US3277901A - Shaving set - Google Patents

Description

1966 w. B. MCELHINEY 3,277,901

SHAVING SET Filed Jan. 8, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Wiiliom B. McElhiney BY 981%, %077 0& /romazfim.

ATTORNEYS Oct. 11, 1966 w. B. M ELHINEY 3,277,901

SHAVING SET Filed Jan. 8, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 iii 49 ii? iggi;

iii 1 5 FIGS I NVENTOR.

Wiiiam B. McEihiney AT TOR NEYS United States Patent ()fiice 3,2719%1 Patented Oct. 11, 1966 3,277,901 SHAVING SET William B. McElhiney, 8 Pilgrim Road, Woburn, Mass. Filed Jan. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 336,562 1 Claim. (Cl. 132-80) The present invention relates to improvements in shaving equipment and, more particularly, to novel and improved shaving supply units of simple attractive style and economical manufacture which compactly store and dispense articles and proportioned materials needed for shaving and related grooming purposes.

Numerous articles and supplies are routinely required for clean and comfortable shaving operations; these are commonly packaged, merchandized and dispensed separaely and include not only the razor and its accessories but various dressings, lotions, powders and the like. The quantities in which such shaving materials are supplied to the user are generally unrelated to one another, and their separate packaging makes it difficult to store, arrange, and transport them in orderly and compact form. Kits of various types have been proposed to aid travellers, who may find it helpful to have all of their shaving equipment aggregated in one easily accessible place, for example, but these do not optimize the overall size and do not eliminate the need for individual packaging of items which require separate handling and may be easily misplaced as they are put into use. In accordance with the present teachings, however, the various items normally involved in shaving are uniquely and advantageously arranged in a single compartmentalized container, with the compartments being proportioned to store related quantities of materials so that the supply of one will not be expected to be depleted before the others, and the container further serves as a receptacle for a razor, at a position which does not interfere with storage and dispensing facilities. The set thus formed occupies a minimum of space and provides all needed materials in one integrated structure which offers a number of conveniences to the user. In addition, the integrated shaving set possesses mechanical niceties and features which promote the merchandizing of its varied contents.

It is one of the objects of the present invention, therefore, to provide novel and improved shaving sets wherein a safety razor may be mounted in compact and convenient association with accessory shaving materials to form an integrated miniature assembly of supplies used in shaving.

Another object is to provide a compartmentalized unitary arrangement of shaving supplies each of which may be dispensed separately and which are proportioned in relation to one another to optimize the overall size and convenience in use, storage, anad portability of the set.

Still further, it is an object to provide a unique shaving set in which various substances used in shaving are integrated into one assembly, and in which lather is expelled with the aid of a simple manually-actuated pump mechanism.

By way of summary account of practice of this invention in one of its aspects, a generally right-cylindrical upstanding plastic container having a central longitudinal opening is divided into a plurality of compartments by radially-extending partitions, the interior of each of the compartments being accessible through provisions at one end of the container which is intended to serve as the top. The container length is generally about the same as that of the handle of a common form of safety razor, which may be recessed into the central opening from the top, with its transverse head extending no further outward radially than the radial compartments. Manuallyactuated valving provisions for certain of the compartments appear at the top thereof, to permit the selectable release of lotion and shave powder and to expel lather therefrom, preferably at the top also, and other narrow compartments conveniently accommodate new and used blades. The various compartments are of different angular expanses or widths which proportion the contents in accordance with the rates at which they are customarily consumed by the user. A cap covers the top of the container and normally encloses the razor and valving and outlet provisions to prevent loss or tampering.

Although the aspects of this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth in the appended claims, additional details as to preferred practices of the invention and as to the further objects, advantages and features thereof may be most readily comprehended through reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial representation of one preferred shaving set assembly in which the present teaching are exploited to advantage;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a set such as that illustrated in FIGURE 1, with the safety razor removed and the slidable top of one compartmentalized section being extended to permit access to its interior;

FIGURE 3 provides a longitudinal cross-section of the shaving set of FIGURE 2, taken along the section lines 3-3 therein;

FIGURE 4 is a partly cross-sectioned detail of an alternative valving mechanism for use in release of shaving materials;

FIGURE 5 depicts from the side a shaving set construction in which a removable screw-type cover, shown in section, encloses and protects the razor and valving components;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of a fragment of one com partment of a shaving set having an alternative type of valving mechanism;

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal cross-section of the valving mechanism of FIGURE 6, taken along section lines 7-7 thereof; and

FIGURE 8 provides a detail of an alternative form of blade compartment and separable top affording access to it.

The assembly 9 illustrated in FIGURE 1 represents a highly miniaturized and convenient form of shaving set which offers in one integrated structure the numerous materials and supplies commonly used in shaving. Rightcylindrical container 10 is intended to stand upright upon its base 11, and to mount the handle 12 of a standard type of safety razor 13 vertically within a relatively small central longitudinal opening 14. When the razor is withdrawn for use, the various knobs 15-18 projecting above the top 19 of the container may be easily manipulated independently, to release quantities of lather, lotion and powder from the separate compartments into which the container is divided by radiallyextending partitioning. Two such partitions, 20 and 21, which enclose the lather compartment, 22, are visible in FIGURE 1, through the transparent plastic material of which the container 10 is fabricated. The diameter of the container is only about three inches, in one convenient construction, such that it may readily be grasped in one 'hand by the user, for inverting and selectable dispensing of certain of its contents through the various outlet openings 23-25 in the top wall 19. Preferably, separate storage is provided for lather, in compartment 22, for after-shave powder in compartment 26, for lotion in compartment 27, for fresh blades in compartment 28, and for discarded blades in compartment 29. These storage compartments are shown as sectors, in FIGURES 2 and 3, with the radial partitions 20, 21, and 3032 functioning to divide and proportion them in accordance with the relative volumes normally required for the user to be served by all of them in completing a given number of shaving operations. The partitions run between the central tubular portion surrounding central opening 14 of the container, to the outer cylindrical wall, and may be made integral either as the result of initial extrusion or other molding in that form, or by adhesives, heat-sealing or the like.

Lathering material is preferably stored in and disspensed from compartment 22 as a somewhat stiff and moderately thick foam, although it may also be in a heavier cream consistency, both of which are currently well known and Widely used. As needed, the lathering material is expelled from top outlet 23 by first turning knob 16 to counterclockwise (FIGURE 2) to uncover that outlet as the knob-actuated valving member 33 slides past it; next, the knob 15 is manipulated to raise the sectorshaped plunger 34 and compress the latheriug material so that a desired amount will be expelled. For the latter purposes, a vertical externally-threaded shaft 35 is fixed with knob 15 and is mated with an internally-threaded opening in the plunger; rotation of the knob and shaft in one or the other direction will either raise or lower the plunger to effect the desired actions. A close sliding fit is established between the edges of the relatively thick plunger and the interior lather-compartment walls in which it is movable, thereby avoiding any substantial bypass flow of the lathering material.

Liquid lotion which occupies the smaller sector-shaped storage compartment 27 is dispensed by manipulating the knob 18 to bring the valving port 36 in circular valving member 37 into registration with the cooperating outlet 25, and then tilting the container to cause outward flow. Valving member 37 is disposed below the top end wall 19 and is preferably made of or faced with a material which establishes a liquid-tight seal with the abutting top wall. A simple and effective alternative lotion valve construction, illustrated in FIGURE 4, involves the use of a valving member 37a which has no port and, instead, is movable vertically downwardly to the dashed-line orientation 37b when its shaft 38 is depressed with knob 18a against the restraining force of a biasing spring 39, Sealing is not as critical in the dispensing of powder from still smaller compartment 26, and a simple valving shutter 40 there sufiices to open and close the discharge opening 24 when knob 17 is turned. Blades which are no longer serviceable may be discarded by insertion into the thin slot 41 at the top of compartment 29, and unused blades 42 stacked radially in compartment 28 may be withdrawn as needed when the sector-shaped cover 43 is moved out of the way. A radially-slotted horizontal partition 44 keeps the individual blades apart, as an aid to selection from among them, and the same tpartition supports the threaded portion of the shaft of a knob-ended clamp 45. The clam-p shaft 45a passes freely through closed radial slot 46 in cover 43, preventing its detachment when moved to the illustrated extended position, and the blades may be trapped in place by tightening the clamp while the cover is nested in its radially innermost position.

A leaf spring clip 47 held within the central opening 14 by a ring portion 47a prevents the razor 13 from becoming accidentally dislodged, and yet permits its being withdrawn for use.

An assembly of the form portrayed in FIGURES 13 is sufiiciently compact and integrated to permit its being stored conveniently in a medicine cabinet or packed in luggage. In another preferred construction, however, the set is also provided with a close-fitting cover which encloses the razor, compartment outlets, and actuating knobs. The latter construction is exemplified by the asembly shown in FIGURE 5, wherein the elements which are functionally like those of corresponding elements in FIGURES 1-3 are identified by the same reference characters, with distinguishing single-prime accents added. A removable cover 48 is there mated with the casing 10', screw threads 49 formed on the exterior of the casing engage internal threading on the cover to prevent their unintended separation. The threading may in some cases be omitted, in favor of firm slip fitting, hinging, or the like; such covered assemblies lend themselves to merchandizing without further packaging, and, in any event, preserve a clean-lined exterior and avoid contaminations.

Although it is preferred to locate the outlets at the top of the container, it is also possible to provide side outlet ports with some advantage. A construction of the latter type is shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, wherein the aftershave powder compartment 26a of a container 10a has a number of side openings 50 along its outer periphery near the top 19a. These openings are closed except when correspondingly perforations 51 in a curved valving member 52 are brought into registry with them by arcuate sliding of the knob 53 the shaft 54 of which projects through an accommodating slot in the top 19a. Tightening of knob 53 on the threaded shaft 54 causes the horizontal arm portion 55 of valving member 52 to bind and lock fast with the top 19a, to insure that closure will remain secure.

Another advantageous means for gaining access to an unused blade compartment, 28b is depicted in FIGURE 8, where the segment-shaped cover 56 for that compartment is formed with sloping edges 57 and 58 which dovetail with the adjoining edges in the container top 1% to provide a desired locking effect. Indentation 59 in cover 56 facilitates finger-induced outward sliding of the segment when it is in the closing position.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiments of shaving sets may be altered for certain purposes; in particular, the configuration may be modified to oval or other useful cross-sections, the compartments may be changed in number and may accommodate additional shaving aids, such as styptic powder, and may hold an injector-type razor and blades. Accordingly, it should be understood that the specific constructional details here illustrated and described are presented for purposes of disclosure rather than as limitations, and that in the appended claims it is aimed to cover all such modifications and equivalencies as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

An integrated shaving set comprising a hollow container having substantially fiat base and top walls and upstanding spaced inner and outer peripheral wall portions extending therebetween, said container having a substantially central opening extending substantially perpendicularly to said base and top walls inwardly of the inner peripheral wall portion and of a size accommodating the handle of a safety razor therein, a safety razor having the handle thereof mated within the central opening in said container, the lateral expanse of said top Wall of said container being in excess of the lateral expanse of the head of said razor, means fixed with said container and releasably holding the handle of said razor in said central opening of said container, a plurality of partitions dividing said container into a plurality of separate compartments of different sizes which extend from said top to said base walls, an access opening for each of said compartments through the top wall portion thereof, shaving lather material in one of said compartments, manuallyactuated valving means extending above the top wall of said one of said compartments for selectively opening and closing the opening through the top wall of said one of said compartments and thereby controllably releasing said lather material therethrough, means for compressing said lather material and thereby tending to expel said 3,277,901 5 6 lather material through the opening through the top wall References Cited by the Examiner of said one of said compartments, another of said c0m- UNITED STATES PATENTS partments comprising a relatively narrow used-blade compartment having as the access opening therefor a 942,484 12/1909 cljark 132-80 narrow slot which admits and traps used blades, and a 5 13381124 11/1932 Fhnterman 132 80 further one of said compartments comprising a fresh-blade 2,6693) 11/1950 Seke 132 80 X compartment having a manually-actuated cover at the top thereof for selectably closing and uncovering the RICHARD GAUDET P'lmary Exammer' access opening therefor. G. MCNEILL, Assistant Examiner.

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