Spandrel construction

Abstract

The invention provides spandrels comprising non-visionary masking material carried by insulating glass units, monolithic panes, and other substrates. In certain embodiments, there is provided a spandrel comprising at least one pane having first and second generally-opposed major surfaces at least one of which is a covered surface bearing a non-visionary covering comprising a plurality of strips of opacifier film. Further, certain embodiments provide a method of constructing a spandrel. The method comprises; providing a pane having first and second generally-opposed major surfaces; and applying a plurality of strips of opacifier film to one of the major surfaces of the pane to define a covered surface bearing a non-visionary covering.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A spandrel comprising at least one pane having first and second generally-opposed major surfaces at least one of which is a covered surface bearing a non-visionary covering comprising a plurality of strips of opacifier film.  
     
     
         2 . The spandrel of  claim 1  wherein the pane is mounted adjacent a concealed portion of a building.  
     
     
         3 . The spandrel of  claim 1  wherein the strips of opacifier film are disposed in a sequentially-overlapped fashion with each subsequent strip overlapping a portion of a preceding strip.  
     
     
         4 . The spandrel of  claim 3  wherein the strips of opacifier film extend substantially in parallel across the covered surface of the pane.  
     
     
         5 . The spandrel of  claim 1  wherein the non-visionary covering is disposed over the entire covered surface of the pane.  
     
     
         6 . The spandrel of  claim 1  wherein the covered surface of the pane has an uncovered apron between an outer periphery of said non-visionary covering and an outer periphery of the pane.  
     
     
         7 . The spandrel of  claim 1  wherein the opacifier film is opaque.  
     
     
         8 . The spandrel of  claim 1  wherein the opacifier film comprises a film material selected from the group consisting of vinyl, polyester, and polyethylene.  
     
     
         9 . The spandrel of  claim 1  wherein the opacifier film is a black plastic film.  
     
     
         10 . The spandrel of  claim 1  wherein the opacifier film is secured adhesively to the covered surface of the pane.  
     
     
         11 . The spandrel of  claim 1  wherein the opacifier film is polyester and is secured to the covered surface of the pane with a solvent-based adhesive.  
     
     
         12 . The spandrel of  claim 1  wherein the spandrel is monolithic.  
     
     
         13 . The spandrel of claim I wherein the spandrel comprises a multiple-pane insulating glass unit of which said pane is part.  
     
     
         14 . A method of constructing a spandrel, the method comprising: 
 providing a pane having first and second generally-opposed major surfaces; and    applying a plurality of strips of opacifier film to one of the major surfaces of the pane to define a covered surface bearing a non-visionary covering.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising mounting the spandrel adjacent a concealed portion of a building.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the strips of opacifier film are applied in a sequentially-overlapped fashion with each subsequent strip overlapping a portion of a preceding strip.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the strips of opacifier film are applied so as to extend substantially in parallel across the covered surface of the pane.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the strips of opacifier film are applied so as to cover the entire covered surface of the pane.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the strips of opacifier film are applied so as to leave the covered surface of the pane with an uncovered apron between an outer periphery of the non-visionary covering and an outer periphery of the pane.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the strips of opacifier film are applied by securing them adhesively to the covered surface of the pane.