A method and an apparatus for forming and treating a glass ribbon. The apparatus includes a treatment roller and an edge roller that contacts an edge portion of a layer of glass disposed on the treatment roller. The edge roller cools the edge portion of the glass layer, the cooled edge portion attaining an increased viscosity compared to a center portion of the glass layer. Embodiments may include a second edge roller that contacts and cools an opposing edge portion of the glass layer. The cooled edge portions can resist widthwise contraction of the glass layer and the glass ribbon formed therefrom.

Transparent glass sheets having increased mechanical strength include an inner layer surrounded by surface compressive layers wherein the difference of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the inner layer and the surface compressive layer is greater than 5010.sup.7 C..sup.1 and wherein the surface compressive layer has a compressive stress of at least about 300 MPa.

A cartridge assembly includes a hub portion having a first end and a second end, a first retaining ring portion including a first snap ring and a first retaining ring member, and a second retaining ring portion including a second snap ring and a second retaining ring member. The cartridge assembly further includes a plurality of disc elements positioned between the first retaining ring portion and the second retaining ring portion, where the plurality of disc elements has an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the first retaining ring portion and the second retaining ring portion, and a plurality of fastening members positioned at the first end and the second end of the hub portion, the plurality of fastening members extending radially inward from the hub portion.

A method of continuously processing glass ribbon having a thickness<0.3 mm. The method includes providing a glass processing apparatus having a first processing zone, a second processing zone and a third processing zone. The glass ribbon is continuously fed from the first processing zone, through the second processing zone to the third processing zone. The feed rate of the glass ribbon is controlled through each processing zone using a global control device. A first buffer zone is provided between the first processing zone and the second processing zone in which the glass substrate is supported in a first catenary between two, spaced-apart, payoff positions. A second buffer zone is provided between the second processing zone and the third processing zone in which the glass substrate is supported in a second catenary between two, spaced-apart, payoff positions.

A roll for use in glass manufacture, such as in the production of non-dusting TFT glass, includes a hollow silica cylinder. A rod extends through the interior of the silica cylinder. A cooling volume is contained within the cylinder and extends around the rod. End caps are mechanically fixed to the roll. Pulling flats are fixed in place by inner and outer end plates. A compression fitting secures at least the outer end plate to the roll. The rod may serve to reinforce the roll and may be secured to the shaft by a plurality of supports. The supports accommodate differences in thermal expansion.

A cartridge assembly includes a hub portion having a first end and a second end, a first retaining ring portion including a first snap ring and a first retaining ring member, and a second retaining ring portion including a second snap ring and a second retaining ring member. The cartridge assembly further includes a plurality of disc elements positioned between the first retaining ring portion and the second retaining ring portion, where the plurality of disc elements has an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the first retaining ring portion and the second retaining ring portion, and a plurality of fastening members positioned at the first end and the second end of the hub portion, the plurality of fastening members extending radially inward from the hub portion.

A glass manufacturing apparatus comprises a forming device configured to produce a glass ribbon and a control device configured to independently operate a first pull roll apparatus and a second pull roll apparatus such that at least one of a first upstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant torque and at least one of a first downstream pair of draw rolls rotates with a substantially constant angular velocity. In further examples, methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon are provided.

A fusion draw apparatus includes a pair of engagement rollers. At least one of the pair of engagement rollers includes a circumferential knife edge configured to cooperate with the other of the pair of engagement rollers to thin the edge portion or sever the edge portion from a central portion of the glass ribbon within the viscous zone of the glass ribbon. In further examples, fusion draw methods include the step of thinning the edge portion or severing the edge portion from the central portion of the glass ribbon within the viscous zone.

An apparatus and methods for making a glass ribbon includes a forming wedge with a pair of inclined forming surface portions converging along a downstream direction to form a root. The apparatus further includes an edge director intersecting with at least one of the pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions, and a replaceable heating cartridge configured to direct heat to the edge director and thermally shield the edge director from heat loss. A replaceable heating cartridge is also provided for directing heat to the edge director and thermally shielding the edge director from heat loss.

A base material for a disk roll, the base material including: 5 to 9 wt % of ceramic fibers, 20 to 40 wt % of kibushi clay, 2 to 20 wt % of bentonite and 40 to 60 wt % of mica.