Abstract: A vacuum panel includes a jacket having a bottom that is formed into a "pan" shape. A top is welded to the flanges of the bottom to create a hermetic seal therebetween. A dense glass fiber mat fills the jacket. A getter is strategically located in the panel to absorb residual gases in the panel and maintain the vacuum life. To create the vacuum in the panel, the panel is heated to a specified temperature and time, and evacuated through an opening. The opening is sealed with a braze seal that is melted over the opening.

Abstract: A vacuum insulation panel is comprised from a base and a cover member joined together to define an inner cavity. The cover is provided with a planar fastening surface for bonding the vacuum panel to a target surface to be insulated. A peripheral rounded corner around the fastening surface is configured to eliminate deformation of the fastening surface due to atmospheric forces arising from the evacuation of the inner cavity. The rounded peripheral corner of the cover is configured to permit lateral expansion of the cover member to accommodate lateral expansion of the base member during evacuation. The corner also adds strength to the panel cover, permitting the inner fiber glass mat to be formed with a void near the flange weld and eliminating the risk of weld contamination by the fiber glass material during assembly. The fastening surface remains planar and disposed above the outer flange after evacuation of the panel, thus providing an improved fastening surface compared to prior art vacuum panels.