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

• US 9,365,317 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2004
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo North America Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Systemes D'Essuyage (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Houssat, Stphane, Clamagirand, Catherine
• Primary Examiner(s): Ackun, Jacob K
• Assistant Examiner(s): ORTIZ, RAFAEL ALFREDO
• Application Number:
  US10/572,003
• Publication Number:
  US 20070017842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,290 Days
• Field of Search: 206461-471, 206/443, 206/775, 206/335, 220/837, 220/839, 220/326, 152/500.01
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 includes a curved blade and an integrated flexible structure. The packaging device includes a housing, which is intended to receive the blade. The blade is immobilized inside the housing in a position more or less straightened out in relation to its resting position. A first support surface cooperates by contact with a portion of the upper part of the blade, a second support surface cooperates by contact with a first portion of the lower part of the blade, and a third support surface cooperates by contact with a second portion of the lower part of the blade. The first support surface extends opposite an area situated between the second support surface and the third support surface.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

a packaging device;

a windscreen wiper blade disposed within the packaging device, wherein the windscreen wiper blade is curved by an integrated flexible structure and comprises a linking element;

the packaging device comprising;

a housing configured to receive the windscreen wiper blade, wherein the housing comprises;

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

a second support surface configured to contact a first portion of a lower part of the windscreen wiper blade;

a third support surface configured to contact a second portion of the lower part of the windscreen wiper blade; and

hooking means for hanging the packaging device in a substantially vertical fashion,

wherein the first support surface extends opposite 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 housing relative to a resting position of the windscreen wiper blade,

wherein the first support surface contacts the linking element of the windscreen wiper blade;

the packaging device 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 housing when the packaging device is hung in a substantially vertical fashion, and

wherein a lip of the windscreen wiper blade does not contact the housing.

2. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first support 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 respectively contact substantially extremal portions of the lower part of the windscreen wiper blade.

3. The packaging device 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 device according to claim 1, wherein the first support surface comprises a portion of wall that laterally delimits the housing.

5. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the linking element is located on the upper part of the windscreen wiper blade intended to enable an assembly of the windscreen wiper blade on a driving mechanism.

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

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

9. The packaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a restraint configured to block at least a part of the windscreen wiper blade inside the housing, according to a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a sagittal plane of the windscreen wiper blade.

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

11. The packaging device according to claim 9, wherein the restraint comprises a stop that is placed directly below the housing and which contacts a portion of the lateral side of the windscreen wiper blade.

12. The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the 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 a stop that contacts said linking element.

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

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

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

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

17. The packaging device according to claim 15, wherein the reinforcement comprises at least one rib placed transversally in the bottom of the shell.

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