Packaging device for a windscreen wiper comprising a curved blade and an integrated flexible structure

• US 10,549,906 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2018
• Issued: 02/04/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo North America Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo North America Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Clamagirand, Catherine, Houssat, Stephane
• Primary Examiner(s): Ortiz, Rafael A
• Application Number:
  US16/160,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20190047780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 206461-471, 206443, 206335, 206775, 206314, 15250001
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3808 Spoiler integral with the squeegee
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3848 Flat-type wiper blade, i.e. without harness
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3843 equipped with removable cover or protective elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/10 Devices to locate articles in containers for protecting articles from mechanical damage B65D81/02
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/6885 wiper blades
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/32 one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/56 Handles or other suspension means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/00 Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials B65D71/00, B65D83/00 take precedence; hand implements or travelling equipment A45C; cosmetic or toiletry equipment A45D; packages for surgical knives, scalpels or blades therefor A61B17/3215; containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; paint cans B44D3/12; oil cans F16N3/04; containers for carrying small arms F41C33/06; packaging of ammunition or explosive charges F42B39/00; containers for record carriers, specially adapted for cooperation with the recording or reproducing apparatus G11B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/68 for machines, engines or vehicles in assembled or dismantled form

Abstract

A packaging device for a windscreen wiper blade has a housing configured to receive the blade, having a first support surface configured to contact a portion of an upper part of the blade, a second support surface configured to contact a first portion of a lower part of the blade, a third support surface configured to contact a second portion of the lower part of the blade, a centering means, and a hooking means for hanging the packaging device vertically. The centering means blocks the blade at the center of the housing when the packaging device is hung. The first support surface extends opposite an area situated between the second support surface and the third support surface, and the first, second, and third support surfaces together immobilize the blade inside the housing in a position that is at least partially straightened out relative to a resting position of the blade.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

a packaging configured to receive a windscreen wiper blade, the windscreen wiper blade disposed within the packaging,

wherein the windscreen wiper blade is curved by an integrated flexible structure in a resting position;

the packaging comprising;

a first support surface configured to contact a portion of an upper part of the windscreen wiper blade;

a second support surface disposed underneath a first portion of a lower part of the windscreen wiper blade;

a third support surface disposed underneath a second portion of the lower part of the windscreen wiper blade; and

a restraint configured to block at least a part of the windscreen wiper blade inside the packaging, according to a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a sagittal plane of the windscreen wiper blade,

wherein the first support surface extends opposite to an area situated between the second support surface and the third support surface,

wherein the first, second, and third support surfaces together at least partially straighten out the windscreen wiper blade inside the packaging relative to the resting position of the windscreen wiper blade, the packaging further comprising a stop that cooperates with the windscreen wiper blade,

wherein the windscreen wiper blade is blocked substantially in the centre of the packaging,

wherein at least a portion of a lip of the windscreen wiper blade does not contact the packaging, and

wherein the first support surface comprises a portion of a wall that delimits a side of the packaging and is located across a width of the windscreen wiper blade and above the width of the windscreen wiper blade.

2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the first support surface contacts a substantially central portion of the upper part of the windscreen wiper blade, and wherein the second support surface and the third support surface are respectively disposed at extremal portions of the lower part of the windscreen wiper blade.

3. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the first support surface is placed substantially at an equal distance from the second support surface and the third support surface.

4. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the wall delimits the packaging laterally.

5. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein a linking element is located on the upper part of the windscreen wiper blade, the linking element being configured for assembly of the windscreen wiper blade on a driving mechanism.

6. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the second support surface and the third support surface comprises portions of at least one flange arranged longitudinally in a bottom of the packaging.

7. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the second support surface and the third support surface contact a heel of the windscreen wiper blade.

8. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the second support surface and the third support surface both face the integrated flexible structure of the windscreen wiper blade.

9. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the restraint pins at least a part of the windscreen wiper blade against the packaging.

10. The packaging according to claim 9, wherein the restraint comprises the stop which contacts a portion of a lateral side of the windscreen wiper blade.

11. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein a linking element is disposed on the upper part of the windscreen wiper blade intended to enable an assembly of the windscreen wiper blade on a driving mechanism, and wherein a centering means comprises the stop that contacts said linking element.

12. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the packaging is delimited by a substantially rigid shell.

13. The packaging according to claim 12, wherein the shell is transparent or translucent.

14. The packaging according to claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement that increases the rigidity of a shell, wherein the packaging is delimited by the shell.

15. The packaging according to claim 14, wherein the reinforcement comprises a shoulder which is made in a periphery of an opening of the packaging and which extends substantially perpendicular to a side wall of the shell.

16. The packaging according to claim 14, wherein the reinforcement comprises at least one rib placed transversally on the shell.

17. The packaging according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing element that blocks an opening of the packaging.

18. An assembly comprising:

a packaging;

a windscreen wiper blade disposed within the packaging,

wherein the windscreen wiper blade is curved by an integrated flexible structure in a resting position and comprises a linking element, and

wherein the packaging is configured to receive the windscreen wiper blade,

the packaging comprising;

a first support surface configured to contact a portion of an upper part of the windscreen wiper blade;

a second support surface disposed underneath a first portion of a lower part of the windscreen wiper blade; and

a third support surface disposed underneath a second portion of the lower part of the windscreen wiper blade;

wherein the first support surface extends opposite to an area situated between the second support surface and the third support surface,

wherein the first, second, and third support surfaces together straighten out the windscreen wiper blade inside the packaging relative to the resting position of the windscreen wiper blade, the packaging further comprising a stop that cooperates with the linking element of the windscreen wiper blade,

wherein the windscreen wiper blade is blocked substantially in the centre of the packaging,

wherein at least a portion of a lip of the windscreen wiper blade does not contact the packaging, and

wherein the first support surface comprises a portion of a wall that delimits a side of the packaging and is located across a width of the windscreen wiper blade and above the width of the windscreen wiper blade.

19. An assembly comprising:

a packaging;

a windscreen wiper blade disposed within the packaging,

wherein the windscreen wiper blade is curved by an integrated flexible structure in a resting position and comprises a linking element, and

wherein the packaging is configured to receive the windscreen wiper blade,

a first support surface configured to contact a portion of an upper part of the windscreen wiper blade;

a second support surface disposed underneath a first portion of a lower part of the windscreen wiper blade; and

a third support surface disposed underneath a second portion of the lower part of the windscreen wiper blade;

wherein the first support surface extends opposite to an area situated between the second support surface and the third support surface,

wherein the first, second, and third support surfaces together straighten out the windscreen wiper blade inside the packaging relative to the resting position of the windscreen wiper blade, the packaging is delimited by a shell,

wherein a reinforcement that increases the rigidity of a shell comprises a shoulder which is made in a periphery of an opening of the packaging and which extends substantially perpendicular to a side wall of the shell,

wherein the wiper blade is disposed sidewise in relation to the opening of the packaging,

wherein at least a portion of a lip of the windscreen wiper blade does not contact the packaging, and

wherein the first support surface comprises a portion of a wall that delimits a side of the packaging and is located across a width of the windscreen wiper blade and above the width of the windscreen wiper blade.