The present invention deals with integrating methods for manufacturing and applying a spacer frame to a glass plate, particularly in the circumstance of increased sizes thereof, of the rigid type, i.e. which profiles essentially are formed by a hollow body having cross section close to the rectangular, micro-perforated in the wall facing the chamber of the insulating glass, where at least the wall facing the outer cavity intended for the secondary sealant is made of solid metal material or with a metal liner, the remaining walls or all the walls being capable of being made of plastic or metal, e.g. aluminum or stainless steel. Certain innovative elements of the devices implementing such methods are also claimed.

A dosage device for extruding a monocomponent or a bicomponent polymeric product, particularly for an automatic machine for forming a spacer frame, includes a first dosage assembly and a separate second dosage assembly for the dosage and feeding of the product, which can be activated, in a first feeding step and in a third feeding step, alternately so that one of them provides continuity of flow to an extrusion nozzle while the other one is in the reloading step. The first and second dosage assemblies are activated, in a second swapping step that is intermediate with respect to the first and third feeding steps, simultaneously and jointly, one of them having a flow-rate ramp that passes from the steady-state value to zero and the other one complementarily having a flow-rate ramp that passes from zero to the steady-state value.

Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. One of a multiple number of possible spacer frame materials is chosen for the spacer frame. An elongated strip of the material is moved to a notching station where notches are formed at corner locations. The character of the notches is adjusted based on the selection of the metal strip material and more particularly to achieve bending of the material in an repeatable, straightforward manner. Downstream from the notching station the metal strip is bent into a channel shaped elongated frame member having side walls. Further downstream a leading strip of channel shaped material is severed or separated front succeeding material still passing through the notching and bending station.

A manufacturing method of a glass panel unit of the present invention includes a bonding step, a pressure reduction step, and a sealing step. In the bonding step, a first substrate and a second substrate are hermetically bonded together with a seal having a frame shape. In the pressure reduction step, a pressure in an inside space formed between the first substrate and the second substrate is reduced through an exhaust port. In the sealing step, sealant melted is dropped toward the exhaust port, thereby sealing the exhaust port with the sealant.

Various embodiments provide a method for applying a spacer to a planar substrate, comprising supplying the spacer to be adhered to the planar substrate; defining a first notch, a second notch, and a third notch in the spacer; applying an adhesive to the spacer; translating the spacer in a longitudinal direction; aligning a first end of the spacer with a first corner of the planar substrate; feeding the spacer and the planar substrate between a front carriage and a rear carriage along a longitudinal axis of an unadhered portion of the spacer while pressing the spacer against the planar substrate to adhere a portion of the spacer being pressed by the front carriage to the planar substrate, and rotating, with a six-axis robot, the planar sheet and adhered portion of spacer.

Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. One of a multiple number of possible spacer frame materials is chosen for the spacer frame. An elongated strip of the material is moved to a notching station where notches are formed at corner locations. The character of the notches is adjusted based on the selection of the metal strip material and more particularly to achieve bending of the material in an repeatable, straightforward manner. Better control over the notching process is also achieved by exhaust flow control of a double acting cylinder. A positioning spacer achieve very accurate side to side positioning of a die and anvil to precisely notch and deform the metal strip. Downstream from the notching station the metal strip is bent into a channel shaped elongated frame member having side walls. Further downstream a leading strip of channel shaped material is severed or separated from succeeding material still passing through the notching and bending station.

Various embodiments provide a method for applying a spacer to a planar substrate, comprising supplying the spacer to be adhered to the planar substrate; defining a first notch, a second notch, and a third notch in the spacer; applying an adhesive to the spacer; translating the spacer in a longitudinal direction; aligning a first end of the spacer with a first corner of the planar substrate; feeding the spacer and the planar substrate between a front carriage and a rear carriage along a longitudinal axis of an unadhered portion of the spacer while pressing the spacer against the planar substrate to adhere a portion of the spacer being pressed by the front carriage to the planar substrate, and rotating, with a six-axis robot, the planar sheet and adhered portion of spacer.

Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. One of a multiple number of possible spacer frame materials is chosen for the spacer frame. An elongated strip of the material is moved to a notching station where notches are formed at corner locations. The character of the notches is adjusted based on the selection of the metal strip material and more particularly to achieve bending of the material in an repeatable, straightforward manner. Downstream from the notching station the metal strip is bent into a channel shaped elongated frame member having side walls. Further downstream a leading strip of channel shaped material is severed or separated from succeeding material still passing through the notching and bending station.

A plug connector for connecting a first spacer and a second spacer for a triple insulating glazing unit, includes a main body and a first and a second section. The first section of the main body and/or the second section of the main body is movable around a specified axis of the main body.

A manufacturing method of a glass panel unit of the present invention includes a bonding step, a pressure reduction step, and a sealing step. In the bonding step, a first substrate and a second substrate are hermetically bonded together with a seal having a frame shape. In the pressure reduction step, a pressure in an inside space formed between the first substrate and the second substrate is reduced through an exhaust port. In the sealing step, sealant melted is dropped toward the exhaust port, thereby sealing the exhaust port with the sealant.