A mold shuttle positioning system in a glass sheet forming system includes a mold mounted on a support frame. A shuttle frame including a pair of generally parallel elongate beams for receiving and supporting the mold support frame thereon. At least one support wheel assembly including a wheel and a shuttle guide is mounted in proximity to each of the shuttle beams to position and support each one of the beams as the shuttle frame is moved to position the mold supported thereon at one of multiple desired processing locations. At least one mold guide is mounted on the support surface of one of the beams for receiving and fixing the position of the mold support frame relative to the shuttle frame to align and prevent movement of the mold support frame with respect to the shuttle frame in any direction as the mold support frame is supported thereon.

An apparatus for immobilizing a pane having a circumferential side edge within a positional tolerance on a carrier mold, wherein the apparatus includes a stopper, which is movable between a first position and a second position, which has a free end and an end opposite the free end that is connected to a device for moving the stopper between the first position and the second position. In the second position, the free end of the stopper is directed toward the side edge of the pane to be immobilized and the distance between the free end of the stopper and the side edge corresponds at most to the positional tolerance. In the first position, the free end of the stopper is offset back and/or upward in the plane of the pane compared to the second position.

A device for supporting a sheet of glass, in a contact band between the edge and up to 200 mm from the edge of the glass, includes first and second supports that each include a chassis and a support system for supporting the glass connected to the chassis, the support system of each support including a surface for supporting the glass including a fibrous material able to contact the glass in the contact band at a temperature between 400 and 600° C., the two supports being movable in a transfer vertical relative movement enabling the support surface of one to pass over or under the support surface of the other in order to transfer the glass from one support to the other, the support system of the first support including a passage to allow to pass an arm connected to the second support during the transfer vertical relative movement.

A vacuum mold shuttle system in a glass sheet forming system includes a vacuum mold mounted on a support frame. A shuttle frame including a pair of generally parallel elongate beams for receiving and supporting the mold support frame thereon. A vacuum source is mounted on the shuttle frame near the end of the beams opposite to the end supporting the mold, a conduit and coupling port for releasably connecting the mold to the vacuum source. At least one guide element is mounted on the support surface of one of the beams for receiving and fixing the position of the mold support frame relative to the shuttle frame to align and prevent movement of the mold support frame with respect to the shuttle frame in any direction as the mold support frame is supported thereon.

The present disclosure relates to a thermoforming method, a thermoforming mold, and a thermoforming device. The method comprises: providing a glass sheet to be processed at a softening point temperature and above; providing a thermoforming mold which comprises a male mold, a female mold arranged above the male mold and matched therewith, and a limiting block for limiting the female mold from deviate from the male mold, wherein the female mold comprises a central body module and a female mold frame surrounding the central body module and matched therewith; a first pressurizing process, wherein the central body module and the male mold are matched to press a central plane portion of the glass sheet; and a second pressurizing process, wherein the female mold frame and the male mold are matched to press a peripheral portion of the glass sheet so that the peripheral portion is bent and molded relative to the central plane portion; wherein the central plane portion is always pressed by the central body module in the second pressurizing process. The method improves the quality of a molded glass product and enhances the manufacturing yield of the glass product.

A method for bending panes, includes providing a pane heated to bending temperature, securing the pane against a contact surface of the first bending mould, positioning a press frame for the pane in a first press frame position associated with the first bending mould, transporting the pane on the press frame to a second press frame position associated with the second bending mould, securing the pane against a contact surface of the second bending mould, wherein the press frame is attached to a carrier introduced into the bending zone by a delivery module, and wherein the press frame is moved laterally relative to the first and second bending mould by moving the carrier between the first press frame position and the second press frame position.

A support structure for supporting a heated glass sheet in connection with a bending operation includes a frame, a support ring adjustably supported on the frame for supporting a peripheral portion of the glass sheet, and multiple rib assemblies associated with the frame. Each rib assembly includes a laterally extending rib supported on the frame and multiple spaced apart support members connected to the rib and configured such that at least a portion of each support member is adjustable with respect to the rib. Furthermore, each support member is configured to contact a respective inner portion of the glass sheet to support the respective inner portion of the glass sheet until the glass sheet has been sufficiently cooled.

A tempering frame for thermal tempering of glass panes, includes a carrier frame and a support frame that is joined to the carrier frame via a plurality of connection elements and is arranged completely within the carrier frame, wherein the support frame has an upper primary surface for placing a glass pane, a lower primary surface, a front edge, and a rear edge, and wherein the support frame has recesses introduced in the rear edge, which are arranged between adjacent connection elements.

A frame for supporting a sheet of glass, referred to as a suction frame, includes a contact path for receiving the periphery of the underside face of the sheet of glass, and includes a suction system able to apply suction to the underside face of the sheet in order to enhance the retention of the sheet by the frame. This frame may form part of a device for the hot-bending of the sheet and convey the sheet with high acceleration or deceleration through a heating enclosure for the purposes of the hot-bending of the sheet.

The present disclosure relates to a thermoforming method, a thermoforming mold, and a thermoforming device. The method comprises: providing a glass sheet to be processed at a softening point temperature and above; providing a thermoforming mold which comprises a male mold, a female mold arranged above the male mold and matched therewith, and a limiting block for limiting the female mold from deviate from the male mold, wherein the female mold comprises a central body module and a female mold frame surrounding the central body module and matched therewith; a first pressurizing process, wherein the central body module and the male mold are matched to press a central plane portion of the glass sheet; and a second pressurizing process, wherein the female mold frame and the male mold are matched to press a peripheral portion of the glass sheet so that the peripheral portion is bent and molded relative to the central plane portion; wherein the central plane portion is always pressed by the central body module in the second pressurizing process. The method improves the quality of a molded glass product and enhances the manufacturing yield of the glass product.