AU2007231902B2 - Dispensing razor blade cartridges used with a handle - Google Patents

Description

S&F Ref: 473918D5

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address of Applicant Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: The Gillette Company, of Prudential Tower Building, Boston, Massachusetts, 02199, United States of America Stephen C. Metcalf John D. Petricca Robert A Trotta Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Dispensing razor blade cartridges used with a handle The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845c(1018625_1) O DISPENSING RAZOR BLADE CARTRIDGES USED WITH A HANDLE 1 The invention relates to dispensing razor blade cartridges from a dispenser onto a ohandle.

Z Razor blade cartridges are typically removed from a dispenser by connecting the

O

5 handle to the cartridge while the cartridge is still retained in the dispenser. The user then pivotally moves the handle with respect to the dispenser, using the leverage of the handle against a friction or interference fit of a projection that holds the cartridge body, and frees the cartridge from the dispenser. When the cartridge is of a type that has a pivotal 0 connection to the handle, the user must pivot the handle beyond the range of motion S io allowed by the pivotal connection before leverage is applied to the friction or interference Sfit.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a replaceable razor blade cartridge including a blade unit, and a cartridge connecting structure for connecting said blade unit to a handle, wherein said connection is effected by movement of said handle along a connection axis toward said cartridge connecting structure, and wherein said cartridge connecting structure includes a cutaway portion functioning as a keyway for receiving a mating key structure on said handle as said handle is moved along said connection axis to enhance proper orientation of said handle, said cartridge connecting structure having an entrance, said cutaway portion being disposed at said entrance, said entrance being oriented in a direction parallel to the connection axis, said entrance and said cutaway portion providing unobstructed passage for said mating key structure as the cartridge is connected to the handle.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a shaving razor including a handle having a handle connecting structure at an end of a hand engageable portion, and a replaceable razor blade cartridge as defined in the first aspect above.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of connecting a replaceable razor cartridge to a handle in a proper orientation, comprising the steps of aligning a key structure on a handle connecting structure of said handle on one side of a connection axis but not the other side with a cutaway portion functioning as a keyway on a cartridge connecting structure of said cartridge on one side of said connection axis but not the other side, moving said handle connecting structure toward said cartridge connecting structure along said connection axis, mating said key structure on said handle 949811 I connecting structure with said cutaway portion on said cartridge connecting structure, and CI connecting said handle connecting structure to said cartridge connecting structure.

o In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a shaving system combination Z comprising a cartridge as defined in the first aspect above having a blade unit and a 00 cartridge connecting structure that is pivotally connected to said blade unit, and a dispenser having a housing structure supporting said blade unit and a latch that engages Ssaid cartridge connecting structure without engaging said blade unit, said housing structure and said latch holding said cartridge in an immobile position ready to be .c unlatched and connected to a handle.

1^, 0", 949811 1 Embodi-rents of the invention may have one or more .of the z following advantages: Handles are easily connected to new cartridges, and the 00 cartridges are automatically unlatched from the dispenser during connection of the handle to the cartridge. *The use of blade unit regions and overlying angled regions provides for conserved space along the base of the dispenser and efficient placement C*N of cartridges for a given peg space requirement for the dispenser. The user is *prevented from connecting the handle to a cartridge in the wrong orientation owing to asymmetrical features of the handle; these features can include one or more of: asymmetrical connecting sections on the handle and cartridge, mating key/keyway features on the cartridge and handle connecting structures, and blocking structure on the handle an ejector button on one side or an offset transition portion) that will be blocked, by a rear angled divider when the handle is in the wrong orientation but will not be blocked when in the proper orientation.

Other advantages or features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof and from the claims.

Fig. I is a perspective view of a dispenser for razor blade cartridges.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a replaceable razor cartridge aligned with a handle (shown as a partial view) on which the cartridge is connected for use.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the Fig. 1 dispenser.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken at 4-4 of Fig. 3, of the Fig. I dispenser.

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the Fig. I dispenser.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view, taken at 6-6 of Fig. 4, of an angled divider and latch of the Fig. I dispenser.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a handle connecting structure at the upper end of the Fig. 2 handle.

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the Fig. 7 handle connecting structure.

Fig. 8A is a vertical sectional view, taken at 8A-8A of Fig. 8, of the end of the Fig. 7 handle connecting structure.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a cartridge connecting structure of the -4- Fig. 2 cartridge.

Fig. 10 is an illustration showing the position of a Fig. 2 cartridge Z stored between dividers in a section of the Fig. I dispenser.

00 Figs. 11-16 are illustrations showing the positions of the cartridge, dispenser components, and handle during connection of the handle to a cartridge in N the Fig. 1 dispenser and removal of the connected cartridge from the dispenser.

Referring to Figs. 1-4, there is shown cartridge dispenser 10 (Fig. 1) for storing razor blade cartridges 12 (Fig. which each have blade unit 14 that is pivotally connected to cartridge connecting structure 16. Dispenser 10 includes housing structure 18 that defines sections 20 for receiving cartridges 12 and latches 22 associated with sections 20 to retain each cartridge 12 in a respective section Sections 20 are defined by cartridge dividers 24 and side walls 26 of housing structure 18. Each cartridge divider 24 includes a perpendicular blade unit divider portion 36, at the bottom, and angled divider portion 42 above it.

Dispenser 10 is made of two molded parts 28, 30, that are joined together by ultrasonic welding at seam 32 (Fig. Bottom part 28 includes base 34, perpendicular blade unit divider portions 36, and contoured cartridge supports 38 spaced slightly in from side walls 26 (Figs. 3, Cartridge supports 38 are contoured to support and are aligned with clips 40 on cartridges 12 (Fig. 2) at the ends of blade unit 14 in order to avoid contact of the blades that are retained under clips 40 with the dispenser. Referring to Fig. 5, it is seen that base 34 has drainage openings 53 that are each associated with a section 20 for receiving a respective cartridge 12.

Referring to Figs. 3-4, upper part 30 includes angled dividers 42, which each include a lower portion 44 that extends between side walls 26 and two upper portions 46 that are not connected to side walls 26 in order to permit flexure of upper portions 46. Alternatively, upper portions 46 can be connected to side walls 26; having a space between upper portions 46 and side walls 26 is optional.

Upper portions 46 have tops 47. Between the two upper portions 46 of each angled divider portion 42 is a latch 22 that extends upward from lower portion 44. Front wall 48 similarly has lower portion 50 between side walls 26, two free standing upper portions 52, and latch 22 therebetween. Upper portions 46, 52 have spaces nearby the ends of latches 22 to receive the connecting structures of the cartridge and handle during connection and disconnection.z Referring to Fig. 6, axis 56b extending through the lower portion 44 0C) of angled divider portion 42 and the portion of latch 22 extending therefrom make a 350 angle ai with connection seam 32 and base 34 thereunder. The angle ai should be no less than 300; a value of about 350 provides a good balance between providing a sufficient number of cartridges in the lengthwise dimension of dispenser (relating to peg space on a point of purchase display rack) and avoiding undue thickness for dispenser 10. ILe., additional sections 20 for cartridges 12 could be provided by increasing the angle ai to a higher angle up to 9Q0, but the thickness of dispenser would be increased accordingly. A value of about 30' is believed to provide a lower boundary permitting access to cartridge 12 given angular orientation of blade unit l4-with respect to cartridge connecting structure 16. The free end of latch 22 curves slightly and terminates in latch cammriing structure 54. This structure includes a cam follower defined by end surface 56, and the junctions 58, of surface 56 with the adjacent surfaces. One adjacent surface is blocking surface 56a, which makes a 900 angle with longitudinal axis 56b through lower portion 44. Adjacent to blocking surface 56a is retaining surface 62, which contacts latching portion 82 of cartridge connecting structure 16 (Fig. 10), as discussed below.

Referring to Fig. 2, handle 63 includes elongated, straight hand gripping portion 65 and handle connecting structure 64 at the upper end of hand gripping portion 65. Generally flat extension 66 of structure 64 is designed to fit within mating recess 67 in cartridge connecting structure 16 (Fig. both of which have a trapezoidal shape. Handle connecting structure 64 is offset from hand gripping portion 65 and connected to it by transition portion 71. Handle connecting structure 64 includes spring biased plunger 61, for biasing pivotal blade unit 14 at a cam surface on cross bar 4 1, and button 68, used to extend a presser from a forward end of extension 66 (not shown in Fig. 2) to eject cartridge 12 from handle 63. The details of the structure and operation of cartridge 12 and handle connecting structure 64, the interaction of plunger 61 and the camn surface on cross bar 4 1, and the connection and disconnection of the cartridge 12 and handle 63 are described in -6- !c Pntcnt No. 5787586 entitled "Shaving Razor and Method" which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

00 Referring primarily to Figs. 7 and 8, handle connecting structure 64 of handle 63 includes handle camming structure 69 having cam surface 70 for acting against cam follower structure 54 (surface 56 and junctions 58, 60) of latch 22 (Fig. 6) as extension 66 is inserted into recess 67 (Fig. 9) of a cartridge 12 contained within dispenser 10 (Fig. II1). As shown in Fig. 8, surface 70 makes an t acute angle (about 22°) with connection axis 72. Handle connecting structure 64 includes platform portion 74 with generally semicircular portions 76 on both sides of cam surface 70, and cartridge connecting structure 16 has cutaway portion (Figs. 2, 9) with a matching shape for receiving platform 74 of handle connecting structure 64. Cutaway portion 80 functions as a keyway for mating platform portion 74 on handle 63 to guarantee proper alignment of cam surface 70 and the cam follower structure of latch 22 as well as proper orientation 'of handle 63 during connection to cartridge 12.

As shown in Fig. 8A, extension 66 has an asymmetrical shape in a planar section perpendicular to connection axis 72 (Figs. 7-8) through its outwardly directed surfaces; recess 67 (Fig. 9) in cartridge connecting structure 16 of cartridge 12 has the same shape in a planar section perpendicular to connection axis 72 through its mating inwardly directed surfaces. The asymmetrical shapes, like the mating platform and cutaway portions just mentioned, also enhance proper alignment of cam surface 70 and cam follower structure 54 of latch 22 as well as proper orientation of handle 63 and cartridge 12 during connection. Button 68 has recessed region 73 in line with cam surface 70 to provide a space to receive latch 22 during and after connection of handle connecting structure 64 with the connecting structure 16 of cartridge 12, when handle 63 is in a tilted forward orientation (Fig. 14).

Referring to Fig. 9, it is seen that cartridge connecting structure 16 has recessed region 78 for receiving cam surface 70 of handle 63 as handle 63 is moved along connection axis 72 (Figs. 12, 13). Cartridge connecting structure 16 also has latching portion 82, located at the junction of the top of recessed region 78 and the center of cutaway portion 80. Latching portion 82 is contacted by retaining Nsurface 62 of latch 22 when retained in dispenser 10 (Figs. 6, 10). Cartridge connecting structure 16 also has two detents 83 for mating with two depressions S(Fig. 8) on handle 63. Extending from the end of cartridge comecting structure 16 are two arms 77 with pivots 79 (only one arm and one pivot are shown in Fig. 9) Sthat make a pivotal connection with blade unit 14 (Fig. as is described in detail Sin the above-referenced Patent Application U.S. Serial Number 08/630,437.

SIn loading a cartridge 12 into a respective section 20, the bottom of each blade unit 14 is guided by upper surface 90 of divider 42 (or of back angled wall 95) (Figs. 4, 10) and passes through angled region 92 into blade unit region 94.

(Surfaces 90 thus include the upper surfaces of both lower portion 44 and upper portion 46 of dividers 42). The bottom of blade unit 14 is also guided along the upper contoured surfaces of cartridge supports 38 and rests on supports 38 with the front of the blade unit resting against blade unit divider portion 36. As shown in Fig. 4, cartridge supports have an initial generally horizontal portion, followed by a first angled portion, followed by a second angled portion at a smaller angle. As shown in Fig. 10, pivotal cartridge connecting structure 16 is held in a position in which retaining surface 62 of latch 22 engages latching portion 82 of cartridge connecting structure 16. As noted above, cartridge connecting structure 16 is pivotally mounted with respect to blade unit 14. In Fig. 10, blade unit 14 is shown at the limit of pivoting at the most open orientation with respect to cartridge connecting structure 16, and thus latching portion 82 cannot move downward from the position shown in Fig. 10 and cannot move rearward (to the right) out of region 92 owing to interference by retaining surface 62. In the cartridge storage position shown in Fig. 10, there is no deflection of latch 22 from its undeflected position, and there thus is zero or minimal force of latch 22 on cartridge connecting structure 16. If there were a slight deflection of latch 22 outward, or if tolerances permitted a slightly more open orientation of cartridge connecting structure 16 and blade unit 14 or a slight space between latching portion 82 and retaining surface 62, latching portion 82 of cartridge connecting structure 16 could move slightly rearward (to the right) and contact a different position of retaining surface 62; latching portion 82, however, is prevented from clearing blocking surface 56a of latch 22 in the absence of a very large deflection of latch 22 outward upward in Fig. In use, when a shaver desires to replace a cartridge 12 on handle 63, z the presently mounted cartridge 12 is ejected using button 68 and discarded (or 00 inserted into a vacant section 20 in a dispenser 10, as is discussed below). Then a used cartridge 12 in dispenser 10 is connected to handle 63 by moving extension 66 into mating recess 67 along connection axis 72. Fig. 10 shows the position of cartridge connecting structure 16 in dispenser 10 during storage and prior to connection to handle 63. Fig. I11 shows the position of handle connecting structure 64 as cam surface 70 on handle 63 first contacts latch camming structure 54 of latch 22 on dispenser 10. Fig. 12 shows the initial deflection of latch 22 as handle connecting structure 64 is inserted further, and Fig. 13 shows handle connecting structure 64 connected to cartridge connecting structure 16.

The user is prevented from connecting handle 63 to cartridge 12 in the wong orientation owing to asymmetrical features of handle 63 with respect to connection axis 72. Two of these features are the asymmetrical shape of extension 66 and the mating key/kceyway feature of semicircular platform 74. These two features prevent insertion of extension 66 all of the way into recess 67 with engagement of detents 83 with depressions 85 unless handle 63 is in the proper orientation not upside down) with respect to cartridge connecting structure 16 regardless of whether the cartridge is in dispenser 10 or not. Two other features, button 68 and transition portion 71, prevent a user from even bringing handle connecting structure 64 into proximity with a cartridge 12 in dispenser 10 owing to the angled arrangement of storage sections 20. When handle 63 is in the proper orientation shown in Fig. 11, button 68 and transition portion 71 are on the side of connection axis 72 closer to the front angled divider 42 (see Figs. 1, 5, and 11), are clear of the rear angled divider 42, and are not blocked by any structure on dispenser 10. If a user attempts to attach a cartridge 12 with handle 63 upside down, button 68 and transition portion 71 will be on the side of axis 72 closest to the rear divider 42 and will be blocked by it. Thus, owing to the use of angled dividers on dispenser 10, button 68 and transition portion 71 act as blocking structures making it more likely that the user place handle 63 in the proper orientation before attempting to connect it to a cartridge 12 in dispenser O Assuming that handle 63 is in the proper orientation shown in Fig.

11, as handle connecting structure 64 is moved along connection axis 72, cam 0 surface 70 contacts cam follower structure 54 of latch 22 (Fig. 11) and, with Z continued insertion along axis 72, cam surface 70 biases the end of cantilevered 0 5 latch 22 outward (Fig. 12). As latch 22 moves outward, its cantilevered arm bends primarily near the base (see Figs. 4, and blocking surface 56a (Fig. 6) moves substantially along the plane of its surface (perpendicular to longitudinal axis 56b through lower portion 44). As handle connecting structure 64 is inserted further Salong axis 72, latch 22 rides up onto platform 74 to an unlatched position clearing the cartridge structure prior to, or simultaneously with, detent 83 snapping into place in depression 85 in the connected position shown in Fig. 13. Recessed region 78 provides a region in cartridge connecting structure 16 for receiving cam surface in the connected position. If the user tilts handle 63 upward at this time, or if the user so tilts handle 63 during attachment or removal, latch 22 can deflect further and ride up above platform 74 into recessed region 73 in button 68 (Fig. 14) without risk of breaking latch 22.

The user then retracts handle 63 and connected cartridge 12 from dispenser 10, typically along the same axis along which the handle travelled during connection, namely connection axis 72. Cartridge moves from the initially connected position of Fig. 13 to the initial retraction position of Fig. 15 and the further retracted position of Fig. 16. Because latch 22, which is a resilient cantilevered structure, is still in a deflected position during initial retraction when latch 22 rides over the outside of cartridge connecting structure 16 (Figs. 15 and 16), latch 22 exerts a biasing force on cartridge connecting structure 16. In the position of Fig. 16, where latch 22 contacts the curved front surface 100 of connecting structure 16, the biasing force exerted by latch 22 has a component along axis 72, and this assists in ejecting the connected cartridge from the dispenser As the handle and connected cartridge move further outward from the position shown in Fig. 16, blade unit 14 passes latch 22. If latch 22 contacts the back of blade unit 14 at this time, latch 22 will ride over cross bar 41 on the back of blade unit 14 (Fig. which is perpendicular to the blades and is aligned with latching portion 82. Latch 22 thus will not get caught on other structure N perpendicular portio:s of the housing of blade unit 14) on the back of blade unit 14.

O Cross bar 41 also provides strength to blade unit 14 and has a camming surface that Z is acted upon by spring biased plunger 61.

When a user wishes to replace a cartridge 12 after it has been used for shaving, the cartridge can be returned to dispenser 10 by insertion along Sconnection axis 72 and ejection of the cartridge using button 68. Prior to ejection, Slatch 22 rides on platform 74. If the handle is tilted upward as shown in Fig.

14) prior to ejection, latch 22 will move into recessed region 73. The cartridge will automatically be engaged by latch 22, as the handle 63 is retracted, and latch 22 will ride down platform 74 and cam surface 70 during retraction. Liquid on a used blade unit 14 stored in dispenser 10 can drain through drainage holes 53 (Fig. Other embodiments of the invention are within the scope of the claims.

Claims (13)

1. 2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said cutaway portion is concave.
2. 3. A cartridge according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said cutaway portion is Is generally semicircular.
3. 4. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cartridge connecting structure has inwardly directed surfaces for mating with outwardly directed surfaces of a handle connecting structure of said handle. A cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said inwardly directed surfaces define a flat-shaped region for insertion of a flat-shaped handle connecting structure.
4. 6. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the blade unit has an elongated housing extending along a longitudinal housing axis and an elongated blade having a longitudinal blade axis parallel to said longitudinal housing axis, wherein said housing has a cross bar that is perpendicular to said longitudinal housing axis at a bottom portion of said housing, said connection axis being transverse to said longitudinal housing axis, and wherein said cartridge connecting structure includes a latching portion for engagement by a latch on a cartridge dispenser, said cross bar being aligned with said latching portion, whereby said cross bar is aligned with said latch upon removal of said cartridge from said dispenser.
5. 7. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cartridge connecting structure includes a recessed portion for receiving a cam surface on said handle as said handle is moved along said connection axis.
6. 8. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein said recessed portion has an angled surface at an acute angle to said connection axis. 949811 1 -12- r'-
7. 9. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said I cartridge connecting structure has an engageable structure providing a releasable connection to said handle. Z 10. A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein said cartridge connecting 00 5 structure has an engageable structure providing a releasable snap-fit connection to said handle. S11. A cartridge according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said engageable structure comprises a protrusion for mating with a matching depression on said handle. c 12. A shaving razor including a handle having a handle connecting structure at an end of a hand engageable portion, and a replaceable razor blade cartridge according Sto any one of the preceding claims.
8. 13. A razor according to claim 12, wherein said handle connecting structure fits within said cartridge connecting structure.
9. 14. A method of connecting a replaceable razor cartridge to a handle in a proper orientation, comprising the steps of aligning a key structure on a handle connecting structure of said handle on one side of a connection axis but not the other side with a cutaway portion functioning as a keyway on a cartridge connecting structure of said cartridge on one side of said connection axis but not the other side, moving said handle connecting structure toward said cartridge connecting structure along said connection axis, mating said key structure on said handle connecting structure with said cutaway portion on said cartridge connecting structure, and connecting said handle connecting structure to said cartridge connecting structure. A shaving system combination comprising a cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11 having a blade unit and a cartridge connecting structure that is pivotally connected to said blade unit, and a dispenser having a housing structure supporting said blade unit and a latch that engages said cartridge connecting structure without engaging said blade unit, said housing structure and said latch holding said cartridge in an immobile position ready to be unlatched and connected to a handle.
10. 16. A replaceable razor blade cartridge substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. 17. A shaving razor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. 18. A method of connecting a replaceable razor blade cartridge to a handle in a proper orientation, said method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 949811 1 -13-
13. 19. A shaving system combination substantially as hereinbefore described c with reference to the accompanying drawings. 0 z Dated 8 November, 2007 0o The Gillette Company Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person 1 SPRUSON FERGUSON 949811_1