摘要 |
A cabinet structure is thermally insulated by placing a first insulation material directly upon a surface of the cabinet structure and then covering the insulation material with a barrier sheet that is affixed along an annular edge portion thereof to the cabinet structure. In this manner, the insulation material is retained within a chamber defined between the barrier sheet and the cabinet structure. This chamber is then evacuated to a low pressure, generally in the order of 0.1-10 mm Hg, and sealed. This integrated vacuum panel insulation arrangement is particularly advantageous for use in constructing entire thermal cabinets by providing a blank that defines multiple walls of the cabinet; arranging the insulation on the inner surfaces of the blank; placing one or more barrier sheets over the insulation; attaching edges of the barrier sheet(s) to the inner surfaces of the walls so as to define respective chambers between the barrier sheet(s) and the respective inner wall surfaces; evacuating each of the chambers; and sealing the chambers. When used with a cabinet that includes an additional liner, this insulation arrangement is preferably used on the shell of the cabinet and, following insertion of the liner within the shell, additional insulation is provided between the liner and the barrier sheet(s).
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