CN1750910A

CN1750910A - Safety razors

Info

Publication number: CN1750910A
Application number: CNA2004800046832A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·J·西姆斯; R·B·亚特斯
Original assignee: Gillette Co LLC
Current assignee: Gillette Co LLC
Priority date: 2003-02-19
Filing date: 2004-02-19
Publication date: 2006-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-19
Also published as: GB2398533B; BRPI0407478B1; JP4660465B2; IL169961A; CA2514851A1; NZ541674A; AU2004213225A1; JP2006517819A; CN100381261C; MXPA05008743A; GB0303865D0; EP1599320A1; ATE335576T1; CA2514851C; ES2265635T3; DE602004001865T2; DE602004001865D1; EP1599320B1; GB2398533A; WO2004073936A1

Abstract

A safety razor has a blade unit (2) carried on a handle (1), an electrical arrangement including an electrically operated vibration device (24, 26) and a control device (16) for actuating the vibration device when the blade unit (2) is moved into contact with or close proximity to the skin of a person holding the razor, a battery (15) accommodated in the handle (1), a switch (20) for connecting the electrical arrangement to the battery, and a light emitting diode (28) for illuminating a section (27) of handle neck (24) to indicate that the electrical arrangement is connected to the battery and ready to actuate the vibration device.

Description

Safety razor

The present invention relates to safety razor.Safety razor generally includes handle and is carried on the handle and comprises that at least one has the blade unit of the blade of sharp blade.During shaving, apply blade unit against skin, and a blade or a plurality of blade move and cross skin and make sharp blade engage and cut off hair from the skin upper process.Blade unit can be fixed on the handle, and purpose is for when edges dull and when comfortable shaving no longer can be provided, and whole razor should be dropped.Blade unit can be removably mounted on the handle alternatively, makes when the sharpness of blade is reduced to unacceptable level, and blade unit can be changed by new blade unit.Removable blade unit is often referred to as the shaving box.

The complete manual operation of most of safety razors and the use of current sale.Yet electric installation can merge in the safety razor.For example, the known electricity that is operable as the vibration razor that comprises drives vibrating mechanism, because observed this vibration effect useful to razor performance.Simple and easily vibration generating mechanism comprise and have the electro-motor that off-centre is installed to the balance weight on the motor output shaft.Vibrating mechanism and be used for providing the battery of electric power can be contained in razor handle easily to motor.This razor in the past the example of suggestion be those at US 3611568, US5299354 describes among US 5214851 and the US 5046249.In US 6481104 B1, disclosed a kind of safety razor housing, its involving vibrations mechanism and light emitting diode, when vibrating mechanism was opened, light emitting diode illuminated.The vibration razor of describing in EP-A-0885698 comprises power meter or indication, when needs new battery to indicate remaining battery electric power and/or indication.

Vibrating mechanism can be suitable for vibrating the only parts of one or more selections of blade unit, protector such as the skin of contactor blade front, or one or more blades, and vibration can be directed, for example be oriented to blade vertically to promote cutting action or to be oriented to transverse to blade.Another may be usually perpendicular to just at the direction vibrating elements of the skin surface of shaving.Vibrating mechanism can comprise and be used for vibrative piezo-electric device, substitutes to be used to rotate the motor that drives eccentric balancing blocks.

Except vibration machine, other form of electric installation can be included in the wet razor, and some examples of this device comprise:

(i) be used to heat during shaving the heater of other parts of the one or more blades of contact skin or blade unit, such as peltier device or resistance or Ohmic heating device;

(ii) be used to carry shaving to strengthen the distributor of product to skin, and can be by the running of motor driving pump or by having the valve running starting of electric control starter, stroke the shaving that can carry during carrying out in shaving on safety razor blade units and strengthen product and comprise the quality mentioned among the patent application No.WO00/47374 with us and the product of performance, the content of this application is herein by with reference to introducing;

(iii) the skin pruned by blade and/or the adjusting device of hair are prepared in preparation, such as being installed in the blade unit protector zone and being suitable for around the roller of its axis rotation, to promote to be layered on horripilation on the skin to prune;

Just iv) be used to throw light at the lighting device in the zone of shaved skin; And

V) be used for regulating the starter of blade unit according to the current shaving situation of surveying by sensor.

In EP-A-0906814 and US2002/0189102, described razor, and electricity starting indication must be changed the signal of blade with power sensor.Described a kind of personal nursing apparatus in GB-A-2258922, such as hair drier or electric toothbrush, it is for power supply running, and comprises and be connected to alternating current source with display apparatus by indicator.Capacitive sensor is arranged in handle, make apparatus work as its picked up in one's hands in time starting.

When electric installation was included in the safety razor, this device was turned round normally easily by the replaceable or chargeable electrical storage batteries that can be contained in the razor handle.In order to conserve battery power, preferred during razor obsolete period, electric installation is disconnected from battery.In some cases, when the connection of setting up between electric installation and the battery, this is conspicuous at once for the user, such as, if this device is a vibration machine, in case when having set up the electrical connection of battery, it just is set to running, is not so conspicuous other example but have.

According to the present invention, safety razor is provided, it comprises the blade unit that is carried on the handle, the electric equipment that comprises electric exercisable device, and indicator, wherein, electric exercisable device can be started by electric equipment during shaving, and indicator generation indication razor user should be connected to power supply and the signal that starts that is ready to device by electricity equipment.

Indicator had both offered that user's razor is ready to and exercisable clear indication, return the signal that the user that is unfamiliar with razor sends out such, that is, but the expectability occurrence, so eliminate the unexpected scaring that may cause such as beyond thought motion by razor unit.

In this preferred structure, indicator comprises light-emitting device, is specially light emitting diode.In another embodiment, low frequency and/or low amplitude oscillation indication razor can be operated.In also having an embodiment, the signal that can hear, that is, sound or tone, the indication razor can be operated.Also can utilize any combination of these indicators.

Indicator is positioned on the neck of razor handle easily, and this neck makes the part of holding of blade unit and handle interconnect.

Handle can comprise the optical transmission region section, and it is thrown light on by light-emitting device, and the optical transmission region section is preferably extended around the whole periphery of neck and along the major part at least of neck.Because neck be can't help user's hand usually and covered, and makes that the big relatively part of neck is illuminated, therefore gives the very clear and inerrable indication of user, that is, razor is ready to use.

Can comprise power switch, to control being connected of electric equipment and power supply, indicator can be arranged as when power switch is closed and be energized by the power.Can use manually operated power switch, but the razor user must remember opening and closing power supply in suitable then, operating electric installation suitably, and guarantee that electric energy unnecessarily consumes.Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, power switch placement is connected to electric equipment for being operating as by separating razor from retainer with power supply, and not between the operating period, this razor is stored on the retainer.Power switch is included in the handle of razor easily, and can be the mechanical switch that is positioned on the handle, to start by engaging with the razor retainer and breaking away from from the razor retainer.In another embodiment, power switch is that magnetic is actuatable, for example, reed switch, and the razor retainer comprises magnet, make when razor from the separation of razor retainer with when being placed on the razor retainer, switch can be operated.

Razor retainer preferred arrangements is for catching handle in the position of power switch or the position of contiguous power switch, and this helps to guarantee the proper operation of power switch.The razor retainer can have the form of carriage, so that the razor position thereon, for example is the common form of describing in US-A-5782346.

In a preferred embodiment, except actuatable electric installation during the shaving, electricity equipment comprises switching device, with in response to predetermined condition by the switching device sensing, more specifically, blade unit contacts with the people's who keeps razor skin surface or closely approaching for reaching, and/or blade unit is dipped into the main body of the water that is used for cleaning blade unit, controls the running of electric installation.When power switch is opened with from being contained in the power supply supply capability such as battery the handle easily to switching device, but when electric power is not transported to electric installation, razor will be in standby mode, and be ready to fully use, this standby mode clearly signals to the user by indicator.

Indicator can be arranged as mutagenic signal when battery electric power is low.For example, if indicator comprises light-emitting device, it can be arranged as flicker.Optionally, can comprise the light-emitting device that also has, be used for producing the signal of " battery is low ".

The present invention is vibration machine after this with particular reference to the electric installation by switching device control, is that the embodiment with motor of the eccentric balancing blocks that is fixed to its output shaft describes more specifically.Can be alternatively or the electric installation of other form is provided in addition, comprise what those were mentioned at this in the above.

Timing means can be provided,, just interrupt the supply of electric power to electric equipment if so that razor does not turn back to the razor retainer in cycle a period of time after taking off from the razor retainer.If the razor user does not turn back to retainer with razor after use, timing means helps avoid the unnecessary consumption of energy.Timing means can be provided with again by razor is placed on the retainer once more.

For promoting that the present invention clearly understands, currently preferred embodiments are detailed hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the axonometric drawings such as part of razor, shows from the blade unit of rear portion observation and the top of handle;

Fig. 2 shows the back elevational view of razor;

Fig. 3 is the lateral elevational view that shows the razor retainer of Bracket Type, not between the operating period razor storage thereon, razor is shown as with storage cradle and separates little distance;

Fig. 4 is the lateral elevational view corresponding to claim 3, but has shown that razor and storage cradle have bigger distance;

Fig. 5 show the razor of Fig. 3 and storage cradle etc. axle figure;

Fig. 6 is the exploded rear front view of razor;

Fig. 7 is the back elevational view of razor, shows the other element of water detecting devices;

Fig. 8 is the block diagram that is included in the electronic switching device in the razor; And

Fig. 9 shows the example of on-off circuit specific embodiment.

The safety razor that illustrates in the drawings has handle 1 and is installed in the blade unit or the box 2 of the upper end of handle separably.Blade unit 2 comprises the basic framework 3 of rectangle that is, and have sharp blade a plurality of of almost parallel, and for example, 3,4 or 5 blades 4, blade are arranged in the framework and by the metal clip 5 that is provided with in the relative end of blade unit 2 around framework 3 and keep in place.The safeguard structure that comprises an elastomeric material is provided on the framework, with the skin of contactor blade front, comprises that the lid structure of lubricious strip is provided on the framework, with contact shaving stroke carry out during skin behind the blade.Framework is carried on the yoke piece 8 pivotly, and yoke piece has and a pair ofly extends and axle journal is connected the arm 9 of the opposite end of framework 2 from hub 10, makes blade unit 2 to rotate around the axis pivot that is roughly parallel to blade with respect to handle 1.Hub 10 is connected to the end of handle 1 separably.As for the razor of describing is known structure, can do more detailed reference to early stage patent disclosure, and an one example is WO 97/37819.

Razor handle comprises the major part 12 that is intended to tightly be held in the hand, and from the upwardly extending neck 14 of major part, and blade unit 2 is attached to the free end of neck.Handle 1 main or hold part 12 and comprise electrical conduction, for example metal shell 13, and it is as the electrode of the hand that is used to electrically contact the user, and is as described in more detail below.Replaceable or chargeable battery 15 is contained in the battery case in the handle, and this battery constitutes the power supply that also is contained in the electronic switching device 16 in the handle.

According to the present invention, battery 15 is electrically connected to switching device 16 by power switch, and this power switch is operable as and interrupts to the supply of electric power of switching device to preserve the energy content of battery during razor is no.Power switch can be arranged on the handle with manual operation, but in preferred construction, power switch placement is stored in when razor is intended to not use on the razor retainer for to start in the razor retainer by removing razor from the razor retainer and returning razor.The form of known razor retainer comprises the carriage 18 shown in Fig. 3-5, and carriage 18 has the dimple 19 that is suitable for accepting and holding slightly the neck 14 of razor handle 1 of side thereon.Razor handle 1 can be equipped with and be arranged as the mechanical switch of cooperating with storage cradle 18, making switch work as when storage cradle 18 is left in the razor rising turns round automatically, make electric power be fed to switching device 16, and the razor on carriage start to interrupt supply of electric power when replacing from battery 15.In a preferred embodiment, by being arranged on the power switch of reed switch 20 forms in the handle 1, storage cradle 18 is equipped with permanent magnet 21, obtains essentially identical result.Magnet is arranged in the position of contiguous dimple 19, and reed switch or contiguous be suitable for promptly that the part place of the neck in dimple 14 is arranged in the handle 1.When razor was provided with near carriage 18, reed switch 20 stayed open, and not from the supply of electric power of battery 15, as shown in Figure 3, but when razor moved away carriage, the supply of electric power of switching device 16 is closed and be established to reed switch 20.

Switching device 16, in the mode of describing in detail below, control is contained in the handle 1 and has the starting of electro-motor 24 (Fig. 2 and 3) of the output shaft that has the eccentric balancing blocks 26 that is fixed on the output shaft.In original known mode, thereby the energising of electro-motor causes the high speed rotation of eccentric balancing blocks 26 to cause the vibration of razor, is in particular the vibration of blade unit 2.Suitable vibration frequency is about 120Hz.

The neck 14 of handle comprises transparent section 27, and it extends around the whole periphery of neck and along the major part of the length of neck.Be positioned at and be used in the handle preferably with the light of special color, for example this transparent neck section 27 of blue illumination is light emitting diode 28.When reed switch 20 closures, and switching device 16 is when receiving electric power from battery, light emitting diode 28 energisings.The energising of light emitting diode 28 causes the interior lighting of neck section 27, this neck section presents soft luminous outside visual appearance then, thereby provides inerrable height visual indication for the razor user, promptly, set up the electricity supply of switching device 16, and razor is ready to use.

Blade unit 2 comprises easily by at least one and preferably includes the electrode that all blades 4 of blade unit constitute.Electrical connection between switching device and this electrode 4 is arranged as the neck 14 of handle 1 of contact 30 that the outstanding and breasting of the hub 10 that passes yoke piece 8 is fixed to the bow strip 32 at blade unit 2 rear portions and obtains by having, bow strip 32 has extending to and conducts electricity the lateral wings 33 that is connected to metal blade retaining clip 5, and these clips have and the contacting of blade 4 successively.Certainly, unnecessary use blade 4 is as electrode, and the conducting element that separates can be provided in and is used for the position that blade unit 2 carries out shaving contact skin when stroking on the blade unit.Cause and bow strip 32 constant electrically contacting contact 30, make between the blade unit top electrode being electrically connected continuous in addition 2 pivots of the blade unit on handle 1 do not interrupt when rotating yet, when blade unit is applied to skin and moves the pivot that blade unit 2 takes place tendency when crossing skin and rotate.Contact 30 is taked the form of load on spring piston easily, leaves the pivot motion of predetermined at rest position with the opposing blade unit.The wire conductor 35 that contact 30 is shown as by the neck 14 that is guided through handle 1 is electrically connected to switching device 16.

Certainly, there is other possibility to guarantee the electrical connection of blade unit top electrode and switching device.For example, the framework 3 of blade unit can be made with conductive material, such as conductive plastics.Conductive material coating, coating or printing also can be used in the rear portion of framework 3, have the adherent metal sheet that is applied to it or have embedding hardware wherein, so that the electrical connection between contact 30 and the clip 5 to be provided, or be provided to electrode itself or the electrical connection of another parts of contacting with electrode.Alternatively, framework can comprise casting metal part so that the conducting path between electrode and the contact 30 to be provided, or the water that remains in the capillary grooves enough guarantees electric continuity.

Switching device 16 can be arranged as by electrode on the sensing blade unit 24 and the electrical quantity held between the electrode that the metal shell 13 of part 12 forms by handle and determine when that blade unit immerses in the water.Blade unit 2 there is no need to drop in the water so dark, make water must contact handle and hold part 12, so that blade unit is immersed in the water and can detects, situation as may being, promptly, the main body of known water is connected to ground, and the shell of holding the part handle is also such as being connected to ground by the razor user.Yet as shown in Figure 8, razor comprises water detection probe 36, and extend its outside along the neck 14 of handle.Probe 36 conducts electricity, and as electrode or electrode extension, makes it can be electrically connected to handle and hold on the metal shell 13 of part 12.Can use the independently electrical connection between probe 36 and the switching device 16 alternatively.Electrical quantity between switching device 16 sensing blade electrodes 4 and the probe electrode 36, it can be resistance or electric capacity, and start electro-motor 24 in response to this electrical quantity, when making that to enter main body water W when blade unit 2 two electrodes contact with water, starting vibration machine 26, switching device is operating as the power supply that is closed to motor 24 when blade unit 2 is lifted away from water W.This operation of switching device 16 is discussed in more detail below.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this switching device 16 also plays contact-sensing device, make to work as by handle to keep the people of razor that blade unit 2 is contacted against skin surface, for example when shaving was stroked beginning, hotwire 24 drove vibration generation eccentric balance thing 26.When blade unit moves when crossing skin the effect that the vibrating blade blade unit is useful to the shaving performance.Yet in case blade unit is lifted away from skin surface, vibration stops.Have been found that, having only when razor remains makes blade unit leave health in free space the time, the uncomfortable major part that just is applied to felt of user by the vibration razor, and, eliminated the prejudice of user greatly to the vibration razor by only when the actual shaving of razor and during the flushing blade unit, vibration occurring.

As mentioned above, when the blade unit of razor moves when breaking away from the contacting of skin, control device works and makes motor 24 stop immediately.This not necessarily, and control device can be arranged as in the contact between blade unit and user's skin and have no progeny, before the supply of electric power that is closed to motor, the delay of the weak point that reaches several seconds is provided, about 0.1-0.5 second for example, to carry out the razor vibration of shaving between stroking fast continuously be useful keeping for this.

Should be understood that the description that only provides the preferred embodiment front, and the change that does not break away from the scope of the present invention that limits as the following claim book is possible by unrestriced example.Mention that as the example that may change the external conductive casing 13 of handle can be equipped with the cover layer of thin insulating materials, making has high capacitance and high resistance to connect between user's hand and handle electrode.And if desired, manually operable switch mechanism can be included on the razor handle and can be electrically connected in series with switch 20, with by dislike using storage cradle to be used to keep the user of razor to use when razor does not use.Also can comprise this switch, or different manual exercisable switches, such as the electronics toggle switch, it was opened and/or closes after certain delay, selected the non-vibration pattern to allow the razor user, for example when repairing the hair in difficult zone.

Claims

1. safety razor, it comprises the blade unit (2) that is carried on the handle (1), the electric equipment that comprises the device (24) of electricity operation, and indicator (28), wherein the device (24) of electricity operation can be started by electric equipment during shaving, and indicator (28) generation signal is used to indicate the razor user to be connected to power supply and to be ready to starting of device by electricity equipment.

2. safety razor according to claim 1, wherein indicator comprises light-emitting device (28).

3. according to claim 1 or 2 described safety razors, wherein light-emitting device is diode (28).

4. according to the described safety razor of claim 1,2 or 3, wherein handle comprises holding part (12) and being arranged on and holds partly and the neck (14) between the blade unit (2), and indicator (28) is positioned at handle neck (14) and locates.

5. according to claim 2 or 3 described safety razors, wherein light-emitting device (28) is contained in the handle (1), and handle comprises optical transmission region section (27), and it is arranged as by light-emitting device (28) and throws light on.

6. safety razor according to claim 5, wherein handle (1) comprises and holds part (12) and be arranged on the neck of holding between part and the blade unit (14), and optical transmission region section (27) forms the part of neck (14).

7. safety razor according to claim 6, wherein optical transmission region section (27) is extended around the whole periphery of neck.

8. according to claim 6 or 7 described safety razors, wherein optical transmission region section (27) is extended along the major part at least of the length of neck (14).

9. safety razor according to claim 1, wherein indicator produces the vibration or the vibration of razor.

10. safety razor according to claim 1, wherein indicator produces the signal that can hear.

11. according to any one the described safety razor in the claim 1 to 10, comprising power switch (20), controlling being connected of electric equipment and power supply (15), and when power switch (20) when closing, indicator (28) is switched on by power supply (15).

12. safety razor according to claim 11, wherein power switch (20) is arranged as in response to separating razor from retainer (18) power supply (15) is connected to electric equipment, and not between the operating period, this razor is stored on the retainer.

13. safety razor according to claim 12, wherein power switch (20) is included in the handle (1).

14. safety razor according to claim 13, wherein power switch is the mechanical switch that is positioned on the handle, to start by engaging with the razor retainer and breaking away from from the razor retainer.

15. according to claim 12 or 13 described safety razors, wherein power switch (20) is that magnetic is actuatable, and razor retainer (18) comprises magnet (21), make when razor from the separation of razor retainer with when being placed on the razor retainer, switch can be operated.

16. safety razor according to claim 15, wherein power switch is reed switch (20).

17. according to claim 14,15 or 16 described safety razors, wherein the razor retainer is arranged as in the position of power switch (20) or the position of contiguous power switch (20) and catches handle (1).

18. according to any one the described safety razor in the claim 12 to 17, wherein the razor retainer is carriage (18), so that the razor position thereon.

19. according to any one the described safety razor in the claim 1 to 18, wherein electric equipment comprises electric installation (24) and switching device (16), with in response to the running of being controlled electric installation (24) by the condition of switching device (16) sensing.

20. safety razor according to claim 19 is that blade unit (2) reaches and contacts with the people's who keeps razor skin surface or closely approaching by the condition of switching device (16) sensing wherein.

21. safety razor according to claim 19, wherein the condition by switching device (16) sensing is that blade unit (2) is dipped in the main body of water.

22. according to any one the described safety razor in the claim 1 to 21, wherein power supply is battery (15).

23. safety razor according to claim 24, wherein battery (15) is contained in the handle (1).

24. according to any one the described safety razor in the claim 12 to 21, comprise timing means, so that if razor does not turn back to the razor retainer at preset time in the cycle after taking off from the razor retainer, just interrupt the supply of electric power to electric equipment.

25. safety razor according to claim 24, wherein timing means can be provided with again by razor is placed on the retainer.

26. according to any one described safety razor of aforementioned claim, wherein actuatable device is a vibration machine during shaving.