Multi-pane insulated glass unit having a relaxed film forming a third pane and method of making the same

An insulating glass unit comprising:

• a pair of glass panes in a parallel, spaced apart relation;
• at least one edge spacer and at least a primary sealant located between internal facing adjacent edges of the pair of panes to seal the at least one edge spacer to the internal facing adjacent edges of the pair of panes to provide an integral sealed unit defining a space therebetween;
• and
• at least one annealed, relaxed transparent film located within the space between the pair of glass panes, said at least one transparent film secured to one of a support structure and the at least one edge spacer, wherein the at least one transparent film is supported by the support structure and the support structure is separate from the edge spacer, the support structure comprising at least one frame member located adjacent an edge of the film, the at least one frame member being flexible and having a thickness large enough to maintain its shape under its weight, wherein the at least one frame member is a solid aluminum member having a thickness of approximately 1/16″ across its width, and
• wherein the film is free from wrinkles and is positioned in a spaced apart parallel relationship between the pair of glass panes.

A method for forming an insulating glass unit comprising:

• providing a pair of glass panes in a parallel, spaced apart relation;
• providing at least one film;
• stretching the film to remove wrinkles;
• securing the film to one of a support structure and at least one edge spacer;
• applying heat to the film to anneal the film to a relaxed state, wherein the step of annealing the film occurs before or after the step of securing the film to one of the support structure and the at least one edge spacer;
• positioning the film secured to one of the support structure and the at least one edge spacer between the pair of glass panes such that the film is positioned in a spaced apart parallel relationship between the pair of glass panes;
• and
• providing the at least one edge spacer and a primary sealant between adjacent edges of the pair of panes to provide an integral sealed unit defining a space therebetween.