Household appliance rectangular support base

Abstract

Household appliance rectangular support base (100) for supporting at least one household appliance comprising an upper surface (S1), a lower surface, a first lateral side (L1), a second lateral side (L2), a front side (L3) and a rear side (L4). The support base (100) comprises a first and a second support part (10, 20), each configured to support at least part of an opposite side of a base of the household appliance. In addition, the support base (100) is formed by a plastic conformable upper sheet (101) comprising the upper surface (S1) and a plastic conformable lower sheet (102) comprising the lower surface, and comprises a plurality of reinforcement columns (5) in each support part (10, 20) distributed along the corresponding lateral side (L1, L2) and surrounded by air, each extending between the upper surface (S1) and the lower surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to household appliance rectangular support bases, in particular to rectangular support bases for medium or large-sized household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines or the like.PRIOR ART

[0002] Household appliance rectangular bases, in particular household appliance rectangular bases for medium to large household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines or similar, must be capable of supporting heavy weights and must cushion the household appliance without permanently deforming it in the event of an impact.

[0003] Cardboard packaging is permanently deformed after an impact and is not able to recover its shape. Bubble film packaging does not have sufficient mechanical strength to support the weight of the household appliance on its own. For this reason, household appliance support bases usually comprise solid blocks of foamed polystyrene because of their high mechanical strength and ability to cushion and recover their shape to a large extent.

[0004] For example, CN114889988A discloses a household appliance rectangular support base comprising a solid block of foamed polystyrene. The block comprises a first solid support part in a first lateral half of the base proximate to one lateral side of the base and a second solid support part in a second lateral half of said base proximate to the other lateral side of said base, each of said support parts being configured to support at least part of an opposing side of the base of the household appliance.DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a household appliance rectangular support base for supporting at least one household appliance, in particular a medium or large-sized household appliance, as defined in the claims.

[0006] The support base comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, a front side, and a rear side opposite the front side.

[0007] A longitudinal first axis of the support base divides the support base into a first lateral half at one side of the first axis, that comprises the first lateral side parallel to the first axis, and a second lateral half at the other side of the first axis, that comprises the second lateral side parallel to the first axis. A second axis of the support base, which is transverse to the first axis, divides the support base into a front half at one side of the second axis comprising the front side parallel to the second axis, and a rear half at the other side of the second axis comprising the rear side parallel to the second axis.

[0008] The support base further comprises a first support part in the first lateral half of the support base, which is closer to the first lateral side of the support base than to the first axis, and which is delimited between the upper surface and the lower surface; and a second support part in the second lateral half of the support base, which is closer to the second lateral side than to the first axis, and which is delimited between the upper surface and the lower surface. Each of said support parts is configured to support at least part of an opposite side of the household appliance base.

[0009] Further, the support base comprises a plastic conformable upper sheet comprising the upper surface and a plastic conformable lower sheet comprising the lower surface, and comprises a plurality of reinforcement columns in each support part, each reinforcement column extending between the upper surface and the lower surface and the reinforcement columns of each support part being distributed along the corresponding lateral side and surrounded by air.

[0010] The fact that the reinforcement columns are surrounded by air means that the support base is not solid, but that there is a gap between the sheets that form it, at least around the reinforcement columns. Nevertheless, the reinforcement columns of each support part strategically distributed along the corresponding lateral side distribute the vertical stresses and help to maintain the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface of the support part when the support base is supporting the weight of at least one household appliance, while at the same time cushioning the weight of said household appliance, so that the support base of the invention is capable of supporting the weight of at least one household appliance.

[0011] Prior art support bases that are at least partly made of solid blocks of foamed plastic such as foamed polystyrene (EPS), although they have a high capacity to cushion and recover their shape against possible impacts during transport and distribution of the household appliance, they have a significant environmental impact due to the fact that they are often made of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that have high global warming potentials, require a large amount of energy to foam the plastic into the final shape and once they are foamed cannot be conformed, are difficult to recycle, occupy a high volume in relation to their weight and are therefore not very ecological for transport and collection, and are a contributor of microplastics. Although they have a very low environmental impact, cardboard support bases known from prior art are damaged by moisture and are not capable of recovering their shape after impact.

[0012] The support base of the invention, as it is made of plastic conformable sheets, is waterproof and has a greater elasticity or capacity to recover its shape than cardboard support bases, is more sustainable and makes it possible to obtain the support base with less environmental impact than support bases made at least in part of solid blocks of foamed plastic. The support base can be obtained with a reduced environmental impact through the conforming of the sheets which requires relatively little energy compared to the thermal expansion required to foam the plastic, acquiring with the sheets shapes as complex as the reinforcement columns surrounded by air and shapes adapted to the household appliance to be supported in each case, and once its useful life is over, the support base can be easily flattened to reduce the volume for transport and collection.

[0013] In this way, the support base of the invention is capable of supporting the weight of at least one household appliance and cushioning possible impacts, recovering to a large extent the shape after the impact and making it possible to obtain the support base with a lower environmental impact than the support bases of the state of the art.

[0014] These and other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in view of the figures and the detailed description of the invention.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a household appliance rectangular support base according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view from underneath the support base of the figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of the support base of the figure 1. Figure 4 is a sectional view along a cut line B-B' of the figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view along a cut line A-A' of the figure 3. Figure 6 is a detailed front sectional view of the figure 5. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the support base of the figure 1 in use supporting a household appliance. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a household appliance rectangular support base according to another embodiment of the invention, showing in detail the corner protector. DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Figures 1 to 7 show a household appliance rectangular support base 100 for supporting at least one household appliance E, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0017] The support base 100 of the invention is capable of supporting at least one household appliance E or several household appliances E stacked on top of each other. Although the household appliance E could be any household appliance, in particular the support base 100 is configured to support a medium or large household appliance E whose weight is greater than 20 kilograms and which has a rectangular base, such as for example a washing machine, a refrigerator or the like. The support base 100 will have a rectangular shape equal to or larger than the base of the household appliance E it supports. In particular, the support base 100 of the preferred embodiment shown in the figures is a support base for supporting at least one washing machine.

[0018] The support base 100 comprises an upper surface S1, a lower surface S2, and four sides corresponding to a first lateral side L1, a second lateral side L2 opposite the first lateral side L1, a front side L3, and a rear side L4 opposite the front side L3. Preferably, each side L1, L2, L3 and L4 of the support base 100 is configured to coincide with the corresponding lateral, front or rear side of the supported household appliance E, as shown in the figure 7.

[0019] However, in another embodiment (not shown in the figures) each side of the support base could be configured to coincide with any of the sides of the supported household appliance.

[0020] The upper surface S1 of the support base 100 is a surface configured to be in contact with the base of the household appliance E, and the lower surface S2 of the support base 100 is a surface opposite the upper surface S1.

[0021] A longitudinal first axis Y of the support base 100 divides the support base 100 into a first lateral half at one side of the first Y axis, comprising the first lateral side L1 parallel to the first axis Y, and a second lateral half at the other side of the first Y axis, comprising the second lateral side L2 parallel to the Y first axis. A second axis X of the support base 100, which is transverse to the first axis Y, divides the support base 100 into a front half at one side of the second axis X, comprising the front side L3 parallel to the second axis X, and a rear half at the other side of the second axis X, comprising the rear side L4 parallel to the second axis X.

[0022] The support base 100 comprises a first support part 10 in the first lateral half and a second support part 20 in the second lateral half. The first support part 10 is delimited between the upper surface S1 and the lower surface S2 and is closer to the first lateral side L1 of the support base 100 than to the first axis Y. Similarly, the second support part 20 is delimited between the upper surface S1 and the lower surface S2 and is closer to the second lateral side L2 than to the first axis Y. Each of said support parts 10 and 20 is configured to support at least part of an opposite side of the base of the household appliance E. In this way, a straightened seating of the household appliance E on the first and second support parts 10 and 20 is achieved (see figure 7).

[0023] Further, the support base 100 is formed by a plastic conformable upper sheet 101 comprising the upper surface S1 and a plastic conformable lower sheet 102 comprising the lower surface S2, and comprises a plurality of reinforcement columns 5 in each support part 10 and 20. Each reinforcement column 5 extends between the upper surface S1 and the lower surface S2, and the reinforcement columns 5 of each support part 10 and 20 are distributed along the corresponding lateral side L1 or L2 and are surrounded by air. Thus, the reinforcement columns 5, as well as the entire support base 100, are formed by the two sheets 101 and 102.

[0024] In the context of the invention, a reinforcement column 5 is a support with a height preferably greater than its cross-section S, the outer contour of the cross-section S delimiting an enclosed area, to help withstand vertical stresses, whether static such as the weight of the household appliance E or dynamic such as those due to impacts.

[0025] The reinforcement column 5 is preferably vertical and its cross-section S is circular.

[0026] A plastic conformable sheet in the context of the invention is a sheet capable of conforming and of plastic material of a certain thickness greater than that of a bubble packaging film and therefore of a non-foamed plastic material or with very small percentages of air.

[0027] In this way, as previously explained, the support base 100 of the invention is capable of supporting the weight of at least one household appliance E and cushioning impacts, recovering to a large extent the shape after the impact and making it possible to obtain the support base 100 with a lower environmental impact than the support bases of the prior art.

[0028] In the preferred embodiment, the first support part 10 and the second support part 20 are close to, but separate from the corresponding L1 or L2 side of the support base 100, and therefore the reinforcement columns 5 of each support part 10 and 20 are internal to the support base 100.

[0029] The support parts 10 and 20 of the preferred embodiment are elongated and identical to each other and are arranged parallel and symmetrically with respect to the first Y-axis, as shown in figures 1 and 3. This ensures a balanced distribution of the weight of the household appliance E between the first and second support parts 10 and 20.

[0030] Preferably the support base 100 comprises at least one additional support part 30 or 40 which is arranged in the front half or in the rear half. Said additional support part 30 or 40 is arranged closer to the side L3 or L4 of the support base 100 corresponding to said half than to the second axis X, is delimited between the upper surface S1 and the lower surface S2, and is configured to support at least part of a front half or a rear half of the base of the household appliance E. Additionally, the support base 100 comprises a plurality of reinforcement columns 5 in said additional support part 30 or 40.

[0031] In this way, supporting on three reinforced support parts each with reinforcement columns 5, a more secure upright seating of the household appliance E and a better distribution of the vertical forces to better support the weight of the household appliance E is achieved.

[0032] The support base 100 of the preferred embodiment comprises a first additional support part 30 which is arranged in the front half and a second additional support part 40 which is arranged in the rear half, as shown in the figures 1 and 3. Thus, the support base 100 comprises four support parts 10, 20, 30 and 40 each reinforced with a plurality of reinforcement columns 5 distributed along each side L1, L2, L3 and L4. In this way, it is ensured that all sides of the base of the household appliance E are supported on support parts 10, 20, 30 and 40 reinforced with said reinforcement columns 5.

[0033] The support base 100 may comprise depressions R1, R2, R3 and R4 in the upper surface S1 configured to accommodate legs of the household appliance E and protrusions M1, M2, M3 and M4 defining at least in part a frame configured to fit the base of the household appliance E, each protrusion M 1, M2, M3 and M4 being arranged along each side L1, L2, L3 and L4 of the support base 100 outside an area of the upper surface S1 below the base of the household appliance E.

[0034] Each support part 10, 20, 30 and 40 may be arranged between a pair of depressions R1, R2, R3 and R4 close to the ends of the corresponding side L1, L2, L3 or L4 of the support base 100, as shown in figures 1 and 3. In this way, a good positioning of the household appliance base E on the support parts 10, 20, 30 and 40 is achieved.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, in order to achieve a good positioning of the household appliance base E on the support parts 10, 20, 30 and 40, each support part 10, 20, 30 and 40 may be adjacent to the protrusion M1, M2, M3 and M4 arranged along the corresponding side L1, L2, L3 and L4 of the support base 100, as shown in the figures 1 and 3.

[0036] Preferably each reinforcement column 5 comprises at least one depression 51 or 52 in at least one of the surfaces S1 and S2 of the support base 100, both sheets 101 and 102 being in contact with each other in each reinforcement column 5 (at the base or top of the depression 51, 52). Thus, the reinforcement column 5 is hollow and the walls of the depression 51 and 52 are the ones that support the vertical forces. Thus, very little plastic material is required to form the reinforcement column 5 and it is very easy to form the reinforcement columns 5 with the two sheets 101 and 102, it is sufficient for example to conform one of the sheets 101 or 102 with a depression 51 or 52 that comes into contact with the other sheet 101 or 102.

[0037] In the preferred embodiment, each reinforcement column 5 comprises a first depression 51 extending from the upper surface S1 and a second depression 52 facing the first depression 51 and extending from the lower surface S2, both depressions 51, 52 extending until both sheets 101 and 102 contact with each other, as shown in the figures 4 and 6. In this way, it is easier to achieve a more rigid reinforcement column 5, for example, by conforming each sheet 101 and 102 with a thicker and more uniform wall depression 51 and 52 than if only one of the two sheets 101 and 102 is conformed with a depression 51 and 52 to form the reinforcement column 5.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment, the wall of each depression 51 and 52 is shaped as a cylindrical or conical column to facilitate the conforming of the depression 51 and 52, both sheets 101 and 102, in addition to contacting with each other, are joined together to make the reinforcement column 5 more rigid (preferably by heat sealing), and both depressions 51 and 52 comprise the same height (see figures 4 and 6).

[0039] However, in other embodiments (not shown in the figures) both sheets 101 and 102 need not be joined together, they may contact at any height of the support base 100 and the depression wall 51 or 52 may have another shape.

[0040] Preferably, the support base 100 comprises between the upper sheet 101 and the lower sheet 102 an air chamber 6, the reinforcement columns 5 of at least one support part 10, 20, 30 or 40 being arranged in said air chamber 6. Said air chamber 6 is a chamber in which air is confined and is formed by the same two sheets 101 and 102 that form the rest of the support base 100, the air in said air chamber 6 being the air surrounding each of said reinforcement columns 5, as shown in the figures 4 to 6. In this way, the elasticity of the support parts 10, 20, 30 and 40 is improved and the support base 100 of the invention is able to better cushion the possible impacts caused during the transport and distribution of the household appliance E such as, for example, those caused in a free fall of the household appliance E from a height of about 0.3 meters by recovering the shape to a large extent.

[0041] Preferably, all the reinforcement columns 5 are arranged in the air chamber 6. This simplifies the manufacture of the support base 100 with a single main air chamber 6 with the reinforcement columns 5 that is capable of better supporting and cushioning the vertical forces.

[0042] In the preferred embodiment, the air chamber 6 is formed by joining the sheets 101 and 102 in each side L1, L2, L3 and L4 of the support base 100, as shown in the figures 4 to 6. In this way, the air confined between them surrounds each of the reinforcement columns 5.

[0043] Preferably, the reinforcement columns 5 of at least the first and second support parts 10 and 20 are aligned parallel to the corresponding side L1 or L2 of the support base 100 and spaced equidistantly from each other. In this way, the reinforcement columns 5 are advantageously arranged to achieve homogeneous vertical stress bearing along said sides.

[0044] In the preferred embodiment, in addition to the reinforcement columns 5 of the first and second support part 10 and 20, the reinforcement columns 5 of the additional support part 30 of the front half of the support base 100 are also arranged in the aforementioned advantageous manner, as shown in the figures 1 and 3.

[0045] Preferably, the support base 100 comprises four quadrants delimited by the first axis Y and the second axis X, each quadrant comprising a cushioning air chamber 8 between the upper sheet 101 and the lower sheet 102, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. Both sheets 101 and 102 are joined together around the contour of the cushioning air chamber 8 (more preferably around the entire contour). Each cushioning air chamber 8 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the cushioning air chamber 8 of adjacent quadrants, and a part 81 of the upper surface S1 of each cushioning air chamber 8 protrudes from the rest of the upper surface S1 of the corresponding quadrant that supports the household appliance E. Thus, the cushioning air chamber 8 is airtight and the part 81 of the upper surface S1 of each cushioning air chamber 8 protrudes from the rest of the upper surface S1 of the corresponding quadrant that supports the household appliance E, i.e. it also protrudes from the part of the upper surface S1 of the support parts 10 and 20. In this way, greater cushioning is achieved because in use the household appliance E first rests on the four sealed cushioning air chambers 8 which deform by equally pressurizing the air in said cushioning air chambers 8 in order to better cushion the dynamic vertical forces in case of impact and then rests on the support parts 10, 20 supporting the static vertical forces thanks to the reinforcement columns 5.

[0046] Preferably, the part 81 of each cushioning air chamber 8 protruding from the rest of the upper surface S1 of the corresponding quadrant comprises a conical shape. In this way, said part 81 works like a disk spring and is more easily deformed when the household appliance E rests on it to pressurize the air in the cushioning air chamber 8.

[0047] In addition, a part 82 of each cushioning air chamber 8 that does not protrude from the rest of the upper surface S1 of the corresponding quadrant may comprise a cylindrical column shape to help support static vertical stresses, as is the case in the preferred embodiment.

[0048] The support base 100 may also comprise further auxiliary cushioning air chambers 11 in another form and in another specific areas of the support base 100, around the contour of which both sheets 101 and 102 are bonded together to achieve further cushioning in that area, as shown in the figures 1, 2 and 5.

[0049] In the preferred embodiment, the cushioning air chambers 8 and the auxiliary cushioning air chambers 11 are surrounded by the air chamber 6 in which the reinforcement columns 5 are arranged, i.e. they are surrounded by the main air chamber 6. The cushioning air chambers 8 and 11, although being airtight, may comprise an orifice 83 communicating with the air chamber 6 in which the reinforcement columns 5 are arranged to prevent an excessive pressurization due to a large impact may break the cushioning air chambers 8 and 11, as shown in the figure 5.

[0050] In the preferred embodiment, the support base 100 comprises a corner protector 90 at each corner of the support base 100 to support an edge protector 200 which protects a vertical edge of the household appliance E, each corner protector 90 comprising a corner air chamber 9 between the upper sheet 101 and the lower sheet 102 (see figure 5). The corner protector 90 must support only the edge protector 200, so that the household appliance E does not rest on them, as shown in the figure 7. In this way, the corner protector 90 are formed by the same two sheets 101 and 102 that form the rest of the support base 100 and cushion the impacts received in the corners of the support base 100.

[0051] In another embodiment shown in the figure 8, the support base 100 is like the preferred embodiment described above, except that the corner protector 90 of the support base 100 comprises a plurality of reinforcement walls 92, said reinforcement walls 92 being arranged in the corner air chamber 9. In this way, the corner protector 90 is also reinforced to withstand the vertical forces transmitted through the edge protector 200. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for those household appliances E which do not withstand stacking and at least part of the vertical forces caused by the stacking of household appliances E have to be transmitted through the cage-like structure formed with the edge protectors 200.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in the figure 8, the reinforcement wall 92 forms an open semi-circular cross-section in plan and partly delimitates the corner air camber 9. This results in a high density of reinforcement walls 92 delimiting the corner air chamber 9.

[0053] However, in another embodiment (not shown in the figures) each reinforcement wall 92 forms a column as the reinforcement column 5 of the support parts of the support base 100. In this way, the internal reinforcement columns of the corner air chamber 9 better withstand the vertical forces.

[0054] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in the figure 8 each corner protector 90 comprises a depression 91 in the upper surface S1, which in plan is L-shaped to accommodate part of the edge protector 200, and the reinforcement walls 92 of each corner protector 90 extend from the lower surface S2 to contact the depression 91 and are distributed below the depression 91 along the same. In this way, the reinforcement walls 92 are strategically distributed just below the edge protector 200 to better withstand the vertical stresses transmitted through the edge protector 200.

[0055] Preferably, the lower sheet 102 or the upper sheet 101 comprises a channel 12 extending parallel to the first axis Y from the front side L3 to the rear side L4 of the support base 100 or parallel to the second axis X from the first lateral side L1 to the second lateral side L2 of the support base 100 (see figure 2). In this way, the channel 12 stiffens the base in the direction parallel to the X or Y axis along which it runs, preventing it from bending.

[0056] Preferably the upper sheet 101 and the lower sheet 102 are thermoconformed sheets, both sheets 101 and 102 being joined together. In this way, it is very easy to obtain the base support 100 of the invention comprising such complex shapes as reinforcement columns 5 with only two sheets 101 and 102 by means of such a conforming process which requires relatively little energy in comparison with the processes for generating bases comprising solid blocks of foamed plastic (which are thermal expansion processes). Usually, the thermoconformed sheets are made of thermoplastic material, due to the high conformability that thermoplastic sheets acquire with temperature, it is very easy to conform with this material and by heating the material it can be re-conformed or recycled. Preferably, the thermoconformed sheet is made of polypropylene or a thermoplastic with similar characteristics of lightness and mechanical strength.

[0057] More preferably both sheets 101 and 102 are heat-sealed together.

[0058] Preferably the upper sheet 101 and the lower sheet 102 have a thickness between 0.3 and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5 and 1 mm. This ensures that the sheets 101 and 102 have sufficient mechanical strength to support the weight of a medium or large household appliance E. Within such a range the thickness may vary from point to point of the sheet 101 or 102, for example, the more highly conformed part of the sheet 101 or 102 will have less thickness than the less highly conformed part of the sheet 101 or 102.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0016]Figures 1 to 7 show a household appliance rectangular support base 100 for supporting at least one household appliance E, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0017]The support base 100 of the invention is capable of supporting at least one household appliance E or several household appliances E stacked on top of each other. Although the household appliance E could be any household appliance, in particular the support base 100 is configured to support a medium or large household appliance E whose weight is greater than 20 kilograms and which has a rectangular base, such as for example a washing machine, a refrigerator or the like. The support base 100 will have a rectangular shape equal to or larger than the base of the household appliance E it supports. In particular, the support base 100 of the preferred embodiment shown in the figures is a support base for supporting at least one washing machine.

[0018]The support base 100 comprises an upper surface S1, a low...

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to household appliance rectangular support bases, in particular to rectangular support bases for medium or large-sized household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines or the like.PRIOR ART

[0002] Household appliance rectangular bases, in particular household appliance rectangular bases for medium to large household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines or similar, must be capable of supporting heavy weights and must cushion the household appliance without permanently deforming it in the event of an impact.

[0003] Cardboard packaging is permanently deformed after an impact and is not able to recover its shape. Bubble film packaging does not have sufficient mechanical strength to support the weight of the household appliance on its own. For this reason, household appliance support bases usually comprise solid blocks of foamed polystyrene because of their high mechanical strength and ability to cushion and recover their shape to a large extent.

[0004] For example, CN114889988A discloses a household appliance rectangular support base comprising a solid block of foamed polystyrene. The block comprises a first solid support part in a first lateral half of the base proximate to one lateral side of the base and a second solid support part in a second lateral half of said base proximate to the other lateral side of said base, each of said support parts being configured to support at least part of an opposing side of the base of the household appliance.DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a household appliance rectangular support base for supporting at least one household appliance, in particular a medium or large-sized household appliance, as defined in the claims.

[0006] The support base comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, a front side, and a rear side opposite the front side.

[0007] A longitudinal first axis of the support base divides the support base into a first lateral half at one side of the first axis, that comprises the first lateral side parallel to the first axis, and a second lateral half at the other side of the first axis, that comprises the second lateral side parallel to the first axis. A second axis of the support base, which is transverse to the first axis, divides the support base into a front half at one side of the second axis comprising the front side parallel to the second axis, and a rear half at the other side of the second axis comprising the rear side parallel to the second axis.

[0008] The support base further comprises a first support part in the first lateral half of the support base, which is closer to the first lateral side of the support base than to the first axis, and which is delimited between the upper surface and the lower surface; and a second support part in the second lateral half of the support base, which is closer to the second lateral side than to the first axis, and which is delimited between the upper surface and the lower surface. Each of said support parts is configured to support at least part of an opposite side of the household appliance base.

[0009] Further, the support base comprises a plastic conformable upper sheet comprising the upper surface and a plastic conformable lower sheet comprising the lower surface, and comprises a plurality of reinforcement columns in each support part, each reinforcement column extending between the upper surface and the lower surface and the reinforcement columns of each support part being distributed along the corresponding lateral side and surrounded by air.

[0010] The fact that the reinforcement columns are surrounded by air means that the support base is not solid, but that there is a gap between the sheets that form it, at least around the reinforcement columns. Nevertheless, the reinforcement columns of each support part strategically distributed along the corresponding lateral side distribute the vertical stresses and help to maintain the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface of the support part when the support base is supporting the weight of at least one household appliance, while at the same time cushioning the weight of said household appliance, so that the support base of the invention is capable of supporting the weight of at least one household appliance.

[0011] Prior art support bases that are at least partly made of solid blocks of foamed plastic such as foamed polystyrene (EPS), although they have a high capacity to cushion and recover their shape against possible impacts during transport and distribution of the household appliance, they have a significant environmental impact due to the fact that they are often made of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that have high global warming potentials, require a large amount of energy to foam the plastic into the final shape and once they are foamed cannot be conformed, are difficult to recycle, occupy a high volume in relation to their weight and are therefore not very ecological for transport and collection, and are a contributor of microplastics. Although they have a very low environmental impact, cardboard support bases known from prior art are damaged by moisture and are not capable of recovering their shape after impact.

[0012] The support base of the invention, as it is made of plastic conformable sheets, is waterproof and has a greater elasticity or capacity to recover its shape than cardboard support bases, is more sustainable and makes it possible to obtain the support base with less environmental impact than support bases made at least in part of solid blocks of foamed plastic. The support base can be obtained with a reduced environmental impact through the conforming of the sheets which requires relatively little energy compared to the thermal expansion required to foam the plastic, acquiring with the sheets shapes as complex as the reinforcement columns surrounded by air and shapes adapted to the household appliance to be supported in each case, and once its useful life is over, the support base can be easily flattened to reduce the volume for transport and collection.

[0013] In this way, the support base of the invention is capable of supporting the weight of at least one household appliance and cushioning possible impacts, recovering to a large extent the shape after the impact and making it possible to obtain the support base with a lower environmental impact than the support bases of the state of the art.

[0014] These and other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in view of the figures and the detailed description of the invention.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a household appliance rectangular support base according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view from underneath the support base of the figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of the support base of the figure 1. Figure 4 is a sectional view along a cut line B-B' of the figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view along a cut line A-A' of the figure 3. Figure 6 is a detailed front sectional view of the figure 5. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the support base of the figure 1 in use supporting a household appliance. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a household appliance rectangular support base according to another embodiment of the invention, showing in detail the corner protector. DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Figures 1 to 7 show a household appliance rectangular support base 100 for supporting at least one household appliance E, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0017] The support base 100 of the invention is capable of supporting at least one household appliance E or several household appliances E stacked on top of each other. Although the household appliance E could be any household appliance, in particular the support base 100 is configured to support a medium or large household appliance E whose weight is greater than 20 kilograms and which has a rectangular base, such as for example a washing machine, a refrigerator or the like. The support base 100 will have a rectangular shape equal to or larger than the base of the household appliance E it supports. In particular, the support base 100 of the preferred embodiment shown in the figures is a support base for supporting at least one washing machine.

[0018] The support base 100 comprises an upper surface S1, a lower surface S2, and four sides corresponding to a first lateral side L1, a second lateral side L2 opposite the first lateral side L1, a front side L3, and a rear side L4 opposite the front side L3. Preferably, each side L1, L2, L3 and L4 of the support base 100 is configured to coincide with the corresponding lateral, front or rear side of the supported household appliance E, as shown in the figure 7.

[0019] However, in another embodiment (not shown in the figures) each side of the support base could be configured to coincide with any of the sides of the supported household appliance.

[0020] The upper surface S1 of the support base 100 is a surface configured to be in contact with the base of the household appliance E, and the lower surface S2 of the support base 100 is a surface opposite the upper surface S1.

[0021] A longitudinal first axis Y of the support base 100 divides the support base 100 into a first lateral half at one side of the first Y axis, comprising the first lateral side L1 parallel to the first axis Y, and a second lateral half at the other side of the first Y axis, comprising the second lateral side L2 parallel to the Y first axis. A second axis X of the support base 100, which is transverse to the first axis Y, divides the support base 100 into a front half at one side of the second axis X, comprising the front side L3 parallel to the second axis X, and a rear half at the other side of the second axis X, comprising the rear side L4 parallel to the second axis X.

[0022] The support base 100 comprises a first support part 10 in the first lateral half and a second support part 20 in the second lateral half. The first support part 10 is delimited between the upper surface S1 and the lower surface S2 and is closer to the first lateral side L1 of the support base 100 than to the first axis Y. Similarly, the second support part 20 is delimited between the upper surface S1 and the lower surface S2 and is closer to the second lateral side L2 than to the first axis Y. Each of said support parts 10 and 20 is configured to support at least part of an opposite side of the base of the household appliance E. In this way, a straightened seating of the household appliance E on the first and second support parts 10 and 20 is achieved (see figure 7).

[0023] Further, the support base 100 is formed by a plastic conformable upper sheet 101 comprising the upper surface S1 and a plastic conformable lower sheet 102 comprising the lower surface S2, and comprises a plurality of reinforcement columns 5 in each support part 10 and 20. Each reinforcement column 5 extends between the upper surface S1 and the lower surface S2, and the reinforcement columns 5 of each support part 10 and 20 are distributed along the corresponding lateral side L1 or L2 and are surrounded by air. Thus, the reinforcement columns 5, as well as the entire support base 100, are formed by the two sheets 101 and 102.

[0024] In the context of the invention, a reinforcement column 5 is a support with a height preferably greater than its cross-section S, the outer contour of the cross-section S delimiting an enclosed area, to help withstand vertical stresses, whether static such as the weight of the household appliance E or dynamic such as those due to impacts.

[0025] The reinforcement column 5 is preferably vertical and its cross-section S is circular.

[0026] A plastic conformable sheet in the context of the invention is a sheet capable of conforming and of plastic material of a certain thickness greater than that of a bubble packaging film and therefore of a non-foamed plastic material or with very small percentages of air.

[0027] In this way, as previously explained, the support base 100 of the invention is capable of supporting the weight of at least one household appliance E and cushioning impacts, recovering to a large extent the shape after the impact and making it possible to obtain the support base 100 with a lower environmental impact than the support bases of the prior art.

[0028] In the preferred embodiment, the first support part 10 and the second support part 20 are close to, but separate from the corresponding L1 or L2 side of the support base 100, and therefore the reinforcement columns 5 of each support part 10 and 20 are internal to the support base 100.

[0029] The support parts 10 and 20 of the preferred embodiment are elongated and identical to each other and are arranged parallel and symmetrically with respect to the first Y-axis, as shown in figures 1 and 3. This ensures a balanced distribution of the weight of the household appliance E between the first and second support parts 10 and 20.

[0030] Preferably the support base 100 comprises at least one additional support part 30 or 40 which is arranged in the front half or in the rear half. Said additional support part 30 or 40 is arranged closer to the side L3 or L4 of the support base 100 corresponding to said half than to the second axis X, is delimited between the upper surface S1 and the lower surface S2, and is configured to support at least part of a front half or a rear half of the base of the household appliance E. Additionally, the support base 100 comprises a plurality of reinforcement columns 5 in said additional support part 30 or 40.

[0031] In this way, supporting on three reinforced support parts each with reinforcement columns 5, a more secure upright seating of the household appliance E and a better distribution of the vertical forces to better support the weight of the household appliance E is achieved.

[0032] The support base 100 of the preferred embodiment comprises a first additional support part 30 which is arranged in the front half and a second additional support part 40 which is arranged in the rear half, as shown in the figures 1 and 3. Thus, the support base 100 comprises four support parts 10, 20, 30 and 40 each reinforced with a plurality of reinforcement columns 5 distributed along each side L1, L2, L3 and L4. In this way, it is ensured that all sides of the base of the household appliance E are supported on support parts 10, 20, 30 and 40 reinforced with said reinforcement columns 5.

[0033] The support base 100 may comprise depressions R1, R2, R3 and R4 in the upper surface S1 configured to accommodate legs of the household appliance E and protrusions M1, M2, M3 and M4 defining at least in part a frame configured to fit the base of the household appliance E, each protrusion M 1, M2, M3 and M4 being arranged along each side L1, L2, L3 and L4 of the support base 100 outside an area of the upper surface S1 below the base of the household appliance E.

[0034] Each support part 10, 20, 30 and 40 may be arranged between a pair of depressions R1, R2, R3 and R4 close to the ends of the corresponding side L1, L2, L3 or L4 of the support base 100, as shown in figures 1 and 3. In this way, a good positioning of the household appliance base E on the support parts 10, 20, 30 and 40 is achieved.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, in order to achieve a good positioning of the household appliance base E on the support parts 10, 20, 30 and 40, each support part 10, 20, 30 and 40 may be adjacent to the protrusion M1, M2, M3 and M4 arranged along the corresponding side L1, L2, L3 and L4 of the support base 100, as shown in the figures 1 and 3.

[0036] Preferably each reinforcement column 5 comprises at least one depression 51 or 52 in at least one of the surfaces S1 and S2 of the support base 100, both sheets 101 and 102 being in contact with each other in each reinforcement column 5 (at the base or top of the depression 51, 52). Thus, the reinforcement column 5 is hollow and the walls of the depression 51 and 52 are the ones that support the vertical forces. Thus, very little plastic material is required to form the reinforcement column 5 and it is very easy to form the reinforcement columns 5 with the two sheets 101 and 102, it is sufficient for example to conform one of the sheets 101 or 102 with a depression 51 or 52 that comes into contact with the other sheet 101 or 102.

[0037] In the preferred embodiment, each reinforcement column 5 comprises a first depression 51 extending from the upper surface S1 and a second depression 52 facing the first depression 51 and extending from the lower surface S2, both depressions 51, 52 extending until both sheets 101 and 102 contact with each other, as shown in the figures 4 and 6. In this way, it is easier to achieve a more rigid reinforcement column 5, for example, by conforming each sheet 101 and 102 with a thicker and more uniform wall depression 51 and 52 than if only one of the two sheets 101 and 102 is conformed with a depression 51 and 52 to form the reinforcement column 5.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment, the wall of each depression 51 and 52 is shaped as a cylindrical or conical column to facilitate the conforming of the depression 51 and 52, both sheets 101 and 102, in addition to contacting with each other, are joined together to make the reinforcement column 5 more rigid (preferably by heat sealing), and both depressions 51 and 52 comprise the same height (see figures 4 and 6).

[0039] However, in other embodiments (not shown in the figures) both sheets 101 and 102 need not be joined together, they may contact at any height of the support base 100 and the depression wall 51 or 52 may have another shape.

[0040] Preferably, the support base 100 comprises between the upper sheet 101 and the lower sheet 102 an air chamber 6, the reinforcement columns 5 of at least one support part 10, 20, 30 or 40 being arranged in said air chamber 6. Said air chamber 6 is a chamber in which air is confined and is formed by the same two sheets 101 and 102 that form the rest of the support base 100, the air in said air chamber 6 being the air surrounding each of said reinforcement columns 5, as shown in the figures 4 to 6. In this way, the elasticity of the support parts 10, 20, 30 and 40 is improved and the support base 100 of the invention is able to better cushion the possible impacts caused during the transport and distribution of the household appliance E such as, for example, those caused in a free fall of the household appliance E from a height of about 0.3 meters by recovering the shape to a large extent.

[0041] Preferably, all the reinforcement columns 5 are arranged in the air chamber 6. This simplifies the manufacture of the support base 100 with a single main air chamber 6 with the reinforcement columns 5 that is capable of better supporting and cushioning the vertical forces.

[0042] In the preferred embodiment, the air chamber 6 is formed by joining the sheets 101 and 102 in each side L1, L2, L3 and L4 of the support base 100, as shown in the figures 4 to 6. In this way, the air confined between them surrounds each of the reinforcement columns 5.

[0043] Preferably, the reinforcement columns 5 of at least the first and second support parts 10 and 20 are aligned parallel to the corresponding side L1 or L2 of the support base 100 and spaced equidistantly from each other. In this way, the reinforcement columns 5 are advantageously arranged to achieve homogeneous vertical stress bearing along said sides.

[0044] In the preferred embodiment, in addition to the reinforcement columns 5 of the first and second support part 10 and 20, the reinforcement columns 5 of the additional support part 30 of the front half of the support base 100 are also arranged in the aforementioned advantageous manner, as shown in the figures 1 and 3.

[0045] Preferably, the support base 100 comprises four quadrants delimited by the first axis Y and the second axis X, each quadrant comprising a cushioning air chamber 8 between the upper sheet 101 and the lower sheet 102, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. Both sheets 101 and 102 are joined together around the contour of the cushioning air chamber 8 (more preferably around the entire contour). Each cushioning air chamber 8 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the cushioning air chamber 8 of adjacent quadrants, and a part 81 of the upper surface S1 of each cushioning air chamber 8 protrudes from the rest of the upper surface S1 of the corresponding quadrant that supports the household appliance E. Thus, the cushioning air chamber 8 is airtight and the part 81 of the upper surface S1 of each cushioning air chamber 8 protrudes from the rest of the upper surface S1 of the corresponding quadrant that supports the household appliance E, i.e. it also protrudes from the part of the upper surface S1 of the support parts 10 and 20. In this way, greater cushioning is achieved because in use the household appliance E first rests on the four sealed cushioning air chambers 8 which deform by equally pressurizing the air in said cushioning air chambers 8 in order to better cushion the dynamic vertical forces in case of impact and then rests on the support parts 10, 20 supporting the static vertical forces thanks to the reinforcement columns 5.

[0046] Preferably, the part 81 of each cushioning air chamber 8 protruding from the rest of the upper surface S1 of the corresponding quadrant comprises a conical shape. In this way, said part 81 works like a disk spring and is more easily deformed when the household appliance E rests on it to pressurize the air in the cushioning air chamber 8.

[0047] In addition, a part 82 of each cushioning air chamber 8 that does not protrude from the rest of the upper surface S1 of the corresponding quadrant may comprise a cylindrical column shape to help support static vertical stresses, as is the case in the preferred embodiment.

[0048] The support base 100 may also comprise further auxiliary cushioning air chambers 11 in another form and in another specific areas of the support base 100, around the contour of which both sheets 101 and 102 are bonded together to achieve further cushioning in that area, as shown in the figures 1, 2 and 5.

[0049] In the preferred embodiment, the cushioning air chambers 8 and the auxiliary cushioning air chambers 11 are surrounded by the air chamber 6 in which the reinforcement columns 5 are arranged, i.e. they are surrounded by the main air chamber 6. The cushioning air chambers 8 and 11, although being airtight, may comprise an orifice 83 communicating with the air chamber 6 in which the reinforcement columns 5 are arranged to prevent an excessive pressurization due to a large impact may break the cushioning air chambers 8 and 11, as shown in the figure 5.

[0050] In the preferred embodiment, the support base 100 comprises a corner protector 90 at each corner of the support base 100 to support an edge protector 200 which protects a vertical edge of the household appliance E, each corner protector 90 comprising a corner air chamber 9 between the upper sheet 101 and the lower sheet 102 (see figure 5). The corner protector 90 must support only the edge protector 200, so that the household appliance E does not rest on them, as shown in the figure 7. In this way, the corner protector 90 are formed by the same two sheets 101 and 102 that form the rest of the support base 100 and cushion the impacts received in the corners of the support base 100.

[0051] In another embodiment shown in the figure 8, the support base 100 is like the preferred embodiment described above, except that the corner protector 90 of the support base 100 comprises a plurality of reinforcement walls 92, said reinforcement walls 92 being arranged in the corner air chamber 9. In this way, the corner protector 90 is also reinforced to withstand the vertical forces transmitted through the edge protector 200. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for those household appliances E which do not withstand stacking and at least part of the vertical forces caused by the stacking of household appliances E have to be transmitted through the cage-like structure formed with the edge protectors 200.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in the figure 8, the reinforcement wall 92 forms an open semi-circular cross-section in plan and partly delimitates the corner air camber 9. This results in a high density of reinforcement walls 92 delimiting the corner air chamber 9.

[0053] However, in another embodiment (not shown in the figures) each reinforcement wall 92 forms a column as the reinforcement column 5 of the support parts of the support base 100. In this way, the internal reinforcement columns of the corner air chamber 9 better withstand the vertical forces.

[0054] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in the figure 8 each corner protector 90 comprises a depression 91 in the upper surface S1, which in plan is L-shaped to accommodate part of the edge protector 200, and the reinforcement walls 92 of each corner protector 90 extend from the lower surface S2 to contact the depression 91 and are distributed below the depression 91 along the same. In this way, the reinforcement walls 92 are strategically distributed just below the edge protector 200 to better withstand the vertical stresses transmitted through the edge protector 200.

[0055] Preferably, the lower sheet 102 or the upper sheet 101 comprises a channel 12 extending parallel to the first axis Y from the front side L3 to the rear side L4 of the support base 100 or parallel to the second axis X from the first lateral side L1 to the second lateral side L2 of the support base 100 (see figure 2). In this way, the channel 12 stiffens the base in the direction parallel to the X or Y axis along which it runs, preventing it from bending.

[0056] Preferably the upper sheet 101 and the lower sheet 102 are thermoconformed sheets, both sheets 101 and 102 being joined together. In this way, it is very easy to obtain the base support 100 of the invention comprising such complex shapes as reinforcement columns 5 with only two sheets 101 and 102 by means of such a conforming process which requires relatively little energy in comparison with the processes for generating bases comprising solid blocks of foamed plastic (which are thermal expansion processes). Usually, the thermoconformed sheets are made of thermoplastic material, due to the high conformability that thermoplastic sheets acquire with temperature, it is very easy to conform with this material and by heating the material it can be re-conformed or recycled. Preferably, the thermoconformed sheet is made of polypropylene or a thermoplastic with similar characteristics of lightness and mechanical strength.

[0057] More preferably both sheets 101 and 102 are heat-sealed together.

[0058] Preferably the upper sheet 101 and the lower sheet 102 have a thickness between 0.3 and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5 and 1 mm. This ensures that the sheets 101 and 102 have sufficient mechanical strength to support the weight of a medium or large household appliance E. Within such a range the thickness may vary from point to point of the sheet 101 or 102, for example, the more highly conformed part of the sheet 101 or 102 will have less thickness than the less highly conformed part of the sheet 101 or 102.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0016]Figures 1 to 7 show a household appliance rectangular support base 100 for supporting at least one household appliance E, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0017]The support base 100 of the invention is capable of supporting at least one household appliance E or several household appliances E stacked on top of each other. Although the household appliance E could be any household appliance, in particular the support base 100 is configured to support a medium or large household appliance E whose weight is greater than 20 kilograms and which has a rectangular base, such as for example a washing machine, a refrigerator or the like. The support base 100 will have a rectangular shape equal to or larger than the base of the household appliance E it supports. In particular, the support base 100 of the preferred embodiment shown in the figures is a support base for supporting at least one washing machine.

[0018]The support base 100 comprises an upper surface S1, a low...

Claims

1. Household appliance rectangular support base configured to support at least one household appliance (E), the support base (100) comprising an upper surface (S1); a lower surface (S2); a first lateral side (L1); a second lateral side (L2) opposite to the first lateral side (L1); a front side (L3); a rear side (L4) opposite to the front side (L3); a first longitudinal axis (Y) dividing said support base (100) into a first lateral half at one side of the first axis (Y), that comprises the first lateral side (L1) parallel to the first axis (Y), and a second lateral half at the other side of the first axis (Y), that comprises the second lateral side (L2) parallel to the first axis (Y); a second axis (X) which is transverse to the first axis (Y) and which divides the support base (100) into a front half at one side of the second axis (X), that comprises the front side (L3) parallel to the second axis (X), and a rear half at the other side of the second axis (X), that comprises the rear side (L4) parallel to the second axis (X); a first support part (10) in the first lateral half of the support base (100), which is closer to the first lateral side (L1) of the support base (100) than to the first axis (Y), and which is delimited between the upper surface (S1) and the lower surface (S2); and a second support part (20) in the second lateral half of said support base (100), closer to the second lateral side (L2) than to the first axis (Y), and which is delimited between the upper surface (S1) and the lower surface (S2), each of said support parts (10, 20) being configured to support at least part of an opposite lateral side of a base of the household appliance (E), characterised in that the support base (100) is formed by a plastic conformable upper sheet (101) comprising the upper surface (S1) and a plastic conformable lower sheet (102) comprising the lower surface (S2), the support base (100) comprising a plurality of reinforcement columns (5) in each support part (10, 20), each reinforcement column (5) extending between the upper surface (S1) and the lower surface (S2) and the reinforcement columns (5) of each support part (10, 20) being distributed along the corresponding lateral side (L1, L2) and surrounded by air.

2. Household appliance rectangular support base according to claim 1, comprising at least one additional support part (30, 40) which is arranged in the front half or in the rear half, said additional support part (30, 40) being arranged closer to the side (L3, L4) of the support base (100) corresponding to said half than to the second axis (X), delimited between the upper surface (S1) and the lower surface (S2), and configured to support at least part of a front half or a rear half of the base of the household appliance (E), and the support base (100) comprising a plurality of reinforcement columns (5) in said additional support part (30, 40).

3. Household appliance rectangular support base according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each reinforcement column (5) comprises at least one depression (51, 52) in at least one of the surfaces (S1, S2) of the support base (100), both sheets (101, 102) being in contact with each other in each reinforcement column (5).

4. Household appliance rectangular support base according to claim 3, wherein each reinforcement column (5) comprises a first depression (51) extending from the upper surface (S1), and a second depression (52) facing the first depression (51) and extending from the lower surface (S2), both depressions (51, 52) extending until both sheets (101, 102) contact with each other.

5. Household appliance rectangular support base according to any of the claims 1 to 4, comprising an air chamber (6) between the upper sheet (101) and the lower sheet (102), the reinforcement columns (5) of at least one support part (10, 20, 30, 40) being arranged in said air chamber (6).

6. Household appliance rectangular support base according to claim 5, wherein all reinforcement columns (5) are arranged in the air chamber (6).

7. Household appliance rectangular support base according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing columns (5) of the first and second support parts (10, 20) are aligned parallel to the corresponding side (L1, L2) of the support base (100) and spaced equidistant from each other.

8. Household appliance rectangular support base according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support base (100) comprises four quadrants delimited by the first axis (Y) and the second axis (X), each quadrant comprising a cushioning air chamber (8) between the upper sheet (101) and the lower sheet (102) and both sheets (101, 102) being joined together around the contour of the cushioning air chamber (8), each cushioning air chamber (8) being arranged symmetrically with respect to the cushioning air chamber (8) of the adjacent quadrants, and a part (81) of the upper surface (S1) of each cushioning air chamber (8) protruding from the rest of the upper surface (S1) of the corresponding quadrant that supports the household appliance (E).

9. Household appliance rectangular support base according to claim 8, wherein the part (81) of each cushioning air chamber (8) protruding from the rest of the upper surface (S1) of the corresponding quadrant comprises a conical shape.

10. Household appliance rectangular support base according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a corner protector (90) at each corner of the support base (100) to support an edge protector (200) protecting a vertical edge of the household appliance (E), each corner protector (90) comprising a corner air chamber (9) between the upper sheet (101) and the lower sheet (102).

11. Household appliance rectangular support base according to claim 10, wherein each corner protector (90) comprises a plurality of reinforcement walls (92), said reinforcement walls (92) being arranged in the corner air chamber (9) and each reinforcement wall (92) preferably forming a column as the reinforcement column (5) of the support parts (10, 20, 30, 40) of the support base (100).

12. Household appliance rectangular support base according to claim 11, wherein each corner protector (90) comprises a depression (91) in the upper surface (S1) which in plant view is L-shaped to accommodate part of the edge protector (200), and the reinforcement walls (92) of each corner protector (90) extend from the lower surface (S2) to contact the depression (91) and are distributed under the depression (91) along said depression (91).

13. Household appliance rectangular support base according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lower sheet (102) or the upper sheet (101) comprises a channel (12) extending parallel to the first axis (Y) from the front side (L3) to the rear side (L4) of the support base (100) or parallel to the second axis (X) from the first lateral side (L1) to the second lateral side (L2) of the support base (100).

14. Household appliance rectangular support base according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper sheet (101) and the lower sheet (102) are thermoconformed sheets, both sheets (101, 102) being preferably joined together by heat sealing.

15. Household appliance rectangular support base according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper sheet (101) and the lower sheet (102) have a thickness between 0.3 and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5 and 1 mm.

Images