Patent ID: 8905085

Claim:
A method of edge sealing and gas filling an insulated glass unit, the insulated glass unit comprising a first pane and a second pane joined by a perimeter spacer and defining a cavity bounded by the first pane, the second pane and the perimeter spacer and also defining an edge space peripheral to the spacer, the method comprising: placing the insulated glass unit in a working position; piercing the perimeter spacer with a gas fill injection structure and a displaced air extraction structure at a first location; gas filling the cavity by injecting a non-air gas through the gas fill injection structure into the cavity and extracting displaced air from the cavity through the displaced air extraction structure; approximately simultaneously with injecting non-air gas and extracting displaced air, beginning edge sealing of the insulated glass unit by applying a secondary sealant into the edge space; completing the gas filling of the cavity prior to completing the edge sealing; withdrawing the gas fill injection structure and the displaced air extraction structure; and completing the edge sealing thereby sealing punctures created by the piercing of the perimeter spacer.