US4985106A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Insulation structure for appliances
Assignee: Soltech Inc
•
Filing: 1988-07-15
•
Granted: 1991-01-15
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Expires: 2008-07-15
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:29
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B3/00; B32B3/02; A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/42; A47L15/4209; B32B27/00; B32B27/12; B32B27/32; B32B5/00; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B7/00; B32B7/04; B32B7/12; E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/62; E04B1/74; E04B1/76; E04B1/78; E04B1/80; E04B1/803; E04B1/88; F; F16; F16L; F16L59/00; F16L59/02; F16L59/026; F24; F24H; F24H1/00; F24H1/18; F24H1/181; F24H1/182; F24H9/00; F24H9/02; B32B2262/00; B32B2262/10; B32B2262/101; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/20; B32B2307/206; B32B2315/00; B32B2315/08; B32B2315/085; B32B2323/00; B32B2323/04; E04B2001/7687; E04B2001/7691; E04B1/82; E04B1/84; E04B2001/8414; E04B2001/8457; E04B2001/8461; F25; F25D; F25D2201/00; F25D2201/10; F25D2201/14; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A30/00; Y02A30/24; Y02A30/242; Y02B; Y02B40/00; Y02B80/00; Y02B80/10; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1051; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/239
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of fabricating an insulation panel for use on an appliance for reducing one or more undesirable side effects caused by the operation of said appliance, said method comprising the following steps: (a) preparing a first layer of enclosing material that corresponds to the size and shape of the appliance area to be covered; (b) applying a first layer of loose, discrete insulation material onto said first layer of enclosing material in a blanket of substantially uniform thickness; (c) applying an intermediate insulation pad onto said blanket of substantially uniform thickness of said discrete insulation material; (d) applying a second layer of loose, discrete insulation material over said intermediate insulation pad in a blanket of substantially uniform thickness; (e) introducing a binder into said insulation material; (f) preparing a second layer of enclosing material which has a size and shape which is substantially the same as said first layer; (g) laminating said second layer onto said blanket of insulation material; and (h) joining the edge peripheries of said first and second layers of enclosing material so as to define an enclosed cavity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of fabricating an insulation panel for use on an appliance for reducing one or more undesirable side effects caused by the operation of said appliance, said method comprising the following steps: (a) preparing a first layer of enclosing material that corresponds to the size and shape of the appliance area to be covered; (b) applying a first layer of loose, discrete insulation material onto said first layer of enclosing material in a blanket of substantially uniform thickness; (c) applying an intermediate insulation pad onto said blanket of substantially uniform thickness of said discrete insulation material; (d) applying a second layer of loose, discrete insulation material over said intermediate insulation pad in a blanket of substantially uniform thickness; (e) introducing a binder into said insulation material; (f) preparing a second layer of enclosing material which has a size and shape which is substantially the same as said first layer; (g) laminating said second layer onto said blanket of insulation material; and (h) joining the edge peripheries of said first and second layers of enclosing material so as to define an enclosed cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
197 words
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, 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 insulation pad disposed between said first and second layers; a first portion of loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said first layer of enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; a second portion of loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said second layer of enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; said first and second layers being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said intermediate insulation pad thereby being retained in said enclosed cavity; and binder material dispersed in said enclosed cavity and cooperating with said first and second portions of loose, discrete insulation material so as to prevent the shifting of said discrete insulation material within said enclosed cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
197 words
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, 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 insulation pad disposed between said first and second layers; a first portion of loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said first layer of enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; a second portion of loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said second layer of enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; said first and second layers being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said intermediate insulation pad thereby being retained in said enclosed cavity; and binder material dispersed in said enclosed cavity and cooperating with said first and second portions of loose, discrete insulation material so as to prevent the shifting of said discrete insulation material within said enclosed cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The insulation panel of claim 1 wherein said first and second layers of enclosing material are fabricated of synthetic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The insulation panel of claim 3 wherein said insulation material is fiberglass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The insulation panel of claim 2 wherein said first and second layers of enclosing material are fabricated of polyethylene, said insulation material is fiberglass and said binder is phenolic or sodium silicate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The insulation panel of claim 2 which further includes an exterior insulation pad secured to the exterior surface of said first layer of enclosing material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
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, said insulation panel comprising: a first layer of synthetic enclosing material having a peripheral edge of a predetermined shape; a second layer of synthetic 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 insulation pad disposed between said first and second layers; a first portion of loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said first layer of synthetic enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; a second portion of loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said said second layer of synthetic enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; and said first and second layers being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said intermediate insulation pad thereby being retained in said enclosed cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
167 words
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, said insulation panel comprising: a first layer of synthetic enclosing material having a peripheral edge of a predetermined shape; a second layer of synthetic 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 insulation pad disposed between said first and second layers; a first portion of loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said first layer of synthetic enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; a second portion of loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said said second layer of synthetic enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; and said first and second layers being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said intermediate insulation pad thereby being retained in said enclosed cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The insulation panel of claim 7 wherein the predetermined shape of each layer is generally T-shaped with four panels suitably sized and arranged to fit the sides, top and rear portions of a below-counter dishwasher.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The insulation panel of claim 7 wherein said first and second layers of synthetic enclosing material are fabricated from polyethylene.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The insulation panel of claim 7 wherein said insulation material is fiberglass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The insulation panel of claim 10 wherein said first and second layers of synthetic enclosing material are fabricated from polyethylene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
153 words
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 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 said first layer of enclosing material; an intermediate insulation pad disposed between said first and second layers; a first portion of loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said first layer of enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; a second portion of loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said said second layer of enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; and said first and second layers being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said intermediate insulation pad thereby being retained in said enclosed cavity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
153 words
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 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 said first layer of enclosing material; an intermediate insulation pad disposed between said first and second layers; a first portion of loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said first layer of enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; a second portion of loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said said second layer of enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; and said first and second layers being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said intermediate insulation pad thereby being retained in said enclosed cavity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 12 wherein said first and second layers of enclosing material are fabricated of synthetic material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 13 wherein said insulation material is fiberglass.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 12 which further includes an exterior insulation pad secured to the exterior surface of said first layer of enclosing material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 12 which further includes a binder material dispersed into said first and second portions of loose discrete insulation material so as to prevent the shifting of said insulation material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 16 wherein said first and second layers of enclosing material are fabricated of polyethylene, said insulation material is fiberglass and said binder is phenolic or sodium silicate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
173 words
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, 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 loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said first and second layers; a panel of insulation material secured to the exterior surface of said first layer of enclosing material; said first and second layers of enclosing material being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said discrete insulation material thereby being retained in said enclosed cavity; and binder material dispersed in said enclosed cavity and cooperating with said discrete insulation material so as to prevent the shifting of said discrete insulation material within said enclosed cavity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
173 words
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, 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 loose, discrete insulation material disposed between said first and second layers; a panel of insulation material secured to the exterior surface of said first layer of enclosing material; said first and second layers of enclosing material being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said discrete insulation material thereby being retained in said enclosed cavity; and binder material dispersed in said enclosed cavity and cooperating with said discrete insulation material so as to prevent the shifting of said discrete insulation material within said enclosed cavity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The insulation panel of claim 18 which further includes a second panel of insulation material disposed between said first and second layers of enclosing material and arranged with loose, discrete insulation material disposed on each side thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
132 words
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 loose, discrete acoustical insulation disposed between said first and second layers; 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 discrete acoustical insulation being retained in said enclosed cavity.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
132 words
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 loose, discrete acoustical insulation disposed between said first and second layers; 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 discrete acoustical insulation being retained in said enclosed cavity.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 20 which further includes a second panel of said second insulation material disposed between said first and second layers of enclosing material and arranged with loose, discrete insulation material disposed on each side thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
168 words
An insulation panel for a appliance for reducing one or more undesirable side effects due to the operation of the appliance such as noise, vibration and heat, said insulation panel comprising: a first layer of synthetic enclosing material having a peripheral edge of a predetermined shape; a second layer of synthetic 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 insulation pad disposed between said first and second layers; a first layer of insulation material disposed between said first layer of synthetic enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; a second layer of discrete insulation material disposed between said said second layer of synthetic enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; and said first and second layers of synthetic enclosing material being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said intermediate insulation pad thereby being retained in said enclosed cavity.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
168 words
An insulation panel for a appliance for reducing one or more undesirable side effects due to the operation of the appliance such as noise, vibration and heat, said insulation panel comprising: a first layer of synthetic enclosing material having a peripheral edge of a predetermined shape; a second layer of synthetic 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 insulation pad disposed between said first and second layers; a first layer of insulation material disposed between said first layer of synthetic enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; a second layer of discrete insulation material disposed between said said second layer of synthetic enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; and said first and second layers of synthetic enclosing material being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said intermediate insulation pad thereby being retained in said enclosed cavity.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
157 words
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 synthetic enclosing material having a peripheral edge of a predetermined shape; a second layer of synthetic 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 insulation pad disposed between said first and second layers; a first layer of insulation material disposed between said first layer of enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; a second layer of insulation material disposed between said said second layer of enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; and said first and second layers of synthetic enclosing material being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said intermediate insulation pad thereby being retained in said enclosed cavity.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
157 words
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 synthetic enclosing material having a peripheral edge of a predetermined shape; a second layer of synthetic 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 insulation pad disposed between said first and second layers; a first layer of insulation material disposed between said first layer of enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; a second layer of insulation material disposed between said said second layer of enclosing material and said intermediate insulation pad; and said first and second layers of synthetic enclosing material being joined together along their peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed cavity, said intermediate insulation pad thereby being retained in said enclosed cavity.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
75 words
In combination: an insulation panel comprising: a first layer of enclosing material having an eight-sided, block-T shape; a second layer of enclosing material having an eight-sided, block-T shape; 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.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
75 words
In combination: an insulation panel comprising: a first layer of enclosing material having an eight-sided, block-T shape; a second layer of enclosing material having an eight-sided, block-T shape; 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.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-14 | 1994-07-16 | 1995-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-14 | 1998-07-16 | 1999-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-14 | 2002-07-16 | 2003-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |