Abstract: A cargo container includes an outer aluminum shell or housing having side, rear, bottom and top walls and a front opening with a pair of hinged doors. The housing receives a molded box-shaped composite outer shell which receives a molded box-shaped composite inner shell defining a cargo chamber. Corresponding walls of the inner and outer shells and the doors confine insulation cassettes each including vacuum insulation panels forming layers, all protected by plastic sheets and plastic film. Air is circulated by blowers within the chamber through a refrigeration evaporator and electrical heating elements, and a rear portion of the housing encloses operating components including a refrigeration compressor, storage batteries and exhaust fans. A control system senses temperature within the chamber and smoke and humidity outside the container and controls the operation of the compressor, exhaust fans and other components from storage batteries or an external power source.

Abstract: A cargo container includes an outer aluminum shell or housing having side, rear, bottom and top walls and a front opening with a pair of hinged doors. The housing receives a molded box-shaped composite outer shell which receives a molded box-shaped composite inner shell defining a cargo chamber. Corresponding walls of the inner and outer shells and the doors confine insulation cassettes each including vacuum insulation panels forming layers, all protected by plastic sheets and plastic film. Air is circulated by blowers within the chamber through a refrigeration evaporator and electrical heating elements, and a rear portion of the housing encloses operating components including a refrigeration compressor, storage batteries and exhaust fans. A control system senses temperature within the chamber and smoke and humidity outside the container and controls the operation of the compressor, exhaust fans and other components from storage batteries or an external power source.

Abstract: A cargo container includes an outer aluminum housing having side, rear, bottom and top walls and a front opening with a pair of hinged doors. The housing receives a molded box-shaped composite outer shell which receives a molded box-shaped composite inner shell defining a cargo chamber. Corresponding walls of the inner and outer shells and the doors confine insulation cassettes each including vacuum insulation panels forming layers separated by a foam sheet and covered by corrugated plastic sheets, all wrapped with plastic film. Air is circulated within the chamber through a refrigeration evaporator and electrical heating elements, and a rear portion of the housing encloses a refrigeration compressor, storage batteries and a control system which senses the temperature within the chamber to operate the compressor and heating element from the batteries or an external power source to maintain substantially constant preselected temperatures within the chamber.

Abstract: A cargo container includes an outer aluminum housing having side, rear, bottom and top walls and a front opening with a pair of hinged doors. The housing receives a molded box-shaped composite outer shell which receives a molded box-shaped composite inner shell defining a cargo chamber. Corresponding walls of the inner and outer shells and the doors confine insulation cassettes each including vacuum insulation panels forming layers separated by a foam sheet and covered by corrugated plastic sheets, all wrapped with plastic film. Air is circulated within the chamber through a refrigeration evaporator and electrical heating elements, and a rear portion of the housing encloses a refrigeration compressor, storage batteries and a control system which senses the temperature within the chamber to operate the compressor and heating element from the batteries or an external power source to maintain substantially constant preselected temperatures within the chamber.

Abstract: A micropore open cell foam composite and a method for manufacturing a micropore open cell foam composite wherein the micropore open cell foam composites comprise a micropore open cell foam having an open cell content of greater than about 80% volume and an average pore size of about 200 microns or less and a phase change material in the open cell foam in the amount of 80% volume or greater.

Abstract: A core panel or box of rigid plastics microporous foam is provided with parallel spaced passages or thin grooves and is placed within an envelope or bag of flexible multi-layer barrier film impervious to the passage of gas. The bag includes an integral evacuation tubular portion which is releasably coupled to an evacuation nozzle connected by a manifold with solenoid valves to a vacuum pump. After air is substantially evacuated from the foam core and the bag to collapse the bag against the foam core and into the grooves, a vacuum sensor operates a computer which controls the valves for checking the vacuum level within the bag and for optionally admitting an additive gas. Closely spaced grooves within opposite sides of the foam panel provide for bending the evacuated panel, and a thin layer of foam is applied to the outer surface of the vacuum insulated panel to provide a protective outer surface.

Abstract: A core panel or box of rigid plastics microporous foam is provided with parallel spaced passages or thin grooves and is placed within an envelope or bag of flexible multi-layer barrier film impervious to the passage of gas. The bag includes an integral evacuation tubular portion which is releasably coupled to an evacuation nozzle connected by a manifold with solenoid valves to a vacuum pump. After air is substantially evacuated from the foam core and the bag to collapse the bag against the foam core and into the grooves, a vacuum sensor operates a computer which controls the valves for checking the vacuum level within the bag and for optionally admitting an additive gas. Closely spaced grooves within opposite sides of the foam panel provide for bending the evacuated panel, and a thin layer of foam is applied to the outer surface of the vacuum insulated panel to provide a protective outer surface.

Abstract: A multi-layer core for use in a vacuum insulation panel and an insulated container utilizing a vacuum insulation panel containing the multi-layer core is provided. The multi-layer core includes at least a first layer of a heat resistant material and a second layer of a material which is less heat resistant than the first layer or which has a lower melting point than the first layer. The core preferably includes a third layer comprising a heat resistant material. The second layer preferably comprises an open cell foam, and the first and third layers preferably comprise a silica material. A vacuum insulation panel which includes the multi-layer core is preferably provided in an insulated container including exterior and interior walls which form a pocket into which the vacuum insulation panel may be inserted. The container may be used to store and/or transport a variety of temperature sensitive items such as food, medicines, and the like.

Abstract: A micropore open cell foam composite and a method for manufacturing a micropore open cell foam composite wherein the micropore open cell foam composites comprise a micropore open cell foam having an open cell content of greater than about 80% volume and an average pore size of about 200 microns or less and a phase change material in the open cell foam in the amount of 80% volume or greater.

Abstract: An insulating vacuum panel comprising a microporous, open cell silica foam or a precipitated silica insulating support member enclosed within a sealed, flexible polymeric envelope, the envelope comprising a heat-sealable barrier film comprising a multiple layer laminate containing at least one polyethylene terephthalate layer and at least two barrier layers selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamide, polyolefin and aluminum foil, or a biaxially oriented liquid crystal barrier film which minimizes permeation of gas and liquid through the barrier film, the panel having an R value per inch of at least about 20 wherein the enclosed insulated vacuum panel is useful as insulation to maintain an essentially constant temperature in a closed structure, a system for storing and transporting temperature-sensitive materials wherein the insulated vacuum panels are employed to provide and maintain a constant temperature in the system, a method for manufacturing the insulatin

Abstract: A core panel or box of rigid plastics microporous foam is provided with parallel spaced passages or thin grooves and is placed within an envelope or bag of flexible multi-layer barrier film impervious to the passage of gas. The bag includes an integral evacuation tubular portion which is releasably coupled to an evacuation nozzle connected by a manifold with solenoid valves to a vacuum pump. After air is substantially evacuated from the foam core and the bag to collapse the bag against the foam core and into the grooves, a vacuum sensor operates a computer which controls the valves for checking the vacuum level within the bag and for optionally admitting an additive gas. Closely spaced grooves within opposite sides of the foam panel provide for bending the evacuated panel, and a thin layer of foam is applied to the outer surface of the vacuum insulated panel to provide a protective outer surface.

Abstract: A portable, self-sustaining refrigeration system for storing and transporting temperature sensitive materials comprising an insulated housing constructed of double wall plastic panels having an R value per inch of at least 20, and a thermal storage phase change material in the form of a reversible gel for operation at about 0.degree. to 10.degree. C. wherein the reversible gel is enclosed in a sealed liquid-impervious enclosure, is disclosed.

Abstract: An insulating vacuum panel comprising an insulating support member enclosed within a sealed, flexible polymeric envelope, the envelope comprising a polymeric barrier film which minimizes permeation of gas and liquid through the barrier film, the panel having an R value per inch of at least about 20 wherein the enclosed insulated vacuum panel is useful as insulation to maintain an essentially constant temperature in a closed structure, and a system for storing and transporting temperature-sensitive materials wherein the insulated vacuum panels are employed to provide and maintain a constant temperature in the system are described.

Abstract: A core panel or box of rigid plastics microporous foam is provided with parallel spaced passages or grooves and is placed within an envelope or bag of flexible multi-layer barrier film impervious to the passage of gas. The bag includes an integral evacuation tubular portion which is releasably coupled to an evacuation nozzle connected by a manifold with solenoid valves to a vacuum pump. After air is substantially evacuated from the foam core and the bag to collapse the bag against the foam core and into the grooves, a vacuum sensor operates a computer which controls the valves for checking the vacuum level within the bag and for optionally admitting an additive gas. Closely spaced grooves within opposite sides of the foam panel provide for bending the evacuated panel.

Abstract: Sheets of gas impermeable plastics material are vacuum-formed to produce semi-rigid trays or shells each having side walls extending to form a peripheral flange. The formed shells define a cavity which is filled with an insulation media such as an open cell rigid foam material or a dry silica powder. In one embodiment, a media filled shell and a gas impermeable plastic cover sheet or partially assembled inner and outer shells separated by the media, are placed within a vacuum chamber, and overlapping edge portions or flanges are sealed by a moveable platen after evacuation of the media. The shells may include inner and outer lip portions on opposite side walls to provide for placing two of the insulated shells together in opposing relation to form an insulated container. In another embodiment, the overlapping flanges of the inner and outer shells are sealed together, and the insulation media between the shells is evacuated through a tube which is then closed and sealed.

Abstract: A method for pressing and draping the sleeves of jackets by applying each sleeve to a sleeve form and positioning the sleeve thereon, expanding the form to expand the sleeve, bringing an internal pressing head into proximity with the junction of the sleeve and the jacket at the armhole, expanding the pressing head to a greater diameter than the armhole, applying steam and hot and cold air and vacuum in turn to the interior of the sleeve and allowing the sleeve to set, and a machine for carrying out the method comprising a left and right hand sleeve form for operation in sequence each form being expandible inside its respective sleeve with a pressing head expandible simultaneously with its sleeve form to a diameter greater than the diameter of the armhole and means for applying steam, air and vacuum in turn to the interior of the sleeve and allowing the sleeve to set while the opposite sleeve of a second jacket is being similarly treated on the other sleeve form.