Washing machine packaging materials

Abstract

This disclosure provides a packaging component for a washing machine that can reliably support the washing machine using cardboard. [Solution] The washing machine packaging member in this disclosure is a washing machine packaging member for packaging a washing machine comprising a housing and a base frame provided at the lower end of the housing, and comprises a lower packaging body that protects the lower part of the washing machine, the lower packaging body comprises a support member that supports the base frame, and the lower packaging body is formed by stacking a plurality of cardboard boxes alternately with different grain directions.

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 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 and a base frame provided at the lower end of the housing, and includes a lower packaging body for protecting the lower part of the washing machine. The lower packaging body includes a support member for supporting the base frame, and the lower packaging body is formed by alternately stacking a plurality of cardboard pieces with different grain directions.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, by forming the support member by alternately stacking a plurality of cardboard pieces with different grain directions, it is possible to withstand loads from multiple directions and reliably support the washing machine.

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 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. Configuration of the washing machine] As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine 10 of the present embodiment has a housing 11 with an outer appearance of a rectangular tube shape. A base frame 12 for supporting the housing 11 is provided at the lower part of the housing 11. Legs 13 are provided at the four corners of the base frame 12.

[0013] An upper frame body 14 is provided at the upper part of the housing 11. 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 loading 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 at 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 the operation.

[0015] [1-1-3. Configuration 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 the present embodiment, the left rear base frame support member 20 will be described. In FIG. 6, the black-filled portions indicate the surfaces where the corrugations of the cardboard can be seen. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the frame support member 20 is a member that supports the lower surface of the frame 12 provided on the lower surface of the washing machine 10. The frame support member 20 comprises 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 a lower packaging body 2 that protects the lower part of the washing machine 10, the lower packaging body 2 includes a load-bearing member (support member) that supports the base frame 12, and the lower packaging body 2 is formed by stacking multiple cardboard boxes alternately with their grain directions differing. As a result, by forming the load-bearing member by stacking multiple cardboard sheets alternately with different grain directions, it can withstand loads from multiple directions and reliably support the washing machine 10.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the packaging member 1 is positioned such that the grain direction of the cardboard of the load-supporting member (supporting member) that constitutes the mounting surface of the base frame 12 is aligned with the vertical direction and the front-to-back or left-to-right direction of the washing machine 10. As a result, the load-supporting member is configured to be strong against loads from the vertical, front-to-back, or left-to-right directions. Therefore, the load-supporting member can receive the load applied to the base frame 12 of the washing machine 10, and can also withstand loads and impacts from the left-to-right or front-to-back directions. Thus, the washing machine 10 can be reliably supported.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the corrugated cardboard grain direction of the side support members 24, the first rear support member 25, and the second rear support member 26 (support members) that constitute the base frame 12 other than the mounting surface is arranged to align with the front-to-back and left-to-right directions of the washing machine 10. As a result, since there is no need to ensure vertical strength in areas where the washing machine 10 is not placed, the second rear support member 26 can be provided to reliably support the washing machine 10 even when loads or impacts are applied from the left-right or front-back directions. (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.

[0035] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0036] (Technical 1) A packaging member for a washing machine, comprising a housing and a base frame provided at the lower end of the housing, wherein the packaging member comprises a lower packaging body that protects the lower part of the washing machine, the lower packaging body comprises a support member that supports the base frame, and the lower packaging body is formed by stacking multiple cardboard boxes alternately with different grain directions. According to this configuration, the support member is formed by stacking multiple cardboard sheets alternately with different grain directions, allowing it to withstand loads from multiple directions and reliably support the washing machine.

[0037] (Technical 2) The packaging member for a washing machine according to Technical 1, wherein the grain direction of the cardboard of the support member constituting the mounting surface of the frame is arranged to align with the vertical direction and the front-to-back direction or left-to-right direction of the washing machine. With this configuration, the support member is designed to be strong against loads from the vertical, front-to-back, or left-to-right directions. Therefore, the support member can bear the load applied to the washing machine frame and can also withstand loads and impacts from the left-to-right or front-to-back directions. As a result, the washing machine can be reliably supported.

[0038] (Technical 3) The packaging member for a washing machine according to Technical 1 or Technical 2, wherein the grain direction of the cardboard of the support member that constitutes a surface other than the mounting surface of the base frame is arranged to align with the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction of the washing machine. With this configuration, since there is no need to ensure vertical strength in areas where the washing machine is not placed, the washing machine can be reliably supported even when loads or impacts are applied from the left-right or front-back directions by providing support members. [Industrial applicability]

[0039] This disclosure is suitably applicable as a packaging component for washing machines that can reliably support the washing machine using cardboard. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 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 receiving member 39 First receiving surface 40 Second receiving surface

Claims

1. A packaging member for a washing machine, comprising a housing and a base frame provided at the lower end of the housing, The washing machine is equipped with a lower packaging body that protects the lower part of the washing machine, The lower packaging body is equipped with a support member that supports the base frame, The lower packaging is formed by stacking multiple cardboard boxes alternately with different grain directions. Packaging material for washing machines.

2. The grain direction of the cardboard of the support member that constitutes the mounting surface of the base frame is arranged to align with the vertical direction and the front-to-back or left-to-right direction of the washing machine. The packaging member for the washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The grain direction of the cardboard of the support members, which constitute the support members other than the mounting surface of the base frame, is arranged to align with the front-to-back and left-to-right directions of the washing machine. The packaging member for the washing machine according to claim 1.

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