MXPA99006887A - Shaving system - Google Patents

Abstract

A shaving unit (10) includes a composite (14, 22), that has a surface for engaging the user's skin. The composite includes adjacent lengthwise-extending portions (44, 46, 48), each containing a shaving aid.

Description

SHAVING SYSTEM Description of the invention The invention relates to shaving systems. In shaving systems of the wet-shave type, factors such as frictional dragging of the rake through the skin, the force necessary to cut the hairs, and the irritation of the pre-existing damage to the skin, can create a degree of discomfort in the the shaved. The discomfort and other problems that accompany wet shaving systems can be remedied by the application of shaving aids to the skin. Shaving aids can be applied before, during or after shaving. A number of problems accompany the use of pre- and post-applied shaving aids. Pre-applied shaving aids can evaporate or be dragged away from the application site by repeated touches of the rake. Post-applied shaving aids are not present on the skin during Ref .: 30786 the shaving, and in this way its application may be too late to prevent an unwanted effect. In addition, the application of pre-applied and post-applied shaving aids add additional steps to the shaving process. It is known to incorporate a shaving aid into a rake by mounting a compound that includes the shaving aid to the rake. For example, Rogers et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,113,585, discloses a compound that includes a water insoluble matrix material, a water soluble shaving aid, and a low molecular weight release enhancing agent. When exposed to water during shaving, the water soluble shaving aid is leached from the composition on the skin. The release enhancement aid also dissolves in the water and improves the release of the water-soluble shaving aid from the compound. The invention characterizes a wet shaving system. The system includes a razor member that includes one or more knives and a portion and an outer skin engaging portion in proximity to the razor member. The shaving system can be, for example, a disposable shaving cartridge adapted for coupling to or uncoupling a handle or rake handle, or a shaving head which is integral with a rake handle so that the complete rake is discarded as a unit when the knife or knives become blunt. The edge of the knife cooperates with the engagement portion to the skin to define the geometry of the shaving. Significantly, the skin engaging portion includes a polymeric shaving aid composite, including two adjacent, exposed, longitudinally extending portions each containing a shaving aid. The shaving aid included in each portion may be the same or different. The compound can be, for example, an extruded compound. An auxiliary shaving compound having adjacent longitudinally extending portions provides a number of potential design advantages. For example, one portion may contain a greater amount of water insoluble resin than the second portion, while the second portion contains a greater amount of the shaving aid than the first portion. The first portion, then, can provide support to the second portion, which in turn can release a significant amount of shaving aid during shaving, without breaking or causing the shaving geometry to change significantly. In addition, the arrangement provides a way to incorporate incompatible shaving aids within the same shaving system. A shaving aid, for example, can react chemically with another, if they are mixed together. Similarly, a shaving aid, if it is included in very large quantities in a compound that also includes another shaving aid, it can adversely impact the wear characteristics of the compound or, for example, when the other shaving aid is a water soluble polymer, lubricant, reduces the lubricity provided by the compound. Similarly, a shaving aid may require elevated processing temperatures during an extrusion process, which could cause a second shaving aid to decompose. By including these shaving aids in different portions of the compound, the compound can be coextruded with different processing temperatures for each portion. In addition, the two portions can provide a desirable surface geometry for the composite. For example, the portions may be rounded, which may provide an improved skin-engaging surface on the composite. Alternatively, the exposed surface of a portion may be slightly raised relative to the second portion, which may increase the wear characteristics of the first portion. The invention also characterizes a shaving system that includes two longitudinally extending, exposed, adjacent portions, one of which contains a colorant. The second portion has a different color from the first portion; for example, it may not contain colorant or a dye other than the colorant used in the first portion. The dye in the first portion is released (for example, by leaching or by wear) during shaving. When used first, the compound preferably has a naked appearance caused by the contrast between the two portions. One or both of the portions may also contain a shaving aid. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description of the preferred embodiment thereof, and from the claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rake unit according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a shaving aid according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a side view of the compound in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second shaving aid according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a third shaving aid according to the invention.

The replaceable shaving cartridge 10, shown in Figure 1 is of the type shown in U.S.S.N. 08 / 630,437, filed on April 10, 1996, which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application and incorporated by reference herein. This includes the housing 16, which has three blades 18, the shield 20, and the shaving aid compound 22, polymeric, solid, bare, which is in the form of an elongate insert member. The shaving aid is secured in an opening in the back of the cartridge, and includes a shaving aid which, during shaving, is released by the shaving compound to improve the shaving attributes. While shown on the back portion of this particular razor cartridge, the shaving aid compound may be located on any skin engaging portion of the razor unit, and may be manufactured in any size or manner deemed appropriate. For example, the compound can be incorporated into the shaving units described in US Patent No. 4,586,225, which is incorporated by reference herein. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the shaving auxiliary composite 14 includes longitudinally extending portions 44, 46 and 48 (each in the form of a rounded lobe), each including an exposed longitudinally extending surface. . The composite 14 also includes the connecting portion 49, which connects the portions 44 and 48 and also optionally serves to secure the compound in a mating receiving portion of the cartridge. The portions 44 and 48 and the connecting portion 49 have the same compositions and, together, surround all but the exposed face of the portion 46. These may provide support for the portion 46. The portions 44, 46, and 48 may be each one, for example, of between 3.05 cm (1.20 inches) and 3.43 cm (1.35 inches) (more preferably between 3.18 cm (1.25 inches) and 3.24 cm (1.275 inches)) in length, and between 0.18 cm (0.07 inches) and 0.28 cm (0.11 inches) (more preferably between 0.21 cm (0.085 inches) and 0.24 cm (0.095 inches)) in width.

Portions 44, 46 and 48 each contain a water insoluble polymer, optionally in different amounts, and a shaving aid. These may contain the same shaving aid, or different shaving aids. In one embodiment the portions 44 and 48 are identical, and contain the same shaving aid, while the portion 46 contains a different shaving aid, optionally with the same shaving aid contained in the portions 44 and 48. Each portion may also contain other conventional shaving and compounding ingredients, such as water-soluble, low molecular weight releasing agents such as polyethylene glycol (eg, 1-10% by weight), release-enhancing agents water-swellable such as cross-linked polyacrylates (for example 2-7% by weight), colorants, antioxidants and preservatives. Water-soluble releasing agents are described in US Patent No. 5,113,585, which is incorporated by reference herein. Water-releasable release enhancing agents are described in U.S.S.N. 08 / 121,153, filed on September 13, 1993, which is assigned to the same assignee as the parent application and is incorporated by reference herein. The portions containing a colorant can be designed to release the colorant, and change color, during shaving, preferably in response to wear of the portion. A portion may contain, for example, between about 0.1% and about 5.0% (preferably between about 0.5% and 3%) of colorant by weight. Suitable water-insoluble polymers which may be used include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, butadiene-styrene copolymer (e.g. medium and high impact polystyrene), polyacetal, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, ethylene-copolymer. vinyl acetate and mixtures such as polypropylene / polystyrene blend. Preferably, each portion includes about 5% to 50%, more preferably about 15 to 40%, and still more preferably between about 20 to 35% by weight of the water insoluble polymer. The most preferred water-insoluble polymer is polystyrene, preferably a polystyrene for general purposes, such as BASF 2824 or a high impact polystyrene (for example polystyrene-butadiene polyesters), such as Mobil 4324. The portion must contain a sufficient amount of water-insoluble polymer to provide adequate mechanical strength, both during production and during use. The shaving aid is a substance that improves the performance or performance of shaving. This can, for example, improve the comfort of shaving (for example, by lubricating the skin, improving the efficiency of shaving, the condition of the beard, or the condition of the skin.) Examples of shaving aid include lubricants such as water-soluble polymers such as polyethylene oxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylamide, hydroxypropylcellulose, polyvinylimidazoline, and polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate.; beard hair softeners; oils such as silicone oil and mineral oil; substances that improve the healing or stop the bleeding of the skin; essential oils such as menthol, eugenol, eucalyptol, safrole, and methyl salicylate; rinse aid; non-volatile cooling agents; inclusion complexes of skin softening agents with ciclodextnna; fragrances; vitamin E (including common forms of vitamin E such as vitamin E acetate); vitamin A and ß-carotene; panthenol and aloe; antipruritic / counterimage materials; antimicrobial / keratolytic materials; anti-inflammatory agents; astringent. Sufficient shaving aid must be included to provide the desired benefit. A portion may contain, for example, about 20% up to about 80%, more preferably about 40% up to about 75%, by weight of a water soluble polymer, lubricant. A portion may also include, for example, about 0.01% to about 5.0%, more preferably about 0.05% to about 1.0%, of vitamin E (or common forms of vitamin E) by weight. The preferred water-soluble polymer lubricant is polyethylene oxide. The most preferred polyethylene oxides are generally known as POLYOX (available from Union Carbide Corporation) or ALKOX (available from Meisei Chemical Works, Kyoto, Japan). These polyethylene oxides will preferably have molecular weights of from about 100,000 to 6 million, more preferably from about 300,000 to 5 million. The most preferred polyethylene oxide comprises a mixture of about 40 to 80% polyethylene oxide having an average molecular weight of about 5 million (for example POLYOX COAGULANT) and about 60 to 20% polyethylene oxide having a molecular weight average of approximately 300,000 (for example POLYOX WSR-N-750). The polyethylene oxide mixture may also advantageously contain up to about 10% by weight of a low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (eg, MW <10,000) such as PEG-100. The shaving auxiliary compound can be manufactured by any suitable method , including injection molding and extrusion, the latter being preferred. A preferred shaving aid is provided below. The portions 44 and 48 (and the connecting portion 49) are the same in each example. A shaving aid compound includes a central blue portion (46), the other a central blue portion (46). The colorant in the central portion is released during shaving, generally by gradual wear of that portion during use, whereby it is indicated through the color change that the shaving aid originally contained in the central portion no longer is being distributed. Due to the rounded lobe geometry of portions 44, 46 and 48, including the significant gaps in the junctions of portions 44 and 46 and portions 46 and 48, the shaving auxiliary compound may have more surface area available to be placed in contact with the skin, for example, a shaving aid having a flat skin-engaging surface. This can provide increased lubrication for the skin and can reduce the time it takes for the portion 46 to wear out. The elevation of the exposed surface of the portion 46 relative to the exposed surface of the portions 44 and 48 may also increase the rate or rate of wear of the portion 46. In the diagram, the components used in the shaving auxiliary compounds they are provided in the first column on the left. The amounts of each component in the portions 44 and 48 and the connection portion 49 are provided in the second column. The third and fourth columns provide the ranges for the amounts of components that are used in the shaving auxiliary compound, including a central blue portion (46). The fifth and sixth columns provide ranges for the amounts of components that are used in the shaving auxiliary compound, including a central green portion (46).

Portion Description 44. Portion 46 Portion 46 Component 48 and 49 (Blue) (Green) High Low High Low BASF 2824 (CPS) 33.54% 22.50% 32.50% 23.00% 33.00% Polyox Coag.1 33.02% 32.86% 38.86% 32.86% 38.86% Polvox WSR N750 21.99% 0.00% 2 1.99% 0.00% 2 1.99% N-750 / Vit E2 0.00% 21.99% 0.00% 2 1.99% Dow 4500 PEG 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% Coz Stripwte. 1.20% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% B215 Irganox4 0.25% 0.25% 0.25% 0.25% 0.25% t-green5 0.00% 0.00% 3.50% 3.50% Blue 181 1 -Cfc 1.00% 1 .00% 0.00% 0.00% 100.00% High impact polystyrene (for example, Mobil 4324) could also be used. Liquid Vitamin E (from Hof fman-LaRoche) as a spray coated on N750 powder (4% charge). Concentrate color based on polystyrene containing TiO (white) (Coz Corp.). Antioxidant (from Ciba Geigy). Concentrate color based on polystyrene (T-green) (Coz Corp.). Concentrate color based on polystyrene (GN- blue) (Coz Corp.).

A preferred shaving aid compound has the following composition: portions 44, 48 and 49 Component% in Mobil Weight 4324 33.54% Polyox Coag. 33.02% Polyox WSR N750 21.99% Dow 4500 PEG 10.00% Coz Stripwte, 1.20% B215 Irganox 0.25% TOTAL 100.00% Portion 46 Component% in Weight BASF 2824 CPS 24.00% Polyox Coag. 38.86% Polyox WSRN750 3.90% Dow 4500 PEG 10.00% GN Blue 1.00% B215 Irganox 0.25% Polyox WSR N-750 w / Vit 21.99% E (4%) TOTAL 100.00% The shaving auxiliary compounds can be prepared by conventional coextrusion or molding methods, known to those of skill in the art. For example, the components of the composite can be supplied by two separate, melting / pumping plastic extruders, each consisting of a hot barrel, a pump screw, an engine driver for that screw, and a control system for the complete system. The composite materials are fed in powder form into their respective extruders (e.g., the simple screw type manufactured by Davis Standard). The extruders can operate at the same or at different speeds and at the same or different temperatures. The barrel temperature for each extruder can be raised in three zones from 163 ° C (325 ° F) to 191 ° C (375 ° F); a fourth heater in the die / barrel connection can also be set at 191 ° C (375 ° F), and a fifth heater in the die can be in the range of 191 ° C (375 ° F) to 204 ° C (400 ° F). By means of rough joints the molten streams of the components are put together to form the compound. The portion 46 can be accurately positioned on a portion (combination 44, 48 and 49) through precisely machined paths in the die head. Because these have different compositions, the two molten materials are put together at the last possible moment before leaving the die. Both materials leave the head of the die in a size and shape that approximates that of the final product. The final dimensions are achieved using a series of forming rollers as the extrudate is cooled. The compound is typically extruded at a rate of 15.24 meters per minute (50 feet per minute). The combined molten materials are removed from the head of the die towards the prepping / cooling device at a constant speed, such that its cross section is always constant. Under a cold dry air bath the molten material is cooled until it can no longer be folded. Once cooled, the composite can be cut to the appropriate length and attached to a rake cartridge. Other examples of shaving aid compounds may include the same composition for portions 44, 48, and connecting portion 49, and a central portion 46, which contains approximately 90% of the composition used for portions 44 and 48, plus the next: Example A 1% blue pigment and 10% Aloe. Example B 1% blue pigment and 10% Menthol.

Example C 10% Frescolat (a menthol analogue). Example D 10% Mineral Oil / Vitamin E. Example E 10% fluid silicone 1401. Example F 5% Vitamin E and 5% Panthenol Example G 10% Triclosan DP300 an antimicrobial). In other examples, portions 44 and 48 have the composition described above. The central portion contains the following percentages of the composition used in portions 44 and 48 (% Comp.), Plus additional ingredients, as follows: Example H - 95% Comp. and 5% Triclosan DP300. Example I - 93% Comp and 6% Menthol and 1% silicone copolymer. Example J - 94% Comp and 6% Menthol. Example K - 85% Comp and 10% polystyrene oxide (Polyox 60:40 blend previously used in portion 44) and 5% Salsorb. In yet another example, the central portion 46 can be composed of 80% Polyox (polyox mixture 60:40 previously used in portion 44) and 20% nylon 12. In yet another example, the central portion 46 can contain the following ingredients: Example L - 80% Polyox (Polyox 60:40 mixture previously used in portion 44) and 14% polystyrene and 3% PEG 100 and 3% PVA.

Example M - 70% amorphous nylon (Zytel 330) and 30% Polyox (60/40). Example N - 77.75% of Polyox (Polyox 60:40 mixture previously used in portion 44) and 10% of PEG 100 and 0.25% of Irganox and 2% of green pigment and 10% of Vitamin E. Other modalities are within the claims. For example, with reference to Figure 4, a wedge-shaped shaving aid 56 includes longitudinally extending portions, 58, 60, and 62, each including an exposed longitudinally extending surface. The shaving aid 56 also includes the connecting portion 64. The portions 58, 60, 62 and 64 can have, for example, the same compositions as the portions 44, 46, 48 and 49, respectively, and can be processed by conventional coextrusion or molding techniques. The shaving aid composite 56 may be coupled to a shaving cartridge, for example, the razor cartridge used in Atra, by gluing the compound to the cartridge recess. Alternatively, with reference to Figure 5, the shaving compound 64, in the form of a wedge, may include two portions 66 and 68 that extend longitudinally. Portion 66 may contain 90% Comp, 1% Blue pigment and 10% Menthol or Aloe. Portion 68 may contain 100% Comp. with a small amount of white pigment. The shaving auxiliary compound shown in Figures 2 and 3 may also include only two longitudinally extending portions.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (34)

1. A wet shaving system characterized in that it comprises a razor member and a skin engaging portion in proximity to the razor member, the skin engaging portion comprising a shaving auxiliary polymer compound, including a first exposed portion. longitudinally extending, which contains a shaving auxiliary first, and a second longitudinally extending exposed adjacent portion, which contains a second shaving aid, wherein the first longitudinally extending exposed portion has a different composition than that of the shaving. second exposed portion extending longitudinally.

2. The shaving system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first shaving aid and the second shaving aid are the same.

3. The shaving system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first shaving aid is different from the second shaving aid.

4. The shaving system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first shaving aid is incompatible with the second portion.

5. The shaving system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first shaving aid could adversely affect the structural integrity of the second portion, if the second portion contained the amount of the first shaving aid contained in the first portion. .

6. The shaving system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the first portion further comprises a first polymer insoluble in water, and the second portion further comprises a second polymer insoluble in water.

7. The shaving system according to claim 6, characterized in that the first water-insoluble polymer and the second water-insoluble polymer are independently selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyacetal, copolymer of acri loni trilo-butadiene-styrene, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

8. The shaving system according to claim 6, characterized in that the first water-insoluble polymer and the second water-insoluble polymer are independently selected from polystyrene and butadiene-styrene copolymer.

9. The shaving system according to claim 1, 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the first shaving aid comprises a water soluble polymer, lubricant.

10. The shaving system according to claim 9, characterized in that the water-soluble polymer comprises polyolefin oxide.

11. The shaving system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first shaving aid and the second shaving aid are independently selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylamide, hydroxypropylcellulose, polyvinylimidazoline, and polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate; beard hair softeners; oils such as silicone oil and mineral oil; substances that improve the healing or stop the bleeding of the skin; essential oils such as menthol, eugenol, eucalyptol, safrole, and methyl salicylate; rinse aid; non-volatile cooling agents; Inclusion complexes of skin softening agents with cyclodextrin; fragrances; Vitamin E; vitamin A and ß-carotene; panthenol and aloe; antipruritic / contrairritant materials; antimicrobial / keratolytic materials; inflammatory agents; and astringents.

12. The shaving system according to claim 6, characterized in that the first shaving aid is different from the second shaving aid, and the first portion includes, in addition to the first shaving aid, a shaving aid which is the same as the second assistant of the shave.

13. The shaving system according to claim 12, characterized in that the additional shaving aid and the second shaving aid each comprise polyethylene oxide.

14. The shaving system according to claim 13, characterized in that the first shaving aid comprises vitamin E or aloe.

15. The shaving system according to claim 6, characterized in that the first shaving aid and the second shaving aid each comprise polyethylene oxide.

16. The shaving system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second portion is of a different color than the first portion, so that the auxiliary shaving compound has a naked appearance caused by the contrast between the first and second shaving. portions.

17. The shaving system according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaving auxiliary compound further comprises a third exposed portion extending longitudinally, containing a third shaving aid, adjacent to the first portion, such that the first portion it is located between the second and third portions.

18. The shaving system according to claim 17, characterized in that the third portion and the second portion have the same aspect.

19. The shaving system according to claim 17, characterized in that the third shaving aid and the second shaving aid are the same.

20. The shaving system according to claim 17, characterized in that the first portion contains a greater amount of shaving aid than the second and third portions.

21. The shaving system according to claims 17, 16, 19 or 20, characterized in that the first, second and third shaving aids each comprise polyethylene oxide.

22. The shaving system according to claim 17, characterized in that the first shaving aid is different from the second and third shaving aid.

23. The shaving system according to claim 22, characterized in that the first portion includes, in addition to the first shaving aid, an additional shaving aid which is the same as the second and third shaving aids.

24. The shaving system according to the indication 23, characterized in that the additional shaving aid and the second and third shaving auxiliaries each comprise polyethylene oxide.

25. The shaving system according to claim 24, characterized in that the first shaving aid comprises vitamin E or aloe.

26. The shaving system according to any of claims 17 to 25, characterized in that the shaving auxiliary compound includes a connecting portion that extends under the first portion, and connects to the second portion and the third portion.

27. The shaving system according to claim 26, characterized in that the first portion, the second portion, the third portion and the connection portion each comprise a water-insoluble polymer.

28. The shaving system according to claim 27, characterized in that the water-insoluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyacetai, acrylonitrile-trilo-butyl-adieno-styrene copolymer, and ethylene-acetatable vinyl copolymer.

29. The shaving system according to claim 28, characterized in that the connecting portion, the second portion, and the third portion have the same composition.

The shaving system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first portion further includes a colorant which is released during shaving by gradual wearing of the first portion during use, whereby it is indicated that the first auxiliary the shaving is exhausted.

31. The shaving system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first portion and the second portion each have a length of about 3.05 cm (1.20 inches) to 3.43 cm (1.35 inches).

32. The shaving system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first portion and the second portion each have a width of about 0.51 mm (0.02 inches) to 1.02 mm (0.04 inches).

33. The system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaving auxiliary compound is an extruded compound.

34. The system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first portion comprises approximately 10% to approximately 40? by weight of the water-insoluble polymer and about 20% to about 80 of polyethylene oxide, and wherein the second portion and the third portion, when present, each comprise about 15% to about 40% of the water-insoluble polymer and approximately 20-. up to about 80 e polyethylene oxide.