Patent ID: 6494245
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: E06B,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for applying sealant material continuously to an insulated glass panel assembly having a spacer frame with first, second, third and fourth perimeter edges and corners defining a sealing area for receiving sealant material therein, comprising:a) a swivel dispensing head assembly (500) having a dispensing nozzle (502) thereon for applying sealant material in a continuous motion to the sealing area of the first, second, third and fourth perimeter edges of the spacer frame of the insulated glass panel assembly; b) said swivel dispensing head assembly (500) having a swivel rotation member sub-assembly (510) for swiveling and rotating said dispensing nozzle (502) around each of the first, second, third and fourth corners of the spacer frame of the insulated glass panel assembly, wherein said dispensing nozzle applies the sealant material within the sealing area of the spacer frame; and having a dispensing valve sub-assembly (530) for transferring and controlling the flow movement of the sealant material from a sealant material drum via a material supply hose to said dispensing nozzle; c) a dispensing head rotation assembly (400) for rotating said swivel dispensing head assembly (500) and said dispensing nozzle (502), as said dispensing nozzle applies the sealant material around each of the first, second, third and fourth corners of the spacer frame of the insulated glass panel assembly; d) a slide assembly for moving said dispensing head rotation assembly (400) around the first, second, third and fourth perimeter edges of the spacer frame of the insulated glass panel assembly during the sealing operation; e) a frame assembly including a frame housing having an air float tabletop thereon; said air float tabletop including an upper wall surface, a bottom wall surface and a plurality of air and vacuum hole openings therethrough for supplying either air or vacuum to said upper wall surface of said air float tabletop; and f) a glass air float and suction assembly having a plurality of air hose members for supplying air to support and float the insulated glass panel assembly above said upper wall surface of said air float tabletop in order to properly position the insulated glass panel assembly relative to said frame assembly prior to the sealing operation and for removal of the insulated glass panel assembly after the sealing operation has been completed; and for supplying suction to clamp the insulated glass panel assembly on said upper wall surface of said air float tabletop in order to properly position the insulated glass panel assembly during the sealing operation.