MXPA99010228A - Apparatus and method for sealing the corners of insulated glass assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for injecting sealant material into the corners of an insulated glass assembly (50) suitable for use in manual and automated production. It has been found that significant saving in both time and material can be achieved by only sealing the corners of the assembly, particularly using the automated method and apparatus. The apparatus includes a pair of wiper blocks (14, 16) each having a surface (15, 17) for abutting an edge of a glass assembly (50) arranged in substantially perpendicular configuration to each other, adapted for converging and diverging reciprocal movement from an adjoining position for molding a square corner to a separated position for wiping smooth the surface for the injected sealant material. A nozzle (12) is positioned between the wiper blocks (14, 16) for injecting sealant material into the corner area and retracting in concert with the converging movement of the wiper blocks (14, 16). The method according to the present invention includes confining a corner area to be filled with sealant material, injecting sealant material into the corner area, molding the injected sealant into a substantially square corner, and wiping smooth the surface of the injected sealant.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEALING THE CORNERS OF THE GLASS ASSEMBLIES, ISOLATED.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for sealing the corners of insulated glass assemblies, in particular the invention relates to an apparatus and method suitable for use in manual and automated production.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

The insulated windows comprise an assembly of multiple substrates (in general glass) in a separate configuration with air or another insulating gas sealed in the empty space between the substrates. If the seal breaks, moisture can enter the assembly, which condenses on the glass and clouds the window and also reduces its insulating properties. A separator around the periphery of the strata keeps the substrates in the separate configuration. A sealing material is usually applied around the perimeter of the assembly in the channel between the edges of the R ^ F .: 31 64 substrates and the separating material to prevent the seal from breaking due to the separation of the separator substrate and to prevent the penetration of moisture through the separator. Examples of devices for sealing a mounting perimeter are shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,826,547 issued to Lenhart, and in a prior application to the present inventor under U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/694, 666 Some separators, particularly those that include polybutylene or other butyl materials, or combinations of multiple sealant materials, particularly including polymeric materials such as polysilicones, EDPM, and polyurethanes, have been found to have excellent sealing properties in contact with internal surfaces. of the substrates without an additional layer of sealing material. However, at the corners, the moisture barrier and sealing properties are reduced. The ends of the separator are generally joined at the corners. In other cases, the separator is folded or folded to form a corner. It is preferred to cut or nick or partially nick the spacer to form a folded, square corner without bulging or wrinkling. In the cutting, notching or joining, the additional sealant is preferably applied to maintain the integrity of the seal. For better efficiency, the sealing material must be joined with the separator to form a tight seal with the glass surfaces and the separating material. Thermoplastic materials such as butyl materials are commonly used. In a preferred assembly, the separator and sealant are selected to be compatible, to form a chemical bond between them. Since the complete perimeter of the glass assembly will not be filled with sealing material, the separator can advantageously be placed near the edges of the assembly. The shallow channel between the separator and the edge is used to spread the sealing material in a smooth layer from the corner area. Significant savings can be achieved in both time and material, if only the corners are to be sealed, particularly using an automated method and apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention comprises an apparatus for injecting sealing material into a corner of a glass assembly having at least two separate substrates with a separator therebetween, the apparatus having a supporting means for supporting the assembly glass comprising: a pair of cooperating cleansing blocks, each for butting connection on a glass mounting edge at a corner thereof, the blocks are mounted in angular relation to each other, a nozzle means for injecting sealing material in a corner of a glass assembly arranged between the wiper blocks and adapted to retract from a corner of the glass assembly, and - a driving means for effecting reciprocal, relative movement between the nozzle means and the corner of the glass assembly, and to effect the movement of the blocks from a first position to allow the injection of sealing material into a corner of the glass assembly, and a second position removed from the first position. In an alternate embodiment, the cleaning blocks may move in a convergent and divergent, reciprocal movement, or in a tandem movement. Additionally, the securing means can retain the glass assembly in its position and the positioning means can place the corners of the assembly between the cleaning blocks for the filling operation and cleaning of the corners. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention comprises an apparatus for injecting sealing material into a corner of a glass assembly that includes at least two substrates having aligned corners in a configuration separated by a separator that joins the peripheries of the substrates, comprising: - a support means for supporting the assembly of glass in the apparatus; - a positioning means for placing the corner of a glass assembly in the apparatus; - a securing means for maintaining the glass assembly in its position in the apparatus; - a cooperating pair of cleaning blocks, each having a surface for abutting on one edge of the glass assembly arranged in an angular configuration with respect to each other, adapted for reciprocal convergent and divergent movement from a first adjacent position for molding sealing material, the sealing material injected in a substantially square corner, into a second, separated position to gently clean the surface of the injected sealing material; a nozzle means for injecting sealing material into a corner of a glass assembly arranged between the wiper blocks and arranged to retract from the corner of the glass assembly in accordance with the converging movement of the wiper blocks. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention comprises a sealant injection station, automated to seal the corners of a glass assembly, comprising: a corner sealing station having a means for sealing at least one corner of an end of dragging a first glass assembly located in a forward position in the station and means for sealing at least one corner of a leading edge of a second glass assembly located in a dragging position, relative to the first glass assembly, in this station; - means for advancing a glass assembly out of the forward position of the corner sealing station and out of the driving position of the corner sealing station; multiple injection heads comprising a first pair of cooperating cleansing blocks adapted to seal at least one corner of the trailing edge of the glass assembly when the first glass assembly is in the forward position of the corner sealing station and a second pair cleaning blocks, cooperators adapted to seal at least one corner of the leading edge of the second glass assembly when the second glass assembly is in the driving position in the corner sealing station; - a positioning means for placing a corner of each glass assembly; - an assurance means for keeping each of the first to the second glass assemblies in its position; - the cleaning blocks each having a surface for abutting an edge of the glass assembly and each pair of cleaning blocks that are mounted in angular relation to each other; and - a nozzle means associated with each pair of cleansing blocks, cooperating to inject sealing material into a corner of the glass assembly arranged between the cleansing blocks, the nozzle means that can be retracted from a corner of the glass assembly; and - a driving means for effecting reciprocal, relative movement between each of the nozzle means and a respective corner of the glass assembly, and for effecting the movement of the blocks from a first position to allow the injection of sealing material towards a corner of the glass assembly, and a second position removed from the first position. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention comprises an automated sealant injection station for sealing the corners of a glass assembly, comprising: a conveyor means for advancing a glass assembly towards and away from the injection station: multiple injection heads comprising: - a positioning means for placing the corner of a glass assembly in the apparatus; - a securing means for maintaining the glass assembly in its position in the apparatus; - a cooperating pair of cleaning blocks each having a surface for abutting an edge of the glass assembly arranged in an angular configuration with respect to each other, adapted for reciprocal convergent and divergent movement from a first adjacent position for molding the sealing material, injected towards a substantially square corner to a second, separate position to gently clean the surface of the sealant material, injected; and - a nozzle means for injecting sealing material into a corner of a glass assembly arranged between the wiper blocks and adapted to retract from the corner of the glass assembly in accordance with the convergent movement of the wiper blocks, wherein each wiper head injection is adapted to receive a corner of an assembly for sealing, and for retraction, the assembly is allowed to pass through the station once the sealing operation has been completed.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention additionally provides an automated sealant injection station for sealing the corners of a glass assembly as described above, including two cooperating injection heads, each injection head including a means for positioning rotatable from a first position to receive two front corners of the assembly to a second position to receive two mounting corners of the assembly. In another aspect, the present invention comprises a method for sealing the corners of a glass assembly including at least two substrates having aligned corners in a configuration separated by a separator that joins the peripheries of the substrates where the separator includes a partial discontinuity or complete in the corner, which includes a cut or notch removed from the corner. The method comprises the steps of: - placing a corner of the glass assembly for sealing; - confining a corner area of the glass assembly between the separator and the corner of the glass assembly to be filled with the sealing material; - inject sealing material into the corner area: - close the corner of the assembly that includes the sealant material injected sealant in a substantially square corner; and - cleaning the insulation surfaces of the injected sealant. In another aspect, the present invention comprises a method for sealing the corners and a glass assembly that includes at least two layers having aligned corners with configuration separated by a separator that joins the peripheries of the substrates comprising the initial steps of placing a corner of the glass assembly for sealing, comprising: - continuing a corner area of the glass assembly between spacer and the corner of the glass assembly to be filled with the sealing material; - inject sealing material into the corner area; - closing the corner of the assembly including the injected sealing material and molding the injected sealing material in a substantially square corner; clean the surfaces of the smooth sealer of injected sealant. It is particularly advantageous to apply the sealant according to a method that allows the sealant to chemically bond to the polymeric material of the spacer, and to provide an apparatus that applies a chemically bonded seal. The invention will be understood more clearly as described with reference to the following figures illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which: Having thus described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the embodiments preferred.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 illustrates an automated sealant injection station according to the present invention, suitable for an automated production line; Figure 2a-d illustrates schematically a sequence of operations in the automated station of Figure 1; Figure 3a-3 illustrates the operation sequence of the injection head in detail; Figure 4a-b shows the mechanical links operating to the injection head of Figure 3 in fully extended and fully retracted positions.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the injection head according to the present invention.

Figures 6a-j illustrate the operation sequence of the injection head of Figure 5.

Similar numbers are used throughout to designate similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The injection head shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4 is designated generally at 10. The head includes a nozzle means, comprising a retractable nozzle 12 and a cooperating pair of wiper blocks 14, 16 arranged in a flat, aligned configuration with the glass assembly 50 to be sealed. The injection head 10 is supported on an appropriate support means, conveniently a conventional glass handling structure, specifically a float or float table in a manual assembly line or with automated conveyors in an automated line. Associated with the injection head 10 is a suction cup 18 or other equivalent securing means for securing the glass assembly 50 during the sealing operation. If the separator 52 separates inward from the edge of the assembly 50, leaving a deeper channel to be filled with sealant, the blocks with a profile are provided to fit into the channel to confine the corner area while the core is injected. sealer A typical corner known in the art is indicated as C in Figure 3a. The wiper blocks 14, 16 are arranged in a perpendicular configuration to receive the corner of a glass assembly 50 comprising at least two substrates having aligned corners in a configuration separated by a separator 52 joining the peripheries of the substrates. The cleaning blocks can also serve for a dual function as a means of positioning to place a corner of the glass assembly. In particular, the inner surface 15, 17 of each cleaner 14, 16 serves as a wedge to place the glass assembly 50. The inner surfaces 15, 17 that make contact with the sealing material are faced with TEFLON RM or other non-sticky material they are heated preferably to form a smooth surface in the sealing material. The wiper blocks (14, 16) are arranged in angular configuration with respect to each other for the butting connection of the inner surfaces 15, 17 with the corresponding edges of the glass assembly. The wiper blocks are adapted for reciprocal, convergent diverging movement from a usual position shown in Figure 3a, to a first adjacent position seen in Figure 3c, for molding the injected sealant and then a second separated position, seen in Figure 3d , for the soft cleaning of the surface of the sealing material, injected. For use with a conventional, rectangular glass assembly, the wiper blocks diverge by 90 °.

Blocks 14, 16 are adapted to move reciprocally, in slots 20, 22 or similar guides. The movement coordinates to move simultaneously in the convergent or divergent directions. As shown, the blocks 14, 16 are positioned above the slots 20, 22. The shoes 24, 25 each attach to the blocks 14, 16 to limit movement to a linear route. As can be seen in figure 4a, the shoes 24, 25 are each joined in a pivoted manner by a pin or ball joint 26, 27 to a pneumatic cylinder 26, 27 which drives the reciprocal movement. In the converged position (shown in Figure 3c) the blocks 14, 16 correspond from the edge 30 to the edge 32 to completely close the corner as shown in Figure 3c of the glass assembly 50 to mold a square corner of the applied sealant. Hot melt butyl, a common sealant, is very sticky and prone to forming cords and locks as one surface separates from the other. In order to prevent this problem the edges 30, 32 of the blocks 14, 16 which are also used to clean the nozzle 12 as they converge and the nozzle 12 is removed, as seen in Figure 3c. This movement removes any excess sealant material in the corner area where it is smoothed in the shallow channel between the substrates and the separator. The nozzle 12 has a hole 34 for injecting sealant into the corner area. Internally, a conventional needle valve is provided to open and close the orifice 34 and to regulate the flow of the sealant in an adjustable manner. A timing sequence is used to control the volume of the injected sealant. Adjacent to the orifice 34, the nozzle 12 has lateral surfaces 36, 37 adjacent to the path of the edges 30, 32 of the cleaning blocks 14, 16. The lateral surfaces 36, 37 of the nozzle and the edges 30, 32 of the blocks they cooperate to clean the excess sealant from the nozzle 12 at the molded or smoothed corner in the shallow channels at the edges of the glass assembly. The nozzle 12 is supported in a sliding device 38 which is connected to an air cylinder 40 to drive the reciprocal movement. A hydraulic check cylinder 42 is also secured to the slider 38 to control the speed of movement of the nozzle.

For use with a thermoplastic sealing material such as hot melt butyl, all elements of the nozzle 12 and feed 44 through which the sealant passes are heated to allow the sealant to flow. The heated nozzle 12 can be advantageously used to heat the adjacent spacer material 12 to improve the bond between the sealant and the spacer. An additional heating means, comprising a heater source 35 such as a hot water jet or light source for heating and curing the bonding material, is advantageously associated with the nozzle 12 adjacent the hole 34. In the operation, it is made advancing a glass assembly 50 to the injection head 10 until it abuts with a first cleaning surface 17, and then transversely until it abuts the second cleaning surface 15. Once the glass assembly 50 is in instead, the suction cup 18 is activated to secure it in its position. The wiper blocks 14, 16 are originally placed in an angular configuration adjacent to the nozzle 12, which is in the forward position in place to inject sealant, as shown in Figure 3a. The nozzle 12 pauses, heating the separating material 15. In this configuration, the corner area C to be sealed is confined by the cleaning blocks 14, 16. The nozzle 12 injects sealing material until the valve stops the flow . The nozzle 12 then retracts while the blocks 14, 16 converge to an adjacent position to mold a square corner, as shown in the 3d figure. Any excess sealant is cleaned from the side surfaces 36, 37 of the nozzle 12 in the corner. In this position the sealant is molded by the wiper blocks 14, 16 in a substantially square corner. The wiper blocks 14, 16 then diverge simultaneously to the position shown in Figure 3e, cleaning and smoothing the sealing material in the shallow channel at the edges of the assembly. The injection is made under pressure to ensure good filling and a sealing contact with the glass assembly 50. Some excess sealing material is applied as a result. This excess is used to form a smooth bond between the sealant and the edge of the glass assembly 50. The operation is completed, the glass assembly 50 is released by the suction cup 18 and the incision head 10, and the nozzle are removed. 12 then return to the front position ready for the next application. The sequence of operations is preferably regulated by a central controller. The invention includes a means for repositioning the injection head relative to the glass assembly to terminate a subsequent corner. In one version, the injection head 10 can be adapted to be used with a manual mounting operation or guard table 58. The glass assembly 50 is manually placed in the injection head 10. Once the operation is completed, the glass assembly 50 is manually removed and rotated to seal the next corner. Alternatively, the injection head 10 can be mounted rotatably in a transverse beam (not shown) by transverse movement through the glass assembly 50 providing an automated positioning degree. This configuration will allow two corners of a glass assembly 50 to be sealed before the glass is turned to seal the opposite corners. As shown in Figure 1, the invention is shown in an assembly for the automated application of the sealant, suitable for use in an automated assembly line. In a preferred embodiment, the glass assembly 50 is transported in a vertical array, however, the apparatus and its operation are substantially the same for a horizontal oriented device. A pair of conveyors 60, 62 are provided to advance the glass assembly 50 to a sealing station 100 having an engaging injection head 210, lower and upper one 110. A power supply 64 supplies sealing material through pumps of dosing 66 to each injection head 110, 210. Each injection head is adapted to receive a corner of the glass assembly for sealing, and for retraction the assembly is allowed to pass through the station once it is completed The sealing operation. The lower injection head 210 is supported on the support arm 212 of the frame by the pneumatic cylinders 214 to raise the injection head 210 to its position, and lower it to allow the glass assembly 50 to pass through the injection station 210. sealed 100. The injection head 110 is mounted on a vertical carriage 120 driven by a servo motor in an endless band 124 for height adjustment for different sizes of the glass assemblies 50. The servo motor also lifts the head of the motor 110 to allow the glass assembly 50 to pass through the sealing station 100. Both application heads 110, 210 are pivotally supported on pivots that can be driven by pneumatic cylinders, graduation cylinders, or the like, for placing in a first position substantially at 45 ° to the front, vertical edge 54 of the glass assembly 50 to receive the two front corners of the glass assembly 50, at a position 90 ° from the first position substantially at 45 ° to the vertical trailing edge 56 of the glass assembly 50 to receive the two driving corners of the glass assembly 50. These two positions allow each injection head 110210, inject sealant into the corners of the leading edge 54 of the glass assembly 50, rotate and inject sealant into the corners of the pull edge 56 of the glass assembly 50 once it is advanced towards the injection station, as seen in FIG. Figures 2a-d. In operation, the automated station 100 receives a glass assembly 50 on the conveyor 60 and advances to the position as shown in Figure 1. The upper and lower injection heads 110, 210 are positioned to receive the front corners of the assembly 50. As discussed above, the glass assembly 50 butts to the surface 17 of the first wiper block 16 and advances until it is in its position abutting against the surface 15 of the second wiper block 14. A medium of securing comprising a suction cup 18 or appropriate mechanism releasably secured to the glass assembly 50 in position. The wiper blocks 14, 16 comprise a positioning means and confine the corner area. The nozzle means 12 heats the separator material 52, and then injects sealant into the corner area once the cleaner blocks 14, 16 are in position. The nozzle 12 retracts according to the cooperating pair of cleaner blocks 14, 16 as the latter converge to close and mold a square corner by simultaneously cleaning the side surfaces 36, 37 of the nozzle 12. The wiper blocks 14, 16 diverge and gently clean the surface of the indicated sealant.

The wiper blocks 14, 16 are arranged in angular configuration with respect to each other for the butting connection of the inner surfaces 15, 17 with the corresponding edges of the glass assembly. The wiper blocks are adapted for reciprocal convergent and divergent movement from a usual position seen in Figure 3a to a first adjacent position, seen in Figure 3c, for molding the injected sealant and then to a second, separated position, seen in the figure 3e, to gently clean the surface of the sealing material, injected. For use with glass, rectangular, conventional assembly, the cleaning blocks diverge by 90 °. The upper injection head 110 is lifted from the path of the glass assembly 50, and the lower injection head 210 is lowered by the pneumatic cylinders 214 out of the path of the glass assembly 50. The glass assembly 50 is released and As it advances the conveyors 60, 62. As the glass assembly 50 advances on the conveyors 60, 62 it encounters a location sensor that stops the glass assembly 50 in position to seal the driving corners. The injection heads 110, 210 rotate 90 ° from the first position to the second position to seal the corners of the pull edge 56 of the glass assembly 50. The upper injection head 110 is lowered and the lower injection head 210 is raised towards its position with the cleaners 14, 16 that butt against the edges of each corner. The glass assembly 50 can be precisely positioned by the conveyors, or the conveyors can reverse the direction to place the dragging corners against the cleaning blocks 14, 16 as for the front corners. The sequence begins again the injection of the sealant in the corners. The glass assembly 50 is released and transferred from the sealing station, and the injection heads 110, 210 are rotated back into position to receive the next glass assembly. The operation sequence is preferably controlled by a central controller. The location sensors can be used to operate the operations in a synchronous manner with the progress of the glass assembly. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 a, in another embodiment of the invention, the injection head generally indicated at 300 includes a retractable nozzle means, including nozzle 302 and a pair of wiper blocks 304 and 306 mounted on a platform 307 that is mounted by the rails 308 on a support platform 310 for movement of the injection head 300 relative to the glass assembly 50 to be sealed. The support platform 310 is mounted on an appropriate support means as previously described with respect to the injection head 10. Associated with the injection head 300 is a suction cup 18 as previously described. The wiper blocks 304, 306 are arranged in perpendicular configuration to receive the corner of a glass assembly 50. The wiper blocks 304, 306 may also serve as a placement means for placing a corner C of the glass assembly 50 and the interior surface and profile of the cleaner blocks 304, 306 are substantially the same as for the blocks 14, 16. A slot 320 is provided in the cleaner 306 through which the excess sealing material is removed from the corner C that is molded and then through a hole (not shown) in the cleaner 306 to a pipe means 325 by a suitable suction means after the injection of the sealant in the corner C. The removal of the excess sealant facilitates the injection of the desired amount of sealant in the corner that is sealed without the danger of overfilling and the need for accurate volumetric dosing of the sealing material. The removal of the excess sealant can also be employed in this manner with the injection head 10. The block 306 is slidably mounted on the platform 307 for reciprocal movement relative to the block 304 which is fixed on the platform 307. block 306 is connected to the piston 322 which is connected to the pneumatic cylinder 323 by a conventional means and which drives the reciprocal movement. When block 306 is in the extended position (shown in figure 6b), the blocks 306 and 308 completely close the corner C of the glass assembly 50 to mold a square corner of the applied sealant. The nozzle 302 is formed to fit the corner of the glass assembly to be sealed and has a hole 34, an internal needle valve, and a synchronization sequence as previously described with respect to the nozzle 12, to inject a sealant volume in the corner area. The nozzle 302 is connected to the piston 324 which is connected to a pneumatic cylinder 326 by conventional means to drive the reciprocal movement of the nozzle 302 on an axis parallel to the axis of reciprocal movement of the block 306. In operation, the wiper block 306 is it advances from a usual, retracted position (shown in Figure 6a) to an extended position (shown in Figure 6b). A glass assembly 50 is advanced to the injection head 300 until it abuts the inner surface 318 of the wiper block 306, and then transversely until it abuts the inner surface 316 of the wiper block 304. Once that the glass assembly 50 is in its position, the suction cup 18 is activated to secure it in position and the nozzle 302 extends toward the corner C (shown in Figure 6e). The sealing material is then injected into the corner C as described above with respect to the nozzle 12. Any excess sealant is completely removed through the slot 320. The nozzle 302 is then retracted until the end of the nozzle 302 is flush with the interior surface 316 of the wiper block 304. The wiper block 306 is then retracted until its end surface 340 is flush with the interior surface 316 of the block 304. The retraction action of the block 306 cleans and smoothes the material sealant in the shallow channel at the edges of the assembly 50 and pull the sealing material towards the corner C. The head 300 then moves along the rails 308 along the side edge of the glass assembly 50 with the surfaces 316 , 340 that clean and smooth the sealing material in the shallow channel on the side edge of the assembly 50. The cleaning and smoothing actions along first of the transversal edge 350 and then of the bord The lateral 360 of the glass assembly 50 ensures a good filling and sealing contact with the glass assembly while preventing the formation of cords and peels on the sealed edges of the glass assembly 50. The injection head 300 can be adapted to be used with a manual assembly operation as previously described with the injection head 10. Advantageously as shown in Figures 2e-2h, two sealing stations 100 each including two cooperating injection heads 110, 210 and 111 , 211, respectively, can be arranged sequentially in an automated assembly. A first injection station is provided for sealing the front corners of a glass assembly 50 which is then advanced to a second station sealing the driving corners while a second glass assembly 50 is advanced to the first injection station 100. This allows two assemblies to be sealed in a substantially simultaneous manner and eliminates the need to rotate and relocate the injection heads. A suitable actuation means is provided to place the injection heads 110, 210 and 111, 211 with respect to the glass assembly. Various systems using the injection heads described herein can be used to seal the corners; these systems will include suitable positioning and synchronizing components such as sensors, in order to drive the injection heads of the present invention. It is also known in the art to measure the width and depth of the particular corner to be sealed by sensors that are associated with the sealing nozzle and then to control the injection head as a fusion of the measured values to suit the size of the glass assembly.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the present invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property:

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus for injecting sealing material into a corner of a glass assembly having at least two separate substrates with a separator therebetween, the apparatus having a support means for supporting the glass assembly, characterized by: a pair of cleaning blocks , cooperating, each to abut one of the edges of the glass assembly adjacent to the opposite sides of a corner thereof, the respective abutting surfaces of the blocks which are mounted in angular relation to each other and each block that is capable of movement along the corresponding edge of the glass assembly, thereby smoothing the sealing material against the separator; a nozzle means for injecting sealing material into a corner of a glass assembly arranged between the cleaning blocks and arranged to retract from a glass mounting corner; and - a driving means for effecting reciprocal, relative movement between the nozzle means and the corner of the glass assembly, and for effecting movement of the blocks from a first position to allow the injection of the sealing material into a corner of the assembly of glass, and a second position removed from the first position.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus includes a means for repositioning the blocks and the nozzle means from the second position to the first position.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus includes a securing means for maintaining the glass assembly in the corner sealing position.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus includes a positioning means for placing a corner of a glass assembly and placing a corner in abutting connection with the cleaning blocks;

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocks are mounted in an angular configuration of approximately 90 °.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the cleaning blocks, or the nozzle, includes a heating means.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the cleaning blocks has a profile adapted to cooperate with a channel formed by lateral edges of substrates and separating material internally from the side edges of the assembly.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle has lateral surfaces for abutting with each cleaning block.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the nozzle is provided with a heating means for heating the adjacent separator material and the substrates.

10. An automated sealant injection station for sealing the corners of a glass assembly, characterized in that it comprises: - a corner sealant station having a means for sealing at least one corner of a trailing end of a first located glass assembly in a forward position in the station and means for sealing at least one corner of a front end of a second glass assembly located in a dragging position, relative to the first glass assembly, in this station; - means for advancing a glass assembly towards and away from the forward position of the corner sealing station and towards and away from the driving position of the corner sealing station; multiple injection heads comprising a first pair of cooperating cleansing blocks adapted to seal at least one corner of the trailing edge of the glass assembly when the first glass assembly is in the forward position of the corner sealing station and a second pair of cooperating cleaning fluids adapted to seal at least one corner of the leading edge of the second glass assembly when the second glass assembly is in the driving position in the corner sealing station; - a positioning means for placing a corner of each glass assembly; - an assurance means for maintaining each of the first and second glass assembly in its position; - each of the first and second pairs of cooperating cleansing blocks that includes a pair of cleansing blocks for abutting one of the edges of the glass assembly adjacent to opposite sides of a related corner, the butt joint surfaces respective that are mounted in angular relation to each other and each block that is capable of movement along the corresponding edge of the glass assembly; - a nozzle assembly associated with each pair of cleaning blocks, cooperating to inject sealing material into a corner of a glass assembly arranged between the cleaning blocks, the nozzle means that can be retracted from a corner of the glass assembly; and - a driving means for effecting reciprocal, relative movement between each of the nozzle means and a respective corner of the glass assembly, and to effect the movement of the blocks from a first position to allow the injection of sealing material into a corner of the glass assembly, and a second position removed from the first position.

11. An automated injection of sealant according to claim 10, characterized in that it includes two cooperating injection heads, associated with each one of a forward position of the station and a driving position of the station, the injection heads including means for the rotatable positioning of the heads from a first position to receive two corners of a glass assembly to a second position to receive two different corners of a glass assembly.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one injection head can be moved to adapt the sealant injection station to the size of the glass assembly.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that it includes a means adapted to allow the controlled movement of at least one injection head.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1, including: - a securing means for holding the glass assembly in position, a positioning means for positioning the corner of a glass assembly; and wherein the blocks comprise a pair of wiper blocks each having a surface for butting connection with an edge of the glass assembly when arranged in an angular configuration with each other, one of the wiper block being adapted for reciprocal movement convergent and divergent from a first adjacent position for molding the sealant material injected in a substantially square corner, to a second, separated position for gently cleaning the surface of the sealant material, injected; and a nozzle means that is operative to inject sealing material into a corner of a fixed glass assembly adjacent to the wiper blocks and adapted to retract from the corner of the glass assembly in accordance with the reciprocal movement of a wiper block.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one of the cooperating injection heads in each station can be moved to adapt the sealant injection station to the size of the glass assembly.

16. A method for sealing the corners of a glass assembly including at least two substrates having aligned corners in a configuration separated by a spacer joining the peripheries of the substrates comprising the initial steps of placing a corner of the glass assembly for the sealed, characterized by: - confining a corner area of the glass assembly between the separator and the corner of the glass assembly to be filled with the sealing material; - inject sealing material into the corner area; - closing the corner of the assembly including the sealant material, injecting and molding the sealing material, injected in a substantially square corner; and cleaning the washing surfaces of the injected sealer smoothing.

17. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that it also includes the step of heating the separator of the glass assembly to improve the bond to the injected sealing material before the step of injecting the sealing material into the corner area.

18. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that it also includes the step of manually replacing the glass assembly for each corner.

19. A method according to claim 18, characterized in that it also includes the step of automatically advancing the glass assembly to replace it for the next sealing operation.

20. A method according to claim 19, characterized in that it comprises placing two corners of the glass assembly for simultaneous sealing operations. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for injecting sealant material into the corners of an insulated glass assembly (50) suitable for use in manual and automated production. It has been found that significant savings in time can be achieved as in the material by sealing only the corners of the assembly, particularly using the automated method and apparatus. The apparatus includes a pair of wiper blocks (14, 16) each having a surface (15, 17) for abutting an edge of a glass assembly (50) sealed in the substantially perpendicular configuration to each other, adapted for convergent reciprocal movement from an adjacent position to mold a square corner to a separate position to gently clean the surface of the injected material. A nozzle (12) is placed between the wiper blocks (14, 16) to inject sealing material into the corner area and retract it according to the converging movement of the wiper blocks (14, 16). The method according to the present invention includes confining a corner area to be filled with sealing material, injecting sealing material into the corner area, molding the injected sealant into a substantially square corner, and gently cleaning the surface of the injected sealant. .