Packaging set for one pair of wiper blades

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging assembly for a pair of windshield wiper blades (11, 12), the packaging assembly comprising a first windshield wiper blade (11), a second windshield wiper blade (12), a spacer (18) extending between a scraper blade (14) of the first windshield wiper blade (11) and a scraper blade (14) of the second windshield wiper blade (12), the spacer (18) bearing against at least one vertebra (16) of each windshield wiper blade, the spacer (18) extending at least partly in line with a connector (15) of the pair of windshield wiper blades (11, 12), and a tightening strap (17) extending around the pair of windshield wiper blades (11, 12) at each connector (15), so that to keep said wiper blades (11, 12) pressed against each other, through the spacer (18). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Packaging assembly for a pair of windshield wiper blades

[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 assembly for a pair of windshield wiper blades.

[0002] 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 for example, and likely to disturb a driver of such motor vehicles in his detection of a wheel scene or his environment.

[0003] Such known wiping systems generally comprise a drive arm which performs an angular back-and-forth movement, at the end of which is connected a windscreen wiper blade equipped with a scraper blade formed of an elastic material, or even rubber. In a known manner, the windscreen wiper blade comprises a connector for coupling said windscreen wiper blade to the drive arm. By rubbing against the glass surface, the scraper blades sweep away water and dirt, and evacuate them outside the driver's field of vision.

[0004] The friction of the scraper blade of the windscreen wiper blades on the glass surface of the motor vehicle, the presence of dust or gravel on the glass surface during operation of the windscreen wiper blade, or even the degradation of the wiping blade when not in use and its exposure to environmental factors such as sunlight and ozone, are factors which affect the quality of known windscreen wiper blades and lead to wear of all or part of said windscreen wiper blades.

[0005] Thus, such wiper blades form wear parts that need to be replaced more or less frequently, depending on their use. Since the wiper blades are located outside the vehicle and easily accessible, a user of the vehicle can replace them without any particular difficulty.

[0006] Windshield wiper blades are very commonly available for retail sale, not only at automotive-related outlets such as parts stores and gas stations, but also at general retail outlets such as discount stores and department stores.

[0007] For this purpose, we know the massive use of cardboard or plastic packaging forming a sheath in which a pair of windshield wiper blades is housed. Such known packaging has many disadvantages. Firstly, the use of plastic or cardboard to manufacture these disposable packagings is less and less compatible, or even no longer compatible, with the environmental standards of wiper blade manufacturers or retailers. In addition, the production of such cardboard or plastic packaging leads to a cost that should be minimized.

[0008] Another known disadvantage of the cardboard or plastic packaging used lies in the fact that, in these cardboard packagings, the wiper blades are not always perfectly held. Also, due to their construction and the desire, for example, for the scraper blade to naturally exert a pressure force on the glass surface, the wiper blades have a curved profile when they are housed in these packagings, thus leading to said packaging being oversized to allow easy insertion of the wiper blades. Of course, such a situation is not desired.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel packaging assembly for a pair of windshield wiper blades in order to at least largely address the above problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to simplify the packaging of windshield wiper blades available on the aftermarket.

[0011] Another aim of the invention is to reduce the environmental impact of the packaging of windshield wiper blades sold as second-hand parts.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to reduce the cost of packaging windshield wiper blades sold as second-hand parts.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a packaging assembly for a pair of windshield wiper blades, the packaging assembly comprising:

[0014] - a first wiper blade comprising a scraper blade held by at least one less than one vertebra and a connector intended to allow mechanical coupling with a drive arm;

[0015] - a second wiper blade comprising a scraper blade held by at least one of the following: less than one vertebra and a connector intended to allow mechanical coupling with a drive arm;

[0016] - a spacer extending below the scraper blade of the first brush wiper blade and above the scraper blade of the second wiper blade, the spacer bearing against at least one vertebra of each wiper blade, the spacer extending at least vertically above the connectors of the pair of wiper blades;

[0017] - a tightening strap extending around the pair of wiper blades at the level of each connector, so as to keep said wiper blades pressed against each other, through the spacer.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the axis of elongation is taken along a direction of elongation of one of the wiper blades, according to its largest dimension. For example, the longitudinal axis is parallel to a direction of elongation of the wiper blade. From this axis of elongation, a transverse direction is defined which extends perpendicular to the axis of elongation, so as to delimit a front edge and a rear edge of the wiper blade. Finally, a vertical axis is also defined, taken simultaneously perpendicular to the axis of elongation and the transverse axis. The vertical axis corresponds to a direction which extends from a wiping lip of the wiper blade to the at least one vertebra used to hold it.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the packaging assembly thus forms an arrangement for storing and transporting a pair of wiper blades intended to be assembled together on a wiping system for a motor vehicle. Each wiper blade is intended to be coupled to a drive arm via its connector. As an illustrative example, the first wiper blade is intended to be mounted on a driver's side in a direction of the motor vehicle, and the second wiper blade is intended to be mounted on the passenger side of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the first wiper blade is preferably shorter than the second wiper blade, taken along their respective elongation axis, depending on the configuration of the vehicle.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, but in a non-limiting manner, the first wiper blade and the second wiper blade are of the same type, only their dimensions taken along the axis of elongation being able to be different. In the packaging assembly according to the first aspect of the invention, the first wiper blade and the second wiper blade are aligned with respect to each other, so that their axis of elongation are made parallel to each other.

[0021] Further in the packaging assembly according to the first aspect of the invention, the first wiper blade and the second wiper blade are centered relative to each other, such that the connector of the first wiper blade is located directly above the connector of the second wiper blade.

[0022] In the context of the present invention, the spacer is configured to determine a center distance between the first wiper blade and the second wiper blade, along the vertical axis, so as to keep said wiper blades at a distance. The spacer is advantageously formed from any biodegradable material, and preferably from cardboard or based on seaweed fibers. In the context of the present invention, the packaging assembly advantageously comprises a single spacer placed in a central position, directly above the connectors of each wiper blade. Optionally, the packaging assembly comprises several spacers distributed between the two wiper blades, preferably in odd numbers, at least one of said spacers then being placed in a central position, directly above the connectors of each wiper blade.

[0023] In the context of the present invention, the clamping strap is configured to keep the wiper blades separated by the spacer connected together. The clamping strap thus forms a ring passing through all or part of the connector of each wiper blade, thereby preventing said wiper blades from separating from each other when they are transported or handled. The clamping strap forms a closed contour around the two wiper blades, in a direction transverse to the axis of elongation of said wiper blades. The clamping strap is kept closed by any means, such as for example by gluing, by welding. The clamping strap is kept closed independently of either of the wiper blades.Thus, in a clever way, the tightening strap exerts a compressive force on the wiper blades which is taken up at the spacer, thus making it possible to form a sufficiently rigid and stable assembly to allow the transport and packaging of the pair of wiper blades thus linked together.

[0024] Thus, the packaging assembly according to the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to simplify the packaging of windshield wiper blades available on the aftermarket and to reduce the environmental impact of such packaging, by eliminating the sleeves used until now. Conversely, the windshield wiper blades are now only connected to each other and clamped in this state, making it possible to reduce the cost of packaging.

[0025] The packaging assembly 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:

[0026] - the spacer and the tightening strap are located at least partly vertically to each other on the other hand, this advantageous configuration allows the spacer to support the compressive force exerted by the tightening strap on each wiper blade. At least a portion of the spacer extends directly above the tightening strap. Optionally, relative to the elongation axis, the spacer extends on one side and / or another side of the tightening strap;

[0027] - the first wiper blade and the second wiper blade are mounted head- spade relative to each other, so that their respective scraper blades face each other. In other words, the scraper blades of each wiper blade face each other in a space inside the packaging assembly, delimited by the two wiper blades held together by the tightening strap. Each wiper blade thus presents its scraper blade to the other wiper blade, so that the spacer is introduced and housed between the two wiper blades at their scraper blades. A geometry of the spacer is such that the scraper blade of each wiper blade extends through said spacer, preferably without touching it. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to package the wiper blades in a configuration such that the scraper blade is protected despite the absence of packaging;

[0028] - relative to an axis of elongation of the wiper blades, the first blade wiper blade is centered with the second wiper blade, so that the connector of the first wiper blade is aligned with the connector of the second wiper blade. This advantageous configuration allows the connector of the first wiper blade to be centered with the connector of the second wiper blade, thus making it easier to position the tightening strap between the two connectors. Indeed, thus positioned, the tightening strap allows the wiper blades to be linked in a central position and thus guarantees better stability of the packaging assembly;

[0029] - according to a first variant embodiment, a width of the tightening strap, taken relative to an axis of elongation of the wiper blades, is greater than half of a length of the connector of one of the wiper blades, taken relative to the axis of elongation of said wiper blades. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to optimize the holding of the two wiper blades together, and also facilitates the placement and stability of the tightening strap on the connectors;

[0030] - alternatively, according to a second variant embodiment, a width of the tightening strap, taken relative to an axis of elongation of the wiper blades, is less than half a length of the connector of one of the wiper blades, taken relative to the axis of elongation of said wiper blades. This advantageous configuration is more economical in material constituting the tightening strap;

[0031] - in the first embodiment, the tightening strap is of the ribbon type. By ribbon, it is understood that a width of the tightening strap, taken relative to the axis of elongation when it is mounted on the pair of wiper blades, is greater than thirty times a thickness of said tightening strap;

[0032] - in the second embodiment, the tightening strap is preferably of the type of a rope or cord. By rope or cord, it is understood that a width of the tightening strap, taken relative to the axis of elongation when it is mounted on the pair of wiper blades, is less than twenty times a thickness of said tightening strap. Optionally, the tightening strap is formed of an elastic material, such as rubber or an elastomer;

[0033] - in either of the embodiments, the tightening strap is formed of a plastic or paper material, possibly made of fibers and / or braided;

[0034] - the spacer has an extruded shape along the elongation axis. In other terms, the spacer is rectilinear. This advantageous configuration ensures a neutral and optimal arrangement for the packaging of the wiper blades in their holding configuration by the packaging system;

[0035] - a length of the spacer, taken along the axis of elongation of the brushes wiper blades, is at least equal to the length of the connector of one of the wiper blades. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to provide minimal support between the two wiper blades to prevent the wiper blades from moving relative to each other under the effect of the compression force exerted by the tightening strap;

[0036] - the length of the spacer is greater than one third of the length of the largest brush of the wiper blades of the pair of wiper blades. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to provide sufficient support between the two wiper blades to allow, under the effect of the compression force exerted by the tightening strap, to prevent one of the two wiper blades, and in particular the longer of the two, from being bent. In other words, this advantageous configuration makes it possible to guarantee a rectilinear arrangement of the two wiper blades;

[0037] - according to a transverse section, taken perpendicular to the axis of elongation of the pair of wiper blades, the spacer has an inverted double “U” profile. In other words, according to the transverse section taken perpendicular to the axis of elongation of the pair of wiper blades, the spacer has an “H” profile, so that the spacer bears against the at least one vertebra of the first wiper blade through a double support provided on either side of the scraper blade, and that said spacer also bears against the at least one vertebra of the second wiper blade through a double support provided on either side of the scraper blade. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to provide stable support on the at least one vertebra of each wiper blade, in order to facilitate the installation of the packaging assembly and improve its stability once installed;

[0038] - in particular, the spacer comprises (i) a first support bridge comprising a first support leg and a second support leg, each support leg bearing against the at least one vertebra of the first wiper blade, and (ii) a second support bridge comprising a first support surface and a second support surface, each support surface bearing against the at least one vertebra of the second wiper blade;

[0039] - for the first support bridge, the first support leg is located at a first scraper blade side of the first wiper blade, and the second leg support surface is located on a second side of said scraper blade, opposite the first side. Similarly, for the second support bridge, the first support surface is located on a first side of the scraper blade of the second wiper blade, and the second support surface is located on a second side of said scraper blade, opposite the first side;

[0040] - in the context of the present invention, the first support bridge and the second support bridge can take multiple possible configurations. In particular, according to a first configuration, relative to the axis of elongation of the pair of wiper blades, a length of the first support bridge is identical to a length of the second support bridge. This first configuration is the simplest to manufacture. According to a second configuration, relative to the axis of elongation of the pair of wiper blades, a length of the first support bridge is less than a length of the second support bridge. This configuration is particularly suitable in the case where the first wiper blade is shorter than the second wiper blade. In this case, it is not necessary for the first support bridge to be too long in order to correspond to a length of each at least one vertebra of the first wiper blade.According to a third configuration, relative to the elongation axis of the pair of wiper blades, a length of the first support bridge is greater than or equal to one third of the length of the first wiper blade. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to optimize the length of the first support bridge as a function of the length of the first wiper blade in order to avoid bending of said first wiper blade when the packaging assembly is put in place. Finally, according to a fourth configuration, relative to the elongation axis of the pair of wiper blades, a length of the second support bridge is greater than or equal to one third of the length of the second wiper blade.This advantageous configuration makes it possible to optimize the length of the second support bridge as a function of the length of the second wiper blade in order to avoid bending of said second wiper blade when installing the packaging assembly;

[0041] - advantageously, the first support bridge and / or the second bridge support, and preferably both simultaneously, extends between the end caps of the corresponding wiper blade, excluding said end caps themselves.

[0042] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics set out here.

[0043] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows on the one hand, and from several exemplary embodiments given as indicative and not limiting with reference to the schematic drawings annexed on the other hand, on which:

[0044] [Fig.l] illustrates an overall view of an exemplary embodiment of the packaging assembly according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0045] [Fig.2] illustrates a detailed view of the packaging assembly illustrated in the [Fig.l];

[0046] [Fig.3] illustrates a sectional view of the packaging assembly illustrated in the [Fig.l].

[0047] 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.

[0048] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0049] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0050] In the following description of the FIGURES, an elongation axis X is defined along a direction of elongation of one of the wiper blades 11, 12, along its largest dimension. For example, the elongation axis X is parallel to a direction of elongation of the scraper blade 14 of the wiper blade. From this elongation axis X, a transverse axis Y is defined which extends perpendicular to the elongation axis X, so as to delimit a front edge and a rear edge of the wiper blade. Finally, a vertical axis Z is defined, taken simultaneously perpendicular to the elongation axis X and the transverse axis Y. The vertical axis Z corresponds to a direction which extends from a wiping lip of the scraping blade 14 to the at least one vertebra 16 used to hold it.

[0051] With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the invention relates to a packaging assembly for a pair of windshield wiper blades 11, 12 for a motor vehicle.

[0052] Each wiper blade comprises a scraper blade 14 held by at least one vertebra 16 between two end caps 13, and a connector 15 intended to allow mechanical coupling with a drive arm not shown in the FIGURES. In the embodiment illustrated in the FIGURES, each wiper blade comprises two vertebrae 16 which extend along the specific elongation axis X of the corresponding wiper blade. Each vertebra 16 is located on either side of the scraper blade 14, relative to the transverse axis Y. Of course, the invention is not limiting of the shape of the windscreen wiper blades 11, 12, and in particular of the number of vertebrae 16 that the windscreen wiper blades 11, 12 comprise /

[0053] Advantageously, the wiper blades 11, 12 forming the pair of wiper blades 11, 12 are of the same type. On the other hand, they may have different lengths.

[0054] According to the invention, the packaging assembly comprises:

[0055] - a first wiper blade 11;

[0056] - a second wiper blade 12;

[0057] - a spacer 18 extending between the scraper blade 14 of the first brush wiper blade 11 and above the scraper blade 14 of the second wiper blade 12, the spacer 18 bearing against the at least one vertebra 16 of each wiper blade, the spacer 18 extending at least vertically above the connectors 15 of the pair of wiper blades 11, 12;

[0058] - a tightening strap 17 extending around the pair of wiper blades 11, 12 at the level of each connector 15, so as to keep said wiper blades 11, 12 pressed against each other, through the spacer 18.

[0059] Thus, the first wiper blade 11 is not connected to the spacer 18, the spacer 18 bearing against at least one vertebra 16 of each wiper blade. More particularly, an upper part of the spacer 18 - taken relative to the vertical axis Z - is thus bearing against one and / or the other vertebra 16 of the first wiper blade 11, and preferably bearing against the two vertebrae 16 of said first wiper blade 11, in the example illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2; while a lower part of said spacer 18 bears against one and / or the other vertebra 16 of the second wiper blade 12, and preferably bears against the two vertebrae 16 of said second wiper blade 12, in the example illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2.

[0060] Thus, when implementing the packaging assembly, it is first necessary to present each wiper blade facing each other, then to introduce the spacer 18 between the first wiper blade 11 and the second wiper blade 12, so as to place said spacer 18 in abutment against each vertebra 16 located opposite each wiper blade.

[0061] Subsequently, it is the tightening strap 17 which, at the level of each connector 15 of the first wiper blade 11 and the second wiper blade 12, secures together said first wiper blade 11 and said second wiper blade 12. When the tightening strap 17 is put in place, the vertebra 16 located between the first wiper blade 11 and the second wiper blade 12 is then held in position and can no longer be extracted from the two wiper blades 11, 12.

[0062] As can be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, in such a packaging assembly, the first wiper blade 11 and the second wiper blade 12 are held parallel or substantially parallel to each other. Furthermore, the first wiper blade 11 and the second wiper blade 12 are centered relative to each other, relative to the elongation axis X, so that the connector 15 of the first wiper blade 11 is located directly above the connector 15 of the second wiper blade 12. Finally, the first wiper blade 11 and the second wiper blade 12 are mounted head to tail relative to each other, so that their respective scraper blade 14 faces each other. In other words, the scraper blades 14 of each wiper blade face each other in a space inside the packaging assembly, delimited by the two wiper blades 11, 12 held together by the tightening strap 17.Each wiper blade thus presents its scraper blade 14 to the wiper blade located opposite, so that the spacer 18 is introduced between the end caps 13 of the two wiper blades 11, 12.

[0063] In a particularly advantageous manner, a height of the spacer 18, taken along the vertical axis Z, is such that it is possible to place the scraper blade 14 of each wiper blade vertically above one another, said scraper blades 14 being made parallel or substantially parallel to one another. For this purpose, a height of the spacer 18 - taken between a bearing face with the vertebrae(s) 16 of the first wiper blade 11 and a bearing face of said spacer 18 on the vertebrae(s) 16 of the second wiper blade 12 - is advantageously greater than twice a height of the scraper blade 14 of each wiper blade - taken between the at least one associated vertebra 16 and the wiping lip of the scraper blade 14.

[0064] The tightening strap 17 forms a play-free encirclement of the pair of wiper blades 11, 12 at their respective connector 15, so as to allow them to be kept connected to each other. The tightening strap 17 thus forms a ring passing through all or part of the connector 15 of each wiper blade, thus preventing said wiper blades 11, 12 from separating from each other when they are transported or handled. The tightening strap 17 forms a closed contour around the two wiper blades 11, 12, in a direction transverse to the axis of elongation X of said wiper blades 11, 12. The tightening strap 17 is kept closed by any means, such as for example by gluing, by welding.

[0065] The tightening strap 17 thus exerts on the windscreen wiper blades 11, 12 a compressive force which is taken up at the level of the spacer 18, thus making it possible to form a assembly sufficiently rigid and stable to allow the transport and packaging of the pair of windshield wiper blades 11, 12 thus linked together. For this purpose, the spacer 18 is advantageously located at least partly at the level of the tightening strap 17, relative to the elongation axis X. In other words, relative to the elongation axis X, the spacer 18 is located at least partly in line with the tightening strap 17.

[0066] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, at least a portion of the spacer 18 extends directly above the tightening strap 17. Additionally, relative to the elongation axis X, the spacer 18 extends on one side and / or another side of the tightening strap 17. The spacer 18 extends between the end caps 13 of each windscreen wiper blade with which it is associated. A length of the spacer 18, taken along the elongation axis X, is less than the distance between two end caps 13 of one and / or the other of the windscreen wiper blades 11, 12.

[0067] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the tightening strap 17 forms a strip of width comparable to that of the connector 15 of each wiper blade. In other words, the tightening strap 17 has a width, taken along the elongation axis X, greater than half the length of the connector 15 taken along said elongation axis X, and preferably between 80% and 120% of said length of the connector 15. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to optimize the holding of the two wiper blades 11, 12 together, and also facilitates the placement and stability of the tightening strap 17 on the connectors 15 of each wiper blade.

[0068] The tightening strap 17 is of the ribbon type. A thickness of the tightening strap 17, taken along the vertical axis Z, is less than thirty times the width of the tightening strap 17, taken relative to the elongation axis X when it is mounted on the pair of wiper blades 11, 12.

[0069] The tightening strap 17 is formed from a plastic or paper material, possibly made of fibers and / or braided.

[0070] In the packaging assembly according to the invention, the spacer 18 makes it possible to define a center distance between the first wiper blade 11 and the second wiper blade 12, taken along the vertical axis Z, so as to keep said wiper blades 11, 12 at a distance.

[0071] The spacer 18 is advantageously formed from any biodegradable material, and preferably from cardboard or based on seaweed fibers. These biodegradable materials are light, easy to manufacture and shape, economical and have mechanical properties suitable for the use of the present invention.

[0072] With reference to [Fig.3], the spacer 18 will now be described in more detail.

[0073] The spacer 18 has a shape that is extruded along the elongation axis X. In other words, the spacer 18 is of rectilinear elongation and has a transverse section, taken in a plane perpendicular to the elongation axis X, which is invariant over all or part of said spacer 18, and preferably between two terminal ends of said spacer 18.

[0074] In order to provide minimal support between the two windscreen wiper blades 11, 12 to prevent the windscreen wiper blades 11, 12 from moving relative to each other under the effect of the compression force exerted by the tightening strap 17, a length of the spacer 18, taken along the elongation axis X, is at least equal to the length of the connector 15 of one of the windscreen wiper blades 11, 12.

[0075] Preferably, as visible in the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the length of the spacer 18 - taken along the elongation axis X - is greater than a third of the length of the largest wiper blade of the pair of wiper blades 11, 12. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to provide sufficient support between the two wiper blades 11, 12 to allow, under the effect of the compression force exerted by the tightening strap 17, to prevent one of the two wiper blades 11, 12, and in particular the longer of the two, from being bent.

[0076] As mentioned previously, the spacer 18 forms a simultaneous support on each vertebra 16 of each wiper blade. Thus, according to a transverse section taken perpendicular to the elongation axis X, the spacer 18 has an “H” profile.

[0077] In particular, the spacer 18 comprises:

[0078] - a first support bridge 181 comprising a first support leg 181A and a second support leg 181B, each support leg 181A, 181B bearing against the at least one vertebra 16 of the first wiper blade 11, and

[0079] - a second support bridge 182 comprising a first support surface 182A and a second support surface 182B, each support surface 182A, 182B bearing against the at least one vertebra 16 of the second wiper blade 12;

[0080] The first bridging thus makes it possible to place the spacer 18 in contact, at its upper part, with the first wiper blade 11, and the second bridging makes it possible to place the spacer 18 in contact, at its lower part, with the second wiper blade 12. Each support leg 181A, 181B and each support surface 182A, 182B is placed in contact against the vertebra 16 located opposite. Thus:

[0081] - the first support leg 181A of the first support bridge 181 is located at a first side of the scraper blade 14 of the first wiper blade 11, and the second support leg 181B of the first support bridge 181 is located on a second side of said scraper blade 14, opposite the first side;

[0082] - the first support surface 182A of the second support bridge 182 is located at a first side of the scraper blade 14 of the second wiper blade 12, and the second support surface 182B second support bridge 182 is located on a second side of said scraper blade 14, opposite the first side.

[0083] Each support leg 181A, 181B extends directly above each support surface 182A, 182B located opposite.

[0084] The first support leg 181A and the second support leg 181B form between them a concave surface whose dimensions, along the vertical axis Z and along the transverse axis Y, make it possible to accommodate the scraper blade 14 of the first wiper blade 11 without said scraper blade 14 touching either of the first support leg 181A and the second support leg 181B. In other words, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the first support leg 181A and the second support leg 181B together form a “U” profile. Of course, the invention is not limiting of this “U” shape, the first support leg 181A and the second support leg 181B being able to form for example together a “V” profile.Generally speaking, the first support leg 181A and the second support leg 181B together form an empty space whose dimensions are sufficient to allow the insertion of the scraper blade 14 of the first wiper blade 11 without the latter touching the first support leg 181A and / or the second support leg 181B. Furthermore, this advantageous configuration makes it possible to form at the spacer 18 a protective sheath for the scraper blade 14 of the first wiper blade 11.

[0085] Similarly, the first bearing surface 182A and the second bearing surface 182B form between them a concave surface whose dimensions, along the vertical axis Z and along the transverse axis Y, make it possible to accommodate the scraper blade 14 of the second wiper blade 12 without said scraper blade 14 touching either of the first bearing surface 182A and the second bearing surface 182B. In other words, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the first bearing surface 182A and the second bearing surface 182B together form a “U” profile. Of course, the invention is not limiting of this “U” shape, the first bearing surface 182A and the second bearing surface 182B being able to form for example together a “V” profile.Generally speaking, the first support surface 182A and the second support surface 182B together form an empty space whose dimensions are sufficient to allow the insertion of the scraper blade 14 of the second wiper blade 12 without the latter touching the first support surface 182A and / or the second support surface 182B. Furthermore, this advantageous configuration makes it possible to form at the spacer 18 a protective sheath for the scraper blade 14 of the second wiper blade 12.

[0086] The support legs of the first support bridge 181 and the support surfaces of the second support bridge 182 forming the spacer 18 are connected to each other at the level of a central web 183 which extends across the spacer 18. When the packaging assembly is implemented with the two wiper blades 11, 12, the central web 183 extends between the scraper blades 14 of each wiper blade.

[0087] Each support leg 181A, 181B preferably extends directly above each support surface 182A, 182B. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to limit the size and weight of each spacer 18 and to improve the stability of the packaging assembly. Of course, a center distance between the two support legs on the one hand, and between the two support surfaces on the other hand, taken along the transverse axis Y, is adapted according to the dimensions of the wiper blades 11, 12, so that each support leg 181A, 181B rests well on one of the vertebrae 16 of the first wiper blade 11 and each support surface 182A, 182B rests well on one of the vertebrae 16 of the second wiper blade 12.

[0088] Relative to the elongation axis X, the dimensions of the first support bridge 181 and the dimensions of the second support bridge 182 may be identical or different:

[0089] - a length of the first support bridge 181 may be identical to a length of the second support bridge 182, for simplicity of manufacture; or

[0090] - a length of the first support bridge 181 may be less than a length of the second support bridge 182, in particular if the first wiper blade 11 is shorter than the second wiper blade 12, as illustrated in [Fig.l]; or, preferably

[0091] - a length of the first support bridge 181 is greater than or equal to one third of the length of the first wiper blade 11, and a length of the second support bridge 182 is greater than or equal to one third of the length of the second wiper blade 12. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to optimize the length of each support bridge 181, 182 as a function of the length of each wiper blade in order to avoid bending of the first wiper blade 11 and the second wiper blade 12 when the packaging assembly is put in place.

[0092] In summary, the invention relates to a packaging assembly for a pair of windshield wiper blades 11, 12, the packaging assembly comprising a first windshield wiper blade 11, a second windshield wiper blade 12, a spacer 18 extending between a scraper blade 14 of the first windshield wiper blade 11 and a scraper blade 14 of the second windshield wiper blade 12, the spacer 18 bearing against at least one vertebra 16 of each windshield wiper blade, the spacer 18 extending at least partly in line with a connector 15 of the pair of windshield wiper blades 11, 12, and a tightening strap 17 extending around the pair of windshield wiper blades 11, 12 at each connector 15, so as to keep pressed against each other the other said wiper blades 11, 12, through the spacer 18.

[0093] 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 assembly for a pair of windshield wiper blades (11, 12), the packaging assembly comprising: - a first windshield wiper blade (11) comprising a scraper blade (14) held by at least one vertebra (16) and a connector (15) intended to allow mechanical coupling with a drive arm; - a second windshield wiper blade (12) comprising a scraper blade (14) held by at least one vertebra (16) and a connector (15) intended to allow mechanical coupling with a drive arm; - a spacer (18) extending below the scraper blade (14) of the first wiper blade (11) and above the scraper blade (14) of the second wiper blade (12), the spacer (18) bearing against at least one vertebra (16) of each wiper blade, the spacer (18) extending at least directly above the connectors (15) of the pair of wiper blades (11, 12);- a tightening strap (17) extending around the pair of wiper blades (11, 12) at each connector (15), so as to keep said wiper blades (11, 12) pressed against each other, through the spacer (18).;

2. Packaging assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein, relative to an axis of elongation (X) of the wiper blades (11, 12), the first wiper blade (11) is centered with the second wiper blade (12), so that the connector (15) of the first wiper blade (11) is aligned with the connector (15) of the second wiper blade (12).

3. Packaging assembly according to the preceding claim, in which a length of the spacer (18), taken along the axis of elongation (X) of the wiper blades (11, 12), is at least equal to the length of the connector (15) of one of the wiper blades (11, 12).

4. A packaging assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the length of the spacer (18) is greater than one-third of the length of the largest wiper blade of the pair of wiper blades (11, 12).

5. Packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the spacer (18) comprises: - a first support bridge (181) comprising a first support leg (181A) and a second support leg (18IB), each leg support (181A, 181B) bearing against the at least one vertebra (16) of the first wiper blade (11); - a second support bridge (182) comprising a first support surface (182A) and a second support surface (182B), each support surface (182A, 182B) bearing against the at least one vertebra (16) of the second wiper blade (12).

6. Packaging assembly according to the preceding claim, in which the first support leg (181 A) is located on a first side of the scraper blade (14) of the first wiper blade (11), and the second support leg (18IB) is located on a second side of said scraper blade (14), opposite the first side.

7. Packaging assembly according to any one of claims 5 or 6, in which the first bearing surface (182A) is located on a first side of the scraper blade (14) of the second wiper blade (12), and the second bearing surface (182B) is located on a second side of said scraper blade (14), opposite the first side.

8. Packaging assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein, relative to the axis of elongation (X) of the pair of wiper blades (11, 12), a length of the first support bridge (181) is identical to a length of the second support bridge (182).

9. Packaging assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein, relative to the axis of elongation (X) of the pair of wiper blades (11, 12), a length of the first support bridge (181) is less than a length of the second support bridge (182).

10. Packaging assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein, relative to the axis of elongation (X) of the pair of wiper blades (11, 12), a length of the first support bridge (181) is greater than or equal to one third of the length of the first wiper blade (11).

11. Packaging assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein, relative to the axis of elongation (X) of the pair of wiper blades (11, 12), a length of the second support bridge (182) is greater than or equal to one third of the length of the second wiper blade (12).

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