Abstract: A mold cleaning apparatus and method is provided for removing debris from an advancing masonry mold product. At least one rotatable tire is arranged at an acute angle to the masonry mold product and engages the mold product to provide a cleaning or scraping force to remove debris from the mold product. The cleaning force of the tire can be adjusted by changing the angle of the tire, the air pressure of the tire or the height of the tire relative to the mold surface. Multiple tires can be employed, while being rotated periodically to evenly distribute wear or replaced as needed.

Abstract: An insulating element includes a sheet of polymer based blanket material having multiple panels and at least one hinge for interconnecting the multiple panels. A method for making such an insulating product includes the forming of a sheet of polymer based blanket material with multiple panels and at least one hinge for interconnecting the multiple panels and erecting the sheet of polymer based blanket material into a three dimensional insulating product by folding the sheet about the hinge.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing noise emitted from an appliance having a cabinet that supports at least one component that emits at least one acoustic pressure wave therefrom. In a preferred form, the apparatus comprises at least one diffuser having at least one deflection surface. The diffuser is coupled to the cabinet and positioned relative to the one component such that the acoustic pressure wave emitted from the component is deflected by the one deflection surface in a predetermined direction. The diffuser can be used to deflect acoustic pressure waves such that they collide with each other. The apparatus may further include at least one absorber. The diffuser is strategically located to deflect acoustic pressure waves being emitted from the component into the absorber to reduce the noise emitted from the appliance.