United States Patent m
Frank et al.
US005649990A til] Patent Number: [45] Date of Patent:
[54] COMBINATION FLEXIBLE/RIGID RING MOLD
[75] Inventors: Robert G. Frank, Sarver; Samuel E.
Behanna. New Kensington; Rudolph
A. Karlo, Creighton; Jeffrey L.
Marietti, Tarentum, all of Pa.
[73] Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.
[21] Appl. No.: 527,912
[22] Filed: Sep. 14,1995
[51] Int. Cl.s C03B 23/03
[52] U.S. CI 65/106; 65/273; 65/287;
65/291
[58] Field of Search 65/106. 102, 287.
65/289. 290. 291. 268. 273
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 4,108,624 8/1978 daassen 65/106
4,496,386 1/1985 Hymore et al 65/106
4,501,603 2/1985 Frank etal 65/106
4,579,577 4/1986 daassen 65/273
4,830,650 5/1989 Kelly 65/106
5,286,271 2/1994 Rueteretal 65/106
5,401,286 3/1995 Goolsbay et al 65/106
Primary Examiner—Steven P. Griffin
Attorney, Agent, or F/rw—Andrew C. Siminerio
[57] ABSTRACT
Aflexible shaping ring for shaping heat softened glass sheets lifts a heat softened glass sheet and presses it against the shaping surface of an upper mold. As the shaping ring presses the marginal edge portion of the sheet against the upper mold, its shaping surface deforms to generally conform to a corresponding portion of the upper mold. A press ring subsequently contacts the shaping ring and presses it against the upper mold to further shape the marginal edge portion of the glass sheet and ensure the marginal edge completely conforms to the shape of the upper mold.
19 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
