Glasbaustein

Abstract

A glass block comprising, firstly, two glass half-shells (1), each half-shell (1) having a base part (2), preferably having a flat surface, and a projecting circumferential side wall (3) with a circumferential end edge (4) pointing away from the base part (2), and, secondly, an intermediate layer (5) arranged between the two half-shells (1), the intermediate layer (5) having two opposing side surfaces (6) and a circumferential end surface (7) connecting the two side surfaces (6), and the half-shells (1) and the intermediate layer (5) being connected to form the glass block by means of an adhesive bond, characterized in that, with respect to one half-shell (1), the bonding is effected by means of a UV-cured adhesive, which is provided between the end edge (4) of one half-shell (1) and one side surface (6) of the intermediate layer (5) in an edge region (9) of the intermediate layer (5) forming a first closed cavity.is realized, and with regard to the other half-shell (1) the bonding is realized by means of a UV-cured adhesive, which is provided between the end face (4) of the other half-shell (1) and the other side surface (6) of the intermediate layer (5) in an edge area (9) of the intermediate layer (5) forming a second closed cavity.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a glass block comprising, firstly, two glass half-shells, each half-shell having a bottom part, preferably having a flat surface, and a circumferential side wall projecting therefrom with a circumferential front edge pointing away from the bottom part, and, secondly, an intermediate layer arranged between the two half-shells, wherein the intermediate layer has two opposite side surfaces and a circumferential front surface connecting the two side surfaces, and wherein the half-shells and the intermediate layer are connected to form the glass block by means of an adhesive bond.

[0002] In the production of such a well-known glass block, the two halves and the interlayer are first placed on top of each other. This ensures that each half rests with its end edge on one of the two side surfaces of the interlayer. Then, a silicone adhesive is applied to the outside, i.e., to the side wall of each half and to the end surface of the interlayer. This bonds the halfes and the interlayer together to form the glass block. However, silicone adhesive has a long drying time, which correspondingly increases the production time.

[0003] The object of the invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a glass block that can be manufactured more quickly while simultaneously ensuring good sealing of each cavity.

[0004] This task is accomplished by bonding one half-shell using a UV-cured adhesive. This adhesive is applied between the end face of one half-shell and one side surface of the interlayer in a peripheral region of the interlayer, forming a first closed cavity. Similarly, bonding the other half-shell using a UV-cured adhesive is achieved between the end face of the other half-shell and the other side surface of the interlayer in a peripheral region of the interlayer, forming a second closed cavity. The adhesive can be a solvent-free, UV-A curing, and modified acrylate. The external dimensions of the interlayer correspond to the distance between the outer surfaces of the opposing side walls of one half-shell. The width of the end face corresponds to the thickness of the side wall.The width of the end face corresponds to the thickness of the intermediate layer. The total thickness of the glass block can be, for example, 8 cm. Preferably, the half-shells are transparent.

[0005] In the embodiment according to the invention, the adhesive is located between the end edge and the respective side surface of the intermediate layer. Thus, each half-shell does not rest on the side surface of the intermediate layer at any point along its end edge. Each half-shell is bonded to the respective side surface of the intermediate layer along the entire length of its end edge, so that a closed cavity exists. At least one of the two cavities, preferably both cavities, can be gas-filled. Argon is a suitable gas for this purpose.

[0006] The UV-curing adhesive has a shorter drying time, thus reducing production time. Using the UV-curing adhesive allows for faster processing and simultaneously ensures a tight bond once cured. Therefore, the adhesive joint of the UV-cured adhesive exhibits higher final strength. This also results in a high degree of sealing for each of the two cavities, minimizing the risk of subsequent condensation / moisture buildup.

[0007] The intermediate layer can be a glass pane, preferably transparent. The glass pane can be clear; however, it can also have a color or decoration.

[0008] The intermediate layer can alternatively be designed as a multiple glass pane, preferably transparent, preferably as a double glass pane.

[0009] The base of each half-shell can have a rectangular, especially square, shape. For example, the outer dimensions of the base of each half-shell can be 19 cm x 19 cm or 24 cm x 24 cm.

[0010] Between the end face of a half-shell and the adjacent side surface of the intermediate layer, several spacers, preferably extending at equal intervals along the end face, can be provided.

[0011] At least one spacer can be part of the half-shell or the adjacent side surface. If a spacer is part of, for example, the half-shell, this spacer is also made of glass and was directly molded into it during the manufacturing process of the half-shell.

[0012] Alternatively, at least one spacer can be applied to the corresponding half-shell or the adjacent corresponding side surface before bonding. In such a configuration, the at least one spacer can, for example, be designed as a cured adhesive dot that was applied before the UV-curing adhesive was applied and cured by UV light.

[0013] At least one of the two side surfaces of the intermediate layer can have at least one coating. Preferably, each of the two side surfaces of the intermediate layer has at least one coating. Applying multiple coatings to one side surface results in improved thermal insulation properties, as this leads to greater reflection of heat radiation and thus a greater insulating effect.

[0014] Preferably, at least one coating extends over the entire respective side surface and thus to the circumferential end face of the intermediate layer.

[0015] The coating(s) may be a low-emissivity (low-E) coating. A low-emissivity coating is typically a very thin metal or oxide layer applied to the side surface of an interlayer, which may be a single pane of glass or multiple panes of glass. This metal or oxide layer reflects thermal radiation, thus reducing both heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. A low-emissivity coating is characterized by high light transmittance while simultaneously reducing energy and UV transmission.

[0016] The edge area of ​​at least one side of the interlayer can have a textured surface to improve the adhesion of the UV-curing adhesive applied to it. This textured surface can be achieved, for example, by roughening, etching, or milling. This ensures reliable adhesion of the UV-cured adhesive. If a coating is applied to one side of the interlayer, the edge area of ​​the top coating is textured.

[0017] The following section explains exemplary embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 an exploded view of a first embodiment of a glass block according to the invention, Fig. 2 the object according to Fig. 1 in the glued state and Fig. 3 an exploded view of a second embodiment of a glass block according to the invention.

[0018] In all figures, identical reference symbols are used for identical or similar components.

[0019] The figures show two embodiments of a glass block according to the invention. Each glass block comprises, firstly, two glass half-shells 1, each half-shell 1 having a base part 2 with a flat surface and a projecting circumferential side wall 3 with a circumferential front edge 4 pointing away from the base part 2.

[0020] Secondly, each glass block comprises an intermediate layer 5 arranged between the two half-shells 1, wherein the intermediate layer 5 has two opposite side surfaces 6 and a circumferential end surface 7 connecting the two side surfaces 6.

[0021] In the embodiments shown in the figures, the base part 2 of each half-shell 1, and thus the glass block, has a square contour. The outer dimensions of the base part 2 of each half-shell 1 can be, for example, 19 cm x 19 cm or 24 cm x 24 cm.

[0022] The half-shells 1 and the intermediate layer 5 are bonded to the glass block at the edge region 9 of the intermediate layer 5. With respect to one half-shell 1, the bond is achieved using a UV-cured adhesive applied between the end edge 4 of one half-shell 1 and one side surface 6 of the intermediate layer 5, forming a first closed cavity. With respect to the other half-shell 1, the bond is achieved using a UV-cured adhesive applied between the end edge 4 of the other half-shell 1 and the other side surface 6 of the intermediate layer 5, forming a second closed cavity.

[0023] How the Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the edge region 9 of each of the two side surfaces 6 of the intermediate layer 5 has a structured surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the structured surface was achieved by milling, which is why the thickness of the intermediate layer 5 in the edge region 9, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 3 is slightly smaller. The structured surface ensures reliable adhesion of the UV-cured adhesive.

[0024] How the Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen from Figure 3, the intermediate layer 5 is designed as a transparent glass pane. The outer dimensions of the intermediate layer 5 correspond to the distance between the outer surfaces of the opposing side walls 3 of a hemisphere 1.

[0025] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, several spacers 8, extending at equal intervals along the front edge 4 of a half-shell 1 and the adjacent side surface 6 of the intermediate layer 5, are provided between the end edge 4 and the adjacent side surface 6 of the intermediate layer 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacers 8 were applied to the respective half-shell 1 before bonding. In such a configuration, the spacers 8 can, for example, be designed as cured adhesive dots that were applied to each half-shell 1 before the UV-curing adhesive was applied and cured by UV light.

[0026] The width of the end edge 4 of the side wall 3 corresponds to the thickness of the side wall 3. The width of the end face 7 corresponds to the thickness of the intermediate layer 5 in the edge region 9. The total thickness of the glass block can be, for example, 8 cm. The two half-shells 1 and / or the intermediate layer 5 can be transparent.

[0027] In the exploded views according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 the UV-curing adhesive has not yet been applied to the end face 4 of a half shell 1 and / or to a side surface 6 of the intermediate layer 5.

[0028] In practice, it is advisable to first apply the UV-curing adhesive to the end face 4 of a first half-shell 1 and then place the intermediate layer 5 on top of the UV-curing adhesive. Curing then takes place under a suitable UV light source.

[0029] In the next step, the UV-curing adhesive is applied to the end face 4 of a second half-shell 1. Then, the first half-shell 1, with the intermediate layer 5 already attached to it, is placed onto the UV-curing adhesive of the second half-shell 1. A further curing under a suitable UV light source then takes place.

[0030] In the embodiments shown in the figures, the intermediate layer 5, which is designed as a glass pane, does not have a coating on either of its two side surfaces 6.

[0031] Naturally, at least one coating can be provided on one or both sides 6 of the intermediate layer 5. The coating(s) can be a low-E coating. Each low-E coating reflects thermal radiation, thus reducing both heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Each coating preferably extends over the entire respective side 6 and thus reaches the circumferential end face 7 of the intermediate layer 5.

[0032] If a coating extends over the entire respective side surface 6 up to the circumferential end surface 7 of the intermediate layer 5, in this case the edge area 9 of the uppermost coating is structured to ensure reliable adhesion of the UV-cured adhesive.

Claims

[1] Glass block comprising, firstly, two glass half-shells (1), each half-shell (1) having a bottom part (2) having a preferably flat surface and a projecting circumferential side wall (3) with a circumferential end edge (4) pointing away from the bottom part (2), and, secondly, an intermediate layer (5) arranged between the two half-shells (1), the intermediate layer (5) having two opposite side surfaces (6) and a circumferential end surface (7) connecting the two side surfaces (6), and the half-shells (1) and the intermediate layer (5) being joined to form the glass block by an adhesive bond. characterized by, that with respect to one half-shell (1) the bonding is realized by means of a UV-cured adhesive, which is provided between the end face (4) of one half-shell (1) and one side surface (6) of the intermediate layer (5) in an edge region (9) of the intermediate layer (5) forming a first closed cavity, and with respect to the other half-shell (1) the bonding is realized by means of a UV-cured adhesive, which is provided between the end face (4) of the other half-shell (1) and the other side surface (6) of the intermediate layer (5) in an edge region (9) of the intermediate layer (5) forming a second closed cavity. [2] Glass block according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the intermediate layer (5) is designed as a glass sheet, preferably transparent. [3] Glass block according to claim 1, characterized by, that the intermediate layer (5) is designed as a multiple glass pane, preferably a transparent one, preferably as a double glass pane. [4] Glass block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the bottom part (2) of each half-shell (1) has a rectangular, in particular square, contour. [5] Glass block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that between the end face (4) of a half shell (1) and the adjacent side surface (6) of the intermediate layer (5) several spacers (8) extending at equal intervals along the end face (4) are provided. [6] Glass block according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that at least one spacer (8) is part of the half-shell (1) or the adjacent side surface (6). [7] Glass block according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that at least one spacer (8) is applied to the corresponding half-shell (1) or to the adjacent corresponding side surface (6) before gluing. [8] Glass block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one of the two side surfaces (6) of the intermediate layer (5) has at least one coating. [9] Glass block according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that at least one coating extends over the entire respective side surface (6) and thus to the circumferential end surface (7) of the intermediate layer (5). [10] Glass block according to one of the preceding claims 8 or 9, characterized by that the coating is designed as a low-E coating. [11] Glass block according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the edge area (9) of at least one side surface (6) of the intermediate layer (5) has a structured surface.

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