A packaging assembly, including corrugated corner elements, each having a first corner post element leg and a second corner post element leg, each corner post element leg having one or more alternating ridges and grooves; endcap elements, each having a support layer portion and a tray layer portion, wherein the tray layer portion includes a corner recess formed proximate each corner of the support layer portion, wherein each corner recess is formed to allow at least a portion of one of the corrugated corner elements at least partially therein; and a multi-slit support insert having slits formed along at least a portion of the multi-slit support insert body, leaving a remaining portion of the multi-slit support insert body defining a web, wherein at least a portion of the multi-slit support insert body is bent to be fitted within a portion of the packaging assembly.

A packaging system includes first and second caps, each cap having a main panel, first and second side panel assemblies extending from and substantially perpendicular to the main panel, a plurality of stacking protuberances, and a plurality of stacking sockets. The cap is stackable with an identical cap by mating the protuberances of the cap with the sockets of the identical cap. The packaging system further includes an elongated post; an elongated brace; and a packaging block fixed to the main panel of the first cap. The side panel assemblies of the first cap are adjacent to one another and together with the packaging block define a post socket that receives an end portion of the post and inhibits lateral movement of the post. Moreover, the side panel assemblies of the second cap are opposed to one another and respectively support first and second ends of the brace.

A packaging system includes first and second caps, each cap having a main panel, first and second side panel assemblies extending from and substantially perpendicular to the main panel, a plurality of stacking protuberances, and a plurality of stacking sockets. The cap is stackable with an identical cap by mating the protuberances of the cap with the sockets of the identical cap. The packaging system further includes an elongated post; an elongated brace; and a packaging block fixed to the main panel of the first cap. The side panel assemblies of the first cap are adjacent to one another and together with the packaging block define a post socket that receives an end portion of the post and inhibits lateral movement of the post. Moreover, the side panel assemblies of the second cap are opposed to one another and respectively support first and second ends of the brace.

A cross-brace assembly for a package for a household appliance and method of assembling are provided. The cross-brace assembly can include a holder having a body having opposing first and second sides. The body includes first and second inner tabs that include first and second apertures, respectively. A first outer tab projects from the first side of the body, adjacent to the first inner tab, and a second outer tab projects from the second side of the body, adjacent to the second inner tab. A brace having opposing first and second ends can be received within the first and second apertures such that the first end of the brace is disposed adjacent the first outer tab and the second end of the brace is disposed adjacent the second outer tab to retain the brace relative to the holder.

A packaging filler insert includes a first packaging filler insert end and a second packaging filler insert end. A first packaging filler insert side extends from the first packaging filler insert end to the second packaging filler insert end and a second packaging filler side extends from the first packaging filler insert end to the second packaging filler insert end. An outer packaging filler insert face has at least one tab, and an inner packaging filler insert face located and positioned opposite from the outer packaging filler face. A pair of filler inserts are positioned between upper and lower portions of an item that is shipped in a carton, to provide support for the upper portion, such as via engagement with corner posts positioned between the filler inserts and adjacent corners of the carton.

A cross-brace assembly for a package for a household appliance and method of assembling are provided. The cross-brace assembly can include a holder having a body having opposing first and second sides. The body includes first and second inner tabs that include first and second apertures, respectively. A first outer tab projects from the first side of the body, adjacent to the first inner tab, and a second outer tab projects from the second side of the body, adjacent to the second inner tab. A brace having opposing first and second ends can be received within the first and second apertures such that the first end of the brace is disposed adjacent the first outer tab and the second end of the brace is disposed adjacent the second outer tab to retain the brace relative to the holder.

A packaging assembly, including corrugated corner elements, each having a first corner post element leg and a second corner post element leg, each corner post element leg having one or more alternating ridges and grooves; endcap elements, each having a support layer portion and a tray layer portion, wherein the tray layer portion includes a corner recess formed proximate each corner of the support layer portion, wherein each corner recess is formed to allow at least a portion of one of the corrugated corner elements at least partially therein; and a support insert having a void or gap formed through a portion of the support insert, a relief recess and a scalloped relief recess are formed within at least a portion of the support insert, each allowing at least a portion of a corrugated corner element to be positioned at least partially therein.

A packaging assembly (10) for an appliance (14) includes a first shock-absorbing member (18) that defines a cavity (22) to receive a top (26) of the appliance (14) and a second shock-absorbing member (42). The first shock-absorbing member (18) defines a first groove (30) and a second groove (34). Each of the first groove (30) and second groove (34) is defined in a top surface (38) of the first shock-absorbing member (18) and extends along a length thereof. The second shock-absorbing member (42) defines a recess (46) to receive a bottom (50) of the appliance (14). The first shock-absorbing member (18) and the second shock-absorbing member (42) are configured to retain the appliance (14). A first support feature (54) is disposed within the first groove (30) of the first shock-absorbing member (18). A second support feature (58) is disposed within the second groove (34) of the first shock-absorbing member (18). Each of the first support feature (54) and the second support feature (58) is constructed of a wood plastic composite.

A tub support that fits inside the top opening of a washing machine to prevent the wash tub from moving relative to the cabinet during shipping and handling, and a blank for making a tub support. The tub support may comprise a rear folded portion having a plurality of rear tub contact points that contact the wash tub, and a sidewall configured to contact the top edge of the wash tub along a plurality of tub contact points and to contact the rim of the washing machine cabinet along a plurality of cabinet contact points.

A washing machine tub lock device is provided that prevents the wash tub from impacting the washing machine cabinet during shipping and handling. The tub lock device is formed by cutting and folding a corrugated blank into an inverted truncated rectangular cone that can be wedged inside the top portion of the washing machine tub. The tub lock device includes hanging tabs which prevent the tub lock device from falling into the wash tub during shipping and handling. The tub lock device also includes elliptical tabs which bend or deform into elliptical cutouts such that the edges of the elliptical cutouts are covered, thus preventing the elliptical cutouts from damaging the washing machine during shipping and handling.