BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field.
[0001] This invention relates generally to shaving devices, and more specifically to replacement
cartridges for razor assemblies.
Background Information.
[0002] Modern safety razors typically include a disposable razor cartridge and a reusable
handle, or a handle and cartridge combined into a unitary disposable. Most razor cartridges
include a frame, one or more razor blades, and a strip of shaving aid material attached
to the frame. A strip of shaving aid material typically includes one or more shaving
aids (e.g., lubricating agents, drag reducing agents, depilatory agents, cleaning
agents, medicinal agents, etc.) that enhance the shaving process.
[0003] The comfort and performance provided by a particular safety razor (or "razor assembly")
are critical to the commercial success of the razor assembly. Improvements that benefit
razor comfort, performance, and ease of use, however significant or subtle, can have
a decided impact on the commercial success of a razor assembly. For example, many
consumers find it desirable to shave within a wet shaving environment. Unfortunately,
the water within the wet shaving environment typically removes the shaving aid before
the surface can be shaved. As a result, the function performed by the shaving aid
goes unexecuted.
EP-A-1 125 697 comprises a razor having a shaving aid material body directly molded or press-fitted
into a hollow space of a base according to the preamble of claim 1. What is needed,
therefore, is a device that is capable of dispensing a shaving aid material in a wet
shaving environment
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a device that is
capable of dispensing a shaving aid material in a wet shaving environment, and one
that, if desired, can be utilized as a replacement cartridge.
[0005] According to the present invention, a replacement cartridge for a razor assembly
is provided that includes a shaving aid body that includes a contact surface and an
aperture disposed in the contact surface that is sized to receive a razor cartridge.
In some embodiments, the shaving aid body is coupled to a base that includes one or
more features for attaching the replacement cartridge to the razor assembly.
[0006] The present invention replacement cartridge provides considerable utility when used
with a razor assembly that allows the position of one or both of the blades in the
razor cartridge and the contact surface of the shaving aid body to be adjusted relative
to the other. Examples of such razor assemblies are disclosed in
US-B-6,584,690and
US-B-7,266,895. The present replacement cartridge is not limited to such applications, however.
[0007] An advantage of the present invention replacement cartridge is that a device is provided
that is capable of dispensing a shaving aid material in a wet shaving environment.
In fact, a wet shaving environment can facilitate rather than impede the deposition
of material from the shaving aid body of the present cartridge. Consequently, shaving
within a wet shaving environment is not only possible, but practical as well.
[0008] Other advantages provided by the present replacement cartridge stem from the shaving
aid body being a solid material that erodes during use, and distributes shaving aid
material in the process. An absorbent applicator that must be filled with liquid shaving
aid material prior to use, as is known in the prior art, requires additional effort
by the user. It also requires that the user utilize an appropriate liquid. An inappropriate
liquid accidentally loaded into the absorbent applicator could have undesirable results.
An absorbent applicator in a wet shaving environment also absorbs water, and thereby
likely dilutes and/or otherwise negatively effects the application of the liquid shaving
aid material loaded into the applicator. Finally, an absorbent applicator consisting
of a porous absorbent material will likely have an undesirable high running friction
coefficient that produces unwanted drag. The present invention solid shaving aid body,
in contrast, does not need to be filled before each use, provides an assurance regarding
the shaving aid material, performs well in a wet shaving environment, and provides
a desirable slippery surface, all of which increase the user's shave comfort. ln addition
to the above-described advantages, the present invention replacement cartridge provides
considerable utility when used with a razor assembly that allows the position of one
or both of the blades in the razor cartridge and the contact surface of the shaving
aid body to be adjusted relative to the other. During use, the contact surface of
the solid shaving aid body provides a surface that can be located relative to the
blades in the razor cartridge. The contact surface of the solid shaving aid body also
provides a guide for the surface being shaved.
[0009] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent in light of the detailed description of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a replacement cartridge including a present invention
shaving aid cartridge.
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a shaving aid cartridge showing the
base embedded within the shaving aid body.
FIG.3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a shaving aid cartridge showing the
base attached to a surface of the shaving aid body.
FIG.4 is a perspective view of the shaving aid cartridge of FIG. 1 with the razor
cartridge removed,
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a base embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a base embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a second base embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a third base embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present shaving aid cartridge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Referring to FIG. 1-4, a replacement cartridge 10 for use with a razor assembly (not
shown) includes a shaving aid body 12. ln the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the shaving
aid body 12 is coupled to a base 14. The shaving aid body 12 has a forward portion
16, an aft portion 18, a first lateral portion 20, a second lateral portion 22, all
of which are disposed around a centrally located aperture 24, which is sized to receive
a razor cartridge 26. The aperture 24 may be described as having a centerline 28 (see
FIGS. 2 and 3). The shaving aid body portions 16,18,20,22 extend from a contact surface
30 to a base surface 32. The aperture 24 is disposed in the contact surface 30, The
aperture 24 may alternatively be described as being formed by a plurality of the shaving
aid portions 16,18,20,22 positioned relative to one another in a manner that creates
the centrally located aperture 24. ln some embodiments, the shaving aid body 12 is
one piece, having a generally oval shape. In alternative embodiments, the shaving
aid body 12 may assume an alternative shape and/or may include multiple pieces; e.g.,
the above-described portions of the shaving aid body 12 may be separate from one another.
In addition, the shaving aid body 12 may be some combination of less than all of the
portions. For example, in some applications it may be desirable to have a shaving
aid body 12 that includes only a pair of lateral portions 20,22 and a forward portion
22. In other applications it may be desirable to have only a single forward portion
22. The exact configuration can be varied to suit the application. In the embodiments
shown in FIGS. 2-4, the aperture 24 extends between the contact surface 30 and the
base surface 32. In alternative embodiments, however, the aperture 24 may not extend
between the surfaces 30,32. ln such instances, a second aperture 34 (example shown
in phantom in FIG.3) may be included, extending between the base surface 32 and the
aperture 24. The second aperture 34 may have a different cross-sectional geometry
than the aperture 24, or the same. If the second aperture 34 has the same cross-sectional
geometry as the aperture 24, the aperture 24 may be described as extending between
the contact surface 30 and the base surface 32.
[0012] In some embodiments, the contact surface 30 skewed at a non-perpendicular angle relative
to the aperture centerline 28. The skew angle facilitates recognition by the user
of the direction the razor assembly is intended to be stroked. The magnitude of the
skew angle is application dependent based upon the relationship of the contact surface
30 of the shaving aid body 12 and the position of the razor cartridge 12.
[0013] The shaving aid body 12 is an erodable solid body consisting of a shaving aid material
that is selected to suit the application at hand. A soap-type shaving aid material
is particularly well suited for wet shaving applications, but other shaving aid materials
(e.g., lubricating agents, drag reducing agents, depilatory agents, cleaning agents,
medicinal agents, sensory agents, skin stimulation agents, etc.) can be used alternatively,
or some combination thereof.
[0014] In those embodiments where the replacement cartridge 10 includes only a shaving aid
body 12, the bottom surface 32 of the shaving aid body 12 may include features (e.g.,
apertures) to facilitate the attachment of the shaving aid body 12 to the razor assembly.
[0015] Now referring to FIGS. 5-8, the base 14 includes a first surface 36, a second surface
38, and one or more features 40 for attaching the replacement cartridge 10 to the
razor assembly. The features 40 are preferably mechanical-type features such as tabs
that extend outwardly from the second surface 38. A variety of different feature 40
configurations can be used. FIG.6, for example, shows a plurality of notched tabs
42 extending out from the second surface 38. FIG.7 shows a plurality of apertured
tabs 44 extending out from the second surface 38. FIG.8 shows a combination of slotted
tabs 46 and apertured tabs 44. The exact configuration of features 40 is selected
to cooperate with the counterpart attachment mechanism of the razor assembly. Hence,
the features 40 shown in FlGS. 5-8 are illustrative of the variety of mechanical features
possible, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In some embodiments,
the features 40 are asymmetrically positioned on the base 14 in such a way as to provide
a single orientation for proper installation of the replacement cartridge 10 on the
razor assembly. ln some embodiments, the base 14 further includes an aperture 50 that
extends between the first surface 36 and second surface 38. The aperture 50 permits
one or more elements (not shown) to extend between a razor cartridge disposed within
the aperture 24 of the shaving aid body 12 and a mechanism attached to the razor assembly.
US-B-6,584,690 discloses examples of such razor assemblies. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-4,
the aperture 50 is aligned with and has an axial cross-section similar to, or the
same as, the aperture 24 within the shaving aid body 12. In this configuration, the
razor cartridge 26 can be received within the aperture 50 of the base 14. The embodiment
shown in FIG.9, in contrast, includes a base 14 without an aperture 50 (which does
not form part of the claimed invention and) coupled with a two piece shaving aid body
12. In those embodiments that include an aperture 50, the base may include features
for guiding an element within the aperture 50. Referring to FlG,8 for example, the
features 40 include slots 46 for cooperation with guide surfaces attached to an element
(not shown) that is received within the aperture to guide the element within the aperture
50. Other guide arrangements may be used alternatively.
[0016] Some embodiments of the base 14 further include a plurality of tabs 52 that extend
out from the base 14 in a lateral direction. The tabs 52 are used to locate the replacement
cartridge 10 within packaging, Some embodiments of the base also include a rail 54
(see FIG.5) attached to the first surface 36 of the base 14. The rail 54 facilitates
high speed feeding of the base 14 through automated forming and assembly equipment
and thereby aids the manufacturing process. Other features that facilitate manufacturing
and/or handling of the replacement cartridge 10 may be included alternatively, or
in combination therewith.
[0017] The base 14 is integrally formed with the shaving aid body 12. The term "Integrally
formed" as used herein refers to a base 14 that consists of one or more shaving aid
materials or constituents thereof and is at least partially formed at the same time
as the shaving aid body 12. The portion of the shaving aid material that forms the
base 14 either initially has, or is processed to have, sufficient mechanical strength
to be operable to enable attachment of the replacement cartridge 10 to the razor assembly.
The appropriate process (e.g., curing, compression, etc.) used to produce sufficient
mechanical strength within the integral base 14 will depend on the shaving aid material.
[0018] According to the present invention, the base 14 is a separate member that is partially
or completely embedded within the shaving aid body 12 when the shaving aid body 12
is formed. Mechanical features other than those used to directly or indirectly attach
the replacement cartridge 10 to the razor assembly (i.e., features 40), are used to
secure the shaving aid body 12 and base 14 together. The apertures 56 disposed in,
and the flanges 58 attached to, the base 14 create passages and voids in which a shaving
aid material in liquid form can travel and solidify during formation. Once solidified,
the mechanical strength of the shaving aid material (aided by the geometry created
within the aforesaid passages and voids) is sufficient to keep the shaving aid body
12 and the embedded base 14 together.
1. A shaving aid cartridge for a razor assembly, comprising:
- a solid erodable body (12) consisting essentially of a soap-type material, wherein
the body (12) includes a base surface (32) and a contact surface (30),
- a first aperture (24) disposed in the contact surface (30), wherein the first aperture
(24) is sized to receive a razor cartridge (26), and
- a base (14) having a first surface (36) and a second surface (38) and an aperture
(50) extending between the first surface (36) and the second surface (38) of the base
(14),
characterized in that
- the base (14) is partially or completely embedded in the erodible body (12), and
- the base (14) includes further apertures (56) disposed in the base (12) and flanges
(58) attached to the base (12),
- wherein the further apertures (56) and the flanges (58) form passages and voids
filled with soap-type material of the body (12).
2. The shaving aid cartridge of claim 1, further comprising one or more features (40)
for attaching the shaving aid cartridge to the razor assembly.
3. The shaving aid cartridge of claim 1, wherein the body (12) is one piece.
4. The shaving aid cartridge of claim 3, wherein the body (12) is oval shaped.
5. The shaving aid cartridge of claim 4, wherein the contact surface (30) is skewed relative
to a centerline (28) of the first aperture (24).
6. The shaving aid cartridge of claim 1, wherein the body (12) comprises a plurality
of pieces.
7. The shaving aid cartridge of claim 6, wherein the plurality of body pieces from an
oval shape surrounding the first aperture (24).
8. The shaving aid cartridge of claim 6 or 7, wherein the contact surface (30) is skewed
relative to a centerline (28) of the first aperture (24).
1. Rasierhilfsmittelcartridge für eine Rasiereranordnung, mit:
- einem massiven erodierbaren Körper (12), der im Wesentlichen aus einem seifenartigen
Material besteht, wobei der Körper (12) eine Basisfläche (32) und eine Kontaktfläche
(30) aufweist,
- einer ersten, in der Kontaktfläche (30) angeordneten Öffnung (24), wobei die erste
Öffnung (24) zum Aufnehmen einer Rasierercartridge (26) bemessen ist, und
- einer Basis (14) mit einer ersten Fläche (36) und einer zweiten Fläche (38) und
einer Öffnung (50), die sich zwischen der ersten Fläche (36) und der zweiten Fläche
(38) der Basis (14) erstreckt,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
- die Basis (14) teilweise oder vollständig in dem erodierbaren Körper (12) eingebettet
ist, und
- die Basis (14) weitere in der Basis (12) angeordnete Öffnungen (56) und an der Basis
(12) angebrachte Flansche (58) aufweist,
- wobei die weiteren Öffnungen (56) und die Flansche (58) Durchgänge und Hohlräume
bilden, welche mit dem seifenartigen Material des Körpers (12) gefüllt sind.
2. Rasierhilfsmittelcartridge nach Anspruch 1, ferner mit einem oder mehreren Merkmalen
(40) zum Anbringen der Rasierhilfsmittelcartridge an der Rasiereranordnung.
3. Rasierhilfsmittelcartridge nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher der Körper (12) einstückig
ist.
4. Rasierhilfsmittelcartridge nach Anspruch 3, bei welcher der Körper (12) oval geformt
ist.
5. Rasierhilfsmittelcartridge nach Anspruch 4, bei welcher die Kontaktfläche (30) in
bezug auf eine Mittellinie (28) der ersten Öffnung (24) versetzt ist.
6. Rasierhilfsmittelcartridge nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher der Körper (12) mehrere Teile
aufweist.
7. Rasierhilfsmittelcartridge nach Anspruch 6, bei welcher die mehreren Teile des Körpers
eine die erste Öffnung (24) umgebende Ovalform bilden.
8. Rasierhilfsmittelcartridge nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, bei welcher die Kontaktfläche (30)
in bezug auf eine Mittellinie (28) der ersten Öffnung (24) versetzt ist.
1. Cartouche d'aide au rasage pour une cartouche de rasoir, comprenant:
- un corps massif érodable (12) consistant sensiblement d'un matériau du type savon,
ledit corps (12) comprenant une face de base (32) et une face de contact (30),
- une première ouverture (24) prévue dans la face de contact (30), ladite première
ouverture (24) étant dimensionnée pour recevoir une cartouche de rasoir (26), et
- une base (14) avec une première face (36) et une deuxième face (38) et une ouverture
(50) s'étendant entre ladite première face (36) et ladite deuxième face (38) de ladite
base (14),
caractérisée en ce que
- ladite base (14) est partiellement ou complètement encastrée dans ledit corps érodable
(12), et
- ladite base comprend autres ouvertures (56) prévues dans ladite base (12) et des
flancs (58) attachés à ladite base (12),
- lesdites autres ouvertures (56) et les flancs (58) formant des passages et des creux
remplis du matériau du type savon du corps (12).
2. Cartouche d'aide au rasage selon la revendication 1, en outre comprenant un ou plusieurs
caractéristiques (40) pour attacher ladite cartouche d'aide au rasage à l'ensemble
rasoir.
3. Cartouche d'aide au rasage selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le corps (12) est
d'une seule pièce.
4. Cartouche d'aide au rasage selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle le corps (12) est
de forme ovale.
5. Cartouche d'aide au rasage selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle la face de contact
(30) est décalée par rapport à une ligne centrale (28) de ladite ouverture (24).
6. Cartouche d'aide au rasage selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le corps (12) comprend
plusieurs pièces.
7. Cartouche d'aide au rasage selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle les plusieurs pièces
du corps forment une forme ovale entourant la première ouverture (24).
8. Cartouche d'aide au rasage selon la revendication 6 ou 7, dans laquelle la face de
contact (30) est décalée par rapport à une ligne centrale (28) de ladite ouverture
(24).