GB1594411A

GB1594411A - Ladies razor system

Info

Publication number: GB1594411A
Application number: GB6620/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Warner Lambert Co LLC
Current assignee: Warner Lambert Co LLC
Priority date: 1977-04-14
Filing date: 1978-02-20
Publication date: 1981-07-30
Also published as: NL180487C; JPS6114833B2; FR2387101A1; AU3406878A; SE7803487L; CA1076788A; DE2811036A1; BR7802291A; HK64683A; SE430668B; BE866015A; JPS53128454A; FR2387101B1; NL7801659A; MX144368A; DE2811036C2; NL180487B; AU519979B2

Description

(54) LADIES' RAZOR SYSTEM (71) We, WARNER-LAMBERT COMPANY, a company organised and existing under the laws of the state of Delaware, United States of America of 201 Tabor Road, Morris Plains, New Jersey 07950, United States of America do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to a ladies' razor system. The purpose of the invention is to avoid unnecessary nicks, cuts, and scrapes due to accidental usage of incompatible shaving systems.

It is recognized that women, in comparison to men, have different shaving problems.

For example, the wet shave systems normally designed for men are not adequate, or welldeveloped, for the underarms and legs.

The great majority of shaving systems currently on the market are directed to the needs of the male population. Of these maleoriented systems, most are of the twin blade single edge cartridge variety. U.S. Patent 3,832,774, incorporated herein by reference, describes such a system comprising a cartridge having tandem assembled blades, each blade having a shaving geometry substantially the same as a single blade system. The cartridge is detachably affixed to a handle by slidable flange coupling members well known in the mechanical engineering field for ease of cartridge replacement.

Our copending Patent Application No.

35406/77 (Serial No. 1587133) incorporated herein by reference, describes a shaving cartridge principally directed toward the needs of women. The cartridge permits smoother, safer and more efficient shaving due to a specially adapted shape and geometry. The peculiar design of this cartridge does, however, engender a manner of usage different than its male-oriented counterpart.

This difference in use has a tendency to cause increased shaving discomfort and less safety if the user were to switch back to a male-type cartridge.

According to one aspect of the present invention we provide a replaceable cartridge shaving system comprising an elongate handle member having a head portion extending transversely thereof, the head portion including a pair of co-planar opposed flange members extending substantially perpendicular to the head portion and a protuberance member located intermediate the flanges and extending a predetermined distance beyond the plane containing the flanges; and a replaceable blade cartridge having a coupling structure defining two opposed spaced grooves adapted for slidable engagement with the flange members for attaching the cartridge to the handle in a desired shaving position, and a clearance recess between the coupling grooves for accepting the protuberance member to permit relative sliding between the grooves and the flanges to enable the cartridge to be coupled to the handle.

The invention also provides a handle for use in the system defined above which handle comprises an elongate handle having a head portion including a pair of co-planar opposed flange members extending substantially perpendicular to the head portion and a protuberance member located intermediate the flanges, said protuberance member being substantially co-extensive with the flanges and extending a predetermined distance beyond the plane containing the flanges.

According to another aspect of the invention we provide a cartridge for use in a system as defined above which cartridge comprises at least one blade and having a coupling structure defining two opposed spaced grooves adapted for slidable engagement with the flange members for attaching the cartridge to the handle in a desired shaving position, and a clearance recess between the coupling grooves for accepting the protuberance member to permit relative sliding between the grooves and the flanges to enable the cartridge to be coupled to the handle.

An important marketing requirement of a shaving cartridge is to be useful with handles that are available. Hence, in designing the ladies' cartridge, it was essential that it should couple with existing handles, yet in observance of the problem associated with switching between female and male-oriented systems, its handle should not couple with male-oriented cartridges.

The present invention provides an arrangement which overcomes the aforesaid dangerous condition while assuring optimum enjoyment of the benefits intended by the system's unique design criteria. Furthermore the cartridge may be used with handles associated with other shaving systems less demanding than the ladies' system herein described but the handle will couple only with the ladies' cartridge.

Referring to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred ladies's razor system according to this invention Figure 1A is a section along the line 1A- 1A of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative head of a razor system using the concepts of this invention; Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a cartridge used with the razor head of r Figure 3; Figure 5 is a partial side view of the cartridge of Figure 4, mounted on a conventional handle; Figure 6 is a partial elevation of an alternate head construction; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a channel used with the head of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is yet another alternative construction.

Figures 1 and 2 show a razor system consisting of handle 33 terminating in head 31 arranged to releasably support cartridge 32.

Elongate face 31A of head 31 is grooved to receive channel member 34 of complementary shape. Channel member 34 is generally "U" shaped with opposed edges or flanges 35 and 36 extending outwardly at substantially right angles from the upstanding side walls. Edges 35 and 36 are arranged to be received in complementary opening opposed grooves of cartridge 32. Bar member 40 located internally of channel member 34 extends vertically beyond the limits of edges 35 and 36 to form a longitudinal protuberance arranged to be encompassed within a complementary slot or channel 50 of cartridge 32. cartridge 32 has a pair of parallel blades 52 and 53 placed at desired angle for shaving comfort.

With all other known cartridge shaving systems the clearance between the slide coupling channels and a surface corresponding to the surface of channel 50 of the cartridge of this invention is insufficient to accept protuberance 40 and hence handle 33. This prevents inadvertent use of a male-oriented shaving cartridge with handle 33. On the other hand, cartridge 32 is compatible with all handles intended for cartridges of a similar type.

In figure 3, there is shown an alternative shaving system construction. Head 70 has a plurality of extending perpendicularly opposed flanges 71, 71A, 72 and 72A. Normal to pairs to flanges 71 and 71A, and 72 and 72A, is an extension of the head 70, forming protuberance 73. Protuberance 73 in combination with flanges 71 and 71A and 72 and 72A co-operate and mate with central depression 80A and Figure 4 and complementary side grooves, respectively, in the cartridge 80.

Figure 5 shows cartridge 80 mounted on a shaving system handle typical of that now extant, comprises of a handle 81 terminating in "U" channel 82, fastened to the handle 81 by upset post 84 which extends through complementary opening 85 in channel 82. Channel 82 has outwardly extending flanges 83 and 83A which seat in the innermost of the grooves formed in cartridge 80. Note central depression 80A is non-functional when used with such conventional handle.

Other constructions according to this invention are shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8.

In Figure 8, there is shown channel 90 having adjacent one end segmented or partial extending flanges 91 and 92. Flanges 91 and 92 preferably fall in a common plane and may be at one or both ends of channel 90. In addition to flanges 91 and 92, there are outwardly extending flanges 93 and 94. Central of channel 90 is protuberance 95 which extends beyond channel 90 to mate in depression 80A of Figure 5. As is apparent, the combination of flanges 93 and 94 and 91 and 92 can be encompassed within the geometrically complementary grooves in cartridge 80 and are analogous to flanges 71, 71A, 72 and 72A of Figure 3.

In Figure 6 is shown yet another design for the head of a razor handle. Head 110 terminates in a protuberance 111 which is generally trapezoid shaped in cross-section with the larger parallel face at the terminal end. Mounted thereover is substantially complementary metal channel 112. Channel 112 is better seen in Figure 7 as it appears before mounting on the head 110 (Figure 6).

It consists of longitudinal channel 12 having outwardly extending bendable tabs 115 at each side of each end thereof. Tabs 115 are pressed onto, or about, the complementary surfaces of protuberance 111. Intermediate tabs 115 are normally outwardly extending flange member 116, 117 and 118. Flanges 116, 117 and 118 seat in geometrically complementary grooves of a suitable cartridge such as cartridge 32 of Figures 1 and 2. Detent 11 formed centrally of the channel 112 serves to centre the blade cartridge on the end of the head 110 by contacting a complementary key in the cartridge. A similar detent may be included in all other handle and cartridge configurations shown.

Should attempt be made to use the coup ling structure of the handles shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 8, the upper coupling flange members as well as the handle protuberance will interfere with structure on conventional cartridges, thereby negating such attempt.

This prevents the unwary user from inadvertently switching from the cartridge of this invention to a male-oriented cartridge with attendant untoward results. Conversely the cartridge of Figure 4 will find application with conventional handles as shown in Figure 5. This permits the user to take advantage of handles that are extant in the market and therefore readily available in making use of a cartridge designed to provide advantages to the female user. The handle of Figures 1 and 1A as well as Figures 6 and 7 provide the same functional options and safeguards but achieve this by use of only the protuberance member extending from the terminal end of the handle.

The preferrred method of assembling the coupling structure to the head portion of the handle involves placing "U" shaped metal channel 34 in a complementary groove of head portion 31 with posts extending perpendicular to handle 33 passing through complementary apertures in channel 34. Interference protuberance 40 is then placed within channel 34 and ultrasonically welded to the perpendicularly extending posts. This assembly may, of course, be achieved in any suitable manner well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and may be fabricated in metal as well as plastic.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A replaceable cartridge shaving system comprising an elongate handle member having a head portion extending transversely thereof, the head portion including a pair of co-planar opposed flange members extending substantially perpendicular to the head portion and a protuberance member located intermediate the flanges and extending a predetermined distance beyond the plane containing the flanges; and a replaceable blade cartridge having a coupling structure defining two opposed spaced grooves adapted for slidable engagement with the flange members for attaching the cartridge to the handle in a desired shaving position, and a clearance recess between the coupling grooves for accepting the protuberance member to permit relative sliding between the grooves and the flanges to enable the cartridge to be coupled to the handle.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the flange members extend longitudinally of the head and the protuberance member is substantially co-extensive therewith.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the flange members include a substantially "U" shaped member having side walls upstanding from a base portion affixed to the head and longitudinally co-extensive therewith, and the protuberance member extends intennediate the side walls and is of substantially rectangular cross-section.

4. A system according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the head terminates in a planar surface having at least one post member upstanding therefrom, the post member being in registration with and extending through a complementary aperture in the base portion and into a complementary recess in the protuberance member and is affixed thereto.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein there are two post members affixed to the base portion and protuberance member.

6. A system according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the head and the protuberance member are made of plastic and ultrasonically welded together.

7. A system according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the head, the protuberance member and the flange member are integrally moulded of plastic material.

8. A system according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the head has a trapezoidal crosssection and terminates in a planar surface forming the larger base thereof, and tang members extending from the base portion for affixing the flange member to the head when the tang members are bent into contact with longitudinal surfaces of the trapezoidal shaped terminal end.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein the side walls extend from the base portion toward the handle, and the protuberance member comprises the base portion with the flange member affixed thereto.

10. A system according to any of claim 1 to 9 in which the head portion of the handle member includes a second pair of co-planar opposed flange members parallel to the first flange members and said cartridge has a coupling structure comprising first and second pairs of opposed grooves adapted for sliding engagement with the first and second pairs of flange members on the handle.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein the first flange member pair is closest to the terminal end of the head and extends over substantially the entire length thereof.

12. A replaceable cartridge shaving system substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompany ing drawings.

13. A handle member for use in a shaving system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, said handle member comprising an elongate handle having a head portion including a pair of coplanar opposed flange members extending substantially perpendicular to the head portion and a protuberance member located intermediate the flanges, said protuberance member being substantially coextensive with the flanges and extending a pre

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. ling structure of the handles shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 8, the upper coupling flange members as well as the handle protuberance will interfere with structure on conventional cartridges, thereby negating such attempt. This prevents the unwary user from inadvertently switching from the cartridge of this invention to a male-oriented cartridge with attendant untoward results. Conversely the cartridge of Figure 4 will find application with conventional handles as shown in Figure 5. This permits the user to take advantage of handles that are extant in the market and therefore readily available in making use of a cartridge designed to provide advantages to the female user. The handle of Figures 1 and 1A as well as Figures 6 and 7 provide the same functional options and safeguards but achieve this by use of only the protuberance member extending from the terminal end of the handle. The preferrred method of assembling the coupling structure to the head portion of the handle involves placing "U" shaped metal channel 34 in a complementary groove of head portion 31 with posts extending perpendicular to handle 33 passing through complementary apertures in channel 34. Interference protuberance 40 is then placed within channel 34 and ultrasonically welded to the perpendicularly extending posts. This assembly may, of course, be achieved in any suitable manner well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and may be fabricated in metal as well as plastic. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A replaceable cartridge shaving system comprising an elongate handle member having a head portion extending transversely thereof, the head portion including a pair of co-planar opposed flange members extending substantially perpendicular to the head portion and a protuberance member located intermediate the flanges and extending a predetermined distance beyond the plane containing the flanges; and a replaceable blade cartridge having a coupling structure defining two opposed spaced grooves adapted for slidable engagement with the flange members for attaching the cartridge to the handle in a desired shaving position, and a clearance recess between the coupling grooves for accepting the protuberance member to permit relative sliding between the grooves and the flanges to enable the cartridge to be coupled to the handle.

determined distance beyond the plane containing the flanges.

14. A handle according to claim 13 wherein the flange members include a substantially "U" shaped member having side walls upstanding from a base portion affixed to the head and longitudinally co-extensive therewith, and the protuberance member extends intermediate the side walls and is of substantially rectangular cross-section.

15. A handle according to claims 13 or 14 wherein the head terminates in a planar surface having at least one post member upstanding therefrom, the post member being in registration with and extending through a complementary aperture in the base portion and into a complementary recess in the protuberance member and is affixed thereto.

16. A handle according to claim 15 wherein there are two post members affixed to the base portion and protuberance member.

17. A handle according to any of claims 13 to 16 wherein the head and the protuberance member are made of plastic and ultrasonically welded together.

18. A handle according to any of claims 13 to 17 wherein the head, the protuberance member and the flange member are integrally moulded of plastic material.

19. A handle according to any of claims 13 to 18 wherein the head has a trapezoidal cross-section and terminates in a planar surface forming the larger base thereof, and tang members extending from the base portion for affixing the flange member to the head when the tang members are bent into contact with longitudinal surfaces of the trapezoidal shaped terminal end.

20. A handle according to claim 19 wherein the side walls extend from the base portion toward the handle, and the protuberance member comprises the base portion with the flange member affixed thereto.

21. A handle according to any of claims 13 to 20 in which the head portion of the handle member includes a second pair of coplanar opposed flange members parallel to the first flange member and said cartridge has a coupling structure comprising first and second pairs of opposed grooves adapted for sliding engagement with the first and second pairs of flange members on the handle.

22. A handle according to claim 21 wherein the first flange member pair is closest to the terminal end of the head and extends over substantially the entire length thereof.

23. A handle member for use in a shaving system substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

24. A cartridge for use in a shaving system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, said cartridge comprising at least one blade and having a coupling structure defining two opposed spaced grooves adapted for slidable engagement with the flange members for attaching the cartridge to the handle in a desired shaving position, and a clearance recess between the coupling grooves for accepting the protuberance member to permit relative sliding between the grooves and the flanges to enable the cartridge to be coupled to the handle.

25. A cartridge according to claim 24 in which the coupling structure defines first and second pairs of opposed grooves.

26. A cartridge for use in a shaving system substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.