Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation material from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive compressed loosefill insulation material. The machine also includes a lower unit. The lower unit has a shredding chamber with a plurality of shredders configured to condition the loosefill insulation material thereby forming conditioned loosefill insulation material. The plurality of shredders is driven by one or more motors. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive the loosefill insulation material. The discharge mechanism is configured to distribute the conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. A sound chamber is configured to receive the one or more motors and further configured to reduce the sound rating emanating from the machine.

Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end receives the loosefill insulation material. A shredding chamber is configured to receive the loosefill insulation material from the outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred, pick apart and condition the loosefill insulation material. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive the conditioned material. The discharge mechanism is configured to distribute the conditioned material into an airstream. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. The blower has a rotational speed that defines the volume and the velocity of the airstream. A remote control assembly is configured to communicate with the machine such that the volume and velocity of the airstream can be adjusted in a remote location.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is positioned downstream from the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured for rotation. Each shredder includes a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted to a shredder shaft. Each paddle assembly has a plurality of paddles. The paddles have a hardness within the range of 60 A to 70 A Durometer to better grip the blowing wool for shredding and prevent jamming of the blowing wool within the shredder.

Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation is provided. The machine includes a shredding chamber having an outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the loosefill insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism includes a shaft mounted for rotation within a housing. The shaft includes a plurality of vanes extending radially from the shaft. A plurality of seals is mounted to the shaft and to the vanes. The seals are configured to seal against the housing as the shaft rotates. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. The shaft and the vanes are a one-piece structure.

Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation from sources of compressed loosefill insulation is provided. The machine includes a shredding chamber having an outlet end and a plurality of shredders configured to condition the loosefill insulation. The plurality of shredders is configured to operate at variable rotational speeds. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the conditioned loosefill insulation into an airstream provided by a blower. The blower is configured to operate at variable rotational speeds. The plurality of shredders, the discharge mechanism and the blower are configured to operate on a single 15 ampere, 110 volt a.c. power supply. The variable rotational speeds of the plurality of shredders are configured to provide variable flow rates of the loosefill insulation and the variable rotational speeds of the blower are configured to provide variable flow rates of the airstream.

Abstract: A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation having a cross-sectional shape is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is oriented in a substantially vertical plane and is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end has opposing longitudinal sides configured to be substantially horizontal in orientation. The inlet end also has opposing lateral sides connected to the longitudinal sides. The opposing lateral sides are configured to be shorter than the opposing longitudinal sides and further configured to be substantially vertical in orientation. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. A discharge mechanism is provided for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of insulation.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a shredding chamber configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders and an agitator. The plurality of shredders and the agitator are configured for rotation. The plurality of shredders and the agitator are configured to rotate at different speeds.

Abstract: A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The chute is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially vertical and the outlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially horizontal. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. The machine further includes a discharge mechanism for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The plurality of shredders and the discharge mechanism are positioned beneath the outlet end of the chute, such that the insulation feeds in a substantially vertical direction into the plurality of shredders.

Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation from sources of compressed loosefill insulation is provided. The machine includes a shredding chamber having an outlet end and a plurality of shredders configured to condition the loosefill insulation. The plurality of shredders is configured to operate at variable rotational speeds. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the conditioned loosefill insulation into an airstream provided by a blower. The blower is configured to operate at variable rotational speeds. The plurality of shredders, the discharge mechanism and the blower are configured to operate on a single 15 ampere, 110 volt a.c. power supply. The variable rotational speeds of the plurality of shredders are configured to provide variable flow rates of the loosefill insulation and the variable rotational speeds of the blower are configured to provide variable flow rates of the airstream.

Abstract: Methods of assembling machines for distributing loosefill insulation from packages of compressed loosefill insulation are provided. The methods include the steps of providing a chute having an inlet end, the inlet end configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation, providing a lower unit including a shroud, the lower unit being configured to be attached to the chute to form the machine, the lower unit having an outlet for the discharge of loosefill insulation, installing a plurality of shredders in the lower unit, the shredders being configured to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation, installing a discharge mechanism in the lower unit, the discharge mechanism being configured to discharge loosefill insulation from the outlet of the lower unit, providing a bottom wall structure, the bottom wall structure having a first bottom wall spaced apart from a second bottom wall and connecting the bottom wall structure to the shroud.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is positioned downstream from the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured for rotation. Each shredder includes a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted to a shredder shaft. Each paddle assembly has a plurality of paddles. The paddles have a hardness within the range of 60 A to 70 A Durometer to better grip the blowing wool for shredding and prevent jamming of the blowing wool within the shredder.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is associated with the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders. Each shredder has a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted for rotation on a shredder shaft in a manner such that paddle assemblies on one shredder shaft correspond to paddle assemblies on an adjacent shredder shaft. Each of the plurality of paddle assemblies on one shredder shaft has a major axis and each of the corresponding paddles assemblies on the adjacent shredder shaft has a major axis. The plurality of paddle assemblies is arranged such that the major axes of the corresponding paddle assemblies have an indexed arrangement.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation from a bag of compressed blowing insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing insulation. A shredding chamber is associated with the chute. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation. The shredding chamber further includes a discharge mechanism mounted for rotation and configured for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism has a side inlet and includes sealing vane assemblies having vane tips. Rotation of the vane tips forms an arc. The blowing insulation is fed horizontally from the shredding chamber into the side inlet of the discharge mechanism in a manner such that the blowing insulation passes through the arc formed by the rotating vane tips.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute configured to receive the compressed blowing wool and a shredding chamber connected to the chute. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred the blowing wool. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive the shredded and picked apart blowing wool and configured to distribute the blowing wool into an airstream. An outlet plate assembly is mounted to the discharge mechanism and includes an outlet pipe configured to connect a distribution hose to the discharge mechanism. The outlet pipe has a plurality of inner diameters each having an inner surface. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. In an installed position, an outer surface of the distribution hose contacts the inner surface of one of the inner diameters of the outlet pipe.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is associated with the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders. Each shredder has a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted for rotation on a shredder shaft in a manner such that paddle assemblies on one shredder shaft correspond to paddle assemblies on an adjacent shredder shaft. Each of the plurality of paddle assemblies on one shredder shaft has a major axis and each of the corresponding paddles assemblies on the adjacent shredder shaft has a major axis. The plurality of paddle assemblies is arranged such that the major axes of the corresponding paddle assemblies have an indexed arrangement.

Abstract: Methods of assembling machines for distributing loosefill insulation from packages of compressed loosefill insulation are provided. The methods include the steps of providing a chute having an inlet end, the inlet end configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation, providing a lower unit including a shroud, the lower unit being configured to be attached to the chute to form the machine, the lower unit having an outlet for the discharge of loosefill insulation, installing a plurality of shredders in the lower unit, the shredders being configured to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation, installing a discharge mechanism in the lower unit, the discharge mechanism being configured to discharge loosefill insulation from the outlet of the lower unit, providing a bottom wall structure, the bottom wall structure having a first bottom wall spaced apart from a second bottom wall and connecting the bottom wall structure to the shroud.

Abstract: A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The chute is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially vertical and the outlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially horizontal. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. The machine further includes a discharge mechanism for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The plurality of shredders and the discharge mechanism are positioned beneath the outlet end of the chute, such that the insulation feeds in a substantially vertical direction into the plurality of shredders.

Abstract: A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The chute is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially vertical and the outlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially horizontal. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. A discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of insulation and the plurality of shredders and the discharge mechanism are positioned beneath the outlet end of the chute.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a shredding chamber having an outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber and is configured for distributing the blowing wool into an airstream. The discharge mechanism includes a housing and a plurality of sealing vane assemblies mounted for rotation. The housing has a wrap angle of approximately 240°. The sealing vane assemblies are configured to seal against the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate. The housing includes an eccentric segment extending from the housing. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. The sealing vane assemblies become spaced apart from the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate through the eccentric segment.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is positioned downstream from the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured for rotation. The shredding chamber further includes a plurality of guide shells positioned partially around the plurality of shredders. The plurality of shredders seal against the plurality of guide shells and direct the blowing wool in a downstream direction as the plurality of shredders rotate.