Method and device for closing a bucking position in a spacer

Abstract

According to the invention, when the ends of a strip (3) forming the spacer (1) for insulating glass are connected, which ends lie one above the other in abutment points (7), lateral recesses (9) are formed in the strip (3) by means of ribs (17) arranged on an active surface (16) of a press mold (13). When an assembly comprising a spacer (1) with a recess (9) and formed by the glass panes (2 and 23) and the spacer (1) is pressed into an insulating glass blank, air in the region of the docking point (7) can escape through the recess (9). The method and the device provided for this purpose are used in particular in the production of insulating glass panes.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a method having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to a device having the features of the preamble of claim 11. BACKGROUND

[0002] From WO 2015 / 113080 A1 it is known that, in the manufacture of an insulating glass (Isolierglas) composed of two glass sheets and a spacer made of thermoplastic material arranged between the two glass sheets, the beginning and the end of the spacer are pressed against by means of clamping jaws which abut against the side of the spacer. In the region of the abutment between the beginning and the end of the spacer thus formed, the width of the spacer is reduced by means of a press tool having a convexly curved active surface by forming a recess. After the assembly of the insulating glass blank is completed by placing the second glass sheet onto the free edge of the spacer, an opening is formed through the recess which allows a pressure equalization when the insulating glass blank is subsequently pressed.

[0003] From WO 2020 / 114633 A1 it is known that, for the purpose of connecting the end portions of a spacer applied to a glass sheet, a solidifying material is injected into the free space between the end portions of the spacer. Prior to this, the free space is enclosed by a mold which comprises two side cover plates and an upper cover plate.

[0004] From WO 2016 / 062601 A1 (EP 3 209 842 B1) it is known a method for forming a closed frame-shaped spacer for an insulating glass sheet by applying a strip which is pasty and will subsequently solidify. Here, the thickness of the strip should increase at the beginning and correspondingly decrease at the end of the strip. It is proposed in WO 2016 / 062601 A1 to post-treat the plastic strip forming the spacer in such a way that a mechanical vibration is applied to one side of the strip. By means of said vibration, the position of the interface between the beginning and the end of the strip on that side should no longer be clearly identifiable, which side will delimit the interior space of the insulating glass sheet after assembly. The generation and transmission of such vibrations is not only complex, but can also lead to the glass sheets of the insulating glass sheet breaking.

[0005] From DE 44 37 449 A1 it is known that the end portions of a strip made of a deformable material applied to a glass sheet, which serves as an intermediate spacer in an insulating glass, are configured in the form of opposing wedges in the abutment. The wedge-shaped end portions of the strip forming the spacer overlap each other in the abutment. DE 44 37 449 A1 does not teach any method steps for avoiding the occurrence of air inclusions in the region of the abutment.

[0006] KR20210085350A and KR20210085351A show spacer holders made of a deformable material, wherein the end portions of the strips forming the spacer holder for insulating glass, which are oppositely wedge-shaped at the abutment site, are arranged in the corner region. No special measures for avoiding air inclusions in the region of the abutment site are disclosed.

[0007] From US2014 / 0268520A1 a method for the production of electronic devices, such as solar cells, is known. It is proposed to provide a frame-shaped seal between two glass plates, wherein the abutment site of the seal is to be closed by means of laser action.

[0008] EP2878233A1 discloses a glass sheet composite structure consisting of two glass sheets which are connected to each other by means of a cured adhesive arranged between them.

[0009] WO97 / 06332A2 discloses a thermally insulating spacer holder for an insulating glass pane. The spacer holder comprises a foamed insulator and a secondary insulating material. However, WO97 / 06332A2 does not give any hints as to how the end portions of the strips forming the spacer holder can be sealingly connected to each other.

[0010] In known methods for connecting the end portions of the strips forming the spacer holder in insulating glass, the problem remains unsolved that air inclusions can be formed in the region of the abutment site between the end portions of the strips forming the spacer holder, which air inclusions exist between the strips and the glass plates placed on the free surfaces of the strips. The reason for this is that, when pressing the end portions of the strips with a conventional press die, which has one flat action face acting on the strips, burrs (flash) composed of the material of the strips are formed at the side edges of the strips. These side burrs hinder the escape of air present between them when pressing the assembly consisting of two glass plates and the spacer holder to the target dimensions of the insulating glass blank, but rather cause the air to remain trapped between the glass plates and the strips. Such air inclusions can lead to irregular edge geometry and / or diffusion of the trapped inert gas in the insulating glass assembly, since the effective width of the spacer holder is reduced and, for spacer holders made of deformable material, such as thermoplastic, the contact area is also reduced. Air inclusions between the spacer holder and the glass plates placed thereon also have the disadvantageous effect that the size of the area in which the spacer holder is in contact with the glass plates is reduced and, as a result, the adhesion between the glass plates and the spacer holder is also reduced. SUMMARY

[0011] The task on which the present invention is based is to propose a method and a device with the aid of which air inclusions in the region of the abutment site of the spacer holder can be eliminated.

[0012] According to the application, this task is solved by a method having the features of claim 1.

[0013] With regard to the device according to the application, the task on which the application is based is solved by a device having the features of claim 11.

[0014] The preferred and advantageous design features of the method according to the application and of the device according to the application are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0015] Since, on the one hand, in the method according to the application and, on the other hand, by means of the device according to the application, at least one recess is produced in the region of the free edge of the strip forming the spacer frame, when the second glass pane is placed onto the spacer and the thus formed insulating glass blank is pressed, by means of the recess, no air is trapped any more in the region of the butt joint. The reason for this is that, when the end of the strip is pressed in the region of the butt joint by means of the press tool, by means of the recess, the burr (flash) which occurs at the side edge of the strip in the prior art is not produced.

[0016] The free edge of the strip forming the spacer is the side edge of the surface of the strip which faces away from the glass pane onto which the strip is applied as a spacer, that is to say, which is not covered, but is in a free state.

[0017] It is preferred when the recess produced according to the application is provided on both side faces of the strip forming the spacer which are perpendicular to the plane of the glass pane, which can be achieved simply by providing two protruding, longitudinally extending ribs on the side of the active face of the press tool which can be inserted between the jaws which lie against the side face of the strip.

[0018] When the free surface of the strip according to a preferred embodiment is deformed in such a way when pressed in the butt joint that it is convexly curved, the production of air inclusions between the strip forming the spacer and the glass pane placed on the free surface of the strip is particularly reliably prevented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Further details and features of the application will emerge from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 a glass pane onto which a spacer is applied,

[0021] Figure 2a a first end portion of the spacer at the beginning of the application,

[0022] Figure 2b a first end of the spacer is shown in a side view,

[0023] Figure 3 a second end of the applied spacer is shown,

[0024] Figure 4 the device at a corner portion of the spacer is shown in an oblique view,

[0025] Figure 5 the device at a straight portion of the spacer is shown in an oblique view,

[0026] Figure 6 the device of the invention is shown in an oblique view,

[0027] Figure 7 the device of the invention is shown in a sectional view, Figure 6 the device of the invention is shown in a sectional view,

[0028] Figure 8 the die of the device of the invention is shown in a sectional view,

[0029] Figures 9 to 11 a method according to the prior art is shown schematically, and

[0030] Figures 12 to 14 the steps of the method of the invention are shown schematically. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 a glass pane 2 is shown in a perspective view, on which a spacer 1 is applied in a manner spaced apart from the outer edge of the glass pane 2. The spacer 1 consists of a strip 3 of deformable material, in particular a thermoplastic.

[0032] Figure 2a the beginning of the application of the spacer 1 to the glass pane 2 is shown, in which the strip 3 forming the spacer 1 is applied at a corner portion. As shown in Figure 2b the first end 4 of the strip forming the spacer 1 is configured wedge-thickened.

[0033] Figure 3 the second end 5 of the strip 3 forming the spacer 1 is shown applied over the wedge-thickened first end 4, wherein this end 5, complementary to the end 4, is configured wedge-thin.

[0034] In Figure 2a and Figure 3 the laying-on (application) direction of the strip 3 forming the spacer 1 is shown by the arrow 6.

[0035] In order to close the end portions 4 and 5 of the strips 3, which form the spacer 1, which lie on top of one another in the abutment region 7, a device 10 is provided, which Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the device has an angular outer jaw 11 and an angular inner jaw 12. Between the jaws 11 and 12 there is an angular press 13, which can be inserted between the jaws 11 and 12, so that the press 13 can lie against the free surface 15 of the strip 3 (the surface facing away from the glass pane 2) and can act on the strip 3 by means of its active surface 16.

[0036] Figure 4 It is shown that the angular outer jaw 11 lies against the outer side 14a of the strip 3, which is perpendicular to the plane of the glass pane 2. The angular inner jaw 12 lies against the inner side 14b of the strip 3, which is perpendicular to the glass pane 2.

[0037] The press 13 of the device 10 is shown in Figure 4 inserted between the jaws 11 and 12 and has two arms 21 and 22, between which there is a curved region 18.

[0038] In the application example shown in Figure 5 the abutment region 7 is provided in a straight region of the spacer 1. Here, the jaws also lie against the sides 14a and 14b of the strip 3, which forms the spacer 1, from both sides. The press, which can be inserted between the straight jaws, is not shown in Figure 5 .

[0039] Figure 6 An embodiment of the device 10 is shown, in which the outer jaw 11 and the inner jaw 12 are formed by bodies 19 and 20, which have mutually angled surfaces, which lie against the sides 14a and 14b of the strip 3.

[0040] Figure 6 It is also shown that there is a curved transition between the surfaces lying against the strip 3, the curvature of which is chosen in correspondence with the curvature of the strip 3 in the corner region. The transition between the surfaces lying against the strip 3 of the outer body 19 (jaw 11) is concavely curved, while the transition between the surfaces lying against the strip 3 of the inner body 20 (jaw 12) is convexly curved.

[0041] Figure 6 It is also shown that the press 13, which has two arms 21, 22 connected to one another by a curved region 18, is inserted between the bodies 19 and 20 (arrow 25).

[0042] Figure 6 The situation when the press 13 is inserted is shown, and it is shown that the press 13 acts on the strip 3 by means of its active surface 16 (see also Figure 8) carries two protruding, longitudinally extending ribs 17 as a protrusion. The ribs 17 are arranged at the outer longitudinal edges of the active face 16 of the press mould 13.

[0043] Figure 8 It is shown that the active face 16 of the press mould 13 between the ribs 17 is concavely curved. By the concavely curved active face 16, the free surface 15 of the strip 3 of the spacer 1 is deformed when pressing the end portions 4 and 5 in the region of the butt joint 7 such that it is convexly curved (see Figure 12 and Figure 13 ).

[0044] The press mould 13 or at least the portion of the press mould 13 having the active face 16 and the ribs 17 of the press mould 13 consists of a material, for example silicone, to which the material from which the strip 3 is made does not adhere. It is also conceivable to cover the active face 16 of the press mould 13 and the inner sides of the ribs 17 with a coating having anti-stick properties, for example a coating made of silicone, or to spray them with an anti-stick agent.

[0045] When the active face 16 of the press mould 13 together with the ribs 17 acts on the strip 3, two depressions 9 are formed in the region of the free edge 8 of the strip 3, as is shown in Figure 12 and in Figure 13 . The depressions 9 extend up to the side faces 14a and 14b of the strip 3. The depressions 9 are also open towards the surface 15 of the strip 3 facing away from the glass pane 2.

[0046] When a press mould having a flat active face is pressed against the strip 3 in the region of the butt joint 7, which can be located in a corner region or a straight-line region of the spacer 1, from the situation shown in Figure 9 , burrs 25 (see Figure 10 ) are produced in the region of the free edge of the strip 3 at the edge of the surface 15. This leads to the fact that, when the assembly consisting of the glass pane 2 and a second glass pane 23 which has been pressed against the spacer 1 and the spacer formed by the strip 3 is pressed to the target size of the insulating glass blank, air inclusions 24 (see Figure 11 ) are produced. This is because the air present between the burrs 25 cannot escape due to the burrs 25.

[0047] When the method according to the application is carried out, in particular when working with the device according to the application, no air inclusions 24 are produced in the region of the butt joint 7. The reason for this is that, as is shown in Figure 12 , no burrs 25 occur in the region of the edge 8 of the strip 3, but rather depressions 9 are formed on both sides and, in addition, the free surface 15 of the strip 3 is also convexly curved. Thus, when the assembly consisting of the glass pane 2 and a second glass pane 23 which has been pressed against the spacer 1 and the spacer formed by the strip 3 is pressed to the target size of the insulating glass blank, no air inclusions 24 are produced. Figure 13The assembly consisting of the glass sheets 2 and 23 and the spacer 1 made of the strip 3, when pressed to the target size of the insulating glass blank, does not create air inclusions. Thus, when the method of the invention is implemented, air inclusions between the glass sheet 23 of the insulating glass and the spacer 1 are avoided.

[0048] When the second glass sheet 23 has been placed onto the free surface 15 of the strip 3 and the thus formed insulating glass blank is compressed by a distance Δh to reach its target thickness from ho to hi (see Figure 14 ), no air inclusions 24 are formed in the area of the butt joint 7, because there is no side edge 25 (see Figure 13 ). Thus, a butt joint 7 without air inclusions is formed in the end, even if the butt joint 7 is, as preferred, arranged in the area of a corner of the spacer 1.

[0049] For example, the above described process of the method of the invention is applied when manufacturing an insulating glass sheet (double or more layer insulating glass), when a spacer made of a strip of deformable material has been applied to the first (or another) glass sheet of the insulating glass sheet to be manufactured. The application of the method of the invention and the device of the invention ensures that, after the insulating glass blank is pressed to its target size, no air inclusions are present in the area of the butt joint between the ends of the strip 3 forming the spacer 1. This is because the air in the area of the butt joint 7 can escape through the recess 9 created by the invention when the insulating glass blank is pressed. The device of the invention can also be used in the equipment for manufacturing insulating glass.

[0050] In summary, one embodiment of the invention can be described as follows:

[0051] In the joining of the ends of the strip 3 forming the butt joint 7 of the spacer 1 of the insulating glass, a recess 9 is formed in the side of the strip 3 by the rib 17 arranged on the active surface 16 of the press 13. When the assembly consisting of the glass sheets 2 and 23 and the spacer 1 made of the strip 3 with the recess 9 is pressed to the insulating glass blank, the air in the area of the butt joint 7 can escape through the recess 9. This method and the device provided for this purpose are used, among others, in the manufacture of insulating glass sheets.

Claims

1. Method for joining the end portions (4, 5) of a spacer (1) present in the butt joint (7) applied to a glass sheet (2), the spacer having the form of a strip (3) made of a deformable material, in particular a thermoplastic material, in which method, in the region of the butt joint (7), jaws (11, 12) are applied to the sides (14a, 14b) of the spacer (1) oriented substantially perpendicularly to the glass sheet (2) and a presser (13) is inserted between the jaws (11, 12) which acts on the surface (15) of the spacer (1) facing away from the glass sheet (2), characterized in that At least one recess (9) is produced in the region of the free edge (8) of the strip (3) forming the spacer (1) when the press mould (13) is applied against the strip (3).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The recess (9) is produced in the side face (14a, 14b) of the strip (3) forming the spacer (1).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The recess (9) is produced extending up to the surface (15) of the strip (3) forming the spacer (1) which acts against the glass pane (2).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The recess (9) is produced by pressing the strip (3) forming the spacer (1) by means of at least one rib (17) provided on the press mould (13).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The recess (9) is produced at both free edges (8) of the strip (3) forming the spacer (1).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The recess is produced by pressing the strip (3) forming the spacer (1) by means of two ribs (17) provided on the longitudinal edges of the lateral sides of the press mould (13).

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, The strip (3) forming the spacer (1) is pressed by means of at least one rib (17) which is continuous over the length of the press mould (13).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The strip (3) forming the spacer (1) is pressed by means of the press mould (13) against the end portions (4, 5) of the strip (3) forming the spacer (1) which are oppositely wedge-shaped configured in the abutment region (7) and which are superimposed on one another.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The strip (3) forming the spacer (1) is applied to the glass pane (2) in the region of the abutment region (7) in a straight region of the spacer (1).

10. The method of claim 8, wherein, The strip (3) forming the spacer (1) is applied to the glass pane (2) in the region of the abutment region (7) in a corner region of the spacer (1).

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The surface (15) of the strip (3) between the free edges (8) is deformed into a surface having a convex curvature.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The surface having a convex curvature is produced by pressing the strip (3) forming the spacer (1) by means of the press mould (13) whose active surface (16) between the ribs (17) is concavely curved.

13. Apparatus (10) for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising two jaws (11, 12) which can be applied against the side faces (14a, 14b) of the strip (3) and a press die (13) which can be inserted between the jaws (11, 12), characterized in that At least one protrusion is provided on the active surface (16) of the press mould (13) which is to be applied against the strip (3) forming the spacer (1) between the jaws (11, 12).

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein, The protrusion is a rib (17) provided at the lateral edge of the active surface (16) of the press mould (13).

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein, The rib (17) is oriented in the longitudinal extension of the active surface (16).

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 13-15, wherein, Two protrusions, in particular two ribs (17), are provided on the active surface (16) of the press mould (13).

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 13-16, wherein, The jaws and the press mould are straight.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 13-16, wherein, The jaws (11 and 12) and the press mould (13) are angular in the case of two arms (21, 22) being formed.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein, The jaws (11 and 12) and the press mould (13) are substantially quarter-circularly curved in the region between the arms (21, 22).

20. The apparatus of any one of claims 13-16, wherein, The jaws (11 and 12) are configured as bodies (19 and 20) which have two mutually angled surfaces which are to be applied against the strip (3) forming the spacer (1) in the region of a corner of the spacer (1).

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein, The transition between the surfaces of the bodies (19, 20) is a curved surface, the transition of the body (19) to be applied against the spacer (1) from the outside is concave, while the transition of the body (20) to be applied against the spacer (1) from the inside is convex.

22. The apparatus of any one of claims 13-21, wherein, The active surface (16) of the die (13), which is arranged between the ribs (17), is concavely curved.

23. The apparatus of any one of claims 13-22, wherein, At least the active surface (16) and, if necessary, the inner surface of the ribs (17), have anti-stick properties with respect to the material of which the strip (3) forming the spacer (1) is made.

24. Use of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for the manufacture of an insulating glass pane, wherein It is provided that the steps of the method are performed after the strip (3) to be used as spacer (1) is applied to a glass sheet (2) and before the insulating glass blank is pressed to the target size.

25. Use of the device according to any one of claims 13 to 23 in an apparatus for manufacturing insulating glass, wherein, It is provided that the device is arranged in the plant for manufacturing insulating glass sheets, in particular integrated into the plant, after the mechanism for applying the strip (3) forming the spacer (1) and before the press for pressing the insulating glass blank to the target size.

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