Thermal barriers and seals for climate controlled transportation
OwnerChad Nelsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In certain embodiments, a thermal barrier can be removably attached to portals such as trailer doors, partitions, bulkheads, and the like. In one embodiment, a flexible thermal barrier having an associated flexible seal is attached to an interior surface of a roll-up trailer door in a refrigerated trailer to insulate the cargo area from the ambient air. In other embodiments, seals mounted to the trailer wall cooperate with an insulating blanket disposed on a portal such as a roll-up door. In still other embodiments, wall mounted seals are used alone, without a blanket, to provide peripheral thermal sealing.
Claims15
An apparatus for insulating a cargo area, comprising:
- a thermal barrier adapted to be attached to a generally planar side of a portal that defines a boundary between a first set of environmental conditions and a second set of environmental conditions, the thermal barrier including a flexible insulating body portion extending over a substantial portion of the portal surface;
- at least one seal member connected to one or more peripheral edges of the thermal barrier and covering at least a plurality of peripheral edges of the portal;
- whereby the barrier and seal member inhibit transmission of conditioned or ambient air past the portal.
An apparatus for insulating a climate-controlled trailer having an overhead door, and mounting mechanisms coupled to an interior surface of the overhead door, the apparatus comprising:
- a first seal member having a proximal end mounted to a trailer wall surface adjacent a peripheral edge of the overhead door and a distal end adapted to slidably engage an interior surface of the overhead door along a substantial portion of the edge when in an operative position;
- a second seal member disposed opposite the first seal member having a proximal end mounted to a trailer wall surface adjacent to an opposite peripheral edge of the overhead door and a distal end adapted to slidably engage an interior surface of the overhead door along a substantial portion of the opposite peripheral edge when in an operative position;
- whereby the seal members extend across the mounting mechanisms to inhibit transmission of conditioned or ambient air past said peripheral edges.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.