EP2481535A1

EP2481535A1 - A shaving machine

Info

Publication number: EP2481535A1
Application number: EP20120152522
Authority: EP
Inventors: Itzhak Nissim Kataribas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-01-26
Filing date: 2012-01-25
Publication date: 2012-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2032-01-25
Also published as: IL217765A; CN102615656A; EP2481535B1; CN102615656B; IL217765A0; IL210887A0

Abstract

A shaving machine (100) having a thicker grid (110) than standard machines, that protect the skin from damage and ensure the keeping of religious practices related to shaving. The thicker grid is achieved by either replacing a basic grid of the machine or mounting an additional grid (119) thereupon. The invention further provides kits of grids in different thicknesses to allow a user personalize the performance of the shaving machine. The invention further provides kits of mountable grids to be added to the basic grid, in different thicknesses to allow a user personalize the performance of the shaving machine.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Israeli Patent Application 210887 filed on January 26 2011 , which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of shaving machines, and more particularly, to a skin safe shaving machine.

2. DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Shaving machines (illustrated in prior art Figures 1A , and 4A -4C) are in continuous development towards achieving an ever smoother shave. However, a smooth shave is accompanied by some skin injury, or at least a risk of skin injury. Due to this damage risk, for some users a smooth shave is disadvantageous, for example users suffering from skin problems, ingrown hairs, or reverse hair growth, or users keeping religious practices that prohibit damaging the skin.
Trimmers are designed to cut hair to bristles, but trimmer cut bristles are quite rough and long, and trimmers are not designed for shaving a face.
The following patents and patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: British Patent Document No. 2063752 , U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008134513 and U.S. Patents Nos. 6032365 and 4336650 , and Chinese Patent Documents Nos. 200945636 , 2544911 , 2712565 and 1169351 , which discloses various types of shavers.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a shaving machine having a cutting element positioned below a grid having a specified thickness and specified pore sizes and distances, the cutting element arranged to cut hairs that enter through the grid, the shaving machine characterized in that the specified thickness is selected such as to cut the hairs at a predefined distance from the skin, to completely avoid a risk of damaging the skin, the complete avoidance of skin damage being useable for protecting the skin and for keeping religious practices.
These, additional, and/or other aspects and/or advantages of the present invention are: set forth in the detailed description which follows; possibly inferable from the detailed description; and/or learnable by practice of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more readily understood from the detailed description of embodiments thereof made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

Figures 1B-1H are schematic illustrations of a shaving machine of the rotary type, and mountable grids of different thicknesses and configurations, according to some embodiments of the invention;
Figures 2A-2F are schematic illustrations of additional grids of varying thickness mountable upon and above a basic grid, and included in a kit for a shaving machine of the rotary type, according to some embodiments of the invention;
Figures 3A-3G are schematic illustrations of additional grids of varying thickness mountable upon and below a basic grid, and included in a kit for a shaving machine of the rotary type, according to some embodiments of the invention;
Figures 4A-4C are illustrations of traditional shaving machines according to the prior art;
Figures 5A and 5B are schematic illustrations of an additional grid mountable on a basic grid of a shaving machine of the foil type, according to some embodiments of the invention;
Figures 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating the avoidance of skin damage, according to some embodiments of the invention;
Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart illustration of a method, according to some embodiments of the invention;
Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart illustration of a cap for a rotary shaving machine, according to some embodiments of the invention; and
Figure 9 illustrates a shaving machine according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
For a better understanding of the invention, the usages of the following terms in the present disclosure are defined in a non-limiting manner:
The term "pores" as used herein in this application, is defined as spaces in a grid of a shaving machine, including slots, holes, slits and other types of openings (triangular, squares, rectangles and the like).
The term "basic grid" as used herein in this application, is defined as a grid in the shaving machine that is either supplied as an original grid with the shaving machine or replaces such an original grid. The basic grid can have a thickness between 0.10-0.42 mm.
Figures 1B-1H , 2A-2F, 3A-3G, 5A and 5B illustrate shaving machines 100 according to embodiments of the present invention. Shaving machine 100 has a cutting element 90 such as a moveable razorblade arranged to cut hairs 95 that enter through grid 110, and positioned below a grid 110 with pores 120. Grid 110 has a specified thickness 112 and pores 120 have specified pore sizes 114, specified distances 115 between pores 120 and specified geometric characteristics, e.g. inclination angle 126 of elongated pores 120 in Figure 1F . In one exemplary embodiment, the pores may have a 'V shape' cross section that facilities the cutting process by accumulating hair from an area larger than the respective cutting area. In another exemplary embodiment, the grid may be made from a plastic material with specified properties that provide both hard structure and comfort feel for the face.
Specified thickness 112 is selected such as to cut hairs 95 at a predefined distance 116 from skin 80, to completely avoid a risk of damaging skin 80. Figures 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating the avoidance of skin damage, according to some embodiments of the invention.
Specified thickness 112 is larger than useable for achieving a smooth shave and is selected to cut hairs 95 to bristles 96 in a predefined length range 118. Cutting hairs 90 at specified distance 118 prevents various skin injuries such as direct injuries and hair growth injuries such as ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
The invention allows a user regulate thickness 112 of grid 110 to achieve a desired bristle length. The regulation of thickness 112 is carried out according to one of three basic principles: (i) replacement of the existing grid, (ii) adding one additional grid, and (iii) adding several additional grids to achieve an over-all required thickness. Adding additional grids may be carried out on top or beneath the existing grid, and in any case, pore characteristics (specified sizes 114, specified distances 115, specified geometric characteristics such as form and inclination angle 126) are the same in the add-ons as in the basic grid, and the add-ons are congruent to the existing grid.
The existing grid has notches or protrusions 123. The added grid or grids have corresponding protrusions or notches 124 that fit notches or protrusions 123 (respectively). In case (iii) of adding multiple additional grids, protrusions or notches 124 are arranged to connect them in a stable manner to grid 110. Particularly, protrusions or notches 124 are arranged to ensure congruency of pores 120 in the added grid(s) to pores 120 in the existing grid 110.
As examples, the following relates to two types of popular shaving machines: a rotary type- an electric shaver with rotary heads ( Figures 1B-1H , 2A-2F, 3A-3G), and a foil type ( Figures 5A and 5B ). The invention is not limited to these types. Figures 1B-1H are schematic illustrations of shaving machine 100 of the rotary type, and grids 110 of different thicknesses 112, according to some embodiments of the invention. The rotary type has razorblade 90 arranged to move circularly beneath grid 110 with elongated, substantially parallel pores 120. The inventors have long experimented to find the optimal parameters of grid 110, and have found them to be: pore diameter 114 between 0.2 and 0.35 mm, interspaced by between 0.15 and 0.3 mm, and thickness 112 of grid 110 between 0.12 and 0.48 mm.
Figures 2A-2E are schematic illustrations of additional grids 119 of varying thickness 112B-E mountable upon and above basic grid 110 with 112A thickness, and included in a kit for shaving machine 100 of the rotary type, according to some embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of the invention comprise a kit for shaving machine 100 comprising a plurality of additional grids 119, each characterized by specified thickness 112B-F and specified pore sizes 114 and distances 115. Any of additional grids 119 may be mounted in shaving machine 100 to allow a user adjust bristle length and skin damage avoidance to the user's facial characteristics. Additional grids 119 may be mounted singly or group-wise, to allow the user reach exactly the proffered overall grid thickness that fits the user's needs. Additional grids 119 may have notches or protrusions 134 that secure additional grids 119 to each other and to a protrusion or a notch (respectively) 133 of basic grid 110 as exemplified Figure 2F . Sides and edges of additional grids 119 are also arranged to fit upon each other and upon basic grid 110.
Additional grids 119 may differ in their thicknesses 112B-112E and radii 122B-122E, allowing adjustment by the user to different skin characteristics and sensibilities, as well as for achieving different bristle length. For example, each additional grid 119 may have thicknesses 112B-112E between 0.05-0.08 mm and radii 122B-122E between 2.2 and 2.0 mm.
Figures 3A-3G are schematic illustrations of additional grids 119 of varying thickness 112B-E mountable upon and beneath basic grid 110 with 112A thickness, and included in a kit for shaving machine 100 of the rotary type, according to some embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of the invention comprise a kit for shaving machine 100 comprising a plurality of additional grids 119, each characterized by specified thickness 112B-F and specified pore sizes 114 and distances 115. Any of additional grids 119 may be mounted in shaving machine 100 to allow a user adjust bristle length and skin damage avoidance to the user's facial characteristics. Additional grids 119 may be mounted singly or group-wise, to allow the user reach exactly the preferred overall grid thickness that fits the user's needs. Additional grids 119 may have notches or protrusions 134 that secure additional grids 119 to each other and to a protrusion or a notch (respectively) 133 of basic grid 110, as exemplified Figure 3G . Sides and edges of additional grids 119 are also arranged to fit upon each other and upon basic grid 110.
Additional grids 119 may differ in their thicknesses 112B-112E and radii 122B-122E, allowing adjustment by the user to different skin characteristics and sensibilities, as well as for achieving different bristle length. For example, each additional grid 119 may have thicknesses 112B-112E between 0.05-0.08 mm and radii 122B-122E between 2.2 and 2.0 mm. Alternative basic grids 110 may have thicknesses between 0.15-0.4 mm, e.g. 0.12, 0.18, 0.24, 0.30, 0.42, 0.46, 0.47 and 0.48 mm.
The fitting of additional grid 119 upon basic grid 110 may leave a very small space between them (e.g. a space denoted by REF 0.05mm in Figures 2F , 3G), that allows dismounting and releasing additional grid 119 from basic grid 110.
Figures 4A-4C are illustrations of traditional shaving machines according to the prior art.
Figures 5A and 5B are schematic illustrations of a shaving machine of the foil type, according to some embodiments of the invention. The foil shaver has razorblade 90 arranged to move back and forth below grid 110 with pores 120. Pores 120 may be round, rhomboid, or have any other form. The inventors have long experimented to find the optimal parameters of grid 110, and have found them to be: pore diameter 114 between 0.2 and 0.3 mm, and thickness 112 of grid 110 between 0.18 and 0.35 mm. Thickness 112 may be achieved either be replaceable grids 110 that may be provided separately or as a kit with grids 110 of varying thickness, or by a kit of additional grids 119, each with a specified thickness, allowing a user to reach exactly the proffered overall grid thickness that fits the user's needs. Additional grids 119 in variable number mountable singly or group-wise on a foil shaver may be constructed and supplied in similar manner of additional grids 119 as for the rotary shaver. Additional grids 119 may be mounted upon basic grid 110 on the internal side of basic grid 110 as illustrated in Figure 5B , or on its external side, utilizing the respective protrusion or notches 123 to stabilize additional grids 119 upon basic grid 110.
Embodiments of the invention comprise a kit for shaving machine 100 comprising a plurality of additional grids 119, each characterized by specified thickness 113. Any of grids 119 may be mounted on basic grid 110 in shaving machine 100 to allow a user adjust bristle length and skin damage avoidance to the user's facial characteristics. Grids 119 have the same pore sizes 114 and distances 115 as basic grid 110. Basic grid 110 in the foil type may be thinner than 0.10 mm, alternative basic grid 110 may have thicknesses between 0.18-0.35 mm. Additional grids 119 may have thicknesses between 0.04 mm and 0.07 mm.
Basic grid 110 and or grids 119 may be adjusted to allow their mutual attachment by attachment means, for example basic grid 110 may have additional notches or protrusions 123, to fit corresponding protrusions or notches 124 (respectively) in grids 119. The attachment means on basic grid 110 are arranged to receive mountable additional grid 119 and allow cooperation of grid 119 with grid 110 to adjust bristle length and skin damage avoidance.
Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart illustration of a method 150, according to some embodiments of the invention. Method 150 comprises thickening a grid in a shaving machine (stage 155) to cut the hairs at a predefined distance from the skin thereby completely avoiding a risk of damaging the skin. Thickening 155 may be achieved by replacing a basic grid of the shaving machine (stage 160), or by mounting on a basic grid of the shaving machine an additional grid with predefined thickness (stage 165). Method 150 may further comprise collecting cut hairs by suction (stage 170). Cutting hair may be carried out by either a rotary or linear razorblade or by a laser. Advantageously, by using laser, the challenge of cutting hair with a grid of a thickness above the values that are currently in use is met more easily.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a rotary shaving machine, according to some embodiments of the invention. Cap 800 incorporates a grid 810 having different types and sizes of pores 820A-820D in one operative assembly for the rotary shaving machine. Other grids having different thickness may be used for achieving different values for cutting the hair. As shown below cap 800 a rotary laser source 830 may replace standard cutting means so that laser beam 840 may be configured, by rotating either clockwise or counterclockwise, to cut the hair on the plane just below grid 820 at the desired and predefined height.
To summarize, Figures 1D and 1E illustrate principle (i) replacement of basic grid 110 by grid 110 of a different thickness. Figures 1G , 1H , 2F , 3F , 3G , 5A and 5B illustrate principle (ii) adding one additional grid 119 above or below basic grid to allow the user to adjust the overall thickness. Figures 2A-2E and 3A-3E illustrate principle (iii) adding several additional grids 119 above or below basic grid 110, to achieve an over-all required thickness, wherein additional grids 119 are connectable to each other in different combination to achieve an exact required over-all thickness.
The described invention achieves a bristle length of between 0.12 and 0.48 mm. This is longer than possible by ordinary shaving machines (maximal bristle length possible 0.06-0.1 mm) and shorter than possible by using a conventional trimmer (minimal bristle length possible 0.5-0.8 mm). This length of bristles is exactly the range needed for users that require a shave without injuring their skin.
From a point of view of Jewish religious practices, an assurance of avoiding skin injury and damage is crucial for users to be able to use shaving machines.
Thicknesses 112 are determined according to medical indication. For example, according to the inventor's experimentation and experience, thickness 112 between 0.15 and 0.18 mm may be appropriate to prevent skin sensitivity reaction of users with a dark skin, thickness 112 between 0.18 and 0.21 mm may be appropriate to prevent skin sensitivity reaction of users with a light skin, thickness 112 between 0.21 and 0.23 mm may be appropriate to prevent skin sensitivity reaction at neck regions, thickness 112 between 0.23 and 0.25 mm may be appropriate to prevent hairs from penetrating the skin, thickness 112 between 0.26 and 0.29 mm may be appropriate to prevent recurrent hair growth, thickness 112 between 0.27 and 0.30 mm may be appropriate to prevent seborrhea, thickness 112 between 0.30 and 0.32 mm may be appropriate to prevent mycosis, thickness 112 between 0.32 and 0.38 mm may be appropriate to allow shaving according to Jewish religious practices, thickness 112 between 0.38 and 0.41 mm may be appropriate to prevent mild acne problems, thickness 112 between 0.41 and 0.44 mm may be appropriate to prevent severe acne problems, and thickness 112 between 0.44 and 0.48 mm may be appropriate to prevent severe recurring growth problems. Beyond these indications, thickness 112 between 0.32 and 0.44 mm may be appropriate to produce a fashionable bristled look.
The invention in its various embodiments is arranged to provide a user select bristle length by selecting thickness 112. The described kits, either of replaceable grids 110 or as additional grids 119, are arranged to provide any part of the range of thickness 112 between 0.12 and 0.48 mm.
Figure 9 illustrates shaving machine 100 according to embodiments of the present invention. Shaving machine 100 has a cutting element 90 such as a laser beam 92 generated by a laser source 91 rotatably mounted on an axis 94 connected to a rotary motor 93. Laser beam 92 is arranged to cut hairs 95 that enter through grid 110, and positioned below a grid 110 with pores 120. Grid 110 has a specified thickness 112 and pores 120 have specified pore sizes 114, specified distances 115 between pores 120 and specified geometric characteristics.
Rotary motor 93 and laser source 91 are powered by a battery 137 or an external power source 141 connected via socket 139 to shaving machine 100.
Shaving machine 100 may further comprise a hair collection unit 130 arranged to collect bits of cut hair 97 drawn in through a suction area 133 such as a small spout, connected via ducts 132 to hair collection unit 130, such as a small container. Hair collection unit 130 may also be powered by battery 137 or external power source 141.
In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the invention. The various appearances of "one embodiment", "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments.
Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.
Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above.
The invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.
Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

A shaving machine having a cutting element positioned below a grid having a specified thickness and specified pore sizes, distances and geometric characteristics, the cutting element arranged to cut hairs that enter through the grid, the shaving machine characterized in that the specified thickness is selected such as to cut the hairs at a predefined distance from the skin, to completely avoid a risk of damaging the skin, the complete avoidance of skin damage being useable for protecting the skin and for keeping religious practices.
The shaving machine of claim 1, wherein the specified thickness is larger than useable for achieving a smooth shave and is selected to cut the hairs to bristles in a predefined length range.
The shaving machine of claim 1, wherein the grid comprises a single grid of a user selected thickness.
A kit for the shaving machine of claim 3, the kit comprising a plurality of grids, each characterized by a specified thickness different from the other grids, and specified pore sizes, distances and geometrical characteristics, the grids being replaceably mountable in the shaving machine to allow a user adjust bristle length and skin damage avoidance to the user's facial characteristics.
The shaving machine of claim 1, wherein the grid comprises an additional grid mounted congruently upon a basic grid, such that the pores in the additional grids are congruent to the pores in the basic grid.
A kit for the shaving machine of claim 5, the kit comprising a plurality of additional grids, each characterized by a specified thickness different from the other grids, each of the grids being additionally mountable on the basic grid in the shaving machine and have the same pore sizes, distances and geometrical characteristics as the basic grid, to allow a user adjust bristle length and skin damage avoidance to the user's facial characteristics.
The shaving machine of claim 1, wherein the grid comprises a plurality of additional grids mounted congruently upon a basic grid, such that the pores in the additional grids are congruent to the pores in the basic grid.
A kit for the shaving machine of claim 7, the kit comprising a plurality of additional grids, each characterized by a specified thickness, the additional grids being groupwise mountable on the basic grid in the shaving machine and have the same pore sizes, distances and geometrical characteristics as the basic grid, to allow a user adjust bristle length and skin damage avoidance to the user's facial characteristics by selecting a group of additional grids and mounting the group onto the basic grid to achieve an exactly fitting grid thickness.
The kits of claims 6 or 8, wherein the thicknesses of the additional grids are selected to allow the user achieve an overall grid thickness in any one of the following thickness ranges: 0.12-0.18mm, 0.18-0.21mm, 0.21-0.23mm, 0.23-0.25mm, 0.26-0.29mm, 0.27-0.30mm, 0.30-0.32mm, 0.32-0.38mm, 0.38-0.41mm, 0.41-0.44mm, 0.44-0.48mm, and 0.32-0.44mm.
The kits of claims 6 or 8, wherein the additional grids are mounted on the basic grid from below.
The shaving machine of claim 1, wherein the cutting element is a razorblade arranged to move back and forth, the grid pores are round and have a diameter between 0.2 and 0.3 mm, and the grid is between 0.12 and 0.48 mm thick.
The shaving machine of claim 1, wherein the cutting element is a razorblade arranged to move circularly, the grid pores are elongated, parallel, interspaced by between 0.3 and 0.35 mm, and are between 0.3 and 0.35 mm wide, and the grid is between 0.12 and 0.48 mm thick.
The shaving machine of claim 1, wherein the grid is arranged to achieve a bristle length between 0.12 and 0.48 mm.
The shaving machine of claim 1, wherein the grid further comprises attachment means to receive a mountable additional grid arranged to cooperate with the grid to adjust bristle length and skin damage avoidance.
The shaving machine of claim 1, wherein the cutting element is a laser beam.