WO2017005312A1

WO2017005312A1 - Protective packaging assembly for electrical household appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2017005312A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/065505
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ismail SENGUN; Remzi Can; Aykun ACIL; Alper Batur; Banu ERDEM CAKICI
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2015-07-07
Filing date: 2015-07-07
Publication date: 2017-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-07

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective packaging assembly (1) for packaging an electrical household appliance (2), in particular a laundry dryer, a laundry washer, a dishwasher or a refrigerator. The electrical household appliance (2) comprises an electric plug (3) that includes pins (4), an insulating body (5) and a power cable (6). The protective packaging assembly (1) comprises one or more resilient members (7) which are each adapted to cushion the outer casing (8) of the household appliance (2) from inevitable knocks.

Description

PROTECTIVE PACKAGING ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRICAL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

The present invention relates to a protective packaging assembly for packaging an electrical household appliance, in particular a laundry dryer, a laundry washer, a dishwasher, or a refrigerator.

In general, cargoes such as electrical household appliances must withstand comparatively high mechanical stresses that are generated during the various stages of the transportation. These mechanical stresses are practically unavoidable. In order to mitigate the adverse effects of the impacts, the electrical household appliances are generally packaged in protective packaging assemblies which cushion the impacts. Protective packaging assemblies are commonly known in the art. A protective packaging assembly generally comprises a plurality of resilient members for cushioning the outer casing of the household appliance from inevitable knocks. The resilient members are commonly manufactured from various materials such as foam, plastic, corrugated cardboard, or wood. During an ordinary impact, the resilient members partly absorb the energy of the impact and usually recover their initial shapes. When packaging the household appliance such as a laundry dryer, a laundry washer, a dishwasher, or a refrigerator, the resilient members are first fitted onto the outer casing of the appliance and then wrapped in a protective transparent foil and secured by one or more straps. The electric plug, including the power cable is commonly bundled up and stowed away into the gap between the transparent protective foil and the outer casing of the appliance. Fig. 1 to 3 shows a household appliance (2’) in particular a laundry dryer which has been packaged in a protective packaging assembly (1’) that is known from the prior art. This protective packaging assembly (1’) has a plurality of resilient members (7’) for cushioning the outer casing (8’) of the household appliance (2’) from inevitable knocks. A problem with the packaged household appliance (2’) is that there are incidents where the electric plug (3’) is dislocated inside the aforementioned gap to an unfavorable position such that the pins (4’) thereof tear the transparent protective foil (hatched area) as shown in Fig. 2. In such incidents, the torn foil gives the impression that the appliance (2’) is of inferior quality. Another problem with the packaged household appliance (2’) is that there are also incidents where the electric plug (3’) is dislocated to an unfavorable position such that the pins (4’) and the insulating body (5’) thereof becomes damaged by an inevitable knock as shown in Fig. 3. In such incidents, the appliance (2’) is generally returned and the damaged electric plug (3’), including the pins (4’), the insulating body (5’) and the power cable (6’) must be replaced.

In the aforementioned incidents, the customer satisfaction easily decreases and also the customer complaints increase. It is of utmost importance that the household appliance is reliably and safely packaged in the protective packaging assembly in order to ensure that it can be delivered in the intact state.

WO 2010/076317 A1 discloses a prior art protective packaging assembly for a laundry washer.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a protective packaging assembly for packaging a household appliance, in particular a laundry dryer, a laundry washer, a dishwasher, or a refrigerator which solves the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost-effective way and which enables an improved reliability and safety.

This objective have been achieved by the protective packaging assembly as defined in claim 1 and the household appliance as defined in claim 12. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

The protective packaging assembly of the present invention comprises a recess which is directly formed into one of the resilient members and which has a size and shape that is adapted to form-fittingly accommodate at least a part of the electric plug and releasably secure the same.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of the recess, the electric plug can be securely held in place during the transportation and the risk that the electric plug becomes dislocated to an unfavorable position can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Thereby, the electric plug can be protected from receiving any damages. Thereby, the electric plug can be also prevented from causing any damages to the transparent protective foil. Another advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of the recess inside the resilient members, the electric plug can be securely held in place without the need of using any auxiliary retainers. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced in an environment friendly way and the assembly process can be expedited. Thereby also the overall costs can be reduced both in material and labor.

In alternative embodiments, the recess form-fittingly accommodates at least part of the pins, the insulating body or the power cable respectively. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the electric plug can be securely held in place without the need of using any auxiliary retainers. The electric plugs vary among countries. The various types of plugs are known to those skilled in the art. Manufacturers generally provide the electrical household appliance with a two-pin type electric plug or a three-pin type electric plug in accordance with the target country. In particular, the electric plugs may include flat shaped pins and/or round shaped pins. In other alternative embodiments, the recess comprises one or more different sets of holes which form-fittingly accommodate and releasably secure the respective pins of a corresponding type of electric plug. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the protective packaging assembly can be used in combination with one or more different electrical household appliances that vary in their electric plugs. Thereby, the production and assembly costs can be further reduced. In another embodiment, at least one set of holes is adapted for a two-pin type electric plug. In another embodiment, at least one set of holes is adapted for a three-pin type electric plug. These holes may be flat shaped or round shaped in accordance with the corresponding pin. In another embodiment, the set of holes have, if possible, one or more holes in common.

In other alternative embodiments, the recess is formed into one of the resilient members, particularly at an easily accessible area thereof. In another embodiment, the recess is accessible from the outside, in particular from the back of the appliance in the assembled state of the resilient members. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the electric plug can be secured into the recess by the assembly operator after the resilient members have been fitted onto the outer casing of the appliance. Thereby, also the user can easily take off the electric plug and put it safely aside prior to removing the resilient members.

In other alternative embodiments, the recess is formed into one of the horizontally or vertically extending resilient members that cushion the rear corner at the top/bottom or lateral sides of the appliance respectively. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the electric plug can be more easily secured into the recess from the back of the appliance.

In other alternative embodiments, the recess is located at the inwardly facing lateral section of one of the resilient members which cushion the rear corners respectively. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the electric plug can be more securely embedded into the resilient member.

In alternative embodiments, the resilient members are manufactured from various different materials such as cardboard, plastic, wood or polymeric foam respectively. In another embodiment, the polymeric foam material comprises expanded polystyrene. In another embodiment, the recess, including the holes is formed into the resilient member by a suitable fabrication process. In another alternative embodiment, the recess, including the holes is formed during the molding process of the resilient member.

In other alternative embodiments, the protective packaging assembly also comprises a transparent protective foil and/or a cardboard cover for partly or entirely enclosing the appliance.

Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the protective packaging assembly and the electrical household appliance of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective view of a laundry dryer which is packaged in a protective packaging assembly according to the prior art, wherein the transparent protective foil has been omitted for ease of illustration;

Figure 2 – is a schematic partial perspective enlarged view of the packaged laundry dryer of Fig. 1, wherein the transparent protective foil has been torn by the pins of the two-pin type electric plug which has been dislocated to an unfavorable position;

Figure 3 – is a schematic partial perspective enlarged view of the packaged laundry dryer of the Fig. 2, wherein the transparent protective foil has been omitted for ease of illustration and wherein the pins of the two-pin type electric plug have been damaged by an inevitable knock;

Figure 4 – is a schematic partial perspective enlarged view of a laundry dryer which is packaged in a protective packaging assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the transparent protective foil and the electric plug have been omitted for ease of illustration;

Figure 5 – is a schematic partial perspective enlarged view of a laundry dryer which is packaged in a protective packaging assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior to securing the two-pin type electric plug into the recess of the resilient member and prior to wrapping the transparent protective foil around the laundry dryer;

Figure 6 – is a schematic partial perspective enlarged view of the packaged laundry dryer of Fig. 5, after having secured the two-pin type electric plug into the recess of the resilient member;

Figure 7 – is a schematic partial perspective enlarged view of a laundry dryer which is packaged in a protective packaging assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior to securing the three-pin type electric plug into the recess of the resilient member and prior to wrapping the transparent protective foil around the laundry dryer.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Packaging assembly
Household appliance
Electric plug
Pin
Insulating body
Power cable
Resilient member
Outer casing
Recess
Hole
Hole
Corner section
Lateral section

The protective packaging assembly (1) is suitable for packaging an electrical household appliance (2), in particular a laundry dryer, a laundry washer, a dishwasher or a refrigerator. The household appliance (2) comprises an electric plug (3) that includes pins (4) for making an electrical connection with the mains (not shown), an insulating body (5) which supports the pins (4) and a power cable (6) which leads from the pins (4) into the household appliance (2) (Fig. 4 to 7).

The protective packaging assembly (1) comprises one or more resilient members (7) which are each adapted to cushion the outer casing (8) of the household appliance (2) from inevitable knocks.

The protective packaging assembly (1) of the present invention further comprises a recess (9) which is directly formed into one of the resilient members (7). This recess (9) has a size and shape which is adapted to form-fittingly accommodate at least a part of the electric plug (3) and releasably secure the same.

The household appliance (2) of the present invention is packaged in the protective packaging assembly (1).

In another embodiment, the packaged household appliance (2) comprises a two-pin type electric plug (3) (Fig. 5 and 6).

In another alternative embodiment, the packaged household appliance (2) comprises a three-pin type electric plug (3) (Fig. 7).

In another embodiment, the recess (9) comprises two sets of holes (10;11). In this embodiment, the holes (10;11) in each set are each adapted to form-fittingly accommodate and releasably secure the respective pin (4) of a corresponding type of electric plug (3) (Fig. 4 to 7).

In another embodiment, the recess (9) comprises a first set of holes (10) which includes only two holes (10) each adapted to form-fittingly accommodate and releasably secure the respective pin (4) of a two-pin type electric plug (3) (Fig. 5 and 6).

In another embodiment, the recess (9) also comprises a second set of holes (11) which includes only three holes (11) each adapted to form-fittingly accommodate and releasably secure the respective pin (4) of a three-pin type electric plug (3) (Fig. 7).

In another embodiment, the recess (9) is formed into an area of the respective resilient member (7) such that said area is accessible from the outside, in particular from the back of the household appliance (2) in the assembled state of the resilient member (7) (Fig. 4 to 7).

In another embodiment, the recess (9) is formed into the resilient member (7) that is adapted to cushion one of the vertically extending rear corner sections (12) of the outer casing (8) of the household appliance (2) (Fig. 4 to 7).

In another embodiment, the recess (9) is formed into the resilient member (7) that is adapted to cushion the vertically extending rear corner section (12) that is opposite to the corner section (12) that bears the power cable (6) (Fig. 4 to 7).

In another embodiment, the recess (9) is formed into the inwardly facing lateral section (13) of the resilient member (7) that is adapted cushion one of the vertically extending rear corner sections (12) of the outer casing (8) (Fig. 4 to 7).

In another embodiment, the resilient members (7) comprise polymeric foam. In another embodiment, the polymeric foam comprises expanded polystyrene.

In another embodiment, the protective packaging assembly (1) further comprises a transparent protective foil (not shown) for wrapping the resilient members (7) and the household appliance (2).

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of the recess (9), the electric plug (3) can be securely held in place during the transportation and the risk that the electric plug (3) becomes dislocated to an unfavorable position can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Thereby, the electric plug (3) can be protected from receiving any damages. Thereby, the electric plug (3) can also be prevented from causing any damages to the transparent protective foil. Another advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of the recess (9) inside the resilient member (7), the electric plug (3) can be securely held in place without the need of using any auxiliary retainers (not shown). Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced in an environment friendly way and the assembly process can be expedited. Thereby also the overall costs can be reduced both in material and labor. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the aforementioned particular embodiments.

Claims

A protective packaging assembly (1) for packaging a household appliance (2), in particular a laundry dryer, a laundry washer, a dishwasher or a refrigerator which comprises an electric plug (3) that includes pins (4) for making an electrical connection with the mains; an insulating body (5) which supports the pins (4) and a power cable (6) which leads from the pins (4) into the household appliance (2), the protective packaging assembly (1) comprising one or more resilient members (7) which are each adapted to cushion the outer casing (8) of the household appliance (2) from inevitable knocks, the protective packaging assembly (1) being characterized in that a recess (9) which is directly formed into one of the resilient members (7), wherein the recess (9) has a size and shape which is adapted to form-fittingly accommodate at least a part of the electric plug (3) and releasably secure the same.
The protective packaging assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess (9) comprises one or more sets of holes (10, 11), wherein the holes (10, 11) in each set are each adapted to form-fittingly accommodate and releasably secure the respective pin (4) of a corresponding type of electric plug (3).
The protective packaging assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the recess (9) comprises a first set of holes (10) which includes only two holes (10) each adapted to form-fittingly accommodate and releasably secure the respective pin (4) of a two-pin type electric plug (3).
The protective packaging assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the recess (9) comprises a second set of holes (11) which includes only three holes (11) each adapted to form-fittingly accommodate and releasably secure the respective pin (4) of a three-pin type electric plug (3).
The protective packaging assembly (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the recess (9) is formed into an area of the respective resilient member (7) such that said area is accessible from the outside in the assembled state of the resilient member (7).
The protective packaging assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said area is accessible from the back of the household appliance (2) in the assembled state of the resilient member (7).
The protective packaging assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the recess (9) is formed into the resilient member (7) that is adapted to cushion one of the vertically or horizontally extending rear corner sections (12) of the outer casing (8) of the household appliance (2).
The protective packaging assembly (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the recess (9) is formed into the inwardly facing lateral section (13) of the respective resilient member (7).
The protective packaging assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the resilient members (7) comprise polymeric foam.
The protective packaging assembly (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the polymeric foam comprises expanded polystyrene.
The protective packaging assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a transparent protective foil for wrapping the resilient members (7) and the household appliance (2).
A household appliance (2), in particular a laundry dryer, a laundry washer, a dishwasher or a refrigerator comprising an electric plug (3) that includes pins (4) for making an electrical connection with the mains; an insulating body (5) which supports the pins (4) and a power cable (6) which leads from the pins (4) into the household appliance (2), characterized in that the protective packaging assembly (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11.
The household appliance (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that a two-pin type electric plug (3).
The household appliance (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that a three-pin type electric plug (3).