US 12,006,106 B2
Packaging system for a hot water heater
Marcus De'shune Paley, Round Rock, TX (US)
Assigned to SMURFIT KAPPA NORTH AMERICA LLC, Irving, TX (US)
Filed by Smurfit Kappa North America LLC, Irving, TX (US)
Filed on Aug. 18, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/820,771.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/234,863, filed on Aug. 19, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0057585 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B65D 5/50 (2006.01); B65D 81/02 (2006.01); B65D 85/68 (2006.01); F24H 1/00 (2022.01)
CPC B65D 5/5052 (2013.01) [B65D 65/44 (2013.01); B65D 85/68 (2013.01); B65D 2585/6857 (2013.01); F24H 1/0018 (2013.01); F24H 1/0027 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A packaging system for a hot water heater, the packaging system comprising:
an outer box configured to contain the hot water heater that comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and an elongated portion;
a top insert configured to contact the top surface of the hot water heater and a top inside surface of the outer box, the top insert comprising a slot configured to align with a component on the top surface of the hot water heater;
an offset filler coupled to the top insert, the offset filler configured to be sandwiched between the elongated portion of the hot water heater and the outer box;
a base insert configured to contact the bottom surface of the hot water heater and a bottom inside surface of the outer box, the base insert comprising one or more raised perimeter structures configured to form a shape that matches a shape of the bottom surface of the hot water heater, wherein the one or more raised perimeter structures and the offset filler are configured to position the hot water heater off-center with respect to a center axis of the outer box; and
one or more side panels, each side panel comprising:
a raised pattern; and
an L-shape that comprises a short portion and a long portion, wherein the short portion is configured to be inserted between the top insert and the top surface of the hot water heater, and wherein the long portion is configured to be sandwiched between the elongated portion of the hot water heater and the outer box.
 
11. A packaging system for a hot water heater, the packaging system comprising:
an outer box configured to contain the hot water heater that comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and an elongated portion;
a top insert configured to contact the top surface of the hot water heater and a top inside surface of the outer box, the top insert comprising one or more first raised perimeter structures configured to form a first shape that matches a shape of the top surface of the hot water heater;
a base insert configured to contact the bottom surface of the hot water heater and a bottom inside surface of the outer box, the base insert comprising one or more second raised perimeter structures configured to form a second shape that matches a shape of the bottom surface of the hot water heater, wherein the one or more second raised perimeter structures are configured to position the hot water heater at a center axis of the outer box; and
a center collar configured to wrap around a mid-portion of the elongated portion of the hot water heater and comprising a plurality of raised patterns, wherein each of the plurality of raised patterns of the center collar is configured to contact the outer box.
 
16. A packaging system for a hot water heater, the packaging system comprising:
an outer box configured to contain the hot water heater comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an elongated portion;
a top insert configured to contact the top surface of the hot water heater and a top inside surface of the outer box, the top insert comprising a first perimeter structure configured to form a shape that matches a shape of the top surface of the hot water heater;
a base insert configured to contact the bottom surface of the hot water heater and a bottom inside surface of the outer box, the base insert comprising a second perimeter structure configured to form a shape that matches a shape of the bottom surface of the hot water heater, wherein the first perimeter structure of the top insert and the second perimeter structure of the base insert are configured to position the hot water heater with respect to a center axis of the outer box; and
a side object comprising a raised pattern and configured to be sandwiched between the elongated portion of the hot water heater and the outer box;
wherein the first perimeter structure and the second perimeter structure are configured to position the hot water heater off center with respect to the center axis of the outer box.