WO2009104163A2

WO2009104163A2 - Handheld shaving tool

Info

Publication number: WO2009104163A2
Application number: PCT/IB2009/050706
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christophe Abbe
Original assignee: Christophe Abbe
Priority date: 2008-02-20
Filing date: 2009-02-20
Publication date: 2009-08-27
Also published as: WO2009104163A3; FR2927561B1; FR2927561A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a shaving head (1) comprising at least one first shaving blade (L1) having a first transversal cutting edge (AL1) which has an arched profile contained in a shaving plane (P) in the absence of external loads applied to the shaving head (1). Said shaving head (1) mounted on a longitudinal traction stick (2) forms a handheld shaving tool.

Description

MANUAL SHAVING TOOL TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a manual shaving tool, and more particularly to a manual shaving tool usable by an individual generally for shaving his own body. The invention mainly relates to the shaving head which, assembled with a longitudinal traction handle, composes the manual shaving tool.

There is already known a manual shaving tool for shaving a skin surface. This manual shaving tool includes a transverse shaving head and a longitudinal pull handle.

The shaving head generally comprises two large transverse walls and two small longitudinal walls, interconnected to form a rigid frame.

The shaving head also includes one or more shaving blades. Each shaving blade is rectangular, each having a trailing face and a leading face defining between them a rectilinear transverse cutting edge, all transverse cutting edges being contained in the same shaving plane.

The shaving blades are positioned in the shaving head to be flat and parallel to each other, and parallel to the transverse direction. They can preferably be inclined relative to the shaving plane so that the angle of attack is optimum for an effective shave. The longitudinal traction handle is oriented upstream in the shaving advance direction in an oblique direction relative to the shaving plane. When shaving, the shaving head is moved by the user upstream, in the shaving advance direction. As the transverse cutting edges of the shaving blades are always perpendicular to the shaving advance direction, each transverse cutting edge contacts radially with the bristles on the skin surface to be shaved. The contact between the hair and the transverse cutting edge is aggressive, and it frequently occurs that the first transverse cutting edge pulls and curves the hair before cutting it at an angle or tearing it off.

A serious problem of this known type of manual shaving tool is that the pulled and cut hair diagonally folds on itself, it will thus tend to grow under the skin. In the case of a pulling, the bacteria enter the cavity left by the hair and infect the skin. Unsightly buttons appear then.

In both cases there is irritation of the skin. Also known from US 1, 821, 825 A and GB 521, 580 A, mechanical razors whose blades rectangular contour are bent around an axis of curvature to define a cutting edge contained in a perpendicular plane to the axis of curvature. The plane containing the cutting edge is perpendicular to the surface of the blade, and therefore can not constitute a shaving plane or plane containing the surface to be shaved, because the blade would then be parallel to the hair and could not slice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem proposed by the present invention is to design a manual shaving tool, for shaving a body, whose shaving head is specially designed to limit the irritation of the skin caused by the action of the shaving tool, and to achieve a more effective shave.

To achieve these and other objects, the invention provides a shaving head, comprising at least a first shaving blade having a trailing face and a leading face defining between them a first transverse cutting edge, and wherein :

the first transverse cutting edge of the said at least one shaving blade has, in the absence of external stresses applied to the shaving head, an arcuate profile; the first transverse cutting edge is contained in a shaving plane,

said at least one first shaving blade is both inclined in a direction of inclination downstream with respect to the shaving plane, and curved,

- The said trailing face has a rear face, generally parallel to the leading face, and which is connected to the transverse cutting edge by a lower bearing facet contained in the shaving plane.

When the shaving head is assembled with a longitudinal pulling handle to compose a manual shaving tool, the arcuate profile of the first cutting edge, associated with the inclination of the blade, allows, by performing the same shaving movement as with the known systems, slicing the hair in a progressive and non-aggressive manner, without tearing it, because in most of the cutting areas the cutting edge or cutting edge comes into contact with the hair having a tangential movement component .

The hair is not torn off, leaving no open cavity in the skin into which bacteria could enter. As the hair is sliced gradually, it is not pulled and does not tend to fold back on itself. Thus, we avoid the appearance of unsightly buttons, shaving is cleaner. Simultaneously, the lower support facet, contained in the shaving plane, bears on the skin and prevents the penetration of the blade into the skin. The hair can be sliced closer to the skin, for an effective shave, while improving the safety of use. Advantageously, the shaving head may further comprise at least one finishing blade having a trailing face and a leading face defining between them a finishing edge, the finishing edge being positioned downstream of said first edge. cutting edge, the finishing edge having, in the absence of external stresses applied to the shaving head, a rectilinear profile contained in the shaving plane.

Such a rectilinear finishing blade in the shaving plane makes it possible to make a clean rectilinear cut of a zone of bristles, to cut the legs for example.

Advantageously, the arcuate profile of said first transverse cutting edge may be symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal median plane perpendicular to the shaving plane and to the average direction of the first transverse cutting edge.

This configuration makes it possible to best distribute the tangential movement effect of the cutting edge over its entire length, in order to attack the bristles in the same way over a large part of the length of the arcuate profile cutting edge. . The shave is clean on the entire surface of the shaved skin.

According to a first embodiment, the concavity of the arcuate profile of said first transverse cutting edge can be oriented downstream.

According to a second embodiment, the convexity of the arcuate profile of said first transverse cutting edge can be oriented downstream.

These two configurations are equivalent in terms of shaving. Such shaving tools cut the hairs without tearing them, resulting in a clean shave.

Each user puts more or less pressure on the manual shaving tool when shaving. In addition, during shaving this pressure may vary. This pressure can affect the shape of the cutting edge, modifying its curvature.

To avoid this, the shaving head may advantageously comprise holding means which hold said at least one first shaving blade to form the first arcuate transverse cutting edge. Thus, the arcuate configuration of the first transverse cutting edge is maintained throughout the shave, to ensure a shave without tearing hair.

Advantageously, the holding means may comprise at least one fixed bar of the shaving head, engaged on said at least one first shaving blade, oriented in the direction of inclination, and positioned so that its face lower and remains behind the shaving plane.

Such a design of the holding means is effective and very simple to implement and implement. The lower face of the bar may be substantially parallel to the shaving plane and allows a better distribution of the pressure exerted by the user. The removal of this lower face relative to the shaving plane ensures that at no time during shaving, these holding means disrupt shaving. Advantageously, according to a first embodiment, the first transverse cutting edge can describe a portion of ellipse or hyperbola or circle.

Advantageously, according to a second embodiment, the first transverse cutting edge may comprise a central section and two lateral sections, the central section having a radius of curvature smaller than that of the lateral sections.

Both of these embodiments optimize the effect of curvature of the cutting edge to provide effective shaving over much of the width of the shaving head. Advantageously, the shaving head may comprise disinfecting and softening product dispensing means.

This further sanitizes the skin after shaving blades. The shave is therefore even cleaner and healthier.

Advantageously, the dispensing means can be positioned in the shaving plane downstream of the transverse cutting edges, so as to release the disinfectant and softening product after the passage of all the shaving blades.

According to one embodiment, provision may be made for the dispensing means to be platelets which release, by contact with the skin, the disinfecting and softening product.

The pads can be easily assembled with the shaving head. The disinfectant product further reduces the risk of folliculitis. Advantageously, it can be provided that the shaving head is elastically flexible in a transverse plane perpendicular to the shaving plane. Thus, the shaving head adapts to better fit the changing shapes of the user's face. The shave thus performed is of even better quality.

The invention also proposes a manual shaving tool that may comprise a longitudinal traction sleeve oriented in a direction of advance in a direction oblique to the shaving plane, defining a plane of advance perpendicular to the shaving plane and containing the handle longitudinal traction, which further comprises a shaving head as defined above, the shaving head can be arranged transversely and so that its upstream direction is in the direction of advance.

The overall structure of the manual shaving tool of the invention is very similar to that of known systems. The manufacture of the manual shaving tool according to the invention is thus as simple to implement as for known systems. A simple adaptation of the automats of the assembly lines is to be expected.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the shaving head is fixed to the longitudinal pull handle detachably.

Being able to separate the shaving head from the longitudinal pulling sleeve offers the possibility of carrying out a complete and specific cleaning for each of these two elements constituting the manual shaving tool. It is also possible to replace a worn shaving head with a new shaving head.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

- Figure 1 is a general schematic perspective view of the manual shaving tool according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the shaving head of Figure 1; FIG. 3 is a view from below of the shaving head of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating by difference the section of a pile, by a tangential movement component cutting edge according to an embodiment of the present invention, and by a cutting edge of the prior art;

FIG. 5 is a general schematic perspective view of the shaving head according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- Figures 6, 7 and 8 are schematic views of profiles of a shaving blade according to three embodiments of the present invention; and - Figure 9 is a general schematic perspective view of the manual shaving tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to the embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the shaving tool comprises a shaving head 1 and a longitudinal traction handle 2. These two elements are connected and articulated together according to binding usually used in known manual shaving tools.

The longitudinal traction handle 2 is oriented in a direction of advance S in an oblique direction D with respect to a shaving plane P. This shaving plane P is the plane which contains the transverse cutting edges AL1 -AL4 (FIG. 2). L1-L4 shaving blades of the shaving head 1.

The shaving head 1 comprises a rigid frame 6 having two small longitudinal walls 61a and 61b and two large transverse walls 62a and 62b interconnected to form said rigid frame 6. The shaving head 1 comprises four shaving blades L1 L4. These shaving blades L1-L4 are held in position in the shaving head 1 by means of fixing means. These fixing means are not described here because they are the same as those usually used in shaving heads that are found in the trade. The shaving blades L1-L4 each have a trailing face fL1-fL4 (FIG. 2) and a leading face aL1-aL4 (FIG. 2) defining between them a transverse cutting edge AL1 -AL4 (FIG. 2) contained in FIG. shave P.

The trailing faces f L1 -f L4 each comprise a respective rear face PL1 -PL4, generally parallel to the corresponding leading face aL1-aL4, and which is connected to the transverse cutting edge AL1 -AL4 by a lower facet. support IL1 -IL4 itself contained in the shaving plane P.

As can be seen better in FIG. 2, the shaving blades L1-L4 are inclined in a direction of inclination I forming an angle α with respect to the shaving plane P. This angle α is known in shaving tools already on the market. .

The L1-L4 shaving blades are positioned to be parallel to each other and to remain in place throughout the shave. As in the known shaving heads, the inclination direction I is inclined downstream, that is to say towards the direction parallel to the shaving plane P and opposite to the direction of advance S. It is thus defined on the shaving head 1, a longitudinal direction downstream A, and a longitudinal direction upstream or direction S. To achieve a shave without tearing bristles, the solution developed according to the invention is to use shaving blades L1-L4 whose transverse cutting edges AL1-AL4 have an arcuate profile.

The shaving blades L1-L4 themselves have a curved shape in the transverse direction when they are positioned in the shaving head, and their transverse cutting edges AL1 -AL4 are all contained in the shaving plane P.

Several arcuate profiles of transverse cutting edges AL1 -AL4 can be imagined. Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate three possibilities of arcuate profiles. All these arcuate profiles are symmetrical with respect to the plane of advance which contains the oblique direction D of the traction sleeve 2 and which is perpendicular to the shaving plane P. For the sake of clarity, only a shaving blade L1 is shown in these figures .

FIG. 6 illustrates a first type of profile where the transverse cutting edge AL1 of the shaving blade L1 describes a substantially elliptical or hyperbolic central section T2 and two substantially linear lateral sections T1 and T3.

In FIG. 7, the transverse cutting edge AL1 of the shaving blade L1 describes a portion of ellipse or hyperbola T2. In FIG. 8, the transverse cutting edge AL1 of the shaving blade

L1 describes a central section T2 substantially elliptical or hyperbolic and two lateral sections T1 and T3 also substantially elliptical. The ellipse portions described by the sections T1 and T3 belong to an ellipse of foci more distant than the ellipse described by the central section T2. Also, in non-illustrated embodiments, one could very well predict that the ellipses described by the transverse cutting edges AL1 -AL4 are circles.

Preferably, the radius of curvature of the central section T2 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the lateral sections T1 and T3. It is the arcuate profile of the transverse cutting edges AL1 -AL4 which is essential, in association with the inclination of the blade. It will allow the hairs to be cut without being torn off.

So that the arcuate profile of the transverse cutting edges AL1 -AL4 is maintained throughout the shaving, the shaving head 1 comprises holding means 3.

In the manual shaving tool of FIG. 1, the holding means 3 are three fixed bars B1-B3, engaged on the four shaving blades L1-L4, oriented in the direction of advance S, and positioned so that their lower faces are and remain recessed relative to the shaving plane P.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the second fixed bar B2 is situated at the top of the arc of the profile of the transverse cutting edges AL1 -AL4, it thus cuts the central section T2 (FIGS. 6 to 8) in two parts substantially equal. The fixed bar B1 and the fixed bar B3 are positioned symmetrically with respect to the fixed bar B2.

To further improve the shaving quality, the shaving head 1 can integrate disinfectant and softening product distribution means 5, as shown in FIG. 3.

The dispensing means 5 are positioned in the shaving plane P downstream of the shaving blade L4 with respect to the direction of advance S. Thus, the dispensing means 5 release the disinfectant and softening product after the passage of the last blade shaving L4. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the dispensing means 5 are positioned perpendicular to the shaving advance direction S and comprise a wafer containing a disinfectant and softener.

Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment in which the shaving head 1 comprises the same essential elements as those shown in Figures 1 to 3, but it comprises only a single shaving blade L1.

Embodiments with two, three, five or more shaving blades may also be provided. It is not the number of shaving blades that is essential according to the invention, but the arcuate profile of the transverse cutting edges of the shaving blades. To shave with a manual shaving tool, a user positions his fingers in the same way as with the manual shaving tools found on the market. The movements that the user must perform to achieve the shave are identical to those he achieves with known manual shaving tools. The shaving advance direction S is therefore identical for shaving with a known manual shaving tool and with the embodiments of the manual shaving tool of the invention.

The essential difference with respect to known manual shaving tools lies in the arcuate profile of the transverse cutting edges contained in the shaving plane. It is this arched profile that allows the transverse cutting edge to cut the hair without tearing it off.

Figure 4 illustrates, in the left part of the figure, the section of a hair 100 during shaving by a shaving head according to one embodiment of the invention. The different lines represent several successive positions taken by the transverse cutting edge AL1 illustrated when the shaving head 1 is moved in the direction of advance S.

In the prior art, as illustrated in the right-hand part of FIG. 4, all the sections of the transverse rectilinear cutting edges AL1 of the shaving blades are moved perpendicularly to their direction, in the direction of advance.

Shaving, and penetrate the hair 100 with only a radial component

S of movement,

By cons, in the embodiments of the manual shaving tool according to the invention, the lateral sections of the transverse cutting edges

AL1 -AL4 shaving blades L1-L4 are always biased relative to the hair 100, in the shaving advance direction S, in a movement which comprises a radial component Sr and a tangential component St.

This bias is the essential difference, and the fact that the pile 100 is cut gradually at an angle, with a tangential component St of displacement, prevents that when the transverse cutting edge AL1 -AL4 comes into contact with the pile 100 it does not curve then pull it out.

When shaving, the four L1-L4 shaving blades pass one after the other on the shaving skin surface. L1 is the first to pass, then L2, L3 and finally L4, for the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.

When shaving, the user applies a slight pressure on the manual shaving tool. This slight pressure is transmitted to the L1-L4 shaving blades, which tend to change their arched profile. The B1-B3 crossbars are positioned to maintain the arc of the L1-L4 shaving blades throughout the shave, despite the slight pressure exerted by the user.

These fixed bars B1-B3 are also positioned so that their lower face is and remains set back from the shaving plane P, to avoid disturbing the shave (Figure 2).

To ensure an even healthier shave, after the passage of the last shaving blade L4, in the embodiment of Figure 3, the disinfectant and softening product is released on the shaved skin. The release of this disinfecting and softening product is achieved by the slight pressure exerted on the manual shaving tool by the user during shaving, which forces the plate 5 to rest on the skin to release disinfectant and softening product. With shaving blades L1-L4 which are both inclined in the direction I and curved as seen in Figure 1, it remains possible to provide that the shaving head 1 is elastically deformable, to some extent, in a transverse plane perpendicular to the shaving plane P ₁ as illustrated by the arrows 7.

Such elastic deformation capacity according to the transverse plane allows the shaving head 1 to better follow the eventual curvature of a shaving skin surface, thus improving the quality of shaving.

It can also be considered that the shaving head 1 is resiliently flexible in an oblique transverse plane with respect to the shaving plane P.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, all the blades L1-L4 are curved and have sharp edges with an arcuate profile. However, it may be advantageous to provide an embodiment according to FIG. 9, in which the one of the shaving blades LO is straight, and has a rectilinear finishing edge, in the absence of external stress elastically deforming the shaving head.

Such a rectilinear finishing edge should preferably be positioned downstream of the transverse arcuate cutting edges L1-L4, so as to make a straight cut when the tool is moved in the direction of advance S to cut a tab.

This embodiment illustrated in Figure 9 is similar to that of Figure 1 with respect to other features. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations thereof within the scope of the claims below.

Claims

1 - Shaving head (1), comprising at least a first shaving blade (L1) having a trailing face (F1_1) and a leading face (A1_1) defining between them a first transverse cutting edge (AL1), characterized in that :

the first transverse cutting edge (AU) of said at least one first shaving blade (L1) has, in the absence of external stresses applied to the shaving head (1), an arcuate profile,

the first transverse cutting edge (AL1) is contained in a shaving plane (P),

said at least one first shaving blade (L1) is both inclined in a direction of inclination (I) downstream (A) with respect to the shaving plane (P), and curved,

said leakage face (F1) has a rear face (PL1), generally parallel to the leading face (aL1), and which is connected to the transverse cutting edge (AU) by a lower facet (IL1) of support contained in the shaving plane (P).

2 - shaving head (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one finishing blade (LO) having a trailing face and a leading face defining between them a finishing edge, the finishing edge being positioned downstream of said first transverse cutting edge (AU), the finishing edge having, in the absence of external stresses applied to the shaving head (1), a rectilinear profile contained in the plane shaving (P). 3 - shaving head (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the arcuate profile of said first transverse cutting edge (AU) is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal median plane perpendicular to the shaving plane (P ) and the average direction of the first transverse cutting edge (AU). 4 - shaving head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the concavity of the arcuate profile of said first transverse cutting edge (AU) is oriented downstream (A).

5 - shaving head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the convexity of the arcuate profile of said first transverse cutting edge (AU) is oriented downstream (A).

6 - Shaving head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises holding means (3) which hold in forms said at least one first shaving blade (L1) to provide the first arcuate transverse cutting edge (AL1).

7 - Shaving head (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the holding means (3) comprise at least one fixed bar (B1) of the shaving head (1), engaged on said at least a first shaving blade (L1), oriented in the direction of inclination (I), and positioned so that its lower face is and remains recessed relative to the shaving plane (P).

8 - shaving head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first transverse cutting edge (AU) describes a portion of ellipse or hyperbola or circle (T2).

9 - Shaving head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first transverse cutting edge (AL1) comprises a central section (T2) and two lateral sections (T 1, T3), the central section (T2) having a radius of curvature smaller than that of the lateral sections (T 1, T 3). 10 - Shaving head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises means (5) for dispensing disinfectant and softening product.

11 - Shaving head (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the distribution means (5) are positioned in the shaving plane (P) downstream (A) transverse cutting edges (AL0-AL4), way to release the disinfectant and softening product after the passage of all shaving blades (L0-L4).

12 - Shaving head (1) according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the dispensing means (5) are platelets (5) which release by contact with the skin disinfectant and softening product.

13 - Shaving head according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is elastically flexible in a transverse plane perpendicular to the shaving plane (P).

14 - Manual shaving tool comprising a longitudinal traction sleeve (2) oriented in a direction of advance (S) in an oblique direction (D) with respect to the shaving plane (P), defining a plane of advance perpendicular to the shaving plane (P) and containing the longitudinal traction shaft (2), characterized in that it further comprises a shaving head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the shaving head (1 ) being arranged transversely and so that its upstream direction is in the direction of advance (S). 15 - Manual shaving tool according to claim 14, characterized in that the shaving head (1) is fixed to the longitudinal pull handle (2) detachably.