ENHANCED INSULATION PANEL

Abstract: An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) is provided. The enhanced panel comprises a thermal insulation vacuum panel (12) formed in part by an envelope (14) having an outer periphery (12a) and framing structure (30) secured to at least a portion of the outer periphery of the panel.

Description: ENHANCED INSULATION PANEL CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to contemporaneously filed U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/533,025, filed September 25, 1995, titled "Appliance Door," by Ralph McGrath et al., having attorney docket number 23858/23857, herein incoφorated by reference; and is related to contemporaneously filed U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/533,024, filed September 25, 1995, titled "Modular Insulation Panels and Insulated Structures," by Ralph McGrath et al., having attorney docket number 23845/23855, herein incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to an insulation panel having a frame, preferably formed of a foamed material, secured in place about its outer periphery. BACKGROUND Thermal insulation vacuum panels are known in the art. One such panel is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,768,046. That panel comprises a metal shell or envelope formed from a pan-shaped metal sheet and a generally flat metal sheet. The sheets are welded to one another at their abutting outer edges. The edges define a flange which extends about the outer periphery ofthe panel. The space between the two sheets is filled with glass fiber insulation, and the enclosed spaced is evacuated to a very low pressure. The patentee teaches incoφorating a plurality of his panels into a refrigerator cabinet. He notes in column 1, lines 45-49 ofthe '046 patent that heat transfer can occur from one wall or sheet ofthe panel to the other at the abutting edges ofthe sheets. In an attempt to minimize the effect of such edge leakage, the patentee teaches providing glass fiber insulation in areas adjacent to the edges ofthe panels. Vacuum insulation panels having uniform edge dimensions can be difficult to manufacture. Dimensional error may occur during one or more ofthe following manufacturing operations: cutting or otherwise forming the first and second sections of the metal envelope, positioning the two sections adjacent to one another and welding their abutting edges together, and evacuating the envelope. Since these panels have thin peripheral flanges, these panels have also been found difficult to handle and transport. Finally, because the panels are formed in part by a metal envelope, it is costly to make available to the end user a large selection of panel sizes. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a thermal insulation vacuum panel which has improved thermal performance, can be manufactured so as to have uniform edge dimensions, can be easily manufactured in a number of panel sizes, and permits it to be easily and safely handled and transported. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION These needs are met by the present invention whereby an enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel is provided which comprises a vacuum panel provided with an outer peripheral frame, preferably formed of a foamed material. The foam frame enhances the thermal properties ofthe vacuum panel, provides a means to easily vary the outer dimensions ofthe panel without requiring a change in the size ofthe metal envelope, improves the overall strength ofthe panel, allows the panel to be handled and shipped more easily and safely, and provides a means for maintaining uniform outer dimensions from panel to panel. In accordance with a first aspect ofthe present invention, the enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel comprises a thermal insulation vacuum panel, and a framing structure secured to at least a portion ofthe outer periphery ofthe panel. Preferably, the framing structure extends about substantially the entire extent ofthe outer periphery ofthe thermal insulation panel. However, it is also contemplated that the framing structure may be secured to only one or more portions of the outer periphery ofthe vacuum panel. For example, the framing structure may comprise one or more polymeric corner sections which are secured to a like number of corner portions ofthe vacuum panel. In one embodiment, the framing structure is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam material, polystyrene foam material, and phenolic foam material. However, non-foamed polymeric materials, wood, or other materials having similar characteristics may be used. The framing structure may be preformed and subsequently adhesively or frictionally secured to the vacuum panel. Alternatively, the framing structure may be foamed or molded about the outer periphery ofthe panel. In an alternative embodiment, a reinforced plastic structure is secured to at least a portion of an outer edge ofthe framing structure. The reinforced structure may define an attachment surface to which, for example, an inner liner and/or an outer skin of a refrigerator enclosure are secured either adhesively or via securing screws which pass through the reinforced structure. The framing structure may have an L-shaped profile in cross section to permit it to mate with an adjacent enhanced panel. In accordance with a second aspect ofthe present invention, an enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel is provided. The enhanced panel comprises a thermal insulation vacuum panel formed in part by an envelope having an outer periphery and polymeric framing structure secured to at least a portion ofthe outer periphery ofthe panel envelope. Accordingly, it is an object ofthe present invention to provide an enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel. It is further an object ofthe present invention to provide an enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel which comprises a thermal insulation vacuum panel provided with an outer peripheral frame. It is another object ofthe present invention to provide an enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel which comprises a thermal insulation vacuum panel provided with an outer peripheral polymeric frame. These and other objects ofthe present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view, partially in cross section, of an enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel formed in accordance with a first embodiment ofthe present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel formed in accordance with a second embodiment ofthe present invention; and Figure 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of two enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panels formed and joined in accordance with a third embodiment ofthe present invention. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown generally at 10 an enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel formed in accordance with the present invention. The enhanced insulation panel 10 is adapted for use in insulated appliances, such as ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, walk-in coolers, recreational vehicles, insulated vans or trucks, and refrigerated shipping containers. It is also contemplated that the enhanced panel 10 may be used in the construction of insulated walls and/or ceilings of permanent or temporary structures. The enhanced panel 10 comprises a high R- value thermal insulation vacuum panel 12, which may be constructed as disclosed in any one of: U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/271,163, filed July 6, 1994, and entitled "Vacuum Insulation Panel and Method For Manufacturing"; U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/405,129, filed March 16, 1995, and entitled "Vacuum Insulation Panel Having Blended Glass Wool Filler and Method for Manufacturing"; U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/405,114, filed March 16, 1995, and entitled "Vacuum Insulation Panel Having Expanded Surface Area Wool Filler and Method for Manufacturing"; and U.S. Patent Nos. 5,330,816, 5,286,320, 5,094,899 and 5,090,981, the disclosures of which are incoφorated herein by reference. The vacuum panel 12 comprises a generally rectangular metal shell or envelope 14 formed from upper and lower metal panels 16 and 18. The panels 16 and 18 are welded to one another at their abutting outer edge portions. The abutting outer edge portions form a flange 20 which defines the outer periphery 12a ofthe panel 12. The space 22 between the two panels 16 and 18 is filled with thermal insulating media 24, and the enclosed space is evacuated to a very low pressure. A framing structure 30 is secured about the outer periphery 12a ofthe vacuum panel 12. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the framing structure 30 comprises discrete framing members 30a which are adhesively, frictionally, or otherwise fastened or joined to one another and to the outer periphery 12a ofthe vacuum panel 12. Preferably, the members 30a are preformed from a foamed material, such as a polyurethane or a polystyrene foam material, and are adhesively applied to the vacuum panel 12. While not shown in the illustrated embodiment, reinforcement materials, such as glass fibers, may be included in the foamed material. It is also contemplated that the polymeric material, rather than being preformed, may be foamed about the outer periphery 12a ofthe vacuum panel 12, or a non-foamed polymeric material may be molded about the outer periphery 12a ofthe vacuum panel 12. The foamed or molded material may encase only the outer periphery 12a ofthe panel 12, in the same manner that members 30a encase the outer periphery 12a ofthe panel 12 as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, the foamed or molded material may cover essentially the entire outer surface ofthe panel 12, and material may be scalloped or otherwise removed from one or both sides ofthe enhanced panel 10 to reduce the thickness ofthe enhanced panel 10 in its central region. It is further contemplated that the framing structure 30 may be formed from discrete framing members preformed from a fiberglass-reinforced plastic such as a polyester-based sheet molding compound (SMC), a rigid unreinforced polymeric material such as high-density polyethylene, a coated metal, wood, etc. Processes for forming discrete framing members from polymeric materials include molding, extrusion, and pultrusion processes. It is additionally contemplated that the framing structure 30 may be secured to only one or more portions ofthe outer periphery 12a ofthe vacuum panel 12. For example, the framing structure 30 may comprise one or more polymeric corner sections (not shown) which are secured to only corner portions ofthe vacuum panel. The width W, depth D, and length ofthe framing structure 30 can be easily varied, such as by cutting or grinding or by using forming apparatus of a different shape and/or size. Accordingly, metal envelopes 14 having the same outer dimensions may be used in the manufacture of enhanced vacuum panels 10 having different outer dimensions. This substantially reduces the cost of producing panels 10 having different outer dimensions since separate sets of tooling and other apparatus for forming metal envelopes of two different sizes are not required. Vacuum insulation panels having metal envelopes of uniform edge dimensions can be difficult to manufacture, as discussed above in the "Background" portion ofthe present application. This is in contrast to framing structures 30, which can easily be formed having uniform outer dimensions. Accordingly, with the present invention, it is possible to economically manufacture enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panels 10 having uniform outer dimensions, even though their metal envelopes 14 may have non-uniform dimensions. As shown in Figure 2, the framing structure 30 may have an L-shaped or stepped profile 30b in cross section to permit adjacent framing structures 30 of like panels 10 to intermate to facilitate the interconnecting ofthe adjacent panels 10. One ofthe benefits ofthe framing structure 30 ofthe enhanced panel 10 is the formability ofthe edge profile for customer applications. Other profile shapes not specifically shown herein may also be employed, including interlocking as well as mating profiles. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel 40, formed in accordance with a second embodiment ofthe present invention, will now be described with reference to Figure 3, where like elements are referenced by like numerals. In this embodiment, a reinforced plastic structure 50 is secured about the outer periphery ofthe framing structure 30. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the outer periphery of each panel 40 has an L-shaped or stepped profile and portions of their outer peripheries are shown overlapping one another. One or more securing screws 60 extend through the respective framing structures 30 and the reinforcement plastic structures 50 ofthe adjacent panels 40 to connect the two panels 40 together. In this embodiment, the reinforced structures 50 provide strong layers into which the one or more screws 60 extend and, hence, improves fastener retention over foam alone. Altematively, the reinforcement plastic structure 50 may define an attachment surface to which, for example, an inner and an outer wall or surface (not shown) are secured. It is further contemplated that a framing structure 30 of enhanced panels 10 may be formed from a high-density foamed material, e.g., a 10 pounds/ft 3 (160 kg/m 3 ) foamed material, so as to improve its strength and fastener retention ability. Accordingly, the present invention provides an enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel which comprises a thermal insulation vacuum panel provided with an outer peripheral frame, preferably formed of a foamed material. The foam frame enhances the thermal properties ofthe vacuum panel, provides a means to easily vary the outer dimensions ofthe panel without requiring a change in the size ofthe metal envelope, improves the overall strength ofthe panel, allows the panel to be handled and shipped more easily and safely, and provides a means for maintaining uniform outer dimensions from panel to panel. Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope ofthe invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) comprising: a thermal insulation vacuum panel (12) having an outer periphery (12a); and framing stmcture (30) secured to at least a portion of said outer periphery of said panel. 2. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said framing stmcture (30) extends about substantially the entire extent of the outer periphery (12a) of said thermal insulation panel (12). 3. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel ( 10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said framing stmcture (30) comprises at least first and second comer sections which are secured to first and second comer portions of said vacuum panel. 4. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said framing stmcture (30) is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam material, polystyrene foam material, and phenolic foam material. 5. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 4, further comprising reinforced plastic stmcture (50) secured to at least a portion of an outer edge of said framing stmcture (30). 6. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 1, further including adhesive for securing said framing stmcture (30) to said portion of said panel. 7. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said framing stmcture (30) is molded about the outer periphery (12a) of said panel. 8. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said framing stmcture (30) is foamed about the outer periphery (12a) of said panel. 9. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said framing stmcture (30) has an L-shaped profile in cross section. 10. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) comprising: a thermal insulation vacuum panel (12) formed in part by an envelope (14) having an outer periphery (12a); and polymeric framing stmcture (30) secured to at least a portion of said outer periphery of said panel envelope. 11. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 10, wherein said polymeric framing stmcture (30) extends about substantially the entire extent ofthe outer periphery (12a) of said panel envelope (14). 12. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 10, wherein said polymeric framing stmcture (30) comprises at least first and second polymeric co er sections which are secured to first and second comer portions of said panel envelope (14). 13. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel ( 10) as set forth in claim 10, wherein said polymeric framing stmcture (30) is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam material, polystyrene foam material, and phenolic foam material. 14. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 13, further comprising reinforced plastic stmcture (50) secured to at least a portion of an outer edge of said polymeric framing stmcture (30). 15. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel ( 10) as set forth in claim 10, further including adhesive for securing said framing stmcture (30) to said portion of said panel envelope (14). 16. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 10, wherein said framing stmcture (30) is molded about the outer periphery (12a) of said panel envelope (14). 17. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 10, wherein said framing stmcture (30) is foamed about the outer periphery (12a) of said panel envelope (14). 18. An enhanced thermal insulation vacuum panel (10) as set forth in claim 10, wherein said framing stmcture (30) has an L-shaped profile in cross section.

Inventors: JUTTE RALPH BERNARD, MCGRATH RALPH DAMS, JUTTE, RALPH, BERNARD, MCGRATH, RALPH, DAMS
Applicants: OWENS CORNING FIBERGLASS CORP, OWENS CORNING
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B32B5
IPC codes: B32B3, B32B5, E04B1, F16L59, F25D23