PERSONAL CARE SYSTEM

Abstract

 A personal care system 10 with a stand 16 having an outer perimeter 28 defining a handle mounting surface 30 extending from a top surface 32 of the stand toward a bottom surface 34 of the stand. A handle 14 with an elongated body 22 mounted to the stand. At least one magnetic element 46 retains the elongated body of the handle within the recessed handle mounting surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to personal care system and more particularly to stands for holding personal care handles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Personal care products include dry shaving razors, wet shaving razors, tooth brushes among other types of grooming and hygiene-related implements. An example of a dry shaving razor is an electric razor, which can be used without water, soap, or shaving cream. Wet shaving razors are typically used with water and soap or shaving cream. A wet shaving razor can include a replaceable cartridge in which one or more blades are mounted in a housing. After the blades in a cartridge have become dull from use, the cartridge is discarded, and a new cartridge is replaced on the handle. Personal care products are often stored on a sink, in a medicine cabinet, or on a shelf between uses. Accordingly, personal care products must not only be kept clean and dry between uses, but should also be aesthetically pleasing when displayed on a countertop or sink.

[0003] Thus, it would be advantageous to provide for a personal care product that addresses one or more of these issues. Indeed, it would be advantageous to provide for a personal care product a stand for storing a personal care product in an aesthetically pleasing manner, thereby allowing a user to leave the personal care product in view between uses while the personal care product dries. It would also be advantageous to provide a personal care product that is perceived as a premium product in view of its usability, functionality, looks, among other characteristics. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present disclosure fulfills the needs described above by, in one embodiment, providing a personal care system with a stand having an outer perimeter defining a handle mounting surface extending from a top surface of the stand toward a bottom surface of the stand. A handle with an elongated body mounted to the stand. At least one magnetic element retains the elongated body of the handle within the recessed handle mounting surface.

[0005] In another embodiment, a stand for a personal care product has a top surface, a bottom surface positioned on a resting plane transverse to a center axis and an outer perimeter defining handle mounting surface configured to receive a handle. The handle mounting surface extends from the top surface toward the bottom surface. A magnetic element positioned within the stand and adjacent the handle mounting surface.

[0006] In yet another embodiment, a stand for a personal care product having a top surface, a bottom surface positioned on a resting plane transverse to a center axis, and an outer perimeter between the top surface and the bottom surface that defines a recessed handle mounting surface configured to receive a handle. The recessed handle mounting surface extends about 50% to about 90% of a length from the top surface to the bottom surface. A magnetic element faces an inner wall of the handle mounting surface. The recessed handle mounting surface intersects the center axis at an angle of 2 degrees to 6 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent, and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of nonlimiting embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary personal care system in accordance with one nonlimiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is cross sectional view of the personal care system, taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the stand of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present disclosure provides for personal care systems having a handle and a stand for docking the handle when not in use. Various nonlimiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the function, design, and operation of the personal care product systems. One or more examples of these nonlimiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the methods described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are nonlimiting example embodiments and that the scope of the various nonlimiting embodiments of the present disclosure are defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one nonlimiting embodiment may be combined with the features of other nonlimiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0009] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an exemplary personal care system 10 is depicted in accordance with one nonlimiting embodiment of the present disclosure. The personal care system 10 may include a personal care product 12 having a handle 14 that is docked to a stand 16. While the handle 14 is shown as a manual wet shaving razor, such depiction is for illustrative purposes only. Other examples of personal consumer products that can be docked to the stand 16 may include, without limitation, dry razors, epilators or other hair cutting and/or epilating household devices, trimmers, personal groomers, toothbrushes, hair removal devices, and so forth. Further, while a shaving razor cartridge 18 having one or more blades 24 is depicted as being coupled to a proximal end 20 of the handle 14, in other embodiments the handle 14 may additionally or alternatively include other types of grooming devices, such as perforated shaving foils, rotary cutters, oscillating cutters, trimmers, and so forth. Accordingly, the handle 14 with the depicted shaving razor cartridge 18 is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosure to any particular configuration of the handle 14, the personal care product system 10, or the shaving razor cartridge 18. In certain embodiments, the handle 14 may include one or more powered elements, such as fluid pumps, motors, sensors, vibrating or oscillating components, heating elements, and so forth.

[0010] As used herein, the term handle 14 is to refer to the personal grooming device that can be stored in the stand 14, including any attachable components, such as the shaving razor cartridge 18. While the handle 14 is shown to have an elongated body 22 that is generally cylindrical, this disclosure is not so limited. Instead, the elongated body 22 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration and is the portion of the handle 14 that is held by the user during use of the personal care product 12 (e.g., gripping portion). The shaving razor cartridge 18 (or other type of attachment or fixed implement) may be fixedly or pivotably mounted to the handle 14, depending on the overall desired cost and performance. The shaving razor cartridge 18 may be permanently attached or removably mounted to the handle 14. The shaving razor cartridge 18 may include one or more blades 24, or other grooming instruments. As will be explained in greater detail below, the handle 14 may comprise ferromagnetic materials, such as steel, iron, nickel or cobalt.

[0011] The handle 14 is shown in a docked position in FIG. 1. While in the docked position, at least a portion of a first end portion 26 of the handle 14 can be temporarily secured to the stand 16, as described in more detail below. The stand 16 may have an outer perimeter 28 defining a handle mounting surface 30 (e.g., a recess) that extends from a top surface 32 toward a bottom surface 34 of the stand 16 that is configured to receive at least a portion of the elongated body 22 (i.e., the first end portion 26 of handle 14). The handle mounting surface 30 may extend about 50% to about 90% of a length from the top surface 32 to the bottom surface 34 of the stand 16. The outer perimeter may be generally transverse to the top surface 32 and the bottom surface 34. Although the stand 16 is illustrated as being generally cylindrical, it is understood that other shapes may be used, including non-rounded shapes (e.g., cubes, rectangular prisms and triangular prisms), rounded shapes (e.g., cones and spheres) and combinations thereof.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 2, a cross sectional view of the personal care system 10 is illustrated. The bottom surface 34 of the stand 16 may lay on a resting plane 36 that is generally transverse to a center axis "A1" of the stand 16. The stand resting plane 36 shown in FIG. 2 depicts a flat surface that the stand 16 can rest on, such as a shelf, tabletop, sink, etc. As is to be appreciated, the stand 16 can also include feet or other nubs which contact the resting plane 36 defined by the flat surface. A distal end 40 of the handle 14 may be spaced apart from the resting plane 36 providing an illusion that the handle 14 is levitating. For example, the distal end 40 of the handle 14 may be spaced apart from the resting plane 36 by a horizontal distance of about 1.0mm to about 10mm, and more preferable about 4mm to about 6mm, which may allow water to run off the handle 14 and not collected by the stand 16. Accordingly, the stand 16 is easier to clean and keep clean between uses. The handle mounting surface 30 may extend along a support plane 38 that is not parallel to the center axis A1 of the stand 16. In certain embodiments, the center axis A1 may intersect the support plane 38 at an included angle α of about 2 degrees to 6 degrees. If the included angle α is too small, the handle 14 may fall off the stand 16. However, if the included angle α is too large, the handle 14 may not appear to be levitating. The handle 14 may have core 35 that extends generally parallel to the support plane 38 when the handle 14 is retained within the handle mounting surface 30 of the stand 14.

[0013] In certain embodiments, less than 60% of a bottom surface of the distal end 40 of the handle 14 may be supported by the stand 16 (e.g., about 30% to about 60% of the distal end of the handle 14 is supported by the stand 16), which may allow water to efficiently run off the handle 14 and not collected by the stand 16. Furthermore, the handle 14 may appear suspended above the resting plane 36, thus creating a more aesthetically pleasing design execution. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle mounting surface 30 may be curved in a first direction (e.g., a valley) with a distal end portion 42 curved in two directions to partially support the distal end portion 40 of the handle 14. In certain embodiments, handle mounting surface 30 may have a first radius of 5 degrees to 15 degrees and a second radius of 5 degrees to 15 degrees.

[0014] The handle mounting surface 30 may be a recess, for example, a partial capsule subtraction from a cylinder. The distal end portion 42 of the recessed handle mounting surface 30 may have be partially subtracted hemisphere. For example, the partially subtracted hemisphere end portion may be subtracted greater than 40% (in more than one direction). The distal end 40 of the handle 14 may have a radius that is partially supported by the distal end portion distal 42 of the handle mounting surface 30, (e.g., the partially subtracted hemispherical end 44). The radius of the distal end 40 of the handle 14 may be similar to the radius of the distal end portion 42. For example, the distal end of the handle 40 may have a first radius of 5 degrees to 15 degrees and a second radius of 5 degrees to 15 degrees.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, at least one magnetic element 46 positioned within the stand 16 to retain the handle 14 against the stand 14 (i.e., within the handle mounting surface 30). For example, the handle 14 may slide off the stand if the magnetic element 46 was removed (e.g., no magnetic force). At least a portion of the elongated body 22 may comprise a material that is attracted to the magnetic element 46. For example, the handle 14 may have an inner core 35 (e.g., located within the elongated body 22) that is attracted to the magnetic element 46 of the stand 16. The distal end portion distal 42 of the handle 14 may facilitate locating the handle 14 in the proper position with the handle mounting surface 30 enabling the handle 14 to be properly held in place by the magnetic element 46. When the handle 14 is being docked, the elongated body 22 may be placed in contact with the handle mounting surface 30, such that the core 35 of the handle 14 is proximate to the magnetic element 46 of the stand 16. Once in this position, the magnetic attraction between the magnetic element 46 and the core 35 maintains the titled position of the handle 14 relative to the stand 16 to overcome the gravitational force acting upon on the handle 14. The handle 14 can remain in this position until the user lifts the handle 14 off the stand 16. The position of the magnetic element 46 and the geometry of the handle mounting surface 30 may allow the handle 14 to be removed in two or more directions. For example, the handle 14 may be removed from the stand by applying a force F1 in a first direction or a force F2 in a second direction generally transverse to F1.

[0016] A frame 48 having a pocket 50 may be positioned within the stand 16. The pocket 50 may retain the magnetic element 46 against an inner wall 52 of the handle mounting surface 30. The stand 16 may include a base 54 with one or more weights 56. For example, one or more of the weights 56 may be positioned within a cavity 58 of the base 54 (e.g., contacting an inner top surface 55 of the base 54). The positioning of the weight 56 toward a bottom of the base 54 (e.g., within the cavity 58) lowers the center of gravity of the stand 16, thus making it less likely to tip over. The positioning of a significant amount of weight in the base 54 itself may also help lower the center of gravity of the stand 16, thus preventing the stand 16 from tipping over as the handle 14 is mounted to the stand 16. The weight 56 may comprise heavy materials such as steel, iron, zinc, nickel or combinations thereof. For example, the weight 56 may comprise over 25% of the overall weight of the stand 14 (e.g., about 25% to about 50%). The base may also comprise more than 25% of the overall weight of the stand 14 (e.g., about 25% to about 50%). A weight bracket 60 may be configured to retain the weight 56 within a pocket 62. One or more spacers 64, 66 and 68 may be stacked on top of the weight bracket 60 and the weight 56. The frame 48 may be positioned between the magnetic element 46 and one or more of the spacers 64, 66, 68. A cover 70 may be mounted to the base 54 to contain the weight 56, weight bracket 60 and spacers 64, 66, and 68. The cover 70 and/or the base 54 may define the handle mounting surface 30. The base 42 may define the distal end portion 42 of the handle mounting surface 30. The spacers 64, 66 and 68 may eliminate extra space between the base 54 and the cover 70 thus preventing components from moving around after assembly. One or more fasteners 72, 74, 76 may extend into a bottom surface 78 of the base 54 and into the cover 70, thus securing the base 54 to the cover 70. A ring 80 may be mounted to the bottom surface 78 of the base 54 to cover the fasteners 72, 74, 76. The ring 80 may comprise a low durometer material (such as silicone, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer) to prevent the stand 16 from sliding on a resting surface such as a sink or countertop.

[0017] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

[0018] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

[0019] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A personal care system (10) comprising:

a stand (16) having an outer perimeter (28) defining a recessed handle mounting surface (30) extending from a top surface (32) of the stand toward a bottom surface (34) of the stand; and

a handle (14) having an elongated body (22) mounted to the stand; wherein at least one magnetic element (46) retains the elongated body of the handle within the recessed handle mounting surface.

2. The personal care system (10) of claim 1 wherein the recessed handle mounting surface (30) extends along a support plane (38) that is not parallel to a center axis (A1) of the stand (16).

3. The personal care system (10) of claim 2 wherein the support plane (38) intersects the center axis (A1) of the stand (16) at an included angle (α) of 2 degrees to 6 degrees.

4. The personal care system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bottom surface (34) of the stand (16) lies on a resting plane (36) that is spaced apart from a distal end (40) of the handle (14).

5. The personal care system (10) of claim 4 wherein the bottom surface (34) of the stand (16) lies on a resting plane (36) that is spaced apart from the distal end (40) of the handle (14) by a distance of 1mm to 10mm.

6. The personal care system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein less than 60% of a bottom surface of the distal end (40) of the handle (14) is supported by the stand (16).

7. The personal care unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein 1 a distal end portion (42) of the handle mounting surface (30) is curved in more than one direction.

8. The personal care unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the magnetic element (46) is positioned between an inner wall (52) of the handle mounting surface (30) and a frame (48).

9. The personal care system (10) of claim 8 wherein the magnetic element (46) is positioned within a pocket (50).

10. The personal care system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle mounting surface (30) has a partially subtracted hemispherical end.

11. The personal care system (10) of claim 10 wherein the partially subtracted hemispherical end is subtracted greater than 40%.

12. The personal care system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle mounting surface (30) is a curved recess.

13. The personal care system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle (14) has an inner core (35) attracted to the magnetic element (46).

14. The personal care system (10) the wherein the handle mounting surface (30) extends 50% to 90% of a length from the top surface (32) to the bottom surface (34).

15. The personal care system (10) wherein the stand (16) comprises a base (54), a weight (56), one of more spacers (64, 66, 68) on top of the weight (56) and a cover (70) mounted to the base (54).

Drawing