A compressible pillar for the preparation of a vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) unit, having a longitudinal extent in the pre-compressed state and including a deformable part having an open structure, which open structure will at least partially collapse when the pillar is subject to a compression force acting in the longitudinal direction of the pillar, the compression force being of at least one value selected within the range of 60 N to 320 N, the pillar will exhibit a partly irreversible deformation causing a reduction in the longitudinal extent of the pillar when the pillar is subjected to the compression force, so that when the compression force is fully released the pillar will exhibit an expansion in the longitudinal direction of the pillar which is less that the reduction in the longitudinal extent of the pillar. Further is shown a process for manufacturing of a compressible pillar, a method of producing a VIG unit as well as a VIG unit.

The invention provides automated spacer processing systems and methods. The systems and methods involve at least one robot arm that is configured to process spacers for multiple-pane insulating glazing units. In some embodiments, the systems also include an insulating glazing unit assembly line and a spacer conveyor system. Additionally or alternatively, the systems may include a sealant applicator.

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.

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.

A spacer for insulated glass units includes a main body co-extruded from first and second plastics, the second plastic having lower thermal conductivity and higher flexibility than the first plastic. The main body includes first and second side walls arranged parallel to each other, a glazing interior wall connecting to the side walls, an outer wall, which is arranged substantially parallel to the glazing interior wall and connects the side walls to one another directly or via connecting walls, and a cavity, which is enclosed by the side walls, the glazing interior wall, and the outer wall or by the side walls, the glazing interior wall, the outer wall, and the connecting walls. The main body is designed as a hollow profile formed from the second plastic, in which hollow profile the first plastic is arranged, at least in some regions, on the inside directly adjacent the hollow profile.

A method for manufacturing a glass panel unit includes a working step, an assembling step, a bonding step, and a gas exhausting step. The working step includes a getter material making step including obtaining a getter material containing a zeolite and a cerium compound. The assembling step includes preparing an assembly. The bonding step includes melting a peripheral wall to hermetically bond a first glass pane and a second glass pane. The gas exhausting step includes exhausting a gas from an internal space through an exhaust port to turn the internal space into a vacuum space.

An insulating glass unit and a method of forming same comprising a pair of glass panes in a parallel, spaced apart relation, at least one edge spacer and at least a primary sealant located between adjacent edges of the pair of panes to provide an integral sealed unit defining a space therebetween, and at least one transparent film located within the space between the pair of glass panes, the at least one transparent film secured to one of a support structure and the at least one edge spacer, wherein the film is positioned in a spaced apart parallel relationship between the pair of glass panes, and wherein the film is annealed to a relaxed state prior to positioning of the film between the pair of glass panes.

An insulating glass unit and a method of forming same comprising a pair of glass panes in a parallel, spaced apart relation, at least one edge spacer and at least a primary sealant7 glass panes, said at least one transparent film secured to one of a support structure and the at least one edge spacer, wherein the film is positioned in a spaced apart parallel relationship between the pair of glass panes, and wherein the film is heat shrunk to a tensioned state prior to positioning of the film between the pair of glass panes.

A gas adsorbent is placed on at least a surface of a first plate on one side in a thickness direction thereof or a surface of a second plate on one side in a thickness direction thereof. The gas adsorbent has a shape with relatively raised and lowered parts arranged alternately. The gas adsorbent is placed along a sealant that joins the first and second plates.

An insulated glass assembly line generally includes a first and second automated lite picker, a washer, a vertical gas filling and wetting station, a robot, and an applicator station.