PROCESS FOR SEPARATING SOLID OBJECTS FROM BRITTLE MATERIALS, E.G. GLASS

1. A method of dividing solid objects (1) of breakable material, for example glass, of which the geometry has (at least) one plane of symmetry by bisection along the plane of symmetry forming the dividing plane (2) by means of heat-induced stresses, the material first being weakened by a score line (3) applied to the surface of the objects (1) at the proposed dividing plane (2), after which the objects (1) are cooled symmetrically to the dividing plane (2) so that, starting from the score line (3) or a part thereof, they are split in the dividing plane (2) - apart from a residual area (4) - under the effect of the thermal stresses generated, characterized in that, after this partial splitting operation, the objects (1) are split along the residual area (4) in the proposed dividing plane (2) by the application during the cooling process or during an interruption therein of two oppositely directed compressive forces (5) of equal intensity acting along the same line to the outside of the objects (1) perpendicularly od the dividing plane (2) at such places that their effect in the dividing plane (2) is largely concentrated on an area outside the intact residual area (4).