Apparatus and method for improving the surface quality of glass sheets

Abstract

1. A method and apparatus for manufacturing a glass article, comprising: forming a glass article in a forming apparatus, the glass article including a first major surface and a second major surface parallel to the first major surface; and directing a flow of gas along at least one of the first major surface or the second major surface in an amount and for a time sufficient to reduce particle adhesion of the first major surface or the second major surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 423,621, filed November 8, 2022, the contents of which are relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and method for improving the surface quality of glass sheets, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for reducing particle deposition on the surface of glass sheets. [Background technology]

[0003] In the production of glass articles, such as glass sheets, for display applications, including televisions and handheld devices such as phones and tablets, there are typically multiple processing steps that can involve glass particle generation, including when the glass sheet is separated from the glass ribbon and transferred for further processing. Such particle generation can create an environment that adheres to major surfaces of the glass article, such as the glass sheet, during processing. Given the trend toward higher resolution displays, it is desirable to minimize the amount of particles present in such articles. Summary of the Invention

[0004]

[0003] Embodiments disclosed herein include a method for manufacturing a glass article. The method includes forming a glass article in a forming apparatus, the glass article including a first major surface and a second major surface parallel to the first major surface. The method also includes directing a flow of gas along at least one of the first major surface or the second major surface in an amount and for a time sufficient to reduce particle adhesion of the first major surface or the second major surface.

[0005]

[0006] Embodiments disclosed herein also include an apparatus for manufacturing a glass article. The apparatus includes a forming device configured to form a glass article, the glass article including a first major surface and a second major surface parallel to the first major surface. The apparatus also includes a gas flow device configured to direct a flow of gas along at least one of the first major surface or the second major surface in an amount and for a time sufficient to reduce particle adhesion on the first major surface or the second major surface.

[0006] Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be set forth in the following detailed description, and in part will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description, or may be learned by practicing the disclosed embodiments described herein, including the following detailed description, the claims, and the accompanying drawings.

[0007] It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description represent embodiments intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and features of the claimed embodiments. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operation thereof. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary fusion downdraw glass making apparatus and process. [Figure 2] 1A-1D are schematic side views of stages in an exemplary glass sheet separation process. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic side view of another stage of an exemplary glass sheet separation process. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic side view of yet another stage of an exemplary glass sheet separation process. [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic side view of yet another stage of an exemplary glass sheet separation process. [Figure 6]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glass sheet. [Figure 7] 1A-1D are schematic perspective views of steps in a glass sheet manufacturing process. [Figure 8] 1A-1D are top schematic perspective views of steps in a glass sheet manufacturing process according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 9] 1A-1D are side schematic perspective views of steps in a glass sheet manufacturing process according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 10A] FIG. 2 is a top schematic view of a gas flow conduit according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 10B] FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of a gas flow conduit according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 10C] FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view of a gas flow conduit according to an embodiment disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0010] Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values ​​are expressed as approximations, for example, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each range are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0011] Directional terms used herein, e.g., up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom, are made with reference to the drawings only and are not intended to imply absolute orientations.

[0012] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring its steps to be performed in a particular order, or that any apparatus requires a particular orientation. Thus, where a method claim does not actually recite the order in which its steps must be followed, or where any apparatus claim does not actually recite an order or orientation for individual components, or where the claim or the specification otherwise specifically states that the steps are to be limited to a particular order, or where no particular order or orientation for the apparatus components is recited, no order or orientation is intended to be inferred in any sense. This applies to all possible implicit bases for interpretation, including logical considerations regarding the arrangement of steps, operational flow, component order, or component orientation, the plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, and the number or type of embodiments described herein.

[0013] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" component includes aspects having two or more such components unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0014] As used herein, the term "particles" refers to any type of particle that may be present on a surface, such as glass particles and dust particles.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10. In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may comprise a glass melting furnace 12, which may include a melting vessel 14. In addition to the melting vessel 14, the glass melting furnace 12 may optionally include one or more additional components, such as heating elements (e.g., combustion burners or electrodes) that heat the raw materials and convert them into molten glass. In a further example, the glass melting furnace 12 may include thermal management devices (e.g., insulating components) that reduce heat loss from the vicinity of the melting vessel. In yet a further example, the glass melting furnace 12 may include electronic and / or electromechanical devices that facilitate melting of the raw materials into a glass melt. Still further, the glass melting furnace 12 may include a support structure (e.g., a support chassis, support members, etc.) or other components.

[0016] Glass melting vessel 14 is typically constructed of a refractory material, such as a refractory ceramic material, e.g., alumina or zirconia. In some examples, glass melting vessel 14 may be constructed from refractory ceramic brick. Specific embodiments of glass melting vessel 14 are described in more detail below.

[0017] In some examples, a glass melting furnace may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus for producing glass substrates, e.g., continuous lengths of glass ribbon. In some examples, a glass melting furnace of the present disclosure may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus, including a slot draw apparatus, a float bath apparatus, a downdraw apparatus such as a fusion process, an updraw apparatus, a press rolling apparatus, a tube drawing apparatus, or any other glass manufacturing apparatus that would benefit from aspects disclosed herein. By way of example, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a glass melting furnace 12 as a component of a fusion draw glass manufacturing apparatus 10 for melt drawing a glass ribbon for subsequent processing into individual glass sheets.

[0018] Glass manufacturing apparatus 10 (e.g., fusion downdraw apparatus 10) may optionally include upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 positioned upstream relative to glass melting vessel 14. In some embodiments, a portion or all of upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 may be incorporated as part of glass melting furnace 12.

[0019] As shown in the illustrated example, the upstream glass manufacturing equipment 16 may include a storage bin 18, a raw material feed device 20, and a motor 22 connected to the raw material feed device. The storage bin 18 may be configured to store a quantity of raw material 24, as indicated by arrow 26, which may be fed to the melting vessel 14 of the glass melting furnace 12. The raw material 24 typically includes one or more glass-forming metal oxides and one or more modifiers. In some embodiments, the raw material feed device 20 may be driven by the motor 22 such that the raw material feed device 20 feeds a predetermined quantity of raw material 24 from the storage bin 18 to the melting vessel 14. In a further example, the motor 22 may power the raw material feed device 20 to introduce the raw material 24 at a controlled rate based on a level of molten glass sensed downstream of the melting vessel 14. The raw material 24 in the melting vessel 14 may then be heated to form molten glass 28.

[0020] Glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may also optionally include downstream glass manufacturing equipment 30 disposed downstream relative to glass melting furnace 12. In some embodiments, a portion of downstream glass manufacturing equipment 30 may be incorporated as part of glass melting furnace 12. In some instances, first connecting conduit 32, discussed below, or other portions of downstream glass manufacturing equipment 30 may be incorporated as part of glass melting furnace 12. Elements of the downstream glass manufacturing equipment, including first connecting conduit 32, may be formed from precious metals. Suitable precious metals include platinum group metals selected from the group of metals consisting of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, and palladium, or alloys thereof. For example, downstream components of the glass manufacturing equipment may be formed from a platinum-rhodium alloy comprising about 70 to about 90 wt. % platinum and about 10 to about 30 wt. % rhodium. However, other suitable metals may include molybdenum, palladium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, and alloys thereof.

[0021] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may include a first conditioning (i.e., processing) vessel, such as a fining vessel 34, located downstream from the melting vessel 14 and coupled to the melting vessel 14 via the first connecting conduit 32 described above. In some examples, the molten glass 28 may be gravity-fed from the melting vessel 14 to the fining vessel 34 via the first connecting conduit 32. For example, gravity may cause the molten glass 28 to pass from the melting vessel 14 through the internal passage of the first connecting conduit 32 to the fining vessel 34. However, it should be understood that other conditioning vessels may be positioned downstream of the melting vessel 14, for example, between the melting vessel 14 and the fining vessel 34. In some embodiments, a conditioning vessel may be used between the melting vessel and the fining vessel, where the molten glass from the primary melting vessel is either further heated to continue the melting process or cooled to a temperature below that of the molten glass in the melting vessel before entering the fining vessel.

[0022] Gas bubbles can be removed from the molten glass 28 in the fining vessel 34 by various techniques. For example, the raw material 24 may contain a polyvalent compound (i.e., a fining agent), such as tin oxide, that undergoes a chemical reduction reaction to release oxygen when heated. Other suitable fining agents include, but are not limited to, arsenic, antimony, iron, and cerium. The fining vessel 34 is heated to a temperature higher than the melting vessel temperature, thereby heating the molten glass and fining agent. Oxygen bubbles generated by the temperature-induced chemical reduction of the fining agent(s) rise through the molten glass in the fining vessel, and gases in the molten glass generated in the melting furnace may diffuse or coalesce with the oxygen bubbles generated by the fining agent. The enlarged gas bubbles then rise to the free surface of the molten glass in the fining vessel and may then be expelled from the fining vessel. The oxygen bubbles may further induce mechanical mixing of the molten glass in the fining vessel.

[0023] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include another conditioning vessel, such as a mixing vessel 36, for mixing the molten glass. The mixing vessel 36 may be located downstream of the fining vessel 34. The mixing vessel 36 may be used to provide a uniform glass melt composition, thereby reducing chemical or thermal inhomogeneities that may otherwise be present in the refined molten glass exiting the fining vessel. As shown, the fining vessel 34 may be coupled to the mixing vessel 36 via a second connecting conduit 38. In some embodiments, the molten glass 28 may be gravity-fed from the fining vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 via the second connecting conduit 38. For example, gravity may cause the molten glass 28 to pass from the fining vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 through the internal passage of the second connecting conduit 38. It should be noted that although the mixing vessel 36 is shown downstream of the fining vessel 34, the mixing vessel 36 may be located upstream of the fining vessel 34. In some embodiments, downstream glass manufacturing equipment 30 may include multiple mixing vessels, for example, a mixing vessel upstream of fining vessel 34 and a mixing vessel downstream of fining vessel 34. These multiple mixing vessels may be of the same design, or these multiple mixing vessels may be of different designs.

[0024] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include another conditioning vessel, such as a feed vessel 40, which may be located downstream of the mixing vessel 36. The feed vessel 40 may condition the molten glass 28 to be delivered to a downstream forming device. For example, the feed vessel 40 may function as an accumulator and / or flow controller to condition and / or provide a constant flow of the molten glass 28 to the forming body 42 via an outlet conduit 44. As shown, the mixing vessel 36 may be coupled to the feed vessel 40 via a third connecting conduit 46. In some embodiments, the molten glass 28 may be gravity-fed from the mixing vessel 36 to the feed vessel 40 via the third connecting conduit 46. For example, gravity may drive the molten glass 28 from the mixing vessel 36 to the feed vessel 40 through the internal path of the third connecting conduit 46.

[0025] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include a forming apparatus 48 comprising the forming body 42 and inlet conduit 50 described above. The outlet conduit 44 may be positioned to deliver the molten glass 28 from the feed vessel 40 to the inlet conduit 50 of the forming apparatus 48. For example, in the example, the outlet conduit 44 may be nested within and spaced from the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50, thereby providing a free surface for the molten glass disposed between the outer surface of the outlet conduit 44 and the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50. The forming body 42 in a fusion downdraw glass making apparatus may include a trough 52 disposed on the upper surface of the forming body and a converging forming surface 54 that converges in the draw direction along a bottom edge 56 of the forming body. Molten glass delivered to the forming body trough via the feed vessel 40, the outlet conduit 44, and the inlet conduit 50 overflows the sidewall of the trough and descends along the converging forming surface 54 as a separate stream of molten glass. The separate streams of molten glass merge below and along the bottom edge 56 to produce a single glass ribbon 58 that is drawn from the bottom edge 56 in a draw or flow direction 60 by applying tension to the glass ribbon, such as by gravity, edge rolls 72, and pull rolls 82, to control the dimensions of the glass ribbon as the glass cools and its viscosity increases. The glass ribbon 58 therefore undergoes a viscoelastic transition and acquires mechanical properties that give the glass ribbon 58 stable dimensional characteristics. The glass ribbon 58 can, in some embodiments, be separated into individual glass sheets 62 by a glass separator 100 within the elastic region of the glass ribbon. A robot 64 can then use gripping tools 65 to transfer the individual glass sheets 62 to a conveyor system so that the individual glass sheets can be further processed.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of an exemplary glass sheet separation process stage. As shown in FIG. 2, a glass separation apparatus 100 includes a scoring mechanism 102 and a nose 104, where the scoring mechanism 102 and nose 104 are positioned on opposite sides of a glass ribbon 58. At the stage shown in FIG. 2, the scoring mechanism 102 moves widthwise (into and out of the plane, as shown in FIG. 2) across the glass ribbon 58 to impart widthwise score lines across the glass ribbon 58. Additionally, at the stage shown in FIG. 2, the gripping tool 65 has not yet engaged with the glass ribbon 58, although engagement during scoring is known and commonly practiced in the art.

[0027] 2 as a mechanical scoring mechanism, such as a mechanism comprising a score wheel, it should be understood that embodiments herein include other types of scoring mechanisms, such as, for example, a laser scoring mechanism. When scoring mechanism 102 comprises a score wheel, the score wheel may be mounted on a ball-bearing pivot, which in turn may be fixed to a shaft attached to a linear actuator (air cylinder) that moves the score wheel toward the glass ribbon 58, so that the score wheel may be drawn across and score the side of the ribbon.

[0028] The nose 104 may comprise a resilient material such as silicone rubber. In certain exemplary embodiments, the nose 104 may be a conformable nose that conforms to the curved shape of the glass ribbon 58, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,051,681, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The nose 104 may also be in fluid communication with a vacuum source (not shown) to enhance engagement between the glass ribbon 58 and the nose, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,245,539, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0029] 3 shows a schematic side view of another stage of an exemplary glass sheet separation process, in which a scoring mechanism 102 has a disengaged glass ribbon 58 and a gripping tool 65 including gripping elements 66 has been actuated by a robot 64 to engage the glass ribbon 58. The gripping elements 66 may include a resilient material such as, for example, silicone rubber, and in certain exemplary embodiments, may include a cup-shaped resilient material that may be in fluid communication with a vacuum source (not shown) to enhance the engagement between the glass ribbon 58 and the gripping elements 66 (a gripping element including a cup-shaped material in fluid communication with a vacuum source is hereinafter referred to as a vacuum cup).

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the gripping tool 64, including the gripping elements 66, applies a pulling force to the glass ribbon 58, but the pulling force is not sufficient to bend the glass ribbon 58 substantially away from the draw or machine direction 60. However, Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of yet another stage of the exemplary glass sheet separation process, in which the gripping tool 65 is further actuated by the robot 64, thereby applying a pulling force sufficient to begin to bend the portion of the glass ribbon 58 extending below the nose 104 away from the draw or machine direction 60. However, as shown in Figure 4, the pulling force is not yet sufficient to substantially separate the portion of the glass ribbon 58 extending below the nose 104 from the remainder of the glass ribbon 58.

[0031] 5 shows a schematic side view of yet another stage of the exemplary glass sheet separation process, in which the gripping tool 65 is further actuated by the robot 64, thereby applying sufficient pulling force to separate the portion of the glass ribbon 58 extending below the nose portion 104 (i.e., the glass sheet 62) from the remainder of the glass ribbon 58. The glass sheet 62 may then be transferred, for example, to a conveyor system, for further processing.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a glass sheet 62 having a first major surface 162, a second major surface 164 (on the opposite side of the glass sheet 62 as the first major surface) that extends in a direction generally parallel to the first major surface 162, and an edge surface 166 that extends between the first major surface 162 and the second major surface 164 and that extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the first major surface 162 and the second major surface 164.

[0033] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a step in the glass sheet manufacturing process. As shown in Figure 7, a glass sheet 62 is transported by a robot 64 (i.e., a first robot) toward a weighing device 150, as indicated generally by arrow "A" (this processing step also transports the glass sheet 62 away from the forming device). Following being weighed by the weighing device 150, the glass sheet 62 is transported by a robot 74 (i.e., a second robot) from the weighing device 140 toward downstream processing equipment (not shown), as indicated generally by arrow "B."

[0034] During the processes illustrated in Figures 2-5 and 7, particles, such as small glass or dust particles, may form on the glass sheet 62, e.g., on the first major surface 162 and / or second major surface 164 of the glass sheet 62. For example, as shown in Figures 2-5, during separation of the glass sheet 62 from the glass ribbon 58, glass particles may be generated as part of the scoring, bending, or separation process. Additionally, during transport of the glass sheet 62 by the robots 64, 74, glass particles may be introduced, for example, if the glass sheet is inadvertently dropped by (or otherwise improperly secured to) the robots 64, 74. The presence of such glass particles in the glass sheet processing environment may result in the formation of glass particles on the glass sheet 62.

[0035] 8 and 9 show top and side schematic perspective views, respectively, of steps in a glass sheet manufacturing process according to embodiments disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 8, the glass sheet manufacturing process and apparatus includes a gas flow apparatus 110. The gas flow apparatus 110 includes a plurality of gas flow conduits, specifically a plurality of first gas flow conduits 112 and second gas flow conduits 114. The first gas flow conduit 112 extends across the region of the gas flow apparatus 110 where the robot 64 transports the glass sheet 62 from the forming apparatus (not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) to the metering apparatus 150. The second gas flow conduit 114 extends across the region of the gas flow apparatus 110 where the robot 74 transports the glass sheet 62 from the metering apparatus 150 to downstream processing equipment (not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9).

[0036] 8 and 9, each of the plurality of gas flow conduits 112, 114 extends along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to gravity (shown as arrow "G" in FIG. 9) and directs gas flow in a direction parallel to gravity (shown by dashed arrows in FIG. 9). In addition, the second gas flow conduit 114 extends in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first gas flow conduit 112.

[0037] As further shown in Figures 8 and 9, the glass sheet 62 is transported by the robots 64, 74 in a vertical orientation such that the first major surface 162 and the second major surface 164 extend along a direction parallel to gravity, such that gas flowing from the gas flow conduits 112, 114 flows at least partially by gravity along at least one of the first major surface 162 or the second major surface 164.

[0038] In certain exemplary embodiments, gas may enter the gas flow conduits 112, 114 through operation of a blower fan unit, which may be in fluid communication with the gas flow conduits 112, 114 through one or more connecting conduits (not shown). In certain exemplary embodiments, the gas includes air.

[0039] 10A-10C show schematic views of the top, side, and bottom, respectively, of a gas flow conduit 112 according to embodiments disclosed herein. The gas flow conduit 110 includes an end cap 116 and a bottom surface extending along a surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gas flow conduit 112 and including a plurality of openings 118 configured to allow gas to exit the gas flow conduit 112. Stated another way, the plurality of openings 118 are configured to allow gas to flow in a direction parallel to gravity, such that gas flowing from the gas flow conduits 112, 114 flows at least partially by gravity along at least one of the first major surface 162 or the second major surface 164 of the glass sheet 62 as the glass sheet 62 is transported into the gas flow device 110 (e.g., by the robot 64, 74).

[0040] Embodiments disclosed herein include those in which gas flows along at least one of first major surface 162 or second major surface 164 of glass sheet 62 in an amount and for a time sufficient to reduce particle adhesion on first major surface 162 or second major surface 164. For example, gas may be flowed through gas flow device 110 at a rate of about 1 liter per second to about 10 liters per second, e.g., about 3 liters per second to about 7 liters per second, for a time period of about 1 second to about 1 minute, e.g., about 5 seconds to about 30 seconds.

[0041] Flowing gas along at least one of the first major surface 162 or the second major surface 164 of the glass sheet 62 may, for example, reduce particle adhesion to at least one of the first major surface 162 or the second major surface 164 by at least about 25%, such as at least about 30%, or even such as at least about 40%, or even such as at least about 45%, or even such as at least about 50%, such as by about 25% to about 75%, or even such as by about 30% to about 70%, compared to a situation where the gas flow device 110 is not used to flow gas along at least one of the first major surface 162 or the second major surface 164.

[0042]

[0010] Embodiments disclosed herein may enable minimizing the deposition of particles, such as glass particles, on glass articles, such as glass sheets, which may result in the production of glass articles, such as glass sheets, with improved surface quality.

[0011] Embodiments disclosed herein may further enable improved processing efficiency of glass articles, such as glass sheets, in environments where particles, such as glass particles, are present, for example, by reducing the number of glass articles, such as glass sheets, that must be discarded for not meeting quality requirements, such as surface quality requirements.

[0043] Although the above embodiments have been described with reference to a fusion downdraw process, it should be understood that such embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as the float process, the slot draw process, the updraw process, the tube draw process, and the press rolling process.

[0044] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is intended to cover such modifications and variations, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A method for manufacturing a glass article, comprising: forming the glass article in a forming apparatus, the glass article comprising a first major surface and a second major surface parallel to the first major surface; directing a flow of gas along at least one of the first major surface or the second major surface in an amount and for a time sufficient to reduce particle adhesion of the first major surface or the second major surface.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flow of the gas is determined by gravity along at least one of the first major surface or the second major surface.

3. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of robotically transporting the glass article, and wherein the step of directing the flow of gas is performed during the step of robotically transporting the glass article.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the conveying step further comprises conveying the glass article from the forming device to a metering device.

5. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the conveying step further comprises conveying the glass article from a weighing device to a downstream processing device.

6. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the flow of gas is at a rate of about 1 liter per second to about 10 liters per second and for a duration of about 1 second to about 1 minute.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gas comprises air.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein directing the flow of gas further comprises flowing the gas along a plurality of gas flow conduits extending along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to gravity.

9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein directing the flow of gas further comprises flowing the gas from the gas flow conduits through a plurality of openings extending along a surface of each conduit parallel to the longitudinal axis.

10. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein directing the gas flow reduces the particle deposition on at least one of the first major surface or the second major surface by at least about 25% compared to a condition in which the gas flow is not used.

11. 1. An apparatus for manufacturing a glass article, comprising: a forming apparatus configured to form the glass article, the glass article comprising a first major surface and a second major surface parallel to the first major surface; a gas flow device configured to direct a flow of gas along at least one of the first major surface or the second major surface in an amount and for a time sufficient to reduce particle adhesion of the first major surface or the second major surface.

12. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the gas flow device is configured to cause gas to flow in a direction parallel to gravity.

13. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the gas flow device further comprises at least one gas flow conduit extending along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the force of gravity.

14. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one gas flow conduit extends along a surface parallel to the longitudinal axis and includes a plurality of openings configured to allow gas to flow from the gas flow conduit.

15. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one gas flow conduit comprises a plurality of gas flow conduits extending along a plurality of longitudinal axes perpendicular to gravity.

16. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus further comprises a robot configured to transport the glass article.

17. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the robot is configured to transport the glass article from the forming device to a metering device.

18. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the robot is configured to transport the glass articles from a weighing device to a downstream processing device.

19. A glass article made by the method of any one of claims 1 to 10.

20. 20. An electronic device comprising the glass article of claim 19.

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