COMPOSITE INSULATION PANEL

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a composite insulation panel, a system comprising a composite insulation panel, and a joint assembly comprising a composite insulation panel.

Background to the invention

[0002] A composite insulation panel, also known as sandwich panel, is an assembly consisting of a lightweight core adhered between two relatively thin, strong facing sheets, typically metal, plywood or other lightweight material. A typical sandwich panel is described in EP2657426 A2. The core typically comprises polystyrene foam, rigid urethane foam, injected urethane foam or other semi-rigid types. The core may also comprise glass wool fibre, stone wool fibre and the like.

[0003] Typically a composite insulation panels is used to form a fagade. In a fagade, composite insulation panels are joined to one another at a joint. A joint is typically a point of mechanical weakness in a fagade. A joint may have worse fire performance than the composite insulation panels which form the joint.

[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a composite insulation panel which can be joined to another composite insulation panel to form a mechanically strong joint. It is desirable to provide a composite insulation panel which can be joined to another composite insulation panel to form a joint which has good fire performance.

Summary of the invention

[0005] In a first aspect, there is provided a composite insulation panel comprising: a first shell element and a second shell element surrounding an insulation core; the first shell element comprising a first end, a first shoulder, and a first cheek extending between the first end and the first shoulder at one end of the composite insulation panel; the first shell element comprising a second end, a second shoulder, and a second cheek extending between the second end and the second shoulder at the opposing end of the composite insulation panel; wherein the first end comprises an outer groove, the first shoulder comprises an intermediate groove, the second shoulder comprises an outer tongue, and the second end comprises an intermediate tongue; the second shell element comprises an inner groove substantially parallel to the intermediate groove and an inner tongue substantially parallel to the intermediate tongue; a first thermal break is positioned between the intermediate tongue and the inner tongue and a second thermal break is positioned between the intermediate groove and the inner groove; the first end, first shoulder, and first cheek are configured to co-operate with a second end, a second shoulder, and a second cheek of a first adjacent composite insulation panel to form a first joint and the second end, second shoulder, and second cheek are configured to co-operate with a first end, a first shoulder, and a first cheek of a second adjacent composite insulation panel to form a second joint.

[0006] By providing a composite insulating panel with the proposed construction, when two adjacent composite insulating panels are provided in a side by side or lateral arrangement, a secure and robust joint is formed. The encapsulated nature of the joint, the engagement of tongue and groove elements and the provision of thermal elements ensures a mechanically improved joint with improved fire performance. [0007] The arrangement of the first end, first shoulder, first cheek, and the second end, second shoulder, and second cheek provide stability to a joint comprising the composite insulation panel.

[0008] The arrangement of the first end, first shoulder, first cheek, and the second end, second shoulder, and second cheek provides mechanical strength to a joint comprising the composite insulation panel.

[0009] The arrangement of the first end, first shoulder, first cheek, and the second end, second shoulder, and second cheek provides good fire performance to a joint comprising the composite insulation panel.

[0010] The first thermal break and the second thermal break are configured to reduce the transfer of thermal energy between the first shell element and the second shell element. The first thermal break and the second thermal break are beneficial to the thermal performance of the composite insulation panel.

[0011] The insulation core may be any suitable material. For example the insulation core may be a foam insulation, a mineral wool insulation, or any other material which provides insulation, for example thermal insulation, to the composite insulation panel.

[0012] The outer groove may be configured to co-operate with the outer tongue of a first adjacent composite insulation panel, the intermediate groove may be configured to co-operate with an intermediate tongue of a first adjacent composite insulation panel, the inner groove may be configured to co-operate with an inner tongue of a first adjacent composite insulation panel, the outer tongue may be configured to co-operate with an outer groove of a second adjacent composite insulation panel, the intermediate tongue may be configured to co-operate with an intermediate groove of a second adjacent composite insulation panel, and the inner tongue may be configured to co-operate with the inner groove of a second adjacent composite insulation panel.

[0013] The arrangement of the tongues and grooves provide stability, mechanical strength and good fire performance to a joint formed between the composite insulation panel and an adjacent composite insulation panel.

[0014] The composite insulation panel may comprise a recess on the second cheek. Additional components, such as retaining members may be housed in the recess.

[0015] The composite insulation panel may comprise an engagement point aligned with the inner groove for engaging a secondary fixing member. The engagement points may be notches. The engagement points may be used to mark the ideal position for engaging a secondary fixing member which reduces the likelihood of a secondary fixing member being positioned incorrectly when the composite insulation panels are joined to form a joint.

[0016] The first shell element and the second shell element may be formed from metal or metal alloy. Metal or metal alloy may provide adequate strength to the composite insulation panel.

[0017] The thickness of the first shell element and the second shell element may be from about 0.1 mm to 2 mm, preferably from about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm. When the first shell element or the second shell element is too thin, the shell elements may be weak. When the first shell element or the second shell element is too thick, the shell elements may be excessively heavy or may reduce the thermal performance of the composite insulation panel.

[0018] The thickness of the composite insulation panel may be from about 15 mm to about 700 mm, preferably from about 30 mm to about 500 mm. By thickness of the composite insulation panel, it is meant the thickness or width of the first shell element, the second shell element and the insulation core therebetween.

[0019] At least one of the first end, second end, first cheek, second cheek, first shoulder, or second shoulder may extend the length (longitudinal) of the composite insulation panel. Extending the full length of the composite insulation panel allows any joint to be formed along the full length of the composite insulation panel.

[0020] In another aspect, there is provided a fagade comprising the composite insulation panel described herein.

[0021] In another aspect there is provided a system comprising the composite insulation panel described herein and a load spreader plate. A load spreader plate may spread the load experienced by the composite insulation panel. This makes the system more mechanically stable. An example of this in use is when the system comprising a plurality of composite insulating panels is mounted over a larger surface area..

[0022] The second cheek may be configured to receive the load spreader plate.

[0023] A recess in the second cheek may be configured to at least partially house the load spreader plate within the recess.

[0024] The load spreader plate may be from about 10 mm to about 700 mm in length, preferably from about 20 mm to about 500 mm in length. A load spreader plate which is too short will not spread the load over a large enough surface area. A load spreader plate which is too long may extend over the end of the composite insulation panel and interfere with the placement of adjacent composite insulation panels.

[0025] The system may comprise a main seal between the composite insulation panel and the load spreader plate. The main seal improves the thermal insulation performance of the composite insulation panel. The main seal improves the fire performance of the composite insulation panel. The main seal improves the mechanical strength of a joint formed from the composite insulation panel. [0026] The system may comprise an outer seal positioned on the outer tongue or in the outer groove. The outer seal improves the thermal insulation performance of the composite insulation panel. The outer seal improves the fire performance of the composite insulation panel. The outer seal improves the mechanical strength of a joint formed from the composite insulation panel.

[0027] The system may comprise an inner seal positioned on the inner tongue or in the inner groove. The inner seal improves the thermal insulation performance of the composite insulation panel. The inner seal improves the fire performance of the composite insulation panel. The inner seal improves the mechanical strength of a joint formed from the composite insulation panel.

[0028] The system may comprise an intermediate seal positioned on the intermediate tongue or in the intermediate groove. The intermediate seal improves the thermal insulation performance of the composite insulation panel. The intermediate seal improves the fire performance of the composite insulation panel. The intermediate seal improves the mechanical strength of a joint formed from the composite insulation panel.

[0029] The system may comprise a main fixing member. The main fixing member fixes the composite insulation panel to a support structure, for example a steel framework.

[0030] The system may comprise a secondary fixing member. The secondary fixing member fixes the composite insulation panel to an adjacent composite insulation panel.

[0031] In another aspect there is provided a joint assembly comprising two composite insulation panels wherein the first end, first shoulder, and first cheek of the first composite insulation panel is co-operably engaged with a second end, a second shoulder, and a second cheek of the second composite insulation panel.

[0032] The joint is mechanically stable due to the co-operative engagement of the first end, first shoulder, and first cheek of the first composite insulation panel with a second end, a second shoulder, and a second cheek of the second insulation panel.

[0033] The joint has good mechanical strength due to the co-operative engagement of the first end, first shoulder, and first cheek of the first composite insulation panel with a second end, a second shoulder, and a second cheek of the second insulation panel.

[0034] The joint has excellent fire performance due to the co-operative engagement of the first end, first shoulder, and first cheek of the first composite insulation panel with a second end, a second shoulder, and a second cheek of the second insulation panel.

[0035] The outer groove of the first composite insulation panel may be co-operably engaged with the outer tongue of the second composite insulation panel, the intermediate groove of the first composite insulation panel may be co-operably engaged with the intermediate tongue of the second adjacent composite insulation panel, and the inner groove of the first composite insulation panel may be co- operably engaged with the inner tongue of the second composite insulation panel.

[0036] The joint is mechanically stable, has good mechanical strength and increased fire performance due to the co-operative engagement of the grooves of the first composite insulation panel with a tongues of the second insulation panel.

[0037] The joint assembly may comprise a main fixing member wherein the main fixing member extends through the second cheek and the second shell element to fix the joint assembly to a support structure.

[0038] The main fixing member may be housed in a recess in the second cheek. Housing the main fixing member in the recess in the second cheek prevents the main fixing member from obstructing the engagement of the first composite insulation panel and the second composite insulation panel.

[0039] The main fixing member may extend through a load spreader plate positioned on the second cheek. Extending through the load spreader plate spreads the load over a larger surface area.

[0040] The joint assembly may comprise a main seal located between the load spreader plate and the second cheek. The main seal improves the thermal insulation performance of the joint. The main seal improves the fire performance of the joint. The main seal improves the mechanical strength of a joint formed from the joint.

[0041] The joint assembly may comprise a secondary fixing member wherein the secondary fixing member extends through the inner groove, intermediate groove, and first cheek of the first composite insulation panel, and the inner tongue, intermediate tongue, and second cheek of the second composition insulation panel. The secondary fixing member fixes the first composite insulation panel to the second composite insulation panel. The secondary fixing member improves the mechanical stability of the joint. The secondary fixing member improves the fire performance of the joint. The secondary fixing member improves the strength of the joint.

[0042] The joint assembly may comprise an outer seal between the outer groove of the first composite insulation panel and the outer tongue of the second composite insulation panel. The outer seal improves the thermal insulation performance, the fire performance and the mechanical strength of the joint.

[0043] The joint assembly may comprise an inner seal between the inner groove of the first composite insulation panel and the inner tongue of the second composite insulation panel. The inner seal improves the thermal insulation performance, the fire performance and the mechanical strength of the joint.

[0044] The joint assembly may comprise an intermediate seal between the intermediate groove of the first composite insulation panel and the intermediate tongue of the second composite insulation panel. The intermediate seal improves the thermal insulation performance, the fire performance of the joint and the mechanical strength of a joint formed from the joint. [0045] The first thermal break of the second composite insulation panel may be aligned with the second thermal break of the first composite insulation panel. Aligning the first thermal break of the second composite insulation panel with the second thermal break of the first composite insulation panel improves the thermal performance of the joint.

[0046] The joint assembly may comprise a secondary seal located on the second cheek, for example in a recess in the second cheek. The secondary seal improves the thermal insulation performance, the fire performance and the mechanical strength of the joint.

Brief description of the drawings

[0047] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0048] Figure 1 shows a composite insulation panel in accordance with the present invention.

[0049] Figure 2 shows a male end of a composite insulation panel and a female end of an adjacent composite insulation panel in accordance with the present invention.

[0050] Figure 3 shows a view of a fagade comprising a composite insulation panel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0051] Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a joint formed between a male end of a composite insulation panel and a female end of an adjacent composite insulation panel in accordance with the present invention.

[0052] Figure 5 shows a cross section of an alternative joint formed between two adjacent composite insulation panels in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

[0053] A composite insulation panel 100 comprising a first shell element 102 and a second shell element 104 both surrounding an insulation core 106 is shown in Figure 1. A composite insulating panel generally has a long edge and a short edge and has a rectangular form. The long edge is other wise referred to as the longitudinal edge and the short edge as the transverse edge.

[0054] The first shell element 102 comprises a first end 108, a first shoulder 112 and a first cheek 110 extending between the first end 108 and the first shoulder 112 at one end of the composite insulation panel.

[0055] The first shell element 102 comprises a second end 114, a second shoulder 118, and a second cheek 116 extending between the second end 114 and the second shoulder 118 at the opposing end of the composite insulation panel. [0056] The first end 108 comprises an outer groove 120, the first shoulder 112 comprises an intermediate groove 122, the second shoulder 118 comprises an outer tongue 124, and the second end 114 comprises an intermediate tongue 122.

[0057] The second shell element 104 comprises an inner groove 128 substantially parallel to the intermediate groove 122 and an inner tongue 130 substantially parallel to the intermediate tongue 126.

[0058] In Figure 2, a first thermal break 148 is shown positioned between the intermediate tongue 126 and the inner tongue 130 and a second thermal break 150 is shown positioned between the intermediate groove 122 and the inner groove 128.

[0059] The first end 108, first shoulder 112, and first cheek 110 are configured to co-operate with a second end 114, a second shoulder 118, and a second cheek 116 of a first adjacent composite insulation panel to form a first joint 156. The second end 114, second shoulder 118, and second cheek 116 are configured to co-operate with a first end 108, a first shoulder 112, and a first cheek 110 of a second adjacent composite insulation panel to form a second joint.

[0060] As shown in Figure 2, the outer groove 120 is configured to co-operate with the outer tongue 124 of a first adjacent composite insulation panel, the intermediate groove 122 is configured to co-operate with an intermediate tongue 126 of a first adjacent composite insulation panel, the inner groove 128 is configured to co-operate with an inner tongue 130 of a first adjacent composite insulation panel, the outer tongue 124 is configured to co-operate with an outer groove 120 of a second adjacent composite insulation panel, the intermediate tongue 126 is configured to co-operate with an intermediate groove 122 of a second adjacent composite insulation panel, and the inner tongue 130 is configure to co-operate with an inner groove 128 of a second adjacent composite insulation panel.

[0061] The composite insulation panel 100 comprises a recess 132 on the second cheek 116.

[0062] The composite insulation panel 100 comprises an engagement point 156 aligned with the inner groove 128 for engaging a secondary fixing member 144.

[0063] The first shell element 102 and the second shell element 104 may be formed from metal or metal alloy. The thickness of the first shell element 102 and the second shell element 104 may be from about 0.1 mm to 2 mm, preferably from about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm.

[0064] The composite insulation panel 100 may have a thickness T of from about 15 mm to about 700 mm, preferably from about 30 mm to about 500 mm. The arrangement of the first end 108, second end 114, first cheek 110, second cheek 116, first shoulder 112, or second shoulder 118 allows the composite insulation panel 100 to have a thickness of from 50 mm to 500 mm while retaining the required joint strength to form a facade.

[0065] The first end 108, second end 114, first cheek 110, second cheek 116, first shoulder 112, or second shoulder 118 may extend the length of the composite insulation panel 100. [0066] The female end of the composite panel comprises the first end 108, the first shoulder 112, the first cheek 110, the outer groove 120, the intermediate groove 122 and the inner groove 128.

[0067] The male end of the composite panel comprises the second shoulder 118, the second cheek 116, the second end 114, the outer tongue 124, the intermediate tongue 126 and the inner tongue 130.

[0068] The term outer as used herein refers to an outwardly or weatherward facing side of the composite insulating panel. The term inner as used herein refers to an inwardly facing side of the composite insulating panel, which for example in situ faces the underlying building frame.

[0069] A fagade comprising the composite insulation panel 100 is shown in Figure 3.

[0070] In Figure 2, a system comprising the composite insulation panel 100 and a load spreader plate 134 is shown. The load spreader plate 134 acts to spread the load acting upon the composite insulation panel 100 when the composite insulation panel 100 is installed on a roof or building facade. The load spreader plate 134 may be detachably attached to the composite insulation plate 100 during manufacture of the composite insulation panel 100. This ensures that the load spreader plate 134 is not lost during transport of the composite insulation panel 100. The load spread plate 134 may be fixed in position during installation of the composite insulation panel.

[0071] The second cheek 116, as shown in Figure 2, is configured to receive the load spreader plate 134. A recess 132 in the second cheek 116 is shown configured to at least partially house the load spreader plate 134 within the recess 132.

[0072] The load spreader plate 134 may be from about 10 mm to about 700 mm in length L, preferably from about 20 mm to about 500 mm in length L. A load spreader plate 134 being more than about 10 mm, for example more than 20 mm in length, provides the load spreader plate 134 with an adequate surface area over which to spread the load. The load spreader plate 134 can run the entire length L of the composite insulation panel 100. The load spreader plate 134 may not extend further than the length L (longitudinal length) of the panel as doing so may interfere with the positioning of additional composite insulation panels 100.

[0073] A main seal 136 is shown in Figure 2 positioned between the composite insulation panel 100 and the load spreader plate 134. The main seal 136 may be factory applied or may be applied at the site of installation. The main seal 136 may be applied to the underside of the load spreader plate 134 before the load spreader plate 134 is received by the second cheek 116.

[0074] As shown in Figure 2 an outer seal 138 is positioned in the outer groove 120. The outer seal 138 may also be positioned on the outer tongue 124. The outer seal 138 may be factory applied or may be applied at the site of installation. The outer seal 138 may improve the thermal performance of a joint comprising the composite insulation panel 100. The outer seal 138 may improve the fire performance of a joint comprising the composite insulation panel 100. [0075] As shown in Figure 2, an inner seal 140 is positioned on the inner groove as shown in Figure 2. The inner seal may also be positioned on the inner tongue 130. The inner seal 140 may be factory applied or may be applied at the site of installation. The inner seal 140 improves the thermal performance of a joint comprising the composite insulation panel 100. The inner seal 140 improves the fire performance of a joint comprising the composite insulation panel 100.

[0076] As shown in Figure 2, an intermediate seal 152 is positioned in the intermediate groove 122. The intermediate seal may also be positioned on the intermediate tongue 126. The intermediate seal 152 may be factory applied or may be applied at the site of installation. The intermediate seal 152 improves the thermal performance of a joint comprising the composite insulation panel 100. The intermediate seal 152 improves the fire performance of a joint comprising the composite insulation panel 100.

[0077] As shown in Figure 2 the system comprises a main fixing member 142. The main fixing member is a mechanical fixing member. For example the main fixing member may be a screw, a bolt, a rivet or equivalent.

[0078] As shown in Figure 2, the system comprises a secondary fixing member 144.

[0079] A composite insulation panel 100 is used to form a fagade 158. A portion of a fagade 158 which comprises two composite insulation panels 100 is shown in Figure 3.

[0080] Figure 4 shows a joint assembly 156 in which two composite insulation panels 100 are co-operably engaged. The first end 108, first shoulder 112, and first cheek 110 of the first composite insulation panel are co-operably engaged with a second end 114, a second shoulder 118, and a second cheek 116 of the second composite insulation panel 100 in a male/female, tongue and groove arrangement.

[0081] The outer groove 120 of the first composite insulation panel 100 is co-operably engaged with the outer tongue 124 of the second composite insulation panel 100, the intermediate groove 122 of the first composite insulation panel 100 is co-operably engaged with the intermediate tongue 126 of the second adjacent composite insulation panel 100, and the inner groove 128 of the first composite insulation panel 100 is co-operably engaged with the inner tongue 130 of the second composite insulation panel 100. The grooves 120, 122, 128 co-operably engage tongues 124, 126, 130 and interlock and connect the first composite insulation panel 100 to the second composite insulation panel 100. The intermediate tongue 126 co-operably engaged the intermediate groove 122 may increase the strength of the joint assembly 156. The intermediate tongue 126 co-operably engaged the intermediate groove 122 reduces the chance of the adjacent composite insulation panels 100 disengaging in the event of a fire. The intermediate tongue 126 co-operably engaged the intermediate groove 122 increases the path a fire would have to travel during a fire which increases the fire rating of the composite insulation panel 100. [0082] A main fixing member 142 is shown in Figure 4. wherein the main fixing member 142 extends through the second cheek 116 and the second shell element 104 to fix the joint assembly to a support structure. The main fixing member 142 attaches the composite insulation panel 100 to a support structure. [0083] The main fixing member 142, as shown in Figure 4, is housed in a recess 132 in the second cheek 116. Housing the main fixing member 142 in the recess 132 may provide for ease of assembly of the joint assembly 156. Housing the main fixing member 142 in the recess 132 may prevent the main fixing member 142 from interfering with the positioning of the second cheek 116 of the first insulation composition insulation panel 100 when assembling the joint assembly 156.

[0084] The main fixing member 142, as shown in Figure 4, extends through a load spreader plate 134 positioned on the second cheek. The load spreader plate 134 may spread the load caused by the main fixing member 142 over a large surface area and may lead to increased strength of the joint assembly 156. The load spreader plate 134 may provide support to the main fixing member 142. The load spreader plate 134 may provide support to a secondary fixing member 144. The load spreader plate 134 may spread the load caused by the secondary fixing member 144.

[0085] There may be a main seal 136 located between the load spreader plate 134 and the second cheek as shown in Figure 4.

[0086] A secondary fixing member 144 is shown in figure 4 extending through the inner groove 128, intermediate groove 122, and first cheek 110 of the first composite insulation panel 100, and the inner tongue 130, intermediate tongue 126, and second cheek 116 of the second composition insulation panel 100. The secondary fixing member 144 may extend through the load spreader plate 134. The secondary fixing member 144 when used in a joint assembly 156 provides additional strength to the joint assembly 156 by mechanically fixing adjacent composite insulation panels 100 to one another. The secondary fixing member 144 may inhibit the disengagement of adjacent composite insulation panels 100 in the event of a fire by mechanically fixing adjacent composite insulation panels 100 to one another. The secondary fixing member 144 may inhibit the ingress of fire into a joint assembly 156.

[0087] An outer seal 138 is shown in Figure 4 between the outer groove 120 of the first composite insulation panel 100 and the outer tongue 124 of the second composite insulation panel 100. The outer seal 138 may improve the thermal performance of the joint assembly 156. The outer seal 138 may prevent the ingress of liquid water into the joint assembly 156. The outer seal 138 may improve the fire performance of the joint assembly 156.

[0088] An inner seal 140 is shown in Figure 4 between the inner groove 128 of the first composite insulation panel 100 and the inner tongue 130 of the second composite insulation panel 100. The inner seal 140 may improve the thermal performance of the joint assembly 156. The inner seal 140 may prevent the ingress of liquid water into the joint assembly 156. The inner seal 140 may improve the fire performance of the joint assembly 156.

[0089] An intermediate seal 152 is shown in Figure 4 between the intermediate groove 122 of the first composite insulation panel 100 and the intermediate tongue 126 of the second composite insulation panel 100. The intermediate seal 152 improves the thermal performance of the joint assembly 156. The intermediate seal 152 prevents the ingress of liquid water into the joint assembly 156. The intermediate seal 152 improves the fire performance of the joint assembly 156.

[0090] As shown in Figure 4, the first thermal break 148 of the second composite insulation panel 100 is aligned with the second thermal break 150 of the first composite insulation panel 100.

[0091] When a joint assembly 156 is assembled a secondary seal 154, such as the secondary seal 154 shown in Figure 2, may be located on the second cheek 116, for example in a recess 132 in the second cheek 116. The secondary seal 154 may be applied at the site where the joint assembly 156 is assembled. [0092] An alternative arrangement of a joint assembly is shown in Figure 5. The features of Figure 4 are equivalent to the features of Figure 5. Equivalent reference numerals are shown herein. While not shown in Figure 5, the fixing members, main and secondary, seals, intermediate, secondary, main, outer and inner seal are equally applicable to Figure 5. The configuration of Figure 5 differs from that in Figure 4 in that the intermediate tongue has a narrower profile that the intermediate tongue of Figure 4. In Figure 4, the diameter of the curve of the intermediate tongue is larger than the diameter of the curve of the intermediate groove of Figure 5. This results in a larger thermal break 148 than the equivalent thermal break 148 in Figure 4.

[0093] Figure 5 shows a joint assembly 156 in which two composite insulation panels 100 are co-operably engaged. The first end 108, first shoulder 112, and first cheek 110 of the first composite insulation panel are co-operably engaged with a second end 114, a second shoulder 118, and a second cheek 116 of the second composite insulation panel 100 in a male/female, tongue and groove arrangement.

[0094] The outer groove 120 of the first composite insulation panel 100 is co-operably engaged with the outer tongue 124 of the second composite insulation panel 100, the intermediate groove 122 of the first composite insulation panel 100 is co-operably engaged with the intermediate tongue 126 of the second adjacent composite insulation panel 100, and the inner groove 128 of the first composite insulation panel 100 is co-operably engaged with the inner tongue 130 of the second composite insulation panel 100. The grooves 120, 122, 128 co-operably engage tongues 124, 126, 130 and interlock and connect the first composite insulation panel 100 to the second composite insulation panel 100. The intermediate tongue 126 co-operably engaged the intermediate groove 122 may increase the strength of the joint assembly 156. The intermediate tongue 126 co-operably engaged the intermediate groove 122 reduces the chance of the adjacent composite insulation panels 100 disengaging in the event of a fire. The intermediate tongue 126 co-operably engaged with the intermediate groove 122 increases the path a fire would have to travel during a fire which increases the fire rating of the composite insulation panel 100.

[0095] The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0096] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.