EP4013935B1 - Spacer for insulated glass units - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a spacer for insulating glass panes and to insulating glass panes with two or more glass panes which are held at a predetermined distance by a frame formed from the spacer.

The spacer has an inner surface, an outer surface and two side surfaces extending on both sides of the spacer from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Conventional spacers are usually equipped with one or more chambers for desiccant, which serves to keep the interior of the insulating glass panes dry and thus prevent the precipitation of condensation in the interior of the pane.

An example of this is from the DE 198 07 454 A1 With these spacers, the cavity forming the receiving chamber is filled with a predetermined amount of desiccant when the spacer frame is formed.

Alternatively, spacers with desiccant particles integrated into the spacer profile body or its binder matrix are also known, for example from WO 2004/081331 A1 The spacers are either cut to size and assembled into a frame using fasteners or bent into a frame from a single piece. The binder matrix is formed from a water vapor permeable plastic material.

From the EP 0 261 923 A2 Rollable spacers are known in which a spacer is made of a foamed elastomer material that contains a desiccant. Rollable spacers are also referred to below as windable or coilable.

Furthermore, spacers are known which are suitable for the production of triple insulating glass panes, which have a receiving area for a third, middle glass pane in the middle area between the side surfaces where the outer glass panes come into contact. An example of this is from the WO 2014/198431 A1 known.

The document DE102010010432 also discloses a state of the art spacer.

Spacers sold in bar form pose the problem of handling and the relatively short length of the bars, which is typically limited to around 5 to 6 m. The reuse of leftover lengths leads to greater effort in the production of the insulating glass panes. In addition, the transport of the spacers, which are typically packaged in so-called stanchions, is more complex and expensive due to the dimensions of the stanchions, which exceed the typical dimensions of pallets.

Roll-up spacers made of an elastomer material are easier to handle, particularly during transport. They are commercially available, for example from Edgetech Europe GmbH under the brand SuperSpacer ^® , and can be supplied in longer lengths. However, these spacers not only have a lower flexural rigidity when exposed to forces perpendicular to the outer surface, but also a lower flexural rigidity when exposed to forces perpendicular to the side surfaces and a lower shore hardness. This means that the usual assembly of rigid (hollow profile) spacers by applying a primary butyl sealant to the side and pressing this butyl compound to a layer thickness of approx. 0.2 to approx. 0.5 mm without deforming the spacer is not possible or only possible under difficult conditions.

In order to be able to handle the insulating glass panes before a secondary sealant, typically applied to the edge of the pane, has hardened, additional assembly aids are usually used, e.g. in the form of acrylic adhesives applied to the sides, which prevent the spacers from slipping relative to the glass panes as well as the glass panes from slipping relative to each other during assembly of the insulating glass panes.

These spacers are made with a butyl primary seal in order to comply with the maximum permissible moisture absorption and gas loss rate required by DIN EN 1279 Parts 2 and 3 (2018). Since the conventional butyl cannot be pressed between the spacer and the glass panes with the usual forces due to the lower Shore hardness and lower bending stiffness when force is applied perpendicular to the side surfaces, "softer" butyl materials are generally used to ensure that all cavities and porosities (e.g. the glass surface) are filled.

In the case of spacers with chambers for desiccants, the additional work involved in processing the spacers into a spacer frame is the introduction of the desiccant as granules. This is usually done in a separate operation on a so-called desiccant filling machine.

In view of the above-mentioned aspects, the object of the present invention is to provide a spacer which can be transported with little effort, which can be easily formed into a spacer frame and which can be installed easily and yet precisely with the glass panes during the manufacture of the insulating glass pane.

This object is achieved by a spacer for insulating glass panes as defined in claim 1.

The inner and/or outer surface of the spacer according to the invention can be formed by the inner surface or the outer surface of the base body of the profile body. When installed in the insulating glass pane, the inner surface of the spacer according to the invention faces the interior of the pane, while the outer surface is placed on the outer edge region of the insulating glass pane, facing away from the interior of the pane.

The side surfaces of the profile body can also form the side surfaces of the spacer if the spacer is designed without a barrier layer on the outside of the profile body or if the barrier layer on the outside does not extend over the side surfaces of the profile body. In cases where the spacer has a barrier layer which is on the outside of the profile body and also extends over at least partial areas of the side surfaces of the profile body, the side surfaces of the spacer according to the invention are formed entirely or partially by the surface of the barrier layer facing away from the profile body, depending on the extent of the barrier layer.

Roll-up spacers in the sense of the present invention are understood to mean spacers that can be rolled up onto a core or mandrel with a diameter of approximately 200 mm to approximately 1,000 mm, in particular approximately 300 mm to approximately 500 mm, without significant plastic deformation. After unrolling the previously rolled-up spacers, they can preferably be returned to their original geometry with little effort and are easy to process in this form.

In this sense, the spacer according to the invention has a deflection of approximately 1 mm or more, more preferably approximately 1.3 mm or more, in particular approximately 1.7 mm or more, compared to an unloaded state when a force of 50 N is applied by a test stamp in the middle of a span. Typically, the upper limit of the deflection is approximately 25 mm, preferably approximately 10 mm, more preferably approximately 5 mm. The deflection is measured in the middle of the span on the outer surface. of the spacer when its outer surface rests on two support bodies with a support width of 100 mm, measured in the longitudinal direction of the spacer. The value determined in this way also essentially corresponds to the travel path of the test stamp. The force of 50 N is introduced into the spacer perpendicular to a plane running perpendicular to the side surfaces by means of a partially cylindrical stamp with a flat contour. If the spacer according to the invention rests with a side surface on two support bodies, it has a significantly lower deflection due to its flexural rigidity in a plane perpendicular to the side surfaces when a force from a test stamp is applied than when it is resting on the outer surface and the same force is applied perpendicular to the outer surface. In the interests of easy handling, the spacers according to the invention have a deflection of approx. 10 mm or less, more preferably approx. 5 mm or less, most preferably approx. 3 mm or less, compared to an unloaded state when a force of 100 N is applied perpendicular to the side surface in the middle of a support width. The deflection is measured on a side surface of the spacer when it rests on two supports with a support width of 100 mm, measured in the longitudinal direction of the spacer. The value determined in this way essentially corresponds to the travel of the test stamp. Such spacers are sufficiently stable in the transverse direction and are particularly easy to handle when manufacturing the insulating glass panes. Above all, the primary butyl sealant can also be pressed evenly, thus achieving a uniform and secure seal in the gap between the insulating glass panes.

When measuring the deflection when the spacer rests with one side surface on the support bodies, a partially cylindrical punch with a flat contour is used, whereby the force is introduced at the side surface which is opposite to the side surface resting on the support bodies.

The previously described deflection measurements (known as 3-point bending test) are essentially carried out analogously to the measurement of bending stiffness according to DIN EN ISO 178 (2013-09), as will be explained in more detail in the detailed description.

The profile bodies of the spacers according to the invention contain a proportion of a particulate desiccant in at least a partial volume, so that the introduction of desiccant into a cavity of the spacer when producing the spacer frames and installing them to form insulating glass panes can generally be omitted. This can in particular prevent desiccant grains or dust from getting into the space between the panes, as can be the case when filling with a loose bed of desiccant granulate. In addition, the spacer according to the invention can be manufactured without a closed receiving chamber for the desiccant, so that the manufacture of the spacer or its profile body, which takes place in particular by means of an extrusion process, is simplified.

The particulate desiccant is preferably extruded into the plastic material of the profile body. This improves the compressive strength of the profile body and thus of the spacer, while surprisingly the ability to roll up the spacer is not noticeably negatively affected.

Because the spacers according to the invention can be rolled up, they can be provided and transported in large lengths with a minimal volume, so that water vapor-tight packaging of the spacers provided in this way is also economically possible. In contrast, this causes greater problems with spacers manufactured and sold as bar goods and is often not feasible from an economic point of view.

There is also the problem with the spacers supplied as bar goods that they have to be connected in a variety of ways for continuous processing or when producing the spacer frame with longitudinal connectors or they have to be put together to form a frame using corner brackets.

For this, the spacer must have a hollow space into which these connecting elements can be inserted. If desiccant were to be incorporated into the material of these hollow profile spacers, it would have to be incorporated in a comparatively higher concentration for an identical mass of desiccant or the height of the spacers would have to be comparatively increased. A higher proportion of desiccant usually has a negative effect on the mechanical properties and a higher height leads to a deterioration of the Psi value in the so-called Uw value calculation of windows.

Finally, the formation of the corner areas of spacer frames is simplified in the spacers according to the invention due to the specified limited bending stiffness. In particular, the escape of desiccant, tearing and widening are avoided, and the sealing in the corner areas of the spacer frame is better than in the prior art. In addition, the corner formation can be made more attractive and acute-angled by machining the profile bodies of the spacers according to the invention, e.g. by punching or milling.

The flexural rigidity of the spacers according to the invention in a plane perpendicular to the side surfaces (increased transverse rigidity) not only enables the spacers according to the invention to be easily handled, but also the use of conventional primary butyl sealants and their pressing in the manufacture of the insulating glass panes.

Due to the material being significantly stronger than conventional flexible spacers, it is possible to attach components in the spaces between the panes in a conventional manner by screwing or attaching them with staples.

To further simplify the handling of the spacers according to the invention, reinforcing elements can be embedded in the plastic material of the profile body.

Particulate materials, fiber materials, surface materials and/or wire-shaped materials are used in particular as reinforcing elements. By selecting the reinforcing elements accordingly and placing them in the profile body of the spacer, the effect of the spacer returning to an essentially linear starting position and its flexural rigidity can be optimized.

The reinforcing elements also allow the thermal linear expansion coefficient α of the profile body to be limited preferably to approx. 5·10 ^-5 K ^-1 or less, more preferably to approx. 3.5·10 ^-5 K ^-1 . Ideally, the thermal linear expansion coefficient of the glass pane is approached.

In preferred spacers according to the invention, the profile body has side walls on both sides of the base body, which extend from the base body beyond its inner surface by approximately 0.5 mm or more, preferably approximately 1 mm or more, more preferably approximately 1.5 mm or more, and form the side surfaces of the profile body. The side walls are preferably aligned substantially parallel to one another.

The spacers according to the invention, in which the profile body has side walls, often have a substantially U-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In the case of the spacers designed for triple glazing, the cross-section is often essentially double-U-shaped. or W-shaped, since a receiving groove for the further (middle) glass pane is preferably provided on the inner surface between the side walls, as will be explained in more detail below.

Spacers according to the present invention preferably have a height H of approximately 6 mm or less, preferably approximately 5 mm or less. A low height of the spacer is advantageous for the ability to roll up or coil and improves the thermal properties (Psi values). In addition, a low spacer height is often a preferred design feature in connection with a lower edge bond of the insulating glass panes.

When determining the height H and the width B of a spacer profile according to the invention, the corresponding values of a rectangle comprising the cross-section of the spacer are used as a basis.

Spacers according to the invention typically have a width B of approximately 12 mm to approximately 44 mm, in particular approximately 14 mm to approximately 40 mm.

More preferably, the spacer according to the invention, viewed in cross-section perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, has an aspect ratio A which is defined as the quotient of the width B of the spacer and the height H of the spacer (A=B/H). The width B preferably has a value of approximately 30 mm or more in the case of spacers according to the invention designed for triple glazing. The height H is preferably approximately 5 mm or less. The aspect ratio A in particular has a value of approximately 6 or more, preferably a value of approximately 7 or more, particularly preferably a value of approximately 8 or more.

For spacers designed for double glazing, the aspect ratio A will preferably have a value of approximately 3 or more, particularly preferably a value of approximately 4.5 or more. The width B of the spacer However, in such embodiments of the invention, the width H is preferably about 24 mm or less, in particular 14 mm or 16 mm, while the height H typically has a value of about 5 mm or less.

The plastic material of the profile body of the spacer according to the invention preferably comprises one or more polymers which are selected from polyolefins, polyketones, polyesters, vinyl polymers, polyamides or blends of these polymers, the polymer or polymers preferably being polypropylene, polyethylene, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), acrylic-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), acrylic ester-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (ASA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide 6 (PA6), polyamide 66 (PA66) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These polymers have a sufficiently high water vapor permeability so that the desiccant embedded in the plastic material can develop its effect.

The particulate desiccant preferably comprises an absorbent which is selected from silicates, sulfates, oxides, in particular in the form of zeolite, calcium sulfate, silica gel, layered silicate, framework silicate, phosphorus oxide, aluminum oxide, alkali oxide and/or alkaline earth oxide.

A particularly preferred particulate desiccant is a porous desiccant, the average pore size preferably being about 3 angstroms. Zeolite 3A is an example of this.

The particulate desiccant is preferably embedded in the plastic material in a proportion of approximately 10% by weight or more, more preferably approximately 25% by weight to approximately 65% by weight, in particular approximately 35% by weight to approximately 45% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the profile body of the spacer. These amounts are sufficient for the typically expected service life of insulating glass panes. Furthermore, these proportions still allow the spacers according to the invention to be manufactured with the desired rollability.

In particular, the particulate desiccant is used in the form of a granulate with an average particle size D ₅₀ of approximately 1 mm or less, preferably approximately 0.5 mm or less, and/or in powder form with an average particle size D ₅₀ of approximately 0.1 mm or less in the plastic material of the spacers according to the invention.

The average particle size D ₅₀ can be determined optically, for example, using cross-sections or micrographs of the spacer profiles or also using the ignition residue.

The spacers according to the invention preferably have a proportion of desiccant, in such a way that a moisture absorption capacity of approx. 2 g of water per 100 g of spacer or more, more preferably from approx. 4 g to approx. 30 g per 100 g of spacer, is provided.

The moisture absorption capacity (hereinafter also referred to as moisture absorption capacity) can be determined using the standard DIN EN 1279-4 Appendix F (2018).

The plastic material of the spacer according to the invention is preferably selected such that the moisture content of the spacer after storage in a standard climate (50% ± 10% relative humidity at a temperature of 23 °C ± 2 °C) for a storage period of 48 hours is approximately 50% or less of the maximum moisture absorption capacity, preferably approximately 30% or less of the maximum moisture absorption capacity, more preferably approximately 20% or less of the maximum moisture absorption capacity.

This ensures that the spacer or desiccant is not pre-loaded with excessive moisture or humidity when assembling the insulating glass pane, even if the spacer according to the invention is exposed to the ambient air for a period of time. Flexible spacers made of silicone foam, in particular, are known from the prior art. have a very rapid moisture absorption, so that they can only be exposed to the ambient air for a very short time in order to avoid excessive pre-loading of the desiccant when assembling the insulating glass pane. According to DIN EN 1279-6 (2018), the initial loading Ti before aging for a desiccant embedded in a polymer matrix must be less than 20% of the moisture absorption capacity (Tc). In this respect, the slower moisture absorption offers increased safety during processing with regard to avoiding excessive initial loading.

Reinforcing materials, in particular in the form of glass fibers, can also be embedded in the plastic material of the profile bodies of the spacers according to the invention. The content of glass fibers is preferably limited to approximately 25% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the profile body. More preferably, the glass fiber content is approximately 20% by weight or less, in particular approximately 15% by weight or less. Most preferred are glass fiber contents of approximately 10% by weight or less.

From the point of view of the desired thermal insulation of the spacers according to the invention, the plastic material of the profile body is selected so that a specific thermal conductivity of approx. 0.8 W/(m·K) or less, in particular of approx. 0.5 W/(m·K) or less, is achieved. Ideally, the thermal conductivity of the spacer is as low as possible. This can be achieved by selecting a suitable material for the plastic material and/or a porosity of the plastic material.

The spacer according to the invention preferably has several ribs on the inner surface that are spaced apart from one another and run parallel to the longitudinal direction, which enlarge the inner surface of the spacer that is arranged towards the interior of the pane, so that water vapor is absorbed more quickly. Furthermore, this structure can also have a positive effect on the appearance of the spacer.

The profile body of the spacer according to the invention can further comprise functional elements formed in one piece with it. Such functional elements can serve to further functionalize the spacers according to the invention and can, for example, have the form of grooves or projections. In addition to a modification, e.g. enlarging the surface that faces the interior of an insulating glass pane when the spacer is installed, the possibility can be created to accommodate additional desiccant bodies that, if necessary, serve to increase the moisture absorption capacity and/or to simply modify the appearance of the spacers when installed. An optical modification of the inner surface of the spacer is also possible in a simple manner.

A further use of these functional elements is the assembly or securing of position/guiding of other, separately manufactured functional elements, in particular built-in components such as pleated blinds or Venetian blinds in the space between the panes.

The functional elements including the additional functional elements can be selected from surface elements that are planar, curved, in particular partially circular, branched or angled in cross-section and/or elements that enclose one or more cavities. Such functional elements can also be used to provide receiving chambers for additional amounts of desiccant.

Furthermore, the spacers according to the invention can have a continuous groove on the inner surface, parallel to the side surfaces of the profile body and spaced from them, for receiving a glass pane edge. This groove can then receive another glass pane, so that triple glazing can be produced.

Triple glazing can be produced particularly efficiently using the spacers according to the invention. Compared to the use of two conventional spacers placed parallel to one another, only a single spacer needs to be handled, thus avoiding an offset of the spacers in one space between the panes compared to the spacers in the other space between the panes. In addition, heat conduction is reduced with the spacer according to the invention, since the middle pane does not interrupt the better insulating spacer according to the invention. In addition, there are only two sealing planes on the side surfaces of the spacer according to the invention and not four, as with the conventional use of one spacer per space between the panes.

Preferably, this groove is designed in such a way that it can receive the edge of the further glass pane in a force-fitting manner, wherein the profile body or its base body in the region of the groove is preferably made of a material so that the edge of the glass pane is received in the groove with a clamping force that is sufficient to hold the dead weight of the spacer.

The spacer is also preferably designed in such a way that the clamping force of the groove is sufficient to compensate for the restoring forces of the unrolled spacer. This makes the manufacture of triple insulating glass panes much easier. With an appropriate design of the clamping force, it is also possible to absorb and transfer the weight of the middle pane via the vertically arranged sections of the spacer frame, so that the lower part of the spacer frame does not have to bear any weight or only part of the weight of the middle pane during assembly. With an appropriate design, it is then possible to dispense with supporting the lower part of the spacer frame during production. Without sufficient clamping force, the lower part of the spacer frame and its bonding to the glass panes would have to absorb the entire weight of the middle pane of glass or, as previously described, the middle pane of glass would have to be supported by the assembly device in order to avoid a to prevent excessive bending or displacement of the spacer relative to the glass pane.

In addition, an adhesive can also be provided in the groove to additionally fix the middle glass pane.

The groove for receiving the edge area of a third glass pane can also be provided by a separately manufactured component connected to the profile body via the functional elements.

In such embodiments, the spacer according to the invention will often have two projections on the inner surface that run parallel to the longitudinal direction of the profile body and are spaced apart from one another, between which the groove is formed. This makes it easy to create a receptacle for the edge area of a third glass pane, while the material requirement can be kept to a minimum and/or the ability to roll up or coil can be additionally optimized.

In preferred embodiments of the spacers according to the invention, projections are formed in the region of the inner surface adjacent to its side surfaces, which protrude substantially perpendicularly from the inner surface. This allows the contact surfaces of the spacer on the outer glass panes to be enlarged, so that an improved sealing of the interior of the pane from the environment is achieved.

The outer surface of the base body is often essentially planar, while the inner surface can also be planar or concave. The advantages of these embodiments are that the height of the spacer according to the invention and the material requirements can be optimized.

The plastic material of the profile body of the spacer according to the invention can have a porosity with a pore structure at least in some areas, the average pore size of which is preferably about 5 µm to about 150 µm and the pore volume is preferably about 40 vol.% or less of the volume of the profile body. The average pore size can be determined, for example, optically using a cross-section or micrograph or by X-ray tomographic analysis. Porosity can be used to specifically influence various product properties such as weight per meter, rigidity, strength (Shore hardness D), thermal conductivity, kinetics of moisture absorption and sound insulation.

In preferred spacers according to the invention, the base body or its plastic material has a Shore hardness D (measured in accordance with DIN ISO 1976-1; 2012) of approximately 30 or more, preferably approximately 40 or more, most preferably approximately 50 or more.

Greater flexibility in the selection and composition of the plastic material of the profile body as well as its geometric design while at the same time maintaining the ability to roll up the spacer is achieved if recesses, in particular in the form of a slot or wedge, are provided on the outer and/or inner surface of the base body and/or the side surfaces of the profile body at regular intervals transverse to the longitudinal direction of the profile body.

Preferred spacers according to the invention have a barrier layer on the outer surface and optionally also on at least parts of the side surfaces with a barrier effect against gases, in particular against argon, oxygen and water vapor.

Preferably, the barrier layer is selected from a metal foil with a thickness of preferably up to approx. 100 µm, more preferably with a thickness in the range of approx. 10 µm to approx. 50 µm, in particular in the range of approx. 10 µm to approx. 20 µm. Preferably, a rolled stainless steel foil or a rolled aluminum foil, a multilayer film with a polymer-based carrier film and at least one, in particular vapor-deposited layer of metal, metal oxide or ceramic, a coating with platelet-shaped nanoparticles, in particular in the form of layered silicates, a flexible glass layer, a diffusion-inhibiting polymer film or a polymer film laminate is used as the barrier layer.

A particularly preferred spacer according to the invention is designed in such a way that it can be joined together continuously in the longitudinal direction without the need for auxiliary materials, in particular by means of a form fit and/or material fit, wherein the spacer can more preferably be joined together in the longitudinal direction by means of hooking, clipping or welding. The elements for joining end regions of the spacers together can be formed in particular in the region of the base body and/or the side walls of the profile body.

The present invention further relates, as already mentioned at the beginning, to an insulating glass pane with two outer glass panes held at a predetermined distance by a frame made from a spacer according to the invention.

In preferred insulating glass panes according to the invention, the two outer glass panes are bonded to the spacer according to the invention in the region of the side surfaces of the spacer or the side surfaces of the profile body by means of a primary sealant, wherein the primary sealant is preferably selected from synthetic rubber, polyisobutylene, butyl rubber, polyurethane, silicone polymer, silane-modified polymer, polysulfide and polyacrylate.

A secondary sealant can be applied over the entire surface of an edge region of the insulating glass pane according to the invention, which is formed by the outer surface of the spacer, in particular in the form of polysulfide, polyurethane, silicone and butyl-based hot melt.

The sealant application extends in particular continuously from one glass pane lying on the outside of one side surface of the spacer to the other glass pane lying on the other side surface, preferably with a substantially constant thickness. The sealant lies sealingly on the glass panes and on the outer surface of the spacer.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the sealant is applied in an edge area of the insulating glass pane only in the areas of the outer surface of the spacer that are adjacent to the side surfaces and the glass panes lying on the outside. Preferably, the secondary sealant is applied in a wedge shape to the outer edge of the insulating glass pane towards the two outer glass panes.

In preferred insulating glass panes according to the invention, it can be provided that the sealant application of primary and secondary sealant extends continuously between the side surfaces of the spacer and the first and second glass panes and over the outer surface.

The bond formed by the glass panes and the spacer frame with the aid of the primary sealant preferably has a strength that is sufficient to initially fix the spacer to the glass pane(s) with its own weight without the need for any aids.

In the case of spacers according to the invention which have a groove on the inner surface, the edge of a third glass pane can be used in a simple manner to form a triple insulating glass pane.

There are no restrictions on the glass panes that can be used for the insulating glass panes when using the spacers according to the invention. In particular, in addition to all types of common glass panes, Glass panes made of polymer materials, especially Plexiglas panes, can also be used. In the case of insulating glass panes with more than two panes of glass, polymer films can also be used for the panes arranged in the middle.

Figuren 1A bis 1D

eine erste Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Abstandhalters, zum Teil in verschiedenen Einbausituationen in einer Isolierglasscheibe, sowie Varianten dieses Abstandhalters;

Figuren 2A und 2B

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Abstandhalters und eine Variante hiervon;

Figuren 3A bis 3D

eine weitere Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Abstandhalters, zum Teil in verschiedenen Einbausituationen in einer Isolierglasscheibe, sowie eine Variante des Abstandhalters;

Figuren 4A und 4B

zwei Varianten einer Isolierglasscheibe mit erfindungsgemäßen Abstandhaltern;

Figuren 5A bis 5D

einen schematischen Testaufbau zur Bestimmung der Durchbiegung erfindungsgemäßer Abstandhalter senkrecht zu deren Außenoberfläche;

Figuren 6A bis 6D

einen schematischen Testaufbau zur Bestimmung der Durchbiegung erfindungsgemäßer Abstandhalter senkrecht zu einer Seitenfläche;

Figuren 7a bis 7i

schematische Profilgeometrien der Abstandhalterprofile a) bis i) gemäß Tabelle 1;

Figuren 8A bis 8C

Messkurven, erhalten mit verschiedenen Typen von Abstandhaltern bei einem Testaufbau gemäß Figur 5 und Figur 6;

Figuren 9A bis 9E

weitere Ausführungsformen des erfindungsgemäßen Abstandhalters und Varianten hiervon, zum Teil in verschiedenen Einbausituationen in einer Isolierglasscheibe;

Figur 10

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Abstandhalters;

Figur 11

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Abstandhalters mit mehreren Variationen eines Funktionselements;

Figuren 12A bis 12C

weitere Ausführungsformen des erfindungsgemäßen Abstandhalters mit unterschiedlichen Funktionselementen im eingebauten Zustand in einer Isolierglasscheibe; und

Figuren 13A bis 13F

verschiedene Versionen der Herstellung einer Verbindung zwischen zwei Abstandhalterendbereichen des Abstandhalters der Figur 1A.

These and other advantageous embodiments of the spacers according to the invention and insulating glass panes formed using the same are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. In detail:

Figures 1A to 1D

a first embodiment of the spacer according to the invention, partly in different installation situations in an insulating glass pane, as well as variants of this spacer;

Figures 2A and 2B

a further embodiment of a spacer according to the invention and a variant thereof;

Figures 3A to 3D

a further embodiment of the spacer according to the invention, partly in different installation situations in an insulating glass pane, as well as a variant of the spacer;

Figures 4A and 4B

two variants of an insulating glass pane with spacers according to the invention;

Figures 5A to 5D

a schematic test setup for determining the deflection of spacers according to the invention perpendicular to their outer surface;

Figures 6A to 6D

a schematic test setup for determining the deflection of spacers according to the invention perpendicular to a side surface;

Figures 7a to 7i

schematic profile geometries of the spacer profiles a) to i) according to Table 1;

Figures 8A to 8C

Measurement curves obtained with different types of spacers in a test setup according to Figure 5 and Figure 6 ;

Figures 9A to 9E

further embodiments of the spacer according to the invention and variants thereof, partly in different installation situations in an insulating glass pane;

Figure 10

a further embodiment of a spacer according to the invention;

Figure 11

a further embodiment of a spacer according to the invention with several variations of a functional element;

Figures 12A to 12C

further embodiments of the spacer according to the invention with different functional elements in the installed state in an insulating glass pane; and

Figures 13A to 13F

different versions of making a connection between two spacer end areas of the spacer of the Figure 1A .

Figure 1 shows several variants of a first embodiment of a spacer according to the invention in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spacers.

When determining the height H and the width B of a spacer profile according to the invention, the corresponding values of a cross-section of the spacer, as shown in Figure 1A is clarified.

Figure 1A shows a spacer 10 according to the invention, which comprises a rollable profile body 12 with a base body 18 and two side walls 14, 16 running parallel to its longitudinal direction and spaced apart from one another, which together with the base body 18 form a U-shaped profile geometry. The side walls also form the side surfaces of the profile body and partially the side surfaces of the spacer.

A barrier layer or vapor barrier layer 20 is arranged on the upper side of the base body 18 of the spacer 10, which preferably extends from one side surface of the side wall 14 over the upper side (outer surface) 17 of the base body 18 to the second side surface of the side wall 16. In the installed state, the outer surface is arranged adjacent to the outer edge of the insulating glass pane.

Suitable vapor barrier layers 20 include, for example, stainless steel foils with a thickness of approximately 10 µm to approximately 20 µm and multilayer foils whose individual layers are coated with metal and/or ceramic.

The inner surface of the spacer 10 is formed here by the inner surface 19 of the base body 18, which extends from the side wall 14 over the base body 18 to the side wall 16.

The plastic material from which the profile body 12 with its base body 18 and the side walls 14 and 16 is made is selected, for example, from polypropylene, polyethylene, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), acrylic-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), acrylic ester-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (ASA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide 6 (PA6), polyamide 66 (PA66), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or blends of these polymers. This preferred selection also applies to the spacers according to the invention described below.

For example, the plastic material contains glass fibers in a proportion of approximately 10% by weight and a desiccant in a proportion of approximately 40% by weight, each based on the total weight of the profile body of the spacer.

Typically, the spacers according to the invention are manufactured in an extrusion process.

Figure 1B shows the spacer 10 of the Figure 1A in an installation situation in an insulating glass pane 25, wherein a first glass pane 22 is arranged adjacent to the side surface of the spacer 10, which is formed by the side wall 14 of the profile body or by the vapor barrier layer 20, and a second glass pane 24 is arranged adjacent to its second side surface, formed by the side wall 16 or vapor barrier layer 20. The ends 21a, 21b of the vapor barrier layer 20 are angled here and embedded in the plastic material of the base body 18, as can be seen for example from the EN 10 2010 006 127 A1 is known.

The two glass panes 22, 24 are bonded to the spacer 10 on the side surfaces using a primary sealant, e.g. a butyl compound 26, 27. The lateral butyl coating (primary sealant) 26, 27 usually remains ductile so that pumping movements of the pane can be absorbed when exposed to wind and climatic stress. This is therefore not sufficient to permanently hold the pane composite of the insulating glass pane together. Another sealant, the secondary sealant, is required, which hardens and holds the insulating glass pane together.

The two glass panes 22, 24 are held in parallel arrangement at a predetermined distance from each other by the spacer 10. The upper side of the base body 18 forms the outside, ie the outer surface of the spacer 10 or the outer edge area the insulating glass pane 25. In addition, a secondary sealant 28, 29 is applied in the area of the outer edge region, adjacent to the glass panes and the outer surface of the spacer 10.

The primary butyl sealant 26, 27 is applied essentially over the entire side surfaces of the side walls 14, 16 or the side surfaces of the spacer 10. The secondary sealant 28, 29 forms a wedge-shaped configuration on the outer edge region of the insulating glass pane 25 when viewed in cross section.

Another installation situation of the spacer 10 of the Figure 1A in an insulating glass pane 25 is in Figure 1C shown. In this variant, a secondary sealant 30 is applied over the entire surface of the vapor barrier layer 20 (outer surface) of the spacer 10, so that the secondary sealant 30 extends parallel to this layer from one glass pane 22 to the other glass pane 24. The glass panes 22, 24 are bonded to the side surfaces of the spacer or the side surfaces of the side walls 14, 16 via a primary sealant 32, 34.

Figure 1D shows a further variant of the rollable spacer 10 according to the invention in cross section, which is provided with the reference number 40 and comprises a profile body 42 with a base body 48 and side walls 44, 46 arranged on both sides thereof, which together with the base body 48 of the spacer 40 form a U-shaped profile cross section. A barrier or vapor barrier layer 50 is applied to the upper outside of the spacer 40, which extends from the first side surface of the side wall 44 over the entire outer surface of the base body 48 to the second side surface of the side wall 46 and covers this as well as the first side surface to a large extent. The base body 48 has on its inner surface 52 (inner surface of the spacer 40) directed downwards (in the installed state of the spacer towards the interior of the insulating glass pane) a structure of longitudinal ribs 54 which are parallel to one another. and are regularly spaced across the entire width of the inner surface 52.

The parallel ribs 54 on the inner surface 52 of the spacer 40 increase the surface area on the inside of the spacer and thus promote the faster absorption of water vapor. Furthermore, this structure can also have a positive effect on the appearance of the spacer.

Figure 2A shows a further embodiment of a spacer 80 according to the invention, which comprises a profile body 82 (which here also represents the base body) which has a flat outer surface 88 and parallel side surfaces 84 and 86 which are aligned perpendicular to the outer surface 88. A vapor barrier layer 90 is arranged on the outer surface 88, which extends from the first side surface 84 across the outer surface 88 to the second side surface 86 and covers the majority of the side surfaces. The vapor barrier layer 90 forms the outer surface of the spacer 80 in the area of the outer surface 88 and predominantly its side surfaces.

The inner surface 92 of the profile body 82 opposite the flat outer surface 88 is concave and extends essentially from the first side surface 84 to the second side surface 86. The inner surface 92 forms the inner surface of the spacer 80.

A modified embodiment of a spacer 100 according to the invention is shown in Figure 2B shown. The spacer 100 has a profile body 101 with a base body 102, which has a flat outer surface 108 and a first and a second side surface 104, 106 arranged perpendicularly thereto. The spacer 100 has a vapor barrier layer 110 on its outer surface, which extends over the outer surface 108 and also over large parts of the side surfaces 104, 106.

The spacer 100 further has an inner surface 112 which is concave and additionally has ribs 114 running parallel to the longitudinal direction of the spacer 100 and regularly spaced from one another.

A further embodiment of the spacer according to the invention is shown in Figure 3A, wherein the spacer 120 again has a profile body 121 with a base body 122 and side walls 124, 126 laterally delimiting the latter. The side walls 124, 126 are aligned parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to a flat outer surface 128.

A vapor barrier layer 130 is provided on the outer surface 128, which extends from the first side surface of the side wall 124 over the outer surface of the base body 122 to the second side surface of the side wall 126 and also covers the side surfaces to a large extent.

The spacer 120 also has an inner surface 132 which is essentially flat and has a groove 134 running in the longitudinal direction of the spacer in the middle between the side walls 124, 126 and which is delimited by two parallel, strip-shaped projections 136, 137. The distance between the free ends of the projections 136, 137 is preferably selected to be somewhat smaller than the width of the groove in the area of its base. The groove 134 serves to accommodate a middle, third glass pane (not shown) which divides the interior of an insulating glass pane into two partial volumes. In the embodiment of the spacer 120 shown, the partial volumes of the interior of the insulating glass pane are essentially the same size. Deviating from this, the partial volumes can be designed to be of different sizes by an eccentric arrangement of the groove 134 and the two projections 136, 137 delimiting the groove 134, for example in order to realize an asymmetrical structure if this is necessary due to further requirements such as fall protection, statics, etc.

Figure 3B shows a variant of the spacer 120 in the form of a spacer 140. The spacer 140 has a profile body 141 with a base body 142 and side walls 144, 146 that laterally delimit this. The side walls 144, 146 are aligned parallel to one another and essentially perpendicular to an outer surface 148 of the spacer 140.

A vapor barrier layer 150 is provided on the outer surface 148, which extends from the first side surface of the side wall 144 over the outer surface of the base body 142 to the second side surface of the side wall 146 and also covers the side surfaces to a large extent.

The essentially flat base body 142 further has an inner surface 152, which has a groove 154 running in the longitudinal direction of the spacer 140 in the middle between the side walls 144, 146, which is delimited by two parallel, strip-shaped projections 156, 157. The distance between the free ends of the projections 156, 157 is preferably selected to be somewhat smaller than the width of the groove 154 in the area of its base. The groove 154 serves to accommodate a middle, third glass pane (not shown), which divides the interior of an insulating glass pane into two partial volumes. In the embodiment of the spacer 140 shown, the partial volumes of the interior of the insulating glass pane are essentially the same size. This can be done, as in the context of the Figure 3A described, may be deviated from if necessary.

In this embodiment, the regions of the inner surface 152 between the side walls 144 and 146 and the groove 154 and the associated projections 156, 157 are not flat, but are provided with ribs 158 arranged parallel and at regular intervals.

Figure 3C shows the spacer 140 of the Figure 3B in an installation situation in an insulating glass pane 170, wherein on the side surface formed by the side wall 144 and the vapor barrier layer 150 of the spacer 140 there is a first glass pane 172 and on its second side surface (corresponds to the side surface of the side wall 146 and the vapor barrier layer 150) a second glass pane 174 is arranged adjacently. The two glass panes 172, 174 are each connected to the spacer 140 via a primary butyl sealant 176, 177. The two glass panes 172, 174 are held in parallel arrangement at a predetermined distance from one another by the spacer 140. The upper side of the base body 152 (outer surface) forms the outer edge region of the insulating glass pane 170.

The primary butyl sealant 176, 177 is applied to the spacer 140 essentially over the entire height of the side surfaces of the side walls 144, 146. A secondary sealant 178, 179 forms a wedge-shaped configuration on the outer edge region of the insulating glass pane 170, viewed in cross section towards the outer glass panes.

A third glass pane 180 is held in the groove 154 and between the projections 156, 157, which separates the interior of the insulating glass pane between the outer glass panes 172, 174 into two partial volumes. The glass pane 180 can be made of the same material and with a thickness as the glass panes 172, 174, but is often thinner because the glass pane 180 is subjected to lower loads than the glass panes 172, 174. For this reason, the glass pane 180 can also be made of a different material, for example Plexiglas, or can be replaced by a plastic film. In any case, the space between the panes is divided into smaller partial volumes so that convection currents can be reduced or essentially completely suppressed. This leads to improved thermal insulation values of the insulating glass panes.

Another installation situation of the spacer 140 of the Figure 3B is in Figure 3D In this variant, a primary butyl sealant 182, 183 is applied to the side surfaces of the side walls 144 and 146 or the areas of the vapor barrier layer 150 arranged there. A secondary sealant 184 is applied over the entire area of the outer surface of the spacer 140 so that it extends parallel to the outer surface from one glass pane 172 to the other glass pane 174 and seals against both glass panes and the outer surface (vapor barrier layer 150).

A third glass pane 180 is again inserted and held in the groove 154 and between the projections 156, 157, which separates the interior of the insulating glass pane 170 between the outer glass panes 172, 174 into two partial volumes.

The above-described effect of further improving the thermal insulation values of insulating glass panes that include a third, middle pane of glass is illustrated again by the Figures 4A and 4B explained in detail. It is also clear here that the one-piece spacer for the triple glazing avoids any misalignment that can occur with the conventional use of two spacers between the three panes of glass.

Figure 4A shows an insulating glass pane 200 with two parallel glass panes 202, 204, which are kept parallel to each other by means of spacer segments 10a and 10b, which correspond to the spacer 10 of Figure 1A.

The bonding of the glass panes 202, 204 to the spacer segments 10a, 10b is carried out using a primary butyl sealant 210a, 211a, 210b, 211b. A secondary sealant 230a, 230b is applied analogously to the Figure 1C described embodiment is applied over the entire outer surface of the spacer 10 (here the sections 10a, 10b) and also lies sealingly against the glass panes 202, 204.

The insulating glass pane 200 has a single interior space 220 which is only limited by the glass panes 202, 204 and the spacer 10 arranged around the edge of the glass panes. The vertically For the sake of clarity, the spacer segments running along the wall as well as the corresponding proportions of primary butyl sealant and secondary sealant are shown in the Figure 4A not shown.

Figure 4B shows an insulating glass pane 240 with two parallel glass panes 242, 244, which are kept parallel to each other by means of spacer segments 120a and 120b, which correspond to the spacer 120 of the Figure 3A are equivalent to.

The bonding of the glass panes 242, 244 to the spacer segments 120a, 120b is carried out using a primary butyl sealant 246a, 246b, 247a, 247b. A secondary sealant 250a, 250b is applied analogously to the method described in connection with the Figure 3D described embodiment is used.

A third, middle glass pane 246 is inserted into the grooves 134a, 134b of the spacer segments 120a, 120b, which divides the interior of the insulating glass pane 240 into two separate partial volumes 252, 254.

The divided interior of the insulating glass pane 240 has partial volumes 252, 254 and is only limited to the outside by the glass panes 242, 244 and the spacer 120 arranged around the edge of these glass panes as well as the primary (butyl) sealant 246a, 246b, 247a, 247b and the secondary sealant 250a, 250b. The spacer segments running in the vertical direction and the corresponding portions of the butyl adhesive mass and the secondary sealant are shown in the Figure 4A not shown.

In the Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of a test arrangement 300 for determining the deflection of a spacer according to the invention (here, for example, the spacer 10) or the bending stiffness according to DIN EN ISO 178 (2013). The sample of the spacer 10 used for the test has a length L _P of 150 mm and is positioned on two support bodies 302, 304, with the support points having a predetermined distance Ls of 100 mm from each other, hereinafter also referred to as support width. The two support bodies 302, 304 define a support plane.

A partially cylindrical punch 306 with a flat contour is positioned centrally to the support span Ls, with which a force F can be introduced onto the spacer perpendicular to the support plane.

For the rollability or coilability of the spacer according to the invention, the deflection compared to an unloaded state is of importance, which is measured on the outer surface of the spacer to be tested (here, for example, the outer surface 17 of the spacer 10), wherein the force acting via the punch 306 is 50 N.

In Figure 5B the test arrangement 300 with a spacer 460 is shown in a sectional view along line VB - VB perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spacer 460 and parallel to the direction of the acting force F. In the partial figures 5C and 5D, the two spacers 10 and 460 are shown in an orientation in which the outer surface 17 or 470, which rests on the support bodies 302, 304 during the deflection test, points downwards.

The spacer according to the invention has a roll-up capability such that a deflection when a force of 50 N is applied in the middle of the span compared to an unloaded state is approximately 1 mm or more, preferably approximately 1.3 mm or more, more preferably approximately 1.7 mm or more. The deflection is measured on the outer surface 17 and 470 (here on the barrier layer 20 or 472) of the spacer in the middle of the span when the spacer rests on the two support bodies 302, 304 with a span of 100 mm, measured in the longitudinal direction of the spacer. The force of 50 N is introduced into the spacer perpendicular to a support plane defined by the support bodies (and the outer surface) (test method A; cf. Figures 5A and 5B ).

For the handling of the spacers according to the invention during the manufacture of insulating glass panes, it is necessary that the spacers have a bending stiffness when force is introduced perpendicular to a side surface (here: 14; 468) or side surface, in which a deflection of the spacer (10; 460) in a positioning according to Figures 6A and 6B when a force of 100 N acts in the middle of the span Ls, compared to an unloaded state, it is approximately 10 mm or less, preferably approximately 5 mm or less, more preferably approximately 3 mm or less.

The deflection is determined on one of the side surfaces (here: 14, 16; 466, 468) of the spacer in the middle of the span when the side surface rests on the two support bodies 302, 304 of the test arrangement 300 with a span Ls of 100 mm, measured in the longitudinal direction of the spacer. The typical sample length L _P is 150 mm. The force of 100 N is introduced into the spacer perpendicular to the side surfaces (test method B). This test requires an orientation of the spacers as shown for the spacers 10 and 460 in the sub-figures 6C and 6D respectively. To carry out the test properly, the spacer can be held in the orientation shown in the sub-figures 6A and 6B using guide elements 310, 312 without this noticeably affecting the measurement results. The guide elements 310, 312 can be fixed in a parallel arrangement at a predetermined distance from each other so that the spacer 10, 460 can be accommodated therebetween with little play.

As already mentioned, the test parameters used when measuring the bending stiffness according to DIN EN ISO 178 are a support width or support distance Ls of 100 mm and a length of the test specimen L _P of approximately 150 mm. The other test parameters are: Preload: 1 N (test method variants A and B) Test speed: 10 mm/min (test method variants A and B) Radii R1 (stamp 306) and R2 (support bodies 302, 304): 5mm

After the spacer to be tested has been placed on the support bodies 302, 304, the stamp 306 is brought into contact with the spacer 10, 460 with the preload, which is thereby stabilized in its position. The test stamp 306 is then moved vertically downwards at the specified test speed, with the force acting on the test body (spacer) being recorded as a function of the travel distance of the test stamp 306 (see. Figures 8A to 8C ). This distance essentially corresponds to the deflection of the test specimen.

The spacer profiles are supported with the outer surface facing downwards (test method A - for the deflection perpendicular to the outer surface; Figure 5A/5B ) and the outer surface oriented to the side (test method B - for the deflection or bending stiffness perpendicular to the side surface; Figure 6A/6B ).

In test method variant A, the outer surface is defined as the side which, when the spacer is installed in an insulating glass pane, is adjacent to the outer circumference of the insulating glass pane. When carrying out the three-point bend, the stamp 306 of the test arrangement 300, also called the pressure fin, presses vertically downwards from above at Ls/2 onto the sample (here: spacer 10 or 460).

If the spacer twists significantly during test procedure variant B (deflection perpendicular to the side surface) and deviates significantly from the desired orientation during the measurement, a suitable guide must be used to keep the test specimen in the vertical orientation. The guide can be, for example, one or, if necessary, two separate loosely fitting guide plates as described above, which limit lateral deflection of the test specimen, but allow a vertical movement of the test specimen, especially during the pressing in of the pressure fin, essentially unhindered. This is specified in the Figures 6A and 6B illustrated, the description of which can be referred to here.

The test specimens must be free of visible damage (e.g. irreversible deformation, cracks, breaks, etc.) and represent a normally good product condition that also qualitatively meets the requirements for installation in insulating glass panes. The values obtained in test procedures A and B are essentially independent of any moisture absorption by the desiccant before the test procedures are carried out.

The width B of the spacers according to the invention is preferably about 12 mm to about 44 mm, more preferably about 14 mm to about 40 mm.

Conditioning of the test specimens prior to measurement is not necessary. The test specimens are preferably tested in a standard climate of 23°C ± 2°C at 50% ± 10% humidity.

The measurement ends when the test specimen breaks or is destroyed or when the maximum travel of the punch 306 is reached.

The measurements are carried out in such a way that the bending curve is recorded and stored and can be output as a force-displacement curve.

Test methods A and B are carried out on samples according to the invention and samples from the prior art.

A more detailed characterization of the samples can be found in the following Table 1. An overview of the profile geometries in schematic representation is given in the Figure 7 (Figures 7a to 7i) are included.

Sample a) corresponds to an embodiment of the present invention with the following properties:
The spacer is manufactured as a solid profile made of polypropylene with 20 wt.% glass fibers (GF 20) and 40 wt.% desiccant (zeolite 3A powder; average particle size approx. 6 to 9 µm; available under the name Sylosiv K300 from Grace GmbH & Co KG), each based on the total weight of the spacer. The geometry also corresponds to the spacer 460 of the Fig. 9C A 10 µm thick stainless steel foil was used as a barrier layer. The spacer can be rolled/coiled onto a core with a diameter of 300 mm. The spacer is designed for triple glazing with two gaps between the panes of 12 mm each and a middle pane with a thickness of 4 mm.

Sample b) corresponds to an embodiment of the present invention with the following properties:
The spacer is manufactured as a solid profile made of polypropylene with 10 wt.% glass fibers (GF 10) and 40 wt.% desiccant (zeolite 3A powder; average particle size approx. 6 to 9 µm; available under the name Sylosiv K300 from Grace GmbH & Co KG), each based on the total weight of the spacer. The geometry also corresponds to the spacer 10 of the Fig. 1A A 10 µm thick stainless steel foil was used as a barrier layer. The spacer can be rolled/coiled onto a core with a diameter of 300 mm.

Sample c) is a conventional spacer available under the name Chromatech ^® Ultra F2 from Rolltech A/S. The spacer is made of polypropylene and has an approximately 0.1 mm thick stainless steel band as a barrier layer on its outer surface. The spacer is in the form of a hollow profile and is not coilable. Desiccant can be filled into the hollow chamber of the hollow profile.

Sample d) is a conventional spacer, available under the name Multitech ^® from Rolltech A/S. The spacer consists of a hollow plastic profile made of styrene-acrylonitrile polymer (SAN) with approx. 35 Weight percent glass fibers (GF 35), based on the total weight of the spacer, with a metallized film applied to the outer surface of the spacer profile as a barrier layer. Desiccant can be filled into the hollow chamber of the hollow profile. The spacer cannot be coiled.

Sample e) is a conventional spacer for triple insulating glass panes, which is available under the name SWISSPACER TRIPLE from SWISS-SPACER Vetrotech Saint-Gobain (International) AG. The two spaces between the panes SZR are each 16 mm. The thickness of the middle pane is 2 mm. The spacer also consists of a hollow plastic profile with two hollow chambers made of SAN with approx. 35% by weight of glass fibers (GF 35), based on the total weight of the spacer, and a metallized plastic film as a barrier layer. Desiccant can be filled into the hollow chambers of the hollow profile. The spacer cannot be coiled.

Sample f) is a conventional spacer available under the name Thermobar ^® from the Thermoseal Group. The spacer consists of a hollow plastic profile made of polypropylene with approx. 40% by weight of glass fibers (GF 40), based on the total weight of the spacer, to which a metallized film is applied as a barrier layer on the outer surface. Desiccant can be filled into the hollow chamber of the hollow profile. The spacer cannot be coiled.

Sample g) is a conventional coilable spacer available from Edgetech under the name Super Spacer ^® Premium. The spacer is manufactured as a solid profile and is made of a foamed silicone material in which a desiccant (approx. 47% by weight) is embedded. A metallized film is applied to the outer surface of the solid profile as a barrier layer.

Sample h) is a conventional coilable polyurethane-based spacer available from Glasslam under the name WorldSpacer ^™ . The spacer is manufactured as a solid profile and is made of a foamed polyurethane material in which a desiccant (approx. 45% by weight) is embedded. A stainless steel strip approximately 50 µm thick is applied to the outer surface of the solid profile as a barrier layer.

Sample i) is a conventional coilable spacer available from the Soytas Group under the name Panaspacer. The spacer consists of a wave-shaped reinforcement element made of polycarbonate which takes up most of the cross-sectional area. This reinforcement element is covered on the sides and the inside with a barrier layer. On the inside, above the barrier layer, there is a foam material in which desiccant is embedded. The proportion of desiccant is not specified by the manufacturer.

Table 1 also shows the values for the Shore hardness D of the samples according to the invention and of the coilable samples from the prior art, where available, for comparison. <b>Table 1</b> sample Space between panes SZR [mm] Cross section (schematic) Width W × Height H [mm]x[mm] Weight per meter [g/m] Desiccant content [wt.%] Shore hardness D Polymer material a) Profile according to the invention 2 × 12 + center disk 4 mm Figure 7a 27 × 4.5 92.5 40 approx. 80 PPGF20 b) Profile according to the invention 16 Figure 7b 16 × 4.5 50.5 40 approx. 77 PPGF10 c) Chromatech Ultra F2 16 Figure 7c 15.5 × 6.9 59.1 0 - PP d) Multitech 16 Figure 7d 15.5 × 6.5 45.5 0 - SAN GF 35 e) Swisspacer Triple 2 × 16 + center disk 2 mm Figure 7e 33 × 6.7 98.3 0 - SAN GF 35 f) Thermobar 16 Figure 7f 15.5 × 6.5 44.9 0 - PPGF40 g) Super Spacer Premium 16 Figure 7g 16.0 × 4.8 78 47 approx. 10 Silicone foam h) Worldspacer 20 Figure 7h 19.3 × 5.6 152.4 45 approx. 18 Pu foam i) Panaspacer 14 Figure 7i 14.0 × 7.1 69.5g ? approx. 17 Polycarbonat

The Figures 8A and 8B show the measurement results based on such force-displacement curves for a selection of spacers a) and b) according to the present invention and c) to g) according to the prior art measured according to test method variant A. The measurement curves for samples h) and i) are not shown because their course essentially corresponds to the curve of sample g), ie a conventional coilable sample.

The Figure 8C shows the measurement results based on force-displacement curves for the samples a) and b) according to the invention and according to the state of the art c) to e) and g) to i), whereby the conventional samples g) to i) are coilable samples. The measurement was carried out here according to test method variant B. The measurement curve for sample f) is shown in Figure 8C not shown, since it essentially coincides with the curve of sample d).

The Figure 9A shows a further embodiment of a spacer 400 according to the invention with a profile body 402, which has a base body with a flat outer surface 404 and parallel side surfaces 406 and 408, which are aligned perpendicular to the outer surface 404. A vapor barrier layer 410 is arranged on the outer surface 404, which extends from the first side surface 406 over the outer surface 404 to the second side surface 408 and forms the majority of the side surfaces of the spacer. The inner surface 412 of the base body (inner surface of the spacer) opposite the flat outer surface 404 is concave and extends essentially from the first side surface 406 to the second side surface 408.

The ends of the side surfaces 406, 408 adjacent to the inner surface 412 each have outwardly projecting, bead-shaped projections 414, 416 which, when the spacer is installed in an insulating glass pane, lie directly against the glass panes and keep the side surfaces 406, 408, including the side surfaces formed by the vapor barrier layer 410, at a small distance from the respective glass pane and thus create a defined space for the absorption of butyl adhesive. Furthermore This prevents butyl adhesive from entering the interior of the insulating glass pane and becoming visible there.

Another embodiment of a spacer 430 according to the invention is shown in Figure 9B shown, wherein the spacer 430 in turn has a profile body 432 with a base body 434 and side surfaces 436, 438 laterally delimiting it. The side surfaces 436, 438 are aligned parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to a flat outer surface 440.

A vapor barrier layer 442 is provided on the outer surface 440, which extends from the first side surface 436 over the outer surfaces 440 to the second side surface 438 and also covers the side surfaces 436, 438 to a large extent and thus forms a large part of the side surfaces of the spacer 430.

The base body 434 also has an inner surface 444, which has a groove 446 running in the longitudinal direction of the spacer 430 in the middle between the side surfaces 436, 438 and is delimited by two parallel projections 448, 449. The distance between the free ends of the projections 448, 449 is preferably selected to be somewhat smaller than the width of the groove 446 in the area of its base. The groove 446 serves to accommodate a middle, third glass pane (not shown), which divides the interior of an insulating glass pane into two partial volumes.

The inner surface 444 (inner surface of the spacer 430) is concave in the areas between the side surface 436 and the projection 448 or the side surface 438 and the projection 449.

The ends of the side surfaces 436, 438 adjacent to the inner surface 444 each have outwardly projecting, bead-shaped projections 450, 452 which, when the spacer is installed in an insulating glass pane, lie directly against the glass panes and support the side surfaces 436, 438 on a keep a small distance from the respective glass pane and thus create a defined space for the absorption of butyl adhesive. This also prevents butyl adhesive from entering the interior of the insulating glass pane and becoming visible there.

In the Figure 9B In the embodiment shown, each of the side surfaces (here on the surface sections of the vapor barrier layer 442 that cover the side surfaces 436, 438) is further exposed to a volume 454, 456 of primary sealant (butyl adhesive mass) which is sufficient to ensure the sealing and bonding between the glass pane to be applied and the side surfaces of the spacer 430. The primary sealant 454, 456 is shown here in the non-pressed state.

Figure 9C shows a variant of the spacer 430 according to the invention of the Figure 9B .

The inventive spacer 460 according to Figure 9C has a profile body 462 with a base body 464 and side surfaces 466, 468 that laterally delimit the latter. The side surfaces 466, 468 are aligned parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to a flat outer surface 470.

A vapor barrier layer 472 is provided on the outer surface 470 of the spacer 460, which extends from the first side surface 466 over the outer surface 470 to the second side surface 468 and also covers the side surfaces 466, 468 to a large extent.

The base body 464 further has an inner surface 474, which has a groove 476 running in the longitudinal direction of the spacer 460 in the middle between the side surfaces 466, 468, which is delimited by two parallel projections 478, 479. The distance between the free ends of the projections 478, 479 is preferably chosen to be slightly smaller than the width of the groove 476 in the region its base. The groove 476 serves to accommodate a middle, third glass pane (not shown), which divides the interior of an insulating glass pane into two partial volumes.

The inner surface 474 is concave in the areas between the side surface 466 and the projection 478 or between the side surface 468 and the projection 479 and is provided with ribs 480 which run parallel to one another and evenly spaced in the longitudinal direction of the spacer 460.

The ends of the side surfaces 466, 468 adjacent to the inner surface 474 each have outwardly projecting bead-shaped projections 482, 484 which, when the spacer 460 is installed in an insulating glass pane, lie directly against the glass panes and keep the side surfaces 466, 468 at a small distance from the respective glass pane, thus creating a defined space for the absorption of butyl adhesive. This also prevents butyl adhesive from entering the interior of the insulating glass pane and becoming visible there.

The Figures 9D and 9E show the spacer 460 installed in a triple insulating glass pane 500 with two glass panes 502, 504 arranged on the outside on both sides of the spacer 460 on its side surfaces (side surfaces 466 and 468) and a middle glass pane 506 inserted in the groove 476. The glass panes 502, 504 are bonded to the spacer 460 via a pressed primary butyl sealant 508, 509, which extends essentially over the entire side surfaces 466 and 468. Following the mass of the butyl sealant, a secondary sealant 510, 511 is applied to the outer edge of the respective glass pane 502 or 504 and sections of the outer surface 470 with a wedge-shaped cross section ( Figure 9D ) or it extends as a continuous layer 512 with a substantially uniform thickness over the entire outer surface 470 ( Figure 9E ). The bead-shaped projections 482, 484 limit the primary butyl sealant volumes in the direction of the interior of the insulating glass pane 500.

By applying the secondary sealant 510, 511 in a wedge-shaped manner Fig. 9D can be compared to the conventionally used continuous application of the secondary sealant 512 in Figure 9E save a significant amount of secondary sealant. In addition, the heat conduction in this area is reduced, so that the Psi values for the edge seal are lower.

The glass panes 502, 504 in Figure 9E are again bonded to the side surfaces of the spacer 460 via a primary sealant 508, 509.

Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of a spacer 530 according to the invention, which has a profile body 532 with a substantially planar base body 534, to which side walls 536, 538 with side surfaces 540, 542 are connected on both sides.

In the side walls 536, 538, slots 544 are provided at regular intervals at their free ends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spacer 530. On the outer surface 546 of the base body 534, slots 548 are also provided at regular intervals, which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction over the entire width of the base body 534.

The slots 544 and 548 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the spacer 530 either offset from one another as shown or in an identical position in the longitudinal direction (not shown). This design of a spacer according to the invention allows the use of comparatively rigid plastic materials and possibly comparatively high contents of desiccant in the plastic material for the formation of the profile body, and the coilability of the spacer is nevertheless maintained. In addition, the restoring forces and plastic deformations that may arise due to rolling up can be reduced to such an extent by appropriate design of these slots that the spacer can be held in the desired position relative to the profile body by gluing it using primary sealant alone. the glass panes until the subsequently applied secondary sealant has hardened.

Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of the present invention in the form of a spacer 560. The spacer 560 has a profile body 562 with a base body 564 and two side walls 566, 568 formed on both sides of the base body 564, which provide the side surfaces 570, 572 of the profile body 562.

On its outer surface 574, the spacer 560 has a barrier layer 576 which extends from the first side surface 570 across the outer surface of the base body to the side surface 572 and also covers large parts of the side surfaces 570, 572 to form the side surfaces of the spacer 560.

Functional elements are formed at the free ends of the side walls 566, 568, which are formed on the free ends as locking projections 578, 580 pointing towards the other side wall.

The locking projections 578, 580 are spaced from the inner surface 582 of the base body 564 and are thus suitable for holding a separately manufactured component between themselves and the inner surface 582 in a form-fitting manner for further functionalization of the spacer 560.

For the positive holding of such components on the spacer 560 according to the invention, grooves 584, 586 can be provided alternatively or additionally in the area of the inner surface 582 in the base body 564.

Figure 11 shows some variations of an exemplary component 590 suitable for the further functionalization of the spacer 560, which has a substantially strip-shaped base body 592, which is positively held by the locking projections 578, 580 on the inner surface 582 can be held in connection with the base body 564 of the spacer 560. The component 590 extends from one to the other side wall 566, 568 of the profile body 562.

Alternatively or additionally, the base body 592 of the functional component 590 can be equipped with projections 596, 598 on its surface 594 facing the inner surface 582 in the assembled state, which projections are preferably shaped complementarily to the grooves 584, 586 of the base body 564 of the spacer 560, so that the projections 596, 598 can be positively connected to the grooves 584, 586.

The component 590 can have a centrally arranged holder 600 for a third glass pane (not shown) on its side opposite the surface 594 of the base body. The spacer 560 can thus be used for both double glazing and triple glazing and in the latter case only needs to be retrofitted with the functional component 590.

In a first variation, the holder 600' can be arranged off-center in the functional component 590', so that in a triple glazing produced therewith, a pane interior is created which is divided into a smaller and a larger partial volume.

In a second variant of the functional component 590", this has the holder 600" for a third glass pane in the middle and, in addition, a structured surface with ribs 602" that are regularly spaced parallel to one another and run in the longitudinal direction of the component 590". This allows the spacer 560 to be optically modified on its surface that faces the interior of the insulating glass pane and is therefore visible when installed.

In a third variant of the functional component 590‴, the holder 600‴ is placed off-center and the surface is again optically modified with ribs 602‴.

Since the functional components are manufactured separately, the material for their production can be freely selected. In particular, the material does not necessarily have to be selected based on the ability to roll up, since the functional components can also be connected to the spacer immediately before the spacer frame is manufactured.

In the Figures 12A to 12C Further examples of spacers according to the invention are shown, which have functional elements with which further functionalization of the spacers can be carried out in a simple and customer-specific manner if required.

In Figure 12A a spacer 622 according to the invention is shown in the installed state on the edge of an insulating glass pane 620. The spacer 622 holds a first and a second glass pane 624, 626 at a predetermined distance and is firmly connected to them via a primary butyl sealant 628, 629 and a secondary sealant (eg polysulfide, polyurethane, silicone or hotmelt butyl) 630, 631.

The spacer 622 has a profile body 632 with a base body 634 and two side walls 636, 638 formed parallel to each other on both sides of the base body 634, the outer side surfaces of which form the side surfaces of the spacer 622 which are in contact with the glass panes 624, 626.

On its inner surface 640, vertically projecting functional elements in the form of locking projections 642, 644 are formed on the base body 634 of the profile body 632, which extend parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the spacer. Between the locking projections 642, 644 a groove-shaped receptacle 646 is formed into which a functional component 648 can be inserted and held in a form-fitting manner by the locking projections 642, 644.

In the present embodiment, the functional component 648 is designed with several functions. A first function is to provide a groove 650 for receiving the edge of a third glass pane 652. Additional functions are performed by two surface elements 654, 656, which extend on both sides of the groove 650 in opposite directions towards the first and second glass panes. The surface elements 654, 656 cover the inner surface of the base body 634 and thus offer the possibility of optically modifying the appearance of the spacer 622. In addition, the surface elements 654, 656 of the functional component 648 create fillable cavities on their sides facing the profile body 632, which in the present embodiment are equipped with desiccant bodies 658, 660, which provide additional moisture absorption capacity. The desiccant bodies 658, 660 can fill the cavities completely or - as shown here - partially, as required.

The spacer 622 can be fitted with a stainless steel band 662 on its outer surface. The stainless steel band 662 takes on the function of a barrier layer, which essentially extends in a straight line from the first glass pane 624 to the second glass pane 626 and protrudes slightly towards the side surfaces. This means that a barrier layer on the side surfaces is not necessary, since the primary butyl sealant also adjoins the stainless steel band from below and, together with the stainless steel band, creates a continuous sealing layer. Due to the flat design of the stainless steel band 662, a greater material thickness can be used for it, although the spacer can still be easily rolled up.

Figure 12B shows an edge region of an insulating glass pane 670 with two glass panes 674, 676 held at a distance by a spacer 672 according to the invention.

A secondary sealant 680 is applied to the outer surface 678 of the spacer 672, which extends from the glass pane 674 to the glass pane 676 in the transverse direction of the insulating glass pane 670 over the entire width of the spacer 672. A primary butyl sealant 710, 711 is provided between the side walls 686, 688 and the glass panes.

The spacer has a profile body 682 with a base body 684, on which side walls 686, 688 are formed on both sides. On the inner surface of the base body 684 facing away from the outer surface 678, two strip-shaped locking projections 690, 692 are formed on the latter, which form a receptacle 694 between them. A functional component 695 can be inserted into the receptacle 694 in a form-fitting manner.

The functional component 695 has, similar to the one in Figure 12A shown embodiment, has several functions. Firstly, the functional component 695 forms a receiving groove 696 into which a third glass pane 698 can be inserted with its edge region. Furthermore, two surface elements 700, 702 extending from the region of the groove 696 in both directions to the glass panes 674, 676 and the side walls 686, 688 together with the profile body 682 of the spacer 672 form closed hollow chambers on both sides of the locking projections 690, 692, which can be equipped with desiccant bodies 704, 706 in order to adapt the moisture absorption capacity of the spacer 672 to a predetermined value. In addition, the surface elements 700, 702 serve to optically design the spacer 672 on its visible side in the installed state.

A web-like projection 708 can be provided in the receiving groove 696 so that the middle glass pane 698 is not pushed into the bottom of the groove during assembly. By designing the projection 708 accordingly, it is possible that it is compressed in the event of greater thermal expansion of the middle pane. This is particularly important for middle panes made of plastic, which have a exhibit considerably greater thermal expansion. The projection 708 acts like a spring that can be compressed if necessary.

Figure 12C finally shows an edge region of an insulating glass pane 720 with two glass panes 724, 726 held at a distance by a spacer 722 according to the invention.

A secondary sealant 730 is applied to the outer surface 728 of the spacer 722, which extends from the glass pane 724 to the glass pane 726 in the transverse direction of the insulating glass pane 720 over the entire width of the spacer 722. A primary butyl sealant 748, 749 is applied between the side walls 736, 738 and the glass panes 724, 726.

The spacer 722 has a profile body 732 with a base body 734, on which side walls 736, 738 are formed on both sides. On the inner surface of the base body 734 facing away from the outer surface 728, two strip-shaped projections 740, 742 are formed on the latter, which form a receptacle 744 between them. A third glass pane 746 can be inserted into the receptacle 744 in a form-fitting manner.

The profile body 732 of the spacer 722 further has two surface elements 750, 752 extending from the area of the projections 740, 742 forming the groove 744 in both directions to the glass panes 724, 726 and the side walls 736, 738, which together with the base body 734 of the spacer 722 form essentially closed hollow chambers on both sides of the projections 740, 742, which can be equipped with desiccant bodies 754, 756 in order to adapt the moisture absorption capacity of the spacer 722 to a predetermined value. In addition, the surface elements 750, 752 serve to optically design the spacer 722 on its visible side in the installed state.

The Figures 13A to 13F show a spacer 10 according to the invention according to Figure 1A , different ways of joining of end regions of a spacer according to the invention. This applies both to the end regions of rolled-up spacers and to the end regions of a section of a spacer that has already been cut to size for the formation of a frame of an insulating glass pane.

Figure 13A illustrates the production of a butt joint 800 of spacer end regions 802, 804 by means of plastic welding, e.g. using an ultrasonic welding or mirror welding technique. The upper part of the figure is a sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spacer. The middle part of the figures shows the spacer end regions 802, 804 in a plan view of the base body 18, the representations placed to the side of them each show a side view of the side walls 14 and 16, respectively. The butt joint 800 produced by welding preferably extends from a side wall 14 over the base body 18 to the side wall 16.

Figure 13B illustrates the production of a further variant of a butt joint 810 of modified spacer end regions 812, 814 by means of plastic welding, eg using an ultrasonic welding or mirror welding technique, or also by means of an adhesive technique, eg using a metallic adhesive tape (not shown). The two end regions 812, 814 are each provided with complementary projections and recesses 816, 818 (eg for a tongue and groove connection).

The middle part of the figures again shows the spacer end regions 812, 814 in a top view of the base body 18, the representations placed to the side of them each show a side view of the side walls 14 and 16, respectively. The butt joint 810 produced by welding preferably extends from a side wall 14 over the base body 18 to the side wall 16.

Figure 13C illustrates the production of a further variant of a butt joint 820 of spacer end regions 822, 824 by means of a positive-locking clip connection, which can optionally be additionally secured by means of plastic welding, e.g. using an ultrasonic welding or mirror welding technique, or also by means of an adhesive technique, e.g. using a metallic adhesive tape (not shown).

The middle part of the figures shows the spacer end regions 822, 824 in a top view of the base body 18, the representations placed to the side of them each show a side view of the side walls 14 and 16, respectively. The butt joint 820, which may be secured by welding, preferably extends from a side wall 14 over the base body 18 to the side wall 16.

Figure 13D illustrates the production of a further variant of a butt joint 830 of spacer end regions 832, 834 by means of a positive clip connection, which can optionally be secured by means of plastic welding, e.g. using an ultrasonic welding or mirror welding technique, or also by means of an adhesive technique, e.g. using a metallic adhesive tape (not shown). For this purpose, the end regions 832, 834 are provided with complementary projections and recesses 836, 838 in the area of the side walls 14, 16, analogous to the variant of the Figure 13B .

The middle part of the figures again shows the spacer end regions 832, 834 in a top view of the base body 18, the representations placed to the side of them each show a side view of the side walls 14 and 16, respectively. The butt joint 830, which may be additionally secured by welding, preferably extends from a side wall 14 over the base body 18 to the side wall 16.

Figure 13E illustrates the production of another variant of a butt joint 840 of spacer end areas 842, 844 by means of a form-fitting connection (here a dovetail connection in the area of the base body 18), which can optionally be additionally secured by means of plastic welding, e.g. using an ultrasonic welding or mirror welding technique, or also by means of an adhesive technique, e.g. using a metallic adhesive tape (not shown).

The middle part of the figures again shows the spacer end regions 842, 844 in a top view of the base body 18, the representations placed to the side of them each show a side view of the side walls 14 and 16, respectively. The butt joint 840, which may be additionally secured by welding, preferably extends from a side wall 14 over the base body 18 to the side wall 16.

Figure 13F illustrates the production of a further variant of a butt joint 850 of spacer end regions 852, 854 by means of a positive hook/clip connection of the side walls 14, 16, which are provided for this purpose on the end regions 852, 854 with hook-shaped complementary projections and recesses 856, 858. If necessary, the butt joint 850 can additionally be secured by means of plastic welding, e.g. using an ultrasonic welding or mirror welding technique, or also by means of an adhesive technique, e.g. using a metallic adhesive tape (not shown).

The middle part of the figures shows the spacer end regions 852, 854 in a top view of the base body 18, the representations placed to the side of them each show a side view of the side walls 14 and 16, respectively. The butt joint 850, which may be secured by welding, preferably extends from a side wall 14 over the base body 18 to the side wall 16.

Common to all embodiments of the Figure 13 that the spacer end areas can be fixed together when closing a spacer frame, thus simplifying the production of the insulating glass panes.

In addition, the connection techniques shown can also be used to use leftover pieces of spacers when producing a spacer frame.

The spacer 10 in Figure 13 The connection techniques shown can also be used analogously for all spacers according to the invention, in particular for spacers according to the invention with a more complex geometry, such as the spacers 120 and 460 of the Figures 3A or 9C.

Claims (15)

1. A spacer for insulating glass units, wherein the spacer is formed having an inner surface, an outer surface and two lateral surfaces extending at either side of the spacer from the inner surface to the outer surface, and wherein the spacer comprises a profiled body,

   wherein the profiled body comprises two mutually spaced lateral faces running parallel to its longitudinal direction and a base body that extends between the lateral faces and has an outer and an inner face, wherein the profiled body is made from a plastics material and comprises at least in one part of its volume a quantity of particulate desiccant that is embedded in the plastics material, characterized in that the spacer has a coilability about an axis perpendicular to the lateral surfaces, such that there is a deflection of the spacer of approximately 1 mm or more, preferably approximately 1.3 mm or more, more preferably approximately 1.7 mm or more by comparison with an unloaded condition, wherein the deflection is determined at the outer surface of the spacer as the outer surface thereof lies on two supporting bodies at a loading span L_S of 100 mm, as measured in the longitudinal direction of the spacer, and with a force F of 50 N acting in the centre of the loading span L_S, wherein this force is introduced into the spacer perpendicularly to a support plane defined by the supporting bodies, and

   in that the spacer has a flexural strength in a plane perpendicular to the lateral surfaces, at which a deflection of the spacer is approximately 10 mm or less, preferably approximately 5 mm or less, more preferably approximately 3 mm or less, by comparison with an unloaded condition, wherein the deflection is determined at a lateral surface as this surface lies on two supporting bodies at a loading span of 100 mm, as measured in the longitudinal direction of the spacer, and with a force of 100 N acting in the centre of the loading span, wherein this force is introduced into the spacer perpendicularly to the lateral surface.
2. A spacer according to claim 1, wherein reinforcing elements are embedded in the plastics material of the profiled body, wherein the reinforcing elements are preferably particulate materials, fibre materials, sheet materials and/or materials in the form of wires.
3. A spacer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein on either side of the base body the profiled body has lateral walls that extend from the base body and beyond its inner face by approximately 0.5 mm or more, preferably approximately 1 mm or more, more preferably approximately 1.5 mm or more, and form the lateral faces of the profiled body, wherein the lateral walls are preferably oriented substantially parallel to one another; and/or
   wherein the spacer has a height H of approximately 6 mm or less, preferably approximately 5 mm or less.
4. A spacer according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spacer has a width B of approximately 12 cm to approximately 44 mm, in particular approximately 14 mm to approximately 40 mm,
   wherein preferably the spacer is intended for triple glazing and has a width of approximately 30 mm or more and an aspect ratio A, as seen in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, that is defined as the quotient of the width B of the spacer and the height H of the spacer (A=B/H), wherein the aspect ratio A has a value of approximately 6 or more, preferably a value of approximately 7 or more, particularly preferably a value of approximately 8 or more.
5. A spacer according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the particulate desiccant is selected from silicates, sulfates, oxides, in particular in the form of zeolite, calcium sulfate, silica gel, layered silicate, tectosilicate, phosphorus oxide, aluminium oxide, alkali metal oxide and/or alkaline earth metal oxide or mixtures thereof, wherein the desiccant particularly preferably comprises a 3A zeolite with an average pore size of approximately 3 angstroms; and/or wherein the particulate desiccant is embedded in the plastics material in a proportion of approximately 10 weight% or more, preferably approximately 25 weight% to approximately 65 weight%, more preferably approximately 35 weight% to approximately 45 weight%, in each case in relation to the total weight of the profiled body; and/or
   wherein the particulate desiccant is embedded in the plastics material in the form of granules and/or a powder, wherein the granules preferably have an average particle size D₅₀ of approximately 1 mm or less, preferably approximately 0.5 mm or less, and the powder has an average particle size D₅₀ of approximately 0.1 mm or less.
6. A spacer according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the spacer comprises a proportion of desiccant giving a moisture absorption capacity of approximately 2 g of water per 100 g of spacer or more, more preferably approximately 4 g to approximately 30 g per 100 g of spacer; and/or
   wherein the plastics material of the profiled body is selected such that after storage in a standard atmosphere (50% ± 10% relative air humidity at a temperature of 23°C ± 2°C) for a storage period of 48 hours the moisture content of the spacer is approximately 50% or less of the maximum moisture absorption capacity, preferably approximately 30% or less of the maximum moisture absorption capacity, more preferably approximately 20% or less of the maximum moisture absorption capacity.
7. A spacer according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the spacer has on the inner surface a continuous groove parallel to the lateral surfaces and at a spacing from each of them, for receiving a glass pane edge of a further glass pane; and/or
   wherein the spacer has on the inner surface two mutually spaced projections that run parallel to its longitudinal direction and between which the groove is formed.
8. A spacer according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein there are formed on the inner face of the base body and/or on lateral walls of the profiled body one or more functional elements, in particular in the form of grooves and latching projections,
   wherein preferably the spacer comprises one or more components that are connected to the functional elements by force locking or positive locking, wherein the components are in particular selected from desiccant supports, receiving elements for glass panes, and decorative elements.
9. A spacer according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the outer surface takes a substantially planar form, and wherein optionally the inner surface takes a concave form.
10. A spacer according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plastics material of the profiled body has, at least in certain regions, a pore structure, wherein the average pore size is preferably approximately 5 µm to approximately 150 µm, and wherein the pore volume is preferably approximately 40% by volume or less, preferably approximately 10% by volume to approximately 35% by volume of the volume of the profiled body.
11. A spacer according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the profiled body has, on an outer and/or inner face of the base body and/or on the lateral walls, recesses, in particular in slot or wedge form, that run substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the profiled body at regular intervals.
12. A spacer according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the spacer has on the outer surface a barrier layer that has a barrier effect in respect of gases and/or air moisture, wherein the barrier layer is preferably selected from a metal foil having in particular a thickness of approximately 100 µm or less, more preferably from approximately 10 µm to approximately 50 µm, preferably of a rolled stainless steel foil or a rolled aluminium foil, a multiple-layer foil with a polymer-based backing film and at least one layer of metal, metal oxide or ceramic, a coating of platelet-like nanoparticles, in particular in the form of layered silicates, a flexible glass layer, a diffusion-inhibiting polymer film or a polymer film laminate; or
    wherein the spacer has on the outer surface a barrier layer that has a barrier effect in respect of gases and/or air moisture, wherein the barrier layer takes the form of a coating on the profiled body and preferably comprises a layer of metal, metal oxide or ceramic, platelet-like nanoparticles, in particular in the form of layered silicates.
13. A spacer according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the spacer is equipped such that it is joinable in successive lengths in the longitudinal direction without auxiliary material, in particular by means of positive locking and/or by substance-to-substance bond, wherein the spacer is preferably joinable in the longitudinal direction by being hooked, clipped or welded.
14. An insulating glass unit having two outer glass panes that are held at a predetermined spacing by a spacer frame, wherein the spacer frame is made using a spacer according to one of claims 1 to 13,
    wherein preferably the two outer glass panes are bonded to the spacer by means of a primary sealant in the region of the lateral surfaces, wherein the primary sealant is preferably selected from synthetic rubber, polyisobutylene, butyl rubber, polyurethane, silicone polymer, silane-modified polymer, polysulfide and polyacrylate.
15. An insulating glass unit according to claim 14, wherein a secondary sealant, in particular in the form of polysulfide, polyurethane, silicone or hot melt based on butyl, is applied adjacent to the two outer glass panes at the outer periphery of the insulating glass unit, where appropriate in the shape of a wedge; and/or

    wherein a secondary sealant is applied to the entire surface of a surface of the insulating glass unit, formed by an outer surface of the spacer, wherein the sealant extends in particular continuously from one glass pane to the other glass pane, and abuts sealingly against the glass panes; and/or

    wherein the spacer has a groove on the inner surface side, in which the edge of a third glass pane is inserted.

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