KR20110093846A - Shaving cartridge cap having flow channels - Google Patents

Abstract

A razor cartridge is provided, having a first lateral end portion, a second lateral end portion, a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion having a rear end wall. At least one razor blade is mounted to the housing, the razor blade having a length extending from the first lateral end portion to the second lateral end portion. The guard is located in front of the housing and extends from the first lateral end portion to the second lateral end portion. The cap is located in the rear portion of the housing and has a length extending from the first lateral end portion to the second lateral end portion. The cap has a plurality of ribs that define a plurality of channels that are generally transverse to the razor blade and extend along at least a portion of the rear wall from the rear portion of the housing.

Description

SHAVING CARTRIDGE CAP HAVING FLOW CHANNELS}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to razors and more particularly to razor cartridges having a housing with a cap that provides improved comfort without the need for a shaving aid strip.

Recently, razors with multiple razor blades describe the type of design globally commercialized, for example, as a five-blade Fusion ™ razor by the Gillette Company. Proposed and commercialized in the literature, such as US Patent Publication No. 2005/0039337 A1, published on date.

In emerging markets such as China and India, the razor of choice is the standard double edge in US Pat. No. 3,274,683, issued on September 27, 1966, which generally describes, for example, typical designs used in emerging markets. It is a standard double edge style razor. Consumers in these markets typically do not have the wealth to buy razors that are very popular in the United States. Standard double edge shavers can be economical, but users are likely to experience scratches, cuts and inflammation.

Consumers shaving in emerging markets typically shave only occasionally, sometimes only once or twice a week. In addition, there is little or no availability of running water to rinse or clean the shaver, and the availability of skin cleaners and pre-shaving and post-shaving shaving aids. Limited. Pre shaving aids may include shaving oils, gels, and lotions, and post shaving aids may include after shave gels, lotions, and moisturizers. Cups or bowls are typically filled with water and used to rinse the razor. The shavers disclosed in the aforementioned patent applications are designed for Western shaving habits, customs and environments and are therefore quite sophisticated and thus do not deliver the ideal shaving experience to consumers in emerging markets. Shaving consumers in emerging countries have very different shaving environments as well as different shaving habits and customs than typical shaving consumers in developed countries such as the United States. Although less elaborate versions of the popular 5-way Razor Fusion ™ shaver are available to these consumers, their unique shaving environment, habits, customs and shaving environment will still not provide an optimal shaving experience.

In one aspect, the invention generally features a razor comprising a first lateral end portion, a second lateral end portion, a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion having a rear end wall. At least one razor blade is mounted to the housing, the razor blade having a length extending from the first lateral end portion to the second lateral end portion. The guard is located in front of the housing and extends from the first lateral end portion to the second lateral end portion. The cap is located in the rear portion of the housing and has a length extending from the first lateral end portion to the second lateral end portion. The cap has a plurality of ribs that define a plurality of channels that are generally transverse to the razor blade and extend along at least a portion of the rear wall from the rear portion of the housing.

<Figure 1>
1 is a top perspective view of one possible embodiment of a shaving cartridge;
<FIG. 2>
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the cartridge of FIG. 1. FIG.
3,
3 is an enlarged top plan view of the cartridge shown in FIG.
<Figure 4>
4 is a top perspective view of another possible embodiment of a shaving cartridge.

The invention is not limited to shaving cartridges in which the razor blade is mounted immovably in a fixed position relative to the guard and / or cap. If the razor blades are movable, the geometric parameters defined herein are those that apply when the razor blades are in their usual rest position.

Each of the illustrated safety razor blade units is intended to be mounted to a razor handle. The razor blade unit may be permanently attached to the handle, for example in a disposable razor, or may be formed as a cartridge adapted to be releasably mounted to the handle. The blade unit can be pivotally mounted to the handle or can be fixedly attached to the handle.

One or more cutting blades may be mounted to the housing. The term "mounted on" may be defined as any of the following disclosed herein. The razor blades of the cutting razor blades can be firmly supported by the housing such that they remain substantially fixed in the shown position (where any elastic deformations the razor blades are subjected to by the force applied against the razor blades during shaving). have. Alternatively, the razor blade may be supported for limited movement against the elastic restoring force, for example in the downward direction as seen in the figure. The basic structure and assembly of the blade unit may be conventional.

Referring to FIG. 1, one possible embodiment of the present invention illustrating a shaving cartridge 10 is shown. The shaving cartridge 10 may include a housing 12 having a rear portion 18, a front portion 20, a first lateral end portion 22, and a second lateral end portion 24. The front portion 20 may include a guard 26 extending longitudinally from the first lateral end portion 22 to the second lateral end portion 24. The cap 14 may be located in the rear portion 18 of the housing 12 and may extend from the first lateral end portion 22 to the second lateral end portion 24. A razor blade 30 for cutting hair can be mounted to the housing 12 between the cap 14 and the guard 26. The razor blade 30 may extend from the first lateral end portion 22 to the second lateral end portion 24, generally parallel to the guard 26 and the cap 14. Although only one razor blade 30 is shown, multiple razor blades 30 can be mounted to the housing 12.

The guard 26 is located in a plurality of lengths of the guard 26 and extends distal to the housing 12 or beyond the housing to act as a comb feature to receive and / or align the hair during shaving. It may include a protrusion 34. The protrusion 34 may have a predetermined length and may extend generally in the transverse direction with respect to the razor blade 30. In certain embodiments, the length may be about 3 mm, 5 mm or 8 mm to 9 mm, 10 mm or 11 mm. Guard 26 may have about 8, 12, 16 to about 18, 20 or 25 protrusions 34 uniformly spaced from each other along its length. The guard 26 and the protrusion 34 may be configured for care of the skin and may help guide the hair to the razor blade 30. The guard 26 can be molded from a polymer such as high impact polystyrene (HIPS) integrally with the housing, while other semi-rigid polymers such as polypropylene (PP) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) It can also be used. Guard 26 and protrusion 34 may be molded from the same or different polymer as housing 12.

For example, as described in US Pat. Nos. 5,113,585 and 5,454,164, shaving cartridges usually include shaving aids, such as lubricating strips coupled to the cap, or the cap delivers lubricating material to the user's skin. Shaving aid composites. These types of caps with lubrication strips and lubricating materials are very lubricious when wet, but they are not very lubricious when dry. Surfaces containing lubricating material may become rough and concave over time as the lubricating strip or shaving composite wears out. The user often has to replace the cartridge, not because the blade is blunt, but because the cap (lubrication strip) no longer provides a lubricious or comfortable shave. Wear of lubricating material in certain razors is even more problematic because caps and lubrication strips are used to achieve the shaving angle of the razor blades. As the lubricating material wears, the shaving angle can change, resulting in a more irritating and inconvenient shaving. In certain parts of the world, razors are not used and stored in a controlled environment and are therefore more sensitive to heat and moisture. Lubricating materials can wear more severely in high temperature environments and dry faster. The shaving aid composite of the cap can unnecessarily release lubricants, especially when shaving cartridges are not being used, especially in areas of high humidity world. Cap 14 may provide a cost effective alternative to a cap comprising a lubrication strip coupled to the cap or a cap having a shaving aid composite that delivers lubricating material. The cap 14 can provide a constant shaving angle and allow for proper lubricity and comfort.

The housing 12 and cap 14 can be molded from a polymer such as high impact polystyrene (HIPS), but other semi-rigid polymers such as polypropylene (PP) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) can also be used. have. In general, rigid materials, such as polystyrene-based plastics, maintain the geometry of the cap 14 and the housing 12 during shaving, thus further reducing drag and friction against the surface of the skin. Flexible materials, such as elastomers, allow the ribs 16 to fold, increasing the surface contact area against the skin, and thus increasing drag against the surface of the skin. Additives such as silicone, PTFE or PPO may be added to the polymer to improve the surface lubricity of the cap 14 against the skin surface during shaving. In certain embodiments, the cap 14 may be integral with the housing 12. The material constituting the cap 14 may not degrade or wear over time to maintain its geometry independent of the blade 30 on which the cap 14 dulls. The user can shave more from the same cartridge 10 because the blade 10 will only need to be replaced when the blade 30 is too dull, which may vary greatly from user to user. The cartridge 10 will not need to be replaced early because of the inconvenience that results from the worn cap 14.

Many concepts have been developed that claim to help increase the blade life (total number of shaves before the razor blade cartridge needs to be replaced) by maintaining the blade edge. Such concepts may include cryogenic frozen razor blades, razor blades coated or immersed in various oils or rubbing alcohols. Another concept may include a razor storage device having a small fan and / or heater for drying the razor blades of the cartridge after use. The user of such a method and apparatus may not be able to achieve the full benefit of a cartridge that maintains shaving comfort longer because the cap will still be abrasionally wearable. The razor blade of the cartridge can maintain its sharpness, but the user may still experience an uncomfortable shaving due to the wear of the lubricating material on the cap. Lubricating material or lubrication strips on the cap can be consumed completely before the blade dulls because the cartridge is not designed to have extended blade life. Such methods and apparatus can further increase the wear of the lubricating material on the cap or can have other detrimental effects on the lubricity of the cap. A consumer who uses a shaving cartridge to shave dry, such as a razor used to prepare a patient for surgery, never realizes the increased comfort of the lubricating material because no water is added to the cartridge during shaving. A dry cap will cause increased discomfort because the dry, rough surface of the cap will increase friction and will be attracted across the skin.

Caps having an overall uniform surface generate a significant amount of friction and drag as the cartridge passes along the surface of the skin. This is typically why the cap includes a shaving aid complex that delivers a lubricant to the user's skin. The cap 14 may have a plurality of ribs 16 extending generally transverse to the razor blade 30. The rib 16 can support the skin along the considerable length of the blade 30 for a more comfortable shave. Rib 16 also reduces the overall surface contact area with the skin. The surface contact area with the skin may be the total surface area of the upper surface of all ribs 16 that come into contact with the surface of the skin during shaving. Rib 16 may have a generally flat top surface or a generally curved top surface. The top surface of the rib 16 can reduce the contact area of the cap 14 by about 30%, 40% or 50% to about 60%, 70% or 80%. For example, if the cap 14 had an overall uniform surface without ribs, the skin surface contact area would have been about 140 mm 2. However, as shown, the skin surface contact area of the cap 14 with ribs 16 may be about 30 mm 2 (a 79% reduction of the skin surface contact area). In certain embodiments, the skin surface contact area of the cap 14 can be about 25 mm 2, 35 mm 2, 45 mm 2, or 55 mm 2 to about 75 mm 2, 85 mm 2, or 95 mm 2. The ribs 16 may generally be rectangular or trapezoidal in cross section with an aspect ratio of less than about 2: 1, such that the base of the ribs 16 is generally the same size as the top surface of the ribs 16. For example, rib 16 may have an aspect ratio of about 1: 1, 1: 1.3, or 1: 1.5 to about 1: 1.6, 1: 1.7, or 1: 1.9. Larger aspect ratios can cause ribs 16 to scratch the user's skin, resulting in an uncomfortable experience. The upper surface of the rib 16 may be generally flat with a smooth finish to reduce drag against the surface of the skin. The ribs 16 may be generally equidistantly spaced and may generally extend along the entire length of the cap 14. Rib 16 may have a pitch of about 0.25 mm, 0.50 mm, or 0.70 mm to about 1.0 mm, 1.25 mm, or 1.5 mm.

An intermediate portion 28 may be located between the razor blade 30 and the cap 14. The middle portion 28 may be part of the cap 14, the razor blade 30, or the housing 12. The plurality of ribs 16 may extend from the middle portion 28 to the rear end wall 32 of the housing 12. Adjacent ribs 16 may define an open channel 36 that extends from the middle portion 28 to the rear end wall 32. The open channel can have a depth of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, or 0.2 mm to about 0.25 mm, 0.4 mm, or 0.6 mm. In certain embodiments, rib 16 and open channel 36 may extend at least past rear end wall 32. The back end wall 32 may be curved to provide a smooth transition to the back wall (not shown) of the housing 12. Ribs 16 and channel 36 may also be curved as they transition from rear end wall 32 to back wall (not shown). Open channel 36 may provide a passageway for removing a shave prep from the surface of the skin during shaving. Removal of shaving preparations tends to be an indicator that a given area of skin has been properly shaved for most users. If a shaving preparation remains, the consumer can shave the area unnecessarily, thus increasing the chance of scratching or cutting. The intermediate portion 28 may provide an unblocked passageway for the passage of the shaving preparations from the blade 30 to the open channel 36. Open channel 36 may be generally concave, which may improve rinsing of open channel 36. Channels with angular corners or ribs with straight edges can be difficult to rinse, thus leaving trapped shaving aids and shaving debris.

Referring to FIG. 2, the back wall 40 of the housing 12 is shown. The back wall 40 may begin with the rear end wall 32 and extend to the bottom surface 42 of the housing 12. The back wall 40 may extend along the entire length of the housing 12. In certain embodiments, the ribs 16 and channels 36 may run along substantially at least a portion of the back wall 40 and generally not blocked from the back end wall 32 to the back wall 40, which is a skin It can help to remove excess shaving preparations from the surface of the. The shaving preparation may be pressed along the channel 36 (see FIG. 1) of the posterior portion 18 during shaving and flow out into the channel 36 of the back wall 40 away from the surface of the skin. The channel 36 may trap the shaving preparation rather than sliding over the shaving preparation or pushing the shaving preparation to another area of the face. Ribs 16 and channel 36 may be located at about 70%, 75%, or 80% to about 85%, 90% or 100% of the length of back wall 44. Rib 16 and channel 36 may extend about 5%, 10%, 15% to about 20%, 25%, or 30% along bottom wall toward bottom surface 42. In certain embodiments, rib 16 and channel 36 may extend completely to bottom surface 42.

Referring to FIG. 3, a detailed top plan view of a portion of cartridge 10 is shown. In certain embodiments, one or more protrusions of the guard may be generally aligned with one or more channels 36 of the cap 14. For example, the projection lines L ₁ , L ₂ of the projection 34a of the guard 26 may overlap the channel 36a, and the lines L ₃ , L ₄ of the projection 34b of the guard 26. ) May overlap channel 36b. Ribs 16 and projections 34 may help prevent movement of the cartridge in a direction that is not parallel to the ribs 16 of the cap 14 and the projections 34 of the guard 26. Helps to prevent slicing cuts. A standard lubrication strip without any ribs is more likely to facilitate movement of the cartridge in a direction that is not parallel to the shaving direction (usually perpendicular to the blade), especially if the cartridge has an inelastic polymer guard that does not hold the skin well. Can be large. Such a design will increase the thinning of the user's skin.

4, another possible embodiment of the present invention illustrating a shaving cartridge 100 is shown. The shaving cartridge 100 may include a housing 112, a guard 126, and a razor blade 130 similar to the shaving cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 1. The shaving cartridge 100 may have the same or similar to the shaving cartridge 10 described above with similar advantages, but the shaving cartridge 100 may have a modified cap 114.

Cap 114 may be integral with housing 112 and may be formed of a material similar to that described for cap 14. Cap 114 may have a plurality of ribs 116 extending generally transverse to the razor blade 130. Rib 116 may support the skin along the considerable length of razor blade 130 for a more comfortable shave. Rib 116 also reduces the overall surface contact area with the skin as described above. Rib 116 may have a generally flat top surface or a generally curved top surface. Adjacent ribs 116 may define an open channel 136 that extends from the middle portion 128 adjacent the blade 130 to at least past the rear end wall 132. In certain embodiments, rib 116 and open channel 136 may extend from razor blade 130 to rear end wall 132.

Open channel 136 may provide a passageway for removing shaving preparations from the surface of the skin during shaving. Removal of shaving preparations tends to be an indication that for most users a certain area of skin has been properly shaved. If a shaving preparation remains, the consumer can shave the area unnecessarily, thus increasing the chance of scratching or cutting. The middle portion 128 may not block the passage of the shaving preparations from the razor blade 130 to the open channel 136. One or more open channels 136 may have a bottom surface 150 that defines an opening 152 extending through the housing 112. The opening 152 may cause additional shaving preparations to be removed from the surface of the skin.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values listed. Instead, unless stated otherwise, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

All documents cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patents or patent applications, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document teaches any such invention as being prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, or by itself or in any combination with any other reference and references. It is not admitted to make, suggest or disclose. In addition, if any meaning or definition of a term herein is in conflict with any meaning or definition of the same term in the literature incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term herein shall prevail.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention are intended to be included in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

As shaving cartridge 10,
Having a first lateral end portion 22, a second lateral end portion 24, a front portion 20 and a rear portion 18, the rear portion 18 having a rear end wall 32, A housing 10;
At least one razor blade (30) mounted to the housing (10);
Guard 27 in front of the blade (30); And
A cap 14 positioned in the rear portion 18 of the housing 10,
The cap 14 has a plurality of rigid ribs 16 positioned from the first lateral end portion 22 to the second lateral end portion 24, the plurality of rigid ribs 16 having a razor blade 30. Define a plurality of channels 36 that are generally transverse to and extend along at least a portion of the rear end wall 32 from the rear portion 18 of the housing 10,
Shaving cartridge (10). The method of claim 1,
At least one of the channels 36 has a bottom surface 150 that defines an opening 152 extending through the housing 112.
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The guard 27 has a plurality of protrusions 34 extending generally transverse to the razor blade 30.
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
At least one of the protrusions 34 of the guard 27 is generally aligned with at least one of the channels 36 of the cap 14.
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
The rear end wall 32 has a generally curved surface
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
The rigid rib 16 has an aspect ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 1.9.
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
The rigid rib 16 extends the full length of the cap 14 and has a pitch of 0.25 mm to 1.5 mm.
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
The cap 14 extends between 75% and 100% of the length of the blade 30
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
The cap 14 is integral with the housing 10.
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
The channels 36 are equidistantly spaced along the cap 14
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
At least one of the ribs 16 has a generally flat top surface
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
At least one of the ribs 16 has a generally curved upper surface
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
The channel 36 has a pitch of 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
The channel 36 has a depth of 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm
Shaving cartridge (10). The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
The cap 14 is molded from a semi-rigid polymer
Shaving cartridge (10).

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