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
  • B26B21/44—Means integral with, or attached to, the razor for storing shaving-cream, styptic, or the like
  • B26B21/446—Shaving aid stored in the razor handle
• • 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
  • B26B21/52—Handles, e.g. tiltable, flexible
  • B26B21/521—Connection details, e.g. connection to razor heads

Definitions

• the present invention relates to personal-care appliances in general, and more particularly, to fluid dispensing shaving razors having a replaceable fluid dispensing cartridge for shaving and dispersing fluid to a surface of the skin and/or hair.
• Skin care can be of particular importance in improving or enhancing the appearance of men and women.
• Various products and methods can be used to care for skin.
• exfoliant scrubs, cleansers, and lotions are sometimes used to maintain healthy-looking skin.
• Exfoliant scrubs can be used to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, which can give the skin an improved tone.
• Soaps and other cleansers can be used to remove dirt and excess oil from the skin, which can help prevent clogging of pores. Consequently, acne and other types of skin blemishes can be prevented in some cases.
• Lotions and various other topical ointments can also be used to deliver nutrients and/or moisturizers to the skin in an effort to improve the appearance and/or the health of the skin.
• Other types of cosmetic products e.g., creams and lotions
• drug actives are sometimes used in an attempt to eliminate wrinkling and other signs of aging.
• the shaving process typically includes the application of a shaving aid material (e.g., shaving cream) to the surface and the separate step of shaving the hair using a razor assembly.
• a shaving aid material e.g., shaving cream
• the shaving aid material oftentimes includes at least one suitable agent (e.g., a lubricating agent, a drag-reducing agent, a depilatory agent, etc.) that enhances the shaving process.
• a suitable agent e.g., a lubricating agent, a drag-reducing agent, a depilatory agent, etc.
• Most consumers find this type of preparation to be rather inconvenient because of the need for multiple shaving products, e.g., a wet shaving razor and a skin preparation product, as well as the undesirable necessity for multiple application steps during the wet shaving process. Furthermore, this process can be messy and requires the consumer rinse their hands after applying the shave gel.
• the invention features, in general, a fluid dispensing shaving razor having a fluid interconnect member with a fluid port extending from a base member at a first end.
• a cartridge housing is mounted to the fluid interconnect member.
• a fluid applicator is mounted to a second end of the fluid interconnect member.
• a handle has a first end with a resilient member defining an opening. The fluid port is releasably engaged within the opening of the resilient member.
• Figure 1 is a front view of one possible embodiment of a personal-care appliance.
• Figure 2 is a rear view of possible embodiment of a fluid dispensing cartridge that may be incorporated into the personal-care appliance of Fig. 1
• Figure 3 is a front assembly view of the personal-care appliance of Fig. 1.
• Figure 4 is a partial front view of the personal-care appliance of Fig. 1.
• Figure 5 is a partial front view of the personal-care appliance of Fig. 1.
• Figure 6 is an assembly view of the fluid dispensing cartridge of Fig. 2.
• Figure 7 is a cross section view of the personal-care appliance, taken generally along the line 7-7 of Fig. 1.
• Figure 8 is a cross section view of the fluid dispensing cartridge, taken generally along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.
• the present disclosure is not limited to wet shaving razors, or even razors in general. It is understood that certain aspects of the present disclosure may also be used for dry electric shaving razors that have one or more rotating or reciprocating blades or other personal care appliances (e.g., toothbrushes, depilatory applicators, epilators, or other beauty applicators). Furthermore, it is understood that certain aspects of the present disclosure may be used independently for applying a fluid. Referring to Fig. 1, one possible embodiment of the present disclosure is shown illustrating a front view of a personal-care appliance 10. For example, the personal-care appliance may be a fluid dispensing razor (as shown), a toothbrush, a mascara brush, or any other personal-care appliance that dispenses a fluid.
• the personal-care appliance may be a fluid dispensing razor (as shown), a toothbrush, a mascara brush, or any other personal-care appliance that dispenses a fluid.
• the personal-care appliance 10 may include a handle 20 configured to receive a pump assembly (not shown) and a fluid reservoir (not shown).
• the handle 20 may have a cover 22 that protects and/or conceals the pump and/or fluid reservoir within the handle 20.
• the cover 22 may be mounted to the handle 20 and removably secured in place (e.g., snap fit to the handle 20).
• a fluid dispensing cartridge 50 may be removably mounted to the handle 20 (i.e., replaceable).
• the fluid dispensing cartridge 50 may include fluid interconnect member 52 having a cartridge housing 54 pivotably mounted to one end of the fluid interconnect member 52. An opposing end of the fluid interconnect member 52 may be removably mounted to one end of the handle 20.
• the cartridge housing 54 may have a cap 56, a guard 58 in front of the cap 56, and one or more blades 60 between the cap 56 and the guard 58.
• the fluid dispensing cartridge 50 may include a fluid applicator 62 for delivering one or more fluids to a surface to be treated (e.g., shaved). One end of the fluid applicator 62 may be mounted to the cartridge housing 54.
• the fluid applicator 62 may include a guard 64 mounted to the cartridge housing 54 (e.g., the guard 58) to apply and spread the fluid to the surface to be treated (e.g., skin or hair) during a stroke of the personal-care appliance 10 against the skin.
• An opposing end of the fluid applicator 62 may be mounted to the fluid interconnect member 52.
• the fluid interconnect member 52 may have a base member 100 with a wall 102 defines a cavity 104.
• the cavity 104 may be dimensioned to receive a portion of the handle 20 (not shown).
• the cavity 104 may be non-symmetrical to facilitate one-way mounting of the fluid dispensing cartridge 50 to the handle 20 (not shown).
• the cavity 104 may be generally "D" shaped.
• the wall 102 may define one or more engagement surfaces 106 and 108 (e.g., a recesses or a protrusion). The engagement surfaces 106 and 108 may be spaced apart from a fluid port 110 that extends from the base member 100.
• the fluid port 110 may define an aperture 112 that extends through the fluid interconnect member 52.
• the fluid port 110 may be a stem that tapers inwardly away from the base member 100.
• the fluid interconnect member 52 may have one or more pivotable support members 120 and 122.
• pivotable support members 120 and 122 may be a pair of spaced apart arms that engage the cartridge housing 54.
• FIG. 3 an assembly view of the personal-care appliance 10 is illustrated with the fluid dispensing cartridge 50 detached from the handle 20. The consumer may detach the fluid interconnect member 52 (and thus the fluid dispensing cartridge 50) from the handle 20, by simply pulling the fluid dispensing cartridge 50 away from the handle.
• One or more side surfaces 114 and 116 of the base member 100 may comprise a gripping member (e.g., one or more ribs 118) to facilitate the removal of the fluid dispensing cartridge 50 from the handle 20.
• the handle 20 may have a mechanical locking mechanism 200 spaced apart from a fluid docking member 250. The separation of the mechanical locking mechanism 200 and the fluid docking member 250 may provide a secure mechanical connection between the fluid interconnect member 52 and the handle 20 that is independent of the fluid connection. For example, relying solely on the fluid port 110 to establish a mechanical connection may not be optimal. The mechanical forces applied to the fluid port 110 may negatively impact the fluid port 110 maintaining a reliable fluid connection.
• the fluid docking member 250 may include a resilient member 252 (e.g., a sleeve or a ring) that defines an opening 254 extending there through that receives the fluid port providing fluid communication between the handle 20 and the fluid dispensing cartridge 50.
• the opening 254 may extend through a flange 256 at one end of the resilient member 252.
• the flange 256 may bottom out within the cavity 104 to contact the base member 100.
• the fluid port 110 may comprise a generally rigid polymeric material and the fluid docking member 250 may comprise a resilient elastomeric material (e.g., silicone).
• the more rigid material of the fluid port 110 may provide for consistent and reliable engagement with the less rigid elastomeric material of the fluid docking member 250.
• the elastomeric material of the fluid docking member 250 may provide for an improved fluid tight seal against the more rigid material of the fluid port 110 to prevent leakage of fluid into the handle 20.
• a partial front view of the personal-care appliance 10 is shown with a portion of the handle 20 illustrating the fluid docking member 250 and a pump assembly 270.
• the handle 20 may define a hollow space 225 that contains the fluid docking member 250, a pump assembly 270, and the mechanical locking mechanism 200.
• the flange 256 may be securely positioned within a recess 260 of the handle 20.
• the opening 254 of the resilient member 252 may be fluid communication with the pump assembly 270.
• the pump assembly 270 may include an elongated resilient tube 272 (e.g., a pump) having a pair of inner flow valves (not shown).
• the elongated resilient tube 272 may be in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir 280 located within the handle 20.
• a fluid (e.g., a lotion or gel) may be held within a fluid reservoir 280.
• the mechanical locking mechanism 200 may include one or more engagement members 202 and 204 forming an outer surface of the handle 20.
• the engagement members 202 and 204 may move between a neutral position and a loading position.
• a corresponding biasing member 206 and 208 may maintain the engagement members 202 and 204 in the neutral position (i.e., the engagement members 202 and 204 extend outward from a corresponding recess 210 and 212 of the handle 20).
• the engagement members 202 and 204 may slide within the corresponding recesses 210 and 212 of the handle 20 to engage and disengage the fluid interconnect member 52.
• the handle 20 may include a pair of outwardly extending arms 220 and 222 positioned within the hollow space 225.
• the arms 220 and 222 may be attached to the engagement members 202 and 204 for limiting the movement of the engagement members 202 and 204.
• the arms 220 and 222 may move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the arms 220 and 222 may contact a first stop surface 224 and 226 (e.g., a protrusion of the handle 20). In the first position, the engagement members 202 and 204 may be recessed (i.e., in the loading position).
• the arms 220 and 222 may contact a corresponding second stop surface 228 and 230 (e.g., a protrusion of the handle 20).
• the engagement members 202 and 204 may extend or protrude from the corresponding recesses 210 and 212 the handle 20 (i.e., in the neutral position).
• the mechanical locking mechanism 200 (e.g., the engagement members 202 and 204) may be in the neural position when the fluid dispensing cartridge 50 is securely mounted to the handle 20 and/or the fluid dispensing cartridge 50 is removed from the handle 20.
• a front partial view of the personal-care device 10 is shown illustrating the fluid dispensing cartridge 50 is securely mounted to the handle 20.
• One end (e.g., a portion) of the handle 20 may be positioned within the cavity 104 of the base member 100.
• the base member 100 e.g., the wall 102 may force the engagement members 202 and 204 inward from the neutral position to the loading position.
• the engagement members 202 and 204 may release back outward into the neutral position as the engagement members 202 and 204 mate with the corresponding engagement surfaces 106 and 108 (e.g., the engagement members 202 and 204 may be positioned within the corresponding engagement surfaces 106 and 108) to secure the fluid interconnect member 52 to the handle 20.
• the consumer may detach the fluid interconnect member 52 (and thus the fluid dispensing cartridge 50) from the handle 20, by simply pulling the fluid dispensing cartridge 50 away from the handle.
• the base member 100 e.g., the wall 102 may force the engagement members 202 and 204 from the neutral position to the loading position as the handle 20 is removed from the cavity 104 of the base member 100.
• the engagement members 202 and 204 may release back into the neutral position when the engagement members 202 and 204 no longer are in contact with the base member 100 of the fluid interconnect member 52.
• the fluid applicator 62 may be joined to the base member 100 of the fluid interconnect member (e.g., injection molding, solvent bonding, ultrasonic welding, adhesives, press fitting, and/or snap fitting).
• the base member 100 of the fluid interconnect member 52 may have one or more alignment members 130 and 132 (e.g., one or more recesses and/or protrusions) that engage one or more corresponding alignment members 134 and 136 (e.g., one or more recesses and/or protrusions) of the fluid applicator 62.
• the fluid applicator 62 may define an opening 140 that is positioned between the alignment members 134 and 136.
• the opening 140 may extend through the fluid applicator 62.
• the alignment members 130, 132, 134 and 136 may facilitate proper positioning (i.e., alignment) of the opening 140 of the fluid applicator 140 with the aperture 112 of the fluid interconnect member 52. If the opening 140 and the aperture 112 are not oriented properly, fluid leakage may result.
• Each of the pivotable support members 120 and 122 may have an engagement region 150 and 152 (e.g., an arm) that mates with a corresponding engagement region 154 and 156 (e.g., a recess) of the cartridge housing 54.
• the engagement region 150 and 152 may be retained to the corresponding engagement region 154 and 156 by snap fitting or other mechanical securing mechanisms.
• the fluid applicator 62 may be mounted to the cartridge housing 54 to facilitate pivoting of the cartridge housing 54 relative to the fluid interconnect member 52.
• the fluid applicator 62 may be mounted to the cartridge housing 54 after the fluid applicator 62 is secured to the fluid interconnect member 52.
• the fluid applicator 62 may be injection molded to the fluid interconnect member 52 forming a unitary component.
• the cartridge housing 54 may then be mounted to the fluid interconnect member 52 as part of another manufacturing step.
• a cross section view of the personal care appliance 10 is shown, taken generally along the line 7-7 of Fig. 1.
• the personal-care appliance 10 of Fig 7 is shown with the fluid reservoir 280 a loaded position.
• the fluid reservoir 280 may be positioned within a cavity 24 of the handle 20.
• the cover 22 may conceal and/or protect the fluid reservoir 280 with the handle 20.
• the pump assembly 270 may include a fluid connector 300 that engages the fluid reservoir 280 to establish fluid connection (e.g., the fluid connector 300 may rupture a frangible seal 302 of the fluid reservoir 280).
• An outer wall 314 of the fluid connector 300 may seal against an inner wall 316 of the fluid reservoir 280 to prevent fluid from leaking into the handle 20.
• the actuator 12 may facilitate pumping of the fluid from the fluid reservoir 280 to the fluid applicator 62.
• the actuator 12 may compress the resilient elastomeric tube 272 to open the first valve 310 and release a predetermined dosage of fluid to the fluid applicator 62.
• the actuator 12 may be released to return the resilient elastomeric tube 272 to its uncompressed state.
• the first valve 310 may close to prevent contamination and the second valve 312 may open to fill the resilient elastomeric tube 72 with fluid for the next release by the actuator 12.
• fluid may be directed within an opening 304 defined by the fluid connector 300, which is in fluid communication with the pump assembly 270 (e.g., elongated resilient tube 272) and ultimately the fluid applicator 62.
• the pump assembly 270 may include the elongated resilient tube 272 that pumps fluid from the fluid reservoir 280 and through a pair of valves 310 and 312.
• the fluid reservoir 280 may be held permanently within the handle 20. Thus, after the fluid within the fluid reservoir 280 is consumed, the consumer may dispose of the personal-care appliance 10. Alternatively, fluid reservoir 280 may be removed and replaced with a new fluid reservoir 280 after the fluid is consumed.
• Fluid may be forced from the elongated resilient tube 272, through the first valve 319, and into the aperture 112 of the fluid port 110.
• the aperture 112 of the fluid port may be generally aligned (e.g., overlapping) with the opening of the fluid applicator 62 to facilitate the flow of fluid to an elongated recess 320.
• the elongated recess 320 may be defined by a front flap 322 and a rear wall 324 of the fluid applicator 62. The front flap 322 and/or the rear wall 324 may guide fluid toward the guard 64 of the fluid applicator 62.
• the guard 64 may disburse fluid onto the surface being treated (e.g., area of the skin being shaved).
• the guard 64 may also direct fluid toward the guard 58 and/or blade 60 of the cartridge housing 54 to improve glide of the cartridge housing 54 across the skin during a shaving stroke.

Landscapes

• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Forests & Forestry (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Dry Shavers And Clippers (AREA)
• Cosmetics (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

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Family Cites Families (8)

• 2011
  • 2011-12-09 JP JP2014545060A patent/JP5844478B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-12-09 EP EP11876859.7A patent/EP2788153A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-12-09 AU AU2011382968A patent/AU2011382968A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-12-09 WO PCT/CN2011/083782 patent/WO2013082815A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2011-12-09 MX MX2014006428A patent/MX2014006428A/es unknown
  • 2011-12-09 BR BR112014012805A patent/BR112014012805A8/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2011-12-09 CA CA2856750A patent/CA2856750C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-12-09 RU RU2014119798/02A patent/RU2557116C1/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2011-12-09 SG SG11201403028TA patent/SG11201403028TA/en unknown
• 2014
  • 2014-07-08 ZA ZA2014/05000A patent/ZA201405000B/en unknown
• 2016
  • 2016-10-03 AU AU2016235038A patent/AU2016235038A1/en not_active Abandoned

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