ZA200602659B - Improvements in insulated panels - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND

The present inventiosn relates to improvements in insulated glass door and window structures and more particularly relates to an apparatus and method oo for eliminating or reducings condensation on the extemal face of such glass doors and the internal face ©f window structures. More particularly the present _ invention relates to improvements in the structure of insulated glass : door/window structures such as are used in connection with insulated glazed a windows (for use in both thermal and sound insulation applications) and . refrigeration, and particularly in industrial and commercial refrigeration. The : invention also relams to irmprovements in the economics of manufacture of insulated glass dooss and windows. Although the fuvention will primarily be 15. described with reference to Hts application in glass doors aud pasticulasly tripple glazed doors used in such applications as refrigeration, it-will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention has applications in other areas such as in windows and any structure which utilizes glass and particularly though not exclusively double or tripple glazing. : }

PRIOR ART

"In industrial and commeswial refrigeration, and particularly refrigeration cabinets employed at points of sale and in a variety of establishments, double and/or triple glazed doors are used to insulate the refrigerated contents. ) Tn some glass dooer structures, for example those in refrigerators, freezers, and the like, where a temperature differing substantially from that of the surrounding atmospheres is to be maintained within a storage compartment, an electrical current and metallic film is employed heating the door frame and outer glass pane in an effort to eliminate condensation and provide clear visibility to the goodls contaned.

~ Such conventional glass doors demand not only electrical heating themselves but, due to heat transfer, require additional energsy in order to maintain intemal refrigeration. E oo

In addition, conventional insulated glass doors comprise parallel panes of glass affixed with spacer bars to form one complete glass urait. This glass pane asse mbly is then enclosed within a metal or composite structiaral peripheral door framme in order to complete the construction of the insulated glass door: The heating apparatuses required to maintain the door panels and door frame at an _ optimurn temperature add to the cost of the doors and fridge/freezer overall, oo complicae the construction of the door panels and door frame, require _ edditionall circuitry, and add to the running costs of the fridge/fareezer as wel as the air aconditioning generally employed. : There hass been a long felt want in the industry to provide a more efficient an economic means to reduce or eliminate condensation in or on a fridge/freezer door and goarticularly on those doors having double/triple glazing.

INVENTEON

: The present invention provides improvements in the structure of insulated ==lass door structures such as are used in connection witha refrigeration and particularly in industrial and commercial refrigeration wherein means are : provided 20 reduce or eliminate condensation on glass and door frmme surfaces. oo oo Glass surfaces of such fridge/freezer doors are required to remains clear so that the conterats of the fiidge/freezer may be inspected by 2 consumer. :

It will be =mappreciated by persons skilled in the art that while this iravention to be described herein is open to various variations and modifications, ghe ittustrated embodiments set out herein are non-limiting, It should therefore be understood : that the embodiments of the drawing are merely an exarople of one implemen tation of the invention. There are a vadiety of embodiments and

Lo . 5 alternative construstisons and equivalents falling within the scope of the oo invention, + The invention to be described below in its application to a fridge/freezer cabinet door can also be adapwted in various applications wherein a door or window or the like separate a region of low temperature relatively dry air from a region having higher tempesuture and high relative humidity. In the latter case the panel. according to the invention may be used to prevent condensation which . would normally occuxc on an outer surface where the temperature on one side is low enough and is trarsmitted to the other side to cause condensation.

It is one object of the invention to provide raeans that reduces or : eliminates condensatieon on glass doors of a refrigerator/freezer but without the : need for electrical hemting of glass surfaces and door frame comprising the door. — _ : it is anothex object of the invention to provide means that - reduce/eliminate coradensation on glass surfaces and door frame of a refrigerator/freezer ‘and which substantially reduces operating and manufacturing costs. oo It is another Object of the invention to provide mechanical means that reduce/climinate condensation on glass doors of a refoigerator/freezer and So obviates the need for electrical heating of glass surfaces and door fame comprising the door. oo : : : oo

It is a further -object of the invention to provide an altemative means for insulation of double/t_ripple glazed structures such as but not limited to windows and doors and to redicce or eliminate unwanted condensation on such structures.

It is a further object of the invention to provide mechanical means that reduce/eliminate coradensation on glass surfices and door frames of a _

W/0 2005/021886 PCT/AU2004/001191 refrigerator/freezer but without the costs and smaintenance associated with the electrical heating of glass surfaces and door frarmes of fridge/freezer doors.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an altemative means for the construction of glazed fridge/freezer doorss in which glazed panels are set into a prefabricated frame without the need for mounting an enclosed glass unit : into an enclosed metal, composite, or thermal plastics frame. © Ttis a further object of the invention to provide an altemative means for the construction of glazed fridge/freezer doors without the need for manufacturing an enclosed glass unit.

Tt is a further object of the invention to provide an altemative means for the construction of glazed fridge/freezer doors without using steel fasteners and : the like to fasten the door frame. Co

The present invention seeks to provides 2 novel alternative to the known methods of reducing/eliminating condensation on glass refrigerator/freezer doors without the need for electrical heating elements. no "The present invention also seeks to provide & novel alternative to the known methods of insulating and manufacturing doubXeftriple-glazed windows.

In a broad form of an apparatus aspect the present invention comprises: : 25 a door for the use in insulating contents of a «cooling cupboard, fridge, freezer, ot the like, the door comprising; - ’ "a peripheral frame, a first wall connected to the frame, a second wall connected to the frame and opposing the first wall such that said first and second walls define an internal space @here between;

the door further comprising in said intemal space an intermediate wall member which insulates said first wall from the second wale] thus comprising a triple : glazed unit. oo

In another broad form the present invention comprises: oo a double/tripple glazed insulated fridge/freezer door having inner and outer glass panels which together define an internal space ~wherein the internal space oo includes a planar insulating wall member which insialates one said glass panel from the other panel, thereby reducing/oliminating condensation on the said j0 glass panels. -

According to a prefurred embodiment the first and second panels comprise glass panes that define the said intemal space. The planar insulating wall member is no preferably a transpatent thermal plastics material mommted midway between the glass panes.

Preferably the skins are transparent and may be glasss, Perspex, thermal plastics or the like, According to one embodiment, plastic extrusions may be used to provide the door/window-frame that also acts as glass panel spacers and mounts. : In another broad fonn the present jpvention comprises: : a panel including a frame in which is disposed tweo glass panes defining an : g internal space; the intemal space including at least o ne internal planar member which forms at least two internal spaces of op-timum dimensions which combined with the thermal plastics frame, insulates she two glass panes thereby reducing or eliminating ‘condensation on the glass pa nes. "In another broad form of a method aspect, the pressent invention comprises a method for constructing g panel including a thermall plastics frame in which is disposed two glass panes defining an internal space; she internal space including

- at least one in ternal planar member which insulates the tweo glass panes thereby reducing or cl Fminaling condensation on the glass panes ard door frame; : the method co-rnprising the steps oft ‘ . 5 a) taking twy glass panes of a predetermined size; b) taki—t1g an insulating member; ©) constructing a frame from a thermal plastics extrusion; d) fittimg said first glass panel to an inner bearing swurface of the frame,

Ce) fittimng said insulating member to said frame £n a centml position defied by the central spacer bar incorporatsed within the frame. stru=cture; and : f fitting said second glass panel to an outer surface of the frame such that the panels are in opposing relationship ard define the internal } space housing the insulating member. 15s The method comprises the further step of placing _ the planar insulating member atan optimam spacing and equidistant from the fi_rst and second skins. {n another bro ad form of a method aspect, the present inveantion comprises; : a method for constructing a panel including a thermal plastics peripheral frame in which is dSsposed two panes defining an intemal spasce;. the internal space’ iticluding at le=ast one internal planar insulating member which insulates the two glass panes theereby reducing or eliminating condensation on the glass panes and frame; } ’ : the method comprising the steps of: : ~ a) taking twa panes of a predetermined size; : b). takimng an :nsulating member; c} consstucting a frame from a thermal plastics extrusion so that the . conmpleted frame includes three shoulder regions: d) fittimng saicl first pane to an inner shoulder of the ~frame;

€) fitting said insulating member 10 a second shoulder on said frame which is clisposed in a Central position relative to outside surfaces of the frame; and f) fitting said second pane to a third shoulder to form an outer surface of 3 the panel; : wherein the panes are armnged so that the first and second panes define an internal pane} and the insulating _membor is located intermedinte the first and second panes.

Preferably the panes are transparerat glass.

Preferably, a complated insulated glass door/window includes: a door-frame; at feast two glass and/or plastic panes fixed with rigid adhesive to the frame; sealant; moisture absorption granu les; air and/or argon gas; and a gasket.

Preferably the glass or plastics panes are supported by a plastic extrusion forming both the door-frame amd pane mounts. The extruded plastic is preferably cut and welded to suites each door or window unit. Glass panels are preferably mounted on mounting= surfaces of the extrusion and a clear rigid : thermal plastics pane is mounted mnidway between the glass panes. Preferably a rigid adhesive is used for attacho. ent of the panes to the mounting surfaces:

Preferably the glass and plastic pemes are spaced to provide optimum insulation with air and/or argon gas filled cavities whereby gas is injected via latex valves located in the horizontal door-framme members. Desiccant chambers are formed in the plastic extrusion and are filled with desiccant moisture absorption granules and sealed using plastic caps prior to welding.

Throughout the specification, a resference to a door may be taken as a reference to a window as the context allowss, and a reference to a window may be taken to - 30 include a door as the context allo-ws. Although the invention will be described with primary reference to use off a panel as a door, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the panel naay be used in g variety of applications : to reduce/eliminate unwanted condensation on one or other of outer walls of the panel and door frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

‘ The present invention will now be described in more detail according to preferred but non-limiting embodiment amd with reference to the accompanying

C10 "illustrations wherein: :

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a door panel according to one : embodiment. : :

Figure 2 shows a front elevation of a refrigeration unit having three doors according to one embodiment.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional wiew of an abbreviated frame extrusion oo including fitted glass panels and an intermediate insulating panel. - : oo - Figure 4 is a cross sectional diagram of a frame extrusion for an insulated glass door according to one embodiment. Co - Figure 5 shows a past elevation view of aa door panel frame from a front view. oo Figure 6 shows a pat elevation view of aa door panel frame from a rear view. :

Figure 7 shows an isometric view of @ section of a panel with panes fitted accotding to a prefesred embodiment.

Figure 8 shows an enlarged cross sectional view of an extrusion used in a door frame according to one embodiment. © Figure 9 shows a cress sectional view of” a section of a panel with panes fitted. "Referring to figure 1 there is shown am. exploded perspective view of a door : panel 1 according to one embodiment_ Door panel 1 comprises a peripheral oo frame 2 having long sides 3 and 4 and s hort sides 5 and 6. Fitted inside frame 2 : are glass panels 7 and 8 which are disposed in opposing relationship and define oo an internal space 9 there between. Internal space 9 receives and retains therein )

E an insulating rember 10 which is preferably spaced so it is equidistant from - 5 . panels 7 and 8 so that panels 7 and 8 are= mutually isolated from each other. :

Panel 1 further comprises a magnetic gasket 11 which is fixed in a gasket . groove (see figure 3). : " Figure 2 shows a front elevation of a refrigeration unit 12 having three doots © 10 13,14 and 15 constructed in accordances with the panel 1 arrangement described : in figure ). Fridge/freezer unit 12 is typically an industrial fridge/freezer having :

Co a cooled intecior and transparent doors so that the contents of the fridge/freezer : may be viewed from the outside. In thes past the problem has been condcosation "forming on the outer surfaces of the doers as one side is exposed to refrigeration ternperature and the other gide is exposed to ambient room temperature. This oo inevitably leads to potential condensataion on the outside of the glass panes and "door frame thus obscuring the fridge contents. Doors 13, 14 and 15 have an : insulating member otresponding to Lusulation member JO as described with : reference to figure 1 | -

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross seectional view of an abbreviated frame 16 . including au extrusion including fitted glass panels and an intermediate : insulating panel. Extrusion 20 which is manufactured from thermal plastics, comprises an outer wall 21 and inner ~wall 22 which define internal spaces 23, 24, 25 and 26. Preferably a plastics extrusion is provided forming a panel which functions as either a window os door. The plastics frame extrusion 20 is cut and welded to suit the refrigeration unit 27 to which the door/window will be attached. Glass panes 28 and 29 are mounted on the tespective mounting : surfaces 30 and 31. Also fitted to extrusion 20 via surface 32 is a clear rigid 30° thennal plastic insulating member 33 mounted midway between glass panes 28 ©. and 29. Glass panes 28 and 29 and i-nsulating member 33 are attached to their resspective mounting; surfaces using a rigid adhesive. Glass panels 28 and 29 and : plastics insulating member 33 are spaced to prowvide optimum insulation with air and/or argon gas filled cavities 34 and 35, Awdditional features in the plastic extrusion 20 include a hinge and torsion bar mowxating point 36 and excess rigid adhesive traps 37, 38 and 39. A magnetised fle=xible gasket 44 is ingerted into oo thee gasket retaining groove 45 providing an airtight seal between the insulated glass door and the door fuscia of the refiigerator=/freezer unit 27.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional diagram of a framme extrusion 40 for an insulated gl=ass door according to one embodiment. The air and/or argon gas is inserted vi=a latex valves (not shown) located in a howrizontal door-frame formed by exstusion 40. Desiccant chambers 41 and 42 formed in the plastics extrusion 4) are filled with desiccant moisture absorptio=n granules in the vertical frame sections and sealed using plastic caps {sec figuce 3) prior to welding, 1s “Figure 5 shows a part elevation view of a dloor panel frame 50 from a front vi ew. Panel 50 includes an upper frame membemr 52 and side member 53.

Figure 6 shows from a rear ( reverse side) vieew an elevation view of the pari door panel frame 50 comprising upper framme member 52 and side frame member 53. Frame 50 which is formed from & preferably plastics extrusion is adapted witht three shoulder regions 54, 55 and 56 which define recesses which ‘ : e=xch receive and retain panes 57, 58 and 59 as s-hown in figure 7. -

Fmgure 7 shows an isometric view of a sectiosn of a panel with panes fitted according to 8 preferred embodiment. Accomrding to one: embodiment of a : rmethod aspect, a typical panel may be construcsted in accordance with a method tc be described with reference to figure 7. . oo

Peripheral frame SO may be constructed fraom a metal or plastics material. _ P_seferably the frame material is an extruded pelastics. Typically, a frame will ceomptise upper member 52 and lower member $3 formed from an extrusion and which includes recesses which form beating shoulders 54, 55 and 56 which respectively receive panes 57, 58 and 59, Co

Pane 57 forms an outer door surface and pane 59 an inner door surface which each define an internal space 60 . Pane 58 locates on shoulder 55 in inner oo space 60 and provides an insul-ation of panes 57 and 59 to prevent condensation.

The preferred methed compris«es the steps of: . ’ a) taking two panes 57 and 59 of a predetermined size; b) taking an insulating xnember 58; : c) constructing a frame 50 from a thermal plastic extrusion having a profile so that the completed frame includes three shoulder regions 54,55 anc. 56; : d) "The first pane 57 is fitted s0 that its periphery engages shoulder recess . 54. Prefarably the pane is glued peripherally to shoulder 54; e) Next, insulating meember 58 is glued to shoulder recess 55 which is : disposed in a central position relative to outside surfaces of the door : panel; . :

D Finally pane 59 is sseated on and glued to shoulder 56 to seal intemal ] space 60, Panc 57 Sotms an outer surface of the panel 50; wherein the panes are arranp=ed so that the first and second panes 57 and 59 "define an intemal space 60 divided by the -insulating panel 58 is located intermediate the first and seczond panes. Preferably the panes are transparent glass. oo

Figure 8 shows an enlarged cross sectional view of an abbreviated frame : extrusion 70 used in a door frame according to one embodiment.

C25 Frame Extrusion 70 which is preferably manufactured from thermal plastics, comprises an cuter wall 71 and inner wall 72. Inner wall 72 defines internal spaces 73 , 74. Frame extrysion profile 70 provides an outer panel structure which may be a winkdow, door or the like. The plastics frame extrusion : : 70 is cut and welded to sit its particular application and in a preferred embodiment is adapted ss =x fridge or freezer door. Panes 77 and 79 are - preferably manufactured freom glass and are mounted on the respective mounting surfaces 80, and 82. Also fitted to extrusion 70 via surface 8lis a clear rigid thermal plastic insulating tmember 78 mounted intermediate glass panes 77 and 79. Glass panes 77 and 7S and insulating member 78 are attached : to their respective mounting surfaces 80, 82 and 81 using a suitable rigid sealing adhesive. Glags panals 77 and 79 and p lastics insulating member 78 are spaced } . to provide optimum insulation with air and/or argon gas filled cavities 73 and © 74. Additional features in the plastios extrusion 70 include a hinge and torsion bar ( not shown) for mounting purposes.

Figure 9 shows a half section of the door panel 70 of figure 8 constructed in accordance with thes invention and with cormesponding oo numbering, Panel 70 is shown including a magnetised flexible gasket 83 inserted into the gasket retaining groowe 84 providing an airtight seal between : the insulated glass dor and the door fasscia of the refrigerator/freezer unit 85.

Ls :

From the foregoing, it can be seen that: the insulated door/window assembly of the present invention has a modern substantially all glass front appearance but increasing the efficiency and strength of conventional insulated doors and : © windows to which the industry has bezen accustomed. Since the door/window assembly requires fewer components such that it comprises, a single unit, structural instability causing sag is elirminated, manufacturing costs are greatly © reduced, and operational costs are sutostantially lowered with the removal of electrical heating, .

Manufacture of a panel in accordance with the invention results in potentially a = 60% pans saving and 50% labour savirag by comparison with a known typically - available commercial fridge or freezer aloor having a heating element apparatus. .

Pancls or doors made in accordance with the invention do not require any + ancillary heating elements or associatecd heating apparatuses, nor the associated materials and fabour. The method of esonstraction allows the panel to function so that condensation is eliminated wwithout the use of a heating element. - Consequently, since no heating elenment is required, energy savings are

* estimated to be up to 55% in comparison to a panel or door of similar proportions requeiring a heating element.

One advantage &f the present invention is that it obviates the need for spacers previously used® to space apart glass panels prior to final enclosure in = : " peripheral frames . In the past a panel was constructed by setting the panels rx layers and keepwing them spaced apart by spaces which set a predetermined - distance betweemn the panels. A metal frame was fitted around the pane edges : to complete the Jpanal. This makes panels relatively heavy and their constructions © labor intensive. The panels according to the invention do not require spacers and are lightwedight in comparison to the known panels of a similar size. The - preferred frame is manufactured from extruded plastics contributing significantly to weight reduction,

It will be recogtized by pessons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the invention as broadly described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (3)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1 A panel comprising;

   ". a frame meraber defining a periphery of said panel a first wall retained by the frame and a second wall opposing said ’ first wall and together with the first wall defining ara internal space of : 10 ~~ the= panel; . oo the= panel further comprising at least one interraediat« wall disposed in : saied internal space intermediate the first and seconcd walls and which cre=ates a first space in said intemal space between said intermediate wall and said first wall and a second space in said internal space 15 between said intermediate wall and said second walk; characterized in oo tha t the frame includes respective abutment surfaces which receive : and retain respective first , second and intermediate walls wherein; the intermediate wall insulates said first wall from said second wall.
2. 2 A panel according to claim 1 wherein, the first and_ second walls are 20 glass panes secured peripherally by said frame.
3. 3 A panel according to claim 2 wherein the frame defines a first recess . for a first glass pane forming an extemal panel wall, a second recess for an intermediate insulating pane and a third rece=ss for an intemal glasss pane. 25 4 A panel ascording to claim 3 wherein said abutment surfaces which . recezive and retain said first second aad third walls, are respectively . locaated in said first, second and third recesses, A panel according to claim 4 wherein the inteomed date wall is made frocna rigid thermal plastics material. : 6 ‘A ppavel according to claim 5 wherein, the intesrmediate wall is CL mounted midway between said glass panes.

   7 £4 panel according to claim 6 wherein, the abutment surfaces are shoulders formed in the frame. 8 AA panel according to claim 7 wherein the glass pames’ and : ) i-ntermediate wall ate attached to the shoulders of said frames usinga rigid adhesive. 9 2A panel according to claim 8 wherein the frame is formed from a

   : . pelastics extrusion and includes abutting surfaces which resceive at lezast one esge of said glass panes and at least one edge of said . imtermediate plastics wall BE

   10 . 10 A, panel according to claim 9 wherein, the spaces betwreen the ‘intermediate wall and the first and second glass panels are sgpaced to maximize insulation by the intermediate wall of the first and Jor . second glass panes. 11 Au panel according to claim 10 wherein the shoulders cascade from the

   ~. iromer glass pane to the outer glass pane. : 12 Aa panel according to claim 11 wherein the recess for the outer pane has a different area from the respective recesses for the intermediate : pane and inner pane. 13 A_ panel aceording to claim 12 wherein the spaces between tlhe glass panes are filled with air and/or argon gas. 14 A_ ‘panel wccording to claim 13 wherein the intermediate wall is SE treansparent N : © 15 A. panel according to claim 14 wherein the spaces between the glass ‘pares are filled with air and/or argon gas via latex valves loacated in thze frame. : 16 A. panel according to claim 15 wherein desiccant chambers are fo rmed in at least one cavity in the frame extrusion and filleed with de=siocant tnoisture absorption granules in the frame, 17 A panel according to claim 16 wherein the cavities in saicd frame extrusions are sealed using plastic caps.

   18 A panel according to claim 17 wherein a magnetised flexible gasket is © ‘ inserted into a gasket retaining groove in the frame thereby providing an airtight seal between the panel and an article to which it is fitted. 19 A panel according to €laim 18 wherein the intermediate wall insulates © each glass pane from the other pane, 20 A panel according to claim 19 wherein the panel is used as a fridge/frezzer door. 21 A panel ascording to claim 20 wherein the panel is used as a window.

   10 . 22 A triple pane insulated fridge/freezer door panet comprising: : - a peripheral frame; a first pane defining an inner space in said panel and a second pane Lo opposing said first page and defining said inner space; each said panes being retained by the peripheral frame; the panel further comprising at least one intermediate pane . disposed in said inner : space. between said fixst and second panes and which creates 2 first gap in said inner space between said intermediate pane and said first pane and a second gap in said intemal space between said intermediste pane and said second pane; wherein said first, second and intermediate panes are supported by cascading shoulders on an inner face of said frame, : 23 A door for the use on a cooling cupboard, fridge, freezer, or the like, . 25 the door comprising a peripheral fame, a first skin. connected to the frame, " asecond skin connected to the frame and opposing the first skin such ~~ thatsaid first and second skins define an internal space there between; : | the door further comprising in said internal space an intermediate wall member which insulates said first skin from said second skin.

   24 A double/triple glazed insulated fiidp=e/freezer door having inver and outer glass panels which together defi wie in intemal space whersin, the internal space includes a planar pane=1 which insulates one said glass pansl from the other panel, thereby rteducing/eliminating condensation on the said glass panels. © 25 A panel including a plastics frame in which is disposed two glass panes defining an internal air space;. the internal space including at least one internal planar member wikich separates and insulates the two glass panes thereby teducing/e liminating condensation on the glass panes and door frame, wheremn the frame defines a separate abutment shoulder for respectively receiving and retaining said two glass panes and sgid intemal planar irmsulating member. 26 Adtiple glazed insulated fridge/freezer door panel having a first wall apd an opposing second wall; the oppoosing walls together defining an : : | internal space; wherein the internal space includes an intermediate wall whch insulates one or both said panels; thereby reducing/eliminating condensation or the said panels.

   Co

   27 A panel according to claim 26 wherein the frame is a plastics extrusion. ) 28 A panel according to claim 26 wherein said first and second walls are made of glass panes. 29 A panet according to claim 28 whereein the intermediate wall is made ofa clear transparent plastics material A method for constructing a pamel including a thermal plastics 30 peripheral frame in which is disposed two panes defining an intemal space; the intemal space includirg at least one internal planar insulatibg member which insulates the two panes thereby reducing or eliminating condensation on the panes and frame -

   the method comprising the steps of; : 5 a) taking two’ panes of a predetermined size;

   b) takingan insulating member;

   c) constructing a frame from a thermal plastics extrusion so that the : completed frame imcludes three shoulder regions;

   d) fitting said first pane to ap inner shoulder of the frame; Q fitting said insulating member to a second shoulder on said frame . which is disposed in a central position relative to outside surfaces of the frame; and Co f) fitting sail second pane fo a third shoulder to form an outer surface of the panel; :

   wherein the panes are arranged so that the first and second panes define an intemal panel and the insulating member is located intermediate the first and second panes; wherein, the intemal space and insulating. mexnber insulate the first and second panes ’

   31 A method according to claim 30 wherein the first and second panes : are transparent glass. 32 A method for constructing a panel including a frame in which is . disposed two glass panes defining an internal space; the internal space including at Jeast one internal planar member which insulates the two glass panes thereby reducing/climinating condensation on the glass panes and door frame; the method comprises the steps of:

   3 a) taking two glass panes ofa predetermined size;

   © b) taking an dinsulating member; :

   a) constructing a frame from a plastics extrusion so that the extrusion includes respective bearing shoulders capable of receiving and retzining said panes asd insulating member; : 'd) fitting said glass gpanels and plastic insulating panel to said _ respective bearing should-ers on said frame such that the pavels ate in opposing relationship and define the internal space housing the insulating member. | oo : 33 A method for constructing a panel wherein the method comprises the ’ further step of placing thee planac insulating member at an optimum ‘ spacing equidistant frorm the first and second glass panels to maximize insulation of sa-id panes. : : 34 A method for constructing a pane) according to claims 30 or 33 comprising the further stexps of; a) introducing absorption granules into the frame; . b) sealing the internaml space : g ’ .'b) introducing air amd/or argon gas into the internal space via a ‘ valve.