Insulating glass unit and a method and apparatus for filling and sealing same

• US 10,337,235 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2016
• Issued: 07/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Integrated Automation Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Integrated Automation Systems, LLC
• Inventors: McHugh, Michael Patrick, Peters, Michael Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Loney, Donald J
• Application Number:
  US15/162,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20160348419A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6612 Evacuated glazing units
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66304 Discrete spacing elements, e.g. for evacuated glazing units
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/67313 by bending
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6775 Evacuating or filling the gap during assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 80/22 Glazing, e.g. vaccum glazing

Abstract

An insulating gas unit, and a method and apparatus for filling and sealing the insulating gas unit with an insulating gas, such as argon or krypton. The insulating glass unit includes a spacer frame having at least one elongated or oblong opening dimensioned to receive a gas filling nozzle. A mating elongated or oblong plug is dimensioned to be received within the opening in order to seal the insulating space of the insulating gas unit. A dimpling tool engages with the plug to form dimples that secure the plug in the opening.

Claims

1. An insulating glass unit comprising:

a spacer frame having an oblong opening formed therein;

two panes of glass connected to opposite sides of the spacer frame to form an insulating space therebetween;

an insulating gas injected into the insulating space through the oblong opening; and

an oblong plug dimensioned to be received by the oblong opening to seal the insulating gas within the insulating space, wherein the oblong plug includes;

an oblong-shaped bottom wall;

an annular oblong-shaped side wall extending upward from the bottom wall, wherein the bottom wall and the side wall define an inner recess; and

a flange extending from the upper end of the side wall, wherein the flange is bent at an angle of 1-5 degrees from horizontal to provide a spring action when the oblong plug is fully inserted into the oblong opening, said spring action of the flange providing a seal around the opening.

2. An insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein said oblong opening has a width less than 4 mm and a maximum length less than 12 mm.

3. An insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein said oblong opening is discorectangle-shaped.

4. An insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein the bottom wall and side wall are discorectangle-shaped.

5. An insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the side wall is tapered such that a perimeter of the side wall decreases from the upper end of the side wall to a bottom end of the side wall.

6. An insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein said insulating glass unit includes a plurality of said oblong openings and a plurality of said oblong plugs.

7. An insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein the oblong opening is dimensioned to receive an insertion portion of a gas filling nozzle for injecting the insulating gas into the insulating space.

8. An insulating glass unit according to claim 7, wherein the insertion portion comprises at least one tube wherein the outer surfaces of the at least one tube define an oblong shape that matches a shape and dimensions of the oblong opening.

9. An insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein one or more dimples are formed in the side wall to lock the oblong plug in the oblong opening.