Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assembling muntin bar lattices and spacer frames for use in insulating glass units are disclosed. One method of assembling a muntin bar lattice in accordance with the present invention comprises the steps of providing a muntin bar segment and a keeper dimensioned for piercing a wall of the muntin bar segment. A keeper in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises an elongate body including a tip portion that is dimensioned for piercing a wall of the muntin bar segment to create an opening therein. A spacer for the separation of panes in an insulating glass unit in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a tubular member comprising a wall defining a lumen and a mounting flange defining a plurality of mounting holes.

Abstract: A transparent, scratch-resistant, amorphous, easily washed coating on a transparent substrate, together with a method for its preparation. A substrate such as glass is introduced into a sputtering chamber, a silicon-containing target is sputtered in an atmosphere comprising nitrogen and a hydrocarbon gas to produce on the substrate a film containing a carbide of silicon and a nitride of silicon. The film preferably has a thickness in the range of about 30 Å to about 500 Å, and its surface preferably exhibits a contact angle with water below about 25°. The protective coating may be applied directly to a transparent substrate such as glass, or may be applied as a protective coating over an optical film stack carried by the substrate. If desired, a glass substrate may be coated on one side with the optical film stack and coated on the opposite side with the protective coating.

Abstract: A pressure equalization valve enabling equalization of pressure between the between-pane space of an insulating glass unit and ambient pressure, and glass units containing such a valve. The pressure equalization valve generally includes a valve body having a cavity therein and opposed, open ends and an elongated valve plug received in said valve body and securably shiftable along its length between plugged and unplugged configurations. The valve may be secured about an aperture in a glass pane. The valve body has a shoulder at one end, and the pane thickness is sandwiched between the shoulder and a washer preferably press-fitted to the other end of the body.

Abstract: A heat-resistant transparent glass article is formed with a film stack deposited on a glass substrate, the film stack comprising one or more infrared reflective films each bearing on its surface facing away from the substrate a protective film of niobium metal having a thickness of up to 25 Å and preferably in the range of about 7 Å to 20 Å. A protective film of niobium metal or metal oxide may be formed on the other surface (facing the substrate) of each infrared reflective film. Metal nitride films such as silicon nitride may be employed between neighboring infrared reflective films, and as an outer protective film.

Abstract: A method for detecting seal failures during manufacture of an insulated glass unit. In this method, a partially assembled glass unit is placed within an enclosure and the enclosure is sealed with the partially assembled glass unit therein. An insulating gas is flowed into and an insulating gas/air mixture is exhausted from the enclosure until the concentration of insulating gas within the enclosure reaches a predetermined value. The pressure within the interpane space is adjusted to a predetermined ambient gauge pressure which represents a predetermined offset from ambient atmospheric pressure. The panes are pressed against the spacer, sealing the interpane space to yield a sealed insulated glass article. Surface profiles of the first and second panes of the sealed insulated glass article are measured to determine a thickness profile. A fault indicator is generated if the thickness profile does not show at least a predetermined deviation of the thickness profile from a predetermined baseline profile.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for replacing air with an insulating gas during manufacture of an insulated glass article having two parallel panes and a peripheral spacer between the panes. The apparatus includes an upright first platen, a second platen confronting the first platen, a mechanism for moving at least one of the platens toward and away from the other platen, and a peripheral resilient seal positioned to define a sealed enclosure between the platens. The apparatus may further include a conveyer for conveying a partially assembled insulating glass article between the platens, an exhaust mechanism for drawing gas from the enclosure, and an intake mechanism for introducing insulating gas to the enclosure. One method of the invention involves filling such an insulated glass article and measuring the thickness of the article to detect bulging or cupping.

Abstract: A heat formable mirror is formed by sputter depositing upon a sheet such as glass a reflective coating utilizing a base layer of silicon or a combination of silicon and stainless steel films, a reflective layer formed of a reflective metallic film such as titanium or aluminum, and a protective layer comprising preferably silicon nitride. The resulting mirror can be heat formed at elevated temperatures to form a curved mirror having a reflective coating free of objectionable defects.

Abstract: A shipping container comprises a floor and an upright rear wall that intersect at approximately a right angle for vertically supporting a plurality of parallel panels such as insulating glass units, with the edges of the panels being supported by the floor and the rear wall. A plurality of elongated, elastic restraints, such as elastic cords, are carried by the container and are positioned so as to encounter a respective panel and to elastically urge that panel toward said intersection. Each elongated elastic restraint extends generally in the plane of its respective panel from the rear wall above the floor to the floor forwardly of the rear wall, the restraint contacting and elastically pressing against the upper, forward corner of the glass unit.

Abstract: A heat formable mirror is formed by sputter depositing upon a sheet such as glass a reflective coating utilizing a base layer of silicon or a combination of silicon and stainless steel films, a reflective layer formed of a reflective metallic film such as niobium, titanium or aluminum, and a protective layer comprising preferably silicon nitride. The resulting mirror can be heat formed at elevated temperatures to form a curved mirror having a reflective coating free of objectionable defects.

Abstract: A heat-resistant transparent glass article is formed with a film stack deposited on a glass substrate, the film stack comprising one or more infrared reflective films each bearing on its surface facing away from the substrate a barrier film of niobium metal having a thickness of up to 25 .ANG. and preferably in the range of about 7 .ANG. to 20 .ANG.. A barrier film of niobium metal or, preferably, a metal oxide may be formed on the other surface (facing the substrate) of each infrared reflective film. Metal nitride films such as silicon nitride may be employed between neighboring infrared reflective films, and as an outer protective film.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for replacing air with an insulating gas during manufacture of an insulated glass article having two parallel panes and a peripheral spacer between the panes. The apparatus includes an upright first platen, a second platen confronting the first platen, a mechanism for moving at least one of the platens toward and away from the other platen, and a peripheral resilient seal positioned to define a sealed enclosure between the platens. The apparatus may further include a conveyer for conveying a partially assembled insulating glass article between the platens, an exhaust mechanism for drawing gas from the enclosure, and an intake mechanism for introducing insulating gas to the enclosure. One method of the invention involves filling such an insulated glass article and measuring the thickness of the article to detect bulging or cupping.

Abstract: Transparent articles comprising transparent, nonmetallic substrate and a transparent film stack is sputter deposited on the substrate. The film stack is characterized by including at least one infrared reflective metal film, a dielectric film over the metal film, and a protective silicon nitride film of 10 .ANG. to 150 .ANG. in thickness over the said dielectric film. The dielectric film desirably has substantially the same index of refraction as does silicon nitride and is contiguous with the silicon nitride film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for assembling a small number of custom sealed double glazing units in which spacers can have different widths and panes of different assemblies can be differently sized. In accordance with one method of the invention, a spacer having sealant on opposing surfaces thereof is adhered to a first glass pane and a resilient member is positioned alongside a portion of the spacer. A second glass pane is positioned over the spacer so that it is partially adhered to the spacer to define an interpane space around which the spacer is adhered, but with the resilient member preventing contact with the whole of the spacer, so maintaining a gap between a portion of the spacer and the second glass pane. The resulting assembly is moved into a gas exchange chamber, and air is removed from the chamber and accordingly also the interpane space.

Abstract: An insulating glass unit is shown comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart glass panes and a spacer peripherally joining the glass panes to each other. The spacer is a tubular structure, and may include a particulate desiccant filling at least a section of the interior and conforming to the interior configuration thereof to contribute compressive strength to the spacer. The spacer desirably is made from stainless steel sheeting having a thickness not greater than about 0.005 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer includes side walls sealed to the glass panes and an outer wall extending between the side walls and having a sealant free portion between the side walls that extends substantially completely about the periphery of the glass unit.

Abstract: An insulating glass unit is shown comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart glass-panes and a spacer peripherally joining the glass panes to each other. The spacer is a tubular structure, and may include a particulate desiccant filling at least a section of the interior and conforming to the interior configuration thereof to contribute compressive strength to the spacer. The spacer desirably is made from stainless steel sheeting having a thickness not greater than about 0.005 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer includes side walls sealed to the glass panes and an outer wall extending between the side walls and having a sealant free portion between the side walls that extends substantially completely about the periphery of the glass unit.

Abstract: An insulating glass unit is shown comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart glass panes and a spacer peripherally joining the glass panes to each other. The spacer is a tubular structure, and may include a particulate desiccant filling at least a section of the interior and conforming to the interior configuration thereof to contribute compressive strength to the spacer. The spacer desirably is made from stainless steel sheeting having a thickness not greater than about 0.005 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer includes side walls sealed to the glass panes and an outer wall extending between the side walls and having a sealant free portion between the side walls that extends substantially completely about the periphery of the glass unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a stain-resistant float glass and an apparatus for carrying out such a method. In keeping with this method, SO.sub.3 is applied to the upper surface of float glass in an amount efficacious to materially reduce staining of the upper surface of the glass. Optimally, SO.sub.3 gas can be applied directly onto the upper surface of the glass. An apparatus of the invention generally includes a downwardly open hood positioned above the upper surface of the glass and having walls defining an enclosure. SO.sub.3 gas (either as such or as a reactive mixture of SO.sub.2 gas and an oxygen-containing gas) is delivered through a delivery tube to the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for assembling a small number of custom sealed double glazing units in which spacers can have different widths and panes of different assemblies can be differently sized. In accordance with one method of the invention, a spacer having sealant on opposing surfaces thereof is adhered to a first glass pane and a resilient member is positioned alongside a portion of the spacer. A second glass pane is positioned over the spacer so that it is partially adhered to the spacer to define an interpane space around which the spacer is adhered, but with the resilient member preventing contact with the whole of the spacer, so maintaining a gap between a portion of the spacer and the second glass pane. The resulting assembly is moved into a gas exchange chamber, and air is removed from the chamber and accordingly also the interpane space.

Abstract: An insulating glass unit is shown comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart glass panes and a spacer peripherally joining the glass panes to each other. The spacer is a tubular structure, and may include a particulate desiccant filling at least a section of the interior and conforming to the interior configuration thereof to contribute compressive strength to the spacer. The spacer desirably is made from stainless steel sheeting having a thickness not greater than about 0.005 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer includes side walls sealed to the glass panes and an outer wall extending between the side walls and having a sealant free portion between the side walls that extends substantially completely about the periphery of the glass unit.

Abstract: An insulating glass unit comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced apart glass panes and a spacer-sealant assembly peripherally joining the glass panes to one another and defining with the glass panes a gas-containing interpane space. The spacer comprises a first web whose edges are joined to confronting surfaces of the glass panes by primary sealant strips, the first web and sealant providing a barrier having a permeance to air and interpane gas of not greater than about 0.06 cubic inches/year-inch-arm, and providing a first thermal path having a thermal resistance of not less than about 8 hr-.degree.F.-ft/Btu. The unit is free from peripheral structure providing a separate parallel thermal path having a thermal resistance less than about two and one-half times that of the first thermal path.