Patent Publication Number: US-6988615-B2

Title: Appliance shipping package

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to shipping packages for household appliances capable of being stacked several units high in a warehouse and accepting side loads from clamp lift truck material handling equipment. In packaging for some household appliances such as refrigerators and freezers, it is desirable to have packaging that protects the product yet allows the product to be viewed through the package for inspection in transit from the factory to the consumer&#39;s home. Further, it is desirable to have packaging that is adapted for easy installation, removal and disposal and efficient movement by lift trucks. Further, it is desirable to have packages that are capable of being stacked multiple units high in warehouses without tipping or leaning. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings illustrating the present invention: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a refrigerator packaged in a shipping package according to the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of four refrigerators stacked and engaged by a clamp lift truck. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of four refrigerators stacked and engaged by a clamp lift truck. 
       FIG. 4  (prior art) is a front view of refrigerators in prior art shipping packages stacked in a warehouse showing stack lean due to shipping packages that have top or bottom surfaces that are not flat. 
       FIG. 5  (prior art) is a partial perspective view of refrigerators in prior art shipping packages stacked in a warehouse showing rounded bottom caps due to strapping band tension. 
       FIG. 6  (prior art) is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator in a prior art shipping package showing one side of a top cap buckled due to strapping band tension. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of stacks of refrigerators in shipping packages according to the invention showing straight stacks resulting from use of shipping packages that have flat top and bottom surfaces. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of refrigerators in shipping packages according to the invention loaded in a trailer showing straight stacks and flat sides of the shipping package. 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the shipping package elements according to the invention prior to application of shrink wrap film. 
       FIG. 9A  is a front perspective view of the shipping package of  FIG. 9  assembled on a refrigerator prior to application of shrink wrap film. 
       FIG. 9B  is a rear perspective view of the shipping package of  FIG. 9  assembled on a refrigerator prior to application of shrink wrap film. 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded view of another embodiment of the shipping package elements according to the invention prior to application of shrink wrap film. 
       FIG. 10A  is a front perspective view of the shipping package of  FIG. 10  assembled on a refrigerator prior to application of shrink wrap film. 
       FIG. 10B  is a rear perspective view of the shipping package of  FIG. 10  assembled on a refrigerator prior to application of shrink wrap film. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to FIG.  5  and  FIG. 6  prior art shipping packages  10  for refrigerators and freezers are shown. Typical prior art shipping packages  10  include a top folded cap  11 , a bottom cap  13 , a plurality of strapping bands  12 , elongated blocks or corner posts  14  and  16  located at the front and rear corners of the refrigerator cabinet and shrink film material  18 . In the prior art shipping package shown in  FIG. 4  to FIG,  6 , the shrink wrap film  18  envelops and encloses corner posts  14  and  16  and bottom cap  13 . Strapping bands  12  are fastened over a top cap  11  and the shrink film enclosed refrigerator, bottom cap and corner posts. Shipping packages utilizing strapping bands  12  are typically used when the shipping packages are intended to be lifted by the top cap with a lift truck having an upstanding lift member or fingers that hook under and engage a carton flap at the top of the package to lift and transport the package. Lift truck attachments to lift folded cap cartons by the top are commercially available and well known to those skilled in the art. When a relatively heavy product such as a refrigerator or freezer is packaged in a top lift carton strapping bands are commonly used to assure that the entire shipping package bottom is securely connected to the top cap. 
   Deficiencies with the prior art top lift shipping packages  10  can be seen by referring to  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6  (prior art). Referring first to  FIG. 6 , in prior art top lift shipping packages the tension in strapping bands  12  can cause the sides of the top cap  11  to buckle and protrude out from the sides of the package. Such bulges can cause one shipping package to snag on another as products are moved, stacked, loaded or unloaded in the movement of the products from the factory to the consumer. Such snags can at best slow product handling and at worst cause product damage, dropped products and the like. Further, since cap  11  in this prior art embodiment is not enclosed by the shrink wrap film material  18 , the fiberboard material typically used for carton material can become soaked or soggy should the product be exposed to the elements or high humidity conditions in transit from factory to consumer. When such fiberboard material becomes moisture laden, the material loses strength and can deform and sag leading to further instability when products having prior art shipping packages are stacked for storage or handling with a lift truck. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5  (prior art), the tension in strapping bands  12  can cause the bottom cap  13  to bow resulting in a package with a bottom wall or surface that is not flat. Such bowing can even occur when rigid skids attached to the bottom of the product are provided inside of, or instead of a bottom cap  13 . The consequences of a shipping package having a bottom wall that is not flat can be seen by referring to  FIG. 4  (prior art) in which it can be seen that stacks of refrigerators in prior art shipping packages lean. Leaning stacks of products can fall damaging both the falling products and products struck by falling products. In addition, undue care must be taken when handling and storing products having uneven shipping packages to avoid stacks of products falling in the warehouse and during handling with lift trucks and the like. Further, products with a bowed bottom cap as shown in  FIG. 5  (prior art) are subject to rocking and vibrating when in transit subjecting the products to damage that would be avoided with a shipping package with a flat bottom wall. Still referring to FIG.  5  and  FIG. 6  (prior art), as in the case of top cap  11 , bottom cap  13  is subject absorbing moisture due to exposure to the elements or high humidity conditions in transit or in storage in route from the factory to the ultimate consumer&#39;s home. When bottom cap  13  becomes wet, stability of bottom cap  13  is adversely affected and can allow a stack of cartons to tip or fall. 
   Prior art top lift shipping packages as shown in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6  use strapping bands  12  to securely hold the shipping package about the product. However, such strapping bands  12  can hang up and catch on one another as products are being moved. Such hang ups at best slow down the efficient movement of products in the factory, warehouse and in loading/unloading of trailers and containers, and at worst can damage one or both products or cause products to be dropped damaging the product. In addition, strapping bands  12  can partially cover shipping labels or instructions that can include bar code information thus interfering with use of bar code reader equipment in a warehouse or in transit of the product. 
   Referring now to FIG.  1  and  FIG. 9 , a shipping package  20  according to the invention is shown. The shipping package  20  does not include a bottom cap and does not include or utilize strapping bands as provided in the prior art shipping packages described above. Shipping package  20  is intended for use with appliance clamp or carton clamp equipped material handling equipment or lift trucks that we will refer to generally as clamp lift trucks. In contrast to top handling lift trucks described above, clamp lift trucks have broad flat clamp members that engage opposite sides of an appliance shipping package. The clamp members are squeezed together with sufficient force to lift and transport multiple appliances in shipping packages. Clamp lift trucks are well known material handling equipment. Refrigerators, freezers, compact ice makers and air conditioners are examples of appliances that are well adapted to handling with clamp lift trucks since the cabinets of these appliances are relatively robust due to the nature and construction of the appliances. Such appliances require relatively little structural support from the shipping package to successfully withstand clamp lift truck handling. 
   Turning to FIG.  1  and  FIG. 9 , an embodiment of a shipping package  20  according to the invention is shown applied to a conventional refrigerator  21 . While a conventional two-door top freezer refrigerator is shown in this embodiment, other refrigerator configurations such as side by side refrigerator-freezers, bottom freezer refrigerators, upright freezers or other household appliances such as mentioned above can be packaged with a shipping package according to the invention. A pair of skids  22  can be attached to the bottom of refrigerator  21  with suitable screws or bolts, not shown, with a portion of each skid extending along and beyond the sidewalls of the refrigerator  21 . Skids  22  can also extend beyond the front and rear sides of the refrigerator  21 . Skids  22  can be formed of rigid, moisture impervious material such as high density recycled polyethylene. Those skilled in the art will recognize that skids  22  can be formed of other sturdy, moisture resistant or moisture proof material such as wood or recycled polypropylene within the scope of this invention. While two separate skids  22  are shown in the embodiment of FIG.  1  and  FIG. 9 , a single skid extending the full width of the refrigerator could be used as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. 
   Shipping package  20  can also include four elongated blocks or corner posts  23 ,  24 ,  25  and  26  (see FIG.  9 ). The bottom ends of elongated blocks  23 - 26  can rest on the top surface of skids  22  and can be held in place with tape, not shown, until the top cap and the shrink wrap material is applied. Elongated block  24  can have a bottom lip  24 ′, to aid in supporting lower compartment door  21 ″ during transit. A similar lip can be provided on elongated block  23 , not shown. Elongated block  23  can engage and enclose the handle  29  on upper compartment door  21 ′ and handle  29 ′ on lower compartment door  21 ″ to protect the handles during storage and transit. Those skilled in the art will recognize that handles  29  and  29 ′ can packaged inside refrigerator  21  for installation at the time the refrigerator is installed in the consumer&#39;s home. Alternately, handles  29  and  29 ′ can be supplied in a separate kit for installation on refrigerator  21  at the time the refrigerator is installed in the consumer&#39;s home. Elongated blocks  23 - 26  can be formed of 1.5 lb. density expanded polystyrene (EPS) material. EPS is rigid, with good compression resistance and is moisture proof and is not likely to abrade or scratch the refrigerator cabinet or door finish. Those skilled in the art will recognize that elongated blocks  23 - 26  can be formed of fiberboard material if desired. A suitable bar code shipping label  19  can be affixed to one of the elongated blocks, for example elongated block  25 . Bar code shipping label  19  can be read by bar code reading equipment through shrink wrap film material  35 . 
   In the embodiment shown in FIG.  1  and  FIG. 9 , top pads  27  and  28  can be positioned on the top wall of refrigerator  21 . Top pads  27  and  28  can be held in position on refrigerator  21  with tape, not shown, until the top cap is installed and the shrink wrap film is applied. Top pads  27  and  28  provide a support base to protect the top of the refrigerator when refrigerators are stacked in a warehouse as is well known. Top pads  27  and  28  can easily support refrigerators stacked five units high in a warehouse without crushing. In addition, top pads  27  and  28  can have downwardly projecting edges  27 ′ and  28 ′ that fill the gap between the refrigerator cabinet, not shown, and the upper compartment door  21 ′ to prevent the upper compartment door gasket, not shown, from collapsing during handling and transit. Top pads  27  and  28  can be formed of 2.0 lb. density EPS. While top pads  27  and  28  are shown as single blocks in the embodiment of FIG.  1  and  FIG. 9 , those skilled in the art will understand that top pads  27  and  28  can be formed in two or more pieces, if desired, to accommodate multiple appliance configurations. 
   Door support pads  31  and  32  can be provided for additional door support. Upper door support pad  31  can be wedged between upper compartment door  21 ′ and lower compartment door  21 ″ in the vicinity of handles  29  and  29 ′ so as to provide support for the upper compartment door on the side of the refrigerator opposite the door hinges  21 ′″. Lower door support pad  32  can be wedged between the face of the refrigerator cabinet, not shown, and the inner edge of lower compartment door  21 ″, not shown, on the side of lower compartment door  21 ″ opposite the door hinges, not shown, to keep the door gasket from collapsing during handling and transit. Door support pads  31  and  32  can be attached to refrigerator  21  by tape and can be formed of pressed fiberboard material that have good resistance to compression and do not mar the cabinet or door finish. Those skilled in the art will recognize that door support pads  31  and  32  can be formed of other materials such as 2.0 lb. density EPS if desired. 
   A top cap  30  can be positioned on top of refrigerator  21  overlying top pads  27  and  28  and enclosing the upper ends of elongated blocks  23 - 26 . Top cap  30  can be formed of corrugated fiberboard with a continuous top surface to protect the top of the refrigerator during transit and storage to provide semi-water resistance and a dust cover for refrigerator  21 . Top cap  30  can be a straight piece of fiberboard that is scored for folds and folded at the point of installation. The top cap  30  in the shipping package  20  according to the invention does not need to be folded and glued or stapled, as is the case with prior art top lift shipping packages. Top cap  30  can be formed of other material such as low density polyethylene or EPS. 
   Side protection pads  33  and  34  can be attached to the side walls of refrigerator  21  extending vertically between elongated blocks  23  and  25  and  24  and  26  respectively and held in place by tape, not shown, until the shrink wrap film  35  is applied. Side protection pads  33  and  34  can provide protection against incidental contact of the appliance clamp equipped lift truck with the sidewalls of refrigerator  21 . Side support pads  33  and  34  can be formed of 1.5 lb. density EPS. 
   In the event shipping package  20  is utilized for a refrigerator  21  having horizontally extending door handles rather than the vertically extending door handles  29  and  29 ′, those skilled in the art will recognize that a suitable handle support pad or pads, not shown, can be provided to protect such horizontally extending handles as elongated block  23  protects handles  29  and  29 ′. 
   The shipping package  20  according to the invention can be completed by application of shrink wrap material  35 . Shrink wrap film  35  can be applied as a sheet of film wrapped around refrigerator  21 , elongated blocks  23 - 26 , top cap  30  and skids  22  and then sealed to form an envelop around the refrigerator using automatic equipment as is well known in the art. The shrink wrap film  35  can then be subjected to heat to shrink the film to securely engage the shipping package elements as is well known in the art. The shrink wrap film material can be 3.5 mil low density polyethylene material that on average shrinks approximately 40% when heated as is well known in the art. The shrink wrap film can be thinner or heavier than 3.5 mil material, for example, the film material can range from 2.0 mil to 4.0 mil material. The gage or thickness as well as the shrink factor and direction of primary shrinkage of the shrink wrap film material can be selected to meet the requirements of the specific shipping package as is well known to those skilled in the art. Alternately, shrink wrap film  35  can be applied in the form of a sleeve dropped down over top cap  30  to enclose elongated blocks  23 - 26  and skids  22  as above as is also well known in the art. The shrink wrap film  35  can be arranged to partially or fully cover top cap  30 . When top cap  30  is formed of fiberboard and moisture and foreign matter damage is of concern, using shrink wrap film  35  that fully covers top cap  30  can provide additional protection for the refrigerator  21 . Shrink wrap film  35  can engage skids  22 , but typically does not enclose the entire bottom of refrigerator  21  since refrigerators typically have a recessed, closed bottom wall that does not require protection by the shrink wrap film. Further, leaving the bottom of the product open can keep moisture from staying in contact with the bottom of the product in the event the product is temporarily stored on a wet surface such as outdoors on a paved parking lot or storage area. The open portion of the shrink wrap film on the bottom of the product allows any moisture to evaporate rather than remain in contact with the underside of the product. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the shrink wrap film can be arranged to fully cover the bottom of the packaged product when the nature of the product requires full enclosure by the shrink wrap film to prevent moisture or foreign material from contacting the product. 
   While shrink wrap film  35  securely engages corner posts  23 - 26 , top cap  30  and skids  22 , the force exerted by the shrunk film is not sufficient to distort or bend top cap  30  to produce bulges as can be the case with prior art shipping package using strapping bands as shown in FIG.  4 -FIG.  6 . Similarly, the force exerted by the shrunk film is not sufficient to bend or warp skids  22  as can be the case with prior art shipping packages utilizing strapping bands. 
   The shipping package  20  according to the invention employs less packaging material than the prior art shipping packages described above. Given high production volume of refrigerators using shipping packages according to the invention, millions of board feet of wood can be saved through elimination of the bottom cap and other cardboard material required in the prior art shipping package. Elimination of the strapping bands, and bottom caps reduces the amount of material to be disposed in landfills and the like. 
   Thus, the shipping package  20  according to the invention, and as shown in  FIG. 1  results in a shipping package with flat top and flat bottom surfaces that is readily handled by clamp lift trucks. Turning to FIG.  2  and  FIG. 3  four shipping package units  20  are shown engaged by a clamp lift truck  40 . Clamp lift truck  40  can include a pair of large clamp members  41  sized to securely engage either two shipping packages side by side or four shipping packages, two shipping packages stacked on top of two shipping packages. Clamp lift trucks  40  can include a lifting mechanism  42  as is well known to those skilled in the art. 
   Turning to FIG.  7  and  FIG. 8  the advantage of the shipping package  20  according to the invention can readily be seen. In  FIG. 7  stacks of shipping packages  20  are shown in a warehouse stacked 5 units high. It is significant to note that the stacks are straight and there are no bulges or protrusions from the shipping packages due to tension of strapping bands. The significance of straight stable stacks was demonstrated in one instance where several thousand units packaged in shipping packages and stacked according to the invention withstood a 5.0 magnitude level earthquake in a warehouse with no stacks falling. Turning to  FIG. 8  shipping packages  20  are shown positioned in a trailer  45  for over the road transportation. It is significant to note that the shipping packages  20  fit together well since the sides of the packages are straight and the packages sit flat on the floor  46  of the trailer  45 . As in the case of  FIG. 7 , there are no bulges or protrusions from the shipping packages to snag or hang up as shipping packages are loaded and unloaded from the trailer  45 . The straight sides and flat top and bottom surfaces of the shipping packages  20  facilitates loading and unloading of a trailer  45  using a clamp truck since the clamp member can easily slide between shipping packages  20  and the trailer  45  without damaging the shipping packages or the enclosed refrigerators. Loading and unloading of trailer  45  with refrigerators having a shipping package according to the invention is also facilitated by the lack of bulges caused by strapping bands that can snag as refrigerators are moved in the tightly packed trailer  45 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 10  another embodiment of a shipping package according to the invention is shown for a refrigerator  51  having contoured or curved doors  51 ′ and  51 ″. In contrast, the refrigerator  21  shown in the embodiment of FIG.  1  and  FIG. 9  has flat doors  21 ′ and  21 ″. Like the embodiment of FIG.  1  and  FIG. 9 , the shipping package shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10  does not include a bottom cap and does not include or utilize strapping bands as provided in prior art shipping packages. Refrigerator  51  can have a pair of skids  52  attached to the bottom wall of the refrigerator cabinet. While a conventional two-door top freezer refrigerator is shown in this embodiment, other refrigerator configurations such as a side by side refrigerator freezer, or a bottom freezer refrigerator can be packaged with a shipping package according to the invention. The pair of skids  52  can be attached to the bottom of refrigerator  51  with suitable screws or bolts, not shown, with a portion of each skid extending along and beyond the sidewalls of the refrigerator  51 . Skids  52  can also extend beyond the front and rear sides of the refrigerator  51 . Skids  52  can be formed of rigid, moisture impervious material such as high density recycled polyethylene. Those skilled in the art will recognize that skids  52  can be formed of other sturdy moisture resistant or moisture proof material such as recycled polypropylene or wood within the scope of this invention. While two separate skids  52  are shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , a single skid extending the full width of the refrigerator could be used as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. 
   The shipping package shown in  FIG. 10  can also include four elongated blocks or corner posts  53 ,  54 ,  55  and  56 . The bottom ends of elongated blocks  53 - 56  can rest on the top surface of skids  52  and can be held in place with tape, not shown, until the top cap and the shrink wrap material is applied. Elongated block  54  can have a bottom lip, shown at  54 ′, to aid in supporting lower compartment door  51 ″ during transit. A similar lip can be provided on elongated block  53 , not shown. In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the refrigerator  51  does not have handles that extend outwardly from the compartment doors  51 ′ and  51 ″. Elongated blocks  53 - 56  can be formed of 1.5 lb. density expanded polystyrene (EPS) material. Those skilled in the art will recognize that elongated blocks  53 - 56  can be formed of other materials such as fiberboard if desired. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , top pads  57  and  58  can be positioned on the top wall of refrigerator  51 . Top pads  57  and  58  can be held in position on refrigerator  51  with tape, not shown. Top pads  57  and  58  provide a support base to protect the top of the refrigerator when refrigerators are stacked in a warehouse as is well known. Top pads  57  and  58  can easily support refrigerators stacked five units high in a warehouse without crushing. In addition, top pads  57  and  58  can have downwardly projecting edges  57 ′ and  58 ′ that fill the gap between the refrigerator  51  and the upper compartment door  51 ′ to the prevent upper compartment door gasket, not shown, from collapsing during handling and transit. Top pads  57  and  58  can be formed of 2.0 lb. density EPS. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that top pads  57  and  58  can be assembled from two or more components rather than being formed in one piece as shown in FIG.  10 . 
   Door support pads  61  and  62  can be provided for additional door support. Upper door support pad  61  can be wedged between upper compartment door  51 ′ and lower compartment door  51 ″ opposite the hinges  51 ′″ to provide support for the upper compartment door on the side of the refrigerator opposite the door hinges  51 ′″. Lower door support pad  62  can be wedged between the face of the refrigerator cabinet, not shown, and the inner edge of lower compartment door  51 ″, not shown, opposite the door hinges, not shown, to keep the door gasket from collapsing during handling and transit. Door support pads  61  and  62  can be attached to refrigerator  51  by tape, not shown, and can be formed of pressed fiberboard material. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 10  the shipping package can include additional support pads  63  and  64 . Side support pads  63  can be placed on the sides of the refrigerator cabinet extending vertically between elongated blocks  53  and  55  and  54  and  56  respectively and held in place by tape, not shown, until the shrink wrap film  35  is applied. Front support pad  64  can be placed on the face of compartment doors  51 ′ and  51 ″ and held in place by tape, not shown, and can be centered between elongated blocks  53  and  54 . Support pads  63  and  64  provide protection against incidental contact of the appliance clamp equipped lift truck with the sidewalls of the refrigerator and the compartment doors  51 ′ and  51 ″ during handling of the product. Support pads  63  and  64  can be formed of 1.5 lb. density EPS. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a front support pad like  64  can be provided in the shipping package shown in FIG.  1  and  FIG. 9  to provide additional protection for doors  21 ′ and  21 ″. Likewise, those skilled in the art will recognize that support or protective pads can be provided as needed for portions of the surface of other products that are packaged with a shipping package according to the invention. 
   A top cap  60  can be positioned on top of refrigerator  51  overlying top pads  57  and  58  and enclosing the upper ends of elongated blocks  53 - 56 . Top cap  60  can be formed of corrugated fiberboard with a continuous top surface to protect the top of the refrigerator during transit and storage. Top cap  60  can be formed of other material such as EPS, low density polyethylene or coated paper. 
   The shipping package shown in  FIG. 10  can be completed by application of shrink wrap material  35 . Shrink wrap film  35 , not shown, can be applied as a sheet of film wrapped around refrigerator  51 , elongated blocks  53 - 56 , top cap  60  and skids  52  and then sealed to form an envelop around the refrigerator using automatic equipment as is well known in the art. The shrink wrap film  35 , not shown, can then be subjected to heat to shrink the film to securely engage the shipping package elements as is well known in the art. The shrink wrap film material can be 3.5 mil low density polyethylene material that on average shrinks approximately 40% when heated as is well known in the art. The shrink wrap film can be thinner or heavier than 3.5 mil material, for example, the film material can range from 2.0 mil to 4.0 mil material. The gage or thickness as well as the shrink factor and direction of primary shrinkage of the shrink wrap film material can be selected to meet the requirements of the specific shipping package as is well known to those skilled in the art. Alternately, shrink wrap film  35 , not shown, can be applied in the form of a sleeve dropped down over top cap  60  to enclose elongated blocks  53 - 56  and skids  52  as above as is also well known in the art. The shrink wrap film  35 , not shown, can be arranged to partially or fully cover top cap  60 . When top cap  60  is formed of fiberboard and moisture and foreign matter damage is of concern, using shrink wrap film  35 , not shown, that fully covers top cap  60  can provide additional protection for the refrigerator  51 . Shrink wrap film  35 , not shown, can engage skids  52 , but typically does not enclose the entire bottom of refrigerator  51  since refrigerators typically have a recessed, closed bottom wall that does not require protection by the shrink wrap film. Further, leaving the bottom of the product open can keep moisture from staying in contact with the bottom of the product in the event the product is temporarily stored on a wet surface such as outdoors on a paved parking lot or storage area. The open portion of the shrink wrap film on the bottom of the product allows any moisture to evaporate rather than remain in contact with the underside of the product. Those skilled in the art will understand that the shrink wrap film can be arranged to fully enclose the bottom of the product, if desired, when the product requires a shipping package that precludes moisture or foreign material from coming into contact with the bottom of the product during transit. 
   Thus, the shipping package embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  results in a shipping package with flat top and flat bottom surfaces, that is readily handled by appliance clamp equipped lift trucks and provides all the benefits and advantages of the shipping package embodiment shown in FIG.  1  and FIG.  9 . 
   While the shipping package according to the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof and applied to refrigerators, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.