Air block cap for drain pan fitting and associated method

A cap for covering an open end of a drain pan fitting of an appliance drain pan, the cap comprising:

• a cylindrical body having a first end with a first end opening, a second end with a second end opening, and a longitudinal through-hole extending between the first end opening and the second end opening;
• and
• a water-soluble membrane positioned to at least partially obstruct the through-hole when the membrane is intact such that air flow through the through-hole is inhibited in the absence of water in the drain pan;
• wherein the membrane is adapted to dissolve when exposed to water in the drain pan such that water in the drain pan is not inhibited from exiting the drain pan through the through-hole;
• wherein the membrane comprises one or more weakened areas adapted to dissolve more quickly than any non-weakened areas when the membrane is exposed to water in the drain pan;
• wherein the cylindrical body is adapted to attach to an interior end of the drain pan fitting;
• and
• wherein the second end opening of the cylindrical body is adapted to receive the interior end of the drain pan fitting.

A cap for covering an open end of a drain pan fitting of an appliance drain pan, the cap comprising:

• a cylindrical body having a first end with a first end opening, a second end with a second end opening, and a longitudinal through-hole extending between the first end opening and the second end opening;
• and
• a non-planar water-soluble membrane positioned to at least partially obstruct the through-hole when the membrane is intact such that air flow through the through-hole is inhibited in the absence of water in the drain pan;
• wherein the membrane is adapted to dissolve when exposed to water in the drain pan such that water in the drain pan is not inhibited from exiting the drain pan through the through-hole;
• and
• wherein the cylindrical body is adapted to attach to a nut secured onto an interior end of the drain pan fitting.