Abstract:
The invention provides a glass pane having a central portion and a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is heat-treated to increase its resistance to breakage and the central portion is not heat-treated. The glass pane is suitable for use as a window in a window frame. The invention also provides methods of forming a glass pane suitable for use as a window in a window frame.
Abstract:
A calibration technique for a measurement device that produces a spark in an interpane space of an insulating glass unit to determine the content of an inert gas, in particular, argon. Standard calibration units are created which have the same construction as an IGU produced an assembly line. The standard calibration units are filled with varying percentages of argon/oxygen mixture. The calibration technique can be performed on an assembly line by aiming the measurement device at a particular insulating glass unit produced on the assembly line. The measurement device is activated to take a reading of the unit on the line. One of a plurality of calibration standard units of insulating glass units is selected that has substantially an identical construction as the unit on the line except that the calibration standard unit selected has a known, specific amount of certified argon gas that should be the same as the unit on the line. The measurement device is aimed at the calibration standard unit. The measurement device is activated to take a reading of the calibration standard unit. The measurement taken of the calibration standard unit is compared to the known amount of argon gas in the standard calibration unit. And, finally adjusting the calibration of the measurement device if the comparison shows a discrepancy.
Abstract:
The invention provides a non-autoclave method and apparatus for producing laminated glass. The method and apparatus provide a non-autoclave laminated glass process that is continuous and thus eliminates the batch processing of known autoclave processes. In addition, the method and equipment do not require vacuum processes, involving complicated vacuum bags, vacuum rings, or the like.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for masking a planar surface and providing information at the point of use of an assembly including the planar surface are disclosed. In one advantageous method in accordance with the present invention, a masking material comprising a substrate and an adhesive disposed over a first face of the substrate is provided. One or more strips of masking material are applied to a planar surface, and an information bearing sheet is applied over the one or more strips of masking material. In some embodiments, the protective covering comprises a free portion and a fixed portion. The free portion of the protective covering defining a first side of a channel and the face of the pane defining a second side of the channel.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for masking a planar surface and providing information at the point of use of an assembly including the planar surface are disclosed. In one advantageous method in accordance with the present invention, a masking material comprising a substrate and an adhesive disposed over a first face of the substrate is provided. One or more strips of masking material are applied to a planar surface, and an information bearing sheet is applied over the one or more strips of masking material. In some embodiments, the protective covering comprises a free portion and a fixed portion. The free portion of the protective covering defining a first side of a channel and the face of the pane defining a second side of the channel.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for handling material for the insulating glass industry are disclosed. One method of handling material for the insulating glass industry in accordance with the present invention includes the step of arranging a plurality of bars (188) into a plurality of stacks (228) with adjacent stacks defining spaces (164) dimensioned to receive a bar engaging member (200). The stacks of bars (228) may then be transported to a desired destination. A bar engaging member (200) may be inserted into a space (164) defined by the stacks (228), and one or more bars (188) may be grasped using the bar engaging member (100). A container for handling material for the insulating glass industry is also disclosed. The container (100) may advantageously include a plurality of prearranged bar locating members (108) configured to hold a predetermined type of bar stock.
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:
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 (31) having sealant (34) on opposing surfaces thereof is adhered to a first glass pane (21) and a resilient member (40) is positioned alongside a portion of the spacer. A seond glass pane (26) is positioned over the spacer so that it is partially adhered to the spacer to define an interpane space (36) 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 (60), and air is removed from the chamber and accordingly also the interpane space. A gas having a coefficient of thermal conductivity lower than that of air is introduced into the chamber and accordingly also the interpane space, and the glass panes are pressed together while in the gas exchange chamber to compress the resilient member and adhere the second glass pane to all of the spacer to seal the interpane space.
Abstract:
A driver (60) may be used to drive an electrically controllable optically active material in a privacy structure (12). In some examples, the driver receives power from a power source (62) at a supply voltage and a supply apparent power level and converts the power received from the power source down to a converted voltage and a converted apparent power level. The converted voltage is less than the supply voltage and the converted apparent power level is less than the supply apparent power level. The driver may deliver power at the converted voltage and the converted apparent power level to a voltage converter (64) which increases the converted voltage to an operating voltage. The driver can further condition power received from the voltage converter having the operating voltage and operating apparent power level to provide a drive signal and provide the drive signal the electrically controllable optically active material of the privacy structure.
Abstract:
A system for producing multiple-pane insulating glazing units can include a conveyor and a plurality of laterally spaced-apart processing stations that are movable transversely relative to the longitudinally extending conveyor line. Each processing station may assemble glazing panes and a glazing spacer into a partially fabricated glazing unit, deliver insulative gas to a between-pane space between the glazing panes, and press the partially fabricated glazing unit together to seal the insulative gas in the between-pane space and form the multiple-pane insulating glazing unit. In some examples, each processing station moves to an alignment position with the conveyor to load glazing panes and a glazing spacer and then performs individual fabrication steps while offset from the conveyor. During this time, a different processing station can be aligned with the conveyor to unload a fabricated multiple-pane insulating glazing units and/or load unassembled glazing panes and a glazing spacer.