ES2204832T3 - HELP BAND IN THE SHELVED FOR A SHAFT MACHINER SPARE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a razor cartridge (14) with a solid polymeric shaving aid strip (22). The razor cartridge has a blade (18) (one or more) and a skin-engaging portion in proximity of the blade. The skin-engaging portion includes a solid polymeric shaving aid strip (22) having an upper exposed surface which contacts the skin during shaving. The shaving aid strip includes a first exposed lengthwise-extending portion (24) containing a lubricous water-soluble polymer and an adjacent, second exposed lengthwise-extending portion (26) containing a lubricous water-soluble polymer. The first portion contains a greater amount of the lubricous water-soluble polymer than the second portion, and the first portion is adapted to wear at a faster rate than the second portion during shaving. This construction enables the strip to release more of the lubricous water-soluble polymer for a longer time period (i.e., for more shaves) than conventional shaving aid strips.

Description

Shaving aid band for a replacement of razor.

The present invention is related to a shaving band (or compound) for a replacement of razor.

It is known to everyone that comfort in the shaving can be increased by adding a razor replacement shaving aid compound, also known as band lubricant, which continuously releases a compound that helps shaving, typically a lubricant during the shaving process.  See, for example, U: S 4,170,821 and GB 2,024,082. The help band shaving generally comprises an insoluble polymer matrix in water, typically polystyrene, and a compound that helps water soluble shaving, typically polyoxyethylene, which leach the compound during shaving to increase comfort.

Unfortunately, the conventional bands of shaving aid suffer the disadvantage that they give off a insufficient amount of the compound, particularly after four or five shaves when the emission of the compound helps the Shaving can descend to insignificant amounts. Further, the amount of shaving aid compound that can be included in the shaving aid band it may be limited because high levels of the compound are difficult to process and can affect the structural integrity of the band.

For all this, they have been recently efforts to improve shaving aid bands so that the emission of the compound be increased and prolonged.

These efforts have resulted in aid bands shaving that include the following characteristics: incorporation into the matrix (U.S. 5,113,585) of an enhancement agent low molecular weight, such as polyethylene glycol; the use of ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymer for the material of the matrix (U.S. 5,349,750); the incorporation of a material compatibilizer as the polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene copolymer (for example Poloxalene 182) (U.S. 5,454,164); The incorporation of a water absorbent polymer such as Salsorb 84, a crosslinked polyacrylic (U.S. 5,626,154); the coextrusion of a core comprising an aid to shaving leachable to water inside of a water insoluble polymer shell, where the shell It has a plurality of openings to facilitate the emission of shaving aid compound (WO 96/13360, which corresponds to the U.S. Serial No. 08 / 497,194); and portion coextrusion adjacent shaving aid compound (U.S. 5,956,848). Shaving aids are also well known. include an essential oil (U.S. 5,095,619) or an agent non-volatile refrigerant (U.S. 5,713,131), and bands molded by injection that include a plasticizer (U.S. 4,850,106).

The present invention is directed to a replacement Razor with a polymeric band to help shaved off. The replacement has a blade (one or more) and a portion of coupling to the skin next to the blade. The portion of skin coupling includes a solid polymeric support band to shaving that has an exposed upper surface that enters skin contact during shaving. The help band to shaving includes an exposed first portion that extends longitudinally and containing a soluble lubricating polymer in water and a second adjacent portion that extends longitudinally and containing a soluble lubricating polymer in Water. The first portion contains a larger amount of the polymer water soluble lubricant compared to the second portion, and the first portion is adapted to wear to a rhythm greater than the second during shaving. This construction allows the band to emit more water soluble lubricating polymer for longer (ie: for more shaves) than the bands Conventional shaving aid.

The shaving aid band is located typically located on the back (or top) of the replacement (ie: behind the blade or blades), but it can also be in the front (or lower) portion of the replacement (it is say: in front of the blade or blades), or a band of help to shaving can be found in both portions of the replacement of the Razor: The spare part is usually fixed to a handle It will be used for shaving. The razor replacement It can be designed to be fixed to a handle in the case of shaving systems in which the handle is reused and the cartridge It is disposable after one or several uses, or the replacement can be permanently attached to the handle (or integral with the command) in the case of disposable razors in which both the handle as the spare are discarded as a whole after one or more uses The term razor replacement is used So to refer to both types of spare parts.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a razor replacement that includes a shaving aid band of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the space between lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the band shaving aid including the replacement shown in Fig. one.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the shaving aid band of Fig. 3.

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Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a spare Razor identical to that of Fig. 2, but showing a second embodiment of the shaving aid band of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the band of shaving aid shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the band shaving aid of Fig. 6.

In relation to Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the replacement Razor 14 includes a housing 16 that carries three blades 18, a finned elastomeric cover 20, and a solid band polymeric shaving aid 22 (or 22 ') located on a portion of coupling to the skin (in this case at the top of the spare part) The shaving aid band (or compound) is found fixed in an opening of the back of the spare part and includes a water soluble lubricant polymeric substance to aid shave that is emitted by the band during shaving to Improve the quality of it. While here it is located on the back of this particular replacement, the band of shaving aid can be found located in any portion of the coupling with the skin of the spare part and can be manufactured in any size or shape deemed appropriate. For example, the band can be incorporated into razor parts such as the Mach 3®, Excel® Sensor, Atra Plus® and Custom Plus® marketed by the Gillette Company, as well as others commercial spare parts

In relation to Figs. 3 and 4, the band of shaving aid includes an exposed first portion 24 that extends longitudinally and a second exposed portion 26 which is extends longitudinally, each portion having approximately the shape of a rounded lobe with an exposed surface longitudinal. The second portion 26 preferably extends to the less partially under the first portion 24 and provides support for the first portion 24. The boundary between the first portion 24 and the second portion 26 may approximate in an inclined plane such and As shown in the illustration. Band 22 also includes a connection portion 28 extending below the portions 24 and 26 and also optionally serves to fix the band to a receiving portion of the replacement coupling. The second portion 26 and the connection portion 28 preferably have the same composition. The upper surface of the first portion 24 preferably comprises approximately 55% to 85%, more preferably from 60% to 80% of the surface area of the upper surface of the shaving aid band. Besides, the uppermost surface of the first portion 24 is preferably extends slightly above the uppermost surface of the second portion 26. It is also preferable that the first portion 24 comprise a greater amount (in weight percentage) of the compound shaving aid than the second portion 26. The band helps the  shaving can typically be about 2.5 cm up to 3.7 cm in length, and about 0.15 cm to 0.35 cm of width.

A second embodiment of the aid band at Shaving of the present invention is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In this embodiment, as in the one described above, the shaving aid band 22 'includes a first portion 24' which extends longitudinally and a second portion 26 'adjacent extending longitudinally, each portion having approximately a rounded lobe shape with a surface longitudinal exposed. The second portion 26 'extends substantially below the first portion 24 'and provides support for the first portion 24 '. The boundary between the first portion 24 'and the second portion 26' is curvilinear (approximately S-shaped) as shown in the illustration. By Of course, the limit can also be arched, either convex or concave. The band 22 'also includes a connection portion 28' which extends below portions 24 'and 26' and that also optionally serves to fix the band to the receiving portion of replacement coupling. The second portion 26 'and the portion of connection 28 'will preferably have the same composition. The upper surface of the first portion 24 'comprises preferably about 55% to 85%, more preferably from 60% to 80% of the surface area of the upper surface of the shaving aid band. Besides, the uppermost surface of the first portion 24 'preferably extends slightly above the uppermost surface of the second portion 26 '. It is also preferable that the first portion 24 'comprise a greater amount (in weight percentage) of shaving aid compound than the second portion 26 '. The band Shaving aid can typically be approximately 2.5 cm at 3.7 cm in length and about 0.15 cm to 0.35 cm in length width.

A shaving aid band constructed as described above can be inserted into a razor replacement with a first portion 24 (or 24 ') facing forward (ie: in shaving direction) as shown in Fig. 2. Alternatively, the band can be inserted with the first portion 24 (or 24 ') facing backwards as shown in Fig. 5. Since the first portion 24 (or 24 ') contains a larger proportion of the shaving aid compound than the rest of the band, and optionally it contains other ingredients that can contribute to its faster wear characteristics will tend to wear out slightly faster than the second portion 26 (or 26 '). East faster wear tends to present a cool surface of shaving aid compound that is present in a large proportion in that portion, and that thereby provides a increased lubrication for a longer period of time. The same time, portion 26 (or 26 ') wears more slowly and maintains The correct shaving geometry.

Each portion of the shaving aid band will include a water soluble lubricating polymer as the main shaving aid component, and optionally, a polymer insoluble in water that will serve as a matrix in which it will be found dispersed the water soluble polymer. Preferably, the first portion will comprise approximately 0% to 30%, plus preferably from 10% to 25% of the weight of the polymer insoluble in water, and about 65% to 95%, more preferably 65% 90% water soluble polymer. The second portion will comprise preferably from 10% to 40%, more preferably from 20% 35% water insoluble polymer, and approximately 50% up to 80%, more preferably 55% to 75% polymer water soluble lubricant.

Typically, soluble lubricating polymers to water include polyoxyethylene, pyrrolidone polyvinyl, polyacrylamide, modified hydroxyalkyl cellulose, imidazoline polyvinyl, polyvinyl alcohol, polysulfone and polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate. The water soluble lubricating polymer Preferred is polyoxyethylene. Preferred polyoxyethylenes are generally known as POLYOX (available from Union Carbide Corporation) or ALKOX (available from Meisei Chemical Works, Kyoto, Japan). These polyoxyethylenes will preferably have weights molecules of approximately 100,000 to 8 million daltons, plus preferably about 300,000 to 5 million daltons. It is preferred to use a mixture of polyoxyethylenes, typically a mixture containing at least one polyoxyethylene with a molecular weight in the range of 100,000 to 500,000 and at least one polyoxyethylene with a molecular weight in the range of 3 to 8 million. Polyoxyethylene more preferred comprises a mixture of about 40% at 80% of the weight of polyoxyethylene with an average molecular weight of approximately 5 million (for example: POLYOX COAGULANT) and approximately 60% to 20% polyoxyethylene with a weight Average molecular weight of approximately 300,000 (for example: POLYOX WSR-N-750). It preferred especially a 60:40 mixture of these two polyoxyethylenes (5 million: 300,000).

Water insoluble polymers that can Used include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, butadiene-styrene copolymer (for example: high and medium impact polystyrene) polyacetal, copolymer Acrylonitrile Butadiene Stirene, copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, polyurethane and mixtures such as polypropylene / polystyrene or polystyrene / polystyrene of impact. The preferred water insoluble polymer is the polystyrene, preferably a general purpose polystyrene such as for example the NOVA C2345A, or a high impact polystyrene (such as for example: polystyrene butadiene) such as BASF 495F KG21. The band or any portion should contain a sufficient amount water insoluble polymer to provide strength adequate mechanics, both during production and during utilization.

The first portion of the aid band to shaving will preferably include a material that allows the wear faster than in the second portion and / or facilitate the inclusion of relatively high levels of soluble polymer in Water. Said material is polycaprolactone, as described. in the U.S. co-pending application Serial No. 09 / 506,628 (No. Docket 8070) filed on February 18, 2000. Preferably, the policaprolactone will be included in an amount of approximately 1% to 10% of the weight. Polycaprolactons are available from Union Carbide Corporation under the name polymers TONED® (for example: P-737, P-767, P-787, polyol 1270). Preferably, the polycaprolactone will have a molecular weight between approximately 1,000 and approximately 80,000 daltons, plus preferably between about 30,000 and 60,000 daltons, and more preferably still about 50,000 daltons.

The shaving aid band, or any serving, may also contain other conventional ingredients shaving aid, such as agents that enhance the water soluble and low molecular weight emission such as polyethylene glycol (PM <10,000; for example: 1-10% of weight PEG-100), and enhancement agents of the emission of water absorbents such as crosslinked polyacrylics (for example: 2-7% by weight), dyes, antioxidants, preservatives, botanical oils, vitamin E, aloe, agents refrigerants, essential oils, beard softeners, astringents, medicinal agents, etc. Portions that contain A dye can be designed to emit the dye (for example by leaching or abrasion), and thereby cause the band Change color during shaving. A portion may contain, for example, between about 0.1% and about 5.0%  (preferably between approximately 0.5% and 3%) of dye by weight. Preferably, the first portion contains a dye to contrast with the second portion, while the  wear of the first portion during shaving provides a visual indication to the user about the end of the effective life or on the end of its optimal performance.

The shaving aid bands of the present invention can be manufactured by any method appropriate, including injection molding and extrusion, the latter being the preferred one. All band components They are mixed before molding or extrusion. For the obtaining better results, it is preferred that the components be dry

The mixed components can be extruded using a Haake 90 System, an extruder with a 3/4 inch diameter with a barrel pressure of approximately 1,000-2,000 psi, a speed of rotor of approximately 10 to 50 rpm, and a temperature of approximately 150ºC-185ºC and a temperature of threaded from approximately 170ºC-185ºC. Alternatively, a single thread extruder can be used 1/4 inch with a processing temperature of 175 ° C-200 ° C, preferably 185ºC-190ºC, a threading speed of 20 to 50 rpm, preferably 25 to 35 rpm, and an extrusion pressure of 1,800 to 5,000 psi, preferably 2,000 to 3,500 psi. The band Extruded is cooled by air at approximately 25 ° C. For extrusion molding the bands, it is preferred first Extrude the powder mixture into pellets. This can be done on a 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 inch single thread extruder a a temperature of 120 ° C-180 ° C, preferably 140ºC-150ºC, with a threading speed of 20 to 100 rpm, preferably 45 to 70 rpm. The pellets are then molded either in a simple material molding machine or in a machine Multi-material molding, which can be cavity single or multi-cavity, optionally equipped with A hot laundry system. Processing temperature it can be from 165 ° C to 250 ° C, preferably from 180 ° C to 225 ° C. The injection pressure should be sufficient to fill the part completely without bending. Depending on the size of the cavity, configuration and quantity, injection pressure It can be found in the range of 300 to 2,500 psi. Time cycle will depend on the same parameters and can be in the range 3 to 30 seconds, the optimum being 6 to 15 seconds.

The invention can be explained in more depth. by the following examples in which all parts and Percentages are shown as weight.

Examples 1 to 4

Shaving aid bands with a section like that of the band 22 shown in Fig. 4 are manufactured with the component mixtures indicated below by coextrusion of the mixtures in the manner also mentioned then. The components of each portion (portion 24 and portions 26, 28) can be supplied by two separate pumps / melts (plastic extruders), each consisting of an overheated barrel, a screw of pumping, a motor for the screw and a control system for the entire system The materials are supplied in the form of powder to their respective extruders (for example the thread type simple, manufactured by Davis Standard). The extruders can operate at the same or at different speeds and at the same or at different temperatures The barrel temperature for each extruder can set up on a ramp in three zones from 165ºC to 190ºC; quarter heater on the threaded / barrel connection can also be fixed to 190 ° C, and a fifth threaded heater may be in the range from 190 ° C to 205 ° C. Through reinforced welded parts, the jets Casting components are joined to form the band. The portion 24 may be located precisely over portion 26, 28 a through precision machined tracks on the threading head. Since they have different compositions, the two materials blasting join at the last possible moment before departure Threading Both materials leave the threading head in a Approximate size and shape to the final product. Dimensions finishes are achieved using a series of forming rollers to as the extrudate has cooled. Typically, the band will extruded at a speed of 1,524 cm per minute. The materials combined blasting is extracted from the threading head towards the device that provides size and cooling to a constant speed so that the section is always constant. Under a dry warm air bath, the material blasting cools until it can no longer be flexible. One time chilled, the bands can be cut to length appropriate and can be fixed to the spare parts of the razors as the spare part 14.

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Examples 5 to 6

Shaving aid bands with a section like that of the band 22 'shown in Fig. 7 they are manufactured with the mixtures of the components mentioned below by coextrusion of the mixtures in the manner described above with respect to to Examples 1 to 4. Once cooled, the bands are cut to the appropriate length and fixed to the spare parts of razors as the spare part 14.

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While they have been shown and described the particular embodiments of the invention for illustrative purposes, it will be apparent to those with knowledge of this technique that several changes and modifications can be made without starting from scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims indicated below.

Claims (17)

1. A razor cartridge (14) that it comprises a sheet (18) and a skin coupling portion near said sheet, and said coupling portion with the skin includes a solid polymer shaving aid band (22) with an exposed upper surface, said band comprising shaving aid, before the first use of said cartridge, a first exposed portion (24) extending longitudinally and which contains a water soluble lubricating polymer and a second adjacent adjacent portion (26) extending longitudinally and which contains a water soluble lubricating polymer, in which said first portion (24) comprises an amount greater than mentioned water soluble lubricating polymer, in percentage of weight, than said second portion (26), and where the first portion (24) is adapted for faster wear than that of said second portion (26) during shaving. 2. The razor cartridge of the claim 1, wherein said first portion comprises from about 0% to about 30% weight of water insoluble polymer and from about 65% to approximately 95% water soluble polymer, and the aforementioned second portion comprises from about 10% to approximately 40% water insoluble polymer and from about 50% and up to about 80% polymer soluble in water. 3. The razor cartridge of the claim 1, wherein said first portion comprises from about 10% to about 25% by weight of water insoluble polymer and from about 65% to approximately 90% ethylene polyoxide, and the aforementioned second portion comprises from about 20% to approximately 35% water insoluble polymer and from approximately 55% to approximately 75% polyoxide ethylene. 4. The razor cartridge of the claim 3, wherein said ethylene polyoxide comprises a mixture of at least one ethylene polyoxide with a molecular weight in the range of 100,000 to 500,000 and at least one ethylene polyoxide with a molecular weight in the range of 3 to 8 millions. 5. The razor cartridge of the claim 4, wherein said water insoluble polymer comprises polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, copolymer butadiene-styrene (high impact polystyrene and medium), polyacetal, copolymer Acrylonitrile Butadiene Stirene, copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, polyurethane and mixtures of these components. 6. The razor cartridge of the claim 1 or 5, wherein said first portion has an exposed upper surface comprising between approximately 55% and approximately 85% of the upper surface area exposed from the shaving aid band. 7. The razor cartridge of the claim 6, wherein said first portion has a exposed upper surface comprising between approximately the 60% and approximately 80% of the upper surface area exposed from the shaving aid band. 8. The razor cartridge of the claim 6, wherein said second portion is extends at least partially under said first portion and provides support to it. 9. The razor cartridge of the claim 8, wherein the boundary between said second portion and the mentioned first portion approaches a plane inclined. 10. The razor cartridge of the claim 6, wherein said second portion is extends substantially below said first portion and provides support for it. 11. The razor cartridge of the claim 10, wherein the boundary between said second portion and said first portion is curvilinear or arcuate. 12. The razor cartridge of the claim 6, wherein the upper surface of said first portion extends slightly above the surface upper of the mentioned second portion. 13. The razor cartridge of the claim 11, wherein the upper surface of said first portion extends slightly above the surface upper of the mentioned second portion. 14. The razor cartridge of the claim 6, wherein said first portion contains a dye to contrast with the second mentioned portion. 15. The razor cartridge of the claim 14, wherein said support band at shaving is oriented on the aforementioned cartridge Razor so that the first portion mentioned is found on the back of the second mentioned portion.

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16. The razor cartridge of the claim 6, wherein said shaving aid band it also includes a connection portion that extends below of the mentioned first and second portions. 17. The razor cartridge of the claim 16, wherein said connection portion has the same composition as said second portion.