Re-usable radiative thermal insulation

Abstract

Commercial metalized plastic film, in the form of discarded containers or container stock, is collected, cleaned, shredded and packaged, to produce an insulating layer having a high thermal resistance, or R-value, no outgassing of volatile compounds at habitable temperatures, and multiple reusability after deployment. Each step in the sequence is designed to minimize unit cost of the process, as well as maximize the thermal resistance of the finished product. The invention largely avoids disintegration of the recycled material, and hence utilizes the embedded energy already present in the construction of the original film.

1 . A method for providing thermal insulation comprising:
 obtaining metalized plastic film;   shredding said metalized plastic film;   disposing said shredded metalized plastic film between a first surface and a second surface.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first surface and said second surface form a portion of a boundary, said boundary enclosing or partially enclosing a volume space. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said volume space is a building or a room within said building. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said volume space is a portable living space. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said volume space is a vehicle. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said volume space is a container. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said metalized plastic film is a waste product. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said metalized plastic film waste is a discarded package of a perishable commercial product. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said metalized plastic film waste is the cut-off waste or scrap waste incurred in the manufacture of metalized plastic film and packages for perishable or light-sensitive products. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said metalized plastic film waste is cleaned before said shredding. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said obtaining includes collecting said metalized plastic film waste from a recycler. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said obtaining includes collecting unused waste and scrap from package manufacturers. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said metalized plastic film is shredded into strips having widths of between 1 millimeter and 1 centimeter and having random lengths. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said metalized plastic film is shredded into strips having selected widths and selected lengths according to predetermined mathematical distribution formulae. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said metalized plastic film is aluminized plastic film waste. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the space between said first surface and said second surface is substantially filled with said metalized plastic film. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the amount of said metalized plastic film disposed between said first surface and said second surface to achieve a predetermined thermal resistance. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said disposing includes placing said shredded metalized plastic film in a pouch and disposing said pouch between said first surface and said second surface. 
   
   
       19 . A thermal barrier, comprising:
 a first surface layer and a second surface layer, with a hollow space in between; and   an insulating material disposed within said hollow space, wherein said insulating material comprises shreds of metalized plastic film.   
   
   
       20 . The thermal barrier of  claim 19 , wherein said thermal barrier is a wall.