Abstract: A spacer and sealant assembly comprising a sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges have at least one pleated portion, a plastic shim having at least one undulating portion in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member so that said at least one pleated portion is oriented inward into said at least one undulating portion of said shim, a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member.

Abstract: A spacer and sealant assembly comprising a sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges have at least one pleated portion, a plastic shim having at least one undulating portion in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member so that said at least one pleated portion is oriented inward into said at least one undulating portion of said shim, a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member.

Abstract: A spacer and sealant assembly comprising a sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges have at least one pleated portion, a plastic shim having at least one undulating portion in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member so that said at least one pleated portion is oriented inward into said at least one undulating portion of said shim, a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member.

Abstract: A spacer and sealant assembly comprising a sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges have at least one pleated portion, a plastic shim having at least one undulating portion in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member so that said at least one pleated portion is oriented inward into said at least one undulating portion of said shim, a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member.

Abstract: A thin film photovoltaic panel and a method for making same including providing a photovoltaic layer on a substrate having at least one edge; a sealant is applied in a liquid form by a pump on a planar surface of the substrate; an adhesive layer is applied between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the first adhesive layer is disposed between the photovoltaic layer and at least one of the first and second substrate; and the first and second are secured together to form the thin film photovoltaic panel. The sealant layer includes a desiccant material having a concentration of less than about 20 weight %, which increases the diffusion time lag time for the sealant to reach steady state, thereby extending the duration of the thin film photovoltaic panel.

Abstract: A spacer and sealant assembly comprising a stretchable sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges have at least one pleated portion, a plastic shim having at least one undulating portion in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member so that said at least one pleated portion is oriented concavedly inward into said at least one undulating portion of said shim, a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member.

Abstract: A solar panel including a photovoltaic material layer; a backing panel; and an adhesive layer disposed between and adhering together the photovoltaic material layer and the backing panel, in which the adhesive layer comprises an adhesive composition, the adhesive composition comprising a low MVTR polymer or copolymer and a silane-modified polymer or copolymer. In another embodiment, the solar panel includes module wire openings which are filled by an adhesive composition comprising a low MVTR polymer or copolymer and a silane-modified polymer or copolymer. A method of making the solar panel is provided.

Abstract: A spacer and sealant assembly comprising a stretchable sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges have at least one pleated portion, a plastic shim having at least one undulating portion in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member so that said at least one pleated portion is oriented concavedly inward into said at least one undulating portion of said shim, a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of making an edge assembly for an insulating glass unit, the edge assembly including a closed hollow spacer, the method comprising (1) dispensing a flowable desiccating matrix formulation onto a portion of the spacer which will be inside the hollow spacer when the spacer has been closed; (2) allowing or causing the formulation to solidify into a solid matrix and to detach from any attachment to the spacer; and (3) closing the spacer whereby the detached matrix will be retained within the spacer.

Abstract: A composite structure comprising a preformed flexible laminate in adhering contact with at least a first and second transparent or translucent panel members such as would be useful as an insulated glass unit. The flexible laminate contains an undulating spacer element either partially or totally embedded within a core material and has a polymeric coating on at least one surface thereof. The flexible laminate effectively seals the interior of the panel structure from air and/or moisture and maintains a desired distance between the panels. A multi-cavity extrusion die for forming the preformed flexible laminate has a core cavity for receiving the core material as well as the undulating continuous spacer element. Converging walls within the core cavity serve to embed at least one side of the spacer element in the core material and a land area forms a desired shape or configuration wherein the spacer element undulation is maintained.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of making an edge assembly for an insulating glass unit, the edge assembly including a closed hollow spacer, the method comprising (1) dispensing a flowable desiccating matrix formulation onto a portion of the spacer which will be inside the hollow spacer when the spacer has been closed; (2) allowing or causing the formulation to solidify into a solid matrix and to detach from any attachment to the spacer; and (3) closing the spacer whereby the detached matrix will be retained within the spacer.

Abstract: A composite structure comprising a preformed flexible laminate in adhering contact with at least a first and second transparent or translucent panel members such as would be useful as an insulated glass unit. The flexible laminate contains an undulating spacer element either partially or totally embedded within a core material and has a polymeric coating on at least one surface thereof. The flexible laminate effectively seals the interior of the panel structure from air and/or moisture and maintains a desired distance between the panels. A multi-cavity extrusion die for forming the preformed flexible laminate has a core cavity for receiving the core material as well as the undulating continuous spacer element. Converging walls within the core cavity serve to embed at least one side of the spacer element in the core material and a land area forms a desired shape or configuration wherein the spacer element undulation is maintained.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a flexible tape to a planar sheet having a base, a table, a robotic arm and an applicator head. The applicator head is carried by the robotic arm and includes a cradle for receiving a spool of flexible tape. The robotic arm moves the applicator head through the Cartesian coordinate system relative to the table. A motor feeds flexible tape out from the spool, over a dancer arm through a plurality of rollers. A sensor associated with the dancer arm measures the pressure or position in a cylinder connected to the dancer arm and forwards a signal to the motor to increase the speed if the dancer arm pressure is high, and decrease the motor speed if dancer arm pressure is low. A plurality of optical sensors determine the layer of flexible tape currently being removed from the reel, and adjust the motor speed to adjust for the varying length of material removed per revolution as concentric layers of flexible tape are removed from the spool.