A press station (12) and system (10) for forming glass sheets that are initially formed with an upwardly concave curved shape with end portions (86) and an intermediate portion (88) having straight line elements that are subsequently formed with curved shapes to provide curvature along transverse directions. The forming is performed by initially providing curvature to the straight line elements of the glass sheet end portions (86) while the intermediate portion (88) still has the straight line elements. The glass sheet intermediate portion is subsequently formed to provide curvature to its straight line elements so the entire glass sheet has curvature in transverse directions.

Disclosed herein are systems for shaping glass structures, comprising a shaping mold; a magnetic field generator; and a susceptor plate positioned substantially between the shaping mold and the magnetic field generator. Also disclosed herein are systems for shaping a glass structures, comprising a magnetic field generator comprising at least one induction coil and a one power supply connected to the at least one induction coil; and a susceptor plate having a first surface proximate the at least one induction coil and an opposing second surface proximate the glass structure. Further disclosed herein are methods for heating glass structures, comprising positioning the glass structure on a shaping mold; introducing the shaping mold and glass structure into a furnace; and indirectly heating at least a portion of the glass structure using at least one induction heating source.

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.

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.

The invention relates to the mold (1) for manufacturing a multi-curved bent glass panels comprising a stationary lower load-bearing structure (2) having defined longitudinal (2a), a transversal (2b) directions and vertical direction (2c) and provided with a supporting frame (4) and a number of contoured supports (5) mounted in the supporting frame (4) in the vertical and parallel arrangement to each other and having its upper edges shaped in waves; wherein the supports (5) are arranged in such an order, that their upper edges form a predetermined bending surface, curved along at least one of the longitudinal (2a) and transversal (2b) directions and alternately upwards and downwards in the vertical direction (2c), having variable curvature and the depth of the curve.

A local bend is formed in a glass sheet (10) by supporting large flat areas (14, 16) of the glass sheet (10) on large flat supports (106L, 106R) that are articulated relative to each other while leaving an area (12) of the glass sheet in which the local bend is to be formed unsupported. A combination of bending forces applied to the glass sheet (10) by articulation of the large flat supports (106L, 106R) and local heating (110) of the unsupported area (12) of the glass sheet (10) produces the local bend.

A method of modifying a substrate formed of non-deformable material is disclosed. In some embodiments, techniques are disclosed for identifying a region of a planar substrate that is susceptible to stretching during a subsequent shaping operation. In some embodiments, techniques are disclosed for adding an amount of non-deformable material to the planar substrate at an identified location and in a single operation, acting on the substrate until the substrate has a shape corresponding to a uniform thickness and a three-dimensional curvature.

Disclosed are apparatuses for shaping a glass structure, the apparatuses having a plurality of rib members, each rib member comprising at least one void and at least one shaping edge; and at least one support member. The apparatuses can further comprise a shaping member and/or a guide member and/or a shaping groove. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a glass structure, the methods comprising positioning the glass structure on a shaping apparatus and heating the glass structure to shape the glass structure.

Glazing, such as for vehicles, includes a sheet of glass-ceramic that has different regions with different transmission properties, including a first visually clear region that blocks infrared, a second visually clear region that allows transmission of infrared, and a third colored region.

A method of shaping a glass sheet includes heating the glass sheet to a temperature for shaping, positioning the glass sheet on a shaping support, and shaping the glass sheet on the shaping support, wherein during the shaping of the glass sheet at least one portion of the glass sheet is deliberately cooled. The shaping of the glass sheet involves press bending a heat softened glass sheet between a lower shaping support and an upper shaping member, wherein during the shaping of the glass sheet on the shaping support only a portion of the major surface of the glass sheet facing the lower shaping support is cooled by directing one or more jets of air onto said portion.