WO2018081663A1

WO2018081663A1 - Glass forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2018081663A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/058909
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoshitaka AJIMA; Tetsuya Furuya; Hirohide IIZUKA; Satoshi IKEZAWA; Makoto KAWAHATA; Takuya KITANAGA; Satoru Masaki; Seiji Sakamoto; Makoto TANIYAMA
Original assignee: Corning Incorporated
Priority date: 2016-10-31
Filing date: 2017-10-28
Publication date: 2018-05-03
Also published as: TW201819319A

Abstract

A fusion draw glass forming apparatus includes: a pair of walls facing each other; flappers for partially partitioning a space below the walls into upper and lower parts; baffles for partially partitioning a space below the flappers into upper and lower parts; and a pair of rollers for nipping and pulling down the glass ribbon. The flappers are pivotable and are pivoted to be inclined such that the tip ends thereof facing the glass ribbon are positioned higher than the base ends thereof. The baffles are positioned such that the baffles receive condensates once received by the flappers and running and falling beyond the tip ends of the flappers.

Description

GLASS FORMING APPARATUS

BACKGROUND

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/415,067, filed on October 31, 2016, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a glass forming apparatus, and more particularly to a glass forming apparatus for flowing molten glass down along a forming member to shape the molten glass into sheet form.

[0003] A fusion draw machine is conventionally known as one of many glass forming apparatuses for forming sheet glass. The fusion draw machine flows molten glass down along a forming member to form glass ribbon having a predetermined thickness. Then, the glass ribbon is cut to obtain individual glass sheets

[0004] More particularly, a widely known type of such a glass forming apparatus includes: a forming body for flowing down molten glass to shape the molten glass into a glass ribbon; a pair of walls respectively spaced away from and facing one side and the other side of the formed glass ribbon; a partitioning plate for partially partitioning a space below a space between the pair of walls into upper and lower parts; a baffle for partially blocking a space below the partitioning plate to separate the part of the space into upper and lower parts; and a pair of rollers disposed below the baffle, the rollers nipping and pulling down the formed glass ribbon. [0005] It should be noted that the pair of walls define an inner space, in which the molten glass is cooled and shaped into sheet, by surrounding the space in the lateral direction. The pair of walls may be connected to each other at ends thereof via another pair of walls to form portions of four-sided walls. In many cases, the walls include such four-sided walls.

[0006] The partitioning plate and the baffle are provided to control the temperature in the inner space. For this purpose, the partitioning plate, in particular, may be formed as a flapper pivotable about an axis that is substantially parallel to the width direction of the glass ribbon such that the degree of communication of air between the inner space and the space below the flapper can be changed as appropriate by controlling the position of pivot of the flapper.

[0007] Now, a conventional glass forming apparatus of the above-described type is described in more detail with reference to FIGs. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away side view showing an exemplary conventional glass forming apparatus 10. FIG. 2 is a front view showing parts of the glass forming apparatus 10 taken along line A- A in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the glass forming apparatus 10.

[0008] As shown in FIGs. 1 to 3, the glass forming apparatus 10 includes: one forming body 1 ; a pair of walls 2, 2 disposed below the forming body 1; two edge rollers 3L, 3L forming a pair and disposed directly below the forming body 1 ; and two edge rollers 3R, 3R forming a pair and disposed directly below the forming body 1. It should be noted that the two edge rollers 3L, 3L forming a pair will hereinafter be referred to as "pair of edge rollers 3L, 3L," and the two edge rollers 3R, 3R forming a pair will hereinafter be referred to as "pair of edge rollers 3R, 3R." The pair of edge rollers 3L, 3L and the pair of edge rollers 3R, 3R are disposed apart from each other in the width direction of glass ribbon 4, which is formed as described later, i.e., in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 2. It should be noted that the glass ribbon 4 is shown in FIG. 2 with being partially cut away. The terms "left" and "right" used with respect to the width direction of the glass ribbon 4, etc., refer to left and right as shown in FIG. 2, unless otherwise noted. The pair of edge rollers 3L, 3L nip the left lateral end portion of the glass ribbon 4, and the pair of edge rollers 3R, 3R nip the right lateral end portion of the glass ribbon 4.

[0009] Each of the edge rollers 3L and 3R has a rotating shaft 3 a, and the left end of the rotating shaft 3a of each edge roller 3L and the right end of the rotating shaft 3a of each edge roller 3R are rotatably held by bearing members (not shown). The edge rollers 3L and 3R may be rotatably driven via the rotating shafts 3a coupled to a driving unit, such as a motor, or the edge rollers 3L and 3R may not be driven and may be rotated by the movement of the glass ribbon 4. It should be noted that detailed description of this type of edge rollers 3L and 3R is found, for example, in PCT International Publication No. 2011/085142.

[00010] The glass forming apparatus 10 also includes a flapper 5 disposed below one of the walls 2, and another flapper 5 disposed below the other of the walls 2. The pair of flappers 5, 5 are a type of partitioning plates, and are disposed at positions facing each other via the glass ribbon 4. A baffle 6 is disposed below each flapper 5. That is, a pair of baffles 6, 6 are disposed at positions facing each other via the glass ribbon 4.

[00011] A pulling roller 7 is disposed below each baffle 6. That is, two pulling rollers 7, 7 forming a pair are disposed away from each other with the glass ribbon 4 positioned therebetween. It should be noted that the two pulling rollers 7, 7 forming a pair will hereinafter be referred to as "pair of pulling rollers 7, 7." Each of the pulling rollers 7 has a rotating shaft 7a, and the left and right ends of the rotating shaft 7a are rotatably held by bearing members 8. Each rotating shaft 7a is rotatably coupled to a driving unit (not shown), such as a motor. Specifically, the rotating shaft 7a shown on the left in FIG. 1 is rotatably driven in the clockwise direction, and the rotating shaft 7a shown on the right in FIG. 1 is rotatably driven in the counter-clockwise direction.

[00012] Two driving rollers 9L, 9L forming a pair are disposed below the left lateral end portion of the pair of pulling rollers 7, 7. Two driving rollers 9R, 9R forming a pair are disposed below the right lateral end portion of the pair of pulling rollers 7, 7. As one example, stub rollers are applied as the driving rollers 9L and 9R. It should be noted that the two driving rollers 9L, 9L forming a pair will hereinafter be referred to as "pair of driving rollers 9L, 9L," and the two driving rollers 9R, 9R forming a pair will hereinafter be referred to as "pair of driving rollers 9R, 9R." The pair of driving rollers 9L, 9L nip the left lateral end portion of the glass ribbon 4, and the pair of driving rollers 9R, 9R nip the right lateral end portion of the glass ribbon 4.

[00013] Each of the driving rollers 9L and 9R has a rotating shaft 9a, and an end of the rotating shaft 9a is rotatably held by a bearing member 11. Each rotating shaft 9a is rotatably coupled to a driving unit (not shown), such as a motor. Specifically, the rotating shaft 9a shown on the left in FIG. 1 is rotatably driven in the clockwise direction, and the rotating shaft 9a shown on the right in FIG. 1 is rotatably driven in the counter-clockwise direction. It should be noted that, in FIG. 1, the bearing members 11 and the previously-mentioned bearing members 8 are shown in imaginary lines (chain double-dashed lines) for the sake of clarity of the drawing.

[00014] The glass forming apparatus 10 also includes peripheral walls 12 that surround the above-described elements 2 to 9 and 11 from four directions, i.e., from front, back, left and right. The peripheral walls 12 are shown in a simple manner in FIG. 1, and are omitted in FIG. 2. The peripheral walls 12 define a space that is open at the top and bottom. The formed glass ribbon 4 enters the inner space surrounded by the peripheral walls 12 through the upper opening and exits the inner space through the lower opening.

[00015] The pair of walls 2, 2 are usually connected to each other at ends thereof, i.e., at the left ends and at the right ends as shown in FIG. 2, via other walls to form four-sided walls surrounding the glass ribbon 4. The above-described peripheral walls 12 may be used to form such four-sided walls.

[00016] In this example, each flapper 5 serving as the partitioning plate includes a plate portion 5a having a tip end facing the glass ribbon 4 and a base end positioned away from and behind the tip end (i.e., away from the glass ribbon 4), and a shaft portion 5b that is pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the width direction of the glass ribbon 4 and holds the plate portion 5a in the vicinity of the base end. The flappers 5 are configured such that the position of pivot, i.e., inclination, of the plate portion 5a can be controlled by pivoting the shaft portion 5b about the axis. This allows controlling the flow of air between the space between the pair of walls 2, 2 and the space below the flappers 5.

[00017] Now, operation of the glass forming apparatus 10 is described. FIG. 3 shows the forming body 1 and parts around the forming body 1. As shown in FIGs. 3 and 1, the forming body 1 is a tank with the open top, and includes a trough la, and two converging side walls, i.e., converging forming surfaces lb. Molten glass 4S is fed to the trough la via a feeding port 15 from a molten glass source (not shown). The molten glass 4S overflows from the upper lateral edges of the trough la, and then flows down along the converging forming surfaces lb as two separate molten glass streams.

[00018] The streams of the molten glass 4S are merged at the lower end of the forming body 1, where the converging forming surfaces lb meet, to form glass ribbon 4 with pristine outer surfaces. This glass ribbon 4 passes through the space between the pair of walls 2, 2, between the pair of flappers 5, 5, between the pair of baffles 6, 6, and then between the pair of pulling rollers 7, 7, and is pulled down by the pair of driving rollers 9L, 9L and the pair of driving rollers 9R, 9R that are rotating. Thereafter, the glass ribbon 4 is sufficiently cooled and solidifies, and then is cut into sheets of a predetermined size.

[00019] It should be noted that, when the glass ribbon 4 moves downward, the pair of edge rollers 3L, 3L and the pair of edge rollers 3R, 3R are rotationally driven, or are rotated by the movement of the glass ribbon 4, as mentioned previously. The pair of pulling roller 7, 7 are used in emergencies, such as when the glass ribbon 4 is broken and the pair of driving rollers 9L, 9L and the pair of driving rollers 9R, 9R, which are stub rollers, cannot pull the glass ribbon 4, to pull the glass ribbon 4 in place of these rollers.

[00020] Description of details of the forming body 1 is omitted herein. Detailed description of a fusion glass making process that uses such a forming body is found in U.S. Patent No. 3,338,696, for example.

SUMMARY

[00021] In the glass forming apparatus having the above-described structure, volatiles, in particular, boron-containing volatiles from the molten glass may condense in the inner space between the pair of walls 2, 2. The condensed glass components (which will hereinafter be simply referred to as "condensates") may form droplets, which may run along the surfaces of the walls and fall therefrom. When the condensates adhere to the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 being formed or the surfaces of rollers 9L, 9L, or 9R, 9R forming the pair of rollers, the glass ribbon 4 may be cracked by the pressure due to the condensates present between the glass ribbon and the rollers, or the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 may be scratched in the subsequent process. It should be noted that, in FIGs. 1 and 2, the condensates are denoted by C. As shown, the condensates C fall on the flappers 5 from the walls 2, and then may further fall on the baffles 6 and the pulling rollers 7 and adhere to the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R. Also, the condensates C may fall on the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R directly from the flappers 5.

[00022] In view of the above-described circumstances, the disclosure is directed to providing a glass forming apparatus that allows preventing cracking in or scratching on the surfaces of the glass ribbon due to the condensates.

[00023] A first aspect of the glass forming apparatus according to the disclosure comprises: a forming body configured to down molten glass to shape the molten glass into a glass ribbon; a pair of walls respectively spaced away from and configured to face one side and the other side of the glass ribbon; a partitioning plate configured to partially partition a space below a space between the pair of walls into upper and lower parts; a baffle configured to partially block a space below the partitioning plate to separate the part of the space into upper and lower parts; and a pair of rollers disposed below the baffle, the rollers configured to nip and pull down the glass ribbon, wherein the baffle is configured to receive condensates formed by condensed volatiles from the molten glass that run from above to below the partitioning plate.

[00024] In the first aspect of the glass forming apparatus, the pair of walls may be connected to each other at ends thereof via another pair of walls to form portions of four-sided walls, as mentioned previously. This point also applies to any other aspects of the glass forming apparatus according to the disclosure. [00025] Further, in the first aspect of the glass forming apparatus, the partitioning plate encompasses one disposed horizontally and one disposed obliquely relative to the horizontal direction.

[00026] The description "run from above to below the partitioning plate" encompasses situations where the condensates once landed on the partitioning plate further fall from the partitioning plate, and where the condensates fall through a space in the vicinity of the partitioning plate without landing on the partitioning plate.

[00027] In one aspect of the first aspect of the glass forming apparatus according to the disclosure, the partitioning plate comprises a plate portion comprising a tip end configured to face the glass ribbon and a base end positioned away from and behind the tip end (i.e., away from the glass ribbon), and a shaft portion pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the width direction of the glass ribbon and holds the plate portion in the vicinity of the base end, the shaft portion is pivoted into a position where the plate portion is inclined such that the tip end is positioned higher than the base end, the plate portion is configured to receive the condensates running down on the inner surface (i.e., the surface facing the glass ribbon) of the wall above the partitioning plate, and the baffle is configured to receive the condensates received by the plate portion and falling from the tip end of the plate portion.

[00028] In the above-described one aspect of the glass forming apparatus, it is desired that the baffle be shaped such that a tip end portion thereof is bent upward.

[00029] Further, in the above-described one aspect of the glass forming apparatus, it is desired that the plate portion of the partitioning plate include an opening that penetrate through the plate portion in the vertical direction, and the baffle be disposed at a position where the baffle can also receive the condensates falling through the opening. [00030] The above-described one aspect of the glass forming apparatus may further comprise a holding member for holding the shaft portion of the partitioning plate at a predetermined height. It is desired that such a holding member include a portion that passes through the opening of the partitioning plate to hold the partitioning plate via the portion.

[00031] In another aspect of the first aspect of the glass forming apparatus according to the disclosure, the partitioning plate comprises a front end configured to face the glass ribbon and a rear end positioned away from and behind the front end (i.e., away from the glass ribbon), the partitioning plate is positioned such that the condensates running down on the inner surface (i.e., the surface facing the glass ribbon) of the wall above the partitioning plate pass and fall through a space in the vicinity of the rear end, and the baffle is positioned such that the baffle receives the condensates passing and falling through the space in the vicinity of the rear end.

[00032] In the above-described other aspect of the glass forming apparatus, it is desired that the partitioning plate comprise a plate portion that has a tip end forming the front end and a base end positioned away from and behind the tip end (i.e., away from the glass ribbon), and a shaft portion that is pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the width direction of the glass ribbon and holds the plate portion in the vicinity of the base end.

[00033] Further, in the above-described other aspect of the glass forming apparatus, it is desired that the baffle include an outlet path configured to let the received condensates flow out in the lateral direction. The description "out in the lateral direction" refers to the width direction of the glass ribbon, more particularly, directions from the center toward the ends in the width direction of the glass ribbon.

[00034] In the first aspect of the glass forming apparatus according to the disclosure, it is desired that the partitioning plate and/or the baffle comprise a pair of partitioning plates and/or a pair of baffles that are respectively disposed at positions facing each other. This point also applies to a second aspect of the glass forming apparatus according to the disclosure, which will be described later.

[00035] A second aspect of the glass forming apparatus according to the disclosure comprises: a forming body configured to down molten glass to shape the molten glass into a glass ribbon; a pair of walls respectively spaced away from and facing one side and the other side of the glass ribbon; a partitioning plate configured to partially partition a space below a space between the pair of walls into upper and lower parts; a baffle configured to partially block a space below the partitioning plate to separate the part of the space into upper and lower parts; a pair of rollers disposed below the baffle, the rollers configured to nip and pull down the glass ribbon; and a condensate guide disposed at the partitioning plate and/or at least one of the walls, the condensate guide configured to receive condensates formed by condensed volatiles from the molten glass that run down on the inner surface (i.e., the surface facing the glass ribbon) of the wall above the condensate guide, and configured to let the condensates flow out in the lateral direction.

[00036] The description "out in the lateral direction" refers to the width direction of the glass ribbon, more particularly, directions from the center toward the ends in the width direction of the glass ribbon.

[00037] In one aspect of the second aspect of the glass forming apparatus according to the disclosure, each wall comprises an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion formed continuously from the upper wall portion, wherein the lower wall portion comprises a protruding portion that protrudes inward (i.e., toward the glass ribbon) from the upper wall portion, and the condensate guide comprises the upper surface of the protruding portion of the lower wall portion and is configured to receive the condensates running down on the inner surface of the upper wall portion.

[00038] In the above-described one aspect of the glass forming apparatus, it is desired that the height of the upper surface of the protruding portion of the lower wall portion gradually decrease from one of two lateral ends of the lower wall portion, which are apart from each other in the width direction of the glass ribbon, toward the other of the lateral ends of the lower wall portion.

[00039] Alternatively, it is desired that the height of the upper surface of the protruding portion of the lower wall portion gradually decrease from a predetermined position between two lateral ends of the lower wall portion, which are apart from each other in the width direction of the glass ribbon, toward at least one of the lateral ends of the lower wall portion.

[00040] In the above-described one aspect of the glass forming apparatus, it is desired that the upper wall portion comprise an outlet port configured to let the condensates running on the upper surface of the lower wall portion flow out of the wall (i.e., out of the space between the pair of walls).

[00041] In another aspect of the second aspect of the glass forming apparatus according to the disclosure, the condensate guide comprises a gutter-like portion formed at the partitioning plate, the gutter-like portion configured to receive the condensates running down on the inner surface of the wall above the partitioning plate.

[00042] As one example, the gutter-like portion comprises a groove formed in the upper surface of the partitioning plate. [00043] It is desired that the height of the bottom surface of the groove gradually decrease from one of two lateral ends of the groove, which are apart from each other in the width direction of the glass ribbon, toward the other of the lateral ends of the groove.

[00044] Alternatively, it is preferred that the height of the bottom surface of the groove gradually decrease from a predetermined position between two lateral ends of the groove, which are apart from each other in the width direction of the glass ribbon, toward at least one of the lateral ends of the groove.

[00045] As another example, the gutter-like portion may comprise the upper surface of the partitioning plate and a flow-blocking member disposed to stand on the upper surface of the partitioning plate and extend in substantially the width direction of the glass ribbon.

[00046] In the case where the gutter-like portion comprises the upper surface of the partitioning plate and the flow-blocking member, it is desired that the partitioning plate have a tip end configured to face the glass ribbon and a base end positioned away from and behind the tip end (i.e., away from the glass ribbon), and the partitioning plate be inclined such that the position of the upper surface thereof at the tip end is lower than the position of the upper surface thereof at the base end, and the flow-blocking member be shaped such that the distance between the flow-blocking member and the tip end of the partitioning plate, when viewed in plain view, gradually decreases from one of two lateral ends of the flow-blocking member, which are apart from each other in substantially the width direction of the glass ribbon, toward the other of the lateral ends of the flow-blocking member. It should be noted that the description "when viewed in plain view" refers to the shape projected on the upper surface of the partitioning plate.

[00047] Alternatively, in the case where the gutter-like portion comprises the upper surface of the partitioning plate and the flow-blocking member, it is preferred that the partitioning plate have a tip end configured to face the glass ribbon and a base end positioned away from and behind the tip end (i.e., away from the glass ribbon), and the partitioning plate be inclined such that the position of the upper surface thereof at the tip end is lower than the position of the upper surface thereof at the base end, and the flow-blocking member be shaped such that the distance between the flow-blocking member and the tip end of the partitioning plate, when viewed in plain view, gradually decreases from a predetermined position between two lateral ends of the flow-blocking member, which are apart from each other in substantially the width direction of the glass ribbon, toward at least one of the lateral ends of the flow-blocking member. It should be noted that the description "when viewed in plain view" in this case also refers to the shape projected on the upper surface of the partitioning plate.

[00048] A third aspect of the glass forming apparatus according to the disclosure comprises: a forming body configured to down molten glass to shape the molten glass into a glass ribbon; a pair of walls respectively spaced away from and facing one side and the other side of the glass ribbon; a pair of rollers disposed below the pair of walls, the rollers configured to nip and pull down the glass ribbon; and a cooling mechanism configured to cool the inward surfaces of bearing members that rotatably hold end portions of the pair of rollers to cause volatiles from the molten glass to condense at the inward surfaces.

[00049] It should be noted that the description "inward surfaces of bearing members" refers to the surfaces that face the center in the longitudinal direction of the pair of rollers. The cooling mechanism may cool not only the inward surfaces but also areas of surfaces in the vicinity of the inward surfaces.

[00050] In the third aspect of the glass forming apparatus according to the disclosure, if the pair of rollers are configured to nip the glass ribbon across the entire width of the glass ribbon, it is desired that the cooling mechanism be configured to cool each of the bearing members that hold one end portions and the other end portions of the pair of rollers. [00051] The cooling mechanism comprises, for example, a coolant path through which a coolant, such as coolant water or air, flows in the vicinity of the inward surfaces of the bearing members. It is desired that such a coolant path have a path pattern extending two-dimensionally in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pair of rollers.

[00052] It is desired that at least a part including the inward surface of each bearing member be replaceable.

[00053] It is desired that the third aspect of the glass forming apparatus according to the disclosure further comprise, between the pair of walls and the pair of rollers: a partitioning plate configured to partially partition a space below a space between the pair of walls into upper and lower parts, and a baffle configured to partially block a space below the partitioning plate to separate the part of the space into upper and lower parts.

[00054] In this case, it is desired that the partitioning plate and/or the baffle comprise a pair of partitioning plates and/or a pair of baffles that are respectively disposed at positions facing each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00055] FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away side view showing an exemplary conventional glass forming apparatus,

FIG. 2 is a front view showing parts taken along line A- A in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a forming body used in the glass forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and parts around the forming body,

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another flapper used in the glass forming apparatus of the first embodiment and parts around the flapper,

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a first modification of the first embodiment,

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a second modification of the first embodiment,

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the disclosure,

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a modification of the second embodiment,

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the disclosure,

FIG. 11 is a front view showing walls shown in FIG. 10 and parts around the walls,

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a modification of the third embodiment,

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure,

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a modification of the fourth embodiment,

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure,

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a first modification of the fifth embodiment,

FIG. 17 is a front view showing a flapper used in the arrangement shown in FIG. 16, FIG. 18 is a front view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a second modification of the fifth embodiment,

FIG. 19 is a front view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a third modification of the fifth embodiment,

FIG. 20 is a side view showing a part of a glass forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosure,

FIG. 21 is a plain view showing the detailed structure of a bearing member shown in FIG. 20, and

FIG. 22 is a side view showing the detailed structure of the bearing member shown in FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00056] Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 4 and the following drawings, which will be described below, the elements that are the same as those shown in the previously described FIGs. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and are not explained in the following description unless necessary.

[00057] First, a glass forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the disclosure is described. The difference between the glass forming apparatus of the first embodiment and the conventional apparatus shown in FIGs. 1 to 3 lies basically in that the glass forming apparatus of the first embodiment uses novel flappers serving as the partitioning plates, in place of the flappers 5, and uses novel baffles in place of the baffles 6. FIG. 4 shows the shapes in side view of the novel flapper 25 and baffle 26. It should be noted that, while the side view shown in FIG. 4 only shows the features facing one side (the left side as shown in the drawing) of the glass ribbon 4, another set of the same features are disposed to face the other side (the right side as shown in the drawing) of the glass ribbon 4, as with FIG. 1. This point also applies to other embodiments of the disclosure, which will be described later. However, in the disclosure, it is not necessarily essential to dispose the same features on one side and the other side of the glass ribbon. That is, the arrangement based on the disclosure may be disposed only on one side of the glass ribbon.

[00058] This embodiment also includes a pair of walls 2, 2 respectively spaced away from and facing one side and the other side of the formed glass ribbon 4 (only one of the walls is shown in the drawing, as mentioned previously). The flapper 25 is disposed below each wall 2, and the baffle 26 is disposed below each flapper 25. Each flapper 25 includes a plate portion 25a and a shaft portion 25b. The plate portion 25a has a tip end 25c facing the glass ribbon 4 and a base end 25d positioned away from and behind the tip end 25c (i.e., away from the glass ribbon 4). The shaft portion 25b is pivotable about an axis 25e substantially parallel to the width direction of the glass ribbon 4, and holds the plate portion 25a in the vicinity of the base end 25d. The flappers 25 and the baffles 26 are made of heat resistant materials, such as metals or ceramics.

[00059] The shaft portion 25b is pivoted into a position where the plate portion 25a is inclined such that the tip end 25c is positioned higher than the base end 25d. The flappers 25 are positioned such that the plate portion 25a receives from below the condensates C running down on the inner surfaces 2a (i.e., the surfaces facing the glass ribbon) of the walls 2. The reason of formation of the condensates C is as described previously. The baffles 26 are positioned such that the baffles 26 receive the condensates previously received by the plate portions 25a and running and falling beyond the tip ends 25c of the plate portions 25a.

[00060] Thus, the condensates C are prevented from falling on the pulling rollers 7 (see FIG. 1) and then adhering to the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R (see FIG. 1). The condensates C are also prevented from falling on the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R directly from the flappers 25. In this embodiment, in particular, each baffle 26 is shaped such that a tip end portion 26a thereof is bent upward. This effectively prevents the condensates C falling on the baffles 26 from adhering to the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R.

[00061] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the plate portion 25a of each flapper 25 include a plurality of openings 25k that penetrate through the plate portion 25a in the vertical direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of holding members 28 (not shown in FIG. 4) for holding the shaft portion 25b of each flapper 25 at a predetermined height are disposed. Each holding member 28 include a hook portion that passes through the corresponding opening 25k. The holding members 28 hold the flapper 25 at a predetermined height by hooding the shaft portion 25b with the hook portions.

[00062] The condensates C fallen on the flapper 25 may further fall through the openings

25k. In this embodiment, a tray 20 for catching and collecting the condensates C falling through the openings 25k is provided, as shown in FIG. 4. The tray 20 is attached at a predetermined position with an attaching and holding member 21. This prevents the condensates C falling through the opening 25k from adhering to the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R.

[00063] In this embodiment, the baffles 26 are disposed at a position where the baffles 26 can also receive the condensates C falling through the openings 25k. Thus, the condensates C falling through the openings 25k are prevented from adhering to the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R, also in the case where the above-mentioned trays 20 are not provided.

[00064] Next, referring to FIG. 6, a first modification of the first embodiment is described. In the glass forming apparatus of the disclosure, it is desired that each baffle 26 include an outlet path for letting the received condensates C flow out in the lateral direction. The description "out in the lateral direction" refers to the width direction of the glass ribbon 4, more particularly, directions from the center toward the lateral ends in the width direction of the glass ribbon 4. In this first modification, each baffle 26 is inclined such that the height of the position of the baffle 26 gradually decreases from one lateral end toward the other lateral end. Thus, the condensates C fallen on the baffle 26 can flow out in the lateral direction due to gravity. The flown out condensates C are caught in a tray 20 similar to the one shown in FIG. 4, for example.

[00065] In the above-described first modification, each baffle 26 itself forms the outlet path as described above. However, this is not intended to limit the disclosure. For example, each baffle 26 may be disposed horizontally and a separately-formed outlet path may be combined with the baffle 26. [00066] Next, referring to FIG. 7, a second modification of the first embodiment is described. In the second modification, each flapper 25 has a relatively long plate portion 25a. This flapper 25 cannot be inclined such that the position of the tip end 25c is lower than the position of the base end 25d. Namely, if the flapper 25 is inclined as mentioned above from the state shown in FIG. 7, the tip end of the flapper 25 hits the glass ribbon 4. In the first embodiment, this type of flapper 25 can also be used.

[00067] In contrast, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, the plate portion 25a is relatively short, and the tip end of the flapper 25 does not hit the glass ribbon 4 when the flapper 25 is pivoted. Thus, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, the flapper 25 can be inclined such that the position of the tip end 25c is lower than the position of the base end 25d. In this view, the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 is suitable for a case where it is desired to set a wide range of the position of pivot of the flappers 25.

[00068] Next, a glass forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the disclosure is described. The difference between the glass forming apparatus of the second embodiment and the conventional apparatus shown in FIGs. 1 to 3 lies basically in that the positions of the flappers 5 serving as the partitioning plates are different and that novel baffles are applied as the baffles 6. FIG. 8 shows the shapes in side view of the flapper 5 and the novel baffle 36.

[00069] Each flapper 5 includes a plate portion 5a and a shaft portion 5b. The plate portion 5a has a tip end 5c facing the glass ribbon 4 and a base end 5d positioned away from and behind the tip end 5c (i.e., away from the glass ribbon 4). The shaft portion 5b is pivotable about an axis 5e substantially parallel to the width direction of the glass ribbon 4, and holds the plate portion 5a in the vicinity of the base end 5d. It should be noted that the tip end 5c is the front end of the flapper 5, and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 5b farthest from the glass ribbon 4 is a rear end 5h of the flapper 5.

[00070] The flappers 5 are positioned such that the condensates C running down on the inner surfaces 2a (i.e., the surfaces facing the glass ribbon) of the walls 2 pass and fall through a space behind the rear end 5h of each flapper 5. [00071] Each baffle 36 is made of a thick material with a tip end portion that becomes thinner toward the tip, and includes a recess 36a for receiving the condensates C. The recess 36a extends along the entire length in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 8) of the baffle 36. Each baffle 36 is positioned such that the recess 36a receives the condensates C passing and falling through the space behind the rear end 5h of the flapper 5.

[00072] According to the above-described arrangement, the condensates C are prevented from falling on the pulling rollers 7 (see FIG. 1) and then adhering to the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R (see FIG. 1). The condensates C are also prevented from falling on the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R directly from the flappers 5.

[00073] Next, referring to FIG. 9, a modification of the second embodiment is described. In this modification, each baffle 36 is inclined such that the height of the position of the baffle 36 gradually decreases from one lateral end toward the other lateral end. Thus, the condensates C fallen on the recess 36a of the baffle 36 can flow out in the lateral direction due to gravity. The flown out condensates C are caught in a tray 20 similar to the one shown in FIG. 4, for example.

[00074] Next, a glass forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the disclosure is described. The difference between the glass forming apparatus of the third embodiment and the conventional apparatus shown in FIGs. 1 to 3 lies basically in that a different type of walls 102 are applied in place of the walls 2. FIG. 10 shows the shape in side view the wall 102, and FIG. 1 1 shows the shape in front view of the wall 102.

[00075] Each wall 102 includes an upper wall portion 2 A and a lower wall portion 2B formed continuously from the upper wall portion 2A. The lower wall portion 2B protrudes inward (i.e., toward the glass ribbon 4) from the upper wall portion 2A, where an upper surface 2m of the protruding portion of the lower wall portion 2B serves as a condensate guide. The lower wall portion 2B has two lower wall portion lateral ends p, q, which are apart from each other in the width direction of the glass ribbon 4. The height of the upper surface 2m of the lower wall portion 2B gradually decrease from the lower wall portion lateral end p toward the lower wall portion lateral end q. [00076] The upper wall portion 2A includes outlet ports 2s for letting the condensates C running on the upper surface 2m of the lower wall portion 2B flow out of the wall 102 (i.e., out of the space between the pair of walls 102, 102). It is preferred that there are two or more outlet ports 2s. In this embodiment, three outlet ports 2s are provided as one example. It is desired that the outlet ports 2s are formed in the upper wall portion 2A at positions nearer to the lower wall portion lateral end q, which is the lower end. Further, a tray 20 similar to the one shown in FIG. 4, for example, is provided to receive the condensates C flowing out through each outlet port 2s.

[00077] The condensates C falling down along the inner surface 2a of the upper wall portion 2 A is received by the upper surface 2m of the lower wall portion 2B. The condensates C received by the upper surface 2m flow on the inclined upper surface 2m in the direction from the lower wall portion lateral end p to the lower wall portion lateral end q. Then, the condensates C flow out of the wall 102 through the three outlet ports 2s. The flown out condensates C are caught by the trays 20.

[00078] According to the above-described arrangement, the condensates C are prevented from falling on the pulling rollers 7 (see FIG. 1) and then adhering to the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R (see FIG. 1). The condensates C are also prevented from falling on the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R directly from the flappers 5.

[00079] Next, referring to FIG. 12, a modification of the third embodiment is described. In this modification, a different type of walls 202 are applied in place of the above-described walls 102. The difference between the walls 202 and the walls 102 lies in that the walls 202 do not include the outlet ports 2s. In this modification, the condensates C flowing on the inclined upper surface 2m reach the lower wall portion lateral end q and then fall from the upper surface 2m. The fallen condensates C are caught in a tray 20, for example

[00080] It should be noted that, also in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 1, the condensates C flowing on the inclined upper surface 2m may reach the lower wall portion lateral end q, and therefore the arrangement shown in FIG. 11 may also include a tray 20 at the position shown in FIG. 12. [00081] Alternatively, the height of the upper surface 2m of the lower wall portion 2B may gradually decrease from a predetermined position between the two lower wall portion lateral ends p, q, which are apart from each other in the width direction of the glass ribbon 4, toward at least one of the two lower wall portion lateral ends p, q. The predetermined position may, for example, be the center position between the two lower wall portion lateral ends p, q. In the case where the height of the upper surface 2m gradually decreases from the predetermined position toward the lower wall portion lateral ends p, q, the condensates C can flow either toward the lower wall portion lateral end p or the lower wall portion lateral end q.

[00082] Next, a glass forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure is described. The difference between the glass forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment and the conventional apparatus shown in FIGs. 1 to 3 basically lies in that a different type of flappers 35 are used in place of the flappers 5. FIG. 13 shows the flapper 35. Each flapper 35 serving as the partitioning plate includes a plate portion 35a and a shaft portion 35b, which are basically similar to the plate portion 5a and the shaft portion 5b shown in FIGs. 1 and 2. In the fourth embodiment, a groove 35c forming a gutter-like portion, which serves as the condensate guide, is formed in the upper surface of the plate portion 35a.

[00083] The condensates C falling down along the inner surfaces 2a of the walls 2 flow on the plate portion 35a of each flapper 35 and are caught in the groove 35c. The condensates C caught in the groove 35c are discharged from the groove 35c into a tray 20 through the use of an appropriate jig, for example. Alternatively, one end (the right end in the example shown in FIG. 13) of the groove 35c may be closed, for example, to let the condensates C caught in the groove 35c flow out into the tray 20.

[00084] According to the above-described arrangement, the condensates C are prevented from falling on the pulling rollers 7 (see FIG. 1) and then adhering to the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R (see FIG. 1). The condensates C are also prevented from falling on the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R directly from the flappers 35.

[00085] Next, referring to FIG. 14, a modification of the fourth embodiment is described.

In this modification, a different type of flappers 45 are used in place of the above-described flappers 35. FIG. 14 shows the flapper 45. The difference between the flapper 45 serving as the partitioning plate and the flapper 35 shown in FIG. 13 lies in that the shape of a groove 45c serving as the gutter-like portion is different from the shape of the groove 35c. Namely, the height of the position of the bottom surface of the groove 45c gradually decreases from one of two groove lateral ends, which are apart from each other in the width direction of the glass ribbon 4, toward the other of the two groove lateral ends. In this example, the height gradually decreases from a lateral end 45f of the groove 45c on the right in the drawing toward a lateral end 45g of the groove 45c on the left in the drawing. A tray 20 similar to the one described above is disposed below the lateral end 45g of the groove 45c on the left in the drawing.

[00086] This arrangement allows the condensates C caught in the groove 45c to naturally flow toward the tray 20 due to gravity.

[00087] Alternatively, the height of the position of the bottom surface of the groove 45c may gradually decreases from a predetermined position between the lateral end 45f and the lateral end 45g toward at least one of the two groove lateral ends 45f, 45g. The predetermined position may, for example, be the center position between the lateral end 45f and the lateral end 45g. In the case where the height of the position of the bottom surface gradually decreases from the predetermined position towards the lateral ends 45f, 45g, the condensates C can flow either toward the lateral end 45 f or the lateral end 45g.

[00088] Next, a glass forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure is described. In the glass forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment, a different type of flappers 55 are applied in place of the flappers 35 shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 shows the flapper 55. Each flapper 55 serving as the partitioning plate includes a plate portion 55a and a shaft portion 55b, which are basically similar to the plate portion 5a and the shaft portion 5b shown in FIGs. 1 and 2. In the fifth embodiment, a flow-blocking member 55v in the form of an elongated plate is fixed on an upper surface 55u of the plate portion 55a. The flow-blocking member 55v extends in the width direction of the flapper 55 (in the width direction of the glass ribbon 4; see FIG. 2), and forms a gutter-like portion serving as the condensate guide together with the upper surface 55u of the plate portion 55 a. [00089] The condensates C falling down along the inner surfaces 2a of the walls 2 flow on the upper surface 55u of the plate portion 55a of each flapper 55 and are blocked by the flow- blocking member 55v. The condensates C caught by the upper surface 55u of the plate portion and the flow-blocking member 55v are discharged from the upper surface 55u of the plate portion into a tray 20 through the use of an appropriate jig, for example. Alternatively, one end (the right end in the example shown in FIG. 15) of the gutter-like portion may be closed, for example, to let the condensates C flow out into the tray 20.

[00090] According to the above-described arrangement, the condensates C are prevented from falling on the pulling rollers 7 (see FIG. 1) and then adhering to the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R (see FIG. 1). The condensates C are also prevented from falling on the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R directly from the flappers 55.

[00091] Next, referring to FIGs. 16 and 17, a first modification of the fifth embodiment is described. In this modification, a different type of flappers 65 are used in place of the above- described flappers 55. FIG. 16 shows the shape in perspective view of the flapper 65. FIG. 17 shows the shape in plain view of a flow-blocking member 65c fixed on the flapper 65. The "shape in plain view" refers to the shape projected on the upper surface of the flapper 65 (i.e., an upper surface 65u of a plate portion 65a, which will be described later).

[00092] Each flapper 65 serving as the partitioning plate includes a plate portion 65a and a shaft portion 65b, which are basically similar to the plate portion 5a and the shaft portion 5b shown in FIGs. 1 and 2. A flow-blocking member 65v in the form of an elongated plate is fixed on the upper surface 65u of the plate portion 65a. The flow-blocking member 65v extends in a direction slightly angled from the width direction of the flapper 65 (the width direction of the glass ribbon 4; see FIG. 2), and forms a gutter-like portion serving as the condensate guide together with the upper surface 65u of the plate portion 65a.

[00093] The plate portion 65a forming the flapper 65 serving as the partitioning plate has a tip end 65c facing the glass ribbon 4 (see FIGs. 1 and 2) and a base end 65d positioned away from and behind the tip end 65c (i.e., away from the glass ribbon 4). The plate portion 65a is inclined such that the position of the upper surface 65u at the tip end 65c is lower than the position of the upper surface 65u at the base end 65d. The flow-blocking member 65v is shaped such that the distance between the flow-blocking member 65v and the tip end 65c, when viewed in plain view, gradually decreases from one of two flow-blocking member lateral ends (i.e., the left lateral end and the right lateral end shown in FIG. 17), which are apart from each other in the width direction of the glass ribbon 4, toward the other of the flow-blocking member lateral ends.

[00094] The condensates C falling down along the inner surfaces 2a of the walls 2 flow on the upper surface 65u of the plate portion 65a of each flapper 65 and are blocked by the flow- blocking member 65 v. The above-described arrangement of the plate portion 65a and the flow- blocking member 65v allows the condensates C caught by the upper surface 65u of the plate portion and the flow-blocking member 65v to naturally flow toward a tray 20 due to action of gravity. Thus, the condensates C can flow out into the tray 20 in this example.

[00095] Next, referring to FIG. 18, a second modification of the fifth embodiment is described. In this modification, a different type of flappers 75 are used in place of the above- described flappers 55. FIG. 18 shows the shape in plain view of the flapper 75. The difference between the flapper 75 and the flapper 65 shown in FIGs. 16 and 17 basically lies only in the shape in plain view of the flow-blocking member 75v. The plate portion 65a is inclined in the same manner as in the arrangement shown in FIGs. 16 and 17.

[00096] The flow-blocking member 75v is shaped such that the distance between the flow- blocking member 75v and the tip end 65c of the flapper 75, when viewed in plain view, gradually decreases from a predetermined position between two flow-blocking member lateral ends (i.e., the left lateral end and the right lateral end in FIG. 18), which are apart from each other in the width direction of the glass ribbon 4, toward at least one of the two flow-blocking member lateral ends. In this example, in particular, the flow-blocking member 75v is shaped such that the distance between the flow-blocking member 75v and the tip end 65c of the flapper 75, when viewed in plain view, gradually decreases toward the left lateral end and the right lateral end of the flow-blocking member 75v. The predetermined position may, for example, be the center position between the left lateral end and the right lateral end of the flow-blocking member 75v. [00097] In this example, the above-described arrangement of the plate portion 65a and the flow-blocking member 75v allows the condensates C caught by the plate portion upper surface 65u and the flow-blocking member 75v to flow either toward the left lateral end or the right lateral end of the flow-blocking member 75v.

[00098] Next, referring to FIG. 19, a third modification of the fifth embodiment is described. In this modification, a different type of flappers 85 are used in place of the above- described flappers 55. FIG. 19 shows the shape in plain view of the flapper 85. The difference between the flapper 85 and the flapper 75 shown in FIG. 18 lies only in that the flapper 75 has a substantially V-shaped bent shape in plain view; whereas the flapper 85 has a loose arcuate shape in plain view. The operation and advantageous effects of the third modification are basically the same as those of the second modification shown in FIG. 18.

[00099] Next, a glass forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosure is described. The glass forming apparatus of the sixth embodiment includes a cooling mechanism, which will be described later, added to the conventional apparatus shown in FIGs. 1 to 3. In the following description, it is assumed that a cooling mechanism shown in FIGs. 20 to 22 is applied to the glass forming apparatus 10 shown in FIGs. 1 to 3.

[000100] As described previously, the glass forming apparatus 10 uses the pair of driving rollers 9L, 9L and the pair of driving rollers 9R, 9R to nip and pull down the glass ribbon 4 during formation of the glass ribbon 4. FIG. 20 shows one driving roller 9L as representative of the driving rollers forming the pairs of driving rollers. The driving roller 9L has the rotating shaft 9a, and an end of the rotating shaft 9a is rotatably held by the bearing member 11.

[000101] The cooling mechanism is provided to cool the inward surface 11a and surfaces in the vicinity of the inward surface 11a of the bearing member 11. It should be noted that the inward surface 1 la of a given bearing member 11 refers to the surface that faces the center in the width direction of the glass ribbon 4 fed by the driving roller held by the bearing member 11. The cooling mechanism in this embodiment is configured to flow a coolant through the inner portion of the bearing member 11 along a path schematically represented by the arrow shown in FIG. 20. [000102] In the case where the inward surface 11a is cooled, components volatilized from the molten glass 4S tend to condensate at the inward surface 11a. Thus, much condensates C adhere to the inward surface 11a, as schematically shown in FIG. 20, and condensation of the volatiles on the walls 2 and the surfaces of the flappers 5, etc., is relatively reduced.

[000103] Thus, this embodiment also allows preventing the condensates C from falling on the pulling rollers 7 (see FIG. 1) and then adhering to the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R (see FIG. 1). The condensates C are also prevented from falling on the surfaces of the glass ribbon 4 and/or the surfaces of the rollers 9L, 9L or 9R, 9R directly from the flappers 55.

[000104] While the above description is given with respect to the bearing member 11 holding one driving roller 9L, it is desired that the cooling mechanism be combined in all the bearing members 11 that hold the pair of driving rollers 9L, 9L, and the pair of driving rollers 9R, 9R. Further, it is desired that the cooling mechanism be combined in the two bearing members 8 that hold the one end portions and the other end portions of the two pulling rollers 7. More volatized components condensed at the inward surfaces of the bearing members 11 and 8 results in more reduction of condensation of the volatized components on the walls 2 and the surfaces of the flappers 5, etc.

[000105] Now, referring to FIGs. 21 and 22, the arrangement of the cooling mechanism is described in detail. FIG. 21 shows the shape in plain view of the bearing member 11, and FIG. 22 shows the shape in side view of the bearing member 11. The bearing member 11 includes the inward surface 11a, an outward surface l ib opposite from the inward surface 11a, a bearing member circular hole 11c penetrating through the inward surface 11a and the outward surface l ib, and lateral end faces l id. Further, a coolant path l lf is formed in the inner portion of the bearing member 11 by drilling through the lateral end faces l id.

[000106] The coolant path l lf has a path pattern extending two-dimensionally in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the driving rollers 9L of the pair, i.e., in a plane that is parallel to the plane of FIG. 21. The coolant path 1 If is formed in the inner portion of the bearing member 11 in the vicinity of the inward surface 11a. The bearing member 11 includes two nipples 90 communicating with the coolant path l lf. The nipples 90 are provided at positions sufficiently apart from each other. One of the nipples 90 is connected to a coolant inlet tube 91, and the other of the nipples 90 is connected to a coolant outlet tube 92. The holes of the coolant path 1 If in the lateral end faces 1 Id are closed with plugs 93.

[000107] The coolant inlet tube 91 is connected to a coolant feeding mechanism

(not shown), such as a pump or blower. The coolant feeding mechanism feeds a coolant, such as coolant water or air, into the coolant path l lf through the coolant inlet tube 91. The above- described two-dimensional path pattern of the coolant path l lf extends across a wide area in the vicinity of the inward surface 11a. Thus, the inward surface 11a and surfaces in the vicinity of the inward surface 11a of the bearing member are efficiently cooled by the coolant flowing through the coolant path l lf. The coolant that has flown through the coolant path l lf is discharged out of the bearing member 11 through the coolant outlet tube 92. The discharged coolant may be disposed of as waste, or recycled through a re-cooling heat exchanger (not shown).

[000108] It should be noted that the cooling mechanism is not limited to one using a coolant as described above, and any other known mechanism can be used as appropriate as the cooling mechanism. It is desired that at least a part including the inward surface 11a of the bearing member 11 be replaceable. Such a structure allows the operation to remove the condensates C adhering to the inward surface 1 la to be performed with removing the replaceable part, thereby facilitating the operation.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A glass forming apparatus comprising: a forming body configured to down molten glass to shape the molten glass into a glass ribbon; a pair of walls respectively spaced away from and configured to face one side and the other side of the glass ribbon; a partitioning plate configured to partially partition a space below a space between the pair of walls into upper and lower parts; a baffle configured to partially block a space below the partitioning plate to separate the part of the space into upper and lower parts; and a pair of rollers disposed below the baffle, the rollers configured to nip and pull down the glass ribbon, wherein the baffle is configured to receive condensates formed by condensed volatiles from the molten glass that run from above to below the partitioning plate.

2. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partitioning plate comprises a plate portion comprising a tip end configured to face the glass ribbon and a base end positioned away from and behind the tip end, and a shaft portion pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to a width direction of the glass ribbon and holds the plate portion in a vicinity of the base end, the shaft portion is pivoted into a position where the plate portion is inclined such that the tip end is positioned higher than the base end, the plate portion is configured to receive the condensates running down on the inner surface of the wall above the partitioning plate, and the baffle is configured to receive the condensates received by the plate portion and falling from the tip end of the plate portion.

3. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partitioning plate comprises a front end configured to face the glass ribbon and a rear end positioned away from and behind the front end, the partitioning plate is positioned such that the condensates running down on the inner surface of the wall above the partitioning plate pass and fall through a space in the vicinity of the rear end, and the baffle is positioned such that the baffle receives the condensates passing and falling through the space in the vicinity of the rear end.

4. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the partitioning plate comprises a plate portion that has a tip end forming the front end and a base end positioned away from and behind the tip end, and a shaft portion that is pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the width direction of the glass ribbon and holds the plate portion in the vicinity of the base end.

5. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partitioning plate and/or the baffle comprises a pair of partitioning plates and/or a pair of baffles that are respectively disposed at positions facing each other.

6. A glass forming apparatus comprising: a forming body configured to down molten glass to shape the molten glass into a glass ribbon; a pair of walls respectively spaced away from and facing one side and the other side of the glass ribbon; a partitioning plate configured to partially partition a space below a space between the pair of walls into upper and lower parts; a baffle configured to partially block a space below the partitioning plate to separate the part of the space into upper and lower parts; a pair of rollers disposed below the baffle, the rollers configured to nip and pull down the glass ribbon; and a condensate guide disposed at the partitioning plate and/or at least one of the walls, the condensate guide configured to receive condensates formed by condensed volatiles from the molten glass that run down on the inner surface of the wall above the condensate guide, and configured to let the condensates flow out in the lateral direction.

7. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein each wall comprises an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion formed continuously from the upper wall portion, wherein the lower wall portion comprises a protruding portion that protrudes inward from the upper wall portion, and the condensate guide comprises an upper surface of the protruding portion of the lower wall portion and is configured to receive the condensates running down on the inner surface of the upper wall portion.

8. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the height of the upper surface of the protruding portion of the lower wall portion gradually decreases from one of two lateral ends of the lower wall portion, which are apart from each other in the width direction of the glass ribbon, toward the other of the lateral ends of the lower wall portion.

9. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upper wall portion comprises an outlet port configured to let the condensates running on the upper surface of the lower wall portion flow out of the wall.

10. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the condensate guide comprises a gutter-like portion formed at the partitioning plate, the gutter-like portion configured to receive the condensates running down on the inner surface of the wall above the partitioning plate.

11. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the gutter-like portion comprises a groove formed in the upper surface of the partitioning plate.

12. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the gutter-like portion comprises the upper surface of the partitioning plate and a flow-blocking member disposed to stand on the upper surface of the partitioning plate and extend in substantially the width direction of the glass ribbon.

13. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the partitioning plate has a tip end configured to face the glass ribbon and a base end positioned away from and behind the tip end, and the partitioning plate is inclined such that the position of the upper surface thereof at the tip end is lower than the position of the upper surface thereof at the base end, and the flow-blocking member is shaped such that the distance between the flow-blocking member and the tip end of the partitioning plate, when viewed in plain view, gradually decreases from one of two lateral ends of the flow-blocking member, which are apart from each other in substantially the width direction of the glass ribbon, toward the other of the lateral ends of the flow-blocking member.

14. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the partitioning plate has a tip end configured to face the glass ribbon and a base end positioned away from and behind the tip end, and the partitioning plate is inclined such that the position of the upper surface thereof at the tip end is lower than the position of the upper surface thereof at the base end, and the flow-blocking member is shaped such that the distance between the flow-blocking member and the tip end of the partitioning plate, when viewed in plain view, gradually decreases from a predetermined position between two lateral ends of the flow-blocking member, which are apart from each other in substantially the width direction of the glass ribbon, toward at least one of the lateral ends of the flow-blocking member.

15. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the partitioning plate and/or the baffle comprises a pair of partitioning plates and/or a pair of baffles that are respectively disposed at positions facing each other.

16. A glass forming apparatus comprising: a forming body configured to down molten glass to shape the molten glass into a glass ribbon; a pair of walls respectively spaced away from and facing one side and the other side of the glass ribbon; a pair of rollers disposed below the pair of walls, the rollers configured to nip and pull down the glass ribbon; and a cooling mechanism configured to cool the inward surfaces of bearing members that rotatably hold end portions of the pair of rollers to cause volatiles from the molten glass to condense at the inward surfaces.

17. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pair of rollers are configured to nip the glass ribbon across the entire width of the glass ribbon, and the cooling mechanism is configured to cool each of the bearing members that hold one end portions and the other end portions of the pair of rollers.

18. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the cooling mechanism comprises a coolant path through which a coolant flows in the vicinity of the inward surfaces of the bearing members.

19. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 16, further comprising, between the pair of walls and the pair of rollers: a partitioning plate configured to partially partition a space below a space between the pair of walls into upper and lower parts, and a baffle configured to partially block a space below the partitioning plate to separate the part of the space into upper and lower parts.

20. The glass forming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the partitioning plate and/or the baffle comprises a pair of partitioning plates and/or a pair of baffles that are respectively disposed at positions facing each other.