Abstract: A movable, prefabricated wall panel having a rigid frame. Internal to the rigid frame is a structural acoustical core, consisting of a grid with a plurality of individual cells, each filled with insulation media, such as a loose, discrete insulation such as fiberglass, cellulose, etc. The outer surfaces of the cell grid are covered with a skin or screen mesh for confining the loose discrete insulation. This skin or mesh can be a finished decorative outer cover or an intermediate component that is later covered with a decorative outer cover of fabric or other suitable material. A septum may be provided in the panel in the grid and may be made of a pliable, sound absorbing material. Additional acoustic barrier panels may be sandwiched on either side of the cellular grid.

Abstract: A insulation device includes an enclosure defining a cavity which is filled with a binderless, loose, discrete, divided insulation material. An uncured binder is homogeneously dispersed through the insulation filling material prior to installing the insulation material in the enclosure. The binder is cured after the insulation material is installed in the cavity to prevent the shifting or settling of the insulation material within the cavity. The insulation device can be made by forming an opening into the cavity of the enclosure, injecting binderless, loose, discrete, divided insulation material into the enclosure cavity and concurrently applying an uncured binder on the insulation material as it is being injected into the enclosure cavity to homogeneously distribute the uncured binder throughout the insulation material being injected into the enclosure cavity, and closing the opening of the enclosure.

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.

Abstract: A water heater construction including an inner tank for containing water surrounded in spaced apart relationship by an outer shell. A sleeve of insulation material, such as fiberglass mat is located in the annular space between the inner tank and outer sleeve and extends from proximate the bottom end of the water heater construction upwardly longitudinally thereof a distance less than the entire height of the water heater construction such that the top edge of the insulation sleeve is a distance below the top end of the water heater construction. The top edge of the insulation sleeve includes an annular cuff which is of a radial thickness greater than the radial thickness of the rest of the insulation sleeve such that the cuff is compressed between the interior wall surface of the outer shell and exterior wall surface of the inner tank. An expanded foam thermal insulation material fills the annular space above the cuff of the insulation mat.

Abstract: A water heater construction including an inner tank for containing water surrounded in spaced apart relationship by an outer shell. An outer collar of insulation material is located in the annular space between the inner tank and outer shell at a preselected location within the annular space along the height of the water heater construction. The collar has a radial thickness greater than the radial width of the annular space and is radially compressed between the interior wall of the outer shell and exterior wall of the inner tank. An expandable foam thermal insulation material fills the annular space above the collar.

Abstract: A modular acoustical panel for use in separating and dividing an interior space includes a generally hollow, open frame member having a generally rectangular wall portion which surrounds and defines a core-receiving space. A modular septum which is arranged with a center partition offset so as to have a surrounding wall and surrounding flange is preassembled with two layers of insulating material on opposite sides of the center portion of the offset partition. The modular septum is able to be assembled off-line and brought to the point of final assembly into the frame. The center portion of the modular septum and the two layers of insulating material are inserted into the core-receiving space and the outer flange of the partition attaches directly to the outer surface of the frame on one side. A spacer is provided on the opposite side to make the thickness symmetrical and thus account for the thickness of the flange portion.

Abstract: An appliance, such as a refrigerator or water heater construction, includes a first wall in surrounding spaced relationship to a second wall. An insulating and sealing device of insulation material, such as fiberglass or foamed material partially enclosed in an open-topped envelope of plastic or foil material is circumferentially located in the space between the first wall and outer wall at a preselected location within the space. The insulating and sealing device which is of a radial thickness greater than the radial width of the space is radially compressed between the first wall surface and second wall surface. An expanded foam thermal insulation material fills the space to one side of the insulating and sealing device.

Abstract: A composite package for a water heater includes a two-part folded cardboard assembly as a top support panel and a two-part folded cardboard assembly as a bottom support panel. The two members that comprise the top support panel each being as a generally rectangular cardboard member which is folded so as to result in a double-thickness center area and oppositely disposed downwardly depending side walls. These two members are then turned 90 degrees to each other so as to create an open, box-like structure. Virtually the same procedure is followed for the fabrication of the bottom support panel. Each of the four folded cardboard members include a centrally disposed and generally rectangular reinforcement which may either be plastic, metal or a similar relatively rigid material and this reinforcement is secured to the folded cardboard.

Abstract: A composite package for a water heater includes a two-part folded cardboard assembly as a top support panel and a two-part folded cardboard assembly as a bottom support panel. The two members that comprise the top support panel each begin as a generally rectangular cardboard member which is folded so as to result in a double-thickness center area and oppositely disposed downwardly depending side walls. These two members are then turned 90 degrees to each other so as to create an open, box-like structure. Virtually the same procedure is followed for the fabrication of the bottom support panel. Each of the four folded cardboard members include a centrally disposed and generally rectangular reinforcement which may either be plastic, metal or a similar relatively rigid material and this reinforcement is secured to the folded cardboard.

Abstract: A method of insulating a water heater of the type including an inner water tank and a surrounding outer shell which is spaced apart from the inner tank so as to define an annular clearance space therebetween includes the steps of providing a flexible envelope of insulation material which begins as a generally cylindrical member which is placed at the bottom of the outer shell on its interior generally centered within the side walls of the outer shell. The next step is to lower the inner water tank into position down onto the insulation-filled flexible envelope. The weight of the inner water tank which has a concave bottom surface shapes the flexible envelope so as to create a first portion or pouch beneath the bottom surface of the tank and a surrounding collar which although connected to the inner pouch is pushed outwardly so as to be disposed between the outer wall of the inner tank and the inner wall of the outer shell.

Abstract: A water heater for containing water surrounded in spaced apart relationship by an outer shell includes a sleeve of insulation material, such as fiberglass, located in the annular space between the inner tank and outer sleeve. The top edge of the insulation sleeve includes an annular cuff which is of a radial thickness greater than the radial thickness of the rest of the insulation sleeve such that the cuff is compressed between the interior wall surface of the outer shell and exterior wall surface of the inner tank. An expanded foam thermal insulation material fills the annular space above the cuff of the insulation mat.

Abstract: A water heater device including an inner tank for containing water surrounded in spaced apart relationship by an outer shell. The top end of the water heater device is closed by a cap, and the bottom end of the water heater construction is closed by a floor connected to the outer shell. The inner tank has a concave bottom wall. A collar of thermal insulation material, such as fiber glass is located in the annular space between the inner tank and outer sleeve proximate the bottom end of the water heater device concentric with the annular space such that the collar is in contact with the interior wall surface of the outer shell, in contact with the exterior wall surface of the inner tank, and in contact with the floor of the water heater device.

Abstract: A sealing and insulation device for the space between spaced apart surfaces having an envelope fabricated of a resilient, flexible material filled with a resilient insulation material. The sealing and insulation device has a width dimension at least as great as the distance across the space between the surfaces to be sealed. By removing air from the interior of the sealing and insulation device the width dimension of the device is reduced to less than the transverse dimension of the space to be sealed. Once the shrunk device is positioned, air is allowed back into the sealing and insulation device enabling the device to resiliently turn back towards its original width dimension such that the sealing and insulation device expands into abutting contact with both spaced apart surfaces across the space therebetween. The purpose of the device being both to seal and insulate in thermal applications such as a water heater and acoustical applications such as dishwasher.

Abstract: A composite package for a water heater includes a two-part folded cardboard assembly as a top support panel and a two-part folded cardboard assembly as a bottom support panel. The two members that comprise the top support panel each begin as a generally rectangular cardboard member which is folded so as to result in a double-thickness center area and oppositely disposed downwardly depending side walls. These two members are then turned 90 degrees to each other so as to create an open, box-like structure. Virtually the same procedure is followed for the fabrication of the bottom support panel. Each of the four folded cardboard members include a centrally disposed and generally rectangular reinforcement which may either by plastic, metal or a similar relatively rigid material and this reinforcement is secured to the folded cardboard.