Abstract: An insulated tank assembly with insulation stop and a method of constructing such an assembly. The assembly includes an inner tank with an outer shell located in spaced relation to and surrounding the inner tank, creating at least one annular clearance space between the tank and the shell. The space is closed by a sealing device that includes a circumferential sealing strip having an unstretched strip length that is less than either the continuous outer top edge length or the continuous outer bottom edge length, or both, of the strip. Such length relationships make the sealing strip both resilient and resistant to rolling during construction of the assembly. The sealing strip may be a fibrous strip. The tank assembly may be insulated by placing insulating material within the at least one annular clearance space, which may be a foamable insulation material, foamed in place within the annular clearance space.

Abstract: An expandable insulation blanket includes a body of insulation material having a first edge and a second edge wherein the first and second edges are opposite one another. A first slit defines a first hinge point between a first end of the first slit and the first edge, a second hinge point between a second end of the first slit and the second edge and a third hinge point between a third end of the first slit and the first edge. A first hinge body is outlined by the first slit, the first hinge point and the third hinge point. A second slit extends across the first hinge body and defines a fourth hinge point between the second slit and the first slit. When expanded the insulation body includes a substantially triangular shaped opening.

Abstract: A dishwasher tub includes a main body having opposing side walls that are interconnected by a rear wall, all formed from a multi-layered composite material. A cap member is joined atop the opposing side and rear walls, a base member is joined to lower edge portions of the opposing side walls and rear wall, and a frontal halo member is mounted between the cap and base member to define an overall washing chamber having a front opening. Preferably, the multi-layered composite material includes an inner stainless layer, a rigid layer and an outer protective layer, such as a layer of stainless steel, a rigid polyester mat, and a protective layer of hard plastic or aluminum foil. The outer layer also preferably serves as a shipping container for the dishwasher, enabling components of the dishwasher to be transported to a designated location for final assembly.

Abstract: A dishwasher for receiving and cleansing soiled kitchenware includes a tub defining a washing chamber, a movable door for selectively exposing the washing chamber, and a modular, slidably mounted drip pan and component mounting assembly or base member positioned below the tub. One or more of a plurality of wash system components, including a wash pump, an inlet valve and a drain valve, is mounted to the modular base member. The modular base member includes connection points for household utilities, a peripheral lip or rim so as to contain any liquid that may fall from the dishwasher tub and a float and cut-off system that serves to terminate operation of the dishwasher upon detecting a water leak. In addition, the modular base member may also contain a system for heating washing fluid to a desired temperature, along with related control components.

Abstract: Densified non-woven materials having acoustic and thermal properties are provided. The non-woven material is formed of a thermoplastic material or fibers and a thermoplastic material. The fibers may be an organic, inorganic, or thermoplastic fiber and are desirably devoid of conventional sizing compositions. The densified portion of the non-woven material is formed by applying a moisture additive and subsequently applying heat. Heating the non-woven material causes the water in the moisture additive to turn to steam, which causes a molecular change in the polymer based thermoplastic material(s) of the non-woven material that was treated with the moisture additive. The moisture additive is preferably water, but may include a dilute alkali, a dilute acid, or additives to enhance surface, fire, or mold release characteristics. The water additive may be utilized to surface treat, partially treat, or completely treat the air-laid mat to achieve desired acoustic or thermal properties and/or stiffness.

Abstract: A thermoplastic blanket includes multiple layers of thermoplastic material. The first such layer has a first surface zone, a second, optional surface zone and a first base zone between the first and second surface zones. The second layer of thermoplastic material includes a third surface zone, a fourth optional surface zone and a second base zone between the third and fourth surface zones. At least one surface zone of each layer is densified to a density of between about 1.5 to about 30.0 pcf while each base zone has a density of between about 0.5 to about 10.0 pcf.

Abstract: In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein, an improved acoustical, compressible, polymer fiber blanket of enhanced performance characteristics is provided. The polymer fiber blanket of the present invention is constructed of a plurality of individual pieces of polymer fiber blanket that have been bonded together via heat and pressure.

Abstract: A mold for molding fibrous molding media includes upper and lower mold bodies defining a mold cavity, the upper and lower mold bodies being movable relative to each other to close the mold. The upper and lower mold bodies have respective upper and lower mold surfaces for contacting the fibrous molding media positioned within the mold, and have gas flow openings configured to direct gases into contact with the fibrous molding media. The mold also includes a source of gas connected to the gas flow openings.

Abstract: A mold for molding fibrous molding media includes upper and lower mold bodies defining a mold cavity, the upper and lower mold bodies being movable relative to each other to close the mold. The upper and lower mold bodies have respective upper and lower mold surfaces for contacting the fibrous molding media positioned within the mold, and have gas flow openings configured to direct gases into contact with the fibrous molding media. The mold also includes a source of gas connected to the gas flow openings.