Method for manufacturing a spacer for a glazing unit, device obtained by such a method and glazing unit comprising such a device

Abstract

The invention also relates in particular to a method for manufacturing a spacer device for a glazing unit. The spacer device comprises a straight profile (1) comprising at least three walls (3, 4, 5), the three walls bounding at least one chamber (2), one of the three walls comprising a plurality of periodically arranged perforations (6). According to the method, a strip of ductile material is provided, longitudinal zones (101-106) are defined in the strip, the perforations (6) are made periodically, and the strip is folded along longitudinal lines to form the straight profile (1).

Description

Description TITLE: METHOD FOR MANUFACTURED A GLAZING SPACING DEVICE, DEVICE OBTAINED BY SUCH A METHOD, AND GLAZING COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention belongs to the general field of glazing manufacturing. More particularly, it relates to a method for manufacturing a spacer device between two panes of glass in a glazing unit, providing the glazing with acoustic insulation performance and, preferably, performance that limits the presence of moisture between the panes of said glazing. It also relates to such a device and to glazing incorporating at least one such device. The invention finds a particularly advantageous, though by no means limiting, application in the case of building glazing. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Double glazing consisting of two panes of glass, or glazed walls, separated by a cavity filled with gas, typically air, is classically used in windows and building facades for its thermal and acoustic insulation performance.

[0003] However, the sound transmission loss caused by such double glazing decreases for frequencies surrounding the so-called "mass / spring / mass" frequency, which corresponds to the resonance frequency of the double glazing and is located in the low frequencies. This phenomenon, called the mass / spring / mass effect, is due to significant pressure variations in the air cavity at the mass / spring / mass frequency.

[0004] Also, in order to improve the sound insulation performance of glazing, various solutions have been developed. For example, document WO 2022 / 234237 concerns glazing comprising at least two glazed panes forming a cavity between them, in which the cavity includes at least one spacing device, comprising at least one plate, said plate comprising a plurality of perforations arranged periodically and defining a chamber within the cavity. The chamber may contain a porous absorbent material, further improving the sound insulation performance of the double glazing.

[0005] Introducing the porous absorbent material into the chamber is not easy, so the invention aims to propose a method for manufacturing spacing devices that solves this problem. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular those set out above, by proposing a solution which makes it possible to create a space device for glazing more simply than by the methods currently used.

[0007] Thus, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a glazing spacer device, said spacer device comprising a straight profile including at least three walls, said three walls delimiting at least one chamber, one of the three walls including a plurality of perforations arranged periodically.

[0008] The method according to the invention is remarkable in that it comprises the following steps:

[0009] a) supply of a strip made of a ductile material,

[0010] b) definition of longitudinal zones in said strip, said zones being delimited between two dividing lines or between a dividing line and a longitudinal edge of said strip,

[0011] (c) making said plurality of perforations in one of the longitudinal zones, said perforations being arranged periodically, and

[0012] d) folding said strip along said separation lines to form the straight profile.

[0013] The term "ductile material" will be understood to mean a material that can be deformed by being elongated, extended, stretched and / or bent without breaking and without returning to its original shape after deformation.

[0014] As defined, the process according to the invention offers an alternative to the production of extruded profiles for creating the profiles of spacer devices in glazing. The production of the profile by folding allows access to the internal walls of the profile during its fabrication; for example, a step can be performed to treat the internal surfaces of the profile, or elements can be positioned within them.

[0015] Advantageously, the manufacturing process includes the following step, before step d) of folding: covering, at least partially, one of the longitudinal areas, preferably said longitudinal area having said perforations, with a layer of acoustic insulating material so that the layer of acoustic insulating material extends into the chamber at the end of step d) of folding.

[0016] Preferably, according to one embodiment, the layer of acoustic insulation material has a longitudinal groove, the process comprising the introduction of a desiccant into said longitudinal groove. According to an alternative manufacturing method for the profile, the process comprises the following step, before step d) of bending: at least partially covering a longitudinal zone among said longitudinal zones with a layer of desiccant, such that the desiccant extends into said chamber after step d) of bending.

[0017] According to yet another variant of manufacturing the profile, the process includes the following step, after step d) of bending: injection of a desiccant into the straight profile through an opening made in said straight profile, said opening leading into said chamber.

[0018] Advantageously, during step d), the following sub-step is carried out: formation of a separating wall between two parts of the chamber by folding a longitudinal zone.

[0019] Advantageously, the process includes the following substep: forming a slot to ensure fluid circulation between two chamber parts in the separating wall. The slot extends along the longitudinal direction, at least partially, if not along the entire length of the wall. separation. Preferably, the slot goes through the entire thickness of the separating wall (or an internal wall).

[0020] The term "slit" means an opening or orifice having an elongated shape such that its length, defined along a longitudinal direction, particularly of the separating wall (or the internal wall) in which it is formed, is greater than its width, defined along a transverse direction that is part of the same trihedron as that of the longitudinal direction.

[0021] Following yet another variant of the implementation of the process, it includes the following step, after step d): making a frame having four frame sides, each frame side comprising at least one part of a straight profile.

[0022] According to a first embodiment, said frame is formed by at least three folds, preferably cold-folded, of said straight profile, said at least three folds forming three frame angles, two free ends of said straight profile being joined together to form said frame.

[0023] According to an alternative embodiment, said frame is formed by cutting four portions of straight profile and by assembling these four portions using connectors forming angles of said frame.

[0024] In accordance with preferred embodiments of the process according to the invention, said strip of ductile material comprises:

[0025] - either a metallic alloy, preferably containing aluminum,

[0026] - either a plastic material, preferably polypropylene.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, said acoustic insulation material comprises: - a polymer foam, preferably selected from the group consisting of silicone foams, polyurethane foams, polyethylene foams, melamine foams, and combinations thereof, and / or - fiberglass.

[0028] The invention also relates to a spacing device obtained by the manufacturing process as defined above.

[0029] In one embodiment, the chamber may comprise two compartments separated by an internal wall or a dividing wall. The internal wall is formed by a section of the strip folded back on itself. The section forming the internal wall of the chamber includes a slot provided to ensure contact between the sound-absorbing material comprising the compartment and a desiccant also comprising the compartment.

[0030] Advantageously, the slot extends along the longitudinal direction of the band area, at least partially, or even along the entire length of the band area. Preferably, the slot extends along the longitudinal direction of the inner wall formed by the band area, folded back on itself.

[0031] The invention also relates to glazing comprising at least two glazed walls forming a cavity between them, in which the cavity includes at least one spacing device as defined above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an example of an embodiment without being limiting in any way. In the figures:

[0033] [Fig. 1], Figure 1 represents a spacing device according to the invention in a first embodiment; seen in perspective,

[0034] [Fig. 2], figure 2 represents the device of figure 1 seen in section;

[0035] [Fig. 3], figure 3 represents the elements comprising the device of figures 1 and 2 before assembly according to the method according to the invention, the elements being represented in perspective;

[0036] [Fig. 4], figure 4 represents a variant embodiment of a device according to the invention, seen in cross-section;

[0037] [Fig. 5], figure 5 represents yet another embodiment of a device according to the invention, seen in cross-section,

[0038] [Fig. 6], Figure 6 shows yet another embodiment of a device according to the invention, seen in perspective

[0039] [Fig. 7], figure 7 schematically illustrates glazing conforming to a first embodiment of the invention, and

[0040] [Fig. 8], figure 8 illustrates yet another variant of the realization of glazing according to the invention, also represented schematically.

[0041] DESCRIPTION OF METHODS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION AND THE DEVICES OBTAINED

[0042] The invention is now described in more detail and in a non-limiting manner in the following description.

[0043] The invention relates primarily to a method for manufacturing a spacing device.

[0044] Currently, as explained above, it is difficult to position acoustic insulation material in a spacing device which is made in the form of a tubular profile: indeed, the only access, to introduce the acoustic insulation material, is an axial opening which is located at each end of the profile, the profile being made by extruding material and cut to the desired length.

[0045] By producing the profile of the spacing device according to the invention, the sound insulation material can be positioned before the formation of the profile walls, which makes this positioning step easy and allows for uniform positioning of the material in the profile of the spacing device.

[0046] The remainder of the description aims first to present four examples of manufacturing spacer device profiles, according to the process of the invention, of configuration aspects of said device enabling the glazing equipped with it to provide excellent insulation performance. acoustics. It then aims to describe the manufacture of two frames and two panes of glass comprising these two frames.

[0047] Glazing can be any type of glazing comprising at least two glazed panes defining a cavity between them. For the purposes of the present invention, the cavity of a glazing unit is defined as the volume enclosed between two glazed panes of said glazing unit.

[0048] By "spacing device" we mean any device that allows the length of the spacing between the glass panes of the glazing in which it is intended to be placed to be fixed.

[0049] With reference to figure 1, according to a first variant, the spacing device manufactured according to the process according to the invention comprises a profile 1 which is designed to be fixed between two glazed walls.

[0050] The term "profile" refers to a hollow tubular structure, with the chamber being the internal space within this tubular structure. The profile can be a straight profile. A "straight profile" is defined as one that is straight along its length (a longitudinal axis D of the profile can therefore be defined).

[0051] The profile 1 is not formed by extrusion of material, as in the known state of the art, but from a strip 100 of ductile material, made for example of metal alloy or plastic, which is bent to obtain a plurality of walls and thus form a profile.

[0052] A ductile material is ductile either when heated (by adding heat) or when cold (without adding heat – at room temperature). In the example described, the material is ductile when cold.

[0053] The walls of the profile define an internal chamber, forming an internal space. More precisely, the profile 1 comprises at least one upper wall 3, one lower wall 4, two side walls 5, walls between which the chamber 2 of the profile is defined.

[0054] In this text, the terms "upper" and "lower" are used with reference to the orientation of profile 1 shown in Figure 1. Of course, the profile can have any other possible orientation, such as, for example, an orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the profile is vertical or a orientation in which the upper wall is below the lower wall.

[0055] Profile 1 may have open ends in the longitudinal direction. The chamber of the profile can, however, be closed by sealing the open ends of the profile.

[0056] The upper wall 3 comprises a plurality of perforations 6 arranged periodically. Thus, the profile 1 is also referred to as the "perforated profile" in this text. The perforations 6 are made across the entire thickness of the upper wall and establish fluid communication between the chamber 2 of the profile and the environment outside the profile (i.e., they allow the circulation of a fluid, for example a gas, from the chamber 2 of the profile to the external environment and vice versa).

[0057] In this embodiment variant, the thickness of the chamber inside the profile 1 is the distance between the upper wall 3 and the lower wall 4 of the profile 1.

[0058] The upper wall 3 of the profile corresponds to the wall intended to face the center of the cavity formed between two glazed walls 7 of a glazing 10 (see figure 7 or 8), the lower wall 4 corresponds to the wall of the profile 1 intended to be closest to the edge of the glazed walls 7 of the glazing 10. Finally, the side walls 5 are intended to be parallel to the glazed walls 7 and positioned (or even fixed against the glazed walls 7).

[0059] According to the manufacturing process according to the invention, to form the profile, a strip 100 of cold ductile material is first produced, such as that illustrated for example in figure 3. It should be recalled that the material used to make the strip 100 could also be hot ductile without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0060] The cold-ductile material may include a metal alloy, preferably containing aluminum. It may also include a plastic material, preferably polypropylene.

[0061] However, if the 100mm band is made of plastic, the plastic used does not have elastic properties: this means that if the material The plastic used is deformed; it does not return to its original shape after deformation.

[0062] Figure 3 thus illustrates a strip of ductile material before folding.

[0063] We observe that the band 100 has a band length L extending along the longitudinal direction D, as well as a band width I and a band thickness e.

[0064] The thickness e of the 100 strip is advantageously from 0.1 to 15 mm, more preferably from 0.2 to 1 mm. In particular, the thickness e is from 0.1 to 0.2 mm, or from 0.2 to 0.4 mm, or from 0.4 to 0.6 mm, or from 0.6 to 0.8 mm, or from 0.8 to 1 mm, or from 1 to 1 to 1.2 mm, or from 1.2 to 1.5 mm, or from 1.5 to 2 mm, or from 2 to 3 mm, or from 3 to 4 mm, or from 4 to 5 mm, or from 5 to 10 mm, or from 10 to 15 mm.

[0065] Advantageously, the length of the upper wall 3 of the profile 1 is equal to the length of the cavity between the glazed walls 7 of the glazing 10 in which the device is intended to be placed, in the same direction.

[0066] Band 100 has zones 101 to 105 which are delimited between two separation lines S or between a separation line S and a longitudinal edge of said band.

[0067] These zones 101 to 105 are defined either virtually on the band 100 (for example in imaging, by a machine), or mechanically by making a material shrinkage line (in a plastic material band) or a folding line (in a metal alloy band).

[0068] Zones 102, 103, 104 are each intended to form a profile wall 1.

[0069] Two zones 101 and 105 can together also form a wall of the profile, as is the case in the manufacturing example illustrated in figure 1.

[0070] To form each of the walls, the strip is folded along the separation lines S, each zone being brought close to an adjacent zone by forming two contiguous zones forming an angle of 90° or approximately 90° between them: zones 101 and 105 thus find themselves in close proximity to each other and together form the lateral wall 5.

[0071] As illustrated in Figure 2, the free edges of zones 101 and 105 are joined after folding, for example with a glue joint 107. Welding or brazing may also be provided without departing from the scope of the invention, or any other means known to a person skilled in the art for joining two edges of elements together.

[0072] According to the invention, before the folding step to form the profile, a step is carried out in which a plurality of perforations 6 are made in the longitudinal area 102, intended to form the upper wall 3.

[0073] The perforations are arranged periodically along the length of the strip 100, following a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction D.

[0074] By "plurality of perforations" is meant at least two perforations. More specifically, zone 102 (or the upper wall 3) may comprise two, three, or at least three, four, or at least four, five, or at least five, six, or at least six, seven, or at least seven, eight, or at least eight, nine, or at least nine, or ten, or at least ten, perforations arranged periodically. The more periodically arranged perforations the strip 100 comprises, the more perforations the upper wall 3 of the formed profile will contain, and the more the sound insulation of the glazing in which the device is located will be improved. Preferably, zone 102 of the strip 100 comprises at least three perforations, and more preferably at least four, arranged periodically.

[0075] By "periodically arranged perforations," it is meant that said perforations are identical and are present at regular intervals along the strip 100 (i.e., the distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations is essentially constant). The perforations are made across the entire thickness e of the strip 100 (they extend from one face of the strip to the other) and establish fluidic communication between the spaces located on either side of said strip 100 (i.e., they allow the circulation of a fluid, and more particularly a gas, from one face of the strip to the other). It is also observed that the perforations are arranged along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis D of the strip 100 and located in the middle of the width of the zone 102. It is understood that the term "longitudinal direction D" or "longitudinal axis D" can be used interchangeably.

[0076] The perforations 6 can be made using any method known to a person skilled in the art.

[0077] The perforations can have any suitable shape. In some embodiments, they have a cross-section (i.e. in the principal plane of the wall 100) that is circular or substantially circular.

[0078] Advantageously, the perforations are micro-perforations. "Micro-perforations" means holes whose diameter or maximum dimension (in the principal plane of the strip 100) is less than or equal to 8 mm. Preferably, the perforations have a diameter, or a maximum dimension (in the principal plane of the strip 100) of 0.2 to 8 mm, more preferably 0.5 to 8 mm. In some embodiments, the diameter or maximum dimension of the perforations may be 0.2 to 0.5 mm, or 0.5 to 1 mm, or 1 to 2 mm, or 2 to 3 mm, or 3 to 4 mm, or 4 to 5 mm, or 5 to 6 mm, or 6 to 7 mm, or 7 to 8 mm.

[0079] In a particularly preferred manner, the periodic perforations are distributed over the entire length L of the strip 100. Alternatively, the perforations may be arranged periodically over only a part of the length L of the strip 100, for example over a portion of the strip 100 having a length less than or equal to 90%, or less than or equal to 80%, or less than or equal to 70%, or less than or equal to 60%, or less than or equal to 50%, or less than or equal to 40%, or less than or equal to 30%, or less than or equal to 20%, or less than or equal to 10%, of the length L of the strip 100.

[0080] For each perforation, a geometric center of said perforation can be defined (hereafter simply called the "center"). The distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations is preferably 5 to 200 mm, more preferably 10 to 110 mm. The distance between the centers of two adjacent periodic perforations can be 5 to 10 mm, or 10 to 20 mm, or 20 to 30 mm, or 30 to 40 mm, or 40 to 50 mm, or 50 to 60 mm, or 60 to 70 mm, or 70 to 80 mm, or 80 to 90 mm, or 90 to 100 mm. mm, or from 100 to 110 mm, or from 110 to 120 mm, or from 120 to 140 mm, or from 140 to 160 mm, or from 160 to 180 mm, or from 180 to 200 mm.

[0081] After folding, a separation device is obtained which takes the form of a hollow profile 1 with a perforated upper wall 3.

[0082] Advantageously, the principal plane of the upper wall 3 and the principal plane of the lower wall 4 are parallel to each other. Even more advantageously, the principal planes of the upper wall 3 and the lower wall 4 are perpendicular to the principal planes of the two side walls 5.

[0083] Preferably, the profile 1 according to the invention has a parallelepiped shape, even more preferably a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0084] Each of the walls of profile 1 can independently have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, preferably each of the walls of profile 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0085] When done this way, there is no need to extrude material, which must be preheated in the extruder: as the profile is made cold in this implementation example, it is then directly usable to form the glazed wall 7, which saves time in the manufacture of a glazed wall.

[0086] Figures 1 and 2 show that chamber 2, delimited by the walls of the profile, occupies a single space.

[0087] According to an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5, chamber 2 may comprise two compartments 21 and 22 which are separated by an internal partition 23. The term "internal partition 23" or "partition partition" may be used interchangeably. The terms "chamber parts 21, 22" or "chamber compartments 21, 22" may also be used interchangeably.

[0088] The internal wall 23 is formed by a zone 106 of the strip 100, folded over itself, like the walls 101 to 105 of the previous embodiment: in the example shown in figure 4, the profile 110 thus includes a chamber 2 comprising a compartment 21 into which the perforations 6 open and a compartment 22, separated from the compartment 21 by the wall 23.

[0089] The zone 106 forming the inner wall 23 of the chamber includes a slot 108 which is provided to ensure contact between the sound-absorbing material 8 comprising the compartment 21 and a desiccant 9 comprising the compartment 22.

[0090] Advantageously, the slot 108 extends along the longitudinal direction D of the zone 106 of the band 100, at least in part, or even over the entire length L of the zone 106 of the band 100. Preferably, the slot 108 extends along the longitudinal direction of the inner wall 23 formed by the zone 106 of the band 100, folded back on itself, at least in part, or even over the entire length of the inner wall 23.

[0091] Indeed, the process advantageously provides for positioning a layer of acoustic material 8 on an area of ​​the strip 100 of ductile material before bending it, so that the layer of acoustic material 8 can be distributed uniformly over an area of ​​the strip 100 before bending, or that a strip of acoustic absorbing material is positioned on a delimited area on the strip 100, and possibly attached to this area, in order to hold it in place during bending.

[0092] Figures 1 to 5 show examples where the acoustic insulation material layer 8 is a foam bar made of polymer.

[0093] It should be understood that the layer of acoustic insulating material 8 could be made of a different material than that of a polymer foam: it could include glass wool, for example, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0094] In the example illustrated in Figure 3, the process involves positioning the foam bar 8 on the area 102 with the perforations 6, after making the perforations and before folding the strip 100, preferably rectangular parallelepiped (that is to say, it has a constant length, width and thickness - see Figure 3).

[0095] The polymer foam bar 8 can be manufactured using any method known to those skilled in the art. For example, the polymer foam bar 8 is manufactured by injection molding, prior to the implementation of the a process according to the invention. A physical and / or chemical expanding agent can be used to achieve polymer expansion, for example in the mold. Alternatively, the bar 8 can be manufactured by a foam extrusion technique.

[0096] The polymer foam bar can be chosen from the group consisting of silicone foams, polyurethane foams, polyolefin foams (including polyethylene), melamine foams, and combinations thereof. The polymer foam is preferably either silicone or polyurethane.

[0097] Polymer foam can be characterized by an average porosity greater than or equal to 0.7 and / or an average air resistance of 5,000 to 150,000 Nsrrr 4 The material's porosity can be measured using a porosimeter according to the fluid saturation method, by mercury intrusion. Air resistance can be measured according to standard NF EN ISO 9053-1. Such a porous structure of the polymer foam can increase the acoustic performance of the device and thus improve the sound insulation of the glazing housing the spacer.

[0098] The polymer foam bar 8 may have an average porosity greater than or equal to 0.75, or greater than or equal to 0.8, or greater than or equal to 0.85, or greater than or equal to 0.9, or greater than or equal to 0.95, for example, a porosity of 0.7 to 0.75, or 0.75 to 0.8, or 0.8 to 0.85, or 0.85 to 0.90, or 0.90 to 0.95, or 0.95 to 0.99. Particularly preferred, the polymer foam has an average porosity of 0.7 to 0.99, and more preferably greater than or equal to 0.9. The average air resistance of the polymer foam may be from 5,000 to 10,000 Nsrrr 4 , or from 10,000 to 20,000 Nsrrr 4 , or from 20,000 to 40,000 Nsrrr 4 , or from 40,000 to 60,000 Nsrrr 4 , or from 60,000 to 80,000 Nsrrr 4 , or from 80,000 to 100,000 Nsrrr 4 , or from 100,000 to 120,000 Nsrrr 4 , or from 120,000 to 140,000 Nsrrr 4 , or from 140,000 to 150,000 Nsrrr 4Preferably, polymer foam exhibits an average air resistance of 20,000 to 100,000 Nsrrr 4

[0099] Advantageously, the polymer foam bar 8 may comprise an average proportion of open cells of 30 to 100%, preferably 30 to 99%, and preferably 65 to 98%. The average proportion of open cells can be measured using a microscope. For example, a cross-section of a polymer foam can be examined under a microscope to determine whether each cell is open or closed. The average proportion of open cells is then calculated by dividing the total number of open cells by the total number of cells. The microscope may be, for example, an optical microscope or a scanning electron microscope.Alternatively, the average proportion of open cells can be measured using an ultrasonic tortuosimeter by measuring the characteristic lengths of a polymer foam (e.g., viscous and thermal characteristic lengths) which are then used to calculate the porosity of the foam and thus determine the open cell rate.

[0100] Polymer foam may comprise an average proportion of closed cells from 0 to 70%, preferably from 1 to 70%, and preferably from 2 to 35%. The average proportion of closed cells may be measured in the same way as the average proportion of open cells.

[0101] The terms "open cells" and "closed cells" refer, respectively, to cells that are interconnected (i.e., there are open passages between the cells) and cells that are isolated from each other (i.e., there are no open passages between the cells). Generally, open-cell foams have better sound absorption capacity due to the transmission of sound waves between the cells, while closed-cell foams have greater rigidity. Of course, the rigidity and sound absorption capacity of polymer foam depend on various factors, such as the foam density, cell size, and chemical composition.

[0102] In some embodiments, the average proportion of open cells in the polymer foam of bar 8 can, for example, be greater than or equal to 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85% 90%, 95% or about 100%. The average proportion of closed cells in the polymer foam can be, for example, less than or equal to 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1% or about 0%.

[0103] Advantageously, the polymer foam strip 8 as described above is monolithic. By "monolithic," we mean that the polymer forms a single-piece object without any visible seams or separate parts. For example, the polymer foam strip 8 is manufactured as a single piece by injection molding.

[0104] In the example illustrated in Figure 4, where chamber 2 comprises two compartments 21 and 22, the acoustic insulating foam strip 8 is received in the first compartment 21, the upper wall 3 of which includes perforations 6. Advantageously, folding the areas of the ductile material strip allows the foam strip 8 to be held in place before the profile 110 is fully formed, thus avoiding the need to fix the foam strip. 8 on an area of ​​the strip before folding.

[0105] The interior of chamber 2 may also contain a gas.

[0106] Chamber 2 may also include a layer of a desiccant 9, configured to absorb moisture, as shown in Figures 1 to 6. A desiccant is conventionally defined as an agent that has the property of drying the atmosphere in which it is placed, or, in other words, of absorbing all or part of the moisture contained in that atmosphere. The use of such a layer of desiccant is intended to absorb this moisture before it turns into liquid water.

[0107] The desiccant layer 9 can be in the form of a bar 9 of agglomerated granules, which is positioned and possibly fixed on an area 104 of the ductile material strip 100 before folding the latter in accordance with the process according to the invention.

[0108] The desiccant layer 9 may also include non-agglomerated granules (i.e., individually) which are inserted (for example, by injection) after forming the profile 1, or 110 (or other embodiments) through an opening, for example through the end of the formed profile.

[0109] These granules are, for example, made from molecular sieves, silica gel, calcium chloride (CaC₂), sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄), activated carbon, or zeolites with the chemical formula M₂ / nO.Al₂O₃.xSiO₂.yH₂O; where M can represent Ca, Mg, K, or Na. In general, any material known to those skilled in the art for making desiccants can be used as granules.

[0110] The desiccant layer 9 can also be integrated into the polymer foam bar 8, as illustrated in Figure 7: for example, the desiccant in the form of granules is held in a fixed position in a longitudinal groove formed in the acoustic insulating foam bar 8.

[0111] This embodiment has the advantage of positioning the acoustic insulation foam bar and the desiccant material together, which allows the steps of the process according to the invention to be carried out more quickly.

[0112] In yet another variation, not shown, the acoustic insulation material bar may include a desiccant. This advantageously prevents any release of granules through the perforations in the polymer foam bar. For example, it can be mixed with the polymer before the foam is manufactured.

[0113] Alternatively, the desiccant can be arranged in at least one envelope to form a layer, which is held inside the chamber, so as to form the desiccant bar 9 as illustrated in the figures. Each envelope may contain the desiccant in the form of granules as described above. Each envelope may be made of a flexible or rigid material, such as paper, plastic, polymer or plant fibers, or woven materials. The envelope may be provided with perforations to allow the granules to absorb moisture. These perforations are typically smaller in diameter than the granules so that they cannot escape from the envelope containing them.

[0114] When the profile according to the invention comprises both a sound-insulating foam bar 8 and a desiccant bar 9, a first zone 102 of the ductile material strip 100 is covered by the sound-insulating foam bar 8, and a second longitudinal zone 104 is covered by the desiccant layer 9. In this case, the second longitudinal zone is separated from the first zone by a third free longitudinal zone. This facilitates the folding of the ductile material strip.

[0115] In the case of the example illustrated in figure 4 or 5, where chamber 2 comprises two compartments, the second compartment 22 of chamber 2 accommodates the desiccant layer 9.

[0116] The profile 120 shown in figure 5 differs from that shown in figure 4 by the number of zones defined in the strip of ductile material: in the case of the example profile shown in figure 5, the strip of ductile material includes two additional zones (to those required to form the profile in figure 4) to form two angle walls 50 which, once the profile is formed, constitute inclined surfaces between the lower wall 4 and the side wall 5.

[0117] These corner walls 50 allow a joint to be made, during the formation of the glazing, which runs all around the profile which is fixed between two glazed walls 7. Thanks to the presence of the corner walls 50, the joint has a shape which rises up around the profile, on either side of the lower wall 4, towards the side walls 5: this shape of joint constitutes an enveloping basin around the bottom of the profile, which gives the joint better insulation performance than that given by a straight joint.

[0118] Reference will now be made to figures 7 and 8 illustrating the shape of two frames from the profile obtained according to the process of the invention, allowing glazing to be produced according to the invention.

[0119] Indeed, the process involves an additional step in which a frame is created with four frame sides, each frame side comprising at least a portion of the straight profile produced as explained previously, with or without acoustic absorbing material, with or without desiccant agent, by folding a strip of ductile material having regular perforations.

[0120] Figure 7 shows an example of an embodiment in which a frame 70 is formed as follows:

[0121] First, the glass panels of the glazing to be made are measured in order to know their width and length.

[0122] Then, a profile 1 is made, for example, from a strip of ductile material 100 which has a length such that it corresponds approximately to the perimeter of the glazing, or a length such that it is less than the perimeter of the glazing so that the frame formed can extend between the two walls, along the inner edge between two glazed walls 7.

[0123] Once the straight profile 1 has been made, at least three cold bends of said straight profile are made, said at least three bends forming three angles 71 of frame 70.

[0124] Attention will be paid to the fact that the upper wall 3 of the profile, forming the frame and having the perforations 6, is oriented towards the inside of the frame, and that the lower wall 4 of the frame is oriented towards the outside of the frame.

[0125] Two free ends of said straight profile 1 are joined together to form the fourth angle 72 of the frame 70. The joining can be done by gluing or by means of a silicone joint, for example, or any other means known to a person skilled in the art.

[0126] Figure 8 illustrates another frame 73, obtained by the process according to the invention: the frame 73 is formed by cutting four portions 74 of straight profile 1.

[0127] The length of each of the 74 portions is determined according to the length and width of the glazing produced.

[0128] The four portions 74 are then assembled to connectors 75 by fixing the free ends of the portions 74 to the connectors 75, the connectors 75 forming the angles of said frame 73.

[0129] The 75 connectors are angled parts. They can be hollow and accommodate the ends of profiles, or be solid and accommodate the free and open ends of profiles.

[0130] To form the glazing 10 shown in figure 7 or 8, the frame including the spacing device is positioned between two glazed walls 7. The spacing device thus makes it possible to fix the length of the spacing between the glazed walls.

[0131] The length of this gap (i.e., the thickness of the cavity between the panes of glass) can be from 6 to 30 mm, preferably from 10 to 20 mm, for example, 16 mm or 20 mm. Advantageously, the frame containing the spacing device is positioned within the cavity, more particularly in a peripheral area. Preferably, the frame containing the spacing device has the same number of sides as the number of edges of the glazing, and more preferably, a shape identical to that of the glazing. Preferably, each side of the frame of the spacing device is parallel to an edge of the glazing.

[0132] It should be understood that glazing comprising a spacing device obtained according to the process according to the invention is also glazing according to the invention, without the glazing having a closed frame: several spacing devices, obtained according to the process of the invention, could be arranged between the two glazed walls, without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0133] Preferably, the glazed panels 7 are fixed to the profile of the spacer device or to the frame made from the profile of the spacer device. Even more preferably, the glazed panels 7 are fixed to the spacer device by bonding, for example with a polyisobutylene (PIB) based adhesive.

[0134] More specifically: the frame is fixed to a first glazed panel 7 by applying a bead of adhesive to one of the side walls of the profile, along its entire length (along the entire frame if the profile forms the frame). The other side wall of the profile is then also fitted with a bead of adhesive, also along its entire length. length, and a second glazed wall 7 is then positioned and fixed on the frame, opposite the first wall 7.

[0135] Thus, the frame is sandwiched between two glazed walls 7, and the glue joints deposited on the side walls 5 of the straight profile 1 (or 110 or 120 or any other profile made in accordance with the process according to the invention), over the entire length of the frame, are compressed between the profile of the spacing device and a glazed wall 7.

[0136] Finally, a peripheral sealing gasket may also be present, preferably located on the outer face of the spacer device (i.e., the face of the spacer device closest to the edge of the glazed walls). Ideally, the sealing gasket extends from this face to the edge of the glazed walls. This sealing gasket can be made with a sealant (called a "sealing compound") based on polyurethane, polysulfide, and / or silicone.

[0137] The glazing according to the invention, thus obtained, can be used in any application using glazing. In particular, the glazing according to the invention can be building glazing. The glazing can be intended to form the interface between the exterior and interior of the building, and can, for example, be facade glazing, window glazing, or door glazing. Alternatively, the glazing can be intended to be placed inside the building.

Claims

DEMANDS

1. A method for manufacturing a glazing spacer, said spacer comprising a straight profile (1, 110) having at least three walls (3, 4, 5), said three walls (3, 4, 5) delimiting at least one chamber (2), one of the three walls comprising a plurality of perforations (6) arranged periodically, said manufacturing method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) supplying a strip (100) of a ductile material, b) defining longitudinal zones (101-106) in said strip (100), said zones (101-106) being delimited between two dividing lines (S) or between a dividing line (S) and a longitudinal edge of said strip (100), c) making said plurality of perforations (6) in one of the longitudinal zones (102), said perforations (6) being arranged periodically,and d) folding said strip (100) along said separation lines (S) to form the straight profile (1, 110).

2. A manufacturing process according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the following step, before step d): - covering, at least partially, of one of the longitudinal zones, preferably said longitudinal zone (102) having said perforations (6), with a layer of acoustic insulating material (8) so that the layer of acoustic insulating material (8) extends into the chamber (2) at the end of step d) of folding.

3. A manufacturing method according to claim 2, characterized in that the layer of acoustic insulating material (8) has a longitudinal groove, the method comprising the introduction of a desiccant agent (9) into said longitudinal groove.

4. A manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises the following step, before step d) of folding: - covering, at least partially, a longitudinal zone (104) among said longitudinal zones (101-106) of a layer of desiccant (9) so that the desiccant (9) extends into said chamber at the end of step d) of folding.

5. A manufacturing method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises the following step, after step d) of folding: - injection of a desiccant (9) into the straight profile (1, 110) through an opening made in said straight profile (1, 110), said opening leading into said chamber (2).

6. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during step d), the following substep is carried out: - formation of a separation wall (23) between two parts (21, 22) of chamber (2) by folding a longitudinal zone (106).

7. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following step, after step d): - production of a frame (70, 73) comprising four frame sides, each frame side comprising at least one part of a straight profile (1, 110).

8. A manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that said frame (70) is formed by at least three folds, preferably cold-folded, of said straight profile (1, 110), said at least three folds forming three frame angles (71), two free ends of said straight profile (1, 110) being joined together (72) to form said frame.

9. A manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that said frame (73) is formed by cutting four portions of straight profile (1, 110) and by assembling these four portions (1, 110) by means of connectors (75) forming angles of said frame.

10. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said ductile material strip (100) comprises: either a metal alloy, preferably comprising aluminum, or a plastic material, preferably polypropylene.

11. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that said sound insulation material (8) comprises: - a polymer foam, preferably selected from the group consisting of silicone foams, polyurethane foams, polyethylene foams, melamine foams, and combinations thereof, and / or - fiberglass.

12. Spacing device obtained by the manufacturing process according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. Glazing comprising at least two glazed walls (7) forming a cavity between them, wherein the cavity comprises at least one spacing device according to claim 12.

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