Patent · US Expired

Method of and apparatus for vacuum shaping a glass sheet

US4516997A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
2References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 3, 1983
Grant dateMay 14, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 3, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC03B23/0302
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of deforming a plastic glass sheet from a generally two-dimensional shape into a generally three-dimensional shape at first supports the plastic glass sheet with its two-dimensional upper face juxtaposed underneath the three-dimensional lower face of a vacuum-forming die. The sheet and die are then relatively displaced vertically toward each other so that one portion of the sheet face engages a respective portion of the die face. The two portions are secured together by suction so that the sheet adheres at the one portion of its face to the respective portion of the die face. Finally, the sheet and die are relatively displaced with deformation of the sheet to press the rest of the sheet face and die face together and adhere the faces entirely together by suction. The sheet is supported on a planar conveyor that is rocked about a horizontal axis to engage the faces together. This conveyor and the die can be relatively rocked about a horizontal axis, or even about two transverse horizontal axes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.