Acoustical insulating web

A laminate comprising:

• a) a nonwoven acoustical insulation web comprising thermoplastic fibers, said web having an average effective fiber diameter of less than about 15 microns, a thickness of at least about 0.5 cm, a density of less than about 50 kg/m.sup.3, and a pressure drop of at least about 1 mm water at a flow rate of about 32 liters/min.;
• and
• b) a second layer laminated to said web, said laminate being applied to the inner panel of a vehicle door.

A method for preventing sound and water from entering a vehicle interior, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a laminate comprising a nonwoven acoustical insulation web and a second layer laminated to said web, said web comprising thermoplastic fibers and having an average effective fiber diameter of less than about 15 microns, a thickness of at least about 0.5 cm, a density of less than about 50 kg/m.sup.3, and a pressure drop of at least about 1 mm water at a flow rate of about 32 liters/min.;
• and
• b) securing sad laminate to a panel of a vehicle to attenuate sound waves which contact a major face of said web of said laminate and prevent the passage of water through the panel and into the vehicle interior.

A laminate comprising a nonwoven acoustical insulation web applied to the inner panel of a vehicle door, said web comprising thermoplastic fibers, said web having an average effective fiber diameter of less than about 15 microns, a thickness of at least about 0.5 cm, a density of less than about 50 kg/m.sup.3, and a pressure drop of at least about 1 mm water at a flow rate of about 32 liters/min.

A method for preventing sound and water from entering a vehicle interior, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a laminate comprising a nonwoven acoustical insulation web and a water barrier layer laminated to said web, said web comprising thermoplastic fibers and having an average effective fiber diameter of less than about 15 microns, a thickness of at least about 0.5 cm, a density of less than about 50 kg/m.sup.3, and a pressure drop of at least about 1 mm water at a flow rate of about 32 liters/min., said laminate being adapted for placement on an interior panel of a vehicle in a single step;
• and
• b) securing said laminate to a panel of a vehicle to attenuate sound waves which contact a major face of said web of said laminate and prevent the passage of water through the panel and into the vehicle interior.

A method for attenuating sound waves in a small appliance, said sound waves passing from a source area to a receiving area, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a nonwoven acoustical insulation web comprising thermoplastic fibers, said web having an average effective fiber diameter of less than about 15 microns, a thickness of at least about 0.5 cm, a density of less than about 50 kg/m.sup.3, and a pressure drop of at least about 1 mm water at a flow rate of about 32 liters/min.;
• and
• b) positioning said web between said source area and said receiving area such that a major face of said web intercepts and thereby attenuates sound waves passing from said source area to said receiving area.

A method for attenuating sound waves in an article used in architectural applications, said sound waves passing from a source area to a receiving area, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a nonwoven acoustical insulation web comprising thermoplastic fibers, said web having an average effective fiber diameter of less than about 15 microns, a thickness of at least about 0.5 cm, a density of less than about 50 kg/m.sup.3, and a pressure drop of at least about 1 mm water at a flow rate of about 32 liters/min.;
• and
• b) positioning said web between said source area and said receiving area such that a major face of said web intercepts and thereby attenuates sound waves passing from said source area to said receiving area.

A method for attenuating sound waves in an article used for transportation, said sound waves passing from a source area to a receiving area, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a nonwoven acoustical insulation web comprising thermoplastic fibers, said web having an average effective fiber diameter of less than about 15 microns, a thickness of at least about 0.5 cm, a density of less than about 50 kg/m.sup.3, and a pressure drop of at least about 1 mm water at a flow rate of about 32 liters/min.;
• and
• b) positioning said web between said source area and said receiving area such that a major face of said web intercepts and thereby attenuates sound waves passing from said source area to said receiving area.

A laminate comprising a nonwoven acoustical insulation web comprising thermoplastic fibers,

• said web having an average effective fiber diameter of less than about 15 microns, a thickness of at least about 0.5 cm, a density of less than about 50 kg/m.sup.3, and a pressure drop of at least about 1 mm water at a flow rate of about 32 liters/min.,
• said laminate comprising pressure molded reduced thickness areas alone its outer periphery, said reduced thickness areas having a thin gauge relative to other portions of said laminate.