Abstract:
A sound and vibration reducing apparatus is disclosed. This apparatus has particular utility for use with electrical appliances such as blenders. In one embodiment of the invention, a two-piece base is adapted to substantially enclose the motor and control portion of the appliance. The base is lined with acoustical film to reduce the sound and vibration emanating from the appliance. A control system is disclosed which enables the appliance to be fully functional while completely enclosed within the apparatus. Finally, in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an upper portion, preferably formed of transparent acoustical film, which is used to insulate the upper portion of the appliance. This transparent upper portion is easily removable from the appliance and also serves to deaden both the sound and vibration emanating from the appliance.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to sound and vibration reducing structures and more particularly to sound and vibration reducing structures for enclosing small appliances such as blenders to reduce operating noise. 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     In the operation of many types of devices, and particularly small appliances such as blenders and the like, sound and vibrations are transmitted outwardly from such devices to the surrounding atmosphere. The noise and vibrations are found to be objectionable in some operating environments. 
     2.Description of the Related Art 
     There are several conventional techniques which can be adapted for use with a small appliance such as a blender to reduce noise. It is possible, for example, to place such an appliance in an acoustically insulated container. This technique, however, is frequently impractical and expensive. Moreover, it is generally impossible to operate or control the appliance while it is enclosed in the container. Such a solution is especially unsatisfactory in small appliances whose normal operation requires ready access to the appliances. Another significant disadvantage of the prior art techniques lies in the fact that the sound reducing housings are generally too bulky to be moved while a small appliance is completely enclosed in the housings. 
     It is desirable, then, to overcome these disadvantages by providing a housing to soundproof a device which may be a small appliance, such as a blender, while at the same time enabling the appliance to be operated without opening the housing or removing the appliance from the housing. 
     It is also desirable to have an enclosure that may be assembled and used with the appliance with a minimal degree of difficulty and inconvenience. Further, such an enclosure should in no way inhibit use of the appliance and should allow for viewing the operation of the appliance while it is being used. These problems have heretofore not been addressed by the prior art, but have been overcome by the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a general aspect, the invention comprises a system for enclosing an appliance or device so as to reduce the noise generated by the apparatus, while at the same time enabling the appliance to be operated from outside the enclosure. 
     In a more specific aspect, the invention comprises a sound and vibration reducing apparatus which includes a rigid housing for surroundings the motor and control unit of an appliance, combined with a flexible insulating enclosure for a canister portion of an appliance. The flexible enclosure being removably connected to rigid housing surrounding the motor and control unit. The invention is designed to be effective over the frequency range of greatest noise, thereby reducing such noise frequencies to tolerable and acceptable levels. 
     The rigid motor and control unit housing may be comprised of an upper body and a base. The upper body may be removable from the base and is preferably hinged and latched to the base for ease of disassembly. The rigid housing further has a layer of insulation material bonded to its interior surfaces. Preferably, the layer of insulation material on the base includes a foam composite layer and a layer of waterproof film. 
     A number of buttons, levers, or other actuating devices, are operable through the upper body of the housing to operate the controls of the motor and control unit. The operating buttons or the like on the front of the motor and control unit may thereby be operated while the unit is completely enclosed within the housing. To assure that the unit is accurately positioned with respect to the housing, positioning means such as positioning rings may be mounted on the interior surface of the base. 
     Because the motor and control unit is completely operable while the appliance is enclosed within the housing, the appliance may be operated without opening up the structure. Release of undesirable noise into the environment is thereby greatly reduced. 
     The insulating canister enclosure of the invention preferably includes a flexible layer of transparent acoustical film for surrounding the canister, as well as a removable insulating canister cover. The resulting flexible insulating enclosure forms an acoustically tight unit with the upper body when placed in an opening through the top of the upper body. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sound and vibration apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sound and vibration reducing apparatus of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge mechanism used to secure the base and upper body shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a rear view of the hinge mechanism of FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the base and positioning ring shown in FIG. 2 for positioning a motor control unit within the housing. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the actuating controls shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the upper rigid body shown in FIG. 6. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross section view of an acoustical composite lining. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a motor and control unit housing 10 and a flexible insulating enclosure 31 as shown in FIG. 1. The motor and control unit housing 10 includes a base 12 removably attached to a rigid upper body 11. The base 12 has legs 14 for secure mounting on a flat surface. During operation, an appliance such as a blender may be completely enclosed within the motor and control unit housing 10 and flexible insulating enclosure 31. To operate the appliance while it is enclosed, a control panel 21 is provided with slidable control buttons, or levers, 22 which are used to actuate the controls of the appliance. Power supply to the appliance is through the power supply cord 40 as shown in FIG. 1. To secure the base 12 to the upper body 11 there is provided a latch 19 and slip-on hinge 37 (shown particularly in FIG. 3). 
     Refering to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible insulating enclosure 31 includes a canister lid handle insulator 33 and an insulating canister cover 32 and flexible insulating enclosure supports 44 and 45. The flexible canister enclosure 31, is preferably made of a transparent acoustical film. This flexible enclosure 31 wraps around the body of a canister and is contoured to accommodate surfaces such as the handle insulator 33 projecting outwardly from the upper portion of the canister. The enclosure supports 44 and 45 align with the upper edge of the canister and provide support to the enclosure so as to keep it in position. The enclosure supports 44 are made of a fine strip of rigid material imbedded in shallow slits made on the sides of the transparent acoustical enclosure 31. The enclosure support 45 is formed from a broad strip of rigid material attached to the side of the transparent acoustical enclosure 31 around the area where the spout of the canister may fall, when the transparent acoustical enclosure 31 is wrapped around the canister. The enclosure support 45 is thick enough to allow even flow of the canister contents when poured. The enclosure supports 44 and 45 also help in aligning the transparent acoustical enclosure 31 when it is wrapped around the canister. The flexible canister cover 31 may be one or more layers of transparent acoustical film so that the contents of the canister are visible. The canister lid cover 32 may also be made of one or more layers of transparent acoustical film. To assure an acoustically tight fit between the insulating enclosure 31 and the rigid upper body 11 there is a canister opening 24 in the top surface 13 of the rigid upper body 11. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the canister opening 24 is lined with a closed cell acoustical foam or similar acoustical padding. When the enclosure 31 encloses a canister of an appliance, the canister opening 24 conforms to the outer dimensions of the enclosure 31. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1. As shown, the base 12 has legs 14 and a layer of insulating material 15. In order to position an appliance such as a blender on the base, positioning means, such as rings 28, are preferably provided. The insulating material 15 further includes a waterproof film layer 16. To prevent liquid and sound leakage there is a rim 27 surrounding the waterproof film layer 16. The rim 27 has a dual function. First, the rim 27 combines with the waterproof film layer 16 to form an enclosure to catch any liquids that might drip from the appliance or similar device. Second, the rim 27 fits snugly with the insulating material 23 on the side walls to prevent any sound leakage. To allow drainage of excess fluids through the base 12, a drain passage 29 is provided with an entrance end 30 and an exit end 30A. Preferably the entrance end 30 is staggered or angled from the exit end 30A so that minimal noise is transmitted into the operating environment. 
     The insulating material 15 forms a layer of padding in between the rigid upper body 11 and base 12 to form a tight enclosure joint. The padding 15 helps to absorb vibrations from both the rigid upper body 11 and base 12 when the rigid upper body 11 and base 12 are joined together. The padding also fills into any minute imperfections in the joining surfaces. 
     Insulating material 23 is bonded to the side walls, to the interior and to the top 13 of the rigid upper body. As shown in FIG. 8, the insulating layer 23 is preferably an acoustical composite lining made of open cell acoustical foam 48, 49 on both sides of a vinyl film barrier 50. One of the exposed sides of the foam insulating layer 23 is preferably embossed to provide higher sound absorption and an increased resistance to mechanical abrasion. In this embodiment, the embossed side faces out, toward the appliance. 
     The upper body 11 is also provided with slidable control buttons, or levers, 22 marked by a control panel 21. There is a canister opening 24 in the top 13 of the upper body to provide easy access to the top of a motor and control unit and to allow for removability of a canister from the motor and control unit. The flexible insulating enclosure 31 also is shown in FIG. 2, removed and unattached to a canister. The canister handle insulator 33 is provided to assure an acoustically tight fit. The flexible insulating enclosure 31 may be wrapped about an appliance canister such as a blender canister and fastened with fastening strips 35 as shown in FIG. 2. The fastening means on the flexible insulating enclosure may be VELCRO or similar such quickly attachable material. One of the fastening strips 35 is attached to the flap 46. The flap 46 is preferably made of transparent acoustical film. Flap 46 helps to align the two edges of the transparent acoustical enclosure 31. Flap 46 also helps to block any sound energy leakage in between the two edges of the transparent acoustical enclosure 31. An insulating canister cover 32 also is provided to enclose the top of the flexible insulating enclosure 31. The insulating canister cover 32 has a canister cover opening 34 so that it may be securely received over the knob at the top of a canister lid. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the canister cover opening 34 is lined with closed-cell acoustical foam or similar acoustical padding to assure an acoustically tight fit between the insulating canister cover opening 34 and the knob on the canister lid. 
     Now referring to FIG. 3, a section of the base 12 and rigid upper body 11 are shown. The base 12 has a layer of insulating material 15 as shown and a waterproof film layer 16 inside the rim 27 which forms a perimeter surrounding the enclosed appliance, which may be a blender or the like. The rigid upper body 11 further have an electrical input opening 38 for access to the power supply cord 40 to an appliance. A hinge 37 is provided between the base 12 and the rigid upper body 11 so that the housing may be opened and disassembled. Preferably the hinge 37 is a slip-on type so that the upper body 11 may be completely removed from the base 12. 
     FIG. 4 shows the slip-on hinge 37 in greater detail. As shown the base 12 has legs 14, and the rigid upper body 11 is removably hinged to the base 12. A layer of insulating material 15 is shown on the base 12. 
     .In FIG. 5, a positioning ring 28 is shown. As shown, the base 12 has legs 14 and an insulating foam layer 15. The rim 27 forms a perimeter around the bottom of an appliance, such as a blender. Inside the rim area is a waterproof film layer 16 overlaying the insulating material 15. One or more positioning rings 28 serve to position the motor and control unit legs 42 of an appliance. The positioning rings 28 assure that selected slidable control buttons or levers on the front of the upper body 11 correspond directly to the operating buttons on the appliance. Therefore, it is crucial that the positioning rings 28 be accurately positioned so that the legs of the appliance coact to substantially center the appliance within the enclosure. 
     The proper positioning of the appliance&#39;s motor and control unit is very important to achieve a high degree of sound and vibration control. This positioning is achieved by rings 28, hinges 37, latch 19, and part of the appliance&#39;s motor and control unit body fitting snugly with the insulating material 23. 
     Positioning is very important so that the slidable control buttons, or levers, 22 communicate directly with the controls 43 of the appliance. Also, positioning is critical so that the top flexible insulating enclosure 31 will alow the canister to align with the motor and control unit of the appliance through the canister opening 24. 
     Also shown in FIG. 5 is a drain passage 29 having an entrance end 30 (shown in FIG. 2), and an exit end 30A. Preferably the entrance end 30 is staggered or angled with respect the exit end 30A so that minimal noise is transmitted to the operating environment. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, ventilating holes 26 are preferably provided in the rigid upper body. In a preferred embodiment, the inside end and the outside end of the ventilating holes 26 are staggered or angled so that minimal noise escapes from the housing into the operating environment. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, a cross section of the operating control system is shown. The selectable control buttons, or levers, 22 may be slidable into, and out of, the control panel 21 through openings in the front of the rigid upper body 11. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the slidable control buttons or levers 22 communicate with the buttons 43 on the front of a control panel of an appliance motor and control unit 41. Because of the accurate positioning of the positioning rings 28, as shown in FIG. 5, the control buttons or levers 22 correspond directly to the controls 43 of the appliance. The appliance may thereby be operated while remaining completely enclosed and soundproofly secured inside the housing. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, a cross section of the upper rigid body 11 is shown. The motor and control unit body fits snugly with the insulating material 23 at 47 as can be seen in FIG. 7. This positions the appliance&#39;s motor and control unit relative to the rigid upper body 11. Also, the motor and control unit are held firmly in place to absorb vibrations emanating from the motor and control unit. 
     It is contemplated within the present invention that a variety of different actuating means may be used to operate the controls of an appliance or similar device. Therefore, it is possible that various different switches or buttons such as the slidable control means shown may be used to operate an appliance while it remains enclosed within the soundproof housing. 
     It also will be understood that the insulating material not only helps to prevent excessive noise transmitted from the motor and control unit but also helps to dampen vibrations. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, the insulating foam layer 15 combined with a waterproof film layer 16 prevents leakage from damaging the base of a sound and vibration reducing apparatus. 
     The present invention provides full functionality of an appliance when it is completely enclosed within a soundproof housing. A primary advantage of the present invention, therefore, is operability of the appliance with ease while the appliance remains enclosed within the housing. The present invention also is very lightweight and compact. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a soundproof enclosure that may be frequently dismantled and reassembled in a short amount of time. The present invention therefore adds a new dimension to the use of appliances such as blenders and the like by significantly reducing their sound and vibration levels. The invention can be used in household blenders and any other devices that use similar motor and control units and/or canisters and where there is a need to reduce the sound and vibration levels. 
     Although variations in the embodiment of the present invention may not each realize all of the advantages of the invention, certain features may become more important than others in various applications of the device. The invention accordingly should be understood to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.