LAMINATING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LAMINATING AT LEAST ONE LAYER STACK

Abstract

The invention relates to a laminating device (10) and a laminating method for laminating at least one layer stack (11), comprising at least one substantially plate-shaped workpiece (11a) and at least one adhesive material layer (11b), by means of pressure and/or heat. The laminating device comprises a lower part (12) and an upper part that can be connected to the lower part (12) in a gas-tight manner. A working chamber (14) which can be opened and closed and which is for receiving the layer stack (11) during lamination is formed between the lower part (12) and the upper part (13). A pressure plate (15) can be moved along a press axis (a-a) in the working chamber (14) between the upper part (13) and the lower part (12). At least one sealing frame (21) is arranged between the lower part (12) and the upper part (13). Multiple pressure chambers that can be separated from one another and actuated as required are arranged in the working chamber (14), wherein multiple clamping points are provided spaced apart from one another in the direction of the press axis (a-a), wherein at least one flexible element is secured on one of the clamping points for separating a first pressure chamber (18), and the moveable pressure plate (15) can be moved via the application or non-application of pressure or negative pressure to said pressure chamber. Given that the flexible gas-tight element divides the working chamber (14) into a first pressure chamber (18) located above the flexible gas-tight element and a second pressure chamber (19) located below the flexible gas-tight element and in which the moveable pressure plate (15) is arranged, wherein the movement of the moveable pressure plate (15) occurs due to a pressure difference between the pressure chambers (18, 19), different operating modes of a laminating device can be performed in one unit.

Claims

1. Laminating device for laminating at least one layer stack, which comprises at least one plate-like workpiece and at least one layer that is also effective as an adhesive layer, by means of at least one of pressure or heat, wherein the laminating device comprises: a lower part, an upper part which is connectable in gas-tight manner to the lower part, an openable and closable working chamber formed between the lower part and the upper part for receiving the layer stack when laminating, a pressure plate that is movable within the working chamber between the upper part and the lower part along a pressing axis (a-a), at least one sealing frame arranged between the lower part and the upper part, a plurality of mutually separable pressure chambers that are operable as necessary and are arranged in the working chamber, wherein a plurality of mutually spaced clamping positions arranged in the direction of the pressing axis are provided and configured for fixably arranging at least one flexible gas-tight element at the clamping positions for separating off a first pressure chamber and, by the application or non-application of pressure or negative pressure thereto, the movable pressure plate is movable, wherein the at least one flexible gas-tight element divides the working chamber into a first pressure chamber that is located above the at least one flexible gas-tight element and a second pressure chamber that is located below the at least one flexible gas-tight element and in which the movable pressure plate is arranged, wherein the movement of the movable pressure plate is effected due to a difference of pressure between the pressure chambers.

2. A laminating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible gas-tight element is at least one membrane.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. A laminating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein, when a further flexible gas-tight element serving as a membrane is clamped in place, the membrane divides the working chamber into a second pressure chamber in which the movable pressure plate is arranged that is located above the membrane and a product space that is located below the membrane which is likewise subjectable to pressure or negative pressure as necessary.

6. A laminating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least three pressure chambers that are separated from each other by two flexible gas-tight elements are arranged between the lower part and the upper part.

7. A laminating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the movable pressure plate and the membrane are movable independently of each other from the pressure chambers for contact or non-contact with the lower part or a layer stack.

8. A laminating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sealing frame comprises multiple parts and wherein a membrane frame, an intermediate frame and an upper chamber frame as parts of the sealing frame are arranged between the lower part and the upper part, between which parts the clamping positions in the form of gaps are arranged.

9. A laminating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the movable pressure plate is mounted in weight-compensated manner on the upper part, which is the moveable upper part of a press at the same time, by at least one restoring means.

10. Method of laminating at least one layer stack which comprises at least one plate-like workpiece and at least one layer that is also effective as an adhesive layer, by means of at least one of pressure or heat, wherein the at least one layer stack is introduced into an openable and closable working chamber formed between a lower part and an upper part of a laminating device and which, in the closed state when laminating, is closable in gas-tight manner by means of a sealing frame arranged between the lower part and the upper part, wherein a movable pressure plate is movable as necessary between the upper part and the lower part within the working chamber along a pressing axis of the laminating device, wherein the movement of the elements of the laminating device arranged in the working chamber is effected out of operable pressure chambers, that are arranged in the working chamber, by the application or non-application of pressure or negative pressure thereto, wherein the movable pressure plate is moved from a first pressure chamber by the application or non-application of pressure in the working chamber, which first pressure chamber is separated from the working chamber by at least one flexible gas-tight element which is arranged transverse to the pressing axis and is held at one of a plurality of clamping positions that are spaced from one another in the direction of the pressing axis, wherein the working chamber is divided by the flexible gas-tight element into a first pressure chamber that is located above the flexible gas-tight element and a second pressure chamber that is located below the flexible gas-tight element and in which the movable pressure plate is moved, wherein the movement of the pressure plate is effected due to a difference of pressure between the pressure chambers, wherein a first flexible gas-tight element is damped into a gap above an intermediate frame forming a part of the sealing frame and a further flexible element forming a membrane is clampable into a gap below the intermediate frame for operating the laminating device with or without the membrane.

11. (canceled)

12. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein, when a membrane as the further flexible gas-tight element is clamped in place, the working chamber is divided into a second pressure chamber located above the membrane and in which the movable pressure plate is arranged and a product space located below the membrane and which is likewise subjected to pressure as necessary.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12, comprising the steps introducing the at least one a layer stack into the working chamber, simultaneously evacuating the first pressure chamber, the second pressure chamber and the product space, ventilating the first pressure chamber, whereby the movable pressure plate with the membrane is applied to the layer stack, building up pressure on the at least one layer stack, ventilating the pressure chambers and the product space for the removal of a laminated layer stack.

14. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein no membrane is present, comprising the steps introducing the at least one a layer stack into the working chamber, evacuating the first pressure chamber and the product space, ventilating the first pressure chamber and applying the movable pressure plate to the at least one layer stack, building up pressure on the at least one layer stack, ventilating the product space and removing a laminated layer stack.

15. A method in accordance with claim 12, characterized by the steps introducing the at least one layer stack into the working chamber, evacuating the first pressure chamber, the second pressure chamber and the product space, ventilating the second pressure chamber and applying the membrane without the movable pressure plate coming into contact with the membrane, ventilating the first pressure chamber and the product space and removing a laminated layer stack.

16. A method in accordance with claim 13 comprising the steps introducing the at least one layer stack into the working chamber, evacuating the first pressure chamber, the second pressure chamber and the product space, ventilating the second pressure chamber and applying the membrane on the layer stack, ventilating the first pressure chamber and applying the movable pressure plate to the membrane and the at least one layer stack located therebelow, wherein the pressure in the first pressure chamber is greater than the pressure in the second pressure chamber, ventilating the pressure chambers and the product space for the removal of a laminated layer stack.

17. A method in accordance with claim 13, comprising the steps introducing the at least one layer stack into the working chamber, evacuating the first pressure chamber, the second pressure chamber and the product space, ventilating the first pressure chamber and applying the movable pressure plate and the membrane together to the layer stack, ventilating the second pressure chamber and moving the movable pressure plate away from the membrane, as necessary, lowering the movable pressure plate on the at least one layer stack and the membrane and subsequently raising the movable pressure plate at least one more time, ventilating the pressure chambers and the product space for the removal of a laminated layer stack.

18. A method in accordance with claim 10, comprising the steps introducing the at least one layer stack into the working chamber, applying a pressure which is greater than atmospheric pressure to the first pressure chamber, applying the movable pressure plate and, if present, the membrane, to the layer stack, introducing heat, into the at least one layer stack from the movable pressure plate that is heatable as necessary and from the lower part, lowering the pressure in the first pressure chamber and lifting the movable pressure plate, operating the device as at least one of a flat or a membrane press, removing a laminated layer stack.

19. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein, after the ventilation of at least one of the first pressure chamber or the second pressure chamber, a pressure which is higher than atmospheric pressure is built up in at least one of the first pressure chamber or the second pressure chamber.

20. (canceled)

21. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein instead of evacuating, the pressure in the product space is not lowered or not lowered below atmospheric pressure.

22. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein instead of evacuating, the pressure in the product space is not lowered or not lowered below atmospheric pressure.

23. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein instead of evacuating, the pressure in the product space is not lowered or not lowered below atmospheric pressure.

24. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein instead of evacuating, the pressure in the product space is not lowered or not lowered below atmospheric pressure.

25. A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein instead of evacuating, the pressure in the product space is not lowered or not lowered below atmospheric pressure.

26. A method in accordance with claim 18 wherein the same amount of heat is introduced into the at least one layer stack from the movable pressure plate and from the lower part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0087] In the following, the invention is described in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying Figures. Therein:

[0088] FIG. 1 shows a schematic section through the work space of a laminating device including spring columns in the case of a raised pressing plate with a workpiece in the work space,

[0089] FIG. 2 a section through the laminating device in accordance with the right-hand part of FIG. 1 in the case of the mode of operation: membrane pressing,

[0090] FIG. 3 an illustration in accordance with FIG. 2 in the case of the mode of operation: flat and membrane pressing,

[0091] FIGS. 4, 5 an illustration in accordance with FIG. 2 in the case of the mode of operation: flat pressing without membrane with raised and lowered pressure plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0092] The invention will now be described exemplarily in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Nevertheless, in the case of the exemplary embodiments, they relate only to examples which are not intended to restrict the inventive concept to a particular arrangement. Before the invention is described in detail, it should be pointed out that it is not restricted to the particular components of the device and the particular process steps, since these components and methods can vary. The terms used here are only intended to describe special embodiments and are not used restrictively. If, in addition, the singular or indefinite articles are used in the description or in the Claims, this refers also to a plurality of these elements insofar as the general context does not make something else unambiguously clear.

[0093] The Figures show a section through a laminating device 10 for laminating at least one layer stack 11 which, in accordance with FIG. 1, comprises at least one substantially plate-like workpiece 11a and at least one adhesive layer 11b. Thereby, an adhesive layer is also to be understood as a layer which, apart from the adhesive effect, also has yet other effects as can be the case with e.g. technical glasses such as smart glass.

[0094] The laminating process is effected with pressure and/or heat whereby, in particular, a glass laminate and/or a photovoltaic module is manufactured by the laminating process. The device illustrated in the Figures is a flat press and/or a membrane press or a laminator for pressing laminates of this type, whereby in the Figures, only a schematic section through the work space 14 of the device is illustrated. Supplementing this as shown in FIG. 1 is a spring column 27 which preferably serves as a resilient restoring means by means of which the movable working plate 15 is biased against the upper part 13 of the press. This spring column 27 serves for compensating for the weight of the movable pressure plate 15. Basically however, other components for weight compensation purposes are also known to the skilled person, such as e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical restoring means. All of the other parts which are known to the skilled person particularly in the field of the production of presses and which have no significance for the invention have been omitted. In addition, only the right-hand part of the work space 14 is illustrated in the Figures, but it is self-evident that the work space 14 extends further to the left in the Figures and there exhibits a corresponding mirror-imaged construction.

[0095] The preferred usage of the laminating device isalthough without any restriction theretofor the production of glass laminates, such as smart glass, compound glass or laminated safety glass, photovoltaic modules in the glass-foil domain as well as photovoltaic modules in the glass-glass domain (thin layer and organic modules) and glass-cell-glass domain (crystalline cells). Herein, smart glass is to be understood as meaning technical glasses in which e.g. an effect can be initiated such as e.g. a darkening of a surface by the application of a voltage to a layer of the laminate.

[0096] In principle however, different materials are also just as possible as other fields of application for the laminating process.

[0097] In principle, a plurality of plate-like workpieces can also be worked on in the work space and it is likewise possible for additional layers and/or workpieces to be laminated together one above the other in the work space.

[0098] In the following, the basic construction of the laminating device will be described with the aid of FIG. 1. The laminating device comprises a lower part 12 and an upper part 13 which is connectable to the lower part 12 in gas-tight manner, these being illustrated in the exemplary embodiment by the corresponding parts of the press or the press table. Between these parts of the press, i.e. between the lower part 12 and the upper part 13, there is provided an openable and closable working chamber 14 for receiving the layer stack 11 in the course of the laminating process. Further components are also arranged in the work space 14, such as in particular, the movable pressure plate 15 or, if necessary, the isolating layer 28 for isolating purposes with respect to the upper part 13. It is apparent from FIG. 1 that the mounting of the movable pressure plate extends through the isolating layer 28 and the upper part 13 so that the mounting can be effected there on the spring column 27 in the form of a resilient restoring means.

[0099] The movable pressure plate 15 is movable within the working chamber 14 between the upper part 13 and the lower part 12 or the layer stack 11 along a pressing axis a-a. The pressure plate 15 can be heated or be heatable but does not have to be. Herein, the pressing axis defines the closing and opening direction of the press. In addition, in FIG. 1, a sealing frame 21, which is formed of multiple parts according to the invention, is arranged on the right-hand side, between the lower part 12 and the upper part 13. In the working chamber 14 furthermore, there are provided a plurality of mutually separable, pressure chambers that are subjectable if so required to pressure or negative pressure.

[0100] At least one flexible element, namely, either the first flexible element 16 and/or the further flexible gas-tight element 17 in the exemplary embodiment is fixed or clamped or is fixable or clampable between the parts of the multi-part sealing frame 21 for the purposes of separating off a first pressure chamber 18, whereby the movable pressure plate 15 is movable by subjecting or not subjecting this first pressure chamber 18 to pressure or negative pressure. At least one intermediate frame 22 is provided as a sealing frame separate from the lower part 12 and the upper part 13. At least one gap 25, 26 is provided between the intermediate frame and the lower part 12 or the upper part 13. Hereby, a first flexible gas-tight element 16 is clamped into the gap 25 above the intermediate frame 22. A further flexible element in the form of a membrane that can be used for membrane presses is clampable in the gap 26 below the intermediate frame 22. Clampable here means that the membrane 17 does not have to be clamped, but operation without a membrane 17 is also possible, something which will be gone into in greater detail further below. In any case, the device is prepared for the clamping of the membrane 17 should this be necessary.

[0101] If mention is made herein of a flexible gas-tight element, then it may also relate thereby to a material for this flexible element that is only approximately or substantially gas-tight. This applies in particular for the flexible element 16 separating off the upper pressure chamber. If a silicone membrane which, as a rule, is gas-tight is not used for that element, but a fabric cloth coated with FKM is used instead, a leakage can result but this however is not critical for the technical process. As a rule, the further flexible element, the membrane 17, can be formed such as to be gas-tight.

[0102] The at least one flexible gas-tight element thus divides the working chamber into different regions. In the exemplary embodiment, the first flexible gas-tight element divides the working chamber 14 into a first pressure chamber 18 that is located above this element and a second pressure chamber 19 in which the movable pressure plate 15 is provided that is located below this element. Consequently, the first pressure chamber 18 is separated from a movement space for the movable pressure plate 15. If, in addition, a further flexible gas-tight element serving as a membrane 17 is clamped in place, this membrane 17 divides the working chamber 14 into a second pressure chamber 19 (see above), located above the membrane 17 in which the movable pressure plate 15 is provided with its movement space, and a product space 20 located below the membrane 17 in which the layer stack 11 or the workpiece is accommodated. If necessary, the product space 20 can also be subjected to pressure or negative pressure.

[0103] If, in the following, mention is made of a layer stack or a workpiece, then it should be understood that this is to be understood as meaning more than workpiece or more than one layer stack 11.

[0104] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, there are provided between the lower part 12 and the upper part 13 at least three pressure chambers which are separated from each other by two flexible gas-tight elements namely, the first pressure chamber 18, the second pressure chamber 19 and the product space 20.

[0105] Advantageously, the movable pressure plate 15 and the membrane 17 are movable independently of each other from the pressure chambers for contact or non-contact with the lower part 12 or the layer stack 11. Consequently, the most diverse modes of operation can be realised using one and the same laminating device.

[0106] A membrane frame 23 at the level of the membrane 17, an intermediate frame 22 at the level of the second pressure chamber 19 and an upper chamber frame 24 at the level of the first pressure chamber 18 are provided as parts of the sealing frame 21 between the lower part 12 and the upper part 13.

[0107] A construction of this type permits a rapid rebuild, especially if the membrane 17 is used or else is not used as necessary.

[0108] In accordance with FIG. 1, the movable pressure plate 15 is mounted in weight-compensated manner on the upper part 13 by means of the spring column 27, which upper part is also the upper part of a press at the same time. In principle however, other restoring means that are known to the skilled person are conceivable for the purposes of weight compensation, such as in particular, hydraulic or pneumatic or else mechanical components. An inverted construction in which the lower part is movable, or a construction in which the lower part and the upper part are movable is in principle just as conceivable.

[0109] In accordance with the method, at least one layer stack 11 can be laminated with the device. A layer stack 11 of this type preferably comprises at least one substantially plate-like workpiece 11a and at least one adhesive layer 11b. In principle, further layers and further workpieces that are located next to each other or located one above the other are also accommodatable in the work space. Laminating is effected by means of pressure and/or heat to which end pressure can to be applied by means of the movable pressure plate 15 or the press and/or heat can be conveyed into the working chamber 14 and thus into the workpiece by the movable pressure plate that is heatable if necessary or via the lower part 12 in order to e.g. activate or harden an adhesive layer.

[0110] When laminating, at least one layer stack 11 is introduced into an openable and closable working chamber 14 which is formed between the lower part 12 and the upper part 13 of the laminating device 10. In the closed state when laminating, this working chamber 14 is closable in gas-tight manner by means of a sealing frame 21 that is arranged between the lower part 12 and the upper part 13. The movable pressure plate 15 is movable as necessary within the working chamber 14 between the upper part 13 and the lower part 12 or the layer stack 11 along a pressing axis a-a of the laminating device.

[0111] The movement of the elements of the laminating device arranged in the working chamber 14 and in particular the movable pressure plate 15 is effected from operable pressure chambers that are provided in the working chamber 14 by subjecting them or not subjecting them to pressure or negative pressure. Thereby, the movement of the movable pressure plate 15 is effected in particular due to a difference of pressure between the pressure chambers, i.e. in the exemplary embodiment, between the first pressure chamber 18 and/or the second pressure chamber 19 and/or the product space 20.

[0112] The movable pressure plate 15 is moved out of the first pressure chamber 18 by the application or non-application thereto of pressure in the working chamber 14. The first pressure chamber 18 is separated from the working chamber 14 by a flexible gas-tight element that is arranged transverse to the pressing axis a-a and is held by the multi-part sealing frame 21 so that the movable pressure plate 15 can be moved at will within the working chamber 14 due to the aforesaid differences of pressure. This movement can be effected together with a membrane 17, independently of a membrane or else without a membrane 17.

[0113] Preferably, a plurality of flexible gas-tight elements are provided, whereby, in a first exemplary embodiment, a first flexible gas-tight element 16 is clamped into a gap 25 above an intermediate frame 22 forming a part of the sealing frame 21 in accordance with FIG. 1 and a further flexible element is clampable into a gap 26 below the intermediate frame 22 as the membrane 17 that is required for the membrane press in dependence upon the purpose for which it is employed.

[0114] By virtue of the flexible gas-tight element and indeed particularly due to the first flexible gas-tight element 16, the working chamber 14 is divided into a first pressure chamber 18 that is located above the flexible gas-tight element and a second pressure chamber 19 that is located below the flexible gas-tight element in which the movable pressure plate 15 is provided and is also moved therein. This is clearly apparent from the view depicted in FIG. 2 for example.

[0115] If a further flexible element in the form of a membrane 17 is clamped in place, then this membrane 17 also sub-divides this working chamber 14. In this case, there results above the membrane 17 a second pressure chamber 19 in which the movable pressure plate is moved and a product space 20 which is located below the membrane 17 and is likewise subjectable to pressure should this be necessary. In accordance with FIG. 1, the product space 20 is intended to accommodate the workpiece or the layer stack 11.

[0116] FIG. 2 shows the employment of the laminating device as a flat press with membrane. During the evacuation phase of the product space 20, the pressure chambers 18 and 19 are evacuated at the same time. In this phase, the movable pressure plate remains in its upper position in accordance with FIG. 1. In order to build up the pressure, the first pressure chamber is now ventilated whereby the movable pressure plate 15 together with the membrane 17 is placed on the layer stack in accordance with FIG. 3. The pressure phase on the workpiece now begins. As a supplement thereto, a pressure above atmospheric pressure can additionally be applied to the first pressure chamber. Subsequently, the pressure chambers and the product space 20 are ventilated and the laminated layer stack can be removed from the product space 20.

[0117] In principle, flat presses without a membrane are also possible. To this end, the membrane 17 must be taken out of the gap 26 between the membrane frame 23 and the intermediate frame 22 so that there results a view in accordance with FIGS. 4, 5. There thus remains only two spaces in the working chamber, viz. the lower chamber which comprises the product space 20 and in which the movable pressure plate 15 is also arranged, as well as the first pressure chamber 18. At the beginning, both pressure chambers are evacuated whereby the movable pressure plate 15 remains in its upper position (FIG. 4). Afterwards, if the first pressure chamber 18 is ventilated, the movable pressure plate 15 sinks down onto the workpiece or the layer stack 11 (FIG. 5). The pressure phase thus begins whereby in principle and should it be necessary, a pressure above atmospheric pressure can be applied to the first pressure chamber 18. Subsequently, the product space 20 is ventilated and the laminated layer stack 11 is removed.

[0118] FIG. 2 shows the operational mode: membrane pressing. In this mode of operation, after the layer stack 11 has been inserted into the working chamber 14, the product space 20 but also the first pressure chamber 18 and the second pressure chamber 19 as well are evacuated. Subsequently, the second pressure chamber 19 is now ventilated so that, in accordance with FIG. 2, the membrane without the movable pressure plate 15 sinks down onto the layer stack 11. In this phase, pressure can now be applied, whereby a pressure above atmospheric pressure can additionally be applied to the second pressure chamber 19 should this be necessary.

[0119] A further mode of operation is that of membrane and flat pressing in combination. After the layer stack 11 has been inserted into the working chamber 14, the product space 20 as well as the first pressure chamber 18 and the second pressure chamber 19 are evacuated. Subsequently, by ventilating the second pressure chamber 19, the membrane 17 is placed on the layer stack 11. If necessary thereby, a pressure above atmospheric pressure in the form of an over-pressure can be applied to the second pressure chamber 19. The movable pressure plate 15 meanwhile remains in its upper position and does not make contact with the layer stack 11. This corresponds to the illustration in accordance with FIG. 2. Following thereon, the movable pressure plate 15 is placed on the membrane 17 and the underlying layer stack 11 by ventilating the first pressure chamber 18. Thereby, the pressure in the first pressure chamber 18 must be higher than the pressure in the second pressure chamber 19 or the second pressure chamber 19 must be ventilated beforehand in order to enable this procedure to be carried out. In order to prevent an air cushion thereby being formed in the second pressure chamber 19, it is recommended however that the air be removed from the second pressure chamber. This leads to an illustration in accordance with FIG. 3, in which the membrane 17 and also the movable pressure plate 15 are lowered onto the layer stack 11.

[0120] As a further mode of operation is the possibility of a flat-press and membrane press in combination. Here too, after the insertion of the layer stack 11, the product space 20 as well as the first pressure chamber 18 and the second pressure chamber 19 are evacuated. Now, by ventilating the first pressure chamber 18, the movable pressure plate 15 and the membrane 17 are laid applied together to the workpiece, something which corresponds to the illustration in accordance with FIG. 3. Now initially in this position, the surface pressure of the movable pressure plate resulting from the difference of pressure between the product space 20 and the ventilation pressure in the first pressure chamber 18 is effective. Hereby, the membrane 17 itself does not yet participate in this action since the second pressure chamber 19 is still evacuated so that at first the membrane 17 only works as a pad. By ventilating the second pressure chamber 19, a membrane pressure can now be eased off as happens with membrane presses. By ventilating the second pressure chamber 18, the movable pressure plate 15 is moved upwardly as a consequence of the spring column 27 serving as a restoring means in accordance with FIG. 1 or it can be placed on the membrane 17 with the help of a slight over-pressure whilst overcoming the restoring forces of the spring column 27. In the case of a heatable pressure plate 15, heat can thereby be further supplied to the workpiece. In principle, it is also possible if so required for the movable pressure plate 15 to be lowered and then raised again onto the layer stack 11 and the membrane 17 a number of times. The layer stack 11 can then be removed by ventilating all of the pressure chambers and the product space 20.

[0121] In all the exemplary embodiments, after the ventilation of the first pressure chamber 18 and/or the second pressure chamber 19, the possibility exists in principle of supplying further pressure to the respectively exhausted pressure chamber i.e. a pressure which is higher than atmospheric pressure in order to apply an appropriately controlled pressure to the workpiece.

[0122] It is likewise possible for the pressure in the product space not to be lowered and in particular not lowered under atmospheric pressure which leads to further alternative modes of operation.

[0123] As a result, a method and a device have thus been created which make it possible to have a combination of a flat press stage and a membrane stage in one unit. The sub-division of the second pressure chamber 19 is effected by means of a flexible gas-tight element which is preferably a peripherally clamped, gas and pressure tight fabric cloth. Due to the use of this additional flexible gas-tight element, it is possible to produce a three-chamber system which permits a separate control of a movable pressure plate 15 and a membrane 17. Nevertheless the three-chamber system can be converted into a two chamber system in the form of a flat press with a vacuum chamber by removal of the membrane. It is thus possible to have differing modes of operation in one stage such as e.g. flat pressing/membrane pressing/flat and membrane pressing. This permits the production of different photovoltaic modules in one and the same press.

[0124] In the case of a preferred embodiment, which is envisaged in particular for laminating smart glass or glass laminates with e.g. PVB or other adhesive films, there results one other mode of operation of the device.

[0125] After feeding in the layer stack 11, the laminating device closes and a pressure which is greater than atmospheric pressure is built up in the first pressure chamber 18. The movable pressure plate 15 together with the membrane 17 (insofar as one is built in) descends. The layer stack 11 receives the same heat input from both sides, i.e. in the exemplary embodiment, from above from the heatable and movable pressure plate 15 and from below from the lower part 12. After a certain time, the pressure in the first pressure chamber 18 is reduced again and the movable pressure plate 15 is pulled back upwardly again by the resilient restoring means which are provided for the purposes of compensating for the weight of the movable pressure plate 15. Subsequently, the process of evacuating the first pressure chamber 18, possibly the second pressure chamber 19, and the product space 20 is begun. Thereby, the first pressure chamber 18 and/or the second pressure chamber 19 can be ventilated arbitrarily depending upon the need, also dependent on whether the laminating device is being operated as a membrane and/or flat press. An excess pressure can also be applied to the first pressure chamber to 18 and/or the second pressure chamber 19 depending upon the need.

[0126] In this application, differing from the preceding descriptions, one does not start with a vacuum, but with pressure at least in the first pressure chamber 18. The product space 20 can, but does not have to be evacuated for this purpose.

[0127] It is self evident that this description can be subjected to the most diverse modifications, changes and adaptations which fall within the scope of equivalents to the appendant Claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0128] 10 laminating device [0129] 11 layer stack [0130] 11a plate-like workpiece [0131] 11b adhesive layer [0132] 12 lower part [0133] 13 upper part [0134] 14 working chamber [0135] 15 movable pressure plate [0136] 16 first flexible gas-tight element [0137] 17 membrane [0138] 18 first pressure chamber [0139] 19 second pressure chamber [0140] 20 product space [0141] 21 sealing frame [0142] 22 intermediate frame [0143] 23 membrane frame [0144] 24 upper chamber frame [0145] 25, 26 gap [0146] 27 spring column [0147] 28 isolation [0148] a-a pressing axis