BACKGROUND

The invention also relates to a method of forming a glass article. The invention also relates to the glass article that is formed by the method.

Various processes are known for shaping or bending a sheet of glass. Typically, a glass sheet is heated to a temperature where the glass sheet is deformable and then the bending process is carried out. In certain bending processes, the heated glass sheet is supported on a ring member and allowed to sag under the influence of gravity, with or without the assistance of an additional pressing force. Another known glass sheet bending process is a press bending process whereby a glass sheet (or a nested pair) is bent between a pair of complementary shaping members, usually in a spaced vertical relationship.

After being shaped, electronic equipment and/or other devices may be disposed on the glass sheet. Typically, electricity must be reliably supplied to the equipment and devices to power the aforementioned items. Wire assemblies are often used to supply the electricity. However, attaching certain portions of the wire assembly to the glass sheet can cause damage to the glass sheet. If the glass sheet is included in a windshield, the damage can lead to a windshield failure or failure of the items disposed thereon. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a glass sheet that may be used in a windshield or another glazing that is not damaged by attaching a wire assembly or another member utilized to supply power thereto.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of a method of forming a glass article are provided. In an embodiment, the method comprises providing a first glass sheet. The first glass sheet is heated to a temperature suitable for shaping. The first glass sheet is deposited on a first bending tool. An edge portion of the first glass sheet is disposed over a shaping surface of the first bending tool. The shaping surface of the first bending tool is configured to provide in the first glass sheet a compression area and a tension area. The first glass sheet is shaped on the first bending tool and the compression area is formed in the edge portion18of the first glass sheet. The compression area comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a width which is greater than a width of a second portion.

Preferably, the tension area is formed in a second portion of the first glass sheet which is located inward of the edge portion of the first glass sheet and a transition is formed in a third portion of the first glass sheet.

Preferably, the compression area surrounds the tension area and a transition formed in the first glass sheet.

Preferably, the method further comprises positioning an electrical component over the first portion of the compression area and providing the electrical component in mechanical communication with the first glass sheet via a soldering process.

Preferably, the shaping surface of the first bending tool is configured to provide in the first glass sheet a transition between the compression area and the tension area.

Preferably, the edge portion of the first glass sheet comprises a first edge portion and a second edge portion, the first portion of the compression area being formed in the first edge portion and the second portion of the compression area being formed in the second edge portion.

Preferably, the first edge portion is a trailing edge portion and the second edge portion is a leading edge portion.

Preferably, the edge portion of the first glass sheet comprises a first edge portion, the first portion and the second portion of the compression area each being formed in the first edge portion.

Preferably, the method further comprises laminating the first glass sheet to a second glass sheet.

Preferably, the compression area is formed by cooling the edge portion of the first glass sheet via contact between the edge portion of the first glass sheet and the first bending tool.

Preferably, the method further comprises cooling the edge portion of the first glass sheet via contact between the edge portion of the first glass sheet and a second bending tool.

Preferably, the method further comprises forming a transition in a portion of the first glass sheet which is adjacent the edge portion of the first glass sheet, the portion of the first glass sheet being disposed over but not in contact with the first bending tool.

Preferably, the method further comprises forming a transition in a portion of the first glass sheet which is adjacent the edge portion of the first glass sheet, wherein a space separates the portion of the first glass sheet and the first bending tool.

Preferably, the shaping surface of the first bending tool comprises a first segment and an inner end of the first portion of the compression area is adjacent an inner edge of the first segment such that a transition is formed in a portion of the first glass sheet which is located inward of the inner edge of the first segment.

Preferably, the inner end of the first portion of the compression area is aligned with the inner edge of the first segment.

Preferably, the shaping surface of the first bending tool comprises a first segment, the first segment including a first width which is greater than the width of the first portion of the compression area.

Preferably, the width of the first portion of the compression area is greater than a width of a portion of a transition formed in the first glass sheet inward of the first portion of the compression area.

Preferably, the shaping surface of the first bending tool comprises a first segment, the first segment including an upper surface configured to support the first glass sheet.

Preferably, the first portion of the compression area being formed over the upper surface.

Preferably, the upper surface is formed in a unitary manner.

Preferably, the first segment also comprises an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion extending from an outer edge to the inner portion and the inner portion extending from the outer portion to an inner edge.

Preferably, the first portion of the compression area is formed over the outer portion and a transition is formed in the first glass sheet over the inner portion.

Preferably, the inner portion gradually reduces in thickness toward the inner edge.

Preferably, the first segment also includes an inner edge, the first portion of the compression area being formed over the upper surface and an inner end of the first portion of the compression area being formed over the inner edge of the first segment.

Also, embodiments of a glass article are provided. In an embodiment, the glass article comprises a first glass sheet. The first glass sheet comprises a compression area and a tension area formed in the first glass sheet. The compression area exhibits a compressive area stress of 20-100 MPa and is formed in an edge portion of the first glass sheet. The compression area comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a width which is greater than a width of a second portion.

Preferably, the tension area is formed in a second portion of the first glass sheet, the second portion of the first glass sheet is located inward of the edge portion of the first glass sheet, and a transition is formed in the first glass sheet in a third portion of the first glass sheet.

Preferably, the glass article further comprises a first terminal connector positioned over the first portion of the compression area and in mechanical communication with the first glass sheet.

Preferably, a transition in the first glass sheet is inward of a first terminal connector in mechanical communication with the first glass sheet.

Preferably, the glass article further comprises a second terminal connector which is in a spaced apart relationship with the first terminal connector.

Preferably, the first terminal connector is in a spaced apart and parallel relationship with a portion of a peripheral edge of the first glass sheet.

Preferably, the edge portion of the first glass sheet comprises a first edge portion and a second edge portion, the first portion of the compression area being formed in the first edge portion and the second portion of the compression area being formed in the second edge portion.

Preferably, the first portion of the compression area is in a spaced apart relationship with the second portion of the compression area.

Preferably, the first portion of the compression area is adjacent the second portion of the compression area.

Preferably, the first portion of the compression area extends from a peripheral edge of the first glass sheet to the second portion of the compression area.

Preferably, a transition from the first portion of the compression area to the second portion of the compression area is sharply defined.

Preferably, a transition in the first glass sheet comprises a curved portion.

Preferably, a transition in the first glass sheet comprises a linear portion.

Preferably, a transition in the first glass sheet comprises a first portion, the first portion extending from the edge portion of the first glass sheet, a second portion provided in a parallel relationship with the first portion, the second portion extending from the edge portion of the first glass sheet, and a third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion.

Preferably, the third portion is provided in a perpendicular relationship with the first portion and the second portion.

Preferably, the edge portion of the first glass sheet comprises a first edge portion, the first portion of the compression area and the second portion of the compression area being formed in the first edge portion.

Preferably, the width of the first portion gradually increases in a direction toward a first end of the first portion.

Preferably, a transition in the first glass sheet exhibits an area stress of 0 MPa and the tension area exhibits a tensile area stress of less than 8 MPa.

Preferably, the glass article further comprises a polymeric interlayer provided between the first glass sheet and a second glass sheet.

Preferably, the first glass sheet is shaped.

Preferably, the shaped first glass sheet is flat or bent.

Preferably, in the first glass sheet a transition is located between a compression area and a tension area.

