An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for manufacturing a multi-layer stack with excellent mechanical strength and thermal insulation properties. A multi-layer stack includes a glass panel unit, an intermediate film, and a transparent plate attached via the intermediate film to the glass panel unit. The glass panel unit includes a first glass panel, a second glass panel, and an evacuated space interposed between the first glass panel and the second glass panel. The method includes assembling the glass panel unit and the transparent plate together via the intermediate film inside an evacuated chamber.

A vacuum insulating glazing unit comprising a planar area, first and second glass panes, k discrete spacers distributed over the planar area and positioned between the first and second glass panes, wherein k∈ and k>8, and a peripheral bonding seal hermetically sealing the distance between the first and second glass panes defining an internal volume under vacuum, enclosed between the first and second glass panes and bounded by an inner perimeter of the peripheral bonding seal defining the planar area. The inner perimeter has a substantially rectangular geometry with a length, L, a width, W, with L≥W. The discrete spacers are arranged according to the stress field lines of the combination of atmospheric pressure stresses, σp, applied by the atmospheric pressure on the surface of the vacuum insulating glazing, and of thermal stresses, σt, resulting from a temperature difference between exterior and interior environments.

The present invention provides a panel assembly, a refrigerator, and home appliances. The panel assembly of the present invention comprises: a first panel formed of a glass material; a second panel spaced apart from the first panel and formed of a glass material; a plurality of spacers provided between the first panel and the second panel so as to maintain a gap between the first panel and the second panel, and arranged to be spaced apart from each other; a sealing member disposed between the first panel and the second panel for sealing a space between the first panel and the second panel; an exhaust hole provided in at least one of the first panel and the second panel so as to discharge air such that the space between the first panel and the second panel becomes a vacuum insulation space; and a cover member covering the exhaust hole.

A spacer is interposed between a pair of glass substrates facing each other. The spacer is disposed in contact with the pair of glass substrates. The spacer includes a center portion having a plate shape or a columnar shape, and both end portions protruding from both end surfaces of the center portion. At least any one of the both end portions has a spherical cap shape, or a spherical zone shape or a truncated conical shape. A radius A of a base portion at each of the both end portions is equal to a radius B of the center portion, or is smaller than the radius B.

A laminated vacuum insulating assembly extending along a plane, P, defined by a longitudinal axis, X, and a vertical axis, Z, including: a first glass pane with thickness Z1, an inner pane face and an outer pane face and a second glass pane with thickness, Z2, an inner pane face and an outer pane face; wherein the thicknesses are measured in the direction normal to the plane, with a set of discrete spacers positioned between the first and second glass panes, a hermetically bonding seal sealing the distance between the first and second glass panes over a perimeter thereof; and an internal volume, V, defined by the first and second glass panes and the set of discrete spacers and closed by the hermetically bonding seal and where there is an absolute vacuum of pressure of less than 0.1 mbar; and where the inner pane faces face the internal volume, V.

A fenestration assembly includes a glazing unit includes a pane spacer between exterior and interior panes proximate glazing unit edges. A fenestration frame is coupled around the glazing unit and includes a frame core extending around the glazing unit. The frame core includes a unitary core wall including a composite material that is hollow and extends continuously from a core interior face to a core exterior face. A metal glazing cap is coupled with the frame core. The metal glazing cap having a cap end indirectly engaged with the glazing unit along the interior pane, and the cap end is remote from the pane spacer. Each of the core exterior face, the pane spacer and the metal glazing cap are thermally isolated from each other with the frame core including the unitary core wall.

This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. Pre-wired spacers improve fabrication efficiency and seal integrity of insulated glass units. Electrical connection systems include those embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit.

A manufacturing method of a glass panel unit of the present invention includes a bonding step, a pressure reduction step, and a sealing step. In the bonding step, a first substrate and a second substrate are hermetically bonded together with a seal having a frame shape. In the pressure reduction step, a pressure in an inside space formed between the first substrate and the second substrate is reduced through an exhaust port. In the sealing step, sealant disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate is deformed, and the sealant thus deformed seals an opening of the exhaust port.

A multi-layer laminate includes a glass panel unit, an intermediate film, and a transparent plate. The transparent plate is assembled to the glass panel unit via the intermediate film. The glass panel unit includes a first and second glass panel, and an evacuated space. The evacuated space is interposed between the first and second glass panel. A method for manufacturing the multi-layer laminate includes a step. The step includes exhausting a gas from a bag, loaded with the glass panel unit, the intermediate film, and the transparent plate, to cause the bag to shrink and thereby assembling, using the bag thus shrunk, the glass panel unit and the transparent plate via the intermediate film. The step includes raising a pressure inside the bag from a pressure at an initial stage of heating while increasing a temperature of the intermediate film to a predetermined temperature at which the intermediate film softens.

A door is provided that includes a door panel having a periphery and opposite first and second panel surfaces, stiles and rails collectively surrounding the panel, and sealant. The stiles have channeled stile surfaces extending across a thickness of the stiles and facing one another. The rails have channeled rail surfaces extending across a thickness of the rails and facing one another. The channeled stile surfaces and the channeled rail surfaces include channels with open ends that receive the periphery of the panel, first grooves positioned at first interfaces of the first panel surface and first edges of the open ends of the channels, and second grooves positioned at second interfaces of the second panel surface and second edges of the open ends of the channels. The sealant is received in the first and second grooves, preferably forming a water-proof seal.