Packaging for a window wiper blade

Abstract

The invention relates to a package (1) for a windscreen wiper blade, the package (1) comprising two peripheral walls (11) forming a sleeve within which a windscreen wiper blade (2) is intended to be accommodated, each peripheral wall (11) comprising, at its longitudinal end (10), a closing panel (12) or a closing flap (13) integral with the peripheral wall (11). The closure panel (12) and the closure flap (13) are connected to the peripheral wall (11) via a curved edge (15), and the curved edge (15) of the closure panel (12) and the curved edge (15) of the adjacent closure flap (13) are offset relative to the longitudinal axis (O1) at a given longitudinal end (10).

Description

[0001] The technical background of the present invention is a wiping blade for a wiper. More particularly, the present invention relates to a package for a wiping blade, in particular a sleeve-type package, and to a component comprising a wiping blade within such a package.

[0002] Wiper systems for motor vehicles are designed to remove, by sweeping, liquids and dirt present on the surface of a built-in glass (such as a windshield) that may affect the view of the street scene or the environment by the driver of such a motor vehicle.

[0003] Such known wiper systems generally include a drive arm that performs an angled back-and-forth movement, and a wiper blade equipped with a wiper strip formed of an elastic material or even made of rubber. By rubbing against the surface of the built-in glass, the wiper strip sweeps away water and dirt and removes them from the driver's field of vision.

[0004] The friction of the wiper blade on the surface of the built-in glass of the motor vehicle, the presence of dust or grit on the surface of the built-in glass during the operation of the wiper blade, or even the deterioration of the wiper strip when not in use and its exposure to environmental factors (such as sunlight and ozone) are factors that affect the quality of the known wiper blade and cause all or part of the wiper blade to become worn.

[0005] Therefore, such wiper blades form wearing parts that must be replaced more or less frequently depending on their use.

[0006] As is well known, since the wiper blade is located on the outside of the vehicle and is easily accessible, the user of the vehicle can replace the wiper blade without any particular difficulty.

[0007] Therefore, wiper blades are very common in retail sales, not only in automotive-related retail outlets (such as spare parts stores and service stations), but also in general retail outlets (such as discount stores and department stores).

[0008] In such general retail outlets, in order to maximize shelf space, wiper blades are conventionally packaged in tubular sleeves made of strong plastics (such as PET), or in cardboard packages. These containers can then be hung on hooks in a vertical orientation, or laid flat in a horizontal orientation, one on top of the other.

[0009] Such known packages have many drawbacks. First, the use of plastics to manufacture disposable packages is increasingly non-compliant or no longer compliant with the environmental standards of wiper blade manufacturers or retailers.

[0010] However, known cardboard packages are not optimal either, as they are more fragile. Additionally, it is sometimes difficult to maintain such a package in its formed configuration because it tends to collapse on its own, especially when one is stacked on top of another.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel package for a wiper blade in order to at least largely solve the above problems and also provide further advantages.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to ensure good stability of the package when the wiper blade is accommodated in the package.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to simplify the manufacture of such a package.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of manufacturing such a package.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the present invention, at least one of the above objects is achieved by a package for a wiper blade, the package comprising:

[0016] - a first outer peripheral wall and a second outer peripheral wall adjacent to the first outer peripheral wall, these outer peripheral walls extending along a longitudinal axis and forming a sleeve within which the wiper blade is intended to be accommodated;

[0017] - a closing panel integral with a longitudinal end of the first outer peripheral wall;

[0018] - a closing flap integral with a longitudinal end of the second outer peripheral wall.

[0019] According to the present invention, the closing panel and the closing flap have an oval geometry.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis and the vertical axis are defined relative to the position where the package according to the first aspect of the present invention is intended to be installed.

[0021] More particularly, the longitudinal axis is considered to extend along the larger dimension of the package, which corresponds to the extrusion direction of the package, and the wiper blade can be inserted into the package along this larger dimension. The adjectives "front", "forward" and "rear" refer to this longitudinal axis.

[0022] Furthermore, the transverse axis should be understood to mean the direction considered in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between two lateral walls on opposite sides of the package. The adjectives "lateral", "right" and "left" refer to this transverse axis.

[0023] Finally, the vertical axis should be understood as being considered along an axis extending in the other direction perpendicular to both the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis between two outer peripheral walls on opposite sides of the package. The adjectives "above" and "below", or "upper" and "lower", refer to this vertical axis.

[0024] In the context of the present invention, the package forms a housing, i.e., a sleeve, for a wiper blade intended to cooperate therewith. In particular, the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the package are such that they allow the wiper blade to be inserted into the package. This insertion is preferably carried out with a minimum clearance or even without any clearance, so that the wiper blade can cooperate with the support member, thereby preventing the wiper blade from moving excessively in the package during transportation.

[0025] In the context of the present invention, the outer peripheral wall delimits the package and its housing. The outer peripheral wall preferably extends linearly with respect to the longitudinal axis. In addition, the outer peripheral wall forms a preferably curved surface. Thus, the outer peripheral wall has a concave shape.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, the closing flap forms a planar surface that extends across the outer peripheral wall in order to allow the outer peripheral walls to be held at a certain distance from each other and to allow the wiper blade to be inserted into the package.

[0027] In the context of the present invention, the closing panel forms a planar surface that extends across the outer peripheral wall in order to allow the outer peripheral walls to be held at a certain distance from each other and to allow the wiper blade to be inserted into the package. The closing panel cooperates with the closing flap. The closing panel and the closing flap extend from the outer peripheral walls on opposite sides and towards the other outer peripheral wall. When the package is formed, i.e., when the outer peripheral wall delimits the housing for the wiper blade, the closing panel is then configured such that the closing panel can fold over the closing flap when the closing panel and the closing flap are closed, or vice versa.

[0028] In the context of the present invention, the ovoid geometry should be understood as meaning that the closing flap and the closing panel have an ovoid or elliptical shape. The shape of the geometry of the closing flap and the closing panel provides the shape of the housing for the wiper blade.

[0029] Thus, the package according to the first aspect of the present invention makes it possible to form the following package, in which the housing delimited by the outer peripheral wall is maintained and defined to a greater extent by the closing panel and the closing flap. Thus, this advantageous configuration makes it cheaper and easier to form such a package.

[0030] The package according to the first aspect of the present invention advantageously includes at least one of the following improvements, and the technical features constituting these improvements can be considered individually or in combination:

[0031] - The closing panel and the closing flap extend in an intersecting manner relative to the outer peripheral wall and preferably extend perpendicularly. When the package according to the first aspect of the invention is formed, i.e. when the package is in a configuration in which the wiper blade can be inserted therein, the closing panel and the closing flap extend in an intersecting manner relative to the outer peripheral wall;

[0032] - The closing panel comprises (i) a curved edge by which the closing panel is attached to the first outer peripheral wall, and (ii) a free edge on the side opposite to the curved edge, the free edge being configured to be able to bear against the second outer peripheral wall. The curved edge is located in the outer peripheral wall forming the direct continuation of the closing panel. When the package has not yet been configured to accommodate the wiper blade, the free edge is located at a certain distance from the curved edge relative to the longitudinal axis;

[0033] - The closing flap comprises (i) a curved edge by which the closing flap is attached to the second outer peripheral wall, and (ii) a free edge on the side opposite to the curved edge, the free edge being configured to be able to bear against the first outer peripheral wall. The curved edge is located in the outer peripheral wall forming the direct continuation of the closing flap. When the package has not yet been configured to accommodate the wiper blade, the free edge is located at a certain distance from the curved edge relative to the longitudinal axis;

[0034] - The curved edge and the free edge together define the shape of the package once formed by their geometry. In other words, the curved edges and the free edges of the closing panel and the closing flap together determine the cross-section of the package, thus allowing the first outer peripheral wall and the second outer peripheral wall to maintain a certain distance, thereby defining a housing into which the wiper blade can be inserted. Once the package has been formed, the closing panel and the closing flap together define the profile presented by the outer peripheral wall. Thus, once the package has been formed, the closing panel and the closing flap thus form spacers that are placed between the outer peripheral walls and keep the said outer peripheral walls a certain distance apart from each other;

[0035] - The curved edge is discontinuous and the curved edge includes perforations. This advantageous configuration allows for better marking of the fold of the closing panel or the closing flap relative to the outer peripheral wall from which it extends. The perforations are to be understood as referring to perforations that go right through the thickness of the sheet of material forming the closing panel or the closing flap or the outer peripheral wall forming the closing panel or the closing flap, such that each perforation takes the form of a through-opening. Each perforation can be obtained by any manufacturing process, in particular by stamping or cutting;

[0036] - The perforations are regularly spaced along the curved edge;

[0037] - The curved edges of the closing panel and the closing flap are configured to allow bistability of the closing panel and the closing flap, respectively. Bistability should be understood to mean that the closing panel and the closing flap are each configured to assume only two positions: (i) a position called the closed position, in which the closing panel and the closing flap extend in an intersecting manner, and preferably perpendicularly, with respect to the outer peripheral wall of the package, so as to close the housing defined by the outer peripheral wall of the package; and (ii) a position called the open position, in which the closing panel and the closing flap extend substantially parallel or at an angle greater than 150° in the continuation of the outer peripheral wall of the package to allow the wiper blade to be inserted into the package.

[0038] – According to a first embodiment of the invention, the curved edges of the closing panel and the closing flap are respectively aligned with the longitudinal axis of the package. In other words, the length considered between the two longitudinal ends of each outer peripheral wall is the same for the two outer peripheral walls;

[0039] – According to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the curved edges of the closing panel and the closing flap are not respectively aligned with the longitudinal axis of the package, and the curved edge of the closing panel is offset with respect to the closing flap. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to avoid mispositioning the closing panel or the closing flap when closing the closing panel or the closing flap;

[0040] – In the second embodiment, the distance between the curved edge of the closing panel and the curved edge of the closing flap is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm and 3 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 2 mm. In this case, the distance is measured with respect to the longitudinal axis;

[0041] - The closing panel and the closing flap include straight edges located between the curved edge and the free edge, and the straight edges form a non-zero gap between the closing panel or the closing flap on one side and the outer peripheral wall of the package on the other side. The straight edges take the form of cutting edges with respect to the curved edge and the free edge. The straight edges thus exhibit a sudden change in the profile of the closing panel or the closing flap, i.e., a discontinuity in shape;

[0042] - The packaging piece includes a groove at its longitudinal end, which is formed in one and / or the other of the outer peripheral walls and is configured to cooperate with the free edge of the closing panel and / or with the free edge of the closing flap. More particularly, according to a first alternative, the first outer peripheral wall includes a groove at its longitudinal end configured to cooperate with the free edge of the closing flap, and the closing flap engages in the groove when it is configured to be in its closed position. According to a second alternative, the second outer peripheral wall includes a groove at its longitudinal end configured to cooperate with the free edge of the closing panel, and the closing panel engages in the groove when it is configured to be in its closed position. According to a third alternative, the first outer peripheral wall includes a groove at its longitudinal end configured to cooperate with the free edge of the closing flap, and the second outer peripheral wall includes a groove at its longitudinal end configured to cooperate with the free edge of the closing panel, and the closing flap and the closing panel each engage in the groove facing them when they are configured to be in their closed positions;

[0043] - The packaging piece is made of cardboard.

[0044] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a component is proposed, which includes a wiper blade accommodated in a packaging piece according to any improvement of the first aspect of the present invention or according to an improvement of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0045] Various embodiments of the present invention are provided, which combine various optional features described herein in all possible combinations.

[0046] On the one hand through the following description, and on the other hand through a plurality of exemplary embodiments given non - restrictively and indicatively by reference to the attached schematic diagrams, other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer. In the drawings:

[0047] Figure 1 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a packaging piece according to the first aspect of the present invention, with the packaging piece presented in its unformed state;

[0048] Figure 2 shows a cross - sectional view of a component including Figure 1 the shown packaging piece in its formed state and accommodating a wiper blade.

[0049] Of course, the features, variations and various embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various combinations as long as they are mutually compatible or not mutually exclusive. In particular, it will be possible to conceive of variations of the present invention that only include the selection of features described below in isolation from other features, provided that such a selection of features is sufficient to provide a technical advantage or to distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0050] ​​In particular, if nothing from a technical point of view prevents the combination of all the variants and all the embodiments described, they can be combined with each other.

[0051] In the drawings, elements common to multiple drawings retain the same reference numerals.

[0052] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 and, the present invention relates to a package 1 for a wiper blade 2, the package 1 comprising a first outer peripheral wall 11 and a second outer peripheral wall 11 adjacent to the first outer peripheral wall 11, the outer peripheral walls 11 extending along a longitudinal axis O1 and forming a sleeve 17 in which the wiper blade 2 is intended to be received. The two outer peripheral walls 11 are delimited by an upper edge 112 which forms a fold common to the two outer peripheral walls 11. At a lower edge 111 forming a fold on the opposite side, the two outer peripheral walls 11 are connected to each other by a tongue 16 and are firmly fixed together 3, the tongue allowing fastening by adhesive bonding between the two outer peripheral walls 11 on the opposite side at the lower edge 111. The outer peripheral walls 11 together delimit the sleeve 17 in which the wiper blade 2 is intended to be received when the package 1 is formed.

[0053] In Figure 1 , such a package 1 is shown in its unformed, flat state. In contrast, Figure 2 shows such a package 1 when formed, the outer peripheral walls 11 being arranged at a distance dX from each other so as to form the sleeve 17 in which the wiper blade 2 is received. Thus, Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an assembly 3 according to a second aspect of the present invention.

[0054] At each longitudinal end 10, the package 1 further comprises:

[0055] - a closing panel 12 which is integral with the first outer peripheral wall 11. The closing panel 12 forms a planar surface which extends across the peripheral wall 11 so as to allow the outer peripheral walls 11 to remain at a distance dX from each other and to allow the wiper blade 2 to be inserted into the package 1. When the package 1 is unformed, the closing panel 12 extends in the continuation of the second outer peripheral wall 11 by means of its curved edge 15; and

[0056] - a closing flap 13 which is integral with the second outer peripheral wall 11. The closing flap 13 forms a planar surface. When the package 1 is formed, the closing flap 13 extends across the outer peripheral walls 11 so as to allow the outer peripheral walls 11 to remain at a distance dX from each other and to allow the wiper blade 2 to be inserted into the package 1. When the package 1 is unformed, the closing flap 13 extends in the continuation of the second outer peripheral wall 11 by means of its curved edge 15.

[0057] The closing panel 12 and the closing flap 13 have an oval shape. In particular, the curved edges 15 and the free edges 14 of the closing flap 13 and the closing panel 12 form a curved line, such as a circular or oval or elliptical line.

[0058] The closing panel 12 cooperates with the closing flap 13. The closing panel 12 and the closing flap 13 extend from the outer peripheral wall 11 on opposite sides and towards the other outer peripheral wall 11. When the package 1 is formed, the closing panel 12 is configured such that when the closing panel and the closing flap 13 are closed, the closing panel can be folded over the closing flap, or vice versa.

[0059] Particularly advantageously, as can be seen in Figure 1 the closing panel 12 and the closing flap 13 are not aligned relative to the longitudinal axis O1. Instead, the curved edges 15 of the closing panel 12 and the curved edges 15 of the closing flap 13 are not aligned with the longitudinal axis O1 of the package 1 respectively, and the curved edge 15 of the closing panel 12 is offset relative to the closing flap 13. Thus, as can be seen in Figure 1 there is a non-zero distance dX relative to the longitudinal axis O1 between the central portions of the curved edges 15 of the closing panel 12 and the same central portions of the curved edges 15 of the closing flap 13. The distance dX between the curved edge 15 of the closing panel 12 and the curved edge 15 of the closing flap 13 is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm and 3 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 2 mm.

[0060] As can be seen in Figure 2 this non-zero distance dX forming a longitudinal offset between the closing panel 12 and the closing flap 13 allows, when the package 1 is formed and when the closing panel 12 and the closing flap 13 are folded towards the outer peripheral walls 11 on opposite sides respectively, not only better overlap with the outer peripheral walls, one on top of the other, but also better control of the position of the closing panel 12 or the closing flap 13. More particularly, the longitudinal distance dX thus provided between the closing panel 12 and the closing flap 13 results, when the package 1 is formed and closed, in a non-zero gap dL between the free edge 14 of the closing panel 12 on one side and the facing outer peripheral wall 11 and between the free edge 14 of the closing flap 13 on the other side and the facing outer peripheral wall 11.

[0061] This interference does indeed have an adverse effect on the normal functioning of the package 1.

[0062] In addition, for similar reasons, the closing panel 12 and the closing flap 13 include a straight edge 19 located between the curved edge 15 and the free edge 14, and the straight edge 19 forms a non-zero gap between the closing panel 12 or the closing flap 13 on one side and the outer peripheral wall 11 of the package 1 on the other side. The straight edge 19 takes the form of a cutting edge with respect to the curved edge 15 and the free edge 14. The straight edge 19 thus exhibits a sudden change in the profile of the closing panel 12 or the closing flap 13, i.e., a discontinuity in shape.

[0063] To make it easier for the closing panel 12 and the closing flap 13 to pivot, whether in their open position or in their closed position, the curved edges 15 of the closing panel 12 and the closing flap 13 are discontinuous. In other words, the curved edge 15 includes perforations 18, i.e., openings that extend straight through the material forming the outer peripheral wall 11 at the longitudinal end 10. The perforations 18 are regularly spaced along each curved edge 15.

[0064] Finally, to make the package 1 easier to use, the curved edges 15 of the closing panel 12 and the curved edges of the closing flap 13 are configured to allow bistability of the closing panel 12 and the closing flap 13, respectively.

[0065] Reference Figure 2 , shows three consecutive states of the assembly 3 according to the second aspect of the present invention, the assembly 3 including the package 1 as described above and a wiper blade 2 received in the package 1.

[0066] In Figure 2 's left illustration, the wiper blade 2 is inserted into the sleeve 17 formed by the molded package 1.

[0067] In Figure 2 's central illustration, the closing panel 12 is folded against the outer peripheral wall 11 on the opposite side to close the sleeve 17 at the longitudinal end 10. Optionally, to make it easier to keep the closing panel 12 in its closed state, the outer peripheral wall 11 on the opposite side of the package 1 (the outer peripheral wall facing the free edge 14 of the closing panel 12) may include a groove (not shown in the figure), and a part of the free edge 14 engages in the groove.

[0068] In Figure 2 's left illustration, the closing flap 13 is folded against the outer peripheral wall 11 on the opposite side to close the sleeve 17 at the longitudinal end 10. The closing flap 13 is folded over the closing panel 12. Optionally, to make it easier to keep the closing flap 13 in its closed state, the outer peripheral wall 11 on the opposite side of the package 1 (the outer peripheral wall facing the free edge 14 of the closing flap 13) may include a groove (not shown in the figure), and a part of the free edge 14 engages in the groove.

[0069] In summary, the present invention relates to a package 1 for a wiper blade 2, the package 1 comprising two outer peripheral walls 11 forming a sleeve 17 in which the wiper blade 2 is intended to be received, each outer peripheral wall 11 including at its longitudinal end 10 a closing panel 12 or a closing flap 13 integral with said outer peripheral wall 11. The closing panel 12 and the closing flap 13 are attached to the outer peripheral wall 11 via a curved edge 15, and the curved edge 15 of the closing panel 12 and the curved edge 15 of the adjacent closing flap 13 are offset with respect to the longitudinal axis O1 at a given longitudinal end 10.

[0070] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples just described and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variations and embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various combinations as long as they are compatible with each other or not mutually exclusive. In particular, all of the above variations and embodiments can be combined with each other.

Claims

1. A package (1) for a wiper blade (2), the package (1) comprising: - A first outer peripheral wall (11) and a second outer peripheral wall (11) adjacent to the first outer peripheral wall (11), the outer peripheral walls (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (O1) and forming a sleeve (17), the wiper blade (2) being intended to be received within the sleeve; - A closing panel (12), the closing panel being integral with a longitudinal end (10) of the first outer peripheral wall (11); - A closing flap (13), the closing flap being integral with a longitudinal end (10) of the second outer peripheral wall (11); Wherein, the closing panel (12) and the closing flap (13) have an oval geometry.

2. The package (1) for a wiper blade (2) as claimed in the previous claim, wherein, The closing panel (12) and the closing flap (13) extend in an intersecting manner with respect to the outer peripheral wall (11), and preferably extend perpendicularly.

3. The package (1) for a wiper blade (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The closing panel (12) comprises: - A curved edge (15), the closing panel (12) being attached to the first outer peripheral wall (11) by the curved edge; and - A free edge (14) on a side opposite to the curved edge (15), the free edge (14) being configured to be able to bear against the second outer peripheral wall (11).

4. A package (1) for a wiper blade (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The closing flap (13) comprises: - A curved edge (15), the closing flap (13) being attached to the second outer peripheral wall (11) by the curved edge; and - A free edge (14) on a side opposite to the curved edge (15), the free edge (14) being configured to be able to bear against the first outer peripheral wall (11).

5. The package (1) for a wiper blade (2) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein, The curved edge (15) is discontinuous, the curved edge (15) comprising perforations (18).

6. The package (1) for a wiper blade (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, The curved edge (15) of the closing panel (12) and the curved edge of the closing flap (13) are configured to allow bistability of the closing panel (12) and the closing flap (13) respectively.

7. The package (1) for a wiper blade (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, The curved edge (15) of the closing panel (12) and the curved edge (15) of the closing flap (13) are not respectively aligned with the longitudinal axis (O1) of the package (1), and the curved edge (15) of the closing panel (12) is offset with respect to the closing flap (13).

8. A package (1) for a wiper blade (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein, The closing panel (12) and the closing flap (13) comprise a straight edge (19) located between the curved edge (15) and the free edge (14), the straight edge (19) forming a non-zero gap (dL) between the closing panel (12) or the closing flap (13) on one side and the outer peripheral wall (11) of the package (1) on the other side.

9. A package (1) for a wiper blade (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein, The package (1) comprises a groove at a longitudinal end (10) of the package, the groove being formed in one and / or the other of the outer peripheral walls (11) and being configured to cooperate with the free edge (14) of the closing panel (12) and / or with the free edge (14) of the closing flap (13).

10. A component (3), said component comprising a wiper blade (2) accommodated in a wrapper (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

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