Integrated window sash with groove for desiccant material

In an integrated window sash having a sash frame, the sash frame having at least three corners, wherein the sash frame is made of sash members having ends of adjacent sash members joined together at the at least three corners of the sash frame, each of the sash members comprises:

• a first sheet supporting surface lying in a first plane, a second sheet supporting surface lying in a second plane spaced from and parallel to the first plane and a base between the first and second sheet supporting surfaces;
• a first sheet having a first major surface and an opposite second major surface;
• a first layer of a gas and moisture impervious adhesive sealant securing marginal edge of the first major surface of the first sheet to the first sheet supporting surface, wherein the first layer of the gas and moisture impervious adhesive sealant covers at least a portion of the base such that the layer contacts and supports at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the first sheet;
• a second sheet having a first major surface, an opposite second major surface, and a predetermined peripheral configuration;
• a second layer of a gas and moisture impervious adhesive sealant securing a marginal edge of the first major surface of the second sheet to the second sheet supporting surface, wherein the first major surface of the second sheet faces and is spaced from the second major surface of the first sheet to provide a compartment therebetween;
• a desiccating medium on the base of the sash frame between the first and the second sheets;
• a glazing member mounted on the sash frame and engaging marginal edge portions of the second surface of the second sheet, wherein the improvement comprises:
• the base having a first surface portion, a second surface portion and a groove, each of the first and second surface portions of the base facing the interior of the sash frame and opening of the groove communicating with the compartment, the groove extending between adjacent corners of the sash frame and the groove in each sash member of the sash frame extending from one corner to the adjacent opposite corner to provide a continuous groove around the compartment, the groove in cross section having interior walls and width of the interior walls of the groove changing as the distance from the compartment increases, wherein the first surface portion of the base contacts the first sheet supporting surface, extends toward the second sheet supporting surface and terminates at one side of the opening of the groove, and the second surface portion of the base contacts the second sheet supporting surface, extends toward the first sheet supporting surface and terminates at opposite side of the opening of the groove;
• each end of the sash members is a mitered end having a recess in the mitered surface of the ends of the sash members and a moisture and gas impervious material in the recess wherein openings of adjacent ones of the recesses are in facing relationship to one another whereby the ends of the adjacent sash members are joined together to form the integrated window sash having a gas and moisture seal around the peripheral and marginal edges of the sheets, and
• the desiccating medium comprises a granulated desiccating material in an adhesive, and
• at least one sheet retaining member, the at least one sheet retainer member comprising an elongated member a first end and an opposite second end, the first end shaped to have a first sheet engaging segment connected to a second sheet engaging segment, and the second end securely mounted to the base at a position between the first and the second sheets, wherein the first sheet engaging segment engages a peripheral edge portion of the first sheet and is out of contact with the first major surface of the first sheet and the second sheet engaging segment engages a marginal edge portion of the second major surface of the first sheet, wherein the at least one retainer biases the first sheet toward the first sheet supporting surface.