KR20210028257A - Substrate packaging apparatus and method through fluid flow - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and apparatus for packaging a substrate. The method includes positioning the substrate on the packaging frame and positioning the flexible interleaf on the substrate using an arm tool having at least one orifice through which fluid flows over at least a portion of the major surface of the flexible interleaf. Includes. The device includes an arm tool including at least one orifice configured to flow a fluid therethrough.

Description

Substrate packaging apparatus and method through fluid flow

This application is filed under 35 U.S.C. U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/711,888 filed July 30, 2018 under § 119, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates generally to the packaging of substrates and in particular to an apparatus and method for packaging substrates via fluid flow.

In the packaging of substrates, such as glass substrates for display devices, stretchable interleaves, such as interleaf paper or foam materials, are often placed between substrates in an effort to minimize damage to the substrate during transportation and to protect and cushion it. do. When a stretchable interleaf is placed on a substrate, its path can be obstructed due to air resistance, which can cause the interleaf to fold or otherwise be placed on the substrate in an unintended manner. This air resistance also increases the settling time of the stretchable interleaf into the substrate, which can limit the speed in terms of process time efficiency. Therefore, it would be desirable to solve this problem while wrapping the stretchable interleaf between the substrates.

Embodiments disclosed herein include a method of packaging a substrate. The method includes placing a substrate on a packaging frame. The method also includes positioning the stretchable interleaf on the substrate using an arm tool. The arm tool includes at least one orifice through which fluid flows over at least a portion of a major surface of the stretchable interleaf.

Embodiments disclosed herein also include an apparatus for packaging a substrate. The device includes a packaging frame. The device also includes an arm tool. The arm tool includes at least one orifice configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough.

Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be presented in the following detailed description, some of which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from that description, or described herein, including the following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings. It will be understood by implementing the disclosed implementation examples.

It is understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description represent implementation examples intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and nature of the claimed implementation examples. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings illustrate various implementation examples of the present disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principle and operation of the description.

1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary fusion down draw glass making apparatus and process.
2 is a perspective view of a glass sheet.
3 is a schematic side view of a stretchable interleaf positioned on a substrate positioned on a packaging frame.
4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an arm tool including a clamping mechanism and a fluid flow conduit and an orifice.
5 is a schematic front view of an arm tool including a clamping mechanism and a fluid flow conduit and an orifice.
6A and 6B are schematic side and front cross-sectional views of a fluid flow conduit and an orifice, respectively, wherein the orifice can be rotated transversely and longitudinally.
7A and 7B are front and side views, respectively, of fluid flowing over at least a portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf.
8 is a schematic side view of a stretchable interleaf positioned on a substrate positioned on a packaging frame using a clamping mechanism and an arm tool including a fluid flow conduit and an orifice.

Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, which examples are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals may be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different shapes and should not be construed as being limited to the implementation examples presented herein.

Ranges may be expressed herein as "about" from one particular value and/or from "about" another particular value. When such ranges are expressed, other implementations include from one specific value and/or to another specific value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximation, eg, by use of a preceding “about”, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that each endpoint of the range is satisfied both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

Directional terms as used herein-for example, top, bottom, right, left, front, rear, top, bottom-are made only with reference to the drawings shown and are not intended to indicate an absolute direction.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, any method presented herein is not to be construed as requiring the steps to be performed in a particular order, or requiring a particular orientation with any device. Thus, it is specifically stated in the claim or description that the method claim does not actually refer to the order in which the steps are followed, or that the device claim does not actually refer to the order or orientation for individual components, or that the steps are limited to a particular order. If not, or if a specific order or orientation for the components of the device is not mentioned, in any respect, the order or orientation is not intended to be inferred. This maintains possible non-expressive basis for interpretation, including: the arrangement of steps, the working flow, the order of the components, or the logic problem of the orientation of the components; General meaning derived from grammatical construction or punctuation; And the number or type of implementation examples described in the specification.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “a”, and “a” include plural objects unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a” component includes viewpoints having more than one such component unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “substantially vertical” refers to an orientation of at least 45 degrees in horizontal, such as between 45 degrees and 90 degrees in horizontal.

As used herein, terms such as “the upper portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf” refer to the main of the stretchable interleaf having a height above the rest of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf when the stretchable interleaf is in a substantially vertical orientation. Refers to a portion of the surface. For example, the upper portion may contain 1/3 to 1/2 of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf with the highest height relative to the remainder of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf if the stretchable interleaf is in a substantially vertical orientation. I can.

As used herein, the term “lower portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf” refers to a stretchable interleaf having a height below the rest of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf when the stretchable interleaf is in a substantially vertical orientation. Refers to a portion of the major surface. For example, the lower portion may comprise 1/3 to 1/2 of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf with the lowest height relative to the remainder of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf if the stretchable interleaf is in a substantially vertical orientation. I can.

Shown in Fig. 1 is a typical glass manufacturing apparatus 10. In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may include a glass melting furnace 12, which may include a melting vessel 14. In addition to the melting vessel 14, the glass melting furnace 12 optionally includes one or more additional components, such as heating elements (eg, combustion burners or electrodes) that heat the raw materials and convert the raw materials into molten glass. In a further embodiment, the glass melting furnace 12 may include a thermal management device (eg, an insulating component) that reduces heat loss from the vicinity of the melting vessel. In yet another embodiment, the glass melting furnace 12 may include an electrode device and/or an electromechanical device that facilitates melting of raw materials into a glass melting furnace. Further, the glass melting furnace 12 may include a support structure (eg, a support chassis, support member, etc.) or other components.

The glass melting vessel 14 is typically made of a refractory material, such as a refractory ceramic material, such as a refractory ceramic material including, for example, alumina or zirconia. In some embodiments, the glass melting vessel 14 may be constructed of refractory ceramic bricks. A specific embodiment of the glass melting vessel 14 will be described in more detail below.

In some embodiments, a glass melting furnace may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a glass substrate, such as a continuous length of glass ribbon. In some embodiments, the glass melting furnace of the present disclosure is a slot draw apparatus, a float bath apparatus, a down-draw apparatus such as a fusion process, an upward-draw apparatus, a press-rolling apparatus. , Tube drawing apparatus, or any other glass making apparatus that would benefit from the viewpoints disclosed herein. By way of example, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a glass melting furnace 12 as a component of a fusion down-drawn glass manufacturing apparatus 10 for fusion drawing a glass ribbon for later processing into individual glass sheets.

Glass making apparatus 10 (eg, fusion down-draw apparatus 10) optionally includes an upstream glass making apparatus 16 positioned upstream with respect to the glass melting vessel 14. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the upstream glass making apparatus 16 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 may include a reservoir 18, a raw material delivery device 20, and a motor 22 connected to the raw material delivery device. The reservoir 18 may be configured to store a large amount of raw material 24 that may be fed to the melting vessel 14 of the glass melting furnace 12, as indicated by arrow 26. Raw material 24 typically comprises one or more glass-forming metal oxides and one or more modifying agents. In some embodiments, the raw material delivery device 20 may be driven by a motor 22 such that the raw material delivery device 20 delivers a predetermined amount of raw material 24 from the reservoir 18 to the molten vessel 14. have. In a further embodiment, the motor 22 may drive the raw material delivery device 20 to introduce the raw material 24 at a controlled rate based on the level of molten glass sensed downstream from the melting vessel 14. . The raw material 24 in the melting vessel 14 can then be heated to form the molten glass 28.

The glass making apparatus 10 can also optionally include a downstream glass making apparatus 30 located downstream to the glass melting furnace 12. In some embodiments, a portion of the downstream glass making apparatus 30 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. In some examples, the first connection conduit discussed below, or another portion of the downstream glass making apparatus 30, may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. The element of the downstream glass making device comprising the first connecting conduit 32 can be formed from a precious metal. Suitable noble metals include platinum group metals selected from the group of metals consisting of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium and palladium, or alloys thereof. For example, the downstream component of the glass making apparatus may be formed of a platinum-rhodium alloy comprising about 70% to about 90% by weight platinum and about 10% to 30% by weight rhodium. However, other suitable metals may include molybdenum, palladium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, and alloys thereof.

The downstream glass making apparatus 30 is located downstream from the melting vessel 14 and connected to the melting vessel 14 via the first connecting conduit 32 mentioned above (i.e., processing processing)) may include a vessel. In some embodiments, the molten glass 28 may be supplied by gravity from the molten vessel 14 to the fining vessel 34 through the first connection conduit 32. For example, gravity may cause the molten glass 28 to pass through the interior path of the first connecting conduit 32 from the molten vessel 14 to the clarifying vessel 34. However, it should be understood that other conditioning vessels may be located downstream of the melting vessel 14 between the melting vessel 14 and the clarifying vessel 34, for example. In some embodiments, a conditioning vessel may be used between a melting vessel and a clarifying vessel, wherein the molten glass from the initial melting vessel is further heated to continue the melting process, or of the melting vessel prior to entering the clarifying vessel. It is cooled to a temperature lower than the temperature of the molten glass.

Bubbles can be removed from the molten glass 28 within the clarifying vessel 34 by a variety of techniques. For example, the raw material 24 may include multivalent compounds (ie, clarifiers) such as tin oxide that undergo a chemical reduction reaction and release of oxygen when heated. Other suitable fining agents include, without limitation, arsenic, antimony, iron and cerium. The clarifying vessel 34 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting vessel temperature to heat the molten glass and the clarifying agent. Oxygen bubbles generated by the temperature-induced chemical reduction of the clarifier(s) are raised through the molten glass in the clarifying vessel, where the gas of the molten glass generated in the melting furnace is converted into oxygen bubbles generated by the clarifier. Can diffuse or coalesce. The enlarged gas bubbles can then be raised to the free surface of the molten glass of the clarifying vessel and then discharged out of the clarifying vessel. Oxygen bubbles can further induce mechanical mixing of the molten glass in the clarifying vessel.

The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include another conditioning vessel, such as a mixing vessel 36 for mixing molten glass. The mixing vessel 36 may be located downstream from the clarifying vessel 34. The mixing vessel 36 can be used to provide a homogeneous glass melt composition, reducing a cord of chemical or thermal non-uniformities that may exist in the clarified molten glass exiting the clarified vessel. As shown, the clarification vessel 34 may be connected to the mixing vessel 36 through a second connection conduit 38. In some embodiments, the molten glass 28 may be gravity supplied from the clarifying vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 through the second connecting conduit 38. For example, gravity may cause the molten glass 28 to pass from the clarifying vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 through the inner path of the second connecting conduit 38. While the mixing vessel 36 is shown downstream of the clarifying vessel 34, it should be noted that the mixing vessel 36 may be located upstream from the clarifying vessel 34. In some implementations, the downstream glass making apparatus 30 may include multiple mixing vessels, such as, for example, a mixing vessel upstream from the clarification vessel 34 and a mixing vessel downstream from the clarification vessel 34. These multiple mixing vessels may be of the same design or may be of different designs.

The downstream glass making apparatus 30 may further comprise another conditioning vessel, such as a delivery vessel 40, which may be located downstream from the mixing vessel 36. The delivery vessel 40 can condition the molten glass 28 to be fed to a downstream forming device. For example, the delivery vessel 40 is an accumulator and/or to regulate and/or provide a consistent flow of molten glass 28 through the outlet conduit 44 to the forming body 42. Alternatively, it can act as a flow controller. As shown, the mixing vessel 36 may be connected to the transfer vessel 40 through a third connection conduit 46. In some embodiments, the molten glass 28 may be gravity supplied from the mixing vessel 36 to the delivery vessel 40 through the third connection conduit 46. For example, gravity may drive the molten glass 28 through the inner path of the third connecting conduit 46 from the mixing vessel 36 to the transfer vessel 40.

The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further comprise a forming apparatus 48 comprising the forming body 42 and inlet conduit 50 described above. The outlet conduit 44 may be positioned to transfer the molten glass 28 from the delivery vessel 40 to the inlet conduit 50 of the forming device 48. For example, the outlet conduit 44 is nested within the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50 and spaced from the inner surface so that it is located between the outer surface of the outlet conduit 44 and the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50. Can provide a free surface of the melted glass. The forming body 42 of the fusion downward drawn glass manufacturing apparatus includes a trough 52 (trough) located on the upper surface of the forming body and a converging forming surface 54 that converges in a downward direction along the bottom edge 56 of the forming body. , converging forming surfaces). The molten glass delivered to the forming body trough through the delivery vessel 40, the outlet conduit 44 and the inlet conduit 50 overflows the sidewalls of the trough and along the converging forming surface 54 as individual flows of molten glass. Descend. Individual flows of molten glass are combined below and along the bottom edge 56 to control the dimensions of the glass ribbon as the glass cools and the viscosity of the glass increases, e.g. gravity, edge rolls 72 ), and pulling rolls 82 to create a single ribbon 58 of glass that is drawn from the bottom edge 56 in the drawing or flow direction 60 by applying tension to the glass ribbon. Thus, the glass ribbon 58 undergoes a visco-elastic transition to obtain mechanical properties that provide stable dimensional properties to the glass ribbon 58. In some implementations, the glass ribbon 58 may be separated into individual glass sheets 62 by the glass separation device 100 in the elastic region of the glass ribbon. The robot 64 can then use the gripping tool 65 to transfer the individual glass sheets 62 to the conveyor system, after which the individual glass sheets can be further processed.

2 shows a first major surface 162, a second major surface 164 extending in a direction generally parallel to the first major surface (on the opposite side of the glass sheet 62 such as the first major surface). ), and an edge surface 166 extending between the first major surface 162 and the second major surface 164 and extending in a generally perpendicular direction to the first and second major surfaces 162, 164. The perspective view of the glass sheet 62 is shown.

Further processing of the glass sheet 62 may include, for example, grinding, polishing, and/or beveling the edge surface 166 and/or the first and second major surfaces 162, 164) may include treating or washing at least one of. This glass sheet 62 can also be divided into smaller glass sheets 62. During these and other potential processing steps, it may be necessary to temporarily store the glass sheet 62 before, after, or between various processing steps. Such storage can cause some adverse effect on the quality of the glass sheet, including increased adhesion of small glass particles to at least one of the first and second major surfaces 162, 164. Such glass particles may be generated during certain processing steps, including, for example, separation of the glass ribbon 58 into individual glass sheets 62, as well as grinding, polishing, and/or chamfering steps.

3 shows a schematic side view of a stretchable interleaf 90 positioned on a substrate (ie, glass sheet 62), positioned on a packing frame 200. In particular, FIG. 3 shows a plurality of substrates (i.e., glass sheet 62) located on the packaging frame 200, where the stretchable interleaf 90 is each adjacent substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62). It is positioned between the substrate (ie, the glass sheet 62) and the elastic interleaf 90 are alternately arranged and positioned on the packaging frame 200. The substrate (ie, glass sheet 62) may be placed on the packaging frame 200 using any method known to those of skill in the art, including any mechanical (eg, robotic) or manual positioning method.

The stretchable interleaf 90 is positioned on the substrate (ie, glass sheet 62) through the arm tool 300. The arm tool 300 includes a clamping mechanism 302 that grips the top edge of the stretchable interleaf 90. The arm tool 300 may be moved, for example, from a first position, where the arm tool 300 first grabs the stretchable interleaf 90 to a second position, where the stretchable interleaf 90 is a substrate (I.e., it is located on the glass sheet 62). For example, the clamping mechanism 302 grips the edge of the stretchable interleaf 90 when the arm tool 300 is in the first position and thereafter grips the stretchable interleaf when the arm tool 300 is in the second position. 90) can be programmed to release the edge. For example, the clamping mechanism 302 may comprise a gripping device, such as a pneumatic gripping device, known to those skilled in the art, that is movable between a first and a second position, wherein the first In position, the gripping device is spaced from the backplate, and in a second position, the gripping device is deflected toward the backplate such that the elastic interleaf is clamped between the surface of the gripping device and the backplate.

As shown in Fig. 3, the packaging frame 200 includes a packaging sheet rear surface 202 and a packaging sheet bottom 204, wherein the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) and the elastic interleaf 90 are It is positioned on the packaging frame 200 in a substantially vertical orientation. While such vertical orientation can include any orientation that is at least 45 degrees in horizontal, embodiments disclosed herein are between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees from horizontal, such as between about 60 degrees and about 90 degrees, and also, For example, it may include an orientation between about 75 degrees and about 90 degrees.

As shown in Fig. 3, the stretchable interleaf 90 is moved toward the packaging frame 200 through the arm tool 300 in the direction indicated by arrow A. As the stretchable interleaf 90 moves toward the packaging frame 200, the air resistance is, for example, by the curved profile of the stretchable interleaf 90 illustrated in FIG. 3, as shown, the stretchable interleaf. (90) can cause substantial non-uniformity in the relative velocities of different zones. Even more simply, the stretchable interleaf 90 can flap or shake as it is moved through the arm tool 300. This non-uniformity may ultimately cause the stretchable interleaf 90 to fold or be positioned on the substrate (ie, glass sheet 62) in an unintended manner. This air resistance can also increase the settling time of the stretchable interleaf 90 to the substrate (ie, the glass sheet 62).

In certain representative embodiments, the stretchable interleaf 90 may comprise at least one material selected from paper and foam. In certain representative implementations, the packaging frame 200 may be composed of at least one material selected from wood, metal (ie, stainless steel or aluminum), and plastic.

4 and 5 show schematic side cross-sectional and front views of an arm tool 300 including a clamping mechanism 302 and a fluid flow conduit 310 and an orifice 312, respectively. The arm tool 300 also includes a support bar 304, which may be constructed of aluminum, including, for example, a composite comprising aluminum and carbon fibers. While support bar 304 is shown as having a generally rectangular cross section, embodiments disclosed herein include other cross sections such as circles, ellipses, and other polygons such as triangles and the like.

5, the clamping mechanism 302 includes a plurality of gripping devices and the arm tool 300 includes a plurality of orifices 312, wherein the plurality of gripping devices of the clamping mechanism 302 And a plurality of orifices 312 are alternately positioned along the longitudinal length of the arm tool 300. During operation, fluid flows from the fluid source 314 through the fluid flow conduit 310 along the longitudinal length of the arm tool 300. From the fluid flow conduit 310, fluid flows through the orifice 312 and over at least a portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf 90 as described in more detail below.

6A and 6B are schematic side and front cross-sectional views of the fluid flow conduit 310 and the orifice 312, respectively, where the orifice 312 can rotate in the transverse and longitudinal directions. In particular, FIG. 6A is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the fluid flow conduit 310 and the orifice 312, wherein the direction of transverse rotation of the orifice 312 is indicated by an arrow alpha (α) and FIG. 6B is a fluid flow conduit ( 310) and a schematic front cross-sectional view of the orifice 312, wherein the direction of longitudinal rotation of the orifice 312 is indicated by an arrow beta (β). 6A and 6B show the rotation of a single orifice 312 in the transverse and longitudinal directions, the embodiments disclosed herein include an arm tool 312 including multiple orifices 312 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5). 300), wherein each of the plurality of orifices 312 can independently operate and rotate in the transverse and longitudinal directions.

In addition, implementations disclosed herein include an arm tool 300 comprising a plurality of orifices 312, wherein each of the plurality of orifices 312 can move longitudinally along the length of the arm tool. In particular, the embodiments disclosed herein include an arm tool (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5) comprising a plurality of orifices 312, each of the plurality of orifices 312 being the longitudinal distance between the closest orifices. Can be moved longitudinally so that it can be changed or adjusted. For example, in certain exemplary implementations, each of the plurality of orifices 312 may be moved from the first arrangement, each of the plurality of orifices 312 being approximately from each other along the longitudinal length of the arm tool 300. Equidistant, and for the second arrangement, where each of the plurality of orifices 312 is not equidistant from at least one other of each of the plurality of orifices 312 along the longitudinal length of the arm tool 300.

During operation, at least after placing the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) on the packaging frame 200 and before placing the stretchable interleaf 90 on the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62), the fluid (Eg, air or other gas) flows through at least one orifice 312 over at least a portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf 90. In certain exemplary implementations, the fluid may flow continuously over at least a portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf 90 prior to placing the stretchable interleaf 90 on the substrate (ie, glass sheet 62). In certain exemplary implementations, during the step of placing the stretchable interleaf 90 on the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62), the fluid flow through the at least one orifice 312 may cause the stretchable interleaf 90 to (I.e., it stops before contacting with the glass sheet 62).

In certain exemplary implementations, as shown in FIG. 3, the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) is positioned on the packaging frame 200 in a substantially vertical direction, and During the step of placing the stretchable interleaf 90 on, the arm tool 300 grips the top edge of the stretchable interleaf 90. In certain exemplary implementations, during the step of placing the stretchable interleaf 90 on the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62), the fluid is released from the upper portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf 90. ) Flows through at least one orifice 312 toward the lower part of the major surface of the).

For example, FIGS. 7A and 7B show a front view and a side view of a fluid flowing over at least a portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf 90, respectively. In particular, FIGS. 7A and 7B are for an implementation example in which a substrate (ie, glass sheet 62) is positioned on the packaging frame 200 in a substantially vertical orientation, and stretchability on the substrate (ie, glass sheet 62). During the step of positioning the interleaf 90, the arm tool 300 grabs the top edge of the stretchable interleaf 90. As the elastic interleaf 90 moves through the arm tool 300 toward the packaging frame 200 in the direction indicated by arrow A, the fluid is at least of the major surface of the elastic interleaf, as indicated by the dashed arrow F. It flows from a selected orifice 312 over a portion. That is, the fluid flows through the selected orifice 312 from the upper portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf 90 toward the lower portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf 90 as indicated by the dotted arrow F.

As can be seen from FIG. 7A, fluid flows through a portion of the orifice 312 located along the longitudinal length of the arm tool 300. In particular, the fluid does not flow through the orifices 312 located at both ends of the arm tool 300. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein include that each of a plurality of orifices 312 can operate independently to flow varying amounts of fluid through them, which means that the fluid can flow along the lengthwise length of the arm tool 300. Examples include implementations that flow through at least one orifice 312 located and do not flow through at least one other orifice 312 located along the longitudinal length of the arm tool 300. By selecting the fluid to flow through a particular orifice, process efficiency can be maximized for different conditions (eg, different types and sizes of stretchable interleaf, etc.).

As can also be seen in FIG. 7A, the stretchable interleaf 90 may have a width W and a length L, and during the step of placing the stretchable interleaf 90 on the substrate, the fluid may be applied to the stretchable interleaf 90. Flows over a predetermined width of the central part of the major surface of the. This predetermined width may be approximately equal to or smaller than the width W of the stretchable interleaf 90. For example, embodiments disclosed herein include a range of about 50% to about 90%, such as about 60% to about 80%, of the width W of the stretchable interleaf 90. Alternatively, the fluid may flow through the orifice 312 extending along the longitudinal length of the center of the arm tool 300, where the central longitudinal length is approximately 50 of the width W of the stretchable interleaf 90. % To about 90%, such as about 60% to about 80%.

As can be further seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the fluid is transferred from the upper portion of the major surface of the elastic interleaf 90 in a direction generally parallel to the major surface in both the width direction and the length direction. Flows through the orifice 312 towards the lower part of the major surface of the. In particular, FIG. 7A shows a plurality of fluid flows F that are generally parallel along the width direction W of the major surface of the elastic interleaf 90, but FIG. 7B is generally parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the elastic interleaf 90. Denotes the fluid flow F.

In certain representative implementations, the fluid flowing through orifice 312 is a gas. In certain representative implementations, the fluid flowing through the orifice 312 includes air. In certain exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of orifices 312 has a fluid at a pressure of about 2 psig to about 20 psig (13.8 KPa to 138 KPa), such as about 5 psig to about 15 psig (about 34.5 KPa to about 103 KPa). Flow.

FIG. 8 shows a substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) positioned on a packaging frame 200 using an arm tool 300 including a clamping mechanism 302 and a fluid flow conduit 310 and an orifice 312. A schematic side view of a stretchable interleaf 90 positioned thereon. In particular, FIG. 8 shows a plurality of substrates (i.e., glass sheet 62) located on the packaging frame 200, where the elastic interleaf 90 is the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) and the elastic interleaf. Positioned between each adjacent substrate (ie, glass sheet 62) such that 90 is alternately arranged and positioned on the packaging frame 200. During operation, the orifice 312 allows fluid to flow over at least a portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf 90.

As shown in FIG. 8, the stretchable interleaf 90 is moved toward the packaging frame 200 through the arm tool 300 in the direction indicated by arrow A. However, in contrast to the movement of the stretchable interleaf 90 illustrated in FIG. 3, the fluid flow through the orifice 312 is, as shown, for example, of the stretchable interleaf 90 illustrated in FIG. By means of the relatively straight profile, it results in a substantially greater uniformity of the relative velocities of the different regions of the stretchable interleaf 90. This greater uniformity can greatly minimize the likelihood that the stretchable interleaf 90 will be folded or positioned on the substrate (ie, glass sheet 62) in an unintended manner. This greater uniformity can also substantially reduce the settling time of the stretchable interleaf 90 to the substrate (ie, glass sheet 62), thereby improving processing time efficiency.

Although the above embodiments have been described with reference to the fusion downward draw process, these embodiments also include, for example, a float process, a slot draw process, an upward-draw process, a tube draw process, and a press-rolling. It should be understood that it can be applied to other glass forming processes such as processes.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made as examples of implementations of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this disclosure is intended to cover such modifications and variations provided within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (20)

As a substrate packaging method,
Positioning the substrate on the packaging frame; And
Positioning a stretchable interleaf on a substrate using an arm tool comprising at least one orifice, wherein a fluid flows over at least a portion of a major surface of the stretchable interleaf through the at least one orifice; , Substrate packaging method. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the substrate is positioned on the packaging frame in a substantially vertical orientation, and during the step of positioning the stretchable interleaf on the substrate, the arm tool grips the top edge of the stretchable interleaf. The method according to claim 1,
During the step of placing the stretchable interleaf on the substrate, a fluid flows through at least one orifice from an upper portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf toward a lower portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf. The method of claim 3,
During the step of placing the stretchable interleaf on the substrate, the fluid flows over a predetermined width of the central portion of the major surface of the stretchable interleaf in a direction generally parallel to the major surface in both the width direction and the length direction. Packing method. The method according to claim 1,
During the step of placing the stretchable interleaf on the substrate, fluid flow through at least one orifice is stopped before the stretchable interleaf contacts the substrate. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the arm tool includes a plurality of orifices. The method of claim 6,
Each of the plurality of orifices is capable of operating and rotating independently in a transverse direction and a longitudinal direction. The method of claim 6,
Each of the plurality of orifices is movable in a longitudinal direction along the length of the arm tool. The method of claim 6,
Each of the plurality of orifices can operate independently to flow varying amounts of fluid therethrough. The method of claim 6,
Each of the plurality of orifices flows a fluid at a pressure of 2 psig to 20 psig (13.8 KPa to 138 KPa). The method according to claim 1,
The method of packaging a substrate, wherein the fluid comprises air. The method according to claim 1,
The substrate packaging method, wherein the substrate comprises glass. The method according to claim 1,
The stretchable interleaf includes at least one material selected from paper and foam. Packaging frame; And
Containing, an arm tool including at least one orifice configured to allow fluid to flow through the orifice. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the packaging frame includes a packaging sheet rear surface extending in a substantially vertical orientation. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the arm tool includes a plurality of orifices. The method of claim 16,
Each of the plurality of orifices can operate independently in a transverse direction and a longitudinal direction. The method of claim 16,
Each of the plurality of orifices is movable in a longitudinal direction along a length of an arm tool. The method of claim 16,
Each of the plurality of orifices can operate independently to flow various amounts of fluid therethrough. The method of claim 14,
The packaging frame includes a packaging sheet bottom.

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