Insulating inserts, containers comprising them and methods of assembling and using them

Abstract

The present invention relates to insulating inserts, containers comprising them, and methods for assembling them. The present invention also relates to methods for transporting or insulating payloads using them.

1 . An insulating insert comprising:
 (a) at least two vacuum insulation panels; and   (b) at least one thermal insulating materials with a cavity;   wherein the thermal insulating material lies between two vacuum insulation panels.   
     
     
         2 . An insulating insert comprising:
 (a) a first and a second vacuum insulation panel; and   (b) a first thermal insulating material with a cavity;   wherein the first thermal insulating material lies between the first and the second vacuum insulation panel.   
     
     
         3 . The insulating insert according to  claim 2 , further comprising a third vacuum insulation panel and a second thermal insulating material with a cavity,
 wherein the second thermal insulating material lies between the second and the third vacuum insulation panels.   
     
     
         4 . The insulating insert according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the vacuum insulation panel comprises a core material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polyurethane, fiberglass, silica, and various forms of organic foams. 
     
     
         5 . The insulating insert according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the thermal insulating material is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, polyethylene, polypropylene, rubber and silicones. 
     
     
         6 . The insulating insert according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the surface area of each of the vacuum insulation panels is about 4 square inches to about 3600 square inches. 
     
     
         7 . The insulating insert according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the thickness of each of the thermal insulating material is about 0.5 inches to about 48 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The insulating insert according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the thermal insulating material comprises an uninterrupted cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The insulating insert according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the thermal insulating material comprises a cut cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The insulating insert according to  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising a payload and optionally, a cooling or heating source and an internal protective liner. 
     
     
         11 . An insulating container comprising the an insulating insert,
 wherein the insulating insert comprises
 (a) at least two vacuum insulation panels; and 
 (b) at least one thermal insulating materials with a cavity; 
   wherein the thermal insulating material lies between two vacuum insulation panels; or   the insulating insert comprises:
 (a) a first and a second vacuum insulation panel; and 
 (b) a first thermal insulating material with a cavity; 
   wherein the first thermal insulating material lies between the first and the second vacuum insulation panel.   
     
     
         12 . The container according to  claim 11 , further comprising a cooling or heating source. 
     
     
         13 . The container according to  claim 11 , wherein the cooling or heating source is an active cooling or heating source. 
     
     
         14 . The container according to  claim 11 , further comprising a payload. 
     
     
         15 . The container according  claim 11 , further comprising an internal protective liner. 
     
     
         16 . A method for assembling an insulating insert, comprising the steps of:
 (a) placing a thermal insulating material on top of a first vacuum insulation panel; and   (b) placing a second vacuum insulation panel on top of the thermal insulating material,   wherein the thermal insulating material contains a cavity for receiving a payload and optionally, a cooling or heating source and an internal protective liner.   
     
     
         17 . A method for assembling an insulating insert, comprising the steps of:
 (a) placing a first thermal insulating material on top of a first vacuum insulation panel;   (b) placing a second vacuum insulation panel on top of the first thermal insulating material;   (c) placing a second thermal insulating material on top of the second vacuum insulation panel; and   (d) placing a third vacuum insulating panel on top of the second thermal insulating material;   wherein the first and second thermal insulating materials contain a cavity for receiving a payload and optionally, a cooling or heating source and an internal protective liner.   
     
     
         18 . A method of transporting a payload to a desired location comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an insulating insert comprising a payload and optionally, a cooling or heating source and an internal protective liner;   (b) placing the insulating insert within a container;   (c) closing the container; and   (d) transporting it to the desired location,   wherein the insulating insert comprises   (a) at least two vacuum insulation panels; and   (b) at least one thermal insulating materials with a cavity;   wherein the thermal insulating material lies between two vacuum insulation panels; or   the insulating insert comprises:
 (a) a first and a second vacuum insulation panel; and 
 (b) a first thermal insulating material with a cavity; 
   
       wherein the first thermal insulating material lies between the first and the second vacuum insulation panel. 
     
     
         19 . A method of insulating a payload, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing insulating insert comprising at least two VIPs and at least one thermal insulating material with a cavity for receiving a payload and optionally, a cooling or heating source and an internal protective liner; and   (b) placing the payload and optionally, the cooling or heating source and the internal protective liner within the cavity.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 (c) placing the insulating insert into a container.