Acoustic panel
First Claim
1. A dishwasher, comprising:
- a tub for containing dishware to be washed, the tub comprising a plurality of walls that together form a wash cavity;
a door operably engaged with the tub;
a panel of sound-absorbing material positioned within the door or within, or exterior to, at least one of the plurality of walls for reducing sound emissions from the dishwasher, the panel of sound-absorbing material having a major surface comprising a sound-absorbing surface;
wherein the sound-absorbing surface comprises a plurality of convex structures and a plurality of concave structures, the convexity and concavity of which are with respect to a first direction generally normal to the sound-absorbing surface, and wherein the convex structures and the concave structures are spatially arranged to be alternating with one another,wherein the panel further comprises a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the sound-absorbing surface from areas between the convex structures and the concave structures.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An acoustic panel for reducing the transmission of noise therethrough is provided. The acoustic panel may include a sound-absorbing surface with a plurality of convex and concave structures. The convex and concave structures may be organized in a regular array and may be spatially arranged to be alternating with one another. A dishwasher may use such an acoustic panel including a panel of sound absorbing material by placing such a panel inside the door, in or around the walls of the tub of a dishwasher, or the panel can also be used to reduce the transmission of noise with other products. A method of inserting a panel of sound-absorbing material into the door of a dishwasher is also provided. The panel may include protrusions extending from one of its surfaces in order to engage a supporting surface of the product to which it is attached.
43 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A dishwasher, comprising:
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a tub for containing dishware to be washed, the tub comprising a plurality of walls that together form a wash cavity; a door operably engaged with the tub; a panel of sound-absorbing material positioned within the door or within, or exterior to, at least one of the plurality of walls for reducing sound emissions from the dishwasher, the panel of sound-absorbing material having a major surface comprising a sound-absorbing surface; wherein the sound-absorbing surface comprises a plurality of convex structures and a plurality of concave structures, the convexity and concavity of which are with respect to a first direction generally normal to the sound-absorbing surface, and wherein the convex structures and the concave structures are spatially arranged to be alternating with one another, wherein the panel further comprises a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the sound-absorbing surface from areas between the convex structures and the concave structures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of reducing sound emissions from a dishwasher, comprising:
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inserting a panel of sound-absorbing material into a dishwasher, and engaging a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from a sound-absorbing surface of the panel of sound-absorbing material with one or more supporting surfaces, wherein the sound-absorbing surface comprises a plurality of convex structures and a plurality of concave structures, and wherein the convex structures and the concave structures are spatially arranged to be alternating with one another, and wherein the protrusions extend from the sound-absorbing surface from areas between the convex structures and the concave structures. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An acoustic panel, comprising:
a panel of sound-absorbing material having a major surface comprising a sound-absorbing surface, wherein the sound-absorbing surface comprises a plurality of convex structures and a plurality of concave structures, the convexity and concavity of which are with respect to a first direction generally normal to the sound-absorbing surface, wherein the convex structures and the concave structures are spatially arranged to be alternating with one another, and wherein the panel further comprises protrusions extending outwardly from the sound absorbing surface in the first direction beyond the convex structures and the concave structures for engaging one or more supporting surfaces, and wherein the protrusions extend from the sound-absorbing surface from areas between the convex structures and the concave structures. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
Specification