Methods of making vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window units are provided, including activating getters in a process of making VIG window units. In certain example embodiments, at least one getter is activated during and/or at the end of a pump-out/evacuation process in which the cavity between the substrates is evacuated. In certain example embodiments, the getter(s) may be activated (e.g., by at least a laser beam that is directed through a pump-out tube) during and/or at the end of the evacuation process in which the cavity between the substrates is evacuated to a low pressure that is below atmospheric pressure.

The present disclosure relates to a method of providing an edge sealing in the process of providing a vacuum insulated glass (VIG) unit. A first glass sheet (1a) and a second glass sheet (1b) is provided. A glass frit powder material (5) is heated to a softening temperature (T.sub.frit-powder) to soften the glass frit powder material, and the heated, softened glass frit powder material (5) is applied at the first glass sheet (1a) and/or the second glass sheet (1b). The first glass sheet (1a) and the second glass sheet (1b) are paired before or after applying the heated, softened glass frit powder material. The applied glass frit powder material is re-heated by use of at least one heat source (28, 26), the gap between the paired glass sheets is evacuated in a vacuum chamber (22) and the gap between the paired glass sheets is sealed to provide the VIG unit.

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.

A vacuum insulated glazing includes first and second spaced apart glass panes having perimeter portions defining a vacuum space between the glass panes. A vacuum valve is positioned at the perimeter portions of the glass panes and includes a valve body extending between the perimeter portions of the glass panes, and having first and second ends and a fluid conduit extending from the first end to the second end of the valve body and in fluid communication with the vacuum space. A one-way valve in the fluid conduit permits fluid flow from the vacuum space, and prevents fluid flow into the vacuum space. A suction fitting is provided for connecting the valve body to a suction device. An end seal between the perimeter portions of the glass panes is provided for hermetically sealing the vacuum space. A valve for a VIG and a method of making a VIG are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing vacuum glass. An apparatus for manufacturing vacuum glass, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes an exhaust finishing frit inserted into an exhaust hole of a plate glass assembly so as to seal the exhaust hole in an exhaust process. In addition, the exhaust finishing frit comprises: a frit body having a body top part on which a cap frit is placed; a depressed portion which is upwardly depressed from the bottom of the frit body; and an exhaust guide part which is formed to penetrate the outer circumferential surface of the frit body. Thus, it is possible to prevent bubbles from being generated in the exhaust finishing frit during a finishing process.

A glass panel unit includes: a first substrate including a first glass panel; a second substrate including a second glass panel; and a frame-shaped sealing portion that is hermetically bonded to the first substrate and the second substrate. The sealing portion creates an evacuated space between the first substrate and the second substrate. When viewed from a region where the second substrate is positioned with respect to the first substrate, the first substrate includes a part arranged to stick out of an edge of the second substrate. The part includes a mounting portion used to mount the glass panel unit onto a vehicle.

A glass unit according to the present invention includes a first glass plate having a through hole formed therein, a second glass plate that is arranged facing the first glass plate at a predetermined interval therefrom and forms an internal space with the first glass plate, a sealing member that seals a gap at peripheral edges of the first glass plate and the second glass plate, a cover that closes the through hole, and an adhesive that fixes the cover to the first glass plate. The internal space has been depressurized to a vacuum state, or a predetermined gas has been injected into the internal space, and the first glass plate and the cover are fixed by the adhesive.

The present disclosure relates to a method of applying a seal material in manufacturing a vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) unit, wherein the VIG unit comprises a first glass sheet, having a first interior major surface and a first exterior major surface, a second glass sheet having a second interior major surface and second exterior major surface, the glass sheets are placed in parallel with said interior major surfaces facing each other and providing a gap therein between, and a seal material for providing a seal of said gap, wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a glass sheet, and arranging said seal material on a major surface of at least one of said glass sheets by means of a nozzle having a nozzle opening of elongated shape, such as a rectangular or oval shape, providing a plurality of support structures on the major surface of at least one of the glass sheets, pairing said first glass sheet and said second glass sheet so that the surface of the at least one of said glass sheets comprising the seal material is the interior surface, and evacuating said gap so as to provide said VIG unit. The present disclosure further relates to a method of manufacturing a VIG unit, an application system and a VIG 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 melted is dropped toward the exhaust port, thereby sealing the exhaust port with the sealant.

Disclosed are a method of manufacturing double vacuum glass and double vacuum glass manufactured by the method. The double vacuum glass includes: a plate-shaped base panel configured to form one side surface of the double vacuum glass; a plate-shaped cover panel configured to form the other side surface of the double vacuum glass; spacers configured to space the base panel and the cover panel apart from each other so that a space is formed between the base panel and the cover panel; strip members configured to couple the base panel and the cover panel that are spaced apart from each other by the spacers; and a sealer configured to seal a space between the edges of the base panel and the edges of the cover panel by filling the space between the edges of the base panel and the edges of the cover panel outside the strip members.