TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to strips for use with an automotive windscreen; and, more particularly, strips that may coat an automotive windscreen with a liquid.

BACKGROUND

[0002] There has been a severe increase in wet weather events over the previous decade as the climate begins to warm. As the climate warms, the atmosphere can hold and release more moisture, meaning that rainfall and wet weather systems are becoming increasingly occurrent around the world.

[0003] Temperature data readily available online shows rapid global warming in the past few decades, with an upward trend relative to a common baseline (often given as the years between 1951-1980). This severe increase in global temperature is affecting every country on every continent and is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, however it is a trend that does not appear to be slowing.

[0004] Rain is an essential part of the world’s weather system, however as climate change progresses, we are likely to see heavy downpours on a more regular basis which not only disrupts agriculture, but also contributes to road accidents and transport delays.

[0005] It is commonly observed that there is an increase in automotive vehicle crashes in wet weather events. A study published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society found that during precipitation, even if light, there is an increase of 34% that a fatal crash will occur. It is worth noting that the risk is even higher in winter and the busy morning commute.

[0006] A common fault of an automotive vehicle owner is failing to replace windscreen wiper blades when they become worn or damaged. The general rule is to change the wiper blades every 6-12 months to ensure peak performance and safety. Wiper blades are often made from a variety of elastomers including natural and synthetic rubbers, such as natural or synthetic polyisoprene, butadiene, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, neoprene or blends thereof. These are susceptible to cracking under weather shifts through the seasons, as well as becoming brittle after exposure to the sun in harsh summer months.

[0007] Failure to replace the wiper blades in a timely manner results in a situation in a downpour where they may not sufficiently clear all water from the windscreen, or may still clear water but may smear or miss sections of the windscreen which creates visibility issues. This is a contributing factor to many car accidents, where an operator loses vision due to faulty or ineffective wiper blades.

[0008] A common solution to this problem is a windscreen repellent which may be sprayed onto the windscreen to alleviate the shortcomings of worn wiper blades. These repellents create a hydrophobic coating which assists in the beading of the water from the screen. This beading prevents smearing and allows the water to adhere with other droplets and fall due to gravity, rather than relying solely on the windscreen wiper. Whilst the windscreen wiper is essential, this repellent is a product that is best used in conjunction. However, a common problem with this common solution is that the sprayed repellent may be removed from the windscreen by the motion of the wiper blades when in operation. When the sprayed repellent is removed from the windscreen during the drive, then the same problem of water being present on the windscreen persists, which creates visibility issues.

[0009] These repellents improve visibility and driving comfort and may contribute to a reduction in wet weather coinciding fatal crashes. In a study conducted, it was found that visibility when using a windscreen repellent increased so as to provide an improved driving response time of up to a full second or more.

[0010] As discussed in published PCT Application WO2017199726 Al, these repellents are often comprised of polysiloxanes, with the main component being hydroxyterminated polydimethylsiloxane which enables binding via the hydroxyl group of the glass surface. The solvent is often a mix of acetone and water. [0011] Further advantages of such a product include anti-frost properties and anti-bug properties.

[0012] A common shortcoming of this solution to the problem is the requirement to continually reapply the product to a clean and lint free surface. Polysiloxanes will only bind to the surface which is dirt free, requiring specific binding to the functional groups of the windscreen. This results in a situation where to utilise the full effect of this repellent; the user must clean the car thoroughly and wipe the screen before application. Furthermore, the user is required to reapply this product every time that the windscreen is exposed to rain, even for minor downpours.

[0013] This places significant practical problems and limitations on when such a product can be used, and results in a situation where a user may dangerously rely solely on worn wiper blades.

[0014] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

SUMMARY

[0015] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED

[0016] It may be an objective of the present invention to provide a windscreen attachable strip adapted to dispense a liquid to coat a windscreen on demand when the window wipers are engaged by a user. So as to allow for a windscreen coating to be replenished on the windscreen even when the person is still driving.

[0017] It may be an objective of the present invention to provide a strip which may also rejuvenate a wiper blade when it engages the strip by removing dirt, allowing better contact between the windscreen and wiper blade. [0018] It may be an objective of the present invention to provide a strip which may also remove dirt and road grime from a wiper blade when it engages the strip, via a friction event which allows for improved contact between the windscreen and the wiper blade.

[0019] It may be an objective of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0020] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0021] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a strip for use with an automotive windscreen, wherein the strip may comprise a first layer including an upper surface having a first reservoir adapted to receive a liquid, and a lower surface connected to an upper surface of a second layer, wherein the second layer has a lower surface including adhesive adapted to fixably engage with the windscreen and wherein in use, the upper surface of the first layer is adapted to dispense the liquid when a windscreen wiper moves across the upper surface of the first layer.

[0022] Preferably, the strip may comprise a second reservoir, wherein the second reservoir is spaced apart from the first reservoir, and wherein the first reservoir and the second reservoir are each angled between 5° to 90° relative to the windscreen.

[0023] Preferably, the strip may further comprise at least one further reservoir, wherein the at least one further reservoir is positioned between the first reservoir and the second reservoir.

[0024] The strip preferably may comprise at least one reservoir which may be adapted to receive the liquid.

[0025] Preferably, each reservoir is a channel.

[0026] Preferably, at least one reservoir spans a longitudinal axis of the strip. [0027] Preferably, at least one reservoir is spans from one end of the strip to the opposite end of the strip.

[0028] Preferably, the first reservoir is parallel to the second reservoir.

[0029] Preferably, the channels are each at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the strip.

[0030] Preferably, the first and second reservoir are angled at a direction towards each other, relative to the windscreen.

[0031] Preferably, the first layer is made of a resin.

[0032] Preferably, first layer is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0033] Preferably, the first layer is comprised of silicone.

[0034] Preferably, the liquid is non-curing silicone.

[0035] Preferably, the liquid has a kinematic viscosity between 175 cSt to 1950 cSt.

[0036] Preferably, the adhesive has an application temperature range of -20 °C to 110 °C.

[0037] Preferably, the thickness of the strip is between 0.05 mm to 2.00 mm.

[0038] Preferably, the thickness of the first layer is between 0.05 mm to 2.00 mm.

[0039] Preferably, the first reservoir is an absorptive material.

[0040] Preferably, the absorptive material is a silicon absorbing material. [0041] In the context of the present invention, the words “comprise”, “comprising” and the like are to be construed in their inclusive, as opposed to their exclusive, sense, that is in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

[0042] The invention is to be interpreted with reference to the at least one of the technical problems described or affiliated with the background art. The present aims to solve or ameliorate at least one of the technical problems and this may result in one or more advantageous effects as defined by this specification and described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0043] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure IB is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention of Figure 1A.

[0045] Figure 2A is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 2B is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention of Figure 2A.

[0047] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention when in use on an automotive windscreen.

[0048] Figure 4A is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 4B is a side view of the another preferred embodiment of the present invention of Figure 4A. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and non-limiting examples.

[0051] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms, in keeping with the broad principles and the spirit of the invention described herein.

[0052] A first preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Fig. 1 A and IB. Referring to Fig. 1A and IB, there is provided a strip 18 comprising a first layer 16 comprising a first reservoir 10, 12 adapted to receive a liquid. The first layer 16 is connected to a second layer 14 which is adapted to fixably engage with an automotive windscreen 36 (see Fig. 3). The strip 18 may comprise a first reservoir 10, however preferably may comprise a second reservoir 10, which may be angled at a reverse incline to a third reservoir 12 and fourth reservoir 12.

[0053] The first layer 12 or second layer 14 may be comprised of silicone or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the first reservoir 10, 12 may be filled with silicone or non-curing silicone or cleaning solution. Preferably the cleaning solution may be water repelling, and when a windscreen wiper moves across the first layer 12, the cleaning solution or silicone can be smeared over the windscreen 36 to create a hydrophobic barrier and promote beading of the water.

[0054] As mentioned, the first layer 12 being comprised of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or hard silicone strip 18 may also clean and remove dirt from the wiper blade 32 which may increase longevity of the wiper blade 32.

[0055] A second preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Fig. 2A and 2B. Referring to Fig. 2A and 2B, there is provided a strip 28 of a similar concept to that shown in Figs. 1A and IB. The strip 28 comprising a first layer 26 comprising a first reservoir 20 adapted to receive a liquid 20. The first layer 26 is connected to a second layer 24 which is adapted to fixably engage with an automotive windscreen 36 (see Fig. 3).

[0056] Fig. 3 may show the strip 18 or strip 28 of Figs. 1A or 2Aor 4A fixably engaged with an automotive windscreen 36 of a vehicle 38. In this perspective view of the vehicle 38 with the automotive windscreen 36, a strip 34 is shown at about 1-3 inches above the resting place of the wiper blade 32 which is subsequently controlled via mechanical movement via the wiper arm 30. As the wiper blade 32 engages the strip 34 on each respective side of the automotive windscreen 36, the silicone or cleaning solution in the reservoirs of the strip 34 will be smeared over the automotive windscreen 36 creating a hydrophobic film which may promote beading of the water off the screen.

[0057] A third preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Fig. 4A and 4B. Referring to Fig. 4A and 4B, there is provided a strip 28 of a similar concept to that shown in Fig. 1. The strip 28 comprising a first layer 26 comprising a first reservoir 20 wherein the first reservoir 20 is filled with an absorptive material 20. The first layer 26 is connected to a second layer 24 which is adapted to fixably engage with an automotive windscreen 36 (see Fig. 3). The absorptive material 20 will help retain the liquid in the reservoir even when the vehicle may be moving or stationary. Further, as the absorptive material 20 covers the ends of the channels 10, 12 in the strip 28, it will advantageously assist with the retention of the liquid in the channel as it may reduce the outflow of the liquid from the extremities or the respective ends of the channels.

[0058] The strip may include a second, third and fourth reservoir each of said reservoirs may be angled 5° to 90° relative to the windscreen. This creates a reservoir which is able to retain a liquid for dispensing due to standard gravitational force.

[0059] Each of the reservoirs may further comprise a lip, brim, edge, brink or similar which may assist in retaining a liquid. It is believed that the addition of a lip increases the surface of which the liquid can interact with via surface tension and thus creates a reservoir which is able to retain liquid to a greater effect which in turn reduces the need for more regular refills. The lip may also assist in retaining the liquid in moments where the automotive vehicle is subjected to any sudden breaking or accelerating movements, commonly referred to as ‘jolting’.

[0060] The reservoir or reservoirs are preferably indefinite in length along the length of the strip and as they hold liquids it may be suitable to refer to these as channels. The channel may refer to a configuration of the reservoir which is preferably indefinite in length and adapted to receive a liquid.

[0061] The reservoir is preferably parallel to a second, third or fourth reservoir, however it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these can be congruent to each other, or antiparallel to support a differing configuration when applied to a windscreen. They may be vertical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the strip, or in a configuration such as a zig-zag or criss-cross. It will be appreciated that the reservoirs may also form a sine or cosine wave type arrangement. These various configurations may assist in the retention of liquid in the reservoirs in times or high wind, high speed driving such as freeway, autobahn, or professional car racing sports. It will be appreciated that whilst the general configuration may be parallel reservoirs, it is by no means limited to the parallel configuration.

[0062] The reservoirs or channels 10, 12 may each be rectangular, rhomboidal, trapezoidal, triangular, square or obtuse in profile and shape. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the triangular profile may be advantageous in continents with high heat temperatures as it reduces the opening of the reservoir which may reduce the incidence of evaporation, with the congruent and impeding walls of the triangle increasing condensation and reconstitution of the liquid into the reservoir.

[0063] The reservoir 10, 12 may be angled at a reverse incline to each other, relative to the windscreen. This could be envisaged as a ‘v-shaped’ arrangement, and may be accompanied with multiple reservoirs to form a series of corresponding reservoirs which are related by the reverse incline angle to each other. [0064] It is believed that this reverse angle incline may assist in the dispersion of the liquid onto the windscreen. As the wiper blade 32 moves from rest to the fully extended position (wiping the windscreen 36) the wiper blade 32 will move against one of the angled reservoirs 10, 12, whilst wiping in the same direction of the corresponding reverse angled reservoir 12, 10. As the wiper blade returns to rest, it will wipe in the same direction as the channel of which it just wiper against when moving from rest, and against the corresponding reservoir it just wiped over. This may be an advantage as the wiper blade 32 may be coated in liquid in both directions of operation which may increase the dispensing of the wiper blade 32.

[0065] The various cross-sections mentioned above may alone, or in combination, allow for a measured dose of the liquid to be dispensed to the wiper blade 32.

[0066] The strip 18 may be applied to the automotive windscreen in a vertical or horizontal manner with respect to the orientation or the windscreen. It will be appreciated that both of these configurations may result in the invention working in the same manner, that is, the wiper blade 32 wiping over the strip 18 when it moves from rest as a result of mechanical movement of the engagement of the wiper blades 32 in response to rain.

[0067] The first layer 16 of the strip 18 may be made of a resin which is semi-solid or a soft-plastic material. Preferably, the first layer 16 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It will be appreciated that it may also be made of a hard-set or soft silicone. It may be advantageous to have the first layer 16 of the strip 18 comprised of soft silicone as it is believed that this may act to clean and remove dirt from the wiper blade 32 as it crosses over the windscreen 36 and the first layer 16 of the strip 18.

[0068] The liquid in the reservoir 10, 12 may be a non-curing silicone. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a non-curing silicone when dispensed across the windscreen 36 by the wiper blades 32 will create a hydrophobic barrier on the screen which may assist in the sheeting or beading of water from the windscreen 36. This may assist in visibility and may prevent smearing caused by mineral deposits (also known as ‘glass cancer’). [0069] The creation of a hydrophobic barrier on the screen or windscreen 36 via the dispensing of non-curing silicone may also reduce the development of fog or frost on the screen as it demotes the settling or congregation of water molecules on the surface of the windscreen 36 which otherwise would be the beginning of a frosting event.

[0070] The liquid in the reservoir 10, 12 may also be an ammonia-containing cleaning solution or similar cleaning solution which may promote the removal of dirt in conjunction with a rainfall event. Further, many automotive vehicles today have water dispensing means to clean windscreens which automatically activate the wiper blades 32 when water is applied via the spray or jet nozzles. This may be a further advantage of the strip 18.

[0071] It will be appreciated that a in a strip 18 with a series of reservoirs that 20:80, 40:60 or 50:50 of the ratio reservoirs may be filled with cleaning solution and non-curing silicone such that a double action effect may be achieved where the screen is cleaned with the cleaning solution and the hydrophobic coating is applied via the dispensing of a noncuring silicone.

[0072] The non-curing silicone may have a kinematic viscosity of 1 cSt to 3000 cSt to suit differing climates. It will be appreciated that the non-curing silicone must be viscous for application to the windscreen, however must not set in colder climates such that it is unable to be dispensed or dispersed from the reservoir. Oppositely, it must not be so liquid that it does not retain to the windscreen, with this type of silicone unable to from a hydrophobic barrier as intended.

[0073] The adhesive 14 of the strip 18 may have an operating temperature range of -50°C to -150°C. It will be appreciated that differing adhesives may be required in some climates to accommodate the varying and sometimes extreme temperature conditions and shifts. The adhesive may be primarily comprised of epoxy, polyurethane, polyimide, polyamide, urethane or cyanoacrylates. The adhesive 14 may also be a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) or a hot melt adhesive. [0074] The use of a pressure sensitive adhesive may be advantageous for its ability to allow the strip 18 to be reapplied and repositioned upon the windscreen 36. This will allow a user to potentially use the strip in a horizontal position at first, and a vertical position in the case that the horizontal position doesn’t suit their wiper blade configuration in one potential instance.

[0075] The thickness of the strip may be 0.5 mm to 100 mm. The thickness may be increased or decreased depending on the car model and the pressure of the wiper blade onto the windscreen 36. The change in thickness may be important to ensure that the wiper blade 32 makes sufficient contact with the blade such that it is able to dispense the liquid adequately.

[0076] The width of the strip may be 0.5 mm to 100 mm. The width may be increased or decreased to accommodate and suit varying thickness of wiper blades. Further, the width may be increased to allow additional reservoirs such as 8 reservoirs to increase the capacity of the strip to contain the liquid in the reservoirs. This may increase the performance of the strip.

[0077] It may be advantageous to have the width of the strip 18 to be the same as the depth of the wiper blade 32, such that when the wiper blade 32 is wiping over the strip 18 in operation that it increases the contact area of the blade to the strip which improves the dispensing of the liquid across the windscreen 36.

[0078] It may be advantageous to have the length of the strip 18 equal or greater than the length of the wiper blade to ensure consistent dispensing of the liquid across the whole windscreen. This is advantageous as it may allow for the hydrophobic non-curing silicone to be spread evenly throughout the windscreen.

[0079] It may be advantageous to have the first reservoir 20 being an absorptive material which would allow the absorption of silicon into the reservoir (see Fig.4B). These may be silicon absorbing resins or composites of alumina or aluminium oxide. [0080] The absorptive material 20 may be comprised of textured silicon or similar material to allow the absorption of silicon.

[0081] The absorptive material 20 may be disposed on the leading edge such that when the wiper blade traverses over the strip 28, a small amount of silicon is applied to the blade.

[0082] The absorptive material may be a silicon absorbing carrier which may be formed from a cancellous type arrangement which is applied separately from the strip 28 and the lower layer of the strip 28.

[0083] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the absorptive material 20 may be sold separately as a pre-impregnated cartridge which may be applied when a previous absorptive material 20 loses its absorption capabilities.

[0084] The present invention and the described preferred embodiments specifically include at least one feature that is industrial applicable.