U.S. patent application number 12/210632 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-18 for hair drying apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to HAMILTON BEACH BRANDS, INC.. Invention is credited to Josh Anthony, Kimi Ceridon, Patrick T. Mulvaney, Terry L. Myers, Harald Quintus-Bosz, Haydn Taylor.
Application Number | 20100064542 12/210632 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42005951 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100064542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mulvaney; Patrick T. ; et
al. |
March 18, 2010 |
HAIR DRYING APPARATUS
Abstract
A hair drying apparatus includes a body defining an air inlet,
an air outlet and an air flow path therethrough. An impeller
generates a flow of air from the air inlet, through the air flow
path and to the air outlet. A motor drives the impeller and a
heating element heats air flowing through the air flow path. The
heating element, motor and impeller are supported within the body.
A handle is mounted to the body and a housing is at least partially
surrounded by the body and at least partially surrounds the air
flow path. The motor is supported within the housing. At least one
vibration isolation member is located between an inner surface of
the body and an outer surface of the housing.
Inventors: |
Mulvaney; Patrick T.; (Glen
Allen, VA) ; Myers; Terry L.; (Richmond, VA) ;
Quintus-Bosz; Harald; (Sudbury, MA) ; Anthony;
Josh; (Billerica, MA) ; Taylor; Haydn;
(Windham, NH) ; Ceridon; Kimi; (Somerville,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PANITCH SCHWARZE BELISARIO & NADEL LLP
ONE COMMERCE SQUARE, 2005 MARKET STREET, SUITE 2200
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
HAMILTON BEACH BRANDS, INC.
Glen Allen
VA
|
Family ID: |
42005951 |
Appl. No.: |
12/210632 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
34/97 ; 34/96;
392/385 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 20/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
34/97 ; 34/96;
392/385 |
International
Class: |
A45D 20/12 20060101
A45D020/12 |
Claims
1. A hair drying apparatus comprising: a body defining an air
inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path therethrough; an impeller
for generating a flow of air from said air inlet, through said air
flow path and to said air outlet; a motor for driving said
impeller; a heating element for heating air flowing through said
air flow path, said heating element, motor and impeller supported
within said body; a handle mounted to said body; a housing at least
partially surrounded by said body and at least partially
surrounding said air flow path, said motor supported within said
housing; and at least one vibration isolation member located
between an inner surface of said body and an outer surface of said
housing.
2. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one vibration isolation member surrounds at least a portion
of said housing.
3. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one vibration isolation member creates or at least partially
fills a space between said inner surface of said body and said
outer surface of said housing.
4. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one vibration isolation member is in the form of a band that
surrounds said outer surface of at least a portion of said
housing.
5. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one vibration isolation member is in the form of a ring that
surrounds a projection extending generally perpendicular from said
outer surface of said housing.
6. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
drying apparatus includes two spaced-apart vibration isolation
members.
7. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a flow acceleration nozzle at least partially surround
by said body, wherein said flow acceleration nozzle promotes flow
of air from said heating element to said air outlet.
8. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said air
inlet is in the form of a louvered vent that is oriented generally
perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of said body.
9. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a sound-absorbing member co-axially aligned with said
air flow path and located proximate said air inlet.
10. A hair drying apparatus comprising: a body defining an air
inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path therethrough; an impeller
for generating a flow of air from said air inlet, through said air
flow path and to said air outlet; a motor for driving said
impeller; a heating element for heating air flowing through said
air flow path, said heating element, motor and impeller supported
within said body; a handle mounted to said body; and a
sound-absorbing member co-axially aligned with said air flow path
and located proximate said air inlet.
11. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said
sound-absorbing member includes an interior surface perpendicular
to a longitudinal axis of said body.
12. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said
air inlet is in the form of a louvered vent that is oriented
generally perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of said
body.
13. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said
louvered vent surrounds at least a portion of an interior surface
of said sound-absorbing member.
14. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 10, further
comprising: a housing at least partially surrounded by said body
and at least partially surrounding said air flow path; and a flow
acceleration nozzle at least partially surround by said body,
wherein said flow acceleration nozzle promotes flow of air from
said heating element to said air outlet.
15. A hair drying apparatus comprising: a body defining an air
inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path therethrough; an impeller
for generating a flow of air from said air inlet, through said air
flow path and to said air outlet; a motor for driving said
impeller; a heating element for heating air flowing through said
air flow path, said heating element, motor and impeller supported
within said body; and a handle removably mountable to said body,
said handle having an upper portion surrounding an outer surface of
at least a portion of said body and a lower portion extending
generally perpendicular from a longitudinal axis of said body.
16. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said
handle is formed of a first half removably mountable to a second
half.
17. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said
handle halves are near mirror images of each other.
18. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said
upper portion of each handle half is generally arcuate in shape to
conform to an arcuate shape of said outer surface of said body.
19. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 17, further
comprising: a housing at least partially surrounded by said body
and at least partially surrounding said air flow path; and a flow
acceleration nozzle at least partially surround by said body,
wherein said flow acceleration nozzle promotes flow of air from
said heating element to said air outlet.
20. The hair drying apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said
air inlet is in the form of a louvered vent that is oriented
generally perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of said
body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates broadly to a hair drying
apparatus and, more particularly, to a portable hand-held hair
drying apparatus that is configured to emit relatively low levels
of sound and/or noise as compared to conventional hair dryers.
[0002] Hand-held hair dryers are generally well known in the prior
art. A typical portable electric hair dryer includes an elongated
body that encloses a motor and a fan. In general, the motor of the
hair dryer is supported by the body so that the motor vibrations
are directly transferred from the motor to the body. Such
vibrations generate generally useless and unwanted sound and/or
noise In addition, the orientation and/or configuration of the air
flow path through the body generally creates a relatively high
level of noise that is unpleasant to a user.
[0003] Therefore, it would be desirable to create a drying
apparatus that overcomes the above-described drawbacks of
conventional hair dryers. Specifically, it would be desirable to
create a drying apparatus having structure that spaces and supports
the motor away from the body to reduce the amount of vibration that
travels from the motor to the body. It would also be desirable to
create a drying apparatus having insulating structure proximate the
air inlet of the drying apparatus to absorb at least some of the
noise created by the motor and fan and to block the line of sight
from outside the drying apparatus to the fan and motor. In
addition, it would be desirable to create a drying apparatus with a
handle removably mountable to the body, in which a portion of the
handle surrounds a portion of the body to provide an additional
layer of insulation to the drying apparatus to reduce the amount of
noise emitted to the external environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Briefly stated, a preferred embodiment of the present
invention is directed to a hair drying apparatus that includes a
body defining an air inlet, an air outlet and air flow path
therethrough. An impeller generates a flow of air from the air
inlet, through the air flow path into the air outlet. A motor
drives the impeller and a heating element heats the air flowing
through the air flow path. The heating element, motor and impeller
are supported within the body. A handle is mounted to the body and
the housing is at least partially surrounded by the body and at
least partially surrounds the air flow path. The motor is supported
within the housing. At least one vibration isolation member is
located between an inner surface of the body and an outer surface
of the housing.
[0005] In another aspect, a preferred embodiment of the present
application is directed to a hair drying apparatus comprising a
body defining an air inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path
therethrough. An impeller generates a flow of air from the air
inlet, through the air flow path and into the air outlet. A motor
drives the impeller and a heating element heats the air flowing
through the air flow path. The heating element, motor and impeller
are supported within the body. A handle is mounted to the body and
a sound-absorbing member is co-axially aligned with the air flow
path and is located proximate the air inlet.
[0006] In yet another aspect, a preferred embodiment of the present
application is directed to a hair drying apparatus comprising a
body defining an air inlet, an air outlet and an air flow path
therethrough. An impeller generates a flow of air from the air
inlet, through the air flow path into the air outlet. A motor
drives the impeller. A heating element heats the air flowing
through the air flow path. The heating element, motor and impeller
are supported within the body. A handle is removably mountable to
the body. The handle has an upper portion surrounding an outer
surface of at least a portion of the body and a blower portion
extending generally perpendicular from a longitudinal axis of the
body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of several preferred embodiments of the present
invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with
the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the
invention described in the present application, there are shown in
the drawings, three embodiments which are presently preferred. It
should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to
the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the
drawings:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a left side of a drying
apparatus in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the left
side of the drying apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the drying
apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional top plan view of the drying
apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional top plan view of a drying
apparatus in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional top plan view of a drying
apparatus in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional left side elevational view of
the first preferred embodiment of the drying apparatus shown in
FIG. 4A;
[0015] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional left side elevational view of
the second preferred embodiment of the drying apparatus shown in
FIG. 4B; and
[0016] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional left side elevational view of
the third preferred embodiment of the drying apparatus shown in
FIG. 5C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Certain terminology is used in the following description for
convenience only and is not limiting. The words "right," "left,"
"lower," "upper," "front" and "rear" designate directions in the
drawings to which reference is made. The words "inwardly" and
"outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from, respectively,
the geometric center of the drying apparatus and designated parts
thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words,
derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
[0018] Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like
elements indicate like elements throughout, this is shown FIGS.
1-4A and 5A a first presently preferred embodiment of a hair drying
apparatus, generally designated 10, configured to operate
relatively quietly and emit relatively low levels of sound and/or
noise as compared to conventional hair dryers. The hair drying
apparatus 10 is preferably in a form of a portable hand-held
electric hair dryer. However, it is understood by those skilled in
the art that the general size, shape and appearance of the hair
drying apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is not limited to
that shown and described herein, but may be in the form of other
similar devices, such as a wall mounted drying apparatus, without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the hair drying apparatus 10 includes a
generally elongated, tubular, hollow body 12 defining an air inlet
12a proximate to a first end of a longitudinal axis 11 that extends
through the geometric center of the body 12 and an air outlet 12b
at a second or opposite end of the longitudinal axis 11. An air
flow path through the body 12 is located between the air inlet 12a
and the air outlet 12b. The air inlet 12a is generally radially
oriented to the longitudinal axis 11 of the body 12 and the air
outlet 12b is preferably oriented generally parallel to the
longitudinal axis 11 of the body 12. During operation of the hair
dryer 10, the flow of air bends ninety degrees from the air inlet
12a to the air outlet 12b that is parallel with the longitudinal
axis of the body 12. As those skilled in the art understand that
sound propagates in a straight line, the sound generated in the
interior of the drying apparatus 10 reflects off the inner walls or
inner surface of the drying apparatus 10, and is thus deadened
and/or absorbed preventing at least some of the sound from escaping
through the air outlet 12b to the external environment.
[0020] As seen in FIG. 1, the air inlet 12a may simply be an
opening in a side wall of the body 12 to allow the passage of air
therethrough. Alternatively, as seen in FIGS. 4A and 5A, the air
inlet 12a may be in the form of a plurality of louvered vents 26
that are generally oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
11 of the body 12. The louvered vents 26 also may act as an air
intake filter to help streamline the flow of incoming air and to
prevent undesired objects or particles from entering the interior
of the drying apparatus 10. As is understood by those skilled in
the art, this orientation of the air inlet 12a with respect to the
air outlet 12b blocks the line of sight from the external
environment of the drying apparatus 10 to various structure located
within the interior of the body 12. Thus, the angled and/or
somewhat convoluted orientation of the air flow path helps to
reduce the noise emitted by the drying apparatus 10 by preventing
the noise from flowing in a straight path directly out of the
interior of the drying apparatus 10.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2-4A and 5A, the drying apparatus 10
includes at least one sound-absorbing member 24 that is located
proximate the air inlet 12a and is co-axially aligned with the air
flow path. Consistent with the orientation of the air outlet 12b,
the sound-absorbing member 24 is generally oriented parallel to the
longitudinal axis 11 of the body 12 and, thus, faces the
longitudinal axis of the body 12. The sound-absorbing member 24
includes an interior surface 24a that is generally oriented
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 11 of the body 12 and may
extend into the interior of the body 12. A rear surface 24b is
preferably surrounded by and in engagement with a interior surface
of the body 12. As is understood by those skilled in the art, the
positioning of the sound-absorbing member 24 helps to reduce the
amount of noise released by the hair drying apparatus 10 to the
external environment. Specifically, sound and/or noise generated by
internal structure of the drying apparatus 10 is primarily absorbed
by the sound-absorbing member 24 instead of being released to the
external environment. As seen in FIGS. 4A and 5A, in the embodiment
that includes the louvered vents 26, the louvered vents 26 surround
at least a portion of the interior surface 24a of the
sound-absorbing member 24. In the present embodiment, the interior
surface 24a of the sound-absorbing member 24 is preferably formed
in the shape of a bell-shaped curve to facilitate air flow.
[0022] As seen FIGS. 2-4A and 5A, the hair drying apparatus 10
includes an impeller 20 or fan for generating a flow of air from
the air inlet 12a, through the air flow path and to and out of the
air outlet 12b. A motor 18, which is preferably located downstream
of the impeller 20, is configured to drive the impeller 20. A motor
mount 60, as shown in FIG. 3, properly positions and stabilizes at
least the motor 18 within the housing 12. As seen in FIG. 3, the
impeller 20 includes a central portion 20a operatively connected to
a drive shaft or armature 18a of the motor 18. The impeller 20
further includes a blade assembly 20b, which is rotated by and
generally extends perpendicularly from an outer surface of the
central portion 20a, having at least one but preferably a plurality
of spaced-apart fan blades. Preferably, electrical energy is
supplied to the motor 18 by a conventional electrical power socket
(not shown) via a conventional power cord (not shown). However,
power or energy may be supplied to the motor 18 by one or more
batteries or some other power source if desired.
[0023] The hair drying apparatus 10 further includes a heating
element 40 for heating air flowing through the air flow path.
Preferably, the heating element 40 is formed of a conventional
heating coil that generally surrounds and is supported by a
mica-board structure 17. The heating element 40 is preferably
located proximate the air outlet 12b and downstream of the motor
18. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the
configuration of the heating element 40, motor 18 and impeller 20
may be modified and/or repositioned as necessary to improve the
sound reducing and/or sound absorbing properties of the drying
apparatus 10. The heating element 40, motor 18 and impeller 20 are
preferably supported by and within the body 12.
[0024] A handle 16 is removably mountable to the body 12 of the
hair drying apparatus 10. The handle 16 is formed of a first half
16a removably mountable to a second half 16b and the handle halves
16a, 16b are nearly mirror images of each other. Each handle half
16a, 16b includes an upper portion 16c that generally surrounds an
outer surface of at least a portion of the body 12. Preferably, an
inner surface of each upper portion 16c is in direct contact with
the outer surface of the body 12. Further, each handle half 16a,
16b includes a lower portion 16d that extends generally
perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis 11 of the body 12 and is
sized and shaped to be received by the hand of a user. The upper
portion 16c of each handle half 16a, 16b is generally arcuate or
curved in shape to conform to the generally arcuate or curved shape
of the outer surface of the body 12.
[0025] As is understood by those skilled in the art, the upper
portion 16c of each handle half 16a, 16b surrounds a portion of the
body 12 to provide an extra layer of insulation to the hair drying
apparatus 10 to reduce the amount of sound and/or noise that is
emitted by the drying apparatus 10 to the external environment.
Further, the handle 16 is removably mountable to the body 12 such
that a manufacturer or user can interchange various designs of the
body 12 or handle 16 to create a unique appearance and/or
configuration of the hair drying apparatus 10. As seen in FIG. 1,
the handle 16 may include one or more fastening members 19, such as
screws, rivets or bolts, that allow various portions of the handle
16 to be removed from each other and from the body 12 of the drying
apparatus 10.
[0026] Referring again to FIGS. 2-4A and 5A, the hair drying
apparatus 10 also includes a housing 28 at least partially
surrounded by the body 12 and at least partially surrounding the
air flow path. Preferably, at least the motor 18 is supported by
and within the housing 28. However, other structure of the drying
apparatus 10, such as the impeller 20 and/or the heating element
40, may also be supported by and within the housing 28 depending on
the particular configuration of the hair drying apparatus 10. The
housing 28 is generally tubular in shape and includes a left side
28a that matingly engages a right side 28b (FIG. 3). Both sides
28a, 28b of the housing 28 are generally arcuate or curved in shape
and may be attached to each other in any one of a number of ways,
such as by friction fitting, adhesive or fasteners. The housing 28
has a first open end 28c proximate the impeller 20 and a second
opposite open end 28d proximate the heating element 40. The housing
28 shares the same longitudinal axis 11 as the body 12. The housing
28 is generally sized and shaped to fit within the body 12 without
directly touching any portion of the interior surface of the body
12.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4A and 5A, the hair drying apparatus
10 further includes a flow acceleration nozzle 30 that is at least
partially surrounded by the body 12. As is understood by those
skilled in the art, the flow acceleration nozzle 30 of the hair
drying apparatus 10 facilitates flow of air from the heating
element 40 to the air outlet 12b. The flow acceleration nozzle 30
is slightly conical in shape and extends from a first open end 30c
to a second, opposite open end 30d. A radius of the second open end
30d is preferably smaller than a radius of the first open end 30c.
Similar to the housing 28, the flow acceleration nozzle 30
preferably includes two halves 30a, 30b. However, it is understood
by those skilled in the art that either or both of the housing 28
and the flow acceleration nozzle 30 may be formed of a single
unitary piece. The flow acceleration nozzle 30 is preferably
positioned downstream of the housing 28 within the body 12 to help
streamline the flow of air that travels over and leaves the heating
element 40. Since the flow acceleration nozzle 30 converges to a
relatively small diameter at the second open end 30d, a direct line
of site to the motor 18 and/or impeller 20 is prevented and flow
acceleration nozzle 30 minimizes the direct radiation of sound
and/or noise from the interior of the drying apparatus 10 to the
external environment.
[0028] As seen in FIGS. 2-4A and 5A, the hair drying apparatus 10
includes a vibration isolation member 32 positioned or located
between the inner surface of the body 12 and an outer surface that
the housing 28. Preferably, the drying apparatus 10 includes two or
more spaced-apart vibration isolation members that surround or
engage a portion of the housing 28. The at least one vibration
isolation member 32 creates or at least partially fills a space or
gap G between the inner surface of the body 12 and the outer
surface of the housing 28. The at least one vibration isolation
member 32 is preferably in the form of a band or tubular member 32a
or a ring 32b, as is described in detail below.
[0029] In one embodiment, the vibration isolation member 32 is in
the form of one or more bands or tubular members 32a (FIGS. 2, 3
and 5A) that surround at least a portion of the outer surface of
the housing 28. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one
vibration isolation member 32 is in the form of one or more rings
32b (FIGS. 3 and 4A) that each surround a projection 50 that
extends generally perpendicular from the outer surface of the
housing 28. In this embodiment, each ring 32b covers and/or is in
facing engagement with at least a portion of the housing 28.
[0030] Referring specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4A, each half 28a, 28b
of the housing 28 may include two or more spaced-apart projections
50 that extend generally perpendicular from the outer surface of
the housing 28. A ring 32b surrounds at least the entire sidewall
of each projection 50, but preferably each ring 32b is large enough
that when the housing 28 is positioned within the body 12, each
ring 32b is sandwiched therebetween. The rings 32b and band 32a are
preferably formed of an elastomeric material, but may be formed of
virtually any vibration dampening material, such as a foam
material. The one or more rings 32b reduce transmitted vibration
created by the motor 18 from traveling through the housing 28 into
the body 12. The one more bands 32a reduce radiated noise created
by the motor 18. The reduction in the vibration emitted by the
motor 18 that travels to the body 12 reduces the overall sound
and/or noise that is emitted to the external environment. It is
understood by those skilled in the art that the drying apparatus 10
may employ both one or more bands 32a and one or more rings 32b
(see FIG. 4A) to help reduce the vibration, and thus the noise,
created by the motor 18 that travels to the body 12.
[0031] As seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 4A and 5A, the band 32a may be in the
form of sound deadening tape or other similar material that
generally surrounds at least a portion of the outer surface of the
housing 28. As is understood by those skilled in the art, the sound
deadening tape provides an additional layer of sound absorbing
material to help reduce the sound and/or noise generated by the
drying apparatus 10 that is released to the external
environment.
[0032] In operation, the hair drying apparatus 10 emits less sound
and/or noise to the external environment, as compared with
conventional drying apparatuses, by: 1) blocking a direct line of
sight from outside of the drying apparatus 10 to the motor 18 and
impeller 20; by 2) isolating the impeller 20 and the motor 18 from
the body 12; and/or 3) adding sound-absorbing material 24 and/or
dampening material 32a, 32b. Thus, sound and/or noise generated by
the motor 18 or the impeller 20 is prevented from radiating
unimpeded directly out of the air inlet 12a or the air outlet
12b.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 4B and 5B, a second preferred embodiment
of the hair drying apparatus 210 is shown, including like
referenced numerals with the addition of 200 to indicate like
elements throughout. The hair drying apparatus 210 of the second
preferred embodiment is substantially similar in structure and
operation to the embodiment described above. One difference between
the second preferred embodiment and the first preferred embodiment
is the shape and size of the sound-absorbing member 224 of the hair
drying apparatus 210. Similar to the first preferred embodiment,
the sound-absorbing member 224 is generally co-axially aligned with
at least a portion of the air flow path and is located proximate
the air inlet 212b. However, the interior surface 224a of the
sound-absorbing member 224 is more elongated in shape than in the
first preferred embodiment and extends generally closer to a
upstream side of the impeller 220 than the interior surface 24a of
the sound-absorbing member 24 of the first preferred
embodiment.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 4C and 5C, a third preferred embodiment
of the hair drying apparatus 310 is shown, including like
referenced numerals with the addition of 300 to indicate like
elements throughout. The hair drying apparatus 310 of the third
preferred embodiment is substantially similar in structure and
operation to the first and second preferred embodiments described
above. One difference between the third preferred embodiment of the
hair drying apparatus 310 and the preferred embodiments described
above is that the sound-absorbing member 324 is generally
cylindrical or rectangular in cross-sectional shape when viewed
from above (FIG. 4C) and from the side (FIG. 5C). The generally
planer interior surface 324a of the sound-absorbing member 324 is
spaced further from the upstream side of the impeller 320 than in
the previous embodiments.
[0035] It will therefore be readily understood by those persons
skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of a
broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of
the present invention other than those herein described, as well as
many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be
apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and
the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the
substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the
present invention has been described herein in detail in relation
to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this
disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present
invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and
enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is
not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or
otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations,
variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present
invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *