摘要 |
Heat-softened glass sheets are shaped to either simple or compound bends while being continuously conveyed by means of forming rolls having transverse curvature, wherein, in at least the first portion of the bending station, the force of gravity alone causes the glass sheets to sag into substantial conformity with the transverse curvature of the forming rolls. Support for each glass sheet is gradually transferred from straight conveyor rolls to curved forming rolls without vertically reciprocating the rolls. Optionally, at the exit end of the forming station, a set of upper forming rolls having transverse curvature complementary to that of the lower forming rolls may be provided to assure close conformance to the desired curvature. Compound bends may be formed by providing the path defined by the lower forming rolls with a concave curvature in the direction of glass travel.
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