Apparatus and method for separating glass sheets

Abstract

Apparatus and method for manufacturing glass articles include a scoring mechanism configured to impart score lines across a first main surface of a glass article, and a separation mechanism including a glass sheet separation member having a first raised surface and a second raised surface extending along the longitudinal length of the glass sheet separation member, and an intermediate surface extending between them, wherein the first and second raised surfaces are configured to contact the glass article, and the intermediate surface is configured not to contact the glass article.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 606,191, filed on December 5, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 501,452, filed on May 11, 2023. The content of these provisional applications is relied upon herein and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to devices and methods for separating glass sheets, and more particularly, to devices and methods for separating glass sheets having high edge quality.

Background Art

[0003] In the production of glass articles such as glass sheets for display applications, including televisions and handheld devices such as phones and tablets, large glass sheets can be produced from a glass ribbon. These large glass sheets can then be cut into smaller glass sheets or other articles. In such manufacturing, there is always a need to perform these operations quickly while achieving high quality in the edge regions of the smaller glass sheets or other articles.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments disclosed herein, apparatus for manufacturing glass articles. The apparatus comprises a scoring mechanism configured to impart score lines across a first main surface of a glass article. The apparatus also comprises a separation mechanism including a glass sheet separation member. The glass sheet separation member includes a first raised surface, a second raised surface, and an intermediate surface extending between the first and second raised surfaces. Each of the first, second, and intermediate surfaces extends along the longitudinal length of the glass sheet separation member. The first and second raised surfaces are configured to contact the glass article, while the intermediate surface is configured not to contact the glass article.

[0005] Embodiments disclosed herein also include a method for manufacturing a glass article. The method includes marking a score line across a first main surface of the glass article using a scoring mechanism. The method also includes applying a separating force to the glass article. The separating force is applied by a glass sheet separating member. The glass sheet separating member includes a first raised surface, a second raised surface, and an intermediate surface extending between the first and second raised surfaces. Each of the first, second, and intermediate surfaces extends along the longitudinal length of the glass sheet separating member. The first and second raised surfaces are in contact with the glass article, while the intermediate surface is not in contact with the glass article.

[0006] Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein are described in the following detailed description and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description, or will be recognized by carrying out the embodiments disclosed herein, including the following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

[0007] It should be understood that both the above-mentioned summary and the following embodiments for carrying out the invention 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 further understanding and are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of this disclosure and, together with the descriptions, help to illustrate their principles and operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary fusion downdraw glass fabrication apparatus and process. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a glass sheet. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view of a scoring operation of a glass sheet according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the exploded view of area "A". [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of a glass sheet separation bar according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 6A] This is a schematic side view of a glass sheet separation bar and tilting mechanism according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 6B] This is a schematic side view of a glass sheet separation bar and tilting mechanism according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 7A] This is a schematic diagram of the end of a lifting mechanism according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 7B] This is a schematic diagram of the end of a lifting mechanism according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 8] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of a glass sheet separation bar and support mechanism according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 9A] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of a scored glass sheet and a glass sheet separator bar according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 9B]This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of a scored glass sheet and a glass sheet separator bar according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 10A] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of a glass sheet separation according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 10B] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of a glass sheet separation according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 11] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of a glass sheet separation wheel according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 12] This is a schematic perspective view of a glass sheet separation mechanism according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 13] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of the glass sheet separation mechanism shown in Figure 12, which is in the first position. [Figure 14] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of the glass sheet separation mechanism shown in Figure 12, which is located in the second position. [Figure 15] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a glass sheet separation wheel cleaning mechanism according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 16] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an end section of a glass sheet separation wheel cleaning mechanism according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are given in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments shown herein.

[0010] In this specification, a range can be expressed as "approximately" from one particular value and / or "approximately" to another particular value. Where such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes that particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, where a value is expressed, for example, as an approximation, it will be understood that by using the antecedent "approximately," the particular value forms another embodiment. It will further be understood that each endpoint of a range is significant, whether related to or independent of the other endpoints.

[0011] The directional terms used herein, such as up, down, right, left, front, back, top, and bottom, are derived solely from the drawings and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

[0012] Unless otherwise specified, no method described herein is intended to be construed as requiring its steps to be performed in a specific order, nor as requiring any particular orientation in any apparatus. Therefore, if a method claim does not actually list the order in which its steps should be followed, or if any apparatus claim does not actually list an order or orientation for its individual components, or if it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claim or specification that the steps should be limited to a specific order, or if no specific order or orientation for the components of the apparatus is listed, no order or orientation is intended to be inferred in any sense. This includes all possible implicit grounds for interpretation, including logical matters relating to the arrangement of steps, the flow of operation, the order of components, or the orientation of components, 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 explicitly indicates otherwise.

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

[0015] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10. In some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 may include a glass melting furnace 12 that 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 further examples, the glass melting furnace 12 may include a heat management device (e.g., an insulating component) that reduces heat loss from the vicinity of the melting vessel. In still further examples, the glass melting furnace 12 may include electronic and / or electromechanical devices that facilitate melting of the raw materials into the glass melt. Additionally, the glass melting furnace 12 may include a support structure (e.g., a support chassis, support members, etc.) or other components.

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

[0017] In some embodiments, a glass melting furnace may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus for producing glass substrates, such as continuous-length glass ribbons. In some embodiments, the glass melting furnace of this disclosure may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus, including a slot-draw apparatus, a float-bath apparatus, a down-draw apparatus such as a fusion process, an up-draw apparatus, a press-rolling apparatus, a tube-drawing apparatus, or any other glass manufacturing apparatus that would benefit from embodiments disclosed herein. As an example, Figure 1 schematically illustrates a glass melting furnace 12 as a component of a fusion-draw glass manufacturing apparatus 10 for fusion-drawing glass ribbons for subsequent processing into individual glass sheets.

[0018] The glassmaking apparatus 10 (e.g., fusion downdraw apparatus 10) may optionally include an upstream glassmaking apparatus 16 positioned upstream of the glass melting vessel 14. In some embodiments, part or all of the upstream glassmaking apparatus 16 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12.

[0019] As illustrated in the examples, the upstream glassmaking apparatus 16 may include a storage bin 18, a raw material feeding device 20, and a motor 22 connected to the raw material feeding device. The storage bin 18 may be configured to store a certain amount of raw material 24 that can be supplied to the molten vessel 14 of the glass melting furnace 12, as indicated by arrow 26. The raw material 24 typically includes one or more glass forming metal oxides and one or more modifiers. In some embodiments, the raw material feeding device 20 may be driven by a motor 22 so that the raw material feeding device 20 feeds a predetermined amount of raw material 24 from the storage bin 18 to the molten vessel 14. In further examples, the motor 22 may power the raw material feeding device 20 to introduce the raw material 24 at a controlled rate based on the level of molten glass detected downstream of the molten vessel 14. The raw material 24 in the molten vessel 14 may then be heated to form molten glass 28.

[0020] The glassmaking apparatus 10 may also optionally include a downstream glassmaking apparatus 30 located downstream of the glass melting furnace 12. In some embodiments, a portion of the downstream glassmaking apparatus 30 may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. In some examples, the first connecting conduit 32, or other parts of the downstream glassmaking apparatus 30, which are considered below, may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12. The elements of the downstream glassmaking apparatus, including the 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, the downstream components of the glassmaking apparatus may be formed from a platinum-rhodium alloy containing about 70 to about 90% by weight of platinum and about 10 to about 30% by weight of 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 adjustment (i.e., processing) vessel, such as a clarification vessel 34, which is located downstream of the melting vessel 14 and connected to the melting vessel 14 via the first connecting conduit 32 described above. In some embodiments, molten glass 28 may be supplied by gravity from the melting vessel 14 to the clarification vessel 34 via the first connecting conduit 32. For example, by gravity, the molten glass 28 may pass from the melting vessel 14 to the clarification vessel 34 through the internal path of the first connecting conduit 32. However, it should be understood that other adjustment vessels may be located downstream of the melting vessel 14, for example, between the melting vessel 14 and the clarification vessel 34. In some embodiments, the adjustment vessel may be used between the melting vessel and the clarification vessel, and the molten glass from the primary melting vessel is further heated to continue the melting process or cooled to a temperature lower than the temperature of the molten glass in the melting vessel before entering the clarification vessel.

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

[0023] The downstream glassmaking apparatus 30 may further include another conditioning vessel, such as a mixing vessel 36 for mixing molten glass. The mixing vessel 36 may be located downstream of the clarification vessel 34. The mixing vessel 36 may be used to provide a uniform molten glass composition, thereby reducing codes of chemical or thermal heterogeneity that may be present in the clarified molten glass exiting the clarification vessel if the mixing vessel 36 is not used. As shown, the clarification 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 clarification vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 via the second connecting conduit 38. For example, by gravity, the molten glass 28 may pass from the clarification vessel 34 to the mixing vessel 36 through the internal path of the second connecting conduit 38. Note that although the mixing vessel 36 is shown downstream of the clarification vessel 34, the mixing vessel 36 may be located upstream of the clarification vessel 34. In some embodiments, the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may include a plurality of mixing vessels, for example, a mixing vessel upstream of the clarification vessel 34 and a mixing vessel downstream of the clarification vessel 34. These plurality of mixing vessels may be of the same design, or they may be of different designs.

[0024] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include another regulating vessel, such as a feeder 40, which may be located downstream of the mixing vessel 36. The feeder 40 may be regulated so that molten glass 28 is supplied to the downstream molding device. For example, the feeder 40 may function as an accumulator and / or flow controller to regulate and / or provide a constant flow of molten glass 28 through an outlet conduit 44 to a molded body 42. As shown, the mixing vessel 36 may be coupled to the feeder 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 feeder 40 via the third connecting conduit 46. For example, gravity may drive the molten glass 28 from the mixing vessel 36 to the feeder 40 through an internal path of the third connecting conduit 46.

[0025] The downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may further include a molding apparatus 48 comprising the molded body 42 and inlet conduit 50 described above. An outlet conduit 44 may be arranged to feed molten glass 28 from the feed container 40 to the inlet conduit 50 of the molding apparatus 48. In this example, the outlet conduit 44 may be nested within the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50 and spaced apart from the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50, thereby providing a free surface for molten glass positioned between the outer surface of the outlet conduit 44 and the inner surface of the inlet conduit 50. The molded body 42 in the fusion down-draw glass manufacturing apparatus may comprise a trough 52 positioned on the upper surface of the molded body and a converging molding surface 54 converging in the drawing direction along the bottom edge 56 of the molded body. Molten glass fed into the molded body trough via the feed container 40, outlet conduit 44, and inlet conduit 50 overflows from the side walls of the trough and descends along the converging molding surface 54 as a separate flow of molten glass. The separate flows of molten glass merge below and along the bottom edge 56, and are drawn out from the bottom edge 56 or in the flow direction 60 by applying tension to the glass ribbon by gravity, edge rolls 72 and pull rolls 82, etc., to control the dimensions of the glass ribbon as the glass cools and the viscosity of the glass increases, thereby producing a single glass ribbon 58. Thus, the glass ribbon 58 undergoes a viscoelastic transition and acquires mechanical properties that give the glass ribbon 58 stable dimensional characteristics. In some embodiments, the glass ribbon 58 can be separated into individual glass sheets 62 by a glass separator 100 within the elastic region of the glass ribbon. A robot 64 may then transport the individual glass sheets 62 to a conveyor system using a gripping tool 65, thereby allowing the individual glass sheets to be further processed.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a glass article, specifically a glass sheet 62, which has a first main surface 162, a second main surface 164 extending in a direction generally parallel to the first main surface 162 (on the opposite side of the glass sheet 62 as the first main surface), and an edge surface 166 extending between the first main surface 162 and the second main surface 164, and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the first main surface 162 and the second main surface 164.

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a glass sheet scoring operation according to an embodiment disclosed herein. Figure 4 is an exploded schematic view of area "A" in Figure 3. The glass sheet scoring operation includes applying score lines 168 across a first main surface 162 of the glass sheet 62. The score lines 168 are applied via a scoring mechanism 200, which may include, for example, a score wheel or other scoring devices known to those skilled in the art.

[0028] In certain exemplary embodiments, the glass sheet 62 may have a thickness "T" in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, for example, about 0.2 mm to about 0.4 mm (defined as the closest distance between the first main surface 162 and the second main surface 164 of the glass sheet 62), and the score lines may have a depth "D" in the range of about 10 microns to about 50 microns, for example, about 20 microns to about 40 microns (defined as the average distance the score lines extend within the glass sheet 62 in the thickness direction).

[0029] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of a glass sheet separating member, specifically a glass sheet separating bar 300, according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The glass sheet separating bar 300 includes a first raised surface 302, a second raised surface 304, an intermediate surface 306 extending between the first raised surface 302 and the second raised surface 304, and a body portion 308 extending below the first raised surface 302, the second raised surface 304, and the intermediate surface 306. As can be seen in Figure 5, the first main surface 302 and the second main surface 304 are curved so as to extend along a semicircular cross-section separated by the intermediate surface 306. The glass sheet separation bar 300 extends along its longitudinal length (as shown in Figures 6A and 6B) such that each of the first raised surface 302, the second raised surface 304, and the intermediate surface 306 extends along the longitudinal length of the glass sheet separation bar 300.

[0030] Figures 6A and 6B are schematic side views of a glass sheet separator bar 300 and a tilting mechanism 350 according to embodiments disclosed herein. The tilting mechanism 350 includes a lifting mechanism 352 on a first end along its longitudinal length and a hinge mechanism 354 on a second end opposite its longitudinal length. The tilting mechanism 350 also includes a support mechanism 358 extending between the glass sheet separator bar 300 and a fixed base 356. Figure 6B shows three support mechanisms 358, while embodiments disclosed herein may include more or fewer support mechanisms 358 extending between the glass sheet separator bar 300 and the fixed base 356.

[0031] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the tilting mechanism 350 is configured to raise and lower one end of the glass sheet separation bar 300, specifically the end of the glass sheet separation bar 300 adjacent to the lifting mechanism 352. In Figure 6A, the end of the glass sheet separation bar 300 adjacent to the lifting mechanism 352 is shown in a lowered state, such that the glass sheet separation bar 300 is parallel to the fixed base 356. In Figure 6B, the end of the glass sheet separation bar 300 adjacent to the lifting mechanism 354 is shown in an raised state, such that the glass sheet separation bar 300 is inclined with respect to the fixed base 356, and the inclination angle of the longitudinal axis of the glass sheet separation bar 300 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fixed base 356 is indicated by "θ" in Figure 6B.

[0032] Figures 7A and 7B show schematic end views of the lifting mechanism 352 according to embodiments disclosed herein. Specifically, Figure 7A shows a schematic end view of the lifting mechanism 352 with the glass separation bar 300 in the lowered position, and Figure 7B shows a schematic end view of the lifting mechanism 352 with the glass separation bar 300 in the raised position. The lifting mechanism 352 includes a housing 360, a slot 366, a separation bar nut 362 (aligned with the longitudinal axis of the glass sheet separation bar 300), and a fixing base nut 364 (aligned with the longitudinal axis of the fixing base 356).

[0033] In the lowered position shown in Figure 7A, the housing 360 and the separation bar nut 362 are lower relative to the fixed base nut 364, and in the raised position shown in Figure 7B, the housing 360 and the separation bar nut 362 are higher relative to the fixed base nut 364, with the vertical movement of the housing 360 relative to the fixed base 364 indicated by the arrow "M". During operation, the fixed base nut 364 can be loosened when raising or lowering the housing 360, and then tightened when the housing 360 is set to the desired height. As the housing 360 rises or falls, the end of the glass sheet separation bar 300 adjacent to the lifting mechanism 352 rises or falls accordingly, while the opposite end of the glass sheet separation bar 300 pivots around the hinge mechanism 354.

[0034] In a particular exemplary embodiment, the tilting mechanism 350 is configured to tilt the glass sheet separation bar 300 at an angle "θ" of approximately 0.5 to 5 degrees relative to the horizontal, for example, approximately 1 to 3 degrees.

[0035] Figure 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of a glass sheet separation bar 300 and a support mechanism 358 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The support mechanism 358 is placed on a fixed base 356, and the glass sheet separation bar 300 is placed on the support mechanism 358. The support mechanism 358 provides mechanical support to the glass sheet separation bar 300 when the glass sheet separation bar 300 is inclined with respect to the fixed base 356. For example, when the separation bar 300 is inclined to a desired degree by an inclination mechanism 350, one or more support mechanisms 358 can be inserted between the glass sheet separation bar 300 and the fixed base 356.

[0036] Figures 9A and 9B show schematic cross-sectional views of the end sections of a scored glass sheet 62 and a glass sheet separator bar 300 according to embodiments disclosed herein. In Figure 9A, the score line 168 is offset (to the left) from the center line "C" of the glass sheet separator bar 300, and in Figure 9B, the score line 168 is aligned with the glass sheet separator bar 300. As can be seen in Figures 9A and 9B, the first raised surface 302 and the second raised surface 304 are in contact with the glass sheet 62, but the intermediate surface is not in contact with the glass sheet 62.

[0037] Figures 10A and 10B show schematic cross-sectional views of the end of the separation of the glass sheet 62 according to embodiments disclosed herein. When the glass sheet 62 is moved relative to the glass sheet separation bar 300 (indicated by arrow "X"), separation occurs along score lines previously applied to the first main surface 162 (not shown in Figures 10A and 10B), such as those shown in Figure 4. As can be seen in Figure 10A, the glass sheet separation bar 300, specifically the second raised surface 304, comes into contact with the second main surface 164 as the glass sheet 62 is separated.

[0038] Figure 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of a glass sheet separating member, specifically a glass sheet separating wheel 400, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The glass sheet separating wheel 400 includes a first raised surface 402, a second raised surface 404, an intermediate surface 406 extending between the first raised surface 402 and the second raised surface 404, and a body portion 408 extending below the first raised surface 402, the second raised surface 404, and the intermediate surface 406. As can be seen in Figure 11, the first main surface 402 and the second main surface 404 are curved so as to extend along a semicircular cross-section separated by the intermediate surface 406.

[0039] Figure 12 shows a schematic perspective view of a glass sheet separation mechanism 450 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The glass sheet separation mechanism 450 includes a guide plate 452 and a drive conveyor 454, which may comprise a drive belt or drive chain configured to move a glass sheet separation wheel 400 across the longitudinal length of the glass sheet separation mechanism 450 (as indicated by the double arrow "XX" in Figure 12). The glass sheet separation wheel 400 is mounted on a mounting frame 460, which is then mounted on the drive conveyor 454. A drive motor 462 drives the rotation of a first spindle 456, which in turn causes the drive conveyor 454 and a second spindle 458 to move, where the mounting frame 460 and the glass sheet separation wheel 400 move in conjunction with the drive conveyor 454. The glass sheet separation mechanism 450 also includes a tension adjustment mechanism 464 which can cause lateral movement of a second spindle 458 (as indicated by the double arrow "XX" in Figure 12) to adjust the tension of the drive conveyor 454. The glass sheet separation mechanism 450 also includes a glass sheet separation wheel cleaning mechanism 466.

[0040] Figure 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of the glass sheet separation mechanism 450 of Figure 12 in the first position. As can be seen in Figure 13, the glass sheet 62 is located on the support plate 468, and the top of the glass sheet separation wheel 400 is at the same height as the top of the support plate 468 so that no separating force is applied to the glass sheet 62 by the glass sheet separation wheel 400.

[0041] Figure 14 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the end of the glass sheet separation mechanism 450 of Figure 12 in a second position. As can be seen in Figure 14, the top of the glass sheet separation wheel 400 is higher than the top of the support plate 468 so that a separation force is applied to the glass sheet 62, thereby separating a portion of the glass sheet 62 onto the guide plate 452. Specifically, the separation force is applied to the glass sheet 62 by the upward movement of the glass sheet separation wheel 400 relative to the glass sheet 62 (as indicated by the arrow "Y" in Figure 14) by the action of a driver 470 (e.g., a servo motor) on the mounting frame 460.

[0042] While in the second position, the glass sheet separating wheel 400 can apply a separating force to the glass sheet 62 while the glass sheet separating wheel 400 moves across the main surface of the glass sheet 62. Specifically, while in the second position, the glass sheet separating wheel 400 can move across the main surface of the glass sheet 62 through the operation of the glass sheet separating mechanism 450, where, referring to Figure 12, the glass sheet separating wheel 400 mounted on the mounting frame 460 moves in coordination with the drive conveyor 454.

[0043] Figures 15 and 16 show schematic side and end cross-sectional views, respectively, of a glass sheet separation wheel cleaning mechanism 466 according to embodiments disclosed herein. The glass sheet separation wheel cleaning mechanism 466 includes a cleaning component 472 (e.g., cleaning brush(s)) and a friction seat 474, where lateral movement of the glass sheet separation wheel 400 across the friction seat 474 (as indicated by the double arrow “XX” in Figure 15) causes rotation of the glass sheet separation wheel 400 (as indicated by the curved arrow “C” in Figure 15), thereby resulting in the removal of debris from the glass sheet separation wheel 400 by the cleaning component 472. Such debris can then be removed by a suction mechanism 476 (e.g., a vacuum pump) of the glass sheet separation wheel cleaning mechanism 466.

[0044] Embodiments disclosed herein may enable, for example, more controlled and efficient separation of glass articles such as glass sheets, which in turn may enable more efficient production of glass articles such as glass sheets having better and more uniform edge quality.

[0045] Although the embodiments described above have been explained with reference to the fusion downdraw process, it should be understood that such embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as the float process, slot draw process, updraw process, tube draw process, and press rolling process.

[0046] Those skilled in the art will see that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is intended to encompass such modifications and variations, insofar as they remain within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Apparatus for manufacturing glass articles, A scoring mechanism configured to provide a score line across the first main surface of the glass article, A separation mechanism comprising a glass sheet separation member, wherein the glass sheet separation member comprises a first raised surface, a second raised surface, and an intermediate surface extending between the first raised surface and the second raised surface, each of the first raised surface, the second raised surface, and the intermediate surface extends along the longitudinal length of the glass sheet separation member, the first raised surface and the second raised surface are configured to contact the glass article, and the intermediate surface is configured not to contact the glass article, the separation mechanism comprising:

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first main surface and the second main surface are curved.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the glass sheet separating member includes a glass sheet separating bar, and the apparatus further comprises a tilting mechanism configured to raise and lower one end of the glass sheet separating bar.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tilting mechanism comprises a lifting mechanism and a hinge mechanism.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tilting mechanism comprises at least one support mechanism.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tilting mechanism is configured to tilt the glass sheet separating bar at an angle of approximately 0.5 degrees to approximately 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the glass sheet separating member includes a glass sheet separating wheel, and the apparatus further comprises a glass sheet separating mechanism configured to move the glass sheet separating wheel relative to the glass article.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the glass sheet separation mechanism is configured to apply a separating force to the glass article to the glass sheet separation wheel while the glass sheet separation wheel moves across the main surface of the glass article.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the glass sheet separation mechanism further comprises a glass sheet separation wheel cleaning mechanism configured to remove fragments from the glass sheet separation wheel.

10. A method for manufacturing glass articles, A scoring line is applied across the first main surface of the glass article using a scoring mechanism. A method comprising applying a separating force to the glass article, wherein the separating force is applied by a glass sheet separating member, the glass sheet separating member comprising a first raised surface, a second raised surface, and an intermediate surface extending between the first raised surface and the second raised surface, each of the first raised surface, the second raised surface, and the intermediate surface extending along the longitudinal length of the glass sheet separating member, the first raised surface and the second raised surface in contact with the glass article, and the intermediate surface not in contact with the glass article.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first main surface and the second main surface are curved.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the glass sheet separating member includes a glass sheet separating bar, and the method further includes operating a tilting mechanism to raise or lower one end of the glass sheet separating bar.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the tilting mechanism comprises a lifting mechanism and a hinge mechanism.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the tilting mechanism comprises at least one support mechanism.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the tilting mechanism tilts the glass sheet separating bar at an angle of about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the glass article comprises a glass sheet having a thickness in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, and the score lines have a depth in the range of about 10 microns to about 50 microns.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the glass sheet separating member includes a glass sheet separating wheel, and the method further comprises operating a glass sheet separating mechanism to move the glass sheet separating wheel relative to the glass article.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the glass sheet separation mechanism moves the glass sheet separation wheel across the main surface of the glass article.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising removing fragments from the glass sheet separation wheel by operating a glass sheet separation wheel cleaning mechanism.

20. A glass article manufactured by the method described in any one of claims 10 to 19.

21. An electronic device comprising a glass article as described in claim 20.

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