Method of shaping a glass sheet and glass shaping line utilized therein

Abstract

A method of shaping a glass sheet includes providing a glass sheet. Also, a bending station is provided. The bending station includes a first bending tool. The first bending tool has a shaping surface for receiving the glass sheet. The glass sheet is conveyed on a plurality of rollers to a location above the first bending tool. At least a portion of the glass sheet is supported above the first bending tool by delivering a flow of fluid to a major surface of the glass sheet. The glass sheet is deposited on the shaping surface of the first bending tool.

1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of shaping a glass sheet, comprising:
 providing a glass sheet;   providing a bending station comprising a first bending tool, the first bending tool having a shaping surface for receiving the glass sheet;   conveying the glass sheet on a plurality of rollers to a location above the first bending tool;   supporting at least a portion of the glass sheet above the first bending tool by delivering a flow of fluid to a major surface of the glass sheet; and   depositing the glass sheet on the shaping surface of the first bending tool.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising moving the plurality of rollers in a direction toward the first bending tool prior to depositing the glass sheet on the first bending tool. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising supporting the glass sheet on the shaping surface of the first bending tool. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising conveying the glass sheet on the plurality of rollers at a height and wherein the flow of fluid delivered to the major surface of the glass sheet raises the glass sheet above the height. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising discharging the flow of fluid from a fluid pad assembly. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising adjusting the position of the glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool prior to depositing the glass sheet on the shaping surface of the first bending tool. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising adjusting the position of the glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool after depositing the glass sheet on the shaping surface of the first bending tool. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising moving the first bending tool in a direction toward the plurality of rollers prior to depositing the glass sheet on the first bending tool and/or wherein the flow of fluid comprises air and/or wherein the flow of fluid delivered to the major surface of the glass sheet is terminated before or after the glass sheet is deposited on the shaping surface of the first bending tool. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising heating the flow of fluid before discharging the flow of fluid from the fluid pad assembly. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the flow of fluid delivered to the major surface of the glass sheet is terminated after the position of the glass sheet has been adjusted. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the flow of fluid is received by the fluid pad assembly at a first pressure and is at a second pressure within the one or more fluid pads, wherein the first pressure of the flow of fluid is greater than the second pressure of the flow of fluid. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the one or more fluid pads are spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
         39 . A glass shaping line, comprising:
 a bending station comprising a first bending tool, the first bending tool having a shaping surface for receiving a glass sheet;   a plurality of rollers for conveying the glass sheet to a location above the first bending tool; and   a fluid pad assembly comprising one or more fluid pads, each fluid pad configured to deliver a flow of fluid to a major surface of the glass sheet for supporting at least a portion of the glass sheet above the first bending tool.   
     
     
         40 . The glass shaping line of  claim 39 , wherein at least one fluid pad of the one or more fluid pads comprises an fluid inlet for receiving the flow of fluid from a source of fluid and an fluid outlet for discharging the flow of fluid from the fluid pad, wherein a chamber is provided between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         41 . The glass shaping line of  claim 39 , further comprising a centering device, the centering device comprising a first positioner disposed about a peripheral edge of the first bending tool, the first positioner configured to position the glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool before the glass sheet is deposited on the shaping surface of the first bending tool. 
     
     
         42 . The glass shaping line of  claim 39 , further comprising one or more controllers, the one or more controllers being in communication with one or more valves to provide a signal to the one or more valves to regulate the flow of fluid from one or more sources of fluid to the fluid pad assembly. 
     
     
         43 . The glass shaping line of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one fluid pad further comprises a heating element positioned within the chamber and/or wherein the fluid outlet comprises one or more openings which are formed in a cover member. 
     
     
         44 . The glass shaping line of  claim 40 , further comprising a diffuser plate provided in a spaced apart relationship with the fluid inlet, the diffuser plate receiving the flow of fluid from the fluid inlet and distributing the flow of fluid laterally within the fluid pad. 
     
     
         45 . The glass shaping line of  claim 42 , further comprising a centering device for regulating the position of the glass sheet, wherein the one or more controllers are in communication with the centering device to provide a signal to the centering device to regulate positioning of the glass sheet, wherein the at least a portion of the glass sheet is supported above the first bending tool by the flow of fluid when the centering device regulates positioning of the glass sheet. 
     
     
         46 . The glass shaping line of  claim 43 , wherein the heating element is further positioned between a diffuser plate and the fluid outlet.