JP2006517819A - Safety razor - 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

  The present invention relates to a safety razor. Safety razors usually include a handle and a blade portion that is supported by the handle and has at least one blade provided with a sharp cutting blade. When shaving, the blade is used against the skin, the blade is moved across the skin, and the sharp cutting edge is associated with the hair protruding from the skin and cuts the hair. The blade portion can be fixedly provided on the handle, and is discarded when the cutting edge becomes dull and cannot be shaved comfortably. Alternatively, the blade may be removably attached to the handle and can be replaced with a new blade when the blade sharpness is unacceptable. The replaceable blade is often called a shaving cartridge.

  The majority of safety razors currently on the market are fully manually operated and used. Nevertheless, an electrical device can still be provided on the safety razor. For example, what is provided with an electrically driven vibration mechanism that can be used to vibrate a razor is known, and razor can be efficiently performed by such vibration. As a simple and convenient vibration generating mechanism, there is one composed of an electric motor having a center of gravity provided eccentrically on an output shaft. The battery that supplies power to the vibration mechanism and the motor can be conveniently stored in the razor handle. Prior art examples of such razors are described in US3611568, US5299354, US5214851 and US504624. US6481104B1 discloses a safety razor housing having a vibration mechanism and a light emitting diode that emits light when the vibration mechanism is switched on. The vibrating razor described in EP-A-0885698 has a power meter or indicator that indicates remaining battery power and / or when a new battery is needed.

  The vibration mechanism is used to vibrate one or more selected components of the blade portion, such as a guard or one or more blades that contact the skin in front of the blade, and the vibration is, for example, a slice cutting action. It has directionality in the longitudinal direction of the blade that promotes the rotation, that is, the direction crossing the blade. Another possibility is that the member is vibrated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the skin surface being shaved. The vibration mechanism may include a piezoelectric device that vibrates instead of the motor that rotates the eccentric center of gravity.

  A wet razor may include an electrical device separate from the vibration generator, some examples of such devices include: (i) a shaving device such as a Peltier device, an electrical resistance device, or an ohmic heating device. A heating device that heats one or more blades or other components of the blade portion that are in contact with the skin during the process, or (ii) described in our patent application WO00 / 47374, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Supply the shaving enhancement product supplied by the blade of a safety razor during the shaving stroke to the skin, and a valve with a motor-driven pump and an electrically controlled actuator. A distributor that is driven by use, or (iii) a screw that is attached to the guard area of the blade and rotates about an axis that causes the hair lying on the skin to stand for cutting. A conditioning device that prepares the skin and / or hair to be cut with a blade, such as a laser, (iv) an irradiation device that irradiates the area of the skin to be shaved, and (v) a powerful shaving detected by a sensor There is an actuator that adjusts the blade to meet the conditions.

  EP-A-0906814 and US2002 / 0189102 describe a razor that has a force sensor and indicates a signal that is electrically activated and requires blade replacement. GB-A-2258922 describes a human care device such as a hair dryer or electric toothbrush that has a display that indicates that the device has been connected to an AC power source, operated using an electrical outlet. A capacitive sensor is provided in the handle and drives the device as soon as it is picked up by hand.

  If there is an electrical device included in the safety razor, it is often convenient that the device can be housed in a razor handle and driven by a replaceable rechargeable battery. In order to conserve battery power, the electrical device is preferably disconnected from the battery while the razor is not in use. In the case of a vibration generator that starts to drive as soon as the electrical device is electrically connected to the battery, it is immediately clear to the user when the electrical device and the battery are connected, but not so much It may not be clear.

  According to the present invention, a safety razor comprising a blade supported by a handle, an electrical component having an electrical operation device, and a display, the electrical operation device being driven by the electrical component during shaving, the display Provides a safety razor characterized in that it generates a signal to indicate to the razor user that the electrical component is coupled to a power source and is ready to drive the electrical operating device. The indicator not only clearly indicates to the user that the razor is ready and can be used, but also indicates that something may happen to the user who is not familiar with the razor, and the razor component Can avoid sudden shocks caused by unpredictable movements.

  The presently preferred configuration is that the display has light emitting elements, in particular light emitting diodes. Another embodiment is one that indicates that the razor can be used with low frequency and / or small vibrations. In yet another embodiment, an audible signal such as sound or tone indicates that the razor can be used. Any combination of these indicators may be utilized.

  The indicator is provided on the neck of the razor handle for convenient connection between the blade portion and the grip portion of the handle.

  The handle may have a light transmission part that is illuminated by the light emitting element, and the light transmission part preferably extends around the entire circumference of the neck and at least along the main part of the neck. Since the neck is usually not covered by the user's hand, a significant portion of the neck is illuminated very clearly, giving the user an unmistakably clear indication that the razor is ready for use.

  The power switch is provided to control the connection between the power source and the electrical component, and the indicator is provided to be energized by the power source when the power switch is closed. A manually operated power switch can be used, but the razor user unnecessarily consumes electrical energy by turning on and off the power supply at the appropriate time to properly operate the electrical equipment. You must remember to make sure it is not. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the power switch is provided to connect the power source to the electrical component by separating the razor from the folder in which the razor is stored while not in use. The power switch is conveniently included in the handle of the razor, and may also be an automatic switch located on the handle that is placed on the razor holder or driven when detached. In another embodiment, the power switch can be operated magnetically, such as a reed switch, and the razor holder can be operated with a magnet to operate the switch when the razor is separated or placed from the razor holder. Have.

  The razor holder is preferably arranged so as to grip the handle at or near the place where the power switch is arranged, so that the power switch can be operated easily and reliably. The razor holder has a tray shape for laying the razor, and has a general shape described in, for example, US-A-5782346.

  In a preferred embodiment, the electrical component is in contact with an electrical device that can be driven during shaving, as well as a predetermined condition detected by the switch device, in particular, the surface of the skin of the person whose blade has a razor, It has a switch device that controls the operation of the electrical device in response to being carried near the surface of human skin and / or when the blade is immersed in water to clean the blade. When the power switch is turned on so that power is supplied from the power supply device such as a battery that can be conveniently stored in the handle to the switch device and not to the electric device, the razor enters standby mode and is used Sufficient provisions are made to do this, and this standby mode is clearly indicated to the user by the display.

  The indicator may be provided to generate an unusual signal when the battery power is low. For example, when the display device has a light emitting element, the display device may be provided to emit light intermittently. Alternatively, additional light emitting elements may be included to emit a signal indicating “low battery”.

  The invention described in particular below relates to an embodiment in which the electrical device controlled by the switching device is a vibration generator, in particular a motor having an eccentric weight fixed to the output shaft. Other forms of the electrical device including the contents described above can be provided selectively or additionally.

  If the razor is removed from the razor holder and not returned to the razor holder within a predetermined time, a timing device can be provided to prevent power from being supplied to the electrical components. Even when the razor user uses the razor and fails to return it to the holder, the timing device can avoid unnecessary energy consumption. The timing device can be reset by placing the razor in the holder again.

  For a clear understanding of the invention, the presently preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The safety razor shown in the figure has a handle 1 and a blade or blade cartridge 2 detachably attached to the upper end of the handle. The blade portion 2 has a generally rectangular frame 3 and a plurality of, for example, three, four, or five blades 4 each having a substantially parallel sharp cutting blade, and the plurality of blades 4 are arranged in the frame. At the same time, it is held by a metal clip 5 arranged around the frame 3 at the opposite end of the blade portion 2. The guard structure with strips of elastomeric material is provided on the frame so that it contacts the skin in front of the blade, and the cap structure including the lubricious strips of the blade during the shaving stroke. A frame that contacts the skin behind is provided. The frame extends from the hub 10 and is pivotally supported by a yoke member 8 having a pair of arms 9 supported at opposite ends of the frame 2, and the blade portion 2 is substantially parallel to the edge of the blade. A pivot can be made about the axis with respect to the handle 1. The hub 10 is detachably connected to the end of the handle 1. As described so far, razors have a known structure, and a more detailed description can be found in previous published patents, for example WO 97/37819.

  The razor handle has a main portion 12 for grasping by hand and a neck 14 extending upward from the main portion, and a blade portion 2 can be provided at the free end of the razor handle. The main portion of the handle 1, that is, the gripping portion 12 is composed of a case 13 having electrical conductivity such as metal, and this case 13 functions as an electrode that makes metallic contact with the user's hand, as will be described in detail later. To do. A replaceable or replaceable battery 15 serving as a power supply for the electrical switch device 16 housed in the handle is housed in the battery compartment of the handle.

  According to the present invention, the battery 15 is electrically connected to the switch device 16 via a power switch, and the power switch does not consume battery energy while the razor is not being used. It can be operated to prevent the supply. The power switch can be placed on the handle for manual operation, but the power switch can be removed from the razor holder where the razor is stored when not in use or the razor is returned to the razor holder. It is more preferable that it is arranged so as to be driven. A known razor holder consists of a tray 18 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, which has a saddle 19 on its upper side for receiving the razor handle 1 and for lightly grasping the neck 14. The razor handle 1 can be provided with an automatic switch that operates in cooperation with the storage tray 18, which is automatically operated and supplies power from the battery 15 to the switch device 16 when the razor is lifted from the storage tray 18. Then, when the razor is returned to the tray, it is driven to interrupt the power supply. In the preferred embodiment, essentially the same result is achieved by the power switch forming the reed switch 20 provided in the handle 1 and the permanent magnet 21 provided in the storage tray 18. The magnet is provided in the vicinity of the saddle 19, and the reed switch is disposed in the handle 1 and at or near the neck 14 gripped by the saddle. As shown in FIG. 3, when the razor is placed in the vicinity of the tray 18, the reed switch 20 is opened, and no electric energy is supplied from the battery 15, and when the razor is removed from the tray, the reed switch 20 is closed and the switch is closed. Power is supplied to the device 16.

  As will be described in detail later, the switch device 16 is housed in the handle 1 and controls driving of an electric motor 24 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) having an output shaft to which an eccentric weight 26 is fixed. By using a known method, the electric motor is energized to rotate the eccentric weight 26 at a high speed and vibrate the razor, particularly the blade portion 2. A preferred vibration frequency is about 120 Hz.

  The neck 14 of the handle has a transparent portion 27 that extends around the entire neck and extends along the majority of the length of the neck. A light emitting diode 28 which preferably emits light of a specific color, for example blue light, is provided in the handle and to irradiate this transparent neck 27. The light emitting diode 28 is energized when the reed switch 20 is closed, and the switch device 16 obtains power from the battery. When the light emitting diode 28 is energized, the neck portion 27 is irradiated from the inside, and the neck portion 27 emits light when viewed from the outside. Therefore, the person using the razor is very visually informed clearly so as not to make a mistake that the power supply to the switch device 16 is terminated and the razor is ready to use.

    The blade portion 2 incorporates an electrode conveniently configured by at least one of the blade portions, preferably all the blades 4. The electrical connection between the switch device and the electrode 4 is made by the neck 14 of the handle 1. The neck 14 of the handle 1 protrudes through the hub 10 of the yoke member 6 and is fixed to the back surface of the blade portion 2. A contact portion 30 for supporting the contact strip 32. The contact strip 32 has a lateral blade 33. The lateral blade 33 extends to the metal blade holding clip 5 and passes through. The clips are also in contact with the blade 4. Of course, it is not essential to use the blade 4 as an electrode, and when the blade portion 2 is performing a shaving stroke, it is a position that contacts the skin, and an independent electrically conductive member is provided on the blade portion. Can do. Since the contact portion 30 is always in electrical contact with the contact strip 32, the blade portion is used on the skin, while the blade portion 2 on the handle 1 is rotating, which often occurs when moving across, However, the electrical continuity between the electrodes of the blade is not interrupted. The contact portion 30 conveniently forms a spring-type plunger and suppresses the blade portion from rotating and moving from a predetermined stationary position. The contact 30 is shown to be electrically connected to the switch device 16 by a wire conductor 35 that is guided through the neck 14 of the handle 1.

  There are of course other possibilities for ensuring the electrical connection between the electrode of the blade and the switch device. For example, the frame 3 of the blade part can be manufactured from an electrically conductive material such as a conductive plastic. The rear part of the frame 3 can also be plated, coated or printed with a conductive material, can be provided with an adhesive metal foil used for it, or can be provided with a metal member fitted therein, whereby the contact part 30 and the clip 5 or the electrode itself or another component that contacts the electrode. Alternatively, the frame may have an injection molded metal part that provides a conductive path between the electrode and the contact 30 and the water that enters the pore groove provides electrical continuity. Enough to be sure.

  A switch portion 16 is provided for determining that the blade portion is immersed in water by detecting an electrical parameter between the electrode 4 of the blade portion 2 and the electrode formed by the metal case 13 of the handle grip portion 12. be able to. When the razor user or the like contacts the ground with water and the handle case of the grip portion also contacts the ground, the blade portion 2 is deeply immersed in the water and the water contacts the grip portion 12 of the handle. Thus, it is not necessarily essential that the blade is detected to be immersed in water. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the razor includes a water detector 36 extending along the outside of the handle neck 14. The detector 36 has electrical conductivity and functions as an electrode or an electrode extension portion that can be electrically connected to the metal case 13 of the handle grip portion 12. A separate electrical connection between the detector 36 and the switch device 16 can be used selectively. When the blade part 2 is immersed in water W and the blade electrode 4 and the detection electrode 36 come into contact with water, the switch device 16 is electrically connected to the blade electrode 4 and the detection electrode 36 in terms of electrical resistance and capacitance. When the blade generator 2 is pulled up from the water W by driving the electric motor 24 in response to the detected parameter and reacting with it, the switch device stops the power supply to the motor 24. The operation of the switch device 16 is described in detail below. As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the switch device 16 also functions as a contact sensing device, and generates vibration when a person holding a razor with a handle touches the blade part 2 on the skin surface, for example, when shaving is started. The motor 24 is driven to drive the eccentric weight 26 to be driven. When moving across the skin, shave is improved by vibrating the blade. However, as soon as the blade is lifted away from the skin surface, the vibration stops. Discomfort felt by the user of a vibrating razor generally occurs only when the blade is separated from the body and the razor is gripped in free space and vibrates only while actually shaving with the razor or rinsing the blade. As a result of this, it is possible to substantially eliminate the user's prejudice against the vibration razor.

  As described above, the control device functions so that the motor 24 immediately stops when the blade portion of the razor does not contact the skin. Although this is not essential, the control device may, for example, be about 0.1 to 0.5 seconds before it stops powering the motor after contact between the blade and the user's skin is lost. Such as a short delay of up to several seconds, which is beneficial in maintaining razor vibration between shaving strokes with short duration continuity.

  The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment is provided only by way of non-limiting example and can be modified without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. As an example of a possible variant, the case 13 with handle conductivity may be provided with a thin film layer of insulating material, so that a high capacitance and high resistance between the user's hand and the handle electrode. Can be achieved. Furthermore, if desired, the razor handle can be provided with a switch mechanism that can be manually operated for use by a user who does not wish to use a storage tray that holds the razor when not in use, and is electrically connected in series with the switch 20. Can be linked to. This switch, i.e., an electronic toggle switch that can be turned on and off after a predetermined delay, may be provided for various manual operations, so that a razor user can handle for example. You can choose non-vibration mode to cut the hair of difficult parts.

The partial isometric view which shows the razor which looked at the blade part and the handle | steering-wheel upper part from back. The rear front view which shows a razor. The side view which shows the razor holder which forms the tray in which a razor is stored while not in use, and the razor which separated a small distance from the storage tray. 4. A side view of a razor corresponding to claim 3 and separated by a greater distance from the storage tray. FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing the razor and storage tray of FIG. 3. The rear front view which shows the mutual relationship of the components by which the razor was decomposed | disassembled. The rear front view of a razor which shows the member which detects the added water. The block diagram of the electric switch apparatus contained in a razor. The figure which shows the example of special embodiment of a switch circuit.

Claims (26)

A safety razor comprising a blade (2) supported by a handle (1), an electrical component having an electrical operating device (24), and a display (28),
The electrical operating device (24) is driven by electrical components during shaving,
A safety razor characterized in that the indicator (28) generates a signal to indicate to the razor user that the electrical component is connected to a power source and is ready to drive the electrical operating device.   The safety razor according to claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a light emitting element (28).   The safety razor according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element is a diode. The handle has a grip part (12) and a neck (14) provided between the grip part and the blade part (2),
4. A safety razor according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the indicator (28) is provided on the neck (14) of the handle. The light emitting element (28) is housed in the handle (1),
4. A safety razor according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the handle has a light transmission part (27) arranged to be illuminated by the light emitting element (28). The handle (1) has a grip part (12) and a neck (14) provided between the grip part and the blade part (2).
6. A safety razor according to claim 5, wherein the optical transmission part (27) forms part of the neck (14).   7. The safety razor according to claim 6, wherein the optical transmission part (27) extends around the entire periphery of the neck.   8. A safety razor according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the light transmission part (27) extends at least along the majority of the longitudinal direction of the neck (14).   The safety razor according to claim 1, wherein the indicator generates a razor vibration.   The safety razor according to claim 1, wherein the indicator generates an audible signal. A power switch (20) is provided for controlling the connection between the power source (15) and the electrical components;
11. A safety razor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the indicator (28) is energized by the power source (15) when the power switch (20) is closed.   The power switch (20) is provided to connect the power source (15) to an electrical component when the razor is separated from the holder (18) for storing the razor while not in use. 11. Safety razor according to 11.   13. A safety razor according to claim 12, wherein the power switch (20) is included in the handle (1).   14. The safety razor according to claim 13, wherein the power switch is an automatic switch provided on the handle and is driven by being engaged with or separated from the razor holder. The power switch (20) can be driven by magnetism,
The razor holder (18) has a magnet (21) for operating a switch when the razor is separated from or placed on the razor holder. The listed safety razor.   16. The safety razor according to claim 15, wherein the power switch is a reed switch (20).   17. A safety razor according to claim 14, 15 or 16, characterized in that the razor holder is arranged to grip the handle (1) at or near the place where the power switch (20) is arranged.   18. A safety razor according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the razor holder is a tray (18) for laying the razor.   19. Safety according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical component comprises an electrical device (24) and a switch device (16) for controlling the operation of the electrical device (24) according to the sensed conditions. Razor.   The condition detected by the switch device (16) is that the blade (2) is in contact with the surface of a person's skin having a razor or is carried near the surface of the person's skin. The safety razor according to claim 19.   20. The safety razor according to claim 19, wherein the condition detected by the switch device (16) is when the blade (2) is immersed in water.   A safety razor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power source is a battery (15).   23. A safety razor according to claim 22, characterized in that the battery (15) is housed in the handle (1).   22. A timing device that prevents power from being supplied to an electrical component when the razor is removed from the razor holder and not returned to the razor holder within a predetermined time. The safety razor according to any one of the above.   25. A safety razor according to claim 24, wherein the timing device is reset by placing the razor on the holder.   26. The safety razor according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the device that can be driven during shaving is a vibration generator.

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