Patent Publication Number: US-11377296-B2

Title: Packaging brace for a washing machine appliance

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to braces for packaging and/or shipping washing machine appliances. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Washing machine appliances generally include an apron or cabinet. A tub that contains wash fluid during operation of the washing machine appliance is mounted within the cabinet. A basket within the tub holds articles for washing and is rotatable within the tub while washing the articles. To reduce noisy vibrations when the basket spins within the tub, the tub is suspended on the cabinet such that the tub is movable relative to the cabinet. However, movement of the basket relative to the tub or movement of the basket and tub relative to the cabinet can be problematic while shipping the washing machine appliance. 
     After manufacture, the washing machine appliance is generally packaged within a shipping box. The shipping box can limit damage to the washing machine appliance during transit. However, known shipping boxes suffer various drawbacks. For example, such shipping boxes do not include features for constraining the basket and tub relative to each other or the cabinet. Thus, a packaging brace may be provided to constrain such relative movement. However, known packaging braces are typically complex in construction and/or formation, e.g., known packaging braces typically include multiple discrete pieces which must be assembled, and may require additional steps for assembly, such as interlocking various pieces of the packaging brace, applying adhesives, and so forth. 
     Thus, a packaging brace for a washing machine appliance which is relatively simple in construction and easy to form would be desirable. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In an example embodiment, a flat blank for forming a packaging brace for a washing machine appliance is provided. The flat blank includes a bottom panel, a left side panel directly joined to a left side of the bottom panel at a first seam, a back panel directly joined to a back side of the bottom panel at a second seam, a right side panel positioned opposite the left side panel and directly joined to a right side of the bottom panel at a third seam, and a front panel positioned opposite the back panel and directly joined to a front side of the bottom panel at a fourth seam. The flat blank also includes a first corner segment directly joined to the left side panel at a fifth seam and directly joined to the back panel at a sixth seam. The first corner segment is configured to define a first corner of the packaging brace when the flat blank is folded such that the fifth seam and the sixth seam are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other. The flat blank also includes a second corner segment directly joined to the back side panel at a seventh seam and directly joined to the right side panel at an eighth seam. The second corner segment is configured to define a second corner of the packaging brace when the flat blank is folded such that the seventh seam and the eighth seam are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other. The flat blank also includes a third corner segment directly joined to the right side panel at a ninth seam and directly joined to the front panel at a tenth seam. The third corner segment is configured to define a third corner of the packaging brace when the flat blank is folded such that the ninth seam and the tenth seam are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other. The flat blank also includes a fourth corner segment directly joined to the front panel at an eleventh seam and directly joined to the left side panel at a twelfth seam. The fourth corner segment is configured to define a fourth corner of the packaging brace when the flat blank is folded such that the eleventh seam and the twelfth seam are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other. The first corner, the second corner, the third corner, and the fourth corner of the packaging brace are configured to contact an opening in a cabinet of the washing machine appliance at a first set of four contact points and to contact a basket of the washing machine appliance at a second set of four contact points. 
     In another example embodiment, a method of forming a packaging brace for a washing machine appliance is provided. The method includes providing a flat blank. The flat blank includes a bottom panel, a left side panel directly joined to a left side of the bottom panel at a first seam, a back panel directly joined to a back side of the bottom panel at a second seam, a right side panel positioned opposite the left side panel and directly joined to a right side of the bottom panel at a third seam, and a front panel positioned opposite the back panel and directly joined to a front side of the bottom panel at a fourth seam. The flat blank also includes a first corner segment directly joined to the left side panel at a fifth seam and directly joined to the back panel at a sixth seam. The flat blank further includes a second corner segment directly joined to the back side panel at a seventh seam and directly joined to the right side panel at an eighth seam. The flat blank also includes a third corner segment directly joined to the right side panel at a ninth seam and directly joined to the front panel at a tenth seam. The flat blank further includes a fourth corner segment directly joined to the front panel at an eleventh seam and directly joined to the left side panel at a twelfth seam. The method also includes folding the left side panel and the right side panel of the flat blank inwards towards each other. The method further includes positioning the bottom panel above an opening in a cabinet of the washing machine and inserting the bottom panel into a basket of the washing machine through the opening such that a contoured profile of the opening urges the blank to fold. As a result, the fifth seam and the sixth seam are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other to define a first corner of the packaging brace, the seventh seam and the eighth seam are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other to define a second corner of the packaging brace, the ninth seam and the tenth seam are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other to define a third corner of the packaging brace, and the eleventh seam and the twelfth seam are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other to define a fourth corner of the packaging brace. The first corner, the second corner, the third corner, and the fourth corner of the packaging brace are in contact with the opening in the cabinet of the washing machine appliance at a first set of four contact points and in contact with the basket of the washing machine appliance at a second set of four contact points. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a flat blank for forming a packaging brace for a washing machine appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a washing machine appliance with a packaging brace formed from the flat blank of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top down view of the washing machine appliance and packaging brace of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is another enlarged view of another portion of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  provides a simplified view of a packaging brace in contact with an opening in a top panel of a washing machine appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 7  provides a simplified view of a packaging brace in contact with a wash basket of a washing machine appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of a segment of a flat blank for forming a packaging brace for a washing machine appliance according to one or more additional example embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart diagrammatically illustrating a method of forming a packaging brace for a washing machine appliance according to one or more additional example embodiments of the present subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise. 
     As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. 
     Turning briefly to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the washing machine appliance  10  defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. The vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. Washing machine appliance  10  has a cabinet  12  that extends between a top portion  13  and a bottom portion  14  along the vertical direction V. Cabinet  12  also extends between a first side portion  15  and a second side portion  16 , e.g., along the lateral direction L, and a front portion  17  and a back portion (not shown), e.g., along the transverse direction T. The first side portion  15  may be a left side portion and the second side portion  16  may be a right side portion, e.g., from the perspective of a user standing in front of the washing machine appliance  10 . 
     A wash basket  20  is rotatably mounted within cabinet  12 , e.g., within a wash tub (not shown) disposed within cabinet  12 . A motor (not shown) is in mechanical communication with wash basket  20  in order to selectively rotate wash basket  20 , e.g., during an agitation or a rinse cycle of washing machine appliance  10 . Wash basket  20  defines a wash chamber  21  that is configured for receipt of articles for washing. In some embodiments, an agitator  23  or impeller (not shown) extends from wash basket  20  into wash chamber  21 . The agitator  23  assists agitation of articles disposed within wash chamber  21  during operation of washing machine appliance  10 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , cabinet  12  of washing machine appliance  10  has a top panel  22  positioned at or adjacent top portion  13  of cabinet  12 . Top panel  22  defines an opening  24  that permits user access to wash chamber  21  of wash basket  20 . Lid  30  is rotatably mounted to top panel  22  and includes an inner surface  32  which faces the wash basket  20  when the lid  30  is closed. However, alternatively, lid  30  may be mounted to cabinet  12  or any outer suitable support. Further alternate exemplary embodiments may include an opening defined in a front panel of washing machine  10 , e.g., in exemplary embodiments wherein washing machine  10  is a horizontal axis washing machine. Lid  30  selectively rotates between a closed position (not shown) and the open position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In the closed position, lid  30  inhibits access to wash chamber  21 . Conversely, in the open position, a user can access wash chamber  21 . An aperture  36  in lid  30  permits viewing of wash chamber  21  when lid  30  is in the closed position, e.g., during operation of washing machine appliance  10 . Lid  30  also includes a handle (not shown) that, e.g., a user may pull and/or lift when opening and closing lid  30 . 
       FIG. 1  is top view of a blank  100  for forming a packaging brace  102  for a washing machine appliance  10  ( FIG. 2 ) according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter. The blank  100  may be referred to herein as a “flat blank” in that the blank  100  is generally stored and/or transported in a flat state prior to use, e.g., forming into a packaging brace  102  and installation into a washing machine appliance. That is, it should be understood that the term “flat blank” refers to the blank  100  in a flat condition, and the terms blank or flat blank may be used interchangeably in at least some contexts herein. As discussed in greater detail below, the flat blank  100  may be used for forming a packaging brace  102  which is useful in packaging for a washing machine appliance, in particular a vertical axis washing machine appliance, to reduce damage to the washing machine appliance during transit. Packaging brace  102  may be used in or with any suitable vertical axis washing machine appliance. 
     The flat blank  100  may be formed from a corrugated sheet, e.g., of plastic, cardboard or fiberboard, or other suitable material. As will be understood, the corrugated sheet has flutes that extend longitudinally within the corrugated sheet. For example, the corrugated sheet may be formed from a fluted corrugated board and one or two flat linerboards, and the fluted corrugated board may define flutes within the corrugated sheet. Corrugated sheets are well understood by those skilled in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
     As generally shown in  FIG. 1 , the blank  100  may include a plurality of sections, e.g., panels and/or flaps, as will be described in more detail below, and such sections may bend relative to one another. For example, the sections of the blank  100  may be bendable along seams or score or fold lines. 
     In particular, in the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the blank  100  may include a bottom panel  104 , a left side panel  106  directly joined to a left side  180  of the bottom panel  104  at a first seam  114 , a back panel  108  directly joined to a back side  182  of the bottom panel  104  at a second seam  116 , and a right side panel  110  positioned opposite the left side panel  106 . As illustrated for example in  FIG. 1 , the right side panel  110  may be directly joined to a right side  184  of the bottom panel  104  at a third seam  118 . The blank  100  may also include a front panel  112 , e.g., positioned opposite the back panel  108 . For example, the front panel  112  may be directly joined to a front side  186  of the bottom panel  104  at a fourth seam  120 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the blank  100  may also include a plurality of corner segments. For example, the plurality of corner segments may include a first corner segment  122 , a second corner segment  128 , a third corner segment  134 , and a fourth corner segment  140 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first corner segment  122  may be directly joined to the left side panel  106  at a fifth seam  124  and directly joined to the back panel  108  at a sixth seam  126 . The second corner segment  128  may be directly joined to the back side panel  108  at a seventh seam  130  and directly joined to the right side panel  110  at an eighth seam  132 . The third corner segment  134  may be directly joined to the right side panel  110  at a ninth seam  136  and directly joined to the front panel  112  at a tenth seam  138 . The fourth corner segment  140  may be directly joined to the front panel  112  at an eleventh seam  142  and directly joined to the left side panel  106  at a twelfth seam  144 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 7 , the first corner segment  122  may be configured to define a first corner  194  of the packaging brace  102  when the blank  100  is folded such that the fifth seam  124  and the sixth seam  126  are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other. As used herein, “generally aligned” is intended to include alignments within ten degrees (10°) of parallel to each other in any direction (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise). The second corner segment  128  may be configured to define a second corner  196  of the packaging brace  102  when the blank  100  is folded such that the seventh seam  130  and the eighth seam  132  are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other. The third corner segment  134  may be configured to define a third corner  198  of the packaging brace  102  when the blank  100  is folded such that the ninth seam  136  and the tenth seam  138  are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other. The fourth corner segment  140  may be configured to define a fourth corner  100  of the packaging brace  102  when the blank  100  is folded such that the eleventh seam  142  and the twelfth seam  144  are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other. 
     As generally illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 7 , the first corner  194 , the second corner  196 , the third corner  198 , and the fourth corner  200  of the packaging brace  102  are configured to contact the opening  24  in the cabinet  12  of the washing machine appliance  10  at a first set of four contact points  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208  and to contact the basket  20  of the washing machine appliance  10  at a second set of four contact points  210 ,  212 ,  214 , and  216 . In at least some exemplary embodiments, each contact point of the first set of contact points may be vertically aligned with a corresponding contact point of the second set of contact points, e.g., each contact point of the first set of four contact points may be positioned directly above the corresponding contact point of the second set of four contact points. For example, the first corner  194  may contact the opening  24  at a first contact point  202  and the basket  20  at a fifth contact point  210 , where the first contact point  202  is vertically aligned with the fifth contact point  210  directly above the fifth contact point  210 . The second corner  196  may contact the opening  24  at a second contact point  204  and the basket  20  at a sixth contact point  212 , where the second contact point  204  is vertically aligned with the sixth contact point  212  directly above the sixth contact point  212 . The third corner  198  may contact the opening  24  at a third contact point  206  and the basket  20  at a seventh contact point  214 , where the third contact point  206  is vertically aligned with the seventh contact point  214  directly above the seventh contact point  214 . The fourth corner  200  may contact the opening  24  at a fourth contact point  208  and the basket  20  at an eighth contact point  216 , where the fourth contact point  208  is vertically aligned with the eighth contact  216  point directly above the eighth contact point  216 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the blank  100  may also include a left side flap  146  directly connected to the left side panel  106  at a thirteenth seam  172 , a back flap  148  directly connected to the back panel  108  at a fourteenth seam  174 , a right side flap  150  opposite the left side flap  146  and directly connected to the left right panel  110  at a fifteenth seam  176 , and a front flap  152  opposite the back flap  148  and directly connected to the front panel  112  at a sixteenth seam  178 . The left side flap  146  may define an outer edge  147 . The back flap  148  may define an outer edge  149 . The right side flap  150  may define an outer edge  151 . The front flap  152  may define an outer edge  153 . As may be seen in  FIGS. 2 through 7 , the outer edge  147  of the left side flap  146 , the outer edge  149  of the back flap  148 , the outer edge  151  of the right side flap  150 , and the outer edge  153  of the front flap  152  may each be configured to contact an inner surface  32  ( FIG. 3 ) of the lid  30  of the washing machine appliance  10  when the blank  100  is folded to form the packaging brace  102  and installed within the washing machine appliance  10 . Where, as described in more detail below, the blank  100  is folded at least in part during installation into the washing machine appliance  10 , e.g., due to interaction with the curved profile of the top panel  22  and opening  24  therein, it should be understood that references herein to “when the blank  10  is folded” and/or “when the packaging brace  102  is formed” include the packaging brace  102  having been installed in the washing machine appliance  10  because such installation is also part of the folding process and/or the process of the forming the packaging brace  102 . 
     As mentioned, the blank  100  and the resultant packaging brace  102  formed therefrom may be used with a variety of washing machine appliances. For example, in some embodiments, the blank  100  may include an aperture  154  defined in the bottom panel  104 . As may be seen in  FIG. 3 , the aperture  154  may be configured to receive an agitator  23  of the washing machine appliance  10 . For example, the aperture  154  may be defined by curved inner edges of a plurality of fingers  192  in the bottom panel  104  of the blank  100 . For example, the bottom panel  104  may include the aperture  154  defined therein and a plurality of radial slits  190  originating from the aperture  154  may also be provided in the bottom panel  104 , whereby the plurality of fingers  192  are each defined between adjacent slits  190 . An outer boundary of the fingers  192  may be defined by a round seam  188  which extends around the aperture  154  and is generally concentric with the aperture  154 . As used herein, “generally,” means within 10% of, e.g., generally concentric includes the centers of the aperture  154  and the round seam  188  may be offset from one another in any direction by up to 10% of the diameter (in case of a circle) or major diameter (in case of an ellipse) of the round seam  188 . 
     The blank  100  may further include features which promote ease of folding and formation of the packaging brace  102 . For example, the blank  100  may include a plurality of relief openings which aid in formation of the four corners  194 ,  196 ,  198 , and  200  of the packaging brace  102 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the blank  100  may include a first relief opening  156  at an intersection of the bottom panel  104 , the left side panel  106 , the back panel  108 , and the first corner segment  122 . A second relief opening  158  may be provided at an intersection of the bottom panel  104 , the back panel  108 , the right side panel  110 , and the second corner segment  128 . A third relief opening  160  may be provided at an intersection of the bottom panel  104 , the right side panel  110 , the front panel  112 , and the third corner segment  134 . A fourth relief opening  162  may be provided at an intersection of the bottom panel  104 , the left side panel  106 , the front panel  112 , and the fourth corner segment  140 . 
     As another example, the blank  100  may include perforated score lines in the corner segments to aid in forming the four corners  194 ,  196 ,  198 , and  200  of the packaging brace  102 . For example, such score lines may promote ease of bringing the respective seams at each corner segment together, e.g., bringing the fifth seam  124  and the sixth seam  126  of the first corner segment  122  into contact and alignment to form the first corner  194 , etc. Thus, in some embodiments, the first corner segment  122  may be bifurcated by a first score line  164 , the second corner segment  128  may be bifurcated by a second score line  166 , the third corner segment  134  may be bifurcated by a third score line  168 , and the fourth corner segment  140  may be bifurcated by a fourth score line  170 . 
     In some example embodiments, the blank  100  may include additional relief openings, such as a fifth relief opening  157  positioned in the first corner segment  122 , a sixth relief opening  159  positioned in the second corner segment  128 , a seventh relief opening  161  positioned in the third corner segment  134 , and an eighth relief opening  163  positioned in the fourth corner segment  140 . For example, the fifth relief opening  157  may be located along the first score line  164 , such as concentrically positioned on the first score line  164 , e.g., whereby a center point of the fifth relief opening  157  is co-located with a midpoint of the first score line  164 . Also by way of example, the sixth relief opening  159  may be located along the second score line  166 , such as concentrically positioned on the second score line  166 , the seventh relief opening  161  may be located along the third score line  168 , such as concentrically positioned on the third score line  168 , and the eighth relief opening  163  may be located along the fourth score line  170 , such as concentrically positioned on the fourth score line  170 . 
       FIG. 6  provides a simplified view of the top panel  22  and the opening  24  in the top panel  22  with the packaging brace  102  positioned within the opening  24 , in order to more clearly depict the first set of four contact points  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208 . As may be seen in  FIG. 6 , the first set of four contact points may include a first contact point  202  where the first corner  194  of the packaging brace  102  contacts the opening  24 , a second contact point  204  where the second corner  196  of the packaging brace  102  contacts the opening  24 , a third contact point  206  where the third corner  198  of the packaging brace  102  contacts the opening  24 , and a fourth contact point  208  where the fourth corner  200  of the packaging brace  102  contacts the opening  24 . 
       FIG. 7  provides a simplified view of wash basket  20  with the packaging brace  102  positioned within the wash basket  20 , in order to more clearly depict the second set of four contact points  210 ,  212 ,  214 , and  216 . As may be seen in  FIG. 7 , the second set of four contact points may include a fifth contact point  210  where the first corner  194  of the packaging brace  102  contacts the wash basket  20 , a sixth contact point  212  where the second corner  196  of the packaging brace  102  contacts the wash basket  20 , a seventh contact point  214  where the third corner  198  of the packaging brace  102  contacts the wash basket  20 , and an eighth contact point  216  where the fourth corner  200  of the packaging brace  102  contacts the wash basket  20 . 
     In various embodiments, the seams or fold lines may be provided in any suitable form, such as straight lines or curved lines, or combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the fifth seam  124 , the sixth seam  126 , the seventh seam  130 , the eighth seam  132 , the ninth seam  136 , the tenth seam  138 , the eleventh seam  142 , and the twelfth seam  144  may each be linear, e.g., straight lines.  FIG. 8  illustrates another example embodiment, wherein the seventh seam  130  and the eighth seam  132  are curvilinear. It should be understood that, in embodiments such as that illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the seams defining the other corner segments  122 ,  134 , and  140  may also be curvilinear, e.g., the fifth seam  124 , the sixth seam  126 , the seventh seam  130 , the eighth seam  132 , the ninth seam  136 , the tenth seam  138 , the eleventh seam  142 , and the twelfth seam  144  may each be curvilinear. 
     As illustrated, the corner segments  122 ,  128 ,  134 , and  140  may be generally triangular. As such, the sides of the corner segments  122 ,  128 ,  134 , and  140  (e.g., the seams defining each corner segment) may be oriented at an angle Θ to the seams defining the bottom panel  104 . As noted in  FIG. 1 , the angle Θ may be measured either clockwise or counter-clockwise. The angle Θ may be between about ninety degrees (90°) and about one hundred ten degrees (110°). For example, the angle Θ may be about one hundred degrees (100°). Thus, in some embodiments, the fifth seam  124  may form an angle Θ of about one hundred degrees with the first seam  114 , the sixth seam  126  may form an angle Θ of about one hundred degrees with the second seam  116 , the seventh seam  130  may form an angle Θ of about one hundred degrees with the second seam  116 , the eighth seam  132  may form an angle Θ of about one hundred degrees with the third seam  118 , the ninth seam  136  may form an angle Θ of about one hundred degrees with the third seam  118 , the tenth seam  138  may form an angle Θ of about one hundred degrees with the fourth seam  120 , the eleventh seam  142  may form an angle Θ of about one hundred degrees with the fourth seam  120 , and the twelfth seam  144  may form an angle Θ of about one hundred degrees with the first seam  114 . In some embodiments, the angle Θ may vary within the stated range, and different instances of the angle Θ may vary from each other. 
     As mentioned above, embodiments of the present disclosure also include methods of forming a packaging brace  102  for a washing machine appliance  10 , such as the example method  300  illustrated in  FIG. 9 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the method  300  may include an initial step  302  of providing a flat blank. For example, the flat blank which is provided in step  302  may be the blank  100  in a flat condition illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 8  and described above. Thus, the flat blank provided in step  302  may include the bottom panel  104 , the left side panel  106 , the back panel  108 , the right side panel  110 , and the front panel  112 . The flat blank provided in step  302  may further include the first corner segment  122 , the second corner segment  128 , the third corner segment  134 , and the fourth corner segment  140 . 
     The method  300  may also include a step  304  of folding the left side panel  106  and the right side panel  110  of the flat blank  100  inwards towards each other, followed by a step  306  of positioning the bottom panel  104  above an opening in a cabinet of the washing machine, such as the opening  24  in the cabinet  12  of the washing machine appliance  10  described above. 
     The method  300  may further include a step  308  of inserting the bottom panel  104  into a basket of the washing machine through the opening, such as the wash basket  20  described above. As a result of such insertion, a contoured profile of the opening  24  and/or the top panel  22  or other portion of the cabinet  12  proximate the opening  24  urges the blank  100  to fold. The blank  100  may be urged to fold such that the fifth seam  124  and the sixth seam  126  are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other to define a first corner  194  of the packaging brace  102 , the seventh seam  130  and the eighth seam  132  are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other to define a second corner  196  of the packaging brace  102 , the ninth seam  136  and the tenth seam  138  are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other to define a third corner  198  of the packaging brace  102 , and the eleventh seam  142  and the twelfth seam  144  are generally aligned with each other and in contact with each other to define a fourth corner  200  of the packaging brace  102 . 
     In some embodiments, e.g. where the washing machine appliance  10  includes the agitator  23 , inserting the bottom panel  104  into the basket  20  may include passing the agitator  23  through the aperture  154  defined in the bottom panel  104 . 
     In some embodiments, e.g., where the flat blank further includes a left side flap, a back flap, a right side flap opposite the left side flap, and a front flap opposite the back flap, e.g., the flaps  146 ,  148 ,  150 , and  152  described above, the method  300  may further include closing a lid (e.g., lid  30 ) of the washing machine appliance after the contoured profile of the opening urges the blank to fold. After closing the lid, an outer edge  147  of the left side flap  146 , an outer edge  149  of the back flap  148 , an outer edge  151  of the right side flap  150 , and an outer edge  153  of the front flap  152  are each in contact with an inner surface (e.g., the inner surface  32 ) of the lid of the washing machine appliance when the lid is closed. 
     The blank  100  described herein, as well as the packaging brace  102  formed therefrom and related methods of forming the packaging brace  102 , provide several advantages as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, one such advantage is that the packaging brace  102  may be formed from a single blank  102  without needing to join additional parts or cut or otherwise separate or divide one or more sub-parts of the blank  100 . As another example, the flat blank  100  may not include any tabs and may be configured to form the packaging brace  102  without using any tabs or adhesives. Furthermore, the foregoing example advantages are provided by way of illustration only and are not limiting of the present invention. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.