[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 Ei.S.C. § 119 of U.S.

Provisional Application Serial No. 62/711,899 filed on July 30, 2018, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to packing of substrates and more particularly to a substrate packing apparatus and method with air evacuation.

Background

[0003] In the packing of substrates, such as glass substrates for display applications, a flexible interleaf, such as an interleaf paper or foam material, is often positioned between substrates in an effort to protectively cushion and minimize damage to the substrates during transportation. As the flexible interleaf is positioned on a substrate, its path can be disrupted due to air resistance, which can result in the interleaf being folded or otherwise positioned on the substrate in an unintended manner. Such air resistance also increases the settling time of the flexible interleaf onto the substrate, which can be rate limiting from a process time efficiency standpoint. Accordingly, it would be desirable to address these issues while packing a flexible interleaf between substrates.

SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments disclosed herein include a method for packing a substrate. The method includes positioning a substrate on a packing frame, the packing frame including a packing seat back. The method also includes evacuating air from an area proximate to at least a portion of a surface of the substrate. In addition, the method includes positioning a flexible interleaf on the substrate.

[0005] Embodiments disclosed herein also include an apparatus for packing a substrate. The apparatus includes a packing frame, the packing frame including a packing seat back. The apparatus also includes an air evacuation device on both sides of at least a lower portion of the packing seat back.

[0006] Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the disclosed embodiments as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

[0007] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed embodiments. The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. l is a schematic view of an example fusion down draw glass making apparatus and process;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a glass sheet;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a flexible interleaf being positioned on a substrate positioned on packing frame;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a packing apparatus comprising a packing frame, a packing apparatus base, an air evacuation device, and a stationary air evacuation mechanism;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the packing apparatus of FIG. 4; and

[0013] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a flexible interleaf being positioned on a substrate positioned on a packing frame that is included in a packing apparatus that also includes an operating air evacuation device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0015] Ranges can be expressed herein as from“about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, for example by use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0016] Directional terms as used herein - for example up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom - are made only with reference to the figures as drawn and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

[0017] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order, nor that with any apparatus specific orientations be required. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps, or that any apparatus claim does not actually recite an order or orientation to individual components, or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or description that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, or that a specific order or orientation to components of an apparatus is not recited, it is in no way intended that an order or orientation be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps, operational flow, order of components, or orientation of components; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, and; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0018] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to“a” component includes aspects having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0019] As used herein, the term“proximate to at least a portion of a surface of the substrate” refers to an area that is immediately adjacent to at least a portion of the substrate surface, such as an area that is immediately adjacent to at least a portion of a major surface of the substrate.

[0020] As used herein, the term“substantially vertical” refers to an orientation that is greater than 45 degrees from horizontal, such as an orientation between 45 degrees and 90 degrees from horizontal.

[0021] As used herein, the term“at least a lower portion of a major surface of the substrate” refers to a portion of a major surface of the substrate having an elevation that is below the remainder of the major surface of the substrate when the substrate is in a substantially vertical orientation. For example, the lower portion may comprise from a third to a half of the major surface of the substrate having the lowest elevation relative to the remainder of the major surface of the substrate when the substrate is in a substantially vertical orientation.

[0022] Shown in FIG. 1 is an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 10. In some examples, the glass manufacturing apparatus 10 can comprise a glass melting furnace 12 that can include a melting vessel 14. In addition to melting vessel 14, glass melting furnace 12 can optionally include one or more additional components such as heating elements (e.g., combustion burners or electrodes) that heat raw materials and convert the raw materials into molten glass. In further examples, glass melting furnace 12 may include thermal management devices (e.g., insulation components) that reduce heat lost from a vicinity of the melting vessel. In still further examples, glass melting furnace 12 may include electronic devices and/or electromechanical devices that facilitate melting of the raw materials into a glass melt. Still further, glass melting furnace 12 may include support structures (e.g., support chassis, support member, etc.) or other components.

[0023] Glass melting vessel 14 is typically comprised of refractory material, such as a refractory ceramic material, for example a refractory ceramic material comprising alumina or zirconia. In some examples glass melting vessel 14 may be constructed from refractory ceramic bricks. Specific embodiments of glass melting vessel 14 will be described in more detail below.

[0024] In some examples, the glass melting furnace may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus to fabricate a glass substrate, for example a glass ribbon of a continuous length. In some examples, the glass melting furnace of the disclosure may be incorporated as a component of a glass manufacturing apparatus comprising a slot draw apparatus, a float bath apparatus, a down-draw apparatus such as a fusion process, an up- draw apparatus, a press-rolling apparatus, a tube drawing apparatus or any other glass manufacturing apparatus that would benefit from the aspects disclosed herein. By way of example, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates glass melting furnace 12 as a component of a fusion down-draw glass manufacturing apparatus 10 for fusion drawing a glass ribbon for subsequent processing into individual glass sheets.

[0025] The glass manufacturing apparatus 10 (e.g., fusion down-draw apparatus 10) can optionally include an upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 that is positioned upstream relative to glass melting vessel 14. In some examples, a portion of, or the entire upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16, may be incorporated as part of the glass melting furnace 12 [0026] As shown in the illustrated example, the upstream glass manufacturing apparatus 16 can include a storage bin 18, a raw material delivery device 20 and a motor 22 connected to the raw material delivery device. Storage bin 18 may be configured to store a quantity of raw materials 24 that can be fed into melting vessel 14 of glass melting furnace 12, as indicated by arrow 26. Raw materials 24 typically comprise one or more glass forming metal oxides and one or more modifying agents. In some examples, raw material delivery device 20 can be powered by motor 22 such that raw material delivery device 20 delivers a predetermined amount of raw materials 24 from the storage bin 18 to melting vessel 14. In further examples, motor 22 can power raw material delivery device 20 to introduce raw materials 24 at a controlled rate based on a level of molten glass sensed downstream from melting vessel 14. Raw materials 24 within melting vessel 14 can thereafter be heated to form molten glass 28.

[0027] Glass manufacturing apparatus 10 can also optionally include a downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 positioned downstream relative to glass melting furnace 12. In some examples, a portion of downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may be incorporated as part of glass melting furnace 12. In some instances, first connecting conduit 32 discussed below, or other portions of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30, may be incorporated as part of glass melting furnace 12. Elements of the downstream glass manufacturing apparatus, including first connecting conduit 32, may be formed from a precious metal. Suitable precious metals include platinum group metals selected from the group of metals consisting of platinum, iridium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium and palladium, or alloys thereof. For example, downstream components of the glass manufacturing apparatus may be formed from a platinum-rhodium alloy including from about 70 to about 90% by weight platinum and about 10% to about 30% by weight rhodium. However, other suitable metals can include molybdenum, palladium, rhenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten and alloys thereof.

[0028] Downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can include a first conditioning (i.e., processing) vessel, such as fining vessel 34, located downstream from melting vessel 14 and coupled to melting vessel 14 by way of the above-referenced first connecting conduit 32. In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from melting vessel 14 to fining vessel 34 by way of first connecting conduit 32. For instance, gravity may cause molten glass 28 to pass through an interior pathway of first connecting conduit 32 from melting vessel 14 to fining vessel 34. It should be understood, however, that other conditioning vessels may be positioned downstream of melting vessel 14, for example between melting vessel 14 and fining vessel 34. In some embodiments, a conditioning vessel may be employed between the melting vessel and the fining vessel wherein molten glass from a primary melting vessel is further heated to continue the melting process, or cooled to a temperature lower than the temperature of the molten glass in the melting vessel before entering the fining vessel.

[0029] Bubbles may be removed from molten glass 28 within fining vessel 34 by various techniques For example, raw materials 24 may include multivalent compounds (i.e. fining agents) such as tin oxide that, when heated, undergo a chemical reduction reaction and release oxygen. Other suitable fining agents include without limitation arsenic, antimony, iron and cerium. Fining vessel 34 is heated to a temperature greater than the melting vessel temperature, thereby heating the molten glass and the fining agent. Oxygen bubbles produced by the temperature-induced chemical reduction of the fining agent(s) rise through the molten glass within the fining vessel, wherein gases in the molten glass produced in the melting furnace can diffuse or coalesce into the oxygen bubbles produced by the fining agent. The enlarged gas bubbles can then rise to a free surface of the molten glass in the fining vessel and thereafter be vented out of the fining vessel. The oxygen bubbles can further induce mechanical mixing of the molten glass in the fining vessel.

[0030] Downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can further include another conditioning vessel such as a mixing vessel 36 for mixing the molten glass. Mixing vessel 36 may be located downstream from the fining vessel 34. Mixing vessel 36 can be used to provide a homogenous glass melt composition, thereby reducing cords of chemical or thermal inhomogeneity that may otherwise exist within the fined molten glass exiting the fining vessel. As shown, fining vessel 34 may be coupled to mixing vessel 36 by way of a second connecting conduit 38. In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from the fining vessel 34 to mixing vessel 36 by way of second connecting conduit 38. For instance, gravity may cause molten glass 28 to pass through an interior pathway of second connecting conduit 38 from fining vessel 34 to mixing vessel 36. It should be noted that while mixing vessel 36 is shown downstream of fining vessel 34, mixing vessel 36 may be positioned upstream from fining vessel 34. In some embodiments, downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 may include multiple mixing vessels, for example a mixing vessel upstream from fining vessel 34 and a mixing vessel downstream from fining vessel 34. These multiple mixing vessels may be of the same design, or they may be of different designs.

[0031] Downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can further include another conditioning vessel such as delivery vessel 40 that may be located downstream from mixing vessel 36. Delivery vessel 40 may condition molten glass 28 to be fed into a downstream forming device. For instance, delivery vessel 40 can act as an accumulator and/or flow controller to adjust and/or provide a consistent flow of molten glass 28 to forming body 42 by way of exit conduit 44. As shown, mixing vessel 36 may be coupled to delivery vessel 40 by way of third connecting conduit 46. In some examples, molten glass 28 may be gravity fed from mixing vessel 36 to delivery vessel 40 by way of third connecting conduit 46. For instance, gravity may drive molten glass 28 through an interior pathway of third connecting conduit 46 from mixing vessel 36 to delivery vessel 40.

[0032] Downstream glass manufacturing apparatus 30 can further include forming apparatus 48 comprising the above-referenced forming body 42 and inlet conduit 50. Exit conduit 44 can be positioned to deliver molten glass 28 from delivery vessel 40 to inlet conduit 50 of forming apparatus 48. For example, exit conduit 44 may be nested within and spaced apart from an inner surface of inlet conduit 50, thereby providing a free surface of molten glass positioned between the outer surface of exit conduit 44 and the inner surface of inlet conduit 50. Forming body 42 in a fusion down draw glass making apparatus can comprise a trough 52 positioned in an upper surface of the forming body and converging forming surfaces 54 that converge in a draw direction along a bottom edge 56 of the forming body. Molten glass delivered to the forming body trough via delivery vessel 40, exit conduit 44 and inlet conduit 50 overflows side walls of the trough and descends along the converging forming surfaces 54 as separate flows of molten glass. The separate flows of molten glass join below and along bottom edge 56 to produce a single ribbon of glass 58 that is drawn in a draw or flow direction 60 from bottom edge 56 by applying tension to the glass ribbon, such as by gravity, edge rolls 72 and pulling rolls 82, to control the dimensions of the glass ribbon as the glass cools and a viscosity of the glass increases. Accordingly, glass ribbon 58 goes through a visco-elastic transition and acquires mechanical properties that give the glass ribbon 58 stable dimensional characteristics. Glass ribbon 58 may, in some embodiments, be separated into individual glass sheets 62 by a glass separation apparatus 100 in an elastic region of the glass ribbon. A robot 64 may then transfer the individual glass sheets 62 to a conveyor system using gripping tool 65, whereupon the individual glass sheets may be further processed.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a glass sheet 62 having a first major surface 162, a second major surface 164 extending in a generally parallel direction to the first major surface (on the opposite side of the glass sheet 62 as the first major surface) and an edge surface 166 extending between the first major surface 162 and the second major surface 164 and extending in a generally perpendicular direction to the first and second major surfaces 162, 164. [0034] Further processing of glass sheets 62 may, for example, include grinding, polishing, and/or beveling of edge surfaces 166 and/or treating or washing at least one of first and second major surfaces 162, 164. Such glass sheets 62 may also be divided into smaller glass sheets 62. During or following these and other potential processing steps, it may be necessary to transport the glass sheets 62 to a different location. Prior to transporting the glass sheets 62, the glass sheets 62 may be packed in a manner that minimizes damage to the glass sheets 62 during transportation.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of a flexible interleaf 90 being positioned on a substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62), positioned on packing frame 200. Specifically, FIG. 3 shows a plurality of substrates (i.e., glass sheets 62) positioned on the packing frame 200 wherein a flexible interleaf 90 is positioned between each otherwise adjacent substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) such that the substrates (i.e., glass sheets 62) and flexible interleafs 90 are positioned on the packing frame 200 in an alternating arrangement. Substrates (i.e., glass sheets 62) may be positioned on the packing frame 200 using any method known to persons having ordinary skill in the art, including any mechanical (e.g., robotic) or manual positioning method.

[0036] Flexible interleaf 90 is positioned on substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) via arm tool 300. Arm tool 300 comprises clamping mechanism 302, which grips a top edge of the flexible interleaf 90. Arm tool 300 can, for example, be movable from a first position wherein arm tool 300 first grips flexible interleaf 90 to a second position wherein flexible interleaf 90 is positioned on substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62). Clamping mechanism 302 can, for example, be programmed to grip an edge of the flexible interleaf 90 when the arm tool 300 is in the first position and then release the edge of the flexible interleaf 90 when the arm tool 300 is in the second position. Clamping mechanism 302 may, for example, comprise a gripping device, such as a pneumatic gripping device as known to persons having ordinary skill in the art, that is movable between a first and second position, wherein, in a first position, the gripping device is spaced away from a backplate and, wherein, in a second position, the gripping device is biased toward a backplate such that flexible interleaf is clamped between a surface of the gripping device and the backplate.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, packing frame 200 comprises a packing seat back 202 and a packing seat bottom 204, wherein substrates (i.e., glass sheets 62) and flexible interleafs 90 are positioned on the packing frame 200 in a substantially vertical orientation. While such vertical orientation can include any orientation that is greater than 45 degrees from horizontal, embodiments disclosed herein can include an orientation between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees, such as between about 60 degrees and about 90 degrees, and further such as between about 75 degrees and about 90 degrees from horizontal.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, flexible interleaf 90 is moved toward packing frame 200 via arm tool 300 in the direction indicated by arrow A. As flexible interleaf 90 is moved toward packing frame 200, air resistance can cause substantial nonuniformity in the relative velocity of different areas of the flexible interleaf 90, as shown, for example, by the curved profile of flexible interleaf 90 illustrated in FIG. 3. More imply, the flexible interleaf 90 may flutter or wave as it is moved via arm tool 300. Such nonuniformity can ultimately result in the flexible interleaf 90 being folded or otherwise positioned on the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) in an unintended manner. Such air resistance can also increase the settling time of the flexible interleaf 90 onto the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62).

[0039] In certain exemplary embodiments, flexible interleaf 90 can comprise at least one material selected from paper and foam. In certain exemplary embodiments, packing frame 200 may be comprised of at least one material selected from wood, metal (i.e., stainless steel or aluminum), and plastic.

[0040] FIGS. 4 and 5 show, respectively, schematic front and top views of a packing apparatus 250 comprising a packing frame 200, a packing apparatus base 210, an air evacuation device 230, and a stationary air evacuation mechanism 220. As shown in FIG. 5, packing frame 200 comprises two packing seat backs 202 facing in opposite directions. Packing frame 200 also comprises two packing seat bottoms 204 facing in opposite directions and corresponding to respective packing seat backs 202. As further shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of substrates (i.e., glass sheets 62) are positioned on one of the packing seats of the packing frame 200 wherein a flexible interleaf 90 is positioned between each otherwise adjacent substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) such that the substrates (i.e., glass sheets 62) and flexible interleafs 90 are positioned on one of the packing seats of the packing frame 200 in an alternating arrangement. It should be further understood that FIGS. 4 and 5 show substrates (i.e., glass sheets 62) and flexible interleafs 90 positioned on one of the packing seats of the packing frame 200 in a substantially vertical orientation.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, packing frame 200 is positioned on packing apparatus base 210. Specifically, each opposite facing packing seat bottom 204 is positioned on packing apparatus base 210 and, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, packing apparatus base 210 has an approximately cylindrical configuration. In addition, packing apparatus base 210 is rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, packing apparatus base 210 is positioned such that one of the seats of packing frame 200 faces in a direction such that substrates (i.e., glass sheets 62) and flexible interleafs 90 can be positioned onto the packing frame 200. In the first position, packing apparatus base 210 is also positioned such that air evacuation device 230 is in fluid communication with a stationary air evacuation mechanism 220, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0042] Once one of the opposite facing seats of packing frame 200 are sufficiently filled with substrates (i.e., glass sheets 62) and flexible interleafs 90, packing apparatus base 210 can be rotated (e.g., 180 degrees) to a second position in which the other seat of packing frame 200 faces in a direction such that substrates (i.e., glass sheets 62) and flexible interleafs 90 can be positioned onto the packing frame 200 In the second position, packing apparatus base 210 is also positioned such that air evacuation device 230 is in fluid communication with a stationary air evacuation mechanism 220, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, air evacuation device 230 is positioned on the packing apparatus base 210 such that it is rotatable therewith, as shown in FIG. 5 by arrow A. As further shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, air evacuation device 230 extends in a generally vertical direction along both sides of a lower portion of the packing seat backs 202 of the packing frame 200. While the vertical height of the air evacuation device 230 relative to the vertical height of the packing seat backs 202 is not limited, exemplary embodiments herein include those in which the vertical height of the air evacuation device 230 ranges from about one third to about one half of the vertical height of the packing seat backs 202.

[0044] In certain exemplary embodiments, the vertically extending air evacuation device 230 may comprise at least one material selected from metal (i.e., steel or aluminum), and plastic. In certain exemplary embodiments, packing apparatus base 210 may comprise metal (i.e., steel or aluminum).

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, air evacuation device comprises a plurality of vacuum ports 232. While FIG. 4 shows six vacuum ports 232 arranged vertically along both sides of a lower portion of the packing seat back 202 of the packing frame 200, embodiments disclosed herein may include any number of vacuum ports in such vertical arrangement.

[0046] In certain exemplary embodiments, each vacuum port 232 may comprise a flexible conduit. That is, a conduit portion of each vacuum port 232 extending between the vertically extending air evacuation device 230 and packing seat back 202 may comprise a flexible material that enables each vacuum port 232 to be reoriented in different directions, such as directions other than the generally horizontal direction shown in FIG. 4 Flexible material may also enable each vacuum port 232 to be reoriented in a direction other than the direction shown in FIG. 5, which is generally parallel to the widthwise direction of the packing seat back 202. Such reorientation can enable adjustment of air evacuation in response to differing processing conditions. In certain exemplary embodiments, flexible conduit may comprise at least one material selected from plastic and metal.

[0047] In operation, at least subsequent to positing a substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) on packing frame 200 and prior to positing a flexible interleaf 90 on the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62), air is evacuated through vacuum ports 232 from an area proximate to at least a portion of a surface of the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) positioned on the packing frame 200. In certain exemplary embodiments, air may be continuously evacuated from an area proximate to at least a portion of a surface of the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62). Such vacuum ports 232 may be operated independently with respect to parameters such as orientation, timing, and flow rates relative to other vacuum ports 232.

[0048] In certain exemplary embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) is positioned on the packing frame 200 in a substantially vertical orientation and the step of evacuating air comprises evacuating air from an area proximate to at least a lower portion of a major surface of the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the step of evacuating comprises evacuating air from both sides of at least a lower portion of a major surface of the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) by operating air evacuation device 230 comprising a plurality of vacuum ports 232 on both sides of at least a lower portion of a major surface of the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62).

[0049] In certain exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of vacuum ports 232 provide at least a partial vacuum that evacuates air from at least a lower portion of a major surface of the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62). In certain exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of vacuum ports 232 are operated at a negative pressure of at least about 1 inch of water (at least about 0.25 KPa), such as from about 1 inch to about 10 inches of water (from about 0.25 KPa to about 2.5 KPa), and further such as from about 1 inch of water to about 5 inches of water (from about 0.25 KPa to about 1.25 KPa), and yet further such as from about 1 inch of water to about 2 inches of water (from about 0.25 KPa to about 0.5 KPa). The negative gauge pressure of each vacuum port 232 can be enabled when vacuum ports 232 are in fluid communication with a stationary air evacuation mechanism 220, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Specifically, when the packing apparatus base 210 is in either the first or second position, as described above, the air evacuation device 230, comprising plurality of vacuum ports 232, is in fluid communication with stationary air evacuation mechanism 220.

Stationary air evacuation mechanism 220 comprises a vacuum source 224, such as, for example, the V-12XL booster fan available from Vortex Powerfans. [0050] In certain exemplary embodiments, an interface 222 between air evacuation device 230 and stationary air evacuation mechanism 220 comprises a brushing. Brushing may, for example, comprise at least one material selected from plastic, nylon, rubber, and horse hair and may be present on one or both of air evacuation device 230 and stationary air evacuation mechanism 220 at interface 222. Brushing can serve to minimize the leakage of air flowing between air evacuation device 230 and stationary air evacuation mechanism 220 while at the same time allowing for rotational movement of packing apparatus base 210 between the first and second positions with minimal mechanical interference. Because some air leakage may still be expected between air evacuation device 230 and stationary air evacuation mechanism 220, vacuum source 224 may be operated at a negative gauge pressure having a somewhat greater absolute value than the negative gauge pressure intended for vacuum ports 232. For example, where each vacuum port 232 is intended to be operated at a negative pressure of about 1 inch of water, vacuum source 224 may be operated at a somewhat more negative gauge pressure, such as, for example, from about 2 inches to about 20 inches of water, depending on the degree of leakage between vacuum source 224 and vacuum port 232.

[0051] FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of a flexible interleaf 90 being positioned on a substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) positioned on a packing frame 200 that is included in a packing apparatus (not shown) that also includes an operating air evacuation device 230. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows a plurality of substrates (i.e., glass sheets 62) positioned on the packing frame 200 wherein a flexible interleaf 90 is positioned between each otherwise adjacent substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) such that the substrates (i.e., glass sheets 62) and flexible interleafs 90 are positioned on the packing frame 200 in an alternating arrangement. In operation, air evacuation device 230 evacuates air from both sides of at least a lower portion of a major surface of the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) as, for example, described above.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, flexible interleaf 90 is moved toward packing frame 200 via arm tool 300 in the direction indicated by arrow A. However, in contrast to the movement of flexible interleaf 90 illustrated in FIG. 3, air evacuation enabled by operation of air evacuation device 230, results in substantially greater uniformity of the relative velocity of different areas of the flexible interleaf 90, as shown, for example, by the relatively straight profile of flexible interleaf 90 illustrated in FIG. 6. Such greater uniformity can greatly minimize the possibility of flexible interleaf 90 being folded or otherwise positioned on the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62) in an unintended manner. Such greater uniformity can also substantially decrease the settling time of the flexible interleaf 90 onto the substrate (i.e., glass sheet 62), thereby enabling improved process time efficiency. [0053] While the above embodiments have been described with reference to a fusion down draw process, it is to be understood that such embodiments are also applicable to other glass forming processes, such as float processes, slot draw processes, up-draw processes, tube drawing processes, and press-rolling processes.

[0054] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to embodiment of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus it is intended that the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.