Abstract:
An insulating glass unit is shown comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart glass panes (10, 12) and a spacer (14) peripherally joining the glass panes (10, 12) to each other. The spacer (14) is a tubular structure (16), and may include a particular desiccant (42) filling at least a section of the interior (26) and conforming to the interior (26) configuration thereof to contribute compressive strength to the spacer (14). The spacer (14) desirably is made from stainless steel sheeting having a thickness not greater than about 0.005 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer (14) includes side walls (20) sealed to the glass panes (10, 12) and an outer wall (18) extending between the side walls (20) and having a sealant free portion (23) between the side walls (20) that extends substantially completely about the periphery of the glass unit.
Abstract:
Mirrors are formed in an environmentally compatible and substantially pollution-free manner by a sputtering process in which a transparent substrate (10) such as glass has first sputtered upon it a primer layer (12) and then a reflective layer (14) of silver or other bright reflective metal. A barrier layer (16) is provided over the reflective layer (14) to protect the latter from corrosive environments. If the transmittance of the reflective layer (14) is greater than zero percent, the barrier layer (16) includes a different bright reflective metal sufficient to reduce the transmittance of the combined reflective and barrier layers to zero percent. The mirror includes a lead-free polymeric protective layer (22) spaced further from the transparent substrate than the barrier layer. The inclusion of zinc pigment in the polymeric coating (26) provides sulfiding protection, and the use of an outer sputtered on film of zinc (24) or zinc oxide (24) provides substantial adhesion thereto of the polymeric coating (26).
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 into a plurality of stacks with adjacent stacks defining spaces dimensioned to receive a bar engaging member. The stacks of bars may then be transported to a desired destination. A bar engaging member may be inserted into a space defined by the stacks, and one or more bars may be grasped using the bar engaging member. A container for handling material for the insulating glass industry is also disclosed. The container may advantageously include a plurality of prearranged bar locating members configured to hold a predetermined type of bar stock.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for masking a selected portion of a workpiece are disclosed. A method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of providing a workpiece having a shape, providing a mask having a similar shape, and urging an adhesive side of the mask against a first surface of the workpiece. A cutter may be used to form a plurality of cuts in the sheet without contacting the workpiece with the cutter. The plurality of cuts may be arranged to define a mask having a desired shape. The mask may be centered on the workpiece.
Abstract:
An insulating glass unit is shown comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart glass panes (10, 12) and a spacer (14) peripherally joining the glass panes (10, 12) to each other. The spacer (14) is a tubular structure (16), and may include a particular desiccant (42) filling at least a section of the interior (26) and conforming to the interior (26) configuration thereof to contribute compressive strength to the spacer (14). The spacer (14) desirably is made from stainless steel sheeting having a thickness not greater than about 0.005 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer (14) includes side walls (20) sealed to the glass panes (10, 12) and an outer wall (18) extending between the side walls (20) and having a sealant free portion (23) between the side walls (20) that extends substantially completely about the periphery of the glass unit.
Abstract:
Heat-formed curved mirror (10) having a reflectance of at least 50% and comprising a curved substrate (12), and a sputter-deposited reflective coating (28) formed on a surface of the substrate (12). The reflective coating (28) comprises a sputter-deposited base layer (14) comprising a layer formed of a film of silicon (22) or a layer formed of silicon and stainless steel films (22,24) with the silicon film (22) nearer the substrate (12) than the stainless steel film (24), and a reflective layer (16) positioned further from the substrate than the base layer (14) and formed by sputter deposition of a reflective metallic film. A durable protective layer (18) of silicon nitride is positioned further from the substrate (12) than either the base layer (14) or the reflective layer (16), the protective layer (18) providing sufficient oxygen permeation inhibition as to prevent the reflectance of the mirror from decreasing upon heat bending to less than 50%.
Abstract:
A shipping container (10) comprises a floor (12) and an upright rear wall (14) that intersect at approximately a right angle for vertically supporting a plurality of parallel panels such as insulating glass units, with the edges of the panels being supported by the floor (12) and the rear wall (14). Elastic restraining means comprising a plurality of elongated, elastic restraints (70), such as elastic cords, are carried by the container (10) and are positioned so as to encounter a respective panel and to elastically urge that panel toward said intersection. Each elongated elastic restraint (70) extends generally in the plane of its respective panel from the rear wall (14) above the floor to the floor (12) forwardly of the rear wall (14), the restraint (70) contacting and elastically pressing against the upper, forward corner of the glass unit.