Insulating window

May 3, 1960

Filed June 16, 1958

H. BLASZKOWSK1 insulating window

2,934,801

Sheets-Sheet 1

<img file="US2934801A_D0001.tif" />

May 3, 1960

H. BLASZKOWSK1

2,934,801 insulating window

Filed June 16, 1958

Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US2934801A_D0002.tif" />

United States Patent Office ²’⁹³⁴’⁸⁰¹ • ^: - ___________________ Patented May 3, 1960

2,934,801

INSULATING WINDOW Henry Blaszkowski, Dearborn, Mich. Application June 16,1958, Serial No. 742,421 8 Claims. (CI. 20—56.5) in fact, conventional storm windows really cannot be used, multi-pane insulating windows are required.

The use of a conventional rubber sealing strip in the normal way (i.e. without special efforts to achieve uniform compression), substantially reduces the circulation between ambient air and the space between panes. One result is thus that the insulating effectiveness may reach, a reasonably good level. Another is that dirt may take roughly twice as long to accumulate between the panes; however, when it accumulates, the situation is just as unsatisfactory as in the case of ordinary storm windows. In other respect, however, the situation may readily become intolerable, i.e. condensation of moisture between panes. If humid air gets into the space between panes, and the ambient temperature drops, condensation of moisture occurs between the panes and, since the circulation between ambient air and the space between panes is slow, the window may remain “fogged” for very substantial periods of time. Thus, in order to decrease the dirt problem, one finds that one has introduced a condensation problem. All in all, therefore, one has not achieved a solution to the problem of maintaining good visibility conditions. One has a pretty good insulator; but it is not a pretty good window.

The next step in the evolution of insulating windows has been the introduction of factory-sealed windows. These are the first true insulating windows. The space between panes is truly stagnant. The insulating quality is high. And there is no dirt or condensation problem, insofar as the stagnant space is concerned. The difficulties with these windows are the extremely high first cost, high insurance cost, and expense and difficulty of repair and replacement. The fact that factory-fabricated insulating windows can be bought only in certain specific “standard” sizes also places limitations in design, especially where curved windows are involved.

The fact that such expensive solutions have nevertheless found very substantial commercial success clearly indicates that the problem itself—i.e. obtaining good insulating quality without visibility impairment—is a pressing problem, a problem of great commercial importance, and one for which no obvious answer exists.

Thus, there remains the problem of providing a seal as good as that presently possible only with factory-fabricated insulating windows, which is at the same time inexpensive, readily adapted to any size or shape of window including curved windows, and which can be installed and repaired at the job site instead of requiring factory fabrication.

Of course, air-tight seals are well known in technology, but the problem in connection with insulating windows is to obtain a seal which is not only effective, but also extremely simple in design and installation, and extremely low in cost. Complicated constructions may make excellent air-tight seals for scientific and industrial apparatus, but have no place in the construction of buildings, or in vehicles such as autos, trains, buses, and planes, .where simplicity is required. ' ’ . The difficulties which must be overcome in the solution of this problem include the following: (1) Considerable force is necessary to make a tight seal, but the glass panes must not be broken. (2) It is not sufficient to provide excessively large force at some points and inadequate force elsewhere. “Averages” are not what counts here, but rather a uniform seal everywhere. (3) Expansions and contractions caused by temperature variations with seasonal changes, and by pressure variations with changes in elevation in the case of vehicles, must be accounted for without causing breakage on the one hand or air leakage on the other. ’

This is the problem I have attacked; and this is the problem which my invention solves.

This invention relates to improvements in insulating windows, that is, to windows containing two or more panes of glass, with a stagnant air space therebetween providing insulation against heat and noise, and sealed off from the ambient air so as to prevent the entry of moisture and dirt. More particularly it relates to improved methods and means of mounting multipane insulating windows, in order to provide a hermetical seal for the stagnant air space between panes, despite expansions and contractions caused by changes in temperature and pressure.

This application for patent constitutes a continuationin-part of my co-pending application Serial No 677 290 filed August 9, 1957. ’ '

The use of double panes of glass, and even triple panes of glass, in order to provide insulation against heat and noise is well known. Such windows comprise two or more parallel panes of glass, usually mounted in a resilient material such as rubber. That is to say, there is rubber between the panes at their edges, rubber on the outside of said edges, and rubber below said edges. Means for compressing the rubber so as to seal the glass panes therein, and to prevent air from leaking into or out of the air space between panes may also be provided.

In principle, the idea is extremely simple. However, in order to be effective as an insulating device, it is neces- &lt; sary that the stagnant air space between the panes of glass really be stagnant; that is to say, that the seal be really tight. Not only is the insulating value of these windows dependent on the maintenance of a tight seal but, in addition, visibility also depends on it. For if moisture condenses on the inner surfaces of the glass, or if a film of grease and dirt accumulates thereon, visibility will obviously be adversely affected, if not altogether destroyed. And since it is often impracticable to clean these surfaces, it is clear that a really tight seal is vital.

I am aware that a number of attempts have been made 50 from time to time, to provide a satisfactory solution to the problem. These have in general involved the use of rubber sealing strips as gaskets, with various means for compressing said gaskets against the panes. Experience, however, shows that such methods of this type as are presently known cannot provide a sufficiently strong uniform pressure to make a really air-tight seal.

In the case of a relatively loose storm window of the conventional type, some reduction in heat loss is achieved. There is no significant problem of condensation of moisture in such case, because there is so much circulation between the ambient air and the space between panes that no significant difference in humidity can exist for very long. However, the dirt problem is very severe, because the entry of such large volumes of air causes the rapid deposition of a film of grease and dirt on the inner surfaces of the panes. At the end of a year or so, cleaning becomes imperative. If this is a physical impossibility, or substantially so—as in many applications (e.g. in office buildings, or in non-slidable “picture windows”)— ₇₀the results are extremely unsatisfactory. In such cases, ‘

2,034,801

Objects

An object of my invention is thus to provide a multipane insulating window with a truly stagnant space between panes. , .. . i

A second object is to provide such a multi-pane insulating window which may be readily assembled or dissasembled on the job.

A third object is to provide such a multi-pane insulating window which is extremely simple in design and instal- , ^A^ourth object is to provide such a multi-pane insulating window which is low in first cost, low in shipping cost, low in insurance cost, and low in the cost of maintenance and repair. .

A fifth object is to provide a multi-pane insulating window with a seal which is under sufficiently high and sufficiently uniform pressure to make it substantially air-tight, and to remain so despite variations in atmospheric temperature and pressure. . . .

A sixth object is to provide a multi-pane insulating window with a seal which is rendered substantially air-tight - by pressure exerted by an inflated tubular member or ^m^seventh object is to provide a method for tightly sealing the air-space or air-spaces between the panes ot a multi-pane insulating window. . .

An eighth object is to provide a method for tightly sealing the air-space or air-spaces between the panes of a multi-pane insulating window by inflation of a flexible tubular element.

A ninth object is to provide a uniformly high pressure between the panes of a multi-pane insulating window and a gasket, or a resilient sealing strip circumscribing the edges or periphery thereof and acting as a gasket there- , for, by inflation of a flexible tubular member which is so placed as to cause said panes and gasket or sealing strip to be compressed tightly against each other. .

A tenth object is to provide a uniformly high pressure between the panes of a multi-pane insulating window and a gasket, or a resilient sealing strip circumscribing the edges or periphery thereof and acting as a gasket therefor by inflation of a flexible tubular member which is so placed as to cause said panes and gasket or sealing strip to be compressed against each other, said flexible tubular member being restrained from attaining a circular crosssection.

Advantages

An advantage of my invention is that it provides an airtight seal for multi-pane insulating windows, regardless of atmospheric temperature and pressure variations, thereby providing maximum insulation against heat and noise.

A second advantage is that the tight air seal provided prevents the subsequent entry of moisture-laden air between the panes of the insulating window with consequent condensation and loss of visibility therethrough.

A third advantage is that the tight air seal provided keeps the inner surfaces of the glass panes of an insulating window clean. . .

A fourth advantage is that no large expensive fabricating equipment is required, thus reducing the initial cost, the cost of repairs and replacements, and the cost of insurance

A fifth advantage is that the insulating window can be shipped disassembled, thus greatly reducing shipping costs.

A sixth advantage is that there are no limitations on the design of my insulating windows as regards size, shape, or curvature. ... , _ .

Other objects and advantages will more fully appear in connection with the following description and drawings, wherein are disclosed preferred embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a partial assembly of a first embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 shows a fragmentary sectional view of the assembled insulating window, utilizing the partial assembly shown in Fig. 1 as a component part.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a second embodiment which also utilizes the partial assembly shown in Fig. 1 as a component part. .

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the invention.. .,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the invention. ..

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the invention..

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of an eighth embodiment of the invention..

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a ninth embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of a tenth embodiment of the invention..

Similar numerals refer to similar parts m each ot the drawings.

Description

The partial assembly shown in Fig. 1, and designated generally as A, comprises a pair of glass panes 10 and 11 mounted in a sealing strip 13 which consists of a resilient or elastically deformable material such as rubber. As shown, the edges of the glass panes fit snugly within longitudinal channels or gooves 14 and 15 in said sealing strip 13. It is understood, of course, that although I have shown only one edge of the glass panes thus mounted in said sealing strip 13, said sealing strip 13 in fact circumscribes the edges or the periphery of the glass panes 10 and 11. ....

The partial assembly A shown m Fig. 1 is by no means novel, but is substantially the basis of most of the insulating windows which have hitherto been proposed, other than the factory-fabricated type. Obviously, an air-space 16 will be enclosed between the panes 10 and 11, but said air-space will not be a really stagnant air-space, because there cannot possibly be an absolutely tight seal between the glass panes 10 and 11 and the resilient sealing strip 13. Irregularities in either glass pane and/or in the sealing strip will prevent this, and the natural resiliency of the sealing strip 13 is insufficient to overcome such irregularities completely. Thus, any attempt to use a sealing method of this or a similar type can succeed only if I some additional means are provided for uniformly compressing said sealing strip 13 against said glass panes 10 and 11, with sufficient uniformly distributed pressure to effectuate a tight seal.

While numerous attempts have hitherto been made to provide such means, they have all been ineffective to accomplish the desired objective, either because insufficient force was supplied, or because it was not uniformly applied, or both—-usually both. If the force is not uniformly distributed, even the maximum force which can be applied without breaking the glass will not be sufficient to achieve a tight air seal. Furthermore, even aside from this, no means have hitherto been found to apply sufficient force even where it is reasonably well distributed, except by the use of factory fabrication methods.

I have now found a means for supplying pressure in a completely uniform manner, and at the same time supplying as much pressure as is desired or needed to effectuate a tight seal. As shown in Figs. 2-9, the means for applying this pressure is by inflation of a flexible plastic Or elastic tube 17.

Thus, in Fig. 2 I have shown an embodiment ot my invention, in which the partial assembly A is utilized. Said partial assembly A, comprising panes 10 and 11 mounted in sealing strip 13, is associated with a window 75 sash 18. Said sash 18 is provided with an upstanding

-g 2,934,801 ^^a“^{ge at} °^{ne side}&gt; ^{and a} substantially flat platform 20 with a longitudinal groove 21 therein, close to the end of the platform 20 opposite said flange 19. Said partial assembly A is placed on said platform 20, abutting against flange 19 with the deflated tube 17 also on the opposite side of the assembly. The assembly A and the tube 17 ye retained in position by means of a channel-shaped retamer 22, which bears against the platform 20 adapted to enter the groove 21. A gasket 24 may, if desired, be provided to fill the gap between the top of the retainer 22 and the pane 10, in order to keep dirt out. After the complete assembly shown in Fig. 2 is made, the tube 17 is inflated, providing uniform pressure which presses the panes 10 and 11 and sealing strip 13 together to form an airtight seal.

Fig· 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which two inflatable tubes 17, 17' are utilized. The’assembiy A, comprising panes 10 and 11 and sealing strip 13, is placed on platform 20' of sash 18'. The flange 22' !S in this case channel-shaped to retain tube 17'. Chan- 20 nel-shaped retainer 22 retains tube 17 in position, and is itself retained in position by insertion of tongue 23' in groove 21' of the sash 18'. Gaskets 24 and 24' may be provided to keep dirt out of the space between retainer 22 and pane 10, and flange 22' and pane 11, respectively. 25 Οn inflation of the tubes 17 and 17', an especially tight seal is obtained.

_ In the embodiments shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the sealing strip 13 must extend uninterruptedly around the entire periphery of the window, in order to seal off the space 30 16 between panes 10 and 11 from the ambient atmosphere. However, while the inflatable tube 17 must extend around the major portion of the periphery of the window, in order to provide substantially uniform compression, it is not necessary that it be uninterrupted, since 35 it is not needed in these cases as a gasket. If desired, it may comprise several sections, with substantial gaps (e.g. . A ) therebetween, for example at the corners. If this is done, care should be taken to inflate each section of the tube substantially simultaneously, and to roughly the 40 same pressure, in order to distribute the stresses uniformly over the panes.

^! The term “uninterrupted,” as used in the present application for patent, means either that the gasket or equivalent is. a single piece, or else that several pieces have 45 been joined, together (for example, by vulcanizing), with no substantial gaps therebetween.

. In each of Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a complete sealing strip 13 has been shown—comprising a number of portions__ an inner gasket portion 12 between panes 10 and 11, a 50 pair of outer cushion portions 12' and 12, and a bottom cushion portion 12'. In the prior art, each of these portions of the sealing strip have been used in order to in• crease the total surface of the glass in contact therewith, sb as to increase the possibility of obtaining a tight seal. 55 In my invention, I may use a complete sealing strip 13 of the type thus shown. However, because of the highly effective results achieved in my invention by the use of • one or more inflatable tubes 17, it is not in °eneral nec- essary for me to use a complete sealing strip 13 such as an ^P h P.^s-^{e an outer C1} 1-3. Under various indicated below, I may dispense with one or more of the ’ ^r various portions of the sealing strip 13.

- Thus, as. shown in Fig. 4, I may eliminate the inner gasket portion 12 between panes 10 and 11, by substitut- «5 • '·?®· P*^e inflatable tube 17 therefor. In this embodiment, the inflatable tube 17 itself may act as a gasket, provided it extends, uninterruptedly (at least insofar as its external surface is concerned) around the periphery of the window. If that is the case the sealing strip 13' need not be 70 - uninterrupted around the entire periphery of the window. -= Alternatively, if the sealing strip 13' in fact extends uninterruptedly around the periphery of the window, the in: · - flatable tube 17 need not be uninterrupted.

Thus, Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of my inven- 75 tion, in which assembly A has been modified so as to constitute sub-assembly B. Two panes of glass 10 and 11 are mounted in a sealing strip 13' which is similar to the sealing strip 13 heretofore described except that there is • no gasket portion 12 between the panes 10 and 11. instead, the inflatable tube 17 is in this case placed between the panes 10 and 11. The two panes 10 and 11, the modified sealing strip 13', and the inflatable tube 17, together compnse sub-assembly B. A relatively rigid channelI shaped retainer 25 completes the assembly, which may be installed as a unit in most conventional window frames. Upon inflation of the tube 17, a tight seal is again obtained, providing a stagnant air space 16.

Fig. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of my invention in which a subassembly B similar to that shown in Fig. 4 is used, said sub-assembly comprising two panes of glass 10 and 11 which have been mounted in a modified sealing strip 13' with tube 17 between said panes 10 and 11. Sub-assembly B is now associated with a window sasli 1» . Said sash 18 ' is provided with an upstanding flange 19 at one side, and a substantially flat platform 20 with &amp; longitudinal groove 21 therein, close to the end of the platform 20 opposite said flange 19. Said partial assembly B is placed on said platform 20, abutting against flange 19. The assembly B is retained in position by means of a retaining member 22, which has a substantially flat inner surface 26 which bears against the side of the sealing strip 13', which may also bear against tne platform 20 ' as shown, and which is securely retamed in position by means of a longitudinal tongue 23 adapted to enter the groove 21. After the complete assembly shown in Fig. 5 is made, the tube 17 is inflated ^pr°^v*. ^{g a tight seal}&gt; ^wi^{th a} stagnant air space 16

While sub-assembly A and sub-assembly B do not in themselves provide airtight seals, they may advantageously be shipped as units, in order to eliminate the necessity of cleaning the insides of panes 10 and 11 before final assembly. However I may, if desired, ship the individual component parts to the job site completely disassembled. ¹

J^a.^FT^ig' I?¹¹?' ^an embodiment of my invention in which ! have eliminated one of the outer cushion portions iz,, and also the bottom cushion portion 12'. The inflatible tube 17 now bears directly against the outer surface of pane 10, itself distributing the force evenly over the outer surface of pane 10. Outer cushion portion 12 is retained m the drawing. Since the bottom cushion portion 12' has been eliminated in the present embodiment, the “sealing strip” now comprises two separate portions, outer cushion 12 and gasket 12. In this case, gasket 12 must extend uninterruptedly around the periphery of the window, in order to seal off the stagnant space 16 between panes from the ambient atmosphere. It is not necessary that the outer cushion 12 extend uninterruptedly around the entire periphery of the window, since it is not used as a seal, but merely to distribute the force between pane 11 and upstanding flange 19' in the event that the pane 11 is not quite flat. It is’ preferred to use an outer cushion portion 12 having reason s._nce ,_{t Med} be air-tight, I may for example use tape or fabric for this purpose; however I prefer to use a pliable material such as rubber for this purpose, because of its high flexibility and resiliency. As shown in Fig. 6, the gasket 12 may if desired contain a bulbous projection 27 adapted to extend into and be retained by a corresponding concavity in the platform 20', in order to maintain said gasket 12 in position during assembly. (After inflation of tube 17, the gasket 12 will be maintained in position by the frictional force between its surfaces and those of panes 10 and 11.) Alternatively, I may omit said bulbous portion, and hold gasket 12 in place during assembly by other means, such as for example, the use of an adhesive. Similar bulbous projections 27' and 27

2,934,801 ⁸material having sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand the amount of stress generated _by apphcation of pressure in the inflatable tubes 17 and 17 may be ^USThe material of construction of the sealing ^np °r 13' may be any material having a substantial but limited degree of flexibility and compressibility. Some flexibility ^compressibility is needed in order to permit unffonn distribution of pressure between the Pane^of ‘0 and 11 and the gasket 12 or sealing strip 13 or 13 , but if the compressibility is excessive the change m volum of air in the air-space 16 upon inflation of tube 17 and 17' wiU cause an excess differential pressure to exist between the air-space and the ambient air, wl^hmay result in breaking the glass panes 10, 11.

prefer to use, as the material of construction for the gasket 12 or sealing strip 13 or 13' a rubber or plasUc material of limited compressibility. Alternatively, I may Xc.xSv. prcsirn from .he S

16 or 16α by means of a vent passage 28 or 28α, such ³⁸ The'panes^lO and 11 will normally be glass, but obJJSy’Z « toted «»*. ol «Scy’» material, or of a non-transparent material. They may 25 be flat or curved, rectangular or rounded.

The inflatable tubes 17 or 17' are preferably constructed of rubber or plastic. It is not necessary that tubes be elastic since pressure may be exerted by inX « t“e which i. cawrtocd by toto³⁰ roundings to a noncircular cross-section. Since the m flation of a plastic or elastic tube causes it to tend towards ?SrcX cross section, restraints preventing tins pause tb? tube to exert very substantial pressures against th “^kS'“ in any _{means o}f _a pump, by material which sets by hydration or hydrolysis, or by any ^InoTdefto remove any initial moisture from the am space 16 or 16' between panes, I may add a small amount o’ a dehydrating agent lherebeween such as, tor example, * S'LteSmU’moXthe design of the smkets .24 _H 14' in such a way as to serve an additional function

Son! S^tocrS above. By making the gasket sufficiently large, it can constitute a tight air-sealing gas kef in he event that the inflatable tube 17 or 17' should become deflated. The gasket 24 or 24 ,, in fe case, M

I slightly wider than the space alotted for it, so that it can teSsCTted therein only when the tube 17 or 17' is mflated R may also, if desired, be somewhat wedgeshaped so that it can be forced into its space ojjffl· tiallv In the event of subsequent deflation of tube 17 „ or 17' the sealing strip 13 will expand, causing the pane 10’ or 11 to press the gasket 24 or 24 against the retainer 22 or flange 22', thus maintaining the tight air seal between panes 10 and 11 and member 13.

While I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that various niodffications in the details of construction may be made wiffiout departing from the spirit of the invention as defined,m the following claims which are directed to the pnncip features of the invention rather than to the «^7 changeable details of construction. For example, if one may if desired also be provided for outer cushion 12 and inflatable tube 17,. respectively, as shown. _

Fig. 6 also shows a flat type of retainer 22 similar to that shown in Fig. 5. In this case, the flat surface 26 of said retainer 22' abuts the inflatable tube .17, instead . of the outer cushion portion 12' of the sealing strip 13 . This type of retainer 22' may be used in this manner if the inflatable tube 17' is plastic rather than, substantially elastic; for if it were substantially elastic, it would require vertical restraint, such as is provided for ex- . ample by the channel-shaped retainer 22 shown m rig.. 2.

Also shown in Fig. 6 is a vent passage 28 extending through gasket 12 and the platform 20 . of sash 18 , The purpose of said vent passage 28 is to permit of regulation of the pressure in space 16,in order to prevent the creation of an excessive differential pressure across the panes 10 and 11, i.e. between the space 16 and the ambient atmosphere. Such excessive differential pressures might otherwise be created by substantial compression of the gasket 12 when the inflatable tube 17 is inflated, and/or by excessive changes in temperature and/ or pressure, particularly in the case of moving vehicles such as airplanes. In the former case, the vent passage 28 may, for example, be left open to the ambient atmosphere while the inflatable tube 17 is being inflated. In the latter case, it may be connected to a suitable source of compressed air or of vacuum, to establish the desired pressure in space 16. During actual use ^of the gating window, vent 28 will of course be sealed up, by any convenient means. It is also to be understood that I may if desired use one or more vents 28 m any of the other embodiments disclosed in the present specification.

Fie 7 shows another embodiment, which is similar t that shown in Fig. 6, except that the ^cond.outer.cushion _;12 has also been replaced by a second inflatable tube 1 .

Fig 8 shows another embodiment, which is also simil to that shown in Fig. 6, except that a hook-shaped retainer 22 has been substituted for the flat retainer 22 . This type of retainer, 22, is preferred for example when the inflatable tube 17 has some substantial tendency to expand. It also tends to keep out dirt, and provides a “streamlined appearance.” ....... _ _

Fig 9 shows another embodiment, which is similar t that shown in Fig. 7, with the following modifications: three panes 10, 10α, and 11 are used; the retainer 22 and upstanding flange 19 are each hook-shaped, there are now two vents, 28 and 28α for the respective spaces between panes, 16 and 16α; and bulbous projectionshave been omitted from the inflatable tubes 17 17 , and the gaskets 12 and 12α, other known means of temporarily maintaining these in position, such as the use of adhesives, being used instead. .

If desired, I may utilize three or more panes m constructions similar to each of the embodiments described. For each additional pane added, I add either an addi tional gasket section between it and the adjacent pane, or an inflatable tube which acts as a gasket. .

Fig 10 shows another modification of the original sub-assembly A, in which the bottom cushion portion 12' contains a vertical slot 29 in a position intermediate the grooves in which panes 10 and 11 rest. The purpose of this slot 29 is to reduce the resistance to compression offered by the bottom cushion 12 , especially at the bottom of the window where this material is already under significant compression due to the weight of the panes 10 and 11. _

Similarly, Fig. 11 shows a further modification of assembly A, above that shown in Fig. 10, wherein the gasket 12 has been separated from the sealing strip, thus forming three separate portions: a gasket 12, and cushions i2’a and 12a, each of which acts as both an outer and a bottom cushion, with a gap 29' therebetween.

While I prefer to construct the sashes 18, 18, anq 18', and the retaining members 22, 22, 22 , and 2 of a lightweight material such as aluminum, any other

i. Thus, I may apply fluid cooled and/or compressed

2,984,801 © is not concerned with visibility, or with the transmission of light, one may employ non-transparent panes or panels; in this case, one may have an insulating “wall” or “partition.” Similarly, one may utilize the same type of structure in an insulating “door.” For the purposes of this specification, and the claims which follow, the words “insulating window” are to be understood to include such embodiments of my invention.