Methods and apparatus for initiating scoring

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for forming an initiation flaw ( 111 ) in the surface ( 114 ) of a glass sheet or glass ribbon ( 13 ). The initiation flaw ( 111 ) is used in connection with a laser light beam ( 121 ) and a cooling area produced by a cooling nozzle ( 119 ) to from a score line ( 115 ) in the surface ( 114 ) of the sheet or ribbon ( 13 ). The initiation flaw ( 111 ) is formed by a mechanical scoring head ( 20 ) which is carried by moving carriage ( 14 ) and which undergoes retrograde motion ( 19 ) relative to the carriage ( 14 ) so as to increase the time available for forming the initiation flaw ( 111 ).

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus for forming an initiation flaw in a glass surface comprising:
 (a) a linear track having associated therewith an xyz coordinate system, the linear track lying in the xy plane of the coordinate system and intersecting the x-axis at a non-zero angle;   (b) a carriage moveably mounted on the linear track so that motion of the carriage along the linear track comprises at least a component along the y-axis of the xyz coordinate system; and   (c) a mechanical scoring head moveably mounted on the carriage so that motion of the mechanical scoring head relative to the carriage comprises (i) at least a component along the y-axis of the xyz coordinate system in a direction opposite to the direction of the component of the carriage's motion along that axis, and (ii) at least a component in the direction of the z-axis of the xyz coordinate system.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein motion of the mechanical scoring head in the direction of the z-axis of the xyz coordinate system comprises, in any order, a first portion in the direction of the positive z-axis and a second portion in the direction of the negative z-axis. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the linear track intersects the y-axis of the xyz coordinate system at an angle so that motion of the carriage along the linear track comprises a component along the x-axis of the coordinate system. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the apparatus comprises:
 (i) an arm which carries the mechanical scoring head; and 
 (ii) a motor for rotating the arm about an axis which is parallel to the x-axis of the xyz coordinate system. 
 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the apparatus comprises:
 (a) a rail which is parallel to the y-axis; 
 (b) a platform mounted on the rail, the platform carrying the mechanical scoring head; and 
 (c) a motor for moving the platform along the rail. 
 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the non-zero angle of intersection between the linear track and the x-axis is not equal to 90°. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the non-zero angle of intersection between the linear track and the x-axis equals 90°.