Method for assembling insulating glass pane having two outer glasses and at least one thin glass between them

Abstract

To provide a method for assembling an insulating glass pane includes two outer glasses and at least one thin glass therebetween.SOLUTION: There is provided a method for assembling an insulating glass pane, comprising the following steps: a first flexible spacer strand 14 is applied to a first outer glass S1 to form a first frame-shaped spacer in a first application station 4; the first outer glass is joined with a thin glass T1 to form a glass assembly U1 in a first pressing station 5; a second flexible spacer strand 15 is applied to the first outer glass to form the glass assembly in the first pressing station; the second flexible spacer strand is applied to the thin glass of the glass assembly to form a frame-shaped spacer; and the glass assembly is completed with at least a second outer glass S2 to form a triple or quadruple insulating glass pane in a second pressing station 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention is based on a method and apparatus for assembling triple-ply insulating glass panes. Triple-ply insulating glass panes are mass-produced industrially on production lines, where first, second, and third glass sheets are continuously fed into an apparatus having a coating station and a press station located downstream of the coating station. Each station has a horizontal conveyor along which the glass sheets are transported one by one in an upright position. Each horizontal conveyor works in conjunction with a support wall on which the upright glass sheets are supported at a few degrees of backward tilt. The first and third glass sheets each form the outer glass pane of the finished insulating glass pane. The second glass sheet forms the middle glass pane of the finished insulating glass pane. At the coating station, flexible spacer strands are applied to each of the second and third glass sheets. At the press station, the three glass sheets are combined to form the triple-ply insulating glass pane, optionally filled with a gas other than air. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a triple-ply insulating glass pane in which the middle pane is formed of thin glass. This insulating glass pane has a thin glass pane with a thickness of 0.5 mm between two outer panes with a thickness of 5 mm. Therefore, the thin glass is unstable. It bends and breaks easily. For insulating glass panes using thin glass with a thickness of 2 mm or less, the glass sheets have mainly been manufactured using highly rigid prefabricated spacer frames. Therefore, the time required for assembling such insulating glass panes has been very long.

[0003] US Patent No. 5,999,623 describes a method for assembling triple-ply insulating glass panes with an inner thin pane, in which a rigid spacer frame is prefabricated to the required size and glued to the thin pane, which is then joined to the outer pane in a press station in an upright position.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a method for assembling horizontally arranged triple or quadruple insulating glass panes, each containing at least one thin sheet of glass. The glass pane components are stacked on top of the horizontally lying outer glass. Prefabricated, rigid spacer frames and glass sheets are placed on top of each other to form an alternating stack. A sealant is applied between the spacer frames and the glass sheets. The entire stack is then transported horizontally to an oven press where heat and pressure are simultaneously applied. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. WO2020 / 028056A1 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. WO2021 / 126607A1 [Patent Document 3] US2024 / 0167325A1 specification [Patent Document 4] European Patent No. 0539407B1 [Patent Document 5] European Patent No. 1769130B1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for assembling an insulating glass pane comprising two outer panes of glass and at least one thin pane of glass therebetween, and in particular to reduce the effort and time required to manufacture such an insulating glass pane. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This object of the present invention has been achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] In the method according to the present invention, first flexible spacer strands are attached to a first outer glass pane to form a first frame-shaped spacer. The method for assembling insulating glass panes is carried out by an apparatus consisting of several stations arranged behind one another. The method according to the present invention is realized by at least a coating station, a first press station, and a second press station. The first press station is located downstream of the coating station. The second press station is located downstream of the first press station. In the coating station, the first flexible spacer strands are applied to the first outer glass pane. The first flexible spacer strands can form a frame-shaped spacer on the first outer glass pane. After the spacer strands are applied, the first outer glass pane is combined with a thin glass pane to form a glass assembly. The formation of the glass assembly by combining the first outer glass pane with the first flexible spacer strands is carried out in the first press station. During this bonding process, the distance between the thin glass and the first outer glass can be reduced until the thin glass rests on the first flexible spacer strands and is a predetermined distance relative to the first outer glass. Specifically, the distance between the thin glass and the first outer glass can be reduced across the glass pane. Specifically, the distance can be reduced across the glass pane while maintaining the thin glass and the first outer glass parallel. Once the glass assembly is bonded together, second flexible spacer strands are applied to the thin glass of the glass assembly to form a frame-like spacer. Specifically, the second flexible spacer strands can form a frame-like spacer on the thin glass. After application of the second flexible spacer strands, the glass assembly is completed with at least a second outer glass to form a triple or quadruple insulating glass pane. Completion of the glass assembly to form the triple or quadruple insulating glass pane is accomplished in a second press station.

[0009] Thin glass refers to a glass sheet having a thickness of 2 mm or less. The thin glass constitutes the middle or inner glass of a finished insulating glass pane. The outer glass is a glass sheet having two opposing surfaces, the first of which faces the thin glass of the finished insulating glass pane and the second of which faces the outside of the finished glass pane. Thus, the first surface of the outer glass sheet forms the inside of the finished glass pane. The second surface of the outer glass sheet forms the outside of the finished insulating glass pane. The thickness of the outer glass sheet can be between 2 mm and 15 mm, and particularly can range from 3 mm to 8 mm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present invention has great advantages.

[0011] The present invention makes it possible to process thin glass in a vertical position with flexible spacer strands into triple and / or quadruple insulating glass panes on an industrial scale.

[0012] The present invention eliminates the need to apply spacer strands to stand-alone thin glass.

[0013] The application of flexible spacer strands to thin glass panes presents significant challenges. When the high-temperature material of a thermoplastic spacer strand is applied to a standalone thin glass pane, introducing a large amount of heat into the thin glass pane at one location can cause significant deformation. It can then begin to ripple, making further processing impossible. This problem can be avoided with the present invention. The thermoplastic spacer strands applied to the outer glass panes are already sufficiently cooled when they are bonded to the thin glass panes at the press station. Furthermore, when the thin glass panes are placed on the finished spacer, heat is not applied to the thin glass panes at specific locations, but is essentially uniformly applied along the entire edge. This prevents unacceptable deformation or waviness of the thin glass panes, as well as unacceptable high distortions and stresses in the thin glass panes.

[0014] It was recognized that the flexible spacer strands that are drawn from a supply roll and applied to the glass sheet by machine are under prestress and, if applied directly to the thin glass, would cause the curvature of the thin glass to be unacceptably high.

[0015] The present invention allows flexible spacer strands to be applied only to the outer glass or to thin glass sheets that are already bonded to the outer glass to form a glass assembly. The glass sheets that make up the outer glass are inherently stable enough to absorb the forces acting on the glass sheets when the flexible spacer strands are applied directly to them. Due to their high inherent stability, the outer glass can fully compensate for the stresses induced in the glass sheets when the spacer strands are applied to them. Assembly of the outer glass with spacer strands applied along its entire edge and the thin glass no longer results in unacceptably high stresses and / or deformations in the thin glass.

[0016] The present inventors have surprisingly discovered that thin glass already bonded to outer glass sheets to form a glass assembly is thereby sufficiently stable that flexible spacer strands can be applied to the thin glass of a glass assembly without subjecting the thin glass to unacceptably high stresses and / or deformations.

[0017] Thus, by using the present invention, insulating glass panes containing thin glass can be manufactured very quickly and with a short cycle time. This allows insulating glass panes to be supplied in large quantities. Triple insulating glass panes containing thin glass are available in large quantities and can be manufactured to the same thickness as conventional double insulating glass panes. Therefore, old insulating glass panes can be replaced with triple insulating glass panes with high insulation properties without changing the window frame structure. This simplifies the modernization of buildings.

[0018] The use of spacers that are not pre-assembled to the shape of a frame allows glass sheets of unusual shapes and / or glass sheets with non-rectangular outlines to be easily and flexibly processed into insulating glass panes.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the thin glass and the outer glass are configured to be transported in a standing position with the first flexible spacer strand attached, one after the other, to a first press station, where the thin glass and the outer glass are bonded to form a glass assembly. The thin glass can be transported to the press station in a standing position on its bottom edge. The thin glass is transported to the coating station in a standing position on its bottom edge without interference, i.e., without stopping at the coating station or other processes. In particular, the glass assembly can be transported to the press station in a standing position after the spacer strand is applied to the thin glass of the glass assembly.

[0020] In a further embodiment of this process, the thin glass supported by the first press plate can be sucked onto the second press plate in the press station. To this end, the press station can have a suction device for sucking the thin glass onto the second press plate. The second press plate, to which the thin glass is attached, is then separated from the first press plate by increasing the distance between the two press plates. The first outer glass is transported to the first press station, where it is supported by the first press plate. Once positioned in the first press station, the first outer glass is aligned or concentric with the thin glass attached to the second press plate. After the thin glass is bonded to the first outer glass, the thin glass is no longer attached to the second press plate. The edge length of the thin glass can be several millimeters, e.g., 3 mm, shorter at each end than the edge length of the outer glass. In this case, the thin glass can be raised in the first press station and / or lowered until it is concentric with the first outer glass. The raising and / or lowering can be achieved, for example, by tilting the conveyor belt of the horizontal conveyor of the first press station by a corresponding angle before the thin glass sheets resting on the conveyor belt are attracted to the corresponding press plates. Tilting conveyor belts is known per se and is described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,949,499. The first outer pane and the smaller thin glass sheets are positioned relative to each other so that the edges of the thin glass sheets are completely inside the edges of the first outer pane. Such triple insulating glass panes are also called "four-sided stepped panes." In this way, the delicate edges of the thin glass sheets can be better protected from damage.

[0021] In a further embodiment, a thin glass sheet supported by a first press plate can be first sucked onto the first press plate in the first press station. A second press plate is then applied to the thin glass sheet while the thin glass sheet is maintained under suction against the first press plate. The thin glass sheet is then sucked onto the second press plate before the suction to the first press plate is terminated. Thus, the thin glass sheet is held between the two press plates of the first press station for a certain period of time and is simultaneously adsorbed to both press plates. This ensures particularly good flatness of the thin glass sheet. Applying suction to the entire thin glass sheet can reduce distortion of the thin glass sheet when it is subsequently placed on spacer strands of still-warm thermoplastic resin.

[0022] In a further embodiment, a triple-ply insulating glass pane can be manufactured in the following manner: Before the first spacer strand is applied to the first outer glass pane, the second outer glass pane and the thin glass pane are conveyed successively in an upright position through the application station; the second outer glass pane can be conveyed through the first press station without interruption or processing; the second outer glass pane is conveyed in an upright position to the second press station; the second outer glass pane can be supported by the first press plate of the second press station during conveyance; at the second press station, the second outer glass pane is adhered to the second press plate of the second press station; the second press plate to which the second outer glass pane is adhered can be separated from the first press plate of the second press station; following the second outer glass pane, the thin glass pane is conveyed in an upright position to the first press station; after the first flexible spacer strand is applied, the first outer glass pane is conveyed in an upright position from the application station to the first press station. The thin glass may already be in the first press station. At the first press station, the thin glass and the first outer glass are bonded together to form a glass assembly. The glass assembly is then transferred to an application station located upstream of the first press station to apply a second flexible spacer strand to the thin glass. After the second flexible spacer strand is applied to the thin glass of the glass assembly, the glass assembly is transferred in a vertical position to the second press station. After the second outer glass separates from the first press plate, the glass assembly is transferred to the second press station and supported by the first press plate, particularly the first outer glass, of the second press station. At the second press station, the glass assembly and the second outer glass are bonded together to form a triple-layer insulating glass pane. During bonding, the glass assembly and the second outer glass may be parallel to each other. During assembly, the distance between the second outer glass and the glass assembly can be reduced until the second outer glass rests on the second flexible spacer strands and the first outer glass has a predetermined distance relative to the second outer glass.After bonding, the suction of the second outer glass is terminated and the triple insulating glass pane is transported in an upright position from the second press station.

[0023] In a further embodiment, a quadruple insulating glass pane can be manufactured, inter alia, by the following method: applying a third flexible spacer strand to a second outer glass sheet to form a third frame-shaped spacer; before applying the first flexible spacer strand and before applying the third flexible spacer strand, the second thin glass can be transported in a vertical position through the coating station to the first press station; following the second thin glass, the second outer glass can be transported in a vertical position to the coating station; at the coating station, the third flexible spacer strand can be applied to the second outer glass; after the third flexible spacer strand is applied, the second outer glass is bonded to the second thin glass to form a second glass assembly, inter alia, in the first press station; for bonding, the second outer glass can be transported in a vertical position from the coating station to the first press station; inter alia, the second thin glass can already be positioned there. During bonding, the distance between the second thin glass pane and the second outer glass pane can be reduced until the second thin glass pane rests on the third flexible spacer strand and is at a predetermined distance from the second outer glass pane. Following the second outer glass pane, the first thin glass pane is transported through the coating station. Following the first thin glass pane, the first outer glass pane is transported in a vertical position to the coating station. At the coating station, the first flexible spacer strand can be applied to the first outer glass pane. After the second glass pane assembly is bonded, it is transported in a vertical position from the first press station to the turning station. At the turning station, the second glass pane assembly can be rotated around an upright axis of rotation, thereby allowing it to rotate. After the second glass pane assembly, the first thin glass pane is transported in a vertical position to the first press station. After the turning, the second glass pane assembly is transported in a vertical position from the turning station to the second press station. The second glass assembly may be supported by the first press plate of the second press station, in particular on the second thin glass.In the second press station, the second outer glass of the second glass assembly can be adsorbed onto the second press plate of the second press station. In the second press station, the second press plate to which the second glass assembly is adsorbed can be separated from the first press plate. After the first flexible spacer strands are applied to the first outer glass, it can be transported in a vertical position from the application station to the first press station. In particular, the first thin glass can already be placed there. In the first press station, the first thin glass and the first outer glass can be bonded to form a first glass assembly. After the first glass assembly is bonded, a second flexible spacer strand can be applied to the first thin glass of the first glass assembly. To apply the second flexible spacer strands to the first thin glass, the first glass assembly can be transported again to an application station located upstream of the first press station. After the second flexible spacer strands are applied to the first thin glass pane of the first glass assembly, the first glass assembly can be transported in an upright position to the second press station. The first glass assembly can be supported by the first press plate of the second press station, particularly on the first outer glass pane. The second glass assembly can be already positioned in the second press station and separated from the first press plate. The first glass assembly can be transported through the pivot station without pivoting. The first glass assembly with the second flexible spacer strands applied thereto is then joined with the previously assembled second glass assembly, i.e., a four-ply insulating glass pane is formed in the second press station. The distance between the first glass assembly and the second glass assembly is reduced until the second thin glass pane of the second glass assembly rests on the second flexible spacer strands and the first outer glass pane is at a predetermined distance from the second outer glass pane.After the first glass assembly is bonded to the second glass assembly, suction of the second outer glass against the second press plate of the second press station can be terminated. After bonding and / or suction of the second outer glass is terminated, the quadruple insulating glass pane can be transported vertically from the second press station.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the method according to the present invention can be implemented using a first coating station and a second coating station. The first press station is located downstream of the first coating station. The second coating station is located between the first coating station and the second coating station, particularly between the pivot station and the second coating station. The first flexible spacer strands are applied to the first outer pane at the first press station. When assembling a triple-ply insulating glass pane, the glass assembly can be transported to the second coating station for applying the second flexible spacer strands to the thin panes of the glass assembly. When assembling a quadruple insulating glass pane, the third spacer is applied to the second outer pane at the first coating station. When assembling a quadruple insulating glass pane, the first glass assembly can be transported to the second coating station for applying the second flexible spacer strands to the first thin panes of the first glass assembly. The use of two coating stations ensures that glass sheets and / or glass assemblies are transported only in the main transport direction through the production line, avoiding round trips to upstream stations and further reducing production time.

[0025] A turning station may be located downstream of the first pressing station. The turning station has two parallel support walls and a horizontal conveyor. The horizontal conveyor, together with the two support walls, can rotate around an upright rotation axis. The turning station is configured to rotate the glass assemblies mounted on the horizontal conveyor by 180° around the upright rotation axis. When viewed along the conveying direction, the rotation axis is centrally positioned relative to the horizontal conveyor. As a result, after the 180° rotation, the horizontal conveyor returns to the same line as before. A second pressing station is located downstream of the turning station. Both the turning station and the two pressing stations, particularly all stations of the apparatus according to the present invention, may each include only one single-track horizontal conveyor. The term "single track" refers to a horizontal conveyor with only one conveyor track. The horizontal conveyor may be configured to transport the upright glass sheets in a straight line through each station. All horizontal conveyors may be positioned behind each other along a straight line. Both the first and second press stations can be designed as follows: The press station has two parallel press plates. One of the two press plates forms an upright support wall for the glass sheets transported in a vertical position on the horizontal conveyor. The "upright position" feature means that the support wall is not exactly vertical or in line with a steep slope, but is tilted backward by several degrees to prevent glass sheets leaning against the support wall from tilting forward, i.e., away from the support wall. The support wall can have an inclination of approximately 6° to 8° relative to the vertical. The second of the two press plates can be displaced laterally relative to the first to change the distance between the two press plates. Even when the second press plate is displaced, its parallelism relative to the first press plate can be maintained. The press station can have a suction device for sucking the glass sheets onto the second press plate. The press station can be configured to fill the space between the glass sheets with a gas other than air.The structure and mode of operation of such pressing stations is known per se from decades of use in the industrial production of insulating glass panes and from US Pat. No. 5,629,999 and US Pat. No. 5,629,999 and therefore need not be described in further detail.

[0026] At the application station, flexible spacer strips are applied along the edges of the standing glass sheets in a manner known per se. That is, no pre-assembled spacer frame is placed on the glass sheets. The spacer strands can be applied seamlessly along the edges of the glass sheets. The spacer strands applied along the entire edge of the glass sheets form a spacer frame for maintaining the distance between two adjacent glass sheets. The flexible spacer strands can be paste-like, made of a thermoplastic material and / or a reactive cross-linking material, which subsequently solidifies, and are applied to the glass sheets using a nozzle. Thus, the flexible spacer strands are still hot and / or not yet fully hardened after application. The flexible spacer strands can also be unwound as a ribbon-like material from a supply roll and applied to the glass sheets. The application station can include an application head, which is guided along at least a portion of the edge of the outer glass panes to apply the spacer strands. The application station is configured to apply flexible spacer strands along the edge of the thin glass of the upright glass assembly.

[0027] In a further embodiment, one of the stations may have an air cushion support wall with a planar support surface. This support wall is configured to support glass sheets transported in a vertical position on the horizontal conveyor. Multiple air ducts may open into the support surface. When subjected to positive pressure, air flows from the air duct at an angle relative to the support surface. This creates an air cushion on the support surface, allowing the transported glass sheets, especially thin glass, to rest and slide without contacting the support surface. An upwardly directed airflow is generated at the support wall. This means that machine operators standing in front of the station are not directly blown away. At least one of the air ducts, and in particular each air duct, may include a terminal duct section extending at an angle relative to the support surface. In a vertical cross section through the support wall, the terminal duct section may extend at an angle of 45° or less, especially between 30° and 45°, relative to the support surface. Such an inclined airflow can form an air cushion that facilitates the transport of thin glass. In particular, the first press station may include such an air cushion support wall. The air cushion support wall may be formed by a first press plate. An intermediate station including a horizontal conveyor and an air cushion support wall according to the present invention may be located between the application station and the first press station.

[0028] At least one of the press plates, particularly the first press plate of the first press station, can have a planar support surface into which a plurality of air ducts open, which form a suction device when subjected to negative pressure to suck a thin glass sheet onto the support surface. The air ducts of the press plate can be pressurized either negatively or positively. This allows the press plate to combine the functions of a suction device and an air cushion support wall. Thus, the press plate can function as an air cushion support wall for transportation or to hold the glass sheet in place by suction during assembly.

[0029] The support surface may have at least one recess connected to the terminal duct section of the air duct. The recess may be circular, in particular with a diameter of 20 mm or less. A recess may be provided in each terminal duct section. The recess may surround the terminal duct. The recess is open towards the support surface. The support surface may have at least one groove connected to the terminal duct section. In particular, the groove may extend from a recess surrounding the terminal duct section. The groove extends along the support surface and is open towards the support surface. The terminal duct section may open obliquely into the recess or groove. All terminal duct sections may extend parallel to each other.

[0030] When processing thin glass sheets with a thickness of 2 mm or less, the groove width is 20 mm or less. When processing thin glass sheets with a thickness of 1.5 mm or less, the groove width can be 15 mm or less. When processing thin glass sheets with a thickness of 1 mm or less, the groove width can be 10 mm or less. This ensures that thin glass sheets that extend beyond the groove without a support are not deformed by the negative pressure in the air duct. This allows the thin glass sheets to be adsorbed to the support surface in a particularly flat manner, without undesirable waviness.

[0031] The groove may include at least two groove portions extending diagonally from each other. Each groove extends along a straight line. The length of each groove portion may be 60 mm or less. This is particularly effective in preventing thin glass from elastically deforming due to negative pressure and bulging into the groove portion. A plurality of groove portions may be arranged on the support surface, and these groove portions are connected to one end of the duct portion. In a plan view of the support surface, the plurality of grooves may extend radially toward the one end of the duct portion. For example, the grooves may be arranged like radial beams around the one end of the duct portion.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the support surface can have a first support region and a second support region. The air duct density in the first support region can be greater than that in the second support region of the support surface. The air duct density in the support region is defined as the number of air ducts opening in this support region divided by the total area of ​​this support region. The first support region can extend along the edge in the lower region of the support wall. When subjected to positive pressure, more air is ejected from the first support region. This reliably prevents the lower edge of the thin glass from colliding with the support surface during transport on the horizontal conveyor. The surface area ratio of the first support region that is sucked by the air ducts can be greater than that of the second support region by increasing the area subjected to negative pressure, particularly by using recesses and / or grooves. The surface area ratio of the support region that is sucked is the area subjected to negative pressure divided by the total area of ​​the support region. In this way, the thin glass can be sucked onto the support surface in a particularly planar manner.

[0033] Further details and advantages of the present invention will be explained with reference to embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings, in which identical and corresponding components are provided with corresponding reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic top view showing the construction of an apparatus according to the invention and some intermediate steps in a first embodiment of a method according to the invention for assembling a quadruple insulating glass pane; [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a further intermediate step in the assembly of a quadruple insulating glass pane; [Figure 3] Schematic side view showing the completed triple insulating glass pane [Figure 4] Schematic side view showing the completed quadruple insulating glass pane [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the device of FIG. 1 showing a turning station; [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic top view of the turning station of FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is a schematic side view of the turning station of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a support wall for the device of FIG. [Figure 9] Enlarged view of area X in Figure 8 [Figure 10] Close-up of a vertical section through the supporting wall in region X [Figure 11] 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 and some intermediate steps in one embodiment of the method according to the invention for assembling triple insulating glass panes; [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows the apparatus of FIG. 11 including a further intermediate step in the assembly of the triple insulating glass pane. [Figure 13] 2 shows a variant of an apparatus similar to that of FIG. 1 and some intermediate steps in a further embodiment of the method according to the invention for assembling quadruple insulating glass panes; [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows the apparatus of FIG. 13 with a further intermediate step in the assembly of the quadruple insulating glass pane. [Figure 15] 1 and an intermediate step in a further embodiment of the method according to the invention for assembling triple insulating glass panes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Figures 1, 2, 11, and 12 each show an apparatus 1 for assembling insulating glass panes 10 and 11, which is designed as a single-track production line. Triple-ply insulating glass pane 10, as shown in Figure 3, includes three glass sheets S1, T, and S2. Quadruple-ply insulating glass pane 11, as shown in Figure 4, includes four glass sheets S1, T1, T2, and S2. Glass sheets T, T1, and T2 are each thin glass sheets with a thickness of 1 mm or less. Glass sheet S1 is a first outer glass sheet having a first surface S11, which faces thin glass sheets T or T1 and forms the inner side of insulating glass pane 10 or 11. A second surface S12 of outer glass sheet S1 forms the outer surface of insulating glass pane 10 or 11. Glass sheet S2 is a second outer glass having a first surface S21 and a second surface S22, which respectively form the inner and outer surfaces of insulating glass pane 10 or 11. In insulating glass pane 10, first flexible spacer strands 14 are disposed between first outer glass pane S1 and thin glass pane T. Spacer strands 14 form a spacer frame, known per se, along the edge of outer glass pane S1, thereby holding the two glass sheets S1 and T at a predetermined distance from each other. Similarly, second flexible spacer strands 15 are disposed between second outer glass pane S2 and thin glass pane T. In insulating glass pane 11, first flexible spacer strands 14 are disposed between first outer glass pane S1 and first thin glass pane T1. Second flexible spacer strands 15 are disposed between first thin glass pane T1 and second thin glass pane T2. The third flexible spacer strand 16 is correspondingly disposed between the second outer glass S2 and the second thin glass T2.

[0036] Apparatus 1 includes a visual inspection station 2, several intermediate stations 31-36, two application stations 4 and 9, two pressing stations 5 and 8, and a turning station 6. Intermediate stations 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 are provided between the other stations as transfer tracks and / or intermediate storage. Intermediate station 36 is located downstream of second pressing station 8 for removing the finished triple insulating glass panes 10, 11. Each of intermediate stations 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 may, in a manner known per se, include a single-track horizontal conveyor and a support wall (neither shown).

[0037] In a first embodiment of the manufacture of a quadruple insulating glass pane 11 according to the present invention, the second thin glass pane T2 is fed as a first glass sheet to inspection station 2, where it is checked for defects. The thin glass pane T2 is then transported in an upright position in the main transport direction through intermediate station 31, first coating station 4 and intermediate station 32 to first pressing station 5. The second outer glass pane S2 is fed as a second glass sheet. After being inspected for defects at inspection station 2, the outer glass pane S2 is transported to first coating station 4 via intermediate station 31.

[0038] The first thin glass sheet T1 is fed to inspection station 2 as a third glass sheet. After the thin glass sheet T1 is inspected for defects, it is transported to intermediate station 31. The first outer glass sheet S1 is then transported to inspection station 2 as a fourth glass sheet, where it is checked for defects.

[0039] In the first application station 4, third flexible spacer strands 16 are applied to the outer glass S2, forming a closed spacer frame along the edge of the outer glass S2 in a manner known per se (see intermediate step A in Figure 1).

[0040] The first press station 5 comprises a single-track horizontal conveyor 50, a first press plate 51, and a second press plate 52. The horizontal conveyor 50 is designed in a manner known per se and is shown diagrammatically in dashed lines. The first press plate 51 is arranged in a fixed position. The upright press plate 51 is slightly tilted backward relative to the vertical, supporting the upright thin glass sheets T2 on the horizontal conveyor 50 so that they do not tilt forward, i.e., away from the press plate 51. The press plate 51 forms a support wall 53 with a planar support surface 54. The vertical or plumb line is indicated by a vertical line 55 in Figure 10. The support surface 54 is formed by a rubber coating 56 on the support wall 53. The support wall 53 is designed as an air cushion support wall and includes several air ducts 57. The air ducts 57 open into the support surface 54. See Figures 8 to 10. The duct portion 571 of the air duct 57 is formed by a blind hole drilled in the support wall 53 from the rear. The terminal duct portion 572 of the air duct 57 is connected to the duct portion 571 and extends at an angle W relative to the support surface 54. The angle W is 30°. The diameter of the terminal duct portion 572 is 3 mm to 6 mm, preferably 4 mm. When positive pressure is applied to the air duct 57, the air flows out at an angle relative to the support surface 54. To avoid impeding the air flow exiting the support surface 54, the rubber coating 56 includes an oval hole 561 surrounding the terminal duct portion 572. In this way, the air duct 57 extends as a through passage through the support wall 53 to the side of the support wall 53 opposite the support surface 54.

[0041] The second press plate 52 is disposed parallel to the first press plate 51 and the support surface 54. The press plate 52 is linearly displaceable in a direction transverse to the conveying direction of the horizontal conveyor 50, so that the distance between the two press plates 51, 52 can be changed. The press plate 52 is provided with a suction device (not shown) that adsorbs the glass sheet supported by the press plate 51 to the press plate 52. The press plate 52 with the glass sheet adsorbed thereto can be separated from the press plate 51.

[0042] The thin glass pane T2 is attracted to the press plate 52 and leaves the press plate 51 together, as will be explained in more detail below. After the spacer strands 16 are applied to the outer glass pane S2, it is transported to the intermediate station 32. The thin glass pane T1 and the outer glass pane S1 are transported following the outer glass pane S2 (see intermediate step B in FIG. 1).

[0043] The horizontal conveyor 50 is released when the thin glass sheet T2 adsorbed to the press plate 52 is released from the press plate 51. The outer glass sheet S2 can be transported by the horizontal conveyor 50 into the first press station 5 until it coincides with the thin glass sheet T2. The press plate 52 with the adsorbed thin glass sheet T2 is returned toward the press plate 51 until the thin glass sheet T2 rests on the spacer strands 16 and is at a predetermined distance from the outer glass sheet S2. Before the thin glass sheet T2 completely rests on the spacer strands 16, the space between the thin glass sheet T2 and the outer glass sheet S2 can be filled with a gas other than air in a manner known per se. The second thin glass sheet T2 and the second outer glass sheet S2 are then joined to form a glass assembly U2, referred to as the "second glass assembly." The thin glass sheet T1 is transported to the intermediate station 32. The outer glass sheet S1 is transported to the application station 4, where the spacer strands 14 are applied to the outer glass sheet S1 (see intermediate step C in Figure 1).

[0044] The distance between the press plates 51 and 52 increases again and the second glass assembly U2 is transported to the turning station 6 via the intermediate station 33. At the same time, the thin glass T1 is transported through the first press station 5 to the intermediate station 33 (see intermediate step D in Figure 1).

[0045] 5 to 7, the rotating station 6 comprises a single-track horizontal conveyor 60, a first support wall 61, and a second support wall 62. The horizontal conveyor 60 is designed in a manner known per se. The rotating station 6 further comprises a base frame 63, which stands stationary on the floor. A rotating frame 64 is attached to the base frame 63. A swivel joint 65 having a vertical rotation axis 66 is arranged between the rotating frame 64 and the base frame 63. The swivel joint 65 is designed as a rotating ring with a number of guide rollers 67 arranged around its circumference. A rotary drive 68 is integrated into the rotating station 6, which allows the rotating frame 64 to rotate around the vertical rotation axis 66 in the direction of arrow Y. A tilting frame 70 is attached to the rotating frame 64. A tilting joint 71 having a horizontal tilting axle 72 is arranged between the rotating frame 64 and the tilting frame 70. The tilting axle 72 extends perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 7. A tilting drive 73 in the form of a pressure medium cylinder is provided for tilting the tilting frame 70 relative to the rotating frame 64 in the direction of the arrow Z about the tilting axle 72 .

[0046] When the glass assembly U2 is transported from the first press station 5 to the turning station 6 standing on its lower edge U21, the glass assembly U2 is supported by the outer surface S22 of the glass sheet S2. When the glass assembly U2 is transported to the turning station 6, the horizontal conveyors 50 and 60 are aligned, and the support wall 61 is flush with the press plate 51. The glass assembly U2 is then rotated 180° in the direction of arrow Y via the rotation drive 68, thereby being turned over. Simultaneously with the rotation in the direction of arrow Y, the glass assembly U2 is tilted in the direction of arrow Z via the tilting drive 73. As the horizontal conveyor 60 tilts together with the support walls 61 and 62, the glass assembly U2 also tilts away from the support wall 61 and toward the support wall 62. After the tilting process is complete, the glass assembly U2 is supported on the thin glass sheet T2 by the support wall 62. After the pivoting and tilting steps are completed, the horizontal conveyor 60 is again aligned with the horizontal conveyor 50, and the support wall 62 is in the same plane as the press plate 51 (see intermediate step E in FIG. 2). During the pivoting, the thin glass T1 is sucked onto the press plate 52 and released therefrom.

[0047] After being rotated, the glass assembly U2 is supported on the thin glass T1 and transported to the second press station 8. When the thin glass T1 adsorbed on the press plate 52 separates from the press plate 51, the horizontal conveyor 50 becomes free. The outer glass S1 can then be transported into the press station 5 by the horizontal conveyor 50 until it coincides with the thin glass T1. Next, the press plate 52 with the adsorbed thin glass T1 is returned toward the press plate 51 until the thin glass T1 rests on the spacer strands 14 and is at a predetermined distance from the outer glass S1. Before the thin glass T1 completely rests on the spacer strands 14, the space between the thin glass T1 and the outer glass S1 can be filled with a gas other than air in a manner known per se to enhance the insulating effect. The first thin glass T1 and the first outer glass S1 are thus bonded to form the glass assembly U1, also referred to as the "first glass assembly" (see intermediate step F in Figure 2).

[0048] The first glass assembly U1 is transported from the pressing station 5 via the intermediate station 33 through the pivoting station 6 in an upright position without pivoting. The glass assembly U1 is supported on the outside S12 by a support wall 62. The glass assembly U1 is transported via the intermediate station 35 to the second application station 9. In the second application station 9, second flexible spacer strands 15 are applied to the first thin glass pane T1 in a manner known per se (see intermediate step G in FIG. 2 ) so as to form a closed spacer frame along the edge of the thin glass pane T1.

[0049] The second press station 8 includes a single-track horizontal conveyor 80, a first press plate 81, and a second press plate 82. The first press plate 81 is positioned in a fixed position and tilted slightly backward relative to the vertical. The first press plate 81 supports the glass assembly U2, which is standing on the horizontal conveyor 80, so that it does not tilt forward, i.e., toward the side facing away from the first press plate 81. The first press plate 81 forms an air cushion support wall with a flat support surface, which is located on the same plane as the support surface 54 of the press plate 51. The second press plate 82 is positioned parallel to the first press plate 81 and is linearly displaceable transversely to the conveying direction of the horizontal conveyor 80, so that the distance between the two press plates 81 and 82 changes. The second press plate 82 includes a known suction device (not shown) that can suck the glass assembly U2 supported by the first press plate 81 onto the second press plate 82. The glass assembly U2 is attracted to the press plate 82 by the outer glass S2. Then, the press plate 82, with the glass assembly U2 still attracted, moves away from the press plate 81. The horizontal conveyor 80 is thus freed (see intermediate step G in FIG. 2).

[0050] The glass assembly U1 is transported from the horizontal conveyor 80 via the intermediate station 35 to the press station 8. When the outer glass pane S1 is aligned with the outer glass pane S2, the press plate 82 with the glass assembly U2 attached thereto is moved back towards the press plate 81. The distance between the two press plates 81 and 82 is reduced, as can be seen in intermediate step H in FIG. 2, until the thin glass pane T2 rests on the spacer strands 15 and the first outer glass pane S1 is at a predetermined distance from the second outer glass pane S2. Before the thin glass pane T2 comes to rest completely on the spacer strands 15, the space between the thin glass panes T2 and T1 can be filled with a gas other than air in a manner known per se.

[0051] The suction of the outer glass pane S2 to the press plate 82 ends, and the distance between the press plates 81 and 82 is increased again. The assembled four-ply insulating glass pane 11 is then transported by the horizontal conveyor 80 and the intermediate station 35, with the insulating glass pane 11 in an upright position supported on the outer glass pane S12.

[0052] In an embodiment of the present invention for manufacturing a triple-ply insulating glass pane 10, the same apparatus 1 is used as for manufacturing the quadruple-ply insulating glass pane 11 described above. A second outer glass sheet S2 is provided as the first glass sheet. Next, thin glass T is provided as the second glass sheet. The third glass sheet is the first outer glass sheet S1, see intermediate step A in FIG. 11 . After each glass sheet is checked at inspection station 2, the outer glass sheet S2 is provided to press station 8 without further processing. The thin glass sheet T is transported to press station 5. At application station 4, a first flexible spacer strand 14 is applied to the outer glass sheet S1 (see intermediate step B in FIG. 11 ). The thin glass sheet T is sucked onto press plate 52 and leaves press plate 51 together with press plate 52. The outer glass sheet S2 is sucked onto press plate 82 and leaves press plate 81 together with press plate 82 (see intermediate step C in FIG. 11 ). The outer glass pane S1 with the spacer strands 14 is then conveyed to the pressing station 5, where it is bonded to the thin glass pane T to form the glass assembly U (see intermediate step D in FIG. 11). Bonding is performed in the same manner as described above for the glass assembly U1. The glass assembly U is then conveyed, without pivoting, through the turning station 6 to the second application station 9, as shown in intermediate step E in FIG. 12. There, in a manner known per se, spacer strands 15 are applied to the thin glass pane T so as to form a closed spacer frame along its edges (see intermediate step F in FIG. 12). The glass assembly U is conveyed to the pressing station 8. The pressing plate 82, to which the outer glass pane S2 is attached, is again moved towards the pressing plate 81 until the outer glass pane S2 rests on the spacer strands 15 (see intermediate step G in FIG. 12). The assembled triple insulating glass pane 10 is then conveyed out via the intermediate station 36.

[0053] Alternatively, the four-ply insulating glass pane 11 can also be assembled using an improved apparatus 1', as shown in Figures 13 and 14. In contrast to the apparatus 1 described above, the apparatus 1' does not include a second coating station 9. Glass assemblies U1 and U2 are produced in a manner similar to that already described above for intermediate steps A-F of Figures 1 and 2, as shown in Figures 13 and 14. Glass assembly U1 is then transported back to coating station 4 in the direction opposite to the main transport direction. At coating station 4, spacer strands 15 are applied to the thin glass pane T1, forming a closed spacer frame along the edge of the thin glass pane T1 in a manner known per se (see intermediate step G of Figure 14). At pressing station 8, glass assembly U2 is sucked onto pressing plate 82 and separated from pressing plate 81. Glass assembly U1, provided with spacer strands 15, is transported in the main transport direction through pressing station 5 and pivoting station 6 to pressing station 8. Glass assembly U1 is then joined in a suitable manner to glass assembly U2 (see intermediate step H in FIG. 14) so ​​as to form insulating glass pane 10.

[0054] Alternatively, the triple insulating glass pane 10 can also be assembled using an improved apparatus 1" as shown in Figure 15. The apparatus 1" differs from the above-described apparatus 1 mainly in that two pressing stations 5 and 8 are arranged directly behind one another. Furthermore, there is only one coating station 4. The supply of glass sheets S2, T, S1 and the production of glass assembly U (see intermediate steps A to C in Figure 15) take place in the same way as already described above with reference to intermediate steps A to D in Figure 11. The glass assembly U is then conveyed in the direction opposite to the main transport direction to coating station 4. In coating station 4, spacer strands 15 are applied to the thin glass T along its edges in a manner known per se so as to form a closed spacer frame (see intermediate step D in Figure 15). In pressing station 8, the outer glass sheet S2 is sucked onto pressing plate 82 and separated from pressing plate 81. The glass assembly U with the spacer strands 15 is conveyed in the main transport direction through pressing station 5 to pressing station 8. The glass assembly U is then joined in a suitable manner with the outer glass S2 (see intermediate step E in FIG. 15) so as to form an insulating glass pane 10.

[0055] The air duct 57 of the press plate 51 can be pressurized with either negative or positive pressure. When pressurized with negative pressure, a suction device 90 is formed to suck the flexible thin glass sheets T, T1, and T2 onto the support surface 54 as flatly as possible. Referring to FIG. 9 , the suction device 90 comprises the air duct 57, a circular recess 91, and multiple grooves 92. The recess 91 surrounds and communicates with the terminal duct portion 572. The recess 91 opens toward the support surface 54 and has a diameter of 20 mm or less. The groove 92 extends radially toward the terminal duct portion 572 and opens into the recess 91. The groove 92 may be composed of multiple groove portions 921 and 922. The two groove portions 921 and 922 extend obliquely toward each other. The length L of the linearly extending groove portions 921 and 922 is at most 60 mm. The width B of the groove 92 is approximately 8 mm. The depth T of the recesses 91 and grooves 92 is at most 1 mm. The recesses 91 may be slightly deeper than the grooves 92. The support surface 54 has a first support region 93 with a higher air duct density than the second support region 94. This improves the air cushion transport of the thin glass sheets T, T1, and T2. The surface area subjected to negative pressure by the air ducts 57 in the first support region 93 is larger than that in the second support region 94. The suction device 90 includes four grooves 92 in the support region 93 and five grooves 92 in the support region 94. The third support region 95 is located in the lower corner region of the support wall 53, where the proportion of the surface area subjected to suction is even greater than in the support region 93. This is achieved by several grooves 92 connected to multiple air ducts 57 and intersecting each other. The support wall 53 has holes 96 for accommodating sensors. The suction device 90 leaves the area of ​​the holes 96.

[0056] The suction device 90 according to the present invention first sucks the thin glass sheets T, T1, T2 onto the first press plate 51 of the first press station 5. The design of the suction device 90 ensures that the thin glass sheets T, T1, T2 lie flatly and without waves on the support surface 54. Due to the different suction effects at the support areas 93, 94, and 95, the thin glass sheets T, T1, T2 first contact the support surface 54 at the support area 95. Starting from this corner, the thin glass sheets T, T1, T2 then contact the support surface 54 at the support areas 93 and 94. This contact process, which starts from the corner of the thin glass sheets T, T1, T2, ensures that the thin glass sheets T, T1, T2 contact the support surface 54 over their entire surface and flatly. This prevents the formation of an air cushion between the support surface 54 and the thin glass sheets T, T1, T2, which would cause the thin glass sheets T, T1, T2 to ripple. While the thin glass sheets T, T1, T2 are being sucked onto the second press plate 52, the suction of each thin glass sheet T, T1, T2 onto the first press plate 51 is maintained. The suction of each thin glass sheet T, T1, T2 onto the first press plate 51 ends only after the thin glass sheets T, T1, T2 have been sucked onto the second press plate 52. As a result, the thin glass sheets T, T1, T2 can be transferred to the second press plate 52 in a very flat manner and placed onto the spacer strands 14 or 16, as already mentioned above. The suction device of the second press plate 52 can be designed in a manner known per se or can include a suction device 90 according to the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1, 1', 1”…device 10...Triple insulating glass panes 11...Four insulating glass panes T...10 thin glass sheets T1: First thin glass sheet T2: Second thin glass sheet S1: First outer glass sheet S11…Surface / Inside S12…Surface / Outside S2: Second outer glass sheet S21…Surface / Inside S22…Surface / Outside U...Glass assembly U1...First glass assembly U2: Second glass assembly U21...Lower edge A~H...Intermediate steps 14...First flexible spacer strand 15...Second flexible spacer strand 16...third flexible spacer strand 2. Inspection station 4. Coating station 5...First Press Station 50, 60, 80... horizontal conveyor 51...First press plate 52...Second press plate 53…Supporting wall 54...Support surface 55...Vertical line 56...Rubber coating 561...oval hole 57...Air duct 571...Duct section 572...Terminal duct section 6...Turning station 61...First supporting wall 62...Second supporting wall 63...Base frame 64...Rotating frame 65...Swivel joint 66...Upright rotation axis 67...Guide roller 68...Rotational drive device 70...Tilt frame 71... Inclined joint 72...Tilting axle 73...Tilting Drive 8...Second Press Station 80...Horizontal conveyor 81...First press plate 82...Second press plate 9...Application station 90...Suction device 91...Depression 92...Groove 921...Groove 922...Groove 93...First support area 94...Second support area 95...Third support area 96...holes

Claims

1. A method for assembling insulating glass panes (10, 11) comprising two first and second outer panes (S1, S2) and at least one thin pane of glass (T, T1, T2) therebetween, comprising: In an application station (4), first flexible spacer strands (14) are applied to the first outer glass (S1) to form a frame-shaped spacer; After application of the first flexible spacer strands (14), in a first press station (5) downstream of the application station (4), the first outer glass (S1) is combined with a thin glass (T; T1) to form a glass assembly (U; U1); After the glass assemblies (U; U1) are bonded together, a second flexible spacer strand (15) is applied to the thin glass (T; T1) of the glass assemblies (U; U1) to form a frame-shaped spacer; After application of the second flexible spacer strands (15), in a second press station (8) arranged downstream of the first press station (5), the glass assembly (U; U1) is completed with at least the second outer glass so as to form a triple or quadruple insulating glass pane (10; 11); A method for assembling an insulating glass pane comprising:

2. In claim 1, a first flexible spacer strand (14) comprising said thin glass (T; T1) and said outer glass (S1) in an upright position relative to each other, transported into said first press station (5) where they are joined together to form said glass assembly (U; U1).

3. In claim 2, In the first press station (5), the thin glass (T; T1) supported by a first press plate (51) is sucked onto a second press plate (52); a step of separating the second press plate (52) to which the thin glass (T1; T1) is adsorbed from the first press plate (51); After the thin glass (T; T1) has been released from the first press plate (51), the first outer glass (S1) is transported to the first press station (5) where it is supported by the first press plate (51); a step of joining the thin glass (T; T2) and the first outer glass (S1) to form a glass assembly (U; U1), and then completing the adsorption of the thin glass (T; T1) to the second press plate (52); A method for assembling an insulating glass pane, comprising:

4. In claim 3, In the first press station (5), the thin glass (T; T1) supported by the first press plate (51) is first sucked onto the first press plate (51); Before the suction of the thin glass (T; T1) to the first press plate (51) is completed, the thin glass (T; T1) is sucked onto the second press plate (52); A method for assembling an insulating glass pane, comprising:

5. In claim 1, the second outer glass (S2) and the thin glass (T) are conveyed in an upright position relative to each other through the application station (4) before a first flexible spacer strand (14) is applied to the first outer glass (S1); The second outer pane (S2) is conveyed to the second pressing station (8) in a vertical position; The thin glass (T) is conveyed to the first press station (5) in a vertical position, After application of the first flexible spacer strands (14), the first outer glass (S1) is conveyed in a vertical position from the application station (4) to the first pressing station (5); in the first press station (5), the thin glass (T) and the first outer glass (S1) are joined together to form the glass assembly (U); After the second flexible spacer strands (15) are applied to the thin glass (T) of the glass assembly (U), the glass assembly (U) is transported in an upright position to the second press station (8); in the second press station (8), the glass assembly (U) and the second outer glass (S2) are joined together to form a triple insulating glass pane (10); After bonding, the triple insulating glass pane (10) is conveyed out of the second press station (8) in an upright position; A method for assembling an insulating glass pane, comprising:

6. In claim 5, In the second press station (8), the second outer glass (S2) supported by the first press plate (81) of the second press station (8) is sucked onto the second press plate (82) of the second press station (8); a step of separating the second press plate (82) to which the second outer glass (S2) is adsorbed from the first press plate (81); After the second outer glass (S2) leaves the first press plate (81), the glass assembly (U) is transported to the second press station (8) and supported by the first press plate (81) of the second press station (8); After joining the second outer glass (S2) and the glass assembly (U), terminating the suction of the second outer glass (S2) to the second press plate (82) of the second press station (8); after the second outer glass (S2) is sucked onto the second press plate (82), the triple insulating glass pane (10) is transported out of the second press station (8); A method for assembling an insulating glass pane, comprising:

7. In claim 5, An assembly method carried out using the first application station (4) and the second application station (9), comprising: the first press station (5) is arranged downstream of the first application station (4), and the second application station (9) is arranged between the first press station (5) and the second press station (8), in particular between the turning station (6) and the second press station (8); the first flexible spacer strands (14) are applied to the first outer glass (S1) at the first application station (4); the glass assembly (U) is transported to the second application station (9) for applying the second flexible spacer strands (15) to the thin glass (T) of the glass assembly (U).

8. In claim 1, applying third flexible spacer strands (16) to the second outer glass (S2) to form a third frame-shaped spacer; After the third flexible spacer strands (16) have been applied, the second outer glass (S2) is joined with a second thin glass (T2) to form a second glass assembly (U2); After the second glass assembly (U2) is bonded, the second flexible spacer strands (15) are applied to the first glass assembly (U1) including the first outer glass (S1), and then the first glass assembly (U1) is bonded together with the second glass assembly (U2) to form a four-ply insulating glass pane (11); A method for assembling an insulating glass pane, comprising:

9. In claim 8, before the application of the first flexible spacer strands (14) and before the application of the third flexible spacer strands (16), the second thin glass (T2) is conveyed in an upright position through the application station (4) into the first press station (5); Following the second thin glass (T2), the second outer glass (S2) is conveyed into the coating station (4) in a vertical position; At the application station (4), the third flexible spacer strand (16) is applied to the second outer glass (S2); After the third flexible spacer strands (16) have been applied, the second outer glass (S2) is conveyed in a vertical position from the application station (4) to the first press station (5); in a first press station (5), a second thin glass (T2) is joined to a second outer glass (S2) to form a second glass assembly (U2); Following the second outer glass (S2), the first thin glass (T1) is conveyed through the coating station (4), Following the first thin glass (T1), the first outer glass (S1) is conveyed in an upright position into the coating station (4), At the application station (4), the first flexible spacer strands (14) are applied to the first outer glass (S1); After bonding the second glass assembly (U2), it is transported in a vertical position from the first press station (5) to a turning station (6), where it is rotated around a vertical rotation axis (66); Following the second glass assembly (U2), the first thin glass (T1) is conveyed to the first pressing station (5) in a vertical position; After turning, the second glass assembly (U2) is transported in an upright position from the turning station (6) to the second pressing station (8); After the first flexible spacer strand (14) has been applied to the first outer glass (S1), it is transported in an upright position from the application station (4) to the first press station (5); In the first press station (5), the first thin glass (T1) and the first outer glass (S1) are joined together to form the first glass assembly (U1); After joining the first glass assembly (U1), applying the second flexible spacer strand (15) to the first thin glass (T1) of the first glass assembly (U1), After the second flexible spacer strands (15) are applied to the first thin glass (T1) of the first glass assembly (U1), the first glass assembly (U1) is transported in an upright position into the second press station (8); In the second press station (8), the first glass assembly (U1) and the second glass assembly (U2) are joined together to form a four-ply insulating glass pane (11); After joining, the four-ply insulating glass pane (11) is transported in a vertical position from the second press station (8).

10. In claim 8, A method carried out using the first application station (4) and the second application station (9), comprising: the first press station (5) is arranged downstream of the first application station (4), and the second application station (9) is arranged between the first press station (5) and the second press station (8), in particular between the turning station (6) and the second press station (8); application of the first flexible spacer strands (14) to the first outer glass (S1) and application of the third flexible spacer strands (16) to the second outer glass (S2) is performed at the first application station (4); a first glass assembly (U1) being conveyed to a second application station (9) for applying the second flexible spacer strands (15) to the first thin glass (T1) of the first glass assembly (U1).

11. In claim 8, In the second press station (8), the second outer glass (S2) of the second glass assembly (U2) supported by a first press plate (81) is sucked onto a second press plate (82); The second press plate (82) to which the second glass assembly (U2) is attached is separated from the first press plate (81); After the second glass assembly (U2) leaves, the first glass assembly (U1) is transported to the second press station (8) where it is supported by the first press plate (81); After the first glass assembly (U1) is joined to the second glass assembly (U2), the suction of the second outer glass (S2) to the second press plate (82) is terminated; a step of assembling the insulating glass panes by the second press station (82) after the second outer glass (S2) has been sucked onto the second press plate (82), and then the four-ply insulating glass pane (11) is transported out of the second press station (8).

12. In any one of claims 1 to 11, At least one of the stations (4, 5, 8) and the stations (2, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 6, 9), particularly the first press station (5), has an air cushion support wall (53) consisting of a flat support surface (54), and a plurality of air ducts (57) open into the support surface (54), and are configured so that air flows out of the air ducts (57) obliquely relative to the support surface (54) when subjected to positive pressure.

1. A method for assembling an insulating glass pane, comprising:

13. In claim 12, The support surface (54) comprises a first support area (93) and a second support area (94), and the air duct density in the first support area (93) is greater than the air duct density in the second support area (94), the air duct density being defined as the number of the air ducts (57) per square meter of the support surface (54).

1. A method for assembling an insulating glass pane, comprising:

14. In any one of claims 3 to 11, At least one of the press plates (51, 52, 81, 82), in particular the first press plate (51) of the first press station (5), has a planar support surface (54) into which a plurality of air ducts (57) open, the air ducts (57) being configured to form a suction device (90) under negative pressure for sucking the planar thin glass sheets (T; T1; T2) onto the support surface (54).

1. A method for assembling an insulating glass pane, comprising:

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