Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus and a method disclosed for use in bending heated sheets of glass (G) transported generally horizontally on a conveyor (16) within a furnace heating chamber incorporate a holder (20) located above the conveyor in a spaced relationship such that a heated sheet of glass can be transported under the holder. Gas such as air is blown upwardly from below the conveyor against the heated sheet of glass such that the sheet is moved upwardly into engagement with the holder. The upwardly blown gas is provided by an array of gas jet pumps (60) positioned below the conveyor. A mold ring (44) is then movable under the holder to receive the glass sheet for bending. Holder (20) is disclosed as including curved and planar surfaces and as including curved and planar rings. A vacuum may be drawn with the holder embodiments having the surfaces so as to assist the upwardly blown gas in lifting the sheet of glass off the conveyor. Vertical movement of the holder facilitates the lifting and also enables the curved surface and curved ring embodiments of the holder to bend the lifted glass sheet between the holder and the mold ring. Gravity bending on the mold ring forms the glass on the planar surface and planar ring embodiments of the holder and can also be used with the curved surface and ring embodiments of the holder. Movement of the mold ring to a quench station after the bending tempers the glass.

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First Claim