Patent Description:
In particular, but not restricted to this, the invention relates to a profile as used for the composition of a frame for windows, doors, façades etc..

For the composition of such frames, composite insulated profiles are used which are composed of an aluminium outer shell and an aluminium inner shell which are connected to each other by one or more insulating bars.

Such composite profiles are used for example for the composition of a frame with a rebate for a glass panel or other panel.

Single profiles from aluminium or such profiles are also used in such frames, for example as reinforcement profiles, as finishing profiles, as glazing beads for securing the panels or the like.

Extruded aluminium profiles are typically supplied by the profile extruder to the manufacturer of profiles for windows, doors, etc. in standard lengths of for example <NUM> metres.

Typically, the aluminium profiles are supplied in lots, packages or on a chassis.

Said profiles with standard length are further processed at the manufacturer of profiles for windows and doors into finished profiles for windows and doors which are supplied in standard lengths to the manufacturer of windows and doors who uses said profiles for the composition of tailor-made windows and doors, by sawing the profiles to size and assembling them, for example, into the frame of a leaf of a window with a glass panel or other panel.

Thus, single profiles which are used, for example, as glazing beads for securing the glazing in a leaf, are already known, but also composite insulated profiles which in standard lengths are composed of two or more single profiles connected to each other by so-called insulating bars at the manufacturer of the profiles for windows and doors.

Said single and composite profiles receive a finish at the manufacturer of the window and door profiles such as coating or the like before they are supplied to the manufacturer of windows and doors.

On supplying the unmachined aluminium profiles from the extruder, the lots are each provided with a sticker with general identification data such as production date, production batch, etc., such that for all profiles of said specific shipment or lot the properties such as the supplier, the alloy, the mechanical properties, the production parameters etc. can be retrieved.

However, the separate profiles of the shipment are not provided with an individual tracing possibility.

A disadvantage of this is that once the profiles have been taken out of the lot it is no longer possible to trace the origin during or after the production process.

Also when the finished profiles have been sawn into lengths at the manufacturer of windows and doors for composing frames, it is no longer possible to trace their origin.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution to the aforementioned and other disadvantages.

To this end, the invention relates to a profile for composing the frame of a window or door, whereby the profile received a finish in the form of coating or other chemical process and whereby the finished profile contains at least one single aluminium profile, characterised in that the finished profile is provided with a readable or detectable identification with the individual data of each of the single aluminium profiles in the finished profile.

In this way, the origin of the individual single profiles can be traced, at every moment of the production process, if necessary.

Preferably, each of the single aluminium profiles is provided with a readable or detectable identification with its own individual data.

According to a disclosed aspect, such identification is preferably applied prior to the coating or other chemical process and such that the identification is resistant to the influences and circumstances of the coating or other chemical process it is subjected to.

Preferably, the identification is provided in the form of one or more tags.

They offer the advantage that they are relatively affordable and detectable, even if they are not visible. Such tag can be easily applied, for example at an end of the profile (<NUM>, <NUM>), which protrudes at least partly from the finished profile (<NUM>, <NUM>).

In this way the tag is easily accessible for reading, also when the finished profiles are stacked and stored on and next to each other.

According to the invention, the profiles are provided with at least one unique identification which stretches over the length of the profile as one continuous stretching identification or as a number of identical local identifications which are spread over the length of the profile such that when the profile is divided into two or more sub lengths, the sub lengths are still identifiable as part of the original profile.

An advantage of an identification according to the invention is that, even after sawing the profile or a sub profile thereof, the origin of the sawn pieces is still traceable because the remaining section of the stretching identification or the remaining local identifications still allows all data of the original lot to be traced, at least to the extent that at least one single intact local identification still remains on the sub profiles.

Relating to the local identifications it is thus useful not to make the distance between the consecutive identifications too big, such that for normal lengths of sub profiles of for example <NUM> or longer up to a number of metres, at least one local identification will not be damaged by the usual operations such as sawing or drilling holes for attaching hinges, a lock or other ironwork.

For example, the local identifications can be applied on the profile at a relative distance which is less than <NUM> or more preferably less than <NUM> or most preferably less than <NUM>.

The local identifications can be executed as a number of tags (RFID, NFC, etc.) or labels which are provided with the same identification data.

For example, the tags or labels can be applied on a medium in the form of a self-adhesive tape which can be glued on the profile lengthways.

Alternatively, labels can also be applied during or just after the extrusion process of the profile at a time the profile is still relatively soft for mechanical operations.

An example of a continuous stretching identification is for example a bar code with bars which stretch lengthways of the profile and preferably are applied over the whole length of the profile.

A continuous stretching identification means that after the usual operations of sawing and drilling there is always an intact length of the stretching identification to allows identification.

Such bar code can be glued, printed, lasered or the like.

The stretching or local identifications can be executed as an identifiable relief structure by lasering or the like, such that the structure and therefore the identification too remain visible after coating.

The invention is intended particularly for identifying aluminium profiles for use in windows and doors, for example the aluminium profiles which are processed as inner or outer shell in composite profiles of frames of windows, doors, façades etc. or single aluminium profiles which can be used as cover profiles, reinforcement profiles, glazing beads or the like.

The insulation profiles for the manufacture of the insulating bars in the composite profiles can also be provided with an analogue identification.

Preferably, the identification according to the invention in a window or door is provided in a location which is hidden from the outside when the door or window is closed, but can be made visible by for example opening the window or the door or by dismantling a cover profile or glazing bead or the like or by dismantling the panel.

It is not excluded that the profiles, in addition to the identification of the profiles as supplied to the constructor of windows and doors, are given a second identification according to the invention at the latter with the data of the consecutive production steps and operations and used tools and products (staining, coating, milling, etc.).

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, a few preferred embodiments of an identifiable profile according to the invention are described hereinafter by way of an example, without any limiting nature, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

The cross-section shown in <FIG> shows a fixed frame <NUM> of a window <NUM> with a glass panel <NUM> applied in the fixed frame <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> is composed in the known way of composite profiles <NUM> which in this case are composed of single profiles <NUM>, respectively an outer shell 5a and an inner shell 5b from aluminium which are connected to each other by insulating bars <NUM>.

The glass panel <NUM> is attached with an edge in a rebate <NUM> of the composite profile <NUM>; whereby the rebate <NUM> is delimited by a wall <NUM> along the inner contour of the frame <NUM> and an upstanding abutment lip <NUM> on said wall <NUM>.

The glass panel <NUM> is resting on glazing bead supports <NUM> on the wall <NUM> and is laterally clamped between two seals <NUM>, respectively an outer seal <NUM> on the abutment lip <NUM> and an inner seal <NUM> on a glazing bead <NUM> in the form of an additional single profile 5c which is clipped on the composite profile <NUM> for securing the glass panel <NUM>.

The profiles <NUM> and <NUM> are supplied to the manufacturer of the windows and doors in finished form, for example in coated form, in standard lengths and are sawn to size on site for composing a window or door and if necessary provided with the necessary holes for mounting ironwork such as hinges, locks, etc..

The manufacturer of windows and doors receives said finished profiles in standard lengths from the manufacturer of window profiles who works with an extruder of aluminium profiles for this and who receives the raw unmachined single aluminium profiles 5a, 5b and 5c in a standard length, stacked in separate lots, each provided with an identification label with data of the lot, such as supplier, lot number, and the like.

Departing from this, the raw single profiles are processed at the manufacturer of window profiles into the finished profiles for the manufacturer of windows and doors.

For example the composite profile <NUM> of the fixed frame <NUM> is composed of standard lengths of unmachined single profiles 5a and 5b which in the production, as shown in <FIG>, are connected to each other by means of the insulating bars <NUM>.

A thus composed profile <NUM> is then finished in the production, whereby chemicals are used for the finish, for example for coating, whereby the impurities of the profiles are removed by staining or the like, after which powder coating is applied on the profile that is heated to a temperature of for example <NUM>.

Before the production the unmachined aluminium profiles are taken one by one from different lots and connected.

Single profiles such as those of the glazing beads 5c are also guided through the coating process to be finished with a layer of coating.

Once removed from the lot and launched in the production, the origin of the single profiles can no longer be traced. To ensure that the origin of the single profiles <NUM> is traceable, before, during and after the production process, the invention allows the supplied still unmachined single profiles <NUM> of standard length to be provided with an identification <NUM>, for example in the form of a detectable tag <NUM>, before the single profiles <NUM> are sent in the production process.

The tags <NUM> can, for example, be applied locally to one or both ends of the profiles <NUM> by means of a tape B or the like, whereby the tags <NUM> protrude for example along the ends outside the profile <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

It goes without saying that the tags <NUM> must be resistant against the circumstances of the coating process, this means they must be resistant against the chemicals and the high temperatures linked to this.

Alternatively, tags can also be used that are less resistant against these influences, but which are applied, for example, in a protective cover or the like.

Composite profiles <NUM> are provided in such way with a tag <NUM> for each of the constituent aluminium sub profiles 5a and 5b.

In such case such tag <NUM> can already be provided beforehand by the supplier of the unfinished single profiles <NUM>.

Alternatively, a communal tag can also be provided for the constituent single sub-profiles 5a and 5b which contains the data of each of the separate profiles 5a and 5b and which is created and applied during the composition of the composite profiles <NUM>, in any case before the composite profile <NUM> is sent through the coating lines.

Alternatively, relative to a local tag <NUM> an identification <NUM> can also be provided which continues either stretchingly or at regular intervals over the full original standard length of the single profiles <NUM> supplied.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the two single profiles 5a and 5b are provided with such identification <NUM> in the form of a number of local tags <NUM> which, as shown in <FIG>, are applied at a relative centre distance A from each other on the single profile <NUM>, for example on the walls 15a and 15b which will form the outer contour <NUM> of the frame <NUM> in the composite profile <NUM>.

The tags <NUM> are for example RFID tags which are each separately provided with the identification data of the originally supplied single unmachined profile <NUM>.

All tags <NUM> on one and the same profile <NUM> obviously contain the same identification data of the originally record.

The tags <NUM> are for example applied on a medium <NUM> in the form of a self-adhesive tape which is applied over the entire or practically the entire length of the original single profiles <NUM>.

The centre distance A between the tags <NUM> is chosen such that for the lengths L which for normal applications of the original profiles <NUM> are sawn off for composing windows or doors, at least one intact tag <NUM> remains on the sawn off length L, taking into account any other mechanical operations such as drilling, milling or the like which could destroy the tags <NUM>.

In practice this can for example mean that a centre distance A is chosen that is less than <NUM>, more preferably is less than <NUM>, most preferably less than <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the application as shown in <FIG> the tags lie lengthways of the profile adjoiningly against each other with a centre distance A equal to the length of the tags, whereas in the example of <FIG> the tags overlap with a centre distance A that is less than the length B of the tags.

As the identification data on the tags are the same, the tags <NUM> jointly behave as one divisible long tag considering that, even when dividing them lengthways, each of the divided sections show the same reading of the identification data.

Instead of tags, labels with a bar code, QR code, or printed data can also be applied. In case the profiles need to be coated these codes can, for example, be applied in relief such that they are also readable after coating.

Preferably, the identification <NUM> is applied in a location where the identification can be detected by a device suitable for this purpose, preferably in a location that is not visible from the outside in closed condition of a window as in the case of <FIG> on the outer contour <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

Alternatively, the tags <NUM> could also be provided in the rebate <NUM>, for example on the walls 8a and 8b or in the case of tags <NUM> also on the walls 17a and 17b between the insulation profiles <NUM>, considering that for reading the identification data the tags <NUM> do not necessarily have to be visible.

It goes without saying that the single profiles <NUM> can also be provided with an identification according to the aspect of the application in several sections, for example in the form of two identical bar codes <NUM> in two different sections.

It is not excluded that the identification <NUM> is applied partly in one section and partly in an adjoining other section.

Instead of an interrupted identification <NUM> such as that of <FIG>, a stretching identification <NUM> can also be applied, for example in the form of a bar code <NUM> which is applied over the entire or practically the entire length of the originally supplied single profiles <NUM> with the bars applied lengthways of the profile.

The bar code <NUM> may or may not be applied in relief and be realised in any way such as by printing, gluing, lasering, staining or other techniques.

Thanks to the invention, in the case of a stretching tag <NUM>, the identification data and the origin of the constituent profiles <NUM> can be traced at any time during the life of a window or door by reading the identification data on the window or door, possibly after disassembly of one or other constituent profile such as the glazing bead <NUM> and/or of the glass panel <NUM>.

Glazing beads <NUM> too are supplied in fixed lengths as single profiles 5c from which the suitable lengths are sawn off.

Said single profiles 5c can also be provided with an identification <NUM>, for example on the side <NUM> facing the glass panel <NUM>.

It goes without saying that the sawn off single profiles <NUM> and the profiles <NUM> and windows and doors composed therewith are part of the invention. In that case it is possible for the composite profiles <NUM> to be provided with several unique identifications <NUM>, for example one per constituent single profile <NUM>, which extend over the length of the profile <NUM>.

The invention is not limited to aluminium profiles for windows and doors, but can for example also be applied to profiles from which the insulating bars are manufactured or all other profiles which are intended to be used or processed in shorter pieces and the traceability of which is desired.

Claim 1:
Profile for composing the frame of a window or door, whereby the profile (<NUM>, <NUM>) has received a finish in the form of coating or other chemical process and whereby the finished profile (<NUM>, <NUM>) contains at least one single aluminium profile (<NUM>), whereby the finished profile is provided with a readable or detectable identification (<NUM>) with the individual data of each of the single aluminium profiles (<NUM>) in the finished profile (<NUM>, <NUM>), characterised in that the finished profile (<NUM>, <NUM>) is provided with at least one unique identification (<NUM>) which stretches over the length of the profile (<NUM>, <NUM>) as one continuous stretching identification (<NUM>) or as a number of identical local identifications (<NUM>) spread over the length of the profile (<NUM>, <NUM>), such that when the profile (<NUM>, <NUM>) is divided into two or more shorter sub lengths, the sub lengths are still identifiable as part of the original profile (<NUM>, <NUM>).