DK168164B1 - Method and apparatus for filling a closed spacer with desiccant - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of filling a spacer frame is described. A corner of the frame is positioned in relation to a positioning pin (21), whereas a surface (79) of two of the sides of the frame is positioned in relation to driving pins (40) which have a contact surface extending in a plane which is tangent to the circumference of the positioning pin (21). The driving pins form a part of or are combined with separated working units (6) which comprise a pierce needle (32) for forming an opening (82), a filling nozzle and a hammer for re-closing the opening (82). The opening (82) is formed in a lateral surface (85) of the profile of the frame and in the vicinity of an adjacent surface (79). When the frame is positioned correctly in relation to the pins (21 and 40) all three working tools can thereby be activated while the frame is maintained in a groove (41) in each working unit. Thus, there is no risk that the frame is incorrectly positioned between the different working sequences. Nor is there any risk that the supplied drying agent leaks as the frame is re-closed in an effective way by an outwards deformed part (80) of the adjacent lateral surface (79). By means of the hammer (68) this part is directed inwards to a position (81) where the opening (82) is re-closed.

Description

in DK 168164 B1

The present invention relates to a method of filling a closed spacer with desiccant, which method comprises positioning the frame in a filling apparatus and then positioning a working unit with respect to the frame, after which at least one opening is formed in the profile forming the frame before the desiccant is filled, which opening is closed after the desired amount of desiccant is filled.

Methods of this kind are particularly known in connection with spacer frames for double glazing, where the desiccant must absorb any moisture and prevent dew formation between the glass panes of a double glazing.

So far, it has been possible to refill the desiccant in several basically different ways. One of these methods, described in GB-A-2,118,605, follows the process mentioned in the preamble, wherein the frame is bent and closed and the desiccant is filled afterwards. In this method, a filling opening is formed by drilling or similarly. The desiccant is then charged in a separate filling step and using a nozzle included in the work unit which swings in place relative to the opening formed. Then, the formed opening is closed with a plug. This plug may be formed by injecting a curable material such as glue, butyl or the like into the opening, or the plug may be prefabricated to fit into the formed opening. In either case, there will be a risk that the plug will loosen at some point, for example, because the curable material solidifies and fades or due to material changes in the plug used. In these cases, there will be a risk of the desiccant falling out before the frame is built between the two layers of glass. This gives the user operating problems.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method of the aforementioned, and by means of which it is possible to achieve a considerable simplification of the filling process as well as a secure closure of the filling opening without the above disadvantages, and which method enables filling of a closed spacer frame with any shape and with virtually any conceivable angle for the corners of the frame.

This is achieved according to the invention by a method which is characterized in that the positioning of the frame is effected by positioning one of the corners of the frame in the filling apparatus, the positioning of the work unit by positioning an adjustable work unit against each of the two adjacent sides of the frame, in which at least one of the sides of the frame is formed an opening with a pin inserted through one of the side faces 5 of the profile in the immediate vicinity of a corner of the profile, so that a portion of the adjacent side face is deformed outwardly so that the opening after the desiccant has been filled, the closure is closed by moving the adjacent side surface outwardly of the deformed part for re-closing the opening, and then the frame filled with desiccant can then be removed from the work unit.

10

In the method, it is possible in one continuous sequence and in one work unit to create an opening, fill the desiccant and re-close the opening in a safe manner, the re-closure being done without the use of auxiliary means in the form of plugs or the like, by returning the adjacent side surface . The requirements that are usually made for the amount of desiccant filled mean that it will be sufficient for almost any frame shape to fill two of the frame side pieces with desiccant.

In the method, one of the corners of the frame is positioned relative to a work unit. The operator is free to choose which corner is positioned. This means that the operator may choose to position a corner which allows filling of the total amount of desiccant in the frame by filling the sides of the frame adjacent to the positioned corner. Since the work units are adjustable for positioning against the adjacent sides, regardless of the angle between these sides, an opening can be formed, a filling made and closed again in a continuous sequence of work.

30 In at least one of the sides of the frame, the aperture is formed with a specially designed socket needle mounted in the adjustable work unit. The needle is inserted through a profile in the immediate vicinity of a corner of the profile without removing any material. Through the aperture, one or two of the sides of the frame adjacent to the positioned corner can be filled with desiccant in any convenient manner, preferably by pneumatic insertion during monitoring of the material flow, which allows an automatic interruption of the filling step as well as an automatic initiation of the filling step. the subsequent re-closing step when the two adjacent side pieces are filled.

DK 168164 B1 3

As the adjacent side surface of the profile, when forming an opening, is deformed outwardly, the opening is closed by pressing, hammering or otherwise guiding the outwardly deformed part within the original sectional opening section for closing the opening. Thus, it is popular to say that the side surface is opened only by deflection of a portion of the material of the side surface and that the formed opening after filling is re-closed using the deflected material. Since it is a material that forms part of the profile used to re-close the opening, there is no risk of the opening being opened at a later time 10, and thus there is no risk that the desiccant will run out of the closed spaceframe in subsequent work processes or during storage before performing such work processes.

With the embodiment of the method set out in claim 4, a particularly simple adjustment is made to frames where the positioned corner has different angles. As the corner is positioned relative to a positioning pin as well as two positioning units pivotable around the center axis of the positioning pin, the contact surfaces of the assembled working and positioning units in any 20 position during their pivoting can be placed in a tangent plane to the circumference of the positioning pin. As positioning is made against the side face of the frame side faces into the frame, the opening will form in one of the surfaces intended for abutment against the glass of the double glazing. Thus, the method can be used in connection with any width of the profile constituting the spacer frame.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for use in filling a closed spacer frame with desiccant using the above method, which apparatus comprises means for positioning the frame and for positioning a working unit relative to the frame, and which apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a small diameter positioning pin so that one of the corners of the frame can be positioned freely pivotally thereon, pivotable positioning units arranged for pivoting about the center axis of the positioning pin, each having a contact surface extending regardless of the angular position of the positioning units in a plane which broadly tangent to the perimeter of the positioning pin, which positioning units are assembled with or forming part of a work unit comprising a groove for receiving one of the sides of the frame as well as a set of working tools in the form of a pin, a filling nozzle and a hammer, and that the apparatus further comprises a t jaw plate for retaining a frame between the bottom of the groove and pressure plate during the use of the tools, and means for automatically controlling the operation of the apparatus.

5

In this apparatus, the method of the invention can be practiced by positioning and holding the frame in one position during the simultaneous formation of the opening in two adjacent frame sides, by the subsequent filling of the desiccant and by the final re-closing 10 of the opening. Since the frame is retained in the apparatus throughout the filling process, there is no risk of misalignment of the frame, as would be the case if more than one frame page is to be filled using a known apparatus and using several successive apparatus. .

15

The apparatus is very simple to use and can be used for filling frames of any polygonal shape, triangular, square, pentagonal, etc., a corner being positioned on the positioning pin having a smaller diameter than the rounding inside a corner where at the frame can swing freely. Positioning units are pivotable about the center axis of the positioning pin and can thus swing out to abut against the side surface of a profile facing the interior of the frame. Since the surface for contact with the face of the frame facing inwards is always in a plane which is substantially tangent to the pivot, the working unit will automatically adjust itself in relation to the two side parts of the frame, which are adjacent to the suspension corner of the frame.

After positioning the frame relative to the pin and the two pivotable positioning units, the two side pieces are positioned in their respective grooves 30 and held therein by the pressure plate. In this way, the frame is not only held against a pivot but also against an unintended displacement during the subsequent activation of the working tools. As the frame is provided with means for controlling the operation of the tools, an operator simply needs to place the frame relative to the position ngs-35 and the positioning units with the two side pieces positioned, in their respective grooves. Thereafter, the subsequent retention, opening, filling, re-closing and releasing of the frame will take place in one sequence of work, even when filling two adjacent frame sites, after which the operator need only remove the frame filled with desiccant DK 168164 B1.

It should be noted that the said apparatus is conveniently mounted at the top of a column which allows even large frames to be hung in the apparatus. These may optionally extend into a narrow duct formed in the floor in front of the apparatus. Advantageously, equipment for pneumatic transport of desiccant and depot for desiccant may be contained in this column or in a base for this column. Thus, the area requirements of the apparatus will be quite low.

10

Since the vast majority of frames will normally be made as a square with right angles, the apparatus may advantageously be provided with spring-loaded ball locks which hold each combined working and positioning unit in a position to fill such frames.

Thus, the apparatus will be preset for positioning a right-angled corner, although it can be used quite easily by releasing the ball locks for filling corners with other angles. In practice, the apparatus can be used in connection with corners having an angle of approx. 10 ° to approx. 179 °.

20

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which fig. 1 is a side view of a filling machine comprising an apparatus according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a top view of an apparatus according to the invention; FIG. 3 is a side elevation 11 of the embodiment of FIG. 2; FIG. 4-6 images, on an enlarged scale, to illustrate a basic element of a working unit included in the apparatus, 30 seen from above, from the side and from below, respectively; 7 and 8 show a partial view and a partial section, respectively, of a second scale for illustrating an element for assembly with the basic element of a working unit illustrated in FIG. 4-6, FIG. 9-11 are a plan view and two side views, partly in section, on the same scale as fig. 7 and 8 and to illustrate a hammer forming part of the work unit, fig. 12-14 side views, on the same scale as fig. 7-11 of a pin forming part of a working unit and seen under different angles 6 FIG. 168164 B1 clay; Figures 15-17 are a schematic view, on a different scale, for illustrating different positions of two work units included in the apparatus according to the invention; 18 and 19 are partial side views, respectively, to illustrate an opening formed by a method according to the invention; and FIGS. 20 is a partial side view, on another scale, illustrating the manner in which the opening is closed.

10

It should be noted that the various figures of the drawing are not on the same scale, since the various elements included in the apparatus and frame are enlarged to illustrate the invention as clearly as possible.

In FIG. 1, 1 denotes a column on which an apparatus 2 is mounted at the top of the column 1, which rests on a base 3, which also supports one or more containers 4 for the desiccant to be filled. Socket 3 and column 1 contain control means as well as means for pneumatically transporting the desiccant from the containers 4 to the apparatus 2 at the top of the column. The base 3 is provided with height adjustable feet 5 for correct alignment. The apparatus 2, which will be explained in more detail later, comprises two combined working and positioning units 6 (hereinafter simply referred to as the working unit) as well as a printing plate unit 7 comprising a printing plate 15 and a front cover 16, which are supported on two pillar guides 8 As shown in FIG. 1, the column can be manufactured substantially at any convenient height which allows filling of even relatively large frames. However, it is desirable that the apparatus 2 be at an ergonomically correct working height for the operator, and in this case it will also be possible to use the apparatus for filling frames with a height greater than the height of the column, merely requiring forming a rather narrow channel in the floor in front of the base 3.

FIG. 2 and 3 show an enlarged scale, a more detailed view 35 of the apparatus 2 mounted at the top of the column 1. 9 denotes a back plate for the apparatus. The backplate can in principle be a part of the column. The backplate 9 supports a sleeve 10 for each column guide 8. The sleeve 10 is provided with ball bushes 11 for the movement of the column guide. The column guide is moved by means of a double-acting cylinder 12, one of which is indicated at 13. The double-acting cylinder 12 is mounted via an cylinder plate 14 on an end of the column guides 8 projecting from the bush 10 at the back of the back plate 9 (as seen from the front of the apparatus). Thus, the double-acting cylinder 10 can move via the column guides 8 the pressure plate 15 mounted under the front cover 16. The front cover 16 covers clamping nuts 17 for the pressure plate and a wire 18 for an inductive sensor 19, the meaning of which is explained later.

The apparatus comprises a right and left side with substantially identical elements. The two column guides 8 are connected via a cylinder plate 14 to a single centrally located cylinder 12. The working unit on the right and left sides is pivotally mounted about a shaft 20. A positioning pin 21 is arranged at the end of the shaft 20. As can also be seen in fig. 4-6, illustrating the basic element of the right working unit 6, each work unit is provided with projecting tabs 22, which are intended for interlocking with corresponding tabs from the left side workstation and which are provided with a through opening 23 for mounting Thus, on each shaft 20. Each work station can pivot about a center 20 axis 24, which is also the center axis of the positioning pin 21. A strong compression spring 39 is disposed about the shaft 20 between the backplate 9 and the inner part of the working units 6's tab 22.

As shown in FIG. 15-17 showing the apparatus as viewed from the rear 25, the back plate 9 is provided with a circular slot 25 and a pin 26 is mounted at the rear of each work station 6 projecting through the circular slot 25. At its rear end, each pin 26 is connected to a fixed pin 27 via a tension spring 28. The tension spring 28 is connected to the fixed pin 27 and the movable pin 26 via spring plates 29. The springs 30 will normally be able to pull workstations to the one shown in FIG. 2 and 3 (corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 15).

Each work unit comprises a protruding bush 30 provided with a bore 31 for receiving a pin 32. The blunt end of the pin 32 is protruding from the end surface 30 'of the protruding bush 30 (see Fig. 2). Between a collar 33 (see FIGS. 12-14), a compression spring 34 extending around the stem 35 of the pin needle is disposed to abut against a chest 36 in the bore 31. In the position shown in FIG. 2, the outermost tip 37 of the pin (see Figs. 12-14) will be located immediately within a bottom 42 of a groove 41 formed in the front 38 of the work unit 6 (see Figs. 4-6). .

Each work unit is provided with a carrier pin 40 which is instrumental in positioning a spacer frame (will be explained later). Immediately adjacent to the driver pin 40, the track 41 is formed in each working unit for receiving one of the sides of a spacer frame, the corner of which is positioned around the positioning pin 21. An inductive sensor 43 is provided for recording a frame of the frame 41 on the bottom 41 of the track 41. presence in the groove 41.

Each further comprises a plate-shaped element 44 (see Figs. 7 and 8), which acts both as a filling nozzle and as a guide in closing an opening in the spacer frame. The element 44 is intended to be mounted against the surface 45 of a working unit 6 (see Fig. 5). Each working unit 6 is provided on its opposite side 46 with a cylinder 47, which via a cylinder pin 48 is intended to activate a hammer 49 (illustrated in Figs. 9-11) which is used in closing the filling opening in the spacer frame. The cylinder is connected via nipples 50 and hoses 51 to a pneumatic source, which is controlled by the aforementioned means which monitors and controls the operation of the apparatus.

In the surface 46 of the working unit's base member, an opening 52 is provided for receiving the cylinder pin 48 of the cylinder 47.

25 At the bottom of the groove 41 (in Fig. 5), an opening 53 is shown for mounting the inductive sensor 43. In the work unit surface 45, the bore 31 opens in the form of a semicircular recess 54, which is intended to support the pin 32 The two working units 6 can be pivoted to a position where the surfaces 45 are approximately in contact with each other for filling a frame with a corner bent at a very small angle (in practice down to about 10 °). As shown in FIG. 5, the tabs 22 are crippled with respect to the remainder of the basic unit of the working unit, which allows for the handling of profiles with very 35 angular angles, the two grooves 41 for accommodating the sides of the frame can be placed substantially parallel to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 17th

FIG. 7 and 8 show a plan view and a section, respectively, of the element DK 168164 B1 9 44 mounted on the side 45 of a working unit 6. The element 44 comprises a through channel 55 connecting a desiccant source with a filling nozzle or filling opening 56. For reasons of formation of the passageway 55, the embodiment shown for the element 5 44 is made of an upper half 57 and a lower half 58. In the upper half 57 there is provided a projection 59 intended for positioning in a recess 45 'in the side of the working unit. 45. In this way, the element 44 is mounted correctly relative to the remaining part of the working unit 6. The filling nozzle 56 is, preferably by spark machining, formed with a shape which corresponds to the shape of the opening formed by the pin in the spacer frame. In FIG. 7, there is also seen a guide plate 60 provided with a groove 61 for receiving part of the hammer 49 of the apparatus which is used in closing the opening formed in the spacer frame. The guide plate 60 comprises, in the immediate vicinity 15 of the groove 61, a recess 62 which is substantially shaped as a spherical surface. Recess 62 will not be in contact with the outwardly deformed portion 81 (explained later). A gap 87 between the recess 22 and the outside of the outwardly deformed portion 81 is so small that, during a pneumatic filling, desiccant cannot be blown out into the gap. The filling nozzle 56 will be in the position marked 63 in FIG. 3, while the recess 62 will be at the position marked 64 in FIG. Third

FIG. 9-11 illustrate the hammer 49 for the right working unit 6. The hammer 49 is provided with a shaft 65 intended to be connected to the cylinder pin 47 via a mounting opening 66. The shaft 65 is connected via an angled arm 67 to the hammer element 68 itself. The hammer element 68 has, as shown in FIG. 10, an abutment surface 69 which is directed obliquely to the direction of movement of the hammer. This ensures that when the hammer element 68 is displaced in the track 61 of the guide plate 60, the hammer presses the outwardly deformed portion of the profile within the original cross-section of the profile, as will be explained later.

35

A needle for the apparatus of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 12-14. As previously mentioned, the needle is intended to be mounted in the bore 31 which opens at the bottom 42 of the groove 41 in the semicircular recess 54. The needle is mounted with the circular portion 70 of the circumferential tip of the needle tip 10 DK 168164 B1 upwards, as seen in FIG. 3 and 5. The second portion 71 of the circumference of the pin 32 is delimited by two planar or approximately planar faces 72. The faces 72 form an obtuse angle 73. The faces extend tapered toward the front end 37 of the arcuate cutter 74 formed along the circle formed part 70 of the circumference of the needle. It is noted that the needle 32 is provided with flat faces 75.75 '. Such flat faces 75, 75 'may be formed in any way and assist in positioning the needle angularly in relation to the working unit 6.

10 In FIG. 12,13 and 14, the needle is shown directly from the front, turned 60 ° and rotated 90 ° respectively. Thus, the angle formed by the cutting with a center axis 76 through the needle is approximately 37 °. However, this angle can be varied within limits depending on the material from which the spacer frame is made.

The apparatus comprises a spring-loaded ball lock 77 (see Figs. 15-17) for each of the two work units. The ball lock 77 is positioned so that the ball 78 engages a recess in the pin 26 when the two working units are in a position where the two grooves 41 are disposed at right angles to each other. This is appropriate since most frames that need to be filled with desiccant will be at right angles. It is noted that the spring locks are sized so that they can hold the working units against the force exerted by the spring 28 for holding 25 of the two working units 6 in the mutual position illustrated in FIG. 16th

Next, the method of operation of the apparatus described above is described. This description is preferably given with reference to FIG. 15-20.

The working units are kept in the position shown in FIG. 15 with each pin 26 disposed at the bottom of the circular slot 25.

35 in FIG. 16, the position obtained by the engagement of the ball locks 77 with the movable pins 26 for holding the working units in a position where the grooves 41 are arranged at right angles is shown.

A frame bent to a desired shape, triangular, square, pentagonal, etc., which is closed, is manually inserted in front of the two working units 6, which are either in the position shown. in FIG. 15 or the position shown in FIG. 16th

A corner of the frame will be substantially vertical above the positioning pin 21 and the face-facing face 79 of each frame adjacent to said corner will abut against each of its carrier pins 40 (not shown in Fig. 15 -17).

10 If it is a right-angled corner where the working units are in the position shown in FIG. 16, the frame can then simply be displaced into the groove 41. If it is a corner having an angle that is blunt or pointed, for example, in an interval of approx. 10 ° to approx. 179 * the working units must be swung to a position where the grooves 41 15 are aligned with the sides of the frame. This is very simply done by the operator pulling the frame downwards, whereby the working units are pivoted downward in the direction of the force from the springs 28. The operator moves the frame downwards until the corner of the frame engages the positioning pin 21, and in this position the grooves 41 placed next to the 20 contact surface on each of the carrier pins 40 is automatically aligned with the sides of the frame. This is because the contact faces of the carrier pins 40 extend in a plane tangent to the circumference of the positioning pin 217, and this plane also includes one side of the groove 41.

25 When the frame is aligned with the grooves 41, it is manually displaced into the grooves 41. This maintains the mutual angular position of the two workstations and the operator can release his grip in the frame. The subsequent steps will then be automatically controlled by the means intended to monitor and control the operation of the apparatus.

When the frame is placed in the apparatus, the pressure plate unit 7 will be in the position shown in FIG. 2 and 3. When the frame is placed in contact with the bottom 42 of the grooves 41, the inductive sensor 43 will detect the frame 35 in the presence of the track 41. A signal from the sensor 43 will cause the control means to activate the cylinder 12 which, via the cylinder plate, 14 and the column guides 8, the pressure plate 15 leads to the working units 6.

The cylinder 12 operates in two stages. In the first step, quite a slight back pressure will cause a re-cycling of the cylinder. Thus, if the operator has his hand within the pressure plate unit 7, the cylinder will be overthrown and the pressure plate unit 7 is then displaced away from the working units 6.

5 Once the pressure plate 15 is brought to a position in the immediate vicinity of the working units 6, the cylinder 12 acts in its second step, which produces a much greater pressure. Hereby the pressure plate 15 presses against the side of the frame which faces away from the bottom 42 of the groove 41. The frame is now held in the groove 41.

10

Cylinder 12 continues its inwardly directed movement, and working units 6 are now moved inwardly toward backplate 9 against the action of the powerful compression spring 39. Cylinder guides the working units inwardly toward the backplate until the protruding sleeve 30 'end surface 30' abuts against the backplate. Hereby, the pin needles 32 arranged in the bores 31 of the protruding bushes 30 are pressed within the end surface 30 'of the bush 30. At the same time, the pointed end 37 of the needles is advanced forwardly within the bottom 42 of the groove 41, i.e., the tip 37 of the needles is inserted into a side surface 85 (see Fig. 18) in the profile of the frame thereby forming an opening 82 illustrated in Figs. . 18.19. As previously mentioned, the outwardly deformed portion 80 of the adjacent side surface 79 will be located within the recess 62 of the guide plate 60. The recess 62 will form at the position 64 (in FIG.

3) next to the pin in the considered work unit.

25

The needle is angularly positioned so that the arcuate inserts face toward the side surface 85 of the profile, while the two approximately planar faces 72 of the tip of the needle face outward and are in contact with the adjacent side surface 79. As the needle is inserted in the immediate vicinity of the a corner 86 of the profile, the portion 80 of the adjacent side surface 79 is deformed outwardly.

After insertion of the pins through the side faces 85 of the profile, the cylinder 12 (of the guide means) is activated for a short distance in the opposite direction. Hereby, the compression springs 34 return the pins 32 to their retracted position. In the very briefly reversed position, the powerful compression spring 39 will still push the working units 6 outwardly against the pressure plate so that the frame remains retained in the groove 41.

GB 168164 B1 13 Once the pins have been returned, the profile can now be filled with desiccant part. The filler nozzle or filler opening 56 located at position 63 will, after retraction of the pin 32, open directly into the formed aperture 82. Material will then be pneumatically injected through the duct 55 and the filler nozzle 56. As the recess 62 is immediately outside the deformed portion 80, the desiccant can only penetrate through the opening 82. The filling is done until a sensor detects that the flow of desiccant stops. This means that the frame page in question is full. When a completed flow is registered for both work units 6, the filling is over. Thereafter, the control means activates the cylinder 47 activating the hammer 49. Thus, the cylinder 47 displaces the hammer element 68 downwardly through the track 61 of the control plate 60 (see Figs. 18 and 19). Hereby the inclined abutment surface 69 of the hammer element 68 will be introduced into the volume of the recess 62.

Hereby, the outwardly deformed portion 80 is hammered inward to an inwardly deformed position, as in FIG. 20 is indicated by 81. In this way, the filling opening 82 is closed in a secure manner, which prevents the desiccant from subsequently falling out. Although a small crack 83 is formed between the now deformed portion 81 of the side surface 79 and the portion 84 of the side surface 85 adjacent to the formed aperture, this will not cause the desiccant to fall as it formed cracks have a smaller size than the particle size of the pre-filled desiccant. It is further noted that the portion 84 of the side surface 85 adjacent to the opening 82 is advantageously bent slightly downwardly at the formation of the opening 83. This contributes to making the crack 83 as small as possible. This will reduce the particle size requirements of the desiccant.

After the closure of the opening 82, the cylinder 47 and hammer 30 are returned to their initial position. Thereafter, the control means again actuate the cylinder 12 and the cylinder plate 14 and the column guides 8 are displaced outwards until the pressure plate unit 7 is again in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 and 3. As the outward migration of the working units 6 is limited, they will be in the position 35 illustrated in FIG. 2 and 3, and it is now possible for the operator to remove the desiccant-filled and reclosed frame from the apparatus. When the frame is removed, the working units 6, due to the action of the springs 28, will swing back to the one shown in FIG. 15 or remain / return to the position shown in FIG. 16 starting position.

DK 168164 B1 14

The process described above from the time an operator has placed a frame in the apparatus for the operator to remove the frame again will only take a few seconds, and the greater part of the process time will be the time taken for the pneumatic filling of the drying agent. -5 del. In this connection, it should be noted that the filling can be done in any convenient way. In practice, it is preferred that the pumps be redirected to the pneumatic filling, so that immediately after the closure of the openings 82, a suction emptying the filling nozzle 56, the desiccant duct 55, is made. This prevents the desiccant from being spilled and possibly causing malfunction of the moving parts and / or sensors of the apparatus.

The frame will advantageously be maintained throughout the process of forming an opening for the filling and for the closure. Thus, there are 15 risks to the problems that can occur in connection with a frame transport between different workstations. Also, the formed opening will be securely closed so that there is no risk of desiccant subsequently falling out before the frame is used for mounting between two layers of glass to form a thermos.

20 25 30 35

Claims (10)

A method of filling a closed spacer with desiccant, which method comprises positioning the frame in a filling apparatus (2) and then positioning a working unit (6) relative to the frame, after which at least one opening is formed ( 82) in the profile forming the frame before the desiccant is filled, which opening (82) is closed after the desired amount of desiccant is filled, characterized in that the positioning of the frame takes place by positioning one of the corners of the frame 10 in the filling apparatus (2) positioning of the working unit (6) is effected by positioning an adjustable working unit (6) against each of the two adjacent sides of the frame, in which at least one of the sides of the frame an opening (82) is formed with a pin (32) which is inserted through one of the side faces (79,85) of the profile in the immediate vicinity of a corner (86) of the profile such that a portion (80) of the adjacent side face (79) is deformed beyond the opening (82) after the desiccant is filled lu It is noted that the adjacent side surface (79) along the deformed portion (80) is guided inward to reseal the opening (82) and that the frame filled with desiccant can then be removed from the working unit. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the through-sectional side face (85) of the profile and the adjacent side face (79) are arranged at right angles to each other, that the pin (32) is guided parallel to the adjacent side face (79) so that the outwardly deformed side face (80) is guided inwardly to re-close the opening by means of a hammer (68) provided with an inclined head, which is also moved parallel to the adjacent side surface, and that the piercing and hammering press material of the profile in the immediate vicinity of the opening 30 within the original cross section of the profile. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug needle (32) makes a cut in and is inserted through the side surface (85), so that material is displaced against the adjacent side surface 35 (79) and the needle (32) simultaneously and in the middle of the outwardly deformed portion (80) forms a line of weakening in the material which is displaced towards the adjacent side surface. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corner of the spacer frame is placed on a positioning pin (21), while two positioning units (6), at least one of which is built together with a working unit comprising a set of working tools for opening, filling and closing the profile, pivot 5 about the center axis of the positioning pin (21) to a contact surface of each positioning unit (6) abutting an inwardly facing side surface of the two of the frame side pieces adjacent to said corner of the frame, and that the working tools are thereby positioned for completion of the subsequent opening, filling and closing. 10 Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the contact surfaces of the positioning units (6) at any point during the oscillation extend in a plane which substantially tangles the circumference of the positioning pin (21) and that the frame after positioning relative to the the positioning pin (21) and the positioning units (6) are displaced into a groove (41) in each working unit (6), which track (41) runs parallel to the contact surface of the positioning unit, that the frame is held in the groove (41) by a pressure plate (15) , which is displaced perpendicular to the plane of the spacer frame to position the opposite side face of the frame in resilient abutment between the pressure plate and the bottom of the groove. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin (32) operates at a displacement perpendicular to the plane of the spacer frame. 25 Apparatus for filling a closed spacer with desiccant by a method according to any one of the preceding claims, which apparatus (2) comprises means for positioning the frame and for positioning a working unit (6) relative to the frame, 30, characterized in that the positioning means comprise a small diameter positioning pin (21) so that one of the corners of the frame can be freely pivotally mounted thereon, pivotable positioning units (6) arranged for pivoting about the center axis of the positioning pin (21), and each has a contact surface which, regardless of the angular position of the positioning units, extends in a plane which substantially tangles the circumference of the positioning pin (21), which positioning units (6) are joined together or form part of a working unit (6) comprising a groove ( 41) for taking up one of the sides of the frame and a set of working tools in the form of a needle 17 DK 168164 B1 (32), a filling nozzle (56) and a hammer (68), and the apparatus further comprising a pressure plate (15) for holding a frame between the bottom of the groove (41) and the pressure plate (15) during use of the tools, as well as 5 means for automatically controlling the operation of the apparatus (2). . Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that each of the assembled working and positioning units (6) comprises a spring (28) which presses the assembled unit outwardly for abutment against the side surface facing into the frame 10 of the two of the frame. side pieces disposed around the adjacent corner disposed on the positioning pin (21) and a spring (39) acting perpendicular to the plane of the frame to press the assembled working and positioning units (6) against the pressure plate (15) below a portion of its travel, and the pin (32) and hammer (68) are positioned in the work unit so that the pin (32) is passed through the bottom of the groove in the immediate vicinity of a side wall of the groove while the hammer (68) is displaced along said side wall but outside the groove (41), and that the pin (32) is arranged for displacement perpendicular to the plane of the frame. 20 Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the pin (32) has an asymmetric cross-section and at its front end has an arcuate cutter (74) extending approximately over half of the needle (32) while the other portion (71) of the circumference of the pin (32) 25 is delimited by two approximately planar faces (72) forming a mutually angular corner (73) extending tapered toward the forward end of the arcuate cutter (74). Apparatus according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that the hammer (68) used has an abutment surface (69) extending at an inclined angle between approx. 30-60® relative to the direction of movement of the hammer (68), and that the impact surface is positioned relative to the pin (32) so that the impact surface impacts the side surfaces of the profile beyond the weakening line formed. 35