Insulation structure for appliances

• US 5,044,705 A
• Filed: 04/16/1990
• Issued: 09/03/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Soltech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Soltech Company Limited
• Inventors: Nelson, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Falk, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US07/509,899
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 312/214, 312/228, 52/406, 52/743
• US Class Current: 312/228
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4209 Insulation arrangements, e.g. for sound damping or heat insulation
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/7687 Crumble resistant fibrous blankets or panels using adhesives or meltable fibres
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/7691 Heat reflecting layers or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/8414 with non-planar face, e.g. curved, egg-crate shaped
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/8461 layered
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 1/182 Insulation
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/02 Casings; Cover lids; Ornamental panels

Abstract

An insulation panel for an appliance for reducing one or more undesirable side effects due to the operation of the appliance such as noise, vibration and heat includes a first layer of enclosing material such as polyethylene or polypropylene which has greater tear resistance and configuring this first layer of enclosing material to a size and shape based upon the appliance and the area of the appliance to be covered. Next, a second layer of similar enclosing material is selected and configured so as to having a matching peripheral edge or contour with the first layer. Ultimately these two layers of enclosing material are joined together around their peripheral edges so as to define and completely enclose an interior cavity. Into this interior cavity a blanket of insulating material is dispersed of a generally uniform blanket thickness. In certain applications, the insulating material includes a binder so that the insulating material will not shift or settle relative to the enclosed cavity. The particular insulating material may either be selected for acoustical insulation, vibration dampening and/or thermal insulation. A singular purpose of the insulating material may be desired or multiple uses may be desired in which case part of the enclosed cavity may include acoustical insulation and part of the enclosed cavity may include vibration-dampening material.

Claims

1. In combination:

an insulation panel arranged into four sections comprising;

a first layer of enclosing material having a configuration which approximates the four sections of said panel;

a second layer of enclosing material having a configuration which approximates the four sections of said panel; and

an intermediate layer of insulation material disposed between said first and second layers of enclosing material; and

an automatic dishwasher wherein said insulation panel is formed over and around the exterior of said dishwasher such that each section of said insulation panel is applied against a different surface of said dishwasher.

2. In combination:

an insulation panel comprising;

a first layer of enclosing material having a generally block T-shaped configuration; and

a second layer of enclosing material having a generally block T-shaped configuration; and

an intermediate layer of insulation material disposed between said first and second layers of enclosing material; and

an automatic dishwasher wherein said insulation panel is formed over and around the exterior of said dishwasher so as to apply insulation to four different surfaces of said dishwasher.

3. In combination:

an under-the-counter, in-cabinet automatic dishwasher; and

an insulation panel cooperatively applied to said dishwasher for noise reduction, said insulation panel comprising;

a first layer of enclosing material having a peripheral edge of a predetermined shape;

a second layer of enclosing material having a peripheral edge of a predetermined shape which is substantially the same as the shape of the peripheral edge of said first layer of enclosing material;

an intermediate layer of insulation material disposed between said first and second layers of enclosing material;

a panel of insulation material secured to the exterior surface of said first layer of enclosing material; and

said first and second layers being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said intermediate layer of insulation material being retained in said enclosed cavity.

4. In combination:

an insulation panel comprising;

a first layer of enclosing material having a peripheral edge of predetermined shape;

a second layer of enclosing material having a peripheral edge of predetermined shape which is substantially the same as the shape of the peripheral edge of the first enclosing layer; and

an intermediate layer of insulation material disposed between the first and second layers of enclosing material;

said first and second layers of enclosing material being joined along their peripheral edges so as to define a substantially airtight cavity, said intermediate layer of insulation material being retained in said cavity; and

an automatic dishwasher wherein said insulation panel is formed over and around the exterior of said dishwasher so as to apply insulation to four different surfaces of said dishwasher.