Shapeable vacuum insulation panel containing a single core component

Abstract

A shapeable vacuum insulation panel containing a single core component is particularly useful for preparing thermally insulating containers.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A vacuum insulation panel comprising a single core component enclosed within a gas-impermeable barrier; wherein said vacuum insulation panel can bend or fold at least 90 degrees relative to an initial configuration without breaking said single core component into two or more discrete pieces when said single core component is free of grooves; and wherein said single core component contains less than 50 weight-percent of fiberglass fibers, based on single core component weight.  
     
     
         2 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 1 , wherein said single core component contains at least one core component section comprising a polymeric foam that is 90 percent or more open-celled according to American Society for Testing and Materials method D2856-A.  
     
     
         3 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 2 , wherein said polymeric foam comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene homo- and copolymers, polyethylene homo- and copolymers, polystyrene homo- and copolymers, polyurethane, and polyisocyanurate.  
     
     
         4 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 2 , wherein the polymeric foam comprises polystyrene.  
     
     
         5 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 2 , wherein said gas-impermeable barrier is a multilayer polymeric film that includes a heat sealable layer.  
     
     
         6 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 1 , wherein said single core component comprises two or more interconnected core component sections.  
     
     
         7 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 6 , wherein said core component sections are interconnected by at least one material selected from the group consisting of polymeric films and foams, adhesive films, corrugated metal, adhesive tape, paper, metal foil, string, wire, and glue.  
     
     
         8 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 1 , wherein said core component is essentially free of fiberglass, glass wool, and mineral wool.  
     
     
         9 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 1 , wherein said core component contains at least one core component section that has loose particulate material inside of a container.  
     
     
         10 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 1 , wherein said gas-impermeable barrier comprises a polymeric film.  
     
     
         11 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 10 , wherein said polymeric film is a multilayered polymeric film.  
     
     
         12 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 11 , wherein said multilayered polymeric film has an exposed layer that is heat sealable.  
     
     
         13 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 11 , wherein said multilayered polymeric film includes a coating disposed on at least one surface.  
     
     
         14 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 13 , wherein said coating is selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, glass, and organic materials.  
     
     
         15 . The vacuum insulation panel of  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum insulation panel has a D/T ratio of less than  48 .  
     
     
         16 . An insulated container comprising at least one vacuum insulation panel of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         17 . The insulated container of  claim 16 , further comprising a container shell, wherein said vacuum insulation panel fits around or within said container shell.  
     
     
         18 . The insulated container of  claim 17 , wherein said vacuum insulation panel conforms to said container shell.  
     
     
         19 . A method of insulating a container shell comprising: 
 (a) bending the vacuum insulation panel of  claim 1  into a desired configuration; then    (b) disposing the vacuum insulation panel into or around said container shell.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said desired configuration conforms to said container shell.