Apparatus for tempering and bending glass

• US 5,938,810 A
• Filed: 05/30/1997
• Issued: 08/17/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: De Vries, Marrin Jr., Bareman, Donald L., Olesen, Niels Alfred, Beebe, James M., Dirkse, Mervin
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Steven P.
• Application Number:
  US08/866,764
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 65/25.2, 65/25.4, 65/64, 65/103, 65/104, 65/106, 65/107, 65/114, 65/115, 65/111, 65/160, 65/268, 65/273, 65/275, 65/287, 65/288, 65/306, 65/319 , 65/291, 65/348, 65/355, 65/356, 65/374.1, 65/374.13, 65/374.11, 65/374.12
• US Class Current: 65/268
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 23/0352 by suction or blowing out for providing the deformation force to bend the glass sheet
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 23/0355 by blowing without suction directly on the glass sheet
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 27/004 by bringing the hot glass product in contact with a solid cooling surface, e.g. sand grains
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 27/0404 Nozzles, blow heads, blowing units or their arrangements, specially adapted for flat or bent glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 27/0417 Controlling or regulating for flat or bent glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 27/0445 the quench unit being adapted to the bend of the sheet C03B27/0447 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 40/005 Fabrics, felts or loose covers

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for bending and tempering a sheet of glass heated to a formable state provides an improved rigid mold and pressing member for pressing the heated sheet against the rigid mold which cools and bends the sheet. The pressing member includes a conformable pressing element which permits a manifold to be positioned between the rigid mold and the pressing member to direct a gas to cool the heated sheet of glass during bending. The conformable pressing element is pressurized into a convex shape for initially pressing on a portion of the heated sheet and for rolling the heated sheet onto the rigid mold. The rigid mold and the conformable pressing element may each include a cover to increase the heat transfer from the heated sheet to the bending and tempering apparatus. Furthermore, the covers may have increased thermal conductivity in their peripheral regions for increased cooling of the edge of the sheet of glass.

Claims

1. An apparatus for bending and tempering a heated sheet of glass, the sheet having a central portion, a perimeter, and an edge, said apparatus comprising:

a rigid mold having a molding surface; and

a conformable pressing element, at least one of said conformable pressing element and said rigid mold being constructed and arranged to reciprocate between a holding position with said conformable pressing element spaced from said rigid mold, an initial pressing position with said conformable pressing element initially pressing at least a portion of the heated sheet of glass against a portion of said rigid mold, and a final pressing position for pressing and rolling the heated sheet against said rigid mold, at least one of said conformable pressing element and said rigid mold being constructed and arranged to cool the heated sheet of glass thereby tempering the heated sheet of glass, and said conformable pressing element being constructed and arranged to extend to form a convex shape for initially pressing on one of a central portion and a peripheral portion of the heated sheet when in said initial pressing position, and said conformable pressing element further constructed and arranged for rolling the sheet against said rigid mold for conforming the heated sheet to said molding surface of said rigid mold when in said final pressing position.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said rigid mold and said conformable pressing element includes a cover, said cover being constructed and arranged to cool the heated sheet of glass.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said cover comprises a fiberglass cloth.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said cover includes a plurality of openings, said cover being inflated by a gas, and said openings for directing the gas to the heated sheet of glass thereby cooling the heated sheet of glass.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said molding surface of said rigid mold comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, aluminum, molybdenum, uranium, titanium, steel, metal alloy, diamond, composites, and boron nitrate.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a carrier for holding the heated sheet, said carrier including a flexible support surface for holding the heated sheet before, during, and after bending and tempering, said conformable pressing element pressing on said flexible support surface for pressing and rolling the heated sheet of glass against said molding surface of said rigid mold.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said inserts have a coefficient of thermal conductivity in a range of about 46 to 247 BTU/(hr.ft.°

F.) and a heat capacity in a range of about 30 to 70 BTU/ft³ -°

F.

7. An apparatus for bending and tempering a heated sheet of glass, the sheet having a central portion, a perimeter, and an edge, said apparatus comprising:

a rigid mold having a molding surface; and

a conformable pressing element, one of said conformable pressing element and said rigid mold being constructed and arranged to reciprocate between a holding position and a pressing position for pressing and rolling the heated sheet against said rigid mold, one of said conformable pressing element and said rigid mold being constructed and arranged to cool the heated sheet of glass thereby tempering the heated sheet of glass, at least one of said rigid mold and said conformable pressing element including a cover, said cover including a plurality of openings and being inflated by a gas, said openings for directing the gas to the heated sheet of glass thereby cooling the heated sheet of glass, said cover including a perimeter and a central portion, said cover having a greater density of said openings at said perimeter of said cover than at said central portion of said cover for directing more gas to the perimeter of the heated sheet to thereby cool the edge of the heated sheet at least as fast as the central portion of the heated sheet to temper the heated sheet, and said conformable pressing element being constructed and arranged for pressing and rolling the sheet against said rigid mold for conforming the heated sheet to said molding surface of said rigid mold.

8. An apparatus for bending and tempering a heated sheet of glass, the sheet having a central portion, a perimeter, and an edge, said apparatus comprising:

a rigid mold having a molding surface; and

a conformable pressing element, one of said conformable pressing element and said rigid mold being constructed and arranged to reciprocate between a holding position and a pressing position for pressing and rolling the heated sheet against said rigid mold, at least one of said rigid mold and said conformable pressing element including a cover, said cover being constructed and arranged to cool the heated sheet of glass, said cover including a peripheral region and a central region, said peripheral region having a first thermal coefficient of conductivity and a first heat capacity, said central region having a second thermal coefficient of conductivity and a second heat capacity, said first thermal coefficient of conductivity and said first heat capacity being greater than said second thermal coefficient of conductivity and said second heat capacity, respectively, for cooling the perimeter of the heated sheet at least as fast as the central portion of the heated sheet of glass to thereby temper the edge of the sheet of glass, and said conformable pressing element being constructed and arranged for pressing and rolling the sheet against said rigid mold for conforming the heated sheet to said molding surface of said rigid mold.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said conformable pressing element has a size sufficient for extending over the heated sheet of glass and beyond the perimeter of the heated sheet of glass, said cover extending over said conformable pressing element for substantially enclosing the heated sheet of glass between said cover and said rigid mold.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, said cover having a plurality of inserts defining said first and second thermal coefficients of conductivity and heat capacities, each of said inserts having a coefficient of thermal conductivity in the range of about 10 to 500 BTU/(hr.ft.°

F.) and a heat capacity in the range of about 0.1 to 100 BTU/ft³ -°

F.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of said inserts have a coefficient of thermal conductivity in the range of about 30 to 300 BTU/(hr.ft.°

F.).

13. An apparatus for bending and tempering a heated sheet of glass, the sheet having a central portion, a perimeter, and an edge, said apparatus comprising:

a rigid mold having a molding surface;

a conformable pressing element, one of said conformable pressing element and said rigid mold being constructed and arranged to reciprocate between a holding position and a pressing position for pressing and rolling the heated sheet against said rigid mold, at least one of said rigid mold and said conformable pressing element including a cover, said cover being constructed and arranged to cool the heated sheet of glass thereby tempering the heated sheet of glass, said conformable pressing element being constructed and arranged to extend to form a convex shape for initially pressing on one of a central portion and a peripheral portion of the heated sheet, and said conformable pressing element further constructed and arranged for rolling the sheet against said rigid mold for conforming the heated sheet to said molding surface of said rigid mold; and

a frame supporting said conformable pressing element, said frame including a chamber below said conformable pressing element and a substantially incompressible, pressurized fluid in said chamber for expanding and urging said conformable pressing element into a convex shape having an apex.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a heat exchanger, said heat exchanger cooperating with said chamber to cool said incompressible fluid and thereby cool said conformable pressing element for increasing the heat transfer from the heated sheet of glass to the fluid thereby cooling the heated sheet of glass.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said heat exchanger is external of said chamber, said incompressible fluid flowing through said heat exchanger to cool said incompressible fluid.

16. An apparatus for bending and tempering a heated sheet of glass, the sheet having a central portion and a perimeter, said apparatus comprising:

a rigid mold having a molding surface;

a flexible diaphragm constructed and arranged to extend to form a convex pressing surface for initially pressing on a central portion of the heated sheet, at least one of said flexible diaphragm and said rigid mold being constructed and arranged to move between a holding position wherein said flexible diaphragm is spaced from said rigid mold, an initial pressing position wherein said flexible diaphragm presses the central portion of the heated sheet against a portion of said rigid mold, and a final pressing position wherein said flexible diaphragm rolls the heated sheet against said rigid mold from the central portion to the perimeter of the heated sheet for conforming the heated sheet to said molding surface of said rigid mold; and

a conduit positioned for delivering a gas to at least a portion of the heated sheet of glass for cooling the heated sheet of glass during bending to thereby temper the portion of the heated sheet of glass.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a press frame, said rigid mold being supported by said press frame and having a periphery, said conduit comprising a manifold, said manifold being supported by said press frame and extending around said periphery of said rigid mold and being constructed and arranged to direct the gas to the edge of the heated sheet of glass.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said molding surface of said rigid mold comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, aluminum, molybdenum, uranium, titanium, steel, metal alloy, diamond, composites, and boron nitrate.

19. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said molding surface includes a layer of material selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, aluminum, molybdenum, uranium, titanium, steel, metal alloy, diamond, composites, and boron nitrate.

20. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said rigid mold comprises a rigid male mold having a generally convex molding surface.

21. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein one of said rigid mold and said flexible diaphragm includes a cover constructed and arranged to cool the heated sheet of glass.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said cover comprises fiberglass cloth.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said cover has a thickness in a range of about 0.002 inches to 0.05 inches.

24. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said cover comprises a porous cover, said porous cover being inflated by a source of a gas and for directing the gas to the heated sheet of glass thereby cooling and tempering the heated sheet.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said porous cover includes a plurality of openings for directing the gas to the heated sheet of glass and thereby cooling the heated sheet.

26. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said flexible diaphragm includes said porous cover.

27. An apparatus according to claim 16, in combination with the heated sheet of glass, said flexible diaphragm rolling said heated sheet of glass against said rigid mold and being constructed and arranged to cool said heated sheet of glass to thereby temper the heated sheet of glass.

28. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said gas comprises one of air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, a moisture laden air, an air fog, an anatomized liquid, and steam.

29. An apparatus for bending and tempering a heated sheet of glass, the sheet having a central portion and a perimeter, said apparatus comprising:

a rigid mold having a molding surface;

a conformable pressing element, one of said conformable pressing element and said rigid mold being constructed and arranged to reciprocate between a holding position and a pressing position, said conformable pressing element being constructed and arranged for pressing and for rolling the heated sheet against said rigid mold for conforming the heated sheet to said molding surface of said rigid mold;

a press frame, said rigid mold being supported by said press frame and having a periphery; and

a conduit positioned for delivering a gas to at least a portion of the heated sheet of glass for cooling the heated sheet of glass during bending to thereby temper the portion of the heated sheet of glass, said conduit comprising a manifold, said manifold being supported by said press frame and extending around said periphery of said rigid mold and being constructed and arranged to direct the gas to the edge of the heated sheet of glass, and one of said manifold and said molding surface of said rigid mold including at least one vent for exhausting the gas from between said rigid mold and said conformable pressing element.

30. An apparatus for bending and tempering a heated sheet of glass, the sheet having a central portion and perimeter, said apparatus comprising:

a rigid mold having a molding surface;

a conformable pressing element, one of said conformable pressing element and said rigid mold being constructed and arranged to reciprocate between a holding position and a pressing position, said conformable pressing element being constructed and arranged for pressing and for rolling the heated sheet against said rigid mold for conforming the heated sheet to said molding surface of said rigid mold;

a press frame, said rigid mold being supported by said press frame and having a periphery;

a conduit positioned for delivering a gas to at least a portion of the heated sheet of glass for cooling the heated sheet of glass during bending to thereby temper the portion of the heated sheet of glass, said conduit comprising a manifold, said manifold being supported by said press frame and extending around said periphery of said rigid mold and being constructed and arranged to direct the gas to the edge of the heated sheet of glass; and

a frame having an open end, said frame supporting said conformable pressing element over said open end, and said conformable pressing element being constructed and arranged to flex in and out of said open end of said frame for pressing the sheet against said rigid mold, said manifold being interposed between said rigid mold and said conformable pressing element for directing the gas at the perimeter of the heated sheet while the heated sheet is being pressed and rolled against said rigid mold and said conformable pressing element conforming to said manifold.

31. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said conformable pressing element comprises a flexible diaphragm, said flexible diaphragm covering said open end of said frame, said diaphragm and said frame defining a chamber, said chamber being filled with a pressurized, substantially incompressible fluid, said substantially incompressible fluid being constructed and arranged to extend said diaphragm to form a convex upper surface for pressing and rolling the heated sheet of glass against said rigid mold, the pressure being applied to the heated sheet by said diaphragm being independent of the position of said conformable pressing element and said rigid mold.

32. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said incompressible fluid is constructed and arranged to cool said diaphragm for increasing heat transfer from the heated sheet of glass through said diaphragm to said incompressible fluid thereby cooling and tempering the heated sheet of glass.

33. An apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising a heat exchanger cooperating with said chamber, said heat exchanger cooling said incompressible fluid.

34. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said heat exchanger is in fluid communication with said incompressible fluid.

35. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said heat exchanger comprises a coil positioned in said chamber, said coil being immersed in said incompressible fluid for cooling said incompressible fluid.

36. An apparatus for bending and tempering a heated sheet of glass, the sheet having a central portion and a perimeter, said apparatus comprising:

a rigid mold having a molding surface;

a conformable pressing element, one of said conformable pressing element and said rigid mold being constructed and arranged to reciprocate between a holding position and a pressing position, said conformable pressing element being constructed and arranged for pressing and for rolling the heated sheet against said rigid mold for conforming the heated sheet to said molding surface of said rigid mold, one of said rigid mold and said conformable pressing element including a cover constructed and arranged to cool the heated sheet of glass, said cover including a peripheral region and a central region, said peripheral region having a first thermal coefficient of conductivity and a first heat capacity, said central region having a second thermal coefficient of conductivity and a second heat capacity, said first thermal coefficient of conductivity and said first heat capacity being greater than said second thermal coefficient of conductivity and said second heat capacity, respectively, for cooling the perimeter of the heated sheet at least as fast as the central portion of the heated sheet of glass to thereby temper the edge of the sheet of glass; and

a conduit positioned for delivering a gas to at least a portion of the heated sheet of glass for cooling the heated sheet of glass during bending to thereby temper the portion of the heated sheet of glass.

37. An apparatus for bending and tempering a heated sheet of glass, the sheet having a central portion and a perimeter, said apparatus comprising:

a rigid mold having a molding surface;

a conformable pressing element, one of said conformable pressing element and said rigid mold being constructed and arranged to reciprocate between a holding position and a pressing position, said conformable pressing element constructed and arranged for pressing and for rolling the heated sheet against said rigid mold for conforming the heated sheet to said molding surface of said rigid mold, one of said rigid mold and said conformable pressing element including a cover constructed and arranged to cool the heated sheet of glass, said cover comprising a porous cover, said porous cover being inflated by a source of gas and including a plurality of openings for directing the gas to the heated sheet of glass thereby cooling and tempering the heated sheet wherein a greater number of said openings are positioned on said cover for directing more gas to the perimeter than for the central portion of the heated sheet of glass to thereby cool the perimeter at least as fast as the central portion of the heated sheet of glass; and

a conduit positioned for delivering a gas to at least a portion of the heated sheet of glass for cooling the heated sheet of glass during bending to thereby temper the portion of the heated sheet of glass.

38. An apparatus for bending and tempering a heated sheet of glass the sheet having a central portion and perimeter, said apparatus comprising:

a rigid mold having a molding surface;

a conformable pressing element, one of said conformable pressing element and said rigid mold being constructed and arranged to reciprocate between a holding position and a pressing position, said conformable pressing element being constructed and arranged for pressing and for rolling the heated sheet against said rigid mold for conforming the heated sheet to said molding surface of said rigid mold; and

a conduit positioned for delivering a gas to at least a portion of the heated sheet of glass for cooling the heated sheet of glass during bending to thereby temper the portion of the heated sheet of glass said conduit comprising a groove in said molding surface of said rigid mold, said groove having an insert positioned therein, and said insert having one of a greater thermal conductivity and a greater heat capacity than said molding surface and being constructed and arranged for cooling the perimeter of the sheet at a faster rate thereby edge tempering the sheet.

39. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said insert comprises a silicone open cell material.

40. A bending apparatus for bending and tempering a sheet of glass heated to a formable state, the sheet having a central portion and a peripheral edge, said bending apparatus comprising:

a rigid mold having a molding surface, said molding surface having a first thermal conductivity and a first heat capacity in a central portion thereof and a second thermal conductivity and a second heat capacity in a peripheral portion thereof, wherein said first thermal conductivity and said first heat capacity is less than said second thermal conductivity and said second heat capacity, respectively; and

a flexible diaphragm pressurized to form a convex shape for pressing and rolling the sheet of glass against said molding surface for conforming the sheet to said molding surface, said second thermal conductivity and heat capacity of said peripheral portion of said molding surface for cooling the edge of the sheet at least as fast as the central portion of the sheet to thereby induce edge tempering of the heated sheet of glass.

41. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said rigid mold includes an insert at said peripheral portion, said insert providing said second thermal conductivity and heat capacity.

42. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said insert comprises a silicone open cell sponge material.

43. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said insert is constructed and arranged to hold a fluid, said fluid for cooling the edge of the heated sheet.

44. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said rigid mold includes a passageway for delivering said fluid to said insert.

45. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said insert comprises an annular insert, said annular insert for aligning with the peripheral edge of the heated sheet of glass to increase the heat transfer from the edge of the heated sheet of glass and for cooling the edge of the heated sheet of glass at least as fast as the central portion of the heated sheet of glass to thereby temper the sheet of glass.

46. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said flexible diaphragm includes a cover having inserts, said inserts having a thermal coefficient of conductivity and heat capacity in the range of 10 to 500 BTU/(hr.ft.°

F.) and heat capacity in the range of about 0.1 to 100 BTU/ft³ -°

F. for further cooling and tempering the sheet of glass while the sheet is being pressed and rolled against said rigid mold.

47. An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said flexible diaphragm includes a cover having a coefficient of thermal conductivity in the range of about 30 to 300 BTU/(hr.ft.°

F.).

48. An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said flexible diaphragm includes a cover having a coefficient of thermal conductivity in a range of about 46 and 247 BTU/(hr.ft.°

F.) and a heat capacity in a range of about 30 to 70 BTU/ft³ -°

F.

49. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said mold comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, aluminum, molybdenum, uranium, titanium, steel, metal alloy, diamond, composites, and boron nitrate.

50. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said mold includes a layer of material selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, aluminum, molybdenum, uranium, titanium, steel, metal alloy, diamond, composites, and boron nitrate, said layer defining said molding surface.

51. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said molding surface includes a groove receiving and holding said insert therein.

52. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising a frame having an open end, said frame supporting said flexible diaphragm over said open end, said frame defining a chamber below said flexible diaphragm, and a pressurizing system said pressurizing system comprising:

an incompressible fluid positioned in said chamber; and

an inflatable member positioned in said chamber, said inflatable member constructed and arranged to inflate and deflate to increase and decrease the pressure of said incompressible fluid and urge said flexible diaphragm into said convex shape.

53. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 52, further comprising a cooling system, said cooling system comprising:

a heat exchanger cooperating with said chamber, said incompressible fluid circulating through said heat exchanger to cool said incompressible fluid and said flexible diaphragm for contact tempering the heated sheet of glass.

54. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising an air manifold positioned for directing air to the edge of the heated sheet of glass during bending to cool the edge thereby tempering the heated sheet of glass.

55. An apparatus for bending and tempering a heated sheet of glass, said apparatus comprising:

a press frame;

a rigid mold supported by said press frame, said rigid mold having at least one molding surface;

a bladder frame having an open end;

a flexible membrane supported by said bladder frame over said open end and spaced from said press frame, said flexible membrane defining a chamber with said bladder frame, said chamber including an inlet and outlet through which the chamber is pressurized during a press cycle such that when said chamber is pressurized, said flexible membrane is extended from said bladder frame forming a convex top surface for pressing the heated sheet and for rolling the heated sheet against said molding surface of said rigid mold, one of said rigid mold and said bladder frame being constructed and arranged to move toward the other during the press cycle, the pressure applied to the heated sheet being independent of the movement of said rigid mold and said bladder frame; and

a cooling system cooling at least one of said molding surface and said flexible membrane for tempering the heated sheet of glass while pressing and rolling the heated sheet against said molding surface.

56. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said chamber is filled with a substantially incompressible fluid in contact with said flexible membrane, said chamber including an inflatable bladder for increasing the pressure of said incompressible fluid against said flexible membrane.

57. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 56, wherein said cooling system removes heat from said incompressible fluid and thereby cools said flexible membrane.

58. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said cooling system directs cooling water through said rigid mold to thereby cool said molding surface.

59. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 55, wherein at least one of said rigid mold and said flexible membrane includes a cover constructed and arranged for cooling the heated sheet of glass.

60. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 59, wherein said cover comprises a porous cover and is constructed and arranged to be inflated by a gas, said porous cover having a plurality of openings for directing the gas to the heated sheet of glass to thereby temper the heated sheet.

61. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 59, wherein said cover includes a plurality of copper inserts.

62. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said copper inserts comprise one of a copper powder suspended in a silicone rubber matrix and copper fibers suspended in a silicone rubber matrix.

63. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said inserts are dispersed into the material of said cover and molded along with said cover.

64. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 61, said cover having a periphery and a central portion, said cover having a higher concentration of said inserts around said periphery of said cover than said central portion of said cover, said periphery of said cover for aligning with the perimeter of the heated sheet of glass for increasing the rate of cooling of the edge of the heated sheet of glass thereby tempering the sheet of glass.

65. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 55, further comprising an air manifold positioned for directing a gas to the heated sheet of glass for cooling the heated sheet of glass while the heated sheet of glass is pressed and rolled against said rigid mold.

66. A bending and tempering apparatus according to claim 55, further comprising a carrier for holding the heated sheet of glass between said rigid mold and said flexible membrane, said carrier including a flexible support surface for holding the heated sheet before, during, and after bending and tempering.