Abstract: An insulating glass unit cooling assembly and method of cooling an insulating glass unit is provided. The cooling assembly includes a cooling unit that directs air at insulating glass units and a conveyor that transports insulating glass units along a path of travel defining an axis of travel for the insulating glass units. The conveyor has a conveyor planar surface that supports a corresponding planar glass surface of the insulating glass units as the insulating glass units are conveyed along the axis of travel such that the planar surface of the insulating glass units are substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the conveyor planar surface. The air from the cooling unit is directed in a path substantially parallel with the conveyor planar surface and the planar glass surface of the insulating glass units as the insulating glass units travel along the conveyor.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. One of a multiple number of possible spacer frame materials is chosen for the spacer frame. An elongated strip of the material is moved to a notching station where notches are formed at corner locations. The character of the notches is adjusted based on the selection of the metal strip material and more particularly to achieve bending of the material in an repeatable, straightforward manner. Better control over the notching process is also achieved by exhaust flow control of a double acting cylinder. A positioning spacer achieve very accurate side to side positioning of a die and anvil to precisely notch and deform the metal strip. Downstream from the notching station the metal strip is bent into a channel shaped elongated frame member having side walls. Further downstream a leading strip of channel shaped material is severed or separated from succeeding material still passing through the notching and bending station.

Abstract: A window sealing system and method for use in sealing insulating glass units (IGUs) is disclosed herein. The system includes an articulating arm having a plurality of members and arms to allow movement about multiple axes defined by the articulating arm, and a sealant dispensing apparatus releasably couplable to the articulating arm. The sealant dispensing apparatus comprises a pivotable dispensing apparatus for dispensing sealant onto an IGU. The system further including a vision system, coupled to the sealant dispensing apparatus, for monitoring physical properties of the sealant during sealant application.

Abstract: A fluid exchanging system and method for use in exchanging fluids in insulating glass units (IGUs). The fluid exchanging system includes an articulating arm having a plurality of members and arms to allow movement about multiple axes defined by the articulating arm, an optical sensor system, coupled to the articulating arm, for identifying an opening in a spacer frame of an IGU, and a fluid exchanging apparatus releasably couplable to the articulating arm. The fluid exchanging apparatus also includes a fluid exchanging head for evacuating atmospheric air from the IGU and dispensing fluid into the IGU.

Abstract: This invention describes an apparatus for assembling triple pane insulating glass units from a plurality of insulating spacer frames having sealant or adhesive applied to opposite sides of said spacer frames.

Abstract: A joiner clip for use in a spacer frame assembly and method of assembly are disclosed herein. The joiner clip includes first and second arms coupled to and extending away from a body, the first and second arms comprising mirror images of each other across a first mirror image axis. The first and second arms are housed within a first channel end of a linear spacer frame when assembled. The joiner clip further includes third and fourth arms coupled to and extending away from the body and away from the first and second arms, the third and fourth arms comprising mirror images of each other across the first mirror image axis. The third and fourth arms are housed within an opposite frame end of the linear spacer frame when assembled. When assembled, the body spaces the first channel end from the opposite frame end.

Abstract: An insulating glass unit cooling assembly and method of cooling an insulating glass unit is provided. The cooling assembly includes a cooling unit that directs air at insulating glass units and a conveyor that transports insulating glass units along a path of travel defining an axis of travel for the insulating glass units. The conveyor has a conveyor planar surface that supports a corresponding planar glass surface of the insulating glass units as the insulating glass units are conveyed along the axis of travel such that the planar surface of the insulating glass units are substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the conveyor planar surface. The air from the cooling unit is directed in a path substantially parallel with the conveyor planar surface and the planar glass surface of the insulating glass units as the insulating glass units travel along the conveyor.

Abstract: A spacer frame assembly and method of assembly includes a substantially linear channel comprising two lateral walls and a base wall. The channel has first and second ends that when assembled, includes at least three sides and corresponding corners between each of said sides. The first end includes a connecting structure and the second end includes an opposite frame end. The opposite frame end has an opposite channel for receiving a nose portion of said connecting structure The opposite channel includes stiffening flanges extending inwardly from the lateral walls relative to the channel. The connecting structure further includes a first aperture in the base wall comprising a first projection into the channel and the opposite channel comprises a second aperture in the base wall comprising a second projection into the channel. Wherein the first projection. tactilely interweaves with the second projection when the spacer frame is assembled.

Abstract: A window sealing system and method for use in sealing insulating glass units (IGUs) is disclosed herein. The system includes an articulating arm having a plurality of members and arms to allow movement about multiple axes defined by the articulating arm, and a sealant dispensing apparatus releasably couplable to the articulating arm. The sealant dispensing apparatus comprises a pivotable dispensing apparatus for dispensing sealant onto an IGU. The system further including a vision system, coupled to the sealant dispensing apparatus, for monitoring physical properties of the sealant during sealant application.

Abstract: A window sealing system and method for use in sealing insulating glass units (IGUs) is disclosed herein. The system includes an articulating arm having a plurality of members and arms to allow movement about multiple axes defined by the articulating arm, and a sealant dispensing apparatus releasably couplable to the articulating arm. The sealant dispensing apparatus comprises a pivotable dispensing apparatus for dispensing sealant onto an IGU. The system further including a vision system, coupled to the sealant dispensing apparatus, for monitoring physical properties of the sealant during sealant application.

Abstract: A fluid exchanging system and method for use in exchanging fluids in insulating glass units (IGUs). The fluid exchanging system includes an articulating arm having a plurality of members and arms to allow movement about multiple axes defined by the articulating arm, an optical sensor system, coupled to the articulating arm, for identifying an opening in a spacer frame of an IGU, and a fluid exchanging apparatus releasably couplable to the articulating arm. The fluid exchanging apparatus also includes a fluid exchanging head for evacuating atmospheric air from the IGU and dispensing fluid into the IGU.

Abstract: A fluid exchanging system and method for use in exchanging fluids in insulating glass units (IGUs). The fluid exchanging system includes an articulating arm having a plurality of members and arms to allow movement about multiple axes defined by the articulating arm, an optical sensor system, coupled to the articulating arm, for identifying an opening in a spacer frame of an IGU, and a fluid exchanging apparatus releasably couplable to the articulating arm. The fluid exchanging apparatus also includes a fluid exchanging head for evacuating atmospheric air from the IGU and dispensing fluid into the IGU.

Abstract: An insulating glass unit (IGU) assembly line comprising a registration station capable of interleaving double and triple pane IGUs in accordance with an IOU production schedule. Visual indicators or prompts instruct operators at the assembly line in configuring a sequence of IGUs. Triple pane IGUs are assembled with minimal contamination of a center glass lite. A non-contact Bernoulli pad is used to lift a glass lite off from a horizontal or vertical support that conveys it from a glass washer to the registration station. Each of multiple pads has a capacity to lift approximately seven to ten pounds. Use of multiple pads per glass sheet or lite allows lites having dimensions up to 70 by 100 inches (assuming glass thickness of one quarter inch) to be assembled.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. One of a multiple number of possible spacer frame materials is chosen for the spacer frame. An elongated strip of the material is moved to a notching station where notches are formed at corner locations. The character of the notches is adjusted based on the selection of the metal strip material and more particularly to achieve bending of the material in an repeatable, straightforward manner. Downstream from the notching station the metal strip is bent into a channel shaped elongated frame member having side walls. Further downstream a leading strip of channel shaped material is severed or separated from succeeding material still passing through the notching and bending station.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. One of a multiple number of possible spacer frame materials is chosen for the spacer frame. An elongated strip of the material is moved to a notching station where notches are formed at corner locations. The character of the notches is adjusted based on the selection of the metal strip material and more particularly to achieve bending of the material in an repeatable, straightforward manner. Better control over the notching process is also achieved by exhaust flow control of a double acting cylinder. A positioning spacer achieve very accurate side to side positioning of a die and anvil to precisely notch and deform the metal strip. Downstream from the notching station the metal strip is bent into a channel shaped elongated frame member having side walls. Further downstream a leading strip of channel shaped material is severed or separated from succeeding material still passing through the notching and bending station.

Abstract: This invention describes a process flow and method to assemble triple IG units without contaminating the center glass lite. A non-contact vacuum pad is used to lift a glass lite off from a horizontal or vertical support that conveys it from a glass washer to an assembly station. Each of multiple pads has a capacity to lift approximately seven to ten pounds. Use of multiple pads per glass sheet or lite allows lites having dimensions up to 70 by 100 inches (assuming glass thickness of one quarter inch) to be assembled.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. One of a multiple number of possible spacer frame materials is chosen for the spacer frame. An elongated strip of the material is moved to a notching station where notches are formed at corner locations. The character of the notches is adjusted based on the selection of the metal strip material and more particularly to achieve bending of the material in a repeatable, straightforward manner. Better control over the notching process is also achieved by exhaust flow control of a double acting cylinder. A positioning spacer achieve very accurate side to side positioning of a die and anvil to precisely notch and deform the metal strip. Downstream from the notching station the metal strip is bent into a channel shaped elongated frame member having side walls. Further downstream a leading strip of channel shaped material is severed or separated from succeeding material still passing through the notching and bending station.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing an insulating glass unit includes a frame for supporting first and second clamping arrangements. The clamping arrangements support the insulating glass unit during a sealing operation. First and second dispensing assemblies are connected to the frame and movable relative to the frame. Each first and second dispensing assembly includes a nozzle for controlled dispensing of a sealant along a prescribed portion of the supported insulating glass unit during the sealing operation.

Abstract: A spacer frame assembly and method of assembly includes a substantially linear channel comprising two lateral walls and a base wall. The channel has first and second ends that when assembled, includes at least three sides and corresponding corners between each of said sides. The first end includes a connecting structure and the second end includes an opposite frame end. The opposite frame end has an opposite channel for receiving a nose portion of said connecting structure The opposite channel includes stiffening flanges extending inwardly from the lateral walls relative to the channel. The connecting structure further includes a first aperture in the base wall comprising a first projection into the channel and the opposite channel comprises a second aperture in the base wall comprising a second projection into the channel. Wherein the first projection. tactilely interweaves with the second projection when the spacer frame is assembled.

Abstract: This invention describes a process flow and method to assemble triple IG units without contaminating the center glass lite. A non-contact vacuum pad is used to lift a glass lite off from a horizontal or vertical support that conveys it from a glass washer to an assembly station. Each of multiple pads has a capacity to lift approximately seven to ten pounds. Use of multiple pads per glass sheet or lite allows lites having dimensions up to 70 by 100 inches (assuming glass thickness of one quarter inch) to be assembled.