Packaging for a windscreen wiper blade

Abstract

The invention relates to packaging (1) for a windscreen wiper blade, the packaging (1) comprising two peripheral walls (11) forming a sleeve inside which the windscreen wiper blade (2) is intended to be housed, 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 closing panel (12) and the closing flap (13) are connected to the peripheral wall (11) via a curved edge (15), and a position of the curved edge (15) of the closing panel (12) and the curved edge (15) of the adjacent closing flap (13), at a given longitudinal end (10), is offset relative to the longitudinal axis (O1).

Description

Description Title of the invention: packaging for a windshield wiper blade

[0001] [The technical context of the present invention is that of the packaging of windshield wiper blades. More particularly, the invention relates to a packaging for a windshield wiper blade, in particular a sleeve-type packaging, as well as to an assembly comprising a windshield wiper blade within such a packaging. [2] Wiping systems for motor vehicles are designed to remove, by sweeping, liquids and dirt present on a glass surface, such as for example a windshield, and likely to disturb a driver of such motor vehicles in his detection of a wheel scene or his environment. [3] Such known wiping systems generally comprise a drive arm which performs an angular reciprocating movement, and wiper blades equipped with wiping blades formed from an elastic material, or even rubber. By rubbing against the glass surface, the wiping blades sweep away water and dirt, and evacuate them outside the driver's field of vision. [4] The friction of the wiper blade on the glass surface of the motor vehicle, the presence on said glass surface of dust or gravel during operation of the wiper blade, or even the degradation of the wiper blade when not in use and its exposure to environmental factors such as sunlight and ozone, are factors which affect the quality of known wiper blades and lead to wear of all or part of said wiper blades. [5] Thus, such wiper blades are wear parts that need to be replaced more or less frequently, depending on their use. [6] As is known, since the windscreen wiper blades are located outside the vehicle and are easily accessible, a vehicle user can replace them without any particular difficulty. [7] Therefore, wiper blades are very commonly available for retail sale, not only in automotive-related outlets such as spare parts stores and gas stations, but also in general retail outlets such as discount stores and department stores. [8] In such general retail outlets, in order to maximize shelf space, wiper blades are typically packaged in a tubular sleeve, made from a sturdy plastic such as PET, or in cardboard packaging. These containers can then be hung from pegs in a vertical orientation, or laid flat on top of each other in a horizontal orientation. [9] Such known packaging has many disadvantages. Firstly, the use of plastic to manufacture disposable packaging is increasingly less compatible, or even no longer compatible, with the environmental standards of manufacturers or retailers of windshield wiper blades.

[0010] However, the known cardboard packaging is not optimal either, as it is more fragile. Furthermore, it is sometimes difficult to maintain such packaging in its formed configuration, as it tends to collapse on itself, especially when stacked on top of each other.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel packaging for a windshield wiper blade in order to at least largely address the above problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0012] Another aim of the invention is to promote good retention of the packaging when the windshield wiper blade is housed inside.

[0013] Another aim of the invention is to simplify the manufacture of such packaging.

[0014] Another aim of the invention is to reduce the manufacturing costs of such packaging.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a packaging for a windshield wiper blade, the packaging comprising:

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

[0017] - a closing flap secured to a longitudinal end of the first peripheral wall;

[0018] - a closing flap secured to one longitudinal end of the second peripheral wall.

[0019] According to the invention, the closing flap and the closing flap have an ovoid geometry.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis are defined relative to the packaging according to the first aspect of the invention intended to be mounted.

[0021] More particularly, the longitudinal axis extends as taken along a largest dimension of the package, corresponding to a direction of extrusion of the package and according to which the wiper blade can be introduced into said package. The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis.

[0022] Furthermore, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between two opposite side walls of the package, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The adjectives lateral, right and left refer to such a transverse axis.

[0023] Finally, the vertical axis is understood as being taken along an axis which extends in another direction simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis and to the longitudinal axis, between two opposite peripheral walls of the packaging. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper refer to this vertical axis.

[0024] In the context of the present invention, the packaging forms a housing - the sleeve - for the windscreen wiper blade with which it is intended to collaborate, in particular, the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the packaging are such that they allow the insertion of the windscreen wiper blade into said packaging. This insertion is preferably carried out with minimal play, or even without play, so that the windscreen wiper blade can collaborate with the support member, thus preventing said windscreen wiper blade from moving too much in the packaging during its transport.

[0025] In the context of the present invention, the peripheral walls delimit the packaging and its housing. The peripheral walls preferably extend in a rectilinear manner, relative to the longitudinal axis. In addition, the peripheral walls form preferably curved surfaces. The peripheral walls thus have a concave shape.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, the closing flap forms a flat surface which extends across the peripheral walls so as to allow said peripheral walls to be kept at a distance from each other and to allow the insertion of the wiper blade into the packaging.

[0027] In the context of the present invention, the closure flap forms a flat surface that extends across the peripheral walls so as to keep said peripheral walls at a distance from each other and allow the insertion of the wiper blade into the packaging. The closure flap collaborates with the closure flap. The closure flap and the closure flap extend from opposite peripheral walls and towards the other peripheral wall. When the packaging is formed, that is to say when the peripheral walls delimit the housing for the wiper blade, then the closure flap is configured to be able to be folded down onto the closure flap when these are closed, or vice versa.

[0028] In the context of the present invention, by ovoid geometry is meant that the closing flap and the closing flap have an oval or elliptical shape. The shape of the geometry of the closing flap and the closing flap provides the shape of the housing for the wiper blade.

[0029] Thus, the packaging according to the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to form a packaging whose housing delimited by the peripheral walls is better maintained and determined by the closing flap and the closing flap. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to form such packaging at lower cost and more easily.

[0030] The packaging in accordance with the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0031] - the closing flap and the closing flap extend in a secant manner relative to the peripheral walls, and preferably in a perpendicular manner. The closing flap and the closing flap extend in a secant manner to the peripheral walls when the packaging according to the first aspect of the invention is formed, that is to say when it is in a configuration making it possible to insert a windshield wiper blade therein;

[0032] - the closing flap comprises (i) a curved edge by which the closing flap is attached to the first peripheral wall, and (ii) a free edge opposite the curved edge, the free edge being configured to bear against the second peripheral wall. The curved edge is located in the direct extension of the peripheral wall from which the closing flap is formed. The free edge is located at a distance from the curved edge, relative to the longitudinal axis when the packaging is not yet configured to be able to accommodate a windshield wiper blade;

[0033] - the closing flap comprises (i) a curved edge by which the closing flap is attached to the second peripheral wall, and (ii) a free edge opposite the curved edge, the free edge being configured to bear against the first peripheral wall. The curved edge is located in direct extension of the peripheral wall from which the closing flap is formed. The free edge is located at a distance from the curved edge, relative to the longitudinal axis when the packaging is not yet configured to be able to accommodate a windshield wiper blade;

[0034] - the curved edge and the free edge together define, by their geometry, a shape of the packaging once formed. In other words, the curved edge and the free edge of the closing flap and the closing flap together determine a cross-section of the packaging, allowing the first peripheral wall and the second peripheral wall to be kept at a distance, thus delimiting the housing in which the wiper blade can be inserted. Once the packaging is formed, the closing flap and the closing flap together delimit a profile taken by the peripheral walls. Thus, once the packaging is formed, the closing flap and the closing flap thus form spacers placed between the peripheral walls and keeping said peripheral walls at a distance from each other;

[0035] - the curved edge is discontinuous, the curved edge has perforations. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to better mark the fold of the closing flap or the closing flap relative to the peripheral wall relative to which it extends. By perforation, it is understood that the sheet of material in which the closing flap or the closing flap or the peripheral wall from which one or the other is formed is perforated right through, in its thickness, so that each perforation takes the form of a through opening. Each perforation can be obtained by any manufacturing process, in particular by punching or cutting;

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

[0037] - the curved edge of the closing flap and the closing flap are configured to allow a bistable state of said closing flap and said closing flap respectively. By bistable state, it is understood that the closing flap, and respectively the closing flap is configured to be able to take only two positions: (i) a so-called closed position in which the closing flap, and respectively the closing flap, extend in a secant manner relative to the peripheral walls of the packaging, and preferably in a perpendicular manner, so as to close the housing delimited by the peripheral walls of the packaging; and (ii) a so-called open position in which the closing flap, and respectively the closing flap, extend in the extension of the peripheral walls of the packaging, in a substantially parallel manner or at an angle greater than 150°, so as to allow the insertion of the wiper blade into the packaging.

[0038] - according to a first embodiment of the invention, the curved edge of the closing flap and the curved edge of the closing flap are aligned, respectively with the longitudinal axis of the packaging. In other words, a length of each peripheral wall, taken between its two longitudinal ends, is identical to the two peripheral walls;

[0039] - according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the curved edge of the closing flap and the curved edge of the closing flap are misaligned, respectively with the longitudinal axis of the packaging, the curved edge of the closing flap being offset relative to the closing flap. This configuration advantageous feature prevents the position of said closing flap or closing flap from being properly controlled when closing the closing flap or closing flap;

[0040] - in the second embodiment, a distance between the curved edge of the closing flap 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. The distance is here measured relative to the longitudinal axis;

[0041] - the closing flap and the closing flap have a straight edge located between the curved edge and the free edge, the straight edge providing a non-zero clearance between the closing flap or the closing flap on the one hand and the peripheral walls of the packaging on the other hand, the straight edge takes the form of a cut edge relative to the curved edge and the free edge. The straight edge thus shows an abrupt variation in the profile of the closing flap or the closing flap, i.e. a discontinuity of shape;

[0042] - at its longitudinal end, the packaging comprises a groove formed in one and / or the other of the peripheral walls and configured to collaborate with the free edge of the closure flap and / or with the free edge of the closure flap. More particularly, according to a first alternative, the first peripheral wall comprises, at its longitudinal end, a groove configured to collaborate with the free edge of the closure flap, said closure flap engaging in the groove when it is configured in its closed position. According to a second alternative, the second peripheral wall comprises, at its longitudinal end, a groove configured to collaborate with the free edge of the closure flap, said closure flap engaging in the groove when it is configured in its closed position.According to a third alternative, the first peripheral wall comprises, at its longitudinal end, a groove configured to collaborate with the free edge of the closing flap, and the second peripheral wall comprises, at its longitudinal end, a groove configured to collaborate with the free edge of the closing flap, said closing flap and said closing flap each engaging in the groove located opposite when they are configured in their closed position;

[0043] - the packaging is made of cardboard.

[0044] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly comprising a windshield wiper blade housed in a package according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

[0045] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, in all their possible combinations, the various optional features set out herein.

[0046] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0047] [Fig.1] illustrates a view of an exemplary embodiment of a package according to the first aspect of the invention, the package being presented in an unformed state;

[0048] [Fig.2] illustrates a sectional view of an assembly comprising the package illustrated in FIGURE 1 and in its formed state, said package housing a wiper blade.

[0049] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0050] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described can be combined with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0051] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0052] With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the invention relates to a packaging 1 for a windshield wiper blade 2, the packaging 1 comprising a first peripheral wall 11 and a second peripheral wall 11 adjacent to the first peripheral wall 11, the peripheral walls 11 extending along a longitudinal axis 01 and forming a sleeve 17 inside which the windshield wiper blade 2 is intended to be housed. The two peripheral walls 11 are delimited by an upper edge 112 forming a fold common to said two peripheral walls 11. At a lower edge 111 forming an opposite fold, the two peripheral walls 11 are connected to each other and fixed together 3 by a tab 16 allowing fixing by gluing between the two opposite peripheral walls 11, at said lower edge 111.Together, the peripheral walls 11 delimit the sleeve 17 inside which the wiper blade 2 is intended to be housed when the packaging 1 is formed.

[0053] In FIGURE 1, such a package 1 is shown in its unformed, flat state. On the other hand, FIGURE 2 illustrates such a formed package 1, the peripheral walls 11 being placed at a distance dX from each other so as to form the sleeve 17 and inside which the wiper blade 2 is housed. FIGURE 2 thus illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an assembly 3 in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

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

[0055] - a closing flap 12 secured to the first peripheral wall 11. The closing flap 12 forms a flat surface which extends across the peripheral walls 11 so as to allow said peripheral walls 11 to be kept at a distance dX from each other and to allow the insertion of the wiper blade 2 into the packaging 1. When the packaging 1 is not formed, the closing flap 12 extends in the extension of the second peripheral wall 11, through its curved edge 15; and

[0056] - a closing flap 13 secured to the second peripheral wall 11. The closing flap 13 forms a flat surface. When the package 1 is formed, the closing flap 13 extends across the peripheral walls 11 so as to allow said peripheral walls 11 to be kept at a distance dX from one of the other and allow the insertion of the wiper blade 2 into the packaging 1. When the packaging 1 is not formed, the closing flap 13 extends in the extension of the second peripheral wall 11, through its curved edge 15.

[0057] The closing flap 12 and the closing flap 13 have an ovoid shape. In particular, the curved edge 15 and the free edge 14 of the closing flap 13 and the closing flap 12 form a curved line, for example circular or oval or elliptical.

[0058] The closure flap 12 cooperates with the closure flap 13. The closure flap 12 and the closure flap 13 extend from opposite peripheral walls 11 and towards the other peripheral wall 11. When the package 1 is formed, the closure flap 12 is configured to be able to be folded down onto the closure flap 13 when these are closed, or vice versa.

[0059] In a particularly advantageous manner, as can be seen in FIGURE 1, the closure flap 12 and the closure flap 13 are not aligned relative to the longitudinal axis 01. Conversely, the curved edge 15 of the closure flap 12 and the curved edge 15 of the closure flap 13 are misaligned, respectively to the longitudinal axis 01 of the packaging 1, the curved edge 15 of the closure flap 12 being offset relative to the closure flap 13. There is therefore a non-zero distance dX, relative to the longitudinal axis 01, between a central portion of the curved edge 15 of the closure flap 12 and the same central portion of the curved edge 15 of the closure flap 13, as can be seen in FIGURE 1. The distance dX between the curved edge 15 of the closure flap 12 and the curved edge 15 of the closure flap 13 is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm and 3 mm, preferably still 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 flap 12 and the closing flap 13 makes it possible, when the packaging 1 is formed and when the closing flap 12 and the closing flap 13 are unfolded respectively in the direction of the opposite peripheral wall 11, to allow both better overlapping of these, one on the other, but also to better control the position of said closing flap. 12 or said closing flap 13. More particularly, the longitudinal distance dX thus provided between the closing flap 12 and the closing flap 13 leads, when the packaging 1 is formed and closed, to the appearance of a non-zero clearance dL between the free edge 14 of the closing flap 12 and the facing peripheral wall 11 on the one hand, and between the free edge 14 of the closing flap 13 and the facing peripheral wall 11 on the other hand.

[0061] Such interference would indeed be detrimental to the proper functioning of the packaging 1.

[0062] Furthermore, for similar reasons, the closure flap 12 and the closure flap 13 comprise a straight edge 19 located between the curved edge 15 and the free edge 14, the straight edge 19 providing a non-zero gap between the closure flap 12 or the closure flap 13 on the one hand and the peripheral walls 11 of the packaging 1 on the other hand. The straight edge 19 takes the form of a cut edge relative to the curved edge 15 and the free edge 14. The straight edge 19 thus shows an abrupt variation in the profile of the closure flap 12 or the closure flap 13, i.e. a discontinuity in shape.

[0063] In order to facilitate the pivoting of the closing flap 12 and the closing flap 13, either in their open position or in their closed position, the curved edges 15 of said closing flap 12 and said closing flap 13 are discontinuous. In other words, the curved edges 15 comprise perforations 18, that is to say an opening passing right through the material forming the peripheral wall 11 at its longitudinal end 10. The perforations 18 are regularly spaced along each curved edge 15.

[0064] Finally, to facilitate the use of the packaging 1, the curved edge 15 of the closing flap 12 and of the closing flap 13 are configured to allow a bistable state of said closing flap 12 and of said closing flap 13 respectively.

[0065] With reference to FIGURE 2, three successive states of an assembly 3 according to the second aspect of the invention are illustrated, said assembly 3 comprising a packaging 1 as described previously and a windscreen wiper blade 2 housed in said packaging 1.

[0066] In the left representation of FIGURE 2, the wiper blade 2 is inserted into the sleeve 17 formed by the shaped packaging 1.

[0067] In the representation in the center of FIGURE 2, the closing flap 12 is folded against the opposite peripheral wall 11 in order to close the sleeve 17 at a longitudinal end 10. Optionally, in order to facilitate the maintenance of the closing flap 12 in its closed state, the opposite peripheral wall 11 of the packaging I, the one located opposite the free edge 14 of the closing flap 12, may include a groove - not visible in the FIGURES - inside which a part of the free edge 14 is engaged.

[0068] In the left-hand representation of FIGURE 2, the closing flap 13 is folded back against the opposite peripheral wall 11 in order to close the sleeve 17 at a longitudinal end 10. The closing flap 13 is folded back onto the closing flap 12. Optionally, in order to facilitate the maintenance of the closing flap 13 in its closed state, the opposite peripheral wall 11 of the packaging 1, the one located opposite the free edge 14 of the closing flap 13, may comprise a groove - not visible in the FIGURES - inside which a part of the free edge 14 is engaged.

[0069] In summary, the invention relates to packaging 1 for a windscreen wiper blade 2, the packaging 1 comprising two peripheral walls 11 forming a sleeve 17 inside which the windscreen wiper blade 2 is intended to be housed, each peripheral wall 11 comprising, at its longitudinal end 10, a closing flap 12 or a closing flap 13 integral with said peripheral wall. II. The closing flap 12 and the closing flap 13 are attached to the peripheral wall 11 by means of a curved edge 15, and a position of the curved edge 15 of the closing flap 12 and the curved edge 15 of the adjacent closing flap 13, at a given longitudinal end 10, has an offset relative to the longitudinal axis 01.

[0070] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Packaging (1) for a windshield wiper blade (2), the packaging (I) comprising: - a first peripheral wall (11) and a second peripheral wall (II) adjacent to the first peripheral wall (11), the peripheral walls (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (01) and forming a sleeve (17) inside which the windshield wiper blade (2) is intended to be housed; - a closing flap (12) secured to a longitudinal end (10) of the first peripheral wall (11); - a closing flap (13) secured to a longitudinal end (10) of the second peripheral wall (11); in which the closing flap (12) and the closing flap (13) have an ovoid geometry.

2. Packaging (1) for a windshield wiper blade (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the closing flap (12) and the closing flap (13) extend in a secant manner relative to the peripheral walls (11), and preferably in a perpendicular manner.

3. Packaging (1) for a windshield wiper blade (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the closing flap (12) comprises: - a curved edge (15) by which the closing flap (12) is attached to the first peripheral wall (11); and - a free edge (14) opposite the curved edge (15), the free edge (14) being configured to be pressed against the second peripheral wall (11).

4. Packaging (1) for a windshield wiper blade (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the closing flap (13) comprises: - a curved edge (15) by which the closing flap (13) is attached to the second peripheral wall (11); and - a free edge (14) opposite the curved edge (15), the free edge (14) being configured to be placed in abutment against the first peripheral wall (11).

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

6. Packaging (1) for a windshield wiper blade (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the curved edge (15) of the closing flap (12) and the closing flap (13) are configured to allow a bistable state of said closing flap (12) and said closing flap (13) respectively.

7. Packaging (1) for a windscreen wiper blade (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the curved edge (15) of the closing flap (12) and the curved edge (15) of the closing flap (13) are misaligned, respectively with the longitudinal axis (01) of the packaging (1), the curved edge (15) of the closing flap (12) being offset relative to the closing flap (13).

8. Packaging (1) for a windscreen wiper blade (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, in which the closing flap (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) providing a non-zero clearance (dL) between the closing flap (12) or the closing flap (13) on the one hand and the peripheral walls (11) of the packaging (1) on the other hand.

9. Packaging (1) for a windscreen wiper blade (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein, at its longitudinal end (10), the packaging (1) comprises a groove formed in one and / or the other of the peripheral walls (11) and configured to collaborate with the free edge (14) of the closing flap (12) and / or with the free edge (14) of the closing flap (13).

10. An assembly (3) comprising a windscreen wiper blade (2) housed in a package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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