EP0615044B1 - Device and method for positioning, filling with a gas and pressing together two panes, and/or composite for making insulating glazing units - Google Patents

Abstract

The panes (10,12) are arranged in a predetermined alignment position opposite one another, first of all aligned in a V-shaped position with respect to one another and are then pivoted into a parallel position. A gas-filling device (30) is fitted onto the underside of the panes. In this arrangement, there is formed between the panes (10,12) a space, whose width is set such that a gap (16) of an essentially uniform width remains, around the periphery, between the spacer frame (14) and the pane (10) located opposite this. Both on the front side and rear side, in the transporting direction, in each case one seal (52) for gas-tight termination is arranged on the side edges of the panes, whereupon a filling gas is channelled into the space between the panes (10,12) by means of the gas-filling device (30), the air being displaced out of the space through the gap section on the upper side of the pane arrangement. Thereafter, the panes (10,12) are moved towards one another, the peripheral gap (16) being closed and the panes being pressed together. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method for setting up, gas filling and pressing of individual panes and / or prefabricated pane arrangements as two components in the production of insulating glass panes, in which the individual pane (s) and / or the pane arrangement (s) are arranged opposite one another in a predetermined orientation are, wherein one of the individual disks and / or disk assemblies on its side facing the other single disk / disk assembly is provided all round with a spacer frame, the individual disk (s) and / or the disk assembly (s) initially aligned with one another in a substantially V-shaped position be and then swiveled into a parallel position and in which gas-tight connection to the underside of the arrangement, which has not yet been compressed and is formed from a single pane (s) / pane arrangement (s), a gas filling device is placed. The invention further relates to a device which is suitable for performing the method.

In order to obtain improved heat or sound insulation in double or multiple glazing, it is usually introduced into the space between the individual panes using a suitable filling gas, such as noble gas or a high-molecular gas, a so-called heavy gas.

The filling of the space between the panes with filling gas is usually carried out through openings in the spacer frame, also supported by pumps, as for example in DE-A 30 32 825, the openings subsequently being to be closed gas-tight.

In order to avoid that the spacer frame for gas filling has to be provided with openings, it is proposed according to DE-A 39 14 706 to bend one of the individual panes in such a way that an opening gap temporarily remains between the spacer frame and the pane, through which the space between the panes in particular can be filled with heavy gas.

DE-A 31 39 856 describes a device for filling insulating glass arrangements with heavy gas, such as sulfur hexafluoride, and subsequent pressing. Supported by the suction effect of a pump, which creates a vacuum in the space between the individual disks of the arrangement, the heavy gas is admitted from a container with bellows-like side walls by lifting the bottom of the container into the open lower end of the arrangement. To seal the side edges are in a recess on a press plate on which the insulating glass arrangement lies, longitudinal fold hoses provided, which can be brought to the second press plate by applying pressure in sealing system.

In the method according to DE-A 31 15 566 it is provided to assemble the individual panes in the gas atmosphere with which the space between the panes is to be filled.

EP-B 0 269 194 proposes to bring the assembled pane arrangement into a chamber which is first evacuated and then charged with filling gas.

Individual disks are usually assembled in a vertical position because this facilitates the positioning of the disks relative to one another and is also advantageous for reasons of stability. Suggestions for this can be found in DE-A 20 12 597.

A method of the type mentioned at the beginning and an apparatus for carrying out the method are known from DE-A 31 01 342 and EP-A 0 056 762 with the same content. The insulating glass pane arrangement is charged with the filling gas in the press, which is closed on all sides, the gas also penetrating into the space between the panes. The insulating glass pane arrangement is then pressed in the filling gas atmosphere. The inflow with filling gas can take place from top to bottom or from bottom to top in ascending order. Insulating glass panes of different dimensions can be filled with the device, since the gas filling bar which supplies the gas consists of a large number of individual chambers which can optionally be supplied with gas. Excess gas is extracted. A disadvantage of this method is that filling the space between the panes with filling gas is not completely successful, since air portions always remain trapped in the press.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a method and a device for setting up, gas filling and pressing individual panes and / or prefabricated pane arrangements as two components in the production of insulating glass panes, with or with which the filling of the space between the panes is provided succeed quickly and with a high degree of gas filling.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and an apparatus according to claim 6. Advantageous embodiments of the method and device are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

According to the invention, it is provided that a space is formed between the single pane (s) and / or the pane arrangement (s), the width of which is set such that a gap with an all-round gap between the spacer frame and the individual pane / pane arrangement opposite this What remains essentially uniform width is that a seal for gas-tight sealing is arranged on the side edges of the individual pane (s) / pane arrangement (s), both on the front and on the rear side in the transport direction, and that a filling gas is introduced into the gas filling device by the gas filling device Space between the individual disc (s) / disc arrangement (s) is promoted, wherein the air is displaced through the gap section on the top of the space between the individual disc (s) / disc arrangement (s) that the gap section on the top of the single disc ( n) / disc arrangement (s) freely communicates with the environment that the individual disc (s) and / or discs order (s) are moved towards one another, the circumferential gap being closed, and the individual pane (s) and / or pane arrangement (s) being pressed together. With the method according to the invention, panes with extremely different side dimensions or with one Grid bars in the space one after the other quickly, economically and with a high degree of gas filling with a filling gas, e.g. B. argon or sulfur hexafluoride, are filled. Due to the large filling opening, formed by the gap arrangement open at the bottom, in connection with the possibility of removing the air, which acts practically without counter pressure, there is practically no swirling of the filling gas with the air still in the space between the panes. Filling is possible even in the case of small interspaces between panes, since in the case of the ascending flow purging, the adaptable rate of rise of the filling gas can always prevent the undesirable swirling. A gap width of about 2 mm has proven to be suitable for most cases. Last but not least, the flushing losses are low compared to the conventional method.

It is particularly advantageous if the desired filling level of the filling gas or the degree of gas filling in the room is determined and the gas supply is stopped when the filling level is reached. However, it is also possible to fill in a gas volume quantity, including a safety surcharge, that has been calculated in advance for the corresponding disc type and to dispense with checking the filling level of the filling gas.

It is also advantageous if the pressing of the individual pane (s) and / or pane arrangement (s) takes place in such a way that after the gas filling of the space between them, the panes first move towards one another only in their lower region at a first predetermined speed and with a time delay a second, but higher speed than the first, also in its upper area. This type of pressing causes a so-called press ventilation, which reliably removes any air that may still be present in the side areas of the insulating glass pane.

The filling is preferably carried out over the entire underside of the individual pane (s) and / or pane arrangement (s) in order to produce an essentially homogeneous, upward flow.

A particularly low-vortex filling succeeds if the longitudinal section of the gap section on the underside of the individual disc (s) and / or disc arrangement (s) is centered with respect to a nozzle arrangement for gas filling.

A pane arrangement can mean, for example, an already pressed insulating glass pane or also a so-called laminated safety glass pane with at least one plastic layer arranged on a glass pane or between two glass panes.

A device for setting up, gas filling and pressing individual panes and / or prefabricated pane assemblies as two components in the production of insulating glass panes, which is particularly suitable for carrying out the method, comprises two movable press plates, each of which holds a single pane / pane arrangement by negative pressure and a gas filling device for supplying gas into a space between the individual disc (s) and / or the disc arrangement (s), the pressure plates being adjustable in a substantially V-shaped manner with respect to one another and being adjustable parallel to one another with an adjustable distance and the gas filling device comprises a nozzle arrangement which is to be placed in a gastight manner on the underside of the individual pane (s) / pane arrangement (s), and is characterized in that devices are provided which are provided on the side edges, both on the in the transport direction front as well as at the rear side of the single pane (s) / pane arrangement (s) for gas-tight sealing.

A gas sensor is preferably provided which detects at least the maximum fill level of the gas to be filled.

The movement of the press plates takes place via four lifting spindles each arranged in their corners, initially only the lower spindles of the two press plates being driven at a first predetermined speed and time-delayed at a second, but higher than the first, the two upper spindles.

Hydraulic cylinders are particularly advantageously provided instead of the lifting spindles.

The nozzle arrangement can be at least one line-shaped nozzle with sealing lips arranged on both sides, it being possible for the sealing lips to lie against the press plates or the disks.

According to a preferred embodiment, the nozzle or at least one of a plurality of nozzles has at least one feed line via which the nozzle (s) can be supplied with one or more different filling gases or a mixture of gases, optionally independently of one another or essentially simultaneously and uniformly are. This results in a wealth of possibilities for providing gases of different compositions for the most varied of requirements and types of panes. In particular, gas mixtures can be filled in, the proportions or relative concentrations of which can easily be changed from disk to disk. The feed lines can lead directly to the respective nozzle (s), but a prechamber can also be provided for each nozzle, into which the feed line (s) opens / open to perform a premixing, but also to the filling gas fed to the nozzle in a relaxed manner.

The latter is also supported in that the opening of the nozzle (s) is covered with porous material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least for the front edges in the direction of transport of the individual pane (s) / pane arrangement (s), a sealing element which is automatically adapted to a gap width is provided.

The sealing devices for the front edges in the direction of transport of the individual disc (s) / disc arrangement (s) likewise have a sealing flap which can be pivoted in, and for the rear edges in the direction of transport of the individual disc (s) / disc arrangement (s) have at least one flexible, independently adapted to a gap width matching sealing element, for example a sealing hose. It would also be conceivable to also provide a sealing tube for the front window edges or a sealing flap for the gas-tight sealing of the window edges for the rear edges. A sealing flap can also be provided on the rear side edges and a sealing tube on the front side edges.

On the sealing element for the rear edges or on one of the sealing elements, a displaceable diaphragm is advantageously provided, which engages in the nozzle for its adaptation to the length of the lower edge of the individual pane (s) / pane arrangement (s).

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it has at least one bellows pump, each of which is filled with a preselected filling gas volume, the total volume of all bellows pumps being dimensioned such that it is adapted to the volume of the insulating glass pane to be produced.

Figur 1

die Anordnung der Preßplatten vor dem Einlauf von Einzelscheiben;

Figur 2

in Teilbildern (a) bis (d) den Ablauf des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;

Figur 3

eine Schnittansicht längs der Linie A-A aus Figur 2(c);

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung der Gasfülleinrichtung und der Abdichteinrichtungen;

Figur 5

eine Schnittansicht, die die Strömungsverhältnisse bei vertikal gestellten Preßplatten und angebrachten Abdichteinrichtungen verdeutlicht;

Figur 6

eine schematische Darstellung der Gasströmung beim Verpressen der Einzelscheibe(n)/Scheibenanordnung(en) ;

Figur 7

eine weitere Ausführungsform der Düsenanordnung;

Figur 8

eine Detailansicht aus Figur 7; und

Figur 9

schematisch die Befüllung mittels Faltenbalgpumpen und der Düsenanordnung der Figur 7.

The invention will be explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows

Figure 1

the arrangement of the press plates before the entry of individual disks;

Figure 2

in partial images (a) to (d) the sequence of the method according to the invention;

Figure 3

a sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 2 (c);

Figure 4

a schematic representation of the gas filling device and the sealing devices;

Figure 5

a sectional view showing the flow conditions with vertically placed press plates and attached sealing devices;

Figure 6

a schematic representation of the gas flow when pressing the individual disc (s) / disc arrangement (s);

Figure 7

a further embodiment of the nozzle arrangement;

Figure 8

a detailed view of Figure 7; and

Figure 9

schematically the filling by means of bellows pumps and the nozzle arrangement of FIG. 7.

Figure 1 shows an example of an apparatus for performing the method according to the invention. The panes, for example single panes or an already prepared pane arrangement for multiple glazing, run z. B. in pairs and in a V-arrangement via a transport device 60 into the device and are adjusted both in the x and in the y direction by suitable devices, which are not shown here in the figure. The device has two press plates 20, 22 which can be pivoted independently of one another about an associated axis 28 by means of hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical actuators 26, which have, for example, lifting spindles or hydraulic cylinders. Each press plate 20, 22 has, for. B. a hole pattern 24, which is connected to a device for generating a negative pressure, not shown in the figure. It is also possible to arrange suction cups on the pressure plates 20, 22 for fixing the disks 10, 12. As soon as the disks have been adjusted, they are fixed on the pressure plates 20, 22 by means of the negative pressure generated. The inclination of the pressure plates 20, 22 is preferably set so that the necessary V-shaped arrangement of the disks results. The press plates 20, 22 can still be moved independently of one another in the z direction. Below the pressure plates 20, 22, not recognizable here, there is a gas filling device, the construction and mode of operation of which is described in connection with FIG. 4. Above the pressure plates 20, 22 a gas sniffer hood 40 is suspended, in which a gas sensor or a plurality of gas sensors are accommodated, with which or with which the fill level or the fill level of the fill gas can be determined.

Figure 2 shows the procedural sequence. Partial image (a) corresponds essentially to the illustration in FIG. 1 with regard to the arrangement of the press plates 20, 22. One of the disks 10 is fixed on the press plate 20, on the press plate 22, aligned with respect to the disk 10, a second disk 12, on which a spacer frame 14 z. B. is fixed by gluing. On its side facing the pane 10, the spacer frame 14 is provided, for example, with an adhesive, such as a butyl adhesive. Bearing devices 28 define the pivot axis for each of the press plates 20, 22. The press plates 20, 22 have an approximately identical angle of inclination, but with opposite orientation, so that z. B. results in a symmetrical, V-shaped arrangement of the pressure plates 20, 22 and thus also the disks 10, 12. Approximately on the axis of symmetry of the press plate arrangement, a gas sniffer hood 40 which can be moved in the vertical direction is arranged above the plates 20, 22 and extends in the longitudinal direction, that is to say in the x direction of FIG. 1, over the press plate arrangement. At its rear end in the transport direction of the production line, a sealing hose 52 hangs as a flexible sealing element, which ends in the region of the lower edges of the press plates. A lifting spindle 54 is provided for the sealing hose 52, so that it can be moved gas-tight on the rear side edges of the individual disc (s) / disc arrangement (s) and, if necessary, simultaneously seals the rear end of the gas filling device 30, as will be explained in more detail later .

In the method step shown in FIG. 2 (b), the pressure plates 20, 22 are placed vertically, the bearing devices 28 having been moved outwards, that is to say in the positive or negative z direction according to FIG. 1. The disks 10, 12 face each other vertically at a relatively large distance. A gas filling device 30, which is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4, is moved between the bearing devices 28.

As shown in partial image (c) of FIG. 2, the pressing plates 20, 22 are moved towards one another until a gap 16 of a width of approximately 2 mm is set all the way between the spacer frame 14 of the disc 12 and the disc 10. As only indicated in the figure, the sealing tube 52 closes the gap section between the disks 10, 12 at their rear end. Not shown is a sealing flap on the corresponding gap section gas-tight front end of the panes. The gas filling device 30 has moved to the lower edge of the panes 10, 12 and ensures the gas-tight seal here. A possible distance between the spacer frame 14 and the outer edges, in particular the pane 12, is at most small and is filled by the sealing lips of the nozzle 30. Overall, a gas filling chamber hermetically sealed on three sides is formed between the individual disks / disk arrangements. If gas, in particular heavy gas, is now introduced into the gas filling chamber, the air initially located in the gas filling chamber is preferably driven upwards. Since the gas filling chamber formed communicates with the surroundings in the upper region, the air can escape, with little or no turbulence occurring with the filling gas if its flow rate is set sufficiently low.

Partial image (d) of FIG. 2 shows a preferred pressing process that takes place after the filling with the selected filling gas has ended. The press plates 20, 22 are moved by means of the hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical actuators 26, preferably via four lifting spindles (not shown) each arranged in their corners, initially only the lower spindles of the two press plates being driven at a first predetermined speed and with a time delay with a second, but compared to the first higher speed, the two upper spindles until the disc 10 comes into close contact with the spacer frame 14, whereby the fixed connection, for. B. the adhesive connection is made and at the same time the air fractions are expelled from the side areas of the pane arrangement. The pressing can take place as long as the gas filling chamber is still set up, but also when the gas filling device 30 has been lowered and / or the sealing devices 50, 52 have been removed.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view along the line A-A from partial image (c) of FIG. 2 in a schematic enlargement. The rear side edges of the panes 10, 12 are sealed gas-tight by the sealing hose 52, by applying compressed air to it, so that depending on the clear width between the edges of the panes 10, 12, its extent can be adjusted. The tube is preferably provided with a metal core in the middle, possibly continuously, which enables easy centering when inflating. At the front edge region of the disks 10, 12 in the transport direction, a sealing flap 50 is provided which extends over the length of the side edges and can be pivoted about an axis 56 which is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the press plate 20. The sealing flap 50 is dimensioned such that it comes to rest between the front edges of the disks 10, 12. This means that the panes are hermetically sealed in the side areas or side edge areas.

FIG. 4 shows in a schematic manner, in an exploded view, the position of a first embodiment of the gas filling device 30 and of the sealing devices 50, 52 with respect to the edges of the disks 10. The parallel pressing plates 20, 22 are spaced such that between the disks, which are not shown here, or a gap of defined width is set up circumferentially between one of the disks and the spacer frame 14. A line-shaped nozzle 30, which has an approximately U-shaped cross section, is dimensioned such that its length corresponds at least to the maximum possible size of an insulating glass pane. On both sides of the U-shaped nozzle, a sealing lip 32, 34 is attached, which extends laterally from the nozzle 30. The nozzle 30 is fed from a supply system, not shown, via a pump with the filling gas. When filling the space between the panes is done is desired, the nozzle 30 moves against the underside of the disc assembly, being centered relative to the gap. This is expediently done by setting up the nozzle 30, although it is also conceivable to make the nozzle stationary and to move the disk arrangement over the nozzle. The sealing tube 52 for the rear end of the disk arrangement has at its lower end an orifice 58 which lies in the nozzle 30 and limits its effective length. Inflowing filling gas is therefore deflected at the orifice 58 or then at the sealing hose 52. The front side edges of the pane arrangement can be closed by the sealing flap 50, which is not shown here in its working position, but is offset in an exploded view. When the sealing flap 50 is closed, as shown in FIG. 3, the sealing lips 32, 34 rest on their underside. The nozzle 30 with the sealing lips 32, 34, sealing flap 50 and sealing hose 52 with orifice 58 thus form, together with the pane arrangement, a gas filling chamber, the gas filling chamber - and thus also the space between the panes - communicating with the environment via the open upper side, but otherwise being closed gas-tight is. The pump of the supply system conveys filling gas into the nozzle 30 at a low flow rate. Due to the low overpressure under which the filling gas is caused by the action of the pump, the filling gas level in the gas filling chamber rises, the displaced air escaping into the environment through the open top . Since there is practically no swirling of the filling gas with the air during this rising flush, a minimal amount of filling gas can be used in order to obtain a high degree of filling gas in the space between the panes.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the space between the panes / the gas filling chamber, from which the flow conditions become clear. The filling gas rises from the nozzle 30 through the gap 16 into the space between the panes. The fill level, ie the maximum fill level, can be determined by the gas sensors be detected in the gas sniffer hood, whereupon the supply system is then switched off.

By pressing with press ventilation in the manner described there is a complete ventilation of the edge regions of the panes, as indicated schematically in FIG. 6, so that it can be assumed that there is a very high degree of gas filling in the space between the panes.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the present invention with a modification of the nozzle arrangement. Instead of a single nozzle, a plurality of nozzles 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309 are arranged along the gap on the underside of the gas filling chamber and, if necessary, aligned with the gap. The entirety of nozzles 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309 is arranged on a nozzle bar 310 and can be moved in the direction of arrows A to the gap or away from it. Depending on the size of the insulating glass pane to be produced, which is indicated here in its position by the pane 12, one or more of the nozzles 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309 can be deactivated, so that filling gas is only available via the gap width, which is predetermined by the sealing elements 50, 52, is initiated. To change the gap width, the sealing element 50 can be moved in the directions of the double arrow B, for example. Connections or their feed lines 70, 72, 74 for various types of filler gas, such as argon, SF ₆ , air or the like, are provided on each of the nozzles, shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view from FIG. 7 and shows one of the nozzles 301 with their feed lines 70, 72, 74 for argon, SF ₆ or air. A control device, not shown, regulates the inflow of gases, as is explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 9. The leads lead into one common prechamber 38, in which they mix before they enter the gas filling chamber through the outlet opening of the nozzle 301. So that the indirect, vortex-free filling of the gases is optimal, the outlet openings or slots are covered with a throttle 36 made of porous material. A similar arrangement and design is provided for the nozzles 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, which are only partially shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows schematically the filling of the disk arrangement by means of bellows pumps 80, 82, 84 via the nozzle arrangement of FIG. 7. A bellows pump is thus provided for each type of gas, each of which is provided with a fill level measuring system and a guided, weight-loaded piston plate 802, 822, 842. The individual pumps are dimensioned so that the largest possible insulating washers can be filled with one stroke of the pump. The pumps 80, 82, 84 are filled from commercially available steel bottles 804, 824, 844, each of which is equipped with a pressure reducing valve 806, 826, 846. The respective filling quantity is determined from the dimensions of the insulating glass pane to be produced, and shut-off valves 808, 828, 848, which are respectively connected in the lines between the steel bottles 804, 824, 844 and pumps 80, 82, 84, are correspondingly operated by a control device, not shown controlled. The current fill level is detected by a path length meter 810, 830, 850, which is provided on the bellows pump 80, 82, 84, respectively. Each of the pumps 80, 82, 84 is connected to each nozzle 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309 via feed lines, such as feed lines 70, 72, 74 for the nozzle 301. Each feed line can be closed by means of a shut-off valve which can be actuated by the control device, such as the shut-off valves 702, 704, 706 for the feed lines 70, 72, 74. This will generally be done for all feed lines after filling has been completed, but can also be done for some of the supply lines, if not all available gas types are to be used.

With the bellows pumps, simple and quick volume metering is possible, which does not require expensive or complicated measuring devices.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the drawing and in the claims can be essential for realizing the invention both individually and in any combination.

Claims (16)

1. A process for adjusting, filling with gas and pressing single panes and/or already prefabricated pane arrangements as two components in the manufacture of insulating glass panes, in which the single panes(s) and/or the pane arrangement(s) are disposed opposite each other in a predetermined alignment, wherein one of the single panes and/or pane arrangements is provided with a surrounding spacer frame on its side facing the other single pane/pane arrangement, wherein the single pane(s) and/or the pane arrangement(s) are firstly aligned in a substantially V-shaped position in relation to each other and are then swung into a parallel position, and in which a gas filling device is placed in gas-tight connection on the underside of the arrangement which is formed from single pane(s)/pane arrangement(s) and which has not yet been pressed, characterised in that a space is formed between the single pane(s) and/or the pane arrangement(s), the width of which space is adjusted so that a surrounding gap having a substantially uniform width remains between the spacer frame and the single pane/pane arrangement opposite it, that a seal for gas-tight sealing is disposed at each of the side edges of the single pane(s)/pane arrangement(s), both on the front side and on the back side in the direction of transport, and that a filling gas is fed into the space between the single pane(s)/pane arrangement(s) by the gas filling device, wherein the air is displaced from the space through the gap section on the top side of the single pane(s)/pane arrangement(s), that the gap section on the top side of the single pane(s)/pane arrangement(s) communicates freely with the surroundings, that the single pane(s) and/or pane arrangement(s) are moved towards each other whereupon the surrounding gap is closed, and the single pane(s) and/or pane arrangement(s) are pressed together.
2. A process according to claim 1, characterised in that the desired level of filling gas or the degree of gas filling in the space is defined and the gas supply is terminated on reaching the level or the degree of gas filling.
3. A processor according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that pressing of the single pane(s) and/or pave arrangement(s) is effected so that after filling the space between them the panes are firstly moved towards each other in their bottom region only at first a predetermined speed, and after a chronological delay are moved towards each other in their top region also, at a second speed which is higher than the first speed, however.
4. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that filling with filling gas is effected over the entire underside of the single pane(s) and/or pane arrangement(s).
5. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the longitudinal extent of the gap section on the underside of the single pane(s) and/or pane arrangement(s) is centred with respect to a nozzle arrangement for gas filling.
6. An apparatus for adjusting, filling with gas and pressing single panes and/or already prefabricated pane arrangements as two components in the manufacture of insulating glass panes according to the process claimed in claim 1, having two movable press platens (20, 22) on each of which a single pane/pane arrangement (10, 12) is to be held by reduced pressure, and having a gas filling device (30; 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309) for feeding gas into a space between the single pane(s) and/or the pane arrangement(s) (10, 12), wherein the press platens (20, 22) can be adjusted so that they are in substantially V-shaped alignment in relation to each other and can be aligned parallel to each other with an, adjustable spacing, wherein the gas filling device comprises a nozzle arrangement (30; 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309) which is to be placed forming a gas-tight seal on the underside of the single pane(s)/pane arrangement(s), characterised in that devices (50, 52) are provided which can be placed at the side edges of both the front side and the back side, in the direction of transport, of the single pane(s)/pane arrangement(s) (10, 12) for gas-tight sealing.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that a gas sensor (40) is provided which determines at least the maximum level of filling of the gas to be introduced.
8. An apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that movement of the press platens (20, 22) is effected via four lifting spindles or hydraulic cylinders which are each disposed at the corners thereof, wherein at first only the bottom spindles or cylinders of each of the two press platens (20, 22) are driven at a first predetermined speed and after a chronological delay each of the top spindles or cylinders is driven at a second speed, which is higher in relation to the first speed, however.
9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the nozzle arrangement is at least one linear nozzle (30; 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309) having sealing lips (32, 34) disposed on both sides.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that the nozzle (30) or at least one of a plurality (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309) of nozzles has at least one feed line (70, 72, 74) via which the nozzle(s) (30; 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309) can be supplied, optionally independently of each other or substantially simultaneously and uniformly, with one or more different filling gases or with a mixture of gases.
11. An apparatus according to claim 10, characterised in that the nozzle (30) or at least one of a plurality (301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309) of nozzles has a preliminary chamber (38) into which the at least one feed line (70, 72, 74) leads.
12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterised in that the mouth of the nozzle(s) (30; 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309) is covered with porous material (36).
13. An apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that a sealing element, which automatically adapts to a gap width, is provided for the front edges, in the direction of transport, of the single pane(s)/pane arrangement(s) (10, 12).
14. An apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the sealing devices (50, 52) have a sealing flap (50), which can be swung in, for the front edges, in the direction of transport, of the single pane(s)/pane arrangement(s) (10, 12) and have at least one flexible sealing element (52), which automatically adapts to a gap width, for the rear edges, in the direction of transport, of the single pane(s)/pane arrangement(s) (10, 12).
15. An apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that a displaceable screen (58) is provided on the sealing element (52) or on one of the sealing elements, which screen fits into the nozzle (30) for the adaptation thereof to the length of the bottom edge of the single pane(s)/pane arrangement(s) (10, 12).
16. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 15, characterised in that it has at least one expansion bellows pump (80, 82, 84), each of which is filled with a preselected volume of filling gas, wherein the total volume of all the expansion bellows pumps is designed so that it is matched to the volume which is to be filled of the insulating glass pane to be manufactured.

Images