The present invention relates to a vacuum insulating panel (VIP). The VIP comprises an insulating core (2) having upper (3) and lower surfaces (4) and at least one substantially planar reinforcing member (5) arranged on the upper (3) or lower surface (4) of the core (2). The reinforcing member (5) is porous and substantially rigid. The VIP further comprises a barrier envelope, optionally in the form of a barrier film (6), arranged to envelop the insulating core (2) and the planar member (5). The present invention also relates to methods of manufacturing a vacuum insulating panel (VIP).

This invention relates to the production of cured polymeric skin materials. In particular, the invention relates to methods and substrates for the production of skin materials, for example, for use in building, furniture, and as architectural components for example in roofing materials such as roofing tiles, or for brick wall effect materials.

A simulated brick includes a polymeric core member (20), a mesh layer (30) adhered to the core member, a basecoat layer (43) covering an entirety of the mesh layer, and a finish layer (46) covering an entirety of the basecoat layer. The core member, the mesh layer, the basecoat layer, and the finish layer together define a brick profile portion (11) having first and second lateral sides extending to a planar outer surface to define a first thickness, and an offset portion (12) extending from the first lateral side of the brick profile portion to a lateral end surface and having an outer surface defining a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, the brick profile portion and the offset portion together defining a planar rectangular base surface (16) extending from the second lateral side of the brick profile portion to the lateral end surface of the offset portion.

An adhesive-applying method is disclosed herein. The method comprises: providing a film comprising pressure sensitive adhesive coated on a major surface thereof; heating the film to a softening point of the film; and pressing the film against a substrate with an application device, the application device comprising a film-contacting portion, the film-contacting portion comprising a foam material and having a thermal conductivity of less than 1.8 BTU in/(hr ft.sup.2 F.); wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive on the major surface of the film adheres to the substrate. Application devices and kits that may be used in conjunction with the method are also disclosed herein.

A simulated brick includes a polymeric core member and a laminate adhered to the core member. The core member and the laminate together define a brick profile portion having first and second lateral sides extending to a planar outer surface to define a first thickness, an offset portion extending from the first lateral side of the brick profile portion to a lateral end surface and having an outer surface defining a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, and a rectangular base surface extending from the second lateral side of the brick profile portion to the lateral end surface of the offset portion. The laminate covers the core member to define the first and second lateral sides and the outer surface of the brick profile portion, and the lateral end surface and the outer surface of the offset portion, and the core member is uncovered by the laminate on the base surface such that the core member defines the base surface.

Provided is a brick thermal insulation composite including a surface layer and an internal layer, wherein the surface layer is a brick material, the internal layer is formed with a heat curing foam insulation material, and the heat curing foam insulation material includes a foam resin and a fibrous reinforcement material.

A simulated brick includes a polymeric core member, a mesh layer adhered to the core member, a basecoat layer covering an entirety of the mesh layer, and a finish layer covering an entirety of the basecoat layer. The core member, the mesh layer, the basecoat layer, and the finish layer together define a brick profile portion having first and second lateral sides extending to a planar outer surface to define a first thickness, and an offset portion extending from the first lateral side of the brick profile portion to a lateral end surface and having an outer surface defining a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, the brick profile portion and the offset portion together defining a planar rectangular base surface extending from the second lateral side of the brick profile portion to the lateral end surface of the offset portion.

The present invention relates to methods of manufacturing composite products having a surface effect. In some examples described, a composite product has a simulated surface, for example a stone-effect surface formed by pressing a particulate-form surface material (30) and a sheet-form curable material (40) onto a substrate (44) having an open-celled structure. In other examples, a laminate product having a veneer is formed by pressing a veneer and a sheet-form material onto a substrate including a porous structure. The veneer may comprise a wood material. In other examples, a surface effect material is bonded to a skin by pressing a sheet-form curable material to a mold surface and the surface effect material. Where the surface effect material has a high thermal conductivity, the composite product formed can feel cool to the touch.

A simulated brick includes a polymeric core member, a mesh layer adhered to the core member, a basecoat layer covering an entirety of the mesh layer, and a finish layer covering an entirety of the basecoat layer. The core member, the mesh layer, the basecoat layer, and the finish layer together define a brick profile portion having first and second lateral sides extending to a planar outer surface to define a first thickness, and an offset portion extending from the first lateral side of the brick profile portion to a lateral end surface and having an outer surface defining a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, the brick profile portion and the offset portion together defining a planar rectangular base surface extending from the second lateral side of the brick profile portion to the lateral end surface of the offset portion.

A moisture-proof structure comprises a first fire brick layer, a second fire brick layer, a third fire brick layer, a fourth fire brick layer, a fifth fire brick layer and a floor/ceramic tile layer arranged from bottom to top. The five fire brick layers are all laid by using stretcher bond, the fourth fire brick layer is laid by using a means of header bond, upper and lower layers of the first fire brick layer, the second fire brick layer, the third fire brick layer, the fourth fire brick layer and the fifth fire brick layer are bonded by using a cement slurry, a gap between fire bricks of the first fire brick layer is filled with lime powder and fire bricks of the fourth fire brick layer and the fifth fire brick layer are closely connected.