Importance

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Abstract

An improved method and apparatus (12) for deep bending glass sheets disclosed provides minimal sliding of the glass sheet with respect to a curved bending mold (44) utilized, insures accurate positioning of the glass sheet on the mold for bending to the desired shape, and permits relatively abrupt end bends to be performed. A heated glass sheet (G) is initially supported against a downwardly facing surface (26) of a holder (24) above the curved bending mold (44) which has an upwardly concave shape. An upward gas flow (49) from a gas supply unit (48) at a central portion (50) of the glass sheet (G) is supplied and continued as opposite extremities (52) of the glass sheet are released and dropped downwardly onto the mold. Thereafter, termination of the upward gas flow (49) from the gas supply unit (48) releases the central portion (50) of the glass sheet (G) for bending on the mold (44). After the bending, a mold is moved to a quench unit (22) for tempering of the bent glass sheet. This method and apparatus have particular utility with: a roller conveyor (18) on which heating is performed within a heating chamber (16); a holder (24) located within the heating chamber and having a downwardly facing surface (26) of a planar shape at which a vacuum is drawn to initially support the entire glass sheet (G) and thereafter assist the upward gas flow in supporting the central portion (50) thereof; a curved bending mold (44) of an open center ring type; and gas jet pumps (64) for supplying the upward gas flow.

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First Claim