Method and device for producing a profiled edge section for a glass pane

• US 20040118079A1
• Filed: 02/09/2004
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Original Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Inventors: Orten, Thomas, Bischof, Thomas, Behrend, Ulrich
• Granted Patent: US 6,926,335 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/741.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/08 flexible, e.g. films
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/155 Partial coating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/70 specially adapted for windows or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31507 Of polycarbonate

Abstract

In the case of a process for manufacturing a trim or profiled surround, made of a polymer material, on a window, the downwards-facing edge region of which bears on a moulding bed, the mould surface of which constitutes an extension of the surface of the window beyond its perimeter, the polymer material being placed over at least a portion of the perimeter of that surface of the pane lying at the top in such a way that a profiled surround is produced, with defined external dimensions and with a smooth transition, on the surface of the pane lying at the bottom, projecting beyond the perimeter of the window and bounded by the mould surface of the moulding bed, which surround also covers the edge face projecting from the moulding bed, means are used, according to the invention, to prevent adhesion of the profiled surround to the edge face of the window projecting from the moulding bed. The said means may be in the form of a mask which, during application of the polymer material, bears on the edge face so as to keep it free and which is removed after the profiled surround has solidified.

A device suitable for implementing the process is also described.

Claims

1. Process for manufacturing a profiled surround, made of a polymer material, on a window (1), during which at least one partial section of an edge region of a surface (3) of the window is in contact with a moulding bed (4, 5), the mould surface (4) of which constitutes an extension of this surface beyond its perimeter, the polymer material being applied so as to adhere to at least one part of the perimeter of the surface of the window on the opposite side from the moulding bed, in such a way that the profited surround projects beyond the outer perimeter of the window and also covers the edge face (6) projecting from the moulding bed, its external dimensions also being defined by the mould surface of the moulding bed, characterized in that means are used to prevent adhesion of the polymer material or of the profiled surround formed from the latter to that edge face of the window which is covered by the surround.

2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge face of the window is not coated with an adhesion promoter or in that an adhesion promoter of this kind is removed from the edge faces before the profiled surround is applied.

3. Process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the edge faces of the window are coated with a release agent.

4. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mask (12) is placed on the edge face (6) of the window before the profiled surround is applied, this mask preventing the edge face from being coated with an adhesion promoter and/or preventing the polymer material adhering to this edge surface.

5. Process according to claim 4, characterized in that the mask (12) is removably fastened to the edge face (6) of the window and/or to the moulding bed (5).

6. Process according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a thin flexible band is used as mask.

7. Process according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that an angled strip is used as mask, one side (12.1) of the strip forming the actual mask and the other side (12.2) of the strip being in contact with the moulding bed.

8. Process according to claim 7, characterized in that the other side of the angled strip is used as part of the moulding surface and in that it projects from the disc pressed against the moulding bed so as to be parallel with the moulding bed.

9. Process according to claim. 7, characterized in that the other side of the angled strip is used as a bearing surface for the rim of the disc pressed against the moulding bed, angling this towards the rim and supporting the rim.

10. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polymer material is deposited on the disc and in the moulding bed by means of an extrusion nozzle, preferably a gauged one.

11. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the polymer material is deposited on the window and in the moulding bed by an injection mould, which defines the cross section of the profiled surround in a manner complementary to the moulding bed.

12. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a thermoplastic polymer material is used for the purpose of manufacturing the profited surround.

13. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that use is made of a polymer material matched, in terms of colour, to the surroundings of the window when mounted, in particular to the colour of the bodywork in which the window is to be mounted after the profiled surround has been manufactured.

14. Device, particularly for implementing the process according to any one of the preceding claims, for the purpose of manufacturing a profited surround, made of a polymer material, preferably a thermoplastic, on a window (1), using a moulding bed (5) for supporting at least one rim or edge region of a surface (3) of the window, the mould surface (4, 4.1) of which constitutes an extension of this surface (3) beyond its perimeter, with a tool (10) for applying the polymer material to at least a portion of the perimeter of that surface of the window (1) which is on the opposite side from the moulding bed, in such a way that a profiled surround having defined external dimensions is produced, as an extension of that surface (3) of the window (1) which bears on the moulding bed (5), the said surround extending beyond the perimeter of the window (1) and being bounded by the mould surface of the moulding bed, which also covers the edge face (6) of the window projecting from the moulding bed (5), characterized in that a mask (12) is furthermore provided for bearing against the edge face (6) of the window before the profiled surround is applied, which mask prevents the edge face (6) from being coated with an adhesion promoter and/or prevents this profiled surround bearing against this edge face.

15. Process according to claim 14, characterized in that the mask is formed as a band going around the edge face (6) of the window (1).

16. Device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the mask is provided with at least one extension protruding at least from the slot between the window and the profiled surround.

17. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mask (12) is formed by a side (12.1) of an angled strip, the other side of which is in contact with the moulding bed (5) or alternatively with its mould surface (4, 4.1).

18. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surfaces of the mask (12) have a surface structure which reduces the friction between the polymer material and the material of the window on the one hand, and the mask on the other.

19. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross section of the mask (12, 12.1) has a cuneiform shape for the purpose of making it easier to detach it from the (air) slot formed between the edge face (6) of the window and the finished profiled surround.

20. Composite window (1), in particular a composite glass window, having at least two rigid panes and an adhesive layer linking the latter, with a profiled surround applied to one surface of one of the rigid panes, in accordance with a process according to claims 1 to 13, without any adhesive bonding between the edge faces and the adhesive layer.

21. Composite window (1) according to claim 20, the profiled surround of which is coloured for the purpose of matching it in terms of colour to the surroundings of the window when mounted.