Methods and apparatuses for conveying flexible glass substrates

摘要

A method of redirecting a glass ribbon assembly from a first glass conveyance path to a second. The method includes conveying the glass ribbon assembly that includes a flexible glass substrate that has first and second surfaces that extend laterally between the edges, and first and second handling tabs affixed to the respective edges. The handling tabs extend above and below the flexible glass substrate and define a handling surface envelope. The method also includes supporting the glass ribbon assembly on the first and second handling tabs such that the flexible glass substrate is free to flex out of the handling surface envelope while remaining spaced apart from a primary roll member when the flexible glass substrate is directed around the primary roll member.

主权项

1. A method of redirecting a glass ribbon assembly from a first glass conveyance path to a second glass conveyance path, the method comprising:
conveying the glass ribbon assembly in a conveyance direction on the first glass conveyance path, the glass ribbon assembly comprising a flexible glass substrate that includes a first surface and a second surface that extend laterally between a first edge and a second edge, a first handling tab affixed to the first edge, and a second handling tab affixed to the second edge, wherein the first handling tab and the second handling tab extend above and below the flexible glass substrate and define a handling surface envelope in which the flexible glass substrate is positioned when the first surface and the second surface are planar; supporting the glass ribbon assembly on the first handling tab and the second handling tab such that the flexible glass substrate is free to flex out of the handling surface envelope while remaining spaced apart from a primary roll member when the flexible glass substrate is directed around the primary roll member; and directing the glass ribbon assembly around the primary roll member such that the glass ribbon assembly is redirected along from the first glass conveyance path to the second glass conveyance path.