Patent ID: 8283023

Claim:
A flexible edge seal for a vacuum insulating glazing unit including a pair of glass panes separated by an insulating gap, the flexible edge seal comprising: an elongate first edge seal portion defining a first longitudinal axis, the first edge seal portion having a substantially constant first cross-section when viewed along the first longitudinal axis, the first cross-section including a bonding flange at one end, a weld surface at the other end and a first center portion therebetween; an elongate second edge seal portion defining a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the second edge seal portion having a substantially constant second cross-section when viewed along the second longitudinal axis, the second cross-section including a bonding flange at one end, a weld surface at the other end and a second center portion therebetween; wherein each bonding flange includes a substantially flat portion adapted for hermetic bonding to a surface of a different one of the pair of glass panes and wherein the respective flat portions of the bonding flanges are disposed substantially parallel to one another and parallel to a plane between the pair of glass panes; wherein the weld surfaces are disposed substantially parallel to one another and parallel to a bonding plane that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane between the pair of glass panes, and the weld surfaces are hermetically joined to one another forming a hermetic seal therebetween; and wherein at least one of the first center portion or the second center portion has a convolute cross-section and is asymmetrical, with respect to a plane defined by the center of the insulating gap, to the other center portion.