EP1655443A2

EP1655443A2 - Device for automatically applying sealant on the internal face a stepped insulating glass pane

Info

Publication number: EP1655443A2
Application number: EP05019541A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fortunato Vianello; Dino Moschini
Original assignee: Forel Base - Di Davanzo Nadia & Csnc; For El Base di Vianello Fortunato and C SNC
Current assignee: Forel Base - Di Davanzo Nadia & Csnc
Priority date: 2004-11-04
Filing date: 2005-09-08
Publication date: 2006-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-08
Also published as: EP1655443A3; ITTV20040126A1; EP1655443B1

Abstract

Automatic device for the spatula-coating of sealant on the internal part of the face of the glass sheet (1M) of the insulating glass pane (3) having a protrusion in respect to the other glass sheet or the other glass sheets. Such device consists of a lateral extension of the known extrusion nozzle (101), such extension incorporating a duct with an extrusion slit (107) that can be partialized in its length in order to adapt to the protrusion of the bigger glass sheet.

Description

STATE OF TECHNIQUES AND INHERENT PROBLEMS

Today, it is well-known that placing a spacer frame or a spacer profile over a glass sheet then coupling the assembly with a second glass sheet and sealing it over its entire external perimeter is how the so called "insulating glass pane" is composed. The operation can moreover be multiplied in order to obtain an "insulating glass pane" composed of three glass sheets and two spacer frames or spacer profiles, as well as n glass sheets and n-1 spacer frames or spacer profiles. The operation can moreover involve glass sheets of different dimensions, yet belonging to the same "insulating glass pane", in such a way as to obtain a step between the edges of the sheets, which is required in order to enable fitting it to a special type of window, that is, the one forming the so called continuous window paneling or the so called structural windows. And it is indeed these types of "stepped insulating glass panes" that this patent application deals with.
In order to better understand the configuration of the glass sheet, not so much for its insulating use but mainly for its use in combination with other components, in particular with a spacer frame or a spacer profile for the composition of the so called "insulating glass pane", herein under are summarized some concepts regarding the semi-processed components, that is, the glass sheet (1) and the spacer frame or the spacer profile (2) and the final product, that is, the "insulating glass pane" (3), taking for granted that the subsequent use of the "insulating glass pane", that is, a component of a window, is known. In order to rationalize the description it is easier to start from the final product and then to split it into the elements that compose it.
The "insulating glass pane" (3) is formed by the composition of two or more glass sheets (1) separated by one or more spacer frames (2) that are generally hollow and drilled with micro holes on the surface facing inwards, such spacer frames containing hygroscopic material in their hollow part and having a butyl sealant on the lateral faces (constituting the so called first sealing) and an air gap (or air gaps) delimited by the glass sheets (1) and by the spacer frame(s) (2) being able to contain air or gas or gas mixes that impart special properties to the double-glazing, for example thermoinsulating and/or soundproofing properties. Recently, widespread use has also been made of the "spacer profile" (2) with essentially rectangular section in synthetic foam material (including but not limited to: silicone and epdm) incorporating hygroscopic material in its mass.
The joining of the glass sheets (1) and spacer(s) frame(s) (2) is obtained with two levels of sealing, the first having the function of creating hermetic sealing and initial bonding between such components and involving the lateral surfaces of the frame and the portions of adjacent glass sheets already mentioned beforehand, the second having the function of creating definitive cohesion between the components and mechanical resistance of the joining of the components and involving the space formed by the external surface of the spacer frame (2) and the faces of the glass sheets up to their edge (see fig. 1). In the case of a "spacer profile" (2) in synthetic foam material, the first level of sealing is replaced by an adhesive, for example an acrylic adhesive, already spread over the lateral faces of the same "spacer profile" (2) and covered with a removeable protective film.
The glass sheets (1) used in composing the "insulating glass pane" (3) can have different shapes in function to the use of such pane, for example the external glass sheet (external in respect to the building) can be normal or reflective (to limit heat transmittance during the summer months) or stratified/armoured (against forced entries and acts of vandalism) or stratified/tempered (for safety purposes) or combined (for example reflective and stratified in order to achieve a combination of properties), the internal glass sheet (internal in respect to the building) can be normal or low emissivity (to limit heat dispersion during the winter months) or stratified/tempered (for safety purposes) or combined (for example low emissivity and stratified in order to achieve a combination of properties). In particular, and it is this situation that this patent application deals with, the external glass sheet (1M) can be bigger than the internal sheet (or sheets) (1m) for all the extension of the perimeter or only on one side or on some sides (see fig. 1).
The simple summary set forth above illustrates clearly that to produce an "insulating glass pane" (3) a manufacturing line inevitably requires many processes carried out one after another which includes in particular the second sealing process that this application deals with in detail and in which the glass sheets (1M, 1m) are not coupled in alignment but coupled with a step on at least one of the sides.
The processes for the production of "insulating glass panes" (3), each requiring a special, relative machine to be arranged in line with the other complementary machines, are, for example but not limited to and not all being necessary, the following:

TRIMMING on the perimeter band of the glass sheets in order to remove any coatings and thus enable the sealants to maintain their bond over time;
ARISSING of the sharp edges of the glass sheets in order to eliminate small defects resulting from the cutting operation and to reduce the risk of injury during the subsequent handling of both the glass sheets and the "insulating glass panes";
WASHING of the individual glass sheets alternating the internal glass sheet and external glass sheet (internal and external as intended above);
APPLICATION OF THE SPACER FRAME: the spacer frame (2), manufactured beforehand in machines external to the "insulating glass pane" (3) production line and filled with hygroscopic material and coated on the lateral faces with thermoplastic sealant whose function is that of bonding, is applied on one of the glass sheets that compose the "insulating glass pane" (3) inside a specific station of the "insulating glass pane" (3) production line; alternatively, on the same "insulating glass pane" (3) production line, a continuous strip of spacer profile (2) is unwound from a reel and applied on one of the two glass sheets until a closed frame adhering directly to the glass sheet is formed after the protective film has been removed; COUPLING AND PRESSING of the glass sheets/frame(s) assembly;
FILLING WITH GAS the air gap(s) thus obtained;
SECOND SEALING of the components, that is, glass sheets (1) spacer frame (2) in corrispondence to the perimeter. A particular case of this stage is that in which the glass sheets are not aligned but are stepped. An even more particular case is that in which it is necessary, in addition to sealing the perimeter edge in order to mechanically join the components and create tightness in the joining of spacer frame (2) and glass sheets (1), to spread with sealant (second sealant) also on the surface of the bigger glass sheet (1M) extending out of alignement with the smaller glass sheet (1m). This requirement is dictated by the need to achieve a uniform aesthetic appearance to the external glass sheet, i.e. the bigger glass sheet (1M) viewing it from the outside, because starting from the point where the spacer frame (2) is placed up to the perimeter edge of the glass sheet itself (1M) the distribution of the sealant, which is visible given the transparency of the glass sheet, must be without any interruption and even. The operation that distributes the sealant over the internal surface of the bigger glass sheet (1M) is typically called "spatula-coating" by the manufacturers of insulating glass panes. This "spatula-coating" also has the function of preparing the "insulating glass pane" (3) for the subsequent installation, insofar as it is already provided with a base sealant.

Before the contents of this patent application were formulated the above listed processes were able to be carried out by the respective machine in automatic mode, or semiautomatic mode, and in the case of "spatula-coating", solely with a manual procedure.
The search of prior patents filed in the same sector describing machines and procedures for carrying out the second sealing yields results only for the stage in which the sealing product is solely distributed in proximity to the spacer profile (2) with the purpose of joining it mechanically with the glass sheets (1) up to the alignment with the edge of the smaller glass sheet (1m) and forming a hermetic sealing barrier against moisture, that must not penetrate inside the "insulating glass pane" (3), and the filling gas, which must not escape outside the "insulating glass pane" (3). Such search, in a sector that moreover is very crowded, yielded many patent titles of which only the most significant ones are listed herein, and which are the following:

EP 0 391 884 B2, with Austrian priority AT 775/89 of 03.04.1989 and equivalent American US 5,136,974, holder Lisec Peter, relative to a specific device for the application of the sealant on the perimeter edge of the "insulating glass pane", describing the correlation between the geometry of the perimeter joining, that is, the distance between the glass sheets and the difference of level between the external face of the spacer frame and the edges of the glass sheets or the edge of the smaller glass sheet (1m), the relative speed between extrusion head and insulating glass pane, and the flow rate of the metering pump, with the purpose of obtaining the complete filling of the perimeter joining without causing the sealant to spill over the edges.
EP 0 549 556 B1, with Austrian priority AT 2557/91 of 23.12.1991 and equivalent American US 5,280,832, holder Lisec Peter, relative to the conveying mode of the "insulating glass pane" (3), in a machine for the automatic sealing of the perimeter edge of the insulating glass pane, when the glass sheets (1) have different dimensions and therefore have unaligned sides and consequently unaligned edges.
EP 0 471 247 A1, with German priority DE 90 11 614 U of 09.08.1990, holder Lenhardt Karl, relative to a specific device for the appliaction of the sealant on the perimeter edge of the insulating glass pane, both in automatic mode, thus describing the components for the pumping, the metering and the controlled extrusion against the perimeter edge of the insulating glass pane during the relative insulating glass pane/extrusion head movement, and in manual mode, thus using only the pumping and the metering components of the automatic device but making use of a manual extrusion gun for the application on to the "insulating glass pane" (3).

Such findings and the relative machines constructed teach nothing concerning the "spatula-coating", that is, the spreading of sealant on the flat surface protruding out of the bigger glass sheet (1M) in respect to the edge of the smaller glass sheet (1m), on the contrary, they describe all the ways to limit the distribution of the sealant only on the space composed of the external face of the spacer frame (2) and the external edge of the glass sheets (1) or the external edge of the smaller (1m) of the two glass sheets (1). It therefore concerns a teaching which is opposite to one of the subject matter of this patent application.
The known technique in fact teaches how to spread the sealant on the surface of the protruding part of the bigger glass sheet (1M) only with manual procedure, using the machine only to extrude the sealant (more frequently a bicomponenent product that therefore must be metered and mixed with the aid of known machines) more or less against such surface (1M) and making use of spatulas (whereby the name "spatula-coating") to manually distribute the sealant, independently from the automatic or manual sealing already carried out in correspondence to the perimeter edge alone.
The main task of the subject matter of this patent application is therefore that of inventing a device that enables the automatic spreading of the sealant on the portion of the surface protruding out of the bigger glass sheet (1M) in respect to the smaller glass sheet (1m), in particular solving the even greater problem of carrying out the "spatula-coating" also in correspondence to the singular areas of the glass sheet (1) composed of the portions of the sheets themselves where the perimeter band changes direction, for example, 90° in the right angles of rectangular glass sheets (1) or with angles other than 90° in the cusps of polygonal glass sheets (1') or sheets that are otherwise shaped. The same device, with optionals that concern only the use of an additional controlled electric axis and a modification to the software, is moreover able to carry out the "spatula-coating" on curvilinea glass sheets (1'') and (1''') having portions with curvilinea configuration and portions with rectilinear configuration.
This is achieved by extending the known extrusion nozzle (101) with an orthogonal extension (106) composed of a manifold with adjustable extension and in direct communication with a slit (107) from which the sealant destined for the "spatula-coating" exits. The amount of sealant metered by the metering pump of the known sealing machine (10), in addition to filling the space defined between the boundary of the spacer frame (2) and the adjacent glass sheets, must also include the portion defined by the protrusion of the bigger glass sheet (1M) in respect to the smaller glass sheet (1m) with the required coating thickness. The portions described above correspond to areas that, when multiplied by the speed, determine the flow rate of the metering pump. As already known, the adjustment of the capacity will be determined by the depth of the spacer frame (2) for the known technique, and also by the extension of the step of the two glass sheets (1M, 1m) for the part relative to the "spatula-coating" regarding the innovative technique.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The concise description of the drawings and the detailed description of a way of realizing the invention will clarify how the finding, which is the subject matter of this application, can be implemented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGURE 1 schematically represents the peripheral portion of the "insulating glass pane" (3) in a set of non exhaustive examples of possible combinations: 1A normal, 1B triple glass sheets, 1C stratified external glass sheet / low emissivity internal glass sheet, 1D reflective tempered external glass sheet / low emissivity stratified internal glass sheet, 1E stratified stepped external glass sheet / low emissivity internal glass sheet ("uncoated protruding part"), 1F stratified stepped external glass sheet / low emissivity internal glass sheet ("coated protruding part"), 1G and 1H same as 1E and 1F but with triple glass sheets. All the examples include the traditional tubular aluminium profile frame (2) filled with hygroscopic material, but for the purposes of the description nothing changes if the frame is obtained with other solutions, for example with continuous profile in synthetic foam material incorporating the hygroscopic material. The two types of sealant used are highlighted as follows: in black, the butyl sealant for the intial bonding (in the case of synthetic foam material, an acrylic adhesive is used instead) and hermetic sealing of the components (first sealing) applied between the lateral surfaces of the frame and the glass sheets; hatched, the polysulphide-based sealant or polyurethane-based sealant or silicone-based sealant for mechanical resistance (second sealing) applied between the external surface of the frame and the faces of the glass sheets up to the edge of the smaller size glass sheet (1m). Figures 1F and 1H illustrate the solutions where the protruding face of the bigger size glass sheet is also coated with sealant, the same as that of the second sealing, and having the following functions:
- to confer visual uniformity to the peripheral area of the external glass sheet, to prepare the peripheral part of the bigger size glass sheet (1M) for the sealing that joins it with the structural frame of the window.

The internal/external faces are identified with icons:

a sun (external side) and a radiator (internal side). From such figures one can deduce that the "insulating glass pane" (3) can have many configurations and that the machines for the application of the second sealing must be both special and versatile, for example, able to seal an "insulating glass pane" (3) composed of two glass sheets, or composed of three glass sheets, or with stepped glass sheets, or composed of three glass sheets one of which is stepped.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a global view of the device, including the parts [such as the nozzle (101) and the motor (102)] that interface with the known parts of the automatic sealing machine, but excluding such known parts as they have already been described extensively and in detail in the prior patents listed previously.
FIGURES 3 to 7 illustate the various processing stages according to which the device (100) spreads the sealant on the internal face of the protruding part of the bigger glass sheet, in particular in the following stages: initial (Fig. 3), intermediate on the first horizontal lower side (Fig. 4), final on the first horizontal lower side (Fig. 5), intermediate execution of the corner between the first horizontal lower side and the second vertical front side (Fig. 6), intermediate on the second vertical front side (Fig. 7), the successive stages constituting a repetition of such illustrated stages.
FIGURE 8 illustrates the essential and inventive composition of the device.
FIGURES 9 and 10 illustrate the details of the coupling of the device, which is the subject matter of this application, with the details of the known devices of the automatic sealing machine [such as the extrusion nozzle (101), the sealant delivery hose, the feeler for measuring the depth of the spacer frame (2)]. The same figures also indicate the control components of the shutter.
FIGURES 11 to 14 illustrate the result on the "insulating glass pane" (3) produced, corresponding to the stages illustrated in figures 4 to 7.
The glass sheet (1), the spacer frame (2) and the "insulating glass pane" (3) are identified with one digit numbers. In particular, in order to distinguish the various configurations possibile of an "insulating glass pane" (3), the most frequent situation (rectangular) is indicated with (3), the polygonal shape with (3'), the curvilinear shape with (3''), the mixed shape with (3''').
The known components of the automatic sealing machine (10) are identified with two digit numbers. The main components of the new device (100) are identified with three digit numbers starting from the only ones known (101) and (102).
FIGURE 15 illustrates an example of the inclusion of the device (100) and the automatic sealing machine (10) in the "insulating glass pane" (3) production line (front view) and does not include: electric/electronic panel, control desk and safety devices.
FIGURE 16 illustrates an example of the inclusion of the device (100) and the automatic sealing machine (10) in the "insulating glass pane" (3) production line (plan view) and includes: electric/electronic panel (11), control desk (12) and safety devices, indicated generically with (13) whether mechanical safety guards or optical barriers or laser barriers or electrosensitive mats etc., as, in addition to the functional, qualitative and productive aspects characteristic to the contents of this finding, special attention is also dedicated to the aspects inherent to accident prevention. The electric panel (11) and control desk (12) differ from those of the known technique as regards the implementation of all those commands and controls required to make the device (100), which is the subject matter of this application, operate.

WAYS TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION

A detailed description is now given of a way of executing the invention.
In order to better describe a way of executing the finding, which includes all the equivalents, referance is made to figures 2, 8, 9, and 10 for the concepts relative to the construction of the device and to figures 11 - 14 for the description of the operating of the device. Instead, it is taken as known and thus not requiring a detailed description, what is partly illustrated or not illustrated in figures 2, 8, 9, and 10, since the prior patents previously described and the expertise of the sector technicians do not require any explanations for the construction of such parts regarding the automatic sealing machine.
A preferred way of executing the invention is the way described here below; for an easier comprehension it is advisable to follow the figures concurrently, in particular figures 8, 9 and 10, relative to the inventive concept.
Regarding the directions, it must be kept in mind that when speaking of vertical it is intended as being slightly inclined in respect to the vertical, in fact the conveying of the "insulating glass pane" (3) is carried out on conveyors whose support surface is inclined approximetely 6 degrees in respect to the vertical plane, likewise the rollers or other lower support/conveying elements have the axis inclined approximetely 6 degrees in respect to the horizontal plane, likewise when speaking of horizontal it is intended as being slightly inclined in respect to the horizontal.
The "insulating glass pane" (3), coming from the previous machine that coupled and pressed its components:

glass sheets (1) and spacer frame(s) (2), and coated on its sides with the first butyl sealant, or coming from the machine that also filled it with gas, reaches the automatic sealing machine (10), the latter being known with regards to the second sealing of the perimeter edge, where it is placed in standby position (figure 3).

The way the "insulating glass pane" (3) is positioned, in particular its initial positioning, is fundamental for the proper operationg of the process carried out by the known part of the head (100), in particular by the known nozzle (101) both in the rectangular version and in particular in the shaped version which shall be dealt with further ahead, as well as for the coordination of the horizontal movement of the "insulating glass pane" (3) and the vertical movement of the vertical carriage, not drawn, bearing the head (100). In the case of an "insulating glass pane" (3) with rectangular shape, a sensor (known and illustrated) detects the position of the margin of the glass sheet and, through the PLC logic (programmable logic controller), supplies the information needed to follow the rectangular perimeter of the "insulating glass pane" to the drives for the horizontal movement of the "insulating glass pane" (3) and the vertical movement of the head (100). In the case of a shaped "insulating glass pane" (3), that is, with a shape other than rectangular, the information relative to its shape is assigned electronically with known techniques, and besides the drives described before acting on synchronous motors not illustrated, the drive of the synchronous motor (102)is involved as well, in such way that the three known movements: horizontal of the "insulating glass pane" (3), vertical of the head (100), rotary of the head (100), due to the action of motor (102) interacting with a mechanical trasmission also known, are electrically/electronically linked in order to follow the contour of the perimeter of the "insulating glass pane" (3).
In the device regarding this patent application the synchronous motor (102) has a further role, not only for shaped "insulating glass panes" (3) but also for "insulating glass panes" (3) with rectangular shape, in combination with the synchronous motor (103) that drives the screw (104), integral by means of the support (105) with the plate (106), the latter being provided with slit (107) and shutter (108) connected to the nut screw (109). In fact the shutter (108) must assume diverse positions with the cylindrical housing and the slit (107) of the plate (106) not only in function to the step between the bigger glass sheet (1M) and the smaller glass sheet(1m) but also in function to the angled position of the head (100) in respect to the "insulating glass pane" (3), as can be deduced from figures 6 and 13. This is better explained in the description that follows all referring to the device which is the subject matter of this patent application. The sealing head (100), equipped with many components such as the device that reads the step (commonly called "depth") between the edge of the smaller glass sheet (1m) and the external part of the spacer frame (2), the blade that shaves the corners, the sealant delivery hose, the sensors that read the glass sheet, etc. (illustrated in figures 2, 9 and 10, but not numbered) up to the extrusion nozzle (101), is in itself known. The innovation consists in having added, to the nozzle (101), known and used for extruding the sealant against the peripheral joining for the part delimited by the external edge of the smaller glass sheet (1m) and the external part of the spacer frame (2), an extension formed by the plate 106, constituting an integral part of the nozzle (101), equipped with a slit (107) that can be partialized by means of the shutter (108). Such slit (107) is placed automatically against the face of the bigger glass sheet (1M), in correspondence to the band that extends out of alignment with the external edge of the smaller glass sheet (1m). The parallelism of the flat face of the plate (106) with the flat face of the bigger glass sheet (1M) is achieved by means of the casing (110) having at least two bushings (111) integral with the same casing and slidling on at least two pins (112) fixed on the known part of the head (100), the casing (110) itself is pushed against the glass sheet by the spring (113), whose reaction is discharged on the known structure of the head (100) where the opening/closing valve of the sealant generically indicated with (117) is also housed. On the face of the metal plate (106) is located a sliding block spacer (114) in self-lubricating plastic material that protrudes, in respect to the face (106), in a measure equal to the required thickness of the sealant to be spread on the protruding face of the bigger glass sheet (1M). A counter-action wheel (115) supported by a bracket (116) fixed to the known head (100) is conveniently located to counter the force exercised by the spring (113).
Viewing concurrently figures 4, 8 and 11 one can immediately deduce how, during the sealing stage of the first lower horizontal side, whilst for the part known the nozzle (101) carries out the filling of the perimeter edge, for the inventive part the slit (107) delivers the sealant which due to the action of the face (106) and of the sliding block spacer (114) is applied on the face of the bigger glass sheet (1M) in the part that protrudes in respect to the edge of the smaller glass sheet (1m). It is consequently clear that, given that the step can be different side per side between the bigger glass sheet (1M) and the smaller glass sheet (1m), the function of the synchronous motor (103) carrying out the positioning of the shutter (108) is that of placing the shutter at the point corresponding to the step and keeping it there for all the required length regarding that side, as well as changing the length side per side based on the information coming from the process computer contained in the electric/electronic panel (11) and interfaced with the user by means of the desk (12).
After terminating the execution of the first lower side (3a) of the "insulating glass pane" (3), the head (100) in its entirety carries out a rotation (90° in the case of the rectangular glass sheet as described before) by means of the action of the synchronous motor (102) and the relative mechanical transmission known. In the known technique this is only a transitory stage during which the valve (117) is closed more or less before, opened more or less after, in certain cases controlled intermittently, in certain cases with adjustment of capacity, in such a way as to apply the right amount of sealant in corrispondence to the corner perimeter joining. In the innovative technique concerning this patent application, in addition to the known operations just described, the drives of the motors (102) and (103) act convienently, coordinated by the process computer contained in the electric/electronic panel (11) as described in the next paragraph.
Viewing concurrently figures 6, 8 and 13 one can immediately deduce how, during the sealing stage of the first joining corner of the first lower horizontal side (3a) with the second vertical rear side (3b), whilst for the part known the nozzle (101) carries out the filling of the perimeter edge, for the inventive part the slit (107) delivers the sealant which due to the action of the face (106) and the sliding block spacer (114) is applied on the face of the bigger glass sheet (1M) in the part that protrudes in respect to the edge of the smaller glass sheet (1m). In addition to what was previously described relative to the positioning of the shutter (108) side per side in function to the step between the bigger glass sheet (1M) and the smaller glass sheet (1m), in this transitory stage regarding the corner, the synchronous motor (103) that carries out the positioning of the shutter (108) and the motor (102) that carries out the angled positioning of the head (100) are electric axis interlinked as to change the position of the shutter (108) that must partialize the slit (107) in function to the angular stage, the protrusion of the previously finished side (3a) and the next side to be sealed (3b) and the shape of the "insulating glass pane" (3), the most simple case being the rectangular shape here described. Such correlations are coordinated by the process computer contained in the electric/electronic panel (11) and are interfaced with the user by means of the desk (12).
In the next stages concerning the sides (3b), (3c) and (3d) and the corners (3b/3c), (3c/3d) and (3d/3a) the sequences described are repeated, only that, alternatively, it is the "insulating glass pane" (3) that moves horizontally while the head (100) remains stationary, and it is the "insulating glass pane" (3) that remains stationary and the head (100) that moves vertically [as in the case of the sealing of the second vertical side (3b)].
Once all the four sides (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), and the corners (3a/3b, 3b/3c, 3c/3d)) of the "insulating glass pane" (3) with rectangular shape have been completed, the sealing of the fourth corner (3d/3a) and the relative "spatula-coating" can be carried out simply by effecting the vertical run of the head (100) until the sliding block spacer (114) reaches the margin of the bigger glass sheet (1M) and then effecting a horizontal movement of the "insulating glass pane" (3) until it disengages from the sealing and "spatula-coating" devices and proceeds towards the unloading station of the finished product.
All the movements connected to the stages of the cycle are of course interlocked, aided by means of a parallel logic kept constantly active in order to prevent, during the process, situations of reciprocal interference between the actuating members and material being processed.
The present finding is subject to numerous realizable variants (with respect to what can be deduced from the drawings, whose details are evident and eloquent) all coming within the sphere of equivalence with the inventive concept, thus, for example, the mechanical solutions for the displacement motions and for the adjustment of the shutter, the support and conveying of the glass sheet, the vertical displacement of the head containing the extrusion nozzle and the "spatula-coating" device, the rotation of the head containing the extrusion nozzle and the "spatula-coating" device, etc., the drive means which can be electric, electric-electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic and/or combined, etc, the control means which can be electronic or fluidic and/or combined, etc..
A variant of the finding, but inherent practically only to the software and thus using the variants of the same known devices for the sealing part and the same device described for the "spatula-coating" part, is the one costituited by the logic combination of the drives, respectively, the horizontal traslation of the "insulating glass pane" (3), the vertical traslation of the head (100), the rotation of the head (100), by means of the synchronous motor (102), the positioning of the shutter (108) by means of the synchronous motor (103) as to enable the "spatula-coating" on an "insulating glass pane" (3') having a shape other than rectangular being it a regular or non-regular polygonal or on an "insulating glass pane" (3'') having a shape other than rectangular being it curvilinear or on an "insulating glass pane" (3''') having a shape other than rectangular it containing both rectilinear and curvilinear parts.
To achieve this, in order to complete what above described, the electric drives of the four motors, two for the horizontal and vertical axes known, respectively moving the "insulating glass pane" (3) and the head (100), one (102) for the rotation of the known head (100) and used also for the "spatula-coating", one (103) specific for the adjustment of the shutter, are interlinked by means of electric axis (numerical control).
A further variant, only of the software, insofar as all that is required is to add an option to the PLC program, is that of carrying out a joining between the "head" and the "tail" of the sealing and the "spatula-coating", in correspondence to a linear part of the perimeter instead of in a singular area such as that of a corner. This option is necessary in the case of a shaped "insulating glass panes" (3) having curved portions in correspondence to all the corners of the rectangle or all the cusps of the polygon or composed only of curvilinear portions. This is conveniently achieved by commencing and terminating the operations in the position selected and backing the sealing head (100) at the end of the cycle as to detach the sliding block spacer (114) from the face of the bigger glass sheet (1M), after having moved the counter-action wheel (115), with known mechanisms. With this solution however the "head"/"tail" area of the coating needs to be lightly retouched manually.
A further variant, mainly of the software, insofar as all that is required is to add an option to the PLC program and a slightly different construction of the end part of the shutter (108), is that of carrying out the sealing of the joining alone and not the "spatula-coating" of the face even if the glass sheets are stepped, as illustrated in figures 1E and 1G. It in fact simply entails closing all the slit (107), so that no sealant is extruded towards the internal face of the bigger glass sheet (1M).
The construction details can be replaced with others that are technically equivalent. There can be any materials and dimensions according to needs, in particular in function to the dimensions (base and height) and/or the shape of the "glass sheets" (1) forming the "insulating glass pane" (3).
The above description refers to an automatic sealing machine (10) which includes the device for the "spatula-coating", located at the end of the line that produces insulating glass, in respect to which sealing machine the preceding machines (coupling machine and gas filling machine) are located to the left; it is not difficult to imagine a description and relative figures in the case of specular layouts or other different layouts, for example including a change of direction of the line.
In general, the sequence of the sealing and the "spatula-coating" of the sides described, that is, first lower horizontal side (3a), second rear vertical side(3b), third upper horizontal side (3c), fourth front vertical side(3d), can be changed based on the global needs of the insulating glass pane production line, cycle time optimizing, alternating of stepped sides in respect to those that are not stepped, etc. However, a different sequence does not entail changes to the inventive concept but only implies intervention on the software.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The unquestionable success in industrial application is obvious insofar as the machines for the automatic execution of the second sealing have developed greatly in the past ten years, so much so that the applicant of this patent application has already placed at least two hundred on the market, but such automatic sealing of these machines being limited to the perimeter edge area found between the external face of the spacer frame and the lateral faces of the glass sheets as can be seen in figures 1A to 1E and in figure 1G but never never including the solutions as per figures 1F and 1H that, according to the state of the art, are carried out manually for the part called "spatula-coating". Together with the diffusion of such automatic machines, the sector of the so-called continuous windows and the so-called structural windows has developed in which, not only for the aesthetic result but also for improved functinal adhesion of the subsequent sealing to the window or the structure, "spatula-coating" is generally requested.
Furthermore, the "double-glazing" market is in constant expansion, having in recent years been augmented with all those configurations requiring the use of insulating panes with shapes other than rectangular (3), for example polygonal (3'), curvilinea (3'') or mixed (3'''), for which the device, which is the subject matter of this application, given its characteristic of adaptability needed for rectangular executions (3) , is particularly suited.
The fact that the present finding can be included in the double-glazing production line, as shown in figures 15 and 16 (front view and plan view), is the unquestionable proof of the success attainable in industrial application.

Claims

Device for the spatula-coating of sealant on the internal face of the glass sheet (1M) of the insulating glass pane (3) for the portion that protrudes in respect to the corresponding glass sheet (1m) or to the corresponding glass sheets (1m), in addition to the main sealing regarding the joining between glass sheets (1) and spacer frame (2), such protruding portion involving all the perimeter or part of the perimeter of the insulating glass pane (3) and such protruding portion being constant or variabile along the perimeter of the insulating glass pane (3) itself characterized by the fact that it is automatic and that the duct that delivers the sealant to the adjacent slit (107) and the slit (107) itself can be partialized during the distribution stage of the sealant itself.
Device as per claim 1
characterized by the fact that the partializing is achieved with a shutter (108) whose shape is conjugated with the duct and the slit (107).
Device as per claim 1
characterized by the fact that the partializing is achieved with a shutter (108) whose shape is conjugated with the sole duct.
Device as per claim 1
characterized by the fact that the control of the shutter (108) is activated by means of a synchronous motor (103) driving a screw (104) interacting with a nut screw (109), the nut screw being integral with the shutter (108).
Device as per claim 1
characterized by the f act that the control of the shutter (108) is activated by means of a synchronous motor (103) and is electric axis interlinked with the control of the rotation of the head (100) activated by means of the synchronous motor (102).
Device as per claim 4
characterized by the fact that the shutter (108) has a field of adjustment ranging from the maximum extension corrisponding to the protrusion of the bigger glass sheet (1M) in respect to the smaller glass sheet (1m) up to zero.
Device as per claim 6
characterized by the fact that the shutter (108) in its zero position enables the sole sealing of the joining in the case of aligned glass sheets (1) constituting the insulating glass pane (3) or the sole sealing of the joining and the non coating of sealant on the internal face of the bigger glass sheet (1M) protruding in respect to the smaller glass glass sheet (1m) costituting the insulating glass pane (3).
Device as per claim 1
characterized by the fact that by means of combination of linear movements of the insulating glass pane (3), linear movements of the sealing and coating head (100), angular movements of the sealing and coating head (100) and linear movements of the shutter (108) it is possible to process insulating panes (3) having a shape different from rectangular.
Device as per claim 1
characterized by the fact that the beginning of the sealing and coating process is not carried out in correspondence to the beginning of a side but in an intermediate position.