SE458378B - MULTI-GLASS CONSTRUCTION AND WAY TO MANUFACTURE THEM - Google Patents

Description

458 378 2 internal facing surfaces of the glass sheets around their edge portions. The spacer element is placed between two preformed glass sheets, after which the sheets are pressed together to attach the spacer element and seal the inner air gap between the sheets facing each other from the surroundings. The final air gap between the two glass sheets is a function of the thickness of the spacer element and the thickness of the mastic layers between each side of the spacer element and the adjacent glass sheet.

A mastic layer or a resilient, moisture-resistant strip with a mastic layer attached thereto is then placed around the peripheral edges of the glass sheets and the spacer to form the second hermetic seal. A metal channel member, such as stainless steel, is then attached around the periphery of the structure. The angle formed by the flanges or sides of the duct member with the central portion or body portion of the duct member is slightly less than 90 °. When the channel member is attached to the edges of the glass sheets, the sides are kept apart so that the glass can be inserted between them. The sides are then released so that they can spring back into contact with the sides of the glass sheets and are kept in such a position under tension. The above construction, as well as other similar multi-glass type window constructions, are described and disclosed in US-A-2,838,810, 2,964,809 and 3,280,523.

Another type of multi-glass construction and another method of making the same are also shown and described in US-A-2 624 979. According to the construction described therein, at least two spaced glass sheets are used, the peripheral edges of the upper sheet being heated until it that they soften sufficiently for them to yield and come into contact with the opposite peripheral surface of the adjacent lower disc. The glass in the contact area in the edge portions is heated to a sufficient degree of softening to fuse the cooperating glass surfaces so that a continuous weld is formed around the innermost area. The structure is typically cooled 458 378 3 thereafter and can finally be placed in a preformed frame assembly before it is mounted in, for example, an opening in a building.

In the case of glass constructions, a number of manufacturing preparations of the above-mentioned insulating multiplication and handling steps are typically required before they are ready to be placed in a building opening.

For this purpose, according to the invention, a new multi-glass construction has been provided, which is generally defined in the appended claim 1 and in preferred embodiments in claims 2-6. According to the invention there has also been provided a method of producing such a multi-glass construction, which method is generally defined in the appended claim 7 and in preferred variants in claims 8-12.

In general, the invention relates to an optically transparent, insulating construction, which can be easily and quickly mounted in a building opening. The mechanism for achieving the hermetic seal between the opposite sides of the transparent board material functions partly as a way of maintaining the desired distance between the individual boards and structurally bonding the boards together, and partly as a frame included in a building, which can have which dimensions and any look.

As further examples of the technology on which the present invention is based, mention should be made of QS-A-4 205 104 and 4,529,509, in which multi-pane glass constructions are described, which are kept at a distance from each other by means of a spacer strip. Unlike what is achieved by the invention, these known constructions are not directly mountable in a building opening but require special frame and fastening means. Furthermore, the specification US-A-3 703 42§ in which a method of producing laminates should be described. However, no injection of a polymerizable structure, including transparent sheets, is proposed. and curable composition in a mold cavity to provide a frame, as is the case with the invention. The invention will be further described by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows in perspective a multi-glass construction with the features of the invention, where certain parts are broken away for the sake of clarity; Fig. 2 shows a partial section of the sealing structure according to the invention along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows in perspective and partly in section an edge spacer; Fig. 4 schematically shows a preferred method of manufacturing the closed, insulating glass structure shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; Fig. 5 shows schematically but in more detail a main component used in the manufacturing method shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 shows from above a typical shape, which is intended to provide the closed, insulating construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; Fig. 7 shows on a larger scale a subsection of the mold construction shown in Fig. 6 along the line 7-7; Fig. 8 shows in a larger shell a partial view of the negative pressure system of the mold assembly shown in Figs. 6 and 7 along the line 8-8 in Fig. 6; Fig. 9 shows on a larger scale a sub-section illustrating cooperating pads or packing elements for supporting a multi-glass construction during the manufacture of a multi-glass construction according to the invention; scale a partial section of the seal a second embodiment of Fig. 10 shows in the enlarging construction according to the invention; and Fig. 11 shows on a larger scale a subsection of the sealing structure according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a multi-glass window or a multi-glass construction 10 according to the invention, which is manufactured by the method according to the invention. According to the embodiment shown, the insulating structure 10 has two paired glass sheets 12 and 14, which are kept at a distance from each other by means of an elongate spacer strip 17. The spacer strip 17 is arranged to form a continuous band around the edge portions of glass skis. the sides 12 and 14 facing each other so that a free air gap 20 is effectively formed between the glass sheets 12 and 14. The whole construction is framed by means of a format. frame element 22 of polymeric material, which is polymerized and cured in place for encapsulation of the peripheral outer edge portions of the structure. The frame member 22 is typically formed by reaction injection molding.

Fig. 3 shows the spacer strip 17, which can be used in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The edging strip 17 is supplied by Tremco Ltd., Cleveland, Ohio, USA and is sold under the trademark “Swiggle Strip.” The spacer strip 17 consists of a spacer 16, which may be a flexible, yet rigid material, such as corrugated aluminum, and a desiccant-containing material. 18.

The desiccant-containing material 18 consists of extruded, butyl-based mastic, containing a molecular sieve desiccant dispersed therein. Any combination of mastic and desiccant can be used which has suitable properties for use in this invention. These properties may be, for example, chemical compatibility with other components of the invention, ability to adhere to the disc, frame and spacer strip material, ease of helping to form and maintain a hermetic seal, stability in a wide range of applications and ability to prevent condensation in the associated, hermetically sealed area.

The first step in the production of multiple glasses; the structure 10 is suitable for cleaning the front and rear surfaces as well as the peripheral edges of the glass sheets 12 and 14 to prepare the surfaces for adhesion to the material to be used for the frame member 22.

The next step in the manufacture of the structure 458 378 6 is to apply a primer to the previously cleaned glass surfaces. Satisfactory results are obtained by first applying a primer layer 24 of a product such as "Betaseal, Glass Primer 435.18 Commercial Grade" provided by Essex Chemical Company, Clifton, New Jersey, USA. The glass adhesion area is first coated with the primer to form the layer 24. The primer material is a clear, moisture-sensitive primer consisting of gamma-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, which promotes adhesion between other Betaseal products and glass. After the application of the layer 24, a second primer layer 26 is applied to the layer 24. The primer layer 26 contributes to the rapid formation of a hydrolytically stable adhesion between the glass and the associated frame 22, consisting for example of polyurethane The material in the layer 26 is a primer, such as a light-blocking primer, which prevents ultraviolet degradation of sealant and adhesive material. , or a primer, which is used together with a frame 22, which itself may consist of stable polyurethane. An example of the above light blocking primer was provided on the market under the type designation "Betaseal, Glass Primer 435.20 Commercial Grade" from Essex Chemical Company.

Approximately 20 minutes after the superimposed layers 24 and 26 have been applied, the final assembly can begin. This time period is necessary to allow sufficient reaction and drying of the primers. The exact time period needed depends on the particular primers used. First, the glass disc l2 is placed in a matrix cavity in an associated shape. The mold is included in a device which is described below in detail with reference to what is shown in Figs. 4-9. The spacer strip 17 is placed continuously around the peripheral outer edge portion of the glass sheet. Then the glass plate 14 is placed over it and aligned parallel to the plate 12. The distance strip 1? holds the facing surfaces 458 578 7 of the glass sheets 12 and 14 at a predetermined, desired distance from each other and cooperates to delimit a free air gap 20. An associated mold element with a mold cavity formed therein for co-operation with the above-mentioned cavity is then placed over the lower mold and is locked in the closed position. A batch of polyurethane reaction mixture is injected into the mold cavity to form a completely surrounding frame element 22.

It is often desirable to apply a coating 28 ment to the outer exposed surface of the frame 22 before the multi-glazed structure is mounted in a building opening or the like. The coating 28 may be a urethane-based paint, containing any desired decorative color-producing component, such as pigment. One type of urethane-based paint that is useful for such purposes is, for example, one manufactured by PPG Industries, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, under the tradename Purethane 700 HSE-848. The paint coating 28 is then typically fired at about 60 ° -66 ° C for about -30 minutes. It is understood that in addition to the decorative effect, the layer 28 protects the exposed polyurethane material forming the frame 22 from being degraded, which would otherwise occur by being exposed to ultraviolet radiation normally present in unfiltered sunlight. In the event that the frame 22 consists of ultraviolet light stable polyurethane material, the layer 28 is not necessary, but can still be applied for decorative purposes.

The frame 22 of the preformed construction 10 described above ensures that the desired free air gap between the facing surfaces of the glass sheets 12 and 14 is maintained and keeps the peripheral edges of the glass sheets 12 and 14 tightly compressed against the spacer strip 17. Ra; but 22 it can also have any desired cross-sectional shape corresponding to existing window frame elements at lifting windows, as well as other frame elements.

Fig. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which the like elements are indicated by prime reference numerals. According to this embodiment, the spacer element 16 'has a substantially Z-shaped cross-section, the upper part is designed so that it is constantly in mechanical contact with the peripheral edge of the disc 12' and the lower part is designed so that it is constantly in mechanical contact with the desiccant 18 'so that it is held in place and can still communicate with the air in the free air gap 20; Fig. 11 shows a second embodiment of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which similar elements are indicated by bisected reference numerals. According to this embodiment, both glass sheets 12 "and 14" are provided with an enclosing frame 30, which is mounted thereon in the same manner as the frame 22 is mounted on the composite structure in Figs. 1 and 2.

After mounting or forming the frames 30 on the glass sheets 12 "and 14", they are placed on top of each other and aligned parallel to each other. A desiccant-type spacer strip 18 "is used as the spacer member to hold the glass sheets 12" and 14 "at a predetermined distance from each other during the period of time the last frame member 22" is applied to provide an enclosed, composite, insulating multi-glass structure.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the multi-glass construction described above can easily be used in a new construction, but of equal importance is that the invention provides a cheap, energy-saving, insulating window construction for improving existing structures.

Figures 4-9 show the method and apparatus used to obtain the embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2, 10 and 11.

In Figs. 4-9, the device forming the multi-glass structure 10 has a primer station 50 and a forming station 52 (see Fig. 4), which includes a bulk storage tank 54, from which a stream, which is a mixture of polyol, 458 378 chain extenders, such as ethylene glycol, pigments and a catalyst, together with a single stream of isocyanate are delivered as needed to a urethane station 56. The isocyanate from the bulk tank 54 is delivered to a conditioning tank 58, while the polyol mixture is delivered to a tank 60. 58 and 60 outlets communicate with their respective displacement cylinders or high-pressure metering pumps 66 and 68, respectively, via circulating pumps 62 and 64, respectively, so that the material constantly flows through the supply lines, which lead to a mixer head 74, and through circulation lines to heat exchangers 70 and 72. and then to the conditioning tanks 58 and 60. The heat exchangers 70 and 72 are used in the system to maintain the desired reactions. tant temperatures. Constant movement and temperature control are essential to keep any insoluble compounds present in suspension below temperatures at which the reactants remain inert and liquid but at which they react rapidly when brought together.

An injection system is arranged to inject a batch, consisting of carefully dosed parts of the two circulating flows, in a steady stream. Measured batches of the two flows are delivered to the mixer head 74 from the outlets of the displacement cylinders 66 and 68, respectively, by the action of pistons, which are shown schematically. The injection into the mixing head 74 takes place under an applied pressure of the order of 6.9-20.7 MPa. The two flows are mixed well in the mixer head 74. The mixture is delivered from there to an associated mold 76 via an associated nozzle member 90, which is schematically shown in the retracted position in Fig. 6, at a pressure of about 0.35-0.69 MPa. The mold is then typically maintained at a temperature in the range of 60 ° -66 ° C.

The mold 76 consists of a lower part 78 (Fig. 6) and an upper part 80. Suitable means (not shown) are arranged to open and close the mold parts 78 and 80. When the parts are open, the glass plate 12 is located on the lower part 78 458 378 so that portions of the rear surface of the glass rest on suitably positioned pads or gaskets 82. The pads or gaskets 82 define a portion of the mold retention and prevent flow of the reaction mixture from the frame 22 to the central region of the discs 12 and 14. When the glass sheet 12 has been suitably placed on the pads 82 on the lower mold part 78, the spacer strip 17 is placed so that it continuously surrounds the outer edge portions of the glass sheet 12.

Thereafter, the glass plate 14 is suitably placed on top of and at a distance from the glass plate 12 and the spacer strip 17 so that the edges of the plates 12 and 14 are correctly aligned parallel to each other. The upper part 80 is lowered into position so that the outer peripherals of the cooperating parts 78 and 80 can be clamped together for metal-metal contact outside the mold cavity. The upper die portion 80 of the mold supports pads 84, which together with the pads 82 are resiliently pressed against the glass sheet 14 and retain it in the mold cavity. The cavity of the mold 76 is larger than the glass sheets 12 and 14 to avoid any glass-metal contact.

A vacuum system of the type shown in Figs. 6 and 8 is arranged in the upper mold part 80 of the mold 76 and is moved by the glass upwards together when the molding step has been completed. The multi-glass structure 10 from the pressure system consists mainly of receptacles 86, which communicate with a vacuum line 88. with the die part 80 and it is desired to take the mold 76. Underneath a source of negative pressure as soon as the cooperating parts 78 and 80 of the mold 76 are compressed to receive the batch of the packing or framing reaction mixture, the appropriate batch of the reaction mixture is sprayed during use. ih in the mold cavity. When the reaction mixture has poly; After being molded and cured, the mold parts 78 and 80 are opened, after which the final structure 10 is released from the mold parts. Any excess packing material or beard may be removed at station 102, the structure may be washed and dried at station 110 and a 458 378 μl paint coating 28 may be applied to the outer exposed portion of the frame 22 and burned to cure at station 120 ( is shown schematically in Fig. 4).

The following example according to the invention is at present the best way of practicing the invention, but it is only an illustrative and not limiting example.

Example The surfaces of the upper and lower mold parts 80 and 78 which, after assembly, surround the packing or frame-forming mold cavity are treated with a solvent-based mold release agent. which is a mixture of waxes.

The special mold release agent is provided by Park Chemical Company, Detroit, Michigan, USA, under the tradename PRC-789. The glass sheets 12 and 14 with associated spacer strip 16 and desiccant strip 18 are then suitably placed on the lower mold 78, after which the upper mold 80 is brought against the lower mold 78 and the two are clamped together. A batch, consisting of one part by weight of a polyol mixture and 0.63 parts by weight of an isocyanate, is then pressed into the mixing head 74 under a pressure of 17.2 MPa and thence into the mold 76 under a pressure of about 0.35 MPa. The polyol and isocyanate streams are maintained at a temperature of about 38 ° C, while the mold 76 is maintained at a temperature of about 63 ° C. The polyol and isocyanate streams are mixed thoroughly in the mixer head 74 before reaching the mold 76. About 1.5 minutes after the urethane composition has been injected therein, the mold 76 is opened and the structure 10 is removed therefrom.

The resulting elastic frame 22 is microcellular with a density of 1070 kg / m 3, a hardness (Shore "A") of 90, a tensile strength of 10.3 N / mm 2, an elongation at break of 279% and a flexural modulus (at 24 ° C) of about 24.1 N / mm2. The polyol composition used to carry out the procedure of the previous example consists of 45.4 kg of a polyol base, such as polyether triol, having a molecular weight of 6000, with "capping" of ethylene oxide sold under the trademark "Voranol" 5815 by Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan, USA; 4.54 kg of ethylene glycol; and 1.4 kg of 20% carbon black in polyol. The polyol base may alternatively be a lower molecular weight material, including an amine polyol.

The isocyanate used in the procedure of the previous example is a modified 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, sold under the trademark Rubinate LF 179 by Rubicon Chemicals Co., Geismar, Louisiana, USA.

The above ingredients are catalyzed by the addition of dibutyltin dilaurate and a solution of triethylenediamine in dipropylene glycol.

It will be appreciated that the particular details of the present invention, as described above, may be altered and modified without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Although the preformed insulating structure 10 has, for example, been described as a window structure for a building opening, it is of course understood that it works equally well in a fixed glass structure, for example in the field of building technology, in apparatus and boats. Although the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a polyurethane composition to achieve the desired results, other nylon, polyester and epoxy compositions may conveniently be used as the framing or packing material.

Claims (12)

10 15 20 25 30 458 378 13 A PATENT CLAIM comprising at least two 14 '; 12 "; 14"), for example of transparent glass, and a spacer (17), Multipurpose construction, pairs of discs (12, 14; 12 ') arranged to hold the facing surfaces of the discs at a predetermined distance from each other, characterized by a frame (22; 22 "), which completely surrounds and is attached to predetermined peripheral outer edge portions of the discs to form a hermetically sealed, free air gap (20) between the facing surfaces of the discs and which has been polymerized in place in the vicinity of said predetermined portions of the discs and which has the self-acting mechanism at its polymerization and curing, when the frame is closed, are brought into close contact with the predetermined portions of the discs to which it is attached, the frame keeping the discs in relatively hard pressure against said spacer (17) to keep the discs spaced apart. A multi-glass construction according to claim 1, characterized by a means (l8; l8 '; l8 ") for absorbing moisture in the free air gap (20) between the facing surfaces of the panels. Multi-glass construction according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the frame (22; 22 ") is constructed of urethane resin. Multi-glass construction according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by a cover layer (28), which is adhered to an outer, exposed surface of the frame (22). A multi-glass construction according to claim 4, characterized in that the coating layer (28) consists of a urethane-based paint. Multi-glass construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame comprises a first frame part (30), which surrounds the outer edge portions of one disc (12 "), a second frame part (30), which surrounds the second disc 458 378 20 25 30 35 14 (14 ") outer edge portions. and a third frame portion (22 "), which surrounds the first and second frame portions. A method of making a closed, insulated multi-glass structure, comprising the steps of: a) placing at least two pairs of plates (l2, 14; l2 '; l4'; l2 ", l4"), eg of transparent glass, overlapping and spaced apart, b) inserting a spacer (17) for defining a gap (20) between the inwardly facing surfaces of the discs, characterized by the further measures of c) providing a mold cavity (76) surrounding and overlapping all the peripheral outer edge portions of the spaced apart discs and at least a portion of the outwardly facing surfaces of the discs, d) injecting into the mold cavity a composition which is arranged to be polymerized and cured to provide a polymerized frame (22; 22 ") around the outer edge portions of the discs for hermetically sealing the gap between the facing surfaces of the discs and for enclosing said part of the outer surfaces of the discs, e) controlling the pressure at which the composition is injected into the mold cavity ll a value sufficiently low so that the discs are not damaged, f) control the temperature of the mold, the injection of the composition and the amount of composition injected, so that the composition is polymerized after its injection, brought into close contact with the mold and the discs and during this contact hardens to a building frame, and g) removing the boards and frame as a unit from the mold cavity. _ 8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the front and rear surfaces and peripheral edge portions of the discs are cleaned and that a primer coating (24, 26) is applied to the edge portions and a selected part of the front and rear surfaces of the discs before the discs are placed over. patching and at a distance from each other. 10 15 458 378 15 A method according to claim 8, in the application of the primer coating, a second primer layer (26) is applied on top of the first primer layer (24), the first primer layer being a light-blocking primer while the second primer layer contributes to a rapid formation of a hydrolytically marked by car adhesion between the boards and the composition. 10. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that a desiccant-containing material (18) is arranged together with the spacer (17). Method according to claim 8, characterized in that a coating (28) is applied to an outside of the building frame before it is removed from the mold cavity (76). 12. A method according to claim ll, in that the cover is burned after it has been applied to the frame.