A method and system for forming an insulation package for use in a vacuum insulated structure is provided. A slurry containing a liquid and an insulation material is formed. The slurry can be supplied to an envelope under vacuum, wherein the envelope is gas-permeable and permeable to the liquid. At least a portion of the liquid is drawn through the envelope and at least a portion of the insulation material is retained within the envelope to form an insulation package. One or more insulation packages can be disposed within an insulating cavity and the insulating cavity can be evacuated to decrease a pressure therein to form a vacuum insulated structure.

A refrigerator includes a vacuum-insulated cabinet structure enclosing an insulating cavity and including an outer wrapper having a first side wall defining a perimeter, an outer frame portion defined radially inward of the perimeter, and an inner area surrounded and supported by the outer frame portion. The inner area initially defines a first planar level with at least a portion of the outer frame portion extending to a second planar level parallel to and spaced apart from the first planar level in an axially outward direction. The insulating cavity is sealed and has a vacuum drawn therefrom with the outer frame portion deformed such that the inner area is moved axially inward away from the second planar level under a force of the vacuum within the insulating cavity with at least the portion of the outer frame portion remaining at the second planar level.

An auger feeder includes a hopper having an inner hopper wall and an outer hopper wall where the inner hopper wall includes an air permeable surface. A space is positioned between the inner and outer hopper walls. A heater is coupled to an outside edge of the inner hopper wall or an outside edge of the outer hopper wall while a feed screw is positioned along an inside edge of the inner hopper wall. The auger feeder additionally includes an evacuator coupled to a vacuum port that is positioned in the outer hopper wall. The auger feeder also includes an aperture exit positioned at a bottom of the inner and outer hopper walls.

A vacuum insulator having a structure that improves thermal insulation performance, a method of manufacturing the vacuum insulator, and a refrigerator including the vacuum insulator are provided. The refrigerator includes an outer case configured to form an external appearance, an inner case provided inside the outer case and forming a storage compartment and a vacuum insulator provided between the outer case and the inner case. The vacuum insulator includes a core material formed of glass fibers having a diameter larger than or equal to 5 μm and smaller than or equal 8 μm, an adsorbent configured to adsorb a heat transfer medium, and an envelope configured to accommodate the core material and the adsorbent.

An auger feeder includes a hopper having an inner hopper wall and an outer hopper wall where the inner hopper wall includes an air permeable surface. A space is positioned between the inner and outer hopper walls. A heater is coupled to an outside edge of the inner hopper wall or a n outside edge of the outer hopper wall while a feed screw is positioned along an inside edge of the inner hopper wall. The auger feeder additionally includes an evacuator coupled to a vacuum port that is positioned in the outer hopper wall. The auger feeder also includes an aperture exit positioned at a bottom of the inner and outer hopper walls.

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.

The present application is directed to a reusable, sealable pouch to hold ice, which is used in food coolers and other applications. Also described herein in method of manufacturing the pouch and a system of the pouch and a cooler.

A heat-insulation box, includes: a heat-insulation-box main body that has a space; a door that seals the space; and a partition plate that partitions the space, wherein the partition plate includes (i) a design plate that is placed at a side of the door, (ii) a first plate part and a second plate part that are each provided at both edges of the design plate, (iii) a heat-insulation material that is located in a region surrounded by the design plate, the first plate part, and the second plate part, and (iv) a heat-insulation member that is placed in at least one of a gap between the design plate and the first plate part, and a gap between the design plate and the second plate part.

An insulating apparatus can include a base portion, a side portion, and an upper portion. Each portion can include a double walled configuration with a gap defining an insulation volume therebetween. The base portion, the side portion, and the upper portion collectively define an interior volume of the insulating apparatus. In one embodiment, the first base wall, first side wall, and first upper wall are stainless steel, and the second base wall, second side wall, and second upper wall are aluminum, and wool batting is positioned in the first insulation volume, the second insulation volume, and the third insulation volume.

A refrigerator configured to have enhanced energy efficiencies during the defrosting process, thus delivering excellent energy-saving performance. The refrigerator, includes: a cooler that produce a cold air; a defrosting heater that is placed under the cooler; a cooler cover that covers the cooler, an inlet-side space leading to the cooler, an outlet-side space extending from the cooler, and a connection space connecting the inlet-side space and the outlet-side space to one another; an inlet damper that opens and closes the inlet-side space; and a connection damper that opens and closes the connection space.