Apparatus and method for applying a spacer with differentiated rigidity to a glass plate

Abstract

An apparatus (200) for applying a spacer (2) with differentiated rigidity onto a glass plate (1), comprises support means (201) for said glass plate (1) arranged with lateral support means (202) and lower support means (203). The apparatus further comprises at least one application head (100) of a spacer (2) to a glass plate (1), and movement means (113) adapted to move said glass plate (1) and said application head (100) relatively to each other. The application head (100) comprises a support (1001) on which are arranged : pressing means (104) adapted to make said spacer (2) adhere to said glass plate (1); and guiding means (101) adapted to guide said spacer (2) along a development direction of the spacer (r) in a plane substantially parallel to said lateral support (202). The guiding means (101) comprising at least one guide (1010, 1011) movable with respect to said support (1001), to create curvatures of the spacer (2).

Description

"APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING A SPACER WITHDIFFERENTIATED RIGIDITY TO A GLASS PLATE" DESCRIPTIONFIELD OF APPLICATION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for applying a spacer with di f ferentiated rigidity to a glass plate . In particular, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and to a method for applying a spacer that is substantially rigid in a direction perpendicular to its development , a direction which in use substantially coincides with the distance between two coupled glass panes .PRIOR ART

[0002] In the field of machines for the production of insulating glass , there is a growing demand from the market (with consequent great attention from manufacturers ) for a more marked automation of the production process , particularly with regard to the preparation and laying of the spacer .

[0003] The development of such automatic machines has brought signi ficant economic and ef ficiency benefits to the manufacturer of insulating glass , while at the same time contributing to an increase in product quality, due to the accuracy and repeatability that automaticoperations can guarantee .

[0004] An example is represented by machines for laying flexible spacers .

[0005] In EP2177703B1 an apparatus is described in which flexible spacers are used, substantially composed of a polymeric matrix tape , which is initially wound in rolls . Instead, in EP3354836A1 , an example of this type of spacer is described .

[0006] In this type of apparatus , the spacer, provided with appropriate acrylic adhesive , is unwound from a rol l and progressively adhered along the perimeter of the glass plate .

[0007] To this end, the flexibility of the tape proves to be of fundamental importance to ensure the automation of the process , since , during the application, the portion of tape already applied lies on a plane that is inclined with respect to the portion of tape inside the applicator .

[0008] Flexible spacers , although ef ficient from the process point of view, prove to be less robust compared to traditional rigid-type spacers and, consequently, are not suitable and / or satis factory in some applications .

[0009] For this reason, in many cases , insulating glass manufacturers continue to use rigid-type spacers , which,although extremely laborious in terms of manpower employed, ensure greater compressive strength.

[0010] There also exist types of spacers with differentiated rigidity, made of composite material, such as the spacer described in DE3529434A1.

[0011] In this case, the spacer is formed by two external layers (wings) of metallic material and two cores of polymeric material, coupled together according to a transverse direction, so that the resulting section is substantially a rectangle. In use, the two external layers of metallic material will be interposed between the two coupled glass panes, while one of the cores of polymeric material will be coupled to a first glass pane and the other will be coupled to a second glass pane.

[0012] The material of the wings may conveniently be of the type with low thermal conductivity (for example in stainless steel) and very low thickness (for example 0.05 mm) , in order to minimize heat conduction between the two glass panes.

[0013] Let Z be the direction orthogonal to the plane of the glass; in order to further ensure strength in the direction of compression, it is possible to assign to the external layers a corrugated shape (a sort of undulation) , with a generator parallel to Z.

[0014] This conformation ensures at the same time the possibility of bending the spacer around any axis parallel to one of its sectional planes , and of applying a torsion with low ef fort . In other words , the spacer is characterised by di f ferentiated rigidity, i . e . , it is rigid in certain directions ( compression along the Z axis ) and flexible in others (bending and torsion) .

[0015] Therefore , in principle , it is possible to apply the spacer with an automatic applicator, thus associating the advantages of automation typical of flexible spacer machines with the structural advantages typical of traditional rigid spacers .

[0016] The same patent DE3529434A1 hints at this possibility, hypothesi zing to maintain the two glass panes at a preset distance and simultaneously unwind the spacer in the interspace .

[0017] The known art , although widely used and appreciated, is not without drawbacks .

[0018] For example, the technical solution provided by DE3529434A1 is not easily achievable with the required precision, since , due to process tolerances , it is critical to lay the spacer simultaneously adhering on both surfaces of the glass . Furthermore , the laying would occur by unwinding the spacer around one or more rollers .At the last of these rollers, the spacer would be subject to a residual bending moment that cannot be effectively countered .

[0019] Known apparatuses for laying flexible spacers such as the one described in EP2177703B1, even if suitably sized and re-engineered, are not in turn suitable for the application of partially rigid spacers.

[0020] For example, this type of apparatus provides that at the corners material is cut from the side internal to the fold, so that the spacer can be bent.

[0021] As illustrated in figure 3a, in the case of a right angle, this can be achieved by cutting a prismatic portion 25 having in plan the shape of a right triangle, generating two surfaces 23 and 24 inclined at 45° with respect to the direction of unwinding of the profile.

[0022] Following the subsequent bending (figure 3b) , the two surfaces 23 and 24 can come into contact with each other in perfect continuity, as the yielding of the material makes it possible to compensate for the inevitable cutting tolerances. Consequently, the butyl sealant previously applied to the upper surfaces 21,22 and lower surfaces 21' , 22' will also be continuous, thus ensuring the perfect sealing of the spacer.

[0023] In the case of a spacer made with rigid material,such continuity cannot be guaranteed as the rigidity of the material does not allow the compensation of cutting tolerances .PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The purpose of the present invention is therefore to solve , at least partially, the drawbacks of the known art with an apparatus and a method capable of al lowing the application of a profile with di f ferentiated rigidity onto a glass plate in an automated manner .

[0025] At the same time , an obj ect is also to improve productivity to make the process economical and ef ficient .

[0026] In this context , the aim is also to propose an ef fective solution without excessively impacting the costs as regards its implementation and the cycle time of the production line .

[0027] These needs are satis fied, at least partially, by an apparatus for applying a spacer with di f ferentiated rigidity according to claim 1 and by a method for applying a spacer with di f ferentiated rigidity according to claim 15 .DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from thedescription reported below of preferred and non-limiting embodiments thereof , in which :- Figures la and lb schematically represent respectively a front view and a side view of a portion of the apparatus according to a possible embodiment , in a transitional processing step ;- Figure 2 schematically represents the portion of figure 1 , in a bottom view, along the direction indicated with v in figure 1 ;- Figures 3a and 3b schematically represent the folding preparation steps for a flexible spacer according to the known art ;- Figures 4a and 4b schematically represent a portion of apparatus according to a pos sible embodiment in two steps of applying a spacer onto a glass plate , respectively in a possible terminal area and in a possible initial area ;Figure 5 schematically represents a portion of apparatus according to a possible embodiment , in a step of creating a curvature of the spacer ;- Figures 6a and 6b schematically represent two pos sible steps of the folding preparation o f the spacer according to a possible embodiment ;- Figure 7 schematically represents a possible step of making a portion of curved spacer according to a possibleembodiment ; andFigure 8 schematically represents a possible alternative embodiment of a portion of apparatus in a transitional processing step . DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0029] In figures la and lb, an apparatus for the application of a spacer, which is denoted by the reference 200 , is shown .

[0030] In the following description reference will be made to a so-called "vertical" machine , that is , one arranged to handle glass plates whose Z axis , orthogonal to the support plane of the plane of greater extension, is inclined by a few degrees with respect to a hori zontal plane (preferably, such inclination is chosen in a range between 4 ° and 10 ° ) .

[0031] It is understood, however, that the concepts set forth may easily be applicable to machines in which the Z axis may have any inclination with respect to a hori zontal plane .

[0032] The apparatus 200 for the application of a spacer 2 onto a glass plate 1 comprises :- support means 201 for the glass plate 1 , comprising lateral support means 202 ;- at least one application head 100 of a spacer 2 to aglass plate 1 , and- movement means 113 adapted to move said glass plate 1 and said application head 100 relatively to each other .

[0033] As seen in the examples shown in figures la, lb, 2 and 5 , the application head 100 comprises a support 1001 on which are arranged :- pressing means 104 adapted to make the spacer 2 adhere to the glass plate 1 ; and- guiding means 101 adapted to guide the spacer 2 along a laying line p in a plane X, Y substantially parallel to the lateral support means 202 .

[0034] The pressing means 104 and the guiding means 101 define a plane p for applying the spacer 2 , substantially perpendicular to the plane X, Y and to the laying line p .

[0035] The guiding means 101 comprise at least one guide 1010 , 1011 movable with respect to the support 1001 , to create curvatures of the spacer 2 along the laying line p .

[0036] In this discussion, the expression " laying line" refers to the line along which the spacer is applied to the glass plate , which is defined by the relative and successive positions determined by the movement means 113 and by the guiding means 101 .

[0037] In this discussion, reference will be made to a final spacer having, in its configuration applied to the glass plate , a substantially rectangular shape . In other words , in the present discussion reference will be made to a laying line p having a substantially rectangular development , such that the curvatures made all have the same direction ( clockwise , or counterclockwise ) . In any case , the principles of the present invention apply equally to developments of the spacer and therefore of the laying line that are not rectangular or that include portions having at least one concavity .

[0038] For this reason, in the continuation of the present discussion reference wil l be made more generally to the action of bending the spacer according to the desired curvature .

[0039] In particular, hereinafter, " inner side of the curvature" will indicate the portion of the plane comprising the centre of curvature , while "outer side of the curvature" will refer to the portion of the plane not comprising the centre of curvature .

[0040] On the support 1001 of the application head 100 pulling means 106 may be arranged, adapted to feed the spacer 2 in input to the application head 100 .

[0041] In particular, in the embodiment shown for examplein figure 1A, the pulling means 106 are arranged on board the application head 100 and in particular on the support 1001 .

[0042] Instead, in the embodiment shown in figure 8 , the pulling means 106 are not arranged on board the application head 100 .

[0043] According to a possible embodiment , the spacer 2 is of the type with variable rigidity .

[0044] According to a possible embodiment , which can be seen in the example of figure la, the support means 201 may also comprise lower support means 203 .

[0045] In the case in which the glass plate lies inclined with respect to a hori zontal plane , the lower support means 203 allow at least partial support of the weight of the glass plate 1 along its lower edge le .

[0046] According to a possible embodiment , the movement means 113 may comprise glass retaining members 121 adapted to grip the glass plate 1 at one of its faces 12 , so as to be integral therewith, in correspondence with the lateral support means 202 .

[0047] The movement means 113 may comprise movement means 113 ' associated with the application head 200 and further movement means 113" associated with the retaining members 121 . An example of such an embodiment is shownin figure lb .

[0048] The retaining members 121 may consist of a plurality of suction cups , selectively translatable in the Z direction and activatable in correspondence with the support plane 202 of the glass .

[0049] According to a further embodiment , not shown in the accompanying drawings , the retaining members 121 may assume a fixed position with respect to the plane 202 and the movement means 113 may be associated exclusively with the application head 200 .

[0050] According to a further embodiment , not shown in the accompanying drawings , the retaining members 121 may be associated with movement means 113 translatable in all directions . In such a case , the application head 200 may be kept stationary with respect to the lateral support means 202 .

[0051] With reference to figure la, the spacer 2 i s schematically distinguished between an already applied portion 2 ' and a not yet applied portion 2" indicated with dashed lines . The plane p divides the spacer 2 between the applied portion 2 ' and the not applied portion 2" .

[0052] Therefore , the guiding means 101 make it possible to correctly channel the not yet applied portion 2" ofthe spacer, imparting a relative motion between the application head 100 and the glass plate 1 , simultaneously and coordinately unwinding the spacer 2 .

[0053] Advantageously, the pressing means 104 are adapted to apply a predetermined pressure value to the spacer 2 .

[0054] The pressing means 104 may be , for example , a roller, adapted to rotate above the spacer 2 to press it against the glass plate 1 .

[0055] As seen in figure la, the axis of rotation of the application roller 104 may lie on the plane p that divides the spacer 2 between the applied portion 2 ' and the not applied portion 2" .

[0056] According to a possible aspect of the invention, during this process it is important to ensure that the unwinding speed of the spacer 2 along the unwinding direction s is equal to the translation speed of the application head 100 with respect to the glass plate 1 along a forward direction r, so that the applied portion 2 ' remains always perfectly stationary with respect to the glass plate 1 .

[0057] The application head 100 is adapted to be moved relative to the glass plate 1 , meaning thereby that , with respect to a fixed structure of the machine , the glass plate 1 may remain stationary while the applicationhead 100 moves , or that the glass plate 1 moves with respect to an application head 100 that remains stationary, or again that both ( glass plate 1 and application head 100 ) move at di f ferent speeds .

[0058] The movement between the glass plate 1 and the application head 100 may also be achieved by the combination of a movement of the glass plate 1 in a first direction with respect to a fixed reference and a movement of the application head 100 in a second direction with respect to the same fixed reference .

[0059] For example , the movement of the glass plate 1 may occur along a first direction X parallel to its lower edge le while the movement of the application head 100 may occur along a second direction Y orthogonal to the direction X . Both directions are contained within the plane defined by the lateral support means 202 .

[0060] The movement means 113 may comprise rotation means 110 , adapted to rotate the application head 100 about an axis Zt parallel to Z , and both perpendicular to the plane X, Y, so as to correctly orient the guiding means 101 and be able to direct them tangentially with the laying line p .

[0061] According to a possible embodiment , the application head 200 comprises guide rotation means 115 adapted torotate at least one guide 1010 , 1011 about a folding axis Zp perpendicular to the lateral support 202 .

[0062] In this discussion, by folding axis Zp is meant the axis or axes about which the at least one movable guide 1010 , 1011 of the guiding means 101 rotates .

[0063] The pulling means are adapted to advance the spacer 2 precisely and controllably along the unwinding direction s .

[0064] According to a possible embodiment , as seen in figure la, the pulling means 106 may comprise a pair of toothed belts 1061 , 1062 , pressed together by means of a cylinder 1063 .

[0065] As seen in figure 2 , the advancement may be driven by two motors 1064 , 1065 which act on the belts so as to ensure the equal ity between the unwinding speed of the spacer along the unwinding direction s and the movement speed along the path r of the application head 100 .

[0066] At the outlet of the pulling means 106 at least one pulling guide 105 may be arranged, adapted to keep the spacer in position in a first direction orthogonal to s .

[0067] Advantageously, the guiding means 101 may comprise a first guide 1011 adapted to rotate about a folding axis Zp, and arranged on the outer side with respect to a curvature to be imposed on said laying l ine p .

[0068] According to a possible embodiment , the guiding means 101 may comprise a second guide 1012 arranged on the outer side with respect to a curvature to be imposed on the laying line p, arranged near the first guide 1011 and downstream with respect to the plane p . The second guide 1012 may preferably have a fixed operating position . In alternative embodiments , it may have a movable operating position with respect to the support 1001 , for example .

[0069] According to a possible embodiment , the guiding means 101 may comprise a third guide 1013 arranged on the inner side with respect to a curvature to be imposed on the laying line p, arranged near the first guide 1011 which is located downstream with respect to the application plane p of the spacer 2 . Advantageously, the third guide 1013 may have a fixed operating position with respect to the support 1001 .

[0070] According to a possible embodiment , the guiding means 101 may comprise a fourth guide 1010 , arranged on the inner side with respect to a curvature to be imposed on the laying line p, arranged side by side with the first guide 1011 . Advantageously, the fourth guide 1010 may be adapted to rotate about a folding axis Zp with respect to the support 1001 . In alternative embodiments ,the fourth guide 1010 may be fixed with respect to the support 1001 .

[0071] According to a possible embodiment shown in the attached figures , the first guide 1011 and the fourth guide 1010 may be adapted to rotate with respect to the support 1001 , while the second guide 1012 and the third guide 1013 may be fixed with respect to the support 1001 .

[0072] At least one of the guides 1010 , 1011 , 1012 , 1013 may be adapted to be moved between an operating position close to the laying line p and an exclusion position spaced from the laying line p .

[0073] For example , fig . 4a illustrates a terminal application step in which the spacer returns to its starting corner 21 .

[0074] In this terminal step the guide 1013 must be excluded to avoid interference with the portion of spacer 2 already applied, entrusting the stabilisation function on the inner side of the spacer 2 to the fourth guide 1010 ( front inner ) .

[0075] The fourth guide 1010 ( front inner ) may also be useful in the first instants of application ( fig . 4b ) to stabilise a first segment of the spacer .

[0076] Fig . 5 illustrates a possible step of application of the spacer 2 at a corner 2 i according to a firstoperating mode .

[0077] Optionally, this step may be preceded by a folding preparation step, during which the head 100 will stop along the side le , at the instant when the plane p of the application head in its movement along the side le of the glass comes to be at a distance s2 from the expected position for the bend 2 i .

[0078] According to a possible embodiment , the application head 100 may comprise a fold preparation member 108 adapted to perform a removal of material from the spacer 2 . Advantageously, the fold preparation member 108 may be a drill .

[0079] In particular, the fold preparation member 108 i s adapted to remove calibrated quantities of material in correspondence with the core of the profile , in order to facilitate the subsequent folding step .

[0080] According to a possible alternative embodiment , the fold preparation member 108 may be a shearing device for making perforations in correspondence with the core of the profile .

[0081] As seen in figure 2 , the fold preparation member 108 , in this speci fic case a drill , has a characteristic axis 111 ( the axis of the hole ) , located at a known fixed distance s2 from the plane p along the unwindingdirection of the spacer 2 . Advantageously, the movement of the fold preparation member 108 along the axis 111 may be performed by means of a l inear actuator 112 .

[0082] The application head 100 may comprise a sealer 109 adapted to apply a sealing compound on the edges of a spacer 2 before applying it onto the glass plate 1 . The function is to dispense a sealing material in order to achieve subsequent sealing on the glass . The sealing material may be a butyl compound, but other substances with the same purpose may also be used .

[0083] According to a possible alternative embodiment , the spacer 2 that reaches the application head 100 may already be provided with sealing compound .

[0084] For example , the sealing compound may be dispensed in a preceding station (not shown) , or the spacer 2 may be supplied in rolls and already have the sealing compound . In these cases , the sealer 109 might not be necessary, or it could be present but not activated .

[0085] According to a possible embodiment , the application head 100 may comprise a spacer cutting device 107 .

[0086] In the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2 , the cutting device 107 is , for example , a circular saw . In a possible alternative embodiment , the cutting device107 could be a die adapted to shear the spacer .

[0087] A characteristic axis of the cutting device 107 ( for example coinciding with the centreline of the saw) is located at a fixed distance s i from the plane p along the unwinding direction of the spacer 2 .

[0088] According to a possible mode of operation, when the plane p of the application head is at distance si from the terminal section of the spacer ( coinciding with the initial corner 21 ) , the cutting device 107 may operate to separate the tail thereof .

[0089] In a possible alternative embodiment , the application head 100 may be configured to receive spacer segments 2 already cut to si ze to exactly cover the laying line p around the glass plate . In such a case , the cutting device 107 of the spacer 2 may not be present , or i f present , it might not intervene in the process .

[0090] The application head 100 may comprise a device for heating the spacer 2 (not shown) .

[0091] According to a possible operating mode , upon reaching a corner (position 100 ' ) the application head 100 , coordinating the relative translational movements along the X and Y axes with the rotation of the head Zt, performs a rigid rotation W about the centre of the bending radius Zp, corresponding to the connectingradius 1031 of the third guide 1013 ( front inner ) , j ointly dragging all the components associated with it (pulling guide 105 , pulling means 106 , spacer cutting device 107 , fold preparation member 108 , sealer 109, application roller 104 and guides 1012 and 1013 ) .

[0092] At the same time , the first guide 1011 and optionally the fourth guide 1010 may perform a rotation W' about their own axis Zp by means of the rotation means 115 through an angle equal and opposite to W, thus remaining in a stationary position with respect to the glass .

[0093] This may be necessary to counteract the resisting moment associated with the flexural rigidity of the spacer and to ensure that there is no slipping on the glass along the already applied portion .

[0094] Once the folding has been performed, the first guide 1011 is realigned with the second guide 1012 so as not to interfere with the subsequent translational movements of the head along the next edge I f .

[0095] As emerges from the description of this constructional example , at least some of the guiding means 101 may also perform the function of bending tools for the spacer 2 .

[0096] In particular, the first guide 1011 may also performthe function of resisting the bending moment , the third guide 1013 may also perform the function of bending punch, and finally the second guide 1012 may also perform the function of bending shoulder . According to a possible embodiment , the surface of the guides 1010 , 1011 , 1012 , 1013 intended to come into contact with the spacer 2 may be shaped, preferably convex .

[0097] The described example refers to the execution of a 90 ° bend with a radius 1031 substantially coinciding with a bending radius of the third guide 1013 .

[0098] However, further bend morphologies may be realised, also di f ferent from 90 ° .

[0099] Or else , bends may be made with a radius greater than the connecting radius 1031 , as illustrated for example in fig . 7 , in which the guides 1013 , 1012 and 1011 are positioned tangentially to the traj ectory of the spacer .

[0100] In such a case , the advancement movements of the spacer ( along the laying line p ) , the movement of the head 100 along r and the movement of the first guide 1011 are continuously coordinated with each other, always ensuring equality between the delivery speed of the spacer 2 and the translational speed of the head100 .

[0101] According to a possible embodiment , the guides 1011 , 1012 and 1013 may be configured to exclusively perform the function of guiding the profile along straight segments , while the bending function may be performed by dedicated bending means 101 .

[0102] In such a case , the application head 100 is configured to move away at least some of the guides 1010 , 1011 , 1012 , 1013 , and to insert in their place dedicated bending tools .

[0103] In turn, some of the guides 1011 , 1012 , 1013 and 1010 may be made by means of sliding pads as depicted or by means of a sequence of rol ling elements arranged tangentially to the traj ectory .

[0104] The folding preparation performed by the preparation member 108 described above may be advantageous when the core of the spacer is made of yielding material , such that in a subsequent bending step, the inner side wing of the spacer collapses , putting the core material in compress ion .

[0105] Figure 6a illustrates in detail an example of implementation of the proposed solution, in which a hole 26 is made on the yielding material core 29 interposed between two metal wings 27 , 28 of a spacer 2 .

[0106] Figure 6b represents a subsequent bending stepof the spacer which, from a first straight form( represented in dashed line ) , is bent at 90 ° .

[0107] In the bending process , the outer metal wing will tend to stretch while the inner wing 28 will tend to collapse inwardly, thereby causing the hole 26 to be squashed along a line 26 ' , thus ensuring perfect continuity between the surfaces of the hole .

[0108] In this way, the bending ef forts can be reduced, thus making the process simpler and faster .

[0109] Optionally, the application head 100 may comprise a heater (not shown) to at least partially heat the spacer and thus temporarily reduce its rigidity, in order to facilitate its laying and / or bending .

[0110] According to a possible embodiment , the apparatus 200 may comprise a programmable central control unit 300 , operatively connected to the application head 100 for the movement thereof and of its parts , to the movement means 113 and to the retaining members 121 .

[0111] In particular, the programmable central control unit may be provided with computer programs suitable for carrying out automated movements of the connected members .

[0112] The method for applying a spacer ( 2 ) withdifferentiated rigidity to a glass plate (1) for the production of insulating glass essentially comprises the steps of:- providing an apparatus 200 as just described;- delivering the spacer 2 by means of the pulling means 106, imparting the pressure necessary for adhesion to the glass by means of the pressing means 104;- moving the application head 100 with respect to the glass plate 1, and at least one movable guide 1010, 1011 with respect to the support 1001, to apply the spacer 2 along a predefined laying line p, ensuring that the delivery speed of the spacer along the laying line p is substantially equal to the relative speed between glass plate 1 and application head 100.

[0113] As previously indicated, the spacer 2 may be of the type comprising two substantially rigid wings 27, 28 and a core 29 made of yielding material. The substantially rigid wings 27, 28 may be made of low thermal conductivity material, for example strips of rigid plastic or stainless steel, with a thickness comprised between 0.02 and 0.09 mm, preferably around 0.05 mm, and the core 29 may be made of polymeric material .

[0114] At the corners, the folds 2i may be executedby deforming the spacer 2 with the guiding means 101 without interrupting the wings 27,28 along the entire application path. Advantageously, the wings 27,28 may have an interruption only at the beginning and at the end of the predefined laying line p.

[0115] According to a possible embodiment, the execution of the fold is preceded by a preparation step, in which a local removal of material is performed at the position of the fold, in the core 29 of the spacer 2, by means of the fold preparation member 108.

[0116] According to the embodiment providing for the glass retaining means 121 adapted to grip the glass at one of its faces 12, the method may comprise a step of retaining the glass by means of the retaining members 121.

[0117] According to a possible embodiment, at least one of the guides 1010,1011,1012,1013 of the guiding means 101 is movable between an operating position close to the laying line p and an exclusion position spaced from the laying line p, the guides 1010,1011,1012,1013 being adapted to be in the exclusion position before interfering with a portion of spacer 2' already applied.

[0118] The at least one guide 1010, 1011 of the guiding means 101 may be adapted to rotate about afolding axis Zp perpendicular to the lateral support 202 , and may be rotated to make a fold around said folding axis Zp .

[0119] During the execution of the fold, the advancement movements of the spacer 2 along the laying line p, of the movement of the application head 100 along the advancement direction r, and the rotation movement of the first guide 1011 may be coordinated with one another so that the first guide 1011 is tangent to the laying line p .

[0120] The method may comprise a cutting step by means of the cutting device 107 .

[0121] In a manner known per se , the spacer may be supplied from a roll and be subj ected to a straightening process in order to remove the residual curvature .

[0122] Conveniently, the spacer may also be coated with an adhesive at the surfaces intended to come into contact with the glass .

[0123] The adhesive may be deposited already during the manufacturing stage of the spacer, or it may be dispensed by an appropriate device of the present apparatus , arranged in the application head 100 or upstream of it .

[0124] In the first case it is necessary to removethe protective f ilm from the adhesive , in the second case it is necessary to provide a suitable device for distributing the adhesive .

[0125] The advantages that can be achieved with the apparatus and method of the present invention are therefore now evident .

[0126] Firstly, an apparatus and related method have been implemented to apply a spacer that is rigid in the thickness direction in an automated manner .

[0127] In particular, the apparatus makes it possible to apply a spacer automatically and continuously, without ever interrupting the wings 27 , 28 of the spacer, as occurs in the prior art at the bends .

[0128] In this way, the continuity of the support surface on the glass is always guaranteed, thus promoting the seal against gas and vapour .

[0129] Furthermore , an ef fective solution has been proposed which al lows the production of insulating glass in an economical manner and with reduced cycle times .

[0130] To the embodiments described above , the expert in the field may, in order to meet speci fic needs , make modi fications and / or replace described elements with equivalent elements , without thereby departing from the scope of the appended claims .

[0131] For example, an apparatus 200 may comprise a plurality of application heads 100, for instance two, adapted to operate simultaneously on different glass plates or on the same glass plate.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus (200) for applying a spacer (2) onto a glass plate (1) , comprising support means (201) for said glass plate (1) arranged with lateral support means (202) , at least one application head (100) of a spacer (2) to a glass plate (1) , and movement means (113) adapted to move said glass plate (1) and said application head (100) relatively to each other; said application head (100) comprising a support (1001) on which are arranged: pressing means (104) adapted to make said spacer (2) adhere to said glass plate (1) ; and guiding means (101) adapted to guide said spacer (2) along a laying line (p) in a plane (X,Y) substantially parallel to said lateral support means (202) ; said pressing means (104) and said guiding means (101) defining a plane (p) for applying said spacer (2) , substantially perpendicular to said plane (X,Y) and to said laying line (p) ; said guiding means (101) comprising at least one guide (1010, 1011) movable with respect to said support (1001) , to create curvatures of the spacer (2) along the laying line (p) .

2. Apparatus (200) according to the preceding claim,characterised in that pulling means (106) adapted to feed said spacer (2) into said application head (100) are arranged on said support (1001) of said application head (100) .

3. Apparatus (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said spacer (2) has differentiated rigidity.

4. Apparatus (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one movable guide (1010, 1011) of said guiding means (101) is adapted to rotate about a folding axis (Zp) perpendicular to the plane (X,Y) .

5. Apparatus (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said guiding means (101) comprise a first guide (1011) adapted to rotate about a folding axis (Zp) perpendicular to the plane (X,Y) , and arranged on the outer side with respect to a curvature to be imposed on said laying line (p) .

6. Apparatus (200) according to claim 5, characterised in that said guiding means (101) comprise a second guide (1012) arranged on the outer side with respect to a curvature to be imposed on said laying line (p) , arranged near said first guide (1011) and downstream with respect to said application plane (p) of said spacer (2) ; saidsecond guide (1012) having a fixed operating position with respect to said support (1001) .

7. Apparatus (200) according to any one of claims 5-6, characterised in that said guiding means (101) comprise a third guide (1013) arranged on the inner side with respect to a curvature to be imposed on said laying line (p) , arranged near said first guide (1011) which is located downstream with respect to said application plane (p) of said spacer (2) ; said third guide (1013) having a fixed operating position with respect to said support ( 1001 ) .

8. Apparatus (200) according to any one of claims 5-7, characterised in that said guiding means (101) comprise a fourth guide (1010) arranged on the inner side with respect to a curvature to be imposed on said laying line (p) , arranged alongside said first guide (1011) ; said fourth guide (1010) being adapted to rotate about a folding axis (Zp) perpendicular to said lateral support (202) with respect to said support (1001) .

9. Apparatus (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of said guides (1010, 1011, 1012, 1013) of said guiding means (101) is movable between an operating position close to said laying line (p) , and an exclusion positionspaced from said laying line (p) .

10. Apparatus (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said application head (100) comprises a fold preparation member (108) adapted to perform a removal of material from the spacer (2) .

11. Apparatus (200) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said fold preparation member (108) is a drill.

12. Apparatus (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said application head (100) comprises a sealer (109) adapted to apply a sealing compound on the edges of a spacer (2) before applying it onto the glass plate (1) .

13. Apparatus (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said application head (100) comprises a spacer cutting device (107) .

14. Apparatus (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said application head (100) comprises a device for heating the spacer (2) .

15. Method for applying a spacer (2) onto a glass plate (1) for the production of insulating glass, comprising the steps of:- providing an apparatus (200) according to any one of the preceding claims; delivering the spacer (2) , applying the pressure necessary for adhesion on the glass by means of the pressing means (104) ;- moving the application head (100) with respect to the glass plate (1) , and the at least one movable guide (1010, 1011) with respect to said support (1001) , to apply said spacer (2) along a laying line (p) , ensuring that the delivery speed of the spacer along the laying line (p) is substantially equal to the relative speed between glass plate (1) and application head (100) .

16. Method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said spacer (2) has differentiated rigidity .

17. Method according to any one of claims 15-16, characterised in that it comprises a step of retaining the glass by means of retaining members (121) .

18. Method according to any one of claims 15-17, characterised in that said spacer (2) comprises two substantially rigid wings (27, 28) and a core (29) made of yielding material.

19. Method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said substantially rigid wings(27, 28) are made of low thermal conductivity material, preferably steel, with a thickness comprised between 0.02 and 0.09 mm, preferably around 0.05 mm, and said core (29) is made of polymeric material.

20. Method according to any one of the preceding claims 15-19, characterised in that said wings (27, 28) have an interruption only at the beginning and at the end of the laying line (p) .

21. Method according to any one of claims 15-20, characterised in that the execution of the fold is preceded by a preparation step, in which a local removal of material is performed at the position of the fold, in the core (29) of said spacer (2) , by means of said fold preparation member (108) .

22. Method according to any one of claims 15-21, characterised in that at least one of said guides (1010, 1011, 1012, 1013) of said guiding means (101) is movable between an operating position close to the laying line (p) and an exclusion position spaced from said laying line (p) , said guides (1010, 1011, 1012, 1013) being adapted to be in the exclusion position before interfering with a portion of spacer (2' ) already applied .

23. Method according to any one of claims 15-22,characterised in that said at least one guide (1010, 1011) of said guiding means (101) is adapted to rotate about a folding axis (Zp) perpendicular to said lateral support (202) , and is rotated to perform a fold around said folding axis (Zp) .

24. Method according to any one of claims 15-23, characterised in that during the execution of the fold, the advancement movements of the spacer (2) along the laying line (p) , the movement of the application head (100) along a direction of advancement (r) , and the rotation movement of the at least one guide (1011) are coordinated with each other so that the at least one guide (1011) is tangent to the laying line (p) of the spacer ( 2 ) .

25. Method according to any one of claims 15-24, characterised in that it comprises a cutting step by means of said cutting device (107) .

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