MXPA00002580A - A unitary insulated glass unit and method of manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-paned fenestration unit (18) in which the glass panes (20, 21) are manufactured directly into the support structure (19) without first manufacturing an insulated glass unit. The support structure (19) is designed to provide the structural support for the glass panes (20, 21) without a separate spacer.

Description

ONE UNIT INSULATED GLASS UNIT AND MANUFACTURING METHOD Background of the Invention Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a window unit which does not include an insulated glass unit (UVA). More specifically, the glass sheets are placed directly on the frame without first being permanently and structurally fastened between them by a separator. This invention also includes a method for manufacturing a window unit without the use of a UVA. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The units of previous windows, including windows and doors, had only a simple glass sheet. Usually, the glass can be placed in the frame and later a glassware material will be applied to hold the glass in the frame. However, in more recent times, two or more glass sheets have been used in windows to obtain better insulation. An opening between any of the two sheets of glass creates additional insulation. The prior art teaches the use of a separator that is separated between the two sheets of glass to structurally support the two sheets of glass and also to create such an empty space. This combination of two glass sheets with structural spacer therebetween resulted in an insulated glass unit which was a separate sub-assembly of the frame or frame. No aspect of the frame or frame was used to achieve its structural strength, thermal properties or the maintenance of the sealed space between two sheets of glass. Figure 1 illustrates a conventional UVA 10 of the prior art. A first glass sheet 11 is sealed at one end of the separator 12 with a sealant 14, and a second glass sheet 16 is sealed to the other end of the separator 12 with sealant 14. The separator 12 can have many different shapes and materials but often it is made of aluminum as shown in Figure 1. It should be noted that the separators of the prior art can be hollow and filled with a desiccator. The combination of two or more sheets of glass separated by a separator is manufactured as a unit (UVA 10) and then placed in the frame of the window unit. Figure 2 illustrates the UVA 10 after it has been placed in the frame 17 of a window unit. The window units of the prior art have a number of problems. Manufacturing involves two operations, in which the first operation is the manufacture of the UVA and the second operation is the placement of the UVA in the frame. This double process of operation implies a significant cost in the window unit. Additionally, this double process usually involves the shipment of glass from the glass factory to the window manufacturer in the form of a UVA. Such a double operation process creates a greater glass breaking potential and the UVA occupies more space to embark than the transport of individual glass sheets. Additionally, despite efforts to minimize thermal conductivity through separator 12, there is significant heat loss through separator 12. There is significant heat loss because the separator must be thick enough to Structurally separating the two sheets of glass and a thick separator leads more heat than a thin separator. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention has as its objective, the manufacture of a window unit in an operation where the glass sheets are placed directly in the frame without the first operation of manufacturing a UVA. The frame (also referred to as the "support structure") of the window unit of this invention provides all the structural support of the glass sheets without the use of a separator. In other words, the support of the individual glass sheets is an integral part of the frame. The invention provides a method of manufacturing a window unit including the steps of constructing a frame having a first receiving surface and a second receiving surface, depositing a sealant on the first and second glass receiving surfaces, placing a first glass sheet on the sealant on the first receiving surface such that the first glass sheet is supported structurally by the frame, and placing a second glass sheet in the second receiving surface in such a way that the second glass sheet is supported structurally by the frame. The invention also includes a window unit comprising at least a first sheet of glass and a second sheet of glass and optionally more than two sheets of glass. Both glass sheets have an internal surface and an external surface in such a way that the internal surfaces face towards each other. The window unit also includes a frame having a first receiving surface and a second receiving surface. The first receiving surface of the frame receives the external surface of the first glass sheet and the second receiving surface receives the internal surface of the second glass sheet. There is no separate structural separator between two sheets of glass. The invention also includes a second embodiment of the window unit in which the first receiving surface receives the internal and external surfaces of the first glass sheet and the second receiving sheet receives the internal and external surfaces of the second glass sheet . A third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment except that the frame comprises three frame sections which are connected to form an integral support structure.

A fourth embodiment of the window unit has a first receiving surface which receives the internal surface of the first glass sheet and a second receiving surface which receives the internal surface of the second glass sheet. The invention also provides manufacturing methods of all the above embodiments of the window unit. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a UVA of the prior art. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a UVA of the prior art inserted in a frame. Figure 3 is a front view of the window unit of the first embodiment of the invention that includes a partial separation. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vapor barrier of the first modality. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention and a window frame in a window application. Figure 7 is a front view of the window unit of a second embodiment of the invention that includes a separation.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the invention taken along a line 8-8 of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the vapor barrier of the second embodiment . Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention. Figure 11 is a front view of the window unit of a fourth embodiment of the invention. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the invention taken along line 12-12 of Figure 11. Detailed Description of Preferred Modes In the following description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown in the form of illustration of specific modalities in which the invention can be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be used and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Figure 3 generally illustrates a window unit 18 of the first embodiment of the invention. The window unit 18 includes a frame 19 which could also be a window or door frame on a stationary (unventilated unit). The use of the term "frame" is not intended to be limited to a strict sense of the word, but is defined as any structure that supports or holds a transparent material such as a sheet of glass. Therefore, the term "frame" will be used throughout the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, but is understood to include a usual frame as well as any suitable support structure. The frame 19 includes four frame members 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d and is rectangular in shape. However, the frame members do not have to be linear and the frame 19 can have any shape. The construction of the frame 19 involves the construction of the frame members 19a-d and then the clamping of the frame members 19a-d together to create the frame 19. The members of the frame 19a-d can be constructed by means of extrusion, grinding of wood or any other suitable manufacturing technique. The four frame members 19a-d can be secured in any manner known in the art. For example, depending on the type of material used by the frame 19, the linear frame members 19a-d can be connected together by fasteners, corner keys, thermal welding, vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesives, or by any other known method in The technique. The frame 19 supports the first glass sheet 20 and second glass sheet 21. There is no separator that is separate to structurally support the glass sheets. The structural support is completely provided by the frame 19. The first glass sheet 20 has an inner portion 22 and a edge portion 23 (as seen through the separate portion of the frame 19). The edge portion 23 is the portion around the periphery of the first glass sheet 20, i.e., the portion proximate the frame 19. In a preferred embodiment, the edge portion 23 extends from the end 30 of the first glass sheet 20 to about 2.54 cm from the end 30 in the direction of the inner portion 22 of the first glass sheet 20. The inner portion 22 is the portion of the first glass sheet 20 which is not part of the edge portion 23 and which, therefore, is at an additional distance from the frame 19. The second glass sheet 21 also has an internal portion. 24 and a shore portion 25 (also shown in the separate portion of the frame 19). The inner portion 24 and the shore portion are defined as before for the first glass sheet 20. The outer surface 26 of the first glass sheet 20 faces the exit doors. The external surface 32 of the second glass sheet 21 faces the entrance door. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention taken along lines 4-4 of the Figure 3. The first modality is called a crystal bed. In the glass bed, the glass sheets are placed in the frame in a top-to-bottom manner to oppose sliding in a groove. Now the first modality will be described. The first glass sheet 20 includes an outer surface 26, an inner surface 28 and an end 30. The second glass sheet 21 includes an outer surface 32, an inner surface 34 and an end 36. The frame 19 can be made from any thermally low conducting material. For example, the frame 19 may be hollow or solid; made from a variety of materials, including but not limited to metal, wood, metal cladding, thermoplastic material, thermosetting or mixed materials. Alternatively, the frame can be made of Fibrex ™, said material is a mixed material of wood fiber and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) patented by Andersen Corporation (See U.S. Patent Nos. 5,406,768, 5,497,594, 5,441,801, 5,518,677, 5,486,553, 5,539,027) . The frame 19 can be made by grinding, molding, extrusion, elastic extrusion, or any other method. The frame 19 includes a first receiving surface 38 for receiving the first glass sheet 20, a second receiving surface 40 for receiving a second glass sheet 21 and an inner surface 42 between the first and second receiving surfaces. The receiving surfaces 38 and 40 may be any flat or non-planar surface which structurally supports the glass by direct contact with the glass or by indirect contact with the glass through an adhesive or sealant. It is important to prevent the gas molecules from migrating from the frame 19 at the gap 45 between the first sheet of glass 20 and the second sheet of glass 21. Such gas molecules in the gap 45, interfere with the clarity of the window unit 18 A vapor barrier, which can have many different forms, serves to prevent the migration of molecules in the separation 45. The vapor barrier can be integral with the frame 19. For example, the frame 19 may be formed of a material in such a way that degassing of the frame 19 is prevented, in which case, the vapor barrier and the frame are one and are the same. Alternatively, the vapor barrier may be a very thin coating which is applied to the inner surface 42 of the frame 19, for example, by spraying it on the inner surface 42. The vapor barrier may be non-metallic, such as plastic or ceramic or it can be metallic such as steel or aluminum. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the vapor barrier 44 is a thin liner or strip of metal or plastic or ceramic. For example, the vapor barrier 44 may be aluminum, ceramic or plastic. The vapor barrier 44 has a first end 47 at one end of the vapor barrier 44 and a second end 49 at the opposite end of the vapor barrier 44 and an inner portion 53. The inner portion 53 is located between the first extremity 47 and the second end 49. the first end 47 is joined to the first receiving surface 38, the second end 49 is joined to the second receiving surface 40 and the inner portion 53 of the vapor barrier 44, is illustrated in Figure 4. The vapor barrier is preferably as thin as possible to reduce heat conduction through the vapor barrier and still sufficiently thick to prevent degassing. Another advantage of a thin vapor barrier is the reduction in material cost. A stainless steel steam barrier 44 should be at least about 0.00254 cm thick, in order to effectively reduce the movement of gas molecules from the frame 19 to the space 45. Sometimes it is desired to use a vapor barrier 44 which is between about 0.00762 cm and 0.0127 cm because such thickness is easier to apply to the frame 19 without breaking or destroying the vapor barrier 44. The vapor barrier can also be applied to the inner surface 42, the first surface of reception 38 and the second receiving surface 40, by a spray coating. The vapor barrier 44 can be fixed to the frame 19 by an adhesive or by a mechanical means. Within the scope of this invention, it is only to place a vapor barrier, in the form of a strip, without adhesive, on the inner surface 42, the first receiving surface 38 and the second receiving surface 40. Subsequently, the sealants and sheets of glass are placed as shown in Figure 4 and described below to permanently secure the vapor barrier 44 in place. Alternatively, the vapor barrier can be designed to be put in place in such a way that it is fixed in place by means of friction adjustment. The different sealants and their functions will now be described, the portion of the outer surface 26 of the edge portion 23 of the first glass sheet 20, which is not placed on the vapor barrier 44, is attached to the first receiving surface 38 by a first secondary sealant 46. The function of the first secondary sealant 46 is to provide an adhesive bond between the first glass sheet 20 and the frame 19. This adhesive bond is structural and prevents the first glass sheet from peeling off. of frame 19 with strong winds. The first secondary sealant 46 also prevents water from flowing along the outer surface 26 of the first glass sheet 20 and at the spacing 45. GE 2512 by General Electric Company, is used as the first secondary sealant 46 but can also be used other adhesives known in the art for joining glass to the frame material. For example, hot melt butyl, polyisobutylene, and other sealants can be used as secondary sealants. It should also be understood that the first and second secondary sealants can be a combination of adhesive and sealant. The portion of the outer surface 26 of the edge portion 23 which is placed over the vapor barrier 44, is attached to the vapor barrier 44 by a first primary sealant 48. The function of the first primary sealant 48 is to prevent migration of air or argon or any other gas to isolate the separation 45 to the outside of the partition 45 and prevent gases, especially water vapor, from migrating from outside the partition 45 into the separation 45 which may cause condensation between the two sheets of glass. The first primary sealant 48 can be any compound that prevents such migration such as, for example, poly-isobutylene. Within the scope of this invention, an adhesive / sealant is used in place of the first secondary sealant 46 and first primary sealant 48. The simple adhesive would perform a double function of structural support of the glass sheets and sealing of the gap 45. The portion of the inner surface 34 of the edge portion 25 of the second glass sheet 21 that is not placed on the vapor barrier 44, is joined to the second receiving surface 40 by a second secondary sealant 50, which is the same and performs substantially the same function as the first secondary sealant 46. The portion of the inner surface 34 of the edge portion 25 of the second glass sheet 21 which is placed over the vapor barrier 44, is attached to the vapor barrier 44 by a second primary sealant 52. The second primary sealant 52 is the same, and performs substantially the same function, as the first primary sealant 48. The deposit of the secondary sealants 46 and 50 and the Primary sealers 48 and 52 can be achieved manually or using a machine. For example, a caulking gun can be used to deposit the different sealants. Robotic machines are also known in the art to deposit sealants in a specified pattern. Another option is to apply the sealants in line by means of an extrusion process. A double sealant system, in which the primary sealant is different from the secondary sealant, has been described above. However, it is noted that a simple sealant system, in which primary and secondary sealants are incorporated into a compound, is within the scope of this invention and can be used with any of the modalities. The first receiving surface 38 may include a lip 54, which is a portion that rises from the remainder of the first receiving surface 38. The lip 54 provides a space between the first glass sheet 20 and the first receiving surface 38 in such a way that the first secondary sealant 46 and the first primary sealant 48 are not compressed between the first glass sheet 20 and the first receiving surface 38, whereby a disordered appearance along the interface between the frame is prevented. 19 and the inner portion 22 of the outer surface 26 of the first glass sheet 20. The first receiving surface 38 may also include a retainer 39, which is a portion of the frame 19 which is raised. The need for the seal 39 depends on the compatibility of the first primary sealant 48 and the first secondary sealant 46. If the first primary sealant 48 and the first secondary sealant 46 are a composite or are two compatible compounds, then the seal 39 is unnecessary. However, if the first primary sealant 48 and the first secondary sealant 46 are incompatible, then the retainer 39 prevents these two sealants from mixing. Because the first receiving surface 38 includes a lip 54, the retainer 39 is unnecessary to maintain an opening between the first receiving surface 38 and the first glass sheet 20.

The frame 19 includes a flange 58 adjacent the end 36 of the second glass sheet 21. The flange 58 provides direction to the proper location of the second glass sheet 21. There is an opening 57 between the end 36 of the second glass sheet 21 and flange 58. The purpose of the opening 57 is to allow thermal expansion and contraction of the second glass sheet 21 and allow permanent contraction of the frame 19. The second receiving surface 40 includes a retainer 41 which is a portion of the frame which rises. The retainer 41 creates an opening between the second glass sheet 21 and the second receiving surface 40 such that the second secondary sealant 50 and the second primary sealant 52 can remain in that opening without being compressed. The retainer 41 is located at the end of the vapor barrier 44 and the retainer 41, therefore, forms the joint between the second secondary sealant 50 and the second primary sealant 52. Therefore, if the second secondary sealant 50 and the Second primary sealer 52 are incompatible, the retainer 40 additionally functions to prevent mixing of the two sealants. An alternative embodiment, not shown in the Figures, includes a resilient setting block, which is placed between the flange 58 and the end 36 and others of said setting blocks between the inner surface 42 and the end 30 of the first sheet. glass. The purpose of a resilient setting block is to absorb the differential expansion and contraction of the glass and the frame.

A desiccant removes moisture from the surrounding area. For window units, it is important to remove as much moisture as possible from the gap 45 between the two sheets of glass. The desiccators can have many different shapes and materials and the scope of this invention is not limited by the type of user desiccant. For example, the desiccator can be a desiccator of the molecular sieve bead type. A desiccant material 60 may be attached to the inner portion 53 of the vapor barrier 44 by an adhesive. Alternatively, the desiccant 60 may be an extruded hot melt adhesive that adheres to the inner portion 53 of the vapor barrier 44. The desiccant material 60 assists in the removal of moisture from the partition 45. The desiccant material 60 may alternatively be an adhesive type desiccator as described in the US Patent Nos. 5,510,416; 5,509,984; and 5,503,884 owned by H.B. Fuller Licensing & Financing, Inc. Separation 45 contains a thermal insulation gas. For example, air, argon or krypton or some combination of these three gases could be used. If air is used, the manufacture of the window unit 18 is simplified subsequently, because the desiccator 60 will remove the moisture from the partition 45 and the steps to remove the air and replace it with another gas are not necessary. The following description deals with filling the separation 45 with argon as an example. The description also applies to other gases that can be used.

Filling the separation with argon involves the following steps. First, the frame 19 is constructed with a hole or multiple holes that connect the gap 45 with the outside air. An illustrative hole is shown as an orifice 61. A hose can be inserted into this hole and the air is sucked out of the gap 45 through the hose. Then, the argon can be inserted into the gap 45 through the same hose that passes through the orifice 61. Alternatively, one or more holes 61 can be used to remove the air while the argon is inserted into the gap 45 through one. or more holes also similar to the orifice 61. Other methods for inserting argon in the gap 45 can be used. Once the gap 45 is filled with argon, the pin 59, shown in view developed for clarity, is inserted into the hole 61 for sealing the gap 45. There could be multiple holes 61 and pins 59 for each frame 19. The pin 59 can be maintained in the hole 61 by any method that includes a friction fit or by the use of an adhesive. The second secondary sealant 50 and the second primary sealant 52, may be visible through the second glass sheet 21. Therefore, it may be convenient to place a decorative piece or coating along the surface 32 of the edge portion of the second glass sheet 21 to hide the eye sealants.

The frame shown in Figure 4 defines hollow portions 56, which allows a frame 19 of lighter weight and lower cost, while retaining its structural integrity and excellent insulating properties. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration. A frame defining more or less hollow portions, not non-hollow potions or hollow portions in a different way will also be within the scope of the invention. For example, if the frame 19 is made of ground wood, it will also not include the hollow portions 56. The manufacture of the embodiment shown in Figure 4 will now be described. First, the frame 19 that includes the first surface is constructed. of reception 38 and the second receiving surface 40. The construction of the frame 19 includes joining the members 19a-d. Thereafter, the vapor barrier is placed on the interior surface 42, a portion of the first receiving surface 38, and a portion of the second receiving surface 40. As discussed above, the vapor barrier 44 can be attached to the frame 19 by mechanical means or by an adhesive. A desiccator, as described above, is then attached to the portion of the vapor barrier 44 which is adjacent to the inner surface 42 of the frame 19. The first secondary sealant 46 is deposited on the portion of the first receiving surface 38 that it is not in contact with the vapor barrier 44. The second secondary sealant 50 is deposited on the portion of the second receiving surface 40 that is not in contact with the vapor barrier.

Then, the first primary sealant 48 is deposited on the first end 47 of the vapor barrier 44. The next step is to place the edge portion 23 of the outer surface 26 of the first glass sheet 20 on the first receiving surface 38. in such a way that the edge portion 23 of the outer surface 26 of the first glass sheet 20 is placed on the first secondary sealant 46 and the first primary sealant 48. There must be an opening between the end 30 and the inner surface 42 of the frame 19. Then the edge portion 25 of the inner surface 34 of the second glass sheet 21 is placed on the second receiving surface 40 such that the edge portion 25 of the inner surface 34 of the second sheet of glass 21 is placed on the second secondary sealant 50 and the second primary sealant 52. There should be an opening 57, or alternatively a resilient setting block, between the end 36 and the flange 58. Finally, the partition 45 is filled with a thermally insulating gas through hole 61 as described above and a decorative ornament piece or liner is added if necessary. It should be noted that the above manufacturing steps have a significant advantage over the prior art of manufacturing methods. In the prior art, it is necessary to first manufacture a UVA which involves sealants and adhesives and then also has to incorporate said UVA in the frame. This invention allows the glass sheets to be made directly in the frame without the extra step of producing a UVA. This is a great advantage that results in not only a better product but also reduces costs and time in the manufacture of window units. Many different embodiments that include the modalities of bedding crystals, slotted crystals and hybrid crystals, described in this specification, use this significant advantage. Figure 6 is similar to Figure 4 with the addition of a frame 62 that can be used for a hinged window. The external surface 26 of the first glass sheet 20 faces the outer doors. The external surface 32 of the second glass sheet 21 faces the internal doors. In Figure 6, pin 59 is shown inserted into the frame assembly. A strip against the weather 63 of bulb, flexible, is attached to the frame 62. When the hinged window is in a closed position as shown in Figure 6, it pulls against the weathering 63 of the bulb, it is in contact with the external surface 32 of the second glass sheet 21. The frame 19 can be rotated out of the frame 62 as is normal in a collapsible window. In such a case, the outer surface 32 of the second glass sheet 21 moves from the flexible strip against the weathering 63. The purpose of the flexible bulb weathering strip 63 is to seal the window to prevent air and water from flowing between the frame 62 and the frame 19 when the window is in its closed position.

The fabrication of the structure shown in Figure 6 is the same as the structure shown in Figure 4 with the additional step of placing the flexible strip 63 of the bulb 63 in an opening 77 in the frame 62. The strip against the bulb weathering 63 is frictionally engaged in the opening 77 such that the weather strip 63 does not fall out of the opening 77. Alternatively, an adhesive may be placed in the opening 77 to more securely hold the anti-weather strip. the weather 63 in the opening. The opening 77 is located such that the weather strip 63 is adjacent to the second glass sheet 21 when the window is in the closed position as shown in Figure 6. A front view of the second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 7, the second embodiment is a slotted glass embodiment, in which the glass sheets are placed in an opening in the frame. The frame 76 of the second embodiment is formed of four frame members 76a-d. Each frame member has two ends, for example, the end 100 and the end 102 of the frame member 76a. The first glass sheet 64 has an inner portion 65 and a edge portion 67. The second glass sheet 70 has an inner portion 71 and a edge portion 73. The inner and edge portions in this embodiment are defined as with respect to the first embodiment described above.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 in Figure 7. Again, both in this embodiment and in the first embodiment discussed above, there is no separator that is apart between the two sheets of glass and the glass sheets are structurally supported completely by the frame 76. The first glass sheet 64 has an inner surface 66, an outer surface 68 and an end 69. The second glass sheet 70 has an outer surface 72, and an inner surface 74 and an end 75. The inner surface 66 of the first glass sheet 64 faces the inner surface 74 of the second glass sheet 70. The frame 76 includes a receiving surface 78 that receives the edge portion. 67 of the inner surface 66 of the first glass sheet 64, and the edge portion 67 of the outer surface 68 of the first glass sheet 64. The receiving surface 78 may be any flat or non-planar surface which structurally supports the glass through direct contact with the glass, or through indirect contact with the glass by means of an adhesive or sealant. In addition, the frame 76 includes a second receiving surface 80 that receives the edge portion 73 of the inner surface 74 of the second glass sheet 70, and the edge portion 73 of the outer surface 72 of the second glass sheet 70. The frame 76 also includes an inner surface 81 which extends between the first receiving surface 78 and the second receiving surface 80. In this embodiment, the vapor barrier 82 follows the contour of a portion of the first receiving surface. 78, the entire inner surface 81 and a portion of the second receiving surface 80. The vapor barrier 82 is made of the same material and performs the same function as the vapor barrier 44 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 4. The vapor barrier 82 can be attached to the frame 76 by any means including an adhesive, mechanical fasteners and by any pressure coupler. Alternatively, the vapor barrier 82 may be a sprinkler on the material or it may be a part of the frame 76. The first receiving surface 78 is attached to the edge portion 67 of the external surface 68 of the first glass sheet 64 by a first secondary sealant 84. The second receiving surface 80 is attached to the edge portion 73 of the outer surface * 72 of the second glass sheet 70 by a second secondary sealer 85. The secondary sealers 84 and 85 are the same and perform the same function as the secondary sealers 46 and 50 of the first embodiment. The edge portion 67 of the inner surface 66 of the first glass sheet 64 is joined to the vapor barrier 82 by a first sealant 86. The edge portion 73 of the inner surface 74 of the second glass sheet 70 is attached to the vapor barrier 82 by a second primary sealant 88. The primary sealants 86 and 88 are the same and perform the same function as the primary sealants 48 and 52 of the first embodiment. The receiving surfaces 78 and 80 may contain the retainers 89 and 91, respectively, to allow some separation for the first primary sealant 86 and the second primary sealant 88 between the internal surfaces 66 and 74 and the receiving surfaces 78 and 80, respectively. The detents 89 and 91 are raised portions that rise above the rest of the receiving surface. The purpose of the detents 89 and 91 is to prevent the first and second primary sealants 86 and 88 from compressing between the receiving surfaces 78 and 80 and the first and second glass sheets 64 and 70, respectively. The receiving surfaces 78 and 80 may be designed without the retainers 89 and 91 but some compression of the primary sealants may occur. The portions of the receiving surfaces 78 and 80 adjacent the outer surfaces 68 and 72 of the first and second glass sheets 64 and 72, respectively, form an angle in the glass such that the distance of the glass to the frame is less , and is closer to the ends 69 and 75. The purpose of this angle in the receiving surfaces of the frame is to facilitate the depositing of the first secondary sealant 84 and the second secondary sealant 85 between the frame and the first and second glass sheets 64 and 70, respectively. However, it can be seen that the present invention is not limited to the receiving surfaces described. The receiving surfaces described above are a preferred embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, the first receiving surface 78 also includes a raised member 93 for applying pressure to the outer surface 68 of the first glass sheet 64 to hold the inner surface 66 of the first glass sheet 64 in contact with the retainer 89. Additionally, the second receiving surface 80 includes a raised member 95 for applying pressure to the outer surface 72 of the second glass sheet 70 to hold the inner surface 74 in contact with the retainer 91. The raised members 93 and 95 can having any shape, which applies the appropriate pressure and must be flexible enough to allow the first secondary sealant 84 and the second secondary sealant 85 to pass between it and the adjacent glass sheet when such sealants are deposited. In a preferred embodiment, the raised members 93 and 95 are rigid PVC. Figure 8 also shows the desiccant material 90 attached to the vapor barrier 82 along the inner surface 81 of the frame 76. The purpose and design of the desiccant material 90 is the same as the purpose and design for the desiccant material 60 in the first embodiment of the invention. A desiccant adhesive, as described above with respect to the first embodiment, can also be used for this embodiment. Again, in this embodiment as in the first embodiment, either air or argon or a combination of both can be used to fill the space 92 between the first glass sheet 64 and the second glass sheet 70. If used Argon, a space 92 can be used to insert a hose to remove the air and insert argon into the space 92. Once the space 92 is filled or partially filled with argon, it can be blocked with a pin 96 which is shown in FIG. the view developed for clarity of the same. Resilient fixing blocks can also be used with this mode. A resilient fixing block can be placed between the end 69 and the first receiving surface 78 and another setting block can be placed between the end 75 and the second receiving surface 80. The manufacture of the second embodiment involves the following steps. First, the members of the frame 76a-d are constructed. The members of the frame 76a-d may be made of any of the materials used by the members of the frame 19a-d of the first embodiment. Second, the vapor barrier 82 is placed on the interior surface 81 of the frame members 76a-d. The vapor barrier 82 can be joined with any means described with respect to the first embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, the vapor barrier 82 has a first end 97, a second end 98 and an inner portion 99, wherein the inner portion 99 is between the first end 97 and the second end 98. The first end 97 is adjacent to a portion of the first receiving surface 78, the second end is adjacent to a portion of the second receiving surface 80 and the inner surface 99 of the vapor barrier 82 is adjacent to the inner surface 81 of the frame 76. The first primary sealant 86 is deposits on the first end 97 of the vapor barrier 82. The second primary sealant 88 is deposited on the second end 98 of the vapor barrier 82. Next, the first glass sheet 64 is placed on the first receiving surface 78. which is included on the first primary sealant 86. The second glass sheet 70 is placed on the second receiving surface 80 that is included on the second primary sealant 88. The placement of the first and second glass sheets 64 and 70 on the receiving surfaces 78 and 80 respectively, must be coordinated with the fastening of the frame members 76a-d to each of the others. To do this, the first glass sheet 64 is placed on a platform or support and the second glass sheet 70 is suspended in parallel and before the first glass sheet 64 with the space between the two glass sheets which is similar or equal to the space 92 desired in the last window unit. For example, suction cups should be applied to the external surface 72 of the second glass sheet 70 to suspend the second glass sheet 70 on the first glass sheet 64. The frame members 76a-d are subsequently placed around the first and second glass sheets 64 and 70 in such a way that the first receiving surface 78 receives a shore portion of the first glass sheet 64 and the second receiving surface 80 receives the shore portion of the second glass sheet 70 The ends of the frame members 76a-d are then joined using any means to form a frame 76. For example, depending on the type of material used for the frame 76, the members of the linear frame 76a-d can be connected together by fasteners , corner braces, thermal welding, vibratory welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesives, or by any other method known in the art. The resulting frame 76 as shown is in rectangular form, but it can be in any shape. After the glass sheets are placed on the receiving surfaces, the next step is to apply or deposit beads on tapes (the first and second secondary sealers 84 and 85) in the space between the receiving surfaces 78 and 80 and the surfaces external 68 and 72 of the edge portions 67 and 63 of the first and second glass sheets 64 and 70, respectively. The application or deposit of the first and second secondary sealers 84 and 85 can be completed by any method including but not limited to injection. The angle of reception surfaces 78 and 80 of the frame aids in the deposition process allowing easy application of the secondary sealants between the glass and the frame. The tanks, for the primary and secondary sealers, can be made manually using a caulking gun or automatically with a machine or robot. As the secondary sealers 84 and 85 are deposited in the space between the glass and the receiving surface, the raised members 93 and 95 are mixed to allow the secondary sealants to pass between the raised members 93 and 95 and the outer surfaces 68. and 72 and in the direction of the ends 69 and 75, respectively. It can be seen that the order of the previous steps is not critical to the invention. For example, the secondary sealants can be placed on the receiving surfaces before the placement of the glass sheets on the receiving surfaces. The use of the deposit technique after the glass is placed in the frame, is a preferred technique, because this prevents the secondary sealers from being displaced by the placement of the glass sheets on the receiving surfaces. A third embodiment of the invention is shown in the schematic view in Figure 10. This embodiment is a hybrid embodiment which is similar to the second embodiment in Figure 8 with the difference that the frame in the third embodiment is a frame of three sections 110, 112, and 114. These three sections of the frame are connected together to form a frame which structurally supports the glass sheets. The result is that the third modality uses an assembly from top to bottom for what is at the end of the slotted glass structure. This third embodiment has the added benefit of optionally having colors or even different materials for the different interior and exterior trim parts (i.e., the frame section 110 may be of a material and / or color different from that of the frame section 114). ). After the parts are assembled together with the first receiving surface 120 of the frame section 110 which is adjacent to the outer surface 68 and a portion of the edge 69. The second receiving surface 122 of the second frame section 112 is adjacent to the inner surface 66 and a portion of the end 69. The third receiving surface 124 located in the second section of the frame 112 is adjacent to the inner surface 74 and a portion of the end 75. The fourth receiving surface 126 of the The third section of the frame 114 is adjacent to a portion of the frame 75 and the outer surface 72. If the frame is rectangular, then there are four first frame sections, four second frame sections and four third frame sections. One of the advantages to using the first, second and third sections of the frame 110, 112, 114 is that manufacture is achieved in a bed formation in which one layer is placed on top of another. The manufacturing steps are described later. First, the three frame sections 110, 112, and 114. are assembled. For a rectangular window, this assembly comprises connecting the four frame sections linear between them at the corners to form a rectangular frame. The connection can be by any of the methods described above including, but not limited to, hot plate welding, vibratory welding or the use of a mechanical fastener. This rectangular frame is referred to collectively as the first section of the frame 110. The same assembly process is carried out to assemble the second and third sections 112, and 114. Next, the vapor barrier 82 is placed on the surface interior 124. Then, the desiccant material is placed on the interior surface 81 of the second section of the frame 112. A first secondary sealant 84 is deposited on the first receiving surface 120. Alternatively, the first secondary sealant 84 can be deposited in the portion of edge 67 of the outer surface 68 of the first glass sheet 64. Then the glass sheet 67 of the surface 68 of the first glass sheet 64 is placed on the first receiving surface 120. A first secondary sealant 86 is deposited in the portion of the vapor barrier 82 that is adjacent to the second receiving surface 122. Alternatively, the first primary sealant 86 can be deposited in the portion of edge 73 of the inner surface 66 of the first glass sheet 64. Next, the second section of the frame 112 is lowered onto the first section of the frame such that the portion of the vapor barrier 82 that is adjacent to the second receiving surface 122 is placed on edge portion 73 of inner surface 66 of the first glass sheet. A second primary sealant 88 is deposited on the portion of the vapor barrier 82 that is adjacent to the third receiving surface 124. Alternatively, the second primary sealant 88 can be deposited on the edge portion 73 of the inner surface 74 of the second glass sheet 70. Then, the edge portion 73 of the inner surface 74 is placed on the portion of the vapor barrier 82 adjacent to the third receiving surface 124. A second secondary sealant 85 is deposited on the fourth receiving surface 126. Alternatively, the second secondary sealant 85 can be deposited on the edge portion 73 of the outer surface 72. The fourth surface of reception 126 is then placed on the edge portion 73 of the outer surface 72. The detents 140, 142, 144 and 146 are part of the first second, third and fourth receiving surfaces, respectively, and are raised portions, which have the same function as the detents 89 and 91 in the second embodiment described above. The detents 140, 142, 144 and 146 can have any shape and within the scope of this invention they can have receiving surfaces without detents. Similar to the other embodiments, a resilient setting block can be placed between the end 69 and the frame 110 and also between the end 75 and the frame 110. The purpose of these setting blocks is the same as discussed above with respect to other modalities. The three sections of the frame 110, 112 and 114 can be connected together by any method including an adhesive, press fit, or by the use of mechanical fasteners or any combination of these connection methods.

Figure 10 shows a screw 130 which is coupled to the hole 132 which extends through the third and second sections of the frame 114 and 112 and partially into the first section of the frame 110. A certain number of such screws 130 can be inserted in a corresponding number of holes 132 around the entire frame to connect the three sections of the frame. The final result is that the three sections of the frame 110, 112 and 114 are connected to form a frame which supports the sheets of glass. A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 11-12. The fourth embodiment is a crystal bed mode in which a glass sheet is placed on the frame in one direction and another glass sheet is placed on the frame in the opposite direction (i.e., the beds are oriented in opposite directions). to the same address as the first modality). Figure 11 generally illustrates a bay window unit 170 of the invention. The window unit 170 includes a frame 200 which can also be a window or door frame. The frame 200 includes four frame members 220a, 200b, 200c and 200d and is rectangular in shape. However, the members of the frame do not have to be linear and the frame 200 can have any shape. The construction of the frame 200 involves the construction of the members of the frame 200a-d and then holds the members of the frame 200a-d to create the frame 200. The frame members 200a-d can be constructed by any process including the examples given above with with respect to the frame 19 in the first embodiment. The four frame members 200a-d can be fastened in any manner known in the art including, but not limited to, those mentioned above with respect to the first embodiment. For example, depending on the type of material used by the frame 19, the linear frame members 19a-d can be connected by means of fasteners, corner braces, heat sealing, vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, or by any other method known in the art. technique. The frame 200 supports the first glass sheet 222 and the second glass sheet 230 creating a space 181 between the glass sheets. The first glass sheet 222 has an internal portion 172 and a border portion 174. The inner portion 172 and the edge portion 174 are defined as the above embodiments. In a preferred embodiment, the edge portion 174 (seen through the slot in the upper glass bed 175) extends from the end 176 of the first glass sheet 222 to about 2.54 cm from the end 176 in the direction of the portion internal 178 and a portion of edge 180. Internal portion 178 and edge portion 180 are defined as above by the first glass sheet 222. Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the invention. The frame 200 is of the same material and is constructed in the same way as the frame 19 described above. The frame 200 has a hollow portion 182.

This hollow portion reduces the weight and cost of the window unit 170. However, the invention is not limited to the particular shape of the hollow portion 182 shown in Figure 12 and, in fact, is within the scope of this invention for using a solid frame 200 without a hollow portion 182. The frame includes a first receiving surface 202 which is generally planar but includes a retainer 204 which is the portion of the first receiving surface that rises before the usual portion of the first receiving surface 202. The frame 200 also includes a second receiving surface 206 which is generally flat but includes a retainer 208. The frame 200 also includes an inner surface 210 which is located between the first receiving surface 202 and the second receiving surface 206. A vapor barrier 212 which is the same as the vapor barrier 82 is located in contact with the surface. and interior 210. The vapor barrier 212 includes a first end 214, a second limb 216 and an inner portion 218. The first limb 214 is in contact with a portion of the first receiving surface 202 as shown in Figure 12. The second limb 216 is in contact with a portion of the second surface of reception 206 also as shown in Figure 12. The first limb 214 and the second limb 216 extend toward the respective retainers 204 and 208. The inner portion 218 is in contact with the inner surface 210 of the frame 200. The purpose of this vapor barrier 212 is the same as the first two embodiments of this invention and is attached to the frame by the same methods described for the other embodiments. A desiccant material 184 is located on the inner surface 218 of the vapor barrier 212. A pin 186 is shown to be developed outside the hole 188. The pin 186 fits into the hole 188 and has the same purpose as the pins and holes in the pins. modalities described above. A first secondary sealer 220 is located between the inner surface 221 of the first glass sheet 222 and the first receiving surface 202. The first secondary sealant 220 is the same as the first secondary sealer discussed above with respect to the first two embodiments of this invention. A first primary sealant 224 is located between the first end 214 of the vapor barrier 212 and the first glass sheet 222. The first primary sealant 224 is the same as the first primary sealants in the first two embodiments of this invention. A second secondary sealant 226 is located between the inner surface 228 of the second glass sheet 230 and the second receiving sheet 206. The second secondary sealant 226 is the same as the first secondary sealant 220. A second primary sealant 232 is located between the second end 216 of the vapor barrier 212 and the second glass sheet 230. The second primary sealant 232 is the same as the first primary sealant 224. The detents 204 and 208 serve the same function as the retainer 41 in the first embodiment . The upper glass sphere 175 in an aesthetic part which conceals the second secondary sealant 226 and the second primary sealant 232 from the view of an observer. Similarly, the lower glass sphere 177 hides the first secondary sealant 220 and the first primary sealant 224 from the view of an observer. The tips 190 and 192 the glass spheres 177 and 175 are flexible such that the tips can be pressed lightly against the outer surfaces of the glass sheets. The glass spheres 177 and 175 may also apply some pressure to the outer surfaces of the first and second glass sheets 222 and 230, respectively. This pressure can help to hold the glass sheets in place while the sealants 220, 224, 226 and 232 are cured. The resilient fixing blocks can be used in this fourth embodiment as well as in the above embodiments. A locking block could be located between the end 176 and the frame and the other block would be located between the end 179 of the second glass sheet 230 and the frame. The manufacturing steps in this fourth mode are the same as for the first mode with one exception. The first glass sheet is placed on the frame 200 differently in that the edge portion 174 of the inner surface 221 of the first glass sheet 222 is placed on the first receiving surface 202. The first sheet of Glass 222 can be placed on a support structure to hold the first glass sheet in contact with the sealants and the first receiving surface. Such a support may be a board or other structure 220. Alternatively, a quick cure or hot melt sealant may be used as the first secondary sealant 220 to allow the first glass sheet 22 to quickly adhere to the first receiving surface 202 The above description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the previous teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention is not limited by this detailed description, but by the claims attached to it.

Claims (49)

1. CLAIMS 1. A window unit comprising: a first sheet of glass having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion and the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion; a second sheet of glass having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface of the first sheet glass facing the inner surface of the second sheet of glass; and a support structure comprising: a first receiving surface for receiving the edge portion of the first glass sheet, wherein the first glass sheet is supported structurally only on the edge portion of the outer surface of the first sheet of glass; and a second receiving surface for receiving the edge portion of the second glass sheet, wherein the edge portion of the inner surface of the second glass sheet is structurally supported by the second receiving surface. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the first glass sheet is joined to the first receiving surface by a first secondary sealant and the second glass sheet is joined to the second receiving surface by a second secondary sealant . The window unit of claim 2, wherein the support structure further comprises an interior surface, between the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface, wherein there is a space between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet, and the window unit further comprises a vapor barrier located adjacent to the interior surface of the support structure to prevent gases escaping from the support structure in space. The window unit of claim 3, wherein the first secondary sealant and the second secondary sealant are silicone sealants. The window unit of claim 3, wherein the vapor barrier is attached to the interior surface of the support structure by an adhesive. The window unit of claim 3, wherein the vapor barrier is made of metal. The window unit of claim 6, wherein the vapor barrier is made of stainless steel. The window unit of claim 6, wherein the vapor barrier is aluminum. The window unit of claim 3, wherein the vapor barrier in a coating is sprayed onto the interior surface of the support structure. 10. The window unit of claim 3, wherein the vapor barrier is made of plastic. The window unit of claim 3, wherein the vapor barrier is ceramic. The window unit of claim 3, wherein the vapor barrier is attached to the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface. The window unit of claim 12, wherein a first primary sealant is located between the vapor barrier and the first glass sheet and a second primary sealant is located between the vapor barrier and the second glass sheet. The window unit of claim 13, wherein the first primary sealant and the second primary sealant are polyisobutylene. 15. A window unit comprising: a first glass sheet having an internal surface and an external surface, the inner surface having a bank portion and an inner portion and the external surface having a bank portion and an inner portion; a second sheet of glass having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface of the first sheet of glass facing the inner surface of the second sheet of glass; and a supporting structure comprising: a first receiving surface for receiving the edge portion of the outer surface of the first glass sheet, and a first secondary sealant located between the first receiving surface and the edge portion of the surface external of the first transparent sheet, wherein the first glass sheet is structurally supported only on the edge portion of the outer surface of the first glass sheet; and a second receiving surface for receiving the edge portion of the inner surface of the second glass sheet, and a second secondary sealant located between the second receiving surface and the edge portion of the inner surface of the second sheet of glass , the second receiving surface not contacting the outer surface of the second glass sheet, wherein the second glass sheet is structurally supported only in the edge portion of the inner surface of the second glass sheet. The window unit of claim 15, wherein the first secondary sealant and the second secondary sealant are silicone sealant. The window unit of claim 15, wherein the first receiving surface comprises a generally planar portion and a lip which protrudes from the planar portion creating an opening between the first glass sheet and the flat portion of the first surface of reception wherein the first secondary sealant is contained substantially within the separation. 18. The window unit of claim 15, wherein the second receiving surface comprises a generally planar portion and a retainer which protrudes from the planar portion and is generally perpendicular to the planar portion thereby creating an opening between the second planar sheet. glass and the flat portion of the second receiving surface wherein the second secondary sealant is substantially contained within the separation. The window unit of claim 15, wherein the support structure further comprises an interior surface, between the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface, wherein there is a space between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet, and the window unit further comprises a vapor barrier located adjacent to the interior surface of the support structure to prevent the escape of gases from the support structure within the separation. The window unit of claim 19, wherein the vapor barrier is attached to the interior surface by means of an adhesive. twenty-one . The window unit of claim 19, wherein the vapor barrier is attached to at least a portion of the first receiving surface and at least a portion of the second receiving surface. 22. The window unit of claim 21, wherein the first primary sealant is located between the vapor barrier and the first glass sheet and the second primary sealant is located between the vapor barrier and the second glass sheet. The window unit of claim 22, wherein the first primary sealant and the second primary sealant are polyisobutylene. The window unit of claim 23, wherein the first receiving surface further comprises a retainer projecting from the planar portion and generally being perpendicular to the planar portion thereby separating the first primary sealant from the first secondary sealant. 25. A window unit comprising: a first sheet of glass having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion and the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion; a second sheet of glass having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface of the first sheet of glass facing the inner surface of the second sheet of glass; and a support structure comprising: a first receiving surface for receiving the edge portion of the outer surface of the first glass sheet, and a first secondary sealant located between the first receiving surface and the edge portion of the outer surface of the first glass sheet, wherein the first glass sheet is structurally supported only in the edge portion of the outer surface of the first glass sheet; and a second receiving surface for receiving the edge portion of the inner surface of the second glass sheet, and a secondary sealant located between the second receiving surface and the edge portion of the inner surface of the second sheet of glass, the second receiving surface not contacting the outer surface of the second glass sheet, wherein the second glass sheet is structurally supported by means of the second receiving surface; a framework for receiving the support structure; and a weather strip in seal contact with the frame and support structure. 26. A window unit comprising: a first sheet of glass having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion and the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion; a second sheet of glass having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface of the first sheet of glass facing the inner surface of the second sheet of glass; and a support structure comprising: a first receiving surface for receiving the edge portion of the inner surface of the first glass sheet and the edge portion of the external surface of the first glass sheet; a second receiving surface for receiving the edge portion of the outer surface of the second glass sheet and the edge portion of the inner surface of the second sheet of glass; and a vapor barrier placed in contact with the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface. The window unit of claim 26, wherein the support structure further comprises an interior surface, between the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface, wherein there is a gap between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet, and the window unit further comprises a vapor barrier located adjacent to the interior surface of the support structure to prevent the escape of gases from the support structure in the separation. 28. The window unit of claim 27, wherein the vapor barrier is attached to the interior surface of the support structure by means of an adhesive. 29. The window unit of claim 27, wherein the vapor barrier comprises stainless steel. 30. The window unit of claim 27, wherein the vapor barrier comprises aluminum. The window unit of claim 27, wherein the vapor barrier is a coating that is sprayed onto the interior surface of the frame. 32. The window unit of claim 27, wherein the vapor barrier is plastic. 33. The unit of claim 27, wherein the vapor barrier is ceramic. 34. A window unit comprising: a first sheet of glass having an internal surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion and the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion; a second sheet of glass having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface of the first sheet of glass facing the inner surface of the second sheet of glass; and a support structure comprising: a first receiving surface for receiving a shore portion of the inner surface of the second glass sheet; and a second receiving surface for receiving the edge portion of the inner surface of the second glass sheet; and a vapor barrier placed in contact with the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface. 35. A method for manufacturing a multi-glazed window unit wherein the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet are placed in a support structure before the first glass sheet is connected to the second glass sheet. 36. A method of manufacturing a window unit comprising: constructing a support structure including a first receiving surface and a second receiving surface; placing a means to reduce the escape of gases in contact with an interior surface of the support structure including a portion of the first receiving surface and a portion of the second receiving surface, the inner surface placed between the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface; depositing a first secondary sealant on the first receiving surface; depositing a second secondary sealant on the second receiving surface; placing a first sheet of glass on the first receiving surface where the first secondary sealant joins the first glass sheet to the first receiving surface and wherein the first glass sheet is supported structurally by means of the support structure; and placing a second sheet of glass on the second receiving surface wherein the second secondary sealant joins the second sheet of glass to the second receiving surface and where it is supported structurally by means of the support structure. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the first and second glass sheets each comprise an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a edge portion and an inner portion and the outer surface having a edge portion and an inner portion and the first receiving surface contacting the edge portion of the outer surface of the first sheet of glass and the second receiving surface contacting the edge portion of the inner surface of the second sheet of glass. 38. The method of claim 37, further comprising: depositing a first primary sealant on the first end of the medium to reduce the escape of gases; and deposit a second primary sealant on the second end of the medium to reduce the escape of gases. 39. A method of manufacturing a window unit, the window unit including a first sheet of glass and a second sheet of glass each comprising an internal surface, an external surface and an end, each of the internal surfaces having a shore portion and an inner portion and each of the outer surfaces having a shore portion and an inner portion, the method comprises: constructing a support structure including a first receiving surface and a second receiving surface; placing a vapor barrier in contact with the first receiving surface and in contact with the second receiving surface; depositing a first primary sealant on at least a portion of the vapor barrier in contact with the first receiving surface; depositing a second primary sealant on at least a portion of the vapor barrier in contact with the second receiving surface; placing the first sheet of glass on the first primary sealer on the first receiving surface; placing a second sheet of glass on the second primary sealer on the second receiving surface; depositing a first secondary sealant between the edge portion of the outer surface of the first glass sheet of the first receiving surface, wherein the first glass sheet is structurally supported entirely by the first receiving surface; and depositing a second secondary sealant between the edge portion of the outer surface of the second glass sheet and the second receiving surface wherein the second glass sheet is structurally supported by the second receiving surface. 40. A method of manufacturing a window unit, the window unit having a first sheet of glass and a second sheet of glass each comprising an internal surface, an external surface and an end; each of the internal surfaces having a bank portion and an internal portion and each external surface having a bank portion and an internal portion, the method comprising: constructing a support structure comprising a first, second and third member, each member having at least one receiving surface, a first end, and a second end wherein the second member provides an inner surface positioned between the first member and the third member; depositing a first secondary sealant on the receiving surface of the first supporting structure member; depositing a second secondary sealant on the reception of the third supporting structure member; placing the edge portion of the outer surface of the first and second glass sheets on the receiving surfaces of the first and third members of the structure, respectively; placing the second supporting structure member to receive the edge portion of the inner surface of the first and second glass sheets respectively; and securing each end of each of the plurality of support structure members to exactly one end of a different one of the plurality of support structure members such that the plurality of support structure members form a support structure around of the first sheet of glass and the second sheet of glass, wherein the first and second sheets of glass are not separated from the second sheet of glass by means of a permanent or separate separator. 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the method further comprises placing means for reducing the escape of gases onto the interior surface of the support structure. 42. The method of claim 46, wherein the first end of the medium reduces the escape of gases is placed in contact with the first receiving surface of the second structure member and a second end of the means to reduce the escape of gases is placed in contact with a second receiving surface of the second structure member. 43. The method of claim 42, further comprising depositing a first primary sealant from the first end of the means to reduce the escape of gases and depositing a second primary sealant on the second end of the means to reduce the escape of gases. 44. A method of manufacturing a window unit, the window unit including a first sheet of glass and a second sheet of glass, each comprising an internal surface, an external surface and an end; each of the internal surfaces having a shore portion and an inner portion, the method comprises: constructing a first frame having a first receiving surface; constructing a second frame having a second receiving surface and a third receiving surface; constructing a third frame section having four receiving surfaces; depositing a first secondary sealant on at least one of the group of the first receiving surface and the edge portion of the outer surface of the glass sheet; placing the edge portion of the outer surface of the first glass sheet of the first receiving surface; depositing a first primary sealant on at least one of the group of the second receiving surface and the edge portion of the inner surface of the first glass sheet; placing the second receiving surface on the edge portion of the inner surface of the first glass sheet; depositing a second primary sealant on at least one of the group of the third receiving surface and the edge portion of the inner surface of the second glass sheet; placing the edge portion of the inner surface of the second sheet of glass on the third receiving surface; depositing a second secondary sealant on at least one of the group of the fourth receiving surface and the edge portion of the external surface of the second glass sheet; placing the fourth receiving surface on the edge portion of the outer surface of the second glass sheet. 45. A method of manufacturing a window unit, the window unit including a first sheet of glass and a second sheet of glass, each comprising an internal surface, an external surface and an end; each of the inner surfaces having a shore portion and an inner portion, the method comprises: building a plurality of support structure members, each supporting structure member having a receiving surface, a second receiving surface, a first extreme, and a second extreme; depositing a first secondary sealant on the first receiving surface of each of the plurality of supporting structure members; depositing a second secondary sealant on the second receiving surfaces of each of the plurality of supporting structure members; placing the first and second glass sheets on the first and second receiving surfaces respectively; and securing each end of each plurality of support structure members at exactly one end of a different one of the plurality of support structure members such that the plurality of support structure members form a support structure around the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet, the first receiving surface contacting the edge portion of the inner surface of the first glass sheet, and the second receiving surface contacting the edge portion of the inner surface of the glass sheet. the second glass sheet, wherein the first and second glass sheets are supported by the support structure. 46. The window unit of claim 34, wherein the vapor barrier is in adhesive contact with the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface. 47. The method of claim 42, wherein the means for reducing the degassing are in adhesive contact with the receiving surfaces and the inner surface of the second member of the structure. 48. A window unit comprising: a first sheet of glass having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion and the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion; a second sheet of glass having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface of the first sheet of glass facing the inner surface of the second sheet of glass; and a support structure comprising: a first receiving surface for receiving the edge portion of the first glass sheet, wherein the first glass sheet is supported structurally only on the edge portion of the outer surface of the first sheet of glass; and a second receiving surface for receiving a shore portion of the second glass sheet, wherein the second glass sheet is structurally supported only in the edge portion of the inner surface of the second glass sheet. 49. A window unit comprising: a first sheet of glass having an internal surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion and the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion; a second sheet of glass having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface having a portion of edge and an inner portion, and the inner surface of the first sheet of glass facing towards the inner surface of the second sheet of glass; and a support structure comprising: a first receiving surface for receiving the edge portion of the first glass sheet, wherein the first glass sheet is structurally supported on the edge portion of the outer surface of the first sheet of glass; glass; and a second receiving surface for receiving a edge portion of the second glass sheet, wherein the second glass sheet is structurally supported on the edge portion of the inner surface of the second glass sheet, wherein there is no separator between the first sheet of glass and the second sheet of glass.