Separation method and apparatus for separating glass panes of insulating glass from spacer frames, method and apparatus for disassembling insulating glass, and reprocessing method and reprocessing apparatus for reprocessing insulating glass units

Abstract

The present invention relates to a separation method and apparatus for the non-destructive separation of panes of insulating glass from a spacer frame of an insulating glass unit, as well as a method and apparatus for disassembling insulating glass, and a reprocessing method and reprocessing apparatus for reprocessing insulating glass units.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a separation method and apparatus for the non-destructive separation of glass panes of insulating glass from a spacer frame of the insulating glass, as well as a method and apparatus for dismantling insulating glass, and a reprocessing method and reprocessing apparatus for reprocessing insulating glass units. [Background technology]

[0002] Insulating glazing, also known as multi-pane insulating glass, comprises at least two parallel, spaced-apart glass panes, between which a gas-filled, airtight, moisture-proof interpane space of a predetermined width is provided. To permanently ensure this predetermined interpane space, a circumferential spacer frame is provided between the two panes of glass, connecting the two panes to each other at their outer edge regions. The spacer frame is composed of thin-walled spacer tubes with a substantially flat rectangular cross section. Such spacer tubes are also typically made of metal, specifically stainless steel or aluminum. Plastic versions are also known.

[0003] There is also a primary seal, preferably made of butyl, on the outer surface of the spacer tube, which bonds the spacer tube to the glass panes and seals the interpane space from the atmosphere, and an edge seal (secondary seal) around the outer perimeter of the spacer frame, which stiffens the insulating glass and provides additional airtightness.

[0004] Also well known are TPS spacers (Thermo Plastic Spacers), which consist of a rubber compound that is pre-applied to the glass panes during the manufacture of the insulating glass unit.

[0005] The inter-plate space is also filled with air or another gas, such as argon or xenon.

[0006] In recent years, more efforts have been made to recycle insulating glass units, especially to reduce CO2 emissions.

[0007] Glass is essentially destined for a closed-loop recycling economy. This is because the use of glass fragments not only conserves natural raw material resources, but also reduces the melting energy required and, therefore, the CO2 emissions generated. For example, in the production of flat glass, the use of 10% recycled material can achieve an energy reduction of approximately 3% and a CO2 reduction of approximately 3.6%.

[0008] It is also known to remove glass panes from insulating glass without damaging the panes and reuse the removed panes in the production of new insulating glass (upcycling).

[0009] AT 364 513 discloses a method and an apparatus for disassembling insulating glass, in which a base plate that can be placed on the glass sheet carries on one side at least one handle and on the other side a knife blade that is adjustable parallel to the base plate and perpendicular to the base plate, the knife blade being essentially triangular in shape and clamped to a knife carrier that includes a shaft that is displaceably clamped in a sleeve fixed on the base plate.

[0010] The base plate of the AT 364 513 device rests against one of the insulating glass panes, with the handle facing upward and the knife blade positioned below the base plate. When the base plate is moved parallel to the edge of the pane, the knife blade, resting against one pane, enters the edge gap between the two panes and is adjusted perpendicular to the base plate and the panes until it removes the sealant from the pane. Once the sealant has been removed from one pane, the base plate is moved so that the knife blade rests against the other pane and is adjusted by the width of the edge gap between the panes, separating the pane and the sealant. The metal profile is then removed from the pane.

[0011] EP 1 031 542 A2 discloses an apparatus and method for disassembling insulating glass, in which the edge regions of the insulating glass, including the spacers, are cut off by means of a jet of water directed perpendicular to the glass panes.

[0012] Similarly, the edge region is cut off using a cut-off wheel according to US Pat. No. 8,621,738 B2.

[0013] According to WO 2020 / 018377 A1, the two panes of insulating glass are separated from the spacer using a heated knife. The two panes are then broken for subsequent recycling.

[0014] In the method developed by PushCorp, the spacers are cut using a high-speed rotating separation saw blade (https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=72Oxh2OvNwk). The circular saw blade is moved against the insulating glass. The spacer residue, which remains attached to the glass pane, is then crushed, and an abrasive wheel is used to remove the primary and secondary seals. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The object of the present invention is to provide a separation method and a separation device for the non-destructive separation of glass panes from a spacer frame of insulating glass, which ensures as gentle a separation as possible and good quality of the separated glass panes.

[0016] Specifically, it must also be ensured that the spacer frame is not damaged to prevent the desiccant from leaking.

[0017] Another object is to provide a method for disassembling an insulating glass unit.

[0018] A further object is to provide a reprocessing apparatus and method for reprocessing insulating glass units using such a separating apparatus.

[0019] These objects are solved by a separation method according to claim 1, a method for decomposition according to claim 25, a reprocessing method according to claim 27, a separation device according to claim 28 and a reprocessing device according to claim 55.

[0020] Advantageous further embodiments of the invention are characterized in the following subclaims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a highly simplified and schematic cross-sectional view of a double insulating glass window; [Figure 2] 1 shows a side view of a separating device according to the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention with insulating glass in the receiving area; FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view of a separating device according to the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention with the insulating glass in an advanced position; FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a side view of a separating device according to the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention with the insulating glass in an advanced position and the upper horizontal separating head engaged; FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a side view of a separating device according to the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention with the insulating glass in a further advanced position and the upper horizontal separating head engaged; FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view of a separating device according to the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention with the insulating glass in a further advanced position and the upper horizontal separating head engaged; FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a side view of a separating device according to the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention during a horizontal separating step; FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a side view of the inventive separating device according to a first embodiment of the invention with insulating glass in the removal area and rotated 90° in the receiving area; FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a side view rotated by 90° of a separation device according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of the upper horizontal separation head. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is another enlarged side view rotated 90 degrees of the upper horizontal separation head. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of the lower horizontal separation head. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is another enlarged side view of the lower horizontal separator head rotated 90°. [Figure 14] 1 is a highly simplified and schematic view of the components of two horizontal separating heads. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is another simplified and schematic view of the components of the two horizontal separation heads. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a top view, partially in section, of the lower horizontal separation head. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is another side view of the lower horizontal separation head. [Figure 18] 1 is a longitudinal cross section of a rotary knife. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a reprocessing device. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a side view of an inspection device and a degassing device of the reprocessing device. [Figure 21] 1A-1C are side views of a separation unit of a reprocessor at different stages of the process. [Figure 22] 10A-10C are side views of another separation device of the reprocessor at different stages of the process. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is another side view of the separation device of the reprocessing device. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a side view of a sealing residue removal device of the reprocessing device. [Figure 25] 4 is a further side view of a separation device according to the invention, according to a further embodiment of the invention; FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 1 is a highly simplified and schematic illustration of the tilt of the knife rotation axis about a first knife axis tilt axis. [Figure 27] FIG. 1 is a highly simplified and schematic illustration of the tilt of the knife rotation axis about a second knife axis tilt axis. [Figure 28] 10 is a perspective view of components of a lower horizontal separating head of a separating device according to the invention, according to a further embodiment of the invention; FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 1 is a highly simplified and schematic side view of a rotary knife under bending load. [Figure 30] FIG. 1 is a highly simplified and schematic top view of a rotary knife shown with insulating glass and a neutral circumference line. [Figure 31] 3 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to the invention according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown with insulating glass during the separation process; FIG. [Figure 32] 1 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown together with insulating glass, before the separation step of the upper glass sheet; [Figure 33] 3 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown together with insulating glass, at the start of the separation process of the upper glass sheet; FIG. [Figure 34] 3 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown together with insulating glass during the separation process of the upper glass sheet; FIG. [Figure 35]1 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown together with insulating glass, at the end of the separation process of the upper glass sheet; FIG. [Figure 36] 3 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown together with insulating glass, at the start of the separation process of the lower glass sheet; FIG. [Figure 37] 3 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown together with insulating glass during the separation process of the lower glass sheet; FIG. [Figure 38] 1 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown together with insulating glass, at the end of the separation process of the lower glass sheet; [Figure 39] 10 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separating device according to a further embodiment of the invention when rotating an insulating glass pane; [Figure 40] 1 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown with a rotated insulating glass prior to the separation step of the upper glass sheet; FIG. [Figure 41] 1 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown with the insulating glass rotated at the end of the separation process of the lower glass sheet; FIG. [Figure 42] 3 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separating device according to the invention, according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown with two insulating glass units during the separation process of the upper glass pane; FIG. [Figure 43] 1 is a highly simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention shown together with insulating glass prior to the separation step of the front glass pane along the lower insulating glass edge; FIG. [Figure 44] 1 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention shown together with insulating glass at the start of the separation process of the front glass pane along the lower insulating glass edge. FIG. [Figure 45] FIG. 10 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention shown together with insulating glass just before the end of the separation process of the front glass pane along the lower insulating glass edge. [Figure 46] FIG. 10 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention shown together with insulating glass just before the end of the separation process of the front glass pane along the lower insulating glass edge. [Figure 47] FIG. 2 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown together with insulating glass at the end of the separation process of the front glass pane along the lower insulating glass edge. [Figure 48] 1 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention shown together with insulating glass at the start of the separation process of the front glass pane along the vertical insulating glass edge. FIG. [Figure 49] 1 is a simplified and schematic top view of a separation device according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown with insulating glass, at the end of the separation process of the front glass pane; [Figure 50] 10 is a schematic diagram of the insertion process of the rotary knife due to the flexibility of the rotary knife. FIG. [Figure 51] 1 is a schematic diagram of the insertion process of a rotary knife by a floating bearing. [Figure 52] Figures 52a-c show various cutting edge shapes for rotary knives. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The preferably rectangular insulating glass or multi-pane insulating glass 1 to be disassembled comprises at least two glass panes 2 spaced apart from one another, a spacer frame 3 disposed between the two glass panes 2, a primary seal 4, and an edge or secondary seal 5.

[0024] The spacer frame 3 , primary seal 4 , and secondary seal 5 form the edge bond of the insulating glass 1 .

[0025] Each of the two glass panes 2 includes an outer pane surface 2a, an inner pane surface 2b, and preferably four adjacent outer pane edges 2c in pairs. Furthermore, the glass panes 2 are either individual panes 2 each having only a single glass plate 6 (FIG. 1) or laminated panes (not shown) consisting of multiple glass plates bonded together. A laminated pane is known as a stack of at least two individual glass plates, each bonded together by a plastic adhesive interlayer, specifically a highly tear-resistant viscoplastic thermoplastic film.

[0026] In the case of a double insulating glass 1 (FIG. 1), the two outer panes 2a also form the first and second outer insulating glass surfaces 1a and 1b, respectively, of the insulating glass 1. In the case of a multiple insulating glass 1 having two or more panes 2, the two outer panes 2a of the two outer panes 2 form the outer insulating glass surfaces 1a and 1b, respectively, of the insulating glass 1. The inner pane 2 only includes two inner panes 2b. In addition, the rectangular insulating glass 1 includes four insulating glass edges 1c that are adjacent to each other in pairs.

[0027] Depending on the field of use, the glass panes can be made of mineral silicate glass or plastic. The glass panes are preferably made of mineral glass.

[0028] Between the two glass panes 2 there is an inter-pane space, inter-pane space or gap 7. To permanently guarantee this predetermined inter-pane space 7, a circumferential spacer frame 3 is provided between the two glass panes 2. The spacer frame 3 connects the two glass panes 2 to each other in the pane boundary (edge) region or in the region of the respective outer pane edges 2c.

[0029] The spacer frame 3 is preferably rigid and consists of one circumferentially curved spacer tube 8 or a number of spacer tubes 8 connected to each other in pairs by corner connectors.

[0030] However, the spacer frame 3 may also be a flexible spacer frame 3 known per se. As known per se, a flexible spacer frame is made from curved flexible strand material made of plastic, preferably plastic foam, more preferably silicone foam, and further comprises a diffusion barrier.

[0031] Each spacer tube 8 includes a tube wall 9. The tube wall 9 surrounds a spacer tube inner body 8a which is preferably filled with a desiccant 50.

[0032] The tube wall 9 comprises a base wall 10, preferably with a flat surface, a top wall 11 opposite the base wall 10 and preferably parallel to it, and two side walls 12, preferably with flat surfaces. A transition wall 13 is also provided in each case between one of the side walls 12 and the base wall 10 for convenience. The side walls 12 and the top wall 11 preferably merge directly into one another. The two transition walls 13 are preferably designed as a kind of chamfer, i.e. the corner areas between each side wall 12 and the base wall 10 are flattened by the transition wall 13.

[0033] The top wall 11 is also preferably perforated in a manner known per se, to allow gas exchange with the desiccant 50 in the spacer tube inner body 8a.

[0034] A primary seal 4 is also present on the outer sidewall surface of sidewall 12, which bonds spacer tube 8 to glass pane 2 and also seals inter-pane space 7 from the environment. Primary seal 4 is preferably made of polyisobutylene or butyl rubber.

[0035] The secondary seal 5 is placed around the outside of the base wall 10 of the spacer tube 8. The secondary seal 5 is preferably made of a paste of polyurethane, silicone or special polysulfide.

[0036] The inter-plate space 7 is sealed airtight and moisture-tight from the surroundings by two seals 4; 5 and is further filled with a gas, preferably air or another gas, for example sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), argon or xenon.

[0037] According to a first embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 2-9), the separating device 14 of the present invention includes a base frame 15 and two horizontal separating heads 16; 17, namely an upper horizontal separating head 16 and a lower horizontal separating head 17.

[0038] The separation device 14 includes a height direction 15a and a lateral direction 15b perpendicular to the height direction 15a. Specifically, the lateral direction 15b is horizontal. The height direction 15a is vertical or, preferably, slightly inclined from the vertical with respect to an axis parallel to the lateral direction 15b. Preferably, the abutment surface inclination angle α is 3° to 10°, preferably 4° to 8°. Therefore, in the description of the present invention, "vertical" separation in the following description is understood to mean separation along the insulating glass edge 1c extending parallel to the height direction 15a, i.e., extending vertically or at a slight inclination relative to the vertical.

[0039] The base frame preferably comprises two frame regions 18; 19 spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction 15b, preferably a receiving region 18 and a removal region 19. An intermediate frame space or cutting region 20 is therefore provided between the two frame regions 18; 19.

[0040] Two horizontal separating heads 16; 17 are arranged in the cutting area 20.

[0041] Furthermore, the two frame regions 18 and 19 preferably have a lattice design and each further comprises a plurality of high bars 21 extending in the height direction 15a and a plurality of cross bars 22 extending in the lateral direction 15b, the high bars 21 and the cross bars 22 being perpendicular to each other.

[0042] The crossbars 22 also form rear walls 24 for the abutments of the insulating glass 1 to be separated, and each of the crossbars 22 includes, for this purpose, rear wall rollers 23. The rear wall rollers 23 form abutment surfaces 73 for the insulating glass 1, specifically for the insulating glass surface 1b opposite the abutment surface 73. The abutment surface 73 is also parallel to the lateral direction 15b and the height direction 15a.

[0043] The rear wall rollers 23 of the crossbar 22 are arranged next to each other in the lateral direction 15b. Each of the rear wall rollers 23 is rotatable about a rear wall roller rotation axis 23a parallel to the height direction 15a. The rear wall rollers 23 are preferably freely rotatable.

[0044] Preferably, the rear wall roller 23 includes a soft plastic, preferably rubber, surface to prevent damage from abrasion.

[0045] As an alternative to the multiple cross bars 22, there may be a panel, typically having a felt cover and multiple rear wall rollers 23.

[0046] The rear wall 24 can also be designed as an air cushion wall in a manner known per se, which only needs to form the abutment surface 73 and allow the insulating glass 1 to move in the conveying direction 45.

[0047] The base frame 15 also includes a lower conveying roller track 25 having a plurality of conveying rollers 26. The conveying rollers 26 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction 15b. Each of the conveying rollers 26 is rotatable about a conveying roller rotation axis 26a perpendicular to the height direction 15a. The conveying rollers 26 are freely or at least partially rotatable about the conveying roller rotation axis 26a. The conveying roller rotation axis 26a is perpendicular to the abutment surface 73 or is slightly inclined, preferably by 0.1 to 3°, more preferably by 0.1 to 0.5°, toward the conveying or feed direction 45 toward the abutment surface 73, relative to an inclined axis perpendicular to the height direction 15a. Therefore, the conveying roller axis 26a preferably forms an acute angle with the conveying direction 45. The axial inclination in the conveying direction 45 helps to better control the uniform abutment of the insulating glass 1 on the abutment surface 73. This is because the insulating glass 1 is always pressed slightly towards the abutment surface 73 .

[0048] The upper horizontal separating head 16 is used to make a horizontal separating cut along the upper horizontal insulating glass edge 1c.

[0049] For this purpose, the upper horizontal separating head 16 comprises two rotary knives 27, two pressure rollers 28, four positioning rollers 29, preferably a knife drive motor 30, and preferably a lubrication device for lubricating the rotary knives 27, preferably with a liquid lubricant, more preferably with a suitable water-based or oil-based lubricating emulsion.

[0050] The liquid lubricant may also advantageously be a lubricating oil or water. The advantage of using water as a lubricating oil is that it evaporates without leaving any residue. The lubricating oil may advantageously be a biodegradable lubricating oil.

[0051] The two pressure rollers 28 are each mounted rotatably about a pressure roller rotation axis 28a. The pressure rollers 28 are preferably freely rotatable about the pressure roller rotation axis 28a. According to a preferred embodiment, the pressure roller rotation axis 28a includes an axial inclination similar to that of the conveying roller rotation axis 26a. Therefore, the pressure roller rotation axis 28a is slightly inclined, preferably by 0.1 to 3°, and more preferably by 0.1 to 0.5°, toward the conveying or feed direction 45 that is perpendicular to the abutment surface 73, or toward the abutment surface 73, relative to an inclined axis perpendicular to the height direction 15a. Therefore, the pressure roller rotation axis 28a also preferably forms an acute angle with the conveying direction 45.

[0052] The pressure roller 28 is pressed against the upper insulating glass edge 1c during the separation process and rolls along the upper insulating glass edge 1c, so that the insulating glass 1 is guided in a clamped state between the transport roller 26 and the pressure roller 28 during the separation process.

[0053] The two pressure rollers 28 are arranged adjacent to and spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction 15b. The pressure of the pressure rollers 28 includes a position-independent adjustable force. Preferably, the upper separating head 16 includes pneumatic and / or magnetic and / or spring-loaded pressure means.

[0054] The two rotary knives 27 are used to cut the primary seal 4 and the secondary seal 5, thereby separating each glass plate 2 from the spacer tube 8. For this purpose, the rotary knives 27 are each mounted rotatably about a knife rotation axis 27a. Furthermore, the two rotary knives 27 are each connected to a knife drive motor 30 so as to be drivable about the knife rotation axis 27a. Therefore, the two rotary knives 27 can preferably be driven synchronously by the knife drive motor 30.

[0055] The knife rotation axis 27a is perpendicular to the insulating glass surfaces 1a; 1b of the insulating glass 1 to be separated, or preferably is inclined by a first knife axis tilt axis 27-1 and a second knife axis tilt axis 27-2 towards the corresponding glass sheet surface 2b against which the rotating knife 27 abuts during the separation process.

[0056] The first knife axis tilt axis 27-1 is parallel to the insulating glass edge 1c along which the separation process is carried out, i.e., parallel to the transverse direction 15b in the case of a horizontal separation process (FIG. 26), and the first acute tilt angle γ about the first knife axis tilt axis 27-1 is preferably 0.05 to 5°, more preferably 0.05 to 1.2°.

[0057] The second knife shaft tilt axis 27-2 is perpendicular to the insulating glass edge 1c along which the separation process is performed and parallel to the abutment surface 73, i.e., parallel to the height direction 15a in the case of the horizontal separation process (FIG. 27). The second acute tilt angle δ about the second knife shaft tilt axis 27-2 is preferably 0.05 to 3°, more preferably 0.2 to 1.5°.

[0058] The two inclinations of the knife rotation axis 27a ensure that the rotary knives 27 always remain in contact with the corresponding glass plate surface 2b and also always move between the spacer frame 3 and the glass plate surface 2a.

[0059] Preferably, the inclination of the knife rotation axis 27a is adjusted in each case by tilting the support plate 31a;b on which the rotary knife 27 is mounted about the corresponding tilt axis. The inclination is preferably set by means of an adjusting screw 78;79. A servomotor-based design is also advantageous.

[0060] Preferably, the positioning rollers 29 and knife drive motor 30 are also mounted on the support plates 31a;b.

[0061] Furthermore, each of the two rotary knives 27 is mounted with a positioning roller 29 that is movable or traversable, preferably drivable, back and forth, preferably in a direction parallel to the knife rotation axis 27a, so as to move toward and away from the abutment surface 73. Furthermore, each of the two positioning rollers 29 is connected to a drive means, preferably a servomotor, so that it is drivable relative to the corresponding rotary knife 27, preferably in a direction parallel to the knife rotation axis 27a, so as to move toward and away from the abutment surface 73. Alternatively, an adjustment screw 74 (FIG. 16) may be provided for this purpose. This mobility of the positioning roller 29 relative to the rotary knives 27 serves to adapt it to the glass thickness of the corresponding glass pane 2 and the width of the inter-pane space 7.

[0062] Furthermore, the two rotary knives 27 are preferably arranged offset from one another in the lateral direction 15b, meaning that their knife rotation axes 27a are arranged offset from one another in the lateral direction 15b and are not coaxial with one another, but are preferably at the same vertical height when viewed in the height direction 15a.

[0063] Furthermore, the two rotary knives 27 are preferably arranged between the two pressure rollers 28 in the transverse direction 15b.

[0064] Furthermore, the two rotary knives 27 are arranged on either side of a central plane parallel to the abutment surface 73 .

[0065] However, the knife rotation axes 27a may advantageously be arranged so as to be aligned with one another when viewed in the lateral direction 15b.

[0066] Thus, according to an embodiment which is also preferred, the knife rotation axes 27a are arranged symmetrically relative to the central plane.

[0067] Furthermore, the two rotary knives 27 are preferably rotationally symmetrical with respect to the knife rotation axis 27a. Therefore, the two rotary knives 27 are preferably round or circular knives. However, the rotary knives 27 may have an elliptical outer periphery instead of a circular one.

[0068] The rotary knife 27 also includes an inner knife base 32 and a knife blade 33 adjacent to the knife base 32 from the radially outer side.

[0069] The disk-shaped knife base 32 includes two base surfaces 32a and 32b that face each other in the direction of the knife rotation axis 27a. The base surfaces 32a and 32b are preferably planar and perpendicular to the knife rotation axis 27a. Furthermore, the knife base 32 includes a central bearing recess 34 that extends through the knife base 32 from one of the base surfaces 32a and 32b to the other. The bearing recess 34 serves to support the rotary knife 27 on the knife drive shaft 35. The bearing recess 34 is specifically designed to ensure positive torque transmission. Specifically, the rotary knife 27 is connected to a knife drive shaft 35 so as to be non-rotatable about the knife rotation axis 27a. The knife drive shaft 35 is then connected to a knife drive motor 30 so as to be drivable about the knife rotation axis 27a. The knife drive shaft 35 is attached so as to be rotatable about the knife rotation axis 27a and so as to be displaceable back and forth in the direction of the knife rotation axis 27a.

[0070] Preferably, knife blade 33 includes an annular blade portion 36 and a circumferential cutting edge 37 radially outwardly adjacent annular blade portion 36 .

[0071] The annular blade 36 includes two, specifically planar, blade surfaces 36a and 36b that face each other in the direction of the knife rotation axis 27a. The blade surfaces 36a and 36b are preferably planar and perpendicular to the knife rotation axis 27a.

[0072] The cutting edge 37 includes first and second, specifically planar, circumferential cutting edge surfaces 37a and 37b, whereby the two cutting edge surfaces 37a and 37b meet at a circumferential cutting edge apex 38. The two cutting edge surfaces 37a and 37b form an acute cutting edge angle β. Preferably, the cutting edge angle β is between 5 and 40°, more preferably between 10 and 30°.

[0073] Additionally, cutting edge apex 38 is preferably non-serrated and toothless.

[0074] The cross section of the cutting edge 37 is therefore triangular.

[0075] Furthermore, the second cutting edge surface 37b is perpendicular to the knife rotation axis 27a, and the first cutting edge surface 37b forms an obtuse angle with the knife rotation axis 27a.

[0076] The second cutting edge surface 37b is also preferably coplanar with the second blade surface 36b, and the two surfaces 36b; 37b merge to form a continuous blade contact surface 39.

[0077] The first cutting edge surface 37a then merges with the first blade surface 36a via a circumferential transition edge 40.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the knife blade 33 also has a thickness that is slightly greater than the knife base 32. This thickness corresponds to an extension in the direction of the knife rotation axis 27a.

[0079] As a result, the first blade surface 36a protrudes above the first base surface 32a, and further, the second blade surface 36b protrudes above the second base surface 32b.

[0080] However, preferably, the first blade surface 36a and the first base surface 32a, and the second blade surface 36b and the second base surface 32b are coplanar with each other.

[0081] In the former case, the knife blade 33 protrudes beyond the knife base 32 on both sides when viewed from the direction of the knife rotation axis 27a, but at least the blade contact surface 39 protrudes. This protects the inner glass plate surface 2b, since only the blade contact surface 39, not the knife base 32, comes into contact with the inner glass plate surface 2b. If necessary, the knife blade 33 protrudes beyond the knife base 32 on one side by 20 to 150 μm, preferably 50 to 100 μm.

[0082] Preferably, the knife blade 33 has a thickness of 0.2 to 1 mm, and more preferably 0.3 to 0.6 mm.

[0083] And / or preferably, the knife base 32 has a thickness of 0.2 to 0.8 mm, preferably 0.3 to 0.5 mm.

[0084] Preferably, the rotary knife 27 has a diameter of 60 to 100 mm, more preferably 70 to 90 mm.

[0085] Furthermore, the rotary knife 27 is preferably made of a bendable metal, more preferably bendable steel, which allows the rotary knife 27 to deflect during the separation process and also to contact and conform to the glass surface 2b, ensuring a very clean removal of the primary and secondary seals 4;5 from the glass surface 2b without damaging the glass surface 2b.

[0086] In particular, it is important that the knife blade 33 has a corresponding flexibility. Preferably, the knife blade 33 can be bent elastically and reversibly at a bending angle ε (FIG. 29). The bending angle ε corresponds to the angle between a tangent in the region of the cutting edge apex 38 and a plane perpendicular to the knife rotation axis 27a. Preferably, the bending angle ε is at least 5°, preferably at least 15°, particularly preferably at least 20°, and most preferably at least 30°.

[0087] Furthermore, the rotary knife 27 preferably has a static rigidity of 3 to 25 N / mm, and more preferably 5 to 20 N / mm.

[0088] To determine the static stiffness, the rotary knife 27 is clamped at a diameter of 30 mm and a test force is applied at a distance of 12 mm from the top 38 of the cutting edge.

[0089] As mentioned above, the upper horizontal separating head 16 also includes four positioning rollers 29 .

[0090] Thereby, the two positioning rollers 29 each interact with or are assigned to the rotary knife 27. The horizontal separating head 16 thus comprises first and second cutting combinations 41a; 41b, each consisting of two positioning rollers 29 and a rotary knife 27.

[0091] The positioning rollers 29 are used to position the corresponding rotary knife 27 of the cutting combination 41 a; 41 b relative to the insulating glass 1 to be cut off, in particular to guide the corresponding rotary knife 27 equidistantly relative to the outer glass pane 2 a or the insulating glass pane 1. When viewed from the lateral direction 15 b, the positioning rollers 29 are arranged on both sides of the rotary knife 27 to be positioned. This means that when viewed from the lateral direction 15 b, the positioning rollers 29 are arranged on each side of the corresponding rotary knife 27. Preferably, the positioning rollers 29 are also located between the two pressure rollers 28 when viewed from the lateral direction 15 b, and are preferably located slightly below the two pressure rollers 28.

[0092] The positioning rollers 29 are each mounted to rotate about a positioning roller rotation axis 29a so as to be able to roll along the insulating glass surface 1b opposite the abutment surface 73 during the separation process.

[0093] Therefore, the positioning roller rotation axis 29a is preferably at least substantially parallel to the height direction 15a. The positioning roller 29 is preferably freely rotatable about the positioning roller rotation axis 29a.

[0094] The positioning roller 29 is also displaceable parallel to the knife rotation axis 27a together with the rotary knife 27. Specifically, the positioning roller 29 or cutting combination 41; 41b together with the rotary knife 27 is connected to a drive means, preferably a pneumatic cylinder 75 (FIG. 16), by which it can be driven back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the abutment surface 73.

[0095] During the separation process, the positioning roller 29 abuts against and rolls over one of the two insulating glass faces 1a; 1b of the insulating glass 1 to be separated.

[0096] The two positioning rollers 29 are arranged on the sides of the blade contact surface 39 of the rotary knife 27 and are spaced apart from the blade contact surface 39 in a direction parallel to the knife rotation axis 27a. Specifically, the distance between the blade contact surface 39 and the positioning rollers 29, specifically the outer surface lines of the positioning rollers 29, can be adjusted by adjusting the positioning rollers 29 so that the distance always corresponds to the thickness of the glass sheet 2 that contacts the two positioning rollers 29 during separation. This ensures accurate positioning of the rotary knife 27 with respect to the glass sheet 2 during the separation process, even if the insulating glass 1 is not placed completely flat against the back wall roller 23 during the cutting process.

[0097] Furthermore, the two cutting combinations 41 a; 41 b are arranged on either side of a central plane parallel to the abutment face 73 and are preferably designed symmetrically with respect to the abutment face 73. This means that the first combination 41 a is arranged on one side of the central plane and the second combination 41 b is arranged on the other side of the central plane.

[0098] Like the rear wall roller 23, the positioning roller 29 preferably includes a soft plastic, preferably rubber, surface to prevent damage from abrasion.

[0099] Additionally, the upper horizontal separating head 16 is movable back and forth in a direction parallel to the height direction 15a along the base frame 15. A separating head height positioning motor 42 is provided to position the horizontal separating head 16 in the vertical direction, which enables the separation of insulating glass units 1 of different heights.

[0100] As also mentioned above, the separating apparatus 14 includes a lower horizontal separating head 17. The lower horizontal separating head 17 is preferably stationary relative to the base frame 15 and is mounted on the base frame 15. Thus, the lower horizontal separating head 17 is stationary.

[0101] The lower horizontal separating head 17 is also designed basically the same as the upper horizontal separating head and includes two rotary knives 27 and four positioning rollers 29. However, the lower horizontal separating head 17 does not have a pressure roller 28, since the insulating glass 1 is placed at the bottom on transport rollers 26. The positioning rollers 29 are also arranged above the transport roller track 25.

[0102] Furthermore, the lower horizontal separating head 17 includes a press-on roller 43 which is used to position the insulating glass 1 on the transport roller track 25 .

[0103] The press-on roller 43 is attached so as to be rotatable about a press-on roller rotation axis 43a parallel to the height direction 15a. The press-on roller 43 is preferably freely rotatable about the press-on roller rotation axis. Specifically, the press-on roller rotation axis is parallel to the rear wall roller rotation axis 23a of the rear wall roller 23.

[0104] Furthermore, the press-on roller 43 is displaceable or movable perpendicular to the abutment surface 73. Specifically, the press-on roller 43 is connected to a driving means, preferably a pneumatic cylinder 44, so as to be drivable back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the abutment surface 73.

[0105] The press-on roller 43 is arranged in the region of the lower outer edge 2c of the insulating glass 1 so as to be pressed against the glass sheet 2 of the front sheet opposite the rear wall roller 26. Alternatively, the press-on roller 43 is pressed against the insulating glass surface 1a and rolls in contact with the insulating glass surface 1a. As a result, the insulating glass 1 is displaced on the transport roller track 25 until it comes to rest against the rear wall roller 23.

[0106] The press-on roller 43 is therefore arranged upstream of the two combinations 41 a; 41 b in a feed direction 45 parallel to the transverse direction 15 b. This means that when the insulating glass 1 is moved in the feed direction 45, the insulating glass 1 first engages with the press-on roller 43.

[0107] A pneumatic cylinder is preferably used to position the press-on roller 43 and to apply a constant, adjustable force to the press-on roller 43 .

[0108] Hereinafter, the separation process according to the present invention will be explained in more detail using double insulating glass as an example.

[0109] First, the insulating glass unit 1 to be disassembled is fed into the receiving area 18 (FIG. 2). Specifically, the insulating glass 1 is placed so that its lower insulating glass edge 1c is positioned on the transport roller track 25 and is further placed partially against the rear wall roller 23.

[0110] The insulating glass pane 1 is then moved on the transport roller track 25 in the feed direction 45 to the cutting area 20 (FIG. 3). This movement is preferably carried out by driving the insulating glass pane by the transport rollers 26. First, the insulating glass pane 1 is moved until the press-on roller 43 engages with the glass pane surface 2 a or the insulating glass surface 1 a of the front glass pane 2. As a result, the insulating glass pane 1 is moved along the transport roller track 25 until it comes to rest against the rear wall roller 23 at the position of the press-on roller 43.

[0111] Next, the upper horizontal separating head 16 is moved downward until the first of the two pressure rollers 28 contacts the upper insulating glass edge 1c (Fig. 4), whereby the insulating glass 1 is clamped between the pressure roller 28 and the transport roller 26 and positioned in the height direction 15a.

[0112] Next, the insulating glass pane 1 is moved slightly in the feed direction 45 until it is positioned in front of the first rotary knife 27 (FIG. 5). Then, the rear cutting combination 41a of the upper and lower horizontal separating heads 16; 17 is moved towards the insulating glass pane 1 until the first of the two positioning rollers 29 contacts the outer glass pane surface 2a of the rear glass pane 2.

[0113] The insulating glass pane 1 is then moved slightly further in the feed direction 45 until it is positioned in front of the second rotary knife 27 (FIG. 6). The front cutting combination 41b of the upper and lower horizontal separating heads 16; 17 is then moved towards the insulating glass pane 1 until the first of the two positioning rollers 29 of the front cutting combination 41b contacts the outer glass pane surface 2a of the front glass pane 2.

[0114] The distance of each positioning roller 29 from each corresponding circular knife 27, which corresponds to the thickness of each corresponding glass sheet, is preset in advance. Preferably, the glass sheet thickness and / or insulating glass thickness is pre-entered into a user interface of a control device (not shown) and set via a servo motor or adjustment screw 74.

[0115] The actual separation process is then carried out (FIG. 7). For this purpose, the insulating glass 1 is moved further in the feed direction 45 until it has completely passed the cutting area 20 and is positioned in the removal area 19.

[0116] While passing through the cutting area 20, the spacer frame 3 is separated from the two glass panes 2 in the region of the upper and lower insulating glass edges 1c by a rotary knife 27. For this purpose, the rotary knife 27 moves with a knife blade 33 into the region between the corresponding inner glass pane faces 2b and the spacer frame 3, thereby cutting the primary and secondary seals 4, 5. Penetration is facilitated by the transition walls 13 of the spacer frame 3 and, if necessary, by reinforced overwalls at the corners of the curved spacer tubes 8, which act as cross funnels.

[0117] During the separation process, the rotary knife 27 is driven by a knife drive motor 30 to rotate about a knife rotation axis 27a.

[0118] The rotary knife 27 is aligned so that its blade contact surface 39 faces the inner glass surface 2b and can rest against, slide along, or fit snugly against the inner glass surface 2b. The flexibility of the rotary knife 27 supports the insertion process and compensates for irregularities during the separation process.

[0119] Preferably, the feed speed of the insulating glass 1 is set so that a neutral circumference line U exists on the blade contact surface 39, and along this neutral circumference line U, the relative speed in a direction parallel to the insulating glass edge 1c between the blade contact surface 39 and the glass plate surface 2b with which the blade contact surface 39 abuts and rests is substantially zero.

[0120] Therefore, the circumferential velocity v of the blade contact surface 39 in the region of the neutral circumferential line U U corresponds to the feed speed of the insulating glass 1 or, more generally, the relative speed v between the rotating knife 27 and the glass pane 2 in a direction parallel to the insulating glass edge 1c. R The circumferential line U extends rotationally symmetrically around the knife rotation axis 27a.

[0121] This ensures a very gentle separation, in particular with almost no scratches on the glass surface 2b, and a minimum of movement relative to the inner glass surface 2b is guaranteed.

[0122] This is achieved in particular by the fact that the insulating glass pane 1 is driven in the feed direction 45 mainly by the rotary knife 27. Depending on the weight of the insulating glass pane 1, the insulating glass pane 1 is also driven by the transport rollers 26, although this drive can also be omitted.

[0123] Also, during the separation process, the rotary knife 27 is preferably lubricated with a lubricant to minimize friction during the separation process.

[0124] When the insulating glass 1 arrives in the removal area 19, the upper horizontal separation head 16 moves upward, and the insulating glass 1 is rotated 90° around an axis perpendicular to the height direction 15a, specifically manually, and then returned to the receiving area 18, where the insulating glass 1 is placed on the transport roller track 25 (Figure 8).

[0125] The above separation process is then repeated for the other two insulating glass edges 1a so that the spacers 3 are separated from the two glass panes 2. The spacers 3 are then removed, allowing the glass panes 2 to be used further.

[0126] For pure glass recycling, high-quality unmixed raw material was obtained, containing almost no metals or desiccants.

[0127] For upcycling, the edges are now removed using conventional cutting techniques, or at least any residues of lubricant and / or primary and secondary seals 4;5 adhering to the inner glass pane surface 2b must be removed beforehand to keep the glass pane 2 intact. This removal can be carried out manually, for example, with a scraper and / or a high-pressure washer and / or a brush. In principle, if a lubricant is used during the separation process, a high-pressure washer is sufficient to remove it. Removal of any residues of the primary and secondary seals 4;5 and / or lubricant can also be carried out using a solvent, for example isopropanol.

[0128] As mentioned above, the separating apparatus 14 according to one embodiment of the present invention is incorporated into a reprocessing apparatus 46 (FIG. 19) for automated reprocessing of insulating glass units 1.

[0129] The reprocessing device 46 comprises, arranged next to each other in the reprocessing feed direction 47, an inspection device 48, a degassing device 49, a separating device 14 according to the invention, and a sealing residue removal device 51.

[0130] The inspection device 48 is used to determine certain characteristics of the disassembled insulating glass unit 1, and in particular to measure the disassembled insulating glass unit 1. In particular, the inspection device 48 includes means for measuring the thickness, width, and length of the insulating glass 1. Preferably, the inspection device 48 also includes means for measuring the structure of the insulating glass 1.

[0131] Specifically, it can be determined whether the insulating glass unit 1 is a double-pane insulating glass 1 or a triple-pane insulating glass 1. Furthermore, it can be determined the thickness of the individual glass panes 2 of the insulating glass 1, the thickness of the spacer frame 3, and preferably the presence or absence of a functional coating on the glass pane surfaces 2a, b. It can also be determined which gas the insulating glass 1 is filled with.

[0132] Means for measuring insulating glass structures are known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, https: / / www.sparklike.com / en / products / sparklike-laser-integrated or GlassBuddy® from Bohle AG.

[0133] The degassing device 49 (FIG. 20) includes a plurality of drilling devices 52 for drilling through holes through the secondary seal 5 and the spacer frame 3. Preferably, there are a plurality of upper drilling devices 52a arranged along the upper insulating glass edge 1c, and there are also a plurality of lower drilling devices 52b arranged along the lower insulating glass edge 1a. The lower drilling devices 52b are preferably connected to a suction device 53, which suctions gas present in the inter-plate space 7 to the outside.

[0134] The gas present in the interplate space 7 may be, for example, argon, xenon or sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). These gases are heavier than air and are therefore preferably extracted by the lower drilling device 52b. After extraction, the gas is filled into the corresponding gas storage device 54.

[0135] As mentioned above, the separator 14 is followed by a degasser 49 .

[0136] The separating device 14 (FIGS. 21-23) not only includes an upper movable horizontal separating head 16 and a lower fixed horizontal separating head 17, but also includes a similarly movable vertical separating head 55. The vertical separating head 55 is used for separating in a direction parallel to the height direction 15a or along the insulating glass edge 1c extending parallel to the height direction 15a.

[0137] According to the first embodiment, the vertical separating head 55 is designed similarly to the upper horizontal separating head 16 described in the description of the first exemplary embodiment and includes two cutting combinations 41a; 41b, each equipped with a rotating knife 27 and two positioning rollers 29.

[0138] In addition, the vertical separation head 55 may include an anti-fall roller (not shown), which is preferably designed similarly to the press-on roller 43 and serves to prevent the glass from tipping forward.

[0139] However, compared to the upper horizontal separating head 16, the vertical separating head 55 can rotate about an axis perpendicular to the height direction 15 a and the width direction 15 b or an axis perpendicular to the insulating glass surfaces 1 a; 1 b, so that the vertical separating head 55 can be used for separation along the insulating glass edges 1 c in both vertical directions. Specifically, compared to the upper horizontal separating head 16, the vertical separating head 55 is rotated clockwise by 90° about the axis perpendicular to the height direction 15 a and the width direction 15 b or the axis perpendicular to the insulating glass surfaces 1 a; 1 b during the separating process.

[0140] According to a further embodiment, the vertical separating head 55 comprises two cutting combinations 41a; 41b for each of the two insulating glass edges 1c, so that the vertical separating head 55 does not need to be rotated.

[0141] Alternatively, the cutting assembly 41a; 41b includes a pair of positioning rollers 29 for each of the two insulating glass edges 1c, and only one pair of positioning rollers is engaged during the separation process. The two pairs of positioning rollers are arranged opposite each other when viewed in the lateral direction 15b. In other words, one pair of positioning rollers is arranged on one side of the opposing rotary knives 27 when viewed in the lateral direction 15b, and the other pair of positioning rollers is arranged on the other side of the rotary knives 27 when viewed in the lateral direction 15b.

[0142] Also in this embodiment, the vertical separating head 55 does not need to be rotated so that separation can be performed along both insulating glass edges 1c. Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the knife rotation axis 27a is not perpendicular to the abutment surface 73, the rotary knife 27 can be adjusted, in particular by corresponding drive means, during the separation process so that the knife rotation axis 27a always includes a corresponding inclination relative to the insulating glass edge 1c and the glass sheet surface 2b.

[0143] Furthermore, the vertical separation head 55 is also attached to the base frame 15 so as to be movable back and forth in a direction parallel to the height direction 15a. The vertical separation head 55 also includes a separation head drive motor 42, and the vertical separation head 55 is connected by this separation head drive motor 42 so as to be drivable back and forth in the height direction 15a.

[0144] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the separating device 14 for the reprocessing device 46, it is sufficient for the upper horizontal separating head 16 and the lower horizontal separating head 17 to include only a single cutting combination 41 a, which serves to separate the rear glass sheet 2 in contact with the rear wall roller 23 from the spacer frame 3, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0145] Furthermore, the vertical separating head 55 is arranged behind the first and second horizontal separating heads 16; 17 when viewed in the feed direction 45. This means that when the insulating glass 1 is moved in the feed direction 45, it first encounters the two horizontal separating heads 16; 17.

[0146] The automated separation process preferably proceeds as follows.

[0147] First, as described above, the insulating glass 1 to be disassembled is moved in the feed direction 45, whereby the insulating glass 1 engages with both the upper horizontal separating head 16 and the lower horizontal separating head 17, and further the spacer frame 3 is separated in the first section or in the first partial region.

[0148] The insulating glass 1 is then stopped, the vertical separating head 55 moves downward, and the corresponding positioning rollers 29 of the vertical separating head 55 are moved towards the two insulating glass surfaces 1 a; 1 b. The vertical separating head 55 then moves from top to bottom and separates the spacer frame 3 from the two glass panes 2 on both sides in the region of a first vertical or substantially vertical insulating glass edge 1 c extending parallel to the height direction 15 a.

[0149] As soon as this vertical separation step is completed, the insulating glass 1 is moved further in the feed direction 45 and the horizontal separation step is continued and completed.

[0150] The insulating glass 1 is then stopped, the vertical separating head 55 moves upward, and the corresponding positioning rollers 29 of the vertical separating head 55 are again moved towards the two insulating glass surfaces 1 a; 1 b. The vertical separating head 55 then moves from below upward and separates the spacer frame 3 from the two glass panes 2 on both sides in the region of a second vertical or substantially vertical insulating glass edge 1 c extending parallel to the height direction 15 a.

[0151] During the vertical separation process, the insulating glass 1 is preferably secured or held by vacuum suction cups 65 .

[0152] Since the two horizontal separating heads 16; 17 only contain a single cutting combination 41a, only the rear glass pane 2, which is resting against the rear wall 24, is separated from the spacer frame 3 along the two horizontal insulating glass edges 1c.

[0153] Now that the rear glass pane 2 has been completely separated from the spacer frame 3 , the rear glass pane 2 is separated from the remaining insulating glass element 56 , including the front glass pane 2 and the spacer frame 3 .

[0154] For example, this separation is carried out by a gripping device 57, which preferably also includes a vacuum gripper 65 for this purpose, which grips the front glass pane 2, rotates the insulating glass element 56 by 180° about an axis perpendicular to the glass pane faces 2 a, 2 b, and lowers and places the insulating glass element 56 onto the receiving area 18, while the rear glass pane 2 is held by a vacuum suction cup 65 mounted on the rear wall 24.

[0155] Preferably, while one of the glass plates 2 is rotating, the separated glass plate 2 is carried out.

[0156] After rotation, the glass pane 2 of the insulating glass element 56 lies with its outer glass pane surface 2 a abutting the rear wall 24 .

[0157] The spacer frame 3 is then at least partially separated from the glass pane 2 by the upper and lower horizontal separating heads 16; 17. Preferably, the upper rotating knife 27 cuts only the secondary seal 5 and not the primary seal 4 to ensure that the spacer frame 3 remains connected to the glass pane 2.

[0158] The final separation of the spacer frame 3 from the glass pane 2 is then preferably carried out using a frame knife 58 arranged in the removal area 19. For this purpose, the preferably fixed frame knife 58 comprises an upper and, optionally, a lower, in each case flexible, knife blade 59. To separate the spacer frame 3, the insulating glass element 56 is also pushed in the feed direction 45 via the fixed knife blade 59. This also completely separates the second glass pane 2 from the spacer frame 3. Due to the advantageous curvature of the frame blade outward from the abutment surface 73, the spacer frame 3 is bent forward and falls towards the front waste area.

[0159] Final separation can also be achieved, for example, by pulling the spacer frame 3 and the glass plate 2 apart.

[0160] After separation, the spacer frames 3 are preferably sent to a crusher 68 to increase the packing density. The crusher 68 can be located, for example, directly below the separating device 14. Alternatively, the spacer frames 3 are transported to the crusher 68 using a conveyor, for example a conveyor belt or a conveyor carriage.

[0161] Now, as mentioned above, the sealing residues of the primary and secondary seals 4; 5 adhering to the separated glass panes 2 must be removed. This removal is carried out in a sealing residue removal device 51 (FIG. 24) following the separating device 14.

[0162] The sealing residue removal device 51 includes a first cleaning station 60, a second cleaning station 61, and a vertical plate rotation device 62 between the first cleaning station 60 and the second cleaning station 61.

[0163] The first and second cleaning stations 60 and 61 preferably include upper and lower scrapers 67a and 67b, first upper and lower metal brushes 63a and 63b, upper and lower cleaning nozzles 64a and 64b using high-pressure water, and second upper and lower metal brushes 66a and 66b, respectively, to remove primary and secondary sealing residues. The metal brushes 63a and 63b are preferably steel brushes. Preferably, the first metal brushes 63a and 63b are used to remove secondary sealing residues, while the second metal brushes 66a and 66b are used for subsequent cleaning of the primary and secondary seals 4 and 5. The cleaning nozzles 64a and 64b are primarily used to remove primary sealing residues. The scrapers 67a and 67b are specifically used for pre-cleaning to remove large secondary sealing residues. It may also be advantageous to add sand to the high-pressure water.

[0164] Thus, in the first cleaning station 60, the primary and secondary sealing residues are removed along the two first horizontal outer glass sheet edges 2c. The glass sheet 2 is then tilted by 90° using a tilting table 62, and thereafter, in the second cleaning station 61, the primary and secondary sealing residues are removed in the area of ​​the other two, similarly horizontal, outer sheet edges 2c. The cleaned glass sheet 2 can then be removed from the sealing residue removal device 51 and sent to a desired recycling process.

[0165] Disassembly of the triple insulating glass unit is carried out in the same way as disassembly of the double insulating glass 1. First, only one glass pane 2 and one spacer frame 3 are separated, and then the remaining double insulating glass is disassembled as described above.

[0166] According to a further embodiment of the invention (FIG. 25), the separating device 14 also includes edge conditioning means for removing impurities from the insulating glass edge 1c prior to the separating process, such as glass chips and / or glass shards and / or distance pieces 69 that may still be attached to the outside of the insulating glass edge 1c from the installation of the insulating glass 1.

[0167] For example, the separating device 14 for removing glass chips and / or glass shards includes brush rollers 70 at the top and bottom, which are rotatable and preferably drivable by corresponding drive means about rotation axes perpendicular to the abutment surface 73.

[0168] Furthermore, the separating device 14 preferably includes edge-adjusting rotary knives 71 at the top and bottom, which are rotatable, preferably freely rotatable, about rotation axes parallel to the height direction 15a. The edge-adjusting rotary knives 71 are used to separate the distance pieces 69.

[0169] To ensure positioning of the lower edge adjustment rotary knife 71 in the height direction 15a relative to the insulating glass edge 1c, the transport roller track 25 also includes a lowerable transport roller track section 72 with a plurality of transport rollers 26. The transport roller track section 72 is positioned so that the distance piece 69 to be separated is located on the transport roller track section 72 just before the edge adjustment rotary knife 71 engages. Due to the fact that the transport roller track section 72 is lowered relative to the other transport rollers 26, the insulating glass 1 continues to rest on the other transport rollers 26.

[0170] The upper edge-adjusting rotary knife 71 and the upper brush roller 70 are also movable parallel to the height direction 15 a, in particular together with the upper separating head 16 .

[0171] The edge adjustment means described above are used for cleaning the horizontal insulating glass edges 1c. If necessary, the separating device 14 also includes corresponding edge adjustment means for the vertical insulating glass edges 1c, for example attached to the vertical separating head 55.

[0172] The adjustment of the insulating glass edge 1c serves to avoid excessive stress on the rotary knife 27 and further to prevent damage due to excessive stress, such as warping and / or chipping and / or breakage.

[0173] Furthermore, the separating device 14 preferably includes a camera 76 for measuring the thickness of the glass sheets and / or the thickness of the insulating glass, which allows the distance of the positioning rollers 29 from each corresponding circular knife 27 to be set automatically.

[0174] The separating device 14 may also comprise further means for removing contaminants or interfering contours, such as sealing residues on the insulating glass surfaces 1a,b or bulges or stuck areas on the secondary seal 5. However, these means may also be provided in separate devices.

[0175] According to a further embodiment of the invention (Fig. 28), the separating heads 16; 17; 55 do not include a positioning roller 29 but only a press-on roller 43. The upper horizontal separating head 16 therefore also includes a press-on roller 43. The circular knife 27 is preferably connected to a drive means, preferably an actuator, so as to be movable back and forth parallel to the knife rotation axis.

[0176] Furthermore, the lower horizontal separating head 17 includes a measuring head 77 for measuring the thickness of the insulating glass. The measuring head 77 preferably includes a measuring caliper that is pressed against the insulating glass surface 1 a by a pneumatic cylinder. The measuring caliper determines the relative position of the first rotary knife 27 with respect to the insulating glass surface 1 a when the glass thickness is known. If the set axial position of the rotary knife 27 is not suitable for cutting, the rotary knife 27 is moved axially until the rotary knife 27 is in the correct position.

[0177] The measuring head 77 therefore serves in particular to check whether the insulating glass surface 1a, i.e. the insulating glass 1, is in its target position and thereby in particular to check whether the thickness of the insulating glass is correctly maintained and / or whether the insulating glass 1 is correctly positioned on the rear wall 24 and / or whether the position of the rotary knife 27 needs to be readjusted.

[0178] In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the caliper is combined with or connected to the press-on roller 43, and measurements are carried out while the insulating glass 1 is pressed against the rear wall 24 and during the separation process.

[0179] The separation process according to the present invention then proceeds as follows.

[0180] Preferably, the glass thickness and insulating glass thickness are first entered into the user interface, and then the two rotary knives 27 are moved axially to their respective cutting positions.

[0181] The insulating glass 1 is then positioned against the rear wall 24 as described above by the two press-on rollers 43 of the lower horizontal separating head 17 and the upper horizontal separating head 16 .

[0182] Next, as described above, the upper horizontal separating head 16 is moved downward until the first of the two pressure rollers 28 abuts the upper insulating glass edge 1a.

[0183] Next, the insulating glass 1 is moved slightly in the feed direction 45 until it is positioned in front of the first rotary knife 27 (FIG. 5). Then, the thickness of the insulating glass is measured by the measuring head 77, and if necessary, the first rotary knife 27 and, if necessary, the second rotary knife 27 are readjusted to their respective cutting positions in a direction parallel to the knife rotation axis 27a based on the measurement result.

[0184] Also, if the measurement results deviate from the previously entered values, a corresponding alarm may be sent to the operator.

[0185] The separation process is then carried out as described above.

[0186] It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide only one positioning roller 29, or for only one of the two positioning rollers to be in contact during the separation process.

[0187] Furthermore, it is of course within the scope of the present invention if, during disassembly, the spacer frame 3 is not completely separated from the glass pane 2 only at one edge, in particular only at the upper horizontal edge, in which case it is sufficient for the frame knife 58 to include only the upper knife blade 59a.

[0188] Furthermore, it is within the scope of the present invention that the separation along the insulating glass edge 1c is performed in a sequence different from that described above.

[0189] Furthermore, if preferred, the rotary knives 27 need not be driven about their knife rotation axes 27a by the knife drive motor 30. The non-driven rotary knives 27 roll and therefore rotate during the separation process. For example, only a portion of the rotary knives 27 may be driven.

[0190] Additionally, instead of the preferred stationary separating device 14, the separating device 14 may be a portable handheld device (not shown) that includes a single rotating knife 27. This handheld device also includes at least one handle and a knife drive motor.

[0191] Furthermore, the separating device 14 may also be designed for separating glass panes 2 of a horizontally or horizontally positioned insulating glass 1 (FIGS. 31 to 42).

[0192] A separator 14 in which the insulating glass 1 is positioned horizontally during the separation process will also be referred to hereinafter as a horizontal separator 14, even if the insulating glass 1 is not positioned perfectly horizontally.

[0193] According to a first embodiment (FIG. 31), the horizontal separating device 14 includes a support table 80 for receiving the insulating glass 1, a separating head 81a, a plurality of edge support rollers 82, a plurality of edge drive rollers 83, and an edge drive belt 84. The edge support rollers 82, the edge drive rollers 83, and the edge drive belt 84 form a drive unit 91a of the separating device 14 for driving the insulating glass 1 in the feed direction 45.

[0194] The horizontal separator 14 also includes a first, preferably horizontal, planar or x-direction, a second, preferably horizontal, planar or y-direction that is orthogonal to the x-direction, and a preferably vertical z-direction or height direction that is orthogonal to the x and y-directions.

[0195] The support table 80 comprises a preferably horizontal support surface 85 for receiving the insulating glass 1. In particular, the support surface 85 serves to receive the insulating glass side 1b facing the support table 80. The insulating glass 1 is therefore placed on the support surface 85 with the insulating glass side 1b facing the support table 80. The support surface 85 is parallel to the x and y directions. Furthermore, the support table 80 is designed in a manner known per se so that the insulating glass 1 can be displaced on the support table 80 parallel to the support surface 85 or can be displaceably mounted. Preferably, the support table 80 is designed for this purpose as a ball roller table or an air cushion table.

[0196] Furthermore, the support table 80 includes two longitudinal table edges 86a;b extending parallel to the x-direction, and two lateral table edges 86c;d extending perpendicular to the two longitudinal table edges 86a;b and parallel to the y-direction.

[0197] Preferably, the support table 80 also includes a table recess 87 extending from the first longitudinal table edge 86a into the support table 80, in which an operator 88 can reside. Furthermore, the support table 80 includes first and second table areas 80a;b when viewed in the x-direction. The first table area 80a is specifically a feed area or infeed area.

[0198] The edge support rollers 82, edge drive rollers 83, separation head 81a and edge drive belt 84 are arranged along the second longitudinal table edge 86b, next to one another in the x-direction when looking from the first table area 80a towards the second table area 80b.

[0199] The edge support rollers 82 are not driven and are free to rotate about their own axes of rotation perpendicular to the support surface 85. The edge support rollers 82 serve to guide the insulating glass 1 in the x direction. For this purpose, the insulating glass edge 1c, along which the separation process is carried out, rests against the edge support rollers 82. The insulating glass 1 is pressed against the edge support rollers 82, in particular by an operator 88.

[0200] When looking from the first table area 80a to the second table area 80b, the edge support rollers 82 are followed in the x direction by edge drive rollers 83.

[0201] The edge drive roller 83 is driven to rotate about an edge drive roller rotation axis perpendicular to the support surface 85. The edge drive roller 83 serves to drive the insulating glass 1 in the x direction. For this purpose, the insulating glass edge 1c, along which the separation process is carried out, rests against the edge drive roller 83. The insulating glass 1 is pressed against the edge drive roller 83, specifically by an operator 88.

[0202] The separating head 81a follows the edge drive roller 83 in the x-direction when looking from the first table area 80a to the second table area 80b.

[0203] The separating head 81a serves to perform a horizontal separating cut along one of the insulating glass edges 1c.

[0204] For this purpose, the separating head 81a comprises two rotary knives 27, a knife drive motor 30 and preferably a lubrication device for lubricating the rotary knives 27 with the above-mentioned, preferably liquid lubricant.

[0205] The two rotary knives 27 are each connected to a knife drive motor 30 so as to be drivable about a respective knife rotation axis 27a. The two rotary knives 27 are preferably arranged coaxially with each other relative to the respective knife rotation axis 27a. The two rotary knives 27 are also preferably attached to the same knife drive shaft 35.

[0206] The knife rotation axis 27a is perpendicular to the insulating glass surfaces 1a and 1b of the insulating glass 1 to be separated. However, as mentioned above, the knife rotation axis 27a may be tilted about both the first knife axis tilt axis 27-1 and the second knife axis tilt axis 27-2 toward the corresponding glass sheet surfaces 2b that the rotating knives 27 contact during the separation process.

[0207] As mentioned above, the first knife axis tilt axis 27-1 is parallel to the insulating glass edge 1c along which the separation process is performed, i.e., parallel to the x-direction, and the second knife axis tilt axis 27-2 is, as mentioned above, perpendicular to the insulating glass edge 1c along which the separation process is performed, and in this case is parallel to the support surface 85, i.e., parallel to the y-direction.

[0208] Preferably, the rotary knife 27 is mounted so as to be able to float or move back and forth a limited amount in a direction parallel to the knife rotation axis 27a. To counteract the weight of the rotary knife 27, specifically the weight of the components (= rotary knife unit) connected to the rotary knife 27 and mounted in a floating manner together with the rotary knife 27, the rotary knife 27 is preferably mounted in a spring-loaded manner, with the spring force acting against the weight force. Thus, the rotary knife unit is mounted so as to "float" vertically. The floating bearing allows the rotary knife 27 to be in intimate contact with the glass sheet 2, as will be described in more detail below.

[0209] The edge drive belt 84 follows the separating head 81 a in the x-direction when viewed from the first table area 80 a to the second table area 80 b. The edge drive belt 84 also serves to drive the insulating glass 1 in the feed direction 45. For this purpose, the insulating glass edge 1 c, along which the separating process is carried out, is in contact with the edge drive belt 84. The insulating glass 1 is pressed against the edge drive belt 84, in particular by an operator 88.

[0210] For separation, the insulating glass unit 1 to be disassembled is first placed on the first table area 80a (Figure 31) and then pressed by an operator 88 with one of the insulating glass edges 1c of the insulating glass unit 1 abutting against the edge support roller 82 and the edge drive roller 83.

[0211] The insulating glass 1 has not yet contacted the edge drive belt 84 and has not yet engaged the rotary knife 27. However, the upper rotary knife 27 has already been positioned in height so that it can separate the upper glass pane 2 from the spacer frame 3.

[0212] Then, the insulating glass 1 driven by the edge drive rollers 83 is moved in the feed direction 45. At this time, the insulating glass edge 1c engages with the rotating rotary knife 27, then engages with the edge drive belt 84, and is further driven by the edge drive belt 84.

[0213] The upper rotating rotary knife 27 first penetrates into the secondary seal 5 and then between the inner glass pane surface 2b and the spacer frame 3, cutting the primary and secondary seals 4;5 and thereby separating the upper glass pane 2 from the spacer frame 3 along the insulating glass edge 1c.

[0214] Preferably, the rotary knife 27 rotates in a knife rotation direction 90 that is opposite to or acts against the feed direction 45. This means that the cutting edge apex 38 of the rotary knife 27 moves in the opposite direction relative to the feed direction 45 or the insulating glass 1 when engaged.

[0215] Counter-acting rotational directions therefore generally mean that the insulating glass 1 and the cutting edge apexes 38 of the rotary knife 27 move relative to each other in opposite directions parallel to the insulating glass edge 1c in the region where the rotary knife 27 engages. Conversely, co-rotational directions mean that the insulating glass 1 and the cutting edge apexes 38 of the rotary knife 27 move relative to each other in the same direction parallel to the insulating glass edge 1c in the region where the rotary knife 27 engages.

[0216] The opposing rotation directions in particular prevent the insulating glass 1 from being joined or driven uncontrollably by the rotating knife 27. This is advantageous since large forces can occur during joining and therefore the insulating glass 1 must be held properly for safety reasons.

[0217] Furthermore, the peripheral speed of the rotary knife 27, specifically in the case of counteracting rotation directions, is preferably 0.5 to 10 m / s, more preferably 1 to 5 m / s.

[0218] The relative speed between the insulating glass 1 and the knife rotation axis 27a of the rotary knife 27, which is parallel to the insulating glass edge 1c along which the separating process is carried out, is preferably 0.05 to 2 m / s, more preferably 0.2 to 1.5 m / s. If only the insulating glass 1 is moved in the feed direction 45 during the separating process, the relative speed is the feed speed of the insulating glass 1 in the feed direction 45.

[0219] Preferably, the peripheral speed of the rotary knife 27 is faster than the relative speed between the insulating glass 1 and the knife rotation shaft 27a of the rotary knife 27. Specifically, the peripheral speed of the rotary knife 27 is 2 to 15 times, preferably 3 to 12 times, the relative speed between the insulating glass 1 and the knife rotation shaft 27a of the rotary knife 27. As a result, the lubricant is particularly effectively transported into the gap to be lubricated.

[0220] The insulating glass 1 is moved in the feed direction 45 until the upper rotary knife 27 is no longer engaged.

[0221] The insulating glass 1 is then moved back into the first table area 80a and the lower rotary knife 27 is positioned at a height that enables it to separate the lower glass pane 2 from the spacer frame 3. The separation process is then carried out in a manner similar to that described above, except that the lower glass pane 2 is then separated from the spacer frame.

[0222] Similarly, the upper and lower glass panes 2 are gradually separated from the spacer frame along all four insulating glass edges 1c.

[0223] Another advantage of counter-rotating knives is that when the rotary knife 27 penetrates, the primary and secondary seals 4;5 are not pressed together but are immediately cut in a valley shape. This is because the rotary knife 27 separates the seals 4;5 from the inside to the outside. As a result, the compressive force acting on the glass pane 2 is very small. Therefore, the risk of glass breakage is very low.

[0224] Furthermore, the lubricant is transported particularly effectively into the lubrication gap.

[0225] Furthermore, the feeding speed of the insulating glass 1 is determined because the insulating glass 1 is driven in the feeding direction 45. The feeding speed of the insulating glass 1 may also be very high, which increases productivity.

[0226] According to a further embodiment (Figures 32 to 41), the horizontal separating device 14 comprises a support table 80 for receiving the insulating glass 1, first and second drive units 91b;c for driving the insulating glass 1 in the feed direction 45, two separating heads 81b;c and a measuring unit 92.

[0227] There is also preferably an inter-table space 93 between the first table area 80a and the second table area 80b.

[0228] The two separating heads 81b;c are designed similarly to those described above and additionally include two measuring wheel sensors 89 each.

[0229] The first drive unit 91b is disposed along the first longitudinal table edge 86a and further includes, when viewed parallel to the x-direction from the first table area 80a toward the second table area 80b, a plurality of edge support rollers 82, a first edge drive belt 84, a second edge drive belt 85, and a further edge support roller 82. The first separating head 81b is disposed between the two edge drive belts 84. Furthermore, an inter-table space 93 exists between the two edge drive belts 84.

[0230] Therefore, the separation head 81b is disposed within the inter-table space 93.

[0231] The two measuring wheel sensors 89 of the separating head 81b are arranged above and below the insulating glass 1, respectively, and measure the corresponding insulating glass surfaces 1a and 1b. Such measuring wheel sensors 89 are known per se. Other sensors, for example non-contact sensors, may also be used.

[0232] This allows the two rotary knives 27 to be accurately positioned in the height direction relative to the insulating glass surfaces 1a, b, so that the position of the rotary knives 27 parallel to the knife rotation axis 27a is adjusted, so that irregularities and thickness differences can be detected and corrected during the separation process.

[0233] The second drive unit 91c is disposed opposite the first drive unit 91b when viewed in the y direction. When viewed parallel to the x direction from the first table area 80a toward the second table area 80b, the second drive unit 91c includes a first edge drive belt 84, a second edge drive belt 85, and an edge support roller 82. The second separation head 81b is disposed between the two edge drive belts 84. Furthermore, an inter-table space 93 is provided between the two edge drive belts 84. Therefore, the separation head 81c is disposed within the inter-table space 93.

[0234] The two measuring wheel sensors 89 of the separating head 81c are respectively arranged above and below the insulating glass 1 as described above, and further measure the corresponding insulating glass surfaces 1a;b, respectively.

[0235] Furthermore, the second drive unit 91c is mounted so as to be movable back and forth in the y direction. To drive the drive unit 91c in the y direction, the drive unit 91c includes corresponding drive means.

[0236] The measuring unit 92 is preferably positioned within the first table region 80a adjacent to the first edge drive belt 84. The measuring unit 92 is used to determine certain characteristics of the insulating glass unit 1 to be disassembled, and specifically to measure the insulating glass unit 1 to be disassembled. Specifically, the measuring unit 92 includes means for measuring the thickness, width, and length of the insulating glass 1. Preferably, the measuring unit 92 also includes means for measuring the structure of the insulating glass 1.

[0237] Specifically, it is possible to determine whether the insulating glass 1 is double or triple insulated. Furthermore, it is possible to determine the thickness of the individual glass panes 2 of the insulating glass 1, the thickness of the spacer frame 3, and preferably the presence or absence of a functional coating on the glass pane surfaces 2a, b. It may also be possible to determine which gas the insulating glass 1 is filled with. Furthermore, if applicable, it is possible to determine the type of glass (borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass).

[0238] Such measuring units are known to those skilled in the art and include, for example, the GlassBuddy® from Bohle AG.

[0239] For separation, the insulating glass 1 to be disassembled is first placed on the first table area 80a (Figure 32), and then one of the insulating glass edges 1c of the insulating glass 1 to be disassembled is pressed by the operator 88 against the edge support roller 82 of the first drive unit 91b.

[0240] The structure of the insulating glass 1 is automatically determined by the measurement unit 92 .

[0241] Based on these measurement results, the two upper rotary knives 27 of the two separation heads 81b;c are roughly pre-positioned in the height direction (z direction) so that the two upper rotary knives 27 of the two separation heads 81b;c can separate the upper glass sheet 2 from the spacer frame 3. Therefore, the two upper rotary knives 27 of the two separation heads 81b;c are moved to a height between the upper glass sheet 2 and the spacer frame 3.

[0242] The insulating glass pane 1 is then engaged by the operator 88 with the first edge drive belts 84 of the two drive units 91 b; c and is further moved in the feed direction 45 by the first edge drive belts 84 of the two drive units 91 b; c until the insulating glass pane 1 is positioned between the rotary knives 27 of the two separating heads 81 b; c, where the feed direction 45 is parallel to the x-direction and points from the first table area 80 a to the second table area 80 b.

[0243] Here, the measuring wheel sensor 89 is in contact with the two insulating glass surfaces 1 a;b, and the two rotary knives 27 are accurately positioned in the height direction based on the measurements taken by the measuring wheel sensor 89.

[0244] Next, the two currently rotating upper rotary knives 27 are moved into the region between the inner glass surface 2b of the upper glass sheet 2 and the spacer frame 3 (FIG. 33). The insulating glass 1 is positioned so that the two currently rotating rotary knives 27 each move into the edge bond in the region of the corresponding insulating glass edge 1c and do not move into the edge corner region 1d, i.e., first move into the secondary seal 5 and then move between the inner glass sheet surface 2b and the spacer frame 3. Therefore, the two currently rotating upper rotary knives 27 move away from the edge corner region 1d and move between the inner glass sheet surface 2b and the spacer frame 3.

[0245] This ensures that the material of the spacer frame 3 and the desiccant stored in the spacer frame 3 are not released. This is because the width of the curved spacer frame 3 in the edge corner region 1d is wide, so there is a possibility that there is almost no primary seal 4 in the edge corner region 1d where the insulating glass edges 1c meet each other. Therefore, if the rotary knife 27 moves directly in the edge corner region 1d, there is a risk that the rotary knife 27 will penetrate the spacer frame 3.

[0246] The actual separation process then takes place (Fig. 34). The rotating upper rotary knives 27 separate the upper glass panes 2 from the spacer frame 3 along the corresponding insulating glass edges 1c. If necessary, the height of the upper rotary knives 27 is readjusted based on the measurement results of the measuring wheel sensors 89. This is not necessary in the case of a floating installation.

[0247] The insulating glass 1 is moved in the feed direction 45 until the two upper rotary knives 27 are no longer engaged (FIG. 35).

[0248] Here, the rotary knives 27 are moved away from the corresponding insulating glass edges 1c, and the lower rotary knives 27 are roughly pre-positioned in the height direction (z direction) so that the lower rotary knives 27 can separate the lower glass pane 2 from the spacer frame 3 (FIG. 35). Therefore, the lower rotary knives 27 are moved to a height between the lower glass pane 2 and the spacer frame 3.

[0249] The insulating glass pane 1 is then engaged by the operator 88 with the second edge drive belts 84 of the two drive units 91 b; c and is further moved in the feed direction 45 by the second edge drive belts 84 of the two drive units 91 b; c until the insulating glass pane 1 is positioned between the rotary knives 27 of the two separating heads 81 b; c. In this case, the feed direction 45 is in the opposite direction, i.e. parallel to the x-direction, and points from the second table area 80 b to the first table area 80 a.

[0250] The measuring wheel sensor 89 is now again in contact with the two insulating glass surfaces 1 a;b, and the height of the two lower rotary knives 27 is now precisely positioned based on the measurements taken by the measuring wheel sensor 89.

[0251] Thereafter, the two now rotating lower rotary knives 27 are moved into the region between the inner glass sheet surface 2b of the lower glass sheet 2 and the spacer frame 3 (Fig. 36). The insulating glass 1 is repositioned so that the two rotating rotary knives 27 each move into the region between the inner glass sheet surface 2b and the spacer frame 3, in the region of the corresponding insulating glass edge 1c, rather than in the edge corner region 1d.

[0252] The actual separation step (FIG. 37) is then carried out in a similar manner as described above for the separation of the upper glass plate 2.

[0253] After the separation process, the rotary knives 27 are moved away from their corresponding insulating glass edges 1c, and the upper rotary knives 27 are again roughly pre-positioned in the height direction (z-direction) so that they can separate the upper glass pane 2 from the spacer frame 3 (Fig. 38). The insulating glass 1 is now rotated 90°, and the upper and lower glass panes 2 are separated from the spacer frame 3 along the other two insulating glass edges 1c as described above (Fig. 40).

[0254] The second, movable drive unit 91c is also moved in the y direction to the required position (FIG. 39).

[0255] As soon as the two glass panes 2 are completely separated from the spacer frame 3, the insulating glass 1 is removed and the next, already pre-positioned insulating glass 1 can be cut (Figure 41).

[0256] According to a further embodiment (FIG. 42), the horizontal separating device 14 comprises a first separating area 94a and a second separating area 94b, each having two separating heads 81d.

[0257] In the first separation region 94a, the separation process is carried out along two opposing insulating glass edges 1c. The insulating glass 1 is moved in a feed direction 45. In the second separation region 94b, the feed direction 45 is perpendicular to the feed direction 45 in the first separation region 94a. Thus, the separation process is carried out along the other two opposing insulating glass edges 1c.

[0258] In this way, for example, the upper glass pane 2 is first completely separated from the spacer frame 3, and then the insulating glass 1 passes again through the separating device 14 to separate the lower glass pane 2 from the spacer frame 3.

[0259] The advantage of performing the separation process on the insulating glass 1 placed horizontally is that the load on the insulating glass 1 is low. Therefore, it is possible to avoid or reduce cracks in the glass pane 2. The work safety of the operator 88 is also improved.

[0260] The advantage of the opposing knife rotation directions 90 is that proper separation is always guaranteed, in particular without the risk of the primary seal 4 being compressed and thus pushing the two glass panes 2 apart, generating large forces. The force required to advance the insulating glass 1 and the force applied by the rotating knife 27 act in opposite directions, avoiding the risk of force coupling and stabilizing the cutting process.

[0261] However, the knife rotation direction 90 may also be the same direction. Preferably, however, the rotating knife then has the above-mentioned high rotation speed.

[0262] Furthermore, lubrication during the separation process ensures that the primary seal 4 and the rotary knife 27 do not adhere to each other, and that the separated glass pane 2 does not re-adhere to the primary seal 4. Also, reduced friction and cooling results in less heating of the rotary knife 27. Furthermore, separation can be carried out at higher speeds.

[0263] Alternatively or additionally, it may be advantageous for the rotary knife 27 to include a non-stick coating, at least in the region of the blade contact surface 39. The non-stick coating preferably consists of DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) or PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene).

[0264] As mentioned above, the flexibility of the rotary knife 27 is highly advantageous as it supports the interleaving process and compensates for irregularities during the separation process.

[0265] FIG. 50 illustrates the insertion process and the S-shaped deformation of the flexible rotary knife. It can be seen that the blade contact surface 39 is preferably not initially flush with the inner glass surface 2b of the glass pane 2 to be separated, but is spaced inward from the glass pane 2b by a safety distance S in a direction perpendicular to the glass pane 2b. This ensures that the knife blade 33 always first moves through the secondary seal 5 and does not come into contact with the glass pane 2. When penetrating the secondary seal 5, the knife blade 33 also moves toward the inner glass pane 2b due to the asymmetric wedge shape of the cutting edge 37, until it comes to rest against the inner glass pane 2b, and then it penetrates between the spacer frame 3 and the inner glass pane 2b. Therefore, deformation of the rotary knife 27 results in the blade contact surface 39 coming to rest against the inner glass pane 2b. The sharp cutting edge 37 provides centering and further facilitates insertion.

[0266] The safety distance S is preferably 0.1 to 0.5 mm, and more preferably 0.2 to 0.4 mm.

[0267] Figure 51 shows the insertion process when the rotary knife 27 is mounted in a floating manner. It can be seen that the floating mounting allows the rotary knife 27 to move toward the inner glass surface 2b of the glass pane 2 to be separated, and the blade contact surface 39 rests against the inner glass surface 2b. The floating mounting also makes it possible to compensate for uneven irregularities in the insulating glass 1 and uneven inter-pane spacing 7.

[0268] Preferably, the rotary knife 27 simultaneously moves in both a direction toward the insulating glass edge 1c and a direction parallel to the insulating glass edge 1 relative to the insulating glass 1 as it is inserted into the edge bond of the insulating glass 1. Preferably, the relative speed parallel to the insulating glass edge 1c is faster than the speed toward the insulating glass edge 1c. This allows the rotary knife 27 to move a longer distance when cutting the secondary seal 5 so that the cutting edge apex 38 can abut against the inner glass pane surface 2b without contacting the spacer frame 3.

[0269] This increases the service life of the rotary knife and also prevents the spacer frame 3 from being cut open.

[0270] The inserting process and floating bearing described above are of course also advantageous for perpendicular cutting.

[0271] 43 to 49 also show, in a highly simplified and schematic manner, a further separating device 14 for separation when the insulating glass 1 is upright, in particular vertical.

[0272] The separating device 14 comprises two rotating knives 27 on a separating head 95, a knife drive motor 30, two measuring wheel sensors 89 for measuring the two insulating glass surfaces 1 a;b, and a measuring wheel 96 for measuring the insulating glass edge 1 c along which the separating process is carried out. The measuring wheel 96 serves, inter alia, to readjust or keep constant the distance between the knife rotation axis 27 a and the insulating glass edge 1 c. Other sensors, for example non-contact sensors, can of course also be used.

[0273] The separating device 14 also includes one or more suction grippers 97 for gripping the insulating glass 1 .

[0274] First, the front glass pane 2 is preferably separated from the spacer frame 3 along its upper insulating glass edge 1c. Even in this case, at the start of the separation process, the front rotating rotary knife 27 does not move into the edge bond, i.e., the secondary seal 5, in the region of the edge corner region 1d, but instead moves into the region between the front glass pane 2 and the spacer frame 3, in the region of the insulating glass edge 1c (Fig. 44). Meanwhile, the insulating glass 1 is moved in the feed direction 45.

[0275] The rotary knife 27 again preferably includes a knife rotation direction 90 that acts opposite to the feed direction 45 .

[0276] As soon as the measuring wheel 96 detects the end of the insulating glass edge 1c, the insulating glass 1 is braked (FIG. 46).

[0277] As soon as the rotary knife 27 reaches the end of the insulating glass edge 1c, the separating head 95 moves around the edge corner region 1d. For this purpose, the rotary knife 27 is rotated by 90°. The rotary knife 27 remains in the region between the front glass pane 2 and the spacer frame 3, so that separation also takes place in the edge corner region 1d. In particular, a simultaneous movement of the insulating glass 1 and the rotary knife 27 is carried out here, as is known, for example, in edge processing.

[0278] After moving around the edge corner region 1d, the separating head 95 moves vertically upward for a separating process along the vertical insulating glass edge 1c.

[0279] In this way, the separating head 95 moves around the insulating glass 1 until the front glass pane 2 has been separated from the spacer frame 3 along all insulating glass edges 1c. Finally, separation is also carried out in the last edge corner region 1d (Figure 49).

[0280] The rear glass pane 2 is then separated from the spacer frame 3 in a similar manner using the rear rotary knife 27 .

[0281] The advantage of this method is that the rotary knife 27 moves only once into the secondary seal 5 and then in the area between the glass panes 2 and the spacer frame 3 to be separated.

[0282] Of course, this procedure can be carried out for horizontal insulating glass 1 as well.

[0283] Of course, it is within the scope of the invention to use other drive means than those mentioned above to drive the insulating glass 1. Pressure tools and / or suction grippers are generally preferred.

[0284] Furthermore, the cutting edge 37 of the rotary knife 27 may also be designed differently (see Figures 52a-c).

[0285] According to an advantageous embodiment (FIG. 52a), a pre-facet 98 is present between the first and second cutting edge surfaces 37a; 37b. The pre-facet 98 and the second cutting edge surface 37b then meet at the circumferential cutting edge apex 38. The pre-facet 98 can contribute to an increase in the service life of the rotary knife 27. Even if the two cutting edge surfaces 37a; 37b no longer meet directly but via the pre-facet 98, the two cutting edge surfaces 37a; 37b still form an acute cutting edge angle with each other, and the second cutting edge surface 37b is perpendicular to the knife rotation axis 27a and forms at least a part of the blade contact surface 39.

[0286] According to a further advantageous embodiment (FIG. 52b), there is a chamfer 99 between the first and second cutting edge surfaces 37a; 37b, and the chamfer 99 and the first cutting edge surface 37a meet at the circumferential cutting edge apex 38. Even if the two cutting edge surfaces 37a; 37b no longer meet directly but via the chamfer 99, the two cutting edge surfaces 37a; 37b still form an acute cutting edge angle with each other, and the second cutting edge surface 37b is perpendicular to the knife rotation axis 27a and also forms at least a part of the blade contact surface 39.

[0287] Thus, in the described embodiment, the cutting edge 37 of the rotary knife 27 is designed so that when the cutting edge 37 penetrates the secondary seal 5 in a direction perpendicular to the insulating glass edge 1c, a force acts on the cutting edge 37 directed towards the glass sheet surface 2b of the glass sheet being separated.

[0288] According to a further embodiment (FIG. 52c), the first and second cutting edge surfaces 37a;b meet at the circumferential cutting edge apex 38. The two cutting edge surfaces 37a;37b continue to form an acute cutting edge angle with each other. However, the second cutting edge surface 37b is no longer parallel to the knife rotation axis 27a but forms an obtuse angle with the knife rotation axis 27a. The two cutting edge surfaces 37a;37b are symmetrical about a central plane perpendicular to the knife rotation axis 27a. In this embodiment, the interleaving between the spacer frame 3 and the inner surface of the glass pane 2b is not caused by the aforementioned forces but by the acute shape of the knife blade 33. An advantage of this embodiment is that the same rotary knife can be used for both glass panes 2 of the insulating glass 1.

[0289] As described above, the separation method according to the present invention and the separation device according to the present invention are used to separate insulating glass units that include spacer tubes, primary seals, and secondary seals. The separation device according to the present invention and / or the separation method according to the present invention can also be used to advantageously separate the glass panes of the insulating glass unit from the TPS spacers. The TPS spacers are cut by a rotating blade.

Claims

1. 1. A method for separating a glass pane (2) of an insulating glass (1) from a preferably rigid spacer frame (3) connected to said glass pane (2) by a primary seal (4), wherein a secondary seal (5) also connected to said glass pane (2) is arranged outside the periphery of said spacer frame (3), comprising: The secondary seal (5) and the primary seal (4) are cut with a knife; A method for separating the secondary seal (5) and the primary seal (4), characterized in that a rotary knife (27), preferably a circular knife, rotating about a knife rotation axis (27a) is used to separate the secondary seal (5) and the primary seal (4).

2. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the rotary knife (27) is driven about the knife axis of rotation (27a) during the separation.

3. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotary knife (27) is lubricated during the separation, preferably with a liquid lubricant, preferably with a lubricating emulsion, in particular with a water-based or oil-based lubricating emulsion, or with lubricating oil or water.

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rotary knife (27) comprises a blade contact surface (39), preferably perpendicular to the knife rotation axis (27a), which abuts against an inner glass plate surface (2b) of the glass plate (2) bonded to the spacer frame (3) via the primary seal (4) during the separation.

5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the rotary knife (27) comprises a knife base (32) and a knife blade (33) radially outwardly adjacent to the knife base and having the blade contact surface (39).

6. 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the knife blade (33) comprises a cutting edge (37) having a circumferential cutting edge apex (38), the cutting edge (38) being preferably toothless.

7. a) the cutting edge (37) comprises first and second, specifically planar, circumferential cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) meeting each other at the circumferential cutting edge apex (38), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) forming an acute cutting edge angle (β) with each other, the second cutting edge surface (37b) being perpendicular to the knife rotation axis (27a) and specifically forming at least a part of the blade contact surface (39); Or, b) the cutting edge (37) comprises first and second, specifically planar, circumferential cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) meeting each other via a pre-facet (98), the pre-facet (98) and the second cutting edge surface (37b) meeting each other at the circumferential cutting edge apex (38), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) forming an acute cutting edge angle (β) with each other, the second cutting edge surface (37b) being perpendicular to the knife rotation axis (27a) and more specifically forming at least a part of the blade abutment surface (39); or c) the cutting edge (37) comprises first and second, specifically planar, circumferential cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) joining each other via a chamfer (99), the chamfer (99) and the first cutting edge surface (37b) joining each other at the circumferential cutting edge apex (38), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) forming an acute cutting edge angle (β) with each other, and the second cutting edge surface (37b) being perpendicular to the knife rotation axis (27a) and specifically forming at least a part of the blade contact surface (39); or d) the cutting edge (37) comprises first and second, in particular planar, circumferential cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) meeting each other at the circumferential cutting edge apex (38), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) forming an acute cutting edge angle (β) with each other, and the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) being formed symmetrically with respect to a central plane perpendicular to the knife rotation axis (27a).

8. The knife blade (33) has a thickness of 0.2 to 1 mm, preferably 0.3 to 0.6 mm; and / or A method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the knife base (32) has a thickness of 0.2 to 0.8 mm, preferably 0.3 to 0.5 mm.

9. 9. A method according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the rotary knife (27) comprises, at least in the region of the blade contact surface (39), a non-stick coating, preferably made of DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) or PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene).

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary knife (27) has a diameter of 60 to 100 mm, preferably 70 to 90 mm.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary knife (27) has a static stiffness of 3 to 25 N / mm, preferably 5 to 20 N / mm.

12. 12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary knife (27) is made of metal, preferably steel.

13. 13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separation is performed along the insulating glass edge (1c) of the insulating glass (1).

14. 14. The method according to claim 4, wherein the rotary knife (27) penetrates first into the secondary seal (5) and then into the region between the glass pane (2) to be separated and the spacer frame (3) when the separation begins, as viewed perpendicular to the insulating glass edge (1c), and the blade contact surface (39) is preferably positioned such that when penetrating the secondary seal (5), it is offset inward from the glass pane surface (2b) by a safety distance (S) when viewed perpendicular to the glass pane surface (2b), the safety distance being preferably 0.1 to 0.5 mm, more preferably 0.2 to 0.4 mm.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the blade contact surface (39) moves toward the inner glass sheet surface (2b) as it penetrates the secondary seal (5) until the blade contact surface (39) abuts against the inner glass sheet surface (2b) and comes to rest.

16. 16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the cutting edge (37) of the rotary knife (27) is designed such that when the cutting edge (37) penetrates into the secondary seal (5) in the direction perpendicular to the insulating glass edge (1c), a force acts on the cutting edge (37) toward the glass sheet surface (2b).

17. 17. The method according to claim 1, wherein at the start of the separation, the rotary knife (27) does not first move into the secondary seal (5) in the area of ​​the edge corner area (1d) where two insulating glass edges (1c) meet each other, and then moves into the area between the glass panes (2) to be separated and the spacer frame (3), but in the area of ​​the insulating glass edges (1c) it first moves into the secondary seal (5) and then moves into the area between the glass panes (2) to be separated and the spacer frame (3).

18. 18. The method for separating glass according to claim 17, wherein the rotary knife (27) moves successively along at least two, preferably all, of the insulating glass edges (1c) of the insulating glass (1) and remains in the area between the front glass pane (2) and the spacer frame (3) during the transition from one insulating glass edge (1c) to the next, thereby performing separation also in the edge corner areas (1d).

19. 19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the rotary knife (27) is also moved relative to the insulating glass (1) in a direction parallel to the insulating glass edge (1c) when penetrating into the secondary seal (5) and when penetrating into the area between the glass pane (2) to be subsequently separated and the spacer frame (3).

20. 20. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the direction of rotation of the rotary knife (27) acts in the same or opposite manner as the relative movement between the rotary knife (27) and the insulating glass (1) in a direction parallel to the insulating glass edge (1c) along which the separation is performed.

21. 21. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral speed of the rotary knives (27), in particular in counter-acting rotational direction, is between 0.5 and 10 m / s, preferably between 1 and 5 m / s.

22. 22. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral speed of the rotary knife (27) is 2 to 15 times, preferably 3 to 12 times, the relative speed between the insulating glass (1) and the knife rotation axis (27a) of the rotary knife (27) parallel to the insulating glass edge (1c) along which the separation is performed.

23. 23. A separation method according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the rotary knife (27) is mounted so as to be capable of floating in a direction parallel to the knife rotation axis (27a).

24. 24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the insulating glass (1) is upright during the separation and is further guided by one of the insulating glass edges (1c) or is positioned sideways.

25. A method for disassembling an insulating glass (1) comprising at least two glass panes (2) arranged parallel to and spaced apart from each other, and a spacer frame (3) disposed between the glass panes (2) within a pane boundary region, wherein the glass panes (2) and the spacer frame (3) define an inter-pane space (7), the spacer frame (3) is bonded to each of the two glass panes (2) via a primary seal (4), and the insulating glass (1) includes a secondary seal (5) disposed outside the periphery of the spacer frame (3), For disassembly, the spacer frame (3) and the secondary seal (5) are separated from the glass pane (2), 25. A method for disassembling, characterized in that the separation of the secondary seal (5) and the spacer frame (3) from the glass pane (2) is carried out according to a separation method according to any of claims 1 to 24.

26. 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein during the separation along the insulating glass edge (1c), the two glass panes (2) of the insulating glass (1) are at least partially separated simultaneously from the spacer frame (3), preferably in such a way that the knife rotation axes (27a) of the two rotating knives (27) used for the separation are coaxial with each other or offset from each other in a direction parallel to the insulating glass edge (1c).

27. A reprocessing method, particularly an automated method, for reprocessing insulating glass (1) comprising at least two glass panes (2) arranged parallel to and spaced apart from each other and further comprising a spacer frame (3) arranged between the glass panes (2) in a pane boundary region, wherein the glass panes (2) and the spacer frame (3) define an inter-pane space (7), the spacer frame (3) is bonded to each of the two glass panes (2) via a primary seal (4), and the insulating glass (1) includes a secondary seal (5) arranged outside the periphery of the spacer frame (3), a) measuring the insulating glass (1), preferably decomposed; b) preferably evacuating the interplate space (7); c) decomposing the insulating glass (1) by the method according to any of claims 25 and 26; d) preferably removing sealing residues of the primary and secondary seals (4; 5) adhering to the glass sheet (2).

28. A separating device (14) for separating at least one glass pane (2) of an insulating glass (1) from a preferably rigid spacer frame (3) connected to the glass pane (2) by a primary seal (4), preferably for carrying out the separating method according to any one of claims 1 to 24 or the method according to any one of claims 25 and 26, comprising: A secondary seal (5), also connected to the glass pane, is located outside the periphery of the spacer frame (3), The separating device (14) comprises at least one knife for separating, The knife is a rotary knife (27), preferably a circular knife, rotatable about a knife rotation axis (27a), and the separating device (14) preferably includes a knife drive motor (30) to which the rotary knife (27) is connected so that the rotary knife can be driven about the knife rotation axis (27a).

29. a) the separating device (14) comprises an abutment means for abutment of the insulating glass surface (1 a) during the separating, the abutment means forming an abutment surface (73) for abutment of the insulating glass surface (1 a) during the separating, the abutment surface (73) being perpendicular to a horizontal axis or inclined from the perpendicular, the abutment surface inclination angle (α) being preferably between 3° and 10°, more preferably between 4° and 8°, or b) the separating device (14) according to claim 28, wherein said separating device (14) comprises support means for supporting said insulating glass (1) laterally during said separating.

30. 30. The separating device (14) according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the separating device (14) supports a lower horizontal insulating glass edge (1c) during the separating and further comprises a transport track, in particular a transport roller track (25), for transporting the insulating glass (1) along the horizontal insulating glass edge (1c).

31. The separating device (14) according to any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein the separating head (16; 17; 55; 81a-d; 95) comprises at least one rotary knife (27), preferably at least two rotary knives (27), which are mounted rotatably about the knife rotation axis (27a), and the separating head (16; 17; 55; 81a-d; 95) preferably comprises the knife drive motor (30), to which the rotary knives (27) are connected so as to be rotatably driven about the knife rotation axis (27a).

32. 32. The separating device (14) of claim 31, wherein the rotary knife (27) is mounted so as to be movable back and forth to approach and move away from the insulating glass (1), preferably in a direction parallel to the knife rotation axis (27a), and preferably the rotary knife (27) is connected to a drive means so as to be drivable back and forth to approach and move away from the insulating glass, preferably in the direction parallel to the knife rotation axis (27a).

33. 33. The separating device (14) according to claim 31 or 32, comprising an upper horizontal separating head (16) for separating along an upper horizontal insulating glass edge (1c), a lower horizontal separating head (17) for separating along a lower horizontal insulating glass edge (1c), and preferably a vertical separating head (55) for separating along an insulating glass edge (1c) perpendicular to the horizontal insulating glass edge.

34. 34. A separating device (14) according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the at least one separating head (16; 17; 55; 81a-d; 95) comprises a lubrication device for lubricating the at least one rotary knife (27), preferably with a liquid lubricant, more preferably with a lubricating emulsion, in particular with a water-based or oil-based lubricating emulsion, or with lubricating oil or water.

35. 35. The separating device (14) according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the upper horizontal separating head (16) presses against the upper horizontal insulating glass edge (1c) and further comprises at least one, preferably two pressure rollers (28) for rolling on the insulating glass edge (1a) during the separating.

36. 36. A separating device (14) according to any one of claims 28 to 35, wherein the rotating knife (27) comprises a blade contact surface (39) for contact with an inner glass sheet surface (2b) of the glass sheet (2) to be separated, preferably perpendicular to the knife rotation axis (27a) and bonded to the spacer frame (3).

37. 37. The separating device (14) of claim 36, wherein the rotary knife (27) comprises a knife base (32) and a knife blade (33) radially outwardly adjacent to the knife base and including the blade contact surface (39).

38. The knife blade (33) has a thickness of 0.2 to 1 mm, preferably 0.3 to 0.6 mm; and / or A separating device (14) according to claim 37, wherein the knife base (32) has a thickness of 0.2 to 0.8 mm, preferably 0.3 to 0.5 mm.

39. A separating device (14) according to any one of claims 28 to 38, wherein the rotary knife (27) has a diameter of 60 to 100 mm, preferably 70 to 90 mm.

40. A separating device (14) according to any one of claims 28 to 39, wherein the rotary knife (27) has a static stiffness of 3 to 25 N / mm, preferably 5 to 20 N / mm.

41. 41. A separating device (14) according to any one of claims 35 to 40, wherein the knife blade (33) comprises a cutting edge (37) having a circumferential cutting edge apex (38), the cutting edge apex (38) being preferably toothless.

42. a) the cutting edge (37) comprises first and second, specifically planar, circumferential cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) meeting each other at the circumferential cutting edge apex (38), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) forming an acute cutting edge angle (β) with each other, the second cutting edge surface (37b) being perpendicular to the knife rotation axis (27a) and specifically forming at least a part of the blade contact surface (39); Or, b) the cutting edge (37) comprises first and second, specifically planar, circumferential cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) meeting each other via a pre-facet (98), the pre-facet (98) and the second cutting edge surface (37b) meeting each other at the circumferential cutting edge apex (38), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) forming an acute cutting edge angle (β) with each other, the second cutting edge surface (37b) being perpendicular to the knife rotation axis (27a) and more specifically forming at least a part of the blade abutment surface (39); or c) the cutting edge (37) comprises first and second, specifically planar, circumferential cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) joining each other via a chamfer (99), the chamfer (99) and the first cutting edge surface (37b) joining each other at the circumferential cutting edge apex (38), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) forming an acute cutting edge angle (β) with each other, and the second cutting edge surface (37b) being perpendicular to the knife rotation axis (27a) and specifically forming at least a part of the blade contact surface (39); or d) the cutting edge (37) comprises first and second, in particular planar, circumferential cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) meeting each other at the circumferential cutting edge apex (38), the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) forming an acute cutting edge angle (β) with each other, and the two cutting edge surfaces (37a; 37b) being formed symmetrically with respect to a central plane perpendicular to the knife rotation axis (27a).

43. 43. Separating device (14) according to any one of claims 29 to 42, wherein the knife rotation axis (27a) is perpendicular to the glass sheet surface (2b) against which the rotary knife (27) rests during the separation.

44. 42. A separating device (14) according to any one of claims 29 to 41, wherein the knife rotation axis (27a) is inclined by a first inclination angle (γ) about a first knife axis inclination axis (27-1) towards the glass sheet surface (2b) against which the rotary knife (27) rests during the separating, the first knife axis inclination axis (27-1) being parallel to the insulating glass edge (1c) along which the separating is performed, the first inclination angle (γ) being preferably between 0.05 and 5°, more preferably between 0.05 and 1.2°.

45. 43. A separating device (14) according to any one of claims 29 to 41 or claim 44, wherein the knife rotation axis (27a) is inclined by a second inclination angle (δ) about a second knife axis inclination axis (27-2) towards the glass sheet surface (2b) against which the rotary knife (27) rests during the separating operation, the second knife axis inclination axis (27-2) being parallel to the abutment surface (73) and perpendicular to the insulating glass edge (1c) along which the separating operation is performed, the second inclination angle (δ) being preferably between 0.05 and 3°, more preferably between 0.2 and 1.5°.

46. 39. A separating device (14) according to any one of claims 20 to 38, wherein the rotary knife (27) is mounted so as to be floatable in a direction parallel to the knife rotation axis (27a).

47. 46. ​​Separating device (14) according to any one of claims 28 to 45, wherein the rotary knife (27) is made of metal, preferably steel.

48. A separating device (14) according to any one of claims 37 to 47, wherein the knife blade (33) can preferably be bent in an elastically restorable manner, the knife blade (33) preferably being bent in an elastically restorable manner at a bending angle (ε) of at least 5°, preferably at least 15°, particularly preferably at least 20°, and even more particularly preferably at least 30°.

49. 49. The separating device (14) according to any one of claims 28 to 48, wherein the separating device (14) comprises edge conditioning means for removing impurities, preferably glass chips and / or glass shards and / or distance pieces (69), from the insulating glass edge (1c) before the separating.

50. The separating device (14) according to claim 49, comprising at least one brush roller (70), which is preferably rotatable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the abutment surface (73) and which is further preferably drivable, for removing glass chips and / or glass shards.

51. The separating device (14) comprises at least one edge-adjusting rotary knife (71) for cutting the distance piece (69), the edge-adjusting rotary knife (71) being preferably freely rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the abutment plane (73) and perpendicular to the insulating glass edge (1c) to be treated, as described in claim 49 or 50.

52. The separating device (14) according to claim 51, wherein the separating device (14) comprises a lower edge adjusting rotary knife (71) for separating the distance piece (69) along the lower horizontal insulating glass edge (1c), and the transport track, preferably the transport roller track (25), comprises a descending transport track section, preferably a descending transport roller track section (72), having a plurality of transport rollers (26), and the transport track section is positioned so that the distance piece (69) to be separated is positioned on the transport track section just before the edge adjusting rotary knife (71) engages.

53. 53. A separating device (14) according to any one of claims 28 to 52, wherein the separating device (14) comprises a measuring means, preferably a camera (76), for measuring the insulating glass thickness and / or the glass pane thickness of the insulating glass (1) to be separated.

54. 54. A separating device (14) according to any one of claims 28 to 53, wherein the separating device (14) is a stationary separating device (14).

55. 20. A reprocessing device (46) for the reprocessing, particularly automated reprocessing, of insulating glass (1) comprising at least two glass panes (2) arranged parallel to one another at a distance from one another and further comprising a spacer frame (3) arranged between the glass panes (2) in a pane boundary region, the glass panes (2) and the spacer frame (3) defining an inter-pane space (7), the spacer frame (3) being bonded to the two glass panes (2) via a primary seal (4), the insulating glass pane (1) having a secondary seal (5) arranged outside the periphery of the spacer frame (3), a) an inspection device (48) for measuring the insulating glass (1), preferably disassembled; b) preferably a degassing device (49) for degassing the interplate space (7); c) a separating device (14) according to any one of claims 28 to 37 for disassembling the insulating glass (1); d) a sealing residue removal device (51) for removing sealing residues of the primary and secondary seals (4; 5) adhering to the glass sheets (2).

56. 56. The reprocessing device (46) of claim 55, wherein the inspection device (48) includes means for measuring the insulating glass (1) being disassembled, preferably means for measuring the thickness, width and length of the insulating glass (1) and / or means for measuring the structure of the insulating glass (1).

57. 57. A reprocessing device (46) according to claim 55 or 56, wherein the degassing device (49) comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of drilling devices (52) for forming through holes through the secondary seal (5) and the spacer frame (3), the drilling devices (52) being preferably connected to a suction device (53) for extracting gas present in the inter-plate space (7) from the inter-plate space (7), and the degassing device (49) preferably comprises at least one gas storage device (54) for storing the extracted gas.

58. 58. A reprocessing device (46) according to any one of claims 55 to 57, wherein the sealing residue removal device (51) comprises at least one cleaning station (60; 61) for removing the sealing residues from the primary and secondary seals, the cleaning station (60; 61) comprising upper and lower scrapers (67a; b) and / or first upper and first lower metal brushes (63a; b) and / or upper and lower cleaning nozzles (64a; b) using high-pressure water and / or second upper and second lower metal brushes (66a; b).

Images