US 7,950,246 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`a2) United States Patent
`Mayeretal.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`May31, 2011
`
`
`US007950246B1
`
`(54) ASSEMBLYOF ABUTTING VACUUM
`INSULATED PANELS ARRANGED TO FORM
`A RETENTION CHAMBERWITHA SLIP
`SURFACE INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE
`PANELS
`Inventors: William N. Mayer, White Bear Lake,
`Willi
`ay
`acy
`MN (US); William T. Mayer, Stacy, MN
`(US); Kurt O. Mankell, Minnetonka,
`MN(US)
`
`(75)
`
`73) Assignee: Minnesota ThermalScience, LLC,
`,
`Plymouth, MN (US)
`.
`.
`.
`4s
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`) Notice:
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 79 days.
`
`22)
`51)
`
`Feb. 13, 2008
`
`21) Appl. No.: 12/030,442
`.
`Filed:
`Int.Cl.
`(2006.01)
`F25D 308
`52) USC ou... 62/371; 62/440; 62/457.1; 62/457.2:
`220/592,25
`58) Field of Classification Search ................. 52/309.8,
`52/309.9, 309.14, 783.1, 794.1; 428/69,
`428/71; 220/560.12, 560.15, 592.27, 592.25,
`220/592.26, 592.23
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`
`
`3,786,613 A *
`1/1974 Shepheard ........0.. 52/784.13
`
`sree ae * hove wee
`4835.9
`
`50/460
`Vo4a'449 A BOTT Phan ores
`4.145.895 A
`3/1979 Hiertstrandeta
`4,147,004 A *
`4/1979 Dayet al. cusses: 52/309.9
`4,319,629 A
`3/1982 Hotta
`tants} ‘ .
`tiled ivards 1
`aei6o
`,444,82
`/
`18
`oung et al...
`¢
`
`4,527,370 A *
`7/1985 Schuette ......
`52/2823
`
`4,529,638 A *
`7/1985 Yamamoto et al... 428/69
`
`4,688,398 A
`8/1987 Baek
`4,877,128 A
`10/1989 Strickland
`tovon A
`“to0y Sta
`(923,
`5
`‘an Iperen
`4.931333 A
`6/1990 Henry
`5,032,439 A *
`7/1991 Glicksman et al. 00.0... 428/44
`5,050,387 A
`9/1991 Bruce
`5,088,301 A
`2/1992 Piepenbrink
`5,093,175 A *
`3/1992 Goto etal. .eccecres 428/71
`(Continued)
`
`DE
`
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`19915311 Al * 10/2000
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`"
`Verner, Carl. “Phase Change ThermalEnergy Storage”. Dissertation.
`May 1997.
`
`Primary Examiner — Robert J Canfield
`Assistant Examiner — MatthewJ Gitlin
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Sherrill Law Offices, PLLC
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`6/
`
`ENT DOCUMENTS
`933 Somme!s .............. 220/560.12
`935 Marshall oo. 52/784 15
`950 Frederick
`220/592.26
`960 Jeppson.....
`.. 181/286
`963 Johnston....
`963 Morrison ........0.. 220/592.25
`
`The invention is an assembly of abutting vacuum insulated
`panels configured and arranged to form a retention chamber
`with a slip surface providing a low kinetic coefficient of
`friction interposed between the panels within the abutment
`areas.
`
`10 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`US. PAT]
`cd
`li
`li
`2
`ll
`2/
`
`* **a
`
`AAAAAA
`
`1,936,214
`2,020,845
`2,496,296
`2,961,116
`3,077,426
`3,093,259
`
`
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 1
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 1
`
`

`

`US 7,950,246 B1
`
`Page 2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1/2003 Gano, IH
`6,502,417 B2
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`aoooo Mente
`agg Phas ht
`206/523
`5,226,587 A *
`7/1993 Nelson sso
`
`
`82002 Albertetal. ........... 428/3044
`590919114937 Al*
`5,273,801 A * 12/1993 Baryetal.
`- 2869
`.
`etal
` Soosvgtagag> AL 102002 Henson
`50/63
`S316.171 A *
`.....--. 220/592.21
`5/1994 Danneret al.
`
`nee
`ms
`-
`;
`5,435,142 A
`7/1995. Silber
`
`2004/0018335 Al*
`1/2004 Best...
`- 428/69
`Sra AY eiloeG hue
`156294
`4/2004 Olsomet al.
`voces 52/794,
`2004/0074208 AL*
`eee
`|
`ULE sere seereecereeecneannnns
`-
`
`3004/0079794 A
`004 Mav
`5,562,228 A
`10/1996 Erioson
`
`‘
`ayer
`5,582,343 A
`12/1996 Dalvey
`...
`wes 428169
`2004/0180176 Al*
`9/2004 Rusck, Jr.
`50
`1382, 2
`3/2005 Markey ......
`3905/0053755 AL*
`w. 428/69
`FOF A
`SR Ftte ener 428/69
`2005/0189404 Al*
`9/2005 Xiaohai et al. sn.229/103.1
`3,758,513 A 6/1998 Smith
`5
`4/2006 Echigoyaet al.
`. 312/40
`2006/0076863 Al*
`5,848,508 A
`12/1998 Albrecht «0.0... 52/309.9
`
`
`
`599610977038 AIL* 132006 Meret al
`QRT
`3/1999 McGrath et al. wn 52/586.2
`5,875,599 A *
`5/2007 Downard ccc. 52/289
`3007/0119108 AL*
`411999 McGarth et al. assesses 428/69
`5,897,932 A *
`
`.. 312/40
`2007/0152551 Al*
`7/2007 Kimetal....
`5,899,088 A
`5/1999. Pardum
`2007/0175236 Al*
`8/2007 Dryzun
`vee 62/37
`5,924,302 A 7/1999 Derifield
`
`- 220/592.09
`52/406.23997/0289976 Al* 12/2007 Meyer et al
`6,164,030 A * 12/2000 Dietrich
`
`- 220/592.1
`Sq
`qgian71402 AL* 112008 Gingras
`59/306.02
`6,168,040 BL*
`1/2001 Sautner et
`2/2009 Williams et al.
`........ 220/592.26
`2009/0039088 Al*
`Oe Teel Seehet
`
`3/2009 Viegaset al.
`. 52/406.
`2009/0071088 Al*
`6233965 BI
`3/2001 Choy.
`A
`x
`OF
`:
`4
`si
`IDs
`!
`
`7/2009 Smith et al.scene 312/406
`2009/0179541 AL*
`C250'104 Bl
`6001 Beste
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,266,972 B1*
`7/2001 Bostic cusses 62/371
`—
`6,457,323 BL
`10/2002 Marotta
`
`6,467,323 Bl 10305550 Al*8/200410/2002 Narushimaetal. DE
`
`
`6,474,095 Bl
`11/2002 Chan
`* cited by examiner
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 2
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 31,2011
`
`‘Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 7,950,246 B1
`
`
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 3
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 31,2011
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 7,950,246 B1
`
`
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 4
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 31,2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 7,950,246 B1
`
`
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 5
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 31,2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`<Fig.4 VAD PDP
`
`US 7,950,246 B1
`
`ECEee
`
`&
`oo
`NN
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 6
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 6
`
`

`

`US 7,950,246 Bl
`
`1
`ASSEMBLYOF ABUTTING VACUUM
`INSULATED PANELS ARRANGED TO FORM
`A RETENTION CHAMBERWITH A SLIP
`SURFACE INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE
`PANELS
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Goods such as medical supplies, blood, and vaccines are
`often extremely temperature sensitive and need to be main-
`tained within a given temperature range. Transport is particu-
`larly challenging. Such temperature sensitive goods are
`shippedto a variety ofdestinations where the ambient outside
`temperature varies from extreme cold to extremeheat.
`In the prior art, shipment of temperature controlled sup-
`plies has beenatleast partially achieved by shipping contain-
`ers lined with six separate vacuum insulation panels forming
`a container for the temperature sensitive goods. Vacuum insu-
`lated panels are extremely effective insulators as long as the
`internal vacuum remains intact. However, once the external
`barrier of the panels is breached and the vacuum ceases to
`exist, the thermal performanceof the panels is reduced. The
`gas resistant outer film of the panel which seals the internal
`vacuum provideslittle protection. Therefore, a need exists for
`anassemblyofvacuum insulated panels which have a greater
`abrasion and impactresistance.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the invention is directed to a wear-
`protected insulating panel 40 useful in the construction of an
`insulated container 10 defining a retention chamber 19. The
`wear-protected insulating panel 40 includes a vacuum insu-
`ated pancl 20 at Icast partially encased within a protective
`sleeve 30 effective for reducing abrasionof the vacuuminsu-
`ated panel 20, especially within the abutment areas 29
`ormed whenthe vacuum insulated panels 20 are assembled
`0 form an insulated container 10.
`A vacuum insulated panel 20 is a technological advanced
`insulation productconsisting of a cell foam core material 20i
`o which a vacuumis applied surrounded bya gastight outer
`film 200. A vacuum insulated panel 20 is a highlyefficient
`insulator so long as the integrity of the vacuum is not com-
`promised. Once the vacuum is lost, the panel 20 provides
`The invention is an assemblyofabutting vacuum insulated
`modest insulating value. A specific embodimentof a vacuum
`panels configured and arrangedto form a retention chamber
`insulated panel 20 is depicted in FIGS. 1-5. The depicted
`whereinaslip surface with a low kinetic coefficient offriction
`vacuum insulated pancl 20 includes a top edge 21, a bottom
`is interposed betweenthe panels within the abutmentareas to
`edge 22,aright edge 23, a left edge 24, a first major surface 25
`decrease the abrasive wear on the panels.
`and a second major surface 26. Abutment area 29 is formed
`when an edge of one panel20 abuts a majorsurface of another
`panel 20 to form an insulated container10.
`The vacuum insulated panel 20is at least partially encased
`within a protective sleeve 30 for protecting the integrity ofthe
`gastight outer film 200 on the vacuuminsulated panel 20
`against abrasion, especially within the abutment areas 29
`wherethefilm 200 is proneto significant wear. ‘he sleeve 30
`coversthe first major surface 25 and the second majorsurface
`26 of the panel 20 to protect the panel 20 from abrasion and
`puncture.
`A specific embodiment ofa sleeve 30 is depicted in FIGS.
`1-5. The depicted sleeve 30 includes a top edge 31, a boom
`edge 32, aright edge 33,a left edge 34 a first major surface 35
`and a second major surface 36. The sleeve 30 coversat least
`three ofthe edges where one edge could beleft open to accept
`insertion of a vacuum insulated panel 20 into the sleeve 30.
`Thesleeve 30 providesa slip surface 39(i.e., a surface with a
`low coefficient offriction) effective for minimizing abrasion
`of the panel 20 within the sleeve 30 as the panel 20 shifts
`relative to other items such as an abutting panel 20. A slip
`surface 39 with a coefficient of friction less than 0.50 mim-
`mizes the abrasion betweenthe abutting panels 20. The sleeve
`30 maybe constructed from any numberofsuitable materials
`capable ofproviding puncture andabrasionresistance. Plastic
`films with a thickness of at least 7 mils provide suitable
`abrasion and puncture resistance. Such materials include spe-
`cifically, but not exclusively PVCplastic film, Mylar®film or
`an acetate film.
`Aninsulated container 10 formed from several wear pro-
`tected insulated panels 40 encased is depicted in FIG. 3.A
`least four of the plurality of wear protected panels 40 are
`secured together with adhesive tape 50. As seen is FIGS. 4 and
`
`wn
`
`me 2
`
`2
`32 Bottom Lidge of the Protective Sleeve
`
`33 Right Edge ofthe Protective Sleeve
`34 Left Edge of the Protective Sleeve
`35 First Major Surface of the Protective Sleeve
`36 Second Major Surface of the Protective Sleeve
`39 Slip Surface Provided by the Protective Sleeve
`40 Wear-Protected Insulating Panel
`50 Adhesive Tape
`Wehavediscovered that the useful life of a vacuum insu-
`
`lated panel 20 can be significantly increased by reducing
`abrasive wear of the airtight outer film 200 on the vacuum
`insulated panel 20, especially in those areas where one panel
`20 abuts another panel 20 to form an insulated container 10
`(hereinafter referenced as an abutmentarea 29).
`Construction
`
`iS}oS
`
`
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 7
`
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG.1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a wear-
`protected insulating panel.
`FIG.2 is an exploded viewofthe wear-protected insulating
`panel subassemblydepicted in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an
`insulated container constructed from several of the wear-
`protected insulating panels depicted in FIG.1.
`FIG.4 is aside viewofone cornerofthe container depicted
`in FIG, 3.
`
`FIG. 4.
`
`FIG.5 is a top view of the corner depictedir
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`Nomenclature
`
`
`
`
`
`10 Container
`19 Retention Chamber
`20 Vacuum Insulated Panel
`20: Open Cell Foam Core ofVIP
`200 Gastight Outer Film of VIP
`21 Top Edge ofVacuum Insulated Panel
`22 Bottom Edge ofVacuum Insulated Panel
`
`23 Right Edge ofthe Panel
`24 Left Edge of the Panel
`25 First Major Surface of the Panel
`26 Second MajorSurface of the Panel
`29 Abutment Area
`30 Protective Sleeve
`
`31 Top Edge of the Protective Sleeve
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 7
`
`

`

`US 7,950,246 Bl
`
`3
`5, the sleeve 30 providesa slip surface 39 within each ofthe
`abutment areas 29 on the container 10.
`Use
`
`Asdepicted in FIGS. 1-5, the vacuumisolation panel 20 is
`encased in the protective sleeve 30 to form the wearprotected
`insulation panel 40, A plurality of wear protected insulated
`panels 40 are fitted together to form a retention chamber19.
`A slip surface 39 is interposed between the abutting wear
`protected insulated panels 40 form the abutmentarea 29. The
`less abrasive abutmentarea 29 allowsa tighter seal between
`panels 20 increasing overall thermal performance ofthe panel
`assembly 10. The panel assembly 10 is held together by an
`adhesive tape 50.
`We claim:
`
`1. An assembly, comprising:
`(a) a plurality of vacuuminsulated panels configured and
`arranged to form a retention chamber in whichat least
`one panel abuts one other panel to form an abutment
`area, and
`(b) a slip surface interposed between the pancls within the
`abutment area wherein the slip surface reduces kinetic
`coefficient offriction within the abutment arearelative
`to a kinetic coefficientoffriction that would exist within
`the abutment area withouttheslip surface.
`
`5
`
`15
`
`
`
`4
`2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein theslip surface is a
`sleeve encasing the vacuum insulated panel.
`3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the vacuum insulated
`panels each have first and second majorsurfaces and edges,
`and the sleeve covers at least the first and second major
`surfaces.
`
`4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the sleeve covers at
`east three of the edges.
`5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the sleeveis a plastic
`film.
`6. The assemblyof claim 5 whereinthe plastic film is at
`east 7 mils thick.
`
`
`
`7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the plastic film is a
`polyvinylchloride film.
`8. The assembly of claim 2 wherein at least four of the
`plurality of vacuum insulation panels encased within sleeves
`are secured together by an adhesive tape.
`9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one abutment
`area is formed by an edge of one panel abutting a major
`20 surface of another pancl.
`10. The assembly of claim 1 whereinthe slip surface has a
`kinetic coefficient of friction of less than 0.50.
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 8
`
`PGR2021-00085
`Pelican EX1070 Page 8
`
`