GB2450532A

GB2450532A - Reciprocating wet shave razor

Info

Publication number: GB2450532A
Application number: GB0712623A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gregory John Mcdougall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-29
Filing date: 2007-06-29
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Also published as: GB0712623D0

Abstract

A housing (1) includes a handle portion by which the razor is grasped, with a cavity (2) formed in the housing (1). A blade carrier cartridge (11) is fixed to the distal end of en elongate reciprocating member (10), the proximal end of which is received in the housing (1). Cooperating linear guide means on the reciprocating member (10) and housing (1) permit linear movement of the reciprocating member (10). Drive means (5) mounted in the cavity (2) reciprocates the reciprocating member (10) linearly. The reciprocation has an amplitude of 0.5 to 2 mm in the shaving plane generally perpendicular to the edges of the blades. Pulsed light emitters (26, 27) on the razor treat the skin during shaving to reduce or eliminate the need to apply post-shaving products.

Description

Reciprocating wt shave rznr Thchnicil fiId The present invention

relates to an electric razor, specifically a reciprocating electric razor designed for wet shaving.

Rackground of thA lnvntion The use of water and soap lather in wet shaving helps to soften the hairs and provides lubrication so that the razor blade can smoothly cut the hairs very close to * S S. the skin. There have been many attempts to provide a wet shave razor in which the **S.

blade (or blades) are vibrated at small amplitude, typically of the order of microns, in **i * 10 an attempt to reduce friction and further improve the quality of the shave. For S..

instance, the blade may be mounted resiliently and vibrated by rotating an unbalanced weight to produce an orbital movement of the blades. Alternatively the S. blade may be reciprocated in guides extending parallel to the linear cutting edge of the blade. EP266080 describes another design where the blades are mounted on the end of a reciprocating member connected by a pivot to the handle of the razor, the reciprocating member being driven to reciprocate about the pivot. A drawback of these designs is that they are relatively costly to produce.

Once the hair is cut, a user may apply any number of post-shaving products to the skin to soothe the skin, and reduce skin irritation. This further step of applying such a product increases the cost of a shave, as well as the time required for shaving. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages or more generally to provide an improved reciprocating wet shave razor.

Disclnsijrp nf th Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a razor for wet shaving comprising: a housing including a handle portion by which the razor is grasped; a cavity in the housing; a reciprocating member; mounting means on a distal end of the reciprocating member for demountably fastening at least one razor blade thereto, the blade having a substantially linear cutting edge; **.

guide means supporting the reciprocating member for linear reciprocating movement relative to the housing along an axis substantially perpendicular to the cutting edge, and drive means mounted in the cavity and connected to a proximal end of the reciprocating member for linear reciprocation of the reciprocating member.

Preferably the guide means comprise an aperture formed in the housing for receiving the reciprocating member, complementary surfaces on the reciprocating member and aperture being mutually engaged to permit linear movement of the reciprocating member relative to the aperture along the axis but prevent rotation about the axis.

In one embodiment the drive means comprises a rotary electric motor, a rotary member drivingly connected to the motor for rotation thereof and an eccentric on the rotary member, the reciprocating member including a slot in which the eccentric is received. The motor preferably has a driveshaft parallel to the linear axis, a pinion is fixed to the driveshaft, and the rotary member includes a crown gear drivingly engaged with the pinion.

Preferably the mounting means further includes a blade carrier holding the at least one razor blade and releasable fastening means for fastening the blade carrier to the reciprocating member.

In another aspect there is provided a shaver substantially as described above *.

wherein the blade carrier has skin-engaging surfaces disposed on both sides of the ***** blade so as to engage a shaving surface before and after engagement by the blade, a shaving plane extending tangent to the skin-engaging surfaces, the blade including * substantially parallel cutting edges formed on opposing edges of a blade portion aligned substantially parallel to the shaving plane, such that each cutting edge cuts IS.

* when the reciprocating member is moved in a respective one of two opposing directions. Preferably the blade further includes a flange projecting inwardly of the blade portion to engage the blade holder for fastening the blade. The flange preferably is substantially planar and coextensive with the blade portion in the direction of the cutting edges and extends substantially orthogonally to the blade portion. In one embodiment two blades substantially as described above are mounted in the blade carrier such that adjacent cutting edges on each of the blades are spaced apart with an aperture therebetween and the adjacent blade edges lie in a plane substantially parallel to the shaving plane. In another embodiment the blade holder defines a plurality of shaving planes angularly spaced about a pivot axis with each blade portion aligned tangentially relative to the pivot axis.

Alternatively the blade carrier may hold at least two opposing blades, the blades opposing one another with cutting edges of the blades extending parallel and substantially perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation, such that each blade cuts when the reciprocating member is moved in a respective one of two opposing directions. Optionally first and second separate blade carriers may be demountably fastened to the reciprocating member in a manner that a blade on the first blade carrier is opposing a blade on the second blade carrier, with cutting edges of the :, blades extending parallel and substantially perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation, *S.

such that each blade cuts when the reciprocating member is moved in a respective one of two opposing directions.

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* In another embodiment the drive means includes a linear electromagnetic actuator and a control circuit is disposed in the cavity for controlling current supplied to the * I,.

* actuator. The actuator preferably includes a coil fixed in the cavity, the coil having a recess with a central actuator axis, a ferromagnetic member having a cylindrical outer face received in the recess and fixed to the reciprocating member, wherein the ferromagnetic member is driven in opposing directions, an axially-aligned proximal portion of the reciprocating member extending through an aperture in the housing, the aperture and having a shape complementary to the shape of the portion of the reciprocating member received therein to prevent relative rotation between the reciprocating member and housing about the actuator axis. Preferably the handle portion is elongate and has a handle portion axis, extending askew to the actuator axis. Preferably the reciprocating member includes an elongate distal portion extending acutely from the proximal portion.

The razor blade is preferably mounted in a cartridge having skin-engaging surfaces disposed on both sides of the blade so as to engage a shaving surface before and after engagement by the blade, a shaving plane extending tangent to the skin-engaging surfaces, the reciprocating member being reciprocated in the shaving plane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the edge of the blade. The reciprocating member is preferably reciprocated at an amplitude of 0.5 tá 2mm and at a frequency of 5 to 50 Hz.

In another aspect there is provided a razor comprising: *.

a housing including a handle portion by which the razor is grasped; **.. S a cavity in the housing;

S *..

* a reciprocating member; S. guide means for supporting the reciprocating member for reciprocating movement relative to the housing; mounting means on a distal end of the reciprocating member for demountably fastening at least one razor blade thereto; drive means mounted in the cavity and connected to a proximal end of the reciprocating member for linear reciprocation of the reciprocating member along an axis; at least one light emitter mounted to the housing and adapted to emit light towards a region to be treated adjacent a surface contacting the blades, and a drive circuit electrically connected to each light emitter for pulsewise operation thereof.

Preferably each emitter is a light emitting diode (LED), while wavelengths of the LEDs may vary to provide a broad spectrum from UV-to-Visible-to-lR, most preferably visible wavelengths are used. Preferably the apparatus includes at least one monochromatic LED. Preferably two monochromatic LEDs are employed to expand the spectral output, preferably comprising a blue LED and a red LED.

Optionally a single multi-colour LED may be used. The operation of each LED is preferably controlled by the circuit for coordinated pulsing and intensity balancing.

Each LED is preferably mounted in the cavity, being received in and projecting from a respective aperture in the housing.

This invention provides a wet shave razor which is effective and efficient in S..

* operational use, and which has a simple design which minimizes manufacturing costs and maximizes performance. In particular, the linear reciprocating movement * : of the blade generally perpendicular to its cutting edge has been found to provide a substantially higher quality shave than has been achieved with other vibrating shave technologies. It is believed this may be due to the clean shearing action achieved with each pass of the blade, particularly compared to razors where the blade reciprocates with movement having at least a component parallel to the cutting edge.

Where the blade movement is substantially parallel to the cutting edge a "sawing" action is provided which may tend to fray the hair, providing sharper expressed tips on the hair. Moreover, the treatment provided by the pulsed light device reduces or eliminates the need to apply post-shaving products to the skin without extending the time required to shave.

BriM Dsription of th Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-section of a first embodiment of the razor according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded pictorial view of the solenoid assembly of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a section along line AA in Fig. 1; * * *** Figure 4 is a plan view of the head of the razor of Fig. 1; ***.

r*. Figure 5 is a pictorial view of the reciprocating member and attached actuator of the razor of Fig. 1; p ** * * Figure 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a second embodiment of the

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razor; Figure 7 is a pictorial view of the drive mechanism of the razor of Fig. 6; Figure 8 is a transverse cross section through the cartridge of the razor of Fig. 6; Figure 9 is a schematic transverse cross section through a first alternative cartridge; Figure 10 is a pictorial view of the blade of Fig. 9; Figure 11 is a schematic transverse cross section through a second alternative cartridge, and Figure 12 is a schematic transverse cross section through a third alternative cartridge.

Deseriptinn of th Preferred Fmbndimnts Referring to Figs 1 to 5 of the drawing, a first embodiment of the razor of the invention includes an elongate housing 1 which forms a handle having an axis 14.

The housing 1 is formed from elongate shells la, lb connected to form a cavity 2.

Mounted within the cavity 2 are a battery 3, a printed circuit board 4 and a linear electromagnetic actuator 5. A switch 6 prjects through the wall of the housing 1 and includes a flexible switch cover 7 by which it is operated.

The actuator 5 includes an electromagnet coil 8 fixed in the cavity 2. The coil 8 is formed about a polymer tube 18 at the opposing ends of which are transversely aligned mounting flanges 19. Each flange 19 includes integrally formed legs 25 by which the coil 8 is connected to a base plate 20 by a snap action. A stem 9 of ferromagnetic material is telescopically received in the coil 8. Preferably the actuator 5 is of the push or pull type with a return spring (not shown) engaging and moving the stem 9 in a direction opposing that impelled by the coil 8. The coil 8 and stem 9 have an axis 13 extending acutely to the handle axis 14. The coil 8 and stem 9 have a cylindrical wall 8a and an outer face 9a respectively which are complementary and coaxial. The stem 9 has a circular flange 21 formed on its outer end and received in a complementary recess 22 in the proximal end of the reciprocating member 10 to form rigid connection.

Resilient clips 12 formed integrally with the reciprocating member 10 at the distal end thereof provide means for demountably mounting a standard commercially available razor blade cartridge 11 in which the blade edges are oriented transversely to the axes 13, 14. Parallel spigots 40 oh each of the clips 12 are received in aligned apertures 15 in the cartridge 11 so as to define a transverse pivot axis 17 about which the cartridge may be pivoted. Extending centrally between the clips 12, the reciprocating member 10 further includes an integrally formed spring arm 16, the tip 70 of which bears against the cartridge 11 at a position offset outwardly of the pivot axis 17 providing resilience to the pivoting action of the cartridge 11, providing guide means supporting the reciprocating member 10 for linear reciprocating movement relative to the housing.

As best seen in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5, the proximal portion of the reciprocating member * *.

10 is axially-aligned with the stem 9 and extends through an aperture 23 in the S...

housing 2. The aperture 23 has a pair of grooves 71 in its cylindrical face. Formed on the reciprocating member 10 are ribs 72 elongated in the axial direction and complementary to the grooves 71 to prevent relative rotation between the reciprocating member 10 and housing 1 about the actuator axis 13.

The printed circuit board 4 includes a control circuit (not shown) actuated by the switch 6 which controls current supplied to the actuator for reciprocation thereof.

The reciprocating member 10 is preferably reciprocated at amplitude of 0.5 to 2mm and at a frequency of 1 to 10 Hz.

At the end of the housing 1 adjacent the reciprocating member 10 are a red LED 26 and a blue LED 27 mounted in the cavity, and projecting from a respective aperture in the housing 1 to emit light towards a region to be treated adjacent a surface contacting the blades. The LEDs 26, 27 are actuated by the switch 6 and connected to a drive circuit (not shown) on the printed circuit board 4 which provides current pulses for producing a pulsed light output. It has been found that the LEDs provide a treatment that soothes the skin and which also has an antibacterial action.

Satisfactory results have been achieved with LEDs having an optical output of between 0.1 to 1.5 milliwatts, with a pulse width of between 2 and 15 milliseconds and 5 to 60 milliseconds between pulses and with the LEDs pulsing alterhately.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention having, like the first embodiment, an elongate housing 1 from which extends an elongate reciprocating member 10 terminating in a razor blade cartridge 11. The reciprocating member 10 and attached cartridge 11 are also driven to reciprocate linearly in this embodiment, :. however, the linear electromagnetic actuator is replaced by alternative drive means * **.

10 in the form of a drive mechanism 140, driven by a rotary actuator or electric motor ***. 41. Si

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I II.

* The shaft 42 of the motor 41 is aligned longitudinally with.a pinion 43 fixed thereto in

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mesh with a crown gear 44 supported to rotate about a transverse axis 47. An eccentric shaft 45 is formed on the crown gear 44 offset from the axis 47 and has a cylindrical outer surface.

The reciprocating member 10 includes a portion lOa of constant cross-sectional dimension which is supported for longitudinal sliding movement parallel to the axis 13. The reciprocating member portion lOa slides in guides or apertures in the tip 49 of the housing 1 and in an internal web 48. Cooperating features such as a complementary longitudinally aligned rib and groove (of like construction to those shown in Fig. 3) formed on the reciprocating member 10 and web 48 prevent rotation of the reciprocating member 10 and attached cartridge 11. A boss 51 formed on the proximal end of the reciprocating member 10 has a transverse slot 50 in which the eccentric shaft 45 is received. In this manner, rotation of the motor 41 drives a linear reciprocating movement of the reciprocating member 10 and attached cartridge 11.

Referring to Fig. 8, the blade carrier or cartridge 11 holds two razor blades 75 opposing one another with cutting edges 76 extending parallel and substantially perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation 13, such that each blade cuts when the reciprocating member is moved in a respective one of two opposing directions. The blades 75 project into a through-extending channel 79 with the edges 76 being exposed beyond the coplanar outer faces 77 to which the blades are acutely inclined. S.. S...

Fig. 9 illustrates a first alternative blade carrier or cartridge 111 with opposing cutting edges 176 each cutting upon movement in a respective one of two opposing

S S..

* directions of movement. The blade holder 111 includes coplanar outer surfaces 82 defining the shaving plane 80 parallel to which the planar blade portion 81 extends.

The blade 90 has a T-shaped cross section including a flange 83 longitudinally coextensive with the blade portion 81, protruding orthogonal to a central part of the blade portion 81 and mounted in an elongate recess in the cartridge 111. Elongate channels 84a, 84b extend between the cutting edges 176a, 176b and the channel sides 85a, 85b respectively.

A second alternative cartridge 211 is illustrated in Fig. 11 and includes two blades 90 mounted such that adjacent cutting edges 176 on each of the blades are spaced apart with an aperture 86 therebetween. The adjacent blade edges 176 either side of the aperture 86, as well as the planar blade portions 81 lie in a plane substantially parallel to the shaving plane 80.

As illustrated in Fig. 12 a third alternative cartridge 311 is mounted to the reciprocating member by a pivot 87 having an axis 88 parallel to the cutting edges 176. Ten blades 90 are equidistant from the axis 88 with their blade portions aligned tangentially relative to the axis 88. A detent (not shown) is provided for fixing the cartridge 311 at any one of ten angular positions each defined by an aperture 86 between opposing edges 176. Surfaces 92, 93 either side of each aperture 86 (only two of which are shown) define each of ten shaving planes 180. The edges 176 either side of the aperture 86 lie in planes (not shown) parallel to the respective shaving plane 180. In use, once the edges 176 in one position become dull, the cartridge 311 is rotated to another angular position, providing new cutting edges **S.

without the need to remove the cartridge from the razor.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A razor for wet shaving comprising: a housing including a

handle portion by which the razor is grasped; a cavity in the housing; a reciprocating member; mounting means on a distal end of the reciprocating member for demountably fastening at least one razor blade thereto, the blade having a substantially linear cutting edge; S. * . * **.

* guide means supporting the reciprocating member for linear reciprocating * *, 10 movement relative to the housing along an axis substantially perpendicular to * . S * S the cutting edge, and drive means mounted in the cavity and connected to. a proximal end of the reciprocating member for linear reciprocation of the reciprocating member.
2. The razor of claim I wherein the guide means comprise an aperture formed in the housing for receiving the reciprocating member, complementary surfaces on the reciprocating member and aperture being mutually engaged to permit linear movement of the reciprocating member relative to the aperture along the axis but prevent rotation about the axis.
3. The razor of claim 2 wherein the drive means comprises a rotary electric motor, a rotary member drivingly connected to the motor for rotation thereof and an eccentric on the rotary member, the reciprocating member including a slot in which the eccentric is received.
4. The razor of claim 3 wherein the motor has a driveshaft parallel to the linear axis, a pinion is fixed to the driveshaft, and the rotary member includes a crown gear drivingly engaged with the pinion. S... * S *S.. S.

: 10
5. The razor of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the mounting means includes a S. blade carrier holding the at least one razor blade and releasable fastening S means for fastening the blade carrier to the reciprocating member. S..

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6. The razor of any one of claim 5 wherein the blade carrier has skin-engaging surfaces disposed on both sides of the blade so as to engage a shaving surface before and after engagement by the blade, a shaving plane extending tangent to the skin-engaging surfaces, the blade including substantially parallel cutting edges formed on opposing edges of a blade portion aligned substantially parallel to the shaving plane, such that each cutting edge cuts when the reciprocating member is moved in a respective one of two opposing directions.
7. The razor of any one of claim 6 wherein the blade further includes a flange projecting inwardly of the blade portion to engage the blade holder for fastening the blade.
8. The razor of any one of claim 7 wherein the flange is substantially planar and coextensive with the blade portion in the direction of the cutting edges and extends substantially orthogonally to the blade portion. * I * **. I... * I

*S*. -
9. The razor of any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein two blades are mounted in the S. blade carrier such that adjacent cutting edges on each of the blades are *SI spaced apart with an aperture therebetween and the adjacent blade edges lie * in a plane substantially parallel to the shaving plane. IS.

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10. The razor of any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the blade holder defines a plurality of shaving planes angularly spaced about a pivot axis with each blade portion aligned tangentially relative to the pivot-axis.
11. The razor of claim 5 wherein the blade carrier holds at least two blades opposing one another with cutting edges of the blades extending parallel and substantially perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation, such that each blade cuts when the reciprocating member is moved in a respective one of two opposing directions.
12. The razor of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the drive means includes a linear electromagnetic actuator and a control circuit is disposed in the cavity for controlling current supplied to the actuator.
13. The razor of claim 12 wherein the actuator includes a coil fixed in the cavity, the coil having a recess with a central actuator axis, a ferromagnetic member having a cylindrical outer face received in the recess and fixed to the reciprocating member, wherein the ferromagnetic member is driven in :..::: opposing directions, an axially-aligned proximal portion of the reciprocating member extending through an aperture in the housing, the aperture having a : shape complementary to the shape of the portion of the reciprocating S..

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member received therein to prevent reiative rotation between the S. ** reciprocating member and housing about the actuator axis.

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14. The razor of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the reciprocating member is reciprocated at an amplitude of 0.5 to 2mm and at a frequency of 1 to 10 Hz.
15. The razor of any one of claims 1 to 14 further including at least one light emitter mounted to the housing and adapted to emit light towards a region to be treated adjacent a surface contacting the blades, and a drive circuit electrically connected to each light emitter for pulsewise operation thereof.
16. The razor of claim 15 wherein each emitter is a light emitting diode (LED
17. The razor of claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the at least one emitter comprises at least one monochromatic LED.
18. The razor of claim 17 wherein the at least one emitter comprises two * **.

monochromatic LEDs. ** * * * ***

I I..

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19.Arazorcomprising: *** a housing including a handle portion by which the razor is grasped; a cavity in the housing; a reciprocating member; guide means for supporting the reciprocating member for reciprocating movement relative to the housing; mounting means on a distal end of the reciprocating member for demountably fastening at least one razor blade thereto; drive means mounted in the cavity and connected to a proximal end of the reciprocating member for linear reciprocation of the reciprocating member along an axis; at least one light emitter mounted to the housing and adapted to emit light towards a region to be treated adjacent a surface contacting the blades, and a drive circuit electrically connected to each light emitter for pulsewise operation thereof.
20. The razor of claim 19 wherein each emitter is a light emitting diode (LED *... * * *S*.

: *..
21. The razor of claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the at least one emitter comprises *** at least one monochromatic LED. ** **

S S * S

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22. The razor of claim 21 wherein the at least one emitter comprises two monochromatic LEDs.
23. The razor of claim 22 wherein the LEDs comprise a blue LED and a red LED.
24. The razor of any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein each LED is mounted in the cavity, being received in and projecting from a respective aperture in the housing.
25. A razor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. *. * * * *** * * ***s S. * **. *..

I S. I* * S *

S S..

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