EP2707181B1 - Blade retainers for shaving razor cartridge - Google Patents
Blade retainers for shaving razor cartridge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2707181B1 EP2707181B1 EP11865683.4A EP11865683A EP2707181B1 EP 2707181 B1 EP2707181 B1 EP 2707181B1 EP 11865683 A EP11865683 A EP 11865683A EP 2707181 B1 EP2707181 B1 EP 2707181B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- leg
- retainer
- cartridge housing
- cartridge
- wall
- 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.)
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Classifications
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- 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
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- 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 subject matter relates to shaving razor systems.
- the present subject matter has particular applicability to shaving systems of the wet shave type.
- Certain current conventional wet shaving systems feature razor cartridges that carry a plurality of razor blades, each blade being welded to a bent blade support.
- the blade/support assemblies each fit into respective slots at either end of a central opening of a cartridge housing.
- Some conventional cartridge bodies include springs, such as leaf-type spring fingers, which bias the blade/support assemblies upward.
- a pair of metal clips is typically provided extending across the blades at respective opposing ends near the slots. The clips engage the underside of the cartridge housing to retain the blade/support assemblies in the cartridge housing.
- a clip, or blade retainer functions to allow blades to be assembled to a housing or other cartridge components, thereby building a razor cartridge that does not require other methods of assembly, such as deforming plastic to stake blades and plastic together.
- Retainers can establish a reference plane for blade edges that are assembled into a cartridge structure.
- the blade edges are typically held against the rear face of the retainer by plastic springs. This builds into the assembly a consistent cartridge geometry based on blade edge position, with the retainer/cartridge designed to cooperate to yield the most desired geometry.
- Retainers can be constructed using anodic materials based on galvanic activity such as aluminum, magnesium, beryllium, zinc, etc. or combinations thereof, to protect the blades from corrosion. This requires that the blade electrically contact the metal retainer.
- galvanic activity such as aluminum, magnesium, beryllium, zinc, etc.
- retainers have certain disadvantages, such as including the challenge of making secure assemblies, and maintaining this over extended manufacturing runs. Razor cartridges must maintain assembly integrity if the razor cartridge is accidentally dropped or otherwise subjected to normal or abnormal stresses during use. Various methods have been used to contain the retainer in the cartridge housing using an interlocking feature.
- Retainer processing can also result in undesirable sharp features that can be apparent to the user during shaving.
- distortion of the retainer shape either while forming the retainer or assembling the retainer to the cartridge housing, could result in poor electrical conductivity to the blades. This can cause loss of anodic/cathodic blade corrosion protection
- a shaving cartridge housing having a blade and a retainer for retaining the blade according to claim 1, 12, or 16.
- the dependent claims relate to individual embodiments of the invention.
- the retainer comprises a central portion for extending across a minor axis of the blade, and a pair of legs extending from respective distal ends of the central portion to form substantially a U-shape with the central portion.
- Each leg is inserted into a respective opening in the cartridge housing, and has a protrusion to engage a first wall of its respective cartridge housing opening, to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing.
- each leg of the retainer is inserted into a respective opening in the cartridge housing along an insertion axis.
- the legs are deformable after insertion to a position offset from the insertion axis to engage a wall of its respective cartridge housing opening, to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing.
- each leg comprises an elastically compressible distal end portion wider than the opening when uncompressed, the distal end portion being compressible to fit into the opening during insertion, and expandable after insertion to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing.
- a razor cartridge comprising a blade, a cartridge housing, and a retainer for retaining the blade in the cartridge housing.
- the retainer comprising a central portion for extending across a minor axis of the blade, and a pair of legs extending from respective distal ends of the central portion to form substantially a U-shape with the central portion.
- the cartridge housing has a pair of openings for respectively receiving the pair of retainer legs, each opening having a first portion extending along an insertion axis of the leg and a second portion in communication with the first portion and extending in a direction offset from the insertion axis.
- the retainer legs are sequentially inserted into the first portion and the second portion of the respective openings, and are deformed by the second portion to engage a wall of the second opening, to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing.
- the domed portion 60a features a reduced surface area for reducing drag during shaving by reducing the contact area with the skin.
- the domed portion 60a which extends away from the legs 70, is designed to lift the skin away from any sharp corners of the retainer 50, thereby improving the perception of comfort during shaving.
- Forming the domed portion 60a also increases the beam strength of the central portion 60 of the retainer 50, providing greater geometric stability under pressure and improving the straightness of the retainer 50 at the point of blade contact. This allows for consistent shave geometry and optimal performance.
- the coining of the domed portion 60a in the retainer 50 reduces the available area for contact between the blade edge and the retainer 50. As a result, the pressure at the point of contact of the blade with the retainer is increased, and the electrical connectivity is improved.
- the domed portion 60a can extend towards the legs 70. This feature also can increase electrical connectivity between the retainer 50 and the blades. Further, by extending the domed portion 60a towards the legs 70, the retainer 50 more rigidly holds the blades in the housing 20.
- the disclosed retainers 50 are coined (i.e., embossed) with one or more interlock features to lock the retainer 50 to the cartridge housing 20.
- the legs 70 of the retainer 50 have an upper leg portion 70a and a lower leg portion 70b.
- the legs 70 are bent over themselves to create a double wall with protrusions 72 on each leg 70, to increase the locking action of the retainer in the opening 30.
- Each upper leg portion 70a has a protrusion 72 to engage a first wall 32 (such as shown in Fig. 3b ) of a respective cartridge housing opening 30, to restrict movement of the retainer 50 relative to the cartridge housing 30.
- the wider legs 70 also allow use of a larger opening 30 in the housing, thereby providing manufacturing (e.g. molding) advantages.
- Fig. 2f is a cross-section of the top surface of the central portion 60 having a domed portion 60a.
- the central portion 60 further comprises a flat portion 60b surrounding the domed portion 60a.
- the leg 70 has an upper leg portion 70a which extends in a first direction along an insertion axis X.
- the lower leg portion 70b extends at an angle to the upper leg portion 70a in a second direction different the first direction (see Fig. 3b ), such that a distal end of the lower leg portion 70b engages a second wall 34 of its respective cartridge housing opening 30 when the protrusion 72 engages the first wall 32.
- the second portion 30b of the opening 30 has an indentation 32a for mating with the protrusion 72 after the leg 70 is deformed.
- the protrusion 72 can have any shape suitable for mating with a corresponding depression 32a.
- the protrusion 72 is oval-shaped.
- the protrusion 72 comprises raised ridges 72a for engaging the first wall 32.
- the protrusion 72 comprises sharp extended portions 73 for embedding in the first wall 32 such as shown in Fig. 4b .
- the sharp portions 73 provide greater friction when being pressed against the first wall 32.
- the leg 70 also comprises a through-hole 74, and the sharp extended portion 73 comprises a burr attached to an edge of the through-hole 74.
- other protrusions 72 extend from a side edge of the leg 70, such as shown in Fig. 4b .
- the use of the leg 70 having a protrusion 72 can be sufficient to hold the retainer 50 in the housing without bending, such as shown in Fig. 4c .
- Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the present disclosure in which each leg 70 is deformable after insertion to a position offset from the insertion axis X to engage a wall 32 of its respective cartridge housing opening 30, to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing.
- One method to assemble a razor cartridge having this feature is performed by holding the cartridge housing rigidly and extending a fixed angular member 90 through the bottom of the housing and contacting the leg 70 after the leg 70 is inserted into the opening 30 to achieve horizontal bending of the leg 70.
- a machine component 100 having a fixed angular member 90 is extended through the bottom of the housing and retracted to accomplish the bending necessary for each assembly.
- each leg 70 comprises a distal end portion having two branches 80a, 80b.
- Each of the branches 80a, 80b are deformable, such as by a tool, after insertion to a position offset from the insertion axis X.
- the branches 80a, 80b are deformed, such as by twisting, to form the interference fit with the walls 132 and 134 in the wider portion of the opening 130.
- the leg 70 of the retainer 50 is twisted about its axis such that the sides of the leg 70 form an interference fit with the sides of the walls 132, 134 of Fig. 6b .
- each leg 70 is deformed before insertion to a position offset from the insertion axis X.
- the deformed end 77 of the leg 70 which takes up a greater width than the opening 30, engages either of the walls 32, 34 of the cartridge housing opening 30, to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing.
- Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure in which the leg 70 of the retainer 50 is shaped to have sharp features along the length of the leg 70 to form, for example, an undulating Z-shape 78.
- the Z-shape portion 78 has a width smaller than the opening 30. After inserting the leg 70 with the Z-shaped portion 78, the Z-shape portion 78 is compressed via a stop 110 to compress the Z-shaped portion 78 of the leg 70 against the walls 32, 34 of the opening 30, thereby a retainer is held in the opening 30 via compressive force.
- This feature can allow larger openings 30 in the housing for receiving retainers, improving the holdability and hold life of the retainer.
- the retainer 50 has two legs 70 in which each leg has an upper leg portion 70a proximal to the central portion 60 and a lower leg portion 70b.
- a protrusion 72 is disposed on the upper leg portion 70a.
- the protrusion 72 is on an inner side of the upper leg portion 70a instead of an outer portion.
- the upper leg portion 70a extends in a first direction, and the lower leg portion 70b extends at an angle to the upper leg portion 70a in a second direction different the first direction.
- the lower leg portions 70b extend inwards towards each other.
- the lower leg portions 70b extend outwards and away from each other.
- the retainer 50 has lower leg portions 70b that extend outwards and away from each other in a direction perpendicular to the upper leg portion 70a.
- the retainer 50 has lower leg portions 70b that extend inwards and toward each other in a direction perpendicular to the upper leg portion 70a. The purpose for this arrangement is so that the lower leg portion 70b engages a bottom surface of its respective cartridge housing 20 to secure the retainer in the cartridge housing 20.
Description
- The present subject matter relates to shaving razor systems. The present subject matter has particular applicability to shaving systems of the wet shave type.
- Certain current conventional wet shaving systems feature razor cartridges that carry a plurality of razor blades, each blade being welded to a bent blade support. The blade/support assemblies each fit into respective slots at either end of a central opening of a cartridge housing. Some conventional cartridge bodies include springs, such as leaf-type spring fingers, which bias the blade/support assemblies upward. A pair of metal clips is typically provided extending across the blades at respective opposing ends near the slots. The clips engage the underside of the cartridge housing to retain the blade/support assemblies in the cartridge housing.
- A clip, or blade retainer functions to allow blades to be assembled to a housing or other cartridge components, thereby building a razor cartridge that does not require other methods of assembly, such as deforming plastic to stake blades and plastic together.
- Retainers can establish a reference plane for blade edges that are assembled into a cartridge structure. The blade edges are typically held against the rear face of the retainer by plastic springs. This builds into the assembly a consistent cartridge geometry based on blade edge position, with the retainer/cartridge designed to cooperate to yield the most desired geometry. Retainers can be constructed using anodic materials based on galvanic activity such as aluminum, magnesium, beryllium, zinc, etc. or combinations thereof, to protect the blades from corrosion. This requires that the blade electrically contact the metal retainer. Conventional
- retainers have certain disadvantages, such as including the challenge of making secure assemblies, and maintaining this over extended manufacturing runs. Razor cartridges must maintain assembly integrity if the razor cartridge is accidentally dropped or otherwise subjected to normal or abnormal stresses during use. Various methods have been used to contain the retainer in the cartridge housing using an interlocking feature.
- Retainer processing can also result in undesirable sharp features that can be apparent to the user during shaving. In addition, distortion of the retainer shape, either while forming the retainer or assembling the retainer to the cartridge housing, could result in poor electrical conductivity to the blades. This can cause loss of anodic/cathodic blade corrosion protection
- In
US-A-43 78 633 ,US-A-5 761 814 ,US-A-2005/198842 , andUS-A-2010/0313424 razor cartridges are disclosed, in which a central opening of the cartridge housing has open slots receiving the respective legs of two retainers wherein the legs extend beyond the bottom surface of the housing where their ends are bent so as to be retained at the bottom surface. - According to the present disclosure, advantages are achieved over conventional razor cartridges in part by a shaving cartridge housing having a blade and a retainer for retaining the blade according to claim 1, 12, or 16. The dependent claims relate to individual embodiments of the invention.
- The retainer comprises a central portion for extending across a minor axis of the blade, and a pair of legs extending from respective distal ends of the central portion to form substantially a U-shape with the central portion. Each leg is inserted into a respective opening in the cartridge housing, and has a protrusion to engage a first wall of its respective cartridge housing opening, to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing.
- In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, each leg of the retainer is inserted into a respective opening in the cartridge housing along an insertion axis. The legs are deformable after insertion to a position offset from the insertion axis to engage a wall of its respective cartridge housing opening, to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing.
- Alternatively, each leg comprises an elastically compressible distal end portion wider than the opening when uncompressed, the distal end portion being compressible to fit into the opening during insertion, and expandable after insertion to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing.
- A method of assembling a razor cartridge using a retainer as disclosed above is described, the method comprising providing a retainer for retaining a blade in a cartridge housing, the retainer comprising a central portion for extending across a minor axis of the blade, and a pair of legs extending from respective distal ends of the central portion to form substantially a U-shape with the central portion. Each leg is for insertion into a respective opening in the cartridge housing along an insertion axis. The method also comprises deforming each leg after insertion to a position offset from the insertion axis to engage a wall of its respective cartridge housing opening, to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing.
- In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosure, a razor cartridge is described, comprising a blade, a cartridge housing, and a retainer for retaining the blade in the cartridge housing. The retainer comprising a central portion for extending across a minor axis of the blade, and a pair of legs extending from respective distal ends of the central portion to form substantially a U-shape with the central portion. The cartridge housing has a pair of openings for respectively receiving the pair of retainer legs, each opening having a first portion extending along an insertion axis of the leg and a second portion in communication with the first portion and extending in a direction offset from the insertion axis. The retainer legs are sequentially inserted into the first portion and the second portion of the respective openings, and are deformed by the second portion to engage a wall of the second opening, to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing.
- Additional advantages and novel features will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or can be learned from production or operation of the examples. The advantages of the present teachings can be realized and attained by practice or use of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
- Reference is made to the attached drawings, wherein elements having the same reference numeral designations represent like elements throughout.
-
Figs. 1a-1b illustrate details of a cartridge using razor blade retainers according to the present disclosure. -
Figs. 2a-2f illustrate a retainer according to the present disclosure. -
Figs. 3a-3b illustrate a retainer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. -
Figs. 4a-4c illustrate a retainer according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. -
Fig. 5 illustrates a retainer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. -
Figs. 6a-6c illustrate a retainer according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. -
Fig. 7 illustrates a retainer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. -
Fig. 8 illustrates a retainer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. -
Fig. 9 illustrates a retainer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. -
Figs. 10a-10g illustrate a retainer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. -
Figs. 11a-11g illustrate a retainer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. -
Fig. 12 illustrates a retainer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. -
Fig. 13 illustrates a retainer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. - A shaving cartridge using the blade retainers of this disclosure will now be generally described with reference to
Figs. 1a-1b . The cartridge shown inFigs. 1a-1b is intended as merely exemplary, and not exclusive or limiting in any way. The cartridge includes ahousing 20 having acentral opening 25 into which a plurality of blade assemblies, each comprising ablade 40 welded or otherwise joined to a bent blade support, are inserted. In other embodiments the blade can include a bent portion such that the blade is e.g. substantially L-shaped and the support can be eliminated. - As shown in
Figs. 2a-2e , the blade assemblies are retained in thecartridge housing 20 by a pair ofblade retainers 50 at respective ends of thecentral opening 25 of the housing. Theretainers 50 are substantially U-shaped, with acentral portion 60 that extends across the blades, and a pair oflegs 70 that extend intoopenings 30 in the top of thehousing 20. Theopenings 30 can extend into the housing and can extend to the bottom of the housing.Figs. 2a-2f are various representations of aretainer 50 of certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As is shown inFigs. 2a-2e , thelegs 70 of theU-shaped retainer 50 can have a series ofprotrusions 72 which will be described later. As shown, for example, inFigs. 2b-2d , thecentral portion 60 has adomed portion 60a that extends from thecentral portion 60 away from thelegs 70. - The
domed portion 60a features a reduced surface area for reducing drag during shaving by reducing the contact area with the skin. Thedomed portion 60a, which extends away from thelegs 70, is designed to lift the skin away from any sharp corners of theretainer 50, thereby improving the perception of comfort during shaving. Forming thedomed portion 60a also increases the beam strength of thecentral portion 60 of theretainer 50, providing greater geometric stability under pressure and improving the straightness of theretainer 50 at the point of blade contact. This allows for consistent shave geometry and optimal performance. - The coining of the
domed portion 60a in theretainer 50 reduces the available area for contact between the blade edge and theretainer 50. As a result, the pressure at the point of contact of the blade with the retainer is increased, and the electrical connectivity is improved. In another embodiment, such as a view of the underside of the retainer as shown inFig. 2e , thedomed portion 60a can extend towards thelegs 70. This feature also can increase electrical connectivity between theretainer 50 and the blades. Further, by extending thedomed portion 60a towards thelegs 70, theretainer 50 more rigidly holds the blades in thehousing 20. - As shown in
Fig. 2a , the disclosedretainers 50 are coined (i.e., embossed) with one or more interlock features to lock theretainer 50 to thecartridge housing 20. In the embodiment shown inFigs. 2a-2e , thelegs 70 of theretainer 50 have anupper leg portion 70a and alower leg portion 70b. Thelegs 70 are bent over themselves to create a double wall withprotrusions 72 on eachleg 70, to increase the locking action of the retainer in theopening 30. Eachupper leg portion 70a has aprotrusion 72 to engage a first wall 32 (such as shown inFig. 3b ) of a respectivecartridge housing opening 30, to restrict movement of theretainer 50 relative to thecartridge housing 30. Thewider legs 70 also allow use of alarger opening 30 in the housing, thereby providing manufacturing (e.g. molding) advantages. -
Fig. 2f is a cross-section of the top surface of thecentral portion 60 having adomed portion 60a. Thecentral portion 60 further comprises aflat portion 60b surrounding thedomed portion 60a. - In another embodiment shown in
Figs. 3a-3b , theleg 70 has anupper leg portion 70a which extends in a first direction along an insertion axis X. Thelower leg portion 70b extends at an angle to theupper leg portion 70a in a second direction different the first direction (seeFig. 3b ), such that a distal end of thelower leg portion 70b engages asecond wall 34 of its respectivecartridge housing opening 30 when theprotrusion 72 engages thefirst wall 32. - In the embodiment shown in
Figs. 3a-3b , theopening 30 has a first portion 30a extending along an insertion axis X of theleg 70 and asecond portion 30b in communication with the first portion 30a and extending in a direction offset from the insertion axis X. Theretainer leg 70 is sequentially inserted into the first portion 30a and thesecond portion 30b of theopening 30, and is deformed by thesecond portion 30b to engagewalls second portion 30b, to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing. - As can be seen in
Figs. 3a-3b , thesecond portion 30b of theopening 30 has anindentation 32a for mating with theprotrusion 72 after theleg 70 is deformed. Theprotrusion 72 can have any shape suitable for mating with acorresponding depression 32a. For example, in the embodiment shown inFig. 4a , theprotrusion 72 is oval-shaped. In this embodiment, theprotrusion 72 comprises raisedridges 72a for engaging thefirst wall 32. - In other embodiments, the
protrusion 72 comprises sharpextended portions 73 for embedding in thefirst wall 32 such as shown inFig. 4b . Thesharp portions 73 provide greater friction when being pressed against thefirst wall 32. In this embodiment, theleg 70 also comprises a through-hole 74, and the sharpextended portion 73 comprises a burr attached to an edge of the through-hole 74. In yet other embodiments,other protrusions 72 extend from a side edge of theleg 70, such as shown inFig. 4b . The use of theleg 70 having aprotrusion 72 can be sufficient to hold theretainer 50 in the housing without bending, such as shown inFig. 4c . -
Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the present disclosure in which eachleg 70 is deformable after insertion to a position offset from the insertion axis X to engage awall 32 of its respectivecartridge housing opening 30, to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing. One method to assemble a razor cartridge having this feature is performed by holding the cartridge housing rigidly and extending a fixedangular member 90 through the bottom of the housing and contacting theleg 70 after theleg 70 is inserted into theopening 30 to achieve horizontal bending of theleg 70. In another embodiment, amachine component 100 having a fixedangular member 90 is extended through the bottom of the housing and retracted to accomplish the bending necessary for each assembly. -
Figs. 6a-6c show another embodiment of the present disclosure, in which theopening 130 extends downward at one width, and then expands to a larger width deeper in the direction of insertion along the insertion axis X. InFigs. 6a and 6b , eachleg 70 comprises a distal end portion having twobranches branches Fig. 6b , thebranches walls opening 130. In another embodiment, thebranches Fig. 6b form a shape which is effectively a spring, such that theleg 70 collapses when inserted and then expands upon reaching the wider portion of theopening 130. As a result, the spring action of thebranches - In another embodiment shown in
Fig. 6c , theleg 70 of theretainer 50 is twisted about its axis such that the sides of theleg 70 form an interference fit with the sides of thewalls Fig. 6b . - Using a similar housing configuration as
Fig. 6b ,Fig. 7 shows an embodiment in which eachleg 70 comprises an elastically compressibledistal end portion 76 that is wider than theopening 130 when uncompressed. After insertion, thedistal end portion 76 is compressible to fit into theopening 130. The compressibledistal end portion 76 expands upon reaching the wider portion of theopening 130, and presses on theinner walls opening 130 to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing. - In another embodiment of the present disclosure shown in
Fig. 8 , eachleg 70 is deformed before insertion to a position offset from the insertion axis X. Upon insertion, thedeformed end 77 of theleg 70, which takes up a greater width than theopening 30, engages either of thewalls cartridge housing opening 30, to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the cartridge housing. -
Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure in which theleg 70 of theretainer 50 is shaped to have sharp features along the length of theleg 70 to form, for example, an undulating Z-shape 78. The Z-shape portion 78 has a width smaller than theopening 30. After inserting theleg 70 with the Z-shapedportion 78, the Z-shape portion 78 is compressed via astop 110 to compress the Z-shapedportion 78 of theleg 70 against thewalls opening 30, thereby a retainer is held in theopening 30 via compressive force. This feature can allowlarger openings 30 in the housing for receiving retainers, improving the holdability and hold life of the retainer. - In another embodiment as shown in
Figs. 10a-10g and11a-11g , theretainer 50 has twolegs 70 in which each leg has anupper leg portion 70a proximal to thecentral portion 60 and alower leg portion 70b. In these examples, aprotrusion 72 is disposed on theupper leg portion 70a. Further, as opposed to the retainer shown inFigs. 2a-2e , theprotrusion 72 is on an inner side of theupper leg portion 70a instead of an outer portion. - The
upper leg portion 70a extends in a first direction, and thelower leg portion 70b extends at an angle to theupper leg portion 70a in a second direction different the first direction. In examples 10a-10g, thelower leg portions 70b extend inwards towards each other. In examples 11a-11g, thelower leg portions 70b extend outwards and away from each other. - In another embodiment shown in
Fig. 12 , theretainer 50 haslower leg portions 70b that extend outwards and away from each other in a direction perpendicular to theupper leg portion 70a. In another embodiment shown inFig. 13 , theretainer 50 haslower leg portions 70b that extend inwards and toward each other in a direction perpendicular to theupper leg portion 70a. The purpose for this arrangement is so that thelower leg portion 70b engages a bottom surface of itsrespective cartridge housing 20 to secure the retainer in thecartridge housing 20. - The present disclosure can be practiced by employing conventional materials, methodology and equipment. Accordingly, the details of such materials, equipment and methodology are not set forth herein in detail. In the previous descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific materials, structures, chemicals, processes, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present teachings. However, it should be recognized that the present teachings can be practiced without resorting to the details specifically set forth. In other instances, well known processing structures have not been described in detail, in order not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present teachings.
- While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications can be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein can be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings can be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. For instance, features disclosed in connection with any one embodiment can be used alone or in combination with each feature of the respective other embodiments. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the claims.
Claims (17)
- A razor cartridge comprising:a blade (40);a cartridge housing (20); anda retainer (50) for retaining the blade (40) in the cartridge housing (20), the retainer (50) comprising a central portion (60) for extending across a minor axis of the blade (40), and a pair of legs (70) extending from respective distal ends of the central portion (60) to form substantially a U-shape with the central portion (60);wherein the cartridge housing (20) has a pair of openings (30), andwherein each leg (70) is inserted into a respective opening (30) in the cartridge housing (20);characterized in thateach leg (70) has a protrusion (72) to engage a first wall (32) of its respective cartridge housing opening (30), to restrict movement of the retainer (50) relative to the cartridge housing (20).
- The razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein each leg (70) has an upper leg portion (70a) proximal to the central portion (60) and a lower leg portion (70b),
wherein the protrusion (72) is disposed on the lower leg portion (70b),
the upper leg portion (70a) extends in a first direction, and
wherein the lower leg portion (70b) extends at an angle to the upper leg portion (70a) in a second direction different the first direction, such that a distal end of the lower leg portion (70b) engages a second wall (34) of its respective cartridge housing opening (30) when the protrusion (72) engages the first wall (32). - The razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the protrusion (72) of each leg (70) of the retainer (50) comprises raised ridges for engaging the first wall (32).
- The razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the protrusion (72) of each leg (70) of the retainer (50) comprises a sharp extended portion (73) for embedding in the first wall (32).
- The razor cartridge of claim 4, wherein each leg (70) of the retainer (50) comprises a through-hole (74), and the sharp extended portion (73) of each protrusion comprises a burr attached to an edge of the through-hole (74).
- The razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the protrusion of each leg (70) extends from a side edge of the respective leg.
- The razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein each leg (70) and each protrusion forms an interference fit with the first wall of its respective cartridge housing opening and with a second wall of its respective cartridge housing opening opposite the first inner wall.
- The razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the protrusion of each leg (70) mates with a corresponding depression in the first wall.
- The razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein one or more of the legs (70) of the retainer (50) is bent over on itself to form a double-walled leg having two walls (70a,70b), and one or more of the walls (70a, 70b) of the retainer (50) has a protrusion (72) for engaging the first wall (32) or a second wall (34) of its respective cartridge housing opening (30) opposite the first wall (32) of the cartridge housing opening (30).
- The razor cartidge of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the central portion (60) of the retainer (50) has a domed portion (60a) that extends away from the legs (70).
- The razor cartridge of claim 1, wherein each leg (70) of the retainer (50) has an upper leg portion (70a) proximal to the central portion (60) and a lower leg portion (70b),
wherein the protrusion (72) is disposed on the upper leg portion (70a),
the upper leg portion (70a) extends in a first direction, and
wherein the lower leg portion (70b) extends at an angle to the upper leg portion (70a) in a second direction different the first direction that is one of away from the central portion (60) and towards the central portion (60), such that the lower leg portion (70b) engages a bottom surface of the cartridge housing (20). - A razor cartridge comprising:a blade (40);a cartridge housing (20); anda retainer (50) for retaining the blade (40) in the cartridge housing (20), the retainer (50) comprising a central portion (60) for extending across a minor axis of the blade (40), and a pair of legs (70) extending from respective distal ends of the central portion (60) to form substantially a U-shape with the central portion (60);wherein the cartridge housing (20) has a pair of openings (30), andwherein each leg (70) is inserted into a respective opening (130) in the cartridge housing (20) along an insertion axis;characterized in thateach leg (70) is deformed after insertion to a position offset from the insertion axis to engage a wall (132, 134) of its respective cartridge housing opening (130), to restrict movement of the retainer (50) relative to the cartridge housing (20).
- The razor cartridge of claim 12, wherein each leg (70) of the retainer (50) comprises a distal end portion having two branches (80a, 80b), wherein each of the branches (80a, 80b) are deformable by a tool to a position offset from the insertion axis.
- The razor cartridge of claim 12, wherein each leg (70) of the retainer (50) comprises a distal end portion having a locking portion that is twistable by a tool to form an interference fit with the wall (132, 134).
- The razor cartridge of claim 12, wherein each leg (70) of the retainer (50) comprises an undulating portion (78) deformable by a tool moving along the insertion axis in a direction opposite insertion, to expand the undulating portion to form an interference fit with the wall (132, 134).
- A razor cartridge comprising:a blade (40);a cartridge housing (20); anda retainer (50) for retaining the blade (40) in the cartridge housing (20), the retainer (50) comprising a central portion (60) for extending across a minor axis of the blade (40), and a pair of legs (70) extending from respective distal ends of the central portion (60) to form substantially a U-shape with the central portion (60);wherein the cartridge housing (20) has a pair of openings (30), whereineach leg (70) is inserted into a respective opening (130) in the cartridge housing (20) along an insertion axis; characterized in thateach leg (70) comprises an elastically compressible distal end portion (76) wider than the opening (130) when uncompressed, the distal end portion (76) being compressible to fit into the opening (130) during insertion, and expandable after insertion to restrict movement of the retainer (50) relative to the cartridge housing (20).
- The razor cartridge of claim 16, wherein the compressible distal end portion (76) of each leg (70) of the retainer (50) expands upon reaching a mating portion of the opening, to engage the mating portion to restrict movement of the retainer (50).
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL17164568T PL3222395T3 (en) | 2011-05-13 | 2011-05-13 | Shaving razor cartridge |
PL11865683T PL2707181T3 (en) | 2011-05-13 | 2011-05-13 | Blade retainers for shaving razor cartridge |
EP17164568.2A EP3222395B1 (en) | 2011-05-13 | 2011-05-13 | Shaving razor cartridge |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2011/036376 WO2012158142A1 (en) | 2011-05-13 | 2011-05-13 | Blade retainers for shaving razor cartridge |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17164568.2A Division EP3222395B1 (en) | 2011-05-13 | 2011-05-13 | Shaving razor cartridge |
EP17164568.2A Division-Into EP3222395B1 (en) | 2011-05-13 | 2011-05-13 | Shaving razor cartridge |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2707181A1 EP2707181A1 (en) | 2014-03-19 |
EP2707181A4 EP2707181A4 (en) | 2014-12-10 |
EP2707181B1 true EP2707181B1 (en) | 2017-07-12 |
Family
ID=47177217
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17164568.2A Active EP3222395B1 (en) | 2011-05-13 | 2011-05-13 | Shaving razor cartridge |
EP11865683.4A Active EP2707181B1 (en) | 2011-05-13 | 2011-05-13 | Blade retainers for shaving razor cartridge |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17164568.2A Active EP3222395B1 (en) | 2011-05-13 | 2011-05-13 | Shaving razor cartridge |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (2) | EP3222395B1 (en) |
PL (2) | PL2707181T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012158142A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2015050747A1 (en) | 2013-10-02 | 2015-04-09 | Shavelogic, Inc. | Razor cartridges |
CA2931697C (en) | 2013-12-05 | 2020-12-15 | Bic-Violex Sa | A shaving blade cartridge |
CA2932764C (en) * | 2013-12-18 | 2020-01-14 | Bic-Violex Sa | A shaving blade cartridge |
WO2016123752A1 (en) * | 2015-02-04 | 2016-08-11 | 任向荣 | Cutting head for shaver and assembly method therefor |
KR101974964B1 (en) | 2015-12-01 | 2019-05-03 | 빅-비올렉스 에스아 | Shaving razors and shaving cartridges |
US11000961B2 (en) * | 2015-12-17 | 2021-05-11 | Bic-Violex Sa | Shaving head |
US10744662B2 (en) | 2015-12-17 | 2020-08-18 | Bic-Violex Sa | Shaving head |
WO2017103883A1 (en) * | 2015-12-17 | 2017-06-22 | Bic Violex S.A. | Shaving head |
CN105538355B (en) * | 2015-12-22 | 2017-08-15 | 任向荣 | Razor head with clipping function |
BR112018068899A2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2019-01-22 | Personal Care Marketing And Res Inc | razor blade cartridge |
US9993931B1 (en) | 2016-11-23 | 2018-06-12 | Personal Care Marketing And Research, Inc. | Razor docking and pivot |
KR102081878B1 (en) * | 2018-05-21 | 2020-02-26 | 주식회사 도루코 | Razor cartridge |
USD884971S1 (en) | 2019-02-27 | 2020-05-19 | Pcmr International Ltd | Razor cartridge |
USD884969S1 (en) | 2019-02-27 | 2020-05-19 | Pcmr International Ltd | Combined razor cartridge guard and docking |
USD884970S1 (en) | 2019-02-27 | 2020-05-19 | PCMR International Ltd. | Razor cartridge guard |
US11000960B1 (en) | 2020-11-16 | 2021-05-11 | Personal Care Marketing And Research, Inc. | Razor exposure |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4378633A (en) * | 1979-12-07 | 1983-04-05 | The Gillette Company | Razor blade assembly |
DK0784530T3 (en) * | 1994-10-03 | 2000-05-01 | Gillette Co | A razor |
US6035537A (en) * | 1997-09-30 | 2000-03-14 | The Gillette Company | Razor cartridge with metal clip retaining blades |
US7669335B2 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2010-03-02 | The Gillette Company | Shaving razors and shaving cartridges |
US20100313424A1 (en) | 2009-06-11 | 2010-12-16 | Robert Harold Johnson | Blade cartridge guard comprising an array of flexible fins extending in multiple directions |
US8359752B2 (en) * | 2010-06-17 | 2013-01-29 | The Gillette Company | Shaving razor cartridge |
-
2011
- 2011-05-13 EP EP17164568.2A patent/EP3222395B1/en active Active
- 2011-05-13 EP EP11865683.4A patent/EP2707181B1/en active Active
- 2011-05-13 WO PCT/US2011/036376 patent/WO2012158142A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-05-13 PL PL11865683T patent/PL2707181T3/en unknown
- 2011-05-13 PL PL17164568T patent/PL3222395T3/en unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2707181A1 (en) | 2014-03-19 |
WO2012158142A1 (en) | 2012-11-22 |
EP3222395B1 (en) | 2019-07-24 |
PL2707181T3 (en) | 2017-12-29 |
EP3222395A1 (en) | 2017-09-27 |
EP2707181A4 (en) | 2014-12-10 |
PL3222395T3 (en) | 2019-12-31 |
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