Glass cutting method

Abstract

This invention provides a method of cutting a glass substrate to form a plurality of flat panel displays. The method includes forming a scribe line or a line of weakness on a surface of a mother material; treating the mother material with chemical to further weaken the mother material; and cutting the mother material. The scribe line may be formed using a masking technique. The mother material may be treated with chemical by putting the mother material into a chemical solution. Alternatively, the chemical may be sprayed, blown, or exposed to the mother material. The cutting of the mother material may be done by applying mechanical and/or thermal stress along the scribe line.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for cutting glass, the method comprising: 
 forming a scribe line on a glass surface; and    treating the glass surface with a chemical to weaken the glass surface along the scribe line.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including: 
 separating the glass surface along the scribe line.    
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including: 
 masking along the glass surface to form the scribe line.    
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , where the masking includes a screen printing method.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , where the masking includes an aminated film processing method.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 3 , where the masking includes a resist applied photolithographic method.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 3 , where the scribe line defines a cutting pattern.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , where the treating includes applying the chemical to the glass surface.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including providing the chemical in a solution form and where the treating includes immersing the glass surface into the chemical solution.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further including: 
 generating bubbles within the chemical solution.    
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further including: 
 generating a jet stream within the chemical solution.    
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , further including: 
 moving the chemical solution along the glass surface to cause the chemical solution to flow into the scribe line along the glass surface.    
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including providing the chemical in a solution form and where the treating includes spraying the chemical solution onto the glass surface.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including providing the chemical in a solution form and where the treating includes blowing vapor of the chemical solution onto the glass surface.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including providing the chemical in a solution form and where the treating includes exposing the chemical solution onto the glass surface.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including: 
 cutting the glass surface along the scribe line.    
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , where the cutting includes applying mechanical stress to the scribe line.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , where the glass surface has first side with the scribe line and a second side that is opposite of the first side, and where the applying mechanical stress includes applying pressure to at least one of the sides of the glass surface.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , where the cutting includes applying thermal stress to the scribe line.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , where the applying thermal stress includes applying laser light to the scribe line and cooling the glass surface along the scribe line.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 16 , where the scribe line defines at least two portions of the glass surface, and where the cutting includes applying tension along the scribe line to pull away the at least two portions away from each other.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , where the portion of the glass surface forms a flat panel display.  
     
     
         23 . A method of forming a plat panel display, the method comprising: 
 masking a scribe line on a surface of a mother material;    treating the scribe line with chemical to weaken the mother material along the scribe line; and    cutting along the scribe line.    
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , where the treating includes agitating the chemical along the mother material.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , where the cutting includes applying mechanical stress on the scribe line.  
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 23 , where the cutting includes applying thermal stress on the scribe line.  
     
     
         27 . A method of forming a plurality of flat panel displays, the method comprising: 
 masking a plurality of scribe lines on a surface of a mother material defining a plurality of portions;    treating the plurality of scribe lines with chemical to weaken the mother material along the plurality of scribe lines; and    cutting along the plurality of scribe lines to form the plurality of portions each defining a flat panel display.    
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , where the treating includes agitating the chemical along the mother material.  
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 27 , where the cutting includes applying mechanical stress on the scribe line.  
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 27 , where the cutting includes applying thermal stress on the scribe line.