Windshield wiper packaging

• US 8,328,011 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2010
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jamak Fabrication-Tex LLC (JMK International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Jamak Fabrication-Tex LLC (JMK International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Skurdalsvold, Scott Alan, Lindars, Michael Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Ackun, Jacob K
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAGAN, JENINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US12/978,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20110233087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 206/349, 206/468, 206/467, 206/774, 206/335, 206/1.5, 206/806, 220/345.2, 220/345.3
• US Class Current: 206/335
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2575/363 by sliding one sheet relative to the other
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2575/367 through a preformed opening in the flat sheet, e.g. the opening being defined by weakened lines
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/6885 wiper blades
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/20 linearly slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/366 and forming one compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/566 Hand holes or suspension apertures

Abstract

A windshield wiper package for containing a windshield wiper includes a front portion having a recess for receiving the windshield wiper, a back portion connected to the front portion for containing the windshield wiper within the recess, and an opening disposed in the back portion to allow loading or unloading of the windshield wiper. The opening is sized such that a length of the opening is less than about one-third of a length of the wiper package. A door is slidingly received by the back portion such that the door can be moved between an open position and a closed position. Complimentary detents and indentations are provided for securing the door in the open position or the closed position, the detents being positioned on one of the back portion and the door, and the indentations being positioned on another of the back portion and door.

Claims

1. A windshield wiper package for containing a windshield wiper, the wiper package comprising:

a front portion having a recess for receiving the windshield wiper;

a back portion connected to the front portion for containing the windshield wiper within the recess;

an opening disposed in the back portion to allow loading or unloading of the windshield wiper, the opening being sized such that a length of the opening is less than about one-third of a length of the wiper package;

a door slidingly received by the back portion such that the door can be moved between an open position and a closed position; and

complimentary detents and indentations for securing the door in the open position and the closed position, the detents positioned on one of the back portion and the door, the indentations positioned on another of the back portion and door;

wherein at least one of the detents engages one of the indentations in the closed position;

wherein the at least one of the detents engages another of the indentations in the open position.

2. The windshield wiper package of claim 1, wherein the length of the opening relative to the length of the package prevents the windshield wiper from inadvertently moving through the opening.

3. The windshield wiper package of claim 1, wherein the indentations further comprise:

a lower indentation disposed on the back portion proximate a bottom end of the opening;

an intermediate indentation disposed on the back portion proximate an upper end of the opening; and

an upper indentation disposed on the back portion such that the intermediate indentation is positioned substantially between the upper indentation and the lower indentation.

4. The windshield wiper package of claim 3, wherein the detents further comprise:

a lower detent disposed on the door and configured to engage the lower indentation when the door is in the closed position and the intermediate indentation when the door is in the open position; and

an upper detent disposed on the door and configured to engage the intermediate indentation when the door is in the closed position and the upper indentation when the door is in the open position.

5. A windshield wiper package for containing a windshield wiper, the package comprising:

a cavity for receiving the windshield wiper, the cavity have a plurality of walls, at least one of the walls being a lower wall to support the windshield wiper when the package is oriented in an upright position;

a backing member to substantially enclose the cavity;

a hanger aperture disposed in an upper end of the backing member;

an opening disposed in the backing member at a bottom end of the backing member to allow loading or unloading of the windshield wiper, the opening being positioned on the backing member to form a retaining lip between the opening and the lower wall;

a door slidingly received by the backing member and being capable of sliding between an open position and a closed position; and

locking means associated with the door and the backing member to substantially secure the door in the open position or the closed position;

wherein the retaining lip provides a barrier to substantially prevent inadvertent unloading of the windshield wiper through the opening when the package is in the upright position.

6. The windshield wiper package of claim 5, wherein:

the opening is sized such that a length of the opening is less than about one-third of a length of the package; and

the length of the opening relative to the length of the package prevents the windshield wiper from inadvertently moving through the opening.

7. The windshield wiper package of claim 5, wherein the locking means further comprises complimentary detents and indentations for securing the door in the open position or the closed position, the detents positioned on one of the backing member and the door, the indentations positioned on another of the backing member and door.

8. The windshield wiper package of claim 7, wherein the indentations further comprise:

a lower indentation disposed on the backing member proximate a bottom end of the opening;

an intermediate indentation disposed on the backing member proximate an upper end of the opening; and

an upper indentation disposed on the backing member such that the intermediate indentation is positioned substantially between the upper indentation and the lower indentation.

9. The windshield wiper package of claim 8, wherein the detents further comprise:

a lower detent disposed on the door and configured to engage the lower indentation when the door is in the closed position and the intermediate indentation when the door is in the open position; and

an upper detent disposed on the door and configured to engage the intermediate indentation when the door is in the closed position and the upper indentation when the door is in the open position.

10. A windshield wiper package for containing a windshield wiper, the wiper package comprising:

a front portion having a recess for receiving the windshield wiper;

a back portion connected to the front portion for containing the windshield wiper within the recess;

an opening disposed in the back portion to allow loading or unloading of the windshield wiper, the opening being sized such that a length of the opening is less than about one-third of a length of the wiper package;

a door slidingly received by the back portion such that the door can be moved between an open position and a closed position; and

complimentary detents and indentations for securing the door in the open position and the closed position, the detents positioned on only one of the back portion and the door, the indentations positioned on another of the back portion and door.

11. The windshield wiper package of claim 10, wherein the length of the opening relative to the length of the package prevents the windshield wiper from inadvertently moving through the opening.

12. The windshield wiper package of claim 10, wherein the indentations further comprise:

a lower indentation disposed on the back portion proximate a bottom end of the opening;

an intermediate indentation disposed on the back portion proximate an upper end of the opening; and

an upper indentation disposed on the back portion such that the intermediate indentation is positioned substantially between the upper indentation and the lower indentation.

13. The windshield wiper package of claim 12, wherein the detents further comprise:

a lower detent disposed on the door and configured to engage the lower indentation when the door is in the closed position and the intermediate indentation when the door is in the open position; and

an upper detent disposed on the door and configured to engage the intermediate indentation when the door is in the closed position and the upper indentation when the door is in the open position.