RAZORS
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with razor bumps. A razor generally comprises a handle and a blade unit carried on the handle and which includes at least one blade with a sharp cutting edge. In the course of shaving, the blade unit is applied against the skin and the blade or leaves are moved transversely to the skin, such that the sharp cutting edges contact and cut the hairs protruding from the skin. . The blade unit can be fixed on the handle, with the intention that all the razor should be discarded when the cutting edges have been dulled and ready to provide a comfortable shave. Alternatively, the blade unit can be removably mounted on the handle, such that the blade unit can be replaced by a new blade unit when the edge of the blades has decreased to an unacceptable level. Replaceable blade units are often referred to as shaving cartridges. Most razors marketed today are put into operation and are used entirely manually. However electrical devices can be incorporated in razors. For example, it is known to include an electrically driven vibration mechanism that is operable to vibrate the razor, since it has been observed that such vibration can have a beneficial effect on the performance of the razor. A simple and convenient vibration generating mechanism consists of an electric motor with a weight mounted eccentrically on its output shaft. The vibration mechanism and a battery to provide electrical power to motor can be conveniently housed in the handle of the razor. Examples of prior proposals for such razors are those described in US 3611568, US 5299354, US 5214851 and US 5046249. US Pat. No. 6481104 Bl discloses a razor housing that includes a vibration mechanism and a light emitting diode that it is illuminated when the vibration mechanism is switched on. A vibrating razor described in EP-A-08856 8 includes an energy meter or indication to indicate the remaining battery power and / or to indicate when a new battery is needed. A vibration mechanism may be adapted to vibrate only one or more selected components of the blade unit, such as the protection element that contacts the skin in front of the blades or one or more blades and the vibration may be directional, for example directed longitudinally to the leaves to encourage a slicing action or transverse to the leaves. Another possibility is that an element is vibrated in a general direction perpendicular to the surface of the skin that is shaved. The vibration mechanism can incorporate a device that is electric to produce the vibrations, instead of an engine to occasionally drive an eccentric weight. Other forms of electrical device in addition to vibration generators can be included in wet razors, some examples of such devices are: (i) heating devices for heating one or more sheets or other components of a unit of sheets that are laid in contact with the skin during shaving, such as Peltier devices or electric resistance or ohmic heating devices; (ii) dispensing devices for dispensing a product that improve shaving to the skin and which can be activated by the operation of a motor-driven pump or by the operation of a valve having an electrically controlled actuator, products that improve shaving , which can be fed into a unit of razor blades during the performance of a shaving run, which include those with the qualities and properties mentioned in patent application No. WO00 / 47374, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference and (iii) conditioning devices for preparing the skin and / or hairs prepared to be cut by the leaves, such as a roller mounted in the region of the protection element of the blade unit and adapted to be rotated about its axis to encourage the hairs falling against the skin to rise for cutting . (iv) lighting devices for illuminating an area of the skin that is shaved and (v) actuators for adjusting the blade unit according to the prevailing shaving conditions detected by a sensor. EP-A-0906814 and US 2002/0189102 disclose razors with force sensors and electronically activated indicators to indicate that replacement of the blade is necessary. A personal care apparatus such as a hair dryer or electric toothbrush which is manually operated and includes an indicator to show that the apparatus is connected to the AC source is disclosed in GB-A-2258922. There is a capacitive sensor in the handle in such a way that the device is activated as soon as it is reconnected in the hand. When there is an electric device included in a razor, it is often convenient for the device to be operated by a replaceable or rechargeable electrical storage battery which can be housed within the handle of the razor. To conserve battery power it is preferable that the electrical device be disconnected from the battery during the period when the razor blade is not in use. In some cases it may be immediately obvious to a user when the connection between the electrical device and the battery is established, such as if the device is a vibration generator that is set to operation as soon as the electrical connection to the battery is made, but there may be other examples where it is not so obvious. According to the present invention, there is provided a razor blade comprising a blade unit carried on a handle, an electric arrangement including a device that is put into operation electrically and an indicator, wherein the device that is put into operation electrically it is operable by the electric arrangement during shaving and the indicator produces a signal to indicate to a user of the shaving maquina that the electric arrangement is connected to a source of electric power and ready to actuate the device. It is also provided to the user with a clear indication that the razor is ready and operational, the indicator will signal to a user not familiar with the razor that something can be expected to happen and here to eliminate the sudden shock which could be caused, such as by an unexpected movement of a component of the razor. In the presently preferred construction, the indicator comprises a light emitting device and in particular a light emitting diode. In another embodiment, a low frequency and / or low amplitude oscillation indicates that the razor is operational. In yet another mode an audible signal, this is an autumn sound, indicates that the razor is operational. Any combination of these indicators can also be used. The indicator is conveniently located on a neck of the razor handle that interconnects the blade unit with a grip portion of the handle. The handle may include a light transmitting section that is illuminated by the light emitting device and the light transmitting section preferably extends around the entire periphery of the neck and along at least a greater part of the neck. Since the neck is not usually covered by the user's hand, with a relatively large part of the neck that is illuminated gives a very clear and unmistakable indication to the user that the razor is ready for use. A power switch can be included to control the connection of the electrical arrangement to the power supply and the indicator can be arranged to be energized by the power source when the power switch is closed. A manually operated power switch can be used, but then the user of the razor must remember to turn the power supply on and off at appropriate times for proper operation of the electrical device and ensure that electrical power is not consumed unnecessarily. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the power switch is arranged to be put into operation to connect the power source to the electrical arrangement by separation of the razor from a carrier on which the razor is stored during the period of I do not use. The power switch is conveniently included in the handle of the razor and can be a mechanical switch positioned on the handle to be actuated by coupling with and detaching the holder from the razor. In another embodiment, the power switch is magnetically operable, for example a reed switch or a reed switch and the razor holder includes a magnet for the switch to be operated when the razor is separated from and placed. on the razor carrier. The razor holder is preferably arranged to hold the handle at or adjacent to the location of the power switch which can help ensure proper operation of the power switch. The razor carrier may be in the form of a tray so that the razor falls on it, for example of the general form described in US-A-5782346. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical arrangement includes, in addition to the electrical device operable during shaving, a switching device for controlling the operation of the electrical device in response to a predetermined condition that is detected by the switching device, more especially the switching unit. The leaves are placed in contact with or in close proximity to the surface of the skin of the person providing the razor and / or the blade unit is submerged in a body of water to clean the blade unit. When the power switch is turned on to supply power to the switching device of the power supply, such as a battery that can be conveniently housed in the handle, but power is not fed to the electrical device the razor will be in a power module. wait and fully prepared for use and this waiting mode is clearly indicated to the user by the indicator. The indicator can be arranged to generate a modified signal when the battery power is low.
For example, if the indicator comprises a light emitting device it can be arranged to flash. Alternatively, an additional light emitting device may be included to produce a "low battery" signal. The invention is specifically described herein with reference to a mode in which the electrical device controlled by the switching device is a vibration generator, more particularly a motor with an eccentric weight attached to its output shaft. Other forms of electrical device, which include those mentioned hereinabove may be provided alternatively or additionally. A synchronization device may be provided to interrupt the power supply to the electrical arrangement if the razor is not returned to the razor bearer in a certain period of time after being removed from the razor carrier. A synchronization device helps avoid unnecessary waste of energy if the user of the razor does not return the razor to the wearer after use. The synchronization device can be reset by placing the razor on the carrier again. To facilitate a clear understanding of the invention, a currently preferred embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: La. Figure 1 is a partial isometric view of the razor illustrating the blade unit and an upper portion of the handle, as viewed from the rear; Figure 2 shows the razor in rear elevation; Figure 3 is a side elevation view showing a razor holder in the form of a tray on which the razor is stored during periods of non-use, the razor is shown detached from the storage tray at a distance little; Figure 4 is a side elevational view corresponding to claim 3, but showing the razor at a greater distance from the storage tray; Figure 5 shows the razor and storage tray of Figure 3 in an isometric view; Figure 6 is a detailed rear elevation view of the razor; Figure 7 is a rear elevation view in the razor illustrating an additional element of the water detector arrangement; Fig. 8 is a block diagram of an electronic control device incorporated in the razor and Fig. 9 shows an example of a specific embodiment of a control device. The razor illustrated in the figures has a handle 1 and. a sheet or cartridge unit 2 removably mounted on the upper end of the handle. The sheet embodiment 2 includes a generally rectangular frame 3 and a plurality of sheets 4, for example 3, 4 or 5 with sharp edges substantially parallel, arranged in the frame and held in place by metal fasteners 5 placed around the frame 3 at opposite ends of the sheet unit 2. A protective structure including a band of elastomeric material is provided on the frame to contact the skin in front of the sheets and a lid structure including a lubricating band it is provided on the frame to contact the skin behind the blades during the performance of a shaving stroke. The frame is pivotally carried on a frame on a rocker element 8 having a pair of arms 9 extending from a hub 10 and being driven on opposite ends of the frame 2 in such a way that the sheet frame 2 can rotate in relation with the handle 1 about an axis substantially parallel to the leaf edges. The hub 10 is detachably connected to the end of the handle 1. As described so far, the razor is of known construction and for further details reference can be made to the above patent publications, one of which is WO 97/37819. The handle of the razor includes a main portion 12 designed to be held in the hand and a neck 14 extending upwardly from the main portion to the free end of which the sheet unit 2 is attached. The main portion or grip portion 12 of the handle 1 includes an electrically conductive box, for example metal box 13 which serves as an electrode for electrical contact with the hand of a user, as described in more detail later herein. Housed within a battery compartment in the handle is a replaceable or rechargeable battery 15 which constitutes a power source for an electronic control device 16 also accommodated with the handle. In accordance with the present invention, the battery 15 is electrically connected to the control device 16 by means of a power switch which is operable to interrupt the power supply to the control device to conserve battery power during periods when the razor It is not used. The power switch could be located on the handle for manual operation, but in a preferred construction, the power switch is arranged to be actuated by removing the razor from and returning it to a razor holder upon which the maquinailla Shaving is designed to be stored when it is not in use. A known form of a razor holder consists of a tray 18 as shown in Figures 3-5, the tray 18 has on its upper side a mount 19 adapted to receive and slightly hold the neck 14 of the handle 1 of the razor. The handle 1 of the razor could be equipped with a mechanical switch arranged in such a manner for cooperation with the storage tray 18 in such a way that the switch is put into operation automatically when the razor is lifted from the storage tray. 18 so that power is supplied to the control device 16 of the battery 15 and is actuated in the replacement of the razor on the tray to interrupt the power supply. In the preferred embodiment, essentially the same result is obtained by an energy switch in the form of a reed switch 20 located inside the handle 1, the storage tray 18 is provided with a permanent magnet 21. The magnet is placed in a position close to the frame 19 and the reed switch is placed on the handle 1 at or adjacent to the portion of the neck 14 adapted to be held in the frame. When the razor is placed near the tray 18, the reed switch 20 is kept open and there is no power supply from the battery 15, as shown in Figure 3, but when the razor is removed of the tray, the reed switch 20 is closed and the power supply to the control device 16 is established. The switching device 16, in a manner described in detail hereinafter in the present, controls the actuation of an electric motor 24 (Figures 2 and 3) housed inside the handle 1 and having an output shaft with an eccentric weight 26 fastened thereon. In a manner known per se, the energization of the electric motor results in a high speed rotation of the eccentric weight 26 and by this vibration of the razor and the blade unit 2 in particular. An appropriate vibration frequency is approximately 120 Hz. The neck 14 of the handle includes a transparent section 27 that extends around the entire periphery of the neck and along a greater portion of the neck length. Positioned inside the handle to illuminate this transparent neck section 27, preferably with 2 of a distinctive color, for example blue light, is a light-emitting diode 28. LED 28 is energized when the reed switch 20 is closed and the switching device 16 receives electrical power from the battery. The energization of the LED results in the internal illumination of the neck section 27 which then takes on a visually bright external appearance, thereby providing the user of the razor with a highly visible indication, without confusion, that the power supply to the razor Switching device 16 has been established and the razor is ready to be used. The sheet unit 2 incorporates an electrode which is conveniently constituted by at least one and preferably all the sheets 4 of the sheet unit. The electrical connection and the control device and this electrode 4 is obtained by the neck 14 of the handle 1 having a contact 30 arranged to project through the hub 10 of the rocker element 8 and to lean against a contact against a contact band 32 fixed to the back of the blade unit 2, the contact band 32 has side wings 33 that extend to and are conductively connected to the metal sheet retention fasteners 5 and these fasteners 5 in turn have contact with the leaves 4. Of course, it is not essential to use the blades 4 as an electrode and a separate electrically conductive element could be provided on the blade unit, in a position to contact the skin when the blade unit 2 carries out a shaving stroke. The contact 30 makes constant electrical contact with the contact band 32, so that the electrical continuity between the electrode and the blade unit is not interrupted even during the pivoting of the unit sheets 2 on the handle 1, as tends to occur as the sheet unit is applied and moved transversely to the skin. The contact 30 conveniently takes the form of a spring loaded piston to resist the pivoting movement of the sheet unit away from a predetermined rest position. The contact 30 is shown electrically connected to the control device 16 by a conductive wire 35 which is led from the neck 14 of the handle 1. Of course there are other possibilities to ensure electrical connection of the electrode on the sheet unit and the control device. For example, the frame 3 of the sheet unit could be made of an electrically conductive material, such as a conductive plastic. Also, the back of the frame 3 could be electro-deposited, coated or printed with conductive material, have an adhesive metal sheet applied thereto or have a metal element embedded therein to provide electrical connection between the contact 30 and the fasteners. or to the electrode itself or other component in contact with the electrode. Alternatively, the frame may include a portion of injection molded metal to provide the conductive path between the electrode and the contact 30 or water retained in capillary slits may be sufficient to ensure electrical continuity. It is possible for the switching device 16 to be arranged to determine when the sheet unit is submerged in water by detecting an electrical parameter between the electrode 4 on the sheet unit 2 and the electrode formed by the metal box 13 of the portion of grip of handle 12. It is not necessarily essential that the unit of sheets 2 be submerged in. water so deep that the water must be brought into contact with the grip portion 12 of the handle 2 so that the immersion of the sheet unit into the water is detected, as it may be the case, if it is known that the body of water will be connected to ground and the handle box of the grip portion will also be grounded, such as by the user of the razor. As illustrated in figure 8, however, the razor includes a water detecting probe 36 that extends along the outside of the neck 14 of the handle. The probe 36 is electrically conductive and serves as an electrode or an electrode extension since it can be electrically connected to the metal case 13 of the handle portion 12. A separate electrical connection between the probe 36 and the control device 16 can be used alternatively The switching device 16 detects an electrical parameter, which may be electrical resistance or capacitance, between the sheet electrode 4 and probe electrode 36 and is sensitive thereto to drive the electric motor 24 to activate the vibration generator 26 when the The sheet unit 2 is submerged in the water body W, so that both electrodes make contact with the water, the switching device operates to turn off the power supply to the motor 24 when the sheet unit 2 is lifted from the water W. The operation of the switching device 16 is described in detail hereinafter. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the switching device 16 also functions as a contact sensitive device in such a manner that the motor 24 is activated to drive the eccentric vibration generating weight 26 when a person holds the razor by the handle touches the blade unit 2 against the surface of the skin, for example at the beginning of a shaved stroke. Vibrating the blade unit as it moves transverse to the skin can have a beneficial effect on shaving performance. However, as soon as the unit of leaves is lifted from the surface of the skin the vibration stops. It has been found that the discomfort felt by users of razors is applied for the most part only when the razor is held with the blade unit in the distance from the body in free space and by the vibration that occurs only when The razor is actually shaving and during the rinsing of the blade unit, the user's prejudices against razor shaving razors are mostly eliminated. As described above, the control device operates in such a way that the motor 24 stops immediately when the blade unit of the razor is moved out of contact with the skin. this is not essential and the control device can be arranged to provide a short delay of up to a few seconds, for example approximately 0.01 to 0.05 seconds, before turning off the power supply to the motor after the contact between the sheet unit and The user's skin is interrupted, which can be beneficial to maintain the vibration of the razor between shaving chains carried out in rapid succession. It should be understood that the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment is given as a non-limiting example only and that modifications are possible without departing from the invention as defined by the claims that follow. As an example of a possible modification, it is mentioned that the conductive box 13 of the handle could be provided with a thin covering layer of insulating material, in such a way that there is a coupling of high capacitance and resistance between the user's hand and the electrode of the mango. Furthermore, if desired, a manually operable switch mechanism can be included on the razor handle and electrically connected in series with the switch 20, for use by the user who prefers not to use the storage tray 18 for Hold the razor when it is not used. This switch or a manually operable switch different, such as an electronic rocker switch that turns on and off after a certain delay, can be included in order to allow the user of the razor to select a non-vibratory mode, for example when cutting hair in difficult areas. It is noted that, in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.