Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Methods – Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-22
2001-09-25
Crispino, Richard (Department: 1734)
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Methods
Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
C156S304600, C156S557000, C156S559000, C156S583100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06294044
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing window frames from profile sections, with a joining device in which the profiles are joined into window frames and with a conveying device for supplying the profile sections to the joining device.
Window frames are merely produced in an automated manner from respective profiles. Within the terms of the present invention the term “window frame” shall mean both the generally movable arranged component which carries the window pane so as to form a wing of a window as well as the component fixedly arranged in the building in which one or several wings of windows are arranged. In the case of plastic windows, the joining device is arranged as a welding machine which at first heats the ends of the profile section which are cut to mitre and then presses them against one another in order to bring about a fixed connection. Metal windows can be produced in such a way that a respective connection part made of plastic or the like is introduced into the hollow spaces of the metal profiles at the ends cut to mitre, whereupon a predetermined zone of the metal profile is plastically deformed by a die in order to ensure a secure connection to the metal profile sections with the fixing parts.
The insertion of the profile sections into the respective joining device is generally made manually. The profile sections that belong to one another are conveyed into the vicinity of the joining device, whereupon an operator performs the insertion process. As a result of high need for staff, this procedure is expensive and very inefficient. As an alternative, it is possible to have the insertion of the profile sections into the joining device performed by a machine, namely by a buckling arm robot. However, the cycle time of modern joining devices is so short that it is not possible for such a rotor to insert four profile sections in the available time. That is why the robot becomes a capacity-limiting component.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
From DE 37 21 861 A a method and apparatus for the production of a rectangular frame, in particular a window frame, has become known. In this method the plastic profile pieces which are cut to size are deposited into an intermediate storage for each frame so as to be taken from there individually by a gripper movable in three planes and so be deposited successively in the welding machine. In respect of magnitude, the duration of the insertion process corresponds to that of the actual welding process, i.e. the welding machine is utilized in such a case only with half of its theoretically possible capacity.
From DE 38 31 471 A a method for the production of plastic windows is known in which a capacity increase is achieved in such a way that a window frame profile and a wing profile are simultaneously extruded from a tool, cut and welded. The problem of insertion into the welding machine has also not been solved in the this known method.
An arrangement for the production of corner joints in window and door frames is also known from DE 23 54 233. The joining of the corner is substantially performed on a mounting table. The problem of an efficient insertion of the profile sections is also not mentioned here.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to improve the aforementioned apparatus in such a way that an increase in performance can be achieved with the smallest possible expenditure.
This object is achieved in accordance with the invention in such a way that the joining device is in connection with an insertion device which is provided upstream with at least one turning device in order to turn the profile sections into the respective position and that the insertion device is arranged so as to transport the profile sections in a configuration corresponding to the completed window frame into an insertion position on the joining device.
The relevant aspect in the present invention is that the profile sections which are all conveyed in the same orientation are turned by the insertion device into the respectively required position. A turning device within the terms of the present invention is generally understood as being a component which can grip the respective profile section and turn it respectively. In accordance with the invention the individual profile sections are brought prior to the insertion to a position which corresponds principally to the completed frame. Depending on the employed joining method, there can still be spaces between the sections to be joined. For example, if the joining is performed by a four-head welding machine, the surface areas which are cut to mitre are present at a distance which allows the introduction of a welding mirror.
The present invention can be applied to different types of windows. In the production of plastic windows the joining of the profile section occurs in the known manner by welding. A pressing process is usually employed for alumina profiles. Gluing or nailing can additionally be performed for composite profiles having a wood portion.
A further increase in the cycle time can be achieved in such a way that the insertion device is provided with two turning devices which can be operated independent from one another. It is particularly favourable if one turning device is arranged for the rotation of a profile section by 180°, whereas the other turning device is arranged for turning profile sections by 90° clockwise in one direction and counterclockwise in another direction. In such an embodiment the production of the profile sections is favourably programmed in such a way that alternatingly horizontal and vertical profile sections are conveyed to the joining device. In this way the turning device is used for turning by 180° only every fourth profile section, whereas the other turning device will come into action for turning by 90° every second profile section. It is ensured in this way that the work speed of the turning device is no limiting factor for the capacity of the installation.
In an especially preferable embodiment of the invention it is provided that several feed devices are provided which each supply one or several joining devices with profile sections. In this way cycle times and production capacities of the extrusion lines can optimally be matched to one another in such a way that maximum throughput is achieved.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4909892 (1990-03-01), Quinn et al.
patent: 5006198 (1991-04-01), Pasquini
patent: 5736000 (1998-04-01), Sturtz
patent: 6086703 (2000-07-01), Sturtz
patent: 23 54 233 (1975-05-01), None
patent: 3721 861 (1989-01-01), None
patent: 3831 471 (1990-03-01), None
Derwent Abstact of DE 3721861 A1, Jan. 12, 1989.*
Derwent Abstact of DE 2354233 A, May 15, 1975.*
Derwent Abstact of DE 3831471 A1, MAr. 22, 1990.
Mock Karl
Schwaiger Meinhard
Crispino Richard
Dykema Gossett PLLC
Purvis Sue A.
Technoplast Kunststofftechnik GmbH
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