AU2012100455A4 - Insulation material and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A thermal insulation material has a first side and a second side. The thermal insulation material comprises a thermal insulation layer having a first surface directed toward the first side and a second surface directed toward the second side. A first reflective layer is adjacent the first surface of the thermal insulation layer and is reflective toward the first side. A magnetised material or a magnetic metal is provided on a surface of the thermal insulation material or within the thermal insulation material. to4 Pc~tj25 Ic,2 ~ic~u20

Description

I AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 IVOR NOBLE, MARK DARLING COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: Insulation material and method The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 Cross-Reference to Related Applications The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2011903519 filed on 31 August 2011 the content of which is 5 incorporated herein by reference. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal insulation material, covers made from the thermal insulation material, methods for installing the thermal insulation material 10 and methods of retrofitting storage compartments with the thermal insulation material. In particular, the invention relates to a thermal insulation material for cold storage applications and methods related thereto. Background of the Invention 15 In presentation of food and other perishable products for sale, use is made of open cases, glass cabinets, easily openable cabinets, cool storage rooms and freezer rooms which may be frequently entered. Such cabinets, cases and rooms allow consumers and/or sales staff to inspect and to have easy access to the foods and perishable products. In addition, cold storage rooms are commonly used to store and 20 display liquor and are also commonly used by vendors to store food items in restaurants, cafes, green grocers, etc. Some of these may also be used for longer term storage. Because of the requirements for display and easy access, the design of such storage compartments may not be as energy efficient as storage compartments which are not used for display or do not require easy or frequent access. After trading hours, 25 or at night, these storage compartments need to be left operating to avoid food and other product spoilage during non trading periods, but during these periods of time, display and easy access to the foods and perishable products are not required. However, even during these times, due to the design of the storage compartments, energy may be wasted in cooling the storage compartments. 30 Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. 35 Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated 3 element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Summary of the Invention 5 According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a thermal insulation material having a first side and a second side, the thermal insulation material comprising: a thermal insulation layer having a first surface directed toward the first side and a second surface directed toward the second side, 10 a first reflective layer adjacent the first surface of the thermal insulation layer and being reflective toward the first side, and a magnetised material or a magnetic metal provided on a surface of the thermal insulation material or within the thermal insulation material . The magnetised material or magnetic metal may be provided on the first side. 15 The magnetised material or the magnetic metal may be provided on the second side. The first reflective layer may be selected from the group consisting of a metalized layer, aluminium foil, and a polymer layer containing metal particles. The thermal insulation material may further comprise a second reflective layer having a first surface which is adjacent the second surface of the thermal insulation 20 layer and a second surface facing away from the thermal insulation layer, the second reflective layer being reflective toward the second side. The second reflective layer may be selected from the group consisting of a metalized layer, aluminium foil, and a polymer layer containing metal particles. A surface of at least one of the first side and the second side may comprise a 25 hydrophobic layer. The hydrophobic layer may comprise a hydrophobic polymer. At least one of the first side and the second side of the thermal insulation material may contain an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent may be an antifungal agent. The thermal insulation layer may comprise a foam selected from the group 30 consisting of polyurethane foam and polyvinyl chloride foam. The magnetised material may be provided within the thermal insulation material. The magnetised material may be used to attach the thermal insulation material to a surface adjacent the thermal insulation material and, thereby, hold the thermal insulation material in a desired position. 35 A cover for fitting to an exterior of a storage compartment may comprise the thermal insulation material described above.

4 The magnetised material may be arranged on a periphery of the cover to facilitate attachment of the cover to the storage compartment. In an embodiment of the invention, the cover has a top sheet with four side sheets and the magnetised material arranged on a periphery of the cover are on the side sheets. Such a cover is suitable for 5 an upwardly open storage compartment. The cover functions as a lid with the top sheet covering the opening of the storage compartment and the side sheets fitting around the sides of the of the compartment. When the storage compartment comprises magnetic metal, the magnets on the periphery (on the side sheets) are attracted to the storage compartment walls functioning to secure the sides of the cover to the storage 10 compartment. The cover may also comprise magnetised material positioned to facilitate configuring the cover over the storage compartment by attraction of magnetised material in the cover to other magnetised material in the cover. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of fitting a thermal insulation material to a surface of a storage compartment, the thermal 15 insulation material having a first side and a second side and being configured to inhibit a transfer of heat from the first side toward the second side, the method comprising the step of: magnetically attaching the thermal insulation material to the surface using at least one magnet, 20 wherein the thermal insulation material comprises: a thermal insulation layer having a first surface directed toward the first side and a second surface directed toward the second side, and a first reflective layer adjacent the first surface of the thermal insulation layer, the first reflective layer being reflective toward the first side. The thermal insulation material may comprise the at least one magnet. The 25 thermal insulation material may comprise a magnetic metal to facilitate magnetic attachment of the thermal insulation material to the surface. The at least one magnet or the magnetic metal may be provided on the first side and/or the second side. The at least one magnet or the magnetic metal may be provided within the thermal insulation material. The surface of the storage compartment may be an internal surface of the 30 storage compartment. The surface of the storage compartment may be an external surface of the storage compartment. When the thermal insulation material comprises the magnets, the method may further include the step of attaching magnetic metal or a magnetised material to the surface of the storage compartment to facilitate magnetic attachment of the thermal 35 insulation material to the surface by the magnets.

5 When the thermal insulation material comprises the magnetic metal, the method may further include the step of attaching magnetised material to the surface of the storage compartment to facilitate magnetic attachment of the thermal insulation material to the surface by attraction of the magnetic metal to the magnetised material. 5 The thermal insulation material may further comprise a second reflective layer having a first surface which is adjacent the second surface of the thermal insulation layer and a second surface facing away from the thermal insulation layer, the second reflective layer being reflective toward the second side. The storage compartment may be subjected to cooling to a temperature below 10 room temperature during the step of attaching. The storage compartment may be subjected to cooling to a temperature below the ambient temperature outside the storage compartment. For example, the storage compartment may be cooled to a temperature suitable for the storage of food and beverages, such as a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius or lower. The storage compartment may be cooled to a temperature of 15 10 degrees Celsius or lower. The storage compartment may be cooled to a temperature of 5 degrees Celsius or lower. The storage compartment may be cooled to a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius or lower. The storage compartment may be cooled to a temperature of minus 5 degrees Celsius or lower. The storage compartment may be cooled to a temperature of minus 10 degrees Celsius or lower. The storage 20 compartment may be cooled to a temperature of minus 15 degrees Celsius or lower. In an embodiment of the invention, the method is performed while the storage compartment is in use and contains food, beverages, other perishable or non-perishable items being maintained at a temperature below room temperature and the step of attaching is carried out with the food, beverages, other perishable or non-perishable 25 items in situ. The storage compartment may be a cold storage room for storing food and/or drink in a supermarket, a cold storage room in a shop which sells alcoholic or other beverages, a cold storage room in a bar, hotel, restaurant or any other facility, a wine cellar, or the like. The storage compartment may be a display cabinet for refrigerated 30 goods, such as meats and vegetables, frozen foods such as ice-cream, and the like. The storage compartments may also be display cabinets and counters having glass walls, as found in cafes and restaurants to display food items to customers. In addition, it may be a cold storage compartment on a vessel, such as a boat, train or aircraft. In addition, it may be a cold storage compartment on a vehicle which is used to transport food, 35 beverages, or perishable goods from one place to another.

6 The storage compartment may have an opening, and the method may further comprises arranging at least a part of the thermal insulation material over the opening to close off the opening. The storage compartment may comprises a wall having a first wall surface and a 5 second wall surface, the surface of the storage compartment being the first wall surface, and the step of attaching the magnetic metal or the magnetised material to the surface of the storage compartment may include a step of arranging a magnet at a position on the second wall surface corresponding to a position of the magnetised material on first wall surface such that the magnetic metal or the magnetised material and the magnet 10 are maintained in position by magnetic attraction between the magnet and the magnetic metal or the magnetised material through the wall. In such a case, the wall may be glass as in a glass display cabinet. The size of the compartment is not particularly limited. As indicated above, it might be a room into which customers and staff are able to enter and exit. It might be a 15 display cabinet, a refrigeration unit with glass doors, a freezer, or the like. The thermal insulation material may be the thermal insulation material described above. Herein, the expression "magnetised material" is used to refer to a material that produces a magnetic field and behave as a magnet. The expression "magnet" is also 20 used to refer to such a "magnetised material". The expression "magnetic metal" is used to refer to metals, such as iron, which are attracted to magnetized materials. Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a section of a thermal insulation material 25 according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a section of a thermal insulation material according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a section of a thermal insulation material according to another embodiment of the invention. 30 Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a first side of a sheet of thermal insulation material according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a second side of a sheet of thermal insulation material according the embodiment shown in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a view of an interior of a storage compartment to which a thermal 35 insulation material according to another embodiment of the invention has been installed.

7 Figure 7 is a view of an interior of a storage compartment to which a thermal insulation material according to yet another embodiment of the invention has been installed. Figure 8 is a view of a display case having glass windows to which a thermal 5 insulation material according to an embodiment of the invention has been fitted. Figure 9 is a perspective view of another display case on which a cover formed from a thermal insulation material according to an embodiment of the invention has been fitted. Figure 10 is a cross sectional view along the line X - X in Figure 8. 10 Figure 11 is a cross sectional view along the line XI - XI in Figure 9. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments In Figure 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates a first embodiment of a thermal insulation material. The thermal insulation material 10 has a first side 12 and a 15 second side 14. In Figure 1, for ease of description, a piece of the thermal insulation material 10 is shown in section and the various elements of the thermal insulation material 10 are illustrated as separated toward the lower right corner of the page. The thermal insulation material 10 includes a thermal insulation layer 16 having a first surface 18 directed toward the first side 12 and a second surface 20 directed 20 toward the second side 14, and a first reflective layer 22 adjacent the first surface 18 of the thermal insulation layer 16. The first reflective layer 22 is reflective toward the first side, such that it acts to reflect thermal radiation striking the first side 12 of the thermal insulation material 10 away from the first side 12. A magnetised material in the form of a magnet 25 is arranged on the surface of the first side 12. In this 25 embodiment, the magnet 25 is adhered to the first side 12 by adhesive. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the surface 14a of the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10 comprises a first hydrophobic layer 23. As a result, the surface 14a of the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10 is hydrophobic. 30 In addition, as shown in Figure 1, the surface 12a of the first side 12 of the thermal insulation material 10 comprises a second hydrophobic layer 24. As a result, the surface 12a of the first side 12 of the thermal insulation material 10 is hydrophobic. The hydrophobic layers 23 and 24 comprises a hydrophobic polymer. The first reflective layer 22 comprises aluminium foil. The aluminium foil is 35 laminated with a protective coating (for example, polyvinyl chloride-laminated aluminium foil) to prevent damage to the foil while maintaining its reflective insulating 8 properties. However, the present invention is not limited to this and other reflective materials may be used. For example, a metalized layer or a polymer layer containing metal particles may also be used. The higher the reflectivity of the reflective layer 22, the more effectively the reflective layer 22 reflects radiant heat. 5 The hydrophobic layers 23 and 24 include an antimicrobial agent to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, such as mold, in and on the surface of the thermal insulation material 10. The hydrophobic layers 23 and 24 include an antifungal agent. However, the present invention is not limited to this and other types of antimicrobial agents as required may be contained in the hydrophobic layers 23 and 24. The 10 antimicrobial agent is also able to inhibit growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and mold, on surfaces with which the hydrophobic layers 23 and 24 makes contact, such as the surface of a wall in contact with the thermal insulation material 10. The thermal insulation layer 16 comprises polyurethane foam. However, the present invention is not limited to polyurethane foam and the thermal insulation layer 15 may comprise other suitable materials such as polyvinyl chloride foam. In Figure 2, a second embodiment of a thermal insulation material 10 is shown. In Figure 2, elements which are identical to those shown in Figure 1 are indicated with the same reference numerals. In addition, as with Figure 1, in Figure 2, for ease of description, a piece of the thermal insulation material 10 is shown in section and the 20 various elements of the thermal insulation material 10 are illustrated as separated toward the lower right corner of the page. The thermal insulation material 10 in Figure 2 has a first side 12 and a second side 14. In addition, the thermal insulation material 10 includes a thermal insulation layer 16 having a first surface 18 directed toward the first side 12 and a second surface 20 directed toward the second side 14, and a first 25 reflective layer 22 adjacent the first surface 18 of the thermal insulation layer 16. In this second embodiment, the thermal insulation material 10 further comprises a second reflective layer 26 having a first surface 27 which is adjacent the second surface 20 of the thermal insulation layer 16 and a second surface 29 facing away from the thermal insulation layer 16. The second reflective layer 26 is reflective toward the 30 second side 14, such that it acts to reflect thermal radiation striking the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10 away from the second side 14. As can be seen in Figure 2, the surface 14a of the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10 comprises a hydrophobic layer 23. However, in this embodiment, the hydrophobic layer 23 is adjacent the second surface 29 of the second 35 reflective layer 26. In other words, the second reflective layer 26 is between the thermal insulation layer 16 and the hydrophobic layer 23. As a result, as with the first 9 embodiment, the surface 14a of the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10 is hydrophobic. In addition to being an insulating layer, the thermal insulation layer 16 adheres the first reflective layer 22 to the second reflective layer 26. 5 The second reflective layer 26 comprises aluminium foil. The aluminium foil is laminated with a protective coating to prevent damage to the foil while maintaining its reflective insulating properties. However, the present invention is not limited to this and other reflective materials may be used. For example, a metalized layer or a polymer layer containing metal particles may also be used. 10 As with the hydrophobic layer in the first embodiment, the hydrophobic layer 23 in this second embodiment includes an antimicrobial agent. As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, instead of a magnet being provided on the first surface 12, a magnetised material in the form of a magnet 28 is arranged on the surface of the second side 14. 15 In Figure 3, a third embodiment of a thermal insulation material 10 is shown. In Figure 3, elements which are identical to those shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 are indicated with the same reference numerals. In addition, as with Figure 1, in Figure 2, for ease of description, a piece of the thermal insulation material 10 is shown in section and the various elements of the thermal insulation material 10 are illustrated as 20 separated toward the lower right corner of the page. The thermal insulation material 10 in Figure 3 has a first side 12 and a second side 14. In addition, the thermal insulation material 10 includes a thermal insulation layer 16 having a first surface 18 directed toward the first side 12 and a second surface 20 directed toward the second side 14, and a first reflective layer 22 adjacent the first surface 18 of the thermal insulation layer 16. 25 As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, instead of a magnetised material being provided on the first surface 12 or the second surface 14, a magnetised material in the form of magnets 30 is provided within the thermal insulation material 10 between the thermal insulation layer 16 and the second reflective layer 26. In Figure 4, a sheet 32 of thermal insulation material 10, a section of which is 30 shown in Figure 1, is shown. In Figure 4, the first side 12 of the thermal insulation material 10 is shown with a plurality of magnets 25 (there are twelve magnets 25 shown) arranged on the first side 12. Figure 5 shows the second side 14 of the sheet 32 of the thermal insulation material 10 shown in Figure 4. 35 Figure 6 shows a storage compartment 50 in which sheets 32 of the thermal insulation material 10 shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5 has been installed in a corner of the 10 storage compartment 50. The internal surface 51 of the storage compartment 50 is a magnetic metal in the form of galvanized steel sheets 52. The sheets 32 of the thermal insulation material 10 are arranged with the first side 12 toward the wall of the storage compartment 50. The magnets 25 hold the thermal insulation material 10 in position 5 against the wall of the storage compartment 50 by magnetic attraction of the magnets 25 to the steel sheet 52. The type, size and shape of magnet 25 is not particularly limited. The type, size and shape of the magnet 25 is selected based on the thickness of the thermal insulation material 10, the number of magnets 25 used and their distribution over the thermal 10 insulation material 10. From the point of view of longevity, permanent magnets are preferable. If the walls and/or ceiling of the storage compartment 50 comprise a suitable magnetic metal (as shown in Figure 6), the magnets 25 hold the thermal insulation material 10 to the internal surface 51 of the storage compartment 50 magnetically. 15 However, as shown in Figure 7, where the walls do not comprise a suitable magnetic metal, magnetic metal 56 (in the form of plates, strips or the like) can be secured to the internal surface 51 of the storage compartment 50 and then the thermal insulation material 10 can be magnetically attached to the internal surface 51 of the wall and/or ceiling due to the attraction of the magnets 25 to the magnetic metal 56 on the internal 20 surface 51 of the storage compartment 50. The method of attaching the magnetic metal 56 to the internal surface 51 of the storage compartment is not particularly limited, for example, nails, screws, hooks, adhesives, or the like can be used. However, the method used will take into account the temperatures in the cold storage room and the suitability of the method to the specific conditions. 25 In addition, in another embodiment, the arrangement of the magnets and the magnetic metal is reversed with the magnets being secured to the internal surface 51 of the wall and/or ceiling of the storage compartment 50 and the metal strips, plates, or the like, being provided in or on the surface of the thermal insulation material 10. In that case, the magnets on the surface 51 of the storage compartment 50 attract the magnetic 30 metal of the thermal insulation material 10 and hold the thermal insulation material 10 to the wall magnetically. In yet a further embodiment, the thermal insulation material 10 includes the magnetised material and magnetised material is also arranged on the internal wall of the storage compartment, and the thermal insulation material 10 is held to the wall by the mutual attraction of the magnetised material on the wall and in the 35 thermal insulation material.

I1 In use, the thermal insulation material 10 is installed on an internal surface 51 of a storage compartment 50. The thermal insulation material 10 is arranged so that the first side 12 of the thermal insulation material 10 is adjacent the internal surface 51 of the storage compartment 50 and the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 5 10 is directed away from the internal surface 51 and toward the interior 58 of the storage compartment 50. In other words, the first reflective layer 22 is directed toward the internal surface 51 of the storage compartment 50 and the hydrophobic layer 23 on the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10 is directed toward the interior 58 of the storage compartment 50. 10 With this arrangement, the first reflective surface 22 reflects radiant heat away from the thermal insulation material 10 and away from the interior 58 of the storage compartment 50 and toward the internal surface 51 of the storage compartment 50. In addition, the thermal insulation layer 16 inhibits the conductive transfer of heat from the first side 12 toward the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10. 15 When warm air enters a cold storage room (for example, when the door of the cold storage room is opened), that air is cooled and moisture in that air may condense onto cold surfaces in the cold storage room such as the ceiling, walls and floor or items stored in the room. In supermarkets, restaurants, bars and the like, staff and customers may frequently enter and leave such cold storage rooms and, as a result, the amount of 20 condensation is increased as the door to the compartment is repeatedly opened and closed. The moisture in the storage compartment may also be increased due to the respiration of people present in the storage compartment. The hydrophobic layer 23 of the thermal insulation material 10 inhibits condensation on the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10 and facilitates 25 the shedding of moisture. Compared to the situation where a hydrophobic layer 23 is not provided, moisture which does condense on the surface of the hydrophobic layer 23 of the thermal insulation material 10 is more readily shed and drawn by gravity down the surface of walls and droplets of water which form on the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10 arranged on the ceiling do not adhere to the second side 30 14 as strongly. This effect of the hydrophobic layer 23 reduces the amount of moisture adhering to the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material and, as a result, the impact of that moisture on the performance of the thermal insulation material 10 is reduced. The water which runs off the thermal insulation material 10 is able to be collected by drains in the floor of the storage compartment. 35 In the above-described embodiments, the thermal insulation material 10 comprises magnets 25 which facilitate the installation of the thermal insulation material 12 10 in cold storage rooms where the walls and/or ceiling comprise a magnetic metal such as galvanized steel or where suitable magnetic metal has been installed on the walls or ceiling. In such cases, it is possible for the thermal insulation material 10 to be installed in the storage compartment while the storage compartment is being subjected 5 to cooling to a temperature below room temperature or below the ambient temperature outside of the storage compartment. This has the advantage that the installation may be done without the need to remove the contents of the storage compartment while the installation is done. The use of magnets also facilitates the removal of the thermal insulation material 10 for cleaning or replacement. 10 In the embodiment described above, the thermal insulation material 10 comprises the magnets 25 and 28. However, according to an embodiment, there is a method in which the magnets are separate from the thermal insulation material 10 at the time of installation. In that case, the thermal insulation material 10 is positioned against the surface of the storage compartment and the magnets (as illustrated by 15 additionally applied separate magnets 94 in Figure 6) are the placed against the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10 and the magnets (separate magnets 94) and the thermal insulation material 10 are held in place by the magnetic attraction between the magnets (separate magnets 94) and the magnetic metal component (for example, the steel sheets 52 described above) of the walls and/or ceiling of the storage compartment. 20 In the first embodiment described above, the thermal insulation material 10 comprises the thermal insulation layer 16, the first reflective layer 22, the hydrophobic layers 23 and 24 and magnets 25. In the second embodiment described above, the thermal insulation material 10 comprises the thermal insulation layer 16, the first reflective layer 22, the second reflective layer 26, the hydrophobic layer 23, and the 25 magnets 28. Figure 3 shows yet another arrangement. However, the present invention is not limited to having only the layers shown in these embodiments and other layers and materials, as required, may be present in the thermal insulation material 10. For example, the thermal insulation material 10 may include a reinforcing layer for strength. Adhesive layers may also be present between the thermal insulation layer 16 30 and each of the first reflective layer 22 and the second reflective layer 26. In this regard, in this description, the term "adjacent" is not intended to exclude the presence of layers between "adjacent" layers. For example, as described above, in the first embodiment, the first reflective layer 22 is adjacent the first surface 18 of the thermal insulation layer 16. This is intended to include the situation in which another 35 layer (for example, an adhesive layer, a reinforcing layer, an additional insulating layer, 13 or some other layer), or layers, is present between the first reflective layer 22 and the thermal insulation layer 16. This is also the case for the other layers described herein. The above-described embodiments include the hydrophobic layers 23 and 24 and the hydrophobic layer 23 includes a hydrophobic polymer. However, the present 5 invention is not limited to this and, for example, if the thermal insulation layer is, or comprises, a hydrophobic material, an additional hydrophobic layer may not be present. In addition, when present, the hydrophobic property of the first side 12 and the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10 may be provided by the microstructure or texture of the material. 10 Preferably, the thermal insulation material 10 is flexible as this facilitates handling of the thermal insulation material 10 and also allows the thermal insulation material 10 to more readily conform to the surfaces to which it is fitted. In the above-described embodiments in which the magnets 25 and 28 are provided on the first side 12 or the second side 14, the magnets 25 and 28 are attached 15 by a suitable adhesive. However, the present invention is not limited to this and other ways of attaching the magnets 25 and 28 are possible, for example, the magnets 25 and 28 may be sewn onto the surface. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the magnet 30 is arranged within the insulation material between the thermal insulation layer 16 and the second reflective 20 layer 26. When the magnetised material is provided within the thermal insulation material 10, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement. The magnetised material may be arranged between other layers of the thermal insulation material 10. In one embodiment, a magnetic layer (not shown) is provided in the thermal insulation material 10 between the thermal insulation layer 16 and the hydrophobic layer 23. 25 The type of storage compartment 50 in which the thermal insulation material 10 is installed is not particularly limited. The storage compartment may be a cold storage room for storing food and/or drinks in a supermarket, a cold storage room in a shop which sells alcoholic or other beverages, a cold storage room in a bar, hotel, restaurant, hospital, or any other facility, a wine cellar, or the like. In addition, it may be a cold 30 storage compartment on a vessel, such as a boat, train or aircraft. In addition, it may be a cold storage compartment on a vehicle which is used to transport food, beverages, or perishable goods from one place to another. It may also be a room in which equipment, such as computers or database servers, is stored and maintained. The size of the compartment is not particularly limited. As indicated above, it 35 might be a room into and out of which people can move. However, smaller compartments are also possible.

14 The temperature at which the thermal insulation material 10 is used also not particularly limited. Typically, the storage compartment will be cooled to a temperature below room temperature. For example, the storage compartment may be cooled to a temperature suitable for the storage of food and beverages (such as wines), 5 such as a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius or lower. The storage compartment may be cooled to a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius or lower. The storage compartment may be cooled to a temperature of 5 degrees Celsius or lower. The storage compartment may be cooled to a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius or lower. However, the present invention is not limited to this situation. It can suitably be 10 employed where a temperature difference between the interior of the storage compartment and the temperature outside the storage compartment is to be maintained and particularly where the temperature of the interior of the storage compartment is maintained lower than the ambient temperature outside the storage compartment. In other situations, refrigerated glass display cabinets are used to display items 15 to customers. Glass is a comparatively poor insulator and heat is transferred into the cabinet through the glass. The thermal insulation material 10 can be made to match the dimensions of such glass display cabinets. The thermal insulation material 10 is placed over the glass cabinet to insulate the display cabinets when necessary. For example, in Figure 8, an embodiment of the thermal insulation material 10 is 20 shown arranged over the glass 60 of a refrigerated glass display cabinet 62. The thermal insulation material 10 used in this embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 2. The magnets 28 (not visible in Figure 8) are arranged on the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10. Figure 9 shows a schematic cross-section along line X - X in Figure 8. The 25 interior 64 of the glass display cabinet 62 is refrigerated relative the outside 66 of the glass cabinet 62 which is at room temperature. The magnets 28 of the thermal insulation material 10 are attracted to and held in place by magnets 68 which are positioned on the external side of the glass 60 of the display cabinet 62. The magnets 68 are in turn held in position on the external side of the glass 60 by associated magnets 30 70 which are positioned on the interior side of the glass at positions corresponding to the magnets 68. The magnets 68 and their associated magnets 70 hold each other by means of the mutual attraction of the magnets whose poles are positioned such that the magnets attract each other and do not repel each other. The magnets 68 and 70 are stronger magnets than the magnets 28 of the thermal insulation material 10. In the 35 same way as with magnets 68 and 70, the arrangements of the magnets is such that the magnets 28 of the thermal insulation layer 10 are attracted to the magnets 68. As a 15 result, the magnets 28 and the thermal insulation layer 10 are held in place by the magnetic attraction of the magnets 28 and the magnets 68. As the magnets 28 are not as strong as the magnets 68 and 70 arranged on either side of the glass 60, when the thermal insulation material is removed from the display 5 cabinet, the magnets 28 pull away from the magnets 68 without the dislodgement of the magnets 68 and 70. In this way, the magnets 68 and 70 can be arranged on the display cabinet without the need for adhesives. While they maintain there mutual positions with respect to each other, they can also be removed as necessary to clean the glass 60 without difficulty. 10 In order to install the thermal insulation material 10 on the display cabinet 62, the stronger magnets 68 and 70 are arranged at positions on the cabinet 68 corresponding to the position of the magnets 28 on the thermal insulation material 10 which is to be installed on the cabinet 62. When the pairs of magnets 68 and 70 are positioned, the thermal insulation material 10 is then positioned over the glass 60 of the 15 display cabinet 62 such that the magnets 28 are positioned over the magnets 68. Due to the magnetic attraction between the magnets 28 and the magnets 68, the thermal insulation material 10 is held in place and held closely to the surface of the glass cabinet 62. Figure 9 shows a cover 80 comprising the thermal insulation material 10 in 20 position over a freezer 82. The cover 80 has a top 84 and sides 86. The cover 80 is arranged over an opening 88 of the freezer 82. Figure 1 1 shows a schematic cross-section along the line XI - XI of Figure 9. The freezer 82 is made from steel and opens upward and is for storing and displaying items of frozen food such as ice creams, for example, in a supermarket. When the 25 supermarket is open for business, the cover 80 is removed and customers can view and select items from the freezer 82. When the supermarket is closed, it is still necessary to maintain the temperature of the freezer 82 but it is not necessary to provide access to customers. The cover 80 is made to match the dimensions of freezer 82. The second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10 is directed toward the interior 90 of the 30 freezer 82 and the first side 12 is directed away from the interior 90 of the freezer 82. The cover 80 inhibits the transfer of heat from outside 92 of the freezer 82 toward the interior 90 of the freezer 82 and assists in insulating the freezer and maintaining the temperature within the freezer 82. As the freezer 82 is insulated in this way, the energy required to cool the freezer can be reduced compared to situations in which the cover is 35 not used. The hydrophobic layer 23 which is directed towards the interior of the 16 freezer facilitates the shedding of moisture which condenses on the second side 14 of the thermal insulation material 10. The cover 80 is made from the thermal insulation material 10 by cutting and, when required, securely joining pieces of the thermal insulation material 10 together by 5 sewing, heat welding or other means. The thermal insulation material 10 includes magnets 28. In this embodiment, the magnets 28 are provided along the lower edge of the sides 86 of the cover 80. When the cover is placed over the freezer, the magnets 28 are attracted to the steel sides of the freezer and stay in place to securely hold the cover 80 in place and prevent the sides from flaring outward which would reduce the 10 effectiveness of the cover in insulating the freezer 82. In the same way, the magnets 28 hold the cover 80 in place and reduce the likelihood of cover sagging in the middle of the opening. In another embodiment, the cover 80 is a sheet of the thermal insulation material 10 which has been cut and scored to allow the sheet to be folded into a three 15 dimensional configuration for placement over or around the freezer 82. In such situations, the magnets can be used to maintain the cover 80 in the three-dimensional configuration due to attraction between magnets on/in the thermal insulation material 10 and also between the magnets on/in the thermal insulation material 10 and the magnetic metal in the freezer 82. 20 The thermal insulation material 10 can be retrofitted to already existing cold storage compartments. In such situations, the thermal insulation material 10 may be installed to improve the efficiency of older cold storage compartments. By improving the efficiency, the amount of electricity required to operate the cold storage room may also be reduced, and thereby, the cost of operating the cold storage room may be 25 reduced. With a reduction in electricity use, there may also be a reduction in the production of green house gases associated with electricity generation. As explained above, the thermal insulation material 10 can be installed in such existing cold storage compartments while the cold storage compartments are being cooled and, as a result, it is possible reduce disruptions caused by the installation. As explained above, the use 30 of the magnets 25, 28 and 30 facilitates installation while the cold storage compartment is being cooled as generally the performance of the magnets 25, 28 and 30 in securing the thermal insulation material to the surface of the storage compartment is not affected by the temperature. It will be appreciated that in the above described embodiments, where a magnet 35 is used to engage magnetically to a magnetic metal, the relationship between the magnet and the magnetised material can be reversed. For example, in the embodiment 17 shown in Figure 7, strips of magnetic metal 56 are provided on the walls of the storage compartment 50 and the magnets 25 on the sheet 32 of the thermal insulation material 10 become magnetically attached to the magnetic metal 56 such that the thermal insulation material 10 is held in place. However, this relationship can be reversed. In 5 that case, strips of magnetised material 156 are provided on the walls of the storage compartment 50 and magnetic metal 125 is provided on the thermal insulation material 10 in place of the magnets 25. As a result, the attraction between the magnetised material 156 and the magnetic metal 125 holds the thermal insulation material 10 in place. In another example, in the cover 80 described above, magnets are provided on 10 the cover 80 and the magnets attach magnetically to the steel of the freezer 82. However, this arrangement can be reversed such that metallic metal is provided on the cover 80 and magnets are arranged on the side of the freezer 82 such that the magnetic metal in the cover becomes magnetically attached to the magnets on the freezer 82. Of course, in the example shown in Figure 7, it would also be possible for 15 magnets to be provided on the wall of the storage compartment 50 and also provided in the appropriate orientation in and/or on the thermal insulation material 10 and for the thermal insulation material 10 to be held in place by the mutual magnetic attractions between the magnets on the wall and in the thermal insulation material 10. As is clear from the above described embodiments, embodiments of the present 20 invention are useful for insulating storage compartments and particularly cold or refrigerated storage compartments. Improved insulation of storage compartments may improve energy efficiency and thereby reduce energy costs and the environmental impacts related to energy production. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations 25 and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (35)

1. A thermal insulation material having a first side and a second side, the thermal insulation material comprising: a thermal insulation layer having a first surface directed toward the first side and 5 a second surface directed toward the second side, a first reflective layer adjacent the first surface of the thermal insulation layer and being reflective toward the first side, and a magnetised material or a magnetic metal provided on a surface of the thermal insulation material or within the thermal insulation material. 10

2. The thermal insulation material according to claim 1, wherein the magnetised material or magnetic metal is provided on the first side.

3. The thermal insulation material according to claim 1, wherein the magnetised 15 material or magnetic metal is provided on the second side.

4. The thermal insulation material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first reflective layer is selected from the group consisting of a metalized layer, aluminium foil, and a polymer layer containing metal particles. 20

5. The thermal insulation material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second reflective layer having a first surface which is adjacent the second surface of the thermal insulation layer and a second surface facing away from the thermal insulation layer, the second reflective layer being reflective toward the second 25 side.

6. The thermal insulation material according to claim 5, wherein the second reflective layer is selected from the group consisting of a metalized layer, aluminium foil, and a polymer layer containing metal particles. 30

7. The thermal insulation material according to any one of claims I to 6, wherein a surface of at least one of the first side and the second side comprises a hydrophobic layer. 35

8. The thermal insulation material according to claim 7, wherein the hydrophobic layer comprises a hydrophobic polymer. 19

9. The thermal insulation material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first side and the second side of the thermal insulation material contains an antimicrobial agent. 5

10. The thermal insulation material according to claim 9, wherein the antimicrobial agent is an antifungal agent.

11. The thermal insulation material according to any one of the preceding claims, 10 wherein the thermal insulation layer comprises a foam selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam and polyvinyl chloride foam.

12. A cover for fitting to an exterior of a storage compartment comprising the thermal insulation material according to any one of claims I to 11. 15

13. A cover for a storage compartment according to claim 12, wherein the magnetised material is arranged on a periphery of the cover to facilitate attachment of the cover to the storage compartment. 20

14. A method of fitting a thermal insulation material to a surface of a storage compartment, the thermal insulation material having a first side and a second side and being configured to inhibit a transfer of heat from the first side toward the second side, the method comprising the step of: magnetically attaching the thermal insulation material to the surface using at 25 least one magnet, wherein the thermal insulation material comprises: a thermal insulation layer having a first surface directed toward the first side and a second surface directed toward the second side, and a first reflective layer adjacent the first surface of the thermal insulation layer, the first reflective layer being reflective toward the first side. 30

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the thermal insulation material comprises the at least one magnet or a magnetic metal to facilitate magnetic attachment of the thermal insulation material to the surface. 20

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the at least one magnet or the magnetic metal is provided on the first side and the surface of the storage compartment is an internal surface of the storage compartment. 5

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the at least one magnet or the magnetic metal is provided on the second side and the surface of the storage compartment is an external surface of the storage compartment.

18. The method according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the thermal insulation 10 material comprises the at least one magnet, the method further including the step of: attaching magnetic metal or a magnetised material to the surface of the storage compartment to facilitate magnetic attachment of the thermal insulation material to the surface by the at least one magnet. 15

19. The method according to claims 16 or claim 17, wherein the thermal insulation material comprises the magnetic metal, the method further including the step of: attaching magnetised material to the surface of the storage compartment to facilitate magnetic attachment of the thermal insulation material to the surface by attraction of the magnetic metal to the magnetised material. 20

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the storage compartment is subjected to cooling to a temperature below an ambient temperature outside the storage compartment during the step of attaching the thermal insulation material. 25

21. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the thermal insulation material further comprises a second reflective layer having a first surface which is adjacent the second surface of the thermal insulation layer and a second surface facing away from the thermal insulation layer, the second reflective layer being 30 reflective toward the second side.

22. The method according to any one of claim 14 to 21, wherein the storage compartment has an opening, and the method further includes the step of: arranging at least a part of the thermal insulation material over the opening to 35 close off the opening. 21

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the step of magnetically attaching the thermal insulation material to the surface using at least one magnet includes: magnetically attaching the thermal insulation material to a surface of a wall of the storage compartment adjacent the opening. 5

24. The method according to claim 18, wherein the storage compartment comprises a wall having a first wall surface and a second wall surface and the surface of the storage compartment is the first wall surface, and wherein the step of attaching the magnetic metal or the magnetised material to 10 the surface of the storage compartment includes a step of: arranging a magnet at a position on the second wall surface corresponding to a position of the magnetic metal or the magnetised material on the first wall surface such that the magnetic material or the magnetised material and the magnet are maintained in position by magnetic attraction between the magnet and the magnetic metal or 15 magnetised material through the wall.

25. The method according to claim 19, wherein the storage compartment comprises a wall having a first wall surface and a second wall surface and the surface of the storage compartment is the first wall surface, and 20 wherein the step of attaching the magnetised material to the surface of the storage compartment includes a step of: arranging a magnet at a position on the second wall surface corresponding to a position of the magnetised material on first wall surface such that the magnetised material and the magnet are maintained in position by magnetic attraction between the 25 magnetised material and the magnet through the wall.

26. The method of claim 24 or claim 25, wherein the wall is a glass wall.

27. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 26, wherein a surface of at 30 least one of the first side and the second side comprises a hydrophobic layer.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the hydrophobic layer comprises a hydrophobic polymer. 22

29. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein the second reflective layer is selected from the group consisting of a metalized layer, aluminium foil, and a polymer layer containing metal particles. 5

30. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 29, wherein the first reflective layer is selected from the group consisting of a metalized layer, aluminium foil, and a polymer layer containing metal particles.

31. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 30, wherein at least one of the 10 first side and the second side of the thermal insulation material contains an antimicrobial agent.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the antimicrobial agent is an antifungal agent. 15

33. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 32, wherein the thermal insulation layer comprises a foam selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam and polyvinyl chloride foam. 20

34. A thermal insulation material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

35. A method of fitting a thermal insulation material to a surface of a storage compartment according to claim 14 and substantially as hereinbefore described. 25