WO2013025741A1 - Procédés de découpage d'un ruban de verre - Google Patents

Procédés de découpage d'un ruban de verre Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2013025741A1
WO2013025741A1 PCT/US2012/050837 US2012050837W WO2013025741A1 WO 2013025741 A1 WO2013025741 A1 WO 2013025741A1 US 2012050837 W US2012050837 W US 2012050837W WO 2013025741 A1 WO2013025741 A1 WO 2013025741A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
glass ribbon
severing
orientation
roller
support member
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/050837
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Chester Hann Huei Chang
Todd Benson Fleming
Christopher Michael RHOADS
Original Assignee
Corning Incorporated
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Corning Incorporated filed Critical Corning Incorporated
Priority to KR1020147006231A priority Critical patent/KR101775207B1/ko
Priority to CN201280039998.5A priority patent/CN103732547B/zh
Priority to JP2014526142A priority patent/JP5922775B2/ja
Priority to KR1020177024017A priority patent/KR101882640B1/ko
Publication of WO2013025741A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013025741A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B18/00—Shaping glass in contact with the surface of a liquid
    • C03B18/02—Forming sheets
    • C03B18/04—Changing or regulating the dimensions of the molten glass ribbon
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G49/00—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for
    • B65G49/05—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles
    • B65G49/06—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles for fragile sheets, e.g. glass
    • B65G49/063—Transporting devices for sheet glass
    • B65G49/064—Transporting devices for sheet glass in a horizontal position
    • B65G49/065—Transporting devices for sheet glass in a horizontal position supported partially or completely on fluid cushions, e.g. a gas cushion
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B33/00—Severing cooled glass
    • C03B33/02—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor
    • C03B33/023—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor the sheet or ribbon being in a horizontal position
    • C03B33/0235—Ribbons
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H23/00—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs
    • B65H23/04—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally
    • B65H23/24—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally by fluid action, e.g. to retard the running web
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H35/00—Delivering articles from cutting or line-perforating machines; Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices, e.g. adhesive tape dispensers
    • B65H35/04—Delivering articles from cutting or line-perforating machines; Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices, e.g. adhesive tape dispensers from or with transverse cutters or perforators
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B18/00—Shaping glass in contact with the surface of a liquid
    • C03B18/02—Forming sheets
    • C03B18/04—Changing or regulating the dimensions of the molten glass ribbon
    • C03B18/08—Changing or regulating the dimensions of the molten glass ribbon using gas
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B18/00—Shaping glass in contact with the surface of a liquid
    • C03B18/02—Forming sheets
    • C03B18/14—Changing the surface of the glass ribbon, e.g. roughening
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B33/00—Severing cooled glass
    • C03B33/02—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor
    • C03B33/023—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor the sheet or ribbon being in a horizontal position
    • C03B33/037—Controlling or regulating
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B35/00—Transporting of glass products during their manufacture, e.g. hot glass lenses, prisms
    • C03B35/005—Transporting hot solid glass products other than sheets or rods, e.g. lenses, prisms, by suction or floatation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P40/00—Technologies relating to the processing of minerals
    • Y02P40/50—Glass production, e.g. reusing waste heat during processing or shaping
    • Y02P40/57—Improving the yield, e-g- reduction of reject rates

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to methods of severing a glass ribbon, and more particularly to methods of severing a glass ribbon from a source of glass ribbon.
  • Glass manufacturing apparatus are commonly used to form various glass products such as LCD sheet glass. It is known to sever glass ribbon, for example, to provide glass sheets with a desired dimension and/or remove edge beads from the glass ribbon. Typical severing procedures can require zero relative motion between the cutting device and the glass ribbon in the direction perpendicular to the cut. In one example, a Traveling Anvil Machine (TAM) can be used to travel with the ribbon as the cut is being made.
  • TAM Traveling Anvil Machine
  • the ribbon may be temporarily arrested in position while carrying out the cutting procedure. If the position of the ribbon is arrested, an accumulator may be provided upstream to help prevent interruption of the ribbon forming process.
  • an accumulator can promote degregation of the glass ribbon strength as fatigue due to bending over the accumulator rollers can cause pre-existing flaws to grow.
  • a method of severing a glass ribbon comprises the step of providing a source of the glass ribbon with a pair of opposed edge portions and a central portion laterally spanning between the opposed edge portions.
  • the central portion has a first side facing a first direction and a second side facing a second direction opposite the first direction.
  • the method further includes the steps of generating a predetermined flaw in the first side of the glass ribbon and traversing a portion of the glass ribbon with the flaw to a severing zone downstream from the source of glass ribbon.
  • the method further includes the step of impacting the first side of the glass ribbon with fluid emitting from a support member to at least partially support a weight of the portion of glass ribbon within the severing zone while maintaining the portion of the glass ribbon in a first orientation.
  • the method further includes the step of temporarily bending the portion of the glass ribbon in a direction toward the support member from the first orientation to a severing orientation by applying a force to the second side of the glass ribbon.
  • the method still further includes the step of severing the central portion of the glass ribbon between the opposed edge portions at the predetermined flaw located in the severing zone; and then returning the portion of the glass ribbon to the first orientation by removing the force being applied to the second side of the glass ribbon.
  • a method of severing a glass ribbon comprises the step of providing a source of the glass ribbon with a pair of opposed edge portions and a central portion laterally spanning between the opposed edge portions.
  • the central portion has a first side facing a first direction and a second side facing a second direction opposite the first direction.
  • the method further includes the steps of generating a predetermined flaw in the first side of the glass ribbon and traversing a portion of the glass ribbon with the flaw to a severing zone downstream from the source of glass ribbon.
  • the method further includes the step of impacting the first side of the glass ribbon with fluid emitting from each of an upstream support member and a downstream support member to provide respective gas cushions that at least partially support a weight of the portion of glass ribbon at respective upstream and downstream positions.
  • a target segment of the portion of the glass ribbon is defined between the upstream support member and the downstream support member, wherein the upstream support member and the downstream support member maintain the target segment of the glass ribbon in a first orientation within the severing zone.
  • the method further includes the step of temporarily bending the target segment of the glass ribbon in a direction toward the support member from the first orientation to a severing orientation with a force generated by impacting a second side of the glass ribbon with fluid emitting from a fluid nozzle.
  • the method further includes the steps of severing the central portion of the glass ribbon between the opposed edge portions at the predetermined flaw located in the severing zone; and then returning the target segment of the glass ribbon to the first orientation by removing the force being applied by impacting the second side of the glass ribbon with the fluid emitting from the fluid nozzle.
  • a method of severing a glass ribbon comprises the step of providing a source of the glass ribbon with a pair of opposed edge portions and a central portion laterally spanning between the opposed edge portions.
  • the central portion has a first side facing a first direction and a second side facing a second direction opposite the first direction.
  • the method further includes the steps of generating a predetermined flaw in the first side of the glass ribbon and traversing a portion of the glass ribbon with the flaw to a severing zone downstream from the source of glass ribbon.
  • the method further includes the step of impacting the first side of the glass ribbon with fluid emitting from a support member to provide a gas cushion that at least partially supports a weight of the portion of glass ribbon within the severing zone while maintaining the portion of the glass ribbon in a first orientation.
  • the method further includes the step of temporarily bending the portion of the glass ribbon in the severing zone from the first orientation to a severing orientation by applying a force to the second side of the glass ribbon with a first roller positioned between a second and a third roller that each temporarily apply a force to the first side of the glass ribbon.
  • the method still further includes the steps of severing the central portion of the glass ribbon between the opposed edge portions at the predetermined flaw located in the severing zone; and then retracting the first roller such that the first, second and third rollers do not apply a force to the glass ribbon, and applying the gas cushion with the support member to again maintain the portion of the glass ribbon in the first orientation.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an edge separation apparatus
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for severing a glass ribbon
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the edge separation apparatus along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing a scribe tip beginning to form a predetermined flaw in the first side of the glass ribbon;
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 after forming the predetermined flaw;
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarge view of a severing zone of FIG. 2 with a portion of the glass ribbon including a predetermined flaw in a first orientation;
  • FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with a force being applied to the second side of the glass ribbon to bend a target segment of the glass ribbon;
  • FIG. 8 is another view similar to FIG. 7 with the predetermined flaw approaching a severing position
  • FIG. 9 illustrates the step of severing the central portion of the glass ribbon between opposed edge portions at the predetermined flaw located in the severing zone
  • FIG. 10 illustrates the portion of the glass ribbon being returned to the first orientation
  • FIG. 11 a schematic illustration demonstrating the step of switching between a first storage roll and a second storage roll
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic view of another example apparatus for severing a glass ribbon
  • FIG. 13 is a sectional view along line 13-13 of FIG. 12;
  • FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the apparatus for severing a glass ribbon from FIG. 12 with the target segment in a first orientation
  • FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14 with the target segment in a bent orientation
  • FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15 with the target segment in the bent orientation and the glass ribbon being severed at the predetermined flaw located in the severing zone.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate just one example of an apparatus 101 for fabricating a glass ribbon 103.
  • FIG. 2 is a continuation of FIG. 1, wherein FIGS. 1 and 2 can be read together as the overall configuration of the apparatus 101.
  • the apparatus 101 can include an edge separation apparatus 101a illustrated in FIG. 1 although the edge separation apparatus may be omitted in further examples.
  • the apparatus 101 can also include an apparatus 101b for severing a glass ribbon.
  • the edge separation apparatus 101a may be optionally employed to remove beads or other edge imperfections as described more fully below.
  • the edge separation apparatus 101a may be used to divide the glass ribbon for further processing of the central portion and/or edge portions.
  • the apparatus 101b for severing a glass ribbon can be provided, for example, to help sever a sheet to the desired length, remove an undesirable segment of glass ribbon from the source of glass ribbon, and/or facilitate switching between a first storage roll and a second storage roll with minimal, if any, disruption in traversing of the glass ribbon from the source of glass ribbon.
  • the glass ribbon 103 for the apparatus 101 can be provided by a wide range of glass ribbon sources.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates two example sources 105 of glass ribbon 103 although other sources may be provided in further examples.
  • the source 105 of glass ribbon 103 can comprise a down draw glass forming apparatus 107.
  • the down draw glass forming apparatus 107 can include a forming wedge 109 at the bottom of a trough 111.
  • molten glass 113 can overflow the trough 111 and flow down opposite sides 115, 117 of the forming wedge 109.
  • the two sheets of molten glass are subsequently fused together as they are drawn off the root 119 of the forming wedge 109.
  • the glass ribbon 103 may be fusion down drawn to traverse in a downward direction 121 off the root 119 of the forming wedge 109 and directly into a downward zone 123 positioned downstream from the down draw glass forming apparatus 107.
  • Other down draw forming methods for the glass ribbon source 105 such as slot draw are also possible.
  • the glass ribbon 103 can possibly have a thickness of ⁇ 500 microns, ⁇ 300 microns, ⁇ 200 microns, or ⁇ 100 microns.
  • the glass ribbon 103 can include a thickness of from about 50 microns to about 300 microns, for example 50, 60, 80, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, or 300 microns, although other thicknesses may be provided in further examples.
  • the glass ribbon 103 can possibly have a width of >20mm, >50mm, >100mm, >500mm, or >1000mm.
  • the glass ribbon 103 can possibly have a variety of compositions including but not limited to soda-lime, borosilicate, alumino- borosilicate, alkali-containing, or alkali-free.
  • the glass ribbon 103 can possibly have a coefficient of thermal expansion of ⁇ 15ppm/°C, ⁇ 10ppm/°C, or ⁇ 5ppm/°C.
  • the glass ribbon 103 can possibly have a speed as it traverses along travel direction 112 of >50mm/s, >100mm/s, or >500mm/s.
  • the glass ribbon 103 can include a pair of opposed edge portions 201, 203 and a central portion 205 spanning between the opposed edge portions 201, 203.
  • the edge portions 201, 203 of the glass ribbon may have corresponding beads 207, 209 with a thickness " ⁇ ' that is greater than a thickness "T 2 " of the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the apparatus 101 can be designed to process glass ribbons 103 with a thin central portion 205, such as glass ribbons with a thickness "T 2 " in a range of from about 20 microns to about 300 microns (e.g., 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 170, 190, 210, 230, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, or 300 microns, for example), such as from about 50 microns to about 300 microns, such as from about 85 microns to about 150 microns although glass ribbons with other thicknesses may be processed in further examples.
  • the edge beads 207, 209 may have non-circular shapes such
  • another example source 105 of glass ribbon 103 can comprise a coiled spool 124 of glass ribbon 103.
  • glass ribbon 103 may be wound into the coiled spool 124 after being drawn into a glass ribbon, for example, with the down draw glass forming apparatus 107.
  • the glass ribbon 103 rolled or coiled on the spool 124 may or may not have the illustrated edge beads 201, 203. However, if the greater thickness of the edge portions 201, 203 are present, they may increase the minimum bend radius required to avoid cracking or breaking the glass ribbon.
  • the glass ribbon 103 may be coiled with a relatively large bend radius such that a given length of glass ribbon 103 would require a coiled spool 124 with a relatively large diameter "Di".
  • the source 105 comprises the coiled spool 124
  • the glass ribbon 103 may be uncoiled from the coiled spool 124 of glass ribbon 103 to traverse the glass ribbon 103 in the downward direction 121 into the downward zone 123.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate aspects of just one example edge separation apparatus 101a that may be optionally included although, if provided, other edge separation apparatus may be incorporated in further examples.
  • the optional edge separation apparatus can include a bending zone 125 downstream from the downward zone 123.
  • the edge separation apparatus 101a can be designed to permit the glass ribbon 103 to travel through a curved path such that an upper surface 127 of the glass ribbon 103 comprises an upwardly concave surface as the ribbon bends through a radius "R" within the bending zone 125.
  • the radius "R" may be greater than a minimum bend radius of the glass ribbon 103 to avoid excessive stress concentrations in the glass ribbon 103.
  • the glass ribbon 103 may extend through various arcs within the bending zone 125 such that the a pre-bending portion 131 of the glass ribbon 103 entering the bending zone 125 can extend at various angles with respect to a post-bending portion 133 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the angle "A" between the pre-bending portion 131 and the post-bending portion 133 can comprise an acute angle although angles of 90° or more may be provided in further examples while still providing the upwardly concave surface 127.
  • the edge separation apparatus 101a can further include an optional bending support member 135 in examples where the elevation of a lower portion 137 of the glass ribbon within the bending zone 125 is lower than a lateral travel elevation of the glass ribbon passing through support portions leading to a cutting zone 147.
  • the bending support member 135, if provided, can comprise a non-contact support member 135 designed to support the glass ribbon 103 without touching the opposed sides 139, 141 of the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the bending support member 135 can comprise one or more curved air bars configured to provide a cushion of air to space the glass ribbon from contacting the bending support member 135.
  • Examples of the edge separation apparatus 101a can include lateral guides 143, 145 to help orient the glass ribbon 103 in the correct lateral position relative to a travel direction 112 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the lateral guides can each comprise rollers 211 configured to engage a corresponding one of the opposed edge portions 201, 203.
  • Corresponding forces 213, 215 applied to the edge portions 201, 203 by the corresponding lateral guides 143, 145 can help properly shift and align the glass ribbon 103 in the proper lateral orientation along a direction of an axis 217 transverse to the travel direction 112 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the cutting zone produces an edge quality that possibly enables the central portion 205 to be bent at a radius of ⁇ 500mm, ⁇ 300mm, ⁇ 200mm, ⁇ 100mm, or ⁇ 50mm.
  • the lateral guides 143, 145 can be designed to engage the edge portions 201, 203 without engaging the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103. As such, the pristine surfaces of the opposed sides 139, 141 of the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 can be maintained while avoiding undesired scratching or other surface contamination that might otherwise occur if the lateral guides 143, 145 were to engage either of the opposed sides 139, 141 of the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the lateral guides 143, 145 may engage the glass ribbon 103 as it is being bent about the axis 217 transverse to the travel direction 112 of the glass ribbon 103. Bending the glass ribbon 103 over the bending support member 135 can increase the rigidity of the glass ribbon 103 throughout the bend. As such, the lateral guides 143, 145 can engage the glass ribbon 103 in a bent condition as the glass ribbon 103 passes over the bending support member 135. The forces 213, 215 applied by the lateral guides 143, 145 are therefore less likely to buckle or otherwise disturb the stability of the glass ribbon profile when laterally aligning as the glass ribbon 103 passes over the bending support member 135.
  • the edge separation apparatus can further include a cutting zone 147 downstream from the bending zone 125.
  • the edge separation apparatus 101a may include a cutting support member 149 configured to bend the glass ribbon 103 in the cutting zone 147 to provide a bent target segment 151 with a bent orientation in the cutting zone 147. Bending the target segment 151 within the cutting zone 147 can help stabilize the glass ribbon 103 during the cutting procedure. Such stabilization can help prevent buckling or disturbing the glass ribbon profile during the procedure of severing at least one of the opposed edge portions 201, 203 from the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the cutting zone produces an edge quality that possibly enables the central portion 205 to be bent at a radius of ⁇ 500mm, ⁇ 300mm, ⁇ 200mm, ⁇ 100mm, or ⁇ 50mm.
  • the cutting support member 149 can comprise a non-contact cutting support member 149 designed to support the glass ribbon 103 without touching the opposed sides 139, 141 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the non-contact cutting support member 149 can comprise one or more curved air bars configured to provide a cushion of air space between the glass ribbon 103 and the cutting support member 149 to prevent the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 from contacting the cutting support member 149.
  • the cutting support member 149 can be provided with a plurality of passages 150 configured to provide positive pressure ports such that an air stream can be forced through the positive pressure ports toward the bent target segment 151 to create an air cushion for a noncontact support of the bent target segment 151.
  • the plurality of passages 150 can include negative pressure ports such that an air stream can be drawn away from the bent target segment 151 to create a suction to partially counteract the force from the air cushion created by the positive pressure ports.
  • a combination of positive and negative pressure ports can help stabilize the bent target segment 151 throughout the cutting procedure. Indeed, the positive pressure ports can help maintain a desired air cushion height between the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 and the cutting support member 149.
  • the negative pressure ports can help pull the glass ribbon toward the cutting support member 149 to prevent the glass ribbon 103 from undulating and/or prevent portions of the bent target segment 151 from floating away when traversing over the cutting support member 149 in the travel direction 112.
  • Providing a bent target segment 151 in the cutting zone 147 can also increase the rigidity of the glass ribbon 103 throughout the cutting zone 147.
  • Increasing the rigidity of the glass ribbon 103 throughout the cutting zone 147 can help reduce changes in orientation due to natural shape variation of the incoming ribbon 103 which can produce undesirable variation in the cutting process.
  • Increasing the rigidity of the glass ribbon 103 throughout the cutting zone 147 can also reduce the impact of mechanical perturbations and vibrations on the cutting process.
  • optional lateral guides 219, 221 can engage the glass ribbon 103 in a bent condition as the glass ribbon 103 passes over the cutting support member 149 within the cutting zone 147.
  • the optional lateral guides 219, 221 can therefore be provided to fine tune the bent target segment 151 at the proper lateral orientation along a direction of the axis 217 transverse to the travel direction 112 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • providing the bent target segment 151 in a bent orientation within the cutting zone 147 can help stabilize the glass ribbon 103 during the cutting procedure. Such stabilization can help prevent buckling or disturbing the glass ribbon profile during the procedure of severing at least one of the opposed edge portions 201, 203.
  • the bent orientation of the bent target segment 151 can increase the rigidity of the target segment to allow optional fine tune adjustment of the lateral orientation of the bent target segment 151.
  • relatively thin glass ribbons 103 can be effectively stabilized and properly laterally oriented without contacting the pristine opposed sides 139, 141 of the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 during the procedure of severing at least one of the opposed edge portions 201, 203 from the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • Increased stabilization and rigidity of the bent target segment 151 of the glass ribbon 103 can be achieved by bending the target segment to include an upwardly convex surface and/or an upwardly concave surface along a direction of the axis 217 transverse to the travel direction 112.
  • the bent target segment 151 includes a bent orientation with an upwardly facing convex surface 152 configured to bend the glass ribbon 103 in the cutting zone 147 to achieve the illustrated bent orientation.
  • further examples may include supporting the target segment 151 with an upwardly facing concave surface configured to allow the bent target segment to achieve an upwardly facing concave surface.
  • the edge separation apparatus 101a can further include a wide range of cutting devices configured to sever the edge portions 201, 203 from the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • one example glass cutting device 153 can include an optical delivery apparatus 155 for irradiating and therefore heating a portion of the upwardly facing surface of the bent target segment 151.
  • optical delivery apparatus 155 can comprise a radiation source such as the illustrated laser 161 although other radiation sources may be provided in further examples.
  • the optical delivery apparatus 155 can further include a circular polarizer 163, a beam expander 165, and a beam shaping apparatus 167.
  • the optical delivery apparatus 155 may further comprise optical elements for redirecting a beam of radiation (e.g., laser beam 169) from the radiation source (e.g., laser 161), such as mirrors 171, 173 and 175.
  • the radiation source can comprise the illustrated laser 161 configured to emit a laser beam having a wavelength and a power suitable for heating the glass ribbon 103 at a location where the beam is incident on the glass ribbon 103.
  • laser 161 can comprise a C0 2 laser although other laser types may be used in further examples.
  • the laser 161 may be configured to initially emit the laser beam 169 with a substantially circular cross section (i.e. the cross section of the laser beam at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the laser beam).
  • the optical delivery apparatus 155 is operable to transform laser beam 169 such that the beam has a significantly elongated shape when incident on glass ribbon 103.
  • the elongated shape can produce an elongated radiation zone 227 that may include the illustrated elliptical footprint although other configurations may be provided in further examples.
  • the elliptical foot print can be positioned on the upwardly facing convex or concave surface of the bent target segment 151. Heat from the elongated radiation zone 227 can transmit through the entire thickness of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the boundary of the elliptical footprint can be determined as the point at which the beam intensity has been reduced to 1/e 2 of its peak value.
  • the laser beam 169 passes through circular polarizer 163 and is then expanded by passing through beam expander 165.
  • the expanded laser beam then passes through beam shaping apparatus 167 to form a beam producing the elliptical footprint on a surface of the bent target segment 151.
  • the beam shaping apparatus 167 may, for example, comprise one or more cylindrical lenses. However, it should be understood that any optical elements capable of shaping the beam emitted by laser 161 to produce an elliptical footprint on the bent target segment 151 may be used.
  • the elliptical footprint can include a major axis that is substantially longer than a minor axis. In some embodiments, for example, major axis is at least about ten times longer than minor axis.
  • the length and width of the elongated radiation zone are dependent upon the desired severing speed, desired initial defect size, thickness of the glass ribbon, laser power, material properties of the glass ribbon, etc., and the length and width of the radiation zone may be varied as needed.
  • the example glass cutting device 153 can also include a coolant fluid delivery apparatus 159 configured to cool the heated portion of the upwardly facing surface of the bent target segment 151.
  • the coolant fluid delivery apparatus 159 can comprise a coolant nozzle 177, a coolant source 179 and an associated conduit 181 that may convey coolant to the coolant nozzle 177.
  • the forced fluid cooling can occur on the same side of the glass as the incident heating source.
  • the forced fluid cooling and incident heating source can be applied to the upper surface of the glass although they can both be applied to the lower surface in further examples.
  • the heat source and cooling source can be incident on opposite surfaces of the glass ribbon.
  • the coolant nozzle 177 can be configured to deliver a coolant jet 180 of coolant fluid to the upwardly facing surface of the bent target segment 151.
  • the coolant nozzle 177 can have various internal diameters to form a cooling zone 229 (see FIG. 3) of a desired size.
  • the diameter of coolant nozzle 177, and the subsequent diameter of coolant jet 180 may be varied as needed for the particular process conditions.
  • the area of the glass ribbon immediately impinged upon by the coolant (cooling zone) can have a diameter shorter than the minor axis of the radiation zone 227.
  • the diameter of the cooling zone 229 may be larger than the minor axis of elongated radiation zone 227 based on process conditions such as speed, glass thickness, material properties of the glass ribbon, laser power, etc.
  • the (cross sectional) shape of the coolant jet may be other than circular, and may, for example, have a fan shape such that the cooling zone forms a line rather than a circular spot on the surface of the glass ribbon.
  • a line-shaped cooling zone may be oriented, for example, perpendicular to the major axis of elongated radiation zone 227. Other shapes may be beneficial.
  • the coolant jet 180 comprises water, but may be any suitable cooling fluid (e.g., liquid jet, gas jet or a combination thereof) that does not stain or damage the upwardly facing surface of the bent target segment 151 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the coolant jet 180 can be delivered to a surface of the glass ribbon 103 to form the cooling zone 229.
  • the cooling zone 229 can trail behind the elongated radiation zone 227 to propagate an initial defect formed by aspects of the disclosure described more fully below.
  • cooling apparatus 159 may not be required to perform the cutting operation.
  • heat transfer to the environment e.g., air flowing through the support member 149 may provide all the cooling that is required to sustain the cutting process without the presence or operation of the coolant fluid delivery apparatus 159.
  • the combination of heating and cooling with the laser apparatus 155 and the cooling apparatus 159 can effectively sever the edge portions 201, 203 from the central portion 205 while minimizing or eliminating undesired residual stress, microcracks or other irregularities in the opposed edges 223, 225 of the central portion 205 that may be formed by other severing techniques. Moreover, due to the bent orientation of the bent target segment 151 within the cutting zone 147, the glass ribbon 103 can be properly positioned and stabilized to facilitate precise severing of the opposed edges 223, 225 during the severing process.
  • the edge portions 201, 203 can immediately travel away from the central portion 205, thereby reducing the probability that the edge portions will subsequently engage (and therefore damage) the pristine sides 139, 141 and/or the high quality opposed edges 223, 225 of the central portion 205.
  • the edge separation apparatus 101a may include structures configured to further process the severed edge portions 201, 203 and/or the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 downstream from the cutting zone 147.
  • one or more glass ribbon choppers 183 may be provided to chop, shred, break or otherwise compact the trim segments for disposal or recycling.
  • the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 can be further processed by cutting into glass sheets for incorporation into optical components.
  • the apparatus 101 may include the apparatus 101b for severing a glass ribbon described more fully below to sever the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 along the axis 217 transverse to the travel direction 112 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 can be coiled into a storage roll 185 for later processing. As shown, removing the edge portions 201, 203 consequently removes the corresponding beads 207, 209.
  • the central core 187 of the storage roll 185 is significantly reduced when compared to the central core 189 of the coiled spool 124.
  • the diameter "D 2 " of the storage roll 185 of the central portion 205 is significantly smaller than the diameter "Di" that would store the same length of pre-processed glass ribbon in the coiled spool 124.
  • the edge separation apparatus 101a may also include further noncontact support members to guide at least the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 downstream from the cutting zone 147.
  • the apparatus can include a first air bar 188 and a second air bar 190 to guide the central portion 205 the glass ribbon for final processing without contacting the surfaces.
  • Two support members are illustrated although a single support member or more than two support members may be provided in further examples.
  • an optional support member 191 can also be provided to allow the edge portion to be guided to the glass ribbon chopper 183.
  • the optional support member 191 can optionally comprise an air bar or low friction surface to reduce binding and/or restricted movement as the edge portion proceeds to the glass ribbon choppers 183.
  • the glass ribbon 103 may also travel directly from the source 105 of glass ribbon to an apparatus 101b for severing the glass ribbon 103.
  • the edge separation apparatus 101a may optionally remove edge portions of the glass ribbon 103 at a location upstream.
  • the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 can travel with respect to the apparatus 101b for eventual final processing of the glass ribbon.
  • the glass ribbon can be severed into appropriate severed lengths.
  • an undesired segment e.g., segment of low quality
  • the glass ribbon can be stored on the illustrated storage roll 185.
  • the apparatus 101b for severing the glass ribbon 103 can be used to switch between a full storage roll and a new storage roll without interrupting movement of the glass ribbon along travel direction 112.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates just one example, of an apparatus 101b that may be used to selectively sever the glass ribbon 103 although other apparatus may be used in further examples.
  • the apparatus 101b may include a monitoring device 193 that may sense a characteristic of the glass ribbon 103 and send back a corresponding signal to a controller 195. Characteristics can include, but are not limited to, optical quality, inclusions, cracks, inhomogeneous features, thickness, color, surface flatness or imperfections, and/or other features.
  • the monitoring device 193 may comprise a quality control device configured to screen the glass ribbon, either continuously or periodically, in an effort to ensure a high quality glass ribbon passing to be stored or further processed.
  • the apparatus 101b may further include a device 197 configured to generate a predetermined flaw in the first side 141 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the device 197 can include the illustrated mechanical scoring device wherein a relatively sharp tip 301 may be used to score the first side 141 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the device 197 can comprise a laser or other device configured to introduce the predetermined flaw at the edge, side surface, or within a portion along the width of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the apparatus 101b may optionally include a support member 130 configured to emit fluid 132 to impact the first side 141 of the glass ribbon 103 to at least partially support a weight of a portion 103a of the glass ribbon 103 within a severing zone 134 while maintaining the portion 103a of the glass ribbon 103 in a first orientation.
  • the first orientation can comprise a substantially flat orientation that runs along the travel direction 112 although the first orientation may be curved or form other travel paths in further examples.
  • Examples of the apparatus 101b for severing the glass ribbon 103 can further include a device 140 configured to temporarily bend the portion 103a of the glass ribbon 103 in a direction 146 toward the support member from the first orientation (e.g., shown in FIG. 6) to a severing orientation (e.g., shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) by applying a force to the second side 139 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the device 140 for temporarily bending the portion 103a of the glass ribbon 103 can comprise a wide range of structures with various configurations.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates just one device 140 that may be used to temporarily bend the portion 103a of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the example device 140 may include a fluid nozzle 142. As schematically shown in FIG. 5, the fluid nozzle 142 may extend along substantially the entire width of the glass ribbon 103. Furthermore, as shown, the nozzle 142 may have a width that is substantially greater than the width of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the nozzle 142 if provided, can be a continuous nozzle and or a plurality of nozzles spaced apart from one another in a row across the width of the glass ribbon.
  • the nozzle 142 can include an orifice 144 designed to emit fluid, such as gas, to impact the second side 139 of the glass ribbon 103 within the severing zone 134. As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle 142 can received pressurized fluid, such as gas, from a fluid source 136 by way of a fluid manifold 138 configured to be controlled by the controller 195.
  • pressurized fluid such as gas
  • FIG. 12 illustrates yet another example of an apparatus 601 for severing the glass ribbon 103.
  • the apparatus 601 can include at least a first roller 603 configured to apply a force to the second side 139 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the apparatus 601 can further include a second roller 605 and a third roller 607 spaced from the second roller along a support width "S.”
  • the first roller 603 applies the force to the second side 139 of the glass ribbon 103 along the support width "S" defined between the second roller 605 and the third roller 607.
  • an endless belt 609 can be configured to rotate with the second roller 605 and the third roller 607.
  • the endless belt 609 can be mounted with the second roller 605 acting as one end roller and the third roller 607 acting as the second end roller, wherein the rollers can be biased away from each other to help maintain the endless belt 609 in tension.
  • the apparatus 601 can include a support member 611 that may support the portion 103a of the glass ribbon in the first orientation shown in FIG. 12.
  • the support member can include passages to transfer fluid, such as gas, through the passages to support the portion 103a of the glass ribbon with a liquid (e.g., gas) cushion generated between the first side 141 and the support member 611.
  • the support member 611 may be a plurality of support members 611 offset relative to one another along the width "W" of the support member extending transverse to the travel direction 112.
  • the support member 611 comprises three spaced support members 611a, 611b, 611c spaced from one another.
  • a plurality of endless belts may be provided between each of the spaced support members.
  • the endless belt 609 includes a first endless belt 609a positioned between adjacent support members 611a, 611b and a second endless belt 609b positioned between adjacent support members 611b, 611c.
  • the portion 103a of the glass ribbon 103 may be adequately supported in the first orientation shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 (i.e., by the fluid cushion) and the bent orientation shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
  • the apparatus for severing the glass ribbon may include an apparatus similar to FIGS. 6-10 but include at least one roller, rather than the fluid nozzle 142, configured to apply the force to the second side of the glass ribbon.
  • the roller e.g., similar to the first roller 603 discussed above
  • a contact roller may be provided that temporarily bends the portion of the glass ribbon in the direction toward the support member similar to that shown in FIGS. 7-9.
  • upstream and downstream support members can provide a contact-free support of the first side of the glass ribbon with corresponding fluid cushions provided by the support members.
  • the method can include use of the edge separation apparatus 101a shown in FIG. 1.
  • the method can use an apparatus for severing the glass ribbon (e.g., see apparatus 101b in FIG. 2 or apparatus 601 in FIG. 12, for example).
  • one example method can include the step of traversing the glass ribbon 103 in a downward direction 121 relative to the source 105 through the downward zone 123.
  • the glass ribbon 103 can travel substantially vertically in the downward direction 121 although the downward direction may be angled in further examples wherein the glass ribbon 103 can travel at an inclined orientation in the downward direction.
  • the glass ribbon 103 is supplied on a spool such as 124, it may also traverse from the spool to the cutting unit in a substantially horizontal direction.
  • the coiled spool 124 and cutting zone may exist in nearly the same horizontal plane.
  • the spool may be positioned below the horizontal travel plane and unwound horizontally or upwardly to traverse along travel direction 112.
  • the ribbon may travel in a horizontal, or upward direction as it travels from the forming source to the cutting unit and/or cutting zone.
  • the method can further include the step of bending the glass ribbon 103 in the bending zone 125 downstream from the downward zone 123, wherein the glass ribbon 103 includes the upwardly concave surface 127 through the bending zone 125.
  • the lower portion 137 can be significantly lower than the bent target segment 151 in the cutting zone 147 although the lower portion 137 may be at substantially the same elevation or even higher than the bent target segment in further examples.
  • Providing the lower portion 137 at a significantly lower position, as shown, can develop a predetermined amount of accumulated glass ribbon prior to engaging the support members (e.g., support member 135) of the edge separation apparatus 101a.
  • the glass ribbon 103 may be drawn at a substantially constant or desired predetermined rate as it passes through the cutting zone 147 independent of how fast the glass ribbon 103 is being fed into the downward zone 123 by the source 105.
  • providing an accumulation within the bending zone 125 can allow for further stabilization of the glass ribbon 103 within the cutting zone 147 while also allowing the glass ribbon 103 to be passed through the cutting zone 147 at a substantially constant or predetermined rate.
  • a proximity sensor 129 or other device may be able to sense a position of the accumulated ribbon to adjust the rate at which glass ribbon is fed into the downward zone 123 by the source 105 to provide the appropriate accumulation of glass ribbon 103.
  • the method can further include the step of bending the glass ribbon 103 downstream from the bending zone 125 to redirect the glass ribbon to travel in the travel direction 112.
  • the bending support member 135 may comprise a bent air bar designed to effect the desired change of direction without contacting the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the method can also include the optional step of orienting the glass ribbon 103 being bent with the bending support member with the lateral guides 143, 145 to help orient the glass ribbon 103 in the correct lateral position relative to the travel direction 112 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the method can also include the step of traversing the glass ribbon 103 into the cutting zone 147 downstream from the bending zone 125 and then bending the glass ribbon 103 in the cutting zone 147 to provide the bent target segment 151 with a bent orientation in the cutting zone 147.
  • the glass ribbon 103 can be bent such that the bent orientation of the target segment 151 includes the upwardly facing convex surface.
  • the method can include the step of supporting the bent target segment 151 with the cutting support member 149 comprising the illustrated curved air bar.
  • the cutting support member 149 can include an upwardly facing convex support surface 152 configured to bend the target segment 151 to establish the upwardly facing convex surface.
  • the method can further include the step of severing at least one of the edge portions 201, 203 from the central portion 205 of the bent target segment 151 within the cutting zone 147.
  • the examples of the disclosure can include severing both of the edge portions 201, 203 from the central portion 205 although a single edge portion may be severed from the central portion in further examples.
  • both of the edge portions 201, 203 are severed simultaneously from the central portion 205 although one of the edge portions may be severed before the other edge portion in further examples.
  • the glass ribbon 103 may include edge beads 207, 209.
  • the glass ribbon 103 may have edge portions 201, 203 that are free from substantial edge beads or features.
  • the edge beads 207, 209 may have been already removed in a previous cutting process or the glass ribbon 103 may have been formed without significant edge bead features.
  • the included figures indicate that the separated edge portions 201, 203 are disposed of or recycled.
  • the separated edge portions form useable glass ribbon in addition to the central portion 205 and can likewise be either cut into sheets or spooled as product. In this case, multiple cutting operations can exist across the glass ribbon width is it traverses through the cutting unit.
  • the step of severing can incorporate a wide range of techniques.
  • the edge portions 201, 203 can be severed from the central portion 205 by way of the glass cutting device 153 that can include the illustrated optical delivery apparatus 155 and the coolant fluid delivery apparatus 159.
  • One example of initiating the severing process can use a scribe or other mechanical device can create an initial defect (e.g., crack, scratch, chip, or other defect) with the point of the scribe to create a controlled surface defect at the site where the glass ribbon is to be severed.
  • the scribe can include a tip although an edge blade or other scribe technique may be used in further examples.
  • the initial defect or other surface imperfection may be formed by etching, laser impact, or other techniques. The initial defect may be created at the edge of the ribbon or at an inboard location on the ribbon surface.
  • the initial defect or surface imperfection can be initially formed adjacent a leading edge of the glass ribbon 103 traversing in the travel direction 112.
  • the elongated radiation zone 227 may be formed on the upwardly facing convex surface.
  • the radiation heats the region in proximity to the initial defect.
  • the coolant jet 180 then contacts the cooling zone 229 to generate a crack at the initial defect that completely travels through the thickness "T2" of the glass ribbon 103 due to the created tensile stress to sever the corresponding edge portions 201, 203 from the central portion 205.
  • the severed opposed edge portions 201, 203 can be effectively removed while leaving the central portion 205 with high quality opposed edges 223, 225 with reduced internal stress profiles, reduced cracks, or other imperfections in the opposed edges 223, 225.
  • the central portion 205 can be bent, such as wound in the storage roll 185 without cracking that may otherwise occur with reduced quality edges.
  • the higher quality edges can avoid scratching the central portion 205 during coiling that might otherwise occur with edge portions including glass shards or other imperfections.
  • the edge portions 201, 203 can likewise be optionally wound on a spool for use in different applications.
  • the method can further include the step of supporting the bent target segment 151 with the upwardly facing convex surface 152 of the cutting support member 149.
  • the bent target segment 151 can be supported by the convex surface 152 of the illustrated air bar while severing the edge portions 201, 203 from the central portion 205 of the bent target segment 151 within the cutting zone 147.
  • the method can still further include the step of coiling the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 into the storage roll 185 after the step of severing.
  • the high quality central portion 205 of the glass ribbon may be efficiently coiled into a storage roll 185 for subsequent shipping or processing into glass sheets.
  • the severed edge portion 201, 203 can be disposed of in a glass ribbon chopper 183 although alternative methodologies may be employed to use the edge portions for other applications. In such examples, one or both of the severed edge portions 201, 203 may be stored on corresponding storage rolls for subsequent processing.
  • Example methods of severing a glass ribbon 103 across its width, i.e., parallel to the direction of axis 217 will now be described. As shown, the method can begin with providing the source 105 of the glass ribbon 103 with a pair of edge portions 201, 203 that may or may not include the beads 207, 209. Optionally, the edge portions 201, 203 may be severed by way of the procedure discussed above although the edge portions may not be removed in further examples.
  • the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 includes a first side 141 facing a first direction and a second side 139 facing a second direction opposite the first direction.
  • the apparatus 101 can sense the amount of glass ribbon that has been coiled on the storage roll 185 and/or sense a characteristic of the glass ribbon 103 with the monitoring device 193.
  • the controller 195 can activate the device 197, such as the illustrated scribe or other mechanical device, to create an initial defect (e.g., crack, scratch, chip, or other defect) with the point of the scribe to create a controlled and predetermined surface defect at the site where the glass ribbon is to be severed.
  • the scribe can include a tip although an edge blade or other scribe technique may be used in further examples.
  • the initial defect or other surface imperfection may be formed by etching, laser impact, or other techniques.
  • the initial defect may be created at the edge of the ribbon or at an inboard location on the ribbon surface at a point along the width of the ribbon.
  • the predetermined surface defect comprises a predetermined flaw that is generated by the device 197.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the tip 301 engaging the first side 141 and moving in direction 303 to create the predetermined flaw 305 shown in FIG. 5.
  • the predetermine flaw 305 can be generated as a linear segment having a length substantially less than a width of the central portion of the glass ribbon defined between the pair of opposed edge portions.
  • the predetermined flaw 305 can be generated as a linear segment extending in a direction of a width of the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 defined between the pair of opposed edge portions.
  • the predetermined flaw 305 can extend across a substantial portion, such as the entire width of the central portion 205.
  • a relatively small segment may be desired to provide a linear segment if so desired to control proper severing of the glass ribbon along the width.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the portion 103a of the glass ribbon 103 including the predetermined flaw 305 traversing to the severing zone 134 downstream from the source 105 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • fluid 132 being emitted from the support member 130 impacts the first side 141 of the glass ribbon 103 to at least partially support a weight of the portion of glass ribbon within the severing zone 134 while maintaining the portion of the glass ribbon in the first orientation.
  • the first orientation can substantially provide the glass ribbon along a planar orientation that may be substantially parallel to the travel direction 112.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates the predetermined flaw 305 being traversed farther downstream along travel direction 112 wherein the portion 103a of the glass ribbon 103 is temporarily bent in the direction 146 toward the support member 130.
  • the portion 103a can be temporarily bent, for example, by applying a force to the second side 139 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • a roller may be used to apply a force to the second side 139 of the glass ribbon.
  • applying the force can be achieved by impacting the second side 139 of the glass ribbon 103 with fluid 401 emitting from the orifice 144 of the nozzle 142.
  • Using a fluid to bend the glass ribbon can be desirable to prevent scratching or otherwise damaging the glass ribbon that may otherwise occur with mechanical contact configurations.
  • the portion 103a includes two parallel parts 402a, 402b that extend along the same plane although the two parts 402a, 402b may not be parallel in further examples and/or may extend along different planes.
  • the orientation of the parts 402a, 402b can be oriented by supporting them with a support member 130. More particularly, the first part 402a can be supported by an upstream support member 404a, and the second part 402b can be supported by a downstream support member 404b.
  • the support members 404a, 404b can comprise air bars configured to emit fluid 132, such as gas, to provide respective air cushions.
  • the upstream support member 404a can place a first support air cushion between the upstream support member 404a and the first part 402a of the portion 103a of glass ribbon 103.
  • the downstream support member 404b can place a second support air cushion between the downstream support member 404b and the second part 402b of the portion 103a of glass ribbon 103.
  • impacting the first side 141 of the glass ribbon 103 with fluid emitting from each of the upstream support member 404a and the downstream support member 404b can provide respective gas cushions that at least partially support a weight of the portion 103a of glass ribbon 103 at respective upstream and downstream positions.
  • Providing support with corresponding air cushions can help position the glass ribbon 103 for severing without touching the pristine surfaces of the glass ribbon. As such, scratching or other damage to the pristine surfaces can be avoided.
  • the portion 103a of the glass ribbon 103 includes a target segment 402c that can be defined between the upstream support member 404a and the downstream support member 404b.
  • the upstream support member 404a and the downstream support member 404b can maintain the target segment 402c of the glass ribbon 103 in the first orientation within the severing zone 134.
  • at least a portion of the target segment 402c can be substantially free from support by the gas cushions of the support members 404a, 404b.
  • the method can further include the step of temporarily bending the target segment 402c of the glass ribbon 103 in the direction 146 toward the support member 130 from the first orientation to a severing orientation with a force generated by impacting the second side 139 of the glass ribbon 103 with fluid 401 emitting from the fluid nozzle 142.
  • the method can include the step of increasing the rate that fluid is being emitted from at least one of the support members 404a, 404b, such as both support members, to at least partially counteract the force generated by impacting the second side of the glass ribbon with fluid emitting from the fluid nozzle.
  • the second side 139 has an upwardly concave portion provided between the two parts 402a, 402b of the portion 103a of glass ribbon 103.
  • the lower side of the target segment 402c is placed in tension.
  • FIG. 8 shows the portion 103a further traversing in travel direction 112 such that the predetermined flaw 305 enters in the target segment 402c and is placed in tension.
  • FIG. 9 demonstrates the step of severing the central portion 205 of the glass ribbon 103 between the opposed edge portions at the predetermined flaw 305 located within the severing zone 134.
  • the upwardly concave portion is provided downstream of the predetermined flaw 305.
  • the predetermined flaw 305 travels to the upwardly concave portion, and as it travels through that upwardly concave portion, the ribbon 103 is severed across its width at the point of the predetermined flaw 305. It would be difficult, on a traveling ribbon, to form an upwardly concave portion exactly at the predetermined flaw. Accordingly, forming the upwardly concave portion first, and allowing the flaw to travel to that portion facilitates severing the ribbon across its width.
  • forming the upwardly concave portion in the severing zone 134 and allowing the flaw to travel to the upwardly concave portion eliminates the need for a separate accumulator or stoppage of the ribbon 103 in order to sever the ribbon 103 across its width.
  • the apparatus may include mechanism to facilitate movement of the glass ribbon along the travel direction 112.
  • the central core 187 may be driven to rotate to help facilitate movement of the glass ribbon 103 along the travel direction 112.
  • a set of drive rollers may facilitate movement of the glass ribbon.
  • Providing a set of drive rollers, for example, can help facilitate movement of the glass ribbon together with the severed end 409 that is no longer connected to the central core 187 after severing.
  • the drive rollers can continue to move the severed end 409 along to be wound on to another central core 187 after switching the storage rolls.
  • the drive rollers can be provided at various locations.
  • the edge guides 143, 145 may be provided as driven rollers to help drive the glass ribbon along the travel direction 112 although the driven rollers may be provided at alternative locations in further examples.
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 demonstrate the step of returning the target segment 402c of the glass ribbon 103 to the first orientation by removing the force being applied by the fluid nozzle 142.
  • the flow of fluid from the support member 130 can act against the glass ribbon to restore the glass ribbon to the first orientation, particularly as the severed area 406 travels up into a linear support region of the second support member 404b.
  • the downstream support member 404b can include a leading end with a convex support surface 407.
  • the convex support surface 407 if provided, can inhibit obstruction of the severed end 409 of the glass ribbon 103 after the step of severing.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates another apparatus 601 wherein the first roller 603 is designed to provide the force to bend the glass ribbon.
  • the first roller 603 is designed to provide the force to bend the glass ribbon.
  • Providing a roller that rotates can minimize friction and damage to the surface that will likely occur due to the necessary mechanical engagement between the roller and the glass ribbon.
  • driving the first roller 603 to match the speed of the glass ribbon 103 can further reduce friction and damage to the surface.
  • the first roller 603 can bend the glass ribbon temporarily, thereby minimizing the length of glass ribbon that is contacted by the roller. As such, the first roller 603 may only be temporarily moved to bend the glass ribbon shortly before or substantially when the severing is to occur.
  • FIG. 14 shows the predetermined flaw 305 approaching the severing zone wherein the portion 103a of the glass ribbon 103 including the predetermined flaw 305 in the first orientation.
  • This orientation may be maintained, for example, by the support member 611 configured to emit fluid to contact the first side 141 to provide a support cushion.
  • FIG. 15 shows the roller 603 being moved in direction 801 to apply a force to the second side 139 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • the roller 603 rotates while temporarily bending the portion of the glass ribbon in the direction 801 toward the support member 611.
  • the air cushion generated by the support member 611 can cause the support member 611 to act against the bias of springs 803 and move in the direction 801 to avoid contacting the glass ribbon 103.
  • three spaced support members 611a, 611b, 611c can, in some examples, be independently supported such that the support members 611a, 611b, 611c can each move downward to avoid contacting the glass ribbon when bending the glass ribbon with the roller 603.
  • the first side 141 of the glass ribbon 103 can be supported with the second roller 605 and the third roller 607. Indeed, the first side 141 of the glass ribbon 103 can be supported along the support width "S". As shown, the first roller 603 applies the force to the second side 139 of the glass ribbon 103 along the support width "S" defined between the second roller 605 and the third roller 607. As such, a three point bending configuration may be provided to help bend the ribbon traversing along travel direction 112 through a bend similar to the bend illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.
  • the endless belt 609 can be provided to rotate with the second roller 605 and the third roller 607 and the endless belt 609 temporarily engages the first side 141 of the glass ribbon 103.
  • Providing the endless belt 609 can help support the portion 103a of the glass ribbon 103 as it traverses through the bend.
  • the endless belt 609 can help redirect the severed area 406 through the bend and ultimately back to the first orientation shown in FIG. 14.
  • the endless belt 609 can comprise two or more belts 609a, 609b to provide adequate support across the width "W" of the glass ribbon 103. Pressing the first roller 603 in direction 801 consequently bends the travel path of the endless belt 609 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
  • the belt can be substantially flexible and resilient to allow the belt to stretch to accommodate the increased overall belt length resulting from the bent travel path if the second and third rollers 605, 607 remain at the same spacing relative to one another.
  • the second and third rollers 605, 607 may be provided with corresponding springs 613a, 613b that allow the second and third rollers 605, 607 to be biased together, against the force of the springs, in corresponding directions 615a, 615b.
  • the overall length of the endless belt 609 may remain substantially the same, wherein the second and third rollers 605, 607 move toward each other to accommodate the bend of the travel path.
  • the first roller 603 can be retracted such that the first, second and third rollers do not apply a force to the glass ribbon and the gas cushions from the support member 611 can again maintain the portion of the glass ribbon in the first orientation as shown in FIG. 14. Consequently, the springs 613a, 613b, if provided, can bias the second and third rollers 605, 607 away from one another such that the upper segment of the endless belt again achieves the linear profile illustrated in FIG. 14. Moreover, as the portion 103a is repositioned from the bent orientation to the first orientation as the springs 803 again bias the portion 103a to be positioned above, and out of contact with the endless belt 609. As such, as shown in FIG. 14, the endless belt 609 does not engage the glass ribbon 103 in the first orientation. Rather, the air cushion provided by the support member 611 can be designed to provide the necessary support to the glass ribbon to maintain the first orientation.
  • the roller 603 can provide temporary bending of the portion 103a of the glass ribbon including the predetermined flaw 305 for a brief period of time. As such, bending can be achieved to the extent necessary to sever the glass ribbon at the predetermined flaw 305. Moreover, the first orientation may be achieved shortly after severing, wherein the glass ribbon is again supported without mechanically engaging objects that may otherwise scratch or otherwise damage the glass ribbon.
  • the methods of severing between the opposed edge portions at the predetermined flaw located in the severing zone can be beneficial for various processing techniques.
  • the methods of severing can be useful to allow continuous traversing of the glass ribbon along travel direction 112 or other directions without having to interrupt movement of the glass ribbon.
  • the methods of severing can be used to allow continuous storage of glass ribbon on storage rolls.
  • the methods of severing can be used during a step of switching between storing the traveling ribbon on a first storage roll and storing the traveling ribbon on a second storage roll.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates one example of switching between a first storage roll 501 and a second storage roll 503.
  • the method of switching between rolls is illustrated with the severing method including the fluid nozzle 142 with the understanding that the method of switching can also be used with the severing method including the roll mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 12-16.
  • a sensor 505, such as the illustrated scale may be used to measure the amount of glass ribbon that has been coiled on the storage roll.
  • the controller 195 can be designed to initiate a severing command once a predetermined amount of glass ribbon has been stored on the roll.
  • the controller 195 can remove the first storage roll 501 with the quantity of glass ribbon stored thereon and replace the first storage roll 501 with the second storage roll 503 that may be loaded with subsequent glass ribbon. As such, the storage rolls can be switched out quickly without interruption of the continuous glass ribbon being processed.
  • the methods of severing can be used to remove an undesirable segment of glass ribbon from the source 105 of glass ribbon 103.
  • the monitoring device 193 may sense an undesired glass ribbon characteristic.
  • the controller 195 can initiate a severing command, wherein the first storage roll 501 may thereafter be removed with high quality glass ribbon stored thereon.
  • a predetermined length of glass ribbon may be traversed through the system for disposal.
  • a glass ribbon chopper 507 may receive the predetermined length 103b of glass ribbon having undesired characteristics.
  • the controller 195 can again initiate the severing command. After disposing of the predetermined length 103b of glass ribbon, subsequent high quality ribbon can then be stored on the second storage roll 503 (or again on the first storage roll 501 if desired).

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Re-Forming, After-Treatment, Cutting And Transporting Of Glass Products (AREA)
  • Processing Of Stones Or Stones Resemblance Materials (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des procédés de découpage d'un ruban de verre qui comprennent l'étape consistant à communiquer un impact sur un premier côté d'un ruban de verre avec un fluide émanant d'un élément de support pour supporter au moins partiellement un poids d'une partie d'un ruban de verre à l'intérieur d'une zone de découpage tout en maintenant la partie du ruban de verre dans une première orientation. Le procédé comprend en outre l'étape consistant à incurver temporairement la partie du ruban de verre dans une direction vers l'élément de support à partir de la première orientation vers une orientation de découpage par application d'une force sur un second côté du ruban de verre. Le procédé comprend en outre toujours l'étape de découpage d'une partie centrale du ruban de verre entre des parties de bord opposées à un défaut prédéterminé disposé dans la zone de découpage. Le procédé comprend ensuite l'étape consistant à ramener la partie du ruban de verre dans la première orientation par retrait de la force qui est appliquée sur le second côté du ruban de verre.
PCT/US2012/050837 2011-08-18 2012-08-15 Procédés de découpage d'un ruban de verre WO2013025741A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020147006231A KR101775207B1 (ko) 2011-08-18 2012-08-15 유리 리본 절단 방법
CN201280039998.5A CN103732547B (zh) 2011-08-18 2012-08-15 切断玻璃带的方法
JP2014526142A JP5922775B2 (ja) 2011-08-18 2012-08-15 ガラスリボンを分断する方法
KR1020177024017A KR101882640B1 (ko) 2011-08-18 2012-08-15 유리 리본 절단 방법

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201161524934P 2011-08-18 2011-08-18
US61/524,934 2011-08-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013025741A1 true WO2013025741A1 (fr) 2013-02-21

Family

ID=47715441

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2012/050837 WO2013025741A1 (fr) 2011-08-18 2012-08-15 Procédés de découpage d'un ruban de verre

Country Status (5)

Country Link
JP (2) JP5922775B2 (fr)
KR (2) KR101882640B1 (fr)
CN (2) CN103732547B (fr)
TW (2) TWI641465B (fr)
WO (1) WO2013025741A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014051984A1 (fr) 2012-09-25 2014-04-03 Corning Incorporated Procédés de traitement d'un ruban continu de verre
WO2016123000A1 (fr) * 2015-01-29 2016-08-04 Corning Incorporated Procédés et appareil de transport d'un ruban de verre
JP2016523793A (ja) * 2013-05-03 2016-08-12 コーニング インコーポレイテッド ガラスリボンの搬送方法及び搬送装置
WO2016187171A1 (fr) * 2015-05-18 2016-11-24 Corning Incorporated Procédés et systèmes de traitement de ruban de verre
JP2017502897A (ja) * 2013-11-04 2017-01-26 コーニング精密素材株式会社Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. シート製造方法及び製造装置
US9834389B2 (en) 2012-11-29 2017-12-05 Corning Incorporated Methods and apparatus for fabricating glass ribbon of varying widths

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101882640B1 (ko) * 2011-08-18 2018-07-26 코닝 인코포레이티드 유리 리본 절단 방법
TWI682907B (zh) * 2015-05-18 2020-01-21 美商康寧公司 具有減少的機械應力的可撓式玻璃帶的連續製程
JP6589620B2 (ja) * 2015-12-21 2019-10-16 日本電気硝子株式会社 ガラス板の製造装置
KR101826233B1 (ko) * 2016-08-05 2018-02-06 한국미쯔보시다이아몬드공업(주) 글래스기판 논스톱 분단장치
JP6675587B2 (ja) * 2016-10-11 2020-04-01 日本電気硝子株式会社 帯状ガラスフィルムの製造方法及び製造装置
JP7300456B2 (ja) * 2017-10-31 2023-06-29 コーニング インコーポレイテッド 薄いガラスリボンの処理システムおよび方法
JP7033269B2 (ja) * 2017-12-11 2022-03-10 日本電気硝子株式会社 帯状ガラスの製造方法、及び帯状ガラスの製造装置
JP7148837B2 (ja) * 2018-06-22 2022-10-06 日本電気硝子株式会社 ガラスロールの製造方法
CN110091440B (zh) * 2019-06-10 2021-03-30 南昌保莱科技有限公司 一种制作仪表盘的装置
JPWO2022113885A1 (fr) * 2020-11-27 2022-06-02

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58115035A (ja) * 1981-12-25 1983-07-08 Nippon Sheet Glass Co Ltd ガラス板の切断方法
US4580336A (en) * 1984-01-26 1986-04-08 General Electric Company Apparatus for slitting amorphous metal and method of producing a magnetic core therefrom
US4948025A (en) * 1988-04-25 1990-08-14 Peter Lisec Apparatus for breaking glass sheets scored on one side
WO2007111398A1 (fr) * 2006-03-24 2007-10-04 K-Eng Co., Ltd. Dispositif de découpe du verre comportant un élément de pliage et procédé d'utilisation associé
JP2007297253A (ja) * 2006-05-02 2007-11-15 Hitachi Cable Ltd ガラス切断方法及びその装置

Family Cites Families (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3244337A (en) * 1964-12-30 1966-04-05 Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co Apparatus and method for scoring continuously moving glass sheets
JPH08175837A (ja) * 1994-12-26 1996-07-09 Asahi Glass Co Ltd ガラス板の割断方法およびそのための装置
JPH1071483A (ja) * 1996-08-29 1998-03-17 Hitachi Constr Mach Co Ltd 脆性材料の割断方法
FR2819505B1 (fr) * 2001-01-12 2003-02-28 Saint Gobain Procede de decoupe des bords d'un ruban continu de verre, dispositif de mise en oeuvre, plateau de verre decoupe selon ce procede
JP4675786B2 (ja) * 2006-01-20 2011-04-27 株式会社東芝 レーザー割断装置、割断方法
JP2007246298A (ja) * 2006-03-13 2007-09-27 Shibuya Kogyo Co Ltd 脆性材料の割断方法とその装置
US20080110952A1 (en) * 2006-11-15 2008-05-15 Marvin William Kemmerer Sheet separation through fluid impact
DE102007008634B3 (de) * 2007-02-16 2008-08-07 Jenoptik Automatisierungstechnik Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Trennen von Verbundglasscheiben
DE102007043567B3 (de) * 2007-09-13 2008-10-02 Grenzebach Maschinenbau Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Trennen von Glasplatten
JP5435267B2 (ja) * 2008-10-01 2014-03-05 日本電気硝子株式会社 ガラスロール、ガラスロールの製造装置、及びガラスロールの製造方法
JP5691148B2 (ja) * 2008-10-01 2015-04-01 日本電気硝子株式会社 ガラスロール、ガラスロールの製造装置、及びガラスロールの製造方法
JP5478957B2 (ja) * 2009-06-30 2014-04-23 三星ダイヤモンド工業株式会社 脆性材料基板の割断方法
JP5582446B2 (ja) * 2009-07-10 2014-09-03 日本電気硝子株式会社 フィルム状ガラスの製造方法及び製造装置
US20110094267A1 (en) * 2009-10-28 2011-04-28 Kenneth William Aniolek Methods of producing glass sheets
KR101882640B1 (ko) * 2011-08-18 2018-07-26 코닝 인코포레이티드 유리 리본 절단 방법

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58115035A (ja) * 1981-12-25 1983-07-08 Nippon Sheet Glass Co Ltd ガラス板の切断方法
US4580336A (en) * 1984-01-26 1986-04-08 General Electric Company Apparatus for slitting amorphous metal and method of producing a magnetic core therefrom
US4948025A (en) * 1988-04-25 1990-08-14 Peter Lisec Apparatus for breaking glass sheets scored on one side
WO2007111398A1 (fr) * 2006-03-24 2007-10-04 K-Eng Co., Ltd. Dispositif de découpe du verre comportant un élément de pliage et procédé d'utilisation associé
JP2007297253A (ja) * 2006-05-02 2007-11-15 Hitachi Cable Ltd ガラス切断方法及びその装置

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014051984A1 (fr) 2012-09-25 2014-04-03 Corning Incorporated Procédés de traitement d'un ruban continu de verre
EP2900609A4 (fr) * 2012-09-25 2016-08-17 Corning Inc Procédés de traitement d'un ruban continu de verre
US9834389B2 (en) 2012-11-29 2017-12-05 Corning Incorporated Methods and apparatus for fabricating glass ribbon of varying widths
JP2016523793A (ja) * 2013-05-03 2016-08-12 コーニング インコーポレイテッド ガラスリボンの搬送方法及び搬送装置
US9878934B2 (en) 2013-05-03 2018-01-30 Corning Incorporated Methods and apparatus for conveying a glass ribbon
JP2017502897A (ja) * 2013-11-04 2017-01-26 コーニング精密素材株式会社Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. シート製造方法及び製造装置
WO2016123000A1 (fr) * 2015-01-29 2016-08-04 Corning Incorporated Procédés et appareil de transport d'un ruban de verre
WO2016187171A1 (fr) * 2015-05-18 2016-11-24 Corning Incorporated Procédés et systèmes de traitement de ruban de verre
KR20180008614A (ko) * 2015-05-18 2018-01-24 코닝 인코포레이티드 유리 리본의 가공을 위한 방법 및 시스템
US10800696B2 (en) 2015-05-18 2020-10-13 Corning Incorporated Methods and systems for processing of glass ribbon
KR102474099B1 (ko) 2015-05-18 2022-12-05 코닝 인코포레이티드 유리 리본의 가공을 위한 방법 및 시스템

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR20170102372A (ko) 2017-09-08
KR101882640B1 (ko) 2018-07-26
JP2014528894A (ja) 2014-10-30
TW201742728A (zh) 2017-12-16
CN103732547B (zh) 2016-10-26
KR101775207B1 (ko) 2017-09-05
TW201313423A (zh) 2013-04-01
JP2016175834A (ja) 2016-10-06
TWI589416B (zh) 2017-07-01
CN106630558A (zh) 2017-05-10
CN106630558B (zh) 2020-09-01
TWI641465B (zh) 2018-11-21
KR20140057321A (ko) 2014-05-12
JP6294906B2 (ja) 2018-03-14
JP5922775B2 (ja) 2016-05-24
CN103732547A (zh) 2014-04-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9822028B2 (en) Methods of processing a glass ribbon
CN106630558B (zh) 切断玻璃带的方法
EP3385232B1 (fr) Procédés de fabrication d'un ruban de verre
EP2991939B1 (fr) Procédé et appareil de convoyage d'un rubban de verre
US20150251944A1 (en) Methods and apparatuses for separating glass ribbons

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 12823686

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2014526142

Country of ref document: JP

Kind code of ref document: A

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 20147006231

Country of ref document: KR

Kind code of ref document: A

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 12823686

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1