Continuous flexible spacer assembly having sealant support member

1. A spacer and sealant assembly comprising: a stretchable sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges have at least one pleated portion; a shim having at least one undulating portion in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member so that said at least one pleated portion and the shim is configured to facilitate bending; and a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member.

2. The spacer and sealant assembly of claim 1 further comprising a stiffener in contact with said stretchable sealant support member.

3. The spacer and sealant assembly of claim 2 further comprising a topcoat having a desiccant and joined to said sealant.

4. The spacer and sealant assembly of claim 3 wherein said shim is undulating along a longitudinal axis.

5. The spacer and sealant assembly of claim 4 wherein said stiffener is adhered to said stretchable sealant support member by a first adhesive.

6. The spacer and sealant assembly of claim 5 wherein said stiffener is adhered to said shim by a second adhesive.

7. The spacer and sealant assembly of claim 6 wherein said shim is adhered to said stretchable sealant support member by a third adhesive.

8. A spacer and sealant assembly comprising: a stretchable sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges are crimped to form at least one pleated portion; a stiffener in contact with said planar surface of said sealant support member; a shim undulating along a longitudinal axis and partially in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member wherein said at least one pleated portion forms at least one bendable prismatic cell; and

a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member.

9. The spacer and sealant assembly of claim 8 further comprising a topcoat having a desiccant and joined to said sealant.

10. The spacer and sealant assembly of claim 9 wherein said stiffener is adhered to said stretchable sealant support member by a first adhesive.

11. The spacer and sealant assembly of claim 10 wherein said stiffener is further adhered to said shim by a second adhesive.

12. The spacer and sealant assembly of claim 11 wherein said shim is adhered to said stretchable sealant support member by a third adhesive.

13. The spacer and sealant assembly of claim 12 wherein said assembly is coilable.

14. A window assembly comprising:

a stretchable sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges have at least one pleated portion;

a shim having at least one undulating portion in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member so that said at least one pleated portion and the shim is configured to facilitate bending;

a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member and having first and second glass engaging surfaces; a first glass structure adhered to said first glass engaging surface of said sealant; and

a second glass structure adhered to said second glass engaging surface.

15. The window assembly of claim 14 further comprising a stiffener in contact with said stretchable sealant support member.

16. The window assembly of claim 15 further comprising a topcoat having a desiccant joined to said sealant.

17. The window assembly of claim 16 wherein said shim is undulating in a longitudinal axis.

18. The window assembly of claim 17 wherein said stiffener is adhered to said stretchable sealant support member by a first adhesive.

19. The window assembly of claim 18 wherein said stiffener is adhered to said shim by a second adhesive.

20. The window assembly of claim 19 wherein said shim is adhered to said stretchable sealant support member by a third adhesive.

21. A window assembly comprising:

a sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges are crimped to form at least one pleated portion;

a stiffener in contact with said planar surface of said sealant support member; a shim undulating along a longitudinal axis and partially in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member forms at least one bendable prismatic cell;

a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member and having substantially parallel first and second glass engaging surfaces;

a first glass structure adhered to said first glass engaging surface of said sealant; and

a second glass structure adhered to said second glass engaging surface of said sealant.

22. The window assembly of claim 21 further comprising a topcoat having a desiccant joined to said sealant.

23. The window assembly of claim 21 wherein said stiffener is adhered to said stretchable sealant support member by a first adhesive.

24. The window assembly of claim 23 wherein said stiffener is adhered to said shim by a second adhesive.

25. The window assembly of claim 24 wherein said shim is adhered to said stretchable sealant support member by a third adhesive.

26. A method for forming a spacer sealant strip for joining and hermetically sealing two substantially parallel surfaces comprising the steps of:

forming a shim generally undulating along a longitudinal axis;

at least partially crimping first and second edges of a stretchable sealant support member to form at least one partially pleated portion;

joining said shim to shim joining-surfaces of first and second edges of a stretchable sealant support member so that said at least one pleated portion extends generally inward within at least one void created by the undulations to form at least one bendable prismatic cell;

joining a stiffener to a planar surface of said stretchable sealant support member; and

applying a deformable adhesive sealant to at least sealant joining surface of said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member.