Patent ID: 6221190
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: E06B,H01J

Abstract:
A method for processing a glass panel, comprising the steps of:supporting at least one glass panel assembly on an evacuating cart in such a manner as to be positioned inside a furnace, the glass panel assembly being constructed from two glass plates, any one of the glass panels being provided with an exhaust pipe, the glass plates being joined together by a jig with a sealant applied along a periphery of one or the other of the opposing surfaces of the two glass plates, the exhaust pipe being switchably connected between an evacuating system and a discharge gas supply system;continuously moving the evacuating cart through a sealing zone, an evacuating zone and a cooling zone in the furnace;sealing the two glass plates to form a glass panel by heating the glass panel assembly and melting the sealant in the sealing zone to form a gap between the two glass plates;evacuating the gap between the two glass plates of the glass panel by the evacuating system in the evacuating zone until a predetermined degree of vacuum is achieved;cooling the glass panel in the cooling zone;filling a discharge gas into the gap between the plates through the exhaust pipe from the discharge gas supply system after the glass panel has been conveyed out of the furnace; andsealing and cutting the exhaust pipe.