EP0500483B1 - Sealing arrangement between two parallel non-abutting elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement comprises a strip (1) made of deformable material having a width which corresponds very substantially to the separation of the elements (V1) and (V2), the arrangement being noteworthy in that: - the strip (1) is firmly fixed, on at least one of its faces, directly in a built-up manner, to one or more sections (2) which are capable of delimiting a series of containers (2a), - the series of containers receive a desiccating product (3) for absorbing the relative humidity of the air trapped between the elements (V1), (V2); - each of the longitudinal free edges of the strip (1) which is equipped with the section or sections (2) receives a sealing product (4) making up two beads (4a), (4b) for fixing the assembly in a peripheral manner with the elements (V1) and (V2). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a sealing device between glazing elements for the purpose of good sound and thermal insulation.

To date, various solutions have been proposed for sealing between at least two panes. For example, one of these solutions consists in interposing between the two panes and near their peripheral edge, a metal frame generally made of aluminum. Inside this frame is interposed a sealing paste. This results in a fairly long implementation and a difficulty in industrializing and automating its installation.

In another solution, a peripheral bead made from a butyl-based product capable of incorporating a desiccant is inserted between the panes. This product also constitutes a means of sealing. Given the nature of the material, the mechanical strength is sometimes insufficient, which can limit applications.

A sealing bead has also been proposed by means of a pre-extruded tape based on butyl and containing powdered molecular sieve. In the thickness of the ribbon, a metallic core is incorporated and embedded which acts as an interlayer and a barrier to water vapor. This state of the art can be illustrated by the teaching of patent FR 80 01754. This solution is not however entirely satisfactory.

Given this design, the tape does not have sufficient stability. When the product is applied in a thin layer in particular, the cohesion forces which intervene are greater than the adhesiveness forces. Indeed, despite the incorporation of a metallic core which is embedded in the thickness of the ribbon, it is the rubbery mass which absorbs the stresses under poor conditions, taking into account the very nature of the material.

As a result, this results in a behavior problem, in particular in the case of large glazing, with the risk of exceeding the cohesive stresses, hence poor sealing.

One should also note, among the drawbacks, a risk of elongation liable to deform in a concomitant manner, the metallic core by modifying the waves, thus adversely affecting the stability of the glazing.

In addition, generally, taking into account the envisaged application, the sealing tape is intended to be fixed near the peripheral edge of the panes, while being suitably bent by constituting a closed frame.

Under these conditions, having regard to the problem posed of the seal to be obtained, it is necessary to ensure, as far as possible, a connection as tight as possible at the ends of the ribbon.

In the solution taught by patent FR 80 01754, the connection is made at the level of the rubber part of the ribbon. There is a risk of leaks and, consequently, problems with sealing, may appear.

German patent 1904907 discloses a sealing device which uses a corrugated spacer making it possible to control the interval between two panes and to prevent the migration of water vapor which may come from outside the double glazing. The connection of the two ends is made on one of the sides of the glazing before application of the second glass. It is therefore difficult to evacuate the excess trapped air after applying the second glass during pressing.

The connection of the corrugated spacer and the perforated spacer is made by means of bands. These spacers are not integrally linked together, and the perforated strip only serves to prevent the secating agent from falling from its housing during transport.

It emerges from this German patent that the sealing device does not constitute a ready-to-use assembly, capable of being placed directly between the two panes.

The object of the invention is to remedy these drawbacks, in a particularly safe and effective manner.

The problem which the invention proposes to solve is to produce a sealing device in the form of a strip pre-equipped with a sealing product, in order to constitute a ready-to-use assembly, capable of being put in place, directly between the two glazing elements in particular, either manually or fully automatically.

The solution capable of solving this problem is apparent from the features of claim 1.

Advantageously, taking into account the design of the device, it is possible to industrialize and automate, on the one hand, its design and, on the other hand, its positioning between the elements.

To solve the problem posed of increasing the adhesive strengths while increasing the mechanical characteristics, the strip has, on the side of the section or sections forming reservoirs, an elastic heel.

To solve the problem of avoiding any condensation phenomenon, by absorbing the relative humidity of the air, between the elements, the strip has holes in communication with some of the tanks.

Note that the strip and the tank profile, depending on the nature of the materials used, can be made in one piece or in two separate elements made integral with each other, by any known and appropriate means .

The desiccant, for absorbing moisture from the air, contains a powdered molecular sieve.

To solve the problem posed thermal constraints in particular, the sealant is based on butyl.

The entire strip and the profile, with the various products, are bent according to the geometric shape of the elements so as to form a closed peripheral belt, the free end edges of said strip are fixed between them. This results in a perfect seal, since the connection is made at the level of the strip as such, thus eliminating any risk of leakage.

After fixing between the elements, the free face of the strip, not equipped with the profile, is located inside said elements constituting the internal face of the peripheral belt.

As indicated, the device according to the invention finds a particularly advantageous application for sealing between at least two glazing elements.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective des éléments constitutifs de base du dispositif.
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective, montrant la mise en place du dispositif entre deux vitres.
• La figure 3 est à une échelle plus importante, une vue en coupe longitudinale du dispositif monté entre deux vitres.
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe transversale considérée selon la ligne 4-4 de la figure 3.
• La figure 5 est une vue en coupe correspondant à la figure 3 d'une autre forme de réalisation du dispositif.
• La figure 6 est une vue en perspective montrant l'application du dispositif sur l'un des éléments de vitre et le raccordement des extrémités libres de la bande.
• La figure 7 est une vue partielle en coupe montrant une variante de réalisation du dispositif, dans le cas où la bande présente plusieurs profilés formant réserve de produit de dessiccation.

The invention is set out below in more detail using the drawings annexed, in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the basic components of the device.
• Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the installation of the device between two panes.
• Figure 3 is a larger scale, a longitudinal sectional view of the device mounted between two panes.
• Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.
• Figure 5 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 3 of another embodiment of the device.
• Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the application of the device on one of the glass elements and the connection of the free ends of the strip.
• Figure 7 is a partial sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of the device, in the case where the strip has several profiles forming a reserve of desiccant.

In these different figures, the thicknesses have been deliberately exaggerated for a better understanding of the drawings.

The different figures of the drawings show an application of the device for sealing between two panes (V1) and (V2) to form an insulating glazing. This example should not however be considered as limiting, the device being able to be applied in all the cases where a problem of tightness between two elements, preferably planes, parallel and not contiguous arises.

This device comprises a strip (1) whose width (L) corresponds very substantially at the desired spacing between the two panes. This strip (1) is made of a deformable material, in particular aluminum, without excluding other materials. For example, this strip (1) can be made of tinned steel. This strip (1) can constitute a strip.

According to a characteristic underlying the invention, the strip (1) has on one of its faces (1b), at least one profile (2). This profile (2), also made of deformable material such as aluminum, is shaped to constitute a plurality of tanks (2a) capable of receiving any type of product (3), shaped to absorb the relative humidity of the trapped air. between the panes (V1) and (V2).

For example, this desiccation product (3) is of the type known in the trade under the reference ZELOITHE from 3 Angström. This product (3) may also contain a powdered molecular sieve.

According to another characteristic, each of the free longitudinal edges of the strip equipped with the profile (2) receives a sealing product (4) constituting two beads (4a) and (4b), to ensure the fixing of the assembly with the panes (V1) and (V2), under pressure. This product (4), in addition to its fixing function, seals the open ends of the tanks (2a), containing the desiccant product and fills any free intervals that may exist between the tanks, as will be indicated in the following description.

This product (4) is advantageously a butyl-based product, without excluding other materials, such as polymers of the polysulfide, urethane, acrylic, etc. type.

The tanks (2a) are arranged very substantially in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strip (1). As indicated in particular in FIG. 3, the reservoirs (2a) are constituted by a series of continuous cells or undulations in very substantially sinusoidal shape, in combination with the strip (1). According to this embodiment, the tanks (2a) are separated by an interval (2b). The profile (2), thus defined, is attached and fixed to the face (1a) of the strip, by any known and appropriate means, depending in particular on the type of material used for the strip and the profile. We do not exclude the fact of making the strip (1) and the profile (2) by forming the tanks (2a), in a single piece.

Similarly, the profile (2) may have other alternative embodiments, on the sole condition of forming, in combination with the strip (1), a plurality of tanks. For example, for information, in no way limiting, the profile (2) can constitute a series of slots.

Optionally, in an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the strip receives in superposition, two sections (5) and (6), so as to delimit two series of tanks (5a) and (6a) capable of being filled, as before, with a desiccant. In this variant, and as indicated above, the profiles can have different embodiments.

To increase the rigidity of the assembly, provision is made to attach, on the side of the section or sections (2) (or (5) and (6)), a heel (7) which extends over the entire length of all considered, depending on the size of the glazing elements. This heel (7) is made of elastic material and is fixed to the profile (2) (or (5) and (6)), in combination in particular, with the sealant (4). In fact, this sealing product (4), at the time of its application at the longitudinal edges of the strip, not only constitutes two beads (4a) and (4b) for fixing sealing the reservoirs (2a), but also ensures the lining of the intervals (2b) separating said reservoirs (2a).

Note that this stiffness heel (7) can be applied after the assembly of the assembly including the plate (1), the profile (2) with dissection products (3) and sealants (4) or at the time of manufacture of said assembly.

As shown in particular in Figure 3, the strip (1) has holes (1c) in communication with all or only part of the tanks (2a), to absorb the relative humidity of the air from the double glazing (V1) and (V2).

Given the application envisaged according to the invention, the whole of the strip (1) and of the profile (2) with the products (3) and (4), are bent according to the geometric shape of the elements ( V1) and (V2), so as to form a closed peripheral belt. Most often, this peripheral belt will have a general quadrangular shape (Figure 6).

According to the invention, the connection of the free ends, after bending the assembly, takes place at the level of the strip (1). This connection can be made by any means. This results in a perfect seal.

The attachment of the entire device as defined, in particular by means of beads (4a) and (4b) based on butyl, at the peripheral edge of the panes (V1) and (V2), can advantageously be carried out d '' automatically by means of a machine suitable for this specific type of operation.

After fixing between the elements (V1) and (V2), the free face (1a) of the strip (1) is located inside said elements. This face (1a), which constitutes the visible internal face of the peripheral sealing belt, can be left in the raw state or else be subjected to any type of treatment to modify its visual appearance in particular.

The packaging of the device can be carried out in a known manner, in the form of rolls. One of the fixing beads is coated with a protective film.

• L'étanchéité obtenue.
• Les caractéristiques mécaniques élevées.
• La possibilité d'avoir une plus grande largeur, compte tenu de la rigidité et de la stabilité accrue. A titre indicatif, il est possible d'utiliser une bande de 24 mm de large, alors que selon l'état de la technique, la largeur de la bande intercalaire, est généralement limitée à 16 mm au maximum.
• Aucune influence de la température au moment de sa mise en place.
• La possibilité d'utiliser des moyens automatiques au moment de sa mise en place sur le vitrage, compte tenu de sa grande rigidité.

The advantages clearly emerge from the description, in particular it is emphasized and recalled:

• The tightness obtained.
• High mechanical characteristics.
• The possibility of having a greater width, taking into account the rigidity and the increased stability. As an indication, it is possible to use a strip 24 mm wide, while according to the state of the art, the width of the intermediate strip is generally limited to a maximum of 16 mm.
• No influence of the temperature at the time of its installation.
• The possibility of using automatic means when it is placed on the glazing, given its high rigidity.

Claims (8)

1. Seal between at least two non-abutting parallel elements (V1, V2) comprising: a strip (1) made of a deformable material of which the width corresponds essentially to the distance between the elements (V1, V2), one or more sections (2) forming a series of continuous essentially sinusoidal corrugations forming a series of cells (2a), a desiccant (3), at each of the free longitudinal edges of strip (1) a sealant (4) consisting of two bands (4a) (4b) to fix the assembly peripherally to elements (V1, V2),
      characterised in that:

   - at least one of the faces of strip (1) is joined to cells (2a) arranged essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said strip,

   - the series of cells contains the desiccant (3) in order to absorb the relative humidity of the air trapped between elements (V1, V2).
2. Device as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that strip (1) has, on the side of section(s) (2) forming cells (2a), an elastic heel (7).
3. Device as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that strip (1) has holes (1b) that communicate with some of cells (2a).
4. Device as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the desiccant (3) to absorb the humidity of the air contains a powder molecular sieve.
5. Device as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that sealant (4) is butyl based.
6. Device as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the assembly of strip (1) and section (2) with the various products (3) and (4) is bent depending on the geometrical shape of elements (V1, V2) in order to form an enclosed peripheral belt with the free outer edges of said strip (1) fixed to each other.
7. Device as claimed in claim 6 characterised in that after elements (V1, V2) have been fixed, the free face (1a) of strip (1) not fitted with section (2) is located inside said elements (V1, V2) and constitutes the inside face of the peripheral belt.
8. Device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that elements (V1, V2) consist of glazing.

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