GB2361889A

GB2361889A - Improvements in or relating to shaving apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2361889A
Application number: GB0010900A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Powell; Richard Seymour
Original assignee: Seymour Powell Ltd
Current assignee: Seymour Powell Ltd
Priority date: 2000-05-06
Filing date: 2000-05-06
Publication date: 2001-11-07
Also published as: GB0010900D0

Abstract

A dry-shave razor 1 is provided with at least one oscillatable blade 8. The blade may be oscillated by ultrasonic transducers 11.

Description

2361889 IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SHAVING APPARATUS This invention

concerns improvements in or relating to shaving apparatus and has particular reference to dry-shave razors.

Dry-shave razors are well known and are either battery or mains powered, and usually involve rotating cutters, or cutters vibrating laterally of the general direction of razor movement down the face or the body area to be depilated. The cutters are generally mounted behind a foil, the idea being that the hair bristles in use extend through the interstices of the foil and are removed as they are encountered by the cutters.

The advantage of the dry-shave razor over wet-shave razors is primarily one of convenience in that shaving can be effected in any location rather than in a bathroom or other room where water is available.

However, it has for many years been the case, or perceived to be the case, that although improvements have been made to the cutter technology, dryshave razors are less effective than their wet-shave counterparts.

In wet-shave razor technology, the multiple blade array has become commonplace wherein two or more blades are arrayed in series with one blade following in the wake of another to take another cut at the hair bristle. Such an arrangement has indeed achieved a significantly closer shave than has hitherto been possible.

2 An object of the present invention is to provide an improved dry-shave razor with the advantage of enhanced efficiency of shave.

According to the invention a dry-shave razor includes a body providing a handle, and at least one blade mounted on the body and oscillatable in the direction of travel of the razor, and activating means for effecting oscillation.

Preferably the oscillation of the blade is effected ultrasonically and to this end ultrasonic transducers are provided on the blade. In an alternative form the transducers may be separate from the blade with a transmission means for transmitting the oscillations to the blade.

More than one blade may be provided with associated activating means.

The or each blade has its cutting edge open in the sense that there is no protective covering, such as a foil.

A further aspect of the invention provides a means of delivering a lubricant to the area of cut of the dry-shave razor.

The delivery means for the lubricant may be in the form of a nebuliser which is so positioned in association with the blade as to discharge the lubricant in advance of the blade, the nebuliser discharging an atomised spray onto the area to be depilated, e.g. the face.

The delivery means for the lubricant may advantageously be located in the body of the razor, for example in the handle.

3 By way of example, one embodiment of dry-shave razor according to the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric diagrammatic view of the razor; Figure 2 is an isometric view of a detail shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an isometric view of an alternative form of the detail shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a schematic view of the razor blade showing the desired movement thereof; and Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of a lubricant delivery device suitable for the razor of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a drive-shave razor 1 provided with a body 2 having a handle 4. The body 2 has a blade mounting area 6 in which a blade 8 is mounted and has a cutting edge 10.

The blade 8 may of the kind depicted in Figure 2 or Figure 3, the former being flat with the latter being essentially T-shaped, and in both cases a number, three in the specific example, of ultrasonic transducers 11 is provided on a face of the blade as shown, the arrow 'A' showing connection to a power supply (not shown). The power supply is located in the handle 4 and may be in the form of one or more batteries. It is to be understood, however, that the razor of the invention may also be mains operated.

Figure 4 shows by means of double-headed arrow 'B' the intended oscillatory movement of the blade 8 upon actuation of the power supply, namely in a forward and backward direction in unison with the direction of travel of the blade.

4 Thus in operation, when shaving is desired, the power supply is activated and accordingly the transducers 11 cause the blade to oscillate in the manner shown in Figure 4 and upon contact with the skin and appropriate shaving movement, the hair bristles, for example a man's beard, are removed by the oscillating blade 8. It has been found that the oscillations effect a smooth cutting action and thus give a closer shave than with conventional dry-shave razors.

As with conventional dry-shave razors, it is customary although by no 10 means essential to use a lubricant since the action caused by dry cutting can cause abrasion of the skin with concomitant soreness.

The invention also provides a lubricant delivery device and reference is now made to Figures 1 and 5 in this respect.

The lubricant device 30 is shown and has an ultrasonic spray head 32 having a supply tube 34 attached thereto leading from a reservoir 36, the power supply for the device 30 being common with that for the razor per se. As will be noted, the head 32 is so orientated as to deliver in use a spray 33 to the region immediately in advance of the cutting edge 10 of the blade 8 the direction of travel of which is shown by arrow 'C'. The spray head 32 is essentially a nebuliser which atomises the lubricant to contact the skin to assist in making the shaving process smoother, more comfortable and more efficient.

The present invention thus provides an improved and yet simpler dryshave razor than those currently available and one which combines the conventional-looking wet-shave razor with ultrasonic oscillator technology to provide an effective and more efficacious dry-shave razor.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A dry-shave razor includes a body providing a handle, and at least one blade mounted on the body and oscillatable in the direction of travel of the razor, and activating means for effecting oscillation.

2. A razor according to Claim 1 in which the oscillation of the blade is effected ultrasonically.

3. A razor according to Claim 2 in which ultrasonic transducers are provided on the blade.

4. A razor according to Claim 2 in which the transducers are separate from the blade with a transmission means for transmitting the oscillations to the blade.

5. A razor according to any one of the preceding claims in which more than one blade is provided with associated activating means.

6. A razor according to any one of the preceding claims in which the or each blade has its cutting edge open.

7. A razor according to any one of the preceding claims in which there is provided a means of delivering a lubricant to the area of cut of the dry-shave razor.

8. A razor according to any one of the preceding claims in which the razor is provided with a handle.

9. A razor according to Claim 8 as dependent upon Claim 7 in which the means of delivering a lubricant is located in or on the handle.

6

10. A razor according to Claim 7 and any claim dependent thereon in which the means for delivering a lubricant is a nebuliser.

11. A dry-shave razor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.