EP2408991B1 - Device for applying spacer tape - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device having the features of the preamble of claim 1 ( DE-A-103 50 312 ).

Usually, the spacers between the glass panes of two or more glass panes comprising insulating glass made of aluminum or steel hollow sections.

From the DE-A-30 02 904 is a spacer strip, often referred to as a "swiggle strip", of rectangular cross-section which, provided with protective films, comes from a storage drum or reel and is applied to a glass sheet by means of a reversible head device. This spacer tape based on butyl rubber is tough-plastic, highly adhesive (which is desirable for a gas-tight connection first with the first and later the second glass pane of the insulating glass pane), but has a strong temperature-dependent viscosity.

More recently, substantially less temperature-sensitive elastomeric spacer tapes based on polyurethane or the like have been developed, which also have a rectangular cross-section, are dimensional and dimensionally stable than the so-called "swiggle strip", and later have a diffusion barrier, e.g. have a lamination of aluminum foil, and are provided on the manufacturer for the gluing with the glass sheets narrow sides manufacturer with a thin, covered until the application of the spacer tape with protective films coating of a highly adhesive adhesive.

From the DE-A-102 12 359 For example, a method and a device for applying such a spacer strip to glass panes of insulating glass panes consisting of at least two panes of glass are known.

From the DE-A-103 50 312 For example, a device for producing insulating glass panes is known which has a device for applying an elastoplastic spacer strip. This device for applying a spacer strip in the manufacture of insulating glass panes comprises a supply reel for the tape, a plurality of driven tape guide rollers and a relative to a glass pane movable pressure head for the spacer strip. In contrast to the prior art, an elastoplastic spacer tape is used whose side surfaces are not yet coated with an adhesive. This is rather only applied shortly before the application of the spacer strip on the side surfaces. For this purpose, opposing nozzles are provided between the supply reel and the pressure head, which coat the side surfaces of the spacer strip with the adhesive.

The EP 1 643 072 A shows the manufacture of insulating glass with spacer frame of steel profiles. Several rolls are provided, on which steel strips with different widths are kept in stock. Spacer profiles are produced in two roll forming stations connected in succession, different profile formats being mentioned. The spacer profiles are bent in stations to frame, and then covered by a conveyor after the introduction of desiccant with butyl. Regardless of the type of spacer is in the EP 1 643 072 A the thought of using different types is mentioned. However, the majority of supply rolls refers only to a precursor (steel strip) and not to finished spacers.

Often, the problem arises that an elastoplastic spacer tape, which is arranged as a spacer between the glass panes of an insulating glass pane, must be applied (applied) with a different width when insulating glass panes are to produce with different sized air gaps. In the known devices (see above), this requires that the elastoplastic spacer tape be pulled out of the feeder (the applicator head) and a new spacer tape having a width corresponding to the desired width (thickness) of the air gap threaded.

This is a job that requires time, which is undesirable for modern insulating glass manufacturing plants, as already for reasons of economy short cycle times are desired.

In particular, there is the problem of differently wide elastoplastic spacer bands when multi-pane insulating glass (at least three panes) are produced and between the individual panes of glass to have different widths of air gaps.

The invention is based on the object to provide a device with which the exchange of elastoplastic spacer bands, which serve as spacers of insulating glass, is possible in a simple manner.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a device having the features of claim 1.

Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

With the device according to the invention the change of elastoplastic spacer bands is possible in the short term and without tedious input and Ausfädelarbeiten.

Thanks to the construction according to the invention, the coating station (nozzle head with two nozzle pairs) can be used for applying adhesive, e.g. Butyl adhesive, on the side surfaces of the spacer band readily the respectively required spacer band (spacer band with corresponding width) are assigned by the respective required nozzle pair is activated.

Also, the device according to the invention, the device for cutting the elastoplastic spacer strip on the one hand and the means for producing V-shaped cuts (notches) in the areas of the spacer strip, which allows later form corners of the spacer, on the other hand form so that they can be optionally supplied to each required spacer strip.

The device according to the invention not only allows spacer strips with different widths optionally to be supplied to the glass pane and applied, but also to select differently designed spacer strips in accordance with the respective prevailing requirements.

In the device according to the invention at least two supply points (reels) are provided for serving as spacers elastoplastic spacer strips.

The devices for feeding ("Applizierköpfe") can, moreover, as usual, for example as shown in DE-A-103 50 312 or the DE-A-102 12 359 or finally like that WO 2006/003505 A be known, trained. In this case, in the invention, the feeders and the supply reels (storage drums) for the elastoplastic spacer strips, which serve as spacers, in any arrangement to each other, for example, side by side, be arranged. Only in the areas where the nozzle head for applying the adhesive adhesive and / or the device for cutting and the device for producing V-shaped cuts is provided, the spacer bands can be approximated to each other.

Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment.

• Fig. 1 eine stark vereinfachte Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Applizieren eines Abstandhalterbandes,
• Fig. 2 das Abstandhalterband im Querschnitt zwischen den Beschichtungsdüsen in stark vergrößertem Maßstab,
• Fig. 3 ein nachgeordnetes Rollenpaar zum seitlichen Führen des Abstandhalterbandes, ebenfalls in vergrößertem Maßstab,
• Fig. 4 stark vereinfacht eine Vorrichtung zum Applizieren unterschiedlicher Abstandhalterbänder,
• Fig. 5 in Schrägansicht teilweise einen Applizierkopf, und
• Fig. 6 teilweise schematisch weitere Teile eines Applizierkopfes.

It shows:

• Fig. 1 a greatly simplified side view of a device for applying a spacer strip,
• Fig. 2 the spacer strip in cross section between the coating nozzles in a greatly enlarged scale,
• Fig. 3 a subordinate pair of rollers for laterally guiding the spacer strip, also on an enlarged scale,
• Fig. 4 greatly simplifies a device for applying different spacer strips,
• Fig. 5 in an oblique view partially an applicator, and
• Fig. 6 partly schematically further parts of an applicator head.

In the device of Fig. 1 be elastoplastic spacer strips 1, 1 'with a rectangular cross-section (see Fig. 2 ) of supply reels 2, each sitting on a driven shaft 3, withdrawn via guide rollers 4 by optionally provided Wegmeßme 5.

This is followed by a distance in which the spacer bands 1,1 'hang freely. The slack is maintained between a (upper) minimum value and a (lower) maximum value by lower sensors 30 and upper sensors 31 which are connected via signal cables to the machine control (not shown) from the signals of the sensors 30 and 31 acts on the reel and roller drives. This ensures that the spacer strips 1, 1 'without longitudinal stresses, i. neither compressed nor stretched, then run into a Applizierkopf 20 via further pairs of rollers as 7 and 8, which is movable via a carriage 21 in the direction of the double arrow on a column 22. The column 22 is slightly inclined to the vertical and parallel to a support wall 23, e.g. an air cushion support wall resting on a machine frame 24. Against the support wall 23 is a glass plate 40, the lower edge of which is supported on a linear conveyor 25, e.g. a roller conveyor 25, gets up. With the linear conveyor 25, in particular supported by a vacuum conveyor 26 which is displaceable on horizontal guides 27, the glass pane 40 is reversibly transportable. The vacuum conveyor 26 may be a vacuum sucker coupled to the linear conveyor 25 or an endless vacuum conveyor belt.

The Applizierkopf 20 in turn is reversible about an axis perpendicular to the column 22. By displacing the applicator head 20 relative to the glass pane 40 and moving the glass pane 40 itself, the spacer strip 1 or the spacer strip 1 'is pressed peripherally circumferentially against the glass pane 40.

The spacer band 1 passes through a coating station 10 which is integrated into the applicator head 20 and which is connected via a conduit 14 to a pump 15 with an adhesive, e.g. a butyl adhesive containing container 13 is connected. The coating station 10, in which an adhesive layer is applied to the side surfaces of the spacer bands 1, 1 ', comprises two pairs of nozzles 11, 12, which are jointly supplied with adhesive from the conduit 14.

Fig. 2 shows schematically one of the arranged in the coating station 10 nozzle pairs 11 and 12 for applying the adhesive to the side surfaces of the spacer strip 1 and 1 '. The flow of the adhesive through the nozzles 11 and 12 is controlled by means of actuators driven slides 11.1 and 12.1 in such a way that the Side surfaces of the spacer strip 1 and 1 ', each with an adhesive layer 1.1 or 1.2 substantially constant, that are independent of the instantaneous speed of the belt 1 thickness coated. For this purpose, the drive motors of the slide 11.1 and 12.1 and optionally downstream thickness gauge devices are connected to the machine control (not shown). The nozzles 11 and 12 are adapted to adjust the distance of their mouths on spacer bands 1,1 'different width according to the double arrows.

In Fig. 3 If necessary, subordinate pairs of rollers for laterally guiding the spacer band 1 of different profiling are shown to the coating station 10, so that the illustrated rollers 6.1 and 6.2 contact the spacer bands 1, 1 'only at the edges of the band side surfaces. The rollers, such as rollers 6.1 and 6.2, may be freewheeling or seated on the shafts of unillustrated drive motors which maintain the peripheral speed of the rollers synchronously and in accordance with the instantaneous or instantly required tape speed.

In the apparatus according to the invention (see. Fig. 4 ) two stations with supply reels 2, provided with the rollers 4 and with the optionally provided path measuring device 5.

In Applizierkopf 20 a coating station 10 is provided for the application of butyl adhesive. The coating station 10 is for example as shown in DE-A-103 50 312 known, but is formed in the apparatus according to the invention so that either the spacer strip 1 or the spacer strip 1 'processed, ie by the selected nozzle pair 11, 12 can be coated with adhesive, then to the facing surface of the glass plate 40 to apply. The spacer strips 1 and 1 'have different dimensions, colors and / or cross-sectional shapes.

In the apparatus according to the invention, in the application head 20, a device 50 (FIG. Fig. 5 ) for cutting the band 1, 1 'is provided, in which the spacer strip 1 or 1' is cut to the required length, and in which by means of a device 51 V-shaped cutouts (notches) or Miter cuts (thus the spacer strip 1 or 1 'in the corner areas can be abgeboden sharpened) can be produced. The device 50 may comprise a knife for cutting spacer strip 1, 1 '. In an alternative embodiment, the device 50 has a knife, with which spacer strip 1, 1 'is cut to length, and for the device 51 another knife, with the V-shaped cutouts in the spacer strips 1, 1' can be generated.

If, when using the device according to the invention, it is necessary to change from the spacer strip 1 to the spacer strip 1 'because an insulating glass pane is required which requires a different spacer strip 1 as a spacer, for example the spacer strip 1', this will not be required in a device 70 Spacer tape 1 or 1 'stopped (eg clamped) and the required spacer tape 1' or 1, so the tape with the desired dimensions / properties, advanced and applied to the glass pane 40, which can be practically continued uninterrupted.

It is contemplated by the scope of the invention that the apparatus 50 and the device 51 are adapted to be suitable for cutting in length or V-shaped all cross-sectional shapes of spacer spacer bands 1, 1 '.

It should also be pointed out that, although the invention is shown with reference to an embodiment with stationary arranged Ablaufstationen for spacer strips 1, 1 ', the supply reels 2 for spacer strips 1,1' can also be designed to ride on the coating head 20. This embodiment is preferred in certain applications.

A preferred embodiment for an applicator 20 is schematically and omitting individual components and panels in the Fig. 5 and 6 shown. In the applicator head 20, the spacer strips 1, 1 'coated in the coating station 10, guided by optionally driven roller pairs 91 and 93, are advanced past the carriage 21 to deflection rollers 65, 67. The deflection rollers 65, 67 provided in the applicator head 20 for the spacer strips 1, 1 'can be driven independently of one another by two drive motors 61, 63. Subsequent to the deflection rollers 65, 67, a device 70 is provided, which is displaceable transversely to the direction of movement of the spacer strips 1, 1 'by means of a drive 71, so that only the respective required spacer strip 1 or 1' of a feed unit 80 for the selected spacer strip 1 or 1 'is supplied. It is provided that the respectively not required spacer tape is stopped before the feed unit 80 with the two feed rollers 81, 83, in particular in the device 70 is clamped to prevent it from sliding back out of the Applizierkopf 20.

The pairs of rollers 91 and 93 are driven so that the spacer band 1, 1 'is driven between the pair of rollers, depending on the speed at which the selected spacer belt 1 or 1' is advanced (conveyed) by the feed device 80 with the feed rollers 81 and 83 93 and the pulleys 65 and 67 sags, so is neither compressed nor stretched (upsetting as well as stretching damage the diffusion barrier on spacer strip 1, 1 '!).

Subsequent to the advancing device 80, the device 50 for cutting spacer strip 1,1 'to the respectively desired length and the device 51 for producing V-shaped cutouts in the spacer strip 1, 1' (as in FIG Fig. 5 shown) with a V-shaped blade or two V-shaped blades 51 is arranged.

It should also be pointed out that between each supply station with the supply reel 2 and the application head 20 a separate slack control is associated with the sensors 30, 31. This is important because the slack control with the sensors 30, 31 also has the purpose to control the drive of the supply reel 2, so that it is achieved that the supply reel 2 with the unnecessary band 1 or 1 'is stopped when the slack control with the sensors 30, 31 determines that the slack would be too large.

For the control of the slack in the spacer band 1, 1 'between the pair of rollers 93 and the guide rollers 65, 67 are sensors similar to the sensors 30 and 31 at the arrow 33 in FIG Fig. 6 marked spot, ie where the slack exists, provided.

In summary, an embodiment of the invention can be described as follows:

A device for applying an elastoplastic spacer strip 1, 1 'as a spacer in the manufacture of insulating glass panes comprises at least two supply reels 2 for spacer strips 1, 1', a plurality of driven tape guide rollers 4, 6, 7, 8 and a movable Applizierkopf 20 for the selected spacer tape 1, 1 ', by means of which the spacer strip 1 or 1' is pressed onto a glass pane 40. For coating the one or the other spacer strip 1, 1 ', a coating station 10 with two coating nozzles 11, 12 is provided, from which adhesive adhesive (butyl rubber) is sprayed onto the side surfaces of the selected spacer strip 1, 1'. In the Applizierkopf 20 each unused spacer strip 1 or 1 'is stopped so that either the one or the other spacer strip 1, 1', depending on which spacer strip 1, 1 'for the production of a special insulating glass pane is required on the glass sheet 40 is applied. This eliminates the tedious threading and unthreading spacer strips 1, 1 'in the device and it saves time.

Claims (18)

1. Device for applying flexible, in particular elastoplastic, spacer tapes (1) onto glass plates (40) during the production of insulating glass panes, comprising a supply reel (2) for the spacer tape (1), a device (23, 24) for supporting the glass pane (40) onto which the spacer tape (1) is to be applied, and an application head (20), characterized in that at least one other supply reel (2') for an additional spacer tape (1') which is different to the first spacer tape (1), is assigned to the application head (20), that a device (70, 71) is provided on the application head (20) for aligning the desired spacer tape (1 or 1') relative to a feed device (80) for the spacer tape (1 or 1'), and that a clamping device for fixedly holding an unselected spacer tape (1, 1') is provided in the area of the device (70).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that a device having sensors (30, 31) for regulating sagging is provided between the application head (20) and each of the two supply reels (2, 2').
3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a coating station (10) having two nozzle pairs (11, 12) is provided on the application head (20) for applying adhesive, in particular adhesive based on butyl rubber, onto the side surfaces of the selected spacer tape (1 or 1').
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the nozzle pairs (11, 12) are assigned a common supply (13, 14, 15) of adhesive.
5. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a device (50) for cutting the spacer tape (1 or 1') to length is provided on the application head (20).
6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that a device (51) for generating V-shaped cutouts in the spacer tape (1 or 1') is provided on the application head (20), and that where appropriate, the device (51) is combined with the device (50) for cutting the spacer tape (1 or 1') length.
7. Device according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the spacing between the nozzles (11, 12) in the coating station (10) is adjustable to match the width of the selected spacer tape (1, 1'), by varying their distance apart.
8. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device to support the glass pane (40) onto which the spacer tape (1 or 1') is to be applied, comprises a supporting wall (23) and a linear conveyor (25).
9. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a device (25, 26, 27) is provided for moving the glass pane (40) normally to the direction of motion of the application head (20).
10. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the device comprises a vacuum suction unit and/or a vacuum conveyor belt (26).
11. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that independently controllable guide rollers (65, 67) are provided on the application head (20) for spacer tapes (1, 1') that are being fed.
12. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the device (70) is adjustable perpendicular to the path of motion of the spacer tape (1, 1').
13. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the feed device (80) has two rotary driven feed rollers (81, 83).
14. Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that in relation to the direction of motion of the tapes (1, 1'), the device (10) for coating the spacer tape (1, 1') with adhesive is provided ahead of the guide rollers (65, 67) or the device (70), or ahead of the feed device (80).
15. Apparatus according to Claim 15 or 16, characterized in that in relation to the direction of motion of the spacer tapes (1, 1'), the device (50) for cutting to length and the device (51) for cutting out V-shaped sections of spacer tape (1, 1') are provided after the feed device (80) or the coating station (10).
16. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that sag regulating devices with sensors (30, 31) are provided in connection with each supply reel (2, 2') for spacer tapes (1, 1'), that are functionally coupled to the rotary drive for the supply reels (2, 2').
17. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that in the application head (20) a device is provided which has sensors for regulating the sag between the feed rollers (93) for spacer tapes (1, 1') and the guide rollers (65, 67).
18. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that roller pairs (91 and 93) provided in the application head (20) are driven in accordance with the feed rollers (81, 83) of the feed device (80).

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