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United States Patent 6,438,996
Cuvelier August 27, 2002

Method for cracking off glassware

Abstract

A method for cracking off glassware (1), whereby glass pieces (1) are subjected to a laser radiation treatment (F). In a first step, the part of the glassware to be cracked off (3) is subjected in a region thereof to the action of a continuous laser radiation beam (F) or to continuous laser radiation beams (F) such that the beams touch the part (4) in the region with a power density per unit area less than 30 W/mm.sup.2. In a second step, successive points along a line in the part to be cracked off, which has been subjected in the first step to the action of a continuous laser radiation beam (F), are subjected to the action of a focused pulsating laser beam (F) with power less than 250 W, such that, during this second step, the successive points, in the line of the focused laser beam's successive impact points on the part to be cracked off (3), are spaced from each other.


Inventors: Cuvelier; Georges (Rue de la Corderie 11, B-7110 Houdeng-Goegnies, BE)
Appl. No.: 445721
Filed: December 10, 1999
PCT Filed: June 10, 1998
PCT NO: PCT/BE98/00085
371 Date: December 10, 1999
102(e) Date: December 10, 1999
PCT PUB.NO.: WO98/56722
PCT PUB. Date: December 17, 1998
Foreign Application Priority Data

Jun 11, 1997[BE]9700505

Current U.S. Class: 65/105; 65/112; 65/113; 219/121.67; 219/121.71
Intern'l Class: C03B 033/00
Field of Search: 65/105,112,113,56,109 219/121.67,121.71


References Cited

U.S. Patent Documents
3935419Jan., 1976Lambert et al.65/113.
4146380Mar., 1979Caffarella et al.
5902368May., 1999Witzmann65/112.
Foreign Patent Documents
25 21 612Dec., 1975DE.
43 05 106Aug., 1994DE.
43 05 107Aug., 1994DE.
44 11 037Oct., 1994DE.
44 34 648Apr., 1996DE.
2376828Aug., 1978FR.
92 15534Sep., 1992WO.
WO 94/22778Oct., 1994WO.

Primary Examiner: Derrington; James
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

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