METHOD FOR BACK-MOLDING COLD-SHAPED GLASS COMPONENTS USING PLASTIC

Abstract

A method for continuously molding glass components with the aid of at least one plastic, at least one unshaped glass component being positioned between a first molding tool and a second molding tool, the at least one unshaped glass component being elastically shaped by pressing together the first molding tool and the second molding tool, the at least one elastically shaped glass component being secured in the shaped state by locking slides, and a plastic being applied to at least one side of the shaped glass component at least in areas.

Claims

1. A method for permanently molding glass components with the aid of at least one plastic, the method comprising: positioning at least one unshaped glass component between a first molding tool and a second molding tool; subsequently elastically shaping the at least one unshaped glass component by pressing together the first molding tool and the second molding tool; securing the at least one elastically shaped glass component in the shaped state by locking slides; and applying a plastic to at least one side of the shaped glass component at least in areas.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one unshaped glass component is provided as an ultra-thin glass, the plastic being applied by the first molding tool to the at least one shaped glass component while the at least one shaped glass component is supported by the second molding tool.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, after the at least one shaped glass component is secured by the locking slides, the second molding tool is spaced a distance apart from the at least one shaped glass component, and a third molding tool for applying the plastic is arranged on a side of the at least one shaped glass component opposite the first molding tool.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a die is used as the first molding tool and a stamp for elastically shaping the glass component is used as the second molding tool, the first molding tool and/or the third molding tool being connected to at least one application unit for applying the plastic to the at least one shaped glass component.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plastic is applied by an injection molding process to the at least one shaped glass component.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second molding tool has elastic material properties.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one glass component is pretreated or coated to improve adherence properties.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one shaped glass component is held in a shaped state by at least one transverse clamping device and/or the locking slides.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one transverse clamping device and/or the locking slides is/are repositioned or removed from the at least one glass component during a bending operation of the at least one glass component.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the detachment and/or application of the at least one transverse clamping device and/or the locking slides from and/or to the at least one glass component is/are carried out hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically or mechanically.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement for shaping a glass component;

[0034] FIGS. 2a and 2b show schematic representations of the arrangement for carrying out a method;

[0035] FIGS. 3a and 3b show schematic representations of a further arrangement for carrying out a method;

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a perspective representation of a first molding tool; and

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a perspective representation of the first molding tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement 100 for shaping a glass component 10. Arrangement 100 includes a first molding tool 20 and a second molding tool 30.

[0039] First molding tool 20 is designed as a so-called die, which has a semicircular cavity 21. Locking slides 22 are arranged in a longitudinal direction L on the sides of cavity 21.

[0040] Locking slides 22 are designed to be movable in longitudinal direction L. Locking slides 22 may be actuated, for example, hydraulically, electrically or pneumatically. In particular, locking slides 22 may be moved in the direction of cavity 21.

[0041] Glass component 10 to be shaped is arranged between locking slides 22. Locking slides 22 may be additionally used as positioning aids for the correct alignment of glass component 10 relative to cavity 21.

[0042] Second molding tool 30 is designed as a stamp. According to the exemplary embodiment, second molding tool 30 is designed as an elastic stamp, which is movable in height direction Z. Second molding tool 30 has a mold, which is insertable with a glass component 10 into cavity 21 in a form-fitting manner.

[0043] FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b show schematic representations of arrangement 100 for carrying out a method according to an exemplary embodiment; Arrangement 100 from FIG. 1 is illustrated in FIG. 2a, in which second molding tool 30 was pressed into cavity 21.

[0044] After second molding tool 30 was pressed into cavity 21, an arrangement of locking slides 22 against second molding tool 30 in longitudinal direction L takes place. Locking slides 22 overlap cold-shaped glass component 11 between first molding tool 20 and second molding tool 30 and prevent a removal of shaped glass component 11 from the mold. Locking slides 22 optimally follow the contour of glass component 10 during the bending of unshaped glass component 10 by second molding tool 30.

[0045] In a further step of the method, first molding tool 20 is moved together with shaped glass component 11 fixed by locking slides 22 to a third molding tool 40, which is shown in FIG. 2b. This may take place, for example, via a rotating plate, which is not illustrated, on which first molding tool 20 may be positioned.

[0046] Third molding tool 40 is designed as an injection molding tool and includes a stamp 41 with additional cavities 42. Cavities 42 form an impression of a plastic component 50 to be cast. Third molding tool 40 is illustrated pressed against shaped glass component 11. Cavity 42 forms a volume 44, which is limited by shaped glass component 11.

[0047] A liquefied plastic may be introduced into cavity 42 via a plastic supply conduit 43. Plastic supply conduit 43 is connected, for example, to an extruder of an injection molding device as an application unit 60. The liquefied plastic is introduced into volume 44 and may harden in volume 44 into a plastic component 50, which is bonded to shaped glass component 11 at least in areas.

[0048] Filled or unfilled thermosetting plastics or thermoplastics, elastomers and the like may be used as plastic. The plastic may also be applied to volume 44 by foam injection molding. The plastic may be chemically or physically foamed.

[0049] The adherence between shaped glass component 11 and plastic component 50 may be generated via adherence-optimized coatings, activation of the glass surface of shaped glass component 11 or via an adherence-promoting agent. Moreover, a shaped glass component 11 may be used, which is already coated or is provided, for example, with a screen printing. To protect shaped glass component 11 or a coating, a protective film may be arranged on glass component 10 on side 12 facing away from the injection mold. Plastic 50 is applied on a side 14 of glass component 10, 11 facing plastic 50.

[0050] FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b show schematic representations of a further arrangement 110 for carrying out a method according to an exemplary embodiment. In contrast to arrangement 100 already illustrated, the shaping of glass component 10 as well as the introduction of the plastic take place in one step or without a changing of molding tools 30, 40.

[0051] According to the exemplary embodiment, first molding tool 20 has not only a cavity 21 for molding glass component 10 but also a further cavity 23 for forming plastic component 50. The two cavities 21, 23 merge seamlessly with each other. Second molding tool 30 is moved in height direction Z in such a way that glass component 10 is shaped, and a volume 24 for forming plastic component 50 is set between cavity 23 and shaped glass component 11.

[0052] FIG. 3b shows a step of the method, in which second molding tool 30 was inserted into cavity 21 of first molding tool 20, and plastic was applied to volume 24 for forming plastic component 50. Similarly to third molding too 40, first molding tool 20 according to the exemplary embodiment has a plastic supply conduit 25. Plastic supply conduit 25 is connected to an application unit 60, which may introduce a liquefied plastic into volume 24 via plastic supply conduit 25.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a perspective representation of first molding tool 20 according to an exemplary embodiment. Glass component 11 is arranged in a shaped state in cavity 21 of first molding tool 20. Shaped glass component 11 is fixed in the shaped state by transverse slide devices 70.

[0054] In the case of small bending radii, in particular, locking slides 22 must terminate precisely with the edge of the glass component, since the latter may otherwise jump out of cavity 21. The force increases on an edge or boundary 13 of shaped glass component 11. Transverse clamping devices 70 may be used here along edges 13 for holding down shaped glass component 11. Shaped glass component 11 may be uniformed fixed in a material-saving manner by transverse clamping devices 70. According to the exemplary embodiment, five transverse clamping devices 70 may be positioned in transverse direction Q at edges 13 of shaped glass component 11. Transverse clamping devices 70 may be moved in transverse direction Q. The arrows illustrate the movement possibilities of transverse clamping devices 70.

[0055] In order for transverse clamping devices 70 to optimally lock shaped class component 11, they have a projection 71, which is oriented toward shaped glass component 11. Projection 71 of transverse clamping devices 70 forms guide slots 72, in which shaped glass component 11 is arranged. Each guide slot 72 is formed between first molding tool 20 and particular projection 71.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a perspective representation of first molding tool 20 according to an exemplary embodiment. In contrast to exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, transverse clamping devices 73 are provided with a one-part design and extend essentially along the entire extension of shaped glass component 11 in longitudinal direction L.

[0057] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.