Envelop secures patent for viscous edge seal vacuum IG

Officials from Envelop LLC, a developer of vacuum insulating glass, announced the issuance of a U.S. patent for a Vacuum Insulating Glass Unit with Viscous Edge Seal, according to a June 19 company release.

Edge seals covered by the new patent include a low permeability fluid that spans the edges of the glass sheets. The fluid undergoes viscous shear to accommodate differential thermal expansion and contraction between the glass sheets while generating virtually no stress. As a result, the design places no restriction on glass size. Tempered, laminated, and coated glass can be used without damage because high temperatures are not needed for assembly, according to the release.