Abstract: The present invention provides a spacer frame for making a multi-sheet unit. The frame includes a spacer stock member having a first end and a second end, and a corner key comprising a bendable elongated body having a first end in the first end of the spacer stock member, an opposite second end in the second end of the spacer stock member, and a cut out between the ends, the ends of the corner key bendable relative to one another to decrease the spacing of the cut out.

Abstract: The present invention provides spacer stock for making a spacer frame for a multi-sheet unit. The spacer stock includes a first supporting surface; a second supporting surface opposite to, and facing away from, the first supporting surface; a base surface between and connecting the first and second supporting surfaces, and wherein the first and second supporting surfaces and base surface are made of plastic and rate of moisture and/or gas movement through portions of the first and second supporting surfaces is greater than the rate of moisture and/or gas movement, respectively through the base surface.

Abstract: A corner key for joining ends of spacer sections to form a corner of a spacer frame of a multi-sheet unit includes an elongated body having a first end and an opposite second end and a cut out between the ends of the body. The body is bendable to decrease spacing of the cut out to form a corner of the spacer frame.

Abstract: A method of tempering a glass sheet heated to a tempering temperature includes cooling the glass sheet at a first heat transfer coefficient at a first quench station and cooling the glass sheet at a second heat transfer coefficient at a second quench station downstream of the first quench station. The second heat transfer coefficient is greater than the first heat transfer coefficient. In a multistage process of the invention, a plurality of quench stations could be used with each downstream quench station having a larger heat transfer coefficient than the previous upstream quench station.

Abstract: An insulating unit has a pair of glass sheets about an edge assembly to provide a compartment between the sheets. The edge assembly has a U-shaped spacer made of metal, metal coated plastic, gas and moisture impervious polymer, or gas and moisture impervious film coated polymer. The outer legs of the spacer and the glass provide a long diffusion path to limit the diffusion of argon gas out of the compartment. The edge assembly has materials selected and sized to provide edge assembly having an RES-value of at least 75. A spacer for use in insulating units includes a plastic core having a gas impervious film e.g. a metal film or a halogenated polymer film. Also taught herein are techniques for making the unit and spacer.

Abstract: An insulating unit has a pair of glass sheets about an edge assembly to provide a compartment between the sheets. The edge assembly has a U-shaped spacer made of metal, metal coated plastic, gas and moisture impervious polymer, or gas and moisture impervious film coated polymer. The outer legs of the spacer and the glass provide a long diffusion path to limit the diffusion of argon gas out of the compartment. The edge assembly has materials selected and sized to provide edge assembly having an RES-value of at least 75. A spacer for use in insulating units includes a plastic core having a gas impervious film e.g. a metal film or a halogenated polymer film. Also taught herein are techniques for making the unit and spacer.

Abstract: One or more sheets, e.g. two glass sheets heated to their deformation temperature are shaped by positioning the sheets on a sheet supporting surface of an outline mold. The outline mold and press face of a shaping member are moved relative to one another to bias the marginal edge portions of the upper sheet against the press face to establish an enclosure around the peripheral edges of the sheets. Vacuum is applied to the peripheral edges of the sheets to pull the air from between the sheets, and from between the press face and adjacent sheet surface as positive or atmospheric pressure is applied to bottom sheet to move the sheets against the press face. Optionally a vacuum can be pulled through passageways in the press face during the shaping of the sheets and pressurized air moved through the passageways after the sheets are shaped to move the sheets away from the press face.