Easy to adhere sound absoring mat with fluffy outer layer

Abstract

A sound absorbing mat includes a substrate having a first face and a second face. The first face of the substrate includes a number of fluffs provided thereon. The fluffs and the substrate are commonly formed from a predetermined material. The first face of the substrate is processed by a cutter to directly form the fluffs thereon. A layer of adhesive is applied to the second face of the substrate. A peelable sheet is releasably attached to the layer of adhesive.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/395,744 filed on Sep. 14, 1999, which is now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an easy to adhere sound absorbing mat with fluffy outer layer for effectively absorbing sound.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Sound absorbent plays a certain roll in modern world. Taking a vehicle as an example, the driver and/or passengers in a vehicle may be disturbed by the engine noise. The engine noise problem is aggravated when the vehicle has been used for years. U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,740 to Martz issued on Feb. 8, 2000 discloses a wheeled animal carrier having a cushioned sound absorbing liner, wherein the liner is removably attached to a tray by a plurality of separable hook and eye Velcro elements. The sound absorbing effect was found unsatisfactory. Japanese Patent Publication No. JP 357085874 of Kurono et al. discloses a sound absorbing mat (sound deadening tying tape) comprising fluffs formed on a side of the substrate of the sound absorbing tape, wherein the fluffs are formed by bonding a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and then peeling it. The fluffs thus formed are not evenly distributed, as the force applied to peel the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer could not be controlled evenly. As a result, the sound-absorbing effect of the sound absorbing tape disclosed in JP 357085874 would not be even and perfect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an easy to adhere sound absorbing mat with fluffy outer layer for effectively absorbing sound.

[0007] A sound absorbent in accordance with the present invention includes a substrate having a first face and a second face. The first face of the substrate includes a number of fluffs provided thereon. The fluffs and the substrate are commonly formed from a predetermined material. The first face of the substrate is processed by a cutter to directly form the fluffs thereon. A layer of adhesive is applied to the second face of the substrate. A peelable sheet is releasably attached to the layer of adhesive. Thus, the fluffs and the substrate of the sound absorbing mate of the present invention are commonly formed from a predetermined material and the substrate is processed by a cutter which will assure even distribution of the fluffs and perfect sound absorbing effect.

[0008] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sound absorbing mat in accordance with the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a sound source and the sound absorbing mat in accordance with the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the sound-absorbing effect of the sound absorbing mat in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sound absorbing mat coiled for easy carriage.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cutter for forming fluffs on a side of the sound absorbing mat in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sound absorbing mat 1 in accordance with the present invention is made from nylon or polyester and includes a substrate 12 having a first face 11 and a second face 13. The first face 11 of the sound absorbent 1 is processed by a special comb-like cutter 20 (FIG. 5) to form a plurality of fluffs 14 thereon. A layer of adhesive 2 may be applied to the second face 13 of the substrate 12. A peelable sheet 3 is then applied to the adhesive layer 2.

[0015] The sound absorbing 1 of the invention can be coiled for easy carriage, as shown in FIG. 4. When in use, the sound absorbing mat is cut by the required length and the peelable sheet 3 is peeled. Thus, the user may adhere the sound absorbing mat to any desired place, e.g., an inner periphery of an engine hood that houses the engine of a vehicle. The sound from a sound source 4 (e.g., the engine of the vehicle) is effectively absorbed by the fluffs 14 on the first face 11 of the substrate 2, best shown in FIG. 3. More specifically, sound waves entering the jungle-like fluffs on a side of the sound absorbing mat of the present invention will be reflected for a plurality of times and finally lost in the jungle. The energy of the sound waves is thus gradually absorbed at each reflection, and the sound vanishes eventually. It is noted that the fluffs and the substrate of the sound absorbing mate of the present invention are commonly formed from a predetermined material and the substrate is processed by the cutter 20 (FIG. 5) which will assure even distribution of the fluffs and perfect sound absorbing effect.

[0016] It is appreciated that the sound absorbing mat of the invention can be applied to any place where sound absorption is required.

[0017] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A sound absorbing mat comprising a substrate having a first face and a second face, the first face of the substrate including a plurality of fluffs provided thereon, the fluffs and the substrate being commonly formed from a predetermined material, and the first face of the substrate being processed by a cutter to directly form the fluffs thereon.

2. The sound absorbing mat as claimed in

claim 1, further comprising a layer of adhesive applied to the second face of the substrate.

3. The sound absorbing mat as claimed in

claim 2, further comprising a peelable sheet releasably attached to the layer of adhesive.