WO2012117394A1

WO2012117394A1 - Powered safety razor

Info

Publication number: WO2012117394A1
Application number: PCT/IL2012/000094
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dov Yelin
Original assignee: Gadoo Ltd.; Goldyel Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-03-02
Filing date: 2012-02-29
Publication date: 2012-09-07
Also published as: IL211521A0; WO2012117394A9

Abstract

The invention relates to motorized razor provided with at least one sharp blade driven at high frequency and low amplitude in a plane parallel to the skin and in contact therewith. The razor comprising a hollow handle having a closed extremity and an open extremity; a battery, an electric motor, and switching means for connecting/disconnecting the battery to the motor housed in the hollow handle; and, a guide-way unit having a central aperture. The unit being rigidly mounted proximate to the handle open extremity; and. a holder for the at least one sharp blade. The holder being slideably retained to allow its movement laterally in the guideway; and a drive-rod member held by the motor at a first extremity and projecting through the central aperture, and having a second extremity eccentric to the axis of the electric motor.

Description

POWERED SAFETY RAZOR

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to razors for wet shaving. More particularly, the invention provides a safety razor provided with one or more blades which are oscillated by an electric drive, part of which is concealed in the razor hollow handle. Historically shaving of facial hair has been carried out by the use of a knife-like razor sufficiently sharp to function when the area to be shaved is covered with shaving soap, Due to the obvious dangers in the use of this utensil the safety razor was developed, wherein a disposable double-edged blade is removably held in a T-like holder greatly limiting the blade exposure to no more than necessary to carry out its function. The holder is configured to allow fast and convenient exchange of a used blade.

The present invention is not concerned with electric shaving machines which are used for dry shaving, and have at least 8, and often many more cutting edges. These machines are driven usually by an electric motor and sometimes by a hand-charged spring motor. The shaving machine has no disposable components.

Referring now again to the wet-shaving razor, it has been found that moving the blade(s) of a wet-shaving safety razor at a high frequency and short amplitude improves shaving, typically for the purpose of removing facial hair. Passage of the blade(s) over the skin is smoother and the risk of skin irritation or damaging the skin during shaving is reduced.

With regard to the replacement of blade(s) that has/have become blunted in use, provision is made for easy replacement of the shaving head, which is considered safer and more convenient than replacing only the blade(s) as was more common with the T-like holder.

Many designs of electrically-driven safety razors are disclosed in recent US patents, and the following review thereof provides a fair picture of the present state of the art. Reference is now made to the following documents:

Plevyak et al. in US 5,131,147 describe an unusual reciprocal cam-operated razor electrically driven through cams having an odd number of cam faces. Although termed a razor, the multiple cutter slots qualify the device as a shaving machine. A self-powered razor head seen in US 6,125,542 to Somma relies on rollers in contact with the skin of the user to power a reciprocating blade. This design requires uncomfortable pressure on the skin in order to drive the mechanism.

In US 7,367,126, US 7,703,209, US 2007/0050982 and US 2008/0172880 Freund et al disclose a powered wet-shaving razor where the defining feature of the device is an electronic arrangement for stabilizing the supply voltage of the battery-driven device. US 7,415,767 and US 7,596,866 to Saker et ai. disclose a safety razor provided with a motor-driven vibration mechanism arranged to start operation on immersion of the blade unit into water.

Fandrey et al. disclose a vibrating razor in US 7,500,313. This device is primarily concerned with an ejection mechanism for a used razor head.

Szczepanowski et al. in US 7,681,320 describe a razor wherein part of an electric circuit is in the handle, a part is in the shaving head and they are joined by an electromechanical connector.

A razor equipped with several rotating cutter heads is disclosed in US 7,721,451 by Psimadas et al. Although termed a razor, the multiple cutter slots and revolving cutters qualify the device as a shaving machine.

Seen in US 7,797,834 to Steunenberg et al. is a shaving device carrying an actively driven cutting member. An actuator effects a periodical motion of the cutting member relative to the shaving head.

A powered safety razor is seen in US2009/0056142, disclosed by applicants Royle et al. The device has two cutting edges. The device is complex and it is probably not manufacturable at a price comparable to other wet shaving devices.

When considering a cutting action such as takes place in many food preparation and eating actions, it is noted that such action has two main components: a. The cutting edge of a knife is pressed against the item being cut. b. The cutting edge is drawn forward and backwards across the item being cut, while applying pressure on the blade.

Any other direction of movement, for example blade movement in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the blade is detrimental to efficient cutting. With regard to type a. movement in the present application, this is provided by the user moving the razor blade along the skin surface. With regard to type b. movement, this is absent in a non-motorized razor but is provided in the electrical motorized razor.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to obviate the disadvantages of prior art razors and to provide a motorized razor which oscillates in the direction of the sharp edge of the blade.

A further object of the design is to provide an electric razor of simple design which can be manufactured at a price attractive to potential users thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention achieves the above objects by providing a powered razor provided with at least one sharp blade driven at high frequency and low amplitude in a plane parallel to the skin and in contact therewith, said razor comprising

a) a hollow handle having a closed extremity and an open extremity;

b) abattery, an electric motor, and switching means for connecting disconnecting said battery to said motor housed in said hollow handle;

c) a guide-way unit having a central aperture, said unit being rigidly mounted proximate to said handle open extremity;

d) a holder for said at least one sharp blade, said holder being slideably retained to allow its movement laterally in said guide-way; and

e) a drive-rod member held by said motor at a first extremity and projecting through said central aperture, and having a second extremity eccentric to the axis of said electric motor, said second extremity being in contact with said holder, and when revolved by said motor oscillating said holder in a straight path in a direction parallel to the edge of said at least one sharp blade along said guide-way when said switching means connects said battery to said motor.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred erabodiment of the present invention there is provided a cutting tool In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a motorized razor wherein said guide- way unit may be removed by the user from said hollow handle to allow removal and disposal of a used holder and its replacement by a new holder carrying said at least one sharp blade. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a motorized razor wherein said drive-rod member is bent sideways about 0.1 to 5 degrees.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a motorized razor wherein a spherical body is disposed at and rigidly attached to said second extremity of said drive-rod member, said spherical body being in contact with the sides of a vertical slot in said holder.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a motorized razor wherein said hollow handle is conductive and serves as a part of the electric circuit interconnecting said battery, said motor and said switching means.

In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a motorized razor wherein said closed extremity of said hollow handle is closed by means of a detachable cap to allow convenient replacement of said battery.

In a further preferred embodiment powered razor provided with at least one sharp blade driven at high frequency and low amplitude in a plane parallel to the skin when in use and in contact therewith, said razor comprising.

a) a hollow handle housing

b) a battery cell;

c) two opposed electromagnets, rigidly mounted on an extension base of said hollow handle; d) a lever extending through a space between said opposed electromagnets wherein at least a portion of said lever adjacent to and between said opposed electromagnets is made at least partly of iron or magnet, said lever extending to contact and oscillate a holder supporting said at least one sharp blade;

e) an alternating device mounted in said hollow handle connected to receive DC power from said battery cell and connected to power said electromagnets alternately at high frequency; f) a guide-way unit rigidly attached to an extension of said hollow handle and slidingly supporting said holder supporting said at least one sharp blade, and

g) a user-operateable switching means for connecting/disconnecting said battery to said alternator.

In another preferred embodiment the powered razor is provided with a hollow handle which can be opened and re-closed by the user to exchange said battery cell contained therein. In a further preferred embodiment a motorized razor provided with at least one sharp blade is driven at high frequency and low amplitude in a plane parallel to the skin and in contact therewith when in use, said razor comprising

a) a hollow handle having a closed extremity and an open extremity;

b) a battery, an electric motor, and switching means for connecting/disconnecting said battery to said motor housed in said hollow handle;

c) a guide- way unit being rigidly mounted to an extension of said hollow handle;

d) a holder for said at least one sharp blade, said holder being slideably retained in said guide- way to allow lateral movement of said guide- way;

e) a first and a second spaced apart parallel axis eccenter units revolvably supported by said guide-way unit, said first eccenter unit forming a first part of a 90 degree geared drive, said eccenter units being connected to oscillate said holder along said guide-way;

f) a drive-rod member held by said motor at a first extremity and at a second extremity forming a second part of said 90 degree geared drive, whereby revolution of the motor shaft causes revolution of said first eccenter unit.

In yet a further embodiment of the motorized razor said 90 degree drive comprises a pair of bevel gears.

In another embodiment of the motorized razor said 90 degree drive comprises a worm and worm wheel.

In yet another embodiment of the invention of the motorized razor said second eccenter unit is driven by said first eccenter unit by means of a belt drive.

In a further embodiment of the motorized razor, each eccenter unit carries a rigidly-attached gearwheel, and said second eccenter unit is driven by said first eccenter unit by means of an intermediate revolvably-supported gear which is meshed with both gears attached to said eccenter units.

it will thus be realized that, as has been confirmed during testing of prototypes, the razor device of the present invention gives a smoother shave and does this while eliminating skin injury or irritation. As will be seen in the diagrams, the moving blade holder is restricted by guide ways from moving in any direction except the back and forth cutting direction. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent by example preferred embodiments of fhe invention. Structural details are shown only as far as necessary for a fundamental understanding thereof. The described examples, together with the drawings, will make apparent to those skilled in the art how further forms of the invention may be realized.

In some of the drawings the amplitude of the components causing oscillation of the blade holder is shown much larger than the amplitude of the actual components. This exaggeration is intended to more clearly depict the method of operation. In the actual components the amplitude is typically less than 1 mm.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the razor according to the invention;

FIG. 2a is a fragmented, partly sectioned view of a blade holder as assembled, showing the guide ways;

FIG. 2b is the same after separation of the holder from the hollow handle;

FIG. 3 is a view of a fragmented detail end view showing the holder in its guide- way;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the electric components;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an embodiment arranged for easy battery exchange;

FIG. 6 is a non- detailed sectioned elevational view of a most preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partly sectioned elevational view of an embodiment driven by a pair of electromagnets;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment provided with an openable hollow handle;

FIG 9a is an exploded view of an embodiment carrying a pair of eccenters;

FIGs 9b and 9c are sectioned details of drive mechanism for the blade holder, and

FIG 10 is an elevational detail showing another blade holder drive.

FULL DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

There is seen in FIG. 1 a motorized razor 10 provided with three sharp blades 12 embedded in a blade holder 14. When power is connected to the electric motor 16 the blades 12 are driven at high frequency and low amplitude in a plane parallel to the skin and in contact therewith. As is known in the prior art, a holder 14 may carry a plurality of blades facing opposed directions. A hollow handle 18 having a closed extremity 20 and an open extremity 22 serves to house a battery 24, the electric motor 16, and switching means 26 for connecting disconnecting the battery 24 to the motor 16. A guide-way unit 28 has a central aperture 30, and is rigidly mounted proximate to the open extremity 22 of the hollow handle 18.

The holder 14 for the sharp blades is slideably retained to allow its movement laterally in the guide-way 28; that is along a line parallel to the skin of the user.

A drive-rod member 30 is held by the motor 16 at a first extremity 32. The drive rod member 30 projects through a central aperture 34, seen in FIG. 3. A second extremity 36 of the drive rod member 30 is eccentric to the axis of the motor 16, and is in contact with the holder 14. The motor 16 is powered when switching means 26 connects the battery 24 to the motor 16. The drive rod 30 revolves and oscillates the holder 14 in a straight path along the guide- way 28, in a direction parallel to the edge of the sharp blade 12.

With reference to the rest of the figures, similar reference numerals have been used to identify similar parts.

Referring now to FIGs. 2a and 2b, there is seen a detail of a motorized razor 40 wherein the guide- way unit 42 may be removed by the user from the hollow handle 18. The guide- way unit 42 allows easy removal and disposal of a used holder 14 and its replacement by a new holder 14 carrying (a) new blade(s) 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detail of a motorized razor 43 wherein the drive-rod member 44 is bent sideways about 0.1 to 5 degrees. The drive rod member 44 can suitably be made of a stainless steel rod, about 1 to 3 mm diameter, and projects through the central aperture 34. .

A spherical body 46 is disposed at and rigidly attached to the second extremity 48 of the drive- rod member 44. The spherical body 46 is in contact with the sides of a vertical slot 50 in the holder 14.

The holder 14 can be conveniently slid out of the guide-way 28 after swinging aside an end stop 49.

Seen in FIG. 4 is a part of a motorized razor 54 wherein the hollow handle 56 is conductive and serves as a part of the electric circuit interconnecting the battery 58, the motor 60 and the switching means 62. The hollow handle 56 can be made of a metal, a metal-plated plastic or an electrically conducting plastic.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is depicted a part of a motorized razor 63 wherein the closed extremity 64 of the hollow handle 66 is closed by means of a detachable cap 68. The electrically-conducting cap 68 is seen retained to the hollow handle by a detent 70, Removal of the cap 68 allows convenient replacement of the battery 72 A spring 74 urges a contact 76 of the battery 72 to electrically connect to a motor contact 78, while the switching means 80 electrically connect/disconnect the hollow handle 66 to a second motor terminal 82.

FIG. 6 is a general non-detailed view of the complete razor 84.

FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the powered razor 86, but instead of being driven by a motor the present embodiment is driven by two opposed electromagnets 88, 90, rigidly mounted on an extension base 92 of the hollow handle 18. The electromagnets 88, 90 are driven by an alternating device 94 mounted in the hollow handle 18 and connected to receive DC power from the battery cell 24. The alternator 94 powers the electromagnets 88, 90 alternately at high frequency and thus drives the blade holder 96 via a lever 98, which is provided with a soft iron sleeve 100 at a location in line with the electromagnets 88, 90. The lever 98 extends through a space between the opposed electromagnets 88, 90 to contact and oscillate the blade holder 96.

A guide-way unit 28 is rigidly attached to the extension base 92 of the hollow handle 18 and slidingly supports the blade holder 96.

A user-operateable switch 26 is provided for connecting/disconnecting the battery 24 to/from the alternator 94.

Seen in FIG. 8 is a hollow handle 102 for the razor which can be opened and re-closed by the user to exchange the battery cell 24 contained therein.

Turning now to FIG. 9a there is seen a motorized razor embodiment 104 similar to the razor 10 previously described with reference to FIG.l.

A first and a second spaced-apart parallel axis eccenter units 106, 108 are revolvably connected to the blade holder and supported by the unit 28, the first eccenter unit 106 forming a first part of a 90 degree geared drive, seen in FIGS. 9b, 9c.

The two eccenter units 106, 108 are connected to oscillate the blade holder 110 relative to unit 28, in a circular like manner.

A drive-rod member 1 12 is held by the motor 16 at a first extremity 32. At a second extremity 1 14 the drive rod member 1 12 forms a second part 1 16 of the 90 degree geared drive. Thereby a revolution of the motor shaft 24b causes revolution of the first eccenter unit 106, which in turn oscillates the blade holder 110. The 90 degree drive 107, 116 will be seen more clearly in the following figure. FIG. 9b shows the 90 degree geared drive 107, 116 comprising a pair of bevel gears for high speed oscillation of the blade holder 1 10. The figure also shows how the vertical component of the eccenter movement is neutralized by means of the vertical slot 118 in the blade holder 110. The eccenter head and bevel gear 107 are revolvably supported by the shaft 109, and these components revolve but do not oscillate. An eccentric portion 11 1 of the shaft is in contact with both edges of the slot 118 and thus when the shaft 109 revolves the blade holder 110 is moving in a circular like manner by the eccentric portion 11 1.

The worm 120 and wormwheel 122 seen in FIG. 9c form a 90 degree worm gear drive where a high-speed motor 24, seen in FIG. 1 is used but a lower speed is desired. As in the previous figure, the eccentric portion 1 11 of the shaft is in contact with both edges of the slot 118 and thus when the shaft 109 revolves the blade holder 110 is moving in a circular like manner by the eccentric portion 1 11.

With reference to FIG. 9d there is seen the upper portion of a razor embodiment 124 wherein the second eccenter unit 126 is driven by the first eccenter unit 128 by means of a belt drive 130. Thus both eccenters 126 and 128 participate in the blade holder 131.

In FIG. 10 a further embodiment 132 shows how the second eccenter unit 134 is driven by the first eccenter unit 136 by means of a revolvably-supported intermediate gear 138. The gear 138 is meshed with matching gears attached to the eccenter units 134, 136. The intermediate gear 138 is a reliable means of ensuring that the two eccenters turn in the same direction and maintain synchronization to horizontally drive the blade holder 110 seen in the previous figure. It should be noted that the above eccenters form a combination of a circular and a forward and backward movement.

The scope of the described invention is intended to include the embodiments coming within the meaning of the following claims. The foregoing examples illustrate useful forms of the invention, but are not to be considered as limiting its scope, as those skilled in the art will be aware that additional variants and modifications of the invention can readily be formulated, such as using a crank-shaft or other means for moving the blades reciprocally, relative to the hair to be cut without departing from the meaning of the following claims.

Claims

1. A motorized razor provided with at least one sharp blade driven at high frequency and low amplitude in a plane parallel to the skin and in contact therewith, said razor comprising a) a hollow handle having a closed extremity and an open extremity;

c) a guide- way unit having a central aperture, said unit being rigidly mounted proximate to said handle open extremity;

d) a holder for said at least one sharp blade, said holder being slideably retained to allow its movement laterally in said guide- way; and

2. The motorized razor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said guide-way unit may be removed by the user from said hollow handle to allow removal and disposal of a used holder and its replacement by a new holder carrying said at least one sharp blade, .

3. The motorized razor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said drive-rod member is bent sideways about 2 to 4 degrees.

4. The motorized razor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hollow handle is conductive and serves as a part of the electric circuit interconnecting said battery, said motor and said switching means.

5. The motorized razor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said closed extremity of said hollow handle is closed by means of a detachable cap to allow convenient replacement of said battery.

6. The motorized razor as claimed in claim 1 wherein a spherical body is disposed at and rigidly attached to said second extremity of said drive-rod member, said spherical body being in contact with the sides of a vertical slot in said holder.

7. A powered razor provided with at least one sharp blade driven at high frequency and low amplitude in a plane parallel to the skin when in use and in contact therewith, said razor comprising

a) a hollow handle housing

b) a battery cell;

c) two opposed electromagnets, rigidly mounted on an extension base of said hollow handle; d) a lever extending through a space between said opposed electromagnets wherein at least a portion of said lever adjacent to and between said opposed electromagnets is made at least partly of iron, said lever extending to contact and oscillate a holder supporting said at least one sharp blade;

8. The powered razor as claimed in claim 7, wherein said hollow handle can be opened and re- closed by the user to exchange said battery cell contained therein.

9. A motorized razor provided with at least one sharp blade driven at high frequency and low amplitude in a plane parallel to the skin and in contact therewith when in use, said razor comprising

a) a hollow handle having a closed extremity and an open extremity;

c) a guide-way unit being rigidly mounted to an extension of said hollow handle; d) a holder for said at least one sharp blade, said holder being slideably retained in said guide- way to allow lateral movement of said guide-way;

e) a drive-rod member held by said motor at a first extremity and at a second extremity forming a second part of said 90 degree geared drive, whereby revolution of the motor shaft causes revolution of said first eccenter unit,

10. A motorized razor as claimed in claim 9, wherein said 90 degree drive comprises a pair of bevel gears.

1 1. A motorized razor as claimed in claim 9, wherein said 90 degree drive comprises a worm and worm wheel.

12. A motorized razor as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second eccenter unit is driven by said first eccenter unit by means of a belt drive.

13. A motorized razor as claimed in claim 9, wherein each eccenter unit carries a rigidly- attached gearwheel, and said second eccenter unit is driven by said first eccenter unit by means of an intermediate revolvably-supported gear which is meshed with both gears attached to said eccenter units.