This invention describes a process flow and method to assemble triple IG units without contaminating the center glass lite. A non-contact vacuum pad is used to lift a glass lite off from a horizontal or vertical support that conveys it from a glass washer to an assembly station. Each of multiple pads has a capacity to lift approximately seven to ten pounds. Use of multiple pads per glass sheet or lite allows lites having dimensions up to 70 by 100 inches (assuming glass thickness of one quarter inch) to be assembled.

An insulating glazed element including at least one insulating glazing unit including at least a first glass sheet and a second glass sheet associated together by an intermediate frame that keeps them a certain distance from each other. The intermediate frame includes at least two horizontal spacers and at least two vertical spacers, which are transparent. The horizontal spacers include at least two compartments which are separate and contiguous.

A spacer (16) and method of producing a flexible thermoset polymer spacer body; without the use of a traditional energy intensive extrusion, heat curing, and heat baking process; by using a two component polymer; one component carrying a desiccant powder, and the other component being the catalyst for cure.

When producing insulating glass including at least two panes of glass (1) and at least one spacer of thermoplastic material arranged between the panes of glass, to seal the beginning (4) and the end (5) of the strand (2) of thermoplastic material the thermoplastic material is compressed with the aid of jaws placed against the side faces of the strand. In the region of the joint thus formed between the beginning and the end of the strand forming the spacer, the width of the strand is reduced with the aid of a compression die with a convexly curved active face such that a depression is created. This depression has the effect that, after the assembly of an insulating glass blank, placing a second pane of glass onto the free edges of the strand produces an opening that allows a pressure equalization during the subsequent compression of the insulating glass blank.

A multiple pane insulated glazing unit for a fenestration unit includes a first outer pane including a first thickness defined between a first outer surface and a first inner surface. A first spacer is coupled to the first inner surface. A second outer pane has a second thickness defined between a second outer surface and a second inner surface. A spacer is coupled to the second inner surface, and an intermediate pane is coupled to at least one of the first spacer and the spacer. The intermediate pane has a third thickness defined between a third inner surface and a fourth inner surface that is less than the first thickness and the second thickness. The third thickness is between about 0.2 millimeters (mm) to about 1.2 millimeters (mm), and the first outer pane, the second outer pane and the intermediate pane are composed of boron-free soda lime silicate glass.

This invention provides a sealing spacer for spacing apart two window panes to form a window assembly. The spacer has an elongated, flexible strip having opposed edge surfaces and opposed side surfaces. The spacer also has a fiber reinforced polymer layer over the elongated, flexible strip. The opposed edge surfaces undulate with crests and troughs. The spacer has an activatable sealant for directly sealingly securing the flexible strip to each of the two window panes. The activatable sealant is on each of the opposed side surfaces of the fiber reinforced polymer. The invention also provides methods for making the spacer and window assembly.

Methods and apparatus for fabricating pressure compensated insulated glass units (IGUs). In one example, a method assembles an IGU from a first lite, a second lite and a spacer registered with and between the first and second lite, while at least the space between the first and second lites and within the perimeter of the spacer contains a heated or cooled inert gas. In another example, a method provides a vented IGU, heats or cools the vented IGU, introduces inert gas into the interior volume of the vented IGU, and seals vent ports before the IGU comes to ambient temperature. In another example, a method introduces or removes inert gas from an IGU by penetrating a seal of the IGU and then reseals the IGU. In another example, an apparatus for fabricating an IGU comprises a temperature control unit configured to heat or cool an inert gas and an IGU press wherein the apparatus is configured to introduce a heated inert gas or a cooled inert gas into the IGU as the hermetic seal of the IGU is formed.

An insulating glass unit is provided. The insulating glass unit comprises two glass panes spaced apart by a transparent spacer material adherent to the glass panes, e.g. a silicone hot melt material. Optionally, an inert or heavy gas is trapped within the unit. The insulating glass unit further comprises a layer of a transparent silicone elastomer located at the periphery of the unit between edge portions of the glass panes and in contact with external surfaces of the spacer. Processes for making the insulating glass unit are also described herein.

An insulating glazing unit having a first pane, a second pane, an outer pane interspace, an inner pane interspace, and a spacer is described. The spacer has a glazing interior surface, a first pane contact surface, and a second pane contact surface, a plastic profile, a primary sealing means, and a main member. The main member contains a sealing material containing a drying material. The plastic profile separates the outer pane interspace from the inner pane interspace. The main member is arranged in the outer pane interspace adjacent the plastic profile and the primary sealing means is arranged in the outer pane interspace adjacent the main member.

A glass panel unit includes: a sealing member arranged between a first panel and a second panel, which are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap left between themselves, to hermetically bond the first panel and the second panel together; and an internal space sealed heimetically with the first panel, the second panel, and the sealing member. The glass panel unit further includes a spacer arranged in the internal space so as to be in contact with the first panel and the second panel. The spacer includes a plurality of resin layers that are stacked one on top of another in a direction in which the first panel and the second panel face each other. At least any two of the plurality of resin layers have different elastic moduli.