Patent ID: 8329267

Claim:
A flexible edge seal for a vacuum insulating glazing unit, the vacuum insulating glazing unit having a first glass pane and a second glass pane, the second glass pane being spaced-apart from the first glass pane, and each of the first and second glass panes having an inner surface facing towards the other glass pane and an outer surface facing away from the other glass pane, the edge seal comprising: a seal member formed of a bondable material and having a first end, a second end and a center section disposed therebetween; the first end being adapted to form a first bonding surface bondable to an outer surface of a first glass pane; the second end being adapted to form a second bonding surface bondable to an inner surface of a second glass pane; and the center section comprising, when viewed in side cross section, a plurality of convolutes, wherein each convolute includes a convolute bend and a straight section; wherein the seal member is formed from a thin metal material that this not self-supporting, and the flexible edge seal further comprises a support element disposed between the seal member and at least one of the glass panes, the support element also having a plurality of convolutes formed thereon, and the support element serving to support the seal member when a differential pressure is applied across the seal member; and a stand-off assembly including an anchor member positioned between the seal member and at least one of the glass panes; a filament connected to the anchor member; and a plurality of stand-off elements attached to the filament; wherein the filaments and stand-off elements may be disposed in the space between the first and second glass panes when the seal member is attached to the first and second glass panes.