WO2002032632A2 - Safety razor blade unit - Google Patents

Safety razor blade unit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002032632A2
WO2002032632A2 PCT/US2001/031600 US0131600W WO0232632A2 WO 2002032632 A2 WO2002032632 A2 WO 2002032632A2 US 0131600 W US0131600 W US 0131600W WO 0232632 A2 WO0232632 A2 WO 0232632A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
blade unit
safety razor
frame
unit according
sub
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/031600
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2002032632A3 (en
Inventor
Kevin J. Wain
Original Assignee
The Gillette Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to DE60134879T priority Critical patent/DE60134879D1/de
Priority to AU2002211578A priority patent/AU2002211578B2/en
Priority to EP01979642A priority patent/EP1332025B1/en
Priority to KR1020037005168A priority patent/KR100733680B1/ko
Application filed by The Gillette Company filed Critical The Gillette Company
Priority to MXPA03003331A priority patent/MXPA03003331A/es
Priority to JP2002535854A priority patent/JP4184076B2/ja
Priority to BRPI0114620-3A priority patent/BR0114620B1/pt
Priority to CA002424739A priority patent/CA2424739C/en
Priority to AU1157802A priority patent/AU1157802A/xx
Publication of WO2002032632A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002032632A2/en
Publication of WO2002032632A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002032632A3/en
Priority to US10/411,080 priority patent/US20040020053A1/en
Priority to US11/185,293 priority patent/US7024776B2/en
Priority to US11/326,075 priority patent/US7131203B2/en
Priority to AU2007200550A priority patent/AU2007200550B2/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26BHAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B26B21/00Razors of the open or knife type; Safety razors or other shaving implements of the planing type; Hair-trimming devices involving a razor-blade; Equipment therefor
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26BHAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B26B21/00Razors of the open or knife type; Safety razors or other shaving implements of the planing type; Hair-trimming devices involving a razor-blade; Equipment therefor
    • B26B21/08Razors of the open or knife type; Safety razors or other shaving implements of the planing type; Hair-trimming devices involving a razor-blade; Equipment therefor involving changeable blades
    • B26B21/14Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle
    • B26B21/22Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle involving several blades to be used simultaneously
    • B26B21/222Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle involving several blades to be used simultaneously with the blades moulded into, or attached to, a changeable unit
    • B26B21/227Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle involving several blades to be used simultaneously with the blades moulded into, or attached to, a changeable unit with blades being resiliently mounted in the changeable unit

Definitions

  • SAFETY RAZORS This invention relates to safety razors of the kind in which a blade unit assembly is carried by a handle and includes at least one blade member with a cutting edge which is moved across the surface of the skin being shaved by means of the handle.
  • a blade unit may be mounted detachably on a razor handle to enable the blade unit to be replaced by a fresh blade unit when the blade sharpness has diminished to an unsatisfactory level, or it may be fixedly attached to the handle with the intention that the entire razor be discarded when the blade or blades have become dulled.
  • Detachable and replaceable blade units are commonly referred to as shaving cartridges.
  • WO 88/04980 describes another construction in which flexible blade elements are carried by a deformable foam block, but there is no separate handle as the razor is held by means of the foam block. In spite of these previous attempts there remains a need for a safety razor with a blade unit which is able to conform closely to the skin contours during shaving.
  • a safety razor blade unit comprising at least one blade with a sharp cutting edge extending lengthwise of the blade unit, and a support structure supporting the at least one blade, the support structure being resiliently compliant along the length of the blade unit under shaving forces imposed on the blade unit during shaving, the support structure including spring elements disposed along the blade unit to oppose local deformation of the blade unit under the shaving forces encountered in the regions where the spring elements act.
  • each spring element is deformable in such a manner so that it exerts a substantially constant restoring force irrespective of the degree of deformation.
  • the deformation of the blade unit under shaving forces can vary along the length of the blades unit enabling the blade unit to conform to skin undulations along the blade unit, with the forces exerted by the blade unit against the skin being substantially uniform along the blade unit.
  • close conformity between the blade unit and the skin contours can be achieved without causing discomfort due to the blade unit being pressed against the skin under higher forces in certain confined areas.
  • the spring elements are so formed that they deform by buckling, and they may consist of webs of resiliently flexible material.
  • the spring elements may comprise leaf springs, or other spring devices, which are capable of exerting a substantially constant force over the normal range of the blade unit deformation.
  • One form of safety razor blade unit comprises at least one blade with a sharp cutting edge and a support structure supporting the at least one blade, the support structure having a blade platform structure carrying the at least one blade and having a front located forward of the at least one blade and a rear located behind the at least one blade, an intermediate structure, a base, a hinged connection between the intermediate structure and the front of the blade platform structure, the intermediate structure being movably mounted to the base to permit movement of the front of the blade platform structure towards and away from the base, and spring elements acting to urge the front of the blade platform structure away from the base and to urge the rear of the blade platform structure to rotate away from the base about the hinged connection, there being several spring elements disposed along the blade unit to act on respective portions of the blade platform structure being capable of displacement against the action of the spring elements unaccompanied by corresponding displacement of other portions of the blade platform structure.
  • a safety razor blade unit comprising at least one blade with a sharp cutting edge, and a support structure supporting the at least one blade, the support structure having a blade platform structure carrying the at one blade, a sub-frame, a base, the sub-frame having a forward edge hingedly connected to the blade platform forwardly of the at least one blade, and a rear edge hingedly connected to the base, and spring elements acting between the sub-frame and the blade platform structure and acting between the sub-frame and the base to urge the blade platform structure away from the base.
  • spring elements can be distributed along the blade unit and act between the sub-frame and respective portions of the blade platform structure.
  • several spring elements can be distributed along the blade unit and act between the base and respective portions of the sub-frame.
  • the support structure includes an upper frame on which the blade or blades are carried, and a sub-frame, with spring elements being interposed between the upper frame and the sub-frame.
  • the support structure is formed by a unitary moulding of a resiliently flexible material, such as rubber or rubber-like material, the spring elements then being integral with the upper frame and also being integral with the sub-frame of the blade unit. With the support structure formed as a unitary moulding, manufacture of the blade unit is facilitated as assembly of components is minimized.
  • the upper frame is preferably hinged to the sub-frame at the front of the support structure, and with a moulded construction the connection between them can be conveniently provided by a living hinge.
  • the hinged connection between the upper frame and the sub-frame is preferably displaceable downwardly, generally towards the handle, under load forces exerted on the upper frame near the front thereof.
  • the sub-frame can be supported with respect to an underlying base in a manner permitting movement of the sub-frame towards the base against the action of suspension springs which can also be formed by webs of resiliently flexible material which deform by buckling so that a substantially constant return force is exerted on the sub-frame.
  • the upper frame can form a guard surface for contacting the skin ahead of the blades during a shaving stroke, and a cap surface for contact with the skin behind the blades.
  • a separate guard element and/or a separate cap element could be mounted on the upper frame, although any such separate element would itself need to exhibit substantial flexibility along its length, or perhaps be divided up into short segments so as not to inhibit the flexing of upper frame to conform to the skin contours.
  • One type of element which could with advantage be provided is a lubricating strip, which could be located adjacent the front or rear edges of the blade unit, such strips being adapted to deliver lubricant to the skin surface during shaving in a manner well known per se.
  • the blade or blades are carried by an upper frame consisting of a series of independent upper frame members spaced apart along the blade unit and extending substantially perpendicular to the length of the blade unit, these upper frame members being acted upon by respective spring elements.
  • the forward end of each upper frame member is mounted for movement against the action of the respective spring element about an axis extending lengthwise of the blade unit.
  • the spring can act on an arm which is attached to and extends rearwardly from the forward end of the upper frame member so that this member is biased to an upper pivotal position.
  • the spring urges a pin upwardly against the arm, the pin being guided for up and down movement with respect to a base frame, and the upper frame member can be pivotally mounted on a support post guided for up and down movement substantially parallel to the direction of pin movement, whereby the forward end of the upper frame member can move downwardly under shaving forces imposed on the blade unit against a restoring force exerted by the spring element.
  • the blade units of the invention may have a single blade, a plurality of blades e.g. 2, 3, 4 or more blades, are preferably included and extend continuously along the blade unit with their sharpened edges substantially parallel. These blades are flexible for conforming to the skin contours.
  • blades are preferably interconnected by transverse strips attached to the undersides of the blades, these strips and the blades together forming a flexible blade assembly in which in an undeformed condition, the blades and strips are substantially coplanar to enhance the flexibility of the blade assembly.
  • the blades are preferably as described in our British Patent Application No. 0025339.3 and the International Patent Application claiming priority therefrom.
  • Figure 1 shows in perspective a safety razor equipped with a blade unit in accordance with the invention in a front perspective view
  • Figure 2 is a front elevation of the blade unit of the razor shown in
  • Figure 3 is an end elevation of the blade unit;
  • Figure 4 is a cross section taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 2;
  • Figure 5 is an isometric view of the blade unit;
  • Figure 6 is a view showing the blade unit as seen in the direction of the arrow VI in Figure 3;
  • Figure 7 is an exploded isometric view of the blade unit;
  • Figures 8 and 9 show the blade unit from the front and rear respectively, in a deformed condition as may arise during shaving;
  • Figures 10 and 11 show the blade unit from the front and rear, respectively, in another deformed condition as may arise during shaving;
  • Figure 12A is an isometric view from the front showing a blade unit as illustrated in Figures 1 to 11 but with a modified support structure;
  • Figure 12B is an isometric view of the support structure of the blade unit shown in Figure 12 A;
  • Figure 13 is a rear isometric view of the blade unit shown in Figure 12A;
  • Figure 14 is an isometric view showing from the front another safety razor with the blade unit embodying the invention
  • Figure 15 is an isometric view showing the blade unit of the safety razor of Figure 14 from the rear;
  • Figure 16 is a rear elevation of the blade unit of the razor of Figures 14 and 15;
  • Figure 17 is a cross-section taken along the line XVII-XVII in Figure 16;
  • Figure 18 is an end elevation of the blade unit of Figures 14 and 15;
  • Figure 19 illustrates in perspective another embodiment of a safety razor having a blade unit in accordance with the invention;
  • Figure 20A and 20B show on an enlarged scale a leaf spring included in the blade unit of the razor shown in Figure 19;
  • Figure 21 is an isometric view illustrating a further embodiment of a safety razor with a blade unit according to the invention.
  • Figure 22 is a rear isometric view of the razor of Figure 21;
  • Figure 23 is an end view of the razor shown in Figure 21;
  • Figure 24 is a front elevation of the razor shown in Figures 21-23; and Figure 25 is a cross-section taken along the line XXV-XXV in Figure
  • the razor illustrated in Figures 1 to 11 has a handle 1 on which a blade unit 2 is mounted.
  • the handle 1 has a fixed support platform 3 to which the blade unit 2 is securely fastened, but the blade unit could equally well be releasably connected to the handle 1 to allow replacement of the blade unit 2.
  • the blade unit 2 comprises a support structure 4 on which a blade assembly 5 is carried.
  • the support structure 4 consists of a unitary moulding of rubber or a material having similar resiliently flexible properties to materials having appropriate characteristics include (i) Kraton G2705 having a hardness of 55 on the Shore A scale manufactured by the Shell Corporation, (ii) Evoprene #966 having a Shore A hardness value of 27 and distribution by Gary Chemical Corporation of Leominster, Mass., (iii) Santoprene 271-55 having a Shore A hardness value of 55 and manufactured by Advanced Elastomerics Corporation and (iv) Santoprene 271-73 having a Shore A hardness value of 73 and also manufactured by Advanced Elastomerics Corporation.
  • the support structure 4 includes a blade platform structure formed by an upper frame 6 on the upper face of which the blade assembly 5 is positioned, a sub-frame 7 which has the form of a substantially planar sheet, and a base 8 which can also have the formed of a substantially planar sheet.
  • the upper frame 6 is hingedly connected to the sub-frame 7 at the front of the support structure 4, and in particular the upper frame 6 and sub-frame 7 are integral and are connected by a living hinge 9 at their forward edges.
  • the upper frame 6 and the sub-frame 7 lie in first and second planes respectively, and are relatively positioned normally to diverge from each other rearwardly away from the hinge 9.
  • the sub-frame 7 and the base 8 are hingedly connected at the rear of the support structure 4, and more especially the sub-frame 7 and base 8 are integrally connected by a living hinge 10 at their rear edges.
  • the sub-frame 7 and base 8 are disposed normally to diverge from each other in the direction forwardly away from the hinge 10.
  • the upper frame 6, sub-frame 7 and base 8 as viewed in end elevation ( Figure 3), or transverse cross-section ( Figure 4) define a Z shape, but with the angle ⁇ subtended between the upper frame 6 and the sub-frame 7 being greater than the angle ⁇ subtended between the sub-frame 7 and the base 8 so that the upper frame 6 is normally set at an appropriate angle with respect to the stem of the handle 1 and to ensure the desired deformation characteristics of the support structure as explained below.
  • spring elements in the form of flexible webs of the handle 1 and to ensure the desired deformation characteristics of the support structure as explained below.
  • Several spring elements in the form of flexible webs 12 are distributed along the blade unit 2.
  • the flexible webs 12 extend between and are integrally interconnected with the upper frame 6 and the sub-frame 7, the flexible webs 12 being uniformly spaced apart along the support structure 4. As shown there are six spring webs 12 although more or less than this number may be employed.
  • the spring webs 12 normally lie in respective parallel planes perpendicular to the planes of the upper frame 6 and the sub-frame 7.
  • the spring webs 12 constitute respective spring elements and each web 12 is capable of deforming by buckling, to allow the portion of the upper frame 6 in the region of that web 12 to be displaced towards the sub-frame 7 with the deformed or buckled web 12 exerting a substantially constant restoring force independent of the degree of buckling and hence the downward displacement of the upper frame 6. Since the spring webs 12 act independently of each other, different portions of the upper frame 6 along the length thereof may be readily displaced by different amounts towards the sub-frame 7.
  • the sub-frame 7 is similarly supported with respect to the base 8 by several suspension springs 14 distributed along the blade unit 2 between the sub-frame 7 and the base 8. These suspension springs are also formed by resiliently flexibly webs integral with the sub-frame 7 and the base, there being six springs webs 14 uniformly spaced apart along the blade unit 2 in the illustrated embodiment.
  • the spring webs 14 lie in respective planes perpendicular to the length of the blade unit 2 and conveniently the webs 14 are aligned and coplanar with the webs spring 12.
  • the spring webs 14 which can also deform by buckling serve as independent spring elements acting between the sub-frame 7 and the base 8, and they allow local displacement of the sub- frame 7 towards the base 8 and hence the handle 1, while exerting a substantially constant restoring force resisting such displacement.
  • the resiliently flexible nature of the support structure with the springs webs 12,14 is such that localized portions of the upper frame 6 and the blade assembly 5 carried thereon can be deflected towards the razor handle 1 in order to adapt to the skin contours without necessarily influencing the dispositions of other portions thereof, and the upper frame 6 and the blade assembly 5 can as a consequence contort to comply with the undulations of the skin area over which they are moving.
  • the blade unit 2 is resiliently compliant to ensure close contact with the skin over the full area spanned by the blades.
  • Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the blade unit 2 with the upper frame 6 and blade assembly 5 deformed into a concave form, their medial portions M being displaced towards the handle 1 by a greater amount than their end portions E with the spring webs 12,14 towards the centre M of the blade unit 2 being buckled to a greater extent than those webs 12,14 located nearer the ends of the blade unit 2.
  • Figures 10 and 11 on the other hand show the blade unit 2 deformed into a convex configuration, the blade assembly 5 and upper frame 6 being displaced downwardly towards the handle 1 by a greater amount at the ends E of the blade unit 2 than at the central portion M of the blade unit 2, and in this case the spring webs 12,14 towards the ends of the blade unit being buckled more than those webs closer to the centre of the blade unit.
  • both sets of webs 12,14 are shown buckled in Figures 8 to 11 this is not inevitable or essential.
  • the spring webs 12 it is possible, for example as a result of downward shaving force applied towards the rear R of the blade unit for the spring webs 12 to buckle so that the upper frame 6 and blade assembly 5 are displaced downwardly adjacent the rear edge R without the suspension spring webs 14 buckling and without any displacement of the upper frame 6 and the blade assembly 5 at their front edge F. Also a force applied near the front edge F can cause downward displacement of the upper frame 6 and blade assembly 5 at their front edge due to the suspension spring webs 14 buckling without the spring webs 12 becoming buckled. As a consequence, the upper frame 6 and blade assembly 5 are compliant both in the direction longitudinally of the blade unit 2 and in the direction perpendicular thereto in order to adapt to conform closely the contours of a skin area being shaved. Because the angle ⁇ subtended between the upper frame
  • the spring webs 12 are somewhat longer and correspondingly weaker than the spring webs 14, whereby the spring webs 14 exert a greater . resistance to downward displacement of the upper frame 6 and the blade assembly 5 at their front edge F than the resistance to downward displacement exerted by the spring webs 12 at the rear edge R of the upper frame 6 and blade assembly 5, which characteristic is considered desirable as during shaving greater forces are generally imparted to a blade unit in the region of the guard than those exerted in the region of the cap.
  • the blade assembly 5 comprises a guard member 15 and a plurality of elongate blades 16, the guard member 15 and the blades 16 being formed by flexible strips of metal.
  • the blades 16 have parallel forwardly facing sharpened edges 17.
  • the guard member 15 and the blades 16 are interconnected by transverse strips 18 such as steel as used for the manufacture of blade in conventional blade units, which may be made of the same material as the blades 16, e.g. steel, and which attached to the undersides of the blades and guard member.
  • transverse strips 18 such as steel as used for the manufacture of blade in conventional blade units, which may be made of the same material as the blades 16, e.g. steel, and which attached to the undersides of the blades and guard member.
  • Maximum flexibility of the blade unit is ensured by the blades 16 and transverse connecting strips 18 being coplanar in the normal, undeformed condition of the blade assembly and the blade unit.
  • the guard member 15 is also substantially coplanar with the blades 16 and connecting strips 18 although as shown in Figures 6 and 7 the guard member has an upwardly inclined rear portion, and slits 19 are spaced along the length of this portion of the guard member 15 for enhanced flexibility of this member 15.
  • Including the guard member 15 in the blade assembly 5 can be advantageous in reliably defining the shaving geometry of the blades, and the first blade in particular.
  • the strips 18 have turned-down T-shaped ends which are engaged with notches 20,21 moulded in the front and rear edges of the upper frame 6 in order to secure the blade assembly 5 to the support structure 4.
  • the upper frame 6 includes longitudinal front and rear frame members 22 and a series of transverse frame members 23 spaced along the blade unit 2 and substantially perpendicular to the length of the blade unit 2.
  • the transverse frame members 23 are acted upon by respective spring elements and the upper edges of the spring webs 12 are attached to the respective frame members 23.
  • the strips 18 of the blade assembly 5 extend above respective frame members 23.
  • the cap 24 of the blade unit 2 includes a flexible lubricating strip 25 which sits in a groove extending along the rear longitudinal member 22 of the upper frame 6 and is held in place by the transverse strips 18 of the blade assembly 5.
  • the sub-frame 7A has the form of a corrugated sheet rather than a substantially planar sheet.
  • the corrugations which are only shallow and have their ridges 7b and valleys 7c directed parallel to the planes of the spring webs 12,14, serve to increase the flexibility of the sub-frame in the longitudinal direction of the blade unit 2.
  • FIG. 14 to 18 there is illustrated an embodiment in which the safety razor has a blade unit 102 mounted on a handle 101, the blade unit 102 including a flexible blade assembly 105 carried by a compliant support structure 104.
  • the blade assembly 105 includes flexible strip blades 116 interconnected by transverse strips 118 attached to the undersides of the blades 116, as well as a flexible guard bar 126 and a flexible cap bar 125 respectively carried on the transverse strips 18 in front of and behind the blades 116.
  • the support structure 104 has a base frame 108 shown U-shaped in cross-section with upper and lower platforms 130,132.
  • a series of upwardly extending support members in the form of posts 134 are spaced apart along the base frame 108 and are slidably guided for up and down movement in holes formed in the upper and lower platforms.
  • the posts 134 project above the upper platform 130 and have enlargements or abutments 135 which engage the underside of the upper platform 130 to limit their upward displacement.
  • each frame member 123 mounted pivotally on the upper ends of the support posts 134, for pivotal movement about an axis A directed longitudinally of the blade unit 102, are respective upper frame members 123, these frame members 123 being arranged normally to extend upwardly and rearwardly from their forward ends 123 a which are connected to the support posts 134.
  • the down-turned ends of the transverse strips 118 of the blade assembly are engaged with the respective upper frame members 123.
  • each upper frame member 123 is bent through nearly 180° and extended to form a rearwardly directed arm 136, and a pin 138, which like the posts 134 is guided in holes in the upper and lower platforms 130, 132 of the base frame 108, bears against the arm 136 to urge the upper frame member 123 to an upper pivotal position.
  • Each of the pins 138 is pushed upwardly by a coil spring 112 which surrounds the pin 138 between the lower platform 132 and an abutment flange 139 on the pin 138.
  • the abutment flange 139 also serves to limit the upward movement of the pin 138 by engaging the underside of the upper platform 130.
  • the springs 112 also act to bias the support posts 134 to their uppermost positions so that the normal position of the support structure 104 and blade assembly 105 is as illustrated in the drawings.
  • the upper frame members 123 are moveable independently of each other, as are their respective support posts 134, and this, in conjunction with the flexibility of the blade assembly 105, means that the blade unit 102 is resiliently compliant to enable close conformity with the skin contours during shaving.
  • the upper frame members 123 can themselves be resiliently flexible.
  • the arrangement of the restoring springs 112 to resist the deformation of blade unit under shaving forces is such that there is a substantially uniform force exerted by the blade unit against the skin irrespective of the degree of blade unit deformation over the area of contact with the skin.
  • the embodiment of the razor illustrated in Figures 19 and 20 is basically similar to that of Figures 12 to 16.
  • the blade unit 202 which is mounted on the razor handle 201 includes a blade assembly 205 carried on a support structure 204 including a base frame 208 and an upwardly projecting support posts 234 guided for up and down sliding movement relative to the base frame 208.
  • Upper frame members 223 are in this case shown as constituted by the transverse strips 218 which interconnect the blades 216 and support the flexible guard and cap bars 226, 225, although separate frame members could be provided.
  • the upper frame members 223 have their forward ends pivoted on the upper ends of the posts 234.
  • Respective spring elements in the form of leaf springs 212 are mounted on the base frame 208 adjacent the rear edge and extend forwardly and upwardly for the free ends of the springs 212 to act on the upper frame members 223.
  • the springs 212 are arcuate in cross-section. The effect of this spring configuration is that the spring tends 212 to flatten as it is deformed due to downward pivotal movement and/or displacement of the associated upper frame member 223, and in this way the spring 212 exerts a substantially constant return force irrespective of the deformation of the blade unit 202 during shaving.
  • the razor illustrated in Figures 21 to 25 is generally similar to that of Figures 19 and 20, but differs in that in place of the support posts 234, pivotal support arms 334 with lower rear ends pivotally connected to the base frame 308, are provided to mount the upper frame members 323 on which is carried the blade assembly 305 including the parallel blades 316, the flexible guard bar 326 and the flexible cap bars 325.
  • First spring elements consisting of leaf springs 312 are mounted on the support arms 334 and act on extension fingers 336 of the upper frame members 323 to bias the upper frame members 323 to an uppermost pivotal position
  • second spring elements 314 which are formed by respective leaf spring arms 314 of a common comb-shaped leaf spring 315 mounted on the base frame 308, act with their free ends against the undersides of the support arms 334.
  • the leaf spring elements 314 are strongly pre-tensioned so that the forces exerted on the respective support arms 334 do not increase significantly as the support arms are pivoted downwardly by shaving forces imparted against the upper face of the blade unit in use of the razor, the upward pivotal movement of the arms 323 being limited by fingers 324 thereon abutting against the base structure 308 as may be seen in Figure 25.
  • the upward pivotal movement of the arms 323 is similarly limited by the fingers 336 abutting the arms 334.
  • the blades 316 and the blade assembly 305 as a whole is flexible, so that, with independently supported upper frame members 323 the blade unit 302 is resiliently compliant over the full area of its contact with the skin during shaving.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Dry Shavers And Clippers (AREA)
  • Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)
PCT/US2001/031600 2000-10-16 2001-10-11 Safety razor blade unit WO2002032632A2 (en)

Priority Applications (13)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2002535854A JP4184076B2 (ja) 2000-10-16 2001-10-11 安全かみそり
EP01979642A EP1332025B1 (en) 2000-10-16 2001-10-11 Safety razor blade unit
KR1020037005168A KR100733680B1 (ko) 2000-10-16 2001-10-11 안전 면도기
CA002424739A CA2424739C (en) 2000-10-16 2001-10-11 Safety razor blade unit
MXPA03003331A MXPA03003331A (es) 2000-10-16 2001-10-11 Maquinillas de afeitar.
AU2002211578A AU2002211578B2 (en) 2000-10-16 2001-10-11 Safety razor blade unit
BRPI0114620-3A BR0114620B1 (pt) 2000-10-16 2001-10-11 unidade de lámina para aparelho de barbear de segurança, e, aparelho de barbear de segurança.
DE60134879T DE60134879D1 (de) 2000-10-16 2001-10-11 Rasierklingeneinheit eines sicherheitsrasierers
AU1157802A AU1157802A (en) 2000-10-16 2001-10-11 Safety razors
US10/411,080 US20040020053A1 (en) 2000-10-16 2003-04-10 Safety razors
US11/185,293 US7024776B2 (en) 2000-10-16 2005-07-20 Safety razors
US11/326,075 US7131203B2 (en) 2000-10-16 2006-01-05 Safety razors
AU2007200550A AU2007200550B2 (en) 2000-10-16 2007-02-08 Safety razors

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0025336.9 2000-10-16
GBGB0025336.9A GB0025336D0 (en) 2000-10-16 2000-10-16 Safety razors

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/411,080 Continuation US20040020053A1 (en) 2000-10-16 2003-04-10 Safety razors

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002032632A2 true WO2002032632A2 (en) 2002-04-25
WO2002032632A3 WO2002032632A3 (en) 2002-08-08

Family

ID=9901383

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/031600 WO2002032632A2 (en) 2000-10-16 2001-10-11 Safety razor blade unit

Country Status (14)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1332025B1 (zh)
JP (1) JP4184076B2 (zh)
KR (1) KR100733680B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN1234512C (zh)
AR (1) AR031727A1 (zh)
AT (1) ATE401174T1 (zh)
AU (2) AU2002211578B2 (zh)
BR (1) BR0114620B1 (zh)
CA (1) CA2424739C (zh)
DE (1) DE60134879D1 (zh)
ES (1) ES2309098T3 (zh)
GB (1) GB0025336D0 (zh)
MX (1) MXPA03003331A (zh)
WO (1) WO2002032632A2 (zh)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004073939A1 (en) * 2003-02-19 2004-09-02 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Multiple blade razor cartridge
US7272991B2 (en) 2004-02-09 2007-09-25 The Gillette Company Shaving razors, and blade subassemblies therefor and methods of manufacture
US8479398B2 (en) 2008-07-22 2013-07-09 Leon Alon Coresh Shaving assembly
US9144914B2 (en) 2011-06-30 2015-09-29 Rolling Razor, Inc. Razor cartridge with reduced part count and expanded range of motion
US9457486B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2016-10-04 Rolling Razor, Inc Shaving cartridge with individual blade guards
US9993931B1 (en) 2016-11-23 2018-06-12 Personal Care Marketing And Research, Inc. Razor docking and pivot
USD884971S1 (en) 2019-02-27 2020-05-19 Pcmr International Ltd Razor cartridge
USD884969S1 (en) 2019-02-27 2020-05-19 Pcmr International Ltd Combined razor cartridge guard and docking
USD884970S1 (en) 2019-02-27 2020-05-19 PCMR International Ltd. Razor cartridge guard
US11000960B1 (en) 2020-11-16 2021-05-11 Personal Care Marketing And Research, Inc. Razor exposure
US11117280B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2021-09-14 Personal Care Marketing & Research, Inc. Razor cartridge
CN114098950A (zh) * 2021-11-23 2022-03-01 固安翌光科技有限公司 应用光到对象移除毛发的可调节式出光组件及光应用装置
US11541560B2 (en) 2018-03-01 2023-01-03 Rolling Razor, Inc. Precision razor with low cost assembly

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
MXPA06012845A (es) * 2004-05-06 2007-02-15 Bic Violex Sa Cabeza de navaja de afeitar que tiene partes soldadas por laser y metodo para producir la misma.
CN1964825B (zh) * 2004-05-06 2010-06-16 比克-维奥雷克斯有限公司 带有适配盖件的剃须刀头
EP1933753B1 (en) * 2005-10-03 2011-01-19 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. A device for removing hairs from skin
GB0615113D0 (en) * 2006-07-28 2006-09-06 Gillette Co Wet razor with conforming blade support
US20080196251A1 (en) * 2007-02-15 2008-08-21 The Gillette Company Support structure for a flexible razor blade assembly
CN101842196B (zh) * 2007-11-02 2012-01-25 吉列公司 适形湿剃剃刀
US20110016724A1 (en) * 2009-07-24 2011-01-27 Matthew Frank Murgida Resilient Skin Contacting Members to Facilitate Pivoting
JP5860707B2 (ja) * 2011-05-18 2016-02-16 株式会社貝印刃物開発センター 首振り式剃刀
KR101578263B1 (ko) * 2012-11-30 2015-12-28 주식회사 도루코 이중 회동 면도기
CN116806188A (zh) * 2022-01-24 2023-09-26 温州美葆科技技术有限公司 带缓冲和变向切断式剃须系统及剃须方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5251376A (en) * 1991-07-03 1993-10-12 Wilkinson Sword Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung Razor head, especially razor blade unit of a wet razor
US5347714A (en) * 1993-02-18 1994-09-20 American Safety Razor Company Movable blade shaving cartridge
US5402574A (en) * 1994-05-20 1995-04-04 Milner; Joshua P. Shaving apparatus
EP0858868A1 (en) * 1997-01-17 1998-08-19 Warner-Lambert Company Razor head with moveable blade package
EP0858869A1 (en) * 1997-01-17 1998-08-19 Warner-Lambert Company Razor heads having independently flexible blades

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4720917A (en) * 1985-09-13 1988-01-26 Solow Terry S Flexible blade contour razor

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5251376A (en) * 1991-07-03 1993-10-12 Wilkinson Sword Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung Razor head, especially razor blade unit of a wet razor
US5347714A (en) * 1993-02-18 1994-09-20 American Safety Razor Company Movable blade shaving cartridge
US5402574A (en) * 1994-05-20 1995-04-04 Milner; Joshua P. Shaving apparatus
EP0858868A1 (en) * 1997-01-17 1998-08-19 Warner-Lambert Company Razor head with moveable blade package
EP0858869A1 (en) * 1997-01-17 1998-08-19 Warner-Lambert Company Razor heads having independently flexible blades

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004073939A1 (en) * 2003-02-19 2004-09-02 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Multiple blade razor cartridge
US7200938B2 (en) 2003-02-19 2007-04-10 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Multiple blade razor cartridge
AU2004213419B2 (en) * 2003-02-19 2007-04-26 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, Llc Multiple blade razor cartridge
US7272991B2 (en) 2004-02-09 2007-09-25 The Gillette Company Shaving razors, and blade subassemblies therefor and methods of manufacture
US7607230B2 (en) 2004-02-09 2009-10-27 The Gillette Company Blade subassemblies for shaving razors
US7765700B2 (en) 2004-02-09 2010-08-03 The Gillette Company Blade subassemblies for shaving razors
US8479398B2 (en) 2008-07-22 2013-07-09 Leon Alon Coresh Shaving assembly
US8595940B2 (en) 2008-07-22 2013-12-03 Leon Alon Coresh Shaving assembly
US9144914B2 (en) 2011-06-30 2015-09-29 Rolling Razor, Inc. Razor cartridge with reduced part count and expanded range of motion
US9821480B2 (en) 2011-06-30 2017-11-21 Rolling Razor, Inc Razor cartridge with reduced part count and expanded range of motion
USRE49648E1 (en) 2011-06-30 2023-09-12 Rolling Razor, Inc Razor cartridge with reduced part count and expanded range of motion
US9457486B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2016-10-04 Rolling Razor, Inc Shaving cartridge with individual blade guards
US11117280B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2021-09-14 Personal Care Marketing & Research, Inc. Razor cartridge
US11712814B2 (en) 2016-03-18 2023-08-01 Dollar Shave Club, Inc. Razor cartridge
US10538007B2 (en) 2016-11-23 2020-01-21 Personal Care Marketing And Research, Inc. Razor docking
US11298845B2 (en) 2016-11-23 2022-04-12 Dollar Shave Club, Inc. Razor docking
US11745371B2 (en) 2016-11-23 2023-09-05 Dollar Shave Club, Inc. Razor cartridge
US9993931B1 (en) 2016-11-23 2018-06-12 Personal Care Marketing And Research, Inc. Razor docking and pivot
US11541560B2 (en) 2018-03-01 2023-01-03 Rolling Razor, Inc. Precision razor with low cost assembly
USD884970S1 (en) 2019-02-27 2020-05-19 PCMR International Ltd. Razor cartridge guard
USD884969S1 (en) 2019-02-27 2020-05-19 Pcmr International Ltd Combined razor cartridge guard and docking
USD884971S1 (en) 2019-02-27 2020-05-19 Pcmr International Ltd Razor cartridge
US11000960B1 (en) 2020-11-16 2021-05-11 Personal Care Marketing And Research, Inc. Razor exposure
US11254022B1 (en) 2020-11-16 2022-02-22 Personal Care Marketing And Research, Inc. Razor exposure
US11752649B2 (en) 2020-11-16 2023-09-12 Dollar Shave Club, Inc. Razor exposure
CN114098950A (zh) * 2021-11-23 2022-03-01 固安翌光科技有限公司 应用光到对象移除毛发的可调节式出光组件及光应用装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0025336D0 (en) 2000-11-29
ES2309098T3 (es) 2008-12-16
CN1234512C (zh) 2006-01-04
ATE401174T1 (de) 2008-08-15
CN1469797A (zh) 2004-01-21
WO2002032632A3 (en) 2002-08-08
JP2004511318A (ja) 2004-04-15
AU1157802A (en) 2002-04-29
EP1332025A2 (en) 2003-08-06
EP1332025B1 (en) 2008-07-16
AR031727A1 (es) 2003-10-01
KR100733680B1 (ko) 2007-06-28
BR0114620A (pt) 2003-12-23
KR20030036926A (ko) 2003-05-09
JP4184076B2 (ja) 2008-11-19
CA2424739A1 (en) 2002-04-25
AU2002211578B2 (en) 2007-03-15
BR0114620B1 (pt) 2010-09-21
MXPA03003331A (es) 2003-06-19
DE60134879D1 (de) 2008-08-28
CA2424739C (en) 2006-12-19

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7024776B2 (en) Safety razors
EP1332025B1 (en) Safety razor blade unit
AU2002211578A1 (en) Safety razor blade unit
CA2303242C (en) Safety razor guard comprising backstop
US6173498B1 (en) Razor
AU738107B2 (en) Razor
EP2121252B1 (en) Support structure for a flexible razor blade assembly
US5224267A (en) Safety razors
US6243951B1 (en) Safety razors
US5341571A (en) Movable blade shaving cartridge or the like
EP2046539A2 (en) Wet razor with conforming blade support
AU724961B2 (en) Safety razors
CA2558731C (en) Safety razor blade unit
AU2007200550B2 (en) Safety razors
MXPA94005841A (en) Movable blade shaving cartridge or the like
MXPA00002768A (en) Safety razors

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PH PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PH PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2424739

Country of ref document: CA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 00524/DELNP/2003

Country of ref document: IN

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2001979642

Country of ref document: EP

Ref document number: 10411080

Country of ref document: US

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1020037005168

Country of ref document: KR

Ref document number: 2002211578

Country of ref document: AU

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: PA/a/2003/003331

Country of ref document: MX

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 018174280

Country of ref document: CN

Ref document number: 2002535854

Country of ref document: JP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1020037005168

Country of ref document: KR

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2001979642

Country of ref document: EP

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

WWG Wipo information: grant in national office

Ref document number: 2002211578

Country of ref document: AU