US 12,459,851 B2
Method of shaping a glass sheet and glass shaping line utilized therein
Robert J. Boisselle, Maumee, OH (US); and John Stephan Tomik, Lasalle, MI (US)
Assigned to Pilkington Group Limited, Lathom (GB)
Filed by PILKINGTON GROUP LIMITED, Lathom (GB)
Filed on Jul. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/221,579.
Application 18/221,579 is a continuation of application No. 16/348,193, abandoned, previously published as PCT/GB2017/053414, filed on Nov. 13, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/421,041, filed on Nov. 11, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0357068 A1, Nov. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. C03B 23/03 (2006.01); C03B 23/035 (2006.01); C03B 35/16 (2006.01); C03B 35/24 (2006.01)
CPC C03B 23/0302 (2013.01) [C03B 23/035 (2013.01); C03B 23/0357 (2013.01); C03B 35/16 (2013.01); C03B 35/243 (2013.01); C03B 2225/02 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of shaping a glass sheet, comprising:
providing a glass sheet having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge extending between the first and second major surfaces;
providing a glass shaping line comprising a preheating furnace followed by a bending station, the bending station comprising a centering device and a first bending tool, wherein the first bending tool is a ring-type mold having a shaping surface for receiving the glass sheet;
conveying the glass sheet on a plurality of rollers through the preheating furnace to a location in the bending station wherein the glass sheet is directly above one or more of the plurality of rollers and wherein the entire glass sheet is directly above the first bending tool;
thereafter, in the bending station:
(i) supporting at least a portion of the glass sheet above the first bending tool by delivering a flow of fluid to the first major surface of the glass sheet;
(ii) depositing the glass sheet on the shaping surface of the first bending tool; and
(iii) contacting the edge of the glass sheet with the centering device to adjust the position of the glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool while at least a portion of the glass sheet is supported by the flow of fluid.