Method and apparatus for manufacturing glass ribbons

Abstract

A glass manufacturing apparatus includes a first roller extending along a first axis and providing a first transfer belt to a first main surface of a glass strip. The apparatus also includes a second roller extending along a second axis and providing a second transfer belt to the first main surface of the glass strip. A support device extends along a support axis and is attached to both the first and second rollers. The support device rotates about the support axis between a first positioning and a second positioning. A transfer device moves toward the support device. The transfer device biases the first transfer belt to contact the second transfer belt, such that the first transfer belt attaches to the second transfer belt. The transfer device can separate the first transfer belt at a separation position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This case claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 186,438, filed May 10, 2021, in accordance with the Patent Act, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This case generally relates to a method for manufacturing glass ribbons, and more specifically to a method for manufacturing glass ribbons using glass manufacturing equipment including a drive device. Background Technology

[0003] It is currently known to use glass manufacturing equipment to produce glass ribbons from molten material. A transfer belt can be provided to the main surface of the glass ribbon to protect it from damage. When the supply of transfer belts becomes insufficient, replacement transfer belts can be provided. However, providing replacement transfer belts can be time-consuming. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The following is a brief overview of the case to provide a general understanding of some of the implementations described in the detailed description.

[0005] In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus may include a first roller and a second roller attachable to a support device. The first roller may include a first transfer belt, and the second roller may include a second transfer belt. The first and second transfer belts may include, for example, a protective coating that can be applied to the main surface of the glass ribbon to protect it from damage. In some embodiments, the first roller may be rotated, which may cause the first transfer belt to be bypassed from the first roller, allowing the first transfer belt to be continuously conveyed to the first main surface of the glass ribbon. When the supply of the first transfer belt decreases, the support device may be rotated, which may cause the first transfer belt to be attached to the second transfer belt. The second roller may then be rotated, which may cause the second transfer belt to be bypassed from the second roller, allowing the second transfer belt to be continuously conveyed to the first main surface. When the second transfer belt has been conveyed to the first main surface, the first roller may be removed from the support device and replaced by a roller including a fully supplied transfer belt. In this way, transfer belts (e.g., first transfer belt, second transfer belt, different transfer belts, etc.) can be continuously supplied to the first main surface of the glass ribbon without interruption. Furthermore, the application of the transfer bands on the first and second main surfaces can be matched to reduce the separation distance, which will separate the transition between the two transfer bands on the first main surface and the transition between the two transfer bands on the second main surface.

[0006] According to some embodiments, a glass manufacturing apparatus may include a first roller extending along a first axis. The first roller can provide a first transfer belt to a first main surface of a glass strip. The glass manufacturing apparatus may include a second roller extending along a second axis. The second roller can provide a second transfer belt to the first main surface of a glass strip. The glass manufacturing apparatus may include a support device extending along a support axis parallel to the first and second axes and attached to the first and second rollers. The support device may rotate about the support axis between a first positioning and a second positioning, in which the first roller is in a first position and the second roller is in a second position, and in the second positioning, the first roller is in the second position and the second roller is in the first position. The glass manufacturing apparatus may include a transfer device movable in a direction toward the support device. When the first roller is in the second position, the transfer device may deflect the first transfer belt to contact the second transfer belt. The first transfer belt may attach to the second transfer belt at an attachment position. The transfer device may separate the first transfer belt at a separation position.

[0007] In some embodiments, the transfer device may include a transfer roller extending along a transfer roller axis parallel to the support axis.

[0008] In some embodiments, the transfer device may include a separation device that separates the first transfer belt at a separation location.

[0009] In some implementations, a gap exists between the transfer device and the second roller when the transfer device deflects the first transfer belt to contact the second transfer belt.

[0010] In some embodiments, the support roller is coupled to a support device, and when the first roller is in the second position, the transfer belt travel path extends around the support roller from the first roller to the second roller.

[0011] In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus may further include a third roller extending along a third axis and configured to provide a third transfer belt to a second main surface of the glass strip. The glass manufacturing apparatus may include a fourth roller extending along a fourth axis and configured to provide a fourth transfer belt to the second main surface of the glass strip. The glass manufacturing apparatus may include a second support device extending along a second support axis parallel to the third and fourth axes. The second support device may be coupled to the third and fourth rollers. The second support device may rotate about the second support axis between a first positioning and a second positioning, wherein at the first positioning, the third roller may be in a third position and the fourth roller may be in a fourth position, and at the second positioning, the third roller may be in the fourth position and the fourth roller may be in the third position. The glass manufacturing apparatus may include a second transfer device movable in a direction toward the second support device. The second transfer device may deflect the third transfer belt to contact the fourth transfer belt, such that the third transfer belt may be attached to a second end of the fourth transfer belt. The third and fourth transfer belts may travel along a second conveying path to the second main surface. The glass manufacturing equipment may include a control device that determines a first path length of a first conveying path along which a first transfer belt and a second transfer belt travel to a first main surface, and a second path length of a second conveying path. When the second path length of the second conveying path is approximately equal to the distance along the first conveying path between the attachment point of the second transfer belt and the first main surface, the control device may control the second transfer device to deflect a third transfer belt to contact a fourth transfer belt.

[0012] In some implementations, the length of the first path may be greater than the length of the second path.

[0013] According to some embodiments, a glass manufacturing apparatus may include a first roller extending along a first axis and configured to provide a first transfer belt to a first main surface of a glass strip. The glass manufacturing apparatus may include a second roller extending along a second axis and configured to provide a second transfer belt to the first main surface of the glass strip. The glass manufacturing apparatus may include a transfer device configured to move in a direction toward the second roller. The transfer device may bias the first transfer belt to contact the second transfer belt, such that the first transfer belt can be attached to a first end of the second transfer belt. The first and second transfer belts may travel along a first conveying path to the first main surface. The glass manufacturing apparatus may include a third roller extending along a third axis and configured to provide a third transfer belt to a second main surface of the glass strip. The glass manufacturing apparatus may include a fourth roller extending along a fourth axis and configured to provide a fourth transfer belt to the second main surface of the glass strip. The glass manufacturing apparatus may include a second transfer device configured to move in a direction toward the fourth roller. The second transfer device may bias the third transfer belt to contact the fourth transfer belt, such that the third transfer belt can be attached to a second end of the fourth transfer belt. The third and fourth transfer belts can travel along the second conveying path to the second main surface. The glass manufacturing equipment may include a control device that determines a first path length of the first conveying path and a second path length of the second conveying path. When the second path length of the second conveying path is approximately equal to the distance along the first conveying path between the first end of the second transfer belt and the first main surface, the control device can control the second transfer device to deflect the third transfer belt to contact the fourth transfer belt.

[0014] In some implementations, the length of the first path may be greater than the length of the second path.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first speed of the second transfer belt along the first transport path may be approximately equal to the second speed of the fourth transfer belt along the second transport path.

[0016] In some embodiments, the control device can control the transfer device to deflect the first transfer belt to contact the second transfer belt, such that the attachment of the first transfer belt to the first end of the second transfer belt can occur before the third transfer belt is attached to the second end of the fourth transfer belt.

[0017] In some implementations, the first end of the second transfer belt can reach the first main surface, and the second end of the fourth transfer belt can reach the second main surface substantially simultaneously.

[0018] According to some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a glass ribbon may include moving the glass ribbon along a travel path in a travel direction. The method may include rotating a first roller to provide a first transfer belt from the first roller to a first main surface of the glass ribbon. The method may include rotating a third roller to provide a third transfer belt from the third roller to a second main surface of the glass ribbon. The method may include biasing the first transfer belt to contact a second transfer belt wound on a second roller to attach the first transfer belt to a first end of the second transfer belt. The method may include rotating the second roller to provide the second transfer belt from the second roller to the first main surface of the glass ribbon. The method may include determining a first path length of a first conveying path and a second path length of a second conveying path, along which the first transfer belt travels from the first roller to the first main surface, and along the second conveying path from the third roller to the second main surface. The method may include biasing the third transfer belt to contact a fourth transfer belt wound on a fourth roller when the second path length is equal to the distance along the first conveying path between the first end of the second transfer belt and the first main surface, to attach the third transfer belt to a second end of the fourth transfer belt. The method may include rotating the fourth roller to provide the fourth transfer belt from the fourth roller to the second main surface of the glass belt, such that within a predetermined time period, the first end of the second transfer belt reaches the first main surface, and the second end of the fourth transfer belt reaches the second main surface.

[0019] In some implementations, the predetermined time period can range from approximately 0 seconds to approximately 1 second.

[0020] In some implementations, the length of the first path may be greater than the length of the second path.

[0021] In some implementations, the biasing of the first transfer band to contact the second transfer band can occur before the biasing of the third transfer band to contact the fourth transfer band.

[0022] In some embodiments, biasing the first transfer belt may include moving the transfer device from a first transfer position spaced a first distance from the second roller to a second transfer position spaced a second distance from the second roller, the second distance being less than the first distance, such that the first transfer belt can contact the transfer device on one side and the second transfer belt on the opposite side.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method may include providing adhesive to the first end of the second transfer tape, such that the second transfer tape can adhere to the first transfer tape.

[0024] In some embodiments, the method may include a support device that rotates to support a first roller and a second roller, such that the first roller can be rotated from a first position to a second position and the second roller can be rotated from the second position to the first position. The support device may rotate before biasing the first transfer belt to contact the second transfer belt.

[0025] In some implementations, the method may include guiding a first transfer belt around a support roller connected to the support device after the support device has rotated.

[0026] Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be set forth in the following detailed description, and will be apparent in part to those skilled in the art from the description, or will be understood by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the following detailed description, claims, and drawings. It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description both set forth embodiments to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and features of the embodiments disclosed herein. The drawings are provided to offer a further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate different embodiments of this invention and, together with the description, explain their principles and operation. Attached Figure Description

[0027] These and other features, implementation methods, and advantages will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028] Figure 1 An example embodiment of a glass manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiments of this case is illustrated schematically;

[0029] Figure 2 A perspective view of the supply equipment of a glass manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 3 It shows along Figure 2 Line 3-3 shows a cross-sectional view of the supply equipment according to the embodiment of this case, wherein the support equipment is located in the first position;

[0031] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the support device is located in the second position;

[0032] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a supply device having a first transfer belt attached to a second transfer belt, according to an embodiment of this invention, is shown.

[0033] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the supply device after separation of the first transfer belt, according to an embodiment of this case, is shown;

[0034] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a second transfer belt is conveyed to the first main surface of the glass belt;

[0035] Figure 8 A side view of a roller with adhesive according to an embodiment of this invention is shown;

[0036] Figure 9 A side view of a roller with an uncovered portion having an adhesive surface, according to an embodiment of this invention, is shown.

[0037] Figure 10 A side view of a roller according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the uncovered portion is attached to a transfer belt;

[0038] Figure 11 A side view of a roller having a transfer belt that separates from the adhesive, according to an embodiment of this invention, is shown;

[0039] Figure 12 A side view of the roller attached to the support device according to an embodiment of this invention is shown.

[0040] Figure 13 An embodiment of the present invention is shown, including a support device and a second support device, similar to those described above. Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of the supply equipment;

[0041] Figure 14 A cross-sectional view of a supply device including a support device and a second support device according to an embodiment of this invention is shown;

[0042] Figure 15 A side view of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a support device is located in a first position and a second support device is located in the first position;

[0043] Figure 16 A side view of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the support device is located in a second position and the second support device is located in a first position;

[0044] Figure 17 A side view of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the support device is located in a second position and the second support device is located in a second position;

[0045] Figure 18 A side view of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the support device is located in a second position and the second support device is located in a second position; and

[0046] Figure 19A side view of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a support device is located in a second position and a second support device is located in a second position. Detailed Implementation

[0047] The embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating the exemplary embodiments. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. However, this invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0048] As used in this case, the term “about” refers to quantities, dimensions, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics that are not and need not be precise, but may be approximate, and / or larger or smaller as required, reflecting tolerances, conversion rates, rounding, measurement errors, and other factors known to those skilled in the art.

[0049] In this context, a range may be expressed as from “about” one value and / or to “about” another value. When expressing such a range, the implementation includes moving from one value to another. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximation using the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the value forms another implementation. It will also be understood that each endpoint of the range is significant relative to and independent of the other endpoint.

[0050] The directional terms used in this article—such as up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, etc.—are for reference only and do not imply absolute directions.

[0051] Unless otherwise expressly stated, no method described in this case should be interpreted as requiring its steps to be performed in a specific order, nor should it require a specific orientation in the case of any device. Therefore, if a method claim does not actually describe the order in which its steps are to be followed, or any device claim does not actually describe the order or orientation of individual components, or unless the claims or description specifically state that the steps are subject to a particular order, or a specific order or orientation of the device's components is not described, then never infer any order or orientation. This applies to any possible non-expressive basis of interpretation, including: logical questions concerning the arrangement of steps, the flow of operations, the order of components, or the orientation of components; or simple meanings derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; and the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0052] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, the reference to a component “a” thus includes aspects having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0053] The terms “exemplary,” “example,” or their various forms are used herein to indicate that something serves as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” or “example” should not be construed as superior to or better than any other aspect or design. Furthermore, examples are provided solely for clarity and understanding and are not intended to limit or restrict the disclosed inventive objectives or relevant parts of the application in any way. It is understood that numerous additional or alternative examples of varying scope have been presented, but have been omitted for simplicity.

[0054] As used in this case, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “contains” and “includes” and their variations shall be interpreted as synonymous and open-ended. Transitional terms that contain or include the enumeration of elements following them are non-exclusive enumerations, allowing for the existence of elements other than those specifically listed therein.

[0055] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "substantially," and their variations are used to indicate that a described feature is equal to or approximately equal to a certain value or description. For example, a "generally flat" surface is used to indicate a flat or nearly flat surface. Furthermore, "substantially similar" is intended to indicate that two values ​​are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially similar" may mean values ​​that are within approximately 10% of each other, such as within approximately 5% or approximately 2%.

[0056] Modifications may be made to this application without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed invention. Unless otherwise stated, terms such as "first," "second," etc., are not used to imply temporal, spatial, or sequential aspects. Rather, these terms are used only as identifiers or names of features, elements, items, etc. For example, the first end and the second end typically correspond to end A and end B, or two different or two identical ends, or the same end.

[0057] This application relates to glass manufacturing equipment and methods for manufacturing glass ribbons. For the purposes of this application, "glass ribbon" can be considered as one or more of the following: a glass ribbon in a viscous state, a glass ribbon in an elastic state (e.g., at room temperature), and / or a glass ribbon in a viscoelastic state between a viscous and an elastic state. Methods and equipment for manufacturing glass ribbons will now be described by way of exemplary embodiments. For the purposes of this application, in some embodiments, the glass manufacturing equipment may include glass forming equipment that forms glass articles (e.g., glass ribbons) from a quantity of molten material. In some embodiments, the glass ribbons can be used in a variety of display applications, including but not limited to liquid crystal displays (LCDs), electrophoretic displays (EPDs), organic light-emitting diode displays (OLEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), touch sensors, photoelectric panels, foldable mobile phones, etc.

[0058] like Figure 1 As schematically illustrated, in some embodiments, the exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a forming device 101 configured to form a glass ribbon 103. In some embodiments, the forming device 101 may include a slot drawing device, a floatation device, a down-drawing device, an up-drawing device, a rolling device, or any other glass forming device for forming a glass ribbon. In some embodiments, the forming device 101 may include a delivery conduit through which the glass ribbon 103 exits the forming device 101. In some embodiments, the delivery conduit may be oriented along the direction of gravity such that the glass ribbon 103 can flow downward along the direction of gravity through the delivery conduit and be conveyed along a travel path 105 in a travel direction 107. In some embodiments, the glass ribbon 103 may move in a substantially perpendicular direction along the travel path 105 such that the glass ribbon 103 moves in the travel direction 107 under the influence of gravity.

[0059] The glass strip 103 includes a first main surface 111 and a second main surface 113, which face opposite directions and define the thickness "T" (e.g., average thickness) of the glass strip 103. In some embodiments, the thickness "T" of the glass strip 103 may be less than or equal to about 2 millimeters (mm), less than or equal to about 1 millimeter, less than or equal to about 0.5 millimeters, for example, less than or equal to about 300 micrometers (μm), less than or equal to about 200 micrometers, or less than or equal to about 100 micrometers, although other thicknesses may be provided in further embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the thickness “T” of the glass strip 103 may be in the range of about 20 micrometers to about 200 micrometers, in the range of about 50 micrometers to about 750 micrometers, in the range of about 100 micrometers to about 700 micrometers, in the range of about 200 micrometers to about 600 micrometers, in the range of about 300 micrometers to about 500 micrometers, in the range of about 50 micrometers to about 500 micrometers, in the range of about 50 micrometers to about 500 micrometers, in the range of about 50 micrometers to about 700 micrometers, in the range of about 50 micrometers to about 600 micrometers, in the range of about 50 micrometers to about 500 micrometers, in the range of about 50 micrometers to about 400 micrometers, in the range of about 50 micrometers to about 300 micrometers, in the range of about 50 micrometers to about 200 micrometers, in the range of about 50 micrometers to about 100 micrometers, in the range of about 25 micrometers to about 125 micrometers, including all thickness ranges and sub-ranges therein. In addition, the glass strip 103 may contain a variety of components, such as borosilicate glass, aluminum borosilicate glass, alkali-containing glass, or alkali-free glass, alkali metal aluminum silicate glass, alkaline earth metal aluminum silicate glass, soda lime glass, etc.

[0060] In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include one or more supply devices for supplying transfer belts to one of the main surfaces 111, 113 of the glass belt 103. For example, in some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a first supply device 121 and a second supply device 123. The first supply device 121 and the second supply device 123 may be located on one side of the travel path 105. For example, the first main surface 111 may face the first side 125, and the second main surface 113 may face the second side 127. Therefore, in some embodiments, the first supply device 121 and the second supply device 123 may be located on the second side 127 of the travel path 105. By positioning the supply devices 121, 123 on the same side (e.g., the second side 127) and adjacent to each other, an operator can simultaneously access one or both of the supply devices 121, 123 for maintenance and / or replenishment of the transfer belt.

[0061] The first supply device 121 supplies a first transfer belt 135 to a first main surface 111 of the glass ribbon 103, and the second supply device 123 supplies a second transfer belt 137 to a second main surface 113 of the glass ribbon 103. In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include one or more guide rollers 131 for guiding the transfer belts from the first supply device 121 and the second supply device 123. For example, a first set of guide rollers 131 may be arranged to guide the first transfer belt 135 from the first supply device 121 to the first main surface 111, and a second set of guide rollers 131 may be arranged to guide the second transfer belt 137 from the second supply device 123 to the second main surface 113. In some embodiments, one or more of the guide rollers 131 may be movable to adjust the tension of the respective transfer belts. In some embodiments, the transfer belts may include a protective film coating, such as a plastic film, which can protect the main surface of the glass ribbon 103 from damage.

[0062] Reference Figure 2-3 The diagram illustrates an embodiment of the first supply device 121. The structure and operation of the second supply device 121 can be substantially the same as those of the first supply device 123. Figure 2 A perspective view of the first supply device 121 is shown, while Figure 3 The first supply device 121 is shown along Figure 2The cross-sectional view is shown in line 3-3. In some embodiments, the first supply device 121 includes a first roller 201 extending along and rotatable about a first axis 203, a second roller 207 extending and rotatable about a second axis 209, and a support device 213 extending along a support axis 215. The support axis 215 may be parallel to the first axis 203 and the second axis 209, and the support device 213 may be attached to the first roller 201 and the second roller 207. For example, the support device 213 may include one or more support walls, such as a first support wall 219 and a second support wall 221. The first support wall 219 and the second support wall 221 are spaced apart along the support axis 215, and a gap exists between the first support wall 219 and the second support wall 221. The first roller 201 and the second roller 207 are located within the gap and extend between the first support wall 219 and the second support wall 221. In some embodiments, the first support wall 219 and the second support wall 221 may include generally matching shapes, such as circles, wherein the support axis 215 intersects the center of the first support wall 219 and the second support wall 221. The first support wall 219 and the second support wall 221 may include a generally rigid material resistant to deformation, such as a metallic material.

[0063] The first roller 201 extends along a first axis 203 between a first end 225 and a second end 227. In some embodiments, the first end 225 is coupled to a first support wall 219 and the second end 227 is coupled to a second support wall 221, such that the first roller 201 is rotatable about the first axis 203 in a rotational direction 223. Due to the rotation of the first roller 201 along the rotational direction 223, the first roller 201 is configured to provide a first transfer belt 135 to a first main surface 111 of the glass belt 103. For example, the first transfer belt 135 is wound around the first roller 201 such that rotation of the first roller 201 causes the first transfer belt 135 to unwind from the first roller 201, wherein the first transfer belt 135 is guided toward the first main surface 111 by a guide roller 131.

[0064] Similarly, the second roller 207 extends along the second axis 209 between the first end 231 and the second end 233. In some embodiments, the first end 231 is coupled to the first support wall 219 and the second end 233 is coupled to the second support wall 221, such that the second roller 207 is rotatable about the second axis 209 in the rotational direction 237. Due to the rotation of the second roller 207 in the rotational direction 237, the second roller 207 is configured to provide the second transfer belt 137 to the second main surface 113 of the glass belt 103. For example, the second transfer belt 137 is wound around the second roller 207 such that rotation of the second roller 207 causes the second transfer belt 137 to unwind from the second roller 207, wherein the second transfer belt 137 is guided toward the second main surface 113 by the guide roller 131. In some embodiments, the first axis 203 may be substantially parallel to the second axis 209, which are located on opposite sides of the support axis 215, such that an axis perpendicular to the first axis 203 and intersecting both the first axis 203 and the second axis 209 also intersects the support axis 215.

[0065] The glass manufacturing apparatus 100 also includes a motor 241, which is connected to one or both of a first support wall 219 or a second support wall 221. The motor 241 outputs rotational motion via a shaft that rotates a support device 213 about a support axis 215. For example, Figure 2 Motor 241 is shown attached to the first support wall 219 (e.g., the first roller 201 and the second roller 207 are attached to one side of the first support wall 219, and motor 241 is attached to the opposite side of the first support wall 219). Motor 241 outputs rotational motion, causing the first support wall 219 to rotate (e.g., along the direction of rotation 243). The first support wall 219, the second support wall 221, the first roller 201, and the second roller 207 thus rotate about the support axis 215 in the direction of rotation 243. In some embodiments, the support device 213 may be positioned in a first location about the support axis 215 (e.g., Figure 3 (as shown) and a second positioning (e.g., Figure 4 Rotating between (as shown in the diagram), wherein at the first positioning, the first roller 201 is located at the first position 307 and the second roller 207 is located at the second position 308, and at the second positioning, the first roller 201 is located at the second position 308 and the second roller 207 is located at the first position 307.

[0066] Reference Figure 3 The support device 213 can initially be located in a first position. When located in this first position, the first roller 201 is located in a first position 307, and the second roller 207 is located in a second position 308. The distance separating the first position 307 from the glass belt 103 can be less than the distance separating the second position 308 from the glass belt 103.

[0067] The glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may also include a transfer device 301. The transfer device 301 facilitates attaching a transfer belt to a second transfer belt and / or separating a transfer belt from a second transfer belt. For example, the transfer device 301 may include one or more transfer rollers, such as a first transfer roller 303 and a second transfer roller 305. The first transfer roller 303 may extend along a first transfer roller axis 309 that may be parallel to the support axis 215, and the second transfer roller 305 may extend along a second transfer roller axis 311 that may be parallel to the first transfer roller axis 309. The first transfer roller 303 and the second transfer roller 305 may include a generally circular cross-sectional shape, such as a cylindrical cross-sectional shape, and may extend along the first transfer roller axis 309 and the second transfer roller axis 311, respectively. In some embodiments, the first transfer roller 303 and the second transfer roller 305 may be spaced apart such that the first transfer roller 303 and the second transfer roller 305 are separated by a gap between them.

[0068] According to the implementation of this invention, the transfer device 301 can be located at a first transfer position (e.g., Figure 3-4 (as shown) and the second transfer location (e.g., Figure 5 The transfer device 301 moves between the rollers (as shown). In the first transfer position, the transfer device 301 is spaced a first distance from one of the rollers (e.g., the first roller 201 or the second roller 207) at the first position 307. For example, when the support device 213 is in the first position, the first roller 201 is in the first position 307, and the transfer device 301 is spaced from the first roller 201 by the first distance. When the support device 213 is in the second position, the second roller 207 is in the first position 307, and the transfer device 301 is spaced from the second roller 207 by the first distance. When the transfer device 301 is in the first transfer position, the transfer device 301 is spaced apart from the roller at the first position 307 along the transfer axis 313. When the first roller 201 is in the first position 307, the transfer axis 313 may be substantially perpendicular to the first axis 203, or when the second roller 207 is in the first position 307, the transfer axis 313 may be substantially perpendicular to the second axis 209. The transfer device 301 moves along the transfer axis 313 between a first transfer position and a second transfer position, wherein the transfer axis 313 intersects the first axis 203 (e.g., when the first roller 201 is in the first position 307) or the second axis 209 (e.g., when the second roller 207 is in the first position 307).

[0069] The glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may also include one or more support rollers. For example, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a first support roller 321 and a second support roller 323. The first support roller 321 and the second support roller 323 may be attached to a first support wall 219 and a second support wall 221, for example, by means of attachment to a first support wall 219 and a second support wall 221 (e.g., Figure 2(As shown) and attached to support device 213. A first support roller 321 extends along and is rotatable about a first support axis 327, and a second support roller 323 extends along and is rotatable about a third support axis 329. The first and third support axes 327 and 329 may be substantially parallel, wherein the first and third support axes 327 and 329 are substantially parallel to support axis 215. In some embodiments, the first and second support rollers 321 and 323 may be located on opposite sides of support axis 215 such that a transverse axis perpendicular to the first support axis 327 and intersecting the third support axis 329 intersects support axis 215. However, in some embodiments, the first and second support rollers 321 and 323 may be offset by approximately 90 degrees from the first roller 201 and second roller 207 about support axis 215. In some embodiments, the second support roller 323 may be offset by approximately 90 degrees from the first roller 201 and second roller 207 about support axis 215. In some embodiments, the first support roller 321 and the second support roller 323 may be attached near the outer radial position of the support device 213. For example, the first support roller 321 may be spaced apart from the support axis 215 by a first support distance 333, and the second support roller 323 may be spaced apart from the support axis 215 by a second support distance 335. In some embodiments, the first support distance 333 may be substantially equal to the second support distance 335. The first support distance 333 and the second support distance 335 may be substantially equal to the first support wall 219 (e.g., Figure 2 (as shown) or the radius of the second support wall 221.

[0070] In some embodiments, the support device 213 can rotate about the support axis 215 between the first positioning and the second positioning, wherein at the first positioning, the first roller 201 is located at a first position 307 and the second roller 207 is located at a second position 308, and at the second positioning, the first roller 201 is located at a second position 308 and the second roller 207 is located at a first position 307. The support device 213 can rotate about the support axis 215 in a rotation direction 341. For example, in some embodiments, the rotation direction 341 can be clockwise or counterclockwise, but in… Figure 3-4 In this configuration, the rotation direction 341 is clockwise. Before the support device 213 rotates along the rotation direction 341, the first transfer belt 345 is supplied from the first roller 201 to the first main surface 111. For example, the first roller 201 rotates along the rotation direction 347, causing the first transfer belt 345 to detour around the first roller 201. In some embodiments, the rotation direction 347 can be clockwise or counterclockwise, but in… Figure 3In this configuration, the rotation direction 341 is counterclockwise. The first transfer belt 345 can initially be wound around the first roller 201, and as the first roller 201 rotates in the rotation direction 347, the first transfer belt 345 is unwound from the first roller 201 and guided towards the first main surface 111 by the guide roller 131 in the movement direction 346. As the supply of the first transfer belt 345 on the first roller 201 decreases and nears depletion, a second transfer belt 349 on the second roller 207 can be supplied to the first main surface 111 before the supply of the first transfer belt 345 is exhausted. For example, it may be advantageous to transition from supplying the first transfer belt 345 to supplying the second transfer belt 349 to the first main surface 111 without stopping production and without allowing gaps to appear on the first main surface 111 where no transfer belt is supplied. Therefore, by continuously supplying the first transfer belt 345 and the second transfer belt 349 to the first main surface 111 without any gap between the first transfer belt 345 and the second transfer belt 349, the benefit of improved cycle time can be obtained.

[0071] A method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 103 may include initially positioning a first roller 201 at a first position 307 relative to a travel path 105 and positioning a second roller 207 at a second position 308 when the support device 213 is in a first positioning. In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 103 may include rotating the first roller 201 to provide a first transfer belt 345 from the first roller 201 onto a first main surface 111 of the glass ribbon 103 by rotating the first roller 201 at a certain speed, which causes the first transfer belt 345 to move at a first speed. This first speed may be approximately equal to a travel speed of the glass ribbon 103 along the travel path 105, thereby avoiding errors in providing the first transfer belt 345 onto the first main surface 111. For example, if the first speed is faster or slower than the travel speed, the first transfer belt 345 may not be smoothly provided onto the first main surface 111.

[0072] Reference Figure 4After the support device 213 rotates from the first position along the rotation direction 341, the support device 213 is in the second position as illustrated. In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 103 may include rotating the support device 213 such that the first roller 201 is in the second position 308 and the second roller 207 is in the first position 307. When the first roller 201 is in the second position 308, the transfer belt travel path 401 extends from the first roller 201 to the second roller 207 around the first support roller 321. As the support device 213 rotates between the first position and the second position, the first support roller 321 may move relative to the support axis 215. As the first transfer belt 345 extends and moves from the first roller 201, the first support roller 321 contacts the first transfer belt 345. For example, the first transfer belt 345 may extend from the first roller 201 toward the first support roller 321 along the first belt axis 403. Therefore, the first transfer belt 345 contacts the first support roller 321, and the first support roller 321 reorients the first transfer belt 345 such that the first transfer belt 345 extends along the second belt axis 405 from the first support roller 321 toward the glass belt 103. In some embodiments, the first belt axis 403 may not be parallel to the second belt axis 405. Therefore, a method of manufacturing the glass belt 103 may include guiding the first transfer belt 345 around the first support roller 321 attached to the support device 213 after rotating the support device 213. The first transfer belt 345 may be guided by the first support roller 321 from moving along the first belt axis 403 to moving along the second belt axis 405.

[0073] The first support roller 321 can rotate at a speed substantially equal to the rotational speed of the first roller 201. By rotating the first support roller 321 at a speed substantially equal to the first speed, when the first transfer belt 345 contacts the first support roller 321, the speed difference between the first transfer belt 345 and the first support roller 321 can be substantially zero. Thus, when the first transfer belt 345 transitions from moving along the first belt axis 403 to moving along the second belt axis 405, the first support roller 321 neither accelerates nor decelerates the movement of the first transfer belt 345.

[0074] Reference Figure 5In some embodiments, the transfer device 301 can move from a first transfer position to a second transfer position in direction 501. In the first transfer position, the transfer device 301 is spaced apart from the first transfer belt 345 as the first transfer belt 345 moves along the second belt axis 405. In the second transfer position, the transfer device 301 contacts the first transfer belt 345 and provides a force to the first transfer belt 345 in direction 501. The transfer device 301 moves from the first transfer position to the second transfer position along the conveying axis 313 in direction 501 such that a distance between the separating transfer device 301 and the second roller 207 decreases as the transfer device 301 moves in direction 501. For example, the distance between the separating transfer device 301 and the second roller 207 is maximum when the transfer device 301 is in the first transfer position and minimum when the transfer device 301 is in the second transfer position.

[0075] A method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 103 may include deflecting a first transfer belt 345 to contact a second transfer belt 349. For example, deflecting the first transfer belt 345 may include moving the transfer device 301 from the second roller at a first distance 479 (e.g., ...). Figure 4 The first transfer positioning (shown as a first distance 479) is moved to a second distance 505 spaced apart from the second roller 207 (e.g., Figure 5A second transfer positioning (as shown) is used such that the first transfer belt 345 contacts the transfer device 301 on one side and the second transfer belt 349 on the opposite side. By biasing the first transfer belt 345, the transfer device 301 applies a force to the first transfer belt 345 and moves the first transfer belt 345 to contact the second transfer belt 349. The second distance 505 may be less than the first distance 479. In some embodiments, the second distance 505 may be approximately equal to the thickness of the first transfer belt 345, such that as the first transfer belt 345 moves from the second roller 207 toward the glass belt 103, the first transfer belt 345 can remain in contact with the transfer device 301 (e.g., on one surface of the first transfer belt 345) and the second transfer belt 349 (e.g., on the opposite surface of the first transfer belt 345). In some embodiments, a gap may exist between the transfer device 301 and the second roller 207 when the transfer device 301 biases the first transfer belt 345 to contact the second transfer belt 349. By deflecting the first transfer belt 345, the transfer device 301 can alter the travel path of the first transfer belt 345 from the first support roller 321. For example, when the transfer device 301 is in the first transfer position, the first transfer belt 345 travels from the first support roller 321 along the second belt axis 405. When the transfer device 301 is in the second transfer position, the first transfer belt 345 travels along the third belt axis 507 from the first support roller 321 toward the second roller 207. In some embodiments, the third belt axis 507 may not be parallel to the first belt axis 403 and the second belt axis 405. In some embodiments, the support device 213 may rotate (e.g., from the first position to the second position) before deflecting the first transfer belt 345 to contact the second transfer belt 349.

[0076] When the transfer device 301 deflects the first transfer belt 345 to contact the second transfer belt 349, the first transfer roller 303 can rotate at a speed substantially equal to the rotational speed of the first roller 201. For example, by rotating the first transfer roller 303 and the second transfer roller 305 at a speed substantially equal to the first speed of the first transfer belt 345, when the first transfer belt 345 contacts the first transfer roller 303 and the second transfer roller 305, the relative speed of the first transfer belt 345 with respect to the first transfer roller 303 and the second transfer roller 305 can be substantially zero. Therefore, when the first transfer belt 345 contacts the first transfer roller 303 and the second transfer roller 305, the first transfer roller 303 and the second transfer roller 305 cannot accelerate or decelerate the movement of the first transfer belt 345.

[0077] A method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 103 may include rotating the second roller 207 in a second rotation direction 511 at a rotational speed substantially equal to that of the first roller 201. The second rotation direction 511 may be clockwise or counterclockwise, but... Figure 5In this configuration, the second rotation direction 511 is counterclockwise. The second rotation direction 511 of the second roller 207 corresponds to the rotation direction 347 of the first roller 201. For example, in... Figure 5 In this configuration, the rotation direction 347 of the first roller 201 and the second rotation direction 511 of the second roller 207 can both be counterclockwise. In some embodiments, the first rotational speed of the first roller 201 and the second rotational speed of the second roller 207 can be substantially equal, wherein the first transfer belt 345 and the second transfer belt 349 move at a first speed, which is substantially equal to the travel speed of the glass belt 103 along the travel path 105 in the travel direction 107.

[0078] In some embodiments, the second transfer belt 349 may include adhesive 515 attached to its outer surface. Adhesive 515 may include tape (e.g., double-sided tape) or other material that can bond the second transfer belt 349 to the first transfer belt 345. As the second roller 207 rotates in the second rotation direction 511, the adhesive 515 may rotate together with the second transfer belt 349 about the second axis 209. For example, the second roller 207 may begin rotating in the second rotation direction 511 before or after the first transfer belt 345 is biased to contact the second transfer belt 349. As the second roller 207 rotates in the second rotation direction 511, the adhesive 515 rotates through the transfer device 301 about the second axis 209 until the adhesive 515 reaches the first transfer belt 345 at the position where the first transfer belt 345 is biased to contact the second transfer belt 349. When the adhesive 515 reaches the first transfer belt 345, it adheres to the first transfer belt 345. For example, the first transfer belt 345 includes a first belt side 521 and a second belt side 523. The first belt side 521 may face the second roller 207 and contact the second transfer belt 349. Therefore, the second belt side 523 faces away from the second roller 207 and contacts the transfer device 301. The adhesive 515 is attached to the first belt side 521 of the first transfer belt 345, wherein the adhesive 515 passes through the gap between the transfer device 301 and the second roller 207. When attaching to the first belt side 521, the adhesive 515 may simultaneously attach to the first transfer belt 345 and the second transfer belt 349.

[0079] A method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 103 may include attaching a segment 527 of a first transfer ribbon 345 to a second transfer ribbon 349. For example, the segment 527 of the first transfer ribbon 345 attached to the second transfer ribbon 349 may include a portion of the first transfer ribbon 345 that passes through the gap between the transfer device 301 and the second roller 207 and is in contact with adhesive 515. Attaching the segment 527 of the first transfer ribbon 345 may include providing adhesive 515 to the second transfer ribbon 349 such that the second transfer ribbon 349 adheres to the first transfer ribbon 345. For example, as per [reference to...] Figure 8-12As shown and described, adhesive 515 may be provided to the second transfer belt 349 before the second transfer belt 349 is placed on the second roller 207.

[0080] In some embodiments, the transfer device 301 can separate the first transfer belt. For example, the transfer device 301 may include a separation device 529 that separates the first transfer belt 345 at a separation position 531. The separation device 529 may include a mechanical cutting device (e.g., a blade) or a laser. The separation device 529 may be positioned at several locations. For example, as Figure 5 As shown, the separating device 529 can be located upstream of the transfer rollers 303, 305 relative to the direction of movement of the first transfer belt 345, for example, between the first support roller 321 and the transfer rollers 303, 305, which is the separating position 531. In some embodiments, the separating device 529 may be positioned facing the second belt side 523 of the first transfer belt 345, but in other embodiments, the separating device 529 may be positioned facing the first belt side 521.

[0081] In some embodiments, after the adhesive 515 has attached segment 527 of the first transfer belt 345 to the second transfer belt 349, separation of the first transfer belt 345 at separation position 531 via separation device 529 occurs. For example, in some embodiments, separation may occur due to detection of attachment of the first transfer belt 345 to the second transfer belt 349, and separation of the first transfer belt 345 can be initiated immediately after attachment via separation device 529, wherein the first transfer belt 345 and the second transfer belt 349 are attached before cutting and separating the first transfer belt 345. In some embodiments, separation can be part of an automated process. For example, one or more sensors, detectors, etc., can detect the position of the adhesive 515 relative to the first transfer belt 345. Once attachment of the first transfer belt 345 to the second transfer belt 349 is detected, separation of the first transfer belt 345 can begin. By positioning the separation position 531 upstream of the attachment position where the first transfer belt 345 is attached to the second transfer belt 349, the first transfer belt 345 can be attached to the second transfer belt 349 before separation occurs. In some embodiments where the separation position 531 is located between transfer rollers 303, 305 and the first support roller 321, the first support roller 321 may be spaced apart from the position where the first transfer belt 345 is attached to the second transfer belt 349.

[0082] Reference Figure 5-6 , Figure 5 The first transfer tape 345 is shown before it is attached to the second transfer tape 349 by adhesive 515, and Figure 6The diagram shows the first transfer belt 345 after it has been attached to the second transfer belt 349 and after it has been separated by the separating device 529. In some embodiments, when the first roller 201 is in the second position 308, the transferring device 301 may deflect the first transfer belt 345 to contact the second transfer belt 349, such that the first transfer belt 345 is attached to the second transfer belt 349 at an attachment position 601, after which the transferring device 301 separates the first transfer belt 345 at a separation position 531. Thus, a method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 103 may include separating the segment 527 from the first roller 201 and from the upstream portion 603 of the first transfer belt 345. After separation at the separation position 531, the segment 527 of the first transfer belt 345 may be attached to the second transfer belt 349, wherein the segment 527 is guided toward the first main surface 111 of the glass ribbon 103. The upstream portion 603 of the first transfer belt 345 may remain attached to the first roller 201 and terminate at an end 605, wherein the end 605 may include a separation position 531 at which the separation device 529 separates the segment 527 from the upstream portion 603.

[0083] In some embodiments, after segment 527 has separated from upstream portion 603, the first roller 201 may stop rotating in the rotation direction 347. Conversely, the second roller 207 may continue rotating in the second rotation direction 511. For example, a method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 103 may include rotating the second roller 207 to provide a second transfer belt 349 from the second roller 207 to the first main surface 111 of the glass ribbon 103. (See also...) Figure 6 After the first transfer belt 345 separates, the second roller 207 continues to rotate in the second rotation direction 511. Adhesive 515, which attaches one end of a segment 527 of the first transfer belt 345 to one end of the second transfer belt 349, moves in the movement direction 346 toward the first main surface 111. Adhesive 515 attaches this end of the first transfer belt 345 to this end of the second transfer belt 349, so that the transfer belts (e.g., the first transfer belt 345 followed by the second transfer belt 349) can be continuously supplied to the first main surface 111 of the glass belt 103 without stopping production and without gaps (e.g., portions of the first main surface 111 not covered by the transfer belts).

[0084] Reference Figure 7 After segment 527 separates from upstream portion 603, the second transfer belt 349 is conveyed to the first main surface 111 of the glass belt 103. For example, the second roller 207 can continue to rotate along the second rotation direction 511, which allows the second transfer belt 349 to move along the movement direction 346. In some embodiments, the first roller 201 can move along the same direction as the glass belt 103. Figure 3-5 The rotation direction 347 shown is opposite to the third rotation direction 701. For example, in Figure 7 In this configuration, the third rotation direction 701 can be clockwise. As the first roller 201 rotates along the third rotation direction 701, the upstream portion 603 of the first transfer belt 345 moves toward the first roller 201 and wraps around it. In some embodiments, the end portion 605 of the first transfer belt 345 can retract toward the first roller 201, such that the upstream portion 603 and the end portion 605 can move toward the first roller 201 in the movement direction 703. As the first transfer belt 345 wraps around the first roller 201, the first roller 201 is removed from the support device 213, replaced with a new roller, or another first transfer belt is wrapped around the first roller 201.

[0085] Reference Figure 8 A side view of roller 801 is shown. A method of manufacturing glass ribbon 103 may include providing adhesive 515 to roller 801, which includes transfer ribbon 803. In some embodiments, roller 801 may be substantially the same as first roller 201 and / or second roller 207. For example, roller 801 may extend between a first end and a second end. In some embodiments, when first roller 201 has a small amount of first transfer ribbon 345 and is nearing depletion of the first transfer ribbon 345 (e.g., in…), Figure 7 After the separation, the first roller 201 can be removed from the support device 213, and a new transfer belt can be provided to the first roller 201.

[0086] Roller 801 includes a central portion 805 (e.g., an axis) on which transfer belt 803 may be wound. Transfer belt 803 includes an outer surface 807 forming an outermost radial position of transfer belt 803 away from the central portion 805. In some embodiments, roller 801 may be supported on one or more retaining rollers, such as a first retaining roller 811 and a second retaining roller 813. The first retaining roller 811 and the second retaining roller 813 may be spaced apart to define a gap between them. This gap may be smaller than the diameter of roller 801 to prevent roller 801 from accidentally passing through the gap. For example, roller 801 may rest on the first retaining roller 811 and the second retaining roller 813.

[0087] In some embodiments, the transfer belt 803 includes a belt portion 817 that can be bypassed from the roller 801, extending away from the roller 801. For example, the belt portion 817 can pass through a pair of retaining rollers, such as a third retaining roller 819 and a fourth retaining roller 821. The third retaining roller 819 and the fourth retaining roller 821 can be spaced apart to form a gap through which the belt portion 817 can pass. In some embodiments, the distance by which the third retaining roller 819 and the fourth retaining roller 821 are separated can be approximately equal to the thickness of the belt portion 817, such that the third retaining roller 819 and the fourth retaining roller 821 hold the belt portion 817 within the gap. The third retaining roller 819 and the fourth retaining roller 821 thus restrict movement of the belt portion 817 toward the roller 801, instead holding the belt portion 817 in an extending direction.

[0088] In some embodiments, an adhesive (e.g., adhesive 515) may be provided to the outer surface 807 of the transfer belt 803. For example, adhesive 515 may include an adhesive layer 823 to which an adhesive mixture may be applied. In some embodiments, adhesive layer 823 may be coated with an adhesive mixture on both sides to form a first adhesive surface 825 and a second adhesive surface 827, the first adhesive surface 825 being oriented facing the outer surface 807 of the transfer belt 803, and the second adhesive surface 827 being oriented opposite to the outer surface 807. In some embodiments, the first adhesive surface 825 may be uncovered, allowing adhesive layer 823 to adhere to the outer surface 807. For example, adhesive 515 may be moved toward the outer surface 807 along an attachment direction 831, allowing adhesive 515 to adhere to the outer surface 807. In some embodiments, the second adhesive surface 827 may be covered by one or more materials. For example, adhesive 515 may include a first cover 833 and a second cover 835. The first cover 833 and the second cover 835 can be positioned adjacent to each other and can substantially cover the entire second adhesive surface 827.

[0089] Reference Figure 9 The adhesive 515 can be attached to the outer surface 807 by positioning the first adhesive surface 825 in contact with the outer surface 807. One of the covers can be removed from the adhesive layer 823 by attaching the adhesive 515 to the transfer tape 803. For example, in some embodiments, the first cover 833 can be removed from the adhesive layer 823 (e.g., by moving it in the direction of the arrow), thereby exposing a portion of the second adhesive surface 827. For example, the second cover 835 can remain attached and cover a portion of the second adhesive surface 827. By removing the first cover 833, a portion of the second adhesive surface 827 adjacent to the second cover 835 can be exposed.

[0090] Reference Figure 10In some embodiments, roller 801 may rotate after the first cover 833 has been removed. For example, roller 801 may rotate in the rotation direction 1001, allowing adhesive 515 to move toward the belt portion 817. In some embodiments (e.g., as...) Figure 10 As shown, the rotation direction 1001 may include a clockwise direction, but in other embodiments, the rotation direction 1001 may include a counterclockwise direction. To facilitate the rotation of roller 801, the first holding roller 811 and the second holding roller 813 may rotate. For example, the first holding roller 811 may rotate along the first roller rotation direction 1003, which may include a counterclockwise direction. The second holding roller 813 may rotate along the second roller rotation direction 1005, which may include a clockwise direction. In this way, roller 801 rotates in the opposite direction to the first holding roller 811, and roller 801 and the second holding roller 813 may rotate in the opposite direction.

[0091] In some embodiments, as roller 801 rotates and adhesive 515 moves closer to belt portion 817, belt portion 817 retracts toward roller 801 (e.g., in the retraction direction 1009), causing belt portion 817 to wrap at least partially around the outer surface 807 of transfer belt 803. In some embodiments, adhesive 515 can reach belt portion 817, wherein the uncovered portion of second adhesive surface 827 contacts belt portion 817 first. For example, because the uncovered portion of second adhesive surface 827 is closer to belt portion 817 than the second cover 835, the uncovered portion of second adhesive surface 827 contacts and engages belt portion 817. For example, as belt portion 817 moves in the retraction direction 1009, adhesive 515 can reach belt portion 817, causing belt portion 817 to adhere to the uncovered portion of second adhesive surface 827. Once the tape portion 817 adheres to the second adhesive surface 827, the rotation of the roller 801 can be stopped (e.g., in the rotation direction 1001).

[0092] Reference Figure 11 In some embodiments, when the tape portion 817 is attached to the adhesive 515, a remaining portion of the tape portion 817 can be separated and removed. For example, the tape portion 817 can be separated from that portion of the tape portion 817 attached to the second adhesive surface 827 (e.g., schematically shown with arrow 1101 to indicate the separation location). The tape portion 817 can be separated, for example, using a mechanical cutting device (e.g., scissors, knife, etc.). After removing the tape portion 817, the second adhesive surface 827 can be substantially covered. For example, a first portion of the second adhesive surface 827 can be covered by a second covering 835. A second portion of the second adhesive surface 827 can be attached to the transfer tape 803.

[0093] Reference Figure 12In some embodiments, after the belt portion 817 separates, roller 801 can be removed from the first retaining roller 811 and the second retaining roller 813 and conveyed to the support device 213 (e.g., Figure 3-7 (As shown in the diagram). For example, in some embodiments, roller 801 can be moved to support device 213, whereby roller 801 is attached to support device 213 at a first position 307 or a second position 308. In some embodiments, the second cover 835 can be removed from the second adhesive surface 827 before roller 801 is attached to support device 213. In other embodiments, the second cover 835 can remain attached to outer surface 807 at least until roller 801 is attached to support device 213. When the second cover 835 is removed, it can be peeled off from the second adhesive surface 827 and moved in removal direction 1201. The second adhesive surface 827 is exposed when the second cover 835 is removed.

[0094] Reference Figure 7 and 12 In some embodiments, roller 801 can replace the exhausted roller (e.g., Figure 7 The first roller 201 in the middle). Therefore, the first roller 201 can be Figure 8-12 The adhesive bonding process shown is then replaced by roller 801. For example, roller 801 can be placed in the second position 308, replacing the first roller 201, and attached to the support device 213. Once the amount of the second transfer belt 349 on the second roller 207 decreases, the process of rotating the support device 213 can begin.

[0095] Reference Figure 13-14 In some embodiments, the supply devices 121, 123 may be controlled to convey a transfer belt to the glass belt 103 such that the transition from one transfer belt to a different transfer belt on the first main surface 111 can substantially match the position along the travel path 105 where one transfer belt transitions to a different transfer belt on the second main surface 113. For example, see reference to... Figure 13The glass manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a supply device 121 and a second supply device 123. The supply device 121 and the second supply device 123 may be substantially identical in structure and function. For example, the second supply device 123 may include a second support device 1301 substantially identical to the support device 213 of the supply device 121. In some embodiments, the second supply device 123 may include a third roller 1303 substantially identical to the first roller 201, and a fourth roller 1305 substantially identical to the second roller 207. The second supply device 123 may include a second transfer device 1307, which may be substantially identical to the transfer device 301 of the supply device 121. In some embodiments, the second support device 1301, the third roller 1303, the fourth roller 1305, and the second transfer device 1307 may operate in a manner similar to that of the support device 213, the first roller 201, the second roller 207, and the transfer device 301, as illustrated and described in relation to... Figure 1-12 In some embodiments, the positions of the supply device 121 and the second supply device 123 may differ when the supply device 121 and the second supply device 123 are conveying a transfer belt. For example, the supply device 121 may convey transfer belts 345, 349 to the first main surface 111 of the glass belt 103, while the second supply device 123 may convey one or more transfer belts to the second main surface 113 of the glass belt 103.

[0096] In some embodiments, the second support device 1301 extends along the second support axis 1306 and may be attached to the third roller 1303 and the fourth roller 1305. In some embodiments, the third roller 1303 extends along the third axis 1311 and may provide the third transfer belt 1313 to the second main surface 113 of the glass belt 103. In some embodiments, the fourth roller 1305 extends along the fourth axis 1317 and provides the fourth transfer belt 1319 to the second main surface 113 of the glass belt 103. The second support axis 1306 may be parallel to the third axis 1311 and the fourth axis 1317.

[0097] In some embodiments, the second support device 1301 is positioned in a first location around the second support axis 1306 (e.g., Figure 13 (as shown) and a second positioning (e.g., Figure 14Rotating between (as shown in the diagram), wherein at the first positioning, the third roller 1303 is located at the third position 1321 and the fourth roller 1305 is located at the fourth position 1323, and at the second positioning, the third roller 1303 is located at the fourth position 1323 and the fourth roller 1305 is located at the third position 1321. In some embodiments, the distance by which the third position 1321 is separated from the glass ribbon 103 may be less than the distance by which the fourth position 1323 is separated from the glass ribbon 103, such that the third position 1321 is closer to the glass ribbon 103 than the fourth position 1323. Initially, as Figure 13 As shown, when the third roller 1303 rotates about the third axis 1311 and supplies the third transfer belt 1313 to the second main surface 113, the third roller 1303 can be located in the third position 1321. This is achieved when the second support device 1301 rotates (e.g., Figure 14 (As shown) and after the fourth transfer belt 1319 is attached to the third transfer belt 1313, the fourth roller 1305 may be located in the third position 1321 when the fourth roller 1305 rotates about the fourth axis 1317 and supplies the fourth transfer belt 1319 to the second main surface 113. In some embodiments, the second support device 1301 includes a third support roller 1331 (e.g., substantially the same as the first support roller 321) and a fourth support roller 1333 (e.g., substantially the same as the second support roller 323), wherein the third support roller 1331 and the fourth support roller 1333 are attached to the second support device 1301.

[0098] In some embodiments, the second transfer device 1307 moves in a direction toward the second support device 1301. For example, initially referenced Figure 13 The amount or number of the third transfer belt 1313 on the third roller 1303 may be reduced. To reduce the possibility that the second transfer device 1307 will not supply transfer belt to the glass belt 103 and to ensure that the transfer belts 1313, 1319 substantially continuously cover the second main surface 113, the fourth transfer belt 1319 can be supplied with a similar amount of transfer belt to the glass belt 103. Figure 4-7 The first transfer belt 345 and the second transfer belt 349 are attached to the third transfer belt 1313 in a manner shown and described. For example, as the number of third transfer belts 1313 decreases, the second support device 1301 rotates about the second support axis 1306, causing the third roller 1303 to move from the third position 1321 to the fourth position 1323, and the fourth roller 1305 to move from the fourth position 1323 to the third position 1321. (Refer to...) Figure 14The second transfer device 1307 moves in a direction toward the fourth roller 1305 (e.g., by moving toward the third position 1321). In some embodiments, the second transfer device 1307 biases the third transfer belt 1313 to contact the fourth transfer belt 1319, such that the third transfer belt 1313 becomes attached to one end of the fourth transfer belt 1319 (e.g., the second end 1403). The third transfer belt 1313 and the fourth transfer belt 1319 travel along the second conveying path 1351 to the second main surface 113. In some embodiments, the second end 1403 of the fourth transfer belt 1319 includes adhesive (e.g., with...). Figure 5 and Figure 8-12 The adhesive 515 shown is substantially the same, which adheres the third transfer tape 1313 to the fourth transfer tape 1319.

[0099] In some embodiments, transfer belts 345, 349 from supply device 121 travel along a first conveying path 1353 (e.g., in...). Figure 13-14 (shown in dashed lines) to the first main surface 111, and the transfer belts 1313, 1319 from the second supply device 123 along the second conveying path 1351 (e.g., in...). Figure 13-14 (Shown in dashed line) travels to the second main surface 113. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the first conveying path 1353 or the second conveying path 1351 may include a non-linear path. For example, in some embodiments, the first conveying path 1353 may include one or more segments, such as the first segment 1357, the second segment 1358, the third segment 1359, the fourth segment 1361, and the fifth segment 1363. In some embodiments, the first segment 1357 and the second segment 1358 may be non-parallel, wherein one of the guide rollers 131 separates the first segment 1357 and the second segment 1358. Similarly, in some embodiments, the second segment 1358 and the third segment 1359 may be non-parallel, the third segment 1359 and the fourth segment 1361 may be non-parallel, and the fourth segment 1361 and the fifth segment 1363 may be non-parallel. In some embodiments, the first conveying path 1353 may include a first path length 1367, which is the sum of the lengths of each of segments 1357, 1358, 1359, 1361, and 1363. Therefore, in some embodiments, the first path length 1367 may be measured from the supply device 121 (e.g., starting from the supply device 121) to the first main surface 111 (e.g., ending at the first main surface 111), and includes the distance traveled by transfer belts 345, 349 between leaving the supply device 121 and reaching the first main surface 111. In some embodiments, upon leaving one of the first roller 201 or the second roller 207, the transfer belts 345, 349 move the first path length 1367 along the first conveying path 1353 until the transfer belt is supplied to the first main surface 111.

[0100] In some embodiments, the second conveying path 1351 includes one or more segments, such as a first segment 1371 and a second segment 1373. In some embodiments, the first segment 1371 and the second segment 1373 may be non-parallel, wherein one of the guide rollers 131 separates the first segment 1371 and the second segment 1373. In some embodiments, the second conveying path 1351 may include a second path length 1375, which is the sum of the lengths of each of the segments 1371, 1373. For example, the second path length 1375 may include the sum of a first length of the first segment 1371 and a second length of the second segment 1373. Thus, in some embodiments, the second path length 1375 may be measured from the second supply device 123 (e.g., starting from the second supply device 123) to the second main surface 113 (e.g., ending at the second main surface 113), and includes the distance traveled by the transfer belts 1313, 1319 between leaving the second supply device 123 and reaching the second main surface 113. In some embodiments, transfer belts 1313, 1319 move a second path length 1375 along a second conveying path 1351 as they leave one of the third roller 1303 or the fourth roller 1305, until the transfer belt is provided to the second main surface 113.

[0101] In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a control device 1381 coupled to the supply device 121 and the second supply device 123. The control device 1381 may include, for example, a calculator, a calculator-like device, a programmable logic controller, etc. In some embodiments, the control device 1381 may be configured (e.g., programmed, coded, designed, and / or manufactured) to control the movement of the transfer device 301 and the second transfer device 1307. In some embodiments, the control device 1381 initiates movement of the transfer device 301 toward the support device 213 and movement of the second transfer device 1307 toward the second support device 1301. For example, in some embodiments, the control device 1381 may determine a first path length 1367 of a first conveying path 1353 along which a first transfer belt 345 and a second transfer belt 349 travel to a first main surface 111. Control device 1381 can determine a second path length 1375 of the second conveying path 1351, along which the third transfer belt 1313 and the fourth transfer belt 1319 travel to the second main surface 113. In some embodiments, a user or operator can input path lengths 1367 and 1375 into control device 1381, allowing path lengths 1367 and 1375 to be stored by control device 1381 in, for example, a memory device. Therefore, control device 1381 can determine these path lengths 1367 and 1375 based on values ​​measured and input by the user or operator.

[0102] In some embodiments, the control device 1381 can determine path lengths 1367 and 1375 via a camera connected to the control device 1381. The camera checks path lengths 1367 and 1375, thereby measuring and transmitting the path lengths 1367 and 1375 to the control device 1381. In some embodiments, the control device 1381 can communicate with the transfer device 301 via a first communication line 1383 (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) and with the second transfer device 1307 via a second communication line 1385 (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.). Therefore, the control device 1381 can send and / or receive data (e.g., instructions, information, etc.) from the transfer device 301 via the first communication line 1383, and the second transfer device 1307 can communicate via the second communication line 1385. The method of manufacturing the glass ribbon 103 may therefore include determining a first path length 1367 of a first conveying path 1353 along which a first transfer belt 345 travels from a first roller 201 to a first main surface 111, and determining a second path length 1375 of a second conveying path 1351 along which a third transfer belt 1313 travels from a third roller 1303 to a second main surface 113.

[0103] In some implementations, the first path length 1367 may be different from the second path length 1375. For example, as... Figure 13-19As shown, the first path length 1367 can be greater than the second path length 1375. The different path lengths 1367 and 1375 of the first conveying path 1353 and the second conveying path 1351 may be due to the different locations conveyed by the transfer belts 345 and 349 from the supply device 121 and the transfer belts 1313 and 1319 from the second supply device 123. For example, the transfer belts 345 and 349 from the supply device 121 may be conveyed to the first main surface 111, which is farther from the supply devices 121 and 123 than the second main surface 113. In some embodiments, benefits can be achieved by coordinating the arrival of the transfer belts 345 and 349 at the first main surface 111 with the arrival of the transfer belts 1313 and 1319 at the second main surface 113. For example, in some embodiments, the intersection of the first transfer belt 345 and the second transfer belt 349 may be provided to the first main surface 111. This intersection may render that portion of the glass belt 103 unusable. Similarly, in some embodiments, the intersection of the third transfer belt 1313 and the fourth transfer belt 1319 can be provided to the second main surface 113. This intersection may also render that portion of the glass belt 103 unusable. Therefore, to conserve the usable portion of the glass belt 103, the intersection of the first and second transfer belts 345, 349 can be matched on the glass belt 103 with the intersection of the third and fourth transfer belts 1313, 1319. By matching the intersections, the distance that separates the intersection between the first and second transfer belts 345, 349 and the intersection between the third and fourth transfer belts 1313, 1319 along the travel path 105 can be reduced.

[0104] To control the matching at the intersection of transfer belts 345, 349, 1313, 1319 reaching glass belt 103, control device 1381 can control the movement of transfer device 301 and second transfer device 1307. For example, refer to Figure 14 The method may include biasing a first transfer belt 345 to contact a second transfer belt 349 wound on a second roller 207, to attach the first transfer belt 345 to a first end 1401 of the second transfer belt 349. A control device 1381 may control a transfer device 301 to bias the first transfer belt 345 to contact the second transfer belt 349 such that the attachment of the first transfer belt 345 to the first end 1401 of the second transfer belt 349 occurs before the attachment of the third transfer belt 1313 to the second end 1403 of the fourth transfer belt 1319.

[0105] Reference Figure 15-19 This illustrates the matching of transferring the first and second transfer belts 345, 349 to the first main surface 111 with transferring the third and fourth transfer belts 1313, 1319 to the second main surface 113. Figure 15-19In the embodiments described, for illustrative purposes, portions of the first supply device 121 (e.g., first roller 201 and second roller 207) and the second supply device 123 (e.g., third roller 1303 and fourth roller 1305) are schematically shown, while other portions of the first supply device 121 (e.g., support device 213) and the second supply device 123 (e.g., second support device 1301) are not shown. In operation, the first supply device 121 and the second supply device 123 can be coupled relative to... Figures 1 to 14 The embodiments shown and described provide substantially the same function.

[0106] Reference Figure 15 The glass belt 103 can move along the travel path 105 in the travel direction 107. As the glass belt 103 moves, the method may include rotating a first roller 201 to provide a first transfer belt 345 from the first roller 201 to a first main surface 111 of the glass belt 103, and rotating a third roller 1303 to provide a third transfer belt 1313 from the third roller 1303 to a second main surface 113 of the glass belt 103. A first speed of the first transfer belt 345 along the first conveying path 1353 may be substantially equal to a second speed of the third transfer belt 1313 along the second conveying path 1351. In some embodiments, the first speed of the first transfer belt 345 from the first roller 201 along the first conveying path 1353 may be substantially equal to the belt speed of the glass belt 103 moving along the travel path 105 in the travel direction 107. In some embodiments, the second speed of the third transfer belt 1313 from the third roller 1303 along the second conveying path 1351 may be substantially equal to the belt speed of the glass belt 103.

[0107] Reference Figure 15-16 When the supply of the first transfer belt 345 on the first roller 201 decreases, the supply device 121 rotates, causing the first transfer belt 345 to be biased to contact and attach with the second transfer belt 349. For example, refer to Figure 16 The biasing of the first transfer band 345 to contact the second transfer band 349 can occur before the biasing of the third transfer band 1313 to contact the fourth transfer band 1319. The biasing of the first transfer band 345 to contact the second transfer band 349 can occur relative to... Figure 3-7The process occurs in essentially the same manner as shown and described, to attach the first transfer belt 345 to the second transfer belt 349. During the attachment of the first transfer belt 345 and the second transfer belt 349, the second roller 207 can be rotated to provide the second transfer belt 349 from the second roller 207 to the first main surface 111 of the glass belt 103. The first speed of the second transfer belt 349 moving along the first conveying path 1353 can be approximately equal to the second speed of the third transfer belt 1313 and the fourth transfer belt 1319 moving along the second conveying path 1351. Since the first path length 1367 of the first conveying path 1353 is longer than the second path length 1375 of the second conveying path 1351, the first transfer belt 345 can be biased to contact and attach to the second transfer belt 349 before the attachment of the third transfer belt 1313 and the fourth transfer belt 1319. For example, as... Figure 16 As shown, before the fourth transfer belt 1319 travels along the second transfer path 1351, the second transfer belt 349 can travel along the first transfer path 1353.

[0108] Reference Figure 17 In some embodiments, when the second path length 1375 of the second conveying path 1351 is approximately equal to the distance 1701 along the first conveying path 1353 between the attachment position 601 of the second transfer belt 349 and the first main surface 111, the control device 1381 controls the second transfer device 1307 to deflect the third transfer belt 1313 to contact the fourth transfer belt 1319. For example, when the second path length 1375 is equal to the distance 1701 along the first conveying path 1353 between the first end 1401 of the second transfer belt 349 and the first main surface 111, the third transfer belt 1313 may be deflected to contact the fourth transfer belt 1319 wound on the fourth roller 1305 to attach the third transfer belt 1313 to the second end 1403 of the fourth transfer belt 1319. Distance 1701 includes the distance traveled along the first transport path 1353 from the first end 1401 of the second transfer belt 349 (e.g., which is attached to the first transfer belt 345) to its attachment to the first main surface 111. Distance 1701 may be approximately equal to the second path length 1375.

[0109] In some embodiments, control device 1381 controls the movement of second transfer device 1307 in various ways. For example, in some embodiments, control device 1381 includes a timing device that can track the amount of time elapsed since the first transfer belt 345 was attached to the second transfer belt 349. Once a predetermined time period has elapsed since the attachment of the first transfer belt 345 to the second transfer belt 349, the first end 1401 may be located at a position at a distance 1701 that is approximately equal to the second path length 1375. Therefore, in some embodiments, when the predetermined time period has elapsed, control device 1381 initiates the attachment of the third transfer belt 1313 to the fourth transfer belt 1319, wherein the second transfer device 1307 deflects the third transfer belt 1313 to contact the fourth transfer belt 1319. In some embodiments, a camera may be coupled to control device 1381, wherein the camera can inspect the position of the first end 1401 along the first transport path 1353. The camera can also determine when the first end 1401 reaches a position at a distance from 1701 that is approximately equal to the second path length 1375, at which point the control device 1381 begins attaching the third transfer belt 1313 to the fourth transfer belt 1319. In some embodiments, when the first end 1401 has reached a position at a distance from 1701 that is approximately equal to the second path length 1375, the control device 1381 may attach the third transfer belt 1313 to the fourth transfer belt 1319.

[0110] Reference Figure 18 In some embodiments, after the control device 1381 initiates the attachment of the third transfer belt 1313 to the fourth transfer belt 1319, the fourth roller 1305 can rotate to provide the fourth transfer belt 1319 from the fourth roller 1305 to the second main surface 113 of the glass belt 103, such that within a predetermined time period, the first end 1401 of the second transfer belt 349 reaches the first main surface 111 and the second end 1403 of the fourth transfer belt 1319 reaches the second main surface 113. This predetermined time period can be in the range of approximately 0 seconds to approximately 1 second, such that the first end 1401 of the second transfer belt 349 reaches the first main surface 111 and the second end 1403 of the fourth transfer belt 1319 reaches the second main surface 113 substantially simultaneously. For example, the second transfer belt 349 can move at a first speed, and the fourth transfer belt 1319 can move at a second speed. In some embodiments, the first speed of the second transfer belt 349 can be substantially equal to the second speed of the fourth transfer belt 1319. Therefore, the first end 1401 of the second transfer belt 349 and the second end 1403 of the fourth transfer belt 1319 arrive at the main surfaces 111 and 113 of the glass belt 103 approximately at the same time.

[0111] Reference Figure 19The diagram shows a glass strip 103 after a period of time following the attachment of its first end 1401 to the first main surface 111 and its second end 1403 to the second main surface 113. The separation distance 1901 along the travel path 105, which separates the first end 1401 and the second end 1403, parallel to the travel path 105 in the travel direction 107, can be minimized and can be nearly zero. This separation distance 1901 includes a distance along the axis 1903 that separates the position of the first end 1401 on the first main surface 111 from the position of the second end 1403 on the second main surface 113. The first attachment position 1905 may include the positions where transfer strips 345, 349 are attached to the first main surface 111, and the second attachment position 1907 may include the positions where transfer strips 1313, 1319 are attached to the second main surface 113. The second separation distance 1909 (e.g., along axis 1903) may include the distance separating the first attachment position 1905 from the second attachment position 1907. In some embodiments, the second separation distance 1909 may be minimized or approximately zero, such that when the ends 1401, 1403 arrive at the glass strip 103 substantially simultaneously, the separation distance 1901 between the ends 1401, 1403 may be approximately zero. Therefore, if an operator wishes to remove a portion of the glass strip 103 including the ends (e.g., ends 1401, 1403), a minimum length measured along axis 1903 of the glass strip 103 can be removed because the separation distance 1901 is nearly zero.

[0112] Compared to Figure 2-12The supply device 121 may include multiple rollers (e.g., a first roller 201 and a second roller 207), each roller supporting a transfer belt (e.g., supporting a first transfer belt 345 and a second transfer belt 349, respectively). As the first transfer belt 345 is supplied to the first main surface 111, the amount of the first transfer belt 345 on the first roller 201 may decrease. Instead of temporarily halting production and / or allowing a portion of the first main surface 111 to be covered by the transfer belt, the supply device 121 can provide continuous and uninterrupted transport of the transfer belt. For example, the first transfer belt 345 may be attached to the second transfer belt 349 such that there is no gap between the first transfer belt 345 and the second transfer belt 349. Thus, one end of the first transfer belt 345 may be attached to the starting point of the second transfer belt 349, at which point the second transfer belt 349 is conveyed and supplied to the first main surface 111. As the second transfer belt 349 is supplied to the first main surface 111, the operator can remove the first roller 201 from the supply device 121 and supply new transfer belt and new adhesive to the first roller 201. Therefore, production stoppages due to resupply of the transfer belt can be avoided and cycle time improved. Furthermore, by reducing the separation distance 1901 that separates the first end 1401 (e.g., the transition between the first transfer belt 345 and the second transfer belt 349 on the first main surface 111) and the second end 1403 (e.g., the transition between the third transfer belt 1313 and the fourth transfer belt 1319 on the second main surface 113) along the travel path 105, the length of the glass ribbon 103, including the first end 1401 and the second end 1403, can be minimized, thereby increasing the amount of glass ribbon 103 available.

[0113] It should be understood that although various embodiments have been described in detail with respect to certain illustrative and specific examples, this application should not be considered limited thereto, as various modifications and combinations of the disclosed features can be made without departing from the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A glass manufacturing apparatus, comprising: A first roller extends along a first axis and is configured to provide a first transfer belt to a first main surface of the glass belt; A second roller extends along a second axis and is configured to provide a second transfer belt to the first main surface of the glass belt; A support device extends along a support axis parallel to the first axis and the second axis and is attached to the first roller and the second roller. The support device is rotatable about the support axis between a first position and a second position, wherein at the first position, the first roller is located in a first position and the second roller is located in a second position, and at the second position, the first roller is located in the second position and the second roller is located in the first position. as well as A transfer device configured to move in a direction toward the support device, wherein when the first roller is in the second position, the transfer device biases the first transfer belt to contact the second transfer belt, thereby attaching the first transfer belt to the second transfer belt at an attachment position, and the transfer device is configured to separate the first transfer belt at a separation position.

2. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transfer device includes a transfer roller extending along a transfer roller axis parallel to the support axis.

3. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transfer device includes a separation device that separates the first transfer belt at the separation location.

4. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein when the transfer device deflects the first transfer belt to contact the second transfer belt, there is a gap between the transfer device and the second roller.

5. The glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a support roller coupled to the support device, wherein when the first roller is in the second position, the transfer belt travel path extends around the support roller from the first roller to the second roller.

6. The glass manufacturing equipment as described in claim 1, further comprising: A third roller extends along a third axis and is configured to provide a third transfer belt to the second main surface of the glass belt; A fourth roller extends along a fourth axis and is configured to provide a fourth transfer belt to the second main surface of the glass belt; A second support device extends along a second support axis parallel to the third axis and the fourth axis. The second support device is connected to the third roller and the fourth roller. The second support device is configured to rotate about the second support axis between a first position and a second position, wherein at the first position, the third roller is in a third position and the fourth roller is in a fourth position, and at the second position, the third roller is in the fourth position and the fourth roller is in the third position. A second transfer device is configured to move in a direction toward the second support device. The second transfer device deflects the third transfer belt to contact the fourth transfer belt, such that the third transfer belt is attached to a second end of the fourth transfer belt. The third and fourth transfer belts are configured to travel along a second conveying path to the second main surface. as well as A control device is configured to determine a first path length and a second path length of a first conveying path along which the first transfer belt and the second transfer belt travel to the first main surface, wherein the control device is configured to control the second transfer device to deflect the third transfer belt to contact the fourth transfer belt when the second path length of the second transfer path is equal to the distance along the first conveying path between the attachment position of the second transfer belt and the first main surface.

7. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first path length is greater than the second path length.

8. A glass manufacturing apparatus, comprising: A first roller extends along a first axis and is configured to provide a first transfer belt to a first main surface of the glass belt; A second roller extends along a second axis and is configured to provide a second transfer belt to the first main surface of the glass belt; A transfer device configured to move in a direction toward the second roller, the transfer device biasing the first transfer belt to contact the second transfer belt such that the first transfer belt is attached to a first end of the second transfer belt, the first transfer belt and the second transfer belt being configured to travel along a first conveying path to the first main surface; A third roller extends along a third axis and is configured to provide a third transfer belt to the second main surface of the glass belt; A fourth roller extends along a fourth axis and is configured to provide a fourth transfer belt to the second main surface of the glass belt; The second transfer device is configured to move in a direction toward the fourth roller, the second transfer device biasing the third transfer belt to contact the fourth transfer belt such that the third transfer belt is attached to a second end of the fourth transfer belt, the third transfer belt and the fourth transfer belt being configured to travel along a second conveying path to the second main surface; as well as A control device is configured to determine a first path length of the first transport path and a second path length of the second transport path, wherein when the second path length of the second transport path is equal to the distance along the first transport path between the first end of the second transfer belt and the first main surface, the control device is configured to control the second transfer device to deflect the third transfer belt to contact the fourth transfer belt.

9. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first path length is greater than the second path length.

10. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first speed of the second transfer belt along the first conveying path is equal to the second speed of the fourth transfer belt along the second conveying path.

11. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the control device is configured to control the transfer device to deflect the first transfer belt to contact the second transfer belt, such that the attachment of the first transfer belt to the first end of the second transfer belt occurs before the third transfer belt is attached to the second end of the fourth transfer belt.

12. The glass manufacturing apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the first end of the second transfer belt reaches the first main surface, and the second end of the fourth transfer belt simultaneously reaches the second main surface.

13. A method for manufacturing a glass ribbon, comprising: The glass strip is moved along the path of travel in the direction of travel; Rotate the first roller to supply the first transfer belt from the first roller to the first main surface of the glass belt; The third roller is rotated to provide a third transfer belt from the third roller to the second main surface of the glass belt; The first transfer belt is biased to contact the second transfer belt wound on the second roller, so as to attach the first transfer belt to the first end of the second transfer belt; Rotate the second roller to supply the second transfer belt from the second roller to the first main surface; The first path length of the first conveying path and the second path length of the second conveying path are determined. The first transfer belt travels along the first conveying path from the first roller to the first main surface, and the third transfer belt travels along the second conveying path from the third roller to the second main surface. When the length of the second path is equal to the distance between the first end of the second transfer belt and the first main surface along the first conveying path, the third transfer belt is biased to contact the fourth transfer belt wound on the fourth roller to attach the third transfer belt to the second end of the fourth transfer belt. as well as The fourth roller is rotated to provide the fourth transfer belt from the fourth roller to the second main surface, such that within a predetermined time period, the first end of the second transfer belt reaches the first main surface, and the second end of the fourth transfer belt reaches the second main surface.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined time period is in the range of 0 seconds to 1 second.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first path length is greater than the second path length.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first transfer band is biased to contact the second transfer band before the third transfer band is biased to contact the fourth transfer band.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein biasing the first transfer belt comprises: moving the transfer device from a first transfer position spaced a first distance from the second roller to a second transfer position spaced a second distance from the second roller, the second distance being less than the first distance, such that the first transfer belt contacts the transfer device on one side and contacts the second transfer belt on the opposite side.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising: Adhesive is provided to the first end of the second transfer tape, causing the second transfer tape to adhere to the first transfer tape.

19. The method of any one of claims 13 to 18, further comprising: The support device that supports the first roller and the second roller is rotated such that the first roller rotates from a first position to a second position and the second roller rotates from the second position to the first position, wherein the support device rotates before the first transfer belt is biased to contact the second transfer belt.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: After the support device rotates, the first transfer belt is guided around the support rollers connected to the support device.

Images