WO2008032111A1

WO2008032111A1 - Shaving gel applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2008032111A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/050529
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stuart Edward Saunders
Original assignee: Stuart Edward Saunders
Priority date: 2006-09-11
Filing date: 2007-09-10
Publication date: 2008-03-20
Also published as: GB0617813D0; GB0619180D0

Abstract

A shaving gel applicator (10) comprises a flexible backing sheet (11) of a general trapezium shape and having at least one projecting tab (12) for grasping by a user. A substantially uniform layer (13) of shaving gel is carried on one surface of the backing sheet (11), the backing sheet being peelable from that layer (13) of shaving gel once the exposed surface of the layer has been applied to an area of skin to be shaved.

Description

SHAVING GEL APPLICATOR

This invention relates to a shaving gel applicator and in particular to a means for applying a layer of shaving gel to an area of a human or animal body which subsequently is to be shaved of hair.

Though this invention is applicable to various circumstances - for example the shaving of an animal prior to the performance of a surgical procedure - it will hereinafter be described exclusively with reference to the shaving of a male face. The invention is not to be regarded as limited thereto, and all shaving procedures will hereinafter be referred to as simply "shaving".

The process of shaving involves dragging a sharp blade across the surface of the skin to cut and remove hair growing therefrom. To facilitate this process, there are many types of shaving soaps, gel, cream or foam commonly employed for the purpose of softening the skin and the hair, and also to act as a lubricant for the blade as it moves across the surface of the skin. Shaving gel is normally supplied in a pressurised or squeezable container and is applied by depositing gel from the container into one hand and then rubbing the gel over the area of the skin to be shaved, to spread the gel over that skin. The disadvantage of this procedure is that it is difficult to cover the area to be shaved with a consistently uniform depth of gel. The depositing of the gel on the skin is performed by hand, using a reflected image of the face to determine the uniformity of the application. Thus, the depth of the coating is somewhat sporadic, with certain points having too much gel and others may have almost none. This causes the shaving experience to be rather unpleasant as the blade does not glide smoothly over the different areas, resulting in discomfort. In any event, before shaving can actually commence, a user must clean his hands of the gel remaining thereon and there is also a tendency for the container also to become coated in gel.

It is a principal aim of this invention to provide a shaving gel applicator which allows a substantially uniform coating to be applied to the skin surface to be shaved, prior to shaving that area. A further aim is for the provision of an applicator which is quicker and easier to use than the dispensing of gel from a container, and which also is less messy and saves on wastage of gel. According to this invention, there is provided a shaving gel applicator comprising a flexible backing sheet carrying a layer of shaving gel of substantially uniform thickness, the backing sheet being peelable from the layer of shaving gel once the exposed surface of the layer has been applied to an area to be shaved.

It will appreciated that the applicator of this invention is a composite product comprising a backing sheet carrying a layer of shaving gel. The gel on the backing sheet is lightly pressed into engagement with the skin to be shaved, the gel then adhering to that skin whereafter the backing sheet may be peeled away, so leaving exposed the gel on the skin, ready for shaving. The process is clean compared to the conventional method of applying gel and it is easy to perform without the user's hand contacting the gel. Further, by providing a layer of gel of substantially uniform thickness and so long as no undue pressure is used when applying the gel to the skin, the layer of gel left on the skin following removal of the backing sheet will still be substantially uniform without leaving areas with little or no gel.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the surface of the backing sheet on which the layer of gel is carried is treated to give the backing sheet release properties with respect to the layer of shaving gel. In addition, a release sheet may be laid over the surface of the layer of shaving gel opposed to the backing sheet, to protect the gel before use. In such a case, that release sheet also should be treated to give it suitable release properties - for example, the backing sheet and the release sheet (when provided) could comprise a paper or a paper-like sheet (for instance of plastics) which carries a silicone coating to which the shaving gel is only lightly adherent. As an alternative, the release sheet could comprise the backing sheet of another like shaving gel applicator stacked with the first-mentioned applicator in which case both faces of the backing sheet should appropriately be treated to impart release properties thereto, with respect to the gel. In a particularly preferred embodiment of this invention, the backing sheet comprises a sheet of relatively thin plastics material whereby the sheet may readily be adapted to the profile of an area to which the gel is to be applied - for example, over the cheeks, upper lip, chin and under the jaw. In this way, a substantially uniform area of the gel may be applied to all of the areas of a man's face which are to be shaved. Such a backing sheet may have the general shape of a trapezium, but with rounded corners. Further, at least one tab, and preferably four tabs disposed one in each corner, are provided on the backing sheet to assist the peeling of the backing sheet away from the layer of gel, once applied to the area to be shaved. Further to assist the ease of application and peeling of the backing sheet, it is preferred for the layer of shaving gel to be of a smaller area than that of the backing sheet, so as to leave a margin around the edges of the backing sheet clear of gel.

The exposed surface layer of the shaving gel, which is applied to the skin, may be treated to impart an adherent property to that surface. In this way, the application of the gel is facilitated and the layer is less likely to be pulled away from the skin upon removal of the backing sheet. The shaving gel may be formulated to include a heat-sensitive colouring, whereby the gel will change colour following the application thereof to an area to be shaved. The colour change will take place only once there has been sufficient contact with the area to be shaved, as it is warmed thereby.

Further, the gel may be formulated to become less viscous when applied to an area to be shaved. This may be achieved by the warming of the gel by the underlying skin to which the gel is applied, or by the exposure to atmosphere of the gel, following the peeling away of the backing sheet. Another possibility would be to wet the surface to be shaved, for example by splashing it with water, whereafter contact by the layer of gel with the wetted surface reduces the viscosity of the gel. The gel could include a viscosity- sensitive colouring, the change of colour may indicate that the gel has become less viscous. If the viscosity change is consequent upon warming of the gel from the skin, then a heat-sensitive colouring could be employed such that the change of colour indicates that the viscosity has reduced. A typical gel formulation for use in this invention may comprise water soluble polymers together with synthetic or natural polysaccharides, such as xanthan, carrageenans and associated polymers. The formulation may include - A -

between 0.01 to 5% of these components with the balance of at least 95% being water and other oils. Further, the gel may include hydrogels or hydrocolloids, or a mixture of these components.

This invention extends to the combination of a shaving gel applicator of this invention as described hereinbefore and a substantially sealed container or flexible pack in which the applicator is located, the container or pack being openable to allow removal of a contained applicator, for use. Preferably, a plurality of like shaving applicators are contained in a stack in such a container, which container is resealable following the opening thereof and the removal of the uppermost shaving gel applicator of the stack thereof. Such a container may be a substantially rigid container, preferably of plastics, having an opening provided with a closable door. In the alternative, the container may comprise a flexible plastics bag having a resealable flap associated with an opening therein. In either case, the container, when closed, should be substantially air- tight to minimise the likelihood of degeneration of the shaving gel.

By way of example only, one specific embodiment of a shaving gel applicator of this invention, and also of a combined stack of applicators and a container, will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a plan view of the embodiment of applicator, before use;

Figure 2 is an edge view of the applicator, and including a separate release sheet;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of a container holding a stack of applicators and with a resealable lid in an open setting; Figure 4 shows the applicator applied to a person's face;

Figure 5 shows the backing sheet being peeled away leaving shaving gel on the facial skin of the user;

Figure 6 shows the commencement of a shaving process, with the shaving gel applied to the skin; and Figures 7A and 7B are respectively isometric and cross-sectional views through the applicator contained in a sealed flexible pack. Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the applicator 10 comprises a backing sheet 1 1 of a generally trapezium shape but with rounded corners, the backing sheet being made of a waterproof paper or a paper-like plastics material. In each corner region of the backing sheet there is provided a projecting tab 12, bent away from the surface of the backing sheet which carries a substantially uniform layer 13 of pr-formulated shaving gel. The area of the shaving gel is slightly smaller than that of the backing sheet, so that there is a margin 14 clear of shaving gel, around the edges of the backing sheet.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, there is also shown a release sheet 15, laid over the surface of the layer 13 opposed to that carried by the backing sheet 1 1 . The release sheet 15 has at least one tab 16, projecting laterally from the sheet.

When the applicator 10 is to be used, the tab 16 is grasped and is pulled to peel the release sheet 15 away from the layer 13 of shaving gel. The backing sheet 1 1 is then held and used to apply the layer 13 to the face of the user, whereafter the backing sheet 1 1 is peeled away from the layer of shaving gel using one or more tabs 16 so leaving the gel on the area to be shaved.

Figure 3 shows a substantially rigid plastics box 18 containing a stack 19 of applicators 10, with the backing sheet of one applicator in the stack serving as the release sheet 15 for the next applicator in the stack. The box 18 has a hinged lid 20 provided with a seal 21 therearound and an opening tab 22. Once the lid 20 has been opened, the next applicator in the stack may be peeled away from the remainder of the stack, whereafter the lid may be closed again to keep the remaining applicators fresh and prevent the degradation thereof. In this case, there is no need for the provision of a separate release sheet for each applicator (except for the lower most applicator in the stack) since the backing sheet of the next applicator in the stack serves as a release sheet for the applicator bearing thereon. The lower most sheet in the stack will however require a separate release sheet, unless the inside base of the box 18 is treated to give it release properties, so that the base may serve as a release sheet for the lower-most applicator. Figures 4 to 6 show the use of an applicator 10, either following the removal of the release sheet 15 therefrom, or the removal of the applicator from a stack 19 within a box 18. The applicator is positioned approximately symmetrically on the face of a user and is lightly patted to engage the layer 15 of shaving gel with the skin on the cheeks, over the upper lip and chin, and under the jaw. The backing sheet 1 1 is then peeled away by grasping at least one of the tabs 12 as shown in Figure 5, so leaving the shaving gel adhering to the skin, and the backing sheet is discarded. Thereafter, the shaving process may immediately commence, as shown in Figure 6, without the user needing to wash his hands to clean them of the shaving gel.

The backing sheet 1 1 may be siliconised in order to impart release properties thereto and facilitate the separation of the backing sheet from the applied layer 15 of shaving gel. Further, the shaving gel may be formulated so as to change its physical properties either when exposed to atmosphere or the heat of a user's face. Such change in properties may include a colour change to show adequate engagement with the user's skin and also reduced viscosity to assist the shaving process.

Though in the drawings the applicator is shown as having a sufficient size to be wrapped around substantially all of both cheeks, the upper lip, chin and under jaw of a user intending to shave, it would be possible for the applicator to have approximately one half of the area shown in Figures 4 and 5 so that two applicators would have to be used to cover the entire area to be shaved. Such an applicator may find greater user acceptability since the entire mouth would not be covered by one applicator. Figures 7A and 7B show an alternative possibility for packing the applicator as described above, for storage and transport. A single applicator 25 is contained within a flexible substantially airtight pack 26, made for example of plastics sheeting or foil. Two rectangular overlying sheets are sealed together around their edge margins 27 with the applicator disposed therebetween. Weakened zones or tear lines (not shown) may be provided to assist opening of the pack so that the applicator may be removed from the pack 26, for use.

Claims

1 . A shaving gel applicator comprising a flexible backing sheet carrying a layer of shaving gel of substantially uniform thickness, the backing sheet being peelable from the layer of shaving gel once the exposed surface of the layer has been applied to an area to be shaved.

2. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the surface of the backing sheet on which said layer is carried is treated to give the backing sheet release properties with respect to the layer of shaving gel.

3. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the applicator includes a release sheet laid over the surface of the layer of shaving gel opposed to the backing sheet.

4. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the release sheet comprises the backing sheet of another like shaving gel applicator stacked with the first-mentioned shaving gel applicator.

5. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the surface of the backing sheet opposed to the layer of shaving gel is treated to give the backing sheet release properties with respect to the layer of shaving gel on said another like shaving gel applicator stacked therewith.

6. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the backing sheet comprises a siliconised paper sheet.

7. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the backing sheet comprises a sheet of stretchable plastics material whereby the sheet may be adapted to the profile of an area to which the gel is to be applied.

8. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in claim 7, wherein the surface of the stretchable plastics material backing sheet carrying the layer of shaving gel is siliconised.

9. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the exposed surface of layer of the shaving gel opposed to the backing sheet is treated to impart an adherent property to the layer.

10. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the backing sheet has the general shape of a trapezium.

1 1 . A shaving gel applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the backing sheet is provided with a projecting tab to assist peeling of the backing sheet following application of the layer of gel to the area to be shaved.

12. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in claim 10 and claim 1 1 , wherein the backing sheet is provided with four tabs projecting from the corner regions of the trapezium shaped sheet.

1 1 . A shaving gel applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the layer of shaving gel is of a smaller area than that of the backing sheet, so as to leave a margin around the edges of the backing sheet clear of gel.

13. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the shaving gel of the layer thereof is formulated to include a heat- sensitive colouring, whereby following the application of the gel to an area to be shaved, the gel changes colour to indicate sufficient contact with the area to be shaved.

14. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the shaving gel of the layer thereof is formulated to include a viscosity- sensitive colouring, whereby following the application of the gel to an area to be shaved and the viscosity reduces consequent thereupon, the gel changes colour to indicate the viscosity has reduced.

15. A shaving gel applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the shaving gel of the layer thereof is formulated to be become less viscous when applied to an area to be shaved by at least one of the heat of said area, exposure to atmosphere on peeling of the backing sheet, or contact with water applied to the area to be shaved prior to the application of the layer of shaving gel.

16. The combination of a shaving gel applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims and a substantially sealed container in which the shaving gel applicator is located, which container is openable to allow removal of the shaving gel applicator for use.

17. The combination of claim 16, wherein a plurality of like shaving gel applicators are contained in a stack and the container is resealable following removal of the shaving gel applicator at one end of the stack thereof.

18. The combination of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the container comprises one of a substantially rigid container having an opening provided with re-sealable door or a flexible plastics bag having a resealable flap associated with an opening therein.

19. The combination of a shaving gel applicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims and a substantially sealed flexible pack openable to allow removal of the applicator, for subsequent use.