BLANK FOR MANUFACTURING A DEVICE FOR PACKAGING AT LEAST ONE WINDSCREEN WIPER BLADE, AND CORRESPONDING PACKAGING DEVICE

Abstract

A blank for manufacturing a packaging device for at least one windshield wiper blade is disclosed. The blank is of elongate shape and comprises at least the first and second adjacent longitudinal zones. Each of the at least first and second longitudinal zones is configured to form a longitudinal face of the packaging device. The first and second longitudinal zones are respectively articulated at each of their ends to first and second end zones via a transverse fold line. The first and second end zones are able to form respectively first and second substantially transverse flaps of the packaging device. The longitudinal length of the first end zone is greater than that of the second end zone and the first flap is configured to be formed before the second flap.

Description

The invention relates to the field of packaging spare parts, in particular for motor vehicles, and it more particularly concerns a blank for manufacturing a packaging device for at least one windshield wiper blade, and also a packaging device for at least one windshield wiper blade, manufactured from said blank. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the packaging device.

A motor vehicle is commonly equipped with a windshield wiper system to ensure that the windshield is wiped and to prevent the driver's view of their environment from being disturbed. Such a system generally comprises one or two windshield wiper blades which carry wiper rubbers made of an elastic material. These rubbers, positioned with one in front of the driver and with the other in front of the front passenger, rub against the windshield and evacuate the water by bringing it out of their field of view.

Today, there is a new generation of windshield wiper blades whose particular feature is that they do not have yoke structures, unlike the straight-rubber blades commonly used. This new type of blade, called flat blade, still has a flexible wiper rubber, but the external frame responsible for supporting it is replaced here by a flexible structure that is directly integrated into the rubber. The assembly is arranged in such a way that, at rest, the rubber has longitudinally a concave shape in its sagittal plane, but that, in contact with a surface to be wiped, said rubber is able to straighten itself by elastic deformation of its flexible structure in order to optimally hug said surface throughout its movement.

Precisely because of its curved shape, such a windshield wiper blade with a curved rubber may have, at rest, a much larger overall size than its counterpart with a yoke structure and a straight rubber. It is thus desirable to use a packaging device of elongate shape which enables the blade to be straightened in a straight position so as to reduce the bulk of the blade.

For this purpose, it is known to use, for the manufacture of the packaging device, a blank comprising two adjacent longitudinal zones that can be articulated to one another via a longitudinal fold line, each longitudinal zone being intended to form a longitudinal face of the packaging device. Each of the two longitudinal zones is articulated at each of its longitudinal ends to an end zone via a transverse fold line. Each end zone is able to form a substantially transverse flap of the packaging device.

The packaging device is then manufactured by folding the blank along the longitudinal fold line, for example by means of an adhesive longitudinal flap connected to one of the longitudinal faces, so as to form a transversely closed contour comprising the longitudinal faces of the packaging device. Manufacture of the packaging device is completed by folding the flaps of the blank in the direction of the transversely closed contour, so as to form the transverse end faces of the packaging device.

However, such a packaging device is generally fragile at the level of the closure via the flaps of the blank with respect to an external impact, for example by the transport of the packaging device. In other words, it is easy to render at least one folded flap in its unfolded state after an external impact, in particular on the longitudinal surfaces. In this state, the packaging device becomes more bulky because of the unfolded flaps. It is thus more difficult to carry out boxing of the packaging device and it is consequently necessary to carry out an additional handling step in order to fold the unfolded flap(s).

It is also possible to use fastening means such as sticky tape or glue to ensure the folded state of the flaps. However, it requires additional means and at least one additional step, which makes the method for manufacturing the packaging device more expensive and more complex.

There is thus a need to propose a technical solution making it possible to facilitate the boxing of a device for packaging at least one windshield wiper blade manufactured from a blank while ensuring the method for manufacturing the blank proceeds at maintained cost and with reduced complexity.

According to one aspect, a blank is proposed for the manufacture of a packaging device for at least one windshield wiper blade. Said blank is of elongate shape and comprises at least first and second adjacent longitudinal zones, each of said at least first and second longitudinal zones being intended to form a longitudinal face of the packaging device, said first and said second longitudinal zones being respectively articulated at each of their ends to first and second end zones via a transverse fold line, said first and said second end zones being able to form respectively first and second substantially transverse flaps of the packaging device, characterized in that the longitudinal length of the first end zone is greater than that of the second end zone and the first flap is intended to be formed before the second flap.

It will be understood that the first flap is intended to be folded or bent before the second flap. In other words, the second flap is configured to be disposed on the first flap when the first and second flaps are folded or bent. In other words, when the two flaps are superposed, the second flap is located toward the outside of the packaging device with respect to the first flap.

Such a blank advantageously makes it possible to have a first flap and a second flap whose longitudinal length is less than that of the first flap. Since the first flap is intended to be folded before the second flap, it is always the second flap that is unfolded first in the event of an external impact. With the reduced longitudinal length of the second flap, such a blank advantageously makes it possible to have a maintained overall size even if the second flap is unfolded.

Furthermore, as no fastening means has been added, there is therefore no additional cost or additional method step for the manufacture of a packaging device from such a blank.

According to one embodiment, the transverse fold line is curved, preferably in the form of an arc of a circle, and curved concavely toward the center of the first or second longitudinal zone.

The first end zone may for example comprise, opposite from the transverse fold line, a convex curved edge complementary to the shape of the transverse fold line, and the second end zone may for example comprise, opposite from the transverse fold line, a straight edge.

By way of nonlimiting example, the longitudinal length of the second end zone is equal to or less than half that of the first end zone.

Advantageously, such a longitudinal length of the second end zone, in other words the longitudinal length of the second flap, makes it possible to ensure an identical bulk of the packaging device manufactured from the blank even if the second flap is unfolded. Therefore, it will advantageously not have a negative impact on the boxing of the packaging device.

According to one embodiment, the first end zone comprises poka-yoke means intended to be masked by the second flap formed from the second end zone.

Such a blank comprising the poka-yoke means makes it possible to avoid possible mishandling of the use during the manufacture of the packaging device from the blank. Since the poka-yoke means are intended to be masked by the second end zone after the formation of the second flap, the user will be aware that they have made a poor manipulation if the poka-yoke means still remain visible after the manufacture of the packaging device.

By way of nonlimiting indication, the poka-yoke means comprise indicators in the form of a sentence and/or a symbol and/or a solid color.

Thus, this can clearly help the user to follow the correct manufacturing order of the packaging device.

According to another embodiment, the blank is made of plastics materials or cardboard.

The blank may be made of a plastics material, which is preferably transparent or translucent, and preferably of a rigid plastics material. The material can thus be chosen from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (more commonly called PET), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) or polypropylene (PP). As a variant, the blank may also be made of cardboard.

According to another aspect, a packaging device for at least one windshield wiper blade is proposed. The packaging device is manufactured from a blank as defined above.

According to one embodiment, the packaging device contains at least one windshield wiper blade.

According to yet another aspect, there is proposed a method for manufacturing a packaging device for at least one windshield wiper blade, by means of a blank as described above. The method comprises folding or gluing steps. The first flap is formed from the first end zone and then the second flap is formed from the second end zone.

Such a manufacturing method advantageously makes it possible to ensure the maintained bulk of the packaging device even if the second flap is unfolded.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent on examination of the detailed description of embodiments, which are in no way limiting, and of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates, in a perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of a blank for the manufacture of a packaging device for at least one windshield wiper blade,

FIG. 2 illustrates, in a perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of a packaging device for at least one windshield wiper blade manufactured from a blank,

FIG. 3 illustrates a method for manufacturing a packaging device 10 for at least one windshield wiper blade 50 by means of the blank 1 in an incorrect order, and

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for manufacturing a packaging device 10 for at least one windshield wiper blade 50 by means of the blank 1 in a correct order.

It should be noted that identical elements bear, in all of FIGS. 1 to 4, the same reference numerals.

Reference 1 in FIG. 1 designates a blank, according to an example of the invention, for manufacturing a packaging device for at least one windshield wiper blade comprises at least two longitudinal zones 2, 3 articulated to one another by a first longitudinal fold line 4.

By way of example, FIG. 1 illustrates a blank comprising a first longitudinal zone 2 and a second longitudinal zone 3, which will lead to the manufacture of a packaging device provided with two longitudinal lateral faces, here, for example, a front face 2′ and a rear face 3′ connected by a first edge 4′ formed by the first longitudinal fold line 4. The blank 1 may, however, comprise more than two longitudinal zones, the plurality of longitudinal zones then defining a polygonal longitudinal profile for the packaging device once manufactured.

The blank 1 further comprises a longitudinal flap 5, here for example adjacent to the first longitudinal zone 2, and articulated via a second longitudinal fold line 6 to the first longitudinal zone 2. The first and second longitudinal fold lines 4, 6 are here substantially parallel.

This longitudinal flap 5 is advantageously a flap which makes it possible to adhere one face of this longitudinal flap 5 to a portion of one face of the second longitudinal zone 3 by adhesive, gluing or welding. After such adhesion, the second longitudinal fold line 6 substantially coincides with a longitudinal edge 9 of the second longitudinal zone 3 situated on the opposite side of the first fold line 4.

At least one longitudinal zone 2, 3, here for example the two of them, is articulated at each of its longitudinal ends to an end zone 21, 22; 31, 32 via a transverse fold line 11, 12, 13, 14, namely two first end zones 21, 22 and two second end zones 31, 32.

Each of the first end zones 21 and 22 is intended to form a substantially transverse first flap R1 of the packaging device and each of the second end zones 31 and 32 is intended to form a substantially transverse second flap R2 of the packaging device. In addition, the first flap R1 is intended to be formed before the second flap R2.

The transverse fold lines are generally identical and can be curved, especially in the form of an arc of a circle. Their convexities may be oriented toward one another so as to be curved concavely toward the center of the first or the second end zone 2 or 3. By way of example, the packaging device has, after manufacture, convex curved front longitudinal faces 2′ and 3′ and two concave curved transverse faces 31′ and 32′.

The first end zone 21 or 22 comprises a first longitudinal length L1 and the second end zone 31 or 32 comprises a second longitudinal length L2. This first longitudinal length L1 is greater than the second longitudinal length L2.

By way of example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the first and second end zones 21, 22, 31, 32 each comprise, opposite from the corresponding transverse fold line 11, 12, 13, 14, a convex curved edge substantially complementary to the shape of the corresponding transverse fold line 11, 12, 13, 14.

As indicated above, the first flap RI is intended to be formed before the second flap R2. In this case, if the packaging device manufactured from the blank 1 receives an external impact, it is more likely that the second flap R2 will be unfolded. Since the longitudinal length L2 of the second end zone 31, 32, in other words of the second flap R2, is less than that L1 of the first end zone 21, 22, in other words of the first flap R1, the packaging device with the second flap R2 unfolded becomes less bulky and the boxing of such a packaging device has become easier without using any glue or other fastening means.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the packaging device 10 manufactured from a blank 1 according to the invention.

Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates just one longitudinal side of the packaging device 10 manufactured from the blank 1. Only the rear face 3′ is visible in FIG. 2. The transverse fold line 13, 14 is shown here in the form of a dotted line. The first and second end zones 21, 22, 31, 32 are in their unfolded states.

As a variant with respect to the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the second end zone 31, 32, in other words the second flap R2, comprises, opposite from the transverse fold line 13, 14, a straight edge 15.

Moreover, the longitudinal length L2 of the second end zone 31, 32 is equal to or less than half the longitudinal length L1 of the first end zone 21, 22.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, even if the second end zone 31, 32, in other words the second flap R2, is in its unfolded state, its straight edge 15 does not extend beyond the end of the second longitudinal zone. In other words, the packaging device manufactured from the blank 1 can advantageously maintain its overall size even if the second flap R2, formed after the first flap R1, is in its unfolded state.

Therefore, if the order of the formation of the first flap R1 before that of the second flap R2 is properly observed, it is still possible to have the first flap R1 folded to prevent the exiting of said at least one blade contained in the packaging device, and the second flap R2 does not prevent the boxing of the packaging device even if the second flap R2 is in its unfolded state.

In order to ensure the correct order of the formation of the first and second flaps R1 and R2, reference is made to FIGS. 3 and 4 which illustrate other examples of the packaging device manufactured from the blank 1 comprising the first end zone 21, 22 comprising poka-yoke means 40.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method for manufacturing a packaging device 10 for at least one windshield wiper blade 50 by means of the blank 1 in an incorrect order.

It should be noted here that FIGS. 3 and 4 show views of a longitudinal side of the packaging device 10 after the formation of the front face 2′ and the rear face 3′. The curved lines forming a sheath in FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively designate the front face 2′ and the rear face 3′.

Once the sheath has been formed, the packaging device 10 manufactured from the blank 1 can receive at least one windshield wiper blade, here for example a windshield wiper blade 50 and possibly its associated adapters and connectors. If the second flap R2, which has a longitudinal length less than that of the first flap R1, is then formed before the formation of the first flap R1 comprising poka-yoke means 40, it can be seen that, after the first flap R1 has been formed, the poka-yoke means 40 are still visible.

By way of indication, the poka-yoke means 40 may comprise indicators in the form of a sentence and/or a symbol and/or a solid color such as a warning sentence and/or an exclamation mark so as to warn the user of the packaging device 10 that they are forming the first and second flaps R1 and R2 in an incorrect order.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for manufacturing a packaging device 10 for at least one windshield wiper blade by means of the blank 1 in a correct order.

Following the formation of the front 2′ and rear 3′ faces, the packaging device 10 can receive at least one windshield wiper blade, here for example a windshield wiper blade 50.

By following the correct order, the first flap R1 is first formed from the first end zone 21, 22 comprising the poka-yoke means 40. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the first flap R1 closes a lateral side of the packaging device 10 well so as to hold said windshield wiper blade 50 within the packaging device 10.

The second flap R2 is then formed from the second end zone 31, 32. Since the second flap R2 is formed after the first flap R1, the poka-yoke means 40 are well masked by the second flap R2 and are no longer visible after the formation of the second flap R2.

In this case, even if the second flap R2 is unfolded because of an external impact, the bulk of the packaging device 10 is well maintained thanks to the reduced longitudinal length of the second flap R2, as can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2. The boxing of the packaging device 10 will therefore advantageously not be disturbed by the second unfolded flap R2 and no additional fastening means is necessary.

Claims

1. A blank for manufacturing a packaging device for at least one windshield wiper blade, wherein the blank is of elongate shape and comprises at least first and second adjacent longitudinal zones,wherein each of the at least first and second longitudinal zones is configured to form a longitudinal face of the packaging device,wherein the first and second longitudinal zones are respectively articulated at each of their ends to first and second end zones via a transverse fold line,wherein the first and second end zones are able to form respectively first and second substantially transverse flaps of the packaging device,wherein the longitudinal length of the first end zone is greater than that of the second end zone and the first flap is configured to be formed before the second flap.

2. The blank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transverse fold line is curved in the form of an arc of a circle and curved concavely toward the center of the first or the second longitudinal zone.

3. The blank as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first end zone comprises, opposite from the transverse fold line, a convex curved edge complementary to the shape of the transverse fold line, andwherein the second end zone comprises, opposite from the transverse fold line, a straight edge.

4. The blank as claimed in claim 3, wherein the longitudinal length of the second end zone is equal to or less than half that of the first end zone.

5. The blank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end zone comprises poka-yoke means configured to be masked by the second flap formed from the second end zone.

6. The blank as claimed in claim 5, wherein the poka-yoke means comprise indicators in the form of at least one of: a sentence, a symbol, or a solid color.

7. The blank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blank is made of plastics material or cardboard.

8. A packaging device for at least one windshield wiper blade, wherein the packaging device is manufactured from a blank as claimed in claim 1.

9. The packaging device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the packaging device contains at least one windshield wiper blade.

10. A method for manufacturing a packaging device for at least one windshield wiper blade, using a blank, wherein the blank is of elongate shape and comprises at least first and second adjacent longitudinal zones,wherein each of the at least first and second longitudinal zones is configured to form a longitudinal face of the packaging device, wherein the first and second longitudinal zones are respectively articulated at each of their ends to first and second end zones via a transverse fold line,wherein the first and second end zones are able to form respectively first and second substantially transverse flaps of the packaging device,wherein the longitudinal length of the first end zone is greater than that of the second end zone,the method comprising forming the first flap from the first end zone and then forming the second flap from the second end zone by folding and gluing.