EP4166290B1 - Handle with an ejector for a wet razor - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a handle for a wet razor with an elongated handle section and a coupling section connected to the latter for the detachable attachment of a cutting unit to the handle. The handle comprises an ejector which, when actuated by the user, serves to release the cutting unit from the handle.

In the EP 1 053 837 B1 a razor with a replaceable razor cassette is shown. The razor cassette comprises a housing with one or more blades, a lubricating strip, a cap and a connecting element with a rotating support structure. The housing is mounted so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis. The support structure and an adjoining base structure allow the razor cassette to be fixedly but removablely attached to an extension of a handle. A plug connection is essentially made between the connecting structure and the extension of the handle, for which the base structure has a recess which has internal surfaces which engage with the external surfaces of the extension of the handle. The aim of this plug connection is to attach the razor cassette to the handle as immovably as possible, but at the same time to make it easy for the user to replace the razor cassette.

In the WO89/10245 A1 A razor with a handle and a spring-loaded razor blade holder is described. A pivot joint allows a pivoting movement of the razor blade holder relative to the handle, with the pivot axis essentially parallel to the cutting edges of the razor blade holder. arranged blades. In addition, a resilient elastic bearing is provided which, when the appropriate force is applied, allows the razor blade holder to make pitching, torsional and translational movements relative to the handle, whereby the razor blade holder returns to a neutral position when the force is removed. The elastic bearing is permanently integrated into the handle and requires a corresponding amount of assembly work when manufacturing the razor.

The WO 2009/154921 A2 shows a razor with a blade unit that is connected to the handle via a connecting element. The blade unit can be pivoted about a first axis that runs parallel to the cutting edges. In addition, the blade unit can be pivoted about a second axis that runs perpendicular to the cutting edges. The connecting element has a complicated structure with numerous individual parts, which means that the assembly effort when manufacturing the razor is considerable.

The WO 2020/053360 A1 shows a handle for a razor assembly. The handle has a handle body with a distal end in which a cavity opens, a slider which is held in the cavity and extends outwardly therefrom, and a holding element which is arranged at the distal end of the handle body.

The EP 2 902 156 B1 describes a razor with a handle, a cutting unit and a coupling section for attaching the cutting unit to the handle. The cutting unit has a blade unit with one or more blades. The coupling section is used for the detachable attachment of the Cutting unit on the handle. A rod of the handle is detachably inserted into a holder of the cutting unit, whereby the rod can be rotated from a rest position in both directions relative to the holder.

From the GB 2 078 589 A a razor handle for use in a wet shaving system with replaceable blade cartridges is known. The system comprises a handle, a head part, a cap, a molding with two pivoting arms having pivot mounts at their front ends, a piston, two hairpin spring sections and a push button which can be operated to move the arms apart to release the blade cartridge.

The EN 10 2004 061 446 A1 discloses a razor for carrying a detachable blade unit with a handle, a head piece and a coupling unit arranged on the head piece for fastening the blade unit. The coupling unit comprises two support arms which are pivotably mounted in the head piece and are connected to one another in one piece via a bending spring element. The coupling unit also has two bearing elements which are arranged on the support arms and engage in pivot bearings of the blade unit. Finally, a support element is provided which is arranged between the head piece and the blade unit so as to be spring-loaded and displaceable transversely to the axis of rotation. A release element allows the blade unit to be released by pivoting the bearing elements out of the pivot bearings.

The KR 20 2014 0 002 069 U describes a razor with a handle and a removable blade cassette. The handle has a plunger, spring elements, an operating button and housing shells which hold the cassette and allow it to be ejected.

The US 2010/0251555 A1 discloses a shaver having a removable cartridge and a handle. The cartridge comprises a cartridge body, at least one blade attached to the bottom, a connector attachment part provided on the top, and a connector attached to the connector attachment part and having a holder attachment part. The handle comprises a handle body, a housing, a holder, a connector and an actuator.

In the US 2015/0328788 A1 describes a handle for a razor, the handle comprising a handle body and a cover body. The cover body and the handle body overlap to form an insert part for inserting a connecting structure. The insert part forms a tapered structure along the insertion direction that fits into the connecting structure. By pressing the handle body, the connecting structure is ejected so that the razor head is released together with the connecting structure.

The US 2020/0070376 A1 describes a razor handle, a replaceable razor cartridge, and a method for releasing the replaceable razor cartridge from the razor handle. The razor handle includes an elongated body, a connector, and a release mechanism. The razor handle further includes a trigger offset from the connector in the longitudinal direction of the elongated body, and a transmission mechanism connecting the trigger to the release mechanism.

The US 2018/0326606 A1 shows a double-sided razor cartridge having a first shaving surface and a second shaving surface opposite and parallel to the first shaving surface. A plurality of razor blades are provided on each of the first and second shaving surfaces. An engagement component is also provided for engaging the cartridge with a razor handle. The cartridge is attached to the handle by a pivoting arm connection which includes the engagement component. The pivoting arm connection forms an assembly which is removable from the handle in order to change the cartridge between the first and second shaving sides relative to the handle. For changing the cartridge, a pressure pin seated on a spring and a release slide are housed in an interior of a connecting block. The connecting block is secured in a chamber by a first latch which has a bar with a cam surface which engages a ramp near the chamber bottom, and the bar is then secured in a sub-chamber below the ramp adjacent to the chamber bottom.

The EP 3 815 862 A1 also shows a handle for a wet razor according to the prior art with an ejector which is formed integrally with the spring element and the plunger.

The problem with all known handles for wet razors is that a detachable but secure coupling of an exchangeable cutting unit leads to a complicated structure and/or makes the manufacture and assembly of such handles difficult.

One object of the present invention is, based on the prior art, to provide an improved handle for a wet razor, which enables a detachable connection to exchangeable cutting units and at the same time has a simple, easy to manufacture and quick to assemble structure. Preferably, the The handle should also be able to be adapted to different designs with just a few changes, thus allowing multiple use on different wet razors.

This object is achieved by a handle according to the appended claim 1.

The handle according to the invention for a wet razor has an elongated handle section which is held by the user with one hand or a few fingers during shaving, as well as a coupling section which is preferably integrally connected to this handle and to which a cutting unit can be detachably attached. The cutting unit is preferably attached so that it can rotate relative to the handle. The cutting unit comprises a blade unit with one or preferably several blades, in particular with three, four or five blades. The blade unit is preferably mounted so that it can pivot about a pivot axis running parallel to the longitudinal extension of the blades. The cutting unit is not covered by the present invention, so that a description of further details of the cutting unit is omitted.

The coupling section of the handle has a housing section with a housing cavity into which further elements can be inserted. The housing section has a longitudinal axis which preferably lies in a common plane with the longitudinal axis of the handle section, but within this common plane runs at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle section. At the end of the housing cavity facing the cutting unit, an insertion opening is provided through which further elements can be inserted during assembly. After After assembly of the handle, the insertion opening is preferably closed. Furthermore, the housing cavity has an actuation opening on another side of the housing section, preferably on an upper side of the housing section that is easily accessible to the user. The area of the actuation opening can preferably be reached by the user with the thumb of the hand holding the handle.

The coupling section also has a connector with fastening elements that engage in the housing section and with a pin that protrudes above the level of the insertion opening. When connecting to the cutting unit, the pin is detachably inserted into a complementarily shaped pin hole in the cutting unit. In order to replace the cutting unit, the used cutting unit must be detached from the pin. According to special embodiments, a snap and/or locking connection can be formed between the pin and the pin hole. In the simple case, however, it is only a clamp connection, which must, however, be designed to be tight enough so that the cutting unit cannot be accidentally lost from the pin. In modified embodiments, the pin can comprise locking or snap elements that allow locking in the pin hole.

The coupling section further comprises an ejector which is inserted axially displaceably into the housing cavity in its entirety or at least in sections. The ejector has a spring element which pushes the ejector axially into the housing cavity and a plunger which, when the ejector is axially displaced in the direction of the cutting unit, protrudes above the plane of the insertion opening in order to run against the cutting unit and displace it axially on the pin away from the housing section, ie the To loosen the connection between the tenon and the tenon hole or to loosen it enough so that the cutting unit can be easily removed by the user.

Finally, the coupling section has an actuating button that extends through the actuating opening and acts on the ejector to cause its axial displacement. When the user actuates the actuating button, the ejector is axially displaced so that the ejector's plunger acts on the cutting unit and detaches it from the pin, or at least loosens it. The actuating button and ejector can be formed as one piece, and this must be taken into account when designing the insertion opening.

A significant advantage of the handle according to the invention is that the ejector can simultaneously perform the ejection function with the aid of the plunger and a desired return function with the aid of the spring element, and can still be designed in the form of a single integral injection-molded part. An ejector designed in this way can therefore be very easily inserted into the housing cavity, so that the manufacture of the handle is simplified overall.

The ejector is formed in one piece with its spring element and its plunger, particularly preferably molded from a single plastic as an injection molded part. The ejector preferably has axially extending sliding surfaces that are adapted to the inner shape of the housing cavity in order to be mounted there for axial displacement without causing any jamming or jamming.

It is particularly advantageous if the spring element of the ejector is formed by one, preferably two axially extending spring legs. The plunger of the ejector is preferably formed by one, preferably two push rods running parallel to one another, which extend in a plane parallel to the spring legs. The spring legs particularly preferably extend into a pin cavity of the pin. The pin cavity is preferably axially aligned with the housing cavity and is open to it. The spring element or the spring legs grip the inner wall of the pin cavity and/or the housing cavity and push the ejector back into the housing cavity after an axial displacement initiated by the user. The ejector therefore automatically returns to its rest position as soon as the user no longer exerts force on the actuating button.

According to a modified embodiment, at least one of two spring elements, preferably both spring elements simultaneously, forms the plunger of the ejector. The plunger and spring element are thus designed integrally.

According to one embodiment, the actuating button in the actuating opening can be displaced axially in the direction of the cutting unit in order to move the ejector in the same direction. The user moves the actuating button and, via this, the ejector in the direction of the cutting unit in order to eject or release it from the pin.

According to a modified embodiment, the actuating button can be displaced in the actuating opening perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing cavity in order to act on a wedge-shaped run-on surface of the ejector in order to Ejector is moved axially towards the cutting unit parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing cavity. The user thus moves the actuating button perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle in order to eject or release the cutting unit from the pin.

It is advantageous if the connector has a stop surface which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing cavity and closes the insertion opening, wherein the stop surface has at least one passage opening for the plunger. The stop surface preferably runs in the shape of a ring or collar around the pin. During assembly, the stop surface can be locked, glued, welded or clamped in the insertion opening, for example, after the ejector has been inserted through the insertion opening into the housing cavity.

In a preferred embodiment, at least two clamping fingers running parallel to one another and/or at least one spring tongue with a locking lug are arranged on the side of the stop surface facing away from the pin. The clamping fingers and/or spring tongue with a locking lug form the fastening elements of the connector that extend into the housing section.

Fig. 1

eine Explosionsdarstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Handgriffs;

Fig. 2

eine Querschnittsansicht der ersten Ausführungsform des Handgriffs im zusammengebauten Zustand;

Fig. 3

eine teilweise geschnittene Ansicht von unten eines Gehäuseabschnitts der ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 4

eine Längsschnittansicht der ersten Ausführungsform in einer Ruheposition;

Fig. 5

eine Längsschnittansicht der ersten Ausführungsform in einer Auswurfposition;

Fig. 6

eine Explosionsdarstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Handgriffs;

Fig. 7

eine Längsschnittansicht der zweiten Ausführungsform in einer Ruheposition;

Fig. 8

eine Längsschnittansicht der zweiten Ausführungsform in einer Auswurfposition.

Further advantages, details and modifications emerge from the following description of preferred embodiments, with reference to the drawing. They show:

Fig.1

an exploded view of a first embodiment of a handle according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the handle in the assembled state;

Fig. 3

a partially sectioned bottom view of a housing portion of the first embodiment;

Fig.4

a longitudinal sectional view of the first embodiment in a rest position;

Fig.5

a longitudinal sectional view of the first embodiment in an ejection position;

Fig.6

an exploded view of a second embodiment of the handle according to the invention;

Fig.7

a longitudinal sectional view of the second embodiment in a rest position;

Fig.8

a longitudinal sectional view of the second embodiment in an ejection position.

Fig.1 shows a first embodiment of a handle according to the invention for a wet razor in an exploded view. The handle has a rear handle section 01, which is held by the user with the fingers during shaving, and a front coupling section 02, which extends between the handle section and a cutting unit to be carried (not shown). The coupling section 02 comprises a housing section 03, which in the embodiment shown is integrally connected to the handle section 01 and has a housing cavity 04. The housing cavity 04 has an insertion opening 06 directed towards the cutting unit and an actuation opening 07 arranged on the top of the housing section 03.

During assembly, an ejector 08 is inserted into the housing cavity 04 via the insertion opening 06. In this embodiment, the ejector 08 has two spring legs 09, which act as a spring element and, after being inserted into the housing cavity, protrude beyond the housing section even in a resting position (see Fig.3 ). The ejector also has two tappets 11 which run axially parallel to the spring legs 09 but do not protrude beyond the housing section in the rest position.

After the ejector 08 has been inserted, a connector 12 is installed, which engages with two clamping fingers 13 in corresponding grooves in the housing cavity 04. In addition, the connector 12 has a spring tongue with a locking lug 14, which engages on a locking edge in the housing cavity as soon as the connector is fully inserted. The connector has a pin 16 pointing forward, onto which the cutting unit is placed (not shown). Between the pin 16 and the clamping fingers 13 there is a stop surface 17, which closes the insertion opening 06 and can be glued or welded there, for example. Two passage openings 18 are provided in the stop surface 17, through which the plungers 11 pass as soon as the ejector is moved from the axially rear rest position to the axially front ejection position.

Finally, the coupling section 02 comprises an actuating button 19, which has a trough-shaped actuating surface on its upper side, which is actuated by the user when the cutting unit is to be released or loosened from the pin. The actuating button 19 is seated in the actuating opening 07 and engages through it on a The contact surface 21 of the ejector 08 is used to effect its axial displacement. Figures 1 to 5 In the embodiment shown, the operating button 19 is moved axially forwards by the user in the direction of the cutting unit. As a result, the plungers 11 protrude over the stop surface 17 and engage the cutting unit there.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to Fig.1 in the assembled state. The selected cutting surface runs parallel to the plane of the insertion opening 06 and also intersects the actuating button 19, which is inserted into the actuating opening 07. It can be seen that the clamping fingers 13 of the connector 12 engage in grooves within the housing cavity 04 and are fixed there by clamping edges 22. The two spring legs 09 can also be seen, the surfaces of which partially rest against the wall of the housing cavity 04.

Fig.3 shows the housing section 03 in a partially sectioned view from below in the rest position. It can be seen here that a pin cavity 23 is formed within the pin 16, in which the spring legs 09 of the ejector 08 engage. In the rest position shown, the ejector is not moved forward, so that the spring legs are not or only slightly pre-tensioned. If the user pushes the ejector axially forward, the spring legs 09 move further into the pin cavity 23 and are pressed towards each other due to the tapered opening cross-section there, so that a spring force is built up. If the user releases the actuating button 19, this spring force causes the ejector to return to the rest position. It is clear that the spring element of the ejector can also be designed in a different way.

Fig.4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment according to Fig.1 in the rest position. The actuating button 19 is in its rear position, i.e. away from the cutting unit. As a result, the ejector 08 is also in the rear position and the plungers 11 do not protrude from the stop surface 17.

Fig.5 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment according to Fig.1 in the ejection position. The actuating button 19 is in its front position, i.e. closer to the cutting unit than in the rest position. As a result, the ejector 08 is in the front position and the plungers 11 protrude from the stop surface 17.

Fig.6 shows an exploded view of a second embodiment of the handle. The main difference to the previously described embodiment is that the actuating button 19 cannot be moved axially but is moved vertically to the longitudinal axis of the housing section 03 from an upper rest position to a lower ejection position, for example by pivoting. The actuating button acts on the run-on surface 21, which is wedge-shaped, so that the ejector 08 is pushed axially forward when the actuating button 19 is moved into the housing section 03 vertically to the longitudinal axis.

Fig.7 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment according to Fig.6 in the rest position. The operating button 19 is in its upper position. This means that the ejector 08 in the rear position and the tappets 11 do not protrude from the stop surface 17.

Fig.8 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment according to Fig.6 in the ejection position. The actuating button 19 is in its lower, offset position, i.e. deeper in the housing cavity 04 than in the rest position. As a result, the ejector 08 is in the front position and the plungers 11 protrude from the stop surface 17.

Reference symbols

01 -

Handle section

02 -

Coupling section

03 -

Housing section

04 -

Housing cavity

05 - 06 -

Insertion opening

07 -

Operating opening

08 -

Ejector

09 -

Suspension struts

10 - 11 -

Pestle

12 -

Interconnects

13 -

Clamping finger

14 -

Spring tongue with locking lug

15 - 16 -

cone

17 -

Stop surface

18 -

Passage openings

19 -

Operating button

20 - 21 -

Ramp surface

22 -

Clamping edges

23 -

Tenon cavity

Claims (10)

1. A handle for a wet razor comprising an elongated handle section (01) as well as comprising a coupling section (02) connected thereto for detachably attaching a cutting unit to the handle, wherein the coupling section (02) comprises:

   - a housing section (03) comprising a housing cavity (04), which has a longitudinal axis, an insertion opening (06) at the end directed towards the cutting unit as well as an actuating opening (07) on another housing section side;

   - a connector (12) comprising fastening elements (13, 14), which engage with the housing section (03), and comprising a pin (16), which protrudes beyond the plane of the insertion opening (06) and which can be inserted into a pin hole of the cutting unit formed in a complementary manner;

   - an ejector (08), which is inserted into the housing cavity (04) in an axially displaceable manner at least in sections, comprising a spring element (09), which pushes the ejector (08) axially into the hosing cavity (04), and comprising a ram (11), which protrudes beyond the plane of the insertion opening (06) in response to axial displacement of the ejector (08) in the direction towards the cutting unit, in order to run against the cutting unit and to displace the latter axially on the pin (16) away from the housing section (03), wherein the ejector (08) is formed in one piece with the spring element (09) and the ram (11);

   - an actuating button (19), which engages through the actuating opening (07) and acts on the ejector (08) in order to provide for the axial shifting thereof.
2. The handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the pin (16) of the connector (12) has a pin cavity (23), which is axially aligned with the housing cavity (04) and is open towards the latter, wherein the spring element (09) extends into the pin cavity (23) and engages with the inner wall thereof in order to push the ejector (08) axially into the housing cavity (04).
3. The handle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating button (19) can be axially displaced in the actuating opening (07) in the direction towards the cutting unit in order to shift the ejector (08) in the same direction.
4. The handle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating button (19) can be displaced in the actuating opening (07) at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the housing cavity (04) in order to act on a wedge-shaped run-on surface (21) of the ejector (08) in order to axially displace the ejector (08) in the direction towards the cutting unit parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing cavity (04).
5. The handle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the actuating opening (07) is arranged on an upper side of the housing section (04) and the actuating button (19) has an actuating surface.
6. The handle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the planes, in which the actuating opening (07) or the insertion opening (06) extend, respectively, are essentially perpendicular to one another.
7. The handle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connector (12) has a stop surface (17), which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing cavity (04) and closes the insertion opening (06), wherein the stop surface (17) has at least one passage opening (18) for the ram (11) .
8. The handle according to claim 7, characterized in that at least two clamping fingers (13), which run parallel to one another, and at least one flexible tongue comprising a catch lug (14) are arranged on the side of the stop surface (17) facing away from the pin (16), which, together, form the fastening element of the connector (12) extending into the housing cavity (04).
9. The handle according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the spring element is formed by at least one axially extending spring leg (09) and the ram (11) is formed by at least one push rod, which extends in a plane lying parallel to the spring leg (09) .
10. The handle according to claim 9, characterized in that the spring element of the ejector (08) is formed by two spring legs (09) extending axially, and that the ram (11) of the ejector (08) is formed by two push rods, which run parallel to one another and which extend in a plane lying parallel to the spring legs (09).

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