The present invention relates, in one aspect, to an insulating glass unit for use in a temperature-insulating building structure. The insulating glass unit may be used as a window or as a door. The insulating glass unit comprises at least one panel, the panel or each of the panels comprising at least two panes that are spaced apart by means of at least one endless spacer bar placed between the panes. The spacer bars also serve the purpose of sealing of a gas or a negative pressure present between the panes. In everyday speech, said negative pressure is referred to as a "vacuum". The gas may be air or, for example, argon.

By the term "insulating building structure" is meant, in this document, a building structure in which an insulating material such as, but not limited to, an enclosed gas, a closed cell foam, or glass wool or mineral wool is installed to portions of the support ing structure of the building structure, or the insulated building structure may be a building construction in which the supporting structure itself has insulating properties, like, but not limited to, so-called gas concrete or polymer concrete, the latter also known as EPS concrete, but also wood which may have a sufficient thickness for achieving the desired thermal-insulation property, or a mixture of two or more there of. As a consequence of a constantly increasing focus on providing energy-efficient build ing structures, the requirement for the thermal insulation properties of the building structure is constantly increasing. Until now, the focus has been on improving the thermal insulation properties of the building structure by means of thicker layers of insulation in the walls, roof and floor, and/or providing insulating materials, or improv- ing the supporting structure by better and better thermal insulation properties and/or increasing the thermal insulation property of the supporting structure. There is also focus on providing windows and doors with constantly higher insulating properties, that is to say a constantly lower U-value (W/m ² K), which is a measurement that indi- cates how good the thermal insulation is. The lower the U-value, the better the ther mal insulation. For every one-tenth reduction in a U-value of a window, an annual en ergy saving in the order of 10 kWh per m ² of window area may be achieved.

A challenge with an insulating glass unit, irrespective of the number of layers of glass, is that the spacer bars that keep the individual layers of glass spaced apart represent a so-called "thermal bridge", that is to say an area of the insulating glass unit in which the insulating properties are substantially poorer than in the rest of the insulating glass unit. In this document, a thermal bridge will be referred to as a "cold bridge", which is most relevant for insulating glass units for use in buildings in, for example, an arctic or temperate climate. However, it should be understood that the invention also relates to an insulating glass unit used in a building located in, for example, a tropical or subtropical climate, where the purpose is to reduce heat conduction into a building.

The publication GB2569337A discloses an insulated glass unit placed in a frame. The insulating glass unit comprises at least three panes that are spaced apart by means of spacer bars with the innermost pane facing a warm side in a building structure, having a smaller extent than the outermost pane.

The publication DE 29718915 U discloses a frame for windows or doors, in which the profiles of the frame are made from extruded plastic that encloses a foam core.

The publication W02005/021886 discloses a door for use in a refrigerator and is aimed particularly at reducing condensation on the outside of the door. The door may com prise panes which are placed in a stepped manner against a frame profile made of extruded plastic.

In addition to the spacer bars themselves, a casement or sash that possibly surrounds the panes with spacer bars, and a possible frame that forms part of the insulating glass unit, will also represent a thermal bridge towards a building structure in which the insulating glass unit is installed in a position of application or use. In what follows, the thermal bridge or cold bridge that is created by the spacer bars, a possible sash and frame, will, for the sake of simplicity, be referred to as the cold bridge through the spacer bars.

There is therefore a need for an insulating glass unit for use as a window or a door in a building structure in which the cold bridge of the insulating glass unit created by the spacer bars is substantially broken between the inside and the outside of the building structure, or the spacer bars are insulated from an outer environment, possibly an inner environment when the purpose is to reduce heat conduction into a building. The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art or at least provide a useful alternative to the prior art.

The object is achieved through the features that are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.

The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define ad vantageous embodiments of the invention.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to an insulating glass unit for use in an insulat ing building structure, the insulating glass unit comprising at least one panel, the pan el or each of the panels comprising at least two panes that are spaced apart by means of at least one endless spacer bar placed between the panes. The insulating glass unit is configured so that, in an insulating position of use in a building structure, an extent of the panel or each of the panels is of such a size that at least one of the at least one spacer bar overlaps or is overlapped by an insulating portion of the building structure on a plurality of the sides of the insulating glass unit.

As mentioned initially, the insulated building structure may comprise an insulating material which is placed on or in portions of the supporting structure of the building structure, and/or the insulated building structure may be a building structure in which the supporting structure has insulating properties in itself.

By an endless spacer bar is meant, in this connection, a spacer bar that is continuous in a position of use between two panes, so that it defines a closed, sealed space be tween the panes. A spacer bar of this kind is usually formed of one piece which is shaped according to the edge zone of the panes, but it may alternatively be assem bled from several pieces, wherein the end portions are connected to each other.

In what follows, for the sake of simplicity, the endless spacer bar will be referred to as the spacer bar.

Producing the panel or each of the panels in such a size that at least one of the at least one spacer bar overlaps an insulating portion of the building structure on a plu rality of the sides of the insulation glass unit has the effect of the insulation glass unit, in a position of use in a building structure, preventing a cold bridge through spacer bars that are exposed to the outer environment from passing through the building structure. For an insulating glass unit of such a size that at least one of the at least one spacer bar is overlapped by an insulating portion of the building structure on a plurality of the sides, the spacer bars will be insulated from the outer environment, possibly an inner environment when the purpose is to reduce heat conduction into a building.

In what follows for the sake of simplicity, the concept of an "insulating portion of the building structure" will also be referred to as an "insulated portion".

In an embodiment of the invention in which the insulating glass unit is quadrilateral and the insulating glass unit is configured as a fixed or outward-opening window, it is an advantage if the spacer bar or bars overlap or are overlapped by an insulated por tion on the four sides of the insulating glass unit.

In an embodiment of the invention in which the insulating glass unit is quadrilateral and the insulating glass unit is configured as a fixed or inward-opening window, it is an advantage if the spacer bar or bars overlap or are overlapped by an insulated por tion on three sides of the insulating glass unit, a lowermost portion of the spacer bar or bars not overlapping or being overlapped by an insulated portion for practical rea sons.

For a three- or multi-layer insulating glass unit, at least one of the spacer bars is placed at the edge zones of at least one of the panes. This will be explained in more detail below.

By an insulating position of use is meant an insulating glass unit used in a window or a door which is in its closed position. When the insulating glass unit is used as a window, the building structure will be a wall or a roof in a building. When the insulating glass unit is used as a door, the building structure will typically be a wall in a building, but a vertical door which is placed in a wall of a non-vertical design or in a roof with an opening that may be used as an entrance/exit is also conceivable.

The insulated portion comprises the part of the building structure that surrounds an opening in which the insulating glass unit is placed in a position of application and which comprises an insulating material as discussed above. For an insulating glass unit that consists of only one panel, the insulated portion will consist exclusively of an in sulating part of the building structure. In such an embodiment , the insulating glass unit may be formed in such a way that at least one of the at least one set of spacer bars will overlap an edge zone of an opening in which the insulating glass unit is to be placed, the edge zone including a thermally insulating material of a kind known per se. For an insulating glass unit comprising two or more panels, the insulated portion may include a panel of insulating glass that overlaps a neighbouring panel of insulating glass as will be explained in more detail in the specific part of the description. At least one of the at least one spacer bar of the at least one panel of the insulating glass unit may have clear dimensions defined by the distance between two opposite portions of the spacer bar in the plane of the insulating glass unit. In a position of use of the insulating glass unit in a building structure with an aperture, it is an advantage if the clear area of the spacer bar is larger than the aperture of the building structure. It is further an advantage if the inside of at least one of the at least one spacer bar, which defines said clear area, is closer to the end face of the insulating glass unit than to the aperture of the building structure, on said plurality of sides of the insulating glass unit.

The insulating glass unit may include a frame, such as a window frame or a door frame for a window and a door, respectively, and a possible lining for such a frame, the frame being adapted for carrying each of the at least one panel of insulating glass. The frame has an external dimension defined by an outer frame end face. It is an ad vantage if at least one spacer bar is closer to the outer frame end face than to the clear dimensions of the building structure.

This has the effect of allowing the at least one spacer bar to be positioned with as large an overlap as possible with the insulating edge zone of the opening in which the insulating glass unit is placed in a position of use.

For a two- or multi-panel insulating glass unit used as a window, the frame may com prise a so-called jamb, respectively two or more jambs.

In this document, such a frame and a possible lining form part of the insulating glass unit and not part of said insulating portion of the building structure that surrounds an opening in which the insulating glass unit is placed in a position of use.

It is thus an advantage if at least one of the at least one spacer bar in the or each panel has a clear area defining an area which is larger than an area defined by the aperture of the building-structure, defined by the insulated building structure. In this document, all insulating materials that are overlapped by the glass are to be consid ered as constituting part of the building structure and define the aperture of the build ing structure. In a position of use of the insulating glass unit, a cold bridge represent ed by the spacer bars will thereby substantially be prevented from passing through the building structure.

In an embodiment of the insulating glass unit with two or more panels, said clear di mensions may be the sum of the clear dimensions of the individual panels. Thus, the area defined by the clear dimensions of two or more panels may be larger than an area defined by the clear dimensions of a one-panel insulating glass unit of corre sponding dimensions. Thereby two neighbouring panels may overlap, wherein a por tion of the spacer bar of one of the panels is overlapped by an insulating portion of the other one of the panels.

At least one panel of the insulating glass unit may be provided with a movement mechanism so that at least one of the at least one panel of the insulating glass unit can be opened in at least one direction. The movement mechanism may comprise a hinge for enabling a pivoting of the panel relative to the building structure, or, in an embodiment in which the insulating glass unit consists of at least two panels, the movement mechanism may comprise a track for allowing sideways displacement of at least one of the panels of the insulating glass unit relative to a neighbouring panel.

The insulating glass unit may include a sash or casement for carrying at least one of the at least one panel of insulating glass, the sash or casement having an outer end face which defines the outer measurements of the sash or casement, wherein, in a position of use of the insulating glass unit in a building structure that has an aperture, at least one of the at least one spacer bar may be closer to the outer sash or case ment end face than to the aperture of the building structure. This has the effect of allowing the at least one spacer bar to be positioned with as large an overlap as possi ble with the insulated edge zone of the opening in which the insulating glass unit is placed in a position of use. By measurements are meant here the dimensions of the sash or casement, typically in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction.

In an embodiment in which the insulating glass unit includes a frame, a casement and a movement mechanism such as a hinge, the movement mechanism may be config ured for connecting the casement to the frame so that at least one of the panels of the insulating glass unit can be opened.

In an embodiment in which the insulating glass unit includes a frame and a sash or casement of the kind mentioned above, inner measurements of the sash or casement may, but do not have to, be larger than or equal to the aperture of the building struc ture that the or each of the panel(s) of the insulating glass unit is to cover. Alterna tively, the inner measurements of the sash or casement may be equal to said aperture plus a thickness of, for example, a lining used as a finish against the insulating part of the building structure. This has, among other things, the effect of making it possible for a cold bridge created by the sash or casement to be broken substantially by means of the insulating edge zone of the building structure. As mentioned above, said open ing does not include a frame or a possible lining. Instead, said frame and lining will be placed in the aperture/clear dimensions of the building structure.

In one embodiment in which the insulating glass unit includes a frame, the insulating glass unit may be casementless where at least one of the at least one panel is provid ed with a movement mechanism for connecting the insulating glass unit to the frame, so that said at least one panel can be opened. The movement mechanism may typical ly be attached to the glass by means of a suitable adhesive and to the frame typically by means of mechanical fastening means.

In one embodiment, the insulating glass unit comprises at least three layers of glass: at least one first pane, at least one second pane, and at least one third pane, wherein the second pane is placed between the first pane and the third pane, and wherein a first spacer bar between one of the first pane and the third pane, and the intermediate pane, is longer than a second spacer bar between the other one of the first pane and the third pane, and the intermediate pane, so that the first spacer bar is offset side ways relative to the second spacer bar along the planes of the panes.

In order to break a cold bridge between the first spacer bar and the second spacer bar to the greatest degree possible, it is an advantage if the first spacer bar is offset side ways relative to the second spacer bar so that the spacer bars do not overlap.

The at least one first pane may have a smaller extent than the at least one second pane and the at least one third pane. In a position of use in a building structure, the at least one first pane of the insulating glass unit may form an inner pane. By an inner pane is meant, here, the pane that borders on the internal space of the building struc ture.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to an insulated building structure of, for ex ample, a passive house, wherein the building structure comprises an insulating glass unit in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The building structure has an outside and an inside, there possibly being an insulating material placed between the at least one spacer bar of the insulating glass unit and the inside of the building struc ture to break a cold bridge created by the at least one spacer bar.

When the insulating glass unit is used as a window or as a door that opens inwards, there may be an insulating material placed between the at least one spacer bar of the insulating glass unit and the outside of the building structure to insulate the at least one spacer bar from an outer environment, so that a cold bridge through the at least one spacer bar will practically not arise. In an embodiment in which the insulating glass unit comprises at least three layers of glass, and in which the first spacer bar of the insulating glass unit is offset sideways relative to the second spacer bar of the insulating glass unit so that the spacer bars do not overlap, as mentioned above, and in which the building structure has an outside and an inside, a cold bridge through one of the spacer bars may be broken between the outside and the inside of the building structure by means of a gas or a negative pressure enclosed by means of an adjacent pane. Thus, a cold bridge created by a portion of a first spacer bar may be broken by means of overlapping panels of insulat ing glass.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for reducing heat loss through an insulated building structure. The method comprises the steps of providing an insulat ing glass unit in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and placing the in sulating glass unit with an overlap with an edge zone of an opening defined by an ap erture of the building structure that is provided with an insulating material, so that at least one of the at least one spacer bar mentioned in the first aspect of the invention overlaps, or is overlapped by, a portion of the edge zone, which is provided with the insulating material, on a plurality of the sides of the insulating glass unit.

The insulating material may comprise a separate, suitable insulating material which is placed in addition to the supporting structure of the building, or the insulating material may form part of the supporting structure, as discussed above.

In what follows examples of preferred embodiments are described, which are visual ized in the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an insulating glass unit according to the invention, the insulating glass unit being a window which is shown in an opened position;

Figure 2 shows, on a larger scale, a horizontal section through a left-hand side portion of the window shown in figure 1, the window being in a closed position and placed in a building structure;

Figure 3a shows a horizontal section through a left-hand side portion of an insulat ing glass unit according to the invention, the insulating glass unit being a window that is fixed in a building structure; Figure 3b shows an alternative embodiment of the insulating glass unit and the building structure shown in figure 3a, the insulating glass unit including spacer bars that are offset relative to each other;

Figure 4 shows a horizontal section through a left-hand side portion of an insulat- ing glass unit according to the invention, in which the insulating glass unit is an inward-opening window or an inward-opening door that is placed in a building structure;

Figure 5a shows, on a smaller scale, an insulating glass unit in accordance with the present invention, the insulating glass unit constituting part of a sashless window shown in an open position;

Figure 5b shows the window of figure 5a in a closed position;

Figure 5c shows the window of figure 5a seen from an inside;

Figure 5d shows the window of figure 5b seen from an inside;

Figure 5e shows, on a larger scale, a horizontal section through a left-hand side portion of the window shown in figure 5b, the window being placed in a building structure;

Figure 6 shows an alternative solution to the insulating glass unit shown in fig ures 3a and figure 3b, the insulating glass unit being a four-layer glass unit with spacer bars that are offset relative to each other; Figure 7a shows, on a smaller scale, an insulating glass unit in accordance with the present invention, the insulating glass unit being shown with a top portion cut off, and the insulating glass unit being a three-layer glass unit, in which one of the panes has a smaller extent than the other two panes and in which a first spacer bar is offset sideways relative to a sec- ond spacer bar;

Figure 7b shows the insulating glass unit shown in figure 7a seen from an opposite side, the insulating glass unit including a frame;

Figure 8a shows a view in perspective of an insulating glass unit in the form of a window with two panels separated by means of a mullion, one of the panels being in an inward-opening, open position; Figure 8b shows a horizontal section through the window of figure 8a with a top portion cut off;

Figure 9 shows a view in perspective of an insulating glass unit in the form of a window with two panels, one of the panels having been displaced side ways into a partially open position; and

Figure 10 shows a view in perspective and in a horizontal section through an insu lating glass unit in the form of a window with two panels, one of the panels having been displaced sideways into a partially open position.

In the description, positional specifications refer to the positions that are shown in the figures.

Like or corresponding elements are indicated by the same reference numeral in the figures. A reference numeral for an element that has been indicated generally, may also be used for a specific embodiment of the element indicated generally.

For illustrative reasons, the proportions between individual elements may be some- what distorted.

In the figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates an insulating glass unit for use in a building structure 100. The insulating glass unit 1 comprises at least one panel 10,

10', the panel or each of the panels 10, 10' comprising at least two panes 3 that are spaced apart by means of at least one spacer bar 5 placed between the panes 3. In an insulating position of use in a building structure 100, an extent of the panel or each of the panels 10, 10' is of such a size that at least one of the at least one spacer bar 5 overlaps or is overlapped by an insulated portion 104, 105, 105' on a plurality of the sides of the insulating glass unit.

As will be explained below, at least a portion of the insulated portion is provided by means of an insulating material placed in the building structure 100 in which, in a po sition of use, the insulating glass unit 1 is fixed. For a two- or multi-panel insulating glass unit 1, in which the panels may be separated by means of a jamb, part of the insulated portion may consist of an overlapping portion of the insulating glass unit 1. This will be explained in more detail with reference to figures 8a-10. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an insulating glass unit 1 according to the inven tion, in which the insulating glass unit 1, shown here as a top-hinged, outward opening window with one panel 10, is shown in an opened position. A window sash 12 is arranged along a periphery zone of the panel 10 with panes 3 that are spaced apart by means of a spacer bar extending along the four sides of the panes. A top portion of the window sash 12 is pivotably connected to a window frame 14 by means of a movement mechanism, here in the form of a hinge (not shown). In a closed position, the window sash 12 and the spacer bar 5 will rest against an abutment surface 15 of the window frame 14 so that a cold bridge through the window frame 14 and the spacer bar 15 will be broken by an insulated portion of a building structure 100. This is shown in greater detail in figure 2 to which reference will now be made.

Figure 2 shows, on a larger scale, a horizontal section through a portion of the insulat- ing glass unit 1 shown in figure 1, in which the insulating glass unit 1, shown here as a window, is in a closed position and placed in a building structure 100. It should be noted that the portion of the insulating glass unit 1 shown in figure 2 may alternative ly constitute a portion of a door.

The building structure 100 shown in figure 2 constitutes part of a wall portion in a building. From an inside out to an outside, the wall portion comprises an internal wall 102 of concrete, an insulating material 104 made, for example, of fibres of glass or rock, a wind barrier 106, and an external cladding 108 which is spaced from the wind barrier 106 by means of a furring strip 110, as will be well known to a person skilled in the art. The frame 14 is provided with a lining 16 which, in an end portion at the inside of the wall portion, is fixed to a supporting element 18 which, in turn, is fixed to the internal wall 102 of concrete. A further insulating material 105 is placed between the lining 16 and the concrete wall 102 and the insulating material 104 of the wall portion. The fur ther insulating material 105 is preferably a closed cell foam of a known kind but may alternatively be of a kind corresponding to the insulating material 104. The further insulating material 105 will normally be installed after the insulating glass unit 1 has been installed in the building structure, but form part of the insulating material of the building structure 100.

In the embodiment shown, the insulating glass unit 1 comprises a window sash 12 carrying three panes 3 that are spaced apart by means of two spacer bars 5. The win dow sash 12 abuts against an abutment surface 15 of the frame 14. A portion of the abutment surface 15 is provided with a sealant as illustrated in the figure.

The frame 14 has an external dimension Do defined by an outer frame end face (14y). In the embodiment shown, both spacer bars 5 are positioned in such a way that a cold bridge created by the spacer bars 5 will be broken by the insulating materials 104,

105 of the wall portion. This will apply correspondingly to the other three sides (not shown) of the insulating glass unit 1. Thus, the panel 10 is of such dimensions that the distance between two opposite spacer bars 5 in the plane of the insulating glass unit 1 defines a clear dimension or area La which is larger than an aperture Lk in the building structure 100. Thereby the panes 3 with spacer bars 5 along the edge zone of the panes 3 have a larger area than the area defined by the aperture Lk of the build ing structure. Thus, the spacer bars 5 define a clear area La that has an area which is larger than an area defined by the aperture Lk of the building structure 100 or an opening defined by the insulating material 104, 105 of the building structure.

The window sash 12 may also represent a cold bridge. Such a cold bridge may be re duced to a certain extent by fabricating the window sash 12 from a plastic material provided with closed air cavities. However, for environmental reasons among other things, the use of window sashes made of wood or a wood-based material is preferred. In the embodiment shown, the effect of a cold bridge created by the window sash 12 will, similarly to the cold bridge created by the spacer bars, be at least strongly re duced because of the insulating materials 104, 105, and to a certain extent by the sealants between the widow sash 12 and the frame 14.

In the embodiment shown in figure 2, the frame 14 has an outer frame end face 14y defining the external dimension Do of the frame 14. The two spacer bars 5 shown are closer to the outer frame end face 14y than to the clear aperture Lk of the building structure. As shown, the inside of the spacer bars 5, which define said clear dimen sions La, is closer to the end face 14y of the frame 14 of the insulating glass unit 1 than to the aperture Lk of the building structure 100. Thus, the part of the frame 14 that is exposed to the outer environment and the major part of the rest of the frame overlap the insulating materials 104, 105 of the building structure. It should be noted in this connection that the part of the frame 14 that is connected to the lining 16 is insulated from the outer environment by means of the gas or the negative pressure present between the panes 3. In figure 2, the window casement 12 has an outer end face 12y, which defines the outer measurement of the casement 12, and an inner end face 12i, which defines the inner measurement of the casement, the spacer bars 5 being closer to the outer end face 12y than to the inner end face 12i.

Figure 3a shows a portion of an insulating glass unit 1 that is fixed to a frame 14 placed in a building structure 100 which comprises a studwork 112. A lining 16 is in an end portion at the inside of the wall portion fixed to an internal cladding 114 which, in turn, is fixed to the studwork 112. A cavity in the studwork 112 (in figure 3a the cavi ty is to the left of the double stud) is provided with an insulating material 104. A fur ther insulating material 105 is placed between the lining 16 and the studwork 112.

The further insulating material 105 is typically installed after the window has been installed and may be of the same kind as or a kind corresponding to the insulating material 104 or some other suitable insulating material. It is repeated that the further insulating material 105 forms part of the insulating material of the building structure 100. In the embodiment shown, the face of the further insulating material 105 border ing on the lining 16 defines the opening or aperture Lk of the building structure. The insulating glass unit 1, or the window, may be fixed by known methods that are, for example, fittings (not shown) placed at the sides and top of the window.

The principle for reducing the effect of the cold bridge created by the spacer bars 5 corresponds to that mentioned above in connection with figure 2.

Figure 3b shows an insulating glass unit 1 fixed to a frame 14 in a manner corre sponding to that in figure 3a. The frame 14 is fixed in a building structure with a so- called double studwork or separate studwork 112 in which an insulating material 104 is placed between the outer studwork (two studs shown) and the inner studwork (one stud shown). As explained above, the further insulating material 105 which abuts against the lining 16 defines the aperture Lk of the building structure.

In figure 3b, the two spacer bars 5 of the insulating glass unit 1 are offset sideways relative to each other so that the spacer bars 5 do not overlap. Thereby the innermost spacer bar 5, which is the closest to an inside of the building structure 100, will be insulated from the outer environment by means of the gas or the negative pressure present between the two outermost panes 3.

In figures 3a and 3b, an insulating material 105" is placed against the outer frame end face 14y of the frame 14 (see figure 2). Thus, the frame 14 is insulated from a cold bridge from the cladding 108 and the furring strip 110 that is exposed to the air space between the cladding 108 and the wind barrier 106. In addition, an insulating material 105" fills a cavity at the end face of the inner pane 3. As an alternative to the insulat ing material 105" as shown, an air space may be used. Whether an insulating material or an air space is chosen, depends on what climate the building structure is in. When there is a risk of condensation, there may be an advantage with an air space that al lows drying of any moisture/condensation. A person skilled in the art with knowledge of the relevant climate will be able to choose which of the alternatives to use. This applies in general and not only in the embodiments shown in figures 3a and 3b.

Figure 4 shows a horizontal section through a portion of a three-layer insulating glass unit 1 according to the invention, in which the insulating glass unit 1 constitutes an inward-opening window, which is installed in a building structure 100. The building structure 100 itself, showing part of a wall portion, has several similarities to the building structure 100 that is referred to above in connection with figure 3, and the features that are identical will not be repeated here.

In figure 4, the insulating glass unit 1 is arranged in such a way that the spacer bars 5 between the panes 3 are insulated from the exterior of the wall portion by means of a pocket filled with an insulating material 105'. In the embodiment shown, the insulating material 105' is bordered by the frame 14, the studwork 112, the furring strip 110 and a termination board 116. The insulating material 105' may, in its simplest form, be air, but an insulating material such as a closed cell foam or glass wool or mineral wool is to be preferred. A further insulating material 105 is installed between the lining 16 and a portion of the studwork 112. In addition, an insulating material 105" is installed be tween the outer frame end face 14y of the frame 14 and a portion of the studwork 112. The passing of cold from the studwork 112 to the frame 14 is thereby reduced. Sealing strips are placed between the window casement 12 and the frame 14 in a manner corresponding to that shown in figure 2. In the embodiment shown in figure 4, the spacer bars 5 are overlapped by the insulat ing material 105', and a cold bridge through the spacer bars 5 is substantially pre vented eliminated from penetrating to the internal side of the building structure.

Figures 5a-5d show an insulating glass unit in accordance with the present invention, the insulating glass unit 1 constituting a casementless window. Figures 5a and 5b show the insulating glass unit 1 seen from an outside, the insulating glass unit 1 being in an open, non-insulating position and a closed, insulating position, respectively. The insulating glass unit 1 comprises a frame 14 and a movement mech anism which, in the example in the shown embodiment, is formed of two hinges 120 that are connected to an inner pane 3 by means of an adhesive. The hinges 120 are typically made of metal. As the hinges 120 are adhered to the inner pane 3, the hing es 120 are insulated from the outer pane 3 of the insulating glass unit 1 by means of the gas that is enclosed between the panes 3. The insulating glass unit 1 of the kind that is shown in figures 5a-5d may comprise at least two panes 3 and thereby at least one set of spacer bars 5. The hinges 120 are arranged to be received in recesses 122 in portions of the frame 14.

A protective seal 35 is arranged around the end faces of the panes 3 and of the spacer bars 5.

With reference to figure 5e, the insulating glass unit 1 is formed of one panel 10 with three panes of glass 3 that are spaced apart by means of two sets of spacer bars 5 that are placed at the edge zones of the panes 3. The dimensions of the panel 10 cor respond substantially to the dimensions of the frame 14 so that the spacer bars 5 ad join on an outer edge zone of an external abutment surface 14' (se figures 5a and 5b) of the frame 14. This is to say that when the insulating glass unit 1 is in its closed po- sition, as shown, for example, in figure 5b, the spacer bars 5 of the insulating glass unit 1 overlap the outer edge zone of the external abutment surface 14' of the frame 14.

Figures 5c and 5d show the insulating glass unit 1 seen from an inside, the insulating glass unit 1 being in an open, non-insulating position and in a closed, insulating posi- tion, respectively. An internal frame surface 14" on the opposite side of the external abutment surface 14' shown in figures 5a and 5b is designed to receive an insulating material as is shown in figure 5e.

Figure 5e shows, on a larger scale, a portion of the insulating glass unit 1 shown in figures 5a-5d in a position of use in a building structure 100, which shows part of a wall portion. The insulating glass unit 1, which is configured for opening outwardly, is shown in a closed position.

The building structure 100 of figure 5e comprises a so-called boxed-out framework structure, in which a box 113 or a strip is attached to a studwork 112. A vapour barri er 124 is clamped between the box 113 and the studwork 112. An insulating material 104 is placed in the studwork, as explained above, but also between the boxes 113.

Otherwise, the building structure 100 shown in figure 5e has several similarities to the building structure 100 that is referred to above in connection with figures 3 and 4.

In figure 5e, the spacer bars 5 are placed at the outer frame end face 14y of the frame 14. A cold bridge created by the spacer bars 5 will be substantially prevented from affecting an indoor climate because of the insulating material 105' which abuts against the frame 14, and the insulating materials 105, 104 that are placed in the wall. The frame 14, that is oriented towards the opening of the building structure 100, is protected from an outer climate by means of the gas that is enclosed between the panes 3. The same applies to the hinge 120. In figure 5e, a metal fitting 117 of a kind known per se is used as a termination be tween the frame 14 and the building structure 100.

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of an insulating glass unit 1 in accordance with the invention, the insulating glass unit 1 including a frame 14. The insulating glass unit 1 is placed in a building structure 100, which is of substantially the same kind as that shown in figure 3. Details concerning the building structure will therefore not be repeated here.

In figure 6, an insulating glass unit is shown, comprising four layers of panes 3 that are spaced apart by means of three sets of spacer bars 5: a first or outer set, a sec ond or inner set, and a third or middle set placed between the first and the second sets of spacer bars 5. The three sets of spacer bars 5 are offset sideways relative to each other so that the sets of spacer bars 5 do not overlap. This has the effect of the middle set of spacer bars being insulated from the outer environment by means of the gas between the two outermost panes 3. Likewise, the second or inner set of spacer bars 5 is insulated from the outer environment by means of the gas between the two outermost panes 3 and by the gas between the two midmost panes 3. Thereby the innermost space bar 5 which is the closest to an inside of the building structure 100 will be insulated from the outer environment by means of the gas or the negative pressure present between the three outermost panes 3, and the midmost spacer bar 5 will be insulated from the outer environment by means of the gas or the negative pressure present between the two outermost panes 3.

The frame 14 is formed with a stepping that is complementarily adapted to the panes 3 with spacer bars 5. This stepping may be formed in the frame 14 as shown in figure 4, but, alternatively, it may be formed with insulating, non-deformable materials that are placed on the inside of a flat frame or on the insulating glass unit 1 itself. The panel 10 with glass is thus of such an extent that it is larger than an opening in the building structure 100, which the panel 10 of the window is to cover in an insulating position of use, so that the spacer bars 5 of the insulating glass unit overlap an edge zone of the opening defined by the insulated portion of the building structure 100. It should be noted in this connection that the lining 16 does not constitute part of the insulated portion of the building structure 100 in figure 4 either.

Thus, a cold bridge through the sets of spacer bars 5 is broken between the outside and the inside of the building structure 100 by means of the insulation 105 of the building structure 100, and for the middle and inner sets of spacer bars by means of a gas enclosed by means of an adjacent pane 3. It should be noted that the stepping may be opposite to that shown, that is to say, the pane 3 that has the smallest extent faces towards the outside of the building structure 100.

Figure 7a shows, on a smaller scale, a cut top portion of an insulating glass unit 1 in accordance with the present invention, in which the insulating glass unit 1 is formed of one panel 10 with three layers of panes 3: one first pane, one second pane and a third pane, the second pane being placed between the first pane and the third pane, and in which a first set of spacer bars 5 between one of the first pane 3 and the third pane 3, and the intermediate pane 3, is longer than a second set of spacer bars 5 between the other one of the first pane and the third pane, and the intermediate pane, so that the first set of spacer bars 5 is offset sideways relative to the second set of spacer bars 5 along the planes of the panes. One of the panes 3 thus has a smaller extent than the other two panes 3. In a position of use in a building structure, the pane 3 that has the smallest extent will typically, but not necessarily, face a space defined by the building structure, so that the pane 3 forms an inner pane.

Figure 7b shows the insulating glass unit 1 shown in figure 7a, but seen from the op posite side. The insulating glass unit 1 includes a frame 14. The panes 3 with spacer bars 5 are connected to the frame 14 by means of a securing strip 130. The spacer bars 5 are arranged closer to the outer frame end face 14y than to the inner frame end face 14i, but, more importantly, closer to the outer frame end face 14y than to the aperture Lk of the building structure (not shown in figure 7b). The set of spacer bars 5 that abuts against the inner pane of a smaller extent than the two other panes 3 is insulated from the outer environment at an exterior of the insulating glass unit 1 by means of the gas that is present between the outer pane and the midmost pane 3. In figure 7b, the frame 14 is not stepped as in figure 6, but instead formed with a plane or flat surface. In the embodiment shown, there is a cavity in the extension of the inner spacer bar 5 and an end piece of the frame 14. However, it may be an ad vantage to place a supporting means with temperature-insulating properties, the sup porting means being configured to absorb a force from the strip 130. The type of insu lating material will be selected by a person skilled in the art who has knowledge about drying out possible condensation.

Figure 8a shows a view in perspective of an insulating glass unit 1 according to the invention. The insulating glass unit 1 comprises a first panel 10 and a second panel 10' separated from the first panel 10 by means of a jamb 11. The jamb 11 forms part of a frame 14 which in turn forms part of the insulating glass unit 1. The first panel 10 is connected to the frame 14 by means of a movement mechanism, here in the form of side hinges (not shown) that are connected to a window casement 12. In the embodiment shown, the first panel 10 is an inward-opening one. The sec ond panel 10' is fixed to the frame 14. Figure 8b shows the insulating glass unit 1 of figure 8a with a top portion cut through or off. Each of the panels 10, 10' includes two panes 3 that are spaced apart by means of an endless spacer bar 5 arranged along the edge zone of the panes 3.

When the first panel 10 is in a closed, insulating position (not shown), an outer end face 12y of the vertical, left-hand part of the window casement 12 will adjoin a projec- tion 11' of the jamb 11. At the same time, the spacer bar 5 of the first panel 10 will be offset sideways relative to the spacer bar 5 of the second panel 10' which is fixed to the frame 14 including the jamb 11.

In a position of use, the insulating glass unit 1 shown in figures 8a and 8b may be placed in a building structure 100 as shown in figure 4, where the spacer bar 5 is overlapped by an insulated portion 105'.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of an insulating glass unit 1 in accordance with the present invention. The insulating glass unit 1 comprises a first panel 10, which is fixed to the frame 14, which includes a jamb, not shown, and a second panel 10' which is displaceable sideways relative to the first panel 10 by means of a movement mecha- nism in the form of a track (not shown) that is fixed to the frame 14 and a sash 12. In a position of use, the first panel 10 of the insulating glass unit 1 may be fixed to a building structure, for example as shown in figure 3a, and the second panel 10' of the insulating glass unit 1, which also includes a sash 12, may, in a position of use, be fixed to the building structure, for example as shown in figure 2. An important point regarding the insulating glass unit 1 shown in figure 9 is that, in a closed position, the spacer bars 5 overlap at said jamb, as is explained in connection with figure 8b above.

Figure 10 shows a portion of an insulating glass unit 1 which has similarities to the insulating glass unit shown in figure 9, the insulating glass unit having a first panel 10 which is fixed to a frame 14 comprising a jamb 11, and a second panel 10', which is displaceable sideways relative to the first panel 10, as explained above.

Each of the panels 10, 10' shown in figure 10 is of the kind that is shown in figure 7a.

When the second panel 10' has been displaced sideways into a closed position (not shown), the spacer bars 5 of the first panel 10 at the jamb 11 will be insulated from an outer environment by means of the second panel 10' and the gas or negative pres sure that is enclosed between the panes.

In a position of use in a building structure, the frame 14 will typically be connected to the building structure 100 as shown in figure 2 and figure 3, for example. Thus, a cold bridge created by the spacer bars 5, among other things, will be broken by insulating materials 104, 105, 105' that are shown in said figures 2 and 3b, for example.

From the above it will be understood that, in one embodiment, the insulating glass unit 1 according to the invention may be used as a window or a door for use in an in sulated building structure 100. When the insulating glass unit 1 is used as a door, the door will substantially consist of glass, possibly with a sash or casement 12, and therefore have several similarities to a casement window or a sliding window. By ar ranging the panel or panels 10, 10' of the insulating glass unit 1 mentioned herein with an extent that is larger than an opening Lk in a building structure 100 that the or each of the panel(s) 10, 10' is to cover in an insulating position of use, the spacer bars 5 of the insulating glass unit 1 may overlap or be overlapped by an edge zone of an insulated part of the building structure 100. A cold bridge created by the spacer bars 5 will thereby substantially not negatively affect the internal energy consumption of the building structure. The invention is particularly appropriate for use in so-called passive houses where the lowest possible energy consumption is the main focus. It should be noted that all the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate the invention, but do not limit it, and persons skilled in the art may construct many alternative em bodiments without departing from the scope of the attached claims. In the claims, reference numbers in brackets are not to be regarded as restrictive.

The use of the verb "to comprise" and its different forms does not exclude the pres- ence of elements or steps that are not mentioned in the claims. The indefinite article "a" or "an" before an element does not exclude the presence of several such elements.

The fact that some features are indicated in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be used with advantage.