Insulating glazing hardening device and insulating glazing hardening method as well as apparatus and method for manufacturing insulating glazings

Abstract

The present invention relates to an insulating glazing hardening device and an insulating glazing hardening method as well as to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing insulating glazings.

Description

[0001] Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 1 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0002] September 26, 2025

[0003] Insulating glass curing device and insulating glass curing process as well as device and method for the production of insulating glass units

[0004] The present invention relates to an insulating glass curing device and an insulating glass curing method, as well as a device and a method for manufacturing insulating glass units.

[0005] Insulating glass units are also known as multi-pane insulating glass. A conventional insulating glass unit has at least two parallel panes of glass spaced apart, with a gas-filled, gas- and moisture-tight cavity of defined width between them. To ensure this predefined cavity remains permanently sealed, a perimeter spacer frame is provided between the two panes, connecting them along their outer edges.

[0006] The spacer frame consists, for example, of a thin-walled spacer tube with a substantially flat rectangular cross-section. Such spacer tubes are generally made of metal, particularly stainless steel or aluminum. Plastic versions are also known. The spacer tubes are typically filled with a desiccant. A primary seal, preferably made of butyl, is applied to the outer surfaces of the spacer tubes. This seal bonds the spacer tubes to the glass panes and seals the space between the panes from the surrounding environment.

[0007] The space between the panes is also filled with a gas, e.g., argon or xenon. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 2 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0008] September 26, 2025

[0009] Furthermore, an outer perimeter seal (secondary seal) is present around the spacer frame, which increases the rigidity of the insulating glass unit and ensures airtightness. The secondary seal is made of materials such as polyurethane, silicone, or special polysulfides.

[0010] As a rule, the secondary seal completely fills the edge joint formed between the two glass panes and the spacer frame. However, it is also known that the secondary seal is designed in the form of two secondary sealing strands, with each secondary sealing strand sealing one of the two butt joints between the spacer frame and one of the two glass panes.

[0011] Also known are TPS (Thermo Plastic Spacer) spacer frames. These are manufactured from a thermoplastic, paste-like material that is applied to the glass panes fully automatically via extrusion. The TPS spacer frames are thus bonded directly to the glass panes. A secondary seal is also present around the TPS spacer frames.

[0012] The main advantage of TPS spacer frames is their automated application. However, the resulting insulating glass units are less stable than those made with spacer tubes, as the TPS spacer material needs time to harden after application. Furthermore, the material is generally less rigid and dimensionally stable than that used in spacer tubes. Adjusting the pot life (working time) of the thermoplastic compound is also challenging. To maximize processing time and prevent blockages in the lines and nozzles, especially during production stoppages, the pot life should be as long as possible. However, a long pot life negatively impacts the stability of the insulating glass units, which can lead to displacement, particularly during handling and processing immediately after the glass panes are joined. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 3 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0013] September 26, 2025

[0014] Flexible spacer frames made of, preferably, foamed plastic, preferably with a metallic vapor barrier, are also known. These flexible spacer frames have an adhesive strip on the side, which enables automated application of the spacer frames to the glass panes. For this purpose, the flexible spacer frames are automatically unwound from a roll. The secondary seal is also present around the flexible spacer frames.

[0015] Another advantage of flexible spacer frames is their automated application. However, insulating glass units produced with flexible spacer frames are less stable than those made with spacer tubes, as the material of the spacer frames is softer.

[0016] In the production of insulating glass units, pane packages are first manufactured consisting of at least two glass panes and the spacer frame.

[0017] In the case of rigid metal spacer frames, spacer tubes are first bent into frames at a spacer bending station. The tube ends are then connected using a connector, and the primary sealant is applied to both sides, along with the desiccant. Of course, the spacer frames can also be produced by connecting several spacer tube sections using connectors. Finally, the spacer frames are bonded to a glass pane at a frame application station.

[0018] In a pressing station, a second glass pane is placed onto the spacer, and the panes are pressed together, bonding them to the spacer via the primary seal. The panes are held upright during assembly and pressing. Furthermore, the assembly and pressing process is carried out with very high precision; that is, the panes to be joined via the spacer frame are precisely aligned in terms of spacing, flatness, and parallelism. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 4 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0019] The position is determined on September 26, 2025. Similarly, the front edges of the two glass panes to be joined are positioned very precisely in the direction of transport. This ensures that the two lower edges of the panes and the front edge of the pane are positioned exactly relative to each other in the press.

[0020] Within the scope of the invention, "upright" basically means that the glass panes or insulating glazing units or insulating glazing blanks are arranged vertically or are slightly inclined to the vertical.

[0021] In the case of TPS spacer frames, as already explained, these are first automatically applied to a glass pane in the frame application station using extrusion. The glass panes are then joined together in the press station.

[0022] In the case of flexible spacer frames, these are first automatically glued onto a glass pane. For this, the flexible spacer frames are automatically unwound from a roll. The glass panes are then joined together in the press station.

[0023] According to a first embodiment, after the pressing station, the outwardly open edge joint of the glass panes, located between the glass panes and outside the spacer frame, is completely filled with sealing compound in a sealing station. This creates the final edge seal of the glass panes.

[0024] According to one variant, the secondary sealant is applied in the form of two secondary sealant strands, with each secondary sealant strand sealing one of the two butt joints between the spacer frame and one of the two glass panes.

[0025] After sealing, the insulating glass units are transported to curing storage units to allow the sealant to harden. These curing storage units include, for example, A-frames or stacking blocks, or rack trolleys, in which the insulating glass units are slightly inclined to the vertical. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 5 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0026] The insulating glass units will be stored upright on their lower edge on the A-frames from September 26, 2025. Several insulating glass units will be leaned against each other on the A-frames, with spacers positioned between them. The insulating glass units must therefore be of at least substantially the same size and thickness, or of decreasing size. Since the insulating glass units vary considerably in size and thickness, determining the stacking sequence is very complex. The manufactured insulating glass units can also be stored upright in rack trolleys.

[0027] Freshly sealed insulating glass units are still very unstable, as the edge seal only becomes stable once the sealing compound, which typically consists of a two-component sealant, has set or hardened. In particular, insulating glass units with TPS spacer frames or flexible spacer frames are even more unstable than those with rigid spacer frames.

[0028] For this reason, insulating glass unit blanks must be transported and handled carefully, as any displacement of the glass panes relative to each other (edge ​​misalignment) and any deformation of the spacer must be strictly avoided. Therefore, vertical transport devices, such as belt drives, are generally designed to support all glass panes within an insulating glass unit blank. Similarly, when transporting and replacing insulating glass unit blanks using a vacuum gripper, the other glass panes not gripped by the vacuum gripper are typically supported. This is a very complex process.

[0029] Furthermore, the uncured sealant is very sticky and often protrudes beyond the edge joint, especially in corner areas where two insulating glass edges meet. Corner sealing is particularly critical and prone to errors with regard to cleanly filling the corner areas with minimal contamination and airtightness. Due to a lack of suitable automated technology, the corner areas are "corrected" manually. This can lead to additional contamination. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 6 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0030] September 26, 2025, the insulating glass edges and surfaces will be available.

[0031] This is another reason why the transport and handling of insulating glass blanks are problematic, as transport equipment, especially equipment that comes into contact with the lower edge of the upright insulating glass blanks, becomes regularly dirty and needs to be cleaned.

[0032] Storing the uncured insulating glass units is also problematic. Particularly with the soft spacer frames, shifting between the joined glass panes (edge ​​misalignment) can occur during storage. If, during upright storage, the contact surfaces of the joined glass panes are not aligned with the perpendicular to the glass pane surfaces, the weight force on the glass panes and the edge seal causes mutual displacement and misalignment. Furthermore, if the insulating glass units are not placed parallel to each other during upright storage, the forces acting on the insulating glass unit along the edge are not constant. Depending on the distance to the adjacent insulating glass unit, especially at the bottom edge, the force acting can range from no force to a very large force.The glass panes of the insulating glass units can even warp and lose their flatness. This can happen, for example, if the distance between the lower edges of two insulating glass units arranged one behind the other is greater than the distance between the upper edges.

[0033] Methods and devices of a generic type for the manufacture of insulating glass units are known, for example, from WO 2013 / 056288 A2 and EP 2 959 087 B1.

[0034] The object of the present invention is to provide an insulating glass curing process and an insulating glass curing device for the productive curing of insulating glass blanks, whereby a high quality of the manufactured insulating glass units is to be ensured. In particular, the surfaces and edges of the cured insulating glass units are to be... Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 7 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0035] The glass panes must not be contaminated with sealing compound by September 26, 2025, and the exact relative positioning of the glass panes, which takes place in the pressing station, must be maintained. Furthermore, deviations in parallelism and flatness of the glass panes must be avoided.

[0036] Another task is the provision of a method and a device for the production of insulating glass units.

[0037] These tasks are solved by an insulating glass curing device according to claim 1, an insulating glass curing method according to claim 23, a device according to claim 39 and a method according to claim 41.

[0038] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the following dependent claims.

[0039] The invention will now be explained in more detail with the aid of an example drawing. The drawing shows:

[0040] Figure 1: Highly simplified and schematic top view of a device for manufacturing insulating glass units

[0041] Figure 2: A greatly simplified and schematic enlarged top view of two insulating glass assembly lines and two insulating glass curing devices of the apparatus according to Figure 1.

[0042] Figure 3: Highly simplified and schematic, a perspective view of an insulating glass curing device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0043] Figure 4: Highly simplified and schematic, a perspective view of an insulating glass curing device according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0044] Figure 5: A top view of a carrier plate used according to the invention. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 8 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0045] September 26, 2025, with four insulating glass blanks or insulating glass units arranged on it.

[0046] Figure 6: Highly simplified and schematic cross-sectional view of the carrier plate according to Figure 5 with an insulating glass blank or insulating glass unit arranged on it.

[0047] Figure 7: Highly simplified and schematic cross-section through a double insulating glass unit or a double insulating glass unit blank with a rigid spacer frame

[0048] Figure 8: Highly simplified and schematically shows a section through a double insulating glass unit or a double insulating glass unit blank with a TPS spacer frame and two sealing strands.

[0049] Figure 9: Highly simplified and schematic view of the upper end of a curing tower of a curing storage tank

[0050] The device 1 (Fig. 1) according to the invention for the production of insulating glass units 2 preferably has a glass sheet storage 42, several cutting lines or cutting devices 3 for the production of cut glass panes 4, preferably two glass pane storage and sorting devices 5, two insulating glass assembly lines 6 and two insulating glass curing stations 7 according to the invention.

[0051] The number of the aforementioned facilities 3;5;6;7 can vary, but at least one of the aforementioned facilities 3;5;6;7 is present in each case.

[0052] A finished, preferably rectangular, insulating glass unit 2 or an insulating glass unit blank 18, according to a first embodiment (Fig. 7), comprises, in a manner known per se, at least two spaced-apart glass panes 4, a spacer frame 8 arranged between them, a primary seal 9, and an edge seal or secondary seal 10. The spacer frame 8, the primary seal 9, and the Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 9 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0053] September 26, 2025

[0054] Secondary seals 10 form the edge seal of the insulating glazing 2 or of the insulating glazing blank 18.

[0055] Furthermore, the manufactured insulating glass units 2 are preferably insulating glass units 2 for residential construction. The insulating glass units 2 preferably have dimensions of 150 to 1800 mm (width) x 150 to 2500 mm (length). However, they can also be other types of glazing, in particular insulating glass units 2 for facades. In this case, the insulating glass units 2 preferably have dimensions of 400 to 3200 mm x 2000 to 18,000 mm. The width and length can also be identical.

[0056] The two glass panes 4 each have an outer pane surface 4a and an inner pane surface 4b, and preferably four pairs of adjacent outer pane edges 4c. The glass panes 4 are either single glass panes 4, each comprising only a single glass plate 11 (Fig. 7), or laminated glass panes made of several bonded glass plates (not shown). Laminated glass panes are known to be a laminate of at least two individual glass plates, each bonded together by means of an adhesive interlayer made of plastic, in particular a high-tensile-strength, tough-elastic, thermoplastic film.

[0057] In the case of double insulating glass 2 or a double insulating glass blank 18 (Figure 7), the two outer pane surfaces 4a each form a first and a second outer insulating glass surface 2a; 2b; 18a; 18b of the insulating glass 2 or the insulating glass blank 18. In the case of multiple insulating glass with more than two glass panes 4, the two outer pane surfaces 4a of the two outer glass panes 4 each form the outer insulating glass surfaces 2a; 2b; 18a; 18b of the insulating glass 2 or the insulating glass blank 18. The rectangular insulating glass 2 or the rectangular insulating glass blank 18 also has four pairs of adjacent insulating glass edges 2c; 18c. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 10 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0058] September 26, 2025

[0059] Depending on the application, the glass plates 11 can be made of mineral or inorganic glass, preferably silicate glass, or also of plastic. Preferably they are made of mineral or inorganic glass.

[0060] Between two glass panes 4 there is a space between the panes or interior of the panes or gap 12 filled with gas, preferably argon or xenon.

[0061] According to the first embodiment, the spacer frame 8 is made of metal or plastic in a manner known per se and is preferably rigid and tubular. Furthermore, the spacer frame 8 preferably consists of a circumferential, curved spacer tube 13, the ends of which are connected to one another by means of a connector, or a spacer tube 13 formed from several spacer tube sections, wherein the spacer tube sections are connected to one another in pairs by means of a connector. The tubular spacer frame 8 is also preferably filled with a desiccant 22.

[0062] The primary seal 9 is also present on an outer surface of the spacer frame, which bonds the spacer frame 8 to the glass panes 4 and seals the space between the panes 12 to the environment.

[0063] Preferably the primary seal 9 consists of polyisobutylene or butyl rubber.

[0064] According to another embodiment, which is known per se, the spacer frame 8 is also a TPS spacer frame 8 made of thermoplastic material (TPS = Thermo Plastic Spacer), which is bonded directly to the inner glass pane surfaces 4a (Fig. 8).

[0065] According to another, known embodiment, the spacer frame 8 is a flexible spacer frame made of, pre- Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 11 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0066] September 26, 2025, made of foamed plastic, preferably with a metallic vapor barrier. The flexible spacer frame is bonded to the glass panes using an adhesive.

[0067] In all embodiments, the secondary seal 10 is arranged circumferentially around the outer edge of the spacer frame 8. The secondary seal 10 is also arranged in an edge joint 14, which is bounded by the spacer frame 8 and two inner glass pane surfaces 4a.

[0068] As already explained, the filling of the edge corner areas, where two insulating glass edges 2c merge into each other, is particularly critical and prone to errors with minimal contamination and tightness.

[0069] According to a first embodiment (Fig. 7), the secondary seal 10 is also designed in the form of a single, circumferential secondary sealing strand 24a, which fills the edge joint 14. The secondary sealing strand 24a seals both butt joints present between the spacer frame 8 and the two inner glass pane surfaces 4a.

[0070] According to a further embodiment (Fig. 7), the secondary seal 10 is designed in the form of two circumferential secondary sealing strands 24b. Each secondary sealing strand 24b seals one of the two butt joints located between the spacer frame 8 and one of the two inner glass pane surfaces 4a.

[0071] The formation of the secondary seal 10 in the form of a single secondary sealing strand 24a or two secondary sealing strands 24b is independent of the type of spacer frame 8.

[0072] The secondary seal 10 consists of plastic, preferably polyurethane, silicone, or special polysulfides. In particular, the material of the secondary seal 10 is pasty and very sticky after sealing and before curing.

[0073] The cutting devices 3 serve, in a manner known per se, for cutting Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 12 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0074] September 26, 2025 of large glass sheets, for example float glass sheets or laminated glass sheets, into glass panes 4 with different formats.

[0075] The cut glass panes 4 are then stored in the two glass pane storage units 5 before further processing into insulating glass units 2. In this case, each cutting unit 3 is connected to a glass pane storage unit 5.

[0076] As already explained, the device 1 also has, preferably two, insulating glass assembly lines 6 which are connected to the glass pane storage and sorting device 5.

[0077] The insulating glass assembly lines 6 preferably each have a pane washing station 26, a frame application station 35a-c, a pressing station 16 and a sealing station 17. Between the individual stations and before and after each station there are transport sections 15.

[0078] Furthermore, each insulating glass assembly line 6 can have one or more testing stations for quality control.

[0079] If insulating glass units 2 with rigid spacer frames 8 are to be manufactured, at least partially, the insulating glass assembly lines 6 each have a spacer manufacturing station 40, preferably a spacer bending station.

[0080] In addition, the insulating glass assembly lines 6 each have an inbound assembly line 6a and an outbound assembly line 6b.

[0081] At the assembly line entry point 6a, the glass panes 4, which were previously removed from the respective glass pane storage and sorting device 5, are placed on the transport line 15 and transported from the transport line 15 to the pane washing station 26 and washed in this station in a manner known per se.

[0082] The glass panes 4 are erected upright in the insulating glazing assembly line 6 Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 13 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0083] Transported upright on September 26, 2025. They are usually slightly inclined to the vertical.

[0084] The washed glass panes 4 are then transported to the frame application station 35a-c. In the frame application station 35a-c, individual glass panes 4 are fitted with a spacer frame 8. Depending on the type of spacer frame 8, this is done in different ways:

[0085] In the case of the rigid metal spacer frames 8, spacer tubes 13 are first bent into spacer frames 8 in the spacer manufacturing station 40, specifically in the spacer bending station. The primary seal 9 is then applied to both sides, and the desiccant 22 is added. Alternatively, the metal or plastic spacer frames 8 are manufactured in the spacer manufacturing station 40 by connecting several spacer tube sections using corner connectors. Subsequently, the spacer frames 8 are bonded to a glass pane 4 in the frame application station 35a.

[0086] In the case of the TPS spacer frames 8, these are applied to a glass pane 4 by extrusion in the frame application station 35b. In particular, a thermoplastic mass is heated and the pasty mass is applied directly to the inner surface of the glass pane 4a by extrusion, preferably fully automatically, to form a spacer frame 8. The thermoplastic mass preferably consists of a two-component plastic.

[0087] And in the case of the flexible spacer frames 8, these are automatically unwound from a roll in the frame application station 35c and glued onto the glass pane 4.

[0088] The invention also includes the fact that the insulating glass assembly line 6 has several different frame application stations 35a-c, so that the different spacer frames 8 can be applied selectively. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 14 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0089] September 26, 2025

[0090] The glass panes 4 equipped with the spacer frame 8 and glass panes 4 without spacer frame 8 are then transported to the press station 16.

[0091] The press station 16 is used to produce pane packages consisting of at least two glass panes 4 and a spacer frame 8 arranged between them.

[0092] In pressing station 16, a second glass pane 4 is attached to the spacer frame 8, and the glass panes 4 are pressed together, bonding them to the spacer frame 8. The glass panes 4 are held upright during assembly and pressing. Furthermore, the assembly and pressing process is carried out with very high precision, meaning the glass panes 4 are aligned very accurately with each other.

[0093] Furthermore, in the press station 16, the space between the discs 12 is filled with the respective gas.

[0094] The disc packages produced in this way are transported upright to the sealing station 17 via transport route 15.

[0095] The sealing station 17 serves to fill the outwardly open edge joint 14 with sealing compound to form the secondary seal 10 after the sealing compound has hardened, thus forming insulating glass unit blanks 18. This creates the final edge seal of the glass panes 4. Depending on the type of secondary seal 10 to be formed, a single circumferential secondary seal bead 24a or two parallel secondary seal bead bead 24b are applied in the sealing station 17. The sealing compound preferably consists of a two-component plastic.

[0096] After sealing, the manufactured insulating glass blanks are 18 Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 15 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0097] On September 26, 2025, the sealing compound was transported upright to the inventive insulating glass curing device 7 via the transport route 15 for curing.

[0098] The insulating glass curing device 7 has a curing device inlet 7a and a curing device outlet 7b.

[0099] According to a first embodiment of the invention (Fig. 3), the insulating glass curing device 7 comprises a first tilting table or inlet tilting table 19, a placement table 20, a first transfer device or inlet transfer device 21, first transport means, a curing reservoir 23, second transport means, a removal table 25, a second transfer device or outlet transfer device 27 and a second tilting table or outlet tilting table 28.

[0100] The infeed tilting table 19 is arranged at the curing unit infeed 7a and connects to the transport section 15 of the respective insulating glass assembly line 6. The infeed tilting table 19 thus connects to the assembly line outlet 6b. Conveying means may also be present upstream of the infeed tilting table 19. The infeed tilting table 19 is designed in a manner known per se and has a receiving plane or surface for receiving the insulating glass blanks 18 arriving from the insulating glass assembly line 6, as well as means for holding the insulating glass blanks 18. Furthermore, the infeed tilting table 19 can be tilted or moved from an upright position to a position that is at least substantially horizontal, in a manner known per se. In the position that is at least substantially horizontal, the receiving plane is horizontal or slightly inclined to the horizontal.

[0101] Within the scope of the invention, "lying" basically means that the respective element, in particular the glass panes 4 or the insulating glazing units 2 or insulating glazing blanks 18, is in a lying position with one of its surfaces, in particular with one- Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 16 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0102] September 26, 2025, resting on their glass pane surfaces 4a;b or on one of their insulating glass surfaces 2a;b;18a;b. They are therefore arranged horizontally or slightly inclined to the horizontal.

[0103] The loading table 20 serves to place the insulating glass blanks 18 onto support elements, preferably support plates 29, which will be discussed in more detail below. Consequently, the loading table 20 has a receiving surface for receiving a support plate 29 in a lying, preferably horizontal, position. Furthermore, the loading table 20 preferably has conveying means for conveying the support plate 29 in a main conveying direction 30 of the insulating glass curing device 7 and / or perpendicular to the main conveying direction 30. In particular, the conveying means serve to convey the support plate 29 onto the first conveying means and onto the loading table 20. Preferably, the loading table 20 has driven transport rollers and / or transport belts as conveying means.

[0104] The infeed transfer device 21 serves to grip an insulating glass blank 18 resting on the infeed tilting table 19, to move the insulating glass blank 18 to the placement table 20 and to place the insulating glass blank 18 onto the carrier plate 29, i.e. to transfer the insulating glass blank 18 from the infeed tilting table 19 to the placement table 20.

[0105] The infeed transfer device 21 has a gripping frame 31 mounted so that it can be moved back and forth parallel to the main conveying direction 30. Preferably, the gripping frame 31 is mounted so that it can be moved back and forth on a rail 32 arranged above the infeed tilting table 19 and the loading table 20. The gripping frame 31 is also preferably mounted so that it can be moved back and forth vertically. Furthermore, the gripping frame 31 is preferably mounted so that it can be rotated back and forth about a vertical axis of rotation. The infeed transfer device 21 also has drive means for driving the gripping frame 31 parallel to the main conveying direction 30 and preferably in the vertical direction as well as about the vertical axis of rotation. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 17 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0106] September 26, 2025

[0107] The gripping frame 31 also has means for gripping the insulating glass blank 18 at the upper insulating glass surface 18b. Preferably, the gripping frame 31 has at least one vacuum suction cup, preferably several vacuum suction cups, for this purpose.

[0108] The curing storage unit 23 according to the invention has at least one, preferably stationary, curing tower 33a;b for receiving the insulating glass blanks 18 arranged on the support plates 29 during the curing of the sealing compound. Furthermore, the curing storage unit 23 has at least one movable shuttle 34.

[0109] A curing tower 33a;b has several horizontal receiving compartments 41 (Fig. 9) arranged one above the other and preferably also side by side, each for receiving at least one support plate 29 with at least one insulating glass blank 18 arranged on the support plate 29. According to the invention, the support plates 29 are arranged lying down in the receiving compartments 41, preferably horizontally. The curing tower 33a;b is preferably designed in the form of a storage rack, preferably a stationary one.

[0110] In the present case, the curing storage unit 23 according to the invention has two curing towers 33a;b, wherein the shuttle 34 can be moved back and forth between the two curing towers 33.

[0111] The shuttle 34 forms a movable lifting device and is automatically linearly reciprocated in a horizontal shuttle travel direction 34a along a fixed shuttle travel path 36, preferably on rails 37. For moving the shuttle 34, suitable drive and control means are preferably provided. Preferably, the shuttle 34 has a drive motor and a control unit.

[0112] Shuttle 34 also has a horizontal shuttle conveying direction 34b perpendicular to the shuttle travel direction 34a, as well as a vertical shuttle height direction or shuttle lift direction 34c. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 18 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0113] September 26, 2025

[0114] Furthermore, the shuttle 34 has a lifting frame 38 for receiving at least one carrier plate 29. The lifting frame 38 preferably has conveying means for conveying the carrier plate 29 in the shuttle conveying direction 34b. Preferably, the lifting frame 38 has a belt drive with several drive belts arranged parallel to each other. The drive belts are also preferably movable back and forth parallel to their longitudinal direction. The lifting frame 38 is also mounted on a shuttle base frame 39 of the shuttle 34 so as to be movable back and forth in the shuttle lifting direction 34c. The shuttle 34 has corresponding drive and control means for moving the lifting frame 38.

[0115] The first transport means serves to transport the carrier plate 29 from the loading table 20 to the shuttle 34. The first transport means is preferably a belt drive with several transport belts arranged side by side and / or transport rollers. The first transport means is arranged below the first curing tower 33a, which is connected to the loading table 20. Consequently, the carrier plate 29 can be conveyed under the first curing tower 33a by means of the first transport means.

[0116] The second transport means serves to transport the carrier plate 29 from the shuttle 34 to the unloading table 25. The second transport means is preferably also a belt drive with several transport belts arranged side by side. The second transport means is also arranged below the first curing tower 33a, which is connected to the loading table 20. Consequently, the carrier plate 29 can also be conveyed under the first curing tower 33a by means of the second transport means.

[0117] The unloading table 25 serves to remove the cured insulating glass units 2 from the carrier plates 29. Consequently, the unloading table 25, like the loading table 20, has a receiving surface for receiving a carrier plate 29 in a lying, preferably horizontal, position. Furthermore, the unloading table 25 preferably has conveying means for conveying the carrier plate 29 in the main conveying direction 30 and / or perpendicular thereto. In particular, the conveying means serve to convey the carrier plate 29 from the second transport means. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 19 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0118] September 26, 2025 onto the discharge table 25 and from the discharge table 25 back towards the infeed tilting table 19. Preferably, the discharge table 25 has driven transport rollers and / or transport belts as conveying means.

[0119] The discharge tilting table 28 is arranged at the discharge of the curing unit 7b and connects to a transport section 44, which preferably leads to a further processing unit or an insulating glass storage unit. The discharge tilting table 28 is preferably designed analogously to the inlet tilting table 19.

[0120] The discharge transfer device 27 is preferably designed analogously to the infeed gripping device 21, with a gripping frame 45 movable on a rail 46. The discharge gripping device 27 serves to lift a cured insulating glass unit 2, which rests on a support plate 29 on the discharge table 25, from the support plate 29, to move the insulating glass unit 2 to the discharge tilting table 28, and to place the insulating glass unit 2 onto the discharge tilting table 28, i.e., to transfer the insulating glass unit 2 from the discharge table 25 to the discharge tilting table 28.

[0121] The carrier plates 29 (Figs. 5 and 6) each have a top surface 29a, preferably flat, and a bottom surface 29b opposite it, preferably flat. Furthermore, the carrier plates 29 each have four adjacent edge edges 29c. The carrier plates 29 are preferably made of wood, metal, or plastic. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is preferred.

[0122] Furthermore, the support plates 29 preferably have a thickness of 10 to 30 mm, preferably 10 to 20 mm.

[0123] Furthermore, the carrier plates 29 preferably have a width of 1600 to 3000 mm, more preferably 1800 to 2500 mm, and / or a length of 2300 to 4000 mm, more preferably 2500 to 3500 mm. The width and length should generally be dimensioned such that the largest insulating glazing to be cured... Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 20 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0124] September 26, 2025 sungsrohling 18 can be laid down in such a way that the insulating glass edges 18c are spaced horizontally from the panel edges 29c.

[0125] Several, preferably plate-shaped, spacers 47 for receiving the insulating glass unit blanks 18 or the cured insulating glass units 2 are arranged on the upper surfaces 29a of the carrier plates 29. The spacers 47 are distributed across the surface of the upper surface 29a of the plates. The spacers 47 are preferably firmly connected to the upper surface 29a, more preferably by bonding. The spacers 47 are preferably made of cork, plastic, or felt. The material of the spacers 47 should be such that it does not scratch the glass surface. Furthermore, the coefficient of friction with the glass should be sufficiently high to prevent the insulating glass unit blanks 18 from slipping.

[0126] The spacers 47 can also be designed as plugs that are detachably, and in particular positively, inserted into holes in the carrier plate 29 such that they are not displaceable parallel to the top surface 29a of the plate and not in a vertical downward direction, and protrude beyond the top surface 29a of the plate. The detachable connection is advantageous for any necessary replacement of the spacers 47.

[0127] Furthermore, the spacers 47 preferably protrude 1 to 20 mm, preferably 3 to 10 mm, beyond the top surface of the plate 29a.

[0128] The manufacturing process and the curing process according to the invention will now be explained in more detail below:

[0129] First, three large sheets of glass, for example float glass or laminated glass, are cut into glass panes of different sizes in the cutting devices. This is known in itself.

[0130] The cut glass panes 4 are then stored in the glass pane storage and sorting unit 5 before further processing into insulating glass units 2. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 21 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0131] September 26, 2025

[0132] The glass panes 4 are then processed into insulating glass blanks 18 in the insulating glass assembly lines 6, which are connected to the glass pane storage and sorting unit 5. For this purpose, the glass panes 4 are removed from the glass pane storage units 5 in the desired production sequence and transported upright via the transport line 15 to the pane washing station 26, where they are washed.

[0133] The washed glass panes 4 are then transported to the frame application station 35a-c. In the frame application station 35a-c, individual glass panes 4 are fitted with a spacer frame 8 as described above. Depending on the type of spacer frame 8, this is done in different ways, as also described above.

[0134] The glass panes 4 equipped with the spacer frame 8 and glass panes 4 without spacer frame 8 are then transported to the press station 16.

[0135] In the press station 16, as also described above, pane packages are produced from at least two glass panes 4 and a spacer frame 8 arranged between them.

[0136] The manufactured disc packages are transported upright to the sealing station 17 via transport route 15.

[0137] In the sealing station 17, the outwardly open edge joint 14 of the glass units is coated with sealing compound, so that insulating glass blanks 18 with a secondary seal 10 that has not yet cured are produced. As described above, either a single secondary seal bead 24a is applied or two parallel secondary seal bead bead 24b are applied.

[0138] After sealing, the insulating glass blanks 18 are transported by means of the transport line 15 to each Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 22 P45393PC00 / l / aka to allow the sealing compound to cure.

[0139] September 26, 2025, the insulating glass curing devices 7 according to the invention were transported.

[0140] In particular, the insulating glass blanks 18 are transported to the curing unit inlet 7a of the respective insulating glass curing unit 7 and conveyed at the curing unit inlet 7a onto the inlet tilting table 19. The inlet tilting table 19 is in its upright position for this purpose. Depending on the size of the insulating glass blanks 18, one or more insulating glass blanks 18 arranged one behind the other in the main conveying direction 30 can be conveyed onto the inlet tilting table 19.

[0141] The inlet tilting table 19 is then tilted from its upright to its horizontal position.

[0142] The insulating glass blanks 18, resting on the infeed tilting table 19, are now gripped by the gripping frame 31 of the infeed transfer device 21 and moved to the placement table 20, on which a waiting support plate 29 is located. The insulating glass blanks 18 are gripped at the upper insulating glass surface 18b, at a distance from the insulating glass edges 18c, preferably by means of vacuum suction cups. On the placement table 20, the insulating glass blanks 18 are lowered and placed on the waiting support plate 29. In particular, the insulating glass blanks 18 are set down on the spacers 47. This ensures that the lower insulating glass surfaces 18a of the insulating glass blanks 18 are spaced apart from the upper surface 29a of the support plate 29.

[0143] Furthermore, the spacers 47 are arranged so that they are also spaced away from the insulating glass edges 18c of the insulating glass blanks 18. This ensures that the spacers 47 and the support plate 29 are not contaminated by any sealant that may seep out of the edge joint 14.

[0144] The insulating glass blanks 18 can be used individually or at least partially - Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 23 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0145] September 26, 2025, the insulating glass blanks 18 are gripped together using the gripping frame 31 and placed on the carrier plate 29. For example, if four insulating glass blanks 18 are to be placed on the carrier plate 29, the insulating glass blanks 18 are partially rotated using the gripping frame 31 in order to place all insulating glass blanks 18 next to each other on the carrier plate 29.

[0146] After the carrier plate 29 is loaded with the insulating glass blanks 18, the carrier plate 29 is conveyed by the first transport means under the first curing tower 33a and onto the lifting frame 38 of the shuttle 34. This is preferably also done using the conveying means of the lifting frame 38. By means of the shuttle 34, the carrier plate 29 is then conveyed to the respective compartment 41 of the curing tower 33a;b, in which the insulating glass blanks 18 are allowed to cure. For this purpose, the shuttle 34 travels, if necessary, in the shuttle travel direction 34a, and the lifting frame 38 is moved in the shuttle height direction 34c. When the lifting frame 38 is positioned at the height of the respective compartment, the carrier plate 29 is conveyed into the compartment 41 by means of the conveying means of the lifting frame 38. Preferably, the drive belts, in particular meshing belts, are inserted slightly into the respective compartment 41 for this purpose.Preferably, the receiving compartments 41 also have transport rollers for receiving the support plates 29. The transport rollers are preferably freely rotatable. However, they can also be, at least partially, driven.

[0147] The carrier plate 29 is stored in compartment 41 for at least as long as it takes for the sealing compound, which forms the secondary seal 10, to cure. Preferably, a carrier plate 29 is stored in compartment 41 for 1 to 10 hours, more preferably for 2 to 5 hours. Or, more preferably, the dwell time of a carrier plate 29 in compartment 41 is at least 1 hour, more preferably at least 2 hours, and most preferably at least 5 hours.

[0148] In this way, several carrier plates 29 can be stored behind and / or next to each other in a compartment 41.

[0149] After curing, the carrier plate 29 is arranged in the required sequence. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 24 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0150] On September 26, 2025, the contents were removed from compartment 41 by means of shuttle 34 and lowered to the second means of transport and transferred to it.

[0151] Using the second transport means, the carrier plate 29 is passed under the first curing tower 33a and conveyed onto the receiving table 25.

[0152] At the discharge table 25, the cured insulating glass units 2 are lifted from the carrier plate 29 by means of the discharge transfer device 27 and moved to the discharge tilting table 28, where they are placed. The discharge tilting table 28 is in its horizontal position for this purpose.

[0153] The insulating glass units 2 can be gripped individually or at least partially together using the gripping frame 45 and placed on the discharge tilting table 28. If necessary, the insulating glass units 2 are rotated about a vertical axis of rotation.

[0154] Subsequently, the discharge tilting table 28 is tilted into its upright position and the insulating glass units 2 are transferred to the transport line 44.

[0155] Furthermore, after all insulating glass units 2 have been removed, the carrier plate 29 is conveyed back onto the loading table 20. The carrier plates 29 are thus circulated.

[0156] If necessary, the carrier plate 29 is also cleaned before being transferred back to the loading table 20. This is necessary, for example, if the carrier plate 29 has become too contaminated with sealant, for instance, if sealant oozing out of the edge joint 14 has gotten onto the carrier plate 29.

[0157] According to a further embodiment of the invention (Fig. 4), an insulating glass curing device 7 comprises the first tilting table or infeed tilting table 19, the loading table 20, the first transfer device or infeed transfer device 21, first transport means, the curing reservoir 23, second transport means, a take-off table 50, a take-off gripping device 51, and further Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 25 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0158] September 26, 2025

[0159] Transport means, an insulating glass storage device 53 and the second tilting table or discharge tilting table 28.

[0160] The inlet tilting table 19, the placement table 20 and the first transfer device or inlet transfer device 21 are designed analogously to the first embodiment.

[0161] The curing storage unit 23 is designed somewhat differently and has two stationary curing towers 54a;b and a stationary lifting device 55 in between.

[0162] The lifting device 55 comprises a stationary lifting device base frame 56 and a lifting frame 57 mounted on the lifting device base frame 56 so as to be movable back and forth in the vertical direction for receiving at least one carrier plate 29. In addition, the lifting frame 57 has conveying means for conveying the carrier plate 29 into and out of the compartments 41 of the curing towers 54a;b.

[0163] The lifting device 55 has corresponding drive and control means for the operation of the lifting frame 57.

[0164] The first transport means serves to transport the carrier plate 29 from the loading table 20 to the lifting device 55. The first transport means preferably consists of transport rollers and / or transport belts. The first transport means is arranged below the first curing tower 54a, which is connected to the loading table 20. Consequently, the carrier plate 29 can be conveyed under the first curing tower 54a by means of the first transport means.

[0165] The unloading table 50 is preferably designed analogously to the unloading table 25 according to the first embodiment. However, unlike the gripping frame 31 of the discharge transfer device 27, a gripping frame 58 of the unloading gripping device 51 is not designed to be movable in the horizontal direction. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 26 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0166] September 26, 2025, and also not rotatable around a vertical axis of rotation. Otherwise, the gripping frame 58 is designed analogously.

[0167] The insulating glass storage device 53 serves to store the hardened insulating glass units 2 and has several storage towers 59 arranged next to each other as well as a movable shuttle 60.

[0168] The second transport means is used to transport the insulating glass unit 2 from the discharge table 50 to the shuttle 60 and from the shuttle 60 to the discharge tilting table 28. The second transport means preferably consists of transport rollers and / or transport belts.

[0169] The additional transport means serves to transport the carrier plates 29 from the unloading table 50 back to the loading table 20. This additional transport means preferably consists of transport rollers and / or transport belts. The additional transport means is arranged partially below the second curing tower 54b, which is adjacent to or located near the unloading table 50. Consequently, the carrier plate 29 can be conveyed under the second curing tower 54b by means of the additional transport means.

[0170] The storage towers 59 have, in a manner known per se, several horizontally arranged receiving compartments, one above the other and preferably also side by side, for the horizontal storage of at least one insulating glass unit 2 without a support plate 29. The insulating glass units 2 are arranged horizontally, preferably in a horizontal position, within the receiving compartments. Preferably, the storage towers 59 are each designed in the form of a storage rack or storage shelf, preferably a stationary one.

[0171] In addition, the insulating glass storage unit 53 features the movable shuttle 60.

[0172] In the present case, the insulating glass storage device 53 has four storage towers 59, with the shuttle 60 traveling along the storage towers 59. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 27 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0173] September 26, 2025, and is movable. For moving the shuttle 60, appropriate drive and control means are preferably provided. Preferably, the shuttle 60 has a drive motor and a control unit.

[0174] The shuttle 60 also has a horizontal shuttle conveying direction 60b perpendicular to the shuttle travel direction 60a and a vertical shuttle height direction 60c.

[0175] Furthermore, the shuttle 60 has a lifting frame 61 for receiving at least one insulating glass unit 2 and conveying means for conveying the insulating glass unit 2 in the shuttle conveying direction 60b. The lifting frame 61 is also mounted on a shuttle base frame 62 of the shuttle 60 so that it can be moved back and forth vertically. The shuttle 60 has corresponding drive and control means for moving the lifting frame 61.

[0176] Using the insulating glass curing devices 7 according to the further embodiment, the curing process is carried out as follows:

[0177] As in the first embodiment, the insulating glass blanks 18 are transported to the curing unit inlet 7a of the respective insulating glass curing unit 7 and conveyed at the curing unit inlet 7a onto the inlet tilting table 19.

[0178] The inlet tilting table 19 is then tilted from its upright to its horizontal position.

[0179] Now the insulating glass blanks 18 lying on the infeed tilting table 19 are gripped by the gripping frame 31 of the infeed transfer device 21 and moved to the placement table 20, on which a carrier plate 29 is located, and placed on the waiting carrier plate 29.

[0180] After the carrier plate 29 has been loaded with the insulating glass blanks 18, the carrier plate 29 is conveyed by the first transport means under the first curing tower 54a and transferred onto the lifting frame 57 of the lifting device 55. This is preferably also carried out, at least as an auxiliary measure, with Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 28 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0181] September 26, 2025, the lifting frame 57 is used to convey the carrier plate 29 vertically to the respective compartment 41 of the curing tower 54a;b, in which the insulating glass blanks 18 are cured. As soon as the lifting frame 57 is positioned at the height of the respective compartment, the carrier plate 29 is conveyed into the compartment 41 by means of the lifting frame 57's conveying mechanism.

[0182] The carrier plate 29 is stored in compartment 41 for at least as long as it takes for the sealing compound, which forms the secondary seal 10, to harden. As already explained, several carrier plates 29 can be stored behind and / or next to each other in compartment 41.

[0183] After hardening, the carrier plates 29 are removed from compartment 41 in the required sequence using the lifting frame 57 and moved to the further transport means and transferred onto it.

[0184] By means of the further transport means, the carrier plate 29 is passed under the second curing tower 54b and conveyed onto the receiving table 25.

[0185] At the removal table 50, the hardened insulating glass units 2 are lifted off the carrier plate 29 by means of the removal gripping device 51.

[0186] The empty carrier plate 29 is then moved under the second curing tower 54b by means of the further transport means and conveyed back to the placement table 20.

[0187] After the carrier plate 29 has been removed from the removal table 50, the insulating glass units 2 are placed back on the removal table 50 by means of the removal gripping device 51 and then moved to the shuttle 60 of the insulating glass storage device 53 by means of the second transport means without carrier plate 29.

[0188] The insulating glass units 2 are sorted from shuttle 60 into the compartments of the insulating glass storage unit 53. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 29 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0189] September 26, 2025

[0190] At the appropriate time, the insulating glass units 2 are removed from the compartments of the insulating glass storage device 53 by means of the shuttle 60 and transported to and onto the discharge tilting table 28 using appropriate transport means. The discharge tilting table 28 is in its horizontal position for this purpose.

[0191] Subsequently, the discharge tilting table 28 is tilted into its upright position and the insulating glass units 2 are transferred to the transport line 44.

[0192] An advantage of the insulating glass curing device 7 and the insulating glass curing method according to the invention is that, due to the horizontal curing and conveying of the insulating glass blanks 18, contamination of the transport or conveying means and the curing reservoir 23 is largely avoided. This is because the insulating glass blanks 18 are not guided or supported on the insulating glass edges 18c, where sealing compound often leaks out. Particularly at edge corners where two insulating glass edges 18c meet, the edge joint is often overfilled with sealing compound. Cleaning the conveying means is especially time-consuming, and contamination of the conveying means can also lead to its failure. While contamination of the support plates 29 can also occur in the curing method according to the invention, this is not a significant issue.This is usually not critical, however, as the contaminants have hardened by the time the carrier plate 29 is reused. This prevents contamination of the fresh insulating glass unit 18. Furthermore, if the carrier plates 29 become too heavily contaminated, they can simply be removed from the carrier plate cycle, cleaned, and reintroduced into the cycle. Carrier plates 29 thus serve to selectively collect contaminants, preventing them from affecting the overall process.

[0193] The storage density can also be increased by storing the materials horizontally, preferably in stacked compartments 41, as the entire building height can be utilized. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 30 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0194] September 26, 2025

[0195] It is also advantageous that the cured insulating glass units 2 can be removed from the compartments 41 of the curing towers 33a;b54a;b in any sequence. This also increases flexibility regarding the production sequence. As is known, only several insulating glass unit blanks 18 of approximately the same thickness can be stored one behind the other on A-support blocks. Furthermore, the insulating glass unit blanks 18 arranged one behind the other must become progressively larger up to the rear of the A-support blocks. Moreover, it is not possible to remove just any cured insulating glass unit 2, as the units are adjacent to one another. The production sequence and the sequence of further processing or removal must therefore be coordinated. According to the invention, removal is now possible completely independently of the production sequence, i.e., at will, which results in an enormous productivity advantage.For example, if a remanufacturing of insulating glass units is required for individual customer orders, the insulating glass units already manufactured and released for customer delivery can be held back until the remanufactured insulating glass units have also cured.

[0196] Due to the possibility of random withdrawal, the transport volume can also be minimized.

[0197] Furthermore, it was surprisingly discovered within the scope of the invention that the horizontal curing and conveying of the insulating glass blanks 18 leads to a uniform pressure on the spacer frame 8, which is why the manufactured insulating glass unit 2 exhibits significantly less geometric deviation than with upright curing and conveying. This is because, particularly with upright storage during the curing of the insulating glass blanks 18, as described above, misalignment of the glass panes 4 relative to each other and deviations in parallelism and flatness of the glass panes often occur. During horizontal curing, however, no adverse forces occur that cause a displacement between the glass panes 4. Provided a flat surface, the [unclear text] are [unclear text]

[0198] September 26, 2025

[0199] The forces acting on the edge joint are constant and very low all around, in contrast to a predominantly vertical bearing.

[0200] The fact that horizontal curing and handling of the insulating glass unit blanks 18 was even possible was surprising. After sealing, the edge seal is still very unstable. It was also assumed that, due to the weight of the upper glass pane 4 of the insulating glass unit blanks 18, a spacer frame 8 (TPS = Thermo Plastic Spacer), made of a still-soft thermoplastic material, would bulge outwards, thus reducing the space between the panes. Furthermore, it was feared that the lower glass pane 4 would deflect if it was not perfectly level. It is also known that TPS spacer frames 8 undergo volume shrinkage during curing. Since a one-sided force in the vertical direction acts on the spacer frame 8 during horizontal curing, one-sided and therefore increased volume shrinkage in the vertical direction was feared, potentially leading to the upper glass pane bulging outwards.

[0201] However, it has now been discovered within the scope of the invention that the internal pressure built up by the gas in the space between the panes 12 is evidently sufficient to prevent deflection of the glass panes 4 during horizontal curing and conveying. This is true even when the insulating glass blanks 18 are in point contact with the spacers 47.

[0202] In summary, due to ever-increasing demands on manufacturing precision from window manufacturers, increasingly stringent requirements are being placed on the spacing, flatness, and parallelism of insulating glass units. The invention addresses this requirement particularly well by eliminating or minimizing negative effects caused by handling and storage. Hegla GmbH & Co. KG 32 P45393PC00 / l / aka

[0203] September 26, 2025

[0204] Finally, it should be noted that all the features mentioned, in particular those claimed, of the two devices and the methods are particularly advantageous on their own and in any combination and are the subject of the present invention.

[0205] Furthermore, it is of course also possible that in an insulating glass assembly line, at least partially, horizontal treatment / conveying takes place.

[0206] Furthermore, the individual steps in the production of insulating glass units can also be carried out, at least partially, manually, although a high degree of automation is advantageous.

[0207] The support element does not necessarily have to be a support plate, although this is preferred. The support elements could also be, for example, a grid or a corrugated sheet.

[0208] Furthermore, horizontal transport and horizontal storage are of course also possible by directly placing the insulating glass blanks 18 or the insulating glass units 2 on the respective transport and storage means, even if the use of the support elements is preferred.

[0209] Preferably, the insulating glass curing device comprises exclusively transport means for transporting the insulating glass blanks and means for storing the insulating glass blanks during the curing of the sealing compound, which are designed in such a way that they contact the insulating glass blanks exclusively at a distance from the edge corner areas where two insulating glass edges of the insulating glass blanks merge into one another, preferably exclusively at a distance from the insulating glass edges.

[0210] Furthermore, according to the invention, the upper and lower limits specified for each range can all be combined with one another.

Claims

Hegla GmbH &Co. KG 1 P45393PC00 / l / aka September 26, 2025 Claims 1. Insulating glass curing device (7) for curing insulating glass blanks (18) with at least two parallel and spaced-apart glass panes (4) and with a spacer frame (8) arranged between the glass panes (4) in a pane edge region, wherein a space between the panes (4) and the spacer frame (8) is defined by the glass panes (4) and the spacer frame (8), wherein the spacer frame (8) is connected to the two glass panes (4), preferably bonded, and wherein the insulating glass blanks (18) have an uncured sealing compound around the outside of the spacer frame (8) to form a secondary seal (10), wherein the insulating glass curing device (7) has a curing reservoir (23) for storing the insulating glass blanks (18) during the curing of the sealing compound, characterized in that the curing reservoir (23) has at least one, preferably stationary,The curing tower (33a;b;54a;b) has compartments (41) arranged one above the other for the lying, preferably horizontal, storage of the insulating glass blanks (18) during curing.

2. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that the insulating glass curing device (7) has support elements, preferably support plates (29), for receiving the insulating glass blanks (18) during curing in the curing storage (23) and for receiving the insulating glass blanks (18) during transport of the insulating glass blanks (18) to the curing storage (23) and for receiving the cured insulating glass units (2) during transport away from the curing storage (23). Hegla GmbH &Co. KG 2 P45393PC00 / l / aka September 26, 2025 3. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to claim 2, characterized in that the support plates (29) have a length of 2300 to 4000 mm, preferably 2500 to 3500 mm, and / or a width of 1600 to 3000 mm, preferably 1800 to 2500 mm.

4. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the insulating glass curing device (7) has means for placing the insulating glass blanks (18), in particular on a curing device inlet (7a), onto the support elements, preferably onto the support plates (29), and means for transporting the insulating glass blanks (18) on the support elements, preferably onto the support plates (29), to the curing reservoir (23) and means for inserting the insulating glass blanks (18) on the support elements, preferably onto the support plates (29), into the superimposed compartments (41) of the curing reservoir (23).

5. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the insulating glass curing device (7) has means for removing the cured insulating glass units (2) from the support elements, preferably the support plates (29), and means for guiding the support elements, preferably the support plates (29), in a circuit.

6. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating glass curing device (7) is a transport means for transporting the insulating glass blanks (18) to the curing storage container (23) in a horizontal position, in particular for transporting them in a horizontal position. Hegla GmbH &Co. KG 3 P45393PC00 / l / aka 26 September 2025 and preferably the hardened insulating glass units (2) away from this.

7. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to claim 6, characterized in that the insulating glass curing device (7) has exclusively transport means for transporting the insulating glass blanks (18) in a horizontal position from a curing device inlet (7a) to the curing storage (23).

8. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the transport means for transporting the insulating glass blanks (18) lying down, in particular for transporting them in a horizontal position, are designed such that the insulating glass blanks (18) rest on the transport means exclusively spaced apart from edge corner areas in which two insulating glass edges (18c) of the insulating glass blanks (18) merge into one another, preferably exclusively spaced apart from the insulating glass edges (18c).

9. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating glass curing device (7) is arranged such that there is no guiding and no bearing of the insulating glass blanks (18) on the insulating glass edges (18c).

10. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Hegla GmbH &Co. KG 4 P45393PC00 / l / aka September 26, 2025, the insulating glass curing device (7) comprises exclusively transport means for transporting the insulating glass blanks (18) and means for storing the insulating glass blanks (18) during the curing of the sealing compound, which are designed such that they contact the insulating glass blanks (18) exclusively spaced apart from edge corner areas in which two insulating glass edges (18c) of the insulating glass blanks (18) merge into each other, preferably exclusively spaced apart from the insulating glass edges (18c).

11. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the support elements, preferably the support plates (29a), each have a support element top, preferably a plate top (29a), and several spacers (47) projecting beyond the support element top, preferably the plate top (29a), are provided for receiving the insulating glass blanks (18), wherein preferably the spacers (47) are in a non-displaceable connection with the support element, preferably the support plate (29), parallel to the plate top (29a) and in a vertical downward direction.

12. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to claim 11, characterized in that the spacers (47) are plate-shaped and are firmly connected to the top surface of the plate (29a), preferably bonded to it.

13. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the spacers (47) are made of cork or plastic or felt. Hegla GmbH &Co. KG 5 P45393PC00 / l / aka September 26, 2025 14. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the spacers (47) project by 1 to 20 mm, preferably 3 to 10 mm, beyond the top of the support element, preferably the top of the plate (29a).

15. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the spacers (47) are designed as plugs which are detachably, in particular positively, inserted into holes in the carrier plate (29) such that they are not displaceable parallel to the top of the plate (29a) and in a vertical downward direction and protrude beyond the top of the plate (29a).

16. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the spacers (47) are arranged such that they are spaced apart from insulating glass edges (18c) of the insulating glass blanks (18).

17. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curing storage unit (23) has at least one lifting device (34;55) for lifting the insulating glass blanks (18) to the compartments (41) of the curing tower (33a;b;54a;b).

18. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to claim 17, characterized in that Hegla GmbH &Co. KG 6 P45393PC00 / l / aka 26 September 2025 the curing storage unit (23) has at least one movable shuttle (34) as a lifting device, wherein the shuttle (34) is automatically linearly movable back and forth along a fixed shuttle travel track (36), preferably on rails (37).

19. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to claim 18, characterized in that the shuttle (34) has a lifting frame (38) for receiving at least one support element, preferably at least one support plate (29), wherein the lifting frame (38) is mounted on a shuttle base frame (39) of the shuttle (34) so ​​as to be movable back and forth in a vertical shuttle stroke direction (34c), wherein preferably the lifting frame (38) has conveying means for conveying the at least one support element, preferably the at least one support plate (29), into and out of a compartment (41).

20. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary seal (10) consists of polyurethane, silicone or polysulfides.

21. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the space between the panes is filled with gas, preferably argon or xenon.

22. Insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Hegla GmbH &Co. KG 7 P45393PC00 / l / aka September 26, 2025, the insulating glass curing device (7) includes an insulating glass storage device (53) for storing the cured insulating glass units (2).

23. Insulating glass curing method for curing insulating glass blanks (18) with at least two parallel and spaced-apart glass panes (4) and with a spacer frame (8) arranged between the glass panes (4) in a pane edge region, wherein a space between the panes (4) and the spacer frame (8) is defined by the glass panes (4) and the spacer frame (8), wherein the spacer frame (8) is connected to the two glass panes (4), preferably bonded, and wherein the insulating glass blanks (18) have an uncured sealing compound around the outside of the spacer frame (8) to form a secondary seal (10), wherein the insulating glass blanks (18) are stored in a curing reservoir (23) for curing the sealing compound, characterized in that the insulating glass blanks (18) are stored lying down, preferably horizontally, for curing the sealing compound.

24. Insulating glass curing method according to claim 23, characterized in that the insulating glass blanks (18) are stored on support elements, preferably support plates (29), during the curing of the sealing compound.

25. Insulating glass curing method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the insulating glass blanks (18), in particular those entering (7a) a curing device, are applied to the support elements, preferred Hegla GmbH &Co. KG 8 P45393PC00 / l / aka On September 26, 2025, the carrier plates (29) are placed on them and transported to the curing storage (23) and inserted into the superimposed compartments (41) of the curing storage (23).

26. Insulating glass curing method according to claim 25, characterized in that the cured insulating glass units (2) are removed from the support elements, preferably the support plates (29) and the support elements, preferably the support plates (29), are circulated.

27. Insulating glass curing method according to one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that the insulating glass blanks (18) are transported towards the curing storage (23) lying down, preferably in a horizontal position, and preferably the cured insulating glass units (2) are also transported away from the curing storage (23) lying down, preferably in a horizontal position.

28. Insulating glass curing method according to claim 27, characterized in that the insulating glass blanks (18) are transported from a curing device inlet (7a) to the curing storage container (23) exclusively lying down, preferably in a horizontal position.

29. Insulating glass curing method according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the insulating glass blanks (18) are transported lying down, in particular when transported in a horizontal position, exclusively away from edge corner areas in which two insulating glass cans- Hegla GmbH &Co. KG 9 P45393PC00 / l / aka September 26, 2025 ten (18c) of the insulating glass blanks (18) merge into one another, preferably only spaced apart from the insulating glass edges (18c).

30. Insulating glass curing method according to one of claims 23 to 29, characterized in that the insulating glass curing device (7) is arranged in such a way that there is no guiding and no storage of the insulating glass blanks (18) on the insulating glass edges (18c).

31. Insulating glass curing method according to one of claims 23 to 30, characterized in that the insulating glass blanks (18) are touched during transport to the curing storage (23) and during storage during the curing of the sealing compound exclusively at a distance from edge corner areas in which two insulating glass edges (18c) of the insulating glass blanks (18) merge into each other, preferably exclusively at a distance from the insulating glass edges (18c).

32. Insulating glass curing method according to one of claims 23 to 31 , characterized in that the dwell time of the insulating glass blanks (18) in a compartment (41 ) is at least 1 hour, preferably at least 2 hours, preferably at least 5 hours.

33. Insulating glass curing method according to one of claims 23 to 32, characterized in that the insulating glass blanks (18) to be cured have dimensions of Hegla GmbH &Co. KG 10 P45393PC00 / l / aka September 26, 2025 have dimensions of 150 to 1800 mm x 150 to 2500 mm.

34. Insulating glass curing method according to one of claims 23 to 33, characterized in that the insulating glass blanks (18) to be cured have a tubular spacer frame (8) made of metal or plastic, preferably filled with desiccant (22), which is bonded to the glass panes (4) by means of a primary seal (9) and / or a TPS spacer frame (8) made of thermoplastic material to be cured or a flexible spacer frame (8) made of foamed plastic.

35. Insulating glass curing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary seal (10) consists of polyurethane, silicone or polysulfides.

36. Insulating glass curing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the space between the panes is filled with gas, preferably argon or xenon.

37. Insulating glass curing method according to one of claims 23 to 36, characterized in that an insulating glass curing device according to one of claims 1 to 22 is used. Hegla GmbH &Co. KG 11 P45393PC00 / l / aka September 26, 2025 38. Use of an insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of claims 1 to 19 for carrying out the method according to one of claims 23 to 37.

39. Device (1 ) for the production of insulating glass units (2) comprising: a) at least one cutting device (3) for cutting glass sheets, preferably float glass sheets, into glass panes (4), b) preferably at least one glass pane storage device (5) for storing the cut glass panes (4), c) at least one insulating glass assembly line (6) for the production of insulating glass blanks (18), characterized in that the device (1 ) comprises at least one insulating glass curing device (7) according to one of claims 1 to 22.

40. Device (1 ) according to claim 39, characterized in that the at least one insulating glass assembly line (6) preferably comprises a pane washing station (26), a frame application station (35a-c), a pressing station (16) and a sealing station (17).

41. Method for manufacturing insulating glass units (2) comprising the following process steps: a) cutting glass sheets, preferably float glass sheets, into glass panes (4), b) preferably storing the cut glass panes (4), c) manufacturing insulating glass unit blanks (18) with at least two glass panes (4) arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, and with a spacer frame (8) arranged between the glass panes (4) in a pane edge region, wherein a space between the panes (12) is defined by the glass panes (4) and the spacer frame (8), wherein the Hegla GmbH &Co. KG 12 P45393PC00 / l / aka September 26, 2025 spacer frame (8) is connected to the two glass panes (4), preferably bonded, and wherein an uncured sealing compound is applied around the outside of the spacer frame (8), d) curing of the sealing compound to form a secondary seal (10), characterized in that the curing is carried out according to the insulating glass curing method according to one of claims 23 to 37.

42. Method according to claim 41, characterized in that a device according to claim 39 or 40 is used.

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