Patent ID: 7401476
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: C03B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for bending a glass sheet, comprising an upper mold having a bending surface facing downward in a substantially vertical direction, and a frame unit having a bending surface facing upward in the substantially vertical direction so as to be engageable with the bending surface of the upper mold, whereby a preliminarily heated and softened glass sheet is pressed by the upper mold and the frame unit so as to be bent in a desired shape; means for controlling an amount of preliminary bending to control deformation of the heated and softened glass sheet caused by the preliminary bending, the glass sheet being put on the frame unit; sticking means for holding the heated and softened glass sheet and for dropping the glass sheet on the frame unit to put the glass sheet thereon; and means for conveying the frame unit with the glass sheet put thereon to a position just under the upper mold; wherein the means for controlling an amount of preliminary bending comprises a heater incorporated into the sticking means, whereby a desired portion of the heated and softened glass sheet is heated while the glass sheet is stuck and held by the sticking means to accelerate the preliminary bending of the glass sheet between just before putting the glass sheet on the frame unit and just before pressing the glass sheet.