FR3149342A1 - Spacer device for multi-pane insulating glazing - Google Patents

Abstract

Spacing device for multi-pane insulating glazing The invention relates to a spacing device (130) for multi-pane insulating glazing (100), the device comprising an external surface comprising at least one marking, called "informative marking" (MI_1, MI_2), representative of at least one piece of information data associated with the glazing. Furthermore, said at least one informative marking is configured to be invisible when the device is integrated into the glazing and the glazing is integrated into a window or French window or facade panel. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Spacer device for multi-pane insulating glazing

The present invention belongs to the general field of multi-pane insulating glazing, in particular glazing of this type for buildings (windows, French windows, facades, partitions, etc.).

It relates more particularly to a spacing device for multi-pane insulating glazing, a multi-pane insulating glazing comprising such a spacing device as well as a window or French window or façade panel comprising such an insulating glazing. It also relates to respective methods of assembling said insulating glazing and said window or French window or façade panel. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application, although in no way limiting, in monitoring the manufacture and/or recycling of a multi-pane insulating glazing.

Multi-pane insulating glazing (also simply called “insulating glazing” later) has become an essential element in the construction of buildings (individual homes, offices, etc.), in particular due to the ever-increasing price rise in raw materials needed to heat or cool an enclosed space, but also stricter regulations on thermal insulation.

Conventionally, a multi-pane insulating glazing unit comprises two (double glazing) or three (triple glazing) panes made of organic or mineral glass, also called glass sheets, and it is understood that two adjacent panes are separated by a gas blade using a spacer device. The panes can also be coated with a set (stack) of thin layers, also called thin films, capable of varying their optical properties, in other words their ability to transmit visible light more or less easily while minimizing the transmission of other wavelengths of radiation. In this way, it is possible to minimize the transfer of heat by radiation without harming the transmission of visible light.

The spacer device, in addition to its initial function of maintaining a constant gap between two adjacent panes, also allows the insulating glazing to maintain its transparency and its thermal and acoustic performance for as long as possible, by opposing possible exchanges of gas, humidity and dust between the external environments and the gas layer of the glazing. For this purpose, it conventionally comprises a spacer (also called an “interlayer” or “spacer interlayer”) as well as at least a first sealing barrier formed by a first element in which the spacer is embedded at least partially. The first sealing element may optionally be supplemented by other sealing elements in contact with said first sealing element and interposed between the spacer and the panes.

In order to ensure the traceability of insulating glazing, both during its manufacture and during its recycling, various solutions have been considered. Thus, according to a first alternative, it is planned to mark an element of insulating glazing, such as a pane, with an identifier or a code representing an information data associated with the glazing. The major drawback of this solution is that the marking carried out is visible to the naked eye, which means that anyone can locate said marking and access the information data in question (possibly by using an appropriate reading device, such as a barcode reader if the marking is of this type). These aspects are problematic because the information data may relate to characteristics of the glazing whose dissemination the manufacturer wishes to restrict, for example only to construction professionals.

According to a second alternative, it is planned to equip a window with an RFID tag (acronym for the English expression "Radio Frequency Identification"). While this solution allows for greater preservation of the confidentiality of information data, it is nonetheless complex and costly to implement, given the material and electronic aspects to be implemented.

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art, in particular those set out above, by proposing a solution which makes it possible to carry out traceability of multi-pane insulating glazing more effectively than the solutions of the state of the art.

By "more efficient" we refer here, in particular, to the fact that the solution proposed by the invention offers the possibility of achieving traceability of multi-pane insulating glazing in a context of preserving the confidentiality of information relating to this glazing, and the implementation of which is particularly simple and inexpensive.

For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a spacing device for multi-pane insulating glazing, the device comprising an external surface comprising at least one marking, called “informative marking”, representative of at least one piece of information data associated with the glazing. Furthermore, said at least one informative marking is configured to be invisible when the device is integrated into the glazing and the glazing is integrated into a window or French window or facade panel.

Thus, the invention advantageously distinguishes itself from the state of the art in that the informative marking(s) are configured to be invisible when the spacing device is integrated into the glazing and the glazing itself is integrated into a window or French window or facade panel.

For the purposes of the present invention, the concept of “invisibility”, with regard to the informative marking(s) arranged on the external surface of the spacing device, covers different interpretations.

Thus, according to a first interpretation, the term “invisibility” refers to the fact that an informative marking is not visible to the naked eye when illuminated by light from the visible spectrum (i.e. it is typically wavelengths substantially between 350 nm and 750 nm).

According to a second interpretation, the term “invisibility” refers to the fact that an informative marking is hidden by a structural element when the glazing is itself integrated into a window or French window or façade panel. Such a structural element corresponds to a joinery element of the window or French window or façade panel, such as for example an opening frame (i.e. mullions and crosspieces forming said frame), one or more glazing beads, etc.

In any event, regardless of the interpretation considered with regard to the concept of invisibility within the meaning of the invention, the preceding provisions advantageously make it possible to preserve the confidentiality of the information(s) associated with said at least one informative marking. What is more, the production of one or more informative markings constitutes a simple and inexpensive solution.

In particular embodiments, the spacing device may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken alone or in any technically possible combination.

In particular embodiments, the outer surface comprises a plurality of informative markings.

In particular embodiments, the external surface comprises an upper surface belonging to a spacer integrated into the spacing device, said upper surface being intended to be in contact with a gas blade of the glazing and comprising at least one informative marking produced using an invisible ink.

In particular embodiments, the invisible ink is an ultraviolet invisible ink or an infrared invisible ink.

In particular embodiments, the external surface comprises so-called “bearing” surfaces, including:
- lateral support surfaces intended to be in contact with said opposite panes of the glazing,
- a lower bearing surface belonging to a first sealing element integrated into the spacing device, said lower bearing surface being opposite a lower surface of a spacer also integrated into said spacing device and in contact with the first sealing element, said lower surface of the spacer being opposite an upper surface of the spacer intended to be in contact with a gas layer of the glazing,
at least one of said support surfaces comprising at least one informative marking.

In particular embodiments, at least one marked bearing surface is a lateral bearing surface belonging to the spacer.

In particular embodiments, at least one marked bearing surface is a lateral bearing surface belonging to another sealing element integrated into the spacer device, in contact with the first sealing element and arranged against a lateral surface of the spacer.

In particular embodiments, at least one marked bearing surface is a lateral bearing surface belonging to the first sealing element.

In particular embodiments, at least one marked bearing surface is the lower bearing surface.

In particular embodiments, at least one informative marking is a graphic code.

In particular embodiments, said at least one piece of information data comprises any one of:
- a length of glazing intended to integrate the spacing device,
- a width of glazing intended to integrate the spacing device,
- a date of manufacture of the glazing intended to integrate the spacing device,
- a date of manufacture of the panes of the glazing intended to integrate the spacing device,
- a thermal or acoustic characteristic of the glazing,
- a type of one or more thin layers applied to panes of glazing intended to integrate the spacing device,
- a characteristic data of the spacer device, for example an indication of one or more materials used to manufacture the spacer device, one or more dimensions of the spacer device, a date of manufacture of the spacer device,
- identification data of a factory or company responsible for manufacturing the spacing device, or the glazing intended to integrate the spacing device, or the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate said glazing,
- a length of the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate said glazing,
- a width of the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate said glazing,
- a date of manufacture of the window or French window or facade panel intended to incorporate said glazing,
- a thermal or acoustic characteristic of the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate said glazing,
- a location of an area where the glazing will be installed, or of the window or French window or façade panel intended to incorporate said glazing, for example a geographical address or an indication of a room inside a building

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to multi-pane insulating glazing, for example of the double glazing or triple glazing type, comprising a spacing device according to the invention.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a window or French window or facade panel comprising multi-pane insulating glazing according to the invention, said at least one informative marking being invisible.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing multi-pane insulating glazing according to the invention.

According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a window or French window or facade panel according to the invention.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate an exemplary embodiment thereof without any limiting character. In the figures:
there schematically represents a particular embodiment of multi-pane insulating glazing according to the invention;
there schematically represents a close-up view of the glazing of the , in a cross section to a spacer device integrated into said glazing;
there schematically represents another embodiment of a multi-pane insulating glazing according to the invention,
there represents, in the form of a flowchart, the main steps of a method of manufacturing multi-pane glazing according to the invention;
there represents, in the form of a flowchart, the main stages of a window or French window or facade panel according to the invention.

Description of embodiments

There schematically represents a particular embodiment of a multi-pane insulating glazing unit 100 according to the invention. It corresponds more particularly to a partial three-quarter view of the insulating glazing unit 100.

In the present embodiment, and as illustrated by the , the insulating glazing 100 is double glazing. For this purpose, it comprises a first pane 110 and a second pane 120, opposite and parallel to each other. The first pane 110 is for example intended to be in contact with an external environment, while the second pane is for example intended to be in contact with an internal environment (eg room of a dwelling).

The windows 110, 120 are for example made of mineral glass. A mineral glass here designates for example a soda-lime, aluminosilicate, or borosilicate glass.

According to another example, the windows 110, 120 are made of organic glass, for example stretched polymethyl methacrylate (stretched PMMA), unstretched polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyurethane (PU).

Each of the panes 110, 120 may be coated with a set (stack) of thin layers (not shown in the figures). For example, coatings having high visible transmission and low emissivity characteristics typically include one or more infrared reflective layers and two or more anti-reflective transparent dielectric layers. The infrared reflective layers, which typically include conductive metals such as silver, gold, or copper, reduce the transmission of radiant heat through the coating. The transparent dielectric layers, on the other hand, are primarily used to reduce visible reflection, but also to provide mechanical and chemical protection to the infrared reflective layers, as well as to control other optical properties of the coating, such as color. Commonly used transparent dielectrics include zinc, tin, and titanium oxides, as well as silicon, chromium, zirconium, and titanium nitrides.

As illustrated by the , the insulating glazing 100 also comprises a spacing device 130 in particular configured to maintain a constant gap between the two panes 110, 120. This gap between the two panes 110, 120 makes it possible to create a closed hermetic space 140, also commonly called a “gas layer”, and containing a gas, such as for example air, argon or krypton.

Conventionally, the spacing device 130 comprises a spacer 131. In the embodiment described here, said spacer 131 is a hollow profile.

The hollow profile is filled with a desiccant material (also called a “desiccant”, and not shown in the figures), such as a molecular sieve made of sodium, potassium or calcium aluminosilicate, or even silica gel.

There is no limitation on the material used to make the hollow profile of the spacer 131. It may be an extruded or formed metal hollow profile, for example made of aluminum or galvanized steel. Alternatively, it may be a hollow profile made of organic material, such as plastic.

It is noted that in the present embodiment, and as illustrated by the in no way limiting, the spacer 131 is a continuous hollow profile folded at the corners, so as to produce a single-piece frame. However, nothing precludes considering other production alternatives such as for example a spacer produced by assembling brackets with rectilinear profiles arranged at each edge of the glazing 100.

Generally speaking, the manufacture, assembly and installation of a spacer between panes of insulating glazing are operations known and mastered by those skilled in the art, so much so that they are not described further here.

There schematically represents a close-up view of the glazing 100 in a cross-section at the spacer device 130.

As illustrated by the , said hollow profile of the spacer 131 comprises an external surface (i.e. an external peripheral envelope) defined by several surfaces, namely:
- an upper surface 131_s in contact with the gas blade of the glazing 100. Said upper surface 131_s conventionally comprises one or more orifices (not shown in the figures), for example of the slot or hole type, configured so that the desiccant is in communication with the gas blade,
- a lower surface 131_i opposite the upper surface 131_sup,
- a first lateral surface 131_l1 (respectively a second lateral surface 131_l2) arranged opposite the first pane 110 (respectively opposite the second pane 120), said lateral surfaces 131_l1, 131_l2 forming the junction between the upper surface 131_s and the lower surface 131_i.

It should be noted that in the example of the , the lower surface 131_i of the spacer 131 comprises a rectilinear portion connected to the lateral surfaces 131_l1, 131_l2 by two respective oblique portions. Such oblique portions are nevertheless optional, the profile being able for example to have a rectangular section in a cross-section.

In addition to the spacer 131, the spacer device 130 also comprises, in the present embodiment, a first sealing element 132 in contact with the spacer 131. In addition to its initial sealing function, said first sealing element 132 is also configured to perform a function of sealing the windows 110, 120 with the spacer 131. By “sealing”, reference is conventionally made to maintaining good adhesion.

By way of non-limiting example, said first sealing element 132 is made of a material of the polysulfide, polyurethane or even silicone type.

In more detail, and as illustrated by the , the first sealing element 132 comprises an external surface defined by several surfaces, namely:
- an upper surface 132_s in contact with the lower surface 131_i of the spacer 131. Note that in the example of the , the upper surface 132_s of the first sealing element 132 does not extend beyond the junctions between the lateral surfaces 131_l1, 131_l2 of the spacer 131 and the oblique portions of the lower surface 131_i of the latter,
- a lower surface 132_i opposite the upper surface 132_s of said first sealing element 132 (and therefore a fortiori opposite the lower surface 131_i of the spacer 131),
- a first lateral surface 132_l1 (respectively a second lateral surface 132_l2) in contact with the first window 110 (respectively in contact with the second window 120).

In the embodiment described herein, the spacer device 130 also comprises a second sealing element 133 and a third sealing element 134. The second sealing element 133 (respectively the third sealing element 134) is in contact with the first sealing element 132 and arranged against the first lateral surface 131_l1 (respectively against the second lateral surface 131_l2) of the spacer 131. In other words, the second sealing element 133 (respectively the third sealing element 134) is interposed between the spacer 131 and the first pane 110 (respectively between the spacer 131 and the second pane 120).

By way of non-limiting example, said second sealing element 133 (respectively said third sealing element 134) is a cord made of an elastomer material, for example based on butyl or polyisobutylene.

In more detail, and as illustrated by the , the second sealing element 133 comprises an external surface defined by several surfaces, namely:
- an upper surface 133_s substantially level with the upper surface 131_s of the spacer 131, and therefore also in contact with the gas blade of the glazing 100,
- a lower surface 133_i opposite the upper surface 133_s of said second sealing element 133, and in contact with the upper surface 132_s of the first sealing element 132,
- a first lateral surface 133_l1 (respectively a second lateral surface 133_l2) in contact with the first window 110 (respectively in contact with the first lateral surface 131_l1 of the spacer 131).

In more detail, the third sealing element 134 comprises an external surface defined by several surfaces, namely:
- an upper surface 134_s substantially level with the upper surface 131_s of the spacer 131, and therefore also in contact with the gas blade of the glazing 100,
- a lower surface 134_i opposite the upper surface 134_s of said third sealing element 134, and in contact with the upper surface 132_s of the first sealing element 132,
- a first lateral surface 134_l1 (respectively a second lateral surface 134_l2) in contact with the second lateral surface 131_l2 of the spacer 131 (respectively in contact with the second window 120).

It is apparent from the elements described above that it is possible to define an external surface for the spacing device 130 as being a peripheral external envelope of said spacing device 130 and which is formed by the union of the following surfaces:
- the upper surfaces 131_s, 133_s, 134_s belonging respectively to the spacer 131, to the second sealing element 133 and to the third sealing element 134,
- the lower surface 132_i belonging to the first sealing element 132,
- the first lateral surfaces 132_l1, 133_l1 belonging respectively to the first sealing element 132 and to the second sealing element 133,
- the second lateral surfaces 132_l2, 134_l2 belonging respectively to the first sealing element 132 and to the third sealing element 134.

The external surface thus defined for the spacing device 130 then makes it possible to define in turn so-called “support” surfaces corresponding to portions of said external surface. More particularly, in the embodiment described here, said support surfaces comprise:
- lateral support surfaces corresponding to the lateral surfaces 132_l1, 133_l1, 132_l2, 134_l2,
- a lower support surface corresponding to the lower surface 132_i.

In other words, the meeting of the support surfaces corresponds to the external surface of the spacing device 130 deprived of the upper surfaces 131_1, 133_s, 134_s.

Conventionally, when the glazing 100 is integrated into (assembled with) a window or French window or facade panel, the bearing surfaces 132_l1, 133_l1, 132_l2, 134_l2, 132_i of the spacing device 130 are hidden by joinery elements, such as typically an opening frame (i.e. uprights and crosspieces forming said frame), one or more glazing beads, etc. In addition to the aesthetic aspect, the fact that the bearing surfaces 132_l1, 133_l1, 132_l2, 134_l2, 132_i are hidden results from considerations related to achieving efficient support and insulation of said window or French window or facade panel.

By “hidden” is meant herein the fact that an individual observing said window or French window or façade panel cannot visualize said bearing surfaces 132_l1, 133_l1, 132_l2, 134_l2, 132_i. The only part of the external surface of the spacer device 130 to which this individual can have visual access is that formed by the upper surfaces 131_1, 133_s, 134_s.

In its general principle, the invention proposes to provide the external surface of the spacing device 130 with one or more markings, called “informative markings”, each informative marking being representative of at least one piece of information data associated with the glazing 100.

More particularly, the invention advantageously distinguishes itself from the state of the art in that the informative marking(s) are configured to be invisible when the spacing device 130 is integrated into the glazing 100 (as is for example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) and the glazing 100 is itself integrated into a window or French window or facade panel.

For the purposes of the present invention, the notion of “invisibility”, with regard to the informative marking(s) arranged on the external surface of the spacing device 130, covers different interpretations.

Thus, according to a first interpretation, the term “invisibility” refers to the fact that an informative marking is not visible to the naked eye when illuminated by light from the visible spectrum (i.e. it is typically wavelengths substantially between 350 nm and 750 nm).

According to a second interpretation, the term “invisibility” refers to the fact that an informative marking is hidden by a structural element when the glazing 100 is itself integrated into a window or French window or facade panel. It is therefore understood that such a structural element corresponds to a joinery element as mentioned above.

How these two interpretations can be exploited in the context of the present invention will be described in more detail below.

According to a particular exemplary embodiment, an informative marking is a graphic code, such as in particular a one-dimensional or two-dimensional graphic code. More specifically, a graphic code may in particular be any one of the following list: QR Code, Datamatrix, 3-DI code, Aztex Code, Codablock, Code 1, Code 16K, Dot Code, ezCode, BeeTagg Big, BeeTagg Landscape, Maxicode, Snpwflake, Verocode, BeeTagg Hexagon, BeeTagg None, ShotCode, MiniCode, Code 49, Datastrip Code, CP Code, ISS SuperCode.

Nor does anything rule out the possibility that an informative marking may be a series of numbers, or letters, or symbols, or a combination of such signs.

More generally, no limitation is attached to the shape of an informative marking, or even to its size. Furthermore, if several informative markings are provided on the external surface of the spacing device 130, their respective shapes may be distinct from each other in whole or in part. Of course, the number of informative markings that can be envisaged does not constitute a limiting factor of the invention, it being understood that this aspect also depends on the respective sizes of these informative markings.

The invention is not further limited by the nature of the information data(s) associated with an informative marking. As a non-limiting example, an information data may be any one of the following list:
- a length of glazing 100,
- a glazing width of 100,
- a date of manufacture of the glazing 100,
- a manufacturing date of windows 110, 120 of glazing 100,
- a thermal or acoustic characteristic of the glazing 100,
- a type of one or more thin layers applied to panes 110, 120 of the glazing 100,
- a characteristic data of the spacing device 130, for example an indication of one or more materials used to manufacture the spacing device 130, one or more dimensions of the spacing device 130, a date of manufacture of the spacing device 130,
- identification data of a factory or company responsible for manufacturing the spacing device 130, or the glazing 100, or the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate said glazing 100,
- a length of window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate the glazing 100,
- a width of the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate the glazing 100,
- a date of manufacture of the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate the glazing 100,
- a thermal or acoustic characteristic of the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate the glazing 100,
- a location of an area for installing the glazing 100, or of the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate the glazing 100, for example a geographical address or an indication of a room inside a building.

It should be noted that access to information data may be carried out directly or indirectly, depending on the nature of the informative marking. More specifically, if the informative marking is a sequence of numbers, or letters, or symbols, or a combination of such signs, access to the information data may be direct if this sequence is intelligible. If, on the other hand, the informative marking is in the form of a graphic code, access to the information data is indirect because it is necessary to decode the latter first.

Moreover, nothing excludes the possibility that the decoding of a graphic code provides data serving as a relay to obtain the information data. For example, the decoding of a QR Code can provide a hyperlink representing a uniform resource identifier (“URL” in English) configured to provide access to a computer resource of a network storing the information data, such as for example a server of the public Internet network or of a private network or of a cloud network (“Cloud” in English).

Generally speaking, the person skilled in the art knows which system to use to access information data depending on the nature of an informative marking. In particular, if an informative marking is in the form of a graphic code, the person skilled in the art knows how to choose a system configured in hardware and software to acquire and decode the information data. Such a system may, for example, take the form of a terminal such as a smartphone, digital tablet, laptop, personal assistant, etc.

Returning to the embodiment described so far, and as illustrated by the without limitation, the spacing device 130 comprises two informative markings, a first informative marking MI_1 and a second informative marking MI_2. In this example, said first and second informative markings MI_1, MI_2 are both QR codes.

The first informative marking MI_1 is arranged on the upper surface 131_s of the spacer 131 and is produced using an invisible ink. Using an invisible ink for the first informative marking MI_1 is particularly advantageous since the upper surfaces 131_s, 133_s, 134_s are the only ones visible to the naked eye when the glazing 100 is integrated into a window or French window or facade panel.

By "invisible ink" we refer here to an ink that is invisible to the naked eye (i.e. in the visible spectral range), but whose effect appears when illuminated by a light source whose frequency/wavelength is outside the visible spectral range.

For example, said invisible ink may be an invisible ultraviolet ink or an invisible infrared ink. It is of course understood that if an invisible infrared ink is used, it is preferable to avoid the glazing having one or more thin layers reflecting in the infrared, which would have the effect of hindering the detection of the informative marking.

Generally speaking, the person skilled in the art knows how to choose an invisible ink from the suppliers' catalogues. He also knows which system to use to illuminate an invisible ink with an appropriate light source, so as to make an informative marking appear such as said first informative marking MI_1. It should also be noted that such a lighting system may or may not be coupled (mechanically and/or electronically) with a system for accessing information data as mentioned above.

It should be noted that if the first informative marking MI_1 is visible on the , this is only for reasons of illustration of the invention. It is also understood that the production of the first informative marking MI_1 falls within the framework of the first interpretation of the term “invisibility” described above.

The second informative marking MI_2, for its part, is arranged on the lateral support surface 132_l1. What is more, in the embodiment of the , said second informative marking MI_2 is produced using a visible ink (i.e. visible to the naked eye in the visible spectral range).

Considering a visible ink for the second informative marking MI_2, however, only constitutes a variant of implementation of the invention, and nothing excludes considering that it is carried out using an invisible ink. It is indeed understood that the choice of a visible or invisible ink is indifferent with regard to the second informative marking MI_2 insofar as it is arranged on a support surface (which implies that it is intended to be invisible to the naked eye (hidden) when the glazing 100 is integrated into a window or French window or facade panel).

Unlike the first informative marking MI_1, we therefore understand here that the creation of the second informative marking MI_2 falls within the framework of the second interpretation of the term “invisibility” described above.

Of course, considering two informative markings MI_1, MI_2 such as those described with reference to the constitutes only a variant of implementation of the invention. In particular, it is possible to have:
- one or more informative markings made from invisible ink and arranged on any one of the upper surfaces 131_s, 133_s, 134_s belonging respectively to the spacer 131, to the second sealing element 133 and to the third sealing element 134, and/or
- one or more informative markings made from visible or invisible ink and arranged on any one or more of the support surfaces 132_l1, 133_l1, 132_l2, 134_l2, 132_i.

Furthermore, the spacing device 130 has been described so far considering the presence of second and third sealing elements 133, 134. However, these provisions are not limiting of the invention which also covers other embodiments in which these second and third sealing elements 133, 134 are absent. Therefore, in these other embodiments, and referring to the configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second lateral surfaces 131_l1, 131_l2 of the spacer 131 belong to the external surface of the spacing device 130 and in turn form support surfaces on which it is possible to envisage arranging one or more informative markings made from visible or invisible ink. Furthermore, in these other modes, the first and second lateral surfaces 131_l1, 131_l2 of the spacer 131 are in contact with the first and second panes 110, 120.

The invention has also been described so far considering the following technical provisions:
- the spacing device comprises one or more sealing elements, and
- the spacer has, in cross section, a closed shape making it possible to delimit a cavity within which a desiccant material is incorporated.
That being said, nothing precludes considering embodiments in which all or part of these provisions are not retained.

For example, the schematically represents another embodiment in which a glazing 200 is integrated into a window (part of the joinery of the opening frame of the window 300 is shown in the for illustrative purposes). The glazing 200 comprises two panes 210, 220 and a spacing device 230 formed solely by a spacer. Said spacer 230 has, in cross section, a substantially U-shaped shape, with fins 231, 232 oriented towards the inside of the U being provided at each end of the branches of the latter. The external surface of the spacing device is then defined here as being the entire surface of the spacer 230, and one or more informative markings may be envisaged on said external surface, in particular:
- on one or more fins 231, 232, using invisible ink, and/or
- on the surface located inside the U, preferably using invisible ink.

In general, within the scope of the present invention, an informative marking may be affixed to the external surface of the spacing device using any known technique (laser, pigments, etc.) depending on whether the latter is produced using an ink (invisible or visible) or not. Alternatively, an informative marking may be affixed to the external surface of the spacing device indirectly, for example by being produced on a label itself stuck to said external surface.

It will also be clear to those skilled in the art that all of the embodiments described so far in the context of double glazing also apply in the context of triple glazing.

Finally, according to still other aspects, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a multi-pane insulating glazing comprising a spacing device according to the invention, as well as a method of manufacturing a window or French window or facade panel comprising such glazing. The implementations of such manufacturing methods are well known to those skilled in the art, and comprise in particular, as illustrated by FIGS. 4 and 5, the following main steps:
- obtaining E10 for panes of multi-pane glazing (respectively obtaining F10 for an opening frame or a fixed frame of a window or French window or facade panel),
- obtaining E20 of a spacing device according to the invention (respectively obtaining F20 of glazing according to the invention),
- E30 assembly of the windows with the spacer device (respectively F30 assembly of the glazing with the opening frame or the fixed frame of the window or French window or facade panel).

Claims (15)

Spacing device (130) for multi-pane insulating glazing (100), the device comprising an external surface comprising at least one marking, called "informative marking" (MI_1, MI_2), representative of at least one piece of information data associated with the glazing, the device being characterized in that said at least one informative marking (MI_1, MI_2) is configured to be invisible when the device (130) is integrated into the glazing (100) and the glazing (100) is integrated into a window or French window or facade panel. The device (130) of claim 1, wherein the outer surface comprises a plurality of informative markings. Device (130) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, in which the external surface comprises an upper surface (131_s) belonging to a spacer (131) integrated into the spacing device (130), said upper surface (131_s) being intended to be in contact with a gas blade (140) of the glazing (100) and comprising at least one informative marking (MI_1) produced using an invisible ink. The device (130) of claim 3, wherein the invisible ink is an ultraviolet invisible ink or an infrared invisible ink. Device (130) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the external surface comprises so-called “support” surfaces, including:
- lateral support surfaces (132_l1, 133_l1, 132_l2, 134_l2, 131_l1, 131_l2) intended to be in contact with opposite panes (110, 120) of the glazing (100),
- a lower bearing surface (132_i) belonging to a first sealing element (132) integrated into the spacing device (130), said lower bearing surface (132_i) being opposite a lower surface (131_i) of a spacer (131) also integrated into said spacing device (130) and in contact with the first sealing element, said lower surface of the spacer (131) being opposite an upper surface (131_s) of the spacer (131) intended to be in contact with a gas blade (140) of the glazing (100),
at least one of said support surfaces comprising at least one informative marking (MI_2). Device (130) according to claim 5, wherein at least one marked bearing surface is a lateral bearing surface (131_l1, 131_l2) belonging to the spacer (131). Device (130) according to claim 5, wherein at least one marked bearing surface is a lateral bearing surface (133_l1, 134_l2) belonging to a further sealing element (133, 134) integrated in the spacer device, in contact with the first sealing element (132) and arranged against a lateral surface (131_l1, 131_l2) of the spacer (131). Device (130) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in which at least one marked bearing surface is a lateral bearing surface (132_l1, 132_l2) belonging to the first sealing element (132). Device (130) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein at least one marked bearing surface is the lower bearing surface (132_i). Device (130) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in which at least one informative marking (MI_1, MI_2) is a graphic code, in particular of the QR Code or Datamatrix type. Device (130) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said at least one piece of information data comprises any one of:
- a length of glazing intended to integrate the spacing device,
- a width of glazing intended to integrate the spacing device,
- a date of manufacture of the glazing intended to integrate the spacing device,
- a date of manufacture of the panes of the glazing intended to integrate the spacing device,
- a thermal or acoustic characteristic of the glazing,
- a type of one or more thin layers applied to panes of glazing intended to integrate the spacing device,
- a characteristic data of the spacer device, for example an indication of one or more materials used to manufacture the spacer device, one or more dimensions of the spacer device, a date of manufacture of the spacer device,
- identification data of a factory or company responsible for manufacturing the spacing device, or the glazing intended to integrate the spacing device, or the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate said glazing,
- a length of the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate said glazing,
- a width of the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate said glazing,
- a date of manufacture of the window or French window or facade panel intended to incorporate said glazing,
- a thermal or acoustic characteristic of the window or French window or facade panel intended to integrate said glazing,
- a location of an area where the glazing will be installed, or of the window or French window or façade panel intended to incorporate said glazing, for example a geographical address or an indication of a room inside a building. Multi-pane insulating glazing (100), for example of the double glazing or triple glazing type, comprising a spacer device (130) according to any one of claims 1 to 11. Window or French window or facade panel comprising multi-pane insulating glazing (100) according to claim 12, said at least one informative marking (MI_1, MI_2) of the spacing device (130) being invisible. A method of manufacturing a multi-pane insulating glazing unit (100) according to claim 12, said manufacturing method comprising the following steps:
- obtaining (E10) panes (110, 120) of multi-pane glazing,
- obtaining (E20) a spacing device (130) according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
- assembly (E30) of the windows (110, 120) with the spacing device (130). A method of manufacturing a window or French window or facade panel according to claim 13, said manufacturing method comprising the following steps:
- obtaining (F10) an opening frame or a fixed frame of a window or French window or facade panel,
- obtaining (F20) glazing according to claim 12,
- assembly (F30) of the glazing with the opening frame or the fixed frame of the window or French window or facade panel.