Separating planar composite elements containing glass layers and plastic layers

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for separating layers of glass (1) and plastic (2) combined in pane-like elements. The method is characterised in that a high-frequency electromagnetic field (HF) is emitted towards the pane-like element by means of a strip-, rod- or bar-shaped electrode (5) which is arranged opposite a glass surface of a pane-like element having layers of glass (1) and plastic (2), which are to be separated, combined therein, and in that the electrode (5) and the pane-like element are moved relative to one another in a travel direction (V) in such a way that the the high-frequency electromagnetic field sweeps over the surface of a planar side of the pane-like element in the travel direction (V) during the relative movement performed between the electrode (5) and the pane-like element, wherein the high-frequency electromagnetic field is selected in view of frequency and energy density such that energy carried by the high-frequency electromagnetic field is converted, in a plastic layer (2) of the pane-like element, into heat and heats and evaporates the plastic in this layer.

Description

[0001] Heinz Schirmacher GmbH Otto-Hahn-Straße 7 22946 Trittau Germany

[0002] Separation of flat composite elements containing glass and plastic layers

[0003] The invention relates to a method for separating layers of glass and plastic joined together in disc-shaped elements. It also relates to a device for carrying out such a method.

[0004] It is known to separate the layers of glass and plastic bonded together in composite elements made of glass and plastic for recycling purposes, in particular to recover the glass and use it as a raw material for the manufacture of new glass components. Two approaches are used in the known separation processes: A purely mechanical separation is known in which the glass is broken and thus crushed and in which the broken glass is mechanically separated from the plastic layer, usually a plastic film. An example of such a process is disclosed in DE 42 00 751 A1. In the procedure disclosed therein, a laminated glass pane is passed through a roller nip of a rotating pair of toothed rollers and the glass panes are broken in the process. The glass shards and splinters are brushed off the plastic film using a pair of rotating brushes.The resulting glass fragments and splinters are collected and recycled. EP 2 040 842 B1 discloses a variant of a purely mechanical separation process for laminated glass. In a comminution step, not only the glass layers but also the plastic layer are crushed. The plastic is then separated from the glass particles by mechanical action. Subsequently, the plastic residues are separated from the glass particles by the introduction of air.

[0005] Other known separation processes involve a combination of mechanical comminution of the composite element and subsequent separation using chemical treatment. Such procedures are described, for example, in publications DE 698 24 595 T2, EP 1 950 019 B1, and EP 3 140 093 B1.

[0006] In addition to applications for laminated glass, especially laminated safety glass, but also for toughened safety glass, the separation of glass elements from plastic and possibly other elements is also relevant for the recycling of photovoltaic modules. Recycling the glass used in such modules is particularly important, as the solar glass used in such modules is significantly higher quality than regular flat glass due to its significantly lower iron content.

[0007] With the current state-of-the-art processes, a clean and largely residue-free separation of glass panes and plastic layers, especially film, for sheet-shaped composite elements such as laminated glass or photovoltaic modules is not possible. For example, with purely mechanical separation, plastic residues, especially film residues, remain on the separated, broken glass particles. These contaminate the glass, making recycling into a high-quality, impurity-free, or at least low-impurity, glass product impossible. Combined mechanical and chemical separation also leads to contamination problems in the resulting glass material.In particular, the large surface area of ​​the chemically treated glass fragments leads to a significant accumulation of residual impurities which cannot be easily removed and which lead to the aforementioned problems with regard to the use of the glass material thus obtained for the production of high-quality, impurity-free, or at least low-impurity, glass products.

[0008] Against the background of the above, the inventors have set themselves the objective of enabling a separation of layers of glass and plastic connected in disc-shaped elements, which in particular enables a separation of the layers without mechanical comminution of the composite part, in particular of the glass in the composite part, and which thus makes it possible to obtain separated glass layers at the end of the separation process which, if possible, do not have any adhering impurities, and in any case contain such impurities only in a small proportion relative to the mass of separated glass material.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for separating layers of glass and plastic connected in disc-shaped elements with the features of claim 1. A further aspect of the solution to this object lies in a device for carrying out such a method for separating layers of glass and plastic connected in disc-shaped elements with the features of claim 12. Advantageous developments of the method according to the invention are specified in claims 2 to 11.

[0010] Using a method according to the invention, in a disc-shaped element in which layers of glass and plastic are bonded to one another, e.g., two glass layers with a plastic layer arranged between them that connects the glass layers, e.g., in the form of a laminated glass pane, or a glass pane covering a photovoltaic module from underlying layers, such as an aluminum layer and a plastic layer connecting the aluminum layer to the glass pane, the bonded layers of glass and plastic can be separated, in particular to recover the glass layers, in particular as glass panes, for recycling. This can be done, in particular, without mechanically crushing the glass layers before or during the separation process.For this purpose, according to the invention, a high-frequency electromagnetic field (HF) is radiated in the direction of the disc-shaped element. This can be achieved, in particular, by means of a strip-, rod-, or bar-shaped electrode or such an electrode arrangement arranged opposite the disc-shaped element. For the sake of simplicity, the term "electrode" is used below, which refers to both a continuous electrode and an electrode arrangement with several individual electrodes, in particular arranged side by side.

[0011] A high-frequency electromagnetic field, also referred to as HF, is understood here to be an alternating electromagnetic field in a frequency range from 1 MHz to 100 MHz. Between the preferably used electrode and the disc-shaped element, a relative movement is then initiated in a travel direction such that, as a result of this relative movement, the surface of a flat side of the disc-shaped element is swept over, in particular completely swept over, by the high-frequency electromagnetic radiation. This relative movement between the electrode and the disc-shaped element can be achieved by moving the electrode and / or the disc-shaped element. For the success of the method, it is not important which of the elements involved is actively moved. The only thing that matters is the generated relative movement.The high-frequency electromagnetic field is selected with regard to its frequency and energy density in such a way that energy carried by this high-frequency electromagnetic field is absorbed in a plastic layer of the disc-shaped element and converted into heat, thus heating and evaporating the plastic in this layer.

[0012] In the method according to the invention proposed here, unlike in the prior art, the separation of the disc-shaped element formed as a composite part made of glass and plastic is achieved neither mechanically nor chemically. Rather, a thermal approach is pursued in which the plastic layer or, if present, several plastic layers, are thermally dissolved. The plastic is heated to such an extent that it evaporates; within the scope of the invention, this process may also involve thermal decomposition of the plastic. The plastic is therefore not primarily retained and recovered as such in the separation method according to the invention. Rather, the method focuses on recovering the glass components of the composite element, in particular the one or more glass panes contained therein.If the process is carried out accordingly, these can be separated from the composite part in a non-destructive manner and thus preserved. This is also a particular advantage of the process, which enables particularly residue-free separation and isolation of the glass elements contained in the pane-shaped composite element. Firstly, by thermally separating the plastic, e.g. a polyvinyl butyral film (PVB film), as is often and typically arranged between two panes of glass in laminated glass, this plastic can be separated very cleanly from the glass elements. Furthermore, if residues of the separated plastic nevertheless remain adhered to the glass surface, this will only occur on the area of ​​the glass element or elements exposed to the plastic, but not over the entire surfaces of fragments of the glass elements that are typically first crushed in the known separation processes.Such fragments offer a much larger surface area than an intact, disc-shaped glass element, where usually only one of the extended surfaces is exposed to the plastic, so that far greater quantities of contaminants can adhere there, i.e. to the fragments. Moreover, an intact disc-shaped glass element can be freed and cleaned of any adhering foreign substances in a possible downstream cleaning process far more easily than is possible for the particles of broken glass. Even if the process primarily concerns the recovery of the glass panes, the components of the plastic, e.g. acetic acid produced during its thermal decomposition, can also be collected and likewise put to further use.

[0013] The dielectric loss factor of the plastic is utilized to heat and vaporize the plastic in the disc-shaped elements with the glass-plastic composite. This causes the radiated energy from the RF to be absorbed in the film, resulting in heat generation. In particular, this approach also makes it possible to achieve temperatures of, for example, 300°C - 400°C in the plastic, which are necessary for some of the plastics considered here to achieve vaporization.

[0014] To ensure the most efficient impact of the RF applied by the electrode on the plastic, the electrode can be designed and configured so that the RF is radiated in a narrow line or strip of limited width directly toward the surface of the disc-shaped element, particularly perpendicular to this surface. For this purpose, guiding or focusing means can also be provided in the electrode to direct and / or focus the RF accordingly.

[0015] For the implementation of the method according to the invention, the use of an RF with a frequency in the range of 10 to 50 MHz, in particular in the range of 20 to 35 MHz, is currently preferred. Using an RF in this frequency range, the inventors were able to achieve good results in comparative tests. Furthermore, for the implementation of the method according to the invention, the use of an RF with an energy density of 5 to 20 kW / cm2 , especially in the range of 10 to 15 kW / cm 2, is preferred. Here, too, the inventors were able to achieve particularly good results with energy densities set in this range. It should also be pointed out at this point, however, that the energy density to be selected depends on the structural conditions of the device used to carry out the process as well as on the properties of the disc-shaped elements to be treated to separate the glass components. For example, the thickness of an outer glass layer covering a plastic layer influences the energy density of the HF to be set (or the power of the electrode), since when the glass layer penetrates, part of the energy carried in the HF is already absorbed; the thicker the glass layer, the greater the amount of this energy. Here, the energy density to be selected is such that sufficient energy still reaches the plastic layer to heat it to the temperatures required for evaporation.

[0016] In order that the plastic layer to be evaporated can be treated over its entire width when carrying out the method, and the plastic can be evaporated over this entire width, it is preferred that the electrode has a length which corresponds to at least one width of the disc-shaped element running transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the relative movement or exceeds this width.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferred that, when carrying out the method according to the invention, the relative movement between the electrode and the disc-shaped element begins from an edge of the disc-shaped element. In this way, the process of evaporating the plastic can initially be initiated from the edge of the disc-shaped element, so that, particularly for composite elements in which the plastic layer is arranged between two layers, e.g., two glass layers or a supporting layer, e.g., made of metal, and a glass layer, the resulting gas can safely escape from the gap-like intermediate space and does not lead to glass breakage in one or both adjacent glass layers due to trapped expansion.

[0018] For efficient introduction of the energy carried by the HF into the plastic material and for efficient evaporation of the plastic, it can be advantageous if the plastic material is preheated before exposure to the high-frequency electromagnetic field. In particular, the dielectric loss factor of the plastic can change depending on the temperature, developing at an already elevated temperature in such a way that the subsequently applied HF is particularly effective. Such preheating of the plastic layer can, for example, be achieved by conventional heating, e.g. using a heat medium such as slightly heated air or a heated liquid. Such preheating can, however, also be achieved in particular by a special design of the electrode used. The HF electrode can, for example, be provided with a bevelled shape, with a front edge opening diagonally in the direction of travel.Such a design allows a part of the high-frequency electromagnetic field generated by the electrode, which has a lower field strength compared to the field directed directly towards the surface of the disc-shaped element, and thus carries correspondingly less energy, to strike the disc-shaped element in an area in front of the zone of action of the high-energy RF and can thus cause preheating of the plastic in this area.

[0019] To ensure that no or only minimal mismatch occurs in a transition area at the edge of the disc-shaped element when exposed to the RF, the plastic can advantageously be pre-evaporated circumferentially at the edges using a stray field electrode arrangement. The actual RF electrode is then positioned opposite the surface of the disc-shaped element at the start of the evaporation process, and the remaining plastic layer is evaporated. The stray field electrode arrangement can, in particular, be arranged laterally around the disc-shaped element and act from there toward the edges of the disc-shaped element.

[0020] To compensate for a change in the dielectric loss factor of the plastic during heating and during the expected uneven evaporation of the plastic layer, and to continue to achieve effective heating of the plastic with the best possible resonance-induced effect of the RF and conversion into heat, the method can provide for a dynamic frequency adjustment of the high-frequency electromagnetic field generated by the electrode in such a way that the energy carried by the high-frequency electromagnetic field is efficiently converted into heat in the plastic on which the high-frequency electromagnetic field acts. Such dynamic frequency adjustment and a matching network used for this purpose must be able to react abruptly to changes in the dielectric loss factor based on the standing wave ratio in order to keep the evaporation process running.According to the invention, frequency adjustment can be achieved using a driven, automatically adjustable capacitor arranged in a connection between the electrode and the generator. In addition, additional capacitors or inductors can be switched on or off for adjustment purposes using additional drives.

[0021] The heating of the plastic in the plastic layer depends on the dielectric loss factor of the specific plastic, which in turn is influenced by the temperature and frequency. In order to be able to treat a disc-shaped element with a certain design and a certain plastic material in the plastic layer(s) using the method according to the invention for separating the glass layers, the element, and in particular the plastic in the plastic layer, must be exposed to a frequency (a frequency band) and an ambient temperature for evaporation in preliminary tests in order to determine the precise process parameters for heating up to the evaporation of the plastic and to adjust them for the actual treatment. If sufficient knowledge of the materials to be separated and corresponding experience are available, the adjustment can also be made directly based on such experience.

[0022] Since the gases released by the evaporation of the plastic material can be environmentally harmful and / or toxic, they can advantageously be extracted during the process. The extracted gases can, in particular, be subjected to post-treatment to remove environmentally harmful and / or health-hazardous components or to render them harmless through post-treatment.

[0023] To prevent stress cracks in the glass material that occur during the evaporation of the plastic material and at the temperatures reached during this process, which can range from 300°C to 400°C, it may be necessary, or even advantageous, to heat the glass layers to a non-critical temperature level and maintain them at this temperature. The disc-shaped element can be tempered accordingly during the process. This can be achieved, for example, by placing the disc-shaped element to be processed in a water bath.To avoid contamination of the glass material being separated, the water in the bath should be deionized water. Furthermore, the deionized water should be subjected to a purification process, preferably continuously, during the ongoing separation process. This removes residues of the evaporated plastic from the water bath before they can settle on the glass elements and cause unwanted contamination. Processing the disc-shaped element in a water bath of deionized water also has the advantage that the high-frequency electromagnetic field can be coupled particularly well in such an arrangement.

[0024] For reasons of occupational safety and for a more EMC and TREMF-safe application, the procedure should preferably be carried out in a Faradaic room for the high frequency used.

[0025] If the method according to the invention is used to separate disc-shaped elements consisting of two layers of glass joined by a plastic layer in between, such as laminated glass, or for treating solar or photovoltaic modules, it may be necessary, after the evaporation process has ended, to mechanically separate the two layers, e.g. two layers of glass or one layer of glass and a support or carrier layer made of another material, such as a metal, for example aluminum, from one another again. This can be done in a lying or standing position. For this step, a wedge-shaped separating element, such as a blade or similar, can be used, whereby this separating element is introduced into the gap between the glass layers and thus lifts the two layers apart.However, separation can also be carried out using a water jet, which has the additional advantage that the glass surface is also cleaned of any adhering residues of the plastic or its decomposition products.

[0026] For further cleaning, the separated glass layers can be cleaned once again of any residual particles and molecules still adhering to the separation process according to the invention, e.g., using a high-pressure water jet. A device for carrying out a process as described above can comprise a support for a disc-shaped element with layers of glass and plastic to be separated and an electrode, in particular a strip-, rod-, or bar-shaped electrode, for emitting a high-frequency electromagnetic field (HF). It can further comprise a generator connected to the electrode for generating a high-frequency alternating voltage, from which the electrode generates the high-frequency electromagnetic field. Furthermore, it can comprise a drivable device for moving the support and the electrode relative to one another in a direction of travel running transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to a longitudinal extent of the electrode.

[0027] Further advantages and features of the invention and its possible advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment based on the attached schematic figures. These show:

[0028] Fig. 1 shows schematically in a sectional side view an arrangement for illustrative explanation of the method according to the invention and the conceptual structure of a possible device for carrying out the method;

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the arrangement according to Fig. 1; and

[0030] Fig. 3 shows schematically in a sectional side view an alternative

[0031] Arrangement in which a method according to the invention can be carried out with an alternatively designed device.

[0032] The attached figures are purely schematic representations and are neither structurally complete nor to scale. Rather, they are schematic diagrams that illustrate the essential basic principles of the invention and, together with the following description, are intended to further explain and illustrate the invention.

[0033] Figures 1 and 2 show an arrangement with which a method according to the invention for separating disc-shaped composite elements with at least one glass layer and at least one plastic layer can be carried out.

[0034] In Figures 1 and 2, a disc-shaped composite element is shown as one with two glass panes 1 and a plastic film 2 arranged between them. This can in particular be a laminated glass or a laminated safety glass formed by lamination from the glass panes 1 and the plastic film 2.

[0035] In order to separate this composite element and, in particular, to obtain the glass panes 1 separated from the plastic film 2, the composite element, in this embodiment lying flat, is inserted into a frame 3, which can be, for example, a basin and can also provide a Faraday barrier. The composite element can, in particular, be placed on a shelf (not shown in detail here).

[0036] An RF electrode 5 is arranged above an upper surface of one of the glass panes 1. This is shown here as a continuous electrode. However, it can also be formed by two or more individual electrodes combined to form an electrode arrangement. The RF electrode 5 is connected to an RF generator (not shown in detail here), which generates a high-frequency electromagnetic alternating voltage, from which the RF electrode generates and directs a high-frequency electromagnetic field, RF. The generator generates an alternating voltage with a frequency in the range of 1 to 100 MHz, in particular from 10 to 50 MHz, with particular advantage from 20 to 35 MHz.

[0037] The RF electrode 5 can be moved relative to the surface of the composite element in a travel direction V, so that it can sweep over the entire surface of the composite element. The RF electrode 5 is designed such that it directs the RF, at least a predominant portion, vertically downwards and directly onto the surface of the composite element, more precisely onto the upper glass plate 1. However, on a longitudinal side facing in the direction of travel direction V, the RF electrode 5 can have a beveled front edge 6, via which a small portion of the high-frequency electromagnetic field is radiated obliquely forward.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, stray field electrodes 4 can be arranged at the edges of the composite element, which, likewise supplied with the high-frequency alternating voltage by the generator, can radiate an RF stray field in the direction of the end faces of the edges of the composite element.

[0039] To carry out the method according to the invention, an RF signal is emitted from the RF electrode 5, the frequency of which is matched as closely as possible to the resonance frequency determined by the dielectric loss factor of the material of the plastic film 2, which can be polyvinyl butyral (PVB), for example. The energy density of the RF signal is dimensioned such that it heats the plastic material of the plastic film 2 to such an extent that the latter evaporates. If the dielectric loss factor and thus the absorption properties of the plastic film 2 change during this process, a dynamic frequency adjustment can be carried out. The RF electrode 5 is then guided over the composite element in the travel direction V, starting from an edge of the composite part, i.e. from a position approximately as shown schematically in the figures, in such a way that the plastic film 2 is evaporated in the entire area swept over by the RF electrode 5.

[0040] In order to promote the evaporation process, particularly at the edges, the edge regions can be influenced by a high-frequency electromagnetic stray field of a suitable frequency via the stray field electrodes 4 in order to heat the plastic film 2 here, and possibly even to evaporate it in an edge region. Via the possible beveled front edge 6 of the HF electrode 5, a part of the HF can be introduced into an area in front of the actual exposure zone located directly vertically below the HF electrode 5 in order to preheat the plastic film 2 there and thus promote the subsequent heating until evaporation. It is also possible to guide a further electrode connected in front of the HF electrode 5 over the surface of the composite element, which, for example,a high-frequency electromagnetic stray field is generated, which ensures preheating of the plastic, and which is followed by the RF electrode 5 and then causes the plastic to evaporate.

[0041] Escaping gases from the evaporated plastic film 2 can be captured, in particular, by means of an extraction system (not shown in detail), and rendered harmless in a subsequent post-treatment or processed for further use of the chemicals contained in the gas. For a cooling effect, the composite element can also be arranged in a water bath in the enclosure 3, with the above-described treatment taking place in the water bath. The water in such a bath is then advantageously deionized and continuously purified during the process to remove contaminants introduced by the evaporating plastic from the plastic film 2 before they settle on the surface of the glass panes 1.

[0042] Once the HF electrode 5 has covered the entire surface of the composite element and the entire plastic film 2 has been evaporated, the glass panes 1 are separated and can be sent for further recycling. If necessary, namely if the glass panes 1 are still stuck together after the evaporation of the plastic film 2, they can be separated using a wedge element, e.g., a blade, or using a water jet, or in another way. The glass panes 1 separated in this way can also be subjected to a final surface cleaning, e.g., using a high-pressure water jet or by washing, including with a solvent to remove any plastic residues or other decomposition residues and other contaminants.

[0043] Figure 3 shows an alternative arrangement of disc-shaped composite elements in which glass panes 1 are to be separated from plastic films 2 using a device according to the invention. Here, several such disc-shaped composite elements (four shown in the figure) are lined up next to one another in an upright position, each leaving a gap 8 between them, so that the composite elements are aligned parallel to one another. HF electrodes 5 are now arranged in the gaps, which are oriented in both lateral directions and thus towards the surfaces of the adjacent glass panes 1 to emit a high-frequency electromagnetic field. The two HF electrodes 5 are preferably connected together to a generator, which supplies these electrodes with the high-frequency alternating voltage.Plate-shaped ground electrodes 7 are arranged on the sides of the disc-shaped composite elements opposite the RF electrodes 5 as counter electrodes and for shielding. To carry out the process, a relative movement of the two RF electrodes 5 in relation to the composite elements in the travel direction V is initiated, so that four composite elements can be processed in one pass and a separation of the glass panes 1 can be achieved for these. This leads to a higher throughput and thus to better process efficiency. To further increase efficiency, two additional RF electrodes 5 can be arranged on the opposite side of the gaps 8 and can be moved counter to the travel direction V. In this way, the treatment of the composite elements and separation of the glass panes 1 can be carried out in half the time.

[0044] Here, too, the composite elements can be stored in a water bath, especially with deionized water, during the process.

[0045] The mode of action of separation by evaporation of the plastic film by means of the high-frequency electromagnetic field is also explained in an implementation of the method in an arrangement as shown in Figure 3, in the same way as above for Figures 1 and 2. The explanations for a subsequent final separation of the glass panes 1, as given above, also apply analogously here.

[0046] It is also possible to arrange additional composite elements in an arrangement analogous to that shown in Figure 3 and to provide one or more additional RF electrodes 5 in the resulting gaps. This allows even more composite elements to be processed in a single pass, making the process even more economical.

[0047] The essential advantage of the invention becomes clear once again here. It lies, in particular, in the fact that the glass panes 1 can be separated as a whole, i.e., without the need for crushing or breaking. This results in impurities being less likely to settle on the glass elements during the separation process, while any remaining impurities are also very easy to remove from the glass elements obtained as glass panes 1. This also simplifies subsequent handling of the recovered glass until reuse in recycling.

[0048] List of reference symbols

[0049] 1 glass pane

[0050] 2 plastic film

[0051] 3 Frame 4 Stray field electrode

[0052] 5 HF electrode

[0053] 6 bevelled front edge

[0054] 7 Ground electrode

[0055] 8 gap

[0056] V travel direction

Claims

Claims 1. A method for separating layers of glass (1) and plastic (2) connected in disc-shaped elements, characterized in that a high-frequency electromagnetic field (HF) is radiated in the direction of the disc-shaped element by means of a strip-, rod-, or bar-shaped electrode (5) arranged opposite a glass surface of a disc-shaped element with connected layers of glass (1) and plastic (2) to be separated, and in that the electrode (5) and the disc-shaped element with layers of glass (1) and plastic (2) to be separated are moved relative to one another in a travel direction (V) in such a way that the surface of a flat side of the disc-shaped element is swept over by the high-frequency electromagnetic field in the travel direction (V) during the relative movement between the electrode (5) and the disc-shaped element.wherein the high-frequency electromagnetic field is selected with regard to frequency and energy density such that energy carried by the high-frequency electromagnetic field is converted into heat in a plastic layer (2) of the disc-shaped element and heats and evaporates the plastic in this layer.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a high-frequency electromagnetic field with a frequency in the range of 10 to 50 MHz, in particular in the range of 20 to 35 MHz, is radiated by the electrode (5).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a high-frequency electromagnetic field with an energy density of 5 to 20 kW / cm 2 , especially in the range of 10 to 15 kW / cm 2 , is emitted.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrode (5) has a length which corresponds to at least one transverse, in particular perpendicular, width of the disc-shaped element to the relative movement corresponds to or exceeds this width.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the relative movement between the electrode (5) and the disc-shaped element begins from an edge of the disc-shaped element.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic material is tempered before exposure to the high-frequency electromagnetic field.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a dynamic frequency adjustment of the high-frequency electromagnetic field emitted by the electrode (5) is carried out in such a way that the energy carried by the high-frequency electromagnetic field is efficiently converted into heat in the plastic exposed to the high-frequency electromagnetic field.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaporated plastic is sucked off.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disc-shaped element is tempered during the implementation of the method.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disc-shaped element is stored in a water bath, in particular made of deionized water, during the action of the high-frequency electromagnetic field for evaporating the plastic layer (2). 1 1. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disc-shaped element is an element with at least two layers of glass (1) and at least one between the two layers made of glass (1) is arranged layer of plastic (2) or that the disc-shaped element is an element with a support layer made of a metal and a layer of glass and at least one layer of plastic arranged between the support layer and the layer of glass.

12. Device for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims, with a support for a disc-shaped element with layers of glass (1) and plastic (2) to be separated, a strip-, rod- or bar-shaped electrode (5) for radiating a high-frequency electromagnetic field (HF), a generator connected to the electrode (5) for generating a high-frequency alternating voltage, and with a drivable device for moving the support and the electrode (5) relative to one another in a direction of travel (V) running transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to a longitudinal extent of the electrode (5).

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