Method for manufacturing glass article, and method for manufacturing glass product group

By cutting glass articles from mother glass with orthogonal planned lines, the method addresses thickness uniformity and quality issues, enhancing the strength and uniformity of glass articles for applications like foldable and rollable displays.

JP2025099578APending Publication Date: 2025-07-03NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023216356
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-12-22
Publication Date
2025-07-03

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing plate-shaped glass articles used for applications where they are bent and deformed, such as foldable and rollable displays, do not adequately address the issue of thickness uniformity and quality improvement.

Method used

The manufacturing method involves cutting the glass articles from mother glass such that the folding or winding planned lines intersect orthogonally to the drawing direction of the mother glass, reducing thickness variation and enhancing uniformity, and may include ion exchange treatment for chemical strengthening.

Benefits of technology

This approach improves the quality of glass articles by reducing thickness variation, increasing strength, and enhancing uniformity, making them suitable for applications involving bending and deformation.

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Abstract

To provide a method for manufacturing a glass article which makes it possible to improve the quality of a tabular glass article used for application to be folded and deformed, and a method for manufacturing a glass product group.SOLUTION: A tabular glass article 11 is used for application of being folded and deformed into a folded state. A method for manufacturing a glass article 11 comprises a cutting-out step of cutting out the glass article 11 from a mother glass G1 having a plate-drawing direction D1. In the cutting-out step, the glass article 11 is cut out such that a folding scheduled line L1 which is scheduled to fold the glass article 11 crosses to an orthogonal direction D2 orthogonal to the plate-drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing glass articles and a method for manufacturing a group of glass products.

Background Art

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, for example, plate-shaped glass articles used for applications such as foldable displays and rollable displays are known. Such glass articles are bent and deformed as the display is folded or rolled up.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, plate-shaped glass articles used for applications where they are bent and deformed are obtained, for example, by cutting out from mother glass. Mother glass may be formed, for example, by a method of pulling molten glass in a predetermined direction. The mother glass thus formed has a plate-drawing direction, which is the direction in which the molten glass is drawn. It is desired to improve the quality of the above glass articles obtained from such mother glass having a plate-drawing direction.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing glass articles and a method for manufacturing a group of glass products that enable improvement in the quality of plate-shaped glass articles used for applications where they are bent and deformed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Each aspect of the method for manufacturing glass articles and the method for manufacturing a group of glass products for solving the above problems will be described. The manufacturing method of the glass article of Aspect 1 is a method for manufacturing a plate-shaped glass article used for applications that are bent and deformed in a folded state, and includes a cutting step of cutting out the glass article from a mother glass having a drawing direction, and in the cutting step, the glass article is cut out so that a folding planned line where the glass article is to be folded intersects with a direction orthogonal to the drawing direction of the mother glass.

[0007] The thickness of the mother glass having the above-mentioned drawing direction changes as follows. The change in thickness in the direction along the drawing direction is the smallest, while the change in thickness in the direction along the direction orthogonal to the drawing direction is the largest. Therefore, as described above, by cutting out the glass article from the mother glass, the change in thickness along the folding planned line of the glass article can be reduced.

[0008] In the manufacturing method of the glass article of Aspect 2, in Aspect 1, the angle of the folding planned line with respect to the drawing direction may be in the range of 0° or more and 20° or less. According to this method, the change in thickness along the folding planned line of the glass article can be made smaller.

[0009] In the manufacturing method of the glass article of Aspect 3, in Aspect 1 or Aspect 2, the shape of the main surface of the glass article is a rectangular shape having two long sides and two short sides, and the folding planned line may be provided in a direction along the short side.

[0010] In the manufacturing method of the glass article of Aspect 4, in Aspect 1 or Aspect 2, the shape of the main surface of the glass article is a rectangular shape having two long sides and two short sides, and the folding planned line may be provided in a direction along the long side.

[0011] In the method for manufacturing a glass article according to Embodiment 5, in any one of Embodiments 1 to 4, the mother glass is an alkali aluminosilicate glass having a thickness of 0.2 mm or less, and the shape of the main surface of the mother glass is a quadrilateral shape having two first sides along the sheet drawing direction and two second sides along a direction orthogonal to the sheet drawing direction. The length of each of the four sides of the mother glass is in the range of 200 mm or more and 2000 mm or less. In the cutting step, two or more and 400 or less of the glass articles may be cut out from one piece of the mother glass.

[0012] In the method for manufacturing a glass article according to Embodiment 6, in any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, the shape of the main surface of the glass article is a rectangular shape having two long sides and two short sides. The length of each of the two long sides of the glass article is in the range of 100 mm or more and 500 mm or less, and the length of each of the two short sides of the glass article may be in the range of 50 mm or more and 450 mm or less.

[0013] In the method for manufacturing a glass article according to Embodiment 7, in any one of Embodiments 1 to 6, the mother glass may be provided with an identification portion for identifying the sheet drawing direction. According to this method, in the cutting step, the position for cutting out the glass article with respect to the sheet drawing direction of the mother glass can be easily adjusted.

[0014] In the method for manufacturing a glass article according to Embodiment 8, in Embodiment 7, the shape of the main surface of the mother glass is a rectangular shape having two long sides and two short sides. The identification portion includes the long sides and the short sides of the mother glass, and the sheet drawing direction may extend along one of the long sides and the short sides.

[0015] In the method for manufacturing a glass article according to Aspect 9, in Aspect 7 or Aspect 8, the identification part includes at least one of a notch formed at the outer edge of the mother glass and a mark provided on the mother glass, and the mark may include at least one selected from a printing part, a laser engraving part, a through-hole forming part, and an adhesive part of a sealing member.

[0016] The method for manufacturing a glass article according to Aspect 10 may further include an ion exchange step of subjecting the glass article to ion exchange treatment after the cutting step in any one of Aspects 1 to 9.

[0017] The method for manufacturing a group of glass products according to Aspect 11 is a method for manufacturing a group of glass products including a plurality of plate-shaped glass articles used for applications that are bent and deformed in a folded state, and includes a cutting step of cutting out the glass articles from a mother glass having a drawing direction. In the cutting step, the glass articles are cut out so that a folding planned line along which the glass articles are to be folded intersects with a direction orthogonal to the drawing direction of the mother glass. The group of glass products may include, as one unit, a plurality of glass articles cut out in a row along the drawing direction of the mother glass. According to this method, it is possible to improve the thickness uniformity among the plurality of glass articles included in one unit.

[0018] The method for manufacturing a group of glass products according to Aspect 12, in Aspect 11, after presetting a planned cutting part that forms a plurality of rows in a direction intersecting the drawing direction of the mother glass, in the cutting step, a plurality of units may be manufactured from a single mother glass by cutting out a plurality of glass articles from each of the planned cutting parts that form a plurality of rows. According to this method, the productivity of the group of glass products can be easily increased.

[0019] The manufacturing method of the glass article according to Aspect 13 is a method for manufacturing a plate-shaped glass article used for applications that are bent and deformed in a wound state, and includes a cutting step of cutting out the glass article from a mother glass having a plate-drawing direction. In the cutting step, the glass article is cut out so that a winding planned axis, along which the glass article is to be wound, intersects with a direction orthogonal to the plate-drawing direction of the mother glass.

[0020] The manufacturing method of the group of glass products according to Aspect 14 is a method for manufacturing a group of glass products including a plurality of plate-shaped glass articles used for applications that are bent and deformed in a wound state, and includes a cutting step of cutting out the glass article from a mother glass having a plate-drawing direction. In the cutting step, the glass article is cut out so that a winding planned axis, along which the glass article is to be wound in a roll shape, intersects with a direction orthogonal to the plate-drawing direction of the mother glass. The group of glass products includes, as one unit, a plurality of glass articles cut out and arranged in a line along the plate-drawing direction of the mother glass.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] The present invention exhibits the effect of being able to improve the quality of plate-shaped glass articles used for applications that are bent and deformed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a method for manufacturing a glass article and a method for manufacturing a group of glass products will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be shown in an exaggerated or simplified manner. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may be different from the actual ones.

[0024] <Glass Article> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plate-shaped glass article 11 is used for applications in which it is bent and deformed in a folded state. The flat glass article 11 before folding has a folding planned line L1 where folding is planned. The glass article 11 in the folded state has a folded portion F1 bent and deformed along the folding planned line L1.

[0025] The shape of the main surface of the glass article 11 is a rectangular shape having two long sides 11a and two short sides 11b. The folding planned line L1 and the folded portion F1 of the glass article 11 are provided in a direction along the short side 11b. It is preferable that the folding planned line L1 and the folded portion F1 are provided so as to extend parallel to the short side 11b of the glass article 11.

[0026] The length of each of the two long sides 11a of the glass article 11 is preferably in the range of 100 mm or more and 500 mm or less, more preferably in the range of 100 mm or more and 200 mm or less. The length of each of the two short sides 11b of the glass article 11 is preferably in the range of 50 mm or more and 450 mm or less, more preferably in the range of 50 mm or more and 150 mm or less.

[0027] The upper limit of the thickness of the glass article 11 is 0.2 mm or less, 0.1 mm or less, 0.085 mm or less, 0.060 mm or less, 0.055 mm or less, 0.040 mm or less, 0.035 mm or less. The lower limit of the thickness of the glass article 11 is, for example, 0.005 mm or more, 0.01 mm or more.

[0028] Examples of the glass constituting the glass article 11 include soda glass, soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, aluminosilicate glass, alkali-free glass, etc. The glass constituting the glass article 11 may be chemically strengthened glass. Examples of the chemically strengthened glass include soda glass, alkali aluminosilicate glass containing an alkali metal oxide as a glass composition, etc. The alkali metal oxide component contained as a glass composition in the alkali aluminosilicate glass is preferably at least one selected from Li2O, Na2O, and K2O. The chemically strengthened glass is preferably alkali aluminosilicate glass.

[0029] The alkali aluminosilicate glass preferably contains, as a glass composition, in mol%, SiO2: 50 - 75%, Al2O3: 1 - 20%, B2O3: 0 - 30%, Li2O: 0 - 15%, Na2O: 1 - 25%, K2O: 0 - 10%, P2O5: 0 - 15%.

[0030] The alkali aluminosilicate glass more preferably contains, as a glass composition, in mol%, SiO2: 50 - 75%, Al2O3: 7 - 20%, B2O3: 0.1 - 30%, Li2O: 5 - 15%, Na2O: 5 - 25%, K2O: 0 - 10%, P2O5: 0 - 15%.

[0031] <Method for manufacturing a glass article> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the method for manufacturing the glass article 11 includes a cutting step of cutting out the glass article 11 from the mother glass G1. The mother glass G1 has a drawing direction D1. The drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1 is the direction in which the molten glass is drawn out or the softened plate glass is pulled in the forming of the mother glass G1. In other words, the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1 is the machine direction (MD: Machine Direction) of the forming apparatus for forming the mother glass G1.

[0032] In the mother glass G1 having the drawing direction D1, the change in thickness along the drawing direction D1 is the smallest. Also, in the mother glass G1 having the drawing direction D1, the change in thickness along the orthogonal direction D2 orthogonal to the drawing direction D1 is the largest. For example, the thickness dimensions of both end portions of the mother glass G1 in the orthogonal direction D2 are larger than the thickness dimension of the central portion of the mother glass G1 in the orthogonal direction D2. Therefore, the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1 can be confirmed, for example, by measuring the thickness of the mother glass G1.

[0033] Among the forming methods of the mother glass G1, examples of the forming method of drawing the molten glass in a predetermined direction include the overflow down-draw method, the slot down-draw method, the float method, and the like. Among the forming methods of the mother glass G1, examples of the method of pulling the softened plate glass in a predetermined direction include the redraw method. The forming method of the mother glass G1 is preferably the overflow down-draw method or the slot down-draw method from the viewpoint of enhancing the thickness uniformity along the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1.

[0034] The mother glass G1 of the present embodiment is a part of the plate-shaped glass formed by the above forming method that is divided. The plate-shaped glass formed by the above forming method can also be used as the mother glass G1 without being divided.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in the cutting step, the glass article 11 is cut out so that a folding planned line L1 along which the glass article 11 is to be folded intersects a direction D2 orthogonal to the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1. As shown in FIG. 1, the angle θ of the folding planned line L1 with respect to the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1 is preferably in the range of 0° or more and 20° or less.

[0036] In the present embodiment, as an example, a cutting step of cutting out the glass article 11 so that the angle θ of the folding planned line L1 with respect to the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1 becomes 0° is shown. That is, in the cutting step of the present embodiment, the glass article 11 is cut out so that the folding planned line L1 along which the glass article 11 is to be folded completely coincides with the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1.

[0037] Examples of the method of cutting out the glass article 11 from the mother glass G1 include thermal cutting, thermal fusing, cutting along a scribe line, cutting by a short-pulse laser, and cutting by etching. For thermal cutting and thermal fusing, for example, a laser can be used. In the cutting along a scribe line, first, a scribe line is formed on the mother glass G1 using a tool. Examples of the tool include a rotatable scribing wheel and a non-rotatable scribe tip. The mother glass G1 on which the scribe line is formed can be cut by applying an external force along the scribe line. As the short-pulse laser, for example, nanosecond lasers and picosecond lasers of various wavelengths can be used. For the cutting by etching, a method combining laser modification and etching with an HF-based etchant can be used.

[0038] In the cutting step, it is preferable to cut out 2 or more and 400 or less glass articles 11 from one mother glass G1. In the present embodiment, as an example, a cutting step of cutting out 12 glass articles 11 from one mother glass G1 is shown.

[0039] The thickness of the mother glass G1 is the same as the thickness of the glass article 11 described above. The composition of the glass constituting the mother glass G1 is the same as the composition of the glass constituting the glass article 11 described above.

[0040] The shape of the main surface of the mother glass G1 is not particularly limited. For example, it preferably has a quadrilateral shape having two first sides G1a along the drawing direction D1 and two second sides G1b along the orthogonal direction D2 orthogonal to the drawing direction D1. The length of each of the four sides of the mother glass G1 is preferably in the range of 200 mm or more and 2000 mm or less. The shape of the mother glass G1 of the present embodiment is a rectangular shape having a short side which is the first side G1a and a long side which is the second side G1b.

[0041] The mother glass G1 is provided with a first identification portion A1 and a second identification portion A2 for identifying the drawing direction D1. The first identification portion A1 is constituted by the long side and the short side of the mother glass G1. Since the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1 extends in the direction along the first side G1a which is the short side of the mother glass G1, the drawing direction D1 can be identified by the extending direction of the first side G1a.

[0042] The second identification portion A2 is a notch formed on the outer edge of the mother glass G1. The length of the notch of the second identification portion A2 along the first side G1a of the mother glass G1 is longer than the length along the second side G1b. The drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1 can be identified by the direction in which the length of the notch of the second identification portion A2 is relatively long.

[0043] The manufacturing method of the glass article 11 can further include an ion exchange process as a subsequent process to the cutting process. The ion exchange process is a process of chemically strengthening the glass article 11 by subjecting it to an ion exchange treatment. Specifically, the glass article 11 is ion-exchanged by immersing it in a molten salt. The molten salt is typically an alkali metal nitrate at 350 to 490 °C, and the immersion time of the glass article 11 is, for example, 0.1 to 100 hours. As the alkali metal nitrate, for example, any one salt selected from KNO3, NaNO3, and LiNO3, or a mixed salt obtained by mixing these salts can be used.

[0044] <Manufacturing method of a group of glass products> As shown in FIG. 4, the group of glass products GP includes a plurality of plate-shaped glass articles 11 as one unit U. The manufacturing method of the group of glass products GP includes the above-described cutting process. One unit U of the group of glass products GP is composed of a plurality of glass articles 11 cut out in a row along the plate drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1 in the cutting process. More specifically, in the manufacturing method of the group of glass products GP, after presetting a plurality of portions to be cut out arranged in a row along the plate drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1, in the cutting process, the glass article 11 is cut out from each of the plurality of portions to be cut out.

[0045] One unit U of the group of glass products GP of the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of glass articles 11 cut out from the mother glass G1 such that the folding planned line L1 is arranged on the same straight line along the plate drawing direction D1.

[0046] The folding planned lines L1 of the plurality of glass articles 11 may be inclined with respect to the plate drawing direction D1. In this case, the plurality of glass articles may be cut out from the mother glass G1 such that a part of the folding planned line L1 of each of the plurality of glass articles 11 is arranged on the same straight line along the plate drawing direction D1. That is, in the plurality of glass articles 11 cut out in a row as described above, at least a part of the folding planned line L1 of each is arranged on the same straight line along the plate drawing direction D1.

[0047] In the manufacturing method of the glass product group GP, one unit U may be manufactured from a single mother glass G1, or a plurality of units U may be manufactured from a single mother glass G1 as in the present embodiment. Specifically, in the manufacturing method of the glass product group GP of the present embodiment, a plurality of planned cutting portions arranged in a plurality of rows are preset in a direction intersecting the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1. In the cutting step, a plurality of units U are manufactured by cutting out a plurality of glass articles 11 from each of the plurality of planned cutting portions arranged in a plurality of rows.

[0048] <Use of glass article> The glass article 11 can be subjected to post-treatments such as edging treatment and strengthening treatment as required. At this time, the plurality of glass articles 11 included in the unit U of the glass product group GP may be post-treated under the same conditions. The glass article 11 can be used, for example, for a foldable display that can be folded. Examples of the foldable display include a foldable liquid crystal display, a foldable organic EL display, and the like.

[0049] <Actions and effects of the first embodiment> Next, the actions and effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1-1) The plate-shaped glass article 11 is used for applications in which it is bent and deformed in a folded state. The manufacturing method of the glass article 11 includes a cutting step of cutting out the glass article 11 from a mother glass G1 having a drawing direction D1. In the cutting step, the glass article 11 is cut out so that a folding planned line L1 where the glass article 11 is to be folded intersects a perpendicular direction D2 perpendicular to the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1.

[0050] The thickness of the mother glass G1 having the plate drawing direction D1 changes as follows. While the change in thickness in the direction along the plate drawing direction D1 is the smallest, the change in thickness in the direction along the orthogonal direction D2 orthogonal to the plate drawing direction D1 is the largest. Therefore, as described above, by cutting out the glass article 11 from the mother glass G1, the change in thickness along the folding planned line L1 of the glass article 11 can be reduced. Accordingly, it becomes possible to improve the quality of the plate-shaped glass article 11 used for applications that are bent and deformed as described above. By increasing the uniformity of the thickness of the folding portion F1 of the glass article 11, for example, it becomes possible to increase the strength against bending along the folding planned line L1, the impact strength of the folding portion F1, and other strengths.

[0051] (1-2) The angle θ between the folding planned line L1 of the glass article 11 and the plate drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1 is preferably in the range of 0° or more and 20° or less. In this case, the change in thickness along the folding planned line L1 of the glass article 11 can be made smaller. Accordingly, it becomes possible to further improve the quality of the plate-shaped glass article 11 used for applications that are bent and deformed as described above.

[0052] (1-3) The mother glass G1 is provided with an identification portion for identifying the plate drawing direction D1. In this case, in the cutting process, the position for cutting out the glass article 11 with respect to the plate drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1 can be easily adjusted. Accordingly, the glass article 11 can be easily manufactured.

[0053] (1-4) The shape of the main surface of the mother glass G1 is a rectangular shape having two long sides which are the second sides G1b and two short sides which are the first sides G1a. The first identification portion A1 of the mother glass G1 includes the long sides and the short sides of the mother glass G1, and the plate drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1 extends in the direction along the first side G1a which is the short side of the mother glass G1. In this case, the plate drawing direction D1 can be easily identified by utilizing the outer shape of the mother glass G1.

[0054] (1-5) The mother glass G1 is provided with a second identification part A2 which is a notch formed at the outer edge of the mother glass G1. In this case, by using the notch of the mother glass G1, the sheet drawing direction D1 can be easily identified.

[0055] (1-6) The manufacturing method of the glass product group GP includes a cutting process of cutting out a plurality of glass articles 11 as described above. The glass product group GP includes a plurality of glass articles 11 cut out in a row along the sheet drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1 as one unit U. According to this method, it is possible to improve the thickness uniformity among the plurality of glass articles 11 included in one unit U. Thereby, the handling of the plurality of glass articles 11 becomes easy. For example, by post-processing the plurality of glass articles 11 included in one unit U under the same conditions, it is possible to easily obtain a plurality of processed products with improved quality uniformity.

[0056] (1-7) In the manufacturing method of the glass product group GP, a plurality of planned cutting parts in a plurality of rows are preset in a direction intersecting the sheet drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G1. In the cutting process, a plurality of glass articles 11 are cut out from each of the plurality of planned cutting parts in a plurality of rows, thereby manufacturing a plurality of units U from a single mother glass G1. In this case, the productivity of the glass product group GP can be easily increased.

[0057] [Second Embodiment] The second embodiment of the manufacturing method of the glass article will be mainly described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the folding planned line L2 and the folding portion F2 of the glass article 12 of the second embodiment are provided in a direction along the long side 12a of the glass article 12. The folding planned line L2 and the folding portion F2 are preferably provided so as to extend parallel to the long side 12a of the glass article 12. The length of each of the two long sides 12a of the glass article 12 is preferably in the range of 50 mm or more and 500 mm or less, and more preferably in the range of 100 mm or more and 200 mm or less. The length of each of the two short sides 12b of the glass article 12 is preferably in the range of 20 mm or more and 450 mm or less, and more preferably in the range of 50 mm or more and 150 mm or less.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, the manufacturing method of the glass article 12 includes a cutting step of cutting out the glass article 12 from the mother glass G2. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, in the cutting step, the glass article 12 is cut out so that the folding planned line L2, which is planned to fold the glass article 12, intersects with the orthogonal direction D2 that is orthogonal to the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G2.

[0060] The shape of the main surface of the mother glass G2 is, for example, a rectangular shape having two long sides that are the first sides G2a along the drawing direction D1 and two short sides that are the second sides G2b along the orthogonal direction D2. Since the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G2 extends in the direction along the first side G2a, which is the long side of the mother glass G2, the drawing direction D1 can be identified by the extending direction of this first side G2a.

[0061] Next, the operation and effect of the second embodiment will be described. (2-1) In the cutting step of the second embodiment, the glass article 12 is cut out so that the folding planned line L2, which is planned to fold the glass article 12, intersects with the orthogonal direction D2 that is orthogonal to the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G2. According to this method, the same effect as the effect described in column (1-1) of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0062] (2-2) Regarding the manufacturing method of the glass article 12 of the second embodiment as well, the same effects as those described in columns (1-2) to (1-5) of the first embodiment can be obtained. [Third Embodiment] The third embodiment of the manufacturing method of the glass article will be mainly described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the plate-shaped glass article 13 is used for applications where it is bent and deformed in a state of being wound in a roll shape. The flat glass article 13 before being wound in a roll shape has a winding axis L3 planned to be wound. The glass article 13 in a state of being wound in a roll shape has a rolled portion F3. The rolled portion F3 is formed by winding at least a part of the glass article 13 around a winding axis L3a parallel to the winding axis L3 planned to be wound.

[0064] The winding axis L3 planned to be wound and the winding axis L3a of the glass article 13 are provided in a direction along the short side 13b of the glass article 13. It is preferable that the winding axis L3 planned to be wound and the winding axis L3a extend parallel to the short side 13b of the glass article 13. For example, the length of each of the two long sides 13a of the glass article 13 for mobile device applications is preferably in the range of 50 mm or more and 500 mm or less, and more preferably in the range of 100 mm or more and 200 mm or less. The length of each of the two short sides 13b of the glass article 13 is preferably in the range of 20 mm or more and 450 mm or less, and more preferably in the range of 50 mm or more and 150 mm or less.

[0065] When the use of the glass article 13 is for a stationary large display device, the side dimensions of the glass article 13 may be set to dimensions even larger than the above dimensions. That is, the length of each of the two long sides 13a of the glass article 13 in this use is preferably in the range of 300 mm or more and 4000 mm or less, more preferably in the range of 1000 mm or more and 3000 mm or less. Also, the length of each of the two short sides 13b of the glass article 13 in this use is preferably in the range of 250 mm or more and 4000 mm or less, more preferably in the range of 1000 mm or more and 3000 mm or less.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 8, the manufacturing method of the glass article 13 includes a cutting step of cutting out the glass article 13 from the mother glass G3. In the cutting step, the glass article 13 is cut out so that a winding axis L3, which is planned to wind up the glass article 13 in a roll shape, intersects with an orthogonal direction D2 that is orthogonal to the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G3. The angle θ of the winding axis L3 with respect to the drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G3 is preferably in the range of 0° or more and 20° or less. The winding axis L3 is set to pass through the center in the drawing direction D1 and the center in the orthogonal direction D2 of the glass article 13.

[0067] The shape of the main surface of the mother glass G3 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is preferably a quadrilateral shape having two first sides G3a along the drawing direction D1 and two second sides G3b along an orthogonal direction D2 that is orthogonal to the drawing direction D1. The shape of the mother glass G3 in this embodiment is a rectangle having a long side that is the first side G3a and a short side that is the second side G3b. The length of each of the four sides of the mother glass G3 is preferably in the range of 200 mm or more and 5000 mm or less, more preferably in the range of 250 mm or more and 2000 mm or less, and even more preferably in the range of 280 mm or more and 1000 mm or less.

[0068] Since the sheet pulling direction D1 of the mother glass G3 extends in the direction along the first side G3a which is the long side of the mother glass G3, the sheet pulling direction D1 can be identified by the extending direction of this first side G3a.

[0069] The glass article 13 can be used, for example, for a rollable display that can be wound up in a roll shape. Examples of the rollable display include a rollable liquid crystal display, a rollable organic EL display, and the like.

[0070] Next, the operation and effects of the third embodiment will be described. (3-1) In the cutting step of the third embodiment, the glass article 13 is cut out so that the winding axis L3, which is the axis around which the glass article 13 is to be wound up in a roll shape, intersects the orthogonal direction D2 that is orthogonal to the sheet pulling direction D1 of the mother glass G3. According to this method, the change in thickness along the winding axis L3 of the glass article 13 can be reduced. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the quality of the plate-shaped glass article 13 used for applications that are bent and deformed as described above. For example, by increasing the uniformity of the thickness along the winding axis L3a of the roll-shaped portion F3 of the glass article 13, it becomes possible to increase the strength of the roll-shaped portion F3.

[0071] (3-2) Regarding the manufacturing method of the glass article 13 of the third embodiment as well, the same effects as those described in the (1-2) to (1-5) columns of the first embodiment can be obtained. <Modification Example> The above embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiments and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other as long as there is no technical contradiction.

[0072] · It is also possible to omit the identification portions of the mother glasses G1, G2, and G3. For example, by presetting the transport direction for transporting the mother glasses G1, G2, and G3 from the molding apparatus that molds the mother glasses G1, G2, and G3 in a predetermined direction, the sheet pulling direction D1 can also be identified by the transport direction.

[0073] · The notch portion, which is the second identification portion A2 of the mother glasses G1, G2, and G3, can also be formed such that the length along the first sides G1a, G2a, and G3a of the mother glasses G1, G2, and G3 is shorter than the length along the second sides G1b, G2b, and G3b. In this case, the sheet drawing direction D1 of the mother glasses G1, G2, and G3 can be identified by the direction in which the length of the notch portion is relatively short.

[0074] · The identification portion of the mother glasses G1, G2, and G3 may be a mark provided on the mother glasses G1, G2, and G3. The mark preferably includes at least one selected from a printing portion, a laser engraving portion, a through-hole forming portion, and an adhesive portion of a seal member. Examples of the shape of the mark include symbols such as arrows and characters. Such a mark can be provided on the non-product portion of the mother glasses G1, G2, and G3 other than the product portion for obtaining the glass articles 11, 12, and 13.

[0075] · In the manufacturing method of the glass product group GP of the first embodiment, although the glass product group GP composed of a plurality of units U is manufactured, a glass product composed of one unit U may be manufactured. · One unit U of the glass product group GP is composed of a plurality of glass articles having the same outer dimensions as each other, but may include glass articles having different outer dimensions. However, it is preferable that one unit U is composed of a plurality of glass articles having the same outer dimensions as each other.

[0076] · The manufacturing method of the glass product group GP of the first embodiment can also be applied to the manufacture of a glass product group including the glass article 12 of the second embodiment. Further, the manufacturing method of the glass product group GP of the first embodiment can also be applied to the manufacture of a glass product group including the glass article 13 of the third embodiment. For example, one unit including the glass article 13 of the third embodiment is composed of a plurality of glass articles 13 cut out in a row along the sheet drawing direction D1 of the mother glass G3 in the cutting step. In such a plurality of glass articles 13 cut out in a row, at least a part of each winding axis L3 is arranged on the same straight line along the sheet drawing direction D1. Even in the manufacturing method of the glass product group including the glass article 12 of the second embodiment and the manufacturing method of the glass product group including the glass article 13 of the third embodiment, effects similar to those described in columns (1-6) and (1-7) of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0077] · The glass article obtained by the method of the present disclosure can be used for a foldable display or a rollable display as described above. Examples of the uses of the foldable display and the rollable display include, for example, mobile devices, electronic devices (display devices), etc. Examples of mobile devices include smartphones, tablet computers, etc. Examples of electronic devices include in-vehicle displays, displays for personal computers, television displays, etc.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] 11, 12, 13... Glass articles 11a, 12a, 13a... Long sides 11b, 12b, 13b... Short sides A1... First identification part A2... Second identification part D1... Sheet drawing direction D2... Orthogonal direction G1, G2, G3... Mother glasses G1a, G2a, G3a... First sides G1b, G2b, G3b... Second sides GP... Glass product group L1, L2... Folding planned lines L3... Winding planned axis U... Unit θ... Angle

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a plate-shaped glass article used for applications that are bent and deformed in a folded state, comprising: a cutting step of cutting out the glass article from a mother glass having a drawing direction; In the cutting step, the glass article is cut out so that a folding line along which the glass article is to be folded intersects a direction orthogonal to the drawing direction of the mother glass. A method for manufacturing a glass article.

2. The method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 1, wherein an angle of the folding line with respect to the drawing direction is in a range of 0° or more and 20° or less.

3. The shape of the main surface of the glass article is a rectangular shape having two long sides and two short sides, The method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 1, wherein the folding line is provided in a direction along the short side.

4. The shape of the main surface of the glass article is a rectangular shape having two long sides and two short sides, The method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 1, wherein the folding line is provided in a direction along the long side.

5. The mother glass is an alkali aluminosilicate glass having a thickness of 0.2 mm or less, The shape of the main surface of the mother glass is a quadrilateral shape having two first sides along the drawing direction and two second sides along a direction orthogonal to the drawing direction, The length of each of the four sides of the mother glass is in a range of 200 mm or more and 2000 mm or less, The method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 1, wherein in the cutting step, two or more and 400 or less of the glass articles are cut out from one mother glass.

6. The shape of the main surface of the glass article is a rectangular shape having two long sides and two short sides, The length of each of the two long sides of the glass article is in a range of 100 mm or more and 500 mm or less, The method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 1, wherein the length of each of the two short sides of the glass article is in a range of 50 mm or more and 450 mm or less.

7. The method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 1, wherein an identification portion for identifying the drawing direction is provided on the mother glass.

8. The shape of the main surface of the mother glass is a rectangular shape having two long sides and two short sides. The manufacturing method of a glass article according to claim 7, wherein the identification part includes the long side and the short side of the mother glass, and the sheet drawing direction extends in a direction along either one of the long side and the short side.

9. The identification part includes at least one of a notch formed on the outer edge of the mother glass and a mark provided on the mother glass. The manufacturing method of a glass article according to claim 7, wherein the mark includes at least one selected from a printing part, a laser engraving part, a through-hole forming part, and an attachment part of a sealing member.

10. The manufacturing method of a glass article according to claim 1, further comprising an ion exchange step of performing ion exchange treatment on the glass article after the cutting step.

11. A manufacturing method of a group of glass products including a plurality of plate-shaped glass articles used for applications that are bent and deformed in a folded state, comprising a cutting step of cutting out the glass article from a mother glass having a sheet drawing direction, wherein in the cutting step, the glass article is cut out so that a folding planned line where the glass article is to be folded intersects with a direction orthogonal to the sheet drawing direction of the mother glass. The manufacturing method of a group of glass products, wherein the group of glass products includes, as one unit, a plurality of glass articles cut out side by side in a row along the sheet drawing direction of the mother glass.

12. After presetting a planned cutting part that forms a plurality of rows in a direction intersecting with the sheet drawing direction of the mother glass, in the cutting step, a plurality of the units are manufactured from one mother glass by cutting out a plurality of glass articles from each of the planned cutting parts that form a plurality of rows. The manufacturing method of a group of glass products according to claim 11.

13. A manufacturing method of a plate-shaped glass article used for applications that are bent and deformed in a state of being wound into a roll shape, comprising a cutting step of cutting out the glass article from a mother glass having a sheet drawing direction, wherein in the cutting step, the glass article is cut out so that a winding planned axis where the glass article is to be wound into a roll shape intersects with a direction orthogonal to the sheet drawing direction of the mother glass. The manufacturing method of a glass article.

14. A manufacturing method of a group of glass products including a plurality of plate-shaped glass articles used for applications that are bent and deformed in a state of being wound into a roll shape, A cutting step of cutting out the glass article from a mother glass having a sheet pulling direction is provided, In the cutting step, the glass article is cut out so that a winding axis line, which is planned to wind the glass article in a roll shape, intersects with a direction orthogonal to the sheet pulling direction of the mother glass. The method for manufacturing a glass product group includes, as one unit, a plurality of glass articles cut out in a row along the sheet pulling direction of the mother glass.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Laminate and manufacturing method for laminate

    JP2022166863A