FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to a vacuum insulated panel and more particularly relates to a vacuum insulated panel including one or more convex sheets configured to be flattened when a vacuum is applied thereto. The disclosure also generally relates to a cooler assembly and more particularly relates to a cooler assembly including a screen.

BACKGROUND

Typical vacuum insulated panels may include a frame configured to support two opposing sheets. For example, two glass sheets of relatively the same size and the same shape may be spaced apart from each other by the frame. The frame and the opposing glass sheets may collectively form an air tight cavity within the interstitial space between the opposing glass sheets. In order to increase the thermal properties of the vacuum insulated glass panel, a vacuum may be created between the opposing glass sheets. The vacuum between the opposing glass sheets, however, may tend to draw the opposing glass sheets inward towards each other in a biconcave manner. In order to prevent the opposing glass sheets from collapsing in on the cavity and/or touching, one or more spacers may be positioned between the opposing glass sheets within the cavity. The spacers, however, may create pathways for heat to travel between the opposing glass sheets, thereby reducing the overall thermal properties of the vacuum insulated glass panel.

A typical cooler assembly may include a transparent door that enables consumers to view the contents of the cooler assembly when the door is closed. The door generally may have higher thermal conductivity as compared to other portions of the cooler assembly. In this manner, the majority of heat transfer between the cooler assembly and the surrounding environment may occur at the door, even when the door is closed. The more heat transfer that occurs at the door, the more energy that is required to maintain the cooler assembly at a desired temperature.

Cooler assemblies typically operate all day long. That is, a typical cooler assembly may be powered on for 24 hours a day. Many stores, however, may only be open for a portion of the day, such as 8-12 hours. Nevertheless, it may not be feasible to power down the cooler assembly when the store is closed because many products required constant refrigeration. When the store is closed, heat transfer through the door may be particularly inefficient as no customers are present.

SUMMARY

Some or all of the above needs and/or problems may be addressed by certain embodiments of the vacuum insulated panel disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, the vacuum insulated panel may include a frame having a first side and a second side. The vacuum insulated panel also may include a first convex sheet positioned about the first side of the frame and a second convex sheet positioned about the second side of the frame. Moreover, the vacuum insulated panel may include a cavity formed between the first convex sheet and the second convex sheet. Further, the vacuum insulated panel may include a vacuum formed within the cavity. The vacuum may be configured to at least partially flatten the first convex sheet and the second convex sheet into a substantially parallel planar configuration.

