Apparatus and method for bending glass using microwaves

Abstract

5 An apparatus and method for bending glass substrate(s) are provided. Microwave radiation is used to heat glass substrate(s) for bending. As a result, a coating supported by the substrate(s) is not heated as much during the bending process compared to if only conventional IR radiation was used. Thus, more extreme degrees of glass bending may be achieved, and/or the likelihood of coating damage reduced.

1 . An apparatus for bending coated glass, the apparatus comprising: 
 at least one source for directing microwave radiation toward a glass substrate in order to heat the glass substrate for bending, wherein a coating supported by the glass substrate comprises at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer comprising silver (Ag) sandwiched between at least a pair of dielectric layers; and    means for bending the heated glass substrate and the coating thereon so that a smallest radius of curvature defined by a major surface of the resulting bent glass substrate is no greater than about 3,000 mm.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the glass substrate is bent so that the smallest radius of curvature defined by the bent glass substrate is no greater than about 2,000 mm.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the glass substrate is bent so that the smallest radius of curvature defined by the bent glass substrate is no greater than about 1,000 mm.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the microwave radiation comprises wavelength(s) within a range of from about 6 to 10 mm.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the microwave radiation consists essentially of wavelength(s) within a range of from about 6 to 10 mm.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises first and second IR reflecting layers each comprising Ag, and at least one dielectric layer provided between the first and second IR reflecting layers.  
   
   
       7 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an IR radiation source for pre-heating at least one of the glass substrates to about 400 to 550 degrees C., and thereafter using the microwave energy to increase the temperature of the glass substrate(s) to bending temperature(s).  
   
   
       20 . (canceled)