Process and apparatus for packing insulation material in a passage between first and second elements

An insulation packing process comprising the steps of:

• providing a first element having an outer surface and a second element having an inner surface, at least one of said first and second elements being perforated;
• providing said first and second elements on a fixture, said second element being located so as to be positioned relative to said first element such that said first element outer surface and said second element inner surface define a passage between said first and said second elements for receiving fiber insulation material, said fixture forming part of an exhaust box and said exhaust box having an inner cavity which communicates with a vacuum source;
• supplying fiber insulation material to said passage such that said material is packed into said passage;
• rotating said fixture and said first and second elements during said supplying step;
• and
• drawing a partial vacuum in said exhaust box via said vacuum source while the fiber insulation material is being supplied to said passage, said partial vacuum causing air to be pulled through said at least one perforated element so as to cause said fiber insulation material to be densely packed within said passage.