Method for forming coated glass sheets

Abstract

A method for shaping a coated glass sheet is described. The coated glass sheet is positioned at the entrance of a heating furnace, transported through the heating furnace, and heated to a temperature suitable for shaping. The coated glass sheet is then placed on a first bending tool at a first position relative to the first bending tool for supporting the coated glass sheet. A first portion of the coated glass sheet is contacted to move the coated glass sheet to a second position relative to the first bending tool. A method for adjusting the position of a hot coated glass sheet placed on the first bending tool and a forming line for shaping coated glass sheets are also described, the forming line including a first positioning device that contacts and adjusts the position of a first portion of the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for forming coated glass sheets, a method for aligning hot coated glass sheets, and a forming line for forming coated glass sheets. [Background technology]

[0002] Various processes are known for forming or bending a sheet of glass. Typically, a glass sheet is heated to a temperature at which it can be deformed, and then the bending process is carried out. In certain bending processes, the heated glass sheet is supported on rings and deflected under the influence of gravity, with or without the aid of additional pressure. The rings may include two rings calibrated to bend the glass sheet in two bending stages, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,393.

[0003] Another known glass sheet bending process is the press bending process, in which a glass sheet (or nested pair) is bent between a pair of complementary forming members, usually spaced above and below. Various configurations of forming members are known for complementary forming member pairs, for example, having a lower annular ring and an upper solid male mold, as exemplified by U.S. Patent Nos. 5,629,997 and 5,729,997. U.S. Patent No. 5,729,997 also describes a method and apparatus for press bending glass sheets. In other types of press bending processes, a split upper mold may be used in conjunction with a lower annular ring, as described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,629,997 and 5,729,997.

[0004] In one type of press bending process, a first bending tool may be designed as a ring-shaped female mold corresponding to the periphery of the heated glass sheet to be bent, while an essentially solid male mold, also known as a full-face mold, forms the second bending tool. To assist the bending process, multiple suction holes are located throughout the full-face mold, the location of which may be determined by the configuration of the annular mold and / or the geometry of the glass sheet to be bent when the annular mold contacts the heated glass sheet during the press bending process. The male mold may have an annular peripheral groove, as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,629,499, for providing suction.

[0005] The heated glass sheet to be bent is heated to the bending temperature in an associated furnace and moved between the full-surface mold and the ring-shaped mold while in a formable state. The heated glass sheet is typically transported between the molds using a series of rollers, some of which can be moved vertically to place the heated glass sheet on the ring-shaped mold. At least two vertically movable stops facilitate positioning of the heated glass sheet in the direction of travel between the molds to avoid interference with the full-surface mold. While or immediately after the heated glass sheet is placed on the ring-shaped mold, the full-surface mold and the ring-shaped mold subsequently move toward each other to perform the pressing process. During the pressing process, the full-surface mold presses the glass sheet against the ring-shaped mold. However, it is understood that the full-surface mold or the ring-shaped mold may be fixed, with only the remaining mold moving. As a result, the edges of the heated glass sheet are shaped. At the same time, the central region of the heated glass sheet is held against the forming surface using a vacuum for further shaping. These shaping procedures are relatively quick, as the glass sheet cools rapidly and, after a short time, the edges of the glass sheet fall below the optimal bending temperature.

[0006] After opening and removal from the bending tool, the glass sheet should have the desired shape, be dimensionally stable, and be optically distortion-free. Otherwise, the bending process will result in scrap or low-quality products. One factor that can result in scrap or low-quality products is the positioning of the heated glass sheet on the ring-shaped mold during the press-bending process of the type described above.

[0007] As described above, the vertically movable stops facilitate positioning of the heated glass sheet in the direction of travel between the dies. However, positioning of the heated glass sheet in other directions, such as substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel between the dies, is only accomplished on the rollers before the glass sheet enters the furnace. As a result, less-than-ideal alignment of the glass sheet during the bending process at the first bending tool can result in scrap or a low-quality product.

[0008] Examples of glass positioning devices used in glass bending operations are described in US Pat. Nos. 5,629,299; 5,729,313; 5,729,329; and 5,729,313.

[0009] Generally, if the glass sheet is not positioned correctly on the first bending tool, the glass sheet will not have the desired properties after bending. This is true for forming glass sheets by press bending or gravity sag bending.

[0010] Glass sheets are known that have coatings on their major surfaces, the coatings usually being applied to the glass sheets during the forming process or after the glass sheets have been formed.

[0011] For example, coatings are applied to glass sheets using open-air chemical vapor deposition as the glass ribbon is formed in a float bath forming process, a coating process often referred to in the art as an "on-line" coating process.

[0012] It is also known to apply coatings to glass sheets using sputtering techniques such as magnetron sputtering, and such processes are often referred to in the art as "off-line" coating processes.

[0013] Glass panes may also have a coating in the form of a layer of ink used to provide an obscuration strip on the pane. Such inks are typically optically opaque and black in color. In the field of automotive glazing, obscuration strips are known and are typically provided in the form of a continuous strip in selected areas of the pane, particularly around the edges of the pane. For example, in vehicle windshields, obscuration strips provide an aesthetic feature and help protect adhesives used to secure the windshield to openings and other components of the vehicle from damage due to exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. The obscuration strip may also have a fade-out area in which the ink is typically provided as an array of dots to reduce the abrupt appearance of the edges of the obscuration strip.

[0014] The application of coatings provides the glass sheet with additional functionality and is often referred to in the art as a "functional coating."

[0015] Functional coatings include low emissivity coatings, conductive coatings, and solar control coatings.

[0016] Low-emissivity coatings (often referred to as "low-e" coatings) are coatings that, when applied to clear 3 mm float glass, typically result in the coated glass having an emissivity in the range of 0.05 to 0.45, with actual values ​​measured in accordance with EN 12898 (a published standard of the European Flat Glass Manufacturers Association). Such low-emissivity coatings prepared using "online" processes typically have an emissivity of 0.15 to 0.2, while such coatings prepared using "offline" processes generally have an emissivity of 0.05 to 0.1. By comparison, the emissivity of uncoated 3 mm float glass is 0.89, and the emissivity of polished silver is approximately 0.01.

[0017] Low-emissivity coatings prepared using the "online" process may include a single layer of a metal oxide, preferably a transparent, conductive oxide. Oxides of metals such as tin, zinc, indium, tungsten, and molybdenum may be present in the metal oxide layer. Typically, the coating includes additional dopants such as fluorine, chlorine, antimony, tin, aluminum, tantalum, niobium, indium, or gallium; for example, fluorine-doped tin oxide or tin-doped indium oxide may be used. Such coatings are typically provided with a base layer, such as silicon or silicon oxynitride. The base layer acts as a barrier to control alkali metal ion migration from the glass and / or to suppress iridescent reflections caused by variations in the thickness of the low-emissivity layer.

[0018] Low-emissivity coatings prepared using "offline" processes typically include a multilayer coating stack, usually including at least one metal layer or conductive metal compound layer. Silver, gold, copper, nickel, or chromium can be used as the metal layer, while indium oxide, antimony oxide, etc. can be used as the conductive compound. A typical multilayer stack includes one or more silver layers deposited between layers of dielectric material, such as oxides of silicon, aluminum, titanium, vanadium, tin, or zinc. The individual layers of such coatings are tens of nanometers thick. Such low-emissivity coatings may include three or four silver layers.

[0019] Typical solar control coatings include a layer of silver or tin oxide to control the amount of heat absorbed through the coated glass. Solar control and low-emissivity coatings can also be electrically conductive, so that they not only provide emissivity and heat transfer functionality to the glass, but also form a conductive substrate for mounting conductive devices such as LEDs, sensors, and cameras.

[0020] The glass panes may also be provided with a heat-reflecting solar control coating, such as a two-layer silver coating. Typically, such coatings reflect more than 23% of the solar heat as measured according to ISO 9050:E(2003), Air Mass 1.5.

[0021] When a coated glass sheet is formed using the above-described process, the side of the glass sheet that does not have the coating typically does not come into contact with the conveyor rollers used to transport the glass through the furnace. Such contact of the coating with the conveyor rollers can damage the coating and lead to an optically inferior product. Therefore, when the coated glass sheet is transported through the furnace, the coated side typically faces upward, i.e., does not face the conveyor rollers.

[0022] It is known that glass sheets having a low-emissivity coating on a major surface are difficult to heat; see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1. When using conventional radiant heating furnaces, the low-emissivity coating reflects radiant heat, causing uneven temperature gradients through the glass, which causes the glass to bend during the heating cycle. The resulting curvature of such low-emissivity coated glass sheets is sufficient to cause portions of the coated glass sheet to lose at least partial contact with the conveyor rollers. This can cause the coated glass sheet to rotate on the conveyor rollers during transport through the furnace.

[0023] A similar effect is seen when a low-emissivity coating is used in combination with a coating in the form of a printed ink used to provide an obscuration band on a glass sheet. The optical opacity of the ink used to provide the obscuration band, which is usually black, allows it to absorb heat (especially radiant heat) better than the low-emissivity coating. This also affects the nature of the temperature gradient that develops in the coated glass sheet during transport through the furnace, which changes the degree of curvature that the coated glass sheet can be imparted with during transport through the furnace.

[0024] A similar effect is seen when the coating on a glass sheet is in the form of an obscuration band around the edge of the sheet. The optically opaque, usually black, obscuration band has a different ability to absorb radiant heat than uncoated glass, which also leads to the development of temperature gradients across the glass sheet, resulting in a similar bending effect when the glass sheet with the obscuration band is transported through a furnace.

[0025] The slight curvature imparted to the coated glass sheet as it passes through the furnace on the conveyor rollers and the subsequent rotation of the glass sheet causes problems.

[0026] For secondary processing, such as forming processes, it is important that the coated glass sheet is in the target position for proper forming after transport through a furnace. The slight curvature imparted to the low-emissivity coated glass sheet and subsequent rotation of the coated glass sheet changes the position of the coated glass sheet during transport through the furnace. Upon exiting the furnace for subsequent bending, the position of the coated glass sheet shifts and is no longer in the target or desired position for subsequent forming. Due to the randomness of the rotation, attempting to offset the misalignment by adding a position offset to the position of the coated glass sheet on the conveyor system before transport through the furnace cannot reliably compensate for the subsequent misalignment.

[0027] Similar misalignment can occur when the coated glass sheet is transported by other means, such as air flotation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0028] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 5,660,609 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 5,279,635 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 5,755,845 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 5,735,922 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent No. 5,122,177 [Patent Document 6] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0007612 [Patent Document 7] U.S. Patent No. 7,866,187 [Patent Document 8] U.S. Patent No. 4,666,492 [Patent Document 9] U.S. Patent No. 4,838,920 [Patent Document 10] U.S. Patent No. 5,017,210 [Patent Document 11] U.S. Patent No. 5,743,931 [Non-patent literature]

[0029] [Non-Patent Document 1] Glass Processing Days, 13-14 Sept. '97, ISBN 952-90-8959-7 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0030] It would be advantageous to develop a method for forming coated glass sheets that at least partially overcomes the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0031] Accordingly, from a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for shaping a coated glass sheet, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a coated glass sheet having a first coating on at least a portion of a first major surface, the coated glass sheet having an opposite second major surface; (ii) positioning the coated glass sheet at an entrance to a heating furnace; (iii) transporting the coated glass sheet through the heating furnace to heat the coated glass sheet to a temperature suitable for shaping; (iv) placing the coated glass sheet on a first bending tool at a first position relative to the first bending tool for supporting the coated glass sheet; (v) contacting a first portion of the coated glass sheet to move the coated glass sheet to a second position relative to the first bending tool; and (iv) shaping the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool.

[0032] By adjusting the position of the coated glass sheet after loading onto the first bending tool and before forming on the first bending tool, the position of the coated glass sheet is adjusted later in the bending process, shortly before forming, to minimize the time allowed for the coated glass sheet to further deviate from its target position on the first forming tool.

[0033] In carrying out the method according to the first aspect of the invention, step (iv) is carried out before step (v).

[0034] In some embodiments, after loading the coated glass sheet onto the first bending tool during step (iv), the coated glass sheet is placed on a first segment of the first bending tool that at least partially defines a shaping surface of the first bending tool, and in step (v), the first segment of the first bending tool is moved from a first position to a second position to create contact with a first portion of the coated glass sheet, and contact with the first portion of the glass sheet adjusts the position of the glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool.

[0035] Preferably, the movement of the first segment of the first bending tool from the first position to the second position is in a direction towards the second segment of the first bending tool.

[0036] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of moving the first segment of the first bending tool from the second position to the first position before placing the coated glass sheet on the first segment.

[0037] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of adjusting the position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool before loading the coated glass sheet onto the first bending tool.

[0038] Preferably, the movement of the first segment of the first bending tool from the first position to the second position is in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the coated glass.

[0039] Preferably, the first portion of the coated glass sheet is a first pillar edge of the coated glass sheet, and after moving the first segment of the first bending tool from the first position to the second position, the first pillar edge of the coated glass sheet abuts against the end face of the first positioning assembly.

[0040] Preferably, a first positioning assembly contacts a first portion of the coated glass sheet, and the first positioning assembly moves with the first segment in a direction toward the coated glass sheet before contacting the first portion of the coated glass sheet.

[0041] Preferably, the first positioning assembly and the second positioning assembly contact a first portion of the coated glass sheet, the first positioning assembly and the second positioning assembly being spaced apart from each other, and each of the first positioning assembly and the second positioning assembly moving together with the first segment toward the glass sheet before contacting the glass sheet, more preferably the first positioning assembly includes a body portion configured to move vertically upward or downward. Preferably, the body portion moves vertically downward before press-bending the glass sheet between the first bending tool and the second bending tool, preferably by bringing an upper surface of the body portion into contact with the second bending tool and moving the body portion vertically downward, or the body portion moves vertically upward after press-bending the glass sheet between the first bending tool and the second bending tool.

[0042] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of moving a second segment of the first bending tool from a first position to a second position to contact a second portion of the coated glass sheet, and adjusting the position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool upon contact with the second portion of the coated glass sheet, wherein the movement of the second segment of the first bending tool from the first position to the second position is in a direction toward the first segment of the first bending tool.

[0043] Preferably, the second segment of the first bending tool from the first position to the second position is brought into contact with a second portion of the coated glass sheet, and the contact with the second portion of the coated glass sheet adjusts the position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool, and the movement of the first segment of the first bending tool and the movement of the second segment of the first bending tool are in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the coated glass.

[0044] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of moving a third segment of the first bending tool from the first position to the second position to contact a third portion of the coated glass sheet, and adjusting the position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool upon contact with the third portion of the coated glass sheet, wherein the movement of the third segment of the first bending tool is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first segment and in a direction towards the fourth segment of the first bending tool.

[0045] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of placing the coated glass sheet onto a fourth segment of the first bending tool.

[0046] Preferably, the step of placing the glass sheet on a fourth segment of the first bending tool causes contact with a fourth portion of the coated glass sheet to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool.

[0047] Preferably, the first segment, the second segment, the third segment and the fourth segment are configured as a ring that supports the coated glass sheet at its peripheral region.

[0048] Preferably, the coated glass sheet is also positioned on a second segment of the first bending tool and a third segment of the first bending tool, and the first segment of the first bending tool, the second segment of the first bending tool, the third segment of the first bending tool, and the fourth segment of the first bending tool each define a separate portion of the forming surface.

[0049] Preferably, the fourth segment of the first bending tool does not move towards the third segment of the first bending tool.

[0050] Preferably, the fourth segment of the first bending tool is fixed and not movable relative to the first, second or third segments of the first bending tool.

[0051] Preferably, the fourth portion of the coated glass sheet is a leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet, which is contacted by a stopper for adjusting the position of the coated glass sheet relative to the forming surface of the first bending tool, and after contacting the leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet, the stopper moves away from the leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet, preferably the stopper moves away from the leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet in a vertically downward direction or in the direction of glass travel.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first bending tool includes at least one forming rail having an upper forming surface for supporting the glass sheet.

[0053] Preferably, the first bending tool comprises a ring configured to support the glass sheet at its peripheral region. The ring may have a continuous upper shaping surface.

[0054] Preferably, during step (v), a positioning device is provided which includes a movable part positioned adjacent to the first bending tool, a fixed part positioned adjacent to the movable part, and an actuator arranged between the fixed part and the movable part so that, upon engagement with the actuator, the movable part moves relative to the fixed part to contact the first part of the coated glass sheet and move the coated glass sheet from the first position to the second position.

[0055] In some embodiments, during step (vi), the coated glass sheet is shaped onto the first bending tool by press-bending the coated glass sheet between the first bending tool and a second bending tool.

[0056] As is known in the art, press bending is a forming process in which a heat-softened glass sheet is pressed between complementary opposing forming surfaces on a press member, such as a first and second bending tool.

[0057] Preferably, during step (vi), the first bending tool does not move relative to a fixed reference point and the second bending tool moves towards the first bending tool relative to the fixed reference point to press the coated glass sheet between the first bending tool and the second bending tool.

[0058] Preferably, during step (vi), the second bending tool does not move relative to a fixed reference point, and the first bending tool moves towards the second bending tool relative to the fixed reference point to press the coated glass sheet between the first bending tool and the second bending tool.

[0059] Preferably, during step (vi), both the first and second bending tools move towards each other to press the coated glass sheet between the first and second bending tools.

[0060] Preferably, during step (vi), the first bending tool carrying the coated glass sheet is moved relative to the second bending tool to press at least one portion of the coated glass sheet between at least one portion of the first bending tool and at least one portion of the second bending tool, thereby shaping the glass sheet on the first bending tool.

[0061] Preferably, the second bending tool has a convex forming surface and the first bending tool has a complementary concave forming surface.

[0062] Preferably, the second bending tool is a full surface die.

[0063] Preferably, the second bending tool comprises at least two parts (a first part and a second part), and more preferably, the first part of the second bending tool is movable relative to the second part of the second bending tool. Preferably, one part of the coated glass sheet is formed between the first bending tool and the first part of the second bending tool, and another part of the coated glass sheet is formed between the first bending tool and the second part of the second bending tool.

[0064] Preferably, during step (vi), a vacuum is drawn through one or more openings in the surface of the second bending tool.

[0065] In other embodiments, during step (vi), additional pressing force is optionally applied to form selected areas of the coated glass sheet by sagging under the influence of gravity while supported on the first bending tool.

[0066] Other embodiments have other preferred features.

[0067] Preferably, the first portion of the coated glass sheet is an edge portion of the coated glass sheet.

[0068] Preferably, the second major surface faces the transport means.

[0069] During step (iii), the coated glass sheet is transported in the direction of travel of the coated glass through the furnace using suitable transport means.

[0070] During step (iii), the coated glass sheet is transported through the furnace using a transport means.

[0071] Preferably the conveying means comprises one or more rollers and / or one or more air levitation devices. Preferably the conveying means comprises a plurality of spaced apart rollers.

[0072] Preferably, during step (iv), the coated glass sheet is loaded onto the first bending tool by moving the first bending tool relative to the coated glass sheet.

[0073] Preferably, during step (iv), the coated glass sheet is loaded onto the first bending tool by dropping the coated glass sheet onto the first bending tool. The coated glass sheet may be transported by a vacuum platen before being dropped onto the first bending tool. A suitable vacuum platen is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,422,040. The coated glass sheet may be supported on a heated gas cushion before being dropped onto the first bending tool, as described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,432,782, 5,078,776, and 6,505,483.

[0074] Preferably, before step (iv), there is a target position of the coated glass sheet relative to the first bending tool for optimal shaping, and the first position is intentionally offset from the target position so that after step (iii), the second position of the coated glass sheet relative to the first bending tool is closer to the target position than the first position of the coated glass sheet relative to the first bending tool.

[0075] Preferably, there is a target position of the coated glass sheet relative to the first bending tool for optimum shaping, and the second position of the coated glass sheet is closer to the target position than the first position of the coated glass sheet.

[0076] In step (iv), when the coated glass sheet is loaded onto the first bending tool, the coated glass sheet may bounce on the first bending tool such that the first position of the coated glass sheet relative to the first bending tool is temporary until the coated glass sheet no longer bounces on the first bending tool. Preferably, there is no relative vertical movement between the coated glass sheet and the first bending tool during step (v). However, after being loaded onto the first bending tool, the coated glass sheet may be moved to a second position while the coated glass sheet is bouncing on the first bending tool during step (v).

[0077] Preferably, the coated glass pane is a single pane or one of a stack of panes comprising at least two panes, one or both of which are coated panes.

[0078] Preferably, the coated glass sheets are sheets of a nested pair of glass sheets suitably spaced apart by a release agent such as calcium carbonate.

[0079] The method according to the first aspect of the present invention allows for correcting the positional deviation of the coated glass sheet after being transported through the heating furnace and after being placed on the first bending tool. The deviation of the position of the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool from the target position on the first bending tool can be corrected accordingly. It will be readily apparent that if the coated glass sheet is placed on the first bending tool such that no positional adjustment is required during step (iv), the first portion of the coated glass sheet will not be in contact. In this situation, contact with the first portion of the coated glass sheet may occur if the second position of the coated glass sheet relative to the first bending tool is the same or substantially the same as the first position of the coated glass sheet relative to the first bending tool.

[0080] From a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of aligning a high-temperature coated glass sheet having a first coating on at least a portion of a first major surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a coated glass bending operation including a first bending tool; providing a positioning device having a movable portion positioned adjacent to the first bending tool, a fixed portion positioned adjacent to the movable portion, and an actuator positioned between the fixed portion and the movable portion; placing the high-temperature coated glass sheet on the first bending tool; engaging the actuator to move the movable portion relative to the fixed portion; and contacting the first portion of the coated glass sheet with the movable portion to adjust the position of the high-temperature coated glass sheet relative to the first bending tool.

[0081] Preferably, the first portion is an edge portion of the coated glass sheet.

[0082] Preferably, the first coating does not face the first bending tool.

[0083] Preferably, the movable portion includes a pusher portion.

[0084] Preferably, the movable portion includes a pusher portion formed from spring steel.

[0085] Preferably, the pusher portion and / or the movable portion include contact material coupled thereto. Preferably, the contact material is located on a ridge of the pusher portion.

[0086] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the pusher portion and / or the movable portion includes undulations.

[0087] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the pusher portion and / or the movable portion includes two undulations.

[0088] Preferably, the step of providing a glass bending operation includes providing a first bending tool and a second bending tool.

[0089] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention in which the coated glass bending operation includes providing a first bending tool and a second bending tool have other preferred features.

[0090] Preferably, the movable portion includes a pusher portion, the thickness of the pusher portion being smaller than the minimum distance between the first bending tool and the second bending tool.

[0091] Preferably, the method of the second aspect of the present invention further comprises, after the step of placing the high-temperature coated glass sheet on the first bending tool, moving one of the first bending tool and the second bending tool towards the other of the first bending tool and the second bending tool.

[0092] Preferably, the movable portion includes a pusher portion having a cross-sectional shape including undulations, and the step of moving one of the first bending tool and the second bending tool toward the other of the first bending tool and the second bending tool compresses the pusher portion therebetween.

[0093] Preferably, the method of the second aspect of the present invention further comprises, after the step of placing the high-temperature coated glass sheet on the first bending tool, the step of moving the first bending tool towards the second bending tool while moving the second bending tool towards the first bending tool.

[0094] Preferably, the movable portion includes a pusher portion having a cross-sectional shape including undulations, and the step of moving the first bending tool toward the second bending tool while moving the second bending tool toward the first bending tool compresses the pusher portion therebetween.

[0095] Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention have other preferred features.

[0096] Preferably, suitable conveying means are used to convey the coated glass sheet through the coated glass bending operation in the direction of travel of the coated glass.

[0097] Preferably, the second major surface of the coated glass sheet faces the conveying means, the conveying means being for conveying the coated glass sheet towards or away from the first bending tool.

[0098] Preferably, the coated glass sheet is placed on the first bending tool by dropping the coated glass sheet onto the first bending tool. The coated glass sheet may be transported by a vacuum platen before being dropped onto the first bending tool. The coated glass sheet may be supported on a heated gas cushion before being dropped onto the first bending tool.

[0099] Preferably, when placing the hot-coated glass sheet on the first bending tool, there is a target position of the hot-coated glass sheet relative to the first bending tool for optimal shaping, and after adjusting the position of the hot-coated glass sheet, that position approaches the target position.

[0100] When the high-temperature coated glass sheet is placed on the first bending tool, it may bounce on the first bending tool such that its position relative to the first bending tool is temporary until it is no longer bouncing on the first bending tool. Preferably, when the actuator is engaged, there is no relative vertical movement between the high-temperature coated glass sheet and the first bending tool. However, after being placed on the first bending tool, the high-temperature coated glass sheet may be adjusted while it is bouncing on the first bending tool.

[0101] Preferably, the high temperature coated glass pane is a single pane or one of a stack of panes comprising at least two panes, one or both of which are coated panes.

[0102] Preferably, the high temperature coated glass panes are nested pairs of glass panes suitably spaced apart by a release agent such as calcium carbonate.

[0103] In the method according to the second aspect of the invention comprising a conveying means, it is preferred that the conveying means comprises one or more rollers and / or one or more air levitation devices, more preferably the conveying means comprises a plurality of spaced apart rollers.

[0104] The methods according to the first and second aspects of the invention have other preferred features.

[0105] Preferably, the glass sheet bearing the coating has a soda lime silicate composition. A typical soda lime silicate glass composition is (by weight): 69%-74% SiO, 0%-3% AlO, 10%-16% NaO, 0%-5% KO, 0%-6% MgO, 5%-14% CaO, 0%-2% SO, and 0.005%-2% FeO.

[0106] Preferably, the glass sheet bearing the coating has a borosilicate or aluminosilicate composition.

[0107] Preferably, the coated glass sheet has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 25 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm to 8 mm.

[0108] Preferably, the first coating comprises a low-emissivity coating.

[0109] Preferably, the first coating is a low-emissivity coating having an emissivity of about 0.03 to 0.34, or about 0.04 to 0.45, or about 0.05 to 0.45.

[0110] Preferably, the first coating covers the entire first major surface of the coated glass sheet.

[0111] Preferably, the first coating has one or more openings, and preferably at least one of the openings has an obscuration zone around it.

[0112] Preferably, the first coating comprises an optically absorbing layer.

[0113] Preferably, the first coating comprises an optically opaque layer.

[0114] Preferably, the first coating is used to provide an obscuration band on the glass sheet.

[0115] Preferably, the furnace comprises at least one radiant heating means and / or at least one convective heating means.

[0116] Preferably, during step (iii), at least a portion of the heat is provided by convection.

[0117] Preferably, the method includes a monitoring step of monitoring the position of the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool and providing an output, the output being used to provide an input for moving the above or subsequent coated glass sheet from a first position to a second position.

[0118] In some embodiments of the first and / or second aspect of the present invention, the coated glass sheet comprises a second coating on the first coating.

[0119] Preferably, the first coating is a low emissivity coating and the second coating is a coating for providing an obscuration band or area on the glass pane.

[0120] Preferably, the first coating is a coating for providing an obscuration band or area on the glass sheet and the second coating is a low emissivity coating.

[0121] In embodiments of the first and / or second aspects of the present invention in which the coated glass sheet comprises obscured areas or bands, preferably the coating for providing the glass sheet with obscured areas or bands is optically opaque and / or black and / or printed ink.

[0122] Such coatings can be screen or dot matrix printed or sprayed.

[0123] Preferably, the obscuration band extends as a band around the entire periphery of the first main face of the coated glass pane.

[0124] In some embodiments of the first and / or second aspect of the present invention, the first coating comprises at least one silver layer, preferably at least two silver layers, more preferably at least three silver layers, and even more preferably at least four silver layers.

[0125] From a third aspect, the present invention also provides a forming line for shaping coated glass sheets, comprising: a furnace for heating the coated glass sheet to a temperature suitable for shaping; conveying means for conveying the coated glass sheet through the furnace; and a coated glass sheet shaping section including a first bending tool for supporting the glass sheet during a coated glass bending operation and at least one (first) positioning device arranged relative to the first bending tool, characterized in that when the coated glass sheet is supported on the first bending tool, the first positioning device is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration so as to contact a first portion of the coated glass sheet on the first bend and adjust the position of the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool.

[0126] During adjustment of the position of the glass sheet on the first bending tool, the position of the glass sheet on the first bending tool is moved from a first position relative to the first bending tool to a second position relative to the first bending tool.

[0127] Preferably, the first portion of the coated glass sheet is an edge portion of the coated glass sheet.

[0128] Preferably, the glass forming line further comprises a transfer means for transferring the coated glass sheet from the conveying means to the first bending tool. The coated glass sheet is loaded onto the first bending tool using the transfer means.

[0129] Preferably, the transport means comprises one or more rollers and / or a vacuum platen and / or one or more air flotation devices.

[0130] Preferably, the first bending tool is configured as a ring that supports the coated glass sheet at its peripheral region.

[0131] Preferably, the coated glass sheet shaping section includes a second bending tool configured to cooperate with the first bending tool to shape the coated glass sheet between the first bending tool.

[0132] Suitably, the coated glass sheet forming section is a press bending section comprising a pair of complementary forming members.

[0133] Preferably, the furnace comprises at least one radiant heating means.

[0134] Preferably, the furnace comprises at least one convection heating means.

[0135] In some embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention, the forming line comprises a monitoring system that monitors the position of the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool.

[0136] Preferably, the monitoring system is configured to monitor the position of the coated glass sheet before the position of the coated glass sheet is adjusted on the first bending tool.

[0137] Preferably, the monitoring system is configured to monitor the position of the coated glass sheet after the position of the coated glass sheet has been adjusted on the first bending tool.

[0138] Preferably, the monitoring system is configured to provide an output which is used to provide an input used to adjust the above or subsequent coated glass sheets on the first bending tool.

[0139] Preferably, once the coated glass sheet is positioned on the first bending tool, the monitoring system is in communication with the control system to control movement of at least a first positioning device to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet.

[0140] Preferably, the surveillance system includes a camera.

[0141] In an embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the forming section comprises a second bending tool, preferably the second bending tool comprises at least two parts (a first part and a second part). Preferably, the first part of the second bending tool is movable relative to the second part of the second bending tool.

[0142] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings (not to scale). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0143] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a coated glass forming line (press bending line) for carrying out a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 shows a portion of a first bending tool adjacent to a positioning device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a first bending tool supporting a coated glass sheet with a multiple positioning device. [Figure 4a] 1 shows a plan view of a coated glass sheet being conveyed through a heating furnace. [Figure 4b] FIG. 4b is a side view of FIG. 4a. [Figure 5] 1 shows a plan view of a coated glass pane with an obscuration zone. [Figure 6] 2 shows a schematic diagram of another coated glass forming line (press bending line) for carrying out a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a portion of the coated glass forming line of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 15 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of one embodiment of the bending tool and positioning assembly of FIG. 14 when in a first position and a second bending tool. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the bending tool shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bending tool suitable for use in the coated glass forming line of FIG. 6. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view of the bending tool of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the bending tool of FIG. [Figure 13] 11 is a plan view of a portion of the bending tool of FIG. 10 with other portions of the bending tool of FIG. 10 removed for clarity. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a positioning assembly. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a top view of the positioning assembly of FIG. 14. [Figure 16]15 is a plan view of a portion of one embodiment of the bending tool and positioning assembly of FIG. 14. [Figure 17] 15 is a side view of the positioning assembly of FIG. 14 illustrating movement of the positioning assembly of FIG. 14 from a first position to a second position. [Figure 18] 20 is a top view of the positioning assembly of FIG. 19 illustrating movement of the positioning assembly of FIG. 19 from the second position to the first position. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a positioning assembly. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a top view of the positioning assembly of FIG. 19. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0144] It is to be understood that the present invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences unless expressly stated otherwise. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are merely exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts. Hence, specific dimensions, directions, orientations, or other physical characteristics relating to the disclosed embodiments are not to be considered limiting, unless expressly stated.

[0145] In certain embodiments, the glass sheet bearing the coating may have a soda-lime silicate composition. A typical soda-lime silicate glass composition is (by weight): 69%-74% SiO, 0%-3% AlO, 10%-16% NaO, 0%-5% KO, 0%-6% MgO, 5%-14% CaO, 0%-2% SO, and 0.005%-2% FeO. The glass composition may also contain other additives, such as refining aids, typically present in amounts of 2% or less. In other embodiments, the glass sheet bearing the coating may have a different composition. For example, the glass sheet bearing the coating may have a borosilicate composition or an aluminosilicate composition. The coated glass sheet may have a thickness of 0.5 millimeters (mm) to 25 mm, typically 0.5 mm to 8 mm.

[0146] The shape of the coated glass sheet may vary between embodiments. However, in certain embodiments, the coated glass sheet may have a rectangular outline in plan view. The coated glass sheet has a first major surface and a second major surface. The second major surface is opposite the first major surface. The coated glass sheet may also include a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion. As used herein, the edge portion of the coated glass sheet may refer to a minor surface of the coated glass sheet that connects the first major surface to the second major surface. The coated glass sheet includes one or more edge portions. Each edge portion of the coated glass sheet may be flat or curved. Thus, the leading edge portion may refer to a minor surface of the coated glass sheet that connects the first major surface to the second major surface and is transported in the coated glass traveling direction before the trailing edge portion. In one embodiment, the trailing edge portion is the longest minor surface of the coated glass sheet that connects the first major surface to the second major surface. In this embodiment, the leading edge portion has a length shorter than the length of the trailing edge portion. In other embodiments, the leading edge portion is the longest minor surface of the coated glass sheet connecting the first major surface to the second major surface, and the trailing edge portion has a length shorter than the length of the leading edge portion. Further, the coated glass sheet may include a first pillar edge portion and a second pillar edge portion. The first pillar edge portion and the second pillar edge portion are disposed on opposite sides of the coated glass sheet. In one embodiment, the first pillar edge portion is the minor surface of the coated glass sheet connecting the first major surface to the second major surface. In another embodiment, the second pillar edge portion is the minor surface of the coated glass sheet connecting the first major surface to the second major surface.

[0147] Figure 1 shows a coated glass forming line 1 comprising a positioning device 2 for positioning the coated glass sheets before bending. The coated glass forming line 1 comprises a furnace 4 which serves to heat the coated glass sheets 6. The coated glass sheets 6 are conveyed (transported) through the furnace 4 in the coated glass advance direction 7 on rollers 8, the spacing of which may be smaller in the area of ​​the exit of the furnace 4, since the heated coated glass 6 is deformable and may therefore require increased support.

[0148] After the furnace 4 there is a bending station 10 in which a first bending tool 12 and a second bending tool 14 are provided.

[0149] In the heating furnace 4, the coated glass sheet 6 can be heated to a temperature suitable for bending using any suitable heating means, including radiation and convection, which can be between 590°C and 670°C.

[0150] The coated glass sheet 6 is positioned on rollers 8 which transport the coated glass sheet through the furnace 4. A portion of the furnace 4 is shown in Figures 4a and 4b and is designated 4'.

[0151] The coated glass sheet 6 is conveyed through the heating furnace 4 in the coated glass travel direction 7 .

[0152] The upwardly facing major surface 6a of the coated glass sheet 6 has a low-emissivity coating. The opposite major surface (not numbered) is uncoated and is in contact with the conveyor roller 8. The low-emissivity coating may include one or more silver layers and / or may have an emissivity in the range of 0.03 to 0.45.

[0153] As the coated glass sheet 6 is heated, the top surface is less likely to heat up due to the presence of the low-emissivity coating. While the addition of convective heating can help improve heating, the overall heat transfer to the coated glass sheet (by radiation, convection, and conduction from the rollers) creates a temperature gradient across the coated glass sheet, causing it to bow slightly. As the coated glass sheet bows slightly, it loses contact with the rollers 8, which causes it to rotate, as shown in phantom by the rotated coated glass sheet 6'. For example, the side edges of the coated glass sheet 6 bow upward, eliminating contact with the rollers 8 in those areas, while the central region of the coated glass sheet remains in contact with a portion of the rollers 8.

[0154] The rotation of the coated glass sheet 6 means that upon entry into the bending station 10 the coated glass sheet is not in the target position for proper bending.

[0155] 1 and 2, the first bending tool 12 is a ring-shaped die, and the second bending tool 14 is a full-surface die. The bending station 10 includes a plurality of movable rollers 16. As soon as the coated glass sheet 6 exits the furnace 4, it is transferred from the rollers 8 to the movable rollers 16. At least two stops 18, which can be moved vertically to avoid interference with the second bending tool 14, facilitate positioning of the coated glass sheet 6 in the direction of travel between the first bending tool 12 and the second bending tool 14. At least two positioning devices 2, the structure and operation of which will be described below, can be used to facilitate positioning of the coated glass sheet 6 on the first bending tool 12 while the coated glass sheet is between the first bending tool 12 and the second bending tool 14.

[0156] After being transferred to the plurality of movable rollers 16, the plurality of movable rollers 16 move downward to facilitate positioning of the coated glass sheet 6 on the first bending tool 12, i.e., the coated glass sheet 6 is loaded onto the first bending tool 12. The movement of the plurality of movable rollers 16 is timed to carefully position the coated glass sheet 6 against the stops 18. Alternatively, the coated glass sheet 6 can be loaded onto the first bending tool 12 by moving the first bending tool 12 upward to lift the coated glass sheet 6 off a set of rollers that are configured to remain in a fixed position.

[0157] Once the coated glass sheet 6 is positioned on the first bending tool 12, the first bending tool 12 and the second bending tool 14 begin to move toward each other to press-bend the coated glass sheet 6. While the first bending tool 12 and the second bending tool 14 move toward each other, the positioning device 2 is used to position the coated glass sheet 6 on the first bending tool 12; however, the positioning device 2 may be used to position the coated glass sheet 6 at any position relative to the first bending tool 12, such as by positioning the coated glass sheet 6 against a vertically movable stop (not shown). After adjusting the position of the coated glass sheet 6 using the positioning device 2, the coated glass sheet 6 is press-bent between the first bending tool 12 and the second bending tool 14.

[0158] It will be readily apparent that the coated glass sheet 6 can be positioned on the first bending tool 12 using a positioning device before the coated glass sheet is press-bent while the first bending tool 12 and / or the second bending tool 14 are not moving.

[0159] It should be noted that the first bending tool 12 may be moved towards the second bending tool 14 without moving the second bending tool 14. Alternatively, the second bending tool 14 may be moved towards the first bending tool 12 without moving the first bending tool 12. Alternatively, both the first bending tool 12 and the second bending tool 14 are moving towards each other. In any of these alternatives, the objective is to provide relative movement between the first bending tool 12 and the second bending tool 14 to press-bend the coated glass sheet 6 between the first bending tool 12 and the second bending tool 14.

[0160] During pressing, a vacuum can be drawn through passages 20 formed in the second bending tool 14 to facilitate forming the coated glass sheet 6 into the desired shape. Once shaping of the coated glass sheet 6 is complete, the coated glass sheet 6 can be released from the second bending tool 14 by applying positive pressure to the passages 20 of the second bending tool 14.

[0161] Once the bending process is complete, a conveying device (not shown) serves to transport the shaped coated glass sheet 6 to the lehr 24. In the lehr 24, the shaped coated glass sheet 6 may be tempered or annealed as known in the art to cool it to a handling temperature. The shaped coated glass sheet 6 may be used to construct vehicle windows such as windshields, side windows, sunroofs, or rear windows. Such windows may be monolithic or laminated.

[0162] The positioning devices 2 are most clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3. Each of the positioning devices 2 is an assembly mounted on a platform 26. The platform 26 is a rigid plate to which the first bending tool 12 is adjustably mounted. However, it is understood that the positioning devices 2 may be mounted in other ways so long as a predetermined spatial relationship between each of the positioning devices 2 and the first bending tool 12 is ensured. Each of the positioning devices 2 includes a fixed portion 28, a movable portion 30, and an actuator 32. As shown in Figure 3, multiple positioning devices 2 can be arranged around the periphery of the first bending tool 12 to facilitate compensation for rotation of the coated glass sheet 16 relative to the first bending tool 12 after the heat-softened coated glass sheet is loaded onto the first bending tool 12 and before the coated glass sheet is press-bent.

[0163] The fixed portion 28 is a rigid member coupled to the platform 26. The fixed portion 28 is formed from multiple metal components welded together, although it is understood that the fixed portion 28 may include components coupled to one another using multiple fasteners, or that the fixed portion 28 may be unitary in shape. The fixed portion 28 includes a first end 34 and a second end 36. The first end 34 includes a flange portion 38 that is removably coupled to the platform 26 using multiple fasteners. However, it is understood that the first end 34 may have other shapes and may be coupled to the platform 26 in any conventional manner. The second end 36 includes a pivot portion 40 and a mount portion 41. The pivot portion 40 includes a pair of orthogonally arranged knuckle joints 42 to which the mount portion 41 is coupled. However, it is understood that the pivot portion 40 may include other structure that facilitates pivotally coupling the mount portion 41 thereto. The mount portion 41 is a rigid member coupled to the pivot portion 40. 2, the mount portion 41 is a rigid L-shaped member that extends away from the pivot portion 40. However, it is understood that the mount portion 41 may have other shapes that allow for mounting of the actuator 32 such that the actuator 32 can move on the moveable portion 30.

[0164] The movable portion 30 is an assembly movably coupled to the mount portion 41. The movable portion 30 is formed from multiple components coupled together using multiple fasteners, although it is understood that the movable portion 30 may include components welded together. The movable portion 30 includes a slide portion 43 and a pusher assembly 44.

[0165] Slide portion 43 is a linear slide that includes guide rails 45 and bearing blocks 46 engaged with guide rails 45. Guide rails 45 are coupled to mount portion 40, and bearing blocks 46 are coupled to pusher assembly 44. Bearing blocks 46 facilitate linear movement of pusher assembly 44 along guide rails 45. It will be appreciated that movable portion 30 may alternatively be movably coupled to mount portion 41 in other ways.

[0166] Pusher assembly 44 includes a pusher member 47 and a pusher portion 48. Pusher portion 48 is removably coupled to pusher member 47 to facilitate replacement of pusher portion 48 when necessary.

[0167] The pusher member 47 is a substantially S-shaped member having a mount portion 49, an intermediate portion 50, and a pusher mount portion 51. The pusher member 47 includes a pair of rigid metal members bonded together. However, it is understood that the pusher member may be formed integrally and from other materials. The mount portion 49 is coupled to the bearing block 46. A portion of the actuator 32 is coupled to the intermediate portion 50 to effect movement of the pusher member 47, and thus the pusher assembly 44. The pusher mount portion 51 is positioned adjacent to the first bending tool 12 and provides a location for mounting the pusher portion 48. The pusher mount portion 51 may include at least one threaded hole formed to receive a fastener that removably couples the pusher portion 48 to the pusher mount portion 51. However, it is understood that the pusher mount portion 51 may be configured in any manner that allows the pusher portion 48 to be removably coupled to the pusher mount portion 51.

[0168] Pusher portion 48 is a semi-rigid member formed from sheet metal such as spring steel, although it is understood that other materials having similar properties may be used. Suitable pusher portions are described in WO 2016 / 189319, particularly Figures 4A-4D.

[0169] A suitable positioning device is also described in WO 2016 / 189319, see in particular Figure 5 and the associated description therein.

[0170] Figures 4a and 4b show the rotation of the coated glass sheet 6 in the furnace 4. Figure 4a is a plan view and Figure 4b is a cross-section along line A-A'.

[0171] While Figures 4a and 4b show a coated glass pane 6 which has a rectangular outline in plan view, Figure 5 shows a plan view of another coated glass pane 60 which has a trapezoidal outline.

[0172] The coated glass pane shown in Figure 5 has upper and lower major surfaces. The upper major surface has a layer of thermosetting or ceramic ink in the form of a continuous band 62 that extends around and within the perimeter of the underlying glass pane. Such a layer is typically used to provide an obscuration band on a vehicle window, such as a windshield. Positioned within band 62 is another band 64 of interrupted portions of thermosetting ink. Band 64 is typically provided as a fade-out band to avoid the otherwise abrupt edges of band 62. Within band 64, the pane is free of thermosetting ink, and area 66 is the visible area of ​​the coated glass pane.

[0173] The lower major surface of the coated glass sheet is free of the thermosetting ink and contacts the rollers of the conveyor section (i.e., rollers 8 in FIG. 1) as the coated glass sheet 60 is transported by the rollers.

[0174] A coated glass sheet 60 may be formed in accordance with the present invention.

[0175] In an alternative embodiment of the coated glass pane 60 described above, the upper major surface of the glass pane is provided with a low-emissivity coating prior to the deposition of a heat-curable ink thereon to provide the obscuration band 62 and fade-out band 64.

[0176] An obscuration zone 62 and a fade-out zone 64 were then applied over the low-emissivity coating. In this embodiment, region 66 is provided with a low-emissivity coating.

[0177] This type of coated glass can also suffer from the positioning problems mentioned herein. While the low-emissivity coating makes the coated glass sheet less susceptible to heating, the obscuration zone can absorb much more heat. This can also create temperature gradients across the coated glass sheet, causing it to bend slightly during transport through the furnace, potentially causing it to rotate as mentioned above.

[0178] In another alternative to the coated glass sheet 60 described above, a low-emissivity coating is applied to the upper major surface of the glass sheet after the deposition of the thermosetting ink on the upper major surface to provide the obscuration band 62 and the fade-out band 64. The low-emissivity coating may be one or more of the obscuration band 62, the fade-out band 64, and the region 66.

[0179] This type of coated glass can also suffer from the positioning problems discussed herein.

[0180] Another embodiment of a method for forming a coated glass sheet is described herein with reference to Figures 6-20.

[0181] 6 shows another embodiment of a coated glass forming line 100. In a particular embodiment, the coated glass forming line 100 is of the press bending type. In another embodiment (not shown), the coated glass forming line is of the gravity bending type.

[0182] The coated glass forming line 100 includes a furnace 104. The furnace 104 serves to heat one or more coated glass sheets before bending of the coated glass sheets occurs. Within the furnace 104, the coated glass sheets 106 are heated to a temperature suitable for forming. For example, the coated glass sheets 106 may be heated to 590°C to 670°C. Therefore, the coated glass sheets 106 may also be referred to as heated coated glass sheets.

[0183] The coated glass sheet 106 is conveyed (ie, transported) through the furnace 104 in the direction of the arrow on rollers 108. The rollers 108 are spaced apart.

[0184] Following the furnace 104 is a bending station 110. The bending station 110 may include a centering device 102. The centering device 102 may be used to adjust the positioning of the coated glass sheet 106 before loading onto the first bending tool 112. As shown in Figure 7, if provided, the centering device 102 may include a plurality of positioners 126, 128. The positioners 126, 128 may be positioned around the periphery of the first bending tool 112 to facilitate positioning of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool 112 before shaping the coated glass sheet 106.

[0185] 7, the first positioner 126, which can move vertically up and down, is configured to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112 before the coated glass sheet 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 112. In another embodiment (not shown), the first positioner 126 is configured to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112 after the coated glass sheet 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 112. In one embodiment, the first positioner 126 can include one or more portions 130, 130A that contact a leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. In another embodiment, the first positioner 126 can include separate portions 132, 132A that contact both sides of the coated glass sheet 106. One or more portions 130, 130A of the first positioner 126 that contact a leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106 can act as stops, preventing the coated glass sheet 106 from moving beyond the first bending tool 112. After the coated glass sheet 106 is positioned, the portions 130, 130A, 132, 132A of the first positioner 126 that contact the coated glass sheet 106 can be moved away from the coated glass sheet 106 so as not to interfere with one or more of the bending tools 112, 114 during bending of the coated glass sheet 106. The centering device 102 can also include a second positioner 128. Preferably, the second positioner 128 is configured to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112 before the coated glass sheet 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 112. In another embodiment (not shown), the second positioner 128 is configured to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112 after the coated glass sheet 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 112. In these embodiments, the second positioner 128 can include one or more portions 134, 134A that contact the trailing edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106 during positioning of the sheet. The portions 134, 134A of the second positioner 128 that contact the trailing edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106 can be attached to pivot arms 136, 136A, respectively.After the coated glass sheet 106 is fully positioned in the bending station 110, the pivot arms 136, 136A can rotate to bring the second positioner 128 into contact with the coated glass sheet 106. After the coated glass sheet 106 is positioned, the portion 134, 134A of the second positioner 128 that contacts the coated glass sheet 106 can be moved away from the coated glass sheet 106 so as not to interfere with one or more of the bending tools 112, 114 during bending of the coated glass sheet 106.

[0186] Referring again to Figure 6, a plurality of rollers 138 are provided to transport the coated glass sheet 106 to a position above the first bending tool 112. Each roller of the plurality of rollers 138 preferably rotates to transport the coated glass sheet 106 in the direction of coated glass travel, which is shown in Figure 1 for the glass forming line 100 and in Figure 7 for a portion of the first bending tool 112. It is also preferred that the plurality of rollers 138 transport the coated glass sheet 106 at a height or distance above the first bending tool 112 when the first bending tool 112 is in a stationary position. It may also be preferred that the height at which the plurality of rollers 138 transport the coated glass sheet 106 is substantially constant.

[0187] Once the coated glass sheet 106 exits the furnace 104, it is transferred from roller 108 within the furnace 104 to a plurality of rollers 138. As shown in FIG. 7, in certain embodiments, the plurality of rollers 138 may include rollers of different lengths. In other embodiments (not shown), the plurality of rollers may include rollers of substantially equal lengths. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each roller in the plurality of rollers 138 is spaced apart from adjacent rollers. The spaces between the rollers may be equal in size. Preferably, each roller in the plurality of rollers 138 is movable in that it can move vertically upward or downward.

[0188] In certain embodiments, the glass forming line 100 includes a fluid pad assembly 140. The fluid pad assembly 140 facilitates positioning of the coated glass sheet 106 on the first bending tool 112 and transfer of the coated glass sheet 106 from the plurality of rollers 138 to the first bending tool 112. The fluid pad assembly 140 includes one or more fluid pads 142. Preferably, multiple fluid pads 142 are provided. When multiple fluid pads 142 are provided, the fluid pads 142 may be configured in an array. The centering device 102, the plurality of rollers 138, the fluid pad assembly 140, and the fluid pads 142 operate as described in WO 2018 / 087572 and may be as described therein.

[0189] Referring again to Figure 6, bending station 110 includes a first bending tool 112 and, in certain embodiments, a second bending tool 114. It will be appreciated that bending station 110 may include more bending tools 112, 114 than are shown in Figure 6. Additionally, bending tools 112, 114 shown in Figure 6 may be oriented in positions other than those shown in Figure 6.

[0190] The second bending tool 114 can be a male tool. In one embodiment, the second bending tool 114 is a full-face mold. In these embodiments, the second bending tool 114 can include a convex forming surface 144. Suitable embodiments of the second bending tool 114 are also described in WO 2016 / 189319, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0191] The coated glass sheet 106 has a first major surface 146 and a second major surface 148. As shown in Figure 8, after the glass sheet 106 is placed on the first bending tool 112, the first major surface 146 of the glass sheet 106 faces the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. When the second bending tool 114 is provided, the second major surface 148 of the glass sheet 106 faces the shaping surface 144 of the second bending tool 114. The second major surface 148 has a low-emissivity coating.

[0192] The first bending tool 112 can be a female tool. In one embodiment, the first bending tool 112 is a ring-shaped die. As best shown in FIG. 7 , the first bending tool 112 can have a generally rectangular outline or perimeter configured to support the glass sheet 106, which also has a rectangular outline. The first bending tool 112 includes a shaping surface, particularly a concave shaping surface. As used herein, the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112 refers to the portion of the first bending tool 112 on which the glass sheet 106 rests, as well as any location, configuration, or orientation thereof. More specifically, the first bending tool 112 includes an upper shaping surface 116 that shapes and supports the glass sheet 106. After the coated glass sheet 106 is placed in the first bending tool 112, the coated glass sheet 106 is supported on the shaping surface. The shaping surface 116 can be configured to support the coated glass sheet 106 around its perimeter.

[0193] The shaping surface 116 is at least partially defined by a first segment 118. In some embodiments, the shaping surface 116 is at least partially defined by a second segment 120. The first segment 118 is spaced apart from the second segment 120. In the described and illustrated embodiments, the first segment 118 is described and illustrated with reference to a segment of the first bending tool 112 configured to accommodate a first pillar edge portion of the glass sheet 106. However, it should be understood that the first segment 118 may refer to a segment of the first bending tool 112 configured to accommodate a trailing edge portion of the glass sheet 106 or a leading edge portion of the glass sheet 106. If an edge portion of the glass sheet 106 is accommodated, the first segment 118 is configured to support the edge portion of the glass sheet 106. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the second segment 120 is described and illustrated with reference to a segment of the first bending tool 112 configured to accommodate a second pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. However, it should be understood that the second segment 120 may refer to a segment of the first bending tool 112 configured to accommodate a trailing edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106 or a leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. If an edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106 is accommodated, the second segment 120 is configured to support the edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106.

[0194] A second segment 122 is positioned at one end of the first segment 118 and the second segment 120. More specifically, a first end of the third segment 122 is spaced apart from the first end of the first segment 118, and a second end of the third segment 122 is spaced apart from the first end of the second segment 122. When provided, the third segment 122 at least partially defines the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. In certain embodiments, the third segment 122 is configured to receive the trailing edge portion of the glass sheet 106. In these embodiments, the third segment 122 is configured to support the trailing edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106 once it is received.

[0195] A fourth segment 124 is positioned at another end of the first segment 118 and the second segment 120. More specifically, a first end of the fourth segment 124 is spaced apart from a second end of the first segment 118, and a second end of the fourth segment 124 is spaced apart from a second end of the second segment 120. When provided, the fourth segment 124 at least partially defines the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 122. In certain embodiments, the fourth segment is configured to receive a leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. In these embodiments, the fourth segment 124 is configured to support the leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106 once received.

[0196] Preferably, if provided, the first segment, second segment, third segment, and fourth segment each define a separate portion of the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. When the coated glass sheet 106 is supported on the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112, the glass sheet 106 rests on the first segment 118, second segment 120, third segment 122, and fourth segment 124. The segments 118-124 may define a generally rectangular outline. In certain embodiments, the first segment 118, second segment 120, third segment 122, and fourth segment 124 are configured as a ring that supports the coated glass sheet 106 around its periphery. However, the first bending tool 112 may have other configurations. For example, in one embodiment, the first segment 118 may not be positioned in a parallel relationship with the second segment 120. In other embodiments, the third segment 122 may not be disposed in a parallel relationship with the fourth segment 124. In still other embodiments, the profile of the first bending tool 112 may be trapezoidal or have other configurations appropriately configured to support the particular coated glass sheet to be formed. Also, as shown in Figure 7, one or more of the segments 118-124 may include one or more curved portions.

[0197] One or more of the segments 118-124 are movable. Because one or more of the segments 118-124 are movable and the provided segments 118-124 define the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112, in certain embodiments, the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112 moves in whole or in part. Movement of one or more of the segments 118-124 allows the position of the coated glass sheet 106 to be adjusted relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112 after the coated glass sheet 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 112 and before the glass sheet 106 is shaped. Such adjustment can compensate for rotational misalignment of the coated glass sheet as it is transported through the furnace 104, allowing for proper shaping.

[0198] Preferably, one or more of the segments 118-124 are movable. More preferably, three of the segments 118-124 are movable. In this embodiment, the first segment 118, the second segment 120, and the third segment 122 may be movable, and the fourth segment 124 may have a fixed position. However, in other embodiments (not shown), each of the segments 118-124 is movable.

[0199] In one embodiment, the first segment 118 is movable. In this embodiment, the first segment 118 is preferably movable and moves in a direction toward the second segment 120. It is also preferably movable and moves away from the second segment 120. In certain embodiments, the direction in which the first segment 118 moves toward the second segment 120 is perpendicular to or the same as the direction in which the coated glass travels. Preferably, the first segment 118 moves from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position. When the first segment 118 moves from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position, it is preferably perpendicular to the direction in which the coated glass travels. Preferably, the coated glass sheet 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 112 when the first segment 118 is in the first position. Preferably, when the first segment 118 moves toward the second segment 120, the first segment 118 moves from the first position to the second position. Also, when the first segment 118 moves away from the second segment 120, the first segment 118 preferably moves from the second position to the first position. It is also preferred that the first segment 118 be in the second position when the coated glass sheet 106 is formed by the first bending tool 112. In some embodiments, the first segment 118 moves from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position in 1 second or less. In other embodiments, the first segment 118 moves from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position in 0.5 seconds or less.

[0200] Preferably, the second segment 120 is movable. When the second segment 120 is movable, it is preferable that the second segment 120 is movable and moves in a direction toward the first segment 118. It is also preferable that the second segment 120 is movable and moves in a direction away from the first segment 118. In certain embodiments, the direction in which the second segment 120 moves toward the first segment 118 is perpendicular to or the same as the direction in which the coated glass moves. Preferably, the second segment 120 is movable and moves from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position. Preferably, when the second segment 120 moves toward the first segment 118, the second segment 120 moves from the first position to the second position. Also, when the second segment 120 moves in a direction away from the first segment 118, it is preferable that the second segment 120 moves from the second position to the first position. Preferably, the coated glass sheet 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 112 when the second segment 120 is in the first position. It is also preferred that the second segment 120 be in the second position when the coated glass sheet 106 is formed on the first bending tool 112. In some embodiments, the second segment 120 moves from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position in 1 second or less. In other embodiments, the second segment 120 moves from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position in 0.5 seconds or less.

[0201] The movement of the first segment 118 and the movement of the second segment 120 can occur simultaneously. For example, in embodiments in which the first segment 118 moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the coated glass toward the second segment 120 and the second segment 120 moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the coated glass toward the first segment 118, the movement of the first segment 118 and the movement of the second segment 120 can occur simultaneously. In some embodiments in which the first segment 118 and the second segment 120 move simultaneously, both the first segment 118 and the second segment 120 can be moving toward the coated glass sheet 106 after the coated glass sheet 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 112. In other embodiments, both the first segment 118 and the second segment 120 can be moving away from the coated glass sheet 106 and / or away from each other after the coated glass sheet 106 is formed.

[0202] In one embodiment, the third segment 122 is movable. In this embodiment, the third segment 122 is movable and preferably moves in a direction toward the fourth segment 124. The third segment 122 is also preferably movable and moves away from the fourth segment. In certain embodiments, the third segment 122 moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction of glass advance toward the fourth segment 124. However, it is preferred that the third segment 122 move in the same direction as the direction of glass advance toward the fourth segment 124. The third segment 122 may also move relative to the other segments. For example, in some embodiments, the third segment 122 moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first segment 118 moves. In these embodiments, the third segment 122 may also move in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second segment 120 moves. Preferably, the third segment 122 is movable and moves from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position. Preferably, when the third segment 122 moves toward the fourth segment 124, the third segment 122 moves from the first position to the second position. Also, when the third segment 122 moves away from the fourth segment 124, the third segment preferably moves from the second position to the first position. Preferably, the glass sheet 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 122 when the third segment 122 is in the first position. It is also preferred that the third segment 122 be in the second position when the coated glass sheet 106 is formed by the first bending tool 112. In some embodiments, the third segment 122 moves from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position in 1 second or less. In other embodiments, the third segment 122 moves from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position in 0.5 seconds or less.

[0203] In certain embodiments (not shown), the fourth segment 124 is movable. In one such embodiment, the fourth segment 124 is movable and preferably moves toward the third segment 122. It is also preferred that the fourth segment 124 be movable and move away from the third segment 122. Preferably, when the fourth segment 124 moves toward the third segment 122, the fourth segment 124 moves from a first position to a second position. Also, when the fourth segment 124 moves away from the third segment 122, the fourth segment 124 preferably moves from a second position to a first position. When the fourth segment 124 moves toward the third segment 122, the fourth segment 124 preferably moves in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the coated glass. In some embodiments, the fourth segment 124 moves from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position in less than one second. In other embodiments, the fourth segment 124 moves from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position in 0.5 seconds or less.

[0204] In embodiments in which the fourth segment 124 moves toward the third segment 122, the movement of the third segment 122 and the movement of the fourth segment 124 can occur simultaneously. For example, in embodiments in which the third segment 122 moves toward the fourth segment 124 in the direction of coated glass travel and the fourth segment 124 moves in the opposite direction toward the third segment 122, the movement of the third segment 122 and the movement of the fourth segment 124 can occur simultaneously. In some embodiments in which the movement of the third segment 122 and the movement of the fourth segment 124 occur simultaneously, both the third segment 122 and the fourth segment 124 can move simultaneously toward the glass sheet 106 after the coated glass sheet 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 112. In other embodiments, both the third segment 122 and the fourth segment 124 can move simultaneously away from the coated glass sheet 106 and / or away from each other after the coated glass sheet 106 is formed. In yet another embodiment, the movement of the third segment 122 and the movement of the fourth segment 124 can occur simultaneously with the movement of the first segment 118 and the movement of the second segment 120 .

[0205] However, in other embodiments, it may be preferable for the fourth segment 124 not to move toward the third segment 122. In these embodiments, the position of the coated glass sheet 106 may vary relative to the fourth segment 124 prior to forming. For example, if the fourth segment 124 is configured to accommodate a leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106 and the third segment 122 moves in a direction toward the fourth segment 122 prior to forming the coated glass sheet 106, the leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106 may move from a first position to a second position on the fourth segment 124 in the direction of coated glass travel. In these embodiments, the position of the fourth segment 124 may be fixed.

[0206] Preferably, when two or more segments 118-124 move before forming the coated glass sheet 106, the segments 118-124 move toward the coated glass sheet 106 in a predetermined order. For example, before forming the coated glass sheet 106, the first segment 118 and the second segment 120 may move toward each other and the coated glass sheet 106. In this embodiment, the first segment 118 and the second segment 120 may simultaneously move toward each other and the coated glass sheet 106 as described above. After the movement of the first segment 118 and the second segment 120, the third segment 122 may move toward the fourth segment 124 and the coated glass sheet 106. However, in other embodiments, the first segment 118, the second segment 120, and the third segment 122 may move in another predetermined order. For example, in certain embodiments, the first segment 118, the second segment 120, and the third segment 122 may each move simultaneously toward the coated glass sheet 106. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the third segment 122 may move toward the fourth segment 124 and the coated glass sheet 106 before the first segment 118 and the second segment 120 move toward each other and the coated glass sheet 106. In this embodiment, the first segment 118 and the second segment 120 may move simultaneously toward each other and the coated glass sheet 106. When two or more segments 118-124 move in a predetermined sequence toward the coated glass sheet 106 before forming the coated glass sheet 106, it is preferred that each moving segment move from its first position to its second position within a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time begins when one or more of the two or more segments 118-124 begin to move and ends when all of the two or more segments 118-124 moving in sequential order toward the coated glass sheet 106 have moved from the first position to the second position. Preferably, the predetermined period of time is 2 seconds or less.

[0207] In some embodiments, each movable segment 118-124 moves from its second position to its first position after the coated glass sheet 106 is removed from the first bending tool.

[0208] In some embodiments, each of the movable segments 118-124 moves from its second position to its first position simultaneously or in a different order after the coated glass sheet 106 is removed from the first bending tool.

[0209] In some embodiments, each movable segment 118-124 moves from its second position to its first position after the coated glass sheet 106 has been formed.

[0210] In some embodiments, each movable segment 118-124 moves from its second position to its first position simultaneously or in another predetermined sequence after the coated glass sheet 106 is formed.

[0211] The vertical position of each segment 118-124 can be adjusted using one or more supports 150. The vertical position of a particular segment 118-124 can be adjusted to compensate for changes in that or another segment caused by heating and cooling of the first bending tool 112. The one or more supports 150 each have a variable length. Because each segment 118-124 is attached to one or more supports 150, changing the length of at least one of the one or more supports 150 adjusts the position of the segment. The position of a segment is adjusted vertically by increasing or decreasing the length of the one or more supports 150 attached to that segment.

[0212] The one or more supports 150 will now be described with respect to the third segment 122 and base member 152 shown in Figure 9. It should be understood that the description provided below of the third segment 122, the one or more supports 150, and the base member 152 may also apply to the one or more supports 150 attached to each of the first segment 118, second segment 120, and fourth segment 124, and the respective base members connected to each of the first segment 118, second segment 120, and fourth segment 124.

[0213] 9 , each support of the one or more supports 150 is attached to the third segment 122, and at an opposite end, each support of the one or more supports 150 is attached to a base member 152. The base member 152 may include an upper flange 154. On one side, the upper flange 154 is attached to the one or more supports 150. On the opposite side, the upper flange 154 is attached to a first end of a first wall portion 156 and a first end of a second wall portion 158. The upper flange 154 is also attached to the upper ends of one or more vertically extending ribs 160. The ribs 162, 164 of the one or more vertically extending ribs 160 may also be attached to each of the first wall portion 156 and the second wall portion 158. The one or more vertically extending ribs 160 may also be attached to a lower flange 166. A second end of the first wall portion 156 and a second end of the second wall portion 158 may also be attached to the lower flange 166 .

[0214] To allow movement of the segments, the base member 152 is attached to a pair of hinges 168, 170 via a lower flange 166. The hinges 168, 170 shown in FIG. 7 are shown enlarged with certain portions removed for clarity. Each hinge 168, 170 shown in FIG. 9 preferably includes a first member 172 attached to the lower flange 166. The first member 172 has an opening for receiving a pin (not shown). The pin also passes through a pair of openings in a second member 174. The first member 172 and the second member 174 are joined by passing the pin through the openings in each member 172, 174. A bushing (not shown) may be provided in each opening in the second member 172. Preferably, each bushing is positioned around a portion of the pin. In one embodiment, the bushing allows the pin to rotate. In another embodiment, the pin rotation may be enabled by a different type of bearing. The position of the first member 172 is fixed by attaching the second member 172 to a frame 176, which is shown in FIGS.

[0215] The frame 176 is a fixed member. Thus, in embodiments in which the first bending tool 112 includes the frame 176, the movable segments 118-124 can move relative to the frame 176. For example, in one embodiment, the first segment 118 is movable relative to the frame 176. In this embodiment, the first segment 118 is in a first position relative to the frame 176 and can move from the first position to a second position relative to the frame 176. From the second position relative to the frame 176, the first segment 118 can return to the first position relative to the frame 176, if desired. In cases in which the first bending tool 112 includes other movable segments 120-124, the other movable segments 120-124 can be in a first position relative to the frame 176 or a second position relative to the frame 176, and the other movable segments 120-124 can move from the first position to the second position relative to the frame 176, or vice versa, as described above for the first segment 118. For example, after the coated glass sheet 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 112 and before forming the coated glass sheet 106, the coated glass sheet 106 can be in a first position relative to the frame 176 and moved from the first position relative to the frame 176 to a second position relative to the frame 176. Preferably, the frame 176 is constructed of a rigid material. In one embodiment, the frame 176 is a platform.

[0216] The base member 152 is movable about a rotation axis 178. The rotation axis 178 extends through each pin. The base member 152 is movable clockwise and counterclockwise about the rotation axis 178. Movement of the base member 152 about the rotation axis 178 permits movement of the third segment 122 as described above. For example, in one embodiment, clockwise movement of the base member 152 moves the first segment 122 from its first position to its second position. In this embodiment, counterclockwise movement of the base member 152 moves the third segment 122 from its second position to its first position. Preferably, the third segment 122 is disposed above the rotation axis 178, as shown. In these embodiments, the rotation axis 178 is disposed in a generally parallel relationship with the third segment 122.

[0217] When one or more of the other segments 118, 120, 124 move as described above, each base member connected to the moving segment 118, 120, 124 and each of the segments 118, 120, 124 connected thereto preferably moves in a manner similar to that described above for the third segment 122 and base member 152. When the base members 152A, 152B move the first segment 118 and / or the second segment 120 between their first and second positions, each base member 152A, 152B preferably has an axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation 178 described above. However, in embodiments where the segments are not movable, such as when the fourth segment 124 has a fixed position, the first bending tool 112 preferably includes a base member 152C configured to not move about its axis of rotation. In these embodiments, the base member 152C shown in FIG. 3 may be mounted to the frame 176 so as not to move about its axis of rotation. Preferably, in these embodiments, the base member 152C, which is configured to not move about an axis of rotation, is of conventional construction known in the art.

[0218] Movement of the base member 152 about the axis of rotation 178 can be accomplished using one or more drive assemblies 180. For example, a pair of drive assemblies 180 can be provided to move the base member 152 about the axis of rotation 178. Referring now to FIGS. 10-13, each drive assembly 180 can include a drive device 182. Each drive device 182 can include a belt, chain, or other drive member that actuates a drive member 184, best shown in FIG. 13. Each drive member can be a screw, rod, or other member with a threaded end. Each drive member 184 is actuated toward or away from the desired direction of movement. In one embodiment, at one end, each drive member 184 is attached to a connector 186 that receives the drive member 184. The connector 186 and drive member 184 can be attached to one another via a threaded connection. In one embodiment, each connector 186 is similarly configured. In the illustrated embodiment, each connector 186 is a clevis or similar member. One or more of the connectors 186 may be attached to a portion of the base member 152. Alternatively, one or more of the connectors 186 may be attached to a segment 118-124, at least one of the one or more supports 150, or another portion of the first bending tool 112.

[0219] Preferably, when a pair of drive assemblies 180 are provided for moving the base member 152 about the rotational axis 178, the drive assemblies 180 are connected to one another via a first transmission shaft assembly 188. The first transmission shaft assembly 188 may include a single shaft or two or more shafts. The first transmission shaft assembly 188 receives torque from a first motor 190 connected to the first transmission shaft assembly 188. The torque received by the first transmission shaft assembly 188 is transmitted to the pair of drive assemblies 180 connected to the first transmission shaft assembly 188. The torque received by the pair of drive assemblies 180 is used to drive each of the drive devices 182.

[0220] Similarly, if one or more additional base members are provided for moving one or more of the other segments 118, 120, 124 in a manner similar to that described above, the one or more additional base members preferably move about the aforementioned axis of rotation. In some of these embodiments, movement of the one or more additional base members can be achieved using one or more additional drive assemblies 180A, 180B. The one or more additional drive assemblies 180A, 180B are preferably configured similarly to the one or more drive assemblies 180 described above. In one embodiment, the one or more additional drive assemblies 180A, 180B include a first pair of drive assemblies 180A and a second pair of drive assemblies 180B. In this embodiment, the first pair of drive assemblies 180A and the second pair of drive assemblies 180B are interconnected via a second transmission shaft assembly 192. The second transmission shaft assembly 192 may include a single shaft or two or more shafts. By connecting the first drive assembly pair 180A and the second drive assembly pair 180B via the second transmission shaft assembly 192, for example, it becomes possible to move the base member 152A connected to the first segment 188 and the base member 152B connected to the second segment 120 in the same manner around their respective rotation axes. By allowing the base members 152A and 152B to move simultaneously, it becomes possible to move the first segment 118 and the second segment 120 simultaneously, as described above.

[0221] The second transmission shaft assembly 192 receives torque from a second motor 194 connected to the second transmission shaft assembly 192. The torque received by the second transmission shaft assembly 192 is transmitted to the first drive assembly pair 180A and the second drive assembly pair 180B connected to the second transmission shaft assembly 192. As described above, each drive device 182 is driven using the torque received by the first drive assembly pair 180A and the second drive assembly pair 180B.

[0222] The first motor 190 and the second motor 194 may be regulated by one or more controllers (not shown). The one or more controllers regulate the first motor 190 and the second motor 194 by providing signals to power the first motor 190 and the second motor 194. In one embodiment, power may be delivered to the first motor 190 before power is delivered to the second motor 194. In another embodiment, power may be delivered to the first motor 190 after power is delivered to the second motor 194.

[0223] If it is desired to move the first segment 118 from its first position to its second position and the second segment 120 from its first position to its second position, power may be sent to the second motor 194. If it is desired to move the third segment 122 from its first position to its second position, power may be sent to the first motor 190. Thus, if it is desired to move the first segment 118 from its first position to its second position and the second segment 120 from its first position to its second position, simultaneously and before moving the third segment 122 from its first position to its second position, power is sent to the second motor 194 followed by power to the first motor 190.

[0224] The one or more controllers may communicate with and provide signals to other parts of the first bending tool 112. Additionally, the one or more controllers may communicate with and provide signals to the plurality of rollers 138 and the fluid pad assembly 140. Signals provided by the one or more controllers to the first bending tool 112 and a drive mechanism (not shown) may direct vertical downward or upward movement of the first bending tool 112, the plurality of rollers 139, and / or the fluid pad assembly 140. It should also be appreciated that in certain embodiments, the one or more controllers may communicate with the second bending tool 114 and provide signals to the second bending tool 114 directing downward or upward movement of the second bending tool 114. The one or more controllers may also communicate with the centering device 102 and provide signals to the centering device 102 to adjust the positioning of the glass sheet 106 before loading the coated glass sheet 106 onto the first bending tool 112.

[0225] In certain embodiments, the one or more controllers may operate under the control of a set of programming instructions, which may also be referred to as software, and / or provide the signals described above. The one or more controllers may include a memory (not shown) in which the programming instructions are stored. In one embodiment, the set of programming instructions enables the one or more controllers to regulate the flow of fluid, the positioning of the glass sheet 106 relative to the forming surface, and / or the predetermined sequence of movement of the bending tools 112, 114, the plurality of rollers 138, and the fluid pad assembly 140.

[0226] The one or more controllers may also receive signals. For example, the one or more controllers may be in communication with an optical sensor (not shown) that indicates the location of the glass sheet 106 in the glass forming line 100. In other embodiments, the one or more controllers may receive signals from drive mechanisms connected to the centering device 102, the second bending tool 114, one or more valves, and / or the plurality of rollers 138 and fluid pad assembly 140.

[0227] After the coated glass sheet 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 112 and before forming, the position of the coated glass sheet 106 can be adjusted relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. To adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112, at least one of the segments 118-124 moves from its first position to its second position as described above to contact one or more portions of the coated glass sheet 106 with one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B. In one embodiment, the first segment 118 moves from its first position to its second position to contact a first portion of the coated glass sheet 106 with one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B. In this embodiment, the first portion of the coated glass sheet 106 can be a first pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. However, in other embodiments, the first portion of the coated glass sheet 106 is a second pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. In yet other embodiments, the first portion of the coated glass sheet 106 can be a leading edge portion or a trailing edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. Preferably, one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B contact the second portion of the coated glass sheet 106 to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. In one embodiment, the second segment 120 moves from its first position to its second position to contact the coated glass sheet 106 with the one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B. In this embodiment, the second portion of the coated glass sheet 106 can be a second pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet. However, in other embodiments, the second portion of the coated glass sheet 106 can be a first pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. In yet other embodiments, the second portion of the coated glass sheet 106 can be a leading edge portion or a trailing edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. In yet other embodiments, a third portion of the coated glass sheet 106 is contacted by one or more of the one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 102.In some embodiments, the third segment 122 moves from its first portion to its second portion to contact the third portion of the coated glass sheet 106 with one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196ZB. In one such embodiment, the third portion of the coated glass sheet 106 is a trailing edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. However, in another embodiment, the third portion of the coated glass sheet 106 is a leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. In other embodiments, the third portion of the coated glass sheet 106 may be a first pillar edge portion or a second pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. It may also be preferable to contact a fourth portion of the coated glass sheet 106 with one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. In some embodiments, the fourth segment 124 moves from its first position to its second position to contact a fourth portion of the coated glass sheet 106 with one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B. In one such embodiment, the fourth portion of the coated glass sheet 106 is a leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. However, in another embodiment, the fourth portion of the coated glass sheet 106 is a trailing edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. In other embodiments, the fourth portion of the glass sheet 106 can be a first pillar edge portion or a second pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106.

[0228] By contacting one or more portions of the glass sheet 106 with one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B, the coated glass sheet 106 is positioned, if necessary, at a desired location on the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. Due to rotation of the coated glass sheet 106 during transport through the furnace, the coated glass sheet may not be in the desired position on the shaping surface 116, see Figures 4a and 4b.

[0229] The one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B are positioned adjacent to the periphery of the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112 to contact one or more portions of the coated glass sheet 106 with the one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B. Each of the one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B is configured to contact a portion of the coated glass sheet 106 to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. Preferably, the one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B are each similarly configured. However, the present method can be implemented and the first bending tool 112 can be configured where one or more of the one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B are not similarly configured.

[0230] Preferably, each positioning assembly 196, 196A, 196B is mechanically associated with a segment 118-124, and each segment 118-124 has one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B mechanically associated therewith. For example, as shown, the first segment 118, the second segment 120, the third segment 122, and the fourth segment 124 may each have one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B mechanically associated therewith. The one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B mechanically associated with a moving segment, such as the first segment 118, move with that segment in a direction toward the coated glass sheet 106 prior to contact with a portion of the glass sheet 106. The positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B mechanically coupled to the non-moving segments do not move in a direction toward the coated glass sheet 106 before contacting a portion of the coated glass sheet 106. For example, in an embodiment such as that best shown in FIG. 12 , two positioning assemblies 196, 196A are mechanically coupled to the fourth segment 124. In this embodiment, the fourth segment 124 has a fixed position because it does not move in a direction toward the third segment 122. Also, in this embodiment, the fourth segment 124 does not move in a direction toward the coated glass sheet 106 after the coated glass sheet 106 is placed on the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. Thus, in this embodiment, the two positioning assemblies 196, 196A mechanically coupled to the fourth segment 124 do not move in a direction toward the coated glass sheet 106 before contacting the fourth portion of the coated glass sheet 106.

[0231] Next, features of the one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B will be described below. The one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B may be described below with respect to the first segment 118. It should be understood that the embodiments of the one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B described below may be utilized with any of the segments 118-124 described above.

[0232] 7 and 10 , one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B in mechanical communication with the first segment 118 include a first positioning assembly 196. The first positioning assembly 196 is configured to contact a first portion of the coated glass sheet 106 to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. In some embodiments, the first positioning assembly 196 is mechanically coupled to the first segment 118 such that the first positioning assembly 196 is attached to the first segment 118. The one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B in mechanical communication with the first segment 118 may also include a second positioning assembly 196A. Similar to the first positioning assembly 196, the second positioning assembly 196A is configured to contact a first portion of the coated glass sheet 106 to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. In some embodiments, the second positioning assembly 196A is mechanically coupled to the first segment 118 such that the second positioning assembly 196A is attached to the first segment 118. Preferably, the first positioning assembly 196 and the second positioning assembly 196A are similarly configured.

[0233] In certain embodiments, the first positioning assembly 196 moves with the first segment 118. In some of these embodiments, prior to contact with the coated glass sheet 106, the first positioning assembly 196 moves with the first segment 118 in a direction toward the coated glass sheet 106. In one such embodiment, the first positioning assembly 196 moves with the first segment 118 in a direction toward the coated glass sheet 106 to contact a first portion of the coated glass sheet 106. In embodiments in which a second positioning assembly 196A is provided, the first positioning assembly 196 and the second positioning assembly 196A are spaced apart from one another. Additionally, the movement of the second positioning assembly 196A is as described above for the first positioning assembly 196, and the second positioning assembly 196A contacts a first portion of the coated glass sheet 106 in the same manner as described above for the first positioning assembly 196. After forming the coated glass sheet 106, the first positioning assembly 196 and, if present, the second positioning assembly 196A move with the first segment 118 in the opposite direction.

[0234] As described above, the first segment 118 moves from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, after the first segment 118 moves from the first position, the first positioning assembly 196 contacts a first portion of the coated glass sheet 106. Preferably, the first portion is an edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. The first positioning assembly 196 and, if provided, the second positioning assembly 196A, may contact the first portion of the coated glass sheet 106 before the first segment 118 is in its second position. When the first segment 118 is in the second position and the first portion of the coated glass sheet 106 is a first pillar edge portion, the first pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106 abuts the edge surface 198 of the first positioning assembly 196, as shown in FIG. 7 . It should be understood that depending on the size and alignment of the coated glass sheet 106, a space (not shown) may be provided between the edge 198 of the first positioning assembly 196 and the coated glass sheet 106 after it has been loaded onto the first bending tool 112 prior to movement of the first segment 118. The edge 198 of the first positioning assembly 196 is configured to contact a first pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106 to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. The contact between the first positioning assembly 196 and the first pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106 may move the coated glass sheet 106 from a first position to a second position.

[0235] As described above, during adjustment of the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112, the end face 198 of the first positioning assembly 196 may contact a first pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 14-20, the end face 198 of the first positioning assembly 196 is provided at the end of a body portion 200. The body portion 200 may be of a rigid, durable design and formed from steel. In one embodiment, the body portion 200 may be L-shaped in cross section. As shown in FIG. 16, a portion of the body portion 200 and the end face 198 are positioned on the first segment 118. The body portion 200 extends toward an inner edge 202 of the first segment 118.

[0236] Contact material (not shown) can be attached to the body portion 200. If provided, the contact material preferably covers the end surface 198 of the first positioning assembly 196. The contact material can be attached to the body portion 200 by one or more fasteners, welding, adhesive, or otherwise. Preferably, the contact material is bonded to the side of the body portion 200. If provided, the contact material preferably separates contact portions of the coated glass sheet 106 to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. In one embodiment, the contact material is formed from a woven stainless steel wire cloth. However, the contact material may also be formed from other cloth-like materials that are softer than the coated glass sheet 106 and suitable for high-temperature applications.

[0237] The support member 204 receives a portion of the body portion 200. The body portion 200 is attached to the support member 204 via one or more pins 206, shown in FIG. 16, or another member. Each of the one or more pins 206 passes through an opening 207 in the body portion 200, shown in FIG. 8, and a corresponding opening 208 in the support member 204, shown in FIG. 14. Referring now to FIG. 16, the one or more pins 206 allow the body portion 200 to move vertically upward or downward and remain attached to the support member 204. Vertical upward and downward movement of the body portion 200 is shown in FIG. 17. The support member 204 can be attached to the first segment 118 by one or more fasteners 210, and its position relative to the first segment 118 can be fixed.

[0238] As described above, the body portion 200 is configured to move vertically upward or downward. Preferably, the body portion 200 moves vertically downward from a first position to a second position and vertically upward from the second position to the first position. Before forming the coated glass sheet 106 or when the first positioning assembly 196 is stationary, the body portion 200 is in the first position. During forming of the coated glass sheet 106, the body portion 200 is in the second position.

[0239] When the body portion 200 is in the first position, the top surface 212 of the body portion 200 is oriented obliquely relative to the forming surface 116 of the first bending tool 112, as shown in FIG. 8. The top surface 212 of the body portion 200 may be oriented obliquely relative to the top surface 214 of the support member 204 and / or the centerline 216, shown in FIG. 14, of one of the one or more pins 206. However, as shown in FIG. 17, the orientation of the top surface 212 of the body portion 200 changes when the body portion 200 is in the second position. For example, during forming of the coated glass sheet 106, the top surface 212 of the body portion 200 may be disposed in a parallel or substantially parallel relationship with the top surface 214 of the support member 204.

[0240] First positioning assembly 196 also includes one or more adjustment assemblies 218. As shown in Figures 14-16, in one embodiment, first positioning assembly 196 can include a pair of adjustment assemblies 218. In this embodiment, adjustment assemblies 218 are spaced apart from one another and positioned on opposite sides of first positioning assembly 196. One or more adjustment assemblies 218 enable first positioning assembly 196 to return to a resting position and body portion 200 to its first position after forming glass sheet 106.

[0241] Each adjustment assembly 218 includes an adjustment mechanism. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14-17, the adjustment mechanism includes one or more legs. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14-17, the one or more legs include a first leg 220 and a second leg 220A. Each leg 220, 220A of the one or more legs may be a threaded member. It should be understood that alternative types of members may be utilized as the first leg 220 and the second leg 220A. For example, in one embodiment, each leg 220, 220A may be a bolt member or similar member having a threaded end for connecting each leg 200, 200A of the body portion 200 and / or the support member 204. Preferably, the first leg 220 is laterally spaced apart from the second leg 220A, or vice versa. Preferably, each leg 220, 220A is threaded through an opening 222 in the body 220 and an opening 224 in the support member 204. A biasing member 226 is provided around each leg 220, 220A. Each biasing member 226 applies a force to body portion 200 to maintain body portion 220 in its first position or to return body portion 200 from the second position to the first position. Each biasing member 226 extends into one of openings 222 in body portion 200 and engages a portion of body portion 200 adjacent the opening through which biasing member 226 extends. In these embodiments, a washer 228 may be provided between the end of each biasing member 226 and the outer end of each leg 220, 220A. In these embodiments, each biasing member 226 may be a spring. If each biasing member 226 is a spring, the force applied by biasing member 226 to body portion 200 to maintain body portion 200 in the first position is a spring force.

[0242] 18-20 illustrate another embodiment of the one or more positioning assemblies 196. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18-20, the adjustment mechanism 218A includes a first leg 220 and a second leg 220A. However, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18-20, the first leg 220 is spaced apart from the second leg 220A such that the legs 220, 220A are perpendicular to one another. Also in this embodiment, the first leg 220 is attached to the body portion 200, and the second leg 220A is attached to the support member 204. A biasing member 226A is connected to the first leg 220 and the second leg 220A. The biasing member 226A operates in a similar manner as described above. However, in the embodiments shown in Figures 14-20, biasing member 226A applies a force to body portion 220 via first leg 220 to maintain body portion 220 in the first position or to return body portion 220 to the first position. Biasing member 226A is connected to first leg 220 and second leg 220A through opening 230 in first leg 220 and opening 232 in second leg 220A. In these embodiments, biasing member 226A may be a spring. If biasing member 226A is a spring, the force applied by biasing member 226A to body portion 200 to maintain body portion 200 in the first position is a spring force.

[0243] 8 , the body portion 200 extends toward the inner edge 202 of the first segment 118. Prior to forming the coated glass sheet 106, the body portion 200 is in a first position. In the first position, a portion of the edge surface 198 and a portion of the top surface 212 of the body portion 200 are at a height greater than the first major surface 146 of the coated glass sheet 106 after the coated glass 106 is loaded onto the first bending tool 112. Immediately prior to forming the coated glass sheet 106, the second bending tool 114 contacts and applies a force to the first positioning assembly 196. More specifically, the second bending tool 144 contacts and applies a force to the top surface 212 of the body portion 200. The force applied to the top surface 212 of the body portion 200 by the second bending tool 114 is greater than the force applied to the body portion 220 by the biasing member(s) 226, 226A. Thus, the force applied to the upper surface 212 of the body portion 200 by the second bending tool 114 causes the body portion to move vertically downward from the first position to the second position. As the body portion 200 moves vertically downward from the first position to the second position, a portion of the body portion 200 is received in the groove 234 provided in the outer edge of the first segment 118.

[0244] During forming of the glass sheet 106, the body portion 200 is in a second position. In the second position, the top surface 212 of the body portion 200 is aligned or substantially aligned with the first major surface 146 of the coated glass sheet 106. Also, at this point, the edge surface 198 may be disposed in a parallel or substantially parallel relationship with the first pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. After forming of the coated glass sheet 106, the second bending tool 114 is moved out of contact with the first positioning assembly 196, and the force exerted by the second bending tool 114 on the top surface 212 of the body portion 200 is removed. By moving the body portion 200 from the second position to the first position after the second bending tool 114 is moved out of contact with the first positioning assembly 196, the force exerted by the biasing member(s) 226, 226A returns the body portion 200 to its first position.

[0245] In one embodiment, when it is desired to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112, the first segment 118 is moved from a first position to a second position. As the first segment 118 is moved from its first position to its second position, a first portion of the coated glass sheet 106 contacts one or more positioning devices 196, 196A, 196B that are mechanically coupled to the first segment 118. The position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112 is adjusted by bringing the first portion of the coated glass sheet 106 into contact with more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B that are mechanically coupled to the first segment 118. In the second position, one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B that are mechanically coupled to the first segment 118 contact the first portion of the coated glass sheet 106. In this embodiment, the first portion of the coated glass sheet 106 can be a first pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. Preferably, contact of the second portion of the coated glass sheet 106 adjusts the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. Preferably, the second portion of the coated glass sheet 106 is an edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. The second segment 120 can be moved from a first position to a second position to contact the second portion of the coated glass sheet 106. Moving the second segment 120 from its first position to its second position contacts the second portion of the coated glass sheet 106 with one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B that are mechanically coupled to the second segment 120. Contacting a second portion of the coated glass sheet 106 with more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B in mechanical communication with the second segment 120 adjusts the position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. In the second position, one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B in mechanical communication with the second segment 120 contact a second portion of the coated glass sheet 106. In this embodiment, the second portion of the coated glass sheet 106 may be a second pillar edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106.In some embodiments, contact of the third portion of the coated glass sheet 106 adjusts the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. Preferably, the third portion of the coated glass sheet 106 is an edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. To contact the third portion of the coated glass sheet 106, the third segment 122 is preferably moved from a first position to a second position. Moving the third segment 122 from its first position to its second position causes the third portion of the coated glass sheet 106 to contact one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B that are mechanically coupled to the third segment 122. Contacting the third portion of the glass sheet 106 with more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B that are mechanically coupled to the third segment 122 adjusts the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. In the second position, one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B mechanically coupled to the third segment 122 contact a third portion of the coated glass sheet 106. In this embodiment, the third portion of the coated glass sheet 106 may be a trailing edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. In yet another embodiment, contact of a fourth portion of the coated glass sheet 106 may adjust the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. Preferably, the fourth portion of the coated glass sheet 106 is an edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. Preferably, the fourth segment 124 does not move toward the coated glass sheet 106 to contact the fourth portion of the coated glass sheet 106. Instead, in this embodiment, the coated glass sheet 106 moves toward one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B that are mechanically coupled to the second segment 124, causing contact between a fourth portion of the coated glass sheet 106 and the one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B that are mechanically coupled to the fourth segment 124. Contact between the fourth portion of the coated glass sheet 106 and the one or more positioning assemblies 196, 196A, 196B that are mechanically coupled to the fourth segment 124 positions the coated glass sheet 106 against the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112.In this embodiment, the fourth portion of the coated glass sheet 106 may be a leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet 106. After the coated glass sheet 106 has been contacted as described above and is in a desired position relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112 according to one of the embodiments described above, the coated glass sheet 106 is shaped.

[0246] Contacting one or more portions of the glass sheet 106 as described above adjusts the position of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112. Advantageously, this positioning of the coated glass sheet 106 relative to the shaping surface 116 of the first bending tool 112 improves alignment between the coated glass sheet 106 and the shaping surface 116 before forming, correcting for misalignment that may be imparted to the coated glass sheet during heating in the furnace 104. The improved alignment imparts desired properties to the coated glass sheet 106 and ensures that the coated glass sheet 106 has high quality after forming. Furthermore, when the coated glass forming line 100 and first bending tool 112 include the fluid pad assembly 140, optical distortions caused by marks on the coated glass sheet 106 may be reduced compared to other forming methods and glass forming lines.

[0247] 6 , in embodiments in which the coated glass sheet 106 is formed by press bending, movement occurs between the first bending tool 122 and the second bending tool to form the coated glass sheet 160. In embodiments in which the coated glass sheet 106 is press bent, once the coated glass sheet 106 is positioned against the forming surface 116 of the first bending tool 112 as described above, it is preferred that the first bending tool 112 be moved toward the second bending tool 114 without moving the second bending tool 114 to press bend the coated glass sheet 106. In this embodiment, following movement of the first bending tool 112, the coated glass sheet 106 is press bent between the first bending tool 112 and the second bending tool 114. However, in other embodiments, the first bending tool 112 may be moved toward the second bending tool 114, and the second bending tool 114 may be moved toward the first bending tool 112. Alternatively, the first bending tool 112 may not move, and the second bending tool 114 may be moved toward the first bending tool 112. In either of these alternatives, the goal is to provide relative movement between the first bending tool 112 and the second bending tool 114 to press-bend the coated glass sheet 106 between the first bending tool 112 and the second bending tool 114.

[0248] During pressing, a vacuum may be drawn through passages 236 formed in the second bending tool 114 to facilitate forming the coated glass sheet 106 into the desired shape. Once shaping of the coated glass sheet 106 is complete, the coated glass sheet 106 may be released from the second bending tool 114 by applying positive pressure to the passages 236 in the second bending tool 114.

[0249] Once the bending process is complete, a transport device (not shown) serves to transport the shaped coated glass sheet 106 to an annealing furnace 238. In the annealing furnace 238, the shaped coated glass sheet 106 may be tempered or annealed as known in the art to cool it to a handling temperature. The shaped coated glass sheet 106 may be used to construct vehicle windows such as windshields, side windows, sunroofs, or rear windows. Such windows may be monolithic or laminated.

[0250] Although not shown, bending station 110 may include a camera system positioned to view the coated glass sheet on first bending tool 112. The position of the coated glass sheet relative to forming surface 116 may be recorded before and / or after repositioning on forming surface 116. The camera system may be in communication with a control system to control the movement of any of moveable segments 118, 120, 122, 124. Position information obtained from the camera system may be used to modify the control system for subsequent positioning of the coated glass sheet.

[0251] The present invention provides an improved method of shaping coated glass sheets that compensates for movement of the coated glass sheet during the heating step, allowing the coated glass sheet to be moved to a desired position for bending after the coated glass sheet has been heated.

[0252] The present invention has the following aspects.

[0253] Aspect 1. A method of forming a coated glass sheet, comprising: (i) providing a coated glass sheet having a first coating on at least a portion of a first major surface, the coated glass sheet having an opposite second major surface; (ii) positioning the coated glass sheet at the entrance of a furnace; (iii) conveying the coated glass sheet through a heating furnace to heat the coated glass sheet to a temperature suitable for forming; (iv) placing the coated glass sheet on a first bending tool in a first position relative to the first bending tool for supporting the coated glass sheet; (v) contacting a first portion of the coated glass sheet to move the coated glass sheet to a second position relative to the first bending tool; (iv) forming the coated glass sheet on a first bending tool; A method including

[0254] Aspect 2. The method of Aspect 1, wherein after loading the coated glass sheet onto the first bending tool during step (iv), the coated glass sheet is positioned on a first segment of the first bending tool that at least partially defines a shaping surface of the first bending tool, and in step (v), the first segment of the first bending tool is moved from a first position to a second position to create contact with a first portion of the coated glass sheet, and contact with the first portion of the glass sheet adjusts the position of the glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool.

[0255] Aspect 3. The method of aspect 2, wherein the movement of the first segment of the first bending tool from the first position to the second position is in a direction toward the second segment of the first bending tool.

[0256] Aspect 4. The method of aspect 2 or aspect 3, further comprising, prior to placing the coated glass sheet on the first segment of the first bending tool, moving the first segment from the second position to the first position.

[0257] Embodiment 5. The method of any one of embodiments 2-4, further comprising moving a second segment of the first bending tool from a first position to a second position to contact a second portion of the coated glass sheet, wherein the movement of the second segment of the first bending tool from the first position to the second position is in a direction toward the first segment of the first bending tool.

[0258] Embodiment 6. The method of any one of embodiments 2-5, wherein a first positioning assembly contacts a first portion of the coated glass sheet, and the first positioning assembly moves with the first segment in a direction toward the coated glass sheet before contacting the first portion of the coated glass sheet.

[0259] Aspect 7. The method of Aspect 5, further comprising: moving a second segment of the first bending tool from a first position to a second position to contact a second portion of the coated glass sheet, and adjusting a position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool upon contact with the second portion of the coated glass sheet, wherein the movement of the first segment of the first bending tool and the movement of the second segment of the first bending tool are in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the coated glass.

[0260] Aspect 8. The method of Aspect 7, further comprising: moving a third segment of the first bending tool from a first position to a second position to contact a third portion of the coated glass sheet, and adjusting a position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool upon contact with the third portion of the coated glass sheet, wherein the movement of the third segment of the first bending tool is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first segment and in a direction toward a fourth segment of the first bending tool.

[0261] Embodiment 9. The method of embodiment 8, further comprising placing the coated glass sheet on a fourth segment of the first bending tool.

[0262] Aspect 10. The method of aspect 9, wherein the step of placing the glass sheet on a fourth segment of the first bending tool creates contact with a fourth portion of the coated glass sheet to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool.

[0263] Aspect 11. The method of aspect 9 or aspect 10, wherein the first segment, the second segment, the third segment, and the fourth segment are configured as a ring that supports the coated glass sheet at a peripheral region thereof.

[0264] Embodiment 12. The method of any one of embodiments 9-11, wherein the coated glass sheet is also positioned on a second segment of the first bending tool and a third segment of the first bending tool, wherein the first segment of the first bending tool, the second segment of the first bending tool, the third segment of the first bending tool, and the fourth segment of the first bending tool each define a distinct portion of the forming surface.

[0265] Aspect 13. The method of any one of aspects 9-12, wherein the fourth segment of the first bending tool does not move toward the third segment of the first bending tool, and preferably, the fourth segment of the first bending tool is fixed and not movable relative to the first, second, or third segments of the first bending tool.

[0266] Aspect 14. The method of any one of Aspects 9 to 13, wherein the fourth portion of the coated glass sheet is a leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet, a stopper for adjusting a position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool contacts the leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet, and the stopper moves away from the leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet after contacting the leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet, and preferably the stopper moves away from the leading edge portion of the coated glass sheet in a vertically downward direction or in the direction of glass travel.

[0267] Embodiment 15. The method of any one of embodiments 1-14, wherein the first bending tool comprises at least one forming rail having an upper shaping surface for supporting the glass sheet, and / or the first bending tool comprises a ring configured to support the glass sheet at a peripheral region thereof.

[0268] Aspect 16. The method of aspect 15, wherein during step (v), a positioning device including a movable part positioned adjacent to the first bending tool, a fixed part positioned adjacent to the movable part, and an actuator disposed between the fixed part and the movable part is provided such that, upon engagement with the actuator, the movable part moves relative to the fixed part to contact a first portion of the coated glass sheet and move the coated glass sheet from the first position to the second position.

[0269] Embodiment 17. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 16, wherein during step (vi), the coated glass sheet is shaped on the first bending tool by press-bending the coated glass sheet between the first bending tool and a second bending tool, preferably wherein during step (vi), the first bending tool with the coated glass sheet loaded thereon is moved relative to the second bending tool to press at least one portion of the coated glass sheet between at least one portion of the first bending tool and at least one portion of the second bending tool to shape the glass sheet on the first bending tool.

[0270] Embodiment 18. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the second bending tool has a convex forming surface and the first bending tool has a complementary concave forming surface, preferably wherein the second bending tool is a full surface die.

[0271] Aspect 19. The method of aspect 17 or aspect 18, wherein the second bending tool comprises at least two portions (a first portion and a second portion), and preferably wherein the first portion of the second bending tool is movable relative to the second portion of the second bending tool, and / or wherein one portion of the coated glass sheet is formed between the first bending tool and the first portion of the second bending tool and another portion of the coated glass sheet is formed between the first bending tool and the second portion of the second bending tool.

[0272] Aspect 20. The method of any one of aspects 17-19, wherein during step (vi), a vacuum is drawn through one or more openings in a surface of the second bending tool.

[0273] Embodiment 21. The method of embodiment 1, wherein during step (vi), additional press force is optionally applied to form selected areas of the coated glass sheet by sagging under the influence of gravity while supported on the first bending tool.

[0274] Embodiment 22. The method of any one of embodiments 1-21, wherein during step (iv), the coated glass sheet is loaded onto the first bending tool by moving the first bending tool relative to the coated sheet.

[0275] Embodiment 23. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein during step (iv), the coated glass sheet is loaded onto the first bending tool by dropping the coated glass sheet onto the first bending tool.

[0276] Embodiment 24. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 23, wherein the first portion of the coated glass sheet is an edge portion of the coated glass sheet.

[0277] Embodiment 25. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 24, wherein the coated glass plate is a single coated glass plate or one of a stack of glass plates comprising at least two glass plates.

[0278] Embodiment 26. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 25, wherein the second major surface of the coated glass sheet faces the conveying means.

[0279] Aspect 27. The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 26, wherein the conveying means comprises one or more rollers and / or one or more air levitation devices.

[0280] Aspect 28. A method of aligning a high-temperature coated glass sheet having a first coating on at least a portion of a first major surface, the method comprising: providing a coated glass bending operation including a first bending tool; providing a positioning device having a movable portion positioned adjacent to the first bending tool, a fixed portion positioned adjacent to the movable portion, and an actuator disposed between the fixed portion and the movable portion; placing the high-temperature coated glass sheet on the first bending tool; engaging the actuator to move the movable portion relative to the fixed portion; and contacting the first portion of the coated glass sheet with the movable portion to adjust a position of the high-temperature coated glass sheet relative to the first bending tool from a first position to a second position.

[0281] Embodiment 29. The method of any one of embodiments 1-28, wherein the first coating comprises a low-emissivity coating.

[0282] Embodiment 30. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 29, wherein the first coating covers the entire first major surface of the coated glass sheet.

[0283] Embodiment 31. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 30, wherein the first coating comprises an optically absorbing layer, preferably an optically opaque layer.

[0284] Embodiment 32. The method of embodiment 31, wherein the first coating is used to provide an obscuration band on the glass sheet, preferably the obscuration band extending as a band around the entire periphery of the first major surface of the coated glass sheet.

[0285] Embodiment 33. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 28, wherein the coated glass sheet comprises a second coating on the first coating.

[0286] Embodiment 34. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the first coating is a low-emissivity coating and the second coating is a coating for providing an obscured area on the glass sheet.

[0287] Embodiment 35. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the first coating is a coating for providing an obscuration area on the glass sheet, and the second coating is a low-emissivity coating.

[0288]

[0023] Embodiment 36. The method of embodiment 34 or embodiment 35, wherein the coating for providing the glass sheet with the obscuration region is optically opaque and / or black and / or printed ink, and / or the obscuration region is in the form of a band, preferably extending around the entire periphery of the first major surface of the coated glass sheet.

[0289] Embodiment 37. The method of any one of embodiments 1-36, wherein the first coating comprises at least one silver layer, preferably at least two silver layers, more preferably at least three silver layers, and even more preferably at least four silver layers.

[0290] Aspect 38. The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 37, wherein the furnace comprises at least one radiant heating means and / or at least one convective heating means.

[0291] Embodiment 39. The method of any one of embodiments 1-38, including monitoring a position of the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool and providing an output, wherein the output is used to provide an input for moving the or subsequent coated glass sheet from a first position to a second position.

[0292] Aspect 40. A forming line for shaping coated glass sheets, comprising: a furnace for heating the coated glass sheet to a temperature suitable for shaping; conveying means for conveying the coated glass sheet through the furnace; and a coated glass sheet shaping section including a first bending tool for supporting the glass sheet during a coated glass bending operation and at least one (first) positioning device disposed relative to the first bending tool, wherein when the coated glass sheet is supported on the first bending tool, the first positioning device is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration to contact a first portion of the coated glass sheet on the first bend to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool.

Claims

1. 1. A method of shaping a coated glass sheet supported on a first bending tool, the coated glass sheet having a target position relative to the first bending tool for optimal shaping, comprising: (i) providing the coated glass sheet having a first coating on at least a portion of a first major surface, the coated glass sheet having an opposite second major surface; (ii) positioning the coated glass sheet at the entrance of a furnace; (iii) conveying the coated glass sheet through the heating furnace to heat the coated glass sheet to a temperature suitable for forming; (iv) placing the coated glass sheet on a first bending tool in a first position relative to the first bending tool for supporting the coated glass sheet; (v) contacting a first portion of the coated glass sheet to move the coated glass sheet to a second position relative to the first bending tool to correct misalignment of the coated glass sheet after transport through the furnace, the second position of the coated glass sheet being closer to the target position than the first position of the coated glass sheet; (vi) shaping the coated glass sheet onto the first bending tool; A method including

2. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein after loading the coated glass sheet onto the first bending tool during step (iv), the coated glass sheet is placed on a first segment of the first bending tool that at least partially defines a shaping surface of the first bending tool, and in step (v), the first segment of the first bending tool is moved from a first position to a second position to create contact with the first portion of the coated glass sheet, and contact with the first portion of the glass sheet adjusts the position of the glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the movement of the first segment of the first bending tool from the first position to the second position is in a direction toward a second segment of the first bending tool.

4. 4. The method of claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising the step of moving a second segment of the first bending tool from a first position to a second position to contact a second portion of the coated glass sheet, and adjusting the position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool upon contact with the second portion of the coated glass sheet, wherein movement of the second segment of the first bending tool from the first position to the second position is in a direction toward the first segment of the first bending tool.

5. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of moving the second segment of the first bending tool from a first position to a second position to contact a second portion of the coated glass sheet, and adjusting the position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool upon contact with the second portion of the coated glass sheet, wherein the movement of the first segment of the first bending tool and the movement of the second segment of the first bending tool are in a direction perpendicular to a direction of coated glass travel.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of moving a third segment of the first bending tool from a first position to a second position to contact a third portion of the coated glass sheet, and adjusting the position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool upon contact with the third portion of the coated glass sheet, wherein the movement of the third segment of the first bending tool is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first segment and in a direction toward a fourth segment of the first bending tool.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of placing the coated glass sheet on a fourth segment of the first bending tool, wherein placing the glass sheet on the fourth segment of the first bending tool creates contact with a fourth portion of the coated glass sheet to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet relative to the shaping surface of the first bending tool.

8. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first bending tool includes a first segment, a second segment, a third segment, and a fourth segment configured as a ring that supports the coated glass sheet at its peripheral region.

9. 9. The method of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the fourth segment of the first bending tool does not move towards the third segment of the first bending tool, preferably the fourth segment of the first bending tool is fixed and not movable relative to the first, second or third segment of the first bending tool.

10. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first bending tool comprises at least one shaping rail having an upper shaping surface for supporting the glass sheet, and / or the first bending tool comprises a ring configured to support the glass sheet at its peripheral region.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein during step (v), a positioning device is provided having a movable part positioned adjacent to the first bending tool, a fixed part positioned adjacent to the movable part, and an actuator disposed between the fixed part and the movable part, the actuator being configured to, upon engagement with the actuator, move the movable part relative to the fixed part to contact the first part of the coated glass sheet and move the coated glass sheet from the first position to the second position.

12. 12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein during step (vi), the coated glass sheet is shaped on the first bending tool by press-bending the coated glass sheet between the first bending tool and a second bending tool, preferably wherein during step (vi), the first bending tool with the coated glass sheet loaded thereon is moved relative to the second bending tool to press at least one portion of the coated glass sheet between at least one portion of the first bending tool and at least one portion of the second bending tool, thereby shaping the glass sheet on the first bending tool.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second bending tool has a convex forming surface and the first bending tool has a complementary concave forming surface, preferably the second bending tool is a full surface die.

14. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein during step (vi), additional pressing force is optionally applied to form selected areas of the coated glass sheet by sagging under the influence of gravity while supported on the first bending tool.

15. The method of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first portion of the coated glass sheet is an edge portion of the coated glass sheet.

16. The method of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the first coating comprises a low-emissivity coating.

17. The method of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the first coating covers the entire first major surface of the coated glass sheet.

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first coating comprises an optically absorbing layer, preferably an optically opaque layer.

19. 20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the first coating is used to provide an obscuration band on the glass sheet, preferably the obscuration band extending as a band around the entire periphery of the first major surface of the coated glass sheet.

20. The method of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the coated glass sheet comprises a second coating on the first coating.

21. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first coating is a low-emissivity coating and the second coating is a coating for providing an obscured area on the glass sheet, or the first coating is a coating for providing an obscured area on the glass sheet and the second coating is a low-emissivity coating.

22. 22. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the first coating comprises at least one silver layer, preferably at least two silver layers, more preferably at least three silver layers, and even more preferably at least four silver layers.

23. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the furnace comprises at least one radiant heating means and / or at least one convective heating means.

24. 24. The method of any one of claims 1 to 23, including monitoring the position of the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool to provide an output, using the output to provide an input for moving the or subsequent coated glass sheet from the first position to the second position.

25. 1. A forming line for shaping coated glass sheets, comprising: a furnace for heating the coated glass sheet to a temperature suitable for shaping; conveying means for conveying the coated glass sheet through the furnace; and a coated glass sheet shaping section including a first bending tool for supporting the glass sheet during a coated glass bending operation and at least one first positioning device disposed relative to the first bending tool, wherein when the coated glass sheet is supported on the first bending tool, the first positioning device is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration so as to contact a first portion of the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool; and further comprising a monitoring system for monitoring the position of the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool.

26. 26. The molding line of claim 25, wherein the furnace includes at least one convection heating means.

27. 26. The forming line of claim 25, wherein the monitoring system is configured to monitor the position of the coated glass sheet before and / or after adjusting the position of the coated glass sheet on the first bending tool.

28. 28. A forming line according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the monitoring system is configured to provide an output which is used to provide an input which is used to adjust the or subsequent coated glass sheet on the first bending tool.

29. 29. A forming line according to any one of claims 25 to 28, preferably wherein once the coated glass sheet is positioned on the first bending tool, the monitoring system is in communication with a control system to control movement of at least the first positioning device to adjust the position of the coated glass sheet.

30. 30. The molding line according to any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the monitoring system includes a camera.

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