ES2265635T3 - SAFETY SHAVING MACHINES. - Google Patents

Abstract

A safety razor has a blade unit 2 carried on a handle 1, an electrical arrangement including an electrically operated vibration device 24, 26 and a control device 16 for actuating the vibration device when the blade unit 2 is moved into contact with or close proximity to the skin of a person holding the razor, a battery 15 accommodated in the handle 1, a switch 20 for connecting the electrical arrangement to the battery, and a light emitting diode 28 for illuminating a section 27 of handle neck 24 to indicate that the electrical arrangement is connected to the battery and ready to actuate the vibration device.

Description

Safety razors.

This invention relates to razors of safety shave A safety razor generally comprises a handle and a unit of blades supported on the handle and that includes at least one blade with a sharp cutting edge. In the course of shaving, the unit of blades are applied against the skin and the blade or blades are displaced through the skin such that the edges of Sharp cuts come in contact with the protruding hairs of the skin and cut through these. The blade unit can be fixed on the handle in order to discard all the Razor once the cutting edges have remain blunt and are no longer able to provide a shave comfortable. Alternatively, the blade unit may be detachably mounted on the handle, so that the unit of blades can be replaced by a new unit of blades when the degree of sharpening of the blades has decreased to an unacceptable level. Reference is often made to replaceable blade units such as cartridges shaved off.

Most of the razors of security that are marketed today are operated and they are used completely manually. However, it is possible incorporate electrical devices to the razors of security. It is known, for example, the practice of including a electrically operated vibrating mechanism that can be put on operation to vibrate the razor, since it has been observed that said vibration can have an effect beneficial in the behavior of a razor. A Simple and practical vibration generation mechanism consists of an electric motor with a counterweight mounted eccentrically on Your exit tree. The vibrating mechanism and a dedicated battery to provide electric power to the motor, they can be housed conveniently in the handle of the razor. Examples of previous proposals for such razors are the described in US 3,611,568, US 5,299,354, US 5,214,851 and US 5,046,249. In US 6,481,104 B1, describes a safety razor housing that includes a vibrating mechanism and a light emitting diode that Illuminates when the vibrating mechanism is activated. A razor vibrating shaver described in the document EP-A-0885698 includes a meter or power indication intended to indicate the power remaining in the battery and / or to indicate when a new battery is necessary.

A vibration mechanism can be adapted to vibrate only one or more components selected from the blade unit, such as the barrier that comes into contact with the skin in front of the blades, or one or more blades, and the vibration can be directional, for example, directed along the length of the blades in order to favor a slicing or transverse cutting action at blades Another possibility is to make an element vibrate in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface of the skin that is shaving. The vibration mechanism can incorporate a piezoelectric device to produce the vibrations, instead of a motor to rotatably drive a eccentric counterweight.

Other forms of electrical device apart from vibration generators in the wet razors, being some examples of such dispositives:

(i) heating devices intended for heating one or more blades or other components of a unit blades that come into contact with the skin during shaving, such as Peltier devices, or resistance devices electric or ohmic heating;

(ii) dispensing devices intended to supply the skin with a shaving-promoting product and that can be activated with the operation of a motor-driven pump or with the operation of a valve having an electrically controlled drive device, improvement products of the shaving that can be supplied in a unit of safety razor blades during the realization of a shaving pass, including those having the qualities and properties mentioned in Patent Application No. WO 00/47374, of the present applicant, whose content is incorporated here as a reference
Inc;

(iii) conditioning devices intended to prepare the skin and / or hairs so that they are ready to be cut by blades, such as a roller mounted on the barrier area of the blade unit and intended to spin around its axis in order to favor the hairs that lie in contact with the skin they stand to be cut;

(iv) lighting devices intended for brighten an area of skin that is being shaved; Y

(v) drive devices intended for adjust the blade unit according to the conditions of existing shaves, detected by a sensor.

In documents EP-A-0906814 and US 2002 /
0189102 describes razors that are provided with force sensors and electronically activated indicators and intended to signal that replacement of the blade is necessary. In GB-A-2258922 a personal care apparatus such as a hair dryer or an electric toothbrush that is operated by the mains and includes an indicator intended to show that the apparatus is connected to the source of alternating current. There is a capacitive sensor in the handle, so that the device is activated as soon as it is raised by hand.

In case there is a device electric included in a safety razor, it is often convenient for the device to be operated by a Rechargeable or replaceable electric storage battery, which can be housed inside the razor handle of to shave. In order to conserve battery power, it is it is preferable that the electrical device be disconnected from the battery during periods of time when the razor is not used Shaving In some cases, it may be immediately obvious to a user when the connection is established between the electrical device and battery, such as when the device it is a vibration generator that is put into operation so soon as the electrical connection to the battery is established, yes there may well be other examples where this is not so evident.

In accordance with the present invention, provides a safety razor that comprises a blade unit supported on a handle, an arrangement electrical which includes an electrically operated device, and a indicator, so that you can act on the device electrically operated by the electrical arrangement during shaving, and the indicator produces a signal intended for indicate to a user of the razor that the provision electrical has been connected to an electrical power source and is ready to drive the device.

In addition to providing the user with an indication clear that the razor is ready and operational, the indicator will signal to a user who is not familiar with the Razor something is expected to happen and, in consequently, the sudden fright that could be caused will be avoided, such as by an unexpected movement of a component of the razor.

In construction or structure currently preferred, the indicator comprises a light emitting device and, specifically, a light emitting diode. In another embodiment, a low frequency and / or low amplitude oscillation indicates that the Razor is operational. In yet another embodiment, a audible signal, that is, a sound or tone, indicates that the Razor is operational. It is possible to use also Any combination of these indicators.

The indicator is conveniently located in a neck of the razor handle that joins the blade unit and a handle grip portion.

The handle may include a section or section of light transmission, which is illuminated by the emitting device of light, and the stretch of light transmission extends preferably around the entire periphery of the neck and at length of at least one main part of the neck. Like no neck it is covered or covered, usually by the user's hand, when left illuminated a relatively large part of the neck, is provided to the user a very clear and unmistakable indication that the Razor is ready to be used.

A power switch can be included to control the connection of the electrical arrangement with the source of power, and the indicator can be arranged to be fed into power by the power source when the power switch is closed power. It is possible to use a powered power switch manually, but then the user of the razor you must remember to activate and deactivate the power supply in the appropriate moments for proper device operation electrical and to ensure that no electrical energy is consumed needlessly. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the power switch is arranged so that it is operated to connect the power source to the electrical arrangement by the separation of the razor with respect to a support on which the razor is stored during the periods in which it is not being used. Power switch is conveniently included in the razor handle shaving and can be a mechanical switch placed on the handle so that it is actuated by coupling with the support of the Razor and by decoupling it. In other embodiment, the power switch is capable of being operated magnetically, for example, it is a reed switch, and the Razor holder includes a magnet so that the switch is activated when the razor separates of the razor holder and placed in the same.

The razor holder has been preferably arranged so that it grips or grips the handle by the position of the power switch or adjacent to it, which can help ensure proper functioning of the power switch The razor holder can have the shape of a tray so that the razor will spread over it, for example, in the general manner described in US-A-5,782,346.

In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement electrical includes, in addition to the electrical device susceptible to be operated during shaving, a switching device intended to control the operation of the electrical device in response to a predetermined state that is detected by the switching device; more specifically, the fact that the blade unit will contact the surface of the skin of a person holding the razor, or taking at close proximity to it, and / or that the unit of blades be immersed in a body of water to clean the unit of blades. When the power switch is connected or activated to supply power to the switching device from the power supply, such as a battery, that can be accommodated conveniently in the handle, but no power is supplied to the electric device, the razor will remain in mode standby and fully prepared for use, and this standby mode the user is clearly signaled by means of the indicator.

The indicator may have been arranged so that generate a modified signal when the battery power is low. For example, if the indicator comprises a sending device of light, this can be arranged so that it emits flashes. Alternatively, a light emitting device may be included. additional in order to produce a "battery" signal low".

The invention is specifically described in which follows with reference to an embodiment in which the device Electric controlled by the switching device is a vibration generator, more particularly, an engine in which has fastened an eccentric counterweight in its output shaft. They can provide, alternatively or additionally, other forms of electrical device, including those mentioned here previously.

A device can be provided timing to interrupt the power supply to the electrical arrangement in case the razor does not be returned to the razor holder inside a certain period of time after being removed from the support of the razor. A timing device contributes to avoid unnecessary energy expenditure in the event that a user of the razor refrain from returning the razor Shave the stand after use. The device of timing may be susceptible to reset by placing Again the razor on the stand.

In order to facilitate a clear understanding of the invention is described in detail in the following a presently preferred embodiment, with reference to the drawings which are accompanied, in which:

Figure 1 is a partial isometric view of the razor, which illustrates the blade unit and a upper portion of the handle, as seen from the side rear

Figure 2 shows the razor in rear elevation;

Figure 3 is a side elevation showing a Razor holder in the shape of a tray on the that the razor is stored during periods of no use, such that the razor is shown separated from the storage tray at a small distance;

Figure 4 is a corresponding side elevation to Figure 3, but showing the razor to a greater distance from the storage tray;

Figure 5 shows the razor and the storage tray of Figure 3 in a view isometric;

Figure 6 is an exploded rear elevation of the razor;

Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the Razor illustrating an additional element of the water detection arrangement;

Figure 8 is a block diagram of a electronic switching device incorporated in the clipper to shave; Y

Figure 9 shows an example of a specific embodiment of a switching circuit.

The safety razor that illustrated in the drawings has a handle 1 and a blade unit or cartridge 2, detachably mounted on the upper end of the mango. The blade unit 2 includes a frame or frame generally rectangular 3 and a plurality of blades 4, by example, 3, 4 or 5, with substantially parallel cutting edges and sharp, arranged in the frame and supported in place by middle of metal fasteners 5 located around the frame 3, at opposite ends of the blade unit 2. It has been arranged on the frame a barrier structure that includes a band of an elastomer material, so that it enters skin contact in front of the blades, and it has provided with a hood or cap structure on the frame which includes a lubricating band, in order to come into contact with the skin behind the blades during the performance of a shave The frame is pivotally carried on a stirrup member 8 that has a pair of arms 9 that is extend from a pillar 10 and are articulated in bearings in the opposite ends of the frame 2, such that the unit 2 of blades can pivot with respect to the handle 1 around an axis substantially parallel to the edges of the blades. Pillar 10 It is removable or detachable attached to the end of the handle 1. As described so far, the razor Shaving is of a known construction and can be referenced, for additional details, to previous Patent publications, a  example of which is WO 97/37819.

The razor handle includes a main portion 12 intended to be grasped by hand, and a neck 14, which extends upward from the main portion, and to whose free end is fixed the blade unit 2. Serving main or grip 12 of handle 1 includes a conductive box 13 of electricity, for example, of metal, which serves as an electrode for electrical contact with the hand of a user, as is describe in more detail below. Housed within a battery compartment in the handle is a replaceable or rechargeable battery 15 that constitutes a supply of power for an electronic switching device 16, also accommodated in the handle.

In accordance with the present invention, the battery 15 is electrically connected to the switching device 16 a through a power switch that is likely to be made function to interrupt the power supply to the device switching in order to conserve battery power during periods when the razor is not being used Shaving The power switch can be located in the handle for manual operation, although in a construction preferred, the power switch is arranged so that it is operated by removing the razor from the holder of the Razor in which the razor is intended to be saved when not in use, and when return it to it. A known form of razor holder shaving consists of a tray 18 such as that shown in the Figures 3-5, so that tray 18 has on the side upper a handle 19 intended to receive and lightly grab the neck 14 of handle 1 of the razor. The handle 1 of the Razor can be equipped with a switch mechanic willing, for cooperation with the tray storage 18, such that the switch is operated automatically when the blade is raised and separated from the storage tray 18, so that power is supplied to the switching device 16 from battery 15, and is operated with the relocation of the razor on the tray with in order to interrupt the power supply. In the realization preferred, essentially the same result is achieved by a power switch in the form of a tongue switch 20, located inside the handle 1, when the tray of storage 18 of a permanent magnet 21. The magnet is located at a position close to the seat 19, and the reed switch is has arranged in the handle 1, located in the neck portion 14 intended to be held in the seat, or adjacent to it. When the razor is located near tray 18, the reed switch 20 is kept open and there is no electric power supply from battery 15, as per shown in Figure 3, but when the razor is moves away from the tray, the tongue switch 20 is closes and establishes an electrical power supply to the switching device 16.

The switching device 16, in a way described in detail below, controls the drive of an electric motor 24 (Figures 2 and 3) housed inside the handle 1 and that has an output shaft with an eccentric counterweight 26 subject to it. In a way known per se, the feeding Electric motor power results in high rotation eccentric counterweight speed 26 and, thereby, vibration of the razor and, in particular, of unit 2 of blades An adequate vibration frequency is around 120 Hz.

The neck 14 of the handle includes a section or transparent section 27 that extends around the entire periphery of the neck and along a major part of the length of the neck. Located inside the handle for lighting this section of transparent neck 27, preferably with light of a distinctive color, for example, blue light, a diode is found light emitter 28. LED 28 is powered energetically when the reed switch 20 is closed, and the device Switching 16 receives electrical power from the battery. The LED power supply 28 results in lighting internal of the neck section 27, which then adopts an aspect soft bright exterior visual, which is provided to the user of the razor an unmistakable indication and highly visible that a supply of electrical power to switching device 16 and the razor Shaving is ready for use.

The blade unit 2 incorporates an electrode which is conveniently constituted by at least one of the blades 4 of the blade unit and which, preferably, It includes all the blades. The electrical connection between the switching device and this electrode 4 is achieved in because the neck 14 of the handle 1 has a contact 30 arranged so that it protrudes through the pillar 10 of the member of stirrup 8 and rests against a contact band 32 fixed to the rear of the blade unit 2, such that the band of contact 32 has lateral wings 33 extending towards the metal fasteners 5 of blade retention and are conductively connected to them, and these fasteners are, in turn, in contact with the blades 4. Of course, no it is essential to use the blades 4 as an electrode, and can provide an electrically independent conductive element in the blade unit, in a position that comes into contact with the skin when the blade unit 2 makes a pass of shaved off. Contact 30 establishes a constant electrical contact with the contact strip 32, such that continuity electrical between the electrode and the blade unit is not visible interrupted even during the pivoting movement of the unit 2 of blades on the handle 1, as it tends to happen to as the blade unit is applied to the skin and Scroll through it. Contact 30 adopts, conveniently, the shape of a spring loaded plunger or spring and intended to resist or oppose the pivoting movement of the blade unit away from a resting position default Contact 30 is shown electrically connected to switching device 16 by means of a cable conductor 35 which is driven through the neck 14 of the handle 1.

Of course, there are other possibilities for ensure the electrical connection of the unit electrode blades and switching device. For example, the frame 3 of the blade unit can be made of a material Electricity conductor, such as a plastic conductor. Also, the rear part of the frame 3 can be covered with sheet metal, coated or printed with a conductive material, have a adhesive metallic sheet applied to it or present an element metal embedded in it, in order to provide a connection electrical between contact 30 and fasteners 5, or with the proper electrode or other component in contact with the electrode. By way of alternatively, the frame can include a molded metal part by injection in order to provide the route or path conductor between electrode and contact 30, or it may be enough water maintained inside capillary grooves to ensure electrical continuity

The device may have been arranged switching 16 so as to determine when the unit of blades are immersed in water, when detecting a parameter electrical between electrode 4 of blade unit 2 and the electrode formed by the housing or enclosure 13 of the gripping part 12 of mango It is not absolutely essential that unit 2 of blades soak in water so deeply that water enters contact with the grip portion 12 of the handle to be detected immersion of the blade unit in water, such as the case if it is known that the body or mass of water will connect to ground and the handle grip portion box will connect also grounded, such as by the user of the razor to shave. However, as illustrated in Figure 8, the Razor includes a water detection probe 36 that It extends along the outside of the neck 14 of the handle. The probe 36 is conductive of electricity and serves as an electrode or as an electrode extension because it can be electrically connected to metal box 13 of portion 12 of handle grip. Alternatively, a connection can be used independent electrical between probe 36 and the device switching 16. Switching device 16 detects a electrical parameter, which can be a resistance or a capacity electrical, between blade electrode 4 and electrode 36 of probe, and is sensitive to it to drive the electric motor 24 in order to activate vibration generator 26 when the unit 2 of blades is immersed in a mass of water W, such that both electrodes come into contact with water, and the device switching acts by disconnecting or deactivating the supply of power to motor 24 when blade unit 2 is raised out of water W. The operation of switching device 16 is describe in detail in the following. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the switching device 16 also works as a touch sensitive device, such that the engine 24 is actuated to drive the eccentric counterweight 26 of vibration generation when a person holding the Razor by the handle contacts unit 2 of blades with the skin surface, for example, at the beginning of a shaving pass The fact of making the unit vibrate blades as it travels through the skin may have a beneficial effect on the performance or effectiveness of shaving. Without However, the vibration stops as soon as the blade unit It rises away from the surface of the skin. Has been found that the discomfort perceived by the razor users of Vibratory shaving occurs mostly only when The razor is held in the air with the unit blades away from the body, as well as by the vibration that produced only when the razor is really shaving, and, during rinsing the blade unit, the user misgivings against vibrating razors they are, for the most part, eliminated.

As described above, the control device works in such a way that the motor 24 is stops immediately when the blade unit of the Razor moves out of contact with the skin. This is not essential and it is possible to arrange the control device in such a way that it provides a short delay of up to a few seconds, for example, between about 0.1 and 0.5 seconds, before disconnecting the power supply to the engine after that the contact between the blade unit and the user skin, which can be beneficial when keep the razor vibration between passes of Shave done quickly.

It should be understood that the above description of the preferred embodiment has been provided only by way of non-limiting example and that modifications are possible without depart from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims that follow. As an example of a possible modification, it is mentioned that the enclosure or conductive box 13 of the handle can be provided with a thin layer of material coverage insulator, such that there is a high coupling capacity and high resistance between the user's hand and the handle electrode On the other hand, if desired, it can be included in the razor handle a switching mechanism liable to be manually operated, which can be connected electronically in series with switch 20, in order to be used by a user who prefers not to use the storage tray to hold the razor When it is not being used. This switch can be included, or either a different switch that can be operated manually, such as an electronic toggle or flip-flop switch that activate and / or deactivate after a certain delay, in order to allow for the user of the razor to select, for example, a non-vibrating mode when zone hair is fixed difficult.

Claims (26)

1. A safety razor comprising a blade unit (2), carried on a handle (1), an electrical arrangement that includes an electrically operated device (24), and an indicator (28); in which the electrically operated device (24) is capable of being operated by the electrical arrangement during shaving, characterized in that the indicator (28) produces a signal to indicate to a user of the razor that the electrical arrangement is connected to a source of electrical power and ready to drive the device. 2. A safety razor according to claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a device (28) emitting
light. 3. A safety razor from according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which The light emitting device is a diode (28). 4. A safety razor from according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the handle includes a grip portion (12) and a neck (14), disposed between the gripping portion and the blade unit (2), and the indicator (28) is located on the neck (14) of the handle. 5. A safety razor according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the light emitting diode (28) is housed in the handle (1) and the handle includes a transmitter section or section (27) of light, arranged so that it is illuminated by the emitting device (28) of
light. 6. A safety razor from according to claim 5, wherein the handle (1) includes a gripping portion (12) and a neck (14), disposed between the grip portion and blade unit, and section (27) Light transmitter is part of the neck (14). 7. A safety razor from according to claim 6, wherein the section (27) Light transmitter extends around the entire periphery of the neck. 8. A safety razor from according to claim 6 or claim 7, in which the section (27) light transmitter extends along the less a main part of the length of the neck (14). 9. A safety razor from according to claim 1, wherein the indicator produces a swing or vibration of the blade. 10. A safety razor from according to claim 1, wherein the indicator generates a audible signal 11. A safety razor from according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in the which has included a power switch (20) to control the connection of the electrical arrangement with the power source (15), and the indicator (28) is energized by the source of power (15) when the power switch (20) is closed. 12. A safety razor from according to claim 11, wherein the switch of power (20) is arranged so that it connects the source of power (15) to the electrical arrangement in response to the separation of the razor blade from a support (18) on which the razor is stored or stored during periods in which it is not used. 13. A safety razor from according to claim 12, wherein the switch of Power (20) is included in the handle (1). 14. A safety razor from according to claim 13, wherein the switch of power is a mechanical switch located on the handle and intended for be operated with the coupling to the razor holder shave and with the decoupling of it. 15. A safety razor from according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the power switch (20) is capable of being operated magnetically, and the holder (18) of the razor includes a magnet (21) to operate the switch when the Razor separates from the holder of the razor Shave and place on it. 16. A safety device in accordance with claim 15, wherein the power switch is a reed switch (20). 17. A safety razor from according to claims 14, 15 or 16, wherein the support of the razor has been arranged so that the handle (1) by the position of the power switch (20) or adjacent to it. 18. A safety razor from according to any one of claims 12 to 17, in the which razor holder is a tray (18) for Let the razor rest on it. 19. A safety razor according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the electrical arrangement includes the electrical device (24) and a switching device (16) intended to control the operation of the electrical device ( 24) in response to a state detected by the switching arrangement
(16). 20. A safety razor from according to claim 19, wherein the detected state by the switching device (16) is the fact that the unit (2) Blades are brought into contact with the skin surface of a person holding the razor, or in close proximity to it. 21. A safety razor from according to claim 19, wherein the detected state by the switching device (16) is the fact that the unit (2) Blades be submerged in a body of water. 22. A safety razor from according to any one of claims 1 to 21, in the which power source is a battery (15). 23. A safety razor from according to claim 24, wherein the battery (15) is housed in the handle (1). 24. A safety razor from according to any one of claims 12 to 21, which includes a timing device intended to interrupt the power supply to the electrical arrangement in the event that the razor is not returned to the holder of the razor shaving within a predetermined period of time after been removed from the razor holder. 25. A razor device of security according to claim 24, wherein the timing device is susceptible to reset to place the razor on the stand. 26. A safety razor from according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the device capable of operating during the Shaving is a vibration generator.