APPLIANCE HAVING DAMPENING PORTION AND METHOD

• US 20120200210A1
• Filed: 01/04/2011
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC (Owens Corning)
• Original Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC (Owens Corning)
• Inventors: Rockwell, Anthony L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,506,181 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/228
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/6815 kitchen devices, including unspecified devices, e.g. Haushaltgeräte
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/6855 washing machine
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/07 using resilient suspension means B65D81/051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/68 for machines, engines or vehicles in assembled or dismantled form
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/262 made of plastic material, e.g. by injection moulding
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/267 Tubs specially adapted for mounting thereto components or devices not provided for in preceding subgroups D06F37/206 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/001 Arrangements for transporting, moving, or setting washing machines; Protective arrangements for use during transport transport in general B65
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Appliance (w) having a housing, a moveable tub (T) member inside the housing, and a dampening portion is provided. The housing includes, at least one side wall and the dampening portion disposed at least partially between the moveable tub member and the at least one side wall. The dampening portion includes, for example, a resilient material having at least one surface extending at least partially along the side wall or tub member. Methods of shipping and operation dampening an appliance are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An appliance comprising:

a housing comprising at least one side wall;

a moveable tub member inside the housing;

a dampening portion disposed around a circumference of the movable tub member between the moveable tub member and the at least one side wall, wherein the dampening portion comprises a resilient material.

2. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the resilient material comprises a sleeve in physical communication with the moveable tub member.

3. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the resilient material comprises a component in physical communication with the at least one side wall.

4. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the resilient material comprises a sleeve having at least one lattice portion.

5. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the resilient material comprises a sleeve having a plurality of lattice portions.

6. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the resilient material comprises a sleeve having at least one solid portion.

7. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the resilient material comprises first and second ends in physical communication with each other.

8. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the resilient material comprises a component in physical communication with the at least one side wall and having an air gap proximate the moveable tub member.

9. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the resilient material comprises a sleeve in physical communication with the moveable tub member and an air gap proximate the at least one side wall.

10. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the resilient material comprises a material selected from a group consisting of a polyester, a polyester olefin blend, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, a polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene blend, a polybutylene terephthalate and polypropylene blend and combinations thereof.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. A shipping and operational damping system comprising:

a housing having at least one sidewall;

a tub member;

a damping portion comprising a resilient material disposed around the tub member, wherein the resilient material comprises body having at least one lattice portion; and

an air gap between at least a portion of the dampening portion and the at least one side wall.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the resilient material comprises a plurality of lattice portions that extend around the tub member.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the air gap extends substantially around the dampening element.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the resilient material comprises a material selected from a group consisting of a polyester, a polyester olefin blend, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, a polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene blend, a polybutylene terephthalate and polypropylene blend and combinations thereof.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the body of the resilient material comprises a sleeve.

18. A shipping and operational damping system comprising:

a housing having at least one sidewall;

a tub member;

a damping portion comprising a resilient material disposed at least partially on the sidewall; and

an air gap between the dampening element and the tub member, such that the damping element is not connected to the tub member.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the resilient material a body having a opening for the tub member.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the air gap extends substantially around the tub member.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the resilient material comprises a material selected from a group consisting of a polyester, a polyester olefin blend, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, a polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene blend, a polybutylene terephthalate and polypropylene blend and combinations thereof.

22. An appliance comprising:

means for housing having at least one side wall;

tub means inside the means for housing;

means for resilient dampening disposed at least partially between the tub means and the means for housing and extending at least partially along the tub means or at least one side wall.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. A method for packaging an appliance having a tub suspended in housing with sidewalls, the method comprising:

(a) positioning a removable plug in an access opening in the tub;

(b) positioning a dampening element along at least a portion of the tub or sidewall;

(c) securing the dampening element at least a portion of the tub or side wall.

35. The method of claim 35 wherein the step of positioning a dampening element comprises positioning a resilient sleeve in physical communication with the exterior of the tub.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the step of positioning a dampening element comprises providing positioning a resilient material in physical communication with the sidewall.

37. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of removing the plug form the access opening in the tub.

38. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of removing the plug from the access opening in the tub and prior to operation of the appliance.