GB1368264A - Stack constituted by a pile of glass sheets a method and device for its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

1368264 Method of and apparatus for forming a stack of glass sheets BOUSSOIS SOUCHON NEUVESEL 22 Nov 1971 [2 Dec 1970 14 April 1971] 54191/71 Heading B8C A stack of glass sheets 1, separated from each other by interposed strips 2 of thermoplastic material, is characterized in that each strip 2 is stuck by heat on each of its planar surfaces 2a, 2b, Fig. 2, to the respective adjacent sheet la, 1b, the thermal adhesion of one of the faces of the strip to the adjacent sheet of glass 1 being substantially greater than the adhesion of the other face of the strip to its adjacent sheet of glass. As shown in Fig. 2, the stronger bond is between the face 2b of the strip 2 and the upper face of the glass sheet 1b, the material of the strip, such as low-density polyethylene, or smooth P.V.C., providing thermal adhesion, without an adhesive, at a temperature of the order of 50-150‹ C. and preferably 70-100‹ C. In a device, Fig. 3, for forming a stack strips 2 of thermoplastic material are unwound from reels 14 and applied to a ribbon of glass 1, as it passes continuously out of an annealing lehr 12 of a glass sheet forming machine, by means of pressure rolls 15, the glass being cut into regular panels by a transversely movable cutter 23 carried by a gantry which is movable synchronously with the ribbon 11 while the cutting operation is proceeding. The unwinding of the rolls 14 is effected by the portion 2b of the strips 2 already stuck to the glass ribbon 11, which is subsequently broken into panels by a lifting bar 25 the panels then being stored on a horse 26. In a modification, Figs. 4, 7, the strips 2 are supplied from reels 14 arranged in two series one behind the other and are carried by supports 105 laterally adjustable along a cross beam 102, each reel comprising four discs 116 interconnected for continuous unwinding of a strip 2. Spouts 109, for guiding the strips, are pivotally adjustably mounted on the cross beam 102 which also supports a rotatably adjustable shaft 112 which, by means of supports 113 and a bar 124, adjustably carries transversely overlapping tongues 115 which are arranged in two series one behind the other and which are flexible to press the strips down on to the ribbon 11. In a further modification, Fig. 14, for a vertically, upwardly, movable sheet of glass 11, the cross beam 36 is mounted on trolleys 34 which roll upon tracks 33 each having a rearward horizontal, and a forwardly inclined, portion 43, 44 respectively to receive the trolleys in the retracted and operative positions, the latter position being limited by an adjustable stop (46), Fig. 15 (not shown). The resilient tongues 42 are carried by telescopic sheaths 41 through which is supplied the strips 2 from rolls 14 and also compressed cooling-air from supply pipes 52, 51. In an alternative form of construction for a sheet of glass moving horizontally, Figs. 18, 19 (not shown), each spout (109) incorporates a driving device to feed the end of a strip (2) from one reel (14) when the feed from a neighbouring reel runs out. Another arrangement is described, Fig. 20 (not shown), for a sheet of glass moving vertically which makes it possible to effect separate adjustments of the positions of the rollers (95), tongues (42) and feed pipes (38) for the strips (2). In the embodiment, Fig. 22, each band 2 is fed between upper and lower endless belts 132, 136, the upper roller 137 of the upper belt 132 being urged toward the glass sheet 11 by a spring-loaded roller 133 of the lower belt 136 to apply the strip 2 to the glass sheet 11 at the desired pressure.