Apparatus for the automated application of spacer material

Abstract

An apparatus for applying an adhesive spacer material to a substrate, such as a glass lite, for the manufacture of insulated windows. The apparatus includes an infeed and an outfeed conveyor for advancing a glass lite, and a transverse beam on which is mounted a first travelling applicator head and a second stationary applicator head. A first and second feed reel are provided to supply spacer material to their respective applicator heads. The travelling applicator head is adapted to move transversely across the conveyor, rotationally through 180.degree., and vertically above the substrate. The stationary applicator head is adapted to apply a length of spacer material in a straight pattern simultaneously with the travelling head as the substrate is advanced by the conveyor. The travelling applicator head applies spacer material to three sides of the substrate, cutting notches in the spacer material and rotating 90.degree. at the corners of the substrate. The stationary applicator head applies spacer material to the fourth side of the substrate. The apparatus provides the mechanism necessary to produce tight accurate corners, including a punch for notching the spacer material in the corner area, and cooperating pairs of grippers for forming accurate fold placement of the spacer material at the corners. The traveling head has a lead gripper and a lag gripper, each is of a pair of grippers. The grippers form an application channel for positioning the spacer material on the substrate, and the grippers are mounted for pivotal movement relative to the other.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.