GB2174334A

GB2174334A - Architectural bends of laminated glazing material

Info

Publication number: GB2174334A
Application number: GB08509742A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Arthur Albert Hickman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-04-16
Filing date: 1985-04-16
Publication date: 1986-11-05
Also published as: GB8509742D0; GB2174334B

Abstract

An architectural bend formed by bonding together with resin material two similarly curved glazing sheets (1,2). At least one peripheral edge of the laminated unit is substantially clear. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Architectural bends of laminated glazing material This invention relates to a method of producing an architectural bend of laminated glazing material,. e.g. two or more curved sheets of glass bonded together by a clear resin material, and to an architectural bend produced by such a method.

Methods of manufacturing laminated glass bends, e.g. for curved vehicle windscreens, are well known and generally comprise sandwiching a pre-formed sheet of vinyl polymer, or the like, between a pair of glass bends and applying heat and pressure to the sandiwch assembly to bond the vinyl polymer sheet to the glass bends. However, these known methods are expensive, are mainly used in the industrial market and not for the manufacture of glazing for buildings, and do not generally employ clear resin material as a glass bonding material.

In recent years the use of flat laminated safety glass as glazing for buildings has become widespread. In one known method of manufacturing such a flat, laminated glass unit, a settable liquid resin material is introduced between a pair of glass panels arranged facetoface and spaced apart by means of doublesided adhesive strip material sandwiched between and arranged at the periphery of, the glass panels, the strip material also acting as a liquid barrier to retain the liquid resin material between the glass panels during setting thereof. With a finished flat, laminated glass unit manufactured by this known method the peripheral strip material sandwiched between the glass panels is visible, although this is not generally an inconvenience since it can be obscured when the finished unit is mounted in a glazing rebate of a glazing frame.

It has been proposed to adapt the abovedescribed known method of manufacturing flat laminated glass units to the manufacture of glass bends. However laminated architectural glass bends are almost exclusively used in glazing situations where they are butt jointed to one or more other glazing units-e.g. in display windows to shopfronts, or in glass domes. Unless the or each butt joint is obscured by a covering strip or the like, the double-sided strip material used along the butt jointed edge of the glass bend would be visible, distracting from the visual appeal of the glazing installation.

The present invention seeks to provide a method of producing an architectural bend of laminated glazing material, e.g. glass, having at least one edge which is substantially clear.

According to one aspect of the present invention a method of producing an architectural bend of laminated glazing material comprises providing an assembly of spaced apart, first and second glazing sheets, having substantially similar curvatures, with a barrier to passage of liquid between the glazing sheets around at least a lower part of the periphery of the assembly, introducing settable liquid resin material through an upper peripheral edge of the assembly between the spaced apart first and second glazing sheets and allowing the resin material to set; at least one of the peripheral edges of the finished laminated architectural bend being substantially clear.

The said at least one peripheral edge is preferably provided by the, or part of the, said barrier and typically comprises a clear silicone sealing material. In this case the first and second glazing sheets are conveniently spaced from each other by means of spaced apart spacers along the said at least one peripheral edge, the peripheral edge(s) between the spacers being filled with clear sealing material, e.g. silicone sealing material. When the clear sealing material has set, the spacers are removed and at least some of the vacated recesses filled with the clear sealing material.

The set clear sealing material along the said at least one peripheral edge acts both as a glazing sheet spacer and as the said liquid barrier during the subsequent introduction of the settable liquid resin material between the glazing sheets. Typically the spacing of the glazing sheets from each other and the peripheral liquid barrier are also provided by strip material adhered to each glazing sheet along at least one other peripheral edge (i.e. a peripheral edge or edges destined in use of the finished architectural bend to be obscured).

As a less preferred alternative to the said at least one peripheral edge being provided by said barrier, it is conceivable for the said upper peripheral edge of the assembly to provide the said substantially clear peripheral edge. In this case the clear peripheral edge would be provided by the set liquid resin material or a clear sealing material applied over the set liquid resin material.

Conveniently the first and second glazing sheets overlap each other along opposed edges to define recessed edges therealong.

This facilitates interengagement of two such laminated architectural bends along interengaging recessed edges.

According to another aspect of the present invention an architectural bend comprises a curved laminated unit having first and second glazing sheets, with substantially similar curvatures, bonded together by resin material, at least one peripheral edge of the curved laminated unit being substantially clear.

Conveniently the laminated unit has a clear elongate peripheral edge.

Suitably the unit has a pair of opposed, elongate peripheral edges connected at opposite ends by a pair of opposed, curved peripheral edges. Typically the first and second glazing sheets overlap each other along each elon gate peripheral edge.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1a and 1 b illustrate one method of filling an assembly of spaced apart curved glazing sheets with settable liquid resin material, the figures showing, respectively, views of the assembly from above and to one side and from one end; Figures 2a and 2b illustrate another method of filling an assembly of spaced apart curved glazing sheets with settable liquid resin material, the figures showing, respectively, views of the assembly from above and to one side and from one end;; Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a further method of filling an assembly of spaced apart curved glazing sheets with settable liquid resin material, the figures showing, respectively, views of the assembly from above and to one side and from one end; and Figure 4 is a view showing the interengagement of recessed elongate edges of two architectural bends each having a pair of overlapping curved glazing sheets.

In order to produce a curved laminated glass unit (i.e. an architectural bend of laminated glass) for a building, it is first necessary to obtain two part cylindrical glass bends 1 and 2 (see Figures 1a and 1 b) of substantially similar curvature. These two glass bends 1, 2 are suitably produced in the same bending mould but typically have a slightly different width in the curved direction.

The larger glass bend 1 is then laid on a substantially horizontal surface in an upside down position and non-porous double-sided adhesive strip material (e.g. tape) is fitted inside the curved perimeter edges 3 and 4 at opposite ends of the glass bend 1. The backing strip on the upper face of the adhesive strip material is not peeled off at this stage.

However, to facilitate subsequent peeling off, the ends of the backing strip are conveniently peeled back slightly to extend outwardly from the peripheral edge of the glass bend 1. Spacers (not shown) are then attached at spaced locations inside the elongate, straight peripheral edges 5 and 6 of the glass bend 1 and the smaller glass bend 2 is then carefully lowered onto the glass bend 1 so that it rests on the adhesive strip material and the spacers.

The dimensions of the glass bends 1 and 2 are such that, when properly lined up, the peripheral edges of the bends 1 and 2 are substantially flush with each other. The backing strips on the adhesive strip material are then peeled away and the glass bends 1 and 2 are firmly pressed together at their curved peripheral edges.

The spaces between the spacers which are positioned between the elongate peripheral edges of the glass bends 1 and 2 are then filled with clear, transparent sealing material, e.g. silicone material, with the exception of a filling opening 7 which is left unsealed adjacent the peripheral edge 5. When the clear sealing material has set the spacers are removed. Normally at least some of these vacated recesses are now filled with further clear sealing material, although some of the vacated recesses e.g. at the corners of the assembled unit, are left unfilled to serve as air holes necessary in the subsequent resin filling operation.

When the clear sealing material has completely set, the assembled unit is ready to be filled with a laminating resin. Any conventional liquid resin material may be used. However, particularly preferred resin material is obtained by mixing, e.g. hand mixing, "Naftolan Resin S696" or "Naftolan Resin S700" with catalysts designated "K66", "K206" and "K73" (the designated resins and catalysts are manufactured by Degussa AG, Geschaftsbereich Chemie, Frankfurt, West Germany, and distributed by Chemetall, Gesellschaft Technische Verfahren mbH Sparte Glas Reutervey 14, Frankfurt, West Germany). The resin material is prepared by measuring out a predetermined quantity of selected resin "S696" or "5700" by slowly pouring the latter into a measuring beaker and allowing it to degas sufficiently to ensure no micro bubbles are held in the basic resin.The actual rate of degassing is dependent on the temperature of the operating environment. When the selected resin is absolutely clear, and has no trapped air therein, the catalysts are slowly poured into the resin and gently, but thoroughly, stirred, care being taken to ensure adequate mixing without generating air micro bubbles. If bubbles are generated during mixing, sufficient time must be allowed to elapse for them to disperse. Catalysts "K206" and "K66" are added to the selected resin, suitably at a ratio of 100:1 by volume, and catalyst "K73" is added to the resin suitably at a ratio of 100:0.5 by volume.

However, these ratios are only an approximate guide and can be substantially altered to affect clarity, strength and curing rate of the resin material.

To perform resin filling, a slim funnel 10 is inserted into the filling opening 7 between the glass bends 1 and 2 and resin material is poured in through the funnel 10 until the resin material rises vertically and equally up each side to the elongate peripheral edges. Any air bubbles present in the poured-in resin material are allowed to escape through the air and/or filling openings. These openings are then sealed with clear sealing material, e.g. a silicone or an adhesive mastic.

The resin material is then allowed to set to form the completed laminated unit. During setting of the resin material, weights may be positioned on the glass bend 2 to ensure a reasonable regularity in the thickness of the laminating resin material. Even so the laminating resin material will not have a completely uniform thickness throughout the unit and, for this reason, it is necessary on most curves or bends to provide cooling, e.g. air cooling, of the laminated unit during setting of the resin material to prevent cracking and/or distortion of the unit.

The method described above may be modified in many ways within the scope of the invention. For example Figures 2a, 2b and Figures 3a, 3b show two alternative pouring positions for pouring resin material into the assembly of glazing sheets.

In the pouring position shown in Figures 2a 2b, the lower, elongate peripheral edge is completely sealed to provide a barrier to the passage of the liquid resin material, and only the upper, elongate peripheral edge has air openings formed therein. The assembly is conveniently rocked into the filling position shown in Figures 2a, 2b and is rocked back into its normal rest position (similar to that shown in Figures la, 1b) for sealing of the air openings and setting of the resin material.

In the pouring position shown in Figure 3b, one of the curved peripheral edges of the assembly of curved glass sheets is left either completely unsealed or unsealed at a central filling opening, all the remaining peripheral edge being completely sealed with clear sealing material (e.g. using spacers as previously described). The assembly is then tilted on its end for the resin filling operation, the upper curved peripheral filling edge being sealed with sealing material on completion of the resin filling operation.

In other modifications of the method, the smaller glass bend 2 may be positioned downwardly on a horizontal surface with its elongate peripheral edges in contact therewith.

After positioning the necessary spacers and/or adhesive strip material on the glass bend 2 the larger glass bend 1 is positioned piggyback fashion on top of the glass bend 2.

To improve the peripheral seal during resin material insertion and/or setting in the case where adhesive strip material is used as the spacer/liquid barrier along at least one peripheral edge, it is possible to provide clamps along the edge(s), and/or to position the adhesive strip material inwardly, e.g. approximately 3 mm, of the peripheral edge. In this latter case, silicone material or strong adhesive mastic is then gunned into the peripheral recess formed between the glazing sheets outwardly of the strip material. This improved form of edge seal prevents distortion of the laminated unit during polymerisation of the resin material and because of the uneven time of setting of the resin material as a result of the laminating layer having a variable thickness over the unit.

When laminating extra large glazing sheets it may be necessary to provide a number of resin filling openings along the filling edge of the assembled unit. For example, two or more funnels could be employed for introducing the resin material between the glazing sheets. In this case, however, it is generally necessary to provide an air opening between the or each adjacent pair of filling openings.

Whatever method of construction is employed, at least one peripheral edge is formed as a clear, transparent edge. Provided such a clear edge is formed, any combination of adhesive strip material and spacers/sealant may be employed for the peripheral edge sealing.

Normally the curved laminated glass unit will form in use an upright, part cylindrical portion of a glazing installation, e.g. a curved side to a glazed shopfront. In this case, it is preferred that both elongate peripheral edges will be formed as clear edges enabling other glazing units, e.g. flat laminated glazing units, to be butt jointed thereto. In this case the curved peripheral edges will normally be obscured in use (e.g. mounted in a rebate of a frame) and adhesive strip material or clear sealing material may be used at these curved edges for spacing/liquid barrier purposes.

Figure 4 illustrates a particularly convenient method of providing a butt joint between a pair of curved laminated glass units. In particular each laminated glass unit is produced as previously described with the exception that each unit is formed with a pair of curved glass sheets which overlap along their elongate peripheral edges. Each unit therefore has a pair of recessed, elongate peripheral edges so that a butt joint is formed at the interengaging, recessed clear edges. To complete the joint, clear sealant, e.g. silicone sealant, is formed at the joint between the recessed edges. This type of joint has many uses in forming a sufficiently strong glass to glass joint enabling, for example, structural astragals to be omitted such as in glass domelights or shopfronts.

Although the invention has primarily been described with reference to part-cylindrical architectural bends, it may also find application in other curved shapes e.g. in the formation of glass domes. Furthermore, although primarily finding application in the lamination of curved glass, it also finds application in the lamination of curved shapes of other glazing materials.

It has been assumed in the foregoing description that the peripheral liquid barrier, provided during manufacture of a glazing assembly according to the invention, is to remain in position around the periphery of the assembly after manufacture of the latter. However, this is not essential and it is possible for the peripheral silicone sealant to be removed after the resin interlayer has cured to leave a completely clean and clear edge. Similarly, any type of liquid barrier edge strip or edge sealant can be used during manufacture of a glazing assembly according to the invention and can subsequently be removed after the resin interlayer has fully cured to leave reasonably clear edges.

Claims

1. A method of producing an architectural bend of laminated glazing material comprising providing an assembly of spaced apart, first and second glazing sheets, having substantially similar curvatures, with a barrier to passage of liquid between the glazing sheets around at least a lower part of the periphery of the assembly, introducing settable liquid resin material through an upper peripheral edge of the assembly between the spaced apart first and second glazing sheets and allowing the resin material to set, at least one of the peripheral edges of the finished laminated architectural bend being substantially clear.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which the said at least one peripheral edge is provided by the, or part of the, said barrier.

3. A method according to claim 2, in which the said at least one peripheral edge comprises a clear silicone sealing material.

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, in which the first and second glazing sheets are spaced from each other by means of spaced apart spacers along the said at least one peripheral edge, the peripheral edge(s) between the spacers are filled with clear sealing material, the spacers are removed when the clear sealing material has set, and at least some of the vacated recesses filled with clear sealing material, the set clear sealing material along the said at least one peripheral edge acting both as a glazing sheet spacer and as the said liquid barrier during the subsequent introduction of the settable liquid resin material between the glazing sheets.

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, in which the spacing of the glazing sheets from each other and the peripheral liquid barrier are also provided by strip material adhered to each glazing sheet along at least one other peripheral edge.

6. A method according to claim 1, in which the said upper peripheral edge of the assembly provides the said substantially clear peripheral edge.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first and second glazing sheets overlap each other along opposed edges to define recessed edges therealong.

8. A method of producing an architectural bend of laminated glazing material substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in Figures la and 1b, Figures 2a and 2b, or Figures 3a and 3b either by themselves of as modified by Figure 4.

9. An architectural bend produced by the method claimed in any of claims 1 to 8.

10. An architectural bend comprising a curved laminated unit having first and second glazing sheets, with substantially similar curvatures, bonded together by resin material, at least one peripheral edge of the curved laminated unit being substantially clear.

11. An architectural bend according to claim 10, in which the laminated unit has a clear elongate peripheral edge.

12. An architectural bend according to claim 10 or 11, in which the unit has a pair of opposed, elongate peripheral edges connected at opposite ends by a pair of opposed, curved peripheral edges.

13. An architectural bend according to claim 12, in which the first and second glazing sheets overlap each other along each elongate peripheral edge.

14. An architectural bend constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figure 1, 2 or 3 or Figure 1, 2 or 3 each as modified by Figure 4.