Multiple pane insulating glass unit with insulative spacer

An insulating glass unit comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart glass panes having confronting inner surfaces, and a spacer formed of stainless steel having a wall thickness not greater than about 0.005 inches extending about the periphery of the glass unit and joining peripheral portions of the glass panes to each other, the panes and the spacer defining between them a gas-containing interpane space, the spacer having hollow interior and opposed generally fiat side walls, an interior wall extending between the side walls and facing the interpane space, and an outer wall extending between the side walls and spaced outwardly from the interior wall, the outer wall having an outer surface including a sealant free portion extending between said panes substantially completely about the perimeter of the glass unit, and the spacer having a bent corner section filled with a crush-resistant particulate desiccant composition conforming to the interior configuration of the corner section to transmit compressive forces from one side wall of the spacer to the other and to thereby contribute compressive strength to the spacer.

An insulating glass unit comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart glass panes, and a spacer extending about the periphery of the glass unit and peripherally joining the glass panes to each other, the panes and spacer defining between them a gas-containing interpane space, the spacer being formed from stainless steel having a thickness of not greater than about 0.005 inches and having a hollow interior and opposed, generally flat side walls sealed to opposed pane surfaces, an interior wall extending between the side walls and having a surface facing the interpane space, and an opposing outer wall extending between the side walls and spaced from the inner wall, the spacer having a bent corner section filled with a crush-resistant particulate composition conforming to the interior configuration of the corner section to transmit compressive forces from one side wall of the spacer to the other and to thereby contribute compressive strength to the spacer.

An insulating glass unit comprising a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart glass panes, and a spacer extending about the periphery of the glass unit and peripherally joining the glass panes to each other, the panes and spacer defining between them a gas-containing interpane space, the spacer being formed from stainless steel having a thickness of not greater than about 0.005 inches and having a hollow interior and opposed, generally flat side walls sealed to opposed pane surfaces, each sidewall including a portion extending inwardly of the interpane space along the pane surface to which it is sealed and a doubled-back portion, an interior wail extending between the side walls and having a surface facing the interpane space, and an opposing outer wall extending between the side walls and spaced from the inner wall, the spacer having a bent comer section filled with a crush-resistant particulate desiccant composition conforming to the interior configuration of the corner section to transmit compressive forces from one side wall of the spacer to the other and to thereby contribute compressive strength to the spacer.