EP0858869B1 - Têtes de rasoir avec lames flexibles indépendantes - Google Patents

Têtes de rasoir avec lames flexibles indépendantes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0858869B1
EP0858869B1 EP19980100715 EP98100715A EP0858869B1 EP 0858869 B1 EP0858869 B1 EP 0858869B1 EP 19980100715 EP19980100715 EP 19980100715 EP 98100715 A EP98100715 A EP 98100715A EP 0858869 B1 EP0858869 B1 EP 0858869B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blade
razor head
blade elements
elements
flexible
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
EP19980100715
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0858869A1 (fr
Inventor
Max Arthur Lembke
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 EP0858869A1 publication Critical patent/EP0858869A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0858869B1 publication Critical patent/EP0858869B1/fr
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
    • 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
    • B26B21/08—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 involving changeable blades
    • B26B21/14—Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle
    • B26B21/22—Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle involving several blades to be used simultaneously
    • B26B21/222—Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle involving several blades to be used simultaneously with the blades moulded into, or attached to, a changeable unit
    • B26B21/227—Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle involving several blades to be used simultaneously with the blades moulded into, or attached to, a changeable unit with blades being resiliently mounted in the changeable unit
    • 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
    • B26B21/4068—Mounting devices; Manufacture of razors or cartridges

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to razor heads comprising flexible blades, and more particularly, to razor heads with at least two blades adapted to flex in response to shaving forces.
  • Safety razors typically include one or two blades disposed between a guard and a cap. In many instances, each of these elements is typically rigidly fixed relative to one another and disposed in skin-engaging contact during shaving. In recent years, dynamic shaving systems have been introduced which permit one or more of the skin-engaging elements of the shaving system to move in response to forces encountered during shaving.
  • a razor head in which at least two blades thereof are flexible, and more particularly, are adapted to independently flex in response to shaving forces to allow the blades to better conform to the contours of the skin surface in order to achieve greater comfort and closeness.
  • a razor head in which a blade thereof is flexible and, more particularly, the center portion of the blade has a greater stiffness compared to the end portions thereof so as to provide a flatter curve along the length of the blade in response to shaving forces.
  • EP-0 470 720 A1 describes a razor head with two blades, which are flexibly supported by a single blade platform. Spacers are provided to maintain a distance between the two blades. In response to shaving forces, both blades will deflect simultaneously.
  • the present invention provides a razor head as defined in claim 1.
  • Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide razor heads having independent flexible blades in which at least one blade is designed to have different stiff nesses along its length, for example, to have greater stiffness in the center compared to the end portions thereof so as to produce a flatter curve in response to shaving forces.
  • Still other embodiments of the present invention provide razor heads having independent flexible blades in which the blade support is provided with a skin-engaging shaving aid material.
  • FIG. 1 One embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises a razor head 10 generally comprising a blade support 20 and at least two, and preferably, three flexible blade elements 30 such as a leading blade element, a middle blade element, and a trailing blade element.
  • a razor head 10 generally comprising a blade support 20 and at least two, and preferably, three flexible blade elements 30 such as a leading blade element, a middle blade element, and a trailing blade element.
  • the term “razor head” is meant to include cartridges adapted to be connected to a separate razor as well as the operative cutting portion of a disposable razor wherein the handle and cutting portion are formed as a single unit.
  • the term “flexible” is used to indicate a bending capability of a blade along the blades longitudinal axis in response to shaving forces. As such, the flexible blade elements of the present invention differs from generally rigid blades which may deflect vertically or angularly in response to shaving forces.
  • blade elements 30 comprise a generally elongate blade 40 attached to a generally corrugated flexible member 50.
  • the illustrated blade 40 comprises a cutting edge 42, a central opening (not shown) and cutouts (not shown) at each end portion 44 and 46 through which interlocking projections 52 of flexible member 50 can extend for securing blade 40 to flexible member 50.
  • Such a configuration is ideally suited for assembly by plastic insert molding.
  • cutting edge 42 of blade 40 extends outwardly from flexible member 50, i.e., the portion of blade 40 containing cutting edge 42 is cantilevered from flexible member 50.
  • flexible member 50 preferably comprises a generally sinusoidal configuration, and particularly, a generally rectangular sine wave configuration, in which portions thereof provide a generally flat top surface for supporting blade 40.
  • Flexible member 50 also comprises tabs 54 and 56 which extend outwardly beyond the end portions 44 and 46 of blade 40. As explained in greater detail below, tabs 54 and 56 are movably supported in blade support 20 so that blade elements 30 can be repetitively flexed therebetween in response to shaving forces. When such shaving forces are removed, the inherent resiliency of blade element 30 is preferably sufficient to return the blade element to an original position.
  • the blade elements are designed to have a varying stiffness along their length.
  • a blade element having a greater stiffness in the center portion compared to the end portions to provide a flexible blade having a flatter curve in the central portion.
  • the guard bar since the guard bar is generally rigid it will flatten the skin in front of the blade and a stiffer center portion will correspond more closely to the configuration of the skin, limiting the variation in blade protrusion (i.e., amount the blade edge extends from a tangent line connecting a cap and a guard) and limiting the variation in the effective shaving angle between the blade and the skin.
  • blade support 20 comprises a frame 60 and a base 70.
  • the illustrated frame 60 comprises a cap 62, a guard 64, and sides 66.
  • cap 62, guard 64 and sides 66 are formed as a single unit, e.g., formed from an injected molded polymeric material such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or combinations thereof.
  • the guard can be attached or integrally formed with the base.
  • the frame and the base are suitably attached to each other, e.g., by adhesives, thermal bonding or a snap-fit.
  • blade elements 30 are disposed, when assembled, in a vertically spaced relation, as well as disposed in a horizontally spaced relation across the width of the blade support.
  • frame 60 and base 70 cooperate to provide a generally rigid support which generally does not flex or bend as a result of shaving forces.
  • the present invention translates forces on the blades into deflection while the cap and guard remain stationary.
  • base 70 is provided at its ends with steps 72, and sides 66 of frame 60 are provided with corresponding slots 68 (best shown in FIG. 1) to movably hold each blade element 30 therebetween.
  • This illustrated blade support arrangement permits inward movement of tabs 54 and 56 in response to shaving forces along the length of blade element 30 without disengaging the tabs from the slots.
  • the blade elements are illustrated as separate, from the present description it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the blade elements can be attached at their end portions, e.g., the flexible elements can be molded as a unit with their end portions attached so that the blades are disposed in spaced vertical relation and spaced horizontal relationship across the width, and the molded unit. can be provided with a single tab on each end which is retained in a blade support.
  • the present invention eliminates the need for a separate spacer element installed between adjacent blades of unitary dynamic razor systems, e.g., shaving systems where the cap and guard, as well as the blades flex as one.
  • the independently flexible blade elements of the present invention allow the blades to have a greater flexibility without compromising structural integrity.
  • blade support 20 preferably comprises wash through slots for rinsing shaving debris from the spaces between the blades.
  • frame 60 desirably has a rear wall 61 having openings 63
  • base 70 desirably has openings 73 which, in conjunction with the openings in flexible member 50, provide passageways for rinsing shaving debris from the spaces between the blades.
  • Razor head 10 of the present invention is assembled by inserting blade elements 30 sequentially in frame 60. Specifically, the rear trailing blade element is inserted first, the middle blade element is inserted next, and the leading blade element inserted last.
  • the base is then attached to the frame to secure the blade elements therein.
  • the base is suitably attached to a separate razor for wet shaving.
  • the blade elements being similarly configured reduce the cost of the shaving system by reducing the number of different elements of the razor head, and thus, the tooling required and the cost and time required for assembly.
  • the similarly configured blade elements of the present invention reduce the complexity for forming the razor head in that individual blade elements can be readily inserted in the desired slots of the blade support. Also, by increasing the number of blade edges in contact with a skin surface, shaving forces are distributed over a greater area in order to provide a more comfortable shave.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a razor head, as described above, in which shaving system 10 further comprises a skin-engaging shaving aid material.
  • shaving aid material 80 is attached to cap 62 of blade support 20.
  • shaving aid refers equally either to the active ingredient combined within a delivery system, such as a water-insoluble micro-porous matrix structure or to the active ingredient alone.
  • Previously suggested active ingredients include those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,170,821 to Booth.
  • a shaving aid may comprise one or various combinations of the following:
  • active ingredients may include various pigments, i.e., titanium dioxide, fragrances, aloe vera, flavoring agents, mineral oils, essential oils and other oils derived from plants.
  • the shaving aids of the present invention may also comprise other compounds or blends of compounds such as water-insoluble polymers such as polystyrene and polypropylene.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Dry Shavers And Clippers (AREA)
  • Cosmetics (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Une tête de rasoir (10) comprenant :
    un support (20) de lame ; et
    au moins deux éléments (30) de lame flexible, chacun comprenant un axe longitudinal et des parties d'extrémités opposées (44, 46) supportées par ledit support de lame, caractérisés en ce que lesdits éléments (30) de lame et ledit support (20) de lame sont aptes à permettre la flexion indépendante desdits éléments (30) de lame le long dudit axe longitudinal en réponse aux forces de rasage.
  2. Une tête (10) de rasoir selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle au moins l'un des éléments (30) de lame comprend une lame (40) fixée à un organe (50) flexible.
  3. Une tête (10) de rasoir selon la revendication 2 dans laquelle ledit organe (50) flexible comprend des zones d'épaisseur réduite.
  4. Une tête de rasoir (10) selon la revendication 2 dans laquelle ledit organe (50) flexible présente une configuration nervurée.
  5. Une tête (10) de rasoir selon la revendication 2 dans laquelle ledit organe (50) flexible comprend une configuration sensiblement rectangulaire en onde sinusoïdale.
  6. Une tête (10) de rasoir selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle au moins l'un desdits éléments (30) de lame comprend une première partie avec une première rigidité et une deuxième partie avec une deuxième rigidité qui est différente de la première rigidité.
  7. Une tête (10) de rasoir selon la revendication 6 dans laquelle au moins l'un des éléments (30) de lame présente une rigidité plus grande dans une partie centrale que dans une partie d'extrémité (44, 46) de l'élément de lame.
  8. Une tête (10) de rasoir selon la revendication 1 comprenant trois éléments (30) de lame flexible.
  9. Une tête de rasoir (10) selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle ledit support (20) de lame est sensiblement rigide.
  10. Une tête de rasoir (10) selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle ledit support (20) de lame comprend un élément (64) de protection et un élément (62) de capuchon.
  11. Une tête de rasoir (10) selon la revendication 10 comprenant deux côtés latéraux (66), chaque côté (66) comprenant au moins une rainure (68) tournée vers l'intérieur pour recevoir lesdits éléments de lame.
  12. Une tête de rasoir (10) selon la revendication 11 dans laquelle lesdits éléments (30) de lame comprennent au moins une patte s'étendant vers l'extérieur à chaque partie d'extrémité, et qui est reçue dans ladite rainure (68) respective tournée vers l'intérieur dudit côté (66).
  13. Une tête de rasoir (10) selon la revendication 12 dans laquelle ledit support (20) de lame comprend une base (70) disposée entre lesdits côtés latéraux (66), ladite base (70) comprenant des gradins (72) pour retenir lesdits éléments (30) de lame dans une relation décalée verticalement dans lesdites rainures (68) desdits côtés latéraux (66).
  14. Une tête de rasoir (10) selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle ledit support (20) de lame comprend une assistance au rasage (80).
  15. Une tête de rasoir (10) selon la revendication 14 dans laquelle ladite assistance (80) au rasage comprend au moins une matière choisie parmi le groupe consistant en un agent lubrifiant, un agent médicinal, une vitamine, un agent cosmétique, un coagulant, un astringent, un agent nettoyant, une lotion de conditionnement de la peau, et des combinaisons de ces matières.
EP19980100715 1997-01-17 1998-01-16 Têtes de rasoir avec lames flexibles indépendantes Expired - Lifetime EP0858869B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US78526397A 1997-01-17 1997-01-17
US785263 1997-01-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0858869A1 EP0858869A1 (fr) 1998-08-19
EP0858869B1 true EP0858869B1 (fr) 2002-10-23

Family

ID=25134926

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19980100715 Expired - Lifetime EP0858869B1 (fr) 1997-01-17 1998-01-16 Têtes de rasoir avec lames flexibles indépendantes

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0858869B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH10286383A (fr)
AU (1) AU748642B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2223161A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69808815T2 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1953851B (zh) * 2004-05-06 2010-05-12 比克-维奥雷克斯有限公司 具有激光焊接件的剃须刀头的制造方法
CN1964825B (zh) * 2004-05-06 2010-06-16 比克-维奥雷克斯有限公司 带有适配盖件的剃须刀头
US7802353B2 (en) 2004-05-06 2010-09-28 Bic-Violex S.A. Method of producing a razor head

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6112412A (en) * 1999-04-21 2000-09-05 Warner-Lambert Company Razor assembly and cartridge having improved wash-through
CA2301468A1 (fr) * 1999-04-21 2000-10-21 Warner-Lambert Company Ensemble et cartouche de rasoir avec trous de lavage
AU2005200182B2 (en) * 1999-04-21 2008-04-03 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, Llc Razor assembly and cartridge having improve wash-through
US6305084B1 (en) * 2000-02-29 2001-10-23 Wheel Technology Ltd. Razor cartridge and corresponding method of assembly
GB0025336D0 (en) * 2000-10-16 2000-11-29 Gillette Co Safety razors
US20040020053A1 (en) 2000-10-16 2004-02-05 The Gillette Company Safety razors
EP1419859B1 (fr) * 2001-07-17 2007-02-28 Kai R & D Center Co., Ltd. Rasoir de securite
WO2005075161A1 (fr) * 2004-02-05 2005-08-18 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Tete de rasoir avec support de lame a surface de section transversale reduite
US7748121B2 (en) 2005-05-06 2010-07-06 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Razor blade and support assembly
JP4950506B2 (ja) * 2006-02-14 2012-06-13 株式会社貝印刃物開発センター 剃刀
JP4950507B2 (ja) 2006-02-14 2012-06-13 株式会社貝印刃物開発センター 剃刀
JP4977374B2 (ja) 2006-02-14 2012-07-18 株式会社貝印刃物開発センター 剃刀
EP2123409B1 (fr) 2008-05-22 2012-02-29 Feintechnik GmbH Eisfeld Unité de lame de rasoir dotée d'un stockage d'arête coupante
US9102070B1 (en) * 2015-02-18 2015-08-11 Lydia M. Ho Bendable and shape-retaining hair cutting apparatus
US11511448B2 (en) * 2017-06-16 2022-11-29 BIC Violex Single Member S.A. Razor cartridges

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1476351A (en) 1974-04-17 1977-06-10 Wilkinson Sword Ltd Compounds having a physiological cooling effect and compo sitions containing them
US4170821A (en) 1977-12-02 1979-10-16 Warner-Lambert Company Razor cartridges
US4854043A (en) * 1987-10-30 1989-08-08 Warner-Lambert Company Flexible razor head
DE3743298A1 (de) 1987-12-19 1989-06-29 Wilkinson Sword Gmbh Rasierapparat und verfahren zur herstellung einer flaeche geringen reibungswiderstands an einem rasierapparat
CA2046353C (fr) * 1990-08-07 1999-11-16 Evan N. Chen Tete de rasoir flexible monobloc
US5095619A (en) 1990-09-28 1992-03-17 The Gillette Company Shaving system
JPH0724156A (ja) 1993-07-09 1995-01-27 Kaijirushi Hamono Kaihatsu Center:Kk シェービングエイド付き剃刀

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1953851B (zh) * 2004-05-06 2010-05-12 比克-维奥雷克斯有限公司 具有激光焊接件的剃须刀头的制造方法
CN1964825B (zh) * 2004-05-06 2010-06-16 比克-维奥雷克斯有限公司 带有适配盖件的剃须刀头
US7802353B2 (en) 2004-05-06 2010-09-28 Bic-Violex S.A. Method of producing a razor head
US7882610B2 (en) 2004-05-06 2011-02-08 Bic-Violex S.A. Razor head having laser welded parts and method of producing thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69808815T2 (de) 2003-12-24
JPH10286383A (ja) 1998-10-27
CA2223161A1 (fr) 1998-07-17
AU748642B2 (en) 2002-06-06
EP0858869A1 (fr) 1998-08-19
AU4764697A (en) 1998-07-23
DE69808815D1 (de) 2002-11-28

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