TW201710195A - Glass manufacturing apparatus and method with flow through capability - Google Patents

Abstract

A glass forming apparatus and method include a glass forming device having an inlet end and a compression end and a trough extending between the inlet end and the compression end. The glass forming device has first and second sides that each extend from weirs on each side of the trough to a root of the glass forming device in the vertical direction. The trough has a depth that decreases between the inlet end and the compression end and the glass forming device further includes a slot that extends along at least a length of the trough in the horizontal direction and extends from the trough to the root of the glass forming device in the vertical direction.

Description

Glass manufacturing equipment and method with flowability

The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/170,873, filed on Jun. 4, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in

The present disclosure relates generally to glass manufacturing equipment and methods, and more particularly to glass manufacturing equipment having flowability.

A method for making a glass material such as flat glass for display applications, including LCDs, televisions, and handheld electronic devices, includes a fusion draw process in which molten glass overflows the opposite side of the glass forming apparatus and is subsequently recombined to A glass sheet is formed at the bottom or under the root of the device. This approach allows for the production of relatively thin, flat glass sheets of high surface quality that are desirable properties for glass intended for use in display applications.

In such a manufacturing process, there is a continuing need to increase the flow rate of the molten glass. However, the increased flow rate can lead to several technical challenges with respect to glass forming devices. Such technical challenges may include, for example, glass forming devices that are readily available due to the increased cross-section of the glass forming device and/or increased operating temperature of the molten glass to achieve higher flow rates. The transition is subject to increased deformation. Increasing the operating temperature can also result in increased corrosion or chemical attack of the glass forming apparatus. Therefore, it would be desirable to achieve a higher glass flow rate while mitigating these potentially undesirable effects.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for producing a glass article. The apparatus includes a glass forming apparatus including an inlet end and a compression end and a groove extending between the inlet end and the compression end. The glass forming apparatus also includes a first side and a second side, each of the sides extending horizontally from the inlet end to the compression end. The first side extends in a vertical direction from a first port on the first side of the slot to a root of the glass forming device, and the second side is in a vertical direction from a second port on the second side of the slot Extending to the root of the glass forming apparatus. The slot has a depth that decreases between the inlet end and the compression end. The glass forming apparatus further includes a slot extending in the horizontal direction along at least one length of the slot and extending from the slot to the root of the glass forming device in the vertical direction.

Also disclosed herein is a method of producing a glass article. The method includes introducing molten glass to a glass forming apparatus. The glass forming apparatus includes an inlet end and a compression end and a groove extending between the inlet end and the compression end. The glass forming apparatus also includes a first side and a second side, each of the sides extending horizontally from the inlet end to the compression end. The first side extends in a vertical direction from a first port on the first side of the slot to a root of the glass forming device, and the second side extends in the vertical direction from the slot A second port on the second side extends to the root of the glass forming apparatus. The slot has a depth that decreases between the inlet end and the compression end. The glass forming apparatus further includes a slot extending in the horizontal direction along at least one length of the slot and extending from the slot to the root of the glass forming device in the vertical direction. The molten glass overflows from the groove into the first port and the second port and flows through the slot.

Additionally, disclosed herein are glass sheets made by the above methods and electronic devices including such glass sheets.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the <RTIgt; </RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; These features and advantages are recognized by the embodiments described in the following, including the accompanying claims, the claims, and the accompanying drawings.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description of the embodiments of the present invention A further understanding of these and other embodiments is provided by the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in this specification and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and are in the

101‧‧‧glass forming equipment

103‧‧‧glass ribbon/fused glass ribbon

105‧‧‧Melt container

107‧‧‧ batches

109‧‧‧Warehouse

111‧‧‧Batch delivery device

113‧‧‧Motor

115‧‧‧ Controller

117‧‧‧ arrow

119‧‧‧Glass quasi-probe

121‧‧‧ glass melt

123‧‧‧ standpipe

125‧‧‧Communication lines

127‧‧‧Clarification container

129‧‧‧First connecting pipe

131‧‧‧Mixed container

133‧‧‧ delivery container

135‧‧‧Second connection tube

137‧‧‧The third connecting tube

139‧‧‧ downflow tube

141‧‧‧ entrance

143‧‧‧Forming device

201‧‧‧ slot

203‧‧‧ First import / import

205‧‧‧Second Pass / Import

207‧‧‧ bottom wall

209‧‧‧Axis

210‧‧‧ dotted line

211‧‧‧ Forming wedges

213‧‧‧Look down the forming surface section

215‧‧‧Look down the forming surface section

217‧‧‧ downstream direction

219‧‧‧ root

221‧‧‧ drawn plane

223‧‧‧Edge director

225‧‧‧ first opposite end

227‧‧‧second opposite end

300‧‧‧glass forming device

302‧‧‧ slots

304‧‧‧ first pass

306‧‧‧Second Pass

310‧‧‧ slot

312‧‧‧ entrance end

314‧‧‧Compressed end

316‧‧‧ first side

318‧‧‧ second side

320‧‧‧Edge director

322‧‧‧Edge director

330‧‧‧ root

350A-D‧‧‧ heating element

D‧‧‧Deep

D ₁ ‧‧‧depth

D ₂ ‧‧‧depth

L1‧‧‧ horizontal length

L2‧‧‧ horizontal length

W1‧‧‧Width

W2‧‧‧Width

1 is a schematic view of an apparatus including a forming apparatus for producing a glass article in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 2 is a cross-sectional enlarged perspective view of the forming apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the glass forming apparatus according to the embodiment disclosed herein; and FIG. 4A is an inlet end view of the glass forming apparatus of FIG. 4B is a compression end view of the glass forming apparatus of FIG. 3; FIG. 5A is a top view of the glass forming apparatus of FIG. 3; FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the glass forming apparatus of FIG. 3; The figure is an end cross-sectional view of a glass forming apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, wherein the heating element is disposed adjacent to the forming apparatus.

Embodiments of the embodiments will now be described with reference to the embodiments of the present disclosure. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same.

As used herein, the term

Schematic diagram of a first exemplary apparatus 101 illustrated in FIG glass forming the glass forming apparatus 103 for fusion drawing a glass ribbon into glass sheets for subsequent processing. The illustrated glass forming apparatus includes a fusion drawing apparatus, although other fusion forming apparatus may be provided in other examples. The glass forming apparatus 101 can include a melting vessel (or melting furnace) 105 configured to receive the batch 107 from the storage silo 109 . Batch 107 can be introduced by a batch delivery device 111 powered by motor 113 . The optional controller 115 can be configured to activate the motor 113 to introduce the desired amount of batch 107 into the molten vessel 105 as indicated by arrow 117 . The glass level probe 119 can be used to measure the level of the glass melt (e.g., molten glass) 121 in the riser 123 and communicate the measured information to the controller 115 via the communication line 125 .

The glass forming apparatus 101 can also include a clarification vessel 127 , such as a clarification tube, located downstream of the smelting vessel 105 and fluidly coupled to the fused vessel 105 via a first connecting tube 129 . A mixing vessel 131, such as a mixing chamber, may also be located downstream of the clarification vessel 127 , and a delivery vessel 133 , such as a bowl, may be located downstream of the mixing vessel 131 . However, it should be noted that the mixing vessel 131 can be positioned upstream of the clarification vessel 127 , and in certain embodiments, a plurality of mixing vessels can be utilized, such as the first mixing vessel 131 positioned upstream of the clarification vessel 127 and positioned in the clarification vessel 127. A second mixing vessel 131 downstream. As shown, the second connecting tube 135 can couple the clarification container 127 to the mixing container 131 , and the third connecting tube 137 can couple the mixing container 131 to the delivery container 133 . As further illustrated, the downcomer 139 can be positioned to deliver the glass melt 121 from the delivery container 133 to the inlet 141 of the forming device 143 . As shown, the molten vessel 105 , the clarification vessel 127 , the mixing vessel 131 , the delivery vessel 133, and the forming apparatus 143 are examples of glass melt stations that can be positioned in series along the glass forming apparatus 101 .

The melting vessel 105 is typically made from a refractory material such as a refractory (e.g., ceramic) brick. The glass forming apparatus 101 may further comprise an assembly typically made of platinum or a platinum-containing metal such as platinum-ruthenium, platinum-ruthenium, and combinations thereof, but such components may also include molybdenum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, titanium, etc. , refractory metals and/or zirconia of tungsten, tantalum, niobium, zirconium and their alloys. The platinum-containing component may include one or more of the following: a first connecting tube 129 , a clarifying container 127 (eg, a clarifying tube), a second connecting tube 135 , a standpipe 123 , a mixing container 131 (eg, a stirring chamber), a third connection Tube 137 , delivery container 133 (eg, tank), downcomer 139, and inlet 141 . The forming device 143 is made of a ceramic material such as a refractory material and is designed to form a glass ribbon 103 .

FIG 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 of the glass forming apparatus 101. As shown, the forming device 143 can include a slot 201 that is at least partially defined by a pair of jaws that include a first jaw 203 and a second jaw 205 that define opposite sides of the slot 201 . As further shown, the trough can also be at least partially defined by the bottom wall 207 . As shown, the inner surface of the jaws 203, 205 and the bottom wall 207 define a substantially U-shape that can have rounded corners. In other examples, the U shape can have a surface that is substantially 90° relative to each other. In other examples, the trough can have a bottom surface defined by the intersection of the inner surfaces of the jaws 203, 205 . For example, the trough can have a V-shaped profile. Although not shown, the slot may include other configurations in another instance.

As shown, the slot 201 can have a depth " D " between the top of the first port 203 and/or the second port 205 and the bottom wall 207 of the slot 201 , the depth varying along the axis 209 , but the depth can be along The shafts 209 are substantially identical. Changing the depth " D " of the groove 201 promotes the uniformity of the thickness of the glass ribbon across the width of the glass ribbon 103 . In just one example, as shown in FIG. 2, the depth "D _1" means forming an inlet 143 may be greater than the proximity of the tank 201 to the inlet 201 at a position downstream of the groove depth "D _2." As exemplified by dashed line 210 , bottom wall 207 can extend at an acute angle relative to shaft 209 to provide a substantially continuous reduction in depth from the inlet end to the opposite end along the length of forming device 143 .

The forming device 143 further includes a shaped wedge 211 that includes a pair of downwardly angled shaped surface portions 213, 215 that extend between opposite ends of the shaped wedge 211 . The pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions 213, 215 meet in a downstream direction 217 to form a root portion 219 . The draw plane 221 extends through the root 219 where the glass ribbon 103 can be drawn along the draw plane 221 in the downstream direction 217 . As shown, the draw plane 221 can bisect the root 219 , although the draw plane 221 can extend in other orientations relative to the root 219 .

The forming device 143 can optionally include one or more edge directors 223 that intersect at least one of the pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions 213, 215 . In other examples, one or more edge directors can intersect the two downwardly inclined forming surface portions 213, 215 . In other examples, the edge directors can be positioned at each of the opposite ends of the shaped wedge 211 , wherein the edges of the glass ribbon 103 are formed by molten glass flowing away from the edge director. For example, as shown in FIG . 2 , the edge director 223 can be positioned at the first opposite end 225 , and the second identical edge director (not shown in FIG. 2 ) can be positioned at the second opposite end (see the 1 in the picture 227 ). Each edge director 223 can be configured to intersect the two downwardly inclined forming surface portions 213, 215 . Each edge director 223 can be substantially identical to one another, although in other examples the edge directors can have different characteristics. Various shaped wedges and edge director configurations can be used in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the disclosure of the present disclosure can be found in U.S. Patent No. 3,451,798, U.S. Patent No. 3,537,834, U.S. Patent No. 7,409,839, and/or U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 61/155,669, filed on Feb. 26, 2009. The disclosed shaped wedges and edge director configurations are used together, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Embodiments disclosed herein include embodiments in which slots (shown in Figure 2) are present along at least a portion of the shaft 209 . Examples of such embodiments are shown in Figures 3-6. Although certain details of Figure 2 are not shown in Figures 3-6, it should be understood that such details and related descriptions are applicable to the embodiments shown in Figures 3-6. It should also be understood that the glass forming apparatus shown in Figures 3-6 can be used in the glass forming apparatus 101 .

Figure 3 shows a side perspective view of a glass forming apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. 4A and 4B are respectively an entrance end view and a compression end view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, and Figs. 5A and 5B respectively show a top view and a bottom view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3. In the embodiment of Figures 3-4B, the glass forming apparatus 300 includes an inlet end 312 , a compression end 314, and a groove 302 extending between the inlet end 312 and the compression end 314 . The glass forming apparatus also includes a first side 316 and a second side 318 , wherein the first side 316 extends in a vertical direction from the first port 304 on the first side of the slot 302 to the root 330 of the glass forming apparatus. The second side 318 similarly extends in a vertical direction from the second port 306 on the second side of the slot 302 to the root 330 of the glass forming apparatus. As can be seen in Figure 3, the slot 302 has a depth " D " that decreases between the inlet end 312 and the compression end 314 . Thus, the cross-sectional area of the slot 302 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4A) decreases between the inlet end 312 and the compression end 314 .

The glass forming apparatus 300 additionally includes a slot 310 that extends horizontally along at least one length of the slot 302 (as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 5A) and extends from the slot 302 in the vertical direction to the glass forming apparatus 300. The root 330 is as shown, for example, in Figures 3, 4A and 4B. For example, the slot 310 can extend an almost overall distance along the slot 302 between the inlet end 312 and the compression end 314 in a horizontal direction, or the slot 310 can extend only a portion of the distance, such as 10% to 90% of the distance, And another such as 20% to 80% of the distance.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5B, edge directors 320 and 322 are configured to be adjacent to root 330 at either end of glass forming apparatus 300 .

In certain exemplary embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A, the slot 310 extending along at least one length of the slot 302 in the horizontal direction has a width at the inlet end 312 and the compression end 314. Increase between. As shown in FIG. 5B, the width " W2 " of the slot 310 closest to the compression end 314 is greater than the width " W1 " of the slot 310 closest to the inlet end 312 . For example, the width " W2 " of the slot 310 closest to the compression end 314 may be at least 10% wider than the width " W1 " of the slot 310 closest to the inlet end 312 , such as at least 20%, and additionally such as at least 50%, and still Also such as at least 100%. For example, the width " W1 " of the slot 310 closest to the inlet end 312 may range from 50% to 90% of the width " W2 " of the compression end 314 in the slot 310 , such as 55% to 85%, and Such as 60% to 80%.

The difference in slot width as a function of the distance between the inlet end 312 and the compression end 314 can be designed to compensate for the amount of molten glass above the slot 310 over a given cross-sectional area of the slot 302 when the glass forming apparatus is in full operation. The difference (and thus the difference in molten glass pressure), in turn, allows for a relatively constant flow of molten glass along the longitudinal length of the slot 310 . The relationship between the slot width and the groove depth will additionally depend on factors such as the viscosity of the molten glass and the density of the molten glass and the absolute width of the slot in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5B, the slot 310 extends along the length of the root 330 in the horizontal direction. In certain exemplary embodiments, the slot 310 can extend an almost overall distance along the root 330 in the horizontal direction, or the slot 310 can extend only a portion of the distance, such as 5% to 95% of the distance, and additionally 10% to 90% of the distance.

Horizontal length "310 extending along the length of the slot 302 in certain exemplary embodiments, such as shown in FIG Peter embodiment to the third embodiment, the horizontal length of the slot 310 extending along the length of the root portion 330" L2 "is longer than the slot L1 "." In other embodiments (not shown), the horizontal length of the slot along the root may be substantially equal to or shorter than the horizontal length of the slot along the slot. When the horizontal length of the slot 310 along the length of the root 330 is longer than the horizontal length of the slot 310 along the length of the slot 302 , the length " L2 " may be at least 5% longer than the length " L1 ", such as at least 10%, and additionally such as at least 15 %, such as 5% to 30% in length, including 10% to 25% in length, and additionally including 15% to 20% in length.

A slot having a relatively long horizontal length along the length of the root portion at least partially compensates for the attenuation (i.e., the shortening of the width) of the molten glass ribbon by flowing the molten glass through the slot toward the molten glass The outermost edge of the belt is deflected to overflow the mouth and flow down the first side and the second side of the glass forming apparatus. This can potentially increase the quality area of the molten glass ribbon, i.e., the area of the glass ribbon that contains a substantially uniform thickness, and can allow control of the formation of the bead of the outermost edge of the strip.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5B, the slot 310 extending along the length of the root 330 has a width that is substantially constant along a majority of the length of the root and at the end of the root (near the edge directors 320 and 322 ) Gradually. For example, the slot 310 extending along the length of the root 330 has a width that is along a majority of the length of the root, such as along at least 75% of the length of the root, and additionally such as along at least 85% of the length of the root, And still additionally such as at least 95% along the length of the root, and even otherwise substantially constant along substantially all of the length of the root (so that the ends of the slots 310 extending along the length of the root 330 do not taper). At least a majority of substantially constant slots 310 extending along the length of the root 330 along the length of the root may further permit a molten glass ribbon having a substantially constant width.

Thus, the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B shows a slot 310 extending horizontally along at least one length of the slot 302 , the slot having a width that increases between the inlet end 312 and the compression end 314 ( Wherein " W2 ">" W1 "), wherein the slot 310 extends at least a substantially constant width along the length of the root 330 . This embodiment (shown in Figure 3) also shows a slot 310 having a horizontal length " L2 " extending along the length of the root 330 that is longer than the horizontal length of the slot 310 extending along the length of the slot 302 . " L1 ".

6 shows an end cross-sectional view of a glass forming apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, wherein a glass ribbon 103 is formed below the root 330 of the glass forming apparatus 300 . As shown in FIG. 6, the molten glass overflows from the slot 302 out of the first port 304 and flows down the first side 316 toward the root 330 . The molten glass also overflows from the trough 302 out of the second port 306 and flows down the second side 318 toward the root 330 . Additionally, molten glass flows from the trough 302 and flows downwardly through the slot 310 toward the root 330 . The molten glass ribbon 103 is formed as molten glass that overflows the first port 304 and the second port 306 , and joins the molten glass flowing through the slot 310 at the root 330 .

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the heating elements 350A-D are disposed adjacent to the forming device (although Figure 6 shows four heating elements, it should be understood that embodiments herein include greater or less Examples of the number of heating elements). The heating elements 350A-D may, for example, comprise electrical resistance heating elements, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 2008/0282736, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In this regard, although the heating elements 350A-D are shown schematically in Figure 6 as having a rectangular or parallelogram cross section, it should be understood that the heating element can have any geometric configuration or cross section, including circular and elliptical transverse. section.

The heating elements 350A-D can be configured to provide control of the temperature of the molten glass that overflows the first port 304 and the second port 306 . For example, the heating elements 350A-D may be configured and operated to allow from over the first weir 304 and a second weir 306 reaches the temperature of the molten glass of the root 330 is the relative from the slot 310 reaches the temperature of the molten glass root portion 330 of a predetermined Within the temperature range. For example, the heating elements 350A-D can be configured and operated such that the temperature of the molten glass from the upper first port 304 and the second port 306 reaching the root 330 is within 20 ° C of the temperature of the molten glass from the slot 310 reaching the root 330 , such as within 10 ° C, and additionally such as within 5 ° C. The heating elements 350A-D can be configured and operated such that the temperature of the molten glass from the upper first port 304 and the second port 306 reaching the root 330 is at a predetermined temperature range substantially equal to the temperature of the molten glass from the slot 310 to the root 330 . Inside. Maintained from port 304 over the first weir and the weir 306 reaches the second temperature of the molten glass in the root portion 330 is within a predetermined range with respect to the slot 310 from the temperature of the molten glass reaches the root 330 may be modified, for example, allow the flow of glass and glass tape nature.

Although the embodiments disclosed herein include embodiments in which molten glass is fed to the glass forming apparatus 300 via a single inlet, such as inlet 141 shown in FIG. 1, the embodiments disclosed herein also include a pair of glass forming apparatus. An embodiment of the first molten glass feed of 300 and the second molten glass feed to the glass forming apparatus 300 , wherein the first melt is configured to primarily direct the flow of molten glass out of the first port 304 and the second port 306 And the second molten glass feed is configured to primarily direct the flow of molten glass into the slot 310 . Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein include introducing a first molten glass feed to a glass forming apparatus and introducing a second molten glass feed to the glass forming apparatus 300 , wherein most of the molten glass from the first molten glass feed overflows The first port 304 and the second port 306 , while most of the molten glass from the second molten glass feed flows into the slot 310 . Preferably, the first molten glass feed will be vertically higher than the second molten glass feed.

In certain exemplary embodiments, at least 60% of the first molten glass feed, such as at least 70%, and additionally such as at least 80%, and still additionally such as at least 90% (including 60% of the first molten glass feed) Up to 99% and additionally 70% to 95%) overflows the first port 304 and the second port 306 . Such embodiments may include wherein at least 60% of the second molten glass feed, such as at least 70%, and additionally such as at least 80%, and still additionally such as at least 90% (including 60% to 99% of the second molten glass feed) % and additionally include 70% to 95%) of the embodiments flowing into the slot 310 .

When the first molten glass feed and the second molten glass feed are used, the composition of the first molten glass feed and the second molten glass feed may be the same or different. The temperatures of the first molten glass feed and the second molten glass feed may also be the same or different. For example, in some embodiments, the temperature of the first molten glass feed can be at least slightly higher than the temperature of the second molten glass feed, such as at least 5 ° C high, and additionally such as at least 10 ° high, including 5 ° C to 100 high. °C, such as 10 ° C to 50 ° C.

Maintaining the first molten glass feed at a higher temperature than the second molten glass feed may allow more of the first molten glass feed to overflow the first opening 304 and depending on the glass composition, flow transport characteristics, and other conditions. The second port 306 is due to the lower relative density at higher temperatures and thus the increased buoyancy within the slot 302 . Maintaining the first molten glass feed at a higher temperature than the second molten glass feed may further allow the temperature of the molten glass from the upper first port 304 and the second port 306 to reach the root 330 to be at a relative to the slot 310. The temperature of the molten glass reaching the root 330 is within a predetermined temperature range without the need for heating elements such as heating elements 350A-D . For example, maintaining the first molten glass feed at a higher predetermined temperature than the second molten glass feed may allow the temperature of the molten glass from the upper first port 304 and the second port 306 to reach the root 330 to be substantially equal to the slot 310. The temperature of the molten glass reaching the root 330 is eliminated without the need for heating elements such as heating elements 350A-D .

The total flow density percentage (although unrestricted) of the molten glass introduced into the glass forming apparatus 300 (via one or more molten glass feeds) into the slots 310 (as opposed to the overflow weirs 304 , 306 ) may for example It varies in the following ranges: 5% to 95%, such as 10% to 90%, and additionally such as 20% to 80%, and still additionally such as from 30% to 70%, and still another such as 40% to 60%. In certain embodiments, at least 50% of the total flow density of the molten glass introduced to the glass forming apparatus 300 , such as at least 60%, and additionally such as at least 70% flow into the slot 310 .

Area along the length of the slot 310 of the slot 302 extending relative to the total area of the bottom of the groove 302 (but is not limited although) may vary in the range, for example, the total area of the bottom of the groove 302: 5-50% , such as 10% to 40%, and additionally such as 15% to 30%, and still additionally such as 20% to 25%.

While not limited to any particular material, in certain exemplary embodiments, glass forming apparatus 300 can comprise a refractory material that has minimal reactivity to the molten glass formed using the apparatus. Exemplary materials for the glass forming apparatus include, but are not limited to, an iso-compressed zircon-based ceramic material such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2004/0055338 and 2005/0130830, which are incorporated herein by reference. The entire disclosure of the disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Exemplary materials for use in a glass forming apparatus may also include an isobaric-based or xenotime-based stabilized zircon-based ceramic material such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0131241 The material, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The glass forming device comprising the slot 310 can be made by one of any of a variety of methods. For example, a glass forming apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein can be made by bonding together two substantially mirrored halves of a glass forming apparatus, wherein each half is formed, routed, or cut out. The area of the slot 310 . A method for bonding components of a glass forming apparatus is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 7,988,804, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. A method for cutting or removing material from a glass forming apparatus is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0318523, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Embodiments disclosed herein may allow for the production of glass articles such as glass sheets while providing at least one advantage over previously known methods, such as those discussed elsewhere herein. Moreover, the embodiments disclosed herein may allow for the production of glass articles such as glass sheets, wherein the weight of the glass forming device 300 is significantly reduced relative to the weight of previously known glass forming devices for a given molten glass flow density. For example, for a given molten glass flow density, the glass forming apparatus 300 can be at least 10% less, such as at least 20% less than the previously known glass forming apparatus, and additionally such as at least 30% less, and still additionally, such as at least 40%, including at least 10% less than 50%. Embodiments disclosed herein may also allow for the production of glass articles such as glass sheets, wherein the temperature of the glass forming apparatus 300 is lower relative to the weight of previously known glass forming apparatus for a given molten glass flow density. For example, for a given molten glass flow density, the temperature of the glass forming apparatus 300 can be at least 20 ° C lower than previously known glass forming apparatus, such as at least 50 ° C lower, and additionally such as at least 100 ° C lower, such as 20 ° C to 200 lower. °C. Reducing the weight and/or temperature of the glass forming apparatus for a given molten glass flow rate can alleviate many potential drawbacks, such as the glass forming apparatus undergoing increased deformation over time and/or increased corrosion or chemical attack of the glass forming apparatus. Alternatively, embodiments herein may allow for the production of glass articles such as glass sheets, wherein the molten glass has a higher flow density while minimizing at least one of the disadvantages discussed herein.

Glass articles comprising glass sheets by the methods disclosed herein can be used in a variety of applications, including flat glass panels and screens incorporated into electronic devices such as LCD televisions and handheld electronic devices. In such a glass sheet, the intermediate portion of the glass sheet in the thickness direction will be provided from the glass flowing through the slot 310 , and the first surface area and the second surface area of the glass sheet will flow out of the mouth 304, 306. The glass is provided. For example, in certain embodiments, at least 20% of the total thickness of the glass sheets, such as at least 30%, and additionally such as at least 40%, and still additionally such as at least 50%, and yet another such as at least 60% (including 20%) Up to 80% and additionally 30% to 70%) may be provided from the glass flowing through the slot 310 .

In this way, the production of relatively thin, flat glass sheets with high surface quality can be achieved with potentially lower production costs relative to previously known production methods.

Although the specific embodiments disclosed herein have been described in terms of an overflow pull-down process, it should be understood that the operating principles of such embodiments may also Suitable for other glass forming processes such as flow processes and slot drawing processes.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover such modifications and alternatives, and

302‧‧‧ slots

304‧‧‧ first pass

306‧‧‧Second Pass

310‧‧‧ slot

316‧‧‧ first side

318‧‧‧ second side

330‧‧‧ root

Claims (20)

An apparatus for producing a glass article, comprising: a glass forming device comprising: an inlet end and a compression end; and a groove extending between the inlet end and the compression end; a first side and a a second side, each of the sides extending from the inlet end to the compression end in a horizontal direction, wherein the first side extends in a vertical direction from a first port on the first side of the slot to the a root of the glass forming device, the second side extending in the vertical direction from a second opening on a second side of the groove to the root of the glass forming device; wherein the groove has a depth, the depth Decreasing between the inlet end and the compression end; and wherein the glass forming device further comprises a slot extending in the horizontal direction along at least one length of the slot, and in the vertical direction The groove extends to the root of the glass forming device. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the slot extending along at least one length of the slot has a width that increases between the inlet end and the compression end. The device of claim 2, wherein the width of the slot closest to the compression end is the closest to the inlet end of the slot At least twice the width. The device of claim 1, wherein the slot extends along a length of the root in the horizontal direction, wherein a horizontal length of the slot extending along the length of the root is longer than a length along a length of the slot The horizontal length of the slot. The device of claim 4, wherein each end of the slot extending along the length of the root tapers. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a first molten glass feed to one of the glass forming devices and a second molten glass feed to the glass forming apparatus, wherein the first molten glass feed A flow of molten glass is directed out of the first port and the second port, and the second molten glass feed is configured to direct a flow of molten glass into the slot. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one heating element disposed adjacent to the glass forming apparatus. A method of producing a glass article, the method comprising the steps of: introducing molten glass into a glass forming apparatus, the glass forming apparatus comprising: an inlet end and a compression end and extending between the inlet end and the compression end a slot; a first side and a second side, each of the sides being in a horizontal direction Extending from the inlet end to the compression end, wherein the first side extends in a vertical direction from a first opening on a first side of the groove to a root of the glass forming device, and the second side is Extending in the vertical direction from a second port on a second side of the slot to the root of the glass forming device; wherein the slot has a depth that decreases between the inlet end and the compression end; Wherein the glass forming device further comprises a slot extending in the horizontal direction along at least one length of the groove and extending from the groove to the root of the glass forming device in the vertical direction; and wherein the melting The glass overflows the first and second ports from the slot and flows through the slot. The method of claim 8 wherein the slot extending along at least one length of the slot has a width that increases between the inlet end and the compression end. The method of claim 9, wherein the width of the slot closest to the compression end is at least twice the width of the slot closest to the inlet end. The method of claim 8, wherein the slot extends along the length of the root in the horizontal direction, wherein the slot extending along one of the lengths of the root has a horizontal length that is longer than a length of the slot The horizontal length of the slot. The method of claim 11, wherein each end of the slot extending along the length of the root tapers. The method of claim 8 wherein the method further comprises the steps of: introducing a first molten glass feed to the glass forming apparatus and introducing a second molten glass feed to the glass forming apparatus, wherein Most of the molten glass of the first molten glass feed overflows the first port and the second port, and most of the molten glass from the second molten glass feed flows into the slot. The method of claim 13 wherein the composition of the first molten glass feed and the second molten glass feed are the same. The method of claim 13 wherein the composition of the first molten glass feed and the second molten glass feed are different. The method of claim 13 wherein the first molten glass feed and the second molten glass feed are at different temperatures. The method of claim 8 wherein at least 50% of the total flow density of one of the molten glass introduced into the glass forming apparatus flows into the slot. The method of claim 8, wherein the molten glass overflowing the first opening and the second opening joins the molten glass flowing through the slot at the root, wherein the first opening and the second from above One of the molten glass that reaches the root of the mouth is at a temperature The slot reaches 20 ° C of the temperature of one of the molten glass of the root. A glass sheet produced by the method of claim 8. An electronic device comprising the glass piece as claimed in claim 19.