Al.sub.2O.sub.3-rich compositions with desirable hardness and crack resistance for various functional applications. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the composition into various dimensions and shapes under a temperature much lower than in conventional methods.

A glass container comprises a glass body comprising a first region under a compressive stress extending from a surface of the glass body to a depth of compression and a second region extending from the depth of compression into a thickness of the glass body, the second region being under a tensile stress. The glass container also includes a localized compressive stress region having a localized compressive stress extending from the surface to a localized depth of compression within the body. The localized depth of compression is greater than the depth of compression of the first region. The glass container also includes a crack re-direction region extending in a predetermined propagation direction, wherein the crack re-direction region possesses a higher tensile stress than the tensile stress in the second region in a sub-region of the crack re-direction region, the sub-region extending substantially perpendicular to the predetermined propagation direction.

A glass container comprises a glass body comprising a first region under a compressive stress extending from a surface of the glass body to a depth of compression and a second region extending from the depth of compression into a thickness of the glass body, the second region being under a tensile stress. The glass container also includes a localized compressive stress region having a localized compressive stress extending from the surface to a localized depth of compression within the body. The localized depth of compression is greater than the depth of compression of the first region. The glass container also includes a crack re-direction region extending in a predetermined propagation direction, wherein the crack re-direction region possesses a higher tensile stress than the tensile stress in the second region in a sub-region of the crack re-direction region, the sub-region extending substantially perpendicular to the predetermined propagation direction.

The present approaches are in the in the field of vacuum (or pneumatic) elevators, where the elevator cabin is brought into motion in a vertically situated or vertically inclined and hermetically sealed elevator shaft by means of aerial pressure differential above and below the elevator cabin. Such approaches do not require having any ropes, pulleys, chains, gears, or hydraulics that are traditionally used in conventional elevator systems. More specifically, the present approaches are in the field of panoramic vacuum elevators, where the elevator hoistway is built of panoramic glass panels running from floor to ceiling of every floor and the elevator cabin is built of panoramic glass panels running from floor to the ceiling of the cabin, and that this type of elevator does not incorporate any metal constructive structures—frames, mesh, guides or rails that are traditionally used in every conventional elevator product.

The present approaches are in the in the field of vacuum (or pneumatic) elevators, where the elevator cabin is brought into motion in a vertically situated or vertically inclined and hermetically sealed elevator shaft by means of aerial pressure differential above and below the elevator cabin. Such approaches do not require having any ropes, pulleys, chains, gears, or hydraulics that are traditionally used in conventional elevator systems. More specifically, the present approaches are in the field of panoramic vacuum elevators, where the elevator hoistway is built of panoramic glass panels running from floor to ceiling of every floor and the elevator cabin is built of panoramic glass panels running from floor to the ceiling of the cabin, and that this type of elevator does not incorporate any metal constructive structures—frames, mesh, guides or rails that are traditionally used in every conventional elevator product.

A sensor module includes: a base member; at least one of a single or a plurality of sensors and vibrators arranged on the base member; and a protective member constituted of at least one flat surface or a curved surface, provided so as to cover the at least one of the sensors and the vibrators. A part or whole of the protective member is formed of a strengthened glass and the strengthened glass is a chemically strengthened glass or a physically strengthened glass.

A strengthened cover glass or glass-ceramic sheet or article as well as processes and systems for making the strengthened glass or glass-ceramic sheet or article is provided for use in consumer electronic devices. The process comprises cooling the cover glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened cover glass sheets for use in or on consumer electronic products.

A strengthened cover glass or glass-ceramic sheet or article as well as processes and systems for making the strengthened glass or glass-ceramic sheet or article is provided for use in consumer electronic devices. The process comprises cooling the cover glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened cover glass sheets for use in or on consumer electronic products.

A glass container comprises a glass body comprising a first region under a compressive stress extending from a surface of the glass body to a depth of compression and a second region extending from the depth of compression into a thickness of the glass body, the second region being under a tensile stress. The glass container also includes a localized compressive stress region having a localized compressive stress extending from the surface to a localized depth of compression within the body. The localized depth of compression is greater than the depth of compression of the first region. The glass container also includes a crack re-direction region extending in a predetermined propagation direction, wherein the crack re-direction region possesses a higher tensile stress than the tensile stress in the second region in a sub-region of the crack re-direction region, the sub-region extending substantially perpendicular to the predetermined propagation direction.

A glass container comprises a glass body comprising a first region under a compressive stress extending from a surface of the glass body to a depth of compression and a second region extending from the depth of compression into a thickness of the glass body, the second region being under a tensile stress. The glass container also includes a localized compressive stress region having a localized compressive stress extending from the surface to a localized depth of compression within the body. The localized depth of compression is greater than the depth of compression of the first region. The glass container also includes a crack re-direction region extending in a predetermined propagation direction, wherein the crack re-direction region possesses a higher tensile stress than the tensile stress in the second region in a sub-region of the crack re-direction region, the sub-region extending substantially perpendicular to the predetermined propagation direction.