| 摘要 |
<p>There is disclosed an apparatus and method 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 (20) and an outfeed (22) conveyor for advancing a glass lite (10) and a transverse beam (24) on which is mounted a first travelling applicator head (200) and a second stationary applicator head (300). A first and second feed reel are provided to supply spacer material to their respective applicator heads. The travelling applicator head (200) is adapted to move transversly across the conveyor (24), rotationally through 180°, and vertically above the substrate (10). The stationary applicator head (300) is adapted to apply a length of spacer material in a straight pattern simultaneously with the travelling head (200) as the substrate (10) is advanced by the conveyor. In the method according to the present invention the travelling applicator head (200) applies spacer material to three sides of the substrate cutting notches and rotating 90° at the corners. The stationary applicator head (300) applies spacer to the fourth side. Advantageously, the present apparatus and method provide the mechanism and steps 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. The method and apparatus of this invention are inteded to automatically apply spacer material to glass lite assemblies suitable for in-line production, permitting the fabrication of high volume of insulated glass assemblies with a low level of manual intervention.</p> |
