A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes: an outer case forming an exterior of the refrigerator; an inner case disposed inside the outer case, forming a storage compartment therein, and having a communication hole formed through a side surface thereof; a partition supported by the inner case to partition the storage compartment, and including a heat insulator inlet at a position corresponding to the communication hole; and a heat insulator filled between the outer case and the inner case and filled into the partition through the heat insulator inlet, wherein the partition includes a first vertical partitioning wall disposed between the outer case and the inner case and having a height to limit a size of the heat insulator inlet.

A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure includes an outer wrapper having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening. A liner has a second opening and second edge extending around the second opening. The liner is disposed inside the wrapper with the first and second edges being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. An insulating thermal bridge extends across the gap, and an airtight vacuum cavity is formed between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge includes elongated first and second channels having sealant disposed therein, and the first and second edges are disposed in the first and second channels, respectively. Porous core material may be disposed in the vacuum cavity.

An insulation structure for an appliance includes a cabinet having an outer wrapper and an inner liner, with an insulating cavity defined therebetween. Insulating powder material is disposed substantially throughout the insulating cavity. An insulating gas is disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein the insulating powder material is combined with the insulating gas and cooperatively defines a suspended state and a precipitated state. The suspended state is defined by the insulating gas in motion and the insulating powder being in an aeolian suspension within the insulating gas while in motion. The precipitated state is defined by the insulating gas being in a deposition state and the insulating powder being precipitated from the insulating gas and deposited within the insulating cavity.

An insulation structure for an appliance includes a cabinet having an outer wrapper and an inner liner, with an insulating cavity defined therebetween. A plurality of hollow insulating organic/inorganic spheres is disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein a secondary insulating volume is defined between the plurality of hollow insulating organic/inorganic spheres and an interior surface of the cabinet. The interior surface of the cabinet defines the insulating cavity. An insulating fill material is disposed within the secondary insulating volume, wherein the insulating fill material and the plurality of hollow insulating organic/inorganic spheres define a substantially uniform insulating material.

An insulation structure for an appliance includes a cabinet having an outer wrapper and an inner liner, with an insulating cavity defined therebetween. Insulating powder material is disposed substantially throughout the insulating cavity. An insulating gas is disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein the insulating powder material is combined with the insulating gas and cooperatively defines a suspended state and a precipitated state. The suspended state is defined by the insulating gas in motion and the insulating powder being in an aeolian suspension within the insulating gas while in motion. The precipitated state is defined by the insulating gas being in a deposition state and the insulating powder being precipitated from the insulating gas and deposited within the insulating cavity.

Air permeable core material is vacuum sealed in enveloping member. Further, core material is formed of at least two layers of heat insulating core materials having different heat conductivities. Further, at least two of the at least two layers of heat insulating core materials which form core material are formed of materials having change gradients in the heat conductivity changed in accordance with temperature, and the change gradients in the heat conductivity of the heat insulating core materials intersect with each other. Since two layers of heat insulating core materials having different heat conductivities are provided in a vacuum state, a heat insulating property becomes higher compared to a conventional configuration in which a single layer of the heat insulating core material formed of fiber material such as glass wool or rock wool is vacuum sealed and the high heat insulating property is shown in a wide temperature range.

A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure includes an outer wrapper having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening. A liner has a second opening and second edge extending around the second opening. The liner is disposed inside the wrapper with the first and second edges being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. An insulating thermal bridge extends across the gap, and an airtight vacuum cavity is formed between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge includes elongated first and second channels having sealant disposed therein, and the first and second edges are disposed in the first and second channels, respectively. Porous core material may be disposed in the vacuum cavity.

A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure includes an outer wrapper having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening. A liner has a second opening and second edge extending around the second opening. The liner is disposed inside the wrapper with the first and second edges being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. An insulating thermal bridge extends across the gap, and an airtight vacuum cavity is formed between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge includes elongated first and second channels having sealant disposed therein, and the first and second edges are disposed in the first and second channels, respectively. Porous core material may be disposed in the vacuum cavity.

A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure for an appliance includes disposing hollow glass spheres within a rotating drum, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the hollow glass spheres. An anchor material is disposed within the rotating drum. The hollow glass spheres and the anchor material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the anchor material is mixed with the hollow glass spheres to partially occupy the interstitial spaces. A silica-based material is disposed within the rotating drum. The silica-based material is mixed with the anchor material and the hollow glass spheres to define a super-insulating material, wherein the silica-based material attaches to the anchor material and is entrapped within the interstitial spaces. The silica-based material and the anchor material occupy substantially all of an interstitial volume defined by the interstitial spaces.

An insulating core material for a refrigerating appliance includes a plurality of insulating glass spheres, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between at least a portion of the insulating glass spheres of the plurality of glass spheres. A coating material is applied at least to the outer surface of the insulating glass spheres, wherein the coating material modifies the outer surface to define a retaining outer surface of each insulating glass sphere of the plurality of glass spheres. A secondary insulating material is combined with the plurality of insulating glass spheres, wherein the secondary insulating material is at least partially retained by the retaining outer surfaces of the insulating glass spheres to occupy the plurality of interstitial spaces.