TWI819044B - Substrate packing apparatus and method with fluid flow - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for packing a substrate. The method includes positioning the substrate on a packing frame and positioning a flexible interleaf on the substrate using an arm tool having at least one orifice through which fluid is flowed over at least a portion of a major surface of the flexible interleaf. The apparatus includes an arm tool that includes at least one orifice configured to flow fluid therethrough.

Description

Substrate packaging apparatus and method by fluid flow

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/711,888, filed on July 30, 2018, relying upon the contents thereof, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to packaging of substrates, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for packaging substrates by fluid flow.

In the packaging of substrates (such as glass substrates for display applications), a flexible interleaf (such as interlayer paper or foam material) is often positioned between the substrates in an effort to protectively cushion and minimize damage during transportation. Damage to the substrate. When a flexible interlayer is positioned on a substrate, its path may be disrupted due to air resistance, which may cause the interlayer to fold in unintended ways or otherwise position itself on the substrate. This air resistance also increases the settling time of the flexible interlayer on the substrate, which may be rate limiting from a processing time efficiency standpoint. Therefore, it is desirable to address these issues when packaging flexible interlayers between substrates.

Embodiments disclosed herein include a method for packaging a substrate. The method includes positioning the substrate on the packaging frame. The method also includes using an arm tool to position the flexible sandwich on the substrate. The arm tool includes at least one orifice through which fluid flows through at least a portion of the major surface of the flexible sandwich.

Embodiments disclosed herein also include an apparatus for packaging substrates. The device includes a packaging frame. The equipment also includes arm tools. The arm tool includes at least one orifice configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough.

Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be described in the Detailed Description below and, in part, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from such description or from practice of the embodiments described herein, including the following The method, accompanying patent application scope, and accompanying drawings are obvious.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description set forth embodiments are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the embodiments as claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings depict various embodiments herein and together with the document serve to explain the principles and operations thereof.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" a particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and/or to another particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximation, such as by use of the antecedent "about," it is understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each range are both significant with respect to, and independent of, the other endpoint.

Directional terms used herein - such as up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom - are used with reference only to the drawings drawn and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, any method described herein is in no way intended to be construed as requiring performance of its steps in a specific order nor as requiring any specific orientation of the equipment. Therefore, the method claim does not actually state the order in which the steps should be followed, or any device claim does not actually state the order or direction of individual components, or the patent scope or description does not specifically state that the steps should be limited to a specific order. , or where a specific order or orientation of components of the device is not stated, no order or orientation is in any way intended to be inferred. This applies to any possible non-expressive basis for interpretation, including: logical questions regarding the arrangement of steps, operational flow, sequence of components or orientation of components; mere meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, and; what is described in the instructions Number or type of embodiments.

As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "a" component includes aspects with two or more of such component unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term "substantially vertical" refers to an orientation greater than 45 degrees from the horizontal, such as an orientation between 45 and 90 degrees from the horizontal.

As used herein, the term "upper portion of the major surface of the flexible interlayer" refers to that portion of the major surface of the flexible interlayer that is above the remainder of the major surface of the flexible interlayer when the flexible interlayer is in a substantially vertical orientation. high. For example, when the flexible interlayer is oriented substantially vertically, the upper portion may comprise one-third to one-half of the major surface of the flexible interlayer having the highest height relative to the remainder of the major surface of the flexible interlayer.

As used herein, the term "lower portion of the major surface of the flexible interlayer" refers to that portion of the major surface of the flexible interlayer that has a surface that is below the remainder of the major surface of the flexible interlayer when the flexible interlayer is in a substantially vertical orientation. high. For example, when the flexible interlayer is oriented substantially vertically, the lower portion may comprise one-third to one-half of the major surface of the flexible interlayer that has the lowest height relative to the remainder of the major surface of the flexible interlayer.

Figure 1 is an example glass manufacturing apparatus 10. In some examples, glassmaking equipment 10 may include a glass furnace 12 , which may include a melting vessel 14 . In addition to the melting vessel 14, the glass furnace 12 may optionally include one or more additional components, such as heating elements (eg, burners or electrodes) that heat and convert the feedstock into molten glass. In a further example, glass melting furnace 12 may include thermal management devices (eg, insulation components) that reduce heat loss from the vicinity of the melting vessel. In a further example, glass furnace 12 may include electronic and/or electrical devices to facilitate melting feedstock into a glass melt. Additionally, glass furnace 12 may include support structures (eg, support chassis, support members, etc.) or other components.

The glass melting vessel 14 is typically constructed of a refractory material, such as a refractory ceramic material, such as one containing alumina or zirconia. In some examples, glass melting vessel 14 may be constructed of refractory ceramic tiles. Specific embodiments of the glass melting vessel 14 will be described in greater detail below.

In some examples, a glass furnace may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing facility to manufacture glass substrates, such as continuous lengths of glass ribbon. In some examples, the glass furnaces herein may be incorporated as components of glass manufacturing equipment, including slot draw equipment, float bath equipment, pull down equipment such as fusion processes, Pull-up equipment, press-rolling equipment, tube drawing equipment, or any other glass manufacturing equipment, would benefit from the aspects disclosed herein. As an example, Figure 1 schematically shows a glass furnace 12 as a component of a molten down-draw glass making apparatus 10 for melt-drawing a glass ribbon for subsequent processing into individual glass sheets.

Glassmaking equipment 10 (eg, melt downdraw equipment 10 ) may optionally include an upstream glassmaking equipment 16 located upstream relative to glass melting vessel 14 . In some examples, a portion or the entirety of upstream glassmaking equipment 16 may be incorporated as part of glass furnace 12 .

As shown in the illustrated example, upstream glassmaking equipment 16 may include a storage bin 18, a feedstock conveyor 20, and a motor 22 connected to the feedstock feeder. The storage bin 18 may be configured to store a quantity of raw material 24 that may be delivered to the melting vessel 14 of the glass furnace 12 as indicated by arrow 26 . Feedstock 24 typically includes one or more glass-forming metal oxides and one or more modifiers. In some examples, the feedstock delivery device 20 may be powered by a motor 22 such that the feedstock delivery device 20 delivers a predetermined amount of feedstock 24 from the storage bin 18 to the melting vessel 14 . In further examples, motor 22 may power feedstock delivery device 20 to introduce feedstock 24 at a controlled rate based on the degree of molten glass sensed downstream of melting vessel 14 . Feedstock 24 within melting vessel 14 may then be heated to form molten glass 28.

The glassmaking facility 10 may also optionally include a downstream glassmaking facility 30 located downstream relative to the glass furnace 12 . In some examples, a portion of downstream glassmaking equipment 30 may be incorporated as part of glass furnace 12 . In some cases, the first connecting conduit 32 discussed below or other portions of the downstream glassmaking equipment 30 may be incorporated as part of the glass furnace 12 . Elements of the downstream glassmaking equipment, including the first connecting conduit 32, may be formed from noble metals. Suitable noble metals include platinum group metals or alloys thereof selected from the group of metals including platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, and palladium. For example, downstream components of a glass manufacturing facility may be formed from a platinum-rhodium alloy including from about 70% to about 90% by weight platinum and from about 10% to about 30% by weight rhodium. However, other suitable metals may include molybdenum, palladium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, and alloys thereof.

The downstream glassmaking equipment 30 may include a first conditioning (ie, processing) vessel, such as a clarification vessel 34, located downstream of the melting vessel 14 and connected to the melting vessel 14 via the first connecting conduit 32 described above. In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from melting vessel 14 to refining vessel 34 through first connecting conduit 32 . For example, gravity may move molten glass 28 from the melting vessel 14 to the refining vessel 34 through the interior passage of the first connecting conduit 32 . However, it should be understood that other conditioning vessels may be located downstream of the melting vessel 14 , such as between the melting vessel 14 and the clarification vessel 34 . In some embodiments, a conditioning vessel may be used between the melting vessel and the fining vessel, where the molten glass from the primary melting vessel is further heated to continue the melting process, or cooled to below the level of the melting vessel before entering the fining vessel the temperature of the molten glass.

Bubbles can be removed from the molten glass 28 in the refining vessel 34 through various techniques. For example, feedstock 24 may include multivalent compounds (ie, fining agents), such as tin oxide, which when heated undergo a chemical reduction reaction and release oxygen. Other suitable fining agents include, but are not limited to, arsenic, antimony, iron, and cerium. The fining vessel 34 is heated to a temperature above the temperature of the melting vessel, thereby heating the molten glass and fining agent. Oxygen bubbles produced by the temperature-induced chemical reduction of the refining agent rise through the molten glass within the refining vessel, where gases in the molten glass produced in the melting furnace can diffuse or coalesce into the oxygen bubbles produced by the refining agent. The enlarging bubbles may then rise to the free surface of the molten glass in the refining vessel and then be discharged from the refining vessel. The oxygen bubbles can further cause mechanical mixing of the molten glass in the refining vessel.

The downstream glassmaking facility 30 may further include another conditioning vessel, such as a mixing vessel 36 for mixing molten glass. Mixing vessel 36 may be located downstream of clarification vessel 34 . The mixing vessel 36 may be used to provide a homogenous glass melt composition, thereby reducing cords of chemical or thermal inhomogeneities that may otherwise be present exiting the clarification vessel. In clarified molten glass. As shown, the clarification container 34 can be connected to the mixing container 36 through a second connecting conduit 38 . In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from clarification vessel 34 to mixing vessel 36 through second connecting conduit 38 . For example, gravity may cause molten glass 28 to pass from the fining vessel 34 through the interior passage of the second connecting conduit 38 to the mixing vessel 36 . It should be noted that although mixing vessel 36 is shown downstream of clarification vessel 34 , mixing vessel 36 may be located upstream of clarification vessel 34 . In some embodiments, downstream glassmaking equipment 30 may include multiple mixing vessels, such as a mixing vessel upstream of clarification vessel 34 and a mixing vessel downstream of clarification vessel 34 . These multiple mixing vessels may be of the same design, or they may be of different designs.

The downstream glassmaking equipment 30 may further include another conditioning vessel, such as a transfer vessel 40 that may be located downstream of the mixing vessel 36 . The transfer vessel 40 may condition the molten glass 28 supplied to the downstream forming apparatus. For example, the delivery vessel 40 may serve as an accumulator and/or flow controller to regulate and/or provide a consistent flow of molten glass 28 to the forming body 42 through the outlet conduit 44 . As shown, the mixing container 36 can be connected to the delivery container 40 through a third connecting conduit 46 . In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from mixing vessel 36 to transfer vessel 40 through third connecting conduit 46 . For example, gravity may drive molten glass 28 from mixing vessel 36 through the interior passage of third connecting conduit 46 to transfer vessel 40 .

The downstream glassmaking facility 30 may further include a forming device 48 including the forming body 42 and inlet conduit 50 described above. The outlet conduit 44 may be positioned to convey molten glass 28 from the transfer vessel 40 to the inlet conduit 50 of the forming apparatus 48 . For example, outlet conduit 44 may be nested within and spaced from the interior surface of inlet conduit 50 , thereby providing fusion between the exterior surface of outlet conduit 44 and the interior surface of inlet conduit 50 The free surface of the glass. The forming body 42 in a fusion down-draw glassmaking apparatus may include grooves 52 positioned in the upper surface of the forming body and a converging forming surface 54 that converges in the draw direction along a bottom edge 56 of the forming body. Molten glass delivered to the trough of the forming body via transfer vessel 40, outlet conduit 44, and inlet conduit 50 overflows the side walls of the trough and descends along converging forming surface 54 into separate streams of molten glass. The separate streams of molten glass meet below and along lower edge 56 to create a single glass ribbon 58 that emerges from bottom edge 56 by applying tension to the glass ribbon (e.g., via gravity, edge rollers 72 , and stretch rollers 82 ). Stretch in the stretch or flow direction 60 to control the size of the glass ribbon as the glass cools and the viscosity of the glass increases. Therefore, the glass ribbon 58 undergoes a visco-elastic transition and acquires mechanical properties that allow the glass ribbon 58 to have stable dimensional properties. In some embodiments, the glass ribbon 58 may be separated into individual glass sheets 62 by the glass separation apparatus 100 in the elastic region of the glass ribbon. The robot 64 can then use the clamping tool 65 to transfer the individual glass sheets 62 to a conveyor system where the individual glass sheets can be further processed.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a glass plate 62 having a first major surface 162 and a second major surface 164 extending in a direction generally parallel to the first major surface (at the side of the glass sheet 62 opposite the first major surface) and an edge surface 166 extending between the first major surface 162 and the second major surface 164 and between the first and second major surfaces 162, 164 extends in a roughly vertical direction.

Further processing of the glass sheet 62 may, for example, include grinding, polishing, and/or beveling the edge surface 166 and/or treating or cleaning at least one of the first and second major surfaces 162, 164. This glass pane 62 can also be divided into smaller glass panes 62 . During these and other potential processing steps, it may be necessary to temporarily store the glass sheet 62 before, after, or between the various processing steps. Such storage may cause certain adverse effects on the quality of the glass sheet, including increased adhesion of small glass particles to at least one of the first and second major surfaces 162, 164. Such glass particles may, for example, be produced during certain processing steps including separation of glass ribbon 58 into individual glass sheets 62 and grinding, polishing, and/or beveling steps.

Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of a flexible interlayer 90 positioned on a substrate (ie, glass plate 62) positioned on a packaging frame 200. Specifically, Figure 3 shows a plurality of substrates (ie, glass sheets 62) positioned on a packaging frame 200, with a flexible interlayer 90 positioned between each adjacent substrate (ie, glass sheets 62), The substrate (ie, glass plate 62) and flexible interlayer 90 are positioned in an alternating arrangement on the packaging frame 200. The substrate (ie, glass sheet 62) may be positioned on the packaging frame 200 using any method known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including any mechanical (eg, robotic) or manual positioning method.

The flexible sandwich 90 is positioned on the substrate (ie, the glass plate 62 ) via the arm tool 300 . The arm tool 300 includes a clamping mechanism 302 that clamps the top edge of the flexible sandwich 90 . The arm tool 300 may, for example, be moved from a first position in which the arm tool 300 first clamps the flexible interlayer 90 to a second position in which the flexible interlayer 90 is positioned over the substrate (ie, glass plate 62 ). The clamping mechanism 302 may, for example, be programmed to clamp the edges of the flexible sandwich 90 when the arm tool 300 is in the first position, and then release the edges of the flexible sandwich 90 when the arm tool 300 is in the second position. The clamping mechanism 302 may, for example, include a clamping device, such as a pneumatic clamping device known to those of ordinary skill in the art, that is movable between first and second positions, wherein in the first position, the clamping The holding device is spaced apart from the backing plate, and wherein, in the second position, the holding device is biased toward the backing plate such that the flexible interlayer is clamped between the surface of the holding device and the backing plate.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the packaging frame 200 includes a packaging seat back 202 and a packaging seat bottom 204 , with the substrate (ie, the glass plate 62 ) and the flexible interlayer 90 positioned on the packaging frame 200 in a substantially vertical direction. Although this vertical orientation may include any orientation greater than 45 degrees from the horizontal, embodiments disclosed herein may include orientations between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees, such as between about 60 degrees and about 90 degrees. and further, for example, between about 75 degrees and about 90 degrees from the horizontal direction.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the flexible sandwich 90 moves toward the packaging frame 200 in the direction shown by arrow A via the arm tool 300 . As the flexible sandwich 90 moves toward the packaging frame 200, air resistance may cause substantial non-uniformity in the relative speed of the flexible sandwich 90 in different areas, for example, as shown by the curved profile of the flexible sandwich 90 shown in Figure 3. More simply, the flexible sandwich 90 may flutter or wave as it moves via the arm tool 300 . This non-uniformity may ultimately cause the flexible interlayer 90 to fold or be positioned in an unintended manner on the substrate (ie, glass plate 62). Such air resistance may also increase the settling time of flexible interlayer 90 on the substrate (ie, glass plate 62).

In certain example embodiments, flexible interlayer 90 may include at least one material selected from paper and foam. In some example embodiments, the packaging frame 200 may include at least one material selected from wood, metal (ie, stainless steel or aluminum), and plastic.

Figures 4 and 5 show schematic side cross-sectional and front views, respectively, of arm tool 300 including clamping mechanism 302 and fluid flow conduits 310 and orifices 312. The arm tool 300 also includes a support rod 304, which, for example, may be constructed of aluminum, including a composite including aluminum and carbon fiber. Although the support rod 304 is shown as having a generally rectangular cross-section, embodiments disclosed herein also include other cross-sections, such as circles, ovals, and other polygonal shapes, such as triangles, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the clamping mechanism 302 includes a plurality of clamping devices, and the arm tool 300 includes a plurality of openings 312 , wherein the plurality of clamping devices and the plurality of openings 312 of the clamping mechanism 302 are along the arm tool 300 The longitudinal lengths are positioned alternately. In operation, fluid flows from fluid source 314 through fluid flow conduit 310 along the longitudinal length of arm tool 300 . From fluid flow conduit 310, fluid flows through aperture 312 and over at least a portion of the major surface of flexible sandwich 90, as will be described in greater detail below.

Figures 6A and 6B show schematic side and front cross-sectional views, respectively, of fluid flow conduit 310 and orifice 312, wherein orifice 312 is rotatable in the lateral and longitudinal directions. Specifically, Figure 6A shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of fluid flow conduit 310 and orifice 312, with the lateral direction of rotation of orifice 312 shown by arrow α (α), while Figure 6B shows the fluid flow Schematic front cross-sectional view of conduit 310 and orifice 312, with the longitudinal direction of rotation of orifice 312 shown by arrow β (β). And although Figures 6A and 6B illustrate rotation of a single orifice 312 in the lateral and longitudinal directions, embodiments disclosed herein include an arm tool 300 that includes a plurality of orifices 312 (e.g., as shown in Figure 5 (shown), wherein each of the plurality of orifices 312 is independently operable and rotatable in the lateral and longitudinal directions.

Additionally, embodiments disclosed herein include an arm tool 300 that includes a plurality of apertures 312, wherein each of the plurality of apertures 312 is movable in a longitudinal direction along the length of the arm tool. Specifically, embodiments disclosed herein include an arm tool that includes a plurality of apertures 312 (eg, as shown in FIG. 5 ), wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures 312 can be configured in a longitudinal direction. Move so that the longitudinal distance between the closest orifices can be changed or adjusted. For example, in certain example embodiments, each of the plurality of apertures 312 may be moved from a first arrangement, wherein each of the plurality of apertures 312 is substantially Equidistant, up to a second arrangement in which each aperture of the plurality of apertures 312 is not equidistant from at least one other aperture of each aperture of the plurality of apertures 312 along the longitudinal length of the arm tool 300 .

In operation, at least after the substrate (ie, glass plate 62 ) is placed on the packaging frame 200 and before the flexible interlayer 90 is placed on the substrate (ie, the glass plate 62 ), a fluid (eg, air or another gas) passes through At least one orifice 312 flows through at least a portion of the major surface of flexible interlayer 90 . In certain example embodiments, fluid may flow continuously over at least a portion of a major surface of flexible interlayer 90 before positioning flexible interlayer 90 on the substrate (ie, glass plate 62 ). In certain example embodiments, during the step of positioning the flexible interlayer 90 on the substrate (i.e., the glass plate 62 ), flow through the at least one orifice is stopped before the flexible interlayer 90 contacts the substrate (i.e., the glass plate 62 ). 312 fluid.

In certain example embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 3 , the substrate (i.e., glass plate 62 ) is positioned on packaging frame 200 in a substantially vertical orientation, and flexible interlayer 90 is positioned on the substrate (i.e., glass plate 62 ), the arm tool 300 clamps the top edge of the flexible sandwich 90 . In certain example embodiments, during the step of positioning flexible interlayer 90 on the substrate (ie, glass plate 62 ), fluid flows from an upper portion of the major surface of flexible interlayer 90 toward a lower portion of the major surface of flexible interlayer 90 through at least An orifice 312.

For example, Figures 7A and 7B illustrate front and side views, respectively, of fluid flowing through at least a portion of a major surface of flexible interlayer 90. Specifically, FIGS. 7A and 7B relate to an embodiment in which a substrate (i.e., glass plate 62 ) is positioned on packaging frame 200 in a substantially vertical orientation, and flexible interlayer 90 is positioned over the substrate (i.e., glass plate 62 ), the arm tool 300 clamps the top edge of the flexible sandwich 90 . As the flexible sandwich 90 moves toward the packaging frame 200 in the direction indicated by arrow A via the arm tool 300, fluid flows from the selected orifices 312 through at least a portion of the major surface of the flexible sandwich, as indicated by the dashed arrow F. That is, fluid flows through the selected orifices 312 from the upper portion of the major surface of the flexible interlayer 90 toward the lower portion of the major surface of the flexible interlayer 90 , as indicated by the dashed arrow F.

As can be seen in Figure 7A, fluid flows through some, but not all, orifices 312 located along the longitudinal length of the arm tool 300. Specifically, fluid does not flow through the orifices 312 located on either end of the arm tool 300 . Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein include embodiments in which each of the plurality of orifices 312 is independently operable to flow different amounts of fluid therethrough, including where fluid flows along the longitudinal length of the arm tool 300 Embodiments in which at least one orifice 312 is positioned without flow through at least one other orifice 312 positioned along the longitudinal length of the arm tool 300 . By selecting fluid flow through certain orifices, treatment efficiency can be maximized for different conditions (e.g., different types and sizes of flexible interlayers, etc.).

As further seen in Figure 7A, the flexible interlayer 90 may have a width W and a length L, and during the step of positioning the flexible interlayer 90 on the substrate, the fluid flows through a predetermined central portion of the major surface of the flexible interlayer 90. Width. Such predetermined width may be approximately the same as or less than the width W of the flexible interlayer 90 . For example, embodiments disclosed herein include embodiments in which the predetermined width is about 50% to about 90%, such as about 60% to about 80%, of the width W of the flexible interlayer 90 . In other words, fluid may flow through the aperture 312 extending along a central longitudinal length of the arm tool 300, where the central longitudinal length is between about 50% and about 90%, such as between about 60% and about 80%, of the width W of the flexible sandwich 90. .

As can further be seen in Figures 7A and 7B, fluid passes through the orifices 312 from an upper portion of the major surface of the flexible interlayer 90 toward a lower portion of the major surface of the flexible interlayer 90 in a direction generally parallel to the major surface in the width direction and Both flow along the length. Specifically, FIG. 7A shows a plurality of fluid flows F that are generally parallel to the width direction W along the major surface of the flexible sandwich 90 , while FIG. 7B shows a plurality of fluid flows F that are parallel to the width direction W of the flexible sandwich 90 . The length direction L is approximately parallel.

In certain example embodiments, the fluid flowing through orifice 312 is a gas. In certain example embodiments, the fluid flowing through orifice 312 includes air. In certain example embodiments, each of the plurality of orifices 312 flows fluid at a pressure of about 2 psig to about 20 psig (about 13.8 KPa to about 138 KPa), such as about 5 psig to about 15 psig (about 34.5 KPa to about 138 KPa). 103KPa).

Figure 8 shows a schematic side view of the flexible sandwich 90 being positioned on a substrate (ie, glass plate 62) using an arm tool 300, which includes a clamping mechanism 302 and a packaging frame 200. Fluid flow conduit 310 and orifice 312. Specifically, Figure 8 illustrates a plurality of substrates (ie, glass sheets 62) positioned on a packaging frame 200, with a flexible interlayer 90 positioned between each adjacent substrate (ie, glass sheets 62), The substrate (ie, glass plate 62) and flexible interlayer 90 are positioned in an alternating arrangement on the packaging frame 200. In operation, the orifices 312 allow fluid to flow over at least a portion of the major surface of the flexible sandwich 90 .

As shown in FIG. 8 , the flexible sandwich 90 moves toward the packaging frame 200 in the direction indicated by arrow A via the arm tool 300 . However, contrary to the movement of the flexible sandwich 90 shown in Figure 3, the fluid flows through the orifices 312, resulting in substantially greater uniformity in the relative velocities of different regions of the flexible sandwich 90, for example, as in Figure 8 The flexible interlayer 90 is shown as having a relatively straight profile. This greater uniformity can greatly minimize the likelihood that flexible interlayer 90 will be folded or otherwise positioned in an unintended manner on the substrate (ie, glass plate 62 ). This greater uniformity can also substantially reduce the settling time of the flexible interlayer 90 on the substrate (ie, the glass plate 62), thereby improving processing time efficiency.

Although the above embodiments have been described with reference to fusion down draw processes, it should be understood that these embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as float processes, slot draw processes, up draw processes, Tube drawing processing and press-rolling processing.

It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. This disclosure is therefore intended to cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

10:Glass manufacturing equipment 12:Glass furnace 14: Melting container 16:Upstream glass manufacturing equipment 18:Storage warehouse 20: Raw material conveying device 22: Motor 28:Molten glass 30:Downstream glass manufacturing equipment 32: First connecting conduit 34: Clarification container 36: Mixing container 38:Second connecting duct 40:Conveyor container 42: Forming body 44:Exit duct 46:Third connecting duct 48:Forming equipment 50:Inlet duct 52:Slot 54: Converging forming surface 56: Bottom edge 58:Glass ribbon 62:Glass plate 64:Robot 65: Clamping tools 72:Edge roller 82: Stretching roller 90:Flexible interlayer 100:Glass separation equipment 162: First main surface 164: Second main surface 166: Edge surface 200:Packaging frame 202: Back of packaging seat 204: Bottom of packaging seat 300:Arm tool 302: Clamping mechanism 304:Support rod 310: Fluid flow pipes 312: Orifice

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of exemplary fused down-draw glass manufacturing equipment and processes;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the glass plate;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a flexible interlayer positioned on a substrate on a packaging frame;

Figure 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an arm tool including a clamping mechanism and fluid flow conduits and orifices;

Figure 5 is a schematic front view of an arm tool including a clamping mechanism and fluid flow conduits and orifices;

Figures 6A and 6B are schematic side and front cross-sectional views, respectively, of a fluid flow conduit and an orifice, wherein the orifice can be rotated in the lateral and longitudinal directions;

Figures 7A and 7B are front and side views, respectively, of fluid flowing through at least a portion of a major surface of the flexible interlayer; and

Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the use of an arm tool including a clamping mechanism and fluid flow conduits and orifices to position a flexible sandwich on a substrate and the substrate on a packaging frame.

Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date and number) without

Overseas storage information (please note in order of storage country, institution, date, and number) without

90:Flexible interlayer

300:Arm tool

302: Clamping mechanism

304:Support rod

310: Fluid flow pipes

312: Orifice

Claims (18)

A method for packaging a substrate, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a substrate on a packaging frame; and using an arm tool including at least one aperture to move a flexible sandwich toward the packaging frame and remove the flexible sandwich positioned on the substrate, wherein during a step of moving the flexible sandwich toward the packaging frame and positioning the flexible sandwich on the substrate, the arm tool only clamps a top edge of the flexible sandwich and fluid flows from the An upper portion of a major surface of the flexible interlayer flows toward a lower portion of the major surface of the flexible interlayer and flows through at least a portion of the major surface of the flexible interlayer through the at least one orifice. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is positioned on the packaging frame in a substantially vertical orientation. The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of positioning the flexible interlayer on the substrate, the fluid flows across the main surface of the flexible interlayer in a direction generally parallel to the main surface in width and length directions. a predetermined width of a central portion. The method of claim 1, wherein during the step of positioning the flexible interlayer on the substrate, fluid flow through the at least one orifice is stopped before the flexible interlayer contacts the substrate. The method of claim 1, wherein the arm tool includes Multiple orifices. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of orifices is movable in a longitudinal direction along a length of the arm tool. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of orifices is independently operable to allow different amounts of fluid to flow therethrough. The method of claim 5, wherein each orifice of the plurality of orifices flows fluid at a pressure from 2 psig to 20 psig. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid includes air. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes glass. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible interlayer includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of paper and foam. An apparatus for packaging a substrate, comprising: a packaging frame for positioning the substrate; and an arm tool for moving a flexible interlayer toward the packaging frame and positioning the flexible interlayer on the substrate, the arm The tool is configured to grip only a top edge of the flexible sandwich and includes at least one orifice configured to hold the flexible sandwich toward the package While the frame is moving and positioning the flexible sandwich on the substrate, fluid flows therethrough and from an upper portion of a major surface of the flexible sandwich toward a lower portion of the major surface of the flexible sandwich. The device of claim 12, wherein the packaging frame includes a packaging seat back, and the packaging seat back extends in a substantially vertical direction. The device of claim 12, wherein the arm tool includes a plurality of orifices. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of orifices is independently operable and rotatable in both transverse and longitudinal directions. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of orifices is movable in a longitudinal direction along a length of the arm tool. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of orifices is independently operable to allow different amounts of fluid to flow therethrough. The device of claim 12, wherein the packaging frame includes a packaging base bottom.