METHOD AND KNIFE FOR SEPARATING A GLASS PANEL FROM A SPACEHOLDER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for separating at least one glass pane of an insulating glass unit from a spacer arranged laterally on an inner surface of the glass pane, wherein the spacer is bonded to the inner surface of the glass pane and wherein the spacer is cut at least partially, preferably completely, in a separation step by an oscillating knife penetrating the spacer along a longitudinal extent of the spacer and transversely to the longitudinal extent, while the oscillating knife moves in the cutting direction of the knife along the longitudinal extent of the spacer relative to the glass pane.

[0002] Insulating glass units are also known as multiple-pane insulating glass. A typical insulating glass unit has at least two parallel and spaced-apart panes of glass, between which an air- or gas-filled, and gas- and moisture-tight, cavity of a defined width is provided. This sealed cavity is formed by the glass panes and a surrounding spacer, which is bonded to the inner surfaces of the panes.

[0003] The spacer typically consists of a bent, perforated profile tube made of steel, aluminum, or plastic, facing the space between the panes. Alternatively, spacers can also be made of coiled profiles. Butyl is usually used to bond such spacers to the glass panes. A secondary sealant, typically made of Diacol, silicone, or a similar material, is applied along the outer surface of the spacer, which is set inwards relative to the glass edge, to increase the rigidity of the insulating glass unit.

[0004] The spacer can also consist of an extruded plastic bead that is applied directly to the inner surface of a glass pane in the area of ​​the glass edge, before another glass pane is pressed against the plastic bead with its inner surface.

[0005] Since the guidelines regarding CO2 emissions generated during the production of building products are regularly tightened in the construction and materials industry, there are strong efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and resource consumption in glass production through the recycling of insulating glass elements.

[0006] By dismantling insulating glass units, the individual glass panes, separated by spacers, can be reused either as raw material for remelting in the form of shards or as reusable panes in new products. Reusing the panes eliminates the need for conventional remelting, leading to a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions.

[0007] AT 364 513 B discloses, for example, a method and a device for manually dismantling insulating glass elements using a blade.

[0008] In practice, the use of oscillating cutters with a simple blade shape is also known for the manual dismantling of insulating glass units. This method is mostly used for cutting soft spacers.

[0009] EP 1 031 542 A2 discloses a device and a method for dismantling insulating glass units by separating the edge region of the insulating glass unit, in which the spacer is arranged, using a water jet directed perpendicular to the glass panes. Similarly, US 8,621,738 B2 describes the mechanical removal of the edge using cutting wheels. Both of these methods reduce the size of the pane. Furthermore, cutting, for example, tempered glass often leads to breakage.

[0010] WO 2020 / 018377 A1 describes a process in which the glass panes of an electrochromatic insulating glass unit are separated using a heated knife. For subsequent recycling, the two glass panes are broken.

[0011] WO 2013 / 135712 A1 describes a method for removing the glazing from a window or door sash, as well as a swing cutter blade unit that can be attached to an electric or pneumatic swing cutter. Since the method described in WO 2013 / 135712 A1 is primarily intended for removing damaged panes of glass from a frame that can be reused, the method is designed to prevent damage to the frame rather than to the glass pane.

[0012] A process developed by the company PushCorp is known in which the spacer is cut through using a rapidly rotating saw blade. A robotic arm moves a circular saw blade relative to the insulating glass unit. Subsequently, the spacer remnants adhering to the glass panes are milled off, and then the primary and secondary seals are removed using grinding wheels, followed by a final grinding.

[0013] The traditional manual separation of insulating glass units requires very sharp, thin knives, considerable strength, and significant experience to efficiently remove the spacer. Often, the coated and therefore delicate inner surfaces of the glass panes are scratched during the separation process, rendering the glass unusable. The ease with which insulating glass units can be separated manually depends heavily on the strength of the bond (i.e., the adhesive) between the spacer and the glass pane. In particular, manually separating aged insulating glass units is usually very time-consuming and prone to breakage.

[0014] The invention therefore aims to provide a method that avoids the aforementioned problems as far as possible. In particular, it aims to provide a method for separating a glass pane of an insulating glass unit from a spacer arranged laterally on an inner surface of the glass pane. This method should allow the spacer to be removed from the glass pane as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, without leaving any residue, and without causing glass breakage or damage to the inner surface of the glass, or without removing any glass. Furthermore, the invention should enable a simple separation of insulating glass, especially stepped insulating glass, without reducing the glass size. This method should be suitable for both tempered and untempered glass and should separate the spacer from the glass panes as completely as possible without damaging sensitive coatings on the inner surface of the glass.

[0015] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method that has the features of claim 1.

[0016] Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0017] According to the invention, it is provided that in the inventive method The knife is positioned outside the spacer and spaced away from the inner surface before penetrating the spacer, while its blade is pivoted at an acute angle to a plane of the inner surface and about a longitudinal pivot axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the spacer, such that after being positioned outside the spacer and spaced away from the inner surface and before being set into oscillation, the knife penetrates the spacer to a predefined starting depth with substantially no vibration, and the oscillating knife penetrating the spacer is moved with its blade towards the inner surface until a predefined distance of the blade to the inner surface is reached, and during this time is pivoted about the longitudinal pivot axis towards the inner surface until a predefined longitudinal angle between the inner surface and the blade is reached.

[0018] By using an oscillating knife to cut through the spacer in the inventive method, the spacer can be removed from the glass pane as effectively and completely as possible. Since the knife is initially positioned at a distance from the inner surface and only moved towards the inner surface with its blade in the oscillating state (preferably before the cutting step), the risk of glass breakage is greatly reduced.

[0019] The spacer typically runs along the edge of the glass pane, in particular offset inwards from the glass edge, and has a closed, preferably multi-angled, especially rectangular, shape. The spacer can thus consist of several sections adjoining each other at right angles, preferably straight. In rectangular insulating glass units, the spacer also has a rectangular shape, i.e., it has four straight sections connected at right angles to each other, forming a kind of frame.

[0020] Within the scope of the invention, the "longitudinal extent of the spacer" is considered to be the longitudinal extent of that section of the spacer, in particular the straight section, which is cut through in the process.

[0021] The spacer is preferably cut through completely along its longitudinal extent (i.e. over its entire depth), in particular up to an end of the spacer seen in its longitudinal extent (whereby a further section of the spacer may be connected at an angle to this end).

[0022] A movement of the knife along the longitudinal extent of the spacer relative to the glass pane means that the knife is stationary and the glass pane is moving, that the glass pane is stationary and the knife is moving, that the knife and the glass pane are moving in opposite directions, or that the knife and the glass pane are moving at different speeds in the same direction, with the knife moving faster.

[0023] The oscillating knife moves towards the inner surface of the glass pane, but this does not mean that it is moved towards the glass pane throughout the entire process (or the cutting step), but only that it is moved towards the inner surface of the glass pane at some point during the process (preferably before the cutting step and before the knife moves relative to the glass pane) until the predefined distance is reached.

[0024] The oscillating knife can therefore be moved towards the inner surface before the separation step, in particular before it moves along the longitudinal extent of the spacer relative to the glass pane, and / or during the separation step.

[0025] Due to the oscillation, the knife preferably vibrates within an angular range of + / -2° and at a frequency between 100 and 300 Hertz.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the predefined distance is zero, meaning the oscillating knife is moved with its blade towards the inner surface until the blade rests against the inner surface. This allows the spacer to be removed from the glass pane with as little residue as possible. However, the predefined distance can be greater than zero, for example, less than 1 mm, and particularly less than 0.5 mm. While this may leave residue of the spacer on the glass pane, it further minimizes the risk of breakage. The remaining residue can be removed in a subsequent process or process step.

[0027] In one variation of the method, the knife is positioned laterally next to the spacer (viewed longitudinally) before penetrating it. Upon penetration, the knife travels essentially perpendicular to the spacer's length to a predefined maximum depth. With this method, the knife can be positioned at a distance from a corner of the glass pane, further reducing the risk of breakage.

[0028] In this variant, when cutting through the spacer, the knife naturally penetrates the spacer in the direction of its longitudinal extent, but initially also perpendicular to the longitudinal extent.

[0029] The predefined maximum depth preferably corresponds to the depth of the spacer, so that it is completely separated from the inner surface.

[0030] The knife, positioned in this manner before penetration, penetrates the spacer to a predefined maximum depth when set in oscillation, preferably before the cutting step, and especially before it moves along the spacer's longitudinal axis relative to the glass pane. This ensures that the spacer is cut as uniformly as possible. However, the knife can also penetrate the spacer to the predefined maximum depth during the cutting step, for example, to accelerate the process. The predefined maximum depth can be chosen such that the spacer is completely cut through transversely to its longitudinal axis, or that a narrow area adjacent to the gap remains transversely to the longitudinal axis, in which the spacer adheres to the glass pane.For spacers with rigid or flexible frames, the maximum depth is specifically chosen so that the knife blade penetrates between the inner surface and the frame.

[0031] Within the framework of the method, if the knife is positioned next to the spacer before penetration, the spacer can be at least partially cut through in an alignment step, preferably directly before the cutting step, by an oscillating knife penetrating the spacer along a longitudinal extent of the spacer and transversely to this longitudinal extent, while the oscillating knife moves along the longitudinal extent of the spacer relative to the glass pane in the opposite direction to the cutting direction of the knife. This allows the spacer to be cut through along its entire longitudinal extent (i.e., along the entire longitudinal extent of that section of the spacer that is separated from the glass pane), even if the knife is positioned a short distance from the nearest corner of the glass pane before penetration.

[0032] In an alternative version of the method, the knife is positioned in front of the spacer, viewed along its longitudinal axis, before penetrating it. In this version, the glass pane can be moved past the knife, which remains in a fixed position, to cut through the spacer. The knife penetrates the spacer from the outset with a cut in its longitudinal direction, which already has the preferred depth – viewed transversely to the spacer's longitudinal axis. The preferred depth preferably corresponds to the total depth of the spacer, so that it is completely separated from the inner surface.

[0033] In another variation, the knife is also positioned in front of the spacer (viewed longitudinally) before penetrating it, but not yet in the correct orientation for performing the cutting step. This means it is not yet angled to the inner surface of the glass pane and / or not yet shifted far enough transversely to an extension of the spacer's longitudinal axis. In this variation as well, the glass pane is moved past the knife to cut through the spacer, during which time the knife's position (with regard to the angle between the knife and the inner surface and the knife's penetration depth into the spacer) is changed.

[0034] Within the scope of the invention, it is preferred that the oscillating blade is moved towards the inner surface before the cutting step, particularly before it moves along the longitudinal extent of the spacer relative to the glass pane. This ensures that the spacer is removed from the glass pane with as little residue as possible. However, the blade can also be moved towards the inner surface only during the cutting step, which speeds up the process. In the variant where the blade is positioned next to the spacer before penetration, the blade is moved towards the glass pane, particularly before the cutting step.

[0035] According to the invention, after being positioned outside the spacer and at a distance from the inner surface, and before being set into oscillation (i.e., at least before the cutting step), the knife penetrates a predefined starting depth into the spacer to a substantially vibration-free depth. This enables the knife to penetrate the spacer with the highest possible degree of precision. Alternatively, the knife can also be brought right up to the spacer until it is in direct contact with it.

[0036] The invention provides that, prior to penetrating the spacer, the knife blade is pivoted at an acute angle to a plane of the inner surface and about a longitudinal pivot axis that runs essentially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the spacer, while the knife is positioned outside the spacer and at a distance from the inner surface. This pivoted initial position is particularly advantageous in a variant where the knife is positioned laterally next to the spacer before penetration, as the knife blade can then penetrate the spacer obliquely to its maximum depth, while simultaneously moving at least temporarily towards the inner surface.

[0037] According to the invention, the knife blade can be pivoted at an acute angle to a plane of the inner surface and about a transverse pivot axis that is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the spacer before penetrating the spacer, while the knife is positioned outside the spacer and spaced away from the inner surface. This facilitates the movement of the knife blade towards the inner surface, particularly in a variant where the knife is positioned in front of the spacer before penetration.

[0038] In the invention, the oscillating knife, which is pivoted about a longitudinal pivot axis before penetrating the spacer, is pivoted about this longitudinal pivot axis as it moves with its blade towards the inner surface until a predefined longitudinal angle between the inner surface and the blade is reached. This reduces the acute angle between the plane of the inner surface and the knife that was present before penetration. The pivoting action ensures that the blade lies as close as possible to the inner surface during cutting, minimizing residue.

[0039] Within the scope of the invention, the predefined longitudinal angle can be essentially zero. However, it is preferred that the knife blade, with its leading edge (intended for cutting) resting against the inner surface, remains pivoted by a minimal longitudinal angle towards the inner surface, so that contact between the knife and the glass pane is avoided in the area of ​​the glass edge (as this would increase the risk of glass breakage). The angle can therefore preferably be ≥ 0° and ≤ 5°, in particular between 0.5° and 1.5°.

[0040] Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible that the oscillating knife penetrating the spacer, while moving with its blade towards the inner surface, is pivoted about a transverse pivot axis, which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the spacer, away from a plane of the inner surface up to an engagement angle. Before pivoting to the engagement angle, the knife can be oriented essentially parallel to a plane of the inner surface or already inclined at an acute angle to the inner surface.

[0041] Within the scope of the invention, it is preferred that the knife has a knife base adjoining the knife blade, against which the knife is set into oscillation, and that during the cutting step the knife blade (at least without pivoting about a transverse axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the spacer, in particular) rests substantially flat against the inner surface and is rotated relative to the knife base by a rotational angle. The knife blade and the knife base are rotated relative to each other such that the knife blade is pressed against the inner surface with an edge pointing in the cutting direction. Since the edge of the knife blade pointing in the cutting direction is pressed against the inner surface, the risk of this edge "lifting off" from the inner surface during the cutting step and cutting undesirably deeply into the spacer is minimized.This is particularly important for spacers that have a rigid frame, as it prevents the frame from being damaged by the oscillating knife in areas where elements of the rigid frame are inserted into each other.

[0042] To achieve the desired twist, the oscillating knife, if it is already pivoted towards the plane of the inner surface before or during penetration, can be moved towards the inner surface until its blade touches it and beyond, so that even the sections of the blade not yet in contact with the inner surface are moved towards it. This causes a twist between the blade and the base of the knife until the desired angle of twist is reached. In cases where the already penetrated, oscillating knife is essentially stationary and lying flat against the inner surface, the blade base can be pivoted about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the spacer until the blade is twisted relative to the base by the desired angle of twist.

[0043] It is conceivable that the knife, especially the blade, is cooled before and / or during the cutting process by applying, particularly by spraying, a cooling medium. The cooling medium can be applied, for example, using cooling nozzles. This reduces the heating of the blade and thus prevents the material on the blade from melting and the spacer from becoming smeared during the cutting process.

[0044] Before the blade is positioned outside the spacer and away from the inner surface before penetrating it, position data concerning the blade and / or the inner surface are preferably determined by a sensor device, in particular an optical position sensor. Based on this determined position data, the blade can be positioned with exceptional precision. This allows spacers of varying thicknesses to be cut and compensates for positioning inaccuracies of the insulating glass unit relative to the blade. It also enables the easy removal of a spacer from a single pane of glass as well as from several adjacent panes. Alternatively, the blade can be positioned automatically by a control unit that is provided with data regarding the thickness of the spacer and the type of insulating glass unit.

[0045] Preferably, before the cutting step and, if necessary, before the alignment step, the spacer is pre-cut in an area spaced away from the inner surface by means of a pre-cutting device. This pre-cutting cut extends along the longitudinal extent of the spacer to a predefined cutting depth. This pre-cutting cut serves to reduce stress in the spacer.

[0046] For spacers with a frame and a secondary seal running around the outside of the frame, the predefined pre-cutting depth is selected such that the secondary seal is cut through to the frame and the frame is cut or at least pressed in. To perform the pre-cutting step, the pre-cutting device comprises a cutting tool, preferably another oscillating knife, a rotating cutting knife, a rotating saw blade, or a rotating cutting disc.

[0047] The pre-cutting tool can also be positioned using a sensor system that collects positional data about the glass pane. Like the knife, the pre-cutting tool can also be cooled before and during the pre-cutting process. Furthermore, a suction device can be provided to collect any cutting debris.

[0048] If a rotating cutting tool is used in an automated device utilizing the process, the rotational movement of the tool, in combination with the lateral friction of the tool in the cutting gap created by the pre-cutting step, can be used to transport the glass pane along a processing direction.

[0049] The following types of spacers can preferably be separated from a glass pane using the method according to the invention (in the manner specified): Spacer with a rigid frame, wherein the frame is connected to the glass pane via a primary seal arranged between the frame and the inner surface and via a secondary seal extending around the outside of the frame and adhering laterally to the inner surface, and wherein in the process the secondary seal is / are at least partially, in particular completely, and preferably also the primary seal is / are partially or completely cut. Spacer with a flexible frame adhering directly to the inner surface via an adhesive bond, wherein the frame is connected to the glass pane via a secondary seal extending around the outside of the frame and adhering laterally to the inner surface, and wherein in the process the secondary seal is / are at least partially, in particular completely, and preferably also the adhesive bond is / are partially or completely cut.Spacer comprising a bead of material applied directly to the inner surface by an extrusion process, wherein the bead of material is connected to the glass pane via a secondary seal extending around the outside of the bead of material and adhering laterally to the inner surface, and wherein in the process the secondary seal is at least partially, in particular completely, and preferably also the adhesive bond between the bead of material and the glass pane or the bead of material itself is partially or completely severed.

[0050] To carry out the process, an automated processing device can be used, comprising a support and conveying device for the supported transport of one or more adjacent glass panes of an insulating glass unit in a processing direction, as well as at least one cutting device. The support and conveying device preferably serves for the supported transport of insulating glass units in an upright or slightly inclined position (i.e., with an inclination of up to 10°, typically 6°). If a support and conveying device is used in which the insulating glass unit is transported in an upright or slightly inclined position, pressure means (e.g., pressure rollers) can be provided to press the insulating glass unit against the support and conveying device during the process. However, it is also conceivable that the insulating glass units are transported essentially horizontally, i.e.,The parts are transported lying flat on the support and conveying device. With an automated processing device, the inventive method can be carried out particularly efficiently and with minimal personnel.

[0051] When the inventive method is carried out using the automated processing device, the knife load can be continuously measured during the cutting step, for example, by measuring the motor current or the motor power of the oscillator. An increase in knife load when cutting spacers with rigid frames may indicate that the oscillating knife has entered the area of ​​a plug connection between two adjacent elements of the rigid frame. In such a case, the knife can be partially or completely pulled out of the spacer and repositioned in the cutting direction in order to continue the cutting step. This prevents damage to the rigid frame of the spacer and the associated residue of spacer material on the inner glass surface, as well as the escape of the desiccant contained in the frame.Alternatively or in combination, the drive current of the motor(s) for transporting the insulating glass elements or for moving the oscillator can also be used to detect the resistance.

[0052] The cutting device comprises a positioning device and at least one oscillator connected to the positioning device. Within the scope of the invention, an oscillator is defined as a device with which a knife can be set into vibration in a plane of the knife blade. The oscillator particularly has a base body with a working end in the region of which the oscillating knife, projecting beyond the base body, is arranged. The positioning device serves to position and preferably to move the knife relative to the insulating glass element.

[0053] The processing device can be integrated into a processing line that has further stations where, for example, the glass pane is lifted from the spacer that has been completely or partially separated, or residues of the spacer are removed from the glass pane.

[0054] The positioning device includes at least a approach device with which the oscillator is moved transversely to the longitudinal extent of the spacer to be cut towards or away from the inner surface 5 of the glass pane 1 and may also include one or more of the following devices: A pivoting device is required to pivot the oscillator relative to the glass pane(s). Such a device may be needed to pivot the blade before penetration, so that an angle is established between the blade and the plane of the inner surface, or to establish such an angle at a later time, or to decrease or increase an established angle, or to rotate the blade relative to the inner surface by an angle. The pivoting device may also simultaneously be designed to move the blade (via the oscillator) transversely to the longitudinal extent of the spacer to be cut, towards or into the spacer and away from or out of it, allowing the blade to penetrate the spacer to the cutting depth (in particular, to the maximum depth).A transverse travel device with which the oscillator is moved transversely to the longitudinal extent of the spacer to be cut, towards and away from the spacer (this is in . Fig. 12 (indicated by a double arrow). Such a device is required to adapt to insulating glass units of different sizes. A longitudinal travel device with which the oscillator is moved along the longitudinal extent of the spacer to be cut. Such a device is particularly necessary for cutting steps that are carried out in the vertical direction, since these cuts run perpendicular to the processing direction. A rotary device with which the oscillator is rotated about an axis running perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the spacer to be cut (this is in Fig. 12(indicated by an arrow running around the curve). Such a device is particularly necessary when a single cutting device is to be used to perform cutting steps in both horizontal and vertical directions, i.e., when the cutting device, and thus the blade, arriving at a corner of the insulating glass unit after cutting through a section of the spacer, must be rotated by an angle (e.g., 90°) so that the next section of the spacer (connected at an angle to the previous section) can be cut through.

[0055] In an automated processing device, a pre-cutting unit with a rotating cutting tool can be used to perform a pre-cut as described above. The pre-cutting unit is preferably positioned on the processing device such that, when the glass pane(s) are transported in the processing direction, the cutting tool, viewed from the front, meets the spacer along its longitudinal axis and at least partially cuts it. In particular, the glass pane(s) can be transported past the pre-cutting unit in the processing direction due to the rotation and lateral friction of the rotating cutting tool. Such pre-cutting units can be particularly conveniently integrated into the support and conveying system.The pre-separation device can be responsible, in whole or at least in part, for transporting the glass pane(s) in the processing direction.

[0056] A pre-cutting device may also include a device for moving the pre-cutting device along the longitudinal extent of the spacer, especially when the pre-cutting device is used for vertically running pre-cutting cuts (in this case, the pre-cutting device does not contribute to the transport of the glass pane(s)).

[0057] To carry out the method, a manually operated oscillator can also be used within the scope of the invention, comprising: a base body with a processing end on which the blade, projecting beyond the base body and capable of oscillation, is arranged; a guide arranged outside the base body and spaced from the processing end by a variable distance and having a contact surface for contact with the glass pane and / or the spacer; a spacer device connected to the base body with which the guide can be moved between a starting position and an end position, wherein in the starting position the guide is as far away as possible from the processing end so that the blade projects beyond the contact surface with a minimal length, and in the end position it is moved as close as possible to the processing end.such that the knife blade projects beyond the support surface to a maximum length, and wherein at least one return element of the spacer device (in particular one or more springs) exerts a return force on the guide, which pushes the guide towards the initial position, and preferably locking devices with which the position of the initial position and the end position (i.e., how far the guide can be moved closest to the end of the machining operation and how far it can be positioned furthest away from the end of the machining operation) and thus the minimum length and the maximum length can be adjusted.

[0058] The guide allows the knife to be positioned with exceptional precision against the spacer or moved along its length. Setting the minimum blade length (i.e., by changing the position of the starting point) determines how far the blade protrudes from the support surface in its starting position. For example, a minimum length can be set that allows the blade to penetrate the spacer without touching the inside of the glass surface in the area that may be coated. Setting the maximum length (i.e., by changing the position of the end point) determines the maximum extent to which the blade may protrude from the support surface and penetrate the spacer; that is, how far it may penetrate when the oscillator is pressed with a strong force exceeding the restoring force, with its working end directed towards the spacer, for example, to achieve a specific result.to be able to penetrate deep enough into the spacer, even in the area of ​​a bulge in the spacer.

[0059] The guide also prevents the base of the oscillating knife from hitting the edge of the glass, which would increase the risk of glass breakage.

[0060] The method according to the invention can be used to cut through the horizontal and / or vertical sections of a spacer in a substantially upright, rectangular insulating glass unit. For example, in a processing device, only the lower horizontal section of the spacer can be cut from the glass pane. By arranging several such processing devices in series with intermediate devices for rotating the insulating glass unit (e.g., by 90° each time), the entire spacer can be cut off in a processing line. It is also conceivable that the upper and lower horizontal sections and / or the lateral vertical sections of the spacer are cut simultaneously.A processing device may also use a cutting device or several cutting devices that cut off several horizontal and / or vertical (or even inclined) sections of the spacer in an insulating glass element that is stationary (especially at least temporarily).

[0061] This method makes it possible to detach a spacer located between two glass panes from one of the panes. It is also possible to detach a spacer that is attached to only a single glass pane from that pane.

[0062] Particularly when the process is carried out with an automated processing device, it is also possible to separate the spacer from both glass panes simultaneously (or almost simultaneously, i.e., with a slight time offset) during the process. For this purpose, for example, two separating devices, each with an oscillator, can be positioned directly behind one another, so that some or all of the steps described in the process are carried out almost simultaneously or with a slight time offset on both sides of the spacer. In a support and conveying device that transports the insulating glass units upright or at a slight incline, two separating devices can be arranged at the top and / or bottom and / or on each of the vertical sides.

[0063] The knife used in the method according to the invention preferably has a knife base with a connection for attachment to a tool, in particular an oscillator. Furthermore, the knife preferably has a knife blade adjacent to the knife base with a knife tip, wherein the knife blade has a leading edge which, when the knife is used as intended, points in the cutting direction and extends from a knife base to a knife tip, and a trailing edge which extends from the knife base to the knife tip.

[0064] The knife can also have multiple points, in which case several adjacent sections of the blade edge in a front or rear area (e.g., a section between the base of the knife and a first point, and a section between the first point and another point) can be considered together as the front edge or the rear edge. Likewise, the knife may not have a defined point, in which case the area of ​​the blade furthest from the base of the knife is considered the point.

[0065] Preferably, the knife blade and the knife base are not arranged in the same plane, but in parallel, spaced-apart planes, i.e., offset from each other. This prevents the oscillating element, which engages the knife base, from coming into contact with the glass edge and thereby damaging the glass pane. Furthermore, this arrangement enables the cutting of stepped insulating glass units, since during the cutting process with such a knife, the oscillating element is spaced away from the inner surface, even when the knife blade is in full contact with the inner surface.

[0066] Furthermore, it is preferred if at least that side surface of the knife blade which, in the use according to the invention, points towards the inner surface of the glass pane (from which the spacer is to be separated), is as flat as possible, so that the knife blade can lie flat against the inner surface.

[0067] These two measures make it possible to separate stepped insulating glass units with the knife used in the inventive method, i.e., insulating glass units in which one of the outer glass panes is larger than the other glass pane(s) and projects significantly (e.g., 300 mm or more) beyond the spacer. This is because, by spacing the planes in which the knife blade and the knife base are arranged, the oscillator on which the knife with its blade base is arranged is also offset from the plane of the knife blade (which, during the separation step, can essentially correspond to the plane of the inner surface).

[0068] For carrying out the method according to the invention, the knife with the features described above is particularly preferably used.

[0069] According to the invention, the blade of the knife preferably used in the inventive method has a through-hole arranged between the front and rear edges. This through-hole serves two essential purposes. Firstly, it allows material to be discharged when cutting the spacer not only in the area of ​​the front or rear edge, but also in the area of ​​the through-hole. Secondly, providing a through-hole reduces the surface area of ​​the blade in contact with the spacer during cutting, without significantly impairing the stability of the blade. By reducing the surface area of ​​the blade in contact with the spacer, the oscillation power of the knife required to cut the spacer can be reduced.The removal of material through the through-hole and the reduction of the required oscillation power reduce the smearing of the spacer - especially the primary seal - during the separation step.

[0070] The through-hole is therefore preferably dimensioned such that even when a knife blade has penetrated the spacer to its maximum depth, it is not completely covered by the spacer, so that material can be discharged in the free area of ​​the through-hole.

[0071] The through-hole is particularly preferably slot-shaped and has a longitudinal extension, the longitudinal extension of the through-hole running essentially in the direction from the base of the knife to the tip of the knife. This ensures that the through-hole is sufficiently large for material discharge and that the area of ​​the blade in the region projecting into the spacer during the cutting step is as small as possible.

[0072] A rounded knife tip is particularly preferred. This reduces the risk of glass breakage.

[0073] For optimal cutting performance and efficient material removal, the blade tip can be offset towards the center of the blade base, and in particular, project beyond the blade base at the side of the leading edge. In such an embodiment, the through-hole therefore runs obliquely from the blade base to the blade tip, provided the through-hole is a slot-shaped through-hole as described above. This enables particularly efficient material removal.

[0074] It is particularly preferred if the leading edge, and preferably also the trailing edge, is beveled, in particular ground or chamfered, at a side surface of the knife facing away from the inner surface during use. This means that the knife blade is beveled from the leading edge, over the tip, to the trailing edge. The cutting edge is beveled at an angle of preferably 2° to 30° on the side surface facing away from the inner surface. This beveling, grinding, or chamfering ensures that when cutting through the spacer, the cutting edge of the knife blade is pressed against the inner surface (i.e., it prevents the cutting edge from lifting off the inner surface).

[0075] It is also preferred that the leading edge, and preferably also the trailing edge, is beveled, in particular ground or chamfered, in an area near the base of the blade on a side surface of the blade facing the inner surface during use. In this area(s), the cutting edge is beveled at an angle of preferably 5° to 45° on the inner-facing side surface. This beveling, grinding, or chamfering prevents the cutting edge from coming into contact with the glass edge, thereby reducing the risk of glass breakage.

[0076] The blade can taper unilaterally or bilaterally from the blade base to the blade tip to minimize the lateral expansion of the spacer during the separation step. The taper may be present only in sections and may, but need not, connect to the blade base and / or extend to the blade tip. Preferably, the taper extends to a central region of the blade, so that the portion of the blade penetrating the spacer (particularly the primary seal) in the inventive application has a uniform thickness that is, however, significantly thinner than the thickness of the blade base. For example, the blade may be approximately 0.6–1 mm thick at the base and taper to 0.2–0.5 mm at the section that penetrates the spacer (particularly the primary seal) during the separation step.

[0077] Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments are illustrated. These show: Fig. 1 a sectional view through a simplified insulating glass element, Fig. 2 a knife usable in the inventive method in a side view, Fig. 3 the knife made of Fig. 2 In another side view, Fig. 4, two knives usable in the inventive method are shown, each during a separation step according to the method, whereby a spacer is separated from two glass panes almost simultaneously; in a side view, Fig. 5, the knife during the Fig. 4Figures 6 to 8 show the separation step in a rear view, Figures 9 to 11 show the penetration of the knife into the spacer according to a first variant of the method, Figures 9 to 11 show the penetration of the knife into the spacer according to a further variant of the method, Figure 12 shows an automated processing device for the automated execution of the method according to the invention in a side view, Figure 13 shows a [missing information] in the processing device made of Fig. 12 usable separating device in a side view, Fig. 14; a pre-separation device usable in the method according to the invention during a pre-separation step in a side view, Figs. 15 and 16; the pre-separation device made of Fig. 14 in two different embodiments in a rear view, Fig. 17 an oscillator for the manual execution of the method according to the invention in a side view, and Fig. 18 the oscillator made of Fig. 17 in a front view.

[0078] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a conventional insulating glass unit in a simplified view and sectioned along a plane perpendicular to the glass surfaces of the insulating glass unit. The insulating glass unit consists of at least two glass panes 1, which are oriented essentially parallel to each other, and between which a spacer 2 is arranged. In the Fig. 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating glass element even has three glass panes 1, with a spacer 2 arranged between the outer glass panes 1 and the inner glass pane 1.

[0079] The insulating glass unit shown is a stepped insulating glass unit in which one of the outer glass panes 1 (in the illustration the right glass pane 1) is larger than the other glass panes 1 and protrudes significantly beyond the spacer 2.

[0080] The further figures show an insulating glass unit with only two glass panes 1 and a spacer 2 arranged between them, and / or a non-stepped insulating glass unit. However, the method according to the invention can also be applied to an insulating glass unit with more than two glass panes 1, or to an insulating glass unit that is already "open," i.e., has one glass pane 1 with a spacer 2 attached to it, on the other side of which no glass pane 1 is arranged, or to an insulating glass unit with glass panes 1 of largely equal size.

[0081] The spacer 2 has a closed frame shape and runs slightly offset inwards to a glass edge 3 of the glass pane 1.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment (and also in the other embodiments shown in the figures) the spacer 2 consists of a rigid frame 4 which is bonded on both sides to an inner surface 5 of the adjacent glass pane 1 via a primary seal 6.

[0083] A secondary seal 7 is inserted around the outside of the frame 4 in the "trough" running between the frame 4 and the adjacent glass panes 1, which adheres (or is glued) to the frame 4 and to the inner surfaces 5 of the adjacent glass panes 1.

[0084] The Figs. 2 and 3 Figure 8 shows a knife 8, which can be used in the method according to the invention, in two different side views.

[0085] The knife 8 has a knife base 9 with a connection 11 for attachment to a [missing information] in the Figs. 2 and 3The oscillator 12 (not shown) is attached to the knife base 9. A knife blade 13 of the knife 8, which has a knife tip 14, is connected to the knife base 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the knife tip 14 is rounded.

[0086] The knife 8 is suitable and designed to oscillate, dh to be set into vibration in the plane of the knife blade 13.

[0087] The knife blade 13 further has a leading edge 15 that extends from the knife base 9 to the knife tip 14 and points in a cutting direction S when the knife 8 is used as intended. The knife blade 13 also has a trailing edge 16 that likewise extends from the knife base 9 to the knife tip 14.

[0088] In Fig. 2 The front edge 15 runs to the right and the rear edge 16 to the left along the knife blade 13 and in Fig. 3 the other way around.

[0089] The knife tip 14 is offset to the center of the knife base 9 and extends beyond the front edge 15 (and also beyond the knife base 9).

[0090] The knife blade 13 has a through hole 17 which is slot-shaped and runs in the direction from the knife base 9 to the knife tip 14.

[0091] The knife blade 13 is beveled on one side in the area of ​​the knife tip 14, in particular ground, specifically on that side of the side surfaces 18, 19 of the knife blade 13 which, in the inventive use of the knife 8, points away from the inner surface 5 from which the spacer 2 is to be separated.

[0092] Likewise, the knife blade 13 is chamfered, in particular ground, in a region of the front edge 15 adjoining the knife base 9 and in a region of the rear edge 16 adjoining the knife base 9. In these regions, however, the knife blade 13 is chamfered on that side surface 19, 18 which, in the inventive use of the knife 8, faces the inner surface 5 from which the spacer 2 is to be separated.

[0093] In the illustrated embodiment, the knife tip 14 is beveled on the left side surface 18 as viewed in the cutting direction S, and the other beveled areas are beveled on a right side surface 19 as viewed in the cutting direction S. Accordingly, the Figs. 2 and 3The illustrated knife 8 is designed to cut through or detach a spacer 2 which, viewed in the cutting direction S, is glued to the left side of a glass pane 1. If the knife 8 is to detach a spacer 2 which, viewed in the cutting direction S, is located (glued) to the right side of a glass pane 1, it is beveled accordingly. The bevels 20, in particular the bevels, are shown in the Figs. 2 and 3 schematically drawn.

[0094] The knife 8 can taper unilaterally or bilaterally in the direction from the knife base 9 to the knife tip 14, in particular from the knife base 9 to that section of the knife blade 13 which penetrated the spacer 2 (in particular the primary seal 6) during the separation step (cf. Fig. 4 ).

[0095] The Figs. 4 and 5Two knives 8 usable in the inventive method are shown in a side view during a separation step according to the method, in which the spacer 2 is separated from one of the glass panes 1 ( Fig. 4 ) and a frontal view ( Fig. 5 The knives 8 are arranged at close intervals along the longitudinal direction L of the spacer 2, so that the separation steps are carried out in quick succession. In the illustrated separation step (or steps) of the method according to the invention, the spacer 2 is separated from both adjacent glass panes 1 almost simultaneously.

[0096] The arrow in Fig. 4The figure indicates a processing direction B in which the insulating glass element moves during the depicted cutting step. The oscillating blades 8 thus move during the cutting step in the cutting direction S (which runs opposite to the processing direction) of the blades 8 and along a longitudinal extent L (which extends in Fig. 4 (extended horizontally) of the spacer 2 relative to the glass pane 1.

[0097] In the illustrated embodiment, the knife blade 13 rests substantially against the inner surface 4 of the respective glass pane 1 for each of the knives 8 and penetrates the spacer 2 to a predefined maximum depth Tmax, viewed transversely to the longitudinal extent L of the spacer 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the predefined maximum depth Tmax extends over the entire depth of the spacer 2, so that each of the knives 8 completely penetrates the secondary seal 7 and the primary seal 6 during cutting and runs along between the inner surface 5 and the rigid frame 4 of the spacer 2.

[0098] The through-hole 17 of each of the knives 8 protrudes below the spacer 2, i.e. it is not completely covered by the spacer 2, so that material can be ejected from the through-hole 17.

[0099] In the illustrated embodiment, in a stepped insulating glass unit, the spacer 2 is separated from both adjacent glass panes 1, with one of the glass panes 1 (in Fig. 5 the right glass pane 1) is larger than the other glass pane 1 and its glass edge 3 extends beyond the spacer 2.

[0100] In the Figs. 6 to 8 The penetration of the knife 8 into the spacer 2 is shown according to a first variant of the method, in which the knife 8 is positioned laterally to the spacer 2 before penetrating the spacer 2.

[0101] In Fig. 6 Position data of the knife 8 are recorded with a sensor device 21, which includes, for example, an optical position measurement sensor.

[0102] In Fig. 7 The sensor device 21 also records position data of the insulating glass element or the glass pane 1.

[0103] The knife 8 is then positioned laterally to the spacer 2 and at a distance from the inner surface 5 of the glass pane 1, based on the recorded position data (and / or based on data about the insulating glass unit obtained from a database or provided by an operator, in particular the glass pane thickness). The knife 8 is pivoted relative to the inner surface 5 about a longitudinal pivot axis running parallel to the longitudinal extent L of the spacer 2, so that it forms an acute angle with a plane of the inner surface 5.

[0104] At this point, but also earlier or later, the knife 8 can be sprayed or wetted with a cooling medium by means of a cooling device which in the illustrated embodiment has several cooling nozzles 22.

[0105] After positioning the knife 8, it penetrates without vibration, i.e., without the oscillator 12 - which is in the Figs. 6 to 8symbolically represented as a circle - the knife 8 is set into oscillation, up to a starting depth in the spacer 2 (here: in the secondary seal 7).

[0106] The knife 8 is then set into oscillation, simultaneously pressed deeper into the spacer 2 in a pivoting and feed movement (in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent L of the spacer 2) and pivoted with the knife blade 13 towards the inner surface 5, so that the acute angle between the inner surface 5 and the knife blade 13 is reduced to a predefined longitudinal angle (or until the acute angle is equal to zero and the knife blade 13 lies essentially flat against the inner surface 5).

[0107] The previously described steps of pressing the knife 8 to the maximum depth T max and pivoting the knife blade 13 until the longitudinal angle is reached can take place before the separation step, i.e. before the knife 8 is moved relative to the glass pane 1, or during the separation step.

[0108] The Figs. 6 to 8 Figure 1 shows an automated variant of the method in which the knife is positioned automatically. The positioning of the knife 8 before penetration into the spacer 2, the vibration-free penetration of the knife 8 to the starting depth, and the penetration and pivoting of the oscillating knife 8 to the maximum depth T max and to the predefined longitudinal angle can also take place in a manual variant of the method according to the invention (the acquisition of position data is omitted in such a variant).

[0109] In the Figs. 9 to 11The penetration of the knife 8 into the spacer 2 is shown according to a further variant of the method, in which the knife 8, before penetrating the spacer 2, is positioned in front of the spacer 2 in longitudinal dimension L.

[0110] In this variant as well, the position of the knife 8 is detected by means of a sensor device 21 before the knife 8 penetrates the spacer 2 (see Fig. 9 ) and the knife 8 is positioned accordingly in front of the spacer 2 (see Fig. 10 ).

[0111] In the illustrated embodiment, the knife 8 is pivoted about a transverse pivot axis extending transversely to the longitudinal extent L of the spacer 2 with its knife blade 13 towards the plane of the inner surface 5, so that an acute angle is enclosed between the knife blade 13 and the plane of the inner surface 5.

[0112] The knife 8 is moved towards the spacer 2 without vibration (i.e. without being set into oscillation by the oscillator 12) until it rests against the spacer 2 or has penetrated a small part into it, whereby in the illustrated variant the insulating glass element and thus the spacer 2 are moved towards the knife 8.

[0113] The oscillating knife 8 is then moved – before or during the separation step – with its knife blade 13 towards the inner surface 5 (see figure). Fig. 11 ), until its front edge 15 rests against the inner surface 5 or even further, until the knife blade 13 is bent and the acute angle between the inner surface 5 and the knife blade 13 is reduced to a predefined transverse angle or until the knife blade 13 lies essentially flat against the inner surface 5.

[0114] Fig. 12Figure 23 shows an automated processing device for the automated execution of the method according to the invention in a side view.

[0115] The processing device 23 has a support and conveying device 24 for the supported transport of one or more adjacent glass panes 1 of an insulating glass unit in the processing direction B. For this purpose, the support and conveying device 24 comprises vertical conveying rollers 25 (which are preferably driven) and support walls 26 with support rollers 27.

[0116] Furthermore, the processing device 23 has at least one separating device 28, which includes the oscillator 12 with the knife 8, as well as a positioning device 33 connected to the oscillator 12.

[0117] In the illustrated embodiment, the processing device 23 has two cutting devices 28 at the top and two at the bottom. Two of these are arranged at the bottom for cutting through a lower section 29 of the spacer 2 along its longitudinal extent 2 in the region of a lower glass edge 3, and two at the top for cutting through an upper section 31 of the spacer 2 along its longitudinal extent 2 in the region of an upper glass edge 3. With the two cutting devices 28 arranged one behind the other (both at the top and at the bottom), the spacer 2 can be separated from both adjacent glass panes 1 almost simultaneously.

[0118] The lateral sections 32 of the spacer 2 can be cut along their respective longitudinal extent L in a further, identically designed, processing device 23 after the insulating glass element has been rotated by 90°.

[0119] With the positioning device 33 (or a vertically movable carriage not shown, which may be part of the positioning device 33), at least the upper separating devices 28 can be moved transversely to the longitudinal extent L of the upper section of the spacer 2, so that the processing device 23 is suitable for insulating glass elements of different dimensions.

[0120] In Fig. 13 The separating device 28 used in the processing device 23 is shown in detail in a side view.

[0121] The separating device 28 has the oscillator 12 with the knife 8, the oscillator being mounted on the positioning device 33.

[0122] In the illustrated embodiment, a lateral guide plate 34 with guide slots 35 of a pivoting device 36 of the positioning device 33 is shown. Bolts 37 connected to the oscillator 12 are guided through the guide slots 35. Due to the shape of the guide slots 35, when the oscillator 12 is moved towards the spacer 2 (transverse to the longitudinal extent L of the spacer 2) by means of a drive 30, the knife 8 guides the already to the Figs. 6 to 8 described swivel and feed movement.

[0123] There is also one on the other side of oscillator 12. Fig. 13An additional, non-visible guide plate with further guide slots in which additional bolts connected to the oscillator 12 are guided is arranged. The additional guide slots of the additional guide plate can have a slightly different orientation than the guide slots 35 of the guide plate 34, in particular each with a more inclined end section 38. Due to the differently inclined end sections 38 of the guide plate 34 and the additional guide plate, the oscillator 12, and thus also the knife base 9, is rotated towards a plane of the inner surface 5 when moved towards the glass pane 1. This also pivots the knife blade 13 towards the knife base 9 and presses the knife blade 13 firmly against the inner surface 5 of the glass pane 1 with its leading edge 15.

[0124] The guide plates 34 and the drive 30 together form the pivoting device 36 of the positioning device 33, which also serves to move the knife 8 transversely to the longitudinal extent L of the spacer 2 into the spacer 2.

[0125] A approach device 40 of the positioning device 33, which is connected to the pivoting device 36, enables the movement of the oscillator 12 transversely to the longitudinal extent L of the spacer 2 to be cut, towards the spacer 2 or away from it.

[0126] With the aid of a transverse travel device 53 of the positioning device 33, the oscillator 12 can be moved transversely to the longitudinal extent L of the spacer 2 to be cut, either towards or away from the spacer 2, in order to cut insulating glass elements of different sizes. Within the scope of the invention, the transverse travel device 53 can also be provided to move the knife 8 transversely to the longitudinal extent L of the spacer 2 into and out of the spacer 2.

[0127] The positioning device 33 may also include a longitudinal travel device, not shown in detail, for moving the cutting device 28 along the longitudinal extent L of the spacer 2 (i.e., the section of the spacer 2 to be cut).

[0128] The positioning device 33 can – as shown – include a sensor device 21, in particular an optical position measuring sensor, in order to determine the position of the positioning device 33 relative to the spacer 2 or the glass pane 1. Furthermore, the positioning device 33 can include a cooling nozzle 22 for spraying a cooling medium onto the knife blade 13.

[0129] Fig. 14 Figure 1 shows a side view of a pre-cutting device 39 that can be used in the method according to the invention during a pre-cutting step that takes place before the cutting step. The pre-cutting device 39 can be integrated into the processing device 23 according to Figure 2. Fig. 12 be integrated and is positioned, for example, in the processing direction B in front of the cutting device 28, so that at any point of the spacer 2, the pre-cutting step and the cutting step can take place first during a forward movement of the insulating glass element.

[0130] The pre-separation device 39 has a rotating cutting tool 41 that cuts through the spacer in an area spaced away from the inner surface 5. In doing so, the secondary seal 7 is completely cut through and the rigid frame 4 is cut or at least pressed in.

[0131] The Figs. 15 and 16 show the pre-separation device 39 from Fig. 14 in two different embodiments in a rear view.

[0132] In the embodiment according to Fig. 15 The cutting tool 41 is a rotating cutting blade, so that the rotational movement of the cutting tool 41 together with the lateral static friction can be used to move or transport the glass pane 1 in the processing direction B.

[0133] In the embodiment according to Fig. 16The cutting tool 41 is a rotating saw blade, so that in the pre-cutting step as much material as possible is removed from the secondary seal 7 and the tension in the spacer 2 can be reduced particularly strongly.

[0134] The Figs. 17 and 18 show an oscillator 12 for manual execution of the method according to the invention in a side view ( Fig. 17 ) and in a front view ( Fig. 18 ).

[0135] The oscillator 12 comprises a base body 42 with a machining end 43, on which the knife 8, which projects beyond the base body 42 and can be set in oscillation, is arranged.

[0136] A slat-shaped guide 45 is arranged outside the base body 42 on a spacer device 44 connected to the base body 42.

[0137] The guide 45 is spaced from the machining end 43 by a variable distance (indicated by the movement arrow). For this purpose, the spacer device 44 has two guide pins 46, which are guided through guide openings 47, and the guide 45 is arranged at the distal ends of these pins.

[0138] By moving the guide pins 46 in the guide openings 47, the guide 45 can be moved closer to and further away from the machining end 43. Springs 51 between the guide openings 47 and the guide 45 push the guide 45 back to a starting position when it is not touching anything, in which the guide 45 is at its maximum distance from the machining end 43.

[0139] The distance device 44 further has stops 48 at the ends of the insertion bolts 52, which limit the displacement of the guide 45 towards the machining end 43, i.e. define an end position of the guide 45.

[0140] The guide 45 has a contact surface 49 for contact with the glass pane 1 and / or the spacer 2.

[0141] In the starting position, the guide 45 is as far away as possible from the machining end 43, so that the knife blade 13 protrudes beyond the support surface 43 with a minimum length, and in the end position, the guide 45 is moved as close as possible to the machining end 43, so that the knife blade 13 protrudes beyond the support surface 42 with a maximum length.

[0142] The minimum and / or maximum length can be adjusted by changing the effective length of the guide bolts 46 by turning adjusting screws 50 on the ends of the guide bolts 46 protruding from the guide openings 47 (= changing the minimum length) and by positioning the insertion bolts 52 with the stops 48 so that they protrude further or are pushed further in (= changing the minimum length).

[0143] The knife blade 13 can also be used in the manual execution of the procedure in the already mentioned Figs. 6 to 8 The described swivel and feed movement will be performed.

[0144] Manual separation of the spacer 2 from the glass pane 1 can be carried out as follows: First, by turning the adjusting screws 50 on the ends of the guide bolts 46 protruding from the guide openings 47, the maximum possible distance that the guide 45 can have from the processing end 43 is set. This results in a minimum length that the knife 8 can penetrate into the spacer 2 until the guide 45 touches the glass edge 3 of the glass pane 1. The knife 8 now protrudes with part of its blade 13 beyond the support surface 49, and the guide 45 is pre-tensioned by the springs 51 arranged on the guide bolts 46 (between the spacer 44 and the guide 45). The springs 51 generate a strong restoring force that pushes the guide 45 away from the processing end 43.

[0145] Similarly, the smallest possible distance that the guide 45 can be pressed towards the machining end 43 is adjusted by screwing the screw-in bolts 52 into or out of the spacer device 33, thereby decreasing or increasing the distance between the stops 48 and the machining end 43. When the guide 45 rests against the stops 48, the knife blade 13 projects as far as possible, i.e., to its maximum length, beyond the support surface 49.

[0146] The knife 8 is then pressed into the spacer 2 (especially into the secondary seal 7) at a slight distance from the glass edge 3 of the inner surface 5 and inclined at a very acute angle to the inner surface 5.

[0147] When the knife 8 is positioned on and in the spacer 2 in this manner, the knife drive (i.e. the oscillator 12) is started and the knife 8 is pressed deeper into the spacer 2 until the guide 45 rests on the insulating glass element and the knife tip 14 (especially also the front edge 15) rests against the inner surface 5.

[0148] The knife blade 13 is then moved along the longitudinal extent L of the spacer 2 and the spacer 2 is cut through. During this process, the oscillator 12 can be manually rotated about its transverse axis so that the leading edge 15 of the knife blade 13 is pressed firmly against the inner surface 5.

[0149] If the guide 45 encounters a protrusion on the spacer 2 during the manually performed cutting step, the person operating the oscillator 12 can increase the pressure exerted towards the insulating glass element until the restoring force of the springs 51 is overcome, and the knife blade 13 projects a greater length than the minimum length (up to the maximum length) beyond the contact surface 49. This allows the spacer 2 to be cut through along its entire depth, even in the area of ​​the protrusion. Reference symbol list

[0150] 1 Glass pane 2 Spacer 3 Glass edge 4 Frame 5 Inner surface 6 Primary seal 7 Secondary seal 8 Blade 9 Blade base 10 --- 11 Connection 12 Oscillator 13 Blade 14 Blade tip 15 Front edge 16 Rear edge 17 Through hole 18 Left side surface 19 Right side surface 20 Chamfer 21 Sensor device 22 Cooling nozzle 23 Machining device 24 Support and conveying device 25 Vertical conveying rollers 26 Support walls 27 Support rollers 28 Separating device 29 Lower section spacer 30 Drive 31 Upper section spacer 32 Side section spacer 33 Positioning device 34 Guide plate 35 Guide slot 36 Swivel device 37 Bolt 38 End section guide slot 39 Pre-separation device 40 Approach device 41 Cutting tool 42 Base body 43 Machining end 44 Spacer 45 Guide 46 Guide pin 47 Guide openings 48 Stops 49 Support surface 50 Guide pin adjusting screw 51 Spring 52 Insertion bolt 53 Transverse travel device S Cutting direction B Machining direction L Longitudinal extent Spacer T max Maximum depth

Claims

1. Method for separating at least one glass pane (1) of an insulating glass unit from a spacer (2) arranged laterally on an inner surface (5) of the glass pane (1), wherein the spacer (2) is bonded to the inner surface (5) of the glass pane (1), and wherein, in a cutting step, the spacer (2) is at least partially, preferably completely, cut through along a longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) and across the longitudinal extent (L) by an oscillating cutter (8) penetrating the spacer (2) while the oscillating cutter (8) moves relative to the glass pane (1) in the cutting direction (S) of the cutter (8) along the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2), characterized in that, prior to penetrating the spacer (2), the cutter (8) is positioned outside the spacer (2) and spaced apart from the inner surface (5), while its cutter blade (13) is pivoted at an acute angle relative to a plane of the inner surface (5) and about a longitudinal pivot axis that runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2), • that the cutter (8), after being positioned outside the spacer (2) and spaced apart from the inner surface (5) and before being set into oscillation, penetrates the spacer (2) to a predefined starting depth essentially without vibration, • and that the oscillating cutter (8) penetrating the spacer (2) is moved with its cutter blade (13) toward the inner surface (5) until a predefined distance between the cutter blade (13) and the inner surface (5) is reached, and during this time is pivoted about the longitudinal pivot axis toward the inner surface (5) until a predefined longitudinal angle between the inner surface (5) and the cutter blade (13) is reached.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the predefined distance is zero, i.e., that the oscillating cutter (8) is moved with its cutter blade (13) toward the inner surface (5) until the cutter blade (13) abuts the inner surface (5) and / or that the predefined longitudinal angle is essentially zero.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cutter (8), prior to penetrating the spacer (2) is positioned laterally adjacent to the spacer (2) as viewed in the longitudinal direction (L), and upon penetration into the spacer (2), penetrates into the spacer (2) substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction (L) up to a predefined maximum depth (Tmax).

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that, in an alignment step preferably taking place immediately prior to the cutting step, the spacer (2) is at least partially, preferably entirely, cut through along the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) and transversely to the longitudinal extent (L) by the oscillating cutter (8) penetrating the spacer (2), while the oscillating cutter (8) moves along the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) relative to the glass pane (1) in a direction opposite to the cutting direction (S) of the cutter (8).

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cutter blade (13), prior to penetrating the spacer (2), while the cutter (8) is positioned outside the spacer (2) and spaced apart from the inner surface (5), is pivoted to a plane of the inner surface (5) and about a transverse pivot axis that extends substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) by an acute angle.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 through 5, characterized in that the oscillating cutter (8) penetrating the spacer (2), is pivoted away from a plane of the inner surface (5) about a transverse pivot axis that runs substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) while it moves with its cutter blade (13) toward the inner surface (5).

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cutter (8) comprises a cutter base (9) adjoining the cutter blade (13), at which the cutter (8) is set into oscillation, and in that during the cutting step, the cutter blade (13) abuts substantially flat against the inner surface (5) and is rotated relative to the cutter base (9) by a rotational angle, wherein the cutter blade (13) and the cutter base (9) are rotated relative to one another such that the cutter blade (13) is pressed against the inner surface (5) with a leading edge (15) pointing in the cutting direction (S).

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, prior to the cutting step and, if applicable, prior to the alignment step, the spacer (2) is cut through in a pre-cutting step by means of a pre-cutting device (39) in a region spaced from the inner surface (5) by a pre-cutting cut extending along the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) and extending to a predefined pre-cutting depth, wherein the pre-cutting device (39) comprises a cutting tool (41), preferably a further oscillating cutter, a rotating cutting knife, a rotating saw blade, or a rotating cutting disc, for performing the pre-cutting step.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an automated processing device (23) is used to carry out the method, which comprises a support and conveying device (24) for supported transport of one or more glass pane / s (1) of an insulating glass element arranged side-by-side in a flat manner in a processing direction (B), as well as at least one cutting device (28), wherein the cutting device (28) comprises a positioning device (33) and at least one oscillator (12) connected to the positioning device (33), wherein the oscillator (12) comprises the cutter (8), and wherein the oscillator (12) and thus the cutter (8) is positioned and moved relative to the insulating glass element, in particular relative to the glass pane (1) and the spacer (2), by means of the positioning device (33).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the positioning device (33) comprises an approach device with which the oscillator (12) is moved toward and away from the inner surface (5) transversely to the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) to be cut through, and that the positioning device (33) comprises a pivoting device (36), by means of which the oscillator (12) is pivoted relative to the glass pane (1) or the glass panes (1), and / or a transverse travel device, by means of which the oscillator (12) is moved toward and away from the spacer (2) transversely to the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) to be cut through, and / or a longitudinal travel device, by means of which the oscillator (12) is moved along the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) to be cut through, and / or a rotating device, by means of which the oscillator (12) is rotated about an axis extending transversely to the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) to be cut through.

11. A method according to claim 8 and according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a pre-cutting device (39) with a rotating cutting tool (41) is used, wherein the pre-cutting device (39) is positioned on the processing device (23) such that, during transport of the glass pane / s (1) in the processing direction (B) the cutting tool strikes the spacer (2) from the front, as viewed along the direction of the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) to be cut through, and at least partially cuts through it along the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) to be cut off, and that preferably the glass pane / s (1) is transported in the processing direction (B) due to the rotation and the lateral sticking friction of the rotating cutting tool (41).

12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a manually operated oscillator (12) is used to carry out the method, comprising: • a base body (42) with a processing end (43), in the region of which the cutter (8), which protrudes beyond the base body (42) and can be set into oscillation (42), is arranged, • a guidance (45) arranged outside the base body (42) and spaced from the working end (43) by a variable distance, and having a contact surface (49) for contacting the glass pane (1) and / or the spacer (2), • a distance device (44) connected to the base body (42), by means of which the guidance (45) can be guided and displaced between a starting position and an end position, wherein the guidance (45) is located as far as possible from the processing end (43) in the starting position, so that the cutter blade (13) protrudes by a minimum length beyond the contact surface (49), and in the end position is displaced as close as possible to the processing end (43), such that the cutter blade (13) protrudes beyond the contact surface (49) by a maximum length, and wherein at least one reset element, in particular a spring (51), a resetting force is exerted on the guidance (45) by the distance device (33), which pushes the guidance (45) toward the starting position, and • preferably locking devices with which the position of the starting position and the end position, and thus the minimum length and the maximum length, can be adjusted.

13. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the cutter (8) comprises a cutter base (9) with a connection (11) for attachment to an oscillator (12) and a cutter blade (13) with a cutter tip (14), wherein the cutter blade (13) has a leading edge (15) that points in the cutting direction (S) during intended use of the cutter (8) and extends from the cutter base (9) to the cutter tip (14), and a trailing edge (16) extending from the cutter base (9) to the cutter tip (14), and wherein a through-hole (17), preferably slotted, is formed in the cutter blade (13) between the leading edge (15) and the trailing edge (16).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the through-hole (17) is slit-shaped and has a longitudinal extent, and in that the longitudinal extent of the through-hole (17) extends substantially in the direction from the cutter base (9) to the cutter tip (14), or that the cutter tip (14) is offset toward the front edge (15) toward a center of the cutter base (9), in particular protruding beyond the cutter base (9) on the side of the front edge (15).

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the through-hole (17) is slit-shaped and has a longitudinal extent, and that the longitudinal extent of the through-hole (17) extends substantially in the direction from the cutter base (9) toward the cutter tip (14), and that the cutter tip (14) is offset toward the front edge (15) relative to a center of the cutter base (9), in particular protrudes beyond the cutter base (9) on the side of the front edge (15), such that the through-hole (17) extends obliquely from the cutter base (9) to the cutter tip (14).