Glass article manufacturing device

Abstract

A device (11) for manufacturing a glass article is provided with: first and second cutting devices (12, 13) for cutting a glass film (5) from a glass ribbon (1) being conveyed in a flat position; and a wrinkle removal mechanism (15) for removing wrinkles (7) from the glass ribbon (1) before the glass ribbon (1) is carried into the first cutting device (12), in which the glass ribbon (1) passing through a wrinkle removal roller (14) provided in the wrinkle removal mechanism (15) is lifted by the roller (14) and the wrinkles (7) are flattened and removed, and an inclined conveyor (16) is disposed to convey the glass ribbon (1) to the first cutting device (12). The inclined conveyor (16) is adjacent to the upstream side of the wrinkle removing roller (14) and supports the glass ribbon (1) in front of the roller (14) from below, and conveying surfaces (40, 41) of the inclined conveyor (16) are formed into inclined surfaces which gradually rise towards the top of the wrinkle removing roller (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing glass articles. Background Technology

[0002] Glass articles such as glass films and glass rolls are often manufactured based on ultra-thin glass strips (e.g., with a thickness of 200 μm or less). Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a method for manufacturing glass rolls from glass strips.

[0003] In this method, firstly, an ultra-thin glass ribbon is formed using a pull-down method. The glass ribbon has an effective portion located at the center of its width direction (which will later become the product part) and unwanted portions located at both ends of the width direction, sandwiching the effective portion in the middle (which will later be discarded). Next, the transport direction of the formed glass ribbon is changed from longitudinal to transverse. Simultaneously, the orientation of the glass ribbon is changed from a longitudinal orientation to a flat orientation. Then, the glass ribbon, transported in a flat orientation, is cut using laser irradiation, and the unwanted portions are removed from the glass ribbon. Finally, the glass ribbon, formed only from the effective portion, is wound into a roll to form a glass coil.

[0004] Ultra-thin glass ribbons are prone to wrinkling during handling. When these wrinkles reach the laser irradiation position along with the glass ribbon, the cutting of the glass ribbon becomes unstable. Specifically, due to the wrinkles, the laser irradiation position within the glass ribbon fluctuates, inevitably making the laser irradiation conditions unstable. As a result, the cutting of the glass ribbon becomes unstable, leading to defects such as cracks in the glass ribbon. Therefore, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, a countermeasure is taken to remove as many wrinkles as possible from the glass ribbon before the wrinkles reach the laser irradiation position.

[0005] As a countermeasure as described above, in the embodiment disclosed in Patent Document 1, a mechanism (wrinkle-flattening mechanism 14) for flattening wrinkles generated in the glass strip is arranged within the transport section where the glass strip is transported in a flat position. This mechanism has a wrinkle-flattening member (orthogonal rod 15) extending in the width direction on the lower surface side of the glass strip at a position upstream of the laser irradiation position within the transport section. According to this structure, as the glass strip passes over the wrinkle-flattening member, the wrinkle-flattening member flattens the wrinkles while lifting the glass strip.

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-63450 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0010] As described above, when lifting the glass ribbon using the wrinkle-flattening member (orthogonal rod 15) to flatten the wrinkles, there is a problem that wrinkle accumulation can easily occur on the upstream side of the wrinkle-flattening member. Specifically, wrinkle accumulation is prone to occur in the portion of the glass ribbon located upstream of the wrinkle-flattening member that is rising towards the top of the wrinkle-flattening member (the portion after it begins to rise towards the top but before it reaches the top). This is because, since the rising portion is not supported from below and is in an unstable state, wrinkles present in this portion are unlikely to reach the top of the wrinkle-flattening member.

[0011] Of course, the aforementioned problem of wrinkle accumulation does not only arise when the glass ribbon is lifted using a wrinkle-flattening member to flatten the wrinkles before the process of removing unwanted portions from the glass ribbon. That is, it can also arise when the glass ribbon is lifted using a member to flatten the wrinkles before other processes.

[0012] In view of the above, the technical problem to be solved is to prevent the accumulation of wrinkles on the upstream side of the component when manufacturing glass articles by processing ultra-thin glass strips, while simultaneously flattening the wrinkles by lifting the glass strip being transported in a flat position using a component before processing.

[0013] Solution for solving the problem

[0014] An apparatus for manufacturing glass articles to solve the above-mentioned technical problems includes: a processing mechanism disposed in a transport section in which a glass strip is transported in a flat position and processes the glass strip during transport; and a wrinkle removal mechanism disposed upstream of the processing mechanism in the transport section and removes wrinkles from the glass strip before it enters the processing mechanism. The apparatus for manufacturing glass articles is characterized in that the wrinkle removal mechanism further includes: a wrinkle flattening member extending in the width direction on the lower surface side of the glass strip and causing the glass strip to convexly deform to flatten the wrinkles; and a support member disposed adjacent to the wrinkle flattening member on the upstream side of the wrinkle flattening member and supporting the glass strip by a support surface that rises toward the wrinkle flattening member.

[0015] In this glass article manufacturing apparatus, the portion of the glass ribbon that rises towards the top of the wrinkle-flattening member (hereinafter simply referred to as the rising portion) is supported by a support member disposed adjacent to the wrinkle-flattening member on the upstream side of the wrinkle-flattening member. Furthermore, the support surface of this member rises towards the wrinkle-flattening member. Thus, regarding wrinkles present in the rising portion, the support surface (the inclined surface rising towards the wrinkle-flattening member) can support the wrinkles while simultaneously allowing them to reach the top of the wrinkle-flattening member without lingering during the transport of the glass ribbon. Therefore, the accumulation of wrinkles on the upstream side of the wrinkle-flattening member can be prevented. Additionally, the force exerted on the glass ribbon on the support surface (in the direction of descent on the inclined surface due to gravity, opposite to the transport direction) and the force received from the transport device in the transport direction easily stretches and flattens the wrinkles.

[0016] In the above structure, it is preferable that the support surface has: a central support surface that supports the central portion of the glass strip in the width direction; and an edge support surface that supports the end portion of the glass strip that extends from the central support surface in the width direction. The edge support surface is located at a lower position than the central support surface, and both the central support surface and the edge support surface are formed as flat slopes that gradually rise towards the top of the wrinkled flattening member.

[0017] Sometimes, a thicker ear-like portion exists at the end of the glass ribbon in the width direction compared to other parts (when the ear-like portion is not completely separated from the glass ribbon). Furthermore, deformation causing surface undulation of the glass ribbon constantly occurs near the ear-like portion. Regarding this deformation, it is advantageous to release it outwards in the width direction of the glass ribbon before processing by the processing mechanism. This is because the central portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon often contains an effective portion that will later become the product, and it is preferable that the effect of deformation does not affect the effective portion during processing. Therefore, in this structure, based on the support surface having a central support surface and an edge support surface, the edge support surface is located lower than the central support surface. Moreover, both the central support surface and the edge support surface are flat slopes that gradually rise towards the top of the wrinkle-flattening member. In this way, when the glass ribbon passes over the support surface, the ear-like portion of the glass ribbon can droop lower than other parts. Therefore, it is easy to release the deformation near the ear-like portion outwards in the width direction of the glass ribbon before processing by the processing mechanism.

[0018] In the above structure, it is preferable that the height difference between the central support surface and the edge support surface is 10mm to 50mm.

[0019] In this way, by ensuring that the height difference between the central support surface and the edge support surface is within the aforementioned range, the ear of the glass strip can be effectively lowered.

[0020] In the above-described structure, it is preferable that the glass article manufacturing apparatus is capable of adjusting the height position of the edge support surface.

[0021] In this way, appropriate adjustments can be made based on the thickness of the glass strip. Specifically, if the thickness of the glass strip is different, the optimal amount of ear droop will also be different. Therefore, if the height position of the edge support surface can be adjusted, it is advantageous to optimize the amount of ear droop according to the thickness of the glass strip.

[0022] In the above structure, it is preferable that the supporting member is a conveyor and the supporting surface is the conveyor's transport surface.

[0023] In this way, the rising portion of the glass ribbon can be fed towards the top of the wrinkle-flattening member using a conveyor that acts as a support member. This allows wrinkles present in the rising portion to easily reach the wrinkle-flattening member. Consequently, it is further advantageous in preventing wrinkle accumulation on the upstream side of the wrinkle-flattening member. Furthermore, by using the support member as a conveyor, relative movement between the rising portion and the support surface of the support member (the conveyor's transport surface) is difficult. As a result, the risk of new wrinkles forming due to friction acting on the rising portion during relative movement can be eliminated.

[0024] In the above structure, it is preferable that the inclination angle of the support surface relative to the horizontal plane is 5° to 20°.

[0025] When the inclination angle of the support surface relative to the horizontal plane is too large, there is a risk that the rising portion of the glass strip may have difficulty rising smoothly along the support surface of the support member. On the other hand, when the inclination angle is too small, the length of the support surface (inclination) along the length direction of the glass strip becomes longer, resulting in a risk of undue oversized manufacturing apparatus for glass articles. However, if the inclination angle is set within the aforementioned range, the aforementioned risks can be reliably eliminated.

[0026] In the above structure, it is preferable that, when viewed from the direction of the glass strip from above, the pleated flattening member is divided along the dividing line between the central support surface and the edge support surface, and the divided pleated flattening member has: a central member located downstream of the central support surface; and an outer member located downstream of the edge support surface, with the top of the outer member located at a position lower than the top of the central member.

[0027] In this way, the glass ribbon can be positioned so that its ears droop lower than other parts when it passes over the folding and flattening member. This further benefits the aspect of releasing the deformation near the ears outward in the width direction of the glass ribbon before it is processed by the processing mechanism.

[0028] In the above structure, it is preferable that the wrinkle flattening member has a central roller as a central member and an outer roller as an outer member, and the wrinkle removal mechanism has a gas injector that sprays gas onto the upper surface of the glass strip near the central roller.

[0029] In this way, the glass ribbon passing on the central roller can be easily pressed along the circumference of the central roller by the pressure of the gas from the gas injector, thus easily smoothing out and removing wrinkles present in the central part of the glass ribbon in the width direction.

[0030] In the above structure, it is preferable that the gas ejector includes at least one of a first ejector and a second ejector, wherein the first ejector ejects gas onto the upper surface of the glass ribbon when pointing towards the upstream end of the central roller, and the second ejector ejects gas onto the upper surface of the glass ribbon when pointing towards the downstream end of the central roller.

[0031] In this way, it is advantageous to remove wrinkles present in the central portion of the glass ribbon in the width direction by using the central roller to flatten and remove them. Specifically, in this structure, the gas ejector includes at least one of a first ejector and a second ejector. With the first ejector, the pressure of the gas from the first ejector can press the central portion of the glass ribbon in the width direction, reaching the upstream end of the central roller, along the circumferential surface of the central roller. With the second ejector, the pressure of the gas from the second ejector can press the central portion of the glass ribbon in the width direction, reaching the downstream end of the central roller, along the circumferential surface of the central roller. Therefore, it is advantageous to flatten and remove wrinkles present in the central portion of the glass ribbon in the width direction.

[0032] In the above structure, it is preferable that the gas injector has both a first injector and a second injector.

[0033] In this way, the first ejector pointing towards the upstream end of the central roller cooperates with the second ejector pointing towards the downstream end, which is highly advantageous in pressing the central portion of the glass ribbon passing over the central roller in the width direction in a manner that follows the circumference of the central roller. Therefore, it is further advantageous in flattening and removing wrinkles present in the central portion of the glass ribbon in the width direction.

[0034] In the above structure, it is preferable that the gas injector is configured to inject gas into a spray target area on the upper surface of the glass belt, which is set along the axial direction of the central roller and is longer than the full axial length of the central roller.

[0035] In this way, since the spray target area is set to be longer than the axial length of the central roller, the entire width of the glass ribbon passing through the central roller in the width direction can be pressed along the circumference of the central roller. Consequently, wrinkles present in the width direction of the glass ribbon can be more effectively flattened and removed. Furthermore, according to this structure, the following effect can also be obtained: Sometimes, wrinkles are generated on the wrinkle-flattening member with the central roller, extending downstream and inward in the width direction from portions corresponding to the axial ends of the central roller. However, since the spray target area is longer than the axial length of the central roller, the pressure of the gas from the gas ejector can be used to prevent the formation of these wrinkles.

[0036] In the above structure, it is preferable that the processing mechanism is disposed adjacent to the folding and flattening member on the downstream side of the folding and flattening member.

[0037] In this way, by arranging the processing mechanism adjacent to the wrinkle-flattening member downstream of it, the glass ribbon can be processed immediately after the wrinkles have been flattened and removed using the wrinkle-flattening member. Therefore, the risk of the glass ribbon developing wrinkles again after passing through the wrinkle-flattening member and before being moved into the processing mechanism can be eliminated.

[0038] In the above structure, it is preferable that the height difference between the top of the central member and the top of the outer member is 10mm to 50mm.

[0039] In this way, by ensuring that the height difference between the top of the central component and the top of the outer component is within the aforementioned range, the ear of the glass strip can be effectively lowered.

[0040] In the above structure, it is preferable that the central roller and the outer rollers are free rollers.

[0041] In this way, since the central and outer rollers are free rollers, even without driving them, the two rollers rotate at a circumferential speed substantially the same as the conveying speed of the glass ribbon as it passes over them. Therefore, the effort required to match the circumferential speed of the rollers to the conveying speed of the glass ribbon by connecting them to the drive source can be saved. It should be noted that when the circumferential speed of the rollers is inconsistent with the conveying speed of the glass ribbon, the circumferential surfaces of the rollers move relative to the glass ribbon, thus posing a risk of new wrinkles arising from friction acting on the glass ribbon during this relative movement. However, according to this structure, the aforementioned risk can be reliably eliminated.

[0042] In the above structure, it is preferable that the wrinkle removal mechanism further includes a transport section disposed at a distance from the support member on the upstream side of the support member and transporting the glass strip, the transport section and the support member supporting the glass strip in such a way that the glass strip bends downward during the process of the transport section and the support member passing between each other.

[0043] In this way, when the glass ribbon has ears, as the glass ribbon bends downwards during its passage between the transport section and the support member, the ears of the glass ribbon can be positioned so that they are raised. In other words, the ears of the glass ribbon can be positioned above the center portion in the width direction. This is because, compared to the center portion in the width direction, the center portion in the width direction has relatively lower rigidity and is more prone to deforming downwards, while the ears have relatively higher rigidity and are less prone to deformation. Furthermore, by setting the ears of the glass ribbon to a raised position as described above, wrinkles generated in the glass ribbon are easily released towards the ends in the width direction. As a result, wrinkles can be easily removed from the effective portion located at the center of the width direction of the glass ribbon.

[0044] In the above structure, it is preferable that the conveying unit is a conveyor having a conveying surface for conveying the glass strip in a horizontal posture, and that the conveyor and the support member support the glass strip in such a way that the lower end of the glass strip is located below the conveying surface during the process of the conveyor and the support member passing between each other.

[0045] In this way, the glass belt passing between the conveyor and the support member can reliably achieve the effect of lifting the ear of the glass belt and releasing the wrinkles generated in the glass belt towards the end in the width direction.

[0046] In the above structure, the processing mechanism may also be configured to perform at least one of the following processes (1) to (3): (1) a process of cutting the glass strip along the length direction by using laser irradiation to separate the unwanted part from the glass strip; (2) a process of cutting the glass strip along the width direction to cut out the glass film from the glass strip; and (3) a process of winding the glass strip into a roll to make a glass roll.

[0047] The glass article manufacturing apparatus described above can be used to perform a glass article manufacturing method. This manufacturing method is a glass article manufacturing method that includes a processing step of treating a glass strip and a wrinkle removal step of removing wrinkles from the glass strip before it enters the processing step.

[0048] According to this manufacturing method, the same function and effect as the glass article manufacturing apparatus described above can be obtained.

[0049] Invention Effects

[0050] According to the glass article manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, when manufacturing glass articles by processing ultra-thin glass strips, if the wrinkles are flattened while the glass strip being transported in a flat position is lifted by a member before processing, the accumulation of wrinkles on the upstream side of the member can be prevented. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 It is a top view showing the apparatus and method for manufacturing glass articles.

[0052] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 The sectional view of section A-A in the image.

[0053] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 The sectional view of section B-B in the image.

[0054] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 The sectional view of section C-C in the image.

[0055] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of a glass article manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method.

[0056] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 5 The sectional view of section D-D in the image.

[0057] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of a glass article manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method. Detailed Implementation

[0058] The embodiments of the glass article manufacturing apparatus will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the X, Y, and Z directions shown in the drawings referred to in the description of the embodiments are mutually orthogonal.

[0059] First, the glass strips processed by the glass article manufacturing apparatus will be explained.

[0060] <Glass Ribbon>

[0061] Reference Figures 1-4 The glass strips 1 shown in these figures are long strips of glass that are continuously formed by known methods such as the overflow down-drawing method, the slit down-drawing method, and the float glass method.

[0062] The glass strip 1 has an effective portion 2 located at the center of its width direction and unnecessary portions 3, 3 located at both ends of the width direction, sandwiching the effective portion 2 in the middle. Figure 1The boundary lines 4 and 4 between the effective portion 2 and the unwanted portions 3 are indicated by double-dotted lines. The effective portion 2 is the part that will become the product (the glass film 5 described later), and the unwanted portion 3 is the part that will be discarded. In each of the two unwanted portions 3, the portion at the edge in the width direction of the glass strip 1 includes an ear 6 that is thicker than other portions of the glass strip 1. The thickness of the portions of the glass strip 1 other than the ear 6 is, for example, 200 μm or less, 100 μm or less, or 50 μm or less.

[0063] Because glass strip 1 is made of ultra-thin glass, it is prone to wrinkling 7 when handled in a flat position (only in cases of...). Figure 1 (See diagram). The wrinkles 7 may occur in the effective portion 2 of the glass strip 1, or in the unwanted portion 3, or even across the effective portion 2 and the unwanted portion 3. In the glass article manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method described later, the wrinkles 7 are removed at least from the effective portion 2.

[0064] Near the ear 6 in the unwanted portion 3 of the glass strip 1, a deformation 8 that causes the surface of the glass strip 1 to undulate is constantly generated (only in...). Figure 1 (See diagram in the middle). In the glass article manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method described later, the deformation 8 is released outward in the width direction of the glass strip 1.

[0065] Except when passing on the support platform 9 described later, the glass strip 1 is transported in a state of overlapping with a strip-shaped protective sheet 10 for protecting the glass strip 1. The strip-shaped protective sheet 10 is wider than the glass strip 1. For example, a polystyrene foam sheet (PFS sheet) is used as the strip-shaped protective sheet 10.

[0066] [First Implementation]

[0067] The following describes the apparatus for manufacturing glass articles.

[0068] <Apparatus for Manufacturing Glass Articles>

[0069] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The two figures show a manufacturing apparatus 11 for manufacturing glass articles (hereinafter simply referred to as manufacturing apparatus 11). This manufacturing apparatus 11 is used for manufacturing glass articles from... Figure 1 The direction of arrow F indicates the device that cuts out the glass film 5, which is a glass article, from the glass strip 1 after removing the wrinkles 7 during the flat handling of the glass strip 1.

[0070] The manufacturing apparatus 11 comprises, as a main component: a first cutting device 12 and a second cutting device 13 for cutting the glass film 5 from the glass strip 1 being transported; a wrinkle removal mechanism 15, which includes a wrinkle removal roller 14 for removing wrinkles 7 from the glass strip 1 before it enters the first cutting device 12 and an inclined conveyor 16 for supporting the glass strip 1 before it reaches the wrinkle removal roller 14 from below; and a conveyor 17 for transporting the glass strip 1 before it reaches the inclined conveyor 16 in a horizontal direction.

[0071] All components 12 to 17 of this manufacturing apparatus 11 are arranged within the transport section where the glass strip 1 is transported in a horizontal position. Here, "horizontal position" refers not only to the case where the glass strip 1 is in a horizontal position, but also to the case where it is in a position that is tilted at an angle of less than 45° relative to the horizontal plane.

[0072] The first cutting device 12 and the second cutting device 13 are each examples of processing mechanisms that process the glass strip 1 during transport. The first cutting device 12 is a device that cuts the glass strip 1 along its length direction by irradiation with a laser 18, thereby separating the unwanted portion 3 from the glass strip 1 (effective portion 2). The second cutting device 13 is a device that cuts the glass film 5 from the glass strip 1 by cutting the glass strip 1 formed only by the effective portion 2 after being cut by the first cutting device 12 along its width direction.

[0073] The first cutting device 12 is a device for cutting the glass strip 1 using laser melting or laser cutting methods, which are known methods.

[0074] The first cutting device 12 includes: a laser irradiator 19 for irradiating the glass strip 1 with a laser 18 from above; a support platform 9 for supporting the glass strip 1 from below as it passes through the irradiation position of the laser 18; and a plurality of guide rollers 20 for temporarily separating the strip protective sheet 10 from the glass strip 1 on the upstream side of the support platform 9 and then reuniting them on the downstream side of the support platform 9.

[0075] Laser irradiator 19 irradiates laser 18 along the boundary line 4 between the effective portion 2 and the unwanted portion 3 of the glass strip 1. Since there are two boundary lines 4, two laser irradiators 19 are provided, one for irradiating laser 18 along one of the two boundary lines 4 and the other for irradiating laser 18 along the other boundary line 4.

[0076] The support platform 9 has a transport surface 21 (support surface) for transporting the glass strip 1. The glass strip 1 before the effective part 2 and the unnecessary part 3 are disconnected is transported into the support platform 9 from the upstream side. Furthermore, the glass strip 1 formed only by the effective part 2 and the unnecessary part 3 after being disconnected from the effective part 2 are transported out from the support platform 9 to the downstream side.

[0077] A total of four guide rollers 20 are provided. The four guide rollers 20 guide the movement of the strip protective sheet 10, which is separated from the glass belt 1, passes under the support table 9 and then rejoins the glass belt 1.

[0078] The second cutting device 13 includes: a conveyor 22 for transporting the glass strip 1 formed only by the effective part 2 and the unwanted part 3 after being disconnected from the effective part 2; and a forming device 23 for forming a cutting starting point at the downstream end of the glass strip 1 reaching the conveyor 22.

[0079] The conveyor 22 has a transport surface 24 (support surface) for transporting the glass belt 1 formed only by the effective portion 2 and the unwanted portion 3. The unwanted portion 3 reaching the downstream end of the conveyor 22 is discarded after being guided downward from the transport surface 24 of the conveyor 22. The strip-shaped protective sheet 10 reaching the downstream end of the conveyor 22 is guided downward from the transport surface 24 of the conveyor 22 by guide rollers (not shown) and separates from the glass belt 1.

[0080] The forming device 23 forms a scribe line as the starting point for cutting by rolling a cutting wheel along the width direction on the upper surface of the glass strip 1 (effective part 2). Sometimes the cutting wheel forms the scribe line across the entire width of the glass strip 1, and sometimes it forms the scribe line only in a portion of the entire width (e.g., only at the width-direction end of the glass strip 1). The glass strip 1, after the scribe line is formed, is cut along the scribe line by a known cutting device (not shown) or by an operator. Accompanying this, the glass film 5 is cut from the glass strip 1.

[0081] The wrinkle removal mechanism 15 is located upstream of the first cutting device 12. In addition to the wrinkle removal roller 14 and the inclined conveyor 16 described above, the wrinkle removal mechanism 15 also includes a gas injector for spraying gas onto the upper surface of the glass strip 1. More specifically, the wrinkle removal mechanism 15 includes a first injector 27 and a second injector 28 for spraying gases 25 and 26 onto the upper surface of the glass strip 1, respectively. For example, an air knife may be used as the first injector 27 and the second injector 28.

[0082] The wrinkle removal roller 14 is an example of a wrinkle-flattening member used to flatten the wrinkles 7 of the glass ribbon 1. The wrinkle removal roller 14 is disposed adjacent to the first cutting device 12 on its upstream side and extends in the width direction on the lower surface side of the glass ribbon 1. The wrinkle removal roller 14 flattens the wrinkles by causing the glass ribbon 1 to convexly deform at its top. More specifically, the wrinkle removal roller 14 removes wrinkles by flattening them while the glass ribbon 1 passes over it, simultaneously lifting the glass ribbon 1. Here, "lifting the glass ribbon 1" means that the portion of the glass ribbon 1 located on the wrinkle removal roller 14 is at a higher position than the portion of the glass ribbon 1 located at the upstream end of the inclined conveyor 16. On the wrinkle removal roller 14, the glass strip 1 is pressed against the top outer periphery of the wrinkle removal roller 14 due to its own weight and external forces such as the pressure of the gases 25 and 26, and deforms along the outer periphery of the wrinkle removal roller 14. Accompanying the deformation of the glass strip 1, wrinkles extend.

[0083] The wrinkle-removing roller 14 is divided into three components along two dividing lines 29, 29 extending in the Y direction when viewed from above in the direction of the glass strip 1 (Z direction). The divided wrinkle-removing roller 14 has a central roller 30 as the central component and two outer rollers 31, 32 as outer components. Figure 2 The position of the outer roller 31 is indicated by a double-dotted line.

[0084] The central roller 30 is a component that removes wrinkles 7 in the wrinkle removal roller 14, which is divided into three parts. Specifically, the central roller 30 causes the raised glass strip 1 to flatten and remove wrinkles 7 along the circumference of the roller 30.

[0085] The top 32 of the central roller 30 is at the same height as or slightly higher than the transport surface 21 of the support table 9 (in the example shown, it is higher than the transport surface 21). The axial length of the central roller 30 is longer than the width of the effective portion 2 of the glass strip 1, but shorter than the entire width of the glass strip 1. Furthermore, the central roller 30 is configured such that its two ends are located on the outer side of the effective portion 2 in the width direction. According to the structure of this central roller 30, wrinkles 7 can be removed from the central portion of the glass strip 1 in the width direction, including the effective portion 2 (the portion corresponding to the width of the central roller 30), as the wrinkle removal roller 14 passes over it.

[0086] The two outer rollers 31, 31 are components in the wrinkle removal roller 14, which is divided into three components, that do not perform the function of removing wrinkles 7, but rather perform the function of releasing the deformation 8 near the ear 6 outward in the width direction of the glass strip 1.

[0087] Reference Figure 3As shown in the figure, the tops 33 of the two outer rollers 31 are located lower than the top 32 of the central roller 30. Each outer roller 31 supports the ears 6 extending from both ends of the central roller 30 in the unwanted portion 3 of the glass strip 1 in a downward-hanging state. According to the structure of the outer rollers 31, the deformation 8 near the ears 6 can be released as far as possible outward in the width direction of the glass strip 1 (outward in the width direction than the central roller 30).

[0088] The height difference H1 between the top 32 of the central roller 30 and the top 33 of the outer roller 31 is set within the range of 10mm to 50mm. The height difference H1 is adjusted according to the thickness of the glass strip 1 to achieve the optimal droop of the ear 6. For this adjustment, the two outer rollers 31 are each mounted, for example, on a sliding mechanism (not shown), and are capable of moving up and down.

[0089] The central roller 30 and the two outer rollers 31 are free rollers. The central roller 30 and the two outer rollers 31 are mounted on different shafts (not shown) and can rotate independently of each other. With this structure, the central roller 30 and the two outer rollers 31 each pass on the wrinkle removal roller 14 along with the glass belt 1, and rotate at a circumferential speed that is substantially the same as the conveying speed of the glass belt 1 under the action of friction with the strip-shaped protective sheet 10 directly below the glass belt 1.

[0090] As a variation of this embodiment, the central roller 30 and the outer roller 31 may not be free rollers, but rather drive rollers connected to a drive source such as a motor. In this case, the central roller 30 and the outer roller 31 are preferably rotated at a circumferential speed that is the same as the conveying speed of the glass belt 1. This is because if the circumferential surfaces of the central roller 30 and the outer roller 31 move relative to the glass belt 1, there is a risk of new wrinkles 7 being generated due to friction acting on the glass belt 1 at that time. Therefore, in the case of this variation, it is preferable to set the circumferential speed of the central roller 30 and the outer roller 31 to the same speed as the feeding speed of the glass belt 1 fed by the inclined conveyor 16.

[0091] As another variation of this embodiment, the central roller 30 and the outer roller 31 may be mounted on a common shaft. In this case, if the diameter of the outer roller 31 is smaller than that of the central roller 30, the aforementioned height difference H1 can be provided. However, when there is a diameter difference between the two rollers 30 and 31 mounted on a common shaft, the two rollers 30 and 31 are preferably free rollers. This is because when the two rollers 30 and 31 are drive rollers, when the two rollers 30 and 31 are rotated using the common shaft (when rotating at the same angular velocity), a difference in circumferential velocity is generated between the two rollers 30 and 31 due to the difference in diameter.

[0092] As another variation of this embodiment, a cylindrical rod or circular tube extending along the width direction of the glass strip 1 can be used as a wrinkle-flattening component instead of the wrinkle-removing roller 14. In this case, the rod or tube can be divided into three components along the two dividing lines 29, 29, and each of the divided components can be used as a substitute for the central roller 30 and the outer roller 31.

[0093] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The first ejector 27 and the second ejector 28 have the function of assisting in the removal of wrinkles 7 by the central roller 30. Specifically, in order to make the glass strip 1 follow the circumferential surface of the central roller 30, the pressure of the gases 25 and 26 is used to press the glass strip 1 against the circumferential surface of the central roller 30.

[0094] The first ejector 27 points to the upstream end 34 of the central roller 30. The direction of the gas 25 ejected by the first ejector 27 is vertically downward. However, it is not limited to this. As long as it points to the upstream end 34, it does not matter whether the direction of the gas 25 ejected by the first ejector 27 is vertically downward or inclined to the upstream or downstream side.

[0095] The first injection target area A1 (in the upper surface of the glass strip 1) receives the injection of gas 25 from the first injector 27. Figure 1 The area (shown by the diagonal line) is longer in the width direction of the glass strip 1. The first injector 27 injects gas 25 such that the width dimension of the first injection target area A1 is longer than the axial length of the central roller 30. The two ends of the first injection target area A1 are located on the outer side in the width direction than the axial ends of the central roller 30. On the other hand, the first injector 27 injects gas 25 in such a way that the two ends of the first injection target area A1 do not overlap with the ear 6 of the glass strip 1 and the deformation 8 near the ear 6. This is because by using the gas 25 to press the deformation 8 near the ear 6, an undesirable situation such as the formation of new wrinkles 7 on the inner side in the width direction than the deformation 8 is avoided.

[0096] According to the structure of the first injector 27 described above, the portion of the glass strip 1 that reaches the upstream end 34 of the central roller 30 (the portion with a width corresponding to the full axial length of the central roller 30 and wider than the effective portion 2) can be pressed along the circumferential surface of the central roller 30 by the pressure of the gas 25 from the first injector 27.

[0097] The second ejector 28 has the same structure as the first ejector 27, except that it points towards the downstream end 35 of the central roller 30. Furthermore, the second ejection target area A2 (in which the gas 26 is ejected from the second ejector 28) is also affected. Figure 1The area shown by the diagonal line is formed in the same way as the first spray target area A1 described above, except that the location of the area A2 is different.

[0098] According to the structure of the second ejector 28 described above, by cooperating with the first ejector 27, the pressure of the gases 25 and 26 from the first ejector 27 and the second ejector 28 can be used to press the portion of the glass strip 1 (the portion with a width corresponding to the entire axial length of the central roller 30 and wider than the effective portion 2) along the circumferential surface of the central roller 30 during its passage on the central roller 30. Furthermore, the pressure of the gas 26 from the second ejector 28 can be used to prevent wrinkles 36 (in the width direction) extending downstream from the portions corresponding to both ends of the central roller 30 and inward in the width direction from forming inward wrinkles. Figure 1 The generation of (shown by a double-dotted line in the middle).

[0099] The distance d from the second jet target area A2 to the irradiation position of laser 18 (refer to...) Figure 2 The distance d is preferably as short as possible. This is to avoid the glass strip 1 from developing wrinkles 7 again after passing on the wrinkle removal roller 14 and before reaching the irradiation position of the laser 18. For this purpose, the distance d is preferably 150 mm or less, more preferably 100 mm or less, and most preferably 50 mm or less.

[0100] Here, "the first ejector 27 points to the upstream end 34 of the central roller 30" refers not only to the case where the first ejection target area A1 overlaps with the upstream end 34 when viewed from above in the direction of the glass belt 1 (Z direction), but also to the case where the first ejection target area A1 is located within the range of the upstream side to the top 32 of the central roller 30, which is 10 mm away from the upstream end 34. Similarly, "the second ejector 28 points to the downstream end 35 of the central roller 30" refers not only to the case where the second ejection target area A2 overlaps with the downstream end 35 when viewed from above in the direction of the glass belt 1 (Z direction), but also to the case where the second ejection target area A2 separates from the upstream or downstream side within a range of less than 50 mm from the downstream end 35.

[0101] As a variation of this embodiment, in addition to the first ejector 27 and the second ejector 28, one or more new ejectors with the same structure as the two ejectors 27 and 28 may be configured. For example, a new ejector may be configured to spray gas onto the upper surface of the glass belt 1 in a state pointing towards the top 32 of the central roller 30. Furthermore, as another variation of this embodiment, it may be configured to have only one of the first ejector 27 and the second ejector 28, or it may be configured to have only an ejector pointing towards the top 32 of the central roller 30.

[0102] The inclined conveyor 16 is an example of a support member for the rising portion 37 (a portion existing on the inclined conveyor 16, and referred to below as the rising portion 37) of the glass belt 1, which is supported from below towards the top of the wrinkle removal roller 14 (the top 32 of the central roller 30 and the top 33 of the outer roller 31). The inclined conveyor 16 is arranged adjacent to the wrinkle removal roller 14 on the upstream side of the wrinkle removal roller 14. That is, the glass belt 1 is supported by the inclined conveyor 16 in an uphill inclined posture until it is about to reach the wrinkle removal roller 14. According to this structure, wrinkles are less likely to accumulate on the glass belt 1 near the wrinkle removal roller 14, and wrinkles are easily removed. In addition, the glass belt 1 on the conveying surfaces 40 and 41 (the inclined surfaces that rise towards the wrinkle removal roller 14) of the inclined conveyor 16 is subjected to a force due to gravity in the direction of descent on the inclined surface (opposite to the conveying direction) and a force from the inclined conveyor 16 in the conveying direction, which makes the wrinkles 7 easy to stretch and flatten.

[0103] The inclined conveyor 16, when viewed from above in the direction of the glass strip 1 (Z direction), is divided into three conveyors along the two dividing lines 29, 29 mentioned above. The divided inclined conveyor 16 has a central conveyor 38 positioned at the center in the width direction and two outer conveyors 39, 39 respectively positioned on either side of the central conveyor 38. Figure 2 The position of the outer conveyor 39 is indicated by a double-dotted line. The central conveyor 38 is located upstream of the central roller 30. The two outer conveyors 39 are located upstream of the two outer rollers 31, 31, respectively.

[0104] The transport surfaces 40 and 41 of the central conveyor 38 and the outer conveyor 39 function as support surfaces for the glass belt 1. The two transport surfaces 40 and 41 are respectively formed as inclined surfaces that gradually rise towards the tops of the wrinkle-removing rollers 14 (top 32 of the central roller 30 and top 33 of the outer roller 31). The transport surfaces 40 and 41 are typically flat surfaces. Details are described later, but there is a height difference between the two transport surfaces 40 and 41; on the other hand, the two transport surfaces 40 and 41 are substantially parallel. The downstream ends of the transport surfaces 40 and 41 are located slightly lower than the top 32 of the central roller 30 and the top 33 of the outer roller 31, respectively. The inclination angle θ of the two transport surfaces 40 and 41 relative to the horizontal plane (refer to...) Figure 2 It falls within the range of 5° to 20°.

[0105] The conveying surface 40 of the central conveyor 38 has a larger width dimension compared to the effective portion 2 of the glass belt 1, but a smaller width dimension compared to the entire width of the glass belt 1. Furthermore, the two end edges in the width direction of the conveying surface 40 (the two end edges extending along the Y direction when viewed from the Z direction) are located on the outer side of the effective portion 2 in the width direction. Therefore, the conveying surface 40 of the central conveyor 38 functions as a central support surface supporting the central portion of the glass belt 1, including the effective portion 2, in the width direction.

[0106] According to the structure of the central conveyor 38 described above, regarding the folds 7 present in the rising part 37, the folds 7 can be supported by the conveying surface 40, and the folds 7 can be transported along with the glass belt 1 without lingering to the top of the fold removal roller 14 (top 32 of the central roller 30 and top 33 of the outer roller 31).

[0107] Reference Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the transport surface 41 of the outer conveyor 39 is located lower than the transport surface 40 of the central conveyor 38. Thus, the transport surface 41 of the outer conveyor 39 functions as an edge support surface that supports the ear 6 extending from the transport surface 40 of the central conveyor 38 in an unused portion 3 of the glass belt 1 in a downward drooping state.

[0108] Based on the structure of the outer conveyor 39 described above, the deformed 8 near the ear 6 can be released as far as possible outward in the width direction of the glass belt 1 (at a position further outward in the width direction than the central conveyor 38).

[0109] The height difference H2 between the transport surface 40 of the central conveyor 38 and the transport surface 41 of the outer conveyor 39 is set within the range of 10mm to 50mm. Similar to the height difference H1 mentioned above, the height difference H2 is adjusted to achieve the optimal droop of the ear 6 based on the thickness of the glass strip 1. For this adjustment, each of the two outer conveyors 39 is, for example, mounted on a sliding mechanism (not shown) and is capable of moving up and down.

[0110] The following describes a method for manufacturing glass articles using the aforementioned manufacturing apparatus 11.

[0111] <Methods for Manufacturing Glass Articles>

[0112] This manufacturing method includes: a wrinkle removal step P1 for removing wrinkles 7 from the glass strip 1; and a cutting step P2 for cutting the glass film 5 from the glass strip 1 after the wrinkle removal step P1. The cutting step P2 is an example of a processing step that treats the glass strip 1.

[0113] In the wrinkle removal process P1, firstly, the glass belt 1 is transported downstream using the inclined conveyor 16. This causes the wrinkles 7 present in the rising section 37 to reach the wrinkle removal roller 14. Then, the glass belt 1 passes over the wrinkle removal roller 14. At this time, the wrinkles 7 are removed from the center portion of the glass belt 1 in the width direction, including the effective portion 2, using the central roller 30. Thus, wrinkles 7 are removed from at least the effective portion 2 of each part of the glass belt 1. The wrinkle removal process P1 is thus completed.

[0114] In the cutting process P2, firstly, regarding the glass strip 1 after the wrinkles 7 have been removed from the effective portion 2, the glass strip 1 is cut along the length direction along the boundary line 4 between the effective portion 2 and the unwanted portion 3 using the first cutting device 12. Thus, the unwanted portion 3 is separated from the glass strip 1. Next, the glass strip 1 formed only by the effective portion 2 is cut along the width direction using the second cutting device 13. Thus, the glass film 5 is cut from the glass strip 1. The cutting process P2 is completed through the above steps.

[0115] [Second Implementation]

[0116] The following is for reference Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The second embodiment will be described.

[0117] In the second embodiment, as an additional element added to the first embodiment described above, the conveyor 17 and the inclined conveyor 16 support the glass belt 1 in such a way that the glass belt 1 bends downward as it passes between the two conveyors 17 and 16.

[0118] Below the two conveyors 17 and 16 are multiple (two in the example) guide rollers 20a for temporarily separating the protective strip 10 from the glass strip 1 transported from the conveyor 17 and then reuniting it with the glass strip 1 transported towards the inclined conveyor 16. Thus, during the passage of the two conveyors 17 and 16 between each other, the glass strip 1 is not supported from below by the protective strip 10 and is in a state where it may deform due to its own weight (gravity).

[0119] Conveyor 17 is an example of a conveying unit for transporting glass strip 1, and it is a conveyor having a conveying surface 17a for transporting glass strip 1 in a horizontal posture. Conveyor 17 is equipped with the wrinkle removal mechanism 15 in the same manner as inclined conveyor 16. In order to make glass strip 1 bend downward due to its own weight, conveyor 17 is arranged on the upstream side of inclined conveyor 16 at a distance from inclined conveyor 16.

[0120] The following is a detailed description of how the two conveyors 17 and 16 support the glass belt 1 and the deformation of the glass belt 1 during the process of the two conveyors 17 and 16 passing between each other.

[0121] Two conveyors 17 and 16 support the glass belt 1 such that the lower end 1a of the glass belt 1 between the two conveyors 17 and 16 is positioned below the conveying surface 17a of the conveyor 17. It should be noted that... Figure 5 The height position of the conveying surface 17a is indicated by a double-dotted line. Furthermore, the two conveyors 17 and 16 support the glass belt 1 in such a way that the lower end 1a of the glass belt 1 is located below the upstream end of the conveying surface 40 of the central conveyor 38.

[0122] During the process of the glass belt 1 passing between the two conveyors 17 and 16, due to the difference in rigidity between the lug 6 and other parts, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the glass strip 1 bends along its width in such a way that the outermost part is positioned higher. In other words, the ear 6 of the glass strip 1 is raised. Therefore, the lower end 1a of the glass strip 1 is located approximately at the center in the width direction of the glass strip 1.

[0123] As described above, the ear 6 is raised, which makes it easy to release the wrinkles 7 generated by the glass strip 1 towards the end side in the width direction, and the wrinkles 7 can be easily removed from the effective part 2 located in the center of the width direction of the glass strip 1.

[0124] In this embodiment, the glass belt 1 bends downwards due to its own weight as it passes between the two conveyors 17 and 16. However, it is not limited to this; a gas injector may be provided on the upper surface of the glass belt 1, and the pressure of the gas ejected from the gas injector may be used to bend the glass belt 1 downwards. Alternatively, a roller, brush, or other component may be provided on the upper surface of the glass belt 1, and the glass belt 1 may bend downwards by contact with the component.

[0125] Here, variations of the above-described embodiments can also be applied.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the first cutting device 12 and the second cutting device 13 are used as the processing mechanism for processing the glass strip 1 during transport, but the method is not limited to this. For example, it could also be, as... Figure 7 As shown, in addition to the two cutting devices 12 and 13, a winding device for winding the glass strip 1 into a roll to make a glass roll 42 is also used as the processing mechanism. In this case, the second cutting device 13 is not used to cut out the glass film 5, but to cut the glass strip 1 in the width direction to form the head and tail of the glass strip 1 constituting the glass roll 42.

[0127] When the winding device described above is used as the processing mechanism, instead of the cutting step P2 in the glass article manufacturing method described above, a winding step P3 is performed to wind the glass strip 1 into a roll. The winding step P3 is an example of a processing step that processes the glass strip 1. In the winding step P3, a strip-shaped protective sheet (e.g., a foamed resin sheet) supplied from the sheet roll 43 is overlapped with the glass strip 1 and wound into a roll.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the transport surface 40 of the central conveyor 38 and the transport surface 41 of the outer conveyor 39 are substantially parallel, but this is not a limitation. The two transport surfaces 40 and 41 may not be parallel, and the inclination angle θ between the two transport surfaces 40 and 41 relative to the horizontal plane may also be different. In this case, the height difference H2 between the two transport surfaces 40 and 41 can be either larger or smaller as it moves downstream of the inclined conveyor 16. However, it is preferable that the amount of drooping of the ear 6 does not change as the glass belt 1 passes over the inclined conveyor 16. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, it is preferable that the two transport surfaces 40 and 41 are substantially parallel.

[0129] In the above embodiment, an inclined conveyor 16 is used as the support member for the rising middle section 37 of the glass belt 1 supported from below, but it is not limited to this. For example, instead of the inclined conveyor 16, an inclined platform with a support surface (sloping surface) inclined relative to the horizontal plane can be used as the support member. In this case, the inclined platform is divided into three members along the two dividing lines 29, 29, and each of the divided members can be used as a substitute for the central conveyor 38 and the outer conveyor 39.

[0130] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0131] 1. Glass ribbon

[0132] 1a Lower end

[0133] 3. Unnecessary parts

[0134] 5. Glass film

[0135] 7. Wrinkles

[0136] 11. Equipment for manufacturing glass articles

[0137] 12 First Cutting Device

[0138] 13 Second Cutting Device

[0139] 14. Roller for wrinkle removal

[0140] 15. Wrinkle Removal Mechanism

[0141] 16 Inclined Conveyor

[0142] 17 Conveyor

[0143] 17a Transport Surface

[0144] 18 lasers

[0145] 25 Gases

[0146] 26 Gases

[0147] 27 First Injector

[0148] 28 Second Injector

[0149] 29 dividing line

[0150] 30 central roller

[0151] 31 Outer Roller

[0152] 32 Top of the central roller

[0153] 33 Top of the outer roller

[0154] 34. Upstream end of the central roller

[0155] 35 Downstream end of the central roller

[0156] 40 transport surface

[0157] 41 Transport Surface

[0158] 42 glass rolls

[0159] A1 First spray target area

[0160] A2 Second Spray Target Area

[0161] H1 elevation difference

[0162] H2 elevation difference

[0163] P1 Wrinkle Removal Process

[0164] P2 Cutting process

[0165] P3 Winding process

[0166] θ is the tilt angle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing glass articles, comprising: A processing mechanism is configured in the transport section where the glass strip is transported in a flat position, and performs processing on the glass strip during transport; as well as A wrinkle removal mechanism, disposed upstream of the processing mechanism within the transport section, removes wrinkles from the glass belt before it enters the processing mechanism. The apparatus for manufacturing glass articles is characterized in that, The wrinkle removal mechanism also features: A wrinkle-flattening member extends along the width direction on the lower surface side of the glass strip and causes the glass strip to convexly deform to flatten the wrinkles. as well as A support member is disposed adjacent to the pleated flattening member on its upstream side and supports the glass strip by means of a support surface that rises toward the pleated flattening member.

2. The glass article manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting surface has: A central support surface that supports the central portion of the glass strip in the width direction; and An edge support surface that supports the width-direction end of the glass strip extending from the central support surface. The edge support surface is located at a lower position than the central support surface. Both the central support surface and the edge support surface are formed as flat slopes that gradually rise towards the top of the folded flattening member.

3. The glass article manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The height difference between the central support surface and the edge support surface is 10mm to 50mm.

4. The glass article manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The glass article manufacturing apparatus is capable of adjusting the height and position of the edge support surface.

5. The apparatus for manufacturing glass articles according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The supporting component is a conveyor. The supporting surface is the conveying surface of the conveyor.

6. The apparatus for manufacturing glass articles according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The inclination angle of the supporting surface relative to the horizontal plane is 5° to 20°.

7. The glass article manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, When viewed from above, the pleated flattening member is divided along the boundary line between the central support surface and the edge support surface. The segmented folded flattening member has: A central component, located downstream of the central support surface; and The outer member, located downstream of the edge support surface, The top of the outer member is located lower than the top of the central member.

8. The glass article manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pleating and flattening member has a central roller as the central member and an outer roller as the outer member. The wrinkle removal mechanism includes a gas injector that sprays gas onto the upper surface of the glass strip near the central roller.

9. The glass article manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The gas injector includes at least one of a first injector and a second injector. The first injector injects gas onto the upper surface of the glass ribbon while pointing towards the upstream end of the central roller. The second injector sprays gas onto the upper surface of the glass strip while pointing towards the downstream end of the central roller.

10. The glass article manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The gas injector comprises both a first injector and a second injector.

11. The apparatus for manufacturing glass articles according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The gas injector is configured to inject gas into a target area on the upper surface of the glass strip that is set along the axial direction of the central roller and is longer than the full axial length of the central roller.

12. The apparatus for manufacturing glass articles according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that, The processing mechanism is disposed adjacent to the folding and flattening member on the downstream side of the folding and flattening member.

13. The apparatus for manufacturing glass articles according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The central roller and the outer roller are free rollers.

14. The apparatus for manufacturing glass articles according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 7 to 10, characterized in that, The wrinkle removal mechanism also includes a transport section that is disposed at a distance from the support member on the upstream side of the support member and transports the glass strip. The transport section and the support member support the glass strip in such a way that the glass strip bends downwards during the process of passing between the transport section and the support member.

15. The glass article manufacturing apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that, The transport unit is a conveyor having a transport surface that transports the glass strip in a horizontal orientation. The conveyor and the support member support the glass strip in such a way that the lower end of the glass strip is positioned below the transport surface during the passage of the conveyor and the support member between them.

16. The apparatus for manufacturing glass articles according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 7 to 10, characterized in that, The processing mechanism is configured to perform at least one of the following processes (1) to (3): (1) Using laser irradiation to cut the glass strip along its length to remove unwanted portions from the glass strip; (2) The process of cutting the glass strip along the width direction to cut out the glass film from the glass strip; as well as (3) The process of making a glass roll by winding the glass strip into a roll shape.

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