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US4574099A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Acoustical panels

Assignee: INDUSTRIAL ACOUSTICS Inc
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Filing: 1984-01-20
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Granted: 1986-03-04
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Expires: 2004-01-20
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Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to the field of sound control equipment, and particularly to an acoustical panel for absorbing sound generated by equipment in a sterile environment such as a clean room, kitchen, food processing plant or drug manufacturing facility. The acoustical panel is comprised of an inner core made of loosely woven fibrous material, at least one middle layer on at least one side of the inner core which enhances durability without significantly reducing the sound absorption characteristics of the inner core; edge support means; and an outer layer fabricated of a durable plastic material capable of being heat shrunk.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael T. Nixon

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 12:21
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/12; B32B15/00; B32B15/04; B32B15/08; B32B27/06; B32B27/08; B32B27/30; B32B27/304; B32B38/00; B32B38/04; B32B5/00; B32B5/02; B32B5/022; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B5/26; E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/62; E04B1/74; E04B1/82; E04B1/84; E04B1/86; B32B2038/047; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/10; B32B2307/102; B32B2315/00; B32B2315/08; B32B2315/085; E04B2001/8457; E04B2001/8461; E04B2001/8476; E04B2001/848; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/239; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24322; Y10T428/24331; Y10T428/24777; Y10T428/24785; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/24992; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31678

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim 109 words
An acoustical panel comprised of an inner core fabricated of a loosely woven fibrous material; at least one middle layer on at least one side of the inner core which enhances durability without significantly reducing the sound absorption characteristics of the inner core; edge support means; an outer layer which surrounds and encapsulates said inner core, middle layer and edge supports, said outer layer being made of a plastic film material which is impermeable to moisture and air, and which, upon exposure to heat, shrinks to achieve smooth, tight surfaces; and means for venting gases from the interior of the panel during the heat shrinking of the outer layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 109 words
An acoustical panel comprised of an inner core fabricated of a loosely woven fibrous material; at least one middle layer on at least one side of the inner core which enhances durability without significantly reducing the sound absorption characteristics of the inner core; edge support means; an outer layer which surrounds and encapsulates said inner core, middle layer and edge supports, said outer layer being made of a plastic film material which is impermeable to moisture and air, and which, upon exposure to heat, shrinks to achieve smooth, tight surfaces; and means for venting gases from the interior of the panel during the heat shrinking of the outer layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 12 words
The acoustical panel of claim 1 wherein the inner core is fiberglass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
The acoustical panel of claim 2 wherein the density of the inner core is 6 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The acoustical panel of claim 1 wherein each middle layer is constructed of a tightly woven fibrous material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
The acoustical panel of claim 4 wherein the tightly woven fibrous material is molded fiberglass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 21 words
The acoustical panel of claim 4 wherein the tightly woven fibrous material has a density of 13.5 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 15 words
The acoustical panel of claim 1 wherein the middle layer is constructed of perforated metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
The acoustical panel of claim 1 wherein the middle layer is constructed of a perforated generally rigid vinyl plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 16 words
The acoustical panel of claim 1 wherein the edge supports are fabricated of flat pressed cardboard.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
The acoustical panel of claim 1 wherein the outer layer is fabricated of a polyvinyl floride film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 69 words
An acoustical panel comprised of a loosely woven fiberglass inner core; at least one middle layer along at least one side of said inner core; said middle layer being constructed of molded fiberglass; a cardboard edge support having the same dimensions as and supporting at least the edge of the inner core and middle layer; and an outer layer capable of being heat shrunk to a firm, tight fit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 69 words
An acoustical panel comprised of a loosely woven fiberglass inner core; at least one middle layer along at least one side of said inner core; said middle layer being constructed of molded fiberglass; a cardboard edge support having the same dimensions as and supporting at least the edge of the inner core and middle layer; and an outer layer capable of being heat shrunk to a firm, tight fit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 20 words
The acoustical panel of claim 11 wherein the inner core has a density of about 6 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 20 words
The acoustical panel of claim 11 wherein the middle layer has a density of about 13.5 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 18 words
The acoustical panel of claim 11 wherein the outer layer is constructed of a stress-oriented polyvinyl floride film.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 21 words
The acoustical panel of claim 11 wherein the outer layer has venting means to permit air to escape during heat shrinkage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 67 words
An acoustical panel comprised of a loosely woven fiberglass inner core; at least one middle layer constructed of a perforated metal along at least one side of said inner core; a cardboard edge support having the same dimensions as and supporting at least one edge of the inner core and middle layer; and a plastic outer layer capable of being heat shrunk to a firm, snug fit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 67 words
An acoustical panel comprised of a loosely woven fiberglass inner core; at least one middle layer constructed of a perforated metal along at least one side of said inner core; a cardboard edge support having the same dimensions as and supporting at least one edge of the inner core and middle layer; and a plastic outer layer capable of being heat shrunk to a firm, snug fit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 20 words
The acoustical panel of claim 16 wherein the inner core has a density of about 6 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 20 words
The acoustical panel of claim 16 wherein the middle layer has a density of about 13.5 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 18 words
The acoustical panel of claim 16 wherein the outer layer is constructed of a stress-oriented polyvinyl floride film.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 21 words
The acoustical panel of claim 16 wherein the outer layer has venting means to permit air to escape during heat shrinkage.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1989-03-03 1989-09-02 1990-03-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1993-03-03 1993-09-02 1994-03-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1997-03-03 1997-09-02 1998-03-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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