GB2058662A - A method and device for producing laminated safety glass panels - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a method of and, apparatus for, producing laminated safety glass panels, each comprising a first pane 25 and a second pane 27, with a plastics sheet 72 disposed between them. In the preferred embodiment, the panes 25 and 27 are heated in a tempering chamber 26 to a temperature adequate for prelamination, the panes 25 and 27 are then aligned in register, spaced apart from one another, at a station 28 and the sheet 72 is then brought into the gap between the panes 25 and 27. The sheet 72 is then laid and pressed against the pane 25 and, as a result of relative motion between the first and the second pane, the second pane is brought to bear against the sheet and pressed against it. The resultant prelaminate is passed through pressure rollers 36, loaded in an autoclave frame, a batch of such prelaminates is transported into an autoclave 48. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A method and device for producing laminated safety glass panels This invention relates to a method of producing laminated safety glass panels in which at least a first and a second pane, with a plastics laminating sheet disposed between them, are combined to form a prelaminate, by application of pressure and, if required, heat, and then finally interconnected by treatment in an autoclave or the like. The invention also relates to apparatus for performing the method, comprising means for disposing two panes in register and for initially joining or prelaminating them with a plastics laminating sheet in the gap between the panes (hereinafter called the gap) by applying pressure and heat if required. Such a method and apparatus are herein referred to as being "of the kind specified".

U.S. Patent Specification 351 8137 discloses a method and device of the kind specified wherein the prelaminate is manufactured when the panes and laminating sheet are vertical. The process is as follows: the laminating sheet is pressed against the facing surface of the first pane, is preferably stuck thereto and is then pressed at or on the facing surface of the second pane, starting from one edge, and thus stuck to the second or to the first and second pane. To this end, the laminating sheet is first stuck by a layer of adhesive on to one of the two panes in the laminated safety panel which is to be produced, the process being performed outside the actual lamination station in which the prelamination process is to be carried out.Next, after being joined to the laminating sheet, the first pane is vertically aligned in register with the second pane for producing the safety panel and then conveyed between vertical compression rollers, i.e. the panes and sheet are compressed by rolling, starting as before from the vertical front edge of the panes. This known method has the disadvantage that a very complicated structure is required for bringing the laminating sheet to the first pane and subsequently aligning the individual pane elements.Another, particularly serious disadvantage has been found, in that air-bubbles cannot reliably be prevented from forming inside the panel when the unit panes are compressed by rollers, starting from the front vertical edge; the reason is that it cannot be guaranteed that the joining line, which moves from the front edge of the pane towards the rear edge, will advance in an exactly vertical manner. There is a similar disadvantage, i.e. that air bubbles are not reliably eliminated, in a method disclosed in U.S. Patent Specification No. 2235958, wherein the panes of the safety panel to be manufactured are pressed together, together with a laminating sheet between them, in a horizontal position to produce the prelaminate. The horizontal operation also poses serious problems regarding turning-over and space.The method of producing the laminating layer from casting solutions as described in German Offenlegungsschrift 2153150 or U. S. Patent Specification 2106766 is much more expensive than the known sheetlamination method, in which the laminating sheets, e.g. conventional polyvinyl butyral sheets, are joined to the panes with application of heat and pressure; as before, however, bubbles present a serious problem. On the other hand, known devices for producing multi-pane systems (insulating glass), as described in German Auslegeschrift 2707031 or 2546304, do not provide any solution of the problems occurring in the method or device in question.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide a method and device of the kind specified, suitable for economic, efficient production of laminated safety glass panels of excellent quality.

To this end, the invention provides, according to one aspect, a method of the kind specified, wherein at least the second pane is first heated to a temperature adequate for the prelamination process; the panes are then aligned in register, spaced apart from one another, in a lamination station; the laminating sheet is then brought into the gap between the panes; the sheet is then laid and pressed against the first pane and preferably stuck thereto; and finally, as a result of relative motion between the first and the second pane, the second pane is brought to bear against the laminating sheet and pressed against it, thus sticking together the complete laminate.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the panes are prelaminated when vertical and the corresponding laminating sheet is first applied to the facing surface of the first pane, preferably stuck thereto and then pressed at or against the facing surface of the second pane, starting from one edge, and thus stuck to the second or to the first and second pane. This method is characterised in that as a result of the relative motion between the first and the second pane, the bottom longitudinal edge of the second pane is first brought to bear against the first pane covered with the laminating sheet after which the two panes are pivoted relative to one another around the bearing edge so that they bear completely against the laminating sheet and are pressed against it so as to stick together the finished laminate.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus of the kind specified for performing the method according to the invention, characterised by a conveyor means for introducing pairs of panes disposed in register and previously heated to a temperature sufficient for prelamination, into a lamination station; a means in the lamination station for inserting the laminating sheet into the space between the panes; and a device for sticking the two panes to the lamination sheet.

A specially preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, in which the panes are disposed vertically in register, is characterised by a means by joining a first of two panes to a laminating sheet, preferably by sticking, and subsequently sticking the second pane to the surface of the laminating sheet remote from the first pane or for sticking both the first and the second pane to the laminating sheet.

According to another optional feature, in the case of the device and/or method according to the invention, the laminating sheet, after being brought into the gap, is pressed against the first pane, progressing from one edge to the other, by a roller, brush, stream of gas or the like.

Of course, the method and apparatus according to the invention can be used for prelaminating laminated-glass or insulating-glass panels instead of the individual panes which have been described.

Particularly good results have been obtained by an embodiment of the apparatus in which the means in the lamination station for introducing the laminating sheet into the gap comprises a sheet supply roller disposed at the side of the transfer belts and having its axis horizontal and parallel to the flow direction; a substantially horizontal sheet bearing plate disposed between the storage roller and the transfer belts and bearing a releasable sheet holder; a sheet cutter disposed near the bearing plate and a number of gripping rollers equipped with sheet-clamping devices, the rollers being in an endless chain a rotary guide and adapted to be introduced into the gap from a sheet-receiving position near the free end of the sheet-bearing plate, the rollers being movable in substantially vertical manner through the gap after clamping the portion of sheet unwound on to each roller and finally being retractable, after the prelaminate in question has been finished, into the foil-receiving position, in which the end of the lamination sheet delivered by the supply roller and borne by an insertion strip is gripped by the sheet clamping means, the required portion of sheet is cut by the sheet cutter and finally the gripping roller bearing the portion of sheet is put back into circulation.

According to an alternative feature, the device in the lamination station for introducing the laminating sheet into the gap may comprise a sheet driving means movable in a guide substantially vertically between the panes, the driving means being arranged to drive a laminating sheet delivered by a supply roller disposed outside the gap, convey it through the gap to the end remote from the place of insertion, and secure it there near the corresponding end of the first pane, and then return towards the supply roller.

The invention enables the prelamination process to be carried out in a space-saving easilyautomated manner, using vertical panes and making full use of their heat, since before the prelamination process the panes are brought to a temperature adequate for sticking to the laminating sheet. Of course, the method according to the invention can also be used to produce multi-pane laminated safety glass panels, e.g. by repeating various cycles in the method. Apparatus embodying the invention can also of course comprise a laminated safety-glass cutting means or sawing means for multi-pane laminated safety glass constructed in vertical manner, as known e.g. from German Offenlegungsschrift 2657757.

Furthermore, the method according to the invention operates without the use of conventional laminating machines. Another special advantage is that it saves considerable energy in that the temperature-control chamber, which is preferably provided, can be kept very small compared with conventional lamination rooms.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a general plan view of the device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the transfer means in the device according to the invention, in flow direction I, when unloaded and in the lowered retracted and extended position; Figure 3 shows the transfer means in Figure 2 bearing a pane, when the bearing surface is in the raised position; Figure 4 shows the transfer means in Figures 2 and 3 in the lamination station after the sheet has been brought in by a gripper roller; Figure 5, in conjunction with Figure 4, shows the transfer means bearing the pane and the inserted sheet after a wire panel has been introduced on a rack;; Figure 6 is a partly cut-away diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a sheet-inserting system according to the invention; Figure 7 shows the sheet insertion system in Figure 6, the gripping-roller rotary system being shown in considerable detail; Figure 8 shows the method of inserting and calmping the lamination sheet in a gripping roller; Figure 9 shows the gripper roller moving in in the winding-up position; Figure 10 shows the cutting-off of the wound portion of the sheet; Figure 11 shows the gripping roller moving into the winding-off position at the bottom edge of the.

pane in the lamination station; Figure 12 shows the gripping roller in a position in which the sheet has been brought ready into the gap and has travelled through the "tension region"; Figure 14 is a diagram, perpendicular to the flow direction, of the wire insertion means in the device according to the invention; Figure 15 shows a first working position of the wire insertion means; Figure 1 6 shows another working position of the wire insertion means; Figure 1 7 shows another working position of the wire insertion means; Figure 18 shows the sheet and wire inserting means after the prelaminate has been formed in the lamination station; Figure 19 shows a variant embodiment of a laminating-sheet insertion system, which may advantageously be used in the (pre-)lamination station;; Figure 20 shows another variant embodiment of a sheet entraining means in the laminatingsheet insertion system in Figure 19; Figure 21 shows a third embodiment of the sheet entraining means in Figure 19; Figure 22 shows a fourth embodiment of the sheet entraining means in Figure 19; Figure 23 shows another modified embodiment of the sheet entraining means, by means of which the second pane can be pressed on to the laminating sheet, which has already been placed on the first pane; Figure 24 shows an embodiment of a back-up roller for bent panes, of use in the laminatingsheet insertion system according to Figures 19-23; and Figure 25 shows a wire-insertion means for use in the device according to the invention.

As Figure 1 shows, an apparatus embodying the invention comprises a rotary frame or turntable 10 to which panes are supplied on conventional trestles 12, resting on their narrow edge, and are taken off by a known unstacking means and rotated through 900 so as to rest on their long edges and are deposited on a conveyor belt having various portions 1 6 and 1 8. In the case of multi-pane combinations comprising a number of kinds of panes, a number of rotary frames can of course be provided with a corresponding number of unstacking means and conveyor belts; the skilled addressee will have no difficulty in suitably modifying the apparatus shown diagrammatically in Figure 1. Of course it is not absolutely necessary to use the long edge as a bearing edge; alternatively the rotation through 900 can be omitted.Panes conveyed in succession on conveyor belt 1 6, 1 8 in a flow direction marked I are brought to a washing station 20.

Station 20 is followed by two transfer means 22, 24, the first being in flow direction I and the second in a parallel flow direction 11, as will be described in detail hereinafter. At present it suffices to observe that the individual transfer means can be constructed in a variety of ways as required, e.g. can be roller trains, conveyor belts or the like.

As Figure 1 shows, the apparatus also comprises a tempering chamber 26 adjacent the washing station 20. This is followed by a (pre-) lamination station (general reference 28) which hereinafter for brevity will always be called the "lamination station" although of course the final stage in manufacturing the laminated safety glass panel from the panes prelaminated according to the invention occurs in a subsequent step. Station 28 comprises sheet and wire insertion means 30 (described in detail hereinafter), a temperaturecontrol led chamber 32 (likewise described in detail hereinafter) for receiving the laminatingsheet supply rollers, and vertical coarse cutters 34 for cutting off the projecting portions of sheet or wire along the vertical edges of the finished prelaminate.Station 28 is followed by vertical pressure rollers 36, followed by a horizontal coarse cutter 38 which can be used for cutting off at least the bottom portions of sheet or wire along the bottom edge of the prelaminate. Any remaining pieces of sheet or wire can be manually removed from the various edges of the panes in a manipulation unit 40. The panes then enter an autoclave frame 42 which, after being filled, is conveyed to a transfer station 44, whereupon the next autoclave frame 46 can of course be moved forward into the loading position previously occupied by frame 42.

After leaving station 44, the loaded autoclave frames enter autoclave 48, where the laminated safety glass panel is finished by the action of pressure and heat if required. In order to shorten the travelling time, a pressure reservoir 50 can if required be connected to autoclave 48. Pressure reservoir 50 can also be constructed as another autoclave, a simple matter for the skilled addressee.

After leaving autoclave 48, the finished laminated safety glass panels arrive at an unloading station 52 where the panels are brought to the required final dimensions, and to an adjacent packing station 56. The finished panels then travel either in the direction of the top arrow Figure 1 for further treatment or dispatch, or, if required, are sent off from the packing station 56, depending on the nature of the panels. Of course, the cutting and/or sawing device 54 can also be disposed between the lamination station 28 and the autoclave 48.

It should also be noted that in Figure 1 the transfer means 24 disposed in flow direction II bears a first pane 25 and the transfer means 22 disposed in flow direction I bears a second pane 27, both panes being shown diagrammatically.

The two panes are aligned in register with one another in the lamination station 28.

The apparatus described above operates as follows: To save space, the panes 25, 27 for processing are delivered resting on their narrow edge on trestles 12. Trestles 1 2 are then placed on the rotary frame or turntable 10. Conventional unstacking means 14 remove the panes from the trestle 12 on turntable 20, rotate them through 900 and place them on their long edges on conveyor belt 1 6. The panes then move in succession along conveyor belt 18 into the washing station 20, which contains a washing machine. The washing machine 20 washes the panes and also heats them to a temperature adequate for sticking to the laminating sheet in the lamination station 28. On leaving station 20, the pane enters transfer means 22, i.e. travels in the flow direction I.It is then transferred to the flow direction II and remains there until a second pane 27 for joining to the previously-mentioned pane 25 to form a laminated safety glass panel has been moved into the flow direction I, whereupon the two panes 27 and 25 are disposed in register on the transfer means 22, 24 between washing station 20 and tempering chamber 26, as shown in Figure 1.

After being aligned with one another, panels 25 and 27 are conveyed on transfer means 24, 22 in an already-heated state (they have been heated in washing station 20) and enter the tempering chamber 26, where the panes are brought to or maintained at the appropriate final temperature on the side which is to be laminated. For this purpose, the two panes are introduced into separate subchambers in flow directions I and II. If, as described, the temperature in washing station 20 has already been brought to a value adequate for the prelamination process in station 28, the pane 27 on transfer means 22 in flow direction I can travel through the appropriate sub-chamber of the tempering chamber 26 without additional heating, i.e. during the prelamination process the pane remains at the same temperature as after the washing process. Considerable energy can be saved as a result.In the other sub-chamber, however, the pane 25 in flow direction II is brought to the lamination temperature, including losses expected before the prelaminate has been finished. The temperature, of course, depends on various factors, e.g. on the nature of the laminating sheets for processing, and the time between moving the panes out of the tempering chamber and completing the prelaminate.

If it is desired to save space, the pane can be heated in the tempering chamber when motionless instead of travelling through, and is subsequently transferred to the transfer means of station 28 in the flow direction II. In such cases, the pane in flow direction I will already have been moved away for further treatment.

After leaving the tempering chamber, the panes 27, 25 on the transfer means 22, 24 are moved in parallel and in register to the lamination station 28. Of course, in both the previously-described and the subsequent process steps, the motion of the panes is timed and controlled in known manner, e.g. by abutment control or the like. In station 28, in a manner described hereinafter, the laminating sheet or, if required, a wire panel, e.g.

for improving the safety properties or for heating purposes or the like, is brought by sheet and wire insertion means 30 into the space between the two panes 25 and 27. The laminating sheet is held under vertical tension, whereas the first pane, after being secured, is slightly raised by the transfer means and pushed forward towards the laminating sheet, during which process the transfer means can pivot. As a result of the existing temperature and tension on the sheet, the sheet is stuck to the pane in the flow direction I.

Next, the pane standing in position on the transfer means in the flow direction II is moved up to the aforementioned first pane and pressed upwards against it, in order to squeeze out any air bubbles. As a result of the existing temperature and pressure, therefore, the second pane is stuck to the laminating sheet, whereupon pane 25 is released after previously being secured. Next, the transfer means for the flow direction II moves back along direction II. Of course, stationary transfer means, connected by transfer paths, can also be disposed in the flow directions. Simultaneously, the vertical coarse cutter 34 trims the laminating sheet and wire panel, if any, in the sheet and wire insertion means 30, at right angles to the direction of flow at the front and rear end of the panes, which are joined, with interposition of a laminating sheet, to form the prelaminate.The transfer means in the flow direction I returns to its initial position and drops down to the transfer level. The secured pane is released.

Next, the panes, which have been combined in a prelaminate with interposition of a stuck laminating sheet, travel through vertical pressure rollers 36 into a manipulation unit 40.

In this process step it is advantageous to use horizontal coarse cutters or, at least, it is advantageous to release the "horizontal tension" in the laminating sheet, and, if present, the wire.

The insertion of a wire net will be described in detail hereinafter. Either at before the manipulation unit 40, the horizontal coarse cutter 38 cuts off the sheet along the bottom edge of the pane. Any projecting sheet or wire can be removed manually from the other three sides.

Next, the discharge unit 41 transfers the prelaminate to the autoclave frame 42. Frame 42 can be constructed so as to receive a complete packing unit. In any case, the various autoclave frames can be coupled. They are disposed in compartments in front of the discharge unit 41, so that one compartment is associated with each prelaminate.

When the autoclave frame 42 has been filled, it is automatically transferred to the transfer station 44 and coupled to the autoclave frames already there. At the same time, of course, the next autoclave frame 46 moves into the loading position. The transfer station 44 is given a size such that it corresponds in time to one journey through the autoclave together with the required additional times. When, therefore, a complete load is moved out of autoclave 48 to the unloading station 52, the new load from position 44 can advance as a complete unit into position 48. In order to shorten the travelling time through autoclave 48, it can be connected to a pressure reservoir 50. As a result, when the panes leave the autoclave 48, some of the pressure is stored and can be further increased during the manipulation period. On the other hand, the novel heating curve is favourably influenced by the simuitaneous unloading and loading of autoclave 48. At the unloading station 52 the autoclave frames 42 and 46, the capacity of which is equal e.g. to that of a packing unit, are uncoupled and raised, after which the finished laminated safety glass panels are cited at the front and back ends with plastics or corrugated-board caps. The autoclave frame is removed and sent for further loading. The finished unit for packing is then stored for dispatch.

When large panes are produced they can of course also be stacked on trestles and supplied thence to a cutting and/or sawing machine, which cuts large plates into a number of small standard sizes. Alternatively the panes can be taken from the autoclave frame in the same order in which they are supplied thereto and can be conveyed to a subsequent processing station by a vertical conveyor belt. Of course, the aforementioned device can also be constructed in other variants, e.g. bent or can move forwards and backwards in certain stations, and can also extend over a number of storeys in a building. Of course, multi pane laminated safety glass panels can be produced by repeatedly travelling through the aforementioned device or by connecting a number of devices of the aforementioned kind, more particularly lamination stations, in sequence.The panes, of course, need not necessarily be made of silicate glass, but can be made e.g. of suitable plastics. In addition, the various components of the device can be modified so as to produce bent articles in standard dimensions, e.g. windscreens.

Details of the lamination station 28 will now be explained with particular reference to Figures 2-13. Figure 2 shows a transfer means 22 in the flow direction I, side view (left) and substantially in cross-section (right) at right angles to the direction of flow. As Figure 2 shows, the transfer means has a bearing surface 58, 60, 62 divided into three.

The individual bearing surfaces (hereinafter only surface 58 will be referred to) are independently pivotable around their bottom horizontal edge.

Furthermore, as Figure 2 shows, the transfer means comprises a roller train 64 for bearing the bottom edges of the panes. Surface 58 can also be raised to a limited extent and pivoted and/or moved to the left in Figure 2. Figure 2 also shows a gripping roller 66 (described in detail hereinafter) in a rotary guide 68 and a rack 70 for introducing a wire net, more particularly for heating purposes, into the gap between the two panes 25, 27 on the corresponding transfer means in the lamination station 28.

Figure 3 shows the transfer means from Figure 2 in flow direction I holding a pane 27 firmly in position, the bearing surface 58 being raised. In Figure 4, the laminating sheet 72 has already been brought into the gap by a system of gripping rollers 66, 68 (described hereinafter). A sheet clamping means 74, to be described hereinafter in detail, is disposed near the bottom edge of the pane. Finally, Figure 5 shows the system where frame 70 brings the laminated sheet 72 and a wire net 76 together into the gap.

The rack 70 has a lowering and return device 78 and is driven by extendable hydraulic cylinders or pneumatically actuated piston-cylinder units.

As shown by Figures 2-5 together, transfer means 22, 24 having bearing surfaces 58 in both flow directions, i.e. flow direction I and flow direction 11, the surfaces being movable vertically and also pivotable out of their plane at right angles to the flow direction for performing the prelamination process. Surfaces 58 are constructed to act as holding plates (e.g. suction or clamping plates) for holding panes 27, 25 when they are raised and prelaminated.Since the dimensions are normally standard, i.e. the panes do not exceed the dimensions of conventional float-glass panes, surfaces 58, 60, 62 are advantageously divided in the described manner into a number of parts which can be joined together and are moved in dependence on the dimensions of the pane; any surfaces which are not required remain in the inoperative position.

The plate or pane dimensions can thus be altered without stopping the entire device. Conventional driven roller trains, permanently disposed at a fixed spot on the ground, can be used for transport in flow directions I and II; as a rule stationary transfer means are provided in the flow directions and connected by transfer sections as previously described. The panes are positioned for prelamination by moving them until their front edge abuts the end of the corresponding transfer means in the flow direction; the device is designed and actuated so that the two transfer means align the panes vertically and exactly in register.

Figures 6-1 3 show an embodiment of the sheet insertion system according to the invention.

As shown, the sheet insertion system comprises a sheet supply roller 82 which can be a component of a system of supply rollers, disposed in a temperature-controlled storage chamber in an endless-chain frame 84 driven by a drive 86, so that successive supply rollers 82 holding a laminated sheet e.g. a conventional sheet of polyvinyl butyral, can be brought into the operation position in Figure 6. Roller 82 can be driven by a winding drive 88 in the manner shown in Figure 6. Sheet 72 extends from roller 82 to a sheet-bearing plate 90, which has a flap portion 92 which can fold around a horizontal axis in the manner shown.Plate 90 is associated with the following components: A vertically novable sheet holder 94 which can be releasably driven up to the bearing plate 90 and removed therefrom; a sheet cutter 96 with a knife 98 and clamping bars 100, 102 for clamping the sheet 72 during the cutting process. A stationary sheet-insertion strip 104 is disposed above the flap portion, which can fold downwards. The drawings (Figure 6 ff) also show a device 106 for holding down a sheet, and a number of gripping rollers 66, which can be brought through the gap between the panes 27, 25 in the lamination station 28 by a rotary guide 68, in a continuous chain starting from a sheetreceiving station near the bearing plate 90. There is also a train of gripping rollers 108 and the aforementioned sheet clamping means 74, which can be mechanical or pneumatic. By way of example, Figure 6 shows a gripping-roller drive 110 which ensures that a given length is unwound. The individual gripping rollers also have a sheet-clamping device 112, which will be described in detail hereinafter. Before explaining the individual steps of the process of inserting the sheets according to the invention, with reference to Figures 8-13, we shall first describe the general process of inserting the foils with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

The individual rollers 66 are tubes, slotted over their entire length, bearing sheet-clamping means 112 for inserting and clamping the sheet 72. At both ends, rollers 66 have flanges, e.g. square, for guiding, transport and winding, as described hereinafter. The width of sheet 72 is slightly greater than the length of the panes for processing, in the flow direction. The length of the sheet portion to be wound on the individual rollers 66 is substantially equal to the vertical dimension of the panes for processing, and is controlled by varying the number of revolutions of the gripping roller during the winding process, allowing for the distance between the sheet cutter 96 and the roller 66 when in the winding position. Of course, the diameter of roller 66 and the thickness of sheet 72 are known.

The sheet supply rollers 82 are conventional commercial cooled or washed laminating-sheet rollers, which are suspended in the aforementioned endless-chain frame. The winding drive 88 on the endless-chain frame is used to assist the process of winding on the rollers 66 (to be described hereinafter) so that the sheet is not stretched during winding. The two clamping bars 100, 102 of cutter 96 are movable in parallel sideways towards roller 82, and knife 98 is longitudinally movable between the clamping bars. Alternatively, of course, a heated wire can be used for cutting the sheet. Bars 100, 102 need not necessarily move sideways, since the sheet holder 94, the insertion strip 104 and the moving flap portion 92 can automatically bring sheet 72 into the position for insertion into the next gripping roller 66.Of course, the clamping device 112 belonging to the corresponding roller 66 is aligned with the now freely suspended end of sheet 72 in the aligning means. Care must be taken that the axis of rotation of roller 82 and the axis of rollers 66 are exactly parallel. The magazine for the loaded rollers 66 is still in the closed, temperature-controlled region. The gripping-roller return means also leads back to the closed, temperature-controlled region. The set of gripping rollers 108 tighten the sheet without stretching it.

The clamping device 112 on rollers 66 can e.g.

have a semi-corcular hose cross-section, the curved part being stuck in the tube. The clamping action is brought about by pressure, after each prelaminate has been made; the waste portions of sheet are removed by deaertation or, if required, by connecting a source of negative pressure at a defined position. The sheets are brought into the gap, preferably out of a chamber disposed at the side of the transfer means 22 for flow direction I.

The schematic arrangement and operation of the gripping-roller rotary system according to the invention is clear from the various explanations in the text on Figure 7. Figure 7 also shows that the gripping rollers can be moved either in the flow direction or in the reverse direction.

As Figure 8 shows, the front, free end of sheet 72 is pressed by holder 94, which is lowered, against the sheet bearing plate 90. The end hangs freely downwards over the insertion strip 104 and is received by a clamping roller 66 and firmly gripped by a sheet clamping device 112 in the roller. To this end the folding portion 92 takes the position shown in Figure 8, i.e. folds downwards, so that the free end of sheet 72 automatically takes up the position shown in Figure 8.

Next, as shown in Figure 9, the gripping roller 66 is moved to the left, after previously raising the holder 94. When a roller 66 gripping an end of a sheet has reached the winding station, the supply roller 82 begins to unwind, assisted by actuating the winding drive 88 of the roller 82. The winding motion of roller 66 is brought about by a drive 110. In order not to stretch the unwinding sheet 72 out of shape, the wound and/or unwound lengths are kept exactly equal by suitably controlling the speed of rotation of the winding drives 88, 110. The unwinding of roller 82 is assisted by actuating drive 88 of roller 82, to prevent the sheet 72 from being stretched as it is unwound. In the position shown in Figure 9, the desired portion of sheet, corresponding to the height of the pane, is wound on to roller 66.Next, as shown in Figure 10, the sheet is cut by lowering the clamping bars 100, 102 and actuating the knife 98. Next, as shown in Figure 11, roller 66 reaches the unwinding station above clamping means 74, whereupon the freely downwardhanging, cut end of sheet 72 on roller 66 can be secured by means 74 below the bottom edge of the pane. Next, as shown in Figure 12, roller 66 is moved'upwards through the gap, thus unwinding the sheet. As soon as the sheet has been completely unrolled, a train of gripping rollers 108 grips the sheet without stretching it, thus producing the final stage shown in Figure 1 3.

Sheet 72 is now in a position in which the prelamination process can be carried out.

After the prelaminate has been formed, the projecting pieces of sheet are advantageously cut off in the vertical direction by the previouslydescribed vertical coarse cutter 34, i.e. along the vertical edges of the pane. The portion of sheet remaining on the top edge of the pane can be cut by a stationary knife when the prelaminate is moved out of the lamination station; a similar process can be applied to the bottom edge of the pane. After leaving the position shown in Figure 13, the "empty" gripping rollers return to the sheet-receiving position in the manner shown in Figure 7; during the return, any remaining pieces of foil are ejected from the gripping devices 112.

In the illustrated embodiment of the device according to the invention and also, of course, in alternative embodiments, the laminating sheet can of course be introduced into the gap either from above or from below as required, in a manner which will be clear to the skilled addressee. The pane 27, i.e. that which has consistently been called the first pane, is preferably titled into an oblique position by the associated transfer means when the sheet 72 is being brought towards it, thus ensuring that the sheet is subsequently applied starting from the bottom edge of the pane (or the top edge if the oblique position and insertion of the sheet are suitably reversed).More particularly, according to an optional feature, the sheet 72 inserted into the gap is prelaminated to the first pane 27 by means of a roller, brush, gas flow or the like, by being pressed continuously from one edge of the pane to the other, so as to form a prelaminate with the first pane.

In the embodiment of the sheet insertion system shown in Figures 6 and 13, a number of rollers 66 are used, together with an associated rotary guide 68 incorporating a roller magazine, thus giving optimum station times. Owing to the combination with the frame 84, multi-pane laminated safety glass panels can easily be massproduced, using sheets of varying thickness. Even faults in the sheets do not interfere with the massproduction process, since the appropriate roller 66 can, without being rolled up, move through the rolling-up portion between transfer means 22, 24 belonging to the (pre-)lamination station 28. The faulty sheet will then be removed during the return journey of the gripping roller.

In an advantageous variant of the last embodiment, a number of individual sheets can simultaneously be withdrawn from a number of supply rollers disposed one above another in an endless-conveyor frame 84 and can then, before reaching the sheet bearing plate 90, be pushed together by suitable guide rollers and downstream pushing-together or squeezing rollers. The pushing-together or squeezing rollers, which eliminate all the air from between the panes, can also be heated. The guide rollers can e.g. by adjustably driven or can be suspended. Each individual supply roller can have a winding drive, like the illustrated drive 88, which is provided for the laminating sheet 72 in the illustrated embodiment.Of course, in a process according to the invention, sheets e.g. multiple sheets, can also be brought into the gap by hand, e.g. from a lifting platform, after being suitably cut to size, and various sheets can of course be unrolled by hand from various supply rollers.

Figures 14-1 8 show further details, more particularly with relation to the method of inserting the wire. In Figure 14, a rack 70 on which wire 76 is stretched is stored in a magazine 124 above the lamination station and can be periodically moved by the magazine. A lowering and return device 78 moves the rack 70 exactly into position in the gap and back to the magazine at the end of the process, i.e. when the prelaminate has been made.

Figure 1 5 shows how piston-cylinder units 80 (A, B, C, D) engage the four corners of rack 70 so as to move it accurately in a straight line. The rack is moved towards the glass-bearing surface on the transfer means 22 for the flow direction I and secured in the plane of sheet 72.

Figure 1 6 shows how the bearing surface 58 of transfer means 22 is moved towards the plane of the sheet and wire. From this step onwards, the suction plate 58 of the transfer means 24 for the flow direction il can be moved up. Of course, the bearing surfaces 58 are aligned in a register with one another.

Figure 17 shows the prelamination position of the bearing surface of transfer means 22 after the laminating sheet and wire have been tightened by a further slight forward movement of the bearing surface and/or suction plate.

Finally, Figure 1 8 shows the prelamination position when the second pane 25 has been moved out. In this case a certain pressure is exerted by the bearing surface of means 24 against the "counter-bearing", which consists of the second pane 25 (which is at the required prelamination temperature), the wire panel 76, the sheet 72, the first pane 27 and the bearing surface 58 of means 22. Figure 18 also shows how the sheet and wire is cut off by a cutter, which has meanwhile been moved to the level of the sheet and wire and can be driven along the top and bottom edge of the unit.

When wire is inserted by rack 70 after the wire (steel wire) has been tightly wound on it in a winding unit, the rack is driven from above into the processing position. In this manner faultily wound racks can be withdrawn from magazine 124 without reaching the processing position between the panes 27, 25 in the transfer means 22, 24 in the lamination station 28. Preferably the wires in panel 76 extend at right angles to the flow direction of the panes for processing; of course the wires must be cut off at the top and bottom edges of the prelaminate. To improve the quality, an additional station rotatable through 900 can be provided between the lamination station and the vertical pressure rollers 36. Use can also be made of an additional station with a pressure roller operating in the direction in which the wire moves.

Rack 70 is moved back into magazine 124 by the previously-described steps in reverse sequence; to increase the tempo, the rack can also be introduced into a store disposed at another place at the side or below the lamination station.

The excess wire is ejected at an appropriate place after the rack has been returned to magazine 124.

Of course the optical effect obtained by steel wires can be brought about by printing, e.g.

screen-printing, one of the two panes forming the laminated safety glass panel. The printing can also be longitudinal and transverse, for optimum use of the pane. This can avoid the disadvantages and inaccuracies of the conventional method of wire insertion, but the process of introducing the panes in flow direction i must be altered, since the panes will be printed and the tempo will have to be altered accordingly.

The device according to the invention can be used not only for joining panels by means of a laminating sheet; as an alternative, the sheet can be replaced by an inserted material, e.g. a fireprevention insert, having suitably prepared surfaces. It is also possible in principle to introduce the laminating sheet in the same way as previously described for the wire panel, i.e. on a rack. Of course, the panes can be coated, e.g.

printed, before reaching the washing station.

Alternatively, depending on the direction of the wires in the panel, horizontal pressure rollers can be disposed behind the lamination station and in front of the vertical pressure rollers, to prevent damage to the wires. This is advantageous, because the wires in the panel can of course have any suitable configuration (e.g. they can be wire netting). Of course, the laminating sheets and wire panels can be introduced either in the flow direction or in the opposite direction, in which case the individual movements in the lamination station will have to be correspondingly changed in direction. A particularly important feature is that, owing to the subdivided bearing surfaces 58, 60 and 62, a number of relatively small panes can be associated with a relatively wide laminating sheet, after which the individual panes will have to be cut apart.Of course, the lamination station can be associated with laminating sheet supply rolls of varying width, which are used when needed and,!f necessary, can be combined for supplying very wide sheets.

Figure 1 9 shows a laminating-sheet insertion system which can be used as an alternative to the embodiment described hereinbefore and illustrated in Figures 6-13. In Figure 19, a laminating sheet 72 coming from a supply roller (not shown) hangs freely downwards over a guide roller 114 and is guided by a sheet drive means or roller 11 8 provided with a corresponding gripping device and vertically movable in a guide 11 6.

Drive means 11 8 is associated with a pressure roller 120. A vacuum strip 122 is disposed below the bottom edge of pane 127 and secures the bottom edge of the sheet before it is pressed against pane 127. As Figure 1 9 shows, the drive or gripping means 11 8 has a slot through which sheet 72 extends and in which it can be gripped if necessary. In the example in Figure 19, the gripping means 11 8 can e.g. comprise a suction strip or a compressed-air pressure bar and a cooperating surface.

Figure 1 9 shows the method of introducing the laminating sheet 72 into the gap between the panes after they have been introduced in the previously described manner into the lamination station 28. In Figure 1 9 the laminating sheet 72, which is permanently held in drive means 118, is first moved downwards from a position above pane 127 by the drive means 118, which is appropriately guided after sheet 72 has been gripped therein. Next, an end of the sheet projecting from means 11 8 is gripped by vacuum strip 122. After the pressure roller 120 has pressed the sheet against vacuum strip 122, the gripping component of means 11 8 ceases to operate, whereupon means 118 and roller 120 co-operate during the upward movement to press the sheet against the hot pane 127 and stick it thereto.Advantageously in the last-mentioned embodiment a single device is used to grip the sheet, draw it off and press it. The vacuum strip 122 or a corresponding sheet gripping means 74 can be omitted if the adhesion of sheet 72 to the hot pane 127 is great enough to ensure that sheet 72 sticks firmly to pane 127 as soon as it is pressed against the bottom edge of the pane. In the last-mentioned case, roller 120 can be moved in reciprocation, using suitable actuating means, along the bottom edge of pane 127 and sheet 72.

.Of course the sheet can also be introduced from beneath into the gap, as described in detail in the embodiment of the sheet-insertion system illustrated in Figures 6 ff. As Figure 1 9 shows, pane 1 27 (throughout called the first pane) in the present case is tilted into an oblique position by the associated transfer means during the sticking of sheet 72, thus ensuring that the sheet is subsequently applied from the bottom edge of the pane (or from the top edge if the oblique position and the process of inserting the sheet are correspondingly reversed).

Figure 20 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention in which the drive means 11 8 comprises a sheet-gripping means 112, i.e. two gripping rollers 130, 132 between which a sheet 1 72 is guided. Rollers 130, 132 can e.g. be movable towards one another in order to grip sheet 72 during the corresponding phase of motion. Alternatively, rollers 130, 132 can run freely but lock in one direction of rotation, i.e.

during the downward motion of drive means 118 (in Figure 19) they can be locked against rotation and thus clamp and entrain sheet 72, whereas during the subsequent upward motion, in which roller 120 applies sheet 72 to pane 127, the rollers run freely, so that sheet 72 can move relative to means 118.

Instead of the configuration in Figure 20, rollers 130, 132 can of course be held in a suitable retaining means as shown in Figure 21, without providing a sheet drive means having a slot similar to the drive means 118 shown in Figures 19 and 20.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 22, a single pressure roller 120 can be provided in conjunction with a single gripping-roller 132, in which case the change-over from gripping operation to sliding operation is brought about by relative motion of rollers 120 and 132, as clearly shown in Figure 22. Rollers 130 and/or 132 and pressure roller 120 can be finger-like spigots, in which case the pressure roller 120 presses the edge region of the sheet during the upward motion and simultaneously applies the central region of the sheet to the pane by tension.

Figure 23 shows an embodiment in which the sheet drive means 118 has a pressure roller 120 and an extra pressure roller 124, rollers 120 and 124 being pivotable by a toggle lever 1 34 at the drive means 118. In the embodiment shown in Figure 23, sheet 72 is pressed against the first pane 127 initially by pressure roller 120, during which process the toggle lever 134 pivots anticlockwise, relative to the position shown in Figure 23, until roller 124 has been moved away from the pane and roller 120 has been pivoted into the operating position, whereupon it operates in the manner described with reference to roller 120 in Figure 19.Next, i.e. after sheet 120 has been brought to the pane 127 as shown in Figure 19, the second pane is applied to sheet 72 in the previously described manner, whereupon lever 1 34 is placed in the position shown in Figure 23 and roller 124 presses the second pane 125 against the sheet, thus finishing the prelaminate. If a number of panes have to be prelaminated using a number of sheets, additional amounts of sheet can be moved downwards and pressed against the free surface of pane 125, e.g.

during the downward motion of drive means 118 shown in Figure 23 and during the process (Figure 23) of pressing the pane 125.

Figure 24 shows a modified embodiment of the device according to the invention for prelaminating curved panes. To this end, the roller elements in the embodiment in Figure 23 are in the form of rotatably mounted shafts 136 on each of which a hose-like structure can roll; the angular position of the shafts can be adjusted in accordance with variations in the curvature of panes 127 and 125. Figure 23 shows a relatively strongly curved pane (a) at the left and Figure 6 shows a relatively weakly curved pane (b) at the right. The operation of the device shown in Figure 24 is basically similar to the operation of the device according to German Patent Specification 1679961, relating to a rollerbending furnace, i.e. as already stated a "hose" or the like can roll over the bent shafts 136 in the device according to the invention.

Finally, Figure 25 shows a wire insertion means for inserting a wire panel into the gap and subsequently embedding it in sheet 72. As previously described, the panel can be used e.g.

for heating or for reinforcing the panel. As Figure 25 shows, a number of wire coils 142 are disposed in a coil-holder 140, from which individual wires 1 76 can be guided over guide rollers 144 and 146 (one of these rollers can be omitted if required) towards a wire drive means 148 and a downstream pressure element 1 50 towards the laminating sheet 1 72 which has already been stuck on. A welding die 152 and a wire-holding means 1 54 are disposed downstream of the pressure element 1 50.

Element 1 50 is preferably heatable and has a grooved surface. The welding die 1 52 is a device which is similar to sheet-winding means used e.g.

for producing food wrappings, i.e. it sticks the fine wire 176, either at the beginning and end of the laying process or discontinuously, to the sheet 172, which has already been applied to pane 127.

Die 1 52 can of course also be used to replace the vacuum strip 122 in the sheet insertion system shown in Figures 1 9-24, or the sheet clamping means in the sheet-insertion system in the embodiment in Figures 6 ff. The wire-holder 1 54 is designed to prevent the wire tangling before or after the laying process; an electromagnet, for example, can be used for wire made of magnetic metal. The wire drive means 148 can also serve as a coil-holder 142, or the coil holder 142 can be directly connected to the wire drive means 148.

The device shown in Figure 25 operates as follows: The drive means 148, which operates in exactly similar manner to the drive means 11 8 in the sheet insertion system in Figures 1 9-24, draw individual wires 176 off coils 142. After the wires have been brought near the top edge of pane 127 in Figure 25, means 148 and the downstream components are moved back and the wires are pressed and welded into or with the laminating sheet 72 before the second pane is applied and joined to the sheet 72 in the previously-described manner.

The features of the invention disclosed in the preceding description, the drawings and the subsequent claims may be of importance, either alone or in any combination, for the various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (1)

1. A method of producing laminated safety glass panels in which at least a first and a second pane, with a plastics laminating sheet disposed between them, are combined to form a prelaminate, by application of pressure and, if required, heat, and then finally interconnected by treatment in an autoclave or the like, characterised in that at least the second pane is first heated to a temperature adequate for the prelamination process; the panes are then aligned in register, spaced apart from one another, in a lamination station; the laminating sheet is then brought into the gap between the panes; the sheet is then laid and pressed against the first pane and preferably stuck thereto; and finally, as a result of relative motion between the first and the second pane, the second pane is brought to bear against the laminating sheet and pressed against it, thus sticking together the complete laminate.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the panes are vertical when prelaminated.

3. A method according to claim 2 in which each laminating sheet is first applied to the facing surface of the first pane, preferably stuck thereto and then pressed at or on to the facing surface of the second pane, starting from an edge thereof, and thus stuck to the second or to the first and second pane, characterised in that, as a result of the relative motion between the first and the second pane, the bottom longitudinal edge of the second pane is first brought to bear against the first pane covered with the laminating sheet, after which the two panes are pivoted relative to one another around the bearing edge so that they bear completely against the laminating sheet and are pressed against it so as to stick together the finished laminate.

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the panes are heated in a washing station before being inserted into the lamination station.

5. A method according to claim 4, characterised in that at least the surface of at least the second pane facing the laminating sheet is heated in a tempering chamber to a temperature above the washing temperature, after leaving the washing station and before being inserted into the lamination station.

6. A method according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that at least the surface of at least the first pane facing the laminating sheet is cooled to a temperature below the washing temperature, preferably to room temperature, before being inserted in the lamination station.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the panes are aligned in register with one another before being inserted into the lamination station.

8. A method according to claim 7 and claims 5 or 6, characterised in that the panes, after leaving the washing station and before being inserted into the tempering chamber, are aligned in register with one another.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the panes are not aligned in register with one another until they reach the lamination station.

10. A method according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterised in that the laminating sheet in the lamination station is brought by vertical motion into the gap between the panes.

11. A method according to claim 10, characterised in that the laminating sheet is brought from above into the gap between panes (hereinafter called "gap").

12. A method according to claim 10, characterised in that the laminating sheet is brought from below into the gap.

13. A method according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterised in that the laminating sheet in the lamination station is brought into the gap by horizontal motion parallel to the flow direction.

14. A method according to any of claims 3 to 13, characterised in that the laminating sheet, after being brought into the gap under vertical tension, is first secured near the bottom edge of the first pane and then, after relative pivoting between the first pane and the laminating sheet, is moved around the securing line, starting from the bottom edge of the pane, so that it bears against the entire facing surface of the first pane and is pressed against it and preferably stuck thereto.

1 5. A method according to claim 14, characterised in that the first pane, before the laminating sheet has been secured near its bottom edge, is placed so that it extends obliquely upwards from its bottom edge and diverges outwards relative to the gap; next, the laminating sheet is secured near the bottom edge of the first pane; next, the first pane is moved forwards towards the clamped laminating sheet and the sheet is consequently pressed against the first pane and preferably stuck thereto; next, the bottom edge of the first pane joined to the laminating sheet is brought in contact and in register with the bottom edge of the second pane, and finally the second or the first and second pane is or are stuck to the laminating sheet, the first pane being placed vertically.

16. A method according to claim 15, characterised in that the first pane, before being pressed against the laminating sheet, is raised slightly relatively to the second pane.

17. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in the lamination station, a (heating) wire panel is moved into the gap in addition to the lamination sheet and is embedded in the sheet during the prelamination process.

1 8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the portions of the laminating sheet projecting above the vertical edges of the prelaminated panes and, if required, the projecting portions of the wire panel are cut off in the lamination station after the prelaminate has been finished.

19. A method according to claim 18, characterised in that the portions of the laminating sheet projecting above the horizontal edges of the prelaminated panes and, if required, the projecting portions of the wire panel are cut off the prelaminate when it leaves the iamination station.

20. A method according to any of claims 2 to 19, characterised in that the prelaminate, after leaving the lamination station, is conveyed between vertical pressure rollers.

21. A method according to any of claims 2 to 20, characterised in that the prelaminate, after being finished, is cut to size horizontally and/or vertically.

22. A method according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the laminating sheet is pressed against the first pane by a roller, brush, gas flow or the like, the pressure starting from one edge of the pane and progressing towards the other edge.

23. A device for performing the method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising means for disposing two panes in register and prelaminating them with a plastics laminating sheet in the gap, by application of pressure and heat if required, characterised by a conveying means (16, 18,22, 24) for inserting pairs of panes (27, 25) disposed in register and previously heated to the prelamination temperature, into a lamination station (28'), a means (30, 66, 68, 108, 74) in the lamination station (28) for inserting the laminating sheet (72) into the gap between the panes, and a means for joining the two panes (27, 25) to the laminating sheet (72) preferably by sticking.

24. A device according to claim 23, in which the panes are disposed vertically in register, characterised by a means (58) for joining a first (27) of two panes (27,25) to a laminating sheet (72), preferably by sticking, and subsequently sticking the second pane (25) to the surface of the laminating sheet remote from the first pane or for sticking both the first and the second pane to the laminating sheet.

25. A device according to claim 24, characterised in that the conveying means comprises conveyor belts or roller trains (1 6, 1 8, 64) for both panes (27, 25) and two transfer means (22, 24) each for receiving one of the panes, which are disposed one behind the other in the flow direction, and for disposing them in pairs in register and conveying the thus-disposed panes through the lamination station (28).

26. A device according to any of claims 23 to 25, characterised by a washing station (20), disposed in front of the lamination station (28), for washing and, if required, heating the panes (27, 25) to the temperature required for the prelamination process.

27. A device according to any of claims 23 to 26, characterised in that a tempering chamber (26) is disposed upstream of the lamination station (28).

28. A device according to claims 26 and 27, characterised in that the tempering chamber (26) is disposed between the washing station (20) and the lamination station (28).

29. A device according to any of claims 25 to 28, characterised in that at least one of the transfer means (22,24) has a bottom roller train (64) and a substantially vertical bearing surface (58,60,62).

30. A device according to claim 29, characterised in that at least the bearing surface (58, 60, 62) of the transfer means (22) for conveying the first pane (27) is pivotable to a limited extent around a horizontal axis near its bottom edge in the flow direction.

31. A device according to any of claims 24 to 30, characterised in that the transfer means (22) for conveying the first pane (27) is movable in the main flow direction (i) and the transfer means (24) for conveying the second pane (25) is movable parallel thereto in the flow direction (II).

32. A device according to any of claims 24 to 31, characterised in that the bearing surfaces of the transfer means (22, 24) are divided into individual surfaces (58, 60, 62) which are independently tiltable and/or vertically adjustable.

33. A device according to any of claims 29 to 32, characterised in that the bearing surface (58, 60, 62) and/or the roller train (64) and/or a bottom bearing edge of at least the transfer means (22) for conveying the first pane (27) is vertically adjustable and/or horizontally adjustable at right angles to the flow direction, to a limited extent in the lamination station.

34. A device according to any of claims 24 to 33, characterised in that the means (30) in the lamination station (28) for introducing the laminating sheet (72) into the gap comprises at least one sheet supply roller (82) disposed at the side of the transfer belts (22, 24) and having its axis horizontal and parallel to the flow direction; a substantially horizontal sheet bearing plate 90 disposed between the storage roller and the transfer belts and bearing a releasable sheet holder (94); a sheet cutter (96) disposed near the bearing plate (90) and a number of gripping rollers (66) equipped with sheet-clamping devices (112), the rollers being in an endless chain in a rotary guide (68) and adapted to be introduced into the gap from a sheet-receiving position near the free end of the sheet-bearing plate (90), the rollers being movable in substantially vertical manner through the gap after clamping the portion of sheet unwound on to each roller and finally being retractable, after the prelaminate in question has been finished, into the foil-receiving position, in which the end of the lamination sheet delivered by the supply roller (82) and borne by an insertion strip (104) is gripped by the sheet clamping means (112), the required portion of sheet is cut by the sheet cutter (96) and finally the gripping roller bearing the portion of sheet is put back into circulation.

35. A device according to claim 34, characterised in that the sheet supply roller (82) has a winding drive (88).

36. A device according to claim 35, characterised in that the sheet bearing plate (90) has a flap portion (92) which can be bent from a substantially horizontal into a substantially vertical, downwardly-pointing position.

37. A device according to any of claims 34 to 36, characterised in that the sheet cutter (96) comprises a knife (92) having clamping beams (100, 102) disposed on either side.

38. A device according to claims 36 and 37, characterised by an insertion strip (104) disposed above the flap portion (92).

39. A device according to any of claims 34 to 38, characterised by an aligning means for aligning the sheet-clamping means (112) of the corresponding gripping roller (66) with the free end of the lamination sheet (72) delivered by the supply roller (82).

40. A device according to any of claims 34 to 39, characterised in that the gripping rollers (66) or clamping devices each have a clamping strip.

41. A device according to any of claims 34 to 40, characterised in that a number of sheet supply rollers (82) are disposed inside a frame in the form of an endless chain (84) having a drive (86).

42. A device according to any of claims 34 to 41, characterised by a sheet holding-down means (106) disposed near the free end of the sheetbearing plate (90) or the flap portion (92).

43. A device according to any of claims 24 to 42, characterised in that a sheet clamp (74) is disposed near that edge of the first pane (22) to which the laminating sheet (72) is first secured.

44. A device according to claim 43, characterised in that the sheet clamp (74) has a mechanical clamping strip.

45. A device according to claim 43, characterised in that the sheet clamp has a vaccum strip (122).

46. A device according to any of claims 34 to 45, characterised in that the sheet supply roller (82) is disposed outside the lamination station in a temperature-controlled chamber (32).

47. A device according to any of claims 24 to 46, characterised in that the device in the lamination station for introducing the laminating sheet (72) into the gap eomprises a sheet driving means (118) movable in a cam guide (116) substantially vertically between the panes (127, 125) the means grips a laminating sheet 72 delivered by a supply roller disposed outside the gap, conveys it through the gap to the end remote from the place of insertion, secures it there near the correspondong end of the first pane (127), and then returns towards the supply roller.

48. A device according to claim 47, characterised in that the means (118) comprises a means (112) for optionally sliding the laminating sheet (72) through and clamping it.

49. A device according to claim 48, characterised in that the means (118) has a slot, extending over the entire length of the pane, for conveying the laminating sheet (72) through.

50. A device according to claim 48 or 49, characterised in that the means (11 8) has a suction strip on which negative pressure can be exerted.

51. A device according to claim 49 or 50, characterised in that the means (118) has a compressed-air pressure bar with a countersurface.

52. A device according to any of claims 47 to 51, characterised in that the means (118) is constructed so as to press the laminating sheet (72) against the first pane (127) during the return motion towards the supply roller.

53. A device according to any of claims 47 to 52, characterised in that the means (118) Is associated with a vertically reciprocatable smoothing and pressure element, more particularly a pressure roller (120) or a smoothing brush or the like, preferably oscillating parallel to the flow direction.

54. A device according to claim 48 or 49 or claim 52 or 53 and claim 48 or 49, characterised in that the means (118) is a sheet clamping device (112) and has at least one and preferably two gripping rollers (130, 132) between which the laminating sheet (72) is guided.

55. A device according to claim 54, characterised in that the two gripping rollers (130, 132) are movable towards and away from one another.

56. A device according to claim 54 or 55, characterised in that at least one of the gripping rollers (130, 132) is freely rotatable in one direction but selflocking in the other direction.

57. A device according to any of claims 54 to 56, characterised in that the means (118) has only one gripping roller (132) which is adjustable relative to the pressure roller (120) for securing or relasing the laminating sheet (72) when in the clamped position.

58. A device according to any of claims 48 to 57, characterised in that a toggle lever (134) is pivotably mounted at the means (118) and the pressure roller (120) is disposed at one end of the lever and a pressure roller (124) at the other end so that, when the lever is in the first position, the pressure roller (130) abuts the laminating sheet (72) and when the lever is in the other position the pressure roller (124) abuts a pane (125) disposed on the laminating sheet (72).

59. A device according to any of claims 23 to 58, characterised in that the lamination station (28) comprises a device (30, 77, 78, 80, 124) for vertically or horizontally introducing a wire panel (76) into the gap.

60. A device according to claim 59, characterised in that the device comprises a vertically adjustable rack (70) for introducing the wire panel.

61. A device according to claim 59, characterised in that the wire insertion means comprises a wire-entraining means (148) movably substantially vertically between the second pane (125) and the first pane (127) associated with the sheet (72), the wire entraining means gripping a wire (176) supplied bya supply roller(142) or the like, conveying it through the gap to the end of the gap remote from the insertion place, securing it there near the appropriate edge of the pane (127) associated with the sheet and subsequently returning in the direction towards the insertion side.

62. A device according to claim 61, characterised in that the wire entraining means (148) is constructed to grip and convey a prefabricated wire net or the like.

63. A device according to claim 61, characterised in that the wire-entraining means (148) is adapted to simultaneously draw off a number of individual wires (176) from a number of coils (142).

64. A device according to any of claims 61 to 63, characterised in that the wire-entraining means (148) comprises a means for optionally sliding the wire (176) through and securing it.

65. A device according to any of claims 61 to 64, characterised in that the wire entraining means (148) is disposed upstream of a pressure element (150).

66. A device according to claim 65, characterised in that the pressure element (150) is disposed upstream of a welding die (152) or the like.

67. A device according to claim 66, characterised in that the welding die or the like (152) is disposed upstream of a wire holder (1 54).

68. A device according to claim 67, characterised in that the wire holder (1 54) comprises an electromagnet.

69. A device according to any of claims 66 to 68, characterised in that the welding die (152) is constructed as an electric sheet-welding device.

70. A device according to any of claims 53 to 58 or 61 to 69, characterised in that the roller elements (120,124,130,132) coming in contact with the laminating sheet (72) or wire (176) or panes (127, 125) are constructed as curved shafts (136) for adaptation to differences in the curvature of the manufactured laminated safety glass panels, and are rotatably and adjustably mounted and a hose element or the like can roll on them.

71. A device according to any of claims 23 to 70, characterised in that the lamination station (28) is associated with vertical coarse cutters (34) for cutting off projecting laminating sheets or projecting wires from along the vertical edges of the panes in the finished pre-laminate.

72. A device according to any of claims 24 to 71, characterised in that the lamination station (28) is associated with horizontal coarse cutters (38) for cutting off projecting laminating sheets or projecting wires from along the horizontal edges of the panes in the finished prelaminate.

73. A device according to any of claims 24 to 72, characterised in that the lamination station (28) is disposed upstream of cutting or sawing means (54) for cutting the prelaminated panes to size.

75. A device according to any of claims 24 to 26 or 59 or 60 and any of claims 23 to 46 or 71 to 74 and 23 to 46, characterised in that the device for sticking the first (27) of the two panes (27, 25) to the laminating sheet (72) comprises a roller, a brush, and a doctor blade or the like for continuously pressing the laminating sheet to the first pane, starting from one edge and moving to the other.

76. A device according to any of claims 34 to 46 or 59 or 60 and any of claims 34 to 46 or 71 to 75 and 34 to 46, characterised in that a magazine for gripping rollers (66) is provided in the rotary guide (68) for the gripping rollers.

77. A device according to any of claims 41 to 46 or 59 or 60 or any of claims 41 to 46 or 71 to 76 and 41 to 46, characterised by guide rollers associated with the supply rollers (82) and disposed upstream of joining-together and squeezing rollers for bringing the sheets together before they reach the sheet-bearing plate (90).

78. A method of producing laminated safety glass panels, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

79. Apparatus for performing the method of any of claims 1 to 22 or 78, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

80. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.