METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING VACUUM INSULATED GLASS (VIG) WINDOW UNIT INCLUDING PUMP-OUT TUBE

摘要

A method for making a vacuum insulated glass window assembly is provided in which an amount of wet frit material is applied to a lower portion of a pump-out tube prior to insertion of the tube into a hole formed in a glass substrate of the VIG window assembly. The tube is then inserted into the hole, frit paste end first. An amount of frit may overflow the hole and form a bump/shoulder of frit material proximate the area of the hole on an outer surface of the glass substrate. Applying the fit to the tube prior to insertion and at a lower portion thereof reduces the amount of and/or avoids residual frit being deposited in an area of the tube that might significantly interfere with subsequent sealing processes, such as, for example, laser sealing of the pump-out tube.