Casing-free insulation blanket

Abstract

An insulation blanket comprises (a) substantially hydrophobic insulation material; and (b) high temperature-resistant material; with the proviso that the blanket is casing-free.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An insulation blanket comprising (a) substantially hydrophobic insulation material; and (b) high temperature-resistant material; with the proviso that said blanket is casing-free.  
     
     
         2 . The blanket of  claim 1  wherein said substantially hydrophobic insulation material comprises at least one polymer.  
     
     
         3 . The blanket of  claim 2  wherein said polymer is a polyolefin.  
     
     
         4 . The blanket of  claim 1  wherein said substantially hydrophobic insulation material is fibrous.  
     
     
         5 . The blanket of  claim 1  wherein said high temperature-resistant material is a flame-resistant material.  
     
     
         6 . The blanket of  claim 1  wherein said high temperature-resistant material is a material that is both flame propagation-resistant and flame penetration-resistant, or that is burnthrough-resistant.  
     
     
         7 . An insulation blanket comprising (a) fibrous, substantially hydrophobic insulation material comprising polyolefin; and (b) a material that is both flame propagation-resistant and flame penetration-resistant, or that is burnthrough-resistant; with the proviso that said blanket is casing-free.  
     
     
         8 . An insulation blanket comprising (a) substantially hydrophobic insulation material comprising at least one polymer; and (b) a material that is both flame propagation-resistant and flame penetration-resistant, or that is burnthrough-resistant; said materials being encased within a protective covering.  
     
     
         9 . A process for producing an insulation blanket, the process comprising the step of continuously bringing together, optionally in the presence of one or more intervening or adjacent materials, at least one insulation material and at least one high temperature-resistant material.  
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 9  wherein said insulation material comprises substantially hydrophobic insulation material.  
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 9  wherein said insulation material comprises at least one polymer.  
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 10  wherein said substantially hydrophobic insulation material comprises at least one polymer.  
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 11  or  claim 12  wherein said polymer is a polyolefin.  
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 9  or  claim 10  wherein said insulation material is fibrous.  
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 9  wherein said high temperature-resistant material is a flame-resistant material.  
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 9  wherein said high temperature-resistant material is a material that is both flame propagation-resistant and flame penetration-resistant, or that is burnthrough-resistant.  
     
     
         17 . A process for producing an insulation blanket, the process comprising the step of continuously bringing together, optionally in the presence of one or more intervening or adjacent materials, at least one fibrous, substantially hydrophobic insulation material comprising polyolefin and at least one material that is both flame propagation-resistant and flame penetration-resistant, or that is burnthrough-resistant.  
     
     
         18 . An insulation blanket produced by the process of  claim 9 , wherein said materials are in the form of layers that are substantially coextensive.  
     
     
         19 . The blanket of  claim 18 , wherein said insulation material is polymeric.  
     
     
         20 . The blanket of  claim 19 , wherein said polymeric insulation material is fibrous.  
     
     
         21 . An insulation blanket produced by the process of  claim 17 , wherein said materials are in the form of layers that are substantially coextensive.  
     
     
         22 . A process for insulating a surface, the process comprising the step of providing said surface with the insulation blanket of  claim 1 ,  claim 7 ,  claim 8 ,  claim 18 , or  claim 21.