Insulation Element For An Electrical Appliance Such As A Dishwasher
First Claim
1. An insulation element for installation in a gap of thickness G provided between two objects, said insulation element comprising:
- a body made from an expandable material;
said body being characterized by a semi permanently fixed pre-installation thickness of T1 where T1 is less than G, said body swelling upon one of (i) heating to a thickness T2 where T2 is greater than or equal to G or (ii) removing a compression force from the body so the insulation expands to a thickness T2 where T2 is greater than or equal to G;
so that said insulation element bridges said gap, engages the two objects and provides a spring rate of between about 4.0 and about 275.0 grams per square inch.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An insulation element is provided for installation in a gap of thickness G provided between two objects. The insulation element includes a body made from a thermoplastic polymer material. The body has a first face, a second face and a thickness defined between the first and second faces. The body is characterized by a semi permanently pre-installation thickness T1 where T1 is less than G. The body swells upon heating to a thickness T2 where T2 is greater than or equal to G so that the insulation element bridges the gap, engages the two objects and provides a spring rate of between 4.0 and 275.0 grams per square inch.
80 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An insulation element for installation in a gap of thickness G provided between two objects, said insulation element comprising:
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a body made from an expandable material; said body being characterized by a semi permanently fixed pre-installation thickness of T1 where T1 is less than G, said body swelling upon one of (i) heating to a thickness T2 where T2 is greater than or equal to G or (ii) removing a compression force from the body so the insulation expands to a thickness T2 where T2 is greater than or equal to G;
so that said insulation element bridges said gap, engages the two objects and provides a spring rate of between about 4.0 and about 275.0 grams per square inch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of suppressing noise generated by an electrical appliance held in a cabinet wherein a gap of thickness G is provided between a housing wall of said electrical appliance and said cabinet, said method comprising:
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selecting an expandable material capable of (a) swelling in response to heat generated by said electrical appliance during normal operation of said electrical appliance and (b) providing a spring rate of between about 4.0 and about 275.0 grams per square inch when bridging said gap and engaging said housing wall and said cabinet; forming an insulation element from said thermoplastic polymer material wherein said insulation element is compressed to a semi permanent thickness T1 where T1 is less than G; and installing said insulation element between said housing wall of said electrical appliance and the cabinet; whereby after installation of said electrical appliance in said cabinet, operation of said electrical appliance heats said insulation element causing said insulation element to swell to a thickness T2 where T2 is equal to or greater than G so that said insulation element bridges the gap and engages said housing wall and said cabinet. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A dishwasher, comprising:
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a tub including an access door; a washing nozzle inside said tub for directing a fluid stream against dishes held in said tub; a circulation pump for circulating fluid under pressure through said washing nozzle; and an insulation element for installation in a gap of thickness G provided between said tub and a cabinet that receives said tub, said insulation element comprising; a body made from an expandable material; said body being characterized by a semi permanently fixed pre-installation thickness of T1 and where T1 is less than G, said body swelling upon heating to a thickness T2 where T2 is greater than or equal to G so that said insulation element bridges said gap, engages the tub and the cabinet and provides a spring rate of between about 4.0 and about 275.0 grams per square inch.
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21. A dishwasher, comprising:
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a tub including an access door;
a washing nozzle inside said tub for directing a fluid stream against dishes held in said tub;a circulation pump for circulating fluid under pressure through said washing nozzle; and an insulation element for installation in a gap of thickness G provided between said tub and a cabinet that receives said tub, said insulation element comprising; a body made from an expandable material; said body being characterized by a semi permanently fixed pre-installation thickness of T1 and where T1 is less than G, said body swelling upon heating to a thickness T2 where T2 is greater than or equal to G so that said insulation element bridges said gap, engages the tub and the cabinet and provides a spring rate of between about 4.0 and about 275.0 grams per square inch; said insulation element being used in substantial absence of a mass dampener material.
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Specification