Importance

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Abstract

A conveyor roll (20,21,20') for conveying heated glass sheets on a horizontal roller conveyor of a glass sheet processing system is disclosed as including a shaft (42,70,42) having a support (44,72,80) of aromatic polyamide fibers for engaging the conveyed glass sheets. Kevlar fibers are preferably utilized for the support (44,72,80) so as to have the requisite thermal stability and resistance to cutting by broken glass. One embodiment of the roll (20) has a helically wrapped support (44) comprising braided Kevlar rope or an outer Kevlar sleeve (64) and a central core (62) which may be longitudinally extending metallic or glass fiber strands (66) or a helical spring (68). Another embodiment of the conveyor roll (21) includes a ceramic roll shaft (70) of fused silica extending through an outer sleeve (72) of Kevlar fibers. A further embodiment of the conveyor roll (20') includes a support (80) having annular conveying discs (82) made of Kevlar fibers and spaced along the length of the shaft (42). In each roll embodiment (20,21,20') the associated Kevlar support (44,72,80) preferably has an outer surface (46,74,86) of the same diameter as drive surfaces (56) on end members (52) of the shaft.

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First Claim