Cold Seal Glass Block Utilizing Insulating Materials

Abstract

A glass block including an insulating material disposed with an interior chamber. The block includes a first block half, a second block half, and a frame. The frame is positioned between and aligns the first block half and the second block half so that the block halves and the frame define a complete enclosure. The frame holds at least two partitions inside the block. The partitions divide the interior of the block into a plurality of chambers including at least one interior chamber disposed between the partitions. An insulating material is disposed in the interior chamber between the partitions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A block comprising:
 a first block half;   a second block half; and   a frame, wherein the frame is positioned between and aligns the first block half and the second block half so that said block halves and said frame define a complete enclosure;   wherein the frame holds at least two partitions inside said block and wherein said at least two partitions divide the interior of said block into a plurality of chambers including at least one interior chamber disposed between the at least two partitions   wherein an insulating material is disposed in the at least one interior chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The block of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating material permits light transmission. 
     
     
         3 . The block of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating material is a material selected from the group consisting of powder, particle, gel, and blanket. 
     
     
         4 . The block of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating material is a translucent material selected from the group consisting of aerogel and microporous silica. 
     
     
         5 . The block of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two partitions are formed from insulating material. 
     
     
         6 . The block of  claim 5 , wherein the insulating material forming the at least two partitions is the same insulating material disposed in the at least one interior chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The block of  claim 5 , wherein the insulating material forming the at least two partitions comprises an aerogel blanket. 
     
     
         8 . The block of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two partitions allow visible light to pass through said block while limiting transmission of radiant energy through said block.