Abstract: A spacer frame assembly and method of manufacturing that includes a substantially linear channel comprising two lateral walls connected by a base wall, the channel having first and second ends that when assembled, includes at least three sides and corresponding corners between each of the sides; the linear channel further includes a nose portion of the first end and a receiving portion of the second end having a channel for receiving the nose portion; and the nose portion comprising a first undulation in the first end and the receiving portion comprising a second undulation in the second end. The first and second undulations nest when the ends are in an assembled position.

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 clip for supporting a muntin grid, a muntin grid, and a method of assembly is disclosed herein. The clip includes coupled together lateral and longitudinal members, each supporting bosses, and first and second arms respectively. The clip for coupling to the first and second muntin bars via first and second notches in the respective muntin bars. The muntin bars are formed by pre-notching and then roll forming, wherein the bosses support the first and second muntin bars when the clip is coupling the first muntin bar to the second muntin bar.

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: A spacer frame assembly and method of manufacturing that includes a substantially linear channel comprising two lateral walls connected by a base wall, the channel having first and second ends that when assembled, includes at least three sides and corresponding corners between each of the sides; the linear channel further includes a nose portion of the first end and a receiving portion of the second end having a channel for receiving the nose portion; and the nose portion comprising a first undulation in the first end and the receiving portion comprising a second undulation in the second end. The first and second undulations nest when the ends are in an assembled position.

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 having first and second ends. The substantially linear channel that when assembled includes at least four sides and corresponding corners between each of the sides. The spacer frame assembly also has a connecting structure located at one of the first and second ends and an opposite frame end located at the other of the one of first and second ends. The opposite frame end has an inner channel for receiving a nose portion of the connecting structure. The spacer frame assembly also includes a stop extending from the connecting structure for locating the opposite frame end when in the assembled position.

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 spacer frame for use in fabricating a window and a method of fabrication thereof is disclosed. The spacer frame for separating first and second glass lites from each other in window. The spacer frame includes a frame forming a multi-sided form comprising a first outwardly facing surface for supporting a first glass lite that is contiguous with a first intermediate wall portion and a second outwardly facing surface for supporting a second glass lite that is contiguous with a second intermediate wall portion. The first and second intermediate wall portions comprise a first material and are linked to each other and spaced from each other by a thermal interruption strip. The first and second intermediate wall portions and the thermal interruption strip comprise an intermediate wall that bridges the first and second outwardly facing surfaces. The spacer frame further includes a film overlaying the intermediate wall portion.

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 spacer frame for use in fabricating a window and a method of fabrication thereof is disclosed. The spacer frame for separating first and second glass lites from each other in window. The spacer frame includes a frame forming a multi-sided form comprising a first outwardly facing surface for supporting a first glass lite that is contiguous with a first intermediate wall portion and a second outwardly facing surface for supporting a second glass lite that is contiguous with a second intermediate wall portion. The first and second intermediate wall portions comprise a first material and are linked to each other and spaced from each other by a thermal interruption strip. The first and second intermediate wall portions and the thermal interruption strip comprise an intermediate wall that bridges the first and second outwardly facing surfaces. The spacer frame further includes a film overlaying the intermediate wall portion.

Abstract: A conveyor belt for use in applying sealant to an elongated spacer frame and a method of use. The conveyor belt comprising a reversible belt rotatably attached to first and second pulleys. The reversible belt having a first perimeter length. The reversible belt is removably attached to the first and second pulleys. A first side and a second side of the replacement belt include first and second adhesive resistant materials. The first and second adhesive resistant materials are separated by an elastic support layer, wherein the first perimeter length is shorter than a second perimeter length measured about the rotation path of the first and second pulleys. The elastic support layer applies a force to first and second pulleys such that the reversible belt does not slip relative to the first and second pulleys.

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 clip for supporting a muntin grid, a muntin grid, and a method of assembly is disclosed herein. The clip includes coupled together lateral and longitudinal members, each supporting bosses, and first and second arms respectively. The clip for coupling to the first and second muntin bars via first and second notches in the respective muntin bars. The muntin bars are formed by pre-notching and then roll forming, wherein the bosses support the first and second muntin bars when the clip is coupling the first muntin bar to the second muntin bar.