Abstract: An inflatable panel including a first layer formed of a material of low gas permeability and a second layer formed of a material of low gas permeability. The first and second layers are intermittently sealed together via a plurality of first elongated seals, thereby defining a plurality of first tubes between adjacent pairs of the first elongated seals. The panel also includes a third layer of material of low gas permeability. The third and second layers are intermittently sealed together via a plurality of second elongated seals, thereby defining a plurality of second tubes between adjacent pairs of the second elongated seals. Also, the first and second tubes are sealed at front and rear ends thereof, and a gas is provided within each of the tubes, whereby the gas within each of the tubes is prevented from flowing between tubes.

Abstract: A vacuum insulation panel that includes a paper core made of at least one panel consisting of first and second facing sheets, made of paper, that sandwich a paper honeycomb structure. The honeycomb structure preferably includes a plurality of cells that extend from the first facing sheet to the second facing sheet. The panel also includes an outer shell that surrounds the core, wherein the outer shell is made of a material of low gas permeability and is sealed to form a substantially airtight container around the core. In preferred embodiments, an interior of said outer shell has been evacuated to a pressure of between approximately 1-10 Torr, resulting in an insulating panel that has an R-value of approximately 3.