hollow baffle to draw material generated from the roller through the opening and into the hollow baffle.

In some aspects, positioning a hollow baffle includes positioning the hollow baffle between the roller and the forming device.

In some aspects, removing air from the hollow baffles comprises drawing material generated from the roller through a plurality of openings of hollow baffles spaced apart along a length of the roller.

In some aspects, removing air from the hollow baffle includes drawing material generated from the roller through a plurality of openings spaced circumferentially around the roller.

In some aspects, the axis intersects the roller, a first opening of the plurality of openings, and a second opening of the plurality of openings.

Additional features and advantages of the aspects disclosed herein will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the disclosed embodiments as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present aspects of the invention that are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the embodiments of the invention. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation thereof.

Drawings

These and other features, aspects, and advantages will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates exemplary aspects of a glass manufacturing apparatus according to some aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective cutaway view of a glass manufacturing apparatus along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a glass manufacturing apparatus including a first baffle and a second baffle according to some aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a first baffle and a second baffle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the first and second baffles along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, according to some aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a glass manufacturing apparatus including a first baffle and a second baffle according to some aspects of the present disclosure; and

fig. 7 illustrates a bottom view of a first baffle and a second baffle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Various aspects are now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary aspects are shown. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein.

As used herein, the term "about" means that the amounts, dimensions, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, among other factors known to those of skill in the art.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one value, and/or to "about" another value. When such a range is expressed, it includes from the one value to the other value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the value forms another aspect. It will also be understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

As used herein, directional terms (e.g., upper, lower, right, left, front, rear, top, bottom, etc.) are made with reference only to the drawings as drawn and are not intended to indicate absolute orientation.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is in no way intended that any method referred to herein be construed as requiring its steps to be performed in a specific order, nor that any apparatus be required to be in a specific orientation. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps, or an order or orientation of individual components is not actually recited by any apparatus claim, or there is no further specificity in the claims or descriptions that is intended to be limited to a specific order or orientation of components of an apparatus, it is in no way intended that an order or orientation be inferred, in any respect. This applies to any possible non-explicitly basis for interpretation, including: logic problems with respect to step arrangement, operational flow, component order, or component orientation; derived from the plain meaning of grammatical organization or punctuation, as well as the number or type of aspects recited in the specification.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" or "an" component includes aspects having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the words "exemplary," "instance," or various forms thereof are intended to be used as examples, illustrations, or illustrations. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" or "example" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Furthermore, the examples are provided for clarity and understanding only, and are not meant to limit or restrict the disclosed subject matter or relevant portions of the present disclosure in any way. It should be understood that numerous additional or alternative examples of different scope may be given, but are omitted for brevity.

As used herein, the terms "comprising" and "including" and variations thereof are to be interpreted as synonymous and open ended, unless otherwise indicated. The transitional phrase containing or including the list of elements that follows is a non-exclusive list such that elements other than those specifically listed in the list may also be present.

As used herein, the terms "substantial," "substantially," and variations thereof are intended to mean that the feature being described is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to mean a planar or nearly planar surface. Furthermore, "substantially" is intended to mean that the two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may refer to values within about 10% of each other, such as values within about 5% of each other, or values within about 2% of each other.

Modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter. Unless otherwise indicated, "first," "second," etc. are not intended to imply temporal, spatial, ordering, etc. Rather, such terms are merely used as identifiers, names, etc. of features, elements, items, etc. For example, the first end and the second end generally correspond to end a and end B or two different ends.

The present disclosure relates to glass manufacturing apparatus and methods for producing a glass ribbon. Methods and apparatus for producing a glass ribbon from a glass material will now be described by way of exemplary aspects. As schematically illustrated in fig. 1, in some aspects, an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a glass melting and conveying apparatus 102 and a forming device 101, the forming device 101 being designed to produce a glass ribbon 103 from a quantity of molten material 121. The glass ribbon 103 can include a central portion 152 positioned between opposing edge portions (e.g., edge beads) formed along a first outer edge 153 and a second outer edge 155 of the glass ribbon 103, wherein the thickness of the edge portions can be greater than the thickness of the central portion. Additionally, in some aspects, the separated glass ribbon 104 can be separated from the glass ribbon 103 along a separation path 151 by a glass separator 149 (e.g., scribe, scoring wheel, diamond tip, laser, etc.).

In some aspects, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 can include a melting vessel 105, the melting vessel 105 oriented to receive batch material 107 from a storage tank 109. Batch 107 may be introduced by a batch delivery device 111 powered by a motor 113. In some aspects, the optional controller 115 can be operated to activate the motor 113 to introduce a desired amount of batch material 107 into the melting vessel 105, as indicated by arrow 117. The melting vessel 105 can heat the batch material 107 to provide a molten material 121. In some aspects, a melt probe 119 may be used to measure the level of molten material 121 within riser 123 and communicate the measured information to controller 115 via communication line 125.

Additionally, in some aspects, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 can include a first conditioning station that includes a fining vessel 127 downstream of the melting vessel 105 and connected to the melting vessel 105 by a first connecting conduit 129. In some aspects, the molten material 121 may be gravity fed from the melting vessel 105 to the fining vessel 127 through a first connecting conduit 129. For example, in some aspects, gravity may drive the internal path of the molten material 121 through the first connecting conduit 129 from the melting vessel 105 to the fining vessel 127. Additionally, in some aspects, bubbles may be removed from the molten material 121 within the fining vessel 127 by various techniques.

In some aspects, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 can further include a second conditioning station that includes a mixing chamber 131 that can be located downstream of the fining vessel 127. Mixing chamber 131 may be used to provide a uniform composition of molten material 121, thereby reducing or eliminating non-uniformities that may otherwise exist within molten material 121 exiting fining vessel 127. As shown, the fining vessel 127 may be coupled to the mixing chamber 131 by a second connecting conduit 135. In some aspects, the molten material 121 may be gravity fed from the fining vessel 127 to the mixing chamber 131 through the second connecting conduit 135. For example, in some aspects, gravity may drive the internal path of molten material 121 through second connecting conduit 135 from fining vessel 127 to mixing chamber 131.

Additionally, in some aspects, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 can include a third conditioning station that includes a delivery chamber 133 that can be downstream of the mixing chamber 131. In some aspects, the delivery chamber 133 can condition the molten material 121 to be fed into the inlet conduit 141. For example, the delivery chamber 133 may act as an accumulator and/or flow controller to regulate and provide a consistent flow of the molten material 121 to the inlet conduit 141. As shown, the mixing chamber 131 may be coupled with the delivery chamber 133 by a third connecting conduit 137. In some aspects, the molten material 121 may be gravity fed from the mixing chamber 131 to the delivery chamber 133 through the third connecting conduit 137. For example, in some aspects, gravity may drive the molten material 121 through an internal path of the third connecting conduit 137 from the mixing chamber 131 to the delivery chamber 133. As further illustrated, in some aspects, the delivery tube 139 may be positioned to deliver the molten material 121 to the forming device 101, such as an inlet conduit 141 of the forming device 101. The forming device 101 may include a slot (e.g., slot 201 shown in fig. 2) extending along the slot axis 140 between an inlet end 142 of the forming device 101 and an opposite end 143 opposite the inlet end 142. The inlet end 142 is the end of the trough 201 proximate to the inlet conduit 141 through which the molten material 121 is received. The opposite end 143 is the end furthest from the inlet conduit 141.

By way of illustration, the forming device 101 shown and disclosed below can be provided to fusion draw molten material 121 from a bottom edge (defined as root 145) of forming wedge 209 to produce glass ribbon 103. For example, in some aspects, the molten material 121 may be delivered from the inlet conduit 141 to the forming device 101. The molten material 121 can then be formed into the glass ribbon 103 based in part on the structure of the forming device 101. For example, as shown, the molten material 121 may be pulled from a bottom edge (e.g., root 145) of the forming device 101 along a draw path extending in the travel direction 154 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100. In some aspects, the edge directors 163, 164 may direct the molten material 121 away from the forming device 101 and partially define the width 108 of the glass ribbon 103. In some aspects, the width 108 of the glass ribbon 103 extends between a first outer edge 153 of the glass ribbon 103 and a second outer edge 155 of the glass ribbon 103.

In some aspects, the width 108 of the glass ribbon 103 extending between the first outer edge 153 of the glass ribbon 103 and the second outer edge 155 of the glass ribbon 103 can be greater than or equal to about 20 millimeters (mm), such as greater than or equal to about 50mm, such as greater than or equal to about 100mm, such as greater than or equal to about 500mm, such as greater than or equal to about 1000mm, such as greater than or equal to about 2000mm, such as greater than or equal to about 3000mm, such as greater than or equal to about 4000mm, although in some aspects other widths less than or greater than the widths described above can be provided. For example, in some aspects, the width 108 may be in a range from about 20mm to about 4000mm, e.g., in a range from about 50mm to about 4000mm, e.g., in a range from about 100mm to about 4000mm, e.g., in a range from about 500mm to about 4000mm, e.g., in a range from about 1000mm to about 4000mm, e.g., in a range from about 2000mm to about 4000mm, e.g., in a range from about 20mm to about 3000mm, e.g., in a range from about 50mm to about 3000mm, e.g., in a range from about 100mm to about 3000mm, e.g., in a range from about 500mm to about 3000mm, e.g., in a range from about 1000mm to about 3000mm, e.g., in a range from about 2000mm to about 2500mm, and all ranges and subranges therebetween.

Fig. 2 shows a cutaway perspective view of the molding apparatus 101 along line 2-2 of fig. 1. In some aspects, the forming device 101 can include a trough 201 oriented to receive the molten material 121 from the inlet conduit 141. For purposes of illustration, the cross-hatching of the molten material 121 is removed from fig. 2 for clarity. The forming apparatus 101 includes a pair of weirs 203, 204 defining an opening 224 in the trough 201. The forming device 101 includes a bottom surface 225, which may be substantially planar, and may extend at least partially between the inlet end 142 and the opposite end 143 (e.g., as shown in fig. 1). The bottom surface 225 may at least partially define the trough 201, e.g., the bottom surface 225 extends along a bottom of the trough 201 and the pair of weirs 203, 204 extend along opposite sides of the trough 201. The forming device 101 may also include a forming wedge 209 that includes a pair of downwardly sloped converging surface portions 207, 208 extending between opposite ends of the forming wedge 209. The pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207, 208 of the forming wedge 209 may converge in the travel direction 154 to intersect along the root 145 of the forming device 101 (e.g., the bottom edge where the converging surface portions 207, 208 of the forming wedge 209 meet). The draw plane 213 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may extend through the root 145 in the travel direction 154. In some aspects, the glass ribbon 103 can be drawn along a draw plane 213 in the travel direction 154. As shown, the stretching plane 213 may bisect the forming wedge 209 by the root 145, although in some aspects the stretching plane 213 may extend in other orientations relative to the root 145. In some aspects, the glass ribbon 103 can move along a travel path 221, which travel path 221 can be coplanar with the draw plane 213 in the travel direction 154.

In addition, the molten material 121 may flow in the flow direction 156 and along the trough 201 of the forming device 101. The molten material 121 may then overflow from the trough 201 by flowing over the respective weirs 203, 204, through the openings 224, and down the outer surfaces 205, 206 of the respective weirs 203, 204. The respective streams of molten material 121 may then flow along the downwardly sloped converging surface portions 207, 208 of the forming wedge 209 and be drawn from the root 145 of the forming device 101 where they converge and fuse into the glass ribbon 103. The glass ribbon 103 may then be drawn in the direction of travel 154. In some aspects, the glass ribbon 103 includes one or more material states based on the vertical position (i.e., distance from the root 145) of the glass ribbon 103. For example, in a first position, the glass ribbon 103 can comprise viscous molten material 121, and in a second position, the glass ribbon 103 can comprise glassy amorphous solids (e.g., glass ribbon).

Glass ribbon 103 includes a first major surface 215 and a second major surface 216 that face in opposite directions and define a thickness 212 (e.g., an average thickness) of glass ribbon 103 therebetween. In some aspects, the thickness 212 of the glass ribbon 103 can be less than or equal to about 2 millimeters (mm), less than or equal to about 1 mm, less than or equal to about 0.5 mm, for example, less than or equal to about 300 micrometers (μm), less than or equal to about 200 micrometers, or less than or equal to about 100 micrometers, although other thicknesses can be provided in other aspects. For example, in some aspects, the thickness 212 of the glass ribbon 103 can be in a range from about 20 microns to about 200 microns, in a range from about 50 microns to about 750 microns, in a range from about 100 microns to about 700 microns, in a range from about 200 microns to about 600 microns, in a range from about 300 microns to about 500 microns, in a range from about 50 microns to about 700 microns, in a range from about 50 microns to about 600 microns, in a range from about 50 microns to about 500 microns, in a range from about 50 microns to about 400 microns, in a range from about 50 microns to about 300 microns, in a range from about 50 microns to about 200 microns, in a range from about 50 microns to about 100 microns, in a range from about 25 microns to about 125 microns, including all thickness ranges and subranges therebetween. In addition, the glass ribbon 103 may comprise one or more of a variety of compositions, such as soda lime glass, borosilicate glass, aluminoborosilicate glass, alkali-containing glass, alkali-free glass, aluminosilicate, borosilicate, boroaluminosilicate, silicate, glass-ceramic, or other materials comprising glass. In some aspects, the glass ribbon 103 can include lithium fluoride (LiF), magnesium fluoride (MgF) ₂ ) Calcium fluoride (CaF) ₂ ) Barium fluoride (BaF) ₂ ) Sapphire (Al) ₂ O ₃ ) One or more of zinc selenide (ZnSe), germanium (Ge), or other materials.

In some aspects, a glass separator 149 (see fig. 1) can separate the glass ribbon 104 from the glass ribbon 103 along a separation path 151 to provide a plurality of separated glass ribbons 104 (i.e., a plurality of glass sheets). In some aspects, a longer portion of the glass ribbon 104 may be wound onto a storage roll. The separated glass ribbon can then be processed into a desired application, such as a display application. For example, the separated glass ribbon may be used in a wide variety of display and non-display applications including, but not limited to, liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs), electrophoretic displays (EPDs), organic light emitting diode displays (OLEDs), plasma Display Panels (PDPs), micro LED displays, mini LED displays, organic light emitting diode illumination, augmented Reality (AR), virtual Reality (VR), touch sensors, photovoltaic devices, foldable phones, or other applications.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 along line 3-3 of fig. 2. The forming device 101 can define a travel path 221 along which the glass ribbon 103 travels in the travel direction 154. In some aspects, a method of making the glass ribbon 103 can include guiding the glass ribbon 103 along the travel path 221 in the travel direction 154, e.g., the glass ribbon 103 moves in the direction of gravity. In some aspects, glass manufacturing apparatus 100 can include one or more pairs of opposing rollers, such as first roller 301 and second roller 303. The first roller 301 may be spaced apart from the second roller 303 to define a gap 305. Gap 305 can provide a width and thickness to glass ribbon 103. In some aspects, the first roller 301 and the second roller 303 can be counter-rotated to each other, e.g., the second roller 303 rotates in a clockwise direction while the first roller 301 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction.

In some aspects, the rollers 301, 303 can comprise pulling rollers and can apply a force to the glass ribbon 103 in the travel direction 154. For example, the first roller 301 and the second roller 303 can be positioned adjacent to the travel path 221 and can contact the glass ribbon 103. In some aspects, glass manufacturing apparatus 100 can include zero rollers upstream of rollers 301, 303 (e.g., between rollers 301, 303 and forming device 101) relative to travel direction 154 such that a first roller encountered by glass ribbon 103 as glass ribbon 103 travels in travel direction 154 from forming device 101 along travel path 221 can be rollers 301, 303. In some aspects, the first roller 301 and the second roller 303 can extend across the entire width of the glass ribbon 103 (e.g., width 108 in fig. 1), or can be located at ends of the glass ribbon 103 in the width direction. For example, when located at the ends, rollers 301, 303 may not extend entirely across the width of glass ribbon 103, but rather first roller 301 may contact first major surface 215 at first outer edge 153 (e.g., as shown in fig. 1), second roller 303 may contact second major surface 216 at first outer edge 153, third roller may contact first major surface 215 at second outer edge 155 (e.g., as shown in fig. 1), and fourth roller may contact second major surface 216 at second outer edge 155. Thus, in some aspects, the method can include contacting the glass ribbon 103 with rollers (e.g., rollers 301, 303) adjacent to the travel path 221.

The glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include one or more furnace walls, such as a first furnace wall 307 and a second furnace wall 309, that are spaced apart to define a hollow interior 311. The travel path 221 and rollers 301, 303 can be positioned in the hollow interior 311 such that the glass ribbon 103 can pass between the first furnace wall 307 and the second furnace wall 309. In some aspects, the furnace walls 307, 309 can include one or more materials that are capable of thermally insulating the glass ribbon 103 from the surrounding environment and protecting the glass ribbon 103 from the surrounding environment, such as refractory materials (e.g., refractory bricks, refractory insulating bricks, etc.). Furthermore, the furnace walls 307, 309 may comprise a material, such as a metallic material, that provides additional structural support.

The glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include one or more baffles, such as a first baffle 315 and a second baffle 317, that are positioned in the hollow interior 311 between the furnace walls 307, 309. The first baffle 315 may be located between the first roller 301 and the forming device 101 relative to the direction of travel 154, and the second baffle 317 may be located between the second roller 303 and the forming device 101 relative to the direction of travel 154. The first baffle 315 may be located on the same side of the travel path 221 as the first roller 301 (e.g., facing the first major surface 215) and the second baffle 317 may be located on the same side of the travel path 221 as the second roller 303 (e.g., facing the second major surface 216). In some aspects, the first baffle 315 may be substantially identical to the second baffle 317, wherein the first baffle 315 and the second baffle 317 are located at substantially the same distance from the forming device 101 on opposite sides of the travel path 221. In some aspects, the first and second baffles 315, 317 may comprise a metallic material (e.g., stainless steel) that resists deformation or damage. In some aspects, a first baffle 315 may be attached to the first furnace wall 307 and a second baffle 317 may be attached to the second furnace wall 309 such that the positions of the first baffle 315 and the second baffle 317 may be fixed within the hollow interior 311. Since the first baffle 315 extends from the first furnace wall 307 toward the travel path 221, a distance separating the travel path 221 from the first furnace wall 307 may be less than a distance separating the travel path 221 from the first baffle 315.

In some aspects, the first baffle 315 may include one or more walls defining the hollow chamber 321. For example, the first baffle 315 may include a first wall 325 and a second wall 327, the first wall 325 being closer to the first roller 301 than the second wall 327 such that the first wall 325 is below the second wall 327 relative to the direction of gravity and the direction of travel 154. In some aspects, the first wall 325 and the second wall 327 may contact and intersect at a location adjacent to the travel path 221, and may diverge in a direction away from the travel path 221. The third wall 331 may extend between the first wall 325 and the second wall 327, and in some aspects, the third wall 331 may extend substantially parallel to the travel path 221. The third wall 331 may be attached to the first furnace wall 307 such that the first baffle 315 may be fixed relative to the first furnace wall 307. The first wall 325, the second wall 327, and the third wall 331 may define a hollow chamber 321. The first barrier 315 may extend between a first end 329 and a second end 330 along a barrier axis 332 perpendicular to the travel path 221. The first end 329 may include a portion of the first wall 325 that contacts the first baffle 315 of the second wall 327 and the second end 330 may include a portion of the first baffle 315 attached to the first furnace wall 307. In some aspects, the first wall 325 may be substantially planar and the second wall 327 may be non-planar, such as by including a circular shape between the first end 329 and the second end 330. In some aspects, the first wall 325 is located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the travel path 221.

The first wall 325 may include one or more openings (e.g., openings 335) facing the first roller 301. For example, the opening 335 may extend through the first wall 325 such that the hollow chamber 321 is in fluid communication with the external environment 314 of the first barrier 315. The external environment 314 may include an area within the hollow interior 311 but on a side of the first wall 325 opposite the hollow chamber 321. In this way, air and particles present in the air may be drawn from the external environment 314 through the opening 335 into the hollow chamber 321. In some aspects, by facing first roller 301, an axis 337 parallel to travel path 221 may intersect opening 335 and first roller 301 without an intervening structure between opening 335 and first roller 301. Although fig. 3 shows first wall 325 including one opening (e.g., opening 335), first wall 325 may include additional openings spaced apart from opening 335. For example, the additional openings may be spaced from the opening 335 closer to the first furnace wall 307 and the second end 330, or the additional openings may be closer to the first end 329. Thus, in some aspects, the method can include positioning the hollow first baffle 315 adjacent the first roller 301 such that the openings 335 in the hollow first baffle 315 face the first roller 301. For example, positioning the first baffle 315 can include positioning the first baffle 315 between the first roller 301 and the forming device 101.

The glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a vacuum apparatus 343 in fluid communication with the hollow chamber 321. A vacuum device 343 (e.g., a gas vacuum pump, etc.) may be positioned outside of the hollow interior 311 on a side of the first furnace wall 307 opposite the first baffle 315. The vacuum apparatus 343 and the hollow chamber 321 may be in fluid communication via a conduit 345, the conduit 345 extending through the first furnace wall 307 and the third wall 331 and/or in fluid communication with an opening 347 of the first furnace wall 307 and an opening 347 in the third wall 331. As used herein, fluid communication may include a gas flow path between two or more cavities. The gas flow path between the vacuum device 343 and the hollow chamber 321 may comprise a sealed volume or cavity such that the vacuum device 343 may draw gas from the hollow chamber 321 and towards the vacuum device 343, thus creating suction and negative pressure with the hollow chamber 321. As used herein, the term "vacuum" may include an area in which a substance (e.g., a gas) has been at least partially evacuated or at least partially evacuated by an apparatus (e.g., vacuum apparatus 343). In some aspects, the gas flow path between the vacuum apparatus 343 and the hollow chamber 321 may include a conduit 345 (e.g., a hollow channel extending through the first furnace wall 307) connected to an opening 347. In some aspects, a conduit 345 may extend through the first furnace wall 307, one end of the conduit 345 being connected to the vacuum device 343, the opposite end of the conduit 345 being connected to the first baffle 315 such that the gas flow path may include the conduit 345. In some aspects, the vacuum device 343 may be directly attached to the opening 347 in the first furnace wall 307 such that there is no conduit between the vacuum device 343 and the first furnace wall 307 such that the gas flow path includes the opening 347.

The vacuum device 343 may remove air from the first baffle 315 by drawing from the hollow chamber 321 through the third wall 331 and the opening 347 through the conduit 345. When the vacuum device 343 removes air from the hollow chamber 321, air may be drawn from the external environment 314 through the openings 335 and into the hollow chamber 321. In some aspects, as the first roller 301 contacts the glass ribbon 103 and rotates, the first roller 301 may release the material 351 (e.g., particles) into the external environment 314. In some aspects, the material 351 can include portions of the first roller 301 having a size of about 20 microns or greater, such as in the size range of about 20 microns to about 125 microns. The material 351 may float in the external environment 314 near the first roller 301. Benefits may result from the constraining material 351 contacting the ribbon 103. Thus, since the openings 335 face the first roller 301, at least some of the material 351 may be drawn through the openings 335 and into the hollow chamber 321. For example, vacuum device 343 may draw air from within hollow cavity 321, which may cause air to be drawn from outside environment 314 and through opening 335. As air is drawn through the openings 335, material 351 surrounding the first roller 301 may likewise be drawn through the openings 335 and into the hollow chamber 321. The vacuum device 343 can draw material 351 out of the hollow chamber 321, thereby reducing the amount of material 351 surrounding the first roller 301. In some aspects, experimental testing was conducted and it was determined that about 100% of material 351 having a size of about 25 microns could be removed from the area surrounding first roller 301, about 100% of material 351 having a size of about 50 microns could be removed from the area surrounding first roller 301, about 67% of material 351 having a size of about 100 microns could be removed from the area surrounding first roller 301, and about 77% of material 351 having a size of about 125 microns could be removed from the area surrounding first roller 301.

By drawing material 351 into hollow chamber 321, a variety of benefits may be realized. For example, when the material 351 contacts the glass ribbon 103, the material 351 may adhere to one or both of the major surfaces 215, 216 (e.g., in the form of inclusions) and thus reduce the quality of the glass ribbon 103. To limit the likelihood that the material 351 will contact the glass ribbon 103, the material 351 may be removed from the external environment 314. In this way, as the amount of material 351 present in the external environment 314 decreases, the likelihood that the material 351 (e.g., material that remains in the external environment 314 and is not drawn into the hollow chamber 321) contacts the glass ribbon 103 may decrease. Further, with the openings 335 facing the first roller 301 and in close proximity to the first roller 301, the velocity of the air drawn through the openings 335 may be high enough to draw the material 351 into the hollow chamber 321, and low enough not to affect the glass ribbon 103. Thus, the method may include removing air from the first baffle 315 (e.g., by a vacuum device 343) to draw and draw material 351 produced from the first roller 301 into the first baffle 315 through the openings 335.

In some aspects, the vacuum device 343, conduit 345, opening 347 and/or third wall 331 are not limited to interacting with the first baffle 315 and being connected to the first baffle 315. Conversely, in some aspects, the vacuum device 343, conduit 345, opening 347 and/or third wall 331 (e.g., in addition to the vacuum device 343, conduit 345, opening 347 and/or third wall 331 connected to the first baffle 315) may be positioned lower than as shown in fig. 3, such that the axis along which the conduit 345 extends may intersect the first roller 301 or be located below the first roller 301. Further, the vacuum device 343, conduit 345, opening 347 and/or third wall 331 may not be connected to a baffle (e.g., the first baffle 315 or an additional baffle). Conversely, the conduit 345, opening 347 and third wall 331 may terminate in the interior 311 without a baffle covering the third wall 331 and opening 347. Conversely, the opening 347 may be uncovered and in fluid communication with the environment 314 such that the axis may intersect the opening 347 and the first roller 301 without intersecting any wall (e.g., a wall of a baffle). In this regard, the vacuum device 343, conduit 345, opening 347 and/or third wall 331 may draw material 351 through the opening 347 to perform substantially the same functions as described herein.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the first barrier 315 and the second barrier 317 relative to the travel path 221. For example, the first baffle 315 and the second baffle 317 may be spaced apart to define a gap 401 through which the travel path 221 may extend. The baffles 315, 317 may extend substantially parallel to the travel path 221 and substantially perpendicular to the travel direction 154. In some aspects, the baffles 315, 317 may extend partially or completely along the width of the glass ribbon 103 (e.g., width 108 shown in fig. 1).

Fig. 5 shows the bottom side of the first barrier 315 and the second barrier 317 as viewed along line 5-5 of fig. 4. In some aspects, the first wall 325 can include a plurality of openings 501 (e.g., as shown in fig. 3) spaced apart and facing the first roller 301. Similarly, the second baffle 317 may include a wall including a plurality of openings 503 spaced apart and facing the second roller 303. For example, when the first roller 301 and the second roller 303 extend entirely along the width 108 of the glass ribbon 103, the first baffle 315 and the second baffle 317 can include a plurality of openings 501, 503. In this manner, removing air from the hollow first baffle 315 may include drawing material 351 produced from the first roller 301 through a plurality of openings 501 of the first baffle 315 spaced along the length of the first roller 301. In some aspects, the first roller 301 may not extend entirely along the width 108 of the glass ribbon 103, but may be located at one of the outer edges 153, 155 of the glass ribbon 103. When the first roller 301 is located at one of the outer edges 153, 155, the plurality of openings 501 may not be spaced along the length of the first baffle 315, but rather the plurality of openings 501 may be located adjacent the outer edges 153, 155 facing the first roller 301. By positioning the openings 501, 503 in a spaced apart configuration along the baffles 315, 317, a variety of benefits may be realized. For example, material 351 may be produced by rollers 301, 303 and present within external environment 314 along the length of rollers 301, 303. By matching the position of the openings 501, 503 to the length of the rollers 301, 303, material 351 may be drawn into the openings 501, 503, which may reduce the amount of material 351 in the external environment 314. Furthermore, although the openings 501, 503 are shown as circular, other shapes (e.g., square, rectangular, oval, etc.) are possible, wherein the cross-sectional dimensions of the openings 501, 503 are small enough to provide adequate airflow through the openings 501, 503.

Fig. 6 shows a side view of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 similar to fig. 3, but showing additional aspects of the first baffle 601 and the second baffle 603. In some aspects, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 is not limited to the baffles 315, 317 shown in fig. 3-5, but additionally, or alternatively, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a first baffle 601 and/or a second baffle 603. The first baffle 601 and the second baffle 603 may be located in the hollow interior 311 between the furnace walls 307, 309.

The glass manufacturing apparatus 100 can include a first roller 607 and a second roller 609 that are spaced apart to define a gap 611. The first roller 607 and the second roller 609 may be counter-rotated to each other, for example, the second roller 609 rotates in a clockwise direction and the first roller 607 rotates in a counterclockwise direction. In some aspects, the first roller 607 and the second roller 609 may be the same as the first roller 301 and the second roller 303 (e.g., shown in fig. 3) or different from the first roller 301 and the second roller 303. For example, when the rollers 607, 609 are identical to the rollers 301, 303, the rollers 607, 609 may be located in substantially the same position as the rollers 301, 303 with zero intervening rollers between the rollers 607, 609 and the forming device 101. In some aspects, when the rollers 607, 609 are different from the rollers 301, 303, the rollers 607, 609 may be downstream of the rollers 301, 303 relative to the direction of travel 154. In some aspects, the rollers 607, 609 can comprise pulling rollers that can apply a force to the glass ribbon 103 in the travel direction 154 when the rollers 607, 609 contact the glass ribbon 103. In some aspects, the first roller 607 and the second roller 609 may extend across the width of the glass ribbon 103 or may be located at ends of the glass ribbon 103 in the width direction. For example, when located at the ends, the rollers 607, 609 may not extend entirely across the width of the glass ribbon 103, but rather the first roller 607 may contact the first major surface 215 at the first outer edge 153 (e.g., as shown in fig. 1), the second roller 609 may contact the second major surface 216 at the first outer edge 153, the third roller may contact the first major surface 215 at the second outer edge 155 (e.g., as shown in fig. 2), and the fourth roller may contact the second major surface 216 at the second outer edge 155. Thus, in some aspects, the method can include contacting the glass ribbon 103 with rollers (e.g., rollers 607, 609) adjacent to the travel path 221.

In some aspects, the baffles 601, 603 may extend substantially parallel to the travel path 221 and substantially perpendicular to the travel direction 154. For example, the baffles 601, 603 may extend along the width 108 of the glass ribbon 103 (e.g., into and out of the page in fig. 6). The first baffle 601 may extend circumferentially around at least a portion of the first roller 607, wherein the first baffle 601 and the first roller 607 are located on the same side of the travel path 221 (e.g., facing the first major surface 215). The second baffle 603 may extend circumferentially around at least a portion of the second roller 609, wherein the second baffle 603 and the second roller 609 are located on the same side of the travel path 221 (e.g., facing the second major surface 216). In some aspects, the first baffle 601 may be substantially the same as the second baffle 603, wherein the first baffle 601 and the second baffle 603 are located at substantially the same distance from the forming device 101 on opposite sides of the travel path 221. By extending circumferentially around the rollers 607, 609, the baffles 601, 603 may extend around the outer surfaces of the rollers 607, 609. In some aspects, the baffles 601, 603 may extend circumferentially about the rollers 607, 609 from about 135 degrees to about 200 degrees. The degree to which the baffles 601, 603 extend circumferentially around the rollers 607, 609 may be determined by measuring the angle between a first axis intersecting the rotational axis 613 of the first roller 607 and the first end 620 of the first baffle 601 and a second axis intersecting the rotational axis 613 and the second end 621 of the first baffle 601.

In some aspects, the first roller 607 is rotatable about an axis of rotation 613, wherein the axis 614 extends perpendicular to the axis of rotation 613 and intersects the axis of rotation 613. The axis 614 may pass through the first baffle 601 at two locations (e.g., on a first or top side of the rotation shaft 613 and on an opposite second or bottom side of the rotation shaft 613) such that the first baffle 601 extends at least about 180 degrees around the first roller 607. In some aspects, the first baffle 601 is not limited to extending at least about 180 degrees, but may extend 45 degrees or greater, 90 degrees or greater, 135 degrees or greater, etc. In some aspects, the distance separating the first roller 607 from the first baffle 601 may be substantially constant around the first roller 607. In some aspects, the first baffle 601 may be attached to the first furnace wall 307 and the second baffle 603 may be attached to the second furnace wall 309 such that the positions of the first baffle 601 and the second baffle 603 may be fixed within the hollow interior 311.

The first baffle 601 may include one or more walls defining a hollow chamber 615. For example, the first baffle 601 may include a first wall 617 and a second wall 619 spaced apart and connected, wherein the first wall 617 is closer to the first roller 607 than the second wall 619. Thus, the distance separating the first roller 607 from the first wall 617 is less than the distance separating the first roller 607 from the second wall 619. In some aspects, the end wall can connect first wall 617 and second wall 619 such that hollow chamber 615 is substantially enclosed. In some aspects, the first wall 617 and the second wall 619 may extend substantially parallel, wherein a distance separating the first wall 617 and the second wall 619 is substantially constant between the first end 620 and the second end 621 of the first baffle 601. In some aspects, the first end 620 and the second end 621 may be located at substantially the same distance from the travel path 221 on opposite sides of the first roller 607. In some aspects, a plane may extend perpendicular to the travel path 221 and intersect the rotational axis 613, the plane intersecting the first baffle 601 at a midpoint (e.g., halfway) between the first end 620 and the second end 621, and the midpoint being separated from the travel path 221 by a distance greater than the distance the first end 620 and the second end 621 are separated from the travel path 221. In this way, the first baffle 601 may extend non-linearly between the first end 620 and the second end 621.

The first wall 617 may include one or more openings (e.g., first openings 623, second openings 625, etc.) facing the first roller 607. For example, the openings 623, 625 may extend through the first wall 617 such that the hollow chamber 615 is in fluid communication with the external environment 314 of the first baffle 601. In some aspects, by facing the first roller 607, the axis 614 (e.g., which may be parallel to the travel path 221) may intersect the first roller 607, the first opening 623, and/or the second opening 625 without intervening structures between the first opening 623 and the first roller 607 or between the second opening 625 and the first roller 607. The first baffle 601 may include a second opening 625 facing the first roller 607, wherein the first opening 623 faces a first peripheral position 629 of the first roller 607 and the second opening 625 faces a second peripheral position 631 of the first roller 607, the second peripheral position 631 being circumferentially offset from the first peripheral position 629. In some aspects, the distance separating the first opening 623 from the first peripheral position 629 may be substantially equal to the distance separating the second opening 625 from the second peripheral position 631, with the other openings in the first wall 617 being spaced the same distance from the first roller 607.

The first wall 617 may include any number of openings (e.g., in addition to the first and second openings 623, 625) that may be spaced apart and face the first roller 607. For example, the additional openings may be spaced apart from and located between the first opening 623 and the second opening 625. Thus, in some aspects, the method may include positioning the hollow first baffle 601 adjacent to the first roller 607 such that the openings 623, 625 in the hollow first baffle 601 face the first roller 607. For example, positioning the first baffle 601 may include positioning the first baffle 601 to extend circumferentially around at least a portion of the first roller 607. In some aspects, the first portion 635 of the first baffle 601 may be located between the first roller 607 and the forming device 101, and the second portion 637 of the first baffle 601 may be located downstream of the first roller 607 relative to the direction of travel 154. In some aspects, the second wall 619 may be substantially solid, having one opening (e.g., opening 647) such that a single gas flow path is defined through the second wall 619 (e.g., through opening 647).

The glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a vacuum apparatus 643 in fluid communication with the hollow chamber 615. The vacuum apparatus 643 may be separate from the vacuum apparatus 343 shown in fig. 3, or the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include one vacuum apparatus (e.g., 343 or 643) in fluid communication with the two hollow chambers 321, 615. A vacuum device 643 (e.g., a gas vacuum pump, etc.) may be located outside of the hollow interior 311 on a side of the first furnace wall 307 opposite the first baffle 601. The vacuum apparatus 643 and the hollow chamber 615 may be in fluid communication via a conduit 645, the conduit 645 extending through the first and second furnace walls 307, 619 and/or in fluid communication with openings 647 in the first and second furnace walls 307, 619. The gas flow path between the vacuum device 643 and the hollow chamber 615 may include a sealed volume or cavity such that the vacuum device 643 may draw gas from the hollow chamber 615 and toward the vacuum device 643, thereby creating suction and negative pressure with the hollow chamber 615. In some aspects, the gas flow path between the vacuum apparatus 643 and the hollow chamber 615 may include a conduit 645 (e.g., a hollow channel extending through the first furnace wall 307) connected to an opening 647. In some aspects, a conduit 645 may extend through the first furnace wall 307, one end of the conduit 645 being connected to the vacuum device 643, an opposite end of the conduit 645 being connected to the first baffle 601, such that the gas flow path may include the conduit 645. In some aspects, the vacuum device 643 may be directly connected to the opening 647 in the first furnace wall 307 such that there is no conduit between the vacuum device 643 and the first furnace wall 307 such that the gas flow path includes the opening 647.

The vacuum apparatus 643 may remove air from the first baffle 601 by drawing air from the hollow chamber 615 through the second wall 619 and the opening 647 and through the conduit 645. When air is removed from the hollow chamber 615 by the vacuum device 643, air may be drawn from the external environment 314 through the openings 623, 625 and into the hollow chamber 615. The material 351 may be present in the external environment 314 and may float near the first roller 607. With the openings 623, 625 facing the first roller 607, at least some of the material 351 may be sucked through the openings 623, 625 and into the hollow chamber 615. For example, the vacuum device 643 may evacuate air from the hollow chamber 615, which may cause air to be drawn from the external environment 314 and through the openings 623, 625. As air is drawn through openings 623, 625, material 351 surrounding first roller 607 may likewise be drawn through openings 623, 625 and into hollow chamber 615. The vacuum device 643 may draw the material 351 out of the hollow chamber 615, thereby reducing the amount of material 351 around the first roller 607. In some aspects, experimental testing was conducted and it was determined that about 100% of the material 351 having a size of about 25 microns could be removed from the area around the first roller 607, about 100% of the material 351 having a size of about 50 microns could be removed from the area around the first roller 607, about 67% of the material 351 having a size of about 100 microns could be removed from the area around the first roller 607, and about 77% of the material 351 having a size of about 125 microns could be removed from the area around the first roller 607. Thus, the vacuum device 643 may remove air from the hollow chamber 615 and draw air through the plurality of openings 623, 625.

Fig. 7 shows the bottom sides of the first baffle 601 and the second baffle 603 as viewed from a perspective similar to fig. 5 (e.g., along line 5-5 of fig. 4). In some aspects, the first wall 617 can include a plurality of openings 701 spaced apart and facing the first roller 607. Similarly, the second baffle 603 may include a wall including a plurality of openings 703 spaced apart and facing the second roller 609. For example, the first baffle 601 and the second baffle 603 can include a plurality of openings 701, 703 when the first roller 607 and the second roller 609 extend entirely along the width 108 of the glass ribbon 103. In this way, the method may include removing air from the hollow first baffle 601 to draw and suck material 351 produced from the first roller 607 through the openings 623, 625, 701 into the hollow first baffle 601. In some aspects, removing air from the hollow first baffle 601 may include drawing material 351 produced from the first roller 607 through the plurality of openings 701 of the first baffle 601 spaced apart along the length of the first roller 607. In some aspects, the first rollers 607 may not extend entirely along the width 108 of the glass ribbon 103, but may be located at one of the outer edges 153, 155 of the glass ribbon 103. When the first roller 607 is located at one of the outer edges 153, 155, the plurality of openings 701 may not be spaced along the length of the first baffle 601, but rather the plurality of openings 701 may be located adjacent the outer edges 153, 155 facing the first roller 607. In some aspects, the plurality of openings 701 may be spaced apart and face a first peripheral location 629 (e.g., shown in fig. 6) of the first roller 607, and the second opening 625 along with the plurality of openings adjacent to the second opening 625 may be spaced apart and face a second peripheral location 631 (e.g., shown in fig. 6).

Baffles 315, 317, 601, 603 may provide a variety of benefits for improving the glass ribbon 103. For example, as part of the glass manufacturing process, the rolls 301, 303, 607, 609 may produce a material 351 that may be present in the external environment 314 surrounding the rolls 301, 303, 607, 609. If material 351 contacts ribbon 103, the quality of ribbon 103 may be reduced. To reduce the amount of material 351 in the external environment 314 near the glass ribbon 103, the baffles 315, 317, 601, 603 may draw air through the openings and into the hollow chambers 321, 615. The baffles 315, 317, 601, 603 are sufficiently close to the rollers 301, 303, 607, 609 such that the air flow through the openings 335, 623, 625 is sufficiently large to draw material 351 into the baffles 315, 317, 601, 603, but sufficiently small to not interfere with the glass manufacturing process, such as the size of the glass ribbon 103. Further, the baffles may be arranged with openings (e.g., first baffle 315 shown in fig. 3) on one side of the roller, or the baffles may circumferentially surround the roller with the openings facing multiple peripheral locations of the roller (e.g., first baffle 601 shown in fig. 6).

It should be understood that while various aspects have been described in detail with respect to certain illustrative and specific examples of the invention, the invention should not be considered limited thereto since numerous modifications and combinations of the disclosed features are possible without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A glass manufacturing apparatus comprising:

a forming device defining a travel path along which the glass ribbon travels in a direction of travel;

a roller positioned adjacent to the travel path and configured to contact the glass ribbon;

a baffle located between the roller and the forming device, the baffle comprising a wall defining a hollow chamber, the wall comprising an opening facing the roller; and

a vacuum apparatus in fluid communication with the hollow chamber, the vacuum apparatus configured to remove air from the hollow chamber and draw air in through the opening.

2. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein an axis parallel to the travel path intersects the opening and the rollers.

3. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the baffle extends substantially parallel to the travel path and substantially perpendicular to the travel direction.

4. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wall comprises a plurality of openings spaced apart and facing the rollers.

5. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the baffle extends circumferentially around at least a portion of the rollers.

6. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the baffles extend circumferentially about the rollers from about 135 degrees to about 200 degrees.

7. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the baffle includes a second opening facing the roller, the opening facing a first peripheral location of the roller, and the second opening facing a second peripheral location of the roller, the second peripheral location being circumferentially offset from the first peripheral location.

8. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 5, wherein a first portion of the baffle is located between the rollers and the forming device and a second portion of the baffle is located downstream of the rollers relative to the direction of travel.

9. A glass manufacturing apparatus comprising:

a baffle located between the roller and the forming device, the baffle comprising a wall defining a hollow chamber, the wall comprising a plurality of openings spaced apart and facing the opening of the roller such that a first opening of the plurality of openings faces a first peripheral position of the roller and a second opening of the plurality of openings faces a second peripheral position of the roller, the second peripheral position being circumferentially offset from the first peripheral position; and

10. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 9, wherein an axis parallel to the travel path intersects the first opening and the roller.

11. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the baffle extends substantially parallel to the travel path and substantially perpendicular to the travel direction.

12. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the baffle extends circumferentially around at least a portion of the rollers.

13. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the baffles extend circumferentially about the rollers from about 135 degrees to about 200 degrees.

14. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 12, wherein a first portion of the baffle is located between the rollers and the forming device and a second portion of the baffle is located downstream of the rollers relative to the direction of travel.

15. A method of making a glass ribbon comprising:

guiding the glass ribbon along a travel path in a travel direction;

Contacting the glass ribbon with a roller adjacent to the travel path;

positioning a hollow baffle adjacent to the roller such that an opening in the hollow baffle faces the roller; and

air is removed from the hollow baffle to draw material generated from the roller through the opening and into the hollow baffle.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the positioning a hollow baffle comprises positioning the hollow baffle between the roller and the forming device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein removing air from the hollow baffle comprises drawing material generated from the roller through a plurality of openings of the hollow baffle spaced apart along a length of the roller.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein removing air from the hollow baffle comprises drawing material generated from the roller through a plurality of openings spaced circumferentially around the roller.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein an axis intersects the roller, a first opening of the plurality of openings, and a second opening of the plurality of openings.