JPH10286383A - Razor head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately fit a razor's edge to the outline of the skin surface to achieve pleasant and fine shaving. SOLUTION: This razor head is provided with a rigid support body 20 supporting the elements of a plurality of flexible razor's edges so that the elements 30 of the edges warp independently in accordance with the shaving force. The elements 30 of the edges are provided with edges 40 and flexible members 50 having a nearly rectangular sine wave shape. Preferably the support body 20 of the edges is provided with a guard 64 and a cap 62. Also preferably the rigidity of the elements of the edges varies along the length and also the rigidity of the middle part is larger than that of the ends so as to form a flat curved face along the longitudinal direction of the edge in accordance with the forces brought during shaving.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a razor head having a flexible blade, and more particularly to a razor head having at least two blades that flex independently in response to shaving force.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Shaving devices such as safety razors are widely used to provide close and comfortable shaving. Typically, a safety razor includes one or two blades located between a guard and a cap. In many cases, each of these elements is usually fixed with respect to each other and arranged for skin-engaging contact during shaving. In recent years, dynamic shaving devices have become commercially available that allow one or more skin engaging elements of the shaving device to move in response to forces encountered during shaving.

[0003] At least two blades are flexible and more particularly responsive to shaving forces so that the blades can better conform to the contours of the skin surface to achieve greater comfort and coherence. It is desirable to provide a razor head that is adapted to flex independently.

Also, the blade is flexible, and more particularly, a central portion of the blade relative to its end so as to provide a flat curvature along the length of the blade in response to shaving force. It is desirable to provide a razor head that has high stiffness.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Various embodiments of the present invention provide a razor head having a plurality of blades that flex independently in response to shaving forces.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention provides for the at least one blade to have a greater stiffness in the center as compared to its end portions to form a flat curvature in response to shaving forces. A razor head having independent flexible blades having different stiffness along its length.

[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a razor head in which the blade support has a separate flexible blade with skin engaging shaving aid.

[0008]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

The present invention provides a razor head with a blade that flexes during shaving to conform to the contour of the curved surface being shaved to provide a coherent and comfortable shaving. One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a razor head with a blade that can flex independently within a substantially rigid blade support. Also,
One embodiment provides blades of varying stiffness along their length. One embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
It comprises a razor head 10 having three blade elements 30, a blade support 20, at least two, preferably front blade elements, an intermediate blade element and a rear blade element.

"Razor head" used in this specification
The term includes operative cutting portions of disposable razors in which the handle and cutting portion are formed as one unit, as well as a cartridge adapted to be connected to another razor. Also, as used herein, "flexible"
The term describes the bending performance of the blade along the longitudinal axis of the blade in response to shaving force. Thus, the element of the flexible blade of the present invention differs from a substantially rigid blade that sags in a vertical or inclined direction in response to a shaving force.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, blade element 30 has a generally elongated blade 40 attached to a corrugated flexible member 50. The illustrated blade 40 has a cutting edge 42
And a central opening (not shown) and a cutout of each end portion 44 and 46 where the interlocking projections 52 of the flexible member 50 can extend to secure the blade to the flexible member 50. (Not shown). Such a shape is suitable to be assembled by plastic insert molding. As best shown in FIG. 3, the cutting edge 42 of the blade 40
Extends outwardly from the flexible member 50, ie, the blade portion 40 including the cutting edge 42 is supported on one side by the flexible member 50.

As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible member 50 has a substantially sinusoidal shape, particularly a substantially rectangular sinusoidal shape, that portion provides a substantially flat upper surface for supporting the blade 40.
The flexible member 50 has tabs 54 and 56 that extend outward beyond the blade end portions 44 and 46. As described in detail below, the tabs 54 and 56 are movably supported on the blade support 20 so that the blade element 30 can flex repeatedly in response thereto in response to shaving forces. When such shaving forces are removed, the inherent elasticity of the blade element is favorable enough to return the blade element to its original position.

According to the present invention, the height H, width W,
It will be appreciated that stiffness can be increased or reduced by varying the thickness T as well as the gap V between the vertical portions of the flexible member. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other factors affect the stiffness of the flexible member, for example, the inherent stiffness of the type of material used. It will also be appreciated that varying the number of interlocking protrusions that attach the flexible member to the blade will affect the resulting stiffness of the blade element.

[0014] Preferably, the blade elements are configured to vary in stiffness along their length. For example, it is preferable to provide a blade element that has a greater stiffness in the central portion compared to the end portion to provide a flexible blade with a flat curve in the central portion. Especially,
Because of the rigidity of the guard bar, the skin in front of the blade is flattened, and the stiffer central portion is more closely conforming to the shape of the skin and limits the change in blade protrusion (ie, the edge of the blade is And the amount extending from the tangent to contact the guard), which limits the effective shaving angle change between the blade and the skin.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the blade support 20
Has a frame 60 and a base 70. The illustrated frame 60 includes a cap 62, a guard 64, and a side 6.
6. Preferably, the cap 62 and the guard 6
4 and the side 66 are formed as one unit, for example, from an injection molded polymer material such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or a combination thereof. From the present invention, it can be appreciated that, instead of forming the guard integrally with the frame, the guard can be attached to or integrally formed with the base. To hold the blade element to the blade support, the frame and base are suitably attached to each other, for example, by an adhesive, a thermal bond or a snap fit.

As shown in FIG. 4, the blade elements 30 are arranged in a vertically spaced relationship when assembled and in a horizontally spaced relationship across the width of the blade support. Is done. In particular, the frame 60 and the base 70 cooperate to provide a substantially rigid support that does not flex or flex as a result of the shaving force. The present invention conveys force as the blade flexes, but the cap and guard remain restrained. In particular, the base 70 has its step portion 72 at its end and the frame 60
Side 66 is provided with a corresponding slot 68 (best shown in FIG. 1) to hold each blade element 30 movably therebetween. This illustrated blade support configuration allows the tabs 54 and 56 to move inward in response to shaving forces along the length of the blade element without removing the tab from the slot. Although the blade elements are shown separately, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this specification that the blade elements can be mounted at their ends,
For example, the flexible elements can be molded as one unit to which their end parts are attached,
As a result, the blades are arranged in a vertically spaced relationship and horizontally spaced across the width,
The molded unit may have one tab at each end held on the blade support.

From this specification, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention relates to an integrated dynamic razor device, such as a cap and guard and a separate spacer installed between adjacent blades of a shaving device in which the blades flex as one. It will be appreciated that the element is no longer needed. In addition, the independently deflectable blade element of the present invention allows the blade to have great flexibility without compromising structural strength.

As shown in FIG. 1, the blade support 20 can be washed through a slot to clean shavings from the gap between the blades. In particular, the frame 60 has a rear wall 61 with an opening 63, the base 70 has an opening 73, which is between the blades in relation to the opening of the flexible member 50. To provide a passage for cleaning shavings from the voids.

The razor head 10 of the present invention is assembled by continuously inserting the blade element 30 into the frame 60. In particular, the rear blade element is inserted first, then the middle blade element, and finally the front blade element. Next, a base is attached to the frame to secure the blade element. The base is then suitably mounted on a separate razor for wet shaving.

By reducing the number of different elements of the razor head by similarly forming the blade elements, the cost of the shaving apparatus is reduced by reducing the tools and costs and time required for assembly. .

In particular, the similarly formed blade elements of the present invention reduce the complexity of forming a razor head that allows the individual blade elements to be easily inserted into the desired slots in the blade support. Also, by increasing the edge of the blade in contact with the skin surface, the shaving force is distributed over a large area for more comfortable shaving.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shaving device 10 has a razor head with a skin engaging shaving aid. Preferably, the shaving aid 80 is attached to the cap 62 of the blade support 20.

A number of different materials are used as shaving aids. As used herein, the term "shaving aid" refers to the active ingredient alone or in combination with a distribution system such as a water-soluble microporous matrix structure. The active ingredient is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 0,821. The shaving aid is one or a combination of the following.

A: A lubricant for reducing the frictional force between the razor and the skin, for example, microencapsulated silicone oil. B: an agent that reduces drag between the razor part and the face of the shaving person; for example, polyethylene oxide in the molecular weight range between 100,000 and 6,000,000; nonionic polyacrylamide; Natural polysaccharides extracted from plant materials such as "guar gum". C: a chemical that modifies the chemical structure of the hair so that the razor blade can pass through the beard very easily, for example,
An epilator is one example. D. A cleaning agent that can more easily remove whiskers and skin debris from razor parts during shaving;
For example, silicone polyethylene oxide block copolymers such as sodium lanyl sulfate and detergents. E. FIG. Drugs that kill microorganisms or drugs for skin damage and abrasions. F. A cosmetic that softens, smoothes, conditions and improves the skin. G. FIG. A hemostatic agent that controls bleeding from cuts and cuts. H. Astrinsen, which contracts blood vessels and suppresses the flow of bodily fluids, such as lymph, from the rough skin during shaving.

As another example, US Pat. No. 5,056,221 to Thene and US Pat. No. 4,044,120 to Rowsell et al., And US Pat. No. 095,619 or Japanese Patent Application No. 7 (1995) -24156 assigned to Miyazaki.

Other active ingredients include various pigments such as titanium dioxide, fragrances, aloe vera, flavors, mineral oils, essential oils and other oils extracted from plants. In addition to one or more active agents, the shaving agents of the present invention can be used to form compounds such as water-soluble polymers such as polystyrene and polypropylene or compounds such as water-insoluble polymers such as polystyrene and polypropylene. Has a mixture.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a razor head according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the blade element shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the blade element taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the razor head assembled along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Razor head 20 Blade support 30 Blade element 40 Blade 44, 46 End part 50 Flexible member 60 Frame 62 Cap 63, 73 Opening 64 Guard 66 Side 70 Base

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. A blade support comprising: a blade support; and at least two flexible blade elements each having a longitudinal axis and opposing end portions supported by the blade support. A razor head capable of flexing independently along said longitudinal axis. 2. A razor head according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said blade elements has a blade attached to a flexible member. 3. The razor head according to claim 2, wherein the flexible member has an area having a small thickness. 4. The razor head according to claim 2, wherein the flexible member has a corrugated shape. 5. The razor head according to claim 2, wherein said flexible member has a substantially sinusoidal shape. 6. A razor according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the blade elements has a first portion of a first stiffness and a second portion of a second stiffness different from the first stiffness. head. 7. A razor head according to claim 6, wherein at least one of said blade elements has a greater stiffness at a central portion than at an end portion. 8. A razor head according to claim 1, comprising three flexible blade elements. 9. The razor head according to claim 1, wherein the blade support is substantially rigid. 10. The razor head according to claim 1, wherein the blade support has a guard element and a cap element. 11. A razor head according to claim 10, wherein the razor head has a pair of sides each having at least one inwardly facing slot for receiving the blade element. 12. The razor head according to claim 11, wherein said blade element has at least one outwardly extending tab at each end portion receiving said inwardly facing slot on said side. 13. The blade element has a base disposed between the sides, the base holding the blade element in a vertically biased relationship to the slots in the sides. A razor head according to claim 12, comprising a step. 14. The razor head according to claim 1, wherein the blade support has a shaving aid. 15. The shaving aid comprises a lubricant,
15. A razor head according to claim 14, comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of drugs, vitamins, cosmetics, coagulants, astringents, cleansers, skin conditioners and mixtures thereof. 16. A blade support and at least two flexible blade elements having opposing ends supported by the blade support, wherein the at least one blade element comprises a first blade element. The first of stiffness
And a second portion of a second stiffness different from the first stiffness, wherein the blade element is capable of flexing independently around its end portion. 17. The at least one blade element comprises a blade attached to a flexible member.
The razor head described in. 18. The razor head according to claim 17, wherein the flexible member has an area having a small thickness. 19. The razor head according to claim 17, wherein the flexible member has a corrugated shape. 20. The razor head according to claim 17, wherein the flexible member has a substantially rectangular sinusoidal shape. 21. The razor head according to claim 16, wherein the at least one blade has a greater stiffness at a central portion than at an end thereof. 22. The razor head according to claim 16, comprising three flexible blade elements. 23. The razor head according to claim 16, wherein the blade support is substantially rigid. 24. The razor head according to claim 16, wherein the blade support has a guard element and a cap element. 25. A razor head according to claim 24, wherein each razor head has a pair of sides having at least one inwardly facing slot for receiving the blade element. 26. A razor head according to claim 25, wherein said element has at least one outwardly extending tab at each end received in an inwardly facing slot on said side. 27. The blade support wherein a base is disposed between the sides, the base holding the blade elements offset vertically to the slots in the sides. The razor head according to claim 26, comprising: 28. The razor head according to claim 16, wherein the blade support has a shaving aid. 29. The shaving aid comprises a lubricant,
29. A razor head according to claim 28, comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of medicines, vitamins, cosmetics, coagulants, astringents, cleansers, skin conditioners and mixtures thereof.