Abstract: Vacuum insulation panels, methods for manufacture thereof, and applications thereof are described. The vacuum insulation panels comprise a porous insulating core encapsulated in an envelope to which a vacuum is applied. The envelope is coated with a waterproof coating layer which increases the robustness of the vacuum insulation panel.

Abstract: Vacuum insulation panels, methods for manufacture thereof, and applications thereof are described. The vacuum insulation panels comprise a porous insulating core encapsulated in an envelope to which a vacuum is applied. The envelope is coated with a waterproof coating layer which increases the robustness of the vacuum insulation panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum insulating panel (VIP). The VIP comprises an insulating core (2) having upper (3) and lower surfaces (4) and at least one substantially planar reinforcing member (5) arranged on the upper (3) or lower surface (4) of the core (2). The reinforcing member (5) is porous and substantially rigid. The VIP further comprises a barrier envelope, optionally in the form of a barrier film (6), arranged to envelop the insulating core (2) and the planar member (5). The present invention also relates to methods of manufacturing a vacuum insulating panel (VIP).

Abstract: A microporous insulation material mixture is blended and the blended mixture is spread across a lower conveyor belt which is trained over rollers. To aid the spreading of the mixture a spreading device is used. The mixture is delivered by the conveyor to a pressing system which in this case comprises an upper conveyor belt. The pressing system also comprises a nipping means provided in this case by a plurality of upper and lower nipping rollers. The gaps between the individual rollers are adjustable. An upper fleece liner is led from a delivery roller to lie between the upper conveyor belt and the insulation mixture and a lower fleece liner is fed from a delivery roller to lie between the insulation mixture and the lower conveyor belt. The fleece liners may be used to encase the core prior to enclosing in an envelope and applying a vacuum.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a vacuum insulation panel (VIP) comprising the steps of: providing a porous insulating core having an upper surface and a lower surface and sides; providing at least one metal foil having a thickness of at least 4 microns which extends across substantially the entire upper surface or entire lower surface of the core so that the foil does not form a thermal bridge between the upper surface and lower surface of the core; providing an envelope having an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein the envelope is arranged to: (i) envelop the core and the metal foil, with the metal foil between the envelope and the core, and (ii) to maintain an applied vacuum within the envelope; applying a vacuum to the envelope; attaching the metal foil to an inside surface of the envelope after the vacuum has been applied. The invention also relates to a VIP thus formed.

Abstract: Phenolic closed-cell foam comprises a hydrocarbon blowing agent and includes an alkali metal silicate in an amount of at least 1% by weight. The foam has an aged thermal conductivity as determined by the procedures of EN13166:2008 of less than 0.025 W/m·K. The foam is formed from a phenolic resole resin mixture having a water content of greater than 15% by weight but less than 24% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum insulating panel (VIP). The VIP comprises an insulating core (2) having upper (3) and lower surfaces (4) and at least one substantially planar reinforcing member (5) arranged on the upper (3) or lower surface (4) of the core (2). The reinforcing member (5) is porous and substantially rigid. The VIP further comprises a barrier envelope, optionally in the form of a barrier film (6), arranged to envelop the insulating core (2) and the planar member (5). The present invention also relates to methods of manufacturing a vacuum insulating panel (VIP).

Abstract: A vacuum insulating panel comprise a first sheet of a flexible material, a second sheet of a flexible material and a bridging element of a flexible material extending in a generally rectilinear waveform between the first and the second sheets. The bridging element and the sheets define therebetween a plurality of separate generally rectilinear evacuated compartments containing a self-supporting insulating element. The bridging element comprise first flat regions extending along the inside face of the first sheet, second flat regions extending along the inside face of the second sheet, and connecting regions extending between the first and second flat regions, There are seals between the flat regions of the bridging element and the inside face of the sheets. If one compartment is punctured only that compartment is affected. The seals prevent loss of vacuum in adjacent compartments.

Abstract: A prefabricated composite insulation board comprises a facing of a flexible sheet material and a plurality of vacuum insulation panels (VIP) adhesive bonded thereto. A body of insulating foam overlies the vacuum insulating panels and the carrier. There are gaps between adjacent vacuum insulation panels and these gaps are filled with the foam. Alternatively, groups of VIP's may be positioned close to one another and gaps left at defined locations. These gaps may be used to provide regions at which the panel may be cut to a desired length without cutting through and VIP's. External markings such as cut-lines may be provided to indicated the location of these gaps.

Abstract: Phenolic closed-cell foam comprises a hydrocarbon blowing agent and includes an alkali metal silicate in an amount of at least 1% by weight. The foam has an aged thermal conductivity as determined by the procedures of EN13166:2008 of less than 0.025 W/m·K. The foam is formed from a phenolic resole resin mixture having a water content of greater than 15% by weight but less than 24% by weight.

Abstract: A microporous insulation material mixture is blended and the blended mixture is spread across a lower conveyor belt which is trained over rollers. To aid the spreading of the mixture a spreading device is used. The mixture is delivered by the conveyor to a pressing system which in this case comprises an upper conveyor belt. The pressing system also comprises a nipping means provided in this case by a plurality of upper and lower nipping rollers. The gaps between the individual rollers are adjustable. An upper fleece liner is led from a delivery roller to lie between the upper conveyor belt and the insulation mixture and a lower fleece liner is fed from a delivery roller to lie between the insulation mixture and the lower conveyor belt. The fleece liners may be used to encase the core prior to enclosing in an envelope and applying a vacuum.

Abstract: A vacuum insulating panel comprise a first sheet of a flexible material, a second sheet of a flexible material and a bridging element of a flexible material extending in a generally rectilinear waveform between the first and the second sheets. The bridging element and the sheets define therebetween a plurality of separate generally rectilinear evacuated compartments containing a self-supporting insulating element. The bridging element comprise first flat regions extending along the inside face of the first sheet, second flat regions extending along the inside face of the second sheet, and connecting regions extending between the first and second flat regions, There are seals between the flat regions of the bridging element and the inside face of the sheets. If one compartment is punctured only that compartment is affected. The seals prevent loss of vacuum in adjacent compartments.

Abstract: A prefabricated composite insulation board comprises a facing of a flexible sheet material and a plurality of vacuum insulation panels (VIP) adhesive bonded thereto. A body of insulating foam overlies the vacuum insulating panels and the carrier. There are gaps between adjacent vacuum insulation panels and these gaps are filled with the foam. Alternatively, groups of VIP's may be positioned close to one another and gaps left at defined locations. These gaps may be used to provide regions at which the panel may be cut to a desired length without cutting through and VIP's. External markings such as cut-lines may be provided to indicated the location of these gaps.

Abstract: An insulated foam board is manufactured by leading a first facing from a reel and laying down liquid foam reactants. A second facing from a supply reel is laid over the reactants forming a sandwich. The foam is expanded in an oven and the board is cut to a desired length. One or both facings are removed and re-wound onto a reel for re-use. A coating in the form of a metallized paint is applied in-line to one or both faces of the foam core, after removal of the facings. The painted boards have enhanced heat insulation properties.

Abstract: An insulated foam board is manufactured by leading a first facing (1) from a reel and laying down liquid foam reactants. A second facing (2) from a supply reel is laid over the reactants forming a sandwich. The foam is expanded in an oven (12) and the board is cut to a desired length. One or both facings (21, 22) are removed and re-wound onto a reel (24, 25) for re-use. A coating in the form of a metallized paint is applied (30, 35) in-line to one or both faces of the foam core (23), after removal of the facings (21, 22). The painted boards have enhanced heat insulation properties.