# US 2014/0191446 A1 · Method of forming insulating articles with reduced thickness variation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191446 A1 - Document ID: US20140191446A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/736,427 - Filed: 2013-01-08 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Harold Haskins; Xiao Guang Yang; Theodore James Miller; James Matthew Marcicki; Patrick Daniel Maguire - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191446A1 ## CPC - B29C 43/10: Isostatic pressing, i.e. using non-rigid pressure-exerting members against rigid parts or dies - B29C 43/14: in several steps - B29C 43/183: {the preformed layer being a lining, e.g. shaped in the mould before compression moulding, or a preformed shell adapted to the shape of the mould} - B29C 43/56: Compression moulding under special conditions, e.g. vacuum - B29C 2043/148: {using different moulds} - B29C 2043/563: {combined with mechanical pressure, i.e. mould plates, rams, stampers} - B29K 2105/0854: {in the form of a non-woven mat} - B29L 2031/3005: {Body finishings} - B29L 2031/7146: {Battery-cases} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract In one or more embodiment, a method is provided for forming an insulating article from an insulating material having a first thickness, the method including the step of: compressing the insulating material to form a compressed insulating material having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness; and subsequent to the step of compressing, subjecting the compressed insulating material to a vacuum to form the insulating article. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of forming an insulating article from an insulating material having a first thickness, the method comprising: compressing the insulating material to form a compressed insulating material having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness; and subsequent to the step of compressing, subjecting the compressed insulating material to a vacuum to form the insulating article. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the insulating material is provided to include a glass fiber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising, subsequent to the step of compressing, depositing the compressed insulating material into a container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the compressing is carried out at atmospheric pressure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of compressing is carried out with a compressive load of 14.5 to 22 psi. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to the step of compressing, depositing the insulating material into a container. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein a compressive force is applied onto the container to carry out the step of compressing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the container includes at least one of a polymer, a plastic and a metal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the container includes an opening greater than 1 millimeter subsequent to the step of vacuuming. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the opening is closed such that a pressure within the container is smaller than a pressure outside of the container. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the opening is closed via an application of heat. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of compressing is carried out such that a thickness ratio of a thickness after the compressing relative to a thickness before the compressing is 0.40 to 0.95. ### Claim 13 A method of forming an insulating article from an insulating material having a first thickness, the method comprising: depositing the insulating material in a container with an opening; compressing the insulating material at atmospheric pressure to form a compressed insulating material having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness; and subsequent to the step of compressing, subjecting the compressed insulating material to a vacuum to form the insulating article. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein a load of pressure is applied onto the container to carry out the step of compressing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the container includes an opening greater than 1 centimeter subsequent to the step of vacuuming. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the opening is closed such that a pressure within the container is smaller than a pressure outside of the container. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the opening is closed via an application of heat. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the step of compressing is carried out such that a thickness ratio of a thickness after the compressing relative to a thickness before the compressing is 0.40 to 0.95. ### Claim 19 A method of forming an insulation panel, comprising: providing a pre-sealed insulation panel having a first thickness, the pre-sealed insulation panel including a flexible container and an insulation material disposed within the flexible container, the flexible container including an opening; compressing the pre-sealed insulation panel to form a compressed pre-sealed insulation panel, the compressed pre-sealed insulation panel having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness; vacuuming the compressed pre-sealed insulation to form a vacuumed pre-sealed insulation panel; and sealing the vacuumed pre-sealed insulation panel to form the sealed vacuumed insulation panel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising subjecting the sealed vacuumed insulation panel to atmospheric pressure.