Shaped glass article having a predefined geometry produced without using a mold, method and use of the same
First Claim
1. A method for producing, without a mold, a shaped glass article having a predefined geometry, the method comprising at least the steps of:
- providing a starting glass;
supporting the starting glass;
heating a portion of the starting glass so as to obtain, in the portion, a predetermined spatial viscosity distribution of the starting glass from 109 to 104 dPa·
s, and so that at points where the starting glass is supported a viscosity of the starting glass does not fall below 1013 dPa·
s, wherein the heating is accomplished using at least one laser beam; and
deforming the portion through action of a predetermined contact-free external force until the predefined geometry of the shaped glass article is obtained, wherein the portion is raised or lowered with respect to surrounding regions so that a local elevation or depression is obtained,wherein the predetermined spatial viscosity distribution is adjusted by causing a power level of the at least one laser beam to decrease from an edge of the portion towards a center of the portion,wherein, by controlling the predetermined spatial viscosity distribution, the predetermined contact-free external force deforms the portion so that a minimum curvature radius at the edge is smaller than the minimum curvature radius in the center, andwherein the center is convex when the portion is the local elevation and is concave when the portion is the local depression.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for producing, without a mold, a shaped glass article having a predefined geometry is provided. The method includes providing a starting glass, supporting the starting glass, heating a portion of the starting glass so that in the portion a predetermined spatial viscosity distribution of the starting glass is obtained from 109 to 104 dPa·s and so that at points where the starting glass is supported a predetermined spatial viscosity distribution of the starting glass does not fall below 1013 dPa·s, and deforming the heated starting glass by action of an external force until the predefined geometry of the glass article is obtained.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for producing, without a mold, a shaped glass article having a predefined geometry, the method comprising at least the steps of:
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providing a starting glass; supporting the starting glass; heating a portion of the starting glass so as to obtain, in the portion, a predetermined spatial viscosity distribution of the starting glass from 109 to 104 dPa·
s, and so that at points where the starting glass is supported a viscosity of the starting glass does not fall below 1013 dPa·
s, wherein the heating is accomplished using at least one laser beam; anddeforming the portion through action of a predetermined contact-free external force until the predefined geometry of the shaped glass article is obtained, wherein the portion is raised or lowered with respect to surrounding regions so that a local elevation or depression is obtained, wherein the predetermined spatial viscosity distribution is adjusted by causing a power level of the at least one laser beam to decrease from an edge of the portion towards a center of the portion, wherein, by controlling the predetermined spatial viscosity distribution, the predetermined contact-free external force deforms the portion so that a minimum curvature radius at the edge is smaller than the minimum curvature radius in the center, and wherein the center is convex when the portion is the local elevation and is concave when the portion is the local depression. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification