Washing machine tub lock

Abstract

A washing machine tub lock device ( 10 ) is provided that prevents the wash tub ( 12 ) from impacting the washing machine cabinet ( 16 ) during shipping and handling. The tub lock device ( 10 ) is formed by cutting and folding a corrugated blank into an inverted truncated hexagonal cone that can be wedged inside the top portion of the washing machine tub ( 12 ).

1 . A tub lock device for a washing machine of the type having a wash tub disposed within a cabinet, the wash tub having a top opening with a first diameter, the cabinet having a top opening with a second diameter, the tub lock device comprising:
 flat side panels arranged to form an inverted truncated cone, the inverted truncated cone having a major bottom diameter less than the diameter of the wash tub top opening and a major top diameter greater than the diameter of the wash tub top opening.   
   
   
       2 . The tub lock device of  claim 1  wherein the inverted truncated cone has a major top diameter greater than the diameter of the cabinet top opening. 
   
   
       3 . The tub lock device of  claim 1  wherein the tub lock device is formed from a unitary cut and folded blank. 
   
   
       4 . The tub lock device of  claim 3  wherein the blank is formed from corrugated board. 
   
   
       5 . The tub lock device of  claim 3  further comprising a bottom panel foldably attached to at least one of the side panels. 
   
   
       6 . The tub lock device of  claim 5  wherein the bottom panel is foldably attached to every side panel. 
   
   
       7 . The tub lock device of  claim 1  wherein the number of flat side panels is six. 
   
   
       8 . The tub lock device of  claim 1  wherein the flat side panels are contiguous. 
   
   
       9 . A tub lock device for a washing machine of the type having a wash tub disposed within a cabinet, the wash tub having a top opening with a first diameter, the cabinet having a top opening with a second diameter, the tub lock device comprising:
 flat side panels arranged to form a cylinder, the cylinder configured to form a friction fit with the wash tub top opening and the cabinet top opening.