Sealed unit and spacer
View Patent ↗A sealed unit includes at least two sheets of transparent or translucent material separated from each other by a spacer. One example of a spacer for a sealed unit includes a first elongate strip, a second elongate strip, and filler arranged therebetween. The first and second elongate strips have a small undulating shape in some embodiments. Methods of making spacers and window assemblies as well as devices for use in the manufacture of spacers and assemblies are disclosed including a manufacturing jig and a spool storage rack. The spool storage rack stores a plurality of spools configured to store spacer materials thereon.
1. A spacer for a window, the spacer comprising:
a first metal elongate strip defining a thickness and first undulations (i) along a length of the first metal elongate strip and (ii) extending across at least a portion of a width of the first metal elongate strip; and
a second metal elongate strip spaced apart from the first metal elongate strip and arranged approximately parallel to the first metal elongate strip;
wherein the thickness is in a range from 0.0001 to 0.01 inches.
2. The spacer of claim 1 , wherein the thickness is in a range from 0.0003 inches to about 0.004 inches.
3. The spacer of claim 1 , wherein the first undulations define a peak-to-peak period in a range from 0.005 inches to 0.1 inches.
4. The spacer of claim 3 , wherein the peak-to-peak period is in a range from 0.02 to 0.04 inches.
5. The spacer of claim 1 , wherein the first undulations define a peak-to-peak amplitude in a range from 0.005 inches to 0.1 inches.
6. The spacer of claim 5 , wherein the peak-to-peak amplitude is in a range from 0.02 to 0.04 inches.
7. The spacer of claim 1 , wherein the second metal elongate strip defines second undulations, and wherein the spacer further comprises a desiccant arranged between the first and second metal elongate strips.
8. A spacer for a window, the spacer comprising:
a first metal elongate strip defining first undulations (i) along a length of the first metal elongate strip and (ii) extending across at least a portion of a width of the first metal elongate strip; and
a second metal elongate strip spaced apart from the first metal elongate strip and arranged approximately parallel to the fist metal elongate strip;
wherein the first undulations define a peak-to-peak period in a range from 0.005 inches to 0.1 inches.
9. The spacer of claim 8 , wherein the peak-to-peak period is in a range from 0.02 to 0.04 inches.
10. The spacer of claim 8 , wherein the first undulations define a peak-to-peak amplitude in a range from 0.005 inches to 0.1 inches.
11. The spacer of claim 10 , wherein the peak-to-peak amplitude is in a range from 0.02 to 0.04 inches.
12. The spacer of claim 8 , wherein the first metal elongate strip defines a thickness in a range from 0.0001 inches to 0.01 inches.
13. The spacer of claim 12 , wherein the thickness is in a range from 0.0003 inches to 0.004 inches.
14. The spacer of claim 7 , wherein the second metal elongate strip defines second undulations, and wherein the spacer further comprises a desiccant arranged between the first and second metal elongate strips.
15. A spacer for a window, the spacer comprising:
a first metal elongate strip defining first undulations (i) along a length of the first metal elongate strip and (ii) extending across at least a portion of a width of the first metal elongate strip; and
a second metal elongate strip spaced apart from the first metal elongate strip and arranged approximately parallel to the first metal elongate strip;
wherein the first undulations define a peak-to-peak amplitude in a range from 0.005 inches to 0.1 inches.
16. The spacer of claim 15 , wherein the peak-to-peak amplitude is in a range from 0.02 to 0.04 inches.
17. The spacer of claim 15 , wherein the first undulations define a peak-to-peak period in a range from 0.005 inches to 0.1 inches.
18. The spacer of claim 17 , wherein the peak-to-peak period is in a range from 0.02 to 0.04 inches.
19. The spacer of claim 15 , wherein the first metal elongate strip defines a thickness in a range from 0.0003 inches to 0.004 inches.
20. The spacer of claim 15 , wherein the second metal elongate strip defines second undulations, and wherein the spacer further comprises a desiccant arranged between the first and second metal elongate strips.