Patent Description:
Vehicle use a variety of wiper arms to move a wiper blade. Since wiper blades need to be replaced periodically, a consumer is often faced with the difficulty of matching the wiper arm of the consumer's vehicle with a compatible replacement wiper blade.

One technique for identifying which type of connector is used on a given wiper arm involves traditional coinage. That is, a consumer would be instructed to use a coin having a known diameter to identify the connector size. For example, a U. one-cent piece, which has a diameter of <NUM>, will fit into the end of the wide (<NUM>) arm, but will not fit into the end of the narrow (<NUM>) arm. In a modern, generally cashless society, however, most consumers don't carry change.

This situation can be addressed by supplying multiple connectors in either separate packages or with the wiper blade itself so that the consumer could match the appropriate connector with the wiper arm of the consumer's vehicle. This, however, results in wasted materials and expense. Further, it is often hard for the consumer to easily ascertain from the packaging of the connectors whether the connectors are appropriate for the wiper arm or whether their attachment will be difficult accomplish. In addition, the packaging of connectors often is neither aesthetically pleasing nor educational in nature and so the selling of the connectors by a vendor to a consumer can be difficult.

Furthermore, when opening up the contents of the packages, the connectors and instructions can be strewn in different directions causing a delay in both finding the connectors and instructions and understanding the operation of the connectors from the instructions. Since there is not a convenient place to store the connectors and instructions once taken out of their package, the connectors and instructions can be easily lost or damaged. <CIT> relates to a packaging for a wiper blade that comprises a cuboidal folding box and an intermediate packaging for receiving the wiper blade and to be received in the folding box. <CIT> relates to a method for selling windshield wiper blade assemblies for vehicles, comprises the steps of providing a windshield wiper blade assembly having a first length defining a physical size of the wiper blade assembly, and providing a label informing a customer of the physical size and a logical size of the wiper blade assembly.

Therefore, a need exists for wiper blade packaging that enables a consumer to easily and reliably ascertain from the packaging whether the connector is compatible or otherwise appropriate for a given wiper arm of a vehicle.

The present disclosure relates generally to improved wiper blade packaging, substantially as illustrated by and described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to wiper blade packaging that enables a consumer to easily ascertain from the packaging whether the connector is appropriate for a given wiper arm.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods described herein will be apparent from the following description of particular examples thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying figures; where like or similar reference numbers refer to like or similar structures. The figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the devices, systems, and methods described herein.

References to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within and/or including the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. In the following description, it is understood that terms such as "first," "second," "top," "bottom," "side," "front," "back," and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. For example, while in some examples a first side is located adjacent or near a second side, the terms "first side" and "second side" do not imply any specific order in which the sides are ordered.

The terms "about," "approximately," "substantially," or the like, when accompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as indicating a deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and/or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language ("e.g.," "such as," or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosed examples and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. The terms "e.g.," and "for example" set off lists of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed examples.

The term "and/or" means any one or more of the items in the list joined by "and/or. " As an example, "x and/or y" means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, "x, y, and/or z" means "one or more of x, y, and z.

Wiper arms used in vehicles vary in size and shape. In some cases, wiper arms can be the same shape, but will still vary in size. These wiper arms are often differentiated in marketing material by a size-related adjective describing the arm (e.g., small J-Hook, large J-Hook, etc.). Currently, the consumer must have a ruler, a penny, or the ability to visualize measurements to differentiate the arm size from the other similarly shaped arms. While wiper arms are most often associated with automobiles (e.g., cars, trucks, etc.), they are likewise employed in numerous other vehicles, such as trains, watercraft, and aircraft. Therefore, the following disclosure should not be limited to wiper blades and wiper arms used in automobiles, but rather would be applicable to wiper blades and wiper arms used in any type of vehicle.

In one example, packaging for a wiper blade having a blade-side connector configured to engage a wiper arm comprises: an inner component configured to house the wiper blade; and an outer sleeve component having an enclosure that defines a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the inner component. At least one of the inner component and the outer sleeve component comprises a connector-identification feature configured to indicate a compatible arm-side connector of the wiper arm.

In another example, packaging for a wiper blade having a blade-side connector configured to engage a wiper arm comprises: a backing panel; and an enclosure coupled to the backing panel and configured to house the wiper blade. The backing panel having a connector-identification feature configured to indicate a compatible arm-side connector of the wiper arm. The backing panel and the enclosure can be adhered to one another to form one-piece packaging.

The connector-identification feature can be a pre-punched cutout or a perforated cutout that is sized and shaped to correspond to a size and a shape of the compatible arm-side connector. In another example, the connector-identification feature is a circular cutout that is sized to correspond to a size of the compatible arm-side connector. For example, the circular cutout can have a diameter of about <NUM>. In some examples, the outer sleeve component, which can be fabricated from cardboard or plastic, comprises the connector-identification feature. The inner component is fabricated from a transparent plastic material.

In another example, packaging for a wiper blade having a blade-side connector configured to engage a wiper arm comprises: an inner component configured to house the wiper blade; and an outer sleeve component that defines a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the inner component. The outer sleeve component comprises a connector-identification feature can be configured to indicate a compatible arm-side connector of the wiper arm. The connector-identification feature can be is sized and shaped to correspond to a size and a shape of the compatible arm-side connector, such as a J-shaped cutout.

<FIG> illustrates an example vehicle <NUM> having a windshield <NUM> and a pair of wiper blades <NUM>. As illustrated, each wiper blade <NUM> is removably coupled to with a wiper arm <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> via a coupling <NUM>. As is known in the art, the wiper arms <NUM> (and, therefore, the wiper blades <NUM>) are configured to translate back and forth across the windshield <NUM> to clear the windshield <NUM> of rain, snow, and debris via one or more electric motors and mechanical linkages associated with the vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an assembly view of an example coupling <NUM> between the wiper blade <NUM> and the wiper arm <NUM>. As illustrated, each wiper arm <NUM> includes or otherwise defines, at its distal end, an arm-side connector <NUM>. The arm-side connector <NUM> is configured to engage and secure the wiper blade <NUM> via a complimentary blade-side connector <NUM> positioned on or otherwise associated with the wiper blade <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the arm-side connector <NUM> is inserted into a J-shaped slot <NUM> of the blade-side connector <NUM> as indicated by arrow <NUM>. Once assembled, a locking cap <NUM> can be folded as indicated by arrow <NUM> (e.g., pivoted about a hinge) and positioned to cover, secure, and protect the connected arm-side connector <NUM> and blade-side connector <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the wiper arm <NUM> includes an arm-side connector <NUM> configured a J-Hook connector <NUM>, but other connector types are contemplated. For example, <FIG> illustrate other suitable example connector types for a coupling <NUM>. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a large J-Hook connector 110a, while <FIG> illustrates a small J-Hook connector 110b. The large J-Hook connector 110a and the small J-Hook connector 110b are substantially the same as one another (and the J-Hook connector <NUM> of <FIG>), except for the size. <FIG> illustrates a large wiper pin connector 110c, while <FIG> illustrates a small wiper pin connector 110d. The large wiper pin connector 110c and the small wiper pin connector 110d are likewise substantially the same other than size (e.g., length and diameter). A difference, however, is that a pin <NUM> of the large wiper pin connector 110c and/or the small wiper pin connector 110d would be inserted into a corresponding hole or opening on the blade-side connector <NUM> (rather than a J-shaped slot <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>).

<FIG> illustrate example packaging <NUM> for one or more wiper blades <NUM>. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a perspective assembly view of the packaging <NUM>, while <FIG> illustrates a perspective assembled view of the packaging <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate, respectively, front and rear plan views of the packaging <NUM>, while <FIG> illustrate right, left, top, and bottom elevation views of the packaging <NUM>. As will be apparent from the subject disclosure, the packaging <NUM> allows for the contents of the packaging <NUM> to be displayed in an aesthetically pleasing manner, while also enabling the consumer to easily identify and verify the type of connector needed without having to open the packaging <NUM>. Traditionally, wiper blades <NUM> are sold individually and are illustrated as such, but it is contemplated that the packaging <NUM> described herein can be sized to accommodate two or more wiper blades <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the packaging <NUM> includes an inner component 200a and an outer sleeve component 200b. The inner component 200a and the outer sleeve component 200b are fabricated from one or more resilient materials, such as cardboard, plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. The inner component 200a defines an enclosure <NUM> configured to house the one or more wiper blades <NUM>. In one example, as illustrated, the inner component 200a may be fabricated from a transparent plastic material that enables the consumer to view the one or more wiper blades <NUM> contained therein.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, the inner component 200a is configured to insert into a cavity <NUM> defined by the outer sleeve component 200b as indicated by arrow <NUM>. To that end, the illustrated outer sleeve component 200b generally comprises a backing panel <NUM> (or similar structure) with an enclosure <NUM> (or pocket) configured to receive at least a portion of the inner component 200a. In the illustrated example, the backing panel <NUM> comprises a first surface 214a and a second surface 214b, where the enclosure <NUM> extends outwardly from the first surface 214a.

The outer sleeve component 200b retains the inner component 200a via one or more of an adhesive, tape, friction, protrusions, or otherwise. In one example, the outer sleeve component 200b can be a cardboard or plastic sleeve that is printed with or otherwise provides various information or indicia pertaining to the enclosed one or more wiper blades <NUM> (and usage thereof). In some examples, the enclosure <NUM> is adhered to the backing panel <NUM>, but in other examples, can also be a unitary structure. The enclosure <NUM> and the backing panel <NUM> can be fabricated from the same resilient material, but is not required. For example, the enclosure <NUM> could be fabricated from a plastic material that is adhered to a backing panel <NUM>, which could be fabricated from cardboard.

A benefit of the packaging <NUM> described herein is the ability to identify a type of arm-side connector <NUM> without requiring an outside tool for identification or that the consumer open the packaging <NUM>. To that end, the outer sleeve component 200b defines one or more connector-identification features <NUM> (e.g., cutouts, openings, slits, slots, outlines, or otherwise) that a customer can use to identify which type of arm-side connector <NUM> is used on the vehicle <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the one or more connector-identification features <NUM> are formed in or on the outer sleeve component 200b and generally corresponds to the size and/or shape of the applicable arm-side connector <NUM>. For example, the connector-identification feature <NUM> can be a pre-punched or perforated cutout that is sized and shaped to correspond to a size and a shape of the compatible arm-side connector <NUM>.

The one or more connector-identification features <NUM> can be used to determine whether the blade-side connector <NUM> employs or is compatible with, for example, a large J-Hook connector 110a, a small J-Hook connector 110b, a large wiper pin connector 110c, a small wiper pin connector 110d, etc. The example connector-identification feature <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is J-shaped to correspond to a J-Hook connector <NUM>. To that end, rather than opening the packaging <NUM> and without needing to measure the wiper arm <NUM> or the arm-side connector <NUM> (e.g., with a penny, a ruler, or otherwise), consumers can identify the type of arm-side connector <NUM> using the one or more connector-identification features <NUM> formed in or on the packaging <NUM>.

The connector-identification features <NUM> can be either a pre-punched cutout or a perforated cutout where the consumer can punch out the material at the time of use to reveal the cutout. Pre-punching the connector-identification feature <NUM> reduces the amount of effort needed from the consumer, but using a perforated connector-identification feature <NUM> offers some advantages. For example, perforating the connector-identification features <NUM> can mitigate damaged to the shape of the cutout prior to use (e.g., during transit or on the shelf). In practice, the consumer could pass the arm-side connector <NUM> through the cutout of the connector-identification features <NUM> to confirm size and shape.

The outer sleeve component 200b further comprises a hang tab <NUM> to enable the retailer to hang the packaging <NUM> on a hook (e.g., in a retail setting). In one example, as illustrated, the hang tab <NUM> can be punched through the outer sleeve component 200b via a hang tab hole-punch. In another example, the hang tab <NUM> can be provide via a separate handle (or tag) that is attached to outer sleeve component 200b to serve for hanging the packaging <NUM> on the hook.

While <FIG> illustrate a pre-punched connector-identification features <NUM> that correspond to a J-Hook connector, other shapes and configurations are contemplated, including those examples illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a circular connector-identification feature <NUM>. As noted above, one technique for identifying which type of connector is used on the wiper arm involves a coin having a known diameter (e.g., a U. one-cent piece). To obviate the need for coin, a circular connector-identification feature <NUM> can be provided as a circular cutout having a known diameter (e.g., ~<NUM>) that can be punched out of the packaging <NUM> and used as a coin substitute. The circular connector-identification feature <NUM> can then be used to determine which size J-Hook connector is provided.

<FIG> illustrates a connector-identification feature <NUM> embodied as a quadrilateral cutout at the top of the packaging <NUM> to allow a consumer to identify pinch tab button (PTB) and pin and hold (P&H) type. In operation, the consumer can slide the arm-side connector <NUM> into the packaging connector-identification feature <NUM> to verify their arm type.

<FIG> illustrates a connector-identification feature <NUM> that is an outline printed on a surface of the packaging <NUM>. In some cases, it may not be desirable or possible to pre-punch or even perforate the packaging <NUM>. In such cases, the connector-identification feature <NUM> may be provided as a printed outline where the consumer aligns the outline to the arm-side connector <NUM> with the connector-identification features <NUM>. Similarly, where it is undesirable to punch the packaging, the circular connector-identification feature <NUM> can be provided via a separate card <NUM> that is provided with the packaging <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example separate card <NUM> that contains the circular connector-identification feature <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the separate card <NUM> is square, but other shapes are contemplated. Further, while a circular connector-identification feature <NUM> is illustrated, a J-shaped cutout could instead be provided via the separate card <NUM>.

While <FIG> illustrate a two-piece packaging <NUM> having an inner component 200a and an outer sleeve component 200b, the various connector-identification features describe herein should not be construed as limited to configurations for the packaging <NUM> that use such a two-piece configuration. For example, the packaging may be a one-piece component formed via one or more components that are coupled to one another or integrally formed.

<FIG> illustrates example one-piece packaging <NUM> in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the one-piece packaging <NUM> comprises a backing panel <NUM> with a transparent enclosure <NUM> adhered or otherwise attached thereto. The transparent enclosure <NUM> can be fabricated via, for example, a thermoforming technique and adhered to the backing panel <NUM> via an adhesive, staples, or the like. In order to obtain access to the wiper blade <NUM>, the backing panel <NUM> is removed (e.g., pulled or ripped away). In this example, one or more of the described connector-identification features (e.g., connector-identification features <NUM>, circular connector-identification feature <NUM>, connector-identification feature <NUM>, etc.) can be formed in or on the backing panel <NUM>. In yet another example, one-piece packaging may be provided as a clam shell package (akin to a blister pack) or equivalent thereof. For example, a PVC clam shell package can be shaped to receive and house the wiper blade <NUM> and then sealed (e.g., via adhesive, a welding technique, or otherwise) to hold the wiper blade <NUM> in place. In such an example, a flat portion of the clam shell package can be punched or otherwise formed to provide the described connector-identification features. Additionally or alternatively, an insert formed from a resilient material can be included within the PVC clam shell package to provide one or more of the above-described connector-identification features.

Claim 1:
Packaging (<NUM>) for a wiper blade (<NUM>) having a blade-side connector configured to engage a wiper arm (<NUM>), the packaging comprising:
an inner component (200a) configured to house the wiper blade (<NUM>); and
an outer sleeve component (200b) having an enclosure (<NUM>) that defines a cavity (<NUM>) configured to receive at least a portion of the inner component (200a),
wherein at least one of the inner component (200a) and the outer sleeve component (200b) comprises a connector-identification feature (<NUM>) configured to indicate a compatible arm-side connector (<NUM>) of the wiper arm,
characterized in that
the connector-identification feature (<NUM>) is a cutout that is sized and shaped to correspond to a size and a shape of the compatible arm-side connector (<NUM>).