EP3022022B1 - Razor having free movability of the razor head - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a razor and a method of manufacturing a razor.

Within the meaning of the present invention, shaving means cutting the hair on the skin to just above the uppermost skin layer with at least one blade. The hair is not removed, but only shortened.

Known razors comprise an elongate grip part, which is connected to a blade head. The handle, when used as intended, is in the user's hand to slide the blade head over the user's skin.

Such razors are commonly used for wet shaving, but it is also possible that a razor in the sense of the present application also a power supply (eg battery or rechargeable battery), which causes a vibration in the blade head to cause a massage effect and / or thoroughness to increase the shave.

There are these razors as disposable items, with fixed or replaceable blade heads and a variety of blade head variations with different numbers of razor blades.

DE2851457A1 describes an insert for a razor with a blade support, a razor blade and a cap, wherein an integral solid and water-soluble shaving aid is provided.

DE202006011254U1 describes a razor in which the connection between the handle and blade block is made by a ball joint. The ball joint is designed as a clip connection, in which the joint socket or the ball joint can change their size temporarily.

DE322679A describes a handle for a razor with spherical joint, the ball serves as a fastener for the blade and the frictional resistance in the ball joint can be adjusted by tightening screws on the ball socket.

GB2458316A describes a razor with ball joint between blade head and handle.

US2013081291A1 describes a razor with a handle with a head end to which a blade head is pivotally mounted.
US4332321A describes a portable razor kit with a tubular member having a receiving opening and an end having a support arm with a receptacle in the receiving opening. The support arm is movable, held in two positions by a spring of biased detent, and has a blade support at the outer end. The blade holder can be pivoted between the positions so that the blade can be accommodated in a cap during storage.

DE 260262 describes a razor with ball joint head in which a stick by friction can clamp the ball in a desired position. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved razor.
In one aspect, the invention relates to a razor having a handle with a ball joint socket disposed at one end and a blade head having at least one razor blade and a ball joint head, the ball joint head of the blade head and the ball joint socket of the handle forming a ball joint, and wherein the Handle an alignment member made of an elastic material having ball joint socket configured to engage a recess in the ball joint head.
The invention is based on the idea that a razor is more comfortable and reliable to use for shaving, whose blade head is freely rotatable by means of an arrangement in a ball joint. Thus, the blade head or its razor blade (s) can adapt to skin irregularities particularly well. The blade head adapts flexibly to any bumps or bumps in the skin, thus enabling a particularly thorough and safe shave. The blade head glides gently and with the skin uneven blade head over the skin, which makes the shaving particularly pleasant for the user and ensures even shaving results. A thorough and comfortable shave without much effort for the user is possible.
As a ball joint, a joint is referred to, in which the condyle has a spherical shape. The counterpart, which encloses the head to varying degrees, is referred to as a ball joint socket or ball socket. Due to this geometry, a ball joint is in principle movable in all directions (triaxial). Only rotational, but not translational movements are possible.

The handle has an alignment member in the ball joint socket configured to engage a recess in the ball joint head. Alternatively or additionally, the ball joint head has an alignment element, which is designed to engage in a recess in the ball joint socket. The alignment member is formed of an elastic material. In a preferred
Embodiment, the alignment element is a pin which engages positively in the recess. Preferably, the alignment member is configured to return the condyle to a home position. The alignment element engages in a recess in the ball surface, which can be rotated as far in the socket as the elasticity of the alignment element allows it. If the blade head is relieved, the elasticity of the alignment element causes the recess and thus the joint head and the blade head are returned to a starting position. Advantageously, the blade head is repeatedly brought into a starting position relative to the handle.
In particularly preferred embodiments, the razor according to the invention has a blade head which can be moved by up to 360 ° with a ball joint head and a grip element with a joint socket. The flexibility of the ball joint allows optimal adaptation to hard-to-reach areas of the body, such as knees or ankles, thus preventing cuts. The ball joint allows a simple and quick change of the blade head and is preferably made of a flexible material (eg TPE (thermoplastic elastomer)). Through various materials and elasticity line of the ball joint, in particular the condyle, various pressure points in the razor can be made possible. The user is also possible to vary the degree / angle of flexibility by placing the index finger on the ball joint and / or to fix.
The different levels of flexibility / degrees / angles in the ball joint preferably result from the choice of material (eg different thermoplastic elastomers) and from the action of the user. The handle with socket preferably consists of a solid, impact-resistant material (eg ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)) and can also be clad with handle elements such as roughened zones, ribbing and non-slip materials. The blade head may also contain a care strip (balsam strip) with emulsions and nourishing oils for the care of the skin.

The razor according to one aspect of the present invention is thus a razor with a ball joint between blade head and handle. The ball joint, which is preferably movable by 360 °, improves the adaptation of the blade head to hard-to-reach body regions due to its high mobility. An individualized adjustment of the razor to different, sensitive skin parts can be made possible by different levels of flexibility (different materials) of different, exchangeable blade heads. Preferably, the condyle may have different materials for different pressure points. The user can advantageously determine even the degree of mobility and the pressure acting on the skin by the laying of the index finger (braking the ball joint).

Advantageously, flexible shaving movements can be achieved by the rotatably freely movable blade head, which adapt to different skin areas to be shaved. According to the invention, a particularly sensitive shave is made possible in which only little pressure is required on the razor and superfluous pressure is absorbed by the rotation of the blade head and the optional elasticity of the ball joint. The blade head arranged on the ball joint adapts to the skin surface of the user "as if by itself". Advantageously, the blades are so close and more direct to the skin, and shaving generally requires less pressure on the razor. The flexibility and smoothness of the shave is inventively ensured by lower pressure on the razor and the razor blades rotating flexibly relative to the handle. The shave is so ergonomically appealing and reduces the risk of cuts.

In one embodiment, the ball joint head of the blade head is releasably disposed in the ball joint socket of the handle. Advantageously, the ball joint is not only an improved mobility of the blade head relative to the handle, but it also allows a particularly simple replacement of the blade head.

In one embodiment, the blade head is rotatable relative to the handle in all three directions. Preferably, the blade head is rotatable by 360 ° relative to the handle. This allows a particularly large and flexible mobility of the blade head, whereby the safety and thoroughness of the shave is increased.

In one embodiment, the razor further includes a brake member for braking rotational movement of the ball joint head in the ball joint socket. Preferably, the brake element is a finger rest surface on the blade head on which the user his Put on the finger and thus stabilize the position of the blade head in relation to the handle and thereby fix it (or brake it). Alternatively or additionally, the braking element may be a recess in the socket, which allows the application of his finger placed directly on a surface region of the joint ball and thus stabilizes the position of the blade head relative to the handle and thus (brakes). The brake element thus allows a simple limitation of the deflection of the blade head.

In one embodiment, the ball joint head is at least partially formed of an elastic material. It may also be preferred that partial regions of the condyle have different elasticities. The difference in the elasticities can be achieved, for example, by a suitable choice of material or by the thickness of the material layer. The sections may be made of the same material, the size of which varies or different materials. It may be preferred that those portions which are closer to the blade head are more elastic than those portions which are closer to the handle (or vice versa). It is thus advantageously made possible that skin irregularities of the skin of the user can be imaged particularly well by a suitable choice of a razor with a corresponding elastic behavior in the condyle.

In one embodiment, the blade head is connected to the ball joint head via a connecting web. The connecting bridge allows a particularly sensitive deflection of the blade head, since it acts as a kind of lever and thus already causes a rotation of the blade head at a relatively small pressure. In an alternative embodiment, the blade head is directly (ie without connecting web) connected to the joint head. Advantageously, an immediate control of the blade head can thus be made possible for the user.

In one embodiment, the blade head has a special blade and / or a balsam strip. Advantageously, the razor can be supplemented by one or more special blades. The blade head therefore preferably has different blade types, which allows an improved, more precise shave in different skin areas of the user. For example, the razor blade (s) of the blade head may be suitable for a large-area shave, which may be refined by the use of one or more smaller special blade (s). Depending on requirements, different blade heads with different special blades can be arranged on the razor, which advantageously increases the flexibility in the application.

A balsam strip in the sense of the present application may be a strip which has, for example, a shaving soap, a moisturizer, a skin-soothing care product, an oil or the like. The balsam strip is preferably arranged adjacent to and parallel to the at least one razor blade and / or the at least one special razor blade on the blade head. It is advantageously achieved that the skin is not only shaved, but also treated and cared for with the balsam strip.

Advantageously, the use of one or more special blade (s) and / or balsam strips on the blade head enables a particularly gentle and thorough shaving and care. With only one or a few movements of the razor over the area of the skin to be shaved, it is shaved thoroughly and gently while being cared for.

Depending on the use for different body areas of the user, blade heads with different blade head configuration and arrangement can be arranged at the head end.

In one embodiment, the handle has gripping elements for non-slip holding of the handle by the user. Preferably, the handle is ergonomically shaped by concave and convex curvatures and gripping areas and has a non-slip underside. Advantageously, the handling of the razor and its grip in the user's hand can be improved by gripping elements (also referred to as "gripping elements") such as roughened areas, a corrugation, an adhesive surface, areas of non-slip material and / or concave / convex curvatures are provided on the handle. Advantageously, the handle is particularly well in the hand, a particularly safe handling of the razor is possible and a "slipping" of the razor is prevented.

In one embodiment, the handle is concave or convex along the longitudinal axis of the razor. Furthermore, it may be preferred that the handle is described in a slightly curved shape and made of solid, impactable material (eg ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)) consists. A convex curved handle makes it ergonomically more comfortable and also reliable for shaving, as the handle, which is adapted to the concave curved palm, allows a particularly ergonomic handling. By contrast, a convex handle shape can be particularly advantageous in order to be able to exert sensitive pressure on the joint socket end of the handle and thus on the skin area to be shaved.

In one embodiment, the blade head has a plurality of razor blade (s). The razor blade (s) is / are disposed on an underside of the razor which, when used properly, slides over the skin of the user to perform the shaving. The inventive arrangement of razor blade (s) on the rotatable blade head relative to the handle a particularly gentle and thorough shave is made possible because the rotatable blade head particularly smoothly adapts the bumps of the skin surface.

The razor according to the invention is due to its flexible use advantageously for partial or full body shaving and especially for shaving under shower.

In an alternative aspect, a razor includes a handle having a ball joint head disposed at one end thereof and a blade head having at least one razor blade and a ball joint socket, the ball joint head of the handle and the ball joint socket of the blade head forming a ball joint. The razor further includes an alignment member in the ball joint socket or ball joint head configured to engage a recess in the ball joint head or ball joint socket. In another aspect, the razor may have a nut joint instead of a ball and socket joint. The embodiments described herein apply analogously to these aspects as well.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of making a razor of the present invention comprising the steps of: providing a handle with a ball joint socket at one end thereof, providing an alignment member in the ball joint socket, providing a blade head with at least one razor blade and a razor blade A ball joint head, and providing a recess in the ball joint head, wherein the ball joint head of the blade head and the ball joint socket of the handle are configured to form a ball joint, and the alignment member is configured to engage in the recess.

Figuren 1a bis 1d

eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Rasierers zeigen;

Figuren 2a bis 2d

Detailansicht des Kugelgelenkes und der Klingenköpfe der Ausführungsform der Figur 1 zeigen;

Figuren 3a und 3b

eine Ausführungsform eines Bremselementes zeigt;

Figur 4

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Bremselementes zeigt;

Figuren 5a und 5b

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Rasierers zeigen und

Figur 6

die Rotationsbeweglichkeit verdeutlicht.

The embodiments described above may be combined as desired with one another and with the aspects described above in order to achieve advantages according to the invention. Hereinafter, preferred combinations of embodiments will be described by way of example, wherein:

FIGS. 1a to 1d

show an embodiment of a razor according to the invention;

FIGS. 2a to 2d

Detail view of the ball joint and the blade heads of the embodiment of the FIG. 1 demonstrate;

FIGS. 3a and 3b

shows an embodiment of a brake element;

FIG. 4

shows a further embodiment of a brake element;

FIGS. 5a and 5b

show a further embodiment of a razor according to the invention and

FIG. 6

the rotational mobility clarifies.

FIGS. 1a and 1b show perspective views of a razor 1 from above, and Figures 1c and 1d show a top view.

The razor 1 has a handle 10 for abutment in the user's hand and a blade head 20. At that end of the handle 10, which faces the head end, a ball joint socket 11 is arranged. The blade head 20 has razor blades 21 and arranged on a connecting web 35 ball joint head 22, which is arranged in the ball joint socket 11 of the handle 10 and thus forms with this a ball joint, which for example the in Figures 1c and 1d illustrated rotation of the blade head 20 relative to the handle 10 allows.

The handle 10 may comprise handle elements (not shown), which allow a non-slip hold of the handle by the user. The ball joint head 22 may be formed of an elastic material to achieve a resilient action of the blade head 20. The blade head 20 has, in addition to the razor blades 21, balsam strips 24 and 25 for the care of the skin.

FIG. 2a illustrates the releasability of the blade head 20 from the handle 10 by removing the condyle 22 from the socket 11 to insert a new blade head 20 when, for example, the razor blades 21 have become blunt or a blade head 20 having different razor blades 21, special blades (not shown) ) or balsam strips 24, 25 should be used.

The replacement of the blade heads is possible depending on the material of the ball joints. In a relatively elastic material, the attachment of a blade head through Bouncing in the ball joint socket possible to restore a coherent connection.

FIG. 2a further illustrates an alignment member 14 (alignment pin) provided in the socket pan 11 (which is shown to be transparent to show the alignment pin 14) and engages a recess 36 in the surface of the condyle 22. The alignment pin 14 is elastic and therefore allows rotation of the blade head 20 when the blade head 20 is subjected to shaving pressure on the skin. The blade head 20 is returned by means of the alignment pin 14 back to the starting position as soon as it is no longer exposed to stress (no shaving pressure). FIGS. 2b to 2d show perspective views of the blade head 20th

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate embodiments of a brake element 37. As far as the features of Figures 3 and 4 with those of the embodiments described above, reference is made to the features described above.

FIG. 3a illustrates an embodiment of a brake element 37, which is designed as a support surface for a finger of the user. As far as the characteristics of the FIG. 3a with those of the embodiments described above, reference is made to the features described above. The brake element 37 is provided in extension of the connecting web 35 on the surface of the blade head 20. As in FIG. 3b shown, the user puts his finger on the brake element 37 when properly using the razor 1, while he holds the razor 1 from the handle 10. As a result, the user's hand establishes a connection between the handle 10 and the blade head 20 which fixes the deflection of the blade head 20, which leads to a "braking" or locking of the deflection of the blade head 20.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a braking element 37, which is designed as a recess in the socket 11. When the razor 1 is used as intended, the user places his finger on the joint head 22, whose surface is partially accessible in the recess 22, while holding the razor 1 from the grip 10. As a result, the user's hand establishes a connection between the handle 10 and the blade head 20 which fixes the deflection of the blade head 20, which leads to a "braking" or locking of the deflection of the blade head 20.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a razor 1. The embodiment of the FIG. 5 differs from the embodiments described above substantially in the design of the blade head 20. The blade head 20 of FIG. 5 has no connecting web 35, but is disposed directly on the ball joint head 22.

The razor 1 has, as in FIG. 5 and 6 illustrated by the arrows, a 360 ° movable blade head 20 with a ball joint head 22 and a handle 10 with a socket 11 on. The blade head 20 is rotatable relative to the handle in all three directions. The mobility of the ball joint 11, 22 allows optimal adaptation to difficult to reach areas of the body (knee, ankle) and thus prevents cuts. The ball joint 11, 22 is also the change element for the blade head 20 and consists of a flexible material (eg TPE (thermoplastic elastomer)). By different materials and elasticity line of the ball joint 11, 22 different pressure points can be introduced into the razor 1. The user is also possible to vary the degree / angle of flexibility by placing the index finger on the ball joint 11, 22, and / or to fix.

The different levels of flexibility in the ball joint 11, 22 result from the choice of material (different thermoplastic elastomers) and by the action of the user. The handle 10 with socket 11 is made of strong, impactable material (e.g., ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)) and may also be clad with gripping elements such as roughened zones, ribbing, and non-slip materials.

The blade head 20 may contain a care strip (balsam strip) with emulsions and nourishing oils for the care of the skin.

The razor 1 with 360 ° movable ball joint 11, 22 improved by its increased mobility adjustment of the blade head 20 to hard to reach body regions. The individual vote of the razor 1 on different, sensitive skin parts can be ensured by several levels of flexibility (different materials) and different blade heads 20. The user can also determine the degree of agility by hanging up the index finger.

The flexibility of the suspension of the ball joint, the materials of the handle and / or the blade head are other influencing factors that allow an individual shave.

Similar to the suspensions of toothbrush heads, by means of differently flexible suspensions according to the invention, the blade head or the ball joint can also be given a soft, medium or hard pressure application. The user can then select appropriate razors according to his needs.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

razor

10

Handle

11

Ball joint socket

14

alignment member

20

blade head

21

razor blades

22

Ball joint head

35

connecting web

36

recess

37

braking element

Claims (9)

1. Razor (1) with a handle (10), at the one end of which a ball joint socket (11) is arranged, and with a blade head (20) having at least one razor blade (21) and a ball joint head (22), the ball joint head of the blade head and the ball joint socket of the handle forming a ball joint, and the handle having in the ball joint socket an alignment element (14) consisting of an elastic material, which is designed to engage in a recess (36) in the ball joint head.
2. Razor according to Claim 1, the ball joint head of the blade head being arranged detachably in the ball joint socket of the handle.
3. Razor according to Claim 1 or 2, the blade head being movable rotatably in all three directions with respect to the handle.
4. Razor according to one of the preceding claims, the razor also having a braking element (37) for braking a rotational movement of the ball joint head in the ball joint socket.
5. Razor according to one of the preceding claims, the ball joint head being formed at least partially from an elastic material.
6. Razor according to one of the preceding claims, the blade head being connected to the ball joint head by way of a connecting web (35).
7. Razor according to one of the preceding claims, the blade head having a special blade and/or a balsam strip (24, 25).
8. Razor according to one of the preceding claims, the handle having grip elements for the nonslip holding of the handle by the user.
9. Method for producing a razor according to one of the preceding claims, with the steps of:

   providing a handle (10) having a ball joint socket (11) at its one end,

   providing an alignment element (14) in the ball joint socket,

   providing a blade head (20) having at least one razor blade (21) and a ball joint head (22), and

   providing a recess in the ball joint head,

   the ball joint head of the blade head and the ball joint socket of the handle being designed to form a ball joint, and the alignment element being designed to engage in the recess.

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