Washing machine packaging materials

Abstract

This disclosure provides a washing machine packaging component that can reliably support the washing machine's water tank using cardboard. [Solution] The packaging member for a washing machine in this disclosure is for packaging a washing machine comprising a housing, an inner tub elastically supported by the housing, and a packaging fitting attached to the lower surface of the inner tub, and comprises an inner tub support member that supports the packaging fitting, the mounting surface of the inner tub support member comprises a first receiving surface and a second receiving surface having a different height from the first receiving surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a packaging member for a washing machine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a packaging device for a washing machine, which includes a lower supporter for protecting the lower part of the washing machine, an upper supporter for protecting the upper part of the washing machine, and an outer packaging case for covering the washing machine, the lower supporter, and the upper supporter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a packaging member for a washing machine that can reliably support the water tank of the washing machine using cardboard.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The packaging member for a washing machine in the present disclosure is a packaging member for packaging a washing machine including a housing, an outer tub elastically supported by the housing, and a packaging fitting attached to the lower surface of the outer tub, and includes an outer tub support member for supporting the packaging fitting, and the placement surface of the outer tub support member includes a first receiving surface and a second receiving surface having a different height from the first receiving surface.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, the outer tub of the washing machine can be reliably supported.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1]Perspective view showing the washing machine in Embodiment 1 placed on the lower packaging. [Figure 2] A vertical cross-sectional view showing the washing machine in Embodiment 1 placed on the lower packaging. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the base frame portion showing the washing machine in Embodiment 1 placed on the lower packaging body. [Figure 4] Perspective view showing the washing machine in Embodiment 1 as seen from below. [Figure 5] Perspective view showing the lower packaging in Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Perspective view showing the support member in Embodiment 1 [Figure 7] Perspective view showing the receiving member in Embodiment 1 [Figure 8] Plan view showing the receiving member in Embodiment 1 [Figure 9] Exploded perspective view showing the receiving member in Embodiment 1 [Figure 10] Developed view of the receiving member in Embodiment 1 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived of this disclosure, washing machines were packaged and shipped, transported, etc. In this case, a washing machine packaging device is disclosed that includes an upper supporter as an upper packaging body to protect the top of the washing machine in order to prevent damage to the top of the washing machine. In conventional technology, expanded polystyrene is used for the lower support, but in recent years, from an environmental perspective, there has been a demand to use cardboard instead of expanded polystyrene. However, corrugated cardboard presents challenges in forming complex shapes and achieving both strength and shock absorption simultaneously. Furthermore, when packaging materials are formed by folding corrugated cardboard, dimensional accuracy suffers. The inventors identified these problems and, in order to solve them, have arrived at the subject matter of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure provides a packaging material for a washing machine that can reliably support the washing machine's water tank using cardboard.

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art. The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] [1-1. Structure] [1-1-1. Composition of Packaging Materials] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the washing machine in Embodiment 1 placed on the lower packaging. Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the washing machine in Embodiment 1 placed on the lower packaging. Figure 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the base frame portion showing the washing machine in Embodiment 1 placed on the lower packaging. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the washing machine in Embodiment 1 viewed from below. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the packaging member 1 comprises a lower packaging body 2 that supports the lower part of the washing machine 10, a pair of left and right side packaging bodies 3 that protect the rear side of the washing machine 10, a pair of left and right upper packaging bodies 4 that protect the upper part of the washing machine 10, and an outer casing 5 that covers the washing machine 10 from above and is closed off at the bottom by the lower packaging body 2.

[0012] [1-1-2. Washing machine configuration] As shown in Figure 2, the washing machine 10 of this embodiment has a rectangular tubular casing 11. A support frame 12 is provided at the bottom of the casing 11. Legs 13 are provided at the four corners of the support frame 12.

[0013] On the upper part of the housing 11, an upper frame body 14 is provided. The upper frame body 14 is formed in a shape having an upper surface that slopes upward as it progresses from the front to the rear. An inlet 14a for putting laundry into the inner tub 17 is formed in the upper frame body 14. The lid body 15 is attached to the upper frame body 14 and is provided so as to be able to open and close the inlet 14a. Inside the housing 11, a bottomed cylindrical outer tub 16 is arranged. The outer tub 16 is elastically suspended and supported by a suspension (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, a packing fitting 18 for supporting the outer tub 16 is provided on the outer bottom of the outer tub 16. Inside the outer tub 16, a bottomed cylindrical inner tub 17 is accommodated.

[0014] An operation panel 19 is provided behind the upper frame body. The operation panel 19 is provided with a plurality of buttons 19a (shown in FIG. 1) and accepts from the user the ON / OFF of the power supply, the setting of the washing mode of the washing machine 10, and the start of operation.

[0015] [1-1-3. Structure of the lower packaging body] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the lower packaging body and the packing fitting in Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the support member in Embodiment 1.

[0016] First, the base frame support member 20 as a support member will be described. Since the base frame support members 20 installed at the four corners have basically the same structure, in this embodiment, the left rear base frame support member 20 will be described. In FIG. 6, the portions painted black indicate the surfaces where the corrugations of the cardboard can be seen. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the base frame support member 20 is a member that supports the lower surface of the base frame 12 provided on the lower surface of the washing machine 10. The base frame support member 20 includes a first load support member 22 extending in the left-right direction and a second load support member 23 extending in the front-rear direction. The first load-supporting member 22 is formed by stacking and bonding multiple pieces of cardboard. Each piece of cardboard in the first load-supporting member 22 is arranged alternately so that the grain direction of the cardboard is perpendicular to each other.

[0017] Cardboard has the characteristic of being strong against loads in the direction of its grain, but weak against loads in a direction perpendicular to the grain. As in this embodiment, by arranging multiple cardboard sheets alternately on top of each other so that their grain directions are perpendicular to each other, a first load-supporting member 22 that is strong against loads from two directions, namely the vertical and horizontal directions, can be obtained.

[0018] The second load-supporting member 23 is formed by alternately overlapping and bonding multiple pieces of cardboard so that their grain directions are perpendicular to each other, similar to the first load-supporting member 22. The second load-supporting member 23 is configured to be strong in the vertical and horizontal directions. In areas where the first load-supporting member 22 and the second load-supporting member 23 are not provided, a side support member 24 extending in the front-rear direction is provided at a position corresponding to the side edge of the lower packaging body 2. Furthermore, a first rear support member 25 is provided behind the second load-supporting member 23 and the side support member 24.

[0019] The side support member 24 and the first rear support member 25 are each formed by alternately overlapping and bonding multiple pieces of cardboard so that their grain directions are perpendicular to each other. As a result, the side support member 24 is configured to be strong in the vertical and front-rear directions. The first rear support member 25 is configured to be strong against loads from the vertical and left-right directions.

[0020] In areas where the first load-bearing member 22, the second load-bearing member 23, the side support member 24, and the first rear support member 25 are not provided, i.e., in areas where the washing machine 10 is not placed, a second rear support member 26 is provided behind the first rear support member 25. The second rear support member 26 is formed by alternately overlapping and bonding multiple pieces of cardboard so that their grain directions are perpendicular to each other. As a result, the second rear support member 26 is configured to be resistant to loads from the front-rear and side-to-side directions. A leg protection member 27 is provided in the area surrounded by the first load-supporting member 22, the second load-supporting member 23, the side support member 24, and the first rear support member 25, to receive the legs 13 of the washing machine 10.

[0021] Next, the outer tank support member 30 will be described. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the receiving member in Embodiment 1. Figure 8 is a plan view showing the receiving member in Embodiment 1. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the receiving member in Embodiment 1. Figure 10 is a developed view of the receiving member in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the outer tank support member 30 is composed of a first outer tank support member 31 and a second outer tank support member 32, which are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the left-right direction. Since the first outer tank support member 31 and the second outer tank support member 32 have similar configurations, the first outer tank support member 31 will be described below.

[0022] The first outer tank support member 31 includes an outer frame 33 formed in the shape of a box with an open top. Two end support members 34 are positioned on both the front-to-rear ends of the inner side of the outer frame 33. The end support members 34 are formed in substantially the same shape as the end faces of the outer frame 33. Between each end support member 34, first support members 37 and second support members 38 are alternately arranged and housed. The first support members 37 and second support members 38 are members that support the packaging fittings 18 of the washing machine 10.

[0023] In this embodiment, the first receiving member 37 and the second receiving member 38 are arranged alternately in groups of three each. A first receiving surface 39, formed in an arc shape, is formed on the upper surface of the first receiving member 37. A second receiving surface 40, also formed in an arc shape, is formed on the upper surface of the second receiving member 38. The height dimension of the first receiving member 37 is larger than that of the second receiving member 38, so that the first receiving surface 39 is positioned above the second receiving surface 40.

[0024] The first receiving member 37 is formed by folding a single sheet of cardboard. As shown in Figure 10, the first receiving member 37 has a cut portion 35 extending vertically in the center in the left-right direction in Figure 10. The cut portion 35 is formed in the center of the first receiving member 37 in the vertical direction, and is not formed in the upper or lower parts of the first receiving member 37. As shown by the dashed lines in Figure 10, fold lines 36 are formed above and below the cut section 35, taking into account the thickness of the cardboard. In other words, two fold lines 36 are provided on the left and right sides of the cut section 35 at a predetermined distance apart.

[0025] Then, the first receiving member 37 is bent along the bending curve 36. Since a cutting portion 35 is provided, when the first receiving member 37 is bent, the cutting portion 35 is kept in a state where its cut surface is exposed. When a piece of cardboard with a certain thickness is folded, a force is generated that tries to return it to its original shape due to the cardboard's resilience. However, at the cut portion 35, the edges of the cut surface come into contact and interfere with each other, thus maintaining the folded state.

[0026] Furthermore, due to its thickness, cardboard can be folded in a way that causes misalignment at the fold, resulting in variations in the dimensional accuracy of the first receiving member 37 after folding. However, by providing a cut section 35, the cardboard can be reliably folded at the cut section 35, thereby improving the dimensional accuracy of the first receiving member 37 after folding. Although not shown in the figures, the second receiving member 38 and the end support member 34 also have cut sections 35 and folding curves 36 formed on them, similar to the first receiving member 37. The second receiving member 38 and the end support member 34 are formed by folding along the folding curves 36.

[0027] Furthermore, the end support member 34, the first receiving member 37, and the second receiving member 38 are arranged so that the grain direction of the cardboard faces vertically. This configuration makes the end support member 34, the first receiving member 37, and the second receiving member 38 resistant to loads from the vertical direction.

[0028] [1-2. Effect] Next, the operation of Embodiment 1 will be described. In this embodiment, first, the washing machine 10 is installed on the upper surface of the lower packaging body 2. In this case, the base frame 12 of the washing machine 10 is positioned on the upper surfaces of the first load-supporting member 22 and the second load-supporting member 23 of the support members, and the packaging fittings 18 of the washing machine 10 are positioned on the upper surfaces of the first receiving member 37 and the second receiving member 38 of the first outer tub support member 31 and the second outer tub support member 32. Subsequently, the side packaging 3 is installed, the top packaging 4 is installed, and the outer casing 5 is attached, completing the packaging of the washing machine 10.

[0029] In this embodiment, the base frame 12 of the washing machine 10 is supported by the first load-supporting member 22 and the second load-supporting member 23. As mentioned above, the first load-supporting member 22 is configured to be resistant to loads from the vertical and horizontal directions. The second load-supporting member 23 is also configured to be resistant to loads from the vertical and front-to-back directions. As a result, the first load-supporting member 22 and the second load-supporting member 23 can withstand loads applied to the base frame 12 of the washing machine 10 from various directions, and the washing machine 10 can be reliably supported.

[0030] Furthermore, the first load-supporting member 22 and the second load-supporting member 23 are configured to be resistant to loads from the left-right and front-back directions, respectively. Where the first load-supporting member 22 and the second load-supporting member 23 are not provided, side support members 24, the first rear support member 25, and the second rear support member 26 are provided. The side support members 24 are configured to be strong against loads in the vertical and front-rear directions, while the first rear support member 25 is configured to be strong against loads in the vertical and left-right directions. As a result, the first load-supporting member 22, the second load-supporting member 23, the side support member 24, and the first rear support member 25 can support the load of the washing machine 10. Furthermore, the first load-supporting member 22 and the second load-supporting member 23, and the side support member 24 and the first rear support member 25 are configured to be strong against loads not only from the vertical direction but also from the front-rear and left-right directions, so that the washing machine 10 can be reliably supported even when a load is applied from the left-right or front-rear direction. In areas where the washing machine 10 is not placed, it is not necessary to ensure vertical strength. Therefore, the second rear support member 26, which does not need to ensure vertical strength, is configured to be strong against loads from the front-rear and left-right directions. As a result, by providing the second rear support member 26, the washing machine 10 can be reliably supported even when a load is applied from the left-right or front-back direction.

[0031] When the first outer tub support member 31 and the second outer tub support member 32 support the packaging fitting 18 of the washing machine 10, the first receiving surface 39 of the first receiving member 37 and the second receiving member 38 is positioned above the second receiving surface 40, so the packaging fitting 18 is supported by the first receiving surface 39. In this case, the first support member 37 and the second support member 38 are configured to be resistant to loads from the vertical direction, so that the washing machine 10 can be reliably supported. Furthermore, when an impact is applied, such as from a fall, the first receiving surface 39 collapses, thereby absorbing the impact. After the first receiving surface 39 is crushed, the first receiving surface 39 and the second receiving surface 40 can support the packaging fitting 18. This ensures that the outer tub 16 of the washing machine 10 is securely supported.

[0032] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the packaging member 1 in this embodiment includes an outer tank support member 30 that supports the packaging fittings 18, and the mounting surface of the outer tank support member 30 includes a first receiving surface 39 and a second receiving surface 40 which is of a different height from the first receiving surface 39. As a result, the heights of the first support surface 39 and the second support surface 40 are different. Therefore, in the event of an impact such as a fall, the first support surface 39, which is higher than the second support surface 40, will collapse, absorbing the impact. After the first support surface 39 collapses, the first support surface 39 and the second support surface 40 can support the packaging fitting 18, thereby securely supporting the outer tub 16 of the washing machine 10.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the packaging member 1, the outer tank support member 30, is composed of an outer frame 33, a first receiving member 37 and a second receiving member 38 arranged inside the outer frame 33, with the first receiving surface 39 formed on the first receiving member 37 and the second receiving surface 40 formed on the second receiving member 38. As a result, the first receiving member 37 and the second receiving member 38 can form the first receiving surface 39 and the second receiving surface 40.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the packaging member 1 has a two-layer structure in which the first receiving member 37 and the second receiving member 38 are made by folding corrugated cardboard, and a fold line 36 and a cut portion 35 are formed at the folded part of the corrugated cardboard. As a result, when bending the first support member 37 and the second support member 38 along the bending curve 36, the presence of the cutting portion 35 makes bending easier. Furthermore, by providing the cutting portion 35, bending can be reliably performed at the cutting portion 35, thereby improving the dimensional accuracy of the first support member 37 and the second support member 38 after bending.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the packaging member 1 has a fold line 36 that is offset from the cutting portion 35. This allows thick cardboard to be easily folded using the fold line 36. Furthermore, the presence of the cut section 35 allows the edges of the cut surface to contact and interfere with each other, thus maintaining the folded state. (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been presented as an example disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to combine the components described in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 to create new embodiments.

[0036] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0037] (Technical 1) A packaging member for a washing machine, comprising a housing, an outer tub elastically supported by the housing, and a packaging fitting attached to the lower surface of the outer tub, wherein the packaging member for a washing machine comprises an outer tub support member for supporting the packaging fitting, and the mounting surface of the outer tub support member comprises a first receiving surface and a second receiving surface having a different height from the first receiving surface. In this configuration, the heights of the first and second support surfaces are different. Therefore, in the event of an impact such as a fall, the first support surface, which is higher than the second support surface, collapses, absorbing the impact. After the first support surface collapses, the packaging hardware can be supported by both the first and second support surfaces, thus securely supporting the outer tub of the washing machine.

[0038] (Technology 2) The packaging member for a washing machine according to Technology 1, wherein the outer tub support member comprises an outer frame, a first receiving member and a second receiving member disposed inside the outer frame, the first receiving surface is formed on the first receiving member and the second receiving surface is formed on the second receiving member. With this configuration, the first receiving member and the second receiving member can form a first receiving surface and a second receiving surface.

[0039] (Technical 3) The packaging member for a washing machine according to Technical 2, wherein the first receiving member and the second receiving member have a two-layer structure made of folded cardboard, and a fold line and a cut section are formed at the folded part of the cardboard. With this configuration, when bending the first and second support members along a bending curve, the presence of a cutting section allows for easy bending. Furthermore, the provision of a cutting section ensures that the members are reliably bent at the cutting section, thereby improving the dimensional accuracy of the first and second support members after bending.

[0040] (Technical 4) The packaging member for a washing machine according to Technical 3, wherein the fold line is formed in a position offset from the cut portion. With this configuration, thick cardboard can be easily folded using the fold line. Furthermore, by providing a cut section, the edges of the cut surface come into contact with each other, allowing the folded state to be maintained. [Industrial applicability]

[0041] This disclosure is suitably applicable as a packaging component for a washing machine that can reliably support the washing machine's water tank using cardboard. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Packaging components 2 Lower packaging 3 Side packaging 4 Upper packaging 5. Exterior 10 Washing machines 11 cabinets 12-frame 13 Legs 14 Upper frame 15 Lid 16 Outer tank 17 Inner tank 18 Packaging hardware 19. Control Panel 20 Frame support members 22 First load-bearing member 23. Second load-bearing member 24 Side support member 25 First rear support member 26. Second rear support member 27 Leg protection member 30 Outer tank support member 31 First inner tank support member 32 Second inner tank support member 33 Outer frame 34 End support member 35 Cut section 36 fold line 37 First receiving member 38 Second support member 39 First receiving surface 40 Second receiving surface

Claims

1. A packaging member for a washing machine, comprising a housing, an outer tub elastically supported by the housing, and a packaging fitting attached to the lower surface of the outer tub, The outer tank support member supports the aforementioned packaging fittings, The mounting surface of the outer tank support member comprises a first receiving surface and a second receiving surface having a different height from the first receiving surface. Packaging material for washing machines.

2. The outer tank support member is composed of an outer frame, a first receiving member and a second receiving member positioned inside the outer frame, The first receiving surface is formed on the first receiving member, The second receiving surface is formed on the second receiving member, The packaging member for the washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The first receiving member and the second receiving member have a two-layer structure made of folded cardboard. The folded parts of the cardboard have fold lines and cut edges. The packaging member for the washing machine according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned folding curve is formed with a position offset from the aforementioned cutting portion. The packaging member for the washing machine according to claim 3.

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