Patent Publication Number: US-9845564-B2

Title: Appliance having a housing dampening portion and method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/428,879 filed on Dec. 31, 2010, titled “Appliance Having Cavity Dampening Portion and Method”. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/428,879 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Appliances such as clothes washers and driers, dish washers, etc., must be packaged before they leave a manufacturing facility in a manner that protects them from the hazards of transport until they reach their ultimate destination, which is typically a consumer&#39;s home. Along the way, an appliance may be loaded and unloaded from several locations and must be packaged for protection against inadvertent damage. Appliances such as vertical suspension clothes washers include an outer cabinet or housing containing a tub that is suspended in the cabinet and moved relative to the cabinet by a tub drive motor. Washers of this type are well known in the art and it is not unusual for such appliances to occasionally experience damage during shipping. It is also not unusual for such appliances to generate varying levels of sound or noise during operation in the consumer&#39;s home. 
     SUMMARY 
     Apparatuses and methods relating to appliances are provided. In one embodiment, an appliance having a housing, one or more moveable components inside the housing, a drive assembly, and a dampening portion is provided. The housing includes, for example, at least one side wall and the dampening member is disposed at least partially between the drive assembly and the at least one side wall. The dampening portion includes, for example, a resilient material having at least one surface extending at least partially along the side wall and the drive assembly. The dampening member is configured to limit movement of the drive assembly during shipping and handling to prevent damage to the appliance. The dampening member stays with the appliance after shipping and handling to enhance performance of the appliance, protect the moveable component, or both. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain certain principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an appliance having a dampening member configured to engage an external rotor of an appliance motor during shipping and handling of the appliance and/or during normal operation of the appliance to prevent damage to the appliance; 
         FIG. 1B  is an embodiment similar to the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 1A  where the dampening portion has a floor to reduce the amount of noise that escapes the appliance; 
         FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional view of an appliance having a dampening portion configured to engage a stationary external housing of an appliance during shipping and handling of the appliance and/or during normal operation of the appliance to prevent damage to the appliance; 
         FIG. 1D  is an embodiment similar to the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 1C  where the dampening portion has a floor to reduce the amount of noise that escapes the appliance; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of having a dampening portion for engaging a motor component or housing; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dampening member; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an appliance, a dampening member, and a protective shipping structure; 
         FIGS. 5-6  illustrate alternative embodiments of appliances having dampening members; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of a dampening member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Prior to discussing the various embodiments, a review of the definitions of some exemplary terms used throughout the disclosure is appropriate. Both singular and plural forms of all terms fall within each meaning: 
     “Physical communication” as used herein, includes but is not limited to connecting, affixing, joining, attaching, fixing, fastening, placing in contact two or more components, elements, assemblies, portions or parts. Physical communication between two or more components, etc., can be direct or indirect such as through the use of one or more intermediary components and may be intermittent or continuous. 
     In the embodiments discussed herein, the dampening system of the present application is described for use with a washer, such as a washing machine or dishwasher, having a movable member such as a drive assembly. However, the dampening system of the present application may be used with a variety of other machines and appliances having a cavity into which a dampening system can reside, such as, for example, an air conditioner, a microwave oven, a refrigerator, a freezer, or any other household machine or appliance. 
     In accordance with one general embodiment, a combined shipping and operation dampening system is provided for a washer, such as a washing machine or dishwasher, including a cabinet having a top wall, side walls, and a cavity where a moveable member such as a drive assembly resides. The system includes a dampening portion in the form of a body contoured to fit in the cabinet&#39;s cavity. The dampening portion is positioned between at least one side wall of the cabinet&#39;s cavity and the drive assembly. The dampening portion functions to protect the drive assembly and associated components during shipping. When the washer reaches its final destination such as, for example, a consumer&#39;s home, the dampening portion remains in place to provide vibration dampening and acoustic and thermal insulation during washer operation. 
     In accordance with another general embodiment, a method is provided for both shipping and operation dampening of a washer including a cabinet having a top wall, sidewalls, and cavity where a moveable member such as a drive assembly resides. The method comprises the steps of positioning a dampening portion between the moveable member and a side wall of the cabinet. The dampening portion prevents the moveable member and associated components, such as a tub and/or basket, from impacting a sidewall of the cabinet or other component of the appliance during shipping. The dampening element remains in the cabinet to provide vibration dampening, and acoustic and thermal insulation and/or to prevent damage to the moveable member and associated components during washer operation. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1A-1D , which illustrates in partial cross-section embodiments of a washing machine  100  having a dampening member  110 . The term “washing machine”, as used herein, is defined to mean a machine designed to wash laundry items, such as clothing, towels, and sheets, that uses water as the primary cleaning solution. The washing machine  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D  is a “top loading” washing machine. The term “top loading”, as used herein, is defined to mean that an internal basket configured to retain laundry items during the washing cycle is oriented in an upright position and that the laundry items enter the basket from a top opening in the washing machine  100 . However, the concepts of the dampening system of the present application can be applied to any type of washing machine. 
     The washing machine  100  has a housing or cabinet  102 . A tub  106 , basket  150 , and moveable member such as a drive assembly  108  reside within the cabinet  102 . A dampening member  110  resides in a cavity  116  of the cabinet  102 . The illustrated dampening member  110  is disposed below the tub  106 , such that there is a vertical gap between the tub  106  and the dampening member  110 . The illustrated dampening member  110  also includes an opening that is sized to provide a radial or outward space  114  between the outside of the drive assembly  108  and the dampening member  110 . The outward space  114  and/or the vertical gap are selected such that the drive assembly  108  and/or the tub  106  engage the dampening member  110  before the tub  106  hits a sidewall or the drive assembly hits another internal component (not shown) of the washing machine. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D , the cabinet  102  is configured to provide an enclosure for the internal components of the washing machine  100 . The illustrated cabinet  100  includes a top surface  160 , at least one side wall  104 , and legs  112  attached to bottom flanges. However, the cabinet  102  can take a variety of different forms. The cabinet  102  can be made from sheet metal and covered with a finish such as an enamel based finish. The cabinet can be made from a wide variety of different materials and/or combinations of materials. Examples of suitable materials for the cabinet include, but are not limited to plastic, fiberglass reinforced plastic, any type of sheet metal, etc. The cabinet  102  may have any finish. The cabinet  102  can be made from stainless steel sheet metal, and can have other desired finishes, such as for example a clear lacquer finish. The top surface  160  of the cabinet  102  includes an opening for loading laundry items. While the illustrated embodiment shows the cabinet as having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, it should be appreciated that the cabinet can have other cross-sectional shapes. 
     The tub  106  is suspended within the cabinet  102  and is configured to retain water used for washing the laundry items. The tub  106  can take a wide variety of different forms and can be made from a wide variety of different materials. The tub  106  may be generally cylindrical with an open top, but may take a variety of different shapes. The tub  106  may be made from plastic/polymeric materials, or metals, such as steel stainless steel, and aluminum. Preferably, the tub is made from a material that is resistant to corrosion when exposed to water or at least the inside surface of the tub is coated with a material that is resistant to corrosion when exposed to water. 
     The tub  106  may be connected to ends  154  of a plurality of suspension devices  152  with the other ends  156  of the suspension devices being coupled to the cabinet  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the ends  156  are connected to the top surface  160  of the cabinet. Details of suspension devices that may be used to support the tub  106  in the cabinet  102  are shown by U.S. Published Application Publication Number 2011/0233086, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, the suspension devices can take a wide variety of different forms. The suspension devices can be any arrangement that is generally configured to allow vertical movement of the tub  106  with respect to the cabinet  102  while limiting rotational movement of the tub about vertical axis A as indicated by arrow D. For example, the tub  106  may be in the position illustrated by  FIGS. 1A-1D  when the tub is empty and move downward as indicated by Arrow D when the basket  150  is loaded with clothes and filled with water. The weight of the water and clothes acts against the countering forces applied by the suspension devices and moves the tub downward in the direction D. As such, when the washing machine  100  is in a wash or a rinse cycle, the tub  106  will be at a position lower than the position illustrated by  FIGS. 1A-1D . When the washing machine  100  is in a spin cycle, (i.e., the water is removed from the tub  106  while the tub is rotating) the tub will be at or move upward toward the position illustrated by  FIGS. 1A and 1B . In an exemplary embodiment, the tub  106  is spaced apart, above the dampening member  110  when the tub  106  is filled with water and clothes. 
     In one embodiment, the suspension devices are a combination of rods, springs and attachment mechanisms. However, the tub  106  may be coupled to the cabinet  102  in a wide variety of different ways. For example, the suspension devices can be any desired structure, mechanism or device sufficient to suspend the tub  106  within the cabinet  102 . The suspension devices allow vertical movement of the tub  106  with respect to the cabinet  102 , while limiting rotation of the tub about the vertical axis A, or otherwise couples the tub to the cabinet. In one exemplary embodiment, the suspension devices  152  allow the tub  106  and attached drive assembly to tilt with respect to a horizontal plane H p  as indicated by arrow  161  and/or laterally move with respect to the horizontal plane H p  as indicated by arrow  163 . Under abnormal circumstances, the lateral movement or the titling could cause the tub  106  and/or the drive assembly  108  to hit another component of the appliance  100 , potentially causing damage. For example, when a washing machine is shipped and handled, the washing machine may be placed at an angle, for example when being moved by a hand dolly, or placed on its side, resulting in tilting of the tub  106  and drive assembly with respect to the plane H p  such that the tub  106  could hit a side wall  104  and/or the drive assembly  108  could hit another component of the machine  100 . For example, when a washing machine is shipped and handled, it is not uncommon for the machine to be tilted between  30  and  60  degrees with respect to the horizontal plane H p . Similarly, if a very unbalanced load were placed in the basket  150 , the tub  106  could laterally move to the extent that the tub  106  could hit a side wall  104  and/or drive assembly  108  could hit another component of the machine  100 . An example of a significantly imbalanced load would be loading only one side of the basket  150  with jeans or towels. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the dampening member  110  prevents the tub  106  from hitting the sidewalls  104  and/or prevents the drive assembly  108  from hitting another component under these abnormal circumstances, to prevent damage to the machine. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive assembly  108  engages the dampening member  110  before the tub  106  hits one of the sidewalls  104  to prevent damage to the machine  100 . In the embodiments illustrated by  FIGS. 1A-1D , the space  114  is selected such that an inner surface  165  of the dampening member  110  engages an outer surface  167  of the drive assembly  108  to prevent the tub  106  from hitting the sidewalls  104  during shipping and handling and during abnormal operations, such as when the machine is operated with significantly imbalanced loads. 
     Referring again to the examples illustrated by  FIGS. 1A-1D , the drive assembly  108  is positioned below the tub  106 . The illustrated drive assembly  108  is configured to rotate the basket  150  via a shaft  159 . However, the drive assembly  108  may take a wide variety of different forms and may be connected to the tub  106  and coupled to the basket  150  in many different ways. In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the drive assembly  108  including an internal stator (not shown) that is fixedly connected to the bottom of the tub  106  by a bracket  171 . An external rotor  173  is rotatably disposed around the stator. The external rotor  173  is connected to the shaft  159 . Rotation of the external rotor  173  rotates the shaft  159  and the attached basket  150 . In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 1C and 1D , the drive assembly  108  includes a stator housing  181  that is fixedly connected to a bottom of the tub  106 . An internal rotor  183  is rotatably housed in the stator housing. The rotor  183  is connected to the shaft  159 . Rotation of the rotor  183  rotates the shaft  159  and the attached basket  150 . Any rotor/stator configuration and coupling to the tub  106  and basket  150  may be employed. In an exemplary embodiment (See  FIGS. 1C and 1D ), the exposed portion of the drive assembly is fixed with respect to the tub  106 . The exposed portion of the drive assembly  108  can have any cross-sectional shape, including the non-limiting examples of circular and square cross-sectional shapes. 
     Referring again to the example illustrated by  FIGS. 1A-1D , the basket  150  is positioned within the tub  106  and configured to retain the laundry items during the washing cycle. The basket  106  can take a wide variety of different forms and can be made from a wide variety of different materials. The basket  150  may be generally cylindrical with an open top, but may take a variety of different shapes. The tub may be made from plastic/polymeric materials, or metals, such as steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Preferably, the basket is made from a material that is resistant to corrosion when exposed to water or the tub is coated with a material that is resistant to corrosion when exposed to water. 
     As indicated above, during shipment or transport of a washing machine, the tub  106  and the drive assembly  108  connected to the tub may move relative to the cabinet  102 . For example, the suspended tub  106  and drive assembly  108  may move vertically, swing, pivot relative to the plane H p  of the cabinet, and/or laterally translate when the washing machine is moved, such as when it is tilted or laid on its side, or when the washing machine is moved in a vehicle that rapidly accelerates or travels over a rough surface. As such, the tub  106  and/or the drive assembly  108  may hit or otherwise contact the cabinet and/or components of the machine potentially damaging the components of the washing machine. For example, the tub  106  and the drive assembly  108  may tilt to one side and contact the side wall  104  of the cabinet  102  when the washing machine  100  is tilted, if the dampening element  110  were not present. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D , a portion of the dampening member  110  resides between the side wall  104  and the drive assembly  108 . In one embodiment, the dampening member  110  is in physical communication with a portion of the side wall  104  and includes a space  114  proximate the drive assembly  108 . The space  114  is provided to allow the drive assembly  108  various degrees of movement during shipping and/or operation. The various degrees of movement can include both contact and non-contact of the drive assembly  108  with the dampening member  110 . As described herein, the dampening member  110  can have various shapes and configurations based on the particular shape and configuration of the cabinet  102  and its walls and the particular shape and configuration of the drive assembly. In this manner, the dampening member  110  provides protection to tub  152  and/or the drive assembly  108  during shipping and provides vibration dampening, acoustic and thermal insulation during normal operation as well as protection to the tub  152  and/or drive assembly during abnormal operation (i.e. severely imbalanced loads), as the dampening member  110  remains with the appliance after it has been delivered to its final destination. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D , when the washing machine  100  is moved during shipping, the dampening member  110  prohibits excessive swinging, pivoting, and lateral movement of the drive assembly  108  and the tub  106  to the cabinet  102 . Furthermore, the dampening member  110  may limit the vertical movement of the tub  106  (or a portion of the tub i.e. tilting) and the drive assembly  108  relative to the cabinet  102 . For example, the height of the dampening member  110  may be selected such that the tub engages the dampening member  110  if the tub or a portion of the tub moves downward further than the tub would move when filled with water and clothes during normal operation. As such, the dampening member  110  protects the components of the washing machine  100 , such as the drive assembly  108 , tub  106 , and/or cabinet  102 , from damage during shipment. 
     The dampening member  110  permits vertical movement of the tub  106  during operation of the washing machine  100 . As stated above, the tub  106  will move downward in the direction D when it is filled with water. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the dampening member  110  is sized and shaped such that a space exists between the top of the dampening portion and the bottom of the tub  106  to permit vertical movement of the tub. In an exemplary embodiment, the dampening member  110  is resilient and compressible as to not completely inhibit movement of the drive assembly  108  and/or the tub  106  should they contact the dampening portion during operation or shipment. That is, the dampening member  110  is constructed to cushion impacts with the tub  106  and/or the drive assembly  108  without preventing all movement of the tub and/or the drive assembly once the impact occurs. 
     In the examples illustrated, the space  114  in the dampening member  110  extends through the dampening member  110 . The space  114  is provided to allow the drive assembly  108  various degrees of movement during shipping and/or operation. In the examples illustrated by  FIGS. 1B and 1D , the space  114  or opening extends only partially through the dampening member  110 . As such, the dampening member  110  illustrated in  FIGS. 1B and 1D  acts as a floor for the machine  100 . The floor provides an acoustic barrier between the drive assembly  108  and the bottom of the cabinet  102  to reduce the amount of noise that exits the cabinet. The closed bottom portion  180  (as well as other portions of the dampening member  110  may be made from a breathable material. The breathable material allows air to flow to the drive assembly  108  to facilitate cooling of the drive assembly. 
       FIG. 2  is bottom plan view of an appliance  100  and dampening member  110 . In the current embodiment, dampening member  110  includes outer side surfaces  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208 . Surfaces  202 - 208  can be configured for physical communication with at least a portion of the side walls  104  of the cabinet  102 . Surfaces  202 - 208  also need not be linear or planar and can include undulating, wavy, and/or repeating and non-repeating geometric patterns. Hence, surfaces  202 - 208  need not make continuous physical communication with the cabinet side walls and can include intermittent physical communication as well. The physical communication can take the form of pressure, friction, adhesive, glue, fasteners, brackets and the like. Any manner suitable to substantially maintain dampening member  110  in its relative position in cavity  116  is suitable. 
     Dampening member  110  also includes inner surfaces  216 ,  218 ,  220  and  222 , which bound and form space  114 . In other embodiments, dampening member  110  can include more or less inner surfaces. For example, three inner surfaces can be provided thereby providing a triangular space. The inner space  114  may be cylindrical. Similarly, five or more inner surfaces may be provided to provide a pentagonal or other polygonal space. Still further, the inner surfaces need not form a symmetrical shape for space  114 . Still further yet, surfaces  216 - 222  also need not be linear or planar and can include undulating, wavy, and/or repeating and non-repeating geometric patterns. 
     In the examples illustrated by  FIGS. 1A and 1B , insert the external rotor  173  spins at a high speed during operation of the washing machine. In one exemplary embodiment, the dampening member  110  is constructed such that the dampening member is not damaged if the spinning external rotor  173  engages the inner surface of the dampening member  110  during operation of the machine. For example, referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the dampening member  110  can be provided with a damage resistant layer  191  or skin. The damage resistant layer or skin may be a low friction and/or durable material that is not damaged when contacted by the spinning external rotor  173 . The damage resistant layer may be made from a wide variety of different materials. Any material that has a lower coefficient of friction and/or a higher strength than the remainder of the dampening member  110  can be used. When the dampening member includes the damage resistant layer  191 , the inner surface may be sized to contact the external rotor  173  during normal operation of the machine. Or, the inner surface may be sized such that the external rotor  173  only contacts the dampening member during abnormal operation, such as when the machine is loaded with an unbalanced load. 
     Dampening member  110  can also include intermediate surfaces  210  between outer surfaces  202 - 208 . Surfaces  210  can be configured to form a cavity between side walls  104  of cabinet  102  to allow clearance for legs  112 , which can typically be adjusted to extend and retract from cabinet  102  for leveling the appliance. As described above, surfaces  102  need not be linear and can include other contours. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of dampening member  110 . Dampening member  110  includes surfaces  212  and  214  which can also be considered as top and bottom surfaces. Surfaces  212  and  214  also need not be linear or planar and can include undulating, wavy, and/or repeating and non-repeating geometric patterns. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a shipping and operational dampening system. The system includes an appliance  100 , dampening member  110  and protective assemblies  400  for the legs of appliance  100 . The system is provided by inserting dampening member  110  into a cavity of appliance  100  proximate a moveable member such as a drive assembly  108 . Dampening member  110  is placed in physical communication with at least a portion of one or more side walls of the cabinet  102  of appliance  100 . Leg protective assemblies  400  include a protective member  402  for each leg of appliance  100  and one or more protective members  402  can be placed on a common strip  406 . Protective assemblies  400  are positioned on legs  112  of appliance  100  and removably secured thereto by any suitable means including, for example, shipping tape or shrink wrap. Upon delivery of appliance  100  to its final destination, protective assemblies  400  can be removed and disposed. However, dampening member  110  remains inside the cabinet of appliance  100  to provide vibration dampening, acoustic and thermal insulation, and/or protection of components of the appliance during operation. In this manner, there is very little waste associated with packaging and shipping appliance  100 . There is also the added benefit of the vibration dampening, acoustic and thermal insulation and/or protection of components of the appliance during operation. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate bottom plan views of alternative embodiments of dampening member  110 .  FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a dampening member  110  having a plurality of transition surfaces  502  between outer surfaces  202 - 208 .  FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a dampening member  110  having nonlinear transition surfaces  602 . Additional embodiments of transition surfaces are also within the scope of the present invention such as, for example, transition surfaces having undulating, wavy, and/or repeating and non-repeating geometric patterns. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of yet another embodiment of dampening member  110 . In this embodiment, dampening member  110  has a body that includes a plurality of components or sections  702 ,  704 ,  706 , and  708 . The sections are placed in physical communication with each other to form the body of this embodiment of dampening member  110 . In other embodiments, dampening member  110  can have a body made of more or less sections in physical communication with each other than shown in  FIG. 7 . Hence, the body of dampening member  110  can be, for example, a unitary body or a body made of multiple sections in physical communication with each other. Furthermore, the body of dampening member  110  need not be made of a single material and can include multiple materials either layered or dispersed. In one embodiment, section  702  and  704  can be made of a different material than section  706  and  708 . 
     In this regard, dampening member  110  may be made from substantially any appropriate material including, but not limited to, material selected from a group consisting of a polyester, a polyester olefin blend, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, a polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene blend, a polybutylene terephthalate and polypropylene blend and combinations thereof. These materials may or may not be fibrous in nature. As an alternative, dampening member  110  may be made from a laminated material including a core layer of fiberglass reinforced polymer material sandwiched between two wear layers of polyester material. 
     Polyester materials are particularly useful as construction material for the dampening member  110  as they exhibit excellent resiliency and wear resistance to provide a long service life. At the same time, the acoustic properties of the material may be tuned to better control noise and vibration. This may be done by adjusting the density as well as the diameter and length of the fibers utilized in the material. 
     In addition, it should be appreciated that the dampening portion  110  may be further tuned to provide the desired spring rate for the most effective dampening of energy, motion or vibration emanating from the components internal to the cabinet  102 . Typically, dampening member  110  provides a spring rate of between about 6.5 and about 102.0 pounds of force per 100 square inches of contact area. By increasing the amount of solid material in dampening member  110 , the spring rate may be increased. Conversely, by reducing the amount of solid material in dampening member  110 , the spring rate of the material may be reduced. Thus, by selecting a proper density and spring rate, it is possible to tune the spring rate to a desired level for the most efficient and effective dampening of vibrations. Typically, dampening member  110  will include between about 10 and about 90 percent solid material and between about 90 and about 10 percent open space. However, this is not critical as long as the dampening portion provides the appropriate protections during shipping and/or operation. 
     During operation, dampening member  110  reduces noise and vibration so as to provide smoother and more silent operation. The polyester material of the dampening member  110  is very resilient and scuff resistant so as to provide a long service life without any significant degradation of desired dampening properties. Other materials may be used which have similar properties. 
     In summary, numerous benefits result from employing the concepts of the present invention. The dampening member  110  protects appliance  100  by being placed in by at least partially filling a cavity with the appliance to protect the appliance from damage during shipment. Thus, potential damage to the appliance is prevented as it is transported from one location to another. 
     Following shipping, dampening member  110  remains providing operation vibration dampening. In addition, the material from which dampening member  110  is constructed provides acoustic benefits by reducing noise during operation and providing thermal insulation. Still further, dampening member  110  provides improved water management by catching and absorbing water that might be inadvertently spilled from the tub during operation of the washer and preventing that water from reaching the floor underneath the appliance. Further, it should be appreciated that the dampening member  110  is typically made from a polyester material which is resistant to the growth of bacteria, mildew and mold. Further, the material is hydrophobic by nature and, therefore dries quickly. In addition, such polyester material provides excellent wear resistance and will provide a long service life. 
     The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, dampening member  110  can be made from a laminate comprising a core layer of fiberglass reinforced polymer material sandwiched between two wear layers of polyester based material. 
     The embodiments were chosen and described to illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical application. It is clear that modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims. The drawings and preferred embodiments do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims in their fair and broad interpretation in any way.