Soundwich, Inc.

Flow Polymers, Inc.

Polymer Innovations, Inc.

Maurice E Wheeler

Dan T Moore

James W Hoover

Edward A Collins

James V Fusco

Harvey Lewis Kaufman

William H Weber

R Craig Virnelson

Jeffrey J Schroeder

Austin W Moore

Deborah L James

A vibration-damping laminate having a constraining layer secured to a viscoelastic layer. The constraining layer includes a mat of non-thermoplastic fibers. The viscoelastic layer includes a thermoplastic elastomer.

Formable constraining layer system

A constrained layer damping structure is provided, including a panel to be damped, a constraining layer and a layer of foam vibration damping material sandwiched therebetween. The foam vibration damping material is provided from a composition including 1-20 weight percent elastomeric polymer, 20-60 weight percent thermoplastic polymer, 0.5-18 weight percent tackifier, 4-23 weight percent asphalt filler, 20-50 weight percent inorganic filler and 0.2-7 weight percent blowing agent.

Constrained layer damping compositions

An additive for latex rubber compounds is provided, the additive comprising crosslinked fatty acid and preferably lightweight microcellular filler, preferably expanded perlite. The additive is prepared as an aqueous emulsion and increases tear resistance in latex rubber compounds.

Latex rubber additive and latex rubber compounds

A removable insole is provided which includes a layer of thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material preferably including ethylene vinyl acetate and ethylene vinyl acetate modified by the addition of carbonyl groups. A custom-fitting insole is preferably produced by heating a substantially flat insole in a microwave oven until the thermoplastic material softens, placing the heated insole in a shoe, and having a person insert their foot into the shoe and walk around to form an impression.

Insole

A rubber additive is provided, which comprises crosslinked fatty acid and starch, and preferably further comprises a carrier, preferably an asphalt carrier. The rubber additive increases tear resistance when added to a rubber compound.

Rubber additive and rubber compounds

A damped heat shield for a high temperature portion of a vehicle exhaust system. The heat shield has inner and outer metal layers of substantially different thicknesses and substantially different resonant frequencies, which causes the shield to damp vibrational energy and reduce radiated sound energy and noise. Between the metal layers is a layer of sound and heat shielding material such as aluminum foil or ceramic fiber paper. The metal layers are preferably stainless steel, cold rolled steel, aluminized steel, aluminum-clad steel, or aluminum. If cold rolled steel is used, the exterior of the shield is preferably coated with a corrosion-resistant coating.

Damped heat shield

A method of producing a custom-fitting article such as a custom-fitting footbed (for example, a removable insole), a custom-fitting hand grip, a custom-fitting body pad, and a custom-fitting orthopedic cast. A member for producing same and a composition for use in connection therewith are also provided. A member, such as a gel pad or gel-filled envelope, is provided which comprises a body of formable material having a minimum setting temperature greater than 130.degree. F. and being setable by heating for a period not exceeding 30 minutes and subsequent cooling. The member is conformed by biasing it against a body part of a person or mammal with sufficient pressure to conform the member to the shape of the body part. The member is then heated for a period not exceeding 30 minutes and thereafter cooled so that the formable material is set and the member remains flexible while resiliently retaining an impression of the body part. The composition preferably comprises uncured silicone rubber, an effect amount of crosslinking agent, and effective amounts of a) fine powder ethylene copolymer or terpolymer or a mixture thereof and b) liquid plasticizer.

Method of producing custom-fitting articles and composition for the use

The invention concerns a method of using constrained layer sound damping. A composition and a laminated structure are provided for the reduction of noise coming from housings such as oil pans for automobiles. The composition comprises a rubbery polyurethane, an olefin polymer, and a filler. The laminated structure comprises the housing, the composition, and a sheet metal liner. The composition contains a blowing agent which is activated to provide a single unitary structure which dampens noise. The polyurethane and olefin polymer are thoroughly intermixed with each other, but maintain their separate identities in the blend.

Method of using a sound damping composition

The invention concerns constrained layer sound damping. A composition and a laminated structure are provided for the reduction of noise coming from housings such as oil pans for automobiles. The composition comprises a rubbery polyurethane, an olefin polymer, and a filler. The laminated structure comprises the housing, the composition, and a sheet metal liner. The composition contains a blowing agent which is activated to provide a single unitary structure which dampens noise. The polyurethane and olefin polymer are thoroughly intermixed with each other, but maintain their separate identities in the blend.

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Ashtabula, OH, United States of America

Maurice E Wheeler