Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to edge sealing techniques for vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units. More particularly, certain example embodiments relate to techniques for providing localized heating to edge seals of units, and/or unitized ovens for accomplishing the same. In certain example embodiments, infrared (IR) heating elements are controllable to emit IR radiation at a peak wavelength in the near infrared (NIR) and/or short wave infrared (SWIR) band(s), and the peak wavelength may be varied by adjusting the voltage applied to the IR heating elements. The peak wavelength may be selected so as to preferentially heat the frit material used to form a VIG edge seal while reducing the amount of heat provided to substrates of the VIG unit. In certain example embodiments, the substrates of the VIG unit do not reach a temperature of 325 degrees C. for more than 1 minute.

Vacuum glass includes a piece of upper glass, a piece of lower glass, and a closed vacuum layer sandwiched between the upper class and the lower glass, the peripheries of the upper glass and the lower glass are in seal connection using two or more layers of sealing material, the upper glass and the lower glass are convex glass or flat glass, convex surfaces of the convex glass face outward, and supports are disposed between two pieces of flat glass. The manufacturing method of the vacuum glass is simple, the prepared vacuum glass and tempered vacuum glass solve the defects in the prior art, can ensure the airtightness and service life of the vacuum glass, and are suitable for mechanization, automation, and mass production.

The invention concerns a glazing panel comprising first (5) and second (5) glass sheets linked together via at least one spacer (8) which holds them a certain distance apart from one another and, between said glass sheets (5), an inner space (4) comprising at least one first cavity (41), in which there is a vacuum of less than 100 mbar and which is closed by a peripheral seal disposed at the periphery of the glass sheets, around said inner space (4), the seal (1) being a metal seal rigidly connected respectively to the first and second glass sheets. According to the invention, the metal seal (1) further comprises at least one hollow metal tube (11) of which a first end (111) communicates with the inner space (4) and a second end (112) communicates with the outside of the panel, the second end (112) comprising means for blocking the tube. According to the invention, the tube comprises at least one gas trap (113) rigidly connected to the inside of the tube (11).

Certain example embodiments relate to vacuum insulating glass units having edge seals based on solder alloys that, when reactively reflowed, wet metallic coatings pre-coated on the glass substrates' perimeters, and/or associated methods. The alloys may be based on materials that form a seal at temperatures that will not de-temper glass and/or decompose a laminate, and/or remain hermetic and lack porous structures in their bulks. Example alloys may be based on inter-metallics of Sn and one or more additional materials selected from post-transition metals or metalloids; Zintl anions (e.g., In, Bi, etc.) from Group 13, 14, 15 or 16; and transition metals (e.g., Cu, Ag, Ni, etc.); and excludes Pb. Thin film coatings in certain example embodiments work with the solder material to form robust and durable hermetic interfaces. Because low temperatures are used, certain example embodiments can use compliant and visco-elastic spacer technology based on lamellar structures and/or the like.

In a gap retention member to be disposed between a pair of glass plates when a circumference of a gap formed between the pair of glass plates with their plate faces opposing each other is to be sealed to maintain the gap under a depressurized state, the gap retention member includes hard portions to contact the pair of glass plates respectively and a soft portion disposed between the hard portions and having a lower hardness than the hard portions, the soft portion being more susceptible to deformation based on a shearing force effective in the direction along the opposing faces of the glass plates than deformation based on a compressive force effective in a thickness direction perpendicular to the opposing faces of the glass plates.

A sealing device for slot-type vacuum glass is provided with a slot (11) through which a glass sheet to be sealed passes, inductive heating coils (14) are arranged around the slot, and the circumference of the glass sheet to be sealed is gradually hermetically sealed through metal brazing process as the glass sheet to be sealed passes through the slot via conveyor rollers (13). The device is further provided with a casing (10-1) and press wheels or rollers (15), and the slot extends through the casing, the inductive heating coils are arranged inside the casing around the slot, the press wheels or rollers (15) are set in the casing. The device is only required to be arranged in the middle of conveyor rollers in order to ensure that the glass sheet can pass through the slot, thereby simplifying equipment and sealing process, enhancing sealing efficiency.

A display case door assembly for a temperature-controlled storage device includes an opening into the temperature-controlled storage device and a vacuum panel mounted within the opening. The vacuum panel includes a first vacuum pane of tempered glass, a second vacuum pane of tempered glass, and an evacuated gap between the first and second vacuum panes. The evacuated gap has a predetermined thickness within which a vacuum is drawn, thereby providing a thermal insulation effect for the vacuum panel. The vacuum panel further includes a plurality of spacers disposed within the evacuated gap and configured to maintain the predetermined thickness of the evacuated gap when the vacuum is drawn therein.

A hermetically-sealed enclosure including at least two wall elements of substantially congruent shapes, and a spacer system that defines an interior space between the wall elements. The enclosure also includes a bridge element that has one or more flexible metal foil layers extending between adjacent, respective edges of the wall elements to isolate the interior space from a surrounding environment. The bridge element is substantially free of step discontinuities in total thickness along the intended weld path, and the bridge element is bonded to each of the wall elements via an ultrasonic weld to form a continuous bond line.

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units having improved seals made using two different frit-based edge seal materials, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a first frit material is applied around peripheral edges of first and second glass substrates. The first frit material, which may be bismuth-based in certain example embodiments, is fired with a heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering) process. A second frit material, which may be VBZ-based in certain example embodiments, is applied and at least partially overlaps with the fired first frit material. The first frit material acts as a primer, and the second frit material helps seal together the VIG unit. The second frit material is fired at a significantly lower temperature that enables the glass to retain the temper or other strength imparted by the heat treatment.

A display case door assembly for a temperature-controlled storage device includes an opening into the temperature-controlled storage device and a vacuum panel mounted within the opening. The vacuum panel includes a first vacuum pane of tempered glass, a second vacuum pane of tempered glass, and an evacuated gap between the first and second vacuum panes. The evacuated gap has a predetermined thickness within which a vacuum is drawn, thereby providing a thermal insulation effect for the vacuum panel. The vacuum panel further includes a plurality of spacers disposed within the evacuated gap and configured to maintain the predetermined thickness of the evacuated gap when the vacuum is drawn therein.