Provided is a method of manufacturing a glass film, including: a forming step of forming a band-shaped glass film (1); a conveyance direction changing step of changing a conveyance direction of the band-shaped glass film (1) from a vertically downward direction to a horizontal direction by conveying the band-shaped glass film (1) along a curved conveyance path (R1); and a horizontal conveyance step of conveying the band-shaped glass film (1) in the horizontal direction along a horizontal conveyance path (R2), wherein, when some sections of the band-shaped glass film (1) are to be discarded, the method involves: a separating step of separating a discard glass part (1x) from the band-shaped glass film (1) on the horizontal conveyance path (R2); and a discarding step of discarding the separated discard glass part (1x) by causing the discard glass part (1x) to leave the horizontal conveyance path (R2) downward.

A conveyance device for glass sheets advancing them one after the other, includes at least one roller including a glass sheet conveyance area, the device including actuators located on either side of the conveyance area capable of bending the roller within its elastic deformation domain while leaving it able to be driven in rotation around fixed centers of its sections, wherein the roller includes a shaft and a plurality of bending rings into which the shaft is inserted.

A lift-up roller arrangement for electronic float glass, including a plurality of lift-up rollers rotatably arranged on the inner wall of an annealing kiln, wherein a plurality of boron nitride rings are fixedly sleeved on the outer side wall of each lift-up roller; a heat-resisting steel tubes is arranged on each of both sides of each lift-up roller; a plurality of exhaust holes are arranged on an outer side wall of the heat-resisting steel tube; the heat-resisting steel tube is in communication with an external hot gas supply case; and a plurality of cleaning assemblies used in cooperation with the lift-up rollers are arranged at the inner bottom of the annealing kiln.

An integral metal end cap for use in a conveyor roll assembly is suitable for use in an environment subject to significant temperature variation. The metal end cap comprises a first end connectable to rotary means, and a second end comprising an integral body adapted to fit over the end of a ceramic spool. The integral body contains a torque transmission portion having a plurality of deformable strips enabling transmission of torque during temperature variations. A conveyor roll assembly comprises a ceramic spool having a longitudinal axis and, at least at one end of the ceramic spool, a metal end cap as described.

A conveyor roll assembly for use at high temperature comprises (a) a ceramic spool having a flexural strength of at least 15 MPa and an external diameter D and (b) a torque transmitter and support of a general cylindrical shape and having a longitudinal axis, comprising a body and (b1) a supporting portion comprising at least one cylindrical supporting surface and (b2) a connecting portion that is mechanically and resiliently deformed, comprising at least two distinct connecting surfaces, frictionally connecting the torque transmitter and support to the ceramic spool. At least one end of the ceramic spool has an axial, centered bore of a diameter 10 mmd D, and a depth Dd1.5 d. The torque transmitter and support is housed at least partially in the bore of the ceramic spool.

An integral metal end cap for use in a conveyor roll assembly is suitable for use in an environment subject to significant temperature variation. The metal end cap comprises a first end connectable to rotary means, and a second end comprising an integral body adapted to fit over the end of a ceramic spool. The integral body contains a torque transmission portion having a plurality of deformable strips enabling transmission of torque during temperature variations. A conveyor roll assembly comprises a ceramic spool having a longitudinal axis and, at least at one end of the ceramic spool, a metal end cap as described.

Embodiments of a method of forming a glass article are disclosed. The methods include supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction different from the first direction without contacting the glass ribbon with a solid material. The glass ribbon may exhibit a viscosity of less than about 10.sup.8 Poise and a thickness of about 1 mm or less. Embodiments of a glass or glass-ceramic forming apparatus are also disclosed. The apparatus may include a glass feed device for supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and a redirection system disposed underneath the glass feed device for redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction. In one or more embodiments, the redirection system comprising at least one gas bearing system for supplying a gas film to support the glass ribbon.

An apparatus and method for manufacturing glass include a heat extractor configured to extract heat from molten glass. The heat extractor includes a first conduit and at least one second conduit which may include a plurality of second conduits circumferentially surrounding the first conduit. The first conduit and the at least one second conduit are configured to flow a fluid therethrough.

A glass manufacturing apparatus may be configured to facilitate a process of separating a glass ribbon along a separation path extending across a width of the glass ribbon. In one example, the glass manufacturing apparatus comprises at least one anvil-side vacuum port defined by an elongated nose and an elongated anvil member. The anvil-side vacuum port is configured to remove glass debris during the process of separating the glass ribbon. In another example, the glass manufacturing apparatus comprises a scoring device and a score-side vacuum port configured to remove glass debris generated during the process of separating the glass ribbon.

A glass manufacturing apparatus may be configured to facilitate a process of separating a glass ribbon along a separation path extending across a width of the glass ribbon. In one example, the glass manufacturing apparatus comprises at least one anvil-side vacuum port defined by an elongated nose and an elongated anvil member. The anvil-side vacuum port is configured to remove glass debris during the process of separating the glass ribbon. In another example, the glass manufacturing apparatus comprises a scoring device and a score-side vacuum port configured to remove glass debris generated during the process of separating the glass ribbon.