GLASS ELEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a glass element (1) having at least a first panel (2), which is formed from glass, at least a second panel (3) and at least one intermediate layer (8), wherein the intermediate layer (8) is arranged between the first panel (2) and the second panel (3). The first panel (2) has a first side (4) and a second side (5), wherein the first side (4) is arranged on the intermediate layer (8). An adapter unit (15) is adhesively bonded to the first side (4) of the first panel (2) and has a spacer plate (9). The intermediate layer (8) extends from the first panel (2) to the second panel (3) with a first longitudinal extent (L1). The spacer plate (9) extends from the first panel (2) to the second panel (3) with a second longitudinal extent (L2). The first longitudinal extent (L1) is identical to the second longitudinal extent (L2).

Claims

1. A glass element (1) having at least a first panel (2), which is formed from glass, at least a second panel (3), and at least one intermediate layer (8), wherein the intermediate layer (8) is arranged between the first panel (2) and the second panel (3), wherein the first panel (2) has a first side (4) and a second side (5), wherein the first side (4) is arranged on the intermediate layer (8), an adapter unit (15) is adhesively bonded to the first side (4) of the first panel (2) by means of a curable glass/material adhesive (16), the adapter unit (15) has a spacer plate (9), wherein the spacer plate (9) extends along the first panel (2) and the second panel (3), the intermediate layer (8) extends from the first panel (2) to the second panel (3) with a first longitudinal extent (L1), the spacer plate (9) extends from the first panel (2) to the second panel (3) with a second longitudinal extent (L2), and the first longitudinal extent (L1) is identical to the second longitudinal extent (L2).

2. The glass element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glass element (1) has at least one of the following features: the adapter unit (15) is formed from metal; the adapter unit (15) is formed from stainless steel; the adapter unit (15) is formed from a material which has a strength like that of metal; the adapter unit (15) is produced from ceramic material; the spacer plate (9) is designed in the form of a metal plate; the spacer plate (9) is formed from stainless steel; the spacer plate (9) is formed from a material which has a strength like that of metal; the spacer plate (9) is produced from plastics material; the spacer plate (9) is produced from ceramic material; the glass/material adhesive (16) is a glass/metal adhesive.

3. The glass element (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the adapter unit (15) has a fastening unit (10), the fastening unit (10) is arranged on a through-passage opening (14) of the second panel (3), and the fastening unit (10) is arranged in the through-passage opening (14) and is not in contact with a periphery (11) of the through-passage opening (14).

4. The glass element (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fastening unit (10) is designed in the form of a threaded element.

5. The glass element (1) as claimed in claim 3 or 1, wherein the fastening unit (10) is a first fastening unit, the adapter unit (15) has a second fastening unit (19), and the second fastening unit (19) is arranged on a through-passage opening (19) of the first panel (2).

6. The glass element (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second fastening unit (19) is designed in the form of a threaded element.

7. The glass element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glass/material adhesive is an acrylate-based adhesive which can be cured by means of light.

8. The glass element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first panel (2), the second panel (3) and/or the intermediate layer (8) are transparent.

9. The glass element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer (8) is formed from polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and/or ethylenevinyl acetate (EVA).

10. The glass element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer (8) has at least a first layer (8A) and at least a second layer (8B).

11. The glass element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second panel (3) is formed from glass and/or plastics material.

12. The glass element (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spacer plate (9) extends in a sub-region (13) along the first panel (2) and the second panel (3), wherein the spacer plate (9) is enclosed by the intermediate layer (8), and wherein the spacer plate (9) replaces the intermediate layer (8) in the sub-region (13).

Description

[0026] The invention will be described in more detail hereinbelow with reference to embodiments. In the figures:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of a glass element with an adapter unit;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of a glass element with an adapter unit; and

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a third embodiment of a glass element with an adapter unit.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a glass element 1 according to the invention. The glass element 1 is designed, for example, in the form of a door, of a glass wall and/or of a window. For example, the glass element 1 according to the invention is designed in the form of a door of a shower. It is explicitly pointed out that the invention is not restricted to the aforementioned use. Rather, the glass element 1 according to the invention can be used for any suitable purpose.

[0031] The glass element 1 has a first panel 2, which is formed from glass. The first panel 2 has a first side 4 and a second side 5. The first side 4 is arranged opposite the second side 5. The glass element 1 according to the invention also has a second panel 3, which is provided with a first side 6 and a second side 7. The first side 6 of the second panel 3 and the second side 7 of the second panel 3 are arranged opposite one another. Both the first panel 2 and the second panel 3 are formed from toughened safety glass having a thickness of 4 mm. It is pointed out that the invention is not restricted to this embodiment. Rather, the invention can use any glass thickness which is suitable for the invention. Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary for the second panel 3 to be formed from glass. Rather, the second panel 3 may also be formed from plastics material, in particular from Plexiglas.

[0032] An intermediate layer 8 is arranged between the first panel 2 and the second panel 3. The intermediate layer 8 is arranged on the first panel 2 and the second panel 3 such that an interspace between the first panel 2 and the second panel 3 is essentially completely filled.

[0033] The first side 4 of the first panel 2 is basically an inner side of the first panel 2. In contrast, the second side 5 of the first panel 2 is designed in the form of an outer side of the first panel 2. The case is somewhat similar for the second panel 3. Here, the first side 6 of the second panel 3 is basically an inner side of the second panel 3. In contrast, the second side 7 of the second panel 3 is designed in the form of an outer side of the second panel 2.

[0034] The intermediate layer 8 is arranged both on the first side 4 of the first panel 2 and on the first side 6 of the second panel 3. The intermediate layer 8 is formed from polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylenevinyl acetate (EVA). The intermediate layer 8 is arranged on the first side 4 and on the first side 6, for example, by lamination, which has already been explained above and to which reference is now made here.

[0035] Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment of the glass element 1, provision is made for the first panel 2, the second panel 3 and the intermediate layer 8 each to be formed from a transparent material.

[0036] The glass element 1 according to the invention has a sub-region 13 in which the intermediate layer 8 is interrupted. A first through-passage opening 14 of the second panel 3 is arranged in the sub-region 13. Also in the sub-region 13, an adapter unit 15 made of metal is adhesively bonded to the first side 4 of the first panel 2 by an acrylate-based adhesive 16. The adhesive 16 can be cured by means of light, for example by means of UV light. In order for the first panel 2, the intermediate layer 8, the second panel 3 and the adapter unit 15 to be arranged in a fixed manner on one another, provision is made, for example, for the aforementioned units to be connected to one another by a heat treatment. Such a heat treatment is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2007 017 971 A1, of which the content is incorporated here in full in this application. The glass element 1 is thus designed in the form of a composite element.

[0037] The adapter unit 15 is formed, for example, from stainless steel. However, the invention is not restricted to this. Rather, use can be made of any metal, or any metallic composition, which is suitable for the invention. In particular, provision is made for the adapter unit 15 to be formed from a material which has a strength like that of metal. For example, the adapter unit 15 is produced from ceramic material.

[0038] The adapter unit 15 of the glass element 1 has a spacer plate 9 in the form of a metal plate which extends in the sub-region 13 along the first panel 2 and the second panel 3. The spacer plate 9 is enclosed by the intermediate layer 8. The spacer plate 9 basically replaces the intermediate layer 8 in the sub-region 13. The spacer plate 9 is formed from stainless steel. However, the invention is not restricted to this. Rather, use can be made of any metal, or any metallic composition, which is suitable for the invention. To this extent, in the case of further embodiments, the spacer plate 9 may be formed from aluminum, and/or a material which has a strength like that of metal. For example, the spacer plate 9 may be produced from ceramic material and/or a plastics material having a strength like that of metal.

[0039] The intermediate layer 8 extends from the first panel 2 to the second panel 3 with a first longitudinal extent L1. Therefore, the intermediate layer 8 has a thickness between the first panel 2 and the second panel 3 which corresponds to the first longitudinal extent L1. Furthermore, the spacer plate 9 extends from the first panel 2 to the second panel 3 with a second longitudinal extent L2. Accordingly, the spacer plate 9 has a thickness between the first panel 2 and the second panel 3 which corresponds to the second longitudinal extent L2. The first longitudinal extent L1 is identical to the second longitudinal extent L2 in the glass element 1. In other words, the intermediate layer 8 has the same thickness as the spacer plate 9. The first longitudinal extent L1 and the second longitudinal extent L2 are, for example, up to 1 mm, up to 3 mm or up to 5 mm. However, the invention is not restricted to these values of the first longitudinal extent L1 or of the second longitudinal extent L2. Rather, the first longitudinal extent L1 and the second longitudinal extent L2 may be of any suitable value.

[0040] The adapter unit 15 has a first fastening unit 10 in the form of a threaded element, which is arranged on the first through-passage opening 14 of the second panel 3. In particular, provision is made for the first fastening unit 10 to be accessible to a user through the first through-passage opening 14 on the second panel 3, so that further units can be installed on the glass element 1. In the case of this embodiment, the first panel 2 has no through-passage opening. The first fastening unit 10 is arranged in the first through-passage opening 14 of the second panel 3 such that the first fastening unit 10 and the adapter unit 15 are not in contact with a periphery 11 of the first through-passage opening 14.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a further sectional illustration of the glass element 1 according to the invention. The embodiment according to FIG. 2 is based on the embodiment according to FIG. 1. Like reference signs denote like components. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the embodiment of FIG. 2 has a second through-passage opening 18 arranged in the first panel 2. The second through-passage opening 18 is in alignment with the first through-passage opening 14. Furthermore, the adapter unit 15 has a second fastening unit 19 in the form of a threaded element. The second fastening unit 19 is arranged in the second through-passage opening 18 of the first panel 2. Provision is thus made, in the case of this embodiment of FIG. 2, for a respective through-passage opening and a respective fastening unit to be arranged both in the first panel 2 and in the second panel 3. The second fastening unit 19 is arranged in the second through-passage opening 18 such that the second fastening unit 19 and the adapter unit 15 are not in contact with a periphery 20 of the second through-passage opening 18 of the first panel 2. In the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the adapter unit 15 is formed in one piece. In the case of a further embodiment (not illustrated), the adapter unit is formed, for example, from more than one part, wherein each respective part of the adapter unit is assigned to one of the through-passage openings.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a further sectional illustration of the glass element 1 according to the invention. The embodiment according to FIG. 3 is based on the embodiment according to FIG. 2. Like reference signs denote like components. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the intermediate layer 8 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is formed in more than one part. Therefore, the intermediate layer 8 is formed from a first layer 8A and a second layer 8B.

[0043] The glass element 1 has the advantage that, even in the case of pressure being exerted from the second side 5 of the first panel 2 in the direction of the intermediate layer 8, and from the second side 7 of the second panel 3 in the direction of the intermediate layer 8, there is no pinching of the intermediate layer 8. The spacer plate 9 prevents this pinching. This ensures that the intermediate layer 8 always functions properly in the laminated safety glass.

[0044] The glass element 1 also makes it possible to reduce shearing movements and vibratory movements in the region of the first fastening unit 10 and/or the second fastening unit 19, and therefore less air and moisture and possibly fewer chemicals can penetrate into the composite arrangement made up of the first panel 2, the second panel 3 and the intermediate layer 8 and cause delamination.

[0045] In the case of the embodiment of the glass element 1 according to FIG. 1, just one of the two panels 2, 3, that is to say the second panel 3, is provided with a through-passage opening. Therefore, the first panel 2 has the second side 5 with a panel surface, forming an outer surface, which is planar. It is then a straightforward task to wipe the second side 5 using a wiper, such as a squeegee, in order for the second side 5 to be cleaned and dried.

[0046] The glass element 1 also ensures the arrangement of a fitting and/or of a hinge on an insulating-glass comprising several panels, since it is possible for just one of the panels to have a through-passage opening. The cavity, which contains the insulating gas and is formed by further panels (not illustrated), is also sealed, and therefore it is not possible for any gas to escape from the cavity of the insulating glass or there is no need for any laborious sealing measures to be undertaken.

[0047] The features of the invention which are disclosed in the present description, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential both individually and in any desired combinations for the purpose of realizing the various embodiments of the invention. The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described. It can be varied within the framework of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of a competent person skilled in the art.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0048] 1 Glass element [0049] 2 First panel [0050] 3 Second panel [0051] 4 First side of the first panel [0052] 5 Second side of the first panel [0053] 6 First side of the second panel [0054] 7 Second side of the second panel [0055] 8 Intermediate layer [0056] 8A First layer [0057] 8B Second layer [0058] 9 Spacer plate (for example a metal plate) [0059] 10 First fastening unit [0060] 11 Periphery [0061] 13 Sub-region of the glass element [0062] 14 First through-passage opening of the second panel [0063] 15 Adapter unit made of metal [0064] 16 Adhesive [0065] 18 Second through-passage opening of the first panel [0066] 19 Second fastening unit [0067] 20 Periphery [0068] L1 First longitudinal extent [0069] L2 Second longitudinal extent