EP0655027B1 - Rasierhilfsmittel mit verbesserter biegsamkeit - Google Patents

Rasierhilfsmittel mit verbesserter biegsamkeit Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0655027B1
EP0655027B1 EP93920081A EP93920081A EP0655027B1 EP 0655027 B1 EP0655027 B1 EP 0655027B1 EP 93920081 A EP93920081 A EP 93920081A EP 93920081 A EP93920081 A EP 93920081A EP 0655027 B1 EP0655027 B1 EP 0655027B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blade
flexible
shaving
shaving aid
blade support
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93920081A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0655027A1 (de
Inventor
Edward C. Butlin
Edward S. Butlin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Warner Lambert Co LLC
Original Assignee
Warner Lambert Co LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Warner Lambert Co LLC filed Critical Warner Lambert Co LLC
Publication of EP0655027A1 publication Critical patent/EP0655027A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0655027B1 publication Critical patent/EP0655027B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26B—HAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B26B21/00—Razors of the open or knife type; Safety razors or other shaving implements of the planing type; Hair-trimming devices involving a razor-blade; Equipment therefor
    • B26B21/40—Details or accessories
    • B26B21/4012—Housing details, e.g. for cartridges
    • B26B21/4025—Cap elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26B—HAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B26B21/00—Razors of the open or knife type; Safety razors or other shaving implements of the planing type; Hair-trimming devices involving a razor-blade; Equipment therefor
    • B26B21/40—Details or accessories
    • B26B21/4012—Housing details, e.g. for cartridges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26B—HAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B26B21/00—Razors of the open or knife type; Safety razors or other shaving implements of the planing type; Hair-trimming devices involving a razor-blade; Equipment therefor
    • B26B21/40—Details or accessories
    • B26B21/44—Means integral with, or attached to, the razor for storing shaving-cream, styptic, or the like
    • B26B21/443—Lubricating strips attached to the razor head

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a shaving aid for a flexible wet-shaving razor unit and, more particularly, to an improved shaving aid having at least one groove to enhance the flexing of the shaving aid in response to forces encountered during shaving.
  • One popular type of shaving aid contains at least one water insoluble polymeric matrix, along with a water soluble material which exudes out of the insoluble matrix upon contact with water during shaving.
  • shaving aids have been attached to various parts of a wet-shaving razor unit.
  • shaving aids have been mechanically attached to the cap portion of the razor unit.
  • Shaving aids have also been mechanically attached forward of the blade cutting edge, e.g., on the guard bar.
  • WO 92/06827 discloses an flexible razor unit having at least one blade with an exposed edge comprising a flexible blade support with blade retainers spaced from one another for supporting said exposed blade, said flexible blade support designed to flex along at least one axis in response to forces encountered during shaving and a shaving aid located between blade retainers.
  • US-A-4,854,043 discloses an essentially unitary, flexible razor unit. However, this document does not address the problem of devising a shaving aid for use with such a razor unit.
  • WO-A-9205925 discloses a polymeric shaving aid composition and methods for its manufacture. However, this document does not disclose the use of such shaving aids in flexible razor units.
  • US-A-5,141,694 relates to methods of manufacturing by injection molding razor units.
  • This document describes a method for forming a razor head comprising the steps of positioning at least one blade having an exposed edge in a mold cavity and injecting a thermoplastic material into said mold cavity to form a blade support around said blade with blades retainers spaced from one another.
  • the present invention which addresses the problems associated with the prior art, relates to a flexible wet-shaving razor unit having at least one blade with an exposed edge, a flexible blade support structure and a shaving aid having at least one active ingredient and formed with a groove extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of flexing of the blade support.
  • the flexible blade support structure with at least two blade retainers is a substantially continuous thermoplastic body in which the blade is secured substantially rigidly against movement and vibration during shaving.
  • the substantially continuous thermoplastic body is formed with a plurality of discrete blade supports for supporting the bottom of the blade. At least two of these blade supports are connected by a flexible corrugation.
  • At least two blade retainers, which are integrally molded to the blade supports, extend over the top of the blade and are spaced from one another.
  • the shaving aid of the present invention is preferably sequentially molded in a single step molding operation onto the blade retainers. Preferably a plurality of grooves are formed in the shaving aid and are advantageously positioned between neighboring blade retainers.
  • Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for forming a flexible razor head having a shaving aid with increased flexibility according to claim 9.
  • the method includes the first step of positioning at least one blade having an exposed edge into a mold cavity having male mold members. A thermoplastic material is then injected into the mold cavity to form a flexible blade support around the blade. Next, at least one of the male mold members is removed from the mold cavity. A second cavity is then defined wherein the second cavity is defined by at least a portion of the flexible blade support. Finally, a polymeric material having at least one active ingredient is injected into the second mold cavity, thereby forming a shaving aid which is attached to the flexible blade support and which has at least one groove extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of flexing.
  • the shaving aid of the present invention may be employed with many types of flexible wet-shaving razor units designed to follow the contour of an irregular surface.
  • the groove disposed in the shaving aid reduces the resistance of the shaving aid to flexing, thereby enabling the flexible razor unit to more readily follow the contour of the surface being shaved. In turn, this brings a greater portion of the blade into effective, cutting contact with the surface being shaved.
  • FIG. 1-8 For purposes of illustration, one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1-8.
  • the illustrated razor unit i.e., cartridge 10
  • Cartridge 10 includes two sharpened blades, that is, a seat blade 20 and a cap blade 21.
  • Blades 20, 21 are supported by a flexible blade support structure, which in the illustrated embodiment is a substantially continuous body wherein the blades are secured substantially rigidly against movement and vibration during shaving.
  • a razor unit having a substantially continuous body is described in commonly owned co-pending, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/563,926 filed on August 7, 1990, incorporated herein by reference.
  • the substantially continuous body includes upper blade retainers 30 (which together form the cap of the razor unit), side walls 50, 51 and lower blade supports 60.
  • Disposed forward of seat blade 20 are a plurality of guard bar segments 70.
  • the entire blade support structure is designed to flex in response to forces encountered during shaving, thereby allowing the blades to conform to the contour of the surface being shaved.
  • Shaving aid 90 is formed along the top of flexible cartridge 10 and extends across substantially the entire length of the cartridge.
  • the shaving aid is molded into depressions formed in blade retainers 30 in order to provide a smooth surface conforming to the geometry of the cap of the cartridge.
  • blade retainers 30 are advantageously formed such that spaces remain between neighboring blade retainers 30. This space increases the flexibility of the overall flexible blade support structure, while providing a convenient location for grooves 95 in the shaving aid. Since cartridge 10 is designed to flex along an axis substantially parallel to the exposed edges of blades 20, 21, grooves 95 are advantageously disposed substantially perpendicular to the blade edges.
  • neighboring blade supports 60 are attached by corrugations 65.
  • the illustrated embodiment includes a flexible blade support structure which is integrally molded in a single molding step.
  • a method for integrally molding a blade support structure is described in commonly-owned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/541,225 filed June 20, 1990, incorporated herein by reference.
  • Alternative blade support structures formed of a plurality of separately formed elements would also benefit from the present invention.
  • the shaving aid may be formed of various substances known to those in the shaving industry.
  • One popular active ingredient is polyethylene oxide which has been found to provide desirable lubricity to shaving devices during wet-shaving.
  • the polyethylene oxide active ingredient may include a mixture of high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and low molecular weight polyethylene oxide.
  • a mixture of POLYOX COAGULANT polyethylene oxide having a molecular weight of about 5 million and POLYOX WSR-N-750 polyethylene oxide having a molecular weight of about 300,000 has been found suitable.
  • a flexible razor unit having a shaving aid according to the present invention may be formed through an insert molding procedure.
  • the procedure includes the first step of positioning seat blade 20 into a first mold cavity.
  • Seat blade 20 is supported by a guard bar insert 110 and a male mold support member 112.
  • a spacer bar 114 is positioned over seat blade 20.
  • Spacer bar 114 allows cap blade 21 to be fixed in a spaced relationship with respect to seat blade 20.
  • An upper mold member 116 is then positioned over the blade arrangement, thereby enclosing and completing the first mold cavity.
  • Upper mold member 116 includes a cap forming cavity 118. Included in cap forming cavity 118 are male mold members 120, which are capable of forming a continuous substantially rectangular depression in the cap of the razor unit. The depression is formed substantially parallel to the blade edge.
  • thermoplastic material is injected into the first mold cavity.
  • the thermoplastic material fills the mold cavity, thereby encasing the blades and forming the flexible blade support.
  • the upper mold member is removed. Because of male mold members 120, a continuous substantially rectangular depression is formed in the cap of the razor unit.
  • a second upper mold member is positioned over the blade arrangement. This second upper mold encloses the depression previously formed in the cap. A polymeric material having at least one active ingredient is then injected into the depression, thereby forming the shaving aid.
  • the number of inlet ports which must be designed into a mold member are minimized.
  • a continuous substantially rectangular depression is formed in the cap of the razor unit and, thus, the shaving aid of the illustrated embodiment can be formed using a single inlet port.
  • the second upper mold member includes male mold members that form grooves 95 in the shaving aid. These grooves are formed substantially perpendicular to the axis of flexing and decrease the resistance of the shaving aid to flexing.
  • a polymeric material having at least one active ingredient is injected into the depression formed in the cap. After the polymeric material has set, the second upper mold member is removed, allowing the molded razor unit to be removed from the mold.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Dry Shavers And Clippers (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Biegsame Naßrasur-Rasierereinheit (10) mit mindestens einer Klinge (20,21) mit einer freiliegenden Schneidkante, umfassend:
    einen biegsamen Klingenträger (30) zum Tragen der freiliegenden Klinge, wobei der biegsame Klingenträger so ausgestaltet ist, daß er sich in Reaktion auf beim Rasieren auftretende Kräfte mindestens längs einer Achse zu biegen vermag,
    ein Rasierhilfsmittel (90) mit mindestens einem aktiven Bestandteil, wobei das Rasierhilfsmittel an dem biegsamen Klingenträger (30) befestigt ist und mindestens eine in einer zur Biegeachse im wesentlichen lotrechten Richtung verlaufende Nut oder Rille (95) zur Verbesserung der Fähigkeit der Rasierhilfe, sich in Reaktion auf die (auftretenden) Kräfte zu biegen, aufweist, und der Klingenträger mindestens zwei voneinander beabstandete Klingenhalter (30) umfaßt, wobei die Beabstandung zwischen den Klingenhaltern einen Anordnungs- bzw. Ausrichtungsbezug für die mindestens eine Nut oder Rille bietet.
  2. Rasiereinheit gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der biegsame Klingenträger (30) ein im wesentlichen durchgehender thermoplastischer Körper ist, in dem die Klinge (20,21) im wesentlichen steif gegen Bewegung und Erschütterung beim Rasieren gesichert ist.
  3. Rasiereinheit gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der biegsame Klingenträger (30) mindestens zwei Klingen-Plattformen (60), mindestens eine Wellung bzw. Faltung zwischen den mindestens zwei Klingen-Plattformen sowie eine Anzahl einstückig mit dem Klingenträger ausgebildeter und oberhalb und nächst der Klinge angeordneter, getrennter Klingenhalter (30) aufweist.
  4. Rasiereinheit gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei sich das Rasierhilfsmittel (90) kontinuierlich zwischen mindestens zweien der Klingenhalter erstreckt.
  5. Rasiereinheit gemäß Anspruch 3 oder 4, wobei zwischen den Klingenhaltern (30) die mindestens eine Nut bzw. Rille (95) positioniert ist.
  6. Rasiereinheit gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Rasierhilfsmittel (90) chemisch an den biegsamen Klingenträger (30) gebunden ist.
  7. Rasiereinheit gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei der aktive Bestandteil Polyethylenoxid ist.
  8. Rasiereinheit gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Achse parallel zu der freiliegenden Schneidkante verläuft.
  9. Verfahren zum Formen eines biegsamen Rasierkopfs, das folgende Schritte umfaßt:
    Positionieren mindestens einer Klinge (20,21) mit einer freiliegenden Schneidkante in einem ersten Formenhohlraum,
    Einspritzen eines thermoplastischen Stoffs in den ersten Formenhohlraum zum Formen eines biegsamen Klingenträgers (30) um die Klinge (20,21) herum, wobei der biegsame Klingenträger so ausgestaltet ist, daß er sich in Reaktion auf die beim Rasieren auftretenden Kräfte mindestens längs einer Achse zu biegen vermag,
    Entfernen mindestens eines Teils des Formenhohlraums,
    Festlegen eines zweiten Formenhohlraums, wobei der zweite Formenhohlraum durch mindestens einen Abschnitt des biegsamen Klingenträgers festgelegt ist, und
    Einspritzen eines zweiten polymeren Stoffs mit mindestens einem aktiven Bestandteil in den zweiten Formenhohlraum, und Formen eines am biegsamen Klingenträger befestigten Rasierhilfsmittels (90) mit mindestens einer sich in im wesentlichen lotrecht zur Biegeachse verlaufenden Richtung erstreckenden Rille oder Nut (95), wobei der Klingenträger mindestens zwei voneinander beabstandete Klingenhalter (30) aufweist und die Beabstandung zwischen den Klingenhaltern einen Anordnungs- bzw. Ausrichtungsbezug für die mindestens eine Rille oder Nut bietet.
  10. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 9, wobei der biegsame Klingenträger aus mindestens zwei Klingen-Plattformen (60), mindestens einer Wellung bzw. Faltung(65) zwischen den mindestens zwei Klingen-Plattformen (60), sowie einer Anzahl einstückig mit den Klingen-Platt formen geformter und oberhalb und nächst der Klinge (20,21)angeordneter, getrennter Klingenhalter (30) geformt wird.
  11. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 10, wobei das Rasierhilfsmittel (90) so ausgebildet ist, daß es sich kontinuierlich zwischen mindestens zwei der Klingenhalter (30) erstreckt.
  12. Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, wobei der Positionierschritt das Positionieren zweier Klingen (20,21) in dem bzw. den ersten Formenhohlraum umfaßt.
  13. Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 12, wobei das Rasierhilfsmittel (90) in einem zweiten, vom ersten Formenhohlraum entfernten Formenhohlraum ausgeformt wird.
EP93920081A 1992-08-13 1993-08-13 Rasierhilfsmittel mit verbesserter biegsamkeit Expired - Lifetime EP0655027B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US92932892A 1992-08-13 1992-08-13
US929328 1992-08-13
PCT/US1993/007678 WO1994004325A1 (en) 1992-08-13 1993-08-13 Shaving aid with increased flexibility

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0655027A1 EP0655027A1 (de) 1995-05-31
EP0655027B1 true EP0655027B1 (de) 1998-04-29

Family

ID=25457678

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93920081A Expired - Lifetime EP0655027B1 (de) 1992-08-13 1993-08-13 Rasierhilfsmittel mit verbesserter biegsamkeit

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0655027B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH08500503A (de)
AU (1) AU676206B2 (de)
CA (1) CA2139922A1 (de)
DE (1) DE69318302T2 (de)
WO (1) WO1994004325A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5689883A (en) * 1995-05-08 1997-11-25 Warner-Lambert Company Shaving implement
US5711076A (en) * 1996-03-27 1998-01-27 The Gillette Company Shaving system with improved guard structure
US5956848A (en) 1997-02-27 1999-09-28 The Gillette Company Shaving system
US20050015990A1 (en) * 2003-07-25 2005-01-27 Barone Chris A. Method for producing a shaving aid cartridge
JP6071438B2 (ja) 2012-11-06 2017-02-01 株式会社貝印刃物開発センター シェービングエイド付き剃刀

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4692986A (en) * 1985-09-27 1987-09-15 Warner Lambert Company Razor cartridge with shaving aid
US5141694A (en) * 1987-04-24 1992-08-25 Warner-Lambert Company Process for insert molding wet-shaving razor unit
US4854043A (en) * 1987-10-30 1989-08-08 Warner-Lambert Company Flexible razor head
US5095619A (en) * 1990-09-28 1992-03-17 The Gillette Company Shaving system
GB9022945D0 (en) * 1990-10-22 1990-12-05 Gillette Co Safety razors
GB9022936D0 (en) * 1990-10-22 1990-12-05 Gillette Co Razor blade units and blade spacers therefor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0655027A1 (de) 1995-05-31
CA2139922A1 (en) 1994-03-03
DE69318302D1 (de) 1998-06-04
WO1994004325A1 (en) 1994-03-03
AU676206B2 (en) 1997-03-06
DE69318302T2 (de) 1998-09-24
AU5013393A (en) 1994-03-15
JPH08500503A (ja) 1996-01-23

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