A glass unit including a spacer, a front glass pane attached to a front side of the spacer, a back glass pane attached to a back side of the spacer, and a pressure equalization conduit defined by and within the spacer, wherein the pressure equalization conduit has a first end and a second end, wherein the pressure equalization conduit contains a desiccant and is in fluid communication with an exterior of the glass unit at a first end port adjacent to the first end and with an interior space of the glass unit at a second end port adjacent to the second end. The glass unit may further include one or more intermediate layers contained within the interior space and one or more floating suspension systems for supporting the intermediate layers.

A device for filling spacer frames with hollow-section strips has a storage tank for free-flowing, hygroscopic fill material, such as a molecular sieve. A line that leads to the spacer frame to be filled extends from the storage tank and empties into a fill opening in the wall of the spacer frame. The amount of the fill material poured into the spacer frame is determined by the amount of the fill material removed from the storage tank being detected. The amount of the fill material removed from the storage tank is detected by measuring the travel of a piston that rests with pressure on the fill material in the storage tank. The degree of filling is verified by the amount of the fill material removed from the storage tank being compared to the preset amount of the fill material that is to be poured into the spacer frame.

In one embodiment, a window spacer has an outer elongate strip with a first surface and a second surface. The window spacer also has first and second inner elongate strips that each has a first surface and a second surface. The inner elongate strips are arranged so that each of the first surfaces of the inner elongate strips is spaced from the second surface of the outer elongate strip. The inner elongate strips are also spaced from each other to form an elongate intermediate pane gap. Support legs extend between the outer elongate strip and the two inner elongate strips.

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 method of manufacturing VIGUs and IGUs comprises providing a first lite; providing a second lite spaced apart from the first lite to form a cavity therebetween; and encircling the lites with a one piece band. Spacers of a metal solder alloy or other reflowable material are inserted between the band and the perimeter edges of the lites. The assembly is heated in an evacuated environment, causing the spacers to melt and hermetically bond to the lites, but not until the cavity has been substantially evacuated.

A sealed unit includes at least two sheets of transparent or translucent material separated from each other by a spacer. One example of a spacer for a sealed unit includes a first elongate strip, a second elongate strip, and filler arranged therebetween. The first and second elongate strips have a small undulating shape in some embodiments. Methods of making spacers and window assemblies as well as devices for use in the manufacture of spacers and assemblies are disclosed including a manufacturing jig and a spool storage rack. The spool storage rack stores a plurality of spools configured to store spacer materials thereon.

The invention relates to a roof or skylight window comprising a frame and an insulated glazing unit, where the insulated glazing unit comprises a first glass pane (10) and a second glass pane (20) each having inner surfaces (11, 21) opposing each other, and a side seal (4) arranged between the first glass pane (10) and the second glass pane (20) creating a sealed cavity (40) between the glass panes (10, 20). The first glass pane (10) comprises an edge surface region (14) overlapping the side seal (4) along at least a first part of the side seal (4), wherein the edge surface region (14) comprises an enamel layer (16) comprising pigments reflecting near infrared light.

A spacer for an insulated glazing unit (IGU) is provided herein, along with an IGU and methods of making the spacer and IGU. The spacer imparts high thermal insulation to the IGU. Also provided are methods of preparing an insulating glazing unit, as well as methods of preparing a spacer for an IGU.

A method of manufacturing VIGUs and IGUs comprises providing a first lite; providing a second lite spaced apart from the first lite to form a cavity therebetween; and encircling the lites with a one piece band. Spacers of a metal solder alloy or other reflowable material are inserted between the band and the perimeter edges of the lites. The assembly is heated in an evacuated environment, causing the spacers to melt and hermetically bond to the lites, but not until the cavity has been substantially evacuated.

A spacer for an insulated glazing unit (IGU) is provided herein, along with an IGU and methods of making the spacer and IGU. The spacer imparts high thermal insulation to the IGU. Also provided are methods of preparing an insulating glazing unit, as well as methods of preparing a spacer for an IGU.