This invention is in respect of a top plate convenient for use particularly in household appliances.

Particularly on washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, deep freezers and such similar household appliances, a top plate is placed on the cabin, so as to cover the top of the cabin. Such top plates could possibly be used on household appliances as well as for such tools and apparatus like tables, etc. The top plate is very frequently used by the user on both household appliances as well as in other areas of use to place and carry such belongings like detergent boxes, bathroom and kitchen items, shampoos, towels and such similar. In respect of the state of the art, main panel of the top plate is made of wooden hardboard. However, in these circumstances, it is not possible to fix the reinforcing elements onto wooden hardboard by means of insert molding injection. In case injection process is used, it is encountered with warpage as a result of both carrying over of wooden particles from the uncoated surfaces of the wooden hardboard and also plastic shrinking.

In respect of the state of the art, it is known that the top plate is manufactured as a whole in plastic, ABS. However, this practice is both high in cost and also low in resistance towards outer impacts (scratching, etc.).

Under such German patent application Number DE19514821 included in the state of the art, it is described the manufacture of the main panel of the top plate from thermoplastic material. The object of this invention is the realization of a top plate with enhanced resistance and facilitated production including the manufacturing method pertaining thereto. The top plate realized in order to achieve the purpose of this invention described in the first claim as well as other claims interrelated to such demand consists of a decorative element and/or assembly item affixed directly onto the main panel by means of injection. It is thereby provided for obtaining a top plate that is manufactured with ease and with enhanced durability.

Top plate constituting subject matter of the invention is particularly suitable for use on washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, deep freezers and such similar household appliances.

A household appliance realized to reach the object of this invention is shown in the attached drawings in which;

Figure 1 Perspective view of the top plate on a household appliance.

Figure 2 Perspective view of the top plate from the top.

Figure 3 Sectional view of the top plate on an application of the invention.

Figure 4 Sectional view of the top plate on another application of the invention.

Figure 5 Sectional view in detail of the top plate on another application of the invention.

Figure 6 Sectional view in detail of the top plate on another application of the invention.

Figure 7 Sectional view in detail of the top plate on another application of the invention.

Figure 8 Sectional view in detail of the top plate on another alternative application of the invention.

Parts on the figures are individually numbered and these numbers are listed herebelow.

1 . Household appliance

2. top plate

3. Main panel

4. Bearing surface . Reinforcement element

. Decorative item

. Assembly component

. Plate

The upper table (2) constituting the invention consists of a main panel (3), a bearing surface (4) on top of the main panel (3), one or more reinforcement elements (5) under the bearing surface and ensuring that the main panel (3) is supported, one or more decorative items (6) surrounding the rims of the main panel (3), as well as one or more assembly parts (7) enabling installation and affixing of the main panel (3) (Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3).

Decorative item (6) and assembly part (7) are affixed onto the main panel by means of injection. Decorative item (6) and assembly part (7) are single and solid monolithic parts.

In the application of the invention, the main panel (3) is made of polycarbonate (PC) and such similar thermoplastic materials. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the reinforcement element (5) is manufactured through an extrusion process together with the main panel (3), Thus it is enabled the manufacture of both a lighter top plate (2) and the cost is reduced at the same time. In the preferred application of the invention, the reinforcement element (5) is under the bearing surface (4) and is in undulated shape. Thereby, the reinforcement element (5) is providing support to the bearing surface (4) so as to enhance resistance (Figure 8). In another application of the invention, the reinforcement element (5) is under the bearing surface (4) and is in the shape of saw-tooth, in other words as bars joining in angular form. Thereby, the reinforcement element (5) is providing support to the bearing surface so as to enhance resistance (Figure 4 and Figure 6). In yet another application of the invention, the reinforcement element (5) is under the bearing surface (4) and is consisting of parallel panels of rectangular form almost perpendicular to the bearing surface (4). Thereby, the reinforcement element (5) is providing support to the bearing surface so as to enhance resistance (Figure 7).

In another alternative application of the invention, the top plate (2), includes a reinforcement element (5) manufactured of metallic material affixed under the bearing surface (4) (Figure 5). Under another version of this application of the invention, the reinforcement element (5) is made of galvanized sheet metal.

In yet another application of the invention; the top plate (2) contains one or more plates (8) positioned on the rims in order to avoid in flow of the injection material inside or in-between the reinforcement elements (5) in the course of the injection process. Thus, the edges of the main panel (3) are closed with plates (8) and thereby avoiding inflow of the injection material inside the reinforcement element (5).

Whereas the manufacturing method of the top plate (2) constituting subject matter of the invention consists of the following steps:

• Combination of the main panel (3) and reinforcement elements (5) by means of injection,

• Directly affixing by injection such decorative item (6) and/or assembly part (7) onto the main panel (3) and reinforcement elements (5) combined by means of injection,

In yet another application of the invention, with the purpose of avoiding inflow of the injection material inside or in-between the reinforcement elements (5) in the course of the injection process, the edges of the main panel (3) are melted by means of hot plate method, pressure is applied and upper and lower surfaces are joined. Heating and/or ultrasound and/or laser welding processes might possibly be used concurrently. In another alternative application of the invention, with the purpose of avoiding inflow of the injection material inside or in-between the reinforcement elements (5) in the course of the injection process, the edges of the main panel (3) as well as upper and lower surfaces are joined in the course of the shearing process.

This invention is a top plate (2) suitable for use in a household appliance (1 ).

Present invention is not limited to embodiments as explained here above and person skilled in the art may provide further embodiments with the scope of the invention limited to the claims.