Carton/pad packing assembly for a water heater

Abstract

A water heater is protectively packaged for shipment and handling by respectively inserting upper and lower end portions thereof in recesses in facing padded sides of upper and lower end assemblies having, on their opposite sides, spaced pluralities of parallel support rail members. The water heater and associated end assemblies are enclosed within a cardboard box having a vertical side wall portion spaced horizontally outwardly from the water heater, and vertically elongated reinforcing members extend along interior corner portions of the box between the upper and lower end assemblies and form therewith a vertical load path facilitating the stacking of water heaters packaged in this manner. The box has a closed upper end portion within which the upper end portion is disposed, and an open lower end portion having an opposing pair of downwardly projecting tabs which are removably secured to outer side portions of an outer pair of support rail members on the lower end assembly in a manner leaving the opposite ends of the support members exposed. By simply disconnecting the lower box tabs from their associated support rails, the box can be vertically removed to expose the water heater for field modification if necessary. The packaged water heater may be lifted using either a fork lift or a pair of conventional squeeze plates.