Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to vacuum insulated glass (VIG) units, and/or methods of making the same. An integrated pump-out tube is formed in a first substrate such that, when viewed in cross-section, the first glass substrate includes (a) first and second channel portions provided adjacent to opposite sides of a through-hole and (b) first and second sealing wall portions defined therebetween. An edge seal seals together the first and second substrates. A cavity is defined by the first and second substrates. Spacers provided between the first and second substrates in the cavity help maintain the first and second substrates in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation to one another. The cavity is evacuated to a pressure less than atmospheric. The first and second sealing wall portions are preferentially heating to cause them to sag together and form a bridge covering the through-hole, hermetically sealing the VIG unit.

An insulating glass pane includes at least two glass plates, a frame-shaped spacer made of a synthetic-based material and a muntin bar insert attached to the spacer. The spacer and the muntin bar insert are located between the two glass plates. The insulating glass pane contains at least one pair of magnets being two magnets which cooperate to position and hold the muntin bar insert in the insulating glass pane.

A magnetic window attachment assembly for attaching a muntin grid to a windowpane includes a first magnet or first ferromagnetic material attached to the windowpane at a first location and a second magnet or second ferromagnetic material attached to the muntin grid at a second location that aligns with the first location when the muntin grid is installed thereon. Magnetic attraction between the first magnet or the first ferromagnetic material and the second magnet or the second ferromagnetic material causes the muntin grid to be attracted to and removably engaged with the windowpane. The first magnet or first ferromagnetic material may have a convex surface, and the second magnet or second ferromagnetic material may have a concave surface that mates with the convex surface of the first magnet or first ferromagnetic material.

A retrofit window kit, including a plurality of magnetic sash elements configured to be positioned at one or more locations on an interior perimeter of the sash; and a corresponding plurality of magnetic window grid elements each configured to magnetically couple to one of the magnetic sash elements and constructed as a clip or a cap sized to fit over and frictionally attach to an exterior end of a window grid muntin.

A process for manufacturing a gas-filled multiple glazing unit including at least two glass sheets, the process including a preassembly step in which each glass sheet is positioned inclined at an angle strictly greater than 0 and less than or equal to 10 to the adjacent glass sheet, so as to form at least one cavity, each cavity being completely closed on one of its sides; a step of partially blocking at least one of the sides of each cavity; a step of filling each cavity with gas via an injection side of the cavity; and a step of pressing the glass sheets. One or more cavities of a multiple glazing unit can be filled while reducing the amount of gas used and the filling times.

Window or curtain wall assemblies and concealed window fastening assemblies are disclosed. Each window panel includes two layers of glass or other material separated by a spacing mullion, which lines the perimeter of the window panel to create a sealed chamber. The depth of the sealed chamber between the two layers is variable to accommodate either thermal requirements, vertical and horizontal structural loads, or both. The chamber reduces heat loss due to convection allowing it to outperform current double or triple glazing window walls. Each chamber can connect through tubes to allow for air or gas transfer to enhance thermal performance and create the potential for other functional and aesthetic effects. When the window panels are assembled, the latching mechanism structurally unifies each panel to become a single monolithic surface that can also account for thermal expansion. Elements of the latching mechanism are arranged to allow the window or curtain wall to be assembled from the interior, leaving only caulking to be performed from the exterior. Concealing all of such elements helps eliminate the exposure of window mullions and minimizes maintenance of the window or curtain wall.

A connector for connecting two hollow-profile strips of an insulating glazing unit is presented. The connector includes two plug-in legs suitable for insertion into the hollow-profile strips, and a connection region where the two plug-in legs are connected. The connection region includes an outer surface, two pane contact surfaces, and an inner surface. According to one aspect, the connector includes a cavity to establish a passage from the inner interpane space to corresponding surroundings of the insulating glazing unit. According to another aspect, the cavity has a first opening in the outer surface of the connection region that is sealed with a gas-permeable and water-vapor-tight membrane.

Window or curtain wall assemblies and concealed window fastening assemblies are disclosed. Each window panel includes two layers of glass or other material separated by a spacing mullion, which lines the perimeter of the window panel to create a sealed chamber. The depth of the sealed chamber between the two layers is variable to accommodate either thermal requirements, vertical and horizontal structural loads, or both. The chamber reduces heat loss due to convection allowing it to outperform current double or triple glazing window walls. Each chamber can connect through tubes to allow for air or gas transfer to enhance thermal performance and create the potential for other functional and aesthetic effects. When the window panels are assembled, the latching mechanism structurally unifies each panel to become a single monolithic surface that can also account for thermal expansion. Elements of the latching mechanism are arranged to allow the window or curtain wall to be assembled from the interior, leaving only caulking to be performed from the exterior. Concealing all of such elements helps eliminate the exposure of window mullions and minimizes maintenance of the window or curtain wall.