WO2020068463A1

WO2020068463A1 - Glass manufacturing apparatus and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2020068463A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/051217
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olus Naili Boratav; Frank Coppola; Vladislav Yuryevich Golyatin; Bulent Kocatulum; Michael Yoshiya Nishimoto; Jae Hyun Yu
Original assignee: Corning Inc
Current assignee: Corning Inc
Priority date: 2018-09-25
Filing date: 2019-09-16
Publication date: 2020-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-25
Also published as: TW202019838A

Abstract

A method of forming a glass ribbon includes overflowing a molten material from a first trough of a first supply vessel and then flowing first streams of the molten material along first outer surfaces of first corresponding weirs. The method includes overflowing the molten material from a second trough of a forming vessel and flowing second streams of the molten material along second outer surfaces of second corresponding weirs. The method includes merging the first streams and second streams and fusing the first streams and second streams into third streams. The method includes converging the third streams at a root of the forming vessel, fusing the third streams into a ribbon of the molten material at the root, and drawing the ribbon into a glass ribbon. Apparatus for forming the glass ribbon are also provided.

Description

GLASS MANUFACTURING APPARATUS AND METHODS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/736,083 filed on September 25, 2018 the contents of which are relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth below.

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to glass manufacturing apparatus and methods for manufacturing glass and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for forming a glass ribbon from a quantity of molten material.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Glass sheets are commonly employed in display applications, for example, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), electrophoretic displays (EPD), organic light emitting diode displays (OLEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), or the like. Glass sheets are commonly fabricated by flowing molten material to a forming body whereby a glass ribbon may be formed by a variety of ribbon forming processes, for example, slot draw, float, down-draw, fusion down-draw, rolling, or up-draw. The glass ribbon may then be subsequently divided to provide sheet glass suitable for further processing into a desired display application including, but not limited to, a screen or cover glass for mobile devices, televisions, computers, tablets, and other display monitors.

[0003] It is known to provide a glass manufacturing apparatus including a glass forming apparatus for forming a glass ribbon from a quantity of molten material. It is also known to separate a glass sheet from the glass ribbon.

SUMMARY

[0004] The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide a basic understanding of some embodiments described in the detailed description.

[0005] In some embodiments, a method of forming a glass ribbon can include overflowing a first quantity of a molten material from a first trough of a first supply vessel over first corresponding weirs of the first supply vessel and then flowing first respective streams of the first quantity of the molten material along first outer surfaces of the first corresponding weirs. The method can include overflowing a second quantity of the molten material from a second trough of a forming vessel over second corresponding weirs of the forming vessel and then flowing second respective streams of the second quantity of the molten material along second outer surfaces of the second corresponding weirs. The molten material providing the first quantity and the molten material providing the second quantity can be the same or essentially the same composition. The method can include converging the first respective streams and the second respective streams and fusing the first respective streams and the second respective streams into third respective streams of a third quantity of the molten material. The method can include flowing the third respective streams along a pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions of a forming wedge of the forming vessel, converging the third respective streams at a root of the forming vessel defined as an edge of the forming wedge along which the pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions intersect, and fusing the third respective streams into a ribbon of the molten material at the root of the forming vessel, and drawing the ribbon of the molten material off the root into a glass ribbon.

[0006] In some embodiments, the method can further include drawing the glass ribbon along a draw plane in a draw direction.

[0007] In some embodiments, the draw plane can bisect the forming wedge through the root.

[0008] In some embodiments, the draw plane can bisect the supply vessel through the first trough.

[0009] In some embodiments, the draw direction can extend in the direction of gravity.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first outer surfaces of the first corresponding weirs of the first supply vessel can be arranged vertically above the second outer surfaces of the second corresponding weirs of the forming vessel relative to the direction of gravity.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first respective streams, the second respective streams, and the third respective streams can flow based, at least in part, on the force of gravity.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method can include providing the first quantity of the molten material from a first inlet conduit to the first trough of the first supply vessel and providing the second quantity of the molten material from a second inlet conduit to the second trough of the forming vessel.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first and second quantities of the molten material can be supplied from a single melting vessel. In other embodiments, the first and second quantities of the molten material can be supplied from a plurality of melting vessels. For example, in some embodiments, the first quantity of the molten material can be supplied from a first melting vessel and the second quantity of the molten material can be supplied from a second melting vessel.

[0014] In some embodiments, the method can include adjusting a flow rate of at least one of the first quantity of the molten material from the first inlet conduit to the first trough of the first supply vessel and the second quantity of the molten material from the second inlet conduit to the second trough of the forming vessel.

[0015] In some embodiments, the method can include overflowing a fourth quantity of the molten material from a third trough of a second supply vessel over third corresponding weirs of the third supply vessel and then flowing fourth respective streams of the fourth quantity of the molten material along third outer surfaces of the third corresponding weirs. A composition of the molten material providing the fourth quantity can be the same or essentially the same as the molten material providing the first and second quantities.

[0016] In some embodiments, the fourth quantity of the molten material can be supplied from the same melting vessel as the first and second quantities of the molten material. In other embodiments, the fourth quantity of the molten material can be supplied from a melting vessel different than the melting vessel supplying the first and second quantities of the molten material.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method can include converging the fourth respective streams and the first respective streams and fusing the fourth respective streams and the first respective streams into fifth respective streams of a fifth quantity of the molten material.

[0018] In some embodiments, the method can include converging the fifth respective streams and the second respective streams, and fusing the fifth respective streams and the second respective streams into sixth respective streams of a sixth quantity of the molten material, and flowing the sixth respective streams along the pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions of the forming wedge of the forming vessel, converging the sixth respective streams at the root of the forming vessel, and fusing the sixth respective streams into the ribbon of the molten material at the root of the forming vessel.

[0019] In some embodiments, the third outer surfaces of the third corresponding weirs of the second supply vessel can be arranged vertically above the first outer surfaces of the first corresponding weirs of the first supply vessel relative to the direction of gravity, and the first outer surfaces of the first corresponding weirs of the first supply vessel can be arranged vertically above the second outer surfaces of the second corresponding weirs of the forming vessel relative to the direction of gravity.

[0020] In some embodiments, the method can include providing the fourth quantity of the molten material from a third inlet conduit to the third trough of the second supply vessel.

[0021] In some embodiments, the method can include adjusting a flow rate of the fourth quantity of the molten material from the third inlet conduit to the third trough of the second supply vessel.

[0022] In some embodiments, a glass forming apparatus for forming a glass ribbon according to the method can include the first supply vessel including the first trough, the first corresponding weirs, and the first outer surfaces of the first corresponding weirs. The apparatus can include the forming vessel including the second trough, the second corresponding weirs, and the second outer surfaces of the second corresponding weirs. The forming vessel can further include the forming wedge including the pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions extending between opposed ends of the forming wedge, the pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions intersecting along the edge of the forming wedge defining the root of the forming vessel. The first outer surfaces of the first corresponding weirs of the first supply vessel can be arranged vertically above the second outer surfaces of the second corresponding weirs of the forming vessel relative to the direction of gravity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] These and other features, embodiments and advantages are better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a glass manufacturing apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; [0025] FIG. 2 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the glass manufacturing apparatus along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1 including a plurality of supply vessels in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the glass manufacturing apparatus including the plurality of supply vessels along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the glass manufacturing apparatus including the plurality of supply vessels taken at view 5 of FIG. 4 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; and

[0029] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view taken at view 6 of FIG. 4 showing a portion of a glass ribbon formed in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments are shown. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0031] It is to be understood that specific embodiments disclosed herein are intended to be exemplary and therefore non-limiting. For purposes of the disclosure, in some embodiments, a glass manufacturing apparatus can include a glass forming apparatus that forms a glass article (e.g., a glass ribbon and/or a glass sheet) from a quantity of molten material. For example, in some embodiments, the glass manufacturing apparatus can include a glass forming apparatus such as a slot draw apparatus, float bath apparatus, down-draw apparatus, up-draw apparatus, press-rolling apparatus, or other glass forming apparatus that forms a glass article. In some embodiments, the glass article can be employed in a variety of display applications including, but not limited to, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), electrophoretic displays (EPD), organic light emitting diode displays (OLEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), and other electronic displays. [0032] The present disclosure relates to glass manufacturing apparatus and methods for manufacturing glass. Methods and apparatus for manufacturing glass will now be described by way of exemplary embodiments for forming a glass ribbon from a quantity of molten material. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 100 can include a glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 and a forming apparatus 101 including a forming vessel 140 designed to produce a glass ribbon 103 from a quantity of molten material 121. In some embodiments, the glass ribbon 103 can include a central portion 152 disposed between opposite, relatively thick edge beads formed along a first outer edge 153 and a second outer edge 155 of the glass ribbon 103. Additionally, in some embodiments, a glass sheet 104 can be separated from the glass ribbon 103 along a separation path 151 by a glass separator 149 (e.g., scribe, score wheel, diamond tip, laser, etc.). In some embodiments, before or after separation of the glass sheet 104 from the glass ribbon 103, the relatively thick edge beads formed along the first outer edge 153 and the second outer edge 155 can be removed to provide the central portion 152 as a high-quality glass sheet 104 having a uniform thickness.

[0033] In some embodiments, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 can include a melting vessel 105 oriented to receive batch material 107 from a storage bin 109. The batch material 107 can be introduced by a batch delivery device 111 powered by a motor 113. In some embodiments, an optional controller 115 can be operated to activate the motor 113 to introduce a desired amount of batch material 107 into the melting vessel 105, as indicated by arrow 117. The melting vessel 105 can heat the batch material 107 to provide molten material 121. In some embodiments, a melt probe 119 can be employed to measure a level of molten material 121 within a standpipe 123 and communicate the measured information to the controller 115 by way of a communication line 125.

[0034] Additionally, in some embodiments, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 can include a first conditioning station including a fining vessel 127 located downstream from the melting vessel 105 and coupled to the melting vessel 105 by way of a first connecting conduit 129. In some embodiments, molten material 121 can be gravity fed from the melting vessel 105 to the fining vessel 127 by way of the first connecting conduit 129. For example, in some embodiments, gravity can drive the molten material 121 through an interior pathway of the first connecting conduit 129 from the melting vessel 105 to the fining vessel 127. Additionally, in some embodiments, bubbles can be removed from the molten material 121 within the fining vessel 127 by various techniques.

[0035] In some embodiments, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 can further include a second conditioning station including a mixing chamber 131 that can be located downstream from the fining vessel 127. The mixing chamber 131 can be employed to provide a homogenous composition of molten material 121, thereby reducing or eliminating inhomogeneity that may otherwise exist within the molten material 121 exiting the fining vessel 127. As shown, the fining vessel 127 can be coupled to the mixing chamber 131 by way of a second connecting conduit 135. In some embodiments, molten material 121 can be gravity fed from the fining vessel 127 to the mixing chamber 131 by way of the second connecting conduit 135. For example, in some embodiments, gravity can drive the molten material 121 through an interior pathway of the second connecting conduit 135 from the fining vessel 127 to the mixing chamber 131.

[0036] Additionally, in some embodiments, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 can include a third conditioning station including a delivery vessel 133 that can be located downstream from the mixing chamber 131. In some embodiments, the delivery vessel 133 can condition the molten material 121 to be fed into an inlet conduit 141. For example, the delivery vessel 133 can function as an accumulator and/or flow controller to adjust and provide a consistent flow of molten material 121 to the inlet conduit 141. As shown, the mixing chamber 131 can be coupled to the delivery vessel 133 by way of a third connecting conduit 137. In some embodiments, molten material 121 can be gravity fed from the mixing chamber 131 to the delivery vessel 133 by way of the third connecting conduit 137. For example, in some embodiments, gravity can drive the molten material 121 through an interior pathway of the third connecting conduit 137 from the mixing chamber 131 to the delivery vessel 133. As further illustrated, in some embodiments, a delivery pipe 139 can be positioned to deliver molten material 121 to forming apparatus 101, for example the inlet conduit 141 of the forming vessel 140.

[0037] Forming apparatus 101 can comprise various embodiments of forming vessels in accordance with features of the disclosure including a forming vessel with a wedge for fusion drawing the glass ribbon, a forming vessel with a slot to slot draw the glass ribbon, or a forming vessel provided with press rolls to press roll the glass ribbon from the forming vessel. By way of illustration, the forming vessel 140 shown and disclosed below can be provided to fusion draw molten material 121 off a bottom edge of a forming wedge 209, defined as an edge of the forming wedge along which the downwardly inclined converging surface portions intersect, and further defined as root 145, to produce a ribbon of molten material 121 that can be drawn into the glass ribbon 103. For example, in some embodiments, the molten material 121 can be delivered from the inlet conduit 141 to the forming vessel 140. The molten material 121 can then be formed into the glass ribbon 103 based at least in part on the structure of the forming vessel 140. For example, as shown, the molten material 121 can be drawn off the bottom edge (e.g., root 145) of the forming vessel 140 along a draw path extending in a draw direction 154 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100. In some embodiments, edge directors 163, 164 can direct the molten material 121 off the forming vessel 140 and define, at least in part, a width“W” of the glass ribbon 103. In some embodiments, the width“W” of the glass ribbon 103 can extend between the first outer edge 153 of the glass ribbon 103 and the second outer edge 155 of the glass ribbon 103.

[0038] In some embodiments, the width“W” of the glass ribbon 103 can be greater than or equal to about 20 mm, such as greater than or equal to about 50 mm, such as greater than or equal to about 100 mm, such as greater than or equal to about 500 mm, such as greater than or equal to about 1000 mm, such as greater than or equal to about 2000 mm, such as greater than or equal to about 3000 mm, such as greater than or equal to about 4000 mm, although other widths less than or greater than the widths mentioned above can be provided in further embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the width“W” of the glass ribbon 103 can be from about 20 mm to about 4000 mm, such as from about 50 mm to about 4000 mm, such as from about 100 mm to about 4000 mm, such as from about 500 mm to about 4000 mm, such as from about 1000 mm to about 4000 mm, such as from about 2000 mm to about 4000 mm, such as from about 3000 mm to about 4000 mm, such as from about 20 mm to about 3000 mm, such as from about 50 mm to about 3000 mm, such as from about 100 mm to about 3000 mm, such as from about 500 mm to about 3000 mm, such as from about 1000 mm to about 3000 mm, such as from about 2000 mm to about 3000 mm, such as from about 2000 mm to about 2500 mm, and all ranges and subranges therebetween. [0039] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the forming apparatus 101 (e.g., forming vessel 140) along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the forming vessel 140 can include a trough 201 oriented to receive the molten material 121 from the inlet conduit 141. For illustrative purposes, cross- hatching of the molten material 121 is removed from FIG. 2 for clarity. The forming vessel 140 can further include the forming wedge 209 including a pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207, 208 extending between opposed ends 210, 211 (See FIG. 1) of the forming wedge 209. The pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207, 208 of the forming wedge 209 can converge along the draw direction 154 to intersect along the root 145 of the forming vessel 140. A draw plane 213 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 can extend through the root 145 along the draw direction 154. In some embodiments, the glass ribbon 103 can be drawn in the draw direction 154 along the draw plane 213. As shown, the draw plane 213 can bisect the forming wedge 209 through the root 145 although, in some embodiments, the draw plane 213 can extend at other orientations relative to the root 145.

[0040] Additionally, in some embodiments, the molten material 121 can flow in a direction 156 into and along the trough 201 of the forming vessel 140. The molten material 121 can then overflow from the trough 201 by simultaneously flowing over corresponding weirs 203, 204 and downward over the outer surfaces 205, 206 of the corresponding weirs 203, 204. Respective streams of molten material 121 can then flow along the downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207, 208 of the forming wedge 209 to be drawn off the root 145 of the forming vessel 140, where the flows converge and fuse into the glass ribbon 103. The glass ribbon 103 can then be drawn off the root 145 in the draw plane 213 along the draw direction 154. In some embodiments, the glass separator 149 (see FIG. 1) can then separate the glass sheet 104 from the glass ribbon 103 along the separation path 151. As illustrated, in some embodiments, the separation path 151 can extend along the width“W” of the glass ribbon 103 between the first outer edge 153 and the second outer edge 155. Additionally, in some embodiments, the separation path 151 can extend perpendicular to the draw direction 154 of the glass ribbon 103. Moreover, in some embodiments, the draw direction 154 can define a direction along which the glass ribbon 103 can be drawn from the forming vessel 140. [0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the glass ribbon 103 can be drawn from the root 145 with a first major surface 215 of the glass ribbon 103 and a second major surface 216 of the glass ribbon 103 facing opposite directions and defining a thickness“T” (e.g., average thickness) of the glass ribbon 103. In some embodiments, the thickness “T’ of the glass ribbon 103 can be less than or equal to about 2 millimeters (mm), less than or equal to about 1 millimeter, less than or equal to about 0.5 millimeters, for example, less than or equal to about 300 micrometers (pm), less than or equal to about 200 micrometers, or less than or equal to about 100 micrometers, although other thicknesses may be provided in further embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the thickness“T’ of the glass ribbon 103 can be from about 50 pm to about 750 pm, from about 100 pm to about 700 pm, from about 200 pm to about 600 pm, from about 300 pm to about 500 pm, from about 50 pm to about 500 pm, from about 50 pm to about 700 pm, from about 50 pm to about 600 pm, from about 50 pm to about 500 pm, from about 50 pm to about 400 pm, from about 50 pm to about 300 pm, from about 50 pm to about 200 pm, from about 50 pm to about 100 pm, including all ranges and subranges of thicknesses therebetween. In addition, the glass ribbon 103 can include a variety of compositions including, but not limited to, soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, alumino-borosilicate glass, alkali-containing glass, or alkali-free glass.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows an alternate exemplary embodiment of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 and glass forming apparatus 101 including one or more supply vessels 300. While a plurality of supply vessels are shown in FIG. 3, it is to be understood that in some embodiments forming apparatus 101 can comprise a single supply vessel. However, for further discussion, a plurality of supply vessels will be described.

[0043] In some embodiments, a respective inlet conduit 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d can provide each supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d of the plurality of supply vessels 300 with a corresponding quantity of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d. For example, as described with respect to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, a single glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 can provide molten material 121 from delivery pipe 139 to inlet conduit 141. Likewise, in some embodiments, the glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 and/or the glass forming apparatus 101 can include a plurality of pipes (not shown) that define a plurality of fluid communication paths between the delivery pipe 139 and each of the inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d. Therefore, in some embodiments, the molten material 121 from the single glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 can flow from the delivery pipe 139 through the respective plurality of pipes, such as through a distribution manifold (not shown), to the corresponding plurality of inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d, thereby providing each supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d of the plurality of supply vessels 300 with a corresponding quantity of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d. Alternatively, in some embodiments, glass manufacturing apparatus 100 can comprise two or more glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 that can provide molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d from the two or more glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 to the plurality of inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d of the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d through respective delivery pipes 139. It is to be understood that a variety of configurations, arrangements, and types of piping, conduit, valves, and/or sources of molten material can be provided without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, unless otherwise noted, the particular configurations, arrangements, and types of piping, conduit, valves, and/or sources of molten material shown in the drawing figures, including inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d supplying molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d to the same or alternating sides of the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d, are intended to be non-limiting, schematic representations of a variety of configurations, arrangements, and types of piping, conduit, valves, and/or sources of molten material oriented to provide a quantity of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d to each inlet conduit 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d of each supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0044] Moreover, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, one or more glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 and/or a plurality of pipes can be provided, alone or in combination, to provide the inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d of the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d of the plurality of supply vessels 300 with molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d as well as the inlet conduit 141 of the forming vessel 140 with molten material 121 without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, in some embodiments, the quantity of molten material 121 provided to the forming vessel 140 and/or the quantity of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d provided to the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d can be controlled independently and separately such that one or more of the forming vessel 140 and the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d can be selectively and independently provided with no molten material, the same quantity of molten material, and/or various quantities of molten material in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. Similarly, although four supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d are shown in the drawing figures, it is to be understood that unless otherwise noted, in some embodiments, one supply vessel (e.g., supply vessel 309a) can be provided with the forming vessel 140, two supply vessels (e.g., supply vessel 309a, 309b) can be provided with the forming vessel 140, three supply vessels (e.g., supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c) can be provided with the forming vessel 140, four supply vessels (e.g., supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d) can be provided with the forming vessel 140, or more than four supply vessels (not shown) defining the plurality of supply vessels 300 can be provided with the forming vessel 140, to form the glass ribbon 103 without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0045] As schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 which shows a cross-sectional view of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 including the plurality of supply vessels 300 along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, in some embodiments, each supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d can include a respective trough 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d oriented to receive the molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d from the respective inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d (FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d can be arranged such that the respective molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d flows in the same direction in troughs 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d. However, in further embodiments, the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d can be arranged such that the respective molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d can flow in different directions in troughs 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d relative to each other. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the orientations of the inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d of the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d of the plurality of supply vessels 300 alternate such that molten material in the troughs of any two vertically adjacent supply vessels (and/or the forming vessel 140) flows in opposite directions.

[0046] Once supplied to the troughs 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d, the molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d can then overflow from the troughs 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d by simultaneously flowing over corresponding weirs 403a, 404a, 403b, 404b, 403c, 404c, 403d, 404d and downward over the outer surfaces 405a, 406a, 405b, 406b, 405c, 406c, 405d, 406d, of the corresponding weirs 403a, 404a, 403b, 404b, 403c, 404c, 403d, 404d. As shown, the draw plane 213 can bisect the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d through the troughs 401a, 401b, 401c, 40 Id although, in some embodiments, the draw plane 213 can extend at other orientations relative to the troughs

401a, 401b, 401c, 401d

[0001] Additionally, in some embodiments, each supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d can be spaced apart along the draw plane 213 in the draw direction 154. For example, in some embodiments, supply vessel 309a can be spaced a distance“dl” from forming wedge 209, supply vessel 309b can be spaced a distance“d2” from supply vessel 309a, supply vessel 309c can be spaced a distance“d3” from supply vessel 309b, and supply vessel 309d can be spaced a distance“d4” from supply vessel 309c. In some embodiments, the distances“dl”,“d2”,“d3”,“d4” can be equal, however, in some embodiments, one or more of distances“dl”,“d2”,“d3”, or“d4” can be different. In some embodiments, the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d can be fixedly or movable mounted to a frame or other support structure (not shown) to support the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d and define a relative positioning of the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d.

[0002] In some embodiments, the outer surfaces 405d, 406d of the corresponding weirs 403d, 404d of supply vessel 309d can be arranged vertically above (e.g., spaced distance“d4” from) the outer surfaces 405c, 406c of the corresponding weirs 403c, 404c of supply vessel 309c relative to the direction of gravity“g”. Additionally, in some embodiments, the outer surfaces 405c, 406c of the corresponding weirs 403c, 404c of supply vessel 309c can be arranged vertically above (e.g., spaced distance“d3” from) the outer surfaces 405b, 406b of the corresponding weirs 403b, 404b of supply vessel 309b relative to the direction of gravity“g”. Likewise, in some embodiments, the outer surfaces 405b, 406b of the corresponding weirs 403b, 404b of supply vessel 309b can be arranged vertically above (e.g., spaced distance“d2” from) the outer surfaces 405a, 406a of the corresponding weirs 403a, 404a of supply vessel 309a relative to the direction of gravity“g”. Similarly, in some embodiments, the outer surfaces 405a, 406a of the corresponding weirs 403a, 404a of supply vessel 309a can be arranged vertically above (e.g., spaced distance“dl” from) the outer surfaces 205, 206 of the corresponding weirs 203, 204 of forming vessel 140 relative to the direction of gravity“g”.

[0047] Accordingly, in some embodiments, based at least on the force of gravity“g”, respective streams of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d can then flow along the outer surfaces 405a, 406a, 405b, 406b, 405c, 406c, 405d, 406d, of the corresponding weirs 403a, 404a, 403b, 404b, 403c, 404c, 403d, 404d of each supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d where the respective streams can merge and fuse together. That is, in embodiments, the streams of molten material 32 ld can merge with the streams of molten material 32 lc, wherein the merged streams of molten material 32 ld and 32 lc can merge with the streams of molten material 32 lb, and wherein the merged streams of molten material 32 ld, 32 lc, and 32 ld can merge with the streams of molten material 32 la. In some embodiments, each supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d can include the same or similar features, although, in some embodiments, one or more supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d can include one or more different features, including but not limited to different dimensions, sizes, shapes, and orientations, without departing form the scope of the disclosure.

[0048] As noted, with respect to the forming vessel 140, the molten material 121 can overflow from the trough 201 of the forming wedge 209 by simultaneously flowing over corresponding weirs 203, 204 and downward over the outer surfaces 205, 206 of the corresponding weirs 203, 204. The merged streams of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 32 ld from the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d can then fuse with molten material 121 from the forming vessel 140. Thus, in some embodiments, the merged streams of molten material 121, 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d can then flow along the downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207, 208 of the forming wedge 209 and be drawn off the root 145 of the forming vessel 140, where the streams converge and fuse into the glass ribbon 103. Accordingly, as described with respect to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the glass ribbon 103 (formed from the converged streams of molten material 121, 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d) can then be drawn off the root 145 of the forming wedge 209 in the draw plane 213 along the draw direction 154.

[0049] For example, FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 including the plurality of supply vessels 300 taken at view 5 of FIG. 4. As shown, supply vessel 309b can be spaced distance“d2” vertically above supply vessel 309a relative to the direction of gravity“g”. Based at least on the force of gravity“g”, a stream 501 of molten material can flow along path 511 along the outer surface 406b of the corresponding weir 404b of supply vessel 309b. Likewise, a stream 502 of molten material 321a can then overflow from the trough 401a by flowing along path 512 over corresponding weir 404a. As shown, the stream 501 along path 511 and the stream 502 along path 512 can merge at location 505, where stream 503 (defined by merged streams 501, 502) can flow downward along path 513 over the outer surface 406a of the corresponding weir 404a. Stream 503 flowing along path 513 can then merge with the flow of molten material 121 from forming vessel 140 to produce the glass ribbon 103 based at least in part on the structure of forming wedge 209 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4).

[0050] Accordingly, in some embodiments, stream 503 flowing along path 513 can include merged streams of molten material 321d from supply vessel 309d, molten material 321c from supply vessel 309c, molten material 321b from supply vessel 309b, and molten material 321a from supply vessel 309a fused together as stream 503. Likewise, in some embodiments, stream 503 flowing along path 513 can include one or more merged streams of molten material from one or more of the plurality of supply vessels 300 fused together in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, it is to be understood that unless otherwise noted, in some embodiments, stream 503 flowing along path 513 merging with molten material 121 overflowing forming vessel 140 can include the respective streams of molten material flowing from one or more vessels of the plurality of supply vessels 300 positioned vertically above the forming vessel 140 relative to the direction of gravity“g”. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more vessels of the plurality of supply vessels 300 can be provided with differing quantities of molten material, including no molten material (e.g., zero flow). Thus, it is to be understood that unless otherwise noted, in some embodiments, the plurality of supply vessels 300 can include one or more active (e.g. non-zero, positive quantity flow) supply vessels as well as one or more non-active (e.g., zero flow) supply vessels without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, in some embodiments, stream 503 flowing along path 513 merging with molten material 121 overflowing forming vessel 140 can include the respective streams of molten material flowing from the one or more active vessels of the plurality of supply vessels 300 positioned vertically above the forming vessel 140 relative to the direction of gravity“g” defined by the one or more non-zero, positive quantity flows of molten material.

[0051] Moreover, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 6, which shows an enlarged view taken at view 6 of FIG. 4 including a portion of the glass ribbon 103 formed in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, unless otherwise noted, it is to be understood that features of the disclosure can be provided to produce a glass ribbon 103 defining a continuous material composition from the first major surface 215 of the glass ribbon 103, through the thickness“T” of the glass ribbon 103, to the second major surface 216 of the glass ribbon 103. For example, as compared to a laminated glass ribbon (not shown) that may include at least two layers of material defining different material compositions through the thickness of the glass ribbon, unless otherwise noted, features of the present disclosure can form a solid, continuous glass ribbon defined by a single material having the same composition at all locations through the thickness“T” of the glass ribbon 103. Thus, in some embodiments, each supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d of the plurality of supply vessels 300 can supply molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d of the same material composition to the forming vessel 140 that can also include molten material 121 of the same material composition. The glass ribbon 103 produced with the forming wedge 209 can, therefore, be formed from one or more separate flows of molten material 121, 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d that fuse together to define the glass ribbon 103 having a single material composition with respect to a cross-section taken through the thickness“T” of the glass ribbon 103 and defined between the first major surface 215 and the second major surface 216, where the first major surface 215 and the second major surface 216 define outermost free surfaces of the glass ribbon 103.

[0052] Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more features of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 including the one or more glass melting and delivery apparatus 102 and the glass forming apparatus 101 including the forming vessel 140 and one or more supply vessels 300 can be provided, either alone in combination, to define apparatus and methods for producing the glass ribbon 103 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. Additionally, in some embodiments, features of the apparatus and steps of the methods of the disclosure can provide advantages that cannot otherwise be obtained by other apparatus and methods not including one or more features or steps of the disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, by providing a glass forming apparatus 101 including the forming vessel 140 and one or more supply vessels 300, features of the disclosure can provide a relatively wide range of flow rates of molten material to produce the glass ribbon 103 than otherwise obtainable. For example, comparing the forming vessel 140 and the plurality of supply vessels 300 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) with the forming vessel 140 with no supply vessels (FIG. 2), the range of flow rates of molten material fusing together to form the glass ribbon 103 that are achievable by providing the forming vessel 140 and the plurality of supply vessels 300 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) are wider (e.g., larger) than the range of flow rates of molten material fusing together to form the glass ribbon 103 that are achievable by providing the forming vessel 140 with no supply vessels (FIG. 2).

[0053] In some embodiments, the ability to provide and control a wide range of flow rates of molten material fusing together to form the glass ribbon 103 can provide several advantages. For example, in some embodiments, the ability to provide and control a wide range of flow rates of molten material can provide a corresponding ability to provide and control features of the glass ribbon 103, including but not limited to, the size (e.g., thickness “T”, width “W”, length) of the glass ribbon 103. Additionally, in some embodiments, the ability to provide and control a wide range of flow rates of molten material can provide a corresponding ability to provide and control a wide range of draw speeds of the glass ribbon 103 along the draw plane 213 in the draw direction 154. In some embodiments, providing and controlling a wide range of flow rates of molten material can enable faster draw speeds than previously attainable, thereby increasing the rate of production (e.g., output) of the glass forming apparatus 101, thus at least one of improving production efficiency or reducing manufacturing costs. Accordingly, in some embodiments, draw speed of the glass ribbon 103 off the root 145 of the forming vessel 140 along the draw plane 213 in the draw direction 154 can be defined, at least in part, based on the flow rates (e.g., volume and/or speed) of molten material flowing, converging, and fusing together to form the glass ribbon 103.

[0054] Without intending to be bound by theory and for purposes of explanation, referring to FIG. 2, it can be determined that the range of flow rate of molten material 121 overflowing from the trough 201 by simultaneously flowing over corresponding weirs 203, 204 and downward over the outer surfaces 205, 206 of the corresponding weirs 203, 204 can be based on the flow rate of molten material 121 provided from inlet conduit 141 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the flow rate of molten material 121 from inlet conduit 141 can be controlled (e.g., adjusted) by one or more of a flow valve, flow diverter, upstream quantity (e.g., volume) adjustment, or other flow control feature. Thus, considering the flow rate of molten material 121 from inlet conduit 141 to be controllable (e.g., adjustable) to be X +/- 10%, the respective streams of molten material 121 flowing along the downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207, 208 of the forming wedge 209 that converge and fuse into the glass ribbon 103 to be drawn off the root 145 of the forming vessel 140 also have a flow rate defined as X +/- 10%.

[0055] For example, without intending to be bound by theory, in some embodiments, a flow rate of X +/- 10% can produce a glass ribbon 103 having desirable, predetermined characteristics and features. However, in some embodiments, if the flow rate of molten material 121 from inlet conduit 141 is greater than X + 10%, the glass ribbon 103 may include one or more undesirable characteristics or features. For example, in some embodiments, a flow rate of greater than X + 10% can create flow from the trough 201 simultaneously flowing over corresponding weirs 203, 204 and downward over the outer surfaces 205, 206 of the corresponding weirs 203, 204 that is inconsistent, stalled, and/or clogged (e.g., stopped or delayed from overflowing the weirs 203, 204), thereby producing a glass ribbon 103 with one or more undesirable characteristics or features (e.g., too thick, inconsistent thickness, bubbles, bulges, impurities, voids, etc.). Likewise, in some embodiments, if the flow rate of molten material 121 from inlet conduit 141 is less than X - 10%, the glass ribbon 103 may include one or more undesirable characteristics or features. For example, in some embodiments, a flow rate of less than X - 10% can create flow from the trough 201 simultaneously flowing over corresponding weirs 203, 204 and downward over the outer surfaces 205, 206 of the corresponding weirs 203, 204 that is inconsistent, intermittent, and/or broken (e.g., separated), thereby producing a glass ribbon 103 with one or more undesirable characteristics or features (e.g., too thin, inconsistent thickness, bubbles, bulges, impurities, voids, etc.).

[0056] Moreover, without intending to be bound by theory and for purposes of explanation, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it can be determined that the range of flow rates of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d overflowing from the respective troughs 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d by simultaneously flowing over corresponding weirs 403a, 404a, 403b, 404b, 403c, 404c, 403d, 404d, and downward over the corresponding outer surfaces 405a, 406a, 405b, 406b, 405c, 406c, 405d, 406d, of the corresponding weirs 403a, 404a, 403b, 404b, 403c, 404c, 403d, 404d, can be based on the respective flow rates of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d provided from corresponding inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d. Similarly, as described with respect to FIG. 2, the range of flow rate of molten material 121 overflowing from the trough 201 by simultaneously flowing over corresponding weirs 203, 204 and downward over the outer surfaces 205, 206 of the corresponding weirs 203, 204 can be based on the flow rate of molten material 121 provided from inlet conduit 141. Additionally, in some embodiments, the flow rate of molten material 121 from inlet conduit 141 as well as the flow rate of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d from corresponding inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d can be controlled (e.g., adjusted) by one or more of a flow valve, flow diverter, upstream quantity (e.g., volume) adjustment, or other flow control feature. Thus, considering the flow rate of molten material 121 from inlet conduit 141 to be controllable (e.g., adjustable) to be X +/- 10%, and the flow rates of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d from corresponding inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d to be controllable (e.g., adjustable) to be Y +/- 10%, the respective streams of molten material 121, 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d flowing along the downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207, 208 of the forming wedge 209 that converge and fuse into the glass ribbon 103 to be drawn off the root 145 of the forming vessel 140 have a wide range of flow rates defined as X +/- 10% + Z(Y +/- 10), where Z corresponds to the number of supply vessels of the plurality of supply vessels 300. For example, in some embodiments, the number of supply vessels of the plurality of supply vessels 300 provided and/or operable at a specific time and/or during a predetermined duration of time can be selected such that the flow rate of molten material and, therefore, draw speeds of the glass ribbon 103 can be defined (e.g., controlled, adjusted, maintained) based on the number of supply vessels 300 including one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,... 10... 15, etc.) supply vessels 300 without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0057] For at least the reasons discussed above, without intending to be bound by theory, in some embodiments, a flow rate of X +/- 10% with respect to forming vessel 140 and flow rates of Y +/- 10% with respect to each of the plurality of supply vessels 300 can produce a glass ribbon 103 having desirable, predetermined characteristics and features. As noted, draw speed of the glass ribbon 103 off the root 145 of the forming vessel 140 along the draw plane 213 in the draw direction 154 can be defined, at least in part, based on the flow rates (e.g., volume and/or speed) of molten material (e.g., molten material 121, 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d) flowing, converging, and fusing together to form the glass ribbon 103. Thus, in some embodiments, for example, with respect to a glass ribbon 103 having a comparable thickness“T”, features in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, including a glass forming apparatus 101 including a forming vessel 140 and one or more supply vessels 300, can enable draw speeds (e.g., defined as a factor of X +/- 10% + Z(Y +/- 10%)) that are faster (e.g., a factor of Z(Y +/- 10%) faster) than previously attainable with, for example, a forming vessel 140 and no supply vessels, where draw speed can be defined as a factor of X +/- 10%. As noted, in some embodiments, faster draw speeds can increase the rate of production (e.g., output) of the glass forming apparatus 101, thus at least one of improving production efficiency or reducing manufacturing costs.

[0058] While the above disclosure regarding features and methods of controlling flow rates of molten material to produce the glass ribbon 103 provides an exemplary embodiment for purposes of explanation and not limitation, it is to be understood that other exemplary embodiments can be provided in further embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the flow rate of molten material 121 from inlet conduit 141 to trough 201 can be controlled (e.g., adjusted) to be X +/- 5%, X +/- 15%, X +/- 20%, X +/- 25%, etc., including all ranges and subranges therebetween, and the flow rates of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d from inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d to troughs 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d can be controlled (e.g., adjusted) to be Y +/- 5%, Y +/- 15%, Y +/- 20%, Y +/- 25%, etc., including all ranges and subranges therebetween, faster draw speeds defined over a wider range can be obtained. For example, in some embodiments, features in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, including a forming vessel 140 and one or more supply vessels 300, can, therefore, respectively, enable draw speeds (e.g., defined as a factor of X +/- 5% + Z(Y +/- 5%), X +/- 15% + Z(Y +/- 15%), X +/- 20% + Z(Y +/- 20%), X +/- 25% + Z(Y +/- 25%), etc., including all ranges and subranges therebetween) that are faster (e.g., a factor of Z(Y +/- 5%) faster, Z(Y +/- 15%) faster, Z(Y +/- 20%) faster, Z(Y +/- 25%) faster, etc., including all ranges and subranges therebetween) than previously attainable with, for example, a forming vessel 140 and no supply vessels, where draw speed can be defined as a factor of X +/- 10%. Additionally, in some embodiments, each supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d of the plurality of supply vessels 300 can be operated independently such that the flow rates of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d from inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d to troughs 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d can be respectively controlled (e.g., adjusted) to be Ya +/- 10%, Yb +/- 10%, Yc +/- 10%, Yc +/- 10%, etc., including all ranges and subranges therebetween, for each respective supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d of the plurality of supply vessels 300. Additionally, it is to be understood that the exemplary percentages and ranges of flow rates provide a relative comparison for explanatory purposes and, unless otherwise noted, should not be interpreted as a limiting numerical value.

[0059] Moreover, in some embodiments, providing the plurality of supply vessels 300 and the forming vessel 140 can enable uninterrupted (i.e., continuous) operation of the glass forming apparatus 101 for long durations of time (e.g., on the order of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or more years). For example, in some embodiments, the usable or operational life of one or more components of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 providing molten material 121 to the inlet conduit 141 of the forming vessel 140, 309b, 309c, 309d and molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d to the inlet conduits 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d of each supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d of the plurality of supply vessels 300 can be shorter than the usable or operational life of, for example, the supply vessels 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d and/or the forming vessel 140.

[0060] Thus, in some embodiments, during operation of the glass forming apparatus 101, while forming the glass ribbon 103, one or more components of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 providing a source or sources of molten material may wear or break and require repair or replacement prior to the forming vessel 140 and/or the plurality of supply vessels 300 reaching their respective ends of life (e.g., ends of usable operability). Accordingly, in some embodiments, by providing the plurality of supply vessels 300 and the forming vessel 140, the production of the glass ribbon 103 can continue uninterrupted, despite one or more components of the glass manufacturing apparatus 100 wearing or breaking and requiring repair or replacement. For example, because each supply vessel 309a, 309b, 309c, 309d can include a separate and independently adjustable source of molten material 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d, in some embodiments, the flow of molten material coming from one or more components that require repair or replacement can be stopped, and flow of molten material coming from one or more components that do not require repair or replacement can continue and/or be started.

[0061] Thus, in some embodiments, the one or more components that require repair or replacement can be repaired or replaced while the glass forming apparatus 101 continues to produce the glass ribbon 103 based, at least in part, on the supply of molten material coming from the one or more components that do not require repair or replacement. As compared to other forming devices with, for example, a single source or supply of molten material, in which case formation of the glass ribbon would be interrupted to repair or replace the one or more components that require repair or replacement, the present disclosure provides features that enable continuous, uninterrupted production of the glass ribbon 103 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0062] Embodiments and the functional operations described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Embodiments described herein can be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a tangible program carrier for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. The tangible program carrier can be a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, or a combination of one or more of them.

[0063] The term“processor” or“controller” can encompass all apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. The processor can include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them.

[0064] A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0065] The processes described herein can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) to name a few.

[0066] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory or a random-access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing instructions and one or more data memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), to name just a few.

[0067] Computer readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms data memory including nonvolatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD- ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0068] To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, and the like for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, or a touch screen by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

[0069] Embodiments described herein can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with implementations of the subject matter described herein, or any combination of one or more such back end, middleware, or front end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), e.g., the Internet.

[0070] The computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

[0071] It will be appreciated that the various disclosed embodiments may involve particular features, elements or steps that are described in connection with that particular embodiment. It will also be appreciated that a particular feature, element or step, although described in relation to one particular embodiment, may be interchanged or combined with alternate embodiments in various non-illustrated combinations or permutations.

[0072] It is also to be understood that, as used herein the terms“the,”“a,” or “an,” mean“at least one,” and should not be limited to“only one” unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Likewise, a“plurality” is intended to denote“more than one.”

[0073] Ranges can be expressed herein as from“about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, embodiments include from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. [0074] The terms“substantial,”“substantially,” and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description.

[0075] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred.

[0076] While various features, elements or steps of particular embodiments may be disclosed using the transitional phrase“comprising,” it is to be understood that alternative embodiments, including those that may be described using the transitional phrases“consisting” or“consisting essentially of,” are implied. Thus, for example, implied alternative embodiments to an apparatus that comprises A+B+C include embodiments where an apparatus consists of A+B+C and embodiments where an apparatus consists essentially of A+B+C.

[0077] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of the embodiments herein provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0078] While various embodiments have been described in detail with respect to certain illustrative and specific embodiments thereof, the present disclosure should not be considered limited to such, as numerous modifications and combinations of the disclosed features are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method of forming a glass ribbon comprising:

overflowing a first quantity of a molten material from a first trough of a first supply vessel over first weirs of the first supply vessel and then flowing first streams of the first quantity of the molten material along first outer surfaces of the first weirs; overflowing a second quantity of the molten material from a second trough of a forming vessel over second weirs of the forming vessel and then flowing second streams of the second quantity of the molten material along second outer surfaces of the second weirs;

merging the first streams and the second streams into third streams of a third quantity of the molten material;

flowing the third streams along downwardly inclined converging surface portions of a forming wedge of the forming vessel, converging the third streams at a root of the forming vessel, and fusing the third streams into a ribbon of the molten material at the root of the forming vessel; and

drawing the ribbon of the molten material off the root into a glass ribbon.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising drawing the glass ribbon along a draw plane in a draw direction.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the draw plane bisects the forming wedge through the root.

4. The method of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the draw plane bisects the supply vessel through the first trough.

5. The method of any one of claims 2-4, wherein the draw direction extends in a direction of gravity.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the first outer surfaces of the first weirs of the first supply vessel are arranged vertically above the second outer surfaces of the second weirs of the forming vessel relative to the direction of gravity.

7. The method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the first streams, the second streams, and the third streams flow based at least in part on gravity.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-7, comprising providing the first quantity of the molten material from a first inlet conduit to the first trough of the first supply vessel and providing the second quantity of the molten material from a second inlet conduit to the second trough of the forming vessel.

9. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein a flow direction of the first quantity of the molten material in the first trough is opposite a flow direction of the second quantity of the molten material in the second trough.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-9, further comprising supplying the first and second quantities of the molten material from a single melting vessel.

11. The method of any one of claims 1-8, further comprising adjusting a flow rate of at least one of the first quantity of the molten material from the first inlet conduit to the first trough of the first supply vessel or the second quantity of the molten material from the second inlet conduit to the second trough of the forming vessel.

12. The method of any one of claims 1-8, further comprising overflowing a fourth quantity of the molten material from a third trough of a third supply vessel over third weirs of the third supply vessel and then flowing fourth streams of the fourth quantity of the molten material along third outer surfaces of the third weirs.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising merging the fourth streams and the first streams and fusing the fourth streams and the first streams into fifth streams of a fifth quantity of the molten material.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising converging the fifth streams and the second streams, and fusing the fifth streams and the second streams into sixth streams of a sixth quantity of the molten material, and flowing the sixth streams along the pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions of the forming wedge of the forming vessel, converging the sixth streams at the root of the forming vessel, and fusing the sixth streams into the ribbon of the molten material at the root of the forming vessel.

15. The method of any one of claims 12-14, wherein the third outer surfaces of the third weirs of the second supply vessel are arranged vertically above the first outer surfaces of the first weirs of the first supply vessel relative to the direction of gravity, the first outer surfaces of the first weirs of the first supply vessel arranged vertically above the second outer surfaces of the second weirs of the forming vessel relative to the direction of gravity.

16. The method of any one of claims 12-15, further comprising providing the fourth quantity of the molten material from a third inlet conduit to the third trough of the second supply vessel.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein a flow direction of the fourth quantity of the molten material in the third trough is the same as a flow direction of the first quantity of the molten material in the second trough and opposite a flow direction of the second quantity of the molten material in the first trough.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting a flow rate of the fourth quantity of the molten material from the third inlet conduit to the third trough of the second supply vessel.

19. A glass forming apparatus for forming a glass ribbon according to the method of any one of claims 1-18, comprising:

the first supply vessel comprising the first trough, the first weirs, and the first outer surfaces of the first weirs; the forming vessel comprising the second trough, the second weirs, and the second outer surfaces of the second weirs, the forming vessel further comprising the forming wedge comprising the pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions extending between opposed ends of the forming wedge, the pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions intersecting along the root of the forming vessel;

wherein the first outer surfaces of the first weirs of the first supply vessel are arranged vertically above the second outer surfaces of the second weirs of the forming vessel relative to the direction of gravity.