Sound reducing shroud
A sound reducing shroud for use with an appliance or other machine is provided. The shroud comprises a body made from foam. The body has a sidewall having a discontinuous circumference, a first vertical end and an opposing second vertical end. The body can be resiliently flexible so that the body is re-configurable between an open position in which the first vertical end and the second vertical end are spread apart to accommodate installation of the shroud around the machine, and a closed position in which the first vertical end and the second vertical end mate to form a seam. Alternatively, the body can comprise a first half shell and a second half shell that fit together to make a shroud around the machine. The first half shell and the second half shell can be designed to snap fit together, or can be held together using fasteners or strapping.
1. A sound reducing shroud for a machine, the machine having a shape, the shroud comprising:
a body comprising a first half shell and a second half shell hingedly joined along a vertical spine, the first half shell extending circumferentially from the spine to a first mating surface, the second half shell extending circumferentially from the spine to a second mating surface; the body having an interior surface and a sidewall having a discontinuous circumference, the first mating surface and the second mating surface configured to mate to form a vertical seam; wherein
the body is resiliently flexible so that the body is re-configurable between an open position in which the first mating surface and the second mating surface are spread apart to accommodate installation of the shroud around the machine and a closed position in which the first mating surface and the second mating surface mate to form the seam;
the shroud further comprises a first closure flange extending laterally outwardly from the first mating surface and a second closure flange extending laterally outwardly from the second mating surface, the closure flanges defining apertures for accommodating fasteners; and
the closure flanges are circumferentially opposite the spine.
2. The shroud of claim 1 wherein:
the body defines one or more openings for accommodating structures that are part of or connected to the machine.
3. The shroud of claim 2 wherein:
the machine is a garbage disposal having a substantially cylindrical sidewall, a domed top wall and a bottom wall; and
the shroud body has a substantially cylindrical sidewall, a domed top wall and a bottom wall, the shroud sidewall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall.
4. The shroud of claim 3 wherein:
the body top wall defines a top opening for accommodating a top mounting structure of the garbage disposal; and
the body sidewall defines a first side opening for accommodating a dishwater drain hose connection and a second side opening for accommodating a sewage hose connection.
5. The shroud of claim 1 wherein:
the shroud is a single unitary molded piece.
6. The shroud of claim 5 wherein:
the shroud is made of a foam or foam-like moldable material.
7. The shroud of claim 6 wherein:
the shroud is made of expanded polypropylene.
8. The shroud of claim 7 wherein:
the shroud is porous to allow higher sound absorption into the body.
9. The shroud of claim 1 wherein:
the interior surface defines a plurality of air flow channels.
10. The shroud of claim 1 wherein:
the channels are arranged circumferentially around the interior surface of the shroud.
11. The shroud of claim 1 wherein:
the interior surface conforms substantially to the shape of the machine.
12. A sound reducing shroud for a machine, the machine having a shape, the shroud comprising:
a first half shell comprising a first side wall portion, a first top wall portion and a first base portion and contoured to conform substantially to the shape of a portion of the machine, portions of the first side wall portion, the first top wall portion and the first base portion forming a first mating surface, the first mating surface defining a groove;
a second half shell comprising a second side wall portion, a second top wall portion and a second base portion and contoured to conform substantially to the shape of a remaining portion of the machine, portions of the second side wall portion, the second top wall portion and the second base portion forming a second mating surface, the second mating surface comprising a tongue that is configured to fit within the groove to form a seam when the first half shell and second half shell are fitted together; wherein
the first half shell and the second half shell are separate structures; and
the groove of the first half shell and the tongue of the second half shell form a snap fit.
13. The shroud of claim 12 wherein:
the shroud defines one or more openings for accommodating structures that are part of or connected to the machine.
14. The shroud of claim 13 wherein:
the first shell half defines a first part of each opening and the second shell half defines a remaining part of each opening.
15. The shroud of claim 12 wherein:
the groove and the tongue are co-extensive.
16. The shroud of claim 12 wherein:
the groove and the tongue are both discontinuous.
17. The shroud of claim 12 wherein:
the shroud is made of expanded polypropylene.