Tub insert system for top loading washer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9670611-B2
Application number	US-201414285859-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2014
Priority date	May 23, 2014
Publication date	Jun 6, 2017
Grant date	Jun 6, 2017

Abstract

A washing machine tub insert system is provided that prevents the wash tub from impacting the washing machine cabinet during shipping and handling. The tub insert system may be made from a die cut corrugated blank and foam locking members. The blank is folded to create a V-shaped structure that outwardly biases the locking members against the cabinet rim and against the tub to minimize relative movement of the tub and cabinet, thereby reducing or eliminating the possibility of the wash tub damaging the washing machine cabinet.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A blank for constructing a unitary tub insert system for a washing machine of a type having a wash tub located within a cabinet, the cabinet having a top surface having a rim defining a top opening having a width W, the blank comprising:
a bottom panel defining a main panel opening;
a top panel foldably attached to the bottom panel along a first fold line; and
an insert panel comprising a first section and a second section, the first section connected to the top panel along a second fold line, the second section connected to the first section along a third fold line, the first and second sections configured to fit within the main panel opening when the insert panel is folded along the third fold line into a V-shaped structure and the top panel is folded over in flat abutting relationship with the bottom panel.

2. The blank of claim 1 wherein:
the insert panel further comprises a flap foldably attached to the second section along a fourth fold line, the flap configured to lay flat against the bottom panel when the insert panel is folded along the third fold line into a V-shaped structure and the top panel is folded along the first fold line so that it is overlying the bottom panel.

3. The blank of claim 2 wherein:
the bottom panel comprises a main panel and inwardly opposing tabs connected to the main panel along tab fold lines; and wherein

the insert panel is configured to push against and bias the tabs outward, toward the cabinet rim, when the insert panel is folded along the third fold line into a V-shaped structure and the top panel is folded over in flat abutting relationship with the bottom panel.

4. The blank of claim 1 wherein the blank is made of corrugated board.

5. The blank of claim 1 wherein:
the first and second sections are configured to form an elongated three-dimensional structure having a substantially V-shape profile with opposing ends and a maximum end-to-end length equal to or less than the width W of the washing machine top opening.

6. A tub insert system for a washing machine of a kind having a wash tub located within a cabinet, the cabinet having a top surface having a rim defining a top opening, the top opening having a width W, the tub insert system made from a folded blank and comprising:
a bottom panel comprising a substantially planar main panel configured to overlay the washing machine top opening and opposing tabs foldably attached to the main panel along tab fold lines, the main panel defining a main panel opening;
a top panel connected to the bottom panel along a first fold line, the top panel overlying the bottom panel; and
an insert panel comprising a first section and a second section, the first section connected to the top panel along a second fold line, the second section connected to the first section along a third fold line, the first and second sections forming an elongated three-dimensional structure having a substantially V-shape profile and opposing ends, the three-dimensional structure located on a side of the main panel opposite the top panel, the three-dimensional structure contacting the tabs and biasing the tabs away from each other.

7. The tub insert system of claim 6 wherein:
the insert panel further comprises a flap connected to the second section along a fourth fold line, the flap located on top of the main panel on the side of the main panel away from the three-dimensional structure.

8. The tub insert system of claim 6 wherein the tabs have an outer surface, the tub insert system further comprising:
a locking member affixed to the outer surface of each tab and configured to contact the wash tub and the cabinet.

9. The tub insert system of claim 6 wherein the blank is made of corrugated board.

10. The tub insert system of claim 9 wherein the locking members are made from expanded foam material.

11. A combination washing machine and tub insert system, the washing machine comprising a wash tub located within a cabinet, the cabinet having a top surface having a rim defining a top opening, the top opening having a width W, the tub insert system made from a folded blank and comprising:
a bottom panel comprising a substantially planar main panel located adjacent the top surface and overlying the washing machine top opening, the bottom panel further comprising opposing tabs foldably attached to the main panel along tab fold lines, the main panel defining a main panel opening substantially overlying the washing machine top opening;
a substantially U-shaped top panel connected to the bottom panel along a first fold line, the top panel overlying the bottom panel; and
an elongated three-dimensional structure foldably attached to the top panel and having a substantially V-shape profile and opposing ends, the three-dimensional structure extending into the washing machine and biasing the tabs away from each other.

12. The combination washing machine and tub insert system of claim 11 , wherein:
the three-dimensional structure comprises a first section and a second section, the first section connected to the top panel along a second fold line, the second section connected to the first section along a third fold line, the first and second sections forming an elongated three-dimensional structure having a substantially V-shape profile.

13. The combination washing machine and tub insert system of claim 11 , wherein:
the three-dimensional structure further comprises a flap connected to the second section along a fourth fold line, the flap located adjacent the main panel on a side of the main panel away from the cabinet top surface.

14. The combination washing machine and tub insert system of claim 11 , wherein:
the tub insert system further comprises a locking member affixed to an outer surface of each tab and configured to impinge against the wash tub and the cabinet.

15. The combination washing machine and tub insert system of claim 14 , wherein:
the blank is made of corrugated board.

16. The combination washing machine and tub insert system of claim 15 , wherein:
the locking members are made from expanded foam material.

17. The combination washing machine and tub insert system of claim 15 , wherein:
the three-dimensional structure has a maximum end-to-end length equal to or less than the width W of the washing machine top opening.

Assignees

• Sonoco Dev Inc

Inventors

• Senn Jonathan Eugene
• Marrow Matthew

Classifications

• D06F39/00

  Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00  (control of washing machines D06F33/00, D06F34/00) · CPC title

• B65D5/4266

  Folding lines, score lines, crease lines · CPC title

• B65D5/02

  by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body (specially constructed to allow collapsing and re-erecting without disengagement of side or bottom connections B65D5/36) · CPC title

• B65D85/68

  for machines, engines or vehicles in assembled or dismantled form · CPC title

• B65D2581/053

  Paper in general, e.g. paperboard, carton, molded paper · CPC title