GB2064631A

GB2064631A - Sealing Profile

Info

Publication number: GB2064631A
Application number: GB7941646A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-12-03
Filing date: 1979-12-03
Publication date: 1981-06-17

Abstract

A sealing profile composed of at least two different materials serves for forming and sealing an intermediate space (1a) between two panes (2) of an insulating glass pane (1). The sealing profile consists substantially of packing material (3) and a partly U- shaped supporting profile (4) containing a drying agent (5) and preferably bent from soft sheet metal, for example aluminium sheet. The U legs (7) pointing towards the intermediate space (1a) of the insulating glass pane (1) are bent over towards one another with their free ends (10) and overlap one another. The outer one of the overlapping legs (10) of the hollow supporting profile (4) runs over a side transverse to the pane plane and partly also over a side (7) approximately parallel to the plane of the panes and its free margin (10a) is enclosed or covered by packing compound (3). The region of the leg or legs (10) which is adjacent the intermediate space (1a) is perforated at the latest upon installation of this sealing profile in an insulating glass pane (1).

Description

SPECIFICATION Sealing Profile This invention relates to a sealing profile for sealing an intermediate space between two panels, for example the panes of an insulating glass pane, comprising a packing material and a U-shaped supporting profile which contains a drying agent. Such a sealing profile is known from US-PS 3,105,274. The entire seal according to this prior art is manufactured andfitted upon the assembly of the pane. In so doing, a small overlapping of the free margins bent over towards one another of the U legs of the inner spacer is provided, said overlapping being sufficiently permeable for an interaction of the dry space situated in the spacer with the intermediate space between the panes. Such a sealing profile cannot be stored, since the drying agent becomes ineffective in course of time.

Also known from German OLS 2,744,880 is a similar sealing profile with embedded drying agent, with which, however, the margins bent towards one another do not overlap. Here, also, it is disadvantageous that the sealing profile has to be made and fitted practically simultaneously with the manufacture of the pane, since upon lengthy storage of such a sealing profile moisture would penetrate into the U-shaped profile and render the drying agent at least partly unusable.

Furthermore, analogously to that according to US-PS 3,105,274 this U-shaped profile can bring out a supporting effect and a spacing only with its outer crossbar. If, however, the U-shaped profile were a rectangular tube with perforations directed inwardly, it would be very expensive to manufacture and fill.

Also known from German OLS 2,424,225 is an insulating window which has a spacing profile with approximately U-shaped cross section, whose free U legs run parallel to the individual panes and have at their margins directed towards the pane inside bends pointing towards one another. However, a drying agent is not mentioned and, moreover, upon the filling of a drying agent into this spacing profile the abovementioned difficulties would arise.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a sealing profile of the above-mentioned type which, although it can be used immediately after its manufacture to form an insulating glass pane or the like, is however, storable, so that it can be prefabricated and stored for any length of time desired before it is installed in an insulating glass pane. In so doing, the sealing profile is, preferably, simultaneously to be so soft that it can be wound into coils and stored and transported in this way, yet it must, at the same time, be so rigid that it can absorb the compressive forces for the purpose of spacing on an insulating glass pane.

According to the invention, there is provided a sealing profile for sealing an intermediate space between two panels, comprising a packing material and a U-shaped supporting profile made of sheet material which contains a drying agent, wherein the free ends of the U legs pointing in use towards the space between the panels are bent over towards one another and overlap one another, the U cross member serves as a vapour lock adjacent the outer margin of the panels in use, the outer one of the overlapping legs of the hollow supporting profile extends over a side running transversely to the plane of the panels and partly over a side extending substantially parallel to the plane of the panels, its free margin is enclosed or covered by the packing compound and the region of the leg or legs adjacent the intermediate space between the panels is perforated or adapted to be perforated upon installation. Due to this construction it is possible to store the sealing profile for a long time, since the overlapping marginal regions and the packing compound shield the drying agent against moisture. It is sufficient if just before installation perforations are made through which the drying agent can then act upon the space between the panels. Since the marginal regions of the supporting profile which are adjacent the intermediate space overlap in the abovedescribed way so that at least one of these marginal regions extends over the entire width of the intermediate space, this region also contributes to the spacing and supporting of the panels with respect to one another.The tightness is so high that such a profile can be stored either in the form of extrusions or even coiled up.

It is advantageous primarily for a storage in coils if the supporting profile is formed from soft metal, for example from aluminium or an aluminium alloy and is pressure-resistant due to the contained drying agent. The soft material of the actual profile then permits the desired coiling and shaping upon installation of the profile in the panels, so that it can be bent over, for example in the corner regions while the filled drying agent and the crossbars or the overlapping marginal regions ensure a sufficient compressive strength.

With merely small overlapping of the marginal regions adjacent one another in the region of the intermediate space between the panels, coiling would not be possible since these margins would then unfold and become correspondingly loose, especially as with the known, only slightly overlapped marginal regions it is intended that there be a joint.

In one preferred embodiment the supporting profile has packing material on at least three sides thereof, wherin the layers of packing material which rest on the panels are thinner than at least one of the layers of packing material applied to the profile in the direction of the thickness of the panels. The side faces of the supporting profile which are adjacent the panels may be at least partially concave in cross-section and/or comprise grooves or the like to receive packing material and the outer cross member extending transversely to the panels may be substantially planar. Sufficient packing compound may then be accommodated in the concave recesses or grooves without prejudicing the set space defined by the cross member.

At least the side of the supporting profile adjacent the panel inside and running transversely to the panel faces is appropriately free of packing compound, so that after the above-mentioned perforations are made the drying agent can act effectively on the intermediate space. However, it is likewise possible to keep the outer cross member free of packing compound.

The drying agent may be in the form of bodies largely filling the hollow supporting profile in order to increase its inflexibility towards compressive forces preferably in the form of spherical bodies and/or a plastic filling mixed with the drying agent. Although the drying agent bodies permit a bending of the entire profile, they simultaneously ensure a good compressive strength.

Primarily upon a combination of the abovementioned features and measures there results a sealing profile which can be attached to the panels, for example the panes of an insulating glass pane, in any way desired either immediately upon manufacture or else after lengthy storage, especially as the packing material can be selected so that it becomes adhesive primarily under pressure. The special arrangement of the overlapping of the margins of the supporting profile allows even a coiling and accordingly correspondingly space-saving storage of the entire sealing profile. As mentioned, moreover, the leg adjacent the pane inside may serve as an additional spacer, while the drying agent may be filled before the final bending and closing of the profile.It is then sufficient to perforate just before installation the leg adjacent the intermediate space and consisting in a favourable way of a soft material, in order to make the drying agent effective towards the intermediate space between the panels. The use of a soft material for the supporting profile therefore has, besides the desired effect of being able to store it in coil form, also the advantage that the drying agent situated in its inside can be connected to the intermediate space especially simply. In so doing, the leg part extending partly over the side face may extend over at least one third of the side face of the supporting profile, so that the lateral packing material completely covers a joint, if any, during the storage time. It is possible also in this case that only the side faces adjacent the panels are lined with the packing material.

A modified, likewise advantageous embodiment of the invention may consist in that the side of the supporting profile adjacent the intermediate space in use is preperforated and is closed before assembly preferably by an air-tight and moisture-tight packing. The user of the sealing profile is thereby spared upon installation the fashioning of holes or perforations with which the drying agent initially closed off for storage is connected to the intermediate space.

Nevertheless, the advantages of the sealing profile according to the invention and primarily also its storability over long periods of time are retained.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a cross-section through a sealing profile according to the invention which is arranged between two individual panes of an insulating glass pane and has a supporting profile formed from sheet metal with overlapping regions on its side adjacent the pane inside and contains a drying agent, in which only the sides of the supporting profile which are adjacent the panes are lined with packing material; Figure 2 show an embodiment similar to that of Figure 1 in which packing material is provided also on the outside of the supporting profile, so that the supporting profile is enclosed with packing material on three sides; Figure 3 is a modified embodiment of the sealing profile, in which the side faces subsequently adjacent the panes are approximately planar; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of an insulating glass pane incorporating a sealing profile according to the invention.

Common to all the exemplary embodiments shown is a sealing profile composed of two different materials for forming and sealing an intermediate space 1 a between two panes 2 of an insulating glass pane 1, comprising a packing material 3 and a supporting profile 4, resistant to deformation in a transverse direction at least under conventional pressure action and connected to the packing material 3. The packing material is preferably a permanently toughly elastic material adhering to the material lying against it, such as for example synethetic rubber, especially butyl. Altogether there thus results a very good and rapid seal which can be used immediately after its production for the manufacture of an insulating glass pane, but which can also be stored and used as required.

The self-adhesive property is fully utilised only with a corresponding pressure action, heat, being of additional assistance.

Also common to all exemplary embodiments of the sealing profile is the fact that the supporting profile 4 contains a drying agent 5 which is connected to the pane spacing 1 a at least after installation and that at least one cross member 11 of the supporting profile 4 is designed as a vapour lock extending over the largest part of the cross-section of the sealing profile and lying between the drying agent 5 and the outer margin 6 of the insulating glass pane 1. The supporting profile 4 is provided simulataneously as a spacer for the individual panes 2 of the insulating glass pane 1 and the layers of packing material 3 on the side of the profile 4 which are adjacent the panes 2 are preferably thinner than at least one of the layers of the packing material 3 which is applied to the profile in the pane direction. Although a good adhesion and packing are thereby achieved in respect of the panes, nevertheless also a precise spacing is brought about by the supporting profile 4.

In the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 it is additionally provided that the side faces 7 of the supporting profile 4 which are adjacent the panes 2 are in cross-section at least partially concave, so that rather more packing compound can be accomodated there while due to their region elevated in respect of the centre the ends of these side faces 7 simultaneously bring about a good spacing.

In order to ensure that the drying agent 5 becomes effective primarily towards the pane spacing 1 a, the supporting profile 4 shown in Figure 2 lies nearer the margin 8 of the sealing profile which is adjacent the pane spacing 1 a in the functional position.

It is also possible that at least one of the sides of the supporting profile 4 which extended transversely to the pane faces is free of packing compound 3. In Figures 1 and 3 the side placed at the outer margin 6 is free of packing compound, since the supporting profile 4 forms a sufficient vapour lock with its wall. In Figure 3 in addition, both sides of the supporting profile which extend trasversely to the pane faces are free of packing compound. However, it is suggested in Figure 1 that the sealing profile can be lined subsequently with packing compound 15 on its outside.

The supporting profile 4 is a hollow profile which is directed towards the pane inside 1 a and has openings 9 which are closed during storage and in the inside of which is arranged the drying agent 5.

Shortly before installation or during installation the openings 9 can therefore be formed in different ways. If the supporting profile 4 is formed, for example from sheet metal, especially from aluminium sheet and has been filled with drying agent 5 before being bent to a closed form, whereby it has on its side adjacent the pane spacing 1 a over its length, two overlapping, but not fixedly interconnected marginal regions 10, said marginal regions may be open in places shortly before installation, in order thus to form openings. Preferably, drilled or punched holes 9 may be made subsequently or during manufacture. There are provided on the inside of the hollow supporting profile 4, in order to increase its inflexibility towards compressive forces, drying agent bodies largely filling the cavity or a plastic filling or the like mixed with drying agent.The drying agent thereby acquires the additional function of improving the spacing due to an improved compressive strength. The perforations 9 are provided only in the outermost one of the legs 1 0. An escape of drying agent powder between the panes 2 is thus prevented.

It is especially advantageous primarily for a longer storage and also for cooling for storage purposes that the outer one of the overlapping legs 10 of the hollow supporting profile 4 which can be formed, for example from aluminium sheet, engages over the side 7 running approximately paralled to the pane plane, this leg part being designated by 1 Oa. Its free margin 1 Ob is, in so doing enclosed or covered by packing compound. In Figure 1 and 2 in which glazing is suggested schematically the packing compound is already adapted to its function, while in Figure 3 a possible starting form is suggested.

Figure 3 also shows a supporting profile 4 which is not concave or indented on the side faces 7 adjacent the panes 2. Due to the fact that one leg flap 1 Oa engages over on the side face 7 lined with packing compound there is obtained a completely tight closure of the inside of the supporting profile 4 containing the drying agent, so that it can be effectively stored in this form.

Simultaneously, this arrangement permits, depending on the choice of material, also coiling of such a profile, so that it can be stored in any length desired. It is appropriate if the leg part 1 Oa overlaps the side face 7 at least over a third of its height. Upon installation it is then most appropriate if the face of the supporting profile 4 directed to the pane inside is perforated with an appropriate object, which is easily possible expecially with a supporting profile of aluminium.

The drying agent situated on the inside then becomes effective thereby towards the pane spacing.

In all the exemplary embodiments drying agent bodies in spherical form are preferably contained in the profile 4. However, it is also possible to use corresponding drying agent strips or extrusions.

Another possibility consists in that the drying agent bodies initially slightly exceed the crosssection of the supporting profile 4. Upon compression of the legs 7 of the supporting profile 4 the drying agent bodies are then crushed and can become even more effective towards maintaining the pane spacing.

Further embodiments of the above-described combination of packing compound, supporting profile and drying agent are possible, whereby the drying agent is accomodated on the inside of the sealing strip so that it can be effectively stored, but can also become sufficiently effective towards the pane spacing after insulation. Simultaneously, the penetration of moisture to the pane spacing is strongly restricted due to the vapour lock formed additionally by the spacing profile 4, so that an insulating glass pane made by using such a sealing profile promises a long life, even if the intermediate space was not completely dry upon the manufacture thereof. It is especially advantageous that the sealing profile can be stored and transported before it is used on an insulating glass pane or another structural element.This sealing profile is especially advantageous in the manufacture of very thin insulating glass panes where there is a greater risk that moisture may remain in or penetrate the relatively narrow pane intermediate space 1 a.

The width of the intermediate space 1 a may be, for example, less than 5 millimeters, so that insulating panes 1 can be manufactured which can replace individual panes and also fit in their mountings or frames. This may be advantageous with old windows or restricted conditions of space for the subsequent improvement of heat and sound installation. It is then not necessary to replace the entire window construction, but it is sufficient to replace the individual panes with such a thin insulating glass pane. Also, the individual panes of insulating glass panes with a larger pane spacing may be replaced by such a thin insulating glass pane, due to which the insulating effect of such an insulating glass pane with a large pane spacing is, of course, further increased.This has the additional advantage that, for example vapour-deposited or coated glasses can be provided already prefabricated by turning the coated side to the intermediate space 1 a of the thin insulating glass pane. Damage thereof during transport and installation is then reliably prevented.

The sealing profile according to the invention may be fitted so that such a continuous sealing profile is placed on a pane 2 in its marginal region and is bent over in the corner regions 12. This method is applicable because the supporting profile 4 consists of aluminium or an aluminium alloy and this material has a sufficient deformability for correspondingly sharp bends in the corner regions 12.

In so doing, the sealing profile may be bent over at all four corners 12 of the pane and the joining points 13 of its beginning and end may be arranged on a longitudinal side 14 of the pane 2.

In so doing, corresponding precautions in the corners in which seals otherwise frequently abut one another and have to be sealed again specially are avoided. It is therefore sufficient to seal a single joining point 1 3 which is situated in the region of a longitudinal extension of the packing where such a sealing is especially simple. In the manufacture of an insulating glass pane 1, as suggested schematically and by way of example in the Figures, at least the above-mentioned joining point 13, and preferably the entire outside of the sealing profile may be appropriately set back in respect of the pane margins and lined with packing compound 15 after the fastening of the individual pane 2, whereby this may be a different packing compound from that on the sealing profile.

It therefore results that a sealing profile with a supporting profile 4 consisting of aluminium and filled with drying agent can be unwound from a roll, laid on the panes 2 and then bent about an axis running at right angles to the pane faces or that this may be effected immediately after the manufacture of the sealing profile. The choice of material advantageous for the manufacture of the sealing profile therefore has an additional advantage which permits the above-mentioned bending in the corner regions 12. A correspondingly simple adaptation of the sealing profile to the shape of the pane margin is, of course, also possible by corresponding bending with non-rectangular panes contoured in another way.

A further form of realisation of the invention may consist in that the side of the supporting profile 4 adjacent the pane intermediate space 1 a can be preperforated and closed optionally by an air-tight and moisture-tight packing. The perforations 9 can accordingly be provided also prefabricated. This solution is especially advantageous for narrow sealing profiles with a width of, for example less than 5 millimetres or even less than 1 millimetre, since in such a case a subsequent perforation shortly before or during assembly could present difficulties.

It should also be mentioned that for the especially subsequent lining of the outside or of the outer supporting crossmember 4 with packing compound 15 a packing compound may be appropriate which differs from the packing compound 3 provided from the outset on the sealing profile. For example, a polysulphide rubber or silicone or suchlike packing compound is to be considered for a subsequent additional sealing of ' an insulating glass pane 1, if special requirements are placed on the tightness thereof.

For a sealing profile according to the invention which is provided for a very small spacing of the two panes 2 of about 1.5 mm or less it is advantageous if the drying agent is ground. After a good filling of a sealing profile whose walls consist of a very thin and soft sheet it then nevertheless exercises a good supporting function, as would a sand filling. Since the drying agent is ground, it can have a good effect in such a thin sealing profile despite the relatively small volume.

It should also be mentioned that it is provided in the exemplary embodiments primarily for an increase of the supporting effect of the supporting profile that the inner one of the overlapping legs 10 abuts with its end side almost or completely from inside the side face 7 adjacent same. In conjunction with the feature of providing only the outer one of these legs 10 with perforations 9, this prevents drying agent dust from being able to enter the pane intermediate space 1 a.

Furthermore, this inner one of the two overlapping legs 10 is then available for supporting the two panes 2 in respect of one another.

Primarily upon combination of the abovedescribed features and measures a sealing profile is obtained which can be made from very soft and consequently flexible and coilable material and which can nevertheless be stored for a long time with a drying agent filling. It can then be introduced as a coil, for example into an unwinding device for a substantially later manufacture of insulating glass panes 1. Since it is available in coils in practically any length desired, scarcely any waste arises in comparison with sealing rods. At the same time, due to the drying agent filling which is advantageous also for the inside of the insulating glass pane this profile is, despite the soft material, pressure-resistant and can exercise its spacing function effectively.

Claims

1. A sealing profile for sealing an intermediate space between two panels, comprising a packing material and a U-shaped supporting profile made of sheet material which contains a drying agent, wherein the free ends of the U legs pointing in use towards the space between the panels are bent over towards one another and overlap one another, the U crossmember serves as a vapour lock adjacent the outer margin of the panels in use, the outer one of the overlapping legs of the hollow supporting profile extends over a side running transversely to the plane of the panels and partly over a side extending substantially parallel to the plane of the panels, its free margin is enclosed or covered by the packing compound and the region of the leg or legs adjacent the intermediate space between the panels is perforated or adapted to be perforated upon installation.

2. Sealing profile according to claim 1, wherein the supporting profile is formed from soft sheet metal, for example from aluminium or an aluminium alloy and is pressure-resistant due to the contained drying agent.

3. Sealing profile according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting profile has packing material on at least three sides thereof, wherein the layers of packing material which rest on the panels in use are thinner than at least one of the layers of packing material applied to the profile in the direction of the thickness of the panels.

4. Sealing profile according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side faces of the supporting profile which are adjacent the panels are at least partially concave in cross-section and/or comprise grooves or the like to receive packing material and the outer crossmember extending transversely to the panels is substantially planar.

5. Sealing profile according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least the side of the supporting profile adjacent the inside of the panel and running transversely to the panel faces is free of packing compound.

6. Sealing profile according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the drying agent is in the form of bodies largely filling the hollow supporting profile in order to increase its inflexibility towards compressive forces, preferably in the form of spherical bodies and/or a plastic filling mixed with the drying agent.

7. Sealing profile according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the leg part extending partly over the side face extends over at least one third of the side face of the supporting profile.

8. Sealing profile according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein only the side faces adjacent the panels in use are lined with packing material.

9. Sealing profile according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side of the supporting profile adjacent the space between the panels in use is preperforated and is closed before assembly preferably by an air-tight and moisturetight packing.

10. Sealing profile according to any of the preceding claims, wherein only the outer leg is perforated.

11. Sealing profile according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the inner one of the overlapping legs abuts with its end side from inside the side face adjacent same.

12. Sealing profile according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the drying agent is ground.

13. Sealing profile according to any of the preceding claims, wherein it is lined on the outside of the cross member with a packing compound which may, be a different packing compound from that lined on its side faces, for example polysulphide rubber or silicone.

14. A sealing profile for sealing an intermediate space between two panels, substantially as herein described with reference to any Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

15. An insulating glass pane, comprising two panes of glass, the intermediate space between which is sealed by a sealing profile according to any of the preceding claims.

16. A pane according to claim 15, wherein the sealing profile is spaced from the edge of the pane, and additional packing material is applied to the outside of the supporting profile.

17. A pane according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the joint between the ends of the sealing profile is arranged along one side of the pane.

18. An insulating glass pane substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawing.