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US 2024/0229329 A9Published application
Washer base
AssigneeSonoco Development, Inc.
InventorClifton Moore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A washer base used to support components of a washing machine or other large household appliance, particularly the centralized load elements, during assembly, shipping and handling by restricting their movement is provided.
Claims15
A washer base for an appliance, the washer base comprising:
- a bottom panel having a top surface, the bottom panel defining a bottom opening having a polygonal first perimeter, the bottom panel further comprising bottom flaps hingedly connected to and extending upwardly from the first perimeter;
- and
- a center insert resting on and extending upwardly from the top surface, the center insert having a polygonal bottom rim, a top rim and a sidewall;
- wherein
- the sidewall is affixed to the bottom flaps.
2 more elements
A method of assembling a washer base comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a first blank formed from a substantially rectangular piece of corrugated and having a perimeter defined by four bottom panel edges, the blank comprising a top surface, a bottom opening having an octagonal first perimeter formed from eight fold lines, the blank further comprising a bottom flap hingedly connected to at least two of the fold lines;
- (b) providing a second blank having a first free end and a second free end, the second blank comprising eight substantially identical sidewall panels, each sidewall panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges 46, each sidewall panel foldably connected to at least one other sidewall panel along a common side edge, one of the sidewall panels having a side edge coinciding with the second free end, the second blank further comprising a glue flap having a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges, the glue flap foldably connected to a sidewall panel by a common side edge, one of the side edges of the glue flap coinciding with the first free end;
- (c) folding the second blank along each side edge to form a truncated eight sided pyramid structure with the glue flap overlapping an adjacent sidewall panel;
- (d) adhering the glue flap to the adjacent sidewall panel to form an assembled center insert having a top rim and a bottom rim;
- (e) positioning the center insert on top of the first blank so that the bottom rim coincides with the first perimeter;
- (f) positioning each bottom flap against a corresponding sidewall panel or against the glue flap;
- and
- (g) adhering each bottom flap to the corresponding sidewall panel or to the glue flap.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.