Insulated door panels
AssigneeRite-Hite Holding Corporation
InventorPerry W. Knutson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Example insulated pliable door panels or curtains include various internal vapor barriers. The vapor barriers have a relatively high water vapor transmission rate that inhibits water vapor from permeating through the door panel. With such vapor barriers, outer sheets of the door panel can be made of polyurethane or other tough materials that might have an inadequate water vapor transmission rate. In some examples, the vapor barrier encircles or encloses a thermally insulating pad. In some examples, the door panel includes a sleeve or pocket that holds the vapor barrier in place. Some examples include means for draining water that might condense within the door panel.
Claims24
A flexible door panel movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a doorway, the door panel comprising:
- a first pliable sheet made of a first polymeric material, the first sheet having a first water vapor transmission rate;
- a second pliable sheet made of a second polymeric material, the second sheet being generally parallel to the first sheet when the door is in the closed position, the second sheet having a second water vapor transmission rate;
- a thermally insulating pad between the first sheet and the second sheet, the thermally insulating pad being resiliently compressible;
- and
- a third sheet between the first sheet and the thermally insulating pad, the third sheet having a third water vapor transmission rate, the third water vapor transmission rate being lower than the first water vapor transmission rate, and the third water vapor transmission rate being lower than the second water vapor transmission rate.
A flexible door panel movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a doorway, the door panel comprising:
- a first pliable sheet made of a first polymeric material;
- a second pliable sheet made of a second polymeric material, the second sheet being generally parallel to the first sheet when the door is in the closed position;
- a plurality of baffles connecting the first sheet to the second sheet to define a plurality of chambers between the first sheet and the second sheet, the plurality of baffles being connected to the first sheet and the second sheet;
- a plurality of thermally insulating pads disposed within the plurality of chambers, a thermally insulating pad of the plurality of thermally insulating pads being between the first sheet and the second sheet, the thermally insulating pad being resiliently compressible;
- and
- a third sheet encircling the thermally insulating pad
A flexible door panel movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a doorway, the door panel comprising:
- a first sheet pliable made of a first polymeric material, the first sheet having a first water vapor transmission rate;
- a second pliable sheet made of a second polymeric material, the second sheet being generally parallel to the first sheet when the door is in the closed position, the second sheet having a second water vapor transmission rate;
- a plurality of baffles connecting the first sheet to the second sheet to define a plurality of chambers between the first sheet and the second sheet, the plurality of baffles being connected to the first sheet and the second sheet;
- a plurality of thermally insulating pads disposed within the plurality of chambers, a thermally insulating pad of the plurality of thermally insulating pads being between the first sheet and the second sheet, the thermally insulating pad being resiliently compressible;
- a third sheet between the first sheet and the thermally insulating pad, the third sheet having a third water vapor transmission rate;
- and
- a fourth pliable sheet made of a fourth polymeric material, the fourth sheet being joined to at least one of the first sheet or at least one of the plurality of baffles to define a pocket between the fourth sheet and the first sheet, the third sheet being disposed within the pocket, the fourth sheet being interposed between the third sheet and the thermally insulating pad, the third water vapor transmission rate being lower than the first water vapor transmission rate, and the third water vapor transmission rate being lower than the second water vapor transmission rate.
A door, comprising:
- a first sheet coupled to a second sheet to define a chamber therebetween;
- a thermally insulating pad within the chamber;
- and
- a third sheet adjacent the thermally insulating pad to substantially prevent water vapor from permeating the thermally insulating pad, the third sheet being positioned between the thermally insulating pad and at least one of first sheet or the second sheet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.