Abstract:
A 3-D glass enclosure comprises a generally planar glass base member, an encircling glass side wall member connected to the base member, and a generally planar glass cover member connected to the side wall member to form a unitary glass enclosure, the base, sidewall and cover members being made by reforming softened glass sheet preforms and subjecting the reformed members to ion-exchange strengthening, thus providing strong transparent enclosures for electronic devices such as tablet computers, cellphones, media players and televisions.
Abstract:
A method of producing glass focusing mirror blanks comprises providing a glass sheet, heating the glass sheet sufficiently to allow permanent deformation and reforming the glass sheet into an array of glass shell structures by either (1) pressing the sheet or (2) vacuum or differential-pressure forming the sheet. Either (1) the step of pressing is performed using a positive mold surface comprising an array of protrusions pressed in contact with respective resulting inner concave surfaces and without contacting resulting respective outer convex surfaces of the shells or (2) the step of vacuum or differential-pressure forming is performed using a mold surface comprising an array of through holes with the shell structures formed by vacuum or differential pressure forming of the sheet against the mold surface without contacting the resulting respective outer convex surfaces or the resulting respective inner concave surfaces.
Abstract:
Disclosed are various approaches to creating optical windows in glass covers. To create the glass cover with the optical window, a sheet of glass is reformed using a mold that includes a male portion having a first recess and a female portion having a second recess. The female portion of the mold mates with the male portion of the mold. The first recess is configured to form a first gas pocket and the second recess is configured to form a second gas pocket when the male and female portions of the mold are mated, where a cross sectional area of each of the first recess and the second recess is less than 15 square millimeters. A portion of the reformed glass corresponding to the optical window is positioned between the first gas pocket and the second gas pocket.
Abstract:
In embodiments, a conveyor apparatus can include a conveyor ribbon having a length, a width, a thickness less than the width, and a plurality of receiving apertures located along the length and extending through the thickness of the conveyor ribbon. The plurality of receiving apertures are dimensioned to receive and hold a plurality of glass articles. A conveyor drive and guidance system directs the conveyor ribbon along a predefined conveyor path. The predefined conveyor path can include an immersion section and a drain section. The immersion section can be oriented to direct the conveyor ribbon into and out of an immersion station and the conveyor ribbon is rotated about a horizontal axis in the drain section after being directed out of the immersion station.
Abstract:
Shaped glass structures, in particular to curved glass structures, having optically improved transmittance are provided along with methods of making such glass structures. Articles and methods described herein mask tube or reforming defects with help of refractive index-matching substances (e.g. optically clear adhesives) and/or additional glass layers. The articles and methods are applicable to any shaped glass, and is particularly useful for 3D-shaped parts for use in portable electronic devices.
Abstract:
A method for forming a plugged honeycomb article includes feeding a ceramic precursor material through an extrusion die, the extrusion die having a plurality of pins, a plurality of cavities bounded by adjacent pins, and alternating end-faces of the plurality of pins include extensions extending from an outlet of the extrusion die in an extrusion direction. The method further includes extruding the ceramic precursor material through the extrusion die to form a web structure comprising a plurality of cell walls and channels bounded by adjacent cell walls, supporting the web structure that has been extruded through the extrusion die, and providing movement between the extrusion die and the web structure in at least one direction substantially orthogonal to the extrusion direction while the extensions are positioned in at least a portion of the channels.
Abstract:
A light guide plate suitable for use in a liquid crystal display device, the light guide plate comprising a glass plate and a light coupler bonded to a major surface of the light guide plate. Also disclosed is a backlight unit for a liquid crystal display device employing the light guide plate, and a display device employing the backlight unit.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for modifying the shape of a hollow structure. The method may comprise steps of providing a hollow structure having a cross-section with first and second diameters defining a first aspect ratio; heating at least a part of the hollow structure to at least its glass transition temperature, forming a malleable hollow structure; maintaining a positive pressure inside the malleable hollow structure to form a pressurized hollow structure; and pressing against a first side and an opposed second side of a heated part of the pressurized hollow structure, forming a hollow tabular structure having first and second opposed generally flat faces and a second aspect ratio greater than the first aspect ratio.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus provide for modification of a work-piece at elevated temperatures. A carrier may be provided and operable to support the work-piece. A support mechanism may be provided that is movable via gross translation between a retracted position such that a distal end thereof is away from the carrier, and an extended position such that the distal end thereof is at least proximate to the carrier. A work-piece modification system may be coupled to, and disposed proximate to, the distal end of the support mechanism, and operating to facilitate modifying the work-piece at an elevated temperature. A precision tuning mechanism may couple the work-piece modification system to the support mechanism, and may operate to provide fine adjustments to an orientation, and a distance, of the work-piece modification system relative to the work-piece.
Abstract:
A method for producing a shaped glass article may include heating at least a portion of a mold-facing surface of the glass article to a forming temperature, shaping the glass article in a mold, and removing the multilayer coating from the glass article. The glass article may be coated with a multi-layer removable coating including an inner layer in contact with the glass article and an outer layer disposed over the inner layer. The mold may be in direct contact with the outer layer during shaping. The inner layer may include a first glass having a softening point of at least about 50° C. less than a softening point of the glass article. The outer layer may include a second glass having a softening point of at least about 50° C. greater than the softening point of the glass article.