US 5,762,738 A · Method and apparatus for applying sealant material in an insulated glass assembly

Abstract

There is disclosed a method and apparatus for applying sealant material to the void in the perimeter between spaced-apart substrates in an insulated glass assembly. An apparatus includes a traveling applicator head and a stationary head, both applicator heads including a nozzle member and independently movable wiper member which cooperate to apply a smooth and even layer of sealant material. An advantage of the cooperating nozzle and wiper members is the ability to mold corners and to apply sealant material without lifting the applicator from the glass assembly. The method is sequential and employs two cooperating applicator heads, conveyors and position sensors to permit fully or semi-automated operation. The smoothing plates move in concert with the extrusion nozzles to ensure uniform distribution of the sealant material from the spacer, and a uniform and planar surface at the perimeter. The method of operation is automated and accordingly, the sealant can be applied in an expedited manner with a high degree of precision and uniformity.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An applicator head for injecting sealant material into three adjacent sides of the perimeter of an insulated glass assembly comprising:

a traveller adapted for movement in a reversible linear path;
a nozzle member for injecting the sealant material secured on said traveller to be movable in both lateral and transverse directions;
and
a wiper member adjacent the nozzle for smoothing the applied sealant material around the perimeter of the assembly separately secured on said traveller for independent movement, relative to said nozzle member in both a lateral direction, parallel to the nozzle direction and a transverse direction in the plane of the substrate or glass assembly and perpendicularly to the nozzle direction.

1 more element

An apparatus for applying sealant material to the perimeter of a substrate or an insulated glass assembly comprising:

an infeed conveyor for advancing an assembly into an application station;
said application station comprising:
a travelling applicator head movable on a linear path including a nozzle member for injecting sealant material into three adjacent sides of the perimeter of said assembly, and a cooperating wiper member adjacent the nozzle for smoothing the applied sealant about the perimeter of the assembly, said nozzle member and said wiper member each independently movable in relation to the other in both a transverse direction, in the plane of the substrate or glass assembly and perpendicular to the nozzle direction and in a lateral direction parallel to the nozzle direction, in order to assume different configurations of positions;
a stationary applicator head including a nozzle member for injecting sealant material into one side of the perimeter of said assembly and cooperating wiper member adjacent the nozzle, said nozzle member and said wiper member each independently movable in relation to the other between an operative position and an inoperative position;
p1 material feed for independently supplying sealant material to each applicator head;
and
an outfeed conveyor for removing the finished assembly from the application station.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for applying sealant material in an insulated glass assembly

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for applying sealant material in an insulated glass assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18