Acoustically damped rotating lug for waste disposer

Abstract

Acoustically damped rotating lugs for a food waste disposer, a food waste disposer having an acoustically damped rotating lug, and a method of manufacturing a food waste disposer having an acoustically damped rotating lug are provided. The acoustic damping rotary lug may include a lug portion, a fastening post, and an acoustic damping material on a contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion. A food waste disposer includes a grinding section having a rotating chopper plate including at least one acoustically dampening rotating lug. A method of manufacturing a food waste disposer includes attaching an acoustic damping material to a contact surface between a fastening post and a lug portion of an acoustic damping rotating lug.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present technology relates to food waste disposers and, more particularly, to acoustically dampened rotating lugs for food waste disposers. background

[0003] Food waste disposers are used to break up food scraps into particles small enough to pass safely through household waste pipes. Figure 1 (Prior Art) A conventional food waste disposer 10 is typically mounted to a sink (not shown), such as a kitchen sink, and includes a food conveying section 12, a motor section 14, and a grinding section 16 disposed between the food conveying section and the motor section. The food waste disposer 10 includes a housing 18 that houses the food conveying section 12, the motor section 14, and the grinding section 16. The food conveying section 12 includes an inlet 20 for receiving food waste and water. The food conveying section 12 conveys the food waste to the grinding section 16, and the motor section 14 includes a motor that transmits rotational motion to a shaft to operate the grinding section.

[0004] refer to Figure 2 (Prior Art), a cross section of one example of a known grinding section 16 is shown. The grinding mechanism 22 shown includes a rotating shredder plate 24 having movable lugs 26 and 38 and a stationary grinding ring 28. The movable lugs 26 and 38 are each mounted to the shredder plate 24 by a respective rivet. The shredder plate 24 is mounted to the shaft 30. The stationary grinding ring 28 (which includes a plurality of recesses 32 defining spaced teeth 34) is fixedly attached to the inner wall 44 of the housing 18. In the embodiment having Figure 2 In operation of the food waste disposer with the grinding mechanism shown, food waste delivered to the grinding mechanism 22 by the food conveying section 12 is pressed against the teeth 34 of the stationary grinding ring 28 by the movable lugs 26 and 38. The edges of the teeth 34 grind the food waste into particulate matter small enough to pass from above the shredder plate 24 to below the shredder plate 24 via the notch 32 between the rotating member and the stationary member. Due to the action of gravity, the particulate matter that passes through the gaps between the teeth 34 falls onto the upper end frame 40 and is discharged through the discharge port 42 together with the water injected into the disposer.

[0005] Sound and vibration are often important considerations when consumers select a food waste disposer. Some of the main sources of noise during operation are the impact of food particles on the grinding mechanism and / or grinding chamber walls. In addition, current garbage disposer designs allow metal-to-metal contact between the movable lugs and the rivets that attach them to the rotating shredder plate, resulting in noticeable noise during grinding.

[0006] To reduce noise, it is known to place sound-deadening materials around the outer housing of conventional disposers and to use baffles located on top of the grinding chamber to reduce the direct sound path to the area above the sink. However, this approach only suppresses the sound and vibrations generated by the food waste disposer. It is desirable to develop features and methods that prevent or reduce the amount of sound and vibrations generated by a food waste disposer.

[0007] Overview

[0008] Provided herein are acoustically damped swivel lugs for food waste disposers and food waste disposers having acoustically damped swivel lugs.

[0009] In at least a first aspect, a sound damping swivel lug for a garbage disposer is provided. The sound damping swivel lug includes a lug portion having an opening defined by an inner edge. The sound damping swivel lug also includes a fastening post extending through the opening in the lug portion. The sound damping swivel lug also includes a sound damping material on a contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion.

[0010] At least some examples of the acoustic damping rotating lug of the first aspect may include additional features. For example, the fastening post may include a first end, an intermediate section, and a second end, the second end being retained above an opening in the lug portion of the acoustic damping rotating lug. The opening defined by the inner edge may be circular or elongated. The acoustic damping material may be made of an elastomer or a polymer.

[0011] In at least a second aspect, a food waste disposer is provided that includes a food conveying section, a motor section, and a grinding section disposed between the food conveying section and the motor section. The grinding section includes a rotating shredder plate having at least one acoustically damped rotating lug. The at least one acoustically damped rotating lug includes a lug portion having an opening defined by an inner edge. The at least one acoustically damped rotating lug also includes a fastening post extending through the opening in the lug portion, wherein the fastening post movably attaches the acoustically damped rotating lug to the rotating shredder plate. The at least one acoustically damped rotating lug also includes an acoustically damping material on a contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion.

[0012] At least some examples of the food waste disposer of the second aspect may include additional features. For example, the fastening post may include a first end portion, a middle section, and a second end portion, the first end portion being retained below the rotating chopper plate, the middle section extending through the opening in the lug portion and through the hole in the rotating chopper plate, and the second end portion being retained above the opening in the lug portion of the acoustically damped rotating lug. The opening defined by the inner edge may be circular or elongated. The acoustically damping material may be made of an elastomer or a polymer.

[0013] In some examples of the acoustic damping rotating lug of the first aspect and the food waste disposer of the second aspect, the contact surface may be on a fastening post. In such examples, the acoustic damping material may be a ring attached to a portion of the fastening post.

[0014] In other examples of the acoustic damping rotating lug of the first aspect and the food waste disposer of the second aspect, the contact surface can be on the inner rim. In some such examples, the inner rim can include a plurality of channels, the acoustic damping material can include a plurality of inserts, and each of the plurality of inserts can be inserted into one of the plurality of channels. In other such examples, the acoustic damping material can be coated or overmolded onto the inner rim.

[0015] In at least a third aspect, a method is provided that provides a garbage disposer having at least one acoustically damped rotating lug. The method includes providing at least one lug portion of a movable lug to be mounted in the garbage disposer, the lug portion having an opening defined by an inner edge. The method also includes providing at least one fastening post configured to mount the at least one lug portion to a rotating shredder plate of the garbage disposer. The method also includes attaching an acoustically damping material to a contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion to form the at least one acoustically damped rotating lug. The method also includes mounting the at least one acoustically damped rotating lug to a rotating shredder plate of the garbage disposer.

[0016] The method of providing a garbage disposer having at least one acoustically damped rotating lug may also include additional features or steps. For example, attaching the acoustic damping material to the contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion may include attaching the acoustic damping material to a portion of the fastening post. In another example, attaching the acoustic damping material to the contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion may include coating or overmolding the acoustic damping material onto the inner rim. In another example, attaching the acoustic damping material to the contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion may include providing a plurality of channels in the inner rim and inserting an acoustic damping insert into each channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] For purposes of illustration and description, specific examples have been chosen and are shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification.

[0019] Figure 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of one example of a prior art food waste disposer.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a prior art food waste disposer (such as Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the grinding section of a garbage disposer.

[0021] Figure 3is a cross-sectional view of a garbage disposer of the present technology having acoustically damped rotating lugs mounted on a rotating shredder plate.

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Detailed view of a portion of the , including one of the sound dampening swivel lugs.

[0023] Figure 5 Is installed in Figure 3 A perspective view of an acoustically dampened rotating lug on a rotating shredder plate of a garbage disposer, the rotating shredder plate being isolated from the garbage disposer.

[0024] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The acoustically damped rotating lugs mounted on the rotating shredder plate are Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of the present invention is shown having a first embodiment of the acoustic damping material of the present technology.

[0025] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a lug portion and a securing post of an acoustic damping rotation lug of the present technology having a first example of the acoustic damping material of the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a lug portion and a securing post of an acoustic damping rotation lug of the present technology having a second example of the acoustic damping material of the first embodiment.

[0027] Fig. 9 A lug portion of an acoustic damping rotational lug of the present technology is shown having a second embodiment of the acoustic damping material of the present technology.

[0028] Fig.10 The lug portion of the acoustic damping rotational lug of the present technology is shown having an alternative example of the acoustic damping material of the second embodiment.

[0029] Fig.11 A lug portion of an acoustic damping rotational lug of the present technology is shown having a third embodiment of the acoustic damping material of the present technology.

[0030] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 The lug portion of the acoustic damping rotating lug is along Fig.11 A cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12.

[0031] Fig.13 One example of a method of providing a garbage disposer having an acoustically damped rotating lug of the present technology is shown.

[0032] Although the various embodiments discussed herein are subject to modification and alternative forms, aspects thereof have been illustrated in the drawings and described in detail herein by way of example. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described, but is intended to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the terms "example" and "embodiment" used throughout this application are only by way of illustration and not limitation, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals are used in different drawings to indicate similar or identical items. Detailed Description

[0034] The acoustically damped rotating lugs for food waste disposers and food waste disposers having acoustically damped rotating lugs of the present technology include acoustic damping materials to reduce or eliminate metal-to-metal contact noise caused by movement of the lugs during operation of the garbage disposer.

[0035] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a garbage disposer 100 including at least one acoustic damping rotating lug 200 . Figure 4 is a detailed view of one of the acoustic damping rotating lugs 200 and its surrounding structure in the garbage disposer 100.

[0036] refer to Figure 3 , the garbage disposer 100 may be a food waste disposer of the type such as this, that is, it is configured to be installed under a sink (not shown) and is used to pulverize food waste into particles small enough to safely pass through a household drain. The food waste disposer 100 may include a food conveying section 102, a motor section 104, and a grinding section 106 disposed between the food conveying section 102 and the motor section 104. The food waste disposer 100 may also include a housing 108, which houses the food conveying section 102, the motor section 104, and the grinding section 106. The food conveying section 102 may include an inlet 110 for receiving food waste and water. The food conveying section 102 may convey food waste to the grinding section 106. The motor section 104 may include a motor 112, which transmits rotational motion to a shaft 114 when powered to operate the grinding section 106.

[0037] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in the grinding section 106, the garbage disposer 100 includes a rotating shredder plate 116 having at least one acoustically damped rotating lug 200. As shown, the rotating shredder plate 116 includes (or has mounted thereon) two acoustically damped rotating lugs 200. In alternative embodiments, the garbage disposer 100 and its rotating shredder plate 116 may include any other number of acoustically damped rotating lugs, such as more than two acoustically damped rotating lugs. In addition, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, each acoustic damping rotating lug 200 includes a corresponding lug portion 220 and a corresponding fastening post 202, and the corresponding lug portion 220 of each corresponding acoustic damping rotating lug 200 is mounted to the rotating shredder plate 116 via the corresponding fastening post 202. Each fastening post 202 can be a rivet or any other suitable type of fastening post. The rotating shredder plate 116 can be mounted to the shaft 114. The lug portion 220 and the fastening post 202 of each acoustic damping rotating lug 200 can be formed of any suitable material (such as metal) and can be formed in any suitable manner, such as (for example, in the case of the lug portion 220) being formed of stamped metal sheet or powdered metal.

[0038] The grinding section 106 of the garbage disposer 100 may also include a stationary grinding ring 118. The stationary grinding ring 118 may include a plurality of notches (or gaps) 120 defining spaced apart teeth 122, and may be fixedly attached to an inner wall 124 of the housing 108. The grinding section 106 may also include an upper end frame 126 below the rotating shredder plate 116 and a discharge port 128.

[0039] During operation of the garbage disposer 100, food waste delivered to the grinding section 106 by the food conveying section 102 may be pressed against the teeth 122 of the stationary grinding ring 118 by the acoustically damped rotating lugs 200. The edges of the teeth 122 may grind the food waste into particulate matter small enough to pass from above the rotating shredder plate 116 to below the rotating shredder plate 116 via the notches 120 between the rotating and stationary members. Due to gravity, particulate matter that passes through the notches 120 between the teeth 122 may fall onto the upper end frame 126 and may be discharged through the drain 128 along with water injected into the garbage disposer 100.

[0040] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an acoustically damped rotating lug 200 mounted on a rotating shredder plate 116 that is isolated from the rest of the garbage disposer 100 . Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The acoustic damping rotating lug 200 mounted on the rotating shredder plate 116 is arranged along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. Figure 4-Figure 6, each acoustic damping rotating lug 200 is attached to a peripheral portion of the rotating shredder plate 116. In the present embodiment, the lug portion 220 of each acoustic damping rotating lug 200 is movably attached to the rotating shredder plate 116 by a corresponding fastening post 202 of the corresponding acoustic damping rotating lug. Each fastening post 202 may have a corresponding first end 204, a corresponding middle section 206, and a corresponding second end 208. As shown, the corresponding first end 204 of each fastening post 202 is retained below the rotating shredder plate 116. In addition, the corresponding middle section 206 of each acoustic damping rotating lug 200 extends from the corresponding first end 204 through the corresponding hole 130 in the rotating shredder plate 116, and then through the corresponding opening 210 in the corresponding lug portion 220 of the corresponding acoustic damping rotating lug, to the second end 208, and the second end 208 is retained above the corresponding opening 210 in the corresponding lug portion 220 of the acoustic damping rotating lug 200. The respective lug portion 220 of each respective acoustic damping rotating lug 200 includes a respective inner rim 212, and the respective opening 210 in the respective acoustic damping rotating lug 200 is defined by the respective inner rim 212. The width and / or diameter of the respective first end 204 (when installed) and the respective second end 208 of each respective fastening post 202 may be greater than the width and / or diameter of the respective middle section 206 of the respective fastening post. In addition, the width or diameter of the respective first end 204 of each respective fastening post 202 exceeds the width or diameter of the respective hole 130 through which the respective fastening post extends, so that the respective fastening post 202 is retained within the respective hole 130 and is retained relative to the rotating shredder plate 116. Likewise, the width or diameter of the respective second end 208 of each respective fastening post 202 exceeds the width or diameter of the respective opening 210 of the respective lug portion 220 through which the respective fastening post extends, such that the respective fastening post 202 is retained within the respective opening (and such that the respective lug portion is retained relative to the respective fastening post). Each acoustically damped rotating lug 200 may be a movable lug and may rotate, swivel, and / or undergo translational or linear motion (or sliding) relative to the rotating shredder plate 116, although the motion of each acoustically damped rotating lug 200 is limited by the fastening post 202 connecting the acoustically damped rotating lug 200 to the rotating shredder plate 116.

[0041] Each acoustic damping rotational lug 200 includes a respective portion of the acoustic damping material 214 on a respective contact surface between a respective fastening post 202 and a respective lug portion 220 of the respective acoustic damping rotational lug 200. The contact surface may be on the fastening post 202, such as at or below the second end 208 of the fastening post 202, or on an upper portion of the intermediate section 206 of the fastening post 202, or on an inner edge 212 of the lug portion 220 of the lug 200 and / or below the lug portion 220 (or along another surface of the lug portion 220).

[0042] In the example where the acoustic damping rotating lug is a movable lug, each acoustic damping rotating lug 200 can be any suitable type of movable lug. In one example, the opening 210 in the lug portion 220 of the acoustic damping rotating lug 200 can be cylindrical, which can allow the lug 200 to freely rotate around the fastening column with one degree of freedom of movement (i.e., rotation) relative to the fastening column 202. In another example, the opening 210 in the lug portion 220 of the acoustic damping rotating lug 200 can be elongated, such as an elliptical or other elongated shape, which can allow the lug 200 to have two degrees of freedom of movement relative to the fastening column 202, i.e., rotational movement and limited translational movement. In at least some examples, the acoustic damping rotating lug 200 with an elongated opening 210 can be preferred. For example, when grinding hard objects, the acoustic damping rotating lug 200 with an elongated opening 210 can have a smaller possibility of clogging than the acoustic damping rotating lug 200 with a cylindrical opening 210.

[0043] The acoustic damping material 214 of the present technology may be any suitable material. In some examples, the acoustic damping material 214 may be made of an elastomer or a polymer, such as rubber or plastic.

[0044] The acoustic damping material 214 of the present technology may be applied or attached to the contact surface between the fastening post 202 and the opening 210 in the acoustic damping rotation lug 200 in any suitable manner. Figure 7-Figure 12 Various embodiments of acoustic damping materials and variations of those embodiments are shown, each of which may be used as the acoustic damping material 214 of the present technology.

[0045] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Two examples of a first embodiment of a sound damping material 300 are shown that may be attached to the contact surface between the fastening post 202 and the lug portion 220 of the sound damping rotation lug 200. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the acoustic damping material 300 is a ring attached to a portion of the fastening post 202 and extending around the periphery of the fastening post 202. The acoustic damping material 300 can be attached to the fastening post 202 at or below the second end 208 of the fastening post 202 or on an upper portion of the middle section 206 of the fastening post 202 and positioned so that the acoustic damping material acts as a buffer or bumper between the fastening post 202 and the inner edge 212 around the opening 210 in the acoustic damping rotating lug 200. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The damping material 300 shown may be annular (eg, circular or substantially circular) and is preferably shaped to be securely attached to the fastening post 202. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The damping material 300 shown may have any suitable cross-sectional shape. Figure 7 In FIG. 1 , the acoustic damping material 300 is an O-ring 302 having a circular cross-sectional shape. Figure 8 In the embodiment, the acoustic damping material 300 is a square ring 304 having a square cross-sectional shape. The acoustic damping material 300 may also have any suitable length. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the acoustic damping material is in the shape of a ring having a relatively short length extending along a small portion of the length of the fastening post 202. In fact, as shown, the height of the damping material 300 can be equal to or nearly equal to its width. In an alternative example, the damping material 300 can be formed as a sleeve that extends along a larger portion of the fastening post 202 and can have a length that is significantly longer than the width.

[0046] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 Two examples of a second embodiment of an acoustic damping material 400 that may be attached to the contact surface between the fastening post 202 and the lug portion 220 of the acoustic damping rotation lug 200 are shown. Fig. 9 and Fig.10As shown, the inner edge 212 of the opening 210 of the lug portion 220 of the acoustic damping rotating lug 200 has a plurality of channels 216, and the acoustic damping material 400 is attached to and positioned within the channels 216. The acoustic damping material 400 is positioned so that it acts as a buffer or bumper (or bumpers) between the fastening column 202 and the lug portion 220 (particularly around the inner edge 212 of the opening 210 in the acoustic damping rotating lug 200). Each channel 216 can be vertical or substantially vertical relative to the orientation of the acoustic damping rotating lug 200 when installed in the garbage disposer or during operation of the garbage disposer. The acoustic damping material 400 includes a plurality of inserts 402, and each insert 402 is inserted into one of the channels 216. In the example shown, each of the channels 216 is a partial cylinder or a substantial portion of a cylinder, which leaves one side facing the opening 210 open. Each of the inserts 402 is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical and is configured to fit securely within the channel 216 into which it is inserted. A portion of each insert 402 extends radially inwardly into the opening 210 beyond the channel 216 in the inner rim 212. It should be understood that each of the channels 216 can be any suitable shape, and each of the inserts 402 can be any shape corresponding to the shape of the channel 216 and configured to fit securely within the channel 216 into which it is inserted. The acoustic damping rotational lug 200 can include any suitable number of channels 216, and the acoustic damping material can include a corresponding number of inserts 402, one insert 402 for each channel 216. For example, in Fig. 9 In FIG. 4 , the acoustic damping rotating lug 200 has six channels 216 and the acoustic damping material includes six inserts 402. As another example, in Fig.10 , the acoustic damping rotational lug 200 has eight channels 216 , and the acoustic damping material includes eight inserts 402 .

[0047] Fig.11 and Fig.12 A third embodiment of an acoustic damping material 500 of the present technology is shown that may be attached to the contact surface between the fastening post 202 and the lug portion 220 of the acoustic damping rotation lug 200 . Fig.11 The lug portion 220 of the acoustic damping rotating lug 200 of the present technology is shown, and Fig.12 yes Fig.11 The lug portion of the acoustic damping rotating lug is along Fig.11 A cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. Fig.11 and Fig.12As shown, the acoustic damping material 500 can be a coating or material that is overmolded onto the inner edge 212 (and extends inwardly from the inner edge 212) around the opening 210 in the lug portion 220 of the acoustic damping rotating lug 200. The acoustic damping material 500 is positioned so that it acts as a buffer or bumper between the fastening post 202 and the lug portion 220 (specifically, the inner edge 212). The acoustic damping material 500 can cover the entire inner edge 212. In addition, as shown in FIG. Fig.12 , the acoustic damping material 500 may also extend along at least a portion of the bottom 218 of the lug portion 220 of the acoustic damping rotating lug 200 (e.g., below the lug portion). The acoustic damping material 500 may include a plurality of ribs 502 that may extend inwardly into the opening 210 of the acoustic damping rotating lug 200 and may provide additional acoustic damping material to help attenuate impact between the fastening post 202 and the inner rim 212 surrounding the opening 210 of the acoustic damping rotating lug 200.

[0048] Fig.13 One example of a method 600 of providing a garbage disposer having an acoustically damped rotating lug of the present technology is shown.

[0049] Method 600 may begin at step 602, which includes providing at least one lug portion to be installed in a garbage disposer. The lug portion may be the same type of lug portion described above with respect to lug portion 220 of lug 200, and may include an opening 210 defined by an inner edge 212. Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown and discussed, a plurality of lug portions 220 , such as at least two lug portions 220 , can be provided for mounting into each garbage disposer 100 .

[0050] The method 600 may proceed to step 604, which includes providing at least one fastening post configured to mount at least one movable lug to a rotating shredder plate of a garbage disposer. Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the at least one fastening post may be a fastening post 202, which may be configured to mount a lug portion 220 to a rotating shredder plate 116 of a garbage disposer 100 to form a movable lug 200. In an example where at least two lug portions 220 are provided, the method may include providing at least two fastening posts, wherein each fastening post is configured to mount one of the lug portions 220 to a rotating shredder plate 116 of a garbage disposer 100.

[0051] The method 600 may proceed to step 606, which includes attaching an acoustic damping material to a contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion, thereby forming an acoustically damped rotating lug. The contact surface may be on the fastening post, such as at or below the second end of the fastening post, or on an upper portion of a mid-section of the fastening post, or may be on an inner edge of the lug portion of the movable lug and / or below the lug portion (or along another surface of the lug portion). The acoustic damping material may be any of the acoustic damping materials discussed above, such as the acoustic damping materials discussed above with respect to Figure 6 The acoustic damping material 214 discussed includes Figure 7 and Figure 8 The acoustic damping material 300 shown in Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The acoustic damping material 400 shown in Fig.11 and Fig.12 The acoustic damping material 500 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the acoustic damping material is as Figure 7 and Figure 8 When the acoustic damping material 300 is shown, the step of attaching the acoustic damping material to the contact surface between the fastening post and the opening in the movable lug can include attaching the acoustic damping material to a portion of the fastening post 202 at a location such that the acoustic damping material acts as a buffer or bumper between the fastening post 202 and the inner edge 212 of the opening 210 around the acoustic damping rotating lug 200. The location can be at or below the second end 208 of the fastening post 202, or on the upper portion of the middle section 206 of the fastening post 202. When the acoustic damping material is as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the example of the acoustic damping material 400 shown, the step of attaching the acoustic damping material to the contact surface between the fastening post and the opening in the movable lug may include providing a plurality of channels 216 in the inner rim 212 of the lug 200 and inserting an acoustic damping insert 402 into each channel 216. In the case where the acoustic damping material is such as Fig.11 and Fig.12 In the example of the acoustic damping material 500 shown, the step of attaching the acoustic damping material to the contact surface between the fastening post and the opening in the movable lug may include coating or overmolding the acoustic damping material 500 onto the inner edge 212 of the opening 210 of the lug 200. In the example where at least two movable lugs and at least two fastening posts are provided, step 606 of the method may be repeated multiple times for each combination of a fastening post and a movable lug, with step 606 being repeated as many times as necessary to form a desired number of acoustic damping rotation lugs based on the number of movable lugs and fastening posts provided.

[0052] Method 600 may proceed to step 608, which includes mounting at least one acoustically damped rotating lug to a rotating shredder plate of a garbage disposal. Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the example shown in , step 608 includes mounting at least two acoustic damping rotating lugs to a rotating shredder plate of a garbage disposer.

[0053] It should be understood that although the above method is described in a particular order, the steps of the method may be performed in any suitable order. For example, the acoustic damping material may be added to the lug portion of the lug or to the fastening post before providing other components. Additionally, as appropriate for a particular embodiment, the acoustic damping material may be added to the lug portion of the lug or to the fastening post before or after the lug portion is assembled relative to the fastening post.

[0054] One or more embodiments covered herein may be advantageous in any of a variety of aspects. For example, the use of a damping material between a lug and a fastening post may reduce or eliminate metal-to-metal contact noise produced by a standard garbage disposer having lugs. As another example, the damping material may increase the grinding rate of a garbage disposer by limiting the sliding of the lug along the fastening post, which may keep the lug closer to the shredder ring when in contact with food material.

[0055] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that, although specific examples have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and that the appended claims, including all equivalents, are intended to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter claimed.

Claims

1. A sound damping rotating lug for a garbage disposer, the sound damping rotating lug comprising: a lug portion having an opening defined by an inner edge; a securing post extending through the opening in the lug portion; as well as Acoustic damping material on a contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion.

2. The acoustic damping rotating lug according to claim 1, wherein: The securing post includes a first end, a mid-section, and a second end, the second end being retained over the opening in the lug portion of the acoustic damping rotation lug.

3. The acoustic damping rotating lug according to claim 1, wherein: The opening defined by the inner edge is elongated.

4. The acoustic damping rotating lug according to claim 1, wherein: The sound damping material is made of elastomer or polymer.

5. The acoustic damping rotating lug according to claim 1, wherein: The contact surface is on the fastening post.

6. The acoustic damping rotation lug according to claim 1, wherein: The acoustic damping material is a ring attached to a portion of the fastening post.

7. The acoustic damping rotating lug according to claim 1, wherein: The contact surface is on the inner edge.

8. The acoustic damping rotating lug according to claim 7, wherein: The inner rim includes a plurality of channels, the acoustic damping material includes a plurality of inserts, and each of the plurality of inserts is inserted into one of the plurality of channels.

9. The acoustic damping rotation lug according to claim 7, wherein: The acoustic damping material is coated or overmolded onto the inner rim.

10. A food waste disposer comprising: Food conveying section; Motor section; as well as a grinding section disposed between the food conveying section and the motor section; Wherein, the grinding section comprises a rotating chopper plate having at least one acoustically damped rotating lug, the acoustically damped rotating lug comprising: a lug portion having an opening defined by an inner edge; a fastening post extending through the opening in the lug portion, wherein the fastening post movably attaches the acoustic damping rotating lug to the rotating chopper plate; and Acoustic damping material on a contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion.

11. The food waste disposer of claim 10, wherein: The securing post includes a first end portion retained below the rotating chopper plate, a middle section extending through the opening in the lug portion and through a hole in the rotating chopper plate, and a second end portion retained above the opening in the lug portion of the acoustic damping rotating lug.

12. The food waste disposer of claim 10, wherein: The contact surface is on the fastening post.

13. The food waste disposer of claim 10, wherein: The acoustic damping material is a ring attached to a portion of the fastening post.

14. The food waste disposer of claim 10, wherein: The contact surface is on the inner edge.

15. The food waste disposer of claim 14, wherein: The inner rim includes a plurality of channels, the acoustic damping material includes a plurality of inserts, and each of the plurality of inserts is inserted into one of the plurality of channels.

16. The food waste disposer of claim 14, wherein: The acoustic damping material is coated or overmolded onto the inner rim.

17. A method of providing a garbage disposer having at least one acoustically dampened rotating lug, the method comprising: providing at least one lug portion to be mounted in a garbage disposer, the lug portion having an opening defined by an inner rim; providing at least one fastening post configured to mount the at least one lug portion to a rotating shredder plate of the garbage disposer; attaching an acoustic damping material to a contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion to form at least one acoustic damping rotational lug; The at least one acoustic damping rotational lug is mounted to the rotating chopper plate of the garbage disposer.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: Attaching an acoustic damping material to a contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion includes attaching the acoustic damping material to a portion of the fastening post.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein: Attaching an acoustic damping material to the contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion includes coating or overmolding an acoustic damping material onto the inner rim.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein: Attaching an acoustic damping material to the contact surface between the fastening post and the lug portion includes providing a plurality of channels in the inner rim and inserting an acoustic damping insert into each channel.

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