INSULATING INSERTS, CONTAINERS COMPRISING THEM AND METHODS OF ASSEMBLING AND USING THEM

1 . An insulating insert comprising:

(a) at least two vacuum insulation panels; and

(b) at least one thermal insulating materials with a cavity;

wherein the thermal insulating material lies between two vacuum insulation panels.

2 . An insulating insert comprising:

(a) a first and a second vacuum insulation panel; and

(b) a first thermal insulating material with a cavity;

wherein the first thermal insulating material lies between the first and the second vacuum insulation panel.

3 . The insulating insert according to claim 2 , further comprising a third vacuum insulation panel and a second thermal insulating material with a cavity,

wherein the second thermal insulating material lies between the second and the third vacuum insulation panels.

4 . The insulating insert according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the vacuum insulation panel comprises a core material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polyurethane, fiberglass, silica, and various forms of organic foams.

5 . The insulating insert according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the thermal insulating material is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, polyethylene, polypropylene, rubber and silicones.

6 . The insulating insert according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the surface area of each of the vacuum insulation panels is about 4 square inches to about 3600 square inches.

7 . The insulating insert according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the thickness of each of the thermal insulating material is about 0.5 inches to about 48 inches.

8 . The insulating insert according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the thermal insulating material comprises an uninterrupted cavity.

9 . The insulating insert according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the thermal insulating material comprises a cut cavity.

10 . The insulating insert according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a payload and optionally, a cooling or heating source and an internal protective liner.

11 . An insulating container comprising the an insulating insert,

wherein the insulating insert comprises

(a) at least two vacuum insulation panels; and

(b) at least one thermal insulating materials with a cavity;

wherein the thermal insulating material lies between two vacuum insulation panels; or

the insulating insert comprises:

(a) a first and a second vacuum insulation panel; and

(b) a first thermal insulating material with a cavity;

wherein the first thermal insulating material lies between the first and the second vacuum insulation panel.

12 . The container according to claim 11 , further comprising a cooling or heating source.

13 . The container according to claim 11 , wherein the cooling or heating source is an active cooling or heating source.

14 . The container according to claim 11 , further comprising a payload.

15 . The container according claim 11 , further comprising an internal protective liner.

16 . A method for assembling an insulating insert, comprising the steps of:

(a) placing a thermal insulating material on top of a first vacuum insulation panel; and

(b) placing a second vacuum insulation panel on top of the thermal insulating material,

wherein the thermal insulating material contains a cavity for receiving a payload and optionally, a cooling or heating source and an internal protective liner.

17 . A method for assembling an insulating insert, comprising the steps of:

(a) placing a first thermal insulating material on top of a first vacuum insulation panel;

(b) placing a second vacuum insulation panel on top of the first thermal insulating material;

(c) placing a second thermal insulating material on top of the second vacuum insulation panel; and

(d) placing a third vacuum insulating panel on top of the second thermal insulating material;

wherein the first and second thermal insulating materials contain a cavity for receiving a payload and optionally, a cooling or heating source and an internal protective liner.

18 . A method of transporting a payload to a desired location comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an insulating insert comprising a payload and optionally, a cooling or heating source and an internal protective liner;

(b) placing the insulating insert within a container;

(c) closing the container; and

(d) transporting it to the desired location,

wherein the insulating insert comprises

(a) at least two vacuum insulation panels; and

(b) at least one thermal insulating materials with a cavity;

wherein the thermal insulating material lies between two vacuum insulation panels; or

the insulating insert comprises:

(a) a first and a second vacuum insulation panel; and

(b) a first thermal insulating material with a cavity;

wherein the first thermal insulating material lies between the first and the second vacuum insulation panel.

19 . A method of insulating a payload, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing insulating insert comprising at least two VIPs and at least one thermal insulating material with a cavity for receiving a payload and optionally, a cooling or heating source and an internal protective liner; and

(b) placing the payload and optionally, the cooling or heating source and the internal protective liner within the cavity.

20 . The method according to claim 19 , further comprising:

(c) placing the insulating insert into a container.