VACUUM INSULATION MATERIAL, AND HEAT-INSULATING BOX, REFRIGERATOR, FREEZING/AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS, HOT-WATER SUPPLY DEVICE, AND APPLIANCE EACH EMPLOYING VACUUM INSULATION MATERIAL, AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING VACUUM INSULATION MATERIAL

摘要

Provided is a vacuum insulation material which is excellent in processability, handleability, and heat-insulating performance and has high reliability.  Also provided is a heat-insulating box comprising this vacuum insulation material.  The vacuum insulation material (7) comprises: a core (5) which is constituted of a multilayer structure composed of organic-fiber sheets (1) each obtained by forming organic fibers into a sheet, the edges of the organic-fiber sheets (1) having been cut, and which has a core opening formed by cutting, such as a through-hole or notch; and a gas-barrier covering material (4) which holds the core (5) inside, has sealing parts for sealing the periphery of the organic-fiber sheets (1) and the periphery of the core opening, and is hermetically closed so as to make the inside approximately vacuum, by sealing the sealing parts.  The vacuum insulation material (7) has a covering-material opening, such as a through-hole or notch, which has been formed in the covering material (4) in which the sealing parts disposed on the periphery of the organic-fiber sheets (1) and the periphery of the core opening have been sealed, the covering-material opening being smaller than the core opening by the degree corresponding to the sealing.  As the organic fibers, use is made of long fibers having a length equal to or larger than the length of the sheets.