# US 10,118,756 B2 · Packaging device for a windscreen wiper comprising a curved blade and an integrated flexible structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,118,756 B2 - Document ID: US10118756B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/977,672 - Filed: 2018-05-11 - Published: 2018-09-13 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2003-09-15 - Assignees: Valeo North America, Inc. - Applicants: Valeo North America, Inc. - Inventors: Catherine Clamagirand; Stéphane Houssat - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118756B2 ## CPC - B65D 85/68: for machines, engines or vehicles in assembled or dismantled form - B60S 1/3808: {Spoiler integral with the squeegee} - B60S 1/3848: {Flat-type wiper blade, i.e. without harness} - B65D 25/10: Devices to locate articles in containers {(for protecting articles from mechanical damage B65D81/02)} - B65D 75/32: one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents - B65D 75/56: Handles or other suspension means - B65D 85/00: Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials (bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport B65D71/00) - B60S 2001/3843: {equipped with removable cover or protective elements} - B65D 2585/6885: wiper blades - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A packaging device for a windscreen wiper blade has a housing configured to receive the blade, having a first support surface configured to contact a portion of an upper part of the blade, a second support surface configured to contact a first portion of a lower part of the blade, a third support surface configured to contact a second portion of the lower part of the blade, a centering means, and a hooking means for hanging the packaging device vertically. The centering means blocks the blade at the center of the housing when the packaging device is hung. The first support surface extends opposite an area situated between the second support surface and the third support surface, and the first, second, and third support surfaces together immobilize the blade inside the housing in a position that is at least partially straightened out relative to a resting position of the blade. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An assembly comprising: a packaging device; a windscreen wiper blade disposed within the packaging device, wherein the windscreen wiper blade is curved by an integrated flexible structure and comprises a linking element; the packaging device comprising: a housing configured to receive the windscreen wiper blade, wherein the housing comprises: a first support surface configured to contact a portion of an upper part of the windscreen wiper blade; a second support surface configured to contact a first portion of a lower part of the windscreen wiper blade; a third support surface configured to contact a second portion of the lower part of the windscreen wiper blade; and hooking means for hanging the packaging device in a substantially vertical fashion, wherein the first support surface extends opposite an area situated between the second support surface and the third support surface, wherein the first, second, and third support surfaces together at least partially straighten out the windscreen wiper blade inside the housing relative to a resting position of the windscreen wiper blade, the packaging device further comprising a stop that cooperates with the linking element of the windscreen wiper blade, wherein the windscreen wiper blade is blocked substantially in the centre of the housing when the packaging device is hung in a substantially vertical fashion, and wherein a lip of the windscreen wiper blade does not contact the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first support surface contacts a substantially central portion of the upper part of the windscreen wiper blade, and wherein the second support surface and the third support surface respectively contact substantially extremal portions of the lower part of the windscreen wiper blade. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first support surface is placed substantially at an equal distance from the second support surface and the third support surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first support surface comprises a portion of wall that laterally delimits the housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the linking element is located on the upper part of the windscreen wiper blade intended to enable an assembly of the windscreen wiper blade on a driving mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second support surface and the third support surface comprises portions of a flange arranged longitudinally in a bottom of the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second support surface and the third support surface contact a heel of the windscreen wiper blade. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second support surface and the third support surface both contact the integrated flexible structure of a heel of the windscreen wiper blade. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a restraint configured to block at least a part of the windscreen wiper blade inside the housing, according to a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a sagittal plane of the windscreen wiper blade. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The packaging device according to claim 9, wherein the restraint pins at least a part of the windscreen wiper blade against a bottom of the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The packaging device according to claim 9, wherein the restraint comprises a stop that is placed directly below the housing and which contacts a portion of the lateral side of the windscreen wiper blade. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the linking element is disposed on the upper part of the windscreen wiper blade intended to enable an assembly of the windscreen wiper blade on a driving mechanism, and wherein a centering means comprises the stop that contacts said linking element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is delimited by a substantially rigid shell. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The packaging device according to claim 13, wherein the shell is transparent or translucent. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement that increases the rigidity of a shell, wherein the housing is delimited by the shell. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The packaging device according to claim 15, wherein the reinforcement comprises a shoulder which is made in the periphery of an opening of the housing and which extends substantially perpendicular to the side wall of the shell. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The packaging device according to claim 15, wherein the reinforcement comprises at least one rib placed transversally in the bottom of the shell. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The packaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing element that blocks an opening of the housing.