An apparatus and method is provided for forming a spacer frame assembly used in the construction of insulating glass unit windows. The apparatus comprises a head arrangement having a body with first and second ends, the first end for coupling to a cylinder that advances and retracts the head arrangement in a reciprocating motion during operation. The second end includes an annular wedge-shaped ridge for coupling to a second annular wedge-shaped ridge of a die support, collectively the wedge-shaped ridge and second wedge-shaped ridge form a contact region to form a torus surface. The die support has at least one die for engaging a spacer frame assembly during operation. The apparatus further comprises a collar having a torus-shaped recess corresponding with the torus surface to nest and couple the body to the die support.

An apparatus and method is provided for forming folds at a corner in a spacer frame assembly used in the construction of insulating glass unit windows. The apparatus comprises a carriage supporting first and second crimping fingers. The crimping fingers are spaced about a path of travel for the passage of metal strips during operation. The apparatus comprises an encoder to determine a velocity of the strips, and a motor coupled to a ball screw assembly. The ball screw assembly moves the carriage during operation along the path of travel. The apparatus comprises an electrical gearing arrangement for accelerating the carriage along the path. The electrical gearing arrangement includes a controller and a double acting rack assembly, the controller being coupled to the motor, the encoder, and the double rack assembly. The double rack assembly simultaneously actuates the fingers at a direction substantially transverse to the path.

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 spacer formation cell usable in configuration of a window assembly, wherein the cell includes a plurality of stages through which a spacer work piece is routed, and the stages include a holding stage, a cutting stage, a bending stage, and a connecting stage. The stages can be arranged in interlinked configuration, enabling spacers to be fabricated in a direct and time-efficient manner. The stages can be interlinked to form a framework, forming an exterior enclosure for the stages of the cell, and enabling at least of the majority of the cell's operations to be readily overseen by an operator from single vantage points around the cell. The configuration of the formation cell enables a wide variety of spacer types and/or sizes to be readily processed, with such processing to be readily alternated.

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.

Insulating glass units and spacers for securing the glass panes in insulating glass units are disclosed. The spacers may include a first chamber and second chamber formed therein. Particulate filters, gas filters (e.g., activated carbon for removing organics), desiccant bodies, getters (e.g., hydrogen sulfide getters) and combinations thereof may be disposed in the first and/or second chambers.

The present invention deals with integrating methods for manufacturing and applying a spacer frame to a glass plate, particularly in the circumstance of increased sizes thereof, of the rigid type, i.e. which profiles essentially are formed by a hollow body having cross section close to the rectangular, micro-perforated in the wall facing the chamber of the insulating glass, where at least the wall facing the outer cavity intended for the secondary sealant is made of solid metal material or with a metal liner, the remaining walls or all the walls being capable of being made of plastic or metal, e.g. aluminum or stainless steel. Certain innovative elements of the devices implementing such methods are also claimed.

The present disclosure discloses an insulating glass unit spacer bar frame and a method for producing same, which relates to the field of insulating glass units. The insulating glass unit spacer bar frame includes a sealed-filler-type spacer bar and an empty spacer bar. The sealed-filler-type spacer bar has a hollow accommodating cavity filled with desiccants. The sealed-filler-type spacer bar has opposite first and second ends, both of which are in a sealed state and have an insertion structure. The empty spacer bar has opposite third and fourth ends, both of which are in an open state. The first end is inserted into the third end, and the second end is inserted into the fourth end, so that a spacer bar frame is formed through bending. The present application can effectively reduce production costs and improve production efficiency.

An assembly and method of drawing differing types of sheet stock through one or more assembly stations to make a spacer frame that is used in an insulating glass unit is disclosed. The assembly and method include fabrication of a spacer frame having a recess formation in a portion of a peripheral wall of a connecting structure that allows two ends of the spacer frame to form a lateral connection. The assembly and method further include feeding along a process axis formed by a path of travel of the material an elongated length of sheet stock into a feeder press and a roll former, both having translating rollers that move transversely to the process axis to accommodate different materials used in the sheet stock. The assembly and method also include a swaging assembly for forming a recess formation in a portion of the peripheral wall of the spacer frame.