APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEVERING A MOVING RIBBON OF INORGANIC MATERIAL

摘要

A method includes indirectly engaging a surface of a moving ribbon of inorganic material with a non-contacting support unit. The ribbon is severed with a thermal separating unit while the non-contacting support unit is indirectly engaged with the ribbon.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
indirectly engaging a first surface of a moving ribbon of inorganic material moving in a downward direction with a non-contacting support unit by establishing a positive pressure region and a negative pressure region within a space between the non-contacting support unit and the first surface of the ribbon and urging the non-contacting support unit and the ribbon away from one another in the positive pressure region and toward one another in the negative pressure region; and severing the ribbon by applying heat to the first surface of the ribbon with a thermal separating unit while the non-contacting support unit is indirectly engaged with the ribbon; wherein a second surface of the ribbon opposite the first surface remains unengaged by the non-contacting support unit and the thermal separating unit during the indirectly engaging and the severing.